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The 2023 Spanish general election was a snap election called unexpectedly by the PM Pedro Sánchez the day after the local and regional elections in May 2023. Turnout was higher than expected (66.6%) and the result confirmed the high degree of multi-dimensional polarisation in Spanish society. Right-wing parties improved their position: the mainstream conservative PP increased its support mainly at the expense of Ciudadanos and the far-right VOX. Yet, parties on the left, especially the incumbent PSOE, performed better than predicted by polls and, together with the seats won by regional parties, were able to keep a dominant position in Congress. A left-wing minority coalition cabinet was ultimately formed with two parties in government (PSOE and Sumar) and the parliamentary support of several regional parties. Parliamentary support was reached after an agreement that includes decentralisation measures and an amnesty to repair the judiciary consequences of the 2017 independence referendum in Catalonia, which showcases the multilevel and multidimensional complexity of Spanish politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review describes in detail the morphological, cytoskeletal and gene expression events leading to the gene regulatory network bifurcation point of trophoblast and inner cell mass cells in a variety of mammalian preimplantation embryos. The interrelated processes of compaction and polarity establishment are discussed in terms of how they affect YAP/WWTR activity and the location and fate of cells. Comparisons between mouse, human, cattle, pig and rabbit embryos suggest a conserved role for YAP/WWTR signalling in trophoblast induction in eutherian animals though the mechanisms for, and timing of, YAP/WWTR activation differs among species. Downstream targets show further differences, with the trophoblast marker GATA3 being a direct target in all examined mammals, while CDX2-positive and SOX2-negative regulation varies. [Display omitted] • Onset of compaction relative to polarisation varies among mammalian embryos. • De novo polarisation in embryos transits from apical domain to apical ring stage. • Restriction of nuclear YAP correlates to apical ring stage and trophoblast specification. • Hippo/Lats signals regulate YAP activity in mammalian embryos but not exclusively. • Variations in YAP/TEAD regulation of trophoblast lineage factors CDX2 and GATA3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many countries' constituencies are populated by polarised groups with sharply contrasting political loyalties and convictions, which appear to be becoming more and more extreme. We wish to explore such extreme political convictions with a focus on their place in a supporter's mind, which underpins their engagement with a political movement. We look at how a political narrative can be internalised within the person as one of their narrative threads alongside other narratives concerning, for example, familial relationships, hobbies, and work. Such a bundle of narrative threads, or at least the more central ones, can be said to constitute their identity. Using that framework, we explore the mechanisms that foster such extreme political engagement and the way a group member is committed to a political narrative. As even a very powerful political narrative is not the totality of a person's internal narrative we can see how an individual has the potential to release the hold of a political narrative, particularly if those outside the political narrative can recognise and acknowledge those non-political parts of their identity. In this way, people can build bridges across socio-political divides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Poor prognosis in lung cancer is associated with tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that exhibit M2clike behaviours that support multiple pathways in the tumour microenvironment. The interplay between epigenetic modifications and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway involves three key mechanisms: regulation of epigenetic enzymes by ubiquitin, interaction between ubiquitin and epigenetic modifiers, and epigenetic silencing of critical genes involved in cellular processes. Therefore, we investigated the effects of ixazomib, a proteasome inhibitor, on gene expression changes in epigenetic chromatin modification enzymes in a co-culture of M2c macrophages and A549 lung cancer cells. Methods: The IC50 concentration of ixazomib was determined to be 2.19 μM using a real-time cell analyser. THP-1 monocytes were polarised into M0 macrophages with 100 ng/mL phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), rested, and then exposed to 1 mM hydrocortisone to become M2c macrophages. A549 cells were seeded in the lower chamber of a co-culture plate. M2c macrophages were then co-cultured with A549 cells for 24 h with or without 2.19 μM ixazomib. After being isolated, mRNA was converted to cDNA and analysed using a gene panel with RT-PCR. Results: The findings showed that 56 genes had exceptionally high expression levels (up to 1848-fold. Ixazomib downregulated these overexpressed genes. Conclusion: Ixazomib effectively modulates the expression of genes involved in epigenetic chromatin modification in the lung cancer microenvironment, indicating its utility in lung cancer therapy. Further studies are needed to explore the combined use of epigenetic drugs and proteasome inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many, search engines are crucial gateways to (political) information. While extant research is concerned with algorithmic bias, user choices had been largely neglected. Yet, search queries are the key way in which searchers explicate their information need. Building on framing theory and selective exposure, we argue that queries are ingrained with (political) predispositions: issue frames in mind of searchers manifest themselves in search terms and queries. Using Dutch survey data (N = 1994), and manual coding and latent class analysis, we explore how types of people formulate search queries about immigration and climate change (RQ1). A regression analysis shows how these searcher types relate to political attitudes and socio-demographic characteristics (RQ2). Notably, searchers formulate queries in ways that are related to their political positions, but this differs for different issues. These findings imply systematic differences in user choices which future research needs to consider when auditing search engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this Age of the Anthropocene, the world of work is being radically disrupted by mass precarity, rising wage and income inequality, habitat destruction, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Facing such insecurity, people, we show, are careering toward radical ways of making a living. They range from radical professionals to social media influencing and environmental activism. Human security is fundamentally enhanced by sustainable livelihoods, and we explore ways not only to de-radicalise, but also to accept and embrace radical careering, if and whenever it serves the purpose of making people's livelihoods more sustainable for society, economies, and ecosystems. The article concludes by introducing an Index of Sustainable Livelihoods (SL-I). Success to the successful. The Sustainable Livelihoods Index (SL-I) is designed to be a 'visible hand' for end-users, including career counsellors, students, and workers undergoing career transitions, by Corporate Responsibility Officers, and by government ministries supporting just workforce transitions into sustainable livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contemporary society, the increased reliance on social media as a vital news source has facilitated the spread of disinformation that has potential polarising effects. Disinformation, false information deliberately crafted to deceive recipients, has escalated to the extent that it is now acknowledged as a significant cybersecurity concern. To proactively tackle this issue, and minimise the risk of negative outcomes associated with disinformation, this research presents a typology of disinformation intentionality and impact (DII) to understand the intentionality and impact of disinformation threats. The typology draws upon information manipulation theory and risk management principles to evaluate the potential impact of disinformation campaigns with respect to their virality and polarising impact. The intentionality of disinformation spread is related to its believability among susceptible consumers, who are likely to propagate the disinformation to others if they assess it to be believable. Based on the dimensions of intentionality and impact, the DII typology can be used to categorise disinformation threats and identify strategies to mitigate its risk. To illustrate its utility for evaluating the risk posted by disinformation campaigns, the DII typology is applied to a case study. We propose risk mitigation strategies as well as recommendations for addressing disinformation campaigns spread through social media platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 23rd of January 2019 marked the beginning of the Venezuelan Presidential Crisis, a unique socio-political conflict that confronted Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela, to the self-proclaimed leader Juan Guaidó. This paper explores the divisive power of conceptual metaphors in this context through the analysis of polarising metaphors, namely, metaphors that conceptualise 'Us' positively and/or 'Them' negatively. More specifically, from a corpus-based critical socio-cognitive perspective (Musolff 2016; Soares da Silva 2020; Charteris-Black 2011), this study looks at the main polarising metaphors of Maduro and Guaidó's political discourses and examines their role in the discursive construction of ideological polarisation, social identities, and legitimacy using a target-based approach (Stefanowitsch and Gries 2006). The results show that both leaders strategically use polarising metaphors, especially those of CONFRONTATION, HUMAN BEING and JOURNEY, to reproduce their ideologies, reinforce their social identities, and legitimise their political positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the political aspects of the perception of science. The relevance of the topic is underpinned, among other things, by the public policy significance of trust in science and the links between national science and national identity. The literature relates the perception of science to ideological positions on the one hand, and to partisan bias on the other. The research underlying the study investigated the relationship between respondents’ attitudes towards science and their political preferences using a representative questionnaire sample of 1000 Hungarian respondents. In Hungary, characterised by a high degree of partisan polarisation, we expected the influence of party preference rather than ideological position on the perception of science. A detailed exploration of attitudes yielded more nuanced results than assumed: those who identified themselves as right-wing were less pro-science in general, but the utilitarian perception of science was influenced by party preference in addition to education, i.e. voters of the current government expected more utility and economic returns from science. The perception of science was also influenced by the level of political information. The study also relates the impact of partisan bias to the reception of science policy measures of the Orbán governments.

The polycrystalline (1-x)BiFeO3-xNa0.5Bi0.5TiO3, x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15, ceramics were prepared using conventional solid-state route. The structural studies using X-ray diffraction and Raman measurements confirmed the rhombohedral R3c structure of the compounds. The scanning electron micrographs showed that grain size decreased, and the density of the compounds increased with the higher Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 content. The weak ferromagnetism was induced in the solid solution of antiferromagnetic BiFeO3 compound with Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 content. The structural distortions were increased with the increase of x, which favours the increase of weak ferromagnetism in the antiferromagnetic compound. The electric polarisation measurements indicated that leakage character decreased with the increase in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 fraction. The temperature and frequency-dependent dielectric measurements showed that the dielectric constant was improved and loss tangent was decreased in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 rich compounds. The temperature dependence of dielectric constant data showed a dielectric anomaly near the magnetic transition of BiFeO3, which shifted towards the lower temperature side with the increase of x. The UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy measurements evidenced an increase in band gap energy for higher Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 concentration.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to uncover perspectives on the COVID‐19 pandemic and the responses implemented by the UK and Scottish Governments to help control the spread of infection. Such understanding could help to inform future responses to pandemics at individual, community and national levels. Method: Q methodology was used to elicit perspectives from people in England and Scotland with different experiences of the pandemic including public health officials, key workers, those on furlough, those who were unvaccinated or vaccinated to different levels, those who were 'shielding' because they were at higher risk and people with different scientific expertise. Participants rank‐ordered phrases about different aspects of COVID‐19 according to their viewpoint. Factor analysis was then conducted in conjunction with interview material from the same respondents. Results: A four‐factor solution was statistically supported and was interpretable alongside the qualitative accounts of participants loading on these factors. These four perspectives are titled Dangerous and Unaccountable Leadership, Fear and Anger at Policy and Public responses, Governing Through a Crisis and Injustices Exposed. Conclusion: The four perspectives demonstrate plurality and nuance in views on COVID‐19 and the associated policies and restrictions, going beyond a binary narrative that has been apparent in popular and social media. The four perspectives include some areas of common ground, as well as disagreement. We argue that understanding the detail of different perspectives might be used to build cohesion around policy initiatives in future. Patient or Public Contribution: The development of the statement set, which is rank‐ordered by participants in a Q study, and factor interpretations were informed by views of the general public. The statement set was initially developed using existing publicly available material based on members of the general public experiencing the pandemic first hand. It was then piloted with members of the public experiencing different challenges as a result of COVID‐19 and the subsequent lockdown and updated based on feedback. Finally, interpretations of the identified factors were presented publicly and edited according to their feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discontent is an important feature of 'left-behind places', often reflected by a high percentage of voting for populist parties. Drawing on insights from psychology, we extend previous analyses by focusing on collective embitterment as the central underlying emotional state in a region. Arguing that such negative emotions do not arise 'out of the blue', we develop a four-phase model of regional embitterment that accounts for the emotional characterisation of and the level of embitterment among the population, as well as the role of policy interventions. Based on a case study in East Thuringia, we conclude that emotions should be given more attention in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the current highly polar rod-shaped molecules that form ferroelectric nematic (NF) phase do so only at elevated temperatures and multicomponent mixtures are generally needed to obtain a broad and room temperature range NF phase. In this work, we describe the synthesis, phase characterisation and measurement of various physical properties of a new ferroelectric nematic compound 4-[(4-nitrophenoxy)carbonyl]phenyl 2-isopropoxy-4-methoxybenzoate (RT11165). The molecular structure of RT11165 with a 2-isopropoxy group differs only by a substitution of the 2-methoxy group found in the prototype ferroelectric nematic material 4-[(4-nitrophenoxy)carbonyl]phenyl 2,4-dimethoxybenzoate (RM734). This small structure change produces a rather dramatic change in phase behaviour leading to an NF phase from 63°C down to room temperature. Below about 45°C the rotational viscosity of RT11165 increases critically and the temperature dependence indicates a glass transition at ~19°C. The transparent and polar glassy state of RT11165, which should be also piezoelectric, is a good candidate for energy storage, piezoecatalysis, data storage and other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation employs a modified version of Hummer's method to synthesise graphene oxide (GO), which is subsequently subjected to treatment with a continuous-wave (CW) laser derived from surgical laser diodes for the purpose of performing minimally invasive surgery for 30 s to yield laser-modified GO. XRD analysis was used to look at how CWlaser changed the sizes of crystallites, the distance between planes, and the average number of layers. The study examined the FTIR spectra of graphite oxidation and modification using a CW laser. Changes in the G band, D band, and 2D peaks in the Raman spectra showed disorder and multiple layers. The variations in negative zeta potential were used to analyse colloidal stability in graphite, GO, and laser-modified GO. Different types of dynamic light scattering techniques were used to study electrophoretic mobility, Brownian motion, and electrical double layers. The obtained results exhibited a high degree of agreement with the findings derived from the FTIR spectra. This work examined dielectric and impedance spectroscopy to assess relaxation behaviour that deviates from the Debye model. By fitting curves to the data, we evaluated the dielectric constant, loss, and conductivity. Graphite to laser-modified GO via GO lowered the real component of the dielectric constant at any frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, an exponential increase in the usage of social network services has been observed. These community services are typically used through different applications including personal computers, multiple applications of modern smartphones and wearable technologies. Proper identification and separation of different languages text, topic-based classification of text and classification of active users based on their published comments and posts are major challenges. In this research, our primary focus is to deal with English text collected through different IoT applications to analyse posts/comments to categorise people's opinion in politics. We have developed an IoT framework model for collecting data from social media especially Facebook, preprocessed and clean data to be used for analysis, and separation of data based on different languages. Sentiment analysis techniques are used to detect polarisation of the individual user. The proposed system clustered IoT individuals based on their comments and posts and successfully detected political polarisation. The proposed approach obtained encouraging results with a precision of 66.7%, a recall of 71.4%, and an F-measure of 69.0% in the case of annotated data of 50 users and a precision of 75.0%, a recall of 87.1%, and F-measure of 80.6% in the case of annotated data of 100 users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political polarisation has become an increasingly alarming issue in society, exacerbated by the widespread use of social media and the development of filter bubbles among social media users. This environment has left users susceptible to disinformation, especially those with whom a user is politically aligned. In this research, we integrate truth bias, elaboration likelihood model and new media literacy into a model for explaining social media engagement (with both disinformation and factual information) and analysing how political polarisation (operationalised as political alignment between users) influences perceptions and behaviours. Using an experimental design, we analyse the model separately for posts containing disinformation and factual information, highlighting key differences. Political alignment positively moderates truth bias's effect on engagement with disinformation. For both disinformation and factual information, political alignment moderates the effect of generalised communicative suspicion (GCS) on truth bias, such that GCS's effect on truth bias flips from negative to positive as political alignment increases. Issue involvement and political alignment appear to be the primary drivers of disinformation engagement, with critical consuming media literacy failing to mitigate engagement. Our findings contribute to the understanding of persuasion, conviction, amplification, polarisation and aversion related to fake news on social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary Many biological structures take the form of fibres and filaments, and quantitative analysis of fibre organisation is important for understanding their functions in both normal physiological conditions and disease. In order to visualise these structures, fibres can be fluorescently labelled and imaged, with specialised image analysis methods available for quantifying the degree and strength of fibre alignment. Here we show that fluorescently labelled fibres can display polarised emission, with the strength of this effect varying depending on structure and fluorophore identity. This can bias automated analysis of fibre alignment and mask the true underlying structural organisation. We present a method for quantifying and correcting these polarisation effects without requiring polarisation‐resolved microscopy and demonstrate its efficacy when applied to images of fluorescently labelled collagen gels, allowing for more reliable characterisation of fibre microarchitecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Foro Internacional is the property of El Colegio de Mexico AC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Critique of Law: Independent Legal Studies / Krytyka Prawa: Niezalezne Studia nad Prawem is the property of Akademia Leona Kozminskiego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The digital transformations of contemporary media systems have had severe consequences for democracy and public debates. This introductory article addresses key challenges of what we refer to as varieties of “digital disintegration” within democratic societies. The eight contributions in the special issue are thematised in three parts. The first part explores disintegration within the context of political communication during elections, including data-driven campaigning, populism, and politicised forms of news production. The second part delves into the role of alternative news curators, audience polarisation, and issues of self-censorship in digital information environments. The third part centres on deliberative norms connected to content moderation of user comments within legacy media and the consequences digitalisation has had on journalistic sourcing practices and source diversity over time. The contributions offer valuable empirical insights, as well as new lines of thinking concerning democracy and digital and disintegrative transformations in the Nordic region and beyond.

Abstract With the advent of constellations of SAR satellites, and the possibility of swarms of SAR UAV's, there is increased interest in multistatic SAR image formation. This may provide advantages including allowing three‐dimensional image formation free of clutter overlay; the coherent combination of bistatic SAR geometries for improved image resolution; and the collection of additional scattering information, including polarimetric. The polarimetric collection may provide useful target information, such as its orientation, polarisability, or number of interactions with the radar signal; distributed receivers would be more likely to capture any bright specular responses from targets in the scene, making target outlines distinct. Highlight results from multistatic polarimetric SAR experiments at the Cranfield University GBSAR laboratory are presented, illustrating the utility of the approach for fully sampled 3D SAR image formation, and for sparse aperture SAR 3D point‐cloud generation with a newly developed volumetric multistatic interferometry algorithm.

In this article, we investigate the rhetorical uses and media frames associated with the term polarisation in Swedish print media from 2010 to 2021. We first produce a qualitative and detailed assessment of a sample of 240 articles and then proceed to a computational (word2vec) analysis of all major Swedish newspaper articles including the term (N = 32,805). We find that the term has changed its rhetorical function over time. Initially used to describe, – that is, used as a technical descriptor of events and issues in society – this use later became increasingly vague and general. Instead, it has been rhetorically used to amplify, implying a sense of urgency, conflict, or threat. Over time, the term has been used increasingly frequently, but has been applied less to Sweden and, instead, most often associated with political actors and events in the US. Moreover, we find that, for Sweden, the term polarisation was mostly related to social and political issues, whereas for the US, it carried affective associations.

In recent times, many scholars have highlighted the emergence of group-based polarisation within Western societies. Research has demonstrated that this phenomenon has also reached educational settings, where groups of adolescents are opposed to each other. Surprisingly little has been written, though, on group-based polarisation in the classroom. This study examines along which lines (e.g. ethnic, socio-economic, or religious), how often and under which conditions group polarisation manifests itself in the context of secondary school classrooms. It does so by theorising this phenomenon, hypothesising its most common manifestation as well as the factors that may favour group-based polarisation. Following an exploratory sequential mixed-methods research design, consisting of a qualitative pre-study (N = 31) and an original survey that was fielded among Dutch secondary school teachers (N = 1034), it then demonstrates that: group polarisation, as perceived by teachers, is relatively rare in Dutch secondary education, generally occurring once or a few times per year; that it manifests itself predominantly along ethnic lines, and that the ethnic composition of educational contexts, tracking, and different educational stages statistically predict this form of perceived group polarisation. Based on our findings we propose that teacher training, focusing on how to cope with group-based polarisation in the classroom should be context-specific and tailor-made.

AbstractWe present and experimentally demonstrate a seismic ambient noise monitoring optical fibre sensor for early warning detection of sinkholes. The developed optical fibre sensor is designed for warning alert of subsidence and cover collapse sinkholes. The progressive process of sinkhole development causes structural change in the subterranean surface. The impact of this change and its influence on the subsurface acoustic modes was detected in the form of variations in the spectral content of the ambient noise signals monitored in the subsurface. Structural surface integrity was monitored through frequency response as the void increased. Vibrational states relating to unsteady structural conditions were identified. Significant instability events were captured giving timely warnings before collapse. The polarisation based single mode fibre sensor and monitoring method is proposed for implementation in a phase sensitive distributed acoustic sensor setup. Peak frequencies in the micro-seismic noise band of 0.1 Hz to 1.0 Hz were observed through cavity development and growth. Extended peak frequency shifts and bandwidth in the band >1Hz were recorded, indicating weakness and imminence of collapse. Early warning detection by the structural field model was achieved prior to the sudden subsurface failure which results in collapse sinkholes. By monitoring variations in the vibrating frequency modes when a subsurface cavity develops within the structure, trigger events and collapse precursor conditions are identified. We have successfully demonstrated an early response warning annunciator by using an algorithm to analyse combinational characteristics of the spectral components of the detected signals. The fibre sensor reduces the risk and socio-economic impact of infrastructural damage due to sudden collapse of sinkholes and has extended potential of monitoring earthquakes and landslides.

This article explores the use of Sn nanoparticles to enhance the optical properties of PEDOT: PSS thin films. The study focuses on the impact of Sn concentration on the films' optical characteristics, particularly in relation to organic solar cells. The results indicate that incorporating Sn nanoparticles improves the energy bandgap values and decreases the dielectric constant of the films, resulting in improved transmittance velocity and increased efficacy of microelectronic devices. The findings suggest that Sn-incorporated PEDOT: PSS thin films have potential applications in the field of optoelectronics and microelectronics. [Extracted from the article]

We present deep total intensity and polarization observations of the Coma cluster at 1.4 and 6.6 GHz performed with the Sardinia Radio Telescope. By combining the single-dish 1.4 GHz data with archival Very Large Array observations, we obtain new images of the central radio halo and of the peripheral radio relic where we properly recover the brightness from the large-scale structures. At 6.6 GHz, we detect both the relic and the central part of the halo in total intensity and polarization. These are the highest frequency images available to date for these radio sources in this galaxy cluster. In the halo, we find a localized spot of polarized signal, with fractional polarization of about 45 per cent. The polarized emission possibly extends along the north-east side of the diffuse emission. The relic is highly polarized, up to 55 per cent, as usually found for these sources. We confirm the halo spectrum is curved, in agreement with previous single-dish results. The spectral index is α = 1.48 ± 0.07 at a reference frequency of 1 GHz and varies from α ≃ 1.1, at 0.1 GHz, up to α ≃ 1.8, at 10 GHz. We compare the Coma radio halo surface brightness profile at 1.4 GHz (central brightness and e-folding radius) with the same properties of the other haloes, and we find that it has one of the lowest emissivities observed so far. Reanalysing the relic's spectrum in the light of the new data, we obtain a refined radio Mach number of M = 2.9 ± 0.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Parliament (EP) has repeatedly been criticised for its slow, insufficient response to democratic backsliding in several member states. At the same time, it is the arena where we find some of the most vigorous defences of the EU’s fundamental values and appeals to safeguard the rule of law across the Union. Leveraging an original dataset of MEP statements from plenary debates over the last two EP terms (2009–2019), this article examines the dynamics of norm contestation in the EP’s responses to democratic backsliding. We observe a discursive polarisation primarily along ideological lines, with a notable slippage among European People’s Party legislators who shift from scepticism towards EU intervention in rule of law matters to overt support. We show how Eurosceptic MEPs and those from backsliding countries seek to appeal to domestic voters by invoking negative partisanship and anti-Western resentment to discredit EU criticism. In contrast, pro-intervention MEPs situate their discourse at the supranational level and focus on defending European unity and the rule of law as shared identity. Overall, the growing contestation over the nature of fundamental values by Eurosceptics has crystallized a more vocal and differentiated engagement of Europhile MEPs in democratic backsliding debates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluate communication policies related to COVID-19 adopted by governors in the United States and explore how communication and policy directives are impacted by hyper-polarised situations, namely the presence of a divided government. This work sheds light on the challenges of crisis communication and executive leadership. Using a combination of robust regression and text and sentiment analyses, we compare the timing of and the language used by governors who imposed state-wide facemask mandates in 2020. We find that racially diverse states with Democratic governors acted more quickly than states with comparably older populations, had more people living in one household, and without health insurance. Further, we find that Democratic governors were slower to act when their decision could be checked by a Republican legislature highlighting the restrictive nature that executives face in crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws on the post-terror setting of Norway to investigate interactions between consensus, contestation, and conflict in public debates about diversity. A consensus-oriented unity prevailed in immediate responses to the 2011 terror attacks that killed 77 people in Norway. Analysis of 40 semi-structured interviews identifies lingering perceptions that the following conditions limited the space for contestation after the attacks: the intensity of the initial unity expressions; the perpetrator's identity as a Norwegian, self-proclaimed Christian crusader; and broader patterns of limited space for nuanced contestation in diversity debates. Drawing on influential political theories on liberal democratic debate, this is an empirical inquiry into when and how contestation about migration-related diversity is impeded, and with what implications. The Norwegian case illustrates that too much consensus-orientation and inadequate space for nuance can further underline conflict and thereby impede citizens' engagement with debates about migration-related diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social networks such as Twitter can promote social alarm about conflicts concerning anti-hate speech legislation. The protests after the prison sentences of the rappers Valtònyc (2018) and Hasél (2021) are two paradigmatic cases in Spain. This research analyses how citizens' desire to combat hate speech may be frustrated when the law is applied. Using a quantitative and qualitative methodology, we observe the users and the media reactions on Twitter in both cases. In the first phase, we conducted a content analysis (n = 694) to identify the position of users and the media. In a second phase, discourse analysis examined the presence or absence of the features of constructive journalism in the news coverage. The results show that the anti-law stance is predominant in Twitter messages, but there are few references to freedom of expression and censorship. While there is a considerable presence of an angry style of communication and polarised messages in users' tweets, the media adopt a rational and informative approach. The media discourse in both cases is still far from the traits of constructive journalism. Therefore, this research shows that informative actions based on the principles of constructive journalism could mediate between citizen sensibility and legislation. This could promote a sense of citizenship that avoids hate speech. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stokes parameters (S) on the Poincaré sphere are very useful values to describe the polarisation state of photons. However, the fundamental principle on the nature of polarisation is not completely understood, yet, because we have no concrete consensus on how to describe spin of photons, quantum-mechanically. Here, we have considered a monochromatic coherent ray of photons, described by a many-body coherent state, and established a fundamental basis to describe the spin state of photons, in connection with a classical description based on Stokes parameters. We show that a spinor description of the coherent state is equivalent to Jones vector for polarisation states, and obtain the spin operators (Ŝ) of all components based on rotators in an SU(2) group theory. Polarisation controllers such as phase-shifters and rotators are also obtained as quantummechanical field operators to change the phase of the wavefunction for polarisation states. We show that the Stokes parameters are quantummechanical average of the spin operators, S = ⟨Ŝ⟩. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoporous materials have received growing interest, particularly as electrode materials for lithium-ion battery applications since they provide short transportation length for Li ion and electrons, and favour electrolyte wettability. Such unique features are highly beneficial for improving the electrochemical performance of olivine LiFePO4 as this material has intrinsically low electronic and ionic conductivities, which otherwise would affect the storage performance. In addition, this sluggish kinetic brings about huge polarisation specifically at high current rates, resulting in poor energy efficiency. In order to overcome such kinetic issues, we present here a facile soft template-solvothemal method to synthesise mesoporous LiFePO4. Such mesoporous LiFePO4 is made of well interconnected nanograins (20–30 nm) which exhibits excellent storage performance and long-term cycling stability. In particular, the material shows improved storage performance at high rates with significantly less polarisation and clear signature of voltage plateaus for both Li ion insertion-extraction processes. In comparison with the LiFePO4 synthesized by the soft template method, the mesoporous LiFePO4 demonstrates excellent storage performance. This is attributed to the 2-D diffusion of both Li ions and electrons along b - and c -axes consistent with the 2-D Li ions transport reported previously for LiFePO4 single crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This short article reflects on ‘public switching’ as a methodology for research on public perspectives on potential responses to the climate crisis. There have been recent calls for early public engagement with potentially controversial science and technology. Such ‘upstream’ engagement is often conducted by those close to the science, presenting challenges associated with informing without advocating and deferral to scientists on non-scientific matters. The method we propose – public switching – involves engaging a public (here, young people) with emerging technologies through social science priming, independent research and the creation of questions which are presented to scientists and policymakers working in the field. We argue that this approach provides a mechanism for the public to connect with science and policy and to be heard, with question creation depolarising and deepening discussion. We reflect on methods of public switching, question creation and analysis, and discuss the limits and limitations of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) in the mixtures of FLC and quantum dots have been studied. The theory is modelled with well-known Flory–Huggins theory and Landau theory. The effect quantum dots concentrations and temperature on the pitch length, spontaneous polarisation and tilt angle in the chiral smectic-C* phase of the smectic-A to chiral smectic-C* transition has been discussed. Theoretical analysis shows the increase of the pitch length, spontaneous polarisation and tilt angle with the increase of concentrations of quantum dots in the quantum dots-doped FLC system.A qualitativee comparison between theoretical and experimental results has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media platforms such as Twitter/X are increasingly important for political communication but the empirical question as to whether such communication enhances democratic consensus building (the ideal of deliberative democracy) or instead contributes to societal polarisation via fostering of hate speech and "information disorders" such as echo chambers is worth exploring. Political deliberation involves reciprocal communication between users, but much of the recent research into politics on social media has focused on one-to-many communication, in particular the sharing and diffusion of information on Twitter via retweets. This paper presents a new approach to studying reciprocal political communication on Twitter, with a focus on extending network-analytic indicators of deliberation. We use the Twitter v2 API to collect a new dataset (#debatenight2020) of reciprocal communication on Twitter during the first debate of the 2020 US presidential election and show that a hashtag-based collection alone would have collected only 1% of the debate-related communication. Previous work into using social network analysis to measure deliberation has involved using discussion tree networks to quantify the extent of argumentation (maximum depth) and representation (maximum width); we extend these measures by explicitly incorporating reciprocal communication (via triad census) and the political partisanship of users (inferred via usage of partisan hashtags). Using these methods, we find evidence for reciprocal communication among partisan actors, but also point to a need for further research to understand what forms this communication takes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational models have shown how polarisation can rise among deliberating agents as they approximate epistemic rationality. This paper provides further support for the thesis that polarisation can rise under condition of epistemic rationality, but it does not depend on limitations that extant models rely on, such as memory restrictions or biased evaluation of other agents' testimony. Instead, deliberation is modelled through agents' purposeful introduction of arguments and their rational reactions to introductions of others. This process induces polarisation dynamics on its own. A second result is that the effect size of polarisation dynamics correlates with particular types of argumentative behaviour. Polarisation effects can be soothed when agents take into account the opinions of others as premises, and they are amplified as agents fortify their own beliefs. These results underpin the relevance of argumentation as a factor in social-epistemic processes and indicate that rising issue polarisation is not a reliable indicator of epistemic shortcomings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]