scholarly journals Adaptive suicide: is a kin-selected driver of fatal behaviours likely?

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 20180823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind K. Humphreys ◽  
Graeme D. Ruxton
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Inclusive Fitness ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Behavioural Ecology ◽  
Severe Effect ◽  
Direct Fitness ◽  
Fitness Benefits ◽  
Host Death ◽  
Selection Of

While several manipulated host behaviours are accepted as extended phenotypes of parasites, there remains debate over whether other altered behaviours in hosts following parasitic invasion represent cases of parasite manipulation, host defence or the pathology of infection. One particularly controversial subject is ‘suicidal behaviour’ in infected hosts. The host-suicide hypothesis proposes that host death benefits hosts doomed to reduced direct fitness by protecting kin from parasitism and therefore increasing inclusive fitness. However, adaptive suicide has been difficult to demonstrate conclusively as a host adaptation in studies on social or clonal insects, for whom high relatedness should enable greater inclusive fitness benefits. Following discussion of empirical and theoretical works from a behavioural ecology perspective, this review finds that the most persuasive evidence for selection of adaptive suicide comes from bacteria. Despite a focus on parasites, driven by the existing literature, the potential for the evolution of adaptive suicidal behaviour in hosts is also considered to apply to cases of infection by pathogens, provided that the disease has a severe effect on direct fitness and that suicidal behaviour can affect pathogen transmission dynamics. Suggestions are made for future research and a broadening of the possible implications for coevolution between parasites and hosts.

scholarly journals Kin selection in den sharing develops under limited availability of tree hollows for a forest marsupial

2011 ◽  
Vol 278 (1719) ◽  
pp. 2768-2776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam C. Banks ◽  
David B. Lindenmayer ◽  
Lachlan McBurney ◽  
David Blair ◽  
Emma J. Knight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kin Selection ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Inclusive Fitness ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Hollow Trees ◽  
Resource Decline ◽  
Fitness Benefits ◽  
Hollow Tree

Animal social behaviour is not static with regard to environmental change. Flexibility in cooperative resource use may be an important response to resource decline, mediating the impacts of resource availability on fitness and demography. In forest ecosystems, hollow trees are key den resources for many species, but are declining worldwide owing to forestry. Altered patterns of den sharing may mediate the effects of the decline of this resource. We studied den-sharing interactions among hollow-dependent Australian mountain brushtail possums to investigate how spatial variation in hollow tree availability affects resource sharing and kin selection. Under reduced den availability, individuals used fewer dens and shared them less often. This suggests increased territoriality in the presence of resource competition. Further, there was a switch from kin avoidance to kin preference with decreasing hollow tree availability. This was driven primarily by a change in den sharing among siblings. The inclusive fitness benefits of den sharing with kin are likely to increase under resource-limiting conditions, but are potentially outweighed by the benefits of associating with non-relatives (avoidance of inbreeding or pathogen transmission) where dens are abundant. We discuss how predictions from social evolutionary theory can contribute to understanding animal responses to landscape change.

scholarly journals An evolutionary perspective on kin care directed up the generations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Arnot ◽  
Ruth Mace
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Elder Care ◽  
Inclusive Fitness ◽  
Evolutionary Perspective ◽  
Initial Test ◽  
Elderly Parents ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Direct Fitness ◽  
Fitness Benefits ◽  
Relevant Factors

AbstractWithin evolutionary sciences, care towards younger kin is well understood from an inclusive fitness framework, but why adults would care for older relatives has been less well researched. One existing model has argued that care directed towards elderly parents might be adaptive because of their benefits as carers themselves, with their help freeing up the middle generations’ energy which can then be invested into direct reproduction. However, in this model, elder care is more beneficial to fitness if the carer is fecund. To offer an initial test of this hypothesis, we look at caring behaviour relative to fecundity status in a contemporary dataset from the United Kingdom. If elder care is contingent on possible direct fitness benefits, we would expect women who are still menstruating to care more for their parents than women who can no longer reproduce. Based on this, we also predict that women who are physiologically post-reproductive would invest more in their grandchildren, through whom they can increase their inclusive fitness. After controlling for age and other relevant factors, we find that women who are still menstruating spend more time caring for their parents than those who are not, and the reverse is true when looking at time spent caring for grandchildren. These findings demonstrate that potential inclusive fitness outcomes influence how women allocate care up and down the generations.

Accounting for natural disasters from a historical perspective: A literature review and research agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-204
Author(s):  
Massimo Sargiacomo ◽  
Stefania Servalli ◽  
Serena Potito ◽  
Antonio D’Andreamatteo ◽  
Antonio Gitto
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Economic History ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Historical Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Topics ◽  
Open Research ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Selection Of

This study offers an analysis of published historical research on accounting for natural disasters. Drawing on the insights provided by an examination of 35 accounting/business/economic history and generalist journals, 11 articles have been selected and analysed. The analysis conducted on the scattered literature identified the emerging themes, disasters investigated, periods of time explored and main contributions of published research. The analysis is extended by the examination of some key conferences of interdisciplinary history associations, and of the eventual journals/issues where the papers presented were published. The investigation has also been complemented by a brief selection of books showing historical analyses of diverse disasters, typologies and periods of investigation. The stimuli provided by the study have helped to portray the main features of an open research agenda, highlighting possible future research topics and suggesting ancient and recent disasters’ loci to be investigated worldwide.

scholarly journals A Systematic Literature Review of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods for Sustainable Selection of Insulation Materials in Buildings

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 737
Author(s):  
Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene ◽  
Dalia Streimikiene ◽  
Tomas Balezentis ◽  
Virgilijus Skulskis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Insulation Materials ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Selection Of

The European Commission has recently adopted the Renovation Wave Strategy, aiming at the improvement of the energy performance of buildings. The strategy aims to at least double renovation rates in the next ten years and make sure that renovations lead to higher energy and resource efficiency. The choice of appropriate thermal insulation materials is one of the simplest and, at the same time, the most popular strategies that effectively reduce the energy demand of buildings. Today, the spectrum of insulation materials is quite wide, and each material has its own specific characteristics. It is recognized that the selection of materials is one of the most challenging and difficult steps of a building project. This paper aims to give an in-depth view of existing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) applications for the selection of insulation materials and to provide major insights in order to simplify the process of methods and criteria selection for future research. A systematic literature review is performed based on the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. In order to determine which MCDM method is the most appropriate for different questions, the main advantages and disadvantages of different methods are provided.

scholarly journals Getting to Hope: Perspectives from Patients and Caregivers Living with Chronic Childhood Illness

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 525
Author(s):  
Emily von Scheven ◽  
Bhupinder K. Nahal ◽  
Rosa Kelekian ◽  
Christina Frenzel ◽  
Victoria Vanderpoel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Childhood Onset ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Chronic Childhood ◽  
Research Studies

Promoting hope was identified in our prior work as the top priority research question among patients and caregivers with diverse childhood-onset chronic conditions. Here, we aimed to construct a conceptual model to guide future research studies of interventions to improve hope. We conducted eight monthly virtual focus groups and one virtual workshop with patients, caregivers, and researchers to explore key constructs to inform the model. Discussions were facilitated by Patient Co-Investigators. Participants developed a definition of hope and identified promotors and inhibitors that influence the experience of hope. We utilized qualitative methods to analyze findings and organize the promotors and inhibitors of hope within three strata of the socio-ecologic framework: structural, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Participants identified three types of interventions to promote hope: resources, navigation, and activities to promote social connection. The hope conceptual model can be used to inform the selection of interventions to assess in future research studies aimed at improving hope and the specification of outcome measures to include in hope research studies. Inclusion of the health care system in the model provides direction for identifying strategies for improving the system and places responsibility on the system to do better to promote hope among young patients with chronic illness and their caregivers.

scholarly journals Trinidadian guppies use a social heuristic that can support cooperation among non-kin

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1934) ◽  
pp. 20200487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safi K. Darden ◽  
Richard James ◽  
James M. Cave ◽  
Josefine Bohr Brask ◽  
Darren P. Croft
Keyword(s):  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Inclusive Fitness ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Evolution Of Cooperation ◽  
Social Partner ◽  
Proximate Mechanisms ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Fitness Benefits

Cooperation among non-kin is well documented in humans and widespread in non-human animals, but explaining the occurrence of cooperation in the absence of inclusive fitness benefits has proven a significant challenge. Current theoretical explanations converge on a single point: cooperators can prevail when they cluster in social space. However, we know very little about the real-world mechanisms that drive such clustering, particularly in systems where cognitive limitations make it unlikely that mechanisms such as score keeping and reputation are at play. Here, we show that Trinidadian guppies ( Poecilia reticulata ) use a ‘walk away’ strategy, a simple social heuristic by which assortment by cooperativeness can come about among mobile agents. Guppies cooperate during predator inspection and we found that when experiencing defection in this context, individuals prefer to move to a new social environment, despite having no prior information about this new social group. Our results provide evidence in non-human animals that individuals use a simple social partner updating strategy in response to defection, supporting theoretical work applying heuristics to understanding the proximate mechanisms underpinning the evolution of cooperation among non-kin.

All aboard!: Involvement of medical and pharmacy trainees in antimicrobial stewardship

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey M. Childs-Kean ◽  
Heather L. Briggs ◽  
Jonathan C. Cho
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractAntimicrobial stewardship (AS) involves the appropriate selection of antimicrobials. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are mandated in hospitals and are expanding to involve outpatient arenas. Multiple articles have been published describing the need for AS education for medical and pharmacy students, beginning early in the students’ career to develop into competent AS practitioners. Additionally, publications have described the role and impact of medical and pharmacy trainees on AS programs. Here, we review the published evidence describing medical and pharmacy trainees’ involvement in AS and call for future research in this area.

scholarly journals Facing disruptive technologies: aligning purchasing maturity to contingencies

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britta Søgaard ◽  
Heather Dawn Skipworth ◽  
Michael Bourlakis ◽  
Carlos Mena ◽  
Richard Wilding
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Alignment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Company Strategy ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disruptive Technologies ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Exploratory Case Studies ◽  
Selection Of

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how purchasing could respond to disruptive technologies by examining the assumptions underlying purchasing strategic alignment and purchasing maturity through a contingency lens.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a systematic review across purchasing maturity and purchasing strategic alignment literature. This is supplemented with exploratory case studies to include practitioners’ views.FindingsThis research demonstrates that neither purchasing maturity nor purchasing strategic alignment are suitable approaches to respond to disruptive technologies. Purchasing maturity does not allow purchasing managers to select relevant practices. It also shows no consideration of any contingencies, which practitioners highlight as important for the selection of practices. Purchasing strategic alignment includes the company strategy as a contingency but does not provide any practices to choose from. It does not include any other contextual contingencies considered important by practitioners. The findings indicate that linking the two research streams may provide a more suitable approach to responding to disruptive technologies.Research limitations/implicationsThis research demonstrates the requirement to develop a new approach to responding to disruptive technologies, by linking purchasing maturity and purchasing strategic alignment to contextual contingencies. This is a currently unexplored approach in academic literature, which refutes the generally accepted premise that higher maturity unilaterally supports a better positioning towards technological disruption. This research also highlights a requirement for practitioners to shift their approach to “best practices”.Originality/valueThis is the first research to systematically review the relationships between purchasing maturity and purchasing strategic alignment. It adds to contingency theory by suggesting that purchasing maturity models can support the achievement of strategic alignment. Also, future research directions are suggested to explore these relationships.

A test of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behaviour in a sample of mental health outpatients

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 430-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarojini Naidoo ◽  
Steven Collings
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Interpersonal Psychological Theory

Suicidality is a growing mental health problem, with statistics for South Africa being in line with global estimates. There has, however, been relatively little empirical advancement in the conceptualization of suicidal behaviour in recent years. Joiner’s interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behaviour is a relatively new theory that appears to hold promise for advancing our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie suicidal behaviour. The theory proposes that people die by suicide because they want to and because they can. This study sought to test two key hypotheses of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behaviour using a cross-sectional design and a sample of 239 mental health outpatients. Consistent with theoretical predictions, levels of suicidal ideation were significantly predicted by the interactive effects of high levels of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in the presence of high levels of hopelessness in relation to both of these distressing states; with estimates of risk for suicide being most strongly predicted by the interactive effects of suicide ideation and an acquired capability for suicide. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for theory, practice, and future research.

scholarly journals REVIEW OF OPEN SOURCE QGIS FORESTRY PLUGINS

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
E. S. Podolskaia ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Forest Industry ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Forest Fire Management ◽  
Gis Tools ◽  
Spatial Coverage ◽  
Selection Of

Forest industry today has some experience of using Open Source-programs. The article describes the Open Source QGIS plugins to solve the forestry challenges for the forest fire management and forest resources in scientific and applied research. Undertaken analysis will simplify selection of tools for a forest geoinformation project in Desktop and Web versions. A general brief description of modern plugins in QGIS (version 3.18.1) is given, and forestry plugins are characterized. An analysis of external QGIS plugins for working with forest resources and forest fires showed the heterogeneity of research, which has not identified any trends yet. Development of plugins with available data as map services for territories of different spatial coverage may be an option for the future research, while the ability to access archived data is important for the forest industry. The niche of thematic forest tasks in the modern QGIS plugin repository continues to be quite narrow. Transport and environmental applications implemented in GIS tools are more numerous and can solve some tasks of a forest project. Such review of plugins’ functionality should be done on a regular basis, following new developments and new versions of QGIS software.

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