Terms Of Behavioral Responses Research Articles

Toxicological Response of Zebrafish Exposed to Cocktails of Polymeric Materials and Valproic Acid

Microplastic pollution represents an emerging problem of great interest in the public domain in the last decade; in addition, it overlaps with another delicate problem—pollution with pharmaceutical products that can have negative effects on the environment and people, even in small amounts. The main purpose of this study was to assess the biochemical and behavioral effects of exposure of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) to polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and valproic acid (VPA), respectively to their mixtures—possible situations in natural aquatic environments. In terms of behavioral responses, sociability appears to be more impaired in the PP group after 5 days of exposure. The mechanisms affected are more those of swimming performance than of sociability. Even more, VPA increases presence in the arm with conspecifics but decreases mobility and locomotion, indicating a possible anxiety mechanism. The mixtures decrease the aggressiveness, especially in the case of the PE+VPA group, where it reaches a super low level compared to the control, which could endanger the species in nature. Regarding the anxiogenic effect, PP and PE act differently: if PE has an anxiogenic effect, on the opposite side is the PP group, which shows a bolder and more agitated behavior. All four variants showed behavioral changes indicative of toxicity from the first dose.

The early negative bias of social semantics: evidence from behavioral and ERP studies

BackgroundCompared to nonsocial information, the human brain is more highly sensitive to social information. As a kind of typical social semantic information, the words describing person traits differ from the nonsocial semantic information describing inanimate objects in many ways. It remains to be seen whether the processing of trait words has a valence asymmetric and whether it differs from the processing of nonsocial semantic information in terms of behavioral responses and neural temporal processes.MethodTaking person and object names as priming stimuli and adjective words only used for describing humans or objects as target stimuli, the present study aimed to investigate the processing characteristics of social and nonsocial semantic information by recording both behavioral and ERP data.ResultsBehavioral results showed that the response times for negative words were significantly slower than those for positive words whether for social or nonsocial semantic information. The accuracy rates of negative words were significantly lower than those of positive words when the targets were social words which is contrary to the nonsocial words. The ERP results indicated that there was a negative bias effect on the processing of both types of information during the whole time course of brain neural activity; that is, the P2, N400, and LPP amplitudes elicited by negative words were larger than those elicited by positive words; However, the negative bias effect of social semantic information started at the early perceptual stage which was significantly earlier than the onset of negative bias of nonsocial semantic information, and was significantly affected by the prime type. In addition, there was a significant semantic conflict N400 effect only for nonsocial semantic information.ConclusionsOverall, the present study revealed the existence of an early negative bias of social information and provided evidence for the specificity of social information.

Adaptability, Acceptance and Resistance to Change of Local College Personnel in the Province of Batangas Philippines: Basis for Organizational Change Management Framework

Change is indeed one of the struggles of any employee and company itself when there are changes in administration, leadership, and in-office occurs. Cognitive, affective, and behavioral adaptability in times of change are the three main facets of adaptability that are considered intrinsically related (Ashford and Taylor, 1990; Ployhart and Bliese, 2006; Van Dam, 2013). Marques (2016) concluded that acceptance grows as the changed situation loses its threats. Different dimensions are being distinguished such as open expressively, concealed, active, and passive support. Meanwhile, Rehman et al. (2021) mentioned that it is vital to shape the employees' resistive attitudes for the successful implementation of change, while their readiness greatly influences resistance (Banguntopo, 2018). The researchers further evaluated the personnel's adaptability, determined the personnel's acceptance, and assessed the personnel's resistance to change in local colleges. The researcher used descriptive-correlational research was valuable in providing facts that could form the basis of scientific judgment, which provided essential knowledge. The results revealed that the respondents displayed a high level of adaptability and acceptance, and strongly agreed to be resistant to change. Significant differences were observed in behavioral adaptability and openly expressive and passive support when grouped to position. Gen X group exhibited greater resistance to change in terms of behavioral response. Moreover, positive relationships among variables in different dimensions of change were identified as highly significant. The art of change allows organizations to ensure that new policies, procedures, and controls are adapted, accepted, and free from any form of resistance.

Connecting Perceived Service Quality, Value and Shopping Behavior: An Analysis on Chinese College Students Traveling Overseas

In recent years, tourist destinations around the world have witnessed an exponential growth in the number of Chinese tourists. With a view of understanding the consequences of their shopping activity in terms of behavioral response, this study inspects Chinese college students traveling overseas by analyzing 180 questionnaires. The reasoned action theory is applied to examine the impact of a number of factors influencing shopping behavior. The inquiry at hand makes use of methods, including factor analysis, regression analysis, and moderation analysis, to explore the relationship among perceived service quality, perceived value and shopping behavioral intention of tourists. The results show, inter alia, that service quality is a relevant dimension influencing the likelihood of tourists to share their shopping experience with friends and relatives, encouraging them to shop in the same destination, and to continue to shop in the same destination themselves in the future, regardless of the costs of visiting. Therefore, improving service quality may increase college students’ consumption during travel as well as their word of mouth after returning home. The outcomes of this study may contribute to the existing tourism economics and management scholarship and the tourism industry.

Context evoked morphine conditioned effects can be equivalent to morphine induced drug effects in terms of behavioral response and ERK activation in reward associated subcortical brain structures

Conditioned drug cues can evoke brief drug-like responses. In this report we show that using brief test sessions, contextual cues can induce conditioned hyperlocomotion and ERK responses equivalent to morphine induced responses. To assess acute unconditioned effects, rats that received morphine (MOR-1) or vehicle (VEH-1) were immediately placed onto an arena for a 5-min locomotion recording session after which ERK was measured in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). There were no differences in locomotion between the groups. However, the MOR-1 group had strong ERK activation in VTA and NAc. To assess MOR-conditioned effects, a chronic phase was carried out according to a Pavlovian conditioning protocol. There were two MOR paired groups (MORP), one MOR unpaired (MOR-UP) group and two VEH groups. The treatments were administered over 5 daily five minute test sessions. The final conditioning test was on day 6, in which one of the MOR-P groups and one of the VEH groups received VEH (MOR-P/VEH-6 and VEH/VEH-6, respectively). The other MOR-P group and VEH group received MOR (MOR-P/MOR; VEH/MOR-6, respectively). The MOR-UP group received VEH (MOR-UP/VEH-6). Rats received the treatments immediately prior to a 5-minute arena test, and after the session ERK was measured. No morphine induced locomotor stimulation was observed on day 1 but on days 2 to 5, hyperlocomotion in both MOR-P groups occurred. On test day 6, the MOR-P/VEH-6 and the MOR-P/MOR-6 groups had comparable locomotor stimulant responses and similar ERK activity in the VTA and NAc. The MOR-UP group did not differ from the VEH group. We suggest that ERK activation evoked by acute morphine served as a Pavlovian unconditioned stimulus to enable the contextual cues to acquire morphine conditioned stimulus properties and increase the incentive value of the contextual cues.

Identification of a hyperactive pheromone analog in field tests of pheromone mimics for two click beetle species in the genus Cardiophorus (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Females of two click beetle species, Cardiophorus tenebrosus and C. edwardsi (Coleoptera: Elateridae), produce methyl (3R,6E)-2,3-dihydrofarnesoate as their sex pheromone. We had serendipitously discovered that males of both species were also strongly attracted to (R)-fuscumol acetate ((E)-6,10-dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-yl acetate), a known longhorned beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) pheromone, due to its structural similarities to the click beetle pheromone. To further investigate the specificity of the responses of Cardiophorus males, additional analogs with different chain lengths and structural relationships compared to the natural pheromone were synthesized and tested. In field and electroantennogram bioassays, only fuscumol propionate ((E)-6,10-dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-yl propionate) elicited strong responses from Cardiophorus males, indicating that they were able to distinguish chain length and spatial relationships between the structural elements. In field trials, C. tenebrosus males were attracted equally to the analog and their natural pheromone, but the pheromone elicited stronger antennal responses from males. In contrast, traps baited with fuscumol propionate caught approximately 26 times as many C. edwardsi males compared to traps baited with the natural pheromone, although the analog elicited significantly smaller antennal responses from C. edwardsi males. Thus, in terms of behavioral responses, fuscumol propionate appears to be acting as a hyperactive pheromone mimic, a phenomenon which has rarely been observed in insect semiochemistry.

Fitness consequences of redundant cues of competition in male Drosophila melanogaster.

Phenotypic plasticity can allow animals to adapt their behavior, such as their mating effort, to their social and sexual environment. However, this relies on the individual receiving accurate and reliable cues of the environmental conditions. This can be achieved via the receipt of multimodal cues, which may provide redundancy and robustness. Male Drosophila melanogaster detect presence of rivals via combinations of any two or more redundant cue components (sound, smell, and touch) and respond by extending their subsequent mating duration, which is associated with higher reproductive success. Although alternative combinations of cues of rival presence have previously been found to elicit equivalent increases in mating duration and offspring production, their redundancy in securing success under sperm competition has not previously been tested. Here, we explicitly test this by exposing male D. melanogaster to alternative combinations of rival cues, and examine reproductive success in both the presence and absence of sperm competition. The results supported previous findings of redundancy of cues in terms of behavioral responses. However, there was no evidence of reproductive benefits accrued by extending mating duration in response to rivals. The lack of identifiable fitness benefits of longer mating under these conditions, both in the presence and absence of sperm competition, contrasted with some previous results, but could be explained by (a) damage sustained from aggressive interactions with rivals leading to reduced ability to increase ejaculate investment, (b) presence of features of the social environment, such as male and female mating status, that obscured the fitness benefits of longer mating, and (c) decoupling of behavioral investment with fitness benefits.

Prenatal ethanol exposure modifies locomotor activity and induces selective changes in Met-enk expression in adolescent rats

Several studies suggest that prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) facilitates ethanol intake. Opioid peptides play a main role in ethanol reinforcement during infancy and adulthood. However, PEE effects upon motor responsiveness elicited by an ethanol challenge and the participation of opioids in these actions remain to be understood. This work assessed the susceptibility of adolescent rats to prenatal and/or postnatal ethanol exposure in terms of behavioral responses, as well as alcohol effects on Met-enk expression in brain areas related to drug reinforcement. Motor parameters (horizontal locomotion, rearings and stereotyped behaviors) in pre- and postnatally ethanol-challenged adolescents were evaluated. Pregnant rats received ethanol (2g/kg) or water during gestational days 17–20. Adolescents at postnatal day 30 (PD30) were tested in a three-trial activity paradigm (habituation, vehicle and drug sessions). Met-enk content was quantitated by radioimmunoassay in several regions: ventral tegmental area [VTA], nucleus accumbens [NAcc], prefrontal cortex [PFC], substantia nigra [SN], caudate-putamen [CP], amygdala, hypothalamus and hippocampus. PEE significantly reduced rearing responses. Ethanol challenge at PD30 decreased horizontal locomotion and showed a tendency to reduce rearings and stereotyped behaviors. PEE increased Met-enk content in the PFC, CP, hypothalamus and hippocampus, but did not alter peptide levels in the amygdala, VTA and NAcc. These findings suggest that PEE selectively modifies behavioral parameters at PD30 and induces specific changes in Met-enk content in regions of the mesocortical and nigrostriatal pathways, the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Prenatal and postnatal ethanol actions on motor activity in adolescents could involve activation of specific neural enkephalinergic pathways.

COMTval158met polymorphism is associated with behavioral response and physiologic reactivity to socio-emotional stress in 4-month-old infants

Individual variability exists in infants’ socio-emotional stress regulation, in terms of behavioral response (i.e., negative emotionality) as well as magnitude and direction (i.e., increase or decrease) of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity (i.e., salivary cortisol post-stress concentration). The catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphism at codon 158 (COMTval158met) associates with stress regulation, but no evidence exists for infants. This study aimed to assess the association between COMTval158met and both negative emotionality and salivary cortisol reactivity to socio-emotional stress in 4-month-old infants. Sixty-nine infants were exposed to the Face-to-Face Still-Face (FFSF) paradigm. During the FFSF paradigm, socio-emotional stress is elicited by experimental manipulation of maternal responsiveness (i.e., Still-Face episode). A double-exposure FFSF with two Still-Face episodes was used to evaluate both behavioral response and HPA axis reactivity. Negative emotionality was 1-s microanalytically coded. Magnitude (i.e., area under the curve, AUC) and Direction (increase vs. decrease) of salivary cortisol post-stress concentration were assessed. COMTval158met genotype was categorized as val-homozygotes and met-carriers. Compared to val-homozygotes, met-carriers showed higher negative emotionality during the second Still-Face episode. AUC was greater in increaser met-carriers compared to val-homozygous infants. In addition, in the presence of an increasing HPA response, the met allele emerged as a specific risk condition in the face of repeated stress exposures. The present findings further extend previous studies conducted with children and adults suggesting that the COMT met allele might be involved in stress regulation during early infancy, especially in response to repeated socio-emotional stress exposure.

Effect of Lamaze Method on Child Birth Experiences among Primi Gravid Women During First Stage of Labour in a Selected Hospital of Udupi

Background : Childbirth is a normal life event, yet women are exposed to a significant amount of stress. Many mothers may also experience unnecessary distress and anxiety simply because they did not anticipate or did not know about the normal physical and psychological upheavals that are integral to the childbearing process. In India, child birth preparation is still less of a formality. Pregnant women in general and first-time mothers in particular require a vast amount of information. The Lamaze is such a child birth education method that teaches that birth is a normal, natural, and healthy process and that woman should be empowered to approach it with confidence. Nursing interventions can change perceptions of childbirth experience; even for an unprepared couple. Therefore it is important that the nurse midwife understand the support and teaching roles in child birth education. Here the nurse midwife educates women about the ways they can decrease their perception of pain, such as through relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, distraction, or massage. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Lamaze method on child birth experiences among primi gravid women in first stage of labour. Objectives of The Study : The objectives of the study were to: to find the effect of Lamaze method on child birth experiences among gravid women in terms of labour pain measured using visual analogue scale in experimental group and control group-to find the effect of Lamaze method on child birth experiences among gravid women in terms of behavioral responses as measured using observational check list in experimental and control group. -to find the difference in child birth experiences of gravid women in terms of labour pain in experimental and control group.-to find the difference child birth experiences of gravid women in terms of behavioral responses of experimental and control group. Method : A quasi-experimental time series nonequivalent control group design was used for the present study. Sample consisted of 30 primigravid mothers in the first stage of labour who met the inclusion criteria. They were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control group (n=15 in each group). Tools used were baseline characteristics of the mother, numerical pain rating scale to assess the labour pain and a structured observation checklist to assess the behavioural responses of the primigravid women during first stage of labour. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results : The results reveal that the mean scores of labour pain of primigravid women in the first stage of labour in experimental group (2.4,3.86, 7.733) are less than those in control group (4.4, 6.33, 8.633) in all phases (latent, active, transient) respectively. The 't'value computed in all phases ('t' (28) =1.700 at 5% level) shows that there is a significant difference in the labour pains of primigravid women in the first stage of labour in all phases. In the present study most of the women (93.3%) in the experimental group had a high positive behavioral response and only 6.7% of the women had a positive behavioral response. All women belonged to the control group had a positive behavioral response. The results reveal that the mean scores of behavioural responses of primigravid women in the first stage of labour in experimental group were (102.47, 94.07) are higher than those in control group (78.53, 74.6) in both the areas (during contractions and in between contractions).The 't'value computed in two areas ('t' (28) =1.700 at 5% level) shows that there is a significant difference in the behavioural responses of primigravid women in the first stage of labour in both the areas. Interpretation : Lamaze method is effective in improving the child birth experience in terms of labour pain and behavioural responses of primigravid women during the first stage of labour. Conclusion : The findings of the study suggest Lamaze method is very effective for the primigravid to reduce the labour pain and improve their behaviors in a positive way during labour and to have a pleasurable childbirth experience.

Analysis of the cognitive properties of neural systems based on biofeedback

Problems of cognitive system reengineering, i.e., the development of devices with cognitive properties on the basis of their biological prototypes, cannot be solved without understanding the basic features of the architecture of biological systems, information properties, and molecular organization of the primitive units forming the architecture: nerve cells. The construction of learning models makes it possible to study the activity of individual cells, not only in terms of behavioral responses to natural stimuli but also in experiments on isolated preparations with excitation of peripheral bodies and isolated cell structures. The software-tool complex NeuroFeedBack was developed; it includes a system of living neurons and a neurocomputer interface feedback. The complex provides the reception and processing of input signals from neurons, their visualization and storage, as well as the generation of output reinforcing stimuli applied to the neurons. Analysis of the functional activity of neurons of the right parietal ganglion of the Lymnaea stagnalis mollusk was performed with the complex in three models of reinforcement. It was shown that optimization of neural activity occurred under conditions of biofeedback, allowing the neuron to minimize the quantity of the reinforcing stimuli. The results provided grounds for the design of a hybrid robotic system in which living neural systems using a neurocomputer interface could solve navigation tasks, controlling a real-time mechanoelectronical device operating in a real environment. In the experiment, the use of the proposed programs of hybrid reinforcements allowed the robot to find a glowing light bulb and reach it in a few minutes.

The prevalence of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder in neonates referred from the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme in Avon (Greater Bristol Area)

ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of ANSD in the NICU population in Avon. To characterise initial test results and eventual outcomes in terms of behavioural responses and treatment received for children with ANSD.MethodsData was collected from the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme database to determine the number of babies with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. eSP and audiological paper records were reviewed to determine the number of babies diagnosed with ANSD, their behavioural hearing thresholds and how the babies were managed.ResultsThe average incidence of congenital bilateral sensori-neural loss in Avon was 1.53 per 1000 births (range 1.03 to 1.94 per 1000 births); the average incidence of ANSD was 0.24 per 1000 births (range 0 to 0.52 per 1000 births). Over a period of 8 years, 21 out of 134 (15.7%) children identified with abnormal air and bone conduction ABR thresholds were diagnosed with ANSD. It is not possible to predict the eventual audiogram from the initial test results when ANSD is diagnosed.DiscussionANSD is an uncommon condition in newborn babies. These children with ANSD are highly likely to have a hearing loss of some degree.

Hearing Sensitivity of the Walleye Pollock

AbstractThe hearing abilities of three age‐groups (which correspond to size‐classes) of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma were determined from auditory evoked potentials. Walleye pollock had the best hearing sensitivity from 100 to 200 Hz, with thresholds around 75 dB re: 1 μPa. Hearing sensitivity decreased with increasing frequency up to 450 Hz. There was no significant difference in hearing sensitivity between the age‐groups, although there was a significant interaction between frequency and age as well as a trend in which the older fish had slightly lower mean thresholds. At the same time, there was a substantial increase in the size of the saccular otolith and associated sensory epithelia of the inner ear, suggesting that a large increase in ear size does not lead to a large change in hearing sensitivity. In addition, there was an effect of water temperature on the hearing thresholds at 350 Hz, whereby each degree of temperature (°C) increase resulted in an 8.3‐dB decrease in hearing threshold. The results suggest that the hearing thresholds of walleye pollock are generally similar to those of other gadid fishes. This knowledge can be used to evaluate the potential impact, in terms of behavioral responses or physiological effects, that various human‐generated sounds (e.g., seismic survey and underwater radiated vessel noise) may have on this species.

Field Tests of Synthetic Sex Pheromone of the Apple Leafminer Moth, Phyllonorycter ringoniella

The apple leafminer moth, Phyllonorycter ringoniella, is becoming a more serious insect pest on apple trees with four to five generations a year in Korea. In order to devise a forecasting method for more accurate estimation of their numbers and development timing, the sex attractant was studied. Various ratios, from 10:0 to 0:10, of the two components, (Z)-10-tetradecenyl acetate (Z10–14:Ac) and (E,Z)-4,10-tetradecadienyl acetate (E4,Z10–14:Ac), identified from the sex pheromone gland (Jung and Boo, 1997), were tested for attractivity in terms of behavioral response (taxis, approach, and landing) against P. ringoniella males in a wind tunnel. The lure with Z10–14:Ac/E4,Z10–14:Ac in a ratio of 4:6 elicited the highest response in two (taxis and approach) measurement categories. For eliciting landing behavior, the two blends of 5:5 and 4:6 were best. The single component, Z10–14:Ac, elicited taxis behavior, but a combination of two chemicals was needed for eliciting all three behaviors. In the field, male attraction to various lure mixtures in Pherocon IC traps was usually greater than attraction to virgin females. The best field activity was in the lure baited with a 4:6 ratio of Z10–14:Ac and E4,Z10–14:Ac. Similar results were obtained from tests conducted in a net house. This optimum ratio for attracting P. ringoniella males in Korea is different from those reported in Japan (10:3) or China (7:3 to 6:4). The isomer E10–14:Ac neither improved nor depressed the number of catches when added at up to 10% of the total mixture to lures of the two components in the 4:6 ratio. The attractivity of the lures increased with higher amounts of the pheromones, up to 10 μg in the wind-tunnel experiment and 5 mg in the apple orchard. The number of males captured was not significantly different among traps installed at 0.3, 1.5, or 2 m above the ground, or among wing, delta, or water traps. A rubber septum dispenser impregnated with 1 mg of the 4:6 mixture maintained its field attractivity for up to eight weeks.

Electrical head-only stunning of fallow deer (Dama dama)

Abstract We recently published a paper(1) documenting the success of head-only electrical stunning in red deer (Cervus elaphus). This work has now been extended to fallow deer (Dama dama) to determine whether there are differences between this species and red deer in terms of behavioural responses and effectiveness of electrical stunning.

Cortical refractoriness to N-methyl- d, l-aspartic acid (NMA) stimulation in the lactating rat: recovery after pup removal and blockade of progesterone receptors

We have previously reported that lactating rats, unlike cycling rats, are refractory to N-methyl- d,l-aspartic acid (NMA), but not kainate, in terms of behavioral responses and activation of cFos expression in the neocortex and hippocampus. To study the factors involved in the suppression of cortical activation in lactating rats in response to NMA, we examined the effects of removing either the suckling stimulus and/or progesterone. The degree of cFos expression was used as a marker for cortical activation. Whereas control suckled animals exhibited little or no cFos activation in the piriform cortex in response to NMA, cycling rats showed a high degree of activation. Blockade of the effects of progesterone or removal of the pups for 24 h, resulted in a moderate level of cFos intensity in response to NMA. Total recovery was observed only in animals who had their pups removed for 24 h and the effects of progesterone were blockad. In general, similar results were obtained in the hippocampus except that the total recovery of hippocampal activation took longer than the cortex. Thus, the deficits in cortical activation depend on the presence of both the suckling stimulus and progesterone. However, progesteron alone cannot induced these cortical deficits since pregnant rats showed no deficits in cortical activation in response to NMA when compared to cycling rats. Therefore, the suckling stimulus is required for the inhibition of NMDA-receptor mediated activation of the cortex and hippocampus. The effects of progesterone appear to act synergistically with the effects of suckling.

Assessment of the impact of simulated acid rain and alkaline effluent discharge on pond biota with respect to larvae of AmphibianRana tigrina

The metamorphosing tadpoles of amphibian Rana tigrina were grown in simulated environments of urban ponds perturbed or unperturbed by acid rain and alkaline wastewater. The impacts were studied in terms of behavioural responses, food consumption, growth, and computer‐aided mortality analysis. The studies reveal that the pH range of 6.5–9.0 recommended by regulatory agencies, such as United States Environmental Protection Agency for the protection of aquatic life in water bodies receiving acidic or alkaline pollutants, is only partially adequate; the upper limit of pH 9.0 appears too liberal and may need to be lowered. The pH standards for irrigation and domestic waters may also need revision.