Temperature-control-induced masculinization in tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes

This study used tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes to explore new,simple methods for lowtemperature-induced masculinization in a cultured fish without the use of ultraviolet irradiation or sex hormones.An orthogonal test L9(3^4)design was used to consider three factors at three levels:treatment starting times(days post-hatch,dph:factor A)of 20,50 and 80 dph;treatment temperatures(factor B)of 13℃,15℃and 17℃;and treatment durations(factor C)of 30,45 and 60 days.A control group was reared at 21±1℃.The experiments were repeated twice.At 230 dph,the gonads were removed from thirty randomly sampled fish in each group.Histological observations and analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP)were used to identified pseudo males,which biological sex was male and genetic sex were female(XX).Treatment group 4(A2B1C2)resulted in the highest proportion of males(75%).According to the intuitive analysis of the orthogonal-array experiments,the optimal combination of lowtemperature-induced masculinization of T.rubripes was A2B1C2.The population sex ratio depended on the three factors in the sequence B→A→C.A comparison of the daily increases in length and weight during and after the low-temperature conditions showed that the absolute daily increases in weight and length were significantly less during treatment than after treatment.Daily increases in weight and length did not significantly differ between the treatment groups and the controls(P>0.05),demonstrating that the growth rate could return to normal after the low-temperature conditions.This study establishes a low-temperatureinduced masculinization technology for T.rubripes and demonstrates that although the growth rate(length and weight)decreased in an array of nine treatment groups during the processing time,it returned to a normal level after processing.The results should serve as a guide for achieving the masculinization of T.rubripes in production.

The optimum dose and period of 17α-methyltestosterone immersion on masculinization of red tilapia(Oreochromis spp.)

This study was carried out to examine the effect of combining factors for immersion technique on masculinization of red tilapia(Oreochromis spp.).Three selected doses(1000,1,500,and 2000μg/L)of 17α-methyltestosterone(17 MT)immersion,2 exposure times(3 and 6 h)once or twice a week,and interaction of these factors were tested.A total of 12 treatment combinations under 3×2×2 factorial experiments in randomized complete block design were conducted to compare with the negative control group(no 17 MT-treated)and positive control group(17 MT-treated feed administration).One hundred red tilapia larvae(14 days post-hatch)were randomly allocated in each treatment and were operated in a 10-L glass jar for 21 days.At the end of the treatment regime,the survival rate was determined.Then,fish were raised in a 150-L glass tank using normal commercial feed for 2 months and sex ratios were determined via the gonad squash technique.None of the immersion treatments tested resulted in a statistically significant(p>0.05)decrease in survival rate.All 17 MT-treated groups produced progenies with a significantly higher(p<0.001)proportion of males than the predicted 1:1 sex ratio.Influences of some factor combinations in the masculinization of red tilapia were observed.The male ratio was significantly affected by the dose-period and dose-frequency treatments(p<0.05).The highest male proportion(95.33%±0.58%)was recorded at 1000μg/L of 17 MT for 6 h once a week which was significantly higher(p<0.05)than other groups.The production cost of the best group was the cheapest(THB0.0066/fish)and decreased from the traditional procedure by about 10.81%.Therefore,this technique could be implemented for decreasing cost and operating process in commercial tilapia farms.

High temperature induced masculinization of zebrafish by down-regulation of sox9b and esr1 via DNA methylation

Elevated temperature could influence the sex differentiation by altering the expression of sex-related genes in fish.However, the underlying mechanisms by which the gene expression is altered remain poorly understood.Here, we aimed to explore the role of DNA methylation in sex differentiation of zebrafish(Danio rerio) in response to elevated temperature.The results showed that high temperature(33℃) exposure of fish from 20 to 30 days post fertilization(dpf), compared to normal temperature(28℃), resulted in male-biased sex ratio and decreased expression of female-related genes including cyp19a1a, sox9b and esr1.Meanwhile, the expressions of DNA methyltransferases dnmt3a1 and dnmt3a2, and the DNA methylation levels in sox9b and esr1 promoter were significantly increased by high temperature, strongly implying that DNA methylation is involved in high temperature-induced masculinization of zebrafish.Co-treatment with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine(a DNA methylation inhibitor) attenuated the high temperature-induced masculinizing effect, recovered the expression of esr1 and sox9b, suppressed the transcription of dnmt3a1 and dnmt3a2, and decreased the methylation of esr1 and sox9b promoter, further confirming that DNA methylation plays an important role in high temperature-induced masculinization of zebrafish.Furthermore, the methylation of sox9b promoter decreased the enrichment of transcription factor CREB(cAMP-responsive element binding proteins).Overall, these findings suggest that high temperature induce masculinization of zebrafish by down-regulation of femalerelated genes via DNA methylation, providing a new insight in understanding the epigenetic mechanism of thermal-mediated sex differentiation in fish.

Beware the Demon of Love Jihad! The Gendered and Sexual Abjectification of Muslim Masculinities by Hindu Nationalists on Twitter

In this paper,I examine the Twitter accounts of right-wing extremist groups(RWEGs)in India,arguing that the abjectification of Muslim masculinities is central to the narratives of Hindu supremacist groups.The abjectification process on Twitter serves as a rhetorical device to:a)criticize and problematize Muslim masculinities;b)idealize and glorify Hindu and white masculinities;c)promote Hindu and white masculine nationalist projects;and d)unify Hindu supremacists against Muslim others.By analyzing the gender ideologies expressed implicitly or explicitly on the Twitter accounts of RWEGs,and using the“Love Jihad”conspiracy case as a focal point,I demonstrate how the abjectification of Muslim masculinities is constructed in opposition to the idealized Hindu masculinities.This study highlights the intersection of gender and nationalism in the digital discourse of Hindu supremacist groups,offering insights into the mechanisms through which social media platforms are used to reinforce and propagate Islamophobic ideologies.

成为男人--Manhood与Masculinity的对立、辨析与融合

在当代女性寻求“性别公正”的过程中,男性主体也被置于巨大的不确定性当中。这是一个男性气质不断变动的时代,有关理想男性形象的讨论从未停止。通过对大卫•D.吉尔默的《发明男性气概》进行系统梳理,可将问题导向学界对男性气概与男性气质的论争,同时回顾男性研究的历史,以澄清概念之间的差异与联系。尽管目前国内的男性研究领域仍然比较沉默,但也在一定程度上拥有了理性自觉。通过考察国内的男性气质研究现状,并分析经验研究中理论的呈现方式,能够指出未来的拓展方向,这有利于构建更加和谐的性别文化。

Sexualities研究介入男性研究的意义与展望

男性研究是以社会性别视角为出发点的,对传统社会性别模式影响下男性所做的研究,masculinities(男性气质)为其研究核心。在欧美,男性研究起源于20世纪七八十年代对女性主义的回应。男性研究涉及男性生活的各个方面,包括sexualities。中国两岸三地男性研究刚刚起步,男性研究中的sexualities则完全空白。在未来的研究中需要注意综合性、本土化、应用性、学术主流化问题。男性研究中的sexualities的一些具体项目设想。

The factorial structure of self-reported androgen-promoted physiological traits

Androgens make major contributions to average sex differences in anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Despite having established their crucial role in sexual differentiation, much remains to be learned about how androgens coordinate their influences. The present study was undertaken to shed light on androgenic effects on the body using self-reported survey data. We analyzed the ratings provided by over 11,000 college students on the magnitude of eleven traits that previous research has shown to be influenced by testosterone or other androgens. Predictably, the average values for all eleven traits were significantly greater in males than in females. Nevertheless, when data were analyzed separately according to sex of the respondents, some of the traits failed to positively correlate with one another, suggesting that not all an-drogen-influenced traits differentiate in a simple fashion. Factor analysis of these eleven traits by sex reinforced this view by identifying four factors. In men, the primary factor loaded most heavily on: masculine body build, masculine mannerisms, overall physical strength, upper body strength, and lower body strength. The primary factor for women was limited to: upper body strength, lower body strength, and overall physical strength. In both sexes, the primary factor was interpreted as reflecting the influence of perinatal and post-pubertal testosterone exposure. The other three factors may reflect the effects of other androgens (e.g., androstenediol), or the influence of female hormones such as estradiol. Findings were discussed in terms of future use of self-reported physiological measures for assessing androgenic effects on the human body.

Mass Media Effect on Gender Identity

Under the mass media effect,media both enable and constrain the audience to shape their gender identity.The purpose of this article is to review and consider the role media plays in the process of construction of contemporary gendered identities;especially the relationship among men,masculinity and media.

Unsex of Characters in Jacob’s Room

In Jacob's Room, Virginia Woolf depicts a couple of womanish male and mannish female characters, coming into being an unsex society, which represents a thought experiment to hope to find a way to overcome the gender discrimination in the patriarchal world.

The Masculine Ideology in Forrest Gump

By using stands-in and actual documentary footage,the film version of Forrest Gump presents audiences the turbulent evernts in America from the late 1950's to the 1980's and depicts successfully the panorama of the whole Ameica in a humorous and impressive way. This essay is to illustrate one of the predominant cultural phenomenons by analysing its stereotyped female characters,its own typical narrative structure and the symbolic ending. From this perspective,the masculine ideology or the male-dominant society is portrayed true to life throughout the film.

“There is Always The Other Side”: Deconstruction of English Identity and Masculinity——Intertextuality between Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane Eyre

Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea is the classic revisionary novella of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. It rewrites the tragic story of Mr. Rochester's voiceless and lunatic ex-wife, Berthe Mason. This paper turns to the intertextual relationship between the two texts and argues that the subversive rewriting of Wide Sargasso Sea destabilizes and deconstructs Mr. Rochester's English identity and masculinity, which are manifestly presented in the pre-text. It therefore renders the young Mr. Rochester problematic and insufficient, reveals"the other side"of the story and articulately tells the truth about who is really the mad one.

The“Conscious Absence”and“Virtuoso Presence”of Hegemonic Masculinity——Deciphering Ian McEwan's Atonement

Wittingly concealing the father images in his novel Atonement(2001), McEwan creates the"absence"of traditional hegemonic masculinity, which is a conscious activity in a combined consideration of the figural and thematic progress, the grim social context, as well as his anxiety of influence and identity. Although this manliness is effaced on the surface, regarding the powerful images within, male authority still keeps running through the whole work. Hegemonic masculinity"presents"in manifold transformed and metaphorical forms, invisibly dictating the development of the protagonists and plots. This paper, giving a masculine reading through R.W. Connell's lens, aims to analyze and crystallize McEwan's such male writing, and finally to reach his real concerns: to deconstruct patriarchal culture, to defy dominant discourse, and to build a new order that opens up a real equality and coexistence for both the two sexes.

Bilateral Masculine Mastoplasia Associated with Imatinib Mesylate:A Case Report and Literature Review

1 CASE REPORT In June 2009, a 29-year-old Chinese male was diagnosed as having Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia （chronic phase）; other than a high white blood cell count in peripheral blood （WBC, 254.00×10^9/L） and splenomegaly, the patient exhibited no abnormal physical signs in mammary glands. He was given hydroxyurea for several days before he received treatment with 400 mg of imatinib mesylate daily.

Sex-Role Orientation in Men Is Related to Salivary Testosterone Levels

Previous research has implicated the involvement of androgens in sex-role orientation in males, from studies of 2nd to 4th digit ratio (a purported marker of prenatal testosterone). The present pilot study investigates the relationship between salivary testosterone levels and sex-role orientation using Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) scores in adult males. Twenty-one males (aged 18-24) completed the BSRI and provided saliva samples for assay. BSRI Femininity scores were significantly negatively correlated with testosterone levels;the higher the Femininity scores, the lower the testosterone levels. There was no relation of BSRI Masculinity scores with testosterone levels. Our preliminary results add to the research suggesting that sex-role orientation in males may be partially related to underlying hormone levels.

On the Elements of Masculinity and Femininity in Arthur Miller’s Dramas

Arthur Miller is universally recognized as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century in the United States,together with the conscience of American drama.Nevertheless,his works have always been considered as having misogynic inclinations.This paper,on the basis of gender theories,seeks to undertake an interpretation to the elements of masculinity and femininity regarding female characters in Arthur Miller’s dramas.Taking The Crucible and A Memory of Two Mondays as a case in point,the author seeks to identify and discuss three categories of female characters,comprising“the angel in the house”,the figure of Medea,and the silenced and absent females,in order to deconstruct Miller’s dichotomized outlook on females.

The Configuration of Salsa Masculinities on Salsaforums.com

This essay examines the configuration of masculinities in salsa dance based on discussions on a popular salsa website,Salsaforums.com.With a thorough combing of the popular threads on male dancers,it contends that in the traditional framework of performance of men in salsa,the issue of masculinity as a social practice embedded in the discursive structuring of various social forces has to be explored from a dynamic and eclectic perspective.Discourses are manifest in the male dancers’pride,insecurity,and anxiety.While trying to retain dispositions or attributes traditionally ascribed to men,however,male salsa dancers are negotiating a salsa masculinity that is multiple,fluid,flexible,and on the way to embrace a more inclusive spectrum of possibilities.

Feminizing the Masculine Body in Carson McCullers’s The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

Mainly applying gender studies to the analysis of Carson McCullers’s The Ballad of the Sad Cafe,with the body as the focus,this paper explores how the masculine Amelia is feminized for the purpose of resolving masculinity crisis embodied by Marvin Macy and Cousin Lymon,concluding that the culturally constructed normative sex and gender dichotomy operates by disciplining otherness,causing gender identification trouble and disempowerment.

Women as Part of the Patriarchy： Masculinity, Women, andRelationships in Virginia Woolf＇s Novels

This article focuses on three of Virginia Woolf＇s widely read novels, Jacob＇s Room, Mrs. Dalloway, and To theLighthouse. I focus on the male protagonists in the novels Jacob Flanders, Richard Dalloway, and Mr. Ramsay. Upto this point, literary studies and women＇s studies almost focus on the positive female characters in her works andignore the constructs of masculinity that she discusses in her fiction. Furthermore, critics do not critique the femalecharacters and take into consideration their role as perpetrators in the patriarchy in order to maintain the patriarchalregime. I argue that the female characters in these novels police the male characters in their performance ofmasculinity, which in turn makes them perpetrators of the same discourse that in turn oppresses them. In this article,I use theorists such as Judith Butler, Nancy Chodorow, and Judith （who now identifies as Jack） Halberstam todiscuss the sex/gender system and how women can hold oppressive roles within the patriarchy. Finally, I willconclude that Virginia Woolf needs more exposure with feminist theory and masculinity studies because of theradical characterizations of people she promotes in her fiction.

Promoting Effect of School Physical Education on Adolescent Mental Health Education--On the Cultivation of“Masculinity”

This paper learned the status quo of adolescent mental health through literature method.In recent years,the lack of“masculinity”has attracted more and more attention from the society,which has become a hot topic at present.The lack of“masculinity”is also closely related to the problems of adolescent mental health.By analyzing the causes of the lack of youth“masculinity”,this paper makes clear the mission of the times that school sports should undertake in the process of shaping youth“masculinity”in the new era:(1)strengthen the top-level design of policy and pay attention to policy guarantee;(2)integrated education of physical education and moral education,focusing on the training of students’sense of responsibility and moral responsibility;(3)improve the competition system,promote learning by“competition”,and promote teaching by“competition”to strengthen physical quality practice and build up physical and mental health quality;(4)strengthen the condition guarantee:“matching”and“strengthening”physical education teachers,reform the physical education teaching content,strengthen the school physical education curriculum system.Only from the action,the idea,the method step by step to perfect,the implementation of the ground,the school physical education to the youth’s mental health problems can play a real role in promoting.

The Perfect Man:Perspectives on Masculinities Within Heterogeneous Traditions of Early India

There is no manual on masculinity in early India and yet the idea of perfect man runs through Sanskrit,Pali,and Prakrit texts.That the Sanskrit traditions should construct an image of perfect man is understandable.There is thrust on virility and procreation;procreation of a son who would inherit land and carry the lineage further.Strong and healthy men were needed to protect society and for the purpose of production.While this is understandable in a tradition that emphasizes life of a householder,one does find the concept of a complete man a little paradoxical in literature of monastic traditions that promote celibate existence for their monks.The monks were also kept away from both productive activities as well as from the responsibility of providing security to others.The focus was clearly on acquisition of knowledge and spiritual ascension.So what could push the construction of the notion of a perfect man?A closer exploration of Buddhist and Jain texts makes the complexity comprehensible as would be revealed by the study.