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Background: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture stimulation at acupoints of the heart meridian on vascular dementia (VD). Methods: A total of 120 VD patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: The observation group, in which patients were treated with electroacupuncture stimulation; The control group, in which the patients were treated with oral medicine. Cognitive function was assessed by using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and functional activities questionnaire (FAQ). Results: The total effective rate was 75% in the observation group and 73.33% in the control group, and the difference between these two groups was not statistically significant (P >0.05). After treatment, the MMSE, ADL and FAQ scores in these two groups significantly improved, when compared to scores before treatment (P P >0.05). Conclusion: Electroacupuncture stimulation at acupoints of the heart meridian has a definite effect in improving the cognitive function of VD patients.

The term Jingluo, translated as meridian or channel, is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has played a fundamental role in guiding the clinical practice of acupuncture for thousands of years. However, the essence of the meridian remains elusive and is a source of both confusion and debate for researchers. In this study, a “4D” systemic view on the essence of the meridian, namely substantial, functional, chronological, and cultural dimensions, was proposed based on a review of the ancient medical classics, recent research developments, and results from clinical practice. Previous studies have primarily focused on the substantial dimension of the meridian system, with scant interpretation about its functional domain. Neither systemic data nor evaluations have been adequately documented. Additionally, a limited but increasing number of studies have focused on the chronological and cultural dimensions. More investigations that embody the holistic concept of TCM and integrate the systemic modes and advanced techniques with dominant diseases of TCM need to be performed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the essence of meridians. The goal of this study is to yield useful information in understanding the essence of meridians and provide a reference and perspective for further research.

Objective To analyze the rule of acupoint combination of insomnia treated with modern acupuncture-moxibustion with complex network technology and further reveal the internal characteristics of acupoint combination. Methods Using computer retrieval, the relevant clinical trials of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of insomnia were searched from China National knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), VIP Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP) and Pubmed Database in recent 5 years. The articles were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then the database was set up and the acupoint prescriptions of acupuncture and moxibustion were extracted. Using Excel 2016 software, the data were processed and the frequency analysis was conducted. With SPSS Modeler 18.0, the association rules were analyzed. Using Gephi 0.9.2, the community analysis and complex network analysis were conducted. Results Finally, 766 articles were eligible and 1276 acupoint prescriptions were extracted with 186 acupoints involved. The acupoints with the highest frequency of use were Shenmen (神门HT7), Baihui (百会GV20) and Sānyīnjiāo (三阴交SP6). The meridians with the highest frequency were bladder meridian and the governor vessel. The acupoints located on the head and foot were mostly selected. The specific points involved were the crossing points, five-shu points and yuan-source points. The main core paired points referred to HT7 and SP6, HT7 and GV20 as well as HT7 and Neiguān (内关PC6). The meridians with the highest confidence level appeared among heart meridian of hand-shaoyin, spleen meridian of foot-taiyin and kidney meridian of foot-shaoyin. The modular analysis of complex network obtained 4 core communities and topology analysis obtained 35 core points. The main prescription was composed of HT7, GV20, SP6, Sishencōng (四神聪EX-HN1), PC6, Taixī (太溪KI3), Zusānlĭ (足三里ST36), Taichōng (太冲LR3), Ānmian (安眠EX-HN18), Yintang (印堂EX-HN3), Zhaohai (照海KI6), Shēnmai (申脉BL62) and Fēngchi (风池GB20). Conclusion Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy focuses on regulating the mind/spirit of the heart and brain, as well as of five zang organs. The general treatment principles are regaining consciousness and opening the orifice, replenishing yin and reducing yang, nourishing the heart and tranquilizing. The supplementary points are mostly the combination of distal and nearby points and the combination of the acupoints located in the upper and the lower parts of the body. The back-shu points and the front-mu points are generally used, while the crossing point as the specific point is especially applied. All of these summaries provide the reference and guidance for clinical application and scientific research.

In 2012, a lacquer figure was unearthed from the Han dynasty tomb (188 BC−87 BC) at Chengdu Laoguanshan. The lines intaglioed on the Laoguanshan lacquer figure were similar to the meridians. Objective To investigate the relationship between the lines on this Laoguanshan lacquer figure and the regular meridians so as to explore the development of meridian system in ancient China. Methods Based on collecting the photos of the Laoguanshan lacquer figure and the representative acupuncture classics, the double evidence method (combining the unearthed relics / literature and extant literature) was performed to investigate the relationship between the lines on this Laoguanshan lacquer figure and the regular meridians. Furthermore, the development of regular meridians theory was analyzed from the number, distribution, direction and branches. Results The routes of the 28 longitudinal white lines on the Laoguanshan lacquer figure are similar to the regular meridians in the ancient literature including Huangdi Neijīng (《黄帝内经》Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic). The number, distribution and branches of the meridians intaglioed on the Laoguanshan lacquer figure suggested the evolution of the regular-meridian system from the eleven-meridian system to the twelve-meridian system. Conclusions The meridian system of Laoguanshan lacquer figure was a link connecting the preceding and the following. The Laoguanshan lacquer figure played an important role in the development of the early meridian theory.

Objective To explore the core acupoints and combination rules of acupuncture therapy for postoperative urinary retention after hemorrhoidectomy, and, further to analyze the characteristics of the prescription of acupuncture therapy for postoperative urinary retention after hemorrhoidectomy. Methods Relevant clinical studies in seven databases were searched systematically from database inception to 1st October 2020. Based on data mining techniques, the core acupoints, characteristics and combination rules of acupuncture therapy for postoperative urinary retention after hemorrhoidectomy were analyzed comprehensively. Statistics collected and analysis of acupoint selection included the frequency of usage of acupoints, the meridian of acupoints, the location of acupoints and the combination of acupoints. Cluster and association analysis were performed utilizing Excel 13.0 and SPSS 26.0. Results In the 36 studies included, the most frequently adopted acupoint was Sānyīnjiāo (三阴交 SP6); the most frequently adopted meridian was the foot-taiyin spleen meridian; the most frequently involved location was the lower limbs; and the most frequently adopted combination of acupoints was SP6 and Zhōngji (中极CV 3). Cluster analysis showed that the acupoints could be divided into three categories: the first group comprised SP6 alone; the second group included CV3, Guānyuan (关元CV4), Yīnlingquan (阴陵泉SP9) and Zusānlǐ (足三里ST36); and the third group included Pangguāngshū (膀胱俞BL28), Chengshān (承山BL57), Taichōng (太冲LR3), Zhibiān (秩边 BL54), Taixī (太溪KI6), Hegǔ (合谷 LI4), Xuehǎi (血海SP10), Qihǎi (气海CV6) and Shǔidao (水道ST28). Conclusion It was found that acupuncture therapy for postoperative urinary retention after hemorrhoidectomy mainly follows the four characteristic rules: the selection of acupoints following the meridian, selection of acupoints at local points, selection of acupoints at distal points and selection of acupoints according to special symptoms.

Purpose. To evaluate the effect of toric intraocular lens implantation in cataract patients with irregular corneal steep and flat meridian. Methods. Data of 112 eyes of 78 patients who underwent toric intraocular lens implantation were analyzed retrospectively. Steep meridian deviations (not 180°) and steep and flat meridian deviations (not 90°) were classified as 0, 1–9, 10–19, 20–29, 30–39, and over 30°. Meridian deviation was measured with a sagittal map of a rotating Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam®: Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) using PicPickTools (NGWIN, Seoul, Korea). Results. Residual astigmatism (D) of 0 (0.51 ± 0.13, 0.55 ± 0.15) and 1–9 (0.61 ± 0.16, 0.66 ± 0.19) groups were significantly lower than that of 10–19 (0.92 ± 0.24, 0.90 ± 0.28), 20–29 (0.10 ± 0.32, 1.01 ± 0.35), and over 30° groups (1.12 ± 0.37, 1.14 ± 0.40) both in steep meridian deviations and horizontal and vertical meridian deviations at 6 months ( P < 0.05 ). Postoperative mean UCVA (logMAR) of 0 (0.09 ± 0.04, 0.09 ± 0.05) (logMAR) and 1–9 (0.10 ± 0.04, 0.11 ± 0.08) groups was significantly improved compared to that of 10–19 (0.14 ± 0.05, 0.17 ± 0.10), 20–29 (0.18 ± 0.08, 0.21 ± 0.10), and over 30° groups (0.20 ± 0.09, 0.22 ± 0.11) both in steep meridian deviations and horizontal and vertical meridian deviations at 6 months ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusions. Correction of astigmatism with toric intraocular lens implantation is not accurate in corneas with steep meridian deviations and steep and flat meridian deviations of more than 10°. Therefore, care should be taken when we perform toric intraocular lens implantation in patients with irregular corneal meridian.

Acupuncture is a centuries-old therapeutic technique. However, because of the large number of complicating circumstances, it has been difficult to clearly prove the treatment's therapeutic effectiveness.As a result, acupuncture has failed to acquire acceptance in the mainstream clinical sector. An electromyography (EMG) sensor was built and used to test the efficacy of acupuncture in alleviating muscular stiffness in this study. Electrodes, differential and inverting amplifiers, filters, and a full-wave rectifier made up the EMG circuit. The output of the circuit was sent to a microcontroller for analog-to-digital transformation in order to perform data acquisition. Acupuncture was used to treat four participants who had muscular dysfunction in various regions of their bodies in our case study. Before and after the therapy, EMG signals at the damaged regions were recorded. The findings revealed that the therapy had no immediate conceivable impact on the patients, since the levels of muscular contraction before and after the treatment were comparable. When the EMG signals were measured 30 minutes after the therapy, signs of muscular alleviation were found. This shows that acupuncture does supply patients with beneficial medicine, although slowly. The act of placing the highly conducting needles into the acupuncture sites, we believe, is similar to connecting a parallel wire to a circuit, resulting in a short-circuited route at the meridian. It permits the meridian's polarized in- ner energy, or qi, to pass through. The equilibrium in qi regulation can therefore be restored by unclogging the ow of qi.The repair process is relatively slow, and the treatment impact may not be immediately apparent, because the consti- tutive qualities at the acupuncture points where the needles are pricked may not alter quickly.

Earth’s ecosystems and human activities are threatened by a broad spectrum of hazards of major importance for the safety of ground infrastructures, space systems and space flight: solar activity, earthquakes, atmospheric and climatic disturbances, changes in the geomagnetic field, fluctuations of the global electric circuit. Monitoring and understanding these major hazards to better predict and mitigate their effects is one of the greatest scientific and operational challenges of the 21st century. Though diverse, these hazards share one feature in common: they all leave their characteristic imprints on a critical layer of the Earth’s environment: its ionosphere, middle and upper atmosphere (IMUA). The objective of the International Meridian Circle Program (IMCP), a major international program led by the Chines Academy of Sciences (CAS), is to deploy, integrate and operate a global network of research and monitoring instruments to use the IMUA as a screen on which to detect these imprints. In this article, we first show that the geometry required for the IMCP global observation system leads to a deployment of instruments in priority along the 120°E–60°W great meridian circle, which will cover in an optimal way both the dominant geographic and geomagnetic latitude variations, possibly complemented by a second Great Circle along the 30°E–150°W meridians to capture longitude variations. Then, starting from the Chinese Meridian Project (CMP) network and using it as a template, we give a preliminary and promising description of the instruments to be integrated and deployed along the 120°E–60° W great circle running across China, Australia and the Americas.

Acupuncture is a centuries-old therapeutic technique. However, because of the large number of complicating circumstances, it has been difficult to clearly prove the treatment's therapeutic effectiveness.As a result, acupuncture has failed to acquire acceptance in the mainstream clinical sector. An electromyography (EMG) sensor was built and used to test the efficacy of acupuncture in alleviating muscular stiffness in this study. Electrodes, differential and inverting amplifiers, filters, and a full-wave rectifier made up the EMG circuit. The output of the circuit was sent to a microcontroller for analog-to-digital transformation in order to perform data acquisition. Acupuncture was used to treat four participants who had muscular dysfunction in various regions of their bodies in our case study. Before and after the therapy, EMG signals at the damaged regions were recorded. The findings revealed that the therapy had no immediate conceivable impact on the patients, since the levels of muscular contraction before and after the treatment were comparable. When the EMG signals were measured 30 minutes after the therapy, signs of muscular alleviation were found. This shows that acupuncture does supply patients with beneficial medicine, although slowly. The act of placing the highly conducting needles into the acupuncture sites, we believe, is similar to connecting a parallel wire to a circuit, resulting in a short-circuited route at the meridian. It permits the meridian's polarized in- ner energy, or qi, to pass through. The equilibrium in qi regulation can therefore be restored by unclogging the ow of qi.The repair process is relatively slow, and the treatment impact may not be immediately apparent, because the consti- tutive qualities at the acupuncture points where the needles are pricked may not alter quickly.

Horsemanship as Cormac McCarthy represents it in his novels of the border Southwest is a variable craft—horsemanship contingent upon the particular needs and practices of the horsemen in each work. In Blood Meridian, the scalphunters use horses as tools to aid in killing. In All the Pretty Horses, John Grady Cole's abilities with horses strain credulity as a nearly chimerical communicative experience exists between the working cowboy and his horses. In The Crossing, Billy and Boyd Parham, who are not professional cowboys, use horses as vehicles, and Billy's horsemanship rests upon an emotional bond to the Parham horses, a bond that is based upon his psychological and emotional ties to the horses. In Cities of the Plain, horsemanship returns to the horse as tool for both constructive utility and extermination, while the working cowboys use horses to eradicate a wild dog population in a bloody excursion that mirrors Blood Meridian and All the Pretty Horses. Thus, in Blood Meridian and the Border Trilogy, horsemanship is a gradation shaped by the means and purposes of the riders as well as the historical locus in which the works are set.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to introduce the normalization effects of stimulation of both ST36 and CV11, 12, 13 meridian points on the abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity in two cases of functional dyspeptic patients with gastric dysmotility.Methods: Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded by electrogastrography every two weeks until their gastric myoelectrical activity finally reached the normality. Dominant frequency of gastric slow waves in the fasting and postprandial periods and a dominant power ratio were obtained on each occasion. Patients were treated three times each day: 9 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm. The first treatment consisted of manual and immersion stimulation on all used meridian points for 20 min. In the second and third treatments, electrical stimulation of both ST36 was added. It was conducted for 20 min at a strength intensity of 1.2 times the pain threshold at a frequency of 3 Hz.Results: Stimulation of the above meridian points normalized abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity. The time taken to return from abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity to normal was 16-19 weeks.Conclusion: Stimulation of both ST36 and CV11, 12, 13 meridian points normalized the abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity in the functional dyspepsia of gastric dysmotility.

The article discusses Pascale Casanova’s mapping of world literature according to a division into center and peripheries, focusing on her idea of the Greenwich Meridian of literature as a spatial and temporal measure of the world’s literary production. The related idea of literary consecration of peripheral writers is explained. The possibility of an alternative cartography that emphasizes literary transfers via translations between peripheries is analyzed on the basis of the famous modern Chinese writer Lu Xun’s theoretical and translation output. His practice of translating peripheral writers, often carried out second-hand via German editions, potentially challenges popular contemporary mappings of literary space such as those developed by P. Casanova and F. Moretti.

The indoor micro-environment monitoring system of the Forbidden City aims to explore the thresholds of environmental indicators under the presence of coexistence of multiple cultural relics through the analysis of environmental monitoring data and the deterioration of cultural heritiges, and to develop the optimal strategies for the protection and utilization of cultural heritiges. The objects of interest include historic buildings with modernised interior or those used for the storage of movable cultural relics. Several environmental indicators are employed to quantify the dynamic changes of the indoor environment. In order to meet the requirements of 24-hour data collection, real-time data transmission, and easy management and maintenance, the indoor micro-environmental monitoring system has been continuously upgraded and the "LoRa-based Hybrid Self-Organising Network System Deployment Solution" was deployed to satisfy the demands of high precision, low energy consumption, constant stability, and low cost. Taking the Meridian Gate exhibition hall of the Forbidden City during the exhibition "Splendor Forever: Six Centuries of the Forbidden City" as an example, we discussed the relationship between temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and visitor volumes, and the results provide a basis for optimizing the management of the exhibition. Future improvements to the indoor environment monitoring should focus on strengthening the in-depth mining of data and multi-factor correlation analysis, so as to gradually form a systematic and comprehensive monitoring management system.

To analyze and compare the features and strengths of different methods for calculating the biophysical properties of meridian points, and thus propose corresponding suggestions to fully achieve the research and application value of biophysical properties of meridian points. We searched and collected the literature on the imbalance of biophysical properties of meridian points between January 1, 2005 and March 1, 2020 in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP) and PubMed database, and then analyzed, compared, and summarized the applied methods for calculating the imbalance degree of the biophysical properties of meridian points. The current methods for calculating the imbalance degree of the biophysical properties of meridian points are diverse and can be summarized as the following three: direct comparison of the measured values of the left and right namesake points, difference method, and ratio method. The low uniformity of the calculation methods has limited the promotion and application of its research results. In future research on the biophysical properties of meridian points, multidisciplinary cooperation in terms of imbalance degree calculation methods, detection instruments, and health data models is necessary to achieve more widely applicable scientific conclusions and more generalized experimental results.

Researchers have examined autonomous sensory meridian responses (ASMRs) focusing on known experiencers and the nuances surrounding those occurrences. This exploratory study was developed in response to existing ASMR research focusing on individuals who were not necessarily known ASMR experiencers. My goal was to better understand whether these synesthesial responses affected a student’s education. There were no statistical differences among participants. However, more students responded that they experienced a reaction to specific sounds but did not believe they experienced ASMR. In open-ended responses, the primary themes surrounded empathy, resources, and negative perceptions as the response to the impact of ASMR on education and benefits offered through disability resource center (DRC).

Improving the accuracy of calculating the longitude of the axial meridian, the coordinates of the starting point and the height of the local coordinate system is achieved through introducing an intermediate coordinate system. The longitude of the axial meridian of the intermediate coordinate system is chosen equal to the approximate value of the longitude of the axial meridian of the local coordinate system. The difference in longitudes of the axial meridians of the state coordinate system and the intermediate coordinate system is known. The final value of the axial meridian`s longitude of the local coordinate system relative to the longitude of the axial meridian of the state coordinate system is calculated as the sum of two longitude differences. The first is the difference between the axial meridians of the local and the intermediate coordinate systems; the second is the difference in longitudes between the axial meridians of the intermediate and the state system. The residual errors of the mathematical apparatus for calculating the longitude of the axial meridian are less than 0.005 arc seconds. The proposed technology has been tested at real works.

Objective To explore whether or not the changes in body surface resistance at yuan-source points of three yin meridians of foot can specifically responds the onset of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in females of menstrual period and the before and after, so as to provide the evidence for acupoint selection in clinic. Methods A total of 90 cases of PD were recruited in a PD group and 90 healthy female undergraduates were recruited in a normal group. The yuan-source of points of three yin meridians of foot were selected, i.e. Taibai (太白SP3), Taichōng (太冲LR3) and Taixī (太溪KI3). The acupoints for control were Xuehai (血海SP10), the non-special acupoint, Xuanzhōng (悬钟GB39), the acupoint not on the relevant meridian, as well as a non-meridian point. Successively, before menstruation, on Day 1 during menstruation and on Day 3 after menstruation, the body surface resistance at the above-mentioned test sites was detected in the participants of two groups each day. The resistance imbalance degree (RID) of the bilateral acupoints was taken as the outcome indicator. The observation lasted one menstrual cycle. Results (1) Intra-group comparison: at LR3, the RID was lower on Day 1 during menstruation than that before menstruation significantly in the normal group (P ≤ 0.05). There was no significant change in RID at the same time points, but RID on Day 3 after menstruation was lower significantly than that before menstruation in the PD group (P ≤ 0.05). At SP3, KI3, SP10, GB39 and sham acupoint, there were no significant differences in RID among different time points within the same group (all P > 0.05). (2) Inter-group comparison: there were no significant differences in RID among different time points at the same point. (all P > 0.05). Conclusion RID at yuan-source points of three yin meridians of foot cannot specifically respond to PD. However, at LR3, before and after menstruation, RID changes are different between PD patients and healthy female undergraduates, which needs a further study in the future.

Carta Geographica de Projecçaõ Espherica Orthogonal da Nova Lusitania ou America Portugueza e Estado do Brazil iz 1798. godine, zajedno sa svojim inačicama iz 1795. (?), 1797. i 1803. godine, nesumnjivo je jedan od kartografskih spomenika izrađenih u Portugalu krajem osamnaestog stoljeća. Njezin je organizator bio geograf, astronom i kapetan fregate Antonio Pires da Silva Pontes Leme koji se oslanjao na rad 34 osobe, uključujući astronome, geografe i inženjere, koji su, iako samo spomenuti u inačici iz 1798. godine, pridonijeli izradi svih drugih. Sve su inačice izgledom slične, ali se razlikuju po veličini, sadržaju, detaljima, količini i distribuciji toponima, no to će biti predmet drugoga rada. Međutim, najveća se sličnost odnosi na kartografsku projekciju. Cilj je ovoga rada analizirati i prikazati moguće hipoteze i zaključke o tome koja je kartografska projekcija usvojena za sve inačice Nove Luzitanije identificiranjem karakteristika koje su omogućile zaključivanje i dokazivanje usvojene projekcije. Primijenjena je metodologija potvrdila da su u bibliografskom pretraživanju podatci o strukturi karte nedovoljni. U članku koji je u listopadu 1950. predstavio general Djalma Polli Coelho navodi se da se čini da je projekcija predložena naslovom kao ortogonalna sferna projekcija zapravo ekvivalentna Sanson-Flamsteedova projekcija. Međutim, naslov Carta Geographica de Projecçaõ Espherica Orthogonal omogućuje nam zaključak da je to možda poprečna ortografska projekcija sfere. S pomoću parametara koji definiraju dvije projekcije bit će moguće uspostaviti usporedne elemente za kartografsku analizu, što bi nam omogućilo da zaključimo i dokažemo strukturu usvojenu za kartu Nova Lusitanija – je li ona poprečna ortografska projekcija ili Sanson-Flamsteedova sinusna projekcija sa srednjim meridijanom od 315°, definiranim u smjeru zapad-stok (u smjeru suprotnom od kazaljke na satu) s otoka El Hierro (Ferro). Taj je meridijan smješten približno –62°39ʹ46ʺ u odnosu na grinički meridijan., The map named Carta Geographica de Projecçaõ Espherica Orthogonal da Nova Lusitania ou America Portugueza e Estado do Brazil from 1798, together with its 1795 (?), 1797 and 1803 versions, is undoubtedly one of the cartographic monuments developed by Portuguese cartography from the late eighteenth century. Its organizer was the geographer, astronomer, and frigate captain Antonio Pires da Silva Pontes Leme, who relied on the work of 34 people, including astronomers, geographers, and engineers, who, although only mentioned in the 1798 version, contributed to the creation of all versions. All of them are similar in appearance, but differ in size, content, details, amount, and distribution of toponyms, which will be the subject of another paper. The greatest similarity, however, concerns the defined map projection. The objective of this paper is to analyse and present the possible hypotheses and conclusions about which map projection was adopted for all versions of Nova Lusitania, through the identification of characteristics that allowed to infer and prove the adopted projection. The applied methodology verified that in the bibliographic search, the information about the map structure is insufficient. An article presented by General Djalma Polli Coelho in October 1950 states that the projection suggested by its title, as orthogonal spherical, appeared to be the Sanson-Flamsteed equal-area projection. However, the expression Carta Geographica de Projecçaõ Espherica Orthogonal allows us to infer also the transverse orthographic projection. Through parameters defined for the two projections, it was possible to establish the comparative elements for a cartographic analysis, which would allow us to conclude and prove the structure adopted for the map, allowing to conclude if the adopted projection for the Nova Lusitania was an azimuthal orthographic equatorial projection, or a Sanson-Flamsteed, sinusoidal projection on the meridian 315°, defined west-east, (counterclockwise), from the El Hierro (Ferro) Island. This meridian is referenced approx. –62°39'46" off the Greenwich meridian.

We prove that Khovanov homology with Z/2-coefficients detects the link L7n1, and the union of a trefoil and its meridian., 15 pages, 5 figures

Background: We aimed to explore the feasibility of evaluating effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) based on different meridian syndromes. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted in Beijing from January 2019 to December 2019. Sixty KOA participants were randomly allocated to either EA (n=30) or SA (n=30) groups. Participants in EA group were treated with semi-standardized on different meridian syndrome, including five obligatory acupoints and three adjunct acupoints. Eight non-acupoints that were separated from conventional acupoints or meridians were used for the SA group. Both groups received 24 sessions within eight weeks. The primary outcome was response rate, defined as a change of ≥50% from baseline in total scores of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) at the end of treatment. Secondary outcomes included function, pain, stiffness, quality of life and acupuncture-related adverse events at four and eight weeks. Results: Of 60 participants randomized, 56 (93.3%) completed the study. Response rates were 60% for the EA group and 30% for the SA group after eight weeks. Significant differences were observed in WOMAC pain and total scores within two groups (P =0.026, P =0.043). Rates of adverse events were low and similarly distributed between groups. Conclusion: EA intervention based on meridian differentiation in KOA was feasible and appeared safe, having a stronger impact on pain than SA. Future studies can be designed with larger sample size, adequately powered, randomization design and less biases. Trial registration number: NCT03274713.

Le système d’arpentage Public Land Survey a été instauré en 1785 afin que soit établi rapidement le levé du vaste domaine des terres publiques des États-Unis. Il en est résulté un schéma familier de townships de six milles de côté, subdivisés en sections, avec une grille caractéristique délimitant les propriétés foncières, que l’on retrouve sur la plus grande partie du territoire du Midwest et de l’Ouest américain. À mesure que le système se déploie, l’arpentage de nouveaux lieux nécessite le choix de nouveaux méridiens de référence. Un ensemble de 31 de ces méridiens apparaissent sur d’innombrables cartes. L’auteur montre que l’historique coutumier du déploiement de l’arpentage ne tient pas compte de son rapport avec les Amérindiens et particulièrement les réserves indiennes. Il existait essentiellement deux séries de levés, l’une pour les Blancs et l’autre pour les Amérindiens. Cette dernière était beaucoup plus modeste et est pratiquement disparue. En 1875, un méridien a été choisi pour délimiter la réserve indienne du fleuve Colorado en Arizona. Le méridien du fleuve Colorado a tenu pendant 38 ans avant d’être gommé par un nouvel arpentage. La suppression de ce méridien est attribuable au stratagème d’une société minière pour mettre la main sur des richesses minières convoitées ; la société a conspiré avec les fonctionnaires du ministère du Department of the Interior pour obtenir l’aval du président Wilson. Il en reste peu de vestiges aujourd’hui.

More than 70 topographic profiles of 34 large lunar maria and basins were constructed and studied in order to obtain quantitative values of the parameters that characterize these formations, to identify patterns and features of their relief. The dependence of the absolute height of the bottom and the depth of the basins on latitude, longitude, size and relative age has been investigated. The absolute height of the bottom of the formations in the visible hemisphere, as expected, is less than in the opposite hemisphere. In the longitudinal direction, there is a tendency for the depth of the basins to increase in the direction from the central meridian to the 180 meridian (from the center of the near side hemisphere to the center of the far side hemisphere). The ridges of the ramparts throughout each of the basins often have different heights. Depending on this difference in the heights of the ridges of the ramparts, three groups of basins are distinguished, which differ in height. It is assumed that the greater the height difference of the ridges of the ramparts, the more oblique was the fall of the impactor. The correlation of the above parameters with the relative age was not found in this study. Morphometric studies of impact ring structures on the Moon and their interpretation suggest that in the early evolutionary epoch of the lunar surface in the period of about 4.4–4.0 billion years, the main impactors were bodies of cometary nature from the Kuiper Belt or from the Oort Cloud.

As traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained more and more recognition in the world, Chinese medicine has also played its important role. However, traditional Chinese medicine equipment is relatively deficient, with insufficient functions and low degree of digitalization. For example, existing auscultation equipment can obtain few human characteristic indicators, which is difficult to meet the needs of reference in traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. Based on this, this paper designed a human body characteristic index detection system based on the principle of traditional Chinese medicine, which includes respiratory and heartbeat signal acquisition device, meridian and acupoint signal acquisition device, temperature signal acquisition device, pulse and blood pressure acquisition device, processing module, keyword module, and output module. The respiratory and heartbeat signal acquisition device is used to collect the respiratory and heartbeat signal of human body. Meridian acupoint signal acquisition device is used to collect human meridian acupoint radio signals. The temperature signal acquisition device is used to collect the infrared temperature light wave signal of human body. Pulse and blood pressure acquisition devices are used to collect pulse and blood pressure signals. The processing module is used to obtain one or more human body characteristic indicators according to one or more of the respiration and heartbeat signals, meridians and acupoints signals, temperature signals, pulse, and blood pressure, including Qi and blood characteristic indicators, viscera and six meridian characteristic indicators, and temperature characteristic indicators. The keyword corresponding module is used to obtain the corresponding keyword representing the physiological state information of human body according to the one or more human body characteristic indicators. The output module is used to output the human body characteristic index and the key words. It includes the key words of Qi and blood state information, the key words of viscera state information, the key words of Qi and blood state information, etc. The system can be used for serious disease screening, chronic disease management, and risk early warning.

Considering that prehistoric cultures may have had the socio-religious need and technical ability to create accurate geometric patterns across a large landscape, limited ethnographic and archaeolog...

Electrical submersible pump (ESP) is widely used as an artificial lifting machinery in the petroleum production and geothermal usage. Its energy efficiency is related to the amount of produced oil and affects the global energy consumption. This study aimed to improve the energy performance of a typical three-stage ESP. Through the combination of Taguchi methods and numerical simulations, the diffuser meridian within ESP was geometrically optimized by setting the head and efficiency under design flow condition as the evaluation index. On the basis of the Bessel curve characteristics, the line patterns of hub and shroud within the ESP diffuser meridian were parameterized to preliminary extract the necessary factors of Taguchi test. Finally, the influence priority of different factors on the optimization was analyzed to guide the subsequent ESP optimization. Comparison of the performance and the internal flow field of models before and after optimization revealed that the Taguchi test is remarkably helpful in optimizing the meridian within ESP diffuser. This work provides new ideas for optimizing the meridian of main hydraulic components within ESPs to achieve higher efficiency and lower energy consuming.

Background: In accordance with the meridian theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), meridian phenomena are observed along the course of a meridian following acupuncture. Their visible manifestations include alterations in the color (reddening or whitening) of the skin as well as papule and vesicle formation. Objectives: The aim of the present work is to report a series of visible meridian phenomena manifested in human subjects and to correlate them to TCM concepts. A total of 1,200 patients, on whom classical acupuncture (with standard single-use needles without electrostimulation or moxibustion) was applied, were carefully observed and documented. Methods: Visible meridian phenomena were photographed using standard photographical equipment and compared to classical acupuncture channels used by TCM. Results: Ten patients (5 male, 5 female) exhibited visible meridian phenomena. Lines, concurring with the meridians, were observed: white lines in seven cases and red lines in three cases. The duration of the two kinds of phenomena was different. White lines remained visible for a shorter period (10-15 min), whereas red lines were seen for up to one hour after needle removal. Conclusion: These observations indicate that visible meridian phenomena following acupuncture are objective, albeit rare, findings that coincide with the acupuncture channels described in the classical works of TCM. The presence of such phenomena provides a new insight into the concept of meridians and explains the development of the idea in its historical context. © 2021 Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute. All rights reserved.

Objective To explore the experiences of ancient acupuncture physicians in acupoint combination with meridians and body regions involved in treatment of chronic gastritis through data mining technology so as to provide the evidences for the clinical application of acupuncture for chronic gastritis in the modern time. Methods Firstly, the ancient literature (database), searching words, inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined. Secondly, the database was organized through computer and manual retrieval. Finally, using data mining techniques, such as frequency analysis and association analysis, the experiences of ancient acupuncture physicians were explored in meridian selection and acupoint combination in treatment of chronic gastritis. Results A total of 2243 items in compliance with the relevant requirements were included, covering 224 acupoints for the treatment of chronic gastritis. Of them, the involved meridians were closely related to the stomach, especially to bladder, spleen and stomach meridians as well as Conception Vessel. The acupoints selected not only focus on the local acupoints related to lesions, but also on the distal ones, especially those located in the lower limbs. The most common acupoints for any symptom were Zusānlĭ (足三里 ST36), Neiguān (内关PC6), Zhōngwan (中脘CV12), Gōngsūn (公孙SP4) and Taibai (太白SP3). For epigastric pain, Liangmen (梁门ST21) and Xiangŭ (陷谷ST43) were the representatives as the combination of acupoints from the same meridian. For the disorders with upward reversion of qi, PC6 and SP4 were generally combined. Among the specific points, the five-shu points were the most common, followed by the front-mu points. In the combination with the specific points involved, PC4 and SP4 were highly associated. The acupoint combination was particular for each category of main symptoms. Conclusion In treatment of chronic gastritis with acupuncture, the ancient physicians give the great consideration to symptom differentiation and meridian differentiation relevant with gastric disorders, as well as the combination of the distal and nearby acupoints. Besides, the specific points are of the best choice.

Historically the conformal projections have been used for mapping not only the Earth, but other celestial bodies as well. Their application enables preserving the shape of the relief features on the maps, which is extremely important for various analyses of celestial bodies’ surfaces. For many small bodies of the Solar system the International Astronomical Union recommends to apply a triaxial ellipsoid as a reference surface. But if the conformal projections for the reference surfaces of a sphere and an ellipsoid of revolution already exist, obtaining these projections for a triaxial ellipsoid will be significantly complicated, and the task of preserving the shape of relief features still actual. In general, the article deals with cylindrical and azimuthal projections of the meridian section for global mapping the celestial body surface in accordance with the idea formulated by prof. L. M. Bugaevsky. The projections are implemented for mapping of Phobos, moon of Mars.

The consequences of global change cannot be estimated without long-term monitoring programmes. The Kola Meridian transect, along 33°30’E, in the Barents Sea is the longest term monitoring area in the Arctic. Regular (usually annual) hydrobiological benthic surveys along that transect have been performed since 1899. Materials stored in museum collections remain the main source of the faunistic information obtained during the surveys, while only a minor part of these data was published. We reexamined all samples of shell-bearing gastropods from the Kola Meridian stored at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and at Saint Petersburg State University. We found only 159 museum lots from 73 samples, which constitute a very small portion of the total material collected along the transect. Approximately one-third of them (54 lots) was misidentified or includes individuals that cannot be identified at species level. The species composition revealed by museum materials differs substantially from published checklists. Majority of the studied samples (40) were collected during 1899–1920. However, the extant collections do not provide a reliable baseline for the Kola Meridian. We propose that the storage of zoological material in public collections should be considered as an essential part of long-term monitoring programmes.

Fertilizer sphericity is an important assessment index of appearance quality that affects the fertilization effect. A fertilizer sphericity measuring device based on machine vision was designed aimed at low precision and heavy workload of manual fertilizer measurement, and high cost and complicated operation of high precision measuring instruments. A fertilizer sphericity measuring method based on equatorial and meridian circles was proposed. The device works in an intermittent static acquisition mode to simultaneously obtain both top and side images of a single fertilizer. First, the method performs gamma correction on the top and side images of the single fertilizer, and uses the Canny operator to detect the edge of the image to obtain the equatorial and meridian circular contour images of the fertilizer. Second, based on the fertilizer equatorial and meridian circular contour, the Least Squares Circle method was used to evaluate the roundness of the single fertilizer. Finally, the average roundness value of the equatorial and meridian circles was used as the final sphericity value of the fertilizer. The sphericity measurement test was carried out on the same batch of compound, organic and biological fertilizers by using the sphericity measuring device. The fertilizer sphericity data were obtained by different measurement and evaluation methods. The variation coefficient was used to evaluate the difference in fertilizer sphericity measured by different sphericity measurement and evaluation methods. The results show that among the different measurement and evaluation methods, the coefficient of variation of fertilizer sphericity measured by the equatorial and meridian circle method was the smallest, and the coefficient of variation of sphericity measured by the Least Squares Circle method was the smallest and accurate. This study shows that the sphericity measuring device and method can accurately measure the fertilizer sphericity, and has a significant potential to facilitate fertilizer production and quality inspection.

Based on the data obtained with the CHIMERA algorithm, we consider the evolution of a long-lived low-latitude coronal hole during its central meridian passage over the period from February 15, 2012, to October 14, 2012. The correlation coefficient between the photospheric magnetic field strength of the coronal hole and its area in nine Carrington rotations is $$R={-}0.55$$ . It differs noticeably from $$R={-}0.82$$ given in Heinemann et al. The results suggest a significant dependence of the area of coronal holes on the method of determining their boundaries. This can have a noticeable effect both on the prediction of geomagnetic activity and on the understanding of the nature of solar phenomena related to these structures.

From the perspective view of Chinese medicine, the Gan (Liver) meridian of Foot-Jueyin starts from the great toe, running upward along the medial side of the thigh to the perineal area, where it curves around the external genitalia and goes up to the lower abdomen. In clinical practice, acupoints in the feet of the Gan meridian of Foot-Jueyin are used to treat the genitourinary and external genitalia diseases. Studies have shown that reproductive system diseases have specific pathological reactions in the places (radial side of tibia and foot) where Gan meridian of Foot-Jueyin passes by. Why does this happen? In this article, we begin by briefly reviewing the evidences linking foot and genitalia. We then explore the potential mechanism of the relationship between genitals and the Gan meridian of Foot-Jueyin. The brain cerebral cortex is characterized by cortical interactions. Numerous studies show that different cerebral cortex function areas (especially the adjacent areas) are overlapping and interact with each other. Finally, we presume that there is a specific connection between the feet and the genitals. Physiologically in the cortical homunculus, the genital area lies adjacent or overlapped to the foot areas, the two areas may interact with each other. The functional reorganization between different areas of the cerebral cortex under pathological conditions may be the underlying mechanism of the relationship between the feet and the genitals.

Background Continuous and porous low hydraulic resistance channels (LHRCs) are important structures of meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this study, based on the previous research on LHRCs along meridian paths (LHRCMs)in mini-pig, we aimed to detect the low hydraulic resistance point (LHRP) and display the LHRCMs in rats. Methods A technique for measuring interstitial hydraulic resistance (Rh) in rats was established to detect and measure the Rh along the conception vessel (CV) in TCM, and Alcian Blue (AB) solution was injected into the LHRP along the CV. The interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) of the LHRP was measured before and after AB injection. Then, the distribution characteristics of the AB solution were investigated to explore the relationship between AB tracks and meridian paths in TCM. Results The positions of the LHRPs coincided with the low impedance points (LIPs) of the rat skin along the CV. The Rh value along the CV (10.37±1.26, × 106 dyne s cm−5) was significantly lower than that in the non-meridian area (19.13±1.37, × 106 dyne s cm−5, P Conclusions LHRCMs existed not only in minipigs but also in rats. The LHRCMs could be observed after AB injection into the LHRP in the subcutaneous connective tissues of rats.

Acupuncture has been used for treating various medical conditions in traditional Chinese medicine. Both manual and electro-acupuncture stimulate specific acupoints to obtain local and systemic biological effects, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we used three-dimensional tissue-clearing technology to study acupoints on the Ren meridian of mice to reveal the distribution, density, branching, and relationships between blood vessels and nerves. Using topological Mapper methods, we found that sympathetic neurovascular networks were denser in the CV 4 acupoint compared with surrounding non-acupoints. Furthermore, high resolution in vivo real-time vascular imaging using the near infrared-II probe LZ-1105 demonstrated increased blood flow in the CV 4 acupoint compared with neighboring non-acupoints after manual or electro-acupuncture. Consistent with earlier findings, our research indicated that acupuncture could enhance local blood flow, and our high-resolution 3D images show for the first time the important role of sympathetic neurovascular networks in the CV 4 acupoint.