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The potential of machine learning (ML) to revolutionize analytical sciences, especially, Raman and ROI spectra collection for RNA nucleotides is paramount. ML provides exceptional opportunities for the speedy extraction of vast information from the complex dataset generated by various analytical techniques including spectroscopy which could expedite the determination of the behaviour of complex molecules with the utmost accuracy. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules exist in all living cells. These polymers play significant roles in various biochemical processes, such as translation and protein synthesis. The function of RNA as a catalyst for several cellular reactions in addition to its significant role in gene expression shapes the biological system. The functional versatility of RNAs depends on their ability to fold in various structural conformations, which necessitates delineating the motifs and elements' structures in RNA to gain a comprehensive insight into the functional versatilities of these biopolymers. Moreover, the pivotal role of these polymers in diagnosis and therapy could be comprehended by functional activity analysis of RNAs using Raman and ROA spectroscopy in conjunction with ML and artificial intelligence. The current review aimed to shed light on the impact of ML algorithms on Raman and ROA spectroscopic RNA structural data analysis. Additionally, this review summarizes the RNA structural organization and methodological approaches of ML-assisted Raman and ROA spectroscopies for RNA in tandem with traditional algorithms. The future directions of the ML-assisted Raman and ROA for RNA structural analysis have also been highlighted to boost biomolecular research efficiency and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Rodlike cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) exhibit significant potential as building blocks for creating uniform, sustainable materials. However, a critical hurdle lies in the need to enhance existing or devise novel processing that provides improved control over the alignment and arrangement of CNCs across a wide spatial range. Specifically, the challenge is to achieve orthotropic organization in a single-step processing, which entails creating non-uniform CNC orientations to generate spatial variations in anisotropy. A novel processing method combining frontal ultrafiltration (FU) and ultrasound (US) has been developed. A dedicated channel-cell was designed to simultaneously generate (1) a vertical acoustic force thanks to a vibrating blade at the top and (2) a transmembrane pressure force at the bottom. Time-resolved in situ small-angle X-ray scattering permitted to probe the dynamical structural organization/orientation of CNCs during the processing. For the first time, a typical three-layer orthotropic structure that resembles the articular cartilage organization was achieved in one step during the FU/US process: a first layer composed of CNCs having their director aligned parallel to the horizontal membrane surface, a second intermediate isotropic layer, and a third layer of CNCs with their director vertically oriented along the direction of US wave propagation direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to identify structural differences in the Brucella omp25 and omp2a genes, which make it possible to determine their taxonomic position.Materials and methods. The objects of the study were the nucleotide sequences of the complete genomes of 48 Brucella strains presented in the GenBank NCBI database. To assess sequence homology, the BLAST algorithm and the MEGA 11 program were used.Results and discussion. In 13 species of Brucella and Brucella spp. with unknown species appurtenance, HindIII, EcoRV and EcoRI, AluI restriction profiles of genome regions have been reproduced in silico, including, omp25 and omp2a genes, flanked by primers 25A-25B and 2AB-2AA, respectively. In the omp25 gene, 11 non-synonymous and 24 synonymous mutations have been detected; two deletions: ∆103–108 bp – in В. nosferati, ∆562–597 bp – in В. Ovis; and ACT insertion after 585 bp – in В. vulpis. The variability of the omp2a gene in the studied Brucella strains was significantly higher. 138 SNPs have been identified, of which 60 lead to amino acid substitutions, 2 – form stop codons, and an additional deletion ∆424–561 bp – in В. abortus 1, 2, 4 biovars. Single mutations in the omp2a and omp25 genes had both group specificity – for several species, and unique – for a specific species or biovar of the pathogen. Allelic profiles of the omp25 and omp2a genes have greater resolution than their restriction profiles studied. The identified changes in the structure of the omp25 and omp2a genes correlate with the circulation of individual Brucella species and biovars in the organism of certain carriers. These genes show the presence of deletions, insertions and single polymorphic nucleotides specific to species, groups of species and, in some cases, biovars of the pathogen.

The Angara River is one of the largest rivers in Siberia, overregulated by large reservoirs. Reservoir operation entails a change in the habitat for the river biota, as a result of which organisms with high environmental adaptability and resistance to pollution take the leading positions. Only if there is a detailed knowledge of the Angara aquatic life in modern conditions, it will be possible to carry out scheduled activities for the reconstruction of aquatic fauna and fisheries in connection with hydraulic engineering. Nowadays, there is a significant gap in hydrobiological studies of the unregulated lower section of the Angara. The work objective is to identify changes in the bottom fauna of the lower Angara section after the regulation of the Boguchanskaya HPP. In 2015, Boguchanskaya HPP reached the design production level. Samples of zoobenthos were collected in 2015 and 2022. Benthic fauna was studied in the lower reaches of the Angara River at a site of 436 km below the Boguchanskaya HPP dam on both river banks at depths up to 1,5 m. The collection and office analysis of the material were carried out according to generally accepted methodological recommendations. Zoobenthos biotopes are represented by pebble-sandy soil with varying degrees of siltation and macrophytes. The benthic fauna was gammarid-chironomid in nature. In 2022, compared with 2015, an increase in species composition was revealed due to chironomids; on the contrary, the number of species of mayflies and caddis flies decreased. The structural organization of communities changed: there was an increase in the proportion of chironomids and a decrease in the proportion of mayflies, caddis flies and mollusks. The number of chironomids increased by 4 times, and amphipods doubled. The number of caddis flies decreased by about 5 times, mollusks – by 3 times, and mayflies – by 12 times. At the same time, the total number of benthic fauna increased slightly – only by 1.5 times. Currently, the number of benthic fauna is 2,9 thous ind/m2, biomass is 14,6 g/m2. The general trend of the revealed changes is aimed at increasing the number of tolerant bentonts (chironomids and amphipods) and reducing indicator taxa sensitive to pollution (mayflies, stoneflies, caddis flies and mollusks). The reason for the transformation of bottom communities is the cascade regulation of the river. The Boguchanskiy reservoir, which closes the cascade, is the recipient of gradually accumulating changes and has a direct impact on the hydrochemical and hydrobiological regime below the Angara riverbed.

Introduction: Neonatal arterial ischemic stroke (NAIS) is a common model to study the impact of a unilateral early brain insult on developmental brain plasticity and the appearance of long-term outcomes. Motor difficulties that may arise are typically related to poor function of the affected (contra-lesioned) hand, but surprisingly also of the ipsilesional hand. Although many longitudinal studies after NAIS have shown that predicting the occurrence of gross motor difficulties is easier, accurately predicting hand motor function (for both hands) from morphometric MRI remains complicated. The hypothesis of an association between the structural organization of the basal ganglia (BG) and thalamus with hand motor function seems intuitive given their key role in sensorimotor function. Neuroimaging studies have frequently investigated these structures to evaluate the correlation between their volumes and motor function following early brain injury. However, the results have been controversial. We hypothesize the involvement of other structural parameters. Method: The study involves 35 children (mean age 7.3 years, SD 0.4) with middle cerebral artery NAIS who underwent a structural T1-weighted 3D MRI and clinical examination to assess manual dexterity using the Box and Blocks Test (BBT). Graphs are used to represent high-level structural information of the BG and thalami (volumes, elongations, distances) measured from the MRI. A graph neural network (GNN) is proposed to predict children’s hand motor function through a graph regression. To reduce the impact of external factors on motor function (such as behavior and cognition), we calculate a BBT score ratio for each child and hand. Results: The results indicate a significant correlation between the score ratios predicted by our method and the actual score ratios of both hands (p

Renovascular hypertension (RHV) is the cause of high blood pressure due to left renal ischemia, and obesity and hypertension cause an inflammatory response. This work analyzed the inflammatory and tissue repair profile in renal, hepatic, and cardiac tissues in an animal model of RVH associated with a high-fat diet and caloric restriction. The expressions of RORγ-t, IL-17, T-bet, and TNF-α decreased and IFN-γ increased in the right kidney. In relation to the left kidney, caloric restriction decreased the expression of IFN-γ. In the liver, caloric restriction decreased RORγ-t, IL-17, and T-bet. Hypertension associated with obesity decreased the expression of IFN-γ, while caloric restriction increased. In the right kidney, hypertension and obesity, associated or not with caloric restriction, increased the area of collagen fibers. In the heart and liver, caloric restriction reduced the area of collagen fibers. Caloric restriction increased vascular endothelial growth factor, reduced levels of growth transformation factor-β1 (TGF-β), and increased collagen I in the left kidney. Hypertension/obesity, submitted or not having caloric restriction, increased TGF-β in liver. The results suggest that caloric restriction has beneficial effects in lowering blood pressure and regulating tissue proinflammatory cytokines. However, there was no change in the structure and composition of tissue repair markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intergenic spacer (IGS) of 5S ribosomal RNA genes (5S rDNA) (that are present in the genome of all living organisms) is characterized by a high variability, due to which it is a convenient and widely used object for clarifying the issues of genome evolution, population genetics, systematics, etc. The aim of this work was to study the IGS of 5S rDNA of the Antarctic pearlwort Colobanthus quitensis. The nucleotide sequence was determined by the methods of molecular genetic analysis, and molecular organization of the C. quitensis 5S rDNA IGS was studied. It was demonstrated that it contains the regulatory elements typical for other vascular plants. The existence of at least two classes of 5S rDNA repeats in the individual genome (that differ significantly in the length and nucleotide sequence of IGS) was established. In addition, based on differences in the length and nucleotide sequence, two subclasses of repeats with a long IGS and three subclasses with a short IGS were identified. A comparison of 5S rDNA IGS sequences in C. quitensis and Silene latifolia Poir. (a member of another section of the Caryophyllaceae family) demonstrated significant differences in the structure of a spacer region of 5S rRNA genes (except for its parts containing regulatory elements). In general, data obtained indicate a significant level of intragenomic polymorphism of C. quitensis 5S rDNA IGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to develop a method for intraspecific differentiation of the tularemia microbe: subspecies tularensis (subpopulations AI and AII), holarctica (biovars japonica, EryS/R), mediasiatica, and novicida using multilocus real-time PCR. Materials and methods. We used 48 strains of F. tularensis of various subspecies, biovars, and subpopulations. Intraspecific appurtenance of the strains was carried out on the basis of the analysis of the RD-1 region variability applying PCR, the sdhA gene by Sanger fragment sequencing and by the disk diffusion method using disks with erythromycin. The selection of primers and probes was performed using the software available at www.genscript.com and GeneRunner 6.5.52. Sequence homology was assessed using the BLAST algorithm and the GenBank NCBI database. Results and discussion. New data on the structure and occurrence of the differentiation regions RD-8, RD-12, RD-28 of FTT1122c gene and its homologous sequences in strains of tularemia microbe of various subspecies have been obtained. Novel RDhm 346 bp in size, characteristic of strains of the subsp. mediasiatica, holarctica, which is deleted in subsp. tularensis and absent in subsp. novicida has been detected. Based on the detection of the FTT1670, FTT1122с, FTT1067, FTW_2084 loci, a multilocus real-time PCR has been developed – “F. tularensis 4c”, providing for identification of all subspecies of the tularemia microbe, separately for the biovar japonica of the Holarctic subspecies and subpopulations AI, AII of the subspecies tularensis. The PCR specificity was confirmed in the study of strains of tularemia microbe from the fund of the “State Collection of Pathogenic Bacteria” at the premises of the Russian Reserarch Anti-Plague Institute “Microbe”. The results obtained expand the concept of intraspecific genetic heterogeneity of tularemia microbe and possibilities of identifying the causative agent of tularemia using molecular-genetic methods. They are important for understanding the processes of adaptation of the pathogen to circulation in the host organism and environmental objects, the course of evolution and formation of new species of Francisella.

Background: Research articles (RAs) have been highlighted as one of the most essential channels for academicians to disseminate knowledge. Typically, RAs consist of a nomenclature of the four sections of introduction, methods, results, and discussion, commonly known as IMRD, with each section governed by an organizational structure determined by genre analysis. However, due to the increasing prevalence of the stand-alone conclusion section in recent years and the expansion of open-access journals, understanding how this conclusion section is constructed can benefit scholars in an academic endeavor. Methods: This study aims to identify the organizational structure of the stand-alone conclusion section in open-access journals. An original dataset of 55 open-access journal RAs from four major academic disciplines honored as “Articles of the Year 2021” was analyzed. Only the RAs with stand-alone conclusions within a calculated word range were selected, yielding a final dataset of 25 comparable conclusion sections. Then, anchored on genre analysis, the compiled dataset was analyzed quantitively and qualitatively. Results: Based on the genre analysis conducted, a set of three moves and their pertaining steps were identified, forming various organizational patterns but one compelling one. Furthermore, the full-fledged two-layer rhetorical structure of the section depicting the frequencies of occurrence of individual moves and steps is quite revealing, highlighting the crucial significance of restating the findings generated from the study being reported. The results demonstrate not only how established this section is but also how it is currently structured, performing its critical function of concluding RAs. Conclusion: This study has provided insights into integrating analytical elements to successfully stage persuasive arguments in the conclusion section, a skill that needs to be inculcated in novice or early-career researchers and seasoned researchers alike.

Tropical rainforests play an important role in the global Eco-climatic balance and its sustainable management is a major concern that has attracted the attention of researchers. The Luki biosphere reserve, while under a status of protected area, experiences anthropic pressures without spare. In order to control the activities of local populations and particularly to implement the principles of natural resources management enacted by the Man and Biosphere program of the United Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, a zoning plan has been implemented in the Luki biosphere reserve since 1979. The aim of this study was to evaluate the floristic composition, the diversity and structural parameters on floristic groupings of forest tree species in the Luki Biosphere Reserve (LBR) to evaluate whether the implemented zoning has an effect on plant diversity and population structure of forest trees species in the Luki Biosphere Reserve. Floristic data were collected on a set of 15 plots of 1 hectare (ha) each following the management zoning, in which tree species with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 10 cm were measured and identified. Floristic diversity analysis was carried out and the relationship between within plots species richness and physical and chemical properties of soil was established. In total, 6497 individual trees were inventoried belonging to a total of 218 species grouped in 41 families making an average tree density of 433 ± 13 individual per hectare. Two floristic groups emerged from the ordination of species and cluster analysis. Prioria balsamifera and Dialium pachyphyllum were among the most represented and characteristic tree species in the floristics groups. The families Sterculiaceae, Fabaceae, Ebenaceae, Olacaceae, Rubiaceae, Annonaceae, Myristicaceae, Meliaceae and Sapotaceae displayed high values of specific important index. Tree populations from the three zoning displayed an ''inverted J'' shape in an axil distribution of classes of diameters while the horizontal distribution of tree height displayed a bell structure. A significant difference exists in species richness among zones and floristic groupings. The floristics groupings were distributed following the soil texture. This work provides the basic elements for a sustainable management plan adapted with the current zoning plan in the Luki Biosphere Reserve.

The aim of the study was to develop a methodological approach to determination of Brucella suis biovars through multilocus PCR with real-time registration of results.Materials and methods. We used 16 strains of B. suis of various biovars, B. neotomae and B. canis – 2 strains of each. Determination of the taxonomic affiliation of Brucella strains was carried out according to the Bruce-ladder, Suis-ladder, BRU-DIF protocols. The selection of primers and probes was performed using the software on the website www.genscript.com and the GeneRanner 6.5.52 program. Fragment sequencing according to Sanger was performed on a 3500 XL genetic analyzer in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Nucleotide sequence homology was assessed using the BLAST algorithm and the GenBank NCBI database.Results and discussion. An analysis of the structural organization of IncP and GI-3 genomic islands has been carried out in B. suis strains of various biovars. It has been established that in strains of B. suis II, IV biovars and B. canis, the terminal part of the BRA0368 gene, comprising 21 nucleotides (repeated in the BRA0367 gene) and the “TAA” stop codon, as well as almost the entire sequence of the BRA0367 gene were lost, owing to homologous recombination in the IncP genome island. A 21-nucleotide direct repeat and the “TGA” stop codon of the BRA0367 gene replaced the analogous region of the BRA0368 gene which resulted in the deletion the size of 185 bp. No differences have been noted in the structure of GI-3 in biovars. The evidence obtained made it possible to develop the approach (SuisDIF) for differentiating B. suis biovars, based on the amplification of genes located in the IncP and GI-3 genomic islands using real-time PCR. Its specificity was confirmed in the study of B. suis strains from the fund of the State Collection of Pathogenic Bacteria of the Russian Research Anti-Plague Institute “Microbe”. The conducted studies expand and supplement the data on the genetic heterogeneity of Brucella species and biovars. The proposed method for differentiating biovars of B. suis using multilocus PCR with real-time registration of results enhances the capacities for Brucella identification using molecular-genetic methods.

New pharmaceutical formulations have been proposed as strategies to improve transport and provide best conditions to control the drug release rate in specific biological environments, such as mucosa surfaces. Herein, formulations containing binary systems Poloxamer (PL) 407 15 % and PL 338 15 %, combined with hyaluronic acid, carrying the local anesthetic bupivacaine (BVC), were studied by molecular dynamics, while other structural parameters were determined by Dynamic Light Scattering for stablishing relationships with mucoadhesive properties and cytotoxicity evaluation. The binary system PL 407 15 %/PL 338 15 % exhibited a well-organized structural morphology, with more hydrated corona, and increased mucoadhesive properties over mucin layers. After hyaluronic acid (HA) incorporation, it was observed an increase on the force of detachment, possibly due to HA role as a linker among mucin layers independently of PL supramolecular structures. On the other hand, the addition of BVC or HA/BVC into the binary system decreased the force of detachment, as a response of augmented of compactness of these hydrogels caused by desolvation of PO core, showing the influence of all components and their chemical interactions into the structural organization and their biopharmaceutical performance relationships. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the issues encountered in the adoption of the crossfunctional organization type by the modern enterprises, since the old bureaucratic organization is not any more suitable to the present environment complexity. Apparently, the cross-functional organization seems to be a utopia, due to its difficult implementation. The cross-functional organization is possible only when an enterprise is able to develop cross-functional states of action: decomposition and recomposition of processual organization, of enterprise assembly and of structural organization. An achievable solution for the cross-functional organization of the enterprise is possible if the cohabitation between the old and new organization types of is preserved. The system of cross-functional organization may include the subsystems: operational, information and communication, and instrumental. The cross-functional organization also requires a careful investigation of its internal and external environment.

Aggregates and capillary-saturated pastes from loamy soddy-podzolic soils (Albic Glossic Retisol (Lomic, Cutanic)), typical and vertic chernozems (Haplic Chernozems (Loamic, Aric, Pachic) and Vertisols), and yellow soils (Alisols) were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and on a Reotest-2 rotary viscometer with a coaxial cylindrical system. Aggregates of plow horizons of Retisols and Chernozems have less pronounced porosity and denser packing of their microaggregates in comparison with native soils. Microaggregation of the plow layer of Vertisols is observed at high magnifications, while in the humus horizon of the fallowed Vertisol, the section of the aggregate has a massive structure. The study of the rheological behavior of the soils revealed the predominance of condensation-crystallization structural bonds in the plow layers, whereas coagulation structures prevailed in the deeper horizons. However, in the upper horizons of Vertisols, coagulation structure is well developed and thixotropy occurs. The limit of a plastic-viscous breakdown of the structure is higher in soils that are not involved in agricultural use, and the Shvedov limit corresponding to the beginning of deformation processes, on the contrary, is lower. All studied soil samples had several strength limits, which indicates the hierarchical organization of the structure of soil aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review describes the methods of cellulose amorphization, such as dry grinding, mercerization, treatment with liquid ammonia, swelling in solvents, regeneration from solutions, etc. Moreover, the main characteristics and applications of amorphized celluloses are discussed. A simple and cheap method for producing completely amorphous cellulose (CAC) is the treatment of cellulose with a cold NaOH/Urea - solvent at the solvent to cellulose ratio R ≥5. Structural studies showed that amorphous cellulose contains mesomorphous clusters with an average size of 1.85 nm and specific gravity of 1.49 g/сm³. Furthermore, each such cluster consists of about five glucopyranose layers with an average interlayer spacing of 0.45 nm. Amorphous cellulose is characterized by increased hydrophilicity, reactivity, and enzymatic digestibility. Due to its amorphous structure, the CAC is converted to glucose almost completely under the action relatively small dose of cellulolytic enzymes. Such a sample can be used as an amorphous standard, and as a substrate for the commercial production of glucose, which can be applied in biotechnology as a promising nutrient for various microorganisms. In addition, the application of CAC in agriculture was described. A waste-free method for producing amorphous nanocellulose was considered, and the main applications of nanosized amorphous cellulose were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate diffusion processes on fractal networks at different length scales. This is achieved by the application of a box covering procedure. We find that a clearly scaling law emerges on a great variety of fractal networks. Specifically, a number of metrics for quantifying diffusion processes, such as Kemeny's constant, the expected search time and its variation, follow a power-law with the number of boxes for covering. Furthermore, we identify a power-law relation between energy and the number of boxes. Remarkably, we show that the expected time for hunting a moving target similarly presents a power law behavior on a given fractal network. Our work reveals that scaling law is a common characteristic of fractal networks beyond their structural organization. • We investigate diffusion processes on fractal networks via a box covering procedure. • We find a clearly scaling law emerges on a great variety of fractal networks. • We identify a power-law relation between energy and the number of boxes. • Our work reveals that scaling law is a common feature of fractal networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An original approach has been developed to investigate the behaviour of linalool, a volatile compound widely used in the flavour and fragrance industry, incorporated in a model lamellar emulsion stabilized by an alkyl polyglucoside (APG). The surface activity of amphiphilic linalool was first studied in aqueous solutions, to predict its partition in multiphase colloidal systems. Results showed the high interfacial activity of linalool and its ability to act as a co-surfactant. The air/matrix partition coefficient was determined using headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC) and highlighted the different interactions between linalool and the emulsion phases. The molecular organization of lamellar emulsions was affected by the addition of linalool, as evidenced by combined microscopic observations, static light scattering (SLS) and X-ray diffraction measurements. As microstructure and rheological properties are closely linked, the viscoelastic properties of the samples were also investigated. The particle diameter, viscoelastic parameters and consistency of the emulsions were found to decrease with the addition of linalool. Finally, some textural and sensory properties of emulsions were evaluated and showed that the effect of linalool on the microstructure of the samples could also be perceived at the macroscopic scale, on their organoleptic properties. Our original approach could be used as a powerful tool for the future development of flavoured or fragranced emulsions. [Display omitted] • Linalool exhibits strong superficial and interfacial activities. • Linalool acts as co-surfactant and inserts in the bilayers of lamellar phases. • Linalool disturbs the molecular interactions stabilizing lamellar networks. • Addition of linalool impacts viscoelastic and textural properties of emulsions. • Air/matrix partition coefficient can predict the location of amphiphilic aromas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the interdependent relationship between the properties of a structure and the properties of a material, which sets the task of reducing them, even they are indistinguishable, to a certain integrity. The object of research and analysis in the article is a building structure, which is seen as an open self-organized complex structural system. In the main part, the processes of the formation of structures are considered, as well as the classification of structural elements. The article concludes with structural changes related to the self-support and self-development of the network of active elements, which allow the manifestation of adaptation effects and the design-system to function during the normalized period. The importance of self-organization processes during the development and operation of construction systems allow us to attribute it to a self-organizing system. Thus, the building structure can be represented as an open and complex self-organizing system.

Synthesis, structural features, and paramagnetic properties of manganese-containing nanocomposites based on polysaccharides arabinogalactan, sulfated arabinogalactan, and κ-carrageenan have been studied. All compounds have been investigated by physical and chemical methods including electron paramagnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and atomic absorption analysis. It is shown that manganese-containing nanoparticles of 3–6 nm in size were stabilized in the polysaccharide mass by coordination with Mn2+, and the resulting particles have a complex structural organization and are highly EPR active with a spin concentration of about 1020 spin/g. The obtained nanocomposites possess aggregative stability and conserve their properties for a long time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycosyltransferases (GTs) are enzymes that catalyze reactions attaching an activated sugar to an acceptor substrate, which may be a polysaccharide, peptide, lipid, or small molecule. In the past decade, notable progress has been made in revealing and cloning genes encoding polysaccharide-synthesizing GTs. However, the vast majority of GTs remain structurally and functionally uncharacterized. The mechanism by which they are organized in the Golgi membrane, where they synthesize complex, highly branched polysaccharide structures with high efficiency and fidelity, is also mostly unknown. This review will focus on current knowledge about plant polysaccharide-synthesizing GTs, specifically focusing on protein-protein interactions and the formation of multiprotein complexes.

We studied the peculiarities of obtaining the structural organization of a single-layer diamond-galvanic coating for the ruling tool, considering the orientation and anisotropy of diamond grains in the structure of the coating layer and the introduction of fine filler into the coating together with large diamond grains, the particle size of which is two orders of magnitude smaller. Comparison of galvanic nickel bonding, applied by different methods, in terms of orientation and anisotropy of the surface layer confirmed a significant difference in the structure. The peculiarities of diamond-galvanic coating with the introduction of micropowders of silicon carbide and boron are discussed. Using a technological approach, we can affect the structural organization in the working layer of such a single-layer diamond tool and change its properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycosyltransferases (GTs) are enzymes that catalyze reactions attaching an activated sugar to an acceptor substrate, which may be a polysaccharide, peptide, lipid, or small molecule. In the past decade, notable progress has been made in revealing and cloning genes encoding polysaccharide-synthesizing GTs. However, the vast majority of GTs remain structurally and functionally uncharacterized. The mechanism by which they are organized in the Golgi membrane, where they synthesize complex, highly branched polysaccharide structures with high efficiency and fidelity, is also mostly unknown. This review will focus on current knowledge about plant polysaccharide-synthesizing GTs, specifically focusing on protein-protein interactions and the formation of multiprotein complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystalline bismuth(III) dithiocarbamato-chlorido complexes [Bi{S2CN(C3H7)2}Cl2] (I) and [Bi{S2CN(iso-C4H9)2}2Cl] (II) were prepared and comparatively studied by (13C, 15N) CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (CIF files CCDC nos. 1971976 and 1971975, respectively). The dithiocarbamate ligands are typically coordinated in the S,S'-iso- (I) or aniso- (II) bidentate-terminal mode. In each of the compounds, neighboring molecules are connected through one or two μ2-Cl– ligands into zigzag-like polymer chains, in which the central atom has sixfold coordination: [BiS2Cl4] (I) or [BiS4Cl2] (II). The binding unit in the polymer chains of I is a four-membered [Bi–(μ-Cl)2–Bi] metallocycle in the butterfly conformation (the dihedral angle is 140.51(3)°). Therefore, stronger binding of heteroleptic molecules in polymer chains leads to a considerably shorter interatomic Bi–Bi distances in I (4.0904(4) Å) than in II (4.8772(4) Å). The thermal behavior of heteroleptic bismuth(III) complexes was studied by simultaneous thermal analysis with recording of TG and DSC curves. Although the major product of thermal transformations of I and II is Bi2S3, the microprobe method also identified the presence of reduced bismuth and BiCl3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the diffusion of moisture in asphaltic materials is crucial because it yields key insights into the moisture-induced damages of asphalt pavement. In this work, the molecular dynamics simulation technique was adopted to characterize the diffusion and structural properties of moisture (water molecules) in both neat asphalt binder and asphalt mastic. Microstructural changes during the diffusion process, including free volume and hydrogen bond formation, were observed to clarify the mechanism of diffusion behavior at the atomistic level. The concentration dependence of moisture diffusion coefficient was revealed. Water molecules were well dispersed in the model and mainly formed hydrogen bonds with asphalt molecules at low concentrations. However, large water clusters were formed with the predominant formation of water−water hydrogen bonds and acceleration of diffusion at high concentrations. In the asphalt mastic system, silica particles not only introduced more free volume to speed up the diffusion of moisture but also intensified the affinity between moisture and the asphalt mastic system. Moreover, the relationship between the moisture diffusion and structural properties suggested that the diffusion of moisture in asphaltic materials is controlled by both the free volume and the cohesion property among asphalt chains. This relationship could be exploited to obtain information regarding diffusion behavior in the asphaltic material system and select materials to achieve excellent antistripping properties for the asphalt mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the way in which the local public administration is organized depends the efficiency of local public affairs management. At local collectivity level, the knowledge of the territorial organization, as well as the establishment by the local public administration authorities of the structural organization of the local administrative system are important for the smooth running of the administration process. From this point of view, this article aims at analyzing the way of organizing the local public administration, both territorially and structurally, with specialization at the level of the territorial administrative unit of Rădăuţi Municipality in Suceava County. As a result of studying the territorial organization, we found that, according to the population, Rădăuţi Municipality occupies the second place on the county, and from the area point of view, it is situated on the 4th place. Then, the analysis carried out at the level of the public institution The Municipality Hall of Rădăuţi has highlighted various organizational structures with constant and uninterrupted activity that solve the problems of the this local community.

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To be highly reliable, synaptic transmission needs postsynaptic receptors (Rs) in precise apposition to the presynaptic release sites. At inhibitory synapses, the postsynaptic protein gephyrin self-assembles to form a scaffold that anchors glycine and GABA A Rs to the cytoskeleton, thus ensuring the accurate accumulation of postsynaptic receptors at the right place. This protein undergoes several post-translational modifications which control protein–protein interaction and downstream signaling pathways. In addition, through the constant exchange of scaffolding elements and receptors in and out of synapses, gephyrin dynamically regulates synaptic strength and plasticity. The aim of the present review is to highlight recent findings on the functional role of gephyrin at GABAergic inhibitory synapses. We will discuss different approaches used to interfere with gephyrin in order to unveil its function. In addition, we will focus on the impact of gephyrin structure and distribution at the nanoscale level on the functional properties of inhibitory synapses as well as the implications of this scaffold protein in synaptic plasticity processes. Finally, we will emphasize how gephyrin genetic mutations or alterations in protein expression levels are implicated in several neuropathological disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, temporal lobe epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease, all associated with severe deficits of GABAergic signaling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Honoring Ricardo Miledi - outstanding neuroscientist of XX-XXI centuries. Unlabelled Image • Post-translational modifications of gephyrin clusters shape GABAergic transmission. • The subsynaptic nanoscale distribution of gephyrin affects GABAergic inhibitory synaptic plasticity. • Hampering gephyrin function with selective intrabodies reduces the probability of GABA release. • Dynamic changes of gephyrin govern lateral diffusion of GABA A receptors and synaptic plasticity processes. • Impaired gephyrin function is often associated with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of explosion puffing (EP) on the native structural organization (i.e., thermal properties, crystalline structure, short-range order, granule morphology and powder properties) and oil adsorption properties of puffed starch (PS) were investigated. The results showed that EP treatment could decrease the melting enthalpy of starch double helices and increase the V-type crystallinity. The highest V-type crystallinity (24.7 %) was obtained when the puffing pressure was 0.4 MPa and the starch:ethanol:water ratio was 1:2:1 (w/w). By controlling the puffing conditions, EP treatment can alter the morphology, and increase the particle size, flowability and specific surface area of PS. The high amorphous proportion and porous sheet structure of PS resulted in the highest oil adsorption capacity when the starch:ethanol:water ratio was 1:1:1 (w/w). Pearson correlation analysis showed that oil adsorption capacity was significantly and positively correlated with the 1022/995 cm−1 value and V-type crystallinity, but negatively correlated with bulk density and angle of repose. Furthermore, oil retention capacity was strongly dependent on V-type crystallinity. These findings demonstrated that EP is an innovative technology with the potential to enhance the V-type crystallinity and adsorption performance of starch. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical cues are major determinants of cellular phenotype and evoke physiological and pathological responses on cell structure and function. Cellular models aim to recapitulate basic functional features of their in vivo counterparts or tissues in order to be of use in in vitro disease modeling or drug screening and testing. Understanding how culture systems affect in vitro development of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derivatives allows optimization of cellular human models and gives insight in the processes involved in their structural organization and function. In this work, we show involvement of the mechanotransduction pathway RhoA/ROCK in the structural reorganization of hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes after adhesion plating. These structural changes have a major impact on the intracellular localization of SERCA2 pumps and concurrent improvement in calcium cycling. The process is triggered by cell interaction with the culture substrate, which mechanical cues drive sarcomeric alignment and SERCA2a spreading and relocalization from a perinuclear to a whole-cell distribution. This structural reorganization is mediated by the mechanical properties of the substrate, as shown by the process failure in hPSC-CMs cultured on soft 4 kPa hydrogels as opposed to physiologically stiff 16 kPa hydrogels and glass. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) by different compounds identifies this specific signaling pathway as a major player in SERCA2 localization and the associated improvement in hPSC-CMs calcium handling ability in vitro.

Patterns of the relationship between the development of learning ability as one of the general abilities and metacognitive traits of personality are considered in the article. The necessity of appeal to this issue arises from the peculiarities of the current state of research in the theory of abilities and modern metacognitivism. Despite the ever-increasing number of studies in the field of general abilities and learning ability in particular and in the field of metacognitive processes of the personality, the possible interconnection of this class of processes and the level of learning ability and, therefore, the interpretation of this interconnection are rarely considered. To date these crucial areas are not in sufficient contact with each other. The purpose of this study is to identify and interpret the possible relationship of the level of learning ability with metacognitive processes and qualities of the individual and their organization. The research procedure was based on a comparison of the individual measures of the development of learning ability as a general ability with the diagnostics of the main parameters of the metacognitive sphere of personality, including features of its organization and implementation in relation to the methodology of structural-psychological analysis. This procedure is based on the determination of matrices of intercorrelation and the subsequent interpretation of correlograms of the metacognitive parameters of a person. The main result is that there exists a mutual dependence of characteristics of the level of learning ability and basic parameters of the metacognitive sphere of personality (metacognitive processes and traits). This dependence lies in the fact that an increase in the level of development of learning ability increases the intensity of separate metacognitive personal qualities and the general level of their structural organization. An interpretation of the data is presented. According to it, learning ability, as a significant factor in the level of development of metacognitive processes and personality traits, acquires an additional and quite powerful resource to enhance at the same time its own level because of the organization of these processes and traits.

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Pangasius sanitwongsei was firstly reported and analyzed. It had a double-stand DNA molecule with 16536 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one control region. The structural organization and gene order was similar to other bony fishes. The complete mitochondrial genome of P. sanitwongsei provided in this work would be helpful for further research on phylogenetics and conservation genetics of the Siluriformes and other orders.

Introduction: Neonatal arterial ischemic stroke (NAIS) is a common model to study the impact of a unilateral early brain insult on developmental brain plasticity and the appearance of long-term outcomes. Motor difficulties that may arise are typically related to poor function of the affected (contra-lesioned) hand, but surprisingly also of the ipsilesional hand. Although many longitudinal studies after NAIS have shown that predicting the occurrence of gross motor difficulties is easier, accurately predicting hand motor function (for both hands) from morphometric MRI remains complicated. The hypothesis of an association between the structural organization of the basal ganglia (BG) and thalamus with hand motor function seems intuitive given their key role in sensorimotor function. Neuroimaging studies have frequently investigated these structures to evaluate the correlation between their volumes and motor function following early brain injury. However, the results have been controversial. We hypothesize the involvement of other structural parameters., Method: The study involves 35 children (mean age 7.3 years, SD 0.4) with middle cerebral artery NAIS who underwent a structural T1-weighted 3D MRI and clinical examination to assess manual dexterity using the Box and Blocks Test (BBT). Graphs are used to represent high-level structural information of the BG and thalami (volumes, elongations, distances) measured from the MRI. A graph neural network (GNN) is proposed to predict children's hand motor function through a graph regression. To reduce the impact of external factors on motor function (such as behavior and cognition), we calculate a BBT score ratio for each child and hand., Results: The results indicate a significant correlation between the score ratios predicted by our method and the actual score ratios of both hands (p < 0.05), together with a relatively high accuracy of prediction (mean L1 distance < 0.03). The structural information seems to have a different influence on each hand's motor function. The affected hand's motor function is more correlated with the volume, while the 'unaffected' hand function is more correlated with the elongation of the structures. Experiments emphasize the importance of considering the whole macrostructural organization of the basal ganglia and thalami networks, rather than the volume alone, to predict hand motor function., Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between the structural characteristics of the basal ganglia/thalami and motor function in both hands. These results support the use of MRI macrostructural features of the basal ganglia and thalamus as an early biomarker for predicting motor function in both hands after early brain injury., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract Unlike micro-local studies on turn allocation, this study combines macro- and micro-local (Traverso, 2004) perspectives to explore turn allocation of the multi-participant medical-service-seeking 1 (MSS) party composed of the patient and his/her companion in accompanied medical consultations in China. Through both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the transcription of 20 audio recorded consultations in China, the talk distribution within the MSS party is examined in terms of the structural organization of a medical visit. Features of the talk distribution in different phases of the medical consultation and factors influencing turn allocation are explored. It is found that talk is not equally distributed within the MSS party, and all phases other than the opening and the closing witness a significant or marginally significant difference in talk contribution by the patient and the companion. Factors influencing turn allocation within the MSS party vary from phase to phase: epistemic gradient, sick-role-triggered activity transfer and coalition to offset power asymmetry are among the most important. The paper sheds light on the study of polylogue, enables cross-cultural comparisons of medical consultations, and has methodological implications for further studies of medical conversations. Highlights 1. Turn allocation in accompanied medical consultations operates at two levels: between parties and within a party. 2. The talk distribution within the treatment-seeking party between the patient and the companion varies from phase to phase. 3. The intra-party turn allocation is tacitly or overtly negotiated between the patient and the companion influenced by a range of factors, such as epistemic gradient, sick role-triggered activity transfer, and coalition to offset power asymmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dextrin/starch-graft-poly(butyl acrylate-co-styrene) copolymers have been synthesized by radical graft copolymerization and their structure and mechanical properties are reported. High molecular weight grafted chains formation is favored, leading to a low degree of substitution of starch hydroxyl groups. Wide-Angle-X-ray Scattering (WAXS) analysis indicates that all materials are amorphous and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) investigations reveal a two-phase morphology. This is further confirmed by the presence of two glass transitions, one related to the starch/dextrin macromolecules and sensitive to water content, and one assigned to the grafted polymers that is composition dependent. Water uptake is controlled by dextrin/starch content but diffusivity increases with the butyl acrylate ratio. The mechanical behavior is dependent on monomer ratio, and water content. Increasing butyl acrylate ratio improves the ductility of the sample while materials become brittle as soon as styrene ratio is predominant in the grafted chains. While no effect of molecular weight of starch substrate on structure and thermal behavior is evidenced, dextrin-based materials are slightly more ductile than starch-based ones. The interest of using dextrin instead of starch is further highlighted by a lower viscosity of the reactive medium, together with an improved processability, as structural materials can be obtained over a wider range of composition than with native starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the concept of structural organization and its main result, the organizational structure, has been studied extensively in the last decades, this paper aims to present a brief review of this area, while underlining some shortcomings of these aspects in the wake of the changes created by the 21st Century business environment. The article underlines the importance of developing a good organizational structure, it presents the concept and components of the organizational structure, as presented by different authors and different approaches, as well as underlining the main methods of designing the organizational structure of a company. This article discusses the pros and cons of each of these aspects in the context of the need for change, in the wake of an ever technological and online communicationbased market, were the customer is the main interest of the company. We further underline the importance of adopting and adjusting the organizational structure, in a flexible and efficient manner, in order to meet the challenges of the 21st Century customer (individual and industrial) that wants and needs personalized products or services that cater to their desires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the interdependent relationship between the properties of a structure and the properties of a material, which sets the task of reducing them, even they are indistinguishable, to a certain integrity. The object of research and analysis in the article is a building structure, which is seen as an open self-organized complex structural system. In the main part, the processes of the formation of structures are considered, as well as the classification of structural elements. The article concludes with structural changes related to the self-support and self-development of the network of active elements, which allow the manifestation of adaptation effects and the design-system to function during the normalized period. The importance of self-organization processes during the development and operation of construction systems allow us to attribute it to a selforganizing system. Thus, the building structure can be represented as an open and complex self-organizing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new representative of mercury(II) dithiocarbamate complexes, crystalline bis(morpholinedithiocarbamato-S,S')mercury(II) with the pseudo-1D-polymeric structure, is preparatively synthesized. The structure is characterized by 13С and 15N MAS NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis (CIF file CCDC no. 1821609). Pairs of symmetric secondary Hg⋅⋅⋅S bonds (3.400 Å) combine mononuclear [Hg{S2CN(CH2)4O}2] molecules, including planar polygons [HgS4], into a linear pseudo-polymeric chain. The study of the thermal behavior shows that the two-stage mass loss detected by thermogravimetry is due to the thermal destruction of the complex with the formation of HgS and its subsequent sublimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saccharomyces cerevisiae arose from an interspecies hybridization (allopolyploidiza-tion), followed by Whole Genome Duplication. Diversification analysis of ScAlt1/ScAlt2 indicated that while ScAlt1 is an alanine transaminase, ScAlt2 lost this activity, constituting an example in which one of the members of the gene pair lacks the apparent ancestral physiological role. This paper analyzes structural organization and pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) binding properties of ScAlt1 and ScAlt2 indicating functional diversification could have determined loss of ScAlt2 alanine transaminase activity and thus its role in alanine metabolism. It was found that ScAlt1 and ScAlt2 are dimeric enzymes harboring 67% identity and intact conservation of the catalytic residues, with very similar structures. However, tertiary structure analysis indicated that ScAlt2 has a more open conformation than that of ScAlt1 so that under physiological conditions, while PLP interaction with ScAlt1 allows the formation of two tautomeric PLP isomers (enolimine and ketoenamine) ScAlt2 preferentially forms the ketoenamine PLP tautomer, indicating a modified polarity of the active sites which affect the interaction of PLP with these proteins, that could result in lack of alanine transaminase activity in ScAlt2. The fact that ScAlt2 forms a catalytically active Schiff base with PLP and its position in an independent clade in “sensu strictu” yeasts suggests this protein has a yet undiscovered physiological function.