Effects of Tai Ji Quan training on gait kinematics in older Chinese women with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Although Tai Ji Quan has been shown to relieve pain and improve functional mobility in people with knee osteoarthritis(OA), little is known about its potential benefits on gait characteristics among older Chinese women who have a high prevalence of both radiographic and symptomatic knee OA. This study aims to assess the efficacy of a tailored Tai Ji Quan intervention on gait kinematics for older Chinese women with knee OA.Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving 46 older women in Shanghai, China, with clinically diagnosed knee OA. Randomized(1:1)participants received either a 60 min Tai Ji Quan session(n = 23) 3 times weekly or a 60 min bi-weekly educational session(n = 23) for 24 weeks.Primary outcomes were changes in gait kinematic measures from baseline to 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in scores on the Western Ontario and Mc Master University Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) and Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB).Results: After 24 weeks the Tai Ji Quan group demonstrated better performance in gait velocity(mean difference, 8.40 cm/s, p = 0.01), step length(mean difference, 3.52 cm, p = 0.004), initial contact angle(mean difference, 2.19°, p = 0.01), and maximal angle(mean difference, 2.61°,p = 0.003) of flexed knees during stance phase compared to the control group. In addition, the Tai Ji Quan group showed significant improvement in WOMAC scores(p < 0.01)(mean difference,-4.22 points in pain, p = 0.002;-2.41 points in stiffness, p < 0.001;-11.04 points in physical function, p = 0.006) and SPPB scores(mean difference, 1.22 points, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Among older Chinese women with knee OA, a tailored Tai Ji Quan intervention improved gait outcomes. The intervention also improved overall function as indexed by the WOMAC and SPPB. These results support the use of Tai Ji Quan for older Chinese adults with knee OA to both improve their functional mobility and reduce pain symptomatology.

Tai Ji Quan:From traditional applications to contemporary practice

A warm welcome to this special issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science,which is devoted to Tai Ji Quan and its wide range of applications. Tai Ji Quan is a unique aspect of Chinese culture,with a history extending back several centuries.1 Although it evolved from the martial art of Wushu,2 training and practice of Tai Ji Quan involve synchronized execution of bodily movements with deliberate intention and rhythmic breathing.For this reason,it has often been viewed as a healing art for nurturing the human body,warding off diseases,and enhancing overall health and well-being.The unique combination of these martial and healing dimensions has made Tai Ji Quan a distinctive exercise modality that attracts practitioners of all ages from all walks of life.

Implementing Tai Ji Quan:Moving for Better Balance in real-world settings:Success and challenges

1.Introduction The article by Fink and Houston1 in this special issue of Journal of Sport and Health Science provides an excellent example of implementing an evidence-based fall prevention program in real communities with diverse cultures of elderly populations.Although preliminary,the project revealed a number of interconnected barriers and facilitators that shed light on practical implications ("lessons learned") for policymakers and program providers regarding implementation of any evidence-based intervention.While applauding Fink and Houston's effort,in this commentary we share our experiences with Tai Ji Quan:Moving for Better Balance (TJQMBB)2 in the state of Maryland,with a discussion of our own set of lessons learned in terms of successes and challenges.

Mei symmetry and Mei conserved quantity of Appell equations for a variable mass holonomic system

Mei symmetry and Mei conserved quantity of Appell equations for a variable mass holonomic system are investi- gated. Appell equations and differential equations of motion for a variable mass holonomic system are established. A new expression of the total first derivative of the function with respect of time t along the systematic motional track curve, and the definition and the criterion of Mei symmetry for Appell equations under the infinitesimal transformations of groups are given. The expressions of the structural equation and Mei conserved quantity for Mei symmetry in Appell are obtained. An example is given to illustrate the application of the results.

QUANTITATIVE DESCRIPTION OF TAIYUAN URBAN COORDINATED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPME NT

As the economic,political and cultu ral center of a nation or a region,cit ies are the carriers of human activi-ties.In a sense,only cities take the path of the coordinated sustainable development,it is possible for a cou ntry or a re-gion,even the whole world ,to develo p coordinately and sustainbly.Today,how to describe the urban sustainable develop-ing level and measure the coordinate d degree of environment,economy and society,has attracted more and more atten-tions of urban managers and research ers.City is assumed to be a big system composed by 3subsystems of environm ent,economy and society,a set of indicators for urban coordinated sustainab le development of Taiyuan have been d esigned accord-ing to the thought of coordinated sustainable development and the reality of Taiyuan development.In this ind icator set there are three levels,which can be c alled as target level,indicator lev el and statistic indicator level.Am ong them,tar-get level includes three high-generalized grade-1indicators,represe nting the development standard of economy,society and environment subsystems.In this paper,according to the ideas of system theory and QIAN Xue-sen's theory o f meta-synthesis methodology fromqualitative analysis to quantitative analysis,the level,the sustainabl e degree and the coordi-nated degree of urban development we re set up,which described the urban c oordinated sustainable developmen t scientifical-ly and quantitatively.The above indicator system and the method of quant itative description were applied to Taiyuan.Through calculating,we have got the economic developing level,social developing level,environmental quality situation and the overall developing level,of Taiyuan from1986to 1995.Also,we wo rked out the sustainability of the whole develop-ment,the respective coordinatabilities of the subsystems of economy an d society,society and environment,and environ-ment and economy,and the coordinata bility of the overall development of Taiyuan in the same period of time.The coordinat-ed sustainable development situati on was quantitatively described,an d the low development level was compr ehensively analyzed ,and suggestions were rais ed for its future coordinated sustainable development. KEY WORDS:Taiyuan

Optimizing Decentralization of Management andExploitation of Irrigation Works in Quan Lo-Phung HiepRegion, Mekong River Delta

In Vietnam as well as many countries which apply the irrigated agriculture over the world, the process of promoting thesocialization trend in irrigation for the basic irrigation organizations, of which the main factor is water users, is very important. Thispaper aimed to optimize the decentralization of management and exploitation of irrigation works for water users, organizations inQuan Lo-Phung Hiep irrigation system of Mekong River Delta. The research has implemented a survey on 384 water users alongfour canals of level 2 of Quan Lo-Phung Hiep irrigation system under two sets of index： （1） water users＇ perception assessment of theirrigation works （14 indicators） and （2） assessment of the management efficiency in the irrigation works （six indicators）. Theresearch proposes the decentralization process from building, After determining the correlation coefficients, the multi-objective linearregression equation will be shown on six single objective functions. With the aim at achieving the highest efficiency in themanagement and exploitation of the irrigation works, there should be a shift in terms of the water users＇ perception of the irrigationworks. These study results also demonstrate that about 65%-68% of the change in the indicators of the exploitation efficiency in theirrigation works is explained by some water users＇ perception indexes of irrigation works, including the quality of irrigation service andthe output efficiency in agricultural production. By using the algorithm for multi-objective optimization problem, the optimal results inperception are determined. The input data is generated for the matrix supporting the decision making, and the decentralization ofmanagement and exploitation of irrigation works meets the three criteria, i.e., effectiveness, sustainability and flexibility.

Regulation of Quan Du Zhong capsule on VEGF/bFGF and expression of Bcl‑2/Bax and Caspase‑3 protein in the repairing process of canine femoral head necrosis

Objective:To explore the repair and treatment effect of Quan Du Zhong capsule on necrosis of femoral head in dogs.Methods:Totally 12 beagles were randomly divided into normal group,model group,Quan Du Zhong capsule group and Xianlinggubao capsule group,with three in each group.In addition to the normal group,the other groups established the femoral head necrosis model by liquid nitrogen alternative freezing.The normal group and the model group did not have any intervention during the modeling period,and the Quan Du Zhong group began to receive the Quan Du Zhong by gavage on the day of modeling;Xianlinggubao capsule group was given Xianlinggubao capsule by gavage once a day for 12 consecutive weeks on the day of modeling.The levels of VEGF and bFGF in the blood vessels of each group at the 12th week were compared,and the ratios of BMD,BS/BV,BV/TV,Tb.Th,Tb.N were measured by Micro CT,and the expressions of Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3 proteins were detected by immune reaction.Results:1.Compared with the normal group,the level of serum VEGF and bFGF in the model group decreased after 12 weeks of modeling(P<0.05);Compared with the model group,the levels of serum VEGF and bFGF water in the Xianlinggubao capsule group and the Quan Du Zhong capsule group increased on average at the 12th week of modeling,with statistical difference(P<0.05).The level of the Quan Du Zhong capsule group was the highest,followed by the Xianlinggubao capsule group.2.Compared with the normal group,BMD,BS/BV,BV/TV,Tb.Th and Tb.N in the model group were lower,and Tb.SP were higher,the results were statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the BMD,BV/TV,Tb.Th and Tb.N of Xianlinggubao capsule group and the total eucommia capsule group increased,while the BS/BV and Tb.SP decreased(P<0.05).3.The Quan Du Zhong capsule group and Xianlinggubao capsule group could significantly increase the expression of bcl-2 protein in the femoral head of dogs,which was significantly different from the model group(P<0.05).The expression of bax protein in the femoral head of dogs in the Quan Du Zhong capsule group and the Xianlinggubao capsule group was significantly reduced compared with the model group(P<0.05).The expression of caspase-3 protein in the femoral head of dogs was significantly reduced in the Quan Du Zhong capsule group and Xianlinggubao capsule group,which was significantly different from the model group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Quan Du Zhong capsule can increase the expression of VEGF and bFGF in serum,increase the expression of bcl-2,inhibit the expression of bax,and reduce the expression of caspase-3,which plays a synergistic role in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head,and has potential targets.

Lie symmetries and conserved quantities of discrete nonholonomic Hamiltonian systems

This paper focuses on studying Lie symmetries and conserved quantities of discrete nonholonomic Hamiltonian systems. Firstly, the discrete generalized Hamiltonian canonical equations and discrete energy equation of nonholonomic Hamiltonian systems are derived from discrete Hamiltonian action. Secondly, the determining equations and structure equation of Lie symmetry of the system are obtained. Thirdly, the Lie theorems and the conservation quantities are given for the discrete nonholonomic Hamiltonian systems. Finally, an example is discussed to illustrate the application of the results.

STUDY ON STRUCTURE AND PROPERTY OF Nb-DOPED TiC CERAMIC WITH QUANTUM CHEMISTRY CALCULATIONS

Nb-doped TiC ceramic,or (NbyTi1-y) Cx,in which amount of Nb element added is increased from zero to 40Wt. %, synthisized -with self-propagating high temperature synthesis,is studied with SCF-Xa-DV,a quantum chemistry cal-culating method. The chemical bonding is studied to discuss the relation between structrues and properties. Several classes of models in which there is no vacancy,one vacancy or two vacan-cies have been calculated. From the calculated results of bond or-der, a measure of covalent bond strength,and molecule orbital contour map, it is concluded that when Nb element added in-creases, the vacancies increase correspondingly,the covalent com-ponent of chemical bonds of the samples decreases -while the met-al-bonding component increases, so the hardness and resistance of the samples decrease.

Clinical study of prevention of urine retention after subabdominal surgery by electro-acupuncture acupoints Yin Ling Quan(SP 9),Zhao Hai(KI 6) with the assistance of subarachnoid acupoint anesthesia

OBJECTIVE:To explore the prevention of urine retention after subabdominal surgery by electro-acupuncture Yin Ling Quan(SP 9),Zhao Hai(KI 6) acupoints with the assistance of subarachnoid acupoint anesthesia by observing the postoperative voiding time and urine volume of postoperative patients undergoing Electroacupuncture plus subarachnoid block anesthesia.METHODS:60 cases of preoperative expected for subarachnoid block surgery patients were randomly divided into two groups,the treatment group and the control group,with 30 cases in each group.The control group underwent routine subarachnoid anesthesia after surgery without acupuncture treatment group;The treatment group was treated with acupuncture bilateral Yin Ling Quan and Zhaohai acupoints 15 minutes before anesthesia,and then received unilateral electric anesthesia instrument treatment,the intensity of the patient was tolerable(generally 1.5 ~ 2.0 m A),and the routine subarachnoid block anesthesia was performed;The first urination time,urine volume,lower abdominal pain and assistant catheterization were recorded in the two groups.RESULTS:The first postoperative voiding time of the treatment group was significantly earlier compared with that of the control group,there was significant difference(P<0.05);the amount of urine was significantly more than that of the control group in reservation time,there was significant difference(P<0.05);the abdominal pain was light in the treatment group,there was significant difference(P<0.05);the cases of assisted catheterization of the control group were significantly more thanthose of the treatment group,there was significant difference(P< 0.05).CONCLUSION:Electro-acupuncture Yin Ling Quan(SP 9),Zhao Hai(KI 6) acupoints with the assistance of subarachnoid acupoint anesthesia could significantly reduce the urine retention after subabdominal surgery in postoperative patients with ubarachnoid block anesthesiau,accelerate the recovery of bladder function and promote early postoperative urination in addition to relieving the abdominal symptoms after operation.

Taiji Quan and Health

Taiji Quan is a Chinese martial art that combines self-defense with physical and mental fitness.It is practiced today primarily for its health benefits,stress relief and relaxation,although interest in the martial applications of the art is growing.The slow,continuous movements are designed to impart powerful physical skills and to stimulate the flow of energy within the body,with the ultimate goal of improved mind-body connection and increased longevity.

Theoretical study of photon emission from single quantum dot emitter coupled to surface plasmons

Motivated by the recent pioneering advances on nanoscale plasmonics and also nanophotonics tech- nology based on the surface plasmons （SPs）, in this work, we give a master equation model in the Lindblad form and investigate the quantum optical properties of single quantum dot （QD） emitter coupled to the SPs of a metallic nanowire. Our main results demonstrate the QD luminescence results of photon emission show three distinctive regimes depending on the distance between QD and metallic nanowire, which elucidates a crossover passing from being metallic dissipative for much smaller emitter-nanowire distances to surface plasmon （SP） emission for larger separations at the vicinity of plasmonic metallic nanowire. Besides, our results also indicate that, for both the resonant case and the detuning case, through measuring QD emitter luminescence spectra and second-order correlation functions, the information about the QD emitter coupling to the SPs of the dissipative metallic nanowire can be extracted. This theoretical study will serve as an introduction to un- derstanding the nanoplasmonic imaging spectroscopy and pave a new way to realize the quantum information devices.

Effect of electroacpuncture of Neiguan(PC 6)and Tianquan(PC 2)on skin temperature,blood perfusion,and adrenoceptor response in rats with acute myocardial ischemia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of acupoints Neiguan(PC 6) and Tianquan(PC 2) on the skin temperature, blood perfusion, and alpha1-and beta2-adrenoreceptor(α1-AR and β2-AR) protein and m RNA level in rats with acute myocardial ischemia.METHODS: Thirty male adult Wistar rats [(230 ±20) g] were randomly assigned into five groups(n = 6 each): a control group, sham operation group, model group, model group treated with EA at low frequency(L-EA, 2 Hz, 1 m A) and model group treated with EA at high frequency(H-EA, 100 Hz, 1 m A). The rat model was prepared by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Electroacupuncture was performed at the left Neiguan(PC 6) for 20 min daily for 3 d. After the 3 rd time of the treatment, measurements of skin blood perfusion and temperature in Neiguan(PC 6) and Tianquan(PC 2) in all groups were made by laser speckle contrast imaging and infrared thermal image instrument. Real-time PCR and ELISA were used to measure m RNA level and protein level of α1-AR andβ2-AR in the skin tissues of Neiguan(PC 6) and Tianquan(PC 2), respectively. Serum levels of c Tn T and electrocardiogram were used to identify the state of myocardium.RESULTS: In the group receiving electroacupunture at Neiguan(PC 6), compared with control group,the skin temperature, blood perfusion, and β2-AR m RNA and protein level of model group significantly decreased(P < 0.05), α1-AR m RNA and protein level of model group significantly increased(P < 0.05);compared with model group, the skin temperature,blood perfusion, and β2-AR m RNA and protein level of L-EA significantly increased(P < 0.05), α1-AR m RNA and protein level of L-EA and H-EA significantly decreased(P < 0.05). The same trend has taken place in the former four groups of the Tianquan(PC 2).CONCLUSION: Low-or high-frequency electroacupuncture can improve the skin temperature and blood perfusion which may be induced by decreasingthelevelofα1-ARandincreasingthelevelofβ2-AR of the Neiguan(PC 6) and Tianquan(PC 2) in the rat with acute myocaidial ischemia.

Research progress on the effect and mechanism of Tai Ji Quan in the treatment of post-stroke depression

To explore the clinical efficacy and possible mechanism of Tai Ji Quan for post-stroke depression(PSD),literature related to Tai Ji Quan and PSD were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database(Wanfang),Chongqing VIP Database(CQVIP),China Biology Medicine Disc(CBM),and PubMed,screened and then summarized.The results showed that Tai Ji Quan could effectively improve the depression and quality of life of stroke patients,and there were differences in the clinical efficacy among different training programs.Tai Ji Quan has the characteristics of“regulating mind”,“regulating breath”,and“regulating body”.It may achieve the effect of“combined physique-spirit treatment”by improving social psychology,increasing the level of neurotrophin,regulating neuroendocrine,reducing inflammatory factors,and regulating neural circuits.

Theorizing the Gendered Patriarchy of the Huaxia:Constancy(jing)/Expedience(quan)and Continuity(yin)/Change(bian)—From Male/Female Distinction to Inner/Outer Distinction in the Context of the Order of Family and State

The gender-based patriarchy of the Huaxia people,consisting of family and state order,inner/outer distinction and gender-based hierarchy,took shape in the period of radical transformation when the Zhou dynasty replaced the Shang dynasty and reached maturity in the Han dynasty,which had been established in the wake of the radical transformation conducted by the Zhou and Qin dynasties.On the basis of the principles of male/female distinction and the integration of family and state,Western Zhou aristocrats abolished the state structure the inner and outer governance systems(nei/waifuzhi内外服制),carried on in part the main patrilineage and surname exogamy of the Shang dynasty,and established the Huaxia patriarchal system.During the Qin and Han dynasties,the patriarchal system evolved into family and state isomorphism characterized by power-sharing between the royal house and its officials and by a two-pronged kinship system in which the male line was inner and the female line was outer.The system thus evolved into the Huaxia gender-based patriarchy,which covered spatial spheres,division of responsibilities,the kinship system,values and ethics,and codes of daily interaction and conduct.The distinction between the inner and the outer was not only a core value of the gender-based patriarchy but also its operational strategy.It also engendered such inter-related sub-systems as human functions,ethics and gender and such philosophical systems as the unity of heaven and man and the cosmic binaries of yin-yang(阴阳)and qian-kun(乾坤).The constancy(经jing)/Expedience(权quan)and Continuity(因yin)/Change(变bian)of the gender-based patriarchy,the jing/quan at the heart of the basic system and governance strategy within its constraints jointly ensured the stability and dynamism of the gender-based patriarchy of the Huaxia people.

Effect of Juzentaihoto/Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang on Malignant Progression and Metastasis of Tumor Cells

A Japanese herbal(Kampo,汉方)medicine,十全大补汤(juzentaihoto/Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang),is one of the nourishing agents, a so-called"补剂(Hozai/Bu-Ji)," that is used for improving disturbance and imbalances in the homeostatic condition of the body. This formulation is orally administered to patients in various weakened states, including postsurgery patients and patients with chronic illness, where it can alleviate general symptoms such as extreme fatigue, pale complexion, loss of appetite, dry or scaly skin, night sweating, and dryness of the mouth.Recently, juzentaihoto/Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang has been shown to have a variety of biological activities, including activation of natural killer cells and macrophages, cytokine induction, antibody production, antitumor effects in combination with surgical excision or other drugs, and protection against the adverse effects of anticancer drugs and radiation, including immunosuppression and bone marrow toxicity. This article focuses on the antitumor and antimetastatic properties of some Kampo medicines and mainly describes the effects of juzentaihoto and its related formulations on tumor development, progression, and metastasis in vivo. We also discuss the inhibitory mechanism of action and the importance of the prescription and constituent crude drugs in determining the efficacy.

Earliest Woman Pilot Quan Jiyu Considered "Grandmother" of Air Force

AS one of the earliest women pilots in China, Quan Jiyu has earned honors and has had unique experiences. She has held an important position in the history of aviation in China and the Republic of Korea. Quan Jiyu was born in Pyongyang, Korea in 1901. When she was nine years old, the Japanese invaded her country. The struggles against Japanese aggression were ongoing everywhere which significantly influenced young Quan Jiyu. In 1919 in Korea, the March lst Independence Movement occurred and Quan Jiyu, just 18, became

基于数据挖掘探析《景岳全书》痹证用药特色及组方规律

目的 使用数据挖掘技术探析《景岳全书》治疗痹证内服方药所体现的用药特色及组方规律,启迪现代临床组方用药思路。方法 通过对《景岳全书》中内服治痹方所涉及的药物进行整理归纳,使用Microsoft Excel(2019)对《景岳全书》治痹内服方所用药物进行频数统计,使用IBM SPSS 25.0、IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0中Apriori算法,进行聚类分析和关联规则分析,探求张介宾治痹用药特色及组方思想。结果 《景岳全书》共计94首治痹方剂,涉及药物140种,累计用药794次;用药频次最高的前15味药分别为甘草、当归、川芎、茯苓、防风、羌活、白术、肉桂、牛膝、人参、熟地黄、附子、陈皮、白芍、苍术;所使用的药物主要为温性药,药味以辛味为主,主要归脾(胃)经,补虚药使用总频次最高;对使用频次最高的前46味药物进行聚类分析,得出枳壳-桔梗,陈皮-半夏,槟榔-紫苏叶等18组药物组合;对用药频次最高的前46味药物进行关联规则分析,得出等甘草-人参-茯苓,甘草-人参-白术、当归-熟地黄-川芎等13组药物组合。结论 张氏治痹重视补益肝肾、培补真阴,辨证论治而强调祛除寒邪,擅长健脾益气、调理气机以祛除痰湿之邪,强调活血化瘀药物的使用。

两册清代北四阁《四库全书》书叶纸张的材料分析研究

本研究以北京大学图书馆藏文渊阁和文津阁2种《四库全书》抄本纸张为研究纸样,综合分析了纸张的组成成分。结果表明,2种纸样的定量相近,厚度和紧度有一定差异,且纤维组成均为檀皮和稻草,纸张类别均为宣纸;2种纸样正反面的微观形貌相同,均有少量矿物颗粒散布于纤维空隙,表面元素均为C、O、Si、S和Ca,其中C、O集中分布区基本与纤维整体形状一致,而Ca、S主要分布于被填充的纤维孔隙,为矿物颗粒的主要成分;2种纸样均为单层结构,有矿物颗粒无规分布于纸张内部,且矿物颗粒的主要成分为生石膏(CaSO_(4)·2H_(2)O),另文渊阁抄本纸张中还含有少量方解石(CaCO_(3))。基于上述分析结果,初步推测文献中所记载的北四阁《四库全书》所用“金线榜纸”,一部分是含有生石膏成分的檀皮稻草混料单宣。

Fe-3%Si大尺寸合金单晶的制备及磁感系数的计算

以取向Fe-3%Si合金热轧板为原材料,采用二次再结晶法制备了尺寸大于200 mm的合金单晶。随机选取3个单晶样品剪切成7个与轧向成不同角度、尺寸为50 mm×50 mm的样品,分别对所选样品进行单晶定向,并对每个样品的横、纵向磁性能进行了测量。以单晶定向结果为依据,计算每个单晶在晶体学坐标架下的极角和辐角,提出了一种单晶磁感系数的计算方法,并基于该方法以单晶磁性能实测值及其在晶体学坐标架下的极角和辐角为输入条件,测算了Fe-3%Si合金单晶磁感应强度系数并验证了其可靠性。采用该方法对{110}晶面平行于板面的任意方向单晶的磁感应强度进行了计算,为开展多晶材料磁性能计算提供了理论依据。