"Technology alters the human condition; it also gives it expression."

The Ancients’ Tech Anxiety 

On the shallowness of reading mythology as sci-fi

Charles T. Rubin

"With respect to inventiveness of robot-like beings, the Greeks displaced some of this wonder to the divine realm. But the inventive Hephaestus, at least, is surely the most human of the all-too-human gods: lame, short, ugly. Mayor endorses the idea that, as scholar Jessica Riskin put it, “mythology blurs the distinction between technology and divine power.” The ancient stories, then, suggest that technology involves a godlike creativity, yet is often used for the satisfaction of our more bestial desires. Daedalus’ wings are a means to and an expression of human freedom, but they empower also the ingrained rashness of youth. Technology alters the human condition; it also gives it expression."

How coronavirus is upending corporate America

"The $10 billion biotech Moderna developed a potential coronavirus vaccine in record time, Andrew Dunn reports. Andrew sat down with Stephane Bancel, the company's CEO, to talk about the company's hopes of pioneering a new way of developing vaccines."

Exp Brain Res. 2019 Dec;237(12):3419-3430. doi: 10.1007/s00221-019-05682-0. Epub 2019 Nov 16.

Increased expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is associated with depression and depressive phenotype in C57Bl/6J mice.

Girard RA1, Chauhan PS1, Tucker TA1, Allen T2, Kaur J2, Jeffers A1, Koenig K1, Florova G1, Komissarov AA1, Gaidenko TA1, Chamiso MB1, Fowler J1, Morris DE1, Sarva K1, Singh KP3, Idell S1, Idell RD4.

Author information

1

Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX, 75708, USA.

2

Department of Pathology, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.

3

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Rural and Community Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX, 75708, USA.

4

Department of Behavioral Health, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, 11937 US Highway 271, Tyler, TX, 75708, USA. Richard.Idell@uthct.edu.

Abstract

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), which is elevated in numerous disease states, has been implicated as a stress-related protein involved in the pathogenesis of depression. We measured PAI-1 in the plasma of healthy and depressed individuals and assessed plasminogen activator (PA) expression and regulation by PAI-1 in cultured normal human astrocytes (NHA). Elevated plasma PAI-1 levels were found in depressed patients. Brain tissues from depressed individuals also showed stronger expression of hippocampal PAI-1 by confocal imaging in comparison to healthy individuals. Using a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory model of depression in mice, we measured PAI-1 in murine plasma and brain, by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Similar elevations were seen in plasma but not in brain homogenates of mice exposed to LPS. We further correlated the findings with depressive behavior. Ex vivo experiments with NHA treated with proinflammatory cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of depression showed increased PAI-1 expression. Furthermore, these studies suggest that urokinase-type plasminogen activator may serve as an astrocyte PA reservoir, able to promote cleavage of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) during stress or inflammation. In summary, our findings confirm that derangements of PAI-1 variably occur in the brain in association with the depressive phenotype. These derangements may impede the availability of active, mature (m)BDNF and thereby promote a depressive phenotype.

'Your Bills Don’t Get Sick': Workers Say Coronavirus Prevention Isn’t Easy

"Uber, Lyft, Doordash and other delivery companies have advised drivers or delivery workers to stay safe — and to stay home if they aren’t feeling well. But advocates argue that creates a difficult choice for many workers."

Coronavirus cases keep rising in Los Angeles, across California: Here is what you need to know

California is emerging as an epicenter for the coronavirus in the United States, with the spread continuing and a cruise ship off the coast with people who contracted the virus.

Am J Psychoanal. 2020 Feb 17. doi: 10.1057/s11231-020-09231-5. [Epub ahead of print]

The morality of evolution and a return to subjectivity.

Rendón M1.

Author information

1

, 975A Heritage Village, Southbury, CT, 06488, USA. mariorendon7@gmail.com.

Abstract

Today societies display, almost uniformly, an aggressive demeanor that can hardly be covered by diplomacy; they are always prepared for war. The prophecy is repeatedly fulfilled and today we are engaged in protracted wars while fearing universal destruction. This basic attitude irremediably corrupts our consciousness and blemishes our self. The biological underpinnings of how we got to this point, psychologically, and the historical sublimations involved are explored here. The result, today, is that we live using a minimum of our human capacity at the huge cost in crucial energetic waste, while nature has started to protest. The self-feeding destructive mechanism is inordinate objectification, at the expense of our unique subjective power. Evolutionarily designed for balanced self-regulation-the sublimation of a dual instinctual disposition backed up by a dimorphic body and brain-nature warns us we have detoured from the moral blueprint and, were we to continue it will be at our own risk. We need to review our moral theories and return to our critical pre-patriarchal subjectivity, which was resourceful, dually-fed, balanced, and discriminating. That subjectivity is now largely replaced by pre-emptive, ideological cognitive modules and stereotypes that block intelligent dialogue and appear to be already modeled on a false Utopia of artificial intelligences.

Nelson Riddle / Route 66

"...virtually all of the increase in current smoking prevalence in Minnesota is associated with the e-cig tax and the associated decrease in successful quits."

The Impact of E-Cig Taxes on Smoking Rates: Evidence From Minnesota

"Specifically, the 95 percent e-cig tax in Minnesota, the first such tax increase in the nation, led to a decrease in cigarette smoking cessation by about 1.14 percentage points -- approximately a 5 percent increase in relative smoking participation. In fact, virtually all of the increase in current smoking prevalence in Minnesota is associated with the e-cig tax and the associated decrease in successful quits."

The Hysteria Of Coronavirus And How To Avoid It

The Inconvenient Truth about Your “Authentic” Self

To actually feel authentic, you might have to betray your true nature

"But authenticity is a slippery thing. Although most people would define authenticity as acting in accordance with your idiosyncratic set of values and qualities, research has shown that people feel most authentic when they conform to a particular set of socially approved qualities, such as being extroverted, emotionally stable, conscientious, intellectual and agreeable.

This is the paradox of authenticity: In order to reap the many of the benefits of feeling authentic, you may have to betray your true nature."

“Your kids should not live their lives in fear of getting sick,” Yudovich said. “Coronavirus is no more infectious than any other virus.”

Houston doctor: Here’s how to talk to your kids about coronavirus

“Your kids should not live their lives in fear of getting sick,” Yudovich said. “Coronavirus is no more infectious than any other virus.”

#Coronavirus - Are there two strains and is one more deadly? ("...One is not more deadly than the other.")

Coronavirus: Are there two strains and is one more deadly?

"But the differences between the two identified strains are tiny. In fact, they can’t really be considered to be separate “strains”, says Jones. And many of the genetic differences won’t affect the production of proteins, and so won’t change the way the virus works, or the symptoms it causes, he says. One is not more deadly than the other."

Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2236544-coronavirus-are-there-two-strains-and-is-one-more-deadly/#ixzz6FqEN8KVB

Amid growing coronavirus cases, another number increasing: recoveries

At least 15 coronavirus patients in the U.S. are said to have recovered.

Isolation does not mean a patient is particularly dangerous. The measure is put into place simply to prevent spread of the virus in the community.

"That's why these seemingly drastic measures are being taken," Safdar, the medical director of infection control and prevention at UW Health in Madison, Wisconsin, told NBC News. "If you're a positive COVID-19 case, you stay in isolation until testing shows that you are negative."

J Thorac Dis. 2019 Jan;11(Suppl 1):S81-S88. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2019.01.46.

Update on emerging biomarkers in lung cancer.

Bernicker EH1, Allen TC2, Cagle PT3.

Author information

1

Houston Methodist Hospital, Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

2

Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.

3

Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.

Abstract

There has been considerable progress made in identifying oncogenic driver mutations in advanced lung cancer. The recognition that lung cancer is actually an umbrella classification that is comprised of multiple molecular subgroups has had a profound impact on how medical oncologists make treatment decisions. These mutations are clinically important as available targeted therapies can achieve significant responses and prolonged disease control. This review will summarize the current guidelines for biomarker testing and available therapeutic agents.

Testing for coronavirus is expanded to patients who have a doctor’s order, CDC says

Experts have questioned whether the United States can meet the likely surge in testing demand that will follow the change in guidelines.

Two kinds of coronavirus tests in the United States have FDA emergency use authorizations and are in use nationwide.

One kind is the CDC test kits that are distributed to public health laboratories across the country, and another test has been designed and used by New York state.

At least 163 coronavirus cases have been reported across 16 states, most of them in California and Washington states.

"The problem is that deep learning has no way of checking its deductions against “common sense'..."

The AI delusion: why humans trump machines

Artificial intelligence may never match the brain

The problem is that deep learning has no way of checking its deductions against “common sense,” and so can make ridiculous errors. It is, say Marcus and Davis, “a kind of idiot savant, with miraculous perceptual abilities, but very little overall comprehension.” In image -classification, not only can this shortcoming lead to absurd results but the system can also be fooled by carefully constructed “adversarial” examples. Pixels can be rejigged in ways that look to us indistinguishable from the original but which AI confidently garbles, so that a van or a puppy is declared an ostrich. By the same token, images can be constructed from what looks to the human eye like random pixels but which AI will identify as an armadillo or a peacock.

These blind spots become particularly troubling when AI slavishly recreates human biases—for example, when camera image-processors insist that someone with east Asian eyes must have “blinked.” Mitchell, as well as Marcus and Davis, warn that the dangers of AI are not about Skynet-style robot takeovers but unthinking applications of inadequate systems. Even if an AI system performs well 99 per cent of the time, the occasional failure could be catastrophic, especially if it is being used to drive a car or make a medical diagnosis.

The trouble is, though, it’s not obvious how to do better. These authors argue—and it’s a view widely held among AI researchers—that we need to make systems that think more like humans. But what does that mean?

Bodies 'pile up' in morgue as Iran feels strain of coronavirus

"Under Islamic tradition in Iran, corpses are typically washed with soap and water before burial. But two medical workers in Qom told CNN that in some cases precautions related to the outbreak are preventing staff from observing traditional Islamic guidelines for burial."

Five Lessons for Aspiring Female Scientists

That’s why it’s troubling that women continue to lag behind men in STEM professions. Globally less than 30% of researchers are women, and just 11% of senior research roles in Europe are held by women. These disparities reflect enduring gender stereotypes and social bias that deter girls and women from entering STEM fields. But the tide is turning—and female scientists are making extraordinary contributions to molecular microbiology, physics, plant biology, material science, space exploration, and so much more.

 

Coronavirus confirmed in Tennessee

"Academe is awash in refrains about its own importance. Is anyone feeling better yet?"

The Rise of Reassurance Lit

Academe is awash in refrains about its own importance. Is anyone feeling better yet?

"To say that the humanities are in the throes of a collective depression would be cheap psychology. But I question whether it is advisable for any profession, even one that feels itself oppositional and endangered, to fortify itself with a torrent of self-love.

The best arguments on behalf of the humanities articulate ideals that allow us to measure our own efforts at teaching and research in relation to a set of standards. Reassurance lit, by contrast, is indiscriminate, assuring each of us of our value, often in grandiose terms."

"CAR-T therapy works with the patient’s own immune cells to help them take on cancer. Blood is drawn from the patient, treated, re-engineered to fight cancer cells, then reintroduced back into the bloodstream through infusion."

CAR-T—the Future of Medical Progress Is Now

"CAR-T therapy works with the patient’s own immune cells to help them take on cancer. Blood is drawn from the patient, treated, re-engineered to fight cancer cells, then reintroduced back into the bloodstream through infusion." 

"The meaningful threat of garbage language — the reason it is not just annoying but malevolent — is that it confirms delusion as an asset in the workplace."

Garbage Language

Why do corporations speak the way they do?

By Molly Young

 "He proposed (I’d argue) that we just give up on functional speech altogether — drop the charade that our personal realities share a common language. Choosing to speak poetically (by which he meant intentionally calling things what they are not) was his ironic solution. Language is always a matter of intention. No two people could have less in common than when they are saying the same thing, one sincerely and one with snark. And so with every exchange, you have to acknowledge a reality where words like optionality and deliverable could be just as solid as blimp and pretzel. What happens if you ask a Megan or a Steph Korey or an Adam Neumann what they mean? I imagine a box with a series of false bottoms; you just keep falling deeper and deeper into gibberish. The meaningful threat of garbage language — the reason it is not just annoying but malevolent — is that it confirms delusion as an asset in the workplace."

#Coronavirus deaths in California and Washington state bring U.S. toll to 11

Live updates: Coronavirus deaths in California and Washington state bring U.S. toll to 11

"Governments are struggling to contain anxiety among households, businesses and investors about a prolonged economic impact. South Korea proposed a $10 billion stimulus package Wednesday as its cases soared past 5,200, the highest national count outside China. Elsewhere, authorities are warning against hoarding emergency supplies and price gouging, and some large-scale events, including the London Book Fair, have been canceled."

Percy Faith & His Orchestra - A Summer Place theme

Percy Faith & His Orchestra - A Summer Place theme (video/audio edited & restored) HQ