Behavioral Patterns In Relation Research Articles

Quantile regression based method for characterizing risk-specific behavioral patterns in relation to longitudinal left-censored biomarker data collected from heterogeneous populations

There are many studies aimed at promoting positive lifestyle behaviors to reduce lifetime risk of cancer and related diseases. However, assessing these modifiable behaviors through statistical modeling is challenging because of the multidimensionality of interrelated measurements that may dramatically differ between at-risk individuals. Taking into account this heterogeneity while considering the multidimensionality of behavior changes is fundamental to tailoring interventions to their needs. Biomarkers that identify high-risk individuals may help validate proximal measures, but the number of validated methods that link biomarkers to multiple behavioral measurements by determining their dynamic relations with disease risks is limited to just a few, since it requires an advanced statistical methodology to address challenges in analyzing biomarker data, including left-censoring due to limits of detection. To address these challenges, we propose a method that constructs a quantile-specific weighted index of multiple behavioral measurements. Under the quantile regression framework, the proposed method renders a multidimensional view of risk-specific behavioral patterns by connecting them with biomarker levels to provide better insights into heterogeneous behavioral profiles among at-risk populations. We evaluate performances of the proposed method through simulations, and illustrate its applications to the Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! data by examining behavior changes among Mexican-American adults.

Analysis of the structure of the information field of perception of risk factors for non-communicable diseases

When studying the attitude of the population to saving their own health, the question of the connection between abstract knowledge about the harm caused to health by risk factors and a real understanding of the harm caused by these factors to their own health remains poorly understood.The purpose of this work is to analyze the structure of the information field of the population’s attitude to the impact of FR on health.Materials and methods. The material for the analysis was the results of a sociological survey in three pilot regions of the Russian Federation – Tula Region, Stavropol Territory and the Republic of Crimea. The questionnaire consisted of 33 questions concerning risk factors and their impact on the human body and a block of questions concerning sources of medical information and trust in them. The sample size was 1,718 respondents. The following methods were used: descriptive statistics and the sociological method of questioning. Statistical data processing and reweighing were carried out in the statistical data processing package SPSS22.0. In general, the sampling error in the study does not exceed 1.99% for a confidence level of p<0.1.Results. The study showed that abstract knowledge about the harm of a particular FR in almost all FR is quite high, since it is precisely on them that the efforts of the medical community have been directed in recent decades. Moreover, the highest values are expected to have such factors as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, elevated blood sugar (glucose) and high blood pressure. The level of knowledge of the harm of FR, to which the medical community paid less attention, was expected to be lower. The lowest value is such a FR as a low iodine content in salt, which is consumed in food. An assessment of the relationship of variables such as abstract knowledge of harm about FR and understanding of their harm to one’s body using a two-way T-criterion showed that these variables are completely independent of each other at the significance level p<0.001. This result made us look more closely at the factor structure of the studied field of reality and put forward the assumption of independence of knowledge about the harm caused to the human body by FR and behavioral patterns in relation to FR. As a result of factor analysis of 73 variables, 9 factors were identified: the first and most powerful factor (10.33%) – knowledge of the effect of FR on one’s own health; the second most powerful factor (8.71%) – knowledge of the harm of FR; the third highlighted factor (5.46%) – trust in information sources, which included both trust in the media and trust in TV presenters, popular personalities and trust in the leaders of the region and the city; the fourth highlighted factor (4.67%) is the gender characteristics of the control of the FR by the population; the fifth highlighted factor (4.59%) is the sources of information about the FR; the sixth highlighted factor (4.30%) – age–related features of FR control; the seventh highlighted factor (3.32%) – the use of gadgets to control FR and exercise; the eighth highlighted factor (3.00%) – trust in health workers as a source of information; the ninth highlighted factor (2.59%) – smoking and alcohol consumption.Conclusion. The assessment of the effect of FR on the respondents’ own health in the framework of the conducted study turned out to be significantly lower than abstract knowledge about the harmful effects of these FR. The analysis of the factor structure of the studied field confirmed the validity of such a division of knowledge based on ideas about its various forms – «knowledge in itself» and «knowledge for oneself». The analysis made it possible to formulate a number of conditions for improving the effectiveness of preventive work with the population, including to increase the impact of population prevention: it is necessary to more actively involve the most important sources for the population – medical workers, scientific medical workers and health managers; more fully take into account the gender and age characteristics of audiences in preventive measures; the use of mass media should be preceded by an analysis of the level of trust in them from the target audience; the information messages themselves must first be checked for memorability. Preventive measures should change the personal meanings of specific people in relation to FR and HLS, and not be limited to stating general knowledge about them. The study also allows us to determine the directions for further research of the population’s attitude to the FR and their own health as an interdisciplinary task with the necessary involvement of specialists in medical and general psychology, personality psychology and motivation psychology, as well as sociologists.

Occupant behavioral adjustments and thermal comfort with torso and/or foot warming in two cold indoor environments

Personal warming systems have been shown to improve occupant thermal comfort in cold indoor environments. Currently, there are almost no published comprehensive studies on the examination of occupant behavioral patterns in relation to the use of personal warming systems. Thus, this study presented a human trial study to investigate the effects of torso and foot warming on thermal comfort of young female occupants in two cold indoor environments (15 °C and 17 °C), based on a water warming suit (WWS) and HYB (a WWS combined with heated socks). Besides, occupant behavior adjustments regarding water temperature setpoints for WWS and electrical heating levels for heated socks were thoroughly investigated. WWS and HYB improved occupant thermal comfort at 15 °C and 17 °C, with ≥85.7 % of ‘No Change’ OTPVs (overall thermal preference votes) observed during the last 20 min of exposure. Foot heating can significantly reduce heating demand on the upper torso, both in terms of water setting temperatures and total heating time. HYB exhibited a 25.4 % and 43.3 % shorter total duration with water setting temperatures of ≥40 °C compared to WWS at 15 °C and 17 °C, respectively. Further, occupants have employed a trial-and-error adjustment approach to determine the heating temperature/level that offers optimal thermal comfort in the cold. Lastly, the use of two PWS combinations has the potential to reduce energy consumption for indoor heating by 62.9 %, 32.1 %, and 53.7 % in cities such as San Francisco, Phoenix, and Minneapolis (baseline heating setpoint: 21.5 °C).

Somatic Symptoms and Health Risk Behavior in Russian Youth: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: People of many countries have become more susceptible to health risk behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Modern experts have studied psychological, but not psychosomatic outcomes of this susceptibility. Objective: To examine somatic symptoms and health risk behavior, their prevalence and associations among Russian youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: In 2021–2022, 1,050 young Russians aged 18 to 25 years were surveyed. They filled out the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and a form containing questions about behavioral patterns in relation to sleep, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Among the respondents, 32 % were somatized, 79 % slept less than 7 hours a day, 89 % ate junk food, 40 % smoked regular or electronic cigarettes, 46 % often consumed alcohol, and 81 % had low physical activity. Somatization was more frequent in women, while health risk behavior was more common in men and the respondents with somatic symptoms. Conclusion: It is important to develop and implement programs of psychological education and prevention of somatization and health risk behavior.

Здоровье как индикатор качества жизни и субъективного благополучия детей и молодёжи коренных малочисленных народов Севера, Сибири и Дальнего Востока РФ

The attention of Arctic researchers is increasingly turning to the people who inhabit it. One of the objects of such research is the quality of life and subjective well-being of the indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East, traditionally determined by the degree of satisfaction of needs, interests and expectations, the level of comfort of the social and natural environment for human life, the degree of trust in social institutions, accessibility and quality of social services, which determine the level of well-being, social, spiritual and physical health of people. Health is one of the key indicators of the quality of life. The analysis of health of youth of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East (ISNPNS and FE) creates the basis for the development of comprehensive health-saving programs, forecasting and organizing effective measures to preserve and strengthen the health of people arriving in the Far North in the conditions of its active industrial development. Health indicators are determined by approaches to its assessment, which involve taking into account a variety of information. Empirical data on the health factors of the ISNPNS and FE have been accumulated in Russia, but there is a lack of knowledge about the degree of their influence on the quality of life of children and youth. Representative data on the peculiarities of the health of adolescents and youth of the ISNPNS and FE of the Russian Federation in various regions, its impact on subjective well-being and quality of life are presented. Behavioral patterns in relation to various aspects of health, experiences of interaction with and attitudes towards official and alternative medicine are analyzed; environmental factors significant in the context of health care are identified.

Behavioral Sciences in the Optimization of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the main chronic diseases worldwide, with a significant impact on public health. Behavioral changes are an important step in disease prevention and management, so the way in which individuals adapt their lifestyle to new circumstances will undoubtedly be a predictor of the success of the treatments instituted, contributing to a reduction in the morbidity and mortality that may be associated with them. It is essential to prepare and educate all diabetic patients on the importance of changing behavioral patterns in relation to the disease, with health professionals assuming an extremely important role in this area, both from a pharmacological and non-pharmacological point of view, and also ensuring the monitoring of the progress of these measures. Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires a high self-management capacity on the part of patients in order to achieve success in treating the disease, and non-adherence to therapy or non-compliance with the previously defined plan, together with an erratic lifestyle, will contribute to failure in controlling the disease. The lower adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in diabetes is mainly correlated to socio-economic aspects, lower health literacy, the side effects associated with the use of antidiabetic therapy or even the concomitant use of several drugs. This article consists of a narrative review that aims to synthesize the findings published in the literature, retrieved by searching databases, manuals, previously published scientific articles and official texts, following the methodology of the Scale for Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). We aim to address the importance of behavioral sciences in the treatment of diabetes, in order to assess behavior factors and barriers for behavior changes that have an impact on the therapeutic and non-therapeutic optimization in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus control.

Quantifying the performance of selective devices by combining analysis of catch data and fish behaviour observations: methodology and case study on a flatfish excluder

AbstractThis article describes a method for the quantitative analysis of fish behaviour relative to selection devices in trawl gears. Based on video observations, the method estimates probabilities for a given event to happen and establishes behavioural tree diagrams representing and quantifying behavioural patterns in relation to the selection device under assessment. Double bootstrapping is used to account for the uncertainty originating from a limited number of fish observations and the natural variation in fish behaviour. The method is used here to supplement standard analysis of catch data for the performance assessment of a flatfish excluder (FLEX). The Baltic Sea trawl fishery targeting cod (Gadus morhua) provides the pilot case. Results obtained by comparing catches with and without FLEX installed revealed that >75% of bycaught flatfish individuals escaped through the device, while no evidence was found that catches of cod in the targeted sizes were reduced. The behavioural analysis produced values of escape efficiency comparable to those obtained in the catch analysis. Furthermore, it revealed that ∼80% of the flatfish went calmly into the excluder, while most of the roundfish displayed avoidance swimming reactions. The method provides quantitative information of fish behaviour that can be relevant for developing and optimizing selection devices.

Climate change perception, vulnerability, and readiness: inter-country variability and emerging patterns in Latin America

In Latin America, there is scarce comparative research on variables associated with the perception of climate change. This hinders the ability of governments to take mitigation and adaptation measures in the face of the phenomenon, as well as the ability of the population to cope with its effects. In order to fill that void, this research studies the relationship between climate change perception, vulnerability, and readiness in 17 countries of the region. To that end, perception indicators included in the Latinobarómetro 2017 survey are analyzed, contrasted with vulnerability and readiness indexes provided by the University of Notre Dame’s Global Adaptation Index. The analytical strategy includes the statistical description of the variables associated with the perception of climate change in countries of the region, clustering together those countries that display similar behavioral patterns in relation to their vulnerability and readiness indicators, as well as crosstabs with climate change indicators. The key findings indicate that it is possible to identify 3 patterns of behavior regarding the countries’ vulnerability and readiness, which account for high, intermediate, and low levels in those variables. These patterns indicate cross-cutting trends concerning variables such as the level of education and affinity for the market economy, as well as particularities differentiating each country from the rest. The main conclusion is the existence of a negative association between the affinity people express for the market economy and their acknowledgment of climate change as a relevant problem.

Graphical visualization of behavioural patterns in relation to indoor environment quality and energy use

In this paper, the authors provide a general overview on the methodological framework behind the monitoring and evaluation strategies of Mobistyle project that are used as reference for the demonstration cases. The strategies identify parameters that need to be evaluated during several phases regarding the impact (energy, IEQ, health, behavioural patterns) and the strategy (effectiveness of the process) of the project, and how these parameters can be numerically evaluated. In particular, the paper focuses on the graphical visualization method for behavioural patterns analysis in relation to indoor environment quality and energy use. The proposed approach is illustrated based on measured data from one Mobistyle Project case study i.e. a hotel for long term stay located in Turin, Italy.

Plasticity and consistency of lying and ruminating behaviours of heifers exposed to different cubicle availability: A glance at individuality

Behavioural responses are a balance between plasticity (changes in behavioural patterns in relation to the environment) and consistency (similar behavioural responses in different situations). In addition, behavioural consistency indicates the presence of individuality, that is, a degree of internal consistency in the way individuals respond to situations. The estimation of the strength of plasticity and consistency in behaviour is a way to explore how coping mechanisms work and the degree to which environmental changes and individuality influence behavioural responses. Therefore, this study evaluated the balance between plasticity and consistency in the rumination and lying patterns of heifers exposed to three cubicle availabilities by comparing the effect size estimates of a repeated measures ANOVA (plasticity) and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (consistency). Heifers lay and ruminated less time on average as cubicle availability decreased (Total lying: F = 15.382,28; P < 0.0001 and Total rumination: F = 167.762,28; P < 0.0001). Rumination had a stronger effect size estimate of plasticity (Total rumination: 0.88 > 0.38), probably as a result of the importance of this activity for cows’ energy acquisition and the low energy cost of this activity. Lying behaviours tended more towards consistency (Total lying: 0.81 > 0.59), most likely to avoid the energy costs of plasticity at individual level. Individuals are consistent in their lying behaviour, which can cause health risks if, despite changes in the environment, heifers lie for too long or not long enough. Further research is needed to address the relationship of individuality and expression of basic behaviours, such as lying and rumination, and the role of individuality in disease prevention.

The utilization of prey-simulating electrodes to analyze the predatory behavior of the great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran)

A new observation of a great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) natural predation on a southern stingray (Hypanus americana) is described in combination with two novel field experiments that investigate both: (1) the sensory cues that elicit S. mokarran foraging responses, as well as (2) the unique prey handling techniques that make this hammerhead such a specialized predator. This study is the first to demonstrate the importance of electro-sensory cues at close ranges for prey detection in S. mokarran. In addition, both the observed natural predation and field experiments provided visual evidence of the repeated prey manipulation technique, termed ‘lateral headshake repositioning’, that may maximize prey handling and foraging success. Further research using more accurate chemo-sensory cues (e.g. those from southern stingrays – Hypanus americana) or varying decoy manipulations (e.g. a buried decoy with active electrodes) is warranted to enhance our understanding of the sensory allocation and prey handling behavioral patterns in relation to the foraging success of this endangered predator.

Re-imagining malaria: heterogeneity of human and mosquito behaviour in relation to residual malaria transmission in Cambodia.

BackgroundIn certain regions in Southeast Asia, where malaria is reduced to forested regions populated by ethnic minorities dependent on slash-and-burn agriculture, malaria vector populations have developed a propensity to feed early and outdoors, limiting the effectiveness of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). The interplay between heterogeneous human, as well as mosquito behaviour, radically challenges malaria control in such residual transmission contexts. This study examines human behavioural patterns in relation to the vector behaviour.MethodsThe anthropological research used a sequential mixed-methods study design in which quantitative survey research methods were used to complement findings from qualitative ethnographic research. The qualitative research existed of in-depth interviews and participant observation. For the entomological research, indoor and outdoor human landing collections were performed. All research was conducted in selected villages in Ratanakiri province, Cambodia.ResultsVariability in human behaviour resulted in variable exposure to outdoor and early biting vectors: (i) indigenous people were found to commute between farms in the forest, where malaria exposure is higher, and village homes; (ii) the indoor/outdoor biting distinction was less clear in forest housing often completely or partly open to the outside; (iii) reported sleeping times varied according to the context of economic activities, impacting on the proportion of infections that could be accounted for by early or nighttime biting; (iv) protection by LLINs may not be as high as self-reported survey data indicate, as observations showed around 40% (non-treated) market net use while (v) unprotected evening resting and deep forest activities impacted further on the suboptimal use of LLINs.ConclusionsThe heterogeneity of human behaviour and the variation of vector densities and biting behaviours may lead to a considerable proportion of exposure occurring during times that people are assumed to be protected by the distributed LLINs. Additional efforts in improving LLIN use during times when people are resting in the evening and during the night might still have an impact on further reducing malaria transmission in Cambodia.

Children’s behavioral patterns, the Five-Factor model of personality, and risk behaviors

Although relations between children’s personality and health behaviors have been identified, previous research has relied primarily on survey assessments. The present study used behavioral observations to examine children’s ( n = 94, mean age = 10.07 years) behavioral patterns in relation to their participation in risk behaviors 1 year later. Results contribute to previous reports linking specific personality traits to children’s likelihood of participation in risky behaviors. Specifically, girls’ participation in risky behavior was related to the expression of behavioral patterns associated with neuroticism, introversion, and disagreeableness, while boys participation in risk behaviors was related to behavioral patterns associated with extraversion and disagreeableness. Findings are discussed in terms of their potential for contributing to health promotion efforts aimed at identifying children most at risk for adopting unhealthy behaviors.

Intra-specific variability in the temporal organisation of foraging activity in the limpet Patella vulgata

Patella vulgata is one of the most common limpet species on rocky shores throughout the north-eastern Atlantic. Foraging activity of this species has been described during various different diel and tidal phases and several factors have been suggested that might influence the timing of its activity. Among these, inclination of rock surfaces seems to have a clear role, with limpets on horizontal rocks being active during daylight at high water, while limpets on vertical rocks were active during night-time low water. However, by comparing the results of previous investigations it is difficult to separate clearly the effect of any single factor from the effects of their interactions. In the present paper we investigated the simultaneous influence of height on the shore, slope of rock surface and date of sampling (August-September and March-April) on the behaviour of a population of P. vulgata on the Isle of Man (UK). The study was carried out using modern telemetric methods, allowing the activity patterns of limpets to be recorded for long periods of time. The results showed that limpets concentrated their activity during two distinct temporal windows-daytime tide-in and night-time tide-out-while no significant activity was observed during daytime tide-out or night-time tide-in. The observed behaviour appeared to be driven by complex interactions among the three factors examined, and the influence of rock slope alone was not so strong as to override the effect of other factors completely. In addition, a key finding of this study was the conspicuous variability in the individual behaviour of P. vulgata. The greatest level of variability was observed in limpets on vertical surfaces on the upper shore, which showed an extreme switch in behavioural patterns, according to date of sampling (daylight/tide-in foraging during the spring and night-time/tide-out foraging during late summer). In addition, individuals apparently sharing the same set of conditions (inclination, height on the shore and sampling date) differed in their behaviour, and a given behavioural pattern was not always shared by all individuals from a given group. Finally, variability was also observed at the 'intra-individual' level since the same individual could be active during different tidal and diel phases. In conclusion, although the existence of endogenous rhythms has previously been demonstrated in this species, our data clearly show that P. vulgata was able to modulate its behavioural patterns in relation to a variety of exogenous determinants.

Studies on behavioral patterns in Jamunapari goats

A study was made with different age groups of Jamunapari goats (30 goats in each age group of 3–6 months, 6–12 months and adult goats) on behavioral patterns in relation to grazing, which may have significance for changes in the ecology and the future of the Jamunapari breed. The Jamunapari has adopted definite patterns of grazing for a long time and in its evolution developed definite feeding habits due to its unique anatomical features. Ears in adults are about 20–30 cm long and the snout is 18–25 cm long, making the ratio of ear length to snout 1.42 in adult animals. The Roman nose brachygnathia and the extreme ear length appear to be major reasons for the goats adopting browsing in preference to grazing, since the lower lip touches the ground first, making it difficult to execute bites in grazing. Also the long ears extend over their eyes when grazing ground flora. When there is an absence of top flora for browsing, the breed prefers middle flora over ground flora. In additional studies of leadership patterns it was found that the individual with the highest number of relatives becomes the leader and takes care of peace for the flock. There seemed to be no problems with aggressiveness. This study should aid in better conservation of the Jamunapari breed, which is declining in numbers in their home tract.

Consumer perspectives on the African sharptooth catfish in rural and urban areas of the Northern Province

This study evaluated consumer behavioural patterns in relation to meat products, with special reference to the African sharptooth catfish, in the Northern Province. Personal interviews were conducted in rural Ga‐Mamphaka and urban Giyani. The major meat type purchased was found to be chicken (71 per cent in the rural and 46 per cent in the urban community). The sharptooth catfish was found to be acceptable to the majority of respondents, both urban (69 per cent) and rural (57 per cent). Most respondents also indicated that they would like to purchase canned catfish. A potential market for catfish would seem to exist at a price competitive with that of chicken.

Drugs and AIDS: Prevention and its issues

Health care professionals generally tend to consider intravenous drug users an outcast and irresponsible group, basically characterized by self-destructive behavior and thus, not responsive to preventive interventions. However, such considerations do not take into account the great diversity of behavioral patterns displayed by distinct sub-groups of intravenous drug users. Thus, despite their importance, these considerations are unilateral and based on only one specific type of drug user. Therefore, in order to avoid serious distortions resulting from the stigma that this group is subject to, this information must be understood as being relative, so that certain prejudices will not be regarded as scientific facts. Zinberg (1984) has shown through his researches with drug users that, even among heroin users, there is a great variety of behavioral patterns in relation to drug use and abuse. To his surprise, he found a considerable proportion of controlled users who are able to maintain a balance between heroin use and the necessary precautions with respect to their own health as well as personal autonomy in relation to the drug. We must therefore establish a distinction between the two patterns observed in drug use:

Nutrition knowledge and attitudes of early elementary teachers

Nutrition knowledge and attitudes of 910 early elementary classroom teachers in the state of Nebraska, teaching in kindergarten through the third grade, have been defined. Overall nutrition knowledge scores were low. Teachers tended to score higher on items of a general nature but tended to miss those related to food composition. Simple linear correlations showed little relationship between knowledge scores and attitudes. This lack of relationship indicates that attitudes toward teaching nutrition are not affected by the extent of the elementary school teachers' nutrition knowledge. If attitudes are to be an important factor in changing behavioral patterns in relation to food consumption, traditional means of preparatory nutrition instruction for classroom teachers must be revamped. Innovative programs need to be developed to bring about more effective integrated classroom teaching. Published with the approval of the Director as Paper No. 3153, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. Data in this paper are taken from a dissertation presented by Mary E. Petersen for partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Science degree. Funds for support of this project were provided by the Nebraska Agricultural Research Station, Project No. 91-8.