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Lead-free antiferroelectric AgNbO3 ceramics have garnered extensive attention due to their rapid charge/discharge capabilities and environmentally friendly nature, holding immense potential for energy storage applications. However, the practical utilization of AgNbO3 has been hindered by its low energy storage density. This study employed an A/B-site co-doping strategy, which yielded positive effects on the energy performance of AgNbO3 ceramics. By modifying the A/B-sites with equivalent amounts of Bi3+ and Y3+ ions, enhanced maximum polarization, improved breakdown field, and slimmer hysteresis loops were simultaneously achieved, as the combined effects of refined grain size, wider optical bandgap, and randomly distributed antiferroelectric nanodomains, which were verified through the scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and ultraviolet–visible spectrum. As a consequence, a high energy storage density of 5.40 J/cm3 accompanied by an energy storage efficiency of 56.5% was achieved in the Ag0.97Bi0.01Nb0.994Y0.01O3 ceramic under a relatively low electric field of 190 kV/cm. This study underscores the effectiveness of A/B-site aliovalent co-doping as a viable strategy for developing high-performance ceramic capacitors for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation forecast verification is essential to the quality of a forecast. The Gaussian mixture model (GMM) can be used to approximate the precipitation of several rain bands and provide a concise view of the data, which is especially useful for comparing forecast and observation data. The robustness of such comparison mainly depends on the consistency of and the correspondence between the extracted rain bands in the forecast and observation data. We propose a novel co-estimation approach based onGMMin which forecast and observation data are analysed simultaneously. This approach naturally increases the consistency of and correspondence between the extracted rain bands by exploiting the similarity between both forecast and observation data. Moreover, a novel visualization and exploration framework is implemented to help the meteorologists gain insight from the forecast. The proposed approach was applied to the forecast and observation data provided by the China Meteorological Administration. The results are evaluated by meteorologists and novel insight has been gained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sand-dust numerical model coupled with MM5(PSU/NCAR mesoscale model) -CUCSDust (CMA Unified Chemistry System-Dust) is introduced. CUCSDust includes such detail physical processes as dust production, transport, growth, coagulation, dry and wet deposition, which can simulate and forecast the initial and sand-dust concentration of sand and dust storm. A parallel scheme is also designed to reduce the run-time which is most important for real-time forecasting. Based on CUCSDust, a numerical model forecasting system is established in northeast Asia, and is applied to China Meteorological Administration (CMA) for operational prediction of sand and dust storm from March, 2006. A prediction result of severe sand and dust storm occurred in 26-28, March, 2006 is chosen, which shows no difference for sand-dust spatial distribution between model outputs and remote sensing monitoring imagers and indicates that the model system has the capability of real-time forecasting sand and dust storm in northeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the spatial distribution characteristics of the HIV prevalence among pregnant women in mainland China in 2016, providing scientific evidence for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Methods: Data on pregnant women and those living with HIV in 2016 for all counties in mainland China is from the National Maternal & Child Health Statistics dataset. To obtain robust estimates, 2 964 counties were merged into 344 cities. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and trend analysis were performed based on the city-level dataset to detailedly describe the characteristics of the spatial distribution. Results: A total of 14 879 082 pregnant women were included in the analysis, among whom 5 051 were diagnosed to be infected with HIV, giving an overall prevalence of 34.0 per 100 000 pregnant women. The prevalence was higher in the south than in the north, and decreased from the west (93.5/100 000) to the east(8.6/100 000 ), more specifically, the prevalence in the West region was 11 times as high as that in the East region(χ(trend)(2)=68.61, P <0.01). Stratified analysis by provinces showed that there were 6 provinces whose prevalence was >50.0 per 100 000, and they (Yunnan, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Guangxi, Guizhou and Chongqing) were all located in the West Region; pregnant women in these provinces accounted for 21% of all pregnant women, but the HIV cases accounted for 76% of all cases diagnosed in mainland China. Stratified analysis by cities showed that there were 30 cities whose prevalence was >100.0 per 100 000, and 28 of these cities were also located in the western provinces above. Furthermore, the global Moran's I (0.5, P <0.01) indeed indicated a strong clustered distribution across mainland China; 2 hot spots were observed in the Midwest of Xinjiang, and Yunnan and its bordering areas (Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangxi and Chongqing), while 1 cold spot in the central and east China. The HIV prevalence in the hot spots (183.6/100 000) was 23 times as much as that in the cold spot (8.1/100 000). Conclusion: The overall HIV prevalence for pregnant women who lived in mainland China in 2016 (34.0/100 000) ranked at low-level worldwide, but varied markedly across the whole country with 2 high-prevalence-clustered areas: the Midwest of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Yunnan province along with its bordering areas, indicating comprehensive intervention strategies especially targeted to the areas with high HIV prevalence should be developed.

Buffalo are characteristic livestock of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, but their low reproductive capacity necessitates the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). We investigated the effects of RG108 on DNA methylation in buffalo adult fibroblasts, and on subsequent SCNT embryo development. RG108 treatment (0, 5, 10, 20, and 100 mM) had no effect on cell morphology, viability, or karyotype (2n = 48), and cell growth followed a typical "S" curve. Immunohistochemistry showed that relative DNA methylation gradually decreased as RG108 concentration increased, and was significantly lower in the 20 and 100 mM groups compared to the 0, 5, and 10 mM treatments (0.94 ± 0.03 and 0.92 ± 0.05 vs 1.0 ± 0.02, 0.98 ± 0.05, and 0.98 ± 0.09, respectively; P < 0.05). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that DNMT1 gene expression of fibroblasts administered 10, 20, and 100 mM RG108 was significantly lower than those in the 0 and 5 mM groups (0.2 ± 0.05, 0.18 ± 0.07, and 0.3 ± 0.09 vs 1.0 ± 0.12 and 1.4 ± 0.12, respectively; P < 0.05). Treatment with 20 mM RG108 resulted in the lowest expression levels. Fibroblasts incubated with 20 mM RG108 for 72 h were used as donor cells to generate SCNT embryos. A greater number of such embryos developed into blastocysts compared to the non-treated group (28.9 ± 3.9 vs 15.3 ± 3.4%; P < 0.05). RG108 treatment can modify DNA methylation in buffalo adult fibroblasts and promote development of subsequent SCNT embryos., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The Didymellaceae was established in 2009 to accommodate Ascochyta, Didymella and Phoma, as well as several related phoma-like genera. The family contains numerous plant pathogenic, saprobic and endophytic species associated with a wide range of hosts. Ascochyta and Phoma are morphologically difficult to distinguish, and species from both genera have in the past been linked to Didymella sexual morphs. The aim of the present study was to clarify the generic delimitation in Didymellaceae by combing multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2, and morphological observations. The resulting phylogenetic tree revealed 17 well-supported monophyletic clades in Didymellaceae, leading to the introduction of nine genera, three species, two nomina nova and 84 combinations. Furthermore, 11 epitypes and seven neotypes were designated to help stabilise the taxonomy and use of names. As a result of these data, Ascochyta, Didymella and Phoma were delineated as three distinct genera, and the generic circumscriptions of Ascochyta, Didymella, Epicoccum and Phoma emended. Furthermore, the genus Microsphaeropsis, which is morphologically distinct from the members of Didymellaceae, grouped basal to the Didymellaceae, for which a new family Microsphaeropsidaceae was introduced.

The separation and characterization of the metabolic products of lappaconitine in rat urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical and ultraviolet detection are described. Urine samples from rats intravenously administered lappaconitine hydrobromide were extracted with chloroform and then purified on a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge. The subsequent resolution into individual compounds was achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography. Identification of these compounds was based on comparisons of the chromatographic behaviour and the detector response with those of authentic samples. Changes in the ratio of lappaconitine to its metabolites in rat urine with time after dosing led to a proposal for one of the probable metabolic pathways of lappaconitine in the rat.

The metabolites of lappaconitine in the urine of humans having been previously administered intramuscularly with lappaconitine hydrobromide were studied using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical and ultraviolet detection. The urine was extracted by means of liquid- and solid-phase extractions. Each of the metabolites of lappaconitine was purified by high performance liquid chromatography on a reversed phase column and identified on the basis of the chromatographic behaviour and the detector response. It was proved that lappaconitine, N-deacetyl-16-O-demethyllappaconitine and N-deacetyllappaconitine were excreted in urine from humans receiving lappaconitine.

TLC scanning technique was found to have good specificity for studying the absorption and distribution of artemether in rats. Plasma or tissue homogenates 0.2-1.0 ml were placed in glass extraction tubes and water was added to make 1.0 ml. Each sample was extracted 3 times with 4 ml mixed organic solvent (n-pentane: dichloromethane = 1:1, vol:vol). The organic layers of 3 extractions were combined and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 100-300 microliters of ethylacetate and spotted on TLC plates. The chromatogram was developed in solvent system consisting of petroleum ether: chloroform: ethylacetate (4:2:1). The color developing agent was 0.25 g p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde dissolved in a mixture of 2.25 ml 85% phosphoric acid, 47.6 ml of acetic acid and 20 ml of water. Artemether fat emulsion was given intravenously at the dosage of 80 mg/kg. Groups of 5 rats were killed at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after iv. The results showed that the peak tissue levels were obtained within 15 min, the drug disappeared from the blood very rapidly, and only 0.34 microgram/ml was found in the plasma after 120 min. The highest level was found in brain which attained about 13.9 micrograms/g wet tissue 15 min after iv injection, moderate in heart, lung and skeletal muscle, whereas the levels in liver and kidney were low. At 15, 30 and 60 min, the plasma drug concentrations were 18.5, 6.9 and 2.3 micrograms/ml, and the brain drug concentrations were 14.0, 8.8 and 3.4 micrograms/g wet tissue, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The experimental infection of mammals (such as mouse, golden hamster and nude mouse) was conducted with Pieris rapae Granulosis Virus (PrGV) of baculoviridae of insect virus by way of peritonal and intravenous injection, per os and inhalation. 7-50 days after injection, target insects were reinoculated with the visceral extracts of infected mammals and killed by 5-100%, displaying typical symptom infected by granulosis virus. GV and its latticed structure of inclusion body were found in the ultrathin section of spleen which took out from infected nude mouse via peritoneal injection under electronmicroscope.