Sex, personality and conspecific density influence natal dispersal with lifetime fitness consequences in urban and rural burrowing owls.

There is a growing need to understand how species respond to habitat changes and the potential key role played by natal dispersal in population dynamics, structure and gene flow. However, few studies have explored differences in this process between conspecifics living in natural habitats and those inhabiting landscapes highly transformed by humans, such as cities. Here, we investigate how individual traits and social characteristics can influence the natal dispersal decisions of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) living in urban and rural areas, as well as the consequences in terms of reproductive success and apparent survival. We found short dispersal movements among individuals, with differences between urban and rural birds (i.e., the former covering shorter distances than the latter), maybe because of the higher conspecific density of urban compared to rural areas. Moreover, we found that urban and rural females as well as bold individuals (i.e., individuals with shorter flight initiation distance) exhibited longer dispersal distances than their counterparts. These dispersal decisions have effects on individual fitness. Individuals traveling longer distances increased their reproductive prospects (productivity during the first breeding attempt, and long term productivity). However, the apparent survival of females decreased when they dispersed farther from their natal territory. Although further research is needed to properly understand the ecological and evolutionary consequences of dispersal patterns in transformed habitats, our results provide information about the drivers and the consequences of the restricted natal movements of this species, which may explain its population structuring through restricted gene flow between and within urban and rural areas.

Activation of Glutamatergic Fibers in the Anterior NAc Shell Modulates Reward Activity in the aNAcSh, the Lateral Hypothalamus, and Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Transiently Stops Feeding.

Although the release of mesoaccumbal dopamine is certainly involved in rewarding responses, recent studies point to the importance of the interaction between it and glutamate. One important component of this network is the anterior nucleus accumbens shell (aNAcSh), which sends GABAergic projections into the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and receives extensive glutamatergic inputs from, among others, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The effects of glutamatergic activation of aNAcSh on the ingestion of rewarding stimuli as well as its effect in the LH and mPFC are not well understood. Therefore, we studied behaving mice that express a light-gated channel (ChR2) in glutamatergic fibers in their aNAcSh while recording from neurons in the aNAcSh, or mPFC or LH. In Thy1-ChR2, but not wild-type, mice activation of aNAcSh fibers transiently stopped the mice licking for sucrose or an empty sipper. Stimulation of aNAcSh fibers both activated and inhibited single-unit responses aNAcSh, mPFC, and LH, in a manner that maintains firing rate homeostasis. One population of licking-inhibited pMSNs in the aNAcSh was also activated by optical stimulation, suggesting their relevance in the cessation of feeding. A rewarding aspect of stimulation of glutamatergic inputs was found when the Thy1-ChR2 mice learned to nose-poke to self-stimulate these inputs, indicating that bulky stimulation of these fibers are rewarding in the sense of wanting. Stimulation of excitatory afferents evoked both monosynaptic and polysynaptic responses distributed in the three recorded areas. In summary, we found that activation of glutamatergic aNAcSh fibers is both rewarding and transiently inhibits feeding. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We have established that the activation of glutamatergic fibers in the anterior nucleus accumbens shell (aNAcSh) transiently stops feeding and yet, because mice self-stimulate, is rewarding in the sense of wanting. Moreover, we have characterized single-unit responses of distributed components of a hedonic network (comprising the aNAcSh, medial prefrontal cortex, and lateral hypothalamus) recruited by activation of glutamatergic aNAcSh afferents that are involved in encoding a positive valence signal important for the wanting of a reward and that transiently stops ongoing consummatory actions, such as licking.

Physical activity habits in a European sports event: a case study / Hábitos de atividade física em um evento do European Sports: um estudo de caso / Hábitos de actividad física en un evento deportivo europeo: un estudio de caso

The aim of this study is to learn more about the physical activity habits of participants in a popular sporting event such as European Sports Day, which is held simultaneously in five European countries (Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Ireland, and Hungary), and to measure the influence of socio-demographic variables on these habits. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of 856 participants, stratified by gender, age, and nationality. We statistically analyzed five variables related to physical activity habits: frequency of physical activity practice, places of practice, motives of practice, perceived fitness level, and popular event attendance. Of the participants, 76.8% said they perform physical activity weekly. Fitness/health improvement (34.63%) and entertainment/leisure (26.52%) are the main reasons for the practice of physical activity. Age and nationality are differentiating factors on physical activity habits...

"Hábitos de atividade física em um evento do European Sports: Um estudo de caso."O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os hábitos dos participantes de um evento popular como o Dia Europeu do Desporto realizado simultaneamente em cinco países europeus (Espanha, Itália, Chipre, Irlanda e Hungria), e medir a influência das variáveis ​​sociodemográficas sobre esses hábitos. Este é um estudo transversal, composto por uma amostra de 856 participantes, estratificada por sexo, idade e nacionalidade. Foram analisados ​​estatisticamente cinco variáveis ​​relacionadas aos hábitos de atividade física: frequência de atividade física, local de práticas, motivações para a prática, nível de condicionamento físico percebido, e frequência de participação em eventos populares. Dos participantes, 76,8% disseram que se envolver em atividade física semanal. Melhorar fitness/saúde (34,63%) e entretenimento (26,52%) foram os principais motivos para a prática de atividade física. Idade e nacionalidade são um fator de diferenciação sobre os hábitos de atividade física...

"Hábitos de actividad física en un evento deportivo europeo: Un estudio de caso." El objetivo de este estudio es conocer los hábitos de actividad física de los participantes en un evento popular como el Día del Deporte Europeo, que se celebra simultáneamente en cinco países europeos (España, Italia, Chipre, Irlanda y Hungría) y medir la influencia de las variables sociodemográficas sobre esos hábitos. Este es un estudio transversal compuesto por una muestra de 856 participantes, estratificados por género, edad y nacionalidad. Se analizaron estadísticamente cinco variables relacionadas con los hábitos de actividad física: frecuencia de práctica de actividad física, lugar de práctica, motivaciones de práctica, nivel de condición física percibido y frecuencia de asistencia a eventos populares. De los participantes, el 76,8% aseguraron que realizaban actividad física semanalmente. Mejorar la condición física/salud (34,63%) y el ocio y entretenimiento (26,52%) son las principales razones para la práctica de actividad física. Edad y nacionalidad son un factor diferenciante sobre los hábitos de actividad física...