1. |
- Beal, Jacob, et al.
(author)
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Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density
- 2020
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In: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data.
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2. |
- Wang, Nana, et al.
(author)
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Perovskite light-emitting diodes based on solution-processed self-organized multiple quantum wells
- 2016
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In: Nature Photonics. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 1749-4885 .- 1749-4893. ; 10:11, s. 699-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Organometal halide perovskites can be processed from solutions at low temperatures to form crystalline direct-bandgap semiconductors with promising optoelectronic properties(1-5). However, the efficiency of their electroluminescence is limited by non-radiative recombination, which is associated with defects and leakage current due to incomplete surface coverage(6-9). Here we demonstrate a solution-processed perovskite light-emitting diode (LED) based on self-organized multiple quantum wells (MQWs) with excellent film morphologies. The MQW-based LED exhibits a very high external quantum efficiency of up to 11.7%, good stability and exceptional highpower performance with an energy conversion efficiency of 5.5% at a current density of 100 mA cm(-2). This outstanding performance arises because the lower bandgap regions that generate electroluminescence are effectively confined by perovskite MQWs with higher energy gaps, resulting in very efficient radiative decay. Surprisingly, there is no evidence that the large interfacial areas between different bandgap regions cause luminescence quenching.
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3. |
- Cheung, Ho-Nam, et al.
(author)
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Assessing the influence of sea surface temperature and arctic sea ice cover on the uncertainty in the boreal winter future climate projections
- 2022
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In: Climate Dynamics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0930-7575 .- 1432-0894. ; 59:1-2, s. 433-454
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigate the uncertainty (i.e., inter-model spread) in future projections of the boreal winter climate, based on the forced response of ten models from the CMIP5 following the RCP8.5 scenario. The uncertainty in the forced response of sea level pressure (SLP) is large in the North Pacific, the North Atlantic, and the Arctic. A major part of these uncertainties (31%) is marked by a pattern with a center in the northeastern Pacific and a dipole over the northeastern Atlantic that we label as the Pacific–Atlantic SLP uncertainty pattern (PA∆SLP). The PA∆SLP is associated with distinct global sea surface temperature (SST) and Arctic sea ice cover (SIC) perturbation patterns. To better understand the nature of the PA∆SLP, these SST and SIC perturbation patterns are prescribed in experiments with two atmospheric models (AGCMs): CAM4 and IFS. The AGCM responses suggest that the SST uncertainty contributes to the North Pacific SLP uncertainty in CMIP5 models, through tropical–midlatitude interactions and a forced Rossby wavetrain. The North Atlantic SLP uncertainty in CMIP5 models is better explained by the combined effect of SST and SIC uncertainties, partly related to a Rossby wavetrain from the Pacific and air-sea interaction over the North Atlantic. Major discrepancies between the CMIP5 and AGCM forced responses over northern high-latitudes and continental regions are indicative of uncertainties arising from the AGCMs. We analyze the possible dynamic mechanisms of these responses, and discuss the limitations of this work.
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4. |
- Döscher, Ralf, et al.
(author)
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The EC-Earth3 Earth system model for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6
- 2022
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In: Geoscientific Model Development. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1991-959X .- 1991-9603. ; 15:7, s. 2973-3020
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Earth system model EC-Earth3 for contributions to CMIP6 is documented here, with its flexible coupling framework, major model configurations, a methodology for ensuring the simulations are comparable across different high-performance computing (HPC) systems, and with the physical performance of base configurations over the historical period. The variety of possible configurations and sub-models reflects the broad interests in the EC-Earth community. EC-Earth3 key performance metrics demonstrate physical behavior and biases well within the frame known from recent CMIP models. With improved physical and dynamic features, new Earth system model (ESM) components, community tools, and largely improved physical performance compared to the CMIP5 version, EC-Earth3 represents a clear step forward for the only European community ESM. We demonstrate here that EC-Earth3 is suited for a range of tasks in CMIP6 and beyond.
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5. |
- Fan, Zhiwen, et al.
(author)
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Porous Ionic Network/CNT Composite Separator as a Polysulfide Snaring Shield for High Performance Lithium–Sulfur Battery
- 2023
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In: Macromolecular rapid communications. - 1022-1336 .- 1521-3927. ; 44:24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery features a high theoretical energy density, but the shuttle of soluble polysulfides between the two electrodes often results in a rapid capacity decay. Herein, a straightforward electrostatic adsorption strategy based on a cross-linked polyimidazolium separator as a snaring shield of polysulfides is reported, which suppresses the undesirable migration of polysulfides to the anode. The porous ionic network (PIN)-modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are successfully prepared and coated onto a commercial porous polypropylene membrane in a vacuum-filtration step. The favorable affinity of the imidazolium ring toward polysulfide via the polar interaction and the electrostatic effect of ions mitigates the undesirable shuttle of polysulfides in the electrolyte, improving the Li─S battery in terms of rate performance and cycling life. Compared to the reference PIN-free CNT-coated separator, the PIN/CNT-coated one has an increased initial capacity of 1.3 folds (up to 1394.8 mAh g−1 for PIN/CNT/PP-3) at 0.1 C.
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6. |
- Helsen, Michiel M., et al.
(author)
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On the importance of the albedo parameterization for the mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet in EC-Earth
- 2017
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In: The Cryosphere. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1994-0416 .- 1994-0424. ; 11:4, s. 1949-1965
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The albedo of the surface of ice sheets changes as a function of time due to the effects of deposition of new snow, ageing of dry snow, bare ice exposure, melting and run-off. Currently, the calculation of the albedo of ice sheets is highly parameterized within the earth system model EC-Earth by taking a constant value for areas with thick perennial snow cover. This is an important reason why the surface mass balance (SMB) of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) is poorly resolved in the model. The purpose of this study is to improve the SMB forcing of the GrIS by evaluating different parameter settings within a snow albedo scheme. By allowing ice-sheet albedo to vary as a function of wet and dry conditions, the spatial distribution of albedo and melt rate improves. Nevertheless, the spatial distribution of SMB in EC-Earth is not significantly improved. As a reason for this, we identify omissions in the current snow albedo scheme, such as separate treatment of snow and ice and the effect of refreezing. The resulting SMB is downscaled from the lower-resolution global climate model topography to the higher-resolution ice-sheet topography of the GrIS, such that the influence of these different SMB climatologies on the long-term evolution of the GrIS is tested by ice-sheet model simulations. From these ice-sheet simulations we conclude that an albedo scheme with a short response time of decaying albedo during wet conditions performs best with respect to long-term simulated ice-sheet volume. This results in an optimized albedo parameterization that can be used in future EC-Earth simulations with an interactive ice-sheet component.
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7. |
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8. |
- Lightowler, Molly, et al.
(author)
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Phase identification and discovery of an elusive polymorph of drug-polymer inclusion complex using automated 3D electron diffraction
- 2024
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In: Angewandte Chemie International Edition. - 1433-7851 .- 1521-3773. ; 63:16
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 3D electron diffraction (3D ED) has shown great potential in crystal structure determination in materials, small organic molecules, and macromolecules. In this work, an automated, low-dose and low-bias 3D ED protocol has been implemented to identify six phases from a multiple-phase melt-crystallisation product of an active pharmaceutical ingredient, griseofulvin (GSF). Batch data collection under low-dose conditions using a widely available commercial software was combined with automated data analysis to collect and process over 230 datasets in three days. Accurate unit cell parameters obtained from 3D ED data allowed direct phase identification of GSF Forms III, I and the known GSF inclusion complex (IC) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) (GSF-PEG IC-I), as well as three minor phases, namely GSF Forms II, V and an elusive new phase, GSF-PEG IC-II. Their structures were then directly determined by 3D ED. Furthermore, we reveal how the stabilities of the two GSF-PEG IC polymorphs are closely related to their crystal structures. These results demonstrate the power of automated 3D ED for accurate phase identification and direct structure determination of complex, beam-sensitive crystallisation products, which is significant for drug development where solid form screening is crucial for the overall efficacy of the drug product.
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9. |
- Meccia, Virna L., et al.
(author)
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Internal multi-centennial variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation simulated by EC-Earth3
- 2023
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In: Climate Dynamics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0930-7575 .- 1432-0894. ; 60:11-12, s. 3695-3712
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report a multi-centennial oscillation of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) simulated by the EC-Earth3 climate model under the pre-industrial climate. This oscillation has an amplitude of ~ 6 Sv and a period of ~ 150 years and significantly impacts the atmosphere. We find that it is a self-sustained low-frequency internal variability, driven by the accumulation of salinity anomalies in the Arctic and their release into the North Atlantic, affecting the water column stability and the deep convection. Sea ice plays a major role in creating the salinity anomaly in the Arctic, while the anomalous Arctic oceanic circulation, which drives the exchange of liquid freshwater between the Arctic and the open ocean, is the main responsible for its southward propagation. Interestingly, EC-Earth3 simulations with increased greenhouse concentrations, and therefore under a warmer climate, do not exhibit these strong AMOC fluctuations. We hypothesize that in a quasi-equilibrium climate with a global air surface temperature 4.5° higher than the pre-industrial period, the low amount of sea ice in the high latitudes of the North Atlantic is no longer able to trigger the mechanism.
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10. |
- Rugenstein, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity Estimated by Equilibrating Climate Models
- 2020
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In: Geophysical Research Letters. - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 47:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The methods to quantify equilibrium climate sensitivity are still debated. We collect millennial-length simulations of coupled climate models and show that the global mean equilibrium warming is higher than those obtained using extrapolation methods from shorter simulations. Specifically, 27 simulations with 15 climate models forced with a range of CO2 concentrations show a median 17% larger equilibrium warming than estimated from the first 150 years of the simulations. The spatial patterns of radiative feedbacks change continuously, in most regions reducing their tendency to stabilizing the climate. In the equatorial Pacific, however, feedbacks become more stabilizing with time. The global feedback evolution is initially dominated by the tropics, with eventual substantial contributions from the mid-latitudes. Time-dependent feedbacks underscore the need of a measure of climate sensitivity that accounts for the degree of equilibration, so that models, observations, and paleo proxies can be adequately compared and aggregated to estimate future warming.
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