Recent studies propose two theories explaining the particular mechanisms of mate choice. Theory of homogamy suggests that individuals prefer partners with personality traits similar to their own. In contrast, theory of complementarity states that people choose mates with opposite personality traits. The main aims of this study were i) to test homogamy and complementarity of dominance in long-term heterosexual and homosexual male couples and ii) to examine whether this similarity predicts higher relationship satisfaction. We also tested whether heterosexual couples differ from same-sex couples in the level of assessed homogamy. Dominance was measured in four different domains: dominance as a personal trait, dominance in social groups, partner dominance and sexual dominance. The research sample consisted of 76 male heterosexuals (mean age 24, SD = 4) and their long-term partners (mean age 22, SD = 3.34) and 36 male homosexuals (mean age 30, SD = 8.25) and their long- term partners (mean age 29, SD = 6.99). All participants completed anonymous set of questionnaires (International Personality Item Pool (IPIP), Rank Style With Peers Questionnaire (RSPQ), Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS), along with a questionnaire focused on sexual dominance, and Spanier's test of dyadic adjustment). Our findings...

The ability to modulate behavior and physiology when encountering novel social contexts is essential for the survival and fitness of socially living species. During social interactions, individuals must assess their current social environment and integrate this information with their own internal state and past social experiences to facilitate appropriate social behavior. This process leads to adaptive modulation of behavior and physiology. The behavioral dynamicswithin social dominance hierarchies are an exemplar of how individuals adaptively modulate theirsocial behaviors and physiology. However, much remains unknown about the behavioral, physiological, and neurobiological underpinnings of plasticity among individuals living in social hierarchies within complex social environments. This dissertation is composed of several studies aimed at investigating the behavioral and physiological plasticity and associated neurobiological characteristics of group-living mice as they form stable and consistent social relationships with unfamiliar social partners to achieve a social hierarchy. In Chapter 2, I analyze how the patterns of both aggressive and non-aggressive social behaviors change as unfamiliar male mice establish social relationships in dyads, providing new statistical methods to define the resolution of a dominance relationship. In Chapter 3, I use an ethologically relevant experimental paradigm to investigate social hierarchies in large groups and explore how mice change their urination pattern (scent-marking) and metabolic investment in major urinary proteins as they acquire dominance status. In Chapter 4, I demonstrate the association between individual social ranks and foraging dynamics of mice living in social hierarchies. Collectively, the results of these studies suggest thatmaintaining high social status, particularly alpha status, can be energetically costly. Investment byalpha males in reproduction and territorial defense may come at the cost of resources available topromote long-term health, particularly responses to immune challenges. To explore thishypothesized trade-off, inChapter 5, I test the hypothesis that individuals of different socialstatus vary significantly in immune system functioning. I demonstrate that dominant males are primed to utilize adaptive immunity while subordinate males invest more in innate immunity. In Chapter 6, I explore the neurobiological characteristics of social dominance, with a particular focus on the association between the oxytocin and vasopressin neuropeptide systems and social status. I idenfity several brain regions, such as nucleus accumbens and lateral preoptic area, inwhich alpha, subdominant and subordinate mice show significant differences in the levels ofoxytocin receptors and vasopressin 1a receptors. To better understand how the brain responds to social cues, in Chapter 7, I identify brain regions in dominant and subordinate mice that respond to cues regarding social status and familiarity. I demonstrate that brain regions in the social decision-making network respond distinctively depending on the social cue types sensory information and the internal state. Finally, in Chapter 8, I explore brain transcriptomic profiles associated with behavioral differences among alpha, subdominant, and subordinate male mice. Overall, this dissertation contributes significantly to our understanding of how an individual’s social context leads to plastic and adaptive changes in the brain, behavior and physiology.

Please read the abstract on page 3. Copyright 1975, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Underwood, R 1975, Social behaviour of the Eland (Tayrotragus Oryx) on Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, MSc dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-02212012-134828 / > E12/4/130/gm / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 1975. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

A greater consumption of pharmaceutical drugs entails an increased concentration of active benzodiazepines in aquatic ecosystems. Consequently, aquatic organisms are experiencing altered behavior that may affect dominance hierarchies since social status (among other variables) is associated with behavioral traits. The aim of this study was to determine whether dominance hierarchies of brown trout (Salmo trutta) were affected by exposure to a benzodiazepine (oxazepam). Hypothetically, aggression (in dominants) and anxiety (in subordinates) will reduce following exposure. The fish should consequently display a significant disparity between treatment groups regarding the frequency of dominance change (i.e., who is dominant versus subordinate). This research included behavioral coding of 150 juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) divided into 50 size-matched social groups of 3 individuals. Each group was exposed to one of three oxazepam concentrations (30 µg/L, 1.5 µg/L and 0 µg/L). The results indicate no relationship between an altered aggression and oxazepam exposure. In addition, the level of aggression reduced over time (regardless of social status and concentration) and the initial subordinates remained significantly less aggressive than the initial dominants. The frequency of dominance change did not differ significantly between different treatment groups. Body size did not affect social status. The results in low treatment groups may be due to a low bioconcentration since previous research exhibited similar results. However, the lack of results in high treatment groups could be due to something else. In conclusion, the dominance hierarchy was not disrupted by oxazepam exposure because aggression was unaffected.

The background for this thesis is found in the patterns of gender inequality in civil society organizations. Existing research provide little comprehensive knowledge of the conditions for women and men in civil society organizations. To help fill this gap in knowledge the purpose of this thesis is to explore the conditions for women and men as volunteers in a male dominated civil society organization with a gender perspective and make any eventual inequalities visible. The thesis explores the conditions women and men face in their volunteering, what gender differences can be found and how the male dominance can be understood. The study is based on data from a self-administrated survey conducted among volunteers in a Swedish male dominated civil society organization. Questions concerned their volunteer work and their experience of the situation as female and male volunteers in the organization. Empirical patterns were identified and gender theories were used as a basis for the interpretation of the results. The findings from this case illustrate that women and men do not face equal conditions in their volunteer work. Most volunteers were happy with their work as volunteers. However, male volunteers typically held positions of more power, influence and higher status than women. Female volunteers were in a token position and in many ways had to prove themselves as well as adapt to conditions formed to suit men, by men, as representatives of the norm. The male dominance could be related to perceptions of the ideal volunteer; a competent man loyal to the organization and without inconvenient responsibilities elsewhere. Another aspect which could be related to the male dominance was patterns of social interactions that favour male volunteers, in this case homosocial relations, which are created in the interaction between the ambiguities of unstructured processes and gendered expectations.

Little is known about dosage compensation in autosomal genes. Transcription-level compensation of deletions and other loss-of-function mutations may be a mechanism of dominance of wild-type alleles, a ubiquitous phenomenon whose nature has been a subject of a long debate. We measured gene expression in two isogenic Drosophila lines heterozygous for long deletions and compared our results with previously published gene expression data in a line heterozygous for a long duplication. We find that a majority of genes are at least partially compensated at transcription, both for 1/2-fold dosage (in heterozygotes for deletions) and for 1.5-fold dosage (in heterozygotes for a duplication). The degree of compensation does not vary among functional classes of genes. Compensation for deletions is stronger for highly expressed genes. In contrast, the degree of compensation for duplications is stronger for weakly expressed genes. Thus, partial transcriptional compensation appears to be based on regulatory mechanisms that insure high transcription levels of some genes and low transcription levels of other genes, instead of precise maintenance of a particular homeostatic expression level. Given the ubiquity of transcriptional compensation, dominance of wild-type alleles may be at least partially caused by of the regulation at transcription level.

Magister Theologiae - MTh / The aim of the study was to determine what the possibilities are that Ephesians 5:21-24 is misinterpreted when the conclusion is drawn from it that the husband today should be "the head of the wife" and that the wife should "submit" to him. The study assumes that many problems in Christian marriages arise because the biblical guidance with regard to the mandate that the male has in marriage is taken literally. The literature suggests that the average male in the context of the marriage is in crisis, because of the rise of feminism and the emancipation process from a previously male-dominated society. The study attempts to investigate the meaning of Ephesians 5:21-24, and to look for possible answers to questions posed by those who try to be obedient in a fundamentalistic way. To this end the problems of applying an ancient text to modem circumstances are investigated. The exegetical and hermeneutical investigation that follows reaches the conclusion that the passage in Ephesians cannot be used to justify complete male dominance in marriage. It does indeed imply a hierarchy within marriage, but this is relativized by clear statements in the rest of the epistle. There is a tension within the passage itself, but only one aspect has traditionally been emphasized. It is suggested that this one-sided emphasis amounts to a misinterpretation.

The diploma thesis was aimed to monitor the expression profiles of selected genes in the growing of cotyledonary buds in pea (Pisum sativum L.). The apical stem was decapitated and 0.5% auxin paste was applied to the stump. From the treated plants cotyledonary buds were collected in intervals 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 120 hours. The biological material was analyzed for expression of genes PsDRM1, PsBRC1, PsAUX1, PsPIN1, PsYUC1. A gene expression normalization factor was calculated based on constitutive genes PsEF1-alpha, PsActin and Ps beta-tubulin. Application of auxin to the stem stump prevented the growth of cotyledonary buds. This inhibition of cotyledonary buds was accompanied by increased expression of dormancy markers PsDRM1, PsBRC1 and auxin biosynthesis gene PsYUC1 and decreased expression of the auxin transporter genes PsPIN1 and PsAUX1.

The diploma thesis was aimed to explain the role of cytokinins in regulation of cotyledonary bud outgrowth in pea (Pisum sativum L.). Decapitation of the apex and subsequent application of IAA lanolin paste containing also BAP caused increased expression of genes PsDRM1 and PsBRC1 associated with dormancy. It suggests that cytokinins may have effect on the amount of transported auxin in the major stem. Application of cytokinin to the cotyledonary buds of intact plants activated their outgrowth. Imunolocalization showed polarization of PIN1 proteins in the treated buds, on contrary to untreated buds. It means that cytokinin directly influenced polarization of PIN1 proteins and the subsequent canalization of the polar auxin transport.

Experimental examination of the generality of learned helplessness has previously been confined to treatment and tests employing aversive motivators, such as electric shock. In the present study, rats were used to evaluate the effect of inescapable shock on their performance in a water test of competitive dominance which employs no aversive motivator. The subjects were paired and pre-tested for competitive dominance. In the experimental groups one member of each pair was treated with inescapable shock and the pairs were then post-tested for competitive dominance either 48, 72, or 168 hours after treatment. The control subjects were pre- and post-tested with no treatment intervening. Competitive dominance ranks were assigned to subjects after each test. Rank differences from pre- to post-test were analyzed for treated and control subjects. Controls showed no shifts in dominance from pre- to post-test, while significant shifts toward subordination appeared in all three experimental groups. No treated subjects showed shifts toward dominance. Significant pre- to post-test differences in drinking time were produced in all treatment groups, with the greatest difference at 72 hours after treatment. These results parallel those of Glazer and Weiss (1976) for escape time latencies at different times of posttreatment testing. The results of the present study, in contrast to those of Glazer and Weiss, cannot be accounted for by the principles of stimulus control. Instead, they support the claim of Maier and Seligman (1976) for considerable generality to the effect of learned helplessness, though the generality observed in this study is not explained by current principles of learning theory.