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Molecular spectroscopic and nonlinear features can indicate positive changes by solvent molecules. In this work, DFT and spectroscopic techniques were used to study the polarity effects of different solvent environments. Polarity-based models were used for studying solvent induced interactions on the optical features of new groups of biomolecules. Despite the significant contribution of general effects on the molecular absorption spectra, there is considerable competition between general and specific environmental effects on the molecular emission properties. Under this condition, strong hydrogen bonds tend to increase molecular nonlinear responses. The same results were observed for the low order (first and second order) nonlinearity of biomolecules. Therefore, the studies on the environment effects on the biomolecules' first order nonlinearity can give valuable information about higher-order optical responses. Moreover, 1-Indanone compounds with high nonlinearity can be considered as an effective element in designing optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photon‐pair generation based on optical parametric down‐conversion has attracted for the application as a light source for quantum information. Highly efficient wavelength‐conversion devices require a polarity‐inversion structure when using nitride semiconductors. A transverse quasi‐phase‐matching (QPM) polarity‐inverted GaN bilayer channel waveguide device is suitable for efficient wavelength conversion. This study designed a cross‐section device to satisfy the modal dispersion phase‐matching condition between the TM02 mode pump light and the TM00 mode signal/idler light. Moreover, an AlN oxidation interlayer fabricates the Ga‐polar/N‐polar (+c/−c) GaN layers via metalorganic vapor‐phase epitaxy (MOVPE). A 145 nm thick film layer with a macro‐step‐free surface is grown by optimizing the −c‐GaN growth conditions and reducing the substrate off‐angle to 0.2°. Next, the AlN layer is oxidized in an electric furnace and MOVPE is used to regrow a 1500 nm thick +c‐GaN layer. A macrosteps‐free surface can be achieved by reducing the off‐angle to 0.2° and optimizing the −c‐GaN growth conditions to avoid hillock formation. These results pave the way for improving the efficiency of GaN transverse QPM wavelength‐conversion devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, LD-TCF, a targeting probe for lipid droplets (LDs) with a near-infrared emission wavelength and large Stokes shift, was fabricated for polarity detection by assembling a donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) molecule with typical twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) characteristics. Surprisingly, the fluorescence emission wavelength of the newly constructed probe LD-TCF was stretched to 703 nm, and the Stokes shift was amplified to 126 nm. Furthermore, LD-TCF could specifically answer the change in polarity efficiently and did not experience interference from other biologically active materials. Importantly, LD-TCF exhibited the ability to target lipid droplets, providing valuable insights for the early diagnosis and tracking of pathophysiological processes underlying LD polarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular changes in carcinomas include alterations in cell proliferation, cell migration, cell-cell adhesion, and cellular polarity. In vitro studies have revealed that the water channels, aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and AQP3, can influence cell migration and cell-cell adhesion. Of note, we previously showed that AQP1 overexpression reduced levels of cell-cell adhesion proteins, whereas AQP3 increased levels when overexpressed in normal epithelial cells. Expression of AQP1 and AQP3 in breast carcinoma is associated with lymph node metastasis, recurrence, and poor survival of patients with breast cancer. In this study, we investigated if AQP1 and AQP3 affected cell polarity in breast cancer by studying the relationship between the major polarity protein Scribble and AQP1 and AQP3. In breast cancer tissue samples, the protein expression of AQP1, AQP3, and Scribble did not show an obvious correlation. However, in a GST pull-down assay, AQP1 and AQP3 interacted with Scribble. AQP1 overexpression reduced the size of 3D spheroids as well as reduced Scribble levels at cell-cell contacts, whereas AQP3 overexpression showed no significant change in spheroid size compared with control, AQP3 overexpression also reduced Scribble levels at cell-cell contacts. Of note, AQP1 overexpression increased cell migration and induced cell detachment and dissemination from migrating breast cancer cell sheets, whereas AQP3 overexpression did not. Thus, AQP1 and AQP3 differentially affect 3D-grown breast cancer spheroids, and especially AQP1 may contribute to cancer development and spread via negatively affecting cellular junctions and cell polarity proteins as well as increasing cell migration and cell detachment. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Overexpression of the water channels aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-3 reduced levels of the key polarity protein Scribble at cell-cell junctions, suggesting potential implications in breast cancer progression and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the primary tenets in pharmacotherapy is that the applied drug must reach the target tissue at therapeutic concentration. For many therapies intended to treat hearing disorders it has become apparent that we have failed to achieve this goal, contributing to poor outcomes in several important clinical trials. The crux of the delivery problem is that small lipophilic molecules pass with relative ease through membranous boundaries of the body. This initially seems advantageous when the drug is applied intratympanically, enabling entry into perilymph through the round window membrane. Unfortunately, the same property also allows the drug to pass through endothelial cells of blood capillaries, allowing it to be eliminated from perilymph. Drugs that are eliminated rapidly as they diffuse along the cochlear scalae will only treat basal high-frequency cochlear regions and will not reach therapeutic concentrations in the apical regions of the human cochlea. Methods: We have used the FluidSim program, a computer model of the inner ear fluids, to derive perilymph elimination properties for 15 molecules from published and archival data sets, which are compared with calculated molecular properties. Results: Smaller, lipophilic drugs are shown to be eliminated from perilymph more rapidly, with half-times as fast as 17 min, compared to larger, polar ones, with half-times as long as 1,304 min (21.7 h). Discussion: Based on their molecular properties’ drugs can be identified that distribute well along the cochlea when applied intratympanically. This excludes many drugs that have been used for, or are currently in development for, inner ear therapy. On the other hand, it opens a vast array of less-studied, larger molecules, many of which would be unsuitable for oral delivery (characterized as “not druglike”) but representing promising candidates for local inner ear therapy. In the earliest stages of consideration, drugs need to be selected based on the properties which govern their ability to reach the appropriate target site and not whether they are efficacious in small animals or have high potency in vitro. Confirmation that the selected drug is reaching the target site(s) in a large animal model should ideally precede expensive clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid droplets (LDs) are subcellular organelles that are dynamic and play a central role in energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism. They also contribute to the transport and maturation of cellular proteins and are closely associated with several diseases. The important role of the cellular microenvironment in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Changes in cell polarity, particularly in organelles, have been found to be strongly linked to inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and other illnesses. It is essential to check the polarity of the LDs. A series of arylated naphthalimide derivatives were synthesized using the Suzuki reaction. Modification of synthesized aryl naphthalimides using oligomeric PEG based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. A series of fluorescent probes were designed to target LDs and detect their polarity. Nap‐TPA‐PEG3 probe exhibited high sensitivity to polarity. The addition of oligomeric polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the probe not only significantly improved its solubility in water, but also effectively reduced its cytotoxicity. In addition, the probe exhibited excellent aggregation‐induced luminescence (AIE) properties and solvent discolouration effects. Nap‐TPA‐PEG3 probe exhibited high Pearson correlation coefficient (0.957163) in lipid droplet co‐localization in cells. Nap‐TPA‐PEG3 could be used as an effective hand tool to monitor cell polarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polar molecular crystals hold a promise for controlling bulk physical properties originated in their unique switchable polarity via structural transformation. However, the mechanisms for switching polarization are mainly limited to displacive and disorder‐order phase transitions, which rarely involve the reconstruction of chemical bonds. Here, we have switched and tuned electric polarization in a bimetallic halide, (Neopentylammonium)4AgBiBr8 (1), as verified by light‐excited pyroelectric effect. Most notably, its Ag−Br coordination bonds show a zipper‐like dynamic switching behavior from the ‘locked’ to ‘unlocked’ state, namely, reconstruction of chemical bonds. Coupling with the dynamic ordering of organic cations, this bond‐switching transition makes a contribution to switchable polarization of 1. As expected, its polarity creates pyroelectric effect for self‐driven X‐ray detection with high sensitivity (3.8×103 μC Gy−1 cm−2) and low limit of detection (4.8 nGy s−1). This work on the bond‐switching mechanism provides an avenue to design polar molecular candidate for smart optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multicellular haploid stage of land plants develops from a single haploid cell produced by meiosis - the spore. Starting from a nonpolar state, these spores develop polarity, divide asymmetrically and establish the first axis of symmetry. Here, we show that the nucleus migrates from the cell centroid to the basal pole during polarisation of the Marchantia polymorpha spore cell. A microtubule organising centre on the leading edge of the nucleus initiates a microtubule array between the nuclear surface and the cortex at the basal pole. Simultaneously, cortical microtubules disappear from the apical hemisphere but persist in the basal hemisphere. This is accompanied by the formation a dense network of fine actin filaments between the nucleus and the basal pole cortex. Experimental depolymerisation of either microtubules or actin filaments disrupts cellular asymmetry. These data demonstrate that the cytoskeleton reorganises during spore polarisation and controls the directed migration of the nucleus to the basal pole. The presence of the nucleus at the basal pole provides the cellular asymmetry for the asymmetric cell division that establishes the apical-basal axis of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies in the second language acquisition of negation have focused on polarity items and their licensing contexts. Although several studies show a correlation between higher degrees of second language (L2) proficiency and the acquisition of the target L2 structures, less attention has been given to the relation between the acquisition of polarity sensitivity and different types of lexical polarity items. This study addresses this gap in the literature by measuring the processing of polarity-sensitive items under the scope of negation in L2 Spanish. Our findings indicate that learners' acquisition of polarity sensitivity differs across different types of lexical polarity items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key issue for nano‐additive to effectively exert tribological function is to ensure its entrance to and adhesion on the frictional contact surfaces. But the adhesion of nano‐additive on the rubbed surfaces under oil lubrication faces the challenge of the competitive adsorption of lubricant base oil thereon. In this study, oleic acid–modified ultra‐small cerium oxide (OA‐CeO2) nanoparticle was synthesised by one‐pot liquid‐phase surface‐modification method in the presence of OA as the surface modifier. The susceptibility of non‐polar poly–alpha olefin 6 (PAO6) and polar diisooctyl sebacate (DIOS) base oils to the as‐prepared OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive was investigated, and the effect of the OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive on the friction‐reducing and anti‐wear abilities of the two kinds of base oils towards a steel–steel sliding contact was investigated with four‐ball friction and wear tester. Furthermore, the tribological mechanism of the adsorption and deposition of the OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive on the surface of friction steel and the competitive adsorption of base oil were discussed. Characterisations by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrate that the as‐prepared OA‐CeO2 nanoparticle is of a spherical shape and has an ultra‐small average size of 1.2 nm. As the lubricant additive in PAO6 and DIOS base oils, the OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive exhibits different tribological properties, which is attributed to the difference in the base oils' polarity. Namely, the CeO2 nanoparticle in the non‐polar PAO6 base oil is more easily adsorbed on the rubbed surface of the steel–steel sliding contact, thereby forming the CeO2 deposition film to improve the tribological properties of the base oil. However, the CeO2 nanoparticle added in polar DIOS base oil is difficult to form the CeO2 deposition film, because of the competitive and preferential adsorption of the polar base oil on the rubbed steel surface. Therefore, it is imperative to select the base oils with proper polarity to better exert the friction‐reducing and anti‐wear functions of the OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The P-wave peak distribution in azimuth and takeoff angles, corrected for the distance through empirical attenuation laws, can reveal the radiation pattern amplitude of the source (Tarantino et al., 2019). This piece of information, jointly combined with the available polarities and S-wave peak amplitudes, can provide the full focal mechanism, constraining the solution also when only a few seismic station records are available, that is, in the case of microseismicity. We proposed a new technique, named P-, S-wave amplitude, and polarities (P-SAP), designed to compute the focal mechanism by jointly inverting the P-, S-wave amplitude ratios and P-wave polarities in a Bayesian framework and employing the octree strategy (Fang et al., 1996) to explore the space of possible solutions. The outputs are strike, dip, and rake angles of the most likely triplet (principal and auxiliary planes) with the related uncertainties, as well as other multiple solutions, if present. We tested the methodology to synthetic data, and we applied it to a microseismic sequence that occurred in Irpinia region, southern Italy. A background microseismicity occurs in a volume delimited by the faults activated during the 1980 M 6.9 Irpinia earthquake. This faults system is complex and composed of northwest-southeast-striking normal faults along the Apennines chain and an approximately east-west-oriented strike-slip fault, deep-seated in the Potenza area. A network of three-component accelerometers and velocimeters are currently deployed to monitor the area. The major topic of this work is validating the proposed P-SAP methodology for microseismicity studies. We also inferred the optimum stress tensor of the sequence, confirming that the microseismicity is controlled by the regional stress field and can reveal characteristics useful to highlight behaviors of larger-scale seismicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Cancer organoids have emerged as a valuable tool of three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures to investigate tumor heterogeneity and predict tumor behavior and treatment response. We developed a 3D organotypic culture model of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to recapitulate the tumor–stromal interface by co-culturing four cell types, including patient-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts (PD-CAFs). Methods: A stainless-steel ring was used twice to create the horizontal positioning of the cancer stroma (adjoining normal oral mucosa connective tissue) and the OSCC layer (surrounding normal oral mucosa epithelial layer). Combined with a structured bi-layered model of the epithelial component and the underlying stroma, this protocol enabled us to construct four distinct portions mimicking the oral cancer tissue arising in the oral mucosa. Results: In this model, α-smooth muscle actin-positive PD-CAFs were localized in close proximity to the OSCC layer, suggesting a crosstalk between them. Furthermore, a linear laminin-γ2 expression was lacking at the interface between the OSCC layer and the underlying stromal layer, indicating the loss of the basement membrane-like structure. Conclusions: Since the specific 3D architecture and polarity mimicking oral cancer in vivo provides a more accurate milieu of the tumor microenvironment (TME), it could be crucial in elucidating oral cancer TME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on spoken languages has shown that response particles may indicate the truth of a previous utterance or the polarity of the response. In responses to negative antecedents, the two functions come apart and particles become ambiguous. We present the first quantitative study on response strategies in sign languages by discussing data from a production experiment in German Sign Language (Deutsche Gebärdensprache; DGS). The results indicate that DGS does not exploit the potential of simultaneous manual and nonmanual strategies to disambiguate responses. Still, the type of articulator influences the choice of response element. We propose an optimality-theoretic model to account for the role of articulator type, the disambiguation potential, and the morphosyn- tax of response elements in DGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of Kappaphycus alvarezii in the food system has attracted researchers due to its bioactive compounds, including tryptophan. The present study was conducted to extract tryptophan from K. alvarezii with the aid of sonication. A reduced multilevel factorial design was conducted to evaluate the effect of solvent, ultrasound power, duty-pulse cycle, time and temperature on the recovery of tryptophan. Analysis of variance suggested that the type of solvent and combination setting of power and duty-pulse cycle significantly influenced the extraction (p < 0.05). In contrast, extraction time and temperature did not alter the extraction (p > 0.05). The optimum was using ethanol, ultrasound power 80 %, pulse duty-cycle 0.8 s-1, extraction time 10 min, and temperature 25 °C and tryptophan concentration was 56.41 ± 2.42 mg L-1. Subsequently, a COnducto-like Screening MOdel for Real Solvent (COSMO-RS) was performed to clarify the impact of solvent affinity and polarity on the tryptophan extraction from K. alvarezii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic changes to endometrial epithelial cells underpin receptivity to embryo implantation at the onset of pregnancy but the effect of hyperglycemia on these processes remains poorly understood. Here, we show that physiological levels of glucose (5 mM) abolished receptivity in the endometrial epithelial cell line, Ishikawa. However, embryo attachment was supported by 17 mM glucose as a result of glucose flux through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) and modulation of cell function via protein O-GlcNAcylation. Pharmacological inhibition of HBP or protein O-GlcNAcylation reduced embryo attachment in cocultures at 17 mM glucose. Mass spectrometry analysis of the O-GlcNAcylated proteome in Ishikawa cells revealed that myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) is more highly O-GlcNAcylated in 17 mM glucose, correlating with loss of its target protein, phospho-myosin light chain 2, from apical cell junctions of polarized epithelium. Two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) morphologic analysis demonstrated that the higher glucose level attenuates epithelial polarity through O-GlcNAcylation. Inhibition of Rho (ras homologous)A-associated kinase (ROCK) or myosin II led to reduced polarity and enhanced receptivity in cells cultured in 5 mM glucose, consistent with data showing that MYPT1 acts downstream of ROCK signaling. These data implicate regulation of endometrial epithelial polarity through RhoA signaling upstream of actomyosin contractility in the acquisition of endometrial receptivity. Glucose levels impinge on this pathway through O-GlcNAcylation of MYPT1, which may impact endometrial receptivity to an implanting embryo in women with diabetes. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Understanding how glucose regulates endometrial function will support preconception guidance and/or the development of targeted interventions for individuals living with diabetes wishing to embark on pregnancy. We found that glucose can influence endometrial epithelial cell receptivity to embryo implantation by regulating posttranslational modification of proteins involved in the maintenance of cell polarity. Impaired or inappropriate endometrial receptivity could contribute to fertility and/or early pregnancy complications caused by poor glucose control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The role of maternal tissue in embryogenesis remains enigmatic in many complex organisms. Here, we investigate the contribution of maternal tissue to apical–basal patterning in the kelp embryo.Focussing on Undaria pinnatifida, we studied the effects of detachment from the maternal tissue using microsurgery, staining of cell wall modifications, morphometric measurements, flow cytometry, genotyping and a modified kelp fertilisation protocol synchronising kelp embryogenesis.Detached embryos are rounder and often show aberrant morphologies. When a part of the oogonial cell wall remains attached to the zygote, the apical–basal patterning is rescued. Furthermore, the absence of contact with maternal tissue increases parthenogenesis, highlighting the critical role of maternal signals in the initial stages of development.These results show a key role for the connection to the maternal oogonial cell wall in apical–basal patterning in kelps. This observation is reminiscent of another brown alga, Fucus, where the cell wall directs the cell fate. Our findings suggest a conserved mechanism across phylogenetically distant oogamous lineages, where localised secretion of sulphated F2 fucans mediates the establishment of the apical–basal polarity. In this model, the maternal oogonial cell wall mediates basal cell fate determination by providing an extrinsic patterning cue to the future kelp embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Molecular spectroscopic and nonlinear features can indicate positive changes by solvent molecules. In this work, DFT and spectroscopic techniques were used to study the polarity effects of different solvent environments. Polarity-based models were used for studying solvent induced interactions on the optical features of new groups of biomolecules. Despite the significant contribution of general effects on the molecular absorption spectra, there is considerable competition between general and specific environmental effects on the molecular emission properties. Under this condition, strong hydrogen bonds tend to increase molecular nonlinear responses. The same results were observed for the low order (first and second order) nonlinearity of biomolecules. Therefore, the studies on the environment effects on the biomolecules’ first order nonlinearity can give valuable information about higher-order optical responses. Moreover, 1-Indanone compounds with high nonlinearity can be considered as an effective element in designing optical devices.

A sentence containing disjunction in the scope of a possibility modal, such as Angie is allowed to buy the boat or the car, gives rise to the free choice inference that Angie can freely choose between the two. This inference poses a well-known puzzle, in that it is not predicted by a standard treatment of modals and disjunction (e.g., Kamp (Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society 74:57–74, 1974)). To complicate things further, free choice tends to disappear under negation: Angie is not allowed to buy the boat or the car doesn't merely convey the negation of free choice, but rather the stronger double prohibition reading that Angie cannot buy either one. There are two main approaches to the free choice-double prohibition pattern in the literature. While they both capture the relevant data points, they make a testable, divergent prediction regarding the status of positive and negative sentences in a context in which Angie can only buy one of the two objects, e.g., the boat. In particular, the implicature-based approach (e.g., Fox (Presupposition and implicature in compositional semantics, pp. 71–120, 2007); Klinedinst (Plurality and possibility, PhD diss., UCLA, 2007); Bar-Lev and Fox (Proceedings of SALT 27, pp. 95–115, 2017); Bar-Lev and Fox (Natural Language Semantics 28:175–223, 2020)) predicts that the positive sentence is true in such a context, but associated with a false implicature, while it predicts the negative sentence to be straightforwardly false. The homogeneity-based approach in Goldstein (Semantics & Pragmatics 12:1–53, 2019) predicts both the positive and negative sentences to be equally undefined (see also Aloni (Semantics & Pragmatics 15:5, 2022); Willer (Proceedings of the 21st Amsterdam Colloquium, pp. 511–520, 2017)) for similar predictions). Investigating the contrast between these sentences in such a context therefore provides a clear way to address the debate between implicature and non-implicature accounts of free choice. We present a set of four experiments aiming to do just this, by comparing free choice inferences to regular implicatures, using a ternary judgment task. The results overall present a challenge for the implicature approach. We discuss how the implicature approach could be amended to account for our results, based on a recent proposal by Enguehard and Chemla (Linguistics & Philosophy 44:79–112, 2021) on the distribution of implicatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a cross-linguistic investigation of request for confirmation (RfC) sequences, this article provides an overview of distributional tendencies associated with Korean RfC sequences based on an examination of 200 tokens of RfC excerpted from audio- and video-recorded face-to-face ordinary conversations. Various grammatical and contextual features associated with RfCs are analyzed, e.g., as interactional resources for grounding RfCs in inferencing, rendering them modulated in action, or connecting them to prior talk/action. They include negative polarity markers, connective particles (e.g., -nuntey ‘circumstantial’), modal markers (e.g., -keyss ‘I suppose’), and sentence-ending suffixes (SESs) such as -na (‘dubitative), -ney (‘noticing’), and ‘pseudo-tags’ -ci/cianha, which are composed of -ci (‘committal’). Features of responses to RfCs are examined in terms of response type (e.g., confirmation, disconfirmation, or neither) with special reference to the form and distribution of response tokens, which include not only unmarked interjections such as ung/yey (‘yes’) and ani(-yo) (‘no’), but also kule-marked indexical forms (e.g., ku(leh)ci ‘certainly it is’). The findings shed light on the role of SESs, modal markers, and discourse particles as stance-marking resources that crucially shape the function of RfCs, and the compositional features of response turns that constitute or frame a responsive action to RfCs.

Polarization‐sensitive photodetection has intensive practical applications, including optical anti‐counterfeiting, image encryption, and remote sensing. 2D hybrid perovskites have emerged as a robust candidate in this portfolio, due to their inherent quantum‐confined structure and anisotropic properties. However, studies on the chemical assembly of inorganic‐layer thickness to regulate structural anisotropy and polarization‐sensitive photodetection behavior remain insufficient. Here, the inorganic‐layer thickness of 2D homologous perovskites is regulated, (MBA)2(CH3NH3)n−1PbnI3n+1 (n = 1–3, where MBA = 4‐methylbenzylamine), featuring the similar polar structures and strong optical anisotropy. Notably, photoelectric merits are greatly improved from n = 1 to n = 3 with the weakening of the quantum confinement effect. Under illumination, the n = 3 member exhibits large on/off ratios of photocurrent (≈2.1 × 104) far beyond other lower‐layered counterparts. The polarized‐light photodetector based on n = 3 crystal shows intriguing behaviors, including noticeable responsivity (1.2 mA W−1), detectivity (9.5 × 1013 Jones), and superior photocurrent anisotropy (≈110.4). Besides, fascinating self‐powered polarization behaviors with a large anisotropy contrast are achieved based on the bulk photovoltaic effect, stemming from the structural polarity. These characteristics underscore the design strategy of inorganic‐layer regulation in advancing the exploration of new 2D perovskite candidates for polarization‐based optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's digital society, social networks such as Twitter are a preferred place for expressing one's emotions, especially when they are negative. Despite a growing interest in the variety of linguistic realizations of commuters' complaints, little attention has so far been paid to writers' choices, especially when morphologically or syntactically simpler alternative formulations are available. A typical example is the "inference towards the antonym" triggered by the negation of contrary adjectives, an effect that is stronger for positive compared to negative adjectives. In the context of railway transport, a customer could use the negative statement The train is not clean instead of the corresponding affirmative sentence The train is dirty. It remains unclear, in our current state of knowledge, why online customers would prefer more complex constructions to voice their criticisms. Based on a large corpus of tweets sent to the French and Belgian national railway companies by their customers, I have semi-automatically extracted instances of not (very) + adjective (ADJ). Based on previous observations in the literature, I expected positive adjectives to be more frequently used in these negative environments compared to negative ones. As recent research demonstrates that one's desire to save the interlocutor's face is not necessarily the only reason why positive adjectives are used in linguistically negative environments, other motivations will also be considered. More precisely, I suggest that in a context where negativity is prevalent, customers using negated positive adjectives kill two birds with one stone: not only do they signal an issue with a product or a service, pointing to expectations that have not been met by the company, but they also mitigate the impact of their negative comments to the positive face of the service managers with whom they are interacting. By offering a quantitative, corpus-based analysis of negative constructions, complemented by a qualitative linguistic analysis of selected examples, this research sheds new light on users' lexical choices in online negative customer feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis: Almost all beta cells contact one capillary and insulin granule fusion is targeted to this region. However, there are reports of beta cells contacting more than one capillary. We therefore set out to determine the proportion of beta cells with multiple contacts and the impact of this on cell structure and function. Methods: We used pancreatic slices in mice and humans to better maintain cell and islet structure than in isolated islets. Cell structure was assayed using immunofluorescence and 3D confocal microscopy. Live-cell two-photon microscopy was used to map granule fusion events in response to glucose stimulation. Results: We found that 36% and 22% of beta cells in islets from mice and humans, respectively, have separate contact with two capillaries. These contacts establish a distinct form of cell polarity with multiple basal regions. Both capillary contact points are enriched in presynaptic scaffold proteins, and both are a target for insulin granule fusion. Cells with two capillary contact points have a greater capillary contact area and secrete more, with analysis showing that, independent of the number of contact points, increased contact area is correlated with increased granule fusion. Using db/db mice as a model for type 2 diabetes, we observed changes in islet capillary organisation that significantly reduced total islet capillary surface area, and reduced area of capillary contact in single beta cells. Conclusions/interpretation: Beta cells that contact two capillaries are a significant subpopulation of beta cells within the islet. They have a distinct form of cell polarity and both contact points are specialised for secretion. The larger capillary contact area of cells with two contact points is correlated with increased secretion. In the db/db mouse, changes in capillary structure impact beta cell capillary contact, implying that this is a new factor contributing to disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During heart development, the embryonic ventricle becomes enveloped by the epicardium, which adheres to the outer apical surface of the heart. This is concomitant with onset of ventricular trabeculation, where a subset of cardiomyocytes lose apicobasal polarity and delaminate basally from the ventricular wall. Llgl1 regulates the formation of apical cell junctions and apicobasal polarity, and we investigated its role in ventricular wall maturation. We found that llgl1 mutant zebrafish embryos exhibit aberrant apical extrusion of ventricular cardiomyocytes. While investigating apical cardiomyocyte extrusion, we identified a basal-to-apical shift in laminin deposition from the internal to the external ventricular wall. We find that epicardial cells express several laminin subunits as they adhere to the ventricle, and that the epicardium is required for laminin deposition on the ventricular surface. In llgl1 mutants, timely establishment of the epicardial layer is disrupted due to delayed emergence of epicardial cells, resulting in delayed apical deposition of laminin on the ventricular surface. Together, our analyses reveal an unexpected role for Llgl1 in correct timing of epicardial development, supporting integrity of the ventricular myocardial wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) are complementary imaging techniques that detect disease based on viscoelasticity and water mobility, respectively. However, the relationship between viscoelasticity and water diffusion is still poorly understood, hindering the clinical translation of combined DWI-MRE markers. We used DWI-MRE to study 129 biomaterial samples including native and cross-linked collagen, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) with different sulfation levels, and decellularized specimens of pancreas and liver, all with different proportions of solid tissue, or solid fractions. We developed a theoretical framework of the relationship between mechanical loss and tissue-water mobility based on two parameters, solid and fluid viscosity. These parameters revealed distinct DWI-MRE property clusters characterizing weak, moderate, and strong water-network interactions. Sparse networks interacting weakly with water, such as collagen or diluted decellularized tissue, resulted in marginal changes in water diffusion over increasing solid viscosity. In contrast, dense networks with larger solid fractions exhibited both free and hindered water diffusion depending on the polarity of the solid components. For example, polar and highly sulfated GAGs as well as native soft tissues hindered water diffusion despite relatively low solid viscosity. Our results suggest that two fundamental properties of tissue networks, solid fraction and network polarity, critically influence solid and fluid viscosity in biological tissues. Since clinical DWI and MRE are sensitive to these viscosity parameters, the framework we present here can be used to detect tissue remodeling and architectural changes in the setting of diagnostic imaging. The viscoelastic properties of biological tissues provide a wealth of information on the vital state of cells and host matrix. Combined measurement of viscoelasticity and water diffusion by medical imaging is sensitive to tissue microarchitecture. However, the relationship between viscoelasticity and water diffusion is still poorly understood, hindering full exploitation of these properties as a combined clinical biomarker. Therefore, we analyzed the parameter space accessible by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and developed a theoretical framework for the relationship between water mobility and mechanical parameters in biomaterials. Our theory of solid material properties related to particle motion can be translated to clinical radiology using clinically established MRE and DWI. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new form of regulated cell death, ferroptosis is closely related to various diseases. Tracing ferroptosis related biological behavior is helpful to better understand this process and its related biology. Considering that ferroptosis is featured with remarkable lipid peroxidation which can easily change the membranes' compositions and structures, it is potential to detect intracellular environmental changes for direct assessment of ferroptosis. In view of the close relationship between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and ferroptosis, we designed an ER‐targeted and polarity‐sensitive fluorescent probe SBD−CH, which has superior photostability and can respond to polarity with high selectivity without the affection of viscosity. SBD−CH can monitor the trend of ER polarity during ferroptosis by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and analyze the distribution of polarity in ferroptosis by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). During Erastin induced ferroptosis, the polarity of ER in HT‐1080 cells increased and the polarity distribution in ER was more dispersed. Our work provides an effective strategy for evaluating the process of ferroptosis by monitoring the changes of ER polarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pickering emulsion stabilized by lignin particles has many advantages such as high flexibility, natural non-toxicity, anti-oxidation, and anti-ultraviolet. In order to promote the application of industrial lignin in the field of Pickering emulsions, this study has done comparatively systematic and basic research on Pickering emulsions stabilized by lignin particles. The emulsification effects of lignin particles on cyclohexane and n-decanol which have opposite polarity were compared firstly under different oil-water ratios. It was found that stable emulsions formed when the three-phase contact angle of oil/water/lignin was closer to 90°. The weakly polar cyclohexane could be well-emulsified by lignin particles, while the strong polar n-decanol could not. Cyclohexane was used as the oil phase to discuss the emulsification ability of lignin particles under different concentrations or with different particle sizes. The results show increasing the concentration of lignin particles or reducing the particle size can improve the emulsification performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Nurses will likely encounter a wide variety of situations that can be considered polarities. This study aimed to examine the impact of a polarity management training programme on nurse managers' skills and knowledge of polarity management, and their creative behaviours and intrinsic motivation. Methods: A quasi-experimental study using an interrupted time series design with one-group pre and post test was performed. A total of 60 nurse managers participated. Polarity tools (knowledge and skills) and self-report questionnaires of creative behaviour and motivation were applied in collecting data throughout the training programme. Results: Respondents' knowledge and skills of polarity management were better following the training programme, with higher levels of creativity and motivation throughout the post and follow-up programme. This was evidenced by correlation and linear regression tests between nurse managers' knowledge and skills and their creativity and motivation. Conclusions: This programme can benefit not only nurse managers, but also nursing staff, patients and organisations. This may ultimately improve outcomes for patients, staff and organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the soil environment, microplastics (MPs) commonly coexist with organic pollutants such as nonylphenol (NP), affecting the migration of NP through adsorption/desorption. However, few studies have focused on the interaction between NP and MPs in soil, especially for MPs of different types and ageing characteristics. In this study, non-polar polypropylene (PP) and polar polyamide (PA) MPs were aged either photochemically (144 h) or within soil (60 days), then used to determine the effect of 5 % MPs on the adsorption behaviour of NP (0.1–4.0 mg/L) in soil. Results showed that both ageing processes significantly promoted the conversion of -CH3 groups to C-O and CO on the surface of PPMPs, while PAMPs exhibited amide groups changes and a reduction in average particle size due to ageing. Additionally, both ageing processes promoted the adsorption of NP by soil containing PPMPs, due to an increase in oxygen-containing functional groups and specific surface area. In contrast, the NP adsorption capacity of soil containing PAMPs decreased by 15.4 % following photochemical ageing due to hydrolysis of amide groups, but increased by 21.15 % after soil ageing due to reorganization of amide groups, respectively. The soil-PAMPs systems exhibited a stronger affinity for NP compared to the soil-PPMPs systems, which was primarily attributed to the dominant role of hydrogen bonding. NP was found to be distributed mainly on soil particles in the soil-PPMPs systems, while it tended to be adsorbed by MPs in the soil-PAMPs systems, especially in the soil aged MPs system. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex effects of MPs on coexisting pollutants in soil environments, highlighting the effect of MP characteristics on the adsorption of organic pollutants, which is essential for understanding the transport behaviour of organic pollutants.

IntroductionOne of the primary tenets in pharmacotherapy is that the applied drug must reach the target tissue at therapeutic concentration. For many therapies intended to treat hearing disorders it has become apparent that we have failed to achieve this goal, contributing to poor outcomes in several important clinical trials. The crux of the delivery problem is that small lipophilic molecules pass with relative ease through membranous boundaries of the body. This initially seems advantageous when the drug is applied intratympanically, enabling entry into perilymph through the round window membrane. Unfortunately, the same property also allows the drug to pass through endothelial cells of blood capillaries, allowing it to be eliminated from perilymph. Drugs that are eliminated rapidly as they diffuse along the cochlear scalae will only treat basal high-frequency cochlear regions and will not reach therapeutic concentrations in the apical regions of the human cochlea.MethodsWe have used the FluidSim program, a computer model of the inner ear fluids, to derive perilymph elimination properties for 15 molecules from published and archival data sets, which are compared with calculated molecular properties.ResultsSmaller, lipophilic drugs are shown to be eliminated from perilymph more rapidly, with half-times as fast as 17 min, compared to larger, polar ones, with half-times as long as 1,304 min (21.7 h).DiscussionBased on their molecular properties’ drugs can be identified that distribute well along the cochlea when applied intratympanically. This excludes many drugs that have been used for, or are currently in development for, inner ear therapy. On the other hand, it opens a vast array of less-studied, larger molecules, many of which would be unsuitable for oral delivery (characterized as “not druglike”) but representing promising candidates for local inner ear therapy. In the earliest stages of consideration, drugs need to be selected based on the properties which govern their ability to reach the appropriate target site and not whether they are efficacious in small animals or have high potency in vitro. Confirmation that the selected drug is reaching the target site(s) in a large animal model should ideally precede expensive clinical trials.

Background: Cell confluency and serum deprivation promote the transition of C2C12 myoblasts into myocytes and subsequence fusion into myotubes. However, despite all myoblasts undergoing the same serum deprivation trigger, their responses vary: whether they become founder myocytes, remain proliferative, or evolve into fusion-competent myocytes remains unclear. We have previously shown that depletion of the scaffolding protein palladin in myoblasts inhibits cell migration and promotes premature muscle differentiation, pointing to its potential significance in muscle development and the necessity for a more in-depth examination of its function in cellular heterogeneity. Methods and results: Here, we showed that the subcellular localization of palladin might contribute to founder-fate cell decision in the early differentiation process. Depleting palladin in C2C12 myoblasts depleted integrin-β3 plasma membrane localization of and focal adhesion formation at the early stage of myogenesis, decreased kindlin-2 and metavinculin expression during the myotube maturation process, leading to the inability of myocytes to fuse into preexisting mature myotubes. This aligns with previous findings where early differentiation into nascent myotubes occurred but compromised maturation. In contrast, wildtype C2C12 overexpressing the 140-kDa palladin isoform developed a polarized morphology with star-like structures toward other myoblasts. However, this behaviour was not observed in palladin-depleted cells, where the 140-kDa palladin overexpression could not recover cell migration capacity, suggesting other palladin isoforms are also needed to establish cell polarity. Conclusion: Our study identifies a counter-intuitive role for palladin in regulating myoblast-to-myocyte cell fate decisions and impacting their ability to form mature multinucleated myotubes by influencing cell signalling pathways and cytoskeletal organization, necessary for skeletal muscle regeneration and repair studies.

Maintaining persistent migration in complex environments is critical for neutrophils to reach infection sites. Neutrophils avoid getting trapped, even when obstacles split their front into multiple leading edges. How they re-establish polarity to move productively while incorporating receptor inputs under such conditions remains unclear. Here, we challenge chemotaxing HL60 neutrophil-like cells with symmetric bifurcating microfluidic channels to probe cell-intrinsic processes during the resolution of competing fronts. Using supervised statistical learning, we demonstrate that cells commit to one leading edge late in the process, rather than amplifying structural asymmetries or early fluctuations. Using optogenetic tools, we show that receptor inputs only bias the decision similarly late, once mechanical stretching begins to weaken each front. Finally, a retracting edge commits to retraction, with ROCK limiting sensitivity to receptor inputs until the retraction completes. Collectively, our results suggest that cell edges locally adopt highly stable protrusion/retraction programs that are modulated by mechanical feedback.

This rapid communication examines the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the international military system, utilizing variations in systemic power concentration as a metric. Power is conceptualized in terms of military capabilities and quantified through two indicators: military expenditure and military personnel. The methodology for this quantification parallels that of the Composite Indicator of National Capability, developed by the Correlates of War Project. Modelski’s approach is employed to calculate systemic power concentration, while Brecke’s criteria are utilized to ascertain the system’s polar structure—polarity—over the period from 2017 to 2023. The findings indicate that the international military system maintained a structurally multipolar configuration, with China, India, and the United States serving as principal power centers. A slight decrease in the value of concentration occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic years, but no significant post-pandemic alterations in the structure of the international military system were observed. Consequently, this study concludes that COVID-19 has had minimal, if any, effect on the global concentration of power.

Russian polar particle li is usually analyzed as a second position clitic, constrained to appear at the linearly second position in the clause. I suggest that this requirement is a consequence of head movement: li is generated in ∑$$ \Sigma $$—a polarity projection—merged directly above the associated polar constituent (X). This constituent must head‐move and left‐adjoin to li. The complex head (X+li) is largely equivalent to a wh‐word: at later stages of the derivation, it is attracted to the left periphery of the clause. li can be seen as an analog of a wh‐morpheme, which merges with different morphemes to form a wh‐word. Treating X+li as a complex head allows us to reduce the second position requirement of li to the left edge requirement on the X+li, a requirement often postulated for wh‐words. I provide further evidence for the ∑$$ \Sigma $$ hypothesis by showing the complementarity of li and negation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly conserved Notch pathway, a pillar of juxtacrine signaling, orchestrates intricate intercellular communication, governing diverse developmental and homeostatic processes through a tightly regulated cascade of proteolytic cleavages. This pathway, culminating in the migration of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) to the nucleus and the subsequent activation of downstream target genes, exerts a profound influence on a plethora of molecular processes, including cell cycle progression, lineage specification, cell–cell adhesion, and fate determination. Accumulating evidence underscores the pivotal role of Notch dysregulation, encompassing both gain and loss-of-function mutations, in the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases. This review delves deep into the multifaceted roles of Notch signaling in cellular dynamics, encompassing proliferation, differentiation, polarity maintenance, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), tissue regeneration/remodeling, and its intricate interplay with other signaling pathways. We then focus on the emerging landscape of Notch aberrations in gynecological pathologies predisposing individuals to infertility. By highlighting the exquisite conservation of Notch signaling in Drosophila and its power as a model organism, we pave the way for further dissection of disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions through targeted modulation of this master regulatory pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portfolios are often implemented to target multiple purposes, e.g. assessment, accountability and/or self-regulated learning. However, in educational practice, it appears to be difficult to combine different purposes in one portfolio, as interdependencies between the purposes can cause tensions. This paper explored directions to manage tensions that are inextricably linked to multipurpose portfolio use. We used a systems thinking methodology, that was based on the polarity thinkingTM framework. This framework provides a step-by-step approach to chart a polarity map® that can help to balance the tensions present in specific settings. We followed the steps of the framework to chart a polarity map for multipurpose portfolio use. Based on literature and our prior research, we selected one overarching polarity: accountability and learner agency. This polarity seems responsible for multiple tensions related to multipurpose portfolio use. We formulated values (potential benefits) and fears (tensions that can arise) of the two poles of this polarity. Then, we organised a session with stakeholders who work with the portfolio of the Dutch General Practice speciality programme. Together we formulated action steps and early warnings that can help to balance accountability and learner agency during multipurpose portfolio use. In addition to previous recommendations concerning portfolio use, we advocate that it is important to create a shared frame of reference between all involved with the multipurpose portfolio. During this process, the acknowledgement and discussion of tensions related to multipurpose portfolio use are vital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tight junctions (TJs) are specialized regions of contact between cells of epithelial and endothelial tissues that form selective semipermeable paracellular barriers that establish and maintain body compartments with different fluid compositions. As such, the formation of TJs represents a critical step in metazoan evolution, allowing the formation of multicompartmental organisms and true, barrier-forming epithelia and endothelia. In the six decades that have passed since the first observations of TJs by transmission electron microscopy, much progress has been made in understanding the structure, function, molecular composition and regulation of TJs. The goal of this Perspective is to highlight the key concepts that have emerged through this research and the future challenges that lie ahead for the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entamoeba histolytica causes invasive amoebiasis, an important neglected tropical disease with a significant global health impact. The pathogenicity and survival of E. histolytica and its reptilian equivalent, Entamoeba invadens, relies on its ability to exhibit efficient motility, evade host immune responses, and exploit host resources, all of which are governed by the actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Our study demonstrates the early origin and the regulatory role of TALE homeobox protein EiHbox1 in actin‐related cellular processes. Several genes involved in different biological pathways, including actin dynamics are differentially expressed in EiHbox1 silenced cells. EiHbox1 silenced parasites showed disrupted F‐actin organization and loss of cellular polarity. EiHbox1's presence in the anterior region of migrating cells further suggests its involvement in maintaining cellular polarity. Loss of polarized morphology of EiHbox1 silenced parasites leads to altered motility from fast, directionally persistent, and highly chemotactic to slow, random, and less chemotactic, which subsequently leads to defective aggregation during encystation. EiHbox1 knockdown also resulted in a significant reduction in phagocytic capacity and poor capping response. These findings highlight the importance of EiHbox1 of E. invadens in governing cellular processes crucial for their survival, pathogenicity, and evasion of the host immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asphaltenes and waxes are the primary factors affecting the cold flow properties of crude oil. In this paper, based on the binary polymer of acrylate‐maleic anhydride (PM22‐MA), different third polar groups of acrylamide, N‐(hydroxymethyl) acrylamide, N‐phenylacrylamide (NPA), and styrene (SM) were introduced to synthesize a series of ternary pour point depressants (PPDs) to explore the effect of asphaltene on the cold flow properties of Xijiang (XJ) crude oil. Thereinto, PM22‐MA‐NPA containing amide group and benzene ring exhibited the best depressive effect, which decreased pour point by 14°C at 1500 ppm. The mechanism of interaction of the polar groups in PPDs with asphaltene was studied. The polar groups could form stronger hydrogen bonds with asphaltene, delaying the asphaltene macromolecule bonding, allowing the synergistic effect of PPDs and asphaltene to be better utilized to improve the cold flow properties of crude oil. Furthermore, the dipole moment magnitude and electron cloud density were calculated with Gaussian. It was found that the polar group with a dipole moment magnitude of 3.2244 debye and an electron cloud density ranging from −1.6364 to 1.9944 eV was the most suitable third polar monomer for the PPDs of XJ crude oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]