Individual Scale Research Articles

Conditioning a collective avoidance response in rummy-nose tetra.

Escape waves in animal groups, such as bird flocks and fish schools, have attracted a lot of attention, as they provide the opportunity to better understand how information can efficiently propagate in moving groups, and how individuals can coordinate their actions under the threat of predators. There is a lack of appropriate experimental protocols to study escape waves in highly social fish, in which the number of individuals initiating the escape and the identity of the initiators are controlled. Indeed, highly social fish or obligate schoolers have a tendency to not respond well or to freeze when tested in experimental setups designed for single individuals. In this manuscript, we report the results of a pilot experiment with limited sample size using an aversive conditioning protocol to trigger a collective escape response to a green light in a group of rummy-nose tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus). Our experimental results suggest that aversive conditioning can (i) be successfully used in this schooling species, (ii) trigger collective escape responses, and (iii) be transferred from the training setup to a new environment. We also introduce metrics to characterize learning and forgetting at group level. These results nurture promising future empirical research on the cognitive and behavioral mechanisms of escape responses in schools of fish, both at the individual and collective scales.

Dynamically reconfigurable acoustofluidic metasurface for subwavelength particle manipulation and assembly

Particle manipulation plays a pivotal role in scientific and technological domains such as materials science, physics, and the life sciences. Here, we present a dynamically reconfigurable acoustofluidic metasurface that enables precise trapping and positioning of microscale particles in fluidic environments. By harnessing acoustic-structure interaction in a passive membrane resonator array, we generate localized standing acoustic waves that can be reconfigured in real-time. The resulting radiation force allows for subwavelength manipulation and patterning of particles on the metasurface at individual and collective scales, with actuation frequencies below 2 MHz. We further demonstrate the capabilities of the reconfigurable metasurface in trapping and enriching beads and biological cells flowing in microfluidic channels, showcasing its potential in high-throughput bioanalytical applications. Our versatile and biocompatible particle manipulation platform is suitable for applications ranging from the assembly of colloidal particles to enrichment of rare cells.

Patterns of interpopulation variation and physiological trade-offs of the acute thermal tolerance of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

IntroductionThe capacity of species and populations to respond to rapid environmental change will be pivotal for their resilience in the coming decades. To explore thermal plasticity, physiological trade-offs, and associations with environmental characteristics, we assessed the heat hardening response and acclimation capacity of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from seven hatchery populations spanning diverse ecoregions along the West Coast of the United States.MethodsProgeny from each population were acclimated to one of three temperatures (11, 16, or 20°C) and subjected to two acute thermal maximum (CTMAX) trials 24 h apart. The heat hardening response (ΔCTM) was calculated as the difference between an individual's second and first CTMAX trials. Acclimation capacity was determined as the maximum difference in CTMAX between fish acclimated to 11°C and 20°C during their second trial, capturing the full acclimatory scope. Bayesian models were employed to test the thermal trade-off hypothesis, which posits that individuals or populations with higher thermal tolerance have reduced capacity for acclimation. Trade-offs were analyzed at both individual and population scales. Associations between ΔCTM, acclimation capacity, and source population environmental characteristics were also examined using data from a landscape-scale, regional, river temperature model.ResultsFish acclimated to 16°C or 20°C exhibited heat hardening (positive ΔCTM), while those acclimated to 11°C exhibited “heat weakening” (negative ΔCTM), a rare phenomenon in the literature. At the individual level, fish adhered to the thermal trade-off hypothesis, with higher thermal tolerance associated with reduced plasticity. However, no such trade-off was observed at the population level. Acclimation capacity was positively correlated with latitude and the temperature of the natural rearing environment. Additionally, ΔCTM performance improved when fish were acclimated to temperatures closer to those of their natural habitats.DiscussionIndividual fish exhibited a trade-off between thermal tolerance and plasticity, while populations did not. Thermal plasticity was associated with environmental conditions, with populations from warmer habitats demonstrating greater acclimation and heat hardening capacities. This study highlights the importance of understanding interpopulation variation to identify at-risk populations, such as those from colder habitats or with limited thermal plasticity, like the Trinity population. These findings emphasize the need to account for interpopulation differences when predicting species responses to climate change and developing conservation strategies.

The relationship between fatigue, sleep quality, and sleep deprivation.

Fatigue, sleep disorders, and daytime sleepiness are interconnected, posing significant risks to occupational health and workplace safety. However, the literature on their relationships remains fragmented, with notable gaps, particularly concerning working populations. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate sleep quality (SQ), daily sleep time in hours (DST), daytime sleepiness, fatigue levels among employees in an automotive workplace, and their interrelationships. This study assessed fatigue, DST, SQ, and daytime sleepiness (DTS) among employees aged 21-51years working under the same conditions. Data were collected using questionnaires and two validated scales: the Check Individual Strength Scale (CIS) for fatigue and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for excessive daytime sleepiness. None of theCheck Individual Strength Scale (CIS), or SQ points, mean values orDST hours values significantly differ due to any sociodemographic independent variables. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) points mean values differ significantly due to BMI values. However, statistically significant relationships were identified among CIS, ESS, SQ points, and DST hours. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between ESS and CIS scores. These findings suggest reciprocal effects among fatigue, SQ, DST, and daytime sleepiness. While sleep problems cause fatigue also chronic fatigue syndrome may be the reason of worse SQ. Further research is necessary to emphasize the importance of addressing the interplay between fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, SQ, and DST in hours to improve workplace safety and employee well-being.

Rescaling outbound tourism motivation: new insights from tourists with mild dementia

ABSTRACT This paper explores tourism motivations for tourists with health conditions, with dementia as an example. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to develop and validate a 28-item outbound tourism motivational scale for individuals with mild dementia, including eight factors: bias-free equality quest, travel novelty-seeking, nostalgia and wellness exploration, personal competence showcase, relaxation and positivity, family bond enhancement, dementia cognitive and functional enrichment, and dementia-related behavioral and emotional symptom relief. Further investigations revealed that outbound tourism motivations among individuals with dementia significantly influence their attitudes and future intentions for such travel. Findings inform targeted tourism marketing and management strategies for vulnerable tourists.

Hybrid metapopulation agent-based epidemiological models for efficient insight on the individual scale: a contribution to green computing

Hybrid metapopulation agent-based epidemiological models for efficient insight on the individual scale: a contribution to green computing

Development of a perceived eHealth literacy scale for individuals with serious mental illness: A cross-sectional study.

The development of an electronic health literacy scale for the population with serious mental illness (SMI) is needed due to individuals' characteristics. Develop a graphic-based perceived electronic health literacy scale for SMI (GP-eHLS-SMI). A cross-section study. This study was conducted from May 2023 to February 2024. The GP-eHLS-SMI was constructed based on qualitative interviews. Experts reviewed the items, and a pilot questionnaire was developed. A total of 436 community-dwelling participants with SMI from 20 medical facilities were recruited for psychometric analysis. Ten questionnaires were invalid, and 426 questionnaires were used for analysis. We used the first 220 questionnaires to perform the item and exploratory factor analyses. The last 206 questionnaires were used for confirmatory factor analysis. All valid questionnaires were used to examine test-retest reliability and criterion validity. Research tools included a demographic data questionnaire, the GP-eHLS-SMI, and the Chinese eHealth Literacy Scale (C-eHEALS). The C-eHEALS was used as the gold standard to explore the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and cut-off point of the GP-eHLS-SMI. The Cronbach's alpha for the 16-item GP-eHLS-SMI was 0.882. The GP-eHLS-SMI score was significantly correlated with the C-eHEALS score (r=0.733, p<.001). The AUC was 0.863 (95% CI: 0.828, 0.897), and the cut-off point was 41. The test-retest reliability was r=0.929 (p<.001), and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.961. The GP-eHLS-SMI is a valuable tool.

Genetic Analyses on Transgender Individuals: Impact on Physician Attitudes and Surgical Decision-Making.

Genetic studies on the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community have started to appear in the literature. However, there are limited studies on how genetic data will impact attitudes and perspectives toward TGD individuals. In this study, we investigated the impact of genetic alterations on physicians' attitudes toward TGD individuals and on physicians' decisions concerning gender confirmation surgery (GCS). In this context, we intended to highlight a number of strategies to reduce the inequalities that the TGD community is exposed to in accessing health-care services. An online survey including the Turkish version of the Attitudes Toward Transgendered Individuals Scale (ATTIS) was completed by 224 physicians from relevant specialties. Scheffé and least significant difference (LSD) post hoc analysis methods were used to determine physicians' perspectives on whether genetic findings would cause TGD individuals to feel validated/invalidated. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to assess their responses concerning the decision to perform GCS when genetic alterations had been identified. More than half of the physicians expressed the view that genetic analyses for TGD individuals would confer benefits (67.1%). Those who thought that the presence of gender-diversity-related genetic alterations would have a "positive impact" on their GCS-related decision to operate were found to have less positive attitudes toward TGD individuals (Bonferroni corrected p < 0.001). Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that age, presenting the odds ratio as the strongest factor, distinguished the "no impact" group from the reference "positive impact" group, particularly among those aged ≤ 35 years (3.299, 95% CI: 1.355-8.033; p = 0.009). Although genetic analysis of TGD individuals is predicted to have a positive effect on physicians' attitudes toward them and on the GCS decision-making process, it should be emphasized that the benefits for TGD individuals must outweigh the potential harm. The results showed that physicians need "early and continuing education" to develop a comprehensive perspective on gender identity. The most appropriate approach for genetic testing would be to include the TGD community in decision-making processes and to develop guidelines for the interpretation of genetic data.

The Effect of Frailty on Balance, Fear of Falling, and Dual-Task Performance in Individuals with Type 2 DM

The aim of this study was to compare balance, fear of falling, and dual-task performance in frail, pre-frail, and non-frail individuals with type 2 DM. The study included 110 voluntary individuals diagnosed with type 2 DM. Individuals with type 2 DM were divided into three groups according to the FRAIL Scale: frail (n = 26), pre-frail (n = 52), and non-frail (n = 32). The FRAIL Scale evaluated individuals’ frailty levels, Timed Up and Go Test evaluated dual-task performance (cognitive and motor), and Tinetti Balance and Gait Scale evaluated balance and risk of falls. Considering the Fall Efficacy Scale, Tinetti Balance and Gait Scale, TUGstandard (sec), TUGcognitive (sec), and TUGmotor (sec) results of frail, pre-frail, and non-frail individuals with type 2 DM, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p &lt; 0.05). This difference originated from the frail group. Considering the increase in old age and chronic syndromes, such as DM, it brings about, it was concluded that the early evaluation of older adults for frailty and balance was essential and that individually planned intervention could improve prognosis, reduce falls that might occur due to a loss of balance and muscle strength, and enhance the quality of life in older adults.

Histological Study of Skin Structures From Selected Body Areas in the Varanus komodoensis.

The skin of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is covered by a form of armour formed mainly of scales, which often co-occur with osteoderms. Scales are keratinized, non-mineralized structures in the uppermost layer of the epidermis that are in contact with each other to form a system in which individual scales are isolated from each other by a softer skin fold zone. In the Varanus, the surface of the scales is flat and smooth (thoracic limb, abdomen, and tail areas), domed and smooth (head area) or domed with conical ornamentation (dorsal surface, pelvic limb-dorsal surface areas). In contrast, osteoderms are mineralized structures that are an integral part of the skin, located below the epidermal surface and positioned parallel (head, tail, thoracic limb-dorsal surface, thoracic limb-palmar surface, and tail) or obliquely (pelvic limb-dorsal surface, groin, abdomen) to the surface. Regardless of the body region, osteoderms are structures that are completely anchored in the dermis, and their surface is smooth and devoid of ornamentation. Tangential sections of the osteoderms demonstrate concentric resting lines. Histological sections of the varanid dermis show the presence of collagen bundles, parallel interlacing or crossing bundles of collagen fibers of varying thickness and degree of compactness, accompanied by muscle fibers. In the area of skin close to the osteoderm, loosely arranged bundles of collagen fibers are present, while in the zone distal to the osteoderm, a compact arrangement of these fibers is present. This study documents the morphological diversity and distribution of osteoderms and scales in selected areas of the body of V. komodoensis. Scales are characterized by a high polymorphism related to body region, while osteoderms show a high morphological similarity independent of the area of occurrence.

Entrepreneurial Intent of Filipino Undergraduate Health Sciences Stu-dents: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

This quantitative study, grounded in Ajzen’s (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), investigates the entrepreneurial inten-tions of Filipino undergraduate health sciences students using a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The study involved 820 respondents from various health sciences programs in North Luzon, Philippines, who completed an online survey. Demographic characteristics and entrepreneurial intent were assessed through a researcher-designed Demographic Profile Questionnaire (DPQ) and the Individual Entrepreneurial Intent Scale (IEIS) established by Thompson (2009). This study adopts a positivist view, empha-sizing objectivity, consistency, and replicability through statistical methods. The findings reveal that the undergraduate health sci-ences students demonstrate a “good” level of entrepreneurial in-tentions, with a notable significant variation observed between those who have taken business-related courses and those who have not, with the former exhibiting higher intent. Other factors, such as age, gender, and marital status, did not show significant differences in entrepreneurial intentions, suggesting that educa-tional experiences play a more critical role than personal charac-teristics. The study recommends educational strategies and poli-cies, such as curricular enhancement towards entrepreneurial ed-ucation in health sciences education, to foster innovation and en-courage healthcare entrepreneurship. Overall, this research con-tributes to the expanding literature on entrepreneurship; however, like other studies, it has limitations. Therefore, future research directions are offered.

Reliability and validity of the community balance and mobility scale in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). A total of 65 PwMS (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 5.5) were included in the study. Test-retest, internal consistency (item-total score correlation, Cronbach's alpha coefficient) intra-rater, and inter-rater reliability were investigated for the reliability of the CB&M. For intra-rater and inter-rater reliability, CB&M measurements of 34 PwMS were videotaped. The validity of the CB&M was assessed through criterion (predictive and concurrent validity) and construct validity. Construct validity was evaluated using hypothesis testing which included examining correlations with EDSS, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Test-retest reliability demonstrated a good to excellent correlation (ICC = 0.995, p < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha was 0.971 (p < 0.001). Intra-rater (ICC = 0.993, p < 0.001) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.986, p < 0.001) of the CB&M were also good to excellent. Cohen's kappa range values ​​of the scale vary between 0.958 - 0.665, and the percentage agreement varies between 97% and 75%. For the convergent validity of CB&M, strong correlations were observed with EDSS (r=-0.831, p < 0.001), TUG (r=-0.854, p < 0.001), and DGI (r = 0.865, p < 0.001). Additionally, the CB&M demonstrated an excellent correlation with the BBS (r = 0.907, p < 0.001). The scale exhibited no floor-ceiling effect. CB&M is a reliable and valid tool for assessing balance and mobility in PwMS and offers significant advantages for evaluating balance in PwMS, as it provides comprehensive information about the balance and mobility requirements essential for community living.

Tick Utilization of Eastern Redcedar1 Encroached Areas at the Individual Tree Scale in Oklahoma

Tick Utilization of Eastern Redcedar1 Encroached Areas at the Individual Tree Scale in Oklahoma

Measures of Emotional Intelligence, Aggression, and Their Relationship in Medical Students

Higher medical education imposes high demands on students; therefore, attention must be paid to personality parameters that contribute to successful adaptation, among which emotional intelligence and level of aggression are important. Emotional intelligence positively affects the psychological state of students, reducing the manifestation of aggression. Materials and methods: The sample was made by 120 students of the medical faculty of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University at the age of 18-20 years. For diagnostics of emotional intelligence, N. Hall's method was used, and L.G. Pochebuts questionnaire was applied to the assessment of aggressive behavior. Results. It is established that only 5.8% of respondents have a high level of emotional intelligence, and worst of all, such parties as management of one's own emotions, recognition of emotions of other people, and level of self-motivation are developed. Medical students most often exhibit high levels of physical, verbal, and self-aggression. Persons with a high level of general aggression have the lowest scores both on the initial level of emotional intelligence and on its individual scales: “self-motivation,” “empathy,” and “recognition of emotions of other people.” Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant inverse association between the level of general aggression and empathy (r = -0.268). Conclusions. The results of the study indicate an insufficiently formed emotional intelligence and the need for its development among students of medical specialties as well as corrective measures with persons with a high level of aggression in order to increase their adaptive abilities.

Italian translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS) for individuals post-stroke.

This study aims to culturally adapt and validate the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) for use with post-stroke patients in Italy. The original scales were translated and culturally adapted following the "Translation and Cultural Adaptation of Patient Reported Outcomes Measures - Principles of Good Practice" guidelines. We assessed internal consistency and test-retest reliability, while concurrent validity was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients with the Italian version of the Disability Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH). A total of 56 participants were recruited for the study. The Italian versions of the scales demonstrated excellent stability and reliability both within and between raters. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.904 for SULCS and 0.998 for ARAT, indicating strong internal consistency among items. The interclass correlation coefficients were 0.998 (95% C.I.: 0.993-0.990) for inter-rater reliability and 0.987 (95% C.I.: 0.984-0.995) for intra-rater reliability for SULCS, and 0.998 (95% C.I.: 0.999-0.996) for inter-rater reliability and 0.992 (95% C.I.: 0.998-0.987) for intra-rater reliability for ARAT. Both scales exhibit robust validity and reliability, making them valuable tools for clinical assessment and functional evaluation of upper limb capacity in post-stroke patients. We recommend the integration of the ARAT and SULCS into initial patient assessments and ongoing monitoring to enhance rehabilitation outcomes.

DISASTER ATTITUDE AND INDIVIDUAL DISASTER RESILIENCE AMONG UNİVERSITY STUDENTS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS: A DISASTER ZONE SAMPLE

The aim of this study is to determine the level of disaster attitudes and disaster resilience among university students and to evaluate the factors affecting them. This descriptive and relational study was conducted with 411 university students studying in a disaster-affected province. The data for the study were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, multiple linear regression, and correlation analysis. The students, with an average age of 21.71±2.02, revealed that 80.3% had previously been exposed to a disaster, 16.1% had experienced disaster-related losses, 44% had received disaster training, and only 24.12% had an individual disaster plan. The mean score on the disaster attitude scale was 71.20±10.94, while the mean score on the individual disaster resilience assessment scale was 60.85±10.19. The study found that having a personal disaster plan, having received disaster training, and being informed about environmental disaster risks were significant predictors of disaster attitude and individual disaster resilience (p

Analysis on the Problems of Internet Conflicts and Countermeasures

Polarization and conflict online have grown as one of the most pervasive issues that characterize the contours of the digital environment, with serious risks to social cohesion, democratic discourse, and well-being. This paper thus seeks to trace those very root causes of online conflicts and the dynamics of the escalation process into group-based polarization. The paper considers a proposed model of how personal disagreements between two individuals scale up to large groups of conflicts with the help of cognitive biases, anonymity, and algorithmic reinforcement on digital platforms. Possible policy interventions at each stage of the escalation of conflict are discussed: from digital monitoring and public education about cognitive biases to online mediation programs and changes in algorithms to facilitate cross-cutting interactions. These findings suggest that only multilevel interventions that combine technological, social, and psychological approaches to mitigate conflict while preserving freedom of expression are effective strategies. The paper thus concludes that long-term solutions include changes in culture in building empathetic individuals and critical thinkers, not just immediate moderation. This gives a basis to governments and policymakers on how to understand the complexity and nuances involved in online conflict, thus forming the basis on which more balanced and inclusive digital environments could be developed that foster healthy dialogue and reduce polarization.

Full-field quantitative visualization of shock-driven pore collapse and failure modes in PMMA

The dynamic collapse of pores under shock loading is thought to be directly related to hot spot generation and material failure, which is critical to the performance of porous energetic and structural materials. However, the shock compression response of porous materials at the local, individual pore scale is not well understood. This study examines, quantitatively, the collapse phenomenon of a single spherical void in PMMA at shock stresses ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 GPa. Using a newly developed internal digital image correlation technique in conjunction with plate impact experiments, full-field quantitative deformation measurements are conducted in the material surrounding the collapsing pore for the first time. The experimental results reveal two failure mode transitions as shock stress is increased: (i) the first in situ evidence of shear localization via adiabatic shear banding and (ii) dynamic fracture initiation at the pore surface. Numerical simulations using thermo-viscoplastic dynamic finite element analysis provide insights into the formation of adiabatic shear bands (ASBs) and stresses at which failure mode transitions occur. Further numerical and theoretical modeling indicates the dynamic fracture to occur along the weakened material inside an adiabatic shear band. Finally, analysis of the evolution of pore asymmetry and models for ASB spacing elucidate the mechanisms for the shear band initiation sites, and elastostatic theory explains the experimentally observed ASB and fracture paths based on the directions of maximum shear.

Cultural, social, and economic influences on academic field choice among Jewish and Muslim students.

This study investigated the complex cultural, social, and economic factors influencing the choice of academic field among Jewish and Muslim students in Israeli higher education. By employing a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and conjoint analysis, this research revealed significant differences between the two groups. Our findings indicate that Muslim students exhibit significantly higher levels of individualism compared to Jewish students, as measured by the individualism scale. They also place greater importance on prior work experience and teacher influence when choosing a field of study. In contrast, Jewish students prioritize earning potential. The findings underscore the need for culturally responsive educational policies and support systems that cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of students from different socio-cultural backgrounds. This study contributes to understanding the multifaceted dynamics shaping educational choices in multicultural societies and highlights the importance of fostering inclusive learning environments. Future research should include additional ethnic groups and explore the long-term impact of educational pathways on social and economic mobility.

Development and validation of animal variant classification guidelines to objectively evaluate genetic variant pathogenicity in domestic animals.

Assessing the pathogenicity of a disease-associated genetic variant in animals accurately is vital, both on a population and individual scale. At the population level, breeding decisions based on invalid DNA tests can lead to the incorrect inclusion or exclusion of animals and compromise the long-term health of a population, and at the level of the individual animal, lead to incorrect treatment and even life-ending decisions. Criteria to determine pathogenicity are not standardized, i.e., no guidelines for animal variants are available. Here, we aimed to develop and validate guidelines to be used by the community for Mendelian disorders in domestic animals to classify variants in categories based on standardized criteria. These so-called animal variant classification guidelines (AVCG) were based on those developed for humans by The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). In a direct comparison, 83% of the pathogenic variants were correctly classified with ACMG, while this increased to 92% with AVCG. We described methods to develop datasets for benchmarking the criteria and identified the most optimal in silico variant effect predictor tools. As the reproducibility was high, we classified 72 known disease-associated variants in cats and 40 other disease-associated variants in eight additional species.