7 Behavioral Indicators of Post-weaning Stress Susceptibility in Cross-fostered Pigs

Cross-fostering is a common swine husbandry practice; however, little research has focused on the effects of foster stress on piglets post-weaning. This study evaluated the effect of cross-fostering on behavioral indicators of post-weaning stress susceptibility. Litters (n = 40) were allocated to 1 of 2 treatments: control (CON) and foster. Three piglets (FOS) from each CON litter were randomly selected and moved to a foster litter 12–24 h post-farrowing, where they were nursed along resident (RES) piglets until weaning (approximately 18 d of age). At 21- and 28-d post-weaning, a male and female piglet from each treatment (FOS, RES, CON) underwent 1 of 2 behavior tests: social isolation and social confrontation. Both tests were conducted in an isolated 1.22 × 1.22 m novel pen. For social isolation, escape attempts, movement between floor quadrants (i.e. locomotion), defecation, and urination events were counted. For social confrontation, the latency to first aggressive interaction and the number of aggressive interactions were quantified. All data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS. The CON piglets moved between quadrants more frequently than RES piglets (P = 0.02), while FOS piglets moved between quadrants intermediate to (but not different from) CON and RES piglets (P = 0.44 and 0.12, respectively). Females moved between quadrants more frequently than males (P < 0.0001). The latency to first aggressive interaction was shorter in FOS piglets compared to CON piglets (P = 0.048). There was a treatment by sex interaction (P < 0.01) for number of aggressive interactions, with CON and RES females having more aggressive interactions than their male counterparts (P = 0.04 for both) while FOS females had fewer aggressive interactions than FOS males (P = 0.007). No additional differences were detected (all P > 0.05). Overall, these results provide little evidence that FOS piglets exhibit an increase in behavioral stress susceptibility post-weaning. However, future work should expand upon and clarify the social confrontation findings.

Report of an extra-pair copulation in the Rufous Hornero, Furnarius rufus (Aves: Furnariidae)

In the last decade, studies in bird breeding biology have shown that infidelity is prevalent in socially monogamous species. Here, we describe an extra-pair copulation (EPC) event in the Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus), a socially monogamous bird with year-round territoriality and low levels of extra-pair paternity. Before the EPC, a within-pair copulation (WPC) occurred inside the pair’s territory. The WPC occurred on the ground and between a banded male (ca. 6 years-old) and an unbanded female. Ten minutes later this breeding pair invaded a neighboring territory, presumably to forage. The territorial male was chased back to its territory by an unbanded male neighbor after being detected. The male neighbor was paired with an unbanded female that did not participate in the aggressive interaction. When flying back to its territory the male neighbor copulated with the territorial female on the ground (ie. EPC). The territorial male flew, vocalized, and perched above the male neighbor, interrupting the EPC. The aggressive interaction then ceased as each pair resumed foraging in their respective territories. These observations suggest that Rufous Horneros can use EPC to obtain immediate benefits (food access in a neighbor’s territory). Moreover, WPC may be detected by neighbors and physical mate guarding and/or frequent WPC may be necessary to prevent EPC in the Rufous Hornero.

Performance, but not size, of hindleg weaponry is sexually dimorphic in the giant mesquite bug (Thasus neocalifornicus)

ABSTRACTIn many species, males possess specialized weaponry that have evolved to confer a benefit during aggressive interactions. Because male weaponry is typically an exaggerated or extreme version of pre-existing body parts, females often possess reduced or weaponry. Although much research has investigated sexual dimorphism in the sizes of such weapons, other weapon components, such as weapon performance or alternative weapon forms can also explain the evolution of weapon sexual dimorphisms. Here, we investigated the allometry and variation of multiple weapon components of hindleg weaponry in the male and female giant mesquite bugs, Thasus necalifornicus. Despite theory predicating greater allocation in male weaponry, we found that females allocated more into the lengths of their hindlegs compared to males. Despite this allocation, males possess relatively wider hindlegs, which likely increase area of muscle mass. Indeed, the squeezing performance of male hindlegs was much greater than that of female hindlegs. Lastly, we also described the allometry and variation in a male weapon component, prominent tibial spines, which likely are used to damage competitors during aggressive interaction. Overall, our findings highlight the intricacies of weapon sexual dimorphism and demonstrate the importance of measuring multiple weapon components and not a single measure.

Mechanism of Interaction between Concrete Cement Matrix and Mineral Additive Particles

A nature of the forces, which act between the concrete cement matrix and entrained mineral particles (ground additives, fine and coarse additives), has been considered. It has been shown that the adhesion between them is attributable to the forces of different nature. The strongest adhesion between the particles of the hydrated binding material and mineral additives occurs, when materials, which react with calcium hydrate of the pore fluid, are used. The latter includes glassy wollastonite, which is part of granulated blast furnace slag. Even at a temperature of 25 °C, an aggressive interaction between them is observed and firm chemical bonds occur. In such case, the dissociation energy of such bonds ranges from 400 to 500 kJ per bond. Between materials, such as crystalline wollastonite and the concrete cement matrix, there is an epitaxial coalescence of its basal surfaces and tobermorite calcium hydrosilicates formed by the interaction of the binder with water. A direct contact is required between the reacting surfaces for such interaction. This is implemented by virtue of the bond, which is attributable to contraction forces resulting from shrinkage strains of the hydrated particles in the concrete cement matrix. Internal strains of the cement that are attributable to contraction, shrinkage, and carbonization of hydrated compounds result in the cement sheath contracting around the aggregate grains and steel reinforcement. Internal strains of the cement stone can be calculated using the Lame equation. We have reviewed the role of the factors, which are most critical for contraction of the cement ring around coarse particles of the aggregate and for stress-strain properties of artificial conglomerates, which have different composition and purpose.

Influence of Reaction Time in the Emotional Response of a Companion Robot to a Child’s Aggressive Interaction

The quality of a companion robot’s reaction is important to make it acceptable to the users and to sustain interactions. Furthermore, the robot’s reaction can be used to train socially acceptable behaviors and to develop certain skills in both normally developing children and children with cognitive disabilities. In this study, we investigate the influence of reaction time in the emotional response of a robot when children display aggressive interactions toward it. Different interactions were considered, namely, pickup, shake, drop and throw. The robot produced responses as audible sounds, which were activated at three different reaction times, namely, 0.5 s, 1.0 s, and 1.5 s. The results for one of the tasks that involved shaking the robotic toys produced a significant difference between the timings tested. This could imply that producing a late response to an action (i.e. greater than 1.0 s) could negatively affect the children’s comprehension of the intended message. Furthermore, the response should be comprehensible to provide a clear message to the user. The results imply that the designers of companion robotic toys need to consider an appropriate timing and clear modality for their robots’ responses.

Gender characteristics of teenage aggression on social networks

The article discusses the problems of gender differences in the teenage aggressive behavior on social networks. The article provides a theoretical overview of approaches to the study of the problem of gender differences in aggressive behavior of adolescents, including in the Internet space: psychophysiological, psychosocial, and socio-psychological. The study results showed that the process of aggressive interaction between adolescents on social networks was implemented according to the strategies of psychological defense chosen by adolescents, the level of hostility and self-presentation of an individual through asocial behavior. The authors note that the transition to the virtual space gives adolescents the opportunity to experiment with their own gender, and the number of adolescents with a distinction of biological sex and gender role increases. The study revealed differences in the aggressive behavior between all groups of respondents, depending on their choice of gender role. All results are confirmed using the methods of mathematical statistics.

The Making of Microcelebrity: AfreecaTV and the Younger Generation in Neoliberal South Korea

This article follows a recent thread of work on microcelebrity on social media and examines live streaming broadcasting jockeys (BJs) on AfreecaTV and their self-branding strategies in the South Korean context. As the nature of media platform influences self-branding tactics of microcelebrity, this article focuses on analyzing the text of popular live streaming and the chats among the viewers and BJs. Using the framework of authenticity, I argue that popular microcelebrities of AfreecaTV present a self-branding tactic of staged personae that are often exaggerated and aggressive rather than presenting self as intimate and ordinary figures who interact immediately with their fans. Staged personae are presented in conjunction with the viewer as the aggressive interaction in the chat rooms between the BJ and the audience strengthens exaggeration and aggressiveness. In the context of neoliberal self-care, I also argue that the making of microcelebrity on AfreecaTV is distinctly shaped by the larger generational culture of yingyŏ. The focus on unproductive work, idleness, and momentary entertainment among BJs and the viewer represents their rejection to neoliberal self-care, which has long been a key tool of personal success and prosperity in the context of neoliberal Korea.