Behavioral Responses Research Articles

Behavioural responses and characterization of preputial gland extract of black rat, Rattus rattus

Behavioural responses and characterization of preputial gland extract of black rat, Rattus rattus

Archerfish foraging success varies with immediate competition level but not group size.

Group living can lead to kleptoparasitism, the theft of resources by competitors. Under such conditions, foragers may alter their behavior to minimize competition. However, it is unclear how such behavioral changes impact foraging performance. Archerfish (Toxotes spp.) are a good model for investigating the behavioral responses to kleptoparasitism, as their hunting method (shooting waterjets at insects perched above the water) leaves them vulnerable to theft. They must hit the target prey with sufficient force to dislodge it; thus, the prey may land some distance away from the shooter. Kleptoparasitism rates increase with group size in archerfish, and individuals alter their behavior around conspecifics. We investigated whether group size affected shooting success, using 7-spot archerfish T. chatareus. We considered a fish's shot to be successful if it knocked a fly, placed on a transparent platform above the tank, into the water. The probability of shooting success was modeled as a function of group size, aiming duration, nearest neighbor distance and position, and trial number. We found no effect of group size, aiming duration, or nearest neighbor distance or position on shooting success. Shooting success increased as trials progressed, likely due to the fish becoming more familiar with the task. We also found no change in the kleptoparasitism rate between group sizes. Instead, the likelihood of the shooter consuming the prey depended on the types of competition present at the time of shooting. We suggest that archerfish shooting behavior can be influenced by the presence of conspecifics in ways not previously considered.

Advancing statistical treatment of photolocomotor behavioral response study data.

Fish photolocomotor behavioral response (PBR) studies have become increasingly prevalent in pharmacological and toxicological research to assess the environmental impact of various chemicals. There is a need for a standard, reliable statistical method to analyze PBR data. The most common method currently used, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), does not account for temporal dependence in observations and leads to incomplete or unreliable conclusions. Repeated measures ANOVA, another commonly used method, has drawbacks in its interpretability for PBR study data. Because each observation is collected continuously over time, we instead consider each observation to be a function and apply functional ANOVA (FANOVA) to PBR data. Using the functional approach not only accounts for temporal dependency but also retains the full structure of the data and allows for straightforward interpretation in any subregion of the domain. Unlike the traditional univariate and repeated measures ANOVA, the FANOVA that we propose is nonparametric, requiring minimal assumptions. We demonstrate the disadvantages of univariate and repeated measures ANOVA using simulated data and show how they are overcome by applying FANOVA. We then apply one-way FANOVA to zebrafish data from a PBR study and discuss how those results can be reproduced for future PBR studies.

Not your private tête-à-tête: leveraging the power of higher-order networks to study animal communication.

Animal communication is frequently studied with conventional network representations that link pairs of individuals who interact, for example, through vocalization. However, acoustic signals often have multiple simultaneous receivers, or receivers integrate information from multiple signallers, meaning these interactions are not dyadic. Additionally, non-dyadic social structures often shape an individual's behavioural response to vocal communication. Recently, major advances have been made in the study of these non-dyadic, higher-order networks (e.g. hypergraphs and simplicial complexes). Here, we show how these approaches can provide new insights into vocal communication through three case studies that illustrate how higher-order network models can: (i) alter predictions made about the outcome of vocally coordinated group departures; (ii) generate different patterns of song synchronization from models that only include dyadic interactions; and (iii) inform models of cultural evolution of vocal communication. Together, our examples highlight the potential power of higher-order networks to study animal vocal communication. We then build on our case studies to identify key challenges in applying higher-order network approaches in this context and outline important research questions that these techniques could help answer. This article is part of the theme issue 'The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamics'.

Where's Whaledo: A software toolkit for array localization of animal vocalizations.

Where's Whaledo is a software toolkit that uses a combination of automated processes and user interfaces to greatly accelerate the process of reconstructing animal tracks from arrays of passive acoustic recording devices. Passive acoustic localization is a non-invasive yet powerful way to contribute to species conservation. By tracking animals through their acoustic signals, important information on diving patterns, movement behavior, habitat use, and feeding dynamics can be obtained. This method is useful for helping to understand habitat use, observe behavioral responses to noise, and develop potential mitigation strategies. Animal tracking using passive acoustic localization requires an acoustic array to detect signals of interest, associate detections on various receivers, and estimate the most likely source location by using the time difference of arrival (TDOA) of sounds on multiple receivers. Where's Whaledo combines data from two small-aperture volumetric arrays and a variable number of individual receivers. In a case study conducted in the Tanner Basin off Southern California, we demonstrate the effectiveness of Where's Whaledo in localizing groups of Ziphius cavirostris. We reconstruct the tracks of six individual animals vocalizing concurrently and identify Ziphius cavirostris tracks despite being obscured by a large pod of vocalizing dolphins.

Basmisanil, an α5-GABAAR negative allosteric modulator, produces rapid and sustained antidepressant-like responses in male mice

There is a critical need for safer and better-tolerated alternatives to address the current limitations of antidepressant treatments for major depressive disorder. Recently, drugs targeting the GABA system via α5-containing GABAA receptors (α5-GABAAR) as negative allosteric modulators (α5-NAMs) have shown promise in alleviating stress-related behaviors in preclinical studies, suggesting that α5-NAMs may have translational relevance as novel antidepressant medications. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of Basmisanil, an α5-NAM that has been evaluated in Phase 2 clinical studies as a cognitive enhancer, in a battery of behavioral tests relevant to coping strategies, motivation, and aversion in male mice, along with plasma and brain pharmacokinetic measurements. Our findings reveal that Basmisanil induces dose-dependent rapid antidepressant-like responses in the forced swim test and sucrose splash test without promoting locomotor stimulating effects. Furthermore, Basmisanil elicits sustained behavioral responses in the female urine sniffing test and sucrose splash test, observed 24 h and 48 h post-treatment, respectively. Bioanalysis of plasma and brain samples confirms effective blood–brain barrier penetration by Basmisanil and extrapolation to previously published data suggest that effects were observed at doses (10 and 30 mg/kg i.p.) corresponding to relatively modest levels of α5-GABAAR occupancy (40–65 %). These results suggest that Basmisanil exhibits a combination of rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects highlighting the potential of α5-NAMs as a novel therapeutic strategy for depression.

A Study of Emotions Intelligence, Self-Awareness and Behavioral Response for Student

The present study deals with and effort to reveal the strata-wise differences of emotional intelligence Self-awareness and Behavioral Response student of the students of class 9 to 12 One adapted and standardized questionnaires were administered on a sample of 300 no of students selected by cluster sampling technique to collect the required data. Normality of ratio of the variables is tested. Most of the variables show normality in the data. To investigate the significant difference if any, between tribal and urban students level in terms of emotional intelligence variables, Self-awareness, Empathy, Self-motivation, Emotional stability, Managing relations Integrity, Self-development, Value orientation, Commitment &Altruistic behavior ‘t’ test was used. The descriptive statistics such as Mean and SD were computed for three dependent variables and their levels as per different age groups. These values are used for interpreting

Psychological and Brain Responses to Artificial Intelligence's Violation of Community Ethics.

Human moral reactions to artificial intelligence (AI) agents' behavior constitute an important aspect of modern-day human-AI relationships. Although previous studies have mainly focused on autonomy ethics, this study investigates how individuals judge AI agents' violations of community ethics (including betrayals and subversions) compared with human violations. Participants' behavioral responses, event-related potentials (ERPs), and individual differences were assessed. Behavioral findings reveal that participants rated AI agents' community-violating actions less morally negative than human transgressions, possibly because AI agents are commonly perceived as having less agency than human adults. The ERP N1 component showed the same pattern with moral rating scores, indicating the modulation effect of human-AI differences on initial moral intuitions. Moreover, the level of social withdrawal correlated with a smaller N1 in the human condition but not in the AI condition. The N2 and P2 components were sensitive to the difference between the loyalty/betrayal and authority/subversion domains but not human/AI differences. Individual levels of moral sense and autistic traits also influenced behavioral data, especially on the loyalty/betrayal domain. In our opinion, these findings offer insights for predicting moral responses to AI agents and guiding ethical AI development aligned with human moral values.

Anoctamin-like protein 1 regulates repolarization in Paramecium behavioral responses.

Paramecium exhibits responsive behavior to environmental changes, moving either closer to or further away from stimuli. Electrophysiological experiments have revealed that these behavioral responses are controlled by membrane potentials. Anoctamin, a Ca2+-activated Cl- channel, is involved in the regulation of membrane potential in mammals. However, it remains uncertain whether Cl- channels like anoctamin regulate Paramecium behavior. Herein, replacement of external Cl- ions with acetate ion and application of Cl- channel blocker niflumic acid (NFA, 0.1 μM) increased spontaneous avoiding reactions (sARs). Hence, we hypothesized that anoctamin is involved in the stabilization of membrane potential fluctuation. Paramecium cells in which the anoctamin-like protein 1 gene was knocked down displayed frequent sARs in the culture medium without external stimulation. Treatment of anoctamin-like protein 1-knockdown cells with the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA or Ca-channel blocker nicardipine reversed the increase in sARs. Electrophysiological experiments revealed extension of membrane depolarization when positive currents were applied to anoctamin-like protein 1-knockdown cells. We concluded that anoctamin-like protein 1 works as a Cl-channel and stabilizes the membrane potential oscillation, reducing sARs.

Decoding the scientific creative-ability of subjects using dual attention induced graph convolutional-capsule network

There is an increasing demand of creative individuals in scientific research, innovation sectors of software industries and industrial research/development sectors. On the other hand, there are requirements of analytical minded people in investigation departments, academia and management sectors. Unfortunately, classification of individuals into creative and analytical categories based on their behavioral response is not easy. This paper makes an attempt to classify people into 4 categories: Analytical, High Creative, Medium Creative and Low Creative from their brain response during their participation in a creativity-test based on convergent problems. The proposed classification problem involves two main phases. In the first phase, a brain connectivity map is constructed from the electroencephalogram (EEG) response of the brain using Pearson’s correlation technique. In the second phase, a set of three centrality features, namely degree, closeness and betweenness are extracted from the connectivity map and fed to a classifier model for categorizing the afore-said class labels. The classifier model here synergistically combines one Graph Convolution Network (to abstract the brain connectivity-based centrality features) and one Capsule Network (to undertake the classification task) to develop the proposed Dual Attention Induced Graph Convolutional-Capsule network (DAIGC-CapsNet). The novelty of the proposed classifier model lies in the dual attention module and a new routing algorithm. The dual attention modules includes a) a Mish Induced Attention Module (MI-AM) to guide the graph convolution layers to focus on the most significant node attributes, and b) a Fused Attention Module (F-AM) to ensure the transmission of the most relevant predictions from the primary capsule to the class capsule layers. The latter attention module combines the effects of two sub-modules (channel and spatial) that concentrate on determining "what" and "where" to prioritize within the channel and spatial dimensions of the primary capsules. Lastly, the coupling between the primary and class capsule layers is strengthened by a Sparsemax based routing algorithm. Experiments conducted yield fruitful and definitive outcomes that substantiate the effectiveness of the proposed framework with respect to its conventional counterparts. Moreover, statistical validation of the proposed classifier using Friedman’s test also proves its efficacy compared to its competitors.

Ahnak in the prefrontal cortex mediates behavioral correlates of stress resilience and rapid antidepressant action in mice.

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a key neural node mediating behavioral responses to stress and the actions of ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant. The molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, however, are not fully understood. Our recent study revealed a pivotal role of hippocampal Ahnak as a regulator of cellular and behavioral adaptations to chronic stress. However, despite its significant expression in the PFC, the contribution of cortical Ahnak to behavioral responses to stress and antidepressants remains unknown. Here, using a mouse model for chronic social stress, we find that Ahnak expression in the PFC is significantly increased in stress-resilient mice and positively correlated with social interaction after stress exposure. Conditional deletion of Ahnak in the PFC or forebrain glutamatergic neurons facilitates stress susceptibility, suggesting that Ahnak is required for behavioral resilience. Further supporting this notion, Ahnak expression in the PFC is increased after the administration of ketamine or its metabolite (2R, 6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK). Moreover, Ahnak deletion in forebrain glutamatergic neurons blocks the restorative behavioral effects of ketamine or HNK in stress-susceptible mice. This forebrain excitatory neuron-specific Ahnak deletion reduces the frequency of mini excitatory postsynaptic currents in layer II/III pyramidal neurons, suggesting that Ahnak may induce its behavioral effects via modulation of glutamatergic transmission in the PFC. Altogether, these data suggest that Ahnak in glutamatergic PFC neurons may be critical for behavioral resilience and antidepressant actions of ketamine or HNK in chronic social stress-exposed mice.

Three-dimensional acoustic propagation of noise from impact pile driving in a complex costal environment and its effects on large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea)

The effects of high-intensity impulsive noise generated by pile driving on fish are a major concern in environmental impact assessments. Numerical acoustic models are essential for predicting underwater-acoustic-related problems in complex coastal environments prior to offshore construction. However, underwater noise modeling for impact pile driving has often been performed using simplistic propagation models that are inadequate for three-dimensional (3D) environments. A 3D parabolic equation method (PE) was established in this study to better predict broadband transmission loss (TL) from impact pile driving in complex coastal environments and its influence on the large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea). The effects of 3D propagation were investigated using two realistic scenarios with different bathymetric complexities. The values and attenuation rate of the broadband TL for the steeply sloped bottom were significantly greater than those for the flat and weakly varying bottoms over 3 km. At a water depth of 5 m, a difference of approximately 10 dB was observed between the two TL scenarios at a distance of 4.5 to 5 km. The simulation results are in reasonable agreement with the field measurement data, with a difference of less than 3 dB. The zones of behavioral response and injury in the large yellow croaker were estimated using the For3D model. The results showed that the effects of the noise generated by the impact pile driving on the large yellow croaker were evident and three-dimensional. Therefore, 3D propagation effects should be considered when analyzing the influence of underwater noise on marine animals.

The behavioral and neurobiological response to sound stress in salmon.

Noise associated with human activities in aquatic environments can affect the physiology and behavior of aquatic species which may have consequences at the population and ecosystem levels. Low frequency sound is particularly stressful for fish, since it is an important factor in predator-prey interactions. Even though behavioral and physiological studies have been conducted to assess the effects of sound on fish species, neurobiological studies are still lacking. In this study we exposed farmed salmon to low frequency sound for 5 minutes a day for 30 trials and conducted behavioral observations and tissue sampling before sound exposure (timepoint zero; T0) and after 1 (T1), 10 (T2), 20 (T3) and 30 (T4) exposures, to assess markers of stress. These included plasma cortisol, neuronal activity, monoaminergic signaling, and gene expression in 4 areas of the forebrain. We found that sound exposure induced an activation of the stress response by eliciting an initial startle behavioral response, together with increased plasma cortisol levels and a decrease in neuronal activity in the hypothalamic tubercular nuclei (TN). At T3 and T4 salmon showed a degree of habituation in their behavioral and cortisol response. However, at T4, salmon showed signs of chronic stress with increased serotonergic activity levels in the dorsolateral and dorsomedial pallium, the preoptic area, and the TN, as well as an inhibition of growth and reproduction transcripts in the TN. Together, our results suggest that prolonged exposure to sound results in chronic stress that leads to neurological changes which suggest a reduction of life fitness traits.

Examining the impact of digital information environments, information processing, and presumed influence on behavioral responses to COVID-19 misinformation in Asia

This study examines exposure to, perception of, and behavioral responses to misinformation about COVID-19 on social media from the influence of presumed influence (IPI) framework. To understand how the digital information environment of a society shapes the spread and responses to pandemic misinformation, four culturally similar Asian cities—Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taipei—were selected, generating a sample of 4094 respondents. Our findings suggest a paradox—the more information respondents in the four cities have access to, the less likely they are to view misinformation on COVID-19 and accept it as true without elaboration. Moreover, the study extends IPI theory by demonstrating negative emotions as a mechanism that mediates the relationship between perceived social impact and behavioral intentions. That is, the more respondents perceived misinformation to be harmful, the more negatively they felt about misinformation, which led to greater likelihood of taking restrictive, promotional, and corrective actions.

Intra-annual variation in oak masting affects wildlife feeding behavior

Abstract Oaks (Quercus spp.) provide an important food source for many wildlife species throughout the fall and winter. Most research evaluating oak masting patterns and the subsequent behavioral responses of wildlife focuses on the annual temporal scale. However, patterns in masting at the seasonal temporal scale may be important for wildlife behavior. We designed a study quantifying seasonal oak masting patterns of 3 oak species (water oak, Q. nigra; laurel oak, Q. laurifolia; and swamp chestnut oak, Q. michauxii) and linking those patterns to visitation and feeding behavior of 3 primary consumers (white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus; gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis; and raccoon, Procyon lotor). We used seed traps to monitor the seasonal masting pattern of 205 trees in the fall of 2021 and 2022 and used camera traps concurrently to monitor wildlife behavior associated with a subset of 30 trees. Seasonal masting patterns differed between oak species both within a season and across years, and the timing of mast varied within oak species across years. White-tailed deer tended to visit swamp chestnut oak as the number of acorns increased and consumed their acorns. Gray squirrels and raccoons tended to visit laurel oak and consume water oak acorns with gray squirrels being more likely to consume as the number of acorns increased. Our results indicate that evaluating acorn production at multiple temporal scales may be necessary to fully understand oak masting relationships with wildlife. Furthermore, differences in wildlife behavior based on oak species may have important implications for oak regeneration.

Failure of senolytic treatment to prevent cognitive decline in a female rodent model of aging.

There are sex differences in vulnerability and resilience to the stressors of aging and subsequent age-related cognitive decline. Cellular senescence occurs as a response to damaging or stress-inducing stimuli. The response includes a state of irreversible growth arrest, the development of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with aging and age-related diseases. Senolytics are compounds designed to eliminate senescent cells. Our recent work indicates that senolytic treatment preserves cognitive function in aging male F344 rats. The current study examined the effect of senolytic treatment on cognitive function in aging female rats. Female F344 rats (12 months) were treated with dasatinib (1.2 mg/kg) + quercetin (12 mg/kg) or ABT-263 (12 mg/kg) or vehicle for 7 months. Examination of the estrus cycle indicated that females had undergone estropause during treatment. Senolytic treatment may have increased sex differences in behavioral stress responsivity, particularly for the initial training on the cued version of the watermaze. However, pre-training on the cue task reduced stress responsivity for subsequent spatial training and all groups learned the spatial discrimination. In contrast to preserved memory observed in senolytic-treated males, all older females exhibited impaired episodic memory relative to young (6-month) females. We suggest that the senolytic treatment may not have been able to compensate for the loss of estradiol, which can act on aging mechanisms for anxiety and memory independent of cellular senescence.

Mortality Effects of Beauveria bassiana and Purpureocillium lilacinum Isolates and Efficacy of a Wettable Formulation on Palemona prassina (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

In this study, the mortality effect of two Beauveria bassiana and two Purpureocillium lilacinum isolates on the 4th stage nymphs of Palemona prassiana was determined. The most lethal isolate was formulated as wettable powder and tested on the pest. Furthermore, Y-tube olfactometry tests were conducted to detect behavioral response of the nymphs in presence of the fungus. All the experiments were carried out under controlled conditions. The mortality varied depending on the isolates between 28.51% and 82.14% on the 12th day. Beauveria bassiana FAI-38 caused the highest mortality (82.14% at 1x108 conidia ml-1) with LC50 and LT50 estimations of 3.3x106 conidia ml-1 and 8.4 days, respectively. According to data taken 6 and 12 days after application, the wettable powder formulation was found to be significantly more effective (89.65% at 1x107 conidia ml-1, LT50 6.08 days). According to the Y-tube olfactometry tests, the nymphs exhibited avoidance from unformulated B. bassiana spores; however, once the spores were formulated as wettable powder, the behavior of the insects changed to neutral. It is concluded that Beauveria bassiana FAI-38 presents a potential as a control agent, and the wettable powder formulation of the fungus improves its effectiveness by increasing mortality and removing repellency effect of the fungal spores.

Effects of natural Ionones and derived novel analogues with simplified structures on behavioral responses of whiteflies.

Whiteflies are major pests in agriculture, causing damage to crops and transmitting plant viruses. Using Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as semiochemicals offers a sustainable approach for combating whiteflies. One such group of compounds, represented by β-ionone, has been found to possess repellent/attractant properties. To further explore the behavioral effects of these compounds on whiteflies, we selected five natural ionone compounds and synthesized six novel analogues to examine the impact of structural variations on whitefly behavior. Our results demonstrated that β-ionone and its analogues have a significant impact on the behavior of whiteflies. Among them, 0.01% pseudo ionone solution exhibited an attractant effect on whiteflies. Notably, the application of 1% β-ionone and 0.1% β-ionol solution demonstrated a notable repellent effect and oviposition deterrent effect on whitefly. We also found that the novel ionone analogue (±)1A exhibited a strong repellent effect. Both β-ionol and compound (±)1A possess high logP values and low saturation vapor pressures, which contribute to enhanced lipophilicity, making them more likely to penetrate insect antennae and prolong their presence in the air. The newly discovered ionone analogue (±)1A and β-ionol exhibit improved repellent effects, while pseudo ionone shows an attractant effect. These three compounds hold promising potential for development as novel biological control agents. Our work highlights the efficacy of VOCs as a protection method against whiteflies. These findings indicate that our new technology for a 'push-pull' control method of B. tabaci can offer a novel tool for integrated pest management (IPM). © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Synapse-Specific Trapping of SNARE Machinery Proteins in the Anesthetized Drosophila Brain.

General anesthetics disrupt brain network dynamics through multiple pathways, in part through postsynaptic potentiation of inhibitory ion channels as well as presynaptic inhibition of neuroexocytosis. Common clinical general anesthetic drugs, such as propofol and isoflurane, have been shown to interact and interfere with core components of the exocytic release machinery to cause impaired neurotransmitter release. Recent studies however suggest that these drugs do not affect all synapse subtypes equally. We investigated the role of the presynaptic release machinery in multiple neurotransmitter systems under isoflurane general anesthesia in the adult female Drosophila brain using live-cell super-resolution microscopy and optogenetic readouts of exocytosis and neural excitability. We activated neurotransmitter-specific mushroom body output neurons and imaged presynaptic function under isoflurane anesthesia. We found that isoflurane impaired synaptic release and presynaptic protein dynamics in excitatory cholinergic synapses. In contrast, isoflurane had little to no effect on inhibitory GABAergic or glutamatergic synapses. These results present a distinct inhibitory mechanism for general anesthesia, whereby neuroexocytosis is selectively impaired at excitatory synapses, while inhibitory synapses remain functional. This suggests a presynaptic inhibitory mechanism that complements the other inhibitory effects of these drugs.

Democracy as Secular Theodicy

Scholars across political philosophy, theology, economics, sociology, sociobiology, and history presently acknowledge that theistic and secular religions are similar in form and function. This essay goes further by establishing that all religions are congruent and otherwise complementary rather than being merely similar. All religions, regardless of their basis, are institutionalized behavioral responses to the “evil” represented by the scarcity of economic resources. All religions serve to unify populations for defense, cooperation, and production and proffer apologias for evil’s persistence in the presence of presumptively omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent sovereigns (gods, kings, elected officials, etc.). All religions comprise a mix of metaphysical constructs and all religious “truths” are pragmatic in the sense of reflecting “what works,” to what end it works, and for whom it works. Leibnizian theodicy, an aspect of theology and precursor of radical utilitarianism and welfare economics, argues that creating “the best of all possible worlds” entails divine trade-offs that purportedly minimize evil. Today’s political economics and philosophy similarly entail faith-based approaches to creating “the greatest good for the greatest number,” often implying the backing of divine wisdom. The upshot is the panoply of man-made evils, often intentional, that are characteristic of illiberal democratic majorities and theocratic states.