mlsa-iai-msu-lab/ru_sci_bench_zho_cite_reranking huggingface dataset:
No evidence for enzootic plague within black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) populations

Yersinia pestis, causative agent of plague, occurs throughout the western United States in rodent populations and periodically causes epizootics in susceptible species, including black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). How Y. pestis persists long-term in the environment between these epizootics is poorly understood but multiple mechanisms have been proposed, including, among others, a separate enzootic transmission cycle that maintains Y. pestis without involvement of epizootic hosts and persistence of Y. pestis within epizootic host populations without causing high mortality within those populations. We live-trapped and collected fleas from black-tailed prairie dogs and other mammal species from sites with and without black-tailed prairie dogs in 2004 and 2005 and tested all fleas for presence of Y. pestis. Y. pestis was not detected in 2126 fleas collected in 2004 but was detected in 294 fleas collected from multiple sites in 2005, before and during a widespread epizootic that drastically reduced black-tailed prairie dog populations in the affected colonies. Temporal and spatial patterns of Y. pestis occurrence in fleas and genotyping of Y. pestis present in some infected fleas suggest Y. pestis was introduced multiple times from sources outside the study area and once introduced, was dispersed between several sites. We conclude Y. pestis likely was not present in these black-tailed prairie dog colonies prior to epizootic activity in these colonies. Although we did not identify likely enzootic hosts, we found evidence that deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) may serve as bridging hosts for Y. pestis between unknown enzootic hosts and black-tailed prairie dogs.
Radicle pruning by seed-eating animals helps oak seedlings absorb more soil nutrient

Although radicle pruning has well been observed in plant-animal interactions, research has not been conducted to determine how radicle pruning by seed-eating animals regulates nutrition mobilization of cotyledonary reserves and absorption of soil nutrients. We used stable nitrogen isotopes to test how acorns of early-germinating oak species (Quercus variabilis, Q. aliena, and Q. mogolica) trade off nutrients in the cotyledons and those in the soil in response to radicle pruning by seed-eating rodents. Radicle pruning by rodents resulted in root branching in the 3 early-germinating oak species. Moreover, radicle pruning increased shoot dry weight and substantially reduced the root-to-shoot ratio of oak species. Corresponding to the decreased dry weight of roots and root-to-shoot ratio, the dry weight of the remnant cotyledons was higher after radicle pruning in the 3 oak species. We provided first evidence that radicle pruning by seed-eating animals improved seedling performance of early-germinating oaks by increasing absorption of nutrients from soil. The results indicate that early-germinating oak seedlings trade off nutrition budget by altering nutrient absorption from soil and reserve mobilization from cotyledons in response to radicle pruning by seed-eating animals. Our study provided new insight into the nutrition allocation mechanism of young seedlings in response to radicle pruning by seed-eating animals, reflecting a mutualistic interaction between early-germinating oak and food-hoarding animals.
The biogeography of group sizes in humpback dolphins (Sousa spp.)

Humpback dolphins (Sousa spp.) are obligate shallow-water and resident species, and they typically live in fissionfusion societies composed of small-sized groups with changeable membership. However, we have scant knowledge of their behavioral ecology, starting with potential factors influencing inter-population variability of their group sizes. Here, we compiled a new global dataset of humpback dolphin group sizes based on 150 published records. Our data indicated an inter-specific consistency of group-living strategy among the 4 species in the Sousa genus, as these species preferred living in small-sized groups with a mean size of mostly no more than 10,a minimum size of single individual or small pairs, and a maximum size of several tens or ≈100. In addition, we clearly showed the geographic variations in group sizes of humpback dolphins at a global scale. We found that the geographic variations in humpback dolphin group sizes were primarily associated with the latitude, sea surface temperature, and abundance. To conclude, our findings provide insights into social dynamics and socioecological trade-offs of humpback dolphins, and help better understand how these resident animals adapted to their shallow-water habitats from the perspectives of biogeography and socioecology.
Monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells offer an efficiency over 29%

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite semiconductors possessing superior optoelectronic properties (e.g.long carrier diffusion lengths,high optical absorption coefficient,low exciton binding energy,and high defect tolerance)are attracting serious attention.The certified power conversion efficiency (PCE)for single-junction perovskite solar cells have exceeded 25%.As a very promising PCE-enhancement strategy,tandem structure made by stacking a perovskite cell on a market-dominant silicon cell can yield much higher PCEs beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit of single-junction devices without adding substantial cost.To satisfy current-matching in tandem configuration,the top perovskite cell requires an ideal bandgap of ~1.7 eV rather than the ones (~1.5-1.6 eV)typically used for highly efficient single-junction perovskite devices given that the bottom silicon cell holds a bandgap of 1.12 eV.Such wide-bandgap perovskites achieved through I/Br alloying usually suffer from photoinduced phase segregation and relatively low radiative efficiency,which inevitably result in large open-circuit voltage (V_(oc))deficits.Several strategies like adjusting perovskite composition,additive engineering,and upper surface passivation have been utilized to stabilize these wide-bandgap perovskites and improve film quality to reduce V_(oc)losses.The reported perovskite/ silicon tandem devices suffer from low V_(oc)(<1.9 V)and PCEs (≤28%).There is still a large room for enhancing PCEs given that the predicted PCE limit is beyond 30% for this tandem technology.
Using fluorinated and crosslinkable fullerene derivatives to improve the stability of perovskite solar cells

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cell (PSC)is a third-generation photovoltaic technology,and the certified power conversion efficiency (PCE)has reached 25.5% (https://www.nrel.gov/pv/cell-efficiency.html),which can rival solar cells based on crystalline-Si and other inorganic semiconductors.The intrinsic instability of perovskite materials could impede PSC commercialization.To date,a variety of strategies such as composition engineering,additive engineering,interface engineering and encapsulation technique are employed to improve the long-term stability of PSCs.In particular,fullerene materials with high electron mobility,high electron affinity,small reorganization energy and adjustable energy level have been widely utilized as interfacial layers or additives in PSCs for efficiency and stability improvement.Among them,fluorinated and crosslinkable fullerene derivatives can improve the stability of PSCs effectively.The fluorinated fullerene derivatives could improve the moisture stability because of the hydrophobicity of fluorine atom.The crosslinked fullerene derivatives can protect the electrontransport layers (ETLs)against solvent erosion during perovskite solution deposition,and the as-formed organic networks can improve mechanical stability of PSCs.
Multi-omics profiling:the way toward precision medicine in metabolic diseases

Metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM),non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD),and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are alarming health burdens around the world,while therapies for these diseases are far from satisfying as their etiologies are not completely clear yet.T2DM,NAFLD,and MetS are all complex and multifactorial metabolic disorders based on the interactions between genetics and environment.Omics studies such as genetics,transcriptomics,epigenetics,proteomics,and metabolomics are all promising approaches in accurately characterizing these diseases.And the most effective treatments for individuals can be achieved via omics pathways,which is the theme of precision medicine.In this review,we summarized the multi-omics studies of T2DM,NAFLD,and MetS in recent years,provided a theoretical basis for their pathogenesis and the effective prevention and treatment,and highlighted the biomarkers and future strategies for precision medicine.
Historic opportunity: artificial intelligence interventions in COVID-19 and other unknown diseases

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic afflicting more than 200 million people around the world from its outbreak in 2019, with no sign of ending in the foreseeable future. Although several types of vaccines have been developed using various strategies and many people are getting vaccinated, specific drugs are still not currently available [1]. More unfortunately, there is no specific therapy means for this disease, and only symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy are being clinically tried. The COVID-19 crisis has caused a depletion of medical resources in many countries, resulting in a large number of deaths, which has a huge and profound economic, social, health, and psychological impact on the whole world [2,3]. It has highlighted the deficiencies of current medical preparedness and government management around the world, which urgently requires the involvement of new technologies in defeating COVID-19 and preventing the emergence of new public health crisis.
Corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of (Ho,Nd)FeB magnets

(Ho,Nd)FeB magnets with different Ho contents were prepared by Ho substitution for part of Nd during the casting process.Effects of Ho contents on the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of (Ho,Nd)FeB magnets were analyzed by a highly accelerated aging tester, an electrochemical workstation, a microhardness tester, a bending tester, a scanning electron microscope and an X-ray diffractometer.Results show that the addition of Ho can change the main phase structure, optimize the distribution of rare-earth rich (RE-rich)phases in grain boundary, and improve the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of NdFeB magnets.When the content of Ho increases from 0 to 21.0 wt%, the weight loss of magnets decreases from 2.672 to 0.933 mg/cm~2, and the microhardness and bending strength increase from 528.74 HV and 374.92 MPa to 633.84 HV and 459.80 MPa, respectively.
Crystal growth,structure and laser performance of a new Yb~(3+):KBaY(MoO_4)_3 crystal

AYb~(3+):KBaY(MoO_4)_3 (Yb~(3+):KBYM) crystal with dimensions of 51 mm × 27 mm × 10 mmwas successfully grown by the TSSG method.The characteristics of the crystal structure and probability of good optical properties were analyzed.The absorption and emission spectra of Yb~(3+):KBYM crystal exhibit broadened bands,with the maximum absorption cross-sections of 1.17 × 10~(-20),1.44 ×10~(-20) and 1.37 × 10~(-20) cm~2 at 976 nmfor X-,Y-and Z-polarizations,respectively.The corresponding absorption FWHMs are as wide as 77,46 and 55 nm.The well-known re-absorption effect of Yb~(3+) in the crystal is discussed.Two methods,the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg method (FL) and reciprocity method (RM) were adopted to compute the emission cross-sections and results show a certain discrepancy but the errors are allowable.The laser potentiality of the Yb~(3+):KBYM crystal was also evaluated by calculations of minimum inversion fraction β_(min),saturation pump intensity I_(sat),the minimum pump intensity I_(min) and gain cross-sections spectra.Laser experiment was carried out and Watt-level continuous wave laser has been realized.Results indicate that the Yb~(3+):KBYMcrystal with a disordered structure may be a potential laser media that can be used to generate tunable and ultrashort pulse laser emissions with high quality beam.
Formation mechanism and properties of NiCoFeLDH@ZIF-67 composites

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have a regular porous structure and high porosity, which make them ideal electrode materials for supercapacitors. However, their capacitance performance is greatly limited by their poor conductivity. In this study, a multi-component hierarchical structure was obtained by growing NiCoFeLDH on the surface of ZIF-67, which increased the electron transfer between the MOF particles and greatly improved the capacitance of ZIF-67. The formation mechanism of the multicomponent layered hollow structure indicated that the hydrolysis acidity of metal ions and the coordination ability with ligands were the key factors for forming nanosheets and hollow structures. By controlling the type and valence state of the doped metals and the reaction time, the morphology transformation of MOF composites can be effectively controlled. Electrochemical studies showed that the specific capacitance of hollow NiCoFeLDH@ZIF-67 composite is 1202.08 F/g (0.5 A/g). In addition, aqueous deviceswere assembled and carefully tested. This scheme is crucial for the design of MOF-based materials used in supercapacitor devices and serves as a guide for the design of MOF-based composites.
Tracing the origins of SARS-CoV-2: lessons learned from the past

The origins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remain elusive; understanding how, when, and where SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted from its natural reservoir to human beings is crucial for preventing future coronavirus outbreaks. With the lessons learned from the endless battle against pathogens and accumulated research data with regard to the origins and intermediate hosts, we present multiple potential locations as the natural reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2.
An Adaptive Single Neural Control for Variable Step-Size P&O MPPT of Marine Current Turbine System

Marine current energy has been increasingly used because of its predictable higher power potential. Owing to the external disturbances of various flow velocity and the high nonlinear effects on the marine current turbine (MCT) system, the nonlinear controllers which rely on precise mathematical models show poor performance under a high level of parameters' uncertainties. This paper proposes an adaptive single neural control (ASNC) strategy for variable step-size perturb and observe (P&O) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control. Firstly, to automatically update the neuron weights of SNC for the nonlinear systems, an adaptive mechanism is proposed to adaptively adjust the weighting and learning coefficients. Secondly, aiming to generate the exact reference speed for ASNC to extract the maximum power, a variable step-size law based on speed increment is designed to strike a balance between tracking speed and accuracy of P&O MPPT. The robust stability of the MCT control system is guaranteed by the Lyapunov theorem. Comparative simulation results show that this strategy has favorable adaptive performance under variable velocity conditions, and the MCT system operates at maximum power point steadily.
On the reversibility of the α_2 / ω_o phase transformation in a high Nb containing TiAl alloy during high temperature deformation

The transformations between the phases α_2 (Ti_3Al)and ω_o were investigated in a lamellar multiphase titanium aluminide alloy based on γ(TiAl).The paper complements an earlier investigation performed on the same material in which the importance of deformation-induced twin structures for the α_2 → ω_o transformation was demonstrated.The present study shows that the reverse transformation ω_o → α_2 can also occur during high-temperature deformation.The transformation is probably triggered by constraint stresses, which exist between the different constituents due to the crystalline mismatch.The combined operation of mechanical twinning of the α_2 phase and the reversible transformation fully converts the α_2 lamellae into a mixture of α_2 and ω_o.This conversion greatly reduces the mechanical anisotropy existing in former α_2 lamellae.Regarding the technical use of the alloy, the stability of the converted structure with respect to further annealing was also examined.The reported processes occur at the nano-meter and sub nano-meter scale, thus, advanced characterization techniques were applied, such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)and atom probe tomography (APT).
Performance of Pr_2 (Ni,Cu)O_(4 + δ)electrodes in protonic ceramic electrochemical cells with unseparated and separated gas spaces

The Ln_2NiO_(4 + δ)-based layered phases have attracted much attention as components for high-performance protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs)and electrolysis cells (PCECs)enabling energy conversion with good efficiency and low pollution.The present paper aims at rationally engineering the Cu-doped Pr_2NiO_(4 + δ)materials and analysing their electrode behaviour for reversible protonic ceramic cells operating in both PCFC and PCEC modes.Complex oxides of Pr_2 Ni_(1-x)Cu_xO_(4 + δ)( x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3)were synthesised using the citrate-nitrate method.The obtained materials were characterised considering their crystalline structures, as well as thermal, thermomechanical and electrotransport properties.A special interest was focused on the quality of an electrode/electrolyte interface governing the electrochemical performance of the cells fabricated.It is shown that a copper doping of x = 0.2 has a positive impact on the thermomechanical compatibility of the Ba(Ce,Zr)O_3-based electrolytes, providing a better adhesion to these electrolytes at low-temperature sintering and resulting in a decrease of the polarisation resistance of the air electrodes.A reversible protonic ceramic cell demonstrates a power density of ~340 mW cm~(-2) and a hydrogen output flux of ~3.8 ml cm~(-2) min~(-1) at 750 °C.The presented results propose modernised alkaline-earth-element-free and cobalt-free electrodes that can be successfully used in the electrochemical cells based on the-state-of-the-art proton-conducting electrolytes.
Rational design and synthesis of upconversion luminescence-based optomagnetic multifunctional nanorattles for drug delivery

Optomagnetic multifunctional composite based on upconversion luminescence nanomaterial is regarded as a promising strategy for bioimaging, disease diagnosis and targeted delivery of drugs. To explore a mesoporous nanostructure with excellent water dispersibility and high drug-loading capacity, a novel nanorattle-structured Fe_3O_4@SiO_2@NaYF_4:Yb,Er magnetic upconversion nanorattle (MUCNR) was successfully designed by using Fe_3O_4 as core and NaYF_4:Yb,Er nanocrystals as shell. The microstructures and crystal phase of the as-prepared MUCNRs were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, Xray powder diffraction and N_2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. The Kirkendall effect was adapted to explain the formation mechanism of the MUCNRs. The loading content and encapsulation efficiency of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) could reach as high as 18.2% and 60.7%, respectively. Moreover, the DOX loading MUCNR (DOX-MUCNR) system showed excellent sustained drug release and strong pHdependent performance, which was conducive to drug release at the slightly acidic microenvironment of tumor. Microcalorimetry was used to quantify the interactions between the carrier structure and drug release rate directly. The heat release rates in the heat-flow diagrams are basically consistent with the DOX release rate, thereby showing that microcalorimetry assay not only provides a unique thermodynamic explanation for the structure–activity relationship of Fe_3O_4@SiO_2@NaYF_4:Yb,Er MUCNRs but also provides powerful guidance to avoid the blind selection or design of drug carriers. Therefore, our work firmly provided a comprehensive perspective for using Fe_3O_4@SiO_2@NaYF_4:Yb,Er MUCNRs as a remarkable magnetic targeted drug carrier.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of implantable bacterial-killing coatings based on host defense peptides and their synthetic mimics

Contact-killing antimicrobial coatings based on host defense peptides (HDPs) and their synthetic mimics have shown potential as powerful tools to combat implant-associated infections. Covalent modification of the antimicrobial surface has been utilized to prevent early-stage microbial infections owing to the less drug-leaching possibility that is beneficial to human health and the natural environment. Although considerable progress has been achieved in preparing contact-killing antimicrobial surfaces, discussions focusing on the in vitro and in vivo evaluations of these surfaces are limited. In this review, we summarized the established in vitro methods to simulate the practical interaction of microbes with the surrounding biological environment and the reported in vivo studies at different implant sites. We suggested that the in vivo specific site infection model is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of these antimicrobial coatings in the preclinical stage, which can be established based on investigations performed using various in vitro assays and conventional non-specific site infection models. Overall, these precedent studies focusing on bacterial contact-killing coatings modified with HDPs and HDP mimics can be considered as critical to assess the surface antibacterial ability and to guide the future developments and applications of antimicrobial surfaces.
Synthesis of Donor-Acceptor π-Conjugated Macrocycles by Post-Functionalization

In this paper, two novel donor-acceptor (D-A) macrocyclic compounds 5 and 7 were successfully synthesized by post-functionalization of a planar dimer macrocycle (1) and a highly twisted trimer macrocycle (2), respectively, via controllable oxidation of methoxy groups and condensation between diketones and phenylenediamine in succession. Compared with unembellished 9,10-dimethoxyphenan-threne, the resultant dibenzo[α,c]phenazine motif is electron-deficient rather than electron-rich, yielding two D-A π-conjugated macrocycles with more contractive energy gaps. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further support the unequivocal evidence of the D-A properties of macrocycles 5 and 7. The difference of their photophysical properties was investigated by the aid of ultraviolet-visible absorption and fluorescence spectrophotometers. Furthermore, the stacking patterns of 7 and its contrast π-conjugated macrocycle trimer (2) were compared via the analysis of X-ray single crystal, in which the electron-deficient dibenzo[o,c]phenazine unit provides extra interaction sites, resulting in orderly arrangement of 7 in the solid state.