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We analyzed eight H10N8 viruses isolated from ducks and chickens in live poultry markets from 2009 to 2013 in China. These viruses showed distinct genetic diversity and formed five genotypes: the four duck isolates formed four different genotypes, whereas the four chicken viruses belong to a single genotype. The viruses bound to both human- and avian-type receptors, and four of the viruses caused 12.7% to 22.5% body weight loss in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To gain insight into the ecology of avian influenza viruses (AIV), we conducted active influenza virus surveillance in domestic ducks on farms located on the flyway of migratory birds in the Dongting Lake region of Hunan Province, China, from winter 2011 until spring 2012. Specimens comprising 3,030 duck swab samples and 1,010 environmental samples were collected from 101 duck farms. We isolated AIV of various HA subtypes, including H3, H4, H5, H6, H9, H10, H11, and H12. We sequenced the entire coding sequences of the genomes of 28 representative isolates constituting 13 specific subtypes. When the phylogenetic relationships among these isolates were examined, we observed that extensive reassortment events had occurred. Among the 28 Dongting Lake viruses, 21 genotypes involving the six internal genes were identified. Furthermore, we identified viruses or viral genes introduced from other countries, viral gene segments of unknown origin, and a novel HA/NA combination. Our findings emphasize the importance of farmed domestic ducks in the Dongting Lake region to the genesis and evolution of AIV and highlight the need for continued surveillance of domestic ducks in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding in-situ stresses is the foundation for investigating deep rock mechanics. In practice, the fracture morphology of a disced core can often reflect its in-situ environment and disturbance-induced fracture process to some extent. In this study, three-dimensional dynamic scanning technology is used to reconstruct the fracture morphology of the disced cores extracted from Songke-2 as well as part of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project. The roughness of various regions of the fracture surfaces of the cores is investigated. Additionally, a parametric system is developed for the quantitative study of the integrity coefficient of the disced rock samples. Furthermore, the mechanisms and characteristics of the fractures along the stress paths are investigated. According to the findings, when shallow cores undergo discing, they have notable saddle-shaped coarse fractures, which may be related to the properties of the cores at these depths. Deep cores demonstrate discing behavior, but the generated discs are relatively thick. Deep core fracture surfaces are mostly smooth and straight, possibly propagating from the outside to the inside. Under excavation disturbance in the hydrostatic state, the extreme values of the maximum tensile stress at the core stubs show a saddle-shaped distribution. In general, the results of this study can serve as a theoretical foundation for the quantitative assessment of the intactness of disced cores. Furthermore, because disc patterns and characteristics are associated with stress states, this approach can be used to evaluate in-situ stress environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]