Large Disorder Renormalization Group Study of the Anderson Model of Localization

We describe a large disorder renormalization group (LDRG) method for the Anderson model of localization in one dimension which decimates eigenstates based on the size of their wavefunctions rather than their energy. We show that our LDRG scheme flows to infinite disorder, and thus becomes asymptotically exact. We use it to obtain the disorder-averaged inverse participation ratio and density of states for the entire spectrum. A modified scheme is formulated for higher dimensions, which is found to be less efficient, but capable of improvement

Buyback Behaviour and the Anti-Dilution of Dilutive Stock Options

Paper presented at 2016 FMA Annual Meeting, October 19-22, 2016, Las Vegas, NevadaWe study how dilutive board-level stock options impact anti-dilutive daily buybacks in the UK. We show that buyback behaviour and stock option holdings positively influence cumulative post-buyback returns. Buybacks, however, have anti-dilutive implications and are thus linked to the level and nature of dilutive stock options outstanding. We find increases in aggregate stock options to escalate buyback implementation. This is driven largely by unvested stock options that significantly enhance anti-dilutive benefits. Robustness tests using “overconfident” board classification and treasury share regulation confirm the anti-dilutive motive behind buybacks when stock options are unvested

Common path interference in Zener tunneling is a universal phenomenon

We show that the probability of electric field induced interband tunneling in solid state systems is generically a non-monotonic (oscillatory) function of the applied field. This unexpected behavior can be understood as arising due to a common path interference between two distinct tunneling solutions. The phenomenon is insensitive to magnetic field, and arises whenever the low energy dispersion relation contains higher order terms in addition to the usual $p^2$ term. Such higher order terms are generically present, albeit with small co-efficient, so that the oscillatory Zener tunneling is a universal phenomenon. However, the first `Zener oscillation' occurs at a transmission probability which is exponentially small when the co-efficient of the higher order terms is small. This explains why this oscillatory aspect of Zener tunneling has been hitherto overlooked, despite its universality. The common path interference is also destroyed by the presence of odd powers of $p$ in the low energy dispersion relation. Since odd powers of $p$ are strictly absent only when the tunneling barrier lies along an axis of mirror symmetry, it follows that the robustness of the oscillatory behavior depends on the orientation of the tunneling barrier. Bilayer graphene is identified as a particularly good material for observation of common path interference, due to its unusual nearly isotropic dispersion relation, where the $p^4$ term makes the leading contribution

Novel BRAF Alteration in a Sporadic Pilocytic Astrocytoma

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is the most frequently encountered glial tumor (glioma or astrocytoma) in children. Recent studies have identified alterations in the BRAF serine/threonine kinase gene as the likely causative mutation in these childhood brain tumors. The majority of these genetic changes involve chromosome 7q34 tandem duplication, resulting in aberrant BRAF fusion transcripts. In this paper, we describe a novel KIAA1549:BRAF fusion transcript in a sporadic PA tumor associated with increased ERK activation and review the spectrum of BRAF genetic alterations in this common pediatric low-grade central nervous system neoplasm

Ertugliflozin: a novel anti-diabetic drug

Diabetes Mellitus is a disorder of global proportion. Despite various treatment modalities presently being available, yet the desired glycaemic control and patient outcomes have not been achieved completely. Sodium glucose co-transporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) are one such promising group of emerging drugs in diabetes treatment. Ertugliflozin prevents the reabsorption of glucose by inhibiting sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) at proximal convoluted tubules. Ertugliflozin is available as 5mg and 15mg tablets. Ertugliflozin has been related to genital mycotic infections and urinary tract infections. Benefits of Ertugliflozin include better control on blood glucose, body weight and blood pressure

Actinomycetes as An Environmental Scrubber

Biotechnological tools engaged in the bioremediation process are in reality, sophisticated and dynamic in character. For specialized reasons, a broad variety of such devices are employed to produce a safe and balanced environment free of all types of toxins and so make life simpler for humans on planet Earth. Actinomycetes is one of these extremely important and functionally helpful groups. They can be used for a variety of bioremediation objectives, including biotransformation, biodegradation, and many more. Actinomycetes are one of the most varied groups of filamentous bacteria, capable of prospering in a variety of ecological settings because to their bioactive capabilities. They’re famous for their metabolic diversity, which includes the synthesis of commercially useful primary and secondary metabolites. They produce a range of enzymes capable of totally destroying all of the constituents. They are well-known for their ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites. Members of various genera of Actinomycetes show promise for application in the bioconversion of underutilized urban and agricultural waste into high-value chemical compounds. The most potential source is a wide range of important enzymes, some of which are synthesized on an industrial scale, but there are many more that have yet to be discovered. Bioremediation methods, which use naturally existing microbes to clear residues and contaminated regions of dangerous organic chemicals, are improving all the time. In the realm of biotechnological science, the potential of actinomycetes for bioremediation and the synthesis of secondary metabolites has opened up intriguing prospects for a sustainable environment

Distinguishing tumor admixed in a radiation necrosis (RN) background: 1H and 2H MR with a novel mouse brain-tumor/RN model

PURPOSE: Distinguishing radiation necrosis (RN) from recurrent tumor remains a vexing clinical problem with important health-care consequences for neuro-oncology patients. Here, mouse models of pure tumor, pure RN, and admixed RN/tumor are employed to evaluate hydrogen ( MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pipeline of common quantitative RESULTS: Differences in quantitative CONCLUSIONS: These findings, employing a pipeline of quantitativ

Abnormal Complement Activation and Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a neurovascular complication in preterm babies, leading to severe visual impairment, but the underlying mechanisms are yet unclear. The present study aimed at unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ROP. A comprehensive screening of candidate genes in preterms with ROP (n = 189) and no-ROP (n = 167) was undertaken to identify variants conferring disease susceptibility. Allele and genotype frequencies, linkage disequilibrium and haplotypes were analyzed to identify the ROP-associated variants. Variants in CFH (p = 2.94 x 10(-7)), CFB (p = 1.71 x 10(-5)), FBLN5 (p = 9.2 x 10(-4)), CETP (p = 2.99 x 10(-5)), and CXCR4 (p = 1.32 x 10(-8)) genes exhibited significant associations with ROP. Further, a quantitative assessment of 27 candidate proteins and cytokines in the vitreous and tear samples of babies with severe ROP (n = 30) and congenital cataract (n = 30) was undertaken by multiplex bead arrays and further validated by western blotting and zymography. Significant elevation and activation of MMP9 (p = 0.038), CFH (p = 2.24 x 10(-5)), C3 (p = 0.05), C4 (p = 0.001), IL-1ra (p = 0.0019), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p = 0.0027), and G-CSF (p = 0.0099) proteins were observed in the vitreous of ROP babies suggesting an increased inflammation under hypoxic condition. Along with inflammatory markers, activated macrophage/microglia were also detected in the vitreous of ROP babies that secreted complement component C3, VEGF, IL-1ra, and MMP-9 under hypoxic stress in a cell culture model. Increased expression of the inflammatory markers like the IL-1ra (p = 0.014), MMP2 (p = 0.0085), and MMP-9 (p = 0.03) in the tears of babies at different stages of ROP further demonstrated their potential role in disease progression. Based on these findings, we conclude that increased complement activation in the retina/vitreous in turn activated microglia leading to increased inflammation. A quantitative assessment of inflammatory markers in tears could help in early prediction of ROP progression and facilitate effective management of the disease, thereby preventing visual impairment