ico Paysend launches ‘Paysend Libre’ in Mexico powered by Mastercard By www.retailtechnologyreview.com Published On :: Fri, 13 Nov 8240 17:28:37 +0000 Paysend and Mastercard have partnered to launch Paysend Libre in Mexico in a move to drive financial inclusion in a region where the majority of the population is still underbanked or unbanked. Full Article Data Capture
ico Looking for medical experts to - Yasemin Nicola Sakay, Medical News Today / Healthline Media By www.newswise.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:00:00 EST Looking for medical experts to comment on the findings of the following embargoed study: Vitamin D Supplements May Lower Blood Pressure in Older People with Obesity Full Article
ico Looking for medical experts to - Yasemin Nicola Sakay, Medical News Today / Healthline Media By www.newswise.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:00:00 EST Looking for medical experts to comment on the findings of the following embargoed study: Vitamin D Supplements May Lower Blood Pressure in Older People with Obesity Full Article
ico Gov't Holds Annual Silicon Valley Expo to Support S. Korean Firms in AI, Digital Sectors By world.kbs.co.kr Published On :: Sat, 28 Sep 2024 16:35:08 +0900 [Science] : The government held an annual conference and exhibition at Silicon Valley in the U.S. to give support to South Korean firms in the AI and digital sectors making inroads into the U.S. market. According to the ICT ministry on Saturday, the two-day K-Global@Silicon Valley 2024, marking its 13th year, ...[more...] Full Article Science
ico Is Virgo and Capricorn Compatibility Solid? Discover the Strengths and Challenges By entertainment.howstuffworks.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 05:15:02 -0500 s Virgo and Capricorn compatibility strong? Discover how these earth signs connect in love, friendship, and marriage with shared values, loyalty, and mutual support. Full Article
ico Gemini vs. Capricorn: What Makes Their Relationship Unique? By entertainment.howstuffworks.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 05:15:03 -0500 Is Gemini and Capricorn compatibility strong? Discover the unique dynamics, strengths, and challenges that Gemini and Capricorn face in love, friendship, and beyond. Full Article
ico BGS signs memorandum of understanding with Serviço Geológico do Brasil - British Geological Survey By news.google.com Published On :: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT BGS signs memorandum of understanding with Serviço Geológico do Brasil British Geological Survey Full Article
ico Variable stoichiometry and salt-cocrystal intermediate in the multicomponents of flucytosine: structural elucidation and its impact on stability By journals.iucr.org Published On :: Five multicomponent solid forms of an antifungal drug flucytosine are reported with a hygroscopic stability study. A detailed CSD search on the cocrystal/salts of flucytosine is evaluated and correlated the structures based on bond angles and bond distances. Full Article text
ico Expression, purification and crystallization of the photosensory module of phytochrome B (phyB) from Sorghum bicolor By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-02-20 Sorghum, a short-day tropical plant, has been adapted for temperate grain production, in particular through the selection of variants at the MATURITY loci (Ma1–Ma6) that reduce photoperiod sensitivity. Ma3 encodes phytochrome B (phyB), a red/far-red photochromic biliprotein photoreceptor. The multi-domain gene product, comprising 1178 amino acids, autocatalytically binds the phytochromobilin chromophore to form the photoactive holophytochrome (Sb.phyB). This study describes the development of an efficient heterologous overproduction system which allows the production of large quantities of various holoprotein constructs, along with purification and crystallization procedures. Crystals of the Pr (red-light-absorbing) forms of NPGP, PGP and PG (residues 1–655, 114–655 and 114–458, respectively), each C-terminally tagged with His6, were successfully produced. While NPGP crystals did not diffract, those of PGP and PG diffracted to 6 and 2.1 Å resolution, respectively. Moving the tag to the N-terminus and replacing phytochromobilin with phycocyanobilin as the ligand produced PG crystals that diffracted to 1.8 Å resolution. These results demonstrate that the diffraction quality of challenging protein crystals can be improved by removing flexible regions, shifting fusion tags and altering small-molecule ligands. Full Article text
ico Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT and molecular docking studies of ethyl 5-amino-2-bromoisonicotinate By journals.iucr.org Published On :: Theoretical and experimental structural studies of the title compound were undertaken using X-ray and DFT methods. The interactions present in the crystal were analyzed using Hirshfeld surface and MEP surface analysis. Docking studies with a covid-19 main protease (PDB ID: 6LU7) as the target receptor indicate that the synthesized compound may be a potential candidate for pharmaceutical applications. Full Article text
ico Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of N-(4-methoxyphenyl)picolinamide By journals.iucr.org Published On :: The molecular and crystal structure of N-(4-methoxyphenyl)picolinamide were studied and Hirshfeld surfaces and fingerprint plots were generated to investigate various intermolecular interactions. Full Article text
ico Structure of face-centred icosahedral quasicrystals with cluster close packing By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-09-30 A 6D structure model for face-centred icosahedral quasicrystals consisting of so-called pseudo-Mackay and mini-Bergman-type atomic clusters is proposed based on the structure model of the Al69.1Pd22Cr2.1Fe6.8 3/2 cubic approximant crystal (with space group Pa3, a = 40.5 Å) [Fujita et al. (2013). Acta Cryst. A69, 322–340]. The cluster centres form an icosahedral close sphere packing generated by the occupation domains similar to those in the model proposed by Katz & Gratias [J. Non-Cryst. Solids (1993), 153–154, 187–195], but their size is smaller by a factor τ2 [τ = (1 + (5)1/2)/2]. The clusters cover approximately 99.46% of the atomic structure, and the cluster arrangement exhibits 15 and 19 different local configurations, respectively, for the pseudo-Mackay and mini-Bergman-type clusters. The occupation domains that generate cluster shells are modelled and discussed in terms of structural disorder and local reorganization of the cluster arrangements (phason flip). Full Article text
ico Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT and molecular docking studies of ethyl 5-amino-2-bromoisonicotinate By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-11-08 In the title compound, C8H9BrN2O2, the C—O—C—C torsion angle between isonicotine and the ethyl group is 180.0 (2)°. Intramolecular N—H...O and C—H...O interactions consolidate the molecular structure. In the crystal, N—H...N interaction form S(5) zigzag chains along [010]. The most significant contributions to the Hirshfeld surface arise from H...H (33.2%), Br...H/H...Br (20.9%), O...H/H...O (11.2%), C...H/H...C (11.1%) and N...H/H...N (10%) contacts. The topology of the three-dimensional energy frameworks was generated using the B3LYP/6–31 G(d,p) model to calculate the total interaction energy. The net interaction energies for the title compound are Eele = 59.2 kJ mol−1, Epol = 15.5 kJ mol−1, Edis = 140.3 kJ mol−1 and Erep = 107.2 kJ mol−1 with a total interaction energy Etot of 128.8 kJ mol−1. The molecular structure was optimized by density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6–311+G(d,p) level and the theoretical and experimentally obtained parameters were compared. The frontier molecular orbitals HOMO and LUMO were generated, giving an energy gap ΔE of 4.0931 eV. The MEP was generated to identify active sites in the molecule and molecular docking studies carried out with the title compound (ligand) and the covid-19 main protease PDB ID: 6LU7, revealing a moderate binding affinity of −5.4 kcal mol−1. Full Article text
ico A thermal deformation optimization method for cryogenically cooled silicon crystal monochromators under high heat load By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-01-22 A method to optimize the thermal deformation of an indirectly cryo-cooled silicon crystal monochromator exposed to intense X-rays at a low-emittance diffraction-limited synchrotron radiation source is presented. The thermal-induced slope error of the monochromator crystal has been studied as a function of heat transfer efficiency, crystal temperature distribution and beam footprint size. A partial cooling method is proposed, which flattens the crystal surface profile within the beam footprint by modifying the cooling contact area to optimize the crystal peak temperature. The optimal temperature varies with different photon energies, which is investigated, and a proper cooling strategy is obtained to fulfil the thermal distortion requirements over the entire photon energy range. At an absorbed power up to 300 W with a maximum power density of 44.8 W mm−2 normal incidence beam from an in-vacuum undulator, the crystal thermal distortion does not exceed 0.3 µrad at 8.33 keV. This method will provide references for the monochromator design on diffraction-limited synchrotron radiation or free-electron laser light sources. Full Article text
ico Characterization of silicon pore optics for the NewAthena X-ray observatory in the PTB laboratory at BESSY II By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-06-24 The New Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics (NewAthena) will be the largest space-based X-ray observatory ever built. It will have an effective area above 1.1 m2 at 1 keV, which corresponds to a polished mirror surface of about 300 m2 due to the grazing incidence. As such a mirror area is not achievable with an acceptable mass even with nested shells, silicon pore optics (SPO) technology will be utilized. In the PTB laboratory at BESSY II, two dedicated beamlines are in use for their characterization with monochromatic radiation at 1 keV and a low divergence well below 2 arcsec: the X-ray Pencil Beam Facility (XPBF 1) and the X-ray Parallel Beam Facility (XPBF 2.0), where beam sizes up to 8 mm × 8 mm are available while maintaining low beam divergence. This beamline is used for characterizing mirror stacks and controlling the focusing properties of mirror modules (MMs) – consisting of four mirror stacks – during their assembly at the beamline. A movable CCD based camera system 12 m from the MM registers the direct and the reflected beams. The positioning of the detector is verified by a laser tracker. The energy-dependent reflectance in double reflection through the pores of an MM with an Ir coating was measured at the PTB four-crystal monochromator beamline in the photon energy range 1.75 keV to 10 keV, revealing the effects of the Ir M edges. The measured reflectance properties are in agreement with the design values to achieve the envisaged effective area. Full Article text
ico PEPICO analysis of catalytic reactor effluents towards quantitative isomer discrimination: DME conversion over a ZSM-5 zeolite By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-06-25 The methanol-to-hydrocarbons (MTH) process involves the conversion of methanol, a C1 feedstock that can be produced from green sources, into hydrocarbons using shape-selective microporous acidic catalysts – zeolite and zeotypes. This reaction yields a complex mixture of species, some of which are highly reactive and/or present in several isomeric forms, posing significant challenges for effluent analysis. Conventional gas-phase chromatography (GC) is typically employed for the analysis of reaction products in laboratory flow reactors. However, GC is not suitable for the detection of highly reactive intermediates such as ketene or formaldehyde and is not suitable for kinetic studies under well defined low pressure conditions. Photoelectron–photoion coincidence (PEPICO) spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful analytical tool for unraveling complex compositions of catalytic effluents, but its availability is limited to a handful of facilities worldwide. Herein, PEPICO analysis of catalytic reactor effluents has been implemented at the FinEstBeAMS beamline of MAX IV Laboratory. The conversion of dimethyl ether (DME) on a zeolite catalyst (ZSM-5-MFI27) is used as a prototypical model reaction producing a wide distribution of hydrocarbon products. Since in zeolites methanol is quickly equilibrated with DME, this reaction can be used to probe vast sub-networks of the full MTH process, while eliminating or at least slowing down methanol-induced secondary reactions and catalyst deactivation. Quantitative discrimination of xylene isomers in the effluent stream is achieved by deconvoluting the coincidence photoelectron spectra. Full Article text
ico The diamond–silicon carbide composite Skeleton® as a promising material for substrates of intense X-ray beam optics By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-08-06 The paper considers the possibility of using the diamond-silicon carbide composite Skeleton® with a technological coating of polycrystalline silicon as a substrate for X-ray mirrors used with powerful synchrotron radiation sources (third+ and fourth generation). Samples were studied after polishing to provide the following surface parameters: root-mean-square flatness ≃ 50 nm, micro-roughness on the frame 2 µm × 2 µm σ ≃ 0.15 nm. The heat capacity, thermal conductivity and coefficient of linear thermal expansion were investigated. For comparison, a monocrystalline silicon sample was studied under the same conditions using the same methods. The value of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion turned out to be higher than that of monocrystalline silicon and amounted to 4.3 × 10−6 K−1, and the values of thermal conductivity (5.0 W cm−1 K−1) and heat capacity (1.2 J K−1 g−1) also exceeded the values for Si. Thermally induced deformations of both Skeleton® and monocrystalline silicon samples under irradiation with a CO2 laser beam have also been experimentally studied. Taking into account the obtained thermophysical constants, the calculation of thermally induced deformation under irradiation with hard (20 keV) X-rays showed almost three times less deformation of the Skeleton® sample than of the monocrystalline silicon sample. Full Article text
ico Comparing single-shot damage thresholds of boron carbide and silicon at the European XFEL By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-08-25 Xray free-electron lasers (XFELs) enable experiments that would have been impractical or impossible at conventional X-ray laser facilities. Indeed, more XFEL facilities are being built and planned, with their aim to deliver larger pulse energies and higher peak brilliance. While seeking to increase the pulse power, it is quintessential to consider the maximum pulse fluence that a grazing-incidence FEL mirror can withstand. To address this issue, several studies were conducted on grazing-incidence damage by soft X-ray FEL pulses at the European XFEL facility. Boron carbide (B4C) coatings on polished silicon substrate were investigated using 1 keV photon energy, similar to the X-ray mirrors currently installed at the soft X-ray beamlines (SASE3). The purpose of this study is to compare the damage threshold of B4C and Si to determine the advantages, tolerance and limits of using B4C coatings. Full Article text
ico meso-α,α-5,15-Bis(o-nicotinamidophenyl)-10,20-diphenylporphyrin n-hexane monosolvate By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2023-12-22 The structure of the title solvated porphyrin, C56H38N8O2·C6H14, is reported. Two porphyrin molecules, one ordered and one disordered n-hexane solvate molecules are present in its asymmetric unit. The porphyrin macrocycle shows a characteristic saddle-shaped distortion, and the maximum deviation from the mean plane for non-hydrogen atoms is 0.48 Å. N—H⋯N, N—H⋯O, and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, as well as π–π interactions, are observed in the crystal structure. Full Article text
ico Aquabis(2,2'-bipyridine-κ2N,N')(isonicotinamide-κN)ruthenium(II) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-02-08 In the title complex, [Ru(C10H8N2)2(C6H6N2O)(H2O)](CF3SO3)2, the central RuII atom is sixfold coordinated by two bidentate 2,2'-bipyridine, an isonicotinamide ligand, and a water molecule in a distorted octahedral environment with trifluoromethanesulfonate ions completing the outer coordination sphere of the complex. Hydrogen bonding involving the water molecule and weak π–π stacking interactions between the pyridyl rings in adjacent molecules contribute to the alignment of the complexes in columns parallel to the c axis. Full Article text
ico {N-[1-(2-Oxidophenyl)ethylidene]-dl-alaninato}(pentane-1,5-diyl)silicon(IV) By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-03-19 The title SiIV complex, C16H21NO3Si, is built up by a tridentate dinegative Schiff base ligand bound to a silacyclohexane unit. The coordination geometry of the pentacoordinated SiIV atom is a distorted trigonal bipyramid. The presence of the silacyclohexane ring in the complex leads to an unusual coordination geometry of the SiIV atom with the N atom from the Schiff base ligand and an alkyl-C atom in apical positions of the trigonal bipyramid. There is a disorder of the methyl group at the imine bond with two orientations resolved for the H atoms [major orientation = 0.55 (3)]. In the crystal, C—H⋯O interactions are found within corrugated layers of molecules parallel to the ab plane. Full Article text
ico Synthesis, crystal structure and in-silico evaluation of arylsulfonamide Schiff bases for potential activity against colon cancer By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-03-28 This report presents a comprehensive investigation into the synthesis and characterization of Schiff base compounds derived from benzenesulfonamide. The synthesis process, involved the reaction between N-cycloamino-2-sulfanilamide and various substituted o-salicylaldehydes, resulted in a set of compounds that were subjected to rigorous characterization using advanced spectral techniques, including 1H NMR, 13C NMR and FT–IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, an in-depth assessment of the synthesized compounds was conducted through Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) analysis, in conjunction with docking studies, to elucidate their pharmacokinetic profiles and potential. Impressively, the ADMET analysis showcased encouraging drug-likeness properties of the newly synthesized Schiff bases. These computational findings were substantiated by molecular properties derived from density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the B3LYP/6-31G* method within the Jaguar Module of Schrödinger 2023-2 from Maestro (Schrodinger LLC, New York, USA). The exploration of frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) enabled the computation of global reactivity descriptors (GRDs), encompassing charge separation (Egap) and global softness (S). Notably, within this analysis, one Schiff base, namely, 4-bromo-2-{N-[2-(pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl)phenyl]carboximidoyl}phenol, 20, emerged with the smallest charge separation (ΔEgap = 3.5780 eV), signifying heightened potential for biological properties. Conversely, 4-bromo-2-{N-[2-(piperidine-1-sulfonyl)phenyl]carboximidoyl}phenol, 17, exhibited the largest charge separation (ΔEgap = 4.9242 eV), implying a relatively lower propensity for biological activity. Moreover, the synthesized Schiff bases displayed remarkeable inhibition of tankyrase poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase enzymes, integral in colon cancer, surpassing the efficacy of a standard drug used for the same purpose. Additionally, their bioavailability scores aligned closely with established medications such as trifluridine and 5-fluorouracil. The exploration of molecular electrostatic potential through colour mapping delved into the electronic behaviour and reactivity tendencies intrinsic to this diverse range of molecules. Full Article text
ico Crystal clear: the impact of crystal structure in the development of high-performance organic semiconductors By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-10-31 Full Article text
ico The TR-icOS setup at the ESRF: time-resolved microsecond UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy on protein crystals By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-01-01 The technique of time-resolved macromolecular crystallography (TR-MX) has recently been rejuvenated at synchrotrons, resulting in the design of dedicated beamlines. Using pump–probe schemes, this should make the mechanistic study of photoactive proteins and other suitable systems possible with time resolutions down to microseconds. In order to identify relevant time delays, time-resolved spectroscopic experiments directly performed on protein crystals are often desirable. To this end, an instrument has been built at the icOS Lab (in crystallo Optical Spectroscopy Laboratory) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility using reflective focusing objectives with a tuneable nanosecond laser as a pump and a microsecond xenon flash lamp as a probe, called the TR-icOS (time-resolved icOS) setup. Using this instrument, pump–probe spectra can rapidly be recorded from single crystals with time delays ranging from a few microseconds to seconds and beyond. This can be repeated at various laser pulse energies to track the potential presence of artefacts arising from two-photon absorption, which amounts to a power titration of a photoreaction. This approach has been applied to monitor the rise and decay of the M state in the photocycle of crystallized bacteriorhodopsin and showed that the photocycle is increasingly altered with laser pulses of peak fluence greater than 100 mJ cm−2, providing experimental laser and delay parameters for a successful TR-MX experiment. Full Article text
ico Supramolecular architectures in multicomponent crystals of imidazole-based drugs and trithiocyanuric acid By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-07-01 The structures of three multicomponent crystals formed with imidazole-based drugs, namely metronidazole, ketoconazole and miconazole, in conjunction with trithiocyanuric acid are characterized. Each of the obtained adducts represents a different category of crystalline molecular forms: a cocrystal, a salt and a cocrystal of salt. The structural analysis revealed that in all cases, the N—H⋯N hydrogen bond is responsible for the formation of acid–base pairs, regardless of whether proton transfer occurs or not, and these molecular pairs are combined to form unique supramolecular motifs by centrosymmetric N—H⋯S interactions between acid molecules. The complex intermolecular forces acting in characteristic patterns are discussed from the geometric and energetic perspectives, involving Hirshfeld surface analysis, pairwise energy estimation, and natural bond orbital calculations. Full Article text
ico Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2-picolyllithium·3thf By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-01-01 In the title compound, (2-methylidene-1,2-dihydropyridinium-κN)tris(tetrahydrofuran-κO)lithium, [Li(C6H6N)(C4H8O)3], the lithium ion adopts a distorted LiNO3 tetrahedral coordination geometry and the 2-picolyl anion adopts its enamido form with the lithium ion lying close to the plane of the pyridine ring. A methylene group of one of the thf ligands is disordered over two orientations. In the crystal, a weak C—H⋯O interaction generates inversion dimers. A Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that H⋯H contacts dominate the packing (86%) followed by O⋯H/H⋯O and C⋯H/H⋯C contacts, which contribute 3% and 10.4%, respectively. Full Article text
ico A triclinic polymorph of miconazole By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-01-26 The crystal structure of the new triclinic polymorph of miconazole {MIC; C18H14Cl4N2O; systematic name: (RS)-1-[2-(2,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazole} is reported and compared with the monoclinic form of solvent-free miconazole previously reported [Kaspiaruk & Chęcińska (2022). Acta Cryst. C78, 343–350]. A comparison shows a different orientation of imidazole and one dichlorophenyl ring between polymorphic molecules. In the crystal structure of the title compound, only weak halogen bonds and C—H⋯π(arene) interactions are found. Hirshfeld surface analysis and energy framework calculations complement the comparison of the two polymorphic forms of the miconazole drug. Full Article text
ico Synthesis and crystal structures of bis[1-oxopyridin-2-olato(1−)]bis(pentafluorophenyl)silicon(IV)–tetrahydrofuran–pentane (2/1/1), bis[1-oxopyridin-2-olato(1−)]bis(p-tolyl)silicon(IV), and dimes By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-02-20 The neutral organosilicon(IV) complex, (C6F5)2Si(OPO)2 (OPO = 1-oxopyridin-2-one, C5H4NO2), was synthesized from (C6F5)2Si(OCH3)2 and 2 equiv. of 1-hydroxypyridin-2-one in tetrahydrofuran (THF). Single crystals grown from the diffusion of n-pentane into a THF solution were identified as a THF hemisolvate and an n-pentane hemisolvate, (C6F5)2Si(OPO)2·0.5THF·0.5C5H12 (1). p-Tolyl2Si(OPO)2 (2) and mesityl2Si(OPO)2 (3) crystallized directly from reaction mixtures of 2 equiv. of Me3Si(OPO) with p-tolyl2SiCl2 and mesityl2SiCl2, respectively, in acetonitrile. The oxygen-bonded carbon and nitrogen atoms of the OPO ligands in 1, 2, and 3 were modeled as disordered indicating co-crystallization of up to three possible diastereomers in each. Solution NMR studies support the presence of exclusively the all-cis isomer in 1 and multiple isomers in 2. Poor solubility of 3 limited its characterization in solution. Full Article text
ico An electropneumatic cleaning device for piezo-actuator-driven picolitre-droplet dispensers By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-02-01 Recently, we introduced the liquid application method for time-resolved analyses (LAMA). The time-consuming cleaning cycles required for the substrate solution exchange and storage of the sensitive droplet-dispenser nozzles present practical challenges. In this work, a dispenser cleaning system for the semi-automated cleaning of the piezo-actuator-driven picolitre-droplet dispensers required for LAMA is introduced to streamline typical workflows. Full Article text
ico Development of hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in liquid cells using optimized microfabricated silicon nitride membranes By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-10-15 We present first hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) results of aqueous salt solutions and dispersions of gold nanoparticles in liquid cells equipped with specially designed microfabricated thin silicon nitride membranes, with thickness in the 15–25 nm range, mounted in a high-vacuum-compatible environment. The experiments have been performed at the HAXPES endstation of the GALAXIES beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron radiation facility. The low-stress membranes are fabricated from 100 mm silicon wafers using standard lithography techniques. Platinum alignment marks are added to the chips hosting the membranes to facilitate the positioning of the X-ray beam on the membrane by detecting the corresponding photoemission lines. Two types of liquid cells have been used, a static one built on an Omicron-type sample holder with the liquid confined in the cell container, and a circulating liquid cell, in which the liquid can flow in order to mitigate the effects due to beam damage. We demonstrate that the membranes are mechanically robust and able to withstand 1 bar pressure difference between the liquid inside the cell and vacuum, and the intense synchrotron radiation beam during data acquisition. This opens up new opportunities for spectroscopic studies of liquids. Full Article text
ico Shein partners with Stori to launch a credit card in Mexico By thepaypers.com Published On :: Thu, 24 Oct 2024 15:45:00 +0100 Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein has introduced its first... Full Article
ico New 'Justice League' webseries for Machinima brings back iconic producer Bruce Timm By www.scpr.org Published On :: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 13:30:18 -0700 The lineup from the "Justice League" animated series.; Credit: Warner Bros. Bruce Timm's DC Comics animated universe, beginning with "Batman: The Animated Series" and continuing with "Superman," "Batman Beyond," "Justice League," "Justice League Unlimited" and more, remains one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed animated runs in existence. The run was so idenified with the producer that it was sometimes called the Timmverse, but the last show in that continuity ended in 2006 and Timm officially stepped down from working with DC animation in 2013. Now Timm is back. He's providing a darker take than the optimistic world he became known for in "Justice League: Gods and Monsters," a three-part digital series launching spring 2015 that will be tied in with a full-length animated film that comes out later that year, according to a press release. Timm's also re-teaming with Alan Burnett, who worked with Timm on "Batman: The Animated Series." It's part of DC Comics' efforts to set up their new film "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," which hits in 2016, with the full Justice League film set for 2018. DC Comics as a whole has been moving in a darker direction with Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, the "Man of Steel" reboot of Superman and a more serious direction in many of its comic books. The company has followed in its tradition of epic storytelling, passing on the quips Marvel has popularized in films from "Iron Man" to "Guardians of the Galaxy." It's yet to be seen if Timm can recapture any of the magic from his classic cartoons, but there's reason to be optimistic for the creator of the series that introduced fan favorite Joker sidekick Harley Quinn, created a new origin for Mr. Freeze that cemented the character in the Batman mythos and led the team reimagining numerous characters in an iconic, broadly appealing way. If you want to catch up on Timm's legacy, his previous two Justice League series are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime, along with "Batman Beyond," while the Batman and Superman animated series are available on Amazon Prime. Timm also recently produced a short for the 75th anniversary of Batman called "Strange Days," setting the character in the retro world of the serialized pulp storytelling from the time Batman was originally created. You can watch that below: Batman anniversary short Watch the classic opening to "Batman: The Animated Series": Batman: The Animated Series opening And, a personal favorite joke from when Lex Luthor and the Flash trade bodies on "Justice League Unlimited": Flash/Luthor body swap Full Article
ico USGS Releases New Topographic Maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands - Updated Maps for Essential Needs By www.usgs.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 Oct 2024 16:53:06 EDT The USGS is pleased to announce the release of new US Topo maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These updated topographic maps offer valuable, current geographic information for residents, visitors, and professionals, providing essential resources for communities in these areas. Full Article
ico FilmWeek Flashback: ‘Circus Of Books’ Explores The Legacy Of Iconic Los Angeles LGBTQ Bookstore By www.scpr.org Published On :: Fri, 11 Jun 2021 08:58:11 -0700 Circus of Books storefront.; Credit: Netflix/Circus Of Books (2020) FilmWeekThe documentary “Circus of Books” tells the story of two book stores, one in West Hollywood and the other in Silver Lake, operated by Karen and Barry Mason, who became accidental book sellers. They also became real pillars of the LGBTQ communties. Rachel Mason is the daughter of the masons and she’s also the filmmaker. Larry talked with Rachel about “Circus of Books” when it was first released on Netflix. Today on FilmWeek, we excerpt a portion of that conversation. This conversation aired during FilmWeek’s Saturday broadcast. Guest: Rachel Mason, director of the Netflix documentary ‘Circus of Books’ and daughter of Circus of Books owners Karen and Barry Mason; she tweets @RachelMasonArt This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org. Full Article
ico Once Again, Agnico Shows Why It Is Top Miner By www.streetwisereports.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:00:00 PST Global Analyst Adrian Day reviews results from two high-quality companies, a gold miner and a global blue chip. He also looks at changes in gold trends. Full Article
ico Statement Regarding New NAS Program on Human Health and Environmental Protection in the Gulf of Mexico By Published On :: Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT As part of the $4 billion settlement announced today between the federal government and BP concerning the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, the National Academy of Sciences has been asked to establish a new $350 million, 30-year program on human health and environmental protection in the Gulf of Mexico. Full Article
ico Effective Monitoring to Evaluate Ecological Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico – New Report By Published On :: Tue, 26 Jul 2016 05:00:00 GMT To improve and ensure the efficacy of restoration efforts in the Gulf of Mexico following Deepwater Horizon – the largest oil spill in U.S. history – a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends a set of best practices for monitoring and evaluating ecological restoration activities. Full Article
ico New Report Calls for Comprehensive Research Campaign to Better Understand, Predict Gulf of Mexico’s Loop Current System By Published On :: Wed, 03 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for an international, multi-institutional comprehensive campaign of research, observation, and analysis activities that would help improve understanding and prediction of the Gulf of Mexico’s Loop Current System (LCS). Full Article
ico National Academies’ Gulf Research Program Announces $10 Million Grant Opportunity for Enhancing Coastal Community Resilience in the Gulf of Mexico Region By Published On :: Wed, 25 Jul 2018 05:00:00 GMT The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced a new grant opportunity focused on enhancing coastal community resilience and well-being in the Gulf of Mexico region. Full Article
ico National Academies Gulf Research Program to Collaborate with Shell on Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observation Effort By Published On :: Wed, 14 Nov 2018 06:00:00 GMT The Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced a new collaboration with Shell and others to provide $1 million in funding support for a pilot effort to convert an existing ocean mooring owned by Shell into the first long-term deep ocean observatory in the Gulf of Mexico. Full Article
ico Research Campaign to Advance Understanding of Gulf of Mexico Loop Current Moves Forward By Awarding $10.3 Million in Initial Grants By Published On :: Wed, 19 Dec 2018 06:00:00 GMT Following recommendations from a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report released earlier this year, the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program (GRP) is developing a long-term research campaign to improve understanding and prediction of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current System (LCS). Full Article
ico $2.5 Million in Grants Available to Advance Understanding and Prediction of Gulf of Mexico Loop Current By Published On :: Wed, 06 Mar 2019 06:00:00 GMT The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced a new funding opportunity to provide up to $2.5 million in grants to foster innovative approaches that support its ongoing efforts to improve understanding and prediction of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current System (LCS). Full Article
ico Gulf Research Program Awards $2 Million to Seven Projects to Improve Understanding and Prediction of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current System By Published On :: Tue, 21 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced $2 million in grant awards for seven new projects through its Understanding Gulf Ocean Systems (UGOS) Grants 2 competition. Full Article
ico National Academies Completes Review of National Toxicology Program’s Draft Monograph on Fluoride and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Effects By Published On :: Thu, 05 Mar 2020 05:00:00 GMT Today the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released its review of the National Toxicology Program’s (NTP) draft monograph Systematic Review of Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Health Effects. Full Article
ico DOE Plan to Dilute and Dispose of Surplus Plutonium at New Mexico Site Technically Viable if Security, Execution, Other Challenges Are Addressed, Says New Report By Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT The U.S. Department of Energy’s plan to dilute and dispose of 34 metric tons of surplus plutonium in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico is technically viable, provided that the plan’s implementation challenges and system vulnerabilities are resolved. Full Article
ico New Study Will Assess How Climate Disasters, Other Events Affect Restoration Projects in the Gulf of Mexico By Published On :: Thu, 08 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT This summer, the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine started work on a new study that will assess how climate disasters, oil spills, and long-term environmental changes such as sea level rise are affecting environmental restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico. The study will help fulfill one of GRP’s top goals — monitoring progress and documenting how the Gulf is changing over time. Full Article
ico This Medical Student Wants to Start an AmeriCorps for Elder Care By Published On :: Thu, 15 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT Many high school seniors are rethinking their plans after they graduate because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are hesitant to commit to colleges if it means e-learning instead of the traditional classroom and on-campus experience. Full Article
ico Taking Flight -The Mars Helicopter Ingenuity and the Future of Mars Exploration By Published On :: Tue, 03 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT Creating an aircraft that will fly in the Martian atmosphere is an engineering tour de force. Full Article
ico National Academies Complete Review of National Toxicology Program’s Second Draft Monograph on Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Effects By Published On :: Tue, 09 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released today a review of the National Toxicology Program’s (NTP) second draft of the monograph Systematic Review of Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Health Effects. Full Article
ico Gulf Research Program Announces $25 Million in Funding to Improve Forecasts of Ocean Dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico By Published On :: Thu, 18 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced a $25 million funding opportunity for researchers interested in improving operational forecasts of ocean dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico for reduction of risk in offshore energy exploration and production. Full Article