Acoustical Communication in the Sharp-Tailed Grouse

The Sharp-tailed Grouse has evolved a highly complex system of visual and acoustical signals due to increased social interactions necessary with the predator pressure of an exposed environment. The first portion of the spring mating season is primarily involved with establishment and defense of territories. Predominant acoustical signals are aggressive, highly ritualized, and involved in individual location and recognition. During mid-season females visit the lek, are courted by males, and copulations occur. Acoustical signals are concerned with attracting and stimulating females, vary on a time and frequency continuum, and are thus not as highly ritualized. During the last portion of the season activity tapers off and acoustical signals diminish

Subcutaneous and cutaneous melanins in Rhabdomys: complementary ultraviolet radiation shields

We describe the pigmented tissue layer covering the skull of Rhabdomys pumilio and test the hypotheses that it is melanin and that it functions in absorption of ultraviolet solar radiation. The parietals were covered by a dark tissue layer with smaller amounts of pigment extending over the frontals and nasals. Pigment granules also were observed in many skeletal muscles. Histologically, these tissues contained granules that stained black with hematoxylin and eosin, and silver impregnation. Spectrographic absorbency scans of pigment on the skull and in the skin showed two pigment layers absorbing maximally at different ultraviolet wavelengths. We suggest that both pigments are melanin acting in a complementary manner to provide an effective central nervous system radiation shield in Rhabdomys

Merlins as nest predators

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Scrotal melanins in bats (Chiroptera): description, distribution, and function

Several species of bats contain pigment granules within the scrotal skin, tunica vaginalis or tunica albuginea surrounding the testis and/or epididymis. Seventy-two species of bats, representing 49 genera were examined for the presence of such pigmentation. Histological, chemical, and spectrophotometric tests were performed and confirmed the pigment as melanin. Melanin was found only in the families Pteropidae, Megadermatidae, Myzopodidae, and Vespertilionidae. A strong correlation exists between scrotal pigmentation and roosting in locations where the bats are exposed to solar radiation. Melanin pigmentation in the scrotal region appears to be an adaption protecting male germinal tissue from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. In one species, Lavia frons, melanin deposited within the scrotal skin appears to have a social/reproductive communication function

Is higher resilience predictive of lower stress and better mental health among corporate executives?

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of resilience, the ability to withstand and bounce back from adversity, on measures of well-being, self-reported stress, and mental health diagnoses.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional survey of participants seen at an executive health practice at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, from January 2012 through September 2016. Participants completed an anonymous survey that included demographic information and 3 validated survey instruments-the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the 12-item Linear Analogue Self-Assessment Scale (LASA), and the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Self-reported history of mental health diagnoses was also collected. CD-RISC scores were used to stratify participants into lower (ResultsOf the 2,027 eligible participants, 1,954 met the study inclusion criteria as currently employed corporate-sponsored executive or business professionals (self-designated) who completed the CD-RISC survey. Most participants (62.5%) were aged 40 to 59 years. The majority were male (78.3%), white (95.3%), educated (86.2%), and in a committed relationship (89.7%). Among participants, 41.7% reported higher resilience, 34.3% had medium resilience, and 24.0% had lower resilience. The quality of life and overall LASA scores were positively associated with higher resilience (P ConclusionsIn this cross-sectional survey of a large cohort of corporative executives, the lower-resilience cohort had a 4-fold higher prevalence of depression and an almost 3-fold higher prevalence of anxiety compared with the higher-resilience cohort. High resilience was positively associated with well-being and negatively associated with perceived stress. Our findings suggest that higher resilience in the executive workplace environment is associated with better mental health, reduced stress, and greater well-being

Supplementing Intensive Targeted Computerized Cognitive Training With Social Cognitive Exercises for People With Schizophrenia: An Interim Report

ObjectiveIndividuals with schizophrenia demonstrate cognitive, social cognitive, and motivational deficits that contribute to impairment in real-world functioning. In the current study, we investigated the effects of supplementing computerized neurocognitive training with social cognitive exercises, as compared with neurocognitive training alone.MethodIn this ongoing, double-blind, randomized controlled trial of 111 participants with psychosis, we compare the effects of supplementing intensive targeted cognitive training with social cognitive training exercises (TCT + SCT) with the effects of targeted cognitive training alone (TCT-only). Participants were assessed on cognition, symptoms, functional capacity, and functional outcomes, as well as social cognition and measures related to reward processing.ResultsBoth treatment groups showed significant improvement in multiple cognitive domains and improvement in functional capacity. However, as predicted, TCT + SCT group participants showed significant improvement in prosody identification and reward processing relative to TCT-only participants.Conclusions and implications for practiceOur findings indicate that supplementing intensive computerized cognitive training with social cognitive exercises in people with psychosis confers greater benefits in prosody identification and reward processing relative to cognitive training alone, even though both approaches drive significant improvements in cognition and functional capacity. Impairments in both prosody identification and reward processing have been associated with greater negative symptoms and poorer functional outcomes in schizophrenia, raising the possibility that this form of treatment may lead to better long-term outcomes than traditional cognitive training approaches. Follow-up assessments will determine whether results are durable and generalize over time to improvements in symptoms and functioning. (PsycINFO Database Recor