Group Of Family Members Research Articles

The Effect of Positive and Negative Marital Quality on Couples' Marital Self-Concept and Familial Self-Concept: An Analysis of the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

<p>研究目的:本研究探討婚姻初期自身及伴侶對關係的正向與負向整體評估對形塑華人夫妻的婚姻我(婚 姻關係中與配偶相互尊重並維護和諧互動的關係自我概念)與家族我(家人團體中達成家人共識與團結 並實現家族目標的團體自我概念)的影響。研究方法:兩波間隔兩年的追蹤調查共蒐集到93對夫妻的有 效資料，第一波施測時平均婚齡為1.30年(標準差0.68年)，丈夫與妻子的平均年齡分別為31.46歲(標 準差3.51歲)與29.89歲(標準差2.84歲)。研究結果:分別針對正向婚姻品質(模型一)與負向婚姻品 質(模型二)進行行動者—伴侶相依模式分析，皆獲得可接受的整體適配度。模型一結果指出，夫妻雙 方的正向婚姻品質對自身婚姻我與家族我皆具正向顯著的行動者效果，妻子的正向婚姻品質對丈夫婚姻 我具正向顯著的伴侶效果，其餘效果未達顯著水準。模型二結果發現，妻子負向婚姻品質對自身婚姻我 與家族我具負向顯著的行動者效果，並對丈夫婚姻我與家族我也有負向顯著的伴侶效果，其餘效果未達 顯著水準。研究結論:婚姻生活中的正、負向婚姻品質在婚姻初期有著形塑、再構婚姻我與家族我的作 用，且在夫妻間有著不同影響。最後探討抽樣偏誤、缺乏細緻運作機制等相關研究限制與未來方向，並 期望各項發現可供實務應用，增進理解婚姻生活經驗形塑華人多元自我概念的運作機制。</p> <p> </p><p>Context and Objectives: Marriage brings many challenges, which require careful management and adjustment by both spouses. One of the noteworthy challenges is that individuals will start to view themselves in different ways. During the newlywed period, the self-concepts corresponding to the couple’s new role of spouse and family group members will be developed. As a spouse in a marital relationship, Chinese couples’ marital self-concept (MSC) represents their relationship-oriented self-construal to have mutual love and support with their spouses and maintain a harmonious interaction in their relationship. As a member of both the original family and in-law family, Chinese couples’ familial self-concept (FSC) represents their group-oriented self-construal to honor their families, reach consensus among family members, and achieve the goals of all their family members. Even though the self- concept has an important effect on couples’ marital adaptation, research on how the marriage couples’ self- concepts would be reconstructed is scarce. Because one’s self-concept would be reconstructed by life experience, the purpose of this study is to investigate how marriage life influences Chinese couples’ MSC and FSC in the early stage of marriage. Considering that positive and negative self-involved experiences could drive dissimilar mechanisms, this study attempts to explore the specific effect of positive and negative marital quality. Then, based on the nature of interdependence between marriage couples, this study also uses the actor-partner interdependence model to further explore the actor effect and partner effect between husbands and wives. Method: This study conducted two waves of follow-up surveys separated by a 2-year lag and collected a total of 93 valid dyad-data from couples living in the north (n = 53), middle (n = 11), south (n = 20), and east regions of Taiwan (n = 9). The average length of marriage at the first wave was 1.30 years (SD = 0.68 years), and the average age of the husband and wife were 31.46 years old (SD = 3.51 years) and 29.89 years old (SD = 2.84 years), respectively. This study used structural equation modeling to analyze two hypothetical actor-partner interdependence models. Results: The first model investigated the actor- and partner-effect of positive marital quality on couples’ MSC and FSC and showed acceptable model fit (􏴆 2 = 264.16; df = 204; p = .003; 􏴆 2/df = 1.29; CFI = .93; TLI = .91; RMSEA = .056; SRMR = .052). The actor-effects of husbands’ and wives’ positive marital quality was positively significant on their own MSC (husbands:􏴇11 = .50, SE = 0.11,p < .001; wives:γ32 = .55,SE = 0.12,p < .001) and FSC (husbands: 􏴇 21 = .33, SE = 0.12, p = .007; wives: 􏴇 42 = .27, SE = 0.13, p = .034). The partner-effect of wives’ positive maritalqualitywaspositivelysignificantonhusbands’MSC(􏴇12 =.24,SE =0.12,p =.036),andtheotherpartner- effects were non-significant. The second model investigated the actor- and partner-effect of negative marital quality and also showed acceptable model fit (􏴆 2 = 253.49; df = 204; p = .011; 􏴆 2/df = 1.24; CFI = .93; TLI = .91; RMSEA = .051; SRMR = .059). The actor-effect and the partner-effect of husbands’ negative marital quality were non-significant on their own and with wives’ MSC and FSC. However, the actor-effect and the partner-effect of wives’ negative marital quality were negatively significant on their own and with husbands’ MSC (actor-effect: 􏴇 32 = -.53, SE = 0.14, p < .001; partner-effect: 􏴇 12 = -.48, SE = 0.15, p = .001) and FSC (actor-effect: 􏴇 42 = -.42, SE = 0.14, p = .003; partner-effect: 􏴇 22 = -.35, SE = 0.15, p = .025). Discussion and Conclusion: This study highlighted that positive and negative marital quality in the early stage of marriage can shape and restructure Chinese couples’ self-identification as a spouse and a family group member. Additionally, husbands’ and wives’ marriage life experiences can have different influences on their own and their partners’ self-concepts. Particularly, the wives’ both positive and negative marital qualities have impressive impacts on shaping their own and their husbands’ marital and familial self-concept. The limitation of sampling bias and its influences on the current results are discussed, and the understanding of the detailed mechanism linking positive and negative marital quality to Chinese couples’ self-concept is still very limited and requires further exploration and more attention. These findings might be of importance in providing professional consultants and family life educators a better understanding of how Chinese couples’ marital and familial self-concept will be affected by their life experiences in the early stage of marriage.</p> <p> </p>

NYADRAN AND SOCIAL STATUS: Case Study of the Efforts of Local Village Elites in the Field of Religion in Maintaining Social Status in the Javanese Muslim Community

This research was conducted in a village which is a Javanese Muslim community. This research is a continuation of previous research, but with a different focus. The focus of attention in this study is the emergence of the ritual movement of nyadran (grave pilgrimage) to the graves of the ancestors of the village founders which is carried out collectively and routinely. By using a qualitative approach, field phenomena show that the social stratification system in the village where the research is located shows conditions that are starting to fade. Related to the conditions of social life, it creates collective nyadran ritual movement. A number of villagers participated in the event, and their attendance was voluntary. The guides and those who lead this activity come from family group members who occupied a high social status in the community when the village was founded. Apparently, the revitalization of traditions has a function to maintain the pattern of social stratification of rural communities. Keywords : Nyadran , Social status, Javanese Muslim Community DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/82-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Using Culturally Appropriate Approaches to the Development of KidsMatter Resources to Support the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Children

ObjectiveKidsMatter identified a need for resources to support the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal children. This case study describes the intercultural processes underpinning the development of the KidsMatter Aboriginal Project.MethodThe project was guided by the principles of participatory action, narrative therapy, and critically reflective practice and aimed to define Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing from the perspective of Aboriginal peoples. Workshops were held with Aboriginal cultural consultants across two phases. The consultants worked collaboratively with the project team to develop a series of animations and supporting resources for Aboriginal families, and early childhood and primary school educators. Workshop outcomes and themes were provided to Indigenous psychologists for comment and comparison with the available literature. Separate consultations were held with school, early childhood, and health and community professionals, and Aboriginal family group members to consider use of the resources in professional settings.ResultsThe project resulted in the development of a suite of culturally relevant and professional learning tools to support the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal children. The tools are designed for use by Aboriginal families, schools, early childhood, and health and community services and are reflective of key themes raised by relevant literature and community representatives.ConclusionThe principles of participatory action, narrative therapy, and critically reflective practice can guide culturally safe practice and project outcomes when working with Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing. The combination of first‐hand community knowledge and evidence‐based literature assists align projects with National Practice Standards in Mental Health.

Non-specific alarm calls trigger mobbing behavior in Hainan gibbons (Nomascus hainanus)

Alarm calls are important defensive behaviors. Here, we report the acoustic spectrum characteristics of alarm calls produced by Hainan gibbons (Nomascus hainanus) inhabiting Bawangling National Nature Reserve in Hainan, China. Analysis of call data collected from 2002–2014 shows that alarm calls are emitted by all family group members, except infants. Alarm behavior included simple short alarming calls (7–10 min) followed by longer variable-frequency mobbing calls lasting 5–12 min. The duration of individual alarming and mobbing calls was 0.078 ± 0.014 s and 0.154 ± 0.041 s at frequency ranges of 520–1000 Hz and 690–3920 Hz, respectively. Alarming call duration was positively associated with group size. The alarm calls can trigger mobbing behavior in Hainan gibbons; this is a defense way of social animals, and first report among the primates’ species. The system of vocal alarm behavior described in this critically endangered species is simple and effective.

The Variability of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Decline in Alport Syndrome.

Background:A progressive trajectory toward renal failure is common in patients with Alport syndrome. Genotype-phenotype correlations have been well described; however, the natural history of the trajectory toward renal failure is not well described.Objective:The objective of this study is to describe the natural history of renal function decline in a cohort of Alport syndrome patients.Design:Retrospective observational cohort study.Setting:British Columbia, Canada, chronic renal disease registry 1995-2012.Patients:37 biopsy proven Alport syndrome or hematuria with family history of Alport syndrome.Measurements:Serial estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) Trajectory of renal decline described graphically by fitting a cubic smoothing spline to patient’s eGFR measures. Various time points within a trajectory were indexed, randomly sampled, and followed for 2 years to estimate portion of progressors (>5 mL/min/1.73 m2 /y decline), stable state (0-2 mL/min/1.73 m2 /y decline), and regressors (>2 mL/min/1.73 m2 /y incline).Methods:In this retrospective observational cohort study, participants were identified through a chronic renal disease registry in British Columbia, Canada, from 1995 to 2012. Inclusion criteria were biopsy proven or hematuria with a family history of Alport syndrome. Individual patients and family group members were studied. Trajectory of renal decline described graphically by fitting a cubic smoothing spline to patient’s serial estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measures. Various time points within a trajectory were indexed, randomly sampled, and followed for 2 years to estimate portion of progressors (>5 mL/min/1.73 m2/y decline), stable state (0-2 mL/min/1.73 m2/y decline), and regressors (>2 mL/min/1.73 m2/y incline).Limitations:Histological or genetic evidence of Alport syndrome is not available in all patients.Results:Median follow-up time was 48.2 months of 37 patients (78% male), with a median age of 36 (interquartile range [IQR], 18-47) and a median age of renal replacement therapy commencement (n = 23) of 38 (IQR = 20-52). Renal function changes were found to be heterogeneous overall, intra-individual and within families. Portion of progressors in eGFR 45-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 73.7% (SD, 10.3), whereas 23.6% (SD, 11.0) remained stable. Within eGFR 30-45 mL/min/1.73 m2, 45.6% (SD, 7.0) were progressors, whereas 53.4% (SD, 7.4) remained stable. A large portion of eGFR 15-30 mL/min/1.73 m2 patients were stable (54.8%; SD, 8.4), whereas 25.7% (SD, 7.1) progressed and 19.5% (SD, 5.6) regressed.Conclusions:The renal decline in Alport syndrome patients is heterogeneous which has implications for designing clinical trials of interventions.

Penyuluhan dan Pendampingan Pengolahan Limbah Peternakan Sapi Potong di Kelompok Tani Ternak Sido Mulyo Dusun Pulosari, Desa Jumoyo, Kecamatan Salam, Kabupaten Magelang

Society services activity on cattle waste management system have been implemented in Sido Mulyo Livestock Farmers Group at Pulosari, Jumoyo, Salam, Magelang. Animal byproducts that consist of feces and urine of cattle wastewas processed into organic fertilizer compost and liquid fertilizer. Sido Mulyo Livestock Farmer Group has one unit of 20 m3 biodigester to accommodate the feces from approximately 30 cattle owned by the group member. Biogas has been used as a fuel source for family group members located around the cage. Slurry resulted from anaerobic digestion of biodigester disposed to pastures located on the right side of the cage. Ownership system in the groupis every group member hasa responsibility for taking care of their own cattle. The number of livestock owned by each member of the SidoMulyoLivestock Farmers Group ranged between 1 to 4 cattle. Society services methods that have been implemented was in the form of mentoring for a member of the Sido Mulyogroup.The other activities that have been implemented was the training and development of cattle industry, especially the handling of livestock waste in the form of feces, urine, and the feed residue. The activities was continued by the manufacture of compost packaging design, followed by the last series of activities such as monitoring and program development. The enthusiasm of the group members in joining to the extension activities is very good. The timing of the extension are determined in the afternoon after members of the group have finished searching feed for their cattle. The sustainability forwaste processing into organic fertilizer compost and liquid organic fertilizer becomes a major concern, because it is highly dependent on consumer demand.

Leukotoxicity of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in generalized aggressive periodontitis in Brazilians and their family members

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the leukotoxin promoter types of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans clones in subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and in their family members (FM). Material and MethodsThirty-five patients with GAgP (33.9±7.1 years), 33 of their FM (22.8±11.4 years), and 41 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) (44.1±9.4 years) were clinically analyzed using the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Subgingival biofilm samples were collected from four interproximal periodontal sites (>PD and >CAL) of each patient. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its leukotoxic clone was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ResultsA. actinomycetemcomitans was observed in 23 (51.1%) GAgP patients and 16 (30.1%) CP patients. Thirty-seven (94.8%) patients showed minimally leukotoxic strains and 2 (5.1%) showed highly leukotoxic strains. In the FM group, 10 (30.3%) had aggressive periodontitis (AgP), 12 (36.3%) had CP, 11 (33.3%) were periodontally healthy or had gingivitis, and 12.2% were A. actinomycetemcomitans positive. Greater full mouth PD and CAL were observed in GAgP patients positive for the bacteria than those negative for it (p<;0.05), and the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans positively correlated with GAgP (Odds ratio, 3.1; confidence interval, 1.4-7.0; p=0.009).Conclusions The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was associated with the clinical condition of GAgP, with most patients exhibiting a generalized form of the disease and minimally leukotoxic clones. Most of the relatives of GAgP patients presented either CP or AgP.

Demographic Differences in Adolescent-diagnosed and Adult-diagnosed Acetabular Dysplasia Compared With Infantile Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Acetabular dysplasia is a common cause of hip pain that can lead to premature osteoarthritis. This study explores whether demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with acetabular dysplasia in adolescence and adulthood [adult-diagnosed dysplasia (AD)] differ from those who are diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infancy. Database review identified 633 patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy for dysplasia from August 1991 to January 2008. Excluding patients with syndromal conditions and 80 lacking contact information, 421 patients received a questionnaire regarding birth and family history; 324 (70.3%) completed the survey. Thirteen were excluded because of unrelated hip conditions, leaving 311 patients for analysis. Respondents were divided into 2 groups according to whether they had a history of DDH in infancy (102 patients) or were diagnosed in adolescence/adulthood (209 patients). Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in sex distribution (female: DDH = 98.0%, AD = 88.0%), affected limb (left hip: DDH = 33.3%, AD = 19.1%), bilaterality (DDH = 45.1%, AD = 61.2%), and breech presentation (DDH = 25.3%, AD = 9.4%). Over 50% of all the respondents had a family history of hip disease; over 40% were first-order relatives. First-order family members of patients with AD had a higher incidence of hip replacement by the age of 65 (50.0% vs. 22.7%). Patients with DDH were more likely to have first-order family members with DDH (59.0% vs. 15.8%). This study confirms demographic differences between patients diagnosed with hip dysplasia in infancy versus adolescence/adulthood and supports the hypothesis that these represent distinct forms of dysplasia. In both, there is a familial tendency toward hip disease with a higher incidence of arthroplasty in the AD group's family members and higher frequency of infantile dysplasia in the DDH group's family members. Infantile DDH is diagnosed with neonatal examination and patients are routinely followed into adolescence. Adolescent/adult AD is not detected until symptoms develop. Further study is needed to determine whether younger family members of patients with hip osteoarthritis should be screened to detect potentially at-risk hips.

EFFECTS OF RAINFALL, HOST DEMOGRAPHY, AND MUSTH ON STRONGYLE FECAL EGG COUNTS IN AFRICAN ELEPHANTS (LOXODONTA AFRICANA) IN NAMIBIA

Wild African elephants (Loxodonta africana) are commonly infected with intestinal strongyle parasites. Our objective was to determine baseline fecal strongyle egg counts for elephants in the northeast region of Etosha National Park, Namibia and determine if these numbers were affected by annual rainfall, elephant demography (age of individuals and composition of groups), and hormonal state of males. We found that matriarchal family group members have significantly higher fecal egg counts than male elephants (bulls). Among family group members, strongyle egg counts increased with age, whereas among bulls, strongyle egg counts decreased with age. Years of higher rainfall were correlated with decreased numbers of strongyle eggs among bulls. Finally, bulls were not affected by their physiologic (hormonal) status (musth vs. nonmusth). These results suggest that infection by strongyle parasites in Namibian African elephants is a dynamic process affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors including host demography and rainfall.

Itinérances transnationales : un éclairage sur les réseaux migratoires afghans

This article seeks to illustrate the virtues of taking a transnational approach by drawing upon the ethnography of the social networks that the Hazaras, a group originating in central Afghanistan, have created between their country of origin, Pakistan, Iran, North America and Australia. Several theories are advanced. The social life of the Hazaras is not structured by reference to a common place of residence but rather by effective ties of solidarity and mutual aid that cut across international frontiers. The phenomenon of mobility is constitutive of their way of life at both the socio-cultural and economic levels. Even in time of war, the flight from violence is not always incompatible with a genuine migratory strategy. Dispersal can be the result of a planned choice by which members of family groups seek to diversify their means of subsistence while diminishing the risks attendant upon uncertainty. Describing the circulatory territories of the Hazaras thus allows one to put the distinction between forced and voluntary migration into context.

Habitat Utilization of Three Sympatric Cheirogaleid Lemur Species in a Littoral Rain Forest of Southeastern Madagascar

I compared the habitat utilization in 3 sympatric species of Cheirogaleidae (Microcebus murinus [81 g], Cheirogaleus medius [183 g] and Cheirogaleus major [362 g]) in a littoral rain forest in southeastern Madagascar during 3 rainy seasons. Females of promiscuous Microcebus murinus had small home ranges and the males had large overlapping home ranges. Home ranges of family groups of monogamous Cheirogaleus medius and C. major overlapped extensively. Home ranges of all 3 species overlapped completely in the study area but home range sizes differed among species and correlate positively with body masses. Male Microcebus murinus slept in open vegetation (79%) and alone (71%), whereas female M. murinus and family group members of Cheirogaleus spp. preferred communal sleeping in tree holes. There are significant interspecific differences in the choice of sleeping sites: smaller lemurs chose smaller trees and used more sleeping sites than larger lemurs did. Species also differed significantly in the vertical dimension of forest utilization: Cheirogaleus major used the upper part of the trees, C. medius used the middle parts, and Microcebus murinus used the understory during nocturnal activities. The 3 species differed mainly in vertical habitat utilization and showed vertical stratification.

Entry and Emergent Agendas of Adults Visiting an Aquarium in Family Groups

ABSTRACT Understanding visitors' agendas is important in providing insights about learning experiences in informal settings, particularly if we consider learning to be both a product (what they learn) and a process (how they learn it). Accordingly, a handful of studies have investigated the impact of visitors' agendas on learning. However, little attention has been directed to investigating the impact of individual and collective agendas on the nature of the visit experience for the adult members of family groups, or the dynamics and evolution of these agendas during and after a visit to an informal setting. This article examines the roles that personal agendas play in shaping and framing the aquarium experiences of the adult members of 13 family groups visiting the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre in Canada. It explores the dynamic and changing character of entry and emergent agendas within the family group context and the factors that constitute and shape such agendas. The roles of these agendas in the overall on-site learning experience of the adult members of the participating family groups, and the longitudinal impact of the aquarium visit are further discussed.

Evidence for high rates of in-pair paternity in the socially monogamous snapping shrimp Alpheus angulosus

Understanding the relationships between social and genetic interactions among individ- uals can lead to important insights into both the evolution of social behavior and the movement of alleles among generations. However, socially monogamous behavior is not always a good predictor of genetic parentage, so that inferences into genetic relationships among family group members require molecular genetic investigation. In the speciose snapping shrimp genera, social monogamy is the most common social system. However, research into mating and parentage relationships between socially monogamous partners has been limited by the reclusive nature of most snapping shrimp, which makes them difficult to observe under natural conditions, and so the degree to which social monogamy correlates with genetic monogamy remains unknown. Here, using data from 5 polymor- phic microsatellite markers, evidence for high rates (≥94% of offspring genotyped) of in-pair pater- nity in field-captured heterosexual pairs of Alpheus angulosus, a common intertidal alpheid, is reported. Therefore, male social partners were apparently the sole or primary fathers of their female partners' clutches in all pairs. Some clutches showed evidence of 3+ paternal alleles at one of the genotyped loci, which may be a signal of multiple paternity; however, in these cases, the possibility of genotyping errors cannot be discounted. In summary, these data indicate that social monogamy correlates closely with genetic monogamy in this taxon, though additional work is required in order to draw strong inferences about the occurrence of multiple paternity of individual clutches.

Restorative Practices and Child Welfare: Toward an Inclusive Civil Society

Child welfare systems in the United States are failing to include families in making plans, and this reduces their success in stabilizing children's placements and promoting children's well‐being. A North Carolina study demonstrates how one restorative practice—family group conferencing (FGC)—advances family participation in child welfare planning. A sample of 27 conferences showed that the 221 family group members outnumbered the 115 service providers at the meetings. Family group members were usually satisfied with the conference process and decision and saw the plans as primarily reached through consensus, following a trusted leader, and bargaining. Satisfaction with the decision was reduced when bargaining was employed. Manipulation was more likely to occur when conference preparations were inadequate.

Habitat use by vicuña Vicugna vicugna in Laguna Pozuelos Reserve, Jujuy, Argentina

Vicuña Vicugna vicugna are an emblematic species of one of the major arid ecosystems of the neotropics: the puna or altiplano. Excessive commercial hunting of vicuña for their valuable fleece in the past caused a severe decline in the population, with the vicuña almost becoming extinct by the mid 20th century. Effective protection resulted in the recovery of some populations and, recently, limited vicuña exploitation has been allowed. Research is urgently required to underpin the design of the management systems used for this exploitation. We present the results of a 2-year study on habitat utilization of vicuña in Laguna de Pozuelos UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Argentina. Vicuña did not use the study area homogeneously but preferred vegetation communities dominated by grasses (known locally as pajonal and esporal) and with high overall plant cover. Vicuña were less selective in 2003, when overall habitat quality decreased, than in 2002. This change is predicted by habitat selection theory. We also found that members of family groups spend more time foraging than members of non-reproductive groups. Solitary vicuña spend more time standing up than members of groups, consistent with the observation that herding behaviour is related to protection against predators. Heterogeneous use and habitat selectivity suggest that exploitation of vicuña needs to take spatial behaviour into account in the establishment of the optimal location of capturing sites.

Phenotypic approaches for understanding patterns of intracemetery biological variation

This paper reviews studies of phenotypic inheritance and microevolutionary processes in archaeological populations using data on cranial and dental phenotypic variation, often referred to as paleogenetics or biodistance analysis. The estimation of biological distances between populations, or among individuals within populations, is one component of bioarchaeological research on past populations. In this overview, five approaches that focus on morphological variation within cemeteries are summarized: kinship and cemetery structure analysis, postmarital residence analysis, sample aggregate phenotypic variability, temporal microchronology, and age-structured phenotypic variation. Previous research, theoretical justifications, and methods are outlined for each topic. Case studies are presented that illustrate these theoretical and methodological bases, as well as demonstrate the kinds of inferences possible using these approaches. Kinship and cemetery structure analysis seeks to identify the members of family groups within larger cemeteries or determine whether cemeteries were kin-structured. Analysis of sex-specific phenotypic variation allows estimation of postmarital residence practices, which is important for understanding other aspects of prehistoric social organization. Analysis of aggregate phenotypic variability can be used to infer site formation processes or cemetery catchment area. The study of temporal microchronologies can be used to evaluate provisional archaeological chronologies or study microevolutionary processes such as adaptive selection or changing patterns of gene flow. Finally, age-structured phenotypic variation can be reflective of selection processes within populations or it can be used as a measure of morbidity, growth arrest, and early mortality within past populations. Use of phenotypic data as a genotypic proxy is theoretically sound, even at small scales of analysis.

Modificaciones jurídico-penales de la Ley Orgánica 1/2004 de medidas de protección integral contra la violencia de género

This study centres on the special situation of vulnerability on that there are the minors, the women and the elderly persons. Departing from the fact of which the level of morality of a society measures up for the deal that gives the socially weak persons like they are the children, the elders and the patients, the author of this study forms a work in which grants basic importance to the analysis of the legislative labour of the State in favour of all these needier groups. Principally the problem of the protection of the family group members against to aggressive behaviors is the one that is approached in this study. The Law of integral protection against the violence of genre is a norm that establishes a set of penal sanctions for the above mentioned behaviors, modifying in this aspect some articles of the Penal Code. This study centres especially on the study of the penal aspects in order the integral guardianship of the woman.

Space and habitat use of the African elephant in the Tarangire–Manyara ecosystem, Tanzania: Implications for conservation

As migratory animals, sustainable management of African elephant populations, both within and around protected areas, is a major challenge in the conservation policy of many African countries. We captured seven female elephants, representative members of family groups, in different parts of Tarangire National Park (TNP), Tanzania, and used GPS satellite radio-tracking (November 1997–June 2000) to monitor their space and habitat use and seasonal migrations throughout wet and dry seasons. Patterns of home range overlap revealed the existence of two large clans that occupied the north-central and southern parts of TNP, respectively. At the end of the dry season, elephants from the southern clan migrated about 100 km southeast of the park boundary, those from the northern clan remained mostly inside the park, or used periodically wet-season core areas in the nearby Game Controlled Areas. No natural mortality occurred during the study, but two elephants were poached outside the park. Human disturbance also affected activity patterns, and elephants were less active at day outside than inside the park. Home range size varied from 477 to 1078 km 2 for the northern elephants, and from 1630 to 5060 km 2 for the southern elephants. Migration routes were characterised by higher cover (open and closed forest) than core areas. Our results indicate that elephant management must be considered across park boundaries and that migration corridors must be protected against human disturbance and land cultivation. Society problems linked to elephant conservation can be solved by creating alternative, sustainable, use of natural resources that enhance the livelihood of local communities.

Flexible social structure of a desert rodent, Rhombomys opimus: philopatry, kinship, and ecological constraints

We tested hypotheses based on philopatry, kinship, and ecological constraints to explain sociality in a semifossorial desert rodent, the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus. Data were collected in the field in Uzbekistan in the spring and fall of 1996 and 1998–2004. Population densities fluctuated dramatically with high turnover in both males and females to reveal that dispersal and social structure were density dependent. Fewer gerbils dispersed at higher densities and members of family groups dispersed together. A majority of females lived in groups at high densities, but as population densities declined, proportionally more females were solitary. DNA analysis revealed that group-living females were genetically similar, whereas solitary females visited by the same male, as well as adult males and females in the same family group, were usually not genetically similar. Reproductive success as measured by the number of emergent pups and survival of juveniles during the summer drought was not related to group size or whether females were philopatric. A majority of females in family groups reproduced, and all females engaged in cooperative behaviors. We accepted three hypotheses to explain fluctuations in group formation in the great gerbil: variation in food abundance and distribution, habitat saturation, and kinship. We conclude that great gerbils are facultatively social. Flexible social behavior may be adaptive in unpredictable desert conditions. Females live solitarily under conditions of limited food and high mortality that disrupt social behavior and group formation and share territories with female kin under favorable conditions for survival and reproduction when kin groups can be maintained. Males adjust to the distribution of females. Key words: desert, gerbil, philopatry, Rhombomys opimus, social. [Behav Ecol]

Books for Babies means books for parents too: the benefits of situating the earliest stages of literacy in the framework of the wider community

This paper describes some findings from the Books for Babies project, a central strand of Derbyshire’s county‐wide literacy initiative, Read On – Write Away! (ROWA!). The original project, initiated by the Derbyshire Libraries and Heritage Service in 1995 was extended through ROWA! by being incorporated into wider ranging community literacy provision. This paper describes preliminary evidence that indicates that there are additional benefits for other family group members when a Book Start project includes follow‐up activities and is connected to wider ranging community literacy initiatives.