Lift of the trivial representation to a nonlinear cover

Let G be the real points of a simply laced, simply connected complex Lie group, and let G^~ be the nonlinear two-fold cover of G. We discuss a set of small genuine representations of G^~, denoted by Lift(C), which can be obtained from the trivial representation of G by a lifting operator. The representations in Lift(C) can be characterized by the following properties: (a) the infinitesimal character is &rho/2; (b) they have maximal &tau-invariant; (c) they have a particular associated variety O. When G is split and of type A or D , we have a full description for Lift(C). In this case, these representations are parametrized by pairs (central character, real form of O), and exhaust all small representations with infinitesimal character &rho/2 and maximal &tau-invariant

Ion adsorption in porous carbon: from fundamental studies to supercapacitor applications

L'objectif de cette thèse a été d'augmenter la densité d'énergie des supercondensateurs. La première partie de cette thèse a été consacrée à l'amélioration des performances d'une électrode de carbone pour supercondensateur en étudiant à la fois un mélange de liquides ioniques ainsi que des carbones offrant différents types de microstructures. Une augmentation importante de la capacité spécifique sur une large gamme de températures (-50°C ;100°C) est obtenue en couplant un mélange eutectique de liquides ioniques, (PIP13-FSI)0.5 (PYR14-FSI)0.5, avec un oxyde de graphite exfolié par micro-onde et activé par KOH (a-MEGO). Cette première partie de la thèse met ainsi l'accent sur l'importance d'optimiser l'interface carbone/électrolyte afin de maximiser la densité. Dans la deuxième partie, les mécanismes de stockage des charges dans les pores des carbones à l'échelle moléculaire ont été étudiés in-situ grâce à une microbalance électrochimique à cristal de quartz (EQCM). Les études EQCM ont été menées dans deux systèmes électrode/électrolyte : (1) des carbones dérives de carbure dans des électrolytes à base de EMI-TFSI et (2) un carbone activé dans l'électrolyte PEt4BF4. Les résultats d'EQCM et de RMN in-situ montrent comment les ions différents et les molécules du solvant sont impliqués pendant la charge. Ces résultats sont très encourageants et montrent que l'EQCM constitue une sonde dont la sensibilité permet d'étudier la dynamique des ions dans la porosité des électrodes de carbone lors de la charge et de la décharge des supercondensateurs.The aim of this PhD work focuses on different approaches to improve the energy density of supercapacitors. First part of this thesis work is to improve the performance of supercapacitor by using ionic liquid mixtures as electrolytes and carbons with different microstructures. A significant increase of specific capacitance over wide temperature range (-50 to 100°C) was obtained by using an eutectic ionic liquid mixture, (PIP13-FSI)0.5 (PYR14-FSI)0.5, with an activated microwave exfoliated graphite oxide (a-MEGO). These results evidence that optimization of the carbon/electrolyte interface is of great importance for maximizing the capacitive energy. In the second part of the thesis, the charge storage mechanisms in the porous carbons at molecular scale have been studied using Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (EQCM). EQCM studies were conducted on two electrode/electrolyte systems: (1) carbide-derived carbons in neat and solvated EMI-TFSI ionic liquid under dynamic charging condition and (2) YP-50F activated carbon in solvated PEt4BF4 electrolyte under steady state charging condition. EQCM and in-situ NMR results showed how different ions and solvent molecules are involved in the charging process. These results provide a direct molecular-level insight into the charge storage process, showing that EQCM is promising electrogravimetric probe to study compositional changes in carbon microspores during charging/discharge of supercapacitors

Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (EQCM) Study of Ion Dynamics in Nanoporous Carbons

Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements were used to characterize ion adsorption in carbide-derived carbon (CDC) with two different average pore sizes (1 and 0.65 nm), from neat and solvated 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (EMI-TFSI) electrolytes. From the electrode mass change in neat EMI-TFSI, it was shown that one net charge stored corresponds almost to one single ion at high polarization; in that case, no ion-pairing or charge screening by co-ions were observed. In 2 M EMI-TFSI in acetonitrile electrolyte, experimental solvation numbers were estimated for EMI+ cation, showing a partial desolvation when cations were adsorbed in confined carbon pores. The extent of desolvation increased when decreasing the carbon pore size (from 1 down to 0.65 nm). The results also suggest that EMI+ cation owns higher mobility than TFSI- anion in these electrolytes

Association between copy number variation of complement component C4 and Graves' disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gene copy number of complement component <it>C4</it>, which varies among individuals, may determine the intrinsic strength of the classical complement pathway. Presuming a major role of complement as an effecter in peptide-mediated inflammation and phagocytosis, we hypothesized that <it>C4 </it>genetic diversity may partially explain the development of Graves' disease (GD) and the variation in its outcomes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A case-control study including 624 patients with GD and 160 healthy individuals were enrolled. CNV of <it>C4 </it>isotypes (<it>C4A </it>and <it>C4B</it>) genes were performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Statistical comparison and identification of CNV of total <it>C4, C4 </it>isotypes (<it>C4A </it>and <it>C4B</it>) and <it>C4 </it>polymorphisms were estimated according to the occurrence of GD and its associated clinical features.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Individuals with 4, 2, and 2 copies of <it>C4</it>, <it>C4A </it>and <it>C4B </it>genes, especially those with A2B2 polymorphism may associate with the development of GD (p = 0.001, OR = 10.994, 95% CI: 6.277-19.255; p = 0.008, OR = 1.732, 95% CI: 1.190-2.520; p = 2.420 × 10-5, OR = 2.621, 95% CI: 1.791-3.835; and <it>p </it>= 1.395 × 10^-4, OR = 2.671, 95% CI: 1.761-4.052, respectively). Although the distribution of copy number for total <it>C4</it>, <it>C4 </it>isotypes as well as <it>C4 </it>polymorphisms did not associate with the occurrence of goiter, nodular hyperplasia, GO and myxedema, <2 copies of <it>C4A </it>may associate with high risk toward vitiligo in patients with GD (<it>p </it>= 0.001, OR = 5.579, 95% CI: 1.659-18.763).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results may be further estimated for its clinical application on GD and the vitiligo in patients with GD.</p

Genome-Wide Gene-Environment Interaction Analysis Using Set-Based Association Tests

The identification of gene-environment interactions (G × E) may eventually guide health-related choices and medical interventions for complex diseases. More powerful methods must be developed to identify G × E. The “adaptive combination of Bayes factors method” (ADABF) has been proposed as a powerful genome-wide polygenic approach to detect G × E. In this work, we evaluate its performance when serving as a gene-based G × E test. We compare ADABF with six tests including the “Set-Based gene-EnviRonment InterAction test” (SBERIA), “gene-environment set association test” (GESAT), etc. With extensive simulations, SBERIA and ADABF are found to be more powerful than other G × E tests. However, SBERIA suffers from a power loss when 50% SNP main effects are in the same direction with the SNP × E interaction effects while 50% are in the opposite direction. We further applied these seven G × E methods to the Taiwan Biobank data to explore gene× alcohol interactions on blood pressure levels. The ADAMTS7P1 gene at chromosome 15q25.2 was detected to interact with alcohol consumption on diastolic blood pressure (p = 9.5 × 10−7, according to the GESAT test). At this gene, the P-values provided by other six tests all reached the suggestive significance level (p &lt; 5 × 10−5). Regarding the computation time required for a genome-wide G × E analysis, SBERIA is the fastest method, followed by ADABF. Considering the validity, power performance, robustness, and computation time, ADABF is recommended for genome-wide G × E analyses

Functional Effects of let-7g Expression in Colon Cancer Metastasis.

MicroRNA regulation is crucial for gene expression and cell functions. It has been linked to tumorigenesis, development and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, the let-7 family has been identified as a tumor suppressor in different types of cancers. However, the function of the let-7 family in CRC metastasis has not been fully investigated. Here, we focused on analyzing the role of let-7g in CRC. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) genomic datasets of CRC and detailed data from a Taiwanese CRC cohort were applied to study the expression pattern of let-7g. In addition, in vitro as well as in vivo studies have been performed to uncover the effects of let-7g on CRC. We found that the expression of let-7g was significantly lower in CRC specimens. Our results further supported the inhibitory effects of let-7g on CRC cell migration, invasion and extracellular calcium influx through store-operated calcium channels. We report a critical role for let-7g in the pathogenesis of CRC and suggest let-7g as a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment