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PurposeInfrastructure projects play a vital role in the development of countries' economies. However, these projects, notably underground ones, are encountering growing claims as they are subject to many unknowns. Without having a clear insight into the causes of claims and their influence on one another, it is not possible to mitigate their adverse impacts on these projects' goals. To this aim, the main purpose of this study is to identify the critical paths leading to cost claims for underground metro projects.Design/methodology/approachFirst, causes of claims were identified through a literature review and then refined to 22 main causes according to the opinions of 148 Iranian experts. A qualitative system dynamics (SD) model was then provided to visualize how various causes interact with each other. The model was developed and validated by drawing on the expertise of industry-related experts, and the critical paths were finally recognized based on their frequency and severity indexes.FindingsThe findings revealed that each cause should be evaluated based on their connections with others as there are complex relations among the causes. It was also shown that the major claim paths among others were initiated due to ambiguous contract clauses, unforeseen physical conditions and land handover problems.Originality/valueThe findings of this study provide a better insight into how various causes of claims for underground metro projects are related to each other and can eventually assist project managers of different parties, even in other countries, to select proportional strategies to mitigate their adverse impacts.

In this paper, double PWM converter AC excitation system of the variable speed constant frequency doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) for wind power generation is taken as the research object. At present, most vector control systems of rotor‐side PWM converter adopt feedforward compensation to realize the purpose of power decoupling control. The decoupling effect is greatly affected by the power changes. A power decoupling control strategy based on auto‐disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is proposed. The decoupling control between active power and reactive power is realized by observing the coupling term and the total disturbance of the d‐axis and q‐axis components of the stator current and the stator voltage with the extended state observer and compensating. Simulation analysis and experimental test show that, on the basis of vector transformation, the rotor‐side PWM converter power decoupling control based on ADRC has a small overshoot and fast dynamic response when tracking the change of wind turbine input power, which can achieve the decoupling control between active power and reactive power well. The system has strong robustness and adaptability.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent inflammatory disease related to gut microbiota disorder. The metabolites and their sensors play an irreplaceable role in the communication of the gut microbes with their host. Our previous study revealed that G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) was a key guardian of kynurenic acid (KA) and a core element of the defense responses against gut damage. However, the mechanism remains unknown. Results: In this study, a DSS-induced rat UC model was established and 16S rRNA sequencing was applied to explore the influence of GPR35-mediated KA sensing on gut microbiota homeostasis. Our results demonstrated that GPR35-mediated KA sensing was a necessary component in maintaining gut barrier integrity against UC-induced gut damage. More importantly, we provided strong evidences to support that GPR35-mediated KA sensing played a crucial role in maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis, which contributed to alleviate DSS-induced UC. Moreover, 5 classes including Actinobacteria, Beta-/Gamma-proteobacteria, Erysipelotrichi and Coriobacteriia, and 6 genera including Corynebacterium, Allobaculum, Parabacteroides, Sutterella, Shigella and Xenorhabdus were identified as the marked bacterial taxa that characterized the progression and outcome of UC and regulated by GPR35-mediated KA sensing. Conclusion: Our findings highlight that GPR35-mediated KA sensing is an essential defense mechanism against the disorder of gut microbiota in UC. The results provide a profound insight in the key role of specific metabolites and their monitor in maintaining gut homeostasis.

Two new alkaloids, phranisines A–B (1–2), along with two known compounds, N-p-Coumaroyl serotonin (3) and N-p-coumaroyl-tryptamine (4), were isolated from the roots of Phragmites australis. The structures of 1–4 were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic. The absolute configuration of compounds 1–2 were identified through quantum-chemical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation compared with their experimental CD. All the isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities against HeLa and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines, and compounds 2–4 showed moderate cytotoxic activities against HeLa cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 13.2 to 18.6 μM.

PurposeIt is challenging to derive an appropriate tolerance relation for tolerance rough set-based classifiers (TRSCs). The traditional tolerance rough set employs a simple distance function to determine the tolerance relation. However, such a simple function does not take into account criterion weights and the interaction among criteria. Further, the traditional tolerance relation ignores interdependencies concerning direct and indirect influences among patterns. This study aimed to incorporate interaction and interdependencies into the tolerance relation to develop non-additive grey TRSCs (NG-TRSCs).Design/methodology/approachFor pattern classification, this study applied non-additive grey relational analysis (GRA) and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique to solve problems arising from interaction and interdependencies, respectively.FindingsThe classification accuracy rates derived from the proposed NG-TRSC were compared to those of other TRSCs with distinctive features. The results showed that the proposed classifier was superior to the other TRSCs considered.Practical implicationsIn addition to pattern classification, the proposed non-additive grey DEMATEL can further benefit the applications for managerial decision-making because it simplifies the operations for decision-makers and enhances the applicability of DEMATEL.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the field by proposing the non-additive grey tolerance rough set (NG-TRS) for pattern classification. The proposed NG-TRSC can be constructed by integrating the non-additive GRA with DEMATEL by using a genetic algorithm to determine the relevant parameters.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease of humans caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma – the only dioecious parasitic flatworms. Although aspects of sex determination, differentiation and reproduction have been studied in some Schistosoma species, almost nothing is understood for Schistosoma japonicum - the causative agent of schistosomiasis japonica. This relates mainly to a lack of high-quality genomic and transcriptomic resources for this species. As current draft genomes for S. japonicum are highly fragmented, we assembled here a chromosome-level reference genome (seven autosomes, the Z-chromosome and partial W-chromosome), achieving a substantially enhanced gene annotation. Utilising this genome, we discovered that the sex chromosomes of S. japonicum and its congener S. mansoni independently suppressed recombination during evolution, forming four and two ‘strata’, respectively. By exploring the W-chromosome and sex-specific transcriptomes, we identified 35 W-linked genes and 257 female-preferentially transcribed genes (FTGs) and identified a signature for sex determination and differentiation in S. japonicum. These FTGs cluster within autosomes or the Z-chromosome and exhibit a highly dynamic transcription profile during the pairing of female and male schistosomules (advanced juveniles), representing a critical phase for the maturation of the female worms, suggesting distinct layers of regulatory control of gene transcription at this stage of development. Collectively, these data provide a valuable resource for further functional genomic characterisation of S. japonicum, shed light on the evolution of sex chromosomes in this highly virulent human blood fluke and provide a pathway to identify novel targets for development of intervention tools against schistosomiasis.

Background: Extract of Euphorbia fischeriana S. and Ziziphus jujuba M. (ESZM) is a formula preparation, was composed of Euphorbia fischeriana S. (E. fischeriana) and Ziziphus jujuba M. (Z. jujuba). The aim of the current research was to examine for the first time the pharmacological effects and the underlying molecule mechanism of ESZM extract on the growth inhibition and apoptosis in human ER(-) or ER(+) breast cancer in vivo, and enrich and innovate the theory of traditional Chinese medicine of combating poison with poison. Methods: Growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor tissues were determined by tumor inhibition rates, cycle analysis kit, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, Hoechst 33342/PI staining, TUNEL test and TEM observation. Related genes and proteins expression levels were identified by qRT-PCR assay, Western Blotting method, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence means. Drug toxicity was analysised by serum biochemistry detection and H&E staining.Results: We found that ESZM extract can inhibite growth, block cell cycle at G2/M phase and induce apoptosis of subcutaneously transplanted tumor, especially ER(-) breast cancer transplanted tumor. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the polyjuice can down-regulate or up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 family and PI3k/Akt pathway -related signaling molecules proteins and genes in vivo. ESZM extract or E. fischeriana extract increased the levels of ALT, AST, Cr and BUN, and increased liver and kidney toxicity in tumor-bearing mice by serum biochemistry detection and H&E staining.Conclusion: The pharmacological detection suggested that ESZM extract had significant anti-breast cancer effect, especially ER(-) breast cancer xenograft, and this process may be implement through the mitochondrion dependent pathway and the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway. Drug toxicity detection proved that ESZM extract because of compatibility with Z. jujuba was lower toxicity than E. fischeriana extract, was no significant difference in hepatorenal toxicity between ER(-) or ER(+) tumor-bearing mice.

Celastrol, a quinone methide triterpenoid, possesses potential anti-glioma activity. However, its relatively low activity limit its application as an effective agent for glioma treatment. In search for effective anti-glioma agents, this work designed and synthesized two series of celastrol C-3 OH and C-20 COOH derivatives 4a-4o and 6a-6o containing 1, 2, 3-triazole moiety. Their anti-glioma activities against four human glioma cell lines (A172, LN229, U87, and U251) were then evaluated using MTT assay in vitro. Results showed that compound 6i (IC

The outbreak of COVID-19 at the beginning of 2020 had a significant impact on China’s economy, society, and citizens; it also had a negative impact on the development of the construction industry. In particular, small and medium-sized construction enterprises with low ability to withstand risk have been strongly impacted, aggravating a crisis of survival among these firms. The focus of this study is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the growth of small and medium-sized construction companies. Based on the characteristics of small and medium-sized construction enterprises, this paper establishes a growth evaluation index and builds a growth evaluation model based on factor analysis. Twenty-three construction enterprises listed on small and medium-sized enterprises board are selected as samples, and the quarterly data of 2019 and 2020 are used for empirical analysis. The results show that the epidemic has had a high short-term impact on construction enterprises, and the total output value of the construction industry in the first quarter of 2020 was 16% lower than that in the same period of last year. In the long run, the impact of the epidemic on the growth of small and medium-sized construction enterprises has been limited. In the first quarter of 2020, the growth score of enterprises decreased by only 1.95% year-over-year, and it was essentially flat in the second and third quarters. The epidemic has had little influence on solvency, tangible resources or intangible resources but a high short term influence on profitability, capital expansion and market expectations. The long-term impact is small; It is conducive to the improvement of enterprise operation ability. Finally, to both address the influence of the COVID-19 on small and medium-sized construction enterprises and to realize their transformation and upgrading, targeted suggestions are offered at the policy and enterprise levels. The results will help to understand the impact of the epidemic on the growth of construction enterprises, and provide decision support for the healthy and orderly development of the follow-up construction industry.

Lung neoplasm has a relatively poor prognosis, and the clinical efficacy of targeted medicine remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, the development of novel efficient anti-lung cancer drugs is urgently needed. In our previous study, we showed that a novel diosgenin derivative 8d (DG-8d), which contained 5-(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety, had significant cytotoxic activity on human tumor cells, especially the A549 cells. However, the underlying mechanism of DG-8d was unknown. In this study, the pharmacological effect of DG-8d on the A549 cells was inspected. Method Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assays, morphological changes and quantitative analysis of flow cytometry. Levels of gene and protein expression of apoptosis-related and PI3k/Akt pathway were evaluated by qRT-PCR, immunostaining and Western blot analysis. Result The findings proved that DG-8d could inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis. The effect of DG-8d on the proliferation and apoptosis in the A549 cells were improved with LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor). Moreover, the effect of DG-8d on apoptosis was further confirmed by AO-EB dye, mitochondrial depolarization and accrued intracellular ROS. Gene and protein detection showed that DG-8d or DG-8d combined with LY294002 could down-regulate signaling molecules of Bcl-2, PI3k, p-Akt, p-FoxO3a and up-regulate signaling molecules of Bax snd Bim. In addition, nuclear translocation of FoxO3a was observed significantly in the cells. Conclusion DG-8d could inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of the A549 cells, which maybe mainly because of the suppression of the PI3k/Akt pathways. Finally, we believe that DG-8d can be developed as a possible agent for carcinoma therapy.

Benzbromarone (BBR), a uricosuric agent, has been known to induce hepatotoxicity, and its toxicity has a close relation to cytochrome P450-mediated metabolic activation. An oxidative debromination metabolite of BBR has been reported in microsomal incubations. The present study attempted to define the oxidative debromination pathway of BBR in vivo. One urinary mercapturic acid (M1) and one glutathione (GSH) conjugate (M2) derived from the oxidative debromination metabolite were detected in BBR-treated mice after solid phase extraction. M1 and M2 shared the same chromatographic behavior and mass spectral identities as those detected in N-acetylcysteine/GSH- and BBR-fortified microsomal incubations. The structure of M1 was characterized by chemical synthesis, along with mass spectrometry analysis. In addition, hepatic protein modification that occurs at cysteine residues (M'3) was observed in mice given BBR. The observed protein adduction reached its peak 4 hours after administration and occurred in a dose-dependent manner. A GSH conjugate derived from oxidative debromination of BBR was detected in livers of mice treated with BBR, and the formation of the GSH conjugate apparently took place earlier than the protein adduction. In summary, our in vivo work provided strong evidence for the proposed oxidative debromination pathway of BBR, which facilitates the understanding of the mechanisms of BBR-induced hepatotoxicity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study investigated the oxidative debromination pathway of benzbromarone (BBR) in vivo. One urinary mercapturic acid (M1) and one glutathione (GSH) conjugate (M2) derived from the oxidative debromination metabolite were detected in BBR-treated mice. M1 and M2 were also observed in microsomal incubations. The structure of M1 was characterized by chemical synthesis followed by mass spectrometry analyses. More importantly, protein adduction derived from oxidative debromination of BBR (M'3) was observed in mice given BBR, and occurred in dose- and time-dependent manners. The success in detection of GSH conjugate, urinary N-acetylcysteine conjugate, and hepatic protein adduction in mice given BBR provided solid evidence for in vivo oxidative debromination of BBR. The studies allowed a better understanding of the metabolic activation of BBR.

In discovering new powerful antitumor agents, two series of novel diosgenin–amino acid–benzoic acid mustard trihybrids (7a–7 g and 12a–12 g) were designed and synthesized. The antiproliferative activities were tested against five human tumor cell lines and one normal cell line using CCK-8 assays. Among the trihybrids, 12e was the most promising compound, which inhibited T24 cells with IC50 value of 6.96 μM, and was stronger than its parent compound diosgenin (IC50 = 32.33 μM). In addition, 12e had weak cytotoxicity on the normal GES-1 cell line (IC50 = 213.74 μM). Moreover, 12e could cause G2/M cell cycle arrest, increase the percentage of apoptosis, induce mitochondrial depolarization, and promote reactive oxygen species generation in T24 cells. Further studies on antitumor mechanism demonstrated that 12e triggered the intrinsic (mitochondrial) and extrinsic (death receptor) apoptotic pathways. More importantly, 12e could inhibit T24 cell proliferation in an in vivo zebrafish xenograft model. Therefore, 12e, as a novel trihybrid with potent cytotoxicity, might be applied as a promising skeleton for antitumor agents, which deserved further optimization.

COVID-19 has become a global pandemic. However, the impact of the public health interventions in China needs to be evaluated. We established a SEIRD model to simulate the transmission trend of China. In addition, the reduction of the reproductive number was estimated under the current forty public health interventions policies. Furthermore, the infection curve, daily transmission replication curve, and the trend of cumulative confirmed cases were used to evaluate the effects of the public health interventions. Our results showed that the SEIRD curve model we established had a good fit and the basic reproductive number is 3.38 (95% CI, 3.25–3.48). The SEIRD curve show a small difference between the simulated number of cases and the actual number; the correlation index (H2) is 0.934, and the reproductive number (R) has been reduced from 3.38 to 0.5 under the current forty public health interventions policies of China. The actual growth curve of new cases, the virus infection curve, and the daily transmission replication curve were significantly going down under the current public health interventions. Our results suggest that the current public health interventions of China are effective and should be maintained until COVID-19 is no longer considered a global threat.

Background: COVID-19 is breaking out and has become a global pandemic However, at present, the transmission dynamics remain unclear We aimed to establish a SE

The factors that lead to the delay of construction project of urban subway construction are complicated. In this paper, the influence factors of urban subway project delay in the initial construction stage was studied and the urban subway project delay evaluation system consisting of 37 key indicators was established by combining with the first-hand data obtained from the subway construction management and related literature. The weight of each indicator in the evaluation system was calculated by using the structural equation model to analyze the data of the questionnaire. The core influencing factors are analyzed and the corresponding suggestions were put forward to minimize the occurrence of delays in subway construction.

Due to the propagation characteristics of explosion shock waves, the stiffness of the structure and its components has an important influence on the explosion effects of the reticulated shell. However, the current research on this problem is insufficient. In this paper, a parametric model for the numerical simulation of spherical reticulated shell structure under internal explosion was established using the finite-element software. Based on the built model, the dynamic responses of a spherical reticulated shell under internal explosion were numerically simulated and analyzed. In addition, the influence of the stiffness of the reticulated shell bars, the stiffness of the connectors, and the stiffness of the roof panels on the explosion effects of the spherical reticulated shell structure under internal explosions were researched. The results show that with an increase in the flexural stiffness of the reticulated shell bars, the kinetic energy and the maximum node displacement responses of the spherical reticulated shell are reduced. However, the magnitude of these decreases gradually decline. The results also reveal that the greater the stiffness of the connectors, the greater the internal energy, the kinetic energy and the maximum node displacement responses. The increase in the stiffness of the connectors is disadvantageous to the anti-explosion properties of the spherical reticulated shell structure. In addition, the research indicated that there is a threshold value to the stiffness (thickness) of the roof panels with regard to the influence of the explosion effects of the spherical reticulated shell, in the case of a certain amount of explosives. With an increase in the stiffness (thickness) of the roof panels, the displacement responses of the spherical reticulated shell under internal explosion decrease if the stiffness (thickness) of the roof panels exceeds the threshold value. Finally, some suggestions for explosion proof and anti-explosion design of the long-span spherical reticulated structures are proposed.

Sarsasapogenin, a kind of mainly effective component of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, possesses good antitumor properties. Two series of new sarsasapogenin derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicities against three human cancer cell lines (HepG2, A549, MCF-7) using the MTT assay. The structure-activity relationship revealed that the N, N-dimethylamino, pyrrolidinyl, and imidazolyl substituted at the C26 position could increase the antitumor efficacy of the 3-oxo sarsasapogenin series of compounds. Compound 4c with pyrrolidinyl substituted at the C26 position exhibited the greatest cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cell line (IC50 = 10.66 μM), which was 4.3-fold more potent than sarsasapogenin. Action mechanism investigations showed that 4c could inhibit the colony formation and induce the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. Further researches showed that a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and increases in the expression level of cleaved-PARP and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were observed in MCF-7 cells after treatment with 4c, suggesting that the mitochondrial pathway was involved in the 4c-mediated apoptosis. These results show that compound 4c may serve as a lead for further optimization.

Organic silver-rich selenidostannate hybrid [H3dien][Ag5Sn4Se12]∙3H2O (1) was prepared in diethylenetriamine (dien) solvent under solvothermal conditions. In 1, the triangular AgSe3 and tetrahedral AgSe4 units are linked through corner-sharing to form a 1-D [Ag5Se8]n chain. Two SnSe4 tetrahedra are joined by sharing common edge forming a Sn2Se6 dimeric unit. Acting as a tetradentate linker, the Sn2Se6 unit connects the [Ag5Se8]n chains into polymeric 3-D [Ag5Sn4Se12]n3n− anionic framework, which contains 1-D channel with sectional dimensions of 7.339 A × 8.575 A. The dien and H2O molecules are enclosed in the channels. Compound 1 shows semiconducting properties with narrow band gap of 1.82 eV and strong photocurrent response with steady photocurrent intensity of 109 μA under Xe light irradiation. Compound 1 exhibits excellent photocatalytic effective in the photodegradation of MB under visible light irradiation at room temperature.

Diosgenin (DSG) has attracted attention recently as a potential anticancer therapeutic agent due to its profound antitumor activity. To better utilize DSG as an antitumor compound, two series of DSG-amino acid ester derivatives (3a−3g and 7a−7g) were designed and synthesized, and their cytotoxic activities against six human cancer cell lines (K562, T24, MNK45, HepG2, A549, and MCF-7) were evaluated. The results obtained showed that a majority of derivatives exhibited cytotoxic activities against these six human tumor cells. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that the introduction of l -tryptophan to the C-3 position of DSG and the C-26 position of derivative 5 was the preferred option for these compounds to display significant cytotoxic activities. Among them, compound 7g exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the K562 cell line (IC50 = 4.41 μM) and was 6.8-fold more potent than diosgenin (IC50 = 30.04 μM). Further cellular mechanism studies in K562 cells elucidated that compound 7g triggered mitochondrial-related apoptosis by increasing the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), which was associated with upregulation of the gene and protein expression levels of Bax, downregulation of the gene and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and activation of the caspase cascade. The above results suggested that compound 7g might be considered a promising scaffold for further modification of more potent anticancer agents.

A series of structurally interesting coumarin-chalcone fibrates were synthesized and evaluated for their PPARα/γ agonist activities and antioxidant activities. Among these compounds, compounds 5a, 5d, and 7a were identified as potent PPARα and γ dual agonists, and their PPARα agonist activities were found to be more potent than that of Fenofibrate. Furthermore, the results of antioxidant investigations revealed that compounds 5d and 6a−6d had greater potency than Trolox with IC50 values ranging from 9.40 μM to 18.63 μM. The structure–activity relationship revealed that the electron-withdrawing nitro group substituted at the C6′ position of the benzopyran moiety increased the PPARα and γ agonist efficacy. Moreover, the presence of a double bond on the benzopyran moiety was essential for PPARα and γ agonist efficacy. The agonist activity of PPARα exhibited by compound 5d was examined by molecular docking studies. Taken together, the results we obtained showed that compound 5d had the potential to be a lead compound for further research.

We conducted field mapping coupled with radiometric dating across the Shiwandashan and Youjiang structural belts (SWSB and YJSB), to investigate how southwest South China evolved and to better understand its links to plate boundary dynamics during the Late Permian to Middle Triassic. Our results reveal an episodic tectono-magmatic evolutionary history of the SWSB and YJSB. The SWSB underwent significant NW-SE shortening punctuated by ∼250-240 Ma S-type pluton emplacement during the Late Permian to Middle Triassic; the shortening was expressed by thin-skinned NW-verging thrusts and folds, and conjugate sets of ∼N-trending sinistral and ∼E-trending dextral faults. The NW-SE shortening overlapped with, and was succeeded by Triassic NE-SW shortening in the YJSB. The NE-SW shortening was expressed by NE-verging thrusts and folds, which documented a northeastward propagation of foreland deformation. The NE-verging folds overprinted older NW-verging folds, forming superimposed folds at the juncture of the YJSB and SWSB in the Long'an area. Our results, combined with regional considerations, support a model of the NW-SE shortening as an Andean-type orogeny that developed in response to westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate, and the NE-SW shortening as a product of the Indochina-South China collision. The subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate assisted in westward motion of the South China oceanic lithosphere, which may have facilitated the closure of the Paleo-Tethys ocean and subsequent collisions of South China with North China and Indochina.

Neoproterozoic magmatic rocks in South China contain important information on evaluating crustal reworking during the Yangtze-Cathaysia collision and post-collisional extension. We present here geochemical, geochronological, and Lu-Hf isotopic data of a suite of granitoids and diorites from the Jiuling and Meixian plutons of the central Jiangnan Orogen. The granitoids display intermediate geochemical features between S-type and I-type granites. They exhibit arc-like patterns of REE and trace element partition, reflecting inheritance of juvenile arc-derived crust. Igneous zircons from the Jiuling and Meixian granitoids yield U-Pb ages of 822–819 Ma and 816–815 Ma, respectively. Inherited zircons from the granitoids commonly yield a major age population of 980–860 Ma, consistent with the time of the Shuangxiwu volcanic arc. The igneous and inherited zircons have highly variable eHf(t) values ranging from −9 to +12.2. We interpret the granitoids to have been generated by remelting and binary mixing of (1) juvenile arc-derived crustal material and (2) supracrustal material of the Shuangqiaoshan meta-sedimentary rocks. The previous crustal thickening achieved by the Yangtze-Cathaysia collision is a prerequisite for their generation. The two granitoids, together with regional 825–815 Ma S-type granites, indicate incipient post-collisional collapse of thickened crust, heralding tectonic switch from compression to extension. The Meixian diorites display arc-like geochemical characteristics, and yield zircon U-Pb ages of 805–804 Ma and neutral to positive zircon eHf(t) values (−0.1–+7.5). The diorites were generated by decompression melting of arc-derived lower crust, associated with asthenospheric mantle upwelling during continental rifting. Such rifting may be part of global Neoproterozoic rifting events that finally led to breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent.

The northeast Cathaysia area is characterized by an archetypical, transpressional system with widespread strike-slip shear zones whose geometries, kinematics, and ages are critical for deciphering the Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of South China. We present new structural, geochronological and thermochronological data from the shear zones in the east Wuyishan and Chencai domains, which record two phases of deformation. The first phase corresponds to sinistral oblique shearing along arrays of NNE oriented, steep-dipping zones under amphibolite facies conditions. The sinistral oblique shearing commenced at ~451 Ma, concurrently with regional NW/SE directed thrust shearing and folding; the coexistence of sinistral and thrust structures indicates NW-SE transpressive shortening deformation. Dating by 40Ar/39Ar shows that such deformation terminated before 400 Ma and was followed by cooling through ~450–350°C at ~400–370 Ma. Our results, merged with published data, aid in tracing an Early Paleozoic orogen that extends through the Jiangnan domain into the northeast Cathaysia, with the southeast Yangtze acting as a foreland belt. The synorogenic shortening was interpreted as resulting from underthrusting of the Cathaysia beneath the east Yangtze. The second phase involved dextral oblique shearing associated with NNE-SSW transpression under greenschist to amphibolite facies conditions at 245–228 Ma, which was followed by postkinematic magmatism and cooling at ~221–200 Ma. In the Cathaysia, similar Middle Triassic dextral shear zones were widespread and operated with approximately east striking thrusts as mutually complementary structures; their kinematic coupling can be explained by a contractional termination model. Geodynamically, we attributed Middle Triassic dextral transpression to the collisions of South China with North China and Indochina.

Sarsasapogenin derivative 5n (SGD 5n) is a new compound with potent antitumor efficacy, but the low solubility severely affects its absorption and bioavailability. Therefore, the SGD 5n-loaded mPEG-PLGA block copolymer micelles were developed to improve the value of SGD 5n in clinical application. The polymeric micelles were prepared by an organic solvent evaporation method, and the encapsulation efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL), critical micelle concentrations (CMC), morphology, particle size, and zeta potential were determined. The cytotoxicity was examined by the MTT assay, and the cellular uptake study was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. A model of tumor-bearing mouse was established to study the antitumor activity in vivo. The results demonstrated that the particle size of the prepared micelle was 124.6 ± 9.6 nm, the encapsulation efficiency was 82.0 ± 2.9%, and the drug loading was 8.3 ± 0.4%. The results of cytotoxicity and cellular uptake demonstrated that the SGD 5n-loaded micelles could efficiently enter tumor cells, and the cellular uptake of SGD 5n presented concentration and time dependence. This study demonstrated that the prepared SGD 5n-loaded polymeric micelles had significant antitumor activity and provided a basis for clinical development of new compound SGD 5n.

Surgical treatment of intractable neuropathic pain has evolved significantly during the past few decades. Early treatments focus on neuroablation of the pain pathways. Although these techniques still have a role in specific indications, they have largely fallen out of favor due to causing irreversible destructive damage to the brain and/or spinal cord. Spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and intrathecal drug delivery system using programmable pump have become more popular treatment options for patients who do not respond to pharmaceutical and interventional procedures. These methods have reasonable safety profiles and can be efficacious and cost-effective, especially for patients with failed back surgical syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome. Deep brain stimulation and motor cortex stimulation are options for central pain. Microvascular decompression surgery and Gamma Knife radiosurgery are excellent options in selected patients with refractory trigeminal neuralgia or glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

Using software of finite element analysis LS-DYNA, in this paper we performed numerical simulation on the propagation law of shock waves in single layer spherical lattice shell under the effect of internal explosion, obtained the laws of propagation, reflection, convergence and peak appeared of shock waves, concluded that the damage of enclosed structure is closely related to, initial overpressure peak, and partial secondary overpressure peak, analyzed the influences of explosive quantity, explosion center height, and explosive eccentric position on the propagation law of shock waves. Based on the results of numerical simulation, we concluded joint area between lattice shell top and wall shell is the key location for explosion venting and pointed out the calculation formula of overpressure peak on structure surface of higher fitting precision is feasible.