scholarly journals A Mathematical Modeling Approach to the Cort-Fitness Hypothesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F El Moustaid ◽  
S J Lane ◽  
I T Moore ◽  
L R Johnson

Abstract The Cort-Fitness Hypothesis has generated much interest from investigators integrating field endocrinology with evolutionary biology, ecology, and conservation. The hypothesis was developed to test the assumption that if glucocorticoid levels increase with environmental challenges and fitness decreases with environmental challenges, then there should be a negative relationship between baseline glucocorticoid levels and fitness. Indeed, studies across diverse taxa have found that the relationship between baseline glucocorticoid levels and fitness are not consistent: some studies show a positive relationship, others negative, and some show no correlation. Hence, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between baseline glucocorticoid levels, environmental challenges, and fitness is needed. We propose a mathematical model representing the links between baseline glucocorticoid levels, environmental challenges, and fitness. Our model describes how variation in the predictability and intensity of environmental challenges, reproductive strategies, and fitness metrics can all contribute to the variability observed in empirical tests of the Cort-Fitness Hypothesis. We provide qualitative results showing that much of the inconsistency in previous studies can be explained and we discuss how the model can be used to inform future Cort-Fitness studies.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadoua El Moustaid ◽  
Samuel Lane ◽  
Ignacio Moore ◽  
Leah Johnson

The Cort-Fitness hypothesis has generated much interest from investigators integrating field endocrinology with evolutionary biology, ecology, and conservation. The hypothesis was developed on the assumption that if glucocorticoid levels increase with environmental challenges and fitness decreases with environmental challenges, then there should be a negative relationship between glucocorticoid levels and fitness. However, studies across diverse taxa have found that the relationship between glucocorticoid levels and fitness is not consistent: some studies show a positive relationship, others negative, and some show no correlation. Hence, support for the hypothesis is not consistent and thus a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between glucocorticoid levels, environmental pressures, and fitness is needed. We propose a mathematical model representing the links between glucocorticoid levels, environmental challenges, and fitness. Our model explores how variation in the predictability and intensity of environmental challenges, reproductive strategies, and fitness metrics can all contribute to the variability observed in empirical tests of the Cort-Fitness hypothesis. We provide qualitative results showing the Cort-Fitness relationship for different environmental scenarios and discuss how the model can be used to inform future Cort-Fitness studies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 009164712199240
Author(s):  
Noah S. Love ◽  
Cassidy A. Merlo ◽  
M. Elizabeth Lewis Hall ◽  
Peter C. Hill

The present study examined attachment to God and quest as potential moderators of the relationship between religious doubt and mental health. A sample of Christian participants ( N = 235) completed a survey which included measures of attachment to God, quest, religious doubt, and mental health. As hypothesized, attachment to God and quest significantly moderated an individual’s experience of religious doubt. Low avoidant attachment to God (i.e., a more secure attachment) was associated with a more negative relationship between cognitive religious doubt and positive mental health than high avoidant attachment. In contrast, low avoidant attachment to God also ameliorated the positive relationship between affective religious doubt and mental health problems. Low anxious attachment was associated with a stronger negative relationship between both measures of religious doubt (i.e., cognitive and affective) and positive mental health. In addition, high soft quest weakened all four of the relationships between measures of religious doubt and mental health. High hard quest ameliorated the positive relationship between both measures of religious doubt and mental health problems. These results indicate that an individual’s attachment to God and the way an individual is oriented toward religion each play a role in the mental health outcomes associated with religious doubt.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Rahmat Hidayat, Farah Margaretha Leon

This study aims to analyze the green CSR  of innovation performance  with firms approval variables  and public visibility   can support moderating the relationship of green CSR  and innovation. The research sample was 33 manufacturing companies. The results showed that the  green CSR has a positive and significant effect on innovation . Also, the company approval variable has been proven to moderate the direction of a positive relationship between green CSR and innovation . The results also prove that public visibility is proven to moderate the direction of the negative relationship between green CSR and performance. This study provide information that shows great concern for the environment; it will increase the company in making changes through innovation activities. Also, the higher the company's approval and public visibility, the company will get support from various stakeholders to run the firms. The level of company concern for CSR activities will be a misjudgment for investors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25
Author(s):  
Md Shiduzzaman ◽  
Humyra Akhter ◽  
Mohammad Bashir Ahmed ◽  
Md Matiul Islam

Vermicompost is very useful manure which is becoming popular day by day. However, its perception by the farmers is not yet assessed in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. The main objectives of this study were to determine the farmers’ perception of beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost and to explore the relationship between selected characteristics of the farmers’ and their perception of beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost. Data were collected using an interview schedule from randomly selected 60 respondents. Locale was three villages namely Lokhpur, Bollokhpur and Vobna under Fakirhat upazila of Bagerhat district. Faceto- face interview was conducted during 7 to 29 May, 2016. Farmers’ perception regarding the beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost was measured using 5- point Likert type scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and farmers’ perception index was calculated. Majority (66.7 percent) of the respondents had moderate perception while 18.3 percent and 15 percent of them had less and high perception, respectively, on the beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost. Among seven selected characteristics of the respondents, age showed a significant negative relationship with their perception of beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost while training experience of the respondents showed a significant positive relationship with their overall perception. Thus, arrangement of training could pave the way of high perception of beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.5(1): 19-25, April 2018


Author(s):  
Alyssa W. Chamberlain ◽  
Matthew Gricius ◽  
Danielle M. Wallace ◽  
Diana Borjas ◽  
Vincent M. Ware

Parole officers are an integral part of parolees’ reentry process and success. Few studies, however, have examined whether the quality of the relationship between parolees and their parole officer influences outcomes such as recidivism. This study assesses how recidivism is affected by the quality of the relationship that parolees have with their parole officers. Using the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) dataset, we use parolees’ perceptions of their relationship with their parole officer to determine whether they have established a positive or negative relationship, and whether these types of relationships differentially affect recidivism. Results show that parolees who have a negative relationship with their parole officer have higher rates of recidivism, while a positive relationship lowers parolees’ likelihood of recidivating. An implication of this study emphasizes parole officer training that develops positive, high-quality relationships with parolees. Further implications are discussed below.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Marinelli ◽  
Patrick A. Fletcher ◽  
Arthur S. Sherman ◽  
Leslie S. Satin ◽  
Richard Bertram

Insulin is secreted in a pulsatile pattern, with important physiological ramifications. In pancreatic β-cells, which are the cells that synthesize insulin, insulin exocytosis is elicited by pulses of elevated intracellular Ca2+ initiated by bursts of electrical activity. In parallel with these electrical and Ca2+ oscillations are oscillations in metabolism, and the periods of all of these oscillatory processes are similar. A key question that remains unresolved is whether the electrical oscillations are responsible for the metabolic oscillations via the effects of Ca2+, or whether the metabolic oscillations are responsible for the electrical oscillations due to the effects of ATP on ATP-sensitive ion channels? Mathematical modeling is a useful tool for addressing this and related questions as modeling can aid in the design of well-focused experiments that can test the predictions of particular models and subsequently be used to improve the models in an iterative fashion. In this article, we discuss a recent mathematical model, the Integrated Oscillator Model (IOM), that was the product of many years of development. We use the model to demonstrate that the relationship between calcium and metabolism in beta cells is symbiotic: in some contexts, the electrical oscillations drive the metabolic oscillations, while in other contexts it is the opposite. We provide new insights regarding these results and illustrate that what might at first appear to be contradictory data are actually compatible when viewed holistically with the IOM.


Author(s):  
Dra. Rr. Sri Diniarti, S.E.

This research is an explanatory research, because it explaining about the relationship among the hypnotized variables. This research aims to knowing about the relationship and the influence between the accounts, location to the other bank, and loans to the net margin in Bank Jatim Madiun. The results are between accounts to net margin has positive relationship, between location to another bank to net margin has negative relationship, and between loans to net margin has positive relationship. Together, the variables have strong enough relationship to net margin, it showing by coefficient of determination value is 0,956, it means that the value close to 1. So, 4,4% of Profitability Net Margin influenced by the others variables.The method of research was by using field research that including observation, interview and library research.The analyzing data method was by using Multiple Regression Analysis, Correlation Analysis, and Coefficient of Determination Analysis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Veronica Cabezas ◽  
María Paz Medeiros ◽  
David Inostroza ◽  
Constanza Gómez ◽  
Vicente Loyola

The literature indicates that teachers lack of time to adequately prepare and fulfill their responsibilities, is one of the key factors that negatively influence levels of teacher job satisfaction. Considering a representative sample of teachers in Santiago of Chile (N=950) and using conditional models, this study explores the relationship between teacher job satisfaction that work in subsidized schools, and the time available to these teachers for realizing activities over and above actual teaching hours: contracted non-teaching hours and additional overtime. This study uses a questionnaire that incorporates, in addition to the overtime, information about how teachers use their time, identifying the type of activities they are involved in, and if they are involved individually or as a group. The results indicate that there is a robust positive relationship between the number of contracted non-teaching hours and teacher job satisfaction, and a negative relationship with respect to overtime. Also identified the relevance of being adequately resourced with formal instances to engage in collaborative work for planning and prepare class materials, since it is linked to a positive effect on teacher job satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nooshin Shadabi ◽  
Sara Esmaelzadeh – Saeieh ◽  
Mostafa Qorbani ◽  
Touran Bahrami Babaheidari ◽  
Zohreh Mahmoodi

Abstract Background: Female household heads are faced with many more problems than men due to their multiple concurrent roles. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship of supportive roles with mental health and satisfaction with life in female household heads using a structural equations model.Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 286 eligible female household heads in Karaj, Iran, in 2020, who were selected by convenience sampling. Data were collected using VAX social support, the perceived social support scale, the general health questionnaire (GHQ), and the satisfaction with life questionnaire plus a socio-demographic checklist, and were analyzed in SPSS-16 and Lisrel-8.8.Results: The participants’ mean age was 43.1±1.7 years. According to the path analysis results, satisfaction with life had the highest direct positive relationship with perceived social support (B=0.33) and the highest indirect positive relationship with age (B=0.13) and the highest direct and indirect positive relationship with education and social support (B=0.13). Also, mental health had a direct negative relationship with satisfaction with life (B=-0.29), an indirect negative relationship with social support, and both a direct and indirect negative relationship with perceived support (B=-0.26).Conclusion: Based on the results, supportive roles had a negative relationship with mental health and a positive relationship with satisfaction with life in female household heads. Accordingly, given the status and role of women in the health of family members and the community and the greater vulnerability of this group, further attention and support should be directed toward these women by the government and relevant organizations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 194
Author(s):  
Mazurina Mohd Ali ◽  
Nik Noor Ayu Nik Hussin ◽  
Erlane K Ghani

This study examines the relationship between liquidity, growth and profitability of non-financial firms listed on the Bursa Malaysia. Specifically, this study examines the relationship between liquidity and growth on profitability for 50 non-financial public listed firms in Malaysia. Using panel data technique on 250 observations across a five-year period, this study shows that liquidity has a strong positive relationship with profitability in terms of return on asset of the firms. However, liquidity in terms of quick ratio has no impact on profitability. This study also shows that firm growth in terms of sales growth has a negative relationship with profitability. However, this study shows that liquidity and growth in general do not influence profitability in terms of return on equity, although the result shows that sustainable growth rate has a positive relationship on profitability. This study highlights the importance of these measures in measuring performance. The findings in this study provide guidelines to the firms on the measures that best to be used in evaluating performance so that appropriate strategies can be adopted to increase performance.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document