Aspects Of Behavior Research Articles

Early-life gut microbiota assembly patterns are conserved between laboratory and wild mice

Assembly of the mammalian gut microbiota during early life is known to shape key aspects of organismal development, including immunity, metabolism and behaviour. While house mice (Mus musculus) are the major laboratory model organism for gut microbiota research, their artificial lab-based lifestyle could fundamentally alter ecological processes of microbiota assembly and dynamics, in ways that affect their usefulness as a model system. To examine this, here we directly compared patterns of gut microbiota assembly in house mice from the lab and from the wild, making use of a tractable, individually-marked wild population where we could examine patterns of gut microbiota assembly during early life. Despite lab and wild mice harbouring taxonomically distinct communities, we identify striking similarities in multiple patterns of their gut microbiota assembly. Specifically, age-related changes in both alpha and beta diversity, as well as the abundance of predominant phyla and aerotolerance of the microbiota followed parallel trajectories in both settings. These results suggest some degree of intrinsic programme in gut microbiota assembly that transcends variation in taxonomic profiles, and the genetic and environmental background of the host. They further support the notion that despite their artificial environment, lab mice can provide meaningful insights into natural microbiota ecological dynamics in early life and their interplay with host development.

Einstein’s spacetime curvature and gravitational waves: Elucidating the gradient flow of scalar invariants, variations in the Ricci scalar, and gravitational wave propagation

In the general theory of relativity initially rationalized by Einstein, the gravity is considered as an occurrence ensuing from the spacetime curvature, which is in turn triggered by the presence of mass. This article provides a detailed analysis of spacetime curvature and gravitational waves, enhancing our understanding of general relativity and astrophysics. Using both analytical and numerical methods, we examined the gradient flow of scalar invariants, variations in the Ricci scalar, and gravitational wave propagation. New findings include the identification of unique curvature patterns around rotating black holes, a detailed comparison of gradient flow behavior in different spacetime geometries, and the discovery of a correlation between scalar invariant fluctuations and gravitational wave amplitudes. These findings validate numerical techniques and reveal how different parameters affect gravitational wave characteristics. While simplified models are used, the present study offers a robust framework for future research. Our work aligns with previous studies but also reveals unique aspects of wave behavior, with implications for quantum gravity and cosmology.

The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility Characteristics on Employee Green Behavior: A Moral Emotions Perspective

Shaping green employees is a source of sustainable competitive advantage for enterprises. However, previous studies have lacked consideration of the moral aspects of employee green behavior (EGB), thus ignoring the mechanism of employee moral psychology, especially the important impact of moral emotions on EGB. Based on the affective events theory, we built a moderated mediation model to test how corporate social responsibility characteristics (CSRCs) affect EGB and to explore the role of organizational pride (OP) and the environmental passion climate (EPC) in this process. SPSS25.0 and Mplus8.0 were used to analyze data from 267 valid questionnaires. The results show that CSRCs' positive effect required EGB and OP to play a mediating role in the relationship between them. In addition, EPC had a negative moderating effect on the effect of OP on required EGB. These results expand the theoretical territory of EGB from the perspective of moral emotions. In practice, the results provide a moral motivation for cultivating employees’ ecological literacy and stimulating EGB as well as management strategies for organizational environmental protection practice and green sustainable development.

Hormonal actions in the medial preoptic area governing parental behaviour: Novel insights from new tools.

The importance of hormones in mediating a behavioural transition in mammals from a virgin or non-parenting state to parental state was established around 50 years ago. Extensive research has since revealed a highly conserved neural circuit that underlies parental behaviour both between sexes and between mammalian species. Within this circuit, hormonal action in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus (MPOA) has been shown to be key in timing the onset of parental behaviour with the birth of offspring. However, the mechanism underlying how hormones act in the MPOA to facilitate this change in behaviour has been unclear. Technical advances in neuroscience, including single cell sequencing, novel transgenic approaches, calcium imaging, and optogenetics, have recently been harnessed to reveal new insights into maternal behaviour. This review aims to highlight how the use of these tools has shaped our understanding about which aspects of maternal behaviour are regulated by specific hormone activity within the MPOA, how hormone-sensitive MPOA neurons integrate within the wider neural circuit that governs maternal behaviour, and how maternal hormones drive changes in MPOA neuronal function during different reproductive states. Finally, we review our current understanding of hormonal modulation of MPOA-mediated paternal behaviour in males.

Experimental Periodontitis Increases Anxious Behavior and Worsens Cognitive Aspects and Systemic Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats.

Periodontitis (PD) has the potential to induce systemic changes that affect both physical and behavioral aspects. These alterations may be associated with changes in both the inflammatory profile and the oxidative stress status of individuals with PD. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of PD on oxidative stress, as well as on behavioral parameters and cognitive impairment, in a preclinical model. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to PD and sham groups. PD was induced by the ligature protocol for 14 days. Behavioral tests were initiated on the 9th day of the experiment to evaluate anxious behavior and cognition (learning and memory). After euthanasia, oxidative stress was evaluated in the gums, blood, hippocampus, and amygdala. Alveolar bone loss, bone microstructure, and elemental compositions of the mandibular bone were also assessed. PD increased alveolar bone loss, reduced the calcium and phosphorus content in the mandibular bone, and increased anxiety-like behavior and cognitive decline (p < 0.05). Furthermore, PD significantly affected the redox balance, as evidenced by increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the gingiva and hippocampus (p < 0.05). It also led to increased lipid peroxidation in the gingiva and erythrocytes (p < 0.05), decreased antioxidant defenses in erythrocytes (superoxide dismutase) and the hippocampus (catalase), and increased antioxidant activity (catalase) in the amygdala (p < 0.05). PD resulted in cognitive alterations, including impairments in spatial learning and memory, as well as increased anxious behavior, likely due to redox imbalance in rats.

Mitigation measures for pinniped-fisheries interactions based on knowledge of animal behavior

Abstract A rise in pinniped-fisheries interactions has been observed due to the global decline in fish populations primarily attributed to overfishing, and/or due to the recent population recovery of several pinniped species. Although many studies have quantified these interactions, a limited number delve into their behavioral aspects. We consulted 374 studies on pinniped-fisheries interactions from 1980 to 2020 and analyzed which of them addressed the interaction from a behavioral perspective. Additionally, we examined the role of learning in pinnipeds and their ability to capture prey from fishing gear. The stimulus-reward relationship in operational interactions was addressed in 51 (14%) studies, involving 10 (19%) of the world’s 54 pinniped species or subspecies. Depredation behavior (43%) and attack behavior (35%) were frequently reported during fishing interactions. Understanding associative and non-associative learning mechanisms has the potential to reduce economic losses from fishing activity, advance efficient mitigation measures to minimize conflicts, and establish pragmatic conservation priorities based on a better understanding of the behavioral aspects of these interactions. More research is needed to explore the effectiveness of deterrents in different species, improve methods of reducing habituation, and evaluate long-term behavioral effects, fostering effective strategies for minimizing conflicts and promoting coexistence between humans and pinnipeds.

Shoal size as a key variable in fish behavioral ecotoxicology: an example using sertraline.

A significant limitation of behavioral ecotoxicology is the challenge of obtaining reproducible results due to a wide range of testing conditions. In particular, shoal size affects almost all aspects of fish behavior, but is rarely considered as a factor in ecotoxicological studies. In the present study, we compared the swimming and antipredator responses of different sized shoals of Arabian killifish (Aphaniops stoliczkanus) after exposure to environmentally realistic concentrations of the antidepressant medication sertraline. Groups of fish (1, 3 or 5 individuals) were exposed to either 5 or 50 ng/L sertraline. After 37 days, swimming behavior and responses to a predator alarm were measured. We found that the effects of group size were much stronger than the effects of sertraline on swimming. Group size was also the major factor influencing responses to the predator alarm, with single fish showing the strongest responses. Sertraline directly affected acceleration, turning speed and average distance to the arena wall. For all three parameters, there were significant interactions with shoal size, demonstrating that responses differed depending on the size of the group. We also found that effects of sertraline could still be observed 14 days after cessation of exposure. The study highlights the importance of considering social context and specifically shoal size when designing behavioral studies on chemicals. Failure to consider this may result in over- or under-estimation of risks.

Cloud Platform Business Scenario Modeling Based on Multi-Model Fusion Recommendation Algorithm

In the era of cloud computing, businesses are increasingly relying on cloud platforms to streamline their operations and deliver services efficiently. Recommendation systems play a pivotal role in suggesting suitable services and resources to enhance user experience and optimize resource allocation. This paper presents a novel approach, the Multi-Model Fusion Recommendation Algorithm (MMFRA), which integrates multiple recommendation models using advanced fusion techniques to enhance the accuracy of recommendations in cloud platform business scenarios. The implementation process of MMFRA involves combining diverse recommendation models, such as collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and matrix factorization, into a unified framework that leverages their strengths while mitigating individual limitations. This fusion process is designed to achieve higher precision in service recommendations by considering various aspects of user behavior and preferences. Through a comprehensive evaluation in a simulated cloud platform environment, MMFRA demonstrates superior performance in terms of recommendation accuracy and user satisfaction. The proposed algorithm offers significant potential for enhancing the effectiveness of cloud platform services, ultimately benefiting both service providers and users.

Socially responsible human resource management for sustainable performance in a moderated mediation mechanism

This study examines Socially Responsible Human Resource Management (SRHRM) for the common good through the connections between the psychological green climate (PGC) and employee green behavior (EGB). In doing so, it explores the influence of SRHRM and PGC on EGB and sustainable performance (SP) as well as the moderating effect of PGC on EGB for organizing sustainable dimensions of HRM for environmental common goods. Drawing on the notion of the common good, this study mobilizes the ability motivation opportunity theory to articulate the nexus of business ethics and the environment. This study is quantitative in nature, following the deducting reason approach. Data were collected from 307 manufacturing companies using a survey. To ensure robustness, structural equation modeling using the AMOS software was used to analyze the data. The study's results show that both SRHRM and PGC directly influence EGB, which proxies to affect the organizational SP precisely. However, the results also show that SRHRM has no significant direct repercussions on SP, and the analysis of the moderation effect revealed that PGC does not intervene in the relationship between SRHRM and EGB. This paper contributes to an interesting conjuncture of growing literature on the adoption and impact of SRHRM and SP, which we argue can become the epicenter of ethical business processes to ensure the common environmental good. This study shows that organizations can flourish sustainable behavioral aspects, values, norms, and practices in business processes and among employees by nurturing the tenets of SRHRM, PGC, and EGB, which will increase the organizational capacity to transform the environmental common good.

Separate anterior paraventricular thalamus projections differentially regulate sensory and affective aspects of pain

The experience of pain is complex, involving both sensory and affective components, yet the underlying neural mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that formalin-induced pain behaviors coincide with increased responses in glutamatergic neurons within the anterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVA). Furthermore, we describe non-overlapping subpopulations of PVAVgluT2 neurons involved in sensory and affective pain processing, whose activity varies across different pain states. Activating PVA glutamatergic neurons is sufficient to induce mechanical hypersensitivity and aversion behaviors, whereas suppression ameliorates formalin-induced pain. Furthermore, we identify the segregation of PVAVgluT2 projections to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), each influencing specific aspects of pain-like behavior. This finding provides an important insight into the mechanism of distinct components of pain, highlighting the pivotal role of PVA in mediating different aspects of pain-like behavior with distinct circuits.

Trust in Automation Measures for Aeromedical Settings

INTRODUCTION: As military environments integrate more complex technological systems, operators increasingly require more assistance from automation. When used properly, automation can significantly enhance performance; however, proper use is predicated on the operator’s trust in the automation (TIA). TIA, like trust among people, is influenced by biological, psychosocial, and behavioral aspects. While options for measuring TIA have rapidly expanded in the past decade, there has been little consideration for how well these measures perform in operational environments. METHODS: A 10-yr literature review was conducted to identify TIA measures and rate their appropriateness for operational aeromedical environments. Articles from Google Scholar, EBSCO, and the Defense Technical Information Center databases were included, focusing on user-reported, physiological, and behavioral measures. Study quality was rated by aeromedical research scientists, while aeromedical appropriateness was evaluated by rated military pilots. Measures were categorized as High Recommendation, Cautious Recommendation, or Not Recommended based on these evaluations. RESULTS: Of the measures reviewed, 28 were recommended for operational use, 23 received cautious recommendations, and 6 were not recommended. The recommended measures demonstrated high research quality and suitability for aeromedical environments. The cautious recommendations highlighted measures with specific limitations that need to be considered in operational settings, while the not recommended measures lacked sufficient evidence for reliable use in these contexts. DISCUSSION: Several high-quality TIA measures appear suitable for operational aeromedical settings. While these recommendations offer a starting point for testing TIA in aeromedical settings, further research is required to test how well these measures perform in an operational environment. Ranes B, Wilkins J, Kenser E, Caid-Loos M. Trust in automation measures for aeromedical settings. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(11):851–861.

Prolonged STAT1 signaling in neurons causes hyperactive behavior

The interferon (IFN)-induced STAT1 signaling pathway is a canonical immune pathway that has also been implicated in regulating neuronal activity. The pathway is enriched in brains of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZ). Over-activation of the STAT1 pathway causes pathological transcriptional responses, however it is unclear how these responses might translate into behavioral phenotypes. We hypothesized that prolonged STAT1 signaling in neurons would be sufficient to cause behavioral deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we developed a novel mouse model with the clinical STAT1 gain-of-function mutation, T385M, in neurons. These mice were hyperactive and displayed neural hypoactivity with less neuron counts in the caudate putamen. Driving the STAT1 gain-of-function mutation exclusively in dopaminergic neurons, which project to the caudate putamen of the dorsal striatum, mimicked some hyperactive behaviors without a reduction of neurons. Moreover, we demonstrated that this phenotype is neuron specific, as mice with prolonged STAT1 signaling in all excitatory or inhibitory neurons or in microglia were not hyperactive. Overall, these findings suggest that STAT1 signaling in neurons is a crucial player in regulating striatal neuron activity and aspects of motor behavior.

Simulation-based Driver Scoring and Profiling System

This paper describes a rule-based Driver Scoring System model, derived from behavioral data collected using a driving simulator. It introduces a novel approach to establish driver profiles through feature engineering of acquired dataset, with features evaluating various aspects of driver behaviour. The research aims to provide employers and drivers with profile-specific feedback and recommendations to design training protocols. Principal Component Analysis is applied on preprocessed dataset from 412 drivers for dimensionality reduction and feature selection. The K-means clustering algorithm is used for data analysis, resulting in three distinct clusters. The Kruskal-Wallis test, supplemented by post hoc Dunn testing is employed to determine statistical significance between clusters. Clusters are portrayed using descriptive statistics, specifically the mean scores and overall driver performance averages. Our method delineates three driver profiles, with two driving styles reflecting desirable driving skills and good overall performance, while the third represents unacceptable driving skills and bad overall performance.

Shared Patterns of Cognitive Control Behavior and Electrophysiological Markers in Adolescence.

Behavioral parameters obtained from cognitive control tasks have been linked to electrophysiological markers. Yet, most previous research has investigated only a few specific behavioral parameters at a time. An integrated approach with simultaneous consideration of multiple aspects of behavior may better elucidate the development and function of cognitive control. Here, we aimed to identify shared patterns between cognitive control behavior and electrophysiological markers using stop-signal task data and EEG recordings from an adolescent sample (n = 193, aged 11-25 years). We extracted behavioral variables covering various aspects of RT, accuracy, inhibition, and decision-making processes, as well as amplitude and latency of the ERPs N1, N2, and P3. To identify shared patterns between the two sets of variables, we employed a principal component analysis and a canonical correlation analysis. First, we replicated previously reported associations between various cognitive control behavioral parameters. Next, results from the canonical correlation analysis showed that overall good task performance was associated with fast and strong neural processing. Furthermore, the canonical correlation was affected by age, indicating that the association varies depending on age. The present study suggests that although distributional and computational methods can be applied to extract specific behavioral parameters, they might not capture specific patterns of cognitive control or electrophysiological brain activity in adolescents.

Intercalated amygdala dysfunction drives avoidance extinction deficits in the Sapap3 mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder

The avoidance of aversive stimuli through negative reinforcement learning is critical for survival in real-world environments, which demand dynamic responding to both positive and negative stimuli that often conflict with each other. Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) commonly exhibit impaired negative reinforcement and extinction, perhaps involving deficits in amygdala functioning. An amygdala subregion of particular interest is the intercalated nuclei of the amygdala (ITC) which has been linked to negative reinforcement and extinction, with distinct clusters mediating separate aspects of behavior. This study focuses on the dorsal ITC cluster (ITCd) and its role in negative reinforcement during a complex behavior that models real-world dynamic decision making. We investigated the impact of ITCd function on negative reinforcement and extinction by applying fiber photometry measurement of GCamp6f signals and optogenetic manipulations during a platform-mediated avoidance task in a mouse model of OCD-like behavior: the Sapap3-null mouse. We find impaired neural activity in the ITCd of male and female Sapap3-null mice to the encoding of negative stimuli during platform-mediated avoidance. Sapap3-null mice also exhibit deficits in extinction of avoidant behavior, which is modulated by ITCd neural activity. Sapap3-null mice fail to extinguish avoidant behavior in platform-mediated avoidance, due to heightened ITCd activity. This deficit can be rescued by optogenetically inhibiting ITCd during extinction. Together, our results provide insight into the neural mechanisms underpinning negative reinforcement deficits in the context of OCD, emphasizing the necessity of ITCd in responding to negative stimuli in complex environments.

The Current Phyto-Scape and Foodplants of Holley Shelter, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and Its Potential for Past Foragers

AbstractCurrent phyto-scapes (plant populations in their geo-spatial context) are not exact replicas of past foraging potential, yet they provide valuable data about the carrying capacity or potential of a foraging-scape. Knowledge about contemporary micro-ecologies and ethno-historical plant use can inform on behavioral aspects, should such plants be found in archaeological deposits. It is in this context that we explore existing information (data and literature) to establish the current vegetation types and micro-ecologies around Holley Shelter, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, that contains Middle and Later Stone Age occupations. We present the first plant species inventory consisting of &gt; 1500 taxa growing approximately a day’s foraging distance from the site, compiled from records provided by the South African National Biodiversity Institute and other sources. From this list, we generated separate checklists for foodplants (n = 450) and plants that have other uses (n = 337), to gain insight into the site’s current phyto-fitness potential. The resulting database is intended as a modern proxy for future work on the site’s archaeo-botany and palaeo-climatic reconstructions. The data is also applicable to other sites on the Savanna/Grassland Biomes of southern Africa with records of the same species. Here we use the foodplant checklist and what is known about the edible plant parts, their seasonality and the distribution of some species to speculate about land-use patterns. These hypotheses can be tested for the past with future archaeo-botanical work. We demonstrate that, compared to archaeological sites in the Eastern and Western Cape for which comparable data exist, Holley Shelter is rich in foodplants, and especially so in plant foods that are known to buffer against famine during the periodical droughts of inland South Africa.

Exploring teachers’ social-emotional competencies to navigate ethical dilemma discussions

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate how teachers employed social-emotional competencies when discussing ethical dilemmas in various school contexts. In the first phase, the authors examined 20 scenarios arising from the day-to-day activities of the teachers and role-playing exercises they participated in during an annual course. During the second phase, we observed how social-emotional competencies were used during role-playing activities to resolve ethical dilemmas. There is evidence of individualistic and interpersonal aspects of emotional and social behaviour in this qualitative study, which indicates the application of social-emotional competencies. It can be argued that social-emotional competencies are theoretically justified when used by teachers to navigate ethical dilemma discussions. In practical terms, these findings can help to restructure social-emotional learning processes with simulations. Research limitations and future directions are also discussed.

Effect of Raha syrup on the motivational effects of morphine and CSF serotonin levels in rats

Opiates may influence motivational processes by a dysregulation of brain reward pathways that play a role in context-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. Raha syrup as herbal bioactive compounds with anti-anxiety/depressant effects may be prevented morphine-induced reward and motivation effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Raha syrup on the rewarding effects of morphine and motivational aspects of morphine-seeking behavior in morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) model and also the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serotonin levels following the extinction and reinstatement in rats. In this study, adult male Wistar rats received Raha syrup via oral gavage to assess of the acquisition, extinction and reinstatement of the morphine-induced CPP and as well as measurement of the CSF serotonin levels. Administration of Raha syrup during the conditioning period significantly attenuated the acquisition of morphine-induced CPP, and increased the CSF serotonin level, 6 days after cessation of treatment during extinction, while did not affect the duration of the extinction period. Also, Raha syrup during the extinction period did not affect the reinstatement of morphine-induced CPP and the CSF serotonin levels in rats. We conclude that Raha syrup attenuated the acquisition of morphine reward probably through an increase in CSF serotonin, while could not maintain the extinguished CPP and had no effect on the reinstatement. Therefore, Raha syrup as a useful adjunctive therapeutic strategy may exert a protective effect against opiate-related rewards, while it may be ineffective to prevention of motivation or drug-seeking reinstatement (relapse).

Temperature and photoperiod differentially impact maternal phenotypes in diapause egg-laying Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894) mosquitoes can transmit deadly arboviruses and are globally invasive due to their ability to survive in both tropical and temperate climates. Although adults cannot survive harsh winters, females are capable of anticipating seasonal change and producing overwintering diapause (DP) eggs that remain in a state of arrested development over the winter and hatch when favorable conditions return in the spring. While low temperatures can facilitate DP entry under short photoperiods, temperature signals alone are not sufficient to induce DP. To identify maternal phenotypes predictive of DP egg production in laboratory conditions, we characterized aspects of maternal physiology and behavior to identify those that correlate with DP egg production and changes in photoperiod, versus changes in temperature. Neither changes in temperature nor photoperiod impacted protein preference, blood meal consumption, or total number of eggs produced per female. Egg retention and oviposition timing were influenced by temperature, independent of DP egg production. However, females housed under short photoperiod conditions showed increased starvation resistance, despite showing similar levels of locomotor activity and internal stores of triacylglycerols, glucose, glycogen, and trehalose compared to females housed in long photoperiods. These results suggest that temperature and photoperiod differentially affect maternal phenotypes and identify starvation resistance as a maternal phenotype that is influenced by photoperiod and correlates with DP egg status.

Environmental and Behavioral Determinants of Septicemia Mortality in Türkiye: A Ten-Year Analysis

This study examines the environmental and behavioral factors associated with variations in septicemia mortality rates across Turkish provinces. Province-level data spanning ten years were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression modeling to determine the predictors of septicemia mortality. Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and air pollutants, along with behavioral aspects including alcohol consumption, were evaluated. Analysis of the provided data revealed significant regional variations in septicemia mortality rates across areas with diverse environmental and social characteristics. Higher median humidity and stable environmental conditions (low variability in humidity and temperature) correlated with reduced mortality rates. Alcohol consumption was identified as a risk factor, moderately increasing the risk of septicemia mortality. The findings highlight the intricate relationship between environmental stability, personal behaviors, and septicemia outcomes. The study accentuates the need for targeted public health strategies and suggests that mitigating environmental risks and fostering healthy behaviors could effectively reduce septicemia mortality. Further studies should focus on individual-level data and explore the relationship between these factors in different climatic conditions.