Mode Of Interaction Research Articles

Structural insights into 2-oxindole-forming monooxygenase MarE: Divergent architecture and substrate positioning versus tryptophan dioxygenases.

MarE, a heme-dependent enzyme, catalyzes a unique 2-oxindole-forming monooxygenation reaction from tryptophan metabolites. To elucidate its enzyme-substrate interaction mode, we present the first X-ray crystal structures of MarE in complex with its prime substrate, (2S,3S)-β-methyl-L-tryptophan and cyanide at 1.89 Å resolution as well as a truncated yet catalytically active version in complex with the substrate at 2.45 Å resolution. These structures establish MarE as a member of the heme-dependent aromatic oxygenase (HDAO) superfamily and reveal its evolutionary link to indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). While MarE adopts a global structure resembling the homotetrameric TDO, it features a simplified α6 helix compared to TDO's more elaborate αE and αH helices with additional αF and αG regions. Despite differing oxygen activation outcomes, MarE shares a substrate binding mode similar to IDO and TDO, with the indole nitrogen of its substrate oriented toward the heme iron in the ternary cyano complex, interacting with His55. The substrate's carboxylate group engages Arg118, with mutational studies confirming the roles of these residues in substrate binding. However, the second-sphere interactions with the substrate's α-amino nitrogen differ between MarE and TDO, and the substrate's orientation in the binary complex remains ambiguous due to two possible conformations. Notably, TDO features an extensive hydrogen-bonding network around the heme propionate below the heme plane, which is absent in MarE, suggesting mechanistic differences. These structural insights lay a foundation for further mechanistic studies, particularly for understanding how heme-dependent enzymes oxygenate tryptophan-derived metabolites.

Impact of non-Hermiticity and nonlinear interactions on disorder-induced localized modes

In non-Hermitian photonics, introducing gain and loss offers new degrees of freedom to control optical systems and a unique approach to explore fundamental concepts. Random lasers are a natural class of non-Hermitian open optical systems where spatial confinement, leakage, and non-orthogonality of the modes are further controlled by the degree of scattering. How Anderson localization is impacted by complex potentials, gain and loss and, more generally, nonlinearities has been the subject of numerous theoretical debates, without any conclusive experimental demonstration yet. Indeed, in systems where localized modes have sufficient spatial extension to be observed and investigated, their mutual interaction and coupling to the sample boundaries make it extremely difficult to isolate them spectrally and investigate them alone. Here, the degree of non-Hermiticity of an active scattering medium is controlled by shaping the pump. By imaging the intensity distribution of individual localized lasing modes, we demonstrate experimentally their insensitivity to local pumping; a signature that orthogonality is preserved between modes localized away from the system boundaries, as theoretically established. Demonstration of the one-to-one correspondence between lasing modes and localized states of the passive system opens the route to investigate the robustness of localized states in the presence of nonlinear gain and nonlinear modal interactions. Interestingly, gain saturation and mode competition for gain do not affect the spatial distribution of the modes, demonstrating their orthogonality in an otherwise strongly non-Hermitian system.

Intra-Mode Backward Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in Lithium Niobate Micron Fibers

The Brillouin sensing technology in multimode optical fibers has garnered significant attention due to its capability for simultaneous modal transmission of multiple parameters, such as temperature and strain, which confer it higher information capacity and transmission efficiency. Additionally, lithium niobate, with their excellent electro-optical properties, show potential application value in the sensing field and are expected to provide higher sensitivity and precision. However, owing to the maturity of manufacturing processes, current research on fiber optic sensing predominantly focuses on silicon-based materials, with relatively fewer studies dedicated to fibers using lithium niobate as the core material, thus underestimating its application potential. This paper investigates the theoretical aspects of Brillouin scattering effects in lithium niobate optical fibers. We simulate the intra-mode backward Brillouin scattering characteristics of the first five orders of LP modes in micrometer-scale lithium niobate fibers by means of finite-element simulation, in order to explore its intrinsic law.<br>First of all, the relationship between the Brillouin frequency shift and gain for the first five optical mode interactions is analyzed in detail. The results showed that in the case of intra mode BSBS, the peak of BFS would exhibit a significant redshift, ranging from 20.63 GHz to 18.747 GHz. The Brillouin gain coefficient would also decrease from 13.503 m<sup>−1</sup>·W<sup>−1</sup> to 4.0115 m<sup>−1</sup>·W<sup>−1</sup> with increasing mode order, in which mode LP<sub>01</sub> having the strongest gain intra modal interaction means the best sensing sensitivity. In addition, compared with ordinary silica fiber, the Brillouin gain of lithium niobate fiber is increased by about 5 orders of magnitude, which means that fibers with lithium niobate as the core can have higher sensing sensitivity. In addition, we found that although there are significant differences in the Brillouin frequency shift values of each order of optical modes under intra modal interactions, the sound velocity of their corresponding acoustic modes is always consistent under the same acoustic mode. In data processing, we noticed that this is because as the mode order changes, the corresponding effective refractive index also decreases to ensure that each acoustic mode of the material always has the same sound velocity. These findings provide the basis for lithium niobate fiber sensors with electro-optic properties.

Natural Anthraquinones as Potential Akt1-Targeted Anticancer Agents

Background: The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of the rapamycin signaling pathway is crucial in cancer progression. Akt1, a vital pathway component, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target. Objectives: This study used molecular docking analysis to investigate the potential of anthraquinones (AQs) as Akt1 inhibitors. Methods: The crystallographic structure of Akt1 was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB ID: 4GV1). Twenty-one AQ compounds were selected for docking analyses using AutoDock 4.0. Binding affinities and interaction modes were compared with two Akt1 reference inhibitors. Results: Eleven AQs demonstrated substantial binding affinity to the Akt1’s catalytic site at nanomolar concentrations. Hypericin and sennidin B exhibited the most potent inhibitory effects, with ΔGbinding values of -11.19 kcal/mol and -10.36 kcal /mol, respectively, surpassing control inhibitors. Hypericin formed three hydrogen bonds and two hydrophobic interactions with the Akt1 catalytic cleft, while sennidin B formed six hydrogen and one hydrophobic interaction. Conclusion: This study identified several AQs, particularly hypericin and sennidin B, as promising Akt1 inhibitors with superior binding affinities compared to reference compounds. These findings provide a foundation for further developing AQ-based Akt1-targeted therapeutics in cancer treatment. Future research should focus on the in vitro and in vivo validation of these compounds’ efficacy and safety profiles.

Critical response analysis of asphalt pavement on concrete curved ramp bridge deck considering tire-bridge interaction

ABSTRACT This study developed a full-scale concrete curved ramp bridge deck finite element (FE) model, which considered the effect of tire-bridge interaction. In this full-scale FE model, an inflated tire model was developed to simulate the rolling tire load. The tire-bridge interaction equations were established based on the different interaction modes of the driving and driven wheels with the deck pavement. The effects of travel speed, curvature radius and load position on the critical response of bridge deck pavement was analysed. The results indicated that the deck pavement above the mid-span and flange cantilever panel exhibited greater critical tensile stress and strain values; whereas the bearing end diaphragm and the flange longitudinal diaphragm contributed the maximum critical shear stress. In the vertical depth direction, the damage induced by the traffic load mainly initiated at the deck pavement surface, and shear damage was more prone to occur between the layers of different paving materials. The reduced curvature radius and increased travel speed both promoted the appearance of unbalanced damage in the inner and outer tire loading zones. Besides, the smaller curvature radii and higher travel speeds would result in more severe local damage of deck pavement.

Therapeutic Targeting of Akt1 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Natural Cinnamic Acids

Background: Akt1, a serine/threonine kinase, plays a central role in cancer development and progression. Its overexpression correlates with aggressive phenotypes and poor prognosis in several types of cancers, such as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Cinnamic acid derivatives (CADs) from natural sources exhibit anticancer properties, making them potential Akt1 inhibitors. Methods: The binding affinities of 19 CADs to the Akt1 catalytic cleft were evaluated using molecular docking simulations and then compared with the Akt1 inhibitor capivasertib. Interaction modes were analyzed to identify critical residues involved in ligand binding. Results: Cynarin demonstrated the highest binding affinity (ΔGbinding =-13.46 kcal/mol, Ki=136.48 pM), forming three hydrogen bonds with Akt1. Rosmarinic acid with six hydrogen bonds also exhibited potent inhibition (ΔGbinding =-11.51 kcal/mol , Ki=3.67 nM). Both compounds represented superior binding compared to capivasertib. Conclusion: Cynarin and rosmarinic acid from natural sources showed promising inhibitory potential against Akt1, suggesting their therapeutic values as anticancer agents targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway in OSCC.

CHALCONE DERIVATIVES AS POTENTIAL SARS-COV-2 INHIBITORS: A VIRTUAL SCREENING STUDY ON THE PAPAIN-LIKE PROTEASE ENZYME (PLPRO)

The papain-like protease (PLPro) is a highly conserved, non-structural protein that plays a crucial role in the formation of the replication-transcription complex and the processing of polyproteins in SARS-CoV-2, as well as improving the host’s antiviral immune responses against said virus. Chalcone is a common ingredient, which can be found in a multitude of natural substances, such as food and herbs. It has been proven to have various biological activities, including antiviral effects. Previous studies have identified several natural chalcone-based compounds with the ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 by targeting the PLPro enzyme. Based on these findings, this study investigated potential chalcone-derived PLPro inhibitors, as retrieved from Pubchem and in-house libraries. Virtual screening protocols, specifically molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulating filter, were applied to reach the desired goal. As a result, 1448 out of 1454 chalcone derivatives can effectively bind to SARS-CoV-2 via PLPro. The 5 substances with the most suitable docking score and binding mode were selected for the next step. Through MD, CID1021201513 and CID101585417 showed the greatest potential in targeting PLPro. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies must be conducted before the bio-activities of these chalcones against SARS-CoV-2 can be confirmed. Furthermore, the ligand-protein interaction mode analysed in this research can help design effective chalcone derivatives.

Consumer preference study for the interface design of traditional Chinese medicine applications using conjoint analysis method

The widespread use of mobile applications (apps) offers a new platform for sustaining traditional culture, yet insufficient focus on interface design has hindered user experience. This paper focuses on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) apps, examining user preferences for interface design elements and their combinations across four dimensions: visual effects, functional attributes, layout, and interaction modes. Utilizing Conjoint Analysis Method (CAM), this study quantitatively explores user preferences for the combination schemes of 18 orthogonal designs. The study collected 464 users’ data through questionnaires and processed the data using CAM and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The findings indicate that users have a high demand for theme colors (35.09%), text styles (27.32%), and icon styles (14.78%) in medical consultation apps. For health education apps, users exhibit preferences for text styles (24.95%), theme colors (24.58%), and functional architecture (16.30%). In professional learning apps, the preferred elements are theme colors (24.07%), text styles (18.54%), and icon styles (18.03%). Based on these results, the paper proposes corresponding design strategies for each type of TCM app. This study reveals the characteristics of user preferences for different categories of TCM apps, enriching the theories and methods of interaction design for similar mobile applications. Ultimately, this facilitates the integration of traditional Chinese medicine culture with modern digital technology, promoting the digital and sustainable transmission of traditional culture.

Divalent Organo‐Bimetallic Chelates of Poly‐Dentate O,N,O‐dihydrazone Ligand as Effective Agents for Antitumor and Antimicrobial Assays, Interacting Modes With DNA

ABSTRACTSubstituted hydrazones and dihydrazones, as polydenatate ligand, reported high coordination chemical behavior towards numerous transition metals of different oxidation states for alternated applicable interest. Therefore, with a facile condensed reaction of the salicylaldehyde with tartric dihydrazide, a chelated tartrato‐dihydrazone ligand (H2Ltz) was formed. The coordinated features of H2Ltz versus two divalent metal ions of Cu (II) and Ni (II) ions were assumed to form two new bimetallic‐organic framework complexes, assigning triagonal bipyramidal and tetrahedral geometries (CuLtz and NiLtz, respectively). Their structural elucidating was determined within the analytical tools spectroscopically. The effectiveness of the growth inhibition for H2Ltz, CuLtz, and NiLtz against six named bacterial and fungal series, and three human cancer cell lines were examined discovering the reactive role of two central M (II) ions in CuLtz and NiLtz, respectively. The binding character of H2Ltz, CuLtz, and NiLtz, with calf thymus DNA, that is, DNA, was estimated based on the variation in viscometric/spectrophotometric features. The two bimetallic‐chelates represented more distinguished inhibitive attitudes than the regarded one of H2Ltz assigning to the inhibitive zones (mm) and the half‐inhibited concentration (IC50, μM) of growth inhibition of the studied microbes and human tumor cells, respectively. The examination of the binding action of H2Ltz, CuLtz, and CuLtz with DNA was approved according to the enhanced viscosity and the electronic spectral changes. Also, binding constants (14.09, 15.09, and 16.12 107 mol−1 dm3), Gibb's free energy (−42.06, −45.23, and −46.41 kJ mol−1), and the chromism (mainly hypo modes) are assigned to estimate the binding modes. Rewardingly, the bimetallic‐chelates MLtz displayed modified binding action more than that of H2Ltz against DNA regarding their hydrophobicity/lipophilicity.

Competition between Bipolar Conduction Modes in Extrinsically p-Doped MoS2: Interaction with Gate Dielectric Matters.

With reduced dimensionality and a high surface area-to-volume ratio, two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors exhibit intriguing electronic properties that are exceptionally sensitive to surrounding environments, including directly interfacing gate dielectrics. These influences are tightly correlated to their inherent behavior, making it critical to examine when extrinsic charge carriers are intentionally introduced to the channel for complementary functionality. This study explores the physical origin of the competitive transition between intrinsic and extrinsic charge carrier conduction in extrinsically p-doped MoS2, highlighting the central role of interactions of the channel with amorphous gate dielectrics. By providing a pristine interface to the channel and controlling the degree of such interaction using hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) spacers of different thicknesses, we determined three distinctive interaction modes: noncontact, proximity, and direct-contact. In the direct-contact mode without an h-BN spacer, charge transfer and orbital mixing induce ambipolar conduction in few-layer p-doped MoS2, showing an unexpected gate-dependent crossover between coexisting extrinsic and intrinsic conduction. Kelvin probe force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy confirm n-type doping in the channel through dielectric interactions, further supported by first-principles calculations identifying unpassivated silicon dangling bonds on the SiO2 surface as the origin of n-doping. On the contrary, depending on the thickness of the h-BN spacers, the noncontact mode maintains degenerate p-type conduction in the transfer curve, while the proximity mode enables gate-responsive p-type conduction, emphasizing the significant role of dielectric interactions in modulating charge transport. These findings underscore the importance of dielectric engineering in optimizing 2D semiconductor devices, particularly for improving the p-type transistor performance.

Inhibition of Human Acetylcholinesterase (4EY7) using Bioactive Compound from Moringa oleifera: Molecular Docking and Dynamic Studies

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by acetylcholine hydrolysis that impairs cognitive brain function. This research aims to determine the interaction and dynamic of ligands from Moringa oleifera on AChE through Lipinski's Rule, ADMET properties, molecular docking calculations, and molecular dynamic simulations. Lipinski's Rule calculation provided ligand limits that adhere to druglikeness properties. ADMET results also showed that several ligands satisfy ADMET properties. Pterygospermine has lower binding energy than the ligand control (-10.28 kcal mol-1) with amino acid residues of TYR133 and GLU202. It indicates a favorable interaction between the AChE receptor and ligand in the inhibition process. Based on molecular docking calculations, pterygospermine inhibits the AChE receptor at the Long, narrow aromatic gorge active site. According to molecular dynamic simulations, the MMPBSA energy for pterygospermine is 37.377 kJ mol-1. The samples showed a total average RMSD of 2 Å, suggesting no significant conformational changes throughout the simulation. The sample's average RMSF value is around 2 Å, suggesting favorable interactions with the receptor during simulation. However, this data is different from the ligand control interaction mode. Molecular dynamic investigations of the pterygospermine ligand in the complex revealed the stability and unfolded effect on the protein. The results of this study propose a candidate anti-Alzheimer's ligand from Moringa oleifera against the AChE receptor. In practice, these results can contribute to research studies exploring natural ingredients from plants with medicinal potential in drug discovery. These results can be validated using further research in vitro and in vivo.

New benzimidazole-indole-amide derivatives as potent α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

New derivatives 6a-m with benzimidazole-indole-amide scaffold were developed, synthesized, and assessed for potential inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). These compounds were synthesized by various amine derivatives. With the exception of two compounds, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the title derivatives were more than that of the positive control acarbose. Moreover, the anti-AChE activity of these compounds, with the exception of one compound, was better than that of tacrine (standard inhibitor). The most potent compound against α-glucosidase was 3-methylphenyl derivative 6i and the most potent compound against AChE was 3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl derivative 6m. All the synthesized compounds were placed in the active sites of α-glucosidase and AChE by in silico docking method and the obtained binding energies were approximately in agreement with the in vitro observed data. Interaction modes of the most potent compounds 6i and 6m demonstrated that these compounds interacted with important residues of their target enzymes. Molecular dynamics simulation was conducted specifically on compound 6i in complex with α-glucosidase to obtain deeper insights into the behavior of this molecule. Furthermore, in silico pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies on the most potent compound predicted that these compounds have good profiles in terms of oral absorption and toxicity.

Chemical and Biological Investigations of Antiviral Agents Against Plant Viruses Conducted in China in the 21st Century.

Research into the biology of plant viruses, their mechanisms of pathogenicity, and the induction of host resistance has laid a solid foundation for the discovery of antiviral agents and their targets and the development of effective control technologies. Additionally, recent advancements in fields such as chemical biology, cheminformatics, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology have provided valuable methods and tools for the design of antiviral drugs, the synthesis of drug molecules, assessment of their activity, and investigation of their modes of action. Compared with drug development for human viral diseases, the control of plant viral diseases presents greater challenges, including the cost-benefit of agents, simplification of control technologies, and the effectiveness of treatments. Therefore, in the current context of complex outbreaks and severe damage caused by plant viral diseases, it is crucial to delve deeper into the research and development of antiviral agents. This review provides a detailed overview of the biological characteristics of current targets for antiviral agents, the mode of interaction between plant virus targets and antivirals, and insights for future drug development. We believe this review will not only facilitate the in-depth analysis of the development of antivirals for crops but also offer valuable perspectives for the development of antiviral agents for use in human and veterinary medicine.

ATTACHMENT AS A PREDICTOR OF INTERACTIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL LITERACY: IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHER-STUDENT INTERACTION

Interactional psychological literacy is an emerging concept in educational disciplines in the contexts of understanding and effectively navigating social and emotional interactions within educational settings. Attachment theory posits that early relationships with caregivers shape an individual’s future interactions and relationship patterns. Drawing on these concepts, we were interested in whether future teachers’ attachment styles are related to their preferred modes of interaction. The aim of the research was to examine the relations between attachment and the interactional psychological literacy of preservice teachers. To achieve this aim, a survey research strategy of questionnaire instruments was used. Data were collected using the ECR-R questionnaire, which measured attachment styles, and the ISK-K questionnaire, which measured interactional psychological literacy. Eighty second- and third-year undergraduate students of Bachelor of Education in Teaching participated in the study. The findings indicate that the attachment styles of the preservice teachers are predictors of preservice teachers’ interactive psychological literacy. This implies that, among other things, it is important to pay attention to the development of interactive psychological literacy regarding relational attachment in the preparation of future teachers. These results contribute to a broader understanding of the challenges of educating and preparing future teachers for practice. Keywords: attachment styles, interaction styles, teacher-student interaction, psychological literacy, educational outcomes

Effects of black soybean peel anthocyanins on the structural and functional properties of wheat gluten.

Wheat gluten (WG) is a crucial cereal protein commonly utilized in the food, biological and pharmaceutical industries. However, WG is poorly soluble in water, resulting in poor functional properties, which restrict its application in the food industry. As a result, there is an urgent need for improving the properties of WG. This study was conducted to examine the functional properties of WG after binding with black soybean peel anthocyanin extract (BAE). Results showed that BAE enhanced the solubility, water-holding and antioxidant capacity, foaming properties and emulsifying activity of WG, while decreasing the emulsion stability. The degree of hydrolysis of WG and retention rate of BAE became higher in the digested WG-BAE complex than in the control groups. Additionally, an analysis was conducted on the mechanism of interaction between cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and WG/gliadin (Gli)/glutenin (Glu). The secondary structure of WG/Gli/Glu was altered after adding C3G. C3G had high affinity for WG/Gli/Glu since their binding constants were greater than 104 L mol-1. The primary binding forces between C3G and WG/Gli were hydrophobic interactions, whereas the main interaction forces between C3G and Glu were hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. Moreover, C3G increased the thermal stability and changed the network structure of WG/Gli/Glu. This study revealed that BAE effectively enhanced a range of functional properties of WG. The interaction between WG and BAE also improved the bioavailability and nutritional value of them. Furthermore, the interaction mode between BAE and WG was investigated. These findings lay a foundation for utilizing gluten-anthocyanins in the food sector. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nanoconfined Chlorine-Substituted Monomethine Cyanine Dye with a Propionamide Function Based on the Thiazole Orange Scaffold-Use of a Fluorogenic Probe for Cell Staining and Nucleic Acid Visualization.

The development of fluorescence-based methods for bioassays and medical diagnostics requires the design and synthesis of specific markers to target biological microobjects. However, biomolecular recognition in real cellular systems is not always as selective as desired. A new concept for creating fluorescent biomolecular probes, utilizing a fluorogenic dye and biodegradable, biocompatible nanomaterials, is demonstrated. The synthesis of a new dicationic asymmetric monomethine cyanine dye with benzo[d]thiazolium-N-propionamide and chloroquinoline end groups is presented. The photophysical properties of the newly synthesized dye were examined through the combined application of spectroscopic and theoretical methods. The applicability of the dye as a fluorogenic nucleic acid probe was proven by UV-VIS spectroscopy and fluorescence titration. The dye-nucleic acid interaction mode was investigated by UV-Vis and CD spectroscopy. The newly synthesized dicationic dye, like other similar fluorogenic structures, limited permeability, which restricts its use as a probe for RNA and DNA. To enhance cellular delivery, we utilized a patented technology that employs solid, insoluble lipid nanoparticles. This method ensures the complete introduction of the dye into cells while minimizing activity outside the cells. In our study involving two human cell lines, we observed improved penetration through the cell membrane and distinctive selectivity in visualizing nucleic acids within the cytoplasm and nucleus.

Structural plasticity of the coiled-coil interactions in human SFPQ.

The proteins SFPQ (splicing Factor Proline/Glutamine rich) and NONO (non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein) are mammalian members of the Drosophila Behaviour/Human Splicing (DBHS) protein family, which share 76% sequence identity in their conserved 320 amino acid DBHS domain. SFPQ and NONO are involved in all steps of post-transcriptional regulation and are primarily located in mammalian paraspeckles: liquid phase-separated, ribonucleoprotein sub-nuclear bodies templated by NEAT1 long non-coding RNA. A combination of structured and low-complexity regions provide polyvalent interaction interfaces that facilitate homo- and heterodimerisation, polymerisation, interactions with oligonucleotides, mRNA, long non-coding RNA, and liquid phase-separation, all of which have been implicated in cellular homeostasis and neurological diseases including neuroblastoma. The strength and competition of these interaction modes define the ability of DBHS proteins to dissociate from paraspeckles to fulfil functional roles throughout the nucleus or the cytoplasm. In this study, we define and dissect the coiled-coil interactions which promote the polymerisation of DBHS proteins, using a crystal structure of an SFPQ/NONO heterodimer which reveals a flexible coiled-coil interaction interface which differs from previous studies. We support this through extensive solution small-angle X-ray scattering experiments using a panel of SFPQ/NONO heterodimer variants which are capable of tetramerisation to varying extents. The QM mutant displayed a negligible amount of tetramerisation (quadruple loss of function coiled-coil mutant L535A/L539A/L546A/M549A), the Charged Single Alpha Helix (ΔCSAH) variant displayed a dimer-tetramer equilibrium interaction, and the disulfide-forming variant displayed constitutive tetramerisation (R542C which mimics the pathological Drosophila nonAdiss allele). We demonstrate that newly characterised coiled-coil interfaces play a role in the polymerisation of DBHS proteins in addition to the previously described canonical coiled-coil interface. The detail of these interactions provides insight into a process critical for the assembly of paraspeckles as well as the behaviour of SFPQ as a transcription factor, and general multipurpose auxiliary protein with functions essential to mammalian life. Our understanding of the coiled coil behaviour of SFPQ also enhances the explanatory power of mutations (often disease-associated) observed in the DBHS family, potentially allowing for the development of future medical options such as targeted gene therapy.

Evaluating the quality of technology integration across seven European countries with the ICAP Technology Scale

AbstractInteractive, constructive, active and passive technology scale (ICAP-TS) is a relatively new developed instrument representing an essential literature need. Through this cross-cultural study, we strived to accomplish a three-fold aim. Firstly, we aspired to verify the scale's construct validity and reliability on a large sample of teachers across seven European countries. Secondly, we aimed to evaluate the quality of technology integration (TI) on this heterogeneous sample with the ICAP-TS to explore for which learning activities teachers use technologies, within which ICAP learning/engaging modes and how often. Thirdly, we strived to examine relationships between the different technology types (TT) and TI in ICAP learning modes. The research involved 2277 primary and lower secondary school teachers. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the internal structure of ICAP-TS corresponds well to the overall sample, but for some countries, the model fit should be further refined. Exploratory factor analysis extracted two basic components of TT—passive and active. On a general level teachers most often integrate technology into passive learning mode with the usage of passive TT, but if these results are observed within each country separately, this is not the case everywhere. Passive TT predicts TI into passive, active, and constructive modes more, while active TT predicts TI into interactive, constructive and active modes. This study has several implications. For example future research topics can include reviewing, revising, or adding new items to the ICAP-TS related to ICAP theory to improve its validity. Other recommendations are stated in the discussion.

Painting Cell-Cell Interactions by Horseradish Peroxidase and Endogenously Generated Hydrogen Peroxide.

Cell-cell interactions are fundamental in biology for maintaining physiological conditions with direct contact being the most straightforward mode of interaction. Recent advancements have led to the development of various chemical tools for detecting or identifying these interactions. However, the use of exogenous cues, such as toxic reagents, bulky probes, and light irradiation, can disrupt normal cell physiology. For example, the toxicity of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) limits the applications of peroxidases in the proximity labeling field. In this study, we aimed to address this limitation by demonstrating that membrane-localized horseradish peroxidase (HRP-TM) efficiently utilizes endogenously generated extracellular H2O2. By harnessing endogenous H2O2, we observed that HRP-TM-expressing cells can effectively label contacting cells without the need for exogenous H2O2 treatment. Furthermore, we confirmed that HRP-TM labels proximal cells in an interaction-dependent manner. These findings offer a novel approach for studying cell-cell interactions under more physiological conditions without the confounding effects of exogenous stimuli. Our study contributes to elucidating cell-cell interaction networks in various model organisms, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between cells in their native network.

Emotion Recognition from Spontaneous Tunisian Dialect Speech

Emotional expressions are a fundamental aspect of human communication, with speech being one of the most natural modes of interaction. Speech Emotion Recognition (SER) is a significant research topic in Natural Language Processing (NLP), aimed at identifying emotions such as satisfaction, frustration, and anger from speech audio using multiple classifiers. This paper presents a method to emotion recognition from spontaneous Tunisian Dialect (TD) speech, marking the first work in the SER field to utilize spontaneous speech for emotion recognition in this dialect. The dataset was created from freely available YouTube videos across multiple domains and labeled with four perceived emotions: anger, satisfaction, frustration, and neutral. To address the data scarcity issue, we implemented data augmentation techniques, specifically Vocal Tract Length Perturbation (VTLP). The preprocessing of the speech signals involved cleaning the data from ambient and unwanted noises. We extracted and selected various spectral features, including mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) and Linear Prediction Cepstral Coefficients (LPCC). Subsequently, we applied several classification methods: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and Random Forest. Our experiments demonstrated that the Random Forest classifier achieved the highest F-score of 58.75%. The results were thoroughly discussed, analyzed, and compared across the five models using different feature extractions. This study provides valuable insights and advancements in the SER field, particularly for the TD, future research directions for improving emotion recognition systems.