Timing of breeding as a determinant of nest success of the vulnerable Chestnut Seedeater(Sporophila cinnamomea)in grasslands of southern South America

The breeding traits of Sporophila seedeaters have been relatively well studied in recent years;nevertheless,a group of ten species in the genus,known as southern capuchinos,remain understudied.That is the case with Chestnut Seedeater(Sporophila cinnamomea),a species vulnerable to extinction,which breeds in the grasslands of southeast South America and,after reproduction,migrates towards the Cerrado region in central Brazil.Here,we investigated breeding ecology and calculated average clutch size,productivity,the sex ratio of nestlings,and estimated nest success.Then we tested(1)whether there is a relationship between the number of active nests and environmental variables,(2)whether the nestling sex ratio deviates from the 1:1 ratio,(3)whether clutch size varies between breeding seasons,and(4)whether the nest success is related to starting date,nest age,plant support,nest height from the ground,and clutch size.During two breeding seasons(October-March 2018-2020),we monitored 98 nests.We generated survival models with five interacting covariates to assess the survival of the nests.We recorded the entire breeding period for Chestnut Seedeater,which was estimated to be 4.6 months,similar to other migratory seedeaters.Clutch size did not differ between breeding seasons.The sex ratio of nestlings was not significantly different from the 1:1 ratio.Nest success was 31%,and predation was the leading cause of unsuccessful nests(83%).The daily survival rate was 0.95±0.01.The main predictor of nest survival was the covariate starting date.These findings,added to other aspects of the species’natural history described here,may help illuminate the ecology and behavior of Chestnut Seedeater and other southern endangered capuchinos,and grassland-dependent species of South America.

Drivers of nest survival rate in a southern Tunisian population of Laughing Doves(Spilopelia senegalensis)

Background:Investigating the ecological factors and processes shaping nest survival is of great importance for assessing the breeding success of bird populations and understanding their spatio-temporal dynamics.Here,this question is addressed for the Laughing Dove(Spilopelia senegalensis),an expanding Afro-tropical bird in the Tunisian oasis habitat.Methods:This study took place in Kettana oasis,in south-eastern Tunisia.Natural Laughing Dove nests were searched for and monitored by means of regular visits,from the discovery date until the end of the breeding attempt(i.e.fledging or failure).Data were then used to investigate the relevance of laying date,nest age(days after clutch initiation),nest height and vegetation structure in the close nest tree environment as predictors of daily nest survival rate,using logistic-exposure models that accounted for heterogeneity in monitoring period among the studied nests.Models including different combinations of covariates were ranked according to their AICc scores,and the modelaveraging technique was used for the assessment of the effects of covariates on daily nest survival rate.Results:Vegetation structure in the close nest tree environment and nest age provided important predictors of daily nest survival rate,whereas neither nest height nor laying date showed significant effects.Daily nest survival rate was negatively associated with the presence of date palm trees in the close nest tree environment,but it was positively related to nest age.Daily nest survival rate was higher during the post-hatching stage than during the pre-hatching stage.Conclusions:Nests placed on fruit trees close to clumps of palm trees suffered higher predation risks compared to those placed on fruit trees situated far from palm trees.This is probably because palm tree clumps provided refuges for nest predators,notably the Black Rat(Rattus rattus)which has been reported to be the main nest predator in the oasis habitat.The predatory activity of this rodent seemed more directed against eggs than nestlings,which may explain the observed increase in daily survival rate with nest age.

A Survey of “Empty Nest” Families in Peking University

Asurvey of the status of empty nest families(i.e.。families consisted of only aged parents with offsprings lIving far apart or even abroad)was can-ducted in the first half of 1997 within Peking University jointly by the Research Centre an Aging and the Department in Charge of Retired Cadres and Teachers of the university.

Mutual Experiences of Japanese Parents and Their Children When Late School-Age Children Engage in Meal-Related Family Routines: A Qualitative Analysis of Parent and Child Dyads

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to identify the type of experiences that parents and their children have with each other when late-school age children take on roles in family routines related to daily meals. Methods: A grounded theory approach was used. The participants were children in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades of elementary school and their main caregivers. First, 10 parent and child dyads were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule. Next, online group interviews were conducted for 17 parent and child dyads to deductively confirm the categories. Results: The average age of the subjects was 41.9 years for parents and 10.4 years for children in parent-child interviews, and 41.1 years for parents and 9.6 years for children in group interviews. Six categories emerged with nineteen subcategories. Conclusions: Experiences mutually nurtured by parents and their children included experiences in which children used negotiation and conversation skills to consensually engage in family routines related to meals. It also included experiences that socialized the children in family life and fostered good communication. The six categories will be useful for healthcare professionals and school authorities in providing health guidance that addresses health functions of late school-age children and their families.

Developing and validating a nestling photographic aging guide for cavity-nesting birds: an example with the European Bee-eater(Merops apiaster)

Background: Accurate estimation of nestlings’ age is essential in avian demography studies as well as in population ecology and conservation. For example, it can be useful for synchronizing nest visits with events of particular interest, such as the age at which young can be safely ringed, or in choosing the best period to attain the most accurate calculation of laying or hatching dates.Methods: We constructed a photographic guide for aging European Bee-eaters(Merops apiaster) nestlings to 3-day age classes and evaluated the aging method by performing a validation exercise with several observers with no previous experience in aging bee-eater nestlings.Results: The aging guide for bee-eater nestlings allowed estimating age to within 3 days with an average accuracy of 0.85. We found the optimal period for aging nestlings was between days 13-18(with accuracy between 0.94 and 0.99), during which the status of feather development was more easily distinguishable from the preceding and subsequent age classes. During the first 3 days after hatching, nestlings could also be aged with high accuracy(0.93). The small size of the nestling in relation to the eggs and the nestling’s inability to raise its head during these first days allowed for good discrimination from the subsequent age class. Between days 25 and 28, nestlings were correctly aged in only half of assignments(0.55 sensitivity) and nestlings belonging to class 7(days 7-9) were the least correctly identified(0.38 sensitivity). However, by visiting the nests at 12 days intervals it is possible to achieve the highest accuracy in age estimation with the smallest disturbance and logistic investment.Conclusions: This study highlighted how indirect methods and a simple protocol can be established and employed to quickly estimate nestling age in cases where handling nestlings is challenging or impossible, while minimizing disturbance in and around the nest.

Activities of some defense proteins associated with age or plant family in larch needles of Larix olgensis and L. kaempferi× L. gmelinii

Defence proteins are a kind of chemical defence compounds. They play a key role in plant restraining biotic and abiotic harm. To illuminate activities of some defense proteins associated with age or plant family of larch, the larch needles were collected from two different families of Korean larch, Larix olgensis and a hybrid larch, L. kaempferi × L. gmelinii, respectively, and then the activities of defence proteins in those were tested using a UV spectrophotometry. The results showed that the activities of protective enzymes at thel6-/17- and 19-year-age groups were higher than those at the other age groups in the both larch species. While the activities of polyphenol oxidase （PPO） at the 16-/17-year-age group and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase （PAL） and protease inhibitors at the 19-year-age group were the highest among all age groups. Then, compared with L. olgensis, the hybrid larch had significant effects on the activities of protective enzymes. The effects of plant family on the activities of PAL and chymotrypsin inhibitor were significantly different, and then those on the activities of PPO were not significantly different. The effects of the two families in L. olgensis on the activities of trypsin inhibitor （TI） were significantly different, while those in the hybrid larch on the activities of TI were contrary. To conclusions showed that the different age and plant family significantly affected the activities of defence proteins in the needles of two larch species, and then enhanced the larch resistance to pests. These could play a key function in forestry tree genetic improvement and management in future.

Key Elements of “Family” Life Style of Old-age Residential Facilities

The problem of old-age care in China is more and more serious. Under the background of continuous promotion of community old-age, the importance of research on the"family" life style of oldage residential facilities has become increasingly prominent. Through field survey of different types of oldage residential facilities and questionnaire interviews, the shortcomings of the old-age residential facilities in Xi’an were compared and summarized, and the key elements of "family" life style of the old-age residential facilities were concluded, which mainly include urban community embeddedness, family structure elements, indoor furnishings and accompanying care system. The "family" life style of the old-age residential facilities can not only maintain the "kinship" living needs, but also conform to the new direction of promoting the "community" of the old-age residential facilities in China.

Spatial Statistics and Age Structure of Leaf Cutting Ant Nests

In this study, we investigated the spatial aggregation of old and incipient nests of Atta sexdens rubropilosa by fitting Poisson and Negative binomial models to nest abundance data. Our aim is to analyse the distribution of ant nests in eucalypt regrowth, Cerrado and native forest fragment. We also investigated the correlation between nest abundance and climatic factors, as well as different nest ages. When comparing nests of different ages we observed an aggregated pattern for both old and incipient nests. On the other hand, analysing the distribution of nests separately, only taking into account the different areas and respective borders, old nests exhibited an aggregated pattern and incipient nests showed a random pattern, except for native forest with ants exhibiting only an aggregated pattern. The levels of aggregation changed in response to different areas and border gradients, with more external borders showing higher aggregation than more internal borders. Temperature was the variable showing the highest correlation with nest abundance and the correlation between nests of different ages was totally depending on the different areas.

Sleep Disturbance in Parkinson’s Disease Varies with Age of Onset and Family History

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease more common in those over the age of 60. PD is classically characterized by motor features, although patients may also experience non-motor symptoms. Sleep disturbances, such as rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder (RBD), are common in patients with PD and may precede onset of PD. Methods: Data was collected on patients with PD (358 subjects)in a movement disorders clinic at a safety net hospital. In this retrospective database analysis, the association of PD complications with age of onset was evaluated using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results: Of the PD complications analyzed, there was a significant difference in sleep disturbances by age. Among the 358 PD patients, 120 individuals (33.5%) had information regarding the presence or absence of sleep disturbances. There was a significant difference between the early (onset < 50) and later onset (≥50) groups (p = 0.03) with the odds of having a sleep disorder for the early group 1.6 times that of the late group. Those subjects with siblings who also had PD had 2.0 times the odds of having a sleep disorder compared those without (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disorders are a useful predictor of early onset PD. Genetic components of PD impact both motor and non-motor aspects of the disease.

Clothing Expenditures of Different Aged Families

This study was undertaken to investigate clothing expen-diture patterns of families in Shanghai, and especially the relationship between age of the family and the expendi-tures . Interview data from 292 families in Shanghai were used in analysis. Families were divided into three groups, including the young, middle - aged, and old families. Descriptive analysis and regression were em-ployed. Major findings concern total expenditures of family members as well as the entire family, and expen-ditures on different categories of clothing. Factors which had impacts on clothing expenditures were also investi-gated. It was concluded that age of the families had an impact on expenditures, and the three groups of families had different patterns of clothing consumption.

基于BIM技术的福州市连江县仁坂黄家祖厝建模研究

文章运用三维激光技术对福州市连江县仁坂黄家祖厝进行数据收集,对建筑要素进行系统性梳理,利用BIM技术的“族嵌套”方式构建“族”库以及可视化建筑信息模型。将BIM技术与福州古厝结合,为福州古厝保护研究工作提供了新的方式。仁坂黄家祖厝模型建立对福州其余古厝保护研究工作有着巨大的参考价值。

众包制造环境下协同产品族设计与延迟决策的主从关联优化

针对众包制造环境下产品族设计与延迟决策之间的协同优化问题,建立了以产品族设计为主、延迟决策为从的混合整数非线性双层规划模型。模型上层由制造商设计产品族架构以最大化自身的期望利润,下层由多个分销商优化延迟产品模块的类型以最大化各自的期望利润,且各分销商之间的决策具有相互独立性。考虑到延迟产品模块事先不确定,提出虚拟延迟结构将该优化问题具体化,并证明需要被延迟的产品模块。开发了一个双层嵌套遗传算法对模型进行求解。用智能冰箱产品族延迟案例验证了所提模型和算法的有效性,并对所提延迟偏好参数进行了灵敏度分析。

Differences in social isolation between young and old elderly in urban areas of Beijing, China: A cross-sectional study

Objectives:To understand the differences in social isolation among older adults and to identify risks associated with social isolation.Methods:Totally 485 participants aged 60 and older were recruited for this study.The Lubben Social Network Scale-6 and the Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey were used to measure social isolation and the different types of social support that the participants experienced.Results:The proportions of young elderly(60-74 years of age)and old elderly(greater than 74 years of age)that experienced social isolation in this study were 24.4%and 33.1%,respectively.For the young elderly,three types of social support were observed to be protective factors to help avoid social isolation,and the positive effect of social support obtained from friends and neighbors was slightly stronger than that of family members.Old elderly with only a senior high school education background were at high risk of being socially isolated.Only support from friends was observed to be a protective factor for the old elderly.Conclusions:The study indicated that different ages of older adults experienced different aspects of social relationships.We propose that nursing interventions for the elderly should focus on individualized social support as a protective factor to help older adults avoid being socially isolated.

Survey on hospice care attitude of family members of advanced cancer patients at different ages

BACKGROUND Hospice care plays an important role in improving the quality of life of advanced cancer patients,but controversy remains over whether age affects the attitudes of family members toward hospice care.AIM To investigate the attitudes of family members of advanced cancer patients of different ages toward hospice care.METHODS The study participants were 175 family members of patients with advanced cancer from January 2020 and October 2022.The participants were divided into youth(<40 years,n=65),middle-aged(40–60 years,n=59),and elderly(>60 years,n=51)groups.Researchers investigated and compared the degree of awareness regarding hospice care,attitudes,and whether the family members of patients would choose hospice care.RESULTS Among the family members of 175 patients,approximately 28%(49/175)were aware of hospice care.Awareness of hospice care,the proportion of hospice care acceptance and adaptation attitudes,and the proportion of those who chose hospice care in the youth group were higher in the middle-aged and elderly groups(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was found in these three indicators between the middle-aged and elderly groups(P>0.05).Hospice care was chosen mainly to relieve pain and reduce unnecessary treatment,whereas the reasons for not choosing hospice care were mainly distrust and ethical concerns.CONCLUSION The family members of patients with advanced cancer had relatively low awareness of hospice care,while youth had a higher awareness of hospice care,acceptance,and adaptation attitudes,and were more willing to choose hospice care.

Long-term monitoring data reveal effects of age,population density,and environmental aspects on hatching success of Common Cranes(Grus grus)

Facing climate and land use change,a species’ability to successfully adapt to changing environments is crucial for its survival.Extensive drainage and intensification of agriculture and forestry set wetlands and associated species at risk of population declines.The population of Common Cranes(Grus grus)has experienced considerable fluctuations over the last century.Despite increasing population numbers,hatching success seemed to have decreased over the last years.The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing hatching success and nest survival of Common Cranes based on analyses of long-term individual-based monitoring data from northeastern Germany and evaluate the species ability to adapt to changing environments.Hatching success decreased over the course of the study period from 0.75 to 0.55.Surprisingly,nest survival and hatching success did not vary across different nesting habitats,whereas factors such as female age,timing of nest initiation and breeding pair density were found to have significant effects on hatching success.Older females showed higher hatching success,even though the proportion of unhatched eggs was highest in females aged 20 years or older.Early nest initiation had a positive effect on hatching success.Water levels are more favorable early in the nesting season,whereas increasing evaporation with time causes water levels to decrease,granting easier access for predators.Independently of female age,hatching success decreased with increasing numbers of breeding pairs within a 2-km radius around a nesting site.High population densities intensify competition for resources and promote intraspecific interactions,affecting reproductive outcome negatively.This study gives first insights into mechanisms behind population regulation in Common Cranes,highlighting the importance of population dynamics and individual features.We suggest to further investigate density dependent effects including landscape and habitat features as well as reproductive success in terms of chick survival,since successfully raising juveniles is crucial for a species survival.

Uptake of in-vitro fertilization among couples attending fertility clinic in a tertiary health institution

Objective:To identify factors that determine the uptake of in-vitro fertilization(IVF),and to determine the predicting effect of the identified factors on the uptake of IVF among couples attending fertility clinic at a tertiary health institution in Benin City,Nigeria.Methods:This study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design.A self-structured questionnaire tested was validated and administered to 250 couples who attended fertility clinic.Data were collected from March 2021 to June 2021 and were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science(SPSS)version 21.Data were presented and interpreted using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as Chi-square,univariate statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:Among 250 couples,154(61.6%)were willing to adopt IVF.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that catholic religion[odds ratio(OR)0.21,95%confident interval(CI)0.54-0.73],family income(OR 1.50,95%CI 1.10-2.00)and age(OR 1.04,95%CI 1.01-1.10)were the major factors that determined the uptake of IVF,with P-value of<0.001,0.018 and 0.031,respectively.Conclusions:The uptake of IVF could be sustained or improved on,if the government should improve on the cost of living for families,and religious leaders need to be encouraged to pass on the information about IVF to their members to be well guided about the possibilities of IVF.

家庭医生模式下IMB模型联合远程健康管理对欠发达地区衰弱空巢老年原发性高血压患者的管理效果

目的 评价家庭医生模式下信息-动机-行为技巧(IMB)模型联合远程健康管理对欠发达地区衰弱空巢老年原发性高血压患者高血压疾病知识知晓度、血压控制效果和服药依从性的管理效果。方法 选择广西壮族自治区南宁市西乡塘区北湖南棉社区卫生服务中心的200例衰弱空巢老年原发性高血压患者,其中自愿签约家庭医生服务的患者为干预组(100例),未签约家庭医生服务的患者为对照组(100例)。给予对照组社区规范的原发性高血压健康管理服务,干预组在对照组管理措施的基础上增加家庭医生模式下IMB模型联合远程健康管理,两组均干预6个月。比较两组患者的高血压疾病知识知晓度、血压控制效果和服药依从性。结果 干预2个月、4个月、6个月后,干预组患者的高血压疾病知识知晓度问卷评分均高于对照组,服药依从情况均优于对照组,舒张压、收缩压均低于对照组(均P<0.05)。结论 家庭医生模式下IMB模型联合远程健康管理有助于提高衰弱空巢老年原发性高血压患者的高血压疾病知识知晓度、血压控制效果和服药依从性。

家庭生命周期与城市老年旅游消费——代际交互的调节作用

中国老龄化程度进一步加深,老年旅游消费对经济发展的影响不断增强。文章利用2018年“中国健康与养老追踪调查”(CHARLS)数据,采用广义线性模型Probit构建回归模型,探讨了家庭生命周期与城市老年旅游消费的关系,并从代际交互视角对影响机制进行分析。结果表明:家庭生命周期是城市老年旅游消费的重要影响因素,对城市老年旅游消费具有一定预测力。城市老年旅游消费影响因素会随着家庭生命周期变化而动态调整。对于空巢家庭,儿女给予的经济支持与照顾孙辈的时间均正向影响城市老年旅游消费;独居老人与儿女共同居住时间越长,得到儿女的经济支持越多,城市老年旅游消费越高;满巢家庭,“在婚”状态的父母与儿女共同居住的时间对城市老年旅游消费有负面影响,而“单身”状态的父或母与儿女共同居住时间对城市老年旅游消费影响较小。文章拓展了家庭生命周期理论在旅游消费研究领域的应用,加深了对城市老年旅游消费行为的理解,为政府部门和旅游企业提升老年福祉与推动老年旅游市场发展提供了理论借鉴。

Younger age of onset and multiple primary lesions associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases with a positive family history of the cancer suggests genetic predisposition

Background Previous epidemiological studies have consistently found a positive family history of esophageal cancer is associated with a significantly increased risk of the cancer.However,whether the elevated risk could be attributed to common household exposure or inherited susceptibility is uncertain.This study aimed to highlight the effect of genetic predisposition by noting the significant differences in onset age and multiple primary cancers between esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC） cases with or without a positive family history of the cancer.Methods Age at onset and the percentage of multiple primary cancers were compared between ESCCs with （n=766） or without （n=1 776） a positive family history of the cancer in a consecutive surgery cohort at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Hebei Tumor Hospital and the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University.Results Overall,ESCCs with a positive family history of the cancer featured both a significantly younger age of onset and significantly more multiple primary cancers than those with a negative family history （onset age 51.83 vs.53.49 years old,P 〈0.01; percent of multiple primary cancers 5.50% vs.1.70%,x2=25.42,P 〈0.01）.Both the differences were evident in subgroup analyses,but did not correlate.While age at onset differed significantly by family history among the male,smoking,and drinking groups,the difference of multiple primary cancers was significant among the otherwise nonsmoking,nondrinking,and younger onset age groups.Conclusions Younger age of onset and multiple primary cancers associated with ESCCs with a positive,as opposed to a negative family history of the cancer,suggest a genetic predisposition.The results of subgroup analyses indicate a younger age of ESCC development results from the interaction of environmental and genetic risk factors,but multiple primary cancers may be related only to genetic predisposition.

家庭参与式护理联合鸟巢式护理对早产儿生长发育的影响

目的探讨家庭参与式护理联合鸟巢式护理对早产儿生长发育的影响。方法80例早产儿按照入组顺序分为两组各40例。对照组采用常规护理,观察组采用家庭参与式护理联合鸟巢式护理。比较两组的体格生长情况和神经功能。结果干预后,观察组的体质量、头围、身长均高于对照组,NBNA各维度(行为能力、被动肌张力、主动肌张力、原始反射、一般评估)评分均高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论家庭参与式护理联合鸟巢式护理可促进早产儿的体格生长及神经发育。