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2. |
- 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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3. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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- 2019
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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8. |
- Abbafati, Cristiana, et al.
(author)
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- 2020
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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10. |
- Cheng, Benyuan, et al.
(author)
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Pressure-induced metallization and amorphization in VO2(A) nanorods
- 2016
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In: Physical Review B. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics. - 1098-0121 .- 1550-235X. ; 93:18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A metallic state enabled by the metal-insulator transition (MIT) in single crystal VO2(A) nanorods is demonstrated, which provides important physical foundation in experimental understanding of MIT in VO2. The observed tetragonal metallic state at ∼28 GPa should be interpreted as a distinct metastable state, while increasing pressure to ∼32 GPa, it transforms into a metallic amorphous state completely. The metallization is due to V 3d orbital electrons delocalization, and the amorphization is attributed to the unique variation of V-O-V bond angle. A metallic amorphous VO2 state is found under pressure, which is beneficial to explore the phase diagram of VO2. Furthermore, this work proves the occurrence of both the metallization and amorphization in octahedrally coordinated materials.
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11. |
- Kristan, Matej, et al.
(author)
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The Ninth Visual Object Tracking VOT2021 Challenge Results
- 2021
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In: 2021 IEEE/CVF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPUTER VISION WORKSHOPS (ICCVW 2021). - : IEEE COMPUTER SOC. - 9781665401913 ; , s. 2711-2738
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Visual Object Tracking challenge VOT2021 is the ninth annual tracker benchmarking activity organized by the VOT initiative. Results of 71 trackers are presented; many are state-of-the-art trackers published at major computer vision conferences or in journals in recent years. The VOT2021 challenge was composed of four sub-challenges focusing on different tracking domains: (i) VOT-ST2021 challenge focused on short-term tracking in RGB, (ii) VOT-RT2021 challenge focused on "real-time" short-term tracking in RGB, (iii) VOT-LT2021 focused on long-term tracking, namely coping with target disappearance and reappearance and (iv) VOT-RGBD2021 challenge focused on long-term tracking in RGB and depth imagery. The VOT-ST2021 dataset was refreshed, while VOT-RGBD2021 introduces a training dataset and sequestered dataset for winner identification. The source code for most of the trackers, the datasets, the evaluation kit and the results along with the source code for most trackers are publicly available at the challenge website(1).
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13. |
- Liu, Dedi, et al.
(author)
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Pressure-induced phase transitions of C70 nanotubes
- 2011
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society. - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 115:18, s. 8918-8922
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Single crystalline C70 nanotubes having a face-centered-cubic (fcc) structure with diameters on a nanometer scale were synthesized by a facile solution method. In situ high pressure Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction have been employed to study the structural stability and phase transitions of the pristine sample. We show that the molecular orientation-related phase transition from the fcc structure to a rhombohedral structure occurs at about 1.5 GPa, which is 1 GPa higher than in bulk C70. Also, the C70 molecules themselves are more stable in the nanotubes than in bulk crystals, manifested by a partial amorphization at 20 GPa. The crystal structure of C70 nanotubes could partially return to the initial structure after a pressure cycle above 30.8 GPa, and the C70 molecules were intact up to 43 GPa. The bulk modulus of C70 nanotubes is measured to be 50 GPa, which is twice larger than that of bulk C70.
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14. |
- Ruilope, LM, et al.
(author)
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Design and Baseline Characteristics of the Finerenone in Reducing Cardiovascular Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease Trial
- 2019
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In: American journal of nephrology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1421-9670 .- 0250-8095. ; 50:5, s. 345-356
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- <b><i>Background:</i></b> Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. <b><i>Patients and</i></b> <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup> and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 to ≤5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level α = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049.
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16. |
- Barucca, G., et al.
(author)
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Study of excited Ξ baryons with the P¯ ANDA detector
- 2021
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In: European Physical Journal A. - : Springer Nature. - 1434-6001 .- 1434-601X. ; 57:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study of baryon excitation spectra provides insight into the inner structure of baryons. So far, most of the world-wide efforts have been directed towards N∗ and Δ spectroscopy. Nevertheless, the study of the double and triple strange baryon spectrum provides independent information to the N∗ and Δ spectra. The future antiproton experiment P¯ANDA will provide direct access to final states containing a Ξ¯ Ξ pair, for which production cross sections up to μb are expected in p¯p reactions. With a luminosity of L= 10 31 cm- 2 s- 1 in the first phase of the experiment, the expected cross sections correspond to a production rate of ∼106events/day. With a nearly 4 π detector acceptance, P¯ANDA will thus be a hyperon factory. In this study, reactions of the type p¯p → Ξ¯ +Ξ∗ - as well as p¯p → Ξ¯ ∗ +Ξ- with various decay modes are investigated. For the exclusive reconstruction of the signal events a full decay tree fit is used, resulting in reconstruction efficiencies between 3 and 5%. This allows high statistics data to be collected within a few weeks of data taking.
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17. |
- Barucca, G., et al.
(author)
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The potential of Λ and Ξ- studies with PANDA at FAIR
- 2021
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In: European Physical Journal A. - : Springer Nature. - 1434-6001 .- 1434-601X. ; 57:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The antiproton experiment PANDA at FAIR is designed to bring hadron physics to a new level in terms of scope, precision and accuracy. In this work, its unique capability for studies of hyperons is outlined. We discuss ground-state hyperons as diagnostic tools to study non-perturbative aspects of the strong interaction, and fundamental symmetries. New simulation studies have been carried out for two benchmark hyperon-antihyperon production channels: p¯ p→ Λ¯ Λ and p¯ p→ Ξ¯ +Ξ-. The results, presented in detail in this paper, show that hyperon-antihyperon pairs from these reactions can be exclusively reconstructed with high efficiency and very low background contamination. In addition, the polarisation and spin correlations have been studied, exploiting the weak, self-analysing decay of hyperons and antihyperons. Two independent approaches to the finite efficiency have been applied and evaluated: one standard multidimensional efficiency correction approach, and one efficiency independent approach. The applicability of the latter was thoroughly evaluated for all channels, beam momenta and observables. The standard method yields good results in all cases, and shows that spin observables can be studied with high precision and accuracy already in the first phase of data taking with PANDA.
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19. |
- Cui, Jinxing, et al.
(author)
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Structural Deformation of Sm@C88under High Pressure
- 2015
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2045-2322. ; 5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have studied the structural transformation of Sm@C88 under pressure up to 18 GPa by infraredspectroscopy combined with theoretical simulations. The infrared-active vibrational modes of Sm@C88 at ambient conditions have been assigned for the first time. Pressure-induced blue and red shiftsof the corresponding vibrational modes indicate an anisotropic deformation of the carbon cage uponcompression. We propose that the carbon cage changes from ellipsoidal to approximately sphericalaround 7 GPa. A smaller deformation of the carbon bonds in the area close to the Sm atom in thecage suggests that the trapped Sm atom plays a role in minimizing the compression of the adjacentbonds. Pressure induced a significant reduction of the band gap of the crystal. The HOMO-LUMOgap of the Sm@C88 molecule decreases remarkably at 7 GPa as the carbon cage is deformed. Also,compression enhances intermolecular interactions and causes a widening of the energy bands. Botheffects decrease the band gap of the sample. The carbon cage deforms significantly above 7 GPa,from spherical to a peanut-like shape and collapses at 18 GPa.
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20. |
- Cui, Wen, et al.
(author)
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Reversible pressure-induced polymerization of Fe(C5H5)(2) doped C-70
- 2013
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In: Carbon. - : Pergamon-Elsevier Science. - 0008-6223 .- 1873-3891. ; 62, s. 447-454
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High pressure Raman, IR and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies have been carried out on C-70(Fe(C5H5)(2))(2) (hereafter, "C-70(Fc)(2)") sheets. Theoretical calculation is further used to analyze the Electron Localization Function (ELF) and charge transfer in the crystal and thus to understand the transformation of C-70(Fc)(2) under pressure. Our results show that even at room temperature dimeric phase and one dimensional (1D) polymer phase of C-70 molecules can be formed at about 3 and 8 GPa, respectively. The polymerization is found to be reversible Upon decompression and the reversibility is related to the pressure-tuned charge transfer, as well as the overridden steric repulsion of counter ions. According to the layered structure of the intercalated ferrocene molecules formed in the crystal, we suggest that ferrocene acts as not only a spacer to restrict the polymerization of C-70 molecules within a layer, but also as charge reservoir to tune the polymerization process. This supplies a possible way for us to design the polymerization of fullerenes at suitable conditions.
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21. |
- Cui, Wen, et al.
(author)
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Synthesis of alkali-metal-doped C60 nanotubes
- 2011
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In: Diamond and Related Materials. - : Elsevier BV. ; , s. 93-96
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- C60 nanotubes have been synthesized by a solution–solution method. After degassing in a dynamic vacuum, the C60 nanotubes were doped with alkali metals by means of vapor evaporation method. Different temperatures have been studied to evaporate the alkali metals for the doping experiments. Raman spectrum was further employed to analyze the doping concentration of the obtained samples. It was found that all three alkali metals (Li, Na and K) used can be efficiently doped into the C60 nanotubes, forming AxC60 nanotubes. The doping concentration of Li, Na changed from low to high level, depending on the experiment temperatures, while K doping always gave saturated doping. The melt points, the ionic sizes and vapor pressures of alkali metals were thought to affect the final doping results.
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24. |
- 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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