Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Urb. Plan.))--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California at Berkeley, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 365-401).

Thesis (M.Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis--(Ph.D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1977. / Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 405-425).

My argument is that the Wong Fei-hung film series, Once Upon a Time in China (Tsui Hark, Chapters 1, 2, 3), not only affirms the ideas of Confucianism but also criticizes them. Tsui Hark’s film series express Hong Kong’s tension of selecting eastern tradition and western modernity before it returned to mainland China in 1997, which represents the selection of entirely different values between East and West. Though the film series was made from 1991 to 1993, Hark started considering how to eliminate the uncertainty in selecting ideology after Hong Kong’s return. He provides his answer by combining eastern Confucianism and western modernity to lead Hong Kong to build a more inclusive nationalism. This new nationalism not only transforms tense uncertainty into positive potentiality but also avoids the intense conflict between those who select eastern values and those who select western ones. Tsui Hark's affirmation to Confucianism includes the traditional moral principles which are kindness, righteousness, wisdom, sincerity and “father guides son”. Meanwhile, he affirms the individualism and anti-tradition of modernity. For Hong Kong, Hark's implication is to let them take the Chinese nation as the prerequisite for safeguarding the unification of China and abiding by the leadership of state sovereignty, as well as accepting the traditional Confucian morality. In addition, as a modern city, Hong Kong should continue to carry forward individualism and anti-tradition of modernity to satisfies the individual's reasonable desires and challenge the traditional with creativity. In this thesis, I support this argument by analyzing two aspects of these films: character and genre.

Aufgrund der immer älterwerdenden Bevölkerung kommt der Prävention von altersbedingten muskuloskelettalen Erkrankungen wie der Osteoporose und der Sarkopenie eine herausragende Bedeutung zu. Insbesondere für die Sarkopenie gibt es heute und auf absehbare Zeit keine kausale medikamentöse Therapie. Somit stellt der Erhalt einer intakten Muskulatur durch körperliche Aktivität die zentrale Säule für eine langfristig muskuloskelettale Gesundheit dar. Die aktuelle, wissenschaftliche Datenlage zeigt hierbei für progressives Krafttraining im Alter valide Ergebnisse. Durch die gezielte Beanspruchung der Muskulatur kann bis ins hohe Alter dem natürlichen Verlust der Muskelmasse und -qualität entgegengewirkt werden. Ein gezieltes Training der Wirbelsäule-umgebenden Muskulatur ist vor allem bei Menschen mit Osteoporose sinnvoll. Durch starke Rückenmuskeln werden wichtige Alltagsbewegungen unterstützt und das Sturzrisiko kann reduziert werden. Ein klassisches progressives Krafttraining ist jedoch bei älteren Menschen nicht immer durchführbar, da diese oft an zusätzlichen Erkrankungen leiden, welche ein intensives Krafttraining verbieten, oder allgemein zu schwach für eine solche Trainingsmodalität sind. Ziel dieser Studie war zusätzlich zum Krafttraining alternative Trainingsmethoden zu testen, welche einfach und sicher im Alter integrierbar sind und keine sportlichen Vorkenntnisse der Teilnehmer erfordern. Im Fokus stand dabei die Kräftigung der Rumpfmuskulatur. Alternativ zum klassischen, progressivem Krafttraining (KT) wurden daher sogenannte Low-Impact-Methoden getestet, konkret handelte es sich dabei um Ganzkörpervibrationstraining (WBV), das tägliche Tragen einer federnden Rückenorthese (OT) und Qi Gong (QG) als atmungs- und bewegungsorientiertes Konzept. Das Krafttraining zeigte dabei die größten Verbesserungen in der Rumpfkraft, dem primären Endpunkt der Studie. Bei der Extensionskraft zeigte sich eine Zunahme von 28,0%. (p=0,008) und bei der Flexionskraft von 17,2% (p=0,008). Doch auch das WBV-Training und das Tragen der Rückenorthese zeigten Verbesserungen der Rumpfkraft. Das QG-Training zeigte kaum Veränderungen der Rumpfkraft. Im Gruppenvergleich war die KT-Gruppe der QG-Gruppe in der Entwicklung der Extensionskraft signifikant überlegen. Auch wenn die alternativen Trainingsmethoden keine signifikanten Ergebnisse im primären Endpunkt dieser Studie zeigten, kam es zu signifikanten Verbesserungen in den sekundären Endpunkten. In der WBV-Gruppe kam es zu einem signifikanten Anstieg der Handkraft (p=0,023) und im CRT (p=0,007). In der OT-Gruppe war der CRT signifikant besser geworden (p=0,003). In der QG-Gruppe kam es zu tendenziellen Verbesserungen einiger Leistungsparameter, jedoch waren diese statistisch überwiegend nicht signifikant. Ein wesentlicher Aspekt dieser Arbeit war jedoch, dass unabhängig von der jeweiligen Trainingsmodalität, vor allem die Teilnehmer, die ein erhöhtes Risiko für muskuläre Defizite hatten, also Probanden ≥80 Jahre, Menschen mit präsarkopenem Muskelstatus, oder multimorbide Teilnehmer, am meisten von den Trainingsinterventionen profitierten. Hier fiel vor allem die signifikante Zunahme der Rumpfflexion in allen drei Subgruppen auf. Bei den Probanden ≥80 Jahren kam es in der Rumpfflexion zu einer Zunahme von 10,3% (p=0,017), bei den präsarkopenen Probanden von 2,9% (p=0,035) und bei den Multimorbiden von 16,3% (p=0,001). Eine starke Rumpfvorderseite führt zu einer aufrechten Haltung, ermöglicht Alltagsaktivitäten wie Treppensteigen oder das Aufstehen von einem Stuhl und kann durch eine verbesserte Balance das Sturzrisiko vermindern. Bedeutsam ist auch, dass die Muskelmasse bei den präsarkopenen Probanden, unabhängig vom Training, signifikant gestiegen war und somit Sport auch bei einer reduzierten Muskelmasse sehr effektiv sein kann. Zudem verbesserte sich der CRT bei den präsarkopenen und multimorbiden Probanden signifikant, was umso erfreulicher ist, bedenkt man die Assoziation mit einer reduzierten Fähigkeit von einem Stuhl aufzustehen und einer erhöhten Mortalität. Schlussendlich zeigen die Ergebnisse dieser Studie, dass Trainingsmodalitäten, die gezielt die Rumpfmuskulatur adressieren, wie z.B. ein speziell zusammengestelltes Krafttraining, auch in höherem Alter und bei Vorliegen eines erhöhten Frakturrisikos positive Effekte erzielen und zu signifikanten Verbesserungen der Rumpfkraft führen können. Allerdings zeigen auch weniger spezifische low-impact Trainingskonzepte durchaus positive Entwicklungen und stellen vor allem eine sichere Alternative mit nur geringem Anforderungsprofil dar. Besonders erfreulich scheint vor allem die Verbesserung der Parameter der Probanden mit einem erhöhten Risiko für muskuläre Defizite unabhängig von der zugelosten Trainingsintervention. Diese Ergebnisse stellen eine wertvolle Grundlage für zukünftige Forschungsvorhaben dar, welchen unter Berücksichtigung der globalen demographischen Entwicklungen sicherlich erhebliche Bedeutung zukommen wird. / Due to the increasingly aging population, the prevention of age-related musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia holds significant importance. Particularly for sarcopenia, there is currently no causal medication-based therapy available. The preservation of healthy musculature through physical activity is a central pillar for long-term musculoskeletal health. Current scientific evidence highlights valid outcomes for progressive strength training in older adults. Targeted muscle engagement through such training can counteract the natural loss of muscle mass and quality that occurs with age. Specific training of the muscles surrounding the spine is especially beneficial for individuals with osteoporosis. Strong back muscles support essential everyday movements and can reduce the risk of falls. However, traditional progressive strength training might not always be feasible for older adults, as they often have additional health conditions that prohibit intensive strength training or are generally too weak for such modalities. The aim of this study was to explore alternative training methods that are easily and safely integrable in old age and do not require participants to have prior athletic knowledge. The focus of this study was on strengthening the core muscles. In addition to traditional progressive strength training (KT), low-impact methods were tested, specifically whole-body vibration training (WBV), daily use of a flexible back orthosis (OT), and Qi Gong (QG) as a breath and movement-oriented concept. The strength training showed the greatest improvements in core strength, the primary endpoint of the study. Extension strength increased by 28.0% (p=0.008) and flexion strength by 17.2% (p=0.008). However, WBV training and using the back orthosis also showed improvements in core strength. QG training resulted in minimal changes in core strength. In the group comparison, the strength training (KT) group outperformed the Qi Gong (QG) group in the development of extension strength. Although the alternative training methods didn't yield significant results in the primary endpoint of this study, there were significant improvements in secondary endpoints. The WBV group showed a significant increase in hand strength (p=0.023) and in the chair rising test (CRT) (p=0.007). The OT group significantly improved in CRT (p=0.003). The QG group exhibited tendencies of improvement in some performance parameters, though these were mostly not statistically significant. A key aspect of this work was that irrespective of the specific training modality, participants with an elevated risk of muscular deficits, such as those aged ≥80 years, individuals with pre-sarcopenic muscle status, or those with multiple health conditions, benefited the most from the training interventions. Notably, there was a significant increase in trunk flexion across all three subgroups. In participants aged ≥80 years, trunk flexion increased by 10.3% (p=0.017), by 2.9% in pre-sarcopenic participants (p=0.035), and by 16.3% in multimorbid participants (p=0.001). A strong anterior core contributes to an upright posture, aids in daily activities like climbing stairs or rising from a chair, and can reduce fall risk through improved balance. Significantly, pre-sarcopenic participants experienced a significant increase in muscle mass regardless of the training, suggesting that exercise can be highly effective even with reduced muscle mass. Additionally, CRT significantly improved in pre-sarcopenic and multimorbid participants, which is particularly significant considering its association with reduced ability to rise from a chair and increased mortality. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that training modalities specifically targeting the core muscles, such as a specially designed strength training program, can yield positive effects in older age and for those with an elevated fracture risk, leading to significant improvements in core strength. However, less specific low-impact training concepts also show positive developments and provide a safe alternative with minimal requirements. Particularly encouraging is the enhancement of parameters in participants at risk of muscular deficits, regardless of the assigned training intervention. These findings provide a valuable foundation for future research endeavors, which, considering global demographic trends, will undoubtedly hold substantial importance.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

Essa dissertação se propôs a discutir o conceito de tradição, bem como a sua importância, no campo das artes marciais chinesas (Kung Fu) no Brasil. Para tanto, recorri às histórias orais de vida de cinco mestres brasileiros, discípulos de chineses, como fontes primárias para contribuir com essa discussão. Essas narrativas foram cotejadas com os referenciais teóricos a respeito da relação mestre-discípulo, da relação entre tradição e autoridade e de certos momentos da história do Kung Fu, com destaque para o intenso processo de transformação sofrido por essas práticas ao longo do século XX, o que abarcou, inclusive, a migração de alguns mestres para o Brasil. Em concordância com o esboço metodológico proposto por Pierre Bourdieu, a análise desse elemento específico do Kung Fu, a tradição, foi precedida por um delineamento de seu - campo esportivo, o qual revelou que as artes marciais chinesas apresentam, de fato, uma grande dispersão em suas denominações, não somente em relação às suas diversas manifestações, mas também pelas experiências de vida dos mestres de cada denominação e sua relação com questões de classe social, de capital social, de gênero, de raça/etnia e de territorialidade. A respeito da tradição, é unânime a consideração dos entrevistados de que se trata de um elemento fundamental no Kung Fu, sendo que um estilo, escola ou família podem ser denominados tradicionais em razão de sua antiguidade e de sua genealogia. Entretanto, é a justificação da importância do conceito de tradição que demarca dois discursos distintos: o primeiro, remetendo-se à ancestralidade, à fundação e a elementos simbólicos, se volta para a tradição enquanto manutenção do legado dos mestres; o segundo, referendando-se no caráter intrínseco da relação entre mestres e discípulos e em contextualizações histórico-políticas das artes marciais, alude para um processo interpretativo em relação aos elementos considerados tradicionais. Chama a atenção o fato de que ambos os discursos são reticentes em relação ao modelo esportivo, mas sob perspectivas diferentes: se um enfatiza os conteúdos simbólicos e filosóficos em resistência ao tecnicismo, à competitividade e ao apelo estético das manifestações esportivas, o outro pontua as questões que permearam as artes marciais chinesas em relação à dominação política e cultural que sofreram em determinados momentos da história. Desse modo, a presente pesquisa evidenciou que essa circulação de narrativas é relevante para a compreensão do campo esportivo do Kung Fu no Brasil. Além disso, as artes marciais chinesas demonstraram ser um campo privilegiado que permite aos envolvidos entrarem em contato com questões sofisticadas a respeito das relações estreitas que a história, a política, a cultura e a sociedade podem estabelecer com as práticas corporais. Ainda que não sejam nomeados, mitologia e história, sincronia e diacronia, estrutura e transformação, tradição e autoridade são conceitos circulantes caros ao campo esportivo do Kung Fu e que não podem ser negligenciados quando se aborda essa prática de maneira rigorosa e crítica. / This dissertation aimed to discuss the concept of tradition as well as its importance in the field of Chinese martial arts (Kung Fu) in Brazil. To this end, I resorted to the oral life histories of five Brazilian masters, disciples of Chinese ones, as primary sources to contribute to this discussion. These narratives has been confronted with the theoretical background about the master-disciple relationship, the relationship between tradition and authority and certain moments in the history of Kung Fu, especially the intense process of transformation undergone by these practices throughout the twentieth century, which encompassed even the migration of some masters to Brazil. In accordance with the methodological outline proposed by Pierre Bourdieu, the analysis of this particular element of Kung Fu, the tradition, was preceded by a design of its \"sports field\", which revealed that Chinese martial arts have, in fact, a great dispersion in their denominations, not only in relation to their different names and manifestations, but also by the life experiences of the masters of each denomination and its relation to issues of social class, social capital, gender, race/ethnicity and territoriality. Regarding the tradition is unanimous the consideration of the interviewed that it is a fundamental element in Kung Fu, and a style, school or family can be called traditional because of its antiquity and its genealogy. However , is the justification of the importance of the tradition\'s concept that demarcates two distinct discourses: the first, referring to the ancestry, the foundation and symbolic elements, turns to tradition while the maintaining of the masters\' legacy; the second, endorsing on the intrinsic character of the relationship between masters and disciples and the historical and political contextualization of martial arts, refers to an interpretive process in relation to the elements considered traditionals. It calls atention the fact that both discourses are reticent about the sports model but from different perspectives: the first one emphasizes thee symbolic and philosophical content in resistance to the technicality, competitiveness and aesthetic appeal of the sports, the another one points out the issues involved in the Chinese martial arts in relation to political and cultural domination suffered at certain times in it history. Thus, the present study showed that this movement of narratives is relevant for understanding the sports field of Kung Fu in Brazil. Moreover, Chinese martial arts have shown to be a privileged field that allows the subjects involved on it to get in touch with sophisticated issues about the close relations that history, politics, culture and society can be established with body practices. Although not named, mythology and history, synchrony and diachrony, structure and transformation, tradition and authority are circulating concepts valued to the sports field of Kung Fu and that can not be overlooked when discussing this practice rigorously and critically.