Changes In Behavior Patterns Research Articles

1606-P: Effect of Changes in Dark/Light Cycle on Physiological Homeostasis as a Confounding Prelude to Diabetes in Fischer 334 Animal Model

Understanding the role of modern life-style driven disruption in circadian rhythm can advance appropriate management of the shift in physiological homeostasis that may lead to groups of diseases such as diabetes. This study was carried out to determine the effect of light period changes on this possible shift using Fischer 344 rat model. Animals were split into 3 groups of 6 Males and 6 Females each: G I for normal light period (6 am to 6 pm); G II for reversed light period (6 pm to 6 am on alternate weeks); G III was G I with additional 8 h light period (6 pm to 2 am on alternate days). Daily feed, water intake and weekly body weight was recorded. Elevated plus maze for anxiety was done on day 21. On day 22, blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and ACTH were measured. Histopathology of pancreas was done. Results showed no statistical difference in body weights of both sexes in G II and III. However, females in G III had 7% higher body weight than G I. Feed intake increased by 39.7% in both sexes in G III compared to G II. Water intake decreased by 7.2% in G II and 3.4% in G III compared to G I indicating change in normal physiology. G III showed increased blood glucose (38.4%), cholesterol (34.2%), and triglycerides (77.8%). In G III males ACTH was elevated by 38.9% while the same effect was seen in G II females (27.1%). Open arm behavior analysis decreased was by 24.9% in G III compared to G I indicating animals in a state of anxiety. G I Pancreas showed normal islets of Langerhans; G II with swollen acinar cells with vacuoles in few; G III with additional cellular degeneration of islets of Langerhans. Study indicates less adaptation capacity of Fisher 344 rats to disruption in light period as evidenced (p value <0.05) by changes in ACTH, blood chemistry, cellular morphology and behavioral pattern suggesting a shift in physiological homeostasis that may lead to group of diseases such as diabetes. Further investigation is underway to ascertain associated beta cell function and molecular changes. Disclosure B. Subramanian: None. G. Ramakrishnan: None. P. Tamilmaran: None. B. Sundarakrishnan: None. K. Seshadri: None. Funding Primer Academy of Medical Sciences (PAMS-CAReTS-SBV)

ОСОБЕННОСТИ И ПРОБЛЕМЫ СОЦИАЛЬНОГО ПОВЕДЕНИЯ В УСЛОВИЯХ РЕЖИМА САМОИЗОЛЯЦИИ РОССИЙСКОГО НАСЕЛЕНИЯ

The purpose of the study is to determine the features and problems of the social behavior of the Russian population in the conditions of self-isolation. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the extreme situation associated with the threat to the Russian population of the coronavirus pandemic goes beyond the scope of normal human experience, where sharply changed social reality acts as a source of trauma and changes in patterns of social behavior. As a result of the study, it was determined that the problems of social behavior in the conditions of self-isolation are of socio-political, economic, socio-psychological and situational character.

Evaluation of Toxicity on Ctenopharyngodon idella Due to Tannery Effluent Remediated by Constructed Wetland Technology

Aquatic pollution caused by industrial effluents is an environmental issue, imposing deleterious impacts on the overall environment, specifically, on humans, by disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. Among all the industries, tanneries are considered some of the most polluting due to heavy use of toxic organic and inorganic compounds during leather processing, most of which find their way into rivers, lakes, and streams, thus exerting adverse effects on aquatic life, particularly on fish. Considering the huge concentrations of pollutants present in tannery effluents, toxicity evaluation is of prime importance. Therefore, bioassays are usually employed to assess the acute toxicity of industrial effluents and efficiency of effluent clean-up technologies as they provide a thorough response of test species to the substances present in the tested media. In the present study, the toxic effects of tannery effluent on common grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were studied for 96 h in laboratory conditions. The effluent was added at different concentrations, before and after treatment by constructed wetlands (CWs). During this period, mortality data was collected to calculate the 96 h-LC50 (lethal concentration inducing 50% mortality) and acute toxicity of C. idella. In addition to this, observations on change in morphological, physiological, and behavioural patterns were also made every 24 h. The present toxicity assay revealed that the raw tannery effluent changed the morphology, physiology, and behavioural response of fish. Moreover, fish exposure to raw/untreated effluent caused high acute toxicity and 100% mortality, due to the presence of high concentrations of salts and chromium (Cr) metal. While treatment of tannery effluent by CWs vegetated with different plants (B. mutica, L. fusca, and T. domingensis) significantly reduced its toxicity and fish mortality as well, and inoculation of salt and Cr-tolerant endophytic bacteria (Enterobacter sp. HU38, Microbacterium arborescens HU33, and Pantoea stewartii ASI11) further reduced (up to 90%) its toxicity level. Hence, the use of CWs for tannery effluent treatment can be recommended to favour public health and promote the overall safety of the environment.

Nocturnal Behaviour of Three Zoo Elephants (Loxodonta Africana)

Few studies have investigated the behaviour of zoo elephants and how their personality is expressed when exposed to different stimuli e.g. a higher number of visitors. Observing the nocturnal behaviour is especially important, because it reveals information about the welfare of the elephants when they are not normally observed. The nocturnal behaviour of three female African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Aalborg Zoo, Denmark, was studied to create activity budgets and to evaluate if 1) a period with a 4.8 times increase in visitors affected the nocturnal behaviour; and 2) the three elephants exhibited differences in personality. Behavioural data were collected for six nights between 20:00-06:00, and all-occurrence sampling was used to record all types of behaviour. The average of the three elephants showed that the most common behaviours observed during the night was feeding (43±6%) followed by lying (28±5%) and inactive behaviour (16±5%). The elephants laid down an average of 2.4-3.1 hours per night starting at 20:00, and they never laid down before 22:00. No clear pattern of behavioural changes of the elephants was found when there was an increased number of visitors in the zoo. When comparing the intervals of time, the individuals spent on a certain behaviour, and thereby comparing the individuals, several significant differences were found between the medians and interquartile range (IQR). Significant differences were also found in the slopes of the medians, IQR, skewness, and kurtosis for the distribution of the time intervals of the behaviours between the period with lower number of visitors and the period with a higher number of visitors. In an overall perspective, the results indicated that the elephants displayed distinct personalities.

Detecting Pattern Changes in Individual Travel Behavior from Vehicle GPS/GNSS Data.

Although stable in the short term, individual travel behavior generally tends to change over the long term. The ability to detect such changes is important for product and service providers in continuously changing environments. The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology that detects changes in the patterns of individual travel behavior from vehicle global positioning system (GPS)/global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data. For this purpose, we first define individual travel behavior patterns in two dimensions: a spatial pattern and a frequency pattern. Then, we develop a method that can detect such patterns from GPS/GNSS data using a clustering algorithm. Finally, we define three basic pattern-change scenarios for individual travel behavior and introduce a pattern-matching metric for detecting these changes. The proposed methodology is tested using GPS datasets from three randomly selected anonymous users, collected by a Chinese automotive manufacturer. The results show that our methodology can successfully identify significant changes in individual travel behavior patterns.

Changes in sexual behavior patterns due to stimulants use: three case reports

The paper describes three case reports of changes in sexual behavior patterns in male patients who use stimulants (amphetamine and mephedrone). Two of them demonstrate that the consumption of stimulants may lead to hypersexuality and excessive masturbation. Case report three shows that mephedrone use results in such typical stimulant-related subjective effects as the intensification of sensory experiences and sexual arousal. It leads to the loss of interest in sex without mephedrone. In light of the popularity of sex under the influence of drugs, clinicians should be aware of this phenomenon, since it is associated with high-risk sexual behavior. The description of clinical cases on the link between sex and drugs expands our knowledge in this area, leading to more effective treatment interventions.

Neuro Linguistic Programming: A Novel Approach to Sentiment Analysis

This Paper lights on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), which is used to impact the belief system of the human mind. NLP is a novel approach to sentiment analysis (SA) by which people knows their sentiments and platform to train the human mind. It includes various neuro-linguistic techniques with the implementation of sentiments and emotions. The research aims to provide awareness to people about the changing behavior of their minds. It tells how NLP works with various sentiments and provides a significant change in behavioral patterns. There are many social and commercial areas where NLP makes its standards as compared to various other sentiment techniques.

Evaluation of Acute Toxicity of the Alkaloids of Peganum harmala L Seeds in Albino Wistar Female Rats

The Peganum harmala, commonly known as syrian street, belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae. Peganum harmala L is widely used in traditional medicine and pharmacology. The evaluation of toxic properties of Peganum harmala is crucial when considering public health protection because exposure to plant extracts can result in undesirable effects on consumers. Hence, in this study the acute IP toxicity of the total alkaloids of Peganum harmala L seeds was investigated in female rats. The oral dose (60 mg/kg) of tested plant extract was administered to two groups of animals (group I and II) in single dose and third group III is control. The first treated group is sacrificed after 24 hours and the second treated group and control group are sacrificed after 5 days. Throughout the treatment, changes in behavioral pattern, clinical sign and body weight of rats in treatment groups are observed. Also, a significant decrease in relative liver mass and serum biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, PAL, Bil D and Bil T) were observed. An increase in red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit was recorded in group II. Histological examination shows that the seed extract of Peganum harmala L has no remarkable toxic effect on the liver of the treated animals of the second group. The result indicates that the IP administration of the total alkaloids of Peganum harmala L seeds plant did not produce any significant toxic effect in albino rats.

Abstract P196: Personalized Dynamical System Models Of Individual Text Message Effects On Changes In Physical Activity

Introduction: Text-message interventions with universal decision rules (treatment algorithms) demonstrate modest and inconsistent effects on physical activity. Efforts to increase effect sizes by targeting, tailoring or generically customizing content have largely been unsuccessful. In this study, system identification methods from control systems engineering were applied to develop person-specific dynamical models of individual responses to motivational text messages. Methods: Emerging adults not meeting aerobic physical activity guidelines (verified by accelerometer during a 1-week run-in period) received 0-6 messages/day while wearing a Fitbit Versa watch for 3 months. Experimental messages targeted cognitive or affective determinants of physical activity (move more) or sedentary behavior (sit less); comparator messages were inspirational quotes. For each participant, two dynamical models were estimated using difference equations: one to model the effects of move more and sit less messages and the other to model the effects of affectively- and cognitively-targeted messages. Both models included comparator messages. Effects represent the expected change in behavior immediately after message receipt (vs expected behavior without a message). Model order was determined individually to balance uncertainty and overfitting (range = 2-9). Results: The sample (n = 20) was mostly female (60%), White (65%), and not Hispanic or Latino (95%) with a mean age of 24.4 years (SD = 3.3; range = 19-29). Idiographic patterns of behavior change were readily observed from the personalized dynamical models. Most participants’ step counts increased after messages to move more (60% of participants’ responses exceeded the 95% error interval [responders], M = 94.3 steps; 83% of responders increased steps) and sit less (50% responders, M = 114.6 steps; 90% of responders increased steps), as well as control messages (75% responders, M = 59.5 steps; 60% of responders increased steps). Step counts also increased after messages targeting cognitive determinants (80% responders, M = 97.1 steps; 75% of responders increased steps) and affective determinants (75% responders, M = 52.9 steps, 67% of responders increased steps), as well as control messages (75% responders, M = 57.8 steps; 60% of responders increased steps). Conclusions: Motivational text messages can alter physical activity dynamics, and responses to different message types are highly personalized. Among responders, most message types increased expected step counts but some messages were iatrogenic and decreased expected step counts. Computational models of those dynamics provide a foundation for personalizing decision rules to select the type and time the delivery of messages to promote physical activity and improve cardiovascular health.

Rapid changes in sociosexual behaviors around transition to and from behavioral estrus, in female rats housed in a seminatural environment

Gonadally intact female rats display sexual behaviors only during a portion of the estrus cycle. In standard experimental setups, the on- and offset of sexual behavior is gradual. However, in naturalistic settings, it is almost instantaneous. We assessed the changes in sociosexual behaviors at the beginning and end of behavioral estrus in ovariectomized females treated with ovarian hormones. Rats were housed in a seminatural environment, in groups of three males and four females. We scored female and male behavior during the 8 min preceding and following the first and last lordosis of behavioral estrus. Immediately before the first lordosis, there was a sharp increase in female paracopulatory behaviors whereas the end of estrus was marked by a sudden decrease in these behaviors. There was no systematic change in other female behavior patterns. These data suggest that the display of female paracopulatory behaviors plays a key role. Both during transition into and out of behavioral estrus, most behavioral changes occurred within one minute. The rapid changes must be unrelated to ovarian hormone fluctuations in these ovariectomized females. Perhaps they can be explained in terms of hormone-induced, dynamic (chaotic) changes in the function of critical structures within the brain.

Efforts in reducing air pollution exposure risk in China: State versus individuals

China has made great efforts towards air pollutant concentration control during the past five years, which has led to positive outcomes. However, air pollutant concentration focused efforts were considered separately from human exposure risk. And this might result in a misunderstanding that reducing exposure risk can only rely on the national level measures of air pollutant control. This study integrates the first Chinese survey of human activity patterns and the spatially continuous high-resolution PM2.5 concentration maps to reveal the spatial and temporal variations of China’s air pollution exposure risk from 2013 to 2017. More importantly, the effects on risk reduction from multi-scale and multi-object perspectives (reductions of ambient PM2.5 concentrations by national or provincial measures and changes of individual behavior patterns by personal efforts) are deeply investigated. Results show that the reductions of PM2.5 concentration and associated reductions of exposure risk from 2013 to 2017 were 40% and 35.7%, respectively. They also showed that both the reduction of PM2.5 concentrations and change of personal behavior patterns were effective for risk reduction when China’s total PM2.5 exposure risk was higher than 1.58. However, only individual behavior changes contributed to risk reduction for scenarios with state-level risk value below 1.58. For regional strategies, threshold values for PM2.5 exposure risk control differentiating national measures or personal efforts were spatially and temporally dependent. The role of personal behavior changes on PM2.5 exposure risk reduction was growing in these five years with concentration rapidly decreasing regions. The findings suggest that people-centered air pollution exposure risk prevention not only depends on government management for air pollution control, but also on individual changes of activity patterns. Efforts from the state and individuals are both essential for reducing air pollution exposure risk in China, especially growing individual efforts are needed in regions with the decreasing air pollutant concentrations in the coming future. Moreover, this study mainly discussed the PM2.5 exposure risk from the macroscopic perspective, the research at the microcosmic perspective is also needed in the further study.

MO’ CHARACTERS MO’ PROBLEMS: ONLINE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM CONSTRAINTS AND MODES OF COMMUNICATION

It is widely accepted that different online social media platforms produce different modes of communication, however the ways in which these modalities are shaped by the constraints of a particular platform remain difficult to quantify. On 7 November 2017 Twitter doubled the character limit for users to 280 characters, presenting a unique opportunity to study the response of this population to an exogenous change to the communication medium. Here we analyse a large dataset comprising 387 million English-language tweets (10% of all public tweets) collected over the September 2017--January 2018 period to quantify and explain large-scale changes in individual behaviour and communication patterns precipitated by the character-length change. Using statistical and natural language processing techniques we find that linguistic complexity increased after the change, with individuals writing at a significantly higher reading level. However, we find that some textual properties such as statistical language distribution remain invariant across the change, and are no different to writings in different online media. By fitting a generative mathematical model to the data we find a surprisingly slow response of the Twitter population to this exogenous change, with a substantial number of users taking a number of weeks to adjust to the new medium. In the talk we describe the model and Bayesian parameter estimation techniques used to make these inferences. Furthermore, we argue for mathematical models as an alternative exploratory methodology for "Big" social media datasets, empowering the researcher to make inferences about the human behavioural processes which underlie large-scale patterns and trends.

Acute Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Sesbania Grandiflora Linn. Roots as Per OECD 425 TG on Albino Mice

Objective To evaluate the acute oral toxicity of ethyl acetate fraction of Sesbania grandiflora Linn. roots as per OECD 425 guidelines. Methods The two groups of five female albino mice were selected and both the groups of mice were observed for 14 days for various parameters according to OECD guidelines 425 guidelines after treating one group as a normal control and other with ethyl acetate fraction of Sesbania grandiflora root EFSGR 2000mgkg p.o.Results Oral dose of EFSGR 2000mgkg did not resulted in death and treatment related adverse effects such as modification in food and water consumption body weight variation relative organ weights biochemical and hematological parameters. But treatment showed mild changes in behavioral patterns like sleeping and itching during initial time point. Further histopathological evaluation of vital organs exhibited normal architecture and this observation provided good support to general and biochemical measurements.Conclusion The current study showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of Sesbania grandiflora did not exhibit any signs of toxicity in female albino mice. Hence proved that the toxicity study based calculated dose of EFSGR can be used for the pharmacological studies.

Antipartisanship and political tolerance in Brazil

ABSTRACT Introduction: This article propose to connect two research agendas on political behavior: studies on political tolerance and research on partisanship. Search, by connecting these two agendas, to assess the extent to which parties have become targets of political intolerance and thereby to assess the intensity of negative attitudes towards this central institution of democracy. Studies on partisanship conflicts in Brazil have focused on the antagonism opposing petismo and antipetismo. However, the 2018 elections have shown that Brazilians also adopt other forms of antipartisanship. Changes in patterns of political and electoral behavior in recent years can only be properly understood if we consider variation over time in the intensity and scope of antipartisan sentiment. We propose a typology where antipartisanship may be moderate or radical and may have a narrower or broader target. This theme is significant not only for interpreting Brazil’s current political context, but also for deepening understanding of theoretical and analytical questions. Our understanding is that these different types of antipartisanship are distinct phenomena with different effects. Materials and Methods: The data we use to construct the proposed typology and analyze the range and intensity of antipartisanship are derived from an unprecedented Latin America Public Opinion Project initiative to measure political tolerance in Brazil, in its 2017 edition. Our methodology combine variables of disaffection and political intolerance to construct different voter profiles, based on respondent’s attitudes towards unpopular groups, including political parties. After constructing the typology, we propose regression models to estimate the effects of each type on several attitudes, like support to democracy and institutional trust. Results: Our findings show a relationship between the most extreme types of antipartisanship and attitudes towards democracy. Compared with non-antipartisan voters, intolerant antipartisan are less supportive of democracy and democratic institutions and less favorable to freedom of expression and the granting of political rights to minorities. The intensity of antipartisanship matters more than its scope, since the models show that, there is little difference in the degree of commitment to democracy and democratic principles between the two types of intolerant antipartisans, regardless of the scope of the target of their disapproval. This means that attitudes toward democracy, democratic institutions, and democratic principles depend less on the scope antipartisanship, than on political intolerance towards these groups. Discussion: The data and results presented here indicate that antipartisanship is not a one-dimensional phenomenon. The individual is not merely antipartisan or non-antipartisan. We show that antipartisanship contains at least two dimensions: its scope and intensity. Previous studies have already shown the existence of different expressions of antipartisanship, but this diversity has not yet been systematically explored using a well-defined typology. Our work points to this research agenda.

FILHOS DO CORAÇÃO: PERCEPÇÃO DAS FAMÍLIAS ADOTANTES EM RELAÇÃO AS AÇÕES DE MARKETING SOCIAL EM PROL DA CAUSA

Despite the social importance of adoption, the theme is still incipient regarding educational campaigns conducted in Brazil. In this regard, the study aimed to analyze how families who experienced the adoption of a child perceive the importance of social marketing actions implemented by the government and simultaneously listened to their experiences in the adoption process. In methodological terms, this is a qualitative-descriptive study that interviewed eleven families, whose reports were analyzed based on Content Analysis. Regarding social marketing actions, the reports point to an absence of campaigns that can clarify and make the population aware of the adoption. Thus, the main contribution of this study is to include the adoption of children and adolescents in the scope of social marketing, while presenting the importance of educational and awareness actions to mobilize, sensitize and promote changes in consumer behavior patterns. citizens.

DETEKSI DINI KOMPLIKASI KEHAMILAN, PERILAKU HIDUP BERSIH DAN SEHAT SERTA DETEKSI DINI GANGGUAN PERTUMBUHAN DAN PERKEMBANGAN BAYI DAN BALITA DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS PEGAMBIRAN KOTA PADANG

Puskesmas Pegambiran is located in Lubuk Begalung Sub-district, Padang City has five villages with a pregnancy complication rate of 19.9% and neonatal complications of 11.74% (2016). The general objective that will be achieved is to increase the number of better health degrees for pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and pre-school age children through promotive and preventive activities. The method used is by conducting surveys and interviews, conduct counseling, demonstrate clean and healthy living habits, anthropometric measurements of infants, toddlers, and pre-school children, observation, pregnancy checks, hemoglobin checks, and counseling. The results obtained were counseling and demonstrations on clean and healthy living behaviors in pre-school age children at Alya Zahira Kindergarten, which all students could participate in and run smoothly. 98% of kindergarten students demonstrated healthy hygiene habits, including washing hands, brushing teeth, and mentioning healthy snacks. Anthropometric measurements of infants and toddlers and pre-school age children showed that weight for age was within normal limits, height/length according to age, and expected limits. 3.7% thin and short toddlers and 1.2% of toddlers have speech delays, 1.2% children under five with a history of epilepsy, and need further treatment, so referrals are made. 1.2% of children under five were referred to because they did not recognize colors. All pregnant women (100%) have normal hemoglobin levels (10 g / dl), and pregnancy conditions are appropriate for their gestational age. It is hoped that further community service activities will be carried out by applying the partnership midwifery practice model (mentoring) to the above targets for several months. There are changes in behavior patterns for promotive and preventive actions that have been given.

Female Cycling and the Discourse of Moral Panic in Late Victorian Britain

This article discusses the role of cycling in women’s emancipation in late Victorian Britain and explores the attitudes of the middle-class public to women’s pursuit of this recreational activity. The unique combination of healthy physical exercise, unrestrained mobility and sporting excitement that the bicycle offered elevated cycling into one of the epoch’s most popular leisure activities. For women, the bicycle became an important instrument to break away from the constraints of the androcentric paternalistic culture that stereotyped them and cast them in the passive role of the angel in the house . The immense popularity of bicycling with middle- and upper-class women and the inevitable changes in patterns of female leisure, clothing and normative behaviour it involved, caused strong reaction from the bourgeois establishment. An analysis of opinions published in the British press at the time reveals a discourse marked by anxiety that cycling might become an avenue for women to claim more independence for themselves and even subvert the established social framework based on power relations and a clear delineation of gender roles. Keywords: women; cycling; late Victorian period; gender roles; press; prejudice

Bitcoin and Cybersecurity: Temporal Dissection of Blockchain Data to Unveil Changes in Entity Behavioral Patterns

The Bitcoin network not only is vulnerable to cyber-attacks but currently represents the most frequently used cryptocurrency for concealing illicit activities. Typically, Bitcoin activity is monitored by decreasing anonymity of its entities using machine learning-based techniques, which consider the whole blockchain. This entails two issues: first, it increases the complexity of the analysis requiring higher efforts and, second, it may hide network micro-dynamics important for detecting short-term changes in entity behavioral patterns. The aim of this paper is to address both issues by performing a “temporal dissection” of the Bitcoin blockchain, i.e., dividing it into smaller temporal batches to achieve entity classification. The idea is that a machine learning model trained on a certain time-interval (batch) should achieve good classification performance when tested on another batch if entity behavioral patterns are similar. We apply cascading machine learning principles—a type of ensemble learning applying stacking techniques—introducing a “k-fold cross-testing” concept across batches of varying size. Results show that blockchain batch size used for entity classification could be reduced for certain classes (Exchange, Gambling, and eWallet) as classification rates did not vary significantly with batch size; suggesting that behavioral patterns did not change significantly over time. Mixer and Market class detection, however, can be negatively affected. A deeper analysis of Mining Pool behavior showed that models trained on recent data perform better than models trained on older data, suggesting that “typical” Mining Pool behavior may be represented better by recent data. This work provides a first step towards uncovering entity behavioral changes via temporal dissection of blockchain data.

Late Pleistocene human occupation in the Maloti-Drakensberg region of southern Africa: New radiocarbon dates from Rose Cottage Cave and inter-site comparisons

Rose Cottage Cave, near Lesotho’s western border with South Africa, is a rare archive of late Pleistocene hunter-gatherer behavioural variability in a montane environment, a setting that is poorly represented in regional ethnographic archives. Here, we present an updated chronology for the site based on high-resolution AMS radiocarbon dates and Bayesian and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) methods. We draw on broader anthropological approaches to lithic evidence and behavioural modelling to test hypotheses about hunter-gatherer provisioning and mobility systems across the Maloti-Drakensberg Escarpment environmental transect. We compare the modelled ages and stone tool evidence from Rose Cottage Cave to other well-dated archaeological sequences in the region, including the comparably well-dated site of Sehonghong in highland Lesotho, as well as Ha Makotoko, Ntloana Tšoana, and Strathalan sites A and B. These comparisons reveal differences in the organization of lithic technologies and activity traces across the region, which can be explained by a combination of responses in hunter-gatherer mobility to local environmental gradients and climate shifts during the climatically variable late Pleistocene. Our results shed light on the relationship between patterns of behavioural change and palaeoenvironmental variability in southeastern southern Africa specifically, and on hunter-gatherer behavioural variability in montane environments more generally.

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