FIRST 12 PILOT PROJECTS OF KNOWLEDGE INNOVATION PROGRAM INAUGURATED

After more than half a year of preparatory work, the CAS announced its initiation of 12 pilot projects on October 14, 1998 as the first step for starting the National Program of Knowledge Innovation (NPKI).

Acceptability of an acupuncture intervention for geriatric chronic pain: an open pilot study

OBJECTIVE： This study investigated the acceptability and effectiveness of acupuncture for persistent musculoskeletat pain in the elderly and assessed the conditions for a future controlled trial. METHODS： A total of 60 patients, hospitalized in a geriatric hospital were enrolled. The intervention consisted of eight acupuncture sessions. The main outcome was the patient＇s participation rate. Regarding pain, the evaluation was based on pre- and post-treatment variations. As a high proportion of the patients had cognitive impairment, the behavioral pain scale DOLOPLUS-2 was chosen although self evaluation was used wherever possible. RESULTS： The mean age of the patients was 83 years. The acceptance rate was very high （89.6%） and 90% of the patients completed the entire course of treatment. After five weeks, the mean DOLOPLUS score had decreased significantly （P〈0.01）. The patients reported improved sleep quality and a reduction in their anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, caregivers noticed a decrease in patient aggressiveness making care easier. CONCLUSION： Our results suggest that acupuncture is highly acceptable and could be very useful in the management of chronic pain when performed in very old frail people with chronic physical and mental disability. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER： NCT01043692 ClinicalTrials.gov.

Qigong improves balance in young women: a pilot study

BACKGROUND： Balance problems are common in people of all ages and can lead to falls, thus causing fractures with consequent disability. Qigong practice has long been part of daily life in Chinese culture, and has good effects on physical health maintenance. OBJECTIVE： The present work describes the change in balance in young, healthy women after practising Qigong for eight weeks. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： The study took the form of a controlled, randomised longitudinal trial, and involved 30 women aged 18-25 years. The subjects had no prior experience of Qigong or Tai Chi and were unaware of the aims of the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to a Qigong intervention group or a control group. Those in the Qigong intervention group performed ＂exercises in 20 figures for health and long-life＂ （Wang Ziping） for 1 h twice per week, for 4 weeks. The control group undertook no exercise at all. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The main outcome measure was the stabilometry values. These were obtained in a unipodal support test, using a plantar pressure platform with optical sensors. RESULTS： The Qigong subjects showed a significant improvement in their stabilometry results （40.1% pre-intervention and 56.4% post-intervention） （P〈0.045）, while no improvement was seen in the control group （51.2% pre-intervention and 53.5% post-intervention）. At the beginning of the intervention, the stabilometry values recorded for the Qigong intervention group were worse than those recorded for the control group （40.15% and 51.21% respectively; P=0.121）. However, a comparison of the post-intervention values between these groups showed that these differences have disappeared （P=0.653）. CONCLUSION： Qigong can improve balance in healthy, young women.

Application of EMTP in China's UHVAC Pilot Project

Considering the characteristics of the UHVAC Pilot Project in China,the importance of study on electromagnetic transient overvoltage in UHVAC projects is demonstrated in this paper.Through analysis and comparison on the simulation programs for electromagnetic transient overvoltages,EMTP is then recommended for the UHVAC Pilot Project in China.The element models in EMTP used in simulating power frequency overvoltage and power resonance of non-entire phase operation,etc.,are introduced.The paper also points out that extra attention will be needed when simulating power frequency sequence parameters and line corona.The research outcome provides valuable references for both oversea and domestic UHVAC projects.

Overview of 1000kV UHVAC Pilot Project

UHV transmission technology is characterized with long transmission distance, large transmission capacity, low line loss and less land use. In China, SGCC had completed its 1 000 kV UHVAC pilot project by the end of 2008. This paper reviews the construction of the project from the aspects of technology research and development, engineering design, equipment development, transportation and on-site construction, commissioning and operation. Since put into operation, the project has shown excellent performance till now.

FGD Franchising Pilot Project of Thermal Power Plants

According to the national policy on enhancing environmental protection,the five major power generation companies are required to carry out flue gas desulphurization(FGD) franchising pilot project in thermal power plants.This paper introduces the development of this pilot project,including the foundation,purpose,objects,demands and procedures.It also discusses some main problems encountered during implementation,involving the understanding,legislation,financing,taxation,pricing and management of franchise.At the end,it puts forward some suggestions and countermeasures with regard to laws,regulations,taxation policy and electricity pricing policy.

Achievements Notched by KIP Pilot Project Over Past Four Years

In order to promote the national capability in S&T innovation in an all-round way, the Party's Central Committee and the State Council made a key decision of great strategic significance to initiate a pilot project for the national Knowledge Innovation Program (KIP) at CAS in 1998. This signifies a new stage for the buildup of a national knowledge innovation system and a new era for the development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

AN OUTLINE FOR CAS PILOT PROJECT OF KNOWLEDGE INNOVATION PROGRAM

Knowledge innovation and high-tech industrialization are focuses of competition among countries all over the world today. Yet, the innovation capacity of China is not compatible with her economic growth, leaving a big gap when compared with domestic demand and world standards.

Risk of connective—tissue disease in men with testicular or penile prostheses：a preliminary study

AIM: To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. METHODS: Eight patients underwent inflatable penile prostheses and 15, testicular prostheses consented to the study. Their medical records were reviewed and a follow-up interview and physical and serological examinations were performed. RESULTS: In patients with penile prostheses, there was no abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA) or IgM elevation. The serum levels of the rheumatoid factor (RF), C4, IgA and IgG were abnormal in one patient, and the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C3, abnormal in two. Four had elevated IgE. In patients with testicular prostheses, there was no abnormal RF, ANA or IgM. The serum levels of ESR and IgA were abnormal in two, and three had abnormal C4, ten abnormal C3, and eleven decreased IgG. All had increased IgE. Men with penile prostheses had higher serum levels of IgG and IgM than those with testicular prostheses (P=0.001, P=0.016, respectively). The rates of abnormal values of IgE and IgG were higher in men with testicular prostheses than in men with penile prostheses (P=0.008, P=0.009, respectively). Physical examination was normal in all patients and nobody had documented symptoms pertinent to connective-tissue diseases. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the risk of connective-tissue diseases is not higher in patients wearing prostheses as the ANA is negative and there is no apparent manifestation suggestive of connective-tissue diseases.

Consistency of MGEX Orbit and Clock Products

The analysis centers of the Multi-GNSS Pilot Project of the International GNSS Service provide orbit and clock products for the global navigation satellite systems(GNSSs)Global Positioning System(GPS),GLONASS,Galileo,and BeiDou,as well as for the Japanese regional Quasi-Zenith Satellite System(QZSS).Due to improved solar radiation pressure modeling and other more sophisticated models,the consistency of these products has improved in recent years.The current orbit consistency between different analysis centers is on the level of a few centimeters for GPS,around one decimeter for GLONASS and Galileo,a few decimeters for BeiDou-2,and several decimeters for QZSS.The clock consistency is about 2 cm for GPS,5 cm for GLONASS and Galileo,and 10 cm for BeiDou-2.In terms of carrier phase modeling error for precise point positioning,the various products exhibit consistencies of 2–3 cm for GPS,6–14 cm for GLONASS,3–10 cm for Galileo,and 10–17 cm for BeiDou-2.

The effects of Park sham needles: a pilot study

BACKGROUND： When performing clinical trials involving acupuncture, it can be difficult to choose a placebo control. OBJECTIVE： To validate the Park sham needle for use as a double-blind control intervention. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： Two different methods were employed. First, a researcher blinded to needle type administered the Park sham or a real needle, chosen at random, on the arms of 16 healthy volunteers. The researcher and the volunteers independently recorded which needle type they thought had been applied at each acupuncture point. Second, 19 patients with shoulder impingement syndrome were randomly assigned to receive acupuncture applied with the real needle or the Park sham needle, once a week for 6 weeks alongside a course of physiotherapy. At the end of the 6 sessions the patients recorded which needle type they thought was being used. The results were analyzed with a Fisher＇s exact test. This study was carried out in the Outpatient Department of Physiotherapy in Chafing Cross Hospital, London, UK, on healthy volunteers and patients with shoulder impingement pain. The age range was 23 to 54 and 22 to 74 years respectively. RESULTS： Of the healthy volunteers, there was no difference （P=0.23） between the number of needles that were correctly （n=43） or incorrectly identified （n=53）. All patients thought that they had received the real needles. The researcher correctly identified all needles that were applied. CONCLUSION： The researcher delivering the acupuncture recognized the needle type. However, both healthy and patient volunteers were blind to the needle type. This demonstrates that the Park sham needle is an effective single-blind control. It should be noted that the number of patients recruited was small and the study was underpowered to detect an effect of treatment.

Heart rate variability and the influence of craniosacral therapy on autonomous nervous system regulation in persons with subjective discomforts:a pilot study

BACKGROUND： Subjective discomforts in a preclinical range are often due to imbalanced autonomic nervous system activity, which is a focus of craniosacral therapy. OBJECTIVE： The aim of this work was to determine any changes in heart rate variability （HRV） in a study on craniosacral therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： This is a quasi-experimental （controlled） study with cross-over design. In a private practice, measurements were performed on 31 patients with subjective discomforts before and after a control and an intervention period. HRV was determined using a device that requires a measuring time of 140 s and electrode contact only with the fingertips. Main PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES： HRV change under the influence of a defined onetime intervention （test intervention） with craniosacral therapy versus control （defined rest period）. RESULTS： Standard deviation of all RR-intervals （ms） and total power of RR-interval variability in the frequency range （ms2） were together interpreted as an indicator of test subjects＇ autonomic nervous activity and as a measure of their ability to cope with demands on their health. Neither of these parameters increased during the control period （P〉0.05）, whereas during the test intervention period there was an increase in both （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. Nevertheless, interactions between treatment and the increase were statistically not significant （P〉0.05）. No changes were observed in the low frequency/high frequency ratio （sympathetic-vagal balance） in the course of the control or the test intervention period （P〉0.05）. CONCLUSION： Craniosacral treatment had a favourable effect on autonomic nervous activity. This in itself is an interesting result, but further research will be needed to distinguish specific effects of craniosacral therapy technique from less specific therapist-client interaction effects.

Effect and cerebral mechanism of moxibustion at heat-sensitized Yaoyangguan(GV3)in patients with lumbar disc herniation and myofascial pain syndrome by resting-state functionality magnetic resonance imaging:protocol for an observational study

We want to explore the analgesic brain effect of the moxibustion at heat-sensitized Yaoyangguan(GV3)in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH)and myofascial pain syndrome(MPS).In an assessor-blinded observational study,we will include 15 LDH and 15 MPS.They will accept same treatment of heat-sensitive moxibustion at Yaoyangguan(GV3).The resting-state functionality magnetic resonance imaging image data of brain activities before and after treatment will be analyzed by mean fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation,regional homogeneity analysis and brain functional connection.We select seed of first sensory cortex,second sensory cortex,insula cortex,periaqueductal gray and anterior cingulate cortex as the regions of interest to analyse the relationship between brain functional connectivity of pain-related networks and clinical data.Our study could disclose key brain targets and central response characteristics of the analgesic brain effect and the brain functional connection of heat-sensitive moxibustion.

Advancing multispecies fishery management in China:Lessons from international experience

China’s 13th Five-Year Plan elevated the national mandate for environmental sustainability.Chinese fisheries are characterized by full retention of high diversity catch harvested using unselective gears,creating ecological risks.Therefore,China launched pilot projects in management by Total Allowable Catch(TAC)in five coastal provinces in 2017 and 2018 to build experience with output controls.Fujian province launched an important pilot in its swimming crab fishery,the first to adopt a multispecies approach.To guide Fujian and other provinces in multispecies management,a workshop in April 2018 shared international experience.The workshop considered 13 case studies spanning a wide range of underlying scientific models and types of harvest controls.Multispecies harvest controls based on simple survey-or index-based models that aggregate trends for many species are typically operationally easier for managers and fishers.However,inadequate management can cause declines of individual species,sometimes leading to adoption of species-specific models and then species-specific harvest controls.This transition often incurs economic costs through scientific and management demands,and constraints on harvest of co-occurring species.The lessons revealed by the case studies suggest multispecies TACs might be effective in the Fujian swimming crab fishery given the modest number of species with similar and productive life history traits,and the market demand for all species.Continued experimentation with different management approaches through pilot projects can enable China to maintain progress toward sustainable fisheries goals under the 14th Five-Year Plan.

Mixed methods research in complementary and alternative medicine:a scoping review

OBJECTIVE:To update the current characteristics about the scope and quality of mixed methods research(MMR)in complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)after nearly 10 years.METHODS:A 5-stage approach for conducting a scoping review was adopted.Articles published on the top 10 journals in CAM with the highest impact factor in 2020 were screened for MMR.Information of included articles were extracted,and then synthesized to illustrate the current state.Methodological quality was evaluated according to the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool(MMAT)2018 version.RESULTS:A total of 55(55/2991,2%)articles using mixed methods were retrieved,including 17 medical studies and 38 ethnobotanical studies.We performed an in-depth analysis on the 17 medical studies,which studied cancer,stress,pain,fatigue,exercises,mindfulness intervention,herbal medicine use,art and acupuncture.Thirteen pilot studies applied MMR to evaluate the feasibility of interventions or programs(13/17,76%);phenomenology was inferred as the most common philosophical assumptions(13/17,76%);the most applied type of MMR was convergent design(16/17,94%);integration often took place at integration(12/17,71%).Among the 16 eligible studies for quality appraisal,majority were rated as good(14/16,88%),whereas two studies were rated as poorly described.Primarily,a poor rating was due to incomplete reporting of data analysis and citations in qualitative components;lack of confounder controlling and the sampling strategy in quantitative components;poor description of integration and justification for mixed methods.Comparing with the previous review,fewer MMR were published in 2020 in CAM,but the proportion of studies that clearly reported MMR has increased by 4 times(4%→15%).CONCLUSION:CAM researchers need to realize the benefits that MMR can have on conducting further health care research.Our findings highlight that applying MMR will be helpful to understand the complex dynamics and interdisciplinary nature of complex intervention.In addition,addressing a standardized reporting criteria for MMR is recommended.