bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cell Therapy for Metastatic Brain Cancers
Authors: Kaneko Yuji , Tajiri Naoki , Staples Meaghan , Reyes Stephanny , Lozano Diego , Sanberg Paul R. , Freeman Thomas B. , Van Loveren Harry , Kim Seung U. , Borlongan Cesar V.
Published: April 2015

We propose that stem cell therapy may be a potent treatment for metastatic melanoma in the brain. Here we discuss the key role of a leaky blood-brain barrier (BBB) that accompanies the development of brain metastases. We review the need to characterize the immunological and inflammatory responses associated with tumor-derived BBB damage in order to reveal the contribution of this brain pathological alteration to the formation and growth of brain metastatic cancers. Next, we discuss the potential repair of the BBB and attenuation of brain metastasis through transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with the endothelial progenitor cell phenotype. In particular, we review the need for evaluation of the efficacy of stem cell therapy in repairing a disrupted BBB in an effort to reduce neuroinflammation, eventually attenuating brain metastatic cancers. The demonstration of BBB repair through augmented angiogenesis and vasculogenesis will be critical to establishing the potential of stem cell therapy for the treatment/prevention of metastatic brain tumors. The overarching hypothesis we advanced here is that BBB breakdown is closely associated with brain metastatic cancers of melanoma, exacerbating the inflammatory response of the brain during metastasis, and ultimately worsening the outcome of metastatic brain cancers. Abrogating this leaky BBB-mediated inflammation via stem cell therapy represents a paradigm-shifting approach to treating brain cancer. This review article discusses the pros and cons of cell therapy for melanoma brain metastases.
Translation of Cell Therapies to the Clinic: Characteristics of Cell Suspensions in Large-Diameter Injection Cannulae
Authors: Torres Eduardo M. , Trigano Matthieu , Dunnett Tephen B.
Published: April 2015

With the use of cell replacement therapies as a realistic prospect for conditions such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, the logistics of the delivery of cell suspensions to deep brain targets is a topic for consideration. Because of the large cannulae required for such procedures, we need to consider the behavior of cell suspensions within the cannulae if we are to ensure that the injected cells are distributed as intended within the target tissue. We have investigated the behavior of primary embryonic cell suspensions of neural tissue, in cannulae of different diameters, using a protocol designed to mimic the handling and injection of cells during clinical application. Internal cannula diameter had a large effect on the distribution of cells during their dispensation from the syringe. In vertical or near vertical cannulae, cells settled toward the tip of the needle, and were dispensed unevenly, with the majority of cells emerging in the first 10-20% of the injectate. In horizontal or near-horizontal cannulae, we observed the opposite effect, such that few cells were dispensed in the first 80% of the injectate, and the majority emerged in the final 10-20%. Use of a glass cannula showed that the results obtained using the horizontal cannula were caused by settling and adherence of the cells on the side of the cannulae, such that during dispensation, the overlying, cell-free solution was dispensed first, prior to the emergence of the cells. We show that the behavior of cells in such cannulae is affected by the cannula diameter, and by the material of the cannula itself. In horizontal cannulae, uneven expulsion of cells from the needle can be ameliorated by regular rotation of the cannula during the procedure. We discuss the potential impact of these observations on the translation of cell therapies to the clinic.
A Potential Compensatory Role for Endogenous Striatal Tyrosine Hydroxylase-Positive Neurons in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Bubak Andrew N. , Redmond D. Eugene , Elsworth John D. , Roth Robert H. , Collier Timothy J. , Bjugstad Kimberly B. , Blanchard Barbara C. , Sladek John R.
Published: April 2015

The possibility of enhancing endogenous brain repair following neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), is of considerable recent interest. One such mechanism may exist in the striatum as an upregulated population of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons that appear after 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetra-hydropyridine (MPTP) lesions in nonhuman primates as well as in humans with PD. An intriguing possibility is that these endogenous neurons reflect a compensatory mechanism to mitigate the loss of striatal DA due to progressive destruction of the nigrostriatal pathway. The possibility of enhancing the number and function of this population is attractive; however, it is crucial to gain further information about these cells in order to comprehend more fully their possible therapeutic potential. The current research was designed to investigate the fate of this endogenous population in African green monkeys rendered parkinsonian by MPTP lesions. Specifically, we assessed changes in the numbers of striatal neurons expressing TH at differing stages of the toxin-induced behavioral disability and discovered a close relationship with symptom severity and striatal DA neuron numbers. Increased numbers of striatal TH-positive neurons were associated with MPTP treatment that produced parkinsonian symptoms compared to numbers of these neurons in MPTP-treated asymptomatic animals and untreated controls. Expression of striatal DA neurons peaked at the manifestation of symptoms in mild/moderate animals and remained stable in animals that were severely parkinsonian. Furthermore, in severely debilitated animals that improved after fetal dopaminergic grafts, we discovered a return to control levels of the endogenous population. Taken together, our results further support the concept that this population of DA neurons responds to variations in striatal DA tone and may serve as a compensatory mechanism to restore striatal DA levels in the context of significant depletion. Artificially manipulating this endogenous population could prove beneficial for PD treatment, especially for individuals in early disease stages.
RuCAS
Authors: Takatsuka Hiroki , Saiki Sachio , Matsumoto Shinsuke , Namamura Masahide
Published: April 2015

Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems and cloud services provide various kinds of data via distributed Web services. A context-aware service recognizes real-world contexts from such data and behaves autonomously. However, it has been challenging to manage contexts and services defined on the heterogeneous and distributed Web services. In this paper, the authors propose a framework, called RuCAS, which systematically creates and manages context-aware service using various Web services. RuCAS describes every context-aware service by an ECA (Event-Condition-Action) rule. For this, an event is a context triggering the service, a condition is a set of contexts to be satisfied for execution, and the action is a set of Web services to be executed by the service. Thus, every context-aware service is managed in a uniform manner. Since RuCAS is published as a Web service, created contexts and services are reusable. As a case study, RuCAS is applied to a real home network system.
Vasospasm after intraventricular hemorrhage caused by arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Tseng Wei-Lung , Tsai Yi-Hsin
Published: April 2015

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) induced vasospasm is rare in clinical practice. We report a case with vasospasm 10 days after IVH due to thalamic bleeding from an arteriovenous malformation. The vasospasm was so severe that transarterial embolization failed. Follow-up angiography could not reveal the vascular lesion and spontaneous thrombosis was considered. The discussion includes literature review and possible mechanism of such phenomenon. IVH-related vasospasm is rare but should always be kept in mind. Early detection with proper treatment provides better clinical outcome in such cases.
Measuring Change in Somatosensation Across the Lifespan
Authors: Dunn Winnie , Griffith James W. , Sabata Dory , Morrison Mary T. , MacDermid Joy C. , Darragh Amy , Schaaf Roseann , Dudgeon Brian , Connor Lisa Tabor , Carey Leeanne , Tanquary Jennifer
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVE. The study aim was to determine natural variability in somatosensation across age groups using brief measures. We validated measures in a community-dwelling population as part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function (NIH Toolbox; http://www.nihtoolbox.org).

METHOD. Participants included community-dwelling children and adults (N = 367, ages 3–85 yr) across seven sites. We tested haptic recognition, touch detection–discrimination, and proprioception using brief affordable measures as required by the NIH Toolbox.

RESULTS. Accuracy improved from young children to young adults; from young to older adults, the pattern reversed slightly. We found significant differences between adults and older adults. One proprioception test (kinesthesia; p =.003) showed gender differences (females more accurate). We provide expected score ranges for age groups as a basis for understanding age-related expectations for somatosensory perception.

CONCLUSION. The age-related patterns of somatosensory perception from this study refine decision making about performance.
Is average chain length of plant lipids a potential proxy for vegetation, environment and climate changes?
Authors: Wang M. , Zhang W. , Hou J.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Average chain length (ACL) of leaf wax components preserved in lacustrine sediments and soil profiles has been widely adopted as a proxy indicator for past changes in vegetation, environment and climate during the late Quaternary. The fundamental assumption is that woody plants produce leaf waxes with shorter ACL values than non-woody plants. However, there is a lack of systematic survey of modern plants to justify the assumption. Here, we investigated various types of plants at two lakes, Blood Pond in the northeastern USA and Lake Ranwu on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, and found that the ACL values were not significantly different between woody and non-woody plants. We also compiled the ACL values of modern plants in the literatures and performed a meta-analysis to determine whether a significant difference exists between woody and non-woody plants at single sites. The results showed that the ACL values of plants at 19 out of 26 sites did not show a significant difference between the two major types of plants. This suggests that extreme caution should be taken in using ACL as proxy for past changes in vegetation, environment and climate.
Hydrological drought forecasting and skill assessment for the Limpopo River basin, southern Africa
Authors: Trambauer P. , Werner M. , Winsemius H. C. , Maskey S. , Dutra E. , Uhlenbrook S.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Ensemble hydrological predictions are normally obtained by forcing hydrological models with ensembles of atmospheric forecasts produced by numerical weather prediction models. To be of practical value to water users, such forecasts should not only be sufficiently skilful, they should also provide information that is relevant to the decisions end users make. The semi-arid Limpopo Basin in southern Africa has experienced severe droughts in the past, resulting in crop failure, economic losses and the need for humanitarian aid. In this paper we address the seasonal prediction of hydrological drought in the Limpopo River basin by testing three proposed forecasting systems (FS) that can provide operational guidance to reservoir operators and water managers at the seasonal timescale. All three FS include a distributed hydrological model of the basin, which is forced with either (i) a global atmospheric model forecast (ECMWF seasonal forecast system – S4), (ii) the commonly applied ensemble streamflow prediction approach (ESP) using resampled historical data, or (iii) a conditional ESP approach (ESPcond) that is conditional on the ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) signal. We determine the skill of the three systems in predicting streamflow and commonly used drought indices. We also assess the skill in predicting indicators that are meaningful to local end users in the basin. FS_S4 shows moderate skill for all lead times (3, 4, and 5 months) and aggregation periods. FS_ESP also performs better than climatology for the shorter lead times, but with lower skill than FS_S4. FS_ESPcond shows intermediate skill compared to the other two FS, though its skill is shown to be more robust. The skill of FS_ESP and FS_ESPcond is found to decrease rapidly with increasing lead time when compared to FS_S4. The results show that both FS_S4 and FS_ESPcond have good potential for seasonal hydrological drought forecasting in the Limpopo River basin, which is encouraging in the context of providing better operational guidance to water users.
Reconstructing the natural hydrology of the San Francisco Bay-Delta watershed
Authors: Fox P. , Hutton P. H. , Howes D. J. , Draper A. J. , Sears L.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. The San Francisco Estuary, composed of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, is the largest estuary along the Pacific coast of the United States. The tributary watersheds of California's Central Valley are the principal sources of freshwater flow into the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary. The Delta serves as one of the principal hubs of California's water system, which delivers 45% of the water used statewide to 25 million residents and 16 000 km2 of farmland. The development of California, from small-scale human settlements that co-existed with an environment rich in native vegetation to the eighth largest economy in the world was facilitated by reconfiguring the state's water resources to serve new uses: agriculture, industry, and a burgeoning population. The redistribution of water from native vegetation to other uses was accompanied by significant declines in native aquatic species that rely on the San Francisco Bay-Delta system. These declines have been attributed to a variety of causes, including reduction in the amount of freshwater reaching the San Francisco Bay-Delta watershed (Delta outflow); decreased sediment loads; increased nutrient loads; changes in nutrient stoichiometry; contaminants; introduced species; habitat degradation and loss; and shifts in the ocean–atmosphere system, among others. Among these stressors, only the volume of Delta outflow has been regulated in an effort to address the decline in aquatic species. As native species evolved under natural landscape conditions, prior to European settlement in the mid-18th century, we evaluated the impact of landscape changes on the amount of Delta outflow. We reconstructed the natural landscape and used water balances to estimate the long-term annual average Delta outflow that would have occurred under natural landscape conditions if the climate from 1922 to 2009 were to repeat. These outflows are referred to as "natural" Delta outflows and are the first reported estimate of natural Delta outflow. We then compared these "natural" Delta outflows with current Delta outflows for the same climate and the existing landscape, including its re-engineered system of reservoirs, canals, aqueducts and pumping plants. This analysis shows that the long-term, annual average Delta outflow under natural landscape conditions is equal to current Delta outflow because the amount of water currently used by farms, cities, and others is about equal to the amount of water formerly used by native vegetation. The development of water resources in California's Central Valley transferred water formerly used by native vegetation to new beneficial uses without reducing the long-term annual average supply to the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary. Thus, it is unlikely that reductions in annual average Delta outflow have caused the decline in native freshwater aquatic species.
Consequences of Drug Abuse among Female and Male Population of Karachi: A Statistical Surveyed Approach
Authors: Sultan Rana Saba , Masudi Jawed Aziz , Siddiqui Afaq Ahmed , Mansoor Najia
Published: April 2015

Drugs are chemicals. Different drugs, because of their chemical structures, can affect the body in different ways. The most obvious effects of drug abuse which are manifested in the individuals include ill health, sickness and ultimately, death. The social life is also not spared by the hazardous impacts of the problem. Whereas the load at health department is increased, rise in crime rate is also a perilous effect faced by the society related to the growth of abusers in the country. The following study highlights the different effects that can influence male and female drug abusers to get rid of their drug misuse habits. Abusers age, level of awareness about drugs adverse effects, their encounters to health ailments including the life threatening infection HIV, and involvement in crimes were included in the survey which was carried out in Karachi in order to assess the magnitude of this problem.
Plant Sterols/Stanols: Do they have a Role in Current Cardiovascular Disease Prevention?
Authors: Filippatos Theodosios D. , Elisaf Moses S.
Published: April 2015

Plant sterols/stanols inhibit cholesterol absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The daily consumption of 2 g/day of plant sterols/stanols decreases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by approximately 10%. Plant sterols/stanols also reduce LDL-C levels when co-administered with statins, a fact useful for patients intolerable to high-dose statins. However, no randomized, controlled clinical trials have examined the clinical benefit of daily consumption of plant sterols/stanols. Furthermore, concerns regarding a possible atherogenic effect of plant sterols have been expressed. The use of plant sterols/stanols-enriched foods is a useful adjunct for hypercholesterolemic patients to achieve their LDL-C target, but we need more data to establish if this hypolipidemic effect results to reduced cardiovascular risk.
Nutritional Status of Pregnant Mothers Influence the Health in Adult Life of their Children
Authors: Echarte E.M. , Rocío Abalo , Chisari A.N.
Published: April 2015

Pregnancy and fetal development are periods of rapid growth and cell differentiation when mother and offspring are vulnerable to changes. Adverse events during development can be linked to an increased risk in developing metabolic diseases. Growth restriction in utero is associated with the development of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. In these processes, the liver plays a fundamental role.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of a low protein diet in pregnant and lactating mothers on the antioxidant status of the offspring liver. To reproduce real conditions, we used an experimental rat model.
Both ROS and the protective antioxidant systems have to work in coordination to reach a state of redox homeostasis. Excess generation of ROS may result in cell death or different pathological processes. The study also highlights the complex nature of malnutrition injury in which ROS correlates with the hepatic injury in a cause-and-effect manner.
The male offspring with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) caused by the isocaloric low-protein diet (8%) showed decreased liver and body weight at birth. Hepatic cholesterol levels and serum transaminase increase, at weaning (24 day of age).
We observed excess generation of ROS, carbonyl group and lipoperoxidation with that may result in cell death or different pathological processes in the liver.
Conclusion: This study would suggests that liver injury due to accelerated release of toxic oxygen species and impaired antioxidant status may contribute to the high susceptibility to suffer metabolic diseases, that are related to diet in early life and that manifest in adulthood.
The UEFA model in identification of types, severity and mechanism of injuries among professional footballers in the Nigerian Premier League
Authors: Ani U K
Published: April 2015

Background. Association football, otherwise known as soccer, is the most popular sport in the world. The increase in the popularity of the game and the expectations from players make injury risk in football high. Objective. To describe the types, severity, prevalence and mechanism of injuries among professional footballers in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL). Methods. The Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Injury Study Questionnaire was used for data collection. A total of 240 footballers from 11 clubs, who participated in the 2011/2012 NPL premiership season, was selected through proportionate stratified random sampling technique, and the participants were studied using a prospective cohort study design for 6 months. Descriptive statistics of means, percentages and frequency distributions were used to answer the research questions. Results. The mean (standard deviation) age, height and weight of the injured footballers was 22.9 (3.4) years, 1.69 (0.05) m and 71.3 (3.9) kg, respectively. There was a high injury prevalence (78%) associated with actual league games, whereas the incidence rate per 1 000-hour exposure was 300.2 exposure-hours from 19 games within 6 months. Sprain (32%) was the predominant type of injury recorded. The tackle event (34%) was the predominant mechanism of injury recorded, and 63% of the injuries led to 1 - 3 days of player absence from football activities. Most of the injuries were recurrent injuries (63%). Conclusion. This study showed a high occurrence of injuries in the NPL, in particular associated with league (competitive) games. The findings of this study will serve to guide the development and implementation of injury prevention strategies in the NPL.
Dynamic plantar pressure proles of South African university students
Authors: Kramer M
Published: April 2015

Background. Footscan technology allows for assessment of injury risk and walking mechanics, yet there is a dearth of normative datapertaining to the normal, injury-free foot in a South African (SA) context.Objective. To generate normative tables from plantar pressure prole data gathered from students at an SA university.Methods. e RS Footscan (RSscan, Belgium) system was used to measure the plantar pressure values of the foot. Ten anatomical landmarksof the foot were analysed: the hallux, lateral toes, ve metatarsal heads, midfoot, and medial and lateral heel. ese ten areas were groupedinto one of three regions: forefoot, midfoot and heel. A total of 180 participants were subdivided as follows: gender (males, n=90; females,n=90); race (black, n=60; white, n=60; coloured, n=60). Each race group comprised 30 males and 30 females.Results. Of the ten individual plantar pressure areas, the second and third metatarsal heads demonstrated the highest mean peak plantarpressure values. Of the three regions, the heel region was ascribed with the largest plantar pressure values. Black females, coloured malesand coloured females yielded the highest pressure values, especially under the midfoot region of the foot. Black and white males and whitefemales exhibited the lowest pressure under the foot, especially under the midfoot region.Conclusion. e plantar pressure prole data generated in this study could serve to provide clinicians with a frame of reference whenevaluating participants within the age range of 18 - 30 years.
Dédales, carrefours et coïncidences : Paris et la mémoire dans Pont de l’Alma de Julián Ríos
Authors: Shine Laura
Published: April 2015

La ville peut-elle préserver la mémoire de ceux qui ne sont plus ? Voilà l’une des questions que pose Julián Ríos dans son roman Pont de l’Alma (2010). L’auteur espagnol tisse autour de la princesse Diana un récit de culte et de souvenir, faisant de sa mort dans la Ville Lumière le noeud de son oeuvre complexe. Promenant le lecteur dans un Paris fragmenté et peuplé de revenants, il propose de réexaminer la ville et de remotiver les signes qu’elle offre en les considérant comme des formes d’existence post-mortem. Ce faisant, il donne « sens » au paysage urbain, conjuguant les trois acceptions du mot : sensation, direction et signification.
En rade : les descendants du chiffonnier. Lire Gilles Ascaride
Authors: Popovic Pierre
Published: April 2015

L’oeuvre de Gilles Ascaride élabore sans cesse des personnages qui, par leur
fonction, par leur trajectoire existentielle, par leur situation sociale sont amenés à jeter
un regard décentré sur la ville. Vue de leur point de vue, Marseille devient étrange,
cruelle, contradictoire et n’a plus rien à voir avec la ville de la beauté et de la joie de
vivre méditerranéenne ou avec la ville de la réussite commerciale planétaire que proposent
les récits joviaux de l’industrie touristique et du néolibéralisme hégémonique. Le chômeur
royal d’Un Roi à Marseille, l’instituteur retraité de Retrouver Pétofi et
le SDF de Sur tes ruines j’irai dansant remobilisent et transforment le «
chronotype » du chiffonnier, que Walter Benjamin avait naguère débusqué dans l’oeuvre de
Charles Baudelaire.
L’apologue synoptique du « Fort ligoté » (Mt 12,29 et par.) dans la théologie d’Irénée et la première littérature chrétienne
Authors: Bastit Agnès
Published: April 2015

La présente contribution s’intéresse au micro-récit évangélique transmis par les Synoptiques (Mt 12,29 et par.) et l’Évangile selon Thomas, qui met en scène un conflit pour la soustraction de « biens » à un « Fort » qui les détient (injustement, selon la suggestion implicite du contexte). L’étude s’adonne dans un premier temps à une analyse des diverses formes textuelles sous lesquelles cet apologue a initialement circulé, puis à une enquête sur les diverses lectures et utilisations théologiques du thème dans l’oeuvre d’Irénée à la fin du iie siècle et, au-delà, de quelques-uns de ses contemporains ou continuateurs. Du point de vue du panorama de la présence du verset et de l’histoire de son interprétation dans l’Église ancienne, la recherche a tendu à être exhaustive en ce qui concerne les trois premiers siècles, mais reste indicative pour les quatrième et cinquième siècles (avec une ouverture sur le Moyen Âge pour l’Occident médiéval). La diffusion du récit dans l’Église ancienne est liée à sa fonction kérygmatique : l’économie de la rédemption de l’homme, injustement détenu par le diable, s’y trouve représentée par une action simple et efficace, reliant la vivification ultime de l’homme à sa formation puis captivité initiales, à travers le moment décisif de la libération de l’homme.
Recruitment of the default mode network during a demanding act of executive control
Authors: Crittenden Ben M , Mitchell Daniel J , Duncan John
Published: April 2015

In the human brain, a default mode or task-negative network shows reduced activity during many cognitive tasks and is often associated with internally-directed processes, such as mind wandering and thoughts about the self. In contrast to this task-negative pattern, we show increased activity during a large and demanding switch in task set. Furthermore, we employ multivoxel pattern analysis and find that regions of interest within default mode network are encoding task-relevant information during task performance. Activity in this network may be driven by major revisions of cognitive context, whether internally or externally focused.
Calderone, Mary Steichen (1904−1998)
Authors: More Ellen S.
Published: April 2015

Mary Steichen Calderone, known during her heyday in the 1960s and 1970s as the “grandmother of sex education,” helped normalize the use of scientific terminology for genitalia and age‐appropriate scientific descriptions of reproductive and non‐reproductive sexual activity in sex education materials for schoolchildren, ranging from elementary school to university. As the Medical Director of Planned Parenthood from 1953 to 1964 she persuaded the American Public Health Association and the American Medical Association to include family planning in their definitions of good care. As the Director and then President of the Sex (currently Sexuality) Information and Education Council of the U.S. from 1964 to 1982, she became the target of criticism by the Christian Crusade and others on the New Right.
Childhood sexuality
Authors: Taverner Bill
Published: April 2015

This entry identifies common adult misunderstandings about childhood sexuality and the consequent inadequacy of most children's learnings about sexuality. It describes the psychosocial, cognitive, and sexual stages of development and the five universal needs of children as they grow toward sexually healthy adolescence and adulthood: affirmation; information; clarity about values; limit‐setting; and anticipatory guidance. It provides a variety of specific recommendations to assist adults in establishing the open and honest communication that will enable them to give the critical support that is essential if children are to become sexually healthy, responsible adults.
Contraception/conception, archaeology of
Authors: Eichner Katrina C. L. , Wilkie Laurie A.
Published: April 2015

This entry explores the history of birth control practices and their archaeological manifestations. In particular, evidence related to chemical abortifacients and mechanical devices such as condoms and vaginal syringes from archaeological contexts are discussed.
Cross‐dressing
Authors: Nuttbrock Larry
Published: April 2015

Cross‐dressing refers specifically to males or females wearing clothing appropriate for the opposite gender, however most usages of the term also include other aspects of gender role expression that are contrary to biological sex. Cross‐dressing occurs with impunity in a variety of well‐defined social contexts (e.g., certain holidays; parodies of gender presented as entertainment; and certain cultural practices that redefine sex and gender). Outside of such contexts, cross‐dressing is frequently associated with ridicule or even psychological or physical abuse. The apparent motivations for cross‐dressing and how it has been defined and controlled by society have changed in fundamental ways historically. Since the 1980s aspects of cross‐dressing have been potentially classified as psychiatric disorders (transvestic fetishism or gender identity disorder), although other perspectives have characterized cross‐dressing as a largely healthy expression of individuality.
Discursive construction of sexuality
Authors: Morrish Liz
Published: April 2015

Research into the discursive construction of sexuality has been influenced by Michel Foucault and queer theory, particularly the work on performativity by Judith Butler. The work examines the linguistic performances of coming out as a gay man or lesbian, or equally the concealment of that identity. Work has also examined the discursive construction of heterosexuality and hegemonic masculinity. There is an emphasis on the importance of community and the fact that meaning emerges intersubjectively. The work has been challenged by scholars who feel that iterable differences between categories of homosexual and heterosexual have not been established, and that scholars should make the articulation of desire the principal object of study.
Dress (clothing and adornment)
Authors: Loren Diana DiPaolo
Published: April 2015

Clothing and adornment cover the body, providing shelter from the elements and ensuring bodily comfort and protection. But the act of dressing is also social, providing visual communication about identity. The archaeology of dress investigates the remnants left behind. Although limited in number due to curation, perishability, and other factors, sartorial artifacts are among the remains that were lost, abandoned, or discarded at most archaeological sites. Items of clothing and adornment were used to construct a physical appearance and convey information about status, occupation, ethnicity, religion, and sexuality.
Erogenous zones
Authors: Barker Meg
Published: April 2015

The word erogenous translates as “producing desire.” Erogenous zones are areas of the body which provide sexual excitement when stimulated. The focus of psychosexual medicine and sex therapy in this area has tended to be on the genitals, which are also popularly regarded as the main erogenous zones. However, many parts of the body can be sexually exciting when stimulated, with diversity across people and cultures as to which zones are experienced as erogenous. This suggests a psychosocial, as well as physiological, element to such experiences. Recent work on fantasy, erotica, and tantric sex also suggests that it is worth taking seriously the cliché that the brain is the main erogenous zone.
Ethnicity and sexual identity in the United States
Authors: Allen Stephanie A.
Published: April 2015

Identity formation is a process by which individuals come to recognize, understand, and name their sexual desires. For white heterosexuals, this process is largely an unconscious one, due to their relatively heteronormative culture that privileges white skin. For non‐heterosexual ethnic and racial minorities, the process is more complicated and is shaped by racial and ethnic identity formation, as well as larger U.S. discourses surrounding sexuality, gender, and identity.
Evolution and sexology
Authors: Kauth Michael R.
Published: April 2015

This entry describes the intersection of evolutionary theory and sexology. The birth of evolutionary theory preceded the scientific study of human sexuality by decades. Darwinian evolutionary theory became the authoritative version in the 1930s when combined with modern genetics. Sociobiology and evolutionary psychology (EP) created much controversy by employing Darwinian theory to explain human social and sexual behavior, but made unique discoveries about mate preferences and mating strategies. Critics have challenged the assumptions and methodologies of evolutionary psychologists, although EP has remained a robust field. However, most sexual scientists study proximate social aspects of human sexuality and ignore evolutionary theory.
Fitness
Authors: Vitzthum Virginia J.
Published: April 2015

Abstract Fitnessrefers to the probability that a specific phenotype in a specific environment will contribute offspring to the next generation.Inclusive fitnessis an individual's own fitness plus those of its kin, discounted by the coefficient of relatedness.Altruism(phenotypes that increase the fitness of others at a cost to the bearer's own fitness) may persist in a population if the inclusive fitness of altruism is greater than that of non‐altruistic alternative phenotypes. Evolution by natural selection is the inevitable consequence of variation in the relative fitness of different phenotypes. Because resources are finite and higher fitness can come at a substantial cost to individual self‐maintenance, there are no necessary relationships between fitness and measures of individual well‐being or energy efficiency.Life history theoryprovides a framework for generating testable hypotheses regarding the impact on fitness of trade‐offs between allocating resources and time to reproduction or to somatic maintenance.
Gay men's sexuality
Authors: Whittier David
Published: April 2015

More needs to be known about gay men's sexuality for public and sexual health programs, to understand human sexuality and homosexuality in general, and for improving the lives of gay men. A small number of larger scale and fairly rigorous studies of gay men's sexuality have been surveys tending toward demographic and epidemiological concerns. These provide limited data on sexualityper se. Most of the published literature on gay men's sexuality comes from smaller studies concerned with highly specific aspects of gay men's sexuality—like condom‐related thoughts and behaviors, sexual identity, social organization of daily life, and so on. This essay summarizes the extant conceptual approaches to and literature on gay men's sexuality. The essay is also intended to point toward the need for further research on and understanding of gay men's sexuality.
Gender identity and role
Authors: Rind Patricia
Published: April 2015

Gender identity refers to an individual's belief regarding what gender they are. In a culture in which gender is considered dichotomous, individuals are believed to be either masculine or feminine. Many cultures seem to allow for a greater range of possible gender identities. Gender role refers to the public behaviors considered appropriate for a given gender. Appropriate gender roles vary greatly across cultures, societies, and historical periods.
Greek love: post‐classical perspectives
Authors: Orrells Daniel
Published: April 2015

This entry surveys key episodes in the history of the European reception of Greek love. It begins in the Italian Renaissance with the construction of the notion of chaste “platonic love” by the humanist scholar Marsilio Ficino. The entry then turns to the philhellenism of the art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann, whose research on ancient Greek art helped spark a craze in the eighteenth century for ancient Greek culture, and in particular, the beauty of the naked male body. This body offered a positive image in the face of stigmatization from nineteenth‐century sexology, which pathologized sexual relations between members of the same sex. The entry closes by outlining recent scholarship on Greek love.
Group selection
Authors: Eldakar Omar Tonsi
Published: April 2015

In evolutionary biology, the theory of group selection posits that natural selection occurs at the group level, and thus can influence the evolution of social traits. Natural selection favors traits that confer a fitness advantage to their bearers in the overall population. In social organisms, traits may be favored in the population by bestowing advantages at the group level. For example, when comparing fitness differences within groups, selfishness always beats altruism. However, as selfishness increases in frequency within a group, the average fitness of a group member will plummet in the overall population compared to individuals within more altruistic groups. Therefore, if groups vary in the proportion of altruists, then the differential contribution of groups to the total gene pool can favor altruism despite their selective disadvantage within each group.
Male‐to‐female trans person (MtF)
Authors: Denny Dallas
Published: April 2015

Male‐to‐Female (MtF) is a term used to describe the vector or direction of change of a transsexual or other transgendered person who is moving or wishing to move from a male body and gender role to (or towards) a female body and gender role. Male‐to‐female also refers to a person born with a male body who identifies as a woman and moves toward a social role as a woman. Those who choose to transition gender roles require access to medical services to obtain hormones and surgeries; this access is regulated by Standards of Care published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Male‐to‐female people suffer from discrimination and identity‐based sexual and physical attacks. Those with low incomes, those who do sex work, and people of color are at increased risk of being attacked.
Photocrosslinkable Gelatin Hydrogel for Epidermal Tissue Engineering
Authors: Zhao Xin , Lang Qi , Yildirimer Lara , Lin Zhi Yuan , Cui Wenguo , Annabi Nasim , Ng Kee Woei , Dokmeci Mehmet R. , Ghaemmaghami Amir M. , Khademhosseini Ali
Published: April 2015

Natural hydrogels are promising scaffolds to engineer epidermis. Currently, natural hydrogels used to support epidermal regeneration are mainly collagen‐ or gelatin‐based, which mimic the natural dermal extracellular matrix but often suffer from insufficient and uncontrollable mechanical and degradation properties. In this study, a photocrosslinkable gelatin (i.e., gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA)) with tunable mechanical, degradation, and biological properties is used to engineer the epidermis for skin tissue engineering applications. The results reveal that the mechanical and degradation properties of the developed hydrogels can be readily modified by varying the hydrogel concentration, with elastic and compressive moduli tuned from a few kPa to a few hundred kPa, and the degradation times varied from a few days to several months. Additionally, hydrogels of all concentrations displayed excellent cell viability (>90%) with increasing cell adhesion and proliferation corresponding to increases in hydrogel concentrations. Furthermore, the hydrogels are found to support keratinocyte growth, differentiation, and stratification into a reconstructed multilayered epidermis with adequate barrier functions. The robust and tunable properties of GelMA hydrogels suggest that the keratinocyte laden hydrogels can be used as epidermal substitutes, wound dressings, or substrates to construct various in vitro skin models.
Amphipathic DNA Origami Nanoparticles to Scaffold and Deform Lipid Membrane Vesicles
Authors: Czogalla Aleksander , Kauert Dominik J. , Franquelim Henri G. , Uzunova Veselina , Zhang Yixin , Seidel Ralf , Schwille Petra
Published: April 2015

We report a synthetic biology‐inspired approach for the engineering of amphipathic DNA origami structures as membrane‐scaffolding tools. The structures have a flat membrane‐binding interface decorated with cholesterol‐derived anchors. Sticky oligonucleotide overhangs on their side facets enable lateral interactions leading to the formation of ordered arrays on the membrane. Such a tight and regular arrangement makes our DNA origami capable of deforming free‐standing lipid membranes, mimicking the biological activity of coat‐forming proteins, for example, from the I‐/F‐BAR family.
Thermal conductivity and stability of a three‐phase blend of carbon nanotubes, conductive polymer, and silver nanoparticles incorporated into polycarbonate nanocomposites
Authors: Patole Archana , Ventura Isaac Aguilar , Lubineau Gilles
Published: April 2015

Metallic and non‐metallic nanofillers can be used together in the design of polycarbonate (PC) nanocomposites with improved electrical properties. Here, the preparation of three‐phase blend (carbon nanotubes (CNT), silver nanoparticles, and conductive polymer) in a two‐step process before incorporation in the PC is reported. First, ethylene diamine functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐EDA) were decorated with Ag nanoparticles. Next, the Ag‐decorated CNTs were coated with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT : PSS). Due to the high thermal conductivity instrinsic to both metallic and non‐metallic phases, it is expected that the thermal properties of the resulting nanocomposite would largely differ from those of pristine PC. We thus investigated in detail how this hybrid conductive blend affected properties such as the glass transition temperature, the thermal stability, and the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite. It was found that this strategy results in improved thermal conductivity and thermal stability of the material. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42281.
Applications of Cas9 as an RNA‐programmed RNA‐binding protein
Authors: Nelles David A. , Fang Mark Y. , Aigner Stefan , Yeo Gene W.
Published: April 2015

The Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR‐Cas system has gained widespread application as a genome editing and gene regulation tool as simultaneous cellular delivery of the Cas9 protein and guide RNAs enables recognition of specific DNA sequences. The recent discovery that Cas9 can also bind and cleave RNA in an RNA‐programmable manner indicates the potential utility of this system as a universal nucleic acid‐recognition technology. RNA‐targeted Cas9 (RCas9) could allow identification and manipulation of RNA substrates in live cells, empowering the study of cellular gene expression, and could ultimately spawn patient‐ and disease‐specific diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Here we describe the development of RCas9 and compare it to previous methods for RNA targeting, including engineered RNA‐binding proteins and other types of CRISPR‐Cas systems. We discuss potential uses ranging from live imaging of transcriptional dynamics to patient‐specific therapies and applications in synthetic biology.
Similarity measure for type‐2 fuzzy sets with an application to students' evaluation
Authors: Singh Pushpinder
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we propose a new similarity measure for type‐2 fuzzy sets. Validation has been investigated through the consistency of the proposed similarity measure. For practical use, a new method is proposed for the students’ answer book evaluation using the proposed similarity measure. This method is illustrated by the numerical example. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:694–702, 2015; View this article online atwileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI10.1002/cae.21642
Secondary Metabolites of Plants from the Genus Chloranthus: Chemistry and Biological Activities
Authors: Wang An‐Ran , Song Hong‐Chuan , An Hong‐Mei , Huang Qian , Luo Xie , Dong Jin‐Yan
Published: April 2015

Chloranthus, a genus of the family Chloranthaceae, which is mainly distributed in eastern and southern Asia, has been used in Chinese folk medicine due to its antitumor, antifungal, and anti‐inflammatory activities. This review compiles the research on isolation, structure elucidation, structural diversity, and bioactivities of Chloranthus secondary metabolites reported between 2007 and 2013. The metabolites listed encompass 82 sesquiterpenoids, 50 dimeric sesquiterpenoids, 15 diterpenoids, one coumarin, and five other compounds. Among them, dimeric sesquiterpenoids, the characteristic components of plants from the genus Chloranthus, have attracted considerable attention due to their complex structures and significant biological features, e.g., antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities, and potent and selective inhibition of the delayed rectifier (IK) K+ current and tyrosinase.
Altered Minor‐Groove Hydrogen Bonds in DNA Block Transcription Elongation by T7 RNA Polymerase
Authors: Tanasova Marina , Goeldi Silvan , Meyer Fabian , Hanawalt Philip C. , Spivak Graciela , Sturla Shana J.
Published: April 2015

DNA transcription depends upon the highly efficient and selective function of RNA polymerases (RNAPs). Modifications in the template DNA can impact the progression of RNA synthesis, and a number of DNA adducts, as well as abasic sites, arrest or stall transcription. Nonetheless, data are needed to understand why certain modifications to the structure of DNA bases stall RNA polymerases while others are efficiently bypassed. In this study, we evaluate the impact that alterations in dNTP/rNTP base‐pair geometry have on transcription. T7 RNA polymerase was used to study transcription over modified purines and pyrimidines with altered H‐bonding capacities. The results suggest that introducing wobble base‐pairs into the DNA:RNA heteroduplex interferes with transcriptional elongation and stalls RNA polymerase. However, transcriptional stalling is not observed if mismatched base‐pairs do not H‐bond. Together, these studies show that RNAP is able to discriminate mismatches resulting in wobble base‐pairs, and suggest that, in cases of modifications with minor steric impact, DNA:RNA heteroduplex geometry could serve as a controlling factor for initiating transcription‐coupled DNA repair.
Cross‐Coupling of Aryl‐Bromide and Porphyrin‐Bromide on an Au(111) Surface
Authors: Kuang Guowen , Zhang Qiushi , Li Deng Yuan , Shang Xue Song , Lin Tao , Liu Pei Nian , Lin Nian
Published: April 2015

Cross‐coupling is of great importance in organic synthesis. Here it is demonstrated that cross‐coupling of aryl‐bromide and porphyrin‐bromide takes place on a Au(111) surface in vacuo. The products are oligomers consisting of porphyrin moieties linked by p‐phenylene at porphyrin’s meso‐positions. The ratio of the cross‐coupled versus homocoupled bonds can be regulated by the reactant concentrations. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations were applied to determine the activation barrier. It is expected that this reaction can be employed in other aryl‐bromide precursors for designing alternating co‐polymers incorporating porphyrin and other functional moieties.