Long-time Slashdot reader blackbearnh writes: Since the COVID-19 pandemic has made Personal Protective Equipment worth it's weight in gold, Makers have been trying to help bridge the gap. While sewn masks have been the most common solution, the 3D printing community has been pitching in as well. The Montana Mask has been one of the most popular designs... Thursday, the group Make the Masks announced that the design files and STLs to print the mask have been released under the GNU General Public License v3, allowing anyone to print, sell, remix or improve the design, as long as they conform to the license. Importantly, the GPLv3 includes an international non-exclusive patent grant, meaning that even if the inventors decide to apply for a patent, it will not restrict anyone from using the design.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The dextransucrase DSR-OK from the Gram-positive bacterium Oenococcus kitaharae DSM17330 produces a dextran of the highest molar mass reported to date (∼109 g/mol). In this study, we selected a recombinant form, DSR-OKΔ1, to identify molecular determinants involved in the sugar polymerization mechanism and that confer its ability to produce a very-high-molar-mass polymer. In domain V of DSR-OK, we identified seven putative sugar-binding pockets characteristic of glycoside hydrolase 70 (GH70) glucansucrases that are known to be involved in glucan binding. We investigated their role in polymer synthesis through several approaches, including monitoring of dextran synthesis, affinity assays, sugar binding pocket deletions, site-directed mutagenesis, and construction of chimeric enzymes. Substitution of only two stacking aromatic residues in two consecutive sugar-binding pockets (variant DSR-OKΔ1-Y1162A-F1228A) induced quasi-complete loss of very-high-molar-mass dextran synthesis, resulting in production of only 10–13 kg/mol polymers. Moreover, the double mutation completely switched the semiprocessive mode of DSR-OKΔ1 toward a distributive one, highlighting the strong influence of these pockets on enzyme processivity. Finally, the position of each pocket relative to the active site also appeared to be important for polymer elongation. We propose that sugar-binding pockets spatially closer to the catalytic domain play a major role in the control of processivity. A deep structural characterization, if possible with large-molar-mass sugar ligands, would allow confirming this hypothesis.

The exponential growth of international travel since the 1960s has left border management systems worldwide struggling to keep up and has exposed weaknesses in states’ abilities to effectively manage their borders, especially regarding terrorist attacks, human trafficking, and illegal migration.

George Mason University professor Elise Miller-Hooks and her team have been studying and modeling the flow of patients through American hospitals in times of crisis since 2014.

Students from OM Philippines-Cebu's Alternative Learning System bring children joy through a Christmas party, following the trauma caused by Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Haiyan.

On 24 December, OM Philippines-Cebu witnessed the overflowing joy of about 135 families during Christmas parties they hosted in two typhoon-affected areas.

From Leyte Island to Northern Cebu to Bohol Island, the Christmas season brought overwhelming joy to many who received provision and care from OM Philippines.

Source: www.justjared.com - Saturday, May 09, 2020
Looking for something fun to do while in quarantine? How about take classes from some of the world’s greatest teachers?! MasterClass makes it possible for anyone to learn from the best and the company is offering lessons from 80+ world-class instructors. The popular service was just spoofed on SNL with a hilarious sketch in which the comedians spoofed Britney Spears , Phoebe Waller-Bridge , and John Mulaney . You actually can learn acting from Oscar winners like Natalie Portman and Samuel L. Jackson , filmmaking from Martin Scorsese , singing from Christina Aguilera , tennis from Serena Williams , cooking from Gordon Ramsay , creativity and leadership from Anna Wintour , ballet technique from Misty Copeland , and business strategy from Disney’s Bob Iger . Each class includes around 20 video lessons that are 10 minutes long on average, along with an in-depth workbook. Right now, you can buy an annual membership to MasterClass that gives you access to every teacher’s lessons. For $180, you’ll get a membership, and you’ll also get to gift a membership to someone for free. This could be a perfect Mother’s Day present! Go to MasterClass.com right now to check it out and start learning. Disclosure: Some products on this site use affiliate links and we may earn commission for any purchase made through the links.

PREPARATIONS to give out millions of coronavirus vaccines must start now or Scotland risks compounding the economic damage caused by the pandemic, a leading expert has warned.

The Herald is bringing live coronavirus updates and breaking news from Scotland, the UK and the world.

Trump’s taped message was played during a broadcast of the UFC 249 undercard.

The limited-edition Harley-Davidson Street 750 was launched in India in August 2019 and was costlier than the standard BS4 model by Rs 13,000.

Mechanically, the FTR Carbon is identical to the other non-Carbon versions. It is powered by the same 1,203cc V-twin engine that puts out 123 hp and has been tuned for a flat torque curve.

Petrol price is hiked by Rs 1.67 per litre while diesel price is increased by Rs 7.10 per litre in Delhi.

After successfully topping our all-time battery life chart, with the 5,000 mAh pack inside the Realme 6i, which you can read more about here, the Chinese company apparently has its sight set even higher. A TUV certification filing for a particular BLP793 battery pack has now been brought to light. Mainly since its rated capacity is a whopping 6,000 mAh. Well, 5,860mAh, to be precise, with a typical capacity of 6,000 mAh. But, the point stands. Battery certification The jury is now out on which phone we can expect to see this pack in. That's more guess-work than anything else,...

The newly-built church outside Moscow designed to be the main cathedral of the Russian military has been completed and decorated. While its opening was delayed by Covid-19, its final look was revealed on Victory Day.
Read Full Article at RT.com

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has teased on social media that some "massive" news is soon to be released by his management company, sparking rumors that a title unification bout with Anthony Joshua is just around the corner.
Read Full Article at RT.com

With the latest cut in prices, a 14.2 kg non-subsidised LPG cylinder would cost Rs 581.50, instead of Rs 744 with effect from today.

Petrol, Diesel Price Today:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government late Tuesday evening increased excise duty on petrol by a record Rs 10 per litre, and on diesel by Rs 13 per litre.

Delhi recorded the maximum temperature of 40.9 degrees centigrade on Saturday, the IMD said. Due to the Western Disturbance, the IMD in its weather summary and forecast bulletin predicted isolated to scattered rain over the Western Himalayan region and plains of Northwest India, with peak activity on May 10, 2020.

U.K. electricity from low-carbon sources accounted for almost a quarter of the country’s generation in the fourth quarter as Drax Group Plc converted a second coal-power plant to burn wood.

U.K. electricity from low-carbon sources accounted for almost a quarter of the country’s generation in the fourth quarter as Drax Group Plc converted a second coal-power plant to burn wood.

THERE were mixed reactions, last week, over the transfer of 62 southern police officers from the ranks of Superintendent of Police, SP, to Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, and including 15 Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, from Delta State Police Command to the northern part of the country.

The post AMID SUSPECTED HERDSMEN ATTACKS: Storm in Delta over mass transfer of police officers appeared first on Vanguard News.

Despite the warning by the Kwara Police Command to market leaders in the state to comply strictly with the guidelines on the relaxed COVID-19 lockdown order, traders and buyers have refused to observe the safety protocols to curb the spread of the virus. DAILY POST visit to Ipata market among others in Ilorin, the state […]

COVID-19: Traders, buyers shun face masks, social distancing orders in Ilorin

[This Day] Akure -The Ondo State Government yesterday asked all residents that have deceased relations in all government mortuaries in the state to claim and burry them within one month or it would conduct mass burial for the corpses after the ultimatum.

The incident is currently being investigated by the local sheriff's department.

There are plans to bring the bishop's body back to Kenya.

When Zima did her weekly grocery shopping in March, she was shocked by the prices.“A package of chicken that used to cost HK$39 (US$5) was HK$50,” she recalled. A litre of milk went up from HK$35 to HK$49, and the tomatoes she used to pay HK$8 for were now HK$12.She worried her family of three might not have enough to eat for the month, because they would run out of money.The 32-year-old fled Pakistan in 2015 together with her husband and son, claiming religious persecution as members of the…

When international opera star Warren Mok learned in March that he had contracted Covid-19, he immediately checked if his voice was affected.“I tried my voice right away. It was still there,” Mok said, recalling his relief that his vocal cords remained in good shape.Dubbed one of China’s Three Tenors, the world-renowned singer’s battle with the deadly virus involved spending a total of 38 days in isolation, first in Thailand, then in Hong Kong.Sharing his ordeal with the Post, the 61-year-old…

The road to hell is always paved with good intentions.The old adage is proving true for the Hong Kong government’s highly publicised scheme to distribute free reusable masks to every resident.The controversy over the CuMask+ scheme must be hugely frustrating for embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, whose administration is now facing concerns and accusations ranging from possible conflict of interest, since the commissioned manufacturers did not go through proper tender…

SUKKUR: The 199th Urs of Sufi saint and mystic poet Hazrat Sachal Sarmast was observed without the traditional celebrations accompanying the festival due to the social distancing in vogue due to...

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Corona has brought with it a different lifestyle, new challenges and opportunities. Unfortunately, urban centres like Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar etc. had turbulence in landing into this new scenario as we witnessed scenes of public humiliation of lockdown violators and disorder in...

Kicks, punches and grunts echoed through the empty arena. Coaches, commentators and camera clicks resonated like never before. Blood, sweat, swollen eyelids and face masks signaled the return of UFC, the first major sporting event to resume since the coronavirus shuttered much of the country for nearly two months.

Kicks, punches and grunts echoed through the empty arena. Coaches, commentators and camera clicks resonated like never before. Blood, sweat, swollen eyelids and face masks signaled the return of UFC, the first major sporting event to resume since the coronavirus shuttered much of the country for nearly two months.

There has been a significant surge in contactless payments for everyday purchases since the onset of COVID-19, according to a new study. The Mastercard global consumer study conducted from April 10 to 12 says that in Canada, 76 per cent of consumers say contactless payments are now their preferred way to pay when making in-store…

“Deep-speare” crafted Shakespearean verse that most readers couldn’t distinguish from human-written poems

Mike recently spent an afternoon in the workshop of one of Canada’s top luthiers, Linda Manzer, for a fun chat with her and one Canada’s top singer-songwriters, Stephen Fearing (Blackie & The Rodeo Kings). Together, they talk guitars (obviously), the role the instrument plays in their respective careers and personal lives, share some interesting stories, and get into the new custom Cowpoke guitar that Linda had just presented to Stephen. After the interview, Stephen gives the first-ever performance on the custom guitar.

Plus, contributor Hal Rodriguez recently spoke with Wide Mouth Mason's Shaun Verreault on the band's new album,I Wanna Go with You, and the lap steel's central role in its composition. In this brief snippet, Shaun explains how he found and developed a fondness for the instrument. Check out the full Q&A at https://shorttakes.canadianmusician.com/wide-mouth-mason/

http://canadianmusician.com

We're thrilled to have both The Good Lovelies and Delaney Jane on this week's pod!

Heralded folk/harmony trio The Good Lovelies just dropped their second Christmas collection, Evergreen, and are now set to embark on their annual holiday tour. We catch up with Sue Passmore to talk about the evolution of their acclaimed holiday show, the art of writing a quality contemporary Christmas tune, their Good Lovelies Forest initiative, and more.

Then, the same morning that her debut LP, Dirty Pretty Things, dropped, Mike sat down with platinum-selling alt-pop singer/songwriter Delaney Jane. She discusses her journey from Toronto art school student to in-demand songwriter and rising pop star, recounts a chance meeting with a new neighbour that led to a very fruitful artistic partnership and high-profile writing gigs, and how that launched her career as a fully-independent artist.

http://canadianmusician.com

It’s important to get fresh air and exercise – but do we need to wear masks while running, walking and cycling? We asked some experts

To mask or not to mask while getting fresh air is the question many of us are asking ourselves. According to the CDC, we should wear masks in “areas of significant community-based transmission”, such as grocery stores and pharmacies. While the CDC doesn’t list the outdoors as a high-density space, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s OK to exercise outdoors mask-free.

Related: Quarantine is perfect for discovering the beauty and power of boredom