First-year Males Research Articles

Andelen ettåriga hannar i svenska populationer av svart rödstjärt Phoenicurus ochruros

The Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros immigrated to Sweden around the turn of the last century, however the great wave of expansion took place from the late 1940s until the 1980s. The early expansion was considered to mainly comprise inexperienced young birds, which extended their spring migration and pioneered the northern areas. In this studyI investigate the proportion of first-year singing males in Swedish populations and compare this with data from core areas in Germany and Austria. The proportion of first-year singing males was around 50% in all of the populations, in Sweden as well as in central Europe. However, only a few first-year males return to the Swedish natal area. Perhaps the similar age distribution between the populations indicates an apparent stability in age structure in the Swedish populations. In addition to the territorial males in western Sweden, there are sporadically occurring individuals, which have been attributed to a so-called floating population. Whether the current turnover of young birds in Sweden originates from continental populations, or more nearby areas in Scandinavia, is unknown.

A STUDY OF MENTAL ACTIVITY AMONG HEALTHY MEDICAL STUDENTS USING A VIRTUAL MODEL TO INVESTIGATE ACUTE COGNITIVE STRESS EFFECTS

<p>Studies have shown that first-year medical students, experience psychological stress and, in some cases, mental illness due to new environments and stressful study regimes of the medical universities. An experimental study was conducted on first and next (2-3) year medical students of both genders. In the acute stress-recognized virtual model, participants were exposed to two increasing complexity visual tasks. Some derivative indices: correct answers in percent (CA%), reaction sustainability (RS), and functional ability level (FAL) were calculated based on the reaction time measures during simple and complex sensorimotor reactions (SSMRT, CSMRT). For statistical analysis ANOVA and Bonferroni correction t-test was used. No significant differences were found in mental activity between the two genders in 2-3 year medical students, except for CA% in the males' group during CSMRT which indicates that males concentrate well; There were significant differences in parameters of SSMRT (RS; CA%) and CSMRT (RS; FAL; CA%) between first-year males and females; Significant differences were found also in parameters of SSMRT (RS; CA%) and CSMRT (FAL; CA%) between first and next-year medical students in the females' group and no significant differences between first and next-year medical students in males group. Seems independent of gender, in 2-3 year medical students the sensorimotor and cognitive abilities are almost the same. The better mental performance parameters in the male group of first-year students can be explained only by the presence of certain stress in the female group, which can be related to the difficulty adapting to new environments and stressful learning regimes. In addition, male students are able to concentrate better compared to females on acute visual stress. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the psychophysiology of mental activity and further demonstrate how a virtual model can be used to investigate acute cognitive stress effects.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0447/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Generational shift in the migratory common noctule bat: first-year males lead the way to hibernacula at higher latitudes.

Many migratory species have shifted their geographic distribution in response to climate change, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, particularly for mammals. We hypothesized that generational shifts are underlying the observed colonization of hibernation sites further north in a migratory bat, the common noctule (Nyctalus noctula). To evaluate our hypothesis, we collected long-term data on the migratory status and demography of common noctules in a recently colonized hibernation area. Based on isotopic data of 413 individuals, we observed a significant decline in the proportion of long-distance migrants from 2004 to 2015 for both sexes and across all age groups. Demographic data collected between 2007 and 2016 from 3394 individuals demonstrated that subadult males were more abundant during the early colonization stage, followed by a gradual shift to a more balanced age and sex composition. Our results suggest that the colonization of hibernacula at higher latitudes is promoted by generational shifts, involving mostly first-year males. Generational shifts seem to be a likely mechanism for distribution changes in other bats and potentially also in other mammals.

Prevalence of Mental Disorder among the Client Visiting Outpatient Department in Karnali Academy of Health Science

Introduction: Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. So the study was carried out to find the pattern of mental disorders of OPD patients in Karnali academy of health science. Method: This was a retrospective study conducted among the patients attending for OPD check up in Karnali Academy of Health Science (KAHS) in the department of psychiatric. The study was done from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020. Only mental disorders were included. Data were collected from the register of psychiatric OPD which were maintained in the medical department. Total number of sample taken was 944 in first year and 1685 in second year that is 2629 of all age group. Result: A total of 2629 mental disorder cases reported in Karnali Academy of health Science. 578 (61.22%) were females and 366 (38.77%) were males in first year and 1009 (40.11%) were females and 676 (59.89%) were males in the second year. Mental disorder was more among females than in male in both years. Most commonly occurred mental disorder was anxiety, depression, somatoform disorder, alcohol dependence disorder, bipolar affective mood disorder and psychosis. Of all the cases, most of commonly occurring case was mood disorders. Conclusion: Mental illness is seen in increasing trend so that the existing health service facilities must be given attention and priorities. More study is needed to find the contributing factors of mental illness among the female community. Attention and care will be the solution for improving the condition of the mental disorders. These findings can be utilized for planning the National Mental Health programme.

NARRATIVES OF FIRST YEAR MALE STUDENT TEACHERS IN THE B.ED. FOUNDATION PHASE (FP) PROGRAMME: PRE-KNOWLEDGE, EXPECTATIONS, AND PEOPLES ATTITUDE TOWARDS FP TEACHING.

Ponte Academic JournalMar 2018, Volume 74, Issue 3 NARRATIVES OF FIRST YEAR MALE STUDENT TEACHERS IN THE B.ED. FOUNDATION PHASE (FP) PROGRAMME: PRE-KNOWLEDGE, EXPECTATIONS, AND PEOPLES ATTITUDE TOWARDS FP TEACHING.Author(s): Fhatuwani Ravhuhali ,Tshimangadzo D. Sikhwari, Takalani Samuel Mashau, Ndileleni Paulinah Mudzielwana, Shonisani MulovhedziJ. Ponte - Mar 2018 - Volume 74 - Issue 3 doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.3.13 Abstract:This qualitative exploratory paper presents thematically analysed findings from the first year male Foundation Phase (FP) student teachers pre-knowledge, expectations and peoples attitudes towards FP teaching career. A purposive sampling procedure was followed to sample twelve first year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Foundation Phase male students from a historically black rural university in South Africa. The students were interviewed in two groups, each consisted of six students. An interview schedule was used as data collection instrument. Underpinned by Ryan and Decis Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the papers findings show that a number of male students who are studying towards their B.Ed. FP are enrolled in the programme without prior knowledge of the level/phase they will be teaching after completing their studies. Such male students find themselves faced with attitudes from society as FP teaching career is generally associated with female teaching which raises issues of the patriarchal nature of our society. However, their motivation and determination has ensured they remain unshaken in their chosen career. The paper concludes that gender stereotypes associated with teaching at FP is still prevalent. There is, therefore, an urgent need for society to change the attitude of those who still believe that FP teaching is a female domain. Further studies, especially longitudinal ones that promote FP teaching among males should be conducted in other universities across South Africa and should focus on, amongst other topics, the benefits of male teachers in FP. Such studies should track down career progression of male FP student teachers from when they register for the FP programme till at least their first three years of working as teachers. These studies would demystify FP teaching as a low rated career and only suitable for females. Download full text:Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution Username Password

Delayed Age at First Breeding and Experimental Removals Show Large Non-Breeding Surplus in Pied Flycatchers

Avian breeding populations have been shown to be regulated by territorial behaviour, often creating a surplus of non-breeding individuals. However, most evidence is of a male non-breeder surplus, whereas for a surplus to actually buffer a population both non-breeding males and females should be present. Here, we provide descriptive and experimental evidence for the existence of a population buffer consisting of mostly male and potentially also female Pied Flycatchers using nest box areas. First we show that local recruits often do not breed in their first year, with 23% of all recruiting males observed breeding in their first year, and 51% of females. When accounting for mortality in the years prior to observed first breeding, we estimate that only 9% of all first-year males breed locally, and 29% of first-year females. Similar percentages of first-year flycatchers skipping breeding have been observed in other study populations. We show that in the year of new establishment of our nest box plots, most kno...

Exploratory behaviour modulates the relationship between colony familiarity and helping in a cooperative bird

Individuals within animal groups may differ in personality and degree of familiarity raising the question of how this influences their social interactions. In Iberian magpies Cyanopica cooki, a portion of first-year males engage in cooperative behaviours and dispersal, allowing addressing this question. In this study, we first investigate the relationship between colony familiarity (native versus foreign) and reproductive status (breeding versus helping) of males during 21 years. Secondly, we measure the exploratory behaviour and monitor reproductive status of a sample of individuals with different colony familiarity during 2 years. Long-term monitoring revealed that foreign individuals were more likely breeders. The analysis on the subset of individuals in which exploratory behaviour was measured revealed a mediatory effect of exploratory behaviour in the association between colony familiarity and helping behaviour. Specifically, among foreign individuals, higher explorative males were more frequently involved in helping behaviour than lower explorative ones. Conversely, among native males, breeders were more explorative than helpers. Our results suggest that aspects of personality may mediate the value of familiarity in reproductive tasks in social species.

Between-year variations in sex/age ratio bias in hunter wings of Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) compared to field samples

We compared age and sex ratios amongst Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) derived from Danish field observations and hunter-based shot samples throughout an entire winter in two consecutive years. In the middle period of both winters, sex ratios did not differ significantly between the two samples. However, first-year males were more than three times more likely to be represented than adult males in the hunter sample compared to field samples and were 4–22 times overrepresented in the hunting sample at the beginning of both seasons. We found between and within-season differences in bias, confirming the need to account for such bias and its temporal variation when using the results of wing surveys to model population parameters. However, given the relative uniformity in bias in the middle part of both seasons, these results confirm that age ratios amongst wings voluntarily contributed by hunters provide an invaluable long term measure of reproductive success in dabbling duck populations as long as we can account for such bias.

Female mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) paired to more colourful males produce male-biased broods

Sex allocation theory predicts that females should bias the sex ratio of their offspring in response to differences in the reproductive value of sons versus daughters. Consistent with this prediction, females of many species appear to bias offspring sex ratios in response to mate attractiveness and condition. Male mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) display full body UV-blue structural plumage colouration, which is associated with attractiveness, condition, and reproductive success. Over four breeding seasons, we found females paired with more colourful males produced increasingly male-biased broods and provisioned offspring at a higher rate. Surprisingly, however, we also found females with duller plumage and those mated to first-year males produced more male-biased broods. These results provide support for sex allocation in mountain bluebirds and suggest female reproductive decisions may be influenced by the attractiveness of her mate. However, this system is clearly complex and more work is needed to understand the roles of male age and female colouration in the signalling systems of mountain bluebirds.

The Sex Ratio of Orange-flanked Bush-robins (Aves: Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) from a Winter Population in Central China

ABSTRACTThe sex ratio of a population is an important demographic parameter, but compared with breeding populations, the sex ratios of avian winter populations have received relatively little attention. The orange-flanked bush-robin (Tarsiger cyanurus) is a migratory species whose plumage is sexually dimorphic with delayed plumage maturation wherein first-year males show female-like plumage. We investigated the sex ratio of an orange-flanked bush-robin population wintering in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve located in central China. The results show that most (> 85%) orange-flanked bush-robins of this population have female-like plumage, implying that the population sex ratio might be female-biased. However, genetic analysis revealed that most (c. 70%) individuals with female-like plumage were males, resulting in a significantly male-biased population sex ratio. Among the individuals with female-like plumage, the males were found to have significantly longer wings and tails than females, but the accuracy of a discriminant analysis employing the two morphological traits to sex them was low. The results suggest that a genetic method is a more appropriate way to sex those orange-flanked bush-robins with female-like plumage and more importantly, one needs to be cautious when using the morphology of individuals to infer the sex ratio of a population for species like orange-flanked bush-robins.

Survival, reproduction, and immigration explain the dynamics of a local Red-backed Shrike population in the Netherlands

Populations of many bird species strongly declined in Western Europe in the late twentieth century. One such species is the Red-backed Shrike in the Netherlands. In one of the last strongholds of this species, the Bargerveen Reserve, the breeding population flourished in the 1990s due to rewetting management. However, further development of the area has led to a decline in breeding numbers such that the population is now less than half the size it was in the 1990s. Here, we analyze the vital rates of the Red-backed Shrike population in the Bargerveen. In 2001–2008, nestlings in this population were individually marked, and resighting data was collected during the breeding seasons of 2002–2009. We used estimates of vital rates based on monitoring in 2001 until 2009 to diagnose the population dynamics. Mark–recapture data were analyzed with the program MARK. The most parsimonious model gave age- and gender-specific survival probabilities of 0.12 for first-year females, 0.64 for older females, 0.20 for first-year males, and 0.54 for older males (with overlapping confidence intervals for the gender-specific adult survival values). The estimated yearly resighting probabilities were gender specific, with a higher probability observed for males (0.81) than for females (0.53). For 2001–2009, we computed an average number of offspring per breeding pair of 2.91 (with 72 % of the pairs breeding successfully). Using these vital rates, we parameterized a simple matrix model. The resulting yearly growth was 0.80. Adult survival had an elasticity of 0.83, while juvenile survival and reproduction both had an elasticity of 0.20. Because the population numbers have stabilized since 2005, the observed yearly population growth suggests that 20 % of the Red-backed Shrikes breeding in the Bargerveen are immigrants. Comparison with data on other Red-backed Shrike populations indicates that juvenile and adult survival rates can be improved in the Bargerveen Reserve. Appropriate management measures to accomplish this are discussed.

Differential autumn migration of the aquatic warbler Acrocephalus paludicola

Relatively little attention has been paid to sex differences in the migration of birds in autumn. We studied the autumn migration strategy of molecularly sexed males and females in the globally threatened aquatic warbler Acrocephalus paludicola. We captured 176 birds at a stopover site in the Loire estuary at Donges, France. The median date for the passage of adults was 8 days earlier in males than females, although the timing of migration in first-year males and females was similar. This indicates that males, who are without parental duties, can start their migration earlier than females and first-year birds. Adults were significantly heavier than immature birds but did not have higher fat scores. In both age categories, more males (two to three times more) were captured. However, various factors (including tape-luring) can affect observed sex ratio.

Testosterone production, sexually dimorphic morphology, and digit ratio in the dark-eyed junco

The hormonal environment an individual experiences during development can have lasting effects on behavior, morphology, and physiology. However, measuring endogenous hormone exposure during early embryonic development and relating it to adult phenotype has proved to be challenging. The relative length of digit 2 to digit 4 (2D:4D) in adults is thought to reflect the relative concentration of androgens and estrogens during development and has been used as a morphological proxy of developmental hormone exposure, enabling the exploration of the relationships between individual differences in hormone exposure and phenotype. Here, we use this approach and ask whether 2D:4D relates to the responsiveness of the adult hypothalamicpituitary-gonadal axis and to sexually dimorphic structures (wing, tail, and tarsus length) in a common songbird, the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). Among males, we found a negative relationship between 2D:4D and the ability to elevate testosterone in response to a physiological challenge, an injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. We also found age- and sex-specific relationships between 2D:4D and wing, tail, and tarsus length. We found a positive relationship between 2D:4D and body size measures in females, and second-year and older males, but a negative relationship in first-year males. We conclude that individual variation in exposure to developmental hormones, as reflected by 2D:4D, is correlated with adult hormone production ability and sexually dimorphic morphology in adulthood, suggesting that endogenous variation in steroid hormone exposure may have long-term consequences similar to those seen in experimental manipulations. Key wor ds: digit ratio, gonadotropinreleasing hormone, junco, maternal hormones, testosterone, 2D:4D. [Behav Ecol]

Impact of an Online Healthful Eating and Physical Activity Program for College Students

To identify impact of an online nutrition and physical activity program for college students. Randomized, controlled trial using online questionnaires and on-site physical and fitness assessments with measurement intervals of 0 (baseline), 3 (postintervention), and 15 months (follow-up). Online intervention delivered to college students; a centralized Web site was used for recruitment, data collection, data management, and intervention delivery. College students (18-24 years old, n = 1689), from eight universities (Michigan State University, South Dakota State University, Syracuse University, The Pennsylvania State University, Tuskegee University, University of Rhode Island, University of Maine, and University of Wisconsin). A 10-lesson curriculum focusing on healthful eating and physical activity, stressing nondieting principles such as size acceptance and eating competence (software developer: Rainstorm, Inc, Orono, Maine). Measurements included anthropometrics, cardiorespiratory fitness, fruit/vegetable (FV) intake, eating competence, physical activity, and psychosocial stress. Repeated measures analysis of variance for outcome variables. Most subjects were white, undergraduate females (63%), with 25% either overweight or obese. Treatment group completion rate for the curriculum was 84%. Over 15 months, the treatment group had significantly higher FV intake (+.5 cups/d) and physical activity participation (+270 metabolic equivalent minutes per week) than controls. For both groups, anthropometric values and stress increased, and fitness levels decreased. Gender differences were present for most variables. First-year males and females gained more weight than participants in other school years. A 10-week online nutrition and physical activity intervention to encourage competence in making healthful food and eating decisions had a positive, lasting effect on FV intake and maintained baseline levels of physical activity in a population that otherwise experiences significant declines in these healthful behaviors.

Parents Still Matter: The Role of Parental Attachment in Risky Drinking among College Students

This study longitudinally assessed the effects of parental attachment on alcohol-related risks across the first year of college. Greater attachment to mother was associated with lower alcohol risk while weaker attachment to mother was related to more drinking and consequences near the end of the first year, even when controlling for baseline drinking. Furthermore, gender moderated the relationship between attachment and consequences such that first-year men with weaker attachment reported experiencing more consequences than females or males with stronger attachment. Findings highlight the role of parental attachment in reducing risk and identify first-year males with low maternal attachment as a potential high-risk group.

Effects of known age on male paternity in a migratory songbird

Many avian studies have shown that reproductive performance improves with age, but little is known about how key components of male fitness, extrapair and within pair paternity, vary across life spans. We tested for age effects on male paternity in purple martins (Progne subis) using cross-sectional analyses of known-aged males (1–9 years old) and longitudinal analyses of individuals sampled in 2 successive years. Microsatellite analyses found that 137 of 297 (46%) nests contained extrapair offspring and 273 of 1235 (22%) offspring were extrapair. Using a subsample of unique known-aged males (n = 160), we found significant linear and nonlinear effects of male age on the number of within pair offspring and, to a lesser extent, on the number of extrapair offspring sired. Male genetic reproductive success increased with age to 3 years and then leveled off. In longitudinal comparisons of known age males sampled in successive years (n = 41), within pair offspring increased with age, even for males ≥2 years old. Paired comparisons (n = 74) found that extrapair sires were older than the males they cuckolded, and that first-year males were significantly underrepresented as extrapair sires given the known age distribution in the population. Poor genetic reproductive performance in younger males is likely constrained through male–male competition during mate guarding and female choice for older males.

Lifetime patterns of pairing success in male Ortolan Buntings Emberiza hortulana

Analyses of lifetime fitness in birds are typically based on estimates of breeding success, in particular the number of offspring fledged. Small and isolated bird populations often have a male-skewed adult sex ratio, so that male lifetime productivity depends to a large degree on pairing success, but few studies have focused on patterns of lifetime pairing success. The Norwegian population of Ortolan Buntings Emberiza hortulana is strongly male-skewed, such that in any year about half of all males are unpaired. Pairing success of first-year males (16–44%) was significantly lower than for older males (52–89%). Lifetime pairing success was correlated with lifespan and was strongly skewed, with a majority of males being paired only once or never, and only 11% paired three or more times despite a stable lifetime annual survival rate of 63%. Males that were paired in one year were more likely to be paired the next year than males that were unpaired in the previous year. The shortage of females caused even the older males to have a substantial probability of becoming unpaired, and 49% of long-lived males (known as adults for at least 4 years) were unpaired after years in which they were paired. Pairing success in the Ortolan Bunting therefore follows similar age-related and lifetime patterns in breeding success documented in other species. However, even the older males ran a high risk of not being paired, contrasting with earlier distinctions between pre-breeding and breeding lifespans. I discuss the importance of knowledge of pairing success for the management of endangered and declining populations.

Age- and sex-related morphological and physiological differences influence escape capacity in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)

Sexual dimorphism and age-related differences are sources that contribute to morphologic and physiologic variation within animal populations. Measurement of animal performance may indicate whether this variation is functionally relevant. Our study aimed to experimentally test this statement in a captive population of House Sparrows ( Passer domesticus (L., 1758)) by examining age- and sex-related differences in escape response and its relationship to several morphological (tarsus, wing, tail lengths, and body mass) and physiological traits (cell-mediated immunity, natural antibodies, complement activity, hematocrit, and stress response). Escape response from a predator is considered a good variable to measure animal performance, because natural selection clearly favours individuals that avoid predators successfully. Our experimental design also aimed to standardize possible confounding factors affecting escape behaviour under natural conditions. We exposed sparrows to short episodes of high predation risk by simulating the attack of a predator and assumed that the capture order of individuals was related to their escape capacity. The optimal strategy was the immediate escape response for all individuals. We found that first-year males were the best escapers. In support of the hypothesis, juvenile males gathered a better optimum of several morphological and physiological characters that related to capture order.

Context-dependent acquisition of territories by male collared lizards: the role of mortality

We recorded the behavior of free-ranging collared lizards for 11 consecutive seasons to test the hypotheses that natural mortality of territorial males that were 2 years and older (2yp) allows first-year males to switch to territorial tactics and that such events increase opportunities for courtship. Because neighboring 2yp males sometimes expanded and sometimes did not expand into the areas made vacant by mortality, we also compared first-year male behavior under these 2 conditions. In response to 2yp male mortality, first-year males increased rates of travel, distant display, courtship frequency, and number of different females courted. Newly territorial first-year males did not significantly increase aggression with rival males. Travel and both courtship frequency and number of females courted were higher when neighboring males did not expand. First-year males that acquired territories during the breeding season had lower values for all variables than 2yp males, whereas first-year males acquiring territories after over-winter mortality courted less frequently than 2yp males. First-year males acquiring territories after over-winter mortality traveled at higher rates and were more aggressive with rivals than those that gained territories after mortality during the breeding season and established 2yp males. Our results indicate that mortality of territorial males both during the reproductive season and over winter prompts first-year males to adopt territorial tactics that promote increased opportunities to court females. Acquisition of territories during the first-year as a consequence of territory owner mortality potentially increases the lifetime mating success of these males markedly. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.

Does Experimentally Induced Conspicuous Coloration Increase Risk of Predation and Conspecific Aggression in First-Year Collared Lizard Males?

Abstract I used paint to manipulate the coloration of first-year collared lizard males in the field to test whether conspicuous coloration increases risk of predation and/or aggression from dominant same-sex conspecifics, or resulted in decreased activity as a consequence of either or both increased attention from predators or socially dominant conspecifics. First-year collared lizard males are a good system for this study because their coloration is less developed than that of older males, they may suffer significant predation pressure, and instead of defending territories, they use stealthy tactics to avoid aggression from older socially-dominant males. To test these potential costs, I enhanced the coloration of first-year males in a conspicuous group by painting them similar to older territorial males, used brown paint similar to that of conspecific females to alter coloration in an inconspicuous group, and painted a control group with water. I then recorded census and focal observation data on these m...