New Insights into the Molecular Basis of Kidney Governing Bone Theory

Kidney governing bone theory plays an important role in treating bone metabolic disease such as osteoporosis, and many tonifying kidney prescriptions/herbs are widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM). However, the exact biological basis of kidney governing bone theory in the context of new advances in biology is still not fully established. In this paper, the content of kidney governing bone theory in biology has been fully demonstrated from different aspects. We first propose that bone and kidney mutually affect each other in pathology and physiology, particularly through homeostasis of calcium, phosphorus and fibroblast growth factor-23(FGF-23). Next, we identify that tonifying kidney prescriptions/herbs exert bone protective effects, thus treating osteoporosis by regulating bone formation and bone resorption.Furthermore, the exact molecular mechanisms of tonifying kidney prescriptions, herbs and their effective components in treating osteoporosis have been systematically reviewed. Finally, we come into the conclusion that kidney regulating bone mineral homeostasis, bone protective effects of tonifying kidney herbs and regulatory effects on bone homeostasis are all the manifestations of kidney governing bone theory.Therefore, the new insights into kidney governing bone theory in biology will promote the development of clinical practices, and drugs discovery in treating osteoporosis.

Buckling Analysis of Axially Functionally Graded and Non-Uniform Beams Based on Timoshenko Theory

In this paper,the buckling behaviors of axially functionally graded and non-uniform Timoshenko beams were investigated.Based on the auxiliary function and power series,the coupled governing equations were converted into a system of linear algebraic equations.With various end conditions,the characteristic polynomial equations in the buckling loads were obtained for axially inhomogeneous beams.The lower and higher-order eigenvalues were calculated simultaneously from the multi-roots due to the fact that the derived characteristic equation was a polynomial one.The computed results were in good agreement with those analytical and numerical ones in literature.

The Applicability of Governance Theory in China

As an influential theory of social science, governance theory has played a prominent role in development studies over the last two decades. Because this theory originates from the Western society, Chinese academics have disagreed about its applicability in China, which has essentially different conditions in democracy, rule of law, and civil society from the western society. It is argued in this paper that Chinese scholars should neither take its applicability for granted based on the strong solicitude for the reality of China, nor conclude that the governance theory is not applicable in China based on rigid structural analysis. Jessop＇s Strategic- Relational Approach presents an enlightenment of practical value that actors＇ choice of strategies and actions needs investigating based on an objective understanding of the structural background. Under the existing political-administrative system of fragmented authoritarianism, C^a civil society has already developed into ＂a dynamic force outside the state system,＂ entitled to certain participation in public affairs. Such novel understanding is of great significance in developing both the study and practice of governance in China.

The Chinese Logic of Consultative Governance

Contemporary China needs to change from a Western to a Chinese-style governance discourse so as to form and explore a consultative governance discourse with Chinese characteristics. This is profoundly evident in the following： the Marxist philosophy of the state is the theoretical premise of contemporary China＇s consultative governance; traditional Chinese thought on governance and practice are the soil in which contemporary Chinese consultative govemance grows; socialism with Chinese characteristics is the realm in which contemporary Chinese consultative governance exists; the masses under the leadership of the CPC are the necessary subjects of contemporary Chinese consultative governance; and the target of contemporary Chinese consultative governance is a multi-layered and diverse existence. Realization of national governance through consultative democracy is the basic form of contemporary Chinese consultative governance; the balanced development ofpublic, collective and individual interests is the basic objective of contemporary Chinese consultative governance; the basic principles of contemporary Chinese consultative governance are equality, inclusiveness and peace; and the criteria for assessing contemporary Chinese consultative governance are authority, consensus, institutions and the rule of law. Guided by the Marxist view of the state, rooted in the tradition of China＇s fine political culture, and founded on the theoretical and practical claims of socialism with Chinese characteristics, socialist consultative governance with Chinese characteristics constitutes the Chinese form of contemporary governance theory.