Statistical Mechanics of Glass Formation in Molecular Liquids with OTP as an Example

We extend our statistical mechanical theory of the glass transition from examples consisting of point particles to molecular liquids with internal degrees of freedom. As before, the fundamental assertion is that super-cooled liquids are ergodic, although becoming very viscous at lower temperatures, and are therefore describable in principle by statistical mechanics. The theory is based on analyzing the local neighborhoods of each molecule, and a statistical mechanical weight is assigned to every possible local organization. This results in an approximate theory that is in very good agreement with simulations regarding both thermodynamical and dynamical properties

Dialogue with the Centers for Chemical Innovation: Pioneering chemistry outreach and education

The nine NSF funded Centers for Chem. Innovation (CCI) have been tasked not only with collaboratively advancing the frontiers of chem. research, but also with exploring new ways to share their science with the public. Each center tackles a different grand challenge in chem. and each of the centers has found unique ways to be actively engaged in chem. outreach and educational programming. Like CCI research, CCI outreach is high-risk, high reward; the approach to CCI chem. outreach is meant to be innovative and exptl. for every program and audience. Examples include museum exhibits, broadcast programs, blogging, and citizen science projects for the general public, informal science education for K-12 students, and professional development for their teachers. The CCIs recognize that through a broad range of outreach opportunities, not only are chemists and chem. educators being trained in effective chem. communication, but also diverse audiences, of all ages and backgrounds, are learning important chem. concepts, being exposed to various chem. science related fields and careers, and becoming more informed citizens. Chem. education outreach is important for everyone and its impacts extend well beyond the scientific community. A panel of Directors of Education, Outreach, and Diversity (EOD) from multiple CCIs will discuss how they develop programs, navigate hurdles, and evaluate progress. With the combined expertise of the EODs and their collaborators, the panel will present guiding philosophies, best practices, and success stories from effective outreach initiatives for K-12 and general audiences, as well as developing the science communication skills of researchers

European multi-centre case-control study on risk factors for rare cancers of unknown aetiology.

International audienceTo search for occupational risk factors, we conducted a case-control study in nine European countries of cancers of the small intestine, male gall bladder, thymus, bone, male breast, melanoma of the eye, and mycosis fungoides. Recruitment was population based in Denmark, Latvia, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden, from hospital areas in Spain and Portugal, and from one United Kingdom (UK) hospital. We recruited 1457 cases (84% interviewed). Numbers identified corresponded to those in the EUROCIM database for Denmark, but were below those observed for France, Italy and Sweden in the database. We recruited 3374 population (61% interviewed) and 1284 colon cancer controls (86% interviewed). It was possible to undertake this complicated study across Europe, but we encountered three main problems. It was difficult to ensure complete case ascertainment, for population controls, we found a clear divide in the response rate from 75% in the South to only 55% in the North, and a somewhat selective recruitment was noted for the colon cancer controls. The study showed there is a clear dose-response relationship between alcohol intake and the risk of male breast cancer, and an excess risk of mycosis fungoides among glass formers, pottery and ceramic workers. Further data are expected