++Hawkes processes are used in machine learning for event clustering and causal inference, while they also can be viewed as stochastic versions of popular compartmental models used in epidemiology. Here we show how to develop accurate models of COVID-19 transmission using Hawkes processes with spatial-temporal covariates. We model the conditional intensity of new COVID-19 cases and deaths in the U.S. at the county level, estimating the dynamic reproduction number of the virus within an EM algorithm through a regression on Google mobility indices and demographic covariates in the maximization step. We validate the approach on short-term forecasting tasks, showing that the Hawkes process outperforms several benchmark models currently used to track the pandemic, including an ensemble approach and an SEIR-variant. We also investigate which covariates and mobility indices are most important for building forecasts of COVID-19 in the U.S. +
++Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is pandemic. However, data concerning the epidemiological features, viral shedding, and antibody dynamics between asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers and COVID-19 patients remain controversial. We enrolled 193 subjects infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Ningbo and Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China from January 21 to March 6, 2020. All subjects were followed up to monitor the dynamics of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG against SARS-CoV-2. Of those, 31 were asymptomatic carriers, 149 were symptomatic patients, and 14 were presymptomatic patients. Compared to symptomatic patients, asymptomatic carriers were younger and had higher levels of white blood cell and lymphocyte, lower levels of C-reactive protein and viral load, and shorter viral shedding duration. Conversion of IgM from positive to negative was shorter in asymptomatic carriers than in COVID-19 patients (P=0.030). The proportion of those persistently seropositive for IgG was higher in COVID-19 patients than in asymptomatic carriers (P=0.037). Viral load was higher in symptomatic than presymptomatic patients. Viral shedding was longer in presymptomatic patients than in asymptomatic carriers. Conclusively, asymptomatic carriers have a higher antiviral immunity to clear SARS-CoV-2 than do symptomatic patients and this antiviral immunity is not contributable to humoral immunity. +
++The COVID-19 disease, caused by the SARS-Cov-2, presents a heterogeneous clinical spectrum. The risk factors do not fully explain the wide spectrum of disease manifestations, so it is possible that genetic factors could account for novel insights into its pathogenesis. In our previous study, we hypothesized that common variants on chromosome 21, near TMPRSS2 and MX1 genes, may be genetic risk factors associated to the different clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Here, we performed an in-depth genetic analysis of chromosome 21 exploiting the genome-wide association study data including 6,406 individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 and 902,088 controls with European genetic ancestry from COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. We found that five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within TMPRSS2 and near MX1 gene show suggestive associations (P≤1x10-5) with severe COVID-19. All five SNPs replicated the association in two independent cohorts of Asian subjects while two and one out of the 5 SNPs replicated in African and Italian populations, respectively (P≤0.05). The minor alleles of these five SNPs correlated with a reduced risk of developing severe COVID-19 and increased level of MX1 expression in blood. Our findings provide further evidence that host genetic factors can contribute to determine the different clinical presentations of COVID-19 and that MX1, an antiviral effector of type I and III interferon pathway, may be a potential therapeutic target. +
++Males develop more severe SARS-CoV-2 infection related disease outcome than females. Herein, sex hormones were repeatedly proposed to play an important role in Covid-19 pathophysiology and immunity. However, it is yet unclear whether sex hormones are associated with Covid-19 outcome in males and females. In this study, we analyzed sex hormones, cytokine and chemokine responses as well as performed a large profile analysis of 600 metabolites in critically-ill male and female Covid-19 patients in comparison to healthy controls and patients with coronary heart diseases as a prime Covid-19 comorbidity. We here show that dysregulated sex hormones, IFN-γ levels and unique metabolic signatures are associated with critical illness in Covid-19 patients. Both, male and female Covid-19 patients, present elevated estradiol levels which positively correlates with IFN-γ levels. Male Covid-19 patients additionally display severe testosterone and triglyceride deficiencies as compared to female patients and healthy controls. Our results suggest that male Covid-19 patients suffer from multiple metabolic disorders, which may lead to higher risk for fatal outcome. These findings will help to understand molecular pathways involved in Covid-19 pathophysiology. +
++Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis, but its effect on suicide deaths is little understood. Methods: We analyzed data from monthly suicide statistics between January 2017 and October 2020 and from online surveys on mental health filled out by the general population in Japan. Results: Compared to the last three years (2017-2019), the number of suicide deaths was lower than average during the initial phase of the pandemic but exceeded the past trend starting in July 2020. The source of the increase was mainly female suicides whose numbers increased by approximately 70% in October 2020 (IRR: 1.695, 95% CI: 1.558-1.843). The largest increase was found among young women (less than 40 years of age). Our survey data indicated that the status of mental health among young women has been deteriorating in recent months, and that young female workers were more likely than any other group to have experienced a job or income loss, suggesting adverse economic conditions surrounding some of these individuals. Conclusions: Our results indicate that continuous monitoring of mental health, particularly that of the most vulnerable populations identified in this study, and appropriate suicide prevention efforts are necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic. +
++Public health emergencies such as the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic have significant impact on mental health, and have been shown to impact on already prevalent affective disorders during and after pregnancy. The aim of this study was to utilize modern tools to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as wellbeing and life changes in pregnant women during the pandemic in Sweden, where no lockdown has been in place. Data from the Mom2B, a national ongoing mobile application-based study of pregnant and newly-delivered women were utilized. Participants (n= 1345) filled out self-report screeners of depression, anxiety and wellbeing. Questions about COVID symptoms and effects on life and health care were added from March 2020. Movement data was collected using the phone9s GPS sensor. Mood scores were compared with throughout the months of 2020 and to the levels of a previous collected material. Highest levels of depression and anxiety were evident in April and October 2020. Symptoms were higher among those feeling socially isolated, but not for those infected or with symptomatic family members. Wellbeing and mobility were strongly positively correlated and were lowest in April. Women reported on cancelled healthcare appointments and worry about their partners being absent from the delivery. The Mom2B application enabled gathering information at a national level in real-time as the pandemic has been evolving. Levels of perinatal affective symptoms and low wellbeing were elevated compared with previous years as well as with months with fewer cases of SARS-Cov-2. Similar applications can help healthcare providers and governmental bodies to in real time monitor high-risk groups during crises, as well as to adjust measures and the support offered. +
++Introduction The public health measures imposed to contain Covid-19 during the first UK lockdown resulted in significant changes in the provision of community support and care for people with dementia. People with low prevalence and young-onset dementias often experience non-memory, behavioural or neuropsychiatric symptoms that require specialised support. Objective We explored the impact of the first Covid-19 lockdown on people living with low prevalence and young-onset dementia and their carers in the UK. Method An online survey, including eleven questions about the impact of the lockdown on both the person with dementia and their family caregivers was conducted. Participants were people living with dementia and caregivers who are members of the UK national-reach organisation Rare Dementia Support. Results 184 carers and 24 people with dementia completed the survey. People with dementia experienced worsening of cognitive symptoms (70%), ability to do things (62%) and well-being (57%) according to their carers. Carers also reported a reduction in the support received for caring (55%). 93% of carers of people living in care homes reported a reduction in their ability to provide care. 26% of carers reported changes in the medication of the person with dementia during the lockdown. 74% of people with dementia reported decreased ability to connect with people socially. Conclusions People with dementia experienced a worsening of dementia symptoms, removal of support and increased difficulty to connect with other people socially during the 1st wave of Covid-19. Carers encountered barriers to both receiving and providing support and a decline in their own mental health and well-being. +
++The production of SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies is widely considered as a key mechanism for COVID-19 resolution and protection. However, beyond their protective function, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 may also participate in disease pathogenesis. To explore the potential relationship between virus-specific humoral responses and COVID-19 immunopathology, we measured serum antibody classes and subclasses to the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the nucleoprotein in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe disease. We found that RBD-specific IgG1 and IgG3 dominated the humoral response to SARS-CoV-2, were more abundant in severe patients, and positively correlated with several clinical parameters of inflammation. In contrast, a virus-specific IgA2 response skewed toward RBD rather than NP associated with a more favorable clinical course. Interestingly, RBD-dominant IgA2 responses were mostly detected in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, suggesting the possible involvement of intrinsically tolerogenic gut immune pathways in the attenuation of virus-induced inflammation and disease resolution. +
++SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2), cause of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease of 2019), represents a significant risk to people living with pre-existing conditions associated with exacerbated inflammatory responses and consequent dysfunctional immunity. In this paper, we have evaluated the effects of obesity, a condition associated with chronic systemic inflammation, on the secretion of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies in the blood of COVID-19 patients. Results have shown that SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies are negatively associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) in COVID-19 obese patients, as expected based on the known effects of obesity on humoral immunity. Antibodies in COVID-19 obese patients are also negatively associated with serum levels of pro-inflammatory and metabolic markers of inflammaging and pulmonary inflammation, such as SAA (serum amyloid A protein), CRP (C-reactive protein) and ferritin, but positively associated with NEFA (nonesterified fatty acids). These results altogether could help to identify an inflammatory signature with strong predictive value for immune dysfunction that could be targeted to improve humoral immunity in individuals with obesity as well as with other chronic inflammatory conditions. +
+Evaluating Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Benefit of Silmitasertib (CX-4945) in Subjects With Moderate COVID-19 - Condition: Covid19
Interventions: Drug: Silmitasertib; Drug: SOC
Sponsor: Chris Recknor, MD
Recruiting
Evaluation of the Efficacy of High Doses of Methylprednisolone in SARS-CoV2 ( COVID-19) Pneumonia Patients - Condition: Covid19
Intervention: Drug: Methylprednisolone, Placebo
Sponsor: Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Reggio Emilia
Not yet recruiting
Phase II / III Study of COVID-19 DNA Vaccine (AG0302-COVID19) - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: Group A (AG0302-COVID19); Biological: Group A (Placebo); Biological: Group B (AG0302-COVID19); Biological: Group B (Placebo)
Sponsors: AnGes, Inc.; Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
Recruiting
Use of BCG Vaccine as a Preventive Measure for COVID-19 in Health Care Workers - Condition: COVID 19 Vaccine
Intervention: Biological: BCG vaccine
Sponsors: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Ministry of Science and Technology, Brazil
Recruiting
At-Home Infusion Using Bamlanivimab in Participants With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition: Covid19
Intervention: Drug: bamlanivimab
Sponsors: Daniel Griffin, MD PhD; Eli Lilly and Company; Optum, Inc.
Not yet recruiting
Changes in Viral Load in COVID-19 After Probiotics - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Dietary supplementation in patients with covid disease admitted to hospital
Sponsors: Hospital de Sagunto; Biopolis S.L.; Laboratorios Heel España
Recruiting
Efficacy and Safety of Ivermectin for Treatment and Prophylaxis of COVID-19 Pandemic - Condition: Covid19
Interventions: Drug: Ivermectin; Drug: Hydroxychloroquine; Behavioral: personal protective Measures
Sponsor: Benha University
Completed
Phase 3 Inhaled Novaferon Study in Hospitalized Patients With Moderate to Severe COVID-19 - Condition: Covid19
Interventions: Biological: Novaferon; Biological: Placebo
Sponsor: Genova Inc.
Not yet recruiting
Efficacy and Safety of High-dose Vitamin C Combined With Chinese Medicine Against Coronavirus Pneumonia (COVID-19) - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: Alpha-interferon alpha, abidol, ribavirin, Buzhong Yiqi plus and minus formula, Huhuang Detoxicity Paste, Baimu Qingre Jiedu Paste, fumigation/inhalation of vitamin C; Drug: Alpha-interferon, abidol, ribavirin, Buzhong Yiqi plus and minus formula, Huhuang Detoxicity Paste, Baimu Qingre Jiedu Paste and 5% glucose; Drug: Alpha-interferon, abidol, ribavirin, Buzhong Yiqi plus and minus formula, Huhuang Detoxicity Paste, Baimu Qingre Jiedu Paste and high-dose vitamin C treatment
Sponsor: Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital
Active, not recruiting
Study on Safety and Clinical Efficacy of AZVUDINE in COVID-19 Patients (SARS-CoV-2 Infected) - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: AZVUDINE; Drug: AZVUDINE placebo
Sponsors: HRH Holdngs Limited; GALZU INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, SCIENCE AND APPLIED TECHNOLOGY, Brazil; SANTA CASA DE MISERICORDIA DE CAMPOS HOSPITAL (SCMCH), Brazil; UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DO NORTE FLUMINENSE (UENF), Brazil
Not yet recruiting
A Clinical Safety Study on AT-100 in Treating Adults With Severe COVID-19 Infection - Condition: Covid19
Intervention: Biological: AT-100
Sponsor: Airway Therapeutics, Inc.
Not yet recruiting
Mushroom-based Product for COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Drug: FoTv
Sponsors: Gordon Saxe; University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, Irvine
Recruiting
Urine Alkalinisation to Prevent AKI in COVID-19 - Condition: Covid19
Intervention: Drug: Sodium Bicarbonate 150Meq/L/D5W Inj
Sponsor: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Not yet recruiting
COVID-19 Outpatient Pragmatic Platform Study (COPPS) - Master Protocol - Condition: Covid19
Interventions: Drug: Acebilustat; Drug: Camostat
Sponsor: Stanford University
Not yet recruiting
COVID-19 Outpatient Pragmatic Platform Study (COPPS) - Camostat Sub-Protocol - Condition: Covid19
Interventions: Drug: Camostat; Drug: Placebo
Sponsor: Stanford University
Not yet recruiting
Lymphocyte Changes in Severe COVID-19: Delayed Over-Activation of STING? - Upon recognition of microbial DNA or self-DNA, the cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) of the host catalyzes the production of the cyclic dinucleotide cGAMP. cGAMP is the main activator of STING, stimulator of interferon genes, leading to interferon synthesis through the STING-TBK1-IRF3 pathway. STING is also a hub for activation of NF-κB and autophagy. The present review details the striking similarities between T and B cell responses in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and both animal or...
SARS-CoV-2 and Viral Sepsis: Immune Dysfunction and Implications in Kidney Failure - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first emerged in Wuhan, China. The clinical manifestations of patients infected with COVID-19 include fever, cough, and dyspnea, up to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute cardiac injury. Thus, a lot of severe patients had to be admitted to intensive care units (ICU). The pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are mediated by the binding of SARS-CoV-2...
Clinically Approved Antiviral Drug in an Orally Administrable Nanoparticle for COVID-19 - There is urgent therapeutic need for COVID-19, a disease for which there are currently no widely effective approved treatments and the emergency use authorized drugs do not result in significant and widespread patient improvement. The food and drug administration-approved drug ivermectin has long been shown to be both antihelmintic agent and a potent inhibitor of viruses such as Yellow Fever Virus. In this study, we highlight the potential of ivermectin packaged in an orally administrable...
Statins and PCSK9 inhibitors: What is their role in coronavirus disease 2019? - Statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors interfere with several pathophysiological pathways of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Statins may have a direct antiviral effect on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by inhibiting its main protease. Statin-induced up-regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) may also be beneficial, whereas cholesterol reduction might significantly suppress SARS-CoV-2 by either blocking its...
Thalidomide Combined with Short-term Low-Dose Glucocorticoid Therapy for the Treatment of Severe COVID-19: A Case-Series Study - CONCLUSIONS: Thalidomide plus short-term glucocorticoid therapy is an effective and safe regimen for the treatment of severely ill COVID-19 patients. The mechanism of action is most likely inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production.
Genetic Screens Identify Host Factors for SARS-CoV-2 and Common Cold Coronaviruses - The Coronaviridae are a family of viruses that cause disease in humans ranging from mild respiratory infection to potentially lethal acute respiratory distress syndrome. Finding host factors common to multiple coronaviruses could facilitate the development of therapies to combat current and future coronavirus pandemics. Here, we conducted genome-wide CRISPR screens in cells infected by SARS-CoV-2 as well as two seasonally circulating common cold coronaviruses, OC43 and 229E. This approach...
Acute Effects of an Afterschool Running and Reading Program on Executive Functioning in Children: An Exploratory Study - Objective: Emerging research within school settings suggests acute forms of physical activity and exercise lead to improvements in executive functioning among children. However, research pertaining to these effects within the afterschool setting remains limited. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of a community-based afterschool running and reading program on executive functioning in 8 to 12-year-old children. Method: Fifty participants were initially...
Understanding Views of Patients on Biologics for Psoriasis Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic - Biologics target and inhibit specific cytokines, thereby suppressing the immune system and manifestation of psoriasis. Currently, there exist limited data on the impact of biologics on the coronavirus disease of 2019 (C19). The public may obtain information from many sources which may affect their understanding of biologic use during this pandemic. This study assessed psoriasis patients' understanding of the safety of biologic use during the C19 pandemic and their perception of various...
Diverse Functional Autoantibodies in Patients with COVID-19 - COVID-19 manifests with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes that are characterized by exaggerated and misdirected host immune responses ^(1-8) . While pathological innate immune activation is well documented in severe disease ¹ , the impact of autoantibodies on disease progression is less defined. Here, we used a high-throughput autoantibody discovery technique called Rapid Extracellular Antigen Profiling (REAP) to screen a cohort of 194 SARS-CoV-2 infected COVID-19 patients and healthcare...
SARS-CoV-2 Nsp16 activation mechanism and a cryptic pocket with pan-coronavirus antiviral potential - Coronaviruses have caused multiple epidemics in the past two decades, in addition to the current COVID-19 pandemic that is severely damaging global health and the economy. Coronaviruses employ between twenty and thirty proteins to carry out their viral replication cycle including infection, immune evasion, and replication. Among these, nonstructural protein 16 (Nsp16), a 2'-O-methyltransferase, plays an essential role in immune evasion. Nsp16 achieves this by mimicking its human homolog, CMTr1,...
Binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to ACE2 is disabled by thiol-based drugs; evidence from in vitro SARS-CoV-2 infection studies - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is an envelope glycoprotein that binds angiotensin converting enzyme 2 as an entry receptor. The capacity of enveloped viruses to infect host cells depends on a precise thiol/disulfide balance in their surface glycoprotein complexes. To determine if cystines in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein maintain a native binding interface that can be disrupted by...
Paradoxical effects of cigarette smoke and COPD on SARS-CoV2 infection and disease - CONCLUSIONS: ACE2 levels were decreased in both bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells from uninfected COPD patients versus controls, and from CS-exposed versus air-exposed mice. CS-pre-treatment did not affect ACE2 levels but potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in this in vitro model. These findings urge to further investigate the controversial effects of CS and COPD on SARS-CoV2 infection.
Ebselen, Disulfiram, Carmofur, PX-12, Tideglusib, and Shikonin Are Nonspecific Promiscuous SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors - Among the drug targets being investigated for SARS-CoV-2, the viral main protease (M^(pro)) is one of the most extensively studied. M^(pro) is a cysteine protease that hydrolyzes the viral polyprotein at more than 11 sites. It is highly conserved and has a unique substrate preference for glutamine in the P1 position. Therefore, M^(pro) inhibitors are expected to have broad-spectrum antiviral activity and a high selectivity index. Structurally diverse compounds have been reported as M^(pro)...
Development of a High-Throughput Homogeneous AlphaLISA Drug Screening Assay for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is in urgent need of therapeutic options. High-throughput screening (HTS) offers an opportunity to rapidly identify such compounds. In this work, we have developed a homogeneous cell-based HTS system using AlphaLISA detection technology for the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NP). Our assay measures both recombinant and endogenous NP from viral lysates and tissue culture...
Probing the Dynamic Structure-Function and Structure-Free Energy Relationships of the Coronavirus Main Protease with Biodynamics Theory - The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^(pro)) is of major interest as an antiviral drug target. Structure-based virtual screening efforts, fueled by a growing list of apo and inhibitor-bound SARS-CoV/CoV-2 M^(pro) crystal structures, are underway in many laboratories. However, little is known about the dynamic enzyme mechanism, which is needed to inform both assay development and structure-based inhibitor design. Here, we apply biodynamics theory to characterize the structural dynamics of...
Covid 19 - Chewing Gum -
A traditional Chinese medicine composition for COVID-19 and/or influenza and preparation method thereof -
STOCHASTIC MODEL METHOD TO DETERMINE THE PROBABILITY OF TRANSMISSION OF NOVEL COVID-19 - The present invention is directed to a stochastic model method to assess the risk of spreading the disease and determine the probability of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
The use of human serum albumin (HSA) and Cannabigerol (CBG) as active ingredients in a composition for use in the treatment of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and its symptoms -
The use of human serum albumin (HSA) and Cannabigerol (CBG) as active ingredients in a composition for use in the treatment of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and its symptoms -
"AYURVEDIC PROPRIETARY MEDICINE FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERWE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2 (SARS-COV-2." - AbstractAyurvedic Proprietary Medicine for treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)In one of the aspect of the present invention it is provided that Polyherbal combinations called Coufex (syrup) is prepared as Ayurvedic Proprietary Medicine , Aqueous Extracts Mixing with Sugar Syrup form the following herbal aqueous extract coriandrum sativum was used for the formulation of protek.Further another Polyherbal combination protek as syrup is prepared by the combining an aqueous extract of the medicinal herbs including Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Aegle marmelos, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum sanctum, Adatoda zeylanica, Piper lingum, Andrographis panivulata, Coriandrum sativum, Tinospora cordiofolia, cuminum cyminum,piper nigrum was used for the formulation of Coufex.
Haptens, hapten conjugates, compositions thereof and method for their preparation and use - A method for performing a multiplexed diagnostic assay, such as for two or more different targets in a sample, is described. One embodiment comprised contacting the sample with two or more specific binding moieties that bind specifically to two or more different targets. The two or more specific binding moieties are conjugated to different haptens, and at least one of the haptens is an oxazole, a pyrazole, a thiazole, a nitroaryl compound other than dinitrophenyl, a benzofurazan, a triterpene, a urea, a thiourea, a rotenoid, a coumarin, a cyclolignan, a heterobiaryl, an azo aryl, or a benzodiazepine. The sample is contacted with two or more different anti-hapten antibodies that can be detected separately. The two or more different anti-hapten antibodies may be conjugated to different detectable labels.
SARS-CoV-2 RBD共轭纳米颗粒疫苗 - 本发明涉及免疫医学领域，具体而言，涉及一种SARS‑CoV‑2 RBD共轭纳米颗粒疫苗。该疫苗包含免疫原性复合物，所述免疫原性复合物包含：a）与SpyCatcher融合表达的载体蛋白自组装得到的纳米颗粒载体；b）与SpyTag融合表达的SARS‑CoV‑2病毒的RBD抗原；所述载体蛋白选自Ferritin、mi3和I53‑50；所述载体蛋白与所述抗原之间通过SpyCatcher‑SpyTag共价连接。
Устройство электронного контроля и дистанционного управления аппарата искусственной вентиляции легких - Полезная модель относится к медицинской технике, а именно к устройствам для воздействия на дыхательную систему пациента смесью различных газов, в частности, к устройствам для проведения искусственной вентиляции легких (ИВЛ). Технический результат предлагаемой полезной модели заключается в решении технической проблемы, состоящей в необходимости расширения арсенала технических средств, предназначенных для электронного контроля и управления ИВЛ, путем реализации возможности дистанционного управления аппаратами ИВЛ в медицинских учреждениях, не оборудованных кабельными вычислительными сетями. Указанный технический результат достигается благодаря тому, что в известное устройство электронного контроля и дистанционного управления аппарата ИВЛ, содержащее центральный микроконтроллер, а также программно-аппаратные средства управления функциями доставки воздушной смеси пациенту и многоуровневой тревожной сигнализации об отклонениях от нормативных условий и технических неполадках в аппарате ИВЛ, введены связанные друг с другом микроконтроллер связи и дистанционного управления и радиомодем, выполненный с возможностью связи с точками доступа радиканальной сети, при этом центральный микроконтроллер устройства выполнен с дополнительными входом/выходом, которые связаны с управляющими выходом/входом микроконтроллера связи и дистанционного управления, а, в зависимости от типа применяемой в медицинском учреждении радиоканальной сети связи и передачи данных, радиомодем может быть выполнен в виде интерфейсного аудиомодуля Bluetooth 4.0 BLE, приемопередающего модуля Wi-Fi либо устройства "малого радиуса действия", работающего по технологии LoRa на нелицензируемых частотах мегагерцового диапазона, например, в диапазоне 868 МГц. 3 з.п. ф-лы, 1 ил.
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Anordnung zur Visualisierung von angebotenen Waren und Dienstleistungen, insbesondere in der Gastronomie, gekennzeichnet durch einen pyramidenartigen Gegenstand (10), der eine flache Unterseite (14) und mehrere in einem Winkel von der flachen Unterseite (14) aufragende Seitenflächen (11,12,13) aufweist, gekennzeichnet durch einen zweidimensionalen Code (15), insbesondere einen QR-Code, der auf mindestens einer der Seitenflächen (11,12,13) aufgebracht ist, gekennzeichnet durch ein elektronisches Gerät (20), das mit einer Kamera (21) und mit einem Display (22) zur Anzeige von zur Verfügung gestellten Informationen versehen und mit dem Internet verbindbar ist, gekennzeichnet durch eine Website (30) im Internet, der das mit der Kamera (21) aufgenommene Bild zugänglich ist, wobei die Website (30) so aufgebaut und ausgestattet ist, dass sie den zweidimensionalen Code (15), insbesondere QR-Code, erkennt und entschlüsselt und abhängig davon, dem elektronischen Gerät (20) eine digitale Abbildung einer Information zu den angebotenen Waren und Dienstleistungen zur Darstellung auf dem Display (22) zur Verfügung stellt.
Trump’s New Brand Is Loser - His post-election tantrum is forcing conservatives to affirm, again and again, that he lost the election fair and square. - link
William Barr Is Going, but His Trumpian Legacy Remains - The Attorney General showed a dangerous willingness to act in a nakedly partisan manner. - link
America Is Running Out of Nurses - Travelling nurses have been moving from one hot spot to another. What happens when the hot spots keep multiplying? - link
How Ammon Bundy Helped Foment an Anti-Masker Rebellion in Idaho - The COVID-19 pandemic has pitted establishment Republicans, who defer to public-health officials’ expertise, against hard-right libertarians. - link
The Immense Relief of Health-Care Workers Receiving the Vaccine - After months on the front lines, and amid a surge, doctors and nurses have begun getting “the jab.” A surgeon who received the vaccine said, “You just had a sense that, actually, here was the light at the end of the tunnel.” - link
++The stimulus deal includes $600 checks, a boost to unemployment insurance, and more small business aid. +
++At long last, Congress has reached a deal on a new coronavirus stimulus bill. +
++After eight months of back and forth, Democratic and Republican leaders announced on Sunday that they’ve arrived at an agreement on a roughly $900 billion plan. The House of Representatives will vote on the bill Monday, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. +
++“We can finally report what our nation has needed to hear for a long time: More help is on the way,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed. +
++The legislation contains much-needed coronavirus relief including a weekly $300 enhancement in unemployment insurance, a new round of $600 stimulus checks, and renewed support for small businesses. +
++Lawmakers in both chambers will have a chance to review the bill — which is being attached to the annual government spending package — before they take a vote. Congress on Sunday approved a one-day continuing resolution in order to keep the government funded beyond the December 20 deadline they previously faced, setting up the Monday vote. +
++The final bill sidesteps some sticking points: Contentious provisions (including state and local aid, as well as liability protections for businesses) have been stripped out, and a last-minute disagreement over the Federal Reserve’s emergency lending authorities — one that seemed as if it might completely derail negotiations — has also been resolved. +
++The $900 billion legislation ultimately offers far less aid than a prior $2.2 trillion proposal House Democrats had put forth, and significantly more than the narrow $550 billion bill that Senate Republicans have favored. Democrats signaled Sunday that this wasn’t the last of the relief they planned to send out. +
++For now, however, this deal is the only option for additional coronavirus relief as millions of Americans grapple with unemployment, looming evictions, and soaring coronavirus case counts. “This is a good start, but a lot more needs to be done,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday. +
++While there’s a lot that the stimulus agreement omits, it is expected to offer much-needed aid on a few different fronts. Lawmakers have yet to release the final bill text, so here’s what we know so far: +
++Stimulus checks: There is a second round of stimulus checks, though they include less money than the first wave did earlier this year. These direct payments include $600 for individuals who make $75,000 a year or less in adjusted gross income, rather than the $1,200 provided in the CARES Act, the Washington Post reports. Couples who make $150,000 or less in total would be eligible for $1,200 in direct payments. Individuals and couples with children who qualify for the stimulus checks would also receive an additional $600 per child. Payments will be incrementally reduced for people who make more in annual income, much like they were earlier this year. +
++Unemployment insurance (UI): The plan includes an additional $300 in weekly federal UI payments through March 14, 2021. This supplemental payment is set to bolster the weekly payment that recipients would get from their state unemployment programs, much like a prior provision did in the CARES Act. The bill would also extend the pandemic unemployment insurance programs that are expiring at the end of December. These pandemic-specific programs currently provide roughly 12 million Americans with UI benefits. +
++Small-business support: $325 billion is dedicated to small-business aid including repurposed funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, a forgivable loan program that business owners can apply for to cover payroll and operational costs. These loans are aimed at businesses that have seen revenue declines this year. For many, however, this aid comes too late — according to a Fortune report, almost 100,000 small businesses have already closed permanently during the pandemic. +
++Rental assistance and eviction moratorium: $25 billion in rental assistance is included as well as the establishment of a federal eviction moratorium. As Vox’s Jerusalem Demsas previously reported, advocates have argued that at least $100 billion in rental aid is needed to cover current shortfalls. Additional action would be required to ensure that millions of Americans would not be evicted at the end of January. +
++Food aid: $13 billion for food aid to help fund a monthly 15 percent increase in individual SNAP benefits, aid for children who received food support at school, and money for other programs including Meals on Wheels and WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). Demand for such aid has spiked dramatically during the pandemic, with food banks across the country facing overwhelming need in recent months. +
++Paid sick leave: There is an extension of paid leave tax credits for businesses, which continues a policy established in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. It’s not clear, however, whether the new legislation would guarantee leave for workers who have coronavirus or those caring for children dealing with school closures. +
++The legislation contains a number of other provisions as well, including $82 billion to help schools reopen; $15 billion in aid for airlines — which would be required to bring furloughed employees back — according to Reuters; and language that bans surprise medical bills for emergency care. +
++It also has new guidelines for the Federal Reserve after Republicans — led by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) — demanded emergency lending programs at the Fed be canceled in any final version of the bill. +
++As Vox’s Emily Stewart has explained, the Fed will be forced to eliminate several emergency lending programs created with CARES Act funding in the spring, and will be barred from restarting them without congressional approval. It will also return the unused portion of the $454 billion Congress allotted it under the CARES Act to the Treasury Department, something the Fed had agreed to do in November. +
++The bill doesn’t provide direct aid for state and local governments, a Democratic priority, or the liability protections that shield businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits Republicans had advocated for. +
++Based on the timing of aid from the CARES Act, it could be a few weeks before people see direct relief from the legislation. +
++Earlier this year, the first round of direct payments was deposited in people’s bank accounts around mid-April: “Within two weeks of the CARES Act going into effect in March, more than 81 million payments were disbursed, totaling more than $147 billion, all through electronic transfers to recipients’ bank accounts, according to the Government Accountability Office,” CNBC reports. +
++People who do not have bank accounts, or whose information is not on file with the IRS, will likely see a more delayed distribution of the payments. +
++The timing of the implementation of enhanced unemployment insurance payments will also depend on the state. States began distributing $600 in supplemental UI roughly two weeks after the CARES Act was approved this past spring, which means the weekly $300 addition could begin in early January. +
++And when it comes to the Paycheck Protection Program, banks and other financial institutions began taking applications about a week after the funds were approved by Congress in March. That could set up applications for a new round of loans to kick off at the end of December or early January. +
++This lag time could be costly for those waiting on assistance; as Stewart has written, by the time much of this money gets to those who need it, the programs they are meant to extend will have been expired for weeks. +
++Nevertheless, such aid comes at a crucial time: According to the latest Labor Department report, 19 million people are currently receiving unemployment insurance. In November, job growth slowed significantly compared to the prior month, suggesting that the unemployed are facing limited opportunities for new work. And this winter, coronavirus cases are projected to soar — forcing thousands of businesses to shutter or slow their operations in order to prevent the spread of the illness. +
++
+
++The controversial lawyer has advanced conspiracy theories about the election. +
++President Donald Trump asked key advisers about appointing a controversial lawyer formerly associated with his campaign as a special counsel charged with overseeing an investigation of alleged — and nonexistent — voter fraud, according to a report from the New York Times. +
++That lawyer, Sidney Powell, has gained notoriety in recent weeks for spreading conspiracy theories about voting machines being rigged for President-elect Joe Biden, for filing legal documents riddled with basic errors, and for being suddenly removed from the Trump campaign legal team. By appointing Powell a special counsel, Trump would be elevating her false claims, giving already disproven attacks on the presidential election a misleading patina of legitimacy. +
++According to Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Trump held a meeting at the White House on Friday to weigh whether to name Powell as a special counsel to investigate his repeatedly debunked claims of mass voter fraud in last month’s presidential election. +
++The meeting was reportedly full of current and former Trump allies, including the president’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, Powell, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, and O’Brien’s predecessor, former national security adviser Michael Flynn. +
++Flynn and Trump reportedly discussed imposing martial law in an effort to use the military to force states to rerun their elections. Flynn has supported petitions for Trump to use powers in the Insurrection Act of 1807, which gives a president power to deploy troops in order to quell an armed rebellion. Powell has also retweeted calls for Trump to use these powers and establish “military tribunals.” +
++And Flynn brought up the idea of declaring martial law to overturn the election in an interview with conservative cable news channel Newsmax recently, saying, “People out there talk about martial law like it’s something that we’ve never done. Martial law has been instituted 64 times.” +
++++Here's Michael Flynn on Newsmax saying that Trump could order "military capabilities" to swing states and "rerun an election in each of those states."
+— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 18, 2020 +
"People out there talk about martial law like it's something that we've never done. Martial law has been instituted 64 times." pic.twitter.com/KNmiAGGiPF +
+Sources told the Times and Politico that Trump was interested in this idea; the military, however, has dismissed it out of hand, saying Friday it would have “no role” in US elections. Trump has claimed these reports are false, tweeting, “Martial law = Fake News. Just more knowingly bad reporting!” +
++There was also reportedly discussion of how to take control of allegedly compromised voting machines for examination. Voting officials, however, have not found that machines caused widespread errors — and multiple recounts in states like Georgia have caught any minor errors that did occur in counting. Giuliani has recently advocated a scheme in which the Department of Homeland Security would seize these machines; however, the department has reportedly told him it cannot do that. +
++According to the Times, many Trump advisers present at the meeting — including White House counsel Pat Cipollone and chief of staff Mark Meadows — reportedly pushed back on Powell’s ideas and proposals, and some suggested he rethink naming her a special counsel. But Trump himself is said to have signaled support for her, inquiring about getting her a security clearance. +
++Trump has been advocating for the appointment of a special counsel to look into his claims about the election since it became clear that he would lose. +
++Trump has also wanted a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, the son of President-elect Joe Biden. This was one of the causes of his falling out with US Attorney General William Barr, who was aware of a Justice Department investigation into Hunter Biden, but worked to keep the inquiry from becoming public knowledge until after the election, to avoid political interference. Barr also publicly admitted that no evidence of widespread election fraud exists. He has subsequently announced his plans to depart from office before Christmas. +
++It is not clear that Trump could actually appoint Powell — or anyone else — to investigate fraud as a special counsel in his remaining days in office. +
++As Vox’s Jennifer Williams has explained, special counsels are usually appointed by the US attorney general, and that counsel would be supervised by the attorney general themselves. Trump could ask Barr to appoint Powell, but it is not clear that he would do so, and Barr is due to step down on Wednesday. +
++In his absence, deputy attorney general Jeffrey Rosen would be responsible for this task. According to Politico, Rosen has declined to say whether he plans to name a special counsel, and DOJ spokespeople have not commented. USA Today notes that he pledged to avoid political interference in his 2019 confirmation hearing, telling lawmakers, “If the appropriate answer is to say no to somebody, then I will say no.” +
++Should his Justice Department refuse to cooperate, Trump could name a special counsel without DOJ support. But that person would essentially be toothless, with no access to federal law enforcement resources, subpoena power, or the ability to set up a grand jury. +
++The other possibility is that Trump, in his final weeks in office, could fire Rosen and replace him with someone more likely to enact his wishes, although who that person could be is not immediately obvious. +
++Nevertheless, special counsels have been of interest to Trump, who has been subject to their investigations since his first year in office amid scrutiny of foreign interference into the 2016 election. +
++According to a CNN report, he has raised the possibility of using their powers to impose his own priorities in his final days of office, which include simply slowing down Biden administration priorities on his way out the door. +
++And having a special counsel on election fraud would be a powerful legacy. The Biden administration would likely face pressure not to interfere in a special counsel investigation, even one led by a partisan actor like Powell, thus ensuring that debate over the legitimacy of the last election would continue at the federal level even once Trump is no longer in office. +
++
+
++Congress hopes to vote on a final bill by Sunday night — or Monday, at the latest. +
++Lawmakers in Washington are attempting to hammer out final details of a new coronavirus stimulus aid package. They must do so before midnight Sunday, when the federal government is currently set to shut down, unless Congress passes legislation attached to the stimulus bill that would keep it open. +
++Fortunately, leaders of both parties say they are close to a deal. +
++“It appears that, barring a major mishap, the Senate and House will be able to vote on final legislation as early as tonight,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Sunday afternoon. +
++Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed this optimism, saying Sunday, “I hope and expect to have a final agreement nailed down in a matter of hours.” +
++At stake is $900 billion in relief for individuals and businesses, which would also fund Covid-19 vaccination distribution, rent and utility assistance, and the extension of a federal eviction moratorium at a time when as many as 40 million Americans are facing housing instability and struggling to pay rent. +
++That package also includes one-time individual payments to Americans, likely in the amount of $600, after attempts by some lawmakers for slightly higher payments were blocked. +
++The final stimulus will be combined with this year’s omnibus government spending bill, worth $1.4 trillion, which would fund the US government through next September. Failure to pass this spending bill, or a temporary funding extension, by midnight on Sunday would leave the government without money to function, forcing it to shut down. +
++The spending bill has been postponed throughout last week, as stimulus talks continued to stall following months of failed negotiations, but congressional leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), have promised that a final bill is at last nearly ready for a vote. +
++Lawmakers had come into the weekend making similar promises — however, on Saturday, negotiation progress was held up as some Republicans attempted to limit emergency lending powers at the Federal Reserve, the US’s central bank. +
++These Republicans, led by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), wanted to permanently end economic support programs enacted at the central bank during the outset of the pandemic, citing concerns that the programs distort the Fed’s role in the financial system. Democrats argued that the GOP’s true concern was that the programs would allow President-elect Joe Biden to enact stimulus measures Republicans are opposed to, independent of Congress. +
++At just about midnight on Sunday, Democrats reportedly agreed to allow those programs to be shelved, and promised the final legislation would include language barring the Fed from re-creating some of them down the line without first consulting Congress. +
++However, the Fed would retain control over a narrow set of programs, and would be able to restart these without congressional approval. The Fed will also have to return unspent money it got from the Treasury Department as part of the first stimulus package in March — something it had previously agreed to do. +
++With that debate settled, congressional leaders signaled that a vote on the bill could occur Sunday afternoon, characterizing negotiations on the bill’s final details as moving swiftly: “We are winnowing down the remaining differences,” McConnell said on Sunday afternoon. +
++However, a hoped-for afternoon vote did not transpire. The final details are still being worked out, and the vote is now expected to take place either late on Sunday, or on Monday, following the passage of a continuing resolution that would provide temporary government funding — enough to avoid a shutdown. +
++After nearly eight months of stimulus gridlock, lawmakers began debating a set of bills introduced by a bipartisan group of senators on Monday. The package initially consisted of a $748 billion bill, which contained funding for 16 weeks of enhanced unemployment insurance, and a $160 billion bill, which included money for state and local aid, as well as liability protections for businesses. +
++The dispute over the Fed that followed was in some ways related to this second proposal, as Vox’s Emily Stewart explains. Democrats have argued for months that aid to state and local governments is badly needed by those that were forced to overspend to procure coronavirus supplies while facing depressed tax revenues, but Republicans have opposed it. +
++Republicans, meanwhile, maintained that any stimulus would need to include liability protections, shielding businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Democrats were staunchly against this. +
++It was this debate that led to these proposals being sectioned off into their own legislation, and eventually, it was decided that both were better left to be addressed in the future. But, as Stewart explains, some Republicans were concerned state and local aid could flow from the Fed through its emergency lending programs. After Saturday night’s deal, that is no longer a possibility. +
++As negotiations reach their conclusion, a final package has emerged that is expected to be worth $900 billion. President Donald Trump signaled his support for a bill early Sunday morning, tweeting, “GET IT DONE”. +
++++Why isn’t Congress giving our people a Stimulus Bill? It wasn’t their fault, it was the fault of China. GET IT DONE, and give them more money in direct payments. +
+— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2020 +
+Overall, the aid package is expected to include new funding for unemployment, food and rental assistance for Americans, business relief, and vaccine distribution funds. It will also include another round of stimulus checks — although at a number far lower than the first round of $1,200 checks sent out in the spring. +
++According to congressional leaders, most aspects of the bill are now finalized. There will be support for small businesses, schools, and other institutions. For example, $300 billion would be added to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), intended to supplement wages lost by employees of small businesses, and $82 billion would go toward education, with an additional $10 billion for child care. +
++As millions of Americans experience housing insecurity, struggling to make rent payments and potentially facing eviction, the package will include up to $25 billion in rent and utilities support, and also extend a broad moratorium on most evictions through January 31, 2021. There will be about $25 billion in food aid, and more than $10 billion guaranteed for vaccine distribution. +
++A provision to expand federal unemployment insurance will also be included. Unemployed workers will be eligible for $300 per week. The unemployment support will likely last for 11 payments — but payments would not be made retroactively. +
++There will also be one-time payments to all Americans beneath a certain income level; those payments will reportedly be $600 for all individuals making $75,000 or less. +
++There isn’t a lot of distance between the two parties at the moment, and there is intense time pressure to finally get something done, not only because of the pressing need of many Americans, but to avoid a costly government shutdown. +
++For a while, the size of the one-time stimulus checks were a significant sticking point. Now, that issue — and most others — appear settled. +
++Exactly when a vote will be held is not completely clear. Pelosi has said she wants to give lawmakers “enough time to review it all,” and as of early Sunday evening no lawmakers outside of leadership had been given an opportunity to see the bill. Given the tight timetable, it is unlikely any lawmaker will have the time needed to fully and carefully read the legislation, but they nevertheless may be given some time for review. +
++Leaders of both parties are shooting for a vote late Sunday evening, before the government shutdown is triggered. However, the New York Times has reported that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), privately told his party members in the House that the vote might be delayed. +
++If that is the case, lawmakers are expected to pass a continuing resolution extending government funding until Monday, and to pass both the stimulus package and funding bill then. +
++
+Afghanistan gets land for new cricket stadium, eyes hosting international matches - The stadium will have a capacity to accommodate 35,000 spectators.
Friday’s races advanced to Thursday - The Stewards of the Madras Race Club have advanced the eighth day’s races scheduled to be held on Friday (Dec. 25) to Thursday (Dec. 24) due to admini
Tudor Treasure, Race For The Stars work well - CHENNAI: Tudor Treasure, Race For The Stars, Onyx and Pacific worked well when the horses were exercised here on Monday (Dec. 21).Outer sand 600m: Pri
Boxing Day Test crucial in deciding fate of series against India: Joe Burns - Trailing 0-1 in the series after the batting debacle here and with Virat Kohli going back to India for the birth of his first child, India will be led by Ajinkya Rahane in the remainder of the series.
BAI names full-strength squad; Sindhu, Saina to compete for first time since coronavirus break - India’s top shuttlers P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will be seen in action for the first time since the coronavirus-forced break when they compete in
State-wide resurvey of lands gets under way - It will ensure speedy resolution of land disputes, says CM
Mumbai Metro land row | Sharad Pawar speaks to CM Uddhav Thackeray, Devendra Fadnavis - Uddhav Thackeray said he is open to a resolution of the land row through dialogue with the Centre and asserted it is not an “ego issue” for him.
KSUM to provide entrepreneurship training for NRIs - Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has joined hands with Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) department to train them to launch or scale-up technology s
CBI books yet another case against Siddhi Vinayak Logistics, others - They have allegedly cheated Union Bank of India of ₹97.19 crore
Bengal Speaker accepts Suvendu’s resignation - “I told me him that I have willingly and in sound mind resigned from the post of the MLA,” Suvendu tells journalists
Covid: Flights shut down as EU discusses UK virus threat - European officials are hammering out a joint response to stem the spread of a new Covid-19 variant.
Halle synagogue attack: Germany far-right gunman jailed for life - The attacker tried to shoot Jewish worshippers - then killed two people outside a synagogue in Halle.
Brexit: Trade deal talks continue as negotiators fail to reach agreement - The UK and EU resume negotiations in Brussels with 10 days to go until the transition period ends.
Covid-19: 'Serious disruption' feared as Dover halts traffic to France - France will stop lorries arriving from the UK for 48 hours amid concerns about a new coronavirus variant.
New coronavirus variant: What do we know? - How has a new coronavirus variant become the most common form of the virus in parts of England?
Review: Alice in Borderland takes us down a deliciously bonkers rabbit hole - Alice in Wonderland and Ready Player One meet Lord of the Flies and Cube. - link
Humanity is in danger of becoming obsolete technology in LX 2048 - Director Guy Moshe chats with Ars about his ambitious sci-fi film. - link
How an obscure British PC maker invented ARM and changed the world - 1987's Acorn Archimedes was the first production RISC-based personal computer. - link
Russia’s hacking frenzy is a reckoning - US still has no good answer for "supply chain" attacks that let Russia run wild. - link
Car crashes killed 36,096 people in the US in 2019 - Urban pedestrian and cyclist deaths have risen over the last decade. - link
+God said, "Adam, I want you to do something for Me."
Adam said, "Gladly, Lord, what do You want me to do?"
God said, "Go down Into that valley."
Adam said, "What's a valley?"
God explained it to him. Then God said, "Cross the river."
Adam said, "What's a river?"
God explained that To him, and then said, "Go over to the hill....."
Adam said, "What is a hill?"
God explained it to Adam, and said: "On the other side of the hill you will find a cave."
Adam said, 'What's a cave?'
After God explained, He Said, "In the cave you will find a woman."
Adam said, "What's a woman?'
God explained that to him, too. Then, God said, "I want you to reproduce."
Adam said, "How do I do that?"
God first said (under His breath), "Geez....." Just like everything else, God explained that to Adam, as well.
So, Adam goes down Into the valley, across the river, and over the hill, Into the cave, and finds the woman.
Then, in about five minutes, he was back.
+
+God, His patience wearing thin, said angrily, "What is It now?" +
++And Adam said.... “What’s a headache??” +
+ submitted by /u/nawin04
[link] [comments]
+He was a hardworking guy but still managed to satisfy his wife's needs. +
++One time he had to leave for another country for a business meet. He would've been gone for a week. He knew his wife's sex drive and didn't want to take risks so he thought he should gift her something so she can satisfy herself and doesn't think about searching for a new partner so he went to an adult toy shop. +
++As soon as he entered the first thing he saw was a blow up doll but soon dismissed the thought of buying it since it's almost like another human, he then proceeded to the dildos section. +
++There he saw all kinds of dildos, from massive to tiny to ones which glow in the dark but none of them grabbed his interest so he decided he'll go somewhere else and begins to leave the shop when he was stopped by the owner sitting behind the cash counter. +
++"I know what you're looking for", the owner says +
++This grabbed the businessman's attention and he stopped to hear what the owner had to say. +
++"There was a man many years ago who looked just like you, wealthy but tired. He had a wife whom he couldn't satisfy and she was about to leave him when he came here and got my help. He's happily married since then" +
++"How exactly did you help him?" Asked the businessman. +
++The cashier bent down and revealed an engraved wooden box from under the counter. There were all sorts of symbols on the box. He opens it and inside it was a pink latex dildo, similar to the ones on the shelf. +
++"This is an ancient artifact haunted by a Maori tribe who all died of sex deprivation when all the women of their village were killed in a plague, all their souls now reside in this dildo", said the owner. +
++The businessman being a sceptical guy laughed and then turns to leave. +
++The owner says, "You're all the same, thinking there's nothing above this material plane of existence. Watch this." +
++The businessman turns around. +
++"Voodoo Dildo, keyhole" +
++To his astonishment, the businessman saw the box violently shake and the dildo rise in the air, float for a second and hover over to the keyhole in the front door and start to fuck it. The dildo fucked the keyhole with such force that the door unhinged and started cracking. +
++"Voodoo Dildo, box" +
++The dildo stops fucking the door and returns to the box. +
++"ILL TAKE IT", screamed the businessman, and after a lot of negotiation he finally purchased the dildo and ran home. +
++He tells his wife about the dildo and how to use it. "Voodoo Dildo, pussy. That's how you activate it", the businessman told his wife and went on his business trip. +
++After 3 days of being horny the wife finally gave into her urges and opened the wooden box, took out the dildo and uttered "Voodoo Dildo, pussy". The dildo shot from her hands and started fucking her. First slowly and then changing speed as the way she wanted. +
++After an hour of fucking, the wife thought it was enough and she grabbed the dildo. But it didn't stop fucking her. Her husband had forgot to tell her how to stop the dildo. She started panicking and called him but he didn't pick up so she started to dress up and go for the hospital, all the while the dildo still fucking her. +
++She got in her car and started driving. On the way she had a huge orgasm and her car served and almost hit another car. A police car saw this and she was stopped at the side of the highway. A policeman approached her. +
++"Ma'am you almost hit the grey SUV back there, have you been drinking?" +
++The wife then proceeds to tell him all about her husband and the voodoo Dildo and that she can't stop it now. +
++The policeman then says, +
++"Yeah right, Voodoo Dildo my ass." +
+ submitted by /u/first_name_harshit
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+Why are bacteria so bad at math? +
++Because they multiply by dividing. +
++RIP Miss Henn. Miss her lots. +
++Edit: I love how people are making jokes about science in the comments! +
+ submitted by /u/sofequeosci
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+The bartender asks the rabbit “What can I get you to drink”. +
++The rabbit says “I have no idea, I’m only here because of autocorrect”. +
+ submitted by /u/n00bmastrr69
[link] [comments]
+She replied fuck you! +
++So I'm pretty excited for the new year! +
+ submitted by /u/Chibimedic
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