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Despite their widespread use during the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks hinder abilities to interpret facial expressions. Yet, they can also reduce the appearance of characteristics that are used to categorize individuals into racial groups, such as Afrocentric features. The color of a face mask might also promote associations with certain types of behavior and professional occupations (e.g., blue surgical mask connoting physician stereotypes; black masks potentially being associated with criminality). This study assessed whether the presence and color of a face mask impacted perceptions of a target male of varying race. White participants (N = 250) were presented with an African American or White male adult face from the Chicago Face Database (of equal age and attractiveness) wearing a blue or black surgical mask, or no mask (Photoshopped onto the face) and rated the man on emotions (happy, sad, angry) as well as how trustworthy, threatening, and attractive the target appeared. Targets wearing a blue surgical mask were judged as more trustworthy and attractive than those wearing no mask (perhaps due to association with medical professions), but these judgements were not qualified by race, despite the African American target's selection based on Afrocentric features. The color black on a face mask did not exacerbate negative perceptions of targets, perhaps suggesting a decline effect in previously demonstrated associations between this color and criminal actions. Unlike previous research performed at the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic on cloth masks shown to potentially exacerbate racial biases, surgical masks (pleated and made of polymeric materials), appear to lessen potential stereotyping of Black relative to White men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding public perceptions of sea level rise (SLR) is essential for effective risk communication in coastal areas. Using cross-sectional data from a representative survey of 1042 Louisiana residents, we measured the role of sociodemographic factors (age, gender, education, income, race, and political affiliation), contextual factors (distance to coast, geographic vulnerability, perceived extreme weather, home ownership, and presence of children in the household), media measures (local television, local newspaper, and satisfaction with media coverage), and perceived causes of coastal land loss (natural erosion from waves, hurricane activity, oil and gas industry activity, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activity) on SLR risk salience. Ordinal logistic analysis showed perceived extreme weather and geographic vulnerability to be strong and positive predictors of SLR risk salience. Implications for risk communication are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic condition characterized by partial or complete monosomy X. Alterations in hormonal function, height, and peer relationships, among other features and correlates of TS, appear to be risks for depressive illness. In order to summarize what is known about depression in Turner syndrome, with the aim of determining whether individuals with TS are at increased risk for depression, a literature search and analysis were conducted. In total, 69 studies were identified and 35 met criteria of being peer-reviewed English language articles that collected original data on the experience of depression in individuals with TS. Most studies used patient or parent questionnaires to evaluate depressive symptoms. These studies, a majority of which examined adults and half that examined adolescents, found that individuals with TS experienced more frequent and severe depressive symptoms than individuals without TS diagnoses. Articles studying children with TS did not demonstrate a difference in their depressive experience compared to individuals without TS. Three articles used clinician-administered scales, such as the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV; all diagnosed depression in those with TS at higher rates than others. Five studies relied on expert opinion to evaluate depression. The remaining eight articles were case reports or case series that relied on expert opinion. From these data, we conclude that adolescents and adults with TS are at risk for depression and adulthood appears to be the period of the highest risk. Studies in the last 12 years show consistently more severe depressive symptoms in individuals with TS than in previous years. Implications, risk factors, and recommendations for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold, palladium, and platinum aerogels were prepared by a rapid, direct solution-based reduction synthesis with densities of 0.54, 0.065, and 0.055 g/cm³, respectively. Salt solutions were reduced at 1:1 (v/v) with dimethylamine borane and sodium borohydride to rapidly form gels within seconds to minutes above a threshold salt concentration and were then rinsed and freeze dried. Au, Pd, and Pt aerogels had no presence of oxide phases confirmed by X-ray diffractometry. Specific surface areas determined with gas physisorption were 3.06, 15.43, and 20.56 m²/g for Au, Pd, and Pt. Electrochemically determined specific capacitances using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were 2.18, 4.13, and 4.20 F/g, and 2.67, 7.99, and 5.12 F/g for Au, Pd, and Pt, respectively. The rapid synthesis, high solvent accessible specific surface area, conductivity, and capacitance make these noble metal aerogels candidates for many of catalytic, energy, and sensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]