Effects of the insecticide acetamiprid and the fungicide azoxystrobin on locomotion activity and mushroom bodies of solitary bee Centris analis.

Pesticide use is a major factor contributing to the global decline in bee populations. Sublethal effects, such as behavior alterations, are neglected in pesticide regulation for pollinators. However, these effects can bring important information to understanding the impacts of pesticides on bees' daily activities. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the insecticide acetamiprid (7 ng/µL) and the fungicide azoxystrobin (10 ng/µL) on the behavior of the Neotropical solitary bee Centris analis. Female and male bees were exposed to these chemicals continuously for 48 h, followed by an additional 48 h without contaminated food, totaling 96 h of observation. We used five experimental groups: control, solvent control, insecticide, fungicide, and pesticide mixture (insecticide + fungicide). Behavioral alterations based on locomotion and light response were assessed by video tracking at 48 (end of pesticide exposure) and 96 h (end of bioassay). In addition, after recording bees at 96 h, the individuals were anesthetized for brain collection and histological evaluation of mushroom bodies to evaluate if pesticides can damage their neurons and impair the cognitive processes and responses of bees to sensory stimuli. Bees exposed to acetamiprid and pesticide mixture showed lethargic movements and impaired locomotion at 48 h. Notably, these behavioral effects were no longer evident after the bees consumed uncontaminated food for an additional 48 h, totaling 96 h from the start of pesticide exposure. Only fungicide exposure did not result in any behavioral or brain histological changes. Therefore, our study showed that acetamiprid at an estimated residual concentration, despite being classified as having low toxicity for bees, can cause significant initial locomotion disruption in solitary bees. These findings highlight the importance of considering sublethal effects in environmental risk assessment.

High quality, high throughput, and low-cost simultaneous video recording of 60 animals in operant chambers using PiRATeMC.

BACKGROUND: The development of Raspberry Pi-based recording devices for video analyses of drug self-administration studies has been shown to be promising in terms of affordability, customizability, and capacity to extract in-depth behavioral patterns. Yet, most video recording systems are limited to a few cameras making them incompatible with large-scale studies. NEW METHOD: We expanded the PiRATeMC (Pi-based Remote Acquisition Technology for Motion Capture) recording system by increasing its scale, modifying its code, and adding equipment to accommodate large-scale video acquisition, accompanied by data on throughput capabilities, video fidelity, synchronicity of devices, and comparisons between Raspberry Pi 3B+ and 4B models. RESULTS: Using PiRATeMC default recording parameters resulted in minimal storage (∼350MB/h), high throughput (< ∼120 seconds/Pi), high video fidelity, and synchronicity within ∼0.02 seconds, affording the ability to simultaneously record 60 animals in individual self-administration chambers for various session lengths at a fraction of commercial costs. No consequential differences were found between Raspberry Pi models. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): This system allows greater acquisition of video data simultaneously than other video recording systems by an order of magnitude with less storage needs and lower costs. Additionally, we report in-depth quantitative assessments of throughput, fidelity, and synchronicity, displaying real-time system capabilities. CONCLUSIONS: The system presented is able to be fully installed in a month's time by a single technician and provides a scalable, low cost, and quality-assured procedure with a high-degree of customization and synchronicity between recording devices, capable of recording a large number of subjects and timeframes with high turnover in a variety of species and settings.

Buzz-pollinating bees deliver thoracic vibrations to flowers through periodic biting.

Pollinator behavior is vital to plant-pollinator interactions, affecting the acquisition of floral rewards, patterns of pollen transfer, and plant reproductive success. During buzz pollination, bees produce vibrations with their indirect flight muscles to extract pollen from tube-like flowers. Vibrations can be transmitted to the flower via the mandibles, abdomen, legs, or thorax directly. Vibration amplitude at the flower determines the rate of pollen release and should vary with the coupling of bee and flower. This coupling often occurs through anther biting, but no studies have quantified how biting affects flower vibration. Here, we used high-speed filmography to investigate how flower vibration amplitude changes during biting in Bombus terrestris visiting two species of buzz-pollinated flowering plants: Solanum dulcamara and Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae). We found that floral buzzing drives head vibrations up to 3 times greater than those of the thorax, which doubles the vibration amplitude of the anther during biting compared with indirect vibration transmission when not biting. However, the efficiency of this vibration transmission depends on the angle at which the bee bites the anther. Variation in transmission mechanisms, combined with the diversity of vibrations across bee species, yields a rich assortment of potential strategies that bees could employ to access rewards from buzz-pollinated flowers.

Measuring activity-rest rhythms under different acclimation periods in a marine fish using automatic deep learning-based video tracking.

Most organisms synchronize to an approximately 24-hour (circadian) rhythm. This study introduces a novel deep learning-powered video tracking method to assess the stability, fragmentation, robustness and synchronization of activity rhythms in Xyrichtys novacula. Experimental X. novacula were distributed into three groups and monitored for synchronization to a 14/10 hours of light/dark to assess acclimation to laboratory conditions. Group GP7 acclimated for 1 week and was tested from days 7 to 14, GP14 acclimated for 14 days and was tested from days 14 to 21 and GP21 acclimated for 21 days and was tested from days 21 to 28. Telemetry data from individuals in the wild depicted their natural behavior. Wild fish displayed a robust and minimally fragmented rhythm, entrained to the natural photoperiod. Under laboratory conditions, differences in activity levels were observed between light and dark phases. However, no differences were observed in activity rhythm metrics among laboratory groups related to acclimation period. Notably, longer acclimation (GP14 and GP21) led to a larger proportion of individuals displaying rhythm synchronization with the imposed photoperiod. Our work introduces a novel approach for monitoring biological rhythms in laboratory conditions, employing a specifically engineered video tracking system based on deep learning, adaptable for other species.

Sex differences in the social motivation of rats: Insights from social operant conditioning, behavioural economics, and video tracking.

BACKGROUND: Social behaviour plays a key role in mental health and wellbeing, and developing greater understanding of mechanisms underlying social interaction-particularly social motivation-holds substantial transdiagnostic impact. Common rodent behavioural assays used to assess social behaviour are limited in their assessment of social motivation, whereas the social operant conditioning model can provide unique and valuable insights into social motivation. Further characterisation of common experimental parameters that may influence social motivation within the social operant model, as well as complementary methodological and analytical approaches, are warranted. METHODS: This study investigated the effects of biological sex, housing condition, and time-of-day, on social motivation using the social operant model. This involved training rats to lever press (FR1) for 60-s access to a social reward (same-sex conspecific stimulus). Subjects were male and female Wistar rats, housed under individual or paired conditions, and sessions were conducted either in the mid-late light phase (ZT6-10) or early-mid dark phase (ZT13-17). A behavioural economics approach was implemented to measure social demand and the influence of stimulus partner sex (same- vs. opposite-sex stimulus) on social operant responding. Additionally, video tracking analyses were conducted to assess the degree of convergence between social appetitive and consummatory behaviours. RESULTS: Biological sex, housing conditions, the interaction between sex and housing, and stimulus partner sex potently influenced social motivation, whereas time-of-day did not. Behavioural economics demonstrated that sex, housing, and their interaction influence both the hedonic set-point and elasticity of social demand. Video analysis of social interaction during social operant sessions revealed that social appetitive and consummatory behaviours are not necessarily convergent, and indicate potential social satiety. Lastly, oestrus phase of female experimental and stimulus rats did not impact social motivation within the model. CONCLUSIONS: Social isolation-dependent sex differences exist in social motivation for rats, as assessed by social operant conditioning. The social operant model represents an optimal preclinical assay that comprehensively evaluates social motivation and offers a platform for future investigations of neurobiological mechanisms underlying sex differences in social motivation. These findings highlight the importance of continued consideration and inclusion of sex as a biological variable in future social operant conditioning studies. Humans are social creatures-our everyday interactions with others and the support this provides play a key role in our wellbeing. For those experiencing mental health conditions, people's motivation to engage with others can wane, which can lead them to withdraw from those who support them. Therefore, to develop better treatment strategies for these conditions, we need to gain a deeper understanding of social motivation. Studying social behaviour in animals can facilitate this investigation of social motivation as it allows for a causal understanding of underlying neurobiology that is not possible in human experiments. An optimal way to study social motivation in animals is using the social operant conditioning model, where rats learn to press a lever that opens a door and allows them to interact with another rat for a short time. This study characterised the social operant model by testing whether sex, housing conditions, time-of-day, and the sex of the stimulus partner influence rats' motivation to seek interaction with another rat. We found that female rats were more socially motivated than males, and that rats living alone were more motivated than those living with another rat; interestingly, this effect of housing affected females more than males. Regardless of sex, rats were more motivated to interact with a rat of the opposite sex. These findings provide insights into sex differences in social motivation in rats and new insights into the social operant model which will help guide future research into social motivation and other mental health conditions.

Video-tracked Anopheles arabiensis entry and exit behaviour at washed and damaged pyrethroid-treated bednets.

Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are the most effective method for malaria prevention in Africa. Using near-infrared video tracking in a laboratory environment, we recorded and assessed bednet entry and exit by a northern Tanzanian population of Anopheles arabiensis at a human-occupied untreated net and a PermaNet® 2.0 ITN. Both had 12 holes, each 10 cm in diameter, punctured at specific locations, and the ITN was washed 20 times to further simulate the wear and tear of ageing. Washing reduced the insecticide content of ITNs by 61%, which then showed similar rates to the untreated nets for net entry (39% entered untreated net and 41% entered ITN; p = 0.84) and exit (37% and 43%, respectively; p = 0.67). Regardless of treatment, approximately 40% of mosquitoes entered nets within 20 s of first appearing in the field of view and reached the volunteer's skin within 5 s of entering the net. Mortality rates post-exposure were significantly higher (p = 0.048) at ITNs (26.6%; 95% CI 13.4%-39.7%) than at untreated controls (6.4%; 95% CI 1.8%-14.6%). The washed and aged ITN provided little additional personal protection for the sleeper over an untreated net. Simple adjustments to materials and design that could extend the effective lifespan of ITNs are discussed.

Reporting outcome measures in veterinary physiotherapy with particular reference to the treatment of canine and equine joint cases in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Outcome measures are extensively used within human physiotherapy, but a widely accepted issue in veterinary physiotherapy is that outcome measures lack sufficient evaluation and standardisation in terms of how they are implemented. This cross-sectional study aimed to provide clarity on (1) the current selection of outcome measures in canine and equine physiotherapy and (2) investigate external influences on outcome measure selection, including comparative literature availability, professional memberships and background. METHODS: A structured scoping literature review consolidated current understanding and limitations. This informed a survey of qualified veterinary physiotherapists (n = 40). The statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Key observations included (1) a lack of difference in outcome measure application between veterinary physiotherapists with and without a human physiotherapy background, (2) enhanced outcome measure utilisation by registry body members and (3) an overall skew towards subjective, rather than objective, outcome measure use. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by the absence of a defined veterinary physiotherapist population and subsequent convenience sample size. CONCLUSION: The apparent skew towards subjective outcome measures highlights objective outcome measure underutilisation and the need for a more extensive evidence base. In conclusion, there is a need to develop comprehensive professional development resources promoting the use of repeatable outcome measures such as goniometers and the Liverpool osteoarthritis scoring.

Magnetic tweezers principles and promises.

Magnetic tweezers have become popular with the outbreak of single molecule micromanipulation: catching a single molecule of DNA, RNA or a single protein and applying mechanical constrains using micron-size magnetic beads and magnets turn out to be easy. Various factors have made this possible: the fact that manufacturers have been preparing these beads to catch various biological entities-the ease of use provided by magnets which apply a force or a torque at a distance thus inside a flow cell-some chance: since the forces so generated are in the right range to stretch a single molecule. This is a little less true for torque. Finally, one feature which also appears very important is the simplicity of their calibration using Brownian motion. Here we start by describing magnetic tweezers used routinely in our laboratory where we have tried to develop a device as simple as possible so that the experimentalist can really focus on the biological aspect of the biomolecules that he/she is interested in. We discuss the implications of the various components and their important features. Next, we summarize what is easy to achieve and what is less easy. Then we refer to contributions by other groups who have brought valuable insights to improve magnetic tweezers.

Behavioral responses of field-collected German cockroaches to pyrethroids and pyrethroid-formulated insecticides.

BACKGROUND: Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides with low mammalian toxicity and broad-spectrum activity across insects. One major challenge with pyrethroids is their perceived repellency. This perception can influence decisions made by pest control operators, especially when insecticides are used to reduce insect entry into or movement within structures. One major indoor pest that has been repeatedly shown to be repelled by some pyrethroids is the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. However, most experiments evaluating pyrethroid repellency in the German cockroach have used end-point assays, which do not provide information on the movement that led to the final position. Therefore, we evaluated the kinetic behavioral response of field-collected German cockroaches to five pyrethroid-based products and their active ingredients (A.I.) in open behavioral arenas using advanced video tracking software. In addition, in an effort to compare our free-moving experiments with end-point assays, we evaluated sheltering behavior using two-choice harborage arrestment assays where German cockroaches were provided a choice between pyrethroid-treated and untreated shelters. RESULTS: All pyrethroid-formulated products and their respective A.I.'s failed to affect field-collected German cockroach movement behavior in free-moving assays, while positive controls (DEET, corn mint oil) resulted in reduced time spent by German cockroaches in treated areas. However, despite their willingness to move over pyrethroids-treated surfaces, field-collected German cockroaches displayed a reduced propensity to arrest on pyrethroids treated tents. CONCLUSION: While most pyrethroids/pyrethroid-formulated products affected German cockroach arrestment, pyrethroids and pyrethroid-formulated products failed to change German cockroach movement behavior in free-moving assays. These results indicate the pyrethroids tested act as contact irritants rather than true-spatial repellents on field-collected German cockroaches. This distinction is critical to refining pest management strategies involving pyrethroids. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Analysis of sleep/wake cycles in zebrafish larvae.

Zebrafish larvae are a model organism increasingly used in the study of the effect of neuroactive chemicals on vertebrate sleep/wake cycles. Sleep disturbances have a negative impact on mood, cognition and overall health. Here we present a protocol to assess over 24 h sleep/wake cycles in zebrafish larvae subjected to 12 h light/dark periods in 48-well plates, using video-tracking technologies. The protocol can be used to determine if the exposure to environmental pollutants or drugs can lead to sleep disturbances. The results on the effect of the tire rubber-derived 6PPD-quinone on zebrafish sleep/wake cycles presented here demonstrate the suitability of using this protocol in fish neurotoxicity studies. This protocol provides a new relevant tool to be used in the pharmacology and toxicology fields.

High quality, high throughput, and low-cost simultaneous video recording of 60 animals in operant chambers using PiRATeMC.

Background: The development of Raspberry Pi-based recording devices for video analyses of drug self-administration studies has shown to be promising in terms of affordability, customizability, and capacity to extract in-depth behavioral patterns. Yet, most video recording systems are limited to a few cameras making them incompatible with large-scale studies. New Method: We expanded the PiRATeMC (Pi-based Remote Acquisition Technology for Motion Capture) recording system by increasing its scale, modifying its code, and adding equipment to accommodate large-scale video acquisition, accompanied by data on the throughput capabilities, video fidelity, synchronicity of devices, and comparisons between the Raspberry Pi 3B+ and 4B models. Results: Using PiRATeMC default recording parameters resulted in minimal storage (~350MB/h), high throughput (< ~120 seconds/Pi), high video fidelity, and synchronicity within ~0.02 seconds, affording the ability to simultaneously record 60 animals in individual self-administration chambers at a fraction of current commercial costs. No consequential differences were found between Raspberry Pi 3B+ and 4B models. Comparison with Existing Methods: This system allows greater acquisition of video data simultaneously than other video recording systems by an order of magnitude with less storage needs and lower costs. Additionally, we report in-depth quantitative assessments of throughput, fidelity, and synchronicity, displaying real-time system capabilities. Conclusions: The system presented is able to be fully installed in a month's time by a single technician and provides a scalable, low cost, and quality-assured procedure with a high-degree of customization and synchronicity between recording devices, capable of recording a large number of subjects with high turnover in a variety of species and settings.

Detection of Pig Movement and Aggression Using Deep Learning Approaches.

Motion and aggressive behaviors in pigs provide important information for the study of social hierarchies in pigs and can be used as a selection indicator for pig health and aggression parameters. However, relying only on visual observation or surveillance video to record the number of aggressive acts is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and lasts for only a short period of time. Manual observation is too short compared to the growth cycle of pigs, and complete recording is impractical in large farms. In addition, due to the complex process of assessing the intensity of pig aggression, manual recording is highly influenced by human subjective vision. In order to efficiently record pig motion and aggressive behaviors as parameters for breeding selection and behavioral studies, the videos and pictures were collected from typical commercial farms, with each unit including 8~20 pigs in 7~25 m2 space; they were bred in stable social groups and a video was set up to record the whole day's activities. We proposed a deep learning-based recognition method for detecting and recognizing the movement and aggressive behaviors of pigs by recording and annotating head-to-head tapping, head-to-body tapping, neck biting, body biting, and ear biting during fighting. The method uses an improved EMA-YOLOv8 model and a target tracking algorithm to assign a unique digital identity code to each pig, while efficiently recognizing and recording pig motion and aggressive behaviors and tracking them, thus providing statistics on the speed and duration of pig motion. On the test dataset, the average precision of the model was 96.4%, indicating that the model has high accuracy in detecting a pig's identity and its fighting behaviors. The model detection results were highly correlated with the manual recording results (R2 of 0.9804 and 0.9856, respectively), indicating that the method has high accuracy and effectiveness. In summary, the method realized the detection and identification of motion duration and aggressive behavior of pigs under natural conditions, and provided reliable data and technical support for the study of the social hierarchy of pigs and the selection of pig health and aggression phenotypes.

DVT: a high-throughput analysis pipeline for locomotion and social behavior in adult Drosophila melanogaster.

BACKGROUND: Drosophila melanogaster is excellent animal model for understanding the molecular basis of human neurological and motor disorders. The experimental conditions and chamber design varied between studies. Moreover, most previously established paradigms focus on fly trace detection algorithm development. A comprehensive understanding on how fly behaves in the chamber is still lacking. RESULTS: In this report, we established 74 unique behavior metrics quantifying spatiotemporal characteristics of adult fly locomotion and social behaviors, of which 49 were newly proposed. By the aiding of the developed analysis pipeline, Drosophila video tracking (DVT), we identified siginificantly different patterns of fly behavior confronted with different chamber height, fly density, illumination and experimental time. Meanwhile, three fly strains which are widely used as control lines, Canton-S(CS), w1118 and Oregon-R (OR), were found to exhibit distinct motion explosiveness and exercise endurance. CONCLUSIONS: We believe the proposed behavior metrics set and pipeline should help identify subtle spatial and temporal differences of drosophila behavior confronted with different environmental factors or gene variants.

Captive Animal Behavior Study by Video Analysis.

Three video analysis-based applications for the study of captive animal behavior are presented. The aim of the first one is to provide certain parameters to assess drug efficiency by analyzing the movement of a rat. The scene is a three-chamber plastic box. First, the rat can move only in the middle room. The rat's head pose is the first parameter needed. Secondly, the rodent could walk in all three compartments. The entry number in each area and visit duration are the other indicators used in the final evaluation. The second application is related to a neuroscience experiment. Besides the electroencephalographic (EEG) signals yielded by a radio frequency link from a headset mounted on a monkey, the head placement is a useful source of information for reliable analysis, as well as its orientation. Finally, a fusion method to construct the displacement of a panda bear in a cage and the corresponding motion analysis to recognize its stress states are shown. The arena is a zoological garden that imitates the native environment of a panda bear. This surrounding is monitored by means of four video cameras. We have applied the following stages: (a) panda detection for every video camera; (b) panda path construction from all routes; and (c) panda way filtering and analysis.

PiRATeMC: A highly flexible, scalable, and low-cost system for obtaining high quality video recordings for behavioral neuroscience.

With the rapidly accelerating adoption of machine-learning based rodent behavioral tracking tools, there is an unmet need for a method of acquiring high quality video data that is scalable, flexible, and relatively low-cost. Many experimenters use webcams, GoPros, or other commercially available cameras that can be expensive, offer minimal flexibility of recording parameters, and not optimized for recording rodent behavior, leading to suboptimal and inconsistent video quality. Furthermore, commercially available products are not conducive for synchronizing multiple cameras, or interfacing with third-party equipment to allow time-locking of video to other equipment such as microcontrollers for closed-loop experiments. We present a low-cost, customizable ecosystem of behavioral recording equipment, PiRATeMC (Pi-based Remote Acquisition Technology for Motion Capture) based on Raspberry Pi Camera Boards with the ability to acquire high quality recordings in bright/low light, or dark conditions under infrared light. PiRATeMC offers users control over nearly every recording parameter, and can be fine-tuned to produce optimal videos in any behavioral apparatus. This setup can be scaled up for synchronous control of any number of cameras via a self-contained network without burdening institutional network infrastructure. The Raspberry Pi is an excellent platform with a large online community designed for novice and inexperienced programmers interested in using an open-source recording system. Importantly, PiRATeMC supports TTL and serial communication, allowing for synchronization and interfacing of video recording with behavioral or other third-party equipment. In sum, PiRATeMC minimizes the cost-prohibitive nature of conducting and analyzing high quality behavioral neuroscience studies, thereby increasing accessibility to behavioral neuroscience.

Fast prediction in marmoset reach-to-grasp movements for dynamic prey.

Primates have evolved sophisticated, visually guided reaching behaviors for interacting with dynamic objects, such as insects, during foraging.1,2,3,4,5 Reaching control in dynamic natural conditions requires active prediction of the target's future position to compensate for visuo-motor processing delays and to enhance online movement adjustments.6,7,8,9,10,11,12 Past reaching research in non-human primates mainly focused on seated subjects engaged in repeated ballistic arm movements to either stationary targets or targets that instantaneously change position during the movement.13,14,15,16,17 However, those approaches impose task constraints that limit the natural dynamics of reaching. A recent field study in marmoset monkeys highlights predictive aspects of visually guided reaching during insect prey capture among wild marmoset monkeys.5 To examine the complementary dynamics of similar natural behavior within a laboratory context, we developed an ecologically motivated, unrestrained reach-to-grasp task involving live crickets. We used multiple high-speed video cameras to capture the movements of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and crickets stereoscopically and applied machine vision algorithms for marker-free object and hand tracking. Contrary to estimates under traditional constrained reaching paradigms, we find that reaching for dynamic targets can operate at incredibly short visuo-motor delays around 80 ms, rivaling the speeds that are typical of the oculomotor systems during closed-loop visual pursuit.18 Multivariate linear regression modeling of the kinematic relationships between the hand and cricket velocity revealed that predictions of the expected future location can compensate for visuo-motor delays during fast reaching. These results suggest a critical role of visual prediction facilitating online movement adjustments for dynamic prey.

Coconut fatty acids exhibit strong repellency and week-long efficacy against several urban pest arthropods of the southwestern United States.

BACKGROUND: The southwestern United States is home to a variety of arthropods including Turkestan cockroaches, Blatta lateralis (Walker); hematophagous kissing bugs, Tritoma rubida (Uhler); and Arizona bark scorpions, Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing. These arthropods cause medical concern when they become established around homes and/or invade indoors. Traditionally, the management of these pests has relied primarily on the use of chemical insecticides; however, they offer poor prospects for control owing to their lack of efficacy as well as the effects of insecticides on humans and the environment. Botanical repellents are an option that has not been fully investigated for the management of these pests. Here, we investigated the behavioral responses of common urban pests of the southwestern USA to recently discovered coconut fatty acids (CFAs), to establish the potential use of these compounds as repellents. RESULTS: Fresh residues of CFA mixture (CFAm) and their constituents caprylic acid, capric acid, capric acid methyl ester, lauric acid, and lauric acid methyl ester, tested at a concentration of 1 mg cm-2 , strongly repelled all arthropods. The repellent activity of CFAm lasted for at least 7 days, and the addition of lavender oil, used as an odor-masking agent, did not decrease this effect. Concentrations of CFAm ten times lower (0.1 mg cm-2 ) still repelled Turkestan cockroaches, and concentrations 100 times lower (0.01 mg cm-2 ) repelled T. rubida and scorpions. CONCLUSIONS: CFAm and some of their constituents are efficacious, economical, and logistically feasible for inclusion in integrated pest management programs for these important urban pests of the southwestern USA. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Automated movement tracking of young autistic children during free play is correlated with clinical features associated with autism.

LAY ABSTRACT: Play-based observations allow researchers to observe autistic children across a wide range of ages and skills. We recorded autistic children playing with toys in the center of a room and at a corner table while a caregiver remained seated off to the side and used video tracking technology to track children's movement and location. We examined how time children spent in room regions and whether or not they approached each region during play related to their cognitive, social, communication, and adaptive skills to determine if tracking child movement and location can meaningfully demonstrate clinical variation among autistic children representing a range of ages and skills. One significant finding was that autistic children who spent more time in the toy-containing center of the room had higher cognitive and language abilities, whereas those who spent less time in the center had higher levels of autism-related behaviors. In contrast, children who spent more time in the caregiver region had lower daily living skills and those who were quicker to approach the caregiver had lower adaptive behavior and language skills. These findings support the use of movement tracking as a complementary method of measuring clinical differences among autistic children. Furthermore, over 90% of autistic children representing a range of ages and skills in this study provided analyzable play observation data, demonstrating that this method allows autistic children of all levels of support needs to participate in research and demonstrate their social, communication, and attention skills without wearing any devices.

Locomotion behavior of juveniles of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera: A new non-invasive tool for the evaluation of stress effects.

The lack of knowledge about the sensitivity of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (FWPM) Margaritifera margaritifera to environmental pollution and the rapid decline of its populations in Europe, have led to the need of developing non-destructive experimental protocols in order to assess the impact of such pollution. This species has a complex life cycle and the early life stages are considered the most sensitive. This study deals with the development of a methodology for the assessment of juvenile mussels' locomotor behavior using an automated video tracking system. Different parameters were determined such as the duration of the video recording and light exposure as a stimulus during the experiment. Locomotion behavior pattern of juveniles was assessed in control condition and also following exposure to sodium chloride as a positive control in order to validate the experimental protocol developed in this study. Results showed that juveniles locomotion behavior was stimulated under light exposure. Moreover, exposure to sublethal concentrations of sodium chloride (0.8 and 1.2 g/L) for 24 h was found to decrease juveniles' locomotion by almost three-times, thus validating our experimental methodology. This study allowed to provide a new tool for the assessment of stress condition impacts on the juveniles of the endangered FWPM, highlighting the interest of such non-destructive biomarker of health for protected species. Consequently, this will help in the improvement of our knowledge on M. margaritifera sensitivity to environmental pollution.

Immediate and delayed movement of resistant and susceptible adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) after short exposures to phosphine.

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, the evaluation of certain behavioral attributes has been utilized as an indicator of resistance to phosphine. In this context, an underappreciated challenge may be the development of behavioral traits that are related with resistance to phosphine such as the movement to refugia and recovery of stored product insects after short exposures. Thus, the aim of the current study was to track the movement of phosphine-resistant and -susceptible adults of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), which is a major pest of stored products, after brief exposures to phosphine. Exposures were followed for extended intervals to assess the recovery patterns and how those patterns are related to known resistance to phosphine. A video-tracking procedure coupled with Ethovision software was used to assess movement after exposure. RESULTS: Overall, we found baseline movement was less for phosphine-resistant T. castaneum, suggesting resistance comes at a considerable fitness cost. In the presence of phosphine (1000 or 3000 ppm), there was a much greater reduction in movement for phosphine-susceptible than phosphine-resistant T. castaneum adults immediately after brief 5-min exposures. Twenty-four hours later, these effects were more variable and less apparent, regardless of the susceptibility level. CONCLUSIONS: The initial knockdown associated with successful fumigation may just be a temporary state whereafter insects shortly resume movement and may be able to seek out refugia from phosphine, thereby promoting the development of resistance. Our results strengthen a growing consensus that it is the speed to knockdown that truly matters, with quick knockdown indicating slow recovery and a reduced likelihood for the occurrence of resistance. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.