bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dearomatization–Rearomatization Strategy for Palladium-Catalyzed C–N Cross-Coupling Reactions
Authors: Li Chao-Jun , Zeng Huiying , Lang Yatao
Published: September 2020

Substituted aromatic compounds play important roles in materials, biological agents, dyes, etc. Thus, the synthesis of substituted aromatic compounds has been a hot topic throughout the history of organic chemistry. Traditionally, the Friedel–Crafts reaction was a powerful tool for synthesizing substituted aromatic compounds. In recent decades, metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions were well developed via carbon–heteroatom bond cleavage, however, having difficulties towards some strong bonds, such as C(Ar)–OH. To overcome such challenges, newer strategies are needed. In this review, we summarize the recent efforts in the development of dearomatization–rearomatization strategy for cross-coupling reactions via C(Ar)–O bond cleavage.

1 Introduction

2 Dearomatization–Rearomatization Strategy for Cross-Coupling of Phenols

3 Dearomatization–Rearomatization Strategy for Cross-Coupling of Biphenols

4 Dearomatization–Rearomatization Strategy for Cross-Coupling of Diphenyl Ethers

5 Dearomatization–Rearomatization Strategy for Cross-Coupling of Indoles

6 Summary
Adaptive monitoring: using citizen scientists to track wolf populations when winter-track counts become unreliable
Authors: Balčiauskas Linas , Balčiauskienė Laima , Litvaitis John A. , Tijušas Eugenijus
Published: September 2020

Abstract
ContextIn many countries, annual wolf surveys based on snow-track counts have become unreliable because of inconsistent snow coverage. We considered incidental observations by volunteers throughout the year as an alternative monitoring protocol.
AimsWe recruited interested citizens throughout Lithuania, including hunters, foresters and farmers, to estimate wolf distribution, abundance, pack numbers and group size from 2015 to 2018.
MethodsObservation-based records of wolves were collected using simple questionnaires that included time, location and method of observation (e.g. track, scat, vocalisation or prey-kill remains). We summarised 979 reports of 1938 observed wolves.
Key resultsVolunteer reports suggested an increase in wolf distribution and abundance from 2015 to 2018. The observed number of wolf packs was estimated to be at least 100 by 2018, pack size increased to 3.6, and the share of single wolves decreased from 56% in 2015 to 40% in 2018.
ConclusionsWe found that volunteer observations can provide useful information on wolf distribution, pack size and pack numbers. Our results support previous reports of expanding wolf populations in the Baltic region.
ImplicationsResults of our citizen-science effort by Nature Research Centre and Lithuanian Hunters and Fishers Association have been accepted by the Ministry of Environment as a complement to other surveys in Lithuania and should aid in developing an informed wolf-management policy.
Fusion protein engineered exosomes for targeted degradation of specific RNAs in lysosomes: a proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Li Zhelong , Zhou Xueying , Gao Xiaotong , Bai Danna , Dong Yan , Sun Wenqi , Zhao Lianbi , Wei Mengying , Yang Xuekang , Yang Guodong , Yuan Lijun
Published: September 2020

Therapeutically intervening the function of RNA in vivo remains a big challenge. We here developed an exosome‐based strategy to deliver engineered RNA‐binding protein for the purpose of recruiting specific RNA to the lysosomes for degradation. As a proof‐of‐principle study, RNA‐binding protein HuR was fused to the C‐terminus of Lamp2b, a membrane protein localized in both exosome and lysosome. The fusion protein was able to be incorporated into the exosomes. Moreover, exosomes engineered with Lamp2b‐HuR successfully decreased the abundance of RNA targets possibly via lysosome‐mediated degradation, especially when the exosomes were acidified. The system was specifically effective in macrophages, which are lysosome enriched and resistant to routine transfection mediated RNAi strategy. In the CCl4‐induced liver injury mouse model, we found that delivery of acidified exosomes engineered with Lamp2b‐HuR significantly reduced liver fibrosis, together with decreased miR‐155 and other inflammatory genes. In summary, the established exosome‐based RNA‐binding protein delivery strategy, namely “exosome‐mediated lysosomal clearance”, takes the advantage of exosome in targeted delivery and holds great promise in regulating a set of genes in vivo.
Structural, electronic and optical properties of two-dimensional (M2/3Y1/3)2CO2 (M = Mo,W) iMXene
Authors: Mostafaei Alireza , Faizabadi Edris , Heidari Semiromi Ebrahim
Published: September 2020

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides, known as MXenes, are continuously growing in terms of both crystalline and composition varieties. They have received significant attention in science and technology. The new members of MXenes with in-plane ordered double transition metals have been named as iMXenes. In this study, we have investigated the electronic structures and optical properties of 2D (Mo2/3Y1/3)2CO2 and (W2/3Y1/3)2CO2 iMXene monolayers, using a set of density functional theory calculations. We found that the (Mo2/3Y1/3)2CO2 and (W2/3Y1/3)2CO2 2CO2 are semiconductors with indirect bandgaps of 0.477 eV and 0.655 eV, respectively. To investigate the optical properties, we calculated the absorption spectrum and reflectivity percentage of these structures along x and z directions using the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function. It is observed that the real and imaginary parts of their dielectric functions possess many peaks in the energy region of less than 3.1 eV. Interestingly, they show high absorption in the visible and UV regions, implying the potential applications of these semiconducting iMXenes in solar cells and optical nanodevices.
Optical dispersion of valley-hybridised coherent excitons with momentum-dependent valley polarisation in monolayer semiconductor
Authors: Schneider Lorenz Maximilian , Esdaille Shanece S , Rhodes Daniel A , Barmak Katayun , Hone James C , Rahimi-Iman Arash
Published: September 2020

2D excitons in transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) offer interesting effects related to the valley pseudo-spin degree of freedom and long-range exchange interactions, as well as the coupling with light states. Several theoretical predictions have claimed that the neutral exciton of TMDCs splits into a transversal and longitudinal exciton branch, with the longitudinal one, which is the upper branch, exhibiting an extraordinary strong dispersion in the meV range within the light cone. Historically, this was linked for semiconductor quantum wells to strong far-field optical dipole coupling, or strong electronic long-range exchange interactions. Recently, experiments utilizing Fourier-space spectroscopy have shown that the exciton (exciton–polariton) dispersion can indeed be measured for high-quality hexagonal-BN-encapsulated WSe2 monolayer samples and can confirm the energy scale. Here, the exciton fine-structure’s pseudo-spin and the valley polarisation are investigated as a function of the centre-of-mass-momentum and excitation-laser detuning. For quasi-resonant excitation, a strong dispersion featuring a pronounced momentum-dependent helicity is observed. By increasing the excitation energy step-wise towards and then above the electronic band gap and the B-exciton level, the dispersion and the helicity systematically decrease due to contributions of incoherent excitons and emission from plasma. The decline of the helicity with centre-of-mass momentum can be phenomenologically modelled by the Maialle–Silva–Sham mechanism using the exciton splitting as the source of an effective magnetic field. By contributing to a better understanding of valley decoherence effects and the role of hybridised states in the optoelectronic properties, polarisation-sensitive Fourier-space investigations can support the development of future ‘optical-valleytronic’ devices.
Direct optimization of dose–volume histogram metrics in radiation therapy treatment planning
Authors: Zhang Tianfang , Bokrantz Rasmus , Olsson Jimmy
Published: September 2020

We present a method of directly optimizing on deviations in clinical goal values in radiation therapy treatment planning. Using a new mathematical framework in which metrics derived from the dose–volume histogram are regarded as functionals of an auxiliary random variable, we are able to obtain volume-at-dose and dose-at-volume as infinitely differentiable functions of the dose distribution with easily evaluable function values and gradients. Motivated by the connection to risk measures in finance, which is formalized in this framework, we also derive closed-form formulas for mean-tail-dose and demonstrate its capability of reducing extreme dose values in tail distributions. Numerical experiments performed on a prostate and a head-and-neck patient case show that the direct optimization of dose–volume histogram metrics produced marginally better results than or outperformed conventional planning objectives in terms of clinical goal fulfilment, control of low- and high-dose tails of target distributions and general plan quality defined by a pre-specified evaluation measure. The proposed framework eliminates the disconnect between optimization functions and evaluation metrics and may thus reduce the need for repetitive user interaction associated with conventional treatment planning. The method also has the potential of enhancing plan optimization in other settings such as multicriteria optimization and automated treatment planning.
Witnessing non-objectivity in the framework of strong quantum Darwinism
Authors: Le Thao P , Olaya-Castro Alexandra
Published: September 2020

Quantum Darwinism is a compelling theory that describes the quantum-to classical transition as the emergence of objectivity of quantum systems. Spectrum broadcast structure and strong quantum Darwinism are two extensions of this theory with emphasis on state structure and information respectively. The complete experimental verification of these three frameworks, however, requires quantum state tomography over both the system and accessible environments, thus limiting the feasibility and scalability of experimental tests. Here, we introduce a subspace-dependent objectivity operation and construct a witness that detects non-objectivity by comparing the dynamics of the system-environment state with and without the objectivity operation. We then propose a photonic experimental simulation that implements the witnessing scheme. Our work proposes a route to further experimental exploration of the quantum to classical transition.
Landscape and taxon age are associated with differing patterns of hybridization in twoEucalyptus(Myrtaceae) subgenera
Authors: Robins T P , Binks R M , Byrne M , Hopper S D
Published: September 2020

Background and Aims

Hybridization is an important evolutionary process that can have a significant impact on natural plant populations. Eucalyptus species are well known for weak reproductive barriers and extensive hybridization within subgenera, but there is little knowledge of whether patterns of hybridization differ among subgenera. Here, we examine eucalypts of Western Australia’s Stirling Range to investigate how patterns of hybridization are associated with landscape and taxon age between the two largest Eucalyptus subgenera: Eucalyptus and Symphyomyrtus. In doing so, we tested a hypothesis of OCBIL (old, climatically buffered, infertile landscape) theory that predicts reduced hybridization on older landscapes.

Methods

Single nucleotide polymorphism markers were applied to confirm the hybrid status, parentage and genetic structure of five suspected hybrid combinations for subg. Eucalyptus and three combinations for subg. Symphyomyrtus.

Key Results

Evidence of hybridization was found in all combinations, and parental taxa were identified for most combinations. The older parental taxa assessed within subg. Eucalyptus, which are widespread on old landscapes, were identified as well-defined genetic entities and all hybrids were exclusively F1 hybrids. In addition, many combinations showed evidence of clonality, suggesting that the large number of hybrids recorded from some combinations is the result of long-term clonal spread following a few hybridization events rather than frequent hybridization. In contrast, the species in subg. Symphyomyrtus, which typically occur on younger landscapes and are more recently evolved, showed less distinction among parental taxa, and where hybridization was detected, there were high levels of introgression.

Conclusions

Reduced hybridization in subg. Eucalyptus relative to extensive hybridization in subg. Symphyomyrtus affirmed the hypothesis of reduced hybridization on OCBILs and demonstrate that clade divergence times, landscape age and clonality are important drivers of differing patterns of speciation and hybridization in Eucalyptus.
Long-distance dispersal of the beach strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis, from North America to Chile and Hawaii
Authors: Hancock James F , Prince Harold H
Published: September 2020

Background and Aims

The beach strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis, is found in a narrow coastal band from the Aleutian Islands to central California and then jumps thousands of kilometres all the way to Hawaii and Chile. As it probably had a North American origin, it must have been introduced to the other locations by long-distance dispersal. The aim of this study was to determine which agent carried the beach strawberry to its Pacific and South American locations.

Methods

A deductive framework was constructed to separate between the possible modes of long-distance dispersal involving animals, wind and ocean currents. Bird migration was subsequently identified as the most likely scenario, and then the routes, habitats, feeding preferences and flight distances of all the shorebird species were evaluated to determine the most likely carrier.

Key Results

Six species migrate between North America and Chile and feed on the beaches and rocky shores where F. chiloensis grows naturally: Black-bellied Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Whimbrels and Willets. Of these, only two eat fruit and migrate in long continuous flight: Ruddy Turnstones and Whimbrels. Two species travel between North America and Hawaii, eat fruit and forage on the beaches and rocky shores where F. chiloensis grows naturally: Pacific Golden-plovers and Ruddy Turnstones. Ruddy Turnstones eat far less fruit than Pacific Golden-plovers and Whimbrels, making them less likely to have introduced the beach strawberry to either location.

Conclusions

We provide evidence that F. chiloesis seeds were probably dispersed to Hawaii by Pacific Golden-plovers and to Chile by Whimbrels.
A Simple and Rapid High-Performance Liquid Chromatography—Photodiode Array Method for Quantitation of Triacetin Contents From 30 Batches Produced in China
Authors: Li Ran , Pan Xi , Wang Hao , Guo Guoning , Huang Long , Wei Min , Ma Yuanren , Zhang Jinyan , Hao Ji , Song Xuyan , Yang Xinzhou
Published: September 2020

In our present study, the standard chemicals of triacetin were purified by reverse-phase and normal-phase semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and 1H NMR and 13C NMR were employed to determine the purity and structure of triacetin. Moreover, a simple and rapid HPLC-photodiode array (PDA) method was developed to determine the contents of triacetin in 30 batches from different suppliers. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Phenomenex Gemini-NX C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using a gradient elution system of water and acetonitrile (contained 0.1% of formic acid) solution with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at 30°C at 210 nm. Sample preparation method is rapid and energy efficient, and the obtained sample have a good purity. Validation shows good specificity, linearity (R2 = 0.9995), precision, stability, repeatability (% RSD < 2.80) and the average recovery (99.72%) of triacetin. The content of triacetin in most samples is concentrated in 94–97%. This developed approach is simple, rapid, accurate and can be used to quickly determine the purity and the content of triacetin in plasticizers and filter plugs.
Large non-coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: a case report of an unusual cause of angina pectoris
Authors: Iwakawa Hidehiro , Iino Takako , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Watanabe Hiroyuki
Published: September 2020

Background

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare cardiac abnormality occurring in 0.09% of the general population, but few reports have examined its recurrence. Unruptured SVAs are usually asymptomatic.

Case summary

A 50-year-old woman presented with chest pain and a history of surgery for a ruptured right coronary SVA 32 years prior. Echocardiography showed the recurrence of an unruptured SVA of the non-coronary sinus with moderate aortic regurgitation, severe mitral regurgitation, and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) revealed compression of the right coronary artery (RCA) between the SVA and sternum. Adenosine triphosphate stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) identified reversible ischaemia of the inferior wall. The patient underwent patch closure of the SVA, aortic valve replacement, mitral valvuloplasty, and tricuspid annuloplasty. Post-operative MPI showed no residual ischaemia, and CT confirmed both successful repair of the SVA and intact RCA.

Discussion

This case provides two noteworthy findings. First, the SVA recurred after 32 years. Second, a non-coronary SVA causing myocardial ischaemia is extremely rare given the long anatomical distance between the non-coronary sinus and coronary arteries. In our patient, the non-coronary SVA grew large enough within the anterior mediastinum to cause RCA compression.
The Geography of Unconventional Innovation
Authors: Berkes Enrico , Gaetani Ruben
Published: September 2020

Using a newly assembled data set of US patents, we show that innovation activity is less concentrated in high-density locations than commonly believed. Yet, inventions based on atypical combinations of knowledge are indeed more prevalent in high-density urban centres. To interpret this relation, we propose that informal interactions in densely populated areas help knowledge flows between distant fields, but are less relevant for flows between close fields. We build a model of innovation in a spatial economy that endogenously generates the pattern observed in the data: specialised clusters emerge in low-density areas, whereas high-density locations diversify and produce unconventional ideas.
Breaking the silence of the grave: the agency of speech scrolls on late medieval French tombs
Authors: Marcoux Robert
Published: September 2020

Amongst the many visual stimuli that fill late medieval churches, text scrolls occupy an important place. Merging both image and text in the shape of written banderoles, they add a layer of ‘sound’ to a variety of objects. This article deals with their specific use on funeral monuments where, acting as ‘speech scrolls’, they provide the dead with a distinctive voice. The musical resonances of the texts that appear on such speech scrolls is explored, and special focus is given to their presence on cadaver tombs in order to explore the agency held by the uncanny image of talking corpses within the context of late medieval strategies for the afterlife.
Fuga and invertible counterpoint in Byrd’s Cantiones sacrae (1589): some preliminary observations
Authors: Grimshaw Julian
Published: September 2020

This article aims to shed light on aspects of Byrd’s contrapuntal technique—particularly in relation to the crafting of fuga (or imitation)—by subjecting to close analysis a small sample from his Cantiones sacrae (1589), and in so doing offers in effect a trailer for the study of the collection as a whole. A number of issues are raised which indicate some of the directions in which future research in this area might be taken. These include the extent to which material is, or appears to be, reused by Byrd within a motet or across different motets, or indeed whether it may be borrowed from another composer, although this is a subordinate consideration in relation to Byrd’s reuse of his own material. While passages may appear to resemble each other—because they use similar subjects—sometimes it is a superficial likeness only, and when one delves below the surface one finds that the fuga is constructed quite differently. Byrd’s use of fuga is often far from straightforward, and leads one to conjecture that at times there was likely to have been some kind of pre-compositional planning: duos with inbuilt cadence formulas arise, and at the same time complexes of triple (invertible) counterpoint are introduced that take the procedures to another level of intricacy.
Reclaiming a Transgender History: The Intertextual Life of Charlotte Charke
Authors: Jack Jesse
Published: September 2020

Feminist historians and eighteenth-century scholars alike have employed strategic essentialisms of identity categories like the sapphic to reclaim the historical presence and agency of social groups whose histories have been erased (or obscured) under patriarchy. Methodologically, strategic essentialisms enable the speculative alignment of eighteenth-century figures with contemporary identity categories even though such categories may not have been constituted as such at the time. Works like Susan Lanser’s Sexuality of History exemplify the use of strategic essentialisms to retain a phenomenological position in relation to power structures without assimilating historical figures into contemporary identity constructs.1 Though work like Lanser’s exists for lesbian and gay identities, similar work has yet to focus on the intertextual experience of transgender embodiment, despite the fact that scholars have recently argued that the lack of a speculative transgender/transsexual history in the West has led to the problematic interpolation of so-called ‘third genders’ across the globe through a Western (largely white) lens.2 In this article, I seek to construct and employ a strategic essentialism of Western trans embodiment and experience to reconstitute the historical presence and agency of individuals whose unique experiences align in degrees to transgender identity today.3 I argue that the intertextual experience of Charlotte Charke with her multi-faceted identities and roles, her resistance to pseudo-histories, as well as her negotiation and generation of origin narratives and embodied borderlands, constitutes a phenomenology of intertextuality and serves as a viable starting place for the (re)construction of a lost, Western transgender history.
Measuring More Than Exposure: Does Stress Appraisal Matter for Black–White Differences in Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults?
Authors: Brown Lauren L , Abrams Leah R , Mitchell Uchechi A , Ailshire Jennifer A
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives

Prior research and theory suggest that exposure to objectively stressful events contributes to mental health disparities. Yet, blacks report higher cumulative stress exposure than whites but lower levels of common psychiatric disorders. In order to understand why blacks bear disproportionate stress exposure but similar or better mental health relative to whites, we need to consider race differences in not only stress exposure, but also stress appraisal—how upsetting stress exposures are perceived to be.

Research Design and Methods

We examine whether race differences in the number of reported chronic stressors across 5 domains (health, financial, residential, relationship, and caregiving) and their appraised stressfulness explain black–white differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Data come from 6019 adults aged older than 52 from the 2006 Health and Retirement Study.

Results

Older blacks in this sample experience greater exposure to chronic stressors but appraise stressors as less upsetting relative to whites. In fully adjusted models, stress exposure is related to higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and perceiving stress as upsetting is associated with higher symptomology for whites and blacks. We also find that blacks report greater anxiety symptoms but fewer depressive symptoms with more stress exposure relative to whites. Stress appraisal partially explains race differences in the association between stress exposure and anxiety symptoms and fully explains race differences in the association between exposure and depressive symptoms.

Discussion and Implications

The relationship between race, chronic stress exposure, and mental health is mediated by stress appraisal. Stress appraisal provides insight on important pathways contributing to black–white mental health disparities in older adulthood.
The consequence of COVID-19: how the United States moved from security provider to security consumer
Authors: Reich Simon , Dombrowski Peter
Published: September 2020

Deliberations over the COVID-19 pandemic's long-term effects on the global balance of power have spurred a large and rancorous debate, including speculation about a shift in the definition of national security and prescriptions about where it should focus. That argument will no doubt continue. But we argue that one consequence is already evident: the United States has spent the last seventy years portraying itself as a security provider in all key domains—for many an intrinsic component of its status as a global leader. One reasonable broad conclusion from the US struggle with COVID-19 is that it has further forfeited its broad leadership position on the basis of its behaviour. Yet that, although possibly true, would only portray one element of the story. The more profound insight exposed by COVID-19 is of a new reality: in a world where both naturogenic and anthropogenic threats pose immense national security challenges, decades of mistaken assumptions and policy choices have created a new environment, one where the United States has been redefined as a security consumer, at least in terms of international public health issues associated with the spread of deadly infectious diseases.
Translocation of aberrant left subclavian artery and resection of Kommerell diverticulum during the concomitant repair of intracardiac anomalies
Authors: An Kang , Li Shoujun , Yan Jun , Wang Xu , Hua Zhongdong
Published: September 2020

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety and efficacy of the translocation of the aberrant left subclavian artery (LSCA) and resection of the Kommerell diverticulum during the concomitant repair of intracardiac anomalies for paediatric patients who had a right-sided aortic arch.

METHODS

A retrospective review of paediatric patients who were diagnosed right-sided aortic arch, aberrant LSCA, Kommerell diverticulum and intracardiac anomalies between 2015 and 2019 was conducted. Patients who underwent translocation of the aberrant LSCA, diverticulum resection and concomitant intracardiac repair were included.

RESULTS

Eight patients underwent translocation of aberrant LSCA, diverticulum resection, ligamentum division and concomitant repair of the associated intracardiac anomalies. All patients were male. The median age was 1.3 years (range 0.4–5.5 years) and the median weight was 10.0 kg (range 6.1–21.0 kg). The most commonly combined intracardiac anomaly was a ventricular septal defect. Seven patients (87.5%) had preoperative respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. There was no early mortality and no postoperative complications. During the median follow-up of 23 months (range 4–43 months), no patient had residual respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. A postoperative computed tomography scan was performed in 3 patients, all of which showed patent LSCA–left carotid artery anastomosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Translocation of the aberrant LSCA and resection of the Kommerell diverticulum can be safely performed during the concomitant repair of intracardiac anomalies for paediatric patients. This approach could eliminate residual respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, and prevent reintervention in the future.
Case Series: A case of familial thymomatous myasthenia gravis in a family of three male brothers
Authors: Elseidy Sheref A , Alkader Ahmed Abd Allah Abd , Naserallah Haitham Hassan , Awad Ahmed Khaled
Published: September 2020

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that occurs as a consequence of anti-acetylcholine (Ach) antibodies specifically targeting postsynaptic Ach receptors (AchR). This leads to the evolution of the classic symptoms of the disease, which range from mild symptoms of diplopia, muscle fatigue with repetitive movement up to severe affection of the respiratory muscle. The disease can occur as an isolated finding or co-exist with a concomitant thymic tumor or hyperplasia. Careful diagnosis is crucial for the development of the management plan. Nearly 10–15% of MG cases coexist with a thymic pathology and in these cases, surgical resection leads to the resolution of symptoms. Although thymomatous MG occurrence is non-heritable, its polygenic nature accounts for its rare familial variant. In this case, we report a family of three brothers with familial thymomatous MG who underwent thymectomy and improved after thymic surgical resection. Myasthenia gravis can occur as an isolated finding or as an association of thymic pathology. Careful discrimination between the two should be made for the elaboration of a management plan. Familial variant thymomatous myasthenia gravis is exceedingly rare. A familial survey is crucial for its management.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis that hit a returning traveller twice
Authors: Valke Lars L F G , van Thiel Pieter P A M , Hassing Robert-Jan
Published: September 2020

A persisting leishmania parasite
Which feedback mechanisms dominate in the high-pressure environment of the central molecular zone?
Authors: Barnes Ashley T , Longmore Steven N , Dale James E , Krumholz Mark R , Kruijssen J M Diederik , Bigiel Frank
Published: September 2020

Supernovae (SNe) dominate the energy and momentum budget of stellar feedback, but the efficiency with which they couple to the interstellar medium (ISM) depends strongly on how effectively early, pre-SN feedback clears dense gas from star-forming regions. There are observational constraints on the magnitudes and time-scales of early stellar feedback in low ISM pressure environments, yet no such constraints exist for more cosmologically typical high ISM pressure environments. In this paper, we determine the mechanisms dominating the expansion of H ii regions as a function of size-scale and evolutionary time within the high-pressure ($P/k_\mathrm{B}\, \sim \, 10^{7-8}$ K cm−3) environment in the inner 100 pc of the Milky Way. We calculate the thermal pressure from the warm ionized (PH ii; 104 K) gas, direct radiation pressure (Pdir), and dust processed radiation pressure (PIR). We find that (1) Pdir dominates the expansion on small scales and at early times (0.01–0.1 pc; <0.1 Myr); (2) the expansion is driven by PH ii on large scales at later evolutionary stages (>0.1 pc; >1 Myr); (3) during the first ≲ 1 Myr of growth, but not thereafter, either PIR or stellar wind pressure likely make a comparable contribution. Despite the high confining pressure of the environment, natal star-forming gas is efficiently cleared to radii of several pc within ∼ 2 Myr, i.e. before the first SNe explode. This ‘pre-processing’ means that subsequent SNe will explode into low density gas, so their energy and momentum will efficiently couple to the ISM. We find the H ii regions expand to a radius of ∼ 3 pc, at which point they have internal pressures equal with the surrounding external pressure. A comparison with H ii regions in lower pressure environments shows that the maximum size of all H ii regions is set by pressure equilibrium with the ambient ISM.
‘Send Me Some Pics’: Performing the Offender Identity in Online Undercover Child Abuse Investigations
Authors: Chiang Emily
Published: September 2020

This article presents a case study examining the performance of the offender identity in online child sexual abuse interactions between genuine suspected offenders and an undercover officer posing as an offender. Using a linguistic framework known as move analysis, the study describes and compares interactants' use of rhetorical moves, as well as move frequencies and structures. Similarities and differences in the performance of offenderness between suspected offenders and the undercover police officer are discussed. Interactions are characterised by a high level of rapport-building, sharing stories, and exchanging support. While the undercover officer largely emulates the moves of suspected offenders, key discrepancies include his comparative reluctance to engage in abuse-related story-telling and an increased tendency to inquire about abusive images. This work highlights possible target areas for police training in the task of online identity assumption in online child abuse cases.
Leptin Serum Levels are Associated With GLP-1 Receptor Agonist-Mediated Effects on Glucose Metabolism in Clozapine- or Olanzapine-Treated, Prediabetic, Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Tomasik Jakub , Rustogi Nitin , Larsen Julie R , Jakobsen Michelle I , Svensson Camilla K , Vedtofte Louise , Jakobsen Mathilde S L , Jespersen Hans R , Koyuncu Kamuran , Schjerning Ole , Nielsen Jimmi , Ekstrøm Claus T , Correll Christoph U , Holst Jens J , Vilsbøll Tina , Bahn Sabine , Fink-Jensen Anders
Published: September 2020

Background

We previously demonstrated that the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) liraglutide significantly reduced glucometabolic disturbances and body weight vs placebo in prediabetic, overweight, or obese schizophrenia-spectrum disorder patients treated with clozapine or olanzapine. Here, we aimed to identify potential biomarkers of prediabetes and the GLP-1RA-induced effects on glucose tolerance in schizophrenia patients treated with clozapine or olanzapine.

Methods

Multiplexed immunoassays were used to measure 8 proteins (adiponectin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, leptin, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, prolactin, receptor for advanced glycation end products, and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) in fasting prediabetic and non-prediabetic patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, the prediabetic patients receiving 16-week randomized treatment with liraglutide or placebo.

Results

Serum adiponectin (P = .004) and VEGF (P = .019) levels were significantly lower in prediabetic (n = 81) than non-prediabetic schizophrenia-spectrum disorder patients (n = 32). Adiponectin levels increased significantly (P = .022) and leptin levels decreased significantly (P = .017) following treatment with liraglutide (n = 39) vs placebo (n = 42). Importantly, patients receiving liraglutide who had higher baseline leptin levels showed significantly larger reductions in the primary endpoint, the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test value, than patients with lower baseline leptin levels (P = .009).

Conclusion

These results provide new evidence for metabolic alterations associated with prediabetes and GLP-1RA treatment in the context of schizophrenia. They suggest that leptin may be a valuable biomarker predicting GLP-1RA-induced improvement in glucose tolerance in overweight or obese schizophrenia-spectrum disorder patients with prediabetes treated with clozapine or olanzapine. These findings require further validation in larger numbers of individuals.
Dynamics of sleep, sedentary behavior, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on school versus nonschool days
Authors: Armstrong Bridget , Beets Michael W , Starrett Angela , Brazendale Keith , Turner-McGrievy Gabrielle , Saelens Brian E , Pate Russell R , Youngstedt Shawn D , Maydeu-Olivares Alberto , Weaver R Glenn
Published: September 2020

Study Objectives

Studies examining time-use activity behaviors (sleep, sedentary behavior, and physical activity) on school days compared with nonschool days have examined these behaviors independently, ignoring their interrelated nature, limiting our ability to optimize the health benefits of these behaviors. This study examines the associations of school-day (vs. nonschool day) with time-use activity behaviors.

Methods

Time series data (6,642 days) from Fitbits (Charge-2) were collected (n = 196, 53% female, 5–10 years). We used a variable-centered dynamic structural equation modeling approach to estimate day-to-day associations of time-use activity behaviors on school days for each child. We then used person-centered cluster analyses to group individuals based on these estimates.

Results

Within-participant analysis showed that on school days (vs. nonschool days), children (1) slept less (β = −0.17, 95% CI = −0.21, −0.13), (2) were less sedentary (β = −0.05, 95% CI = −0.09, −0.02), and (3) had comparable moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; β = −0.05, 95% CI = −0.11, 0.00). Between-participant analysis showed that, on school days, children with higher sleep carryover experienced greater decreases in sleep (β = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.71), children with higher body mass index z-score decreased sedentary behavior more (β = −0.41, 95% CI = −0.64, −0.13), and children with lower MVPA increased MVPA more (β = −0.41, 95% CI −0.64, −0.13). Cluster analysis demonstrated four distinct patterns of connections between time-use activity behaviors and school (High Activity, Sleep Resilient, High Sedentary, and Dysregulated Sleep).

Conclusions

Using a combination of person-centered and more traditional variable-centered approaches, we identified patterns of interrelated behaviors that differed on school, and nonschool days. Findings can inform targeted intervention strategies tailored to children’s specific behavior patterns.
Acute Seizures in Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis
Authors: Gazioglu Sibel , Yildirim Ahmet , Kokturk Elif G. , Seker Demet , Altunayoglu Cakmak Vildan , Velioglu Sibel K.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) often presents with acute seizures, and recurrent seizures may also be seen in the long term in some patients. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the frequency and type of acute seizures and to define the risk factors.

Methods:

Sixty-two patients diagnosed with CVST between September 2007 and October 2018 were retrospectively evaluated for the occurrence of acute seizures. Seizures which developed as a presenting symptom or occurred within 2 weeks of diagnosis were defined as acute seizures. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic characteristics were compared between patients with or without acute seizures.

Results:

Twenty (32.3%) of the 62 CVST patients had acute seizures. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between acute seizures and aphasia (P=0.03), motor deficit (P<0.001), sensory deficit (P=0.018), severe (≥3) modified Rankin Scale scores on admission (P=0.017), sagittal sinus thrombosis (P=0.037), cortical vein thrombosis (P<0.001), supratentorial lesions (P<0.001), and hemorrhagic lesions (P<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis identified supratentorial lesions (P=0.015, odds ratio: 9.131, 95% confidence interval: 1.525-54.687) and cortical vein thrombosis (P=0.034, odds ratio: 5.802, 95% confidence interval: 1.146-29.371) as independent factors for acute seizures. Although 25% of patients with acute seizures had recurrent seizures during hospitalization, only 2.6% of the 38 patients with long-term follow-up had recurrent seizures.

Conclusions:

Approximately one third of patients with CVST had acute seizures. Cortical vein thrombosis, supratentorial, and especially hemorrhagic lesions were the most significant risk factors associated with acute seizures. Although seizure recurrence may occur early in the course, long-term recurrence is rare in CVST.
Psychometric Properties of the Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire in Chilean Women With Fibromyalgia
Authors: Aguirre Cárdenas Carla , Oñederra Maria Cecilia , Esparza Benavente Catalina , Durán Josefina , González Tugas Matías , Gómez-Pérez Lydia
Published: September 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chilean version of the Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire (FSQ).

Methods

Women with fibromyalgia (FM; n = 214), women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA; n = 97), and women without chronic pain (being followed by Gynecology, G; n = 117) from the Red de Salud UC CHRISTUS (Santiago, Chile) participated. Women with FM completed the FSQ, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (Revised Version), Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire 15, and Short-Form Health Survey. Two weeks later, they completed the FSQ again by phone (n = 120).

Results

The FSQ total scale showed excellent to good internal consistency at T1 (α = 0.91, ω = 0.91) and T2 (α = 0.78, ω = 0.78), and good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72–0.85). It showed medium to large correlations with the other measures. Discriminant analysis between the FM group and the control group (RA and G) revealed that the FSQ total scale reached a classification accuracy of 81.3%. Receiver operating characteristic curve (adjusted area under the curve, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.85–0.92) showed that the best FSQ cutoff was 17, resulting in sensitivity of 89% (95% CI, 0.84–0.93) and specificity of 75% (95% CI, 0.69–0.80). Considering the FM diagnosis performed by a rheumatologist as the criterion standard, sensitivity and specificity of the modified 2010 American College of Rheumatology preliminary criteria for FM were 92.8% (95% CI, 0.88–0.96) and 63.4% (95% CI, 0.57–0.70), respectively.

Conclusions

The Chilean version of the FSQ presents good psychometric properties and is a useful tool in clinical settings to assist in FM diagnosis and symptom assessment. A cutoff score of 17 or higher seems to be the most appropriate for Chilean population.
Medication utilization among adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder after reimbursement criteria change
Authors: Kim Eonjeong , Park Susin , Kim Yewon , Je Nam Kyung
Published: September 2020

This study analyzed the pattern of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication initiation in adult patients with ADHD after the reimbursement criteria change and identified the influencing factors associated with it using the claim data. We identified 243 adult patients with ADHD who had not been prescribed ADHD drugs before 1 September 2016. We conducted Kaplan–Meier survival analysis to calculate the time to initial prescription of ADHD medications, and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis to estimate the influencing factors. Approximately one-third of the patients (n = 76, 31.3%) were first prescribed ADHD medications after reimbursement approval, and 40 of them (16.5%) started treatment with osmotic release oral system methylphenidate. The patient’s age group (30–39 years) and the status of diagnosis before the index date were associated with early initiation of pharmacotherapy. The odds of starting ADHD medications increased approximately 2.7-fold in the 30–39 age group and 0.2-fold in the case of patients who were diagnosed before the approval. Our findings show that both diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD remains inadequate despite the change in reimbursement criteria. Improving awareness of adult ADHD among both the public and the professionals is essential to increase its chances of diagnosis and treatment.
Gracilibacillus oryzae sp. nov., isolated from rice seeds
Authors: He Shan-Wen , Wang Xing , Guo He-Bao , Han Ji-Gang , Thin Kyu Kyu , Gao Ju-sheng , Ma Li-An , Zhang Xiao-Xia
Published: September 2020

A Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain TD8T, was isolated from surface-sterilized rice seeds (Oryza sativa L.). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain TD8T should be placed within the genus

Gracilibacillus

(95.2–99.0 % sequence similarity); it exhibited highest similarities to

Gracilibacillus ureilyticus

CGMCC 1.7727T (99.0 %), ‘

Gracilibacillus xinjiangensis

’ CGMCC 1.12449T (98.9 %) and

Gracilibacillus dipsosauri

CGMCC 1.3642T (97.5 %). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was the major isoprenoid quinone. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified phospholipid were the major cellular polar lipids, and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, which supported the allocation of the strain to the genus

Gracilibacillus

. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain TD8T and

Gracilibacillus ureilyticus

CGMCC 1.7727T was lower than 70 % (22.60 %), and the average nucleotide identity score was 79.54±5.09 %, suggesting that strain TD8T represented a novel species in the genus

Gracilibacillus

. The genomic DNA G+C content was 37.5 %. Based on physiological and biochemical characteristics and genotypic data, strain TD8T represents a novel species of the genus

Gracilibacillus

, for which the name Gracilibacillus oryzae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TD8T (=ACCC 61556T=CICC 24889T=JCM 33537T).
MiREDiBase: a manually curated database of validated and putative editing events in microRNAs
Authors: Marceca Gioacchino P. , Distefano Rosario , Tomasello Luisa , Lagana Alessandro , Russo Francesco , Calore Federica , Romano Giulia , Bagnoli Marina , Gasparini Pierluigi , Ferro Alfredo , Acunzo Mario , Ma Qin , Croce Carlo M. , Nigita Giovanni
Published: September 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory small non-coding RNAs that function as translational repressors. MiRNAs are involved in most cellular processes, and their expression and function are presided by several factors. Amongst, miRNA editing is an epitranscriptional modification that alters the original nucleotide sequence of selected miRNAs, possibly influencing their biogenesis and target-binding ability. A-to-I and C-to-U RNA editing are recognized as the canonical types, with the A-to-I type being the predominant one. Albeit some bioinformatics resources have been implemented to collect RNA editing data, it still lacks a comprehensive resource explicitly dedicated to miRNA editing. Here, we present MiREDiBase, a manually curated catalog of editing events in miRNAs. The current version includes 3,059 unique validated and putative editing sites from 626 pre-miRNAs in humans and three primates. Editing events in mature human miRNAs are supplied with miRNA-target predictions and enrichment analysis, while minimum free energy structures are inferred for edited pre-miRNAs. MiREDiBase represents a valuable tool for cell biology and biomedical research and will be continuously updated and expanded athttps://ncrnaome.osumc.edu/miredibase.