Behavioral externalities in natural resource production possibility frontiers: integrating biology and economics to model human-wildlife interactions.

Production possibility modeling has been applied to a variety of wildlife management issues. Although it has seen only limited employment in modeling human-wildlife output decisions, it can be expected that the theory's use in this area will increase as human interactions with and impacts on wildlife become more frequent. At present, most models applying production possibility theory to wildlife production can be characterized in that wildlife output quantities are determined by physically quantifiable functions representing rivalrous resources. When the theory is applied to human-wildlife interactions, it may not be sufficient to model the production tradeoffs using only physical constraints. As wildlife are known to respond to human presence, it could be expected that human activity may appear in wildlife production functions as an externality. Behavioral externalities are revealed by an output's response to the presence of another output and can result in a loss of concavity of the production possibilities frontier. Ignoring the potential of a behavioral externality can result in an unexpected and inefficient output allocation that may compromise a wildlife population's well-being. Behavioral externalities can be included in PPF models in a number of ways, including the use of data or cumulative effects modeling. While identifying that behavioral externalities exist and incorporating them into a model is important, correctly interpreting their implications will be critical to improve the efficiency of natural resource management. Behavioral externalities may cause a loss of concavity anywhere along a PPF that may compel managerial decisions that are inconsistent with multiple use doctrines. Convex PPFs may result when wildlife species are extremely sensitive to any level of human activity. It may be possible to improve the PPF's concavity by reducing the strength of the behavioral effect. Any change in the PPF that increases the convexity of the production set could offer natural resource managers additional opportunities to optimally provide multiple natural resource outputs. Techniques that minimize the effect could focus on either the human or wildlife outputs, or both. Methods could focus on reducing the externality itself through changing the production of the offending output or to reduce the impact of the externality through a change in the production of the affected output. Managers unfamiliar with PPF modeling can employ PPF thinking by recognizing that every decision involves tradeoffs and that sometimes these tradeoffs are unnecessary negative impacts that could be mitigated without compromising the resource.

Overall self-confidence, self-confidence in mathematics, and sex-role stereotyping in relation to salivary free testosterone in university women.

This study investigated in 40 young university women the possible relationships between levels of testosterone and specific measures of overall self-confidence and self-confidence in approaching mathematics. Correlations of -.43 and -.49 with each measure of self-confidence, respectively, and level of testosterone were found in the portion of the sample displaying normal ovulatory function. There was no correlation (r=.02) between the measures of mathematics and overall self-confidence. 19 women did not display normal ovulatory function. The only significant result for the full sample was a significant correlation of -.73 between scores on the Bem Sex Role Inventory Masculinity and overall self-confidence. The reasons for the high anovulatory percentage are not clear, nor are the associations which anovulation might have with either hormonal levels or the personality characteristics in question.

Establishing a bond with clients of different cultures.

In nursing, it is well known that establishing a successful nurse/client relationship depends on the nurse's ability to promote a bond of trust between them (Arnold & Boggs, 1995). A home care nurse working with a client from a different culture will need to be mindful and take the extra steps mentioned in this and other articles. Such steps will help promote this bond of trust and aid the nurse in providing more culturally competent care. However, because every person is unique, these same approaches and structured questions can be asked of all patients. To do so will enable the nurse to have a more complete understanding of each patient's health care beliefs, practices, and decision-making strategies. As has been shown through the case studies presented, gaining a more thorough understanding of the patient and his/her family's health care beliefs is critical to achieving cost-effective and clinically positive outcomes. In each of the examples discussed, if these cultural assessments had not been performed, more nursing resources and longer-term service would have been required.

Self-confidence, self-esteem, and assumption of sex role in young men and women.

This study investigated the use of the English translation of a paper-and-pencil self-confidence scale developed in French by Garant, Charest, Alain, and Thomassin in 1995. The translated self-confidence scale measured self-confidence, or the belief that one will succeed at whatever one undertakes, as distinct from self-esteem or the feeling that one is a worthwhile person. Unlike a number of previous studies. there was no sex difference in self-confidence favoring men: however, scores on the masculinity portion of Bem's Sex role Inventory (1974) were highly correlated with self-confidence for both men (r=.59) and women (r=.69).

Methodological problems in the study of sexuality and the menopause.

Few studies have considered the effects of menopause on sexuality. Large studies with representative samples using postal questionnaires have included only a few sexual variables. More comprehensive studies have tended to employ non-representative samples that raise questions concerning generalization of findings. Major problems in existing research have been: failure to collect data on variables known to affect sexuality and/or failure to utilize such data in analyses, studying only one, sometimes two, menopausal phases, gathering retrospective data, asking subjects directly about the relationship of menopause to sexuality, gathering too few sexual data, not providing a complete description of sexual measures, neglecting to report methodology clearly and completely, failing to evaluate data statistically, and inferring causation from correlations. Evidence from existing research suggests a decline in sexual interest, frequency of sexual intercourse, and vaginal lubrication in association with the menopause. Findings for variables such as capacity for orgasm, satisfaction with sex partner, and vaginal pain or discomfort are few and mixed.

Pheromonal influences on sociosexual behavior in men.

This study tested whether synthesized human male pheromones increase the sociosexual behavior of men. Thirty-eight heterosexual men, ages 26-42, completed a 2-week baseline period and 6-week placebo-controlled, double-blind trial testing a pheromone "designed to improve the romance in their lives." Each subject kept daily behavioral records for 6 sociosexual behaviors: petting/affection/kissing, formal dates, informal dates, sleeping next to a romantic partner, sexual intercourse, and self-stimulation to ejaculation (masturbation) and FAXed them each week. Significantly more pheromone than placebo users increased above baseline in sexual intercourse and sleeping with a romantic partner. There was a tendency for more pheromone than placebo users to increase above baseline in petting/affection/kissing, and informal dates, but not in self-stimulation to ejaculation or in formal dates. A significantly larger proportion of pheromone than placebo users increased in > or = 2 and > or = 3 of the 5 sociosexual behaviors involving a female partner. Thus, there was a significant increase in male sociosexual behaviors in which a woman's sexual interest and cooperation plays a role but not in male masturbation which involves only the man. These initial data need replication but suggest that human male pheromones affected the sexual attractiveness of men to women.

Coitus and menstruation in perimenopausal women.

The objective of the study was to determine whether coitus during menstruation in perimenopausal women is associated with increased menstrual flow defined as either heavier flow, more days of flow, or both. Initial interviews for the Stanford Menopause Study were conducted locally with 160 perimenopausal women. Six weeks later, additional data were gathered from 121 women. At a third interview, 6-10 weeks later at Stanford University, 56 of 57 subjects (mean age 48.8 +/- 3.9 SD) provided data on menstrual flow and coital behavior. At both the first and third interview, more than half of the women reported a pattern of increased menstrual flow. At the third interview, 83% of those reporting increased menstrual flow also reported a behavioral pattern of coitus during menses. Only 10% with diminished flow acknowledged such a pattern. Women who abstained from sex during menses were not less regular in coital activity at other times nor did the data reveal them to be less orgasmic than women who did not abstain. Our data reveal an association between coitus during menstruation and longer and/or heavier menstrual flow. The etiology of such increased flow is usually believed to be hormonal, but coitus during menstruation may be another important variable.

Oral contraceptives and sexuality in university women.

The relationship between use of oral contraceptives and sexuality in university women who completed the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire was examined. Pill users reported sexual intercourse earlier, were less likely to be virgins, more likely to have a sex partner, more apt to be engaging in petting and intercourse than nonusers, and reported more frequent intercourse than sexually active nonusers. Nonusers reported a greater frequency and enjoyment of anal intercourse than pill users. The prediction that pill users would have less vaginal lubrication than nonusers was supported. Contrary to prediction, pill users reported a higher frequency of sexual thoughts and fantasies, and level of sexual interest than active nonusers. Triphasic Orthonovum 7/7/7 (OR7/7/7) users reported more sexual thoughts and fantasies and had higher Sexual Interest (Factor 1) scores than monophasic Orthonovum 1/35 (OR1/35) users. Triphasic users as a group enjoyed sexual activity more, were more aroused during sexual activity, and had higher Sexual Interest factor scores than monophasic users. Triphasic users reported more sexual thoughts and fantasies, sexual interest and had higher Sexual Interest factor scores than nonusers, while monophasic users did not. Monophasic users reported less vaginal lubrication than nonusers, whereas triphasic users did not. Comparisons of OR7/7/7 and OR1/35 users with nonusers revealed the same findings. Results suggest that women using triphasic pills experience greater sexual interest and response than those using monophasics. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.

The sensitivity of Leishmania species to aminosidine.

The aminoglycoside, aminosidine exhibited ED50S of between 1 and 5 microM against the amastigotes of Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica in mouse peritoneal macrophages whereas other strains causing New World cutaneous leishmaniasis such as Leishmania braziliensis were more refractory. Aminosidine was also active against all but one of the Leishmania donovani strains tested and when combined with sodium stibogluconate, the drug showed marked potentiation against the amastigotes of L. donovani in vitro and an additive effect in experimentally infected BALB/c mice.

Disaster preparedness of home health care agencies in San Diego County.

A questionnaire was sent to 53 home health care agencies in San Diego to assess their state of disaster readiness. Thirty agencies returned completed questionnaires. Of these, 90% have written disaster plans, but only 33% conduct regular drills to practice their written plans. A 24-h telephone number is available to patients at 96% of the agencies. One-fourth of the agencies serving ventilator-dependent patients do not make utility companies aware of their special needs. Of 11 hospital-sponsored agencies, 18% include backup agreements with other agencies, while 79% of non-hospital-sponsored agencies have planned such backup. The majority (92%) of "private-for-profit" agencies have backup arrangements, but only 38% of the public or nonprofit agencies have such arrangements. Additionally, 31% of the home health care agencies do not feel they would be able to meet the needs of their clients in the event of a disaster. Specific recommendations for such agencies in developing disaster plans, and exercising them, are made.

Training for the transition to case management in home care.

Hospital nurses who wish to enter home care offer a gold mine of clinical skills. The only thing missing is case management experience. How can agencies help nurses acquire this last commodity and take the final step to home care? Training programs may be the answer.

The effect of prestorage irradiation on posttransfusion red cell survival.

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) may occur whenever immunologically competent allogeneic lymphocytes are transfused to an immunocompromised recipient. Irradiation of blood components eliminates the risk of TA-GVHD but may damage the cellular elements in the transfused component, particularly if the cells are stored for prolonged periods in the irradiated state. To study the effect of irradiation on long-term storage of red cells, AS-1 red cells from eight normal subjects were prepared on two occasions. On one occasion, the units were stored as standard AS-1 red cells for 42 days at 4 degrees C; on the other, they were exposed to 3000 cGy radiation within 4 hours of collection and then were stored as AS-1 red cells for 42 days at 4 degrees C. The donations were at least 12 weeks apart. Irradiated units demonstrated significant elevations in poststorage plasma hemoglobin (Hb) (623 +/- 206 vs. 429 +/- 194 g/dL [6230 +/- 2060 vs. 4290 +/- 1940 g/L], p less than 0.02) and plasma potassium (78 +/- 4 vs. 43 +/- 9 mEq/L [78 +/- 4 vs. 43 +/- 9 mmol/L], p less than 0.01) and significant decreases in red cell ATP (1.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.3 microM/g Hb, p less than 0.04) and 24-hour posttransfusion red cell recovery (68.5 vs. 78.4%, p less than 0.02), as compared to nonirradiated units. It can be concluded that irradiation with 3000 cGy damages red cells and that long-term storage in the irradiated state may enhance this damage. Red cells should not be stored for 42 days after irradiation with 3000 cGy.

Reversal of drug resistance in Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania donovani by verapamil.

Following previous studies of verapamil reversal of chloroquine resistance in malaria and multi-drug resistance in cancer cells, the effect of verapamil was investigated on nifurtimox-resistant Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and antimony-resistant Leishmania donovani in vitro and in vivo. Verapamil alone was not active against either parasite, but in combination with nifurtimox it reversed the drug resistance of T. cruzi and in combination with sodium stibogluconate reversed the drug resistance of L. donovani.

Sexual interest and behavior in healthy 80- to 102-year-olds.

Sexual interest and behavior of 100 white men and 102 white women ranging in age from 80-102 were studied using an anonymous 117-item questionnaire. Subjects were healthy and upper middle-class, and living in residential retirement facilities; 14% of the women and 29% of the men were presently married. For both men and women, the most common activity was touching and caressing without sexual intercourse, followed by masturbation, followed by sexual intercourse. Of these activities, only touching and caressing showed a significant decline from the 80s to the 90s, with further analyses revealing a significant decline in this activity for men but not for women. Except for past enjoyment of sexual intercourse and of touching and caressing without sexual intercourse, all analyses revealed sex differences reflecting more activity and enjoyment by men. Current income and past guilt over sexual feelings showed very low but significant correlations with some frequency and enjoyment measures, and marital status, extramarital sex, and church attendance were significantly associated with continuing to perform and enjoy some sexual behaviors. Past importance of sex was significantly correlated with present frequency and enjoyment of both sexual intercourse and touching and caressing without sexual intercourse. Correlations between past and present frequency of sexual behaviors were substantial and significant for all but frequency of sexual intercourse, suggesting that current physical and social factors play an overriding role in this area.

Perimenopausal sexuality.

This report covers the results of an interview survey concerning sexual responses of 124 women during the perimenopause (menopause transition), and the results of 52 women's prospective coital behavior records over 3 months with concomitant steroid analysis. Results indicated that in general, the age group centering around 49 years appears not to be suffering from a particular sexual deficit in the dimensions of desire, response, or satisfaction in their sexual life, and a subset of women with especially low estradiol levels (less than 35 mg/pl) tends to have reduced coital activity.

Relationships among sexual behavior, hot flashes, and hormone levels in perimenopausal women.

Forty-three perimenopausal women kept daily records of menstrual cycles and sexual activity. Data on hot flashes and plasma estradiol and testosterone levels were obtained at two points during the menopausal transition. The prospective data yielded a significant negative association between hot flash ratings and regularity of sexual intercourse at both time points. A significant negative correlation was found between estradiol (in the early part of the cycle) and hot flashes ratings at the first data point only, and positive correlations were found between hot flashes and ratio of testosterone to estradiol (T/E) at both. Frequency of sexual intercourse and level of plasma estradiol were higher, and T/E and hot flash ratings were lower in "early" perimenopausal women who were still having cycles at least once every 30 days, as compared with "late" perimenopausal women who were cycling less often. It was concluded that a close association exists between increasing irregularity of menstrual cycles, hot flashes, declining estradiol levels, and declining frequency of intercourse during the perimenopause. Causal relationships remain to be established.

A longitudinal study of the effects of menopause on sexuality.

From an initial group of 39, 16 cycling peri-menopausal women completed a longitudinal study in which they recorded menstrual and sexual behavior daily and were interviewed at roughly 4-mth intervals until 1 yr or more without cycling. At each interview women gave 20-ml blood samples, completed sexuality questionnaires, and rated themselves for menopausal symptoms. As predicted, the difference in weekly rate of sexual intercourse before and after the cycle showed a significant decline (P less than 0.05). For each subject, mean weekly rates of sexual intercourse for 13-wk periods over the entire transition period were plotted and the slope of the line was calculated. Overall, the mean slope was negative, as predicted, and was significantly different from zero (P less than 0.05). The questionnaire data showed that compared with their pre-menopause data, the women had fewer sexual thoughts or fantasies (P less than 0.01), suffered more from lack of vaginal lubrication during sex (P less than 0.01), and were less satisfied with their partners as lovers (P less than 0.05) after menopause. While estradiol (E) and testosterone (T) levels showed significant declines (P less than 0.02), testosterone showed the most consistent association with coital frequency. The findings generally supported our initial hypothesis of a decline in sexual interest and coital frequency after menopause.

Factor analysis of the sexual interaction inventory.

Oblique and orthogonal factor analyses were performed on a data set produced by the administration of the Sexual Interaction Inventory to 32 former clients of a sexual dysfunction clinic. The analyses resulted in factor sets which are multiple and essentially psychologically meaningless. On the basis of the administration and the factor analysis results, several difficulties with the instrument are discussed. These are concerned with the question format, the distribution of the data, and the logical structure of the instrument.