| 1. |
- Luo, Yifei, et al.
(author)
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Technology Roadmap for Flexible Sensors
- 2023
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In: ACS Nano. - : American Chemical Society. - 1936-0851 .- 1936-086X. ; 17:6, s. 5211-5295
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Humans rely increasingly on sensors to address grand challenges and to improve quality of life in the era of digitalization and big data. For ubiquitous sensing, flexible sensors are developed to overcome the limitations of conventional rigid counterparts. Despite rapid advancement in bench-side research over the last decade, the market adoption of flexible sensors remains limited. To ease and to expedite their deployment, here, we identify bottlenecks hindering the maturation of flexible sensors and propose promising solutions. We first analyze challenges in achieving satisfactory sensing performance for real-world applications and then summarize issues in compatible sensor-biology interfaces, followed by brief discussions on powering and connecting sensor networks. Issues en route to commercialization and for sustainable growth of the sector are also analyzed, highlighting environmental concerns and emphasizing nontechnical issues such as business, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Additionally, we look at future intelligent flexible sensors. In proposing a comprehensive roadmap, we hope to steer research efforts towards common goals and to guide coordinated development strategies from disparate communities. Through such collaborative efforts, scientific breakthroughs can be made sooner and capitalized for the betterment of humanity.
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| 2. |
- Abdellah, Mohamed, et al.
(author)
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Drastic difference between hole and electron injection through the gradient shell of CdxSeyZn1−xS1−y quantum dots
- 2017
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In: Nanoscale. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2040-3364 .- 2040-3372. ; 9:34, s. 12503-12508
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the hole injection in CdxSeyZn1-xS1-y gradient core-shell quantum dot (CSQD) sensitized p-type NiO photocathodes. A series of CSQDs with a wide range of shell thicknesses was studied. Complementary photoelectrochemical cell measurements were carried out to confirm that the hole injection from the active core through the gradient shell to NiO takes place. The hole injection from the valence band of the QDs to NiO depends much less on the shell thickness when compared to the corresponding electron injection to n-type semiconductor (ZnO). We simulate the charge carrier tunneling through the potential barrier due to the gradient shell by numerically solving the Schrodinger equation. The details of the band alignment determining the potential barrier are obtained from X-ray spectroscopy measurements. The observed drastic differences between the hole and electron injection are consistent with a model where the hole effective mass decreases, while the gradient shell thickness increases.
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| 3. |
- Birney, Ewan, et al.
(author)
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Identification and analysis of functional elements in 1% of the human genome by the ENCODE pilot project
- 2007
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 447:7146, s. 799-816
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the generation and analysis of functional data from multiple, diverse experiments performed on a targeted 1% of the human genome as part of the pilot phase of the ENCODE Project. These data have been further integrated and augmented by a number of evolutionary and computational analyses. Together, our results advance the collective knowledge about human genome function in several major areas. First, our studies provide convincing evidence that the genome is pervasively transcribed, such that the majority of its bases can be found in primary transcripts, including non-protein-coding transcripts, and those that extensively overlap one another. Second, systematic examination of transcriptional regulation has yielded new understanding about transcription start sites, including their relationship to specific regulatory sequences and features of chromatin accessibility and histone modification. Third, a more sophisticated view of chromatin structure has emerged, including its inter-relationship with DNA replication and transcriptional regulation. Finally, integration of these new sources of information, in particular with respect to mammalian evolution based on inter- and intra-species sequence comparisons, has yielded new mechanistic and evolutionary insights concerning the functional landscape of the human genome. Together, these studies are defining a path for pursuit of a more comprehensive characterization of human genome function.
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| 4. |
- Li, Xinxuan, et al.
(author)
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Genetically predicted high IGF-1 levels showed protective effects on COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization : a Mendelian randomisation study with data from 60 studies across 25 countries
- 2022
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In: eLIFE. - : eLife Sciences Publications Ltd. - 2050-084X. ; 11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Epidemiological studies observed gender differences in COVID-19 outcomes, however, whether sex hormone plays a causal in COVID-19 risk remains unclear. This study aimed to examine associations of sex hormone, sex hormones-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and COVID-19 risk. Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) study was performed to explore the causal associations between testosterone, estrogen, SHBG, IGF-1, and the risk of COVID-19 (susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity) using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary level data from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative (N=1,348,701). Random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) MR approach was used as the primary MR method and the weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test were conducted as sensitivity analyses. Results: Higher genetically predicted IGF-1 levels have nominally significant association with reduced risk of COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization. For one standard deviation increase in genetically predicted IGF-1 levels, the odds ratio was 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.97, p=0.027) for COVID-19 susceptibility, 0.62 (95% CI: 0.25-0.51, p=0.018) for COVID-19 hospitalization, and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.52-1.38, p=0.513) for COVID-19 severity. There was no evidence that testosterone, estrogen, and SHBG are associated with the risk of COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity in either overall or sex-stratified TSMR analysis. Conclusions: Our study indicated that genetically predicted high IGF-1 levels were associated with decrease the risk of COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization, but these associations did not survive the Bonferroni correction of multiple testing. Further studies are needed to validate the findings and explore whether IGF-1 could be a potential intervention target to reduce COVID-19 risk.
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| 5. |
- Wang, Yangong, et al.
(author)
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Exome sequencing reveals genetic heterogeneity and clinically actionable findings in children with cerebral palsy
- 2024
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In: NATURE MEDICINE. - 1078-8956 .- 1546-170X. ; 30, s. 1395-1405
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in children. To ascertain the role of major genetic variants in the etiology of CP, we conducted exome sequencing on a large-scale cohort with clinical manifestations of CP. The study cohort comprised 505 girls and 1,073 boys. Utilizing the current gold standard in genetic diagnostics, 387 of these 1,578 children (24.5%) received genetic diagnoses. We identified 412 pathogenic and likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants across 219 genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, and 59 P/LP copy number variants. The genetic diagnostic rate of children with CP labeled at birth with perinatal asphyxia was higher than the rate in children without asphyxia (P = 0.0033). Also, 33 children with CP manifestations (8.5%, 33 of 387) had findings that were clinically actionable. These results highlight the need for early genetic testing in children with CP, especially those with risk factors like perinatal asphyxia, to enable evidence-based medical decision-making. Using exome sequencing data from one of the largest cohorts of children with cerebral palsy, the genetic diagnostic rates of single-nucleotide and copy number variants were assessed and a sizeable fraction found to be clinically actionable.
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| 6. |
- Yuan-Biao, Qiao, et al.
(author)
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Antifungal resistance-modifying multiplexing action of Momordica charantia protein and phosphorylated derivatives on the basis of growth-dependent gene coregulation in Candida albicans
- 2021
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In: Medical Mycology. - : Oxford University Press. - 1369-3786 .- 1460-2709. ; 59:6, s. 515-527
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fungal growth-dependent gene coregulation is strongly implicated in alteration of gene-encoding target proteases ruling with an antifungal resistance niche and biology of resistant mutants. On the basis of multialterative processes in this platform, the resistance-modifying strategy is designed in ketoconazole resistant Candida albicans and evaluated with less selective Momordica charantia protein and allosterically phosphorylated derivatives at the Thr102, Thr24 and Thr255 sites, respectively. We demonstrate absolutely chemosensitizing efficacy regarding stepwise-modifying resistance in sensitivity, by a load of only 26.23-40.00 mu g/l agents in Sabouraud's dextrose broth. Five successive modifying-steps realize the decreasing of ketoconazole E-test MIC50 from 11.10 to a lower level than 0.10 mg/l. With the ketoconazole resistance-modifying, colony undergoes a high-frequency morphological switch between high ploidy (opaque) and small budding haploid (white). A cellular event in the first modifying-step associates with relatively slow exponential growth (ie, a 4-h delay)-dependent action, mediated by agents adsorption. Moreover, multiple molecular roles are coupled with intracellularly and extracellularly binding to ATP-dependent RNA helicase dbp6; the 0.08-2.45 fold upregulation of TATA-box-binding protein, rRNA-processing protein and translation initiation factor 5A; and the 7.52-55.33% decrease of cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase, glucan 1, 3-beta glucosidase, candidapepsin-1 and 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase. Spatial and temporal gene coregulation, in the transcription and translation initiation stages with rRNA-processing, is a new coprocessing platform enabling target protease attenuations for resistance-impairing. An updated resistance-modifying measure of these agents in the low-dose antifungal strategic design may provide opportunities to a virtually safe therapy that is in high dose-dependency.
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| 7. |
- Zhu, Nan, et al.
(author)
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Sandwiched confinement of quantum dots in graphene matrix for efficient electron transfer and photocurrent production.
- 2015
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Quantum dots (QDs) and graphene are both promising materials for the development of new-generation optoelectronic devices. Towards this end, synergic assembly of these two building blocks is a key step but remains a challenge. Here, we show a one-step strategy for organizing QDs in a graphene matrix via interfacial self-assembly, leading to the formation of sandwiched hybrid QD-graphene nanofilms. We have explored structural features, electron transfer kinetics and photocurrent generation capacity of such hybrid nanofilms using a wide variety of advanced techniques. Graphene nanosheets interlink QDs and significantly improve electronic coupling, resulting in fast electron transfer from photoexcited QDs to graphene with a rate constant of 1.3 × 10(9) s(-1). Efficient electron transfer dramatically enhances photocurrent generation in a liquid-junction QD-sensitized solar cell where the hybrid nanofilm acts as a photoanode. We thereby demonstrate a cost-effective method to construct large-area QD-graphene hybrid nanofilms with straightforward scale-up potential for optoelectronic applications.
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| 8. |
- Chen, Nan, et al.
(author)
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Enhancement of an additive-manufactured austenitic stainless steel by post-manufacture heat-treatment
- 2019
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In: Materials Science & Engineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 0921-5093 .- 1873-4936. ; 759, s. 65-69
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The effect of post-manufacture heat-treatment on the mechanical strength of an additively-manufactured austenitic stainless steel has been investigated. Microstructural investigations revealed that the as-manufactured material exhibited a multi-scale structure, composed of grains, cells, dislocations and nano-sized particles. Annealing at 400 degrees C resulted in a 10% increase in yield strength, associated with the additional precipitation of a population of nano-sized silicates. Annealing at higher temperatures resulted in a decrease in strength, attributed primarily to the thermal instability of the cell structure in the as-manufactured material. The results demonstrate that by careful control of annealing conditions the structure and mechanical properties of additively-manufactured austenitic stainless steel can be optimized by post-manufacture heat-treatment.
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| 9. |
- Deng, Min, et al.
(author)
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Genome-wide association analyses in Han Chinese identify two new susceptibility loci for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- 2013
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 45:6, s. 697-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To identify susceptibility genes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 506 individuals with sporadic ALS and 1,859 controls of Han Chinese ancestry. Ninety top SNPs suggested by the current GWAS and 6 SNPs identified by previous GWAS were analyzed in an independent cohort of 706 individuals with ALS and 1,777 controls of Han Chinese ancestry. We discovered two new susceptibility loci for ALS at 1q32 (CAMK1G, rs6703183, P-combined = 2.92 x 10(-8), odds ratio (OR) = 1.31) and 22p11 (CABIN1 and SUSD2, rs8141797, P-combined = 2.35 x 10(-9), OR = 1.52). These two loci explain 12.48% of the overall variance in disease risk in the Han Chinese population. We found no association evidence for the previously reported loci in the Han Chinese population, suggesting genetic heterogeneity of disease susceptibility for ALS between ancestry groups. Our study identifies two new susceptibility loci and suggests new pathogenic mechanisms of ALS.
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| 10. |
- Dou, Cheng, et al.
(author)
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Photoluminescence Evolution with Deposition Thickness of Ge Nanostructures Embedded in GaSb
- 2022
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In: Physica Status Solidi (B): Basic Research. - : Wiley. - 1521-3951 .- 0370-1972. ; 259:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Herein, low-temperature and temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements are carried out on highly tensile-strained Ge nanostructures embedded in GaSb matrix, and the effects of Ge deposition thickness are clarified. The direct-gap transition-related PL feature is successfully identified in the tensile-strained Ge nanostructures. While typical PL thermal quenching is observed for the tensile-strained Ge- and GaSb-related transitions in the samples with a Ge deposition being thinner than the critical thickness, a negative thermal quenching shows up for the GaSb interband transition in the samples with Ge deposition surpassing the critical thickness at which high-density nanoparticles form to relax the strain. A phenomenological thermal-injection model is established of electrons from the tensile-strained Ge layer to the GaSb matrix, the thermal quenching is accounted for, and a ladder-like function of the strain-relaxed Ge is clarified to favor the electron activation. The understanding of the effects of deposition thickness is helpful for the high-performance Ge-based light source for optoelectronic integration.
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