scholarly journals An anti-narcolepsy drug reveals behavioral and fitness costs of extreme activity cycles in arctic-breeding songbirds

2021 ◽  
Vol 224 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley I. Payette ◽  
Brett L. Hodinka ◽  
Keelee B. Pullum ◽  
Melanie M. Richter ◽  
Noah T. Ashley
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Nestling Growth ◽  
Immunological Responses ◽  
Cavity Nesters ◽  
Snow Bunting ◽  
Activity Cycles ◽  
Calcarius Lapponicus

ABSTRACT Sleep loss impairs cognitive function, immunological responses and general well-being in humans. However, sleep requirements in mammals and birds vary dramatically. In circumpolar regions with continuous summer light, daily sleep duration is reduced, particularly in breeding birds. The effect of an anti-narcolepsy drug (modafinil) to putatively extend wakefulness was examined in two species of closely related arctic-breeding passerine birds: Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus) and snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis). Free-living adult males were implanted during the nestling phase on day 4 (D4; 4 days post-hatching) with osmotic pumps containing either vehicle or modafinil to extend the active period for 72 h. Nestlings were weighed on D2 and D7 to measure growth rates. Additionally, focal observations were conducted on D6. Male longspurs receiving modafinil made fewer feeding visits and spent less time at the nest but tended to spend more time near the nest than controls. We observed no change in longspur nestling growth rates, but fledging occurred significantly later when males received modafinil, suggesting a fitness cost. In contrast, modafinil had no measurable impact on male or female snow bunting behavior, nestling growth rates or time to fledging. We suggest male longspurs compromise and maintain vigilance at their nests in lieu of sleeping because of the increased predation risk that is characteristic of their tundra nesting habitat. Snow buntings are cavity nesters, and their nests do not require the same vigilance, allowing males to presumably rest following provisioning. These life-history differences between species highlight the role of predation risk in mediating behavioral modifications to prolonged wakefulness in arctic-breeding songbirds.

A view at the Russian economic transformation

2018 ◽  
pp. 142-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. F. Baranov ◽  
V. A. Bessonov
Keyword(s):  
Market Economy ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Russian Economy ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Qualitative Level ◽  
Rate Of Recovery

The transition of the Russian economy from plan to market is considered at a qualitative level. The analysis of economic dynamics in the transformation paradigm is conducted. The main stages of the transition process are discussed. Bonuses and costs due to the transition to market economy are considered. The reasons for the outstripping growth of well-being as compared to the growth of output are discussed. The signs of exhaustion of the potential of factors ensuring an abnormally high rate of recovery and accompanying welfare growth are discussed. The conclusion is made that the transformational recovery has been completed. The Russian economy has moved to the stage of development with relatively low growth rates of output and welfare, typical for stable (nontransition) economies.

scholarly journals Sex Difference in Self-Reported Sexual Functioning Among Frail Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 313-313
Author(s):  
Brianne Olivieri-Mui ◽  
Sandra Shi ◽  
Ellen McCarthy ◽  
Dae Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Frailty may differentially impact how older adult males and females perceive sexual functioning, an important part of well-being. We assessed the level of frailty (robust, pre-frail, frail) for anyone with data on 11 sexual functioning questions asked in wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, 2010-2011 (n=2060). Questions covered five domains: overall sexual function (OSF), sexual function anxiety (SFA), changes in sexual function (CSF), erectile/vaginal dysfunction (EVD), and masturbation. Logistic regression identified sex differences in frailty and reporting worse sexual functioning. Linear regression predicted the number of domains reported as worse. Among males (n=1057), pre-frailty meant higher odds of reporting SFA (OR 1.8 95%CI 1.2-6.6), CSF (OR 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.7), and EVD (OR 1.5 95%CI 1.0-2.2). Among females (n=1003), there was no difference in reporting by frailty. Females were more likely to report worse OSF (Robust: OR 7.4, 95%CI 4.8-11.4; Pre-frail: OR 6.2, 95%CI 3.9-9.9; Frail: OR 3.4 95%CI 1.7-6.6), but less likely to report SFA (Robust OR .3, 95%CI .2-.5; Pre-frail OR .2, 95%CI .1-.3; Frail OR .2 95%CI .1-.3). Pre-frail and frail females reported fewer domains as worse (Pre-frail coefficient -0.21 SE 0.09, Frail -0.43 SE 0.14). As frailty worsened, males reported more domains as worse (Pre-frail 0.24 SE 0.07, Frail 0.29 SE 0.08). Self-reported sexual functioning differs by sex at all levels of frailty, and reporting by males, but not females, changes with frailty. Providers should be aware that sexual functioning is of importance to both sexes despite varying degrees of frailty.

scholarly journals Growth and body weight of free-range reindeer in western Alaska

Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg L. Finstad ◽  
Alexander K. Prichard
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Total Body Weight ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Reproductive Females ◽  
Average Body

Total body weight of 9749 reindeer calves and 4798 adult reindeer were measured from 1984 to 1999 on the Seward Peninsula, western Alaska, USA. Growth rates of male and female calves, and annual growth patterns of adults were determined. Male calves grew faster than female calves. Reproductive females were lighter than non-reproductive females during summer but there was no effect of reproduction on average body weights the following winter. Adult males age 3-5 were heavier during summer than winter. Castrated males weighed the same as uncastrated males in summer, but were significantly heavier in winter, and did not display the large annual fluctuations in weight typical of reproductive males and females. Growth rates were higher and body weights greater in this herd than many other cir-cumpolar reindeer populations. We suggest these kinds of physiological indices should be used to monitor the possible effects of spatial and temporal variation in population density and to evaluate changes in herding practices.

scholarly journals Relationship between habitat distribution, growth rate, and plasticity in congeneric larval dragonflies

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
pp. 1128-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
S J McCauley
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Habitat Distribution ◽  
Invertebrate Predators ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between habitat distribution, growth rate, and plasticity was examined in the larvae of three species of dragonfly in the genus Libellula L., 1758. Growth rates were compared under three conditions: in the absence of predation risk, in the presence of sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, 1819; Pisciformes: Centrachidae), and in the presence of invertebrate predators. I assessed how the habitat distributions of the three species of dragonfly, specifically how commonly they occur with fish, were related to growth rates and to the level of growth plasticity under different levels of perceived predation risk. There was a negative relationship between growth rate and the frequency with which species coexist with sunfish. Growth-rate plasticity was limited and does not appear to be important in determining the ability of species to coexist with alternative top predator types. Only one species exhibited growth-rate plasticity, decreasing growth in response to the predator with which it most commonly coexists but not to the species which poses the greatest predation risk. A comparison of growth rates and activity levels in the presence and absence of these predators suggests that growth and activity level parallel each other in these species.

Contribution of adult sex ratio to trauma and reproductive output in large breeding groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-492
Author(s):  
J Crast ◽  
MA Bloomsmith ◽  
CM Remillard ◽  
T Meeker
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Macaca Mulatta ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primate Research ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Adult Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Groups ◽  
Financial Burdens

Maintaining stable breeding groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) can be challenging due to the complex social dynamics and despotic nature of the species. Trauma from aggression is a common problem in rhesus colonies and can cause social disruption, strain veterinary and animal management resources, and potentially affect reproduction. Previous research has shown that increasing the number of non-natal adult males in a breeding group can improve group stability, reduce trauma, and increase reproduction. Here, we used mixed-effects regression models to examine the effects of sex ratio and other factors on trauma and reproduction at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center using a historical dataset made up of four large rhesus groups over an eleven-year period (2003–2013). As expected, sex ratio was a significant predictor for both trauma and reproduction. However, group age since formation was a stronger predictor of trauma frequency and the amount of space available was a slightly better predictor of reproduction than sex ratio or trauma. These results indicate that improving sex ratios can be a viable management strategy to reduce trauma and improve reproduction, particularly when it is difficult to manipulate the group compositions and/or their housing situations. Reducing trauma is a primary goal for rhesus breeding colonies, as it directly impacts the monkeys' health and psychological well-being. Such improvements are necessary for the ethical treatment and care of the animals themselves, but also to reduce financial burdens and maintain a healthy colony for research purposes.

The Stories the Numbers Do Not Tell

2020 ◽  
pp. 29-42
Author(s):  
Carol Graham
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Course Evaluations ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Standard Data ◽  
Market Trends

This chapter discusses the measurement of well-being in a Culture of Health. The aggregate numbers and standard measures typically used to measure progress—growth rates, unemployment figures, and stock market trends—mask the underlying crisis of social ill-being. In contrast, well-being metrics uncover the stories that these numbers do not tell. As such, incorporating measures of well-being to provide a more nuanced view of how people are doing; to inform policies to address serious pockets of ill-being and to enhance aggregate societal well-being; and to create a new narrative about social progress is a proposition whose time has come. Surveys are a standard data collection mechanism for well-being data, and there is now established best practice for implementing well-being surveys. A key consensus is on the importance of measuring three distinct dimensions of well-being: hedonic, evaluative, and eudaimonic. The chapter then describes hedonic metrics, evaluative metrics, and eudaimonic metrics. Ideal measurement practice includes all three sets of measures, as they each reveal different elements of quality of life and well-being, ranging from daily moods to life course evaluations to purposefulness or lack thereof.

Female dispersal, inbreeding avoidance and mate choice in Thomas langurs (Presbytis thomasi)

Behaviour ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 142 (7) ◽  
pp. 845-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan A.R.A.M van Hooff ◽  
Erik P. Willems ◽  
Serge A. Wich ◽  
Elizabeth H.M. Sterck
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Inbreeding Avoidance ◽  
Male Quality ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Female Dispersal ◽  
Presbytis Thomasi ◽  
Offspring Protection

AbstractFemale social dispersal in primates differs from the general mammalian pattern of locational dispersal. Both nulliparous and parous females may disperse to another group. Several hypotheses can explain female social dispersal: reduction of predation risk, inbreeding avoidance, and offspring protection through mate choice. We tested these hypotheses with an extended data set of Thomas langurs (Presbytis thomasi) and investigated parameters of male behaviour that females may use in their dispersal decisions. Data were collected over a 12.5-year period from a wild population in Sumatra, Indonesia, allowing for some critical tests of the hypotheses. Females dispersed to a group smaller than their original one, thereby refuting the predation risk hypothesis. Maturing nulliparous females only dispersed when their father was resident. Therefore, dispersal by nulliparous females was best explained through inbreeding avoidance. Parous females transferred to young, adult males. These males provided better protection to offspring against predation and infanticide than the old, late tenure males. Therefore, females transfer to better protector males. The male behavioural cues that females use to assess male quality were unclear. Females, however, may use proxies of male age, such as group composition and acoustical characteristics of loud calls, as indicators of male quality. The results suggest that female mate choice is an important function of social dispersal by parous females. Its importance in locational dispersal remains to be investigated.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document