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1. Folding points to a point and lines to a line

   Akitaya, Hugo A.; Ballinger, Brad; Demaine, Erik D.; Hull, Thomas C.; Schmidt, Christiane (August 2021, Proceedings of the 33rd Canadian Conference on Computational Geometry (CCCG 2021))

   He, Meng; Sheehy, Don (Ed.)

   We introduce basic, but heretofore generally unexplored, problems in computational origami that are similar in style to classic problems from discrete and computational geometry. We consider the problems of folding each corner of a polygon P to a point p and folding each edge of a polygon P onto a line segment L that connects two boundary points of P and compute the number of edges of the polygon containing p or L limited by crease lines and boundary edges. 

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2. A fluorinated phosphite traps alkoxy radicals photogenerated at the air/solid interface of a nanoparticle

   https://doi.org/10.1002/poc.4115  

   Ghosh, Goutam; Greer, Alexander (August 2020, Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry)

   Abstract With interests in alkoxy radical formation on natural and artificial surfaces, a physical‐organic study was carried out with a Hammett series of triaryl phosphites (p‐MeO, H,p‐F, andp‐Cl) to trap adsorbed alkoxy radicals on silica nanoparticles. A mechanism which involves PhC (Me)₂O• and EtO• trapping in a cumylethyl peroxide sensitized homolysis reaction is consistent with the results. Thep‐F phosphite was able to indirectly monitor the alkoxy radical formation, and³¹P NMR readily enabled this exploration, but other phosphites of the series such as thep‐MeO phosphite were limited by hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by surface silanol groups. Fluorinated silica nanoparticles helped to suppress the hydrolysis reaction although adventitious water also plays a role in hindering efficient capture of the alkoxy radicals by the phosphite traps. 

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3. Restructuring a passive colloidal suspension using a rotationally driven particle

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SM00010B  

   Chen, Shih-Yuan; Lopez Rios, Hector Manuel; Olvera de la Cruz, Monica; Driscoll, Michelle (February 2024, Soft Matter)

   We use a rolling, driven particle to restructure an isotropic suspension solely through hydrodynamic interactions, resulting in an emergent pattern. We change this pattern by tuning the height of either the driven or passive particles. 

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4. Build-a-Cell: Engineering a Synthetic Cell Community

   https://doi.org/10.3390/life11111176  

   Frischmon, Caroline; Sorenson, Carlise; Winikoff, Michael; Adamala, Katarzyna P (November 2021, Life)

   Build-a-Cell is a global network of researchers that aims to develop synthetic living cells within the next decade. These cells will revolutionize the biotechnology industry by providing scientists and engineers with a more complete understanding of biology. Researchers can already replicate many cellular functions individually, but combining them into a single cell remains a significant challenge. This integration step will require the type of large-scale collaboration made possible by Build-a-Cell’s open, collective structure. Beyond the lab, Build-a-Cell addresses policy issues and biosecurity concerns associated with synthetic cells. The following review discusses Build-a-Cell’s history, function, and goals. 

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5. A mixed‐methods assessment of off‐duty police shootings in a media‐curated database

   https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.14170  

   Asabor, Emmanuella Ngozi; Lett, Elle; Mosely, Brein; Boone, Cheriko A.; Sundaresan, Saahil; Wong, Tian An; Majumder, Maimuna S. (June 2023, Health Services Research)

   Abstract ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine rates of killings perpetrated by off‐duty police and news coverage of those killings, by victim race and gender, and to qualitatively evaluate the contexts in which those killings occur. Data Sources and Study SettingWe used the Mapping Police Violence database to curate a dataset of killings perpetrated by off‐duty police (2013–2021,N = 242). We obtained data from Media Cloud to assess news coverage of each off‐duty police‐perpetrated killing. Study DesignOur study used a convergent mixed‐methods design. We examined off‐duty police‐perpetrated killings by victim race and gender, comparing absolute rates and rates relative to total police‐perpetrated killings. [Correction added on 26 June 2023, after first online publication: ‘policy‐perpetrated’ has been changed to ‘police‐perpetrated’ in the preceding sentence.] We also conducted race‐gender comparisons of the frequency of news media reporting of these killings, and whether reporting identified the perpetrator as an off‐duty officer. We conducted thematic analysis of the narrative free‐text field that accompanied quantitative data using grounded theory. Principal FindingsBlack men were the most frequent victims killed by off‐duty police (39.3%) followed by white men (25.2%), Hispanic men (11.2%), white women (9.1%), men of unknown race (9.1%), and Black women (4.1%). Black women had the highest rate of off‐duty/total police‐perpetrated killings relative to white men (rate = 12.82%, RR = 8.32, 95% CI: 4.43–15.63). There were threefold higher odds of news reporting of a police‐perpetrated killing and the off‐duty status of the officer for incidents with Black and Hispanic victims. Qualitative analysis revealed that off‐duty officers intervened violently within their own social networks; their presence escalated situations; they intentionally obscured information about their lethal violence; they intervened while impaired; their victims were often in crisis; and their intervention posed harm and potential secondary traumatization to witnesses. ConclusionsPolice perpetrate lethal violence while off duty, compromising public health and safety. Additionally, off‐duty police‐perpetrated killings are reported differentially by the news media depending on the race of the victim. 

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