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KAI2 receptors, classified as plant α/β hydrolase enzymes, are capable of perceiving smoke-derived butenolide signals and endogenous yet unidentified KAI2-ligands (KLs). While the number of functional KAI2 receptors varies among land plant species, rice has only one KAI2 gene. Rice, a significant crop and representative of grasses, relies on KAI2-mediated Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbioses to flourish in traditionally arid and nutrient-poor environments. This study presents the first crystal structure of an active rice (Oryza sativa, Os) KAI2 hydrolase receptor. Our structural and biochemical analyses uncover grass-unique pocket residues influencing ligand sensitivity and hydrolytic activity. Through structure-guided analysis, we identify a specific residue whose mutation enables the increase or decrease of ligand perception, catalytic activity, and signal transduction. Furthermore, we investigate OsKAI2-mediated signaling by examining its ability to form a complex with its binding partner, the F-box protein DWARF3 (D3) ubiquitin ligase and subsequent degradation of the target substrate OsSMAX1, demonstrating the significant role of hydrophobic interactions in the OsKAI2-D3 interface. This study provides new insights into the diverse and pivotal roles of the OsKAI2 signaling pathway in the plant kingdom, particularly in grasses.

Firms are beginning to use chatbots to collect information from users (e.g., online reviews), a task traditionally done through forms. We used two experiments to investigate how collecting reviews using chatbots in place of forms might impact user experience and, in turn, alter the nature of the reviews submitted by users. Study 1 compares chatbots to web forms, finding that chatbots may improve perceived efficiency but otherwise have no discernible effect on satisfaction and usage intention. At the same time, chatbot usage results in shorter, lower-quality reviews. While structured templates enhance form-based reviews, introducing structure to chatbot interactions does not positively impact satisfaction and usage intent, potentially making the process less efficient. Nonetheless, a structured chatbot approach yields longer reviews and mitigates declines in quality. Adding structure to a chatbot takes the chat out of the chatbot, turning the interaction from casual conversation to a formal process, as demonstrated in Study 2. Hence, while this structured approach for chatbots improves review quality without harming satisfaction and usage intent, it may not be the most effective method for enhancing the reviewer experience. Our research shows that the chatbot and structure pulled users towards contradicting genre rules (the social structures that guide technology use) and triggered users to subconsciously enact distinctly different thought patterns as they composed reviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A muscle's architecture, defined as the geometric arrangement of its fibers with respect to its mechanical line of action, impacts its abilities to produce force and shorten or lengthen under load. Ultrasound and other noninvasive imaging methods have contributed significantly to our understanding of these structure–function relationships. The goal of this work was to develop a MATLAB toolbox for tracking and mathematically representing muscle architecture at the fascicle scale, based on brightness-mode ultrasound imaging data. The MuscleUS_Toolbox allows user-performed segmentation of a region of interest and automated modeling of local fascicle orientation; calculation of streamlines between aponeuroses of origin and insertion; and quantification of fascicle length, pennation angle, and curvature. A method is described for optimizing the fascicle orientation modeling process, and the capabilities of the toolbox for quantifying and visualizing fascicle architecture are illustrated in the human tibialis anterior muscle. The toolbox is freely available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural studies aiming to visualize the interaction of Tau with microtubules (MTs) face several challenges, the main concerning the fact that Tau has multiple MT-interacting regions. In particular, the four (or three) pseudo-repeats of Tau bind to identical elements along the MT lattice but do it through non-identical residues. In addition, any given Tau molecule can use all its repeats or just one for its engagement with MTs. Finally, the binding of one Tau is not necessarily in register with respect to the next one. The mismatch in the MT and Tau repeats, therefore, challenges conventional modes of image analysis when visualizing these samples using cryo-electron microscopy. This commentary is dedicated to those challenges and ways to circumvent them while aiming for an atomic description of the Tau-tubulin interaction.

The development of Ga-doped Zinc Oxide (GZO) films from nontoxic, abundant elements using a cost-effective and scalable approach is crucial for the profitability and sustainability of thermoelectric applications. Challenges in formulating GZO film inks have led to extensive experimentation to enhance their thermal, structural, mechanical, and room-temperature thermoelectric properties by adjusting ink concentration and annealing treatment. Increasing the GZO nanoparticle concentration reduced the melting temperature and crystallinity, whereas annealing at 200 °C decomposed the polyethylene oxide (PEO) binder. TEM analysis revealed the polycrystalline structure of the GZO nanoparticles and their interaction with the binder, while XRD patterns confirmed the characteristic peaks of the GZO films; annealing effectively eliminated the PEO diffraction peaks. The GZO films from the concentrated 1.24M ink exhibited minimal grain growth, reduced lattice strains, uniform elemental distribution, and enhanced surface texture and conductivity, which were further improved by annealing. Increasing the GZO nanoparticle concentration facilitated the formation of a conductive network, while annealing enhanced the conductivity by promoting the formation of a cohesive, interconnected network through impurity removal, nanoparticle redistribution, and coalescence. Consequently, the annealed 1.24M film demonstrated the highest nanohardness of 791 MPa and a thermoelectric power factor of 1.78 nW/m∙K2 at room temperature, which were attributed to enhanced electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient through concentration and annealing synergies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Er3+-modified (Bi 0.5 Na 0.5) 0.945 Ba 0.055 Ti 0.98 (Fe 0.5 Sb 0.5) 0.02 O 3 (BNBT-FS) lead-free ferroelectric ceramics with large electrostrain and electrostrictive response were fabricated in our work. Results showed that Er3+-doping induced the destruction of ferroelectric order and significantly enhanced the field-induced strain. For 0.2 mol% modified sample, the unipolar strain reached 0.463 % under the electric field of 80 kV/cm, yielding a large normalized strain d 33 * (S max / E max) of 579 pm/V. For 0.4 mol% modified sample, high electrostrictive effect with temperature-insensitive electrostrictive coefficient Q 33 (0.022–0.026 m4/C2 in the temperature range of 25–100°C) was obtained. The large electrostrain and electrostrictive response in the present materials show the great potential of the materials for nonlinear actuators applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater pollution is a pressing environmental issue, necessitating effective remediation strategies to mitigate its impact. This study investigates the use of an efficient catalyst for degrading nitrophenols by converting them into useful aromatic amines, which are crucial building blocks for many pharma industries, and photodegradation of various dyes in their unitary solution as well as in mixture. The Cu-Co-Mn ferrite was synthesized using the sol-gel process and sintered at different temperatures. Structural analysis using XRD and Rietveld refinement revealed a crystal structure corresponding to the Fd 3 ‾ m space group having high purity in all the samples. Additionally, the impact of sintering temperature on the magnetic features of the phases were also studied and the findings suggest that all the phases exhibit ferromagnetic behaviour, which means they can be easily separated from reaction mixtures using an external magnetic field. It was also found that higher sintering temperatures lead to a rise in saturation magnetization and magnetic moment with decrease in coercivity (H c). Further, it was observed that Curie temperature (T c) increases with increase in sintering temperature with the exception of CFM400. The catalytic performance of all the catalysts, including CFM400, CFM500, CFM600, CFM800, and CFM1000, was evaluated and the results indicate that CFM400 exhibits the highest catalytic activity for nitrophenols reduction and photodegradation of dyes, which could be accredited to its larger BET surface area and lower PL intensity. Overall, the structural and magnetic features of the catalyst's sheds light on the underlying mechanisms governing their catalytic activity. These insights offer valuable guidance in the designing and development of effective catalysts for sustainable wastewater treatment practices, emphasizing the importance of considering both structural and magnetic features in catalyst design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monazite ceramic is one of the potential waste forms to incorporate actinides in planned nuclear waste repositories. Inspired by recent progress on the low-temperature sintering and enriching radionuclides by wet-chemistry, the sintering processes of monazite ceramic with/without pre-sintering are investigated by spark plasma sintering and pressureless sintering using La 0.8 Sr 0.1 Th 0.1 PO 4 ·nH 2 O rhabdophane as raw materials. Some specific issues such as the behavior of dissociation, structural evolution, and physicochemical properties affected by SPS and PLS are discussed in detail. The results reveal that a low-temperature appears to be a prevailing factor for SPS under 40 MPa with a suggested 1050 °C for 15 min process to prepare La 0.8 Sr 0.1 Th 0.1 PO 4 monazite ceramic without forming Th(PO 3) 4 phase, and the relative density and Vickers hardness of ceramic are more than 98 % and 600 (HV10). The dissolution experiment based on the ASTM-1220 method indicates that La 0.8 Sr 0.1 Th 0.1 PO 4 monazite ceramics is a typical example of an incongruent reaction, associated with Sr2+ is more likely to be dissolved out form monazite lattice compared with Th4+ and La3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conformational possibilities of the casoxin D (Tyr1-Val2-Pro3-Phe4-Pro5-Pro6-Phe7) molecule were studied by theoretical conformational analysis. The potential function of the system is chosen as the sum of non-valence, electrostatic and torsion interactions and the energy of hydrogen bonds. The low-energy conformations of the casoxin D molecule, the dihedral angles of the main and side chains of the amino acid residues that make up the molecule were found, and the energy of intra- and interresidual interactions was estimated. It has been shown that the spatial structure of the casoxin D molecule is represented by conformations of eight shapes of the peptide skeleton. The results obtained can be used to elucidate the structural and structural-functional organisation of casoxin molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible capacitive pressure sensors have garnered significant attention in research areas such as electronic skin, wearable devices, medical diagnosis, physical health detection, and artificial intelligence due to their advantageous characteristics, including high sensitivity, flexibility, lightness, and easy integration. Over the past few years, the field of flexible capacitive pressure sensors has experienced notable advancements in materials, structural design, fabrication processes, and applications. This review aims to examine the different materials employed for sensor electrodes and dielectric layers, as well as the structural design of these sensors. Additionally, we delve into the diverse fabrication processes and techniques utilised, including electrode and dielectric layer fabrication, as well as weaving technology. Lastly, we explore the various applications of flexible capacitive pressure sensors, encompassing electronic skin, health monitoring device, electronic textiles, and structural health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing process of metropolization has revealed its flip side in the last decade in the form of increasing social problems in peripheral regions. Through a comparative study of two structurally similar small cities in the Czech peripheral region, this paper explains different population trajectories as well as diverging competitive and foundational economies. Based on the original data collected during extensive fieldwork in the Moravian-Silesian Region, the paper uncovers a dualistic relationship between different types of human agency and its structural context as the key determinant, explaining the different developments. The agency of public providers (in contrast to private providers) in the foundational economy has buffered the impact of peripheralization on the well-being of residents, while the agency of companies in the competitive economy has had a major impact on path development and demographic change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot air (HA) assisted radio frequency (RF) technology is an effective method to improve the drying quality of grains. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of HA-RF heating on multi-scale structure and physicochemical properties of corn starch with different moisture content (MC) levels (0.30 and 0.35, dry basis) and temperatures (60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C). The result showed that HA-RF treatment destroyed the crystal structure and decreased the relative crystallinity from 32.61 to 18.47%, increased the amylose content (AC) from 8.13 to 24.35%, and promoted the pre-gelatinization of starch. At high MC, the short-range order structure decreased, the particle size, gelatinization temperature, and pasting viscosity increased with increasing temperature. Meanwhile, the HA-RF treated starch at low MC was prone to retrograde and formed the strong network structure. However, as the temperature continued to rise to 80 °C, the increase of starch–protein interaction inhibited the enhance of AC and particle size in treated samples at low MC. Moreover, this phenomenon reduced its gelatinization temperature and pasting viscosity. The above results indicated that temperature and MC together affected the structure and functionalities of corn starch. The study might help understand the mechanism of the effect of HA-RF treatment on the physicochemical properties of starch and improve of the processing quality of corn grains by adjusting the drying temperature according to the initial moisture content of the kernels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Milk proteins are known for their exceptional nutritional and technological attributes, making them a staple in the food industry. Nonetheless, the partial substitution of milk proteins with plant‐based proteins in dairy products may be an effective strategy to meet the increasing consumer demand for a reduction in the consumption of animal‐derived proteins. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of partial substitution (25% and 50%) of milk proteins with pea protein on the manufacturing and technological attributes of high‐protein yogurt during refrigerated storage. The replacement of up to 50% of the milk proteins with pea protein did not alter the fermentation time and all yogurts had a total lactic acid bacteria count greater than 107 CFU g−1 after manufacturing. However, replacing 50% of milk proteins with pea protein affected the pH, syneresis, water holding capacity, consistency, firmness, viscosity index, and cohesiveness of the yogurts. In turn, no effect was observed on the pH, syneresis, water holding capacity, firmness, and cohesiveness of the product after replacing 25% of the dairy base with pea protein (P >0.05). Hence, the findings indicate that substituting 25% of the milk protein with pea protein in high‐protein yogurts can be achieved without compromising the product's stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Texture is a multi‐parameter attribute and one of the prime quality attributes of fried products. This study explored the nexus between microstructure and texture of fried breaded chicken nuggets. Chicken nuggets were deep‐fat fried (2, 4, 6, and 8 min) in canola oil at different frying temperature (170, 180, and 190 °C). Microstructure and texture of fried samples were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and acoustic‐mechanical texture analyser, respectively. Maximum force (Fmax), number of force peaks (NFP), area under force‐deformation plots (FA), sound pressure level (SPL), number of sound peaks (AUX), and area under amplitude‐time curves (SA) were used to describe the textural parameters. Microstructural indices (porosity, number of pores, average pore area, polydispersity index, and average shape factor) were estimated from the SEM images. Results revealed that, both the frying time and temperature were positively correlated with the mechanical (Fmax: 25–55 N, NFP: 05–74 N, FA: 6500–15 000 N.sec) and acoustic (SPL: 88–97 dB, AUX: 650–810 dB, SA: 380–405 dB.sec) parameters. Frying time and temperature significantly (P < 0.05) impacted the formation of micropores in fried chicken nuggets. Crust microporosity showed strong positive correlations (r = 0.82) with the AUX value. The NFP, SPL, and SA of the fried nuggets were significantly (P < 0.05) impacted by the crust microporosity. Crust porosity (10–30%), number of pores (8–400), average pore area (10–4000 μm2), polydispersity index (0.05–0.2), and average shape factor (0.8–1.1) of fried nuggets were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by both the frying time and temperature. Findings from this study would be useful in quality improvement and process monitoring including modelling of coated fried products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploration of cyclo‐N5ˉ‐based energetic cocrystals represents a noteworthy avenue within pentazolate chemistry, focusing on leveraging cocrystallization to enhance stability. Recently, a novel cocrystal explosive, N2H5N5/PDO, was developed by combining N2H5N5 with pyrazine 1,4‐dioxide (PDO), exhibiting promising detonation characteristics and reduced sensitivity. This study endeavors to elucidate how the structure and noncovalent interactions impact the performance of N2H5N5/PDO through a first‐principles investigation. The results indicate that the enhanced hydrogen bonding and wave‐like crystal packing structure within the cocrystal effectively bolster its stability compared to N2H5N5. The N···H and O···H interactions, in conjunction with π–π interactions, emerge as critical elements driving cocrystal formation. Compared to the pure N2H5N5, the detonation performance of the cocrystal exhibits a slight decline, albeit with a noticeable reduction in sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a comprehensive study on the 3D nanoscale topography of LaMnO 3 thin films, focusing on the influence of calcination temperature on surface morphology. The study reveals significant structural, chemical, and morphological changes as a function of the calcination temperature. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of the orthorhombic LaMnO 3 structure at 700 °C, 750 °C, and 800 °C, with increasing unit cell volume and crystallite size observed at higher temperatures. FTIR spectra identified characteristic functional groups associated with molecular vibrations, indicating the perovskite structure. SEM imaging showed grain growth with temperature, while EDS analysis confirmed compound formation and substrate interactions. AFM analysis revealed increased surface roughness with temperature, attributed to nucleation and crystal growth. Morphological and microtextural analyses further detailed changes in surface features, peaks, valleys, and voids. Fractal characterization highlighted variations in surface texture with temperature, with a decrease in dominant wavelength indicating changes in microtexture complexity. Overall, the findings provide insights into the temperature-dependent properties of LaMnO 3 thin films, essential for optimizing growth conditions and understanding their potential applications in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the association between joint structure and gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: IMI-APPROACH recruited 297 clinical knee OA patients. Gait data was collected (GaitSmart®) and OA-related joint measures determined from knee radiographs (KIDA) and MRIs (qMRI/MOAKS). Patients were divided into those with/without radiographic OA (ROA). Principal component analyses (PCA) were performed on gait parameters; linear regression models were used to evaluate whether image-based structural and demographic parameters were associated with gait principal components. Results: Two hundred seventy-one patients (age median 68.0, BMI 27.0, 77% female) could be analyzed; 149 (55%) had ROA. PCA identified two components: upper leg (primarily walking speed, stride duration, hip range of motion [ROM], thigh ROM) and lower leg (calf ROM, knee ROM in swing and stance phases). Increased age, BMI, and radiographic subchondral bone density (sclerosis), decreased radiographic varus angle deviation, and female sex were statistically significantly associated with worse lower leg gait (i.e. reduced ROM) in patients without ROA (R2 = 0.24); in ROA patients, increased BMI, radiographic osteophytes, MRI meniscal extrusion and female sex showed significantly worse lower leg gait (R2 = 0.18). Higher BMI was significantly associated with reduced upper leg function for non-ROA patients (R2 = 0.05); ROA patients with male sex, higher BMI and less MRI synovitis showed significantly worse upper leg gait (R2 = 0.12). Conclusion: Structural OA pathology was significantly associated with gait in patients with clinical knee OA, though BMI may be more important. While associations were not strong, these results provide a significant association between OA symptoms (gait) and joint structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global demand for the water monitor's skin, Varanus salvator, has made it a valuable wildlife commodity. Leathercraft manufacturing must consider not only beauty but also the strength and flexibility of the leather, which is determined by its structure in the skin. Therefore, this study analyzed and evaluated the fiber type characteristic of the water monitor's skin. Skin samples were collected from 10 Sumatra water monitors with a Snout-Vent Length size of 39-89 cm and were divided into small (39-59 cm) and large (60-89 cm) groups. The skins from the dorsocervical, lumbosacral, and ventral regions were proceeded for histological sections. Histochemical approaches utilized were Hematoxylin Eosin, Picrosirius Red, and Elastin Verhoeff's Hematoxylin staining methods. Thick fibers are the main component in the skin, ranging from 69-73%, respectively, while thin fibers varied greatly and were observed predominantly in the reticular dermis. Fiber size in the reticular dermis of small lizards was lower than that of larger ones. Elastic fibers were observed abundantly at the border of the reticular dermis and subcutaneous layer in both small and large lizards. Moreover, the skin of the small-sized lizard also has a lower morphometric than that of a large-sized lizard, both in thickness and fiber type percentage. Therefore, the skin of small-sized lizards was considered less tough than that of large-sized lizards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion of the alumina‐based refractory in coal slags would increase the Al2O3 contents of the coal slag and the influences of that on coal slag performances need to be further considered. The effects of Al2O3 on viscosities and structures of SiO2‐MgO‐CaO‐Fe2O3‐(10–22 wt%)Al2O3 coal slags were investigated in this work. The viscosity of the coal slag increased first with increasing the content of Al2O3 from 10 wt% to 14 wt% and further declined with the addition of Al2O3 content to 22 wt%. The role of Al2O3 in the present coal slag was identified. Al2O3 mainly behaved as an acidic oxide in coal slags when the Al2O3 content was less than 14 wt%, which polymerized the slag structure and increased the viscosities, and with further addition of Al2O3 to 22 wt%, a part of Al2O3 behaved as network modifiers due to the deficiency of enough metal cations for charge compensation, which could simplify the slag networks and reduce the viscosity. The variations of slag viscosities were consistent with the change tendencies of structures analyzed by spectra techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management bodies of medical institutions for hospital care organize and direct the compilation and implementation of the financial activity of the medical facility. They develop and approve internal rules and procedures for the organization of accounting reporting in medical institutions for hospital care. The aim of the present study is to investigate the change of costs by types and their structure in the University and national Multiprofile hospitals for active treatment of the public health care system in Bulgaria. The change in costs in general for hospitals and specifically for their inpatients, as well as the capital costs for the acquisition of fixed assets, was studied. All medical institutions under the central authority of the Ministry of Health - including specialized and university hospitals are obliged to work according to the Uniform Methodology for separate reporting of costs in health institutions by types of costs and types of institutions. The costs of hospital care are constantly increasing, following the increase in the number of hospitalizations, and reaching proportions that pose a risk to the fiscal stability of the system. It is a positive fact that with the highest absolute size and relative share, personnel costs are increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION The identification of adulterated sweet potato vermicelli faces significant challenges, seriously hindering the development of the vermicelli industry. Herein, we investigate effects of energy‐gathered ultrasound (EGU) and energy‐divergent ultrasound (EDU) (30, 40 and 50 W  L−1) on structure, DNA extraction and adulterated quantification of sweet potato vermicelli and its starch, thereby exploring their potential in adulteration of sweet potato vermicelli.EGU‐assisted modified cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol with β‐mercaptoethanol significantly improved DNA extraction from sweet potato vermicelli (223.7–249.2 ng μL−1) and its starch (133.4–186.4 ng μL−1), followed by EDU‐assisted DNA extraction from sweet potato vermicelli (115.1–209.3 ng μL−1) and its starch (33.4–61.0 ng μL−1). Both EGU and EDU treatments resulted in the destruction of microstructure and crystalline structure, as well as changes in pasting and thermal properties of sweet potato vermicelli and its starch. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification results revealed that EGU and EDU enhanced the efficiency of DNA amplification, and EDU showed smaller cycle threshold (Ct) values than EGU. In addition, EDU‐assisted CTAB protocol combined with real‐time PCR could detect levels of less than 1% of cassava and maize starches in sweet potato vermicelli.EDU‐assisted CTAB protocol combined with real‐time PCR shows promise as a sensitive and reliable analytical tool for vermicelli adulteration. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nKEY POINTSThe Dugald River Shear Zone is a structurally complex, anastomosing shear zone that hosts high-grade Zn mineralisation within the Dugald River Slate. The Dugald River Zn–Pb–Ag mine is situated within the Mount Isa Inlier, Australia and developed through two phases of mineralisation with high-grade Zn mineralisation intimately associated with the development of the brittle–ductile Dugald River Shear Zone. The first phase of mineralisation occurred during the regionally extensive, D2 ductile fold and axial planar cleavage forming event and resulted in the development of a sulfide horizon. This horizon was a preferential site for strain partitioning during early D4 ductile deformation, which resulted in transposition-related concentration and thickening of a sulfide horizon marking the second phase of mineralisation. The Dugald River Shear Zone developed during D4 wherein strain rate incompatibilities between a ductile-deforming sulfide horizon and the brittle-deforming Dugald River Slate resulted in the development of a Riedel shear zone. A high-resolution 3D model of the shear zone was constructed from robust drilling and mapping datasets in which releasing and restraining bends highlight the thickening and thinning of ore lenses, respectively. The 3D model with detailed structural analysis and observations allows for predictive modelling of dilational zones within throughgoing Y-shears, which are prospective sites for remobilisation of high-grade Zn sulfides as the ore body developed coevally with progressive shearing.Detailed structural analysis provides 3D modelling parameters and exploration vectors.The Dugald River Shear Zone developed as an evolved Riedel shear network during dextral transpression.Understanding the shear zone’s 3D geometry and kinematics allows for predictive modelling of ore lens distribution and identification of dilational zones, which are crucial for exploration and mining strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crude palm oil (CPO) is commonly used in the oil industry. This study presents a comparison of the structural, rheological, and thermal properties of clarified CPO (CCPO) sample obtained using the conventional method and ultrasound-assisted (UA)-treated samples. These samples were obtained in the pressed (press liquor, PL), sifted (sifted liquor, SL), and clarification (outlet sludge, OS) stages. The frequencies used for the UA-treated samples were 40 and 80 kHz for 30 min. The PL and SL samples exhibited higher resistance to oxidative deterioration and nutritional quality than the CCPO sample did. The maximum oil extractability percentage (OEP) of the UA-treated samples relative to that of CCPO was 7.4 %. The bleachability index (DOBI) values of the UA-treated samples were higher (between 2.06 and 2.58) than that of the CCPO sample (1.43). However, the viscosity (η) displayed opposite trend. The thermal stability did not exhibit consistent patterns with increasing frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The development of low‐cost, high‐efficiency, stable, and structurally adjustable electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of great significance for energy conversion. In this study, two new Cu(I) coordination polymers (CPs), formulated as {[Cu(L1)](PF6)·CH2Cl2}n (1) and {[Cu2(L2)1.5(PPh3)](PF6)2}n (2) (L1 = 1,3‐bis[1‐(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl) ‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl]propane, L2 = 1,4‐bis[1‐(3‐pyridylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl]butane), were synthesized by interfacial diffusion method and characterized by single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction and IR and UV–Vis spectra. Structural analysis shows that the CP‐1 is a one‐dimensional chain structure, whereas the CP‐2 is a two‐dimensional layered structure, which is due to the different coordination modes of ligands L1 (bridging chelation) and L2 (bridging). The electrocatalytic activity for HER of Cu(I) CPs was studied by preparing modified glassy carbon electrodes (CP‐1/GCE and CP‐2/GCE). Electrochemical HER studies manifest that in 0.5 M H2SO4, the overpotential (η10298K) and Tafel slope (b 298K) are −769 mV and 173 mV dec−1 for CP‐1/GCE, −933 mV and 301 mV dec−1 for CP‐2/GCE, and −930 mV and 298 mV dec−1 for bare/GCE, respectively. The η10298K and b298K of CP‐1/GCE were significantly positive shifted and decreased compared with the bare/GCE, indicating that CP‐1/GCE has significant electrocatalytic activity and electrocatalytic HER activity order is CP‐1/GCE > CP‐2/GCE ≈ bare/GCE. This work provides an important reference for the application of non‐noble metal CPs in the field of electrocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beta-glucan (BG), a polysaccharide comprised of interfacing glucose monomers joined via beta-glycosidic linkages, can be defined as a type of dietary fiber with high specificity based on its interaction with the gut microbiota. It can induce similar interindividual microbiota responses, thereby having beneficial effects on the human body. In this paper, we review the four main sources of BG (cereals, fungi, algae, and bacteria) and their differences in structure and content. The interaction of BG with gut microbiota and the resulting health effects have been highlighted, including immune enhancement, regulation of serum cholesterol and insulin levels, alleviation of obesity and improvement of cognitive disorders. Finally, the application of BG in food products and its beneficial effects on the gut microbiota of consumers were discussed. Although some of the mechanisms of action remain unclear, revealing the beneficial functions of BG from the perspective of gut microbiota can help provide theoretical support for the development of diets that target the regulation of microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of TiO 2 content on the viscosity, free running temperature, electrical conductivity, crystallization behavior, and structure of high-titanium CaO–SiO 2 -10 wt% MgO-13 wt%Al 2 O 3 –TiO 2 -4 wt.% FeO slag by experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. The results revealed that increasing TiO 2 weakened the overall bonding energy and simplified the slag structure, leading to a decrease in viscosity and an increase in electrical conductivity. Thermodynamic calculations revealed a continuous enrichment of the slag towards the pseudobrookite region with increasing TiO 2 content. The precipitation of pseudobrookite phase during cooling resulted in short-slag characteristics and a rising free running temperature. Additionally, the peak intensity of pseudobrookite phase gradually enhanced and its morphology changed from elongated strips to plates with higher TiO 2 concentration. Structural analysis demonstrated that the poorly stabilized [TiO 6 ] octahedron was the major form of Ti atoms in the slag, and its proportion progressively increased with increasing TiO 2 content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a widely distributed prion disease of cervids with implications for wildlife conservation and also for human and livestock health. The structures of infectious prions that cause CWD and other natural prion diseases of mammalian hosts have been poorly understood. Here we report a 2.8 Å resolution cryogenic electron microscopy-based structure of CWD prion fibrils from the brain of a naturally infected white-tailed deer expressing the most common wild-type PrP sequence. Like recently solved rodent-adapted scrapie prion fibrils, our atomic model of CWD fibrils contains single stacks of PrP molecules forming parallel in-register intermolecular β-sheets and intervening loops comprising major N- and C-terminal lobes within the fibril cross-section. However, CWD fibrils from a natural cervid host differ markedly from the rodent structures in many other features, including a ~ 180° twist in the relative orientation of the lobes. This CWD structure suggests mechanisms underlying the apparent CWD transmission barrier to humans and should facilitate more rational approaches to the development of CWD vaccines and therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Potato starch (PS) is widely used in food, but its application is limited because of its poor heat resistance and easy aging. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt some modification methods to improve its performance and expand its application range.To improve these shortcomings of PS, the effect of yeast β‐glucan (YG) at different concentrations (0%, 1%, 2% and 3%, w/v) on the gelatinization, structure and in vitro digestive properties of PS were investigated. The interaction of YG with PS was different because of different molecular weights. The addition of YG reduced the peak viscosity and increased the final viscosity of PS. YG made the texture of PS gel softer, and the effect of low molecular weight YG was more obvious. YG enhanced the thermal stability of PS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that YG and PS interacted through hydrogen bonds. In addition, YG reduced the digestibility of PS in vitro.Collectively, the addition of β‐glucan to PS can serve as a new approach to enhance the technological properties of PS in food applications. These results will provide theoretical basis for PS to develop into functional food. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the challenges in planning a digital edition is the selection of the encoding system and representation format that the edition will use to encode musical information. This decision affects the form of the edition not only through the descriptive capabilities of the encoding format, but also through the format's adherence to certain data structures such as tables, trees, and graphs. Far from being straightforward containers, each of these structures possess unique qualities that constrain the encoding process into considering the music within the parameters of that data model. Data that does not fit must be cajoled into the chosen model, with varying degrees of success. Recent work has developed arguments for the use of certain formats in specific cases based on features and interoperability, but a thorough review of the suitability and sustainability of the underlying data structures has yet to be conducted.This paper explores the problem of music representation in data structures from the perspective of musical domain. By encoding the same passages of music in multiple hypothetical formats it demonstrates the musical aspects and, particularly, the relationships that the data structures commonly used in music encoding variously excel at, privilege, or struggle with representing. I argue that encoding projects should consider the constraints that the data structures of a format impose on their encoding; whether there are instances that would be unsatisfactorily modelled, the data biases this creates, and therefore whether it would be advisable to extend the representation format to accommodate another data structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For further optimization of the inclusion plasticization control process of Si‐Mn deoxidized steel, the crystallization behavior and structure of CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 system inclusions are investigated. The crystallization behavior of four typical low melting point CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 inclusions at 1000 to 1250 °C is studied by steel crucible isothermal heating experiment. The obtained results reveal that the glassy stability of the inclusions is high when the composition of low melting point inclusion is located in the eutectic region of tridymite, pseudowollastonite, and anorthite in the ternary phase diagram. However, when the composition of the inclusion is located in the eutectic region of melilite, pseudowollastonite, and anorthite, it is easy to undergo glass‐crystallization transformation and precipitate wollastonite and anorthite crystalline phases when isothermal heating at 1100 to 1200 °C. In addition, the crystallization mode of these inclusions is mainly surface crystallization, and the crystallization degree of inclusions increases with the increase of heat treatment temperature and time. The activation energy of crystallization and the content of nonbridging oxygen in the silicate structure NBO/T can be used to predict the crystallization ability of inclusions. The greater the activation energy of crystallization and the smaller the NBO/T value, the higher the glassy stability of the inclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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ABSTRACT Yak milk is abundant in casein, which can generate a variety of bioactive peptides through enzymatic hydrolysis. However, the influence of enzymatic hydrolysis on the structural properties of yak casein and its inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase (XOD) remain largely unexplored. This study demonstrated that when yak casein was subjected to treatment with flavourzyme, the degree of hydrolysis progressively increased over time, resulting in the fragmentation of the casein's flake‐like structure into smaller particles. Circular dichroism analysis revealed that after 4 h of enzymatic treatment, there was an elevation in the β‐sheet content of the yak casein hydrolysate, while other secondary structure elements diminished. Furthermore, flavourzyme treatment induced modifications in the tertiary structure of yak casein. The study also examined the impact of varying hydrolysis durations on XOD inhibitory activity, discovering that the hydrolysate obtained after 3 h displayed the highest inhibition on XOD, with an inhibition rate of (40.63 ± 3.36) %. Additionally, the fraction of the hydrolysate with a molecular weight exceeding 3 kDa demonstrated enhanced XOD inhibitory activity. This study is the first to investigate how varying hydrolysis durations with flavourzyme affect the structural characteristics of yak casein and its XOD inhibitory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the dietary fibers (DFs) from ginseng residue were extracted by employing three different extraction methods (alkaline: AL, acidic: AC, enzymatic: EN). The extracted DFs were characterized in terms of their structural and functional properties. The results clearly showed that, regardless of the extraction methods, all DF samples exhibited representative infrared spectral features. The DF extracted by AC (citric acid) had more porous structures with a looser configuration, in conjunction with high apparent viscosity, whereas the DF extracted by EN (α-amylase and protease) exhibited higher thermal stability. Moreover, the monosaccharide composition of the DF samples was significantly influenced by the extraction method type. The DF from ginseng residue extracted by AC had the highest functional properties, such as water holding capacity (8.16 g/g), oil holding capacity (3.99 g/g), water swelling capacity (8.13 g/g), cholesterol-absorption capacity (12.85 mg/g), bile acid absorption capacity (91.51 mg/g), nitrite ion absorption capacity (124.38 ug/g at pH 2.0), glucose absorption capacity (52.67 mg/g at 150 mmol/L), as compared to those of DF extracted by the EN and AL (sodium hydroxide) methods. Hence, ginseng residue-derived DF extracted by the AC method may be potentially employed in the preparation of functional food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel ferrites demonstrate extensive applications in different areas, like electrodes for electrochemical devices, gas sensors, catalysts, and magnetic adsorbents for environmentally important processes. However, defects in the real spinel structure can change the many physical and chemical properties of spinel ferrites. Although the number of defects in a crystal spinel lattice is small, their influence on the vast majority of physical properties could be really decisive. This review provides an overview of the structural characteristics of spinel compounds (e.g., CoFe2O4, NiFe2O4, ZnFe2O4, Fe3O4, γ–Fe2O3, Co3O4, Mn3O4, NiCo2O4, ZnCo2O4, Co2MnO4, etc.) and examines the influence of defects on their properties. Attention was paid to the classification (0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D defects), nomenclature, and the formation of point and surface defects in ferrites. An in-depth description of the defects responsible for the physicochemical properties and the methodologies employed for their determination are presented. DFT as the most common simulation approach is described in relation to modeling the point defects in spinel compounds. The significant influence of defect distribution on the magnetic interactions between cations, enhancing magnetic properties, is highlighted. The main defect-engineering strategies (direct synthesis and post-treatment) are described. An antistructural notation of active centers in spinel cobalt ferrite is presented. It is shown that the introduction of cations with different charges (e.g., Cu(I), Mn(II), Ce(III), or Ce(IV)) into the cobalt ferrite spinel matrix results in the formation of various point defects. The ability to predict the type of defects and their impact on material properties is the basis of defect engineering, which is currently an extremely promising direction in modern materials science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of forming a reliable and stable structure of a crumb-rubber-modified binder is an important scientific and technical task. The authors supplemented existing concepts of the mechanism of effective interaction with rubber crumb by introducing a preliminary first stage: controlled partial physical destruction of rubber crumb—producing rubber reclaim. Proposed physical methods of rubber crumb destruction include high shear force (roll mills), high temperature, and a plasticizing medium. The controllability and degree of devulcanization of rubber were determined by acetone-chloroform extraction in different time intervals. The degree of devulcanization of rubber in the rubber reclaim was found to be 22 ± 0.24%, with stability over 14 days. It was found that the size of the particles of the rubber reclaim in the bitumen is less than 2 µm. The properties of the structure of the binder modified with rubber reclaim, characterizing the stability and sustainability, have been studied and established. The developed modified binders are stable in storage. Rheological parameters of the structure characterizing intermolecular interaction, such as shear stability for original and RTFOT-aged, modified bitumen, meet requirements of the state standard at test temperature 64 °C. The elastic structural component of the crumb-rubber-modified binder, as indicated by the relative irreversible deformation parameter J3,2, does not exceed 2.6 kPa (<4.5 kPa) at 64 °C. Additionally, it was determined that the rheological structural parameter for fatigue resistance, which characterizes the durability of road pavement under intensive operational conditions, does not exceed 4699 kPa (<5000 kPa) at 16 °C. The use of 10% rubber reclaim combined with waste frying oil provided the opportunity to obtain a modified binder with a stable and sustainable structure without the introduction of additional stabilizers and agents. Test results showed that the overall performance characteristics of the modified binder meet the 64(S)-40 grade standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is increasing sharply with the increasing use of mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and electric vehicles worldwide. Technologies are required for the recycling and recovery of spent LIBs. In the context of the circular economy, it is urgent to search for new methods to recycle waste graphite that comes from the retired electrode of LIBs. The conversion of waste graphite into other products, such as new electrodes, in the field of energy devices is attractive because it reduces resource waste and processing costs, as well as preventing environmental pollution. In this paper, new electrode materials were prepared using waste anode graphite originating from a spent mobile phone battery with an xBT·0.1C12H22O11·(0.9-x)(NH4)2HPO4 composition, where x = 0–50 weight% BT from the anodic active mass of the spent phone battery (labeled as BT), using the melt quenching method. Analysis of the diffractograms shows the graphite crystalline phase with a hexagonal structure in all prepared samples. The particle sizes decrease by adding a higher BT amount in the composites. The average band gap is 1.32 eV (±0.3 eV). A higher disorder degree in the host network is the main factor responsible for lower band gap values. The prepared composites were tested as electrodes in an LIB or a fuel cell, achieving an excellent electrochemical performance. The voltammetric studies indicate that doping with 50% BT is the most suitable for applications as electrodes in LIBs and fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many bioactive compounds are reported from marine organisms, which are significantly different from those found in terrestrial organisms regarding their chemical structures and pharmacological activities. Marine glycoproteins (MGs) have aroused increasing attention as a good nutrient source owing to their potential applications in medicine, cosmetics and food. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive study on MGs to help readers understand the current state of research on marine-derived glycoproteins. The current review compiles the recent progress made on the structures and functions of MGs with future perspectives to maximize their value and applications via bibliometric analysis methods for the first time. The current research on MGs appears mostly limited to the laboratory, with no large-scale production of marine glycoproteins developed. The sugar chains are bound to proteins through covalent bonds that can readily be cleaved leading to difficultly in their separation and purification. Health effects attributed to MGs include treatment of inflammatory diseases, as well as anti-oxidant, immune modulation, anti-tumor, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-bacterial and anti-freeze activities. This review can not only deepen the understanding of the functions of MGs, but also lay an important foundation for the further development and utilization of marine resources. HIGHLIGHTS: Overview on isolation, structural and functional properties of marine glycoproteins (MGs) via bibliometric analysis methods for the first time. Marine glycoproteins (MGs) have various biological activities and potential health applications. glycoproteins from marine organisms (MGs) significantly enhanced anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of metal oxide thin films can greatly affect their gas sensing properties. However, the structure-property relationship has not been fully established for the NO 2 sensing properties of WO 3 thin films. In this study, WO 3 thin films with two distinct structures have been prepared by the sol-gel technique via employing two different precursor sols. Dense and porous WO 3 thin films were successfully prepared as tungsten and WCl 6 was used as the precursor source, respectively. Both WO 3 thin films are exclusively sensitive to NO 2 as low as 80 ppb. Porous WO 3 thin films exhibit higher response toward NO 2 but slower response/recovery kinetics as compared to the dense ones. Hall measurement and electrochromic coloration confirm the higher carrier mobility in the porous WO 3 thin films. The response/recovery kinetics is found to be determined by the gas-solid reaction (receptor function), which is combinedly influenced by the porosity and grain size of the WO 3 thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of temperature and compositions (TiO 2 and CaO/SiO 2) on thermodynamics properties and structural evolutions of TiO 2 -CaO-Al 2 O 3 -MgO-SiO 2 slags were investigated in this work. The slag viscosities increased with decreasing the temperature and declined with adding TiO 2. With the raising of CaO/SiO 2 ratio, the viscosity decreased under high temperatures, while it increased with the temperature further decreased lower than 1420 °C. The enthalpy change of the slag increased with raising the temperature as well as the TiO 2 content and reduced with the CaO/SiO 2 ratio increasing. Both the liquidus temperature and break point temperature of the slags decreased with adding TiO 2 and increased with raising the CaO/SiO 2 ratio. Temperature had a significant effect on slag structure evolutions, which decreased the slag polymerization degree. With adding TiO 2 and CaO/SiO 2 ratio in slags, the slag structure stability was weakened by increasing the amount of simpler silicate and TiO 6 units and reducing the proportion of complex Ti-O units. Both the temperature and compositions (TiO 2 and CaO/SiO 2) depolymerized the slag structure to decline the viscosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of B 2 O 3 on viscosities, structures and phase transitions of CaO–MgO–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 –MnO-(0-8.0 wt%)B 2 O 3 slags were investigated in this work. From the viscosity experimental results, the slag viscosities declined and the E η decreased from 205.19 to 175.95 kJ/mol with the addition of B 2 O 3 in slags from 0 to 8.0 wt%. From the structure analysis by using FTIR and XPS, B 2 O 3 entered into the silicate network to increase the slag polymerization degree, while the formation of simple two-dimensional BO 3 trihedral units could significantly decline the symmetry and stability of the structure. The effects of decreasing the network stability and forming low-melting eutectics were more dominated than the effects of increasing the structure polymerization degree, which could reduce the slag viscosity. Furthermore, adding B 2 O 3 could decrease the slag initial precipitation temperature and change the primary crystal phase of the slag from melilite to spinel. The comprehensive effects of reducing the slag structure stability and decreasing the influence of solid phase on viscosity eventually resulted in the improvement of the slag fluidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduced work deals with the microscopic analysis of metallographically prepared selected metal materials structures, using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Prepared samples of seamless steel pipes were subjected to a thorough microscopic examination from the outer surface to the inner regions in order to interpret the specific structure, including the change in the inner surfaces due to wear. The experiment demonstrated that the microstructure and character of the surfaces play a key role in the behavior of metallic materials in real conditions of hot water heating. Four pipe samples were monitored according to their use. The unused steel pipe (designated as sample No. 1) exhibited a rough outer surface with identified inclusions, while the used pipe (designated as sample No. 2) showed marks of intergranular corrosion and significant wear after long-term use. The older pipe (designated as sample No. 3) showed a decarburized area and inclusions containing sulfides and aluminum. The steel pipe with corrosion layers (designated as sample No. 4) exhibited a continuous corrosion layer with cavitation and cracks. The results of this study offer a comprehensive view of the influence of the nature of microstructure and wear on water flow in metal pipes, with an emphasis on the identification of possible risks associated with geometry change, corrosion, and wear. The findings form the basis for predicting degradation and appropriate maintenance in order to ensure their long and reliable service life under real conditions of use. They offer the possibility of continuing and expanding research and analysis of the use of metallic materials in comparison with polymers and composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of heterostructures is an effective strategy for enhancing the properties of functional materials. However, the problem of the weak built-in field at the heterointerface usually degrades the interfacial charge transfer efficiency, severely limiting the improvement of the sensing properties of gas sensors. To overcome this limitation, γ-Fe 2 O 3 /α-Fe 2 O 3 (p-p) heterojunction structures were constructed via a one-step hydrothermal method. Interestingly, the morphology and structure of the Fe 2 O 3 nanocrystals could be easily controlled by the amount of urea (CH 4 N 2 O). Thus, the response of Fe 2 O 3 -M to H 2 (200 ppm) at 280 °C was 2.2 and 1.2 times greater than that of Fe 2 O 3 –R and Fe 2 O 3 –N, respectively. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to explore the sensing mechanism in detail, further confirming the experimental conclusions. The strong and ultrafast response to hydrogen was attributed to the synergistic effects of the unique heterostructure and large specific surface area. The development of efficient and stable new hydrogen-sensing materials will help further expand their application scope in the sensing field. [Display omitted] • The γ-Fe 2 O 3 /α-Fe 2 O 3 heterostructure was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. • The morphology and structure of Fe 2 O 3 nanocrystals controlled by the amount of urea. • The γ-Fe 2 O 3 /α-Fe 2 O 3 heterostructure can improve the gas sensing performance of H 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorylated residues of G protein-coupled receptors bind to the N-domain of arrestin, resulting in the release of its C-terminus. This induces further allosteric conformational changes, such as polar core disruption, alteration of interdomain loops, and domain rotation, which transform arrestins into the receptor-activated state. It is widely accepted that arrestin activation occurs by conformational changes propagated from the N- to the C-domain. However, recent studies have revealed that binding of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to the C-domain transforms arrestins into a pre-active state. Here, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying PIP2-induced arrestin pre-activation. We compare the conformational changes of β-arrestin-2 upon binding of PIP2 or phosphorylated C-tail peptide of vasopressin receptor type 2 using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). Introducing point mutations on the potential routes of the allosteric conformational changes and analyzing these mutant constructs with HDX-MS reveals that PIP2-binding at the C-domain affects the back loop, which destabilizes the gate loop and βXX to transform β-arrestin-2 into the pre-active state. Synopsis: The mechanism of β-arrestin (βarr2) pre-activation by PIP2 has not yet been fully understood. This study suggests that PIP2 induces allosteric conformational changes in βarr2, which ultimately affect the conformational dynamics of the βXX strand. PIP2 increases the conformational dynamics of the βXX strand, indicating the pre-activation of βarr2. HDX-MS and mutational studies have revealed the allosteric structural pathway from the PIP2-binding sites to the βXX strand. Conformational perturbation of the back loop through the gate loop of βarr2 is the allosteric structural pathway of the PIP2-induced pre-activation of βarr2. The mechanism of β-arrestin (βarr2) pre-activation by PIP2 has not yet been fully understood. This study suggests that PIP2 induces allosteric conformational changes in βarr2, which ultimately affect the conformational dynamics of the βXX strand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Era (Escherichia coli Ras-like protein) protein is a special type of GTP binding protein with dual domains that contains a typical GTPase domain and a type II KH domain. Era is essential for bacterial survival and has various biological functions, such as cell growth and development, apoptosis, autophagy, immune response, and ribosome maturation. Homologous proteins of Era are widely present in animals and plants including humans, and their structural characteristics and functional diversity have received increasing attention in recent years. This article reviews the structure, function, and molecular mechanism of action of bacterial Era and its homologous proteins, and explains the similarities and differences in the structure and function of Era proteins from different species. The review will provides more reference for further understanding the evolutionary characteristics and biological functions of Era proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revised and updated geological map of the Nilsen Plateau and a new geological map of the nearby Mt. Hassel-Mt. Bjaaland region are presented. The Gondwana succession, overlying pre-Devonian basement rocks, consists of Permian glacial beds, post-glacial shales and siltstones, deltaic sandstones, and coal measures succeeded by Triassic flood plain deposits. Jurassic dolerite sills intrude basement rocks and the Permo-Triassic beds. High-angle reverse faults displace Permian strata at the southern end of the range, and post-Jurassic normal faulting affected the whole range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of water and the type of interlayer anions present affect the arrangement and interlayer spacing of layered double hydroxide (LDH). A systematic study of the effect of relative humidity (RH) on the basal spacing of phosphate intercalated, magnesium aluminum LDHs (MgAl–PO4 LDH) was conducted, confirming that MgAl‐PO4 LDH exhibit distinct interlayer spacing corresponding to separate low‐ and high‐hydration states produced when exposed to low and high humidity conditions. The transition from the low‐ to high‐hydration form begins when RH exceeds 33% and is accompanied by the transition from one to two interlayers of water. An improved understanding of the effect of RH on MgAl–PO4 LDHs will enable more accurate atomistic modeling and experimental characterization of MgAl–PO4 LDHs and may lead to improvements in the tunability of MgAl‐PO4 LDHs for commercial applications such as slow‐release fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to investigate a novel structure based on 1‐methylpiperazine cation [Co(NCS)4(OH2)2]·(C5H14N2)·H2O. The novel complex, 1‐methylpiperazine‐1,4‐diium diaquatetrakis (thiocyanato)‐cobalt hydrate, was investigated using DRX, differential thermogravimetry analysis, FTIR, UV–vis, impedance complex analysis, and density functional theory (DFT). Based on the reported results of these characterization tools, the desired complex phases were confirmed. In the title compound, the aromatic ring in the cationic entity adopts a slightly distorted chair conformation, which ensures coordination stability. FTIR analysis were occurred, which supported the presence of surface ligand groups of thiocyanates, and UV–vis spectroscopy of the electronic transition. Explorations of impedance spectroscopy on [Co(NCS)4(OH2)2]·(C5H14N2)·H2O reveal a fascinating electrical behavior which reveals that the Co complex component can be used as an electronic chip and under certain conditions. The electronic structure and optical properties of the complex were explored using the DFT, confirming it as a direct bandgap semiconductor with a predicted bandgap of 2.89 eV. Optical anisotropic features of the complex, aligning with its monoclinic structure, were identified via analysis of the dielectric function across the [100], [010], and [001] crystallographic directions. The thermal analysis was used to confirm the crystal thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]