Casual Associations Research Articles

A Longitudinal Analysis of US Adults’ Pornography Exposure

Several studies have explored whether pornography exposure is associated with a casual approach to sex. Much of this research, however, has been cross-sectional, has assessed only straightforward exposure–casual sex associations, and has employed convenience samples of adolescents. This study employed nationally representative longitudinal data from the General Social Survey to explore whether casual sex behavior predicted over time change in US adults’ pornography exposure and whether pornography exposure predicted over time change in US adults’ casual sex behavior. Casual sex behavior did not predict over time change in pornography exposure, but pornography exposure did predict over time change in casual sex behavior. To test the prediction of Wright’s acquisition, activation, application model of sexual socialization (3AM) that negative affective states make the application of risky sexual scripts provided by sexual media more likely ( Wright, 2011a ) the moderating role of unhappiness was explored. In support of the model, pornography exposure was associated with nearly a sevenfold over time increase in the odds of having engaged in casual sex for unhappy individuals, but was unrelated to the casual sex behavior of very happy individuals.

Atrial fibrillation, thromboembolism, and haemostasis: causal or casual associations?

Atrial fibrillation, thromboembolism, and haemostasis: causal or casual associations?

Premature rupture of membranes and bacterial vaginosis

Critically review obstetric, epidemiologic, microbiologic, and pathophysiologic information regarding the possible casual associations of bacterial vaginosis with premature rupture of membranes. Observational and experimental studies are reviewed and correlated with in vitro and clinical, microbiologic, and pathophysiologic experiments in an effort to define possibly casual relationships with bacterial vaginosis and premature rupture of membranes and its maternal and perinatal sequelae. Considerable information shows that bacterial vaginosis, a common vaginal microbe-associated condition of reproductive age women, can be strongly (risk ratios up to 7.3, confidence interval 95%, 1.8 to 29.4) associated with preterm premature rupture of membranes as well as preterm labor and birth. Microorganisms of bacterial vaginosis produce factors including proteases (IgAse, collagenase, etc.) that can facilitate transport of bacteria to fetal membranes and impair fetal membrane integrity in experimental models. Controlled investigations are required to evaluate if treatment of bacterial vaginosis is associated with reduction of premature rupture of membranes and preterm birth.

Evolution of nitrogen-fixing symbioses

SynopsisBecause of both the energy costs and the slowness of the reactions of the nitrogenase complex compared with those involving some form of combined nitrogen (oxidised or reduced), we argue that the evolution of nitrogen-fixing organisms required an environment which was very limited in combined nitrogen. This is thought to have occurred after phototrophy evolved, but before water was used as a hydrogen donor (and therefore oxygen was present in the atmosphere). After oxygenic photosynthesis evolved, the need for a high level of biological nitrogen-fixation remained, since abiotic inputs were insufficient to keep pace with the rapidly evolving biomass (flora and fauna). Symbiotic fixation probably first evolved in the form of casual associations between cyanobacteria and most other groups of plants. By inhabiting the sporophytic generation of evolving land plants (cycads in particular), protection against nitrogenase-inactivating oxygen and a more desiccating environment was achieved simultaneously.We envisage nodulated plants arising by the transfer ofnifgenes into tumour-forming bacteria. In the case of legumes, these would be ancestors of extant agrobacteria, which gain entry into their hostsviawounds. Co-evolution of symbionts from nitrogen-fixing tumours has taken several routes, leading to extant nodules differing in mode of infection, structure and physiology. Evolution towards optimisation of oxygen usage is continuing.Nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in animal systems is only advantageous in specialised ecological niches in which wood is the sole dietary intake. In the case of shipworms, the symbiosis has many of the advanced features associated with nitrogen fixing root nodules.

The Vienna Academy as an Instrument of Habsburg Foreign and Domestic Policy During the Napoleonic Era

The development of national academies of art richly served the interests of both artists and politicians. They found not only personal and group identity but prestige, support, self-advertisement, and advancement in these institutions, dedicated to promoting the arts, useful industry, and the general welfare. During the early modern rise of nationalism, such benefits contributed to the rapid growth and proliferation of state academies of art, many of which had begun in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as casual associations of artists interested in working to elevate their profession.

Wolf-Rayet stars and giant H II regions in M33 - Casual associations or meaningful relationships

Wolf-Rayet stars and giant H II regions in M33 - Casual associations or meaningful relationships