Behavioral Propensities Research Articles

Perception of Feminists and the #Metoo Movement : An Empirical Investigation of the Subtle and Implicit Gender Discrimination in the Workplace

The recent #MeToo Movement has triggered controversies in South Korea, where gender parity has not been entirely achieved. Recently, it has brought about subtle and implicit forms of discrimination in the workplace, one of which is the so-called “Pence Rule” behavior, that is, the deliberate avoidance of female workers for fear of being accused of sexual misconduct. An experiment was conducted wherein participants who are undergraduate students (i.e., future would-be workers) were asked to work with a hypothetical woman whose opinion (i.e., textual cue) and physical appearance (i.e., visual cue) were differently manipulated, either consistently or inconsistently, with widespread stereotypical views of feminists. The results show that the Pence Rule behavior is the behavioral realization of a stereotypical perception of feminists, and this effect is augmented among participants showing higher propensity for social dominance orientation (SDO), i.e., belief in existing intergroup inequality and hierarchy. Interestingly, there is a positive relationship between SDO and propensity for subtle discriminatory behaviors toward a hypothetical woman who has feminist opinions or physical appearance, among both, male and female participants alike. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed with potential limitations and a commentary on the future of gender equality in the workplace.

Driving Safety in Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) drivers are at high risk for automobile accidents and fatalities (1–3). Unintentional accidents were the leading cause of death in 2017 of individuals aged 15–19 years in the United States (4). Factors that increase driving safety risk associated with AYA drivers include lack of driving experience, developmental factors such as poor executive function, and propensity for risk-taking behaviors (5,6). Furthermore, cognitive abilities such as self-control and emotional regulation are continuing to develop through late adolescence and into young adulthood, making AYA drivers particularly vulnerable to practicing unsafe driving behaviors (7). Brain development—in particular the prefrontal cortex, which relates to impulse control—is known to continue well into young adulthood, not reaching adult dimensions until the mid-20s (8,9). AYAs with type 1 diabetes face a unique set of challenges relating to driving safety. Blood glucose fluctuations leading to hypoglycemia can temporarily impair cognitive function (10–12) and lead to unsafe driving conditions (13). Given the safety risks posed by hypoglycemia, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has made specific recommendations to promote safe driving for individuals with diabetes (14). The ADA recommends that drivers with type 1 diabetes measure their blood glucose level before driving and at regular intervals if they are driving for longer than 1 hour. Individuals with type 1 diabetes should be counseled to always carry appropriate rapid-acting glucose and complex micronutrient snacks. If symptoms of hypoglycemia occur, individuals should immediately stop driving, check their blood glucose, and treat low blood glucose levels. Additionally, driving should only be resumed after achievement of euglycemia and once cognitive functioning has been recovered (i.e., ideally 30–60 minutes after euglycemia is achieved because of concern about delayed cognitive function recovery) (14). Parents of adolescents with type 1 diabetes report that their …

Abstract 4659: Association between e-cigarette use and propensity for risk behaviors

Abstract Background: The use of e-cigarettes has been rapidly increasing in the United States however factors contributing to this phenomena have not been studied systematically. This goal of this study was to investigate the association between e-cigarette consumption and risk behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2016 to 2018 was carried out with sampling weights applied in all analyses. Propensity for risk behaviors was defined as a positive self-report to any of the following: heavy drinking; not having flu shot in the past year; not always using seat belt; injecting any drug other than those prescribed; being treated for a sexually transmitted disease or STD; being given or received money or drugs in exchange for sex in the past year; being tested for HIV. Chi-square test was used to compare prevalence between study groups. Multiple logistic regression (MLR) was carried out to estimate the association between e-cigarette use and risk behaviors adjusting for demographic factors and tobacco smoking status. Results: Overall, 3.5% of participants reported to be current e-cigarette users (N=23,803), with 72.1% of them being non-Hispanic white. Among current e-cigarette users, 60.3% were male, younger adults (18-44 years of age, 71.3%), with more than 12 years of education (49.7%) and middle income ($25K-75K, 40.9%), tobacco users (49.8%) and having risk behaviors (92.4%). The current tobacco smokers (14.3%, former smoker: 5.6%, never smoked: 1.6%) were more likely to use e-cigarettes. Younger adults aged 18-44 years (7.3 %, 45-64 years:3.7 %, 65+ years: 1.5%), male (5.8%, female: 3.6%), non-Hispanic Whites (5.2 %, non-Hispanic Black: 3.4%, Hispanic: 3.3 %), as well as people with high school education (6.0 %, <12 years: 4.9%, >12 years: 3.9 %) and income below $25K (5.5 %, $25K-75K: 4.7 %, above $75K: 4.0%) reported higher e-cigarette use. Upward growth trajectory in e-cigarette consumption from 2016 to 2018 was found in males (2016: 5.6%, 2017:5.4%, 2018: 6.9%), people aged 18-44 years (2016:6.7%, 2017:6.9%, 2018:9.4%), people with risk behaviors (2016:5.2%, 2017:5.1%, 2018:6.2%) and those who never smoked tobacco (2016:0.5%, 2017:0.6%, 2018:2.3%). After adjusting for confounders in MLR, people with risk behaviors were 1.39 times more likely to use e-cigarettes compared to those without risk behaviors (OR=1.39, [95%CI, 1.29-1.49]). The odds of e-cigarette use among 18-44 years adults (OR= 4.85 [95% CI, 4.53-5.18]) and 45-64 years adults (OR= 2.26 [95% CI, 2.10-2.43]) were higher than 65+ years adults. Current tobacco smokers (OR=9.50, [95%CI, 8.92-10.11]) and former smokers (OR=5.15, [95%CI, 4.83-5.48]) demonstrated higher probability of e-cigarette use than those who never smoked. Conclusions: There is a significant association between e-cigarette consumption and risk-taking behavior. Former or current tobacco users are more likely to use e-cigarettes. Citation Format: Xingyue Huo, Joseph Finkelstein. Association between e-cigarette use and propensity for risk behaviors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4659.

Kepemilikan Manajerial dan Praktik Penghindaran Pajak

This study test the effect of managerial ownership on propensity of tax avoidance behaviour. Data used in this study were obtained from Indonesian stock exchange database and company's annual report. The author uses regression analysis with unbalanced panel data types from a sample of 144 manufacturing companies covering years period of 2015 to 2017. Propensity of tax avoidance as a dependent variable is measured by effective tax rate (ETR). The independent variable is managerial ownership which is determined by 2 (two) types of measurements. First measurement use a percentage form, and second measurement use a dummy based on the level of managerial ownership. The control variables used include return on assets (ROA), company size and leverage. We find that managerial ownership has a positive effect on propensity of tax avoidance. Another finding in this study is that the effect of managerial ownership on propensity of tax avoidance occurred at managerial ownership levels of less than 20%. The results of this study are expected to contribute the literature study of managerial ownership towards propensity of tax avoidance.

Green product as a means of expressing green behaviour: A cross-cultural empirical evidence from Malaysia and Nigeria

Abstract Due to overconsumption, there is no significant urgency than the climate emergency for the publicity of green products that may conceivably led to reducing environmental impact. Considering the limited studies as a means of comparing green behaviour and its determinant in developing nations, this study focused on environmental awareness, attitude and perceived behavioural control (PBC) by applying the measurement of impacts on green behaviour. It further examined the role of green culture as a contributor. A total of 280 responses from Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia and 267 responses from Abuja, Nigeria were obtained via questionnaire distribution among citizens (age 18–32). SmartPLS3.0 and SPSS v22.0 were applied for statistical analyses. To request responses that we could not have anticipated, we utilized an open-ended format, accompanied by closed-ended format so we could compare the responses of the two sets samples. In both sets, we found 13% and 8% purchases organic food and energy-saving products in Malaysia while 24% and 8% purchases the same categories of products in Nigeria. We also found 40% of consumers in Malaysia purchased green products because of environmental benefit while 54% of consumers in Nigeria purchased green products because of health benefits. The path analyses result shows that attitude and green culture had a higher influenced on green behaviour in both nations. However, the propensity of green behaviour does not depend on economic development, for the reason that Nigeria had a higher mean value than Malaysia. PBC was found to be a contributor to Nigerian citizens with the least important for Malaysian citizens. Awareness interaction between green behaviour and green culture was insignificant for both country citizens. The study suggested that environmental education is important among citizens. Policy implications for these findings are further considered in the study.

Worker propensity affects flexible task reversion in an ant

Social animals exhibit well-organized task allocation among group members. In ants, a large group of eusocial Hymenoptera, the division of labor among workers is maintained by behavioral flexibility, providing robustness against fluctuating environmental conditions. Under stable conditions, worker tasks shift from the inside (e.g., nurses) to the outside (e.g., foragers) of the nest as age increases along this gradient. If the colony’s age structure is unbalanced, some workers compensate for vacant tasks, regardless of their age. However, such behavioral flexibility mechanisms are not clearly described in most ant species. In this study, using the ant Diacamma sp. from Japan, we focused on task reversion (i.e., foragers shifting to nursing roles, reverted nurses). By intermittent observation, we examined how the proportion of trials detected outside the nest of foragers, as foragers’ behavioral propensity, impacts task reversion when caste composition is significantly altered. We revealed that foragers with low proportion were the most likely to become reverted nurses, suggesting that the worker propensity is strongly correlated to task reversion. Moreover, task allocation among workers emerged on day 2 after colony disturbance, suggesting that the division of labor can promptly reconstruct when the age structure of the colony is accidentally altered by external factors. It also illustrates the importance of behavioral propensity in maintaining social systems. We also discussed the mechanisms of flexible task allocation among the workers in terms of self-organized process. In eusocial Hymenoptera (e.g., wasps, honeybees, and ants), the division of labor is maintained by workers’ behavioral flexibility, which is itself driven by the needs of the colony. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying ant behavioral flexibility remain unclear. Focusing on task reversion in foragers shifting to nursing roles regardless of their age-dependent assigned task, we revealed that behavioral propensity strongly affects task reversion in the Diacamma sp. As ant colonies generally have an unbalanced age structure and inhabit unstable environments, behavioral flexibility is thought to be important to maintain the division of labor. Moreover, our study could be applied to examining molecular and physiological basis of task reversion in ant species.

Behavioural variation and learning across the lifespan in wild white-faced capuchin monkeys

Natural selection has evidently mediated many species characteristics relevant to the evolution of learning, including longevity, length of the juvenile period, social organization, timing of cognitive and motor development, and age-related shifts in behavioural propensities such as activity level, flexibility in problem-solving and motivation to seek new information. Longitudinal studies of wild populations can document such changes in behavioural propensities, providing critical information about the contexts in which learning strategies develop, in environments similar to those in which learning strategies evolved. The Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project provides developmental data for the white-faced capuchin, Cebus capucinus, a species that has converged with humans regarding many life-history and behavioural characteristics. In this dataset, focused primarily on learned aspects of foraging behaviour, younger capuchins are more active overall, more curious and opportunistic, and more prone to inventing new investigative and foraging-related behaviours. Younger individuals more often seek social information by watching other foragers (especially older foragers). Younger individuals are more creative, playful and inventive, and less neophobic, exhibiting a wider range of behaviours when engaged in extractive foraging. Whereas adults more often stick with old solutions, younger individuals often incorporate recently acquired experience (both social and asocial) when foraging. This article is part of the theme issue 'Life history and learning: how childhood, caregiving and old age shape cognition and culture in humans and other animals'.

A Conceptual Framework for the Acceptance of E-Commerce Technologies among Organizations in Developing Countries

The presented study examines e-commerce technologies a new conceptual framework of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.Aim. The study aims to identify factors for the implementation and acceptance of e-commerce among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.Tasks. The authors utilize tools of G. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to describe the emotional attitude of an individual to the use of technology.Methods. This study examines various aspects of the method of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), which is implemented in many studies of behavioral intentions of individuals in the adoption of new technologies.Results. For the first time, a conceptual (predictive) model based on four moderating variables is proposed. The variables include such cultural dimension parameters as power distance index (PDI), individualism/collectivism (IDV), uncertainty avoidance (UAI), and long-term/short-term orientation (LTO). These moderators boost the effect of the basic constructs on the behavioral propensity for the use and application of technologies.Conclusions. Based on the considered conceptual framework, the authors propose a number of recommendations for the development of tools that would ensure the required level of employee engagement in the acceptance and use of e-commerce technologies among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. Another promising direction involves using the tools of G. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to examine the specific aspects of the acceptance and use of information technology among organizations belonging to different national business cultures.

Isolation: an Alternative to the “Acting White” Hypothesis in Explaining Black Under-Enrollment in Advanced Courses

In this paper we propose a model for understanding the under-enrollment of black students in advanced courses that demonstrates how group differences in educational investment decisions can arise even in the absence of any group-level differences in underlying incentives or behavioral propensities. In our model, students gain peer group acceptance by spending time with other peer group members. This can occur during both leisure time and class time, provided enough members of their relevant peer group also take the same academic courses. This produces a scenario in which taking advanced courses is a complement to peer group acceptance for some students (those who have enough peer group members taking advanced courses) and a tradeoff for other students (those who do not have enough peer group members in advanced courses). Structural and historical forces, such as racialized tracking, that contribute to an initial condition of fewer black students in advanced courses can create an environment where black students are more likely to be isolated from other members of their racial group, relative to white students. Our model is distinct from theories like the “acting white” hypothesis that assume a cultural or non-cognitive skill deficit on the part of black students. The results from this model arise not because black students respond to incentives differently, but because they face a different set of initial conditions, most likely as the result of institutional barriers.

Analysis of Impulsive Buying Behavior in Fashion Industry

In this era of rising customer expectations and intense competitions, marketers and retailers constantly look towards means to maximize their customers’ share of wallet, in terms of additional sales. Marketers, today, thus focus on the customers’ preferences, their needs and wishes with an aim to maximize it. Impulse shopping can be termed as a spontaneous, immediate purchase without pre-shopping intentions either to buy a specific product category or to fulfil a specific buying task. Impulse buying is a major research concern among marketers due to its pervasive aspects of consumer behavior as well as its potential in the marketing world. Based on the literature review, and after considering the questions we want to answer, the research problem of the research paper is “Analysis of Impulse Buying Behavior in the Fashion Industry”. This problem would specifically be emphasizing on the factors which affect such behavior, post purchase feelings and behavior and how online shopping has increased the propensity of such behavior. Based on the research problem of our paper, given below are the 4 major objectives which the paper will studying and analysing: Determining and comparing the various internal and external factors which affect Impulse Buying Behavior in the Fashion Industry. Analysing The Impulse Buying Behavior Towards Different Fashion Product Categories Analysing The Post Purchase Feeling and Behavior as A Result of Impulse Buying Behavior Determining the impact of growing E-commerce industry on impulse shopping behavior in the fashion industry, and the factors leading to it. Methodology used in research paper is SINGLE CROSS SECTIONAL DESCRIPTIVE DESIGN. Given the objective and design of our research, we will be using basic descriptive statistics i.e. Mean, Median and Mode to compare and analyse our data and conclude our findings. Finally, the findings for the research essentially indicated that amongst the external factors, Overall store environment and lower prices played a pivotal role. Moreover, males tend to shop more impulsively as compared to females. Customers tend to show a positive impulse behavior towards Footwear and Clothing items. Happiness is seen to be the most common post purchase behavior. Lastly, the research also presented an evidence showing that the emergence of e-commerce positively impacted impulse buying behavior, with Heavy Discounting being its most prominent driver.

Craving mediates the effect of impulsivity on lapse-risk during alcohol use disorder treatment

Rash impulsiveness, the propensity for approach behaviour despite potential negative consequences, is associated with stronger alcohol craving in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This relationship is poorly understood and implications for treatment response are unexamined. This study explored the relationship between rash impulsiveness, craving, and treatment response among 304 outpatients enrolled in a 12-week abstinence-based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program for AUD. Assessments were completed pre-and-post treatment, with craving and alcohol consumption monitored at each treatment session. Higher rash impulsiveness predicted more frequent craving over treatment (b = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.40, 1.50). Higher craving was associated with greater lapse-risk (b = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.05), with the association between craving and lapse-risk increasing as treatment progressed (b = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.02). Craving positively mediated the relationship between rash impulsiveness and lapse-risk (µ = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.70). Contrary to hypotheses, the risk of lapse in response to craving was not moderated by rash-impulsiveness. These results suggest that AUD patients with a predisposition for rash impulsiveness are more vulnerable to alcohol craving, and subsequently, poorer treatment outcomes.

Аутоагрессия как предиктор виктимного поведения личности

The article focuses on autoaggressive behaviour in the context of victimisation risks. The authors consider a number of approaches that define autoaggressive manifestations in Russian and foreign psychology. It is noted that a tendency towards self-aggression may be induced by various causes found within an individual’s personality and in the external environment. Particularly, the efforts of the parents to restrain and control a child’s aggression by using corporal punishment only reinforce and increase the risk of self-injurious behaviour. The main purpose of the research is to study autoaggression as a predictor of victim behaviour. In order to address the issue identified as the main focus of the study, the authors present the results of empirical research conducted at Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University on a sample group of students, both male and female, aged 18–23 years. In total, the study involved 70 people. Regression analysis was applied to determine the predictors contributing to different manifestations of victim behaviour. As a result, the propensity for non-critical behaviour was linked to neurotic spontaneous aggression, injurious reactive aggression, and suppression of anger. The tendency towards highly social victimisation behaviour was connected to anger, irritability, reactive aggression, and self-injurious behaviour. The propensity for dependent and helpless behaviour correlates with the levels of hopelessness, inhibition of aggression, and suppression of anger. The tendency towards self-injurious behaviour and self-destruction is influenced by auto-aggression, depression, irritability, and inhibition of aggression. In conclusion, the collected results suggest that there is a set of variables associated with the different manifestations of victim behaviour.

Changes in travel behavior during flood events in relation to transport modes: the case of Metro Manila, Philippines

Adverse weather conditions like flooding results in changes in travel behavior. The study investigated the behavior of travelers during the last flood event they experienced with respect to the primary mode of travel they used. Variations in their usual travel routine were manifested by a change in departure time, change in mode or route taken, or cancellation of travel. Data were collected from commuters using traditional pen-and-paper questionnaire survey implemented through convenience sampling along major transport corridors in Metro Manila, Philippines. Statistical results showed a significant difference in travel time between normal and disrupted conditions. Tests of independence and binomial models showed that travel behavior change depends on flood characteristics such as location and duration. Developed binomial logit models showed that travelers mainly using road-based transit services are more likely to change travel behavior than their rail counterpart. Succeeding models revealed that the propensity of changing travel behavior also differs depending on the type of mode the traveler primarily uses. The analyses presented in the paper resulted in different recommendations for each transport service to minimize the impacts of disruptions in travel caused by floods.

Why did I buy this? Consumers' post‐impulse‐consumption experience and its impact on the propensity for future impulse buying behaviour

AbstractThis paper advances research into impulse buying by examining how this behaviour is reinforced/curtailed, highlighting the primary role of the post‐purchase experience in encouraging future impulse buying behaviour. Extant research emphasizes the role of the purchase experience, that is, psychological benefits attained from the impulse purchase experience itself, as a reinforcer of impulse buying. Conversely, this paper uses experiments to demonstrate that it is the post‐purchase experience, not the purchase experience, that reinforces or curtails future impulse buying. Indeed, irrespective of the valence of the purchase experience, a negative post‐purchase experience (whereby a product or service is found to have limited use/does not deliver expected benefits) results in post‐purchase regret, which in turn curtails future impulse buying. In contrast, a positive post‐purchase experience reinforces impulse buying. This research also demonstrates that consumers utilize three types of coping mechanisms to mitigate post‐purchase regret, that is, planful problem solving, positive reinterpretation, or mental disengagement. However, although the use of planful problem solving curtails future impulse buying, use of the other two mechanisms results in behaviour reinforcement. These findings have several important implications for both marketers and consumers, which the authors discuss in detail.

Behavioural propensities and financial risk tolerance: the moderating effect of ethnicity

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of several core behavioural propensities on financial risk tolerance (FRT). Additionally, this paper examines the moderating effect of ethnicity on the relationship between behavioural propensities and FRT.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 1,204 completed and usable questionnaires were collected from undergraduate students majoring in business, economics and finance and analysed them using SmartPLS 2.0 software.FindingsThe findings reveal that propensity for trust has the highest impact on FRT followed by propensity for regret and happiness in life, while propensity for social interaction is not significantly associated with FRT. Ethnicity significantly moderates the relationship between three behavioural propensities (propensity for regret, propensity for trust and happiness in life) and FRT.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the assessment of individuals’ FRT incorporating behavioural propensities, which in turn contributes to the field of behavioural finance.

Effects of informal learning on work engagement

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between task-based and interactional informal learning practices in small professional services firms and the moderating role of proactivity in the relationship.Design/methodology/approachJob demand-resources theory was used to develop theoretical arguments for a link between informal learning and work engagement. Data were collected from 203 employees in professional services firms and analysed using structural equation modelling.FindingsAnalysis of the data showed that opportunities to learn through task-based learning processes and through interactions with supervisors and colleagues were positively related to employees’ levels of work engagement. Furthermore, the strength of relationships between these informal learning practices and work engagement was influenced by employees’ proactivity.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations pertain to the non-random sampling procedure, cross-sectional nature of the study and the use of self-report measures. These limitations were mitigated by employing rigorous analytical procedures.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that managers are able to influence the quantity and quality of informal workplace learning through strategies such as selecting employees who have a propensity for proactive behaviour, encouraging proactive behaviour, enabling experimentation and reflection and fostering positive interpersonal relations.Originality/valueThe study links two streams of research that have seemingly not been connected previously. The results suggest that small firms are sites with abundant potential for development of employees’ knowledge and skills and the associated experiences of work engagement.

Quantifying the role of hydrothermal alteration in creating geothermal and epithermal mineral resources: The Ohakuri ignimbrite (Taupō Volcanic Zone, New Zealand)

Hydrothermal fluids can alter the chemical and physical properties of the materials through which they pass and can therefore modify the efficiency of fluid circulation. The role of hydrothermal alteration in the development of geothermal and epithermal mineral resources, systems that require the efficient hydrothermal circulation provided by fracture networks, is investigated here from a petrophysical standpoint using samples collected from a well exposed and variably altered palaeo-hydrothermal system hosted in the Ohakuri ignimbrite deposit in the Taupō Volcanic Zone (New Zealand). Our new laboratory data show that, although quartz and adularia precipitation reduces matrix porosity and permeability, it increases the uniaxial compressive strength, Young’s modulus, and propensity for brittle behaviour. The fractures formed in highly altered rocks containing quartz and adularia are also more planar than those formed in their less altered counterparts. All of these factors combine to enhance the likelihood that a silicified rock-mass will host permeability-enhancing fractures. Indeed, the highly altered silicified rocks of the Ohakuri ignimbrite deposit are much more fractured than less altered outcrops. By contrast, smectite alteration at the margins of the hydrothermal system does not significantly increase strength or Young’s modulus, or significantly decrease permeability, and creates a relatively unfractured rock-mass. Using our new laboratory data, we provide permeability modelling that shows that the equivalent permeability of a silicified rock-mass will be higher than that of a less altered rock-mass or a rock-mass characterised by smectite alteration, the latter of which provides a low-permeability cap required for an economically viable hydrothermal resource. Our new data show, using a petrophysical approach, how hydrothermal alteration can produce rock-masses that are both suitable for geothermal energy exploitation (high-permeability reservoir and low-permeability cap) and more likely to host high-grade epithermal mineral veins, such as gold and silver (localised fluid flow).

Early life temperamental anxiety is associated with excessive alcohol intake in adolescence: A rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) model.

Teenage alcohol abuse is a major health concern, particularly because the majority of alcohol consumed by teenagers is via binge drinking, a known risk factor for increasing the likelihood for the development of future alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Identifying individuals at risk for excessive alcohol intake in adolescence is a step toward developing effective preventative measures and intervention programs. As adults with AUDs tend to self-medicate their anxiety with alcohol, this longitudinal study assesses the role of infant anxiety-like temperament in the development of adolescent alcohol abuse using a nonhuman primate model. From birth until they were 5 months of age, behaviors of 64 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were coded twice a week using an objective mother-infant scoring system that included behaviors traditionally used to assess anxiety and fearfulness in rhesus monkeys. When subjects were four months old, plasma cortisol was obtained. When subjects were adolescents (Mage = 44.88 months), another plasma cortisol sample was obtained about one month prior to allowing them unfettered access to an 8.4% (v/v) aspartame-sweetened alcohol solution for one hour a day over five-to-seven weeks. Results showed that behavioral indications of anxiety-like temperament in infancy, including high levels of mother-infant mutual ventral contact, low levels of environmental exploration, and low levels of interactions with peers were predictive of high adolescent alcohol intake (ie, drinking to intoxication). Plasma cortisol levels in infancy were positively correlated with plasma cortisol in adolescence, and both were positively correlated with high adolescent alcohol intake. Our findings indicate that high levels of traditional anxiety-like behaviors measured in the context of mother-infant interactions, coupled with high infant and adolescent plasma cortisol, are associated with binge-like high alcohol intake in adolescence, suggesting that individuals at risk for developing an AUD later in life may be determined, at least in part, by assessing their physiological and behavioral propensity for anxiety early in life.

Male and female cichlid fish show cognitive inhibitory control ability

Inhibitory control is a way to infer cognitive flexibility in animals by inhibiting a behavioral propensity to obtain a reward. Here we tested whether there are differences in inhibitory control between females and males of the fish Nile tilapia owing to their distinct reproductive roles. Individuals were tested under a detour-reaching paradigm, consisting of training fish to feed behind an opaque barrier and, thereafter, testing them with a transparent one. Fish is expected to avoid trying to cross through the transparent barrier to achieve food (reward), thus showing inhibitory control by recovering the learned detour with the opaque apparatus. Both males and females learned to detour the transparent barrier with similar scores of correct responses, whereas females reached the food faster. This result is probably associated to their different sex roles in reproduction: females care for the eggs and fry inside their mouth (thus requiring a high inhibitory control not to swallow them), whereas males have to stay inside the territory defending it against intruder males, which also demands some inhibitory ability not to leave the spawning site and take the risk of losing it. Furthermore, this evidence of cognitive flexibility can enable social fish to deal with unpredictable interactions.

Excess hydrogen sulfide and polysulfides production underlies a schizophrenia pathophysiology

Mice with the C3H background show greater behavioral propensity for schizophrenia, including lower prepulse inhibition (PPI), than C57BL/6 (B6) mice. To characterize as‐yet‐unknown pathophysiologies of schizophrenia, we undertook proteomics analysis of the brain in these strains, and detected elevated levels of Mpst, a hydrogen sulfide (H2S)/polysulfide‐producing enzyme, and greater sulfide deposition in C3H than B6 mice. Mpst‐deficient mice exhibited improved PPI with reduced storage sulfide levels, while Mpst‐transgenic (Tg) mice showed deteriorated PPI, suggesting that “sulfide stress” may be linked to PPI impairment. Analysis of human samples demonstrated that the H2S/polysulfides production system is upregulated in schizophrenia. Mechanistically, the Mpst‐Tg brain revealed dampened energy metabolism, while maternal immune activation model mice showed upregulation of genes for H2S/polysulfides production along with typical antioxidative genes, partly via epigenetic modifications. These results suggest that inflammatory/oxidative insults in early brain development result in upregulated H2S/polysulfides production as an antioxidative response, which in turn cause deficits in bioenergetic processes. Collectively, this study presents a novel aspect of the neurodevelopmental theory for schizophrenia, unraveling a role of excess H2S/polysulfides production.