The idea that neural signaling is the basis of mental processes has a long history. We graphically summarize salient developments in the neurobiology of signaling, as a Timeline. In particular, we review the “tripartite mechanism” of neural memory, which centers on the interactions between a neuron with its surrounding extracellular matrix (nECM) doped with metals and neurotransmitters (NTs). Essentially, the neuron employs the nECM as its “memory material”, wherein it uses dopants to encode cognitive units of information (termed “cuinfo”). The NTs, which elicit bodily reactions (feelings), also encode past feelings as emotions, which “color” mental states in real-time and in memory. In the interest of developing experimental tests of the tripartite mechanism, impedance glass electrodes were covalently coated with an exemplar NT (oxytocin) or a sulfated tetra-saccharide analog of the nECM, were constructed and tested. The two types of coated, neuro-mimetic electrodes, termed “neulectrodes”, were capable of detecting metals, such as Hg+2, Pb+2, Cd+2, Cu+2, and Zn+2 with very high selectivity and sensitivity. The “neulectrodes” demonstrated that the chemodynamic interactions of metal cations with NTs or nECM-saccharide analogues can translate into electrodynamic signals. They experimentally validate the concept of the tripartite mechanism that underlies the chemo-electric encoding of neural memory.

We report the development of a Weibull based Long-Short-Term-Memory approach (W-LSTM) for the prediction of COVID-19 disease. The W-LSTM model developed in this study, performs better in terms of MSE, R2 and MAPE, as compared to the previously published models, including ARIMA, LSTM and their variations. Using W-LSTM model, we have predicted the beginning and end of the current cycle of COVID-19 in several countries. Performance of the model was validated as satisfactory in 82% of the 50 test countries, while asking for prediction for 10 days beyond the period of training. Accuracy of the above prediction with days beyond training was assessed in comparison with the MAPE that the model gave with cumulative global data. The model was applied to study correlation between the growth of infection and deaths, and a number of effectors that may influence the epidemic. The model identified age groups, trade with China, air traffic, country temperature and CoV-2 virus types as the likely effectors of infection and virulence leading to deaths. The predictors likely to promote or suppress the epidemic were identified. Some of the predictors had significant effect on the shape parameters of Weibull distribution. The model has been deployed on cloud, taking inputs in real time to handle large data country wise, at low costs and make predictions dynamically. Such predictions are highly valuable in guiding policy makers, administration and health. Interactive prediction curves generated from the W-LSTM model deployed on cloud platform can be seen at http://collaboration.coraltele.com/covid2/ (updated daily).

Pneumonia that is caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, which is also referred to as 2019-nCoV recently did break out in Wuhan China has been coined the terminology of COVID-19. With the spread of the disease, similar cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in various regions of the world. Because COVID-19 is a relatively new global disease, clinicians, and patients across the globe would initially not be conversant with the clinical features and radiology imaging characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The causes of pneumonia are protein, many secondary to an underlying cardiorespiratory abnormality while some are related systemic disease. Various imaging techniques generally diagnose cases of Pneumonia. In the current climate, COVID-19 Pneumonia has taken center stage; confirmation relies upon microbiological studies such as real-time polymerase chain reaction or sequencing. These investigations are not usually available in an emergency setting. Computed Tomography (CT) can be used as an essential complement for the diagnosis of COVID-19 Pneumonia in the current epidemic context. But the later may be misleading as other cases of Pneumonia, and interstitial lung disease can easily be confused with COVID-19 Pneumonia. Also, Covid19 Pneumonia may be missed if not considered. The attention of clinicians should be alerted to the possibility of COVID-19 to conduct the appropriate tests to confirm or negate the diagnosis of COVID-19. In asymptomatic as well as in symptomatic patients that have COVID1-9 pneumonia, the initial COVID-19 nuclei acid test results could be normal, which upon subsequent repeat testing would become normal. Still, radiology imaging using a CT scan of thorax would tend to demonstrate various non-specific features that affect a variable number of lobes of the lungs, and these features quickly increase in size when a repeat CT scan of the thorax is undertaken. These findings tend to predate positive COVID-19 test results in some cases of COVID-19. The non-specific changes tend to resolve when the patient resolves from COVID-19 pneumonia. A catalog of radiology images that demonstrate various types of cardio-pulmonary lesions which when encountered by clinicians should alert them to exclude the possibility of COVID-19 Pneumonia has been included in the paper as an aid to alerting clinicians to have a high index of suspicion of radiology images of the thorax which should help them to quickly undertake appropriate tests to confirm or negate the diagnosis of COVID-19 pulmonary infection.

Objectives: Effect and correlation of aluminum oxide powder on degree of conversion, residual monomer and flexural properties of heat-cured acrylic resin specimens were studied. Materials and methods: Heat-cured acrylic resin and aluminum oxide powders were used. Specimens of specific dimensions from unreinforced and reinforced acrylic resins using stainless steel plates were prepared. Degree of conversion was determined using FTIR Spectrometer. Released monomer was measured using isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography. Flexural strength was tested using three point-bending test. Results: Aluminum oxide reinforcement showed increased degree of conversion than that of the unreinforced specimens. Released monomer from reinforced specimens was lower than that of unreinforced specimens. Deflection at fracture of reinforced specimens was lower than that of unreinforced specimens. Flexural strength was increased by addition of 2.5 % and 5% aluminum oxide. There was a positive correlation between degree of conversion and flexural strength. There was a negative correlation between degree of conversion and monomer release. Conclusions: Aluminum oxide powder increased degree of conversion and flexural strength but reduced monomer release and deflection at fracture. There was a positive correlation between degree of conversion and flexural strength. There was a negative correlation between degree of conversion and monomer release. Clinical relevance: Aluminum oxide powder could reinforce the week acrylic resin denture base materials. Degree of monomer conversion during processing of acrylic resin denture base materials is very critical in determination of monomer release and mechanical properties of acrylic resin in service.

A total of Three hundred and seventy five (375) one day old (Ross 308) broiler chicks with mixed sex were used to examine the effects of Albizia lebbeck stem bark (ATSM) aqueous extract as alternative to antibiotic feed additives in broiler chicks diets: haematology, serum biochemical indices and oxidative status. Birds were divided to five treatments with five replicates of fifteen (15) birds in a completely randomized design. Treatment 1 (basal diet + 0 % ATSM), treatment 2 (basal diet +1.2 grams Oxytetracycline per litre of water), treatment 3 (basal diet + 10 ml ATSM per liter of water), treatment 4 (basal diet + 20 ml ATSM per litre of water) and treatment 5 (basal diet + 30 ml ATSM per liter of water) and the trial lasted for 56 days. Results on some haematological parameters revealed that red blood cell (RBC), pack cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell (WBC) and its differentials were significantly ((P<0.05) different among the treatments. Total protein, glucose, urea, cholesterol, creatinine, aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly ((P<0.05) affected by ATSM. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and malonyldialdehyde (MLA) were significantly influenced by ATSM (P<0.05). It was concluded that ATSM could be administered to broiler chicks at 30 ml/litre without any negative effect on the general performance of birds.