Faculty Opinions recommendation of Deconstructing Hunting Behavior Reveals a Tightly Coupled Stimulus-Response Loop.

AbstractAnimals build behavioral sequences out of simple stereotyped actions. A comprehensive characterization of these actions and the rules underlying their temporal organization is necessary to understand sensorimotor transformations performed by the brain. Here, we use unsupervised methods to study behavioral sequences in zebrafish larvae. Generating a map of swim bouts, we reveal that fish modulate their tail movements along a continuum. We cluster bouts that share common kinematic features and contribute to similar behavioral sequences into seven modules. Behavioral sequences comprising a subset of modules bring prey into the anterior dorsal visual field of the larvae. Fish then release a capture maneuver comprising a stereotyped jaw movement and fine-tuned stereotyped tail movements to capture prey at various distances. We demonstrate that changes to chaining dynamics, but not module production, underlie prey capture deficits in two visually impaired mutants. Our analysis thus reveals the temporal organization of a vertebrate hunting behavior, with the implication that different neural architectures underlie prey pursuit and capture.

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The Effect of Real-Time Feedback Using a Smartwatch on the Clinical Behavior of Novice Student Clinicians

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp2.sig11.79 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (11) ◽

pp. 79-90

Author(s):

Courtney G. Scott ◽

Trina M. Becker ◽

Kenneth O. Simpson

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Rating Scales ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Communication Disorders ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Single Subject ◽

Clinical Behavior ◽

Stimulus Response ◽

Treatment Data ◽

Computer Monitors

The use of computer monitors to provide technology-based written feedback during clinical sessions, referred to as “bug-in-the-eye” (BITi) feedback, recently emerged in the literature with preliminary evidence to support its effectiveness (Carmel, Villatte, Rosenthal, Chalker & Comtois, 2015; Weck et al., 2016). This investigation employed a single-subject, sequential A-B design with two participants to observe the effects of implementing BITi feedback using a smartwatch on the clinical behavior of student clinicians (SCs). Baseline and treatment data on the stimulus-response-consequence (S-R-C) contingency completion rates of SCs were collected using 10 minute segments of recorded therapy sessions. All participants were students enrolled in a clinical practicum experience in a communication disorders and sciences (CDS) program. A celeration line, descriptive statistics, and stability band were used to analyze the data by slope, trend, and variability. Results demonstrated a significant correlative relationship between BITi feedback with a smartwatch and an increase in positive clinical behaviors. Based on qualitative interviews and exit rating scales, SCs reported BITi feedback was noninvasive and minimally distracting. Preliminary evidence suggests BITi feedback with a smartwatch may be an effective tool for providing real-time clinical feedback.

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