| 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. |
- Kanoni, Stavroula, et al.
(author)
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Implicating genes, pleiotropy, and sexual dimorphism at blood lipid loci through multi-ancestry meta-analysis.
- 2022
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In: Genome biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1474-760X .- 1465-6906 .- 1474-7596. ; 23:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genetic variants within nearly 1000 loci are known to contribute to modulation of blood lipid levels. However, the biological pathways underlying these associations are frequently unknown, limiting understanding of these findings and hindering downstream translational efforts such as drug target discovery.To expand our understanding of the underlying biological pathways and mechanisms controlling blood lipid levels, we leverage a large multi-ancestry meta-analysis (N=1,654,960) of blood lipids to prioritize putative causal genes for 2286 lipid associations using six gene prediction approaches. Using phenome-wide association (PheWAS) scans, we identify relationships of genetically predicted lipid levels to other diseases and conditions. We confirm known pleiotropic associations with cardiovascular phenotypes and determine novel associations, notably with cholelithiasis risk. We perform sex-stratified GWAS meta-analysis of lipid levels and show that 3-5% of autosomal lipid-associated loci demonstrate sex-biased effects. Finally, we report 21 novel lipid loci identified on the X chromosome. Many of the sex-biased autosomal and X chromosome lipid loci show pleiotropic associations with sex hormones, emphasizing the role of hormone regulation in lipid metabolism.Taken together, our findings provide insights into the biological mechanisms through which associated variants lead to altered lipid levels and potentially cardiovascular disease risk.
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| 3. |
- Chang, Kuang Yu, et al.
(author)
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Observational constraints reduce model spread but not uncertainty in global wetland methane emission estimates
- 2023
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In: Global Change Biology. - 1354-1013. ; 29:15, s. 4298-4312
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The recent rise in atmospheric methane (CH4) concentrations accelerates climate change and offsets mitigation efforts. Although wetlands are the largest natural CH4 source, estimates of global wetland CH4 emissions vary widely among approaches taken by bottom-up (BU) process-based biogeochemical models and top-down (TD) atmospheric inversion methods. Here, we integrate in situ measurements, multi-model ensembles, and a machine learning upscaling product into the International Land Model Benchmarking system to examine the relationship between wetland CH4 emission estimates and model performance. We find that using better-performing models identified by observational constraints reduces the spread of wetland CH4 emission estimates by 62% and 39% for BU- and TD-based approaches, respectively. However, global BU and TD CH4 emission estimate discrepancies increased by about 15% (from 31 to 36 TgCH4 year−1) when the top 20% models were used, although we consider this result moderately uncertain given the unevenly distributed global observations. Our analyses demonstrate that model performance ranking is subject to benchmark selection due to large inter-site variability, highlighting the importance of expanding coverage of benchmark sites to diverse environmental conditions. We encourage future development of wetland CH4 models to move beyond static benchmarking and focus on evaluating site-specific and ecosystem-specific variabilities inferred from observations.
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| 4. |
- Chen, Chi-Kuang, et al.
(author)
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Development of quality management in Taiwan the past, present and future
- 2015
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In: TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT and BUSINESS EXCELLENCE. - : Taylor and Francis (Routledge): SSH Titles. - 1478-3363 .- 1478-3371. ; 26:1-2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Quality management (QM) has been popular and widely used in Taiwan since the 1960s. However, it has been found that a review of its development is lacking. Hence, this paper aims to examine the history and the evolution of QM in Taiwan, and to take a step further to look for cues for shaping its future development. The research purpose of this paper is more specifically to review the development of QM during the period from 1970 to 2012. Quality Magazine, the most popular reading material on QM in Taiwan, has been selected as the search database. The overall review result shows that the development of QM in Taiwan has three developmental phases: (1) the quality technologies and tools focus period (1970-1985); (2) the QM system integration period (1986-2000) and (3) the quality in service industry development period (2001-2012). In light of the overall as well as the detailed review results, senior quality experts were invited for consultation, discussion and prediction of the needs and the future development of QM in Taiwan.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Dahlgaard, Jens Jörn, et al.
(author)
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Business excellence models: limitations, reflections and further development
- 2013
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In: Total Quality Management & Business Excellence. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1478-3363 .- 1478-3371. ; 24:5-6, s. 519-538
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The use of business excellence models (BEM) has become popular in the last two decades, and several companies have learned how to use them and gained from such models. More companies, we assume, have experienced problems when using such models because of various weaknesses such as too-sophisticated assessment criteria, excessive paperwork, cumbersome procedures and a lack of focus, which have limited its use in practice. To respond to some of those problems, a new overall business excellence framework (BEF) has been developed which recommends adaption instead of adoption of existing BEM. The suggested overall BEF helps to integrate BEM with management tools/techniques and the organisational culture/characteristics for guiding an organisation towards business excellence. A document-based empirical case of a world-class company, Boeing Aerospace Support, was investigated to illustrate how the overall BEF may work in practice as a complement to an existing BEM when companies adapt such models to their specific contexts.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Dahlgaard-Park, Su Mi, et al.
(author)
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Diagnosing and prognosticating the quality movement - a review on the 25 years quality literature (1987-2011)
- 2013
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In: Total Quality Management and Business Excellence. - : Taylor and Francis (Routledge): SSH Titles. - 1478-3363 .- 1478-3371. ; 24:1-2, s. 1-18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this article is to create a snapshot of 25 years quality movement. The creation process of the snapshot, as well as the result of the study, aims to help in diagnosing the current status of quality management (QM) and further contribute in understanding and shaping its future direction. For this purpose, all published articles during the last 25 years period (1987-2011) under the subject of Total Quality Management (TQM), Business Excellence (BE), quality tools, techniques as well as core values/principles have been collected through the ABI/INFORM complete periodical database. The collected data were analysed and reflected in order to show the current status, evolution trends of the past, and the predicted future directions. The results show that the total number of articles under the subject of TQM has been decreasing after having reached its peak in 1995. However, papers focusing on techniques and tools within the QM framework in terms of Lean, Just-in-Time/Toyota Production System, Benchmarking, and Six-Sigma Quality have been increasing. In addition, papers focusing on core values/key principles needed to build a quality culture in terms of leadership, people-based management, continuous improvements, management based on facts, and focus on the customer have been slightly increasing during the last decade. The findings indicate that QM is now at a more mature stage where focuses have shifted from being initially on TQM to tools, techniques, and core values which are needed for building a quality and BE culture. Based on its evolution, it is concluded that TQM can be understood as a management innovation, if not a management revolution.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Feng, Ruizhi, et al.
(author)
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Mutations in TUBB8 and Human Oocyte Meiotic Arrest.
- 2016
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In: The New England journal of medicine. - 1533-4406. ; 374:3, s. 223-232
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Human reproduction depends on the fusion of a mature oocyte with a sperm cell to form a fertilized egg. The genetic events that lead to the arrest of human oocyte maturation are unknown. Methods We sequenced the exomes of five members of a four-generation family, three of whom had infertility due to oocyte meiosis I arrest. We performed Sanger sequencing of a candidate gene, TUBB8, in DNA samples from these members, additional family members, and members of 23 other affected families. The expression of TUBB8 and all other β-tubulin isotypes was assessed in human oocytes, early embryos, sperm cells, and several somatic tissues by means of a quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assay. We evaluated the effect of the TUBB8 mutations on the assembly of the heterodimer consisting of one α-tubulin polypeptide and one β-tubulin polypeptide (α/β-tubulin heterodimer) in vitro, on microtubule architecture in HeLa cells, on microtubule dynamics in yeast cells, and on spindle assembly in mouse and human oocytes. Results We identified seven mutations in the primate-specific gene TUBB8 that were responsible for oocyte meiosis I arrest in 7 of the 24 families. TUBB8 expression is unique to oocytes and the early embryo, in which this gene accounts for almost all the expressed β-tubulin. The mutations affect chaperone-dependent folding and assembly of the α/β-tubulin heterodimer, disrupt microtubule behavior on expression in cultured cells, alter microtubule dynamics in vivo, and cause catastrophic spindle-assembly defects and maturation arrest on expression in mouse and human oocytes. Conclusions TUBB8 mutations have dominant-negative effects that disrupt microtubule behavior and oocyte meiotic spindle assembly and maturation, causing female infertility. (Funded by the National Basic Research Program of China and others.).
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| 11. |
- Haycock, Philip C., et al.
(author)
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Association Between Telomere Length and Risk of Cancer and Non-Neoplastic Diseases A Mendelian Randomization Study
- 2017
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In: JAMA Oncology. - : American Medical Association. - 2374-2437 .- 2374-2445. ; 3:5, s. 636-651
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IMPORTANCE: The causal direction and magnitude of the association between telomere length and incidence of cancer and non-neoplastic diseases is uncertain owing to the susceptibility of observational studies to confounding and reverse causation. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a Mendelian randomization study, using germline genetic variants as instrumental variables, to appraise the causal relevance of telomere length for risk of cancer and non-neoplastic diseases. DATA SOURCES: Genomewide association studies (GWAS) published up to January 15, 2015. STUDY SELECTION: GWAS of noncommunicable diseases that assayed germline genetic variation and did not select cohort or control participants on the basis of preexisting diseases. Of 163 GWAS of noncommunicable diseases identified, summary data from 103 were available. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Summary association statistics for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are strongly associated with telomere length in the general population. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for disease per standard deviation (SD) higher telomere length due to germline genetic variation. RESULTS: Summary data were available for 35 cancers and 48 non-neoplastic diseases, corresponding to 420 081 cases (median cases, 2526 per disease) and 1 093 105 controls (median, 6789 per disease). Increased telomere length due to germline genetic variation was generally associated with increased risk for site-specific cancers. The strongest associations (ORs [ 95% CIs] per 1-SD change in genetically increased telomere length) were observed for glioma, 5.27 (3.15-8.81); serous low-malignant-potential ovarian cancer, 4.35 (2.39-7.94); lung adenocarcinoma, 3.19 (2.40-4.22); neuroblastoma, 2.98 (1.92-4.62); bladder cancer, 2.19 (1.32-3.66); melanoma, 1.87 (1.55-2.26); testicular cancer, 1.76 (1.02-3.04); kidney cancer, 1.55 (1.08-2.23); and endometrial cancer, 1.31 (1.07-1.61). Associations were stronger for rarer cancers and at tissue sites with lower rates of stem cell division. There was generally little evidence of association between genetically increased telomere length and risk of psychiatric, autoimmune, inflammatory, diabetic, and other non-neoplastic diseases, except for coronary heart disease (OR, 0.78 [ 95% CI, 0.67-0.90]), abdominal aortic aneurysm (OR, 0.63 [ 95% CI, 0.49-0.81]), celiac disease (OR, 0.42 [ 95% CI, 0.28-0.61]) and interstitial lung disease (OR, 0.09 [ 95% CI, 0.05-0.15]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: It is likely that longer telomeres increase risk for several cancers but reduce risk for some non-neoplastic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Langer, Judith, et al.
(author)
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Present and Future of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
- 2020
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In: ACS Nano. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1936-086X .- 1936-0851. ; 14:1, s. 28-117
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The discovery of the enhancement of Raman scattering by molecules adsorbed on nanostructured metal surfaces is a landmark in the history of spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Significant experimental and theoretical effort has been directed toward understanding the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect and demonstrating its potential in various types of ultrasensitive sensing applications in a wide variety of fields. In the 45 years since its discovery, SERS has blossomed into a rich area of research and technology, but additional efforts are still needed before it can be routinely used analytically and in commercial products. In this Review, prominent authors from around the world joined together to summarize the state of the art in understanding and using SERS and to predict what can be expected in the near future in terms of research, applications, and technological development. This Review is dedicated to SERS pioneer and our coauthor, the late Prof. Richard Van Duyne, whom we lost during the preparation of this article. ©
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| 14. |
- Luo, Chen, et al.
(author)
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Adaptive Partial Decode-and-Forward Relaying with Quantized Feedback
- 2011
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In: Proceedings of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC). - : IEEE. - 9781424483327 ; , s. 1-6
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper, we propose two spectrally efficient adaptive partial decode-and-forward (DF)cooperative communication schemes, which are adaptive partialrepetition DF with quantized feedback (APR-DF-QF) and adaptivepartial coded cooperation DF with quantized feedback (APCC-DF-QF).We assume the relay node only has partial channel-state information, which is obtainedvia an quantized feedback link. We use the so-called mutual information (MI)model to adaptively optimize the amount of data that need to beforwarded by the relay node under a given block-error-rateconstraint. Simulation results show that with the optimized feedback, the MI model can predict well theoptimal amount of information that needs to be forwarded by therelay node, and that the two proposed schemes can substantiallyincrease the spectral efficiency.
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| 15. |
- Mahajan, Anubha, et al.
(author)
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Multi-ancestry genetic study of type 2 diabetes highlights the power of diverse populations for discovery and translation
- 2022
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Nature. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 54:5, s. 560-572
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We assembled an ancestrally diverse collection of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in 180,834 affected individuals and 1,159,055 controls (48.9% non-European descent) through the Diabetes Meta-Analysis of Trans-Ethnic association studies (DIAMANTE) Consortium. Multi-ancestry GWAS meta-analysis identified 237 loci attaining stringent genome-wide significance (P < 5 x 10(-9)), which were delineated to 338 distinct association signals. Fine-mapping of these signals was enhanced by the increased sample size and expanded population diversity of the multi-ancestry meta-analysis, which localized 54.4% of T2D associations to a single variant with >50% posterior probability. This improved fine-mapping enabled systematic assessment of candidate causal genes and molecular mechanisms through which T2D associations are mediated, laying the foundations for functional investigations. Multi-ancestry genetic risk scores enhanced transferability of T2D prediction across diverse populations. Our study provides a step toward more effective clinical translation of T2D GWAS to improve global health for all, irrespective of genetic background. Genome-wide association and fine-mapping analyses in ancestrally diverse populations implicate candidate causal genes and mechanisms underlying type 2 diabetes. Trans-ancestry genetic risk scores enhance transferability across populations.
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| 16. |
- Song, Hosub, et al.
(author)
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A Small Peak in the Swarm-LP Plasma Density Data at the Dayside Dip Equator
- 2022
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 2169-9380 .- 2169-9402. ; 127:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper, we statistically investigate an artifact in Langmuir Probe (LP) observations of Swarm satellites. A small peak of electron density (N-e) is frequently found in the Swarm data around the dayside dip equator. On the contrary, they appear in neither the Total Electron Content data of the Swarm/Global Positioning System Receivers nor COSMIC-2 in-situ measurements at similar altitudes but with low orbit inclination. Arguably, this peak does not represent natural ionospheric irregularities but is likely to result from artifacts. The phenomena are found regardless of the season, solar activity, and the velocity direction of the satellite (ascending and descending). They predominantly occur when the magnetic declination is close to zero, that is, when the Swarm ram direction and the Earth's magnetic field are aligned under sunlight. Hence, we attribute the phenomenon to intensified secondary electrons escape when the geomagnetic field lines are normal to conducting surfaces that emit secondary electrons. Since the magnitude of the artifact is only a few percent of the large-scale background, it does not have a serious impact on the value of the Swarm/LP data in scientific research. Nevertheless, future efforts to determine the exact cause of the artifacts will contribute to improving the reliability and quality of plasma density and temperature measured by Swarm/LP.
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| 17. |
- Xiang, Deliang, 1989-, et al.
(author)
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Unsupervised polarimetric SAR urban area classification based on model-based decomposition with cross scattering
- 2016
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In: ISPRS journal of photogrammetry and remote sensing (Print). - : Elsevier. - 0924-2716 .- 1872-8235. ; 116, s. 86-100
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Since it has been validated that cross-polarized scattering (HV) is caused not only by vegetation but also by rotated dihedrals, in this study, we use rotated dihedral corner reflectors to form a cross scattering matrix and propose an extended four-component model-based decomposition method for PolSAR data over urban areas. Unlike other urban area decomposition techniques which need to discriminate the urban and natural areas before decomposition, this proposed method is applied on PolSAR image directly. The building orientation angle is considered in this scattering matrix, making it flexible and adaptive in the decomposition. Therefore, we can separate cross scattering of urban areas from the overall HV component. Further, the cross and helix scattering components are also compared. Then, using these decomposed scattering powers, the buildings and natural areas can be easily discriminated from each other using a simple unsupervised K-means classifier. Moreover, buildings aligned and not aligned along the radar flight direction can be also distinguished clearly. Spaceborne RADARSAT-2 and airborne AIRSAR full polarimetric SAR data are used to validate the performance of our proposed method. The cross scattering power of oriented buildings is generated, leading to a better decomposition result for urban areas with respect to other state-of-the-art urban decomposition techniques. The decomposed scattering powers significantly improve the classification accuracy for urban areas.
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| 18. |
- Yi, Chang, et al.
(author)
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Intermediate-phase-assisted low-temperature formation of gamma-CsPbI3 films for high-efficiency deep-red light-emitting devices
- 2020
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In: Nature Communications. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2041-1723. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Black phase CsPbI3 is attractive for optoelectronic devices, while usually it has a high formation energy and requires an annealing temperature of above 300 degrees C. The formation energy can be significantly reduced by adding HI in the precursor. However, the resulting films are not suitable for light-emitting applications due to the high trap densities and low photoluminescence quantum efficiencies, and the low temperature formation mechanism is not well understood yet. Here, we demonstrate a general approach for deposition of gamma -CsPbI3 films at 100 degrees C with high photoluminescence quantum efficiencies by adding organic ammonium cations, and the resulting light-emitting diode exhibits an external quantum efficiency of 10.4% with suppressed efficiency roll-off. We reveal that the low-temperature crystallization process is due to the formation of low-dimensional intermediate states, and followed by interionic exchange. This work provides perspectives to tune phase transition pathway at low temperature for CsPbI3 device applications. Exploiting low-temperature formed black phase CsPbI3 for light-emitting applications remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a method to enable the deposition of gamma -CsPbI3 films at 100C and demonstrate a light-emitting diode with an external quantum efficiency of 10.4% with suppressed efficiency roll-off.
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| 19. |
- Yi, Wu, et al.
(author)
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Outage probability analysis for superposition coded symmetric relaying
- 2013
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In: SCIENCE CHINA-INFORMATION SCIENCES. - : Springer Verlag (Germany). - 1674-733X .- 1869-1919. ; 56:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Superposition coded symmetric relaying is a bandwidth-efficient cooperative scheme where each source node simultaneously transmits both its own "local" packet and "relay" packet that originated at its partner by adding the modulated local and relay signals in Euclidean space. This paper investigates the power allocation and outage probability of a superposition coded symmetric relaying system with finite-constellation signaling. We first derive the mutual information (MI) metrics for the system. The derived MI metrics consist of two parts: one represents the MI conveyed by the modulated signal corresponding to its own data, and the other represents the MI conveyed by the modulated signal corresponding to its partners data. Using MI based effective signal-to-noise ratio mapping technique, we attain expressions for the outage probability. Furthermore, we discuss power allocation policies that minimize the outage probability. Simulation results are presented to verify the correctness of the outage probability analysis and the benefits of the power allocation.
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| 20. |
- Yu, Yong, et al.
(author)
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Dimensional Tailoring of Ultrahigh Vacuum Annealing-Assisted Quantum Wells for the Efficiency Enhancement of Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes
- 2020
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In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 12:22, s. 24965-24970
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Quasi-two-dimensional (Q-2D) perovskites featured with multidimensional quantum wells (QWs) have been the main candidates for optoelectronic applications. However, excessive low-dimensional perovskites are unfavorable to the device efficiency due to the phonon-exciton interaction and the inclusion of insulating large organic cations. Herein, the formation of low-dimensional QWs is suppressed by removing the organic cation 1-naphthylmethylamine iodide (NMAI) through ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) annealing. Perovskite light-emitting diode (PLED) devices based on films annealed with optimized UHV conditions show a higher external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 13.0% and wall-plug efficiency of 11.1% compared to otherwise identical devices with films annealed in a glovebox.
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| 21. |
- Zhou, Wei, et al.
(author)
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Global Biobank Meta-analysis Initiative : Powering genetic discovery across human disease
- 2022
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In: Cell Genomics. - : Elsevier. - 2666-979X. ; 2:10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biobanks facilitate genome-wide association studies (GWASs), which have mapped genomic loci across a range of human diseases and traits. However, most biobanks are primarily composed of individuals of European ancestry. We introduce the Global Biobank Meta-analysis Initiative (GBMI)-a collaborative network of 23 biobanks from 4 continents representing more than 2.2 million consented individuals with genetic data linked to electronic health records. GBMI meta-analyzes summary statistics from GWASs generated using harmonized genotypes and phenotypes from member biobanks for 14 exemplar diseases and endpoints. This strategy validates that GWASs conducted in diverse biobanks can be integrated despite heterogeneity in case definitions, recruitment strategies, and baseline characteristics. This collaborative effort improves GWAS power for diseases, benefits understudied diseases, and improves risk prediction while also enabling the nomination of disease genes and drug candidates by incorporating gene and protein expression data and providing insight into the underlying biology of human diseases and traits.
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