Give Them a Toy or Increase Time out of Kennel at Lawn Areas: What Is the Influence of These Interventions on Police Dogs’ Welfare?

This work was aimed at identifying the effectiveness of two interventions applied to a group of eight kennelled police dogs. Interventions consisted of access to a lawn area (350 m2) and “toy” (a 30 cm jute rag roll, hanging from the kennel ceiling), both available for 15 min a day, for four days in a row. We collected behavioural data and faecal samples for cortisol metabolites evaluation before, during and after interventions. Faecal cortisol metabolites levels were significantly reduced (Friedman, X2(3) =12.450; p = 0.006) during the second round of intervention, regardless of the type of intervention, indicating that the interventions can have a beneficial cumulative effect. Regarding the frequency of stereotyped behaviour, cluster analysis identified two groups of individuals: (1) high-stereotyping individuals (n = 3) that had a tendency to reduce stereotyping behaviours in the lawn intervention when compared to toy intervention (Friedman, X2(3) = 2.530; p = 0.068), and (2) low-stereotyping animals (n = 5) that did not present significant behavioural changes during the experiment. The variety of behavioural and endocrine parameters evaluated highlights the need to account for the individual in behaviour and welfare research. Overall, our results suggest that even simple environmental enrichment can be an effective method to mitigate behaviour and physiological signs of stress.

Relationship between Sensory Alterations and Repetitive Behaviours in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Parents’ Questionnaire Based Study

The relationship between sensory profile and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has long been known. However, there is no consensus on the type of relationship that exists between them. This monocentric retrospective–prospective observational study aimed (a) to detect a clinical correlation between the severity of repetitive behaviours and the alterations of sensory profile in a sample of 50 children diagnosed with ASD; (b) to evaluate how different patterns of stereotypies and sensory alterations correlate with each other and with the main clinical–instrumental variables in the same sample. We enrolled 29 children in the retrospective phase of the study and 21 in the prospective phase. The Repetitive Behaviour Scale-Revised (RBS-R) and the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) were administered to the caregivers, and clinical–instrumental data were collected. SSP and RBS-R total scores directly correlated with a high significance rate. Among the subscales, the strongest correlations involved “Visual/Auditory Sensitivity”, related to “Stereotyped Behaviour” and “Sameness Behaviour”. “Under-Responsive/Seeks Sensation” related to “Stereotyped Behaviour”. Sex and intellectual disability significantly influenced both the stereotypies and the sensory alterations of the examined population. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the relationship between sensory alterations and repetitive behaviours in ASD children by using direct medical observation and parent observation.

Evaluative Wortbildung und Personenreferenz.

The word formation pattern [ __-i]N mask. in Alemannic mainly derives masculine agent nouns from verbs resulting in output semantics of ‘someone who notoriously acts in the manner of base verb’. I analyse the pattern as an instance of evaluative morphology embedded in a more general output oriented schema and propose a scenario how the pattern may have developed from an OHG hypochoristic pattern primarily used in names. In a qualitative and quantitative analysis of two dialect dictionaries on Zürich German and Bernese German I look into the possible lexical fillings of the pattern and derive areas of stereotypisation. As the products of the pattern are masculine nouns, it is of interest whether the lemmas are flanked with a feminine form or not, and if they are, whether the feminine form follows or precedes the masculine form or is added as a separate lemma without a masculine pendant. The analysis also includes neuter forms ending in -i listed in the dictionaries. As the masculine products of the pattern already reflect stereotyped behaviour, the feminine (and neuter) forms included in the diction­na­ries are expected to sediment gender stereotypes to a high degree.

Camouflage by the masking crab, Notomithrax ursus (Herbst, 1788) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae): is it a decorator or a dressmaker?

Many spider crabs attach various kinds of living material to camouflage themselves and thereby escape detection by predators. This strategy uses a suite of co-evolved characters including a pyriform carapace shape, long agile chelipeds, hooked setae and a stereotyped behaviour pattern which is used to gather and plant pieces of other organisms amongst hooked setae on their body. Notomithrax ursus (Herbst, 1788) is a New Zealand majid crab that lives amongst seaweeds and mainly masks itself with the same. In doing so, it uses all the skills that we expect of a dressmaker. Denuded of its mask, the crab chooses algae it can manipulate, measures and cuts each piece, passes them to its mouth, and then plants them on its body in a roughly regular order, such that the severed ends are inserted into the hooked setae with only intact end visible. Longer pieces are planted on the body and smaller pieces on its walking legs to make a profile resembling a clump of seaweed. Distribution of the seaweed follows the distribution of the hooked setae on the crab. The number of pieces attached is independent of crab size and, as carapace width increases, the crabs compensate by cutting out longer pieces of seaweed. Cheliped allometry explains scaling of the mask. Total length of seaweed used can range 0.6–2.6 m (mean 1.36 m). Increasing mask load is accompanied by increases in the number and size of hooked setae thereby strengthening attachment. The behaviour of N. ursus should be called “dressmaking” not “decorating.” It uses a stereotyped behaviour pattern to follow a design, dictated by the distribution of hooked setae, and produce a customized garment concealing it from predators. A hypothesis on the evolution of masking, from passive to active camouflage is proposed, based on the original ideas of C.W.S. Aurivillius.

Genetic modifiers in rare disorders: the case of fragile X syndrome

Methods employed in genome-wide association studies are not feasible ways to explore genotype–phenotype associations in rare disorders due to limited statistical power. An alternative approach is to examine relationships among specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), selected a priori, and behavioural characteristics. Here, we adopt this strategy to examine relationships between three SNPs (5-HTTLPR, MAOA, COMT) and specific clinically-relevant behaviours that are phenotypic of fragile X syndrome (FXS) but vary in severity and frequency across individuals. Sixty-four males with FXS participated in the current study. Data from standardised informant measures of challenging behaviour (defined as physical aggression, property destruction, stereotyped behaviour, and self-injury), autism symptomatology, attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder characteristics, repetitive behaviour and mood/interest and pleasure were compared between each SNP genotype. No association was observed between behavioural characteristics and either 5-HTTLPR (serotonin) or MAOA (monoamine oxidase) genotypes. However, compared to the COMT (dopamine) AG and GG genotypes, the AA genotype was associated with greater interest and pleasure in the environment, and with reduced risk for property destruction, stereotyped behaviour and compulsive behaviour. The results suggest that common genetic variation in the COMT genotype affecting dopamine levels in the brain may contribute to the variability of challenging and repetitive behaviours and interest and pleasure in this population. This study identifies a role for additional genetic risk in understanding the neural and genetic mechanisms contributing to phenotypic variability in neurodevelopmental disorders, and highlights the merit of investigating SNPs that are selected a priori on a theoretical basis in rare populations.

Profiles of stereotyped behaviour in people with combined sensory impairments and intellectual disabilities

Stereotyped and repetitive behaviours are characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but also occur in individuals with combined intellectual and sensory disabilities. This article looked at the differences in type, frequency, and duration of stereotyped behaviours between individuals with and without ASD in this population. The study included 59 individuals with intellectual disabilities and sensory impairments. The presence of ASD was assessed using Observation of Autism in people with Sensory and Intellectual Disabilities (OASID). Separate from these assessments, video recordings were scored by observers naive to the ASD status of participants for stereotyped and repetitive behaviours. Stereotyped and repetitive behaviours were more prevalent in participants with ASD, though a large proportion of participants without ASD showed them too. Participants with ASD showed, on average, more frequent and in duration longer stereotyped and repetitive behaviours, especially self-injurious behaviours. No differences were found for vocal, motoric, and stereotyped behaviours with objects. The mean duration of each episode of stereotyped behaviour did not differ between groups. Cluster analysis revealed a distinct group of individuals without ASD who showed a high number of stereotyped behaviours.

Evaluating Stress in Dogs Involved in Animal-Assisted Interventions

Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are co-therapies in which the animal is an integral and active part of the treatment process. Dogs are widely involved in AAI projects, but little data are available to determine if AAI sessions are a source of stress for the dogs. Understanding the emotional state of animals and highlighting any signal of stress is crucial maintaining the wellness of the animals and in enhancing the probability of success of the AAI. The purpose of this study is to assess if dogs present signs of stress during animal assisted therapies sessions. The sample consisted of nine dogs, belonging to the members of the A.N.U.C.S.S. (the National Association for the Use of Dogs for Social Aims) association. Dogs lived with their owners and their health was checked by a vet once a week. Patients involved in the AAI project had disabilities due to mental disorder and/or psychomotor problems. During the therapeutic sessions, patients had to guide the dog along facilitated agility routes and/or perform the activities of cuddling and brushing the dog. When a dog accomplished a task, the patient gave him/her a reward (throwing a ball or a biscuit). Dogs were observed for a total of 174 h, 47 h before, 81 h during, and 46 h after AAI sessions. Each session of observation lasted 10–30 min. The differences of behavioural patterns in the three contexts were analysed by mean of the non-parametric Friedman test. Dogs never showed aggressive and stereotyped behaviour; the level of anxious behaviour was low and similar in all three kinds of sessions. During therapeutic sessions, attention, affiliative behavioural patterns, and sniffing behaviour increased. The highest level of attention of dogs was directed toward their conductor, rather than to the patient and to the other operator present. The results suggest that the amount of work dogs went through was adequate and that dogs did not show behavioural signs of stress.

The function of play bows in Canis lupus and its variants: a comparison of dingo (Canis lupus dingo), dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and wolf puppies (Canis lupus)

Play bows represent a common, highly stereotyped behaviour across the genus Canis. However, much of what we know is limited to the wolf and its domestic derivative, the domestic dog. Here we continue to look at the function of play bows among subspecies/variants of Canis lupus by including the dingo. Comparing dingoes to wolves and dogs may provide further insight into the impact of domestication on play behaviour. We analysed play bows in three-to-six month old dingo puppies and compared the results to previous studies of wolves and dogs. The function of play bows in dingoes appears consistent with those observed in dogs and wolf puppies. However, subtle intraspecific differences (such as the frequency and duration of play bows, and vocalizations during play) were apparent, and warrant further investigation in the genus Canis, as well as the Family Canidae more broadly.

Recommendations for Сonstruction of Inclusive Environment at Activities with Participation of People with ASD

Construction of inclusive environment for people with autism, including activities with their participation, is an actual task, but its implementation is complicated by that fact that required measures are not evident. In the article sensory and communicative issues, routines and stereotyped behaviour among people with ASD are discussed. And relevant recommendations for construction of inclusive environment for people with ASD at different activities.

Self and Identity of Being an Ideal Woman: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Gender roles and their stereotyped behaviour is influenced by various factors, both external and internal, during the course of an individual’s life. But, the identity of being an ideal woman is allegedly triggered by marketing. It seems to create an identity benchmark in the society and a pressure in women to comply with these identity standards. These efforts to adhere to the ideal woman benchmark is reflected in women’s consumption. But, what does it mean to be an ideal woman? To explore this, we conducted 20 interviews. The study identified that being an ideal woman is being beautiful and feminine, and to have stereotyped perfect bodies and behaviour. These seem to be driven by the expectations from men, which bring transitions in a woman’s public and private self. The study also discusses the implications to marketing and advertising.