Zika Virus Infection Modulates Expression of Regulatory Complement Factors in SH-SY5Y Cells

Viruses that use the blood as a route of systemic spread frequently encode proteins allowing evasion of the complement system. Although complement neutralizes pathogens in the blood, the complement system has non-immune functions in the central nervous system (CNS) and mediates non-viral neuropathologies when triggered by damaging stimuli. As viruses capable of both hematogenous spread and neuroinvasion, flaviviruses such as Zika virus (ZIKV) are a significant public health issue as the most common cause of arboviral disease. Outside of the brain, flaviviruses can modulate levels of complement proteins and surface bound complement regulators. We hypothesized that similar alterations occur in CNS cells, contributing to viral neuropathology. In this study, we establish the relevance of viral complement modulation in infection of CNS cells. Using various CNS culture systems, endogenous expression of complement proteins and complement-related surface markers was investigated. In a co-culture system of cell lines SH-SY5Y (neuroblastoma) and HMC3 (microglia), endogenous complement protein production was confirmed in absence of Zika infection and stimulation. Furthermore, Zika infection modulated expression of surface bound inhibitors CD46 and CD55. Compared to mock, CD46 was upregulated in both infected and non-infected, bystander cells with stronger expression in infected cells. CD55 was equally downregulated in infected and bystander cells. Finally, affinity between ZIKV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and complement proteins was demonstrated. These results support previous studies implicating complement modulation as a source of pathology in neuro-invasive flavivirus infection, providing insight on the precise biochemical changes behind this process

Australian Government Balance Sheet Management

Since almost eliminating net debt, the Australian Government%u2019s attention has turned to the financing of broader balance sheet liabilities, such as public sector superannuation. Australia will be developing a significant financial asset portfolio in the %u2018Future Fund%u2019 to smooth the financing of expenses through time. This raises the significant policy question of how best to manage the government balance sheet to reduce risk. This paper provides a framework for optimal balance sheet management. The major conclusions are that: %u2013 fiscal sustainability depends on both the expected path of future taxation and the risks around that path; %u2013 optimal balance sheet management requires knowledge of how risks affect the balance sheet (and therefore volatility in tax rates); and %u2013 the government%u2019s financial investment strategy should reduce the risk to government finances from macroeconomic shocks that permanently affect the budget. Based on this framework, we find that a Future Fund portfolio that included (amongst other potential investments) domestic nominal securities and equities of selected countries would reduce overall balance sheet risk.

Fine arts in Solow model: a clarification

This paper shows that the Saito version of Solow growth model contains an error. It corrects this error. It further applies some built-in functions of Mathematica to the correct version of Solow economic growth model and derives some interesting graphs from the Solow convergent paths.Solow growth model

Meta-research: How many diagnostic or prognostic models published in radiological journals are evaluated externally?

OBJECTIVES: Prognostic and diagnostic models must work in their intended clinical setting, proven via "external evaluation", preferably by authors uninvolved with model development. By systematic review, we determined the proportion of models published in high-impact radiological journals that are evaluated subsequently. METHODS: We hand-searched three radiological journals for multivariable diagnostic/prognostic models 2013-2015 inclusive, developed using regression. We assessed completeness of data presentation to allow subsequent external evaluation. We then searched literature to August 2022 to identify external evaluations of these index models. RESULTS: We identified 98 index studies (73 prognostic; 25 diagnostic) describing 145 models. Only 15 (15%) index studies presented an evaluation (two external). No model was updated. Only 20 (20%) studies presented a model equation. Just 7 (15%) studies developing Cox models presented a risk table, and just 4 (9%) presented the baseline hazard. Two (4%) studies developing non-Cox models presented the intercept. Just 20 (20%) articles presented a Kaplan-Meier curve of the final model. The 98 index studies attracted 4224 citations (including 559 self-citations), median 28 per study. We identified just six (6%) subsequent external evaluations of an index model, five of which were external evaluations by researchers uninvolved with model development, and from a different institution. CONCLUSIONS: Very few prognostic or diagnostic models published in radiological literature are evaluated externally, suggesting wasted research effort and resources. Authors' published models should present data sufficient to allow external evaluation by others. To achieve clinical utility, researchers should concentrate on model evaluation and updating rather than continual redevelopment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The large majority of prognostic and diagnostic models published in high-impact radiological journals are never evaluated. It would be more efficient for researchers to evaluate existing models rather than practice continual redevelopment. KEY POINTS: • Systematic review of highly cited radiological literature identified few diagnostic or prognostic models that were evaluated subsequently by researchers uninvolved with the original model. • Published radiological models frequently omit important information necessary for others to perform an external evaluation: Only 20% of studies presented a model equation or nomogram. • A large proportion of research citing published models focuses on redevelopment and ignores evaluation and updating, which would be a more efficient use of research resources

Multicore Performance Optimization Using Partner Cores

As the push for parallelism continues to increase the number of cores on a chip, and add to the complexity of system design, the task of optimizing performance at the application level becomes nearly impossible for the programmer. Much effort has been spent on developing techniques for optimizing performance at runtime, but many techniques for modern processors employ the use of speculative threads or performance counters. These approaches result in stolen cycles, or the use of an extra core, and such expensive penalties put demanding constraints on the gains provided by such methods. While processors have grown in power and complexity, the technology for small, efficient cores has emerged. We introduce the concept of Partner Cores for maximizing hardware power efficiency; these are low-area, low-power cores situated on-die, tightly coupled to each main processor core. We demonstrate that such cores enable performance improvement without incurring expensive penalties, and carry out potential applications that are impossible on a traditional chip multiprocessor

The Health Benefits of Visual Art Activities in the Geriatric Population

Purpose: The purpose of this poster presentation is to assess the efficacy of visual art therapy on the physical and mental health of the geriatric population. Description: The potential impact of art therapy on cognition and dementia is a growing field of research in the rehabilitative world. Some researchers have found support for certain mediums, such as ceramic painting, while others have explored multimodal treatment programs that integrate art into physical activities. Combining physical activity with an arts and crafts program could posit a significant impact on ADL function and quality of life in older adults. As a growing list of ailments accompany aging, it would be of interest to explore the effects of visual art therapy on life satisfaction, cognitive status, ADLs, and levels of depression in older adults. Methods: A literature review was conducted on visual art activities and health in the geriatric population using the following search terms: art therapy, visual art, mental health, health, cognition, geriatric, and older adults. Five peer-reviewed studies that were published between 2016 and 2019 were selected for review. Conclusion: The current literature supports the inclusion of visual art therapy as treatment for older adults. Research shows that art therapy can decrease grief, mourning, negative emotions, and depression while promoting positive memories, socializing, language function and quality of life in older adults. Art therapy has also been correlated with positive effects on emotional status and cognitive status in patients with dementia. Summary of Use: This poster presentation reviews the benefits of implementing visual art therapy in geriatric rehabilitation in terms of both physical and mental health. Clinical Relevance: Visual art activities are low-intensity interventions that work to improve both gross motor and fine motor skills in the geriatric population. Art activities can specifically help address deficits of upper body strength, stability, proprioception, and tactile skills. In addition to physical improvements, participant engagement, mood, quality of life, and well-being are positively affected as well. Given the potential benefits, further research is needed to bolster support for the integration of visual art activities with traditional exercise.https://soar.usa.edu/casmspring2020/1001/thumbnail.jp

Time-Evolution of a Fractal Distribution: Particle Concentrations in Free-Surface Turbulence

Steady-state turbulence is generated in a tank of water and the trajectories of particles forming a compressible system on the surface are tracked in time. The initial uniformly distributed floating particles coagulate and form a fractal distribution, a rare manifestation of a fractal object observable in real-space. The surface pattern reaches a steady state in approximately 1 s. Measurements are made of the fractal dimensions $D_q(t)$ ($q=1$ to $6$) of the floating particles starting with the uniform distribution $D_q(0)$ = 2 for Taylor Microscale Reynolds number $Re_{\lambda} \simeq 160$. Focus is on the the time-evolution of the correlation dimension $D_2(t)$ as the steady state is approached. This steady state is reached in several large eddy turnover times and does so at an exponential rate

Hemifacial Spasm and Neurovascular Compression

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is characterized by involuntary unilateral contractions of the muscles innervated by the ipsilateral facial nerve, usually starting around the eyes before progressing inferiorly to the cheek, mouth, and neck. Its prevalence is 9.8 per 100,000 persons with an average age of onset of 44 years. The accepted pathophysiology of HFS suggests that it is a disease process of the nerve root entry zone of the facial nerve. HFS can be divided into two types: primary and secondary. Primary HFS is triggered by vascular compression whereas secondary HFS comprises all other causes of facial nerve damage. Clinical examination and imaging modalities such as electromyography (EMG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful to differentiate HFS from other facial movement disorders and for intraoperative planning. The standard medical management for HFS is botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections, which provides low-risk but limited symptomatic relief. The only curative treatment for HFS is microvascular decompression (MVD), a surgical intervention that provides lasting symptomatic relief by reducing compression of the facial nerve root. With a low rate of complications such as hearing loss, MVD remains the treatment of choice for HFS patients as intraoperative technique and monitoring continue to improve