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Atypical human and para-human courtship behaviors and coitus triggered by xeno-floral microgameteophytes
K. Mestero
Quintile System UniversityC. Loh
Quintile System UniversityA. kaTokot (Corresponding author)
Martha Wells UniversityA.R. Trinidad
Pansystem University of Mihara and New TidelandAbstract
Twenty four (24) subjects were exposed to xeno-floral microgameteophytes (XFM). Atypical behaviors were recorded by all but two (2). Atypical behaviors included courtship behaviors and coitus of greater frequency and scope than baseline for all affected subjects. Effect strength did not statistically differ between human (n = 17) and augmented human (n = 4) subjects (p = 0.046). Courtship behavior included production of art works atypical in volume and quality. Further research is require to understand the mechanism of the effect.
Introduction
An expedition by a joint Pansystems University and PresAux (PUPA) team to minor exoplanet Ophois (69 Basmu c)[1-5] resulted in exposure of twenty four (24) subjects to xeno-floral microgameteophytes (XFM) (see section “XFM biological characterization”). During quarantine in the sterilized base facility, post-exposure atypical behavior resulted, lasting a median of 56 hours, with effects persisting up to 127 hours in the longest case (see section “Subjects and exposure”). Characterization of this behavior was developed using extensive recording by the base facility, augments, and constructs (for highlights, see relevant appendices; full records available upon application to Pansystems University Xenobiology Research Library), and follow-up interviews with subjects (see Appendix D).
The subjects consisted of seventeen (17) humans, five (5) augmented humans and two (2) constructs (class SecUnit). Genders present female (n=10, 42%), male (n=8, 33%), tercera (n=2, 8%), other (n=3, 12.5%), declined question (n=1, 4%).
This paper explores the some hitherto uninvestigated interactions between humans, augmented humans and individuals with both human and non-human neural networks and physiology (the latter commonly referred to as “constructs”). One (1) construct (subject 23) engaged with multiple para-sexual encounters with six (6) other subjects, while one (1) augmented human (subject 14) spent 23 out of their affected 47 hours engaged in painting and drawing. The linkage of these courtship and sexual activity in humans, augmented humans, and constructs, suggests further research into sexual and courtship pathways.
Subjects and exposure
During a typical planetary characterization expedition of Ophois (69 Basmu c) supported by a collaboration between Pansystem University of Mihara and New Tideland and Expeditions of Preservation Alliance: Preservation, all members of the joint Pansystems University and PresAux (PUPA) team were exposed to XFM.
The subjects consisted of seventeen (17) humans, five (5) augmented humans and two (2) constructs (class SecUnit). Genders present female (n=10, 42%), male (n=8, 33%), tercera (n=2, 8%), other (n=3, 12.5%), declined question (n=1, 4%). (See Fig. 1)
| ID | Physiology | Gender | Exposure location | Team membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Human | Other | Outside: biology | Pansystems University |
| 2 | Human | Male | Outside: geology | PresAux |
| 3 | Human | Tercera | Outside: geology | PresAux |
| 4 | Human | Tercera | Outside: biology | Pansystems University |
| 5 | Human | Female | Outside: biology | PresAux |
| 6 | Human | Male | Outside: biology | PresAux |
| 7 | Human | Female | Outside: biology | PresAux |
| 8 | Human | Female | Outside: biology | Pansystems University |
| 9 | Human | Male | Outside: biology | PresAux |
| 10 | Human | Male | Outside: biology | PresAux |
| 11 | Human | Female | Outside: biology | PresAux |
| 12 | Human | Male | Outside: biology | Pansystems University |
| 13 | Human | Female | Outside: biology | Pansystems University |
| 14 | Human | Female | Outside: biology | Pansystems University |
| 15 | Human | Female | Outside: biology | Pansystems University |
| 16 | Human | Male | Outside: biology | PresAux |
| 17 | Human | Female | Outside: geology | Pansystems University |
| 18 | Augmented human | Female | Inside | Pansystems University |
| 19 | Augmented human | Female | Inside | Pansystems University |
| 20 | Augmented human | Male | Outside: geology | Pansystems University |
| 21 | Augmented human | Other | Outside: biology | Pansystems University |
| 22 | Augmented human | Male | Inside | PresAux |
| 23 | Construct | Other | Outside: biology | PresAux |
| 24 | Construct | Declined question | Inside | PresAux |
On cycle thirty-nine (39) of the survey, approximately between Standard Hours 6:41 and 7:32, a unanticipated cloud of XFM was carried by the wind across the greater survey area, encountering the Biology and Geology PUPA field teams outside of the base and the remainder of the team inside the base, via an open door to the main base gathering area (see Fig. 2). Reconstructions via interviews (Appendix D) and field recordings (Appendix E), estimate the plume at approximately 1-2 km by 16-20 km and an unknown height, with an estimated density of 1g/cm3. Survey operation under Contamination Guidelines for Class F Non-toxic Xenoplanets resulted in biological exposure. All subjects returned to base, decontaminated the gathering area, and quarantined inside for sixteen (16) cycles.
Figure 2: Plume movement and exposure locations. Estimated XFM plume dimensions over time from red to orange to yellow. Exposure locations and evacuation pathways: a) geology field team, b) biology field team, c) base team.
Due to the effect of the exposure, limited contemporaneous analysis is available on exposure pathways, though later-collected and characterized XFM grains[3] suggest inhalation as primary vector for the behavioral effects.
XFM biological characterization
Characterization of XFM was limited by the effects of exposure. Seventeen (17) cycles after primary exposure, samples of XFM were collected from decontamination reservoirs, the area surrounding the base, and dissection of the source organism, xeno-Dracaena amorpharetra[3-4].
XFM appear spherical and spiked under light microscopy and electron microscope (see Fig. 3-4). Samples of released XFM measured between eight (8) and twelve (12) microns in diameter, though this sample, due to collection method, may not reflect the full size range of pollen when airborne. Size did not vary between sampling location. Grains are estimated at about 5ng per grain. Further precision would require prompt sampling and humidity control.
Figure 3: light microscopy of an XFM grain.
Figure 4: electron microscopy of an XFM grain.
Interviews (Appendix D) and visual recordings by subject 23 (Appendix E) describe the airborne XFM as a light yellow or orange color, reducing non-augmented visibility to tens of meters at worst. The most noticeable feature of the XFM encounter was the extraordinary size, density, and cohesion of the XFM plume. Weak electronic signals recorded by subject 23 (Appendix E) suggest electrostatics may play an important role in the behavior of the XFM dispersion, though further study is required.
Using patterns of XFM deposited on the ground and relative density of available flowering plants, several potential source plants were selected. Dissection and comparison of pollen grains to exterior samples identified the source plant to be xeno-Dracaena amorpharetra[3]. Dissection of anther-analogues revealed tightly-packed clusters of XFM (Fig. 5-6). This included mature grains indistinguishable from exteriorly-sampled XFM, as well as tentatively-identified immature XFM, which are smaller and smoother.
Figure 5: light microscopy of cross-sectional stained anther-analogue sample of xeno-Dracaena amorpharetra including clusters of XFM.
Figure 6: light microscopy of complete anther-analogue sample of xeno-Dracaena amorpharetra.
Effects of XFM on para-human behavior
Introduction
XFM exposure resulted in remarkable changes in behavior in most of the exposed human, augmented human, and construct subjects. We have divided these effects into six sections for discussion: effect duration, effects of XFM on interaction type, effects of XFM on coitus, effects of XFM on creativity, feed communication during exposure to XFM, and unaffected subject characterization.
Effect duration
Based on recordings taken by the life-support and security systems of the base (Appendix A); auditory, visual, feed, and other construct system recordings (Appendix B); audio-visual and feed recordings by augmented humans (Appendix C); and subject interviews (Appendix D), effects on behavior became apparent within hours of exposure and lasted for several cycles. Affected subjects reported first symptoms between 1.5 and 12 hours after exposure and last symptoms between 27.4 and 127 hours after exposure (see Fig. 7-10).
| ID | Effect onset | Effect termination | Effect duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.00 | 58.00 | 56.00 |
| 2 | 2.50 | 50.00 | 47.50 |
| 3 | 2.00 | 38.00 | 36.00 |
| 4 | 3.00 | 108.00 | 105.00 |
| 5 | 5.00 | 81.00 | 76.00 |
| 6 | 1.50 | 127.00 | 125.50 |
| 7 | 4.00 | 95.00 | 91.00 |
| 8 | 2.00 | 49.00 | 47.00 |
| 9 | 2.25 | 47.00 | 44.75 |
| 10 | 3.00 | 61.00 | 58.00 |
| 11 | 12.00 | 50.00 | 38.00 |
| 12 | 3.50 | 45.00 | 41.50 |
| 13 | 2.00 | 67.00 | 65.00 |
| 14 | 2.50 | 97.00 | 94.50 |
| 15 | 4.00 | 35.00 | 31.00 |
| 16 | 2.00 | 58.10 | 56.10 |
| 17 | 3.15 | 63.80 | 60.65 |
| 18 | 8.13 | 54.00 | 45.87 |
| 19 | 3.10 | 36.25 | 33.15 |
| 20 | 6.00 | 66.00 | 60.00 |
| 21 | 2.75 | 76.00 | 73.25 |
| 22 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 23 | 6.14 | 27.40 | 21.26 |
| 24 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Figure 8: number of affected subjects per hour of first symptoms after exposure.
Figure 9: number of affected subjects per hour of last symptoms after exposure.
Figure 10: number of affected subjects per duration of effect period in hours.
We considered the effects of exposure event, physiology, and gender on effect duration. Of the 22 affected subjects, the median symptomatic period duration was 56 hours, with an average of 59.4 hours. Affected subjects exposed inside had the shortest median duration, of 39.5 hours, while those exposed outside in the biology group had the longest median duration, of 57 hours (see Fig. 11). While there was no statistical difference in effect duration between subjects affected in the outside biology and geology field teams, there is a statistical difference between affected subjects exposed outside and inside (p-value 0.04).
Figure 11: duration of symptomatic period in hours by exposure location.
Affected augmented humans had a shorter median symptomatic period duration than non-augmented humans (52.9 hours vs 56.1 hours). The single affected construct had a much shorter duration than either group, of 21.3 hours, though it is difficult to draw conclusions based on this single result, and there was no statistical difference between affected human and augmented human subjects (see Fig. 12).
Figure 12: duration of symptomatic period in hours by subject gender.
Affected female subjects had the shortest median duration, of 53.8 hours, while tercera subjects had the longest at 70.5 hours (see Fig. 13).
Figure 13: duration of symptomatic period in hours by subject physiology.
Effects of XFM on interaction type
The broadest category of effect observed in the affected subjects was a marked increase in courtship-related interactions. Affected subjects reported (see Appendix D) seeking romantic or sexual interactions with more people, at higher rates, than their typical, which is supported by Bowdson’s Categorization[6] of recorded social interactions (see Appendices A-C).
In Fig. 14, we contrast social interactions occurring within the base before and after exposure, using Bowdson’s Categorization to group courtship and non-courtship interactions (see Appendix F for a detailed breakdown of categorization choice). We have excluded all interactions from cycle zero (0), the day of exposure. The number of interactions nearly doubled during the cycle after exposure, from a pre-exposure average of 1039 interactions to Cycle 1’s 2175, and the number of courtship interactions increased from an average of 14.8 interactions per cycle to 648, with a maximum of 740 on the cycle after exposure. Taking into account the number of individuals still experiencing symptoms during each cycle, this was an average of 71.9 courtship interactions per affected person per cycle.
Figure 14: bar chart, number of interactions per cycle before and after exposure, divided into courtship and non-courtship interactions. Line chart, number of subjects within symptomatic period per cycle.
The change in density of interactions is complicated by taking into account changes in sleep behavior. In Fig. 15 we compare average sleep duration in hours in the five-cycle period before and after the cycle of exposure for affected subjects who sleep (i.e. excluding unaffected augmented human subject ID 22 and construct subjects 23 and 24). We are using the survey team’s compromise cycle length of precisely 27 hours. After exposure, the duration of sleep decreased, from an average of 7.25 hours to 4.64 hours.
Figure 15: average hours of sleep per cycle per subject over the five-cycle periods before and after the cycle of exposure.
In the five-cycle period before the day of exposure, we observed 5196 interactions, or an average of 1039 interactions per day. After exposure, we observed 5553 interactions, for an average of 1111 interactions per day. However, taking into account each affected individual’s sleep duration, observed via base systems (Appendix A), the number of interactions per affected individual per waking hour actually decreased, from 263 to 248. Exposure resulted in decreased sleep, short-term increase in number of interactions and long-term decrease in interactions (potentially due to exhaustion and increase in average interaction duration), and a dramatic increase in the proportion of courtship interactions.
Effects of XFM on coitus
As a subset of courtship-related interactions, events of coitus dramatically increased during the effect period for affected subjects. Figure 16 depicts the web of sexual interactions, colored by team membership. Each node, identified by subject ID, has a link to all sexual partners taken during effect period. Unaffected subjects 22 and 24 show no links. One subject, subject 6, had at least one interaction with all other affected subjects.
Figure 16: sexual partner clusters by team membership.
XFM dramatically increased the amount of sexual activity in affected subjects, but, as compared over a few metrics, did not change the character of sexual activity. Affected subjects reported no change in orientation, preferences in partners, or types of sexual behaviors. All subjects reported an increase in the number of sexual partners during the period of exposure as compared to the number of sexual partners within the past 150 cycles (Appendix D). However, excluding unaffected subjects and two subjects with atypical sexual history (one with no previous sexual history, one with a number of partners within the past 150 cycles more than 2 standard deviations higher than the mean for the rest of the group), the more historical partners, the more exposure partners (fig. 17; EP = 1.9 + 0.74HP, r2 = 0.46).
Figure 17: number of sexual partners over past 150 cycles (Historical partners) vs. number of sexual partners during effect period (Post-exposure partners) with a line of best fit.
Effects of XFM on creativity
Outside of courtship interactions, there was a significant increase in creative behaviors by affected subjects. Twenty two (22) of the exposed subjects produced art work of an advanced and (using stringent objective measurements) extremely high quality. This art consists of poetry (n=7), music (n=6), prose form (n=2) and visual art (n=14).
This serendipitous “natural experiment” allows us to draw conclusions regarding the role of art in human courtship. The XFM triggered both “expected” courtship behaviors but also complex artistic endeavors. The role of art in human evolution may be clarified by this accidental exposure to a potent trigger.
See Appendix H for a complete collection of art works created by affected subjects authorized to be shared in this paper. Here is a representative sample of artistic forms. For this paper, the researchers have accepted the loss of the finer nuances and beauty of the original written works in the preliminary translations below in the pursuit of immediate access. Future planned analysis by experts in the respective artistic fields is ongoing.
Figure 18: Poetry, “425nm Blues”, Subject 19
“Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
And so are you.”
This superlative example of the sponnet form evokes botany (in the flowers), physics (in the colors and title of the poem), and physiology (in the sugar) in praise of the subject of the poem, using precise and clever use of meter and rhyme. The second line is a sly allusion to the Splesbos school of poetry, while the phrasing of the final line echoes with the central motif of the foundational courtship volumes of Jane Spausten.
Figure 19: Music, “EVOLution” [embedded music], Subject 4
“L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more extraordinary.”
This radical and groundbreaking development of the form challenges previous examples of the love song with its bold and complex linguistic puzzle, layered musical motifs, and the interplay of the spelling and musical notes, while never losing the central theme of courtship.
Figure 20: Prose form, “The tale of contentment”, Subject 2
“Once upon a time, there were twelve companions living in a wood. They were happy but felt like something was missing, so they decided to go on a journey. They traveled for several weeks until they encountered a band of people who were similarly dissatisfied, and spoke of a story they had heard, of a perfect cliff that had beautiful sunrises. So they journeyed together, each group on either side, until they found the cliff. They watched the sunrise together, and in the fresh light they saw each other for the first time. From then on, they traveled in one group, and wanted for nothing.”
This light take on the fairy tale format retells the story of the PUPA expedition, casting the XFM exposure event as a sunrise, and the effects of exposure as a revelatory insight into each other. The creative use of culturally-significant Preservation System symbolism (woods, journey, cliff, sunrise, light, desire) and stylized format are a deft example of a satisfying and magical story.
Figure 21: Visual art, “Would that I were a sample in a microscope that I might gaze better into your eyes”, Subject 18
This piece, an abstracted closeup of a pupil and iris, invites the viewer to fall into the subject’s eyes with the passion and fascination of a suitor. The colors and allusion to profession personalize this piece and make it an excellent example of a courtship gift in the Mihira Southern Continental style.
Interviews with affected subjects (Appendix D) demonstrate subjective estimation of created works as being beyond subjects’ ordinary skill level, and the creative drive much stronger. Subjects report perceiving greater artistic opportunity in their environment - see Appendix H for a remarkable mixed media work completed using food - and a more vivid imagination of potential completed works.
Feed communication during exposure to XFM
Feed communication was heavily utilized by both augmented humans (n=4) and the single construct (n=1) in the main study population. The use was for both courtship, collaborative art and as an adjunct to coitus. Subjects reported a higher degree of utilization of feed interactions and a higher sensitivity to “emotional bleed” over the feed than typical [7-8]. Feed communication was not noteably accessed using external interfaces during courtship interactions, coitus, or as part of the creative process.
Unaffected subject characterization
Two exposed team members did not exhibit symptoms. Researchers are still attempting to understand the underlying factors. Subjects 22 and 24, an augmented human and a construct, have personal recordings of their exposure events, which, when compared with affected subjects, show no explicative differences in duration or timing. Comparison of baseline medical scans of all team members present no obvious physiological differences or pathologies in sexual organs or cerebral tissue, although understanding of construct physiology is subject to complex political constraints. Unaffected subjects report no precautions taken or any variation from the Contamination Guidelines for Class F Non-toxic Xenoplanets. We hypothesize a biological resistance to XFM effects present in the DNA and shared biological systems of the unaffected subjects. Further research is required into the prevalence of susceptibility and resistance to XFM as well as the precise systems affected by the XFM.
Conclusion
Exposure to xeno-floral microgameteophytes from xeno-Dracaena amorpharetra plants on exoplanet Ophois (69 Basmu c) resulted in dramatic increases in courtship behaviors, coitus, and creative works among twenty-two (22) of twenty-four (24) members of a survey team. Further research into the biology of XFM, the interaction pathways with humans, augmented humans, and construct physiology, and the interrelationship of creative artworks and the courtship drive are required.
Citations
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[3] Xeno-floral microgameteophytes of x-D. amorpharetra of 69 Basmu c (Ophois). J Prescott, M Ratthi, et al. Xenobiology Review: Macrobiology. 5991A.
[4] Description of xeno-Dracaena amorpharetra from 69 Basmu c (Ophois). M Ratthi, J Prescott, et al. In preparation.
[5] Geological overview of plains in southern continent of Ophois (69 Basmu c). B Gurathin, LS Matri, et al. Xenogeological Letters: A. 5991A.
[6] Bowdson’s Categories, a review. H Onja. Spience & Spature. 5814A.
[7] A systematic review of involuntary communication modes through the feed. R. Wind. Spience & Spature. 5859A.
[8] U up?: extra-textual communication over the feed during sexual encounters. E. Merida, L. Athani, E. Cassiopeia-Jones. Journal of Social Psychology. 5914A.