Social avoidance behavior in male tree shrews and prosocial behavior in male mice toward unfamiliar conspecifics in the laboratory

Adult male tree shrews vigorously defend against intruding male conspecifics. However, the characteristics of social behavior have not been entirely explored in these males. In this study, male wild-type tree shrews(Tupaia belangeri chinensis)and C57 BL/6 J mice were first allowed to familiarize themselves with an open-field apparatus. The tree shrews exhibited a short duration of movement(moving) in the novel environment, whereas the mice exhibited a long duration of movement. In the 30 min social preference-avoidance test, target animals significantly decreased the time spent by the experimental tree shrews in the social interaction(SI)zone, whereas experimental male mice exhibited the opposite. In addition, experimental tree shrews displayed a significantly longer latency to enter the SI zone in the second 15 min session(targetpresent) than in the first 15 min session(targetabsent), which was different from that found in mice.Distinct behavioral patterns in response to a conspecific male were also observed in male tree shrews and mice in the first, second, and third 5 min periods. Thus, social behaviors in tree shrews and mice appeared to be time dependent. In summary,our study provides results of a modified social preference-avoidance test designed for the assessment of social behavior in tree shrews. Our findings demonstrate the existence of social avoidance behavior in male tree shrews and prosocial behavior in male mice toward unfamiliar conspecifics. The tree shrew may be a new animal model, which differs from mice, for the study of social avoidance and prosocial behaviors.

Effects of acid deposition on the avoidance behavior of Folsomia candida (Collembola, Isotomidae)

Excessive acid deposition causes soil acidification,and changes the soil microhabitat,thus affecting the survival and reproduction of soil organisms.Folsomia candida(Collembola,Isotomidae),as a model organism,is widely used to assess the chemical toxicity in soil,and its avoidance response can indicate the environmental changes.In this study,we used Folsomia candida to assess the risks of acid deposition on soil ecosystems.Different pH(3.0,3.5,4.0,4.5,5.0,and 5.5)treatments were set up in petri dish experiments,and the avoidance behavior of Folsomia candida was measured after 12,24,and 48 h exposure to the pH conditions.The results indicated that(1)both the exposure duration and pH level influenced avoidance behavior of collembolan.(2)After 12 h exposure,most of the individuals showed avoidance behavior but without significant differences among the treatments.(3)After 24 h exposure,significant avoidance behavior was observed at pH 3.0,3.5,and 4.0.(4)After 48 h exposure,avoidance behavior was found in all treatment conditions except for pH 5.5.This study clarified the direct responses of soil fauna to acid deposition,and indicated that both pH and length of exposure influenced the avoidance behavior of Folsomia candida.During the experimental period,the collembolan reacted negatively and showed consistent avoidance behavior at pH 3.0,3.5,and 4.0.Reversed avoidance behavior was apparent between pH 4.5 and 5.0 and not observed at pH 5.5,indicating that the latter was the preferred pH environment.

COLLISION AVOIDANCE DECISION-MAKING MODEL OF MULTI-AGENTS IN VIRTUAL DRIVING ENVIRONMENT WITH ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS

Collision avoidance decision-making models of multiple agents in virtual driving environment are studied. Based on the behavioral characteristics and hierarchical structure of the collision avoidance decision-making in real life driving, delphi approach and mathematical statistics method are introduced to construct pair-wise comparison judgment matrix of collision avoidance decision choices to each collision situation. Analytic hierarchy process （AHP） is adopted to establish the agents＇ collision avoidance decision-making model. To simulate drivers＇ characteristics, driver factors are added to categorize driving modes into impatient mode, normal mode, and the cautious mode. The results show that this model can simulate human＇s thinking process, and the agents in the virtual environment can deal with collision situations and make decisions to avoid collisions without intervention. The model can also reflect diversity and uncertainly of real life driving behaviors, and solves the multi-objective, multi-choice ranking priority problem in multi-vehicle collision scenarios. This collision avoidance model of multi-agents model is feasible and effective, and can provide richer and closer-to-life virtual scene for driving simulator, reflecting real-life traffic environment more truly, this model can also promote the practicality of driving simulator.

Impact of Risk Perception about COVID-19 on the Coping Behavior of the Elderly:Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

Objective:This study aimed to explore the mediating role of self-efficacy on the relationship between risk perception and the coping behavior of the elderly during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Methods:The study employed the convenience sampling method to select a total of 550 elderly from Chongqing,Chengdu and Luohe in China.A questionnaire composed of the perception scale,self-efficacy scale,and coping behavior scale was used to collect data.Results:Risk perception exerted a significantly direct effect on positive coping behavior and avoidant coping behavior.Moreover,it positively predicted the components of self-efficacy.In turn,self-efficacy positively predicted the components of positive coping behavior,which confirm that it plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between risk perception and positive coping behavior.Moreover,self-efficacy negatively predicted the components of avoidant coping behavior,which confirms that it also plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between risk perception and avoidant coping behavior.Conclusion:A simple mediation model revealed that self-efficacy partially mediated the direct and indirect effects of risk perception on coping behavior.Based on the results,the study recommended several countermeasures and suggestions for enhancing the positive coping behavior of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Determinants of Tax Evasion Intention using the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Mediation role of Taxpayer Egoism

This study evaluates the mediation role of taxpayer egoism in the nexus between tax evasion intention(TEI)and its determinants.TEI is measured as a composite variable(for mediation in the PROCESS macro)and then as a latent variable(for mediation in Analysis of Moment Structure Software AMOS).Further,the stringent assumptions of mediation analysis by Baron and Kenny(Strategic,and Statistical Considerations 51:1173-1182,1986)are challenged via assertions by Hayes(Introduction to Mediation,Moderation and Conditional Process Analysis:A Regression-Based Approach,The Guilford Press,2018).The proxies for TEI are the respondents'ethical attitudes toward taxation Determinants of tax evasion intention are grouped into perceived behavioral control attitude and subjective norms as per theory of planned behavior(TPB)and extant literature.The detailed variables adopted from the literature include tax awareness,tax information,tax complexity,perceived power of authority,tax morals,tax fairness,and trust in government.A totalof 151 responses were collected Mediation analysis was done via bootstrapping in the PROCESS macro and through AMOS.A plethora of studies focus on determinants of tax evasion,tax compliance and their intentions However,none combine analysis via the two tools highlighted.Further,few challenge the old way of conducting mediation analysis The data provide statistical support for egoism's mediation in the effect of four determinants on tax evasion intention.It further confirms that many of the old preconditions for mediation are unnecessary given modern-day bootstrapping analysis.Insight into determinants of TEI and egoism have been provided However,this study uses cross-sectional data Future studies must use longitudinal data or experimental manipulation to infer more specific effects.

Reactive Navigation of Underwater Mobile Robot Using ANFIS Approach in a Manifold Manner

Learning and self-adaptation ability is highly required to be integrated in path planning algorithm for underwater robot during navigation through an unspecified underwater environment. High frequency oscillations during underwater motion are responsible for nonlinearities in dynamic behavior of underwater robot as well as uncertainties in hydrodynamic coefficients. Reactive behaviors of underwater robot are designed considering the position and orientation of both target and nearest obstacle from robot s current position. Human like reasoning power and approximation based learning skill of neural based adaptive fuzzy inference system（ANFIS）has been found to be effective for underwater multivariable motion control. More than one ANFIS models are used here for achieving goal and obstacle avoidance while avoiding local minima situation in both horizontal and vertical plane of three dimensional workspace.An error gradient approach based on input-output training patterns for learning purpose has been promoted to spawn trajectory of underwater robot optimizing path length as well as time taken. The simulation and experimental results endorse sturdiness and viability of the proposed method in comparison with other navigational methodologies to negotiate with hectic conditions during motion of underwater mobile robot.

Effects of vertical position on trematode parasitism in larval anurans

Spatial distributions of animals can affect interactions with their natural enemies,such as parasites,and thus have important implications for host-parasite dynamics.While spatial variation in infection risk has been explored in many systems at the landscape scale,less attention has been paid to spatial structure at smaller scales.Here,we explore a hypothesized relationship between a common spatial variable,vertical position,and risk of parasite infection in a model aquatic system,larval frogs(Rana)and trematode(Digenea)parasites.Vertical position is relevant to this system given evidence that the densities of snail first intermediate hosts,tadpole second intermediate hosts,and trematode infective stages can vary with depth.To test the effects of depth on infection risk of larval frogs by trematodes,we performed two enclosure experiments,one in the laboratory and one in the field,in which larval frogs in cages just below the water surface or near the bottom of the water column were exposed to parasites.Compared with near-surface cages,mean infection load(number of cysts)in tadpoles in near-bottom cages was 83%higher after 48-h exposures in the laboratory and 730%higher after 10-day exposures in the field.Our findings thus indicate that infection risk depends on depth,which may have adaptive significance,as tadpoles have previously been shown to change vertical position in response to parasite presence.These results motivate future work examining vertical variation in infection risk and may have broader implications for host-parasite dynamics and evolution of host and parasite behavior.