Transcriptome of Distinct LH and FSH Cells Reveals Different Regulation Unique to Each Cell Type

From mammals to fish, gametogenesis and sexual maturation are driven by LH and FSH, the two gonadotropic hormones temporally secreted from the pituitary. Teleost fish are an excellent model for addressing the unique regulation and function of each gonadotropin hormone since, unlike mammals; they synthesize and secrete LH and FSH from distinct cells. By performing cell specific transcriptome analysis of double-labelled transgenic Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) expressing GFP and RFP in LH or FSH cells, respectively, we identified genes specifically enriched in each cell type. Though GnRH is considered the main neuropeptide regulating LH and FSH, we found that each LH and FSH cell express unique GPCR signature that reveals the direct regulation of additional metabolic and homeostatic hormones (like cholecystokinin, somatostatin and glutamate). Moreover, some of those GPCRs were conserved also in gonadotrophs of mammals (like PACAP receptor, Adropin receptor and GABBA receptor). Next, we had exploited the unique behavior of Nile tilapia where a behavioral hierarchy is created between males, to compare the gene expression in the pituitary and brain of dominant (reproducing) males to a subordinate (non-reproducing) males. By combining the two transcriptome sets we had identified novel players in the hypothalamic regulation of the HPG axis, and revealed how brain aromatase (cyp19a1b), that is enriched specifically in LH cells, is the key factor in regulating the activity of LH and FSH cells in dominant reproducing fish. Thereby, unraveling novel mechanisms in the differential regulation of LH and FSH. The research was funded by the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) no. 1540/17.

Hierarchical Behavior Model for Multi-Agent System with Evasion Capabilities and Dynamic Memory

The behavior of an agent may be simple or complex depending on its role. Behavioral simulation using agents can have multiple approaches that have different advantages and disadvantages. By combining different behaviors in a hierarchical model, situational inefficiencies can be compensated. This paper proposes a behavioral hierarchy model that combines different mechanisms in behavior plans. The study simulates the social behavior in an office environment during an emergency using collision avoidance, negotiation, conflict solution, and path-planning mechanisms in the same multi-agent model to find their effects and the efficiency of the combinational setups. Independent agents were designed to have memory expansion, pathfinding, and searching capabilities, and the ability to exchange information among themselves and perform evasive actions to find a way out of congestion and conflict. The designed model allows us to modify the behavioral hierarchy and action order of agents during evacuation scenarios. Moreover, each agent behavior can be enabled or disabled separately. The effects of these capabilities on escape performance were measured in terms of time required for evacuation and evacuation ratio. Test results prove that all mechanisms in the proposed model have characteristics that fit each other well in situations where different hierarchies are needed. Dynamic memory management (DMM), together with a hierarchical behavior plan, achieved a performance improvement of 23.14% in escape time without providing agents with any initial environmental information.

Social Behaviors Hierarchy and Sleep

<p>Social behaviors, attachment, social support and human rights orientation were studied for the relationship with sleep. It was assumed that human physiological aspects have a relationship with social behavioral hierarchy that include primitive to most advanced social behaviors. Following tests were used is following order on randomized volunteer participants, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Parental Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Assessment Human Rights Questionnaire. A strong relationship was found. Findings of the study could be important for multiple fields of social science specially psychology. </p>

Social Behaviors Hierarchy and Sleep

<p>Social behaviors, attachment, social support and human rights orientation were studied for the relationship with sleep. It was assumed that human physiological aspects have a relationship with social behavioral hierarchy that include primitive to most advanced social behaviors. Following tests were used is following order on randomized volunteer participants, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Parental Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Assessment Human Rights Questionnaire. A strong relationship was found. Findings of the study could be important for multiple fields of social science specially psychology. </p>