Ancient Form Research Articles

Contributions of Traditional Persian Medicine Lifestyle Principles in Primary Health Care: An Evidence-Based Review

Context: Traditional medicine (TM) is widely used and holds significant potential for increasing Primary Health Care (PHC) coverage and achieving universal health coverage (UHC), especially in developing countries. Persian medicine (PM), an ancient form of TM, encompasses lifestyle principles known as "Hifz-o-Siha," which aim to maintain and improve health. This study seeks to explore whether lifestyle modifications based on PM can effectively promote health within the framework of PHC. Methods: We conducted searches across various databases, including Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Our search terms included Traditional medicine, Persian, Iranian, Health maintenance, Education, and Primary health care. Results: Three randomized clinical trials conducted between 2017 and 2019 examined the impact of educating individuals about PM's lifestyle principles on their quality of life and healthcare utilization. The results indicated significant improvements in all measured outcomes. Furthermore, six clinical trials focused on PM dietary modifications in the treatment of conditions such as obesity, infertility, nephrotic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In all these studies, PM diets demonstrated significant efficacy compared to conventional medicine. Conclusions: Lifestyle modifications based on PM recommendations have the potential to positively influence PHC and promote overall health. However, the incorporation of PM into national health systems faces challenges, primarily due to the limited availability of supporting evidence.

Symmetry classification and enumeration of square-tile sikku kolams

Pulli kolam is an ancient mathematical art form that is still practiced today in south India by over a quarter million people. ‘Pulli’ in the Tamizh language means ‘dots’. A specific type of pulli kolam is sikku kolam where a series of dots are placed using rice flour and lines are drawn around them following three simple rules. Here we focus on sikku kolams assembled from square tiles. Kolams are classified by their point group symmetry and formulae are derived for counting the number of kolams of each symmetry type. Some interesting constraint problems are posed that could help formulate new games based on this elegant art form.

Experiment with Canon (on the Poetics of A. Voznesensky’s Sonnets)

Andrei Voznesensky, who proved himself to be an “atomic minstrel,” an unreserved singer of scientific and technical revolution, whole-heartedly striving for the future, was not, objectively speaking, an ardent fan of the sonnet, as, indeed, were his idols and teachers Mayakovsky and Pasternak. However, he nevertheless paid a certain tribute to this ancient genre-strophic form, enriching it with radical innovations. The article analyzes the so-called “Impromptu Sonnet” (1998), which completes the poet’s sonnet ensemble. The title of the poem simultaneously serves as its genre definition. The motif of Emptiness, оne of the steady ideological and thematic dominants of Voznesensky’s work is considered in connection with his fascination with the works of M. Heidegger, with whom he personally communicated in Freiburg in 1967. We find a reflection of the German philosopher’s in Voznesensky’s essays, including “The Tooth of Reason,” “О” and in several cyclizing lyrical poems, a significant part of which are sonnets or at least their derivatives. The article focuses most closely on the distinctive contrast in the poet’s ideas between the high content conditions of the classical sonnet and the exceptionally liberal attitude to its canonical forms.

‘Mapping’ China’s Art Industry: Understanding Contemporary China Through Qiu Zhijie’s Maps as a Medium of Cultural Relations

Deeply ingrained in the fabric of Chinese society, calligraphy originated as an ancient art form and is known as the chief of all traditional arts in China. In the current artistic context of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), calligraphy has merged with contemporary art forms to reflect the dynamic changes and realities of the country. Addressing gaps in academic literature focusing on China’s soft power and cultural diplomacy, this paper focuses on cultural relations to develop a people-centered pathway that flows “organically” and enables the understanding of current-day China. Inspired by Anne Marie-Slaughter’s conceptualization of a “web” of networks, this paper employs a case study analysis of specific contemporary artworks by Chinese contemporary artist Qiu Zhijie. Indeed, this paper finds that Qiu’s maps reflect nuances of contemporary Chinese society, showcasing the intricate relationship between calligraphy, contemporary Chinese art forms, and Chinese culture and society. Further, due to the unique combination of Chinese characters and English text, woven together through cartography and Chinese calligraphy, Qiu’s maps provide international audiences with basic tools for understanding cross-cultural nuances and contemporary realities. In the context of international relations, Qiu’s maps may act as a medium for improving the international community’s understanding of current-day China.

Serotonergic modulation of swallowing in a complete fly vagus nerve connectome

How the body interacts with the brain to perform vital life functions, such as feeding, is a fundamental issue in physiology and neuroscience. Here, we use a whole-animal scanning transmission electron microscopy volume of Drosophila to map the neuronal circuits that connect the entire enteric nervous system to the brain via the insect vagus nerve at synaptic resolution. We identify a gut-brain feedback loop in which Piezo-expressing mechanosensory neurons in the esophagus convey food passage information to a cluster of six serotonergic neurons in the brain. Together with information on food value, these central serotonergic neurons enhance the activity of serotonin receptor 7-expressing motor neurons that drive swallowing. This elemental circuit architecture includes an axo-axonic synaptic connection from the glutamatergic motor neurons innervating the esophageal muscles onto the mechanosensory neurons that signal to the serotonergic neurons. Our analysis elucidates a neuromodulatory sensory-motor system in which ongoing motor activity is strengthened through serotonin upon completion of a biologically meaningful action, and it may represent an ancient form of motor learning.

Stylistic codification of traditional forms of poetic text (based on the material of the ancient Chinese theoretical study of poetry “Shi-Ping” (诗品, “Categories of Poems”)

Abstract The study of the main works that codified the classical forms of the Chinese text is important for analysing the ways of development of poetic works and determining the formation of their stylistic norms, mechanisms, and thematic concepts. The research aims to analyse the peculiarities of the stylistic codification of ancient Chinese traditional verse forms based on the theoretical material of Zhong Rong’s “Shi-Ping” (诗品). The following methods were used: deductive, content analysis, and comparative. The research results determined that ancient Chinese poetry is known for its unique depth, sophistication, and richness of images. Zhong Rong’s treatise “Shi-Ping” influenced the formation of stylistic features of classical Chinese five-line poetry. The analysis of its textual data has shown that this anthology emphasises the importance of the poetic form, especially rhythm and melody, and provides specific recommendations for the use of iambic pentameter, which contributed to its popularisation and development. The practical significance lies in the use of the information by scholars in the fields of philology, linguistics, cultural studies, linguistics, as well as specialists who study the traditional forms of Chinese poetic text.

Virtual shadow puppet generation based on AlphaPose

This study aims to develop a novel motion capture method utilizing the AlphaPose project to support the production and analysis of shadow puppetry. Through precise capture and analysis of human body postures, we seek to enhance the performance quality of shadow puppetry, introducing modern technology to this ancient Chinese intangible cultural heritage art form, thereby facilitating its inheritance and development. This paper provides an introduction to the background and significance of the research, explores existing issues and shortcomings, and provides a detailed description of our methodology and the improvements achieved.

From Ancient Practices to Modern Science: A Review on the Synthesis and Characterization of Ayurvedic Bhasmas

Ayurvedic Bhasma, an ancient form of Indian traditional medicine, represents a unique class of herbo-mineral formulations prepared through a meticulous process involving calcination. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis and characterization of Ayurvedic Bhasmas, focusing on its preparation methods, physicochemical properties, and characterization. The synthesis of Bhasma involves a series of Shodhana (purification), Marana (incineration), and Bhavana (soaking and drying) processes, each contributing to the transformation of raw minerals and herbs into bioavailable nanoparticles with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity. The review delves into the intricate processes involved in the production of various bhasmas, prepared in our laboratory as well as reports by other researchers. It also highlights modern scientific techniques used to characterize these formulations, including XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, AAS, NAA, DLS etc. These techniques reveal the nanoscale size, crystalline structure, and elemental composition of bhasmas, providing insights into their therapeutic potential and safety profiles.

A Brief Discussion on the Development and Inheritance of Chinese Woodblock Printing Art

Chinese woodblock printing art, as an ancient art form, carries the long history and profound cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. From the emergence of woodblock printing technology in the Tang Dynasty, to the prosperity of the Song and Yuan Dynasties, and then to the diversified development of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, woodblock printing not only witnessed the changes in Chinese society, but also reflected the aesthetic tastes and spiritual pursuits of people in different historical periods. Since modern times, woodblock prints have continuously integrated new artistic concepts and techniques while inheriting tradition, showcasing a unique style of the times. However, in the era of globalization and modernization, this traditional art form faces challenges in inheritance and innovation.

Reviving Ancient Egypt in the Renaissance Hieroglyph: Humanist Aspirations to Immortality

In his On the Art of Building, Renaissance humanist Leon Battista Alberti wrote that the ancient Egyptians believed that alphabetical languages would one day all be lost, but the pictorial method of writing they used could be understood easily by intellectuals everywhere and far into the future. Amidst a renewed appreciation of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics found on obelisks in Italy and the discovery of Horapollo’s Hieroglyphica, which purported to translate the language, Renaissance humanists like Alberti developed an obsession with this ancient form of non-alphabetical writing. Additionally, a growing awareness of the lost language of their Etruscan ancestors further ignited an anxiety among Italian humanists that their own ideas might one day become unintelligible. As Egyptomania spread through the Italian peninsula, some saw an answer to their fears in the pictorial hieroglyphics of the ancient Egyptians, for they perceived, in Egyptian writing, the potential for a universal language. Thus, many created Renaissance hieroglyphs based on those of the Egyptians. This essay examines the successes and failures of these neo-hieroglyphs, which early modern humanists and artists created hoping that a language divorced from alphabetical text might better convey the memory of their names and contributions to posterity.

АНАЛИЗ ЭТНОФОЛЬКЛОРНЫХ СВЕДЕНИЙ, СВЯЗАННЫХ С ПОХИЩЕНИЕМ НЕВЕСТЫ В КАРАКАЛПАКСКОМ ФОЛЬКЛОРЕ

This article is devoted to the study of the custom of kyz alyp kashyu – kidnapping a girl, which has been preserved among the Karakalpaks to the present. The causes, forms and types have been identified. The peculiar features and place in wedding ceremonies are determined. Also, the article analyzes the historical and ethnographic motifs that testify to the ancient forms of bride kidnapping. Karakalpak folklore represents the most archaic layers of wedding rituals and traditions. In particular, folk tales, legends, and epics have preserved motifs related to marriage based on stealing the bride. In the work, the author shows with the help of ethnofolklore materials that the early types of bride kidnapping preserved in the texts of the Karakalpak epics differ from modern times. The motif zhaylap alyngan ҳayal or olzha ҳayal (“trophy woman”) in the Karakalpak epics has an archaic character, which is inherent mainly in the military-democratic period. One of the main requirements of a military-democratic society is the custom of kidnapping the women of the defeated side and marrying them. In another way, predatory marriage, marriage by capture, kidnapping, abduction of women is a primitive, very common form of marriage, in which the marriage union is established by forcibly (actually or feigningly) capturing a woman. These motifs are found in various variants. One of the plots that is characteristic of Karakalpak folklore is the unauthorized departure of a girl to her lover or the staging of her abduction by prior mutual consent, which is widespread among Karakalpaks today. The abduction of the bride is staged with or without the consent of the parents. According to the author of the article, the motifs associated with kidnapping the bride are peculiar not only to Karakalpak folklore, but also to other peoples and ethnic groups. This gives us the opportunity to discover the similarities and interrelationships of the Karakalpak people with other peoples. In addition, the author interprets the results of analyses of images associated with the motif of kidnapping the bride in such epics as Yedige, The Book of my grandfather Korkut, the legends Ketenler, Pedigree of Turkmen (Shazharai tarokima) and in field records conducted by the author.

Evolution of Indian Classical Dance in the Context of Globalization

This paper explores the evolution of Indian classical dance in the context of globalization, examining how these ancient art forms have adapted to contemporary global influences. The study begins by tracing the roots and revival efforts of major styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi, highlighting their historical significance and regional variations. It then discusses the impact of globalization on these dances, focusing on their introduction to the global stage, adaptations, and fusions with other dance forms, and the role of the Indian diaspora in popularizing these dances abroad. The influence of technological advancements on teaching, performance, and preservation of Indian classical dance is analyzed, alongside the significance of cultural exchange and cross-cultural collaborations in enriching dance practices. The paper concludes by addressing the future challenges and directions for Indian classical dance, including the sustainability of traditional forms, the balance between authenticity and innovation, and shifts in audience demographics and interests. Through this comprehensive examination, the paper underscores the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in the globalization of Indian classical dance.

Balance between asymmetric allocation and repair of somatic damage in unicellular life forms as an ancient form of r/K selection

Over the course of multiple divisions, cells accumulate diverse nongenetic, somatic damage including misfolded and aggregated proteins and cell wall defects. If the rate of damage accumulation exceeds the rate of dilution through cell growth, a dedicated mitigation strategy is required to prevent eventual population collapse. Strategies for somatic damage control can be divided into two categories, asymmetric allocation and repair, which are not, in principle, mutually exclusive. We explore a mathematical model to identify the optimal strategy, maximizing the total cell number, over a wide range of environmental and physiological conditions. The optimal strategy is primarily determined by extrinsic, damage-independent mortality and the physiological model for damage accumulation that can be either independent (linear) or increasing (exponential) with respect to the prior accumulated damage. Under the linear regime, the optimal strategy is either exclusively repair or asymmetric allocation, whereas under the exponential regime, the optimal strategy is a combination of asymmetry and repair. Repair is preferred when extrinsic mortality is low, whereas at high extrinsic mortality, asymmetric damage allocation becomes the strategy of choice. We hypothesize that at an early stage of life evolution, optimization over repair and asymmetric allocation of somatic damage gave rise to r and K selection strategists.

O paradoxical pioneer! repurposing steiner education in collage and scribble

ABSTRACT Steiner might be considered the prototypic pioneer from a previous century, whose alternative education vision continues to have huge international appeal and status. Yet Steiner’s ‘pioneering’ views of education are open to interpretation via the creation of an ironic visual collage work, ‘pioneer’ is examined as a paradox in itself, like a seemingly contradictory or absurd statement that is found on investigation, to be true. A paradoxical person therefore combines contradictory elements. Exploring examples of Steiner’s global reach, such as storytelling in Steiner schools in New Zealand and the embedding of indigenous narrative knowledge in education, the danger of superficially rendering ancient cultural forms of knowledge to fit with western ‘scientific’ understanding is critiqued. Disrupting both what is meant by pioneer-led, ‘literate’ forms of communication such as educational tracts and curricula, this piece resists with the artistically pioneering and disruptive practices of scribble.

Complicated shadows: a discussion of positionality within educational research

ABSTRACT This paper comprises a Socratic dialogue that explores the mix of advocacy, acceptance, apathy, confusion, and criticality often presented by new educational researchers as they encounter and navigate positionality in the first stages of their research projects. The fictionalised ancient form allows a vehicle to explore common debates and discussions with new researchers as they seek to accommodate to the demands of reflexivity. Concluding with an epilogue the author suggests the importance of forging a place for new educational researchers to thoughtfully engage with positionality, in the hope of avoiding the institutional petrification of such a vital methodological and epistemological approach.

Reversible Kinetics in Multi-nucleotide Addition Catalyzed by S. cerevisiae RNA polymerase II Reveal Slow Pyrophosphate Release

Eukaryotes express at least three nuclear DNA dependent RNA polymerases (Pols). Pols I, II, and III synthesize ribosomal (r) RNA, messenger (m) RNA, and transfer (t) RNA, respectively. Pol I and Pol III have intrinsic nuclease activity conferred by the A12.2 and C11 subunits, respectively. In contrast, Pol II requires the transcription factor (TF) IIS to confer robust nuclease activity. We recently reported that in the absence of the A12.2 subunit Pol I reverses bond formation by pyrophosphorolysis in the absence of added PPi, indicating slow PPi release. Thus, we hypothesized that Pol II, naturally lacking TFIIS, would reverse bond formation through pyrophosphorolysis. Here we report the results of transient-state kinetic experiments to examine the addition of nine nucleotides to a growing RNA chain catalyzed by Pol II. Our results indicate that Pol II reverses bond formation by pyrophosphorolysis in the absence of added PPi. We propose that, in the absence of endonuclease activity, this bond reversal may represent kinetic proofreading. Thus, given the hypothesis that Pol I evolved from Pol II through the incorporation of general transcription factors, pyrophosphorolysis may represent a more ancient form of proofreading that has been evolutionarily replaced with nuclease activity.

Medical and Societal Implications of Tattoos: From Ancient Traditions to Modern Risks and Removal Challenges

Tattoos, an ancient form of body art with roots dating back 5000 years, have evolved from cultural markers to mainstream symbols of self-expression. While historically significant figures like Amunet and Captain James Cook contributed to tattoo lore, modern celebrities like David Beckham and Kat Von D have propelled tattoos into popular culture. However, alongside their rise in popularity, tattoos also bring health risks. Research indicates that up to 67% of individuals with tattoos experience complications, with infections, allergic reactions, and scarring being common concerns. Moreover, tattoos can exacerbate existing medical conditions, particularly in individuals with diabetes, heart conditions, or immunosuppressive disorders. Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding face additional risks due to physiological changes affecting wound healing and immune response. The chemical composition of tattoo ink, especially in complex styles like tridimensional matryoshka tattoos, poses further health concerns, including heavy metal toxicity and infection risks. Adequate safety measures, including choosing reputable artists, proper aftercare, and thorough pre-tattoo screening, can mitigate these risks. Prompt medical intervention is crucial in severe complications, emphasizing the importance of awareness and precaution in tattooing. Additionally, tattoo removal methods come with their own set of risks and considerations, with laser therapy being the primary choice but not assuring complete removal.

《說文解字》“从夲”諸字考及西周金文中“从𠦪”字考

Some people identify the character “夲” in clerical form as “𠦍”。 In Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters), all characters belonging to “夲” are derived from the character “夲”, like “𠦪”、“曓”、“𡴞”、“奏”and“皋”。They are all components separated from the seal script forms of characters。But we believe that the character “夲” has nothing to do with the above。In Shuowen Jiezi, the pronunciation of the character “夲” is given as “滔”, which seems to inherit the “”, “” belonging to the character “𠦪”, borrowing the pronunciation of “禱”。We believe that the character “夲” may be related to the character “奔”, and its rhyme is also related to the characters “跑”, “挑”, or “走”, thus the pronunciation of the character “夲” is “滔”。 The initials of the characters “𠦪”, “曓”, “𡴞” and “奏” in Shuowen Jiezi are not very similar, the pronunciation of the character “夲” is “滔”, which also has a rhyming relationship with the characters “曓”, “奏” and “皋”, but their origins are different。The characters “𠦪”, “曓”, “𡴞” and “奏” can be classified under the “𠦪” radical, and the ancient form of the character “㚖” can be classified under the “㚔” radical。In Shuowen Jiezi, some characters in the “夲” section can be classified under the “𠦪” radical。This paper uses oracle bone inscriptions to explore the origin of the character “𠦪” , in the bronze inscriptions of the Western Zhou Dynasty, characters pronounced as “𠦪” include “𠦪”, “”, “”and “”, while the character “曓” has not yet been found。In the Yin and Zhou Bronze Inscriptions Collected, there are more than 50 examples of characters with the pronunciation of “𠦪”, such as “𩞑(饙)”, “賁”, “幩”, “帗”, “紱”, “韍”, “黻”, etc。In the bronze inscriptions of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the character “𠦪”is borrowed for characters such as “賁”, “幩”, “巿”, “祓”, “韍”, “饙” and “弼”, these borrowed characters have labial initials and a entering tone (-k) or a nasal ending (-en) in their rhyme。Their meanings, besides being used as personal names, also include “祓”, “賁”, “𩞑(饙)”, “弼”, “韍”, and “百”。 Among them, the character “” in “趩觶(chi zhi)” (06516) is interpreted as “百世”, which can be seen as a ligature, and it should be identify in clerical form as “”, but some people interpreted it as “𠦪”, we believe that should be interpreted as the variant character of “𠦪”。

DIALECTISMS IN NOVEL "MAMY" BY MARIA MATIOS

The article analyzes the accentuation, phonetic, morphological, word-forming and phraseological dialectisms used in the six-act drama "Mamy" by Maria Mathios. Unlike lexical dialectisms, which are mostly presented in page-by-page footnotes with an interpretation of their semantics by the author, the speech units studied in the proposed article mostly function in the text of the work itself and do not require explanation, as they are completely understandable from the context. Instead, phraseological dialectisms are also often explained in footnotes, since their semantics may not be completely clear to the general public. At the same time, we observe the use of phonetic, morphological, accentuation and phraseological dialectisms precisely in the speech of the characters, although lexical ones are also presented in the author's speech. In addition, the researched work presents significant monologues of characters, which contain a number of various speech units from different structural levels of the language. Among the morphological dialectisms, we note speech features primarily in the field of nouns, in particular, the presence of the ending -y in the genitive singular of feminine nouns of the third declension; in verb forms, primarily in the preservation of ancient forms of the past tense, the function of the participle-postfix -sia is mainly in the preposition; in the writer's representation of a number of dialect forms of official parts of speech, as well as exclamations. Accentuational dialectisms are mostly paroxytonated units. Word-forming dialectisms differ from literary language mainly by suffixes, less often by prefixes. Phraseological dialecticisms used in the text of the novel are emotionally saturated, are an important element of the characters' speech, and function mostly with the main component of the verb and verbal semantics. The researched types of dialectisms recorded in the prose text are presented in dialects of the southwestern dialect, primarily Hutsul, Transnistrian, Bukovinian, Transcarpathian, and Boykish. The analyzed dialect units are an important component of the characters' individual speech, logically woven into the linguistic fabric of the artistic text.

Church music of Kyivan Rus in the formation of religious-aesthetic ideals and mental-ideological attitudes of Orthodoxy

In 2024, the church music of Ukrainian Orthodoxy requires a thorough analysis of its impact on cultural identity and spiritual development over the centuries. Church hymns, through the synthesis of arts and sacraments, facilitated the interaction between music and liturgical text, enriching liturgical practice and the spirituality of Kyivan Rus. In 2024, the problem of the spiritual revival of the nation, its cultural identity through the involvement of hesychast traditions in Orthodox church practice acquires new relevance and expediency. The purpose of the article is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the religious-aesthetic, theological, and cultural ideas of hesychia, which were manifested in the church-musical practice of liturgical services and influenced the spirituality of the Orthodox person over the course of a thousand-year history. The study applies art history and cultural studies approaches, uses methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison and interaction of cultural affiliation and spiritual progress of the nation. It has been scientifically proven and substantiated that the musical art of the Kyivan Rus became the personification of spiritual transformations, formed the mental and ideological constructs of Eastern Christianity in its ancient Old Rus form thanks to Orthodox liturgical music. According to the results of scientific analysis, it appears that the adoption of Eastern Christianity in Kyivan Rus became a fundamental milestone in the development of its musical culture, which was significantly influenced by the patristic doctrine and spirituality, in particular hesychast views and customs that came to Rus from Athos. It is proved that church music in Kyivan Rus was filled with God’s light, spiritual “energy”, peace-making harmony, balanced tempo-rhythm and soulful melody, it was a manifestation of “sonorous” divine silence, “singing with thoughts”. This research will be appropriate in curricula on the history of music, on the history of sacred art, on Christian ethics and aesthetics, for further scientific and educational research of church Orthodox chants and their relationship with Byzantine hesychast practice in the context of mutual influence on mentality, worldview, religious and aesthetic ideal