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The benchmark comparative price between global seaborne iron ore and Chinese domestic iron ore is based on free on board (FOB) or cost, insurance and freight (CIF), resulting in imprecise market pressure price estimation for Chinese domestic iron ore, due to the lack of the breakeven operating cost. To clarify the quantitative data of breakeven operating cost of iron ore products by tier-1 producers, systematic study has been carried out in terms of high-grade hematite enriched mineralization characteristics and typical iron ore products by different enriched types from banded iron formation (BIF) in Hamersley Basin, Western Australia. At the same time, the itabirite-type hematite ore in Brazil is introduced as a control to analyze the economic indicators of typical high grade hematite ore. Based on the previous research results, the enriched mineralization types of high grade hematite associated with BIF in the Hamersley Basin, Western Australia, are classified into Martite-Goethite, Microplaty Hematite and channel iron deposit (CID) type hematite; and in the Iron Quadrangle, Brazil, they are mainly itabirite-type hematite. Brazilian iron is grouped into itabirite type hematite. The iron content of the iron ore products corresponding to each mineralization type is higher than 56%. On the impurity element content, the pseudo-hematite-goethite has high phosphorus content, whereas micro-plate hematite has high phosphorus and sulfur. The river sedimentary hematite has lower phosphorus and sulfur contents, whereas itabirite type hematite contains Mn. Representative global iron ore producers, including Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (FMG) and Vale, have reached the breakeven operating cost of 34.66, 36.76, 47.35 and 38.07 ＄/dmt, respectively, which could offer the OPEX cost reference for development of Chinese overseas iron ore equity projects..

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a nonparametric technique for determining the efficiency of a homogeneous set of decision-making units (DMUs). There are two common problems with traditional DEA. First, traditional DEA fails to adequately distinguish the efficiency DMUs. Second, the DMUs within the same industry are non-homogeneous. This study aims to develop a system-ranking-efficiency model to solve the problems of non-homogeneity and efficiency ranking for DMUs in the same group. The proposed system-rankingefficiency model is based on the concept of boundary change and considers the efficiency DMUs with the greatest influence on the boundary as the most important and, thus, as the ones that should have the highest efficiency ranking. The model is applied in the Taiwan securities industry, in which it was found to successfully rank all the DMUs.

The newly found Honghuaerji tungsten polymetallic deposit is a large scale tungsten deposit in north-east Daxinganling in China.The alteration includes sericitization and greisenization.The metallic minerals are scheelite and molybdenite.These minerals in rock body show the belt characteristics of W in the top and Mo in the bottom.Geological characteristics indicate that it is a high temperature hydrothermal deposit.In order to constrain the timing of hydrothermal activities, Ar-Ar dating of muscovite from the greisenization alteration zones was carried out.The Ar-Ar dating yields an Ar-Ar plateau age of 174.4±1.2 Ma and an isochron age of 173.2±4.3 Ma.Because greisenization alteration zones and the tungsten(molybdenum) mineralization belt are closely related in space, muscovite, scheelite, and molybdenite may have formed simultaneously.Moreover, the Ar-Ar age of muscovite is in agreement with the Re-Os age of molybdenite(176.8±2.2 Ma) within uncertainties, indicating this Ar-Ar age represents the timing of the tungsten and molybdenum hydrothermal mineralization.Combined field geology, U-Pb ages and Re-Os ages indicate this deposit formed the Jurassic period and may be the product of Yanshanian tectonic magmatic activity.

The Zhuxi ultra-large type copper-tungsten deposit in the Northeast Jiangxi province located in Taqian -Fuchun metallogenic belt which belongs to Jiangnan ancient island-arc, the discovery of the deposit has verified Southern Tungsten North Expansion perspective and challenge the viewpoint that Tungsten located in the south but the copper located in the north of Jiangxi provience, but the previous lack of accurate chronology study related to Zhuxi copper-tungsten mineralization of granite not enough, resulting in the geodynamic background of understanding. In this study, on the basis of detailed field investigation, core logging and petrology studies on the granodioritic porphyries which had intruded into the Middle Proterozoic Shuangqiaoshan group and with copper mineralization alteration, using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U-Pb dating, we obtained the granodioritic porphyries zircon 206Pb/238U weighted mean age of 847.2±9.4Ma (MSWD=0.111), which can represent the granodiorite porphyry magma emplacement and crystallization age, belonging to the neoproterozoic. The results reveal that the granodioritic porphyries of Zhuxi copper-tungsten mine is a product of the early Neoproterozoic Southern China ancient oceanic crust subduction and Yangtze and Cathaysian continental blocks collisional magmatism, the magmatic activity provides the basis for the metallogenic Qinzhou-Hangzhou metallogenic belt, and the magma event is close related to the Taqian-Fuchun ore belt mineralization, it also provides new evidence for the study of Zhuxi ultra-large type copper-tungsten deposit.

Accompanied by the crucial breakthrough of prospecting for skarn-type Cu-W deposit in Zhuxi of Jiangxi Province, the previously established model of ore distribution was incorrect in that the W and Cu deposits distribution was in the south and north regions respectively. A new model is presented, indicating that the south W deposit might occur in the north region. To verify the new hypothesis, the crystallizing ages and tectonic attributes of ore-related igneous rocks become a critical issue. Furthermore, there are several lamprophyre veins in the study area that might have some temporal and spatial relationships to the Cu-W deposit. Consequently, after extensive field surveying, core logging recording and thin section observation, the veins were dated accurately by zircon U-Pb isotopic method of LA-ICP-MS. Two groups of 206Pb/238U weighted ages of crystallization were yielded, one being (856 ± 10) Ma (MSWD=0.22), and the other is (160.3 ± 2.1) Ma (MSWD=0.17). Considering overall proofs, it is suggested here that the former group of age might represents a magmatism event during the period of subduction for South China ancient oceanic crust in early Neoproterozoic and of collision between the Yangtze and the Cathaysia continental blocks, while the latter one might indicate a magma intrusion event in the early period of Late Jurassic, which produced re-melting of previous rocks triggered by subduction from the Pacific to the Eura-asia plates in Early Jurassic, in accordance with the metallogenic age of the Taqian-Fuchun metallogenic belt in Zhuxi area. The lamprophyre geochronological study in the paper provides a sound theory basis for the metallogenesis of Zhuxi Cu-W deposits.

The Epo intrusion with an exposed area of 200 km2, is mainly composed of biotite monzonitic granite, and is located on the western margin of the Yudu-Qingtang basin, the conjunction of E-W trending Nanling tectonic-magmatic belt and the NNE trending Wuyishan tectonic belt. Situated in such a special tectonic position, this region is advantageous to mineralization. The Yinkeng ore field, which lies to the west of the Epo intrusion, consists of Au-Ag-Pb-Zn and W polymetallic deposits. On the basis of field survey, zircon U-Pb dating for Epo biotite monzonitic granite has been carried out by Laser Ablation-Multicollector-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). Magma series and petrogenesis have been discussed according to geochemical data, and metallogenetic potentiality of the intrusion has been studied by comparing with other metallogenetic granitic bodies in the district. Analysis results show that the diagenetic age of Epo granite is (412.5±1.7) Ma. The granite contains abundant aluminium minerals, such as muscovite and sillimanite. Major and trace elements indicate that Epo granite is strongly peraluminous S-type granite, and belongs to the High potassium calc alkaline-shoshonite series. The pluton stemmed from Neoproterozoic metamorphic shale by remelting and intruding during the Late Caledonian period. Comparative research with Caledonian and Yanshanian W-Sn metallogenetic granites shows that W and Sn had been concentrated during the formation of Epo granite. Proof that the previous Rb-Sr whole rock isochron age (307 Ma) represents a late geological event after the diagenesis period is given in this paper, and Caledonian granites have potential for W-Sn mineralization.

Abstract Background Alcohol abuse is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple organ disorders; the underlying mechanism is incompletely understood. The ubiquitin editing enzyme A20 is involved in regulating activities in the cell. Suppression of A20 is suggested as one factor in the initiation of inflammation. This study investigates the mechanism by which chronic alcohol consumption modulates the levels of ubiquitin editing enzyme A20 in macrophages and further contributes to induce endothelial barrier dysfunction in the lung. Methods Mice were gavage-fed with 40% alcohol daily for 0-3 weeks. Airway macrophages were collected by lung lavage. Expression of ubiquitin editing enzyme A20 in isolated macrophages was assessed at both mRNA and protein levels. The endothelial barrier function of the lung was evaluated by the Evans blue method. Results Mice treated with alcohol for 3 weeks showed an increase in cell infiltration in the lung in response to exposure to peptidoglycan; over 80% of the infiltrated cells were macrophages. Furthermore, we observed that A20 level was suppressed in macrophages of mice treated with alcohol; the levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6 and nuclear factor kappa B in macrophage were increased. In addition, the endothelial barrier function of the lung was compromised, showing excessive infiltration of Evans blue in the lung indicating lung edema. Pretreatment with synthesized A20 inhibited alcohol-induced lung endothelial barrier dysfunction. Conclusions We conclude that chronic alcohol ingestion disturbs the endothelial barrier function in the lung by modulating macrophage properties. Increase in A20 in the cell may have potential for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

N-myristoyltransferase-1 (NMT1) catalyzes protein myristoylation, a lipid modification that is elevated in cancer cells. NMT1 sustains proliferation and/or survival of cancer cells through mechanisms that are not completely understood. We used genetic and pharmacological inhibition of NMT1 to further dissect the role of this enzyme in cancer, and found an unexpected essential role for NMT1 at promoting lysosomal metabolic functions. Lysosomes mediate enzymatic degradation of vesicle cargo, and also serve as functional platforms for mTORC1 activation. We show that NMT1 is required for both lysosomal functions in cancer cells. Inhibition of NMT1 impaired lysosomal degradation leading to autophagy flux blockade, and simultaneously caused the dissociation of mTOR from the surface of lysosomes leading to decreased mTORC1 activation. The regulation of lysosomal metabolic functions by NMT1 was largely mediated through the lysosomal adaptor LAMTOR1. Accordingly, genetic targeting of LAMTOR1 recapitulated most of the lysosomal defects of targeting NMT1, including defective lysosomal degradation. Pharmacological inhibition of NMT1 reduced tumor growth, and tumors from treated animals had increased apoptosis and displayed markers of lysosomal dysfunction. Our findings suggest that compounds targeting NMT1 may have therapeutic benefit in cancer by preventing mTORC1 activation and simultaneously blocking lysosomal degradation, leading to cancer cell death.

Five isocoumarin derivatives including three new compounds, aspermarolides A-C (1–3), and two known analogues, 8-methoxyldiaporthin (4) and diaporthin (5) were obtained from the culture extract of Aspergillus flavus CPCC 400810. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The double bond geometry of 1 and 2 were assigned by the coupling constants. The absolute configuration of 3 was determined by electronic circular dichroism experiment. All compounds showed no cytotoxic activities against the two human cancer cells HepG2 and Hela. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development is the primary goal of the current global economic transformation. The banking industry, as an intermediary institution within the financial system, not only serves as a crucial foundation for national economic development but also plays a key role in the global transition to sustainability and a low‐carbon economy. Banks can leverage the influence of financing to direct funds towards sustainable ventures and simultaneously develop green financial products, guiding ordinary consumers to make more environmentally friendly choices. How the banking industry can effectively improve operational efficiency while considering sustainable development is one of the key focuses of ongoing development in the banking sector. The main aim of this study is to incorporate the aspect of sustainable development into the evaluation of operational efficiency, aligning with the goals of corporate sustainable development. It allows for an analysis of how decision‐makers in the banking industry can adjust resources to maintain stable and sustainable profitability while promoting sustainable development. This study selected 13 financial holding banks and 19 non‐financial holding banks in Taiwan as research subjects, covering the period from 2016 to 2021. Utilizing a meta assurance regions (AR) parallel dynamic two‐stage slacks‐based measure model with "operational stage" and "market and sustainability parallel stage," the research explores the efficiency performance of banks considering sustainable development. It examines the differences in efficiency performance at various stages among different types of banks. The research findings are as follows: (1) among the banking industry in Taiwan, operational stage efficiency ranks the highest, followed by sustainable stage efficiency, while market stage performance lags behind. (2) Financial holding banks outperform non‐financial holding banks on average in operational stage, market stage, and sustainable stage efficiency. (3) Fubon Financial, TFH, CATHAY HOLDINGS, and SKFH are benchmark performers among financial holding banks. (4) Non‐financial holding banks exhibit a higher average technical gap ratio compared to financial holding banks, indicating that non‐financial holding banks have fewer inefficient areas to improve. However, the technical efficiency of both groups of banks approaches each other over the years. (5) In the sustainable stage, financial holding banks demonstrate superior environmental indicators and corporate treatment efficiency compared to non‐financial holding banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic changes in higher education observed over the last 20 years have transformed the educational market. The potential value of promoting student satisfaction and loyalty in higher education has become a significant issue. This study investigates the directions and strengths of the relationships among marketing strategies, student satisfaction, and loyalty in Taiwanese higher education. Structural equation models were used to validate the measure and test the proposed relationships. The study tested two hypotheses: marketing strategies are positively related to student satisfaction (H1), and student satisfaction is positively related to student loyalty (H3). These findings indicate that student satisfaction is a key intermediate variable for marketing strategies and student loyalty. This study's results provide several important implications for managers in higher education.

In integrating theoretical perspectives of self-determination and goal-setting, this study proposes a conceptual model with moderating and mediating effects exploring gender issue in autonomy-supportive learning in higher education as research context. In the proposed model, goal-setting attributes, i.e., individual determinants, social determinants, and situational determinants, have substantial prediction on goal attainability and goal commitment. Goal commitment has prediction on goal attainability. Additionally, perceived support mediates the causal effect of goal-setting attributes on goal attainability. In other words, goal commitment has partial mediating effect of goal-setting attributes on goal attainability. Further discussion and implications are also included in the study.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore structural relationships among the variables of brand association, student trust, commitment, and satisfaction in the higher education sector. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was used to collect data from a sample of 500 students who studied at universities in Taiwan in 2016. These data were gathered using a convenience sampling method and analyzed using a structural equation model. A total of 371 questionnaires (74.2 percent) were considered valid. Due to testing and identifying the hypothesis and structure among those variables, structural equation modeling was used to determine the best model among brand association, trust, commitment, and satisfaction. Findings: For the conceptual framework, the author found that this structural equation model complies with the empirical data. The structural equation model shows that brand association, student trust, and commitment were significantly related to student satisfaction. Brand association has a direct influence on student trust, commitment, and satisfaction in higher education institutions. Student trust and commitment also had a direct influence on student satisfaction, and they are all mediating variables. Originality/value: The findings of the current study add to the existing literature by contributing to a better perception of university management and providing acceptable strategies to improve the higher education industry.

The purpose of this study is to explore structural equation modeling among a marketing mix, relationship quality, and international student loyalty in Taiwanese higher-educational institutions. In total, 353 surveyed students answered a questionnaire, with 337 students answering all of the questions. The findings suggest that a marketing mix is positively associated with the relationship quality of international students, and that relationship quality is also positively associated with student loyalty. Student trust and commitment enhances loyalty to universities. In the higher-educational sector, these findings have implications for universities seeking to compete in a more deregulated, market-driven, higher-educational environment in the future.

This study aims to investigate the direction and strength of the relationships among service recovery, relationship quality, and brand image in higher education industries. This research provides a framework for school managers to understand service recovery from an operations perspective. Structural equation models were used to test the proposed relationships: relationships linking relationship quality, service recovery, and brand image in higher education industries. The data source is a survey of undergraduate students at universities in Taiwan. The total sample was composed of 600 surveyed students from 12 universities. Of this total, 550 students answered the questionnaire, 526 of whom answered all of the study questions. These figures represent a success rate of more than 80 %. From these results, the following three research hypotheses were tested: (H1) Service recovery is positively associated with relationship quality; (H2) Service recovery is positively associated with brand image; and (H3) Relationship quality is positively associated with brand image. Viewing schools as having service recovery and relationship quality affected the brand image of students. Based on these results, schools managers can address service recovery and relationship quality to achieve a good school brand image. In addition, the author presents numerous relevant directions for future research and highlights the findings' implications for research and practice. Finally, the author discusses the study's limitations.

In this paper, we present the discovery of a novel salicylic acid derivative, moldavica acid A (1), and a new natural dibenzo[b,f]oxepin, moldavica acid B (2), together with four known phenylpropionic acids (3-6) and protocatechuic acid (7) that were isolated from Dracocephalum moldavica L. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods, including infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance. Compound 1 is the first example of salicylic acid linking a carboxylated α-pyrone via an ethyl bridge. Beyond expanding the knowledge of the chemical diversity of D. moldavica, both compounds 1 and 2 were shown to upregulate the expression of Kruppel-like factor 2, which could serve as a prospective therapeutic target for the treatment of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]