Role of Ashwangandha (Withania Somnifera) in Immune Modulation: Proposed Influence in Immune-Regulation

The immune system evolved to protect organisms from an infinite variety of disease-causing agents but to avoid harmful responses to self. However, such a powerf~dl efense mechanism requires regulation. Immune regulation includes homeostatic and cellmediated targeted mechanisms to the activation, differentiation and function of antigen-triggered immuno-competent cells and irnmunoregulatory cells. The regulation of the immune system has been a major challenge for the management of autoimmune disorders, tumor immunity, infectious diseases and organ transplants. However, irnmuno-modulatory procedures used by modern medicine to induce immunoregulatory function have deleterious side effects. Ashwangandha (Withania somnifera), an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine is being tested and used in experimental and clinical cases with potential immuno-modulatory functions without any side effects. Here we propose future usages of Ashwangandha for immuno-regulatory function in translational research.

Can a Newly Proposed Mechanism for Allocating Contracts in U.S. Electricity Wholesale Markets Lead to Lower Prices? A Game Theoretic Analysis

This study of the wholesale electricity market compares the cost-minimizing performance of the auction mechanism currently in place in U.S. markets with the performance of a proposed replacement. The current mechanism chooses an allocation of contracts that minimizes a fictional cost calculated using pay-as-offer pricing. Then suppliers are paid the market clearing price. The proposed mechanism uses the market clearing price in the allocation phase as well as in the payment phase. In concentrated markets, the proposed mechanism outperforms the current mechanism even when strategic behavior by suppliers is taken into account. The advantage of the proposed mechanism increases with increased price competition.