Effects Of Behaviors Research Articles

Advancing the understanding of spearfisher‐fish behavioural interactions and its management implications

Abstract Fish behaviour is intimately linked to fishing catchability. Measurements of fish behaviour may provide quantitative indicators that inform about the impact of fishing pressure and help design effective management strategies. The implications of spearfishing pressure on fish behaviour have mainly been characterized using single quantitative indicators such as flight initiation distance (FID), which provide incomplete views of spearfisher‐fish behavioural interactions. We used an integrative approach to advance the understanding of spearfisher‐fish behavioural interactions by complementing FID estimates with post‐flight responses (i.e. individual fish behaviour after fleeing), and the decreasing probability to catch a fish at increasing distance from a speargun. We first collected empirical observations of white seabream (Diplodus sargus) FID and post‐flight behaviour in response to an approaching human (spearfisher or snorkeler) inside and outside marine protected areas. We then combined these observations with simulations based on an innovative model representing how catchability changes during a spearfisher‐fish behavioural interaction. Empirical results showed that the likelihood of a still‐vulnerable post‐flight response after fleeing was inversely related to increasing exposure to spearfishers. This demonstrates that post‐flight response can be used as an indicator of spearfishing pressure. Moreover, post‐flight responses provided complementary information to that provided by FID, suggesting that these two indicators should be integrated for a holistic view of spearfishing‐fish interactions, such as in the model and simulations presented here. The simulations demonstrated that: (i) accounting for post‐flight responses may increase likelihood of approach by spearfisher within speargun range by up to 20%; and (ii) accounting for post‐flight responses and decreasing probability of capture with increasing distance from speargun drastically reduces estimates of likelihood of capture of white seabream at minimum catch length limit outside marine protected areas compared with using FID as single indicator of catchability. Synthesis and applications. First, integrating flight initiation distance (FID) measurement with post‐flight responses provides a more realistic indicator to measure fish behavioural reaction to spearfishing pressure. Second, the model presented here showed that spearfishing mortality may drastically decrease when accounting for both prey behaviour (i.e. FID and post‐flight responses) and spearfishers effectiveness (i.e. probability to catch a fish at increasing distance from a speargun). This must be considered to understand population dynamics and potential changes in catchability when spearfishing is managed through temporal restrictions (e.g. seasonal or periodic closures).

The relationship between visual health and influencing factors among primary and secondary school students: a survey based in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China.

The myopia rate of young people around the world, especially in China, has continued to rise, and the vision health of primary and secondary school students has gradually become a global concern. It was to explore the current characteristics of vision status and their intrinsic links to influencing factors of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region primary and secondary school students under regional characteristics. 1,670 primary and secondary school students in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region were surveyed using Vision examination, International Physical Activity Scale, Lifestyle Behavior Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 23.0. The prevalence of myopia among primary and secondary school students in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was 27.3%, with rates of 31.5% for girls and 23.4% for boys. There was a significant negative correlation between lifestyle behaviors (r = -0.36, p < 0.01) and physical activity level (r = -0.06, p < 0.05) with vision status. The physical activity level played a significant masking effect between lifestyle behaviors and vision status (a*b = 0.002, c' = -0.044). Gender moderated the effects of lifestyle behaviors on physical activity level and vision status, as well as the effects of physical activity level on vision status. These factors constituted a mixed model with mediating and moderation. The model fitted well (RMSEA = 0.028, CFI = 0.951, NFI = 0.918). The prevalence of myopia among primary and secondary school students in this region is lower than the national average in China, and it is associated with lifestyle behaviors, physical activity level, and gender. When effectively controlled, the physical activity level significantly will reduce the prevalence of myopia as a masking variable. Gender, as a moderating variable, provides theoretical support for the classification and prevention of myopia. Regional surveys enriched the global database on adolescent myopia research, revealing the characteristics and common factors of visual problems in adolescents. Relevant departments and schools should integrate eye care into the national health security system, implement policies related to myopia prevention and control and safeguard the visual health of primary and secondary school students.

Mediation Effects of Self-care Self-efficacy and Health-promoting Behaviors on Fear of Cancer Recurrence and Posttraumatic Growth in Postoperative Patients With Cervical Cancer: A Cross-sectional Study

PurposeThe high recurrence risks significantly contribute to poor health outcomes among postoperative cervical cancer patients. This study aimed to determine the impact of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) on the posttraumatic growth (PTG) in postoperative cervical cancer patients and to investigate the medicating effects of self-care self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors within this relationship. MethodsA total of 334 cervical cancer patients who undergone surgery in three tertiary hospitals in Liaoning Province, China, were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the general information questionnaire, the Fear of Progression Questionnaire (fear of cancer recurrence), the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTG), the Strategies Used by People to Promote Health (self-care self-efficacy), and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (health-promoting behaviors). Data analysis was performed using descriptive analysis, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression analysis. A structural equation model was conducted using Amos 24.0 software. ResultsPTG of cervical cancer patients after surgery was significantly and negatively associated with fear of cancer recurrence (r = -.54, P < .001), while positively correlated with self-care self-efficacy (r = .51, P < .001) and health-promoting behaviors (r = .59, P < .001). The mediation model revealed that self-care self-efficacy (Boots 95% CI [-0.39, -0.15]) and health-promoting behaviors (Boots 95% CI: [-0.51, -0.24]) independently served as mediating factors, respectively. Self-care self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors played a significant chain mediating effect between fear of cancer recurrence and PTG (Boots CI: [-0.19, -0.07]), with an indirect effect of 11.6%. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that self-care self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors partially mediated the relationship between fear of cancer recurrence and PTG in cervical cancer survivors after surgery. Implementing tailored interventions focused on enhancing self-care self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors among cervical cancer survivors may help alleviate concerns about cervical cancer recurrence and enhance PTG following surgery.

Mental Health Treatment-Seeking Appraisal, Afrocentric Cultural Norms, and Mental Health Functioning: Buffering Factors of Young Black Men's Externalizing Behavior.

Depression rates are disproportionately high among Black American Men. This disparity--compounded by low mental healthcare seeking rates and high incorrect diagnosis rates in men--could be related to masculine norms, including self-reliance, restrictive emotionality, and stoicism. Furthermore, men are more likely to engage in externalized behavior, such as aggression, to cope with mental health challenges; this pattern is influenced by cultural and environmental factors. Contrary to these detrimental factors, social relationships, belief in social networks, and collectivism have been associated with positive mental health in these populations. Similarly, an Afrocentric worldview (including concepts like Ubuntu and African self-consciousness) has been hypothesized to promote positive mental health outcomes among Black American men. However, little research exists on harnessing these factors as a means of increasing health-seeking behaviors in young Black males. To elucidate the effect of region, depression, African humanism, collectivism, and help-seeking values and needs concerning aggression in young Black males. This study included Black or African American participants (n = 428) identifying as male, aged 18-25 years, who responded to a Qualtrics survey with questions on region, aggression, depression, African humanism, collectivism, and help-seeking value and need. Hierarchical linear regression revealed that collectivism, humanness, value, and the need for seeking treatment were inversely associated with aggression (p < 0.001). Highlighting the effect of cultural norms and help-seeking behaviors and the aggravating effect of depression on aggression in young Black males can help to develop aggression-mitigating interventions rooted in Afrocentric Norms.

Integrating Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) into Urban Traffic: Simulating Driving and Signal Control

The integration of autonomous vehicles into urban traffic systems offers a significant opportunity to improve traffic efficiency and safety at signalized intersections. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of how different autonomous vehicle driving behaviors—cautious, normal, aggressive, and platooning—affect key traffic metrics, including queue lengths, travel times, vehicle delays, emissions, and fuel consumption. A four-leg signalized intersection in Balgat, Ankara, was modeled and validated using field data, with twenty-one scenarios simulated to assess the effects of various autonomous vehicle behaviors at penetration rates from 25% to 100%, alongside human-driven vehicles. The results show that while cautious autonomous vehicles promote smoother traffic flow, they also result in longer delays and higher emissions due to conservative driving patterns, especially at higher penetration levels. In contrast, aggressive and platooning autonomous vehicles significantly improve traffic flow and reduce delays and emissions. Mixed-behavior scenarios reveal that different driving styles can coexist effectively, balancing safety and efficiency. These findings emphasize the need for optimized autonomous vehicle algorithms and signal control strategies to harness the potential benefits of autonomous vehicle integration in urban traffic systems fully, particularly in terms of improving traffic performance and sustainability.

Counter Productive Work Behaviour and Organizational Productivity of Selected Public Organizations in Cross River State: A Theoretical Review

The purpose of the study was to examine counter productive work behavior and organizational productivity in selected public organizations. A study of Calabar, Ugep and Ikom local government council in Cross River State. The specific objectives were to: examine the extent to which sabotage behavior can affect organizational productivity; examine how theft can affect organizational productivity; and to determine how withdrawal can affect organizational productivity. This study adopted theoretical review methods. Information was gathered using textbooks, journals, published and unpublished journals, libraries and internet applications. Based on the theoretical review, the following findings were revealed thus: there was a significant relationship between sabotage behavior and organizational productivity, there was a significant relationship between theft behavior and organizational productivity, and there was a significant relationship between withdrawal behavior and organizational productivity. In line with the findings, the study recommended that organizations should organise regular enlightenment programmes and formulate appropriate HR policies that would help reduce the level of counterproductive work behaviors among employees. Managers should endeavor to limit the effect and pervasiveness of detrimental behaviors.

Gender swapping in massively multiplayer online role-playing games in China: Relationship to gender nonconformity and gender dysphoria

Video games are identified as rich environments for the extension and development of the self. Gender swapping is common in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Drawing on self-discrepancy theory, this study aims to examine whether variables reflecting actual-ideal self-discrepancy in gender-atypical behaviors and gender identity contribute to gender swapping. Specifically, we examine associations between childhood gender nonconformity (CGN), adulthood gender nonconformity (AGN), gender dysphoria, and gender-swapping. An online survey was conducted with 586 players of MMORPGs in China. CGN, AGN, and gender dysphoria were positively associated with gender-swapping. Gender dysphoria fully mediated the associations between CGN and gender swapping. The current findings indicate the effects of gender-atypical behaviors and gender identity on gender swapping among Chinese MMORPGs players.

The Effect of Work Connectivity Behaviors on Work-Family Conflict among Operating Room Nurses - The Mediating Role of Psychological Disengagement

The Effect of Work Connectivity Behaviors on Work-Family Conflict among Operating Room Nurses - The Mediating Role of Psychological Disengagement

Global Trends in Employee Wellbeing Research: A Bibliometric Study

This bibliometric study examines global trends in employee wellbeing research from 1990 to 2024, focusing on key themes such as burnout, work engagement, job satisfaction, leadership, and workplace environment. Using co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and citation metrics, the study identifies influential authors, emerging trends, and underexplored areas in the field. Results show a significant increase in publications since 2017, with a growing focus on the psychological and emotional dimensions of wellbeing. Key findings highlight the positive impact of transformational leadership and supportive work environments, as well as the detrimental effects of toxic behaviors like abusive supervision and workplace bullying. The study also identifies gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the intersection of employee wellbeing and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This analysis provides a foundation for future research and emphasizes the critical role of employee wellbeing in fostering organizational success and sustainability.

Exploratory Study of gendered-linked differences in word choice in a popular Panamanian talk show

Differences between men's and women's word choices have always motivated sociolinguistic studies that correlate these variations to the gender roles or stereotypes that generate social judgments about people's expressions. This exploratory study examined gendered-linked differences in word choices when discussing daily life issues. The data was collected using a descriptive statistics table that compiled all the euphemisms, diminutives, descriptive adjectives, and politeness markers used by four conductors (two men and two women) of a popular Panamanian TV show in six discussion forums. The information was later analyzed for response patterns, similarities, and differences within and across the two groups. Our findings indicate remarkable gendered-linked differences in the use of these words, evidence of word choice variation across genders. We conclude that these variations are part of daily life communication and illustrate the effect of social behaviors and ideologies on the use of language.

Examining the Influence of Autonomous Vehicle Behaviors on Travel Times and Vehicle Arrivals: A Comparative Study Across Different Simulation Durations on the Kirkuk-Sulaymaniyah Highway

This study delves into the effects of autonomous vehicle behaviors on travel times and vehicle arrivals along the Kirkuk-Sulaymaniyah Highway, employing simulations spanning 3600, 5400, and 7200 seconds. Across varied traffic volumes ranging from 350 to 950 vehicles and autonomous vehicle behaviors categorized as cautious, normal, aggressive, aggressive platoons, and a mix alongside human-driven vehicles, the research unveils significant findings. Results highlight substantial reductions in average travel times and heightened vehicle arrivals among autonomous vehicles, particularly those exhibiting aggressive behaviors, compared to their human-driven counterparts. Across all simulation scenarios, aggressive autonomous vehicles consistently demonstrate superior performance, showcasing potential efficiency gains through aggressive driving algorithms. Furthermore, with increasing traffic volume, the advantages of aggressive autonomous behaviors become more pronounced, suggesting their adaptability to congested conditions. However, safety implications and traffic flow dynamics warrant caution, especially in scenarios with high volumes and aggressive behaviors. These insights underscore the importance of further research and policy considerations to leverage the full potential of autonomous vehicles while ensuring safety and efficiency on highways.

AI-Driven Traffic Simulation using Unity: Implementing Finite State Machines for Adaptive NPC Behaviour

This research develops an AI-powered traffic simulation using the Unity Engine, leveraging finite state machines (FSM) to enable adaptive and responsive non-player characters (NPCs). The integration of FSM with advanced pathfinding algorithms, such as A*, allows NPCs to dynamically adjust their behavior based on traffic conditions, obstacles, and environmental changes. The experimental results indicate a 25% improvement in route optimization and a 30% reduction in path conflicts compared to conventional static models, demonstrating the robustness of the proposed approach. Optimized navmesh deployment further enhances navigation fluidity, ensuring efficient agent movement in high-density scenarios without compromising system performance. The findings establish the effectiveness of the FSM-driven NPC behavior in simulating realistic traffic environments, contributing both to the advancement of AI applications in game development and urban planning. By providing an interactive platform for traffic management, this simulation offers a practical tool to study congestion patterns and test intervention strategies. In addition, it improves player engagement by fostering emergent gameplay through dynamic NPC interactions. Future work could explore the integration of real-time procedural generation or multiplayer functionality to enrich simulation depth and scalability. This study provides a comprehensive framework that bridges AI-based mechanics with simulation technology, providing significant insights for researchers and practitioners in game design, artificial intelligence, and urban planning.

Attenuation Law of Performance of Concrete Anti-Corrosion Coating under Long-Term Salt Corrosion

In saline soil areas, the concrete piers of concrete bridges experience long-term corrosion, mainly caused by chloride salts due to alternating temperature changes. Waterborne concrete coatings are prone to failure in this aggressive salt environment. Implementing coating protection measures can improve the durability of concrete and enhance the service life of bridges. However, the effectiveness and longevity of coatings need further research. In this paper, three types of waterborne concrete anti-corrosion coatings were applied to analyze the macro and micro surface morphology under wet–dry cycles and long-term immersion conditions. Various indicators such as glossiness, color difference, and adhesion of the coatings were tested during different cyclic periods. The chloride ion distribution characteristics of the buried concrete coatings in saline soil, the macro morphology analysis of chloride ion distribution regions, and the micro morphology changes of the coatings under different corrosion times were also investigated. The results showed that waterborne epoxy coatings (ES), waterborne fluorocarbon coatings (FS), and waterborne acrylic coatings (AS) all gradually failed under long-term salt exposure, with increasing coating porosity, loss of internal fillers, and delamination. The chloride ion content inside the concrete decreased with increasing depth at the same corrosion time, while the chloride ion content at the same depth increased with time. The chloride ion distribution boundary in the cross-section of concrete with coating protection was not significant, while the chloride ion distribution boundary in the cross-section of untreated concrete gradually contracted towards the concrete core with increasing corrosion time. During the corrosion process in saline soil, the coatings underwent three stages: adherence of small saline soil particles, continuous increase in adhered material area, and multiple layers of uneven coverage by saline soil. The failure process of the coatings still required erosive ions to infiltrate the surface through micropores. The predicted lifespans of FS, ES, and AS coatings, obtained through weighted methods, were 2.45 years, 2.48 years, and 2.74 years, respectively, which were close to the actual lifespans observed in salt environments. The developed formulas effectively reflect the corrosion patterns of different resin-based coatings under salt exposure, providing a basis for accurately assessing the corrosion behavior and protective effectiveness of concrete under actual environmental factors.

The Moderator Effect of Internal Prosocial Behaviors on the Relationship Between Helicopter Parenting and External Prosocial Behaviors

The rate of helicopter parenting, which is one of the parenting styles, has been increasing in recent years and this style might have negative effects on the individuals' lives. Prosocial behaviors are the actions expected to be displayed in the society and the attitudes of the parents are effective on these behaviors. It is important to determine these effects to contribute to the healthy development of individuals. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the gender differences in helicopter parenting and prosocial behaviors, to reveal the relationships between age and helicopter parenting and prosocial behaviors, and to determine whether internal prosocial behaviors acted as a moderator in the relationship between maternal/paternal helicopter parenting and external prosocial behaviors. Path analysis, which is an advanced statistical model, was used to determine the moderator effect of internal prosocial behaviors. Data were collected from 363 adolescents with a mean age of 16.08 years. Data were obtained with the "Helicopter Parent Attitude/s Scale" and "Adolescent Prosociality Scale". The results showed that adolescents girls exhibited more prosocial behaviors than boys. There was an inverse and significant relationship between age and paternal helicopter parenting. Internal prosocial behaviors acted as a moderator in the relationship between maternal/paternal helicopter parenting and external prosocial behaviors. The findings of the current study suggest that helicopter parenting has an adverse impact on external prosocial behaviors and internal prosocial behaviors may regulate this relationship.

Inspiring nurses’ sustainability mindset: Exploring the Mediating Role of Organizational Culture on the relationship between Pro-social Leader behaviors and nurses’ sustainability consciousness

BackgroundSince nurses are at the frontline of healthcare delivery, their actions and understanding of the environment have a big impact on how long healthcare systems can last. It is essential to comprehend the elements that impact nurses’ sustainability consciousness to encourage ecologically conscious actions in the healthcare industry.AimThis study aimed to explore the relationship between pro-social leader behaviors and nurses’ sustainability consciousness and testify to the mediating role of organizational culture in this relationship.DesignA cross-sectional descriptive correlational design by STROBE criteria was used.Methods and toolsAn approach to a judgmental non-probability sampling technique was employed to obtain data from 350 nurses in an Egyptian hospital. Three measurement surveys were employed: Organizational Culture Survey, Prosociality Scale, and, Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ-S). Relationships were shown using structural equation modeling and descriptive and inferential statistics.Results53.4% of nurses have high perceptions of organizational culture, and the majority of nurses (85.7%) have high perceptions of prosocial leader behaviors. Furthermore, 60.9% of nurses have high perceptions of sustainability consciousness. Additionally, Prosocial leader behaviors positively correlated with organizational culture (r = 0.129) and nurses’ sustainability consciousness (r = 0.274). The indirect effect of prosocial leader behaviors on nurses’ sustainability consciousness through organizational culture is calculated by multiplying the coefficients of both direct effects (0.129 * 0.159 = 0.811). This means that for each unit increase in prosocial leader behaviors, we would expect a 0.811 unit increase in nurses’ sustainability consciousness through the mediating effect of organizational culture. The model appears to match the data well based on the model fit parameters (CFI = 1.000, IFI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.114).ConclusionsThe study highlights the impact of pro-social leader behaviors on nurses’ sustainability consciousness through the organizational culture as a mediating factor. Nursing Implications: Findings from this research can promote environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in the healthcare sector by illuminating the elements that can encourage and support a sustainability-oriented mindset among nurses. To promote a more sustainable future for the nursing profession, the findings can guide activities in nursing education, corporate culture transformation, and leadership development.

Prevalencia y factores asociados con los comportamientos sedentarios y la actividad física en escolares de básica primaria

The school and its curricular proposals promote prolonged sedentary behavior, fostering a sedentary behavioral culture that is reinforced extracurricularly, possibly affecting the health of schoolchildren. However, the Physical Education class, and particularly the promotion of school physical activity within it, is one of the most important strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of sedentary behaviors in children. Therefore, the main objective was to establish the prevalence and factors associated with sedentary behaviors in elementary school students. The results reveal that in the school transportation domain, there is an average prevalence of 114 minutes per week of sedentary behavior. In the school environment, walking is common, but sitting time has a weekly average of 1680 ± 102 minutes. Meanwhile, in the home domain, women show higher participation in physical activity. This study highlights the need for school interventions to promote active and healthy habits in childhood.

Effect of Physical Activity Behaviors, Team Sports, and Sitting Time on Body Image and Exercise Dependence.

This study aimed to evaluate whether the type and degree of physical activity commitment (i.e., team sport athletes, highly active individuals, sedentary behavior) influence body image and exercise behavior. A total of 96 participants (46 women and 50 men; age: 22.7 ± 2.7 years; height: 170 ± 8.6 cm; weight: 67.6 ± 10.8 kg) were divided in six groups: female volleyball and male football players (student athletes classified as Tier 2), highly physically active women and men, with high sitting time completed the Body Image Dimensional Assessment and the 21-item Exercise Dependence Scale to evaluate body dissatisfaction and level of dependency on exercise. The Body Image Dimensional Assessment is a silhouette-based scale, where three direct indices are derived from the participants' responses: body dissatisfaction, sexual body dissatisfaction, and comparative body dissatisfaction. The Exercise Dependence Scale is a six-point Likert scale that evaluates seven dimensions of exercise dependence (tolerance, withdrawal, intention effects, lack of control, time, reductions in other activities, and continuance) and provides an overall score. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of different levels of physical activity, team sport participation (volleyball and football), and sedentary behavior (i.e., high sitting time) on participants' body image indices and dimensions of exercise dependence according to sex. Volleyball players showed significantly higher body dissatisfaction than football players (d = 0.99) and the physically active men group (d = 2.31), who had lower values than sedentary women group (d = 1.68). Football players had lower comparative body dissatisfaction values than volleyball players (d = 1.70) and sedentary women (d = 1.69), who had higher values than sedentary men (d = 1.04). Sedentary women had a significantly lower exercise dependence scale score than volleyball players (d = 1.71), football players (d = 1.12), and physically active men (d = 1.21). The findings highlight the impact of regular physical activity on body dissatisfaction and the variance in body image perceptions between the sexes. Moreover, the high exercise dependence values found in volleyball and football players and physically active men suggest an effect of intense training and maladaptive exercise behaviors, underlining the need for comprehensive strategies to address exercise dependence.

The In Vivo Effect of Water-Based Lubricants on the Vaginal Microbiome of Women from Varying Age Groups: Exploratory Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Vaginal mucosa undergoes physiological changes across the lifespan, such as increased pH and reduced natural lubrication which are known to impact vaginal commensal microorganisms, hence increasing the chances of vaginal infections. An improved understanding of vaginal microbiome composition in different age groups and the effect of social behaviors, such as the use of personal lubricants, could facilitate the development of new strategies to maintain good vaginal health. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of water-based lubricants on the human vaginal microbiome. Fifty females from three age groups (18-29, 30-44, and 45-65 years) with mild-to-moderate vaginal dryness were randomized to one of five lubricants (four of which were formulated to meet expert guidance on osmolality and pH). Subjects entered the study at tolerance or treatment phase (vaginal intercourse minimum once a week using assigned lubricant). Four vaginal swabs per participant were sampled during pre-("baseline"), post-first ("2 h", "24 h") and post-last ("4 weeks") lubricant application to assess bacterial and fungal diversity via amplicon sequencing. Vaginal pH and relative humidity were measured at baseline, 2 h, and 24 h post-lubricant application. Relative bacteriome abundance was statistically compared between timepoints for each lubricant group. Vaginal moisture, age, BMI, and pH were correlated with bacteriome relative abundance. Lactobacilli and Gardnerella sp. Were predominant across participants. Repeated lubricant application did not significantly alter the vaginal bacteriome during 4 weeks of product use (p > 0.05) when measured by relative abundance and alpha-diversity index. Bacteriome diversity and abundance differed significantly between age groups at baseline whereas lactobacilli relative abundance was negatively associated with age and vaginal pH.

Flash behaviors protect prey from avian predators

Abstract It has been proposed that flash behaviors, defined as the transient display of conspicuous color patches during escape, serve as an anti-predator defense in camouflaged prey. While recent studies in humans have demonstrated the effectiveness of flash behaviors in improving the survival of artificial prey, it remains unclear whether these benefits also arise in more natural systems involving non-human predators. This study investigated the adaptive significance of flash behaviors using chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus) as predators and virtual prey. Our experiments revealed that prey employing flash behaviors consistently enhanced their survival rate compared to non-flashing prey. Additionally, prey with non-conspicuous escape colors, though distinct from their resting colors, also showed a higher survival rate than non-flashing prey, challenging the conventional belief that conspicuous colors are required for search interference. An interplay between prey size and flash behaviors in enhancing survival was evident, with larger prey benefiting more than smaller prey. We found no evidence to suggest that being hidden before initiating an escape confers a survival advantage to flashing prey compared to being visible before escape. This study sheds light on the adaptive benefits of flash behaviors against natural predators and contributes to our understanding of the widespread occurrence of hidden color signals in camouflaged prey. We encourage further studies to explore the effectiveness of remaining hidden in flashing prey when confronted with natural predators, as well as how predators might learn to overcome the deception of flash behaviors.

The impact of smartphone dependence on college students' sleep quality: the chain-mediated role of negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors.

Sleep disturbances among college students have become a significant issue affecting their daily lives. This study aims to explore the relationship between smartphone dependence and sleep quality and examine the mediating roles of negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors. A total of 23,652 college students were included in the study, and 21,314 valid questionnaires were collected. The survey assessed demographic factors, smartphone dependence, sleep quality, negative emotions, and health-promoting behaviors. A chain mediation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among these factors. Smartphone dependence was significantly positively correlated with sleep quality (r = 0.272, p < 0.001) and negative emotions (r = 0.414, p < 0.001), and significantly negatively correlated with health-promoting behaviors (r = -0.178, p < 0.001). Sleep quality was positively correlated with negative emotions (r = 0.472, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with health-promoting behaviors (r = -0.218, p < 0.001).Smartphone dependence was a significant positive predictor of sleep quality. Moreover, negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors influenced the relationship between smartphone dependence and sleep quality. The total effect, direct effect, and indirect effect values were 0.304, 0.122, and 0.170, respectively. Different demographic factors (such as gender and place of residence) can lead to variations in different variables. Smartphone dependence and negative emotions have a positive impact on sleep quality among college students, while health-promoting behaviors have a negative impact. Smartphone dependence directly and positively affects sleep quality and can also influence it indirectly through the mediating effects of negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors, both individually and in a chain-like manner.