Magnetic field tuning of coplanar waveguide resonators

We describe measurements on microwave coplanar resonators designed for quantum bit experiments. Resonators have been patterned onto sapphire and silicon substrates, and quality factors in excess of a million have been observed. The resonant frequency shows a high sensitivity to magnetic field applied perpendicular to the plane of the film, with a quadratic dependence for the fundamental, second and third harmonics. Frequency shift of hundreds of linewidths can be obtained.Comment: Accepted for publication in AP

On the properties of superconducting planar resonators at mK temperatures

Planar superconducting resonators are now being increasingly used at mK temperatures in a number of novel applications. They are also interesting devices in their own right since they allow us to probe the properties of both the superconductor and its environment. We have experimentally investigated three types of niobium resonators - including a lumped element design - fabricated on sapphire and SiO_2/Si substrates. They all exhibit a non-trivial temperature dependence of their centre frequency and quality factor. Our results shed new light on the interaction between the electromagnetic waves in the resonator and two-level fluctuators in the substrate.Comment: V2 includes some minor corrections/changes. Submitted to PR

Circuit QED with a Flux Qubit Strongly Coupled to a Coplanar Transmission Line Resonator

We propose a scheme for circuit quantum electrodynamics with a superconducting flux-qubit coupled to a high-Q coplanar resonator. Assuming realistic circuit parameters we predict that it is possible to reach the strong coupling regime. Routes to metrological applications, such as single photon generation and quantum non-demolition measurements are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies suggest pharmacological treatment used in patients with glucokinase mutations does not alter glycaemia

This is a freely-available open access publication. Please cite the published version which is available via the DOI link in this record.Heterozygous glucokinase (GCK) mutations cause mild, fasting hyperglycaemia from birth. Although patients are usually asymptomatic and have glycaemia within target ranges, some are put on pharmacological treatment. We aimed to investigate how many patients are on pharmacological treatment and the impact of treatment on glycaemic control.European Community’s Seventh Framework ProgrammeNIHR Exeter Clinical Research FacilityWellcome Trus

Penetrance and expressivity of mitochondrial variants in a large clinically unselected population

\ua9 The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) from large clinically unselected cohorts provides a unique opportunity to assess the penetrance and expressivity of rare and/or known pathogenic mitochondrial variants in population. Using WGS from 179 862 clinically unselected individuals from the UK Biobank, we performed extensive single and rare variant aggregation association analyses of 15 881 mtDNA variants and 73 known pathogenic variants with 15 mitochondrial disease-relevant phenotypes. We identified 12 homoplasmic and one heteroplasmic variant (m.3243A>G) with genome-wide significant associations in our clinically unselected cohort. Heteroplasmic m.3243A>G (MAF = 0.0002, a known pathogenic variant) was associated with diabetes, deafness and heart failure and 12 homoplasmic variants increased aspartate aminotransferase levels including three low-frequency variants (MAF ~0.002 and beta~0.3 SD). Most pathogenic mitochondrial disease variants (n = 66/74) were rare in the population (<1:9000). Aggregated or single variant analysis of pathogenic variants showed low penetrance in unselected settings for the relevant phenotypes, except m.3243A>G. Multi-system disease risk and penetrance of diabetes, deafness and heart failure greatly increased with m.3243A>G level ≥ 10%. The odds ratio of these traits increased from 5.61, 12.3 and 10.1 to 25.1, 55.0 and 39.5, respectively. Diabetes risk with m.3243A>G was further influenced by type 2 diabetes genetic risk. Our study of mitochondrial variation in a large-unselected population identified novel associations and demonstrated that pathogenic mitochondrial variants have lower penetrance in clinically unselected settings. m.3243A>G was an exception at higher heteroplasmy showing a significant impact on health making it a good candidate for incidental reporting

Improvements in Awareness and Testing Have Led to a Threefold Increase Over 10 Years in the Identification of Monogenic Diabetes in the U.K

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the American Diabetes Association via the DOI in this recordAims/hypothesis: Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a rare monogenic form of diabetes. In 2009, >80% of UK cases were estimated to be misdiagnosed. Since then, there have been a number of initiatives to improve the awareness and detection of MODY including education initiatives (Genetic Diabetes Nurse (GDN) programme), the MODY probability calculator, and targeted next generation sequencing (tNGS). We aimed to examine how the estimated prevalence of MODY, and other forms of monogenic diabetes diagnosed outside the neonatal period, has changed over time and how the initiatives have impacted case finding. Research design and Methods: UK referrals for genetic testing for monogenic diabetes diagnosed >1y of age from 01/01/1996 to 31/12/2019 were examined. Positive-test rates were compared for referrals reporting involvement of the GDNs/MODY calculator with those that did not. Results: A diagnosis of monogenic diabetes was confirmed in 3860 individuals, >3-fold higher than 2009 (01/01/1996-28/02/2009; n=1177). Median age at diagnosis in probands was 21y. GDN involvement was reported in 21% of referrals; these referrals had a higher positive-test rate than those without GDN involvement (32% v 23%, p<0.001). MODY calculator usage was indicated on 74% of eligible referrals since 2014; these referrals had a higher positive-test rate than those not using the calculator (33% v 25%, p=0.001). 410 (10.6%) cases were identified through tNGS. Monogenic diabetes prevalence was estimated to be 248 cases/million (double that estimated in 2009 due to increased case-finding). 3 Conclusions: Since 2009, referral rates and case diagnosis have increased three-fold. This is likely to be the consequence of tNGS, GDN education and the MODY calculator

Suitability of compensatory saltmarsh habitat for feeding and diet of multiple estuarine fish species

Saltmarsh provides essential fish feeding and nursery habitat but has globally declined by 50%. We used a statistical block design to compare fish feeding activity within human-engineered or “re-aligned” saltmarsh to established saltmarsh. Linear and multivariate modelling highlighted that Thinlip Mullet (Chelon ramada) and European Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) feeding rates were 16% and 31% lower within re-aligned than established saltmarshes, whereas Gobies (Pomatoschistus spp.) fed at the same rate as in both habitats. Analysis of European bass and Goby gut contents highlighted that important detritivorous prey species were up to 85.6% lower in re-aligned sites. Lower vegetation density may have negatively affected the feeding ecologies of fishes within re-aligned sites. However, due to the ecological value and potential for further improvement or habitat development, continued assessment of the beneficial effects of re-aligned sites for fisheries and net gain perspectives is needed

Population-Based Assessment of a Biomarker-Based Screening Pathway to Aid Diagnosis of Monogenic Diabetes in Young-Onset Patients

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the American Diabetes Association via the DOI in this record.Objective: Monogenic diabetes, a young-onset form of diabetes, is often misdiagnosed as Type 1 diabetes, resulting in unnecessary treatment with insulin. A screening approach for monogenic diabetes is needed to accurately select suitable patients for expensive diagnostic genetic testing. We used C-peptide and islet autoantibodies, highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for discriminating Type 1 from non-Type 1 diabetes, in a biomarker screening pathway for monogenic diabetes. Research Design and Methods: We studied patients diagnosed ≤30y, currently <50y, in two UK regions with existing high detection of monogenic diabetes. The biomarker screening pathway comprised 3 stages: 1) Assessment of endogenous insulin secretion using urinary C-peptide/creatinine ratio (UCPCR); 2) If UCPCR≥0.2nmol/mmol, measurement of GAD and IA2 islet autoantibodies; 3) If negative for both autoantibodies, molecular genetic diagnostic testing for 35 monogenic diabetes subtypes. Results: 1407 patients participated (1365 no known genetic cause, 34 monogenic diabetes, 8 cystic-fibrosis-related diabetes). 386/1365(28%) had UCPCR≥0.2nmol/mmol. 216/386(56%) of these patients were negative for GAD and IA2 and underwent molecular genetic testing. 17 new cases of monogenic diabetes were diagnosed (8 common MODY (Sanger sequencing), 9 rarer causes (next generation sequencing)) in addition to the 34 known cases (estimated prevalence of 3.6% (51/1407) (95%CI: 2.7-4.7%)). The positive predictive value was 20%, suggesting a 1-in-5 detection rate for the pathway. The negative predictive value was 99.9%. Conclusions: The biomarker screening pathway for monogenic diabetes is an effective, cheap, and easily implemented approach to systematically screening all young-onset patients. The minimum prevalence of monogenic diabetes is 3.6% of patients diagnosed ≤30y.This study was funded by the Department of Health and Wellcome Trust Health Innovation Challenge Award (HICF-1009-041; WT-091985). ATH and SE are Wellcome Trust Senior Investigators. ATH is an NIHR Senior Investigator. BS, ATH, MH, SE, and BK are core members of the NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility. EP is a Wellcome Trust New Investigator. TM is supported by NIHR CSO Fellowship. JP is partly funded by the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care for the South West (PenCLAHRC)

Improved genetic testing for monogenic diabetes using targeted next-generation sequencing

addresses: Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK. [email protected]: PMCID: PMC3737433types: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tOpen Access ArticleCurrent genetic tests for diagnosing monogenic diabetes rely on selection of the appropriate gene for analysis according to the patient's phenotype. Next-generation sequencing enables the simultaneous analysis of multiple genes in a single test. Our aim was to develop a targeted next-generation sequencing assay to detect mutations in all known MODY and neonatal diabetes genes