title: ‘O sibling, where art thou?’ – a review of avian sibling recognition with respect to the mammalian literature

authors: Nakagawa, Shinichi

subjects: sibling recognition

abstract: Avian literature on sibling recognition is rare compared to that developed by mammalian researchers. We compare avian and mammalian research on sibling recognition to identify why avian work is rare, how approaches differ and what avian and mammalian researchers can learn from each other. Three factors: (1) biological differences between birds and mammals, (2) conceptual biases and (3) practical constraints, appear to influence our current understanding. Avian research focuses on colonial species because sibling recognition is considered adaptive where ‘mixing potential’ of dependent young is high; research on a wider range of species, breeding systems and ecological conditions is now needed. Studies of acoustic recognition cues dominate avian literature; other types of cues (e.g. visual, olfactory) deserve further attention. The effect of gender on avian sibling recognition has yet to be investigated; mammalian work shows that gender can have important influences. Most importantly, many researchers assume that birds recognise siblings through ‘direct familiarisation’ (commonly known as associative learning or familiarity); future experiments should also incorporate tests for ‘indirect familiarisation’ (commonly known as phenotype matching). If direct familiarisation proves crucial, avian research should investigate how periods of separation influence sibling discrimination. Mammalian researchers typically interpret sibling recognition in broad functional terms (nepotism, optimal outbreeding); some avian researchers more successfully identify specific and testable adaptive explanations, with greater relevance to natural contexts. We end by reporting exciting discoveries from recent studies of avian sibling recognition that inspire further interest in this topic.

text: ‘O sibling, where art thou?’ – a review of avian sibling recognition with respect to the mammalian literature Avian literature on sibling recognition is rare compared to that developed by mammalian researchers. We compare avian and mammalian research on sibling recognition to identify why avian work is rare, how approaches differ and what avian and mammalian researchers can learn from each other. Three factors: (1) biological differences between birds and mammals, (2) conceptual biases and (3) practical constraints, appear to influence our current understanding. Avian research focuses on colonial species because sibling recognition is considered adaptive where ‘mixing potential’ of dependent young is high; research on a wider range of species, breeding systems and ecological conditions is now needed. Studies of acoustic recognition cues dominate avian literature; other types of cues (e.g. visual, olfactory) deserve further attention. The effect of gender on avian sibling recognition has yet to be investigated; mammalian work shows that gender can have important influences. Most importantly, many researchers assume that birds recognise siblings through ‘direct familiarisation’ (commonly known as associative learning or familiarity); future experiments should also incorporate tests for ‘indirect familiarisation’ (commonly known as phenotype matching). If direct familiarisation proves crucial, avian research should investigate how periods of separation influence sibling discrimination. Mammalian researchers typically interpret sibling recognition in broad functional terms (nepotism, optimal outbreeding); some avian researchers more successfully identify specific and testable adaptive explanations, with greater relevance to natural contexts. We end by reporting exciting discoveries from recent studies of avian sibling recognition that inspire further interest in this topic.

year: 2004

title: Time-dependent particle acceleration in a Fermi reservoir

authors: Litvinenko, Yuri E.

subjects: acceleration of particles

abstract: Context. A steady model was presented by Burn, in which energy conservation is used to constrain the parameters of stochastic Fermi acceleration. A steady model, however, is unlikely to be adequate for particle acceleration in impulsive solar flares.
Aims. This paper describes a time-dependent model for particle acceleration in a Fermi reservoir 
Methods. The calculation is based on the original formulation of stochastic acceleration by Fermi, with additional physically motivated assumptions about the turbulent and particle energy densities within the reservoir, that are similar to those of the steady analysis. The problem is reduced to an integro-differential equation that possesses an analytical solution. 
Results. The model predicts the formation of a power-law differential energy spectrum N(E) similar to E-2, that is observable outside the reservoir. The predicted spectral index is independent of the parameters of the model. The results may help in understanding particle acceleration in solar flares and other astrophysical applications.

text: Time-dependent particle acceleration in a Fermi reservoir Context. A steady model was presented by Burn, in which energy conservation is used to constrain the parameters of stochastic Fermi acceleration. A steady model, however, is unlikely to be adequate for particle acceleration in impulsive solar flares.
Aims. This paper describes a time-dependent model for particle acceleration in a Fermi reservoir 
Methods. The calculation is based on the original formulation of stochastic acceleration by Fermi, with additional physically motivated assumptions about the turbulent and particle energy densities within the reservoir, that are similar to those of the steady analysis. The problem is reduced to an integro-differential equation that possesses an analytical solution. 
Results. The model predicts the formation of a power-law differential energy spectrum N(E) similar to E-2, that is observable outside the reservoir. The predicted spectral index is independent of the parameters of the model. The results may help in understanding particle acceleration in solar flares and other astrophysical applications.

year: 2012

title: A step into the light: developing a culturally appropriate research prcoess to study Maori Rangatahi perspectives of leisure in one setting.

authors: Harvey, Geraldine

subjects: research -- methodology

abstract: There is little knowledge of Maori peoples' leisure understandings, experiences and participation. This article reports on the development of a culturally appropriate research process that investigated the leisure participation, perspectives, and experiences of five Rotorua Maori Rangatahi in one research setting'. Within this exploration there is a focus on the need to conduct leisure research with Maori people in culturally appropriate ways. This research approach incorporates focus group methodology within a Kaupapa Maori research framework which addresses issues of research for Maori. The research process revealed that focus group methodology can be adapted into a Kaupapa Maori research framework and that this research approach could be an important tool when conducting research with Maori Rangatahi, including in educational contexts.

text: A step into the light: developing a culturally appropriate research prcoess to study Maori Rangatahi perspectives of leisure in one setting. There is little knowledge of Maori peoples' leisure understandings, experiences and participation. This article reports on the development of a culturally appropriate research process that investigated the leisure participation, perspectives, and experiences of five Rotorua Maori Rangatahi in one research setting'. Within this exploration there is a focus on the need to conduct leisure research with Maori people in culturally appropriate ways. This research approach incorporates focus group methodology within a Kaupapa Maori research framework which addresses issues of research for Maori. The research process revealed that focus group methodology can be adapted into a Kaupapa Maori research framework and that this research approach could be an important tool when conducting research with Maori Rangatahi, including in educational contexts.

year: 2002