69 research outputs found
A study of Chan Master Foguo and a translation of the text in Wenshu zhinan tuzan
No full textThis study intends to offer a detailed and reliable chronicle of the life of Chan Master Foguo (佛國禪師), to determine the extant editions of Wenshu zhinan tuzan (文殊指南圖讚, the Tuzan in short) in China, and to attempt a translation of the fifty-four eulogies in the Tuzan.
Wenshu zhinan tuzan is an illustrated book of woodblock prints and eulogies on the motif of Sudhana’s pilgrimage, which is based on the Gaṇḍavyūha (入法界品) of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra (大方廣佛華嚴經). The woodblock prints have been extensively cited as key references for the iconographic study on this motif. The eulogies are often borrowed to illustrate drawings related to the topic.
As indicated by the preface to the Tuzan, Chan Master Foguo is the author of the eulogies. A reliable chronicle for Chan Master Foguo is constructed in this thesis through intensive reading and critical analysis of relevant historical records, hagiographies, local gazettes, and so on. His social networks, consisting of his masters and disciples, monastic friends, patrons, and others, place Foguo in a profound social milieu in the second half of the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127). A brief biography is generated from the chronicle, his social networks, and the traces of his travels.
At least three editions of the Tuzan are confirmed to be in circulation in China. The late Ming (1368–1644) edition is brought into the spotlight. The superiority of Luo Zhenyu’s edition to the two editions included in the Tripitaka is argued, with iconographical evidence revealed in the comparative study of the illustrations in four editions. The format of the 2015 edition heralds the rising popularity of this motif.
For the first time, the fifty-four eulogies are translated into English, with special treatment of the rhyme. Considerations of the metre and an annotated translation are recommended for future efforts.
The main purpose of this study is, therefore, to construct a reliable chronicle and a brief biography for Chan Master Foguo, to classify the extant editions of Wenshu zhinan tuzan in China and prove the superiority of Luo Zhenyu’s edition, and to attempt a translation of the text, comprising fifty-four eulogies, in the Tuzan.
Keywords: Chan Master Foguo, Sudhana, Wenshu zhinan tuzan, Avataṃsaka Sūtra, Sudhana’s pilgrimagepublished_or_final_versionBuddhist StudiesMasterMaster of Philosoph
Replication Data for: Deciphering the Factors Influencing Electric Field Mediated Polymerization and Depolymerization at the Solution-Solid Interface
No full textStrong and oriented electric fields are known to influence structure as well as reactivity. The strong electric field (EF) between the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and graphite has been used to modulate two-dimensional (2D) polymerization of aryl boronic acids where switching the polarity of the substrate bias enabled reversible transition between self-assembled molecular networks of monomers and crystalline 2D polymer (2DP) domains. Here, we untangle the different factors influencing the EF-mediated (de)polymerization of a boroxine-based 2D polymer on graphite. The influence of the solvent was systematically studied by varying the nature from polar protic to polar aprotic to non-polar. The effect of monomer concentration was also investigated in detail with a special focus on the time-dependence of the transition. Our experimental observations indicate that while the nucleation of 2DP domains is not initiated by the applied electric field, the depolymerization and subsequent desorption, is a consequence of the change in the polarity of the substrate bias within the area scanned by the STM tip. We conclude that the reversible transition is intimately linked to the bias-induced adsorption and desorption of the monomers, which, in turn, could drive changes in the local concentration of the monomers
Utilizing crosswise self-growing connection as load-bearing element in building design
No full textWithin the context of utilizing alternative materials to promote sustainable construction in the building industry, Living Architecture is a concept that uses living organisms as the building materials. As a rather unconventional approach, it possesses benefits such as low cost, not requiring considerable workforce or industrial material, carbon-free, and its ability to return to nature when no longer in use. As an essential part of Living Architectures, scientists and engineers have recognized the importance of fusion between trees. For instance, in projects such as the Baubotanik Tower and the Living Tree Pavilion, a design premise is that the structure becomes ready when the fusion between trees could provide sufficient strength to support the structure. However, little research has been conducted in terms of the fusion processes and the mechanical behaviours of tree connections, which is an essential step prior to designing Living Architecture. With crosswise tree connection as the main focus of this thesis, the following research question is formulated: What are the mechanical behaviours of a self-growing crosswise tree connection when utilized as load-bearing elements in a building structure, and how can such connections be modelled during the preliminary design phase of a building structure? To help answering the research question, literature studies are conducted. In chapter 1, from a botanical perspective, it is concluded that, in the event of two stems contacting with one another, the two stems would gradually fuse together. Such an event is triggered by the abrasion on the bark due to the rubbing between the stems; later, due to the secondary growth, fibers from both stems deviate and join together to form common growth rings, such event can also be verified by the micro-CT scans that have been conducted on the crosswise tree connections. Additionally, due to the nature of the connection, a certain eccentricity from the stems' piths exists, and it is important to acknowledge that the length of such eccentricity stays constant from the start of the fusion process. To investigate the influence of tree growth on the mechanical properties of trees and tree connections, which is needed for design purposes, chapter 2 investigates the growth model and the tapering geometry of living trees. With the help of the Urban tree growth model published by the United States Department of Agriculture and a series of simple tapering equations, the growth parameters of a growing tree can be computed. Part-II of the thesis explores deeper in terms of the mechanical behaviours of such crosswise connections. A simple analysis of two trees connected in a crosswise manner is first conducted in chapter 4. It is concluded that, under loading, the connection can be subjected to tensile stress perpendicular to the grain and rolling shear stress. As two of the weakest strength properties of wood, the crosswise connections should be treated with care by future designers. As a part of an entire building structure, it is essential to determine the rotational stiffness and strength of a structural connection; therefore, in chapter 5, an experimental design is proposed for such purpose. Due to the irregular geometry of the crosswise connection, the experiment makes use of digital image correlation so that the rotational stiffness of the connection under loading can be obtained. Since conducting the actual experiment falls out of this thesis scope, a finite element modelling analysis with similar boundary conditions is conducted in chapter 6. With the results obtained from FEM, it is found that, due to the nature of the connection, complex torsional behaviours occur to the connection. Additionally, with the connection under loading, it is found that non-uniform stress distribution and stress concentration occurs along the interface between two stems. Comparing with the strength properties of wood, it is discovered that the first incident that causes failure is tension perpendicular to the grain, which is the weakest strength property of wood. To conduct preliminary structural design and verification, wireframe modelling approach is often utilized. In chapter 7, it is concluded that it is most suitable to model the crosswise connection with a separate beam element that connects the two stems, for its ability to capture the complex torsional behaviours described in chapter 6.Lastly, after investigating the local behaviours of crosswise connection, Part-IIIinvestigates the feasibility of conducting a preliminary structural design and verification with such connections. With the case study analysis conducted in chapter 8, it is concluded that, by appropriately capturing the load effects on growing trees and tree connections, designers are able to predict when the structure would reach sufficient strength to be in service. This thesis positions itself as a part of a broader spectrum that examines the feasibility of utilizing tree connections as the load-bearing elements in structures, which can be seen as a step towards sustainable construction.Civil Engineering | Building Engineering - Structural Desig
Antidiabetic Effect of Tibetan Medicine Tang-Kang-Fu-San on High-Fat Diet and Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic effects of a Tibetan medicine, Tang-Kang-Fu-San (TKFS), on experimental type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Firstly two major chemical compositions of TKFS, gallic acid and curcumin, were characterized by HPLC fingerprint analysis. Next T2DM in rats was induced by high-fat diet and a low-dose streptozotocin (STZ 35 mg/kg). Then oral gavage administration of three different doses of TKFS (0.3 g/kg, 0.6 g/kg, and 1.2 g/kg) was given to T2DM rats. Experimental results showed that TKFS dramatically reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting blood insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, even though it did not alter the animal body weight. The downregulation of phosphorylation-AKT (p-AKT) and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle of T2DM rats was restored and abnormal pathological changes in pancreas tissues were also improved. Our work showed that TKFS could alleviate diabetic syndromes, maintain the glucose homeostasis, and protect against insulin resistance in T2DM rats, and the improvement of AKT phosphorylation and GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle would be one of its possible underlying mechanisms.</jats:p
An experimental investigation into pin loading effects on fatigue crack growth in Fibre Metal Laminates
No full textAbstractThis paper provides an experimental investigation into the pin loading effects on the crack growth behaviour in Fibre Metal Laminates. The pin loading effects and bypass loading effects are incorporated in two different tested joints. The analysis of the test results shows that pin loading dominates the crack growth only in the vicinity of the pin hole and the superposition method for analysing stress intensity factor in FMLs with pin loading effects can be applied
Antidiabetic Effect of Tibetan Medicine Tang-Kang-Fu-San in db/db Mice via Activation of PI3K/Akt and AMPK Pathways
No full textThis study was to investigate the anti-diabetic effects and molecular mechanisms of Tang-Kang-Fu-San (TKFS), a traditional Tibetan medicine, in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus of spontaneous diabetic db/db mice. Firstly HPLC fingerprint analysis was performed to gain the features of the chemical compositions of TKFS. Next different doses of TKFS (0.5 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg, and 2.0 g/kg) were administrated via oral gavage to db/db mice and their controls for 4 weeks. TKFS significantly lowered hyperglycemia and ameliorated insulin resistance (IR) in db/db mice, indicated by results from multiple tests, including fasting blood glucose test, intraperitoneal insulin and glucose tolerance tests, fasting serum insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of IR analysis as well as histology of pancreas islets. TKFS also decreased concentrations of serum triglyceride, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, even though it did not change the mouse body weights. Results from western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that TKFS reversed the down-regulation of p-Akt and p-AMPK, and increased the translocation of Glucose transporter type 4 in skeletal muscles of db/db mice. In all, TKFS had promising benefits in maintaining the glucose homeostasis and reducing IR. The underlying molecular mechanisms are related to promote Akt and AMPK activation and Glucose transporter type 4 translocation in skeletal muscles. Our work showed that multicomponent Tibetan medicine TKFS acted synergistically on multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus
Virus Propagation Model for Wireless Sensor Networks Based on IPv6
No full textThis paper aims to disclose the features of virus propagation in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). To this end, the author analysed the data transmission mode of WSNs which follow IPv6 protocol. Then, the virus propagation in such networks was simulated and discussed under different scenarios. Based on the simulation results and the traditional virus propagation model, a new model was put forward to describe the virus transmission in IPv6 WSNs. The proposed model lays a theoretical basis for relevant studies and the guarantee of WSN security
Size control of drug nanoparticles stabilized by mPEG-b-PCL during flash nanoprecipitation
No full textA Cost-Effective Nano-Sized Curcumin Delivery System with High Drug Loading Capacity Prepared via Flash Nanoprecipitation
No full textFlash nanoprecipitation (FNP) is an efficient technique for encapsulating drugs in particulate carriers assembled by amphiphilic polymers. In this study, a novel nanoparticular system of a model drug curcumin (CUR) based on FNP technique was developed by using cheap and commercially available amphiphilic poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as stabilizer and natural polymer chitosan (CS) as trapping agent. Using this strategy, high encapsulation efficiency (EE > 95%) and drug loading capacity (DLC > 40%) of CUR were achieved. The resulting CUR-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) showed a long-term stability (at least 2 months) and pH-responsive release behavior. This work offers a new strategy to prepare cost-effective drug-loaded NPs with high drug loading capacity and opens a unique opportunity for industrial scale-up
A Proper Place for God: Ma Zhu’s Chinese-Islamic Cosmogenesis
No full textThis chapter focuses on Ma Zhu (1640-after 1710), a Yunnanese literatus educated in the Neo-Confucian and Islamic curricula, author of the classical Chinese text Qingzhen zhinan (the compass or guide to Islam). His intended audience included both non-Muslim elites and Muslims literate only in that language. As he justified his ancestral religion, he had to solve an intractable problem—how could he narrate creation of the cosmos ex nihilo, a necessary part of the description of the Islamic God (Ar. Allāh), in a cultural context that lacked a cosmic creator? He solved this by placing God at the beginning of the conventional Neo-Confucian progression of the cosmos’s uncaused, impersonal evolution—from the chaos of Beyond Ultimate (wuji), via the Great Ultimate (taiji), yin and yang, the Five Phases, Heaven and Earth (qiankun) to phenomenal reality. Though unsuccessful in persuading non-Muslims of God’s cosmogenetic power, Ma Zhu’s book remains popular among Sino-Muslims, who combine Chinese and Islamic cultures in their intellectual and religious lives.</p
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