Critical Wetting of a Liquid/Vapor Interface by Octane

The wetting of the planar interface between air saturated with octane vapor and an aqueous solution by octane is investigated by ellipsometry and interfacial tension measurements. The interfacial interactions are varied through the concentration of the uncharged solute (glucose). We observe abrupt and continuous increases of the octane coverage with growing solute concentration. This we attribute to short- and long-range (dispersion) interactions, respectively. The continuous thickness growth is analyzed as a critical wetting transition

The impact of seat height on 1-min sit-to-stand test performance in COPD: a randomised crossover trial

Study question Is there a difference in the number of repetitions in the 1-minute sit-to-stand (1MSTS) test using an individually adapted seat height to 90° knee flexion (1MSTSIND), compared with the commonly used standard chair seat height of 46 cm (1MSTSSTD), in people with COPD? Methods We conducted a single-centre, single-blinded, randomised crossover trial in people with COPD between August 2020 and March 2021 at a specialised rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland. After a learning 1MSTS test, all participants performed two 1MSTS tests in random order on consecutive days. Participants were blinded, as they did not receive detailed information on the testing protocols. Results 49 individuals with COPD (47% female) participated. In a regression model adjusted for sequence period and subject, 1MSTS test performance was lower on 1MSTSIND compared to 1MSTSSTD (−0.78 repetitions, 95% CI −1.47 to −0.11). In a second regression model additionally including the knee angle and an interaction term (1MSTSIND×knee angle), the interaction term was significant: 0.18 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.30). The limits of agreement were between −5.5 and 4 repetitions. Conclusion Although we observed a statistically significant difference between 1MSTSIND and 1MSTSSTD on a population level, the difference is negligible. Further studies may be needed to determine whether individual adaptation of seat height is needed for very tall or short people to ensure a valid assessment of 1MSTS test performance in COPD

Terrorismus

"Terrorism. 9/11 in Context" is an anthology of thematic priorities that aims to establish a better understanding of the complexities of terrorism aside from one-dimensional characterisations in media and politics. The main focal points are: The definition of terrorism, its causes, mythological charging and pop cultural realization. Reactions of the state towards the terrorist challenge - the political, military and security aspects as well as media counter strategies - are also of keen interest. Further, as case-studies from the US, Latin America and Europe clearly demonstrate the state can also be a perpetrator of terrorism, either during covert operations or by adopting the mirror image of guerrillas and terrorists in counter insurgency warfare. The main thread of "Terrorism. 9/11 in Context" is the analysis of the "superstructure"- the symbolic and ideological sources of terrorism. Terrorist violence is seen as commitment for radical political change, which is fuelled not only by political and social grievances, but also by the gratification of a radical-action identity. Thus, terrorism is most of all the product of a powerful idea, which motivates and stimulates activists, giving them the strong conviction needed to follow through their "project". It's the idea that not only is it possible to wage resistance against an alleged illegitimate, corrupt authority; it is also possible to inspire others to participate in an avant-garde armed struggle. On the other hand, the perspective of politicians and authorities on the terrorist enemy is also influenced to a certain degree by imagination and projection - this process is analysed through the depiction of terrorism in cinema, media and the imitation of terrorist tactics by counter terrorism forces."Terrorismus. 9/11 im Kontext" versteht sich als Anthologie, eine Zusammenstellung verschiedener Schwerpunkte, um so mehr Verständnis für die Komplexität von Terrorismus in Abgrenzung von eindimensional-verkürzter Darstellung in Medien und Politik zu eröffnen. Zu den inhaltlichen Schwerpunkt-en dieser Arbeit zählen - die Begriffs-Definition - die Ursachen von Terrorismus - dessen "mythologische" Aufladung und die mediale sowie populärkulturelle Verwertung. Genauso war die staatliche Reaktion auf Terrorismus von Interesse - in diesen Bereich fallen politische, militärische und sicherheitstechnische Lösungsansätze genauso wie mediale Gegenstrategien. Dass auch der Staat terroristischer Akteur sein kann - etwa bei der Durchführung von Geheimoperationen oder durch das "spiegelbildliche" Nachahmen von Guerillas und Terroristen im Zuge der Counterinsurgency-Kriegsführung - wird anhand verschiedener Fallbeispiele aus den USA, Lateinamerika und Europa dargestellt. Den sprichwörtlich "roten Faden" in "Terrorismus. 9/11 im Kontext" bildet die Analyse des "Überbaus" - der symbolischen und ideologischen "Quellen" des Terrorismus. Hier wird terroristische Gewalt als Ausdruck radikalen politischen Engagements verstanden, das nicht nur durch sozioökonomische und politische Ursachen "angefeuert" wird, sondern auch durch die "Gratifikation" einer Identität als "handelndes" Subjekt. Terrorismus ist so betrachtet vor allem Produkt einer machtvollen Idee, die Aktivisten antreibt, sie motiviert und ihnen jene starke Überzeugung vermittelt, die sie in die Lage versetzt, ihr "Projekt" in die Tat umzusetzen. Es handelt sich um die Vorstellung, dass es möglich ist, nicht nur aktiven "Widerstand" gegen eine als ungerecht, illegitim und korrupt empfundene Autorität zu leisten und dadurch auch als "Avantgarde" eine Beispielwirkung auf Andere zu entfalten, sich diesem "bewaffneten Kampf" anzuschließen. Dass auch umgekehrt die Sicht auf den terroristischen Gegner durch Politik und Behörden zu einem Gutteil von von Imagination und Projektion bestimmt wird, soll anhand der Darstellung der populärkulturellen Verarbeitung von Terrorismus in Kino, Medien sowie der "Imitation" terroristischer Vorgangsweisen durch Counterterrorism-Kräfte verdeutlicht werden

Blue shift of CdSe/ZnS nanocrystal-labels upon DNA-hybridization

Luminescence color multiplexing is one of the most intriguing benefits, which might occur by using semiconductor Quantum Dots (QDs) as labels for biomolecules. It was found, that the luminescence of QDs can be quenched, and replaced by a luminescence peak at approximately 460 nm on hybridization with certain regions of Arabidopsis thaliana tissue. This effect is site selective, and it is unclear whether it occurs due to an energy transfer process, or due to quenching and scattering of the excitation light. The article describes methods for phase-transfer of differently coloured, hydrophobically ligated QDs, coupling of DNA strands to the QD's surface, and hybridization of the labelled DNA to different cell types of Arabidopsis thaliana. The reason for the luminescence blue-shift was studied systematically, and narrowed down to the above mentioned causes

Nanoscale relationships between uranium and carbonaceous material in alteration halos around unconformity-related uranium deposits of the Kiggavik camp, Paleoproterozoic Thelon Basin, Nunavut, Canada

International audienceConcentrations of 7% U and 1% Cu were identified in massive, brecciated, and amorphous carbonaceous materials (CM) characterized by strongly negative values of carbon stable isotopes (δ13C = − 39.1‰ relative to PDB). The anomalies are restricted to clay alteration halos developed in Neoarchean Woodburn Lake group metagreywacke that is the predominant host of unconformity-related uranium (U) deposits in the Kiggavik exploration camp. Petrographic and microstructural analyses by SEM, X-Ray Diffraction, HR-TEM and RAMAN spectroscopy identified carbon veils, best described as graphene-like carbon, upon which nano-scale uraninite crystals are distributed. CM are common in U systems such as the classic Cretaceous roll-front deposits and the world-class Paleoproterozoic unconformity-related deposits. However, the unusual spatial and textural association of U minerals and CM described herein raises questions on mechanisms that may have been responsible for the precipitation of the CM followed by crystallization of U oxides on its surfaces. Based on the characteristics presented herein, the CMs at Kiggavik are interpreted as hydrothermal in origin. Furthermore, the nanoscale organization and properties of these graphene-like layers that host U oxide crystallites clearly localized U oxide nucleation and growth

Kritik und Psychologie - ein verschlungenes Verhältnis

"In unserem Beitrag nehmen wir die aktuellen Bildungsproteste im Herbst und Winter 2009 und insbesondere die Rolle und die (Un)Möglichkeiten der Psychologischen Fakultät an der Wiener Universität darin zum Anlass, um in prinzipieller Weise über die Funktion von Kritik in unserer Disziplin nachzudenken. Sowohl in der Studierendenbewegung als auch in der psychologischen Forschungspraxis kommt Kritik als Praxis ein bedeutender Rang zu. Die Kluft zwischen diesen beiden Praxen könnte allerdings kaum größer sein. Wir vermuten, dass hierin einer der Gründe dafür zu suchen ist, dass sich die Mobilisierung für eine aktive Beteiligung an den Protesten unter PsychologInnen der Universität Wien so schwierig gestaltet hat. Wir schließen mit einigen Überlegungen, wie in der Psychologie in Wien Bedingungen und Möglichkeiten für Kritik geschaffen werden könnten." (Autorenreferat)"This paper takes the student protests during autumn and winter 2009 as well as the role and (im)possibilities of the Department of Psychology within the protests as an occasion to reflect on the function of critique in psychology. The practice of critique figures prominently in the current protests but also in psychological research practice. There seem to be rather different notions of critique at stake, though. Incompatible notions of critique might be among the reasons why it was so difficult to mobilize psychologists at the University of Vienna for the protests. The paper closes with an outlook on how to create possibilities and conditions for critique within psychology at the University of Vienna." (author's abstract

Mineralogical Reconciliation of ore sample analyses using chemical assays, X-ray diffraction and automated mineralogy

Mineral characterization in earth sciences, process mineralogy and environment is usually achieved through X-ray diffraction, microscopy and sometimes modal calculation based on chemical assays. The automated mineralogy based on SEM-EDS micro-analysis has strongly developed in the last three decades and also become widely used in mineral characterization offering a wide suite of information (modal mineralogy, textural quantification, chemical assay, etc). The data obtained by each characterization technique, whether chemical, mineralogical or by microscopy, are often divergent and cannot be used without a cross-interpretation of the results requiring data reconciliation. The objective of this paper is to illustrate how reconciliation of the data should be performed using chemical assays, X-ray diffraction and Automated Mineralogy. For this purpose, four samples from an alluvial deposit were analyzed to accurately determine the mineralogy, their stoichiometry and the elemental deportmen