Diverse Behaviors Research Articles

Unravelling the unusual: chromosome elimination, nondisjunction and extra pollen mitosis characterize the Bchromosome in wild sorghum.

The B chromosomes exhibit diverse behaviour compared with conventional genetic models. The capacity of the B chromosome either to accumulate or to be eliminated in a tissue-specific manner is dependent on biological processes related to aberrant cell division(s), but here yet remains compatible with normal development. We studied B chromosome elimination in Sorghum purpureosericeum embryos through cryo-sections and demonstrated the B chromosome instability during plant growth using flow cytometry, molecular markers and fluorescent in situ hybridization techniques. Consequently, using B chromosome-specific probes we revealed the non-Mendelian inheritance of B chromosomes in developing pollen. We disclosed that the occurrence of the B chromosome is specific to certain tissues or organs. The distribution pattern is mainly caused by an extensive elimination that functions primarily during embryo development and persists throughout plant development. Furthermore, we described that B chromosome accumulation can occur either by nondisjunction at first pollen mitosis (PMI) or the initiation of extra nuclear division(s) during pollen development. Our study demonstrates the existence of a not-yet-fully described B chromosome drive process, which is likely under the control of the B chromosome.

Accurate isoform quantification by joint short- and long-read RNA-sequencing.

Accurate quantification of transcript isoforms is crucial for understanding gene regulation, functional diversity, and cellular behavior. Existing RNA sequencing methods have significant limitations: short-read (SR) sequencing provides high depth but struggles with isoform deconvolution, whereas long-read (LR) sequencing offers isoform resolution at the cost of lower depth, higher noise, and technical biases. Addressing this gap, we introduce Multi-Platform Aggregation and Quantification of Transcripts (MPAQT), a generative model that combines the complementary strengths of different sequencing platforms to achieve state-of-the-art isoform-resolved transcript quantification, as demonstrated by extensive simulations and experimental benchmarks. By applying MPAQT to an in vitro model of human embryonic stem cell differentiation into cortical neurons, followed by machine learning-based modeling of transcript abundances, we show that untranslated regions (UTRs) are major determinants of isoform proportion and exon usage; this effect is mediated through isoform-specific sequence features embedded in UTRs, which likely interact with RNA-binding proteins that modulate mRNA stability. These findings highlight MPAQT's potential to enhance our understanding of transcriptomic complexity and underline the role of splicing-independent post-transcriptional mechanisms in shaping the isoform and exon usage landscape of the cell.

Regularized ensemble learning for prediction and risk factors assessment of students at risk in the post-COVID era

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on students’ academic performance. The effects of the pandemic have varied among students, but some general trends have emerged. One of the primary challenges for students during the pandemic has been the disruption of their study habits. Students getting used to online learning routines might find it even more challenging to perform well in face to face learning. Therefore, assessing various potential risk factors associated with students low performance and its prediction is important for early intervention. As students’ performance data encompass diverse behaviors, standard machine learning methods find it hard to get useful insights for beneficial practical decision making and early interventions. Therefore, this research explores regularized ensemble learning methods for effectively analyzing students’ performance data and reaching valid conclusions. To this end, three pruning strategies are implemented for the random forest method. These methods are based on out-of-bag sampling, sub-sampling and sub-bagging. The pruning strategies discard trees that are adversely affected by the unusual patterns in the students data forming forests of accurate and diverse trees. The methods are illustrated on an example data collected from university students currently studying on campus in a face-to-face modality, who studied during the COVID-19 pandemic through online learning. The suggested methods outperform all the other methods considered in this paper for predicting students at the risk of academic failure. Moreover, various factors such as class attendance, students interaction, internet connectivity, pre-requisite course(s) during the restrictions, etc., are identified as the most significant features.

Shy–bold behaviours in dragonfly larvae: syndromes or personality?

Abstract Researchers have recently focused efforts on the study of animal personality and behavioural syndromes, exploring consistent behaviour variations and correlations. Dragonflies, with their diverse behaviours, have become good models to improve our knowledge on animal behaviour. Here, we addressed whether dragonfly larvae exhibit shy–bold behaviours, akin to personality traits or behavioural syndromes. We made a series of experiments where we restrained larvae and noted their behaviour — some larvae exhibited thanatosis, playing dead when touched, while others boldly reacted with aggression. Later, we tested how active the larvae were in a water channel by analysing their movement. These experiments were made in three trials with 15 days apart. Our results show that larvae display consistent behaviours over time, hence, they exhibit personalities in terms of predator avoidance behaviour. Nevertheless, we found little evidence for behavioural syndromes. The boldness of larvae was only partially correlated with larval activity in the experimental channel. In conclusion, dragonflies emerge as a potential model for insect personality, prompting future studies on how cognition and personality impact fitness in different environments. Unravelling whether behavioural syndromes are a true phenomenon in these insects awaits further investigation.

Emotion AWARE: an artificial intelligence framework for adaptable, robust, explainable, and multi-granular emotion analysis

Emotions are fundamental to human behaviour. How we feel, individually and collectively, determines how humanity evolves and advances into our shared future. The rapid digitalisation of our personal, social and professional lives means we are frequently using digital media to express, understand and respond to emotions. Although recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are able to analyse sentiment and detect emotions, they are not effective at comprehending the complexity and ambiguity of digital emotion expressions in knowledge-focused activities of customers, people, and organizations. In this paper, we address this challenge by proposing a novel AI framework for the adaptable, robust, and explainable detection of multi-granular assembles of emotions. This framework consolidates lexicon generation and finetuned Large Language Model (LLM) approaches to formulate multi-granular assembles of two, eight and fourteen emotions. The framework is robust to ambiguous emotion expressions that are implied in conversation, adaptable to domain-specific emotion semantics, and the assembles are explainable using constituent terms and intensity. We conducted nine empirical studies using datasets representing diverse human emotion behaviours. The results of these studies comprehensively demonstrate and evaluate the core capabilities of the framework, and consistently outperforms state-of-the-art approaches in adaptable, robust, and explainable multi-granular emotion detection.

FEINT: Automated Framework for Efficient INsertion of Templates/Trojans into FPGAs

Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) play a significant and evolving role in various industries and applications in the current technological landscape. They are widely known for their flexibility, rapid prototyping, reconfigurability, and design development features. FPGA designs are often constructed as compositions of interconnected modules that implement the various features/functionalities required in an application. This work develops a novel tool FEINT, which facilitates this module composition process and automates the design-level modifications required when introducing new modules into an existing design. The proposed methodology is architected as a “template” insertion tool that operates based on a user-provided configuration script to introduce dynamic design features as plugins at different stages of the FPGA design process to facilitate rapid prototyping, composition-based design evolution, and system customization. FEINT can be useful in applications where designers need to tailor system behavior without requiring expert FPGA programming skills or significant manual effort. For example, FEINT can help insert defensive monitoring, adversarial Trojan, and plugin-based functionality enhancement features. FEINT is scalable, future-proof, and cross-platform without a dependence on vendor-specific file formats, thus ensuring compatibility with FPGA families and tool versions and being integrable with commercial tools. To assess FEINT’s effectiveness, our tests covered the injection of various types of templates/modules into FPGA designs. For example, in the Trojan insertion context, our tests consider diverse Trojan behaviors and triggers, including key leakage and denial of service Trojans. We evaluated FEINT’s applicability to complex designs by creating an FPGA design that features a MicroBlaze soft-core processor connected to an AES-accelerator via an AXI-bus interface. FEINT can successfully and efficiently insert various templates into this design at different FPGA design stages.

Perilaku Peserta Didik Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) dalam Pembelajaran

Learning is an interaction process involving students, educators, and learning resources within a learning environment. However, today's elementary school students exhibit diverse behaviors, such as restlessness, difficulty in following instructions, and lack of focus, which can indicate emotional and behavioral disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Understanding ADHD symptoms and contributing factors is crucial for educators to minimize associated problems and provide appropriate interventions. This paper aims to describe the behaviors of students with ADHD in learning contexts. Utilizing a literature study method, data were sourced from relevant books and journals. The findings reveal that students with ADHD display inattentive behavior (difficulty paying attention), hyperactive behavior (inability to stay still), and impulsive behavior (acting without thinking). These behaviors significantly impact the learning process, underscoring the need for tailored educational strategies to support ADHD students.

Exploring Diversity in Learning Behavior at University: Opportunities for Conceptualization

Exploring Diversity in Learning Behavior at University: Opportunities for Conceptualization

Transverse failure prediction of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites subjected to uniaxial and biaxial loading by stress-triaxiality-dependent computational micromechanics

Accurate characterizing the mechanical behavior of the component materials is crucial for failure predicting of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (UD CFRP) composites. A stress-triaxiality-dependent micromechanics model is developed for the transverse failure prediction of the composites in this study, in which the stress triaxiality is innovatively adopted to define the plastic hardening behavior of the matrix material. Therefore, diverse hardening behaviors generated by heterostructures, accurate confirmation of biaxial failure, as well as hardening behavior evolution caused by stress status changes during loading process can be considered. The accuracy performance of the micromechanics model is provided by comparing the predicted results (stress–strain curves, RVE profiles and failure points) with existing experimental data and failure envelopes of failure criterion. The comparison results show that the micromechanics model can accurately capture the failure phenomenon and failure evolution mechanism of the composite under uniaxial and biaxial loadings.

Edge-based strategies enhance cooperation in intertwined dynamics of cooperation and synchronization

In various ecosystems and human societies, living organisms and systems often exhibit cooperative and synchronous behaviors during survival. Recently, co-evolutionary models of cooperation and synchronization have shed light on the underlying mechanisms driving such behaviors, offering an intriguing avenue for studying these phenomena. However, current research predominantly focuses on a point-strategy decision mode, where each individual is limited to taking the same actions towards its neighbors. Such an assumption implies that an individual is unable to differentiate its neighbors and adjust its strategy accordingly, making it difficult to capture the complexity and diversity of interactive behaviors observed in reality. To this end, we introduce the interaction mode based on the edge-strategy and investigate how synchronization and cooperation co-evolve under interaction diversity. Specifically, we explore a scenario in which individuals can adopt different strategic decisions toward their neighbors based on their differences, thereby extending the traditional point strategy. Our research clarifies the positive role of interaction diversity in alleviating the evolutionary Kuramoto’s dilemma. Moreover, it provides new insights and ideas for comprehending the influence of edge-strategy on the co-evolution of cooperative and synchronous behaviors.

Peculiarities of spin–orbit interaction systematically measured in FeCoB nanomagnets

This study introduces a method to measure the strength of spin–orbit interaction (SO) in a nanomagnet, investigating fundamental phenomena governing magnetic anisotropy. The method explores the fundamental property of SO in its linear proportionality to the external magnetic field, a relationship validated through experimental observation. Systematic study of SO in FeCoB nanomagnets reveals distinct SO behaviors in bulk and at an interface, substantial disparities in single- and multi-layer nanomagnets, intriguing periodic oscillations in SO strength, and the systematic relationship between SO strength, demagnetization field, and magnetic anisotropy based on surface imperfections. These findings provide crucial insights into diverse SO interaction behaviors, crucial for understanding and optimizing magnetic anisotropy and nanomagnet properties.

Antimicrobial Use Rates by Patient Care Units using NHSN Antimicrobial Use Option in TN Reporting Facilities, 2015–2023

Background: Tracking antimicrobial use (AU) is a Core Element of Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs and important to help curb the public health threat of antimicrobial resistance. The National Healthcare Safety Network’s (NHSN) AU Option serves as a way for facilities, healthcare systems, and health departments to track and report AU rates within their jurisdictions. Many analyses at the state and national levels do not assess unit-level AU rates. This study investigates AU rates among patient care units in Tennessee reporting facilities from 2015 to 2023 and the most frequently used antimicrobial agents based on AU rates within select unit types. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing data obtained from the NHSN AU Option for inpatient units in Tennessee acute care hospitals. Units were defined as critical care (including neonatal), ward, oncology ward, stepdown, operating room (OR), and mixed acuity and specialty care areas, termed ‘other’. Unit types with fewer than five facilities represented were excluded. AU rates were determined by Antimicrobial Days of Therapy (DOT) per 1000 Days Present (DP). Statistical analyses , including descriptive statistics and comparison among the units by ANOVA test , were calculated using SAS Version 9.4. Results: Eighty-three facilities reported at least one month of data into the NHSN AU Option between 2015–2023. Among 70 facilities reporting inpatient units, the highest AU rate was observed in oncology ward units (n=12, 1114.6 DOT/1000 DP). A significant difference in AU rates was observed between oncology ward units compared to different unit types (p < 0 .001). Vancomycin, ceftriaxone, and piperacillin/tazobactam were the most used antimicrobials with AU rates of 83, 76, and 65 DOT/1000 DP, respectively. Vancomycin AU rates were significantly higher in oncology ward units compared to stepdown, ward, other, and OR units (p < 0 .0001). Ceftriaxone AU rate was significantly higher in stepdown units compared to oncology ward, other, and OR units (p < 0 .0001). Piperacillin/tazobactam AU rate was significantly higher in critical care units compared to different unit types (p < 0 .0001). Conclusion: During the study period, the AU rate varied across hospital inpatient units in Tennessee, with the highest AU rate in oncology wards. This unit-specific approach is critical to address the diverse antimicrobial prescribing behaviors observed, indicating that interventions should be customized to each unit’s distinct antimicrobial usage patterns for successful stewardship efforts. Targeted strategies focused on individual wards rather than facility-wide initiatives appear essential for effective reduction in antibiotic usage.

A Retrospective Analysis of Salivary Gland Tumor Cases: Histological Variations and Clinical Outcomes.

Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) present a diagnostic challenge due to their diverse histological subtypes and variable clinical behavior. This research conducted a retrospective analysis of SGT cases diagnosed and managed at a tertiary care center between 2017 and 2022. Clinical and pathological data were retrieved from medical records and histopathology reports. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with recurrence and survival outcomes. A total of 150 SGT cases were included, comprising 70% benign and 30% malignant tumors. Pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma were the most prevalent benign and malignant subtypes, respectively. Surgical resection was the primary treatment modality, with varying recurrence rates observed among different treatment groups. The current study provides insights into the histological variations and clinical outcomes of SGTs. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment, with adjuvant therapy reserved for cases with adverse prognostic factors. Further research is needed to optimize therapeutic strategies and improve patient outcomes.

A study of cyber-addictions in Ukrainian youth

This article investigates the specific manifestations of various types of cyber-addictions among Ukrainian adolescents and young adults. The Internet's increasing connectivity fosters diverse user behaviors, with potential consequences ranging from social relationship disruption and isolation to mental health disorders and physical ailments. Notably, Internet addiction frequently emerges during adolescence, hindering socialization, professional growth, and family formation. Alongside Internet addiction, the modern scientific community recognizes cyber addictions and the growing prevalence of smartphone addiction (phubbing). These addictions share a compulsive urge to remain constantly online and an inability to disengage. To examine modern cyber addictions, the study employed the "Smartphone Addiction Scale" (SAS) and the "Cyber Addiction Test-Questionnaire" (TQC), involving 316 participants aged 15-21. Results revealed distinct manifestations of cyber-addictions across gender groups, reflecting varying goals and preferences in Internet and technology use. The timely implementation of psycho-prophylactic and psycho-corrective interventions is emphasized to address cyber dependencies and prevent the development of destructive tendencies.

Role of Social Networking Sites in promoting E-commerce Business: An analysis of Entrepreneur Perception in Punjab

This research explores the interdependent relationship between e-commerce businesses and social networking sites, focusing on entrepreneurial perception in Punjab, Pakistan. Entrepreneurship involves making and managing new businesses to generate revenue, often spurred by market needs. E-commerce, including online trade, has become an integral component of modern business. This study investigates the role of social networking sites on e-commerce entrepreneurship, identifying the occurrence of social media and its potential to drive economic growth. The combination of these platforms forms a dynamic socialmarket, offering ease to both buyers and sellers.A quantitative research design is adopted, involving a questionnaire-based survey of approximately 400 e- commerce entrepreneurs and customers from South and Central Punjab. Utilizing SPSS for analysis, the study examines correlations and developments within the data. This research uncovers the intricate dynamics of e- commerce entrepreneurship, revealing diverse perceptions and behaviours.

TESS Light Curves of Cataclysmic Variables. IV. A Synoptic View of Eclipsing Old Novae and Novalike Variables

Based mainly on the months-long 2 minutes time-resolution light curves observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Telescope (TESS) space mission of 48 eclipsing old novae and novalike variables (commonly referred to as NLs) selected from the Ritter & Kolb catalog, a synoptic view of some basic properties of these systems is provided. The supraorbital variations exhibit a large diversity of behavior. Data taken from the literature and many additional eclipse epochs measured in the TESS and in AAVSO light curves are used to update the orbital ephemerides of 21 targets. The large majority of these suffer period variations which defy current theoretical understanding. Orbital waveforms are constructed and, if possible, their variation over time is studied, revealing some common characteristics but also substantial differences between individual systems. The dependence of the eclipse depth on the out-of-eclipse flux reveals that in all systems a fraction of the light source responsible for the out-of-eclipse variations escapes eclipse and is probably located in the outer disk regions. In systems exhibiting superhumps, both eclipse width and epoch are modulated with the accretion disk precession period. This suggests an expansion and contraction of the eclipsed light source, as well as a periodic shift of its light center as a function of the accretion disk precession phase. The dependence of the orbital and superhump waveforms on the disk precession phase is also examined but does not lead to a consistent picture. Two cataclysmic variables are newly identified as eclipsing. Attention is drawn to specific peculiarities in some of the target stars.

Exploring circular consumption: Circular attitudes and their influence on consumer behavior across the product lifecycle

AbstractThis study explores the dynamic and multidimensional domain of circular consumption, emphasizing the relevance of a lifecycle perspective in understanding consumer behaviors within the circular economy. Moving beyond prior research that predominantly focused on specific actions such as recycling or purchasing second‐hand products, we advocate for a more comprehensive understanding of consumer choices throughout a product's lifecycle. Drawing on attitudes theory, we employ item response theory (IRT) models to unveil latent attitudes reflecting diverse circular consumer behaviors. These attitudes, inferred from manifested actions across different product lifecycle stages, include environmental‐centric, resource‐centric, and societal‐centric circular attitudes. The study involves a representative sample of 5,124 respondents across five European countries. Our findings underscore the complexity of consumer motivations in the circular economy, revealing distinct links between circular attitudes and behaviors. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of circular consumption, emphasizing the importance of a lifecycle approach, and driving the development of robust measurement scales for circular consumer actions.

Sexual dimorphism in the tardigrade Paramacrobiotus metropolitanus transcriptome

BackgroundIn gonochoristic animals, the sex determination pathway induces different morphological and behavioral features that can be observed between sexes, a condition known as sexual dimorphism. While many components of this sex differentiation cascade show high levels of diversity, factors such as the Doublesex-Mab-3-Related Transcription factor (DMRT) are widely conserved across animal taxa. Species of the phylum Tardigrada exhibit remarkable diversity in morphology and behavior between sexes, suggesting a pathway regulating this dimorphism. Despite the wealth of genomic and zoological knowledge accumulated in recent studies, the sexual differences in tardigrades genomes have not been identified. In the present study, we focused on the gonochoristic species Paramacrobiotus metropolitanus and employed omics analyses to unravel the molecular basis of sexual dimorphism.ResultsTranscriptome analysis between sex-identified specimens revealed numerous differentially expressed genes, of which approximately 2,000 male-biased genes were focused on 29 non-male-specific genomic loci. From these regions, we identified two Macrobiotidae family specific DMRT paralogs, which were significantly upregulated in males and lacked sex specific splicing variants. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis indicated all tardigrade genomes lack the doublesex ortholog, suggesting doublesex emerged after the divergence of Tardigrada. In contrast to sex-specific expression, no evidence of genomic differences between the sexes was found. We also identified several anhydrobiosis genes that exhibit sex-biased expression, suggesting a possible mechanism for protection of sex-specific tissues against extreme stress.ConclusionsThis study provides a comprehensive analysis for analyzing the genetic differences between sexes in tardigrades. The existence of male-biased, but not male-specific, genomic loci and identification of the family specific male-biased DMRT subfamily provides the foundation for understanding the sex determination cascade. In addition, sex-biased expression of several tardigrade-specific genes which are involved their stress tolerance suggests a potential role in protecting sex-specific tissue and gametes.

Solution-processed MoS2 nanostructures and thermal oxidization on carbon fabric with enhanced thermopower factor for wearable thermoelectric application

Miniaturization of electronic devices has become the new phase of modern technology. Wearable Thermoelectric Generators (WTEG), being flexible, lightweight, self-sustained, and safe are the only replacement for conventional batteries for mobile applications. Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2), a graphene akin compound having diverse transport behaviour and low thermal conductivity is one of the most preferable candidates for thermoelectric application. However, limited reports are available on MoS2 for Wearable thermoelectric applications. In this study, we have accomplished successful growth of MoS2 nanostructures on conductive carbon fabric via one step hydrothermal method and the effect of thermal oxidation of MoS2 has been studied at various annealing temperature. The structural and elemental analysis confirms the transformation of MoS2 into MoO3. Annealing creates an MoS2/MoO3 interface thus enhancing the carrier mobility resulting in enhancement of power factor (481 nW.m−1K−2) of the sample annealed at 200 °C (M1) by 1.29 times than that of pristine MoS2. The sample possessing high performance has been employed to fabricate a WTEG and its real time output has been measured. The design and operating conditions of the device is studied and optimized to obtain the output open circuit voltage as high as 6.4 mV. This paves a promising route to fabricate self- powered wearable biomedical devices.

A Case Study on Seasonal Behaviour of Aphodius elegans Allibert an Endocoprid Dung Beetle

Dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) classified into endocoprid, paracoprid, and telecoprid beetles, are fascinating insects with various behaviors. The study focuses on behaviour of endocoprid beetles Aphodius elegans Allibert, found in Bumdeling, Trashi Yangts Bhutan. The observational and scan sampling methods were employed during the study. These beetles locate dung using antennae and dig inside it, resembling a boat propelled by oars. They are active during warm weather and bury themselves under dung during cold. Beetles defecate semi solid feces after dung foraging. They mimic death as defensive and antipredator behaviour. They prefer moist dung pats for burial and use repeated attempts and strongholds of hindwings to initiate flight. This study substantiates the diverse fascinating behaviors of a less-focused group of insects to gain a deeper understanding of their interactions with ecology.