mlsa-iai-msu-lab/ru_sci_bench_zho_cite_reranking huggingface dataset:
Effect of application rate and irrigation on the movement and dissipation of indaziflam

Indaziflam is a new preemergence herbicide for the control of annual grass and broadleaf weeds in various cropping systems including pecan orchards. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the mobility and dissipation of indaziflam and (2) evaluate herbicide efficacy in a flood-irrigated pecan orchard in southern New Mexico, USA. Indaziflam was applied at 0, 36.5, and 73.1 g/ha in areas with (impacted) and without (unimpacted) tree injury symptoms. Soil samples were collected at 0-15,15-30, and 30-46 cm depths 26, 63, 90,and 126 days after the first herbicide application. Additional soil samples were collected 4, 30, and 56 days after the second application. Indaziflam was detected in soil samples collected at each depth, suggesting movement with irrigation water. Indaziflam concentrations decreased with increasing soil depth and time. Indaziflam mass recoveries were greater in the unimpacted area than in the impacted area after the first and second applications. Dissipation half-lives of indaziflam in the soil ranged from 30 to 86 days for total indaziflam recovered from the entire soil profile after the first and second applications in both areas. The percent weed control was similar in the impacted and unimpacted areas for both rates of indaziflam on 26 and 63 days after application; however, on 90 days after the application, percent weed control was lower in the impacted than unimpacted area.
Patterns and dietary intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in food products in China

The health risk of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) to human being should be assessed regularly. To evaluate the contamination levels in various food products in the Chinese market and to assess the dietary exposure of the Chinese population, 11 varieties of food groups totaling 634 samples including beef and mutton, chicken and duck, pork, fish and seafood, milk and dairy products were evaluated. The average concentrations of PCDD/Fs in all groups ranged from 0.291 to 8.468 pg/g whole weight (w.w.). The average toxic equivalency concentrations were from 0.012 pg TEQ/g w.w. for cereal to 0.367 pg TEQ/g fat for marine oil. OCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDF were the dominant congeners in foodstuffs. The dietary estimated mean intake for the Chinese rural and urban populations were 0.656 and 0.514 pg TEQ/kg body weight/day, respectively, however, the cereal group exposure were higher to the estimate daily intake and contributed 81% for rural and 48% for urban population, followed by fish and seafood which contributed 4% and 16% to the estimate daily intake. The estimated dietary intakes were compared with the toxicological reference values and showed that both rural and urban populations were well below those values.
Evolution and geographic effects of high-speed rail in East Asia:An accessibility approach

The rapid development of high-speed rail (HSR) is influencing regional develop- ment, regional structure, commuting, and regional integration. East Asia is the region with the world's first and largest current operating and planned HSR network. In this paper, we ex- amine the evolutionary mechanism and impacts on the transport circle and accessibility of HSR in East Asia. The results indicate that the HSR network first follows a "core-core" model and then forms a corridor in Japan, South Korea, and China Taiwan, but then forms a com- plete network in China Mainland. The current operating HSR lines are mostly distributed in regions with developed economies and dense populations, and more than half of the popula- tion and GDP in China can be served by HSR within 1 hour's travel time. The planned HSR network will expand to the western region of China and Japan and the southern region of South Korea. The development of the current operating and planned HSR network consid- erably enlarges the transport circle of core cities, especially cities along trunk HSR lines. This 1 h transport circle of core cities has formed continuous regions in the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, Tokyo, Seoul, and along trunk HSR lines. The HSR network will bring about substantial improvement in accessiblity, but also increase the inequality of nodal ac- cessibility in China Mainland. Spatially, the spatial patterns of the weighted shortest travel time of cities in China Mainland, Japan, and South Korea all present the "core-peripheral structure", taking Zhengzhou, Tokyo, and Seoul, respectively, as core cities, and cities located along the trunk HSR lines gain large improvement in accessibility.
WB crystals with oxidized surface as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells

sten boride (WB) crystals, whose surface tends to be oxidized when exposed to air, were demonstrated to have a comparable activity to platinum as counter electrode material in dye-sensitized solar cells. The synergistic effect of both catalytically active surface layer WOx and electronically conductive internal WB is considered to be responsible for the high activity of the WB crystals.
Pore-scale lattice Boltzmann simulation of flow and mass transfer in bioreactor with an immobilized granule for biohydrogen production

The photo bioreaction combined with flow and mass transfer is simulated with pore-scale lattice Boltzmann (LB) method, which is the scenario of a bioreactor filled with a porous granule immobilized photosynthetic bacteria cells for hydrogen production. The quartet structure generation set (QSGS) is used to generate porous structure of the immobilized granule. The effects of porosity of the immobilized granule on flow and concentration fields as well as the hydrogen production performance are investigated. Higher porosity facilitates the substrate solution smoothly flowing through the porous granule with increasing velocity, and thus results in higher product concentration inside the immobilized granule. Additionally, the substrate consumption efficiency increases, while hydrogen yield slightly decreases with increasing porosity, and they tend to stable for the porosity larger than 0.5. Furthermore, the LB numerical results have a good agreement with the experimental results. It is demonstrated that the pore-scale LB simulation method coupling with QSGS is available to simulate the photo hydrogen production in the bioreactor with porous immobilized granules.
Superconductivity with two-fold symmetry in topological superconductor SrxBi2Se3

Topological superconductivity is the quantum condensate of paired electrons with an odd parity of the pairing function. By using a Corbino-shape like electrode configuration, we measure the c-axis resistivity of the recently discovered superconductor SrxBi_2Se_3 with the magnetic field rotating within the basal planes, and find clear evidence of two-fold superconductivity. The Laue diffraction measurements on these samples show that the maximum gap direction is either parallel or perpendicular to the main crystallographic axis. This observation is consistent with the theoretical prediction and strongly suggests that SrxBi_2Se_3 is a topological superconductor.
Basin flood control system risk evaluation based on variable sets

Flood control system risk evaluation is an effective measure for flood risk management and decisions. In order to make better flood risk decisions and thereby improve social and economic benefits, the flood control risk evaluation index system should be built to quantify and normalize flood risk effectively and efficiently. Because the current evaluation index has the binary miscibility characteristic of fuzziness and clarity, this paper establishes a new flood control system risk evaluation method based on the theory of variable sets (VS). Through a comparison of flood control risk evaluation with variable fuzzy sets (VFS) in the same basin flood control system risk evaluation, it is revealed that the new method, i.e., flood control risk evaluation with variable fuzzy/clear mixture sets (variable sets), will be reasonable in all cases. Finally, in one case study, i.e., the flood control system risk evaluation of Fengman Reservoir Basin, which is located in the southeast central of Jilin Province in China, the risk evaluation levels for each county in the basin as well as the whole flood risk distribution map of the basin could be provided with the new method. This provides useful information for basin flood control planning and design.
Frequency-specified EOF analysis and its application to Pacific decadal oscillation

A frequency-specified empirical orthogonal function (FSEOF) analysis is proposed in this study. The aim of FSEOF is to specify a prescribed-band of frequency in leading principal components with less information losing at the ends of the data, thus well characterizing the signals of interest. The FSEOF can well capture prescribed variability in leading modes, and has intrinsic merits in resolving frequency-related modes, especially those associated with low frequency oscillations. An application of the FSEOF to the tropical and northern Pacific sea surface temperature shows that this new method can successfully separate Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) mode from the El Nino-Southern oscillation mode, and clearly detect all regime shifts of PDO in the past century.
Aerosol properties over an urban site in central East China derived from ground sun-photometer measurements

Sun-photometer measurements at Hefei, an urban site located in central East China, were examined to investigate the variations of aerosol loading and optical properties. It is found that aerosol optical thickness (AOT) keeps higher in winter/spring and gets relatively lower in summer/autumn. The large AOT in winter is caused by anthropogenic sulfate/nitrate aerosols, while in spring dust particles elevate the background aerosol loading and the excessive fine-mode particles eventually lead to severe pollution. There is a dramatic decline of AOT during summer, with monthly averaged AOT reaching the maximum in June and soon the minimum in August. Meanwhile, aerosol size decreases consistently and single scattering albedo (SSA) reaches its minimum in July. During summertime large-sized particles play a key role to change the air from clean to mild-pollution situation, while the presence of massive small-sized particles makes the air being even more polluted. These complicated summer patterns are possibly related to the three key processes that are active in the high temperature/humidity environment concentrating on sulfate/nitrate aerosols, i.e., gas-to-particle transformation, hygroscopic growth, and wet scavenging. Regardless of season, the increase of SSA with increasing AOT occurs across the visible and near-infrared bands, suggesting the dominant negative/cooling effect with the elevated aerosol loading. The SSA spectra under varying AOT monotonically decrease with wavelength. The relatively large slope arises in summer, reinforcing the dominance of sulfate/nitrate aerosols that induce severe pollution in summer season around this city.
An improved constraint method in optimal estimation of CO_2 from GOSAT SWIR observations

We propose an algorithm that combines a pre-processing step applied to the a priori state vector prior to retrievals, with the modified damped Newton method (MDNM), to improve convergence. The initial constraint vector pre-processing step updates the initial state vector prior to the retrievals if the algorithm detects that the initial state vector is far from the true state vector in extreme cases where there are CO_2 emissions. The MDNM uses the Levenberg-Marquardt parameter γ, which ensures a positive Hessian matrix, and a scale factor α, which adjusts the step size to optimize the stability of the convergence. While the algorithm iteratively searches for an optimized solution using observed spectral radiances, MDNM adjusts parameters γ and α to achieve stable convergence. We present simulated retrieval samples to evaluate the performance of our algorithm and comparing it to existing methods. The standard deviation of our retrievals adding random noise was less than 3.8 ppmv. After pre-processing the initial estimate when it was far from the true value, the CO_2 retrieval errors in the boundary layers were within 1.2 ppmv. We tested the MDNM algorithm's performance using GOSAT L1b data with cloud screening. Our preliminary validations comparing the results to TCCON FTS measurements showed that the average bias was less than 1.8 ppm and the correlation coefficient was approximately 0.88, which was larger than for the GOSAT L2 product.
Observation of atmospheric methane in the Arctic Ocean up to 87° north

Although the Arctic methane reservoir is large, the emission of methane from the Arctic Ocean into the atmosphere remains poorly constrained. Continuous ship-borne measurements of atmospheric methane near the surface ocean were carried out during two cruises to investigate methane emission from the Arctic Ocean up to the latitude of 87oN. Three-day air mass back trajectories along the cruise tracks indicated that the surface Arctic Ocean could be a potentially important source of methane to the atmosphere. Rapid bursts in methane concentration occurred mainly along the ocean frontal area, suggesting that frontal upwelling in the upper layer of the Arctic Ocean might contribute to methane emissions into the atmosphere.
IOD-related optimal initial errors and optimal precursors for IOD predictions from reanalysis data

This study explored the spatial patterns of winter predictability barrier (WPB)-related optimal initial errors and optimal precursors for positive Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) events, and the associated physical mechanisms for their developments were analyzed using the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation dataset. Without consideration of the effects of model errors on “predictions,” it was assumed that different “predictions” are caused by different initial conditions. The two types of WPB-related optimal initial errors are almost opposite for the start months of July (–1) and July (0), although they both present a west-east dipole pattern in the tropical Indian Ocean, with the maximum errors located at the thermocline depth. Bjerknes feedback and ocean waves play important roles in the growth of prediction errors. These two physical mechanisms compete during July–December and ocean waves dominate during January–June. The spatial patterns of optimal precursors and the physical mechanisms for their developments are similar to those of WPB-related optimal initial errors. It is worth noting that large values of WPB-related optimal initial errors and optimal precursors are concentrated within a few locations, which probably represent the sensitive areas of targeted observations for positive IOD events. The great similarities between WPB-related optimal initial errors and optimal precursors suggest that were intensive observations performed over these areas, this would not only reduce initial errors and thus, prediction errors, but it would also permit the detection of the signal of IOD events in advance, greatly improving the forecast skill of positive IOD events.
Cenozoic tectonic and geomorphic evolution of the Longxi region in northeastern Tibetan Plateau interpreted from detrital zircon

The Longxi region contains different kinds of Cenozoic sediments, including eolian deposits, reworked loess, fluvial and lacustrine deposits. The provenance evolution of these sediments is of great significance in exploring the uplift, tectonic deformation and associated with geomorphic evolution of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau. In this paper, we used the single-grain zircon provenance analysis to constrain the provenances for the Paleogene alluvial conglomerates and for the Neogene fluvial-lacustrine sediments, and compared them with results from the loess deposits since the Miocene. The results show that: (1) the Paleogene alluvial conglomerates contain a large number of detrital zircons ranging from 560 to 1100 Ma that were derived from the Yangzi Block. However, the sediments of early Miocene have much fewer zircons of this age span, which are characterized by an abundance of zircon ages in the ranges of 200–360 Ma. This indicates that the Paleogene alluvial conglomerates mainly come from the middle and/or southern West Qinling, and the early Miocene sediments are primarily from the northern West Qinling; (2) Late Neogene fluvial sediments (11.5 Ma onward) in Tianshui-Qinan region are dominated by zircon ages of 380–450 Ma. This zircon population is similar to that of the exposed intrusive rocks of southern part of the Liupan Mountains, implying that the southern part of Liupan Mountains probably had already uplifted by 11.5 Ma; (3) Late Miocene lacustrine sediments in Tianshui region have a zircon age spectra that is remarkably different from coeval fluvial deposits, but is similar to the zircon age distributions of the Miocene loess in Qinan region, late Miocene-Pliocene Hipparion red clay and Quaternary loess. This indicates that fine particles within these Miocene lacustrine sediments in Tianshui region may be dominated by aeolian materials. This study reveals that provenance changes of Cenozoic sediments in Tianshui-Qinan region and its geomorphic evolution are closely related to the multi-stage uplift of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau. In particular, the major uplift of the Northern Tibetan Plateau during late Oligocene-early Miocene may have not only provided the source areas and wind dynamic conditions for the deposits of the Miocene loess, but also provided the geomorphic conditions for its accumulation.
Evaluation of Pt and Au pressure scales based on MgO absolute pressure scale

The equations of state (EOSs) of MgO produced by two independent scale-free methods, (1) the simultaneous elastic wave velocity and in situ synchrotron X-ray measurements (Kono et al., 2010; Li et al., 2006) and (2) the first-principles calculations (Wu et al., 2008), agree well with each other to at least 150 GPa and 2000 K. Furthermore, the EOS from first-principles calculations also agrees well with shock wave data, another pressure-scale-free data. These agreements strongly support that these EOSs provide reliable absolute pressure scales. Here we evaluate Au and Pt EOSs based on the EOS of Wu et al. (2008) using the simultaneously measured volume data of MgO, Au, and Pt from the literature. The primary pressure scales developed by Tange et al. (2009) and Yokoo et al. (2009) using only pressure-scale-free experimental data of MgO, Au, and Pt produce internal consistent pressure and agree with EOS of Wu et al. (2008). The Au EOS by Tsuchiya (2003) works well at room temperature but underestimates pressure at high temperature. The Au EOS by Fei et al. (2007) can well describe thermal pressure. The EOSs of Pt by Holmes et al. (1989) and Ono et al. (2011) work well at both room temperature and high temperature. The results also suggest that the discrepancy between bulk modulus of iron from experiments (Mao et al., 1990) and those from Earth’s core (Dziewonski and Anderson, 1981) is not originated from the overestimation of pressure by the EOS of Holmes et al. (1989). At high pressure and temperature, pressure uncertainty resulted from volume error becomes similarly important as the accuracy of the pressure scale.
Atmospheric levels and distribution of Dechlorane Plus in an E-waste dismantling region of East China

Atmospheric concentrations of Dechlorane Plus (DP) were investigated in Taizhou, an electronic-waste (E-waste) dismantling region in East China. Passive air samplers with polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed every three months during the sampling period of September 2009–August 2010. The total DP (syn- and anti-DP) concentrations in air ranged from not detected to 277 pg/m~3, with a mean concentration of 53.9 pg/m~3. A generally declining trend of DP levels was found from the E-waste dismantling region to the peripheral areas. The median values of total DP concentrations in autumn, winter, spring and summer were 52.2, 28.8, 39.7 and 30.1 pg/m~3, respectively. The seasonal variations of DP concentrations were mainly associated with the intensity of E-waste dismantling activities and meteorological conditions. The mean value of anti-DP fractional abundance (f_(anti)) was 0.74±0.08, which was consistent with those in the commercial DP products. This study confirmed a significant emission source related to the distribution of atmospheric DP in the E-waste dismantling area and supplied information for the seasonal variation of DP in the atmosphere.
Enhancement of the efficiency and stability of planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells via incorporation of an amine-modified fullerene derivative as a cathode buffer layer

A methanol-soluble diamine-modified fullerene derivative (denoted as PCBDANI) was applied as an efficient cathode buffer layer (CBL) in planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells (pero-SCs) based on the CH_3NH_3PbI_(3–x)Cl_x absorber. The device with PCBDANI single CBL exhibited significantly improved performance with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.45%, which is approximately 17% higher than that of the control device without the CBL. The dramatic improvement in PCE can be attributed to the formation of an interfacial dipole at the PCBM/Al interface originating from the amine functional group and the suppression of interfacial recombination by the PCBDANI interlayer. To further improve the PCE of pero-SCs, PCBDANI/LiF double CBLs were introduced between PCBM and the top Al electrode. An impressive PCE of 15.71% was achieved, which is somewhat higher than that of the devices with LiF or PCBDANI single CBL. Besides the PCE, the long-term stability of the device with PCBDANI/LiF double CBLs is also superior to that of the device with LiF single CBL.
Enhanced open-circuit voltage in methoxyl substituted benzodithiophene-based polymer solar cells

The open-circuit voltage (V_(oc)) is one of the important parameters that influence the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of polymer solar cells. Its value is mainly determined by the energy level offset between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the donor and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the acceptor. Therefore, decreasing the HOMO value of the polymer could lead to a high V_(oc) and thus increasing the cell efficiency. Here we report a facile way to lower the polymer HOMO energy level by using methoxyl substituted-benzodithiophene (BDT) unit. The polymer with the methoxyl functionl group (POBDT(S)-T1) exhibited a HOMO value of –5.65 eV, which is deeper than that (–5.52 eV) of polymer without methoxyl unit (PBDT(S)-T1). As a result, POBDT(S)-T1-based solar cells show a high V_(oc) of 0.98 V and PCE of 9.2%. In contrast, PBDT(S)-T1-based devices show a relatively lower V_(oc) of 0.89 V and a moderate PCE of 7.4%. The results suggest that the involvement of methoxyl group into conjugated copolymers can efficiencly lower their HOMO energy levels.
Recent advances in multifunctional electrochromic energy storage devices and photoelectrochromic devices

Multifunctional devices integrated with electrochromism and energy storage or energy production functions are attractive because these devices can be used as an effective approach to address the energy crisis and environmental pollution in society today. In this review, we explain the operation principles of electrochromic energy storage devices including electrochromic supercapacitors, electrochromic batteries, and the photoelectrochromic devices. Furthermore, the material candidates and structure types of these multifunctional devices are discussed in detail. The major challenges of these devices along with a further outlook are highlighted at the end.