Cluster-based test vector re-ordering for reduced power dissipation in digital circuits

Optimizing testing power is a paramount concern in modern digital circuit design, particularly as the intricacy of circuits continues to rise. This issue becomes even more pronounced with the scaling down of feature sizes due to advancements in process technology. The increase in testing power dissipation, beyond the regular operational state, raises red flags for both designers and test engineers. This paper introduces a novel cluster-based approach, shedding light on the efficient reordering of test vectors to mitigate the heightened switching activity. This technique aims to reduce the power consumption during testing, while still ensuring efficient error detection, maintaining the test period, and preserving the original order of the scan chain. Importantly, this reordering method does not introduce any additional area or test time overhead, minimizing the risks associated with these factors. The potential impact of this approach is demonstrated through concrete examples drawn from ISCAS’89 benchmark circuits. The results showcase a notable 11% reduction in switching activity, all while preserving fault coverage levels

Intellectual Biography: Dorothy Smith

Drawing from Smith\u27s own works and other scholars\u27 analysis of her theories, we create a comprehensive review of the work of Dorothy Smith, including insights from her personal and academic backgrounds and her major contributions to the field of sociology. Specifically, we examine standpoint theory and institutional ethnography with particular attention to influences from Smith\u27s own life experiences. In addition, we recognize Smith\u27s transformation of sociology to represent those who are excluded by traditional theories and methods. These academic contributions continue to influence scholars around the world both within and beyond the field of sociology

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with certolizumab pegol: Results from PROACTIVE, a non-interventional study in the UK and Ireland

The objective of this non-interventional study was to investigate the long-term safety and effectiveness of certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the UK and Ireland. Methods: Patients were prescribed CZP at their physicians’ discretion and followed during routine clinical practice for up to 88 weeks. DAS28(ESR) response (defined as at least a 1.2-point reduction from baseline) was measured in the full analysis set (FAS) at week 12, and patients were categorized by week 12 responder status in all subsequent analyses. The primary outcome was DAS28(ESR) response at week 78. Secondary outcomes included change from baseline in DAS28(ESR), HAQ-DI, and RADAI scores at week 78, and EULAR response at week 78. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were recorded for all patients who received at least one dose of CZP. Results: A total of 149 patients were enrolled, of whom 111 (74.5%) formed the FAS. At week 12, 80 patients (72.1%) were DAS28(ESR) responders and 31 (27.9%) non-responders. Compared to non-responders, a greater proportion of week 12 responders had a DAS28(ESR) response at week 78 (43.8% versus 22.6%). Improvements in DAS28(ESR), HAQ-DI, and RADAI scores were also greater on average among week 12 responders, as was the proportion of patients meeting EULAR criteria. Overall, 9 patients (6.1%) experienced 13 ADRs during the study. Conclusion: These data demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of CZP in adult patients with RA treated during routine clinical practice in the UK and Ireland

Treatment Outcome and Mortality at One and Half Year Follow-Up of HIV Infected TB Patients Under TB Control Programme in a District of South India

There is paucity of data from India on the impact of HIV related immunosuppression in response to TB treatment and mortality among HIV infected TB patients. We assessed the TB treatment outcome and mortality in a cohort of HIV infected TB patients treated with intermittent short course chemotherapy under TB control programme in a high HIV prevalent district of south India. [aOR-4.90, CI (1.85–12.96)]. Factors associated with ‘Death’ were non initiation of ART [aOR-2.80, CI (1.15–6.81)] and CPT [aOR-3.46, CI (1.47–8.14)].Despite the treatment success of 75% the high mortality (30%) in the study group is a matter of concern and needs immediate intervention. Non initiation of ART has emerged as a high risk factor for unfavourable treatment outcome and mortality. These findings underscore the importance of expanding and improving delivery of ART services as a priority and reconsideration of the programme guidelines for ART initiation in HIV infected TB patients

Proteomic analysis of stress associated factor overexpression in Hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes a substantial portion, accounting for 85% to 90% of liver cancers worldwide. Notably, within the Hispanic population, liver cancer mortality rates are notably higher, particularly evident in regions like the South Texas Rio Grande Valley (RGV), where nearly 90% of the populace is Latino/Hispanic. This region grapples with poverty affecting nearly 30% of its residents, coupled with elevated rates of obesity, diabetes, and low-income households, thereby fostering a prevalent environment of stress. Stress can profoundly impact cancer outcomes by compromising immune functionality and triggering inflammatory responses, potentially impairing surveillance against oncogenic triggers. The activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis during stress results in the release of stress hormones like leptin and cortisol, possibly influencing cancer tumor progression and growth. The cumulative effects of stress, anxiety, and depression can detrimentally affect liver health, impairing hepatic cell function and regeneration, ultimately expediting HCC progression. This study has identified the Long Non-coding RNA (LncRNA) MALAT1 as overexpressed under stress conditions. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we\u27ve analyzed lncRNA expression in HCC patient cohorts. We want to comprehend the proteins and pathways influenced by stress-associated lncRNA MALAT1 expression in HCC, thereby illuminating potential mechanisms driving HCC progression under stressful conditions. Methods: We engineered a stable cell line (SK-Hep1_Malat1) overexpressing LncRNA Malat1, utilizing transient transfection, puromycin selection, and FACS enrichment for GFP expression. Additionally, a vector-only control cell line was established for comparative analysis. TCGA data encompassing HCC patient tumors was analyzed to explore LncRNA Malat1\u27s influence. Subsequently, High Throughput Nano-Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to identify proteins and pathways modulated in stable LncRNA Malat1-expressing cell lines. Further analyses included utilizing the Human Protein Atlas, Mechanism, Pathway Enrichment analyses, and STRING pathway analysis. Results: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database revealed heigh LncRNA Malat1 levels in HCC patient tumors compared to control tissues. Additionally, LncRNA Malat1 expression exhibited significant correlations with HCC progression, metastasis, and unfavorable clinical outcomes. We observed an upregulation of LncRNA MALAT1, ZNF384, and YB-1 genes to varying degrees, influenced by exposure to stress hormones (cortisol, leptin), and treatment duration. Furthermore, we identified the proteins and pathways modulated by lncRNA Malat1 overexpression in the SK-Hep1 cell line. The comprehensive results detailing these molecular alterations and pathway modulations will be presented. Conclusion: The identified differential proteins will undergo rigorous validation using quantitative techniques such as western blotting, immunoprecipitation, co-immunoprecipitation, and immune-fluorescence assays. Future investigations will encompass skimmed assessments to deliver deeper into the modulated pathways. Our findings illuminate the upregulation of oncogenic long non-coding RNA and transcription factors, outlining a signaling pathway model influenced by stress factors in HCC cell lines. Understanding the pivotal role of stress factors in oncogenicity and HCC progression holds promise in developing therapeutics, particularly for populations where stress contributes significantly to cancer disparities. These insights offer potential avenues for targeted interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of stress on HCC, potentially improving outcomes for affected populations

The Grizzly, September 19, 2024

Into the Breeches! • New AAPI House • Editor List • Confidence: Ursinus Graduate Katie Cressman\u27s Journey and Advice • Opinions: Ritter Hall Needs Work • Ursinus Football Roars to a Strong Start! • Field Hockey Stuns #10 Rowan!https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2036/thumbnail.jp

Risk Factors Associated with Default among New Smear Positive TB Patients Treated Under DOTS in India

BACKGROUND:Poor treatment adherence leading to risk of drug resistance, treatment failure, relapse, death and persistent infectiousness remains an impediment to the tuberculosis control programmes. The objective of the study was to identify predictors of default among new smear positive TB patients registered for treatment to suggest possible interventions to set right the problems to sustain and enhance the programme performance. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Twenty districts selected from six states were assigned to six strata formed, considering the geographic, socio-cultural and demographic setup of the area. New smear positive patients registered for treatment in two consecutive quarters during III quarter 2004 to III quarter 2005 formed the retrospective study cohort. Case control analysis was done including defaulted patients as "cases" and equal number of age and sex matched patients completing treatment as "controls". The presence and degree of association between default and determinant factors was computed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Data collection was through patient interviews using pre-tested semi structured questionnaire and review of treatment related records. Information on a wide range of socio demographic and patient related factors was obtained. Among the 687 defaulted and equal numbers of patients in completed group, 389 and 540 patients respectively were satisfactorily interviewed. In the logistic regression analysis, factors independently associated with default were alcoholism [AOR-1.72 (1.23-2.44)], illiteracy [AOR-1.40 (1.03-1.92)], having other commitments during treatment [AOR-3.22 (1.1-9.09)], inadequate knowledge of TB [AOR-1.88(1.35-2.63)], poor patient provider interaction [AOR-1.72(1.23-2.44)], lack of support from health staff [AOR-1.93(1.41-2.64)], having instances of missed doses [AOR-2.56(1.82-3.57)], side effects to anti TB drugs [AOR-2.55 (1.87-3.47)] and dissatisfaction with services provided [AOR-1.73 (1.14-2.6)]. CONCLUSION:Majority of risk factors for default were treatment and provider oriented and rectifiable with appropriate interventions, which would help in sustaining the good programme performance

The Grizzly, October 3, 2024

Upcoming Performance by Mina Choi • Swing Into This Club • Latin Jazz Social at the Berman • Dungeons & Dragons and Denn, Oh My! • Women in Technology and Science Club • Opinions: Give Me My Money! • Moneyball Comes to Collegeville: New Sports Analytics Club • Patterson Field Gets Massive Upgradehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2038/thumbnail.jp

Spectroscopic comprehension of Mott-Hubbard insulator to negative charge transfer metal transition in LaNi_{x}V_{1-x}O_{3} thin films

The room temperature (300 K) electronic structure of pulsed laser deposited LaNi_{x}V_{1-x}O_{3} thin films have been demonstrated. The substitution of early-transition metal (TM) V in LaVO_{3} thin films with late-TM Ni leads to the decreasing in out-of-plane lattice parameter. Doping of Ni does not alter the formal valence state of Ni and V in LaNi_{x}V_{1-x}O_{3} thin films, divulging the absence of carrier doping into the system. The valence band spectrum is observed to comprise of incoherent structure owing to the localized V 3d band along with the coherent structure at Fermi level. With increase in Ni concentration, the weight of the coherent feature increases, which divulges its origin to the Ni 3d-O 2p hybridized band. The shift of Ni 3d-O 2p hybridized band towards higher energy in Ni doped LaVO_{3} films compared to the LaNiO_{3} film endorses the modification in ligand to metal charge transfer (CT) energy. The Ni doping in Mott-Hubbard insulator LaVO_{3} leads to the closure of Mott-Hubbard gap by building of spectral weight that provides the delocalized electrons for conduction. A transition from bandwidth control Mott-Hubbard insulator LaVO_{3} to negative CT metallicity character in LaNiO_{3} film is observed. The study reveals that unlike in Mott-Hubbard insulators where the strong Coulomb interaction between the 3d electrons decides the electronic structure of the system, CT energy can deliver an additional degree of freedom to optimize material properties in Ni doped LaVO_{3} films.Comment: 30 pages, 8 figure

LncRNA malat1 as a novel stress related factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

As a result of the fast life pace, stress, and a major dietary shift toward preserved food, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and mortality are on rising trend, thus posing severe concerns. Texas is expected to have the second highest number of deaths related to liver cancer, with Hispanics having the highest mortality rate. HCC accounts for 85% to 90% of liver cancers. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) region, where a predominantly (~90%) Latino/Hispanic population resides, has ~4-fold higher prevalence of liver cirrhosis and is a major hotspot of HCC in the nation. In addition, it was found to be positively correlated with diabetes and obesity. Thus, the RGV region is severely affected by the disproportionate burden of HCC incidence and mortality. As per recent SEER data, the five-year survival rate in this disease drops from 35% to 2% of patients diagnosed with regional and distant stages. Unfortunately, no adequate and specific molecular markers are available that can detect HCC at the early onset of disease. Additionally, how different socio-behavioral, dietary, and stress factors influence the molecular drivers of HCC are not fully understood. It has been demonstrated that, apart from family history, different socio-behavioral factors, certain diets, alcohol, and smoking are associated with dysregulated functioning of a major endocrine (HPA; Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis and higher levels of biochemical stressors (cortisol, cytokines, leptin). These are active areas of research in the HCC field to aid the discovery of new early diagnostic molecular markers and define molecular triggers of the disease. Recently, we have observed that a Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA), Metastasis Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 (LncRNA MALAT1), is involved in HCC pathogenesis. It is regulated by the transcription factor Nuclear Factor of Activated T cell 1 (NFATc1), a poor survival indicator of cancer patients. We have developed a novel, clinically applicable Z-Probe-based RNAScope Technology for detecting LncRNAs (such as MALAT1) on tumor tissues just like immunohistochemistry. This will allow us to investigate MALAT1 expression about NFATc1 and establish the association of these two distinct class of molecular markers (LncRNA and NFATC1 protein) in HCC samples. We are investigating how biochemical stress factors can influence the expression of these two oncogenic drivers