A systematic procedure is introduced for modeling charge-neutral non-polar surfaces of ionic minerals containing polyatomic anions. By integrating distance- and charge-based clustering to identify chemical species within the mineral bulk, our pipeline, PolyCleaver, renders a variety of theoretically viable surface terminations. As a demonstrative example, this approach was applied to forsterite (Mg2SiO4), unveiling a rich interface landscape based on interactions with formaldehyde, a relevant multifaceted molecule, and more particularly in prebiotic chemistry. This high-throughput method, going beyond techniques traditionally applied in the modeling of minerals, offers new insights into the potential catalytic properties of diverse surfaces, enabling a broader exploration of synthetic pathways in complex mineral systems.

Proteins are well known `shapeshifters' which change conformation to function. In crystallography, multiple conformational states are often present within the crystal and the resulting electron-density map. Yet, explicitly incorporating alternative states into models to disentangle multi-conformer ensembles is challenging. We previously reported the tool FLEXR, which, within a few minutes, automatically separates conformational signal from noise and builds the corresponding, often missing, structural features into a multi-conformer model. To make the method widely accessible for routine multi-conformer building as part of the computational toolkit for macromolecular crystallography, we present a graphical user interface (GUI) for FLEXR, designed as a plugin for Coot 1. The GUI implementation seamlessly connects FLEXR models with the existing suite of validation and modeling tools available in Coot. We envision that FLEXR will aid crystallographers by increasing access to a multi-conformer modeling method that will ultimately lead to a better representation of protein conformational heterogeneity in the Protein Data Bank. In turn, deeper insights into the protein conformational landscape may inform biology or provide new opportunities for ligand design. The code is open source and freely available on GitHub at https://github.com/TheFischerLab/FLEXR-GUI.

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.

Here, a morphologically based approach is used for the in situ characterization of 3D growth rates of facetted crystals from the solution phase. Crystal images of single crystals of the β-form of l-glutamic acid are captured in situ during their growth at a relative supersaturation of 1.05 using transmission optical microscopy. The crystal growth rates estimated for both the {101} capping and {021} prismatic faces through image processing are consistent with those determined using reflection light mode [Jiang, Ma, Hazlehurst, Ilett, Jackson, Hogg & Roberts (2024). Cryst. Growth Des. 24, 3277–3288]. The growth rate in the {010} face is, for the first time, estimated from the shadow widths of the {021} prismatic faces and found to be typically about half that of the {021} prismatic faces. Analysis of the 3D shape during growth reveals that the initial needle-like crystal morphology develops during the growth process to become more tabular, associated with the Zingg factor evolving from 2.9 to 1.7 (>1). The change in relative solution supersaturation during the growth process is estimated from calculations of the crystal volume, offering an alternative approach to determine this dynamically from visual observations.

The original cast of The Cosby Show. ; Credit: Frank Carroll/Associated Press

Thirty years ago, on September 20,"The Cosby Show" debuted on NBC and went on to dominate our screens for almost a decade.

The award-winning sitcom introduced us to the Huxtables, an upper-middle class black family  made up of Heathcliff, Clair and their five children. Plus a cast of ugly sweaters.

"The Cosby Show" covered familiar territory; from children getting body piercings, bad boyfriends and maintaining a long term relationship as parents with professional lives.

Speaking to Take Two's Alex Cohen, Mark Anthony Neal, professor of African and African American Studies at Duke University said "The Cosby Show" broke down racial stereotypes.

"It  really was the first program to present not just a middle class, or upper-middle class black family, but a professional family. Clair and Heathcliff Huxtable were educated, they had advanced degrees. It was an image we hadn't seen before."

From 1985 to 1990, "The Cosby Show" held the number one spot in the TV ratings war, appealing to audiences across color lines. Black viewers in particular welcomed a broader representation of African American life on screen, building on the success of shows such as "The Jeffersons", "Sanford and Son" and "Good Times". 

"Bill Cosby was very honest about the fact that when he conceived the character of Heathcliff Huxtable, he was looking for images that countered, say, Fred Sanford who was a junk dealer, or James Evans, Jr. in 'Good Times' who was always struggling to find a job. Bill Cosby wanted to bring a different view of the black family into the mix."

Despite its popularity, some people took issue with how "The Cosby Show" tackled race issues.

"It's not that black Americans didn't enjoy the show, but there were criticisms because it didn't explore the broader world of African Americans." says Professor Neal. "The Huxtable family became a stand in for the successes of the civil rights movement. It became the rationale that if the Huxtables can do it, why can't other African Americans do it?"

Today's media landscape is very different to the one "The Cosby Show" existed in. For this reason, says Professor Neal, its success has been difficult to replicate.

"Right after it went off the air, cable TV takes hold and we get this niche programming.  Many African American programs ended up on Fox, UPN and the WB, so there was no incentive for the major networks to do any Cosby-like programming with a black family at the center."

With the debut of ABC's "Blackish" on September 24, it's hoped this will go some way to fill the Cosby-shaped void. In the meantime there's always YouTube and re-runs. Just be thankful Heathcliff's ugly sweaters are a thing of the past.

Former LA Times food writer Russ Parsons offers John Rabe a piece of pie, in John's Mercedes; Credit: John Rabe/KPCC

Semi-retired, former LA Times food writer Russ Parsons appeared often on Off-Ramp over the years, helping to explain the city’s communities through their food, as well as giving solid cooking advice. For the final edition of Off-Ramp, John picked up Russ at Jongewaard's Bake-N-Broil, a Long Beach institution.

Parsons brought John an olallieberry pie (a cross of 'Black Logan' blackberries and youngberries), whilst the inimitable Parsons -- author of "How to Pick a Peach: The Search for Flavor from Farm to Table" and "How to Read a French Fry: And Other Stories of Intriguing Kitchen Science" -- opted for the coconut cream.

Listen to the audio for John and Russ' observations on how food brings the disparate cultures of Los Angeles together, and to hear about which part of hosting Off-Ramp is as humbling for John as it is for Parsons when readers tell him they cook his food at Thanksgiving.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

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Young adults ages 18-26 should be viewed as a separate subpopulation in policy and research, because they are in a critical period of development when successes or failures could strongly affect the trajectories of their lives, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council.

In an August 18 letter, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement informed the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that it should cease all work on a study of the potential health risks for people living near surface coal mine sites in Central Appalachia.

The U.S. is a clear leader in the global bioeconomy landscape, but faces challenges from decentralized leadership, inadequate talent development, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, stagnant investment in fundamental research, and international competition, according to Safeguarding the Bioeconomy, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine finds K-12 teachers face new expectations and more demands from policymakers, parents, students, and schools, including addressing changes in curriculum standards, the emergence of more explicit teaching goals, and shifts in what it means to support all students in their development.

Survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk of experiencing disabling conditions, both from the cancer itself and from the effects of treatment, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The once-cool social media platform born before the iPhone is approaching two decades in existence. For those who came of age around the time Mark Zuckerberg launched thefacebook.com from his Harvard dorm room in 2004, it's been inextricably baked into daily life - even if it's somewhat faded into the background over the years.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) forces companies to more aggressively police digital content and protect online users from disinformation and hate speech, or face the risk of heavy fines.

The companies will have six months to demonstrate their compliance with their obligations and can be fined up to 10% of their annual global turnover for DMA violations.

The draft AI rules have to be agreed by the European Parliament and European Union member states. They have so far been discussed three times in trilogues, which are meetings between parliament and EU states to thrash out the final versions of laws.

New platform features seamlessly combine visibility data from all modes, truck appointment scheduling, and warehouse yard management—driving productivity and performance

Breakfast today had begun to align with a quest for simplicity, artisan, nutrition and ?a small slice of indulgence.

State of the Industry Overview for bakery, including a look at baking industry challenges like the supply chain, workforce development, impact from the war in Europe, and the pandemic.

For the past several years, the baking industry has faced a long list of serious, ongoing challenges.

Stacy's Rise Pies, available now through Thanksgiving, aim to help drive awareness of the disparity in funding for women business owners.

The bread market is changing, with fluctuating commodity prices, a still-sluggish economy, consolidations, mergers and buyouts. 

After learning the trades during two tours in the Navy Seabees, Guy M. Cooper Sr. decided to start his own business — Guy M. Cooper Plumbing & Heating was founded in 1930. While the mechanical contracting firm has a long, storied history of providing high quality work and high quality jobs for all its employees, the third-generation owners Gary Cooper and Glenn Cooper decided it was time for a rebrand in 2021.

Sportswear manufacturer failed to correct its fall hazard violations from 2021 OSHA inspection. 

The company is accused of failing to protect workers from dangerous silica dust, leading to serious health issues.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have introduced FR face coverings, to help keep you protected from the virus without compromising your FR safety. But many of you have been wondering if it is safe to breathe through FR-treated fabric for extended periods of time. We’ve released a new technical briefing to answer your concerns.

Ghostface Killah's Killah Koffee coffee line announced a new partnership with Keurig to launch two of the brand’s most popular varieties ― Supreme Dark Roast and Shaolin Cannoli ― to the K-Cup pod format.

Where fans of Robert Graham shirts share their favorite shirts and stories, the group has closet sale days the first two days of the month

Looking through the mind of an unconventional genius, the user delves into the fascinating hidden worlds of numbers, connective logic, belief, and possibility

In a hurry, the Senate approved a bipartisan bill 88-9 to prevent a government shutdown just hours before the deadline on September 30. The bill offers a lifeline to fund the U.S. federal government for an additional 45 days to November 17, 2023.

Company leverages its nanofabrication technology to produce robust SERS substrates for R&D and commercial use

Discover the latest collection of everyday frames for any age, style, and personality

Frank Bruno MBE book available on audible now

K. Braeden Anderson became the first person to play Division I college basketball while in law school; his new book provides powerful strategies for Black success and empowerment

Kevin O'Mara is recognized for his expertise as an associate professor with the Creighton University School of Medicine

High-speed trains face icy challenges: new study assesses overhead contact system adaptability

Liz Zia takes new position, while remaining in the True Lacrosse family

CEO Kim Ho-yeon has won a prize for an innovative idea at a human interface device contest when working for Intel, and predicted that human interfaces will be used by many people in metaverse (virtual reality) in the future.

n-tech projects that smart antibacterial and antiviral products will reach US$1.3 billion by 2025 driven by efforts to combat Covid-19 and provide safer workplace, health care and improved public health

Join the Community for Daily Tips, Motivational Insights, and Personal Growth Strategies

Win the title of The Big Biscuit's Biggest Eater 2024 and free breakfast for a year

Join the Facebook group where RG fans share their favorites and their adventures and buy and sell limited edition shirts with no commissions or fees

The AI face swap free online tool by Mango Animate has introduced a new way to play pranks on friends or enjoy realistic face swapping with another person. This tool makes it simple to change the faces in photos and videos seamlessly.

The newly translated cookbook by Matay de Mayee, "The Oldest Kitchen in the World," is both a vital preservation of ancient Assyrian culinary traditions and a tribute to the origins of Middle Eastern cuisine.

High school student Juliette Palacios founded Computing Minds nonprofit to inspire and educate girls in computer science

A comprehensive asphalt additive online resource designed to keep DOTs, cities, counties, producers, and agencies abreast of the latest updates and insights in asphalt additives. tailored to facilitate understanding and action of the IIJA..

"Beneath The Surface" became a #1 Best Seller on launch day!

Whether it's intricately embroidered shirts or one-of-a-kind leather jackets, these RG devotees revel in the meticulous workmanship and detailed designs.

The new pink leopard glasses launched by ZEELOOL show a unique taste in fashion, with its leopard print design emphasizing personality and style. Featuring a pink translucent texture, these glasses reflect a woman's taste for softness.

Devotees discuss Robert Graham's distinctive "Wearable Art" while eagerly awaiting announcement of the fashion designer's latest additions to its Limited Edition collection.