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Manual Reaction Time measures have been widely used to study interactions between perceptual, cognitive, and motor functions. The Stimulus-Response Compatibility is a phenomenon characterized through faster Manual Reaction Times when stimuli and response locations coincide (correspondent condition) than when they are on different sides (noncorrespondent condition). The present study adapted a protocol to study if the Stimulus-Response Compatibility effect can be detected during a virtual combat simulation. Twenty-seven participants were instructed to defend themselves by clicking a key in order to block the presented punch. Videos of two fighters were used, granting two types of basic strokes: the back fist, a punch performed with the dorsal part of the fighter's hand, starting at the opposite side to which it is directed; and the hook punch, performed with a clenched fist starting and finishing ipsilaterally. The Manual Reaction Times were different between the correspondent and noncorrespondent conditions. F(1, 26) = 9.925; p < .004; η² = .276. with an Stimulus-Response Compatibility effect of 72 ms. Errors were also different, F(1, 26) = 23.199; p < .001; η² = .472. between the correspondent (13%) and the noncorrespondent conditions (23%). The study concluded that spatial codes presented at the beginning of the punch movement perception substantially influenced the response execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Remaining immobile for an unpredictable period after being touched by a potential predator (post‐contact immobility, PCI) may favor survival. However, the factors that determine variation in PCI duration are poorly understood. We tested whether PCI duration depends on the surrounding conspecific density (the selfish prey hypothesis) in the tropical antlion larvae Myrmeleon crudelis. These insects avoid predation by being immobile or burying themselves. The selfish prey hypothesis predicts a reduction in the PCI duration as conspecific density increases because this high density of conspecifics around can stimulate the redirection of the predator's interest in other nearby potential prey. In the field, we measured PCI and found that its duration was independent of the conspecific density. In the lab, we also measured the PCI of a subset of the same larvae in the absence of neighbors. Using a paired design, we found that PCI duration was lower in the lab in the absence of neighbors than in the field. Our results suggest that the antlion larvae did not follow the selfish prey hypothesis. We propose two alternative explanations. First, the larvae have a limited ability to detect neighbors in the field and keep up with the changing number of surrounding active pits. Second, burying may be more important than PCI as an antipredator strategy. In our lab experiment, larvae had a more accurate idea of the conspecific density around their pit because they explored the area. We propose that knowing the absence of conspecifics triggered a shorter PCI duration. Under a high predation risk (i.e., no other prey to which the predator would redirect its attention), the larvae select the unequivocal antipredator behavior of burying. This work illustrates the relevance of accurate information in deciding how to avoid predation, especially when prey can prioritize between alternative behaviors, with success varying between the contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents empirical research about the defensive behavior of air pollution, that is, health insurance purchases. Using transaction-level data from a large insurance company, covering more than half a million insurance contracts from nineteen cities in China from 2014 to 2018, we empirically imply that an increase of 10% in AQI leads to a 0.37% uptick in the number of daily sales of health insurance contracts by the company within the city. The effect is non-linear and is more pronounced when the AQI exceeds 200. Besides, the defensive cost for a one-unit increase in AQI accounts for around 1.70% of individual income annually. We demonstrate that the positive impact of air pollution on health insurance purchases is primarily driven by health management awareness and social interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Celia Harding's book on the superego, which explores the relevance of this concept in contemporary analytic practice. The book is divided into three sections, covering theoretical, developmental, and clinical aspects of the superego. Various contributors examine different perspectives on the superego, including its impact on individuals' sense of self, morality, and psychic growth. The article highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the superego in therapeutic settings to promote ethical thinking and agency over one's internalized judgments. [Extracted from the article]

Shedding light on the validity of sentence completion test (SCT) verbal defensiveness as an index of defensive behavior, the current two-part study examined the relationship between psychological threat and verbal defensiveness among military security and mission-critical team candidates using SCTs. Our study showed that as the threatening nature of SCT stems increased, defensive responses also increased, substantiating the link between psychological threat and defensive behavior. In addition, expert ratings of stem content revealed moderately strong relationships with defensive responses across two different SCTs, irrespective of their structural characteristics. In contrast to previous studies using total verbal defensiveness scores, we examined specific defensive response types and their associations with stem threat ratings, finding that omissions, denial, and comments about the test were linked to stem threat levels. Lastly, our study extends the application of the SCT verbal defensiveness index beyond specialized personnel selection, finding no significant differences in verbal defensiveness based on gender or military status. Overall, these findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of defensive behavior and its contextual variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerative colitis has been associated with psychological distress and an aberrant immune response. The immunomodulatory role of systemic cytokines produced during experimental intestinal inflammation in tonic immobility (TI) defensive behavior remains unknown. The present study characterized the TI defensive behavior of guinea pigs subjected to colitis induction at the acute stage and after recovery from intestinal mucosa injury. Moreover, we investigated whether inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-10, and prostaglandins) act on the mesencephalic nucleus, periaqueductal gray matter (PAG). Colitis was induced in guinea pigs by intrarectal administration of acetic acid. The TI defensive behavior, histology, cytokine production, and expression of c-FOS, IBA-1, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in PAG were evaluated. Colitis reduced the duration of TI episodes from the first day, persisting throughout the 7-day experimental period. Neuronal c-FOS immunoreactivity was augmented in both columns of the PAG (ventrolateral (vlPAG) and dorsal), but there were no changes in IBA-1 expression. Dexamethasone, infliximab, and parecoxib treatments increased the duration of TI episodes, suggesting a modulatory role of peripheral inflammatory mediators in this behavior. Immunoneutralization of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 in the vlPAG reversed all effects produced by colitis. In contrast, IL-10 neutralization further reduced the duration of TI episodes. Our results reveal that peripherally produced inflammatory mediators during colitis may modulate neuronal functioning in mesencephalic structures such as vlPAG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innate defensive behaviors are essential for species survival. While these behaviors start to develop early in an individual's life, there is still much to be understood about how they evolve with advancing age. Considering that aging is often accompanied by various cognitive and physical declines, we tested the hypothesis that innate fear behaviors and underlying cerebral mechanisms are modified by aging. In our study we investigated this hypothesis by examining how aged mice respond to a looming visual threat compared to their younger counterparts. Our findings indicate that aged mice exhibit a different fear response than young mice when facing this imminent threat. Specifically, unlike young mice, aged mice tend to predominantly display freezing behavior without seeking shelter. Interestingly, this altered behavioral response in aged mice is linked to a distinct pattern of functional brain connectivity compared to young mice. Notably, our data highlights a lack of a consistent brain activation following the fear response in aged mice, suggesting that innate defensive behaviors undergo changes with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When faced with danger, human beings respond with a repertoire of defensive behaviors, including freezing and active avoidance. Previous research has revealed a pattern of physiological responses, characterized by heart rate bradycardia, reduced visual exploration, and heightened sympathetic arousal in reaction to avoidable threats, suggesting a state of attentive immobility in humans. However, the electrocortical underpinnings of these behaviors remain largely unexplored. To investigate the visuocortical components of attentive immobility, we recorded parieto-occipital alpha activity, along with eye movements and autonomic responses, while participants awaited either an avoidable, inevitable, or no threat. To test the robustness and generalizability of our findings, we collected data from a total of 101 participants (76 females, 25 males) at two laboratories. Across sites, we observed an enhanced suppression of parieto-occipital alpha activity during avoidable threats, in contrast to inevitable or no threat trials, particularly toward the end of the trial that prompted avoidance responses. This response pattern coincided with heart rate bradycardia, centralization of gaze, and increased sympathetic arousal. Furthermore, our findings expand on previous research by revealing that the amount of alpha suppression, along with centralization of gaze, and heart rate changes predict the speed of motor responses. Collectively, these findings indicate that when individuals encounter avoidable threats, they enter a state of attentive immobility, which enhances perceptual processing and facilitates action preparation. This state appears to reflect freezing-like behavior in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals have the innate ability to select optimal defensive behaviors with appropriate intensity within specific contexts. The vomeronasal organ (VNO) serves as a primary sensory channel for detecting predator cues by relaying signals to the medial hypothalamic nuclei, particularly the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), which directly controls defensive behavioral outputs. Here, we demonstrate that cat saliva contains predator cues that signal the imminence of predator threat and modulate the intensity of freezing behavior through the VNO in mice. Cat saliva activates VNO neurons expressing the V2R-A4 subfamily of sensory receptors, and the number of VNO neurons activated in response to saliva correlates with both the freshness of saliva and the intensity of freezing behavior. Moreover, the number of VMH neurons activated by fresh, but not old, saliva positively correlates with the intensity of freezing behavior. Detailed analyses of the spatial distribution of activated neurons, as well as their overlap within the same individual mice, revealed that fresh and old saliva predominantly activate distinct neuronal populations within the VMH. Collectively, this study suggests that there is an accessory olfactory circuit in mice that is specifically tuned to time-sensitive components of cat saliva, which optimizes their defensive behavior to maximize their chance of survival according to the imminence of threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical Trial Registration Stress strongly influences the physiology and behavior of animals, and leads into a pathological condition and disease. NMDA receptors (NMDARs) play a crucial role in the modulation of neural activity. To understand the role of NMDARs in fish stress response, we used NMDARs agonist aspartate to test the functional role of its input on the Dahlgren cell population in the caudal neurosecretory system (CNSS) of the olive flounder. In addition, the effect of the NMDARs antagonist D‐AP5 on the expression of genes of the main secretory products of the CNSS after stress was investigated by using qPCR technology and the effect of the NMDARs antagonist D‐AP5 on post‐stress behavior was explored by behavioral methods. Ex vivo electrophysiological experiments showed that the NMDARs agonist aspartate enhanced the firing frequency of Dahlgren cells. Additionally, aspartate treatment increased the incidence of cells exhibiting bursting firing pattern, this result is corroborated by the observed upregulation in the expression of ion channels and major hormone genes in the CNSS. Furthermore, the excitatory influence of aspartate was effectively counteracted by NMDARs antagonist D‐AP5. Interestingly, NMDARs antagonist D‐AP5 treatment also significantly decreased the plasma cortisol levels and the expression of CRH, UI, and UII in CNSS after acute stress. Treatment with D‐AP5 effectively attenuated the stress response, as evidenced by alterations in respiratory metabolism, sand‐burying behavior, swimming distance, simulated capture, and escape response. In conclusion, modulation of Dahlgren cell excitability in the CNSS by NMDARs contributes to the regulation of the stress response, NMDARs antagonist D‐AP5 can effectively suppress stress response in flounder by regulating the stress hormone expression and secretion.Project code SHOU‐DW‐2022‐032. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most organisms are at risk of being consumed by a predator or getting infected by a parasite at some point in their life. Theoretical constructs such as the landscape of fear (perception of risk) and nonconsumptive effects (NCEs, costly responses sans predation or infection) have been proposed to describe and quantify antipredator and antiparasite responses. How prey/host species identify and respond to these risks determines their survival, reproductive success and, ultimately, fitness. Most studies to date have focused on either predator–prey or parasite–host interactions, yet habitats and ecosystems contain both parasitic and/or predatory species that represent a complex and heterogenous mosaic of risk factors. Here, we experimentally investigated the behavioral responses of a cactophilic fruit fly, Drosophila nigrospiracula, exposed to a range of species that include parasites (ectoparasitic mite), predators (jumping spiders), as well as harmless heterospecifics (nonparasitic mites, ants, and weevils). We demonstrate that D. nigrospiracula can differentiate between threat and non‐threat species, increase erratic movements and decrease velocity in the presence of parasites, but decrease erratic movements and time spent grooming in the presence of predators. Of particular importance, flies could distinguish between parasitic female mites and nonparasitic male mites of the same species, and respond accordingly. We also show that the direction of these NCEs differs when exposed to parasitic mites (i.e., risk of infection) versus spiders (i.e., risk of predation). Given the opposing effects of predation versus infection risk on fly behavior, we discuss potential trade‐offs between parasite and predator avoidance behaviors. Our findings illustrate the complexity of risk assessment in a landscape of fear and the fine‐tuned NCEs that arise in response. Moreover, this study is the first to examine these behavioral NCEs in a terrestrial system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is commonly recognized that predation and the risk of predation can have profound effects on behaviors and population ecology of prey. Comparatively, little attention has been paid to the trade-offs hosts make to manage the risk of parasitism, but there is evidence that hosts make behavioral trade-offs to avoid parasitism in ways that resemble those made by prey animals under the risk of predation. Mosquitoes are common hematophagous ectoparasites which parasitize a wide range of vertebrates, resulting in blood loss, distraction, and disease transmission. Many hosts engage in defensive behaviors to repel or kill mosquitoes and these behaviors likely come at the expense of activities such as foraging and vigilance for predators. We placed a mosquito attractant (BG-Sweetscent) and repellant (allethrin) near artificial foraging patches in areas where mosquitoes were common and measured the amount of grain left after a night of foraging (giving-up density) to investigate whether mosquitoes influenced Cotton Mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus) foraging. We predicted that in patches with mosquito attractants, mosquito harassment would cause mice to engage in defensive behaviors which would distract or deter them from foraging, resulting in less grain consumption relative to control patches. Conversely, we predicted that in mosquito-repellent patches, mice would experience less harassment, resulting in more grain consumption. Indoor arena trials found no evidence that the mosquito treatments influenced cotton mouse behavior in the absence of mosquitoes. However, we found no evidence that mosquito treatments affected giving-up densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Japanese honey bees have developed a new defensive behavior called "wing-slapping" to protect their hives from ants. This behavior involves the bees slapping the ants with their wings, which is different from the previously observed behavior of fan-blowing. The study provides new insights into the evolution of honey bee defensive behaviors. The article includes photographs that illustrate the wing-slapping behavior and its effectiveness in deterring ants from infiltrating the hive. [Extracted from the article]

The rise of biological invasions threatens biodiversity and food security, with the vespid family, including Vespa soror, being of particular concern. Our study focused on the alarm pheromone components of V. soror. By using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) chemical analyses, electroantennograms, and field bioassays, we identified 5 compounds—2‐pentanol, 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol, 2‐heptanol, 2‐nonanol (2‐N), and isopentyl acetate (IPA)—in hornet sting venom that elicited defensive behavior from hornets. IPA and 2‐N also serve as alarm pheromone components in multiple honey bee species that are important prey for V. soror. This shared chemical signaling may allow cross‐detection by each species on the other's alarm cues. While it should be advantageous for bees to detect V. soror alarm pheromone, the benefits to V. soror of using IPA and 2‐N are unclear. V. soror may manipulate bee behavior, potentially distracting defenders, because they mark victim bee colonies by rubbing their abdomens, which contain their sting glands, at bee hive entrances. Our findings pose new evolutionary questions about the role of manipulation in the arms races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, inspired by the macrophage's defensive behavior of releasing free radicals to kill bacteria and viruses, a marine antifouling coating with dynamic surfaces is prepared by precise regulation of dynamic covalent bonds. Alkyl radical (R·) derived from oxime-urethane structure attracts and disrupts microbe cell membrane and pili between intimate cells, resulting in excellent anti-biofouling effect. Moreover, the newly exposed coating then continues to break, which ultimately results in the peeling of the layers, thus making barnacles, mussels and other fouling organisms less likely to adhere. [Display omitted] • Macrophage-inspired marine antifouling coating with dynamic surfaces is prepared. • Alkyl radical (R·) derived from oxime-urethane structure offers excellent anti-fouling performance. • The newly exposed coating continues to break making it less likely that fouling organisms will adhere to it. • This study presents a novel methodology for fulfilling the technological gap of marine coatings with dynamic surface. Macrophages can kill bacteria and viruses by releasing free radicals, which provides a possible approach to construct antifouling coatings with dynamic surfaces that release free radicals if the breaking of dynamic covalent bonds is precisely regulated. Herein, inspired by the defensive behavior of macrophages of releasing free radicals to kill bacteria and viruses, a marine antifouling coating composed of polyurethane incorporating dimethylglyoxime (PU x -DMG) is prepared by precise regulation of dynamic oxime-urethane covalent bonds. The obtained alkyl radical (R·) derived from the cleavage of the oxime-urethane bonds manages to effectively suppress the attachment of marine biofouling. Moreover, the intrinsic dynamic surface makes it difficult for biofouling to adhere and ultimately achieves sustainable antifouling property. Notably, the PU 50 -DMG coating not only presents efficient antibacterial and antialgae properties, but also prevents macroorganisms from settling in the sea for up to 4 months. This provides a pioneer broad-spectrum strategy to explore the marine antifouling coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brainstem has long been recognized as the major respiratory control center, but it has become increasingly appreciated that areas upstream of the brainstem modulate respiration and airway defensive behaviors. This review aims to define the role of the amygdala, a key temporal brain region essential for limbic function, in respiration and airway defenses. We summarize literature describing roles for the amygdala in control of respiration, swallow, cough, airway smooth muscle contraction, and mucus secretion. We emphasize the need to understand how the amygdala regulates these functions both at a local scale and network scale and identify knowledge gaps for current and future investigations. Lastly, we highlight literature suggesting that amygdala dysfunction may contribute to respiratory dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The ectoparasite Macrocheles subbadius induce modified time budgets even without possible infection. • Primary parasite encounter changes host feeding and resting upon secondary encounter. • Flies groom and increase their movements in the presence of mites. • Host resting frequency is decreased in the presence of mites. • Longer exposure to mites had a greater effect than infection on host behaviour. Parasites can indirectly impact hosts through non-consumptive effects (NCEs) via changes in behaviour, morphology, and/or physiology. These responses can be understood in terms of the ecology of fear (ectoparasites) or the ecology of disgust (endoparasites) framework. We tested the hypothesis that NCEs of parasite exposure (e.g., parasite avoidance and defense) trade off with other important behaviours such as feeding and resting. We predicted that when exposed to parasites (without infection), hosts will increase their defensive behaviors at the expense of feeding. We also posited that history of exposure (without infection), or previous infection would impact the expression of these NCEs. The study system involves a cactophilic fruit fly (Drosophila nigrospiracula) and a naturally occurring parasitic mite (Macrocheles subbadius). First, we assessed how prior mite exposure affected fly behaviour in response to current parasite exposure. Mite presence resulted in increased grooming and movement, but exposure history did not affect these behaviours. However, the interaction between previous and current exposure influenced host feeding and resting behaviours. We found that previously exposed flies increased feeding and decreased resting upon a secondary mite exposure. In a second experiment, we tested the role of infection history on current parasite exposure. Compared with naïve flies, previously infected flies were expected to increase defensive behaviours upon secondary exposure. Flies increased defensive and ambulatory behaviour in the presence of mites, and consequently less time was spent resting but feeding was unaffected. None of the behaviours measured were affected by previous infection status. In general, current parasite exposure resulted in NCEs. Moreover, our results showed that previous exposure (without infection) to parasites may have an even stronger effect upon secondary exposure than infection history. Our study highlights the importance of the ecology of fear and the role that exposure and infection history plays in generating NCEs of parasitism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Features of threatening cues and the associated context influence the perceived imminence of threat and the defensive responses evoked. To provide additional knowledge about how the directionality of a threat (i.e. directed-towards or away from the viewer) might impact defensive responses in humans, participants were shown pictures of a man carrying a gun (threat) or nonlethal object (neutral) directed-away from or towards the participant. Cardiac and electrodermal responses were collected. Compared to neutral images, threatening images depicting a gun directed-towards the participant induced sustained bradycardia and an increased electrodermal response, interpreted as immobility under attack. This defensive immobility reaction is evoked by high perceived threat and inescapable situations and indicates intense action preparation. Pictures of guns directed-away from the participant induced shorter bradycardia and no significant modulation of the electrodermal response compared to neutral pictures, which might be consistent with the perception of a less threatening situation. The results show that the directionality of threat stimuli is a key factor that prompts different patterns of defensive responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken is the property of Amsterdam University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examines the inconsistent theories surrounding the roles of perceived threat and efficacy in risk communication theories, focusing on behavioral changes during a public health crisis. Utilizing a two‐wave panel survey, the research found a nuanced interaction between efficacy beliefs and risk perceptions in dictating individuals' engagement in protective or defensive behaviors. Notably, those with high risk perceptions but lower efficacy beliefs were more likely to engage in future protective behaviors, contradicting previous assumptions about the avoidance group's propensity for defensive reactions. These findings initiate a complex discussion on the dynamics of risk and efficacy perceptions influencing behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Defensive responses to threat-associated cues are commonly evaluated using conditioned freezing or suppression of operant responding. However, rats display a broad range of behaviors and shift their defensive behaviors based on immediacy of threats and context. This study aimed to systematically quantify the defensive behaviors that are triggered in response to threat-associated cues and assess whether they can accurately be identified using DeepLabCut in conjunction with SimBA. Methods: We evaluated behavioral responses to fear using the auditory fear conditioning paradigm. Observable behaviors triggered by threat-associated cues were manually scored using Ethovision XT. Subsequently, we investigated the effects of diazepam (0, 0.3, or 1 mg/kg), administered intraperitoneally before fear memory testing, to assess its anxiolytic impact on these behaviors. We then developed a DeepLabCut + SimBA workflow for ethological analysis employing a series of machine learning models. The accuracy of behavior classifications generated by this pipeline was evaluated by comparing its output scores to the manually annotated scores. Results: Our findings show that, besides conditioned suppression and freezing, rats exhibit heightened risk assessment behaviors, including sniffing, rearing, free-air whisking, and head scanning. We observed that diazepam dose-dependently mitigates these risk-assessment behaviors in both sexes, suggesting a good predictive validity of our readouts. With adequate amount of training data (approximately > 30,000 frames containing such behavior), DeepLabCut + SimBA workflow yields high accuracy with a reasonable transferability to classify well-represented behaviors in a different experimental condition. We also found that maintaining the same condition between training and evaluation data sets is recommended while developing DeepLabCut + SimBA workflow to achieve the highest accuracy. Discussion: Our findings suggest that an ethological analysis can be used to assess fear learning. With the application of DeepLabCut and SimBA, this approach provides an alternative method to decode ongoing defensive behaviors in both male and female rats for further investigation of fear-related neurobiological underpinnings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a one-year-long multi-sensor dataset collected from honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) with rich phenotypic measurements. Data were collected non-stop from April 2020 to April 2021 from 53 hives located at two apiaries in Québec, Canada. The sensor data included audio features, temperature, and relative humidity. The phenotypic measurements contained beehive population, number of brood cells (eggs, larva and pupa), Varroa destructor infestation levels, defensive and hygienic behaviors, honey yield, and winter mortality. Our study is amongst the first to combine a wide variety of phenotypic trait measurements annotated by apicultural science experts with multi-sensor data, which facilitate a broader scope of analysis. We first summarize the data collection procedure, sensor data pre-processing steps, and data composition. We then provide an overview of the phenotypic data distribution as well as a visualization of the sensor data patterns. Lastly, we showcase several hive monitoring applications based on sensor data analysis and machine learning, such as winter mortality prediction, hive population estimation, and the presence of an active and laying queen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was undertaken in Wondo genet agricultural a study conducted at a research facility between 2015 and 2017 focused on assessing the performance of Apis mellifera bandansi honey bee races. The objective was to identify and choose the most effective honey bee races based on various parameters such as defensive behavior, hygienic practices, absconding tendencies, foraging abilities, swarming patterns, and productivity in terms of hive product area. A total of thirty bee races were evaluated during the study period (30) colonies of Apis mellifera bandansii honeybee were established on station. Basic management practices were made reasonably uniform for tested colonies. The investigation indicated the races exhibited aggressive behavior, resulting in stings on the examiner, with a maximum count of up to 158±15.3 and a minimum of 60 stings on the manipulator. The distance covered by the races extended long, reaching up to 255±74.1 meters away from the entrance. The absconding percentage from a total of thirty colonies ranged from a maximum of 50% in 2015 to a minimum of 26% in 2017. The early and late foraging behavior of the colony was also documented early morning 5:30 am time foraging, whereas late foraging time was at 7:15pm pm e back to their nest in the evening. The remaining hive products were quantified in a 5x5 cm2 comb area cell over the course of the production season, with measurements taken at 21-day intervals to assess the brood area. The values obtained, expressed as the mean ± standard deviation, indicated the range from maximum to minimum for the adult, brood, pollen, nectar, and honey area in cm². 79.5±13.4 107.1±24.6, 74.41±31.3, 48.2±9.0 for year (2015), 74.5±6.5, 107.1±24.6, 48.5±16.9, 81.8±31.6 for (year, 2016) and 114.8±20.5, 96.2±17.4, 50.0±19.4 and 90.7±40.2 for (year, 2017 respectively. The Apis mellifera, typically referred to in a general sense bandansi the race demonstrates positive attributes in terms of hygienic behavior and is also efficient in maximizing honey production when subjected to appropriate management strategies. It is recommended to conduct additional research on the specification of geographical location in relation to the distribution of different races and their identification for the purpose of breed determination and enhancement. This will aid in the selection of colonies that are more suitable in terms of production efficiency, temperament, resistance to pests, parasites, and diseases, as well as foraging and absconding tendencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a new defensive behavior called "wing-slapping" exhibited by Japanese honey bees against invading ants. The study observed Japanese honey bee colonies being invaded by Japanese pavement ants and recorded the bees' defensive behaviors using a high-speed camera. The results showed that the bees slap the ants with their wings through direct contact. The study also found that the effectiveness of wing-slapping varied among different ant species. The article suggests that wing-slapping may have evolved as a low-energy defense against ant incursion, but further research is needed to understand the evolution of defensive behaviors in honey bees. The study highlights the potential risks posed by invasive ants to honey bee populations and calls for more attention to the defensive behaviors of bees against ants. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: The cactus moth is from South America and feeds on prickly pear cacti (Opuntia sp.). However, it is now present in North America and threatening the native Opuntia plants there. We are investigating a potential biological control agent, the wasp Apanteles opuntiarum, as a sustainable method to control the cactus moth population. This wasp is a larval parasitoid. We studied several aspects of A. opuntiarum reproduction and laboratory rearing. We documented the morphology of the wasp eggs and larvae. We found that A. opuntiarum prefers to lay its eggs on previously parasitized larvae compared to unparasitized larvae. We also found that exposing cactus moth larvae without the cactus and in groups of 20 larvae resulted in the highest parasitism and produced the most wasp offspring, suggesting that these factors reduced defensive behaviors of the cactus moth larvae. Understanding the wasp's preference for previously parasitized larvae and how the cactus moth larvae interact with their environment will allow us to manipulate these factors to improve wasp production in laboratory colonies. Efficient laboratory production will be critical for successful release of this wasp as a biological control for the invasive cactus moth. The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is native to South America and has been used as a biocontrol agent of Opuntia (Cactaceae) in Australia and South Africa. Its invasion in North America has raised concerns for the native Opuntia in the USA and Mexico. We investigated the reproductive biology and rearing procedures of a host-specific potential biocontrol agent, Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez and Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Given the gregarious nature of the parasitoid larvae, we studied the morphology of the immature stages and evaluated evidence of polyembryony and superparasitism. We also investigated the effects of host exposure arena and host density on parasitism rates and wasp production. The morphological descriptions provide a basis for comparison with other species. Early larval instars of A. opuntiarum are similar to other microgastrine immature stages. However, the mature larva exhibits placoid sensilla in the epistomal region, a unique character not previously reported. We provide evidence that A. opuntiarum eggs are not polyembryonic; females frequently superparasitize and have an oviposition preference for larvae parasitized 1–2 d previously. Exposing larvae of C. cactorum to wasps while inside the cactus resulted in lower parasitism and fewer offspring from each host than exposing larvae in the arena without the cactus. Parasitism and mortality rates were higher at lower host densities, possibly due to reduced host group defensive behavior. These results suggest that preference for superparasitism, host defensive behavior, and interactions with the cactus may play an important role in per-host wasp production under laboratory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to measure and compare the declarative tactical knowledge (DTK) of the total number of academy players (n = 163; 16.75 ± 2.42 years) from the seven teams that make up the men's section of a Spanish professional football club. The 'TESTACTICO for F7' tool was used to access the DTK of the participants in May 2022 (last part of the season), analysing the results obtained according to the age category (U14, U16, U19 and U23), and ensuring an adequate sample strength (f = 0.26) via G*Power. The analysis of variancewas used, through Tukey's HSD contrast test for post hoc multiple comparisons, evaluating the magnitude of the differences found by pairs of age categories through Cohen's d effect size. The macro-level comparisons between age categories evidenced differences (p ≤.017) with different effect sizes (2.17 < d > 0.55) in global, offensive and defensive scores, revealing two homogeneous groups: U14 + U16 and U19 + U23. In addition, the offensive score was higher than the defensive score in all age categories. At the meso-level, differences were found (p ≤.008) with different effect sizes (1.24 < d > 0.22) in 12 variables. At the micro-level, offensive behaviours outside of the game centre linked to depth, width and positioning, as well as defensive situations in which a tackle must be made are not declaratively dominated in any age category. It is concluded that, in a specific performance-oriented context, although the overall DTK scores are influenced by the age, different changes between age categories were verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We investigate the impact of wildfire disasters on cognitive health (i.e., thinking and language skills) in individuals aged 10 years and older using 2014 and 2018 wildfire and cognitive ability survey data from China. Methods: We distinguished wildfires in each county at different wind directions each day by exogenous wind direction changes, and analyzed the effects of wildfires on cognitive abilities through upwind and non-upwind wildfires. Results: Our analysis shows that for every 10-unit increase in upwind wildfires compared to non-upwind wildfires, respondents' scores on word and math tests decrease by 0.235 and 0.236 standard deviations, respectively. Furthermore, we find that the impact of wildfire on cognitive ability is more pronounced in younger individuals, and those with lower defensive expenditures experience more severe impacts. Additionally, wildfires negatively affect individuals' cognitive abilities by generating air pollution. Conclusion: Wildfires significantly reduce individuals' cognitive abilities. Two recommendations are as follows: 1) governments should follow the principle of green development, introduce relevant regulations, and increase investment in adaptive technologies. 2) Individuals should raise awareness of climate hazards preparedness and strengthen defensive protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) contains a tonically GABAergic network controlling defensive responses. Determining how this intrinsic dPAG inhibitory circuit functions might provide critical insights into how anti-predatory responses are organized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allostatic adaptations to a perceived threat are crucial for survival and may tap into mechanisms serving the homeostatic control of energy balance. We previously established that exposure to predator odor (PO) in rats significantly increases skeletal muscle thermogenesis and energy expenditure (EE). Evidence highlights steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) cells within the central and dorsomedial ventromedial hypothalamus (c/dmVMH) as a modulator of both energy homeostasis and defensive behavior. However, the brain mechanism driving elevated EE and muscle thermogenesis during PO exposure has yet to be elucidated. To assess the ability of SF1 neurons of the c/dmVMH to induce muscle thermogenesis, we used the combined technology of chemogenetics, transgenic mice, temperature transponders, and indirect calorimetry. Here, we evaluate EE and muscle thermogenesis in SF1-Cre mice exposed to PO (ferret odor) compared to transgenic and viral controls. We detected significant increases in muscle temperature, EE, and oxygen consumption following the chemogenetic stimulation of SF1 cells. However, there were no detectable changes in muscle temperature in response to PO in either the presence or absence of chemogenetic stimulation. While the specific role of the VMH SF1 cells in PO-induced thermogenesis remains uncertain, these data establish a supporting role for SF1 neurons in the induction of muscle thermogenesis and EE similar to what is seen after predator threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the necessity requirement in defensive actions involving multiple agents, examining how permissions to inflict harm are determined by minimizing overall harm. Topics include the comparison between agent-centered and target-centered conceptions of necessity, the impact of multiple agents' options on permissible harm, and how uncertainty affects the application of necessity in real-world situations.

Are there certain shared feelings that orient contemporary feminists? And what does it mean to feel like a feminist now, at a time when digital networks and media culture significantly shape the conditions for what feminism 'is' (Banet-Weiser 2018)? This paper considers how digital culture, as a crucial but potentially disorienting site of feminist encounter and contestation, may reshape norms of feminist feeling, and what feminist feeling is used to do. Feminists have long understood feeling as an 'orienting device' (Ahmed 2006). in the question of how subjects come to know the world and situate themselves in it. Feminism itself has been associated with a 'willfulness' creating dissident subjectivities moving against the grain of prevailing patriarchal gender norms. Following Ahmed's queer phenomenology where feeling is theorized as an 'orientation' towards objects, this paper considers how the affective infrastructures and dynamics of digital culture orient and draw boundaries for feminists along particular lines. We explore self-identifying feminists' accounts of learning, interaction and deliberation as feminists within digital environments, suggesting that what it means to be feminist is significantly determined by what it means to feel feminist. While digital culture makes feminism more 'accessible' to many, we suggest that the commercialized architectures and rhythms of digital culture complicate and intensify the politics of emotion connected to differences and histories of power relations within feminism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freezing is one of the most extensively studied defensive behaviors in rodents. Both reduced body and gaze movements during anticipation of threat also occur in humans and have been discussed as translational indicators of freezing but their relationship remains unclear. We thus set out to elucidate body and eye movements and concomitant autonomic dynamics in anticipation of avoidable threat. Specifically, 50 participants viewed naturalistic pictures that were preceded by a colored fixation cross, signaling them whether to expect an inevitable (shock), no (safety), or a potential shock (flight) that could be avoided by a quick button press. Body sway, eye movements, the heart rate and skin conductance were recorded. We replicated previously described reductions in body sway, gaze dispersion, and the heart rate, and a skin conductance increase in flight trials. Stronger reductions in gaze but not in body sway predicted faster motor reactions on a trial‐wise basis, highlighting their functional role in action preparation. We failed to find a trait‐like relationship between body and gaze movements across participants, but their temporal profiles were positively related within individuals, suggesting that both metrics partly reflect the same construct. However, future research is desirable to assess these response patterns in naturalistic environments. A more ethological examination of different movement dynamics upon threat would not only warrant better comparability between rodent and human research but also help determine whether and how eye‐tracking could be implemented as a proxy for fear‐related movements in restricted brain imaging environments. Our article unravels the relationship between body and eye movements in human threat anticipation, drawing parallels with freezing behavior in rodents. We reveal a physio‐behavioral defensive state, emphasize eye‐tracking's potential in neuroimaging, and spotlight the need for improved translational research practices across species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Predatory Imminence Continuum Theory proposes that defensive behaviors depend on the proximity of a threat. While the neural mechanisms underlying this proposal are well studied in animal models, it remains poorly understood in humans. To address this issue, we recorded EEG from 24 (15 female) young adults engaged in a first‐person virtual reality Risk–Reward interaction task. On each trial, participants were placed in a virtual room and presented with either a threat or reward conditioned stimulus (CS) in the same room location (proximal) or different room location (distal). Behaviorally, all participants learned to avoid the threat‐CS, with most using the optimal behavior to actively avoid the proximal threat‐CS (88% accuracy) and passively avoid the distal threat‐CS (69% accuracy). Similarly, participants learned to actively approach the distal reward‐CS (82% accuracy) and to remain passive to the proximal reward‐CS (72% accuracy). At an electrophysiological level, we observed a general increase in theta power (4–8 Hz) over the right posterior channel P8 across all conditions, with the proximal threat‐CS evoking the largest theta response. By contrast, distal cues induced two bursts of gamma (30–60 Hz) power over midline‐parietal channel Pz (200 msec post‐cue) and right frontal channel Fp2 (300 msec post‐cue). Interestingly, the first burst of gamma power was sensitive to the distal threat‐CS and the second burst at channel Fp2 was sensitive to the distal reward‐CS. Together, these findings demonstrate that oscillatory processes differentiate between the spatial proximity information during threat and reward encoding, likely optimizing the selection of the appropriate behavioral response. We demonstrate that gamma and theta oscillatory activity differentiate between real‐life spatial proximity information and actions during threat and reward encoding, providing novel support for the Predatory Imminence Continuum Theory. Such knowledge could have implications for stress‐related disorders that may depend on separable domains of threat dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the utilization of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) has been significantly augmented due to advancements in the fields of computer science and information technology. Connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technology has gained a significant amount of attention in the research community. The advancements in connected and autonomous vehicle technology are expected to have an influence on the current transportation networks in the near future. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of different driving behaviors of CAVs, namely defensive, normal, and aggressive, on a grid urban network consisting of unsignalized intersections in terms of traffic efficiency, traffic emissions, fuel consumption, and traffic safety by utilizing an open-source simulation tool called SUMO. Three different demand configurations and varying penetration rates of different behaviors for CAVs were taken into account in the scope of this study. According to the findings of the study, while CAVs with defensive behavior lead to an increase in average time loss, CAVs with aggressive behavior reduce the average time loss with increased penetration rates. The reduction in vehicle emissions and fuel consumption is not valid for all driving behaviors of CAVs. It was observed that it depends on the driving behavior of CAVs, penetration rates, and demand configurations. In terms of traffic safety, the worst performance was obtained by CAV-aggressive behavior. Furthermore, it was found that there is a trade-off between traffic efficiency and traffic safety metrics regarding the driving behavior of CAVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine task and relationship conflict and their linkage with defensive communication strategies, i.e. mature, neurotic and immature defensive communication. Furthermore, Study 1 also investigated the mediating impact of relationship conflict and the moderating impact of a manager's active-empathic listening in dealing with task conflicts and the defensive communication of the employees. Study 2 intended to assess the causal direction of task conflicts and defensive communication strategies. Design/methodology/approach: This research integrates the Job Demands–Resources framework, Conservation of Resources theory and Conflict Expression framework. Data from 124 professionals in India's tertiary industry was gathered using a longitudinal approach. Study 1 analyses the dynamics between conflicts and defensive communication while considering managers' active-empathic listening as a potential mitigating factor. Study 2 was conducted after a 10-month interim to delve into the intricate causal connections between defensive communication strategies and task conflicts. For analysing the data, SPSS was used for conducting confirmatory factor analysis. Furthermore, to analyse the conceptual framework and the hypothesised relationships in this study, partial least squares (PLS) modelling was performed using Smart-PLS 4.0. Findings: Task conflicts have a significant negative association with mature and neurotic defensive communication, whereas they have a strong positive relationship with immature defensive communication. Relationship conflict significantly mediates the association between task conflict and immature defensive communication. The moderating role of the manager's active-empathic listening was not supported. In addition, the relationship between immature defensive communication and task conflict is significantly positive, outlining their bidirectional association. In contrast, the association between mature defensive communication is significantly negative. This highlights the potential of immature defensive communication to create escalatory conflict spirals and of mature defensive communication to de-escalate them. Research limitations/implications: Defensive communication strategies, commonly explored in the psychological realm, particularly within family and romantic relationship contexts, have received limited attention in organisational behaviour. This longitudinal study offers a unique perspective on the evolution of defensive communication and its impact on task conflict over time, enhancing the understanding of how individuals adapt their communication strategies as conflicts persist or dissipate. The investigation also advances the understanding of conflict spirals, illustrating the potential of mature defensive communication to de-escalate conflicts while revealing a bidirectional connection between immature defensive communication and task conflicts. Practical implications: Leaders need to prioritise addressing task conflicts, particularly those that might spiral into relationship conflicts. This would present managers with the ability to make task conflicts more functional in nature, which could help to enhance both team and organisational achievements. The bidirectional relationship between task conflict and immature defensive communication points towards the exigency for managerial and organisational initiatives to prevent the development of conflict spirals at the workplace. Originality/value: This study offers crucial interdisciplinary perspectives into the body of literature with the longitudinal investigation of the connections between managers' active-empathetic listening, task conflict, relationship conflict and the various defensive communication strategies. With the help of insights from this study, managers and leaders will be empowered to take the necessary actions to reduce employee defensive behaviours and foster a supportive culture for evoking positive and desirable performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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[Display omitted] The typical mammalian neck consisting of seven cervical vertebrae (C1–C7) was established by the Late Permian in the cynodont forerunners of modern mammals. This structure is precisely adapted to facilitate movements of the head during feeding, locomotion, predator evasion, and social interactions. Eutheria, the clade including crown placentals, has a fossil record extending back more than 125 million years revealing significant morphological diversification in the Mesozoic. Yet very little is known concerning the early evolution of eutherian cervical morphology and its functional adaptations. A specimen of Zalambdalestes lechei from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia boasts exceptional preservation of an almost complete series of cervical vertebrae (C2–C7) revealing a highly modified axis (C2). The significance of this cervical morphology is explored utilizing an integrated approach combining comparative anatomical examination across mammals, muscle reconstruction, geometric morphometrics and virtual range of motion analysis. We compared the shape of the axis in Zalambdalestes to a dataset of 88 mammalian species (monotremes, marsupials, and placentals) using three-dimensional landmark analysis. The results indicate that the unique axis morphology of Zalambdalestes has no close analog among living mammals. Virtual range of motion analysis of the neck strongly implies Zalambdalestes was capable of exerting very forceful head movements and had a high degree of ventral flexion for an animal its size. These findings reveal unexpected complexity in the early evolution of the eutherian cervical morphology and suggest a feeding behavior similar to insectivores specialized in vermivory and defensive behaviors in Zalambdalestes akin to modern spiniferous mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predators and prey benefit from detecting sensory cues of each other's presence. As they move through their environment, terrestrial animals accumulate electrostatic charge. Because electric charges exert forces at a distance, a prey animal could conceivably sense electrical forces to detect an approaching predator. Here, we report such a case of a terrestrial animal detecting its predators by electroreception. We show that predatory wasps are charged, thus emit electric fields, and that caterpillars respond to such fields with defensive behaviors. Furthermore, the mechanosensory setae of caterpillars are deflected by these electrostatic forces and are tuned to the wingbeat frequency of their insect predators. This ability unveils a dimension of the sensory interactions between prey and predators and is likely widespread among terrestrial animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the development of applied skills in physical force utilization among prospective female officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, considering their physiological characteristics. The research has validated the hypothesis that enhancing the preparation of cadets from higher education institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in applying physical force measures under various service conditions can be achieved through specific organizational and pedagogical conditions. They are as follows: tailoring technical and tactical methods of physical force application to cadets' unique physiological traits; incorporating specialized exercises and techniques in service-oriented hand-to-hand combat into cadet training to enhance task performance efficiency across diverse service contexts; intensifying technical and tactical training focused on physical force application. This training emphasized improvements in offensive and defensive actions, technical proficiency, transition efficiency between defence and offence, increased striking power and speed, development of explosive force and customization of force application approaches based on individual cadet profiles. The study involved 110 cadets from two higher education institutions within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Data collection utilized a hardware-software system for measuring striking forces during martial arts techniques and a videocomputer system ("Katsumoto") for rapid biomechanical movement analysis. Analysis of empirical data demonstrated positive advancements in female cadets' readiness to apply physical force measures across different service conditions within the experimental group (EG). Specifically, the proportion of EG cadets with low readiness levels decreased significantly (by 32-33%), while those with high readiness levels increased (by 14-16%). Conversely, the control group (CG) did not exhibit significant changes. The validity of these findings was confirmed through χ2 criterion testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup is poised to leave a complex legacy, marked by the array of social, economic, and political controversies that enveloped the tournament. In this study, we utilized a netnographic approach to explore the identities of satellite fans within two online communities during the World Cup tournament. By specifically focusing on the cooptation and dismantling of sport activism within a non-western satellite fan context, we offer critical insights into the intricate interplay between politics and sport on an international platform. Through a case study on Chinese satellite fans, our findings reveal a pronounced inclination among fans towards seeking authenticity, which acts as a defensive mechanism for rationalizing their role identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bradykinin (BK), a well-studied mediator of physiological and pathological processes in the peripheral system, has garnered less attention regarding its function in the central nervous system, particularly in behavioural regulation. This review delves into the historical progression of research focused on the behavioural effects of BK and other drugs that act via similar mechanisms to provide new insights into the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of psychiatric disorders. Evidence from experiments with animal models indicates that BK modulates defensive reactions associated with panic symptoms and the response to acute stressors. The mechanisms are not entirely understood but point to complex interactions with other neurotransmitter systems, such as opioids, and intracellular signalling cascades. By addressing the existing research gaps in this field, we present new proposals for future research endeavours to foster a new era of investigation regarding BK's role in emotional regulation. Implications for psychiatry, chiefly for panic and depressive disorders are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research uses a comparative case study approach to explore the Israeli-Palestinian and Ukrainian-Russian conflicts within the framework of the Security Dilemma. It employs primary and secondary sources. The study analyzes each conflict individually while allowing for meaningful comparisons between them to identify patterns in each case. The research challenges the traditional dichotomy between offensive and defensive realism by proposing that state behavior is influenced by an interplay between both paradigms based on strategic calculations. States may engage in offensive behavior when advantageous or adopt defensive strategies out of necessity. This paper offers insights into these dynamics, thereby generating new perspectives in political science debates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species have developed several defensive strategies for survival in response to predation pressures, including chemical, acoustic, visual, and behavioral mechanisms. Anurans serve as prey for numerous species, leading to the evolution of a diverse array of antipredator strategies. Among these strategies, acoustic emission defenses are categorized into distress calls, alarm calls, and warning calls. Although distress calls in frogs have been recognized to occur within the audible spectrum, the occurrence of ultrasound calls has been suggested for one species, but not yet confirmed. Based on our observations, we confirmed the presence of ultrasound distress calls emitted by an adult Haddadus binotatus. The distress call exhibited a high-pitched tone with decreasing frequency modulation and ultrasonic harmonics extending up to approximately 44 kHz. The presence of ultrasound frequencies in distress calls may confer advantages in deterring a broader range of predators. The use of broad-band screams synchronously with other behaviors, as raising the front of the body while arching the back and extreme mouth-gaping, intensified the defensive display, likely being more efficient in deterring predation. We observed similar behavioral repertoire for an adult Ischnocnema cf. henselii. Therefore, it could be widespread across individuals of other Brachycephaloidea genera as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This group of essays explores the ways in which Scottish loyalists shaped and contributed to the British Atlantic world in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Once thought of as a narrow and defensive conservative reaction to political change and external military threat, historians have recently recast loyalism as the embodiment of a disparate and multifaced identity embraced by those of different ethnicities, religions, and political persuasions, touching even those who claimed neutrality. By adopting an expanded geographical and chronological range, these essays investigate examples of loyalism and popular royalism carried by Scots at home and in the British Atlantic world, at the time of the Revolutionary War, and in the decades that followed. As these essays demonstrate, loyalism was a patriotism born out of the messiness of the political, social, and economic transformation of this world, one that was entwined with the expansion of democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the factors that contribute to success or failure in Super Rugby is paramount for teams aiming to achieve positive results. This study compares winning and losing teams by analysing match-related performance indicators from 2017 to 2019, offering valuable insights for coaches, players, and performance analysts. Significantly, winning teams exhibited notable disparities in their attacking play, surpassing losing teams in total tries (4.5 vs. 2.4), offloads (12.5 vs. 11.2), number of kicks (22.2 vs. 19.4), and line breaks (3.1 vs. 2.2) (p <.0001 for all). Moreover, defensive performance emerged as a crucial factor, with winning teams demonstrating higher tackle completion rates (89.3 vs. 87.9) (p <.0001) and an increased number of breakdown turnovers won (0.8 vs. 0.6) (p =.0518) compared to losing teams. These findings illuminate distinct performance characteristics that can assist coaches, players, and analysts in optimising tactical analysis, player development, and overall performance. Despite the COVID-19 disruption in 2020 and teams transitioning to other competitions, the research remains relevant due to the expected persistence of fundamental game aspects and performance indicators. This adaptability enables informed decision-making, leading to improved performance and a competitive advantage in the current Super Rugby competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the animal kingdom, threat information is perceived mainly through vision. The subcortical visual pathway plays a critical role in the rapid processing of visual information-induced fear, and triggers a response. Looming-evoked behavior in rodents, mimicking response to aerial predators, allowed identify the neural circuitry underlying instinctive defensive behaviors; however, the influence of disk/background contrast on the looming-induced behavioral response has not been examined, either in rats or mice. We studied the influence of the dark disk/gray background contrast in the type of rat and mouse defensive behavior in the looming arena, and we showed that rat and mouse response as a function of disk/background contrast adjusted to a sigmoid-like relationship. Both sex and age biased the contrast-dependent response, which was dampened in rats submitted to retinal unilateral or bilateral ischemia. Moreover, using genetically manipulated mice, we showed that the three type of photoresponsive retinal cells (i.e., cones, rods, and intrinsically photoresponsive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs)), participate in the contrast-dependent response, following this hierarchy: cones > > rods > > > ipRGCs. The cone and rod involvement was confirmed using a mouse model of unilateral non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, which only damages canonical photoreceptors and significantly decreased the contrast sensitivity in the looming arena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a form of synthetic media built on the Internet's extensive visual datasets with evolving machine learning techniques, deepfakes raise the specter of new types of informational harms and possibilities for image-based abuse. There are calls for three types of defensive response: regulation, technical controls, and improved digital or media literacy. Each is problematic by itself. This article asks what kind of literacy can address deepfake harms, proposing an artificial intelligence (AI) and data literacy framework to explore the potential for social learning with deepfakes and identify sites and methods for intervening in their cultures of production. The article applies contextual qualitative content analysis to explore the most popular GitHub repositories and YouTube accounts teaching "how to deepfake." The analysis shows that these sites contribute to socializing AI and establishing cultures of social learning, offering potential sites of intervention and pointing to new methods for addressing AI and data harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between police officers and civilians incur for both police and civilians the possibility of danger due to a nonzero likelihood of encountering a physical threat. A body of work examining the implications of threat processes during police–civilian interactions focuses almost exclusively on the perspective of police officers, under the auspice that police use-of-force decisions stem from perceptions and misperceptions of threat (e.g., research on the shooter bias). Almost no research has examined these dynamics from the perspective of civilians whose encounter with police involves interacting with an armed and potentially dangerous individual. In the current work, we advance the idea that just as police may respond to civilians as threats, civilians may respond to the police as threats. That is, among civilians, encountering the police may evoke a combination of defensive bodily and behavioral responses. Across three studies (N = 603) each utilizing unique measures of defensive behavioral and physiological responding, we found that people more rapidly avoid police than nonpolice, demonstrate enhanced defensive freeze responses to police than nonpolice, and evince larger defensive physiological preparation toward police than nonpolice. In light of these patterns, we discuss the implications of defensive responses for shaping civilian behavior in real-world encounters with the police. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]