Specific Interaction Patterns Research Articles

(De)Polarization Entrepreneurs? Think Tanks and Pernicious Polarization in Central Europe

Pernicious polarization is an antagonistic Us versus Them division, where the other group is perceived as an existential threat. It is often intertwined with the erosion of democratic norms and institutions. Although studies on polarization abound, there are still some blind spots to be filled. Our contribution is the focus on the mesolevel of civil society and the theoretical development of (de)polarization mechanisms at this level. Empirically, we study think tanks, a special type of civil society organization, in the context of democratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland. The analysis is based on 53 interviews with Hungarian and Polish think tankers conducted between 2020 and 2022. We contend that through a shift in perceptions of Us, Them, and the middle ground, think tanks contribute to both polarization and depolarization. Rather than being passive receptors of polarization dynamics, we showcase think tanks’ agentic roles as they emerge through these three mechanisms and through think tanks resorting to specific patterns of discourse and interactions.

Binding dynamics of linear alkyl-sulfates of different chain lengths on a protein surface

Sulfate-based anionic surfactants, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), are widely recognized for their ability to deactivate and denature proteins. Despite extensive research, the molecular mechanisms governing the preferential binding of surfactants to protein surfaces remain incompletely understood. This study employs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate interactions between subtilisin E (SubE) and two anionic surfactants: SDS and sodium hexyl sulfate (SHS), with SHS possessing alkyl chains half the length of SDS. Simulations conducted at a low surfactant concentration (0.5% w/v) reveal distinct binding dynamics and interaction preferences of these surfactants with the SubE protein surface. Results demonstrate that the presence of SDS and SHS does not induce significant alterations in the overall secondary structure of SubE compared to simulations in pure water. The residue-level analysis identifies SDS as having greater contact with surface residues than SHS, particularly in helical and turn regions of SubE. SDS exhibits persistent binding sites in proximity to active site residues, suggesting potential implications for the observed experimental reduction in enzymatic activity. Dynamic interaction analysis indicates rapid and sustained binding of nearly all surfactant molecules to the protein within the initial 10-25 ns, with SDS displaying more transient interactions compared to SHS. Specific interaction patterns are observed between SDS and catalytic triad residues Asp32, His64, and Ser221, as well as Asn155 in the oxyanion hole, contrasting with the minimal interaction observed with SHS. These findings offer insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying surfactant-protein interactions, underscoring opportunities for engineering protein stability and functionality in the presence of surfactants.

Peering into the team role kaleidoscope: the interplay of personal characteristics and verbal interactions in collaborative problem solving.

The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between personality and peer-rated team role behavior on the one hand and team role behavior and verbal behavior on the other hand. To achieve this, different data types were collected in fifteen professional teams of four members (N = 60) from various private and public organizations in Flanders, Belgium. Participants' personalities were assessed using a workplace-contextualized personality questionnaire based on the Big Five, including domains and facets. Typical team role behavior was assessed by the team members using the Team Role Experience and Orientation peer rating system. Verbal interactions of nine of the teams (n = 36) were recorded in an educational lab setting, where participants performed several collaborative problem-solving tasks as part of a training. To process these audio data, a coding scheme for collaborative problem solving and linguistic inquiry and word count were used. We identified robust links and logical correlation patterns between personality traits and typical team role behaviors, complementing prior research that only focused on self-reported team behavior. For instance, a relatively strong correlation was found between Altruism and the Team builder role. Next, the study reveals that role taking within teams is associated with specific verbal interaction patterns. For example, members identified as Organizers were more engaged in responding to others' ideas and monitoring execution.

In Silico Elucidation of the Binding Mechanisms and Molecular Dynamics of Oroxylin A -2,3-Dioxygenase Interaction: An Insight into Therapeutic Potentiation of Quercetin’s Cardioprotection.

Elucidating the intricate interplay between enzymes and natural compounds is essential for designing therapeutic strategies. This study employs advanced computational techniques to explore the binding mechanisms between quercetin 2,3-dioxygenase (QDO) and oroxylin A, revealing specific interaction patterns and key residues crucial to the formation of the QDO-oroxylin A complex. Molecular docking simulations revealed a favorable binding affinity (docking score: -5.6 kcal/mol) between Oroxylin A and the active site cavity of QDO, which was supported by Oroxylin A's specific orientation (Pose 3). Despite an observed RMSD value of 2.776 indicating a moderate deviation between the docked pose and the reference structure, the formation of two hydrogen bonds with GLN 93 chain D underscores specific molecular interactions driving the binding process. This hydrogen bond formation suggested the presence of a stable and specific binding mode between Oroxylin A and QDO, likely influencing the functional dynamics of the enzyme, necessitating further refinement and validation of the docking model. The ensuing deliberation on the implications of Oroxylin A include its potential as a modulator of QDO activity, emphasizing the importance of molecular-level insights in comprehending enzyme-compound interactions. Oroxylin A, a quercetin 2,3-dioxygenase inhibitor, was used in combination with other agents to prolong the biological impacts of quercetin, thereby amplifying its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This strategic approach exhibits promise in augmenting cardioprotective benefits, immune system support, and protection against diverse pathological conditions. Subsequent considerations of dosage, bioavailability, and healthcare professional consultation are imperative for judicious supplementation, particularly in individuals with prevailing health conditions or medications. This ongoing in silico study is dedicated to revealing the potential synergistic interactions of Oroxylin A, potentiating the long-term effects of quercetin and advancing our understanding of these intricacies.

Sample Preparation for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) from Drosophila Antennal and Brain Samples.

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a well-characterized procedure used to reveal specific patterns of protein-DNA interactions and identify the binding sites of proteins on DNA. ChIP has been used to study many aspects of Drosophila biology, including neurobiology. This protocol describes in detail how to prepare cross-linked chromatin from Drosophila antennae and brains followed by immunoprecipitation (X-ChIP). We first describe tissue dissection, chromatin cross-linking with formaldehyde, quenching of the cross-linking, homogenization of tissues, and sonication for shearing the chromatin. Additionally, we describe how to optimize the sonication efficiency and fixation time and concentration using Drosophila brain samples as an example. These parameters are crucial for successful ChIP.

Catalytic conversion of volatiles over homologous char: Distinct interaction patterns at different temperatures

Char produced at specific pyrolysis temperatures has specific surface properties, which is also expected to have specific interaction patterns with volatiles produced at the same temperature. In this study, the char produced at varied temperatures was used for catalyzing conversion of homogenous volatiles generated at the same temperature. The aim was to explore the change of properties of char catalyst via volatiles-char interaction, which was almost equivalent to the evolution of property of char in pyrolysis. The results suggested that the char-300 (the number refers to temperature (°C) for production of char) and char-450 retained abundant oxygen-containing functionalities, rendering them superior activity for cracking of aliphatics and aromatics, producing less bio-oil with a lower abundance of π-conjugated structures but more gases (especially over char-450, increased by 57.8%). Char-600 and char-750, with a lower abundance of oxygen-containing functionalities, were not that active for cracking or interaction with volatiles, and their properties were also not changed that much. In comparison, the spent char-300 and char-450 experienced remarkable dehydrogenation and deoxygenation via interaction with volatiles, resulting in overall net weight loss, increased carbon content as well as enhanced thermal stability, aromatic degree, and carbon crystallinity. The biggest change of char-600 and char-750 could be the filling of pores with volatiles-derived deposits. The characterization of catalytic pyrolysis with in-situ IR technique also confirmed that the char-300 showed higher capability than char-750 for catalyzing conversion –OH and CO via varied reaction routes.

Examining Coping Strategies and Their Relation with Anxiety: Implications for Children Diagnosed with Cancer or Type 1 Diabetes and Their Caregivers.

The onset of chronic diseases in childhood represents a stressful event for both young patients and their caregivers. In this context, coping strategies play a fundamental role in dealing with illness-related challenges. Although numerous studies have explored coping strategies employed by parents of children with chronic diseases, there remains a gap in the understanding of children's coping strategies and their correlation with their and their parents' anxiety. This study aims to investigate coping strategies and their interaction with anxiety in groups of young patients with cancer, type 1 diabetes (T1D), and their respective caregivers, in comparison to healthy children and caregivers. We recruited a total of 61 control children, 33 with cancer, and 56 with T1D, 7 to 15 years old, along with their mothers. Each participant completed a customized survey and standardized questionnaires. No significant differences emerged in coping strategies used by children among the different groups. However, when examining the association between coping strategy and anxiety, we found specific patterns of interaction between children's use of coping strategies and their and their mothers' anxiety levels. This study underscores the importance of an illness-specific approach to gain deeper insights into this topic and develop targeted interventions aimed at enhancing the psychological well-being of these vulnerable populations.

Safety assessment of pedestrian-vehicle interaction at signalized intersections: An observational study

Road safety is a crucial aspect of global policies and management. Surrogate Safety Measures (SSMs) have gained attention in the study of pedestrian safety. This study aims to establish an effective SSM methodology to analyze driver-pedestrian interactions. The analysis relies on SSM indicators, without the need for an initial classification of driver-pedestrian interactions into specific interaction patterns. The proposed methodology offers several advantages, including the accurate identification of conflicts through an affordable approach making it easily accessible for public administrations and authorities to assess pedestrian safety at road intersections. A dataset comprising 270 driver-pedestrian interactions, observed at three road intersections in Rome, Italy, was examined. The severity level of each event was assessed through a preliminary classification of each interaction into three patterns: high, low, and none. Subsequently, the severity levels were evaluated using three methods, employing Time-to-Collision (TTC), Post-Encroachment Time (PET), and a combination of TTC and PET. A comparison between the severity levels identified by the two approaches was conducted. The findings reveal that Method 2, utilizing PET, consistently identifies conflicts. Additionally, a binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the variables that influence the likelihood of an interaction escalating into a conflict. The results demonstrate that the probability of conflict increases with the duration of a red signal, particularly for younger pedestrians.

Abstract 14233: Checkpoint Kinase 1 Combines PKM2 C-domain to Stimulate Endogenous Cardiomyocyte Renewal and Cardiac Repair by Activating Cardiac Metabolic Reprogramming in a Porcine Model of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background: The regenerative capacity of adult mammalian hearts is limited. We previously reported CHK1 in adult mice could promote cardiac regeneration after MI. However, the specific mechanism of CHK1 needs more comprehensive and in-depth interpretation. Methods: I/R injury was induced in pigs, recombinant human checkpoint kinase 1 (rhCHK1) protein encapsulated in hydrogel was injected into the infarct border zone. The therapeutic efficacy of rhCHK1 was evaluated by echocardiography, cMRI, hematological indices and immunofluorescence. Multi-omics analysis were performed to explore the potential mechanisms of rhCHK1. Further, protein interaction prediction and CO-IP experiments were conducted to verify the specific interaction pattern and domains between CHK1 and PKM2. Hipsc-CMs and porcine were used for confirming whether rhCHK1 promotes cardiac regeneration through combining with the PKM2 C-domain. Results: RhCHK1 protein stimulated CMs proliferation and reduced cardiac inflammation at 3 dpi, improved cardiac function and attenuated ventricular remodeling, and reduced the infarct area at 28 dpi. Mechanistically, multiomics analysis showed that glycolysis and mTOR pathways were significantly enriched in this process. Further CO-IP experiments and protein docking prediction showed that CHK1 directly bound to and activated the S37 and Y105 sites of PKM2 to promote metabolic reprogramming. We further constructed plasmids that knock out different CHK1 and PKM2 domains, and transfected them into H293T cells for CO-IP experiments. It was found that the 391-476 domain of CHK1 directly binds to the 157-400 amino acids of PKM2. Further hipsc-CMs and pig experiments both demonstrated that CHK1 stimulates CMs renewal and cardiac repair by activating PKM2 C-domain-mediated cardiac metabolic reprogramming and mTORC1 pathway. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that rhCHK1 could combine with PKM2 391-476 amino acid domain to mediate metabolic reprogramming and mTORC1 pathways to promote CM proliferation and myocardial repair. This study is the first to clarify the specific functional mechanism of CHK1 in pigs. Our results underscore the potential of the local applied rhCHK1 as a safe and simple feasible treatment option for repairing heart.

A frontopolar-temporal circuit determines the impact of social information in macaque decision making

When choosing, primates are guided not only by personal experience of objects but also by social information such as others' attitudes toward the objects. Crucially, both sources of information-personal and socially derived-vary in reliability. To choose optimally, one must sometimes override choice guidance by personal experience and follow social cues instead, and sometimes one must do the opposite. The dorsomedial frontopolar cortex (dmFPC) tracks reliability of social information and determines whether it will be attended to guide behavior. To do this, dmFPC activity enters specific patterns of interaction with a region in the mid-superior temporal sulcus (mSTS). Reversible disruption of dmFPC activity with transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) led macaques to fail to be guided by social information when it was reliable but to be more likely to use it when it was unreliable. By contrast, mSTS disruption uniformly downregulated the impact of social information on behavior.

Comparative interaction patterns of groups in an open network environment: The role of facilitators in collaborative learning

AbstractBackgroundCollaborative learning can effectively promote the development of higher‐order competencies, where learners collaborate via social interactions to explore and solve complex problems. It has been found that the effective occurrence of collaborative learning requires appropriate external guidance and support. In particular, collaborative interactions in open learning environments are more complex and difficult, which makes it important to provide dynamic interventions for learners according to different collaborative situations. However, the role of facilitators and the characteristics and mechanisms of their interventions have yet to be thoroughly investigated.ObjectivesThe study aims to uncover the characteristics and patterns of interaction among groups with different collaborative performance and facilitator performance in an open learning environment, and to explore the differentiated role of facilitators in this process.MethodGroups are categorised as high or low based on their collaborative performance and facilitator performance. This study used lag sequential analysis (LSA) and content analysis to explore the interaction patterns of groups with different collaborative performance and facilitator performance. Also, the different roles of facilitators were analysed by comparing the differences in interaction patterns of different collaborative performance groups.ResultsThe study found that groups with different collaborative performances and facilitator performances showed significant differences in interaction patterns, and the two had crossover effects. There is also variability in the role of facilitators in groups with different collaborative performance profiles. Patterns of transition between different layers of interaction can indicate the level of groups' collaborative engagement. Specific interaction patterns exist that are conducive to enhancing collaborative learning.ConclusionsThe results of the study pointed out that groups with different collaborative performance and facilitator performance showed different characteristics of interaction patterns. The role of the facilitator in online collaborative learning is characterised by compensatory and merit‐promoting. High‐quality online collaboration is the result of multiple factors, including learners and facilitators working together. This study has practical implications for the design of instructional interventions for group collaboration in online learning communities.

Parental representations after preterm birth: a narrative review.

Preterm birth accounts for nearly 15 million births annually worldwide and constitutes a considerable risk factor for atypical development. This birth context is a source of stress for the parents and often leads to an early separation between their child and them. Research on the influence of the birth status on the infant's attachment style has shown no systematic link between preterm birth and the development of insecure attachment in children born preterm. This has opened up research perspectives in understanding the role of environmental factors. A literature review was conducted to present an overview of the current findings on parental representations (PR), particularly maternal ones, and their role in the context of preterm birth. PR quality appears to be associated with specific dyadic interaction patterns, thus exposing vulnerability factors. Studies exploring PR have pointed out the importance of considering parental mental elaboration mechanisms and contextual moderators in supporting socio-emotional development among children born preterm. We discussed the challenges of investigating PR in the context of preterm birth for future studies and emphasized the need for research studies to be conducted according to a developmental and non-deterministic perspective. This narrative review also aimed to highlight the importance of family centered care interventions in the context of a public policy focused on the child's "First 1,000 days" of life.

Living with a traumatized partner: Dyadic approach to well-being of war-affected married couples.

Personal well-being is a positive state of mind that involves the whole life experience. Croatian War of Independence has certainly been a life-changing experience for many Croatian families, especially those whose members were actively involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of anxiety and depression symptoms on personal and partner's well-being in couples with and without traumatic war experiences. One hundred and ninety-four participants were included in this study and divided into three groups: war veterans without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their wives (34 dyads), war veterans with PTSD and their wives (33 dyads), and nonveteran couples (30 dyads). All completed Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, Personal Well-Being Index, and reported information about war-related experience and mental health diagnosis. We applied two Actor-Partner Interdependence Models with anxiety and depression as predictors and personal well-being as outcome. Our most interesting finding revealed that war veterans with PTSD and their wives demonstrate specific pattern of interaction: significant partner effect showed that husbands' higher anxiety and depression symptoms reduced wives' personal well-being. We also found significant actor effects, showing that symptoms of depression and anxiety have negative effects on personal well-being. It seems that the personal well-being of wives of war veterans with PTSD is doubly burdened by their own and their husbands' emotional state. In the clinical context, this might mean that special attention should be paid to veterans' wives, even when the husband who is suffering from PTSD is the one who primarily seeks professional help. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Integrated phenotyping of root and shoot growth dynamics in maize reveals specific interaction patterns in inbreds and hybrids and in response to drought.

In recent years, various automated methods for plant phenotyping addressing roots or shoots have been developed and corresponding platforms have been established to meet the diverse requirements of plant research and breeding. However, most platforms are only either able to phenotype shoots or roots of plants but not both simultaneously. This substantially limits the opportunities offered by a joint assessment of the growth and development dynamics of both organ systems, which are highly interdependent. In order to overcome these limitations, a root phenotyping installation was integrated into an existing automated non-invasive high-throughput shoot phenotyping platform. Thus, the amended platform is now capable of conducting high-throughput phenotyping at the whole-plant level, and it was used to assess the vegetative root and shoot growth dynamics of five maize inbred lines and four hybrids thereof, as well as the responses of five inbred lines to progressive drought stress. The results showed that hybrid vigour (heterosis) occurred simultaneously in roots and shoots and was detectable as early as 4 days after transplanting (4 DAT; i.e., 8 days after seed imbibition) for estimated plant height (EPH), total root length (TRL), and total root volume (TRV). On the other hand, growth dynamics responses to progressive drought were different in roots and shoots. While TRV was significantly reduced 10 days after the onset of the water deficit treatment, the estimated shoot biovolume was significantly reduced about 6 days later, and EPH showed a significant decrease even 2 days later (8 days later than TRV) compared with the control treatment. In contrast to TRV, TRL initially increased in the water deficit period and decreased much later (not earlier than 16 days after the start of the water deficit treatment) compared with the well-watered plants. This may indicate an initial response of the plants to water deficit by forming longer but thinner roots before growth was inhibited by the overall water deficit. The magnitude and the dynamics of the responses were genotype-dependent, as well as under the influence of the water consumption, which was related to plant size.

Structure and proposed DNA delivery mechanism of a marine roseophage

Tailed bacteriophages (order, Caudovirales) account for the majority of all phages. However, the long flexible tail of siphophages hinders comprehensive investigation of the mechanism of viral gene delivery. Here, we report the atomic capsid and in-situ structures of the tail machine of the marine siphophage, vB_DshS-R4C (R4C), which infects Roseobacter. The R4C virion, comprising 12 distinct structural protein components, has a unique five-fold vertex of the icosahedral capsid that allows genome delivery. The specific position and interaction pattern of the tail tube proteins determine the atypical long rigid tail of R4C, and further provide negative charge distribution within the tail tube. A ratchet mechanism assists in DNA transmission, which is initiated by an absorption device that structurally resembles the phage-like particle, RcGTA. Overall, these results provide in-depth knowledge into the intact structure and underlining DNA delivery mechanism for the ecologically important siphophages.

Specificities of the Culture and the Management of Economic Organizations in Romania in Approaching the Model Developed by Fons Trompenaars

Abstract The cultural determination of the managerial policies and practices is recognized and accepted within the modern theoretical and professional circles. The values, mentalities, generic ways of thinking and acting that define a culture, as well as the specific behaviors or patterns of interaction, which result from this cultural profile, have a major influence both on what happens within the economic organizations and on their management. To this purpose, by using the cultural dimensions of the model developed by Fons Trompenaars, the authors aimed to identify the main characteristics and the behaviors of the members of the culture and the management of the economic organizations in Romania.

Decomposition of Small Molecules for Fragment-Based Drug Design

In the drug design process, a frequent task is the decomposition of small molecules into fragments. There exist a number of approaches and methods to break molecules into fragments. However, a method that allows the decomposition of molecules into non-overlapping fragments that is meaningful in terms of medicinal chemistry is absent, and in this work, we present a new simple approach for the decomposition of molecules—MedChemFrag. It aims to break drug-like molecules into a set of rings and linkers, which are close to the perception of “fragments” by medicinal chemists. In contrast to most previous efforts aimed at breaking molecules using retrosynthetic feasible rules, our approach strives to preserve the functional groups, which may reveal the specific interaction pattern, e.g., the amide groups.

Adventures in “belief”: Hearing an old concept in a new key

AbstractThe well‐worn critique of “belief” as inadequate for understanding ritual motivation and practice has become a truism in need of reevaluation. For groups who foreground the establishment of truth in ritual practice, “belief” is a useful analytic term that brings together propositions and commitment to the relationships and systems articulating those propositions. Spiritualism is a religious movement in which mediums attempt to communicate between the spirits of deceased people and their loved ones. As Spiritualist mediums see it, their main job is to provide “proof of survival”—evidence that they are really in touch with the spirit world. In doing so, they “serve Spirit,” working on behalf of those in the spirit world. Drawing on Bakhtin's treatment of dialogism and architectonics, I urge a rethinking of “belief” as a never‐completed project worked on intersubjectively. This approach to belief not only makes sense for analysis of groups who insist on the importance of truth claims but also liberates the term for use outside of Christian and self‐consciously modern contexts, as Bakhtinian dialogism is grounded in a model of the utterance and interactivity in general and not in any specific utterance or pattern of interaction.

Molecular simulations of SSTR2 dynamics and interaction with ligands

The cyclic peptide hormone somatostatin regulates physiological processes involved in growth and metabolism, through its binding to G-protein coupled somatostatin receptors. The isoform 2 (SSTR2) is of particular relevance for the therapy of neuroendocrine tumours for which different analogues to somatostatin are currently in clinical use. We present an extensive and systematic computational study on the dynamics of SSTR2 in three different states: active agonist-bound, inactive antagonist-bound and apo inactive. We exploited the recent burst of SSTR2 experimental structures to perform μs-long multi-copy molecular dynamics simulations to sample conformational changes of the receptor and rationalize its binding to different ligands (the agonists somatostatin and octreotide, and the antagonist CYN154806). Our findings suggest that the apo form is more flexible compared to the holo ones, and confirm that the extracellular loop 2 closes upon the agonist octreotide but not upon the antagonist CYN154806. Based on interaction fingerprint analyses and free energy calculations, we found that all peptides similarly interact with residues buried into the binding pocket. Conversely, specific patterns of interactions are found with residues located in the external portion of the pocket, at the basis of the extracellular loops, particularly distinguishing the agonists from the antagonist. This study will help in the design of new somatostatin-based compounds for theranostics of neuroendocrine tumours.

Rhizobiome Signature and Its Alteration Due to Watering in the Wild Plant Moringa oleifera

Metagenomic approach was used to detect microbial gene abundance and relative abundance in the rhizosphere of Moringa oleifera and surrounding bulk soil and to detect the response of soil microbes to watering. Expectedly, the number and abundance of non-redundant genes were extremely higher in bacteria followed by archaea, eukaryota and viruses. Results demonstrated unexpected high abundance of some microbes (ex., endophyte genus Nocardioides) in the rhizosphere that are supposed to exist mainly in other rhizocompartments. We suggest this differential distribution of microbes is due to the specific pattern of host-microbe interaction. Other endosymbiont microbes, ex., fungi Mucoromycota and Ascomycota, were highly abundant in the bulk soil possibly because they are phytopathogens where plant exudates might inhibit their growth or force these fungi to approach reverse chemotaxis. Our data indicated high abundance of other symbiont microbes in the rhizosphere of M. oleifera at phylum (ex., Actinobacteria) and genus (ex., Streptomyces) levels. Watering experiment indicated that phylum Actinobacteria and the descending genus Streptomyces are among the highest. Rhizobiome of M. oleifera seems to harbor a wealth of new species of the genus Streptomyces that are required to be deciphered for function in order to be eventually utilized in pharmaceutical and agricultural applications.