The Human–Animal Interaction Scale: Development and Evaluation

The purpose of this study was to develop the Human–Animal Interaction Scale (HAIS) and evaluate its reliability and validity. The HAIS is a 24-item self-report instrument designed to describe and quantify behaviors performed by humans and nonhuman animals during an episode of interaction (e.g., engaging with a pet, participating in an animal-assisted intervention). Participants were 295 adult volunteers who completed the HAIS in one of several different contexts, including both laboratory and applied settings. The scale was tested across several different species, including companion animals (i.e., dogs and cats), small caged animals (i.e., rats, rabbit, hedgehog), and horses. Analyses indicate good reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82 overall and alphas of 0.72 and higher across the different species and settings. Test-retest analyses indicate ratings remain consistent up to one week following an interaction. Evidence of construct validity was gathered by comparing HAIS ratings with other well-established measures of related constructs, as well as comparing participant reports with researcher observations. Potential uses in basic and applied research are discussed.     

An Exploratory Study of Domestic Violence: Perpetrators’ Reports of Violence Against Animals

The goal of the current exploratory study was to examine associations between animal cruelty (AC), intimate partner violence (IPV), and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) among incarcerated adult males. Forty-two men incarcerated in a state prison participated in the study; all participants were incarcerated for IPV and/or admitted to committing IPV in a past relationship. They completed measures on childhood animal cruelty (CAC), lifetime prevalence of AC, and IPV. It was hypothesized that men with ASPD diagnoses would report greater exposure to, and perpetration of, AC, as well as more severe IPV behaviors. It was also expected that lifetime exposure to, and perpetration of, AC would be associated with greater animal abuse in the context of IPV. Lastly, it was hypothesized that participants who reported exposure to, and perpetration of, AC would also report higher rates of IPV behaviors. Rates of animal cruelty were high in this sample. Approximately 36% of participants endorsed CAC, 81% reported animal cruelty perpetration in their lifetime, 85.7% reported being exposed to animal cruelty during their lifetime, 38% endorsed using threats against animals during a relationship conflict, and 52% reported abusing and/or killing a pet during a relationship conflict. CAC was significantly related to increased use of psychological abuse and sexual coercion in the context of intimate relationships. ASPD was not related to animal cruelty in the context of IPV. CAC was significantly associated with both threats to, and actual perpetration of, animal abuse during relationship conflicts. The limitations and implications of our findings are discussed in relation to future research.     

Analysis of an Advisor–Advisee Relationship: An Exploratory Study of the Area of Exact and Earth Sciences in Brazil

Scientific collaboration has been studied by researchers for decades. Several approaches have been adopted to address the question of how collaboration has evolved in terms of publication output, numbers of coauthors, and multidisciplinary trends. One particular type of collaboration that has received very little attention concerns advisor and advisee relationships. In this paper, we examine this relationship for the researchers who are involved in the area of Exact and Earth Sciences in Brazil and its eight subareas. These pairs are registered in the Lattes Platform that manages the individual curricula vitae of Brazilian researchers. The individual features of these academic researchers and their coauthoring relationships were investigated. We have found evidence that there exists positive correlation between time of advisor–advisee relationship with the advisee’s productivity. Additionally, there has been a gradual decline in advisor–advisee coauthoring over a number of years as measured by the Kulczynski index, which could be interpreted as decline of the dependence.     

Pet Ownership and Human–Animal Interaction in an Aging Population: Rewards and Challenges

ABSTRACT

Older adults in most developed countries can now expect to live nearly 80 years without significant disability. To maximize the quality of the years after retirement, societies, governments, and organizations are seeking strategies to help older adults maintain their mental and physical health, and retain their independence. Increasingly, the impact of pet ownership and other forms of human–animal interaction in healthy aging are discussed and investigated. In the Western world, more than 50% of households own one or more pets. The popularity of pets means they are well positioned to provide opportunities for companionship and nurturance. Since social networks tend to decrease as people age, pets may fill some gaps. While it is common to read about the benefits of pets and human–animal interactions, pet ownership in older age is also related to challenges and animal welfare concerns. This paper aims to briefly review the benefits and then explore risks and challenges related to pet ownership in older adulthood. In addition, we present strategies for maintaining beneficial pet ownership and human–animal interaction for older adults.     

Introduction to the Themed Issue on Human–Animal Interaction and Healthy Human Aging

ABSTRACT

In 2016, the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) developed a research focus on the benefits and potential risks associated with pets among older adults. With the goal of developing a roadmap for human–animal interaction (HAI) research in older people residing in both the community and institutions, GSA convened a workshop of international experts and policy-makers in the fields of aging and HAI. The status of current knowledge was shared on the success factors for healthy aging and the potential challenges (GSA, 2016). Participants considered what roles pets might play in the lives of older adults and their potential to mitigate loneliness, social isolation, and depression, and to enhance mobility and cognitive function. Existing research was shared to provide insights into the ways in which pets can impact older adults and their caregivers and to identify where further research is needed. This paper introduces a series of papers from that meeting, with some additional papers from meeting attendees to expand on the topics covered and provide key perspectives and gaps in information needed, as a foundation for those considering research into this topic. Although HAI/Animal-Assistant Intervention (AAI) research is in its infancy, there is some evidence that pet ownership or animal interaction can have major benefits for many older adults. At the same time, there are some risks to both the pet and the older adult that need to be addressed. Innovative approaches to both AAIs and the ways to overcome challenges are presented in this themed issue of Anthrozoös. Our hope is that the findings from these reviews and reports will stimulate additional work in this area.     

The State of Research on Human–Animal Relations: Implications for Human Health

ABSTRACT

Since the late 1970s, scientific evidence has accumulated showing that pet ownership can have positive effects on people’s physical and mental wellbeing. This paper reviews the current state of affairs regarding the relationship between companion animals and human health, focusing on both the physical and psychological health outcomes related to human–animal interactions. Although designed to set the general scene on the link between animals and human wellbeing, research specific to older adults is highlighted where relevant. A particular emphasis is placed on disorders prevalent in modern-day society, notably cardiovascular disease and depression. The possible mechanisms by which companion animals might be able to enhance human wellbeing and quality of life are discussed, focusing on routes including, amongst others, the provision of companionship, social lubrication, and improvements to physical fitness. The role of the social bonding hormone, oxytocin, in facilitating attachment to our pets and the implications for human health is also discussed. Inconsistencies in the literature and methodological limitations are highlighted throughout. It is concluded that future human–animal interaction experiments should aim to account for the confounding variables that are inherent in studies of this nature.     

The Prevalence and Implications of Human–Animal Co-Sleeping in an Australian Sample

Sleep research is characterized by an interest in humans, with the realm of animal sleep left largely to ethologists and animal scientists. However, the lives of sleep-study participants and those with sleep problems frequently involve animals. For the majority of the population in developed countries who own pets, their waking lives are impacted by the duties of animal care and ownership. For many, their sleeping lives are also impacted through sharing their bedrooms or their beds with pets. Yet, little is known about the prevalence of human–animal co-sleeping relationships or their impact on sleep. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and implications of human–animal co-sleeping in an Australian sample. The study uses data collected from the 2012 Sealy Sleep Census, a national online survey of sleep wellness that included a sample of 10,128 after data cleaning. The population of respondents (aged 18–74) who co-slept with pets (n = 1,018 or 10% of the sample) was then matched to a sample of respondents who did not co-sleep with pets, according to gender and age. Those who co-slept with pets took longer to fall asleep (p = 0.029), were more likely to wake up tired (p = 0.025), and although they were not more likely to wake up due to a disturbance, those who did had a greater chance of being disturbed by dog barking/animals making noises (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences found in total self-reported sleep length or feelings of tiredness during the day. The continued practice of co-sleeping with pets suggests that there may be some benefits such as social support and social interaction, and increased feelings of personal security. The survey provides a preliminary understanding of the prevalence and implications of human–animal co-sleeping, and highlights areas for further examination of its implications on sleep research and clinical practice.     

The Positional Quality of Life and Death: A Theory of Human–Animal Relations in Animism

ABSTRACT

This article examines human–animal relations in animism. Ethnographies of indigenous peoples in the Americas, Asia, and Africa are compared in order to provide a basic sketch of the remarkable consistency of animism across the world. A central feature that recurs time and again is the positional quality of life and death. That is, life and death are not conceived of as inherent properties but as changeable positions. This is why indigenous hunters, shamans, and diviners temporarily “die” when they participate in the specific rites or cults associated with their respective endeavors. Such metamorphoses of the living into the dead are crucial to understand how hunters engage with their prey, shamans mobilize their animal-helpers, and honey collectors approach their bees. At the same time, these different activities involve the transformation of humans into animals. Chachi bird stalkers and Uduk antelope hunters identify themselves with their quarry, Navajo medicine men and Ainu shamans shape-change into their animallike adversaries, while Batek mourners may adopt a tiger-form. At first sight, such simultaneous metamorphoses (from the living into the dead and from humans into animals) may seem contradictory. Yet, this apparent inconsistency disappears if one realizes that the modern notion of wildlife cannot be applied to animism. I show that the monkeys, deer, whales, tigers, and elephants that indigenous hunters and shamans deal with must be understood as “wild-dead” rather than as wildlife. These various animals are palpable representatives of an expanded realm of death which—I suggest—is characteristic of all forms of animism. In this context, being animate is not sufficient to be considered “alive.”     

An Exploratory Study of Human–Dog Co-sleeping Using Actigraphy: Do Dogs Disrupt Their Owner’s Sleep?

ABSTRACT

This exploratory study aimed to contribute to the limited research on human–animal co-sleeping by investigating the extent to which human sleep is disturbed by co-sleeping with a dog. Five female Australian dog owners and their dogs were fitted with activity monitors for seven nights. Raw activity of the dog and human for each sleep episode were matched and then compared using a time series correlation. Dog movement was a significant leading indicator of human movement, with dog activity positively indicating human activity up to 2.5 minutes in advance. Dogs were active for about 20% of the night, with humans 4.3 times more likely to be awake during dog activity than during dog inactivity (10.55%/2.45%). Co-sleeping appears to cause sleep disturbances (both arousals and wake ups), which is reinforced by poor scores on validated sleep measures. There also appears to be disparity between these objective measures and subjective evaluations of sleep quality and number of disturbances. At least in the small sample considered in the present study, co-sleeping with a dog appears to result in measurable, but relatively mild, reductions in overall sleep quality. This detrimental impact must be weighed against the benefits of co-sleeping.     

The making of ethology: The association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, 1936–1986

The paper reviews the history of the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour in its 50th anniversary year. Having discussed the founding of the Institute for the Study of Animal Behaviour in 1936, the paper establishes its principal aims, follows its fortunes before and during the war, traces its role in the expansion and institutionalization of ethology in Britainbetween 1945 and 1950, and summarizes its transformation into a flourishing scientific society in the 1950s and 1960s. It is concluded that the history of the Association is, to a striking extent, a microcosm of the making of ethology as a successful scientific discipline.     

Fluorescence and Phosphorescence Study of Tet Repressor–Operator Interaction

Fluorescence and phosphorescence measurements have been carried out on single-p tryptophan (Trp 43 or Trp 75)-containing mutants of Tet repressor (Tet R). Tet R containing Trp 43, the residue localized in the DNA recognition helix of the repressor, has been used to observe the binding of Tet R to two 20-bp DNA sequences of tet O₁ and tet O₂ operators. Binding of Tet R to tet O₁ operator leads to a 78% decrease of the repressor fluorescence intensity, with an accompanying 20-nm blue shift of its fluorescence emission maximum to 330 nm. Upon binding of Tet R to tet O₂ operator, the Trp 43 fluorescence intensity is quenched by 60%, and a 10-nm shift of its emission maximum to 340 nm occurs. Solute fluorescence quenching studies, using acrylamide, performed at low ionic strength indicate that in both the complex of Tet R with the O₁ and that with the O₂ operator, Trp 43 is moderately buried, as indicated by a bimolecular rate quenching constant of about 1.8 × 10⁹ M^–1 sec^–1. In contrast to the Tet R–tet O₂ complex, the Stern–Volmer acrylamide quenching constant K _sv of the complex with tet O₁ operator changes from 7.5 M^–1 at 5 mM NaCl to 22 M^–1 at 200 mM NaCl, indicating different exposures of Trp 43 in the two complexes in solutions of higher ionic strength. Phosphorescence studies showed a 0–0 vibronic transition at 408 and 403 nm for Trp 43 and Trp 75, respectively. Upon binding of Tet R to the tet operators, we observed red shifts of 0–0 vibronic bands of Trp 43 to 413 and 412 nm for tet O₁ and tet O₂ operator, respectively, and the phosphorescence triplet lifetime of Trp 43 at 75 K was quenched from 6.0–5.5 to 3.5–3.3 sec. The thermal phosphorescence quenching profile ranged from –200°C to –20°C, and differed drastically for the two complexes, suggesting different dynamics of the microenvironment of the Trp 43 residue. The luminescence data for Trp 43 of Tet R suggest that the recognition helix of Tet R interacts in different fashions with the tet O₁ and tet O₂ operators.     

Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship Model for Prediction of Protein–Peptide Interaction Binding Affinities between Human Amphiphysin-1 SH3 Domains and Their Peptide Ligands

Protein–protein interaction plays a critical role in signal transduction and many other key biological processes. The present study evaluated four parameters selected from among 554 physiochemical variables of 20 natural amino acids listed in AAindex, namely, hydrophobicity, electronic properties, steric properties, and hydrogen-bond properties. Human amphiphysin-1 Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-binding decapeptides were the object of analysis. A quantitative structure–activity relationship model of the SH3 domain-binding peptides was constructed using multivariate linear regression. The results showed that the four parameters ably characterize the structure of SH3 domain-binding decapeptides, have definitive physicochemical properties and a low level of computational complexity, are accessible, and may be used in integrated prediction models for other protein–peptide interactions.     

Loneliness,Depression, and Physical Activity in Older Adults: The Therapeutic Role of Human–Animal Interactions

ABSTRACT

The global population of older persons is projected in 2050 to reach approximately 2.1 billion. As people age, feelings of loneliness, depression, and physical inactivity often occur due to a multitude of reasons. These feelings may manifest and cause adverse health outcomes. With the predicted increase of older adults worldwide, the prevalence of loneliness, depression, and physical inactivity may also worsen over time if unattended. Since older adults are subject to psychological and physical changes as they age, it is important to find creative ways to address the health needs of this growing population. Therefore, interventions are needed to prevent or decrease the psychological and physical challenges that older adults face. This paper examines existing literature on human–animal interactions (HAIs) in the lives of older adults in relation to concepts such as loneliness, depression, and physical activity. The psychological and physical health benefits of animals for older adults include decreased loneliness and depression, improved cardiovascular health, and increased physical activity. There is mounting evidence supporting the therapeutic psychological and physical health benefits of animals in the lives of older adults. However, there are practical and financial implications that must be considered. Methodological considerations and future directions for human–animal interaction research with older adults are also discussed.     

The superfamily of heme–copper oxygen reductases: Types and evolutionary considerations

Heme–copper oxygen reductases (HCO) reduce O₂ to water being the last enzymatic complexes of most aerobic respiratory chains. These enzymes promote energy conservation coupling the catalytic reaction to charge separation and charge translocation across the prokaryotic cytoplasmatic or mitochondrial membrane. In this way they contribute to the establishment and maintenance of the transmembrane difference of electrochemical potential, which is vital for solute/nutrient cell import, synthesis of ATP and motility. The HCO enzymes most probably share with the nitric oxide reductases, NORs, a common ancestor. We have proposed the classification of HCOs into three different types, A, B and C; based on the constituents of their proton channels (Pereira, Santana and Teixeira (2001) Biochim Biophys Acta, 1505, 185–208). This classification was recently challenged by the suggestion of other different types of HCOs. Using an enlarged sampling we performed an exhaustive bioinformatic reanalysis of HCOs family. Our results strengthened our previously proposed classification and showed no need for the existence of more divisions. Now, we analyze the taxonomic distribution of HCOs and NORs and the congruence of their sequence trees with the 16S rRNA tree. We observed that HCOs are widely distributed in the two prokaryotic domains and that the different types of enzymes are not confined to a specific taxonomic group or environmental niche. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Respiratory Oxidases.