EQUILIBRIUM AND NONEQUILIBRIUM MODELING OF YINYANG WUXING FOR DIAGNOSTIC DECISION SUPPORT IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Abstract

Although the theory of YinYang WuXing (YYWX) or YinYang-5-Elements (subsystems of human body) has been a major analytical basis for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years, the theory has been primarily empirical in nature without a formal mathematical or scientific foundation. Based on bipolar set theory, YinYang bipolar linear algebra is introduced and an equilibrium- or nonequilibrium-based computational model of YYWX is proposed. Nourishing and regulating relations are defined; YYWX dynamic equations are formulated; global and local equilibrium and nonequilibrium conditions are established and proved. Computer simulations of equilibrium and nonequilibrium processes show that the new approach provides a unique scientific basis for future research and development in herbal medicine, Qi (vital energy), QiGong, JingLuo (acupuncture channels), and acupuncture. A decision support system is prototyped and presented for diagnostic decision analysis in TCM. Furthermore, this work is expected to provide a basic YinYang cellular network architecture for modern scientific research in socioeconomics as well as in genomics, bioeconomics, metabolism, computational biology, aging, artificial intelligence, and biomedical engineering.