ALTERNATING METHOD STUDY ON STRESS ANALYSIS OF SURROUNDING ROCK FOR TWO RANDOM GEOMETRY TUNNELS

The stress analysis of surrounding rock for two random geometry tunnels is studied in this paper by using Schwarz’s alternating method. The simple and effective alternating algorithm is found, in which the surplus surface force is approximated by Fourier series, thus the iteration derivation can be conducted according to the precision required, finally, the stress results with high precision are obtained.

Evidence of cortical reorganization of language networks after stroke with subacute Broca's aphasia:a blood oxygenation level dependent-functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that is a common consequence of stroke.The pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood,and as a result,current treatment options are not satisfactory.Here,we used blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the activation of bilateral cortices in patients with Broca＇s aphasia 1 to 3 months after stroke.Our results showed that language expression was associated with multiple brain regions in which the right hemisphere participated in the generation of language.The activation areas in the left hemisphere of aphasia patients were significantly smaller compared with those in healthy adults.The activation frequency,volumes,and intensity in the regions related to language,such as the left inferior frontal gyrus（Broca＇s area）,the left superior temporal gyrus,and the right inferior frontal gyrus（the mirror region of Broca＇s area）,were lower in patients compared with healthy adults.In contrast,activation in the right superior temporal gyrus,the bilateral superior parietal lobule,and the left inferior temporal gyrus was stronger in patients compared with healthy controls.These results suggest that the right inferior frontal gyrus plays a role in the recovery of language function in the subacute stage of stroke-related aphasia by increasing the engagement of related brain areas.

Targeting of AUF1 to vascular endothelial cells as a novel anti-aging therapy

Background Inhibition of aging of vascular endothelial cells （VECs） may delay aging and prolong life. The goal of this study was to prepare anti-CD31 monoclonal antibody conjugated PEG-modified liposomes containing the AU-rich region connecting factor 1 （AUF1） gene （CD31-PILs-AUF1） and to explore the effects of targeting CD31-PILs-AUF1 to aging VECs. Methods The mean particle sizes of various PEGylated immunoliposomes （PILs） were measured using a Zetasizer Nano ZS. Gel retardation assay was used to confirm whether PILs had encapsulated the AUF1 plasmid successfully. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were used to quantify binding of CD31-PILs-AUF1 to target cells. Flow cytometry was also used to analyze the cell cycles of aging bEnd3 cells treated with CD31-PILs-AUF1. We also developed an aging mouse model by treating mice with D-galactose. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to evaluate the levels of interleuldn-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-or （TNF-ct）. The malondialdehyde （MDA） and the superoxide dismutase （SOD） levels were detected by commercial kits. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to determine whether treatment with CD31-PILs-AUF 1 was toxic to the mice. Results CD31-PILs-AUF 1 specifically could targeted bEnd3 VECs and increased the percentage of cells in the S and G2/M phases of aging bEnd3 cells. ELISA showed that content of the IL-6 and TNF-ct decreased in CD31-PILs-AUF1 group. The level of SOD increased, whereas MDA decreased in the CD31-PILs-AUF1 group. Additionally, CD31-PILs-AUF 1 was not toxic to the mice. Conclusion CD31-PILs-AUF 1 targets VECs and may delay their senescence.

Pakistan and the BRICS Plus in the New Era:A Perspective of Neo-Functionalism

China proposed the idea of‘BRICS Plus’in 2017.However,this hint exasperated India owing to its diverse political and strategic preferences.Conspicuously,the reason for India’s disapproval relates to a probable role for Pakistan through the BRICS plus.Particularly,in the backdrop is China’s progress on regional integration through the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)and the significance extended to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC).In fact,inimical impulses for Pakistan were also felt when India attempted to label Pakistan as a country‘promoting state-sponsored terrorism’through a BRICS summit held in Goa in 2016;the move was later vetoed both by China and Russia.Meanwhile,India’s bilateral relations with China also lacked synergy,which sometimes impact their interaction within the BRICS framework.If viewed through the Neo-Functionalism framework and its concept of‘spill-over,’BRICS plus can reinforce incentives of cooperation in various sectors within a larger group of countries.Interest groups will begin to flourish at a regional level and domestically these groups will lobby their governments to further integrate.This will be overall critical for BRICS in order to steadily engage the world order as a multilateral forum.The question is,will India let go of bilateralism and accept the role of regional countries,particularly Pakistan?This article intends to explore the very concept of the transregional organisation of BRICS and the impact of the nature of relations between India and China.It also illustrates how states in the region,specifically Pakistan,have an intrinsic potential to complement the transregional agenda of BRICS and BRICS plus,particularly through its strategic geographic location and CPEC.For the persistent rise of BRICS,members will have to let go of bilateralism and allow the countries on the periphery to play their role.

Reflections on New Trends in the Oil Market and China-Saudi Arabia Energy Cooperation

President Xi Jinping defined energy cooperation as the‘core of cooperation’between China and Arab states,as he addressed the opening ceremony of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum(CASCF)Ministerial Meeting in 2014.1 China and Saudi Arabia,respectively the world’s most important oil importer and exporter,recognise the pivotal status of energy cooperation in bilateral ties.In 2018,Saudi Arabia exported 61.2 million ton of oil(crude oil and oil products)to China,representing the second largest source of supply of China and 11.2%of China’s total oil imports,while China represented the largest oil export market,absorbing 14.4%of Saudi oil export of 2018.The bilateral investment has also started.Saudi Arabia has already constructed and is planning to construct five major petrochemical projects while China and Saudi Arabia have jointly constructed a refinery in Saudi Arabia.New trends are occurring in the global oil market.On the one hand,a tendency of long-term over-supply and low prices has emerged;on the other hand,the competition of oil supply is shifting to Asia.However,these market changes would not weaken China-Saudi energy cooperation.On the contrary,they give more reasons for both sides to strengthen cooperation,so as to address common challenges,especially to promote peace and stability of the Middle East,rationalisation of oil prices,diversification of oil trade denominated currencies,mutual investment in energy field and joint development of renewables.These trends have also indicated the direction for bilateral cooperation to address the challenges.It would be advisable for both countries to open up new prospects in energy cooperation based on the new concept of a community of energy security.