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Modeling Call Synchronization in Sciaenidae Fish Aggregations: Is There an Advantage?
(2025-07-03) Sprague, Mark W.; Bier, Martin; Majka, Maceij; Luczkovich, Joseph J.
Synchronization of oscillating systems occurs when there is a coupling interaction causing the motions of the system to synchronize over time. First observed (Williams, Kitanov and Langford, 2017) between mechanical clocks hanging next to each other, synchronization occurs in many biological systems (Henry et al., 2021) from calling frogs and flashing fireflies to claw-waving crabs. The mathematics of synchronization are well established. The Kuramoto model (Strogatz, 2000) treats the coupling between oscillators as a perturbation, and each oscillator “feels” the average of the other oscillations resulting in a phase transition between unsynchronized and synchronized behavior as the coupling strength increases.
We have created a preliminary model of synchronized calling in an aggregation of weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) that is based on a successful model (Ramírez-Ávila et al., 2019) for firefly synchronization. Male weakfish produce courtship calls consisting of pulse trains lasting ~ 0.5 s followed by a silent period of ~ 0.7 s. In our model the calling weakfish adjust their silent period based on the loudness of the other weakfish calls they hear until their silent period synchronizes with the silent periods of the other calling weakfish. Our model aggregation contained 1000 calling weakfish distributed in a 30 m radius cylinder in water of depth 5 m. This simulated aggregation produced a sound with peak pressure at the center 2.4 dB greater than for an unsynchronized aggregation with the same spatial distribution calling randomly. The minimum pressure of the synchronized aggregation was 12 dB less than for the unsynchronized aggregation. One advantage of a synchronized aggregation is that the signal will propagate farther (by a factor of 1.7 for cylindrical spreading in our model) before falling below the background pressure. Also, the enhanced differences between the loud and quiet portions of the synchronized call could be a signal to females of the presence of an aggregation and not random noise.
In this presentation, we will show the details of the synchronization model and compare the characteristics of synchronized and unsynchronized aggregations. We will also present simulated aggregation calls of both synchronized and unsynchronized aggregations. Finally, we will propose a study to determine if and to what extent synchronization occurs in sciaenids.
The onset of synchronization of calls in a Sciaenidae mating chorus
(2025-07-01) Luczkovich, Joseph J.; Sprague, Mark W.; Bier, Martin; Majka, Maceij
The Association Between Political Affiliation, Empathy, and Perceptions of Harmful Gender Stereotypes
(2025-04-29) Shah, Esha Riya
This study examined the correlational ties between toxic masculinity, toxic femininity, empathy, and political affiliation among 115 undergraduates at the East Carolina University enrolled in the PSYC 1000 research participation pool. Participants completed the Toxic Masculinity Scale (TMS), the Feminine Ideology Scale (FIS), the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ), and the Pew Research Centers Ideology Consistency Scale (PI). Analyses examined the relationship of political views with gender ideology and empathy. Overall, results revealed a strong positive correlation between TMS and conservative political ideology (r = -0.439, p < 0.001.), and revealed a strong negative correlation between FIS and political ideology (r = -0.300, p = 0.001). Unexpectedly, empathy and political affiliation had no correlation (r= -0.091, p = 0.333). This data suggested that extreme gender role ideology is strongly associated with political affiliation while empathy has no correlation to political affiliation and extreme gender ideology
Red, White, and Feeling Blue: A Correlational Study on the Relationship Between Subjective Well-Being and Relationship Quality, as Moderated by Political Extremity
(2025-04-30) Gibson, Harley Rose
This study examines the correlational ties between subjective well-being (SWB), relationship quality (RQ), and political extremity among 125 undergraduate ECU PSYC 1000 students during the height of the 2024 presidential election. Using validated measures, including the Satisfaction with Life Scale and Social Support Scale, we tested how political views moderate the established connection between relationship quality and subjective well-being. Results revealed a strong positive correlation between relationship quality and SWB (r = .459, p < .001), while political affiliation showed a weaker but significant relationship with SWB (r = .212, p < .05). Contrary to expectations, stronger political affiliation did not weaken the relationship quality to subjective well-being connection, suggesting that quality relationships benefit well-being regardless of political ideology. An unexpected finding showed that first-generation students reported higher levels of well-being (r = .303, p < .001), which is an intriguing factor that is potentially worthy of further investigation.
EPOC Substrate Metabolism AT/RT
(2025-04-30) Bryant, Tyler
Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) represents the elevated oxygen intake following physical activity as the body restores itself to resting state, and it is influenced by both the intensity and modality of exercise. While EPOC has been well-documented, its role in substrate metabolism—particularly the differential utilization of fats and carbohydrates post-exercise—warrants further investigation. This study examines EPOC and substrate metabolism following distinct bouts of aerobic and resistance exercise in untrained individuals, aiming to compare the metabolic outcomes associated with each mode of training. Participants completed randomized sessions of aerobic and resistance exercise, with metabolic variables including oxygen consumption (VO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and resting energy expenditure (REE) measured before, during, and after exercise using indirect calorimetry.
The findings are expected to contribute to the growing body of literature on how different forms of exercise affect energy expenditure and fuel usage during recovery, with implications for weight management and metabolic health interventions. Previous studies have shown that resistance exercise often leads to a prolonged EPOC with a greater reliance on lipid oxidation, while aerobic activity may induce shorter, yet immediate changes in metabolism (Borsheim & Bahr, 2003; Lyons et al., 2006). Understanding these distinctions is particularly relevant for developing targeted exercise prescriptions, especially in sedentary or metabolically compromised populations. This research will inform practitioners and exercise scientists of the practical metabolic outcomes of aerobic versus resistance training, potentially influencing exercise program design for health and performance goals