Flexibility Balance Research Articles

MANAGING MULTIPLE HATS: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY OF READING COORDINATORS WITH MULTIPLE ROLES

This multiple-case study aimed to explore and understand the experiences of Elementary Reading Coordinators handling multiple roles. Three reading coordinators handling multiple roles were analyzed about their experiences. In-depth interview, observations and field notes were analyzed in the gathering of data. Using thematic analysis and cross-case analysis, major findings disclosed that reading coordinators handling multiple roles experienced in which they often juggle various responsibilities to ensure effective literacy programs, had the ability to thrive despite the challenges. Reading coordinators handling multiple roles cope the situation by cultivating mindfulness in all aspects of one's actions, emotions, and decisions, maintaining a balance of flexibility and virtue to fit in with various contexts, and remaining steadfast in the commitment to serve in the midst of challenges. The findings of this research aim to contribute to the improvement of educational programs for aspiring reading coordinator, shedding light on the specific skills, knowledge, and experiences that are crucial for success in reading coordinator. By identifying the gaps in preparation and the challenges faced by elementary education graduates, this study seeks to inform educational policymakers, institutions, and stakeholders about potential areas for enhancement in reading development programs. Ultimately, the research aims to foster the effective and efficient management of elementary schools, leading to improved educational outcomes for students and a more robust educational system overall. KEYWORDS: reading coordinator, multiple roles, multiple- case study, qualitative cross- case analysis, Philippines

Balance of waterproofness, breathability, and higher flexibility of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride membrane blended graphene for functional garment

Flexibility, waterproofness, and breathability are fundamental demands for functional clothing and personal protective equipment. To solve problems caused by the low tensile strength and contradictions between hydraulic pressure and breathability of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) electrospun membrane, graphene was added to PVDF spinning fluid to prepare a graphene/PVDF composite nanofibrous membrane using N, N-dimethylacetamide as a solvent, and the morphological structure, waterproofness, breathability, and mechanical flexibility of the nanofibrous membranes were characterized. The results show that the graphene/PVDF composite nanofibrous membrane was synergistically improved in waterproofness and breathability, and that the moisture permeability of the PVDF membrane increased from 2915.92 g/(m2 24 h) of pristine PVDF nanofibrous membrane to 4415.37 g/(m2 24 h) of 0.15 wt% graphene/PVDF composite nanofibrous membrane. This indicates that the addition of graphene can significantly improve the moisture permeability of PVDF nanofiber membrane. This finding is accompanied with a decrease in the contact angle and hydraulic pressure, from 143.5° and 23.4 kPa, respectively, for the PVDF membrane to 125° and 13.7 kPa, respectively, for the 0.15 wt% graphene/PVDF composite nanofibrous membrane, and indicates that the waterproofing performance was reduced. Controlling the graphene concentration at 0.1125 wt% was beneficial to improving both waterproofness and breathability. The average fiber diameter of the graphene/PVDF composite nanofibrous membrane with different graphene concentrations changed from 317 nm for the PVDF membrane to 355 nm (0.05 wt%) or 1268 nm (0.15 wt%) for the graphene/PVDF composite nanofibrous membrane. The incorporation of graphene in PVDF can satisfactorily change the flexibility of the PVDF nanofibrous membrane: the fracture strength and elongation of the PVDF membrane are 6.7 MPa and 8.3%, respectively, while the fracture strength and elongation of the graphene/PVDF composite nanofibrous membrane are, respectively, 13.2–19.8 MPa and 9.1%–17.9%. This work provides guidance for the preparation of a novel, smart, flexible, waterproof, breathable, wearable PVDF-based nanofiber membrane.

Design and SAR Analysis of an AMC-Integrated Wearable Cavity-Backed SIW Antenna.

Wearable communication technologies necessitate antenna designs that harmonize ergonomic compatibility, reliable performance, and minimal interaction with human tissues. However, high specific absorption rate (SAR) levels, limited radiation efficiency, and challenges in integration with flexible materials have significantly constrained widespread deployment. To address these limitations, this manuscript introduces a novel wearable cavity-backed substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) antenna augmented with artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) structures. The proposed architecture is meticulously engineered using diverse textile substrates, including cotton, jeans, and jute, to synergistically integrate SIW and AMC technologies, mitigating body-induced performance degradation while ensuring safety and high radiation efficiency. The proposed design demonstrates significant performance enhancements, achieving SAR reductions to 0.672 W/kg on the spine and 0.341 W/kg on the forelimb for the cotton substrate. Furthermore, the AMC-backed implementation attains ultra-low reflection coefficients, as low as -26.56 dB, alongside a gain improvement of up to 1.37 dB, culminating in a total gain of 7.09 dBi. The impedance bandwidth exceeds the ISM band specifications, spanning 150 MHz (2.3-2.45 GHz). The design maintains remarkable resilience and operational stability under varying conditions, including dynamic bending and proximity to human body models. By substantially suppressing back radiation, enhancing directional gain, and preserving impedance matching, the AMC integration optimally adapts the antenna to body-centric communication scenarios. This study uniquely investigates the dielectric and mechanical properties of textile substrates within the AMC-SIW configuration, emphasizing their practicality for wearable applications. This research sets a precedent for wearable antenna innovation, achieving an unprecedented balance of flexibility, safety, and electromagnetic performance while establishing a foundation for next-generation wearable systems.

Grooved TiO2/ZrO2 ceramic fibers with thermal insulation and mechanical properties prepared by coaxial electrospinning

In this study, grooved TiO2/ZrO2 ceramic fibers were prepared via coaxial electrospinning, which exhibit enhanced thermal insulation and superior mechanical properties. The fibers were architected with a distinctive core-shell structure, comprising a TiO2 shell that serves as an effective radiation shield and a ZrO2 core that maintains mechanical robustness. The interdiffusion of Zr and Ti atoms at the interface facilitated a seamless transition between TiO2 and ZrO2, effectively inhibiting TiO2 grain coarsening and substantially enhancing the tensile strength of the fibers, exemplified by the 1.47 ± 0.08 MPa achieved in the TZ-5 sample. Through control of the injection rate during electrospinning, we optimized the fibrous morphology to attain a synergistic balance of strength, flexibility and thermal insulation. The fibers showcased exceptional thermal insulation properties with thermal conductivity values ranging from 0.0294 to 0.0278 W m−1 K−1 and an average infrared reflectance exceeding 87 %. Practical thermal insulation tests confirmed the superior insulation performance of the TiO2/ZrO2 fibrous membranes.

Shattering the Fetter of Main Markets on the London Stock Exchange: Is It a Benign Start for the Dual-Class Share Structure in the UK?

The dual-class share structure, influenced by the governance perception of government and pressure from institutional investors, was still the forbidden region most time in the UK. However, the bonus of reforms that the London Stock Exchange (LSE) enjoyed was declining swiftly reflected in the number of listed companies and market cap. To promote competition and attraction, the LSE conditionally relaxed the restrictions of dual-class shares on premium listing in 2021, but the effects were faint in practice as founders cannot genuinely achieve the value of dual-class shares. In 2023, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) drafted the proposal removing the classification of standard and premium listing to relieve the restrictions of dual-class shares. Although this is a positive attempt, the action is also a double-edged sword that may pass higher risks to public shareholders. This article argues the overall intrinsic value of dual-class shares outweighs its potential risks on corporate governance. Yet, the great shareholder protection cannot be ignored as the reputation of the LSE. The design of dual-class rules should focus on shareholder protection but not influence the accomplishment of value, which can keep a certain resilience to achieve a relatively flexible balance between founders and investors.

An assessment methodology for the flexibility capacity of new power system based on two-stage robust optimization

The inherent variability in wind and solar power output presents a significant challenge to the flexibility balance of power systems. This paper introduces an innovative method for evaluating the flexibility capacity of a new power system, employing a two-stage robust optimization approach. Firstly, a power system flexibility supply and demand balance mechanism model is constructed and quantitatively characterized for the power system flexibility shortfalls set. Subsequently, taking into account timescale characteristics and directionality, the time series production simulation technique is applied to establish the effective ramping and flexibility supply distribution model of thermal power and energy storage units, enabling an analysis of the power system's supply regulation capabilities. On this basis, a power system flexibility capacity assessment method is proposed, which divides the system regulation resources into demand set and supply set, and constructs a power system flexibility capacity assessment model to ensure that the maximum system flexibility margin and the lowest operating cost are taken as the optimization objectives under the system security operation constraints. The column and constraint generation (C&CG) robust optimization algorithm is used to decompose the master problem and the max-min dual-layer subproblems for iterative solving, and the optimal capacity of each unit of the system in terms of output and flexibility is derived. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method is verified through case analysis, which shows that the method can improve the flexibility capacity by 14.9% and reduce the operating cost by 15.83% compared with the traditional proportional allocation method.

Enhancing mechanical performance of solvent-cast 3D printed PCL composites: A comprehensive optimization approach

This study aims to enhance the mechanical properties of 3D-printed scaffolds by optimizing a composite of Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL), poly-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), and synthetic fluorapatite (FHAp) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The research targets the intricate relationships between PCL, PHB, and FHAp concentrations, crucial for achieving optimal tensile, compressive, and flexural strengths. The solvent-cast process successfully yielded FHAp-reinforced PCL composites, confirmed by XRD and FTIR spectra. The findings indicate that an optimal PHB content of over 15 % wt/v and PCL under 10 % wt/v significantly enhance tensile strength, achieving values up to 48 MPa. Compressive strength peaked at PHB concentrations of 13–16 % wt/v and PCL concentrations of 9–13 % wt/v, showcasing effective stress transmission, with the highest recorded value being 90 MPa. Flexural strength exceeded 100 MPa with lower concentrations of PCL and PHB, emphasizing the need for a balance of rigidity and flexibility. The study identifies the optimum composition for these mechanical properties at PCL 9.432 % wt/v, PHB 16.568 % wt/v, and FHAp 24.933 % wt/v, crucial for advanced biomedical implant applications.

A Highly Stretchable, Conductive, and Transparent Bioadhesive Hydrogel as a Flexible Sensor for Enhanced Real-Time Human Health Monitoring.

Real-time continuous monitoring of non-cognitive markers is crucial for the early detection and management of chronic conditions. Current diagnostic methods are often invasive and not suitable for at-home monitoring. An elastic, adhesive, and biodegradable hydrogel-based wearable sensor with superior accuracy and durability for monitoring real-time human health is developed. Employing a supramolecular engineering strategy, a pseudo-slide-ring hydrogel is synthesized by combining polyacrylamide (pAAm), β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), and poly 2-(acryloyloxy)ethyltrimethylammonium chloride (AETAc) bio ionic liquid (Bio-IL). This novel approach decouples conflicting mechano-chemical effects arising from different molecular building blocks and provides a balance of mechanical toughness (1.1 × 106 Jm-3), flexibility, conductivity (≈0.29 S m-1), and tissue adhesion (≈27kPa), along with rapid self-healing and remarkable stretchability (≈3000%). Unlike traditional hydrogels, the one-pot synthesis avoids chemical crosslinkers and metallic nanofillers, reducing cytotoxicity. While the pAAm provides mechanical strength, the formation of the pseudo-slide-ring structure ensureshigh stretchability and flexibility. Combining pAAm with β-CD and pAETAc enhances biocompatibility and biodegradability, as confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies. The hydrogel also offers transparency, passive-cooling, ultraviolet (UV)-shielding, and 3D printability, enhancing its practicality for everyday use. The engineered sensor demonstratesimproved efficiency, stability, and sensitivity in motion/haptic sensing, advancing real-time human healthcare monitoring.

Ethical and Legal Regulation of Using Artificial Intelligence in Morocco

Objective:to explore and identify the issues and opportunities for the ethical and legal regulation of artificial intelligence by the example of digital transformation in Morocco.Methods:the study was conducted using analytical and comparative approaches to address the emerging legal issues arising from the development of artificial intelligence. The traditional scientific method in law is based on legal analysis, which was applied to the study of legal texts, scientific literature, diagnosis of the condition of the study field at the national and international level. Along with this, the comparative approach in law was used, which made it possible to examine the Moroccan legislation comparison with that of other countries.Results:the article presents a review of scientific literature on the legal and ethical issues of using artificial intelligence. Legal texts and decrees developed at national and international level, directly or indirectly linked to the use of artificial intelligence, were reviewed. Moroccan legislation was compared with that of other countries. The findings suggest that, in the absence of a specific legal framework for artificial intelligence systems, the adoption of ethical standards in the form of guidelines, best practices and ethical charters is preferable. These mechanisms appear to be a viable alternative to legal regulation. In this sense, several initiatives were taken to promote “soft law”, which aims to encourage appropriate behavior of technological agents.Scientific novelty: the analysis of digital transformations in Morocco made it possible to present a comprehensive view on the role of ethical aspects and on the sufficiency of law to respond to the changes in the modern society, transformed by the development of artificial intelligence.Practical significance: the study allows identifying ways to find a more flexible balance between “soft” and “hard” law in the regulation of relations, taking into account the technological reality. This should encourage the appropriate behavior of technological agents and positively affect the specificity of the current situation. Today, the “hard law” slowly recognizes and addresses the problems associated with the digital technologies’ regulation and slowly takes into account the possible risks posed by artificial intelligence and the insufficiency of its regulation.

Comparative Analysis of Morphometric, Densitometric, and Mechanical Properties of Skeletal Locomotor Elements in Three Duck Species (Anatidae: Anatinae).

Ducks (Anatinae) play a crucial role in wetland ecosystems, contributing to seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. This study investigates the skeletal adaptations of three duck species: the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), and Green-Winged Teal (Anas crecca). The focus is on the tibiotarsus and humerus bones to understand how these adaptations support their different locomotion and habitat preferences. Bone samples n = 6 of deceased ducks (both male and female) from each species (for a total of 36 samples) were cleaned and measured for length, weight, and density. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), and mechanical properties like yield force and stiffness were tested using a 3-point bending test. The results show significant differences in body weight, bone weight, and bone length among the species, with Mallards being the largest and Teals the smallest. Male Teals displayed higher relative bone weight (RBW) in their tibia compared to male Mallards, and male Mallards had significantly lower RBW in the humerus compared to the other species. Female Teals had higher RBW than the other species. Teals also exhibited much lower BMD in the tibia, whereas female Mallards had lower BMD in the humerus. The Seedor index revealed that male Mallards had the highest values in the tibia, while female Teals had the lowest. Mechanical testing indicated that Teals had lower yield force and breaking force in the tibia, whereas Mallards showed the highest stiffness in both bones. Tufted Ducks had intermediate values, consistent with their diving behaviour. These findings suggest that the Mallard's robust bones support its adaptability to various environments and diverse locomotion and foraging strategies. The Teal's lighter and less dense bones facilitate rapid flight and agility in shallow wetlands. The Tufted Duck's intermediate bone characteristics reflect its specialization in diving, requiring a balance of strength and flexibility. Understanding these skeletal differences may provide valuable insights into the evolutionary biology and biomechanics of these species, aiding in their conservation and enhancing our knowledge of their roles in wetland ecosystems. By exploring the functional morphology of these ducks, this study aims to shed light on the biomechanical mechanisms that underpin their locomotion and foraging behaviours.

Core–Shell Nanostructured Assemblies Enable Ultrarobust, Notch‐Resistant and Self‐Healing Materials

AbstractActuators based on stimulus‐responsive soft materials have attracted widespread attention due to their significant advantages in flexibility and structural adaptability over traditional rigid actuators. However, the development of fast‐actuating, mechanical robust and self‐healing actuators without compromising flexibility remains an ongoing challenge. Here, this study presents a photo‐responsive flexible actuator by incorporating core–shell liquid metal nano‐assemblies into a polyurethane matrix to construct a dynamic supramolecular interface. The nano‐assemblies are endowed with adaptive characteristics to external loading, being expected to dissipate energy via the reversible reconstruction of hydrogen bonding and deformation of nano‐assemblies. The obtained composites exhibit excellent mechanical strength (31 MPa), low modulus (2.02 MPa), high stretchability (1563.95%), autonomous self‐healing (92.5%), and NIR‐responsive actuation properties. Furthermore, the combination of high cohesive energy but fluxible nano‐liquid metal core, and strong dynamic interface not only achieves the balance of high tensile strength and high flexibility but also endows the actuators with outstanding notch‐resistant performance (fracture energy≈58.8 kJ m−2) through multiphase energy dissipation. This work provides a promising strategy for developing soft yet tough self‐healing materials in the fields of flexible robotics and artificial muscles.

The balance issue of the proportion between new energy and traditional thermal power: An important issue under today's low-carbon goal in developing countries

The stability of the new power system depends on the balance between controllable flexible resources and uncontrollable uncertain resources. For many developing countries and regions lacking advanced flexible resources, thermal power is the main force in solving the problem of new energy consumption. Finding the balance between new energy and traditional thermal power is the key for today's low-carbon goal. To solve this problem, this paper calculates the power range and climbing rate range of thermal power based on physical principles and actual data, and characterizes the characteristics of wind power, photovoltaic power, load and net load based on the five proposed volatility indicators. Then, a logically clear method for determining the required number of thermal power units based on the volatility indicators of new energy from the mechanism and principle perspective is proposed. Finally, under the premise of meeting the power balance and flexibility balance of the power system, the reasonable ratios between the installed capacity of new energy and the number of thermal power units are calculated in four seasons. The results indicate that the judgment system can provide guidance for the energy structure of developing regions.

Retrieval of contextual memory can be predicted by CA3 remapping and is differentially influenced by NMDAR activity in rat hippocampus subregions.

Episodic memory is essential to navigate in a changing environment by recalling past events, creating new memories, and updating stored information from experience. Although the mechanisms for acquisition and consolidation have been profoundly studied, much less is known about memory retrieval. Hippocampal spatial representations are key for retrieval of contextually guided episodic memories. Indeed, hippocampal place cells exhibit stable location-specific activity which is thought to support contextual memory, but can also undergo remapping in response to environmental changes. It is unclear if remapping is directly related to the expression of different episodic memories. Here, using an incidental memory recognition task in rats, we showed that retrieval of a contextually guided memory is reflected by the levels of CA3 remapping, demonstrating a clear link between external cues, hippocampal remapping, and episodic memory retrieval that guides behavior. Furthermore, we describe NMDARs as key players in regulating the balance between retrieval and memory differentiation processes by controlling the reactivation of specific memory traces. While an increase in CA3 NMDAR activity boosts memory retrieval, dentate gyrus NMDAR activity enhances memory differentiation. Our results contribute to understanding how the hippocampal circuit sustains a flexible balance between memory formation and retrieval depending on the environmental cues and the internal representations of the individual. They also provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the contributions of hippocampal subregions to generate this balance.

Active filter parameter tuning method for harmonic voltage mitigation in wind power plants

It is challenging to determine the active filter control factors in wind power plants (WPP) to obtain effective harmonic voltage mitigation and avoid over-modulation or system instability problems caused by overlarge feedforward or feedback gains. To address this issue, an active filter tuning (AFT) method is proposed in this paper to offer a common parameter tuning and stability assessment strategy for both current-controlled and voltage-controlled harmonic impedance reshaping (HIR) methods by introducing a coordination factor including different weight coefficients for system stability margin, wind turbine (WT) harmonic suppression, and grid harmonic mitigation. The superiority of the proposed method is verified in a 20 MW WPP with four cases considering both WT harmonic voltage amplification and grid voltage amplification. Compared to previous methods, the AFT-based HIR method achieves a more flexible balance between system stability and harmonic voltage mitigation, obtaining better performance in WT harmonic suppression, grid harmonic suppression, system robustness, and transient response.

Environmentally Friendly o-Cresol-Furfural-Formaldehyde Resin as an Alternative to Traditional Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins for Paint Industry.

This paper describes studies on the preparation of an o-cresol-furfural-formaldehyde resin in the presence of an alkaline catalyst and its modification with n-butanol or 2-ethylhexanol. The novelty of this research is to obtain a furfural-based resin of the resole type and its etherification. Such resins are not described in the literature and also are not available on the market. The obtained resin based on furfural, which can be obtained from agricultural waste, had a low minimum content of free o-cresol < 1 wt.%, furfural < 0.1 wt.%, and formaldehyde < 0.1 wt.%. The resin structure was characterized by mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopy, which showed the presence of hydroxymethylene groups in the resin before modification and alkyl groups derived from n-butanol and 2-ethylhexanol after modification. The etherified resins had a lower viscosity and were more flexible (DSC) than the resin before modification and they can be used as an environmentally friendly, safe, and sustainable alternative to traditional phenol-formaldehyde resins in the paint industry. They demonstrate the ability to create a protective coating with good adherence to metal substrates and an excellent balance of flexibility and hardness.

Memory event-triggered scheme of positive systems: A dynamic weighted method

A novel memory event-triggered scheme for positive systems is proposed in this paper. To address the conservatism of the existing memory event-triggered scheme, the weight parameter on the left side of the memory event-triggered scheme is replaced with a dynamic function. This modification results in a dynamic weighted memory event-triggered scheme that can be applied in both continuous-time and discrete-time contexts. By adjusting the weight dynamically based on the system operation, the scheme can respond more effectively to changes in the system state. Compared to the memory event-triggered scheme, a more flexible balance is achieved between improving system performance and saving system resources. A joint design that combines the dynamic weighted memory event-triggered scheme and positive systems is presented for continuous linear systems, with the controller gain obtained by a linear programming strategy. The proposed co-design scheme is subsequently extended to discrete positive systems. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, two practical applications are presented.

Applying Multi-Armed Bandit algorithms for music recommendations at Spotify

This study explores the application of multi-armed bandit algorithms in enhancing music recommendation systems, with a focus on Spotify. It delves into the Explore-Then-Commit (ETC), Upper Confidence Bound (UCB), and Thompson Sampling (TS) algorithms, evaluating their efficacy within the Spotify context. The primary objective is to determine which algorithm optimally balances exploration and exploitation to maximize user satisfaction and engagement. The research reveals that the ETC algorithm, with its rigid exploration and exploitation phases, incurs a notably higher regret value. This rigidity can lead to missed opportunities in identifying optimal choices and hinder adaptability to evolving user preferences. Conversely, the UCB and TS algorithms exhibit remarkable adaptability and a flexible balance between exploration and exploitation. This flexibility translates into more personalized and satisfactory user experiences in music recommendations. However, the selection of the most appropriate algorithm should be contingent on the size and characteristics of the specific user dataset, as well as the fine-tuning of algorithm parameters to align with user preferences and behaviors.

Flexible, wearable and sensitive laser‐induced graphene sensors for human health monitoring

AbstractBio‐compatible strain sensors are indispensable for human monitoring devices, requiring a delicate balance of robustness, flexibility, and sensitivity. However, achieving these attributes concurrently remains a formidable challenge. This article presents a pioneering approach to fabricate three‐dimensional flexible strain sensors using laser‐induced graphene (LIG) on polyimide (PI) substrates. Through a one‐step laser direct writing (LDW) technique, durable LIG/CuSO4 composites with closed‐pore porous structures are synthesized. The integration of copper sulfate within the closed‐cell architecture of LIG establishes a resilient conducting pathway, enhancing sensitivity to deformation under tensile stress. The resulting sensor exhibits exceptional performance in monitoring a wide range of human movements, from vigorous activities to subtle oscillations and physiological signals. Notably, the sensor boasts a remarkable sensing range of up to 25% strain, coupled with a high sensitivity characterized by a gauge factor of approximately 597. Rapid response times of 175 ms and quick recovery times of 200 ms further underscore its efficiency. Moreover, the sensor demonstrates outstanding stability and durability, maintaining consistent performance over 5600 cyclic experiments. This innovative approach represents a significant advancement in bio‐compatible strain sensor technology, offering a versatile solution for diverse monitoring applications.

Photonic Crystal Materials with Full Spectrum Structural Color Modulated by Co‐Assembly Strategy

AbstractPhotonic materials have drawn considerable attention for a great deal of promising applications with versatile optical characteristics and functionalities. This review provides a concise overview of co‐assembly strategies for the creation of photonic crystals, offering precise control over structural colors throughout the entire visible spectrum by manipulating the interaction of light with complex micro‐nano structures. Specifically, the utilization of block copolymers (BCPs) and colloidal nanoparticles as wavelength‐scale building blocks facilitates the modulation of defined nanostructures with functionality and tailorability for diverse coloration effects. Additionally, by facilely adjusting the relative ratios, a flexible balance can be struck between photonic crystals and photonic glasses for dynamic control of arrangements. Finally, this review concludes by discussing the future outlook and challenges in advancing co‐assembly‐based photonic functional materials.

Adaptive use of error-prone DNA polymerases provides flexibility in genome replication during tumorigenesis.

Human cells possess many different polymerase enzymes, which collaborate in conducting DNA replication and genome maintenance to ensure faithful duplication of genetic material. Each polymerase performs a specialized role, together providing a balance of accuracy and flexibility to the replication process. Perturbed replication increases the requirement for flexibility to ensure duplication of the entire genome. Flexibility is provided via the use of error-prone polymerases, which maintain the progression of challenged DNA replication at the expense of mutagenesis, an enabling characteristic of cancer. This review describes our recent understanding of mechanisms that alter the usage of polymerases during tumorigenesis and examines the implications of this for cell survival and tumor progression. Although expression levels of polymerases are often misregulated in cancers, this does not necessarily alter polymerase usage since an additional regulatory step may govern the use of these enzymes. We therefore also examine how the regulatory mechanisms of DNA polymerases, such as Rad18-mediated PCNA ubiquitylation, may impact the functionalization of error-prone polymerases to tolerate oncogene-induced replication stress. Crucially, it is becoming increasingly evident that cancer cells utilize error-prone polymerases to sustain ongoing replication in response to oncogenic mutations which inactivate key DNA replication and repair pathways, such as BRCA deficiency. This accelerates mutagenesis and confers chemoresistance, but also presents a dependency that can potentially be exploited by therapeutics.