SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “provisioning behaviour”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Trade-offs in avian parental care: a review of theory and meta-analysis of brood size manipulations.

The selective forces shaping parental care have been studied for over 50 years. While theoretical and experimental work has yielded qualitative progress, the large body of empirical work testing predictions about parental investment based on life-history trade-offs has yet to be synthesized. We first provide an overview of the core life-history theory exploring how selection might shape parental care. We then conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on studies that experimentally manipulated brood size in birds, a widely used experimental approach to manipulate parental investment. We extracted 313 estimates from 62 studies representing 31 species of birds from 19 different families and tested key predictions on trade-offs in parental care derived from theory. Our analysis provides strong support for some predictions about life-history trade-offs in parental care, but weak or equivocal support for others. Specifically, we found that overall, avian parents respond to brood size manipulations as predicted by life-history theory: they increased care in response to brood enlargement, and decreased care in response to brood reductions. Furthermore, for the same relative manipulation size, responses to brood reductions were greater than responses to brood enlargements. This finding is consistent with predictions derived from life-history theory based on some types of non-linear utility curves. However, many predictions derived from theory are not well supported by our comparative analysis. Species' life-history traits such as clutch size (a measure of current reproduction), adult survival, and broods per year (two measures of future reproduction), explained little, if any, among-species variation in response to brood size manipulations. Several factors may explain this. We highlight that brood size manipulations may affect more than just perception of the value of current reproduction, such as altering parents' perception of predation risk. Importantly, these unintended consequences could lead to asymmetric responses like those we observed. Other common experimental approaches - such as hormone manipulations, altering a partner's effort, and food supplementation - often affect multiple traits or fitness components simultaneously, or may involve cues that poorly match the evolved mechanisms guiding parental behaviour. Our review of both theory and experimental approaches suggests that there are multiple opportunities for more precise experiments. We offer several recommendations for effective designs. One is improved understanding of the biology underlying the functions relating to costs and benefits, with careful consideration of not only how the manipulation will affect only one of those, but also the mechanisms that might alter how parents perceive the manipulation. We also emphasize general principles, such as assessing alternative hypotheses and devising multiple independent tests. Armed with these recommendations, we believe there are new opportunities to increase the strength of inference achieved from studies aimed at understanding the trade-offs affecting the evolution of parental care.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

A behavioural programme for the management of anorexia nervosa.

A treatment programme, based on the use of behavioural principles, is described. Important components of programme include the active participation of the patient in all phases of treatment planning, the use of contingent reinforcement for weight gain rather than eating behaviour, the provision of frequent feedback regarding progress and the lowering of the "response cost" for eating. In addition contracting, and the use of random scheduling of follow-up contacts, along with family therapy, are employed to maintain weight gain following discharge. The results achieved with an initial group of 5 female patients are briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

The other handicap: brightness.

Because of changing attitudes to the measurement of mental abilities, only the slow child is assessed and receives special educational help. By contrast, the bright child may remain undetected because unassessed. For these children there are few special provisions, and they may present as behaviourally disturbed or educationally retarded. We describe four such children, and we feel that more facilities should be devoted to helping bright children, both at home and in school.

Child↗

PubMed2026

Microbial allies in a cotton pest: A descriptive account of associated microbiota dynamics in Dysdercus cingulatus across development.

BACKGROUND: Hemipteran insects harbour several symbiotic partners, mainly bacteria, which play pivotal roles for hosts like dietary provision, support overall physiology, xenobiotic degradation and manipulate/regulate behaviour. Most of these symbionts usually reside and operate from the digestive tracts of the animals. Cotton is one of the major cash crops in India and Dysdercus cingulatus (D. cingulatus) though a secondary pest, is causing significant destruction of cotton bolls, poor lint quality and reduce oil content of seeds. Premature opening of cotton bolls often leads to bacterial and fungal infections, thus resulting in extensive economic loss worldwide. D. cingulatus is a hemimetabolous insect that comprises of developmental stages like egg, nymph (5 instar stages), and adult. The present work explored the ontogeny specific diversity in the associated microbiota and predicted their probable functional inputs in D. cingulatus. RESULTS: The data obtained using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (NovaSeq 6000) revealed presence of members of Proteobacteria (65.83%), Firmicutes (24%), Actinobacteria (10%) phyla throughout the ontogeny of D. cingulatus. Highest alpha diversity of these symbiotic bacteria was recorded in the third instar nymphs in contrast to rest of the developmental stages. Among all the observed genera, Stenotrophomonas, Hungatella and Glutamicibacter were predominant from egg to adult stages. MicFunPred, a tool used for predicting the probable functional inputs of these symbionts, hinted at their probable stage specific contribution in crucial biochemical pathways such as polyketide biosynthesis, ascorbate/aldarate metabolism, pentose phosphate and glyoxylate cycles, steroid hormone and peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and glycolysis/pyruvate metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: The primary investigations on the ontogenetic composition and diversity of associated microbiota, suggest dynamic shifts in D. cingulatus, concurrent with their probable functions/roles in the host development and metabolism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on symbiotic microbiota variation across the developmental stages of D. cingulatus that provides preliminary descriptive observations that may guide future functional and experimental investigations into microbiota-based pest management.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

The effect of location on the elderly mentally infirm: relationship to mortality and behavioural deterioration.

An investigation was carried out into the effects of location on the elderly mentally infirm. While location had no bearing on subsequent mortality there was some evidence to suggest that some aspects of behavioural deterioration were influenced by the type of location and in those cases residential home placement seemed to produce the least deterioration over and 18-month period when the effects of mental and behavioural competent were taken into account. The implications of these findings for the provision of long-term care for the elderly are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1977

General practitioners and the independent contractor status.

Primary medical care can be provided either by a bureaucratic hierarchical organization or alternatively by independent contractors. Most members of the caring professions in medicine, nursing, and social work are employed in bureaucracies, whereas general medical practitioners, general dental practitioners, opticians, and pharmacists are independent contractors.The independent contractor status has recently been heavily attacked from within the medical and nursing professions, and also from outside. It has been suggested that contracting for services is an inappropriate and anomalous way of arranging medical care, which should now be stopped. However, this process of contracting for services can be analysed, using perspectives from some of the behavioural sciences, to reveal hidden depths in the independent contractor status which suggest that the provision of primary medical care is best carried out by independent contractors.

Contract Services↗

PubMed1975

Voluntary lithium intake, antidotal thirst' and concurrent behavior of rats.

1 Voluntary intake of various pair combinations of fluids (100 mM, 10 mM LiC1, 10 mM NaC1, water) and body weight was measured daily in rats. 2 More lithium was consumed when water was available. 3 When offered a lithium-sodium choice the rats did not consume significantly more saline than water on the previous trial. While saline consumption increased over the two days, lithium decreased slightly. 4 Following the lithium-only trial, water and saline were provided. Marked polydipsia was observed on the first day and the rats drank more water than saline. On the second day there was a significant drop in saline intake while water consumption returned to baseline levels. 5 Behavioural measurements overall confirmed the depressant effect of lithium: decreased ambulation and rearing and increased time spent immobile/grooming. 6 These findings are discussed with reference to lithium toxicity, which may be a comfounding variable in studies concerned with the effects of this salt on the behavior of laboratory rodents. Behavioural irritability such as aggression reported in situations using long-term lithium treatment may be reduced by provision for voluntary saline consumption.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

What Constitutes Effective Support and Provision Within Day Service Centres for People With Intellectual Disabilities? A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research.

BACKGROUND: This review aimed to investigate the effectiveness and quality of support and provision within day service centres for people with intellectual disabilities. METHOD: The International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, Scopus and PsycInfo databases were searched in August 2024, and the results were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed, English-language, qualitative studies that investigated the effectiveness of day service provision for people with intellectual disabilities in non-residential settings were considered for review. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative research. Qualitative themes were identified through thematic analysis and synthesised using the ConQual approach. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included and four key themes emerged: 'perceptions of service quality'; 'community-orientation, integration, and empowerment'; 'challenging behaviours and safety'; and 'staff-centred factors and job satisfaction'. Confidence in the evidence was 'very low' for 3/4 themes, while there was 'moderate' confidence in the evidence related to the theme 'perceptions of service quality'. CONCLUSIONS: Day service centres for people with intellectual disabilities may enhance their effectiveness and quality of provision by concentrating on promoting communication, engagement, relationships, social networks and community integration. Addressing the methodological shortcomings and incomplete reporting of related research in future would contribute to improvements in overall confidence in the evidence base. This can then be better used to inform and further enhance day service provision for people with intellectual disabilities.

Humans↗

PubMed1992

Socioeconomic impacts and management ciguatera in the Pacific.

The inshore fisheries resource is important to the health and culture of many of the inhabitants of Pacific Island countries (PIC). Ciguateric fishes (mainly demersal reef fishes) cause a range of distressing and often debilitating gastrointestinal neurological and cardiovascular disturbances. Consequently, ciguatera limits the utilisation of this otherwise over-exploited resource. For many victims, the symptoms suffered during the chronic phase of ciguatera (lasting weeks, months and occasionally years) are exacerbated upon consumption of certain foods, particularly non-toxic fishes. After each outbreak, victims and members of their social-network experience a transient increase in perception of the risk of eating reef fish. The impact of ciguatera is greatest in atoll island countries where fish is the primary source of protein (it also has a major impact and to facilitate the management of ciguatera in PIC, regular information is required that quantifies: (i) the true incidence of ciguatera; (ii) the extent and way in which different communities avoid ciguatera; and (iii) the adverse impact ciguatera has on health, the workforce, trade and tourism. Over the last 15 years (based on SPEHIS data to 1990), some countries recorded a decrease in the ciguatera problem (New Caledonia, Marshall Is.), other countries an increase (Kirbati, Tuvalu, French Polynesia), while still other countries recorded an increase followed by a decrease in ciguatera (Tokelau, American Samoa, Western Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu). There may also be seasonal trends in the incidence of ciguatera in some countries e.g. Fiji. Management options presently implementable in PIC include: (i) treatment with i.v. mannitol; (ii) provision of timely advise on the location and status of ciguatera "hot spots" in each country that would allow affected communities to react objectively to the risk posed by ciguatera; and (iii) modification of human behaviour and aspirations to reduce the impact of increasing population, pollution and development (e.g. causeways) pressures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Intervention gerontology: remarks from the psychiatric viewpoint].

The american authors describe intervention as a preventive, especially behaviour therapeutic informed measure. It tries to influence the biographical development. Psychiatric care of need and psychiatric crisis demand a medical therapy on the up-to-date occasion or an institutional long-termed provision. Intervention programs contact themselves with the multidimensional disposition, ecological aspects, and permanent informations of concerned people and the persons of their environment.

Aged↗

PubMed1977

The needs of the intellectually handicapped.

There are about 10 000 intellectually handicapped people in New Zealand. Most are fit, healthy, mobile adults with individual needs and the same rights as other citizens. Most can be trained to live semi-independent lives, living within the community in family-type homes, flats or small hostels, provided properly organised and efficient community based support services are developed. A minority present major problems in behaviour, or lack mobility, or are multi-handicapped and require permanent institutional care. Such institutions should be small and located in the community that they serve. There is a need for action, not words, in developing the provisions for the intellectually handicapped in our community.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

Ranks and relationships in Highland ponies and Highland Cows.

Recent studies of primates have questioned the importance of dominance hierarchies in groups living under natural conditions. In a herd of Highland ponies and one of Highland cattle grazing under free-range conditions on the Isle of Rhum (Inner Hebrides) well defined hierarchies were present. The provision of food produced a marked increase in the frequency of agonistic interactions but had no effect on the rank systems of the two herds. While rank was clearly important in affecting the distribution of agonistic interactions, it was poorly related to behaviour in non-agonistic situations.

Agonistic Behavior↗

PubMed1978

Anomalous behaviour of control sera in automated versions of the Kind and King alkaline phosphatase method.

Differences in alkaline phosphatase activity of some commerical control sera were observed when comparing manual with AutoAnalyzer versions of the Kind and King procedure. This phenomenon was found to be associated with sera boosted with exogenous alkaline phosphatase and to be owing mainly to inadequate provision of buffer in some automated methods. It is suggested that a modification to the SMA procedure may lessen the problem, but the constraints of the system necessitate a compromise. There was better precision after the modification had been introduced. Awareness of this phenomenon is of paramount importance if commerical sera are to be used in any way in the calibration of automated systems for alkaline phosphatase assay.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed2026

A profile of firearm-related fatalities admitted to the Diepkloof Forensic Pathology Service Soweto medico-legal mortuary during the COVID-19 and post COVID-19 periods.

This retrospective descriptive study examined firearm-related fatalities during (April-December 2020; n = 241) and after (April-December 2023; n = 299) COVID-19 lockdowns using 540 cases from the Diepkloof Forensic Pathology Service, Soweto, South Africa. Data was obtained from autopsy reports, forensic records, police statements, and death scene documentation. Firearm violence affected young adult Black males (22-43 years), with only minor demographic shifts post-pandemic. The overall burden and core patterns of violence remained stable, with criminal activity - primarily robbery and interpersonal violence - persisting as the leading contexts, and homicide the dominant manner of death. Post-COVID-19 findings demonstrated contextual shifts, including increased incidents in public and social environments, reflecting greater mobility and resumption of social activity. A significant rise in mean blood alcohol concentration (0.09 g/100 mL vs 0.14 g/100 mL; p < 0.0001) suggests increased alcohol involvement following easing of restrictions. Unfortunately, persistent information gaps, noted particularly in circumstantial history, incident location, firearm type, highlighting the need for improved data provision and capture systems. While the epidemiology of firearm-related fatalities remained unchanged, the post-COVID-19 period was characterised by increased alcohol involvement, shifts toward public-space violence, and fewer gunshot wounds per victim, suggesting changes in situational and behavioural dynamics rather than underlying drivers of violence.

Humans↗

PubMed1976

Long-term psychiatric care in Ontario: the Homes for Special Care Program.

During the last decade in Ontario large numbers of patients with chronic psychiatric disorders have been discharged from the mental hospitals and are now scattered throughout other psychiatric facilities. The Homes for Special Care Program offers privately run but government-funded accommodation for severely disabled patients with relatively stable and socially acceptable behaviour, who require residential or nursing care but are thought unlikely to benefit from further hospital treatment. Salient features of the program include the formal discharge of patients from hospital and their legal reinstatement as "persons", the cessation of active psychiatric treatment, and the provision of ongoing care and supervision by largely untrained personnel. Medical care is provided by general practitioners and the program looks to volunteer agencies to provide recreational and other activities for residents.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Provision of food and fluids in terminal care: a sociological analysis.

The artificial provision of nutrition and hydration to those with end-stage malignant disease is addressed. The physiology of cancer is investigated and is found to render such treatment futile in many instances. An analysis of the sociology of food, and the role of gender in its provision is discussed, and placed in the social milieu of the acute hospital, where there is to be found a cultural replication of the family. It is hypothesized that it is the synthesis of the powerful symbols of food and family that is at the root of behaviour in this area. Implications for patients and caregivers are explored.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed1975

The first seventy admissions to an adolescent unit in Edinburgh: general characteristics and treatment outcome.

1. The clinical functioning of the Young People's Unit, Edinburgh is described. This involves a relatively permissive, democratic "milieu". Psychotherapeutic efforts are devoted to the resolution of family psychopathology and the achievement of maturational progress for the adolescent. 2. Data on the first seventy admittions to the Unit were examined. Two-thirds of the patients were diagnosed "developmental crisis"; the majority of these also had a personality disorder. 3. Assessments of family functioning showed high levels of disturbance and psychiatric morbidity among the parents. The adolescents had mutually good, positive relationships with their opposite-sexed parents, but markedly negative ones with the same-sexed parents. This was not in accordance with the usual findings in "normal" families. Delinquent and impulsive patients showed uniformly negative family attitudes. 4. A simple estimation of treatment outcome at discharge gave results comparable to those of other units, with 70 per cent of patients rated as improved. Neurotic and psychotic patients had a relatively better outcome. Tension-discharge personality disorder and a history of very disruptive or antisocial behaviour were associated with poor outcome. 5. The poor response of very disturbed, impulsive adolescents to this type of therapeutic regime is discussed. These individuals do not appear to have sufficient personality resources and organization to benefit from this type of treatment. Emerging from this is a suggestion for an increased provision of specialized units offering containment and intensive care to the very disturbed adolescent.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cataract patients' post-op eye-care: development and evaluation of a teaching program.

A project was undertaken to develop and trial an eye care education program for use in routine nursing care. It was initiated in response to research findings that suggested patients may have been discharged from a particular hospital inadequately prepared to perform their own eye care following cataract surgery. The trial assessed the program's effectiveness in relation to predetermined standards of eye care behaviour; its practicability and its performance relative to a conventional teaching approach. Outcomes of the trial indicated that neither the program nor the conventional teaching approach provided adequate preparation for the self delivery of eye care. This is believed to relate to the limited time nurses had for face-to-face teaching and, hence, for facilitating the consolidation and application of learning. The study concludes that the provision of effective eye care education in an inpatient context lies in approaches which reduce the amount to be taught in the limited teaching time that is available. It is suggested that the relevance may not be confined to eye care education.

Cataract Extraction↗