Undesirable Behavior Research Articles

Here Puppy, Chew on This: Short-Term Provision of Toys Does Not Improve Welfare in Companion Dogs.

Retail dog toys are often provided to companion animals to provide cognitive and physical stimu- lation and improve the animals' quality of life. These toys, sometimes known as "enrichment toys", have been shown to play a role in increasing appetite and activity levels and decreasing undesirable behaviors (e.g., barking, self-isolating behaviors) in some domestic dog (Canis familiaris) populations. In this study, we evaluate the effect of toys on appetite, activity levels, and positive affective states as measures of well- being in companion dogs. Behaviors were compared before and after regular interactions with different types of toys over twelve days. We found that provisioning companion dogs with toys did not significantly alter their activity level, rate of food consumption, or cognitive bias. While dogs who received more complex toys showed a slightly improved cognitive bias, there were no significant differences in behaviors be- tween the subjects who received "less complex" toys (e.g., a bone, ball) and "more complex" toys (e.g., puzzle toys). We conclude with reflections on the relevance of our subject population to the result seen, and on the different forms of the cognitive bias test.

College Students Academic Procrastination Behavior and Its Impact on Academic Performance

Procrastination behaviors become more and more common among the college student population. Procrastination behaviors include being late to class, not completing tasks assigned by teachers on time, not having a clear study time plan, or making a hasty last-minute effort. The reason for procrastination is to some extent due to less supervision by teachers and parents. Therefore, research on academic procrastination among college students and on effective interventions to correct this undesirable behavior is currently the focus of educational studies. Based on this phenomenon, this paper conducted a questionnaire survey and an in-depth interview to investigate the local undergraduate university, Qingdao Agricultural University, as an example. This paper investigated the differences in study procrastination behavior among gender and grade levels and the influence of study procrastination behavior on college studentsacademic performance. The findings revealed that there was no discernible variation in the study procrastination behaviors of college students in local undergraduate institutions in terms of gender. According to grade level, the third year of college had the greatest level of procrastination, and the fourth year of college had the lowest level, according to grade level. In addition, there was a good correlation existed between academic procrastination behavior and academic performance. The primary causes for procrastination were students lack of interest in the task itself and their poor self-control. In all, this study provides preliminary evidence for future educational practices targeting procrastination.

Twisted string actuation through a conduit: Undesirable behaviors and pre-twist effects

Twisted string actuation through a conduit enhances flexibility, one of the most important features of twisted string actuators (TSAs). It allows power transmission remotely along an arbitrary curved surface, such as the human body Exosuit, while avoiding interference with the natural movement of the wearer. However, TSAs on guided sliding surfaces or inside conduits have not been extensively investigated. This study experimentally investigates TSAs inside a conduit and its undesirable behaviors, namely, pullback and chatter and their causes. Furthermore, this paper proposes a pre-twist method to overcome undesirable behaviors by introducing a certain amount of advanced twists as an initial condition to compensate for any opposite directional twist. Also, investigated the relationship between the required amount of pre-twist and string parameters (radius, length, and stroke) and external conditions (deflection angle and external load). Finally, an online-required pre-twist estimation method is proposed to minimize the performance loss due to the present pre-twist. In addition, the feasibility of these approaches is validated through an experimental comparison study.

The Social Lives of Veiled Women: Exploring Religious Identity and Modern Society's Reactions

The primary objective of this study is to investigate and gain a comprehensive understanding of the social experiences of women who wear the veil in their everyday lives. The study seeks to achieve two key objectives: first, to discern the motivations driving women to wear the veil, and second, to examine the social dynamics governing their utilization of the veil in daily life. Employing a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach, data collection was carried out through interviews and observations. The findings of this study shed light on the diverse motivations that drive veiled career women to wear the veil. These motivations are rooted in various causal factors, including experiences of disturbance, societal influences, concerns, and familial issues. The overarching objective for these women is to fortify their faith and safeguard themselves against undesirable behaviors. Moreover, the study reveals that the veil holds multiple meanings for career women who wear it, such as serving as reminders, protective elements, expressions of gratitude, symbols of communication, obligations, and even challenges. The dynamics of communication among women who wear the veil, as explored in this study, encompass interactions with their immediate environment, their social circles, and communication within the workplace. These interactions elicit a spectrum of responses and reactions, ranging from rejection and alienation to serving as role models and sources of inspiration for others considering the practice of wearing the veil. This research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of motives, meanings, and social interactions surrounding the practice of veiling among career women

Male Adolescents with Mild Intellectual Disabilities: Normative Sexual Development and Factors Associated with Sexual Risks

This study aimed to (1) describe male mildly intellectually disabled (MID) adolescents’ general romantic and sexual development, education experience with topics on sexuality and relationships, and frequency of undesirable sexual behaviors and experiences; and (2) explore how sexuality related attitudes, self-esteem, sexual knowledge, and resilience to peer pressure link to MID male adolescents’ sexual and dating violence (SDV) perpetration, SDV victimization and sexual risk behavior. We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial on a program for psychosexual health promotion and prevention of undesirable sexual experiences for MID male adolescents (N = 120, Mage = 15.03 years), assessed with self-report questionnaires. We examined cross-sectional associations with correlations and (logistic) regression analyses between sexuality-related attitudes, global self-esteem, sexual knowledge, and resilience to peer pressure with SDV perpetration, SDV victimization and behavioral intentions following sexual rejection. Results indicated that male MID adolescents were romantically and sexually active, and reported unsafe sex, 47.7% experienced SDV perpetration and 33.9% victimization. Positive attitudes towards dating violence were associated with having experienced both SDV perpetration and victimization, and more adherence to heterosexual double standards was related to more negative and fewer positive behavioral intentions upon sexual rejection. Participants who experienced SDV victimization had more sexual knowledge. Self-esteem and resilience to peer pressure were unrelated to SDV. Concluding, male MID adolescents are similarly sexually active to the general population but may need more guidance in the form of timely, tailored prevention and education. We provide concrete suggestions such as focusing on changing attitudes and practicing skills.

Safety and COLREG evaluation for marine collision avoidance algorithms

Verification is a necessary step in system development, so too for autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs). However, formal and analytical verification methods are not well suited for such highly complex systems. Simulation-based testing has therefore been proposed as a viable approach. This would require numerous simulations to be performed and evaluated, raising the need for automatic evaluation.An important assessment measure with regards to ASV safety, is the degree of International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG) compliance. One important aspect of these rules is vessel behavior in situations where a risk of collision with other vessels is present.This paper presents a comprehensive method for automatic evaluation of collision avoidance maneuvers in terms of safety and compliance with a subset of the COLREG steering and sailing rules. The rules are formulated as mathematical expressions, and insight is given into the authors’ interpretation of the rules through the choice of values for parameters and weights. Results from simulated encounters and from encounters between vessels in normal operation show the method’s capability to correctly identify situations and detect and penalize undesired behaviors. They also evoke the need for more research into how to interpret the COLREG in terms of angles, velocities, and distance between vessels.

Beyond behavior: the penitence congruity effect among children

The penitence congruity effect observed in adults suggests that people may assess wrongdoers more leniently when they exhibit guilt and deontological beliefs. It means that judgments about one’s morality are influenced not only by their actions but also by their expressed moral emotions and beliefs. To determine whether children also exhibit this effect, we studied N = 250 children aged 10 and 11. We presented them with six vignettes: four depicting morally questionable actions (cheating on an exam, lying about homework, fighting with another student, stealing money found in a school hallway) and two displaying socially undesirable behaviors (attending school in pajamas, being late to school). Children also received information about the wrongdoer’s emotions (presence or absence of guilt) and beliefs (deontological stance or its absence) or were provided with no additional information on emotions or beliefs. Participants were then asked to assess a wrongdoer’s morality for each story. Our findings not only confirm the presence of the penitence congruity effect in children but also demonstrate its applicability to non-conventional behaviors. Specifically, when a wrongdoer expresses guilt and acknowledges wrongdoing, children are more lenient in their evaluations than in the control condition when no insights into the wrongdoer’s emotions or beliefs are provided. The results align with the person-centered theory, which posits that individuals assess overall character rather than isolated actions, considering all available information about the person in question. The findings hold potential applications, e.g., in moral education.

An Analytic Investigation of Hopf Bifurcation Location Control for the Rulkov Map Model

From the point of view of nonlinear dynamical systems, some neurological disorders can be indicated by bifurcations because bifurcations change the firing patterns of neurons; therefore, it is essential to control the bifurcations. We can avoid undesirable dynamical behaviors such as the behaviors of the Rulkov map model by controlling bifurcation which, then, can assist in modeling neuronal diseases. In this paper, we investigate the existence of Hopf bifurcation and analytically identify the type of bifurcation for the Rulkov map model; then, we apply a dynamic feedback controller using a washout filter to control the onset of Hopf bifurcation. Also, we can control the behaviors of the neurons, such as spiking or spiking-bursting behavior of neurons, and create the Hopf bifurcation for some parameters. The results analytically obtained in this paper can be applied to control some epileptic seizures.

VSD를 활용한 협력적 팀 중심의 AAC 중재가 자폐 범주성 장애 초등학생의 통합학급 수업참여도 및 의사소통 행동에 미치는 영향

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effects of a collaborative AAC intervention using VSD on integrated class participation and communication behaviors of elementary students with autism spectrum disorder.
 Methods The study participant was one elementary school student with autism spectrum disorder with complex communication needs. The tool for intervention and support plans were established through demand analysis for intervention development and diagnosis for AAC application. The independent variable was the application of cooperative VSD-based AAC intervention, and cooperative team members provided intervention at each intervention places(home, special class, integrated class).
 Results Firstly, there was an increase in desirable classroom behaviors and a decrease in undesirable classroom behaviors in the inclusive classroom participation. Secondly, positive changes were observed through interviews with participating members, including the participant's enjoyment of communication, reduction in problem behaviors, increase in spontaneous participation, increase in behaviors and speech with communication intent, and increase in expressible vocabulary. Changes in the perceptions of the participant's peers and surrounding individuals in the inclusive classroom were also observed.
 Conclusions This study holds significance as the first domestic research utilizing VSD in AAC intervention, enabling students to actively participate in class, supporting interactions peers without disability, facilitating communication with various individuals in diverse environments, allowing students to independently request a tablet PC or create VSD boards, and effectively linking individualized education objectives with the AAC intervention.

Features of social rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder, the main features of which are qualitative violations of social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as limited, repetitive, and stereotypical forms of behavior, interests, and activities. The listed development features indicate that the child needs the organization of psychosocial support, including the creation of special conditions, forms, and methods of the child’s correctional education and training, providing the necessary assistance to the family. The problem of children with ASD in Russia is aggravated by the fact that rehabilitation and pedagogical support for such children is not available as far as is necessary. Insufficient number of specialized institutions, lack of specialists, and inefficient implementation of inclusion — all this reduces the chances of such children to receive effective affordable rehabilitation and quality education. Such rehabilitation requires a permanent system, a special approach applied in all areas of this rehabilitation: social, physical, psychological, etc. In the rehabilitation of children with ASD, the programs are considered effective when they include a set of measures aimed at behavioral correction and prevention of undesirable behavior of the child; methods that develop verbal communication skills and teach social interaction; methods that also allow developing physical abilities, especially coordination and spatial orientation.

LOCAL WISDOM AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ENDEAVOR IN SELALEJO VILLAGE AND EAST SELALEJO VILLAGE, MAUPONGGO DISTRICT, NAGEKEO REGENCY

The indigenous community of Selalejo possesses a local wisdom known as "Tanda," which proves highly effective in the preservation of the environment. "Tanda" signifies the act of providing symbols or codes in the form of young palm leaf shoots, primarily attached to trees at specific locations along with the jawbone of a pig, after its meat has been consumed during a customary ritual signifying the commencement of indigenous law related to "Tanda”. Through the presence of "Tanda," the environment, including land, forests, plantation crops, and crops, is safeguarded from logging, harm, and the threat of looting or theft through the symbolic messages conveyed by the arrangement of leaves and pig jawbones hung on these trees. The philosophical foundation of "Tanda" is rooted in the idea that humans and the natural environment are inseparable entities. This connection is grounded in the belief that the earth and water constitute the body and blood of humanity, which manifest in the form of a mother (Mother Earth) upon which all plants and vegetation thrive. Moreover, various religions hold the view that the entire universe (earth, water, and the life upon it) is the creation of God. Human beings are entrusted with the responsibility of stewardship, which entails safeguarding, preserving, and managing these resources in a responsible and non-arbitrary manner. The existence of the "Tanda" customary law within the indigenous community of Selalejo serves as a social control mechanism and a tool for social engineering aimed at transforming undesirable behaviors related to irresponsible and arbitrary resource utilization. In cases of violations of the "Tanda" customary law, enforcement is carried out by traditional institutions.

Prevalence and severity of anxiety symptoms among family members of nyaope users in Tshwane, South Africa.

Nyaope is a strongly addictive novel psychoactive substance that is commonly used in predominantly black townships in South Africa. The undesired behaviours of the users result in family members developing mental health challenges. Nyaope users often commit petty crimes, including stealing from families and neighbours. The aim of this study was to quantify anxiety symptoms among family members of nyaope users in Tshwane, South Africa. Data were collected from nine townships within Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The quantitative cross-sectional survey used the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) tool to quantify anxiety symptoms, and a questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data from a sample of 390 participants. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 years to 87 years, with a mean of 47 years. The mothers to the nyaope users were the biggest group at 35% (n = 138). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 73% (n = 286) of the total sample and ranged from mild (41.8, n = 163), moderate (14.62, n = 57) and severe (16.92%, n = 66). The Pearson chi-square test identified significant associations between anxiety symptoms and the gender of the participant (p = 0.001), the age of the nyaope user and the period of nyaope use (p = 0.008). Multivariate regression model indicated gender and place of residence as a significant variable in the development of anxiety symptoms (p = 0.01). Nyaope use is a risk factor for the development of anxiety for family members of nyaope users with the highest proportion reporting mild symptoms. There is a need to develop interventions for mental health support for families of nyaope users.

A new cyber-security approach for load frequency control of hybrid interconnected renewable power systems

Countries worldwide are embracing the trend toward smart grids, depending on advanced technology and communication networks. However, the smart grid is more vulnerable to cyberattacks than its traditional counterpart, especially the false data injection attack (FDIA), which aims to add false data into the transmitted signals to cause undesirable behavior. This article proposes a new scheme to detect and estimate the FDIA on load frequency control (LFC) of modern interconnected power systems considering renewable energy sources (RESs) and high voltage direct current (HVDC) link. The proposed scheme is based on the Kalman filter (KF) and artificial neural networks (ANNs). The KF is used to detect the FDIA in the transmitted system signals and indicates the possibility of an attack in each transmitted signal, where the role of ANNs is to estimate the transmitted signal before attacking. Hence, based on KF and ANNs, the proposed scheme can ensure the detection of false data and remove the attack simultaneously. The proposed cyber-security scheme is considered a thorough solution that can effectively reduce the impact of the FDIA on any of the four transmitted signals within the two-area interconnected power system, all while simulating the virtual inertia control strategy. The simulation results of the studied low-inertia interconnected power system are carried out using MATLAB/Simulink® software. The simulation results successfully demonstrate the proposed scheme's efficacy, accuracy, and acceptability to detect and eliminate the FDIA on the LFC of low-inertia interconnected power grids.

Congestion management in electricity distribution networks: Smart tariffs, local markets and direct control

Increasing peaks from high-power loads such as EVs and heat pumps lead to congestion of electric distribution grids. The inherent flexibility of these loads could be used to resolve congestion events. Possible options for this are smart network tariffs, market-based approaches, and direct control of flexible loads by the network operator. In most instances, these approaches are looked at in isolation, without considering potential connections and trade-offs between them. In this contribution, we aim to bridge this gap by presenting an overarching design framework for congestion management mechanisms. We classify proposals based on design choices and qualitatively discuss their benefits and risks based on an extensive literature analysis. As there is no one-size-fits-all solution, we map possible risks and discuss the pros and cons of different mechanisms for various problem types. We caution against using market-based mechanisms for local congestion, as they can be susceptible to undesired strategic behavior of market actors.

Undesirable Knowledge Behaviours and Task Conflict in Hospitals: Effects on Quality of Care

Knowledge management systems in the healthcare context are designed to facilitate knowledge flows and to integrate ways of capturing, leveraging, and sharing knowledge effectively. However, knowledge management implementation is often challenging and driven by the complex and multifaceted nature of healthcare knowledge, albeit related to high performance healthcare outcomes. The social nature of knowledge brings forth additional complexities and managerial challenges that can be related to individual undesirable knowledge behaviours - such as knowledge hiding and knowledge hoarding. Undesirable knowledge behaviours reflect human-based activities that jeopardize decision-making and performance by consciously and unconsciously hindering knowledge flows inside organizations. Such loss of important information can promote disagreements surrounding allocation of resources, contributing to dissonant goals and perspectives that shape task conflict. To that end, the purpose of our work is to understand the influencing role of knowledge management systems, knowledge hoarding, knowledge hiding and task conflict as contributors shaping quality of care in hospitals. We follow a quantitative approach, using partial least-squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the relationships between variables from our original empirical model. Research data comes after a survey conducted to 318 healthcare professionals working in Portuguese hospitals. Main findings show that knowledge management systems positively contribute to knowledge hoarding behaviour, while also presenting a positive influence on the quality of care provided by the hospital. Additionally, knowledge management systems are negatively related to the existence of task conflict between healthcare professionals. Conversely, results show that knowledge hiding is positively related to task conflict–being the latter a negative predictor of quality of care. Moreover, results show that knowledge hoarding positively affects quality of care. Our research offers an original contribution to healthcare management by providing insight on the influence of knowledge related systems and behaviours and their influence on the quality of care provided by healthcare professionals. Theoretical and practical contributions driving future action and research are presented.

Actuator fault-tolerant control for discrete Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems using the matrices norms approach

The apparition of faults is a well-known phenomenon in automatic control systems. Faults cause undesired behaviour and disruption of a controlled plant, which can lead to damage. This article addresses the actuator fault problem for nonlinear systems described by a discrete time Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy systems. An active fault-tolerant control based on a fault estimator is designed using the matrices norms approach instead of the usual Lyapunov stability theory. In this work, we consider the case where the premise variables do not depend on the unmeasurable variables. This allows the separate design of the gains of the controller, the observer and the estimator. Two nonlinear systems represented by discrete Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy models are studied to investigate the validity of the proposed method.

Can diet impress horse behaviour?

Along with domestication, various changes in nutrition and digestion have occurred in horses as well as in all species. Our review aims to compile existing studies examining the role of nutrition and digestion in the emergence of undesirable behaviours in domestic horses. The success achieved in species with high adaptability has not been sustained by the change in breeding purposes over the years. Welfare, defined as the physical and mental health of animals. The responses of animals to various stimuli are defined as behaviour. Since the behaviour of animals plays a primary role in monitoring welfare, studies on animal behaviour have intensified. The development of undesirable behaviours complicates the care and management practices and negatively affects the welfare of the animals in the following periods, resulting in negative consequences for both the animal and its environment. Stereotypes, which are among the unwanted behaviours and exhibited in the form of purposeless, repetitive movements, are one of the biggest behavioural problems of horse breeding. Oral stereotypes impede food intake, locomotor stereotypes impede mobility and are instrumental in the emergence of chronic and more complex health problems. Other undesirable behaviours may also harm the horse's keeper and other horses kept together in the same box, resulting in serious injury. It is known that nutrition and nutrients affect the development of undesirable behaviours in horses. It is known that anticipatory behaviour creates a basis for repetitive behaviours as a result of inhibition when feeding time and nutrient content are out of preference or insufficient. The effect of nutrition and nutrient content on the emergence of stereotypes and undesirable behaviours has not been fully addressed and the subject remains up-to-date. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief discussion of studies conducted to assess the effect of nutritional imbalances on stereotypic behaviour in horses. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were applied to the review using systematic review rules.

Understanding canine aggression: Neurobiological insights for a complex behavior

The relationship between humans and dogs, as the first domesticated animals, exemplifies a significant aspect of human-animal interaction. During domestication, dogs have undergone behavioral changes to establish closer bonds with humans. However, certain dogs face challenges in fully adapting to their new environment, leading to behavioral disorders such as aggression. One of the most prevalent and dangerous behavioral problems in dogs is aggression, which poses risks to both humans and the dogs themselves, sometimes resulting in euthanasia. Canine aggression can arise from various medical and non-medical factors, including physical problems, endocrine system disorders, infectious diseases, central nervous system diseases, hereditary conditions, as well as racial or personal differences. Evaluating aggression based solely on species, breed, and sex characteristics is insufficient. Accurate diagnosis of aggressive behavior requires integrating findings from diverse diagnostic methods, including serum biochemistry, hormone analysis, urinalysis, electroencephalography, radiography, magnetic resonance tests, and behavioral assessments. However, to gain a comprehensive understanding of canine aggression, it is essential to consider the underlying pathophysiological processes and neurobiology. The management of aggressive behavior in dogs necessitates the implementation of diverse treatment strategies aimed at preventing the manifestation of undesirable behaviors. Within the realm of medical interventions, neutering and pharmacotherapy have emerged as prominent approaches. Neutering has shown effectiveness in mitigating aggression among dogs exhibiting aggressive tendencies. On the other hand, pharmacotherapy involves the utilization of complementary and suppressive pharmacological agents that target primary and intermediate components within the mechanisms underlying aggression. These components encompass neurotransmitter/neuromodulator substances, peptides, enzymes, and hormones, all of which contribute to the pathophysiological processes of aggression. Through the modulation of these factors, pharmacotherapy seeks to offer a comprehensive treatment approach for addressing aggressive behavior in dogs. This review aims to investigate the neurobiological basis of aggression in dogs, considering the underlying pathophysiological processes and the role of neurotransmitter/neuromodulator substances, neuropeptides, peptides, enzyme systems, and hormones. Accurate diagnosis and understanding of canine aggression are crucial for the development of effective medical and alternative treatment methods.

Terrain Classification for a Quadrupedal Robot Using Proprioceptive Sensing

Quadrupedal robots can traverse a wider range of terrain types than their wheeled counterparts, but these robots do not perform the same on all terrain types. These robots are prone to undesirable behaviours like sinking and slipping on challenging terrain. To combat this issue, we can implement a terrain classifier and use the output to compute the best path for the robot to navigate. The work presented here is a terrain classifier developed for a Boston Dynamics Spot robot. The quadruped provides us with over 104 measured signals describing the position and speed of the robot and each of its four legs. The developed terrain classifier combines dimensionality reduction techniques to extract the relevant information from the signals and then applies a classification technique to differentiate terrain based on traversability. The resulting terrain classifier can identify three different terrain types with an accuracy of 93%. Ongoing work aims to get the classifier running in real time and generate cost maps to inform future path planning.

On the Certification of the Kinematics of 3-DOF Spherical Parallel Manipulators

This paper aims to study a specific kind of parallel robot: Spherical Parallel Manipulators (SPM) that are capable of unlimited rolling. A focus is made on the kinematics of such mechanisms, especially taking into account uncertainties (e.g. on conception & fabrication parameters, measures) and their propagations. Such considerations are crucial if we want to control our robot correctly without any undesirable behavior in its workspace (e.g. effects of singularities). In this paper, we will consider two different approaches to study the kinematics and the singularities of the robot of interest: symbolic and semi-numerical. By doing so, we can compute a singularity-free zone in the work- and joint spaces, considering given uncertainties on the parameters. In this zone, we can use any control law to inertially stabilize the upper platform of the robot.