scholarly journals Revisiting the cognitive buffer hypothesis for the evolution of large brains

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Sol
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Buffer Effect ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Delayed Reproduction ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Large Brain ◽  
Reproductive Life

Why have some animals evolved large brains despite substantial energetic and developmental costs? A classic answer is that a large brain facilitates the construction of behavioural responses to unusual, novel or complex socioecological challenges. This buffer effect should increase survival rates and favour a longer reproductive life, thereby compensating for the costs of delayed reproduction. Although still limited, evidence in birds and mammals is accumulating that a large brain facilitates the construction of novel and altered behavioural patterns and that this ability helps dealing with new ecological challenges more successfully, supporting the cognitive-buffer interpretation of the evolution of large brains.

Coupling of Environmental and Endogenous Factors in the Control of Rhythmic Behaviour in Decapod Crustaceans

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Aréchiga ◽  
Leonardo Rodríguez-Sosa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Order ◽  
Circadian Rhythmicity ◽  
Decapod Crustaceans ◽  
Endogenous Factors ◽  
Environmental Signals ◽  
Motor Responses ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Retinal Photoreceptors ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Chemical Stimuli

Behavioural patterns of crustaceans are known to vary within the 24 hour cycle and in relation to environmental signals. Light and chemical stimuli induce specific behavioural responses. Retinal and extra-retinal photoreceptors use different motor responses to illumination selectively. Light responsiveness is modulated at various levels, from the light admittance to the retina, up to the integration in higher order interneurones and motorneurones. An endogenous circadian rhythmicity contributes to the various elements of the system.

Behavioural response patterns: an investigation of the early stages of major incidents

foresight ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihab Hanna Sawalha
Keyword(s):  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Response Patterns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Major Incidents ◽  
Original Classification

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the different patterns of organizational behavioural responses to major incidents and develop an original classification of these patterns. Design/methodology/approach An extensive literature review was made to investigate the different patterns of behavioural responses to major incidents and then to develop an original classification of these patterns. Several sources of information, such as case studies, technical reports, academic journal articles and organizational internal reports were used. Findings Organizations respond differently to major incidents. This was clear from the different behavioural patterns investigated and identified. Behavioural patterns determine levels of resilience and ability of organizations to overcome and ultimately survive major incidents. Practical implications To promote effective and organized behavioural response patterns to major incidents and improve consistency of responses across the organization, relevant authorities should demonstrate to all private and public enterprises the significance of effective behavioural responses, thus enabling them to better respond to various potential emergencies. Originality/value A number of models of human behaviour have been introduced in the literature to understand how people respond to emergency situations. They each take a different perspective on human behaviour but no single theory has emerged as the leading paradigm. This highlights the complexity of understanding human behaviour in such situations and the need for a better classification of behavioural patterns. To the author’s knowledge, this is one of very few studies to investigate, identify and categorize behavioural response patterns to major incidents. This research is expected to be of a substantial value for those interested in improving organizational behaviour during major incidents, as well as those interested in improving organizational resilience.

Involvement of cyclic GMP in the release of stereotyped behaviour patterns in moths by a peptide hormone

1980 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-212
Author(s):  
J. W. Truman ◽  
S. M. Mumby ◽  
S. K. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Cyclic Nucleotides ◽  
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor ◽  
Peptide Hormone ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Eclosion Hormone ◽  
Behavioural Effects ◽  
Hormone Injection ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Characteristic Motor

A peptide hormone, the eclosion hormone, triggers two behavioural patterns--the pre-eclosion and eclosion patterns--when injected into pharate silkmoths. Injection of cyclic nucleotides caused the same behavioural responses with cGMP being 10 to 100 times more potent than cAMP. Exogenous cGMP also acted directly on the isolated nervous system to evoke the characteristic motor programmes. Protection of endogenous cyclic nucleotides by pretreatment of moths with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, theophylline, markedly enhanced the sensitivity of the moths to the hormone. Injection of partially purified hormone preparations was followed by an increase in nervous system cGMP but not cAMP. The increase preceded the behavioural effectiveness of each dose was correlated with its ability to cause a cGMP increase. It was concluded that the behavioural effects of the eclosion hormone are mediated through an increase in cGMP in the nervous system.

scholarly journals Behavioural responses of captive-born greater rheas Rhea americana Linnaeus (Rheiformes, Rheidae) submitted to antipredator training

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano S. de Azevedo ◽  
Robert J. Young
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Control Group ◽  
A Posteriori ◽  
Rhea Americana ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Training Techniques ◽  
Invaluable Tool ◽  
Antipredator Training ◽  
Predator Model

Human activities have been diminishing greater rhea Rhea americana (Linnaeus, 1758) populations throughout their natural distribution. The reintroductions of captive-born greater rheas have been tried but without success; since the individuals reintroduced were killed by predators. Captive-born animals that have been isolated from predators for many generations can lose their predator recognition abilities. To enhance the survival rates of the reintroduced animals, researchers are now using antipredator training techniques. We studied the response of 15 zoo-borne greater rheas to antipredator training. The animals were divided into three groups: two test groups and one control group. We ran 15 antipredator tests and four control testes with each group. Antipredator tests consisted of pairing a taxidermized predator model or a real predator (domestic dog) with a simulation of a capture procedure. Control tests consisted of presenting the predator model (jaguar) to the birds, after training but not associating it with an aversive event and recording behavioural responses. All tests were video-recorded and analysed a posteriori. Results showed that the trained rheas responded appropriately to the predators, becoming more vigilant and that there was considerable individual differences in response to antipredator training. The results demonstrated that antipredator training is effective and therefore an invaluable tool for reintroduction projects involving greater rheas. Furthermore, the methods employed in this research project should be applicable to other species of flightless birds.

scholarly journals Do smart birds stress less? An interspecific relationship between brain size and corticosterone levels

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1770) ◽  
pp. 20131734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ádám Z. Lendvai ◽  
Veronika Bókony ◽  
Frédéric Angelier ◽  
Olivier Chastel ◽  
Daniel Sol
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Environmental Stressors ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Lower Baseline ◽  
Large Brain ◽  
Geographical Latitude

Vertebrates respond to unpredictable noxious environmental stimuli by increasing secretion of glucocorticoids (CORT). Although this hormonal stress response is adaptive, high levels of CORT may induce significant costs if stressful situations are frequent. Thus, alternative coping mechanisms that help buffer individuals against environmental stressors may be selected for when the costs of CORT levels are elevated. By allowing individuals to identify, anticipate and cope with the stressful circumstances, cognition may enable stress-specific behavioural coping. Although there is evidence that behavioural responses allow animals to cope with stressful situations, it is unclear whether or not cognition reduces investment in the neuroendocrine stress response. Here, we report that in birds, species with larger brains relative to their body size show lower baseline and peak CORT levels than species with smaller brains. This relationship is consistent across life-history stages, and cannot be accounted for by differences in life history and geographical latitude. Because a large brain is a major feature of birds that base their lifetime in learning new things, our results support the hypothesis that enhanced cognition represents a general alternative to the neuroendocrine stress response.

scholarly journals Genetic trade-off between abilities to avoid attack and to mate: a cost of tonic immobility

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Nakayama ◽  
Takahisa Miyatake
Keyword(s):  
Tonic Immobility ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Red Flour Beetle ◽  
Antipredator Behaviour ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Behavioural Syndromes ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Behavioural Strategies

Consistent individual differences in correlated behaviours across contexts or situations, that is, behavioural syndromes, have recently been identified as an important factor shaping the evolution of behavioural traits, because of their potential for explaining trade-offs in behavioural responses. We examined a genetic link between abilities to mate and to avoid predation from the viewpoint of two genetically correlated behavioural traits; tonic immobility (TI), which is considered to be an antipredator behaviour, and activity levels in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum . Males derived from two strains artificially selected for divergent durations of TI were used in the present study: the L strain (with longer duration and higher frequency of TI) and the S strain (shorter duration and lower frequency of TI). We found that males of the L strain had higher survival rates in predatory environments than those of the S strain, and lower mating success even in predator-free environments. To our knowledge, this is the first empirical study showing a genetic trade-off between abilities to mate and to avoid predation in relation to behavioural syndromes, using individuals exhibiting different behavioural strategies.

scholarly journals State of the Art in Fertility Preservation for Female Patients Prior to Oncologic Therapies

Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Călin Bogdan Chibelean ◽  
Răzvan-Cosmin Petca ◽  
Dan Cristian Radu ◽  
Aida Petca
Keyword(s):  
Fertility Preservation ◽  
Cancer Survival ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Oncologic Patients ◽  
Reproductive Life ◽  
Life Improvement

Quality of life improvement stands as one of the main goals of the medical sciences. Increasing cancer survival rates associated with better early detection and extended therapeutic options led to the specific modeling of patients’ choices, comprising aspects of reproductive life that correlated with the evolution of modern society, and requires better assessment. Of these, fertility preservation and ovarian function conservation for pre-menopause female oncologic patients pose a contemporary challenge due to procreation age advance in evolved societies and to the growing expectations regarding cancer treatment. Progress made in cell and tissue-freezing technologies brought hope and shed new light on the onco-fertility field. Additionally, crossing roads with general fertility and senescence studies proved highly beneficial due to the enlarged scope and better synergies and funding. We here strive to bring attention to this domain of care and to sensitize all medical specialties towards a more cohesive approach and to better communication among caregivers and patients.

scholarly journals Adrenocortical Carcinoma in Children: A Clinicopathological Analysis of 41 Patients at the Mayo Clinic from 1950 to 2017

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Gupta ◽  
Michael Rivera ◽  
Paul Novotny ◽  
Vilmarie Rodriguez ◽  
Irina Bancos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenocortical Carcinoma ◽  
Mayo Clinic ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Adrenocortical Adenoma ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Clinicopathological Analysis ◽  
Total Adrenalectomy ◽  
Sites Of Metastases ◽  
Weiss Criteria

Background/Aims: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive childhood cancer. Limited evidence exists on a definite histopathological criterion to differentiate ACC from adrenocortical adenoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological data of children with ACC, identify prognostic factors, and validate a histopathological criterion to differentiate ACC from adrenocortical adenoma. Methods: This retrospective cohort included 41 children, followed at the Mayo Clinic from 1950 to 2017 (onset of symptoms ≤21 years). Outcomes of interest were: alive with no evidence of disease, alive with evidence of disease, and dead of disease. Results: Median age at onset of symptoms was 15.7 years (n = 41; range, 0.2–21 years). Female:male ratio was 3.6: 1. Mixed symptomatology (> 1 hormone abnormality) was the most common presentation (54%, n = 22). Sixty-six percent of patients (n = 27 out of 41) underwent total adrenalectomy. Metastatic disease was more common in children aged > 12 years (p = 0.002 compared to < 4 years). The most common sites of metastases were the liver and lungs. Overall 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 61% (95% CI 45–77) and 46% (95% CI 30–62), respectively. Metastasis at the time of diagnosis was independently associated with poor prognosis (risk ratio 13.7%; 95% CI 3.9–87.7). Weiss criteria (29%) and modified Weiss criteria (33%) were less accurate in younger patients (< 12 years), compared to the Wieneke index (100%). Conclusion: The presence of metastases was an independent prognostic factor. The Wieneke index was the most accurate in predicting clinical outcomes in younger children.

Reproductive life-span and sources of mortality for alternative male life-history strategies in sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 1878-1885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M Carlson ◽  
Harry B Rich, Jr. ◽  
Thomas P Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Reproductive Life ◽  
Reproductive Life Span ◽  
Older Males

In anadromous salmonid fishes, a fraction of the males ("jacks") spend fewer years at sea than females and most males in the population. It has been hypothesized that the higher survival rates of jacks at sea are balanced by their reduced reproductive success. One component of reproductive success is in-stream longevity, and jacks were reported to have a shorter reproductive life-span than older males. To test this hypothesis, we examined the interactions between arrival date, mode of death (senescent, bear-killed, gull-killed, stranded), and reproductive life-span of male sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum in Artedi, 1792), in a small Alaskan creek. Of the senescent males, early-arriving fish lived longer than later arrivals, and jacks and older males had similar reproductive life-spans (p = 0.932). Jacks were less susceptible to premature mortality (mostly from bears and gulls) than older males. The life-span of fish that died prematurely was greater for jacks than non-jacks (p < 0.001). Considering all sources of mortality (both premature and senescent), jacks had a greater mean life-span than older males (5.84 vs. 3.12 days; p < 0.001). Despite this fact, jacks are scarce (1.7% in this population), suggesting that they suffer in other components of fitness such as proportion of eggs fertilized.

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