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Possible Determinants (possible + determinant)
Selected AbstractsSystolic blood pressure peak during maximal exercise testing: A possible determinant of endothelial turnover in healthy subjects,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2009Michele M. Ciulla No abstract is available for this article. [source] Alpha male chimpanzee grooming patterns: implications for dominance "style"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009M.W. Foster Abstract In social primates, individuals use various tactics to compete for dominance rank. Grooming, displays and contact aggression are common components of a male chimpanzee's dominance repertoire. The optimal combination of these behaviors is likely to differ among males with individuals exhibiting a dominance "style" that reflects their tendency to use cooperative and/or agonistic dominance tactics. Here, we examine the grooming behavior of three alpha male chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, Tanzania. We found that (1) these males differed significantly in their tendency to groom with other males; (2) each male's grooming patterns remained consistent before, during and after his tenure as alpha, and (3) the three males tended to groom with high- middle- and low-ranking partners equally. We suggest that body mass may be one possible determinant of differences in grooming behavior. The largest male exhibited the lowest overall grooming rates, whereas the smallest male spent the most time grooming others. This is probably because large males are more effective at physically intimidating subordinates. To achieve alpha status, a small male may need to compensate for reduced size by investing more time and energy in grooming, thereby ensuring coalitionary support from others. Rates of contact aggression and charging displays conformed to this prediction, suggesting that each male exhibited a different dominance "style." Am. J. Primatol. 71:136,144, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Frequency and Correlates of Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Diabetes MellitusTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 12 2009Anthonia Okeoghene Ogbera MPH, FACP ABSTRACT Introduction., Sexual dysfunction (SD) in women with diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important but understudied aspect of DM complications in women with DM. Aim., This report is an attempt to document the prevalence, clinical correlates, and determinants of SD in a cross sectional study of women with diabetes mellitus (DM). Main Outcome Measures., The main outcome measures were demographic, clinical parameters, psychological morbidity, and frequency of SD. Methods., A total of 58 married women with type 2 DM and 30 age-matched women who did not have DM had their sexual function and psychological status assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and General Health questionnaires (GHQ 12) respectively. Glycemic control was assessed using glycosylated hemoglobin. Results., The prevalence of SD in women with DM and in the control population was 88% and 80%, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) FSFI score in the women with DM was significantly lower than that of the control group (16.2 [9.5] vs. 21 [8.5], P = 0.02). Women with DM attempted sex less frequently than those in the control group. Poor mental health status which was found to be associated with SD was noted more in women with DM than those in the control group. Conclusions., SD is high in women with and without DM. A possible determinant of SD in women with DM is psychological morbidity. Ogbera AO, Chinenye S, Akinlade A, Eregie A, and Awobusuyi J. Frequency and correlates of sexual dysfunction in women with diabetes mellitus. J Sex Med 2009;6:3401,3406. [source] Safer sex decision-making among men with haemophilia and HIV and their female partnersHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 1 2001K. L. Parish An exploratory qualitative study of adult heterosexual men with haemophilia and HIV and women who were their sexual partners was conducted as formative research to better understand cognitive factors involved in behavioural intentions and practices which comprise HIV risk-reduction for sexual transmission. The study sought to generate hypotheses, uncover themes, and develop a broad perspective on possible determinants of behaviours related to HIV transmission risk reduction. Qualitative analysis of these data served as a basis for developing a subsequent quantitative, hypothesis-testing survey and an intervention. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 23 single men and 28 married men with haemophilia and HIV infection, and 28 married women partners selected through stratified, purposeful sampling. The interviews identified beliefs, attitudes, and values underlying decisions regarding target behaviours related to preventing sexual transmission of HIV, including (1) using condoms consistently during vaginal intercourse and (2) talking to partners about risk reduction. The interviews elicited information about perceived advantages and disadvantages of performing each of the targeted behaviours, and factors that facilitate or prevent performing them. Qualitative analysis of coded responses yielded important themes regarding how choices are made about sexual activity and safer sex. Most notably, communication between partners (1) plays a direct, key role in facilitating condom use and (2) forms the basis for maintaining emotional intimacy in these relationships. The link between condom use and communicating about safer sex was viewed as pivotal in achieving HIV prevention for individuals in serodiscordant couples. Recommendations for risk reduction intervention development are discussed. [source] Determinants of C-reactive protein in chronic hemodialysis patients: Relevance of dialysis catheter utilizationHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2008Adriana HUNG Abstract Biomarkers of inflammation, especially C-reactive protein (CRP), have been consistently shown to predict poor outcomes in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients. However, the determinants of CRP and the value of its monitoring in CHD patients have not been well defined. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate possible determinants of the inflammatory response in CHD patients with a focus on dialysis catheter utilization. Monthly CRP were measured in 128 prevalent CHD patients (mean age 56.6 years [range 19,90], 68% African Americans, 39% diabetics [DM]) over a mean follow-up of 12 months (range 2,26 months). There were a total of 2405 CRP measurements (median 5.7 mg/L; interquartile range [IQR] 2.4,16.6 mg/L). The presence of a dialysis catheter (p<0.002), cardiovascular disease (p=0.01), male gender (p=0.005), higher white blood cell count (p<0.0001), elevated phosphorus (p=0.03), and lower cholesterol (p=0.02) and albumin (p<0.0001) concentrations were independent predictors of elevated CRP in the multivariate analysis. Additionally, CRP levels were significantly associated with the presence of a catheter, when comparing the levels before and after catheter insertion (p=0.002) as well as before and after catheter removal (p=0.009). Our results indicate that the presence of a hemodialysis catheter is an independent determinant of an exaggerated inflammatory response in CHD patients representing a potentially modifiable risk factor. [source] Literature review of theory and research on the psychological impact of temporary employment: Towards a conceptual modelINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT REVIEWS, Issue 1 2008Nele De Cuyper The increased use of temporary contracts has instigated debates on possible implications for employees' attitudes, well-being and behaviour. The complex issues related to this debate are reviewed from a theoretical, empirical and conceptual point of view. First, the definitions of temporary employment that are currently used in OECD countries are reviewed. Second, theoretical views concerning possible determinants are elaborated. The theoretical frameworks discussed include Work Stress Theory, Social Comparison Theory and Social Exchange Theory. The determinants proposed in these theories have served to form the basis of hypotheses on differences between temporary and permanent workers on various psychological outcomes. Third, research on associations between temporary employment and the variables job satisfaction, organizational commitment, well-being and behaviour are reviewed. These variables are most frequently used in the realm of temporary work research. This review concludes that research results have been inconsistent and inconclusive, unlike the predictions that follow from the theoretical frameworks. This leads to a fourth section in which potential explanations for these inconsistent findings are advanced. In conclusion, a conceptual model is developed to inspire future research. [source] The role of water abundance, thermoregulation, perceived predation risk and interference competition in water access by African herbivoresAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Marion Valeix Abstract In African savannas, surface water can become limiting and an understanding of how animals address the trade-offs between different constraints to access this resource is needed. Here, we describe water access by ten African herbivore species in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, and we explore four possible determinants of the observed behaviours: water abundance, thermoregulation, perceived predation risk and interference competition. On average, herbivores were observed to drink in 80% of visits to a waterhole. The probability of drinking was higher in 2003 (474 mm) than in 2004 (770 mm), and at the end of the dry season than at its beginning. For larger species, this probability may also be related to risks of interference competition with elephants or other herbivores. For smaller species, this probability may also be related to the perceived risk of predation. We also investigate the time spent accessing water to drink. The influence of herd size and the presence of young on the time spent accessing water for most species suggests that perceived predation risk plays a role. Thermoregulation also affects this time: during the hottest periods, herbivores spend less time in open areas, unless when wind is strong, probably owing to evapotranspired heat loss. Résumé Dans les savanes africaines, l'eau de surface disponible peut devenir un facteur limitant et il est nécessaire de comprendre comment les animaux agissent face aux différentes contraintes que pose l'accès à cette ressource. Nous décrivons ici l'accès à l'eau de dix herbivores africains du Parc National de Hwange, au Zimbabwe, et nous explorons quatre facteurs qui sont peut-être déterminants dans les comportements observés: l'abondance de l'eau, la thermorégulation, le risque de prédation ressenti et la compétition/ interférence. En moyenne, on a observé que les herbivores buvaient lors de 80% de leurs visites au point d'eau. La probabilité qu'ils boivent étai plus forte en 2003 (474 mm) qu'en 2004 (770 mm), et à la fin de la saison sèche qu'au début. Pour les plus grandes espèces, cette probabilité pourrait aussi être liée aux risques de compétition par interférence avec les éléphants ou d'autres herbivores. Pour les plus petites espèces, cette probabilité pourrait aussi être liée au risque de prédation ressenti. Nous avons aussi étudié le temps passéà se rendre au point d'eau pour y boire. L'influence de la taille du groupe et de la présence de jeunes sur le temps pris par la plupart des espèces pour se rendre au point d'eau laisse penser que la perception du risque de prédation joue un rôle. La thermorégulation affecte aussi cette durée: pendant les périodes les plus chaudes, les herbivores passent moins de temps dans les espaces ouverts, sauf si le vent est fort, probablement à cause de la perte de chaleur par évapotranspiration. [source] Hunger, light level and body size affect refuge use by post-settlement lingcod Ophiodon elongatusJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006M. E. Petrie Using experimental methods, body size, nutritional state (hunger) and light level were investigated as possible determinants of the extent to which juvenile lingcod Ophiodon elongatus used structural refuges. In the laboratory, older, larger individuals (134,162 mm total length, LT) exhibited a higher propensity for structure use than did smaller juvenile fish (78,103 mm LT). In fish of both body sizes, increasing hunger levels caused fish to emerge more readily from refuges than satiated individuals, with this effect most prominent for smaller fish. Diel patterns of ambient illumination were simulated in the laboratory, and refuge use by large individuals decreased significantly in response to lower nocturnal light levels, a pattern that was not observed in the smaller size class. These results indicate an ontogenetic shift in refuge use. During the summer, as post-settlement fish grew larger, they tended to increase affinity for structurally complex habitat, and also showed divergent patterns of behaviour in relation to hunger and light level. [source] The sexual and relationship needs of people who experience psychosis: quantitative findings of a UK studyJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2010E. MCCANN phd rmn msc dippi pgdip academic practice fhea Accessible summary ,,Distinct lack of studies exist that explore sexual and relationship issues. ,,Captures important experiences of people who use mental health services. ,,Reveals potential obstacles to the expression of sexuality. ,,Identifies a diversity of needs. ,,Presents issues that may guide mental health practice, education and research. Abstract Few studies have investigated the experiences of people regarding sexual and relationship issues in the area of mental health. This study presents the quantitative findings of a larger study that was conducted in London, UK. The aims of the study were to establish client's sexual and relationship experiences and perceived needs. A total of 30 people with a medical diagnosis of schizophrenia, living in the community, were interviewed using three questionnaires. The first related to demographics, the second used relevant parts of the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) and the third looked at possible determinants of sexual behaviour. The CAN also captured keyworker responses to issues related to their clients sexual and relationship requirements. The results showed that 83% of the clients were currently experiencing sexual feelings. Some 90% of clients felt some need in relation to sexual expression and 83% for needs related to intimate relationships. Only 10% of staff recognized sexual expression as a need in clients in their care and 43% perceived a need for intimate relationships. Furthermore, most clients interviewed thought that their psychotropic medication caused sexual problems. Contrasts are made with other studies to help highlight the important issues that emerged for service users. [source] Disagreement between subjective and actigraphic measures of sleep duration in a population-based study of elderly persons,JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH, Issue 3 2008JULIA F. VAN DEN BERG Summary Sleep duration is an important concept in epidemiological studies. It characterizes a night's sleep or a person's sleep pattern, and is associated with numerous health outcomes. In most large studies, sleep duration is assessed with questionnaires or sleep diaries. As an alternative, actigraphy may be used, as it objectively measures sleep parameters and is feasible in large studies. However, actigraphy and sleep diaries may not measure exactly the same phenomenon. Our study aims to determine disagreement between actigraphic and diary estimates of sleep duration, and to investigate possible determinants of this disagreement. This investigation was embedded in the population-based Rotterdam Study. The study population consisted of 969 community-dwelling participants aged 57,97 years. Participants wore an actigraph and kept a sleep diary for, on average, six consecutive nights. Both measures were used to determine total sleep time (TST). In 34% of the participants, the estimated TST in the sleep diaries deviated more than 1 h from actigraphically measured TST. The level of disagreement between diary and actigraphic measures decreased with subjective and actigraphic measures of sleep quality, and increased with male gender, poor cognitive function and functional disability. Actigraphically measured poor sleep was often accompanied by longer subjective estimates of TST, whereas subjectively poor sleepers tended to report shorter TST in their diaries than was measured with actigraphy. We recommend, whenever possible, to use multiple measures of sleep duration, to perform analyses with both, and to examine the consistency of the results over assessment methods. [source] Empathic accuracy and accommodative behavior among newly married couplesPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 4 2002Shelley Dean Kilpatrick An established method for assessing empathic accuracy was used to examine the consequences of accurate understanding during the early years of marriage. Structural equation modeling analyses simultaneously examined within,individual and across,partner associations among variables (actor effects and partner effects). During the first year of marriage, actor effects and partner effects were observed for two presumed consequences of empathic accuracy,accommodative behavior and couple well,being. Actor effects, partner effects, or both were observed for three possible determinants of empathic accuracy,commitment level, partner perspective,taking, and psychological femininity. Levels of empathic accuracy reliably declined following the first year of marriage, as did the strength of the above,noted associations with empathic accuracy. [source] Changes in prescribed drug doses after market introductionPHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 6 2002Eibert R. Heerdink PhD Abstract Purpose The establishment of recommended dosing regimens has always been a difficult aspect of drug development. This paper examines the extent to which postmarketing prescribing deviates from initially recommended dosing regimens. We used the World Health Organization's (WHO) periodically updated compilation of the ,Defined Daily Dose' (DDD) to reflect prevailing patterns of prescribing in national markets. The aim of this study was to evaluate DDD changes over time (1982,2000) and to identify possible determinants of these changes. Methods Data on DDD changes were obtained from the WHO's Oslo Collaborating Centre. We performed a case,control analysis in which we compared drugs with (cases) and without (controls) postmarketing changes in DDD on possible determinants associated with DDD change. Results We found 115 instances of a change of DDD in the period 1982,2000 (45 (39.1%) increases and 70 (60.9%) decreases). Antibiotics showed the greatest number of changes in DDD: predominantly increases in the 1980s, while the 1990s were dominated by decreases in DDD of mostly cardiovascular drugs. Conclusion Changes in DDD reflect the outcome of a melange of forces, including misconceptions of dose requirements during pre-market development of drug and postmarketing changes in pharmacotherapeutic knowledge, clinical concepts, economic forces, and, in the case of anti-infective agents, changing patterns of resistance/sensitivity of target microorganisms to the anti-infective agent(s) in question. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Positive and negative depression coping in low-income African American women,RESEARCH IN NURSING & HEALTH, Issue 2 2005Linda Denise Oakley Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine positive and negative depression coping (DC) in low-income African American women. Because low-income African American women have been shown to be vulnerable to depression symptom onset yet less accepting of treatment, DC in this population is of interest to researchers. Depression symptom severity, defense mechanisms, difficult life circumstances (DLC), and social support were examined as possible determinants of DC. In 244 mildly or moderately to severely depressed women, mature defense mechanisms predicted positive DC, and DLC predicted negative DC. Social support had no effect on positive or negative DC. Findings are discussed in terms of individual and community tailored rehabilitative psychotherapy to promote positive DC. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 28:106,116, 2005 [source] Determinants of quality of life in patients with cancerCANCER, Issue 5 2005A South American study Abstract BACKGROUND Because health-related quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome in cancer management, the authors sought to better understand its determinants. To address this subject, they analyzed QOL, as measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General questionnaire (FACT-G), Spanish Version 4, and depicted the complex relations among physical, psychological, social, and cultural factors, including spirituality. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was used with a sample of 309 patients with cancer. The influence of several possible determinants was first studied by univariate regression analysis. Variables showing an association were included in a forward stepwise multivariate regression model. RESULTS Five regression models were studied, for the FACT-G total score and its four subscales. Five variables explained 32.1% of the variance of the FACT-G total score: tumor stage, spiritual well-being, income, mood disorders, and mode of questionnaire administration. The type and relevance of the explanatory variables differed among the various dimensions of QOL. CONCLUSIONS The authors underlined the entwining of biologic, psychosocial, and spiritual factors as determinants of the QOL of patients with cancer, thus supporting the multidimensional definition and modeling of the construct. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||