Different Patterns Of Behavior Research Articles

Development of behavior in the litter huddle in rat pups: Within‐ and between‐litter differences

Early postnatal growth in mammals can be considerably influenced by litter size and often differs among littermates in relation to birth mass. In a study of Long Evans laboratory rats we asked whether within- and between-litter differences in body mass and growth are related to behavioral development during early postnatal life. For this, we analyzed the amount of general motor activity and the display of directed, seemingly goal-oriented interactions within the litter huddle in previsual pups. During the study period from postnatal days 2 to 11, we found significant changes in pup behavior, showing a nonlinear, quadratic shape. General motor activity and, more specifically, the display of behaviors apparently directed to reaching central positions in the litter huddle increased during the first postnatal days and then decreased again. However, pups from small litters that grow more rapidly than pups from large litters, showed a faster increase in both behaviors, whereas the young from large litters reached a higher maximum. We also found striking within-litter differences in the amount of directed behavior performed by light and heavy pups, with higher levels in the former group, most probably because light pups that have a less favorable body mass-to-volume ratio and more often occupy peripheral positions in the litter huddle, make a greater effort to reach thermally favorable central positions. In conclusion, our study shows there to be consistent between-litter as well as within-litter differences in behavioral patterns during early life. These differences might have important implications for an individual's long-term behavioral and physiological performance.

Assessment of NMDA receptor NR1 subunit hypofunction in mice as a model for schizophrenia

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a pivotal role in excitatory neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity and brain development. Clinical and experimental evidence suggests a dysregulation of NMDAR function and glutamatergic pathways in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We evaluated electrophysiological and behavioral properties of NMDAR deficiency utilizing mice that express only 5-10% of the normal level of NMDAR NR1 subunit. Auditory and visual event related potentials yielded significantly increased amplitudes for the P20 and N40 components in NMDAR deficient (NR1(neo)-/-) mice suggesting decreased inhibitory tone. Compared to wild types, NR1(neo)-/- mice spent less time in social interactions and showed reduced nest building. NR1(neo)-/- mice displayed a preference for open arms of a zero maze and central zone of an open field, possibly reflecting decreased anxiety-related behavioral inhibition. However, locomotor activity did not differ between groups in either home cage environment or during behavioral testing. NR1(neo)-/- mice displayed hyperactivity only when placed in a large unfamiliar environment, suggesting that neither increased anxiety nor non-specific motor activation accounts for differential behavioral patterns. Data suggest that NMDAR NR1 deficiency causes disinhibition in sensory processing as well as reduced behavioral inhibition and impaired social interactions. The behavioral signature in NR1(neo)-/- mice supports the impact of impaired NMDAR function in a mouse model with possible relevance to negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Head morphometry and isoenzymatic profile of two Triatoma infestans Klůg, 1834 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) populations

The triatomine bug Triatoma infestans was probably originated in Bolivia and dispersed passively over large areas of South America, where it is the major vector of Trypanosoma cruzi. In its probable origin area this species shows two different patterns of behaviour, being found both in sylvatic and human related habitats. Such behaviour is not observed in other areas of its distribution, where it is exclusive to human related habitats. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate head morphometry characters and isoenzymes patterns of two T. infestans populations, one collected in Minas Gerais (Brazil) and other in the Cochabamba Valley (Bolivia), in order to elucidate the factors that could have an implication with the different colonization behaviour. The two populations presented differences in both morphometric (head size) and isoenzymes (specially PGM enzyme profile). The insects from the colonies reared for several years in laboratory conditions, showed reduction in head size starting from the third generation, maintaining this same size in all generations after, until 10 years after generation. The laboratory rearing conditions could be similar to human associated habitats, inducing certain level of genetic homogeneity. Our results showed increase of genetic homogeneity in Brazilian and laboratory-reared colonies from Bolivia, that may be due to a selection process due to passive dispersion, followed by several founder effects episodes and genetic drift.

Third-party grooming in a captive chimpanzee group

Social grooming is ubiquitous among the captive chimpanzees at Chester Zoo. Seven individuals were chosen here for a study of third-party social dynamics. The grooming decisions of five adult males were analysed, but only insofar as they directed attention to a mother-daughter pair. Uniquely, the daughter was an unpopular and physically disabled subadult whose congenital motor impairments prevented her from grooming others effectively. The impetus for this study was the observation that some males increased their grooming towards the disabled daughter during days when the mother had a tumescent anogenital swelling (sexually attractive to males) compared to days when the mother was not tumescent (less attractive). Apparently, males were grooming the daughter with no possibility of payback (because the daughter could never "return the favour"). A "grooming rate" (avg. grooming time/hour) was calculated that showed the grooming efforts of all five males towards both mother and daughter. These rates were compared on days when (1) the mother's anogenital swelling was tumescent, and (2) days when the swelling was not tumescent. Each male showed a different pattern of behaviour. Two males groomed the daughter significantly more when the mother was tumescent. Results for all males were graphed against the quality of the social relationship between each male and the mother. Apparently, only males that had a weaker relationship to the mother groomed the daughter more when the mother was tumescent. This pattern did not exist for males with a stronger relationship to the mother. Possibly, the insecure males were using the disabled daughter as a way to curry favour with the attractive mother. If this is confirmed, then this type of triadic situation is a possible setting for indirect reciprocity to occur.

Food site residence time and female competitive relationships in wild gray-cheeked mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena).

Authors of socioecological models propose that food distribution affects female social relationships in that clumped food resources, such as fruit, result in strong dominance hierarchies and favor coalition formation with female relatives. A number of Old World monkey species have been used to test predictions of the socioecological models. However, arboreal forest-living Old World monkeys have been understudied in this regard, and it is legitimate to ask whether predominantly arboreal primates living in tropical forests exhibit similar or different patterns of behavior. Therefore, the goal of our study was to investigate female dominance relationships in relation to food in gray-cheeked mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena). Since gray-cheeked mangabeys are largely frugivorous, we predicted that females would have linear dominance hierarchies and form coalitions. In addition, recent studies suggest that long food site residence time is another important factor in eliciting competitive interactions. Therefore, we also predicted that when foods had long site residence times, higher-ranking females would be able to spend longer at the resource than lower-ranking females. Analyses showed that coalitions were rare relative to some other Old World primate species, but females had linear dominance hierarchies. We found that, contrary to expectation, fruit was not associated with more agonism and did not involve long site residence times. However, bark, a food with a long site residence time and potentially high resource value, was associated with more agonism, and higher-ranking females were able to spend more time feeding on it than lower-ranking females. These results suggest that higher-ranking females may benefit from higher food and energy intake rates when food site residence times are long. These findings also add to accumulating evidence that food site residence time is a behavioral contributor to female dominance hierarchies in group-living species.

Health Behavior And Psychological Well-being Of Young Adults

PURPOSE: Healthy lifestyle and habitual physical activity (PA) are strongly and inversely related to all-cause mortality and in particular to coronary artery disease. While the impact of lifestyle on the physiological aspects is well documented in the literature, there appears to be limited attention given to the psychological health and well-being of young adults. Although stress amongst young adults has been associated with unhealthy behaviors, the nature of these relationships has yet to be clarified. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between behavioral aspects such as active lifestyle and health habits on psychological well-being amongst young adults; to explore possible differences in patterns of behavior and health habits between specific groups within the targeted population (e.g., gender, age, and ethnicity). METHODS: 306 female and 104 male University students (mean = 22.8 ± 5.7 yrs) from Central England completed a questionnaire that included self-report measures on health status, psychological well-being, PA, drinking and smoking habits, dietary intake and the barriers to healthy lifestyle. RESULTS: Pearson's correlations revealed a significant negative relationship between PA and psychological stress (r = -.218, p <.001), PA and fat intake (r = -.138, p =.005) and PA and alcohol consumption (r = -.132, p = 008). Additionally, high alcohol consumption appeared to be positively associated with fat intake (r =.132 p =.008) and smoking behavior (r =.202, p <.001). Furthermore, ANCOVA revealed significant differences due to ethnicity on high intensity PA for males and females when controlling for perceived stress (F3,401 = 2.862, p =.037). CONCLUSIONS: Regular PA was associated with better perceived psychological health. Those who exercised regularly reported less psychological stress, lower alcohol consumption and less fat intake. Generally, males reported significantly higher levels of PA than females across all ethnic groups with these differences being particularly marked in the South East Asian group. Improving our understanding of the factors that affect young adults' health behaviour provides much needed information for developing interventions. Hence, further studies are warranted to evaluate factors that may influence the uptake of unhealthy behaviors within this population.

Campaigning as an Industry: Consulting Business Models and Intra-Party Competition

American political campaigns have become a multi-billion dollar industry. Rather than assume that only political factors affect the campaigns that voters see, scholars must assess the importance of the business incentives associated with political consulting. Economic competition does not match political competition; firms compete for clients within the two major parties, against their political allies. I argue that the supply of firms in each party, the revenue models in the industry, the diversification of client types, and the cooperative structure in each party all may affect political campaigns. The way the industry operates and the different patterns of behavior within each party create incentives and practices that may alter campaigns in response to economic factors having little to do with optimal political strategy. Using two original surveys and a network analysis, I analyze how the industry is changing and how consultants in each party cooperate and compete.

Behavioural patterns of heifers under intensive and extensive continuous grazing on species-rich pasture in the Czech Republic

This study examines the effects of season and of two grazing intensities, namely extensive grazing (EG) and intensive grazing (IG), on the grazing behaviour of heifers on species-rich upland pasture in the Czech Republic. Ten or eight (IG), and six or four (EG) heifers were continuously stocked in two completely randomized blocks from June to late September in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007. Swards were maintained at a target height of 5 and 10 cm, respectively. Grazing, ruminating, resting, and other activities were monitored during 24 h observations, and grazing, chewing and ruminating rates (per minute) were recorded. Daily behavioural patterns and the time budgets for particular activities were not significantly different between IG and EG heifers. However, IG heifers did spend more time grazing and slightly less time ruminating and resting than EG heifers. Other activity such as drinking, salt licking, comfort behaviour or social interaction was stable and there was no difference between the two treatments. Grazing rates were found significantly higher for IG heifers. Grazing was negatively affected by increase in air temperature at the expense of resting. Grazing time increased as the season progressed in the both IG and EG treatments, while resting showed a reverse trend. Concurrently, the ruminating time of IG heifers decreased and was variable for EG heifers. As the season progressed further, grazing rates then showed a decreasing trend. Considering that the differences in behavioural patterns between IG and EG were not conspicuous, our results indicate that the target sward of 5 cm commonly used in animal husbandry practices in the Czech Republic does offer enough forage to animals. Furthermore, the seasonal patterns of ingestive behaviour showed that the heifers under both grazing intensities balanced their intake by increase of grazing time along with decrease of grazing rates as the season progressed. These findings suggest that the herbage on species-rich pasture was sufficiently available to livestock at both the investigated grazing intensities.

Sitting at the virtual poker table: A prospective epidemiological study of actual Internet poker gambling behavior

Internet gambling is a potential object of addictive behavior and consequently an important concern for public health. Epidemiological analyses of Internet gambling are necessary to determine the extent of public health threat. This paper reports the results of the first prospective epidemiological study of actual Internet poker gambling behavior. Participants were 3445 Internet gambling service subscribers who enrolled during February 2005. Data include two years of recorded poker outcomes (i.e., chips bought and sold) for each poker session played. Among our sample, we identified two subgroups of poker players. Approximately 95% of the sample bought a median of €12 worth of chips at each of two poker sessions per week during a median duration from first to last bet of six months. A smaller subgroup (i.e., 5%) of most involved poker players bought a median of €89 worth of chip at each of 10 sessions per week during a median duration from first to last bet of 18 months. In addition to level differences, we report the differences in patterns of behavior observed between these two subgroups. The analyses presented in this paper suggest that the majority of Internet poker players moderated their behavior based on their wins and losses. A minority of most involved players did not show such moderation. These results have important implications for both gambling-and addiction-related research.

Bonding of Resin-based Sealers to Root Dentin

This study compared the microshear bond strength of three resin-based sealers to root dentin and assessed whether sealer cements behave differently in thin and thick films. Extracted maxillary premolars were sectioned buccolingually, and 45 root halves were randomly allocated for microshear bond testing with the three resin sealers in thin and thick films. The microshear bond strength was then calculated in MPa. Failure modes were examined under light and scanning electron microscopy. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance, with significance set at p < 0.05. Overall, the epoxy resin-based sealers had the highest microshear bond strength to root dentin compared with urethane dimethacrylate–based sealers (p < 0.001). Bond strengths for the thick sealer group were significantly higher than the thin sealer group (p < 0.001) and may reflect different patterns of behavior when the sealer is present as a thin layer.

Age and clutch size variation in Dusky Flycatcher nest survival

Examination of spatial and temporal factors that influence nest survival can provide insight into habitat selection, reproductive decisions (e.g., clutch size), population dynamics, and conservation requirements for species. We used nest survival data for the Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri to examine several factors that may influence nesting success. Our prediction was that the number of nest initiations would be positively associated with period nest survival. We used a model selection framework and found that nesting success was a function of clutch size and a cubic effect of age. Clutches with one, two, three, and four eggs had period survival rates of 0, 0.05, 0.33, and 0.49, respectively. Daily survival rates decreased from the onset of egg-laying and increased during the later stages of incubation before remaining relatively constant through the later portions of the nestling stage. Model-selection criterion provided support for a date effect on daily survival (i.e., daily nest survival declined across the nesting season) although the 95% confidence interval for the estimate included zero. We found that the majority of nest initiations occurred early in the nest season and declined across the season as period nest survival declined. Our prediction concerning nest survival was partially supported. In addition, we found substantial positive associations between clutch size and nest survival. While low daily survival rates for clutches with one or two eggs suggested that individuals may have reduced reproductive effort in response to nest predation risk, we did not find strong evidence that individuals reduced their clutch sizes in subsequent nest attempts. Alternative predictions, including the preferential settlement of higher quality individuals (e.g., those with the ability to lay full clutches to replace depredated nests) into high-quality habitat and differences in behavior patterns (e.g., number of visits to provision nestlings), may provide more consistent explanations for these patterns.

Real-time chemical responses in the nucleus accumbens differentiate rewarding and aversive stimuli

Rewarding and aversive stimuli evoke very different patterns of behavior and are rapidly discriminated. Here taste stimuli of opposite hedonic valence evoked opposite patterns of dopamine and metabolic activity within milliseconds in the nucleus accumbens. This rapid encoding may serve to guide ongoing behavioral responses and promote plastic changes in underlying circuitry.

Gender factors associated with sexual abstinent behaviour of rural South African high school going youth in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The cross-sectional study investigated South African rural high school learners' choice of sexual abstinence in order to be able to develop tailored health education messages. All Grade 9 learners from one class at each of 10 randomly selected rural high schools participated. The Integrated Model for Motivational and Behavioural Change was used to elicit attitudes, social influences, self-efficacy and intentions towards sexual abstinence. Chi-square and t-tests were used for bivariate analysis. In total, 454 learners, mean age 16.7 years (standard deviation 1.41) range 14-20 years, participated, of whom 246 (54.2%) were female. When comparing learners reporting abstinence (n=252) with those not abstinent (n=202), abstinent learners were significantly more often females (P<0.005), younger (16.5 years versus 17.1 years, P<0.005) and drank less alcohol (P<0.005). Abstaining girls believed that their friends and parents think that they should abstain from sex, that their friends abstained from sex and that abstinence helped them to mature emotionally. Abstinent boys expressed intentions to abstain from sex until marriage. Targeted intervention research is required to encourage South African rural high school learners to delay their sexual initiation to reduce their risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Different abstinent messages are needed for boys and girls to address the different patterns of behaviour observed.

Environmentally Friendly Behavior

The study of behavior with environmental consequences (recycling, water conservation, etc.) has received significant attention from social scientists over the past few decades. However, few studies have closely examined the systematic heterogeneity of behavior with environmental consequences. This study tests two specific hypotheses about such heterogeneity: that individuals differ systematically in their patterns of behavior with environmental consequences and that behavioral patterns systematically differ between context/environments. Both hypotheses are investigated empirically in the home and vacation environment. Results support the assumption that systematic differences in behavioral patterns exist across individuals. With respect to context/environment dependence, some groups of individuals do not change their behavior much between contexts/environments. The majority, however, tend to engage in fewer proenvironmental behaviors in the vacation context. These findings have significant implications for environmentally sustainable management, both for local councils and tourism destinations.

Behavior of the Infection by Helicobacter pylori of the Gastric Remnant After Subtotal Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Anastomosis for Benign Diseases

IntroductionReinfection by Helicobacter pylori of the gastric remnant after partial gastrectomy has been implicated in the development of gastric cancer at the gastric stump. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to determine the rate of infection by H. pylori after partial gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis for benign disease. Materials and MethodsA total of 79 patients with long segment Barrett’s esophagus were submitted to vagotomy, anti-reflux surgery, two thirds distal gastrectomy, and Roux-en-Y anastomosis 70 cm long. In all preoperative biopsy samples were taken from the antrum. After surgery, four endoscopic studies were performed in different periods of time. Mean follow-up was 98 months after operation (60–240). ResultsThree groups of patients were identified: (a) group 1, 43 patients (54%) who had no preoperative infection by H. pylori and remained so late after surgery; (b) group 2, 21 patients (27%) who had no preoperative infection by H. pylori but presented infection of the gastric remnant that increased parallel to the length of follow-up; (c) group 3, 15 patients (19%) who presented infection by H. pylori before surgery. From them, 11 showed reinfection of the gastric remnant, while four patients had no reinfection. ConclusionAfter partial gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis for benign disease, there are three different patterns of behavior regarding reinfection or not by H. pylori. A total of 41% of patients presented H. pylori reinfection at the gastric remnant after Roux-en-Y anastomosis, which increased parallel to the length of follow-up.

Medical Emergency Department Utilization Patterns Among Uninsured Patients With Psychiatric Disorders

This study examined medical emergency department utilization for patterns among uninsured patients with psychiatric disorders. Billing records of 15,672 uninsured adult patients treated in the emergency department of an academic medical center in southeast Texas over a 12-month period were analyzed for information on demographic characteristics, diagnosis, number of emergency department visits, and hospitalization. Overall, 11.8% of the population was diagnosed as having at least one psychiatric disorder during an emergency department visit. Patients with psychiatric disorders had an increased risk of having multiple emergency department visits and hospitalization compared with patients without psychiatric disorders. The risk of multiple emergency department visits was particularly high for patients with either bipolar disorder or psychotic disorders. Uninsured patients with psychiatric disorders appear to be heavy users of medical emergency department services. These findings may be helpful in developing more efficient strategies to serve the mental health needs of the uninsured.

Collaboration in wartime France, 1940–1944

This paper deals with political as well as economic collaboration. It conceptualises collaboration as a form of cooperation with the occupying power that is – at least to a certain extent – voluntary and goes beyond the search for a pure modus vivendi. The aim of the paper is twofold. First, it presents a synopsis of the framework and central political aspects of collaboration in France. In doing so, it points out the classic distinction between state collaboration and collaborationism, stressing, however, that this distinction is not clear-cut. Both state collaboration and collaborationism interacted with and influenced each other, as is shown by the armed collaboration. Second, the paper problematises one particular dimension of collaboration, which the historiography has rather neglected even though it was the most prevalent and crucial of factors for the occupying power: economic collaboration and especially business collaboration. Focusing on the example of the construction industry, it maps out different patterns of behaviour of companies within the framework of the German policy of economic exploitation and Vichy's economic state collaboration. Even though proper ‘economic collaborationism’ was as rare as proper resistance, the great majority of enterprises accommodated themselves to the new circumstances. This accommodation could, however, take very different forms. Choices were based on multiple, partially overlapping, partially contradictory logics, and both collaboration and resistance proved to be multidimensional phenomena. It is argued that collaboration is and remains a fruitful concept for the study of occupations, including economic issues.

Preobesity in the infant OLETF rat: The role of suckling

AbstractThe Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat model of obesity, which lacks CCK1 receptors, has been extensively investigated over the last decade. We have recently focused on the early developmental stages of this strain, finding that OLETF pups are heavier than controls from birth and hyperphagic already from postnatal (PN) Day 2. OLETF mothers present differential maternal behavior patterns and increased nursing time and frequency, which might contribute to the preobese characteristics of the pups. The present investigation examined the pups' ability to gain weight from the nursing episodes. First, we measured the pups' weight gain from one nursing bout from their own dam. Next we examined the pups' weight gain after a feeding competition test with control pups from foster dams of both strains. OLETF pups gained more weight than controls from their own dams on PN Week 1 due to a higher suckling rate (and/or efficacy) and on PN Week 3 due to increased nursing time. When competing with control pups, OLETF pups gained significantly more weight after the same nursing bout, regardless of the strain of the mother. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in OLETF pups compared to controls. The maternal parameters assessed from the experiment were latencies to pup retrieval and to nursing, and nursing duration; differences were only observed in nursing time. OLETF dams increased their average nursing time over the PN weeks, while control dams decreased their nursing time toward weaning. The results suggest an important contribution of OLETF pups toward their own preobese development. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 202–202, 2008.

Palatal nasal decomposition in Slovene, Upper Sorbian and Polish

This article investigates the types of palatal nasal decomposition from the perspective of three Slavic languages: Slovene, Upper Sorbian and Polish. The prepalatal nasal exhibits three different patterns of behaviour: retention, decomposition and depalatalization. Decomposition results in a cluster of the glide [j] and a nasal consonant. The details of this process are different in each of the three phonological systems considered, for instance, the process can yield either [jn] or [nj], and it can occur either in the onset or in the coda. Also the drivers for decomposition are different and include constraints defining permissible inventories as well as constraints governing assimilation. From the theoretical perspective, nasal decomposition raises the question of whether ident constraints should be bidirectional or unidirectional. It is concluded that the latter are indispensable.

On the value of participation: endogenous emergence of social norms in a three-player ultimatum game experiment

We report results from two different settings of a three-player ultimatum game. Under the “Monocratic” rule, a player is randomly selected to make an offer to two receivers. Under the “Democratic” rule, all three players make a proposal, and one proposal is then randomly selected. A majority vote is required to implement the proposal in either setting. Although the two rules are strategically equivalent, different patterns of behaviour emerge as the number of interactions increase. Under the “Monocratic” rule, proposers seem to be entitled to claim a larger share of the pie, and receivers are more likely to accept, than in the “Democratic” rule. We speculate that institutions allowing more participation in the process of collective choice lead to a more socially responsible behaviour in individuals.