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College+of+Life+Science+and+Bioengineering
Microscopy Approach Poised to Offer New Insights into Liver Diseases Researchers have developed a new way to visualize the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mouse models of the disease. The new microscopy method provides a high-resolution 3D view that could lead to important new insights into NAFLD, a condition in which too much fat is stored in the liver. "It is estimated that a quarter of the adult global population has NAFLD, yet an effective treatment strategy has not been found," said professor Pilhan Kim from the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering at KAIST. "NAFLD is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes and can sometimes progress to liver failure in serious case." In the Optical Society (OSA) journal Biomedical Optics Express, Professor Kim and colleagues reported their new imaging technique and showed that it can be used to observe how tiny droplets of fat, or lipids, accumulate in the liver cells of living mice over time. "It has been challenging to find a treatment strategy for NAFLD because most studies examine excised liver tissue that represents just one timepoint in disease progression," said Professor Kim. "Our technique can capture details of lipid accumulation over time, providing a highly useful research tool for identifying the multiple parameters that likely contribute to the disease and could be targeted with treatment." Capturing the dynamics of NAFLD in living mouse models of the disease requires the ability to observe quickly changing interactions of biological components in intact tissue in real-time. To accomplish this, the researchers developed a custom intravital confocal and two-photon microscopy system that acquires images of multiple fluorescent labels at video-rate with cellular resolution. "With video-rate imaging capability, the continuous movement of liver tissue in live mice due to breathing and heart beating could be tracked in real time and precisely compensated," said Professor Kim. "This provided motion-artifact free high-resolution images of cellular and sub-cellular sized individual lipid droplets." The key to fast imaging was a polygonal mirror that rotated at more than 240 miles per hour to provide extremely fast laser scanning. The researchers also incorporated four different lasers and four high-sensitivity optical detectors into the setup so that they could acquire multi-color images to capture different color fluorescent probes used to label the lipid droplets and microvasculature in the livers of live mice. "Our approach can capture real-time changes in cell behavior and morphology, vascular structure and function, and the spatiotemporal localization of biological components while directly visualizing of lipid droplet development in NAFLD progression," said Professor Kim. "It also allows the analysis of the highly complex behaviors of various immune cells as NAFLD progresses." The researchers demonstrated their approach by using it to observe the development and spatial distribution of lipid droplets in individual mice with NAFLD induced by a methionine and choline-deficient diet. Next, they plan to use it to study how the liver microenvironment changes during NAFLD progression by imaging the same mouse over time. They also want to use their microscope technique to visualize various immune cells and lipid droplets to better understand the complex liver microenvironment in NAFLD progression.
Tinkering with Roundworm Proteins Offers Hope for Anti-aging Drugs - The somatic nuclear protein kinase VRK-1 increases the worm's lifespan through AMPK activation, and this mechanism can be applied to promoting human longevity, the study reveals. - KAIST researchers have been able to dial up and down creatures' lifespans by altering the activity of proteins found in roundworm cells that tell them to convert sugar into energy when their cellular energy is running low. Humans also have these proteins, offering up the intriguing possibilities for developing longevity-promoting drugs. These new findings were published on July 1 in Science Advances. The roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a millimeter-long nematode commonly used in lab testing, enjoyed a boost in its lifespan when researchers tinkered with a couple of proteins involved in monitoring the energy use by its cells. The proteins VRK-1 and AMPK work in tandem in roundworm cells, with the former telling the latter to get to work by sticking a phosphate molecule, composed of one phosphorus and four oxygen atoms, on it. In turn, AMPK's role is to monitor energy levels in cells, when cellular energy is running low. In essence, VRK-1 regulates AMPK, and AMPK regulates the cellular energy status. Using a range of different biological research tools, including introducing foreign genes into the worm, a group of researchers led by Professor Seung-Jae V. Lee from the Department of Biological Sciences at KAIST were able to dial up and down the activity of the gene that tells cells to produce the VRK-1 protein. This gene has remained pretty much unchanged throughout evolution. Most complex organisms have this same gene, including humans. Lead author of the study Sangsoon Park and his colleagues confirmed that the overexpression, or increased production, of the VRK-1 protein boosted the lifespan of the C. elegans, which normally lives just two to three weeks, and the inhibition of VRK-1 production reduced its lifespan. The research team found that the activity of the VRK-1-to-AMPK cellular-energy monitoring process is increased in low cellular energy status by reduced mitochondrial respiration, the set of metabolic chemical reactions that make use of the oxygen the worm breathes to convert macronutrients from food into the energy "currency" that cells spend to do everything they need to do. It is already known that mitochondria, the energy-producing engine rooms in cells, play a crucial role in aging, and declines in the functioning of mitochondria are associated with age-related diseases. At the same time, the mild inhibition of mitochondrial respiration has been shown to promote longevity in a range of species, including flies and mammals. When the research team performed similar tinkering with cultured human cells, they found they could also replicate this ramping up and down of the VRK-1-to-AMPK process that occurs in roundworms. "This raises the intriguing possibility that VRK-1 also functions as a factor in governing human longevity, and so perhaps we can start developing longevity-promoting drugs that alter the activity of VRK-1," explained Professor Lee. At the very least, the research points us in an interesting direction for investigating new therapeutic strategies to combat metabolic disorders by targeting the modulation of VRK-1. Metabolic disorders involve the disruption of chemical reactions in the body, including diseases of the mitochondria. But before metabolic disorder therapeutics or longevity drugs can be contemplated by scientists, further research still needs to be carried out to better understand how VRK-1 works to activate AMPK, as well as figure out the precise mechanics of how AMPK controls cellular energy. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF), and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of Korea. Image credit: Seung-Jae V. LEE, KAIST. Image usage restrictions: News organizations may use or redistribute this image, with proper attribution, as part of news coverage of this paper only. Publication: Park, S., et al. (2020) 'VRK-1 extends life span by activation of AMPK via phosphorylation'. Science Advances, Volume 6. No. 27, eaaw7824. Available online at https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaw7824 Profile: Seung-Jae V. Lee, Ph.D. Professor seungjaevlee@kaist.ac.kr https://sites.google.com/view/mgakaist Molecular Genetics of Aging Laboratory Department of Biological Sciences Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) https://www.kaist.ac.krDaejeon 34141, Korea (END)
Professor J.H. Lee Wins the Innovators in Science Award Professor Jeong Ho Lee from the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering won the Early-Career Scientist Award of the 2020 Innovators in Science Award. The New York Academy of Sciences administers the award in partnership with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. The Innovators in Science Award grants two prizes of US $200,000 each year: one to an Early-Career Scientist and the other to a well-established Senior Scientist who have distinguished themselves for the creative thinking and impact of their rare disease research. The Senior Scientist Awardee is Dr. Adrian R. Krainer, at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory whose research focused on the mechanisms and control of RNA splicing. Prof. Lee is recognized for his research investigating genetic mutations in stem cells in the brain that result in rare developmental brain disorders. He was the first to identify the causes of intractable epilepsies and has identified the genes responsible for several developmental brain disorders, including focal cortical dysplasia, Joubert syndrome—a disorder characterized by an underdevelopment of the brainstem—and hemimegaloencephaly, which is the abnormal enlargement of one side of the brain. "It is a great honor to be recognized by a jury of such globally respected scientists whom I greatly admire," said Prof. Lee. "More importantly, this award validates research into brain somatic mutations as an important area of exploration to help patients suffering from devastating and untreatable neurological disorders." Prof. Lee also is the Director of the National Creative Research Initiative Center for Brain Somatic Mutations, and Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of SoVarGen, a biopharmaceutical company aiming to discover novel therapeutics and diagnosis for intractable central nervous system (CNS) diseases caused by low-level somatic mutation. The Innovators in Science Award is a limited submission competition in which research universities, academic institutions, government or non-profit institutions, or equivalent from around the globe with a well-established record of scientific excellence are invited to nominate their most promising Early-Career Scientists and their most outstanding Senior Scientists working in one of four selected therapeutic fields of neuroscience, gastroenterology, oncology, and regenerative medicine. The 2020 Winners will be honored at the virtual Innovators in Science Award Ceremony and Symposium in October 2020.
Breastfeeding Helps Prevent Mothers from Developing Diabetes after Childbirth A team of South Korean researchers found that lactation can lower the incidence and reduce the risk of maternal postpartum diabetes. The researchers identified that lactation increases the mass and function of pancreatic beta cells through serotonin production. The team suggested that sustained improvements in pancreatic beta cells, which can last for years even after the cessation of lactation, improve mothers' metabolic health in addition to providing health benefits for infants. Pregnancy imposes a substantial metabolic burden on women through weight gain and increased insulin resistance. Various other factors, including a history of gestational diabetes, maternal age, and obesity, further affect women's risk of progressing to diabetes after delivery, and the risk of postpartum diabetes increases more in women who have had gestational diabetes and/or repeated deliveries. Diabetes-related complications include damage to blood vessels, which can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke, and problems with the nerves, eyes, kidneys, and many more. Since diabetes can pose a serious threat to mothers' metabolic health, the management of maternal metabolic risk factors is important, especially in the peripartum period. Previous epidemiological studies have reported that lactation reduces the risk of postpartum diabetes, but the mechanisms underlying this benefit have remained elusive. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine on April 29, explains the biology underpinning this observation on the beneficial effects of lactation. Professor Hail Kim from the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering at KAIST led and jointly conducted the study in conjunction with researchers from the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) and Chungnam National University (CNU) in Korea, and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in the US. In their study, the team observed that the milk-secreting hormone 'prolactin' in lactating mothers not only promotes milk production, but also plays a major role in stimulating insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells that regulate blood glucose in the body. The researchers also found that 'serotonin', known as a chemical that contributes to wellbeing and happiness, is produced in pancreatic beta cells during lactation. Serotonin in pancreatic beta cells act as an antioxidant and reduce oxidative stress, making mothers' beta cells healthier. Serotonin also induces the proliferation of beta cells, thereby increasing the beta cell mass and helping maintain proper glucose levels. The research team conducted follow-up examinations on a total of 174 postpartum women, 85 lactated and 99 non-lactated, at two months postpartum and annually thereafter for at least three years. The results demonstrated that mothers who had undergone lactation improved pancreatic beta cell mass and function, and showed improved glucose homeostasis with approximately 20mg/dL lower glucose levels, thereby reducing the risk of postpartum diabetes in women. Surprisingly, this beneficial effect was maintained after the cessation of lactation, for more than three years after delivery. Professor Kim said, "We are happy to prove that lactation benefits female metabolic health by improving beta cell mass and function as well as glycemic control." "Our future studies on the modulation of the molecular serotonergic pathway in accordance with the management of maternal metabolic risk factors may lead to new therapeutics to help prevent mothers from developing metabolic disorders," he added. This work was supported by grants from the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST) of Korea, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation, and the Health Fellowship Foundation. Image credit: Professor Hail Kim, KAIST Image usage restrictions: News organizations may use or redistribute this image, with proper attribution, as part of news coverage of this paper only. Publication: Moon, J. H et al. (2020) 'Lactation improves pancreatic β cell mass and function through serotonin production.' Science Translational Medicine, 12, eaay0455. Available online at https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.aay0455 Profile: Hail Kim, MD, PhD hailkim@kaist.edu Associate Professor Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering (GSMSE) Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Profile: Hak Chul Jang, MD, PhD janghak@snu.ac.kr Professor Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) President Korean Diabetes Association Profile: Joon Ho Moon, MD, PhD moonjoonho@gmail.com Clinical Fellow Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism SNUBH Profile: Hyeongseok Kim, MD, PhD hskim85kor@gmail.com Assistant Professor Chungnam National University (CNU) Profile: Professor Michael S. German, MD Michael.German@ucsf.edu Professor Diabetes Center University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) (END)
A Study Finds Neuropeptide Somatostatin Enhances Visual Processing Researchers have confirmed that neuropeptide somatostatin can improve cognitive function in the brain. A research group of Professor Seung-Hee Lee from the Department of Biological Sciences at KAIST found that the application of neuropeptide somatostatin improves visual processing and cognitive behaviors by reducing excitatory inputs to parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the cortex. This study, reported at Science Advances on April 22nd (EST), sheds a new light on the therapeutics of neurodegenerative diseases. According to a recent study in Korea, one in ten seniors over 65 is experiencing dementia-related symptoms in their daily lives such like memory loss, cognitive decline, and motion function disorders. Professor Lee believes that somatostatin treatment can be directly applied to the recovery of cognitive functions in Alzheimer's disease patients. Professor Lee started this study noting the fact that the level of somatostatin expression was dramatically decreased in the cerebral cortex and cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's disease patients Somatostatin-expressing neurons in the cortex are known to exert the dendritic inhibition of pyramidal neurons via GABAergic transmission. Previous studies focused on their inhibitory effects on cortical circuits, but somatostatin-expressing neurons can co-release somatostatin upon activation. Despite the abundant expression of somatostatin and its receptors in the cerebral cortex, it was not known if somatostatin could modulate cognitive processing in the cortex. The research team demonstrated that the somatostatin treatment into the cerebral cortex could enhance visual processing and cognitive behaviors in mice. The research team combined behaviors, in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology, and electron microscopy techniques to reveal how the activation of somatostatin receptors in vivo enhanced the ability of visual recognition in animals. Interestingly, somatostatin release can reduce excitatory synaptic transmission to another subtype of GABAergic interneurons, parvalbumin (PV)-expressing neurons. As somatostatin is a stable and safe neuropeptide expressed naturally in the mammalian brain, it was safe to be injected into the cortex and cerebrospinal fluid, showing a potential application to drug development for curing cognitive disorders in humans. Professor Lee said, "Our research confirmed the key role of the neuropeptide SST in modulating cortical function and enhancing cognitive ability in the mammalian brain. I hope new drugs can be developed based on the function of somatostatin to treat cognitive disabilities in many patients suffering from neurological disorders." This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea. Publication: Song, Y. H et al. (2020) 'Somatostatin enhances visual processing and perception by suppressing excitatory inputs to parvalbumin-positive interneurons in V1', Science Advances, 6(17). Available online at https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaz0517 Profile: Seung-Hee Lee Associate Professor shlee1@kaist.ac.kr https://sites.google.com/site/leelab2013/ Sensory Processing Lab (SPL) Department of Biological Sciences (BIO) Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Profile: You-Hyang Song Researcher (Ph.D.) dbgidtm17@kaist.ac.kr SPL, KAIST BIO Profile: Yang-Sun Hwang Researcher (M.S.) hys940129@kaist.ac.kr SPL, KAIST BIO (END)
Professor Youngseok Ju Awarded the 13th ASAN Award for Young Medical Scientists Professor Youngseok Ju from the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering was selected for the 13th ASAN Award for Young Medical Scientists under the age of 40. Professor Ju will receive 50 million won in prize money. The ASAN Foundation established this Award in 2007 to encourage young medical scientists who accomplished outstanding achievements in basic and clinical medicine. The winners are chosen based on a comprehensive assessment of consistency and originality, domestic and international impact, and contributions to medical development and fostering future generations. Professor Ju is known for having identified the generation principle of cancer genome mutations. In particular, he is recognized for his contributions to the development of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, by having proven that some cases of lung cancer can occur from destructive changes in chromosomes in lung cells regardless of smoking. The award ceremony will be held on March 19 in Seoul. The other award will be given to Professor Yong-Ho Lee from the Yonsei University College of Medicine.
Scientists Discover the Mechanism of DNA High-Order Structure Formation (Molecular structures of Abo1 in different energy states (left), Demonstration of an Abo1-assisted histone loading onto DNA by the DNA curtain assay. ) The genetic material of our cells—DNA—exists in a high-order structure called "chromatin". Chromatin consists of DNA wrapped around histone proteins and efficiently packs DNA into a small volume. Moreover, using a spool and thread analogy, chromatin allows DNA to be locally wound or unwound, thus enabling genes to be enclosed or exposed. The misregulation of chromatin structures results in aberrant gene expression and can ultimately lead to developmental disorders or cancers. Despite the importance of DNA high-order structures, the complexity of the underlying machinery has circumvented molecular dissection. For the first time, molecular biologists have uncovered how one particular mechanism uses energy to ensure proper histone placement onto DNA to form chromatin. They published their results on Dec. 17 in Nature Communications. The study focused on proteins called histone chaperones. Histone chaperones are responsible for adding and removing specific histones at specific times during the DNA packaging process. The wrong histone at the wrong time and place could result in the misregulation of gene expression or aberrant DNA replication. Thus, histone chaperones are key players in the assembly and disassembly of chromatin. "In order to carefully control the assembly and disassembly of chromatin units, histone chaperones act as molecular escorts that prevent histone aggregation and undesired interactions," said Professor Ji-Joon Song in the Department of Biological Sciences at KAIST. "We set out to understand how a unique histone chaperone uses chemical energy to assemble or disassemble chromatin." Song and his team looked to Abo1, the only known histone chaperone that utilizes cellular energy (ATP). While Abo1 is found in yeast, it has an analogous partner in other organisms, including humans, called ATAD2. Both use ATP, which is produced through a cellular process where enzymes break down a molecule's phosphate bond. ATP energy is typically used to power other cellular processes, but it is a rare partner for histone chaperones. "This was an interesting problem in the field because all other histone chaperones studied to date do not use ATP," Song said. By imaging Abo1 with a single-molecule fluorescence imaging technique known as the DNA curtain assay, the researchers could examine the protein interactions at the single-molecule level. The technique allows scientists to arrange the DNA molecules and proteins on a single layer of a microfluidic chamber and examine the layer with fluorescence microscopy. The researchers found through real-time observation that Abo1 is ring-shaped and changes its structure to accommodate a specific histone and deposit it on DNA. Moreover, they found that the accommodating structural changes are powered by ADP. "We discovered a mechanism by which Abo1 accommodates histone substrates, ultimately allowing it to function as a unique energy-dependent histone chaperone," Song said. "We also found that despite looking like a protein disassembly machine, Abo1 actually loads histone substrates onto DNA to facilitate chromatin assembly." The researchers plan to continue exploring how energy-dependent histone chaperones bind and release histones, with the ultimate goal of developing therapeutics that can target cancer-causing misbehavior by Abo1's analogous human counterpart, ATAD2. -Profile Professor Ji-Joon Song Department of Biological Sciences KI for the BioCentury (https://kis.kaist.ac.kr/index.php?mid=KIB_O) KAIST
A Single, Master Switch for Sugar Levels? When a fly eats sugar, a single brain cell sends simultaneous messages to stimulate one hormone and inhibit another to control glucose levels in the body. Further research into this control system with remarkable precision could shed light on the neural mechanisms of diabetes and obesity in humans . A single neuron appears to monitor and control sugar levels in the fly body, according to research published this week in Nature. This new insight into the mechanisms in the fly brain that maintain a balance of two key hormones controlling glucose levels, insulin and glucagon, can provide a framework for understanding diabetes and obesity in humans. Neurons that sense and respond to glucose were identified more than 50 years ago, but what they do in our body has remained unclear. Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and New York University School of Medicine have now found a single "glucose-sensing neuron" that appears to be the master controller in Drosophila, the vinegar fly, for maintaining an ideal glucose balance, called homeostasis. Professor Greg Seong-Bae Suh, Dr. Yangkyun Oh and colleagues identified a key neuron that is excited by glucose, which they called CN neuron. This CN neuron has a unique shape – it has an axon (which is used to transmit information to downstream cells) that is bifurcated. One branch projects to insulin-producing cells, and sends a signal triggering the secretion of the insulin equivalent in flies. The other branch projects to glucagon-producing cells and sends a signal inhibiting the secretion of the glucagon equivalent. When flies consume food, the levels of glucose in their body increase; this excites the CN neuron, which fires the simultaneous signals to stimulate insulin and inhibit glucagon secretion, thereby maintaining the appropriate balance between the hormones and sugar in the blood. The researchers were able to see this happening in the brain in real time by using a combination of cutting-edge fluorescent calcium imaging technology, as well as measuring hormone and sugar levels and applying highly sophisticated molecular genetic techniques. When flies were not fed, however, the researchers observed a reduction in the activity of CN neuron, a reduction in insulin secretion and an increase in glucagon secretion. These findings indicate that these key hormones are under the direct control of the glucose-sensing neuron. Furthermore, when they silenced the CN neuron rendering dysfunctional CN neuron in flies, these animals experienced an imbalance, resulting in hyperglycemia – high levels of sugars in the blood, similar to what is observed in diabetes in humans. This further suggests that the CN neuron is critical to maintaining glucose homeostasis in animals. While further research is required to investigate this process in humans, Suh notes this is a significant step forward in the fields of both neurobiology and endocrinology. "This work lays the foundation for translational research to better understand how this delicate regulatory process is affected by diabetes, obesity, excessive nutrition and diets high in sugar," Suh said. Profile: Greg Seong-Bae Suh seongbaesuh@kaist.ac.kr Professor Department of Biological Sciences KAIST (Figure: A single glucose-excited CN neuron extends bifurcated axonal branches, one of which innervates insulin producing cells and stimulates their activity an the other axonal branch projects to glucagon producing cells and inhibits their activity.)
2019.10.24 View 12109
Professor Ki-Jun Yoon selected as the 2019 SUHF Young Investigator < Professor Ki-Jun Yoon > Professor Ki-Jun Yoon from the Department of Biological Sciences was named one of four recipients of the 2019 Suh Kyung-Bae Science Foundation (SUHF) Young Investigator Awards. The SUHF is a non-profit organization established in 2016 and funded by a personal donation of 300 billion KRW in shares from Chairman and CEO Kyung-Bae Suh of the Amorepacific Group. The primary purpose of the foundation is to serve as a platform to nurture and provide comprehensive long-term support for creative and passionate young Korean scientists committed to pursuing research in the field of life sciences. The SUHF selects three to five scientists through an open recruiting process every year, and grants each scientist a maximum of 2.5 billion KRW over a period of up to five years. Since January this year, the foundation received 83 research proposals from scientists across the nation, especially from those who had less than five years of experience as professors, and selected the four recipients, including Professor Yoon. Professor Yoon was recognized for his contributions to the advancement of research on how post-transcriptional mechanisms may modulate stem cell properties. His research project involves deciphering the molecular mechanisms controlling RNA metabolism in neural stem cells during normal development, and how alterations in RNA regulatory programs lead to human brain disorders. < (From left) Professor Joo-Hong Park, Professor Yuree Lee, Chairman and CEO Kyung-Bae Suh, Professor Eunjung Lee, Professor Ki-Jun Yoon, ⓒ Amorepacific Group > The other awards were given to Professor Joo-Hong Park and Professor Yuree Lee of Seoul National University, and Professor Eunjung Lee of Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. The awards ceremony was held on September 18 at the Amorepacific Headquarters in Seoul. With these four new awardees, a total of 14 scientists have been named as SUHF Young Investigators to date. (END)
Two More Cross-generation Collaborative Labs Open < President Sung-Chul Shin (sixth from the left) and Professor Sun Chang Kim (seventh from the left) at the signboard ceremony of KAIST BioDesigneering Laboratory > KAIST opened two more cross-generation collaborative labs last month. KAIST BioDesigneering Laboratory headed by Professor Sun Chang Kim from the Department of Biological Sciences and Nanophotonics Laboratory led by Professor Yong-Hee Lee from the Department of Physics have been selected to receive 500 million KRW funding for five years. A four-member selection committee including the former President of ETH Zürich Professor Emeritus Ralph Eichler and Professor Kwang-Soo Kim of Harvard Medical School conducted a three-month review and evaluation for this selection to be made. With these two new labs onboard, a total of six cross-generation collaborative labs will be operated on campus. The operation of cross-generation collaborative labs has been in trial since March last year, as one of the KAIST's Vision 2031 research innovation initiatives. This novel approach is to pair up senior and junior faculty members for sustaining research and academic achievements even after the senior researcher retires, so that the spectrum of knowledge and research competitiveness can be extended to future generations. The selected labs will be funded for five years, and the funding will be extended if necessary. KAIST will continue to select new labs every year. One of this year's selectees Professor Sun Chang Kim will be teamed up with Professor Byung-Kwan Cho from the same department and Professor Jung Kyoon Choi from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering to collaborate in the fields of synthetic biology, systems biology, and genetic engineering. This group mainly aims at designing and synthesizing optimal genomes that can efficiently manufacture protein drug and biomedical active materials. They will also strive to secure large amounts of high-functioning natural active substances, new adhesive antibacterial peptides, and eco-friendly ecological restoration materials. It is expected that collaboration between these three multigenerational professors will help innovate their bio-convergence technology and further strengthen their international competitiveness in the global bio-market. Another world-renowned scholar Professor Yong-Hee Lee of photonic crystal laser study will be joined by Professor Minkyo Seo from the same department and Professor Hansuek Lee from the Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology. They will explore the extreme limits of light-material interaction based on optical micro/nano resonators, with the goal of developing future nonlinear optoelectronic and quantum optical devices. The knowledge and technology newly gained from the research are expected to provide an important platform for a diverse range of fields from quantum communications to biophysics. (END)
Professor Sang Gyu Kim Receives Yeochon Award for Ecology Professor Sang-Gyu Kim from the Department of Biological Sciences was selected as the winner of the 12th Yeochon Award for Ecology presented by the Yeochon Association for Ecological Research. The award was conferred on August 13 in Jeju at the annual conference co-hosted by the Ecological Society of Korea and the Yeochon Association for Ecological Research. Professor Kim received 10 million KRW in prize money. Professor Kim was recognized for his achievements and contributions in studying herbivorous insects 'rice weevils' and their host plant 'wild tobacco', especially for having explored the known facts in traditional ecology at the molecular level. His findings are presented in his paper titled 'Trichobaris weevils distinguish amongst toxic host plants by sensing volatiles that do not affect larval performance' published in Molecular Ecology in July 2016. Furthermore, Professor Kim's research team is continuing their work to identify the ecological functions of plant metabolites as well as interactions between flowers and insect vectors at the molecular level. In doing so, the team edits genes in various plant species using the latest gene editing technology. The Yeochon Award for Ecology was first established in 2005 with funds donated by a senior ecologist, the late Honorary Professor Joon-Ho Kim of Seoul National University. The award is named after the professor's pen name "Yeochon" and is intended to encourage promising next-generation ecologists to produce outstanding research achievements in the field of basic ecology. Professor Kim said, "I will take this award as encouragement to continue taking challenging risks to observe ecological phenomenon from a new perspective. I will continue my research with my students with joy and enthusiasm."
New Members of KAST and Y-KAST 2019 (Professor Eui-Cheol Shin from the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering) Professor Eui-Cheol Shin from the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering became a new fellow of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) along with 25 other scientists in Korea. He is one of the top virus immunologists in Korea and has published a review article in Nature Reviews Immunology. Meanwhile KAST selected and announced 26 young scientists under the age 43 who have shown great potential and the creativity to carry out next-generation research. The list of Y-KAST (Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology) includes six KAIST professors: Professor Ji Oon Lee from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Professor Mi Hee Lim from the Department of Chemistry, Professor Shin-Hyun Kim from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Professor Jung-Ryul Lee from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Professor Hyunjoo Jenny Lee from the School of Electrical Engineering, and Professor Yeon Sik Jung from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. KAST conferred their fellowships and Y-KAST membership during the New Year Reception.


The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released a study examining the construction industry which says the future is bright for general contractors working in commercial and residential construction.
The study provides an outlook on U.S. construction market sector confidence, anticipated spending and key developments and trends impacting the sector over the next 1-2 years. It is the first release of the foundation's new vertical market series designed to help readers recognize and understand key trends that may affect their businesses.
The study, commissioned by the foundation and prepared by ORC International, indicates that the all-time high in construction spending in 2017 will carry through in 2018, with predicted U.S. construction industry growth of 5%.
It examines issues impacting the sector, including labor shortages, trade tariffs, corporate tax rate reductions, equipment acquisitions and technological developments.
"The new foundation construction study is comprehensive, yet concise, making it an ideal information resource for construction industry managers and business owners," said Tom Ware, ELFF research committee chair.


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Q: How do I combine lines of text in R based on column alignment I am trying to parse text data from a questionnaire that I pulled out of a PDF with {pdftools}.  I end up with a data frame that looks like this aligned text nightmare:
example <- data.frame(
  lines = c("Beverages",
            "What beverages did you drink?",
            "  Please check the box next to each beverage that you drank at least once in the past 12 months.",
            "         Tomato juice or vegetable juice",
            "         Orange juice or grapefruit juice",
            "         Grape juice",
            "         Other 100% fruit juices or 100% fruit juice mixtures (such as apple, pineapple, or others)",
            "         Fruit or vegetable smoothies",
            "         Other fruit drinks, regular or diet (such as Hi-C, fruit punch, lemonade, or cranberry",
            "            cocktail)",
            "         Milk as a beverage (NOT in coffee, tea, or cereal; including soy, rice, almond, and",
            "            coconut milk; NOT including chocolate milk, hot chocolate, and milkshake)",
            "         Chocolate milk or hot chocolate",
            "Tomato juice or vegetable juice",
            "         You drank tomato juice or vegetable juice in the past 12 months.",
            "  Over the past 12 months, how often did you drink tomato juice or vegetable juice?",
            "         1 time per month or less",
            "         2-3 times per month"
            )
)

Each response begins with a box \uf06f and sometimes the responses are long enough to appear on two lines.
Can anybody offer advice on how to concatenate the text when a response is split over two lines?

A: You could use
library(dplyr)
library(stringr)

example %>%
  group_by(
    category = cumsum(str_detect(lines, "^[^\\s]")),
    group_1  = cumsum(str_detect(lines, "^\\s{2}(?!\\s)")),
    group_3  = cumsum(str_detect(lines, "\uf06f|\uf0a1"))) %>%
  mutate(
    lines = ifelse(group_3 > 0 & !str_detect(lines, "\uf06f|\uf0a1"), str_trim(lines), lines),
    lines = case_when(
      group_3 > 0 ~ str_c(lines, collapse = " "),
      TRUE ~ lines
      )
    ) %>%
  distinct() %>%
  ungroup() %>%
  select(lines)

to get
# A tibble: 11 x 1
   lines
   <chr>
 1 "Beverages"
 2 "What beverages did you drink?"
 3 "  Please check the box next to each beverage that you drank at least once in the past 12 months."
 4 "        \uf06f Tomato juice or vegetable juice"
 5 "        \uf06f Orange juice or grapefruit juice"
 6 "        \uf06f Grape juice"
 7 "        \uf06f Other 100% fruit juices or 100% fruit juice mixtures (such as apple, pineapple, or others)"
 8 "        \uf06f Fruit or vegetable smoothies"
 9 "        \uf06f Other fruit drinks, regular or diet (such as Hi-C, fruit punch, lemonade, or cranberry cocktail)"
10 "        \uf06f Milk as a beverage (NOT in coffee, tea, or cereal; including soy, rice, almond, and coconut milk; NOT including chocolate milk, hot chocolate, and milkshake)"
11 "        \uf06f Chocolate milk or hot chocolate"
12 "Tomato juice or vegetable juice"
13 "        \uf06f You drank tomato juice or vegetable juice in the past 12 months."
14 "Over the past 12 months, how often did you drink tomato juice or vegetable juice?"
15 "        \uf0a1 1 time per month or less"
16 "        \uf0a1 2-3 times per month"

What are we trying to do?

*

*First we try to build a "category". These are rows that are not starting with a space character, so we are looking for "^[^\s]". ^ means "starting with", [^\\s] means "not a space character".

*The next grouping level are rows starting with exactly two space characters and are not followed by another space, thus ^\\s{2}(?!\\s).

*Last grouping level are rows containing those UTF characters "\uf06f|\uf0a1".

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
'It's Awful': Sadness, Anger Expressed Over Landry's Impact On Young Woman In Years Of Secret Affair
By Jon Lender
jlender@courant.com |
Jon Landry, a former member of the Farmington Town Council, arrives at Superior Court in New Britain on Monday, July 9.
Public reaction was swift to ex-Farmington Town Council member Jon Landry's arrest on a charge that he harassed a young woman with whom police say he carried on an extramarital affair since 2013, when she turned 16 — all the while using an alias to disguise his identity as a Republican politician with a wife and two daughters.
"You read through the [Courant] article and the [police] affidavit and you're struck by a sadness about how this has affected that girl/young woman's life," Farmington Republican Town Chairman Mike Clark said Tuesday — the day after Landry's court arraignment on the harassment charge and a count of interfering with police.
A 15-page arrest warrant affidavit was unsealed Monday that detailed Landry's relationship with the alleged victim — who told police that in 2008, when she was 12, she met Landry online under a false identity he adopted as 17-year-old "Jason Davis" who lived with his parents in Farmington. They corresponded in text messages for four years before meeting in person, and she told police that the sex started after she reached the legal age of consent, 16, the affidavit said.
"It's so sad to see someone groom a 12-year-old for a future sexual relationship. You really feel for the young woman who was victimized," said Clark, a retired FBI agent who supervised the investigation that 15 years ago led to the conviction and imprisonment of former Republican Mayor Philip Giordano of Waterbury on sexual predator charges involving girls aged 8 and 10.
[Politics] Lawmakers battle over whether bill allows trucks-only tolls to include cars in future »
"With Giordano's two young victims, there was a difficult road back for them," Clark said. "We saw that when someone preys on a young woman, it impacts them for the rest of their lives."
There's no allegation that Landry had sexual contact with the victim when she was underage. The police affidavit quoted the victim as saying that she'd passed her 16th birthday before "their relationship became sexual in 2013 when she performed oral sex on Davis." Also, "she stated the sexual intercourse was consensual so no sexual assault charges will be sought," the affidavit said.
The affidavit refers to her only as "Jane Doe." She's now 22, two decades younger than Landry, who is a youthful-looking 42.
Ex-Farmington Council Member Jon Landry's Arrest Stemmed From Affair He Had With Woman Starting When She Was 16
Former Farmington Town Council member Jon Landry carried on a extramarital affair for years with a young woman he met online in 2008 as a girl of 12, and began having sex with after she turned 16.
By Jon Lender and David Owens
Jul 09, 2018 | 10:20 PM
Clark continued: "The second emotion you feel is this anger at Jon, who was elected to a position of public trust and involved in a number of service organizations. That betrayal, and having that secret identity in life, has left many of us who knew him just very angry with him. Many of us have had political differences with him" — a reference to a bitter intra-party primary fight for town council that Landry won over Clark's local allies in 2017 — "but we obviously never suspected this."
'It's Awful'
Clark wasn't alone. "I'm shocked," said Jeff Apuzzo, who ran on the same team as Landry in the 2017 Republican primary for town council as part of the same team as Landry. "If this is true, and it sounds like it is, it's reprehensible conduct. It's awful."
Apuzzo, who won in last year's GOP primary but lost in the November election, said "I'm saddened for the emotional impact this is having on the girl and her family" and "on Jon's wife and kids."
"Jon never gave me any indication that he would have any sort of extramarital affair, let alone with a 16-year-old," Apuzzo said. "If I had known anything about this, I would have never been part of that group who ran for office."
Citing Landry's civic activities, Apuzzo said: "When you looked at Jon, you saw a good guy, right? … I don't think anybody saw this coming."
When you looked at Jon, you saw a good guy, right? … I don't think anybody saw this coming.
Jeff Apuzzo, former Republican Farmington council member and 2017 candidate
Share quote & link
Similar comments came Wednesday from Justin Bernier, another Republican who ran successfully in last year's primary on the same team with Landry, but lost in the November election for the council.
Bernier said: "One of a parent's worst fears is that you won't be able to protect your children from sexual predators. I'm shocked and disgusted at what I've read in the police report."
"I'm very sad for the victim and her family. As the father of three daughters, I can't imagine what they are going through now. The people of Farmington put a lot of trust in Jon over the years and he has let us down," Bernier said. "I am also saddened for his family, especially his daughters."
I'm very sad for the victim and her family. As the father of three daughters, I can't imagine what they are going through now.
Justin Bernier, unsuccessful 2017 Republican candidate for Farmington council
Also adding his voice Wednesday was Republican town council member Paul Cianci, another one of the successful challengers in last year's primary who — like his fellow challenger Landry (and unlike Apuzzo and Bernier) — went on to win a council seat in November.
"I am appalled by the recently reported actions concerning Mr. Landry; they are extremely disappointing and angering," Cianci said. "Never, at any point during the year that I knew Jon, did I suspect the events that have reportedly occurred over the last 10 years. My thoughts and prayers are with all that have been affected by his actions — especially the victim."
I am appalled by the recently reported actions concerning Mr. Landry; they are extremely disappointing and angering.
Republican town council member Paul Cianci, a member of the same challenge team as Landry in the Farmington GOP's 2017 primary
Farmington Town Council Chairwoman Nancy Nickerson, a Republican, called the Landry revelations "shocking" and said, "My heart goes out to the victim and her family and Jon Landry's two girls and wife."
"I can't imagine how they are dealing with this and the negative impact it has had and will continue to have on their lives," Nickerson said. "It is unbelievable that for so many years he was leading this double life and we were unaware. His behavior is unconscionable and it is time he is held accountable."
It is unbelievable that for so many years he was leading this double life and we were unaware. His behavior is unconscionable...
Republican Town Council Chairwoman Nancy Nickerson of Farmington
The 15-page police affidavit was written by a police detective in Newington, the victim's hometown, to obtain a warrant for Landry's arrest on the two misdemeanors that carry maximum combined penalties of 15 months in jail and $2,500 in fines.
He turned himself in to Newington police Friday, and entered a not-guilty plea Monday at his arraignment in Superior Court of New Britain. Judge Joan Alexander issued a protective order prohibiting him from harassing or contacting the victim. Landry is free on a no-cash bond. He returns to court July 20.
Landry's lawyer, H. Brian Dumeer, issued a statement Tuesday: "My client has cooperated with the authorities, however this is an active investigation and we are limited in the information we can share. Mr. Landry looks forward to a speedy resolution to this investigation and case. We also ask that his family's privacy be respected."
'Sex Contract'
According to the police affidavit, the two entered a sex "contract" that "set rules for their 'friend-with-sexual benefits' relationship… with regard to the sexual expectations of and specific obligations to the other party." The four-page document was titled "The Jadago Four [expletive] Subscription Policy."
The contract came up in a dispute they had last summer, as she appeared to be pulling away from him, police said. On Aug. 31, 2017, "Landry appear[ed] to begin an argument with Doe regarding the way she treats him. During that messaging conversation Landry texted Doe 'If you want to buy yourself out of the contract let me know', 'I'm thinking maybe $500'. Doe responded 'It's one [expletive]; I'll do it.' According to Doe, she believes the next time she and Landry had sexual intercourse was on 09/03/17 in the West Hartford Toys R Us parking lot."
In later years, "Jason" pressured the victim into having sex with him at times when she wanted to stop, police said. He reportedly threatened in July 2017 to contact the victim's school about her romantic involvement with a fellow student there, saying he would ask if it's "against the rules to mess around with other students," the affidavit said. The harassment charge stems from Landry's attempt to "instill a fear in her" of what would happen if they stopped having sex, the police said.
In addition, "Jane Doe" reported that she received threats online via text from a "Jessica Monroe" who said that inappropriate photos that had been in "Jason's" possession would be released on the internet if she stopped having sex with him.
Police are investigating who "Jessica Monroe" is, which "may result in additional arrest warrants/charges for ... Landry or another suspect," the affidavit said.
"Monroe" first surfaced in December 2014, when the victim said she received a text message from someone by using that name who she believed was "Jason Davis'" friend — and the victim became a friend of "Monroe" too, even though she never met her in person, the affidavit said.
"[H]owever, Monroe would always persuade Doe into remaining friends with Davis" — and having sex with him — "every time Doe tried to distance herself from Davis," the affidavit said.
[Politics] Supporters press for 'clean slate' legislation that would erase misdemeanors and most nonviolent felonies after crime-free period »
An unpleasant exchange with "Monroe" prompted the victim to go to the police last August. Doe reported that she "received a text … from Monroe [saying that] Davis was going to post inappropriate pictures of Doe on the internet" after Doe supposedly had been rude to "Jason."
A Newington police officer looked into it, contacting "Jason" on the number "Jane Doe" used to contact him. Landry didn't let on to the officer that he wasn't "Jason," according to the affidavit: "Davis explained that Monroe had contacted Doe and told her that. Davis explained that he did in fact have pictures of Doe but had never threatened to post them online. Davis detailed that Monroe had taken nude pictures of Doe from his computer approximately a year ago and that Monroe was setting him up."
The police officer "advised Jason Davis to delete any nude pictures he had of Doe," the affidavit said. Landry's use of the "assumed name" in talking to the officer led to the interfering charge.
Newington police worked for months to find the subscriber information for the phone number "Jessica Monroe" used to contact the victim. They encountered a text conversation between "Monroe" and Landry that included a request that Landry help an uncle with his computer, which led them to conclude "Monroe" and Landry were somehow related, the affidavit said.
Records showed a text conversation last November in which "Monroe" appeared to be arranging to sell speakers to someone via Craigslist, the affidavit said. In April, police contacted the buyer, who described the seller as a white man with dark hair, about 6 feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds, driving a black Honda Accord. State motor vehicle records show Landry drives a black Honda Accord, according to the affidavit.
[Politics] Bloomberg names Connecticut campaign staff »
Police said they analyzed three phone numbers that utilized the same IP (Internet Protocol) address that was used to access the textPlus account of "Jessica Monroe" at certain times, and one of the phone numbers belonged to Landry's employer, The Simon Konover Co. of West Hartford, where he has spent the past 11 years as director of information technology.
"While some information obtained in this investigation indicates that Johnathan Landry may be using the TextPlus account of the person portraying themselves as Jessica Monroe, additional search warrants need to be applied for to determine the true identify of Jessica Monroe," the affidavit said.
The document also refers to "two incidents of possible domestic violence" in July 2017 in Plainville and Salem. In the Plainville case, at Slider's Grill & Bar, the victim says Landry slapped her. Both incidents have been referred to police in those communities.
Lawmakers battle over whether bill allows trucks-only tolls to include cars in future
Landry resigned in January from the council, only two months after winning election to his third term, when it became known that he was involved in a criminal investigation by Newington police.
At the time, it wasn't known what the probe was about or how he was involved.
[Politics] 'Right to Housing' gains traction among Connecticut legislators heading into the session »
All Landry said then was that his decision to quit both the council and the Republican Town Committee came "after much reflection and deliberation and, although difficult, will afford me the opportunity to take a step back from politics and spend more time with my wife and two daughters."
"Over the course of the last few days, I have learned that I am involved in an investigation by the Newington police department," Landry said, adding: "I intend to cooperate fully with their investigation and trust the matter will be closed once the investigation is complete."
North End Residents Organize Against Alleged Neglect By Landlord

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
A nervous wait for sailing club
PUBLISHED: 17:44 03 August 2006 | UPDATED: 11:56 04 May 2010
THE future of Ely Sailing Club is hanging in the balance in its 60th anniversary year following the announcement that its Roswell Lakes home is up for sale. We reported in the Ely Standard last month that The Thomas Parsons Charity, which owns the lakes,
THE future of Ely Sailing Club is hanging in the balance in its 60th anniversary year following the announcement that its Roswell Lakes home is up for sale.
We reported in the Ely Standard last month that The Thomas Parsons Charity, which owns the lakes, is selling the site because the land "doesn't fit in with the charity's investment portfolio".
Clerk to the charity, John Aspinall, said recently: "The charity is not in the best position to exploit the development potential of the land."
But the sailing club has said its membership, made up of more than 120 people from across the district, only found out the land was being sold when they saw the estate agent's advert in the local press.
Clare Christan, commodore at the club, said they have been invited to put in an offer for the site - but were given a deadline of just a few weeks to raise the £225,000 needed for the lakes.
"We've put in an offer," she said, "but it's nowhere near the asking price - we are asking the Thomas Parsons Charity to give us an interest-free loan. It is just too much money for a club to get together."
As well as the benefits to its members, it is hoped the purchase of the land by the sailing club will also preserve the picturesque nature of the site and its status as a home to local wildlife.
"It really is a special place," Mrs Christan said. "I don't think the people of Ely realise it could be sold, developed and lost."
Fears that the site will be developed beyond recognition have been exacerbated by a potential buyer who told members of the club on a recent visit: "I would only have to build one house here to make my money back", while another said he would demolish the clubhouse.
A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said the north-west bank of the site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, making it difficult to develop, but Cheffins, which is handling the sale, advertise a "unique leisure opportunity with development potential" for the rest of the lakes.
Ely Sailing Club now faces a nervous wait to see if its offer will be accepted, and the wait will be all the more agonising because the club's lease has run out. Although it has rights of renewal under the Landlord and Tenants' Act, there are concerns the sailing club will ultimately be priced out of the site.
"Whoever buys it couldn't just chuck us off but they could get us out by gradually raising the rent, and we just couldn't afford it," added Mrs Christan.
Club members have maintained the trees, lawns and banks at the site, but Mrs Christan said the greatest shame would be to lose the club's extensive youth programme.


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text:
Q: How to save value into JSON configuration file using Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration? Following this example, I am trying to retrieve and save startup application values using the IConfiguration interface from Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration API. However, I do not find a way to change those values into the settings JSON file.
As an example, consider the following appSettings.json configuration file:
"Setting":
{
  "Startup":
   {
      "IsFirstStart": true
   }
}

A the associated class in charge of extraction:
public class AppHandler
{
#region fields

  // MS heper contains configuration parameters from JSON file
  private IConfiguration _appConfiguration = null;

  // MS config builder
  private IConfigurationBuilder _appBuilder = null;

  // Is it software first use
  private bool _isFirstStart;

#endregion fields

#region Constructor

private AppHandler()
{
  _appBuilder = new ConfigurationBuilder()
     .SetBasePath(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory())
     .AddJsonFile("appsettings.json", optional: false, reloadOnChange: true)
     .AddJsonFile($"appsettings.dev.json", optional: true, reloadOnChange: true)
     .AddEnvironmentVariables();

  _appConfiguration = _appBuilder.Build();
}

#endregion Constructor

#region Methods

private AppInitialized()
{
  //  Session initialization has been performed & store back the information in 'appSettings.json' file
  _appConfiguration["IsFirstStart"] = Convert.ToString(_isFirstStart = false);

  /*
   * HOW TO SAVE BACK IsFirstStart change into Json file?
   */
}

#endregion Methods
}

Moreover, I've seen ApplicationSettings class contains Save() method. I might implement this class instead, but what's the difference and which one do you recommand for UWP / WPF applications?

A: in this context _appConfiguration is just an object holding your configuration in memory. Possible solution, would be to bind your configuration to a POCO, make your update and then create a File stream to overwrite your json file.
   var appConfig = new AppConfig()
        {
            //your appsettings.json props here
        }
        _appConfiguration.Bind(appConfig);

        appConfig.IsFirstStart = "...";

        string json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(appConfig);
        System.IO.File.WriteAllText("appsettings.json", json);


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Did Fleetwood Mac play Wolverhampton Civic Hall? This pic shows Dave Finely and Pamela Evans in the 1970s and a picture of the American/UK supergroup from this period.
Bosses at Wolverhampton Civic are appealing for music lovers to cast their minds back to find out if blues rock legends Fleetwood Mac played the venue more than forty years ago.
The appeal has been sparked by former Wulfrunian Dave Finely who emigrated to Australia in the 1980s and recently got in touch with the Civic Hall.
Dave, aged 63, emailed the Civic asking for help to see if historic records proved his memory right.
He said; "I am currently writing recollections from my life and I have a memory of going to the Civic Hall or Wulfrun to see the band in or around 1970. It was the first date with my then girlfriend Bernadette Evans.
"I lived in Fordhouses and was an apprentice at Dowty Boulton Paul Aircraft Ltd. I was 17-years old and studying at Wulfrun College. Bernadette was 14 and she lived in Finchfield.
"I am sure I got hold of tickets for the Fleetwood Mac gig and asked her to go with me, so I can say that it was the Civic that brought us together.
'I had long been a fan of Fleetwood Mac and so was stunned when we entered the hall. I recall that there was no backing band and that only the front two rows of seats were occupied.
"I had cheap tickets at the back but we walked to the third row which only had one person sitting in it. The lineup of the band was odd. I understood it to be the first, or a trial, without Pete Green but both girls.
"The music was also little like the old Fleetwood Mac and more like the later more modern romantic Fleetwood Mac.
"I can't recall whether it had been whispered at the time that this was a test run for the new line-up, or whether I just came to that conclusion on my own. Therefore this may not be the case.
Did Fleetwood Mac Play Wolverhampton Civic Hall?
Mark Blackstock, head of Visitor Economy at Wolverhampton Council, said: "We were intrigued when Dave emailed us about Fleetwood Mac playing the Civic or the Wulfrun Halls in either 1969/1970.
Like hundreds of people before and after, Dave and Dette's first date at the much-loved venue blossomed into romance and later marriage.
Dave, now a grandfather of seven, said: "Dette and I married and lived in Newbridge until emigrating to Australia in 1982. After 25 years married we divorced and I later married someone else. However, we are all good friends. I see both Dette and my second (also divorced) wife daily and we all get on well together.
Anyone with information can email Wolverhampton Civic Hall, or go to www.wolvescivic.co.uk and click on the contact us form to get in touch.


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text:
Scientists In Wisconsin Recreate Deadly Virus in Controversial Experiment
Jared Keever
Scientists in Wisconsin have created a mutant version of the so-called Spanish flu virus that killed an estimated 50 million people in 1918.
Researchers involved with the project say the experiments that led to the creation are important to understanding currently circulating avian viruses that could pose serious public health risks.
Critics like Lord May, who was once a chief science adviser to the U.K. government, argue the experiments are "crazy" and that the groups funding the project should put a stop to the work.
"The work they are doing is absolutely crazy. The whole thing is exceedingly dangerous," May told The Guardian. "Yes, there is a danger, but it's not arising form the viruses out there in the animals, it's arising from the labs of grossly ambitious people."
Professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is heading up the controversial experiments and he contends that the research is both safe and necessary. He believes the work can help scientists understand how viruses that infect wild bird populations can mutate and end up attacking humans.
News of Kawaoka's research comes as another dangerous flu virus, H1N1, has recently shown up again in humans. That virus caused the so-called swine flu pandemic of 2009. Other known viruses also worry experts. One called H5N1 has killed 392 people since 2003 and another known as H7N9 killed 122 people in China last year.
"Because avian influenza viruses in nature require only a few changes to adapt to humans and cause a pandemic, it is important to understand the mechanisms involved in adaptation and identify the key mutations so we can be better prepared," Kawaoka said in a statement quoted by NBC News.
Robert Kolter, professor of microbiology at Harvard Medical School, told The Independent that Kawaoka and his team are driven by ambition and not truly acting in the human population's best interest.
"The scientists doing this work are so immersed in their own self-aggrandizement, they have become completely blind to the irresponsibility of their acts," Kolter said. "Their arguments in favor of such work … remain as weak as ever."
Kawaoka said his experiments are completely safe.
"These critics fail to appreciate the precautions and safeguards built into our work," he said. "The risks of conducting this research are not ignored, but they can be effectively managed and mitigated."
Simon Wain-Hobson, of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, agreed that risks can be minimized but he questioned the value of the research given that the risks cannot be totally eliminated.
"The work doesn't offer us much. The risk of escape is small but non-zero. I do not see such benefits, so on balance we are worse off," he said.
Sources: The Guardian, NBC News, The Independent
Pandemicswine fluavian fluSpanish fluUniversity of WisconsinKawaoka
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Discussing how happy she is in her new relationship with Sara Gilbert, Linda Perry inadvertently outed herself as a big, ol' homewrecker. Responding to a question about possible wedding bells for the couple, she said: "I don't know. We gotta get through a year first. It's been eight months. We're going on nine." Firstly, just a year? Secondly, let's crack out the calculator and do a bit of Scooby-Doo sleuthing.
Your '90s Girl Crushes Collide: Sara Gilbert & Linda Perry Are Dating!