Differences In Behavior Research Articles

Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis.

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is an agricultural pest and burgeoning model for research on speciation, seasonal adaptation and insect resistance management. Although previous work in O. nubilalis has identified genes associated with differences in life cycle, reproduction, and resistance to Bt toxins, the general lack of a robust gene-editing protocol for O. nubilalis has been a barrier to functional validation of candidate genes. Here, we demonstrate an efficient and practical methodology for heritable gene mutagenesis in O. nubilalis using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system. Precise loss-of-function (LOF) mutations were generated at two circadian clock genes, period (per) and pigment-dispersing factor receptor (pdfr), and a developmental gene, prothoracicotropic hormone (ptth). Precluding the need for a visible genetic marker, gene-editing efficiency remained high across different single guide RNAs (sgRNA) and germline transmission of mutations to F1 offspring approached 100%. When single or dual sgRNAs were injected at a high concentration, gene-specific phenotypic differences in behaviour and development were identified in F0 mutants. Specifically, F0 gene mutants demonstrated that PER, but not PDFR, is essential for normal timing of eclosion. PTTH F0 mutants were significantly heavier and exhibited a higher incidence of diapause. This work will accelerate future studies of gene function in O. nubilalis and facilitate the development of similar screens in other Lepidopteran and non-model insects.

Substrate-Mediated Regulation of Src Expression Drives Osteoclastogenesis Divergence

Background/Objectives: Glass, bone, and dentin are commonly applied substrates for osteoclast cultures; however, the impact of these substrates on osteoclastogenesis remains underexplored. This study aimed to address a significant gap in understanding how different substrates influence the process of osteoclastogenesis. Methods: RAW 264.7 cells were cultured and induced with RANKL on glass, bone, and dentin slides. Histological and molecular techniques were used to identify patterns and differences in osteoclast behavior on each substrate. Results: Osteoclasts cultured on glass slides possessed the greatest number of nuclei and the highest expression levels of ACP5 (TRAP) and CTSK, with osteoclasts on bone and dentin slides displaying progressively lower levels. Src expression was also most pronounced in osteoclasts on glass slides, with decreased levels observed on bone and dentin. This variation in Src expression likely contributed to differences in cytoskeletal remodeling and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), resulting in substrate-dependent divergences in osteoclastogenesis. Conclusions: Glass slides were the most favorable substrate for inducing osteoclastogenesis, while bone and dentin slides were less effective. The substrate-induced expression of Src played a fundamental role in shaping the phenotypic divergence of osteoclasts. These insights fill important knowledge gaps and have significant implications for the development and selection of in vitro models for bone-related diseases and drug screening platforms.

How to estimate causal effects associated with family planning? An introduction to Prince BART, a new approach to effect estimation based on principal stratification and Bayesian non-parametric models

There is interest in learning about the causal effect of family planning (FP) on empowerment-related outcomes. Experimental data related to this question are available from trials in which FP programs increase access to FP. However, estimating the effect of interest is challenging because FP and empowerment-related variables are likely to be confounded. We propose a new approach, Prince BART, to estimate the causal effect of FP on other outcomes of interest, among women affected by a FP program. Prince BART combines principal stratification, to account for differences in FP behavior based on exposure to a FP program, with Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART), to non-parametrically model stratum membership and relationships between variables. Prince Bart allows for estimation of effect heterogeneity. We use Prince BART to assess the causal effect of modern contraceptive use on employment in six cities in Nigeria, based on quasi-experimental data from a FP program trial during the first half of the 2010s. In the sample, we find a positive overall effect of contraceptive use on employment and substantial differences in effect sizes across subgroups defined by baseline covariates such as marital status, work at baseline, and wealth or education. The modeling approach and results can be used to inform future analyses seeking to understand the causal relationship between family planning use and other outcomes, e.g., related to empowerment.

Dietary Differences by Job Type and Industry Among Workers in Japan During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced people to change their lifestyles. We examined dietary differences by job type and industry among workers during the pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted using data an internet survey. Job type and industry were classified into 3 and 22 groups, respectively. Dietary behaviors were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis nested in the workplace prefecture was conducted. Workers involved in jobs that required communication with people were more likely to skip breakfast (odds ratio [OR]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-1.24) and had a lower meal frequency (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.17-1.34) than workers engaged in desk work. Manual workers were more likely to eat fast food or meals (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.17) than were those engaged in desk work. Workers in the newspaper, magazine, television, radio, advertising, and other mass media industries were more likely to skip breakfast (OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.82-3.24) and have a lower meal frequency (OR: 3.90, 95% CI: 2.87-5.28) than workers in public offices and organizations. These results were partially consistent with trends reported before the pandemic. Further studies should be conducted to clarify the causes of differences in dietary behavior among workers.

A comparative analysis of 24-hour movement behaviors features using different accelerometer metrics in adults: Implications for guideline compliance and associations with cardiometabolic health.

Movement behavior features such as time use estimates, average acceleration and intensity gradient are crucial in understanding associations with cardiometabolic health. The aim of this study was to 1) compare movement behavior features processed by commonly used accelerometer metrics among adults (i.e. Euclidian Norm Minus One (ENMO), Mean Amplitude Deviation (MAD) and counts per minute (CPM)), 2) investigate the impact of accelerometer metrics on compliance with movement behavior guidelines, and 3) explore potential variations in the association between movement behavior features and cardiometabolic variables depending on the chosen metric. This cross-sectional study collected movement behavior features (Actigraph GT3X+) and cardiometabolic variables. Accelerometer data were analyzed by four metrics, i.e. ENMO, MAD, and CPM vertical axis and CPM vector magnitude (GGIR). Intraclass correlations and Bland‒Altman plots identified metric differences for time use in single movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior), average acceleration and intensity gradient. Regression models across the four metrics were used to explore differences in 24-hour movement behaviors (24h-MBs; compositional variable) as for exploration of associations with cardiometabolic variables. Movement behavior data from 213 Belgian adults (mean age 45.8±10.8 years, 68.5% female) differed according to the metric used, with ENMO representing the most sedentary movement behavior profile and CPM vector magnitude representing the most active profile. Compliance rates for meeting integrated 24h-MBs guidelines varied from 0-25% depending on the metric used. Furthermore, the strength and direction of associations between movement behavior features and cardiometabolic variables (body mass index, waist circumference, fat% and HbA1c) differed by the choice of metric. The metric used during data processing markedly influenced cut-point dependent time use estimates and cut-point independent average acceleration and intensity gradient, impacting guideline compliance and associations with cardiometabolic variables. Consideration is necessary when comparing findings from accelerometry studies to inform public health guidelines.

Predator exposure early in life shapes behavioral development and individual variation in a clonal fish

Predation risk is one of the most important factors generating behavioral differences among populations. In addition, recent attention focusses on predation as a potential driver of patterns of individual behavioral variation within prey populations. Previous studies provide mixed results, reporting either increased or decreased among-individual variation in response to risk. Here, we take an explicit developmental approach to documenting how among-individual variation develops over time in response to predator exposure, controlling for both genetic and experiential differences among individuals. We reared juveniles of naturally clonal Amazon mollies, Poecilia formosa, either with or without a predator visible during feedings over 4 weeks and analyzed activity during feedings, time spent feeding and number of visits to the feeding spot. (I) Predator-exposed fish did not differ from control fish in average feeding behavior, but they were less active during feeding trials. (II) In the absence of the predator, substantial changes in among-individual variation over time were detected: among-individual differences in feeding duration increased whereas differences in activity decreased, but there were no changes in feeder visits. In contrast, in the presence of a predator, among-individual variation in all three behaviors was stable over time and often lower compared to control conditions. Our work suggests that predation risk may have an overall stabilizing effect on the development of individual variation and that differences in predation risk may well lead to population-wide differences in among-individual behavioral variation.

Identification of two molecularly and prognostically distinct subtypes in acral melanoma using network prediction method.

Acral melanoma, characterized by its aggressiveness and poor prognosis compared to other melanoma subtypes, poses significant challenges in clinical management. However, the molecular underpinnings driving the biological and clinical features of this disease remain poorly understood. In this study, our aim was to elucidate the molecular landscape and the correlation between subtypes and clinical features of acral melanoma. We conducted comprehensive analyses to dissect the molecular characteristics of acral melanoma, employing a combination of multi-omics data analysis and network-based disease gene prediction algorithms. Single-cell RNA-Seq data were utilized to investigate the contribution of immunocytes to the molecular classification of acral melanoma. Additionally, we used clinical samples to validate the correlation between new subtypes and the prognosis of acral melanoma and the expression of subtype markers and verified the interaction between macrophages and acral melanoma cells at cellular level. Our study reveals the existence of two distinct subtypes of acral melanoma exhibiting marked differences in clinical behaviour, cellular and molecular mechanisms. We identified a robust biomarker panel (EREG, VSIG4, FCGR3A and RAB20) that accurately distinguishes these two subtypes with an impressive AUC of 0.946, validated using clinical samples. Subtype I, characterized by thinner Breslow thickness, demonstrates a favourable prognosis, whereas Subtype II represents a high-risk subtype with a propensity for dermal invasion. Notably, the signature gene EREG of Subtype I is enriched in FCN1+ macrophages, known for promoting inflammatory and immune responses. Conversely, signature genes VSIG4 and FCGR3A of Subtype II are enriched in SPP1+ macrophages, which exhibit significant crosstalk with tumour cells. Our findings significantly enhance the understanding of the molecular landscape of acral melanoma and offer novel insights into its clinical management by identifying distinct subtypes and potential therapeutic targets. The findings have to be confirmed in different cohorts in the future for full validation.

Effects of adsorption of O2 and H2O molecules on the corrosion behavior of the NiTi alloy surface: a DFT investigation.

The influence of O2 and H2O adsorption significantly affects the electrochemical corrosion of the NiTi alloy, with unresolved corrosion disparities between the NiTi-B2 and NiTi-B19' phases. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are utilized in this investigation to explore the adsorption of O atoms at varying coverages on the NiTi-B2(110) and NiTi-B19'(010) surfaces. The goal is to elucidate their oxidation behavior differences. Subsequently, the effect of O adsorption on the dissolution trends of these phases is assessed by inducing Ni/Ti vacancies to simulate alloy dissolution thermodynamically. Additionally, interactions between H2O molecules and O-pre-adsorbed NiTi alloy surfaces are examined to simulate the atomic evolution of the oxidized surface under exposure to humid air and corrosive solutions. The findings indicate a propensity of the NiTi-B19' phase to react with O, forming an oxide film more readily than the NiTi-B2 phase. O adsorption facilitates Ni dissolution and retards Ti dissolution on the alloy surface. Higher O coverage promotes easier dissolution of Ni and Ti atoms on the NiTi-B2(110) surface compared to the NiTi-B19'(010) surface, underscoring the greater corrosion resistance of the NiTi-B19' phase. Both clean and O-pre-adsorbed NiTi alloy surfaces physically adsorb H2O molecules. Notably, an O monolayer substantially mitigates the detrimental effects of H2O molecules on the corrosion resistance of alloy surfaces. This research contributes to a deeper comprehension of the corrosion mechanisms in NiTi alloys.

Elucidating sequence-function relationships in a template-independent polymerase to enable novel DNA recording applications.

Harnessing DNA as a high-density storage medium for information storage and molecular recording of signals has been of increasing interest in the biotechnology field. Recently, progress in enzymatic DNA synthesis, DNA digital data storage, and DNA-based molecular recording has been made by leveraging the activity of the template-independent DNA polymerase, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). TdT adds deoxyribonucleotides to the 3' end of single-stranded DNA, generating random sequences of single-stranded DNA. TdT can use several divalent cations for its enzymatic activity and exhibits shifts in deoxyribonucleotide incorporation frequencies in response to changes in its reaction environment. However, there is limited understanding of sequence-structure-function relationships regarding these properties, which in turn limits our ability to modulate TdT to further advance TdT-based tools. Most TdT literature to-date explores the activity of murine, bovine or human TdTs; studies probing TdT sequence and structure largely focus on strictly conserved residues that are functionally critical to TdT activity. Here, we explore non-conserved TdT sequence space by surveying the natural diversity of TdT. We characterize a diverse set of TdT homologs from different organisms and identify several TdT residues/regions that confer differences in TdT behavior between homologs. The observations in this study can design rules for targeted TdT libraries, in tandem with a screening assay, to modulate TdT properties. Moreover, the data can be useful in guiding further studies of potential residues of interest. Overall, we characterize TdTs that have not been previously studied in the literature, and we provide new insights into TdT sequence-function relationships.

Influence of temperature, oxygen partial pressure, and microstructure on the high-temperature oxidation behavior of the SiC Layer of TRISO particles

Tristructural isotropic (TRISO)-coated fuel particles are designed for use in high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors, featuring a structural SiC layer that may be exposed to oxygen-rich environments over 1000 °C. Surrogate TRISO particles were tested in 0.2–20 kPa O2 atmospheres to observe the differences in oxidation behavior. Oxide growth mechanisms remained consistent from 1200–1600 °C for each PO2, with activation energies of 228 ± 7 kJ/mol for 20 kPa O2 and 188 ± 8 kJ/mol for 0.2 kPa O2. At 1600 °C, kinetic analysis revealed a change in oxide growth mechanisms between 0.2 and 6 kPa O2. In 0.2 kPa O2, oxidation produced raised oxide nodules on pockets with nanocrystalline SiC. Oxidation mechanisms were determined using Atom probe tomography. Active SiC oxidation occurred in C-rich grain boundaries with low PO2, leading to SiO2 buildup in porous nodules. This phenomenon was not observed at any temperature in 20 kPa O2 environments.

Body Mass Gain in Wild Brown Capuchins (Sapajus apella) in Relation to Fruit Production and Social Dominance.

In ecological contexts natural selection might favor individuals with a larger body mass to monopolize resources; however, there is wide variation in body mass within populations and potential factors. In this study, we evaluated whether fruit production limits body mass in one group of Sapajus apella, its effects on behavior, and whether there is a relationship between social status and body mass. We recorded activity patterns using focal follows (20 min), body mass (using a modified Ohaus scale), and community wide fruit production estimates (from 60 fruit traps). Body mass remained relatively stable during periods of food scarcity, but in periods of abundance most individuals gained weight, as indicated by their relative growth rates (RGR). Subordinate subadults showed the highest RGR, as expected by their age. In periods of high fruit production activities as traveling, grooming, and playing were more frequent than during fruit scarcity, suggesting energy maximization and potential energetic constraints. We found differences in behavior within the group, as the alpha male was observed feeding more frequently (and for longer periods of time), was more aggressive (e.g., feeding trees), and received more grooming than other individuals. In addition, the alpha male was 60% heavier than the group's average body mass. Our study supports the hypothesis that body weight gain is related to fruit abundance and that body size is associated with social dominance; however, large individuals (both males and females) seem to incur in high metabolic or reproductive costs, as they do not gain much weight as smaller individuals.

PSII-8 The effects of diet and finishing phase on the behavioral time budgets of feedlot cattle

Abstract Feedlot cattle undergo many transitions in diet, social group structure, and environment during the finishing period. Little is known about how their behavior may be altered by these transitions. The objective of our pilot project was to compare the behavior of younger feedlot cattle fed a low-concentrate diet to that of finishing cattle, and to create 24-h time budgets for activity and oral behaviors in these groups. Cattle [n = 20; body weight (BW) = 305 ± 21 kg, mean ± SD] were fed a low-concentrate feedlot diet (60:40, concentrate:forage; ST) and cattle (n = 20; BW = 522 ± 45 kg) received a finishing diet (90:10, concentrate:forage; FI) twice daily. Animals were separated by diet and housed in groups of 10. Trained observers recorded behaviors of each group by live instantaneous recording every 5 min for a continuous 48 h, resulting in 192 h of data collected. We predicted that ST cattle would spend more time eating and ruminating due to the higher forage diet. We also expected that FI animals would rest more and spend less time standing and walking as a result of being more familiar with the environment and their social group structure. We also quantified a wide range of oral behaviors including rumination, grooming and manipulation of non-feed items in the pen. Behaviors were summarized by 24-h period, animal, group, and diet, then averaged by animal, and then averaged again by group (n = 2/diet). Missing values accounted for 3% of the activity data and 11% of the oral behaviors. T-tests revealed that ST cattle ruminated more than FI (352 ± 3 vs. 304 ± 1 min/d, mean ± SE, P = 0.02), but differences between treatments were not detected for time spent eating (196 ± 15 vs. 131 ± 3 min/d), standing (584 ± 13 vs. 588 ± 29 min/d), walking (46 ± 10 vs. 35 ± 5 min/d), or lying (768 ± 16 vs. 772 ± 7 min/d; P ≥ 0.13). When fed the ST diet, cattle spent 5 ± 2 min/d grooming group mates, while FI cattle groomed others for 11 ± 1 min/d, although this was not analyzed statistically because it was rare. Similarly, there were numerical differences in the amount of time spent orally manipulating non-food items (8 ± 3 and 18 ± 1 min/d for ST and FI animals, respectively) that have not been previously described. These results suggest that behavioral differences might be more apparent with larger sample sizes, but with the present experimental design, the predictions were not supported. Nonetheless, these are the first behavioral observations of feedlot cattle and provide a comprehensive time budget of their activity, including a range of oral behaviors over a 48-h period.

Identification of transformation products from fluorinated lithium-ion battery additives TPFPB and TPFPP: forever chemicals of tomorrow?

Fluorinated organic compounds (FOCs) represent a class of synthetic chemicals distinguished by their resilient carbon-fluorine bonds, which demonstrate an ability to withstand environmental degradation over an extended period. The integration of FOCs into cutting-edge applications, including lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), presents considerable potential for environmental harm that has not yet been sufficiently addressed. This study focuses on the environmental fate of two fluorinated aromatics, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPFPB) and tris(pentafluorophenyl)phosphine (TPFPP), given their important role in improving the performance of LiBs. To achieve this, laboratory simulation methods including total oxidizable precursor assay, electrochemistry (EC), Fenton reaction, UV-C irradiation, and hydrolysis were employed. Liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry were used for identification of transformation products (TPs) and prediction of their molecular formulae. Despite the structural similarity between TPFPB and TPFPP, distinct differences in electrochemical behavior and degradation pathways were observed. TPFPB readily underwent hydroxylation and hydrolysis, resulting in a wide range of 49 TPs. A total of 28 TPs were newly identified, including oligomers and highly toxic dioxins. In contrast, TPFPP degraded exclusively under harsh conditions, requiring the development of innovative conditioning protocols for EC. In total, the simulation experiments yielded nine structurally different compounds, including seven previously undescribed, partially defluorinated TPs. This study highlights the potential risks associated with the use of FOCs in LiBs and provides insight into the complex environmental behavior of FOCs.

Optimal economic configuration by sharing hydrogen storage while considering distributed demand response in hydrogen-based renewable microgrid

With the issues of the greenhouse effect and environmental pollution globally, a high proportion of renewable energy has been integrated into microgrids. Its interconnection brings many challenges to the electric power industry. This paper proposes a new distributed response strategy through sharing hydrogen storage resources, aiming to solve the supply-demand imbalance in microgrids. First, the uneven power distribution from shared energy storage stations necessitates ensuring a fair power dispatch among users. Next, a microgrid demand response model with multi-constraint conditions and high penetration of wind and solar power is established, incorporating constraints like user power consumption, energy storage capacity, and charging/discharging power while considering differences in user electricity behaviors. Finally, the optimal economic configuration uses Lagrange duality theory to process the integrated models, including the demand response, hydrogen sharing, and power generation models, to make the optimization goals fairer. Results demonstrate that our strategy can adjust user electricity usage according to real-time supply-demand conditions, reducing users' total costs by 39.4 %. Compared with the existing configurations of sharing hydrogen storage configurations, our model uses more accurate utility functions, demonstrating better economic advantages, with users' total costs reduced by 4.89 % and revenue of the shared storage station increased by 4.02 %.

271 Does social buffering amongst familiar weaned beef calves mitigate castration stressors?

Abstract Co-mingling of beef feeder calves from multiple sources results in biological and behavioral stressors. This study is part of a project exploring social relationships between individual beef cattle and potential benefits of social buffering during stress events. Here, the specific objective was to explore whether feeder calves form preferential relationships which buffer them from surgical castration pain. Within the experiment, two treatment groups were established: Familiar calves were defined as calves who shared a source farm with two other calves in the pen, and Unfamiliar calves were defined as calves who did not share a source with any other pen-mates. It was hypothesized that Familiar calves would exhibit more lying, fewer pain-related behaviors, and fewer agonistic interactions following surgical castration than Unfamiliar pen-mates. Weaned beef bull calves [n = 102, body weight (BW) range ± SD = 112.95 to 370.10 ± 67.8 kg] from 23 source farms were randomly assigned to home pens, each comprised of three Familiar calves and three Unfamiliar calves. Cameras placed above the pens recorded video from which postural (standing and lying), social (agonistic and bunk displacements) and pain-related behaviors (wound checking and hind leg stamping) were quantified. Cattle were handled through a hydraulic squeeze chute once weekly over four consecutive weeks for data collection and standard processing procedures. On d 14 relative to arrival, calves were surgically castrated with multimodal pain mitigation. During all processing events, calves were marked with livestock paint for behavioral observations. Behavior was observed continuously for 15 min at five different time points (0 h, 1 h, 4 h, 24 h, 48 h) relative to when the last calf returned to the home pen after processing, and researchers were blind to treatment allocation. These time periods corresponded to expected periods when pain was absent and present based on duration of local anesthesia and systemic pain relief. Calf was the experimental unit. For the purpose of this abstract, data from the 48 h periods following d 7 and 14 were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS; the model included treatment (Familiar, Unfamiliar) by week interaction. A P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significantly different. Regardless of treatment, preliminary analyses identified decreased lying (P < 0.02) and increased wound checking (P < 0.01) 48h following castration (d 14) when compared with the previous week (d 7). There were no observed differences for hindleg stamping (P = 0.2), agonistic behaviors (P > 0.06) or bunk displacement (P = 0.09). Based on preliminary analyses, we did not observe evidence of social buffering effects on castration stress during the immediate post-surgical period.

Can combining existing behavioral tools improve identification of infants at elevated likelihood of autism in the first year of life?

Many families have concerns about their infants' development in the first year of life. Current screeners cannot tell whether these differences might be related to autism, developmental delays, or likely to resolve on their own. As a result, many families are told to "wait and see." In this study, we looked at whether combining multiple behavior measures can improve prediction of outcomes in toddlerhood. This could help to provide families with more information about the significance of early behavioral differences. We assessed 256 infants with an older autistic sibling at 6, 9, and 12 months. We created three markers of behavioral differences at these ages. We looked at whether infants who had two or more markers were more likely to be on the autism spectrum or have other developmental differences than to have typically developing outcomes at 36 months. We found that very few infants had more than one marker at any age. However, infants who showed two or more markers were more likely to be on the spectrum or have other developmental differences at 36 months than infants who showed only one marker. These findings suggest that when behavioral differences are present on multiple measures, there is no need to wait and see before referring for services.

Feasibility of Measuring the Behavioral and Electrophysiological Masking-Level Difference with Nonsense-Syllable Stimuli.

The masking-level difference (MLD) can be measured via voluntary behavioral responses (voluntary behavioral MLD [vMLD]) and/or via electrophysiological cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs; electrophysiological MLD [eMLD]). It may be possible to enhance the ecologic validity of the MLD by using nonsense-syllable speech stimuli. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of measuring both the vMLD and eMLD with speech stimuli. The study also investigates whether certain nonsense-syllable stimuli (/α/, /dα/, /di/, /tα/, /wα/) may be more useful than others in measuring both the vMLD and eMLD. This is a descriptive feasibility pilot study. Seventeen young adults (age range 19-26 years; 15 women) with hearing thresholds of 0.25-8.0 kHz ≤ 25 dB HL, bilaterally, were recruited. Behavioral and electrophysiological MLDs were measured with similar methods. The MLD was defined as SoNo - SπNo thresholds. Stimuli were natural-sounding nonsense syllables (/α/, /dα/, /di/, /tα/, /wα/), which were presented in 65 dB HL continuous speech-weighted noise. The eMLD was measured with the CAEP P2. Group means, standard deviations, and distributions were presented. The feasibility of using nonsense syllables was evaluated by considering whether measurable vMLDs and eMLDs were produced. Useful nonsense syllables produced vMLDs and eMLDs with (1) comparatively large mean magnitudes, (2) few negligible MLDs, and (3) distributions with adequate spread and few extreme values. The stimuli /α/ (6.0 [1.9]) and /wα/ (7.5 [1.3]) produced vMLDs with the highest average magnitudes, with no vMLDs of 0 dB and with adequate spread. The stimulus /α/ produced eMLDs with the highest average magnitude (9.6 [2.8]), no eMLDs of 0 dB and adequate spread, whereas the stimulus /wα/ produced eMLDs with an adequate magnitude (6.9 [3.9]), no MLDs of 0 dB, but with a right-skewed distribution and an extreme value. The other stimuli produced vMLDs with low mean magnitudes and several vMLDs of 0 dB. These pilot data support the feasibility of using nonsense syllables to record vMLDs and eMLDs. The stimulus /α/ appeared most useful for both behavioral and electrophysiological modalities. Differences in MLDs across modalities may be attributed to low-level audibility of some high-frequency components of the stimuli.

B - 18 Effect of Automatic Approach Tendency on Neural Dynamics in Heavy Drinkers: an ERP Study

Abstract Objective Automatic alcohol approach/avoidance tendencies play a major role in alcohol dependence, but associated interventions are seen to have negligible effects on relapse prevention due to a limited understanding and lack of focus on modulating associated neuro-cognitive mechanisms. The current work explores the automatic tendencies-based behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) differences and probes into the neurocognitive processes and responsible brain regions. Method The study was conducted in a laboratory setting on 19 heavy drinkers (Alc) and 20 non-drinkers (NAlc) males recruited using snowball sampling, where participants performed an Alcohol Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT), a task for assessing/categorizing participants with automatic approach (AAppr) and avoidance (AAvoi) tendencies toward alcohol during EEG recording. A 2 (group: Alc, NAlc) x 2 (automatic tendencies: approach, avoidance) ANOVA for behavioral outcomes and ANOVA with planned contrasts for Alc and NAlc, and AAppr and AAvoi groups comparisons were performed on early, mid, and late ERP measures. Results The group-tendency interaction significantly influenced behavioral AAT scores. At the neural level, the Alc and NAlc group differences were present at the occipital, parietal, and frontal sites. However, the AAppr and AAvoi group differences were only present at the frontal regions, and prominent for N100–200 and N350–450 amplitudes at the F4 electrode, an electrode sitting over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dLPFC), responsible for modulating attention, response inhibition, and decision-making processes. Conclusion The results clarify the role of frontal and right dLPFC areas in driving the differences in automatic tendencies by significantly suppressing the neural responses in heavy drinkers with approach but not avoidance tendencies.

The experiences of autistic adults who were previously diagnosed with borderline or emotionally unstable personality disorder: A phenomenological study.

Autistic people face many barriers to receiving an autism diagnosis. Often, they may be misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder instead. For our study, we interviewed 10 autistic adults who had previously been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. This helped us to better understand their experiences. They explained how borderline personality disorder is quite stigmatised and may suggest that people are to blame for their differences in behaviour. They found the treatments they had to try for borderline personality disorder to be harmful. For example, these treatments promoted 'masking'. Previous research showed that masking can be harmful for autistic people, linking it to risk of suicide. This diagnosis also led to healthcare professionals neglecting them and discounting their beliefs. Once they were diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, it was hard to access an autism assessment. When they did receive their autism diagnoses, this was much more positive. This diagnosis was validating. It also improved their mental health, as they were no longer expected to mask - their differences were now accepted. They still felt that autism was stigmatised in society. However, this was very different to the stigma around borderline personality disorder. They felt autism stigma was more about their competence as people, whereas borderline personality disorder stigma was about how they were broken and might be harmful to others. This study is important because it allows their stories to be heard by researchers and healthcare professionals alike. Adding their voices helps to humanise them, promoting positive change in mental health services. More research is now needed.

Circadian clock period length is not consistently linked to chronotype in a wild songbird.

Circadian clock properties vary between individuals and relate to variation in entrained timing in captivity. How this variation translates into behavioural differences in natural settings, however, is poorly understood. Here, we tested in great tits whether variation in the free-running period length (tau) under constant dim light (LL) was linked to the phase angle of the entrained rhythm ("chronotype") in captivity and in the wild, as recently indicated in our study species. We also assessed links between tau and the timing of first activity onset and offset under LL relative to the last experienced light-dark (LD) cycle. We kept 66 great tits, caught in two winters, in LL for 14 days and subsequently released them with a radio transmitter back to the wild, where their activity and body temperature rhythms were tracked for 1 to 22 days. For a subset of birds, chronotype was also recorded in the lab before release. Neither wild nor lab chronotypes were related to tau. We also found no correlation between lab and wild chronotypes. However, the first onset in LL had a positive relationship with tau, but only in males. Our results demonstrate that links between tau and phase of entrainment, postulated on theoretical grounds, may not consistently hold under natural conditions, possibly due to strong masking. This calls for more holistic research on how the many components of the circadian system interact with the environment to shape timing in the wild. Wild birds showed chronotypes in the field that were unlinked to their circadian period length tau measured in captivity. In males only, the first onset of activity after exposure to constant dim light did correlate with tau. Our study emphasises the need to investigate clocks in the real world, including a need to better understand masking.