The reproductive performance of black-billed magpies: is it related to mate choice?

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1679-1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr E. Komers ◽  
David A. Boag
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Pica Pica ◽  
Dominance Status ◽  
Potential Predator ◽  
Juvenile Males

The influence of age and dominance on measures of reproductive effort were investigated in 26 breeding pairs of captive black-billed magpies, Pica pica. Pairs with adult males constructed nests faster, initiated clutches earlier, and produced larger clutches than pairs with juvenile males. Age of females did not influence these variables. The results suggest that the reproductive output of males varies with age more than that of females. Thus when choosing a mate, females have a wider range of parental quality to choose from than do males. This may explain why females are more discriminant than males in mate choice. Paternal quality of breeding males was tested experimentally. During incubation, adult males searched longer for food, approached a potential predator more closely, and attacked a territory intruder more often than did juvenile males. This suggests that adult males invest more in parental care than juvenile males. It may also be a reason for female preference of adult males. There were no differences in the above variables between dominance classes of males in either age group. However, since competition among individuals was excluded by the captive situation, the significance of dominance status was probably minimized.

Mate choice in American Redstarts: by territory quality?

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (10) ◽  
pp. 2255-2261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. J. Morris ◽  
Robert E. Lemon
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Territory Quality ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
American Redstarts

We consider the hypothesis that mate choice in American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) depends primarily on features of territories held by males. We test the hypothesis that the territories of yearling males are demonstrably different from and inferior for reproduction to those of adult males. Territories held by the two age-classes in New Brunswick, Canada, were floristically different, but there were also major differences in territorial features in three microgeographic areas, both within each age-group and without regard to age. There were greater differences in nest success between areas than between the age-classes. We detected no differences in immediate nest site features between nests built by the mates of yearling and adult males. There were differences across the three areas in the species of trees used as nest sites, probably reflecting differences in availability. Support for the claim of different reproductive success in relation to quality of territories held by the two age-classes of males is not convincing.

Plasticity in adult development: experience with young males enhances mating competence in adult male cowbirds, Molothrus ater

Behaviour ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (6) ◽  
pp. 713-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
David White ◽  
Andrew P.King ◽  
Meredith West
Keyword(s):  
Social Environment ◽  
Adult Development ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Young Males ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mating Opportunities ◽  
Song Production ◽  
Juvenile Males

AbstractThe social environment can play an important role in organizing organisms' behavioural development. We studied the effect on adult male cowbirds' communication and mating-related behaviour of being housed in social groups with juvenile males. In two large outdoor aviaries, we housed adult males, juvenile females and adult females either with or without juvenile males. Conditions remained intact from September 1999 through the first half of the breeding season in May 2000. We observed them throughout this time, documenting singing interactions, patterns of affiliation, and song production. We then brought the two groups of adult males together by rotating individuals from the groups into a mating competency tournament, allowing the males to compete with each other for mating opportunities with a new group of females. Throughout the study prior to the mating competency test, there were few differences among adult males in the two conditions as measured by amount and use of song, the quality of their songs, or number of copulations they received. In the mating competency tournament however, significant differences among males in the two conditions emerged. Compared with adult males that had been housed without juvenile males, adult males that had formerly been housed with juvenile males were more successful in the mating competition as measured by: success in getting copulations, number of copulations received, and latency to get copulations. They also engaged in more male-male singing interactions. These results provide evidence to suggest that development of mating competency is malleable throughout life in response to the social environment that individuals experience.

scholarly journals Nutrition Study People over 80 Years

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 77-89
Author(s):  
Javier Benítez ◽  
Nieves Perejón ◽  
Marcelino Arriaza ◽  
Pilar Bellanco
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Blood Chemistry ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Nutrition Study ◽  
Geriatric Evaluation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Elderly Living

Loneliness has always been associated and reported as a risk factor of malnutrition in the elderly. People over 80 who live alone have deserved this study to detect their situation and potential for action to improve their quality of life. Objectives: To determinate the nutritional status of people over 80 living alone in the area of “La Laguna”, Cádiz. Material and method: In PIAMLA`80 program analyse those parameters and their possible correlations in a group of 342 elderly living alone over 80 years old. Different parameters were measured: Integral Geriatric Evaluation, Barthel, Lawton-Brody, Lobo, Gijon, specific analytical blood chemistry and MNA. Results: In a population of 984 people, were selected 342 initially, but finally the group decreases to 247 people. The mean Barthel was 80.42 points, 5.76 Lawton and Gijon from 11.3 Lobo 26.48. The MNA for the whole population was 24.25/30 detecting only a risk age group in women of 85-95. Correlation between nutrition and the biochemical test values showed positive for haemoglobin (0.19), total protein (0.26), Fe (0.32) and albumin (0.46). Conclusions: In our research we have not detected malnutrition in any age group or gender. The use of nutrition test MNA and its MINI version must be generalized as an accurate, clear, quick and easy tool to use.

scholarly journals Empowerment among adult patients with type 2 diabetes: age differentials in relation to person-centred primary care, community resources, social support and other life-contextual circumstances

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Simonsen ◽  
Anne M. Koponen ◽  
Sakari Suominen
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Younger Adults

Abstract Background Rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), also among younger adults, constitutes a growing public health challenge. According to the person-centred Chronic Care Model, proactive care and self-management support in combination with community resources enhance quality of healthcare and health outcomes for patients with T2D. However, research is scarce concerning the importance of person-centred care and community resources for such outcomes as empowerment, and the relative impact of various patient support sources for empowerment is not known. Moreover, little is known about the association of age with these variables in this patient-group. This study, carried out among patients with T2D, examined in three age-groups (27–54, 55–64 and 65–75 years) whether person-centred care and diabetes-related social support, including community support and possibilities to influence community health issues, are associated with patient empowerment, when considering possible confounding factors, such as other quality of care indicators and psychosocial wellbeing. We also explored age differentials in empowerment and in the proposed correlates of empowerment. Method Individuals from a register-based sample with T2D participated in a cross-sectional survey (participation 56%, n = 2866). Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Respondents in the youngest age-group were more likely to have low empowerment scores, less continuity of care, and lower wellbeing than the other age-groups, and to perceive less social support, but a higher level of person-centred care than the oldest group. Community support, including possibilities to influence community health issues, was independently and consistently associated with high empowerment in all three age-groups, as was person-centred care in the two older age-groups. Community support was the social support variable with the strongest association with empowerment across age-groups. Moreover, vitality was positively and diabetes-related distress negatively associated with high empowerment in all age-groups, whereas continuity of care, i.e. having a family/regular nurse, was independently associated in the youngest age-group only. Conclusion Person-centred care and community support, including possibilities to influence community health issues, supports empowerment among adults with T2D. Findings suggest that age is related to most correlates of empowerment, and that younger adults with T2D have specific healthcare needs.

scholarly journals Safety assessment of essential medicines for elderly people: a bibliographic survey

2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana Rossi Varallo ◽  
Fernanda Mariana de Oliveira ◽  
Patrícia de Carvalho Mastroianni
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Safety Assessment ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Adverse Drug Events ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Manual Search

Certain medicines are considered potentially inappropriate (PIM) for elderly people as they increase the risk of adverse drug events (ADE) and because safer alternative therapies are available on the market. In this context, in order to identify the instruments that assess the quality of medical prescriptions for elderly and to determine which drugs are considered PIM, a bibliographic survey was conducted in PUBMED, LILACS and PAHO databases, in February and March/2010. The search strategy included the use of health descriptors and a manual search in the references cited by selected papers. During the period of data collection, 15 instruments were identified. In 2012, with the publication of the update of Beers criteria, this instrument was included in the study. We identified 163 PIM of 25 therapeutic classes, of which 125 (76.7%) are marketed in Brazil. Of these, 31 (24.8%) are essential medicines (RENAME 2012), of which 13 have safer therapeutic equivalents and 19 (15.2%) are over-the-counter drugs. Data suggest the need for inclusion of safer alternatives for the elderly in the national list of essential medicines and the pharmaceutical care for early detection of ADE in this age group, in order to contribute to the safe use of medicines.

scholarly journals Responsiveness and minimally important difference of a generic quality of life measure for complementary health practices

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoaki Kimura ◽  
Kiyoshi Suzuki ◽  
Seiya Uchida ◽  
Hiroshi Katamura
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Minimally Important Difference ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Japanese Adults ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Generic Quality

Shorter and easier methods of conducting community health surveys would be useful. We conducted a study to demonstrate the responsiveness of the 10-item Mokichi Okada Association quality of life questionnaire (MQL-10) in a follow-up survey and to determine the minimally important difference (MID) for this measure. In 2007, Japanese adults participated in a survey on health prac- tices. We analyzed the MQL-10 scores (n=6365) together with the following factors: gender, age group, disease, reason for participation, and complementary health practices, such as food and eating. The mean baseline MQL-10 score was 26.4±5.83 [standard deviation (SD)] and the mean follow-up score was 27.6±5.45 SD with a mean change of 1.20±4.41 SD. The effect size for change was 0.21 and the standardized response mean was 0.27. The MQL-10 scores in the baseline condition were associated with gender, age group, disease, reason for participation and complementary health practices. Furthermore, the changes in the MQL-10 during the 12 weeks of study were associated with age group, disease, reason for participa- tion and complementary health practices. The increase in frequency of health practices was significantly associated with improvements in the participants’ quality of life (QOL). These results suggest that the MQL-10 is use- ful for assessing the effects of complementary health practices on QOL. The estimate of 3 points for the range of this measure (0-40) was higher than half of the SD of scores; therefore, it was considered reasonable for the MID.

QUALITY OF CORNEAL DONOR TISSUE IN THE GREATER THAN 75 YEAR AGE GROUP

Cornea ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 526
Author(s):  
Louis E. Probst ◽  
Bridget A. Halfaker ◽  
Edward J. Holland
Keyword(s):  
Age Group ◽  
Donor Tissue ◽  
Corneal Donor ◽  
Corneal Donor Tissue

scholarly journals Health needs assessment in patients assisted by a pharmaceutical non-profit charitable organisation: a preliminary pharmacoepidemiological survey based on the analysis of drug dispensation within Italy’s Banco Farmaceutico

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Bini ◽  
Antonello E. Rigamonti ◽  
Francesco Fiorini ◽  
Pietro A. Bertazzi ◽  
Gian Francesco Fiorini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Health Needs Assessment ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Charitable Organisation ◽  
Internal Medicine Wards ◽  
Chronic Problem

We performed a health needs assessment of the vulnerable population cared for by the <em>Banco</em> <em>Farmaceutico</em>, an Italian non-profit charitable organisation that supplies medicines for many centres belonging to different charities. Drug dispensed in the first half of 2014 by a representative sample of these centres were examined. An independently conducted telephone interview on our centres complemented this data. Adult males and migrants constituted the majority of the user population, and the most dispensed drugs were those for the respiratory system. Of all patients, 40% presented with a chronic problem and more than half needed polypharmacy. Users seek help spontaneously in 70% of the cases, with the centres being able to meet 80% of the existing demand. Patients that could not be managed were referred to local hospitals or collaborating doctors and reasons were explored. We believe our study to be a first attempt to characterise a growing population that is also increasingly represented in emergency departments and internal medicine wards. It is also an evaluation of the quality of data collected by charitable institutions, highlighting a significant need for improvement as they could be the only basis to monitor the health needs of this type of population.

Associations between risk of malnutrition with dietary intake in people of older age: results from the HELIAD study

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirini Mamalaki ◽  
Costas A. Anastasiou ◽  
Meropi D. Kontogianni ◽  
Mary H. Kosmidis ◽  
Georgios M. Hadjigeorgiou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Nutritional Risk ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Specific Food

AbstractIntroductionLife expectancy has increased leading to a concomitant increase in the population of older people. Malnutrition, a major problem in this age group, deteriorates their health and quality of life. The association between risk of malnutrition and dietary intake has not been investigated sufficiently. The aim of this study was to examine potential associations between risk of malnutrition and dietary intake in a representative cohort of adults ≥ 65 years old.Materials and methods1,831 older people (mean age 73.1 ± 5.9 years old) from the HELIAD study were included in the analyses. Risk of malnutrition was assessed with the “Determine your Nutritional Health” checklist. Total score of the questionnaire ranges from 1–21, with 0–2 indicating good nutritional status, 3–5 moderate nutritional risk and ≥ 6 high nutritional risk. Dietary intake was evaluated with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, validated for the Greek population, from which consumption of specific food groups (non-refined cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, red meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, alcohol and sweets in servings/day) was estimated, as well as adherence to the Mediterranean diet, using a relevant a priori score.Results35.8% of the participants were well-nourished, 34.8% were at moderate nutritional risk and 29.4% were at high nutritional risk. Total energy intake did not differ between the groups (1,984 ± 500 kcal/day for those well-nourished, 1,995 ± 537 kcal/day for those at moderate nutritional risk and 1,934 ± 566 kcal/day for those at high nutritional risk, p = 0.140). Well-nourished older people consumed per day more portions of vegetables, fruits, legumes, poultry, sweets and fewer portions of alcohol compared to those at moderate and high risk (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, adherence to the Mediterranean diet differed significantly between the groups, i.e. those well-nourished had greater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet compared to the other groups (p < 0.001).DiscussionAlthough energy intake did not differ between the groups, there were significant differences in quality of their diet, as this was depicted in specific food group intake and adherence to a healthy dietary pattern. Thus, health experts should also consider diet quality when screening malnutrition in this vulnerable age group.

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