Behavioral Activity Research Articles

Lrtm1 - A Novel Sensor of Insulin Signaling and Regulator of Metabolism and Activity.

Insulin regulates glucose uptake and metabolism in muscle via the insulin receptor. Here we show that Lrtm1 (Leucine Rich Repeats and Transmembrane Domains 1), a protein of unknown function enriched in insulin-responsive metabolic tissues, senses changes in insulin signaling in muscle and serves as a regulator of metabolic response. Thus, whole-body Lrtm1 deficient mice exhibit a reduced the percentage of fat mass, increased percentage of lean mass, and enhanced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity compared to control mice, under both chow and high fat diet conditions. Lrtm1 whole-body deficiency also affects dopamine signaling in the brain leading to hyperactivity. The improvements in glucose and insulin tolerance, but not the behavioral or body composition changes, are also observed in skeletal muscle-specific Lrtm1 knockout mice. These effects occur with no change in classical insulin receptor-Akt signaling Thus, Lrtm1 senses changes in insulin receptor signaling and serves as a novel post-receptor regulator of metabolic and behavioral activity.

Identification and optimization of volatile organic compounds to enhance bait attractiveness for red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren).

The red imported fire ant (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta), a highly destructive invasive pest, has rapidly spread through human trade, posing significant threats to agricultural and forest ecosystems. Due to its preference for high-fat and high-protein foods, ham sausage is commonly used as bait to monitor RIFA populations in invaded areas. However, the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in such baits may affect their effectiveness because VOCs can act as either attractants or repellents. Identifying VOCs that specifically attract RIFA is essential to improve bait efficacy. This study aimed to identify attractant compounds within bait VOCs for RIFA, leveraging the highly-expressed antennal odorant-binding protein 1 (OBP1) and reverse chemical ecology approach. Additionally, we examined the effects of mixtures of these attractants on RIFA behavior. Our findings revealed that anethole, 1S-(-)-β-pinene, and β-caryophyllene individually attracted RIFA at 0.1 μg/μL. Notably, a combination of anethole and 1S-(-)-β-pinene enhanced behavioral activity more than individual compounds, suggesting synergistic effects. Conversely, the addition of β-caryophyllene to anethole significantly reduced RIFA activity. These results provide a theoretical basis for developing behavioral regulators targeting RIFA. This study demonstrates that the integration of OBP-based in vitro assays with computational simulations can effectively identify behaviorally active compounds for RIFA. Additionally, it clarifies the optimal ratios of active VOCs in baits, offering valuable theoretical guidance for enhancing RIFA population monitoring efforts. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Neuroprotective role of mirabegron: Targeting beta-3 adrenergic receptors to alleviate ulcerative colitis-associated cognitive impairment.

While cognitive impairment has been documented in ulcerative colitic patients, the possible influence of central β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) signaling on this extraintestinal manifestation remains unclear. Previously, we identified an imperative role for mirabegron (MA) as an agonist of β3-AR, in decreasing the BACE-1/beta-amyloid (Aβ) cue in the colons of UC rats. Consequently, we investigated its therapeutic potential for alleviating cognitive impairment associated with UC. To fulfil our aim, rats administered iodoacetamide were treated with the β3-AR agonist (MA) alone, with the antagonist (SR59230A) for 8 days, or kept untreated. The animals' behavior (MWM and NOR tests) and hippocampal structure were assessed. Mechanistically, necroptosis, ER stress (ERS), Aβ-amyloidosis, inflammation/oxidative burden, and gut/BBB dysfunction were analyzed. Post-administration of MA improved weight gain, colon/hippocampal structures, and memory. Additionally, it inhibited serum levels of lipopolysaccharide and Annexin-1, indicating recovered gut and BBB integrity. MA turned off the pathogenic BACE-1/Aβ axis in the hippocampus, necroptosis trajectory (TNFR-1/RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL), and the IRE-1α/JNK signal. Moreover, MA enhanced the transcription factor PPAR-γ, decreased NF-κΒ/TNF-α inflammatory hub, and modulated the redox imbalance by decreasing malondialdehyde and increasing catalase. Notably, MA's behavioral, structural, and molecular beneficial actions were hindered by the pre-administration of SR59230A. From a novel standpoint, we recognized the β3-AR as a therapeutic target for UC-associated cognitive impairment in the hippocampus. In this context, the aptitude of MA to inhibit UC-induced hippocampal amyloidogenesis, alongside its anti-necroptotic, anti-ERS, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, contribute to these central enhancements, while also regulating permeability in both gut and BBB barriers.

The metabolic basis of cancer-related fatigue.

Although we are all familiar with the sensation of fatigue, there are still profound divergences on what it represents and its mechanisms. Fatigue can take various forms depending on the condition in which it develops. Cancer-related fatigue is considered a symptom of exhaustion that is often present at the time of diagnosis, increases in intensity during cancer therapy, and does not always recede after completion of treatment. It is usually attributed to the inflammation induced by damage-associated molecular patterns released by tumor cells during cancer progression and in response to its treatment. In this review, we argue that it is necessary to go beyond the symptoms of fatigue to understand its nature and mechanisms. We propose to consider fatigue as a psychobiological process that regulates the behavioral activities an organism engages in to satisfy its needs, according to its physical ability to do so and to the capacity of its intermediary metabolism to exploit the resources procured by these activities. This last aspect is critical as it implies that these metabolic aspects need to be considered to understand fatigue. Based on the findings we have accumulated over several years of studying fatigue in diverse murine models of cancer, we show that energy metabolism plays a key role in the development and persistence of this condition. Cancer-related fatigue is dependent on the energy requirements of the tumor and the negative impact of cancer therapy on the mitochondrial function of the host. When inflammation is present, it adds to the organism's energy expenses. The organism needs to adjust its metabolism to the different forms of cellular stress it experiences thanks to specialized communication factors known as mitokines that act locally and at a distance from the cells in which they are produced. They induce the subjective, behavioral, and metabolic components of fatigue by acting in the brain. Therefore, the targeting of mitokines and their brain receptors offers a window of opportunity to treat fatigue when it is no longer adaptive but an obstacle to the quality of life of cancer survivors.

Strawberry anthocyanin pelargonidin-3-glucoside attenuated OA-induced neurotoxicity by activating UPRmt.

In this study, network pharmacology analysis revealed that strawberry anthocyanins mainly interfered with lipid metabolism and nerve-related signaling pathways. Pelargonidin-3-glucoside (Pg3G), one of the main anthocyanins in strawberry, was screened as the most effective anthocyanin for attenuating excess lipid accumulation. Moreover, Pg3G decreased lipid levels, relieved oxidative stress, and restored abnormal behavioral activities in Caenorhabditis elegans under oleic acid (OA) exposure. Meanwhile, Pg3G increased the expression of HSP-6 and HSP-60 proteins and activated the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), while beneficial effects of Pg3G were impaired in the ubl-5 knockout strain, suggesting that ubl-5 may be a key target for improving OA-induced neurotoxicity. Expressions of neurotransmitter transmission-related genes showed great correlations with genes involved in lipid metabolism and UPRmt, further explaining the underlying mechanism of Pg3G in neuroprotection. Our findings emphasize the key role of UPRmt in alleviating OA-induced neurotoxicity of Pg3G, providing a theoretical basis for the research and development of strawberry anthocyanins as a dietary supplement for lipid reduction and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Is intense exercise bad for your mind? Subjective, behavioral and physiological responses to a cognitive effort to failure

Introduction Most previous research has investigated if a cognitive task reduces the time a person can perform a posterior physical exercise (Holgado et al., 2023). However, no previous research has investigated if performing an intense physical exercise reduces the time a person can complete a cognitive task with an adequate level of performance. The aim of this study was to assess the subjective, behavioral and brain activity responses of performing an intense physical exercise on a posterior cognitive task until failure. Methods In a pre-registered, randomized, within-participant design experiment, 29 physically active participants completed a cognitive task until failure after running at 90% maximal aerobic speed until failure or after walking for 10 min (control condition). During the cognitive task, brain activity was recorded with an electroencephalogram and brain complexity was quantified. Multidimensional subjective experience was assessed with the Temporal Experience Tracing method (TET) (Jachs et al., 2022). Sequential Bayesian analysis for the main hypothesis (intense physical exercise reduces cognitive task performance) until it reached strong evidence in favor of the alternative hypothesis (BF10 > 6), or the null hypothesis (BF10 < 1/6) were conducted. Results The physical exercise induced a reduction in maximal force generating capacity and increased rate of perceived exertion compared to the control condition, evidencing the presence of fatigue. The total duration to complete the cognitive task in both conditions were 4755.8 s (95% CI 3326.8 - 5107.8) and 4308.2 s (95% CI 3902.9 - 5481.2) for the control and experimental conditions, respectively with no difference across sessions (BF10 = 0.329). Subjective experience analysis identified two distinct clusters of task-related feelings, but the time spent in these experiential states did not differ between conditions. However, cognitive task performance was better in the in the phases of low subjective demands. Brain complexity was lower after the physical fatigue condition, indicating a potential shift in physiological states, although neither behavioral performance nor subjective feelings were affected. Discussion/Conclusion In conclusion, our study did not find evidence that short intense physical exercise negatively affected negatively the duration participants could sustain an adequate (or optimal) cognitive effort. However, it offers valuable insights into the dynamic nature of psychological and subjective states during such tasks.

Cholinergic dynamics in the septo-hippocampal system provide phasic multiplexed signals for spatial novelty and correlate with behavioral states.

In the hippocampal formation, cholinergic modulation from the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) is known to correlate with the speed of an animal's movements at sub-second timescales and also supports spatial memory formation. Yet, the extent to which sub-second cholinergic dynamics, if at all, align with transient behavioral and cognitive states supporting the encoding of novel spatial information remains unknown. In this study, we used fiber photometry to record the temporal dynamics in the population activity of septo-hippocampal cholinergic neurons at sub-second resolution during a hippocampus-dependent object location memory task using ChAT-Cre mice. Using a general linear model, we quantified the extent to which cholinergic dynamics were explained by changes in movement speed, behavioral states such as locomotion, grooming, and rearing, and hippocampus-dependent cognitive states such as recognizing a novel location of a familiar object. The data show that cholinergic dynamics contain a multiplexed code of fast and slow signals i) coding for the logarithm of movement speed at sub-second timescales, ii) providing a phasic spatial novelty signal during the brief periods of exploring a novel object location, and iii) coding for environmental novelty at a seconds-long timescale. Furthermore, behavioral event-related phasic cholinergic activity around the onset and offset of the behavior demonstrates that fast cholinergic transients help facilitate a switch in cognitive and behavioral state before and during the onset of behavior. These findings enhance understanding of the mechanisms by which cholinergic modulation contributes to the coding of movement speed and encoding of novel spatial information.

Clock genes regulate sex pheromone production and male mating ability in Bactrocera dorsalis.

Many animals display physiological and behavioral activities limited to specific times of the day. Certain insects exhibit clear daily rhythms in their mating activities that are regulated by an internal biological clock. However, the specific genetic mechanisms underlying this regulation remain largely unexplored. Mating in the fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis exhibits a daily rhythm and is dependent on sex pheromones produced in the male rectum. We used transcriptome sequencing and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 techniques to understand whether the daily rhythmicity of mating in B. dorsalis and sex pheromone production in the rectum are regulated by clock genes. The results showed that the production of sex pheromones by B. dorsalis males is rhythmic (low during the day and high at night) and is influenced by clock genes. Knockout of the clock genes cryptochrome 1 (cry1) and timeless (tim) reduced the production of sex pheromones and significantly impaired mating ability in males. In addition, quantitative polymerase chain reaction results from 5 different tissues showed cry1 was highly expressed in the head, whereas tim was highly expressed in both the head and rectum (a key site for male sex pheromone production). Transcriptome analysis confirmed that cry1 (head) and tim (head and rectum) exhibit rhythmic expressions consistent with sex pheromone rhythmicity. These results suggest that cry1 may be related to a central clock neuron (like the suprachiasmatic nucleus), whereas the rhythmic expression of tim in the rectum indicates the potential presence of peripheral oscillators. Our study reveals new targets and ideas for improved control of the fruit fly.

Managing Expectations: Understanding Parents' Perceptions of Their Child's Serious Illness.

Parenting a seriously ill child is complex and emotionally intense. To further develop Hinds and colleagues' Good Parent themes: "Keeping a Positive Outlook" and "Keeping a Realistic Outlook," we reviewed grounded theories published in English language journals from January 2006 to April 2021 identifying 18 studies with relevant results. Parents' efforts to keep a positive outlook included cognitive (e.g., remain hopeful, avoid negative thinking) and behavioral (e.g., monitoring child for signs of improvement, information seeking) actions. To keep a realistic outlook, parents acknowledged the serious nature of the condition, negative treatment effects, and limitations to treating the child normally. Parents holding both positive and realistic outlooks recognized the seriousness of their child's illness and remained hopeful while preparing for their child's death. Our analysis extends the understanding of how parents' expectations regarding the course and outcome of their child's illness shape cognitive and behavioral aspects of their parenting.

The Phenomenon of Digital Transformation of Technology and Communication in School Environments

The existence of digital technology tools in today's society is no longer standard, because every society starting from the environment of children's lives, the environment of adolescents and even adults has made technological tools a necessity so that of course it cannot be separated from human life. Many people as individuals in their daily lives and their lives in the organizational environment, digital technology tools play an important role, because all sources of information can be obtained using the help of these technological tools, so that work that has been difficult to complete will become easy and does not take a long time to complete. For students, technological tools are used as a source to find information about science in completing learning tasks that are needed at a certain time. In this community service activity, socialization and training were given to students on how students' behavioral actions in responding to the phenomenon of the transformation of digital technology tools that are used as sources and media for learning. So that digital tools have problems with attacks from technological transformation activities from students' digital tools, they can overcome them. This activity was carried out at the Karalat digitala Private Vocational School in Pematangsiantar City, North Sumatra, with a socialization method provided by the team, and a demonstration of students' work as basic skills training for students in the field of technology by giving several questions at the end of the activity. This was done to measure the level of success in the PkM activity, that the value obtained from several students who answered correctly reached 95.2% who could answer directly from several questions that could be answered by participants (students) of Karalat digital Private Vocational School

Particle size of wheat straw from genetically improved wheat affects the production performance and feeding behavior of Sahiwal cows.

The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of particle size (PS) and inclusion level of wheat straw (WS) obtained from genetically improved wheat on the performance and feeding behavior of Sahiwal cows. Twelve multiparous, mid-lactating Sahiwal cows (DIM 135 ± 25, mean ± SD; 12.8 ± 1.6kg/d milk, 331 ± 21kg of BW) were split into groups of 4 and subjected to each of four treatments in a 2*2 cross-over design. For experimental diets, TMR differed in the length and inclusion level of the WS component in that diet, (1) straw chopped with a 2cm screen (Fine chopped- FC, and inclusion, i.e., FCA = 20% and FCB = 30%) or (2) straw chopped with a 4cm screen (long chopped-LC, and inclusion, i.e., LCA = 20% and LCB = 30%). The increased dry matter (DM) intake (9.10kg/d) and crude protein (CP) intake (1.25kg/d) were observed in FCA. The diets with the shorter PS and higher inclusion (i.e., FCB) exhibited higher neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake (3.77kg) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) intake (2.72kg). The findings of digestibility showed higher DM-digestibility in LCA (55.24%). Meanwhile, the higher digestibility of CP (52.9%) and ADF (36%) was found in LCB, and NDF (38.5%) was observed in LCA. Moreover, cows receiving FCA diets showed improved milk (15.5kg/d), 3.5%FCM (17.76kg/d), fat (0.683/d Kg), and protein (0.516kg/d) yields and production efficiency. However, the milk composition was improved in cows fed with LCB diets. Furthermore, the behavioural activities showed higher eating (i.e., 228.3min/day), rumination (391min./day), and chewing (617.9min./day) activities in LCB diets. Whereas, the lying activity (568.5min/day) was greater in FCA-fed cows. Our study suggests that incorporating fine-chopped WS @ 20% improves the overall production performance and feeding behavior of the cows.

The potential of interleaved TMS-fMRI for linking stimulation-induced changes in task-related activity with behavioral modulations.

The simultaneous combination of TMS with fMRI has emerged as a promising means to investigate the direct interaction between stimulation-induced changes at the behavioral and neural activity level. This enables the investigation of whole brain neurobehavioral interactions underlying cognitive disruption or facilitation. Yet to date, the literature on interleaved TMS-fMRI in cognitive neuroscience is sparse and neuromodulatory patterns of different TMS protocols are still poorly understood. Here, we synthesize interleaved TMS-fMRI studies on the relationship between direct stimulation-induced changes on task related neural activity and behavior. The following main findings are discussed. First, approximately half of the studies report a relationship between neural activity and behavioral changes as a marker for network excitation or inhibition. Secondly, task difficulty and stimulation timing are crucial factors that impact the interaction between neural activity changes and behavior. Third, stimulation-induced changes in remote, connected areas seem to be stronger associated with facilitation effects at the behavioral level. A better understanding of the relationship between stimulation-induced changes at the neural and behavioral level will increase the current understanding of the neuromodulatory potential of TMS at different levels and may help to develop more efficient stimulation protocols for basic and applied research.

Clinical and preclinical evidence of psilocybin as antidepressant. A narrative review.

In the rapidly growing field of psychedelic research, psilocybin (and active metabolite psilocin) has been proposed as a promising candidate in the search for novel treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical trials have revealed that psilocybin has a large, rapid, and persistent effect in the improvement of symptoms of depression and anxiety. The safety profile is considered favourable, with low toxicity and good tolerance. Several preclinical studies have also been carried out to determine the long-term mechanism of action of this drug. In this sense, preclinical studies in naïve animals as well as in animal models of disease have shown somewhat discrepant results in conventional tests for assessment of depression- and anxiety-like phenotype in response to psilocybin, but overall suggest positive outcomes. Additionally, several valuable assays in rodent models have been developed over the years to elucidate the neurochemical correlates of serotonin 2A receptor (5HT2AR) activation in the brain, primary molecular target of psilocin. This review aims to provide a general overview of the current and most recent literature in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin through a description of clinical trials of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, and to showcase the scene in the up-to-date preclinical research. A detailed description of preclinical rodent models and experimental approaches that have been used to study the neurobiological and behavioural actions of psilocybin is provided, and potential therapeutic mechanisms of action are discussed.

Chimpanzee Activity and Behavioral Diversity Extends Across 24 Hours in Both Captive and Wild Settings.

Studying nocturnal behavior is crucial for understanding the full scope of a species' behavioral flexibility so as to inform the conservation of wild populations and the care of captive individuals. However, this aspect of primate behavior is understudied, especially in great apes, which exhibit some of the widest documented behavioral diversity and flexibility. Our investigation is among the first to systematically compare the 24 h activity patterns and behavioral activities of captive chimpanzees (Saint Louis Zoo, USA) with those of wild chimpanzees (three sites across the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo) and a published data set of the nocturnal behavior of all chimpanzee subspecies. Furthermore, we examined the influence of human activity and changes to the group's composition on the activity patterns and nocturnal behaviors of the zoo-living chimpanzees. Our results reveal that the zoo-living chimpanzees exhibit significantly different activity patterns compared to their wild counterparts, with increased nocturnal activity (particularly in the early morning) and more observations of feeding and social behaviors at night. Additionally, the absence of human visitors and a change in the group's composition were found to influence these activity patterns. These findings underscore the importance of integrating more holistic approaches to captive primate care and wild primate conservation. This study also highlights the immense potential of implementing remote monitoring technology, such as video camera traps, across contexts. Such data that extend across contexts benefit not only the captive and wild great apes but also provide opportunities for caregivers, conservation managers, and students who are involved in these collaborative initiatives.

Irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder: From the pathophysiologic perspective to the treatment.

Irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder (ISWRD) is an intrinsic circadian rhythm disorder caused by loss of the brain's circadian regulation, through changes of the input and/or output to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), or of the SCN itself. Although there are limited prevalence data for this rare disease, ISWRD is associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including the Alzheimer disease (AD) and the Parkinson disease (PD), which will become increasingly prevalent in an aging population. It additionally presents in childhood developmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Patients present with unpredictable, short sleep periods over a 24-h period, with significant day-to-day and weekly variability. Symptoms manifest as insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness. Sleep logs and actigraphy monitoring capture rest-activity patterns required for diagnosis. Treatment aims to enhance external circadian cues through timed light therapy, behavioral activity regimens, and melatonin, but efficacy remains quite limited. Pathophysiology of ISWRD in association with various diseases and their specific management are discussed. There is a need for further investigation of disease pathophysiology, development of widely applicable tools for diagnosis, and development of treatments.

Permanent tactile sensory loss reduces neuronal activity in the amygdala and ventral hippocampus and alters anxiety-like behaviors.

Tactile information from the whiskers (vibrissae) travels through the somatosensory cortex to the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus, influencing development and psychological well-being. The lack of whiskers affects cognitive functions, spatial memory, neuronal firing, spatial mapping, and neurogenesis in the dorsal hippocampus. Recent studies underline the importance of tactile experiences in emotional health, noting that while tactile stimuli modulate the dorsal hippocampus, the effects of tactile deprivation on anxiety-like behaviors and neural activity in regions like the ventral hippocampus and amygdala are less understood. This study aims to investigate the impact of permanent tactile deprivation on modifying anxiety-like behaviors and c-Fos expression (a marker of neuronal activity) in the dorsolateral and central nucleus of the amygdala and the ventral hippocampus, two regions involved in emotional memory and anxiety. We sectioned the infraorbital nerve, responsible for transmitting whisker information, in CD1 mice to examine how tactile deprivation modifies the behavioral activity in the Elevated Plus Maze and Open-Field Test. Our data revealed a reduction in anxiety-related behaviors post-deprivation, which was linked to a significant decrease in c-Fos expression in the barrel cortex, as well as ventral hippocampus (CA1, dentate gyrus) and dorsolateral, central nucleus of the amygdala, suggesting impaired processing in emotional-regulator brain regions. In conclusion, tactile inputs reduce neuronal activity regulators in brain regions related to emotional regulation, which may trigger possible failures in risk perception or self-protective behaviors associated with the lack of appropriate anxiety responses.

Individual variation in activity budgets of a stable population of killer whales in managed care across a year.

Activity budget investigations are necessary to understand how individuals within a group manage their daily activities, thus providing insights into the social dynamics of a species. Our objective was to explore and describe the behavioral activities within a group of managed care killer whales. From 261 hours of coded surface video collected from April 2022 to January 2023, we scan-sampled day-time hours to examine eight behavioral categories exhibited by 8-9 killer whales bimonthly. Minimal sex differences were found within each behavioral category across month and hour block. Females exhibited significantly more attention to trainers and rubbing on the environment than males. Individual variability was documented for all behavioral categories. The youngest male showed the most (43 % of scans) proximity and social interactions with conspecifics whereas all adults, both females and males, showed similar levels of social behavior. Three adult females and one adult male spent about a third of all scans observing their trainer(s) as they moved around the habitat. This observational behavior has been described in other delphinids as anticipatory behavior indicating a willingness to participate in future interactions with their trainers whether food rewards were available or not, and has been confirmed to represent a state of positive well-being. All killer whales actively engaged with peers and their environment in about 40 % of the documented scans. These findings are similar in degree to that observed in various other delphinid populations and support the interpretation that this killer whale group is in receive of positive welfare, displaying normal levels of social and individual behaviors for this species. Our results add to the growing body of knowledge about how killer whales manage their actions, both with conspecifics and their environment, across different social settings given their surroundings.

Farmers’ perception of critical land in Jatiyoso and Gempolan Villages, Karanganyar

Abstract Land degradation is influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors, due to human behavioral activities. Studies on land degradation often focus on biophysical aspects and processes. Farmers’ perceptions and knowledge about land degradation are often ignored by researchers. The conservation behavior of farmers towards critical land needs to be studied. The purpose of this study is to analyze the level of farmers’ perceptions of critical land, as well as its influence on conservation actions in Jatiyoso and Gempolan villages, Karanganyar. This research is a quantitative descriptive study using the primary data obtained from the results of a survey of 61 farmer respondents in Jatiyoso and Gempolan Villages, Karanganyar, which was then analyzed by a simple regression analysis. The results of observations on the level of achievement of the respondents regarding the farmers’ perceptions that the land they work on is critically vulnerable is 59%, and the level of achievement of the respondents regarding Conservation Action is 55%. The relationship between farmers’ perceptions of conservation actions can be explained that farmers’ perceptions have a real influence on conservation actions of 63.8%. Further research involving the variables of Learning Experience, Knowledge, and Sense of Responsibility, needs to be carried out to get a comprehensive of Farmer Conservation Behavior on critical land. The strategy to increase the role of farmers in land conservation is to build farmers’ perceptions of critical land so that they are more aware of the threats to critical land, through agricultural extension.

Life Stage- and Sex-Specific Sensitivity to Nutritional Stress in a Holometabolous Insect.

Over lifetime, organisms can be repeatedly exposed to stress, shaping their phenotype. At certain, so-called sensitive phases, individuals might be more receptive to such stress, for example, nutritional stress. However, little is known about how plastic responses differ between individuals experiencing nutritional stress early versus later in life or repeatedly, particularly in species with distinct ontogenetic niches. Moreover, there may be sex-specific differences due to distinct physiology. Larvae of the holometabolous turnip sawfly, Athalia rosae, consume leaves and flowers, while the adults take up nectar. We examined the effects of starvation experienced at different life stages on life-history, adult behavioural and metabolic traits to determine which stage may be more sensitive and how specific these traits respond. We exposed individuals to four nutritional regimes, either no, larval, adult starvation or starvation periods as larvae and adults. Larvae exposed to starvation had a prolonged development, and starved females reached a lower initial adult body mass than non-starved individuals. Males did not differ in initial adult body mass regardless of larval starvation, suggesting the ability to conform well to poor nutritional conditions. Adult behavioural activity was not significantly impacted by larval or adult starvation. Individuals starved as larvae had similar carbohydrate and lipid (i.e., fatty acid) contents as non-starved individuals, potentially due to building up energy reserves during development, while starvation during adulthood or at both stages led to reduced energy reserves in males. This study indicates that the sensitivity of a life stage to stress depends on the specific trait under consideration. Life-history traits were mainly affected by larval stress, while activity appeared to be more robust and metabolism mostly impacted by the adult conditions. Individuals differed in their ability to conform to the given environment, with the responses being life stage- and sex-specific.

The Effectiveness of an Imagery-Based Behavioral Activation Intervention for Depressive Symptoms

Background: Behavioral activation treatment (BAT) is an evidence-based treatment for depression. However, depressive symptoms can make it difficult to engage in activities crucial for the success of behavioral activation. Mental imagery may assist with activity engagement. This study examined the effectiveness of imagery-based BAT (BAT-I) compared to standard BAT in reducing depressive symptoms and improving behavioral activation, activity anticipation, activity motivation, and activity completion rates.Methods: Thirty adults with moderate to severe depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to either the BAT-I or BAT groups. The participants received eight sessions of twice-weekly BAT intervention, with an additional four-eight mental imagery sessions provided for the BAT-I group.Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that participants in both groups showed reductions in depressive symptoms and improvements in behavioral activation, activity anticipation, and activity motivation. However, the BAT-I group demonstrated significantly higher activity motivation (6.1＞ 5.1) and activity completion rates (93.17%＞66.18%) than the BAT group.Conclusions: While use of imagery appears to support activity engagement, further research is needed to explore how imagery can be utilized to enhance the BAT effectiveness.