A New Understanding of Dengue Virus Behaviour at Cellular Level Using A Mathematical Model
Identifying the Issue
While there are vector-host models developed to study the dengue virus at population level, very few works performed to understand the dengue viral dynamics in human body. None of the current models as per our study has considered the role of innate immune response in the defence to the dengue viral attack until recently one of them by Rotem Ben-Shachar and Katia Koelle, introduced innate immune response and showed that it can reproduce the characteristic features of the primary infection.
In this paper, a non-linear model is proposed which incorporates innate and adaptive (both cellular and humoral) immune responses, studying the Dengue virus at cellular level using a mathematical model.
Objective of the Research
- We propose to study the dynamics of within-host epidemic model of dengue infection which incorporates both innate immune response and adaptive immune response (Cellular and Humoral)
- The proposed model also incorporates the time delay for production of antibodies from B cells and understand the dynamics of this model using the dynamical systems approach by performing the stability and sensitivity analysis
- Both the above can help detect and control the dengue virus better and understand the dengue viral dynamics in human body
Who should read this?
Those working in the field of Mathematics, Bio-Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, research, and other related academic fields, and Doctors, especially Physicians.
Solution
The critical level of the antibody recruitment rate(q) was found to be responsible for the existence and stability of various steady states. The stability of endemic state was found to be dependent on time delay. The sensitivity analysis identified the production rate of antibodies (q) to be highly sensitive parameter.
- The existence and stability conditions for the equilibrium states of the disease have been obtained
- The threshold value of time delay has been computed which is critical for change in stability of the endemic state
Key Features and Benefits
- It has been observed that that innate response co-relates with the virus titer in the early stages of the infection which can help in an early detection of a serious disease
- The production rate of antibodies (q) was found to be highly sensitive
- It was observed that the burst rate of virus particles (k) has a predictable behaviour and the rate of infection(β1) is sensitive only in some interval range
Impact
- The works presented in this paper could enhance our understanding of this complex immune response
- The model can help in detection of the disease in the early stages of the infection
Team
- Deva Siva Sai Murari Kanumoori: University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
- D Bhanu Prakash: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning – SSSIHL, India
- D. K. K. Vamsi: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning – SSSIHL, India
- Carani B Sanjeevi: Vice-Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning -SSSIHL
Paper Published In: Computational and Mathematical Biophysics 9, no. 1 (2021): 66-80
Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1515/cmb-2020-0118
Actuarial Science Research Scholars Present at The Insurance Data Science Conference, London
Mr. Rohan Yashraj Gupta and Mr. S R Pranav Sai, Doctoral Research Scholars in Actuarial Science, DMACS, SSSIHL had the honour to present their individual research works at the 3rd Insurance Data Science Conference at City, University of London on 17th and 18th of June 2021.
The Insurance Data Science Conference 2021 brought together academics and practitioners in areas including data science, analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computational statistics, and software, as applied in the insurance industry. The exchange mainly focused on applications in insurance pricing, reserving, risk assessment and modelling, customer analytics, capital management, catastrophe, and econometric modelling.
Several leading Actuaries and Data Scientists in the Insurance industry submit their works every year. After a rigorous selection process select high-quality works would be selected for the presentation at the conference. SSSIHL Doctoral Research Scholars presented on the following topics:
A comparative study of using various Machine Learning and Deep Learning-based fraud detection models for Universal Health Coverage schemes and assessing the impact of COVID-19 in healthcare fraud (Rohan Yashraj Gupta)
Capturing the power of ensemble learning using GLM and Artificial Neural Network for insurance pricing (S R Pranav Sai)
SSSIHL congratulates Mr. Rohan Yashraj Gupta and Mr. S R Pranav Sai for the honour and appreciates their deep commitment to research in Actuarial Data Science, inspiring others into this new stream of research.
Student Achievement – CAS Trust Scholarship Award (Actuarial Science)
Congratulations to Mr. Sankar Krishna for receiving the 2021 CAS Trust Scholarship award!
Mr. Sankar Krishna has two actuarial papers to his credit from IFoA, UK. He wrote his third year BSc (Hons) Mathematics exams and will be pursuing MSc Maths (Actuarial stream) with focus on Property & Casualty risks. He spent the summer of 2020 interning at Tech Actuarial, focusing on claims analytics and pricing tool for group insurance products. He participated in the CAS Independent Summer Program and Actuarial Data Science workshop at the University. He is a theatre and cricket enthusiast, and plays the Trombone in the University Brass Band.
We wish him good luck in continuing actuarial education at SSSIHL.
ABOUT CAS
The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) is a leading international organization for credentialing and professional education. Founded in 1914, the CAS is the world’s only actuarial organization focused exclusively on property and casualty risks and serves over 9,100 members worldwide. CAS members are experts in property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, finance, risk management, and enterprise risk management. Professionals educated by the CAS empower business and government to make well-informed strategic, financial and operational decisions.
CAS TRUST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The objective of the scholarship is to further students’ interest in the property/casualty actuarial profession and to encourage the pursuit of the CAS designations.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of individual merit. The CAS Trust Scholarship Program will award up to eight scholarships to deserving students for the 2021-2022 academic year. Scholarships will range from $2,500 (4 Awards) to $5,000 (4 Awards).
Sai Krishna Awards
Sai Krishna award for excellence in teaching in the Sri Sathya Sai Values-based Integral Education for the academic year 2019-20 is awarded to Dr. G Raghavender Raju, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
Sai Krishna award for excellence in Research for the academic year 2019-20 is awarded to Dr.(Miss) N Srividya, Associate Professor, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences
Sai Krishna award for Young Achiever for excellence in the Sri Sathya Sai Values-based Integral education and Research for the academic year 2019-20 is awarded to Dr.(Miss) Deepa Seetharaman, Associate Professor, Department of Physics
World Diabetes Day 2020
Every year, 14 November is marked as World Diabetes Day to coincide with the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
The Dept. of Food & Nutritional Sciences, SSSIHL conducted a one-day webinar on 14 November 2020 led by Dr. V Mohan, Chairman and Chief of Diabetology, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai. Dr. Mohan is also Member, Board of Trustees, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam. He is ranked among the 2% Scientists in the world and #1 Scientist in India in the field of Endocrinology and Metabolism by the Stanford University Global Ranking.
The topic of the webinar was: Are carbohydrates the main reason for the diabetes epidemic in India?
The session began with the welcome address by Dr. N Srividya, Head, Dept. of Food & Nutritional Sciences, SSSIHL, followed by an introduction by Prof. (Dr.) C B Sanjeevi, Vice Chancellor, SSSIHL.
Dr. Mohan, in his talk, elaborated about the correlation between carbohydrates and diabetes with scientific evidence. The highlights of his talk include: a revealing historical account of the increase in prevalence of diabetes in India, a holistic approach of restricting carbohydrate intake, adding sufficient protein and good fats to prevent diabetes, suitable alternatives to white rice, importance of physical activity etc.
Following the talk, a very interesting and informative question and answer session shed light on various queries of the audience.
#SSSIHLFoodNutritionalSciences #SSSIHL
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National Nutrition Month Celebrations 2020
In line with the National Nutrition Month Celebrations 2020, the Dept. of Food & Nutritional Sciences, SSSIHL conducted an International e-conference on Nutritional and Health Interventions for Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Scenarios on 26-27 Sep 2020. The event included a Pre-conference webinar on 25 Sep 2020, Nutri-health Gardens–Sustainable Models for Food and Nutritional Security.
The event saw leading experts from various fields of health and nutrition bring together a plethora of scientific data and guidance on the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other expert advice.
Videos of each session are included below.
Inaugural Session: Intermittent Fasting – Is it for Diabetics?
Prof. (Dr.) C B Sanjeevi, Vice Chancellor, SSSIHL
The importance of intermittent fasting, ways of practicing it and precautions to be taken during altered metabolic conditions. His talk was interspersed with the latest and relevant scientific evidence and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s message on fasting.
Session 1A: Challenges of COVID-19: Building Resilience in Youth
Dr. Parvathi U. Iyer, Director, Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi
Major highlights on the ways to reduce the pandemic risk, its impact on the life of youth and empowering the youth with resilience.
Session 1B: Impact of Vitamin D status on COVID
Dr. Sunil Menon, Functional Medicine Expert, UK
Awareness of the inter-relationship between Vitamin D status of individuals and incidence of COVID-19 infection through scientific evidence and case studies. The talk discussed the health issues and infections linked with Vitamin D deficiency, its role in immune modulation and the optimization of Vitamin D levels during COVID-19 scenario.
Session 2A: Systems Approach of Ayurveda for Immune Protection
Dr. Savitri B Vasudev, Scientific Officer, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Dept. of Cardiology, Whitefield, and Ayurveda Practitioner, Pune
Cordial action needed for the maintenance of good health and also addresses the actions to be taken to reduce the virulence of the disease and to stop recurrence. Madam also brings forth the various ayurvedic strategies to complement innate immunity and the necessary ways to strengthen the acquired immunity.
PSession 2B: Battling Food Insecurity in the Pandemic and Role of Safety Net Programs
Manjula Malladi M.S., Assistant WIC/Chief Nutritionist, WIC Program, Dept. of Health, New JerseyThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security and the possible effects on physical and mental health due to the lack of healthy and hygienic food. The various food programs and services provided to different sectors of the population in the United States. The adaptations made to the programs during pandemic to ensure food security of the population
Session 2C: Nutrition and Immune Function: Its relevance to COVID
Dr. B Sesikeran, former Director, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad
The impact of nutrition and lifestyle on innate and adaptive immunity. The role of nutrition from traditional Indian diets in enhancing immunity. The effect of ageing, obesity, gut microbiome on immunity, new predictors of inflammation, beneficial effects of intermittent fasting, role of micro and macro-nutrients in mitigating inflammation. Addressing discerning false claims, long-term consequences of COVID and emphasized on the need for urgent action.
Session 3A: Ayurvedic Diet and Lifestyle: A Holistic Intervention for Pandemic and Beyond
Dr. D Jayashree, Ayurvedic Physician and CEO, Shree Ayurvedic Multispecialty Hospital Pvt. Ltd., ChennaiThe perfect blend of Ayurvedic diet and regimen and its impact on one’s health, general preventive guidelines based on Ayurveda and the measures to promote immunity. Simple tips to prevent COVID-19 like nasyam, dhoop fumigation, yoga and dhanvantri mantra. Ways to keep up health by balancing the doshas, sequence of eating, fasting as a health maintenance tool and regimens during fever.
Session 3B: COVID-19: Doctor’s Experience on Treatment and Recommendations for Wellness
Dr. Meera Muruganandan, MD, Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Boston University, BMC, Boston, USA
Various COVID-19 pandemic treatments and the necessary recommendations for managing stress and wellness. Timeline of COVID cases incidence, clinical presentation, risk factors, challenges faced in treatment as well as social challenges.
Session 3C: Feeding Options for the Elderly in COVID Scenario: The Sky’s the Limit
Ms. Aparna Marthi, Clinical Nutrition Manager, Lutheran Care Centre, Concord Village, New York, USA
Evidence showing the importance of the oral nutrition supplements, enteral nutrition, and its impact on gut health and an overview on parenteral nutrition.
The Spirit(-ual) of Life in Literature: Characters of Resilience
The Dept. of English Language & Literature presented an online webinar series – the first of its kind at the University – Lit-Treat: Webinar Series on Life, Language & Literature on 17 and 18 August, 2020.
The series invited a number of speakers, from luminaries in the Sai Organization to experts in English Literature, to address topics related to the title of the webinar series: The Spirit(-ual) of Life in Literature: Characters of Resilience.
Videos of each session are included below.
Plenary Talk – Job: Trials & Resilience
Sri K Chakravarthi (IAS Retd.), Chancellor, SSSIHL
Dwelling on the theme of the webinar – resilience – by drawing illustrations from the characters of Job from the Book of Ezekiel, and Satya Harishchandra from the Markandeya Purana, the talk highlights that the truly faithful ones can never be tempted to curse God or their fate despite unjustifiable tribulations that they are put through.
Academic Talk: Greying Characters of Mounting Spirit
Dr. B Venkata Ramana, Asst. Professor, Dept. of English Language & Literature, SSSIHL
The talk explores the characters of William Shakespeare as the springboard to discuss the theme of the webinar. Quoting copiously from Shakespearean plays, he evidences how aging characters display a mounting spirit because of their experience and wisdom.
Conversation: Characters of Resilience in Hardy and Hugo
Dr. Vivek Chauhan and Dr. Aruna Kumar Behera, Associate Professors, Dept. of English Language & Literature, SSSIHL
Conversation on two great literary classics: The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy & Les Miserable by Victor Hugo. The protagonists of both the novels, Michael Henchard and Jean Valjean respectively, are discussed as tragic heroes exhibiting extraordinary resilience.
Plenary Talk: Finding Resilience
Dr. Samuel H Sandweiss, MD
The talk addresses the topic of inner-resilience drawing from the speaker’s rich experience as a psychiatrist and as a devotee of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He confirms love for and of God as an essential element for developing inner resilience.
Plenary Talk: Spiritual Nationalism Expounded by Indian Sages
Sri S Gurumurthy, Editor, Thuglak, Prolific writer, Chairman (Vivekananda International Foundation), Director (RBI Central Board)
Conversation: ‘Scholar Gipsy’ as a Symbol of Spiritual Growth in Arnold & Murdoch
Dr. Maitali Khanna in conversation with Dr. Dibba Bhargavi, Asst. Professors, Dept. of English Language & Literature, SSSIHL
An insightful presentation on the works of Matthew Arnold and Iris Murdoch.
Valedictory Remarks
Prof. (Dr.) C B Sanjeevi, Vice Chancellor, SSSIHL
Sustainable Future and Solidarity
Dr. Ross Jackson, a Danish-Canadian economist, author and philanthropist, visited Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and spoke to teachers and students of the Dept. of Management & Commerce about the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN), which envisions a world of empowered citizens and communities, designing and implementing their own pathways to a sustainable future, and building bridges of hope and international solidarity. They do this by creating self-sustaining human settlements, which are in harmony with all aspects of life, including the cultural, ecological and spiritual dimensions. Several such communities across India and the world are now in existence, though a series of through grants and proactive initiatives.
The effort is part of Gaia Trust, a Danish-based charitable association that he founded in 1987 to help promote a new, global consciousness which sees our entire planet as a living organism with Humankind as an integral part of the entity. To read more about the Trust, visit https://gaia.org
#SSSIHLManagementCommerce #SSSIHL
Symposium on Translational and Advanced Research Technologies (START)
The workshop brought together distinguished professors and scientists in the areas of Biosciences and Medicine.
Talks and discussions cantered on various topics: The importance of translational research and its applications, Green Chemistry: Plants as a Source of Bioactive Metabolites, Stem Cells: Their scope in Regenerative Research, How do we tackle resurgent drug-resistant Tuberculosis, Pharmaceuticals to Nutraceuticals – Why This Paradigm Shift, Oxylipid signaling in Health and Disease in plants and animals, and Hybridoma Technology in Health Care.
External experts and guests from: North Maharashtra University, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Institute of Science, Central Food Technological Research Institute, University of Hyderabad, Defence Food Research Laboratory, DRDO
National Science Day 2020
Hundreds of budding scientists from ten high schools in and around Prasanthi Nilayam (including Sri Sathya Sai Primary School and Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School), along with SSSIHL students, put together an outstanding display of creative Science projects in celebration of National Science Day on 28 February 2020.
The day kicked off with an inspiring speech by Prof. (Dr.) C B Sanjeevi, Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL, who started with an ode to Sir C V Raman (who inspired the National Science Day in India) and spoke on how lifestyle changes can mitigate many a modern disease, such as diabetes. He also elaborated on the hardships and sacrifices that Nobel laureates of the past (such as Joseph Murray and Barry Marshall) went through for the benefit of mankind.
Visiting students also got a tour of SSSHIL Central Research Instruments Faculty (CRIF).
The happy day ended with a prize distribution ceremony for the best Science projects.
