THE ROLE OF MONOAMINERGIC SYSTEM GENE POLYMORPHISMS IN AGGRESSION LEVEL IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Aggressive behavior is an integral part of the human psyche. However, environmental risk factors, mental illness and somatic diseases can cause increased aggression, which represents the biological basis of antisocial behavior in a human society. An important role in the development of aggressive behavior belongs to the hereditary factors, that are probably related to abnormal functioning of neurotransmitter systems in the brain. However, the underlying genetic mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to assess the main effects of monoaminergic systems gene polymorphisms (serotonergic - SLC6A4 , HTR2A , HTR1B, dopaminergic - DRD4 , MAOB ) together with haplotypic and gene-environmental effects on individual differences in aggression level in 642 mentally healthy individuals with sex and ethnicity inclusion as covariates. Aggression level was assessed using the Russian version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. The genotyping of the SLC6A4 ( 5-HTTLPR and rs1042173 ), HTR2A ( rs7322347 ), HTR1B ( rs13212041 ), DRD4 ( rs1800955 ), MAOB ( rs6651806 ) gene polymorphisms was conducted via polymerase chain reaction (real time and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis). Statistical analysis included multiple linear/logistic regression (PLINK v. 1.9). The correction for multiple testing was conducted by the FDR procedure (False Discovery Rate). Statistical analysis revealed the association of SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR S -allele with an increased aggression level in men (pFDR = 0.022) and in Udmurts (pFDR = 0.009). In addition, we revealed that paternal care significantly affected association of SLC6A4 rs1042173 and aggression level (p = 0.001). The study demonstrated environmental, genderand ethnicity-specific role of the SLC6A4 gene in individual differences in aggression level in mentally healthy individuals.

Interspecific agonistic behaviour of Odontotermes javanicus and Microcerotermes sp. (Isoptera: Termitidae): Preliminary study

Termite interaction from the same or different colonies or species can display a variety of agonistic behaviours. The study aimed to observe the interspecific agonistic behaviour of Odontotermes javanicus and Microcerotermes sp. For this purpose, an assay was carried out using a test arena separated into two groups. Termite responses were tested against each other in the following pairwise test (worker versus worker, worker versus soldier, and soldier versus soldier) with a 1:1 ratio (ten individuals) from each colony. Specimens were collected at the area of Forestry Faculty, Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia. The observed agonistic behaviour of both species is dominated by examination (antennation) and aggression (attacking, grappling, and biting). There were three treatment combinations that classified as no aggression, except for the treatment (Microcerotermes sp. soldier versus O. javanicus worker) that classified in aggression level 3 (aggressive). Based on termite survival after five minutes of testing, O. javanicus is more competitive than Microcerotermes sp,; no more individual termites of both species survive after 24 hours of testing.

The Peculiarities of Professional Ideas of Visually Impaired Junior School- children with Different Level of Personal Anxiety and Aggression

Background: The problem of purposeful systematic formation of professional ideas is particularly actual for visually impaired children in the context of reduced social contacts, at the same time an emotional sphere as a factor contributing to the compensation of the defect plays a great role for such children. Objective: To analyze the relationship of professional ideas of visually impaired young schoolchildren with personal components such as anxiety, aggression, level of introversion and extroversion. Methods: The respondents of the study were visually impaired junior students in the age from 9 to 11 years of the State public educational institution of Rostov Region, Russia “Rostov Special Boarding School Nº 38” in the amount of 94 people. We diagnosed the level of personal anxiety using the Spielberger scale. A questionnaire aimed at studying the ideas about the object of activity (E.I. Rogov) was used. Diagnostics of the level of aggression of schoolchildren was applied using the test “Cactus” (M. A. Panfilova). And the technique for diagnostics of professional activity motivation (K. Zamfir) was also used. Results: It has been established that the emotional and will component of professional ideas depends on the level of aggression, introversion and extroversion, from this point of view the combination of extroversion and aggression is favorable. The combination of introversion and aggression is the worst in respect of the emotional component, and introversion and non-aggressiveness is the worst in respect of the will component. Conclusion: The scientific categories presented in the article: professional ideas, anxiety, aggression, the degree of extroversion and introversion in the personality structure of visually impaired younger schoolchildren have certain relationships. The obtained data can be used preparing programs for purposeful formation of professional ideas of visually impaired younger schoolchildren.

The transition of learners to classes for learners with special educational needs from the perspective of the learners, teachers and parents

The researchers investigate how learners with barriers to learning experience the transition to classes for learners with special educational needs. The research was conducted at a full-service school in Potchefstroom, North West province, South Africa. Interviews were conducted with current and former teachers as well as the parents of selected participants who were learners in special educational needs (LSEN) classes at the school. Focus group interviews were held with each of the groups of learners. The findings of the study could be divided into intrapersonal factors (emotional development; group pressure; self-image and self-confidence; a feeling of loss; a transition that was traumatic, filled with stress and aggression; level of security; and the inability to hold his or her own in situations) and interpersonal factors (low social skills, the loss of friends, the loss of social status and the feeling that the transition was merely a temporary measure). We concluded that, based on the social and psychological effects of the transition between LSEN- and mainstream classes, teachers and parents need to make better informed decisions about the transition of learners.

Neuroendocrine and Cardiovascular Activation During Aggressive Reactivity in Dogs

Our aim was to investigate cardiovascular activation by measuring changes in facial and body surface temperature using infrared thermography, and neuroendocrine activation using salivary cortisol (CORT) and serotonin concentration (SER) in dogs exhibiting aggressive reactivity in real time. Based on two factors, owner-reported past aggressive behaviors, and detailed behavioral observations collected during a Socially Acceptable Behavior test consisting of 16 subtests and, each individual was categorized as aggressive or non-aggressive. CORT and SER showed no difference in neuroendocrine activity between dogs, but aggressive dogs with higher levels of aggression were found to have lower SER. Aggressive dogs also had an increase in facial temperature from pre-test values. The discovery of a correlation between tail wagging and left tail wagging with aggression level and aggression-related behaviors in aggressive dogs is further evidence of the right hemisphere specialization for aggression previously reported in the literature. This study provides the first evidence that both cardiovascular and neuroendocrine systems are activated during an active act of aggression in dogs.

Third Parties Mirror the Aggression of the Antagonists: A Video-Based Analysis of Third-Party Aggression in Interpersonal Conflicts

Third parties tend to take an active role and intervene in interpersonal conflicts in public. Previous research has shown that the level of aggression of these interventions determines how they influence the conflict. No previous study has, however, systematically investigated whether the aggression of third-party interventions is influenced by the development of the conflict situation. The objective of this study is twofold. First, the study determines the extent to which the aggression level of intervening third parties changes during the course of interpersonal conflicts. Second, the study identifies and investigates the factors that affect the aggression levels displayed by intervening third parties. We systematically observed and coded CCTV footage of 46 interpersonal conflicts in public space, recorded by surveillance cameras in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The data included 565 intervention behaviors by 125 third parties. We recorded the levels of aggression of the individuals involved in the conflict and conducted a multinomial logistic regression analysis to investigate what influenced the aggression level of the third-party interventions. We found that the aggression levels of the preceding intervention behaviors by the third parties predict aggression levels of their subsequent interventions. This shows a consistency in third-party interventions over the course of a conflict. We also found that the aggression levels of the conflict parties that are the targets of the interventions influence the aggression levels of third-party intervention. This finding demonstrates that the development of the conflict situation influences how aggressive the third parties are. Our study emphasizes the importance of taking the interactional dynamics of interpersonal conflicts into consideration when explaining third-party behavior.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MIDWIFERY STUDENTS’ ACCEPTANCE OF VIOLENCE BETWEEN COUPLES AND LEVEL OF AGGRESSION: A MULTICENTERED STUDY: ACCEPTANCE OF VIOLENCE BETWEEN COUPLES AND LEVEL OF AGGRESSION

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between acceptance of violence between couples and level of aggression among 1st and 4th year midwifery students enrolled in various universities in Turkey. Methods: The study is cross-sectional descriptive in nature. The data were collected through “Personal Information Form”, "Acceptance of Couple Violence Scale" and “Aggression Scale". Results: Of all the participants, 1843 were 1st year students and 1337 were 4th year students. There was a weak positive relationship between Aggression Scale and Acceptance of Couple Violence Scale. Acceptance of violence between couples was found to increase with the increase in aggression level. Conclusion: Identification of adolescents’ views about aggression between girls or boys is of great importance in terms of providing opportunity for early intervention and maintaining healthy relationships. It could be suggested that midwifery departments which give health education should involve these issues in their curriculum.

Functional traits explain crayfish invasive success in the Netherlands

Biological invasions by nonindigenous species can have negative effects on economies and ecosystems. To limit this impact, current research on biological invasions uses functional traits to facilitate a mechanistic understanding of theoretical and applied questions. Here we aimed to assess the role of functional traits in the progression of crayfish species through different stages of invasion and determine the traits associated with invasive success. A dataset of thirteen functional traits of 15 species currently occurring or available for sale in the Netherlands was evaluated. Six of these crayfish appeared invasive. Important traits distinguishing successful from unsuccessful invaders were a temperate climate in the native range, a medium to high egg count and producing more than one egg clutch per year. The most successful invaders had different functional trait combinations: Procambarus clarkii has a higher reproductive output, can migrate over longer distances and possesses a higher aggression level; Faxonius limosus is adapted to a colder climate, can reproduce parthenogetically and has broader environmental tolerances. Using a suit of functional traits to analyse invasive potential can help risk management and prevention. For example, based on our data Procambarus virginalis is predicted to become the next successful invasive crayfish in the Netherlands.

The mediation effects of smartphone addiction on relationship between aggression and nomophobia

The aim of this study is to research the mediational role of smartphone addiction on relationship between nomophobia and aggression level of university students. The data collected through the convenience samples over the Internet has reached a wider audience. The study group consisted of 307 university students. Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Form, Buss Perry Aggression Scale and Nomophobia Scale were used during the research process. In addition, Relational survey method used, and mediation model of Baron and Kenny’s was used to analyze the mediation effect of smartphone. Smartphone usage is related to nomophobia and anger. Partial mediation effect of smartphone addiction was proved among nomophobia and anger. On the relation between aggression and nomophobia, the smartphone indirect effect value is %6. Keywords: Aggression, Mediational Role, Nomophobia, Smartphone Addiction