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COVID-19 serological test must have high sensitivity as well as specificity to rule out cross-reactivity with common coronaviruses (HCoVs). We have developed a quantitative multiplex test, measuring antibodies against spike (S) proteins of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and common human coronavirus strains (229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1), and nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV viruses. Receptor binding domain of S protein of SARS-CoV-2 (S-RBD), and N protein, demonstrated sensitivity (94% and 92.5%, respectively) in COVID-19 patients (n = 53), with 98% specificity in non-COVID-19 respiratory-disease (n = 98), and healthy-controls (n = 129). Anti S-RBD and N antibodies appeared five to ten days post-onset of symptoms, peaking at approximately four weeks. The appearance of IgG and IgM coincided while IgG subtypes, IgG1 and IgG3 appeared soon after the total IgG; IgG2 and IgG4 remained undetectable. Several inflammatory cytokines/chemokines were found to be elevated in many COVID-19 patients (e.g., Eotaxin, Gro-α, CXCL-10 (IP-10), RANTES (CCL5), IL-2Rα, MCP-1, and SCGF-b); CXCL-10 was elevated in all. In contrast to antibody titers, levels of CXCL-10 decreased with the improvement in patient health suggesting it as a candidate for disease resolution. Importantly, anti-N antibodies appear before S-RBD and differentiate between vaccinated and infected people-current vaccines (and several in the pipeline) are S protein-based.

In the current paper we analyse the three classical tests of general relativity, namely, the precession of perihelion, deflection of light, and time delay in Einstein-aether gravity. Einstein-aether gravity has two static, spherically symmetric, charged black hole solutions corresponding to different constraints on its coupling constants [c.sub.14] and [c.sub.123]. We investigate the aforementioned tests for both these solutions, graphically and analytically. We also tabulate our results and discuss the outcome, which is promising. We evaluate the results, when the coupling constants are varied over a vast range of values, both within the constraints set by the recent observational data, and also beyond, for a comparative study. Key words: solar system tests, Einstein-aether gravity, geodesics, perihelion, deflection of light. Nous examinons ici les trois tests classiques de la relativite generale, qui sont la precession du perihelie, la deflexion de la lumiere et le delai de temps, dans le cadre de la theorie de l'ether d'Einstein. Cette theorie de la gravite a deux solutions de trou noir, statiques, spheriquement symetriques et chargees, correspondant a differentes contraintes sur les constantes de couplage [c.sub.14] et [c.sub.123]. Nous examinons graphiquement et analytiquement les trois tests mentionnes pour ces solutions. Les resultats presentes sous forme de table sont analyses et les resultats apparaissent prometteurs. Pour completer notre etude comparative, nous evaluons les resultats lorsque les constantes sont variees sur de grandes plages de valeurs, a l'interieur et a l'exterieurs des contraintes fixees par les donnees observationnelles. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: tests du systeme solaire, theorie de l'ether d'Einstein, geodesiques, perihelie, deflexion de la lumiere., 1. Introduction Einstein's revolutionary general theory of relativity changed our basic understanding of space and time, by remarkably explaining almost all observational data of astrophysics for more than a century. [...]

Acanthospermum hispidum DC. is a plant with extensive traditional use in folk medicine for treatment of various infections in Sudan including jaundice, stomach discomfort, constipation, and viral infections. This research was carried out to explore the biological and chemical properties of the crude extract of A. hispidum. Ethanol crude extract was prepared from the aerial parts of the plant and investigated for antibacterial action against standard monoderm and diderm bacteria using the cup plate method. Free radical scavenging was investigated out by using the DPPH method. Cytotoxicity assay was performed against human breast cancer cell line MCF7 using the MTT assay. Bioactive compounds were identified using GC‐MS. The ethanolic extract of A. hispidum revealed antibacterial activity against all the tested bacteria. Also, the extract exhibited potent antioxidant activity at 0.5 mg/ml using DPPH (83% ± 00.09). The cytotoxicity against MCF7 revealed potent growth inhibition activity (IC50 75.8 µg/ml). GC‐MS analysis revealed the presence of ethyl α‐d‐glucopyranoside, hexadecanoic acid, stigmasterol, β‐sitosterol, undecanoic acid, phytol, alloaromadendrene oxide, 3‐cyclopentylpropionic acid, 2‐dimethylaminoethyl ester, and longifolenaldehyde in aerial parts of A. hispidum, all of which support antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The natural history and clinical manifestations of dural metastases (DM) in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) will change with advances in new hormonal therapy. Here, we characterised the incidence, clinical presentation, and outcomes of patients with DM in a contemporary patient cohort with CRPC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our CRPC database from 2012 to 2020. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of DM, defined as metastasis to the dura mater in the brain or spine. We describe the presenting symptoms, biochemistry, radiologic findings, and therapy sequence for all DM patients. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of DM. Results: Six of the 275 patients (2.2%) with CRPC developed DM. The average age of CRPC diagnosis for patients with DM was 65.6 years. Mean patient survival was 4.5 months after the diagnosis of DM. At the time of CRPC diagnosis, patients who developed DM were significantly younger, had lower baseline haemoglobin, higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to those without DM. On multivariable analysis, younger age of CRPC diagnosis was found to be a predictor for DM. Conclusion: The presence of neurological symptoms in the context of younger age, anaemia, and elevated baseline LDH and ALP are associated with DM in CRPC. Level of Evidence: 4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The old methods used to manage attendance for students, employees, or even teaching staff using a paper attendance record are considered tiring methods that take time. In addition to errors and repetitions or forgetting to register attendance, even with the presence of manual fingerprinting, due to the diseases that the world has experienced in previous years, it has become undesirable for some because it is considered a means of transmitting infection. In this research, we propose a method to record attendance relying on face recognition technology with real-time video processing by using multi-layer perceptron algorithm with two of python libraries, where the camera device is accessed, a picture of the person is taken, and the image is processed and framed, comparing captured faces with images within the stored database, performing face recognition, then dealing with file operations, and managing time-related tasks. Once the desired person is found, attendance is recorded with the actual time entered into an Excel file, and the file is saved with the date of the day on which attendance was recorded. The designed system works efficiently in the real-time implementation of counting and detection, proven to combine high face-detection accuracy and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the potential anti-Alzheimer's and antioxidant activities of 12 analogs of coumarin and flavone compounds. Notably, nitro coumarins 6 and 7 demonstrated noteworthy activity against acetylcholinesterase, although they did not exhibit antioxidant properties. Among the tested compounds, four flavones and one coumarin displayed dual activity as both inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and antioxidants. Particularly, flavone 9 exhibited exceptional antioxidant activity as well as substantial anti-cholinesterase activity. Molecular docking techniques were employed to investigate the relationship between the anti-Alzheimer's and antioxidant potential of the compounds. Intriguingly, compound 9 displayed the strongest binding energy values with both monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) enzyme (−15.70 kcal/mol) and acetylcholinesterase enzyme (−21.70 kcal/mol), indicating that its antioxidant activity may be attributed to MAO-B inhibition. The pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of five compounds (5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) were examined using pkCSM server, revealing varying characteristics in absorption, CYP enzyme interactions, and toxicity. Compound 8 displays high absorption and lower toxicity, while Compound 6 emerges as a promising candidate due to favorable overall attributes. Nonetheless, comprehensive evaluation, including clinical studies, is crucial for determining their suitability for human use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of the moderating effect of turnover intention on the relationship between intrinsic motivation and the employee performance model. The moderation effect analysis was conducted using SmartPLS software version 3.0. The model was constructed within the software, and the analysis was conducted in two stages. The first stage involved a bootstrapping process to generate and determine the significance level and strength of the path. The second stage employed the PLS Algorithm process, generating a simple slope graph. Results from the bootstrapping process revealed a noticeable moderating effect attributed to turnover intention, supported by a t-statistics value of 2.514 and a statistically significant p-value of 0.006. Investigating the specifics of the path coefficient, the moderating impact on the relationship was quantified at -0.097, indicating a negative moderating influence. In practical terms, this suggests that turnover intention exerts a dampening effect on the connection between motivation and employee job performance. Regarding the simple slope analysis, it was found that the moderation effect of turnover intention on the relationship between intrinsic motivation and employee performance is particularly robust when turnover intention is lower. However, this effect diminishes to some extent when turnover intention is higher. These findings provide valuable insights into how the dynamics of these variables interact under varying levels of turnover intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: two-thirds of U.S. colleges are near vape shops, where higher rates of underage sales exist. this study examined vape shop compliance with state-mandated age-of-sale signs, the presence of age-of-entry signs and the tobacco industry's "We Card" sign. Participants: Random sample of 614 California vape shops, stratified by distance to community colleges or 4-year universities/colleges; visited June--August, 2019. Methods: Logistic regressions examined whether signage varied by distance to colleges and whether stores sold other tobacco products (otp). Results: Compliance with the state-mandated age-of-sale sign was 69.4%; vape-only stores were less compliant than vape + otp (AoR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.22,0.70). Age-of-entry signs were more common in vape-only (AoR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.07,3.28) than vape + otp stores. However, this difference was greater for vape-only stores near community colleges and attenuated for vape-only stores near 4-year universities/colleges. Conclusion: Improved enforcement and retailer education regarding age-of-sale signage are needed, particularly near colleges where greater potential for underage sales presumably exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors play a key role in the prevention and management of degenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease in particular. Identifying new anticholinesterases from natural sources may contribute to combating this class of diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-Alzheimer's activity of Geigeria alata (DC), a plant used in Sudanese folkloric medicine. Accordingly, the whole DC plant extract including twenty phytoconstituents of phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin types was evaluated in vitro as antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Also, their pharmacokinetics, drug likeliness, and toxicity profiles were assessed. Additionally, the virtual binding of the plant's phytoconstituents with the cholinesterase target was investigated by docking against two AChE X-ray crystallographic structures. The best effective DPPH radical scavenging activity was demonstrated by both ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions with percentages of inhibition of 91±0.02% and 90±0.02% (IC50 22±0.01 and 66±0.02 µg/mL), respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction showed statistically significant and the highest AChE inhibitory activity (78% inhibition, IC50 0.246±0.02mg/mL). Furthermore, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin values. Among identified compounds, quercetin and hispidulin showed promising in silico anti-AChE activity and hence merit further studies for the isolation and characterization of these active constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]