The Dual-Role of Benzothiadiazole Fluorophores for Enabling Electrofluorochromic and Electrochromic Devices.

Three unsymmetric fluorophores differing in their flanking electron acceptor (-NO, -CN, -CHO) were investigated for their electrofluorochromism and electrochromism. The emission yield of the -NO substituted fluorophore in the solid state was ca. 9-fold less than its -CN and -CHO counterparts.

Identification of a non-canonical planar cell polarity pathway triggered by light in the developing mouse retina.

The coordinated spatial arrangement of organelles within a tissue plane, known as planar cell polarity (PCP), is critical for organ development and function. Gradients of morphogens and their receptors typically set-up PCP, but whether non-molecular cues, akin to phototropism in plants, also play a part remains unknown. Here, we report that basal bodies of newborn photoreceptor cells in the mouse retina are positioned centrally on the apical surface but then move laterally during the first postnatal week, generating cell-intrinsic asymmetry in the retinal plane.

Quality priorities related to the management of type 2 diabetes in primary care: results from the COMPAS + quality improvement collaborative.

Background: This study aims to describe the main type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) quality improvement (QI) challenges identified by primary care teams in the province of Quebec who participated in the COMPAS + QI collaborative.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used to analyse the results of 8 COMPAS + workshops conducted in 4 regions of the province between 2016 and 2020. Deductive content analysis was performed to classify the reported QI priorities under the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains; and proposed change strategies under the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) intervention functions.

"How can we help you?": results of a scoping review on the perceived needs of people living with chronic pain regarding physiotherapy.

Background: Physiotherapy is effective to reduce pain and improve the quality of life of people living with chronic pain. To offer high-quality physiotherapy services, these services must be patient-centred and respond to patients' needs. However, few studies seem to target patients' perceived needs, whereas more studies tend to focus on needs assessed by healthcare experts, which are not always in line with patients' perceived needs.

PARP enzyme de novo synthesis of protein-free poly(ADP-ribose).

PARP enzymes transfer ADP-ribose from NAD onto proteins as a covalent modification that regulates multiple aspects of cell biology. Here, we identify an undiscovered catalytic activity for human PARP1: de novo generation of free PAR molecules that are not attached to proteins. Free PAR production arises when a molecule of NAD or ADP-ribose docks in the PARP1 acceptor site and attaches to an NAD molecule bound to the donor site, releasing nicotinamide and initiating ADP-ribose chains that emanate from NAD/ADP-ribose rather than protein.

An oxidative metal ions-free lignin-catalyzed multifunctional hydrogel bioelectronics for codable eye communication.

To meet the stringent requirements of wearable and flexible electronics for functionality and comfort, it is urgent to develop green conductive, self-adhesive, and stretchable functional hydrogels. The chelates of transition metal ions and lignosulfonate sodium (LS) can impart multi-functionality to the hydrogel and significantly improve the hydrogel's gelation speed. However, the presence of metal ions may weaken the adhesiveness of hydrogels by shielding the functional adhesive groups.

Specific inhibition and disinhibition in the higher-order structure of a cortical connectome.

Neurons are thought to act as parts of assemblies with strong internal excitatory connectivity. Conversely, inhibition is often reduced to blanket inhibition with no targeting specificity. We analyzed the structure of excitation and inhibition in the MICrONS $mm^{3}$ dataset, an electron microscopic reconstruction of a piece of cortical tissue.

Adsorption and Permeation Events in Molecular Diffusion.

How many times can a diffusing molecule permeate across a membrane or be adsorbed on a substrate? We employ an encounter-based approach to find the statistics of adsorption or permeation events for molecular diffusion in a general confining medium. Various features of these statistics are illustrated for two practically relevant cases: a flat boundary and a spherical confinement. Some applications of these fundamental results are discussed.

Xanthan gum modulation of octenyl succinic anhydrate starch-based high internal phase emulsions: Characterization, rheological behavior, and 3D printing applications.

The growing popularity of three-dimensional (3D) food printing has highlighted the need for suitable printable materials. This study explores the impact of xanthan gum on octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) starch-stabilized High Internal Phase Emulsions (HIPEs) for 3D food printing applications. Xanthan gum was added to increase the viscosity of the continuous phase, which helps to slow down the movement and reduce the collision of emulsion droplets.

Steady-State Drug Exposure of Repeated IV Bolus Administration for a One Compartment Pharmacokinetic Model with Sigmoidal Hill Elimination.

Drugs exhibiting nonlinear pharmacokinetics hold significant importance in drug research and development. However, evaluating drug exposure accurately is challenging with the current formulae established for linear pharmacokinetics. This article aims to investigate the steady-state drug exposure for a one-compartment pharmacokinetic (PK) model with sigmoidal Hill elimination, focusing on three key topics: the comparison between steady-state drug exposure of repeated intravenous (IV) bolus ( ) and total drug exposure after a single IV bolus ( ); the evolution of steady-state drug concentration with varying dosing frequencies; and the control of drug pharmacokinetics in multiple-dose therapeutic scenarios.

A participatory study of indoor environment quality in homes of children and youth in Kanehsatake First Nation.

Indoor air quality is an important determinant for the health of children and youth, but the conditions within Indigenous communities are understudied. We collaborated with Kanehsatake First Nation in Quebec, Canada, to address this gap using a community-based participatory research approach. Levels of key indoor air indicators, including particulate matter (PM), CO, and relative humidity, were measured in 31 randomly selected households between June 2021 and January 2022.

PD-1 endocytosis unleashes the cytolytic potential of checkpoint blockade in tumor immunity.

PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a key cancer treatment. While blocking PD-1 binding to ligand is known, the role of internalization in enhancing ICB efficacy is less explored. Our study reveals that PD-1 internalization helps unlock ICB's full potential in cancer immunotherapy.

Dysregulating mTORC1-4E-BP2 signaling in GABAergic interneurons impairs hippocampus-dependent learning and memory.

Memory formation is contingent on molecular and structural changes in neurons in response to learning stimuli-a process known as neuronal plasticity. The initiation step of mRNA translation is a gatekeeper of long-term memory by controlling the production of plasticity-related proteins in the brain. The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) controls mRNA translation, mainly through phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding proteins (4E-BPs) and ribosomal protein S6 kinases (S6Ks).

Activation-Induced Marker Assay to Identify and Isolate HCV-Specific T Cells for Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis.

Identification and isolation of antigen-specific T cells for downstream transcriptomic analysis is key for various immunological studies. Traditional methods using major histocompatibility complex (MHC) multimers are limited by the number of predefined immunodominant epitopes and MHC matching of the study subjects. Activation-induced markers (AIM) enable highly sensitive detection of rare antigen-specific T cells irrespective of the availability of MHC multimers.

Early Socio-Emotional Difficulty as a Childhood Barrier to the Expected Benefits of Active Play: Associated Risks for School Engagement in Adolescence.

Active play allows children to develop social and cognitive skills, which could lead to higher school engagement. Little is known about the role of child socioemotional difficulty in these associations. This study aims to examine the interaction between active play and socioemotional difficulty in childhood and their prospective association with academic engagement in adolescence.

PFAS profiles in biosolids, composts, and chemical fertilizers intended for agricultural land application in Quebec (Canada).

Biosolids, sewage sludge, and composts are applied to agricultural land for nutrient recovery and soil organic matter replenishment, aligning with sustainable development goals. However, they may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that can enter the food chain through plant bioaccumulation and leaching into the groundwater. This study analyzed 80 PFAS compounds in sewage sludge, biosolids, commercial composts, and chemical fertilizers in Quebec, Canada, using UHPLC-HRMS (Orbitrap Q-Exactive).

Planar cell polarity zebrafish models of congenital scoliosis reveal underlying defects in notochord morphogenesis.

Congenital scoliosis (CS) is a type of vertebral malformation for which the etiology remains elusive. The notochord is pivotal for vertebrae development, but its role in CS is still understudied. Here, we generated a zebrafish knockout of ptk7a, a planar cell polarity (PCP) gene that is essential for convergence and extension (C&E) of the notochord, and detected congenital scoliosis-like vertebral malformations (CVMs).

Discovering Subtypes with Imaging Signatures in the Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome Consortium using Weakly-Supervised Clustering.

Introduction: Understanding the heterogeneity of brain structure in individuals with the Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) may improve the current risk assessments of dementia.

Methods: We used data from 6 cohorts from the (N=1987). A weakly-supervised clustering algorithm called HYDRA was applied to volumetric MRI measures to identify distinct subgroups in the population with gait speeds lower than one standard deviation (1SD) above mean.

COVID-19 and its effects on food producers: panel data evidence from Burkina Faso.

Introduction: Burkina Faso implemented stringent measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that profoundly affected its economy and might have exacerbated food insecurity. While prior studies have assessed the impact of these measures on consumers, there is a dearth of evidence of its effects on food producers in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims (i) to evaluate the repercussions of COVID-19 on the possession of food production assets and on the number of livestock owned; and (ii) to determine the correlation between the food insecurity experience scale (FIES) score, ownership of these assets, and the number of livestock owned.

Thermophilic and mesophilic anaerobic digestion of soybean molasses: A performance vs. stability trade-off.

One of the factors that has a direct impact on anaerobic digestion is the applied organic loading rate (OLR). Increasing OLR can boost methane production but can also cause process failure. As a result, establishing the appropriate OLR for the procedure is critical.

'': exploring experiences and perspectives of registered dietitians from Canada about their interactions with commercial actors using semi-structured interviews.

Objective: To gain insight into the experiences and perspectives of registered dietitians (RD) in Canada regarding their interactions with commercial actors and actions undertaken to manage these interactions.

Design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews combined with a document analysis.

Setting: Quebec, Canada.