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In this paper, we consider the Hamiltonian analysis of Yang–Mills theory and some variants of it in three space–time dimensions using the Schrödinger representation. This representation, although technically more involved than the usual covariant formulation, may be better suited for some nonperturbative issues. Specifically for the Yang–Mills theory, we explain how to set up the Hamiltonian formulation in terms of manifestly gauge-invariant variables and set up an expansion scheme for solving the Schrödinger equation. We review the calculation of the string tension, the Casimir energy and the propagator mass and compare with the results from lattice simulations. The computation of the first set of corrections to the string tension, string breaking effects, extensions to the Yang–Mills–Chern–Simons theory and to the supersymmetric cases are also discussed. We also comment on how entanglement for the vacuum state can be formulated in terms of the BFK gluing formula. This paper concludes with a discussion of the status and prospects of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gauge-invariant mass term for nonabelian gauge fields in two dimensions can be expressed as the Wess–Zumino–Witten (WZW) action. Hard thermal loops in the gauge theory in four dimensions at finite temperatures generate a screening mass for some components of the gauge field. This can be expressed in terms of the WZW action using the bundle of complex structures (for Euclidean signature) or the bundle of lightcones over Minkowski space. We show that a dynamically generated mass term in three dimensions can be put within the same general framework using the bundle of Sasakian structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unresectable pancreatic cancer (UPC) is associated with dismal survival outcomes, with a reported median survival of 8-12 months. The role of radiotherapy (RT) and the choice of optimal fractionation remains unclear. Our objective was analyzing the outcomes associated with local radiotherapy as well as determine the best radiotherapeutic approach to treat these patients. From a database of 209 radiation plans of patients treated for pancreatic cancer in a single institution between August 2007 to August 2021, patients with UPC were selected for this REB approved retrospective study. From the 209 plans, 136 unique patients were identified who had RT for UPC. The mean age of the cohort was 67.6 years, 10% were >80 years and 37% were female. Median follow-up was 9.3 months. 54 patients had distant metastases at the time of RT and were analyzed separately. Outcomes where analyzed based on whether patients received Conventionally fractionated RT (CFRT) (defined as >15 fractions) (n = 23 (17%)), Hypofractionated RT (HypoRT) (defined as ≤15 fractions and EQD2<40Gy for α/β = 3) (n = 40 (29%)) and those treated with Stereotactic Body RT (SBRT) (defined as ≤5 fractions and EQD2≥40Gy for α/β = 3) (n = 19 (14%)). The mean overall survival (OS) and freedom from progression (FFP) in the SBRT cohort was 17.2 and 7.4 months respectively, in the CFRT cohort was 22.6 and 9.9 months respectively and in the HypoRT cohort was 11.4 and 4.9 months respectively. All CFRT patients received chemotherapy. Mean OS was drastically lower in SBRT and HypoRT patients who did not receive any chemotherapy (11.9 and 3.4 months respectively). Patients with metastatic disease at presentation and receiving HypoRT had mean OS of 13.4 months. The average EQD2 for the cohorts were 45.4 Gy, 49.2 Gy and 30.3 Gy for CFRT, SBRT and HypoRT respectively. Our study demonstrates that CFRT with concurrent chemotherapy offers better therapeutic outcomes in patients with UPC compared to HypoRT. The role of dose escalated SBRT needs to be explored as an equal alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Tumor immune evasion involves the expansion of avidly proliferating immunosuppressive cells and inhibition of effector T cell proliferation. Immune checkpoints (IC) block the activation pathways of tumor‐reactive T cells. IC pathways are often exploited by tumor cells to evade immune destruction, and blocking these pathways through IC inhibitors (ICI) has shown promising results in multiple malignancies. In this study, we investigated the effects of an ICI, pembrolizumab, on various T cell subsets in vitro. We compared the suppressive activity of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (conventional Treg) with T cells expressing T cell immunoglobulin‐3+ (TIM‐3+) and latency‐associated peptide (LAP)+ T cells. We found that LAP‐expressing T cells were more suppressive than conventional Treg, but TIM‐3‐expressing T cells were not suppressive. Our results show that pembrolizumab does not modulate functions of Treg and mediates its immunostimulatory effects via the release of effector T cells from suppression. These findings may assist in the development of agents designed to intervene in IC pathways to overcome Treg resistance to ICI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to detect in vitro adherence of Enterococcus faecalis to the infected dentinal tubules of human extracted teeth using confocal laser scanning microscope. Subjects and Methods: Roots from human premolar teeth (n = 40) were infected with E. faecalis strain the American Type Culture Collection 29212 in brain heart infusion for 21 days. After the experimental period, specimens were divided into two groups, Group A (n = 20), Group B (n = 20), and Group A specimens were stained with fluorescein diacetate dye for the detection of viability and adherence Group B were stained with acridine orange dye for detection of metabolic activity and adherence. Samples were washed, thoroughly sectioned and examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Computer-assisted determinants of fluorescence, bacterial viability, metabolic activity, and adherence were compared statistically. Results: E. faecalis was able to invade the dentinal tubules to a depth of 1-400 µm and adhere to 1-200 µm depth. Adherence (90%) was significantly higher in 1-100 µm using fluorescein diacetate and acridine orange dye. Conclusion: Adherence of E. faecalis as evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscope was highest at the depth of 1-100 µm which may have an impact on the shaping and cleaning procedures on the root canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocrystals of neodymium aluminate (NdAlO3) are synthesized using an optimized single step auto-ignition citrate complex combustion process. The combustion product was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Ultraviolet–visible reflection spectroscopy. The combustion product is single phase and composed of aggregates of nanocrystals of sizes in the range 20–40nm. The NdAlO3 crystallized in rhombohedral perovskite structure with lattice parameters a =5.3223Å and c =12.9292Å. The absorption spectrum of the NdAlO3 nanocrystals shows characteristic absorption bands of the Nd atom. The polycrystalline fluffy combustion product is sintered to high density (~97%) at ~1450°C for 4h and the microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The electrical properties of the sintered product were studied using dielectric measurements. The sintered NdAlO3 has a dielectric constant (εr) and a dielectric loss (tan δ) of 21.9 and ~10−3 at 5MHz, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preliminary analysis of flavonoid chromatographic migration profiles of endemic/endangered species ofRauvolfiaL from Southern Western Ghats of India were carried out. Paper chromatogram showed maximum separation in the solvent system of forestral. In the paper chromatogram, number of flavonoid spots varied from 9 to 12 in the five taxa studied. The main aglycones detected in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis were flavones apigenin and luteolin, flavonol kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin and anthocyanidins such as delphinidin and cyanidin. Flavonol Quercetin was detected in all the five species ofRauvolfiagiving a chemotaxonomic significance to its presence at the generic level. The two speciesRauvolfia serpentinaandRauvolfia tetraphyllacould be regarded as the most primitive in the evolutionary line with respect to the flavonoid pattern.Rauvolfia densiflorahas the most advanced pattern of flavonoids. The dendrogram generated by unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) cluster analysis of chemo metric data showed a clear grouping of five species in three clusters. Flavonoid profiles were efficiently used for the identification ofRauvolfia beddomei, which due to morphological similarity, was erroneously suspected to be the medicinally significant speciesRauvolfia micrantha. Flavonoid profiling using paper chromatography, in the solvent system of forestral could suggest an easy and quick procedure for identifying adulteration by substitution inRauvolfiaspecies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses some of the frequently-asked questions about HIV testing in Great Britain. It was reported that of the 91,500 people with HIV in Britain, 24% remain undiagnosed based on seroprevalence surveys. Failure to offer an HIV test when indicated could be regarded as clinical negligence, according to a medico legal point of view. Some of the questions to consider about HIV testing include who should be tested, who can do the test and the window period for the infection.

In this study we evaluated the antiinflammatory and anti-granuloma activity of standardized Terminalia chebula hydroalcoholic extract (TCHE) in experimental models. Adult male Wistar rats from our institutional breeding stock were used in this study. TCHE was orally administered to three groups of animals at 20mg/, 40mg/ and 80mg/kg, respectively. Indomethacin (3mg/kg) was used as the reference drug. TCHE and indomethacin was suspended in 1% gum acacia and administered by gavage, according to treatment protocols for different models. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The effect on macrophages was studied by using subcutaneous cotton pellet implantation-induced granuloma formation and stimulation of peritoneal macrophages using complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in Wistar rats. Circulating TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-lbeta levels and macrophage expression of TNF-R1 was evaluated as marker of global inflammation. Although there was a decrease in paw edema in all TCHE treated groups, significant reduction (p<0.05) against control was only observed in the highest dose treated group, 3 h post carrageenan administration. In the cotton pellet-induced granuloma model, there was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in dry granuloma weight and circulating TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-lbeta levels in the TCHE (80mg/kg) treated group as compared to control. Immunoblot analysis for TNF-R1 expression in CFA-stimulated peritoneal macrophages also demonstrated a significant reduction (p<0.05) in receptor protein expression after TCHE treatment. Result of the present study thus demonstrates the anti-granuloma activity of TCHE in experimental models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical and antioxidant activity studies of the leaves of Rauovlofia beddomei Hook. (Apocyanaceae) have been carried out. The ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract yielded five compounds ( 1 - 5) identified as flavonoids: ( 1) kaempferol, ( 2) kaempferol-3-O-D-glucoside, ( 3) quercetin, ( 4) apigenin-3-O-D-glucoside, and ( 5) apigenin-7-O-neohespiridoside. The structures of compounds 1 - 5 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The antioxidant properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated by measuring their ability to scavenge DPPH radicals and superoxide anions, to inhibit xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity, and to inhibit lipid peroxidation (LPO) in a liposome model system. Compound 3 was a strong scavenger of DPPH and superoxide anion radicals, inhibitor of XOD activity, and potent LPO inhibitor, showing some structure - activity relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present review is aimed at the non-specialist reader and is one of a number being written on important diseases of poultry to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the birth of Avian Pathology, the journal of the World Veterinary Poultry Association. The diseases of the avian leukosis complex have a number of features of distinction. They were the first neoplastic diseases in any species to be shown, 100 years ago, to be transmissible and caused by viruses, and have consequently been studied extensively by biomedical scientists as models for the role of viruses in cancer. They also became, from around the 1920s, the major cause of mortality and economic loss to the developed poultry industry, and were studied by agricultural scientists searching to understand and control them. The remit of the review is to cover research carried out over the 40 years since 1971, when the journal was founded. In this review on avian leukosis, an introductory summary is given of knowledge acquired over the preceding 60 years. Subsequently a selection is provided of discoveries, both fundamental and more applied, that seem to us to be of particular importance and interest. Much of the work was carried out by biomedical scientists interested in cancer. Probably the most significant was the discovery in the avian retroviruses of oncogenes that cause leukosis and other tumours and of their origin from proto-oncogenes in normal cells. These oncogenes are involved in cancer in many species, including chickens and humans. Other work was performed by agricultural scientists interested in poultry disease. Interests of the two groups have overlapped, particularly as a result of a shift of emphasis to molecular biology research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is significant inter-observer variation amongst the neuro-pathologists in the typing, subtyping, and grading of glial neoplasms for diagnosis. Centralized pathology review has been proposed to minimize this inter-observer variation and is now almost mandatory for accrual into multicentric trials. We sought to assess the concordance between neuro-pathologists on histopathological diagnosis of glioblastoma. Materials and Methods: Comparison of local, institutional, and central neuro-oncopathology reporting in a cohort of 34 patients with newly diagnosed supratentorial glioblastoma accrued consecutively at a tertiary-care institution on a prospective trial testing the addition of a new agent to standard chemo-radiation regimen. Results: Concordance was sub-optimal between local histological diagnosis and central review, fair between local diagnosis and institutional review, and good between institutional and central review, with respect to histological typing/subtyping. Twelve (39%) of 31 patients with local histological diagnosis had identical tumor type, subtype and grade on central review. Overall agreement was modestly better (52%) between local diagnosis and institutional review. In contrast, 28 (83%) of 34 patients had completely concordant histopathologic diagnosis between institutional and central review. The inter-observer reliability test showed poor agreement between local and central review (kappa statistic=0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.03-0.32, P=0.043), but moderate agreement between institutional and central review (kappa statistic=0.51, 95%CI: 0.17-0.84, P=0.00003). Agreement between local diagnosis and institutional review was fair. Conclusions: There exists significant inter-observer variation regarding histopathological diagnosis of glioblastoma with significant implications for clinical research and practice. There is a need for more objective, quantitative, robust, and reproducible criteria for better subtyping for accurate diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil P concentrations in agricultural soils have increased over the years, increasing concerns about eutrophication of surface waters. Sandy soils are particularly prone to P leaching due to limited P retention capacity. This study tested the validity of a measure of soil P storage capacity (SPSC) for sandy soils amended with dairy and poultry manure by evaluation of SPSC response to P gain or loss under controlled laboratory conditions. Forty soil samples representing A, E, and Bt horizons were collected from two dairy and two poultry operations within the Suwannee River Basin. Soils were packed into 1.5-cm-diameter columns and 0.05 M KCl solution was passed through the column using unsaturated flow at pore water velocities of approximately 1 cm d-1. Then the soils were leached with known quantities of P. Several P addition and leaching cycles followed and the whole experiment lasted approximately 30 mo. Phosphorus in the leachate was measured after each P addition. The P saturation ratio (PSR) was calculated from oxalate P, Al, and Fe extracts analyzed before and after the study. The SPSC of the soils was calculated based on a threshold PSR of 0.15 for the oxalate solutions. Changes in SPSC due to repeated P additions corresponded to predicted values calculated from P loading amounts, taking into consideration the P concentration before additional P loading. Results support the validity of SPSC as a means of estimating P loading rates that pose low environmental risk for specific sandy soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) losses from sandy soils that are predominant in the 1.4 million ha of pastureland in Florida are a major cause of water pollution. We hypothesized that soil P loss would be lower from silvopastoral systems than from treeless pastures because soil P removal by a combined stand of trees and pasture would be more than that of treeless pasture. Four slash pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm.) + bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum Flüggé) silvopastoral systems located in Alachua, Suwannee, Manatee, and Osceola counties in Florida were selected for the study. The former two sites are on Ultisols, and the latter two on Spodosols. Soil samples were collected at different depth increments. Soil P storage capacity (SPSC), the maximum amount of P that can be safely applied to a soil before it becomes an environmental concern, was calculated. Water-soluble P concentrations in the 0–5 cm soil layer ranged from 4 to 11 mg kg−1 for the silvopasture sites and 10 to 23 mg kg−1 in the treeless pasture sites, with higher P concentrations in the treeless pasture at each location. Total SPSC in the upper 1 m depth ranged from 342 to 657 kg ha−1 in the silvopasture sites and −60 to 926 kg ha−1 in the treeless pasture sites (a negative value indicates that the soil is a P source). The results suggest that P buildup within the soil profile and therefore the chances for loss of P from soil to water bodies were less from silvopastures than from treeless pastures. Thus, silvopasture systems can be expected to provide greater environmental service in regard to water quality protection compared to treeless pastures under comparable ecological settings [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give a short discussion/review of the recent developments expressing the perturbative scattering amplitudes in Yang-Mills theory, specifically for the $\mathcal{N} = 4$ theory, in terms of holomorphic curves in a supersymmetric twistor space. Holomorphic curves, which are maps of CP1 to the supertwistor space, can also be interpreted as the lowest Landau level wave functions; this point of view is also briefly explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary cardiac tumours are rare, with an autopsy incidence ranging from 0.001% to 0.030%. Three-quarters of these tumours are benign and nearly half of the benign tumours are myxomas. Metastases to the heart are far more common than primary cardiac tumours. Primary cardiac tumours present with one or more of the symptoms of the classic triad of: cardiac symptoms and signs resulting from intracardiac obstruction; signs of systemic embolisation; and systemic or constitutional symptoms. They are diagnosed by use of transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiograms, MRI, and CT scan. Whereas surgery is indicated in patients with benign tumours, systemic chemotherapy is indicated in those who have widespread or unresectable malignant disease, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy are usually combined in treatment of patients with primary cardiac lymphomas. The prognosis after surgery is usually excellent in the case of benign tumours but is unfortunately still limited in localised malignant diseases. Patients with sarcomas live for a mean of 3 months to 1 year, and those with lymphomas live up to 5 years if treated, but usually die within 1 month if untreated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-depolarizing neuromuscular block is monitored throughout surgery and antagonized at the end of anaesthesia to restore muscle tone rapidly and completely, so that patients can maintain a patent airway and adequate pulmonary ventilation. Rapid, reliable antagonism of competitive neuromuscular block only occurs if spontaneous recovery from block has commenced before antagonism. The agents commonly used to effect it are the anticholinesterases. By their inhibitory effect on the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, these drugs increase the amount of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thus overcoming the effects of any residual neuromuscular blocking agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gangliogliomas are rare tumors of the Central Nervous System. Five Gangliogliomas were diagnosed out of 1560 brain tumours surgically resected out in a period of 5 years accounting for 0.32%. We have tried to discuss in detail the pathological features of these tumours and have mentioned the clinical and radiological features associated with them. All the slides, tissue blocks and pathology reports of the surgical specimens of gangliglioma were reviewed and the clinical and radiological data reviewed. The ages of the patients ranged from 7 - 65 years with 4 males and 1 female. The tumors were located in the lateral ventricle (a rare site), temporal, parietal and the frontal lobes with duration of seizures varying from 1-9 years. The tumors were diagnosed by the presence of a dual population of neoplastic ganglionic and glial components. The glial components consisted of pilocytic astrocytes (I case), fibrillary astrocytes (2 cases), oligodendrocytes (1 case) and anaplastic astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (1 case). There was one-grade I GG, three-Grade II GGs and one-grade III GG. Astrocytes were the commonest glial component of GGs, either pilocytic or fibrillary. Oligodendrocytes as the glial component of GGs was seen in 2 cases one of which was anaplastic and this is a rare finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I review the analysis of (2+1)-dimensional Yang-Mills (YM[sub 2+1]) theory via the use of gauge-invariant matrix variables. The vacuum wavefunction, string tension, the propagator mass for gluons, its relation to the magnetic mass for YM[sub 3+1] at nonzero temperature and the extension of our analysis to the Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory are discussed. A possible extension to 3 + 1 dimensions is also briefly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new chaetognath, Sagitta nairi n. sp., is described from the Agatti Lagoon, Laccadive Sea (India). It is easily recognizable by its unexpected fan-shaped anterior teeth, the main characteristic feature that justifies, among the Order Aphragmophora (species devoid of transverse musculature), the distinction of the suborder Flabellodontina for the two species of the genus Krohnitta, as opposed to the Ctenodontina (genera Sagitta and Pterosagitta). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct plasmon creation and annihilation operators for Yang-Mills theory at finite temperature. This provides a starting point for perturbation theory with resummation of hard thermal loopsin a Hamiltonian framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several algorithmic models have been proposed to estimate software costs and other management parameters. Early prediction of completion time is absolutely essential for proper advance planning and aversion of the possible ruin of a project. Putnam's SLIM model offers a fairly reliable method that is used extensively to predict project completion times and manpower requirements as the project evolves. However, the nature of the Norden/Rayleigh curve used by Putnam, renders it unreliable during the initial phases of the project, especially in projects involving a fast manpower buildup, as is the case with most software projects. In this paper, we propose the use of a model that improves early prediction considerably over the Putnam model. An analytic proof of the model's improved performance is also demonstrated on simulated data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The observables associated with a quantum system S form a non-commutative algebra A S . It is assumed that a density matrix ρ can be determined from the expectation values of observables. But A S admits inner automorphisms a ↦ u a u âˆ' 1 , a , u ∈ A S , u * u = u u * = 1 , so that its individual elements can be identified only up to unitary transformations. So since Tr  ρ (uau *) = Tr(u * ρu) a, only the spectrum of ρ, or its characteristic polynomial, can be determined in quantum mechanics. In local quantum field theory, ρ cannot be determined at all, as we shall explain. However, abelian algebras do not have inner automorphisms, so the measurement apparatus can determine mean values of observables in abelian algebras A M ⊂ A S (M for measurement, S for system). We study the uncertainties in extending ρ | A M to ρ | A S (the determination of which means measurement of A S ) and devise a protocol to determine ρ | A S ≡ ρ by determining ρ | A M for different choices of A M . The problem we formulate and study is a generalization of the Kadisonâ€"Singer theorem. We give an example where the system S is a particle on a circle and the experiment measures the abelian algebra of a magnetic field B coupled to S. The measurement of B gives information about the state ρ of the system S due to operator mixing. Associated uncertainty principles for von Neumann entropy are discussed in the appendix, adapting the earlier work by BiaĹ‚ynicki-Birula and Mycielski (1975 Commun. Math. Phys. 44 129) to the present case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rare malignant tumor of the endometrium, occurring in the age group of 40-50 years. This is a case of low-grade ESS presenting as rapid enlargement of a fibroid uterus. Because of her secondary infertility, she was planned for myomectomy. However, due to the high degree of suspicion of a sarcomatous change in the fibroid, in view of rapid enlargement of uterus within the last 4 months, we planned for a preoperative endometrial aspiration. It showed low-grade ESS, which was later confirmed by histopathology examination of total hysterectomy specimen. As surgery was the main treatment for ESS, because of the proper preoperative diagnosis, we could plan the treatment accordingly. Despite the rarity of the tumor, one has to consider the possibility of ESS in cases with presentation of rapid enlargement of a fibroid uterus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroleptic drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other affective disorders are known to produce extrapyramidal side effects. Catalepsy induced by these drugs in animals has been used as a model for the extrapyramidal side effects associated with antipsychotic agents in human beings. In the present study, we have attempted to evaluate the protective effect of the ethanolic leaf extractof Ocimum sanctum (OS) on haloperidol (1.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneal administration)-induced catalepsy in mice by employing the standard bar test. Mice were allocated to seven groups, each group containing six animals. The effects of the test drug OS (at 1.75, 4.25 and 8.5 mg/kg doses) and the standard drugs, scopolamine (1.0 mg/kg) and ondansetron (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg doses) were assessed after single and repeat dose administration for seven days, 30 minutes prior to the haloperidol. The results suggest that OS has a protective effect against haloperidol-induced catalepsy, which is comparable to the standard drugs used for the same purpose. Our study indicates that OS could be used to prevent drug-induced extrapyramidal side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an increase of a factor up to 5 in JC on mixing varying amounts of Ag2O with YBa2Cu3O7. The increase correlates with an increase in texture as seen by x-ray diffraction intensities. Microstructure indicates the formation of platelets with c axis normal to the platelets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple capless annealing process for post-implantation annealing of InP material is described. The technique incorporates a simple boat design and uses InP+Sn as the source of phosphorus overpressure. Using this process, Si-implanted (4×1012 cm-2 dose) InP layers show mobilities at room temperature and 77 K in the range of 3200 and ∼10 000 cm2/Vs, respectively. Dopant depth profiles with peak donor densities of 2×1017 cm-3 and minimal redistribution of impurities were obtained. Depletion-mode InP metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistors fabricated with 4-μm gate lengths using ion-implanted channel and source-drain regions, show channel mobilities of 2500 cm2/Vs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A subset of individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are predisposed to developing diabetic kidney disease (DKD), the most common cause globally of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Emerging evidence suggests epigenetic changes in DNA methylation may have a causal role in both T1DM and DKD. The aim of this exploratory investigation was to assess differences in blood-derived DNA methylation patterns between individuals with T1DM-ESKD and individuals with long-duration T1DM but no evidence of kidney disease upon repeated testing to identify potential blood-based biomarkers. Blood-derived DNA from individuals (107 cases, 253 controls and 14 experimental controls) were bisulphite treated before DNA methylation patterns from both groups were generated and analysed using Illumina's Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip arrays (n = 862,927 sites). Differentially methylated CpG sites (dmCpGs) were identified (false discovery rate adjusted p ≤ × 10–8 and fold change ± 2) by comparing methylation levels between ESKD cases and T1DM controls at single site resolution. Gene annotation and functionality was investigated to enrich and rank methylated regions associated with ESKD in T1DM. Results: Top-ranked genes within which several dmCpGs were located and supported by functional data with methylation look-ups in other cohorts include: AFF3, ARID5B, CUX1, ELMO1, FKBP5, HDAC4, ITGAL, LY9, PIM1, RUNX3, SEPTIN9 and UPF3A. Top-ranked enrichment pathways included pathways in cancer, TGF-β signalling and Th17 cell differentiation. Conclusions: Epigenetic alterations provide a dynamic link between an individual's genetic background and their environmental exposures. This robust evaluation of DNA methylation in carefully phenotyped individuals has identified biomarkers associated with ESKD, revealing several genes and implicated key pathways associated with ESKD in individuals with T1DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]