The FCA said those who used PCPs, Hire Purchase or Conditional Sale agreements to buy a car would be able to temporarily put payments on hold without cars being repossessed.

There may not be a better way to enjoy benefits of hotel living than with a luxury W residency, with the first being built in Portugal, on the Algarve.

With a Moroccan getaway in two days - booked after a very long lunch with four gay friends - Maria had nothing to wear. But would her bargains pass muster in glamorous Essaouira?

Here are some of the glimpses of the celebrations.

The structure of the title compound (systematic name: N-{[(2-hy­droxy­phen­yl)methyl­idene]amino}­morpholine-4-carbo­thio­amide), C12H15N3O2S, was prev­iously determined (Koo et al., 1977) using multiple-film equi-inclination Weissenberg data, but has been redetermined with higher precision to explore its conformation and the hydrogen-bonding patterns and supra­molecular inter­actions. The mol­ecular structure shows intra­molecular O—H⋯N and C—H⋯S inter­actions. The configuration of the C=N bond is E. The mol­ecule is slightly twisted about the central N—N bond. The best planes through the phenyl ring and the morpholino ring make an angle of 43.44 (17)°. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are connected into chains by N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which combine to generate sheets lying parallel to (002). The most prominent contribution to the surface contacts are H⋯H contacts (51.6%), as concluded from a Hirshfeld surface analysis.

4-[(Morpholin-4-yl)carbothioyl]benzoic acid, C12H13NO3S, a novel phen­yl(morpholino)methane­thione derivative, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n. The morpholine ring adopts a chair conformation and the carb­oxy­lic acid group is bent out slightly from the benzene ring mean plane. The mol­ecular geometry of the carb­oxy­lic group is characterized by similar C—O bond lengths [1.266 (2) and 1.268 (2) Å] as the carboxyl­ate H atom is disordered over two positions. This mol­ecular arrangement leads to the formation of dimers through strong and centrosymmetric low barrier O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the carb­oxy­lic groups. In addition to these inter­molecular inter­actions, the crystal packing consists of two different mol­ecular sheets with an angle between their mean planes of 64.4 (2)°. The cohesion between the different layers is ensured by C—H⋯S and C—H⋯O inter­actions.

Protein-engineering methods have been exploited to produce a surrogate system for the extracellular neurotransmitter-binding site of a heteromeric human ligand-gated ion channel, the glycine receptor. This approach circumvents two major issues: the inherent experimental difficulties in working with a membrane-bound ion channel and the complication that a heteromeric assembly is necessary to create a key, physiologically relevant binding site. Residues that form the orthosteric site in a highly stable ortholog, acetylcholine-binding protein, were selected for substitution. Recombinant proteins were prepared and characterized in stepwise fashion exploiting a range of biophysical techniques, including X-ray crystallography, married to the use of selected chemical probes. The decision making and development of the surrogate, which is termed a glycine-binding protein, are described, and comparisons are provided with wild-type and homomeric systems that establish features of molecular recognition in the binding site and the confidence that the system is suited for use in early-stage drug discovery targeting a heteromeric α/β glycine receptor.

Cytisine, a natural product with high affinity for clinically relevant nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), is used as a smoking-cessation agent. The compound displays an excellent clinical profile and hence there is an interest in derivatives that may be further improved or find use in the treatment of other conditions. Here, the binding of a cytisine derivative modified by the addition of a 3-(hydroxypropyl) moiety (ligand 4) to Aplysia californica acetylcholine-binding protein (AcAChBP), a surrogate for nAChR orthosteric binding sites, was investigated. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed that the favorable binding of cytisine and its derivative to AcAChBP is driven by the enthalpic contribution, which dominates an unfavorable entropic component. Although ligand 4 had a less unfavorable entropic contribution compared with cytisine, the affinity for AcAChBP was significantly diminished owing to the magnitude of the reduction in the enthalpic component. The high-resolution crystal structure of the AcAChBP–4 complex indicated close similarities in the protein–ligand interactions involving the parts of 4 common to cytisine. The point of difference, the 3-(hydroxypropyl) substituent, appears to influence the conformation of the Met133 side chain and helps to form an ordered solvent structure at the edge of the orthosteric binding site.

Happy Holidays from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum!

The post Happy Holidays from the National Air and Space Museum appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

The post Happy Holidays from Smithsonian’s National Zoo appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

The post Friends of National Zoo Holiday Card appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Two tents in Hollywood erected beneath the 101 Freeway during a January rainstorm. (Matt Tinoco/KPCC)

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

High quality landscape assessments of areas protected under the Natura 2000 network are critical for effective long-term management plans. In a recent study, scientists have presented a integrated assessment of a Natura 2000 site in Sicily, Italy, which not only considers preservation of environmental features, as required by Natura 2000, but also human features, such as places of historical interest or industrial activity.

High quality landscape assessments of areas protected under the Natura 2000 network are critical for effective long-term management plans. In a recent study, scientists have presented a integrated assessment of a Natura 2000 site in Sicily, Italy, which not only considers preservation of environmental features, as required by Natura 2000, but also human features, such as places of historical interest or industrial activity.

Reducing plastic carrier bag consumption in different EU Member States requires different approaches and combinations of measures, according to a new study. The authors studied consumption and littering levels across Europe in relation to national plastic bag consumption reduction policy options, and found that there is not one specific solution for both of these factors, nor a single solution that can be used in all Member States. They suggest a holistic approach and additional research into consumer or stakeholder behaviour is needed.

High quality landscape assessments of areas protected under the Natura 2000 network are critical for effective long-term management plans. In a recent study, scientists have presented a integrated assessment of a Natura 2000 site in Sicily, Italy, which not only considers preservation of environmental features, as required by Natura 2000, but also human features, such as places of historical interest or industrial activity.

PEOPLE in Wales are being asked to act responsibly and to avoid unnecessary travel until coronavirus restrictions have been lifted by the Welsh Government.

Baby on the way? We've got you covered with lots of names inspired by the season.

Here are a few of the most popular Buddhist holidays explained.

John Pawson's Life House beckons frazzled renters with a 'zone of extreme calm.'

Make the holiday season a little healthier with these sweet cookie recipes.

These recipes provide delicious ways to serve up this amazing superfood.

Music can get people into the spirit of the season — as long as they have opportunities to escape it.

With all that holiday food prep coming up, now may be the perfect time to teach the little ones some kitchen skills.

Make sure your knives are sharpened and spice rack is stocked so time in the kitchen this holiday season goes more smoothly.

If policing your child’s plate at a holiday dinner dampens the celebration, this one tip may be incredibly freeing for you and your children.

Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas treats will be here soon, but being proactive can help you win the battle of the bulge.

Vodka, the top-selling spirit in the nation, is one of the first to go green.

We've got lots of choices for eco-friendly wine, beer and spirits this holiday season.

Low-calorie cocktails abound, even if they're not labeled as such. The key is knowing the amount of alcohol and sugar in what you're drinking.

Shake up your holiday drink options with these creamy cocktails that aren't eggnog.

A festive punch lets your guests know you're ready to celebrate.

Nonalcoholic cocktail drinkers deserve balanced drinks, beautiful glassware and the ritual of drinking a cocktail, too.

Center for Environmental Health's new guide attempts to consolidate electronic buying guides from many nonprofits.

The ad, meant to highlight the environmental costs of palm oil, has touched the hearts of millions.

Earth911 is hosting a week-long series of Google+ Hangouts to encourage everyone to make eco-friendly choices during the holiday season. You're invited!

If you've upgraded and have old Apple products or other cellphones lying around, Gazelle will give you cash. It's fast, easy and the company will even send you

A new study suggests Americans actually dread family visits, especially the part that involves spending the night there.

Looking to make this holiday really special — without breaking the bank? Consider homemade gifts. Here are 10 ways to put a special glow into Christmas.

Plus: Eco-themed shows on the horizon.

A new study reveals how binge eating can reset the body's food clock, and may have implications for other health issues.

M.A.Di., a flat-pack tiny house from Italy, is a new take on a beloved classic.

For my final last minute-ish holiday stocking stuffer pick, a bamboo charcoal- and goat milk-based skincare bar from the Fabulous Beekman Boys.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren't the only days when you can get good deals on a range of gifts.

Real peppermint oil or ginger oil make Divine’s Fair Trade dinner thins a welcome addition to dessert and coffee.