bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pornography and violence
Authors: Dukes Catherine
Published: April 2015

The concepts of pornography and violence can be subjective and emotion‐producing terms. Together, the reaction of the word “pornography” to some people can be visceral. A casual conversation linking pornography and violence (as a positive correlation) is not uncommon at cocktail parties and at the water cooler. But what does the research truly reveal? Over 50 million Americans who are porn consumers may not even guess that, contrary to popular belief, the research studies have never shown pornography to cause violence. Further, there is a growing body of research that could support the opposite claim: that access to sexually explicit media may be a major factor in reducing sex‐related crime.
Primate mating systems
Authors: Wolfe Linda D.
Published: April 2015

Nonhuman primates have many different types of social systems, including solitary ranging, territorial units, uni‐male–multi‐female groups, fission–fusion communities, and large multi‐male–multi‐female troops. Mating takes place within the context of the social unit but does not for all primates circumscribe the identity or number of mating partners. The causes of primate social and mating systems are not clearly understood, but it is assumed they are associated with some combination of environmental adaptation and past evolution forces. Primate mating patterns tend to be different for each species or genus. The variation in mating patterns includes nature of courtship, the presence or absence of consortships, the tendency to engage in heterosexual and homosexual behavior, the speed and timing of mounting and ejaculation, and so forth.
Prostitution
Authors: Cheng Sealing
Published: April 2015

Prostitution refers to the commercial exchange of sexual services. It is also known as sex work or commercial sex to steer clear of any stigmatization or criminalization. It is the commercial and public nature of prostitution that distinguishes it from other forms of sexual exchange, such as that in marriage. The forms prostitution take are therefore historically contingent upon related structures of economy, society, and family. The whore stigma and the negative sanctions against prostitution are, furthermore, a function of particular ideologies about sexuality, gender, and social hierarchy. Three different frameworks of state regulation could be identified: criminalization, legalization, and decriminalization. And the feminist debates on prostitution are delineated according to their understanding of consent: abolitionist, sex work, and the middle ground.
Prostitution (female)
Authors: Truong Thanh‐Dam
Published: April 2015

The formation and establishment of the main epistemological obstacles in understanding human sexuality and its implications for contemporary understanding of prostitution are discussed. By highlighting the shifts in main lines of reasoning in debates on “sexuality” and “prostitution,” this entry shows the importance of recognizing the historicity of modes of thinking shaping social understanding and action and the need to break away from those that articulate a hegemonic view in order to deepen understanding of sexuality, gender transformation, prostitution, and affiliated issues in a transnational era.
Prostitution (male)
Authors: Mitchell Gregory C.
Published: April 2015

This entry emphasizes the complexity of male prostitution and the need for a flexible definition that accounts for the various formal and informal modes of operation in the sex industry. It provides a brief historical account, emphasizing the shift in the twentieth century of male prostitution away from effeminate homosexual men selling sex to masculine men toward a new mode dominated by heterosexual men selling sex to a growing and coherent gay subculture. It also addresses particular challenges in the industry and problematic representations of male prostitution.
Psychosexual functioning and adjustment
Authors: Sprankle Eric L.
Published: April 2015

Psychosexual functioning involves the psychological components of sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm. While sexual functioning predominantly occurs on a physiological level, many mental processes can affect and often interfere with adequate and satisfying sexual functioning. From mood and anxiety disorders, to occupational stress and relationship conflict, how individuals think, feel, and behave can have a significant impact on their levels of sexual drive, arousal, and orgasmic functioning. When sexual functioning difficulties are present as a result of psychological factors, mental health treatment can often ameliorate the symptoms causing the dysfunction.
Queer
Authors: Patton Cindy
Published: April 2015

The termqueerhas evolved through several distinct phrases: from a pejorative, to camp subcultural self‐designation, to a political term, to the current use among hipsters to signify their acceptance of sexual differences. Hotly debated among bloggers and political activists, the term retains its negative connotations in many public contexts when used as an attribute of specific individuals, but is also used to signify defiance of social norms by those who reject assimilationist approaches to lesbian and gay rights.
Queer linguistics
Authors: Maree Claire
Published: April 2015

This entry outlines the field of queer linguistics and its emergence from gender, sexuality, and language studies. It gives a historical overview of language and sexuality studies and identifies some of the key theories of queer linguistics.
Queer theory, archaeology of
Authors: Blackmore Chelsea
Published: April 2015

Queer theory in archaeology is a framework for examining sex, sexuality, and gender in the past. Related in part to feminist archaeology, queer theory examines how heteronormative assumptions impact who practices archaeology and how the past is interpreted. Queer archaeologies explore a wide range of topics related to identity formation, such as bodily performance, gender ambiguity, same‐sex intimacies, and the construction of family, households, and communities.
Rape, nonhuman
Authors: Knott Cheryl D.
Published: April 2015

Sexual coercion in nonhuman primates is the use of, or threat of, force to secure a current or future mating with a female, decreasing her chances of mating with other males and involving some cost to the female. It is considered a type of sexual selection. Three forms of sexual coercion are recognized. Direct coercion includes forced copulation, harassment, and intimidation. Indirect coercion involves coercive mate guarding, including herding, punishment, and sequestration. Infanticide is considered sexual coercion when it is committed by an incoming or newly dominant male on a nursing infant, bringing a female back into estrous sooner and increasing the likelihood that the infanticidal male will father her next offspring. Sexual coercion is most commonly directed at estrous females. It may also be directed toward nonestrous females and take the form of conditioning aggression, increasing the probability that a female will mate with the aggressor male in the future.
Religion, sex and
Authors: Haffner Debra W. , Michael Cobb J.
Published: April 2015

Virtually all of the world's religions understand sexuality as a divinely bestowed capacity for expressing love and generating life, but that it is also vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Debates on public policy issues related to sexuality regularly include religious overtones.

Fifty percent of all Americans are in faith traditions that are primarily conservative on a wide range of sexuality issues, teaching that sexuality is to be tightly controlled and restricted to specific acts and relationships. Other faith communities in the United States affirm sexuality as a blessing, and have a commitment to sexual health, education, and justice. Some have a deep commitment to sexual health, but they remain conflicted over how to incorporate gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people into congregational life. Religious belief and involvement impacts decisions about sexual behaviors and relationships throughout the lifespan. The majority of faith communities remain mostly silent on sexuality issues. This has been changing, particularly over the past decade, as more and more faith communities are making a commitment to sexual health and justice. Areas of particular change include women's issues, LGBT inclusion, and sexuality education.
Representation: museums and publications
Authors: Handsman Russell G.
Published: April 2015

Museums, until recently, have been mostly silent about sexuality in the past. But as scholars from different disciplines continue to recover those still‐hidden histories, museums can become portals into other worlds and alternative understandings. New York's Museum of Sex exemplifies how to represent the diversity of sexual pasts in a city. As archaeologists deepen our understandings of gendered and sexual differences in ancient cities around the world, a longer and comparative history of sexuality can be exhibited.
Rights, sexual and reproductive
Authors: Ahlberg Beth Maina
Published: April 2015

This entry examines both sexual and reproductive rights and what they are in relation to other rights. For example, the sexual and reproductive rights approach is rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—based on the idea that everybody is born with, and possesses, the same rights regardless of where they live, their gender, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, or ethnic background. While reproductive rights emphasize the right to decide freely on the number, spacing, and timing of one's children, also having the right to information and means to actualize their decisions, sexual rights articulate the freedom from discrimination, coercion, and violence with regards to sexuality. The entry then examines the historical influences, particularly the breakthroughs, but also opposition from different groups in international conferences.
Seduction
Authors: Hatfield Elaine , Sprecher Susan
Published: April 2015

Seduction is the process by which a person tries to attract an appealing date or mate who, under normal circumstances, might resist their romantic or sexual invitations. The tactics men and women have been found to use include: (1) pretending to be more physically and socially appealing than they really are; (2) lying about what they want—claiming to be interested in a casual sexual encounter or a serious relationship when they are in fact hoping for the opposite; and (3) flirting.
Sex therapy
Authors: Zamboni Brian D.
Published: April 2015

Sex therapy refers to any therapy that is designed to help one or more individuals resolve a sexuality‐related concern. Sex therapists treat diverse sexual concerns and use a wide variety of theoretical orientations and techniques. The goals of sex therapy include decreasing negative emotional states, increasing comfort with sexuality, learning how to relax, building healthy thinking about oneself and sexuality, and increasing knowledge about sex. Most scholars believe that, to be a good sex therapist, one must first be a good therapist. One mark of competence is certification as a sex therapist. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists is the largest and most well‐known organization that provides standards for sex therapy training.
Sexist language and sexuality
Authors: Kramarae Cheris , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2015

The field of language and sexuality incorporates insights from feminist, queer, linguistic anthropology, and sociolinguistic theories, as well as from the work of many activist groups such as the global SlutWalk movement, which called attention to some of the everyday conditions and restrictions that are often applied to women's bodies and to the continuum of sexist language. While ideas of sexual “deviance” change, the policing of women's sexuality is still widespread, as can be heard in the discourses about girls’ and women's sexuality. For many, online sources increasingly provide information about sexuality, as teens and adults go online to learn about and to have an impact on the discourse and meanings of sexuality. In many countries, language change is happening more quickly because of online discourses that challenge, reclaim, and rename, traditional media often not leading any more but following. In a time of great change, it is clear that language will continue to be used as a means for managing sexuality.
Sexology and feminism
Authors: Hall Lesley A.
Published: April 2015

Sexology and feminism have an intricate relationship. A long tradition of feminist analysis has critiqued the privileging of androcentric models of sexual functioning and interaction, while women's contributions to the evolution of understanding sexuality have often been overlooked, largely due to attempts to create a reputable scientific genealogy for an already marginalized area.
Sexual selection
Authors: Geary David C.
Published: April 2015

Sexual selection involves competition with members of the same sex for dominance and for priority access to mates; and discriminative choice of mating partners. The most common expressions are male–male competition and female choice, but in humans female–female competition and male choice are also involved.
Sexual stereotypes about ethnic minorities in the United States
Authors: Allen Stephanie A.
Published: April 2015

Sexual stereotypes about ethnic minorities in the United States are negative assumptions about sexual behavior and activity based on real or imagined racial and ethnic differences. Sexual stereotypes in the United States continue to influence the way we think about race and sexuality, and serve to “Other” those who are not white, heterosexual, or male. What all these stereotypes have in common is the fear of miscegenation, as well as the supposed threat to white male hegemony in the United States.
Sexualities, Africa
Authors: Hendriks Thomas
Published: April 2015

African sexualities are increasingly studied by scholars from diverse disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Critical research has moved away from both the quantitative public health studies—focusing on sexuality as a problem—and the “African sexuality thesis”—with its essentializing and culturally reductionist reading of the assumed specificities of African AIDS. Two main themes have dominated recent sexuality studies in Africa: (1) a reconsideration of supposed female victimization by reappraising female desire, pleasure, and autonomy; and (2) a destabilization of the heterosexist underpinnings of African sexuality studies by uncovering different same‐sex sexualities on the continent. Given that sexuality is an analytical concept that originated in late modern Europe and that “African sexuality” is a field surrounded by a set of recalcitrant old stereotypes, sexualities in Africa need to be studied from a critical perspective, highlighting the contextual and fluid nature of sexuality and desire.
Sexuality education
Authors: Kempner Martha
Published: April 2015

Sexuality education is a lifelong process in which individuals gather information and form attitudes and beliefs about such topics as anatomy, reproduction, sexual development, sexual orientation, gender, relationships, and sexual behavior. Individuals learn about sexuality from parents, peers, teachers, and society. Still, the concept of sexuality education (often rendered as “sex education,” or even “sex ed”) tends to evoke images of high‐school classrooms, because it is most often used to refer to school‐based classes for young people. In the United States, school‐based sexuality education programs have been controversial for more than 100 years, as various groups have argued over whether schools are an appropriate place to address sexuality, which topics should be included, and what the ultimate messages and goals of such programs should be.
Sexuality: ancient China
Authors: Goldin Paul R.
Published: April 2015

This entry discusses prominent themes in ancient Chinese sexual life from the Stone Age to imperial times: the problem of an imbalanced sex ratio exacerbated by polygyny among the social elite; a predominant theory of matter, calledqi, that would have been incompatible with any notion of a biological basis of sexual orientation; and a sexual discourse unburdened by the Christian concept of sin.
Sexuality: ancient North America
Authors: Bardolph Dana N. , Gamble Lynn H.
Published: April 2015

Archaeologists have pursued several key avenues of inquiry in their study of sexuality in ancient North America, including sexual identities, sexual representations, sexuality and cosmology, and the human life course. Because ancient North American contexts lack written records, archaeologists often use ethnographic analogies to reconstruct past sexual and gendered identities and practices. Studies of sexual identity encompass themes of sexual orientation as well as of gender identification; the two‐spirit (berdache, or third and fourth gender) figures prominently in these discussions. Sexual representations, for example phallic and vulvar images, or depictions of the body and of sexual acts, are broadly represented in ancient North American pottery, rock art, and figurines. Cosmological beliefs have served as an interpretative basis for objects or depictions that may not be considered overtly sexual, but likely were tied to sexual beliefs and practices. Most of the life course is centered on puberty, fertility, childbirth, and nursing.
Sexually transmitted diseases and infections
Authors: Rogstad Karen , Elangasinghe Meredith , Powles Elizabeth
Published: April 2015

Sexually transmitted infections are infections that are passed from person to person through sexual contact. This entry deals with gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, genital herpes, and genital warts, concentrating particularly on the historical background of these infections, their clinical manifestation, and their treatment.
Situational homosexuality
Authors: Hartenstein Christiana C. , Gonsiorek John C.
Published: April 2015

Situational homosexuality refers to a diverse and inconsistent set of phenomena in which a person engages in sexual behavior with the gender that is not typical for him or her. This can be the result of immaturity, confusion, experimentation, idiosyncratic psychological dynamics, lack of typical gendered partners, social influence, and varying degrees of coercion. Hence it is possible for any orientation—heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual—to be situational; but the phrase has been used almost exclusively in relation to homosexuality.
Social hygiene
Authors: Jones Greta
Published: April 2015

Social hygiene arose at the end of the nineteenth century out of a marriage between fears about physical deterioration in the population and an increasing awareness of the importance of heredity. The effect was to influence programs of social reform in two ways: toward improving individual mental and physical health and, at its most ambitious, toward altering the composition of the population as a whole, so as to promote the “fit” and eliminate the “unfit.”
Social purity
Authors: Valverde Mariana
Published: April 2015

From the 1880s to World War I, a loose international network of reformers promoted the idea that fostering a pure individual life would simultaneously strengthen and improve the social whole. These ideas were closely related both to temperance thinking and to the quasi‐scientific notion of “the degeneration of the race” (which meant at the time the white or the Anglo‐Saxon race). Agreeing that efforts were needed to promote purity in sexual conduct and other areas (drinking, smoking, entertainment), activists were otherwise divided. Some were very active feminists, whereas others were more conservative; and some pursued tough moral laws while others believed that state coercion was counterproductive.
St. James, Margo (1937–)
Authors: Dewey Susan
Published: April 2015

Sex workers’ rights activist and Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics (COYOTE) founder Margo St. James spent her career advocating for sex workers’ civil rights and the decriminalization of all forms of sex work. The St. James Infirmary, the San Francisco peer‐led sex workers’ health clinic, is named in her honor.
Standards of Care, transgender health
Authors: Fraser Lin
Published: April 2015

The Standards of Care (SOC) set forth by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) are international evidence‐based guidelines for promoting the overall health and well‐being of transsexual, transgender, and gender nonconforming people. Initially developed in 1979, the SOC have gone through six revisions. The SOCs are interdisciplinary and include clinical guidelines for mental health professionals, endocrinologists, primary care physicians, surgeons, speech therapists, and other professionals. They may also provide useful information for institutions and for interested parties such as trans people themselves. The most recent version, SOC Version 7, is a significant departure from previous ones, benefiting from a growing body of literature, cultural changes, and better communication between professionals and the transgender community. All these advances have resulted in a shift in paradigm from a binary to a spectrum understanding of gender, a depathologization of gender nonconformity, and the broadening of the focus of transgender care from treatment to overall health.
Teenage pregnancy
Authors: Macleod Catriona Ida
Published: April 2015

Early research on teenage pregnancy sought to highlight the negative consequences of early reproduction, both for the infant and for the mother, and, as a result, to tease out the causes of, or factors leading to, such pregnancies. Research on interventions that reduce the rates of teenage pregnancy, and that improve the health, education, and social functioning of those teenagers who do become pregnant followed. Revisionist authors started to express concern, however, about the straightforward association of early reproduction with negative outcomes. They argued that the research showing such negative outcomes was methodologically flawed. Still later, authors taking a constructionist approach began to unravel the gender, race, class, and colonialist underpinnings of the standard approach to teenage pregnancy, and to highlight the power relations interwoven in public responses to, and interventions with, young pregnant women.
Third gender
Authors: Hollimon Sandra E.
Published: April 2015

Native North American cultures recognize three or more genders. Third‐ and fourth‐gender persons are culturally identified as distinct from women and men. They often are considered to have special attributes derived from supernatural power. These roles appear in human cultures in many parts of the world, but this entry describes anthropological research in gender systems of Native North American cultures.
Transgender in Polynesia
Authors: Besnier Niko
Published: April 2015

Most societies of Polynesia include a small minority of nonnormatively gendered people. These are highly effeminate men and masculine women, whose gendering also implies an erotic attraction to persons of the same sex who are normatively gendered. The gender crossing that transgender Polynesians exhibit involves the crossing of other boundaries, including the boundary between the local and the global. Colonialism has given different cultural configurations to the meaning of transgender across societies of the region and political positions within societies.
Vaginismus
Authors: Ng Emil Man‐Lun
Published: April 2015

Vaginismus is a female sexual dysfunction characterized by fear, pain and vaginal spasm in anticipation of coitus, making sexual intercourse impossible. The condition can be caused by physical or psychological factors. Treatment includes removal of the causes and behavioral exercises involving dilatation of the vagina and vaginal muscle training.
Van de Velde, Theodoor Hendrik (1873–1937)
Authors: Young Paul D.
Published: April 2015

Gynecologist Theodoor van de Velde established the connection between body temperature and phases of the menstrual cycle, and wrote
Ideal Marriage
, one of the most popular marriage manuals of the twentieth century. Notable for combining medical investigation and practical advice, van de Velde urged mutual sexual involvement and satisfaction for both partners.
Woman marriage, Africa
Authors: Wieringa Saskia
Published: April 2015

Woman marriages have been recorded for over forty societies in Africa. They were contracted either because wealthy or powerful women wanted to establish a compound of their own or because they wanted to get children on behalf of a (deceased) male. Other forms of institutionalized women's same‐sex relationships include bond friendships.
World Congress Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents
Authors: Beddoe Christine
Published: April 2015

Global efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children began almost 20 years ago with a grassroots campaign that has grown to become an international platform for action, holding governments to account from all around the world. With an idea conceived initially in the early 1990s by the Asian‐based campaigning network called ECPAT (End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism—later to be re‐named End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes), the concept of a World Congress uniting governments, the UN, nongovernment organizations, the media, the private sector, and children themselves has become the single most important catalyst for the protection of children worldwide.
Consistency and Utility of Data Items Across European Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Cohorts and Registers
Authors: Radner Helga , Dixon William , Hyrich Kimme , Askling Johan
Published: April 2015

Objective

To identify overlaps, discrepancies, and perceived utility of the currently collected data in European clinical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohorts and registers. Heterogeneity of data collection and data representation may limit comparative and collaborative RA research. Defining data standards is important and should be informed by which data items are currently collected and their perceived utility in scientific analyses.

Methods

A web survey was sent to 27 European RA registers/clinical cohorts, requesting information on which specific data items were collected, how and with what frequency they were collected, how often data were missing, and if the items collected were regarded as useful for research.

Results

Twenty‐five of 27 contacted RA cohorts/registers from 16 different European countries, totaling 189,633 patients (range 130–55,000), completed the survey. Items collected by the majority of data sources and used frequently for research were composite disease activity scores, acute‐phase reactants, joint counts, information on RA‐specific treatments, physical function, and patient global assessment of disease activity. Many of the collected items showed large variability in terms of measurement and time point of collection. Among all items collected, disease activity, RA treatment, and joint counts were regarded as the most important. When not collected, smoking, imaging, and comorbidities were the top‐ranked variables felt to have been worth collecting.

Conclusion

Even though certain items are regularly collected, the mode of data collection and the data definition are heterogeneous. Harmonization of data collection across European clinical RA data sources is therefore pivotal for future collaborative studies.
Finite Element Analysis of Crack Propagation in AlSi7%Mg0.3% Cast Alloys using Macro‐ and Micro‐Scale Levels
Authors: Lasko Galina , Weber Ulrich , Apel Markus , Berger Ralf , Schmauder Siegfried
Published: April 2015

In this study, a computational mechanics approach has been developed to evaluate fracture toughness of an Al–Si cast alloy. Within the framework of the finite element method (FEM) CT‐test experiments have been simulated on macro‐ and micro‐scale levels with application of a cohesive zone model. Experimental CT tests have been performed and the parameters necessary for the FEM simulations (fracture energy and cohesive strength) have been determined. The estimation of fracture toughness from FEM simulations has been proposed based on a combination of crack propagation simulations on two‐length scales in one run. The proposed approach enables one to understand the effect of pores of different sizes and locations on the fracture toughness of an Al–Si cast alloy.
Nanoporous Silver Thin Films: Multifunctional Platforms for Influencing Chain Morphology and Optical Properties of Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Shen Zeqing , O'Carroll Deirdre M.
Published: April 2015

Disordered nanoporous silver (NPAg) thin films fabricated by a thermally assisted dewetting method are employed as a platform to influence chain alignment, morphology, and optical properties of three well‐known conjugated polymers. Grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS) measurements show that the porous structure of the metal induces close π–π stacking of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) chains and extended, planar chain conformations of poly(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl) (PFO) and poly[(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl)‐alt‐(benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazol‐4,8‐diyl)] (F8BT). A greater degree of vertically‐oriented P3HT chains are found on NPAg compared with planar Ag. However, PFO and F8BT chain alignment is only affected when pore size is large. The optical properties of NPAg films are investigated by transmission and back‐scattering spectroscopies. Strong back‐scattering is observed for all NPAg morphologies, especially for NPAg with small pore sizes. Photoluminescence spectroscopy of conjugated polymer layers on NPAg showed pronounced emission enhancements (up to factors of 26) relative to layers on glass. The enhancements are attributed primarily to: 1) redistribution of conjugated polymer emission by Ag; 2) redirection of emission by polymer‐filled nanopores; and 3) local electromagnetic field effects. This work demonstrates the potential of NPAg‐thin films to influence molecular chain morphology and to improve light‐extraction in organic optoelectronic devices.
Thionation Enhances the Electron Mobility of Perylene Diimide for High Performance n‐Channel Organic Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Tilley Andrew J. , Guo Chang , Miltenburg Mark B. , Schon Tyler B. , Yan Han , Li Yuning , Seferos Dwight S.
Published: April 2015

Perylene diimides (PDIs) are one of the most widely studied n‐type materials, showing great promise as electron acceptors in organic photovoltaic devices and as electron transport materials in n‐channel organic field effect transistors. Amongst the well‐established chemical modification strategies for increasing the electron mobility of PDI, substitution of the imide oxygen atoms with sulfur, known as thionation, has remained largely unexplored. In this work, it is demonstrated that thionation is a highly effective means of enhancing the electron mobility of a bis‐N‐alkylated PDI derivative. Successive oxygen–sulfur substitution increases the electron mobility such that the fully thionated derivative (S4) has an average mobility of 0.16 cm2 V−1 s−1. This is two orders of magnitude larger than the nonthionated parent compound (P), and is achieved by solution deposition and without thermal or solvent vapor annealing. A combination of atomic force microscopy and 2D wide angle X‐ray scattering experiments, together with theoretical modeling of charge transport efficiency, is used to explain the strong positive correlation observed between electron mobility and degree of thionation. This work establishes thionation as a highly effective means of enhancing the electron mobility of PDI, and provides motivation for the development of thionated PDI derivatives for organic electronics applications.
Single‐Molecule Characterization of Near‐Infrared‐Emitting Silver Nanoclusters
Authors: Hooley Emma N. , Paolucci Valentina , Liao Zhiyu , Carro Temboury Miguel R. , Vosch Tom
Published: April 2015

In this paper, single molecule spectroscopy is used to probe the photophysical heterogeneity of near‐infrared emitting silver nanoclusters stabilized in single stranded DNA containing 24 cytosines (C24‐AgNCs). Focusing on this subset of emitters allows us to address and correlate their photophysical parameters. The results suggest that for these near‐infrared emitting C24‐AgNCs, the broad range of observed photophysical properties is due to the spectral heterogeneity of two species, one of which has a broad range of emission maxima and decay times. This conclusion is drawn by analyzing the results of a large number of single C24‐AgNCs where, for the first time, emission maxima, fluorescence decay times, fluorescence intensity, blinking, and photon antibunching are determined simultaneously. The single molecule measurements also reveal that some of the C24‐AgNCs can change their spectral properties during the measurement, while photon antibunching measurements verified that all the analyzed C24‐AgNCs behave as single emitters. While the overall spectral heterogeneity can be related to the immobilization in the polymer film and/or intrinsic heterogeneity of the C24‐AgNCs emitters, the exact origin of the dynamical changes has not been fully determined. However, changes in the AgNCs geometry, local environment, or changes in the DNA conformation are possible explanations.
Ionic Liquid Redox Catholyte for High Energy Efficiency, Low‐Cost Energy Storage
Authors: Xue Leigang , Tucker Telpriore G. , Angell C. Austen
Published: April 2015

An approach to energy storage using ionic liquids as joint ion‐conducting medium and redox active catholyte material is described. The earth‐abundant ferric ion is incorporated as an oxidizing agent in the form of the low‐melting NaFeCl4 in a 1:1 mixture with ethylmethylimidazolium tetrachloraluminate, an ambient temperature ionic liquid. Different possible anode types are considered, and the most obvious one involving liquid sodium (with special wetting of a sodium ion‐conducting ceramic separator) is tested. The high voltage >3.2 V predicted for this cell is verified, and its cyclability is confirmed. Operating at 180 °C, an unexpectedly high energy efficiency >96%, is recorded. This establishes this type of cell as an attractive candidate for energy storage. For optimum energy storage, high energy efficiency is mandated for thermal management, as well as economic reasons. The theoretical capacity of the cell is 288 Wh kg−1 (418 Wh L−1) of which 73% is realized. The cell is shown to be fail‐safe against internal shorts. As there are many degrees of freedom for developing this type of cell, it is suggested as a promising area of future research effort in the energy storage area.
Further supporting evidence for the SATB2‐associated syndrome found through whole exome sequencing
Authors: Zarate Yuri A. , Perry Hazel , Ben‐Omran Tawfeg , Sellars Elizabeth A. , Stein Quinn , Almureikhi Mariam , Simmons Kirk , Klein Ophir , Fish Jennifer , Feingold Murray , Douglas Jessica , Kruer Michael C. , Si Yue , Mao Rong , McKnight Dianalee , Gibellini Federica , Retterer Kyle , Slavotinek Anne
Published: April 2015

The SATB2‐associated syndrome (SAS) was recently proposed as a clinically recognizable syndrome that results from deleterious alterations of the SATB2 gene in humans. Although interstitial deletions at 2q33 encompassing SATB2, either alone or contiguously with other genes, have been reported before, there is limited literature regarding intragenic mutations of this gene and the resulting phenotype. We describe five patients in whom whole exome sequencing identified five unique de novo mutations in the SATB2 gene (one splice site, one frameshift, and three nonsense mutations). The five patients had overlapping features that support the characteristic features of the SAS: intellectual disability with limited speech development and craniofacial abnormalities including cleft palate, dysmorphic features, and dental abnormalities. Furthermore, Patient 1 also had features not previously described that represent an expansion of the phenotype. Osteopenia was seen in two of the patients, suggesting that this finding could be added to the list of distinctive findings. We provide supporting evidence that analysis for deletions or point mutations in SATB2 should be considered in children with intellectual disability and severely impaired speech, cleft or high palate, teeth abnormalities, and osteopenia. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measuring stress responses in female Geoffroy's spider monkeys: Validation and the influence of reproductive state
Authors: Rodrigues Michelle A. , Wittwer Dan , Kitchen Dawn M.
Published: April 2015

Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites are increasingly used to investigate physiological stress. However, it is crucial for researchers to simultaneously investigate the effects of reproductive state because estradiol and placental hormones can affect circulating glucocorticoid concentrations. Reports on the relationships between glucocorticoids and reproductive state are inconsistent among females. Unlike several primate species that have heightened glucocorticoid activity during lactation, humans experience reduced glucocorticoid activity during lactation. Rather than a taxonomic difference, we hypothesize that this is a result of different environmental stressors, particularly the threat of infanticide. Here, we expand the number of wild primate species tested by validating a glucocorticoid assay for female Geoffroy's spider monkeys. We investigate the effects of reproductive state on their glucocorticoid concentrations. Utilizing a routine veterinary exam on a captive population, we determined that fecal glucocorticoid metabolites increase in response to a stressor (anesthesia), and this rise is detected approximately 24 hr later. Additionally, we found that extracted hormone patterns in a wild population reflected basic reproductive biology—estradiol concentrations were higher in cycling than lactating females, and in lactating females with older offspring who were presumably resuming their cycle. However, we found that estradiol and glucocorticoid concentrations were significantly correlated in lactating but not cycling females. Similarly, we found that reproductive state and estradiol concentration, but not stage of lactation, predicted glucocorticoid concentrations. Unlike patterns in several other primate species that face a relatively strong threat of infanticide, lactating spider monkeys experience reduced glucocorticoid activity, possibly due to attenuating effects of oxytocin and lower male‐initiated aggression than directed at cycling females. More broadly, we conclude that future studies using fecal glucocorticoid metabolites to index stress should consider that reproductive state might confound glucocorticoid measurements. Am. J. Primatol. 77:925–935, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Allergic sensitization, rhinitis, and tobacco smoke exposure in U.S. children and adolescents
Authors: Shargorodsky Josef , Garcia‐Esquinas Esther , Navas‐Acien Ana , Lin Sandra Y.
Published: April 2015

Background

Childhood tobacco exposure has been linked with sinonasal pathology, and may be associated with allergic sensitization. This study evaluates the association between exposure to active smoking or secondhand smoke (SHS) and the prevalence of rhinitis and allergic sensitization in the U.S. pediatric population.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study in 2714 children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2005–2006. Active smoking was defined as self‐reported smoking or serum cotinine concentrations >10 ng/mL. SHS was defined as nonactive smokers who reported living with ≥1 smokers or had serum cotinine ≥0.011 ng/mL. Self‐reported rhinitis was based on symptoms during the past 12 months, and allergen sensitization was defined as a positive response to any of the 19 specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antigens tested.

Results

About half of the population (54%) had detectable levels of IgE specific to at least 1 of the tested allergens, and 25% reported a history of rhinitis. After multivariate adjustment, an increased prevalence rate ratio (PRR) of self‐reported rhinitis was seen in individuals in the highest cotinine tertile among active smokers (PRR, 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 2.43), with a significant trend between increasing cotinine levels in individuals exposed to either secondhand smoke or active smoking (p = 0.05 for both analyses). Significantly less food allergen sensitization was observed in participants in the highest cotinine tertile of secondhand smoke (PRR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.85).

Conclusion

Tobacco smoke exposure was associated with increased prevalence of rhinitis symptoms, but decreased prevalence of allergic sensitization. The results highlight the complex relationship between tobacco exposure and sinonasal pathology.
Female Genital Mutilation and its Aftermath in a Woman who Wished to “Have a Life:” Submission as a Route to the Preservation of Personal Agency
Authors: Eisold Barbara K.
Published: April 2015

Seven women who had suffered female genital mutilation (FGM) as children were referred to me for brief psychological evaluation as part of the process of applying for political asylum in the United States. FGM can cause lifelong infections, pain and dyspareunia, as well as difficulty with child‐bearing. Effects on emotional well‐being can also be considerable. Following an introduction, this paper describes one of my clients (representative of others) who, despite the wide effects of FGM, was able to develop a strong sense of personal agency. This emerged out of a profound desire to “have a life.” She wanted the freedom to pursue her own friends without fear of shame; she wanted to keep her own earnings and not have to turn them over to her husband. It is suggested that this woman achieved agency/her personal goals by subordinating herself to the will of men, both to her step‐father and husband, and finally to “Allah,” whose “voice” she hears regularly at night. With this last support, she has been able to gain the independence deemed “male” in her home culture. The hallucinatory voice is thus discussed as a sign of psychological health, in keeping with recent research. She is presented here as an example of strengths and capabilities beyond previous imaginings. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transcriptional Associations of Osteoarthritis‐Mediated Loss of Epigenetic Control in Articular Cartilage
Authors: den Hollander Wouter , Ramos Yolande F. M. , Bomer Nils , Elzinga Stefan , van der Breggen Ruud , Lakenberg Nico , de Dijcker Wesley J. , Suchiman H. Eka D. , Duijnisveld Bouke J. , Houwing‐Duistermaat Jeanine J. , Slagboom P. Eline , Bos Steffan D. , Nelissen Rob G. H. H. , Meulenbelt Ingrid
Published: April 2015

Objective

To identify osteoarthritis (OA) progression–modulating pathways in articular cartilage and their respective regulatory epigenetic and genetic determinants in end‐stage disease.

Methods

Transcriptional activity of CpG was assessed using gene expression data and DNA methylation data for preserved and lesional articular cartilage samples. Disease‐responsive transcriptionally active CpG were identified by means of differential methylation between preserved and lesional cartilage. Transcriptionally relevant genetic determinants were addressed by means of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) proximal to the OA‐responsive transcriptionally active CpG. Statistical analyses were corrected for age, sex, joint, and technical covariates. A random effect was included to correct for possible correlations between paired samples.

Results

Of 9,838 transcribed genes in articular cartilage, 2,324 correlated with the methylation status of 3,748 transcriptionally active CpG; both negative (n = 1,741) and positive (n = 2,007) correlations were observed. Hypomethylation and hypermethylation (false discovery rate of <0.05, |Δβ| > 0.05) were observed for 62 and 25 transcriptionally active CpG, respectively, covering 70 unique genes. Enrichment for developmental and extracellular matrix maintenance pathways indicated possible reactivation of endochondral ossification. Finally, we observed 31 and 26 genes for which methylation and expression, respectively, were additionally affected by genetic variation.

Conclusion

We identified tissue‐specific genes involved in OA disease progression, reflected by genetic and pathologic epigenetic regulation of transcription, primarily at genes involved in development. Therefore, transcriptionally active SNPs near these genes may serve as putative susceptibility alleles. Our results constitute an important step toward understanding the reported widespread epigenetic changes occurring in OA articular cartilage and toward subsequent development of treatments targeting disease‐driving pathways.
All biomass is local: The cost, volume produced, and global warming impact of cellulosic biofuels depend strongly on logistics and local conditions
Authors: Kim Seungdo , Dale Bruce E.
Published: April 2015

Current models of cellulosic biofuel systems require that the delivered price of the cellulosic biomass feedstock be kept low. Thus the predicted biorefinery size is relatively small, limiting potential economies of scale. However, it is actually the ultimate selling price of the biofuel that largely determines market penetration. We relaxed the constraint of low delivered feedstock price and explored the resulting effects on biofuel price, biofuel volume produced, and global warming impact (GWI). Feedstock price greatly affects the feedstock supply chains that may develop. Increased feedstock price does not affect the final ethanol selling price very much, but higher feedstock prices greatly increase the amount of ethanol produced. Farmers will supply much more cellulosic biomass at higher feedstock prices, leading to shorter transportation distances with reduced transportation costs and enabling larger biorefineries with improved economies of scale, thereby reducing the ethanol selling price.

The cellulosic feedstock supply chain systems were studied as a function of feedstock prices by determining potential feedstock supply clusters and the maximum capacity of cellulosic biorefineries across the United States. Supply clusters were determined by minimizing costs associated with ethanol production. The analysis is based on county‐level cellulosic feedstock production data projected in the US Billion‐Ton Update report. Each biomass supply cluster is unique in terms of local and regional characteristics (e.g. area, feedstock types), biorefinery capacity, ethanol selling price, and GWI. Very large‐scale biorefineries (≥20 000 dry Mg day−1) may be feasible in some regions. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd