We have carried out first-principles calculations to explore the energetics and dynamics of Li in graphyne, a novel carbon allotrope consisting of spÀsp 2 hybridized carbon atoms, relevant for anode lithium intercalation in rechargeable Li-ion batteries. In contrast to graphite where Li diffusion is confined in the interlayer space (in-plane diffusion), the unique atomic arrangement and electronic structures enable both inplane and out-plane diffusion of Li ions in graphyne with moderate barriers, 0.53À0.57 eV. The highest Li intercalation density in graphyne can be LiC 4 , exceeding the up limit of LiC 6 in the commonly used graphite. The high lithium mobility and high storage capacity make graphyne a promising candidate for the anode material in battery applications.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease with a strong hereditary component. Here, we report a genome-wide association study that included 1,122 PBC cases and 4,036 controls of Han Chinese descent, with subsequent replication in a separate cohort of 907 PBC cases and 2,127 controls. Our results show genome-wide association of 14 PBC risk loci including previously identified 6p21 (HLA-DRA and DPB1), 17q12 (ORMDL3), 3q13.33 (CD80), 2q32.3 (STAT1/STAT4), 3q25.33 (IL12A), 4q24 (NF-κB) and 22q13.1 (RPL3/SYNGR1). We also identified variants in IL21, IL21R, CD28/CTLA4/ICOS, CD58, ARID3A and IL16 as novel PBC risk loci. These new findings and histochemical studies showing enhanced expression of IL21 and IL21R in PBC livers (particularly in the hepatic portal tracks) support a disease mechanism in which the deregulation of the IL21 signalling pathway, in addition to CD4 T-cell activation and T-cell co-stimulation are critical components in the development of PBC.

We explore the atomic and electronic structures of single-crystalline aluminum nitride nanowires (AlNNWs) and thick-walled aluminum nitride nanotubes (AlNNTs) with the diameters ranging from 0.7 to 2.2 nm by using first-principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulations based on density functional theory (DFT). We find that the preferable lateral facets of AlNNWs and thick-walled AlNNTs are {1010} surfaces, giving rise to hexagonal cross sections. Quite different from the cylindrical network of hexagons revealed in single-walled AlNNTs, the wall of thick-walled AlNNTs displays a wurtzite structure. The strain energies per atom in AlNNWs are proportional to the inverse of the wire diameter, whereas those in thick-walled AlNNTs are independent of tube diameter but proportional to the inverse of the wall thickness. Thick-walled AlNNTs are energetically comparable to AlNNWs of similar diameter, and both of them are energetically more favorable than single-walled AlNNTs. Both AlNNWs and AlNNTs are wide band gap semiconductors accompanied with surface states located in the band gap of bulk wurtzite AlN.

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We propose stable layered structures and ultrathin tubular configurations of titanium oxide (TiO 2 ) nanomaterials on the basis of first-principles calculations within density functional theory. The thinnest TiO 2 nanosheet is characterized by a reconstructed (001) bilayer of rutile TiO 2 , while ultrathin TiO 2 nanotubes can be built by rolling up a TiO 2 NS. These nanotubes are predicted to have high stability, large Young's modulus, and tunable electronic properties. A possible synthetic route toward these nanostructures is also presented.