The theme of the cast-away has inspired numerous literary works. This paper develops a philosophical reading of two important examples, Coetzee＇s Foe （1987） and Bowles＇ The Sheltering Sky （1951）, in terms of the...The theme of the cast-away has inspired numerous literary works. This paper develops a philosophical reading of two important examples, Coetzee＇s Foe （1987） and Bowles＇ The Sheltering Sky （1951）, in terms of themes such as isolation, silence and truth. But who authors, or authorizes ＂truth＂？ As Merleau-Ponty （1970） saw, the ego cogito of phenomenology symbolizes the quest for ＂global truth＂ where ＂what is evident for him＂ is or could be for all, for he ＂speaks for everyone＂. These two works, however, challenge the standard that ＂he speaks＂, and she does not： that women ＂as such＂, as it would seem, have always already been spoken for. Instead, the focus here is on ＂the self＇ not as neutral ground but as always engendered, in every sense of that word--always emergent as well as creative always acculturated, situated, embodied, sexed or de-sexed--always speaking, or remaining stubbornly silent, and always refusing, like truth itself, to be ＂pinned down＂展开更多
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030(SFDRR)has been a guide for disaster risk governance globally.With the popularization of the vulnerability paradigm,gender has been established as one of the s...The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030(SFDRR)has been a guide for disaster risk governance globally.With the popularization of the vulnerability paradigm,gender has been established as one of the social determinants of disaster risk.However,it is often used interchangeably with“women”based on the binary categorization of gender identity that dominates,including in the Western world,reducing it to a demographic variable denied of any voice,context,or history.This article explores gender beyond the binary in the SFDRR,disaster risk reduction(DRR),and the broader risk governance mechanisms through examples of hijras from India and baklas from the Philippines.It delves into a discussion on the influence of dominant Western discourses in the creation of gender categories and their non-Western realities through a post-colonial lens.The article deals with questions on hybridity of identities,power,control,resistance,leverage,and the unique capacities of gender diverse groups at the time of disasters and beyond,while investigating the space of such groups within global frameworks like the SFDRR.展开更多
This article utilizes Katherine Mansfield’s short story The Garden Party as the research object to explore the narrative generation conditions of ethical experience in the text. Through a close analysis of the novel...This article utilizes Katherine Mansfield’s short story The Garden Party as the research object to explore the narrative generation conditions of ethical experience in the text. Through a close analysis of the novel’s narrative structure and key scenes, the article argues that ethical discomfort does not evolve into enduring moral judgments within the text;rather, it is continually managed and deferred through the interplay of aesthetic order, familial discourse, and the distribution of social roles. The novel eschews a linear trajectory of ethical awakening, instead crafting a narrative mechanism that keeps ethical experience palpable yet inarticulable. The female subject is given the role of sensing ethical incongruity, but lacks the narrative position from which to articulate it as judgment. Consequently, ethics remains confined to the level of personalization and unimplementability. Far from a narrative of moral growth or awakening, The Garden Party exposes why ethical judgment has become structurally unrealizable in modern narratives.展开更多
Background:Exposure to environmental vulnerability poses significant threats to adolescent suicidal ideation,while individual resilience can mitigate these adverse effects with notable gender commonalities and differe...Background:Exposure to environmental vulnerability poses significant threats to adolescent suicidal ideation,while individual resilience can mitigate these adverse effects with notable gender commonalities and differences.However,research examining how these factors co-configure at the individual level remains limited,particularly from a gender-specific perspective.Thus,the present study aims to adopt a person-centered analytic approach to identify gender-specific configurations of environmental vulnerability and individual resilience associated with suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents.Methods:Data were collected from 2616 Chinese primary and secondary school students(aged 10–17;1223 girls).Participants completed validated scales measuring environmental vulnerability,individual resilience,and suicidal ideation.Latent profile analysis(LPA)was conducted separately by gender.Results:Gender differences were prominent:males exhibited higher resilience and lower suicidal ideation,while females reported higher environmental vulnerability and elevated levels of suicidal ideation.LPA identified three distinct profiles for males:Low Vulnerable–High Protective–Low Risk(LHL),Medium Vulnerable–Low Protective–Low Risk(MLL),and High Vulnerable–Low Protective–High Risk(HLH).Four profiles emerged for females:LHL,MLL,Medium Vulnerable–Low Protective–Medium Risk(MLM),and HLH.Crucially,within the HLH profile,males exhibited particularly deficient humor(η^(2)=0.19)and confidence(η^(2)=0.16),while females formed a distinct subgroup characterized by severe academic and family stressors(η^(2)=0.30–0.36).Conclusion:The study underscores developing gender-specific mental health interventions using a nuanced,person-centered approach that considers both environmental risk and individual resilience factors,which allows for targeted suicide prevention strategies addressing the unique needs of male and female adolescents.展开更多
Background:Cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF)is a powerful predictor of mortality and chronic disease risk,yet global patterns and determinants of CRF remain poorly defined,particularly in females and underrepresented pop...Background:Cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF)is a powerful predictor of mortality and chronic disease risk,yet global patterns and determinants of CRF remain poorly defined,particularly in females and underrepresented populations.We conducted a systematic review and quantitative synthesis of directly measured peak oxygen uptake(VO_(2peak))internationally and examined its association with human development and gender ine quality.Methods:Studies were eligible if VO_(2peak)was assessed via direct gas analysis during maximal exercise testing,and if the countries had scores for the Human Development Index(HDI)and Gender Inequality Index(GII).Studies were identified through MEDLINE/PubMed,Embase,CINAHL,and Web of Science.Risks of bias were assessed by an adaptation of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Multivariable linear regression models examined associations between VO_(2peak),age,sex,exercise modality,HDI,GII,and study year.Results:Data included 95 studies from 24 countries with HDI and GII scores,comprising 119,435 adults(42%females)with VO_(2peak)assessed via direct gas analysis during maximal exercise testing.The risk of bias was low.VO_(2peak)was positively associated with HDI(β=14.1)and negatively associated with GII(β=-3.6).Slightly stronger associations were observed in females than males(HDI:β=18.9 vs.β=13.9,GII:β=-4.6vs.β=-3.6).Young females in middle-HDI countries had higher VO_(2peak)than those in low-HDI countries(31.2mL/kg/min vs.28.5 mL/kg/min),with limited additional gams in high-HDI contexts.VO_(2peak)decreased with higher gender inequality,with the largest disparities observed in young females between high-and low-GII countries(26.3 mL/kg/min vs.32.8 mL/kg/min).Conclusion:Global variation in CRF is tied to national levels of human development and gender equality.These findings support prioritizing structural and policy-level interventions that address social and gender disparities in physical activity access and health promotion.Studies from countries with lower HDI and information on ethnicity and socioeconomic status will bridge crucial gaps in understanding factors involved in global CRF levels.展开更多
In the competitive retail industry of the digital era,data-driven insights into gender-specific customer behavior are essential.They support the optimization of store performance,layout design,product placement,and ta...In the competitive retail industry of the digital era,data-driven insights into gender-specific customer behavior are essential.They support the optimization of store performance,layout design,product placement,and targeted marketing.However,existing computer vision solutions often rely on facial recognition to gather such insights,raising significant privacy and ethical concerns.To address these issues,this paper presents a privacypreserving customer analytics system through two key strategies.First,we deploy a deep learning framework using YOLOv9s,trained on the RCA-TVGender dataset.Cameras are positioned perpendicular to observation areas to reduce facial visibility while maintaining accurate gender classification.Second,we apply AES-128 encryption to customer position data,ensuring secure access and regulatory compliance.Our system achieved overall performance,with 81.5%mAP@50,77.7%precision,and 75.7%recall.Moreover,a 90-min observational study confirmed the system’s ability to generate privacy-protected heatmaps revealing distinct behavioral patterns between male and female customers.For instance,women spent more time in certain areas and showed interest in different products.These results confirm the system’s effectiveness in enabling personalized layout and marketing strategies without compromising privacy.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the sex-specific correlation between systemic factors and retinal neurovascular alterations in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)who do not exhibit signs of diabetic retinopathy(DR).MET...AIM:To investigate the sex-specific correlation between systemic factors and retinal neurovascular alterations in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)who do not exhibit signs of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:A cohort participant without DR diagnosed with T1DM,underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation,optical coherence tomography angiography retinal structural and microvascular density analysis,and systemic parameter assessment.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the impact of systemic parameters on retinal alterations in distinct gender groups.RESULTS:A total of 182 individuals were included,consisting of 85 males(mean age 23.28±12.75y)and 97 females(mean age 22.98±13.68y).Males exhibited significantly greater thickness in both the internal retinal layer and the entire retina compared to females(P<0.01),whereas females had higher densities of deep retinal vessels and choroidal capillaries(P<0.05).Additionally,glycemic control was found to have a notable influence on retinal thickness in males(P<0.05),while insulin function had a more pronounced impact on retinal structure in females(P<0.01).Furthermore,a significant correlation was observed between thyroid function markers and retinal parameters in both male and female(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Sex differences in alterations in retinal structure and microcirculation are observed in individuals with T1DM prior to the development of clinical DR,with a noted association between these changes and systemic parameters.展开更多
Women’s rights and gender equality,as essential pillars of social progress and human development,have become a shared pursuit of the international community.Chinese President Xi Jinping on 13 October 2025 delivered a...Women’s rights and gender equality,as essential pillars of social progress and human development,have become a shared pursuit of the international community.Chinese President Xi Jinping on 13 October 2025 delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders’Meeting on Women in Beijing.展开更多
The Second Demographic Transition(SDT)framework highlights individuals'ideational shift toward greater individualism in explaining the rise of non-marriage unions.Contemporary China has seen a substantial increase...The Second Demographic Transition(SDT)framework highlights individuals'ideational shift toward greater individualism in explaining the rise of non-marriage unions.Contemporary China has seen a substantial increase in premarital cohabitation.Drawing on 65 in-depth interviews with highly educated young urban Chinese women and men,this article examines the gendered ways in which young Chinese adults perceive and make decisions about premarital cohabitation,as they envision their ideal lives and what autonomy and self-realization mean to them.I demonstrate that while male respondents predominantly view cohabitation positively as a risk-reduction strategy for avoiding incompatible marriages,female respondents still consider cohabitation to be a risk-amplification arrangement in practice that increases the possibility of uncertain marriage prospect,unsafe sex,and reputational damages.Young women,but not men,often have to strategizethrough carefully managing information disclosureabout persistent parental expectations that discourage women's premarital cohabitation.As a result,while male respondents regard marriage to be neither the necessary precondition nor the end goal of cohabitation,female respondents,who otherwise emphasize autonomy and individualistic fulfllment,continue to desire a close linkage between cohabitation and marriage.Leveraging the unique strength of qualitative data in demographic research,this article articulates the gender asymmetry in how women and men perceive cohabitation's risks,benefits,and link to marriage.I elucidate the gendered tension between privately-held ideals of individualism vis-a-vis enduring social norms of female marriageability,as women and men differentially navigate parental expectations surrounding cohabitation.In so doing,this article makes a theoretical contribution by bringing a careful treatment of gender into the SDT framework.展开更多
BACKGROUND Although the link between cardiovascular disease(CVD)and various cancers is well-established,the relationship between CVD risk and colorectal cancer(CRC)remains underexplored.AIM To elucidate the relationsh...BACKGROUND Although the link between cardiovascular disease(CVD)and various cancers is well-established,the relationship between CVD risk and colorectal cancer(CRC)remains underexplored.AIM To elucidate the relationship between CVD risk scores and CRC incidence.METHODS In this population-based cohort study,participants from the 2009 National Health Checkup were followed-up until 2020.The cardiovascular(CV)risk score was calculated as the sum of risk factors(age,family history of coronary artery disease,hypertension,smoking status,and high-density lipoprotein levels)with high-density lipoprotein(≥60 mg/dL)reducing the risk score by one.The primary outcome was incidence of newly diagnosed CRC.RESULTS Among 2526628 individuals,30329 developed CRC during a mean follow-up of 10.1 years.Categorized by CV risk scores(0,1,2,and≥3).CRC risk increased with higher CV risk scores after adjusting for covariates[(hazard ratio=1.155,95%confidence interval:1.107-1.205)in risk score≥3,P<0.001].This association individuals not using statins.Moreover,even in participants without diabetes,a higher CV risk was associated with an increased CRC risk.CONCLUSION Increased CV risk scores were significantly associated with higher CRC risk,especially among males,younger populations,and non-statin users.Thus,males with a higher CV risk score,even at a younger age,are recommended to control their risk factors and undergo individualized CRC screening.展开更多
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy(ARVC)is a progressive disease characterized by adipose and fibrous replacement of the myocardium.While elevated testosterone levels have been implicated in the pathologi...Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy(ARVC)is a progressive disease characterized by adipose and fibrous replacement of the myocardium.While elevated testosterone levels have been implicated in the pathological process of ARVC,its exact contribution to cardiac fibrosis in ARVC remains unclear.In this study,we analyzed the potential contribution of gender-based differences on the distribution of the low-voltage area in an ARVC cohort undergoing an electrophysiological study,which was indicated by feature selection.Additionally,we established engineered cardiac spheroid models in vitro using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell(iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes(iPSC-CMs)and iPSC-derived cardiac fibroblasts(icFBs).We elucidated the pathogenicity of abnormal splicing in the plakophilin-2(PKP2)gene caused by an intronic mutation.Additionally,pathogenic validation of the desmoglein-2(DSG2)point mutation further confirms the reliability of the models.Moreover,testosterone exacerbated the DNA damage in the mutated cardiomyocytes and further activated myofibroblasts in a chain reaction.In conclusion,we designed and constructed an in vitro three-dimensionally-engineered cardiac spheroid model of ARVC based on clinical findings and provided direct evidence of the fibrotic role of testosterone in ARVC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Barrett's esophagus(BE)is a known premalignant precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma(EAC).The prevalence rates continue to rise in the United States,but many patients who are at risk of EAC are not scr...BACKGROUND Barrett's esophagus(BE)is a known premalignant precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma(EAC).The prevalence rates continue to rise in the United States,but many patients who are at risk of EAC are not screened.Current practice guidelines include male gender as a predisposing factor for BE and EAC.The population-based clinical evidence regarding female gender remains limited.AIM To study comparative trends of gender disparities in patients with BE in the United States.METHODS A nationwide retrospective study was conducted using the 2009-2019 National Inpatient Sample(NIS)database.Patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis code of BE were identified.The major outcome of interest was determining the gender disparities in patients with BE.Trend analysis for respective outcomes for females was also reported to ascertain any time-based shifts.RESULTS We identified 1204190 patients with BE for the study period.Among the included patients,717439(59.6%)were men and 486751(40.4%)were women.The mean age was higher in women than in men(67.1±0.4 vs 66.6±0.3 years,P<0.001).The rate of BE per 100000 total NIS hospitalizations for males increased from 144.6 in 2009 to 213.4 in 2019(P<0.001).The rate for females increased from 96.8 in 2009 to 148.7 in 2019(P<0.001).There was a higher frequency of obesity among women compared to men(17.4%vs 12.6%,P<0.001).Obesity prevalence among females increased from 12.3%in 2009 to 21.9%in 2019(P<0.001).A lower prevalence of smoking was noted in women than in men(20.8%vs 35.7%,P<0.001).However,trend analysis showed an increasing prevalence of smoking among women,from 12.9%in 2009 to 30.7%in 2019(P<0.001).Additionally,there was a lower prevalence of alcohol abuse,Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori),and diabetes mellitus among females than males(P<0.001).Trend analysis showed an increasing prevalence of alcohol use disorder and a decreasing prevalence of H.pylori and diabetes mellitus among women(P<0.001).CONCLUSION The prevalence of BE among women has steadily increased from 2009 to 2019.The existing knowledge concerning BE development has historically focused on men,but our findings show that the risk in women is not insignificant.展开更多
Objective:Near vision loss(NVL)is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide,exerting a profound impact on individual quality of life and socio-economic development.This study aims to analyze the burden ...Objective:Near vision loss(NVL)is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide,exerting a profound impact on individual quality of life and socio-economic development.This study aims to analyze the burden of NVL in China by sex and age groups from 1990 to 2021 and to project trends over the next 15 years.Methods:Using data from the Global Burden of Disease(GBD)2021 database,we conducted descriptive analyses of NVL prevalence in China,calculated age-standardized prevalence rates(ASPR)and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rates(ASDR)to compare burden differences between sexes and age groups,and applied an autoregressive integrated moving average(ARIMA)model to predict NVL trends for the next 15 years.The model selection was based on best-fit criteria to ensure reliable projections.Results:From 1990 to 2021,China’s ASPR of NVL rose from 10096.24/100000 to 15624.54/100000,and ASDR increased from 101.75/100000 to 158.75/100000.In 2021,ASPR(16551.70/100000)and ASDR(167.69/100000)were higher among females than males(14686.21/100000 and 149.76/100000,respectively).China ranked highest globally in both NVL cases and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs),with female burden significantly exceeding male burden.Projections indicated this trend and sex gap will persist until 2036.Compared with 1990,the prevalence cases and DALYs increased by 239.20%and 238.82%,respectively in 2021,with the highest burden among females and the 55−59 age group.The ARIMA model predicted continued increases in prevalence and DALYs by 2036,with females maintaining a higher burden than males.Conclusion:This study reveals a marked increase in the NVL burden in China and predicts continued growth in the coming years.Public health policies should prioritize NVL prevention and control,with special attention to women and middle-aged populations to mitigate long-term societal and health impacts.展开更多
Introduction:Despite the well-documented benefits of exercise for adolescents’physical and mental health,exercise remains an underutilized strategy for improving the health of trans adolescents.This is notable becaus...Introduction:Despite the well-documented benefits of exercise for adolescents’physical and mental health,exercise remains an underutilized strategy for improving the health of trans adolescents.This is notable because,compared to their cisgender peers,trans adolescents experience greater health challenges and systemic barriers to being physically active.To date,no research has evaluated an evidence-based exercise service within specialist paediatric gender services in Australia.Methods:The study is a non-randomised type 2 effectivenessimplementation hybrid trial for adolescents engaged with Child and Adolescent Health Service Gender Diversity Service at Perth Children’s Hospital,Western Australia.The participant group will receive the intervention alongside standard care.The design of the program has incorporated input from the GENder idenTity Longitudinal Experience(GENTLE)Cohort Consumer Advisory group;trans young people,families,and health professionals;guidelines for commonmedical presentations within paediatric gender services and international physical activity guidelines for adolescents.Program implementation and feasibility(i.e.,participant engagement,perceptions and experiences of the intervention),as well as preliminary effectiveness of the targeted exercise programon health outcomes(i.e.,quality of life,wellbeing and markers of physical health),will be evaluated as part of a pilot trial.Discussion:This project addresses a significant gap in research and healthcare and aims to enhance service delivery by integrating exercise into standard care for specialist paediatric gender services in Australia.Anticipated impacts include shaping current and future practices by defining safe,effective exercise for trans adolescents while laying the groundwork for larger scale implementation and research on long-term health benefits.展开更多
The Global Leaders’Meeting on Women was held in Beijing,the capital of China,on 13-14 October.South African Minister in the Presidency for Women,Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga,attended the eve...The Global Leaders’Meeting on Women was held in Beijing,the capital of China,on 13-14 October.South African Minister in the Presidency for Women,Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga,attended the event.ChinAfrica spoke with her in an exclusive interview about the messages she brought to the meeting,South Africa’s progress in women’s empowerment,how the G20 presidency can contribute to this cause,and China’s role.An edited excerpt of the interview follows.展开更多
Thirty years ago,Beijing hosted the Fourth World Conference on Women,which adopted the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.This milestone document proclaimed for the first time that“Women’s rights a...Thirty years ago,Beijing hosted the Fourth World Conference on Women,which adopted the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.This milestone document proclaimed for the first time that“Women’s rights are human rights,”formally introduced“gender mainstreaming”as a global strategy to advance gender equality,and a!rmed women’s equal rights across 12 key areas including politics,the economy,and culture.展开更多
THIRTY years ago,Beijing hosted the Fourth World Conference on Women,which adopted the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.This milestone document proclaimed for the first time that,“Women’s rights ...THIRTY years ago,Beijing hosted the Fourth World Conference on Women,which adopted the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.This milestone document proclaimed for the first time that,“Women’s rights are human rights,”formally introduced“gender mainstreaming”as a global strategy to advance gender equality,and affirmed women’s equal rights across 12 key areas,including politics,the economy,and culture.展开更多
BACKGROUND Regulatory agencies are increasingly recognizing that minority trial repres-entation is inadequate,contributing to healthcare disparities.The scope of min-ority population disparities in clinical trial part...BACKGROUND Regulatory agencies are increasingly recognizing that minority trial repres-entation is inadequate,contributing to healthcare disparities.The scope of min-ority population disparities in clinical trial participation remains unclear,as previous studies have compiled enrollment data from published trials,which AIM To evaluate sex,racial and ethnic inequities in liver transplantation(LT)trials participation in the United States.METHODS We used data from completed United States liver transplant clinical trials registered and reported on the National Institute of Health(NIH)website(clincaltrials.gov).Demographic data,including race,ethnicity,sex,and age were collected.To make inferences to a larger population,95%CIs were computed for estimates in each demographic group using the Wilson method for binomial proportions.We also computed the simultaneous 95%CIs by applying a Bonferroni correction to reflect the multinomial distribution of race proportions.The numbers and percentages of racial/ethnic minority and female individuals compared with United States census data from 2010 and 2018.Secondary outcome measures were inclusion by trial funding source and year of completion.RESULTS A total of 69 United States based clinical trials involving 6990 participants were included in the analysis.Of these,35 trials(51%)were randomized,and 26(38%)were conducted across multiple United States regions.All trials reported sex,while 42(61%)reported race and 27(39%)reported ethnicity.Compared to United States census data,Asian individuals were overrepresented(9.3%;95%CI:8.1%-10.5%),whereas African American(7.8%;95%CI:6.7%-8.9%)and American Indian or Alaska Native individuals(0.4%;95%CI:0.1%-0.6%)were underrepresented.The proportion of White participants(75.9%;95%CI:74.1%-77.7%)was consistent with census estimates.Hispanic participants were underrepresented(13.3%;95%CI:12.2%-14.5%)regardless of the census year referenced.In industry-sponsored trials,Asian representation was three times higher than in the general population(15%).NIH funded trials showed overrepresentation of White participants(83.8%)and underrepresentation of Black participants(4.1%)relative to census data.Women comprised 31.1%of all participants(95%CI:30.0%-32.2%),in-dicating underrepresentation.Among trials that reported racial data,62(90%)did not include participants of American Indian or Alaska Native,Native Hawaiian,or Pacific Islander descent.CONCLUSION Our analysis indicates that women,African Americans,and Hispanic individuals are underrepresented in LT clinical trials compared to the general United States population.These results highlight the need for regulatory initiatives aimed at enhancing the inclusion of historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups in clinical re-search.展开更多
With a long-standing tradition in the development of critical theories, Latin America seeks, through a myriad of perspectives, to understand its peripheral position within the mechanisms of the world system. This pape...With a long-standing tradition in the development of critical theories, Latin America seeks, through a myriad of perspectives, to understand its peripheral position within the mechanisms of the world system. This paper aims to examine the role of race and gender in sustaining the capitalist world system through the lens of decolonial studies. It considers how both categories were historically constructed during the colonial process as tools to legitimize social, economic, and political hierarchies between the dominant and the dominated. In particular, the division of labor, based on racial and gendered distinctions, was instrumental in shaping these power relations. By analyzing these categories as central elements in the formation and maintenance of the capitalist world system, the study highlights their continued influence in perpetuating inequalities today.展开更多
文摘The theme of the cast-away has inspired numerous literary works. This paper develops a philosophical reading of two important examples, Coetzee＇s Foe （1987） and Bowles＇ The Sheltering Sky （1951）, in terms of themes such as isolation, silence and truth. But who authors, or authorizes ＂truth＂？ As Merleau-Ponty （1970） saw, the ego cogito of phenomenology symbolizes the quest for ＂global truth＂ where ＂what is evident for him＂ is or could be for all, for he ＂speaks for everyone＂. These two works, however, challenge the standard that ＂he speaks＂, and she does not： that women ＂as such＂, as it would seem, have always already been spoken for. Instead, the focus here is on ＂the self＇ not as neutral ground but as always engendered, in every sense of that word--always emergent as well as creative always acculturated, situated, embodied, sexed or de-sexed--always speaking, or remaining stubbornly silent, and always refusing, like truth itself, to be ＂pinned down＂
文摘The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030(SFDRR)has been a guide for disaster risk governance globally.With the popularization of the vulnerability paradigm,gender has been established as one of the social determinants of disaster risk.However,it is often used interchangeably with“women”based on the binary categorization of gender identity that dominates,including in the Western world,reducing it to a demographic variable denied of any voice,context,or history.This article explores gender beyond the binary in the SFDRR,disaster risk reduction(DRR),and the broader risk governance mechanisms through examples of hijras from India and baklas from the Philippines.It delves into a discussion on the influence of dominant Western discourses in the creation of gender categories and their non-Western realities through a post-colonial lens.The article deals with questions on hybridity of identities,power,control,resistance,leverage,and the unique capacities of gender diverse groups at the time of disasters and beyond,while investigating the space of such groups within global frameworks like the SFDRR.
文摘This article utilizes Katherine Mansfield’s short story The Garden Party as the research object to explore the narrative generation conditions of ethical experience in the text. Through a close analysis of the novel’s narrative structure and key scenes, the article argues that ethical discomfort does not evolve into enduring moral judgments within the text;rather, it is continually managed and deferred through the interplay of aesthetic order, familial discourse, and the distribution of social roles. The novel eschews a linear trajectory of ethical awakening, instead crafting a narrative mechanism that keeps ethical experience palpable yet inarticulable. The female subject is given the role of sensing ethical incongruity, but lacks the narrative position from which to articulate it as judgment. Consequently, ethics remains confined to the level of personalization and unimplementability. Far from a narrative of moral growth or awakening, The Garden Party exposes why ethical judgment has become structurally unrealizable in modern narratives.
基金supported by the Major Planning Project of Philosophy and Social Science of Guangdong Province(GD23ZD17)the Humanities and Social Sciences Program of the Ministry of Education(23YJA190006)+3 种基金the Ministry of Education(MOE)Major Project of Philosophy and Social Sciences Research(2025JZDZ024)the MOE Project of the Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences in Universities(22JJD190008)a grant from the Research Center for Brain Cognition and Human Development of Guangdong(2024B0303390003)the Psychological Services and Counseling Base for the Happy Guangzhou Project.
文摘Background:Exposure to environmental vulnerability poses significant threats to adolescent suicidal ideation,while individual resilience can mitigate these adverse effects with notable gender commonalities and differences.However,research examining how these factors co-configure at the individual level remains limited,particularly from a gender-specific perspective.Thus,the present study aims to adopt a person-centered analytic approach to identify gender-specific configurations of environmental vulnerability and individual resilience associated with suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents.Methods:Data were collected from 2616 Chinese primary and secondary school students(aged 10–17;1223 girls).Participants completed validated scales measuring environmental vulnerability,individual resilience,and suicidal ideation.Latent profile analysis(LPA)was conducted separately by gender.Results:Gender differences were prominent:males exhibited higher resilience and lower suicidal ideation,while females reported higher environmental vulnerability and elevated levels of suicidal ideation.LPA identified three distinct profiles for males:Low Vulnerable–High Protective–Low Risk(LHL),Medium Vulnerable–Low Protective–Low Risk(MLL),and High Vulnerable–Low Protective–High Risk(HLH).Four profiles emerged for females:LHL,MLL,Medium Vulnerable–Low Protective–Medium Risk(MLM),and HLH.Crucially,within the HLH profile,males exhibited particularly deficient humor(η^(2)=0.19)and confidence(η^(2)=0.16),while females formed a distinct subgroup characterized by severe academic and family stressors(η^(2)=0.30–0.36).Conclusion:The study underscores developing gender-specific mental health interventions using a nuanced,person-centered approach that considers both environmental risk and individual resilience factors,which allows for targeted suicide prevention strategies addressing the unique needs of male and female adolescents.
基金NJP holds a Future Leader Award from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes(NNF/EFSD NNF21SA0072747)a grant from the Diabetes Wellness Network Sverige(PG21-6524)+5 种基金supported by the Swedish Research Council(2015-00165)the European Research Council(ERC-2023-Ad G 101142093)a Wallenberg Scholars Award from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation(KAW 2023.0312)the Swedish Research Council for Sport Science(P2023-0093)The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research is an independent research center at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences,University of Copenhagen,Denmark partially funded by an unrestricted donation from the Novo Nordisk Foundation(NNF18CC0034900,NNF23SA0084103)supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Strategic Research Program in Diabetes at Karolinska Institutet。
文摘Background:Cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF)is a powerful predictor of mortality and chronic disease risk,yet global patterns and determinants of CRF remain poorly defined,particularly in females and underrepresented populations.We conducted a systematic review and quantitative synthesis of directly measured peak oxygen uptake(VO_(2peak))internationally and examined its association with human development and gender ine quality.Methods:Studies were eligible if VO_(2peak)was assessed via direct gas analysis during maximal exercise testing,and if the countries had scores for the Human Development Index(HDI)and Gender Inequality Index(GII).Studies were identified through MEDLINE/PubMed,Embase,CINAHL,and Web of Science.Risks of bias were assessed by an adaptation of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Multivariable linear regression models examined associations between VO_(2peak),age,sex,exercise modality,HDI,GII,and study year.Results:Data included 95 studies from 24 countries with HDI and GII scores,comprising 119,435 adults(42%females)with VO_(2peak)assessed via direct gas analysis during maximal exercise testing.The risk of bias was low.VO_(2peak)was positively associated with HDI(β=14.1)and negatively associated with GII(β=-3.6).Slightly stronger associations were observed in females than males(HDI:β=18.9 vs.β=13.9,GII:β=-4.6vs.β=-3.6).Young females in middle-HDI countries had higher VO_(2peak)than those in low-HDI countries(31.2mL/kg/min vs.28.5 mL/kg/min),with limited additional gams in high-HDI contexts.VO_(2peak)decreased with higher gender inequality,with the largest disparities observed in young females between high-and low-GII countries(26.3 mL/kg/min vs.32.8 mL/kg/min).Conclusion:Global variation in CRF is tied to national levels of human development and gender equality.These findings support prioritizing structural and policy-level interventions that address social and gender disparities in physical activity access and health promotion.Studies from countries with lower HDI and information on ethnicity and socioeconomic status will bridge crucial gaps in understanding factors involved in global CRF levels.
文摘In the competitive retail industry of the digital era,data-driven insights into gender-specific customer behavior are essential.They support the optimization of store performance,layout design,product placement,and targeted marketing.However,existing computer vision solutions often rely on facial recognition to gather such insights,raising significant privacy and ethical concerns.To address these issues,this paper presents a privacypreserving customer analytics system through two key strategies.First,we deploy a deep learning framework using YOLOv9s,trained on the RCA-TVGender dataset.Cameras are positioned perpendicular to observation areas to reduce facial visibility while maintaining accurate gender classification.Second,we apply AES-128 encryption to customer position data,ensuring secure access and regulatory compliance.Our system achieved overall performance,with 81.5%mAP@50,77.7%precision,and 75.7%recall.Moreover,a 90-min observational study confirmed the system’s ability to generate privacy-protected heatmaps revealing distinct behavioral patterns between male and female customers.For instance,women spent more time in certain areas and showed interest in different products.These results confirm the system’s effectiveness in enabling personalized layout and marketing strategies without compromising privacy.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(No.2023JJ70017No.2025JJ50627)Peak Climbing Project of Optometry Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University。
文摘AIM:To investigate the sex-specific correlation between systemic factors and retinal neurovascular alterations in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)who do not exhibit signs of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:A cohort participant without DR diagnosed with T1DM,underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation,optical coherence tomography angiography retinal structural and microvascular density analysis,and systemic parameter assessment.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the impact of systemic parameters on retinal alterations in distinct gender groups.RESULTS:A total of 182 individuals were included,consisting of 85 males(mean age 23.28±12.75y)and 97 females(mean age 22.98±13.68y).Males exhibited significantly greater thickness in both the internal retinal layer and the entire retina compared to females(P<0.01),whereas females had higher densities of deep retinal vessels and choroidal capillaries(P<0.05).Additionally,glycemic control was found to have a notable influence on retinal thickness in males(P<0.05),while insulin function had a more pronounced impact on retinal structure in females(P<0.01).Furthermore,a significant correlation was observed between thyroid function markers and retinal parameters in both male and female(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Sex differences in alterations in retinal structure and microcirculation are observed in individuals with T1DM prior to the development of clinical DR,with a noted association between these changes and systemic parameters.
文摘Women’s rights and gender equality,as essential pillars of social progress and human development,have become a shared pursuit of the international community.Chinese President Xi Jinping on 13 October 2025 delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders’Meeting on Women in Beijing.
文摘The Second Demographic Transition(SDT)framework highlights individuals'ideational shift toward greater individualism in explaining the rise of non-marriage unions.Contemporary China has seen a substantial increase in premarital cohabitation.Drawing on 65 in-depth interviews with highly educated young urban Chinese women and men,this article examines the gendered ways in which young Chinese adults perceive and make decisions about premarital cohabitation,as they envision their ideal lives and what autonomy and self-realization mean to them.I demonstrate that while male respondents predominantly view cohabitation positively as a risk-reduction strategy for avoiding incompatible marriages,female respondents still consider cohabitation to be a risk-amplification arrangement in practice that increases the possibility of uncertain marriage prospect,unsafe sex,and reputational damages.Young women,but not men,often have to strategizethrough carefully managing information disclosureabout persistent parental expectations that discourage women's premarital cohabitation.As a result,while male respondents regard marriage to be neither the necessary precondition nor the end goal of cohabitation,female respondents,who otherwise emphasize autonomy and individualistic fulfllment,continue to desire a close linkage between cohabitation and marriage.Leveraging the unique strength of qualitative data in demographic research,this article articulates the gender asymmetry in how women and men perceive cohabitation's risks,benefits,and link to marriage.I elucidate the gendered tension between privately-held ideals of individualism vis-a-vis enduring social norms of female marriageability,as women and men differentially navigate parental expectations surrounding cohabitation.In so doing,this article makes a theoretical contribution by bringing a careful treatment of gender into the SDT framework.
文摘BACKGROUND Although the link between cardiovascular disease(CVD)and various cancers is well-established,the relationship between CVD risk and colorectal cancer(CRC)remains underexplored.AIM To elucidate the relationship between CVD risk scores and CRC incidence.METHODS In this population-based cohort study,participants from the 2009 National Health Checkup were followed-up until 2020.The cardiovascular(CV)risk score was calculated as the sum of risk factors(age,family history of coronary artery disease,hypertension,smoking status,and high-density lipoprotein levels)with high-density lipoprotein(≥60 mg/dL)reducing the risk score by one.The primary outcome was incidence of newly diagnosed CRC.RESULTS Among 2526628 individuals,30329 developed CRC during a mean follow-up of 10.1 years.Categorized by CV risk scores(0,1,2,and≥3).CRC risk increased with higher CV risk scores after adjusting for covariates[(hazard ratio=1.155,95%confidence interval:1.107-1.205)in risk score≥3,P<0.001].This association individuals not using statins.Moreover,even in participants without diabetes,a higher CV risk was associated with an increased CRC risk.CONCLUSION Increased CV risk scores were significantly associated with higher CRC risk,especially among males,younger populations,and non-statin users.Thus,males with a higher CV risk score,even at a younger age,are recommended to control their risk factors and undergo individualized CRC screening.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.82370322 to CC,82200352 to FZ,82300352 to YZ,22275034 to HX,and 82070343 to MLC)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China(Nos.BK20220710 to FZ and BK20230733 to YZ)Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(No.JX13414086 to HYC).
文摘Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy(ARVC)is a progressive disease characterized by adipose and fibrous replacement of the myocardium.While elevated testosterone levels have been implicated in the pathological process of ARVC,its exact contribution to cardiac fibrosis in ARVC remains unclear.In this study,we analyzed the potential contribution of gender-based differences on the distribution of the low-voltage area in an ARVC cohort undergoing an electrophysiological study,which was indicated by feature selection.Additionally,we established engineered cardiac spheroid models in vitro using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell(iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes(iPSC-CMs)and iPSC-derived cardiac fibroblasts(icFBs).We elucidated the pathogenicity of abnormal splicing in the plakophilin-2(PKP2)gene caused by an intronic mutation.Additionally,pathogenic validation of the desmoglein-2(DSG2)point mutation further confirms the reliability of the models.Moreover,testosterone exacerbated the DNA damage in the mutated cardiomyocytes and further activated myofibroblasts in a chain reaction.In conclusion,we designed and constructed an in vitro three-dimensionally-engineered cardiac spheroid model of ARVC based on clinical findings and provided direct evidence of the fibrotic role of testosterone in ARVC.
文摘BACKGROUND Barrett's esophagus(BE)is a known premalignant precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma(EAC).The prevalence rates continue to rise in the United States,but many patients who are at risk of EAC are not screened.Current practice guidelines include male gender as a predisposing factor for BE and EAC.The population-based clinical evidence regarding female gender remains limited.AIM To study comparative trends of gender disparities in patients with BE in the United States.METHODS A nationwide retrospective study was conducted using the 2009-2019 National Inpatient Sample(NIS)database.Patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis code of BE were identified.The major outcome of interest was determining the gender disparities in patients with BE.Trend analysis for respective outcomes for females was also reported to ascertain any time-based shifts.RESULTS We identified 1204190 patients with BE for the study period.Among the included patients,717439(59.6%)were men and 486751(40.4%)were women.The mean age was higher in women than in men(67.1±0.4 vs 66.6±0.3 years,P<0.001).The rate of BE per 100000 total NIS hospitalizations for males increased from 144.6 in 2009 to 213.4 in 2019(P<0.001).The rate for females increased from 96.8 in 2009 to 148.7 in 2019(P<0.001).There was a higher frequency of obesity among women compared to men(17.4%vs 12.6%,P<0.001).Obesity prevalence among females increased from 12.3%in 2009 to 21.9%in 2019(P<0.001).A lower prevalence of smoking was noted in women than in men(20.8%vs 35.7%,P<0.001).However,trend analysis showed an increasing prevalence of smoking among women,from 12.9%in 2009 to 30.7%in 2019(P<0.001).Additionally,there was a lower prevalence of alcohol abuse,Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori),and diabetes mellitus among females than males(P<0.001).Trend analysis showed an increasing prevalence of alcohol use disorder and a decreasing prevalence of H.pylori and diabetes mellitus among women(P<0.001).CONCLUSION The prevalence of BE among women has steadily increased from 2009 to 2019.The existing knowledge concerning BE development has historically focused on men,but our findings show that the risk in women is not insignificant.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(2023JJ30817)Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation-Hengyang City Joint Fund Project(2025JJ70129)+1 种基金Changsha Natural Science Foundation(kq2403057)China。
文摘Objective:Near vision loss(NVL)is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide,exerting a profound impact on individual quality of life and socio-economic development.This study aims to analyze the burden of NVL in China by sex and age groups from 1990 to 2021 and to project trends over the next 15 years.Methods:Using data from the Global Burden of Disease(GBD)2021 database,we conducted descriptive analyses of NVL prevalence in China,calculated age-standardized prevalence rates(ASPR)and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rates(ASDR)to compare burden differences between sexes and age groups,and applied an autoregressive integrated moving average(ARIMA)model to predict NVL trends for the next 15 years.The model selection was based on best-fit criteria to ensure reliable projections.Results:From 1990 to 2021,China’s ASPR of NVL rose from 10096.24/100000 to 15624.54/100000,and ASDR increased from 101.75/100000 to 158.75/100000.In 2021,ASPR(16551.70/100000)and ASDR(167.69/100000)were higher among females than males(14686.21/100000 and 149.76/100000,respectively).China ranked highest globally in both NVL cases and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs),with female burden significantly exceeding male burden.Projections indicated this trend and sex gap will persist until 2036.Compared with 1990,the prevalence cases and DALYs increased by 239.20%and 238.82%,respectively in 2021,with the highest burden among females and the 55−59 age group.The ARIMA model predicted continued increases in prevalence and DALYs by 2036,with females maintaining a higher burden than males.Conclusion:This study reveals a marked increase in the NVL burden in China and predicts continued growth in the coming years.Public health policies should prioritize NVL prevention and control,with special attention to women and middle-aged populations to mitigate long-term societal and health impacts.
基金funded by a NHMRC Investigator Grant(#2010063)the MRFF-funded Australian Research Consortium for Trans Youth and Children(ARCTYC,MRF2032119).
文摘Introduction:Despite the well-documented benefits of exercise for adolescents’physical and mental health,exercise remains an underutilized strategy for improving the health of trans adolescents.This is notable because,compared to their cisgender peers,trans adolescents experience greater health challenges and systemic barriers to being physically active.To date,no research has evaluated an evidence-based exercise service within specialist paediatric gender services in Australia.Methods:The study is a non-randomised type 2 effectivenessimplementation hybrid trial for adolescents engaged with Child and Adolescent Health Service Gender Diversity Service at Perth Children’s Hospital,Western Australia.The participant group will receive the intervention alongside standard care.The design of the program has incorporated input from the GENder idenTity Longitudinal Experience(GENTLE)Cohort Consumer Advisory group;trans young people,families,and health professionals;guidelines for commonmedical presentations within paediatric gender services and international physical activity guidelines for adolescents.Program implementation and feasibility(i.e.,participant engagement,perceptions and experiences of the intervention),as well as preliminary effectiveness of the targeted exercise programon health outcomes(i.e.,quality of life,wellbeing and markers of physical health),will be evaluated as part of a pilot trial.Discussion:This project addresses a significant gap in research and healthcare and aims to enhance service delivery by integrating exercise into standard care for specialist paediatric gender services in Australia.Anticipated impacts include shaping current and future practices by defining safe,effective exercise for trans adolescents while laying the groundwork for larger scale implementation and research on long-term health benefits.
文摘The Global Leaders’Meeting on Women was held in Beijing,the capital of China,on 13-14 October.South African Minister in the Presidency for Women,Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga,attended the event.ChinAfrica spoke with her in an exclusive interview about the messages she brought to the meeting,South Africa’s progress in women’s empowerment,how the G20 presidency can contribute to this cause,and China’s role.An edited excerpt of the interview follows.
文摘Thirty years ago,Beijing hosted the Fourth World Conference on Women,which adopted the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.This milestone document proclaimed for the first time that“Women’s rights are human rights,”formally introduced“gender mainstreaming”as a global strategy to advance gender equality,and a!rmed women’s equal rights across 12 key areas including politics,the economy,and culture.
文摘THIRTY years ago,Beijing hosted the Fourth World Conference on Women,which adopted the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.This milestone document proclaimed for the first time that,“Women’s rights are human rights,”formally introduced“gender mainstreaming”as a global strategy to advance gender equality,and affirmed women’s equal rights across 12 key areas,including politics,the economy,and culture.
文摘BACKGROUND Regulatory agencies are increasingly recognizing that minority trial repres-entation is inadequate,contributing to healthcare disparities.The scope of min-ority population disparities in clinical trial participation remains unclear,as previous studies have compiled enrollment data from published trials,which AIM To evaluate sex,racial and ethnic inequities in liver transplantation(LT)trials participation in the United States.METHODS We used data from completed United States liver transplant clinical trials registered and reported on the National Institute of Health(NIH)website(clincaltrials.gov).Demographic data,including race,ethnicity,sex,and age were collected.To make inferences to a larger population,95%CIs were computed for estimates in each demographic group using the Wilson method for binomial proportions.We also computed the simultaneous 95%CIs by applying a Bonferroni correction to reflect the multinomial distribution of race proportions.The numbers and percentages of racial/ethnic minority and female individuals compared with United States census data from 2010 and 2018.Secondary outcome measures were inclusion by trial funding source and year of completion.RESULTS A total of 69 United States based clinical trials involving 6990 participants were included in the analysis.Of these,35 trials(51%)were randomized,and 26(38%)were conducted across multiple United States regions.All trials reported sex,while 42(61%)reported race and 27(39%)reported ethnicity.Compared to United States census data,Asian individuals were overrepresented(9.3%;95%CI:8.1%-10.5%),whereas African American(7.8%;95%CI:6.7%-8.9%)and American Indian or Alaska Native individuals(0.4%;95%CI:0.1%-0.6%)were underrepresented.The proportion of White participants(75.9%;95%CI:74.1%-77.7%)was consistent with census estimates.Hispanic participants were underrepresented(13.3%;95%CI:12.2%-14.5%)regardless of the census year referenced.In industry-sponsored trials,Asian representation was three times higher than in the general population(15%).NIH funded trials showed overrepresentation of White participants(83.8%)and underrepresentation of Black participants(4.1%)relative to census data.Women comprised 31.1%of all participants(95%CI:30.0%-32.2%),in-dicating underrepresentation.Among trials that reported racial data,62(90%)did not include participants of American Indian or Alaska Native,Native Hawaiian,or Pacific Islander descent.CONCLUSION Our analysis indicates that women,African Americans,and Hispanic individuals are underrepresented in LT clinical trials compared to the general United States population.These results highlight the need for regulatory initiatives aimed at enhancing the inclusion of historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups in clinical re-search.
文摘With a long-standing tradition in the development of critical theories, Latin America seeks, through a myriad of perspectives, to understand its peripheral position within the mechanisms of the world system. This paper aims to examine the role of race and gender in sustaining the capitalist world system through the lens of decolonial studies. It considers how both categories were historically constructed during the colonial process as tools to legitimize social, economic, and political hierarchies between the dominant and the dominated. In particular, the division of labor, based on racial and gendered distinctions, was instrumental in shaping these power relations. By analyzing these categories as central elements in the formation and maintenance of the capitalist world system, the study highlights their continued influence in perpetuating inequalities today.
