Polymorphisms of CR1, CLU and PICALM confer susceptibility of Alzheimer's disease in a southern Chinese population

In this case-controlled study, we tested susceptible genetic variants for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in CR1, CLU and PICALM from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in a southern Chinese population. Eight hundred twelve participants consisting of 462 late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) patients and 350 nondemented control subjects were recruited. We found by multivariate logistic regression analysis, that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CR1 (rs6656401 adjusted allelic p = 0.035; adjusted genotypic p = 0.043) and CLU (rs2279590 adjusted allelic p = 0.035; adjusted genotypic p = 0.006; rs11136000 adjusted allelic p = 0.038; adjusted genotypic p = 0.009) were significantly different between LOAD patients and nondemented controls. For PICALM, LOAD association was found only in the APOE ε4 (-) subgroup (rs3851179 adjusted allelic p = 0.028; adjusted genotypic p = 0.013). Our findings showed evidence of CR1, CLU, and PICALM and LOAD susceptibility in an independent southern Chinese population, which provides additional evidence for LOAD association apart from prior genome-wide association studies in Caucasian populations. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.postprin

Final report of the Construction Industry Institute, Hong Kong research project on reinventing the Hong Kong construction industry for its sustainable development

Author name used in this publication: Andrew N. BaldwinAuthor name used in this publication: Y. H. ChiangAuthor name used in this publication: Joyce W. S. CheungAuthor name used in this publication: Joanne W. S. NgConstruction Industry Institute-Hong Kong Report, no. 132008-2009 > Academic research: not refereed > Research book or monograph (author)Other Versio

Novel and simple patterning process of quantum dots via transfer printing for active matrix qd-led

© 2020 SID. The next generation of a self-emitting display requires precise and stable patterning techniques to shape Red, Green, and Blue pixels using quantum dots. In this study, we propose the novel and simple transfer printing process for the active matrix QD-LEDs

Selecting normalization genes for small diagnostic microarrays

BACKGROUND: Normalization of gene expression microarrays carrying thousands of genes is based on assumptions that do not hold for diagnostic microarrays carrying only few genes. Thus, applying standard microarray normalization strategies to diagnostic microarrays causes new normalization problems. RESULTS: In this paper we point out the differences of normalizing large microarrays and small diagnostic microarrays. We suggest to include additional normalization genes on the small diagnostic microarrays and propose two strategies for selecting them from genomewide microarray studies. The first is a data driven univariate selection of normalization genes. The second is multivariate and based on finding a balanced diagnostic signature. Finally, we compare both methods to standard normalization protocols known from large microarrays. CONCLUSION: Not including additional genes for normalization on small microarrays leads to a loss of diagnostic information. Using house keeping genes from the literature for normalization fails to work for certain datasets. While a data driven selection of additional normalization genes works well, the best results were obtained using a balanced signature

Interactions in vivo between the Vif protein of HIV-1 and the precursor (Pr55GAG) of the virion nucleocapsid proteins

The abnormality of viral core structure seen in vif-defective HIV-1 grown in PBMCs has suggested a role for Vif in viral morphogenesis. Using an in vivo mammalian two-hybrid assay, the interaction between Vif and the precursor (Pr55GAG) of the virion nucleocapsid proteins has been analysed. This revealed the amino-terminal (aa 1–22) and central (aa 70–100) regions of Vif to be essential for its interaction with Pr55GAG, but deletion of the carboxy-terminal (aa 158–192) region of the protein had only a minor effect on its interaction. Initial deletion studies carried out on Pr55GAG showed that a 35-amino-acid region of the protein bridging the MA(p17)–CA(p24) junction was essential for its ability to interact with Vif. Site-directed mutagenesis of a conserved tryptophan (Trp21) near the amino terminus of Vif showed it to be important for the interaction with Pr55GAG. By contrast, mutagenesis of the highly conserved YLAL residues forming part of the BC-box motif, shown to be important in Vif promoting degradation of APOBEC3G/3F, had little or no effect on the Vif–Pr55GAG interaction

Effects of sand burial and overstory tree age on seedling establishment in coastal Pinus thunbergii forests in the northern Shandong Peninsula, China

Coastal Pinus thunbergii (Japanese black pine) forests in the northern Shandong Peninsula of China recently experienced widespread natural regeneration failure. This study identifies critical factors that affect natural regeneration of P. thunbergii. Seeds from trees of various ages (13-32 years) were used to investigate the effects of age and burial depth in sand on germination and seedling establishment. Results show that seed density in 2-5 cm soil decreased with increased distance from the shoreline. Sand burial decreased seed germination but did not affect the relative growth rate of seedlings at depths from 0.5 to 3 cm. Germination, leaf mass ratio, and relative growth rates were higher with seedlings originating from older trees, all of which enhanced seedling resistance to sand burial. Tree age and seed burial were found to be determining factors for natural regeneration of the coastal P. thunbergii forest. Silvicultural treatments that promote quality of seed sources and mitigation of sand burial can be used in the future to improve the regeneration of these coastal forests

Radial Growth of Qilian Juniper on the Northeast Tibetan Plateau and Potential Climate Associations

There is controversy regarding the limiting climatic factor for tree radial growth at the alpine treeline on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we collected 594 increment cores from 331 trees, grouped within four altitude belts spanning the range 3550 to 4020 m.a.s.l. on a single hillside. We have developed four equivalent ring-width chronologies and shown that there are no significant differences in their growth-climate responses during 1956 to 2011 or in their longer-term growth patterns during the period AD 1110–2011. The main climate influence on radial growth is shown to be precipitation variability. Missing ring analysis shows that tree radial growth at the uppermost treeline location is more sensitive to climate variation than that at other elevations, and poor tree radial growth is particularly linked to the occurrence of serious drought events. Hence water limitation, rather than temperature stress, plays the pivotal role in controlling the radial growth of Sabina przewalskii Kom. at the treeline in this region. This finding contradicts any generalisation that tree-ring chronologies from high-elevation treeline environments are mostly indicators of temperature changes

Waterproof Flexible InP@ZnSeS Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode

The development of flexible displays for wearable electronics applications has created demand for high-performance quantum dot (QD) light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) based on QD core@shell structures. Emerging indium phosphide (InP)-based core@shell QDs show promise as lighting material in the field of optoelectronics because they are environmentally friendly material, can be produced in a cost-effective manner, and are capable of tunable emission. While efforts have been made to enhance the performance of InP-based QLED, the stabilities of InP@ZnSeS QDs film and InP@ZnSeS-based QLED in water/air are not yet fully understood, limiting their practical applications. Herein, a highly durable, flexible InP@ZnSeS QLED encapsulated in an ultrathin film of CYTOP, a solution-based amorphous fluoropolymer, is demonstrated. The CYTOP-encapsulated green flexible QLED shows an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.904% and a high luminescence of 1593 cd/m2 as well as outstanding waterproof performance. The flexible device emits strong luminescence after being immersed in water for ~20 minutes. Even when subjected to continuous tensile stress with a 5 mm bending radius, the high luminescence is preserved. This waterproof architecture can be a promising strategy for wearable electronics applications

Crowdsourcing geospatial data for Earth and human observations: a review

The transformation from authoritative to user-generated data landscapes has garnered considerable attention, notably with the proliferation of crowdsourced geospatial data. Facilitated by advancements in digital technology and high-speed communication, this paradigm shift has democratized data collection, obliterating traditional barriers between data producers and users. While previous literature has compartmentalized this subject into distinct platforms and application domains, this review offers a holistic examination of crowdsourced geospatial data. Employing a narrative review approach due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic, we investigate both human and Earth observations through crowdsourced initiatives. This review categorizes the diverse applications of these data and rigorously examines specific platforms and paradigms pertinent to data collection. Furthermore, it addresses salient challenges, encompassing data quality, inherent biases, and ethical dimensions. We contend that this thorough analysis will serve as an invaluable scholarly resource, encapsulating the current state-of-the-art in crowdsourced geospatial data, and offering strategic directions for future interdisciplinary research and applications across various sectors