On the interplay between state-dependent reconfigurations of global signal correlation and BOLD fluctuations: An fMRI study.

Background: The dynamics of global, state-dependent reconfigurations in brain connectivity are yet unclear. We aimed at assessing reconfigurations of the global signal correlation coefficient (GSCORR), a measure of the connectivity between each voxel timeseries and the global signal, from resting-state to a stop-signal task. The secondary aim was to assess the relationship between GSCORR and blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) activations or deactivation across three different trial-conditions (GO, STOP-correct, and STOP-incorrect).

Should perception of emotions be classified according to threat detection rather than emotional valence? An updated meta-analysis for a whole-brain atlas of emotional faces processing.

Background: Human navigation of social interactions relies on the processing of emotion on faces. This meta-analysis aimed to produce an updated brain atlas of emotional face processing from whole-brain studies based on a single emotional face-viewing paradigm (PROSPERO CRD42022251548).

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of Embase, MEDLINE and PsycINFO from May 2008 to October 2021.

The relationship between metaphor skills and Theory of Mind in middle childhood: Task and developmental effects.

Theoretical pragmatics in the post-Gricean tradition argued that metaphor requires understanding of how another person sees the world. Yet, it is unclear what role mindreading plays in developing metaphor skills. Here we examined the relationship between metaphor and Theory of Mind (ToM) in middle childhood by using two different tasks.

Amine Activation: "Inverse" Dipeptide Synthesis and Amide Function Formation through Activated Amino Compounds.

A copper(II)/HOBt-catalyzed procedure for the synthesis of dipeptides and "general" amides has been developed using microwave irradiation to considerably hasten the reaction. As an alternative to using traditional carboxylic acid activation, the method relies on the use of N-acyl imidazoles as activated amino partners. By doing so, a nonconventional way to reach dipeptides and amides has been proposed through the challenging and less studied N → C direction synthesis.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Spirooxindoles via Nucleophilic Epoxidation Promoted by Bifunctional Organocatalysts.

Taking into account the postulated reaction mechanism for the organocatalytic epoxidation of electron-poor olefins developed by our laboratory, we have investigated the key factors able to positively influence the H-bond network installed inside the substrate/catalyst/oxidizing agent. With this aim, we have: (i) tested a few catalysts displaying various effects that noticeably differ in terms of steric hindrance and electron demand; (ii) employed α-alkylidene oxindoles decorated with different substituents on the aromatic ring (-), the exocylic double bond (-), and the amide moiety (-). The observed results suggest that the modification of the electron-withdrawing group (EWG) weakly conditions the overall outcomes, and conversely a strong influence is unambiguously ascribable to either the -protected or -unprotected lactam framework.