Synthetic membrane channels built out of DNA: Nanotech structures mimic nature's way of tunneling through cell walls

ScienceDaily (Nov. 20, 2012) ? As reported in the journal Science, physicists at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) and the University of Michigan have shown that synthetic membrane channels can be constructed through "DNA nanotechnology." This technique employs DNA molecules as programmable building materials for custom-designed, self-assembling, nanometer-scale structures. The researchers present evidence that their nature-inspired nanostructures may also behave like biological ion channels. Their results could mark a step toward applications of synthetic membrane channels as molecular sensors, antimicrobial agents, and drivers of novel nanodevices.

Over the past three decades, researchers have advanced DNA nanotechnology from an intriguing idea to an emerging technology, with a toolbox of methods and a portfolio of nanometer-scale objects designed to demonstrate its potential. What's new here is the claim that DNA nanotech can be used to mimic one of the most widespread and important nanomachines in nature.

To wall off the insides of cells from the outside world, organisms in all three domains of life use the same kind of barrier: an impermeable membrane made from two layers of lipid molecules. Such membranes can also be found within cells, for example encapsulating the nucleus, and even surrounding many kinds of viruses. And to mediate between the different environments on either side of this universal barrier, nature provides a common type of passageway. Membrane channels are tube-like structures made of proteins, which pierce the barriers and regulate the two-way exchange of material and information between the inside and outside. Now researchers have demonstrated the first artificial membrane channel made entirely of DNA, and its characteristics suggest a number of potential applications. "If you want, for example, to inject something into a cell, you have to find a way to punch a hole into the cell membrane, and this device can do that, at least with model cell membranes," says TUM Prof. Hendrik Dietz, a fellow of the TUM Institute for Advanced Study.

In a shape inspired by a natural channel protein, the DNA-based membrane channel consists of a needle-like stem 42 nanometers long with an internal diameter of just two nanometers, partly sheathed by a barrel-shaped cap. A ring of cholesterol units around the edge of the cap helps the device "dock" to a lipid membrane while the stem sticks through it, forming a channel that appears to function like the real thing. TUM Professor Friedrich Simmel, co-coordinator of the Excellence Cluster Nanosystems Initiative Munich, explains: "We have not tested this yet with living cells, but experiments with lipid vesicles show that our synthetic device will bind to a bilayer lipid membrane in the right orientation, so that the stem both penetrates the membrane and holds at the surface, forming a pore."

Further experiments demonstrated that the resulting pores have electrical conductivity comparable to that of a natural cell wall with ion channels, suggesting that they might be able to act like voltage-controlled gates. The results also suggest that transmembrane current could be tuned by adjusting fine structural details of the synthetic channels. To test one potential application of the DNA nanotech devices, the researchers used them as "nanopores" for several different molecular sensing experiments. These confirmed that it is possible, by observing changes in the electrical characteristics, to record the passage of single molecules through synthetic membrane channels made from DNA. Because this approach allows both geometric and chemical tailoring of the membrane channels, it might offer advantages over two other families of molecular sensors, based on biological and solid-state nanopores respectively.

Other conceivable applications remain to be investigated. One notion is to imitate the action of viruses or phages, breaking through the cell walls of targeted bacteria to kill them. In gene therapy, synthetic membrane channels might be used as nano-needles to inject material into cells. Such channels could also be used in basic studies of cell metabolism. Another idea is to harness the so-called ion flux -- which in cell membranes moves material in and out through the channel -- to drive sophisticated nanodevices inspired by other natural mechanisms. "We might be able to mimic natural ion pumps, transport proteins, and rotary motors like the enzyme responsible for synthesizing ATP," says Dietz. "I love that idea. That's what keeps me running."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Technische Universitaet Muenchen, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. M. Langecker, V. Arnaut, T. G. Martin, J. List, S. Renner, M. Mayer, H. Dietz, F. C. Simmel. Synthetic Lipid Membrane Channels Formed by Designed DNA Nanostructures. Science, 2012; 338 (6109): 932 DOI: 10.1126/science.1225624

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/fZz2BjNuoow/121120122008.htm

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Film Reviews: Spielberg's Lincoln and Twilight's Finale | New Raleigh

November, 20, 2012 , by Isaac Weeks

This week?s reviews basically boils down to a battle between good and evil, an attempt at cinematic art going against the last gasp of a billion dollar grossing series of crap. Yes, Steven Spielberg brings us Lincoln while Lucifer presents us with the finale of the Twilight saga. Who will emerge victorious?

Spielberg has been talking about doing a film based on the life of Abraham Lincoln since before the release of Jaws, it seems like. Originally planned as a starring vehicle for a post-Taken Liam Neeson, once a timetable was finally set Neeson was no longer available and Daniel Day Lewis signed up.

While a much better actor, Lewis? name at the top of the poster makes a bio-drama much less of a sure thing when it comes to box office receipts.
For serious film fans, the news of Lewis signing on makes Lincoln a must see, which is good news for Spielberg; after years of people joking about how schmaltzy his films can get, War Horse may have finally been the straw that broke the camel?s back for many audience members. Once you seemingly staff all of your films with a precocious tyke, a daddy issue of some sort, and John Williams hamming it up on the score, you have to send notice to cinephiles that is safe to drop 2-2/12 hours of their life on your newest extravaganza.

Lincoln opens with the president meeting with Union soldiers on the field of a battle to take place. He is first approached by two white soldiers who, while uniformed men in their twenties, give off the vibe of giggling schoolgirls. One begins to recite the Gettysburg Address to the man, before being called away. A black soldier standing nearby takes this moment to question the recent Emancipation Proclamation?s true value, when he and his men are still receiving subpar treatment when compared to soldiers of other colors. Before walking away, this soldier completes the Address in Lincoln?s presence, because this is a Spielberg movie.

The screenplay, credited to Tony Kushner (Munich, Angels in America), is adapted from the award-winning book Team of Rivals. In Rivals we were shown in detail a president who brilliantly managed a Cabinet filled with men who not only felt they were better equipped to hold Lincoln?s job, but many were from opposing political parties, which was unheard of at the time and is an ideal that is basically extinct today. As Secretary of State William Seward, David Strathairn is perhaps the epitome of this notion, as a man called on by Lincoln to do many things that he holds to be wrong, but as Lincoln?s closest confidante he knows he must do them for the sake of any possible end to slavery and the war.

Much will be made of Lewis? portrayal of Lincoln. Forgoing the traditional booming voice that has been the trademark of many impersonators, he goes for a more likely thin, high pitched tone that a man of his size would actually have. While it is a clich? now, Lewis truly disappears into the role. While his more cartoonish roles in There Will Be Blood and Gangs of New York may be what many think of when reciting their favorite roles of the man, this is Lewis? finest work to date, a performance that 99% of actors will fail to ever get near. As a man willing to lose it all to make sure that slavery never graces America?s shores again, Lewis manages to show us the humanity in a historical figure that we have come to believe was true to his core, with no room for grey.

While Spielberg somehow manages to fill almost every speaking role with a familiar character actor, in actuality making this one of the finest casts in film history, two actors stick out for their inability to yield to the material. Tommy Lee Jones manages to provide one of the worst performances of his career in the role of Thaddeus Stevens, a firebrand congressman who takes up the cause of ending slavery once and for all time and again. Jones basically plays himself in a wig, a figure that pops up from time to time to raise his voice and rally his men. Joseph Gordon-Levitt also appears as Robert Lincoln, the oldest son who shows up seemingly for the sole reason of casting a name young actor to hopefully bring in the young folks. Even more than Jones, Levitt appears out of his depth here, appearing to believe the only thing required for the role is a fake mustache and a deeper voice.

This isn?t a slag against either party, really; it?s just a question of how do you fail casting these two prime roles when even the smallest seemed to have talent lined up?

Lincoln is being released at the perfect time. If ever there were a film tailor-made for a Thanksgiving crowd, when families must decide harmoniously on what movie they will watch together, this is a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

I want you to think of the finest meal you?ve ever eaten. I mean the one meal that on your death bed you wouldn?t request, because you know there would be no way to replicate it and you would just die disappointed, as we all do anyway. Now picture that food 80% covered in shit. 20% of the meal is guaranteed to have not been touched even the slightest by the shit, so it?s safe to eat, and it will taste just as wonderful as you could ever hope for. Do you eat it anyway?

Welcome to the world of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Bad Part Two!

Before I touch on that 20%, let?s start by discussing the areas of fecal contamination. For those that need a quick primer: In TTS:BBPO, Bella Swan (seriously, why didn?t they just name her Rapunzel?) finally decided between the two monsters that were courting her and chose Edward, the vampire who had shown in the past that he had commitment issues and would leave her for weeks at a time. This made the Oompa Loompa with abs Jacob the werewolf (oh, I?m sorry, ?shape shifter?) very angry, until Ed sexed Bella to death and managed to get her pregnant, with Jake falling in love with the newborn. Two and a half hours saved; YOU?RE WELCOME!

Part Two opens with Bella walking around, all vampiry now and ready to lay it down on Ed. He points out, ?Hey, you have a baby btw, wanna see?? and she responds with, ?Meh.? They go hunting, where Bella attempts to grab a rock climber in a scene that wouldn?t make the cut on old episodes of?The Outer Limits due to the cheesy visual effects.

But the funny doesn?t stop there! After sucking on a mountain lion, Bella finally gets around to meeting her baby. It is during this scene that Jacob breaks the news that he has fallen for someone younger. Bella rightfully freaks out, with no one taking a second to point out that this whole series is based on a 100+ year old vampire falling for jailbait.

Word slowly trickles down that an evil vampire army is going to pay a visit to our friendly vampires? home, due to a misunderstanding that perhaps the new baby is actually a human baby turned vampire, which is shown to us to be a terrible thing to do for all involved. The Cullens? search the world for other friendly vampires that are willing to have their back in the upcoming fight, eventually amassing a 2nd graders idea of the world?s cultures; seriously, the participants from the Amazon are one step away from caricatures found in an old Tarzan film.

Bill Condon was once a director that many thought to have a bright future. We?re talking a man that brought out a great performance in Ian McKellen and made Brendan Fraser appear a competent actor with Gods and Monsters. The sad thing isn?t so much that he sold his soul for a chance to throw in with a potential moneymaker like Twilight, it?s that it is safe to assume that he sold out cheap. Seriously, the next person to get a huge paycheck from Summit Entertainment will be the first, so why not try to latch on with the next young-adult adaptation sure to flop; at least that way you may be able to put your own personal vision into a bit of the thing.

Acting wise, you get what you would expect. Kristen Stewart appears to enjoy making out with her boyfriend, Robert Pattinson is visibly happy that he is almost finished with this sideshow, and Taylor Lautner tries to pull his shirt off on cue without visibly nodding his head and asking, ?Line?? The only actor who seems to be having fun is Michael Sheen as head baddie Aro, but as with any dreck that Sheen signs on for in return for a bundle of cash, he manages to cross the line separating enthusiastic and hammy quite a few times before the end of the film.

But what about that 20% that is worth it, I hear no one ask. I will tread this subject carefully, as I honestly don?t want to ruin anything for anyone. It is safe to say that there is a battle scene, as that has been one of the main selling points to come across in ads for the film. However, somehow Condon was actually able to produce an action scene that is not only the most exciting of 2012 (beating even The Avengers in that regard), but also the most brilliantly written. From the nervous rocking going on in the chairs behind me, I knew that this scene wasn?t in the books, and by doing so the filmmakers had finally thrown something unexpected at the longtime fans of the franchise.

Honestly, if you are in a bind for time this week, I would say it?s safe to skip both of these releases. I?m not saying Lincoln isn?t worth watching; I?m merely suggesting perhaps wait until it is closer to Oscar pool time and then knock it out at the discount theater. As for Twilight?well, you already knew whether or not you were going to see that, didn?t you?

Read More

Entertainment , Other posts by Isaac Weeks.

Source: http://www.newraleigh.com/article/film-reviews-spielbergs-lincoln-and-twilights-finale/

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RTS and Squared Financial offer spot FX and precious metals trading

Singapore - RTS Realtime Systems and Squared Financial Services, a broker offering ECN-style trading, have announced that they have gone live with an algorithmic trading solution featuring spot foreign exchange (FX) and precious metals.

Squared Financial is a specialist provider of over-the-counter spot FX and metals markets, including gold bullion. With three algorithmic trading platforms, RTS offers connectivity across asset classes to more than 135 marketplaces.

Andy Woodhouse, Managing Director of Asia Pacific for RTS, said: "We expect that this initiative will be very attractive to those who want to expand into spot FX and metals either to hedge their currency exposure or to participate in the burgeoning gold and FX markets. By leveraging the Squared Financial expertise in the spot market and the robust RTS global trading solutions, client firms can very quickly expand their capabilities and improve their hedging experience."

Youssef Barakat, Head of Business Development for Squared Financial, said: "The Squared FIX 4.4 API (application programming interface) offers a gateway to our premium liquidity, and the comprehensive market data and full audit trail is ideally suited for traders who want to run automated strategies and multi-currency trading models. Through our exciting collaboration with RTS, we are very pleased to extend our offering to RTS clients. By applying careful liquidity management techniques, we anticipate a uniquely competitive solution for our clients where we hope to set a new benchmark in multi-asset trading and hedging."

As part of the collaboration, RTS developed an interface into the Squared Financial platform featuring market data on spot FX and precious metals. One of the first customers using this solution, Leonard Kok of Quantum Dynamics Management Pte Ltd., said: "I am currently using RTD Tango for algorithmic trading, and the inclusion of Squared Financial's spot FX and bullion prices into RTS will definitely open the door to new opportunities."

Woodhouse said that clients of Squared Financial or RTS can choose to adopt RTS' Tango OnDemand which features a packaged solution for algorithmic trading in a fully hosted environment. Barakat said that driven by customer demand, Squared Financial has plans to launch non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) and a series of other new instruments in the near future, include spot crude WTI, XAU/THB (Gold Ounces/Thai Baht) and USD/CNY (U.S. dollar/Chinese yuan).

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Source: http://www.automatedtrader.net/news/algorithmic-trading-news/141794/rts-and-squared-financial-offer-spot-fx-and-precious-metals--trading

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Cheap Furniture - Home Improvement

Furniture is one of the main parts of our homes. Lots of people choose to find the items of furniture for their price range. If you have the real idea about the furniture you have to buy in the market before you shop. We can get the best price for the modern furniture and traditional items. When the weather is cold you can look for modern furniture in outdoors. There are some designs of furniture that are available in the market. We are using the furniture for the kitchen, dining table and bedroom. Most of the furniture can be made by wood. The muebles baratos can be in demand of prices. There is some specially designed furniture for the nursery people. The retail furniture does not stock these furniture items in large numbers. We can get this furniture in affordable prices. In finding the cheapest furniture is not so hard.

Source: http://desiredhearts.com/home-care/cheap-furniture/

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How the major US stock indexes fared Monday

U.S. stocks shook off their post-election slump Monday, recording their biggest gain in more than two months. Investors appeared more optimistic about a deal to avoid a federal budget crisis and were encouraged by a pair of corporate earnings reports.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed up 207.65 points, or 1.7 percent, at 12,795.96.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 27.01 points, or 2 percent, to 1,386.89.

The Nasdaq composite average gained 62.94, or 2.2 percent, to 2,916.07.

For the year:

The Dow is up 578.40 points, or 4.7 percent.

The S&P 500 is up 129.29 points, or 10.3 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 310.92 points, or 11.9 percent.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/major-us-stock-indexes-fared-monday-211135337--finance.html

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Courteney Cox In A Bikini Vacationing In Miami (PHOTOS)

www.popsugar.com:

Courteney Cox touched down in Miami yesterday with her traveling companion, Coco Arquette. The pair was all smiles on the beach today, enjoying some fun with friends.

Read the whole story at www.popsugar.com

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/courteney-cox-in-a-bikini-photos_n_2158020.html

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Anxiety linked to chest pain in children

ScienceDaily (Nov. 16, 2012) ? Psychological factors can have as much-or more-impact on pediatric chest pain as physical ones, a University of Georgia study found recently. UGA psychologists discovered pediatric patients diagnosed with noncardiac chest pain have higher levels of anxiety and depression than patients diagnosed with innocent heart murmurs-the noise of normal turbulent blood flow in a structurally normal heart.

The UGA research was done in collaboration with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University.

"The fact that these psychological symptoms are higher in noncardiac chest pain patients suggests the psychological symptoms may be playing a role in the presentation of chest pain," said Jennifer Lee, a doctoral candidate in the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the study's lead author.

The results of the study, which were published Nov. 5 in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, show a statistically significant increase in anxiety and depression among patients who are later diagnosed with noncardiac chest pain when compared to patients diagnosed with innocent heart murmurs. Lee said it is not clear if the anxiety is a cause of the pain or if pain caused the anxiety in the sample group.

"The higher levels weren't so high as to cause a clinical diagnosis on their own, but when you contrast the two groups, there were statistically significant differences," said study co-author Ronald Blount, a psychology professor in the Franklin College.

The study included 129 patients ages 8 to 18. The group completed surveys prior to diagnosis. All patients were essentially in the same situation-sitting in a cardiology office awaiting their unknown medical diagnosis.

"We are highlighting that psychology has a part in these symptoms," Blount said, "and screening for psychological, as well as medical factors, is one implication we foresee coming from this investigation."

Chest pain can indicate serious medical conditions that require a doctor's evaluation. In adults, pain in the chest is often linked to a cardiac problem. In children, however, less than 2 percent of patients receive a cardiac diagnosis for their pain.

The Sibley Heart Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is one of the largest pediatric heart centers in the world, seeing an average of 2,500 new patients with acute chest pain each year.

"We know up front that 99 percent of these patients will not have a heart complication at all. The trick is, it is not zero, and I cannot miss the one patient with heart disease because the consequences could be catastrophic," said Dr. Robert Campbell, chief of the Sibley Heart Center and division director of the department of pediatrics at the Emory University School of Medicine.

The study also observed that noncardiac chest pain patients have a higher level of functional disability-or the inability to participate in everyday activities like running across a football field or making it through a day without a nap. They also spent less time at school and were less involved in extra-curricular activities.

"These kids also report greater levels of physical symptoms with unclear causes, like joint pain, stomach aches, head aches," Lee said. "These symptoms are believed to be psychological manifestations of stress. Sometimes your brain doesn't tell you that you are stressed out, but your body does, so you will experience symptoms like these."

Pediatric patients with noncardiac chest pain also reported higher levels of anxiety sensitivity, a fear of experiencing physical symptoms and additionally fearing that those symptoms are related to a catastrophic health issue.

"Psychological functioning is heavily related to pain," Blount said. "Pain is a sensory experience, but your attention to one thing or another and your emotions can impact your experience of pain. And how debilitating the pain is for you can be determined by psychological and social factors. That is what we were interested in looking at."

Previous studies have shown reducing emotional symptoms can lead to better coping ability with pain, Lee said. "A goal with these patients would be to create a clearer, more comprehensive picture of what is going on and determine a better way to help these kids and adolescents."

Campbell said the UGA research helps him serve the majority of his patients who leave his office with a clean bill of health but unexplained chest pain.

"Most importantly what we've learned is that after a physical evaluation of the patient, we take the time to sit down with the family and find out what they are most worried about so we can address their psychological issues," Campbell said. "We've learned to pay attention and to be confident and reassuring. I need to make it clear to my patients and their parents that I'm not saying you are not having pain, but that the pain is not caused by your heart."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Georgia. The original article was written by April Reese Sorrow.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. J. L. Lee, J. Gilleland, R. M. Campbell, G. L. Johnson, P. Simpson, K. J. Dooley, R. L. Blount. Internalizing Symptoms and Functional Disability in Children With Noncardiac Chest Pain and Innocent Heart Murmurs. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2012; DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jss111

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/mind_brain/mental_health/~3/xHm_7oBv1lI/121117184654.htm

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{fsc book club} Assignment 3 & 4 Recap: Soups, Baking, Frozen ...

We?re chugging right along with the FSC Book Club. We?ve tackled Soups & Baking Needs/Mixes and are now in the middle of the chapters on Frozen Food, Pasta and Sauce. We?re thrilled with how well it?s going! Folks are reading and cooking, adjusting recipes, asking questions and sharing what they?ve made. Our forum over on Goodreads has become a really nice little community. Drop by and say hello! Our adopted author Alana Chernila has been popping in the forums to answer questions, so take advantage of this access and ask away!

As a reminder, Alana will be visiting the From Scratch Club table at the Troy Farmers Market on Saturday, December 8. Stop by and visit us! Alana will also be teaching a class that afternoon (register here) and was interviewed for the latest episode of the From Scratch Club Podcast.

Here?s a round-up of a few of the Book Club check-ins from the past two assignments:

?Cornbread ? Aisle 6: I call this the ?best-evah cornbread? and a whole bunch of my blog followers have made it and agree!??

via?Kitchen Ninja?(read more?here!)

?Did the beans & am very excited to have them packaged up in two cup portions with 1 cup broth and frozen flat in the freezer. Used the extra in chili & it was quick and the beans were just the right texture.

I don?t know why I resist growing beans (actually, yes I do know why ? laziness) but I look forward to a pile o?beans in my freezer next summer. Or, maybe I?ll go for the pressure canner next year...?

via Auburn Meadow Farm

Book Clubbers share personal experiences and stories- just like in The Homemade Pantry. I?d like to second Tamara?s mention that after finishing the book, she feels like close friends with Alana! I feel like I know all of you book clubbers so well, even though I haven?t met most of you in ?real life?!

Meg made homemade pasta and then used it in homemade lasagna in honor of her sister?s adorable new baby girl!?via Meg of Small World Supper Club (read more here!)

Amy made the butternut squash soup and brought it to a dinner party! She also made chicken nuggets that are headed for the freezer for nights when her husband is home alone for dinner and a batch of macaroni and cheese.

?Ricotta mixed with some roasted garlic, topped with fresh spinach and roasted tomato sauce on homemade dough.??via Casey

An enthusiastic endorsement for Alana?s pie crust recipe from Susan!

?I made the lentil soup. This was my second taste of lentil soup ever. The recipe in the book turned out much better than the soup I had in a restaurant once.?
via Dawn

+++

And, just as we hoped, folks are keeping the discussion alive on past chapters too!?

A batch of homemade ricotta!?via Kitchen Cauldron

+++

The new FSC Book Club assignment will be posted on Goodreads tomorrow morning, Monday, November 19! We are embarking on breads, crackers and drinks! Those drinks include liqueur, so be sure to stop by??Don?t forget to follow the book club on?Twitter, tag us (@FSCBookClub) and use the #FSCBookClub hashtag when you post.

Source: http://fromscratchclub.com/2012/11/18/fsc-book-club-assignment-3-4-recap-soups-baking-frozen-foods-pasta-sauce/

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New Syrian ambassador to France is named

Munzer Makhous, newly named ambassador in France of Syrian opposition, is seen during a press conference, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. French President Francois Hollande and the new Syrian opposition leader have announced plans to install a new ambassador to represent Syria in France. The announcement came after talks Saturday at the presidential palace in Paris between Hollande and Moaz al-Khatib, head of the newly formed Syrian opposition coalition. France is the only Western country to have formally recognized the group as the representative of the Syrian people. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Munzer Makhous, newly named ambassador in France of Syrian opposition, is seen during a press conference, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. French President Francois Hollande and the new Syrian opposition leader have announced plans to install a new ambassador to represent Syria in France. The announcement came after talks Saturday at the presidential palace in Paris between Hollande and Moaz al-Khatib, head of the newly formed Syrian opposition coalition. France is the only Western country to have formally recognized the group as the representative of the Syrian people. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Francois Hollande, left, and head of the new Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces Mouaz al-Khatib, right, give a press conference after a meeting, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. French President Francois Hollande and the new Syrian opposition leader have announced plans to install a new ambassador to represent Syria in France. The announcement came after talks Saturday at the presidential palace in Paris between Hollande and Moaz al-Khatib, head of the newly formed Syrian opposition coalition. France is the only Western country to have formally recognized the group as the representative of the Syrian people. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Francois Hollande, left, welcomes head of the new Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces Mouaz al-Khatib, prior to a meeting, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. France has taken a leading role among Western countries in supporting Syria's rebels. On Tuesday, it became the first Western nation to formally recognize Syria's newly formed opposition coalition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Francois Hollande, second from left, head of the new Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces Mouaz al-Khatib, second from right, Syrian opposition member Suheir Atassi, left, and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, right, pose for photos, prior to a meeting, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. France has taken a leading role among Western countries in supporting Syria's rebels. On Tuesday, it became the first Western nation to formally recognize Syria's newly formed opposition coalition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Francois Hollande, left, gestures as he welcomes head of the new Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces Mouaz al-Khatib, right, prior to a meeting, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. France has taken a leading role among Western countries in supporting Syria's rebels. On Tuesday, it became the first Western nation to formally recognize Syria's newly formed opposition coalition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PARIS (AP) ? French President Francois Hollande and the new Syrian opposition leader announced plans Saturday to install an ambassador to represent Syria in France.

The surprise move came after talks at France's presidential palace between Hollande and Moaz al-Khatib, head of the newly formed Syrian opposition coalition. France recognized the coalition days after it was formed on Sunday ? and so far is the only Western country to do so.

Al-Khatib said the new envoy will be academic Mounzir Makhous, describing him as "one of the first to speak of liberty" in Syria. He holds four doctorate degrees and belongs to the Muslim Alawite sect of Islam, like Syrian President Bashar Assad, al-Khatib said. The new envoy was at the talks Saturday in Paris.

It was widely believed that France might agree to the appointment of an ambassador but not before a provisional Syrian government was formed. Al-Khatib suggested that a provisional government would come quickly.

"''We have no hidden agenda," al-Khatib said in a bid to reassure other nations.

More than 36,000 people have been killed since the Syrian uprising against Assad began in March 2011 and the new coalition is pressing for the means to defend Syrian civilians.

In other news, Turkish cameraman Cuneyt Unal who was captured by Syrian forces while covering fighting in the city of Aleppo in August has been released and will return to Turkey, a delegation who negotiated his freedom told Turkish media.

France has taken the lead in efforts to oust Assad's regime, and Hollande reiterated Saturday that the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces is for France the sole representative of the Syrian people and a future provisional government.

Hollande also confirmed that French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who was also at Saturday's talks, will raise the issue of lifting the EU arms embargo against Syria at a meeting Monday in Brussels among European Union foreign ministers.

Fabius has suggested supplying defensive weapons so Syrian rebels can protect themselves from attacks by Assad's regime. Since May 2011, the EU has imposed a ban on the export of weapons and equipment to Syria that could be used for "internal repression. "

Fabius will also press EU partners to recognize the coalition, Hollande said.

Hollande said al-Khatib, a preacher-turned-activist, reassured him that the coalition he leads seeks unity of the Syrian people and France aim in moving quickly is to "assure its legitimacy and credibility."

The United States and other EU nations have said they prefer to wait and see whether the coalition truly represents the variety of people that make up Syria.

The coalition replaces the fractious Syrian National Council as the main opposition group ? also recognized first by France ? although that group makes up about a third of the 60-plus members of the new coalition.

"There will be an ambassador of Syria in France," Hollande, with al-Khatib at his side, told reporters after the meeting. He conceded later that a proper locale must still be found to house him. The current Syrian Embassy building doesn't belong to France, he noted.

Al-Khatib, with the coalition's two vice-presidents, Riad Seif and Suheir Atassi, met Friday in London with British Foreign Secretary William Hague and representatives of France, Germany, the United States and Turkey and Qatar. Lifting the arms embargo was discussed there as well.

The two journalists who had been held by Syrian forces ? Unal and reporter Bashar Fahmi ? a Jordanian citizen of Palestinian origin, had been working for the U.S.-based Alhurra TV.

Turkish opposition lawmaker Hasan Akgol said Saturday that Unal was in Damascus and would return to Turkey later in the day with a Turkish opposition party delegation, which held talks with Assad and other Syrian officials for his release. There was no information on Fahmi's whereabouts.

Unal told Turkey's NTV television that he and Fahmi were caught up in the fighting in Aleppo on Aug. 20 that killed Japanese journalist Mika Yamamoto. He said Fahmi was seriously injured in the fighting.

The cameraman carried his injured colleague into an apartment building where Aleppo residents tended to his wound. Unal left to seek more help but was captured by a group who later handed him over to Syrian government forces.

Unal said he has been locked up alone in a prison cell in Aleppo for the past three months living on "bread and potatoes," but was not ill-treated.

With emotion in his voice, Unal said he was happy to be released but was still "in shock."

___

Ganley can be reached on twitter.com at Elaine_Ganley.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-11-17-Syria/id-8e36d573bb354dae9d087c967d2f3deb

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RSV Season is Here & Preemie Awareness Day

Did you know that RSV is a seasonal disease like the flu? It is the most prevalent from November through March and is so contagious that most children catch it before the age of 2. It makes me wonder how many colds or sniffles my kids have had that may have been mild RSV and with a baby due at the end of the RSV season I know that I need to be particularly cautious during her early weeks of life. I have known infants who have had RSV, but did not realize how common mild cases are for children of all ages and that it was so contagious.

November 17^th is Preemie Awareness Day and as we enter RSV and flu season it is important that we are aware about how serious RSV can be on a premature newborn. Being pregnant with my third child and having multiple friends give birth to preemies it definitely caught my attention. What may manifest itself as a mild cold for a toddler or young child may cause severe or even deadly infections in a preemie or newborn?s lungs. It is impossible to keep our little ones from being exposed to germs especially if they have siblings in school, but there is a lot we can do to help prevent the spread of this disease.

Prevention is Key

RSV is very contagious and can be spread easily though touching, sneezing and coughing. Since there? s no treatment for RSV, parents should take the following preventive steps to help protect their child:

• Wash hands, toys, bedding, and play areas frequently
• Ensure you, your family, and any visitors in your home wash their hands or us hand sanitizer
• Avoid large crowds and people who are or have been sick
• Never let anyone smoke near your baby
• Speak with your child?s doctor if he or she may be at high risk for RSV, as a preventive therapy may be available

As we prepare to take a journey overseas to visit my family for a few weeks, we will be exposed to a lot of people and new germs so I need to be particularly cautious and be sure to keep our hands clean. The last thing I want is to be traveling with sick kids! I like to keep a small spray bottle of CleanWell Hand Sanitizer in my purse for traveling and when we are out of the house, because it is compact, alcohol free and lasts a long time. It is kid safe for your toddlers and young children and the Orange Vanilla scent makes me feel happy.

With the weather getting colder and holiday gatherings just a few days and weeks ahead, let us all be a little more cautious. Visiting a friend or family?s new baby over the holidays? Make sure to wash your hands and have your children wash their hands before visiting with them, even if you do not think you have any germs to spread. I know that this is usually a no-brainer when visiting a friend or family member and their new bundle at the hospital, but I know I am guilty of getting a little lax as infants get older or when in other social settings. The more efforts we make to keep from acquiring or spreading germs the better for everyone.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Source: http://www.theclothdiaperreport.com/2012/11/rsv-season-is-here-preemie-awareness-day-is-november-17th.html

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