scholarly journals Heritability of telomere variation: it is all about the environment!

2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1741) ◽  
pp. 20160450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah L. Dugdale ◽  
David S. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Sufficient Power ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Individual differences in telomere length have been linked to survival and senescence. Understanding the heritability of telomere length can provide important insight into individual differences and facilitate our understanding of the evolution of telomeres. However, to gain accurate and meaningful estimates of telomere heritability it is vital that the impact of the environment, and how this may vary, is understood and accounted for. The aim of this review is to raise awareness of this important, but much under-appreciated point. We outline the factors known to impact telomere length and discuss the fact that telomere length is a trait that changes with age. We highlight statistical methods that can separate genetic from environmental effects and control for confounding variables. We then review how well previous studies in vertebrate populations including humans have taken these factors into account. We argue that studies to date either use methodological techniques that confound environmental and genetic effects, or use appropriate methods but lack sufficient power to fully separate these components. We discuss potential solutions. We conclude that we need larger studies, which also span longer time periods, to account for changing environmental effects, if we are to determine meaningful estimates of the genetic component of telomere length. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'.

Contribution to the special issue on clinical ethology: The neurobiology of environmentally induced stereotypic behaviours in captive animals: assessing the basal ganglia pathways and cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical circuitry hypotheses

Behaviour ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-52
Author(s):  
Lindsey Kitchenham ◽  
Georgia J. Mason
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Subthalamic Nucleus ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Striatal Dopamine ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Cortical Circuitry ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The neurobiology of environmentally induced stereotypic behaviours (SBs) (e.g., pacing in zoo carnivores, crib-biting in horses, tail chasing in dogs) is hypothesized to involve altered functioning within the basal ganglia (‘Basal Ganglia (BG) Pathways Hypotheses’) and/or between the basal ganglia and cortex (‘Cortico-Striatal-Thalamo-Cortical (CSTC) Circuits Hypotheses’). We review four decades of relevant studies, critically assessing support for both hypotheses. Currently no BG Pathways or CSTC Circuits hypothesis is fully supported. While some results are partially consistent with some hypotheses (decreased subthalamic nucleus activity in deer mice and C58 mice); others (nucleus accumbens activity in mink and C57 mice) seem to reflect individual differences in SB, but not environmental effects. Yet others can be tentatively rejected: neither elevated striatal dopamine nor the cortico-striatal connection of the sensorimotor circuit seem to be involved for most species studied to date. Further research is now important for understanding the impact of captivity on animals’ functioning.

scholarly journals COVID-19 India: An insight into the impact of lockdown and community behavioural response

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 717-729
Author(s):  
Sahiba Sharma ◽  
Anubrata Paul
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Remedial Action ◽  
Indian Government ◽  
First Case ◽  
Prosocial Behaviours ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

The emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases pose a threat to the global economy. The tendency to confront these pandemics is still questionable. In January 2020, the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in India was identified in Kerala. Later, the Indian government announced lockdown as a remedial action against COVID-19. The present work aims to elucidate the community behavioural response towards COVID-19 lockdown in India and presents comprehensive observations. Protection motivational theory has been used to build a conceptual framework. It was observed that community behavioural response includes maladaptive, adaptive and prosocial behaviours. In addition, we conclude that the effective strategy against the prevention, spread and control of pandemics and strategic management is still lacking. Hence, we propose a framework based on the learnings from COVID-19 to tackle future pandemics.

WILLPOWER AND PERCEIVED BEHAVIORAL CONTROL: INFLUENCES ON THE INTENTION-BEHAVIOR RELATIONSHIP AND POSTBEHAVIOR ATTRIBUTIONS

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy L. Fitch ◽  
Elizabeth C. Ravlin
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Nontraditional Students ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Moderation Effects ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
The Impact

Individual differences in willpower (a subdimension of conscientiousness) and perceived behavioral control (PBC: cognition regarding extent of control over an action; Ajzen, 1985) in the intention-behavior relationship were explored to better understand when intention will be completed to action. The impact of these constructs in postbehavior attributions also was explored. Subjects were traditional and nontraditional students (N=325) preparing for examinations at two time periods. Rather than confirming main effects proposed by prior research (e.g., Ajzen), moderation effects characterized these data. At Time 1, individuals higher in willpower behaved more consistently with their intentions. At Time 2, individuals higher in PBC showed a similar effect. Lower willpower also led subjects to make less attribution to effort when expectations were exceeded.

Ambition, personalist regimes, and control of authoritarian leaders

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Kosterina
Keyword(s):  
Formal Theory ◽  
Authoritarian Regimes ◽  
The Other ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Why do elites in some authoritarian regimes but not others remove from power the leaders who harm their interests? We develop a formal theory explaining this. The theory shows how elites’ ambition prevents them from controlling authoritarian leaders. Because ambitious elites are willing to stage coups to acquire power even when the leader is good, ambition renders elites’ claims that the leader’s actions harm them less credible, making the other elites less likely to support coups. We show that the impact of the proportion of competent politicians on personalist regimes is non-monotonic: personalist regimes are most likely to emerge not only when there are few competent politicians but also when there are lots of them. We also provide insight into which elites become coup-plotters. The theory explains the emergence of personalist regimes, the frequency of coups, and why some authoritarian countries enjoy a more competent leadership than others.

scholarly journals HRM and work practices in Chile: the regulatory power of organisational culture

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny K. Rodriguez ◽  
Paul Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Settings ◽  
Social Patterns ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the characteristics of working practices, in particular HRM practices in work settings in Chile, specifically the regulatory strength of organisational culture. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on data gathered from a non-probabilistic sample of 1299 workers in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Findings Findings suggest that HRM practices sustain, while restructuring, dynamics of worker monitoring and control, consistent with historical and social patterns of relationships in Chile. These relationships are sustained via status differences and operate through the development of paternalistic relationships between managers and workers. Originality/value The paper provides insight into the character of human resource management in Latin America from the perspective of workers. In addition, it highlights the impact of organisational culture on regulating workplaces and shaping HRM practices that do not challenge the socio-cultural order.

Ergonomic Benefits of an Angle Grinder With Rotatable Main Handle in a Cutting Task

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 1112-1124
Author(s):  
Märt Reinvee ◽  
Sander Aia ◽  
Mati Pääsuke
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Cumulative Trauma ◽  
Subjective Ratings ◽  
Tool Selection ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Pressure Threshold ◽  
Postural Effect ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ergonomic benefits of an angle grinder with a rotatable main handle in a cutting task. Background: Angle grinder manufacturers rarely address ergonomic features in their advertisements, and if they do, the benefits are expressed in a qualitative manner. Meanwhile, quantitative information about the effects of the device on the worker is required to make informed decisions during tool selection and cumulative trauma prevention. Method: Eleven maintenance workers and metalworkers used an angle grinder to cut a horizontal steel rod using three wrist postures. Only one of the postures was exclusively available in the case of a rotatable main handle. The postural effect was evaluated objectively with electromyography and a force-sensing-resistor-based force glove. Subjective ratings about discomfort and control were obtained with a visual analog scale. Results: The subjective ratings favor the near-neutral wrist posture. The forearm muscles’ electromyographic activities were similar across the postures. Forces on the hand–handle interface were concentrated on the intermediate phalanges. If the device is operated without gloves, the forces on the intermediate phalanges may exceed the discomfort pressure threshold regardless of wrist posture. Conclusion: In the cutting task, the subjective measures favor the posture with a near-neutral wrist, which is a feature of the rotatable main handle. The objective measures did not allow one to prefer one posture to another. Application: The findings give insight into the impact of wrist posture on muscle activity, forces on the hand–handle interface, and discomfort. This is useful information for the person responsible for tool selection.

The effects of aircraft use and available repair spares on aircraft sortie generation: a long-duration logistical wargaming simulation tool

2021 ◽  
pp. 154851292110407
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Choo ◽  
Darryl Ahner ◽  
Lance Champagne
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Simulation Tool ◽  
Stepwise Approach ◽  
Critical Metrics ◽  
Dynamic Events ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Covering Design ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Long-duration logistical wargames within the Air domain are complex and highly dynamic events that are driven by aircraft availability. In order to gain insight into the impact of aircraft use, this research developed a simulation tool that uses a stepwise approach for adjudication and provides the user many capabilities including, but not limited to, the ability to have multiple bases and types of aircraft. Daily aircraft availability and missions accomplished are two critical metrics of interest. Within the simulation, the user has the ability to control types of part failures, control parts availability, control maintenance capabilities, and control number of mission scheduled. Finally, the user can account for the possibility of attrition along with the effects of numerous major events present in real-life scenarios. This tool is validated through application of a space covering design along with regression modeling and shows that the tool is well-behaved, functions as expected, and can quickly provide meaningful insights into operational scenarios.

scholarly journals Why are there associations between telomere length and behaviour?

2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1741) ◽  
pp. 20160438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Bateson ◽  
Daniel Nettle
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Smoking Behaviour ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Early Life Adversity ◽  
Telomere Attrition ◽  
Specific Behaviour ◽  
Telomere Dynamics

Individual differences in telomere length are associated with individual differences in behaviour in humans and birds. Within the human epidemiological literature this association is assumed to result from specific behaviour patterns causing changes in telomere dynamics. We argue that selective adoption—the hypothesis that individuals with short telomeres are more likely to adopt specific behaviours—is an alternative worthy of consideration. Selective adoption could occur either because telomere length directly affects behaviour or because behaviour and telomere length are both affected by a third variable, such as exposure to early-life adversity. We present differential predictions of the causation and selective adoption hypotheses and describe how these could be tested with longitudinal data on telomere length. Crucially, if behaviour is causal then it should be associated with differential rates of telomere attrition. Using smoking behaviour as an example, we show that the evidence that smoking accelerates the rate of telomere attrition within individuals is currently weak. We conclude that the selective adoption hypothesis for the association between behaviour and telomere length is both mechanistically plausible and, if anything, more compatible with existing empirical evidence than the hypothesis that behaviour is causal. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics’.

Suppressed, but Not Forgotten

2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beat Meier ◽  
Anja König ◽  
Samuel Parak ◽  
Katharina Henke
Keyword(s):  
Memory Trace ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Test Phase ◽  
Indirect Test ◽  
Final Test ◽  
Test Experiment ◽  
And Control ◽  
Cue Words ◽  
The Impact

This study investigates the impact of thought suppression over a 1-week interval. In two experiments with 80 university students each, we used the think/no-think paradigm in which participants initially learn a list of word pairs (cue-target associations). Then they were presented with some of the cue words again and should either respond with the target word or avoid thinking about it. In the final test phase, their memory for the initially learned cue-target pairs was tested. In Experiment 1, type of memory test was manipulated (i.e., direct vs. indirect). In Experiment 2, type of no-think instructions was manipulated (i.e., suppress vs. substitute). Overall, our results showed poorer memory for no-think and control items compared to think items across all experiments and conditions. Critically, however, more no-think than control items were remembered after the 1-week interval in the direct, but not in the indirect test (Experiment 1) and with thought suppression, but not thought substitution instructions (Experiment 2). We suggest that during thought suppression a brief reactivation of the learned association may lead to reconsolidation of the memory trace and hence to better retrieval of suppressed than control items in the long term.

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