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Radix Bupleuri is a traditional medicine widely used in China and other Asian countries. Phytochemistry and pharmacology study reveal that saikosaponins(SSs) are the main bioactive compounds in Radix Bupleuri. SSs are complex compounds composed of triterpene aglycone and carbohydrate part containing 1-13 monosaccharides, which can be divided into seven types based on their structural characteristics. Many different kinds of SSs have been isolated from plants of Bupleurum L. SSs show a variety of biological activities, such as central nervous system protection, liver protection, antivirus, anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, hormone-like effects, and immune regulation functions. Due to their broad activity and favorable safety profile, SSs attract an increasing amount of attention in recent years. In this review, the structures of 86 SSs are summarized based on the different aglycones due to the diverse structures of saikosaponin(SS). The pharmacological effects and related mechanism of SSs are thoroughly reviewed, and perspectives for future research are further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as an innovative model for the delivery of infrastructure and public services on a global scale. These collaborations, which unite businesses, governmental bodies, and civil society stakeholders, are actively advocated for their capacity to pool essential financial resources. Simultaneously, they offer a strategic approach to mitigating risks associated with sector-specific operations and addressing intricate developmental challenges. PPPs leverages wider resources and capabilities and could have greater impacts, which have been widely adopted in various sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and environment. In recent years, PPPs have also emerged as a promising tool to promote the development of aquaculture sector, which is the fastest growing food production sector in the world. However, PPPs in aquaculture sector have yet not to be widely adopted or well understood. We address this research gap by describing a successful PPP model in aquaculture sector based on a case study of Hani Terrace integrated rice-fish farming system in China. This research analyzes the type, structures, partner roles and partnership of the Hani Terrace PPP model, and it also examines the major challenges encountered and the development outcomes achieved by these projects. The results showed that the Aquaculture PPP created positive outcomes for different parterners and stimulated increased economic, social and environmental benefits from targeted interventions. This research intends to offer valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and local communities keen on advancing the PPP model within the aquaculture sector. Additionally, the research identifies gaps and outlines directions for future studies in PPP development in the aquaculture sector. The research results seek to enhance the comprehension of all stakeholders involved in crafting successful PPP initiatives and improving service delivery. • Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as an innovative model and a promising tool to promote the development of aquaculture sector, involving government entities, private companies, research institutes, and farmers, contributes financial resources, expertise, innovation, and proficiency in managing intricate social processes. • Forming a successful partnership necessitates the establishment of shared objectives and the development of robust business cases. • This case study aligns with global research on aquaculture PPPs and highlights the importance of collaborative partnerships, financing structures, and equitable resource distribution for success in aquaculture development. They need to set common goals and strong business cases aiming to align the interests and risks of public and private partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We proposed an intelligent analysis method to correlate multiple monitoring points for multiple structures. • We used the correlation between the monitoring values of multiple structures and multiple monitoring points for modeling. • Multiple parameters are introduced to assess the correlation and sensitivity of the changes occurring between structures. Typical geotechnical structures in the delta region include slopes, foundation pits, and embankments. An analysis of their interrelationships is essential for the overall safety and security of the delta region. At present, these structures are mainly studied by the manual analysis of single monitoring points and by inspection patrols performed by researchers in the field. However, this method is inefficient, costly, and risky to undertake. Furthermore, it is mainly through a time series that the respective states of a single-structure single monitoring point are successfully identified. This makes it difficult to present the correlation between structures and monitoring points, and makes it impossible to truly assess their overall safety patterns. To this end, this study proposes an intelligent analysis method based on feedforward neural networks to associate multiple monitoring points for multiple structures. It uses the correlation between the monitoring values of multiple geotechnical structures and multiple monitoring points for modeling. Then, key coefficients, the gray correlation theory, and degree of importance are introduced to assess the correlation and sensitivity factors of the changes occurring between different structures. The response time and duration between them were also analyzed. Finally, it was applied to a close, typical geotechnical structure system in South China, and the example application was good (R2: 0.91 ∼ 0.95, GR: 0.805 ∼ 0.981). The combined response time and duration of the M index of the foundation pit was optimal for the embankment S (T r = 0, T c = 3 ∼ 7) and the JM (T r = 0, T c = 4) index of the slope. The multi-correlation model established in this study provides new guidance for accurately revealing the latent hazard potential of typical geotechnical structural systems in the delta region in close proximity. It can also be used as a relevant implication for correlating changes between geotechnical structures in close proximity in other areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seismic reflection profiles reveal the structural characteristics beneath the East China Sea shelf margin and the Okinawa Trough, and provide new constraints on the Late Cenozoic evolution of the East China continental margin. The Frontal Shelf Basin between the Taiwan-Sinzi Uplift and the trough axis occupies the western half of the Northern-Middle Okinawa Trough. In this basin, the Middle-Late Miocene sediments are confined to grabens or half-grabens dominated by listric faults, whereas the overlying Pliocene-Quaternary sequence is characterized by a uniform thickness and dense planar-type faults, suggesting that rifting of the Northern-Middle Okinawa Trough initiated during the Middle Miocene but slowed down during the earliest Pliocene. Since that time, the opening of the Okinawa Trough has been dominated by diffuse rifting. The Southern Okinawa Trough is predominately filled by Quaternary sediments, indicating that its back-arc rifting began during the earliest Pleistocene. Contractional structures identified in the pre-Quaternary sequence beneath the continental slope, along with an erosional Pleistocene-pre-Pleistocene unconformity in the Southern Okinawa Trough, demonstrate the existence of pre-rifting compression and uplifting in this region. We use this evidence and previously published results, to propose an evolutionary model of the East China continental margin during the Late Cenozoic. The Northern-Middle Okinawa Trough began rifting during the Middle Miocene on a paleo-uplift. The Luzon Arc initially impinged upon the Eurasian continental margin during the Late Miocene near the southeastern end of the Miyako Fault Belt and activated the proto-Taiwan Orogeny in today's Southern Okinawa Trough and adjacent regions. During the Late Miocene-Pliocene, the orogeny quickly propagated southwestward along with the west-northwest-moving Philippine Sea Plate. Subsequently, the rifting of the Southern Okinawa Trough was initiated during the earliest Pleistocene and propagated southwestward following the post-collisional collapse of the proto-Taiwan Orogen. This geodynamic scenario resembles that of present-day northern Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• C. paliurus leaves are traditional medicinal plants and food raw materials. • A large number of polyphenols are identified in C. paliurus. • C. paliurus polyphenols possess many excellent bioactivities. • Potential mechanisms of C. paliurus polyphenols are discussed. Cyclocarya paliurus (C. paliurus) is an edible and medicinal plant, distributed in southern China. As a kind of new food raw material, the leaves of C. paliurus are processed as tea products in daily life. C. paliurus is recognized as a good source to polyphenols, showing excellent bioactivities, which has attracted more and more attention. Polyphenols are important functional bioactive components in C. paliurus. C. paliurus polyphenols perform nutritional functions in anti-diabetes, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, anti-oxidant, and other activities. In this review, we summarize the research progress of extraction technologies, structural characteristics, and bioactivities of C. paliurus polyphenols. Other potential functions of C. paliurus polyphenols are prospected. This review provides a reference for further research and applications of C. paliurus polyphenols in a field of functional food and medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Monazite-iron phosphate glass-ceramic wasteforms were prepared by a melt-quenching process. • The feasibility to immobilize the HLW by monazite-iron phosphate glass-ceramics is discussed. • (Ce, La, Nd)PO 4 -phosphate based glass-ceramics are potential candidates for the HLW. • Waste loading can be increased by above 50% through preparing glass-ceramic wasteforms. In this paper, monazite-iron phosphate based glass-ceramics for immobilization of a simulated high-level nuclear waste (HLW) derived from the composition of a nuclear waste in China were prepared through a melt-quenching process. The effect of HLW incorporation on phases, structural features, aqueous durability and properties of the as-prepared wasteforms were investigated in detail. The results show that the waste loading can be significantly elevated by forming monazite (Ce, La, Nd)PO 4 containing glass-ceramic wasteforms through the melt-quenching process. The obtained glass/glass-ceramic wasteforms show good aqueous durability (∼10−4 g m−2 d−1) and thermal stability. Moreover, the formation of monazite (Ce, La, Nd)PO 4 phase in the wasteforms is discussed. The conclusions suggest that it is feasible to synthesize (Ce, La, Nd)PO 4 -phosphate glass-ceramic wasteforms through melt-quenching process and monazite-iron phosphate based glass-ceramics are potential candidates for immobilization of the HLW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ten new compounds were isolated from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong. • The structures of these compounds were unambiguously established by HR-ESI-MS, CD and NMR spectral data. • The anti-inflammation and hepatoprotective activities were evaluated. Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort is a famous health promoting plant cultivated in China, and widely consumed due to its various curative effects. To study the potential bioactive constituents from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong , a chemical investigation was thus performed. In present study, we report the isolation and identification of ten new compounds, including two coumarins (1 – 2), four lignans (3 – 6), and four phenols (7 – 10), along with five known compounds (11 – 15) from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong. The structures of these compounds were unambiguously established by HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, CD, NMR spectral data and comparison to reported data. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammation and hepatoprotective activities of all these compounds were evaluated. The results show that compounds 5 , 6 and 7 showed excellent inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells stronger than curcumin, and compounds 5 , 7 and 9 exhibited greater hepatoprotective effect than that of bicyclol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]