Does Algorithmic Awareness Inculcate Mindful News Consumption in Social Media?

Social media curation algorithms can raise problems in terms of distortion of reality and mindless news consumption behaviors. This paper proposes algorithmic awareness as a plausible tool towards instilling mindful news consumption on social media platforms. Specifically, the paper investigates the effects of an Algorithmic Awareness (AA) intervention on 1) users perceived awareness about algorithmic curation and filter bubble effect and 2) news consumption behaviors in social media platforms. Based on concepts from information processing and mindfulness, we propose that imparting algorithmic awareness can coerce social media users to make more mindful decisions about whether to believe news posts and perform activities that contribute to their spread (e.g., read, share, fact check, customizing feed). To this end, we design an explanation-based intervention and propose to conduct a between subject’s online experiment

Recent advances in pillar[5]arene chemistry

The class of pillar[n]arene macrocycles has existed since 2008 when the synthesis and structure ofthe cyclopentamer, 1,4-dimethoxypillar[5]arene, was first reported. In subsequent years, members of the pillar[n]arene family have shown great potential in fields as diverse as polymer science, sensor technology and medical diagnostics. Over 350 papers have now been published on the pillar[n]arenes; this review focuses on advances made in the synthesis and applications of thepillar[5]arenes

A co-pillar[5]arene sensor for linear biogenic amines

A thiolated co-pillar[5]arene was attached to the surface of a goldelectrode and shown to give an analyte-selective voltammetricresponse to linear biogenic amines

Process for the preparation of (R)-3-(4-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-3-cyclopentylpropanenitrile fumarate

Abstract: Process for the preparation of crystal modification 1 of (R)-3-(4-(7Hpyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-3-cyclopentylpropanenitrile fumarate of formula-1a, which is represented by the following structural formula: Formula-1

Lithium ion sensors

The detection and monitoring of lithium in environmental and clinical settings is becoming increasingly important. In this review, sensors incorporating conductive polymers and lithium bronzes are discussed, together with electrochemical and spectroscopic approaches. Ionophore-based methods have been employed extensively, with varying degrees of selectivity and sensitivity, and these are discussed in depth

Clinical course, therapeutic responses and outcomes in relapsing MOG antibody-associated demyelination.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We characterised the clinical course, treatment and outcomes in 59 patients with relapsing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated demyelination. METHODS: We evaluated clinical phenotypes, annualised relapse rates (ARR) prior and on immunotherapy and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), in 218 demyelinating episodes from 33 paediatric and 26 adult patients. RESULTS: The most common initial presentation in the cohort was optic neuritis (ON) in 54% (bilateral (BON) 32%, unilateral (UON) 22%), followed by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) (20%), which occurred exclusively in children. ON was the dominant phenotype (UON 35%, BON 19%) of all clinical episodes. 109/226 (48%) MRIs had no brain lesions. Patients were steroid responsive, but 70% of episodes treated with oral prednisone relapsed, particularly at doses <10\u2009mg daily or within 2 months of cessation. Immunotherapy, including maintenance prednisone (P=0.0004), intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab and mycophenolate, all reduced median ARRs on-treatment. Treatment failure rates were lower in patients on maintenance steroids (5%) compared with non-steroidal maintenance immunotherapy (38%) (P=0.016). 58% of patients experienced residual disability (average follow-up 61 months, visual loss in 24%). Patients with ON were less likely to have sustained disability defined by a final EDSS of 652 (OR 0.15, P=0.032), while those who had any myelitis were more likely to have sustained residual deficits (OR 3.56, P=0.077). CONCLUSION: Relapsing MOG antibody-associated demyelination is strongly associated with ON across all age groups and ADEM in children. Patients are highly responsive to steroids, but vulnerable to relapse on steroid reduction and cessation

Maternal autoimmunity and inflammation are associated with childhood tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder: Transcriptomic data show common enriched innate immune pathways.

Although genetic variation is a major risk factor of neurodevelopmental disorders, environmental factors during pregnancy and early life are also important in disease expression. Animal models demonstrate that maternal inflammation causes fetal neuroinflammation and neurodevelopmental deficits, and brain transcriptomics of neurodevelopmental disorders in humans show upregulated differentially expressed genes are enriched in immune pathways. We prospectively recruited 200 sequentially referred children with tic disorders/obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 100 autoimmune neurological controls, and 100 age-matched healthy controls. A structured interview captured the maternal and family history of autoimmune disease and other pro-inflammatory states. Maternal blood and published Tourette brain transcriptomes were analysed for overlapping enriched pathways. Mothers of children with tics/OCD had a higher rate of autoimmune disease compared with mothers of children with autoimmune neurological conditions (p = 0.054), and mothers of healthy controls (p = 0.0004). Autoimmunity was similarly elevated in first- and second-degree maternal relatives of children with tics/OCD (p 0.0001 and p = 0.014 respectively). Other pro-inflammatory states were also more common in mothers of children with tics/OCD than controls (p 0.0001). Upregulated differentially expressed genes in maternal autoimmune disease and Tourette brain transcriptomes were commonly enriched in innate immune processes. Pro-inflammatory states, including autoimmune disease, are more common in the mothers and families of children with tics/OCD. Exploratory transcriptome analysis indicates innate immune signalling may link maternal inflammation and childhood tics/OCD. Targeting inflammation may represent preventative strategies in pregnancy and treatment opportunities for children with neurodevelopmental disorders

An open-label trial of JAK 1/2 blockade in progressive IFIH1 -associated neuroinflammation

IFIH1 gain-of-function causes a spectrum of neuroinflammatory phenotypes associated with enhanced type I interferon production and Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway activation.1,2 Patients most often present in infancy, variably exhibiting spasticity, dystonia, seizures, and acquired microcephaly. We report the use of ruxolitinib, a JAK 1/2 blocker, in the treatment of early-onset, progressive neurologic disease due to an IFIH1 mutation