bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Personality and Coping on Female Sexual Function: A Population Survey
Authors: Crisp Catrina , Vaccaro Christine , Fellner Angela , Kleeman Steven , Pauls Rachel 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common disorder with limited data investigating relationships with psychological influences, such as personality traits and coping mechanisms.

Aim
To investigate the relationship and impact of personality traits and coping strategies on female sexual function.

Methods
A web-based survey was distributed to a sample of women representative of the area’s demographic distribution.

Main Outcome Measures
Participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Ten Item Personality Index (TIPI), and the Brief COPE.

Results
Five hundred twenty-six females responded. The mean total FSFI score was 24.56 (SD 6.77) with lowest scores in the desire domain. Personality scores were similar to published normative values. Subjects displaying stronger tendencies for introversion (r = 0.246, P &lt; 0.001), not being open to new experiences (r = 0.159, P = 0.008), and emotional instability (r = 0.244, P &lt; 0.001) were found to have significantly worse sexual function. Conscientiousness was significantly associated with better desire, orgasm, satisfaction, and total FSFI score (P = 0.029, P = 0.002, P = 0.005, P = 0.003). Moreover, the utilization of negative coping strategies such as self-blame, self-distraction, and behavioral disengagement, significantly correlated with poor sexual function (r = −0.298, P &lt; 0.001, r = −0.360, P &lt; 0.001, r = −0.398, P &lt; 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion
Personality and coping are linked to sexual function with introversion, not being open to new experiences, emotional instability, and the utilization of negative coping strategies being significantly associated with poor sexual function. Women presenting with sexual function complaints may need further evaluation of their personality and coping strategies in order to mitigate any negative impact of these tendencies.
More food or fewer predators? The benefits to birds of associating with aNeotropical primate varies with their foraging strategy
Authors: Barnett A. A. , Shaw P. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAlthough mixed‐species associations of birds or primates have been well studied, primate–bird associations have received comparatively little attention. Additionally, benefits accruing with such associations have rarely been quantified. Over 13 months, 17 insectivorous bird species were observed associating with golden‐backed uacaris. Detailed study of four found that feeding sally frequency significantly increased for sit‐and‐wait foragers (bronzy jacamar,Galbula leucogastra; black‐fronted nunbird,Monasa nigrifrons), when uacaris were present within 14.9 m, but not when within 15–30 m. Contemporaneously, no significant differences were observed in peck bout frequency for two uacari‐following bark‐ and leaf‐gleaning antbirds (black‐crested antshrike,Sakesphorus canadensis, black‐winged antbird,Hypocnemoides melanopogon) when uacaris were present or absent. Antbird/uacari approximation is attributed to significant reductions in the presence of small bird‐eating raptors when uacaris are present. Reasons for this are uncertain but may be because large raptors (e.g. harpy eagles) follow uacaris. So, while some bird species may gain foraging benefits from uacari presence, others may follow them because their proximity reduces predation risk. This appears foraging guild dependent. Except for work linking increased jacana peck rates with swamp‐visiting gorilla presence, this study is the first to quantify benefits to birds of following primates, and the first such Neotropical study.
Outbreeding avoidance as probable driver of mate choice in the Asiatic toad
Authors: Luo Z. , Hu M. , Hong M. , Li C. , Gu Q. , Gu Z. , Liao C. , Zhao M. , Wu Hua 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAcross taxa, females are routinely choosier than males in selecting mates. Several hypotheses have been advanced to explain genetic benefits behind female strategies. The inbreeding avoidance hypothesis suggests that females avoid mating with close relatives, thereby avoiding the matchup of deleterious recessive alleles. Outbreeding avoidance hypothesis suggests that females should not mate with too distantly related individuals so as to avoid the breakup of coadapted gene complexes. Although previous studies have suggested that selection should favor individuals that optimize the balance between inbreeding and outbreeding, detailed research is necessary to document the trade‐off between them and variability in mate choice across a gradient of inbreeding levels among populations. The good genes and the genetic compatibility hypotheses predict that females choose mates according to costly traits and genetic dissimilarity, respectively. Thus, to document inbreeding or outbreeding depressions and assess the contributions of mate choice based upon good genes versus genetic compatibility, we examined egg production, collected body length measurements and genotyped five microsatellite markers in six populations of Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans). Our results revealed that the incidence of inbreeding was higher than that expected under the assumption of random mating and relatedness between mated individuals increased when the average inbreeding level increased among populations. Our findings did not support the good genes or the genetic compatibility hypotheses. Although some other processes could have influences on mate choice of Asiatic toad and need to be tested, our results indicated that, in small and isolated toad populations, the limited availability and high cost of obtaining unrelated mates may promote outbreeding avoidance and adaptation to inbreeding to be the critical drives of female mate choice.
Effect of lanreotide on polycystic liver and kidneys in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: an observational trial
Authors: Gevers Tom J.G. , Hol Jeroen C. , Monshouwer René , Dekker Helena M. , Wetzels Jack F.M. , Drenth Joost P.H. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackground & AimSeveral trials have demonstrated that somatostatin analogues decrease liver volume in mixed populations of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and isolated polycystic liver disease. Chronic renal dysfunction in ADPKD may affect treatment efficacy of lanreotide and possibly enhances risk for adverse events. The aim of this open‐label clinical trial (RESOLVE trial) was to assess the efficacy of 6‐month lanreotide treatment, 120 mg, subcutaneously every 4 weeks in ADPKD patients with symptomatic polycystic liver disease.MethodsPrimary outcome was change in liver volume after 6 months; secondary outcomes were changes in kidney volume, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), symptom relief and health‐related quality of life (Euro‐Qol5D). We excluded patients with an eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2. We used the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test or paired two‐sided t‐test to analyze within‐group differences.ResultsWe included 43 ADPKD patients with polycystic liver disease (84% female, median age 50 years, mean eGFR 63 ml/min/1.73 m2). Median liver volume decreased from 4859 ml to 4595 ml (−3.1%; P < 0.001), and median kidney volume decreased from 1023 ml to 1012 ml (−1.7%; P = 0.006). eGFR declined 3.5% after the first injection, remained stable up to study end, to decline again after lanreotide withdrawal. Lanreotide significantly relieved post‐prandial fullness, shortness of breath and abdominal distension. Three participants had a suspected episode of hepatic or renal cyst infection during this study.ConclusionLanreotide reduced polycystic liver and kidney volumes and decreases symptoms in ADPKD patients. Moreover, eGFR decreased acutely after starting lanreotide, stabilized thereafter and declined again after withdrawal. Trial registration number: Clinical trials.gov NCT01354405 (Registration: 13 May 2011).
Determinants governing ligand specificity of the Vibrio harveyi LuxN quorum‐sensing receptor
Authors: Ke Xiaobo , Miller Laura C. , Bassler Bonnie L. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryQuorum sensing is a process of bacterial cell–cell communication that relies on the production, release and receptor‐driven detection of extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers. The quorum‐sensing bacterium Vibrio harveyi exclusively detects the autoinducer N‐((R)‐3‐hydroxybutanoyl)‐L‐homoserine lactone (3OH‐C4 HSL) via the two‐component receptor LuxN. To discover the principles underlying the exquisite selectivity LuxN has for its ligand, we identified LuxN mutants with altered specificity. LuxN uses three mechanisms to verify that the bound molecule is the correct ligand: in the context of the overall ligand‐binding site, His210 validates the C3 modification, Leu166 surveys the chain‐length and a strong steady‐state kinase bias imposes an energetic hurdle for inappropriate ligands to elicit signal transduction. Affinities for the LuxN kinase on and kinase off states underpin whether a ligand will act as an antagonist or an agonist. Mutations that bias LuxN to the agonized, kinase off, state are clustered in a region adjacent to the ligand‐binding site, suggesting that this region acts as the switch that triggers signal transduction. Together, our analyses illuminate how a histidine sensor kinase differentiates between ligands and exploits those differences to regulate its signaling activity.
Homoserine and quorum‐sensing acyl homoserine lactones as alternative sources of threonine: a potential role for homoserine kinase in insect‐stage Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Ong Han B. , Lee Wai S. , Patterson Stephen , Wyllie Susan , Fairlamb Alan H. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryDe novo synthesis of threonine from aspartate occurs via the β‐aspartyl phosphate pathway in plants, bacteria and fungi. However, the Trypanosoma brucei genome encodes only the last two steps in this pathway: homoserine kinase (HSK) and threonine synthase. Here, we investigated the possible roles for this incomplete pathway through biochemical, genetic and nutritional studies. Purified recombinant TbHSK specifically phosphorylates L‐homoserine and displays kinetic properties similar to other HSKs. HSK null mutants generated in bloodstream forms displayed no growth phenotype in vitro or loss of virulence in vivo. However, following transformation into procyclic forms, homoserine, homoserine lactone and certain acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) were found to substitute for threonine in growth media for wild‐type procyclics, but not HSK null mutants. The tsetse fly is considered to be an unlikely source of these nutrients as it feeds exclusively on mammalian blood. Bioinformatic studies predict that tsetse endosymbionts possess part (up to homoserine in Wigglesworthia glossinidia) or all of the β‐aspartyl phosphate pathway (Sodalis glossinidius). In addition S. glossinidius is known to produce 3‐oxohexanoylhomoserine lactone which also supports trypanosome growth. We propose that T. brucei has retained HSK and threonine synthase in order to salvage these nutrients when threonine availability is limiting.
Invasive pulmonary infection caused by Chrysosporium articulatum: the first case report
Authors: Suankratay Chusana , Dhissayakamol Onwalee , Uaprasert Noppacharn , Chindamporn Ariya 
Published: November 2014

SummaryChrysosporium species, saprobic soil fungi, comprise more than 60 species. There is some confusion regarding the taxonomy and nomenclature between Chrysosporium and Emmonsia since the causative agents of adiaspiromycosis, the development of big thick‐walled spores (adiaspores) in humans or animals, were previously thought to be Chrysosporium. Chrysosporium articulatum has never been reported to cause invasive infection in humans. We report herein the first case of invasive pulmonary infection caused by Chrysosporium articulatum in a 16‐year‐old man with acute T‐cell lymphoblastic leukaemia. He was successfully treated with voriconazole.
Esophageal acid stimulation alters insular cortex functional connectivity in gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Siwiec R. M. , Babaei A. , Kern M. , Samuel E. A. , Li S. ‐J. , Shaker R. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe insula plays a significant role in the interoceptive processing of visceral stimuli. We have previously shown that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients have increased insular cortex activity during esophageal stimulation, suggesting a sensitized esophago‐cortical neuraxis. However, information regarding the functional connectivity (FC) of the insula during visceral stimulation is lacking. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the FC of insular subregions during esophageal acid stimulation.MethodsFunctional imaging data were obtained from 12 GERD patients and 14 healthy subjects during four steady state conditions: (i) presence of transnasal esophageal catheter (pre‐infusion); (ii) neutral solution; (iii) acid infusion; (iv) presence of transnasal esophageal catheter following infusions (post‐infusion). The insula was parcellated into six regions of interest. FC maps between each insular ROI and interoceptive regions were created. Differences in FC between GERD patients and healthy subjects were determined across the 4 study conditions.Key ResultsAll GERD patients experienced heartburn during and after esophageal acidification. Significant differences between GERD patients and healthy subjects were seen in: (i) insula‐thalamic FC (neutral solution infusion, acid infusion, post‐infusion); (ii) insula‐amygdala FC (acid infusion, post‐infusion); (iii) insula‐hippocampus and insula‐cingulate FC (post‐infusion).Conclusions & InferencesEsophageal stimulation in GERD patients revealed significant insular cortex FC differences with regions involved in viscerosensation and interoception. The results of our study provide further evidence that the insula, located at the transition of afferent physiologic information to human feelings, is essential for both visceral homeostasis and the experience of heartburn in GERD patients.
Climate‐resilient agroforestry: physiological responses to climate change and engineering of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) as a mitigation strategy
Authors: BORLAND ANNE M. , WULLSCHLEGER STAN D. , WESTON DAVID J. , HARTWELL JAMES , TUSKAN GERALD A. , YANG XIAOHAN , CUSHMAN JOHN C. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractGlobal climate change threatens the sustainability of agriculture and agroforestry worldwide through increased heat, drought, surface evaporation and associated soil drying. Exposure of crops and forests to warmer and drier environments will increase leaf:air water vapour–pressure deficits (VPD), and will result in increased drought susceptibility and reduced productivity, not only in arid regions but also in tropical regions with seasonal dry periods. Fast‐growing, short‐rotation forestry (SRF) bioenergy crops such as poplar (Populus spp.) and willow (Salix spp.) are particularly susceptible to hydraulic failure following drought stress due to their isohydric nature and relatively high stomatal conductance. One approach to sustaining plant productivity is to improve water‐use efficiency (WUE) by engineering crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) into C3 crops. CAM improves WUE by shifting stomatal opening and primary CO2 uptake and fixation to the night‐time when leaf:air VPD is low. CAM members of the tree genus Clusia exemplify the compatibility of CAM performance within tree species and highlight CAM as a mechanism to conserve water and maintain carbon uptake during drought conditions. The introduction of bioengineered CAM into SRF bioenergy trees is a potentially viable path to sustaining agroforestry production systems in the face of a globally changing climate.
Induced mild systemic inflammation is associated with impaired ability to improve cognitive task performance by practice
Authors: Paine Nicola J. , Bosch Jos A. , Ring Christopher , Drayson Mark T. , Veldhuijzen van Zanten Jet J. C. S. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractElevated inflammatory levels are linked to poorer cognition, but experimental confirmation is lacking. This report examined associations between cognitive performance and inflammation induced by exercise and vaccination. Thirty‐six (exercise N = 18, vaccination N = 18) healthy males completed a paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT), which is a multifaceted measure of cognitive function. The task was completed in placebo and elevated inflammation states. Improvements in PASAT performance were related to inflammation. In the exercise study, IL‐6 during the first PASAT negatively correlated with PASAT improvement (p = .022). In the vaccination study, increases in C‐reactive protein between PASATs correlated with reduced PASAT improvement (p < .001). Inflammation was linked to reduced improvements in cognitive performance. Further research should identify the specific cognitive functions affects and the underlying mechanisms.
Proverbs and the Evolution of Public Administration
Authors: Meier Kenneth J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractHerbert Simon, in his 1946 essay “The Proverbs of Administration,” indicted public administration as having conflicting and contradictory theories and an absence of a knowledge base that could provide a guide to practice. Simon proposed that public administration define concepts, adopt efficiency as its objective, focus on the study of decision making, and construct models that could predict efficient results. This 75th‐anniversary article revisits Simon's essay in light of contemporary public administration. It examines the progress that has been made and what still needs to be accomplished, and it ends with a list of barriers to further progress.
The Effect of Season on Spermatozoa Motility, Plasma Membrane and Acrosome Integrity in Fresh and Frozen–Thawed Semen from Xinong Saanen Bucks
Authors: Wang W , Luo J , Sun S , Xi L , Gao Q , Haile AB , Shi H , Zhang W , Shi H 
Published: November 2014

ContentsThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether the season of ejaculate collection influences seminal quality parameters of pre‐ and post‐freeze–thawing in Xinong Saanen bucks. Ejaculates were collected from eight bucks throughout the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) in a 12 months’ time period, identified in the Northern Hemisphere. Semen samples were evaluated by the combinations of conventional and Computer‐Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) when fresh and after frozen–thawed, respectively. The results clearly demonstrated that season of ejaculate collection influenced (p < 0.05) fresh semen quality. Highest semen quality was observed during autumn. On the contrary, undesirable indices (significantly lower, p < 0.05) were observed in winter as compared with the other remaining seasons. CASA has clearly shown the influences of seasonal variations on semen motility parameters. Furthermore, season of ejaculate collection was also found to influence sperm freezability. Semen characteristics after frozen–thawed followed a similar pattern with that of fresh ejaculate except in spring. The results revealed that sperm quality was higher (p < 0.01) in summer and autumn than in spring and winter. In conclusion, seasonal variation influences semen quality in Xinong Saanen bucks. In addition to summer and autumn, fresh ejaculates in spring can also be successfully used for AI. Sperm from ejaculates collected during summer and autumn are more suitable for cryopreservation. Hence, it is possible to increase the efficiency of goat breeding by manipulating the seasonal variations of semen quality for immediate AI and/or cryopreservation.
Alpha‐Linolenic Acid Supplementation in Tris Extender Can Improve Frozen–Thawed Bull Semen Quality
Authors: Kaka A , Wahid H , Rosnina Y , Yimer N , Khumran AM , Behan AA , Ebrahimi M 
Published: November 2014

ContentThe study was conducted to evaluate the effects of α‐linolenic acid (ALA) on frozen–thawed quality and fatty acid composition of bull sperm. For that, twenty‐four ejaculates obtained from three bulls were diluted in a Tris extender containing 0 (control), 3, 5, 10 and 15 ng/ml of ALA. Extended semen was incubated at 37°C for 15 min, to allow absorption of ALA by sperm cell membrane. The sample was chilled for 2 h, packed into 0.25‐ml straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen for 24 h. Subsequently, straws were thawed and evaluated for total sperm motility (computer‐assisted semen analysis), membrane functional integrity (hypo‐osmotic swelling test), viability (eosin‐nigrosin), fatty acid composition (gas chromatography) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS)). A higher (p < 0.05) percentage of total sperm motility was observed in ALA groups 5 ng/ml (47.74 ± 07) and 10 ng/ml (44.90 ± 0.7) in comparison with control (34.53 ± 3.0), 3 ng/ml (34.40 ± 2.6) and 15 ng/ml (34.60 ± 2.9). Still, the 5 ng/ml ALA group presented a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of viable sperms (74.13 ± 0.8) and sperms with intact membrane (74.46 ± 09) than all other experimental groups. ALA concentration and lipid peroxidation in post‐thawed sperm was higher in all treated groups when compared to the control group. As such, the addition of 5 ng/ml of ALA to Tris extender improved quality of frozen–thawed bull spermatozoa.
Expression of Bovine Ecat1 Gene in Immature and in vitro Matured Oocytes as Well as During Early Embryonic Development
Authors: Zahmatkesh A , Ansari Mahyari S , Daliri Joupari M , Shirazi A , Rahmani H 
Published: November 2014

ContentsEcat1 is a maternal effect gene that is exclusively expressed in oocytes and embryonic stem cells, and has an important role in pre‐implantation development. This study was designed to investigate the expression of bovine Ecat1 gene in immature and in vitro matured oocytes as well as during early embryonic development, and also Ecat1 protein localization. Samples were obtained from slaughtered animals. RNA extractions were carried out from ovary, immature and in vitro matured oocytes and also different stages of embryonic development (2‐, 4‐, 8‐ to 16‐cell stages and blastocysts). RT‐PCR analysis revealed the expression of Ecat1 in ovary, oocytes and embryos. Analysis in FGENESH online tool predicted three exons and one transcription start site (TSS) in Ecat1 gene, and the 3′ RACE‐PCR result showed that just one splice variant was amplified. By quantitative real‐time PCR technique, we showed that Ecat1 transcript increased at 8‐ to 16‐cell‐stage embryos and decreased in blastocyst stage (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence analysis showed cytoplasmic localization of Ecat1 protein in bovine oocytes. Results demonstrated bovine Ecat1 expression at protein level and also indicated that Ecat1 has a significant higher embryonic expression at 8‐ to 16‐cell stage. This embryonic expression is probably required for further developmental stages.
Log‐mean Linear Parameterization for Discrete Graphical Models of Marginal Independence and the Analysis of Dichotomizations
Authors: Roverato Alberto 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWe extend the log‐mean linear parameterization for binary data to discrete variables with arbitrary number of levels and show that also in this case it can be used to parameterize bi‐directed graph models. Furthermore, we show that the log‐mean linear parameterization allows one to simultaneously represent marginal independencies among variables and marginal independencies that only appear when certain levels are collapsed into a single one. We illustrate the application of this property by means of an example based on genetic association studies involving single‐nucleotide polymorphisms. More generally, this feature provides a natural way to reduce the parameter count, while preserving the independence structure, by means of substantive constraints that give additional insight into the association structure of the variables. © 2014 Board of the Foundation of the Scandinavian Journal of Statistics