We acquire a lot of information about the world through texts, which can be categorized at the broadest level into two primary genres: narratives and exposition. Stories and essays differ across a variety of dimensions, including structure and content, with numerous theories hypothesizing that stories are easier to understand and recall than essays. However, empirical work in this area has yielded mixed results. To synthesize research in this area, we conducted a meta-analysis of experiments in which memory and/or comprehension of narrative and expository texts was investigated. Based on over 75 unique samples and data from more than 33,000 participants, we found that stories were more easily understood and better recalled than essays. Moreover, this result was robust, not influenced by the inclusion of a single effect-size or single study, and not moderated by various study characteristics. This finding has implications for any domain in which acquiring and retaining information is important.

With the diversity of lipid-protein interactions, any observed membrane protein dynamics or functions directly depend on the lipid bilayer selection. However, the implications of lipid bilayer choice are seldom considered unless characteristic lipid-protein interactions have been previously reported. Using molecular dynamics simulation, we characterize the effects of membrane embedding on plant aquaporin SoPIP2;1, which has no reported high-affinity lipid interactions. The regulatory impacts of a realistic lipid bilayer, and nine different homogeneous bilayers, on varying SoPIP2;1 dynamics were examined. We demonstrate that SoPIP2;1s structure, thermodynamics, kinetics, and water transport are altered as a function of each membrane construct's ensemble properties. Notably, the realistic bilayer provides stabilization of non-functional SoPIP2;1 metastable states. Hydrophobic mismatch and lipid order parameter calculations further explain how lipid ensemble properties manipulate SoPIP2;1 behavior. Our results illustrate the importance of careful bilayer selection when studying membrane proteins. To this end, we advise cautionary measures when performing membrane protein molecular dynamics simulations.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) derived from hen egg yolk has been considered an important component in the storage of canine semen; however, in Vietnam, there have not been many studies regarding this topic. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LDL in the preservation of canine chilled semen in Vietnam. The assessment of semen samples was based on four criteria: storage time, motility, absolute viability, and integrity of acrosomal membrane at motility rate 0.9; 0.5 and 0.3. The semen samples collected were divided into three equal parts, each was then diluted with three different extenders and stored at 4oC. The extenders were LDL + basic extender (LDL), egg yolk + basic extender (EY), and basic extender (C). The storage time of canine semen was recorded from the beginning of monitoring until the motility decreased to 0.3. The storage time of the three extenders was in the order of EY > LDL > C, with 108 h, 60 h, and 48 h, respectively. The absolute viability of fertilizable sperm (Sa5) in the extender was EY (768), LDL (423) and C (280), which was significant (P < 0.001). The percentage of viable sperm with intact acrosome membrane at motility time A = 0.9 in LDL was 59.31%, higher than that in EY (30.99%). In the storage period from A = 0.9 to A = 0.5, the acrosome loss percentage of both EY and LDL decreased equally (7.30% and 7.23%), but the storage time of EY (84 h) was longer than that of LDL (48 h). In conclusion, the EY gave a longer storage time, higher absolute viability and longer maintain percentage of viable sperms and intact acrosome membrane compared to the LDL. However, within the first hours of storage, the percentage of viable sperm and intact acrosome membrane in the EY was lower than that in the LDL. Therefore, to preserve canine semen for a short time (less than 48 h), the LDL extender should be used for better effectiveness.

Background: The alveolar bone can be damaged by a variety of causes such as trauma, bone tumors and cysts, infection and tooth loss, affecting function, aesthetics, comfort and confidence of the patient. In order to reconstruct the alveolar bone defect, besides autologous bone, cellular and inorganic biological materials are being developed and widely applied including Biphasic Calcium Phosphate (BCP). Therefore, it is very essential to establish an animal model of alveolar bone defect to evaluate the progress of bone formation and the potential of materials before clinical application. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 18 white, male, healthy rabbits weighing 2.5 ± 0.2 kg, 8-to-10-week aged, divided into 2 groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (BCP). The alveolar bone defect formation was performed in 2 groups, then reconstructed with BCP (group 2). Evaluation of soft tissue healing characteristics in 2 groups after 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 days after surgery and assessment of alveolar bone regeneration by X-ray and histological analysis after 2, 4, 6 weeks. Results: Healing score in each group increased gradually from day 1 to day 14, having statistical significance from day 5. Healing score of 2 groups tended to increase gradually in order: control group < BCP group (p > 0.05). X-ray scores in each group increased from week 2 to week 6, with statistical significance at week 6 (p < 0.05). X-ray scores of 2 groups tended to increase in order: the control group < BCP group (p > 0.05). New connective tissue formed in the control group reached the highest at week 4 and decreased after week 6 (p < 0.05). New bone formation in each group increased statistically from week 2 to week 6. The amount of newly formed bone in BCP group was significantly higher than in control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The above established model allows us to evaluate the capability of the bone regeneration of various materials. In addition, BCP is a potential material which can be used to reconstruct alveolar bone defects in patients

Objective: To study the velocity characteristics of sperm movement by CASA machine. Materials and Method: Using description method, we analyse speed of 136 semen samples in male infertilities. Results: (i) In the primary infertile males group: the rate of patients with mobile speed of sperm <30µm/s is 3.64%, > 30-40µm/s is 25.45%, > 40-50µm/s is 50.91% and > 50 µm/s is 20%. These indicators in the secondary infertile males group as follow: 6.17%, 18.52%, 51.85 %, and 23.46%; (ii) The rate of samples with sperm progressive motility ≥ 25% in primary and secondary infertilities was no statistically significant difference. Discussion: using the rate of sperm progressive motility, we can’t identify the different between primary and secondary infertility, however speed of sperms were different. Conclusion: Measuring the speed of sperm provide the characteristics of male infertility. Key words: Male infertility, sperm, sperm motility, primary infertility, secondary infertility.