Respiration and energetics of embryonic development in a large altricial bird, the Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

We examined whether the previously reported low cost of embryonic development in pelicans could be attributed to a more efficient conversion of egg energy to hatchling tissues as a result of high initial egg water content, low embryonic metabolic rate and growth later in incubation than in more precocious species. We therefore determined egg and hatchling composition and the development of embryonic respiration in the Australian pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus, which lays one of the largest eggs (140-210 g) with an altricial developmental mode. The small yolk fraction (21%) is typical of all pelecaniforms; however, we found that intraspecific variability in fresh egg mass was related to water content (principally in the albumen), but independent of yolk mass (mean 13 g dry mass). P. conspicillatus eggs have, on average, 635 kJ of energy, irrespective of egg mass across the whole range of egg mass. The embryonic developmental pattern of O2 consumption and CO2 production showed clear plateaus lasting 2-3 days immediately prior to internal pipping, resembling the typical precocial pattern. However, the rate of pre-internal pipping O2 consumption was low in comparison with that of precocial species of similar egg mass. There is no evidence to support the hypothesis that the observed plateau in rates of O2 uptake is due to a diffusion limitation of the eggshell gas conductance in this species. Embryonic metabolic rate nearly doubled during the pipping period, but the mass-independent metabolic rate of the hatchling was low in comparison with that of the resting adult. The total O2 consumed (11 063 ml) is equivalent to 217.3 kJ (or 34% of egg energy) based on indirect calorimetry and the observed respiratory exchange ratio of 0.71. Thus, the cost of development (direct calorimetry) was 0.29 kJ J-1 in the egg (mean egg mass 168 g), which is one of lowest reported values. As a result, the production efficiency of pelican embryonic development was 61.6%, higher than the average for birds in general (56.9%) and, in particular, of seabirds that have prolonged incubation periods on the basis of egg mass. High efficiency in embryonic development in this species was attained as a result of rapid embryonic growth later in incubation, low hatchling energy density (23.6 kJ g-1 dry matter) and dry matter content, low embryonic metabolic rate throughout incubation and a shorter than expected incubation period of 33 days (predicted 36 days).James T. Pearson, Roger S. Seymour, Russell V. Baudinette and Susan Runcima

Developmental allometry of pulmonary structure and function in the altricial Australian pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus.

Quantitative methods have been used to correlate maximal oxygen uptake with lung development in Australian pelicans. These birds produce the largest altricial neonates and become some of the largest birds capable of flight. During post-hatching growth to adults, body mass increases by two orders of magnitude (from 88·g to 8.8·kg). Oxygen consumption rates were measured at rest and during exposure to cold and during exercise. Then the lungs were quantitatively assessed using morphometric techniques. Allometric relationships between body mass (M) and gas exchange parameters (Y) were determined and evaluated by examining the exponents of the equation Y=aMb. This intraspecific study was compared to interspecific studies of adult birds reported in the literature. Total lung volume scales similarly in juvenile pelicans (b=1.05) as in adult birds (b=1.02). However, surface area of the blood–gas barrier greatly increases (b=1.25), and its harmonic mean thickness does not significantly change (b=0.02), in comparison to exponents from adult birds (b=0.86 and 0.07, respectively). As a result, the diffusing capacity of the blood–gas tissue barrier increases much more during development (b=1.23) than it does in adult birds of different sizes (b=0.79). It increases in parallel to maximal oxygen consumption rate (b=1.28), suggesting that the gas exchange system is either limited by lung development or possibly symmorphic. The capacity of the oxygen delivery system is theoretically sufficient for powered flight well in advance of the bird’s need to use it.Roger S. Seymour, Sue Runciman, Russell V. Baudinette and James T. Pearso

The pure effect of social preferences on regional location choices: The evolving dynamics of convergence to a steady state population distribution

This paper tracks the consequences of individuals’ desire to align their location with their social preferences. The social preference studied in the paper is distaste for relative deprivation, measured in a cardinal manner. Location is conceived as social space, with individuals choosing to relocate if, as a result, their relative deprivation will be reduced, holding their incomes constant. Conditions are provided under which the associated dynamics reaches a spatial steady state, the number of periods it takes to reach a steady state is specified, and light is shed on the robustness of the steady state outcome. By way of simulation it is shown that for large populations, a steady state of the relocation dynamics is almost always reached, typically in one period, and that cycles are more likely to occur when the populations’ income distributions are more equal

Living apart, losing sympathy? How neighbourhood context affects attitudes to redistribution and to welfare recipients

Rising levels of income inequality have been directly linked to rising levels of spatial segregation. In this paper, we explore whether rising segregation may in turn erode support for the redistributive policies of the welfare state, further increasing levels of inequality – a form of positive feedback. The role of the neighbourhood has been neglected in attitudes research but, building on both political geography and ‘neighbourhood effects’ literatures, we theorise that neighbourhood context may shape attitudes through the transmission of attitudes directly and through the accumulation of relevant knowledge. We test this through multilevel modelling of data from England on individual attitudes to redistribution in general and to welfare benefit recipients in particular. We show that the individual factors shaping these attitudes are quite different and that the influence of neighbourhood context also varies as a result. The findings support the idea that neighbourhood context shapes attitudes, with the knowledge accumulation mechanism likely to be the more important. Rising spatial segregation would appear to erode support for redistribution but to increase support for welfare recipients – at least in a context where the dominant media discourse presents such a stigmatising image of those on welfare benefits

Lumen shape reconstruction using a soft robotic balloon catheter and electrical impedance tomography

Incorrectly sized balloon catheters can lead to increased post-surgical complications, yet even with preoperative imaging, correct selection remains a challenge. With limited feedback during surgery, it is difficult to verify correct deployment. We propose the use of integrated impedance measurements and Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) imaging to assess the deformation of the balloon and determine the size and shape of the surrounding lumen. Previous work using single impedance measurements, or pressure data and analytical models, whilst demonstrating high sizing accuracy, have assumed a circular cross section. Here we extend these methods by adding a multitude of electrodes to detect elliptical and occluded lumen and obtain EIT images to localise deformations. Using a 14 Fr (5.3 mm) catheter as an example, numerical simulations were performed to find the optimal electrode configuration of two rings of 8 electrodes spaced 10 mm apart. The simulations predicted that the maximum detectable aspect ratio decreased from 0.9 for a 14mm balloon to 0.5 at 30mm. The sizing and ellipticity detection results were verified experimentally. A prototype robotic balloon catheter was constructed to automatically inflate a compliant balloon while simultaneously recording EIT and pressure data. Data were collected in experiments replicating stenotic vessels with an elliptical and asymmetrical profile, and the widening of a lumen during angioplasty. After calibration, the system was able to correctly localise the occlusion and detect aspect ratios of 0.75. EIT images further localised the occlusion and visualised the dilation of the lumen during balloon inflation

Who is to blame? The relationship between ingroup identification and relative deprivation is moderated by ingroup attributions

Contradictory evidence can be found in the literature about whether ingroup identification and perceived relative deprivation are positively or negatively related. Indeed, theoretical arguments can be made for both effects. It was proposed that the contradictory findings can be explained by considering a hitherto unstudied moderator: The extent to which deprivation is attributed to the ingroup. It was hypothesised that identification would only have a negative impact on deprivation, and that deprivation would only have a negative impact on identification, if ingroup attributions are high. To test this, attributions to the ingroup were experimentally manipulated among British student participants (N = 189) who were asked about their perceived deprivation vis-à-vis German students, yield ing support for the hypotheses

Measuring change in vulnerable adolescents: Findings from a peer education evaluation in South Africa

Introduction: In the context of poverty and HIV and AIDS, peer education is thought to be capable of providing vulnerable youth with psychosocial support as well as information and decision-making skills otherwise limited by scarce social and material resources. As a preventative education intervention method, peer education is a strategy aimed at norms and peer group influences that affect health behaviours and attitudes. However, too few evaluations of peer-led programmes are available,and they frequently fail to reflect real differences between those who have been recipients of peer education and those who have not. This article reports on an evaluation of a pilot peer-led intervention, entitled Vhutshilo, implemented on principles agreed upon through a collaborative effort in South Africa by the Harvard School of Public Health and the Centre for theSupport of Peer Education (the Rutanang collaboration). Vhutshilo targeted vulnerable adolescents aged 14–16 years living in some of South Africa’s under-resourced communities. Methodology: The research design was a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative), longitudinal, quasi-experimental evaluation. Tools used included a quantitative survey questionnaire (n ¼ 183) and semi-structured interviews (n ¼ 32) with beneficiaries of peer education. Surveys were administered twice forbeneficiaries of peer education (n ¼ 73), immediately after completion of the programme (post-test) and 4 months later (delayed post-test), and once for control group members (n ¼ 110). The three main  methodological limitations in this study were the use of a once-off control group assessment as the baseline for comparison, without a pre-test, due to timing and resource constraints; a small sample size (n ¼ 183), which reduced the statistical power of the evaluation; and the unavailability of existing tested survey questions to measure the impact of peer education and its role in behaviour change. Findings: This article reports on the difficulties of designing a comprehensive evaluation within time and financial constraints, critically evaluates survey design with multi-item indicators, and discusses six statistically significant changes observed in Vhutshilo participants out of a 92-point survey. Youth struggling with poor quality education and living in economically fraught contexts with little social support, nonetheless, showed evidence of having greater knowledge of support networks and an expanded emotional repertoire by the end of the Vhutshilo programme, and 4 months later. At both individual and group level, many with low socio-economic status showed great improvement with regard to programme indicator scores. Conclusion: For the poorest adolescents, especially those living in the rural parts of South Africa, peer education has the potential to change future orientation, attitudes and knowledge regarding HIV and AIDS, including an intolerance for multiple concurrent partnerships. When well organised and properly supported, peer education programmes (and the Vhutshilo curriculum, in particular) provide vulnerable youth with opportunities to develop  psychosocial skills and informational resources that contribute to the changing of norms, attitudes and behaviours. However, the article also flags the need for effective peer education evaluations that take into account limited financial resources and that possess tested indicators of programme effectiveness

Does wage rank affect employees' well-being?

How do workers make wage comparisons? Both an experimental study and an analysis of 16,000 British employees are reported. Satisfaction and well-being levels are shown to depend on more than simple relative pay. They depend upon the ordinal rank of an individual's wage within a comparison group. “Rank” itself thus seems to matter to human beings. Moreover, consistent with psychological theory, quits in a workplace are correlated with pay distribution skewness

'Word from the street' : when non-electoral representative claims meet electoral representation in the United Kingdom

Taking the specific case of street protests in the UK – the ‘word from the street’– this article examines recent (re)conceptualizations of political representation, most particularly Saward’s notion of ‘representative claim’. The specific example of nonelectoral claims articulated by protestors and demonstrators in the UK is used to illustrate: the processes of making, constituting, evaluating and accepting claims for and by constituencies and audiences; and the continuing distinctiveness of claims based upon electoral representation. Two basic questions structure the analysis: first, why would the political representative claims of elected representatives trump the nonelectoral claims of mass demonstrators and, second, in what ways does the ‘perceived legitimacy’ of the former differ from the latter

Revisión bibliográfica sobre las transferencias monetarias condicionadas en Colombia

Trabajo de investigaciónEstudio del proceso de implementación de los Programas de Transferencias Monetarias Condicionadas como herramienta para combatir la pobreza en Latinoamérica, su influencia en Colombia y un breve análisis del Programa Jóvenes en Acción para verificar su accionar como estrategia generadora de capital humano y su enfoque para la disminución de brechas sociales; representada en el aumento de posibilidades de acceso a la educación superior por parte de jóvenes en estado de pobreza y vulnerabilidad.INTRODUCCIÓN 1. POBREZA Y PROTECCIÓN SOCIAL 2. MARCO TEÓRICO 3. ESTADO DEL ARTE 4. PROGRAMAS DE TRANSFERENCIAS MONETARIAS CONDICIONADAS EN COLOMBIA 5. JÓVENES EN ACCIÓN CONCLUSIONES BIBLIOGRAFÍAPregradoEconomist