University of Gothenburg

About: University of Gothenburg is a education organization based out in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 23855 authors who have published 65241 publications receiving 2606327 citations. The organization is also known as: Göteborg University & Gothenburg University.

Ultraviolet colour variation influences blue tit sex ratios

Abstract: Brilliant blue and violet structural colours are common plumage ornaments in birds, but their signalling functions are poorly understood1. This may be because birds also communicate in ultraviolet (UV-A) wavelengths (320–400 nm)2,3,4,5, invisible to humans, but a strong spectral component of many structural colours6. From a wild population of blue tits—Parus caeruleus, sexually dimorphic primarily in the ultraviolet7,8—we report experimental evidence that females skew the sex ratio of their offspring in response to the ultraviolet plumage ornamentation of their mates. Masking male ultraviolet reflectance reversed a positive correlation between reflectance and brood sex ratio observed in control pairs, demonstrating a causal effect of male ultraviolet ornamentation on offspring sex ratio. Ultraviolet reflectance also predicted male survival to the following breeding season, suggesting that it serves as a viability indicator. When taken together with ecological effects (laying date, nesting area), our experiments reveal that an unexpected amount of control exists over the primary sex ratio in birds, suggesting that chromosomal sex determination may not constrain the sex ratios of multiparous vertebrates.

Cultural ecosystem services provided by landscapes: Assessment of heritage values and identity

Abstract: This paper aims to provide a conceptual analysis of cultural ecosystem services and how they are linked to the concepts of landscape, heritage and identity. It discusses how these cultural ecosystem services can be assessed and integrated into spatial and physical planning. The paper presents two case studies to shed light on the assessment process. A case study from Sweden combines an analysis of ecosystem services with methods for documenting cultural heritage values in landscapes. A second case study from the Arafura–Timor Seas combines an analysis of cultural ecosystem services with methods for assessment of priority environmental concerns at the seascape scale. We demonstrate that the methods from cultural heritage conservation provide tools for the analysis of historical values as well as historical drivers of change in landscapes that can add time-depth to more spatially focused ecosystem assessments. We propose that methods for valuation of cultural heritage and identity in landscapes are integrated into assessments of ecosystem services to inform policy making and physical and spatial planning for sustainable management of ecosystems and landscapes. This could also provide an approach for bringing about integrated implementation of conventions and instruments from the environmental and cultural heritage fields, respectively.

Developmental coordination disorder in Swedish 7-year-old children.

Abstract: Objective To estimate the prevalence, comorbidity, and outcome in developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Method In this population study of 7-year-olds undergoing individual examination plus teacher and parent interviews, children were followed up at ages 8, 9, and 10 years. Results Severe DCD occurred in 4.9% and moderate DCD in another 8.6%. Boy-girl ratios ranged from 4:1 to 7:1. Children with severe and moderate DCD did not differ from each other on any measure, but both groups were clearly separated from children without DCD with respect to associated attention deficit symptoms, Asperger's disorder symptoms, school dysfunction scores, and outcome. Approximately half of all children with DCD had moderate to severe symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Conclusions DCD is a common problem, and it is strongly associated with ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis of DCD at age 7 years predicts DCD at age 8 years and restricted reading comprehension at age 10 years. Clinicians need to acquaint themselves with DCD and its comorbidity so that they can provide better services to affected children.