bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposing distinct subcortical components of the auditory brainstem response evoked by continuous naturalistic speech
Authors: Polonenko Melissa J , Maddox Ross K
Published: August 2020

Speech processing is built upon encoding by the auditory nerve and brainstem, yet we know very little about how these processes unfold in specific subcortical structures. These structures are deep and respond quickly, making them difficult to study during ongoing speech. Recent techniques begin to address this problem, but yield temporally broad responses with consequently ambiguous neural origins. Here we describe a method that pairs re-synthesized “peaky” speech with deconvolution analysis of EEG recordings. We show that in adults with normal hearing, the method quickly yields robust responses whose component waves reflect activity from distinct subcortical structures spanning auditory nerve to rostral brainstem. We further demonstrate the versatility of peaky speech by simultaneously measuring bilateral and ear-specific responses across different frequency bands, and discuss important practical considerations such as talker choice. The peaky speech method holds promise as a tool for investigating speech encoding and processing, and for clinical applications.
Structural basis for CDK7 activation by MAT1 and Cyclin H
Authors: Peissert Stefan , Schlosser Andreas , Kendel Rafaela , Kuper Jochen , Kisker Caroline
Published: August 2020

CDK7, Cyclin H, and MAT1 form the heterotrimeric CDK-activating kinase (CAK) complex. CAK is a vital factor for the two essential processes of transcription and cell cycle control. When associated with the general transcription factor II H (TFIIH) it activates RNA polymerase II by hyperphosphorylation of its C-terminal domain (CTD). In the absence of TFIIH it phosphorylates the T-loop of CDKs that control cell cycle progression. CAK holds a special position among the CDK branch due to this dual activity and the dependence on the MAT1 protein for activation in addition to Cyclin H. We solved the structure of the CAK complex from the model organismC. thermophilumat 2.6 Å resolution. Our structure reveals an intricate network of interactions between MAT1 and its two binding partners CDK7 and Cyclin H providing a structural basis for the mechanism of CDK7 activation and CAK activity regulation.In vitroactivity measurements combined with functional mutagenesis show that CDK7 activation can occur independently of T-loop phosphorylation and is thus exclusively MAT1 dependent by positioning the CDK7 T-loop in its active conformation. Finally, our structure of the active CAK with a peptide model provides a molecular rationale for heptad repeat phosphorylation.

Significance Statement

The fundamental processes of cell cycle regulation and transcription are linked by the heterotrimeric CDK-activating kinase (CAK) complex. We have solved the crystal structure of the active CAK complex and provide a molecular rationale for CAK activation, regulation, and substrate recognition thereby highly advancing our understanding of this essential factor.
Social-like responses are inducible in asocial Mexican cavefish despite the exhibition of strong repetitive behaviour
Authors: Iwashita Motoko , Yoshizawa Masato
Published: August 2020

Social behaviour is a hallmark of complex animal systems; however, some species appear to have secondarily lost this social ability. In these non-social species, whether social abilities are permanently lost or suppressed is unclear. The blind cavefishAstyanax mexicanusis known to be asocial. Here, we reveal that cavefish exhibited social-like interactions in familiar environments but suppressed these interactions in stress-associated unfamiliar environments. Furthermore, the level of suppression in sociality was positively correlated with that of stereotypic repetitive behaviour, as seen in mammals. Treatment with a human antipsychotic drug targeting the dopaminergic system induced social-like interactions in cavefish, even in unfamiliar environments, while reducing repetitive behaviour. Overall, these results suggest that the antagonistic relationship between repetitive and social-like behaviours is deeply shared from teleosts through mammals.
Eurycomanone regulates lipid metabolism by activating the cAMP/PKA pathway
Authors: Jiang Zhihui , Han Haote , Li Shouxin , Tian Jingkui , Gao Zhiyuan , Huang Wenping , Zhang Dan , Ouyang Hui , Feng Yulin
Published: August 2020

Eurycoma longifolia Jack(ELJ) contains mainly alkaloids, and quassinoids, which are the main active ingredients. Eurycomanone (EN), one of the most common quassinoids, is said to have beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effects of EN on lipolysis by establishing a high-fat animal modelin vivoand evaluated its efficacy as a lipolytic and anti-fatty liver agent. Oil red O staining showed morphological changes of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes after EN treatment and confirmed the inhibitory effects of EN on adipocyte differentiation. The mechanism of EN promotes lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells was analyzed by immunofluorescence, Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR and siRNA transfection. In C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet, intragastric administration of EN (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) for two weeks, decreased fat droplet mass and size, and reduced fat accumulation in the liver. Furthermore, EN activated PKA and promoted the PKA/hormone sensitive lipase lipolysis signaling pathway, thereby increasing the release of glycerol and free fatty acids from adipocytes. Our findings indicate the potential of EN as a promising alternative pharmacologic agent for the prevention of obesity.
A failure to replicate the effect of visual symmetry on subjective duration
Authors: Makin Alexis D.J. , Rahman Afzal , Bertamini Marco
Published: August 2020

Previous work has shown that symmetrical or regular stimuli are judged as lasting longer than asymmetrical or irregular ones, even when actual duration is matched. This effect has been replicated with different methods and stimuli types, both in the UK and Japan. We aimed to a) replicate the effect of symmetry on subjective duration, and b) assess whether it was further modulated by the number of symmetrical axes. There was no evidence for either effect. This null result cannot be explained by reduced statistical power or enhanced floor or ceiling effects. There is no obvious stimulus-based explanation either. However, we are mindful of the reproducibility crisis and file drawer problems in psychology. Other symmetry and time perception researchers should be aware of this null result.
eDNA metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool for marine protected areas
Authors: Gold Zachary , Sprague Joshua , Kushner David J. , Zerecero Erick , Barber Paul H.
Published: August 2020

Monitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising alternative for marine ecosystem monitoring, but more direct comparisons to visual surveys are needed to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. This study compares fish communities inside and outside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve off Santa Cruz Island, CA using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. Results from eDNA captured 76% (19/25) of fish species and 95% (19/20) of fish genera observed during pairwise underwater visual census. Species missed by eDNA were due to the inability of MiFish12Sbarcodes to differentiate species of rockfishes (Sebastes, n=4) or low site occupancy rates of crevice-dwellingLythrypnusgobies. However, eDNA detected an additional 30 fish species not recorded in paired visual surveys, but previously reported from prior visual surveys, highlighting the sensitivity of eDNA. Significant variation in eDNA signatures by location (50m) and site (~1000m) demonstrates the sensitivity of eDNA to address key questions such as community composition inside and outside MPAs. Interestingly, eDNA results recorded higher species richness outside the MPA while visual surveys observed the opposite pattern. This result is likely caused by swamping effects of high fish abundance in MPAs that reduce detection probabilities of pelagic and intertidal taxa. Results demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine ecosystems, providing an important complementary tool to visual methods.
Circulating adiponectin mediates the association between omentin gene polymorphism and cardiometabolic health in Asian Indians
Authors: Vimaleswaran Karani S. , Jiang Juanjie , Bodhini Dhanasekaran , Ramya Kandaswamy , Mohan Deepa , Rani Coimbatore Subramanian Shanthi , Lakshmipriya Nagarajan , Sudha Vasudevan , Pradeepa Rajendra , Anjana Ranjit Mohan , Mohan Viswanathan , Radha Venkatesan
Published: August 2020

Background

Plasma omentin levels have been shown to be associated with circulating adiponectin concentrations and cardiometabolic disease-related outcomes. However, the findings have been inconsistent due to high level of confounding. In this study, we aim to examine the association of omentin gene polymorphism with plasma adiponectin levels and cardiometabolic health status using a genetic approach, which is less prone to confounding, and investigate whether these associations are modified by lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity.

Methods

The study included 945 normal glucose tolerant and 941 unrelated individuals with type 2 diabetes randomly selected from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES), in southern India. Study participants were further classified into cardiometabolically healthy and unhealthy, where cardiometabolically healthy were those without hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Fasting serum adiponectin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The A326T (rs2274907) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the exon 4 of the omentin gene was screened by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct sequencing.

Results

The ‘A’ allele of the omentin SNP was significantly associated with lower adiponectin concentrations after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and cardiometabolic health status (p=1.90 x 10-47). There was also a significant association between circulating adiponectin concentrations and cardiometabolic health status after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, WC and Omentin SNP (p=7.47×10-10). However, after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, WC and adiponectin levels, the association of ‘A’ allele with cardiometabolic health status disappeared (p=0.79) suggesting that adiponectin serves as a mediator of the association between omentin SNP and cardiometabolic health status. There were no significant interactions between the SNP and dietary factors on adiponectin levels and cardiometabolic health status (p>0.25, for all comparisons).

Conclusions

Our findings show that adiponectin might function as a mechanistic link between omentin SNP and increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases independent of common and central obesity in this Asian Indian population. Further studies are required to confirm the molecular mechanisms involved in this triangular relationship between omentin gene, adiponectin and cardiometabolic diseases.
Global prevalence of potentially pathogenic short-tandem repeats in an epilepsy cohort
Authors: Moreau Claudia , Michaud Jacques L. , Hamdan Fadi F. , Bouchard Joanie , Tremblay Vincent , Minassian Berge A. , Cossette Patrick , Girard Simon L.
Published: August 2020

This study aims to decipher the role of short tandem repeats (STRs) in epilepsy patients. Whole genome short-read sequencing data of 734 epileptic patients was used to look for known STR expansions associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental diseases or epilepsy using three different software. Results show one hit of particular interest onARXgene associated with Early Infantile Encephalopathic Epilepsy that could be causal for one patient with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. However, we show that the different software do not agree on most of the calls above the threshold and that experimental validation is still needed for diagnostic, although these algorithms could prove useful for pre-selection of samples to be validated.
Single cell tracking based on Voronoi partition via stable matching
Authors: Chang Young Hwan , Linsley Jeremy , Lamstein Josh , Kalra Jaslin , Epstein Irina , Barch Mariya , Daily Kenneth , Synder Phil , Omberg Larsson , Heiser Laura , Finkbeiner Steve
Published: August 2020

Live-cell imaging is an important technique to study cell migration and proliferation as well as image-based profiling of drug perturbations over time. To gain biological insights from live-cell imaging data, it is necessary to identify individual cells, follow them over time and extract quantitative information. However, since often biological experiment does not allow the high temporal resolution to reduce excessive levels of illumination or minimize unnecessary oversampling to monitor long-term dynamics, it is still a challenging task to obtain good tracking results with coarsely sampled imaging data. To address this problem, we consider cell tracking problem as “stable matching problem” and propose a robust tracking method based on Voronoi partition which adapts parameters that need to be set according to the spatio-temporal characteristics of live cell imaging data such as cell population and migration. We demonstrate the performance improvement provided by the proposed method using numerical simulations and compare its performance with proximity-based tracking and nearest neighbor-based tracking.
Chloride-dependent conformational changes in the GlyT1 glycine transporter
Authors: Zhang Yuan-Wei , Uchendu Stacy , Leone Vanessa , Bradshaw Richard T. , Sangwa Ntumba , Forrest Lucy R. , Rudnick Gary
Published: August 2020

The human GlyT1 glycine transporter requires chloride for its function. However, the mechanism by which Cl-exerts its influence is unknown. To examine the role that Cl-plays in the transport cycle, we measured the effect of Cl-on both glycine binding and conformational changes. The ability of glycine to displace the high-affinity radioligand [3H]CHIBA-3007 required Na+and was potentiated over 1000-fold by Cl-. We generated GlyT1b mutants containing reactive cysteine residues in either the extracellular or cytoplasmic permeation pathways and measured changes in the reactivity of those cysteine residues as indicators of conformational changes in response to ions and substrate. Na+increased accessibility in the extracellular pathway and decreased it in the cytoplasmic pathway, consistent with stabilizing an outward-open conformation as observed in other members of this transporter family. In the presence of Na+, both glycine and Cl-independently shifted the conformation of GlyT1b toward an outward-closed conformation. Together, Na+, glycine and Cl-stabilized an inward-open conformation of GlyT1b. We then examined whether Cl-acts by interacting with a conserved glutamine to allow formation of an ion pair that stabilizes the closed state of the extracellular pathway. Molecular dynamics simulations of a GlyT1 homologue indicated that this ion pair is formed more frequently as that pathway closes. Mutation of the glutamine blocked the effect of Cl-, and substituting it with glutamate or lysine resulted in outward- or inward-facing transporter conformations, respectively. These results provide novel and unexpected insight into the role of Cl-in this family of transporters.
A Precuneal Causal Loop Mediates External and Internal Information Integration in the Human Brain
Authors: Lu D. , Pappas I. , Menon D. K. , Stamatakis E. A.
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Human brains interpret external stimuli based on internal representations. One untested hypothesis is that the default-mode network (DMN) while responsible for internally oriented cognition can also encode externally oriented information. The unique neuroanatomical and functional fingerprint of the posterior part of the DMN supports a prominent role for the precuneus in this process. By utilising imaging data during two tasks from 100 participants, we found that the precuneus is functionally divided into dorsal and ventral subdivisions, each one differentially connecting to internally and externally oriented networks. The strength and direction of their connectivity is modulated by task difficulty in a manner dictated by the balance of internal versus external cognitive demands. Our study provides evidence that the medial posterior part of the DMN may drive interactions between large-scale networks, potentially allowing access to stored representations for moment to moment interpretation of an ever-changing environment.
FACT is recruited to the +1 nucleosome of transcribed genes and spreads in a Chd1-dependent manner
Authors: Jeronimo Célia , Angel Andrew , Poitras Christian , Collin Pierre , Mellor Jane , Robert François
Published: August 2020

The histone chaperone FACT occupies transcribed regions where it plays prominent roles in maintaining chromatin integrity and preserving epigenetic information. How it is targeted to transcribed regions, however, remains unclear. Proposed models for how FACT finds its way to transcriptionally active chromatin include docking on the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) C-terminal domain (CTD), recruitment by elongation factors, recognition of modified histone tails and binding partially disassembled nucleosomes. Here, we systematically tested these and other scenarios inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand found that FACT binds transcribed chromatin, not RNAPII. Through a combination of experimental and mathematical modeling evidence, we propose that FACT recognizes the +1 nucleosome, as it is partially unwrapped by the engaging RNAPII, and spreads to downstream nucleosomes aided by the chromatin remodeler Chd1. Our work clarifies how FACT interacts with genes, suggests a processive mechanism for FACT function, and provides a framework to further dissect the molecular mechanisms of transcription-coupled histone chaperoning.

Highlights

High-resolution mapping of FACT localization in yeast

FACT binds partially unwrapped nucleosomes in transcribed genes, not RNAPII

FACT distribution along genes requires Chd1

Processive mechanism for FACT function
Characterization of Brain-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Lipids in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Su Huaqi , Rustam Yepy H. , Masters Colin L. , Makalic E , McLean Catriona , Hill Andrew F. , Barnham Kevin J. , Reid Gavin E. , Vella Laura J.
Published: August 2020

Lipid dyshomeostasis is associated with the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Substantial progress has been made in identifying positron emission tomography (PET) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for AD, but they have limited use as front-line, non-invasive diagnostic tools.

Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by all cell types and contain an enriched subset of their parental cell molecular composition, including lipids. EVs are released from the brain into the periphery, providing a potential source of tissue and disease specific lipid biomarkers. However, the EV lipidome of the central nervous system (CNS) is currently unknown and the potential of brain-derived EVs (BDEVs) to inform on lipid dyshomeostasis in AD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to reveal the lipid composition of BDEVs in human frontal cortex tissue, and to determine whether BDEVs in AD have altered lipid profiles compared to age-matched neurological controls (NC).

Here, using semi-quantitative mass spectrometry, we describe the BDEV lipidome, covering 4 lipid categories, 17 lipid classes and 692 lipid molecules. Frontal cortex-derived BDEVs were enriched in glycerophosphoserine (PS) lipids, a characteristic of small EVs. Here we report that BDEVs are enriched in ether-containing PS lipids. A novel finding that further establishes ether lipids as a feature of EVs.

While no significant changes were detected in the frontal cortex in AD, the lipid profile of the BDEVs from this tissue exhibited disease related differences. AD BDEVs had altered glycerophospholipid (GP) and sphingolipid (SP) levels, specifically increased plasmalogen glycerophosphoethanolamine (PE-P) and decreased polyunsaturated fatty acyl containing lipids (PUFAs), and altered amide-linked acyl chain content in sphingomyelin (SM) and ceramide (Cer) lipids relative to vesicles from neurological control subjects. The most prominent alteration being a two-fold decrease in lipid species containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

The in-depth lipidome analysis provided in this study highlights the advantage of EVs over more complex tissues for improved detection of dysregulated lipids that may serve as potential biomarkers in the periphery.
Experimental setup for high-temperature in situ studies of crystallization of thin films with atmosphere control
Authors: Blichfeld Anders Bank , Bakken Kristine , Chernyshov Dmitry , Glaum Julia , Grande Tor , Einarsrud Mari-Ann
Published: August 2020

Understanding the crystallization process for chemical solution deposition (CSD) processed thin films is key in designing the fabrication strategy for obtaining high-quality devices. Here, an in situ sample environment is presented for studying the crystallization of CSD processed thin films under typical processing parameters using near-grazing-incidence synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Typically, the pyrolysis is performed in a rapid thermal processing (RTP) unit, where high heating rates, high temperatures and atmosphere control are the main control parameters. The presented in situ setup can reach heating rates of 20°C s−1 and sample surface temperatures of 1000°C, comparable with commercial RTP units. Three examples for lead-free ferroelectric thin films are presented to show the potential of the new experimental set-up: high temperature, for crystallization of highly textured Sr0.4Ba0.6Nb2O6 on a SrTiO3 (001) substrate, high heating rate, revealing polycrystalline BaTiO3, and atmosphere control with 25% CO2, for crystallization of BaTiO3. The signal is sufficient to study a single deposited layer (≥10 nm for the crystallized film) which then defines the interface between the substrate and thin film for the following layers. A protocol for processing the data is developed to account for a thermal shift of the entire setup, including the sample, to allow extraction of maximum information from the refinement, e.g. texture. The simplicity of the sample environment allows for the future development of even more advanced measurements during thin-film processing under non-ambient conditions.
Pure discrete spectrum and regular model sets in d-dimensional unimodular substitution tilings
Authors: Lee Dong-il , Akiyama Shigeki , Lee Jeong-Yup
Published: August 2020

Primitive substitution tilings on {\bb R}^d whose expansion maps are unimodular are considered. It is assumed that all the eigenvalues of the expansion maps are algebraic conjugates with the same multiplicity. In this case, a cut-and-project scheme can be constructed with a Euclidean internal space. Under some additional condition, it is shown that if the substitution tiling has pure discrete spectrum, then the corresponding representative point sets are regular model sets in that cut-and-project scheme.
Autonomous omnidirectional mobile robot navigation based on hierarchical fuzzy systems
Authors: Krichen Najla , Masmoudi Mohamed Slim , Derbel Nabil
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a one-layer Mamdani hierarchical fuzzy system (HFS) to navigate autonomously an omnidirectional mobile robot to a target with a desired angle in unstructured environment. To avoid collision with unknown obstacles, Mamdani limpid hierarchical fuzzy systems (LHFS) are developed based on infrared sensors information and providing the appropriate linear speed controls.

Design/methodology/approach

The one-layer Mamdani HFS scheme consists of three fuzzy logic units corresponding to each degree of freedom of the holonomic mobile robot. This structure makes it possible to navigate with an optimized number of rules. Mamdani LHFS for obstacle avoidance consists of a number of fuzzy logic units of low dimension connected in a hierarchical structure. Hence, Mamdani LHFS has the advantage of optimizing the number of fuzzy rules compared to a standard fuzzy controller. Based on sensors information inputs of the Mamdani LHFS, appropriate linear speed controls are generated to avoid collision with static obstacles.

Findings

Simulation results are performed with MATLAB software in interaction with the environment test tool “Robotino Sim.” Experiments have been done on an omnidirectional mobile robot “Robotino.” Simulation results show that the proposed approaches lead to satisfied performances in navigation between static obstacles to reach the target with a desired angle and have the advantage that the total number of fuzzy rules is greatly reduced. Experimental results prove the efficiency and the validity of the proposed approaches for the navigation problem and obstacle avoidance collisions.

Originality/value

By comparing simulation results of the proposed Mamdani HFS to another navigational controller, it was found that it provides better results in terms of path length in the same environment. Moreover, it has the advantage that the number of fuzzy rules is greatly reduced compared to a standard Mamdani fuzzy controller. The use of Mamdani LHFS in obstacle avoidance greatly reduces the number of involved fuzzy rules and overcomes the complexity of high dimensionality of the infrared sensors data information.
Impact of technological uncertainty and technological complexity on organizational information processing capability: the moderating role of work experience
Authors: Jilke Sebastian
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Technological uncertainty and technological complexity are key characteristics of new product development (NPD) projects that impose significant information processing requirements on organizations. This paper examines the direct influence of technological uncertainty and technological complexity as well as the indirect influence of work experience on organizational information processing capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The author used a sample of 166 respondents from the German automotive industry and applied linear hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

The results confirm a negative influence of technological uncertainty and technological complexity on organizational information processing capability. This research also supports a moderating influence of work experience on these relationships.

Originality/value

This research helps to understand the relationship between technological uncertainty, technological complexity and OIPC. It represents a first and different approach to measure these constructs for further empirical studies and provides interesting managerial implications.
Impact of familiar collaboration on construction project quality: perceptions from clients and contractors in Singapore's construction industry
Authors: Gao Shang , Low Sui Pheng , Lee Sarah Xin Xuan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Due to the fragmented and complex nature of the construction industry, many countries, including Singapore, have progressively encouraged greater collaboration amongst major stakeholders in the industry. It is hoped that doing so will result in an increase in the quality of construction projects. Given the long duration of typical construction projects, it is plausible for collaborating parties to develop close and personal relationships. In recent years, corruption cases arising from familiar collaboration have caught the public's attention. This study seeks to better understand familiar collaboration and its adverse impacts on the quality of construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed research method was adopted, with a questionnaire survey distributed to 32 respondents representing client and contractors. This was followed by interviews to validate the survey findings.

Findings

The findings suggest that, when there is a lack of surveillance, familiar collaboration is likely to lead to favouritism and dishonesty, which can have an adverse impact on the quality of construction projects. The findings additionally suggest that value for money, conformance to specifications and fitness for purpose are the main aspects of quality that are likely to be adversely affected by corrupt practices bought about by familiar collaboration.

Originality/value

In this paper, these relationships are described using the term familiar collaboration. Strong and intimate relationships of this type may lead to a danger of parties committing corrupt practices. This study is one of the very attempts seek to better understand familiar collaboration and its adverse impacts on the quality of construction projects.
Dataset of forewing length of Japanese and Taiwanese butterfly species
Authors: Nakadai Ryosuke , Kobayashi Takuya , Hashimoto Koya
Published: August 2020

Revealing how species assemblages are structured is one of the themes in community ecology and macroecology. The information of species traits as well as geographic occurrence would help analyze the pattern and process of species interactions and community assembly. Butterfly species are one of the best‐studied groups about their distribution and tons of their occurrence data exist. Also, life history traits, especially interaction with host plants are well‐described. However, the body size information is still poor although this is one of the most important characters affecting their distribution and life history traits. Here, we constructed a data set of the forewing length of butterflies by extracting the information from five Japanese and Taiwanese picture books. We measured 6,211 forewing lengths for a total of 524 species. Scientific, family and common names of the butterflies distributed in Japan were based on a Japanese picture book, and the other species distributed in Taiwan were based on Taiwanese picture books. Also, we added the information of butterfly names based on Binran database. Each record of butterflies is linked with the corresponding taxonomic names in the other two books to easily identify the species even when the names used in the three books and the Binran database are not the same. The dataset will be useful for basic and applied biological studies of butterflies because their forewing length is a proxy of their body size and dispersal ability, which could be important determinants of their physiology, distribution, ecosystem functioning and evolution.

The complete data set for this abstract published in the Data Paper section of the journal is available in electronic format in MetaCat in JaLTER at http://db.cger.nies.go.jp/JaLTER/metacat/metacat/ERDP-2020-11.1/jalter-en.
Requiem for the interest rate controls in China
Authors: Sun Rongrong
Published: August 2020

This paper reviewed the retail interest rate control deregulation in China over the period 1993–2015 to provide a preliminary assessment of the People's Bank of China's (PBC's) new operating framework. The interest rate controls triggered the development of deposit substitutes that banks used to circumvent the restrictions, which, in turn, drove deposits out of commercial banks. This gave rise to concerns about a deterioration of bank profits and a build‐up of financial fragility, which have pushed up the PBC's deregulation acceleration over the post‐2012 period. This study quantified the distortionary effects of these controls: disintermediation, a rising shadow banking system, and financial repression. Despite the official lifting of controls, retail interest rates are still subject to the PBC's window guidance and other pricing mechanism guidance. The preliminary assessment of the new interest rate corridor system is encouraging: Its bounds are effective most of the time.
Repellent efficacy of essential oils and plant extracts againstTribolium castaneumandPlodia interpunctella
Authors: Lee Hwa‐Eun , Hong Su Jung , Hasan Najmul , Baek Eun Joo , Kim Jun Tae , Kim Young‐Duk , Park Mi‐Kyung
Published: August 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the repellent efficacy of essential oils (Origanum vulgare,Pimpinella anisum, andTanacetum cinerariifolium) and four plant extracts (Agastache rugosa,Capsicum annuum,Citrus reticulata, andGinkgo biloba) againstTribolium castaneum(adults and larvae) andPlodia interpunctella(larvae). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of carvacrol, anethole, and jasmolin I as the predominant constituent inO. vulgare,P. anisum, andT. cinerariifolium, respectively. Furthermore, ethyl hexopyranoside, 9,12‐octadecadienoic acid, cyclopentanol, and 2‐cresol were identified inA. rugosa,C. annuum,C. reticulata, andG. biloba, respectively. The repellent efficacy of each essential oil, plant extract, and the combination of oils was evaluated using a specially designed cylinder trap for 120 h. Among the three oils,O. vulgareandT. cinerariifoliumhad greatest repellent efficacy againstP. interpunctellalarvae.T. cinerariifoliumexhibited effective repellence against the adults and larvae ofT. castaneum. Therefore,O. vulgare(O) andT. cinerariifolium(T) were selected for further investigation of combined effects. Two essential oils were mixed in three different ratios of OT1 (1:3), OT2 (1:1), and OT3 (3:1). The repellent efficacies of OT1 and OT2 against the adults ofT. castaneumwere significantly greater than that of OT3. OT1 was effective against the larvae ofT. castaneum, whereas OT2 was effective against the larvae ofP. interpunctella. OT1 enhanced the repellent efficacy by approximately five times against larvae ofT. castaneum, compared with that ofT. cinerariifolium. Overall, OT1 was selected as the best repellent substance against all the tested insects.
Elusive cats in our backyards: persistence of the North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) in a human‐dominated landscape in central China
Authors: YANG Haitao , XIE Bing , ZHAO Guojing , GONG Yinan , MOU Pu , GE Jianping , FENG Limin
Published: August 2020

The North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis), the least‐known big cat, disappeared in most historical range for decades, following the development of modern civilization. Unfortunately, we have scarce knowledge about the status of this big cat so far, apart from anecdotal reports. In this study, we investigated density, distribution, and habitat use of the leopard, the apex predator, in a complex forest landscape in the Loess Plateau. We used a camera‐trapping network to obtain population estimates for leopards over 2 years through spatially explicit capture–recapture models. Our results, based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian/MCMC methods, reveal that the largest wild population of the leopard was found widely distributed in remnant forests in central Loess plateau. The population is increasing in our study area, and the density of leopards (1.70 (SE = 0.48) − 2.40 (SE = 0.67)/100 km2) is higher than other areas of China. According to the analysis of 2 seasonal occupancy models, prey species drive partially the leopard habitat use, predicting that the big cat thrives from the recovery of prey community. However, human disturbances, especially oil wells, seem to have negative impacts on the habitat use of leopards. Specifically, it is necessary to have joint efforts by the government and researchers to improve human disturbances management and prey species population density, as well as strengthen the investment in research on the North Chinese leopard, which could all further strengthen protection ability and ensure the long‐term survival of this species.
Population genome of the newly discovered Jinchuan yak to understand its adaptive evolution in extreme environments and generation mechanism of the multirib trait
Authors: LAN Daoliang , JI Wenhui , XIONG Xianrong , LIANG Qiqi , YAO Wenye , MIPAM Tserang‐Donko , ZHONG Jincheng , LI Jian
Published: August 2020

The adaptation and diversity of animals to the extreme environments of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) are typical materials to study adaptive evolution. The recently discovered Jinchuan yak population has many individuals with multiple ribs. However, little is known about this yak's origin, evolution, and the genetic mechanisms that formed its unique multirib trait. Here, we report a valuable population genome resource of the Jinchuan yak by resequencing the whole genome of 150 individuals. Population genetic polymorphism and structure analysis reveal that Jinchuan yak can be differentiated as a unique and original yak population among the domestic yak. Combined with geological change, the Jinchuan yak's evolutionary origin is speculated to be about 6290 years ago, which may be related to the unique geographical environment of the eastern edge of the QTP during this period. Compared with other domestic yaks, this new population has 280 positively selected genes. The genes related to skeletal function hold a considerable and remarkable proportion, suggesting that the specific skeletal characteristics have been enhanced in the adaptive evolution of Jinchuan yak in the extreme plateau environment. The genome‐wide association study has revealed that TUBA8 and TUBA4A, the genes that regulate the cytoskeleton, are potential genes associated with the multirib trait. Our findings provide a basis to further understand the generation mechanism of the adaptive evolution of this new population in high‐altitude extreme environments and the multivertebrate trait of domestic animals.
Glutamatergic input from the insula to the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis controls reward‐related behavior
Authors: Girven Kasey S. , Aroni Sonia , Navarrete Jovana , Marino Rosa A.M. , McKeon Paige N. , Cheer Joseph F. , Sparta Dennis R.
Published: August 2020

Individuals suffering from substance use disorder often experience relapse events that are attributed to drug craving. Insular cortex (IC) function is implicated in processing drug‐predictive cues and is thought to be a critical substrate for drug craving, but the downstream neural circuit effectors of the IC that mediate reward processing are poorly described. Here, we uncover the functional connectivity of an IC projection to the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (vBNST), a portion of the extended amygdala that has been previously shown to modulate dopaminergic activity within the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and investigate the role of this pathway in reward‐related behaviors. We utilized ex vivo slice electrophysiology and in vivo optogenetics to examine the functional connectivity of the IC‐vBNST projection and bidirectionally control IC‐vBNST terminals in various reward‐related behavioral paradigms. We hypothesized that the IC recruits mesolimbic dopamine signaling by activating VTA‐projecting, vBNST neurons. Using slice electrophysiology, we found that the IC sends a glutamatergic projection onto vBNST‐VTA neurons. Photoactivation of IC‐vBNST terminals was sufficient to reinforce behavior in a dopamine‐dependent manner. Moreover, silencing the IC‐vBNST projection was aversive and resulted in anxiety‐like behavior without affecting food consumption. This work provides a potential mechanism by which the IC processes exteroceptive triggers that are predictive of reward.
Central giant cell granuloma mimicking a periapical lesion of endodontic origin: A case report
Authors: Candeiro George Táccio de Miranda , de Souza Cláudia Vanuzia Torres , Chaves Renata Suelen Amorim , Ley Amanda Mourão , Feijão Camila Pontes , Costa Fábio Wildson Gurgel , Barros Silva Paulo Goberlânio
Published: August 2020

This paper aims to report a case in which central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) mimicked a periapical lesion of endodontic origin. An 18‐year‐old female patient was referred for diagnosis and treatment of extensive radiolucent periapical lesion involving 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 teeth. Clinically, the patient presented slight facial asymmetry and healthy teeth on the affected side with positive response to thermal vitality tests. Thus, an incisional biopsy was performed, which presented a histopathological picture characteristic of a CGCG. The endodontic treatment of the involved teeth was followed by surgical curettage of the lesion. After two years of follow‐up, the patient was asymptomatic, with marked improvement in mandibular symmetry and adequate healing of the lesion. Therefore, the diagnosis of radiolucent periapical lesions must include lesions of endodontic and non‐endodontic origin for better treatment planning and execution.
Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: Evolution from medical to surgical management
Authors: Roche Caitlin , McDonnell Rose , Tucker Paige , Jones Kym , Milward Kristy , McElhinney Bernadette , Mehrotra Chhaya , Maouris Panayiotis
Published: August 2020

Background

Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy (CSP) is defined as blastocyst implantation occurring in a uterine scar. The incidence of CSP continues to rise with increasing caesarean section rates; prevalence is estimated to be 1:1800 to 1:2226 of all pregnancies. To date, over 30 treatment regimens have been published. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines (2016) state there is insufficient evidence to support one specific intervention over another.

Aim

To review outcomes of medical and surgical management of CSP cases at a single tertiary centre over a nine‐year period, in order to establish the safest and most effective management approach.

Materials and Methods

An audit was undertaken of patients treated for CSP between January 2009 and March 2017 at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Western Australia. Patient demographic and treatment outcome data were extracted from medical records.

Results

Fifty‐one patients were identified as having CSP diagnosed during this time period, of which five were excluded due to lack of data, leaving a total of 46 cases. The majority of patients (52%, n = 24) elected for initial surgical management, while 41% (n = 19) trialled medical management. Seven percent (n = 3) opted for conservative management. Success rates of surgical, medical and conservative management were 100%, 53% and 0% respectively (P < 0.001). Medical management was associated with prolonged follow‐up; there was no difference in complication rates between surgical and medical managements.

Conclusions

In this audit, surgical management was the most effective way to manage CSP. There was no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups.
Molecular assessment of antibody‐mediated rejection in human pancreas allograft biopsies
Authors: Roufosse Candice , Drachenberg Cinthia , Renaudin Karine , Willicombe Michelle , Toulza Frederic , Dominy Kathy , McLean Adam , Simmonds Naomi , de Kort Hanneke , Cantarovitch Diego , Scalea Joseph , Mengel Michael , Adam Benjamin
Published: August 2020

Pancreas transplant longevity is limited by immune rejection, which is diagnosed by graft biopsy using the Banff Classification. The histological criteria for antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) are poorly reproducible and inconsistently associated with outcome. We hypothesized that a 34‐gene set associated with antibody‐mediated rejection in other solid organ transplants could improve diagnosis in pancreas grafts. The AMR 34‐gene set, comprising endothelial, natural killer cell and inflammatory genes, was quantified using the NanoString platform in 52 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded pancreas transplant biopsies from 41 patients: 15 with pure AMR or mixed rejection, 22 with T cell‐mediated rejection/borderline and 15 without rejection. The AMR 34‐gene set was significantly increased in pure AMR and mixed rejection (P = .001) vs no rejection. The gene set predicted histological AMR with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC) of 0.714 (P = .004). The AMR 34‐gene set was the only biopsy feature significantly predictive of allograft failure in univariate analysis (P = .048). Adding gene expression to DSA and histology increased ROC AUC for the prediction of failure from 0.736 to 0.770, but this difference did not meet statistical significance. In conclusion, assessment of transcripts has the potential to improve diagnosis and outcome prediction in pancreas graft biopsies.
Teledermatologie in den Zeiten von COVID‐19 – ein systematisches Review
Authors: Elsner Peter
Published: August 2020

Die COVID‐19‐Pandemie schränkt die Versorgung dermatologischer Patienten vielfach ein. Teledermatologische Leistungen wie die Videokonsultation oder die „Store‐and‐Forward“‐Teledermatologie könnten dies zumindest teilweise kompensieren. Diese systematische Übersicht fasst alle publizierten Studien zur Teledermatologie unter den Bedingungen der COVID‐19‐Pandemie zusammen. Sie stützt sich auf eine MEDLINE‐Recherche nach Artikeln aus dem Jahr 2020 in englischer und deutscher Sprache.

Zwei Umfragen unter Dermatologen aus den USA und Indien ergaben, dass mehr als 80 % teledermatologische Versorgung anboten. Unter deutschen Dermatologen boten von 480 Antwortenden 17,5 % eine Online‐Video‐Konsultation, 11,3 % eine Offline‐Beratung (Store and Forward) und 10,0 % beide Verfahren an. Fünf Kohortenstudien zur Teledermatologie während der Pandemie wurden identifiziert. Drei davon untersuchten teledermatologische Verfahren bei chronischen Dermatosen (Akne, entzündliche Hauterkrankungen), eine beschäftigte sich mit der Betreuung onkologischer Patienten mit dermatologischen Komplikationen, und eine analysierte Telekonsile bei COVID‐19‐Verdachtsfällen. In allen Studien konnten durch die Teledermatologie persönliche Konsultationen weitgehend reduziert werden.

Die Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, dass die Einschränkungen persönlicher dermatologischer Betreuung von Patienten mit Hautkrankheiten während der COVID‐19‐Pandemie durch eine Erweiterung teledermatologischer Leistungen zumindest teilweise kompensiert werden kann. Erkenntnisse aus der Nutzung der Teledermatologie während der Pandemie sollten für eine weitere Verbesserung des Einsatzes und der Akzeptanz der Teledermatologie bei Patienten und Dermatologen genutzt werden.
Milben, Raupen und Falter
Authors: Panzer Rüdiger , Krebs Susanne
Published: August 2020

Abgesehen von der Skabies und der Hausstaubmilbenallergie stehen Erkrankungen durch Milben oder Raupen seltener im Mittelpunkt. Gleichwohl können Milben und Raupen auf vielfältige Weise medizinisch relevant werden. Milben können hierbei als Parasiten auftreten, die die Haut besiedeln wie bei Skabies, zoonotischen Skabies‐ähnlichen Erkrankungen oder Demodikose oder die Gewebsflüssigkeit oder Blut saugen wie bei der Trombidiose. In letzterem Fall spielen sie zudem als Vektoren eine Rolle und können unter anderemOrientia tsutsugamushi, den Erreger des Tsutsugamushi‐Fiebers übertragen. Allergenes Potenzial haben neben Hausstaubmilben auch Vorratsmilben.

Für sehr unterschiedliche Erkrankungen, die durch Raupen oder Falter ausgelöst werden, sind die Begriffe Erukismus und Lepidopterismus in Gebrauch. Beide Begriffe werden nicht einheitlich verwendet. Bezüglich der Pathogenese wurden Typ‐I‐Allergien, Typ‐IV‐Allergien, irritative und toxinvermittelte Reaktionen beschrieben. In Deutschland sind hierbei Hautreaktionen nach Kontakt mit den Härchen der Raupen des Eichenprozessionsspinners am häufigsten. Extrakutane Reaktionen mit Übelkeit, Erbrechen, Blutungen, Arthropathien oder sogar lebensgefährliche Reaktionen sind bei verschiedenen exotischen Arten bekannt. Einige Spezies haben sich auf Parasitismus durch Blutsaugen oder Aufnahme von Tränenflüssigkeit spezialisiert.

Naturseide kann allergische Soforttyp‐ und Spättypreaktionen hervorrufen. Arbeiter in der Seidenherstellung können allergisches Asthma, allergische Rhinitis oder allergische Konjunktivitis entwickeln. Der Verzehr von Puppen der Seidenspinner birgt das Risiko von Nahrungsmittelallergien.