One of the most important steps in modeling three-dimensional (3D) structures of proteins is the evaluation of the constructed models. The present study suggests that the correctness of a structure may be tested by using the characteristics of sequential dihedral angles (SDAs) between adjacent alpha-carbons (Cα) in the main chains of proteins. From our studies on protein structures in the protein data bank (PDB), the SDAs between the Cα in the main chains are limited in their values. In addition, the sum of the absolute values of the three sequential dihedral angles (SDAs) can never be 0 degree. Moreover, 48 degrees is the lowest value existing for the sum of the absolute values of three sequential dihedral angles (SDAs). Thus, the SDAs between the alpha-carbons along the main chains of proteins may be a useful parameter for evaluating anomalies in protein structures.Orienting attention in time enables us to prepare for forthcoming perception and action (e.g., estimating the duration of a yellow traffic light when driving). While temporal orienting can facilitate performance on simple tasks, its influence on complex tasks involving response conflict is unclear. Here, we adapted the flanker paradigm to a choice-reaching task where participants used a computer mouse to reach to the left or right side of the screen, as indicated by the central arrow presented with either the congruent or incongruent flankers. We assessed the effects of temporal orienting by manipulating goal-driven temporal expectation (using probabilistic variations in target timing) and stimulus-driven temporal priming (using sequential repetitions versus switches in target timing). We tested how temporal orienting influenced the dynamics of response conflict resolution. Recent choice-reaching studies have indicated that under response conflict, delayed movement initiation captures the response threshold adjustment process, whereas increased curvature toward the incorrect response captures the degree of coactivation of the response alternatives during the controlled response selection process. Both temporal expectation and priming reduced the initiation latency regardless of response conflict, suggesting that both lowered response thresholds independently of response conflict. Notably, temporal expectation, but not temporal priming, increased the curvature toward the incorrect response on incongruent trials. These results suggest that temporal orienting generally increases motor preparedness, but goal-driven temporal orienting particularly interferes with response conflict resolution, likely through its influence on response thresholds. Overall, our study highlights the interplay between temporal orienting and cognitive control in goal-directed action.A growing body of evidence demonstrates a rhythmic characteristic of spatial attention, with the corresponding behavioral performance fluctuating periodically. Here, we investigate whether and how the rhythmic characteristic of spatial attention is affected by reward-an important factor in attentional selection. We adopted the classic spatial cueing paradigm with a time-resolved stimulus-onset-asynchrony (SOA) between the spatial cue and the target such that responses to the target in different phases could be examined. The color of the spatial cue was associated with either a high or low level of reward. Results showed that in the low-frequency band ( less then 2 Hz) where classic exogenous spatial attention effects (i.e., facilitation and inhibition of return; IOR) appeared, reward enhanced the late IOR effect through facilitating behavioral responses to the target at the uncued location. Recurring lower alpha power (alpha inhibition) which fluctuated in a low-theta frequency (2-3 Hz) was observed at the cued location relative to the uncued location, irrespective of the reward level of the cue. Importantly, the recurring alpha inhibition emerged earlier (~120 ms) in the high-reward condition relative to the low-reward condition. We propose that the recurring alpha inhibition at the cued location implies a recurring attention sampling at the cued location and the expectation of a high reward makes the periodic attention sampling emerge earlier.In the present paper, we explore the temporal dynamics of the flanker effect in the tactile modality and compare it with findings in the visual modality. We created a tactile version of the flanker task in which we presented groups of dots oriented either vertically or horizontally to a participant’s fingertips. The target stimulus was presented to the middle finger, while the flanker stimuli were presented to the index and the ring fingers. Distributional analyses of the latency data show a tactile flanker effect an overall facilitation for congruent target-flanker trials relative to incongruent trials, and a higher effect size for slower correct responses (higher quantiles) than for faster correct responses (lower quantiles). While this congruency effect may resemble the one typically reported in the visual modality, there are differences between these two modalities as well, mainly related to the relative speed of error and correct responses. These differences suggest that some of the mechanisms responsible for the flanker effect differ across sensory modalities.The vitamin E derivative with side chain modification (TC6OAc) has been shown to possess anticancer activity in our earlier in vivo studies. It was hypothesized that, as Vitamin E (VE) and VE derivative are fat soluble lipophilic molecules, they exert their function by modulating the lipid metabolism and related pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the cellular impact of this VE derivative (2,5,7,8-Tetramethyl-2-(4′-Methyl-3′-Pentenyl)-6-Acetoxy Chromane-TC6OH), using α-tocopherol as a reference compound throughout the experiments. Their effects on the cellular metabolism, the biophysical properties of cellular lipids and the functional characteristics of cells were monitored in human estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer cells. selleck chemicals llc It has been documented that TC6OH treatment induces tumor cell apoptosis by dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential, modulating the lipid, transportation and degradation as well as downregulating certain anti-apoptotic and growth factor related proteins. Due to resistance of ER positive cells to the established therapies, the findings of this study are of translational value.