Plasticity in social behaviour varies with reproductive status in an avian cooperative breeder.

Cooperatively breeding vertebrates are common in unpredictable environments where the costs and benefits of providing offspring care fluctuate temporally. To balance these fitness outcomes, individuals of cooperatively breeding species often exhibit behavioural plasticity according to environmental conditions. Although individual variation in cooperative behaviours is well-studied, less is known about variation in plasticity of social behaviour. Here, we examine the fitness benefits, plasticity and repeatability of nest guarding behaviour in cooperatively breeding superb starlings (Lamprotornis superbus). After demonstrating that the cumulative nest guarding performed at a nest by all breeders and helpers combined is a significant predictor of reproductive success, we model breeder and helper behavioural reaction norms to test the hypothesis that individuals invest more in guarding in favourable seasons with high rainfall. Variation in nest guarding behaviour across seasons differed for individuals of different reproductive status: breeders showed plastic nest guarding behaviour in response to rainfall, whereas helpers did not. Similarly, we found that individual breeders show repeatability and consistency in their nest guarding behaviour while individual helpers did not. Thus, individuals with the potential to gain direct fitness benefits exhibit greater plasticity and individual-level repeatability in cooperative behaviour.

Consumer (dis-)interest in Genetic Ancestry Testing: The roles of race, immigration, and ancestral certainty.

Genetic ancestry testing (GAT) is marketed as a way to make up for missing knowledge about one's ancestry. Previous research questions the GAT industry's ability to fulfill this promise in terms of the validity and reliability of test results. We instead explore the demand side of GAT, evaluating who is most and least likely to express interest in GAT. Using data from an original, nationwide survey of over 100,000 American adults, we find that GAT interest is related to both self-identified race and immigrant generation, with Asian Americans and first-generation immigrants expressing the least interest. Our quantitative and qualitative evidence suggests interest is further shaped by a pre-existing sense of ancestral certainty, leading some individuals to decline GAT, even if it were free. How interest and ancestral certainty are patterned has implications for who is included in - and thus for the conclusions that can be drawn from - genetic ancestry databases.

Early Experiences Engaging Patients Through Patient and Family Advisory Councils.

Primary care practices are increasingly asked to engage patients in improving care delivery. We report early experiences with Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) from interviews of patients and practice staff in the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative, and identify ways to improve PFACs. Patients and practice staff report PFACs help practices elicit patient feedback and, in response, improve care delivery. Nonetheless, there are areas for refinement, including recruiting more diverse patients, providing an orientation to members, overcoming reticence of some patients to raise issues, and increasing transparency by sharing progress with PFAC members and patients in the practice more generally.