bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The correlation between coloration and exploration behaviour varies across hierarchical levels in a wild passerine bird
Authors: Nicolaus M. , Piault R. , Ubels R. , Tinbergen J. M. , Dingemanse N. J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIn vertebrates, darker individuals are often found to be more active and willing to take risks (representing characteristics of a ‘proactive’ coping style), whereas lighter individuals are instead more cautious and less active (representing characteristics of a ‘reactive’ coping style). It is thus generally expected that melanin‐based coloration and proactivity form a suite of positively integrated traits at the among‐individual level. Here, we use a multigenerational pedigree of free‐living great tits (Parus major) to partition variation in, and the correlation between, melanin‐based breast stripe (‘tie’) size and exploration behaviour (a proxy for coping style) into its among‐ and within‐individual components. We show that both traits harbour heritable variation. Against predictions, tie size and speed of exploration were negatively correlated at the among‐individual level due to the combined influences of permanent environmental and additive genetic effects. By contrast, the two traits were weakly positively correlated within individuals (i.e. individuals increasing in tie size after moult tended to become more explorative). The patterns of among‐individual covariance were not caused by correlational selection as we found additive and opposite selection pressures acting on the two traits. These findings imply that testing hypotheses regarding the existence of a ‘syndrome’ at the among‐individual level strictly requires variance partitioning to avoid inappropriate interpretations as the negative ‘unpartitioned’ phenotypic correlation between exploration and tie size resulted from counteracting effects of within‐ and among‐individual correlations. Identifying sources and levels of (co)variation in phenotypic traits is thus critical to our understanding of biological patterns and evolutionary processes.
Experimentally evolved and phenotypically plastic responses to enforced monogamy in a hermaphroditic flatworm
Authors: Janicke T. , Sandner P. , Ramm S. A. , Vizoso D. B. , Schärer L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSexual selection is considered a potent evolutionary force in all sexually reproducing organisms, but direct tests in terms of experimental evolution of sexual traits are still lacking for simultaneously hermaphroditic animals. Here, we tested how evolution under enforced monogamy affected a suite of reproductive traits (including testis area, sex allocation, genital morphology, sperm morphology and mating behaviour) in the outcrossing hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano, using an assay that also allowed the assessment of phenotypically plastic responses to group size. The experiment comprised 32 independent selection lines that evolved under either monogamy or polygamy for 20 generations. While we did not observe an evolutionary shift in sex allocation, we detected effects of the selection regime for two male morphological traits. Specifically, worms evolving under enforced monogamy had a distinct shape of the male copulatory organ and produced sperm with shorter appendages. Many traits that did not evolve under enforced monogamy showed phenotypic plasticity in response to group size. Notably, individuals that grew up in larger groups had a more male‐biased sex allocation and produced slightly longer sperm than individuals raised in pairs. We conclude that, in this flatworm, enforced monogamy induced moderate evolutionary but substantial phenotypically plastic responses.
The phenomenology of the intersubjective impairment
Authors: Hipolito Ines 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSeveral studies suggest that the disorders of the self include a disturbance of the most elementary component of self – theminimal self. Characterizing these disorders and understanding the mechanisms involved remain a challenge to medical epistemology and health care professionals. In the present work, I bring together concepts of different fields, such as neuroscience, epistemology and phenomenology. The main goal is to show that the second‐person perspective can be used to point out particular features of social cognition and its related psychopathology. Taking the hypothesis that the second‐person perspective is the congruence point between an objective process and the subjective experience, I will attempt to explain schizophrenia as a self‐related deficit, first in the light of the first‐person and the third‐person perspective and afterward, in the light of the poorly less understood second‐person perspective. On the one hand, the first‐person experience is correlated both with space and time. In fact, psychiatric patients report subjective experiences that can be understood within research on the bodily self, such as (1) spatially incongruent proprioception and (2) impaired sense of time as the basic mechanism that allows conscious experience. On the other hand, the second‐person approach has already begun to prove productive within social cognition research, pointing out the importance of experiencing and interacting with others as our primarily way well‐being. I will phenomenological analyse subjective and intersubjective experience in the disorders of the self and derive practical consequences to evidence‐based medicine.
Determinants of Voluntary Disclosure of Sales in Small Private Companies in Belgium
Authors: Ceustermans Stefanie , Breesch Diane 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSmall businesses are the backbone of the economy in many countries. In Europe, for example, small companies represent more than 90 per cent of all companies (e.g., Lukacs, ). Although these companies represent such an important portion of the economy, few studies have examined their voluntary disclosure decisions. Because small companies have certain unique characteristics compared with their larger counterparts, the general applicability of past voluntary disclosure studies to small companies is questionable. Drawing on agency and proprietary cost theory, this study investigates whether ownership, competition, and accountant factors influence the decision to disclose financially sensitive information on a voluntary basis. Our results (using an e‐mail questionnaire to small private companies in Belgium, n = 1,068) indicate that nearly 40 per cent of the responding companies are not aware of their disclosure behavior. For companies that are aware of their disclosure behavior, the logistic regression analysis demonstrates that factors relating to the separation of ownership and control, namely the type of ownership and number of shareholders, are among the most important determinants in the voluntary disclosure decision of small private companies. Companies with at least one legal entity as an owner of a company are less likely to disclose, while companies with more shareholders are more likely to disclose. We also provide evidence that perceived competition and the default setting of the accounting software used have a significant influence on the voluntary disclosure behavior.
Internationalization and Auditor Choice
Authors: Tsao Shou‐Min , Lu Hsueh‐Tien , Keung Edmund C. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPrior research shows that internationalization increases information asymmetry and conflicts of interest between managers and outside investors, which lead to greater agency problems. Agency theory predicts a demand for higher quality auditors when agency problems are more severe. This study investigates whether the extent of internationalization influences auditor choice and whether audit quality has performance implications for internationalization. Using a set of U.S. firms from 2003 to 2009, we find the extent of internationalization positively related to audit quality. Furthermore, higher quality audits positively moderate the relation between internationalization and firm performance. Taken together, these results suggest that higher quality audit mitigates the agency problem associated with internationalization.
Nonlinear least squares regression for single image scanning electron microscope signal‐to‐noise ratio estimation
Authors: SIM K.S. , NORHISHAM S. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryA new method based on nonlinear least squares regression (NLLSR) is formulated to estimate signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The estimation of SNR value based on NLLSR method is compared with the three existing methods of nearest neighbourhood, first‐order interpolation and the combination of both nearest neighbourhood and first‐order interpolation. Samples of SEM images with different textures, contrasts and edges were used to test the performance of NLLSR method in estimating the SNR values of the SEM images. It is shown that the NLLSR method is able to produce better estimation accuracy as compared to the other three existing methods. According to the SNR results obtained from the experiment, the NLLSR method is able to produce approximately less than 1% of SNR error difference as compared to the other three existing methods.
Empowering self‐care ability – a follow‐up study of clinical‐based perimenopausal women personal health counselling
Authors: An Chi , Yu Yen‐Yen , Chou Bee‐Chin , Szu Li‐Yun , Tsao Lee‐Ing 
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal effects of a personal counselling intervention for perimenopausal women in northern Taiwan.BackgroundWomen face a variety of physical changes during menopause. Counselling intervention could enrich individual health education for menopausal women.DesignQuasi‐experimental design.MethodsThe study used one‐on‐one personal health counselling with a ‘menopausal health passport’ for perimenopausal women. The Perceived Perimenopausal Disturbances scale, the Practice of Health Behavior scale and the Perceived Uncertainty scale were used to measure the intervention effects. Results were estimated by a Generalized Estimating Equation procedure at one and a half months, three months and six months post intervention. In addition, data regarding perceived health changes were collected qualitatively through interviews in the experimental group at the sixth month.ResultsA total of 34 women were included in the experimental group, while 33 were in the control group. Interaction effect results showed that personal health counselling significantly increased the practice of health behaviours at one and a half months and extended to three months post intervention. Additionally, content categories, including ‘relief of symptoms’, ‘establishment of health behaviors’, ‘interaction with others’ and ‘consideration from others’ were identified in quantitative analysis.ConclusionsThe results suggest that perimenopausal personal health counselling can effectively improve healthy behaviours. This study can also serve as a future reference for effective perimenopausal counselling.Relevance to clinical practiceIt is crucial to set up personal health counselling for perimenopausal women in clinics and develop information technology systems to support menopausal women in the technological era.
Clinical factors and incidence of prolonged fever in neurosurgical patients
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Shen Meifen , Qiao Meizhen , Zhang Haiyin , Tang Zaixiang 
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectivesTo describe the incidence of prolonged fever in patients admitted to the neurosurgery department, and the corresponding risk indicators.BackgroundProlonged fever was defined as a temperature higher than 38·3°C lasting more than five days. Prolonged fever is a common phenomenon and could lead to worsened outcomes in specific patient groups, especially for those with brain injury. However, the studies on prolonged fever in neurosurgical patients are limited and insufficient.DesignA retrospective observational study.MethodsRetrospective data were collected from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014, at the neurosurgical department of a large teaching hospital. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify independent indicators for prolonged fever vs. short‐term fever.ResultsAmong 2845 patients, prolonged fever occurred in 466 (16%). The older patients were associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay. It predominantly occurred in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and traumatic brain injury. Patients receiving antibiotic treatment tended to manifest prolonged fever more frequently. Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of antibiotics, central venous catheter and prolonged mechanical ventilation were independent risk predictors for prolonged fever. Patients diagnosed with brain tumour seemed to be not associated with prolonged fever.ConclusionsProlonged fever is the common complication in neurosurgical patients. The risks of prolonged fever in patients are attributed to antibiotic therapy, use of central venous catheter and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Indicators of prolonged fever are helpful for better identification of high‐risk patients and fever control.Relevance to clinical practiceA better reveal on the epidemiology and predictable factors of prolonged fever in neurosurgical patients will provide a better understanding on those patients who are most at risk, and therefore contribute to fever control and better outcome.
Differences in communication within the nursing group and with members of other professions at a hospital unit
Authors: André Beate , Nøst Torunn H , Frigstad Sigrun A , Sjøvold Endre 
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectivesTo investigate what differences exist in nurses’ communications with each other as opposed to their communications with members of other healthcare professions.BackgroundDifficulties have been reported related to the introduction of interdisciplinary collaboration in hospitals even when their efficacy has been demonstrated.DesignThis paper is a report of a project that was a cross‐sectional survey design.MethodNurses and assistant nurses received questionnaires that examined two different components of interdisciplinary collaboration. Using the psychometric method known as Systematizing Person‐Group Relations to gather data and for analysis, the method aims to investigate the dominant aspects of the particular work environment by identifying key characteristics of interdisciplinary collaboration.ResultsThe respondents reported significant differences in six of the 12 factors; high scores on caring, acceptance, engagement and empathy characterised communication with members of their own professional group as low scores on the same factors characterised communication with other healthcare professions.ConclusionFindings in this study suggests that nurses behave in a more loyal, accepting and critical manner when communicating with each other than they do when communicating with members of other healthcare professions. Nurses are more influenced by behaviours characterised by assertiveness and resignation in their communication with members of other healthcare professions. The findings indicate that nurse's experience mixed emotions and behaviours that influence their communications with healthcare personnel from other professions.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses often hold key positions on interdisciplinary collaboration; therefore, they must develop the communicative skills required in this position to be able to improve the quality of patient care in hospitals, related to nurses’ experiences and skills.
Quantitative and mixed analyses to identify factors that affect cervical cancer screening uptake among lesbian and bisexual women and transgender men
Authors: Johnson Michael J , Mueller Martina , Eliason Michele J , Stuart Gail , Nemeth Lynne S 
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectivesThe purposes of this study were to measure the prevalence of, and identify factors associated with, cervical cancer screening among a sample of lesbian, bisexual and queer women, and transgender men.BackgroundPast research has found that lesbian, bisexual and queer women underuse cervical screening service. Because deficient screening remains the most significant risk factor for cervical cancer, it is essential to understand the differences between routine and nonroutine screeners.DesignA convergent‐parallel mixed methods design.MethodsA convenience sample of 21‐ to 65‐year‐old lesbian and bisexual women and transgender men were recruited in the USA from August–December 2014. Quantitative data were collected via a 48‐item Internet questionnaire (N = 226), and qualitative data were collected through in‐depth telephone interviews (N = 20) and open‐ended questions on the Internet questionnaire.ResultsSeventy‐three per cent of the sample was routine cervical screeners. The results showed that a constellation of factors influence the use of cervical cancer screening among lesbian, bisexual and queer women. Some of those factors overlap with the general female population, whereas others are specific to the lesbian, bisexual or queer identity. Routine screeners reported feeling more welcome in the health care setting, while nonroutine screeners reported more discrimination related to their sexual orientation and gender expression. Routine screeners were also more likely to ‘out’ to their provider. The quantitative and qualitative factors were also compared and contrasted.ConclusionsMany of the factors identified in this study to influence cervical cancer screening relate to the health care environment and to interactions between the patient and provider.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses should be involved with creating welcoming environments for lesbian, bisexual and queer women and their partners. Moreover, nurses play a large role in patient education and should promote self‐care behaviours among lesbian women and transgender men.
Recommendations for cardiovascular disease research with lesbian, gay and bisexual adults
Authors: Caceres Billy A , Brody Abraham , Chyun Deborah 
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectivesThe purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations to strengthen cardiovascular disease research with lesbian, gay and bisexual adults, and highlight implications for practice.BackgroundLesbian, gay and bisexual individuals face significant discrimination that negatively impacts their health. Health disparities research in lesbian, gay and bisexual adults have focused on mental health, sexually transmitted infections and substance use. Although cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and many lesbian, gay and bisexual adults report increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease, there has been limited research in this area.DesignThis paper is a critical review.MethodsA literature search was conducted that compared cardiovascular disease risk and/or prevalence between lesbian, gay and bisexual and heterosexual adults.ResultsMeasures to assess cardiovascular disease risk factors and diagnoses varied widely across the 31 included studies. There was a lack of standardisation in definitions used for alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, mental health and self‐rated physical health. Most studies that reported body mass index relied on participant self‐report. Few studies included measures of physical activity and diet and those that did lacked standardisation. Only seven studies used laboratory data to establish diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.ConclusionsThis study is the first comprehensive review on this topic. In cardiovascular disease research with lesbian, gay and bisexual adults, there is a need for: (1) inclusion of stress as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, (2) standardised measures, (3) objective measures for determining the presence of cardiovascular disease, (4) data from electronic health records to strengthen the study of cardiovascular disease in this population.Relevance to clinical practiceStrengthening cardiovascular disease research in lesbian, gay and bisexual adults is an important step in addressing health disparities in this population. Nurses and other healthcare professionals should assess sexual orientation in routine health assessments.
Parenting Style and Adolescent Externalizing Behaviors: The Moderating Role of Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia
Authors: Dyer W. Justin , Blocker Daniel J. , Day Randal D. , Bean Roy A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis longitudinal study was conducted with 262 adolescents (M age = 15.3) and their parents to examine adolescent respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA; baseline and reactivity) as a moderator of the relationship between parenting style and adolescent externalizing behaviors. This was conceptualized within the differential susceptibility to the environment framework, which proposes that children with greater sensitivity to environmental influences benefit more from supportive environments but are at greater risk in averse environments. In this study, low RSA baseline was associated with greater susceptibility. In confirmation of hypotheses, males with low RSA baseline had the most externalizing behaviors when mother or father authoritative parenting was low or when mother authoritarian parenting was high. Contrary to hypotheses, females with greater RSA reactivity (high susceptibility) did more poorly when authoritarian parenting was low or authoritative parenting was high. Differential gender socialization and the task used to elicit RSA reactivity are suggested reasons for gender differences.
White Matter Tract Injury is Associated with Deep Gray Matter Iron Deposition in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Bergsland Niels , Tavazzi Eleonora , Laganà Maria Marcella , Baglio Francesca , Cecconi Pietro , Viotti Stefano , Zivadinov Robert , Baselli Giuseppe , Rovaris Marco 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEWith respect to healthy controls (HCs), increased iron concentrations in the deep gray matter (GM) and decreased white matter (WM) integrity are common findings in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The association between these features of the disease remains poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between deep iron deposition in the deep GM and WM injury in associated fiber tracts in MS patients.METHODSSixty‐six MS patients (mean age 50.0 years, median Expanded Disability Status Scale 5.25, mean disease duration 19.1 years) and 29 HCs, group matched for age and sex were imaged on a 1.5T scanner. Susceptibility‐weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were used for assessing high‐pass filtered phase values in the deep GM and normal appearing WM (NAWM) integrity in associated fiber tracts, respectively. Correlation analyses investigated the associations between filtered phase values (suggestive of iron content) and WM damage.RESULTSAreas indicative of increased iron levels were found in the left and right caudates as well as in the left thalamus. MS patients presented with decreased DTI‐derived measures of tissue integrity in the associated WM tracts. Greater mean, axial and radial diffusivities were associated with increased iron levels in all three GM areas (r values .393 to .514 with corresponding P values .003 to <.0001). Global NAWM diffusivity measures were not related to mean filtered phase values within the deep GM.CONCLUSIONSIncreased iron concentration in the deep GM is associated with decreased tissue integrity of the connected WM in MS patients.