Emerging from the desert like a giant steel squid, Abu Dhabi’s new airport terminal is starting to take shape.

From Sept 2009 Southern Living magazine. -- posted by Bren in LR

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), together with the fellow members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Mov... ......

We knew that some fish glowed when placed under certain lights, but researchers have now shown that many amphibians can also shine bright

We know some birds use fluorescent pigments to enhance the brightness of their feathers or beaks – and now it seems some dinosaurs might have done this too

The invertebrate trace fossils Selenichnites rossendalensis and Crescentichnus tesiltus are recorded and described from the Middle Jurassic Gristhorpe Member of the Cloughton Formation of the Cleveland Basin. This is the first record of these ichnospecies from the basin and now completes the occurrence of these and other traces assumed to have been made by limulids from all three non-marine formations of the Ravenscar Group.

ABSTRACT

Cell division requires proper spatial coordination with the chromosome, which undergoes dynamic changes during chromosome replication and segregation. FtsZ is a bacterial cytoskeletal protein that assembles into the Z-ring, providing a platform to build the cell division apparatus. In the model bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, the cellular localization of the Z-ring is controlled during the cell cycle in a chromosome replication-coupled manner. Although dynamic localization of the Z-ring at midcell is driven primarily by the replication origin-associated FtsZ inhibitor MipZ, the mechanism ensuring accurate positioning of the Z-ring remains unclear. In this study, we showed that the Z-ring colocalizes with the replication terminus region, located opposite the origin, throughout most of the C. crescentus cell cycle. Spatial organization of the two is mediated by ZapT, a previously uncharacterized protein that interacts with the terminus region and associates with ZapA and ZauP, both of which are part of the incipient division apparatus. While the Z-ring and the terminus region coincided with the presence of ZapT, colocalization of the two was perturbed in cells lacking zapT, which is accompanied by delayed midcellular positioning of the Z-ring. Moreover, cells overexpressing ZapT showed compromised positioning of the Z-ring and MipZ. These findings underscore the important role of ZapT in controlling cell division processes. We propose that ZapT acts as a molecular bridge that physically links the terminus region to the Z-ring, thereby ensuring accurate site selection for the Z-ring. Because ZapT is conserved in proteobacteria, these findings may define a general mechanism coordinating cell division with chromosome organization.

IMPORTANCE Growing bacteria require careful tuning of cell division processes with dynamic organization of replicating chromosomes. In enteric bacteria, ZapA associates with the cytoskeletal Z-ring and establishes a physical linkage to the chromosomal replication terminus through its interaction with ZapB-MatP-DNA complexes. However, because ZapB and MatP are found only in enteric bacteria, it remains unclear how the Z-ring and the terminus are coordinated in the vast majority of bacteria. Here, we provide evidence that a novel conserved protein, termed ZapT, mediates colocalization of the Z-ring with the terminus in Caulobacter crescentus, a model organism that is phylogenetically distant from enteric bacteria. Given that ZapT facilitates cell division processes in C. crescentus, this study highlights the universal importance of the physical linkage between the Z-ring and the terminus in maintaining cell integrity.

Pediatricians are encouraged to address male adolescent sexual and reproductive health on a regular basis, including taking a sexual history, discussing healthy sexuality, performing an appropriate physical examination, providing patient-centered and age-appropriate anticipatory guidance, and administering appropriate vaccinations. These services can be provided to male adolescent patients in a confidential and culturally appropriate manner, can promote healthy sexual relationships and responsibility, can and involve parents in age-appropriate discussions about sexual health.

OBJECTIVES:

In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of Families Talking Together (FTT), a triadic intervention to reduce adolescent sexual risk behavior.

Site-specific arrest of RNA polymerases (RNAPs) is fundamental to several technologies that assess RNA structure and function. Current in vitro transcription “roadblocking” approaches inhibit transcription elongation by blocking RNAP with a protein bound to the DNA template. One limitation of protein-mediated transcription roadblocking is that it requires inclusion of a protein factor extrinsic to the minimal in vitro transcription reaction. In this work, we developed a chemical approach for halting transcription by Escherichia coli RNAP. We first established a sequence-independent method for site-specific incorporation of chemical lesions into dsDNA templates by sequential PCR and translesion synthesis. We then show that interrupting the transcribed DNA strand with an internal desthiobiotin-triethylene glycol modification or 1,N6-etheno-2'-deoxyadenosine base efficiently and stably halts Escherichia coli RNAP transcription. By encoding an intrinsic stall site within the template DNA, our chemical transcription roadblocking approach enables display of nascent RNA molecules from RNAP in a minimal in vitro transcription reaction.

Neutralizing antibodies specific for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represent a major protective mechanism against RSV infection, as demonstrated by the efficacy of the immune-prophylactic monoclonal antibody palivizumab in preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infections in premature infants. Accordingly, the RSV neutralization assay has become a key functional method to assess the neutralizing activity of serum antibodies in preclinical animal models, epidemiology studies, and clinical trials. In this study, we qualified a 24-h, fluorescent focus-based microneutralization (RSVA FFA-MN) method that requires no medium exchange or pre- or postinfection processing to detect green fluorescent protein-expressing RSV strain A2 (RSVA-GFP)-infected cells, using a high-content imaging system for automated image acquisition and focus enumeration. The RSVA FFA-MN method was shown to be sensitive, with a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 1:10, or 3.32 log₂; linear over a range of 4.27 to 9.65 log₂ 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀); and precise, with intra- and interassay coefficients of variation of <21%. This precision allowed the choice of a statistically justified 3-fold-rise seroresponse cutoff criterion. The repeatability and robustness of this method were demonstrated by including a pooled human serum sample in every assay as a positive control (PC). Over 3 years of testing between two laboratories, this PC generated data falling within 2.5 standard deviations of the mean 98.7% of the time (n = 1,720). This high-throughput and reliable RSV microneutralization assay has proven useful for testing sera from preclinical vaccine candidate evaluation studies, epidemiology studies, and both pediatric and adult vaccine clinical trials.

Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, and it remains underdiagnosed in Burkina Faso. We investigated the use of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for detecting M. leprae in 27 skin samples (skin biopsy samples, slit skin samples, and skin lesion swabs) collected from 21 patients from Burkina Faso and three from Côte d’Ivoire who were suspected of having cutaneous leprosy. In all seven Ziehl-Neelsen-positive skin samples (four skin biopsy samples and three skin swabs collected from the same patient), FISH specifically identified M. leprae, including one FISH-positive skin biopsy sample that remained negative after testing with PCR targeting the rpoB gene and with the GenoType LepraeDR assay. Twenty other skin samples and three negative controls all remained negative for Ziehl-Neelsen staining, FISH, and rpoB PCR. These data indicate the usefulness of a microscopic examination of skin samples after FISH for first-line diagnosis of cutaneous leprosy. Accordingly, FISH represents a potentially useful point-of-care test for the diagnosis of cutaneous leprosy.

OBJECTIVE

Suboptimal adherence to insulin treatment is a main issue in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. However, to date, there are no available data on adherence to adjunct noninsulin medications in this population. Our aim was to assess adherence to ACE inhibitors and statins and explore potential determinants in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes face self-management challenges that make it difficult for them to achieve good glycemic control. In our population of adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes, the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) improved patients’ glycemic time in range (TIR) and identified hypoglycemia more frequently than with intermittent self-monitoring of blood glucose throughout a 4-week interval. However, the adolescents were unable to synthesize this information to problem-solve or reduce the frequency of hypoglycemic events. Setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) diabetes management goals and providing intensive diabetes education and support could increase adolescents’ TIR and prevent hypoglycemia.

The Ascent is a new solo and co-op action RPG set in a cyberpunk world from developer Neon Giant and publisher Curve Digital. It was announced today during Microsoft's Inside Xbox showcase for the Xbox Series X and Xbox One. It will feature Smart Delivery. The Ascent will launch in Holiday 2020.

View the reveal trailer below:

Here is an overview of the game:

The Ascent is a solo and co-op action RPG set in a cyberpunk world. The mega corporation that owns you and everyone, The Ascent Group, has just collapsed. Confusion and chaos ensue, security and order are in disarray, and without protection, everyone is left to fend for themselves. Stop gangs and hostile corporations from taking over and discover what really happened.

Explore the Ascent Group arcology

Make allies as well as enemies as you explore the brimming arcology and its wide range of districts, from the deep slums to the higher luxury spheres.

Shoot and Loot

Consider enemies' height and weaknesses into account when fighting, making the most out of every opportunity. Take down even the worst opponents to find the rarest loot.

Customization and Augmentations

Modify your body with cyberware and gear up with weapons and equipment that suit your playstyle. Take a slick and precise approach or arm yourself to the teeth and go full chrome.

Solo or Co-op

Play the entire game alone or work together with up to three friends in local or online co-op.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/443427/the-ascent-is-a-cyberpunk-action-rpg-announced-for-xbox-series-x-and-xbox-one/

Exhaust fumes and cold KFC?

It’s quite the spectacle, but the light show is leading people to be less than cautious about social distancing.

Justice in case of 25-year-old black male delayed amid COVID-19 response. Apparently in Georgia bowling and tattooing are more essential.

Crowds are coming to see the light show as beaches begin to reopen after an almost month-long closure due to coronavirus

Mother nature has provided a radical gift to nighttime beach-goers in southern California, in the form of bioluminescent waves that crash and froth with an otherworldly light.

Related: California surf shimmers with bioluminescence – in pictures

A man in his 30s has been rushed to hospital after a shooting in Camden.

In anticipation for a technical event that may be a new catalyst, Bitcoin has rallied to more than US$9,000 from around US$6,000 just a month ago

It's lit

Trials to treat COVID-19 using the blood plasma from those who have already recovered from the illness have begun.

'We have seen this before.' Global health scholars have issued a clarion call about the needless loss of life expected because of a foreseeable prospect of 'slow and inadequate access to supplies' to control COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa. They say what is unfolding now is similar to when lifesaving diagnostics and treatments came to the region long after they were available elsewhere.

Dubuis Health System and Southern Crescent Hospital for Specialty Care, Inc. (Southern Crescent) have agreed to pay the United States $8,000,000 to settle allegations that they submitted false claims to Medicare, the Justice Department announced today. Dubuis Health System manages long-term acute care hospitals in multiple states, including Southern Crescent. Southern Crescent is a long-term acute care hospital located in Riverdale, GA and is part of the CHRISTUS Health System.

Attorney General Eric Holder and United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara announced today the completion of the Justice Department’s multi-year civil investigation pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (“CRIPA”) into the conditions of confinement of adolescent male inmates on Rikers Island. The investigation, which focused on use of force by staff, inmate-on-inmate violence, and use of punitive segregation during the period 2011-2013, concluded that there is a pattern and practice of conduct at Rikers Island that violates the rights of adolescents protected by the Eighth Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The investigation found that adolescent inmates are not adequately protected from physical harm due to the rampant use of unnecessary and excessive force by New York City Department of Correction (“DOC”) staff and violence inflicted by other inmates

In her new book, Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer's Insights into North Korea's Enigmatic Young Dictator (Ballantine Books), Brookings Senior Fellow Jung Pak describes the rise of North Korea's ruler. In this episode, she is interviewed by Senior Fellow Michael O’Hanlon. Also on this episode, Senior Fellow Sarah Binder offers four lessons about how Congress…

In her new book, Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer's Insights into North Korea's Enigmatic Young Dictator (Ballantine Books), Brookings Senior Fellow Jung Pak describes the rise of North Korea's ruler. In this episode, she is interviewed by Senior Fellow Michael O’Hanlon. Also on this episode, Senior Fellow Sarah Binder offers four lessons about how Congress…

"At first glance, Marble with Fluorescent Tube's monolithic 2,500 pound base appears to be at odds with the banality of the bulb which sits on top of it."

Design firm Castor once again gives new life to old dead things.

Who would have imagined that this would happen so fast?

It was only a few years ago that I was testing LED bulbs that cost $100 each...

It's Blame the Victim time as the car company tells pedestrians to brighten up.

CFL bulbs, or compact fluorescent light bulbs: energy savings Commonly referred to as CFLs, compact fluorescent lamps or compact fluorescent light bulbs, the energy-saving bulbs have escaped the stereotype of buzzing, flickery, washed-out lights to

Wannabe vegetarians can fulfill their cravings using scent, rather than the real thing.

Researchers find that even just sleeping with a shirt that one's romantic partner has worn leads to improved slumber.

Researchers at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology have developed a zebra-smelling cattle collar which will be tested on Masai herds subject to the biting tsetse fly,

New research reveals that the plant's shimmering blue leaves allow it to survive in the dim rainforest floors of southeast Asia.