ref Refining short-range order parameters from the three-dimensional diffuse scattering in single-crystal electron diffraction data By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-01-01 Our study compares short-range order parameters refined from the diffuse scattering in single-crystal X-ray and single-crystal electron diffraction data. Nb0.84CoSb was chosen as a reference material. The correlations between neighbouring vacancies and the displacements of Sb and Co atoms were refined from the diffuse scattering using a Monte Carlo refinement in DISCUS. The difference between the Sb and Co displacements refined from the diffuse scattering and the Sb and Co displacements refined from the Bragg reflections in single-crystal X-ray diffraction data is 0.012 (7) Å for the refinement on diffuse scattering in single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and 0.03 (2) Å for the refinement on the diffuse scattering in single-crystal electron diffraction data. As electron diffraction requires much smaller crystals than X-ray diffraction, this opens up the possibility of refining short-range order parameters in many technologically relevant materials for which no crystals large enough for single-crystal X-ray diffraction are available. Full Article text
ref Dynamical refinement with multipolar electron scattering factors By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-03-21 Dynamical refinement is a well established method for refining crystal structures against 3D electron diffraction (ED) data and its benefits have been discussed in the literature [Palatinus, Petříček & Corrêa, (2015). Acta Cryst. A71, 235–244; Palatinus, Corrêa et al. (2015). Acta Cryst. B71, 740–751]. However, until now, dynamical refinements have only been conducted using the independent atom model (IAM). Recent research has shown that a more accurate description can be achieved by applying the transferable aspherical atom model (TAAM), but this has been limited only to kinematical refinements [Gruza et al. (2020). Acta Cryst. A76, 92–109; Jha et al. (2021). J. Appl. Cryst. 54, 1234–1243]. In this study, we combine dynamical refinement with TAAM for the crystal structure of 1-methyluracil, using data from precession ED. Our results show that this approach improves the residual Fourier electrostatic potential and refinement figures of merit. Furthermore, it leads to systematic changes in the atomic displacement parameters of all atoms and the positions of hydrogen atoms. We found that the refinement results are sensitive to the parameters used in the TAAM modelling process. Though our results show that TAAM offers superior performance compared with IAM in all cases, they also show that TAAM parameters obtained by periodic DFT calculations on the refined structure are superior to the TAAM parameters from the UBDB/MATTS database. It appears that multipolar parameters transferred from the database may not be sufficiently accurate to provide a satisfactory description of all details of the electrostatic potential probed by the 3D ED experiment. Full Article text
ref Refinement of cryo-EM 3D maps with a self-supervised denoising model: crefDenoiser By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-07-29 Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a pivotal technique for imaging macromolecular structures. However, despite extensive processing of large image sets collected in cryo-EM experiments to amplify the signal-to-noise ratio, the reconstructed 3D protein-density maps are often limited in quality due to residual noise, which in turn affects the accuracy of the macromolecular representation. Here, crefDenoiser is introduced, a denoising neural network model designed to enhance the signal in 3D cryo-EM maps produced with standard processing pipelines. The crefDenoiser model is trained without the need for `clean' ground-truth target maps. Instead, a custom dataset is employed, composed of real noisy protein half-maps sourced from the Electron Microscopy Data Bank repository. Competing with the current state-of-the-art, crefDenoiser is designed to optimize for the theoretical noise-free map during self-supervised training. We demonstrate that our model successfully amplifies the signal across a wide variety of protein maps, outperforming a classic map denoiser and following a network-based sharpening model. Without biasing the map, the proposed denoising method leads to improved visibility of protein structural features, including protein domains, secondary structure elements and modest high-resolution feature restoration. Full Article text
ref On the structure refinement of metal complexes against 3D electron diffraction data using multipolar scattering factors By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-08-15 This study examines various methods for modelling the electron density and, thus, the electrostatic potential of an organometallic complex for use in crystal structure refinement against 3D electron diffraction (ED) data. It focuses on modelling the scattering factors of iron(III), considering the electron density distribution specific for coordination with organic linkers. We refined the structural model of the metal–organic complex, iron(III) acetylacetonate (FeAcAc), using both the independent atom model (IAM) and the transferable aspherical atom model (TAAM). TAAM refinement initially employed multipolar parameters from the MATTS databank for acetylacetonate, while iron was modelled with a spherical and neutral approach (TAAM ligand). Later, custom-made TAAM scattering factors for Fe—O coordination were derived from DFT calculations [TAAM-ligand-Fe(III)]. Our findings show that, in this compound, the TAAM scattering factor corresponding to Fe3+ has a lower scattering amplitude than the Fe3+ charged scattering factor described by IAM. When using scattering factors corresponding to the oxidation state of iron, IAM inaccurately represents electrostatic potential maps and overestimates the scattering potential of the iron. In addition, TAAM significantly improved the fitting of the model to the data, shown by improved R1 values, goodness-of-fit (GooF) and reduced noise in the Fourier difference map (based on the residual distribution analysis). For 3D ED, R1 values improved from 19.36% (IAM) to 17.44% (TAAM-ligand) and 17.49% (TAAM-ligand-Fe3+), and for single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) from 3.82 to 2.03% and 1.98%, respectively. For 3D ED, the most significant R1 reductions occurred in the low-resolution region (8.65–2.00 Å), dropping from 20.19% (IAM) to 14.67% and 14.89% for TAAM-ligand and TAAM-ligand-Fe(III), respectively, with less improvement in high-resolution ranges (2.00–0.85 Å). This indicates that the major enhancements are due to better scattering modelling in low-resolution zones. Furthermore, when using TAAM instead of IAM, there was a noticeable improvement in the shape of the thermal ellipsoids, which more closely resembled those of an SCXRD-refined model. This study demonstrates the applicability of more sophisticated scattering factors to improve the refinement of metal–organic complexes against 3D ED data, suggesting the need for more accurate modelling methods and highlighting the potential of TAAM in examining the charge distribution of large molecular structures using 3D ED. Full Article text
ref Hirshfeld atom refinement and dynamical refinement of hexagonal ice structure from electron diffraction data By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-07-30 Reaching beyond the commonly used spherical atomic electron density model allows one to greatly improve the accuracy of hydrogen atom structural parameters derived from X-ray data. However, the effects of atomic asphericity are less explored for electron diffraction data. In this work, Hirshfeld atom refinement (HAR), a method that uses an accurate description of electron density by quantum mechanical calculation for a system of interest, was applied for the first time to the kinematical refinement of electron diffraction data. This approach was applied here to derive the structure of ordinary hexagonal ice (Ih). The effect of introducing HAR is much less noticeable than in the case of X-ray refinement and it is largely overshadowed by dynamical scattering effects. It led to only a slight change in the O—H bond lengths (shortening by 0.01 Å) compared with the independent atom model (IAM). The average absolute differences in O—H bond lengths between the kinematical refinements and the reference neutron structure were much larger: 0.044 for IAM and 0.046 Å for HAR. The refinement results changed considerably when dynamical scattering effects were modelled – with extinction correction or with dynamical refinement. The latter led to an improvement of the O—H bond length accuracy to 0.021 Å on average (with IAM refinement). Though there is a potential for deriving more accurate structures using HAR for electron diffraction, modelling of dynamical scattering effects seems to be a necessary step to achieve this. However, at present there is no software to support both HAR and dynamical refinement. Full Article text
ref Quantum refinement in real and reciprocal space using the Phenix and ORCA software By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-09-30 X-ray and neutron crystallography, as well as cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), are the most common methods to obtain atomic structures of biological macromolecules. A feature they all have in common is that, at typical resolutions, the experimental data need to be supplemented by empirical restraints, ensuring that the final structure is chemically reasonable. The restraints are accurate for amino acids and nucleic acids, but often less accurate for substrates, inhibitors, small-molecule ligands and metal sites, for which experimental data are scarce or empirical potentials are harder to formulate. This can be solved using quantum mechanical calculations for a small but interesting part of the structure. Such an approach, called quantum refinement, has been shown to improve structures locally, allow the determination of the protonation and oxidation states of ligands and metals, and discriminate between different interpretations of the structure. Here, we present a new implementation of quantum refinement interfacing the widely used structure-refinement software Phenix and the freely available quantum mechanical software ORCA. Through application to manganese superoxide dismutase and V- and Fe-nitrogenase, we show that the approach works effectively for X-ray and neutron crystal structures, that old results can be reproduced and structural discrimination can be performed. We discuss how the weight factor between the experimental data and the empirical restraints should be selected and how quantum mechanical quality measures such as strain energies should be calculated. We also present an application of quantum refinement to cryo-EM data for particulate methane monooxygenase and show that this may be the method of choice for metal sites in such structures because no accurate empirical restraints are currently available for metals. Full Article text
ref Rerefinement of the crystal structure of BiF5 By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-07-09 The crystal structure of bismuth pentafluoride, BiF5, was rerefined from single-crystal data. BiF5 crystallizes in the α-UF5 structure type in the form of colorless needles. In comparison with the previously reported crystal-structure model [Hebecker (1971). Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 384, 111–114], the lattice parameters and fractional atomic coordinates were determined to much higher precision and all atoms were refined anisotropically, leading to a significantly improved structure model. The Bi atom (site symmetry 4/m..) is surrounded by six F atoms in a distorted octahedral coordination environment. The [BiF6] octahedra are corner-linked to form infinite straight chains extending parallel to [001]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the PBE0/TZVP level of theory were performed on the crystal structure of BiF5 to calculate its IR and Raman spectra. These are compared with experimental data. Full Article text
ref Synthesis, non-spherical structure refinement and Hirshfeld surface analysis of racemic 2,2'-diisobutoxy-1,1'-binaphthalene By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-09-24 In the racemic title compound, C28H30O2, the naphthyl ring systems subtend a dihedral angle of 68.59 (1)° and the molecular conformation is consolidated by a pair of intramolecular C—H⋯π contacts. The crystal packing features a weak C—H⋯π contact and van der Waals forces. A Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure reveals that the most significant contributions are from H⋯H (73.2%) and C⋯H/H⋯C (21.2%) contacts. Full Article text
ref Multi-segment cooling design of a reflection mirror based on the finite-element method By journals.iucr.org Published On :: Through numerical optimization of cooling lengths and cooling groove positions for the first reflection mirror of a free-electron laser [OK?], the root mean square of the height error of the mirror's thermal deformation was minimized. The optimized mirror design effectively mitigated stray light and enhanced the peak intensity of the focus spot at the sample, thereby enhancing the optical performance of the high-heat-load mirror under high repetition rates at beamline FEL-II of the SHINE facility. Full Article text
ref Refinement of X-ray and electron diffraction crystal structures using analytical Fourier transforms of Slater-type atomic wavefunctions in Olex2 By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-02-01 An implementation of Slater-type spherical scattering factors for X-ray and electron diffraction for elements in the range Z = 1–103 is presented within the software Olex2. Both high- and low-angle Fourier behaviour of atomic electron density and electrostatic potential can thus be addressed, in contrast to the limited flexibility of the four Gaussian plus constant descriptions which are currently the most widely used method for calculating atomic scattering factors during refinement. The implementation presented here accommodates the increasing complexity of the electronic structure of heavier elements by using complete atomic wavefunctions without any interpolation between precalculated tables or intermediate fitting functions. Atomic wavefunctions for singly charged ions are implemented and made accessible, and these show drastic changes in electron diffraction scattering factors compared with the neutral atom. A comparison between the two different spherical models of neutral atoms is presented as an example for four different kinds of X-ray and two electron diffraction structures, and comparisons of refinement results using the existing diffraction data are discussed. A systematic but slight improvement in R values and residual densities can be observed when using the new scattering factors, and this is discussed relative to effects on the atomic displacement parameters and atomic positions, which are prominent near the heavier elements in a structure. Full Article text
ref A simple solution to the Rietveld refinement recipe problem By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-02-01 Rietveld refinements are widely used for many purposes in the physical sciences. Conducting a Rietveld refinement typically requires expert input because correct results may require that parameters be added to the fit in the proper order. This order will depend on the nature of the data and the initial parameter values. A mechanism for computing the next parameter to add to the refinement is shown. The fitting function is evaluated with the current parameter value set and each parameter incremented and decremented by a small offset. This provides the partial derivatives with respect to each parameter, along with information to discriminate meaningful values from numerical computational errors. The implementation of this mechanism in the open-source GSAS-II program is discussed. This new method is discussed as an important step towards the development of automated Rietveld refinement technology. Full Article text
ref Tripling of the scattering vector range of X-ray reflectivity on liquid surfaces using a double-crystal deflector By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-02-16 The maximum range of perpendicular momentum transfer (qz) has been tripled for X-ray scattering from liquid surfaces when using a double-crystal deflector setup to tilt the incident X-ray beam. This is achieved by employing a higher-energy X-ray beam to access Miller indices of reflecting crystal atomic planes that are three times higher than usual. The deviation from the exact Bragg angle condition induced by misalignment between the X-ray beam axis and the main rotation axis of the double-crystal deflector is calculated, and a fast and straightforward procedure to align them is deduced. An experimental method of measuring scattering intensity along the qz direction on liquid surfaces up to qz = 7 Å−1 is presented, with liquid copper serving as a reference system for benchmarking purposes. Full Article text
ref X-Ray Calc 3: improved software for simulation and inverse problem solving for X-ray reflectivity By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-03-15 This work introduces X-Ray Calc (XRC), an open-source software package designed to simulate X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and address the inverse problem of reconstructing film structures on the basis of measured XRR curves. XRC features a user-friendly graphical interface that facilitates interactive simulation and reconstruction. The software employs a recursive approach based on the Fresnel equations to calculate XRR and incorporates specialized tools for modeling periodic multilayer structures. This article presents the latest version of the X-Ray Calc software (XRC3), with notable improvements. These enhancements encompass an automatic fitting capability for XRR curves utilizing a modified flight particle swarm optimization algorithm. A novel cost function was also developed specifically for fitting XRR curves of periodic structures. Furthermore, the overall user experience has been enhanced by developing a new single-window interface. Full Article text
ref Millisecond X-ray reflectometry and neural network analysis: unveiling fast processes in spin coating By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-03-15 X-ray reflectometry (XRR) is a powerful tool for probing the structural characteristics of nanoscale films and layered structures, which is an important field of nanotechnology and is often used in semiconductor and optics manufacturing. This study introduces a novel approach for conducting quantitative high-resolution millisecond monochromatic XRR measurements. This is an order of magnitude faster than in previously published work. Quick XRR (qXRR) enables real time and in situ monitoring of nanoscale processes such as thin film formation during spin coating. A record qXRR acquisition time of 1.4 ms is demonstrated for a static gold thin film on a silicon sample. As a second example of this novel approach, dynamic in situ measurements are performed during PMMA spin coating onto silicon wafers and fast fitting of XRR curves using machine learning is demonstrated. This investigation primarily focuses on the evolution of film structure and surface morphology, resolving for the first time with qXRR the initial film thinning via mass transport and also shedding light on later thinning via solvent evaporation. This innovative millisecond qXRR technique is of significance for in situ studies of thin film deposition. It addresses the challenge of following intrinsically fast processes, such as thin film growth of high deposition rate or spin coating. Beyond thin film growth processes, millisecond XRR has implications for resolving fast structural changes such as photostriction or diffusion processes. Full Article text
ref Neural network analysis of neutron and X-ray reflectivity data incorporating prior knowledge By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-03-31 Due to the ambiguity related to the lack of phase information, determining the physical parameters of multilayer thin films from measured neutron and X-ray reflectivity curves is, on a fundamental level, an underdetermined inverse problem. This ambiguity poses limitations on standard neural networks, constraining the range and number of considered parameters in previous machine learning solutions. To overcome this challenge, a novel training procedure has been designed which incorporates dynamic prior boundaries for each physical parameter as additional inputs to the neural network. In this manner, the neural network can be trained simultaneously on all well-posed subintervals of a larger parameter space in which the inverse problem is underdetermined. During inference, users can flexibly input their own prior knowledge about the physical system to constrain the neural network prediction to distinct target subintervals in the parameter space. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated in various scenarios, including multilayer structures with a box model parameterization and a physics-inspired special parameterization of the scattering length density profile for a multilayer structure. In contrast to previous methods, this approach scales favourably when increasing the complexity of the inverse problem, working properly even for a five-layer multilayer model and a periodic multilayer model with up to 17 open parameters. Full Article text
ref Reconstructing the reflectivity of liquid surfaces from grazing incidence X-ray off-specular scattering data By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-05-17 The capillary wave model of a liquid surface predicts both the X-ray specular reflection and the diffuse scattering around it. A quantitative method is presented to obtain the X-ray reflectivity (XRR) from a liquid surface through the diffuse scattering data around the specular reflection measured using a grazing incidence X-ray off-specular scattering (GIXOS) geometry at a fixed horizontal offset angle with respect to the plane of incidence. With this approach the entire Qz-dependent reflectivity profile can be obtained at a single, fixed incident angle. This permits a much faster acquisition of the profile than with conventional reflectometry, where the incident angle must be scanned point by point to obtain a Qz-dependent profile. The XRR derived from the GIXOS-measured diffuse scattering, referred to in this paper as pseudo-reflectivity, provides a larger Qz range compared with the reflectivity measured by conventional reflectometry. Transforming the GIXOS-measured diffuse scattering profile to pseudo-XRR opens up the GIXOS method to widely available specular XRR analysis software tools. Here the GIXOS-derived pseudo-XRR is compared with the XRR measured by specular reflectometry from two simple vapor–liquid interfaces at different surface tension, and from a hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide monolayer on a water surface. For the simple liquids, excellent agreement (beyond 11 orders of magnitude in signal) is found between the two methods, supporting the approach of using GIXOS-measured diffuse scattering to derive reflectivities. Pseudo-XRR obtained at different horizontal offset angles with respect to the plane of incidence yields indistinguishable results, and this supports the robustness of the GIXOS-XRR approach. The pseudo-XRR method can be extended to soft thin films on a liquid surface, and criteria are established for the applicability of the approach. Full Article text
ref Multidimensional Rietveld refinement of high-pressure neutron diffraction data of PbNCN By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-09-05 High-pressure neutron powder diffraction data from PbNCN were collected on the high-pressure diffraction beamline SNAP located at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Tennessee, USA). The diffraction data were analyzed using the novel method of multidimensional (two dimensions for now, potentially more in the future) Rietveld refinement and, for comparison, employing the conventional Rietveld method. To achieve two-dimensional analysis, a detailed description of the SNAP instrument characteristics was created, serving as an instrument parameter file, and then yielding both cell and spatial parameters as refined under pressure for the first time for solid-state cyanamides/carbodiimides. The bulk modulus B0 = 25.1 (15) GPa and its derivative B'0 = 11.1 (8) were extracted for PbNCN following the Vinet equation of state. Surprisingly, an internal transition was observed beyond 2.0 (2) GPa, resulting from switching the bond multiplicities (and bending direction) of the NCN2− complex anion. The results were corroborated using electronic structure calculation from first principles, highlighting both local structural and chemical bonding details. Full Article text
ref Thermal analysis of a reflection mirror by fluid and solid heat transfer method By journals.iucr.org Published On :: 2024-10-15 High-repetition-rate free-electron lasers impose stringent requirements on the thermal deformation of beamline optics. The Shanghai HIgh-repetition-rate XFEL aNd Extreme light facility (SHINE) experiences high average thermal power and demands wavefront preservation. To deeply study the thermal field of the first reflection mirror M1 at the FEL-II beamline of SHINE, thermal analysis under a photon energy of 400 eV was executed by fluid and solid heat transfer method. According to the thermal analysis results and the reference cooling water temperature of 30 °C, the temperature of the cooling water at the flow outlet is raised by 0.15 °C, and the wall temperature of the cooling tube increases by a maximum of 0.5 °C. The maximum temperature position of the footprint centerline in the meridian direction deviates away from the central position, and this asymmetrical temperature distribution will directly affect the thermal deformation of the mirror and indirectly affect the focus spot of the beam at the sample. Full Article text
ref Travelex partners with NCR Atleos to launch complete ATM technology refresh By thepaypers.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:58:00 +0100 Foreign exchange brand Travelex has announced its partners... Full Article
ref Lawmakers Reach A Bipartisan Agreement On Police Reform By www.scpr.org Published On :: Thu, 24 Jun 2021 18:20:09 -0700 Alana Wise | NPR Updated June 24, 2021 at 8:46 PM ET Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have reached a preliminary, bipartisan agreement on police reform after months of closely watched debate on the topic. Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., announced the agreement on Thursday evening. "After months of working in good faith, we have reached an agreement on a framework addressing the major issues for bipartisan police reform," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "There is still more work to be done on the final bill, and nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to. Over the next few weeks we look forward to continuing our work toward getting a finalized proposal across the finish line." The exact details of the plan were not immediately clear. The issue of reforming qualified immunity, to make it easier to sue police officers over allegations of brutality, had been a sticking point in negotiations. The police use of chokeholds was another debated provision. The effort to reform U.S. policing comes after several years of increasing pressure to better understand and regulate the way officers interact with the communities they patrol. The high-profile deaths of several Black people — many unarmed — at the hands of police — who have in some notable instances been white — have been the catalyst for the police reform movement. The Democratic-led House had approved the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act — named after one of those Black people killed by police — in early March, and President Biden had hoped Congress would pass the reform effort by the first anniversary of Floyd's death in late May. But Bass had said then that getting "a substantive piece of legislation" is "far more important than a specific date." Floyd's murderer, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, is set to be sentenced to prison on Friday. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Thursday that Biden "is grateful to Rep. Bass, Sen. Booker, and Sen. Scott for all of their hard work on police reform, and he looks forward to collaborating with them on the path ahead." The topic of police reform has divided the nation across party lines, with progressives accusing the right of seeking to maintain an antiquated and all-too-powerful law enforcement apparatus. Conservatives say the left has blamed the actions of some officers on the institution itself, turning the topic of police support and "blue lives" into more ammunition for the ongoing culture war. Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org. Full Article
ref Critics Reflect On The Deaths Of Paul Mooney, Charles Grodin And Norman Lloyd And Share Their Top Films Of 2021 So Far By www.scpr.org Published On :: Fri, 21 May 2021 08:13:02 -0700 Comedian Paul Mooney takes part in a discussion panel after the world premiere screening of "That's What I'm Talking About" at The Museum of Television & Radio January 30, 2006 in New York City.; Credit: Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images FilmWeekIn the past couple of weeks, we’ve lost several industry icons, including Paul Mooney, Charles Grodin and Norman Lloyd. Actor and comedian Paul Mooney was a boundary-pushing comedian who was Richard Pryor’s longtime writing partner and whose bold, incisive musings on racism and American life made him a revered figure in stand-up. He was 79. Charles Grodin was an offbeat actor and writer who scored as a caddish newlywed in “The Heartbreak Kid” and later had roles ranging from Robert De Niro’s counterpart in the comic thriller “Midnight Run” to the bedeviled father in the “Beethoven” comedies. He was 86. Norman Lloyd’s role as kindly Dr. Daniel Auschlander on TV’s “St. Elsewhere” was a single chapter in a distinguished stage and screen career that put him in the company of Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin and other greats. He was 106. Lloyd’s son, Michael Lloyd, said his father died at his home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Today on FilmWeek, our critics reflect on their work. Plus they share a couple of their favorite films of the 2021 so far. With files from the Associated Press Guests: Angie Han, film critic for KPCC and deputy entertainment editor at Mashable; she tweets @ajhan Wade Major, film critic for KPCC and CineGods.com Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org. Full Article
ref Diverging Analyst Views Reflect Adjustments in Gold Miners Q3 Forecasts By www.streetwisereports.com Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 PST Centerra Gold Inc. (CG:TSX; CADGF:OTCPK) has received varied analyst ratings following updates to its Q3 2024 financial results and projections. Read more on the latest analyst insights and how Q3 projections have shaped varied ratings for this gold producer. Full Article
ref New technologies, consumer preferences, sustainability imperatives to shape up future mobility, say experts By cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com Published On :: Mon, 18 Jul 2022 15:45:00 +0530 Panelists in a discussion on ‘Mobility Megatrends 2050’, highlighted that in the next decade, with electrification, autonomous driving, smart and connected infrastructure, modal diversity, and mobility that is integrated, resilient, shared, and sustainable – powered by disruptive business models, will transform and shape up of the automotive industry. The industry is racing towards a new world, driven by sustainability and changing consumer behaviour, encompassing electric vehicles, autonomous cars, mobility fleet sharing, and always connected. Full Article
ref Reforms Needed to Improve Childrens Reading Skills By Published On :: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 06:00:00 GMT Widespread reforms are needed to ensure that all children are equipped with the skills and instruction they need to learn to read, according to a new report from a committee of the National Research Council. Full Article
ref Health Care Reform and Increased Patient Needs Require Transformation of Nursing Profession By Published On :: Tue, 05 Oct 2010 05:00:00 GMT Nurses roles, responsibilities, and education should change significantly to meet the increased demand for care that will be created by health care reform and to advance improvements in Americas increasingly complex health system, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. Full Article
ref Juvenile Justice Reforms Should Incorporate Science of Adolescent Development By Published On :: Tue, 13 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT Legal responses to juvenile offending should be grounded in scientific knowledge about adolescent development and tailored to an individual offenders needs and social environment, says a new report from the National Research Council. Full Article
ref Global Commissions That Reflected on Ebola Outbreak Highlight Overlapping Conclusions in New PLOS Medicine Piece By Published On :: Thu, 19 May 2016 05:00:00 GMT To make the world safer against future infectious disease threats, national health systems should be strengthened, the World Health Organization’s emergency and outbreak response activities should be consolidated and bolstered, and research and development should be enhanced, says a new Policy Forum article that appears in the May 19 edition of PLOS Medicine. Full Article
ref New Report Recommends Methods and Guiding Principles for Developing Dietary Reference Intakes Based on Chronic Disease By Published On :: Thu, 03 Aug 2017 05:00:00 GMT A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine outlines how to examine whether specific levels of nutrients or other food substances (NOFSs) can ameliorate the risk of chronic disease and recommends ways to develop dietary reference intakes (DRI) based on chronic disease outcomes. Full Article
ref Reforms Needed to Strengthen U.S. Biomedical Research System for Next Generation of Scientists By Published On :: Thu, 12 Apr 2018 05:00:00 GMT A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for a series of substantial reforms to strengthen the U.S. biomedical research system for the next generation of scientists. Full Article
ref National Academies Launching New Study on Sunlight-Reflection Research By Published On :: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 05:00:00 GMT The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is forming a new committee to develop a research agenda and research governance approaches for climate-intervention strategies that reflect sunlight to cool Earth. Full Article
ref Sodium and Potassium Dietary Reference Intake Values Updated in New Report By Published On :: Tue, 05 Mar 2019 06:00:00 GMT A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reviews current evidence and updates intake recommendations known as the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for sodium and potassium that were established in 2005. Full Article
ref World Refugee Day By Published On :: Thu, 20 Jun 2019 04:00:00 GMT It is estimated that 44,000 people are forced each day to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. In December 2017, the CHR held a symposium, Protecting the Rights of Individuals Fleeing Conflict - The Role of Scientists, Engineers, and Health Professionals, to explore the various challenges faced by displaced individuals and the ways in which the scientific, engineering, and medical communities are working to help address these challenges. Full Article
ref Reflections on Commercial Crew and Cargo Missions By Published On :: Mon, 16 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT Reflections on Commercial Crew and Cargo Missions from Charles F. Bolden Jr., former NASA administrator (2009–17). Full Article
ref Gulf Research Program Fellows Reflect on the Power of Mentorship By Published On :: Fri, 05 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT During the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has left many young STEM professionals feeling overwhelmed in a time of closed laboratories, paused projects, and time apart from colleagues. Mentors have had to change their approach. Full Article
ref High-Quality Primary Care Should Be Available to Every Individual in the U.S., Says New Report - Payment Reform, Telehealth Expansion, State and Federal Policy Changes Recommended By Published On :: Tue, 04 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT Ensuring access to high-quality primary care for all people in the United States will require reforming payment models, expanding telehealth services, and supporting integrated, team-based care, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Full Article
ref Pandemic Isolation and the Elderly - A Doctor Reflects on the Impacts By Published On :: Fri, 07 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many older Americans experienced social isolation or loneliness, which can impact both mental and physical health. Carla Perissinotto, a geriatrician who served on a National Academies study committee that examined the topic, reflected on her patients’ experiences during the pandemic and what we’ve learned. Full Article
ref CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine Needs Investment, Regulatory Reform, and Other Changes to Meet New Infectious Disease Challenges, Says Report By Published On :: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT The CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine should create an effective and innovative quarantine station model to confront new challenges in preventing the spread of infectious diseases in the U.S., and requires new investment and regulatory reforms to do so. Full Article
ref Be careful what you pwish for – Phishing in PWA applications By www.welivesecurity.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000 ESET analysts dissect a novel phishing method tailored to Android and iOS users Full Article
ref Seeing the forest for the trees: World's largest reforestation program overlooks wildlife By esciencenews.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Sep 2016 13:07:22 +0000 After years of environmental destruction, China has spent billions of dollars on the world's largest reforestation program, converting a combined area nearly the size of New York and Pennsylvania back to forest. read more Full Article Earth & Climate
ref India at forefront of digital revolution, says RBI Deputy Governor Patra By cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:49:18 +0530 India's digital economy is booming, with fintech driving digital payments and e-markets expanding rapidly. Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Michael Debabrata Patra, stated that the digital economy currently makes up a tenth of India's GDP and is projected to reach a fifth by 2026. Full Article
ref An ode to refined grains By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Thu, 13 Sep 2018 09:00:00 -0400 People today go into a panic when they see the word "refined" anywhere near their food. But even though the term has become synonymous with overly processed and unhealthy, refined doesn't have to be such a dirty word. Full Article
ref Belgian Boys to unveil new refrigerated breakfast innovations at Expo West By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:20:00 -0500 Belgian Boys will debut two new products at Expo: Griddle Pancakes and Bite-sized Belgian Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Full Article
ref Birch Benders launches refreshed packaging By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:25:00 -0400 Since its inception in 2011, Birch Benders has included nature-inspired packaging and pancake mixes made from simple ingredients. Full Article
ref Reframing food waste: Tackling the big picture with almonds By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Aug 2022 16:20:00 -0400 By investing in research-based, cutting-edge solutions that contribute to a circular economy, the almond sector is identifying new and valuable uses for everything grown in the orchard. Full Article
ref Cargill refineries to offer 100% RSPO-certified palm oil By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:36:00 -0400 The company will be one of the first large-scale suppliers exclusively offering certified palm oil. Full Article
ref Amy's Kitchen unveils refreshed packaging, family size entrées By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 15:40:00 -0400 Convenient and organic meals offer a hassle-free alternative to dining out, takeout, or hours spent in the kitchen. Full Article
ref Companion Baking refreshes its packaging By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:20:00 -0400 The new packaging delivers not only an all-new look but additional proficiencies that make the product even better, for longer. Full Article
ref 2018 Snack Producer of the Year: Carefree organic snacking with Late July Snacks By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Wed, 14 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0400 Over the past 15 years, Late July Snacks, the 2018 Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery "Snack Producer of the Year", has steadily grown its business to its position today as a leader in organic, non-GMO snacks, most notably its strong level of innovation in the tortilla chip category. Full Article
ref Christie Cookie refreshes brand By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 08:00:00 -0400 The Tennessee-based gourmet cookie maker revamps its packaging, website and collateral material and updates its Nashville facility. Full Article
ref Entenmann’s refreshes Baker’s Delights single-serve treats branding By www.snackandbakery.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:40:00 -0400 The sweet baked goods brand has renamed its Minis line with a new name and packaging. Full Article