Social attributes shape antipredator behavior strategies in the ruddy ground-dove.

The cost-benefit of social behavior depends on group size and the social interaction. As group size increases, competition for resources increases, while individual vigilance may decrease due to the lower probability of individual predation or increased competition for resources. To test predictions of the "many eyes hypothesis" and the "competition hypothesis", we investigated the effects of social attributes on the vigilance, foraging, direct conflict and sex on social groups of ruddy ground-doves (Columbina talpacoti) in an urban area. We observed that the number of conspecifics did not influence individual foraging behavior, instead, the vigilance decreased as flock size increased. Moreover, the number of conflicts within the flock negatively affected individual vigilance. However, larger flocks exhibited more direct conflicts, and males were more frequently involved in social conflicts, regardless of the sex ratio of the flock. Finally, the investment in both vigilance and foraging was not influenced by the sex of the focal individual or the sex ratio of the flock. Our findings indicate that conspecific numbers and flock social organization significantly influence the cost-benefit dynamics of flocking behavior. Larger flocks enhance vigilance for predator detection but come at an individual cost due to increased resource competition and conflicts.

Similar regional-scale survival of tropical and southern temperate birds from the New World.

The general assumption that the survival patterns of tropical and southern temperate birds are similar lacks empirical data from higher latitudes. Regional comparisons of New World species are rare, and this assumption has been based on data from African studies. Here, we estimate the survival rates of 88 tropical and southern temperate bird populations (69 species) from eight localities in South America to evaluate the hypothesis that the survival of these populations is homogeneous at the regional scale. We estimated survival based on the Cormack-Jolly-Seber model and compared values from different environments. The survival estimates ranged from 0.30 to 0.80 (0.56 ± 0.12). Apparent survival did not differ significantly between low-latitude tropical environments (03°S) and the other sites from high-latitudes (between 22° and 34°S). Despite a predicted positive trend, body size was not significantly related to survival among passerines. On the other hand, phylogenetic relationships explained more than a third of the variation in bird survival. Based on the largest available database on South American bird species, our findings support the hypothesis that bird survival is homogeneous, at the regional scale, along the southern hemisphere. In particular, we reinforce the hypothesis that climatic variation has a limited influence on bird survival in the southern hemisphere.

Estratégias para estimular o uso de evidências científicas na tomada de decisão / Encouraging the use of scientific evidence in decision making

Um importante desafio para os sistemas de saúde é promover o uso sistemático do conhecimento em políticas públicas que busquem, ao mesmo tempo, melhorar a eficiência e as condições de saúde da população. O objetivo deste artigo foi identificar e discutir estratégias para estimular o uso de evidências científicas no processo de tomada de decisão em políticas de saúde. A busca de evidências científicas foi realizada nos repositórios da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Health Systems Evidence e PubMed. A ferramenta SUPPORT (Supporting Policy Relevant Reviews and Trials) foi usada na construção desse panorama. Sete revisões sistemáticas apontaram quatro principais estratégias para estimular o uso de evidências na tomada de decisão: 1) produzir e disseminar sínteses de evidência com linguagem adaptada a diferentes públicos; 2) estimular o uso do jornalismo e de outras formas de comunicação para ampliar a disseminação do conhecimento científico; 3) utilizar plataforma virtual on-line para disseminação do conhecimento científico; 4) promover a interação entre pesquisadores e tomadores de decisão. Estratégias para estimular o uso de evidências científicas na tomada de decisão em saúde podem ser desenvolvidas de maneira sinérgica, mas é necessário considerar o contexto local e as implicações das estratégias para o sistema de saúde como um todo.

A major challenge for health systems is to promote the use of scientific evidence supporting public policies that seek to improve efficiency and the health of the population. The objective of this study was to identify and discuss strategies to encourage the use of scientific evidence in the process of health decision making. The search was performed in the repositories of the Virtual Health Library, Health Systems Evidence and PubMed. SUPPORT (Supporting Policy Relevant Reviews and Trials) Tools were used for the preparation of this overview. Seven systematic reviews were used to identify options to stimulate the use of evidence for decision making: 1) Produce policy briefings with adapted language for different audiences; 2) Stimulate the use of journalism and other forms of mass communication for dissemination of scientific knowledge; 3) Implement online platforms for dissemination of scientific knowledge, and; 4) Promote the dialogue between researchers and policy makers. Strategies to encourage the use of scientific evidence in health decision making can be implemented in a synergistic way; however, it is important to assess the local context and the implications of each strategy for the health system as a whole.

Helping enhances productivity in campo flicker (Colaptes campestris) cooperative groups.

Reproductive adults in many bird species are assisted by non-breeding auxiliary helpers at the nest, yet the impact of auxiliaries on reproduction is variable and not always obvious. In this study, we tested Hamilton's rule and evaluated the effect of auxiliaries on productivity in the facultative cooperative breeder campo flicker (Colaptes campestris campestris). Campo flickers have a variable mating system, with some groups having auxiliaries and others lacking them (i.e., unassisted pairs). Most auxiliaries are closely related to the breeding pair (primary auxiliaries), but some auxiliaries (secondary auxiliaries) are unrelated females that joined established groups. We found no effect of breeder quality (body condition) or territory quality (food availability) on group productivity, but the presence of auxiliaries increased the number of fledglings produced relative to unassisted pairs. Nonetheless, the indirect benefit of helping was small and did not outweigh the costs of delayed breeding and so seemed insufficient to explain the evolution of cooperative breeding in campo flickers. We concluded that some ecological constraints must limit dispersal or independent breeding, making staying in the group a "best-of-a-bad-job" situation for auxiliaries.

[Current status of the Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) in Brazil: case report]. / Desenvolvimento atual da Rede de Políticas Informadas por Evidências (EVIPNet Brasil): relato de caso.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and discuss the activities deployed by EVIPNet Brazil in 2013, highlighting the network's actions to promote evidence-based decision-making for the development and implementation of health policies. METHODS: A descriptive approach was employed to present the actions carried out by EVIPNet Brazil in 2013, especially processes relating to capacity-building, product development, and event participation. RESULTS: In 2013, 10 training programs were carried out (four technical meetings and six workshops), involving 34 institutions and 193 participants. One evidence brief for policy was reviewed and republished, and five others were developed. Moreover, one process of deliberative dialogue was conducted. A scientific paper was published on the experience of EVIPNet Brazil in the development of evidence-informed polices. The first issue of the EVIPNet Brazil Newsletter was published, along with the posting of news articles online. EVIPNet Brazil's actions were presented on national and international lectures, conferences, and round tables. The impacts of EVIPNet Brazil may be observed in the federal, state, and local contexts. CONCLUSIONS: A successful development, implementation, and monitoring of evidence-informed policies depends on actions such as those carried out by EVIPNet, including professional capacity-building to help expand and consolidate the network, creation of new local Health Evidence Centers to encourage the use of evidence in decision-making, production of evidence briefs for health policies, and organization of deliberative dialogues.

Desenvolvimento atual da Rede de Políticas Informadas por Evidências (EVIPNet Brasil): relato de caso / Current status of the Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) in Brazil: case report

OBJETIVO: Apresentar e discutir a atuação da Rede de Políticas Informadas por Evidências (EVIPNet) no Brasil no ano de 2013, divulgando suas ações com vistas à promoção do uso de evidências científicas no processo de tomada de decisão, formulação e implementação de políticas de saúde. MÉTODOS: Foi empregada uma abordagem descritiva para apresentar e discutir as ações executadas pela EVIPNet Brasil. Foram apresentados os processos de capacitação, desenvolvimento de produtos e participações em eventos. RESULTADOS: Em 2013, 10 capacitações foram realizadas (quatro reuniões técnicas e seis oficinas), envolvendo 34 instituições e 193 participantes. Uma síntese de evidências para políticas de saúde foi revisada e republicada, e outras cinco encontravam-se em fase de desenvolvimento. Um diálogo deliberativo nacional foi conduzido. Foram publicados: um artigo científico sobre a experiência do uso de políticas informadas por evidências, o primeiro Informe EVIPNet Brasil e dezenas de notícias em múltiplas plataformas sociais. A atuação da rede foi apresentada nacional e internacionalmente em palestras, conferências e mesas-redondas. O impacto da atuação da EVIPNet Brasil pode ser observado nos contextos nacional, estadual e municipal. CONCLUSÕES: O sucesso no desenvolvimento, implementação e monitoramento de políticas informadas por evidências depende de ações como as realizadas pela EVIPNet, que incluem capacitação de profissionais para contribuir na ampliação e consolidação da rede no país, criação de novos Núcleos de Evidências para estimular o uso do conhecimento científico nas decisões, produção de sínteses de evidências para políticas de saúde e organização de diálogos deliberativos.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and discuss the activities deployed by EVIPNet Brazil in 2013, highlighting the network's actions to promote evidence-based decision-making for the development and implementation of health policies. METHODS: A descriptive approach was employed to present the actions carried out by EVIPNet Brazil in 2013, especially processes relating to capacity-building, product development, and event participation. RESULTS: In 2013, 10 training programs were carried out (four technical meetings and six workshops), involving 34 institutions and 193 participants. One evidence brief for policy was reviewed and republished, and five others were developed. Moreover, one process of deliberative dialogue was conducted. A scientific paper was published on the experience of EVIPNet Brazil in the development of evidence-informed polices. The first issue of the EVIPNet Brazil Newsletter was published, along with the posting of news articles online. EVIPNet Brazil's actions were presented on national and international lectures, conferences, and round tables. The impacts of EVIPNet Brazil may be observed in the federal, state, and local contexts. CONCLUSIONS: A successful development, implementation, and monitoring of evidence-informed policies depends on actions such as those carried out by EVIPNet, including professional capacity-building to help expand and consolidate the network, creation of new local Health Evidence Centers to encourage the use of evidence in decision-making, production of evidence briefs for health policies, and organization of deliberative dialogues.

Effects of position and flock size on vigilance and foraging behaviour of the scaled dove Columbina squammata.

Amongst the benefits of foraging in flocks are the enhancement of food finding and predation avoidance. Characteristics such as size, individual position, as well as position and distance between members are factors that may influence vigilance and foraging. In a study using scaled doves, Columbina squammata, I observed a negative correlation between group size and vigilance and a positive correlation with time spent foraging, which suggests a reduction of costs and an increase of benefits as a consequence of larger group sizes. Individual position in the flock appeared to be an important factor in this trade-off. Peripheral individuals were more vigilant and foraged less than central ones, suggesting an edge effect in flocks of this species. The clustering of conspecifics may be related with fast transmission of information. Overall, aggressive interactions were rarely observed; when registered, they occurred mostly in larger groups, suggesting an effect of interference competition. These results imply that predation may be a strong pressure on the scaled dove's flock formation and behaviour.