Abstract Introduction: Propofol is a widely used anesthetic and its dose is closely related to aging. Telomere length (TL) is a unique heritable trait, and emerging as a biomarker of aging, health and disease. Telomerase RNA component (TERC) plays an important role in maintaining TL. We proposed a hypothesis that propofol dose in general anesthesia can be predicted by measuring TL before operation, which greatly reduced the risk of anesthesia, especially the elderly. Methods: The association between the propofol dose in anesthesia induction and: TL in the DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes; body weight; sex; difference of the Bispectral Index (BIS) before and after anesthesia induction in patients was evaluated by multivariable linear regression analyses. The mutation at the 5’end or 3’end of TERC was detected. We recruited 100 patients of elective surgery. Results: We found that propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated significantly with TL (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), body weight (r = 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p= 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p = 0.004), and difference of BIS before and after anesthesia induction (r = 0.85, p = 0.029). By comparing the absolute values of standardized regression coefficients (0.58, 0.21, 0.19, and 0.12) of the four variables, it can be seen that TL contributes the most to the propofol dose in anesthesia induction. However, the mutation at the 5’ end or 3’ end of TERC was not found. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence that the propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated with genetically determined TL. TL may be a promising predictor of the propofol dose, which is beneficial to improve the safety of anesthesia and reduce perioperative complications.

Abstract: Chuang Tzu (《庄子》), as a traditional Chinese canon, has been translated into English for more than 100 years since 1881, successfully carving a niche in the realm of world literature, which has become an earth-shattering cultural event in the academia of overseas sinology and world literature. According to statistics, the book has been translated into 12 full translations, 50 selected translations, and two adaptations. The metamorphosis process of “full translation - deep translation - diversified retranslation”, has passed through four stages, namely religious, literary, philosophical, and diversified reinterpretation phases. Thus, from the perspective of Damrosch’s view of world literature, this paper summarizes the characteristics of different stages based on different spatial-temporal contexts. In the light of translation form, translational outcomes, and translation mode of reading, the path in which Chuang Tzu entered into the field of world literature is specified for the operational mechanism of promoting national literature to world literature, which is dedicated to the enlightenment for practical translation work of introducing Chinese literature abroad. Meanwhile, by reviewing the history of English translations of Chuang Tzu, this paper sums up the deficiencies of current translation activities and research activities, with an attempt to provide constructive suggestions as well as to point out the direction for the future development of overseas studies of Chuang Tzu.

Resumo: Chuang Tzu (《庄子》), como um cânone tradicional chinês, foi traduzido para o inglês por mais de 100 anos, desde 1881, conquistando com sucesso um nicho no reino da literatura mundial, que se tornou um evento cultural devastador na academia de sinologia ultramarina e literatura mundial. Segundo as estatísticas, o livro foi traduzido em 12 traduções completas, 50 traduções selecionadas e duas adaptações. No processo de metamorfose da “tradução completa - tradução profunda - retradução diversificada”, passou por quatro fases, nomeadamente fases religiosas, literárias, filosóficas e reinterpretações diversificadas. Assim, na perspectiva da visão de Damrosch a respeito da literatura mundial, o artigo resume as características de diferentes estágios, com base em diferentes contextos espaço-temporais. À luz da forma tradutória, dos resultados tradutórios e do modo de leitura tradutória, especifica-se o caminho pelo qual Chuang Tzu entrou no campo da literatura mundial, para apreender o mecanismo operacional de promoção da literatura nacional à literatura mundial, que se dedica ao esclarecimento para o trabalho prático de tradução da introdução da literatura chinesa no exterior. Enquanto isso, revisando a história das traduções inglesas de Chuang Tzu, o artigo resume as deficiências das atuais atividades de tradução e pesquisa, com a tentativa de fornecer sugestões construtivas, bem como apontar a direção para o desenvolvimento futuro de estudos de Chuang Tzu no exterior.

Abstract To better understand the penetration mechanism of the elliptical cross-section projectile (ECSP) into semi-infinite concrete target, penetration experiments using three types of ECSPs with different shape ratios (1, 1.25 and 1.61) and with striking velocities ranged from 550 m/s to 1050 m/s were conducted. Penetration depths, penetration trajectory and mass erosion rates of the projectile were obtained after the experiments. The experiment results show that the penetration performance and ballistic stability of the ECSP are equivalent to those of the circular cross-section projectile (CCSP). Based on the theory of complex variable function and conformal transformation, a semi-analytical model which can calculate the cavity boundary stress distribution of elliptical section cavity controlled by the displacement boundary condition was established and the model was validated by comparing the model degenerate solution with Kirsch problem results. Theoretical calculation results show that the radial stress of elliptical section cavity increases progressively from the minor axis to the major axis. In addition, a formula combining with the semi-analytical theoretical model and the local interaction theory was developed. The predicted penetration depths were compared with 30 groups of experiment data with different projectile parameters and striking velocities and coincide quite well with the corresponding experimental data. Finally, the influence of shape ratio and caliber-radius-head (CRH) on the penetration performance of projectile and the application prospect of ECSPs on hypersonic weapon platform were studied.

Abstract The penetration performance of projectiles is closely related to their nose shape as it influences the kinetic energy penetration of a rigid projectile. One new type of projectile, which is entitled U-shape-nose grooved projectile, is introduced in this study. A theoretical model, which describes the structural characterization of U-shape-nose grooved projectile, is constructed here to investigate the penetration characters into an aluminum target. Moreover, comparative penetration experiments were conducted to investigate the penetration performance of U-shape-nose grooved projectile. Effects of characteristic parameters and shape optimal conditions of the U-shape-nose grooved projectile on the penetration performance are analyzed with the theoretical model validated by the experimental results. It has been proved that U-shape-nose grooved projectile has a more excellent penetration performance than the ogive-nose projectile based on comparison between the results of experimental and theoretical model. The projectile with U-shape-nose grooves sharpens the nose of the projectile and changes the failure mode of target during penetration, which has advantages of decreasing penetration resistance and enhancing the depth of penetration.

En este artículo, exploro una metáfora en geometría que nos ayuda a entender mejor el debate sobre la unidad y la desunidad de la ciencia, a saber, la posibilidad de poner un sistema (o una gráfica) global de coordenadas cartesianas sobre un espacio (manifold). Explicaré las razones por las que ésta es una buena metáfora capaz de mostrar lo que significa (y requiere en principio) la unificación para la ciencia. Posteriormente, examinaré una parte de la literatura sobre el debate unidad/desunidad y mostraré como esta metáfora puede iluminar algunos de los argumentos y puntos de vista.

In this essay, I explore a metaphor in geometry for the debate between the unity and the disunity of science, namely, the possibility of putting a global coordinate system (or a chart) on a manifold. I explain why the former is a good metaphor that shows what it means (and takes in principle) for science to be unified. I then go through some of the existing literature on the unity/disunity debate and show how the metaphor sheds light on some of the views and arguments.