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Highly differentiated granite often contains abundant key metal resources, such as lithium and rubidium. The Tengchong area of Yunnan hosts a large number of highly differentiated granites from the Cretaceous age. Among these, granite samples from the Diantan tin–lead–zinc polymetallic mining area exhibit Li contents exceeding 0.02% and Rb contents surpassing 0.1%. This suggests a promising potential for Li and Rb mineralization. However, the occurrence status and process mineralogical characteristics of Li and Rb remain unclear, directly impacting the assessment of the region's comprehensive utilization potential for these key metals. This study focuses on representative granite samples from the Diantan mining area to conduct petrographic and process mineralogical research, examining single mineral chemical composition, physical properties, element occurrence state, and mineral embedding particle size. The results indicate that mica minerals primarily contain Li, while both feldspar and mica minerals are the main carriers of Rb. Zinnwaldite not only contains the highest Rb proportion among the samples but also plays a significant role in Li occurrence. Based on the dissociation characteristics, it is recommended to grind the material to a fineness of −0.075 mm, comprising 80% of the particles, before proceeding to the final flotation process. This would result in approximately 95% dissociation of the mica in the sample. Since mica is predominantly distributed between quartz and feldspar particles, with relatively low binding force, it facilitates mineral dissociation during the grinding process. Therefore, the actual beneficiation process may consider a moderately coarser grinding fineness based on the aforementioned findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goose astrovirus (GAstV), an agent of fatal visceral gout in goslings, has been widely circulating in eastern China since 2017, but little is known about its genetic diversity and systematic evolution. In this study, we isolated and sequenced nine nearly full‐length GAstV genomes and conducted comprehensive genetic diversity and evolutionary analysis and compared them with other reported GAstV sequences. Our results indicated that two genotypic species of GAstV were circulating in China, and GAstV‐2 subgenotype II‐c had arisen as the dominant genotype in Shandong province and across the whole country. Multiple alignments of GAstV amino acid sequences revealed several characteristic mutations in GAstV‐2 II‐c strains, as well as additional residues in the nine new isolates which varied over time. Phylogenetic analysis of three open reading frames demonstrated different evolutionary histories. Evidence of natural recombination was also detected in GAstV, with most of the recombination occurring in the GAstV‐2 II‐c subgenotype. Molecular adaptation analyses revealed that the evolution of GAstV was shaped by strong negative selection, although a number of amino acids, which potentially affect host infection and cell entry, were subjected to positive pressure. Overall, these findings improve our understanding of the epidemiology and evolution of GAstV and may help in the development of vaccines and diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "hollow village" refers to villagers retaining their household registration and housing property in rural areas while spending most of their time living in urban areas. This has emerged from China's unique urbanization process, leading to massive construction redundancy and excessive carbon emissions (CEs). In order to identify the CE characteristics and carbon reduction priorities for the rural dwellings of "hollow villages", this study carried out a bottom-up CE analysis of a representative case in South China. First, a life-cycle CE (LCCE) framework was developed comprising the embodied CE (ECE) and operational CE (OCE). Second, a case study of a typical masonry structure was selected to calibrate the LCCE framework with actual recorded data and present the CE characteristics. The ECE was 381.3 kg CO 2 /m2 in a 50-year calculation period, higher than the 289.5 kg CO 2 /m2 of the OCE. As a comparison, the median ECE for the masonry structure dwellings was 301.0 kgCO 2 /m2, and the OCE under the same climate conditions was 748.5 kgCO 2 /m2 in the reviewed detached houses worldwide. This highlights the high proportion of ECEs in the dwellings. Third, LCCE calculations were performed in parallel for the concrete and steel structure schemes based on the calibrated framework. Finally, carbon reduction priorities were compared to highlight the specific CEs from dwellings in the "hollow village" and propose recommendations. • Bottom-up carbon emission (CE) analysis of a "hollow village" dwelling in South China. • A life cycle CE framework was developed and calibrated with actual recorded data. • Showed higher proportion of embodied CE compared with reviewed cases worldwide. • Life cycle CE of concrete and masonry structures was lower than that of steel structure. • Proposed specific strategies of carbon reduction for "hollow village" dwellings in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toddalia asiatica root bark as an effective hemostatic natural medicine or Chinese materia medica was applied in China for long history, its complex drug action mechanisms and unclear substance basis have been constraining the development of this drug. Results: An intelligentized strategy by LC-ESI Q-TOF MS was presented in this study for rapid identification of hemostatic chemical constituents from this natural medicine. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column (150 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm), the MS data in both negative and positive ion modes were acquired to record the high-accuracy MS and MS/MS data of all precursor ions. To reduce the false positive identifications, structural confirmation was conducted by comparison with the isolated reference standards (t and MS, MS/MS data) or matching with natural product databases. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract of T. asiatica root bark was also carried out. Conclusions: As a consequence, 31 natural compounds in T. asiatica root bark got putatively characterized. There were four main coumarins, isopimpinellin (Cp.23), pimpinellin (Cp.24), coumurrayin (Cp.30) and phellopterin (Cp.34) isolated and identified from T. asiatica root bark. The present study provided candidate strategy that helps to effectively identify the primary natural compounds of TCM or other complex natural medicines, and then promote development and application of natural medicines and their medicinal resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economically important tin‑tungsten mineralization in southwestern China has attracted much interest in recent years, yet its age, tectonic setting, and genetic relationship to the host granites remain uncertain in most regions. Our focus in this study is the Shuicheng tin-polymetallic deposit, situated in the western sector of the Diantan Batholith, within the northern Tengchong Block. The granites in this area consist of two intrusive units, i.e., 1) biotite monzogranite (T1), with LA-ICP-MS zircon U Pb ages ranging from 76.88 ± 0.43 Ma to 74.69 ± 0.57 Ma, whole-rock ε Nd (t) values ranging from −9.75 to −8.11, and zircon ε Hf (t) values from −12.19 to −8.85; and 2) alkali-feldspar granite (T2), with an LA-ICP-MS zircon U Pb age of 52.16 ± 0.23 Ma, whole-rock ε Nd (t) values of −10.15 to −8.25, and zircon ε Hf (t) values of −9.64 to −8.06. These two intrusive events have been linked to prolonged low-angle subduction and retreat of the subducting Neo-Tethys Ocean Plate, respectively. The Shuicheng granites exhibit high concentrations of SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 , contrasted with low levels of FeOT, CaO, MgO, TiO 2 , and P 2 O 5 , suggesting that they are highly fractionated S-type granites. High abundances of Rb, K, U, and Hf, along with low contents of Ba, Sr, and Ti, further indicate significant fractionation and crystallization processes during magma evolution. Importantly, a transition from purely magmatic conditions to a magmatic-hydrothermal state occurred during the latter stages of magmatic evolution. This transition, associated with an amplified potential for tin mineralization, provides fresh insight into the role of magmatic processes in ore genesis, enriching our understanding of the tin‑tungsten mineralization history of the Tengchong region. [Display omitted] • The Shuicheng granites at Tengchong are highly differentiated S-type granite. • The Shuicheng granites were emplaced at 75–52 Ma by two stages of magmatism. • The magmas were related to the subduction and roll back of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. • The transition from melt to fluid serves as a sign of mineralization in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of recombinant porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused a substantial threat to the swine industry in recent years. However, the protective efficacy of different sublineage 8.7 PRRSV modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines against emerging strains were still obscure. In this study, a broad epidemiological investigation of PRRSV showed the prevalence of NADC30-like strain increased in Shandong Province, China from 2018 to 2020. Through piglet trial for vaccination and challenge with recombinant NADC30-like SDlz1601 strain, CH-1R MLV vaccine showed better protective effect than JXA1-R and TJM-F92 MLV vaccines in terms of clinical score and pathological observation. Moreover, all three MLV vaccines could reduce virus loads in the serum of piglets. This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of the NADC30-like strain and the protective effect of PRRS MLV vaccines against recombinant NADC30-like strains, which could help to improve the prevention and control of PRRSV infections. • PRRSV NADC30-like strain became the most prevalent strain in Shandong Province, China. • Classical MLV vaccine (CH-1R) provided better protection than the other two HP-PRRSV MLV vaccines (JXA1-R and TJM-F92). • All three MLV vaccines could reduce virus loads in the serum of piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Five years of CALIPSO lidar layer products are used to study transpacific transport of Asian dust. We focus on possible changes to dust intrinsic optical properties during the course of transport, with specific emphasis on changes to particulate depolarization ratio (PDR). PDR distributions for Asian dust transported across the Pacific are compared to previously reported PDR distributions for African dust transported across the Atlantic. African dust shows a slight decreasing trend in PDR during westward transport across the Atlantic during its most active long-range transport season in summer. Asian dust, on the other hand, shows some spatial variability in PDR over the Pacific during its most active long-range transport season in spring. The dust PDR is generally smaller over the ocean than over the Tarim basin and nearby downwind regions. PDR also shows a decreasing trend with latitude moving northward toward the Arctic, together with an increasing trend in the dust aerosol optical depth (AOD) when passing over polluted Asian regions. Possible explanations include (i) the mixing of dust externally or internally with other types of aerosol over the heavily developed industrial regions in East Asia, and (ii) the downstream mixing of dust plumes from different source regions (i.e., Tarim and Gobi). Dust from different source regions exhibits relatively large differences in PDR, with mean values of 0.34±0.07, 0.28±0.06, and 0.30±0.08, respectively, over the Tarim basin, Gobi Desert and Northwest African source regions. Different transport mechanisms are seen for African dust and Asian dust. Asian dust transport is originated by cold fronts and driven by westerly jets. In contrast, summer African transatlantic dust transport is driven by trade winds and is generally well confined in altitude in the free troposphere throughout the tropics and subtropics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Chong Peng at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The image shows how the solar-driven catalytic urea conversion interconnects with the sustainable development of energy and environment. The Review itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202201263., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: Computed tomography (CT) imaging combined with artificial intelligence is important in the diagnosis and prognosis of lung diseases., Objective: This study aimed to investigate temporal changes of quantitative CT findings in patients with COVID-19 in three clinic types, including moderate, severe, and non-survivors, and to predict severe cases in the early stage from the results., Methods: One hundred and two patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Based on the time interval between onset of symptoms and the CT scan, four stages were defined in this study: Stage-1 (0 ∼7 days); Stage-2 (8 ∼ 14 days); Stage-3 (15 ∼ 21days); Stage-4 (> 21 days). Eight parameters, the infection volume and percentage of the whole lung in four different Hounsfield (HU) ranges, ((-, -750), [-750, -300), [-300, 50) and [50, +)), were calculated and compared between different groups., Results: The infection volume and percentage of four HU ranges peaked in Stage-2. The highest proportion of HU [-750, 50) was found in the infected regions in non-survivors among three groups., Conclusions: The findings indicate rapid deterioration in the first week since the onset of symptoms in non-survivors. Higher proportion of HU [-750, 50) in the lesion area might be a potential bio-marker for poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), the essential causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), can be divided into distinct genotypes. Thirty-two PCV2 isolates obtained made from pigs in Shandong Province between 2005 and 2013. Complete genome sequences were obtained in three replicates for each virus isolate, and the sequences were submitted to the NCBI database. The ORF1-encoded amino acid sequences had 98.4 %-100 % identity among the 32 isolates, and there were no significant differences among the three potential glycosylation positions: aa 23-25 (NPS), aa 256-258 (NQT) and aa 286-288 (NAT). The amino acid sequences of ORF2 had 88 %-100 % identity among the 32 isolates and the potential glycosylation position in the cap protein, aa 143-145 (NYS), had no variation. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the PCV2b/1C genetic lineage was prevalent in swine populations in Shandong Province. It also suggested that selection pressure has made the PCV2 isolates more genetically distant from current vaccine strains.

Shandong is a porcine circovirus 2b (PCV2b) strain that was isolated and purified from tissue samples from pigs with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in the Shandong Province of China. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of strain Shandong, which may aid in understanding the molecular characteristics of this strain.

The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus emerged from China in 1996 and has spread across Eurasia and Africa, with a continuous stream of new cases of human infection appearing since the first large-scale outbreak among migratory birds at Qinghai Lake. The role of wild birds, which are the natural reservoirs for the virus, in the epidemiology of the H5N1 virus has raised great public health concern, but their role in the spread of the virus within the natural ecosystem of free-ranging terrestrial wild mammals remains unclear. In this study, we investigated H5N1 virus infection in wild pikas in an attempt to trace the circulation of the virus. Seroepidemiological surveys confirmed a natural H5N1 virus infection of wild pikas in their native environment. The hemagglutination gene of the H5N1 virus isolated from pikas reveals two distinct evolutionary clades, a mixed/Vietnam H5N1 virus sublineage (MV-like pika virus) and a wild bird Qinghai (QH)-like H5N1 virus sublineage (QH-like pika virus). The amino acid residue (glutamic acid) at position 627 encoded by the PB2 gene of the MV-like pika virus was different from that of the QH-like pika virus; the residue of the MV-like pika virus was the same as that of the goose H5N1 virus (A/GS/Guangdong [GD]/1/96). Further, we discovered that in contrast to the MV-like pika virus, which is nonpathogenic to mice, the QH-like pika virus is highly pathogenic. To mimic the virus infection of pikas, we intranasally inoculated rabbits, a species closely related to pikas, with the H5N1 virus of pika origin. Our findings first demonstrate that wild pikas are mammalian hosts exposed to H5N1 subtype avian influenza viruses in the natural ecosystem and also imply a potential transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus from wild mammals into domestic mammalian hosts and humans.