scholarly journals Pandemic leadership: Sex differences and their evolutionary–developmental origins

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Severi Luoto ◽  
Marco Antonio Correa Varella
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Evolution By Natural Selection

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global societal, economic, and social upheaval unseen in living memory. There have been substantial differences in the kinds of policies implemented by political decision-makers to prevent the spread of the virus, to test the population, and to manage infected patients. Among other factors, these policies vary with politicians’ sex: early findings indicate that, on average, female leaders seem more focused on minimizing direct human suffering caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while male leaders implement riskier short-term decisions, possibly aiming to minimize economic disruptions. These sex differences are consistent with broader findings in psychology, reflecting women’s stronger empathy, higher pathogen disgust, health concern, care-taking orientation, and dislike for the suffering of other people—as well as men’s higher risk-taking, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, and focus on financial indicators of success and status. This review article contextualizes sex differences in pandemic leadership in an evolutionary framework. Evolution by natural selection is the only known process in nature that organizes populations of organisms into higher degrees of functional order, or counteracts the unavoidable disorder that would otherwise ensue, and is therefore essential for explaining the origins of human sex differences. Differential sexual selection and parental investment between males and females, together with the sexual differentiation of the mammalian brain, drive sex differences in cognition and behavioral dispositions, underlying men’s and women’s leadership styles and decision-making during a global pandemic. We propose the sexually dimorphic leadership specialization hypothesis to explain how general psychobehavioral sex differences have been exapted during human evolution to create sexually dimorphic leadership styles. They may be facultatively co-opted by societies when facing different kinds of ecological and/or sociopolitical threats, such as disease outbreaks or intergroup aggression. Early evidence indicates that against the invisible viral foe that can bring nations to their knees, the strategic circumspection of empathic feminine health “worriers” may bring more effective and humanitarian outcomes than the devil-may-care incaution of masculine risk-taking “warriors”.

scholarly journals Pandemic Leadership: Sex Differences and Their Evolutionary–Developmental Origins

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Severi Luoto ◽  
Marco Antonio Correa Varella
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
National Differences ◽  
Evolution By Natural Selection

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global societal, economic, and social upheaval unseen in living memory. There have been substantial cross-national differences in the kinds of policies implemented by political decision-makers to prevent the spread of the virus, to test the population, and to manage infected patients. Among other factors, these policies vary with politicians’ sex: early findings indicate that, on average, female leaders seem more focused on minimizing direct human suffering caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while male leaders implement riskier short-term decisions, possibly aiming to minimize economic disruptions. These sex differences are consistent with broader findings in psychology, reflecting women’s stronger empathy, higher pathogen disgust, health concern, care-taking orientation, and dislike for the suffering of other people—as well as men’s higher risk-taking, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, and focus on financial indicators of success and status. This review article contextualizes sex differences in pandemic leadership in an evolutionary framework. Evolution by natural selection is the only known process in nature that organizes organisms into higher degrees of functional order, or counteracts the unavoidable disorder that would otherwise ensue, and is therefore essential for explaining the origins of human sex differences. Differential sexual selection and parental investment between males and females, together with the sexual differentiation of the mammalian brain, drive sex differences in cognition and behavioral dispositions, underlying men’s and women’s leadership styles and decision-making during a global pandemic. According to the sexually dimorphic leadership specialization hypothesis, general psychobehavioral sex differences have been exapted during human evolution to create sexually dimorphic leadership styles. They may be facultatively co-opted by societies and/or followers when facing different kinds of ecological and/or sociopolitical threats, such as disease outbreaks or intergroup aggression. Early evidence indicates that against the invisible viral foe that can bring nations to their knees, the strategic circumspection of empathic feminine health “worriers” may bring more effective and humanitarian outcomes than the devil-may-care incaution of masculine risk-taking “warriors”.

scholarly journals Sexually dimorphic influence of the circadian clock gene Bmal1 in the striatum on alcohol intake

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria de Zavalia ◽  
Konrad Schoettner ◽  
Jory A. Goldsmith ◽  
Pavel Solis ◽  
Sarah Ferraro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Circadian Clock ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Clock Gene ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
The Impact

SummaryThe gene Bmal1 (brain and muscle Arnt-like 1) plays an obligatory role in the generation of circadian rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master circadian clock in mammals [1–5]. Notably, Bmal1 is widely expressed in mammalian brain [6], and perturbations in Bmal1 expression in select forebrain regions cause behavioral disturbances that are independent of the SCN, such as disturbances in sleep architecture, and in cognitive and affective behaviors [1, 7–15]. Interestingly, gene association studies in humans and in animals suggest that Bmal1 may influence the propensity to consume alcohol, and that polymorphisms in Bmal1 may confer risk for alcohol dependence and related disorders [16–20]. However, research has not yet provided evidence of a causal role of Bmal1 in the control of alcohol intake. We investigated voluntary alcohol consumption in conditional knockout mice that lack Bmal1 exclusively in the striatum, which is an important structure in the control of alcohol intake and preference [21–26]. Experiments were carried out in both male and female mice in order to account for the known sex differences in alcohol consumption [27–31] and in striatal functioning [32–36], as well as in the expression of clock genes and in the impact of circadian clocks on behavior [37–44]. We found that, in both males and females, selective deletion of Bmal1 from principal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the striatum significantly altered voluntary alcohol intake and preference. Strikingly, the effect of Bmal1 deletion was sexually dimorphic. Whereas in males, deletion of Bmal1 augmented alcohol intake and preference, in females, the same deletion suppressed alcohol intake and preference. Interestingly, striatal deletion of the clock gene Per2, which interacts with Bmal1 in the generation of circadian rhythms [4], and which has been shown to affect alcohol consumption in male mice [45], mimicked the effect of Bmal1 deletion, albeit only in males. These results show that Bmal1 in MSNs of the striatum exerts a sexually dimorphic influence on alcohol intake in mice, moderating intake in males, possibly via Per2, and promoting heightened intake in females, independently of Per2. We propose that a sexually dimorphic mechanism in the function of Bmal1 in the striatum contributes to sex differences in the propensity to consume alcohol in mice. Whether such mechanism contributes to sex differences in other striatum-dependent appetitive and consummatory behaviors remains to be investigated.

Sex and Leadership Styles: A Meta-Analysis of Research Published in the 1990s

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marloes L. Van Engen ◽  
Tineke M. Willemsen
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Transactional Leadership ◽  
Leadership Behavior ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Leadership Analysis ◽  
Transformational And Transactional Leadership ◽  
Task Oriented

Empirical research on sex differences in leadership styles, published between 1987 and 2000 in peer-reviewed journals, is reviewed by means of a metaanalysis. The leadership styles examined are interpersonal, task-oriented, democratic versus autocratic, and transformational and transactional leadership. Analysis showed that evidence for sex differences in leadership behavior is mixed, demonstrating that women tend to use more democratic and transformational leadership styles than men do, whereas no sex differences are found on the other leadership styles. Sex differences in leadership styles are contingent upon the context in which male and female leaders work, as both the type of organization in which the leader works and the setting of the study turn out to be moderators of sex differences in leadership styles.

scholarly journals Investigating the reliability and sex differences of digit lengths, ratios, and hand measures in infants

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Ernsten ◽  
Lisa M. Körner ◽  
Martin Heil ◽  
Gareth Richards ◽  
Nora K. Schaal
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Directional Asymmetry ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Digit Ratios ◽  
Androgen Exposure ◽  
Prenatal Androgen Exposure ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Prenatal Androgen

AbstractHands and digits tend to be sexually dimorphic and may reflect prenatal androgen exposure. In the past years, the literature introduced several hand and digit measures, but there is a lack of studies in prepubertal cohorts. The available literature reports more heterogeneous findings in prepubertal compared to postpubertal cohorts. The comparability of the available studies is further limited by the study design and different measurement techniques. The present study compared the reliability and sex differences of available hand and digit measures, namely digit lengths of 2D, 3D, 4D, 5D, digit ratios 2D:4D, 2D:5D, 3D:4D, 3D:5D, 4D:5D, relative digit lengths rel2, rel3, rel4, rel5, directional asymmetry of right and left 2D:4D (Dr-l), hand width, length, and index of 399 male and 364 female 6-month-old German infants within one study using only indirect and computer-assisted measurements. The inter-examiner reliability was excellent while the test-retest reliability of hand scans was only moderate to high. Boys exhibited longer digits as well as wider and longer hands than girls, but smaller digit ratios, with ratios comprising the fifth digit revealing the largest effect sizes. Other hand and digit ratios revealed sex differences to some extent. The findings promote the assumption of sexual dimorphic hand and digit measures. However, by comparing the results of the available literature, there remains an uncertainty regarding the underlying hypothesis. Specifically in prepubertal cohorts, i.e. before the influence of fluctuating hormones, significant effects should be expected. It seems like other factors than the influence of prenatal androgens contribute to the sexual dimorphism in hand and digit lengths.

Peri-urban water, sanitation and hygiene in Lusaka, Zambia: photovoice empowering local assessment via ecological theory

2021 ◽  
pp. 175797592199571
Author(s):  
Sikopo Nyambe ◽  
Taro Yamauchi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Ecological Theory ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Definition Of

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) factors are responsible for 11.4% of deaths in Zambia, making WASH a key public health concern. Despite annual waterborne disease outbreaks in the nation’s peri-urban (slum) settlements being linked to poor WASH, few studies have proactively analysed and conceptualised peri-urban WASH and its maintaining factors. Our study aimed to (a) establish residents’ definition of peri-urban WASH and their WASH priorities; and (b) use ecological theory to analyse the peri-urban WASH ecosystem, highlighting maintaining factors. Our study incorporated 16 young people (aged 17–24) residing in peri-urban Lusaka, Zambia in a photovoice exercise. Participants took photographs answering the framing question, ‘What is WASH in your community?’ Then, through contextualisation and basic codifying, participants told the stories of their photographs and made posters to summarise problems and WASH priorities. Participant contextualisation and codifying further underwent theoretical thematic analysis to pinpoint causal factors alongside key players, dissecting the peri-urban WASH ecosystem via the five-tier ecological theory ranging from intrapersonal to public policy levels. Via ecological theory, peri-urban WASH was defined as: (a) poor practice (intrapersonal, interpersonal); (b) a health hazard (community norm); (c) substandard and unregulated (public policy, organisational); and (d) offering hope for change (intrapersonal, interpersonal). Linked to these themes, participant findings revealed a community level gap, with public policy level standards, regulations and implementation having minimal impact on overall peri-urban WASH and public health due to shallow community engagement and poor acknowledgement of the WASH realities of high-density locations. Rather than a top-down approach, participants recommended increased government–resident collaboration, offering residents more ownership and empowerment for intervention, implementation and defending of preferred peri-urban WASH standards.

Insects as vectors of foodborne pathogenic bacteria

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Blazar ◽  
Marc Allard ◽  
E. Kurt Lienau
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
House Fly ◽  
American Cockroach ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Foodborne Disease ◽  
Salmonella Spp

AbstractFood safety is an important consideration worldwide. To maintain and improve our current knowledge of foodborne disease outbreaks, we must understand some of the more imminent issues related to food safety. A variety of agents are responsible for transmitting the estimated 76 million cases of illnesses caused by foodborne pathogens every year. This review explores why insects pose a serious health concern, in terms of worldwide food safety initiatives, by looking at evidence in published <abs>Food safety is an important consideration worldwide. To maintain and improve our current knowledge of foodborne disease outbreaks, we must understand some of the more imminent issues related to food safety. A variety of agents are responsible for transmitting the estimated 76 million cases of illnesses caused by foodborne pathogens every year. This review explores why insects pose a serious health concern, in terms of worldwide food safety initiatives, by looking at evidence in published literature. We highlight at least eleven different species of insects, including the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer); secondary screwworm, Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius); synanthropic flies [flesh fly, Sarcophaga carnaria (L.); house fly, Musca domestica (L.); fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen); and stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.)], American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.); German cockroach, Blatella germanica (L.); Oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis (L.); Pacific beetle cockroach, Diploptera punctata (Eschscholtz); and Speckled feeder cockroach, Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier), which act as vectors for Salmonella spp. or Escherichia coli and illustrate how these insects are successful vectors of foodborne disease outbreaks. We propose that insects be considered as one of the latest issues in food safety initiatives. Not only are some insects extremely important contributors to diseases, but now we suggest that more research into insects as potential carriers of E. coli and Salmonella spp., and therefore as contributing to foodborne disease outbreaks, is granted.

Sex differences in melanotic encapsulation responses (immunocompetence) in the damselfly Lestes forcipatus Rambur

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 1578-1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P Yourth ◽  
Mark R Forbes ◽  
Robert L Baker
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Mass Gain ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Foreign Objects ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Parasitic Mites ◽  
Melanotic Encapsulation

A few studies have shown that male and female invertebrates differ in immunity and that these differences appear related to differences in sexual dimorphism and gender differences in life histories. Melanotic encapsulation of foreign objects in insects is one form of immunity. The damselfly Lestes forcipatus Rambur is moderately sexually dimorphic, and much is known about patterns of mass gain in congeners relating to differences in life history between males and females. In this study, females were more immunoresponsive than males under controlled temperatures, following emergence, and at a time when parasitic mites were challenging these hosts. However, males and females that overlapped in mass at emergence did not differ in their immune responses. Males in better condition at emergence were more immunoresponsive than lighter males, but this relation was not found in females. Sex differences in immune expression may have implications for how females versus males are able to deal with challenges from parasites, under varying environmental conditions.

Fear, history, stigma, and bias in the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 177-182
Author(s):  
Kevin Kupietz, PhD ◽  
Lesley Gray, MPH
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Management ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Social Effects ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Stigma And Discrimination ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: The greatest enemy of a global pandemic is not the virus itself, but the fear, rumor, and stigma that envelopes people. This article explores the context and history of fear and stigma relating to pandemic, summarizing key actions to mitigate the harms during an active pandemic.Method: Our article draws from accounts in literature and journalist accounts documenting the relationship between infectious diseases and major disease outbreaks that have garnered fear and stigmatization. Results: Fear, stigma, and discrimination are not new concepts for pandemics. These social effects run the risk of diverting attention from the presenting disease and government responses. Reactions to fear, stigma, and discrimination risk sabotaging effective efforts to contain, manage, and eradicate the disease.Conclusion: Emergency managers have an important role in dispelling myths, disseminating appropriate and evidence-based information without exacerbating fears. Knowledge about the roots of fear and bias along with a good understanding of historical plagues and pandemics is vital to ensure those in the field of emergency management can effectively manage irrational fears.

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