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Cancer is a major cause of death, and its early identification and intervention have potential for clinical actionability and benefits for human health. The studies using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and large samples analysis of cancer-related genes have been rarely done.We performed WGS to explore germline mutations in coding and non-coding areas of cancer-related genes and non-coding driver genes and regulatory areas. Structural variants (SVs) was also analyzed. We used several tools and a subgrouping method to analyze the variants in 1491 healthy participants. Moreover, 275 cancer-related genes sequencing was carried out in 125 cancer patients.The incidence of familial cancer in the Taiwanese general population is 8.79% (131/1491). Cancer carrier rate of cancer-related genes is about 7.04% (105/1491) for pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (P/LP) on ClinVar database only, and 28.24% (421/1491) for P/LP and loss of function variants. The carrier frequencies of cancer-related genes P/LP on ClinVar database were as follows: 8.40% (11/131), 7.11% (28/394), and 6.83% (66/966) in FC, 1MC, and nMC, respectively. The SVs and non-coding driver gene variants are uncommon. There are 1.54% (23/1491) of actionable cancer genes in American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), and the germline mutation rate of 275 cancer-related genes is 7.2% (9/125) in cancer patients including 4.0% (5/125) of actionable cancer genes in ACMG. After analyzing the frequencies of P/LP variants on GJB2 and SLC25A13 genes, we suggest that these two genes may not be cancer-related genes and need be re-evaluated.WGS analysis can completely detect germline mutations in cancer carriers. This study use subgrouping approach for samples provides a strategy to study whether a gene or variant is a cancer-related gene or variant in the future studies.

The vigorous development of rural E‐commerce reveals a powerful pattern of economic clustering. Recently, many Taobao Villages have formed in more than 80% of the provinces in rural China, and increasingly households are using E‐commerce for entrepreneurial innovation in Taobao Villages. However, the effect and mechanism of the Taobao Village model on households' entrepreneurship behavior remain unclear. Using survey data and structural equation modeling, we analyzed the factors of households' entrepreneurship behavior and investigated the mechanism of rural E‐commerce clustering on the households' entrepreneurship behavior in Taobao Villages. The results show that: (1) rural E‐commerce clusters stimulated entrepreneurial enthusiasm and increased entrepreneurial behavior; (2) local resource endowment, entrepreneurial atmosphere and culture, threshold for entrepreneurship, and demonstrative leadership had significant positive effects on households' entrepreneurship behavior; (3) external environmental support, including government, and external business environment support had significant positive effects on E‐commerce development. All these results indicate that rural E‐commerce clusters promote households' entrepreneurship behavior.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To assess a 3D high-resolution IR-prepped fast SPGR high-resolution MRI sequence for evaluating hypoglossal nerve lesions. METHODS The clinical data of 8 patients with hypoglossal nerve lesions admitted from December 2011 to February 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. MRI included contrast-enhanced conventional sequences and a 3D IR-prepped fast SPGR high-resolution T1-weighted (BRAVO) MRI sequence at 3T. RESULTS Eight patients had hypoglossal lesions detected by MRI. Conventional enhanced scanning could not clearly display the hypoglossal nerve and canal, while the enhanced 3D high-resolution sequence could. In addition, multiple planar reconstruction clearly displayed the hypoglossal nerve, hypoglossal canal, and lesions in multiple planes. CONCLUSIONS Compared with conventional MRI, we show superior results from an advanced sequence to improve image quality in characterizing hypoglossal nerve lesions.

Herein, core-twisted tetrachloroperylenediimides (ClPDIs) were introduced as new efficient electron-transporting materials (ETMs) to replace the commonly used fullerene acceptor PC61 BM in inverted planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). ClPDI showed a low-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level of -3.95 eV, which was compatible with the conduction band of CH3 NH3 PbI3-x Clx (-3.90 eV). In addition, the role of the length of the alkyl side chain at the imide position of ClPDI in modulating the molecular solubility, aggregation capacity for charge-transport properties, surface hydrophobicity, and PSC performance was investigated. The device based on ClPDI-C4 (ClPDI with n-butyl side chains) as ETM achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.3 % under standard AM 1.5G illumination, which iwas very competitive with that of the reference device employing PC61 BM/C60 (PCE=17.2 %) as ETM. Moreover, the devices with ClPDIs as ETMs exhibited better device stability than that with PC61 BM/C60 . This work highlights the great potential of ClPDI derivatives as low-cost (≈2.0 USD g-1 ) and effective ETMs to obtain efficient solution-processed inverted PSCs. This class of ClPDI derivatives is expected further promote the performance and stability of PSCs after extended investigation.

Versatile photoresponsive gels based on tripodal low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) are reported. A cyclohexane‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide (CTA) core provides face‐to‐face hydrogen bonding and a planar conformation, inducing the self‐assembly of supramolecular polymers. The CTA core was substituted with three arylazopyrazole (AAP) arms. AAP is a molecular photoswitch that isomerizes reversibly under alternating UV and green light irradiation. The E isomer of AAP is planar, favoring the self‐assembly, whereas the Z isomer has a twisted structure, leading to a disassembly of the supramolecular polymers. By using tailor‐made molecular design of the tripodal gelator, light‐responsive organogels and hydrogels were obtained. Additionally, in the case of the hydrogels, AAP was coupled to the core through hydrazones, so that the hydrogelator and, hence, the photoresponsive hydrogel could also be assembled and disassembled by using dynamic covalent chemistry.

The notorious growth of lithium (Li) dendrites and the instability of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) during cycling make Li metal anodes unsuitable for use in commercial Li-ion batteries. Herein, the use of simple sugar coating (α-d-glucose) is demonstrated on top of Li metal to halt the growth of Li dendrites and stabilize the SEI. The α-d-glucose layer possesses high surface and adhesive energies toward Li, which promote the homogenous stripping and plating of Li ions on top of the Li metal. Density functional theory reveals that Li-ion diffusion within the α-d-glucose layer is governed by hopping around the bare sides of the O atoms and along the apparent passages formed by the glucose molecules. Stable cycling performance is achieved when combining α-d-glucose-coated Li (G|Li) anodes with sulfur- and LiFePO

Journal of quaternary science : JQS 36(8), 1279-1292 (2021). doi:10.1002/jqs.3388 special issue: "Special Issue:Pleistocene geoarchaeology and palaeoenvironments in European loess", Published by Wiley, New York, NY [u.a.]

Persistent luminescence is a unique optical process where long-lasting afterglow persists after the cessation of excitation. Nanoscale persistent luminescent materials are getting increased research interest from various fields due to their unique optical property. In recent years, inspiring achievements have been made to produce uniform persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) in a controllable manner, unleashing their fascinating potential, surpassing other types of luminescent materials in a wide variety of application such as high-contrast bioimaging and high-resolution X-ray detection. In this review, the evolution of uniform PLNPs, from their bulk phosphor counterparts, to the "top-down" preparation of nanoscale persistent luminescent materials, to the recent "bottom-up" synthesis of uniform PLNPs is first summarized. The respective milestones of uniform PLNPs prepared by templated synthesis, aqueous synthesis, and colloidal synthesis are highlighted. The key optical properties that can be enhanced in uniform PLNPs, including increasing the persistent luminescence intensity, tuning the excitation irradiance, as well as the emission wavelengths are then analyzed. Detailed strategies to enhance each optical property are also discussed in various sections. Finally, future challenges are highlighted with respect to the perspectives on the development of next-generation PLNPs with novel applications.

Summary A new seismic design manner, namely building mass damper (BMD), which is inspired from a combination of mid-story isolation and tuned mass damper design concepts, recently attracts immense attention. It is mainly because that the use of partial structural mass of the building as an energy absorber in the BMD design can overcome the drawback of limited response reduction due to insufficient added tuned mass in the conventional tuned mass damper design. In this study, an optimum BMD (OBMD) design approach, namely optimum dynamic characteristic control approach, based on a simplified 3-lumped-mass structure model is proposed to seismically protect both the superstructure (or tuned mass) and the substructure (or primary structure), respectively, above and below the control layer. A series of sensitivity analyses and experimental studies on different parameters, including mass, frequency, and damping ratios, of a building model designed with a BMD system were conducted. The test results verify the practical feasibility of the BMD concept as well as the effectiveness of the proposed OBMD design. Furthermore, by comparing with the numerical results of a mid-story isolated counterpart, it is demonstrated that the proposed OBMD design can have a comparable and even better control performance.

Mesoporous alumina, as a porous, high specific surface area, high activity, and heat stable material, has been widely used as an industrial adsorbent, catalyst, and catalyst support. The modification of alumina with organic polymers has been widely investigated in recent years. In this study, we compared the dependence of the adsorption of a polyelectrolyte, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) on γ-alumina particles on polymer size via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm analysis, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. We found that PAA with a hydrodynamic diameter greater than the alumina pore size would only adsorb on the outer surface of the oxides. For polymers with hydrodynamic diameters smaller than the alumina pore size, PAA infiltration resulted in a monolayer coverage of both the outer and inner surfaces of the oxide. Among the three PAA that could infiltrate the alumina pores, the one with the smallest molecular weight showed the highest adsorbed amount on alumina. The temperature, pH, concentration, and ionic strength of the PAA solutions were varied to illustrate the physicochemical differences of the prepared polymer/oxide composite materials. The high PAA-loaded composites were treated with a nickel ion solution, converted to Ni/alumina catalysts, and used in the methanation of carbon dioxide. The Ni/alumina catalysts were analyzed with X-ray diffraction and temperature-programmed reduction to illustrate the structural characteristics. The catalytic CO2 methanation of the catalyst samples revealed that a solution pH value higher than pKa of PAA favored the formation of catalysts with high catalytic activity.

The porous silicon carbide (β-SiC) carrier supported nickel-lanthanum based catalysts (NiLa/SiC) were synthesized via incipient-wetness impregnation by using two types of nickel salts as the precursor, for the selective hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2+4H2→CH4+2H2O). The alumina supported catalysts were also prepared and tested for comparison. The samples were characterized using TEM, TPR, XRD, SEM, TG-DTG techniques. Compared to the Al2O3 supported catalysts, the SiC supported catalysts were more resistant to sintering and carbon deposition due to the high thermal conductivity of SiC support. The relative weak metal-support interaction on Ni nanoparticles supported on SiC carrier resulted in the easy reduction of active species during the activation process. Meanwhile, the performances of the catalysts prepared from nickel acetate were better than those of using nickel nitrate, while enhanced nickel dispersion and better reducibility of the catalyst from nickel acetate werr evidenced by TEM, TPR and XRD results. Catalytic performances exhibited that Ni−Ac-La/SiC catalyst possessed the higher activity with 89.4 % conversion of CO2 and almost 100 % selectivity to methane with slight deactivation after 3000 min test under reaction conditions.

On‐chip light amplification with integrated optical waveguide fabricated on erbium‐doped thin‐film lithium niobate on insulator (TFLNOI) is demonstrated using the photolithography‐assisted chemomechanical etching (PLACE) technique. A maximum internal net gain of 18 dB is measured on a waveguide length of 3.6 cm, indicating a differential gain per unit length of 5 dB cm−1.

MXenes, a novel family of 2D materials, are energy materials that have gained considerable attention, particularly for their catalytic applications in emerging areas such as CO2 and N2 hydrogenation. Herein, for the first time, it is shown that the surface reducibility of Ti3 C2 Tx MXene can be tuned by N doping, which induces a change in the catalytic properties of supported Co nanoparticles. Pristine Co-Ti3 C2 Tx MXene favors CO production during CO2 hydrogenation, whereas CH4 production is favored when the MXene is subjected to simple N doping. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveal that surface rutile TiO2 nanoparticles appear on the Ti3 C2 Tx support upon N doping, which interact strongly with the supported Co nanoparticles. This interaction alters the reducibility of the supported Co nanoparticles at the interface with the TiO2 nanoparticles, shifting the product selectivity from CO to CH4 . This study successfully showcases a practical strategy, based on surface chemistry modulation of 2D MXenes, for regulating product distribution in CO2 hydrogenation.

SummaryBackground Rhinovirus (RV) infection in asthma induces varying degrees of airway inflammation (e.g. neutrophils), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Objective The major goal was to determine the role of genetic variation [e.g. single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] of Toll-interacting protein (Tollip) in airway epithelial responses to RV in a type 2 cytokine milieu. Methods DNA from blood of asthmatic and normal subjects was genotyped for Tollip SNP rs5743899 AA, AG and GG genotypes. Human tracheobronchial epithelial (HTBE) cells from donors without lung disease were cultured to determine pro-inflammatory and antiviral responses to IL-13 and RV16. Tollip knockout and wild-type mice were challenged with house dust mite (HDM) and infected with RV1B to determine lung inflammation and antiviral response. Results Asthmatic subjects carrying the AG or GG genotype (AG/GG) compared with the AA genotype demonstrated greater airflow limitation. HTBE cells with AG/GG expressed less Tollip. Upon IL-13 and RV16 treatment, cells with AG/GG (vs. AA) produced more IL-8 and expressed less antiviral genes, which was coupled with increased NF-κB activity and decreased expression of LC3, a hallmark of the autophagic pathway. Tollip co-localized and interacted with LC3. Inhibition of autophagy decreased antiviral genes in IL-13- and RV16-treated cells. Upon HDM and RV1B, Tollip knockout (vs. wild-type) mice demonstrated higher levels of lung neutrophilic inflammation and viral load, but lower levels of antiviral gene expression. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Our data suggest that Tollip SNP rs5743899 may predict varying airway response to RV infection in asthma.

Alumina supported ruthenium particles with an average diameter of 2 nm were prepared by a modified ethylene glycol reduction method. Catalytic methanation of CO2 over this catalyst was studied by in situ FTIR spectroscopy. After pretreatment in H2, different types of adsorbed species were detected on the catalyst surface at 200 °C. Based on a series of targeted experiments under variation of gas composition, order of addition, reaction time and temperature, a reaction scheme and the rate-determining steps of CO2 methanation are proposed. Two potential reaction paths for the hydrogenation of CO2 to form CH4 were identified: (I) CO adsorbed on the Ru metal surface acted as active intermediate and the CO methanation followed. The dissociation of CO to form surface carbon represents the rate-determining step. (II) Formyl species formed by hydrogenation of adsorbed CO2 are the active intermediate and the formation of formyl was the rate-determining step.

Aim The aim of this study is to explore the possible effects of clinical and cultural characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma from Asian and European countries completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-HCC18. Comparisons were made using Student's t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test with method of false discovery to correct multiple comparisons. Multiway analysis of variance and model selection were used to assess the effects of clinical characteristics and geographic areas. Results Two hundred and twenty-seven patients with hepatocellular carcinoma completed questionnaires. After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, Asian patients still had significantly better HRQoL scores in emotional functioning, insomnia, (QLQ-C30) and in sexual interest (QLQ-HCC18). We also found an interaction in physical functioning (QLQ-C30) and fatigue (QLQ-HCC18) between geographic region and marital status, married European had worse HRQoL scores than Asian singles. Conclusions Both clinical characteristics and geographic areas affected the HRQoL in with hepatocellular carcinoma. Cultural differences and clinical differences in the pattern of disease due to active surveillance of Asian countries may explain the results.