The world’s biggest companies don't just shape the global economy in an abstract sense; they provide the products and services that make modern life more convenient and connected than ever before. They set trends, drive innovation and set the course for smaller companies in every sector from technology to healthcare to finance.

[International] :
The price of Bitcoin surpassed the 80-thousand-dollar mark for the first time just days after Donald Trump’s reelection to the U.S. presidency.    According to the U.S. cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase, the world’s most popular cryptocurrency was worth 81-thousand-110 U.S. dollars at 1:25 a.m. ...

[more...]

[Culture] :
The 31 Korean Cultural Centers in 28 countries around the world will hold various events promoting the value and beauty of Hangeul as South Korea will mark the 578th Hangeul Day on Wednesday.  The center in France will provide the first performance of a song created by South Korean composer Kim Dae-seong ...

[more...]

You love your Chrome browser bookmarks but your computer is on the verge of dying. Is there any way you can save them so they appear on your new computer?

Stimulated by informal conversations at the XVII International Small Angle Scattering (SAS) conference (Traverse City, 2017), an international team of experts undertook a round-robin exercise to produce a large dataset from proteins under standard solution conditions. These data were used to generate consensus SAS profiles for xylose isomerase, urate oxidase, xylanase, lysozyme and ribonuclease A. Here, we apply a new protocol using maximum likelihood with a larger number of the contributed datasets to generate improved consensus profiles. We investigate the fits of these profiles to predicted profiles from atomic coordinates that incorporate different models to account for the contribution to the scattering of water molecules of hydration surrounding proteins in solution. Programs using an implicit, shell-type hydration layer generally optimize fits to experimental data with the aid of two parameters that adjust the volume of the bulk solvent excluded by the protein and the contrast of the hydration layer. For these models, we found the error-weighted residual differences between the model and the experiment generally reflected the subsidiary maxima and minima in the consensus profiles that are determined by the size of the protein plus the hydration layer. By comparison, all-atom solute and solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are without the benefit of adjustable parameters and, nonetheless, they yielded at least equally good fits with residual differences that are less reflective of the structure in the consensus profile. Further, where MD simulations accounted for the precise solvent composition of the experiment, specifically the inclusion of ions, the modelled radius of gyration values were significantly closer to the experiment. The power of adjustable parameters to mask real differences between a model and the structure present in solution is demonstrated by the results for the conformationally dynamic ribonuclease A and calculations with pseudo-experimental data. This study shows that, while methods invoking an implicit hydration layer have the unequivocal advantage of speed, care is needed to understand the influence of the adjustable parameters. All-atom solute and solvent MD simulations are slower but are less susceptible to false positives, and can account for thermal fluctuations in atomic positions, and more accurately represent the water molecules of hydration that contribute to the scattering profile.

Conformational heterogeneity of biological macromolecules is a challenge in single-particle averaging (SPA). Current standard practice is to employ classification and filtering methods that may allow a discrete number of conformational states to be reconstructed. However, the conformation space accessible to these molecules is continuous and, therefore, explored incompletely by a small number of discrete classes. Recently developed heterogeneous reconstruction algorithms (HRAs) to analyse continuous heterogeneity rely on machine-learning methods that employ low-dimensional latent space representations. The non-linear nature of many of these methods poses a challenge to their validation and interpretation and to identifying functionally relevant conformational trajectories. These methods would benefit from in-depth benchmarking using high-quality synthetic data and concomitant ground truth information. We present a framework for the simulation and subsequent analysis with respect to the ground truth of cryo-EM micrographs containing particles whose conformational heterogeneity is sourced from molecular dynamics simulations. These synthetic data can be processed as if they were experimental data, allowing aspects of standard SPA workflows as well as heterogeneous reconstruction methods to be compared with known ground truth using available utilities. The simulation and analysis of several such datasets are demonstrated and an initial investigation into HRAs is presented.

Mirakl has announced its partnership with

The 1st edition of the Fintech for Marketplaces and Platforms Report covers essential ecommerce trends and future perspectives.

MPK Night Market. ; Credit: MPK Night Market (via YouTube)

Ahhhhh. Can you feel that breeze? Cool temps are here to stay through Sunday and we're going ham (in a totally respectable, public radio kind of way). Because frankly, we all deserve a break after sweating ourselves through this near-awful workweek. 

Here's everything you need to know: 

1. Pro volleyball at Hermosa Beach

Video: NVL highlights

These people are serious about volleyball — and they look damn good doing it. Take a trip to Hermosa Beach this weekend, where the National Volleyball League will be hosting its fifth tour stop of the season. The championship will feature 32 elite men’s and women’s teams, all competing for a prize of $50,000. Come by at noon Saturday for a free juniors’ clinic (all ages welcome). Sign up here. 

When: Friday through Sunday | Schedule here

Where: Hermosa Beach Pier | MAP

Price: Free

2. #DTLA salsa dancing

Video: Music Center's Dance Downtown

We know you're dying to show off your salsa skills. Join dancers of all levels at the Music Center's last Dance Downtown of the summer on Friday night. Temps are dropping (hallelujah!) so pack a picnic and get movin'.

When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday 

Where: The Music Center Plaza | MAP 

Price: Free

3. Shades and Shadows 

Looking for something a little different and a bit creepy? The reading series Shades and Shadows focuses solely on horror, sci-fi, fantasy and any other form of dark literature that you’re afraid to put down. To honor its one-year anniversary, the group will be haunting the California Institute of Abnormalarts. (Yes, this exists. It's in North Hollywood). Stop by for an all-female lineup, including Nancy Holder of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the Internet's most famous mortician, Caitlin Doughty.  

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: California Institute of Abnormalarts | MAP

Price: $10

4. Oktoberfest at Angel City

It doesn't feel like fall. The sun is blazing and the thought of drinking a pumpkin-spice latte is just gross. That's why we're sipping on cold beer instead. Savor seasonal craft brews with sausage, sauerkraut and soft pretzels at Angel City Brewery's Oktoberfest on Sunday. Festivities will include keg races, live polka music, ping pong and brewery tours. The best part? You're drinking for a good cause — a portion of the event’s beer and retail store sales will go to the Downtown Women’s Center.

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday

Where: Angel City Brewery | MAP

Price: Free admission

5. Monterey Park Night Market 

Video: Every food you ever wanted

Have your pick of tacos, sliders, pressed juice or even a sushi burrito at Monterey Park's Night Market on Friday. That's not all — other highlights include food and dessert from Sticky Rice and Ice Cream Lab. After indulging, walk it off while viewing funky art prints, interesting hand-painted rocks and L.A.-inspired oil pantings. 

When: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Barnes Park | MAP

Price: Free admission; eat at your own will 

6. Friday Night Flicks 

Watch: The best of Johnny Depp

Take a break from Netflix and catch classic Johnny Depp in "Benny and Joon" at Pershing Square on Friday. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch the '90s flick on a 20-foot inflatable screen. Pro tip: Dogs are welcome (if on a leash). For quick easy access to Pershing Square take the Metro (Pershing Square 5th street stop) or park in the Pershing Square Garage.

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Pershing Square | MAP

Price: Free 

7. Kayaking in Malibu

(Photo: Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC)

Spend a leisurely day kayaking the waves of the Pacific. Head to Malibu Surf Shack and grab a one- or two-seater before staking your spot on Malibu Lagoon State Beach. The state park has shallow tide pools and a lagoon with pelicans — plus, it's home to the Malibu Pier. Pro tip: Wear sunscreen and don't drop your phone in the ocean while taking selfies, people.

When: The Surf Shack is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Where: Malibu Lagoon State Beach | MAP

Price: $35 per day for single kayak; $50 per day for double kayak

8. Feline Film Festival 

Video: We are gonna have a cat party

Imagine watching "America's Funniest Home Videos," but every entry includes a cat. That's what's happening Sunday at the L.A. Feline Film Festival. Sit back and enjoy over an hour of the most popular feline flicks from the Internet. Special guests include Lil Bub, Tara the Hero and Dusty Klepto Kitty. There will also be music, cat adoptions, a cat costume contest, food and drink. Pro tip: Cat flair is obviously encouraged.

When: 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday

Where: Exposition Park | MAP

Price: $15 admission; $15 parking | Purchase tix here

What'd we miss? Let me know on Twitter @KristenLepore.

Lisa Emery, left, and Lois Smith are in the world premiere of Jordan Harrison’s “Marjorie Prime” at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. ; Credit: Craig Schwartz

Lois Smith has had a long and varied acting career. She made her Broadway debut in 1952 and three years later was cast opposite James Dean in “East of Eden.” She was in “Five Easy Pieces” with Jack Nicholson and — more recently — she had a role on HBO’s “True Blood.”

Now, the 83-year-old Smith is starring at the Mark Taper Forum in the world premiere of “Marjorie Prime” — a play by Jordan Harrison about aging, memory and artificial intelligence.

Smith spoke with The Frame's John Horn about the play and her role.

Interview Highlights

Smith on how "Marjorie Prime" addresses the notion of memory

"One character at some point says, 'I don't know what memory's made of. Is it sedimentary layers?' The play [is] not a meditation, but a riff, perhaps, on that subject. Jordan [Harrison, the playwright] said at some point, 'This play is the intersection of perhaps humanity and technology.' The play takes place a bit in the future. Not a long time — we'll all recognize ourselves very well — but that's one of its surprises."

Smith on the evolution of becoming a character

"It's been extremely interesting. I suppose in every play [the process] deepens and stretches out. This one, no doubt about it...it's elusive in a lot of ways and I think, 'Oh good, I'm getting there, I'm finding out.' And then I think, 'Oh, farther to go.'" 

Smith on how audience members of different ages react to the play's take on aging

"One friend saw it in regards to [her] mother, who's becoming forgetful. [That] mother saw her own very aged father. They laughed about what they each brought up, because they had just been sitting at the same performance of the same play."

Smith on her role, which isn't too physically taxing

"I'm not doing much walking around. I walk on, I walk off, I walk on — and that's about it. I sometimes say, 'It's almost as good as a bed part,' because I spend time in a recliner, which is pretty nice."

Global financial platform Adyen has announced that it enabled...

For two decades now, and counting, the LANDFIRE program continues to assemble the most easy-to-use, intuitive and complete clearinghouse of remote sensing data products for wildland fire managers. 

At the tops of many mountains and along numerous roads across the USA are small brass disks called benchmarks.  These survey points are critical for mapping the landscape, determining boundaries, and documenting changes, and there are hundreds of them in Yellowstone National Park!

Screenshot of the event "FilmWeek & Chill: ‘Airplane!’" broadcasted on June 3, 2021.

The iconic 1980 film “Airplane!” from the ZAZ directing team, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker parodies the plot and characters from the 1957 disaster flick “Zero Hour!” It broke out as a leading example of comedy done right and one of the funniest films of the 80s. It was the ZAZ team’s feature directorial debut. I talked with the directors during our virtual film series, FilmWeek and Chill, along with the film’s stars Robert Hays and Lorna Patterson Lembeck, casting director Joel Thurm and KPCC’s own Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire. Today on FilmWeek, we bring you a portion of the conversation.

You can watch the entire FilmWeek and Chill event here.

Guests:

Jim Abrahams, co-director of “Airplane!” and member of the directing team Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker (ZAZ)

Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets @CinemaInMind

Robert Hays, actor who played Ted Striker in "Airplane!"

Lorna Lembeck, actress who played Randy the singing stewardess in “Airplane!”

Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com, and co-host of the “Breakfast All Day” podcast; she tweets @christylemire

Joel Thurm, casting director for "Airplane!"

David Zucker, co-director of “Airplane!” and member of the directing team Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker (ZAZ)

Jerry Zucker, co-director of “Airplane!” and member of the directing team Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker (ZAZ)

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

Catawba County Public Health, in partnership with its Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and Catawba County Health Partners� Eat Smart Move More Catawba County coalition, is launching a farmers market May 2. The market will be held in Public Health�s parking lot Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is open to the public.

Potentially useful biomarker tests for molecularly targeted therapies are not being adopted appropriately into clinical practice because of a lack of common evidentiary standards necessary for regulatory, reimbursement, and treatment decisions, says a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Good morning. Welcome to the release of the report Preparing for Future Products of Biotechnology, from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The National Academy of Sciences, in partnership with The Kavli Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, will host a symposium to consider the future of science in the U.S. and how it can best serve society in the 21st century.

Symposium participants examine what climate change, obesity, and personalized medicine mean for nutrition in the future

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine identifies promising strategies for reducing consumer food waste nationwide, including a national campaign to change consumer behavior, federal standardization of food date labeling, and changes to retailer marketing and food service practices, among other measures.

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and in the years following, the National Academies mobilized expertise and resources to help inform and advance national security priorities and protect the health and well-being of U.S. veterans who served selflessly to defend the nation from acts of terrorism.

In 1998, the National Cancer Institute undertook a review of available knowledge about cigars. A new National Academies consensus study report provides a comprehensive update to the 1998 report. Steven Teutsch, the chair of the committee that wrote the report, shared some of the report’s key findings and research recommendations to move the field forward.

Historic legislation has been enacted to boost U.S. competitiveness and security, spur innovation, and make real progress on climate change and human health, said the National Academies’ presidents in a statement. “The National Academies stand ready to mobilize the broader science, engineering, and medical and health communities to help inform and implement solutions.”

The widespread adoption of cellular connectivity will also contribute to a further reduction in prices for cellular-connected devices, making them more competitive against alternative non-cellular connectivity technologies like LoRa, Sigfox and Wi-SUN, Shah said.

Employees want workplace flexibility, a greater emphasis on diversity, and impartial hiring processes, while companies are eager to provide fair, engaging and streamlined candidate experiences to attract and retain top talent, according to experts.

Cisco’s new facility at Chennai will manufacture Network Convergence System (NCS) 540 Series of routers.

The partnership between Union Bank of India and Zoho began in 2021 after the merger of Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank with Union Bank of India, which significantly expanded its operations.

Given the low base and huge demand, the digital lending industry remains in an expansive phase. According to a recent report by IIFL FinTech, the digital lending market is expected to grow to a whopping USD 515 billion by 2030.

Care isn’t just part of the name at GSK Nutritional Healthcare. It’s at the heart of its customer help lines. But Ashley Thomas knew that the company’s legacy telephone technology was becoming a bit of a hindrance. Keen to boost customer service with new technology, a review of the market led Ashley to BT Cloud Contact

On Tuesday. Etsy was founded in 2005 as a platform exclusively for handmade goods - though that claim has long been scrutinised.

Navigate to the "Mark as important" button which is present beneath the compose box and select either the "Important" or "Urgent" option depending on the level of attention the message requires.

India's smartphone market is estimated to grow 7-8 per cent this year, driven by strong demand for premium, 5G and AI smartphones, according to a new report.

Shimmering carapaces and rattling claws make colourful freshwater crabs attractive to pet keepers. To answer the demand, fishermen are busy collecting and trading with the crustaceans, often not knowing what exactly they have handed over to their client.

read more

In just four hours of its launch, the social media platform has recorded over five million signups, Zuckerberg announced on Thursday.

Satisfy your customers and win in the stock market, says a new study by a team of researchers from Michigan's University Research Corridor, who found positive stock returns on customer satisfaction far out-distance competitive market measures that have been in play for more than half a century.

read more

The PCS market includes infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. Public Cloud adoption in India continued to rise as enterprises preferred public cloud services for their digital transformation initiatives, application modernization, and productivity enhancements.

In addition to marking on glass and hard plastics, the lasers can deliver high-resolution, permanent codes on flexible film, foil, labels, paperboard, and other packaging.

The gourmet brand will now be sold in 90 locations of the North Carolina chain.

The Almond Board of California (ABC) welcomes Charice Grace to the organization as new manager of trade marketing and stewardship.

Gürsoy, one of Turkey's most established hazelnut producers, is the first company in that country to harness the TOMRA 5C’s sorting technologies. 

The ad campaign embraces tradition while showcasing the many flavorful ways to use walnuts beyond celebrated recipes.

Downey's Potato Chips has upgraded its machinery with new Vanmark peeling machines.

For its latest coated honey roast nut production line, Trigon Snacks selected a customized linear Stealth metal detector with an innovative retractable conveyor reject system.
 

Junior's announced that its new Oreo Cheesecake, a partnership with Mondelēz, the maker of Oreos, is now on the shelves in grocery stores across the country.

The snack and bakery packaging tech provider is a founding member of PMMI.

Chewy granola bar brand debuts new packaging, launches new flavor, and announces new distribution.

Fats and oils play an important role in delivering the sensory and quality attributes for snack and bakery products. Consumers’ interest in sustainability, health and wellbeing, and clean label are influencing the fats and oils category.

As vice president of sales and marketing, Fernando Alvear will help grow Mi Rancho’s present in the foodservice and grocery sectors.

Tortilla versatility, better-for-you ingredients and on-trend flavors continue to attract consumers looking for bread replacements and healthier eating options.

A substantial number of snack and bakery processors have turned to tubular drag conveyor systems, which gently move product through a sealed, enclosed tube using a drag cable and circular discs pulled through on a loop.