Rare Variant Association Testing by Adaptive Combination of P-values

With the development of next-generation sequencing technology, there is a great demand for powerful statistical methods to detect rare variants (minor allele frequencies (MAFs)-MidPmethod (Cheung et al., 2012, Genet Epidemiol 36: 675–685) and propose an approach (named ‘adaptive combination of P-values for rare variant association testing’, abbreviated as ‘ADA’) that adaptively combines per-site P-values with the weights based on MAFs. Before combining P-values, we first imposed a truncation threshold upon the per-site P-values, to guard against the noise caused by the inclusion of neutral variants. ThisADA method is shown to outperform popular burden tests and non-burden tests under many scenarios. ADA is recommended for next-generation sequencing data analysis where many neutral variants may be included in a functional region

On-Chip Micro Temperature Controllers Based on Freestanding Thermoelectric Nano Films for Low-Power Electronics

Dense and flat freestanding Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric nano films were successfully fabricated by sputtering technology using a newly developed nano graphene oxide membrane as a substrate. On-chip micro temperature controllers were integrated using conventional micro-electromechanical system technology, to achieve energy-efficient temperature control for low-power electronics. The tunable equivalent thermal resistance enables an ultrahigh temperature control capability of 100 K mW−1 and an ultra-fast cooling rate exceeding 2000 K s−1, as well as excellent reliability of up to 1 million cycles

Effects of different fertilization schemes on the quality of cut lily under the condition of frame-type soilless culture

Studies on fertilization methods for cut lilies have resulted in varying opinions on whether and when fertilization should be applied during lily cultivation, and the amount and rate of fertilization. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of different fertilization schemes on the quality of cut lily, seek the most suitable fertilization scheme for the growth and development of cut lily, and provide a scientific theoretical basis for rational fertilization in the production of cut lily. The mainstream cut lily varieties 'Conca d'Or', 'Sorbonne' and 'Siberia' were used as experimental materials to study the effects of different fertilizers and fertilization methods on the growth and quality of lilies. The results showed that A1 (without basal fertilizer) germinated the earliest and had the highest plant height in the vegetative growth period. A2 (nitrate nitrogen compound fertilizer 2 g/plant as basal fertilizer treatment) budded the earliest. The overall best quality of ‘Conca d'Or' cut flowers is A1B3 treatment (none basal fertilizer, YaraMila Compound fertilizer 2 g/plant as topdressing), 'Sorbonne' is A2B3 treatment (Yangfeng nitrate nitrogen compound fertilizer 2 g/plant, YaraMila Compound fertilizer 2 g/plant), 'Siberia' is A2B1 treatment (nitrogen compound fertilizer 2 g/plant as base fertilizer, none top dressing); and A2B1 treatment is ranked at the forefront in the ranking of all indicators of the three varieties. In conclusion, excessive fertilization significantly reduced the quality of cut lilies. One-time fertilization can meet the nutritional needs of high-quality cut lily, of which A2B1 treatment (nitrate nitrogen compound fertilizer 2 g/plant as base fertilizer, none top-dressing) is the combination with lower cost and the best effect in one-time fertilization scheme, suitable for cut lily promotion and use in production

Solvothermal synthesis of N-doped TiO2 nanotubes for visible-light-responsive photocatalysis

Visible-light-responsive tubular N-doped TiO2 nanocrystallites were synthesized via an environment-conscious solvothermal treatment of protonated titanate nanotubes in an NH4Cl/ethanol/water solution

Low body mass index adversely affects the live birth rate following fresh embryo transfer in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and pregnancy outcomes after fresh embryo transfer in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsWomen diagnosed with PCOS who underwent in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment at the Reproductive Center of Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Hospital in China between August 2014 and July 2023 were included. Patients were divided into four groups based on BMI: Low <18.5Kg/m2 (group 1); Normal 18.5≤BMI <24 Kg/m2(group 2); Overweight 24≤BMI <28 Kg/m2(group 3); Obesity ≥28 Kg/m2(group 4). The retrospective cohort study explored the relationship between BMI and pregnancy outcomes using a logistic regression approach. The live birth rates of different BMI groups were compared after adjusting for age, antimullerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA), estrogen (E2), total testosterone (T), baseline follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH), and baseline luteinizing hormone (bLH).ResultsA total of 649 patients with PCOS who underwent fresh embryo transfer were included. A curvilinear relationship was observed between BMI and pregnancy outcomes. Compared with the normal BMI group, the low BMI group had the lowest live birth rate (P = 0.021). An inflection point was identified at approximately 22 kg/m². When BMI was below 22 kg/m², the live birth rate increased by 29% for each 1 kg/m² increase in BMI (P = 0.018). When BMI exceeded 22 kg/m², the live birth rate plateaued. A significant interaction between age and BMI was also observed in relation to live birth rate (P = 0.011), with the adverse effect of low BMI being particularly pronounced in younger patients.ConclusionAmong patients with PCOS, those with low BMI had the lowest live birth rate following fresh embryo transfer. The optimal BMI associated with the highest live birth rate was approximately 22 kg/m²

Hierarchical Generalized Linear Models for Multiple Groups of Rare and Common Variants: Jointly Estimating Group and Individual-Variant Effects

Complex diseases and traits are likely influenced by many common and rare genetic variants and environmental factors. Detecting disease susceptibility variants is a challenging task, especially when their frequencies are low and/or their effects are small or moderate. We propose here a comprehensive hierarchical generalized linear model framework for simultaneously analyzing multiple groups of rare and common variants and relevant covariates. The proposed hierarchical generalized linear models introduce a group effect and a genetic score (i.e., a linear combination of main-effect predictors for genetic variants) for each group of variants, and jointly they estimate the group effects and the weights of the genetic scores. This framework includes various previous methods as special cases, and it can effectively deal with both risk and protective variants in a group and can simultaneously estimate the cumulative contribution of multiple variants and their relative importance. Our computational strategy is based on extending the standard procedure for fitting generalized linear models in the statistical software R to the proposed hierarchical models, leading to the development of stable and flexible tools. The methods are illustrated with sequence data in gene ANGPTL4 from the Dallas Heart Study. The performance of the proposed procedures is further assessed via simulation studies. The methods are implemented in a freely available R package BhGLM (http://www.ssg.uab.edu/bhglm/)

Novel aspects of diamond: from growth to applications

This book is in honor of the contribution of Professor Xin Jiang (Institute of Materials Engineering, University of Siegen, Germany) to diamond. The objective of this book is to familiarize readers with the scientific and engineering aspects of CVD diamond films and to provide experienced researchers, scientists, and engineers in academia and industry with the latest developments and achievements in this rapidly growing field. This 2nd edition consists of 14 chapters, providing an updated, systematic review of diamond research, ranging from its growth, and properties up to applications. The growth of single-crystalline and doped diamond films is included. The physical, chemical, and engineering properties of these films and diamond nanoparticles are discussed from theoretical and experimental aspects. The applications of various diamond films and nanoparticles in the fields of chemistry, biology, medicine, physics, and engineering are presented

Advances in biomimetic photoelectrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide

Finanziert im Rahmen der DEAL-Verträge durch die Universitätsbibliothek Siegen Autor*innen: Shaohan Xu, Qi Shen, Jingui Zheng, Zhiming Wang, Xun Pan, Nianjun Yang, Guohua ZhaoEmerging photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) systems synergize the advantages of electrocatalysis (EC) and photocatalysis (PC) and are considered a green and efficient approach to CO2 conversion. However, improving the selectivity and conversion rate remains a major challenge. Strategies mimicking natural photosynthesis provide a prospective way to convert CO2 with high efficiency. Herein, several typical strategies are described for constructing biomimetic photoelectric functional interfaces; such interfaces include metal cocatalysts/semiconductors, small molecules/semiconductors, molecular catalysts/semiconductors, MOFs/semiconductors, and microorganisms/semiconductors. The biomimetic PEC interface must have enhanced CO2 adsorption capacity, preferentially activate CO2, and have an efficient conversion ability; with these properties, it can activate C=O bonds effectively and promote electron transfer and C-C coupling to convert CO2 to single-carbon or multicarbon products. Interfacial electron transfer and proton coupling on the biomimetic PEC interface are also discussed to clarify the mechanism of CO2 reduction. Finally, the existing challenges and perspectives for biomimetic photoelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction are presented