Kinematic significance and time scales of geodynamic processes forming the Altai OrogenicBelt are addressed through structural and petrological analysis combined with zircon and monazite geochronology. The study area is composed of orogenic lower crust represented by a Devonian migmatite-magmatite complex and orogenic middle and upper crust formed by an amphibolite-facies Ordovician sedimentary sequence and a weakly to unmetamorphosed Devonian volcano-sedimentary cover, respectively. The orogenic lower and middle crust were first affected by moderate thickening, which formed subhorizontal Barrovian metamorphic schistosity. This fabric was reworked by deep crustal melting and intrusion of granite sheets during horizontal extension at 400-380 Ma. Soon after, this horizontal fabric was affected by NW-SE shortening generating crustal-scale upright folding associated with subvertical flow of still partially molten orogenic lower crust. During this event, the orogenic lower and middle crust were tightly juxtaposed with upper crustal sedimentary rocks. The last event was related with a NE-SW oriented convergence resulting in large-scale folding and megafold interference pattern in the Permian at 280-273 Ma. Combined with existing regional data, our results allow proposing a Devonian tectonic switching from compression to extension and back to compression, as a response to variations of subduction dynamics between slab advance and retreat in a Pacific-type suprasubduction system. The Permian folding was associated with the progressive northward exhumation of thermally softened crust. This tectonic evolution is in response to the indentation of the rigid Junggar arc domain into the weak Altai wedge.

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The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is one of the largest accretionary orogens on Earth and is characterized by the occurrence of tight oroclines (Kazakhstan and Tuva-Mongolian oroclines). The origin of these large-scale orogenic curvatures is not quite understood, but is fundamentally important for understanding crustal growth and tectonic evolution of the CAOB. Here we provide an outline of available geological and paleomagnetic data from the Kazakhstan Orocline, with an aim of clarifying the geometry, kinematics and geodynamic origin of the orocline. The Kazakhstan Orocline is evident in a total magmatic image, and can be traced by the continuation of high magnetic anomalies associated with the Devonian Volcanic Belt and the Late Devonian to Carboniferous Balkhash-Yili arc. Paleomagnetic data show ~112-126° clockwise rotation of the northern limb relative to the southern limb in the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous, as well as ~15-28° clockwise rotation of the northern limb and ~39-40° anticlockwise rotation of the southern limb relative to the hinge of the orocline during the Late Carboniferous to Permian. We argue that the Kazakhstan Orocline experienced two-stage bending with the early stage of bending (Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous; ~112-126°) driven by slab rollback, and the later stage (Late Carboniferous to Permian; 54-68°) possibly associated with the amalgamation of the Siberian, Tarim and Baltic cratons. This new tectonic model is compatible with the occurrence of rift basins, the spatial migration of magmatic arc, and the development of large-scale strike-slip fault systems during oroclinal bending.

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Our explorations of novel inorganic solids with large birefringence in d10 Metal-Te4+-SO42- system afforded four new sulfate tellurites, Ga2(TeO3)(SO4)(OH)2, In2(TeO3)2(SO4)(H2O), Zn4(Te3O7)2(SO4)2(H2O) and Hg3(Te3O8)(SO4). Notably, Hg3(Te3O8)(SO4) exhibits the largest birefringence at...

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a novel tick-borne viral disease with high mortality. Since January 2010, we have conducted an epidemiological surveillance and etiological study of SFTS in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. From January 2010 through December 2015, a total of 286 SFTS cases were confirmed in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces with a case fatality rate of 16.1%. The majority of confirmed SFTS cases were distributed in the border area of Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. Our findings suggest that the SFTS prevalence rate rose since 2010 and reached its highest in 2015. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the majority of the SFTSV strains (83.6%) from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces belonged to genotypes A and D. Notably, we identified three strains of SFTSV clustered into the genotype E. This is the first report of the genotype E SFTSV strains in mainland of China. A reassortment between genotype A and D was found in the central region of the endemic areas, where three SFTSV genotypes (A, C and D) were co-circulating.

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