mlsa-iai-msu-lab/ru_sci_bench_zho_cite_reranking huggingface dataset:
Clarifying the influence of albumin on the initial stages of magnesium corrosion in Hank's balanced salt solution

The corrosion behavior of Mg,a promising biodegradable metallic material,in protein-containing pseudophysiological environment is still not fully understood.In this work,the influence of albumin on the corrosion behavior of commercially pure magnesium (CP Mg) is investigated during short-term tests in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS).This work focuses on the reactions at the Mg/medium interface from the perspective of the interactions among albumin,media components and substrate.Hydrogen evolution tests demonstrate that the physiological amount of albumin (40 g L~(–1)) accelerates Mg corrosion in HBSS during the first few hours but slows down the degradation afterwards.The presence of albumin decreases the concentration of free Ca~(2+) in HBSS and delays formation of protective co-precipitation products on Mg surface.The evolution of local pH (differs from typically monitored bulk pH) near Mg/medium interface in albumincontaining HBSS is reported for the first time.Comparison of local and bulk pH values elucidates the pH buffering effect of albumin during the immersion period.Based on these results,adsorption,chelating and pH buffering effects are summarized as three important aspects of albumin influence on Mg corrosion.Additionally,constant replenishment of medium components is shown to be an influential factor during the Mg corrosion tests.
Nano-tribological behavior of graphene nanoplatelet-reinforced magnesium matrix nanocomposites

The corrosion resistance and wear resistance of metallic biomaterials are critically important for orthopedic hard-tissue replacement applications because the lack of such properties not only adversely affects their mechanical integrity but also allows the release of wear debris into the human body.In this study,the potential of zirconium (Zr) as an alloying element and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as a nano-reinforcement material were investigated in relation to improving the tribological performance of pure magnesium (Mg).The GNPs- reinforced Mg matrix nanocomposites (MNCs) were fabricated using powder metallurgy.Results indicate that additions of 0.5wt.% Zr and 0.1wt.% GNPs to Mg matrices significantly improved the wear resistance by 89% and 92% at 200 μN load,60% and 80% at 100 μN load,and 94% and 93% at 50 μN load,respectively,as compared to the wear resistance of pure Mg.The wear depth and coefficient of friction of the MNC containing 0.5wt.% Zr and 0.1wt.% GNPs (Mg0.5Zr0.1GNPs MNC) were considerably reduced as compared to pure Mg and Mg0.5Zr.Our results demonstrate that the Mg0.5Zr0.1GNPs MNC is promising for orthopedic applications in relation to its excellent tribological performance.
Geochemistry and spectrometric prospection of younger granites and granitic pegmatites bearing uranium mineralization at G. Kab El Rakeb area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

The present study deals with the detailed field geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, and spectrometric prospection of rare metals and radioactive minerals associated with granitic pegmatites in the Gabal Um Lassaf- Abu Dob- Um Atelia- Kadabora- Kab El Rakeb area (LDAKK), which are situated in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt. The study area is composed of granodiorites and monzogranites. The latter is dissected by granitic pegmatites with a discriminatory distribution of economically important mineralization (rare-metals and U–Th minerals). The granitic pegmatites display a zoning structure composed of feldspar-rich zones enveloping pockets of mica (mostly muscovite) and all zoning internal quartz core. Microscopically, the monzogranite and granitic pegmatites are composed of potash-feldspar, albite, and quartz with a small amount of biotite and muscovite. The mineralogical investigation of the highly radioactive zones in the granitic pegmatite shows enrichment in kasolite, uranothorite, thorite, xenotime, columbite, zircon, bismuth, and galena. Geochemically, the granitic pegmatites are enriched with high field strength elements (HFSE; Zr, Nb, Th, and U) and ion lithophilic elements (LILE; Rb, and Pb) and depleted in Ba, Sr, and Eu. They are strongly peralkaline to metalumainous except for two samples, which are peraluminous. They are formed by partial melting of metagreywackes at depth. The studied granitic pegmatites could belong to the NYF family (Niobium–Yttrium–Fluorine family) according to the geochemistry of the trace elements. The studied granitic pegmatites show deep negative Eu anomaly and display a strong M-type tetrad effect of rare earth elements. The field spectroscopy measurements showed the localization of the radiometric anomalous associated with the granitic pegmatites, which are intruded in the granitic host rocks. Their eU and eTh contents reached up to 316 and 1367 ppm, respectively. Uranium and thorium occurrences in the investigated granitic pegmatites are related to magmatic (syngenetic) origin with hydrothermal (epigenetic) input. The magmatic mineralization is evidenced by the occurrence of thorite and zircon, whilst the hydrothermal activity is represented by alteration of feldspars and formation of pyrite and iron oxides associated with the radioactive minerals. The high concentrations of uranium and rare metals mineralization in the investigated granitic pegmatites make them a target to exploration and to enlarge the potentiality of the highly mineralized zones.
Upper crustal velocity and seismogenic environment of the M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake region in Sichuan, China

On August 8, 2017, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred in Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province, China.The deep seismogenic environment and potential seismic risk in the eastern margin of Tibetan Plateau have once again attracted the close attention of seismologists and scholars at home and abroad.The post-earthquake scientific investigation could not identify noticeable surface rupture zones in the affected area;the complex tectonic background and the reason(s)for the frequent seismicity in the Jiuzhaigou earthquake region are unclear.In order to reveal the characteristics of the deep medium and the seismogenic environment of the M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake region, and to interpret the tectonic background and genesis of the seismicity comprehensively, in this paper, we have reviewed all available observation data recorded by the regional digital seismic networks and large-scale, dense mobile seismic array(China Array)for the northern section of the North-South Seismic Belt around Jiuzhaigou earthquake region.Using doubledifference seismic tomography method to invert the three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure characteristics of the upper crust around the Jiuzhaigou earthquake region, we have analyzed and discussed such scientific questions as the relationship between the velocity structure characteristics and seismicity in the Jiuzhaigou earthquake region, its deep tectonic environment, and the ongoing seismic risk in this region.We report that: the P-wave velocity structure of the upper crust around the Jiuzhaigoug earthquake region exhibits obvious lateral inhomogeneity;the distribution characteristics of the shallow P-wave velocity structure are closely related to surface geological structure and formation lithology;the M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake sequence is closely related to the velocity structure of the upper crust;the mainshock of the M7.0 earthquake occurred in the upper crust;the inhomogeneous variation of the velocity structure of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake area and its surrounding medium appears to be the deep structural factor controlling the spatial distribution of the mainshock and its sequence.The 3D P-wave velocity structure also suggests that the crustal low-velocity layer of northeastern SGB(Songpan-Garze Block)stretches into MSM(Minshan Mountain), and migrates to the northeast, but the tendency to emerge as a shallow layer is impeded by the high-velocity zone of Nanping Nappe tectonics and the Bikou Block.Our results reveal an uneven distribution of high-and low-velocity structures around the Tazang segment of the East Kunlun fault zone.Given that the rupture caused by the Jiuzhaigou earthquake has enhanced the stress fields at both ends of the seismogenic fault, it is very important to stay vigilant to possible seismic hazards in the large seismic gap at the Maqu-Maqen segment of the East Kunlun fault zone.
Reduced nitrogen application rate with dense planting improves rice grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency: A case study in east China

Dense planting could be a feasible method for reducing nitrogen (N) application rates without compromising rice grain yield in northeast and central China. It is still unclear whether reduced N application with dense planting (RNDP) can achieve higher rice yield and N use efficiency (NUE) in Jiangsu, east China. Three japonica inbred rice (JI) and three indica hybrid rice (IH) cultivars were grown in a field experiment. Their grain yield, NUE, and related traits were compared under two cultivation treatments: conventional high-yielding practice (CHYP) and RNDP. JI showed similar yields under the two treatments, while IH showed lower yield under RNDP than under CHYP, and the partial factor productivity of N and N use efficiency for grain yield increased (P < 0.05) in both JI and IH under RNDP. Compared with CHYP, RNDP reduced spikelets per panicle but increased panicles per m2 and filled-kernel percentage of JI and IH, and JI's kernel weight was increased (P < 0.05) under RNDP. Shoot biomass weight and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content in the stem at heading and maturity of JI and IH were reduced under RNDP, while harvest index and NSC remobilization reserve were increased (P < 0.05) under RNDP, especially for JI. Our results suggest that RNDP could achieve a higher rice grain yield and NUE, particularly for JI, a dominant rice cultivar type in Jiangsu. For JI, the increased panicles per m2, sink-filling efficiency, harvest index, and NSC remobilization after heading under RNDP contributed to a grain yield similar to that under CHYP.
Genetic mapping and identification of Lg f loci controlling green fuzz in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Naturally colored cotton fiber is environment-friendly but has monotonous color and poor fiber quality. Identification of green fiber or fuzz genes would aid in investigating the biosynthesis of green pigments in cotton fibers. In this study, we established a mapping population and found that the Lgf trait (white lint and green fuzz) from Gossypium hirsutum race latifolium is controlled by an incompletely dominant gene. The Lgf locus was mapped to a 71-kb interval on chromosome 21 containing seven genes, including a transcription factor with similarity to Arabidopsis MYB9. Harboring 13 SNPs and a 4-bp insertion/deletion in its promoter, GhMYB9 was highly up-regulated in the critical period for green pigment development in fuzz. Virus-induced gene silencing of GhMYB9 in a green-fuzz accession of G. hirsutum race latifolium TX- 41 conferred white or light green fuzz. These results suggest that GhMYB9 is an important contributor to green pigments in cotton fiber and shed light on the regulatory mechanism controlling green pigmentation.
An analytical solution to estimate the settlement of tailings or backfill slurry by considering the sedimentation and consolidation

A common and important task in mining industry is to estimate the settlement or final volume of the tailings or backfill associated with sedimentation and self-weight consolidation.Up to now however,most existing analytical solutions were developed by only considering the settlement induced by consolidation.In this paper,the process of shrinkage tests has been compared with those of sedimentation and consolidation.It was shown that the pore water and particles movement in the sedimentation are very similar to that in the normal shrinkage.The void ratio at the end of sedimentation is thus for the first time considered to be equal to the void ratio at desaturation onset of shrinkage tests.An analytical solution was then proposed to estimate the settlement of tailings or backfill by considering the sedimentation and consolidation.To validate the proposed analytical solution,tailing deposition tests were conducted in two molds to simulate the tailings impoundment and underground mine stope.The required parameters were obtained through shrinkage and consolidation tests.Good agreements were obtained between the measured settlements and those calculated by the proposed solution.The proposed solution can thus be considered as validated and used to evaluate the settlement of tailings or backfill slurry.
High strain rate compressive strength behavior of cemented paste backfill using split Hopkinson pressure bar

The stability of cemented paste backfill (CPB) is threatened by dynamic disturbance,but the conventional low strain rate laboratory pressure test has difficulty achieving this research purpose.Therefore,a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was utilized to investigate the high strain rate compressive behavior of CPB with dynamic loads of 0.4,0.8,and 1.2 MPa.And the failure modes were determined by macro and micro analysis.CPB with different cement-to-tailings ratios,solid mass concentrations,and curing ages was prepared to conduct the SHPB test.The results showed that increasing the cement content,tailings content,and curing age can improve the dynamic compressive strength and elastic modulus.Under an impact load,a higher strain rate can lead to larger increasing times of the dynamic compressive strength when compared with static loading.And the dynamic compressive strength of CPB has an exponential correlation with the strain rate.The macroscopic failure modes indicated that CPB is more seriously damaged under dynamic loading.The local damage was enhanced,and fine cracks were formed in the interior of the CPB.This is because the CPB cannot dissipate the energy of the high strain rate stress wave in a short loading period.
Updating targets for natural killer/T-cell lymphoma immunotherapy

Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a highly invasive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, typically positive for cytoplasmic CD3, CD56, cytotoxic markers, including granzyme B and TIA1, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The current treatment methods for NKTCL are associated with several drawbacks. For example, chemotherapy can lead to drug resistance, while treatment with radiotherapy alone is inadequate and results in frequent relapses. Moreover, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation exhibits limited efficacy and is not well recognized by domestic and foreign experts. In recent years, immunotherapy has shown good clinical results and has become a hot spot in cancer research. Clinical activity of targeted antibodies, such as daratumumab (anti-CD38 antibody) and brentuximab vedotin (anti-CD30 antibody), have been reported in NKTCL. Additionally, dacetuzumab and Campath-1H have demonstrated promising results. Further encouraging data have been obtained using checkpoint inhibitors. The success of these immunotherapy agents is attributed to high expression levels of programmed death-ligand 1 in NKTCL. Furthermore, anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) exert cytotoxic actions on both CCR4+ tumor cells and regulatory T cells. Depletion of these cells and the long half-life of anti-CCR4 mAbs result in enhanced induction of antitumor effector T cells. The role of IL10 in NKTCL has also been investigated. It has been proposed that exploitation of this cytokine might provide potential novel therapeutic strategies. Cellular immunotherapy with engineered cytotoxic T lymphocytes targeted against LMP1 and LMP2 has shown promising results and sustained remission. Cellular immunotherapy may be used either as maintenance therapy following initial induction chemotherapy or in cases of relapsed/refractory disease. The present review outlines the known immunotherapy targets for the treatment of NKTCL.
Experimental study on the flow behaviour of water-sand mixtures in fractured rock specimens

The study of flow behaviour of water-sand mixtures in fractured rocks is of great necessity to understand the producing mechanism and prevention of water inrush and sand gushing accidents.A self-developed seepage test system is used in this paper to conduct laboratory experiments in order to study the influence of the particle size distribution,the void ratio,and the initial mass of Aeolian sand on the flow behavior.It is concluded that the water flow velocity is insensitive to the initial mass of the Aeolian sand but increases with the power exponent in the Talbot formula and the specimen height.The outflow of the Aeolian sand increases with the power exponent in the Talbot formula,the specimen height,and the initial mass of the Aeolian sand.Besides,the outflow of the Aeolian sand changes exponentially with the water flow velocity.Finally,it is found that the fractured specimen has a maximum sand filtration capacity beyond which the outflow of the Aeolian sand significantly increases with the initial mass of the Aeolian sand.
Cryospheric water regime by its functions and services in China

The terrestrial cryosphere functions to provide critical freshwater and serve societies and ecosystems, driving nature's contributions to people (NCP). This becomes increasingly important for the oasis areas in Northwest China. The cryospheric meltwater is in demand to support the economy and reduce poverty, accompanied by growing requirements to protect the environment. We intend to investigate the contributions of cryospheric meltwater by analyzing the spatial functions and services pertinent to provisioning meltwater in China. Based on the currently available datasets during the 2000s of glaciers, snow cover, and permafrost, spatial clustering was utilized to analyze the contributions at the third-level basin scale. Further assessment is carried out for the exposure of primary, secondary, and tertiary industrial sectors to cryospheric meltwater, which reflects the spatiality of potential services that cryospheric meltwater may provide. In results, we spatially cluster the contribution of cryospheric meltwater into six function zones and twenty-seven sub-zones, in association with the degree of their reliance on glaciers, snow cover, and permafrost. Considering the sector's exposure, we further spatially cluster the contribution areas into eleven service zones concerning the potential service of cryospheric meltwater. Generally, the cryosphere contributes approximately 8.3% of the total water resource in China, with function zones mainly distributed in northeastern China, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), and other arid regions of Northwest China with various significance. The overall contribution ratios of the glacier, snow cover, and permafrost to cryospheric meltwater are about 35.6%, 56.5%, and 7.9%, respectively. By looking into the service zones, the cryospheric meltwater mainly contributes to the primary industry in Northwest China and QTP, even though it has less significant effects on all other industrial sectors, while the services to the ecosystem are mainly located in QTP and high mountain regions. The results offer an overarching view on the contributions of cryospheric meltwater in China.
Evolving Models and Tools for Microglial Studies in the Central Nervous System

Microglia play multiple roles in such processes as brain development,homeostasis,and pathology.Due to their diverse mechanisms of functions,the complex subclassifications,and the large differences between different species,especially compared with humans,very different or even opposite conclusions can be drawn from studies with different research models.The choice of appropriate research models and the associated tools are thus key ingredients of studies on microglia.Mice are the most commonly used animal models.In this review,we summarize in vitro and in vivo models of mouse and human-derived microglial research models,including microglial cell lines,primary microglia,induced microglia-like cells,transgenic mice,human-mouse chimeric models,and microglial replacement models.We also summarize recent developments in novel single-cell and in vivo imaging technologies.We hope our review can serve as an efficient reference for the future study of microglia.
A new bacteria-free strategy induced by MaGal2 facilitates pinewood nematode escape immune response from its vector beetle

Symbiotic microbes play a crucial role in regulating parasite-host interactions;however, the role of bacterial associates in parasite-host interactions requires elucidation. In this study, we showed that, instead of introducing numerous symbiotic bacteria, dispersal of 4th-stage juvenile(JIV)pinewood nematodes(PWNs), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus,only introduced few bacteria to its vector beetle, Monochamus alternatus(Ma). JIV showed weak binding ability to five dominant bacteria species isolated from the beetles' pupal chamber. This was especially the case for binding to the opportunistic pathogenic species Serratia marcescens;the nematodes' bacteria binding ability at this critical stage when it infiltrates Ma for dispersal was much weaker compared with Caenorhabditis elegans,Diplogasteroides asiaticus, and propagative-stage PWN. The associated bacterium S. marcescens, which was isolated from the beetles' pupal chambers, was unfavorable to Ma, because it caused a higher mortality rate upon injection into tracheae. In addition,S. marcescens in the tracheae caused more immune effector disorders compared with PWN alone. Ma_Galectin2(MaGal2), a pattern-recognition receptor, was up-regulated following PWN loading. Recombinant MaGal2 protein formed aggregates with five dominant associated bacteria in vitro. Moreover, MaGal2 knockdown beetles had up-regulated prophenoloxidase gene expression, increased phenoloxidase activity, and decreased PWN loading. Our study revealed a previously unknown strategy for immune evasion of this plant pathogen inside its vector, and provides novel insights into the role of bacteria in parasite-host interactions.
Climate and land-use interactively shape butterfly diversity in tropical rainforest and savanna ecosystems of southwestern China

Human-induced habitat conversion and degradation, along with accelerating climatic change, have resulted in considerable global biodiversity loss. Nevertheless, how local ecological assemblages respond to the interplay between climate and land-use change remains poorly understood. Here, we examined the effects of climate and land-use interactions on butterfly diversity in different ecosystems of southwestern China. Specifically, we investigated variation in the alpha and beta diversities of butterflies in different landscapes along human-modified and climate gradients. We found that increasing land-use intensity not only caused a dramatic decrease in butterfly alpha diversity but also significantly simplified butterfly species composition in tropical rainforest and savanna ecosystems. These findings suggest that habitat modification by agricultural activities increases the importance of deterministic processes and leads to biotic homogenization. The land-use intensity model best explained species richness variation in the tropical rainforest, whereas the climate and land-use intensity interaction model best explained species richness variation in the savanna. These results indicate that climate modulates the effects of land-use intensity on butterfly alpha diversity in the savanna ecosystem. We also found that the response of species composition to climate varied between sites: specifically, species composition was strongly correlated with climatic distance in the tropical rainforest but not in the savanna. Taken together, our long-term butterfly monitoring data reveal that interactions between human-modified habitat change and climate change have shaped butterfly diversity in tropical rainforest and savanna. These findings also have important implications for biodiversity conservation under the current era of rapid human-induced habitat loss and climate change.