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• We investigated if postural instability can induce motor resonance. • The unstable, compared to stable, display dampened left temporal theta activity. • The unstable display enhanced left temporal-prefrontal connectivity. • Biological and scramble stimuli differently modulated temporal cortex. • Observed postural (in)stability is encoded in cortical theta oscillations. This study investigates whether postural equilibration follows the same principles of motor resonance as goal-oriented actions, namely, whether an individual activates the same neuronal substrates when experiencing postural perturbation as when observing another individual in this condition. To address this question, we examined electroencephalographic dynamics while subjects observed point-light displays featuring an unstable human display, a stable human display, and their respective scrambled counterparts lacking shape information and biological motion. We focused on theta band (4–7 Hz), which is a fundamental frequency for modulating brain activity during challenging balance tasks and reflects postural stability monitoring. Rather than mirroring activity, our findings suggest an inhibitory response to postural instability. Theta event-related synchronization in the left temporal cortex was dampened for the unstable display as compared to its scramble counterpart and to the stable display. This low theta response coincided with an increase in left temporal-prefrontal connectivity, compatible with top-down inhibitory mechanisms. By contrast, the stronger theta response to the stable display as compared to the unstable one could be due to the difficulty of recognizing low-motion biological stimuli, or alternatively, to a facilitation of stimulus processing and strengthening of the mirroring response. The response facilitation for stable posture, coupled with a diminished response to the unstable display, could contribute to a broader mechanism mitigating postural threats and ensuring stable balance. Future investigations should leverage these findings to explore how posture-related responses correlate with perceptual and motor expertise, and to more clearly define these mechanisms during dynamic social interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childbirth may lead to perinatal mental health issues, such as childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS), depression, and anxiety. Despite well explored mother-infant interactions in the context of maternal depression and anxiety, only limited studies investigated mother-infant interactions in the context of CB-PTSS, which is the aim of the present study. One-hundred mother-infant dyads in the French speaking part of Switzerland were classified into three groups: birth-related symptoms (BRS, i.e., symptoms of re-experiencing and avoidance) (n = 20), general symptoms (GS, i.e., symptoms of negative cognition and mood and hyperarousal) (n = 46), and non-symptomatic (NS) (n = 34) based on maternal report on PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). At six months postpartum, mother-infant interactions were video-recorded and their quality was assessed using the Global Rating Scale. Data was analyzed using ordinal logistic and negative binomial regressions. In the adjusted model, mothers in BRS group engaged in more frequent coercions compared to the NS group (B = −1.46, p = 0.01, 95%CI = −2.63, −0.36) and showed lower reciprocity in their interactions with their infants compared to the GS group (B = 1.21, p = 0.03, 95%CI = 0.05, 2.37). The use of a cross-sectional design limited the exploration of how consistent these findings are regarding mother-infant interactions between groups over time. Mothers with higher BRS may need support to improve interactions with their infants. Future studies should consider longitudinal design to observe mother-infant interaction changes between CB-PTSS groups over time. • Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS) consist of birth-related and general symptom clusters. • This study compared mother-infant interactions between CB-PTSS groups. • More maternal coercions/intrusions occurred in the birth-related CB-PTSS group. • Higher mother-infant reciprocity was observed in the general symptom CB-PTSS group. • Interventions aimed at tackling birth-related symptoms should be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Self-care deficits first emerged eight weeks after a single closed-head injury. • Injured animals lost social novelty preference within the first month post-injury. • Loss of desire for social interaction developed over a twelve week period. • GluN1 expression increased chronically in the injured frontal cortex and amygdala. • Hippocampal GLT-1 expression was decreased chronically following injury. Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is known to result in chronic somatic, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Depression is commonly reported among individuals suffering from persistent concussion symptoms; however, the underlying mechanisms are not understood. The glutamatergic system has recently been linked with mTBI and depression due to reports of similar changes in expression of glutamatergic proteins. Using a closed-head controlled cortical impact (cCCI) model in adult male rats (n = 8/group), this study investigated the emergence of self-care deficits and changes in social interaction behaviors at four, eight and twelve weeks post-injury. Western blotting was used to assess associated changes in expression of glutamate transporters and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits at twelve weeks. Splash test results revealed deficits in self-care behaviors beginning at eight weeks, which continued through twelve weeks in the injury group. Injured animals also exhibited decreased preference for social novelty at four weeks and loss of desire for social interaction as a whole by twelve weeks. GluN1 was increased in injured animals compared to shams in the frontal cortex and amygdala, while decreased GLT-1 was observed in the hippocampus. Linear regression was performed to evaluate relationships between behavioral and molecular variables; the results suggested that injury affects these relationships in a region-dependent manner. Together, these results suggest that the development of chronic depression-like behavior was associated with changes in glutamatergic protein expression. Deeper investigations into how injury influences glutamatergic synaptic protein expression are needed, as this has the potential to affect circuit-level neurotransmission that drives depression-like behavior following mTBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burnout can significantly impact practitioners and their co-workers, and hence patients. There are no data for the prevalence of burnout in French ENT specialists, or for associated risk factors. A French national cross-sectional online survey was performed on the initiative of the ENT National Professional Council (CNPORL), contacting all ENT specialists whose e-mail address was known to the French Society of ENT, the National Professional Council or the National ENT Union. The 22-question Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was sent out, along with 16 extra questions on possible risk factors. The study sought to assess the prevalence and severity of burnout, using the MBI, and to analyze risk factors. Among the 1936 physicians, 406 contacted responded to the questionnaire (21%). Mean age was 47 ± 14 years (range, 25–77 years); 53% male, 47% female. 196 (48%) reported burnout, including 20 (5%) severe burnout. Independent risk factors for burnout of whatever severity, comprised social interaction issues, history of identified burnout, and medicolegal pressures. Social interaction issues were independently associated with specifically severe burnout. Burnout affected almost half of respondents. There are identifiable risk factors, for which improvements could be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Refugia or refuges are a concept that can contribute to an understanding of survival in the Anthropocene at different levels of abstraction. • Urban green spaces are areas where interactions between human and non-human nature can occur. They serve as refuges in the city and can be beneficial for both biodiversity and human well-being. • Over 70 % of the reviewed studies report positive effects of unmown refuges on arthropod abundance and richness in meadows or green spaces. • Unmown refuges allow habitat heterogeneity, a shelter for surviving arthropods from mowing, a chance for larval development, and a place to hibernate. Large refugia and small refuges have always been crucial for species survival, particularly during periods like the Ice Age. When their original habitats became uninhabitable, they provided important shelters in space and time. Drawing from a biological and philosophical perspective, we propose creating and preserving refuges as socio-ecological solutions in an epoch primarily shaped by human activity, the Anthropocene. Our focus lies on green refuges within urban settings, given that urbanization is one of the large drivers of insect decline and has adverse effects on humans, such as increased heat. Refuges can be beneficial for both biodiversity and human well-being. After clarifying the relevant terminology on four levels of abstraction, we conducted a systematic biological literature review - as a case study. Here, we summarize the current state of research on the effects of unmown refuges on insects and spiders. The mere existence of refuges proved beneficial for arthropods, with over 70 % of studies reporting positive responses among these species. While insects and spiders have specific habitat requirements, humans are able to create a habitable environment for themselves. However, ecological crises for humans and arthropods are increasing, as are human populations. Therefore, refuges offer a way to address both ecological and social challenges simultaneously, enhancing biodiversity and human well-being. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeated exposure to sevoflurane during early developmental stages is a risk factor for social behavioural disorders, but the underlying neuropathological mechanisms remain unclear. As the hippocampal cornu ammonis area 2 subregion (CA2) is a critical centre for social cognitive functions, we hypothesised that sevoflurane exposure can lead to social behavioural disorders by disrupting neuronal activity in the CA2. Neonatal mice were anaesthetised with sevoflurane 3 vol% for 2 h on postnatal day (PND) 6, 8, and 10. Bulk RNA sequencing of CA2 tissue was conducted on PND 12. Social cognitive function was assessed by behavioural experiments, and in vivo CA2 neuronal activity was recorded by multi-channel electrodes on PND 60–65. Repeated postnatal exposure to sevoflurane impaired social novelty recognition in adulthood. It also caused a decrease in the synchronisation of neuronal spiking, gamma oscillation power, and spike phase-locking between GABAergic spiking and gamma oscillations in the CA2 during social interaction. After sevoflurane exposure, we observed a reduction in the density and dendritic complexity of CA2 GABAergic neurones, and decreased expression of transcription factors critical for GABAergic neuronal development after. Repeated postnatal exposure to sevoflurane disturbed the development of CA2 GABAergic neurones through downregulation of essential transcription factors. This resulted in impaired electrophysiological function in adult GABAergic neurones, leading to social recognition deficits. These findings reveal a potential electrophysiological mechanism underlying the long-term social recognition deficits induced by sevoflurane and highlight the crucial role of CA2 GABAergic neurones in social interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social deficits in schizophrenia have been attributed to an impaired attunement to mutual interaction, or "interaffectivity". While impairments in emotion recognition and facial expressivity in schizophrenia have been consistently reported, findings on mimicry and social synchrony are inconsistent, and previous studies have often lacked ecological validity. To investigate interaffective behavior in dyadic interactions in a real-world-like setting, 20 individuals with schizophrenia and 20 without mental disorder played a cooperative board game with a previously unacquainted healthy control participant. Facial expression analysis was conducted using Affectiva Emotion AI in iMotions 9.3. The contingency and state space distribution of emotional facial expressions was assessed using Mangold INTERACT. Psychotic symptoms, subjective stress, affectivity and game experience were evaluated through questionnaires. Due to a considerable between-group age difference, age-adjusted ANCOVA was performed. Overall, despite an unchanged subjective experience of the social interaction, individuals with schizophrenia exhibited reduced responsiveness to positive affective stimuli. Subjective game experience did not differ between groups. Descriptively, facial expressions in schizophrenia were generally more negative, with increased sadness and decreased joy. Facial mimicry was impaired specifically regarding joyful expressions in schizophrenia, which correlated with blunted affect as measured by the SANS. Dyadic interactions involving persons with schizophrenia were less attracted toward mutual joyful affective states. Only unadjusted for age, in the absence of emotional stimuli from their interaction partner, individuals with schizophrenia showed more angry and sad expressions. These impairments in interaffective processes may contribute to social dysfunction in schizophrenia and provide new avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group work in classrooms is employed by teachers across all levels of education. For group work to be effective, all students should participate equally. Why some students engage in interaction and how group size and composition influence interaction dynamics is a research gap. We employed dynamic actor-oriented models on a sample of 145 Czech lower-secondary students in 62 small groups and pooled the results from the groups with a meta-analytical procedure. We found bursty behavior resulting from endogenous structural mechanisms of reciprocity, transitivity, cyclicity, and preferential attachment. Students gave preference to initiating interactions with those they initiated interactions with before and off-task interaction contributed to the development of on-task interaction. Students strongly preferred interactions with friends. Those students who talked a lot during regular whole-classroom lessons and students with high levels of literacy tended to both initiate and receive more interactions in group work, and students similar in these attributes preferred to interact with each other. Group size did not affect preferential attachment tendencies in interaction, but smaller groups made the effect of friendship ties on interactions stronger, and communication group norms shifted with changing group composition. Our study shows the suitability of dynamic actor-oriented models for studying interaction in education and small groups. • We study interaction dynamics among students in classroom group work. • Interaction is largely influenced by endogenous mechanisms and friendships. • Vocal and high-literacy students initiate and receive more interactions. • Communication group norms shift with changing group compositions. • Dynamic network actor models are suitable for the study of interaction in education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates has become commonplace for archaeologists grappling with regional chronologies. Here we present Bayesian analysis for radiocarbon dates from Moche cultural contexts from the north coast of Peru with the aim to understand the duration of the phenomenon and to compile all known dates in a single location for future analysis and use. The analysis demonstrates that the long-standing Moche ceramic sequence does not provide a perfect proxy for tracking the timing of all social interactions. However, our results show general agreement with traditional relative Moche chronologies. Finally, our study shows that Moche was a shorter cultural phenomenon than has been previously argued, with the current data indicating that it began between the late 4th and early 6th centuries CE and lasted until the 9th century CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores self-deprecation within the context of Korean reality TV shows, examining its multifaceted functions, recipient responses, and interactional consequences. Through analysis of excerpts from two Korean TV shows, Infinite Challenge and I Am Solo , various uses of self-deprecation emerge: as a defense mechanism, self-blame tactic, means of reprimand, and even as an accusatory tool. The findings illustrate the complexity of acts with self-deprecation , diverging from previous studies where self-deprecation is the main action for all participants. Participants may overtly acknowledge self-deprecating actions, yet these actions can also be layered with other interactional goals such as defense, reprimand, or accusation. Consequently, misinterpretations of self-deprecation can lead to tension or unintended outcomes. This study underscores the contextual and contingent nature of self-deprecation, emphasizing its role as a dynamic "communication practice" (Speer, 2019) in human interaction. By delving into the intricate interplay between self-deprecation and other interactional goals, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of this phenomenon in social contexts. • Explores self-deprecation within the context of Korean reality TV shows. • Analyzes how self-deprecation is layered with other interactional businesses. • Illustrates how other interactional exigencies suspend the relevance of self-deprecation. • Highlights how acts with self-deprecation are vulnerable to misalignment. • Contributes to a sequentially sensitive approach to self-deprecation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a childhood-onset complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by problems with communication and social interaction and restricted, repetitive, stereotyped behavior. The prevalence of ASD is one in 36 children. The genetic architecture of ASD is complex in spite of its high heritability. To identify the potential candidate genes of ASD, we carried out a comprehensive genetic study of monozygotic (MZ) twins concordant or discordant for ASD. Five MZ twins and their parents were recruited for the study. Four of the twins were concordant, whereas one was discordant for ASD. Whole exome sequencing was conducted for the twins and their parents. The exome DNA was enriched using Twist Human Customized Core Exome Kit, and paired-end sequencing was performed on HiSeq system. We identified several rare and pathogenic variants (homozygous recessive, compound heterozygous, de novo) in ASD-affected individuals. We report novel variants in individuals diagnosed with ASD. Several of these genes are involved in brain-related functions and not previously reported in ASD. Intriguingly, some of the variants were observed in the genes involved in sensory perception (auditory [ MYO15A , PLEC , CDH23 , UBR3 , GPSM2 ], olfactory [ OR9K2 ], gustatory [ TAS2R31 ], and visual [ CDH23 , UBR3 ]). This is the first comprehensive genetic study of MZ twins in an Indian population. Further validation is required to determine whether these variants are associated with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this pre-registered (NCT05051462), randomized controlled trial was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a pandemic-adjusted version of family/systemic constellation therapy in the general population. Altogether, 80 individuals were randomized (85% retained; 67.6% women, M age = 41.9 ± 9.2 years) and followed up 1- and 6 months after participation in the single-day intervention. Numerous indicators of psychopathology and addiction as well as wellbeing were assessed. Members of the intervention group improved significantly in terms of the a priori primary outcome (overall psychopathology: d 1-month = 0.41, p 1-month = 0.003; d 6-month = 0.31, p 6-month = 0.028) as well as numerous secondary outcomes (obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, and paranoid ideation). However, the magnitude of improvements was small and mostly disappeared by 6-months. Further, no significant treatment benefit emerged considering time x group interactions regarding any of the outcomes (although statistical power was low). Due to the significant, pandemic-related deviations from the protocol of the intervention, these results may not be generalizable to systemic constellation interventions in general; instead – considering the previous, more favorable data regarding efficacy/effectiveness and tolerability – they rather call attention to the importance of process-related factors regarding this intervention specifically as well as the potential disadvantages of pandemic-related treatment modifications of in-person (non-virtual) group interventions in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests that loneliness causes people to feel more depressed. It is unknown, however, why this association occurs and whether momentary versus chronic experiences of loneliness are implicated. Theoretical accounts suggest that momentary feelings of loneliness produce two competing motivations: social reaffiliation and social withdrawal. Social affiliation is protective against depression; social withdrawal, in contrast, is a risk factor. Thus, engaging in frequent and high-quality interactions following experiences of loneliness may protect against subsequent depression. We tested this hypothesis using a random-interval experience sampling design (5x/day/day, 14 days; Nobs = 6568) with a racially/ethnically diverse sample of adults with elevated depression symptoms (N = 102). Momentary loneliness was associated with depressed mood at the same time point and ∼2.5h and ∼5h later. Frequency and quality of social interaction did not moderate these associations. Findings suggest that momentary feelings of loneliness may be an important target for clinical intervention. • Evidence suggests that loneliness is causally associated with depression. • It is unclear whether momentary vs. chronic feelings of loneliness cause depression. • Features of social interactions (e.g., quantity) may buffer against subsequent depression. • Results showed that loneliness was associated with depression at the same time point and ∼2.5 and ∼5 hours later. • Neither social interaction quantity, satisfaction, self- and other-disclosure, nor responsiveness moderated this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxicity in online social interactions is a growing and significant concern. The current focus has been on the broader effects of toxicity, such as polarization, misinformation, and moral outrage. However, to advance our understanding of online toxicity, we also need to consider the role of the online and disembodied nature of interactions in giving rise to such toxicity. The Disembodiment, Anonymity, and lack of Disinhibition (DAD) framework conceptualizes three core roots of impaired social interactions and how they persist in a vicious cycle. An improved understanding of how impaired interactions unfold in the online world can help design interventions that focus on skills and technology for better communication. Online communication is central to modern social life, yet it is often linked to toxic manifestations and reduced well-being. How and why online communication enables these toxic social effects remains unanswered. In this opinion, we propose three roots of online toxicity: disembodiment, limited accountability, and disinhibition. We suggest that virtual disembodiment results in a chain of psychological states primed for deleterious social interaction. Drawing from differences between face-to-face and online interactions, the framework highlights and addresses the fundamental problems that result in impaired communication between individuals and explicates its effects on social toxicity online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a narrative lens to locate and analyze stereotypes about intimate partner violence (IPV) used by victim/survivors to describe the ways they made meaning about their relationships. I combine two models used for analyzing narrative: Labov & Waletzky's (1967) and the Social Interactional Approach (SIA) (De Fina & Georgakopoulou, 2008). Stories about what counts as 'real' IPV emerged as the most told story across the 34 participants in the study. I show, victim/survivors of IPV have internalized sociocultural discourses about IPV that only recognize certain forms of physical abuse as IPV. I argue that evaluation clauses (Labov & Waltezky), developed to analyze the micro-context of storytelling, also index macro, sociocultural knowledge, making it a natural connecting point with SIA. • This paper connects critical discourse analysis (CDA) with narrative analysis to interrogate discourses. • I create an analytical model for use in stories about IPV that combines Labovian narrative analysis with SIA. • I locate the meaning-making potential of a story in the micro-details of narrative and the macro-details of social norms. • Interrogate the idea that IPV is only present when one member of a relationship leaves physical marks on the other. • Stereotypes about relationships ultimately function to maintain IPV as a cultural formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freud proposed that excessive self-blame-related motivations such as self-punishing tendencies play a key role in depression. Most of the supporting evidence, however, is based on cross-sectional studies and questionnaire measures. In this pre-registered (NCT04593537) study, we used a novel Virtual Reality (VR) task to determine whether maladaptive self-blame-related action tendencies prospectively identify a subgroup of depression with poor prognosis when treated as usual over four months in primary care. Ninety-eight patients with depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥ 15), screening negatively for bipolar and alcohol/substance use disorders, completed the VR-task at baseline (n = 93 completed follow-up). Our pre-registered statistical/machine learning model prospectively predicted a cross-validated 19 % of variance in depressive symptoms. Contrary to our specific predictions, and in accordance with Freud's observations, feeling like punishing oneself emerged as prognostically relevant rather than feeling like hiding or creating a distance from oneself. Using a principal components analysis of all pre-registered continuous measures, a factor most strongly loading on feeling like punishing oneself for other people's wrongdoings (β = 0.23, p = 0.01), a baseline symptom factor (β = 0.30, p = 0.006) and Maudsley Staging Method treatment-resistance scores (β = 0.28, p = 0.009) at baseline predicted higher depressive symptoms after four months. Patients were not assessed with a diagnostic interview. Independently and apart from known clinical variables, feeling like punishing oneself emerged as a distinctly relevant prognostic factor and should therefore be assessed and tackled in personalised care pathways for difficult-to-treat depression. • We investigated whether a virtual-reality (VR)-based assessment of social interactions can identify risk factors of poor prognosis in depression. • Feeling like punishing oneself for other people's wrongdoing was the sole predictor of poor prognosis apart from known clinical variables. • Feeling like punishing oneself should therefore be assessed and targeted in difficult-to-treat depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality traits, especially neuroticism, can influence susceptibility to dementia. Social contact mitigates stress and risk of dementia, the extent to which social contact can mitigate excess risk associated with neuroticism remains unclear. We aim to investigate whether active social contact is associated with lower neuroticism-associated excess risk of dementia. This prospective cohort study examined 393,939 UK Biobank participants (mean [SD] age: 56.4 [8.1] years; 53.7 % female) assessed from 2006 to 2010 and followed up until December 2022. Neuroticism was measured using the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Social contact levels were assessed based on household size, contact with family or friends, and group participation. Dementia was determined using linked electronic health records. High neuroticism was associated with increased all-cause dementia risk and cause-specific dementia. Among high neuroticism participants, excess risk of all-cause dementia showed a stepwise decrease with increasing social contact (low: hazard ratios (HR) = 1.27, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.15–1.40; intermediate: HR = 1.20, 95 % CI = 1.12–1.28; high: HR = 1.07, 95 % CI = 1.00–1.15). High social contact similarly decreased excess risk of cause-specific dementia, comparable to those with low neuroticism. Neuroticism and social contact information relied on self-report questionnaires at baseline, with a potential temporal relationship between these factors. Active social contact is associated with a stepwise reduction in excess dementia risk and potentially eliminate excess risk of dementia with high neuroticism individuals, supporting social contact as a preventive strategy to attenuate excess risks of dementia from neuroticism personality trait. • Individuals with high neuroticism personality have markedly higher dementia risk. • Increasing social contact decreases dementia risk stepwise in high neuroticism people. • High social contact potentially eliminates neuroticism-associated excess risk of dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Flexible self-powered bioelectronics (FSPBs), incorporating flexible electronic features in biomedical applications, have revolutionized the human–machine interface since they hold the potential to offer natural and seamless human interactions while overcoming the limitations of battery-dependent power sources. Furthermore, as biosensors or actuators, FSPBs can dynamically monitor physiological signals to reveal real-time health abnormalities and provide timely and precise treatments. Therefore, FSPBs are increasingly shaping the landscape of health monitoring and disease treatment, weaving a sophisticated and personalized bond between humans and health management. Here, we examine the recent advanced progress of FSPBs in developing working mechanisms, design strategies, and structural configurations toward personalized health management, emphasizing its role in clinical medical scenarios from biophysical/biochemical sensors for sensing diagnosis to robust/biodegradable actuators for intervention therapy. Future perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in emerging multifunctional FSPBs for the next-generation health management systems are also forecasted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We analyzed the whole literature on hyperscanning with a quantitative approach. • EEG and fNIRS studies allowed for implementing more naturalistic tasks. • The need for more research using multi-brain stimulation emerged. Hyperscanning, a neuroimaging approach introduced in 2002 for simultaneously recording the brain activity of multiple participants, has significantly contributed to our understanding of social interactions. Nevertheless, the existing literature requires systematic organization to advance our knowledge. This study, after two decades of hyperscanning research, aims to identify the primary thematic domains and the most influential documents in the field. We conducted a scientometric analysis to examine co-citation patterns quantitatively, using a sample of 548 documents retrieved from Scopus and their 32,022 cited references. Our analysis revealed ten major thematic domains in hyperscanning research, with the most impactful document authored by Czeszumski and colleagues in 2020. Notably, while hyperscanning was initially developed for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), our findings indicate a substantial influence of research conducted using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The introduction of fNIRS and advancements in EEG methods have enabled the implementation of more ecologically valid experiments for investigating social interactions. The study also highlights the need for more research that combines multi-brain neural stimulation with neuroimaging techniques to understand the causal role played by interpersonal neural synchrony in social interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is well known as the executive center of the brain, combining internal states and goals to execute purposeful behavior, including social actions. With the advancement of tools for monitoring and manipulating neural activity in rodents, substantial progress has been made in understanding the specific cell types and neural circuits within the PFC that are essential for processing social cues and influencing social behaviors. Furthermore, combining these tools with translationally relevant behavioral paradigms has also provided novel insights into the PFC neural mechanisms that may contribute to social deficits in various psychiatric disorders. This review highlights findings from the past decade that have shed light on the PFC cell types and neural circuits that support social information processing and distinct aspects of social behavior, including social interactions, social memory, and social dominance. We also explore how the PFC contributes to social deficits in rodents induced by social isolation, social fear conditioning, and social status loss. These studies provide evidence that the PFC uses both overlapping and unique neural mechanisms to support distinct components of social cognition. Furthermore, specific PFC neural mechanisms drive social deficits induced by different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Paranoia uniquely predicts indirect aggression in socially anxious individuals. • Social status threat, paranoia, and social anxiety predict direct aggression. • Paranoia may be important contributor of aggression in socially anxious individuals. Aggression is a transdiagnostic behavior that is associated with poor clinical outcomes. As such, it is important to understand factors that contribute to various manifestations of aggressive behavior. Recent research has revealed a subtype of individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who tend to display relatively high amounts of aggression and experience more severe social anxiety and dysfunction compared to individuals in the prototypical SAD group. The current study used a status threat manipulation along with behavioral indices of aggression to examine the impact of paranoia and social anxiety symptom severity on aggression in a sample of undergraduates with social anxiety (N = 220). Analyses indicated that paranoia uniquely predicted indirect aggression whereas an interaction between social status threat, paranoia, and social anxiety severity uniquely predicted direct aggression. These findings suggest that paranoia may be a particularly important contributor to aggression among individuals with social anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PMM2-CDG, a disease caused by mutations in phosphomannomutase-2, is the most common congenital disorder of glycosylation. Yet, it still lacks a cure. Targeting phosphomannomutase-2 with pharmacological chaperones or inhibiting the phosphatase activity of phosphomannomutase-1 to enhance intracellular glucose-1,6-bisphosphate have been proposed as therapeutical approaches. We used Recombinant Bacterial Thermal Shift Assay to assess the binding of a substrate analog to phosphomannomutase-2 and the specific binding to phosphomannomutase-1 of an FDA-approved drug - clodronate. We also deepened the clodronate binding by enzyme activity assays and in silico docking. Our results confirmed the selective binding of clodronate to phosphomannomutase-1 and shed light on such binding. • PMM2-CDG is a congenital disorder of glycosylation caused by mutations in phosphomannomutase-2 (PMM2). It has no cure. • Alpha- glucose-1,6-bisphosphate is a PMM2 stabilizer and activator, hydrolysed by a phosphatase in vivo. • We evaluated two approaches to develop therapies: pharmacological chaperones to stabilize PMM2 or specific phosphatase inhibitors. • We deepened the effect of Clodronate. Clodronate is a selective inhibitor for the main phosphatase acting on glucose-1,6-bisphosphate. • Recombinant Bacterial Cellular Thermal Shift Assay can be helpful in fast and preliminary drug screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International guidelines endorse psychological treatment for Bipolar Disorder (BD); however, the absence of a recognised gold-standard intervention requires further research. A Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills group intervention with 12 sessions was developed. This pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes variance of Bi-REAL – Respond Effectively, Assertively, and Live mindfully, tailored for individuals with BD, in preparation for a future RCT. 52 participants (female = 62.7 %; mean age = 43.2 ± 11.1) with BD were randomised by blocks to either the experimental group (EG; n = 26; Bi-REAL + Treatment as Usual, TAU) receiving 12 weekly 90-minutes sessions, or the control group (CG; n = 26, TAU). Feasibility and acceptability were assessed with a multimethod approach (qualitative interviews, semi-structured clinical interviews and a battery of self-report questionnaires – candidate main outcomes Bipolar Recovery Questionnaire (BRQ) and brief Quality of Life for Bipolar Disorder (QoL.BD)). All participants were evaluated at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1) and 3-month follow-up (T2). Acceptability was supported by participants' positive feedback and ratings of the sessions and programme overall, as well as the treatment attendance (86.25 % of sessions attended). The trial overall retention rate was 74.5 %, with CG having a higher dropout rate across the 3-timepoints (42.31 %). A significant Time × Group interaction effect was found for BRQ and QoL.BD favouring the intervention group (p <.05). The assessors were not blind at T1 (only at T2). Recruitment plan was impacted due to COVID-19 restrictions and replication is questionable. High attrition rates in the CG. The acceptability of Bi-REAL was sustained, and subsequent feasibility testing will be necessary to establish whether the retention rates of the overall trial improve and if feasibility is confirmed, before progressing to a definitive trial. • Bi-REAL is an acceptable DBT-ST programme for bipolar and related disorders. • All participants would recommend the intervention to people with BD • The retention rate of the experimental group was high (88 %). • Participants found DBT skills useful in regulating mood symptoms. • A second pilot is warranted to improve retention in comparison group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study contributes to the social connectedness literature by exploring the range of social interactions that people experience on a daily basis using time diary data. First, we investigate the different types of people whom individuals encounter in everyday life (i.e., family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, others). Quantifying the degree of this social exposure provides insight into potential sources of support, information, comparison, and control. It further allows us to capture certain types of social connections that are commonly missed in traditional social network questionnaires. Second, we examine how social context fosters interactions between different types of people. Upon analyzing data from the American Time Use Survey, we find that a majority of respondents (69%) engaged in at least one interaction with a non-household member in a 24-hour period. We also found that interactions with different types of people varied according to social context. Interactions with friends, acquaintances, and "others" were significantly more likely to occur in public contexts rather than private or professional contexts. Collectively, our findings highlight the prevalence of social exposure among the American population as well as the important role of social context in making these interactions possible. • Uses time diary data to assess social connectedness in everyday life. • Quantifies number of social interactions people experience in day. • Examines how interactions with different types of people are contextually patterned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stochastic actor oriented model (SAOM) is a method for modelling social interactions and social behaviour over time. It can be used to model drivers of dynamic interactions using both exogenous covariates and endogenous network configurations, but also the co-evolution of behaviour and social interactions. In its standard implementations, it assumes that all individual have the same interaction evaluation function. This lack of heterogeneity is one of its limitations. The aim of this paper is to extend the inference framework for the SAOM to include random effects, so that the heterogeneity of individuals can be modelled more accurately. We decompose the linear evaluation function that models the probability of forming or removing a tie from the network, in a homogeneous fixed part and a random, individual-specific part. We extend the algorithm so that the variance of the random parameters can be estimated with method of moments. Our method is applicable for the general random effect formulations. We illustrate the method with a random out-degree model and show the parameter estimation of the random components, significance tests and model evaluation. We apply the method to the Kapferer's Tailor shop study. It is shown that a random out-degree constitutes a serious alternative to including transitivity and higher-order dependency effects. • The paper allows effects to be individual-specific to model heterogeneity accurately. • The method of moments is generalized to estimate random effects in the SAOM. • The model evaluation procedure based on the score-test is also been developed. • We identify interesting random effects in the Kapferer's Tailor-shop dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the established efficacy of glycopyrronium bromide in reducing drooling among children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, evidence on its impact on the daily lives of children and parents and effectiveness in a real-world setting are scarce, especially among long-term users. This study explored timing and duration of glycopyrronium treatment, effect and impact on daily life, and occurrence of side effects to inform clinical practice. This was a retrospective cohort study at a national referral centre for drooling, including 61 children with nonprogressive neurodevelopmental disabilities, treated with glycopyrronium for anterior and/or posterior drooling between 2011 and 2021. Data were obtained from medical records and supplemented by structured telephone interviews with parents. Anterior drooling severity decreased in 82% of the included children. Changes in the impact of drooling on burden of care, social interaction, and self-esteem were reported in 55%, 31%, and 36%, respectively. Side effects were noted for 71% of cases, yet only 36% of parents deemed these as outweighing the positive impact of treatment. A substantial majority (77%) of the included children were long-term users (≥6 months). Among these, 38% of parents reported decreasing effectiveness and 27% noticed more prominent side effects over time. Glycopyrronium demonstrated potential in mitigating the impact of drooling on daily life, although variations were observed in the specific aspects and extent of improvement. The real-world context of our study provides important insights for refining clinical practices, emphasizing the need for balanced consideration of treatment benefits and potential side effects to facilitate shared decision-making. • Long-term glycopyrronium use, beyond 24 weeks, is prevalent among included children. • Glycopyrronium showed potential to mitigate the impact of drooling in daily life. • Changes in impact were contingent on drooling severity and varied across individuals. • Side effects were common yet expectable, emphasizing the need for close monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objectives were to (1) evaluate cows' preferences for visiting feed bins limited to either same- versus mixed-parity social interactions, depending on their parity; (2) examine the effect of parity and bin social dynamic type on competition behavior and feeding patterns, and (3) investigate cow-level relationships between feed bunk competition behavior, feeding patterns, and feed efficiency. Twenty-eight primiparous and 28 multiparous (2.4 ± 0.6 lactations) lactating Holstein cows (127.8 ± 30.1 and 145.3. ± 10.4 DIM, respectively) were housed in a freestall pen with 28 roughage intake control bins (2:1 stocking density). Each cow was assigned to 2 bins, including 1 shared with 3 other cows of the same parity (SM) and 1 with 3 cows of mixed parities (MX, 50% primiparous and 50% multiparous). Feed bunk competition was recorded via video in the first hour after morning feed delivery for 2 d, and feeding patterns were recorded from 24-h roughage intake control data. Residual feed intake was calculated as the difference between predicted and observed dry matter intake after accounting for known energy sinks. Based on the first visit to the feed bunk after fresh feed delivery, multiparous cows tended to prefer the MX bin compared with the SM one; cows showed no other overall preference for bin type based on number of visits. Over time, multiparous cows remained consistent in their magnitude of preference for visiting each bin type, but involvement in competition was not consistent over time. Primiparous cows tended to be involved in more total competitive contacts and ate faster at the SM bin compared with the MX one. Those primiparous cows who visited the SM bin more often within the first hour after morning feed delivery tended to be less feed efficient. Multiparous cows initiated more successful replacements after a displacement at the MX versus SM bin, with no difference in feeding patterns between bin types. Regardless of parity or bin type, visiting the bunk sooner after feed delivery was correlated with involvement in more competitive interactions and more time eating within the first 30 min. Consuming more feed during a longer first visit to the bunk after fresh feed delivery was correlated with being less feed efficient. Overall, when given the choice of feeding from bins shared with cows of the same or mixed parities at a 2:1 stocking density, primiparous cows showed differences in behavior between those bin types, with implications for feed efficiency; these effects are perhaps an unintended consequence of compensatory strategies to avoid direct competition with multiparous cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In human adolescents, females often report drinking for coping reasons to avoid negative affective states. We have shown previously that adolescent female rats with elevated levels of anxiety-like behavior under social test circumstances, indexed via low social preference, are sensitive to anxiolytic effects of ethanol given intraperitoneally (i.p.) in a low-to-moderate dose range. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that patterns of neuronal activation across brain regions implicated in social activity and social preference (used as an index of low versus high anxiety-like social responding) would be affected by acute ethanol differently in adolescent females with high and low social preference, with initial levels of social preference also predicting ethanol-induced changes in social behavior. Adolescent female Fos-LacZ rats were given social interaction tests on postnatal day (P)33 for determination of baseline levels of responding to an unfamiliar social partner and on P35 following administration of 0 or 0.75 g/kg ethanol. Brain tissue was collected, and expression of β-galactoside (β-gal) was used as an index of neuronal activation. Baseline levels of social preference did not predict social responsiveness to an acute ethanol challenge, whereas significant decreases in this social measure that reflects anxiety-like behavioral alterations were evident in adolescent females challenged with ethanol relative to saline-injected controls, suggesting high sensitivity to the anxiogenic effects of ethanol. Ethanol precipitated negative relationships between social preference and prefrontal cortical activation, decreased neuronal activation of the anterior cingulate cortex, but substantially increased β-gal expression in the central amygdala. These results suggest high sensitivity of the prefrontal cortical regions and central amygdala to ethanol-induced alterations in adolescent Fos-LacZ females and provide a background for further phenotyping of neurons activated by ethanol under social test circumstances. • Baseline social preference used as a measure of anxiety-like behavior in adolescent females is not predictive of ethanol-induced changes in social preference and overall social activity. • Neuronal activation of the prefrontal cortex is negatively associated with peer-directed social behavior in females following ethanol. • In adolescent females, social anxiogenic effects of ethanol are associated with increased activation of the central amygdala, but reduced activation of the cingulate cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Singlet oxygen emission and peroxide generation at the surface of molybdenum–vanadium oxides evidenced that the catalytic activity of a MoO 3 :V 2 O 5 mixed oxide at 70–175 °C was governed by the formation of peroxo groups in the interaction of molecular oxygen with adjacent Viv surface centers; the thermolysis of these groups yielded singlet oxygen capable of oxidizing selectively alcohols to aldehydes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates ChatGPT's performance in diagnosing and managing spinal pathologies. Patients underwent evaluation by two spine surgeons (and the case was discussed and a consensus was reached) and ChatGPT. Patient data, including demographics, symptoms, and available imaging reports, were collected using a standardized form. This information was then processed by ChatGPT for diagnosis and management recommendations. The study assessed ChatGPT's diagnostic and management accuracy through descriptive statistics, comparing its performance to that of experienced spine specialists. A total of 97 patients with various spinal pathologies participated in the study, with a gender distribution of 40 males and 57 females. ChatGPT achieved a 70% diagnostic accuracy rate and provided suitable management recommendations for 95% of patients. However, it struggled with certain pathologies, misdiagnosing 100% of vertebral trauma and facet joint syndrome, 40% of spondylolisthesis, stenosis, and scoliosis, and 22% of disc-related pathologies. Furthermore, ChatGPT's management recommendations were poor in 53% of cases, often failing to suggest the most appropriate treatment options and occasionally providing incomplete advice. While helpful in the medical field, ChatGPT falls short in providing reliable management recommendations, with a 30% misdiagnosis rate and 53% mismanagement rate in our study. Its limitations, including reliance on outdated data and the inability to interactively gather patient information, must be acknowledged. Surgeons should use ChatGPT cautiously as a supplementary tool rather than a substitute for their clinical expertise, as the complexities of healthcare demand human judgment and interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anger transition is often abrupt. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms responsible for switching and modulating aggression levels. The cerebellum is considered a center for motor coordination and learning; however, its connection to social behavior has long been observed. Here, we used the resident-intruder paradigm in male mice and examined local field potential (LFP) changes, glial cytosolic ion fluctuations, and vascular dynamics in the cerebellar vermis throughout various phases of a combat sequence. Notably, we observed the emergence of theta band oscillations in the LFP and sustained elevations in glial Ca2+ levels during combat breakups. When astrocytes, including Bergmann glial cells, were photoactivated using channelrhodopsin-2, the theta band emerged and an early combat breakup occurred. Within a single combat sequence, rapid alteration of offensive (fight) and passive (flight) responses were observed, which roughly correlated with decreases and increases in glial Ca2+, respectively. Neuron-glial interactions in the cerebellar vermis may play a role in adjusting Purkinje cell excitability and setting the tone of aggression. Future anger management strategies and clinical control of excessive aggression and violent behavior may be realized by developing a therapeutic strategy that adjusts glial activity in the cerebellum. • Cerebellar glial activity was studied in resident-intruder paradigm in mice. • Combat breakup was accompanied by theta band oscillation and glial Ca2+ increase. • Optogenetic glia activation led to the truncation of the combat duration. • Rapid alteration in aggression during combat correlated with glial Ca2+ dynamics. • Neuron-glial interactions may participate in setting the tone of aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaming disorder (GD) and hazardous gaming (HG) have a high incidence among adolescents and young adults and have caused various negative consequences. Interpersonal interaction deficits are closely related to GD and HG, however, the underlying brain mechanisms are still unclear. The current study recruited 46 healthy subjects and 32 subjects with GD/HG. Gaming time and frequency, gaming disorder risks, life events, strengths, and difficulties were measured with scales. Subjects were randomly paired into 12 HC-HC dyads, 15 GD/HG-HC dyads, and 7 GD/HG-GD/HG dyads and in pairs completed a real-world cooperating video game — "Tied Together" with functional near-infrared spectroscopy hyperscanning recording in the prefrontal cortex. The inter-brain synchronization in each region of the PFC between dyads was calculated by wavelet to transform coherence to measure brain-to-brain synchronization. We found subjects with GD/HG reported higher risks of gaming. The highest IBS in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex significantly decreased in the GD/HG-HC and GD/HG-GD/HG dyads compared with healthy controls. A decreasing highest IBS of the left dlPFC was related to a decreasing level of peer problems. We declare limitations of age gaps of samples, undistinguishing GD from HG, use of sub-samples, and the broad concept of interpersonal interaction. The current study found a decreased highest IBS in the left dlPFC among adolescents and young adults with gaming diseases. It may provide new prevention and treatment insights into gaming disorders targeting disrupted interpersonal interaction. • Higher risks of gaming among subjects with gaming disorder/ hazardous gaming • Decreased highest IBS in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the HC-GD/HG and GD/HG-GD/HG dyads • A decreasing highest IBS of the left dlPFC was related to decreasing peer problems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social relations are embedded in material, cultural, and institutional settings that affect network dynamics and the resulting topologies. For example, romantic entanglements are subject to social and cultural norms, interfirm alliances are constrained by country-specific legislation, and adolescent friendships are conditioned by classroom settings and neighborhood effects. In short, social contexts shape social relations and the networks they give rise to. However, how and when they do so remain to be established. This paper presents network ecology as a general framework for identifying how the proximal environment shapes social networks by focusing interactions and social relations, and how these interactions and relations in turn shape the environment in which social networks form. Tie fitness is introduced as a metric that quantifies how well particular dyadic social relations would align with the setting. Using longitudinal networks collected on two cohorts each in 18 North American schools, i.e., 36 settings, we develop five generalizable observations about the time-varying fitness of adolescent friendship. Across all 252 analyzed networks, tie fitness predicted new tie formation, tie longevity, and tie survival. Dormant fit ties cluster in relational niches, thereby establishing a resource base for social identities competing for increased representation in the relational system. • We present an ecological framework for studying relational dynamics in defined social settings. • Selection pressures operating at different timescales constrain relational activities and shape attainable outcomes. • Tie fitness quantifies a tie's alignment with a setting. Fitness predicts new relation formation, survival, and longevity. • Clusters of fit ties establish relational niches in which social identities can compete for increased representation in the relational system. • Network ecology draws attention to the processes that drive tie selection and the strictness of ecological constraint, the coevolution of relational norms with the proximal environment, and the evolving salience of social identities over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conversational humour, which broadly encompasses (sequences of) utterances that are designed to 'amuse' participants or are treated as 'amusing' by participants across various kinds of social interaction, is an inherently social phenomenon involving not only the speaker but at least one recipient. An episode of conversational humour includes (at least) a humour bid proffered by the speaker and the response to it by the recipient. This study focuses on the recipient's responses to humour and introduces a framework for analysing responses to humour bids which is grounded in a close analysis of the sequential trajectory of humour episodes. Drawing on data from intercultural initial interactions in English, and focusing on the sequential trajectory of humour episodes through the lens of interactional pragmatics, this study proposes a typology of responses to humour bids, offering a basis for operationalisation in talk-ininteraction. Within this framework, there are five sequentially distinct types of responses that can follow a humour bid: 1) disattending humour, 2) minimal response to humour: sequence closure, 3) minimal response to humour: serious response, 4) minimal response to humour: agreement, and 5) post-expanding humour. • This paper introduces a systematic model for analysing responses to conversational humour in their interactive context. • Humour can be responded to in five distinct sequential ways. • This model makes the study of humour responses more analytically tractable. • It is premised on the assumption that participants are held (normatively) accountable for their responses to humour bids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing attention on the importance of building intelligent systems where humans and Artificial Intelligence-based systems (AIs) form teams exploiting the potentially synergistic relationships between humans and automation. In the last decade, the computational modeling of empathy has gained increasing attention. Empowering interactive agents with empathic capabilities leads, on the human's side, to more trust, increases engagement, and thus interaction length, helps cope with stress. These findings suggest that agents endowed with empathy may enhance social interaction in educational applications, artificial companions, medical assistants, and gaming applications. This article focuses on modeling the empathic behavior of virtual agents interacting with humans. We propose a formal model that enables virtual agents to exhibit empathic, emotional behavior. Specifically, we extend the modeling of empathy via behavior trees with a new type of node allowing the specification of various kinds of empathy. Using the proposed extension, we show how different agents' reactive behavior can be modeled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although solutions based on artificial and computational intelligence have made life easier, the fast development of technology also raises questions about near future and log term human cognition and social interaction. Through a survey of the literature and qualitative analysis, our work examined current research on how the AI/CI affects human cognitive functions and social interactions. We discuss how AI and CI are influencing e.g. how we humans gather information, build relationships, and communicate with others, with and without the new frontline technologies. Additionally, proposals for future advances are discussed along with the ethical and societal ramifications these technologies have, could and might bring into our lives. We think that by developing a deeper knowledge of how AI/CI affects human cognition and social interaction, new contributions are made to a positive conversation and encourage a responsible approach to incorporating new technologies into our daily lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We examined on-road performances of older drivers in different driving dimensions. • Among all driving dimensions, older drivers showed the poorest performances at speed adaptation. • The largest differences in performance between fit and unfit older drivers were observed at traffic signs and signals. • Performance in different driving situations was associated with different cognitive and non-cognitive factors. Aging goes along with cognitive and non-cognitive changes leading to impaired driving skills in a relevant proportion of older people. However, it is unclear which driving dimensions are affected in unfit older drivers and how performance in these dimensions is related to driving-relevant cognitive and non-cognitive factors. In a prospective cross-sectional study, 110 healthy older drivers completed a standardized 50-minute on-road driving assessment being accompanied by a driving instructor and a driving expert. The driving expert evaluated practical driving skills with the TRIP protocol (TRIP total score) and determined fitness to drive (fit versus unfit). We used repeated-measures analysis of variance to compare fit (n = 89) and unfit (n = 21) older drivers with respect to their practical driving performance in the 12 dimensions of the TRIP. Moreover, we explored how driving performance in the different TRIP dimensions is related to driving-relevant cognitive and non-cognitive factors. Results revealed performance differences between the different TRIP dimensions across all drivers (main effect of TRIP dimension) with the poorest overall performances in speed adaptation. Unfit older drivers showed poorer practical driving performances than fit older drivers across all TRIP dimensions (main effect of group). The most pronounced group differences were observed at traffic signs and signals, complex intersections and left turns (TRIP dimension × group interaction). Driving performance in these dimensions was associated with different driving-relevant cognitive and non-cognitive factors. The results of the current on-road study show that impaired driving skills of unfit older drivers can be observed in multiple driving dimensions, but particularly involve traffic signs and signals, complex intersections and left turns. The findings provide both high diagnostic and therapeutic relevance. This paper matters, because the current study identified those dimensions of practical driving behavior that best distinguish between fit and unfit older drivers. In a standardized on-road driving assessment, we identified traffic signs and signals, complex intersections and left turns as being those driving dimensions that involve the greatest difficulties for unfit compared to fit older drivers. In a diagnostic context, the results show which driving dimensions deserve a closer look when evaluating fitness to drive. In a therapeutical context, they show which driving dimensions need more intense training. Finally, in a practical context, the results imply that traffic signs and signals need to be optimized to facilitate and accelerate their perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social interaction anxiety and sleep problems are prevalent during adolescence. Social interaction anxiety undermines sleep quality, however, little is known whether the association between social interaction anxiety and sleep quality is moderated by environmental factors such as childhood adversity and individual factors such as cardiac vagal control. This study sought to investigate the moderating effects of childhood adversity and cardiac vagal control on the link between social interaction anxiety and sleep quality. The Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire were administered to 274 adolescents, who received 3-min resting ECG recording to assess respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) as an index of cardiac vagal control. Social interaction anxiety was negatively associated with sleep quality, and this association was moderated by childhood adversity and cardiac vagal control. In specific, social interaction anxiety was negatively associated with sleep quality among adolescents with low childhood adversity regardless of cardiac vagal control. Sleep quality was generally disrupted when adolescents exposed to high childhood adversity, but the negative association between social interaction anxiety and sleep quality among adolescents with high childhood adversity could be amortized by high cardiac vagal control. Cross-sectional design precluded establishing causality among variables. These findings suggest that high cardiac vagal control reflecting better self-regulation might buffer the negative effect of social interaction anxiety on sleep quality particularly among adolescents exposed to early life stress. • Social interaction anxiety (SIA) was negatively associated with sleep quality. • The association was moderated by childhood adversity (CA) and cardiac vagal control (CVC). • The association was found in youth with low CA regardless of CVC. • Sleep quality was generally disrupted when youth exposed high CA. • The association was amortized in youth with high CA and high CVC but not low CVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and hypothesis: Schizophrenia is often associated with severe difficulties in social functioning, resulting in increased isolation and subsequent loneliness. Interpersonal distance – the amount of space around an individual's body during social interaction – can signal such difficulties. However, little is known about how individuals with schizophrenia regulate their interpersonal distance during social encounters. Summarizing the current empirical findings of interpersonal distance regulation in schizophrenia can bring novel perspectives for understanding interpersonal difficulties observed in this clinical population. This systematic review examined empirical studies indexed in Web of Science and PubMed based on a-priori-defined criteria. 1164 studies were screened with the final review consisting of 14 studies. They together included 1145 adult participants, of whom 668 were diagnosed with schizophrenia or psychotic disorder. The studies clearly showed that patients maintain greater interpersonal distances than do controls. Furthermore, a larger distance was linked to more severe positive and negative symptoms. More specifically, the link to symptoms was more pronounced when patients were being approached by someone else during interactions. On a neurobiological level, the increased activity and functional connectivity of the dorsal inferior parietal sulcus and increased subjective state-dependent stress are further indicated as being potentially related to increase interpersonal distancing in schizophrenia. We provided information about the aberrant modulation of interpersonal distance in schizophrenia. Studies showed substantial heterogeneity in tasks used to measure interpersonal distance. Future studies should look at links to social functioning, underlying neurobiology, and neuroendocrinal regulation of interpersonal space in schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Deletion of Foxp2 in NAc alters social novelty behavior. • Deletion of Foxp2 in NAc impairs appetitive reward learning. • Deletion of Foxp2 in NAc enhances fear learning and impairs fear extinction. • Foxp2 plays a physiological role in NAc-mediated multifaceted limbic function. The forkhead box protein P2 (Foxp2), initially identified for its role in speech and language development, plays an important role in neural development. Previous studies investigated the function of the Foxp2 gene by deleting or mutating Foxp2 from developmental stages. Little is known about its physiological function in adult brains. Although Foxp2 has been well studied in the dorsal striatum, its function in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of the ventral striatum remains elusive. Here, we examine the physiological function of Foxp2 in NAc of mouse brains. We conditionally knocked out Foxp2 by microinjections of AAV-EGFP-Cre viruses into the medial shell of NAc of Foxp2 floxed (cKO) mice. Immunostaining showed increased c-Fos positive cells in cKO NAc at basal levels, suggesting an abnormality in Foxp2 -deficient NAc cells. Unbiased behavioral profiling of Foxp2 cKO mice showed abnormalities in limbic-associated function. Foxp2 cKO mice exhibited abnormal social novelty without preference for interaction with strangers and familiar mice. In appetitive reward learning, Foxp2 cKO mice failed to learn the time expectancy of food delivery. In fear learning, Foxp2 cKO mice exhibited abnormal increases in freezing levels in response to tone paired with foot shock during fear conditioning. The extinction of the fear response was also altered in Foxp2 cKO mice. In contrast, conditional knockout of Foxp2 in NAc did not affect locomotion, motor coordination, thermal pain sensation, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Collectively, our study suggests that Foxp2 has a multifaceted physiological role in NAc in the regulation of limbic function in the adult brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social isolation and loneliness have been proved to be associated with many adverse health outcomes, but their influence on hypertension remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the relationship of social isolation and loneliness with hypertension risk among middle-aged and older adults in China. We used data from the 2011 and 2015 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Participants were assessed for social isolation and loneliness at baseline, and hypertension was identified by self-report and blood pressure measurement at follow-up in 2015. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association of social isolation and loneliness with the risk of hypertension. A total of 3711 residents were included. 13.7 % of the participants had high level of social isolation and 18.1 % felt lonely. During the four-year follow up period, 651 participants developed hypertension. People with high level of social isolation had an increased risk of hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 1.40, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.79). Similar results were found between social isolation score and hypertension risk (OR: 1.14, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.26). No significant association between loneliness and hypertension or any interaction effect of social isolation and loneliness on hypertension were observed. Limited by the structure of questionnaire, some of the information was derived by self-report, which may lead to recalling bias. Social isolation, rather than loneliness was associated with hypertension for middle aged and older adults. Social support needs to be strengthened for hypertension prevention in community. • Social isolation and loneliness were prevalent among middle aged and older adults. • Social isolation, rather than loneliness was associated with high hypertension risk. • No interaction of social isolation and loneliness on hypertension was observed. • Social support needs to be strengthened for hypertension prevention in community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological evolution of organic crystals during crystallization depends on the face-specific growth rates. Classical growth rate models relate the face-specific growth rates to the crystal lattice, energy of stable facets, growth mechanism, and supersaturation. The complexities of these models have increased over time to account accurately for solution conditions, the structure of growth units, and their attachment rates. Such advanced growth rate models require several layers of computations to obtain attachment energies of facets, nucleation rates, kink density, and attachment rates. Among these, the most intensive and time-consuming computation is for attachment rates, which require molecular dynamic simulations. This substantially increases the overall computation time to predict the absolute growth rate for even one crystallization condition. Since it is nearly impossible to iterate such a growth rate model, optimization schemes cannot be implemented to identify solution conditions that favor specific crystal growth. To reduce the computational time for attachment rate calculations, we implement a group contribution method (GCM) that relates the properties of functional groups in a molecule to their attachment rates to the crystal lattice, thereby rapidly estimating the growth rates of organic crystals. The process of molecular attachment involves partial desolvation of a solvated molecule, referred to as a transition state, followed by total desolvation via spontaneous attachment to a crystal facet. The first step in GCM is to identify the equilibrium states of fully solvated and partially desolvated solute molecules. The degree of supersaturation dictates the extent of this equilibrium and, thereby, the activation barrier for the growth of crystals, according to transition state theory. Identifying this equilibrium phenomenon allows for capturing the functional-group-specific interactions that depend on molecular motion, which could be related to operating conditions such as temperature and pressure. The stochastic optimization technique with Monte-Carlo sampling allows an efficient optimization problem solution to obtain the group interaction parameters. The GCM approach is first validated for the estimation of growth rates of glutamic acid and L-histidine, and then extended to predict growth rates of alanine and glycine rapidly. The optimized parameters and GCM scheme can be used to estimate growth rates in other crystallization systems. [Display omitted] • Group contribution method (GCM) is developed to estimate crystal growth rates. • Solvation-desolvation equilibrium provides group interaction parameters. • Interaction parameters are optimized using growth rates of glutamic acid and histidine. • Demonstrated GCM for rapid prediction of alanine and glycine growth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do we trust better-connected people more than others and are those who are better connected more trustworthy? Interaction in social networks affects trust as it helps reduce informational asymmetries and identify those whom to trust. It also provides channels for reciprocity where trustworthiness emerges as a relational rather than individual characteristic. We run a laboratory experiment in which trustors decide on how to allocate their endowment to five trustees both before and after a network formation phase. Our results show that trustors are influenced by the behaviour of trustees in the network formation phase: when the allocation is chosen after networks have been formed, trust is directed towards the most frequent connections of the trustor. However, when trustors' offers are anonymous, such increased trust is not reciprocated by trustees. This suggests that social connections do not signal a greater individual propensity to reciprocate trust, but rather provide channels for reciprocity which can only be activated when both trust and trustworthiness are not anonymous. • Social networks affect whom we trust. • We trust more those whom we are directly linked with, less those with only indirect links or isolated. • When trustees do not observe trustor's identity, returns to trust are not higher than when trust is allocated to strangers. Social networks do not signal individual trustworthiness. • The increased returns to trust depend on the fact that trustworthiness is mainly a relational characteristic and that the social network channels reciprocal behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online monitoring of social networks offers exciting features for platforms, enabling both technical and behavioral analysis. Numerous studies have explored the adaptation of traditional quality control methods for detecting change points within social networks. However, the current research studies face limitations such as an overreliance on case-based attributes, high computational costs, poor scalability with large networks, and low sensitivity in fast change point detection. This paper proposes a novel algorithm for social network monitoring using One-Class Support Vector Machines (OC-SVMs) to address these limitations. Additionally, using both nodal and network-level attributes makes it versatile for diverse social network applications and effectively detecting network disturbances. The algorithm utilizes a well-defined training data dictionary with an updating procedure for evolutionary networks, enhancing memory and time efficiency by reducing the processing of input data. Extensive numerical experiments are conducted using an EpiCNet model to simulate interactions in an online social network, covering six change scenarios to evaluate the proposed methodology. The results show lower Average Run Length (ARL) and Expected Delay Detection (EDD), demonstrating the superior accuracy and effectiveness of the OC-SVM algorithm compared to alternative methods. Applying OC-SVM to the Enron Email network indicates its capability to identify change points, reflecting the tumultuous timeline that led to Enron's downfall. This further validates the substantial advancement of OC-SVM in social network monitoring and opens doors to broader real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DEC205 (CD205) is one of the major endocytic receptors on dendritic cells and has been widely used as a receptor target in immune therapies. It has been shown that DEC205 can recognize dead cells through keratins in a pH-dependent manner. However, the mechanism underlying the interaction between DEC205 and keratins remains unclear. Here we determine the crystal structures of an N-terminal fragment of human DEC205 (CysR~CTLD3). The structural data show that DEC205 shares similar overall features with the other mannose receptor family members such as the mannose receptor and Endo180, but the individual domains of DEC205 in the crystal structure exhibit distinct structural features that may lead to specific ligand binding properties of the molecule. Among them, CTLD3 of DEC205 adopts a unique fold of CTLD, which may correlate with the binding of keratins. Furthermore, we examine the interaction of DEC205 with keratins by mutagenesis and biochemical assays based on the structural information and identify an XGGGX motif on keratins that can be recognized by DEC205, thereby providing insights into the interaction between DEC205 and keratins. Overall, these findings not only improve the understanding of the diverse ligand specificities of the mannose receptor family members at the molecular level but may also give clues for the interactions of keratins with their binding partners in the corresponding pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A 1D-CNN that outperforms state of the art algorithms for the detection of pursuits. • The 1D-CNN presents better performance overall, in particular for shorter inputs. • The 1D-CNN algorithm might be more appropriate for low latency applications. • The shape of the target trajectory impacts the performance of all algorithms. • Higher speed and window sizes improve the performance of all algorithms. The visual pursuit of moving targets is a natural behaviour that has been exploited in, for example, medical diagnosis, law enforcement, and human computer interaction. Most proposed algorithms to detect this behaviour are based on some kind of motion similarity metric that assumes small or no distortion between the trajectory described by the target being pursued and the sensor measurements. We propose a novel algorithm based on 1D Convolutional Neural Networks (1D-CNNs), and investigate the performance of the 1D-CNN against 4 state-of-the-art similarity based algorithms (SAs), using a novel dataset containing data from 10 participants. Their performances are evaluated using two trajectory shapes (circle and square), two target speeds (120°/s and 240°/s), and three window sizes (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 s). All algorithms have been trained or optimized to maximize the Matthew's Correlation Coefficient (MCC). Our results show that the 1D-CNN outperforms the SAs in all cases, requiring smaller window sizes to robustly detect the pursuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Repeated social defeat stress model is ideal to investigate preventive and therapeutic measures for depressive-like behavior. • Partnership intervention prevents depressive-like behavior induced by repeated social defeat stress. • Single dose of 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzamide treatment alleviates social avoidance behavior. Persistent stress increases the probability for developing depression significantly thereafter. Repeated social defeat stress is a widely used model to investigate depressive-like behavior in preclinical models. Hence, the repeated social defeat stress model provided an ideal animal model, through which the hypotheses of prevention and treatment can be investigated. We have successfully induced depressive-like behavior for male C57BL/6J mice with this model. Here, we reported that certain level of during-stress social interactions with single female or multiple male peer(s) exerted a positive role in preventing the development of depressive-like behavior induced by repeated social defeat stress. Our data suggested that the stress-susceptible mice may benefit from positive social interaction, which reduces the chance for depressive-like behavior development. Since numerous studies indicate that the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) plays an important role in various cognitive functions, we further investigate the treatment effect of 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzamide (CDPPB) on the depressive-like behavior induced by repeated social defeat stress. Most importantly, robust anti-depressant effects have been achieved through modulating the mGluR5 function. We found that single oral dose administration of CDPPB (20 mg/kg), to some extent, alleviated the social avoidance behaviors for the stress-susceptible mice. Our data implies that the CDPPB, a positive allosteric modulator of mGluR5, is a promising anti-depressant candidate with limited side effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social interactions between cows play a fundamental role in the daily activities of dairy cattle. Real-time location systems provide on a continuous and automated basis information about the position of individual cows inside barns, offering a valuable opportunity to monitor dyadic social contacts. Understanding dyadic social interactions could be applied to enhance the stability of the social structure promoting animal welfare and to model disease transmission in dairy cattle. This study aimed to identify the effect of different cow characteristics on the likelihood of the formation and persistence of social contacts in dairy cattle. The individual position of the lactating cows was automatically collected once per second for 2 wk, using an ultra-wideband system on a Swedish commercial farm consisting of almost 200 dairy cows inside a freestall barn. Social networks were constructed using the position data of 149 cows with available information on all characteristics during the study period. Social contacts were considered as a binary variable indicating whether a cow pair was within 2.5 m of each other for at least 10 min per day. The role of cow characteristics in social networks was studied by applying separable temporal exponential random graph models. Our results revealed that cows of the same parity interacted more consistently, as well as those born within 7 d of each other or closely related by pedigree. The repeatability of the topological parameters indicated a consistent short-term stability of the individual animal roles within the social network structure. Additional research is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing the long-term evolution of social contacts among dairy cattle and to investigate the relationship between these networks and the transmission of diseases in the dairy cattle population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group A Streptococcal M-related proteins (Mrps) are dimeric α-helical-coiled-coil cell membrane-bound surface proteins. During infection, Mrp recruit the fragment crystallizable region of human immunoglobulin G via their A-repeat regions to the bacterial surface, conferring upon the bacteria enhanced phagocytosis resistance and augmented growth in human blood. However, Mrps show a high degree of sequence diversity, and it is currently not known whether this diversity affects the Mrp-IgG interaction. Herein, we report that diverse Mrps all bind human IgG subclasses with nanomolar affinity, with differences in affinity which ranged from 3.7 to 11.1 nM for mixed IgG. Using surface plasmon resonance, we confirmed Mrps display preferential IgG-subclass binding. All Mrps were found to have a significantly weaker affinity for IgG3 (p < 0.05) compared to all other IgG subclasses. Furthermore, plasma pulldown assays analyzed via Western blotting revealed that all Mrp were able to bind IgG in the presence of other serum proteins at both 25 °C and 37 °C. Finally, we report that dimeric Mrps bind to IgG with a 1:1 stoichiometry, enhancing our understanding of this important host-pathogen interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]