Incorporating mindfulness: questioning capitalism

This paper engages with Buddhist critiques of capitalism and consumerism; and it challenges the capitalist appropriations of Buddhist techniques. We show how Buddhist modernism and Marxism/socialism can align, and how Engaged Buddhism spawns communalism and socially revolutionary impulses for sustainability and ecological responsibility within the framework of Buddhist thought and mindfulness traditions. Our case study of the Thai Asoke community exemplifies Buddhist communal mindfulness-in-action, explores successes and idiosyncrasies, and shows how communal principles can operate in such work-based communities

Integrated Proteomics Unveils Nuclear PDE3A2 as a Regulator of Cardiac Myocyte Hypertrophy

Background: Signaling by cAMP is organized in multiple distinct subcellular nanodomains regulated by cAMP-hydrolyzing PDEs (phosphodiesterases). Cardiac β-adrenergic signaling has served as the prototypical system to elucidate cAMP compartmentalization. Although studies in cardiac myocytes have provided an understanding of the location and properties of a handful of cAMP subcellular compartments, an overall view of the cellular landscape of cAMP nanodomains is missing. Methods: Here, we combined an integrated phosphoproteomics approach that takes advantage of the unique role that individual PDEs play in the control of local cAMP, with network analysis to identify previously unrecognized cAMP nanodomains associated with β-adrenergic stimulation. We then validated the composition and function of one of these nanodomains using biochemical, pharmacological, and genetic approaches and cardiac myocytes from both rodents and humans. Results: We demonstrate the validity of the integrated phosphoproteomic strategy to pinpoint the location and provide critical cues to determine the function of previously unknown cAMP nanodomains. We characterize in detail one such compartment and demonstrate that the PDE3A2 isoform operates in a nuclear nanodomain that involves SMAD4 (SMAD family member 4) and HDAC-1 (histone deacetylase 1). Inhibition of PDE3 results in increased HDAC-1 phosphorylation, leading to inhibition of its deacetylase activity, derepression of gene transcription, and cardiac myocyte hypertrophic growth. Conclusions: We developed a strategy for detailed mapping of subcellular PDE-specific cAMP nanodomains. Our findings reveal a mechanism that explains the negative long-term clinical outcome observed in patients with heart failure treated with PDE3 inhibitors

Öffentlicher Raum in Bangkok, Thailand. Der `In-Between-Space ́: Eine Studie des Gebietes um Siam Square

Abweichender Titel nach Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersDie Motivation fuer diese Untersuchung war der Zwischenraumbegriff, der entscheidend ist fuer die Unterscheidung von Raeumlichkeit und Konzept. Der Begriff stellt zwei Ideen zur Verfuegung: 1) gleicher und freier Raum 2) Koexistenz oder die Teilung, z.B. ein Einkaufszentrum und ein buddhistischer Tempel oder Wohnhaeuser und Arbeitsplaetze in der Stadt.Weiterhin wird der Begriff zum Verstaendnis der Komplexitaet von der der Benutzung von oeffentlichem und privatem Raum durch die Integration von sozialen Kriterien, die Besonderheit von thailaendischer Einzigartigkeit und die Beziehung zwischen ihnen widerspiegeln. Der Zwischenraumbegriff und wie er mit Raeumlichkeiten interagiert, wenn man die Bedingungen der Diversitaet am Forschungsort bedenkt. Die Hypothese des raeumlichen Konzepts von Zwischenraum fuehrt zu einem klararen Verstaendnis von scheinbar unvereinbaren Eigenschaftendes Ortes und unterstuetzen den Planungsentwurf von sozialer Intervention und Experimente/Strategien fuer die erfolgreiche Koexistenz von unterschiedlichen Zielgruppen innerhalb von komplexen rauemlichen Konfigurationen. Die Ziele dieser Forschungsarbeit waren 1) Das Verstaendnis von Situationen, in denen sich Raeumlichkeiten am Forschungsort klar ueberlappen. Mit anderen Worten, das Ziel ist es zu verstehen, wie diese getrennten Einheiten ihre verschiedenen Kraefte und Werte im Zwischenraum beibehalten und damit zur Koexistenz befaehigt sind. 2)Die Sammlung von genauen Informationen zur Definierung von Faktoren, die nach der Analyse zur Erklaerung dienen, wie die Ueberlappungen zwischen den Bevoelkerungsgruppen am Forschungsort zustandekommen. 3)Die Sammlung von genauen Informationen zur Definierung der Hebelsaetze, die in den Zwischenraumbegriff“ einbezogen werden muessen. 4)Die Analyse der raeumlichen Situation der Zwischenraeume und die Wechselbeziehungen zwischen den Raeumen in Beziehung auf oertliche und globale Standards.Diese Dissertation basiert auf empirischer Forschung am Forschungsort im Siambezirk von Bangkok, Thailand. Die Umfagepopulation der Studie bestand aus zwei Hauptgruppen: 1) Vor-Ort Benutzer des Siam-Bezirks; Menschern die taeglich mit dem Siambezirk in Kontakt stehen, und folgende Rollen und gesellschaftliche Eigenschaften haben: Arbeitnehmer, Ruhestaendler, Studenten, Touristen, Ortsbewohner, Moenche usw. 2) Fern-Benutzer des Siam-Bezirks; Menschen, die mindestens zweimal im Jahr in derselben Rolle und gesellschaftlichen Eigenschaft der Gruppe 2.1) sie in den Siam-Bezirk gehen; Architekten gehoeren in die Fern-Benutzer Kategorie, weil sie die Pros und Kontras des Siam-Bezirks aus einem architektonischen und gesellschaftlichen Blickwinkel begreifen. Die Pobegruppe beinhaltete 500 Antworten von in drei Untergruppen getrennten Benutzern: 350 Antworten von Vor-Ort Benutzern und 150 Antworten von Fern-Benutzern. Die Fragen im Umfragebogen waren in einem offenen Erzaehlstil formuliert, um den Befragten die Moeglichkeit zu geben, weitere Informationen einzufuegen. Alle Befragungen wurden auf Thai durchgefuehrt und die Ergebnisse ins Englische uebersetzt. Die Datensammlung war ein papierbasierter Umfragebogen. Die Daten wurden sorgfaeltig analysiert mit den Befragten abgeklaert, um deren Meinungen klar zu erkennen und moegliche Datenverfaelschungen und Missverstaendnisse auszuschliessen. Im Wesentlichen wurden die Forschungsergebnisse gewonnen durch wissenschaftliche Rezension, Felduntersuchungen, und Befragung von Menschen, die Einrichtungen in diesem Forschung-Bezirk benutzen.Die Schlüsselergebnisse waren wie folgt: ERSTE ERGEBNIS : das Modell des Zwischenraumes und die Untersuchung in einem Thai Kontext zeigen, dass das Modell und die Kriterien in Uebereinstimmung sind mit I) den gegewaertigen kulturellen, wirtschaftlichen und Urbanisierungsproblemen am Untersuchungsort in Thailand II) der Denkweise der Ortsbewohner III) religioesen Einschraenkungen, den Besuchern und Expertenmeinungen. Spezifische Schluesselkriterien und Muster wurden identifiziert, um einen effektive und verstaendliche Zwischenraum-Rahmen zu eintwickeln (a) Definition von oeffentlichem und privaten Raum (b) Stadtplanung (c) Einkommensungleichheiten (d) religiose und symbolische Darstellungen (e) Kultur und Thai-heit (f) Verhaltensvorschlaege (g)psychologische Beruecksichtigungen (h) Gesetzgebung (i) Konfliktminderung und damit engverbundene gesellschaftliche Interventionen und Experimente/Strategien (a) Position (b) Programm und (c) Landschaft als Vorschlag zum Erfolg des Zwischenraums im Thai Kontext. ZWEITES ERGEBNIS: Die qualitative Rueckmeldung weist darauf hin, dass heutzutage die Einkaufszentren mehr als oeffentlicher Raum dienen als die Thai Temple, was der urspruenglichen Idee widerspricht, dass die Tempel der wahre oeffentliche Ort sind, die allen Thai Menschen zur Verfuegung stehen. Diese Ergebnis deckt auf, dass das Vertsaendnis und die Bedeutung von oeffentlich und privat in Thailand sich von dem allgemeinen internationalen Verstaendnis unterscheidet. Solche Mehrdeutigkeit in gewissen Situationen koennen durch die Einfuehrung des Begriffs „Zwischenraumes“ geloest werden, der weder wirklich ein oeffentlicher, noch wirklich privater Ort is. DRITTES ERGEBNIS: Der Zwischenraum in einem Thai Kontext wird produziert, indem Thai Menschen einen privaten Ort als oeffentlichen Ort nutzen. Der Zwischenraum stellt einen Mikroraum im staedtischen Leben dar.The motivation behind the research was the “in-between” concept that is crucial in order to make the distinction between the place and the concept itself. It provides two ideas 1) equal and free space, and 2) coexistence or sharing i.e. the mall and the Buddhist temple or from houses to workplaces at the city level. Moreover, it is to apprehend the complexities around the usage of public and private spaces by integrating social criteria that reflects the particularity of Thai uniqueness and how it is used to maintain the relationship between them. The in-between concept and how it has interacted with spaces when considering the condition of the diversity at the research site. The hypothesis of the spatial concept of ‘in-between space’ can lead to a clearer understanding of seemingly incompatible characters of place and support the development of planning social interventions and experiments/ strategies for a successful coexistence of different target groups within complex spatial configuration. The objectives of this research were 1) To understand situations where spaces are clearly overlapping at the research site. In other words, the objective is to understand how these separate entities, different forces and values have been maintained and coexisted in the “in-between” space. 2) To collect accurate information to define a set of factors which, when analyzed, detail how overlaps occur between the living populations at the research site. 3) To collect accurate information in order to define a set of levers to be included in the “in-between framework”. 4) To analyze the spatial situation of the in-between spaces and the condition of the relationship of the places when taking into account local standards and globalization.This dissertation is based upon empirical research from the research site located in the Siam area/district of Bangkok, Thailand. The surveyed/interviewed population of the study consisted of two main groups: 1) Siam users on-site; people who are exposed to the Siam area on a daily basis with the following roles and social attributes: workers, retired, students, tourists, residents, monks, etc. 2) remote Siam users; people who went to the Siam area at least once per year with the same roles and social attributes of group 2.1). Supplementary interviews in an Architectural field; Architects are in the remote user category as they comprehend the pros and cons of the Siam area from architectural and social points of view. The sampling included 500 answers from users split into three subgroups: 350 answers for the on-site users and 150 answers from the remote users. The interview questions have been developed in an open and narrative way to enable interviewees to give additional information. All interviews were conducted in Thai with the results translated into English. Data collection were paper-based questionnaires. The data was meticulously analyzed with the interviewees’ opinions to eliminate potential data alterations and misinterpretation. In the main, the research data was collected by a literature review, field surveys and interviews of people involved in using places within the research site.The key findings were as follows: FIRST FINDING: The development of an in-between space criteria framework focused in a Thai context and it was found that the model and criteria fits with I) on-going Thai cultural, economic, and urbanization issues at the research site, II) inhabitants’ mind-sets, III) religious constraints, visitors and expert opinions. Specific key criteria and patterns were identified to build an effective and comprehensive in-between space framework as follows (a) definition of public and private spaces (b) urban planning (c) income disparities (d) religion and symbolic representations (e) culture and Thaification (f) behavioral propositions (g) psychological considerations (h) legislation (i) conflict mitigation and critically associated social interventions and experiments/ strategies : (a) position, (b) program and (c) landscape as the suggestion to success the –in-between space in Thai context. SECOND FINDING: Qualitative feedback indicated that the Mall is more public space than the Temple which is opposite of the original idea that a temple is a real public space for the free usage of all people in Thai society. This reveals that the understanding and meaning between public and private space is opposite from an international or standard meaning. Such ambiguity in certain situations of space between a binary opposite meaning can be produced - called the in between space- that is neither real public nor real private space. THIRD FINDING: considering the in-between space, in a Thai context it can be produced on private space while people use it as public space. It presents micro-urban life and living interval realms of constructive associations between incompatible characters of places. The findings were conclusive concerning the benefits of the in-between space framework, as part of the in-between space, in the context of the research area.18

Inadvertent Platelet Transfusion from Monkeypox Virus–Infected Donor to Recipient, Thailand, 2023

In Thailand, platelet product from a blood donor was transfused to a recipient who had dengue. Two days later, the donor was confirmed to have monkeypox virus infection. Monkeypox virus DNA was undetectable in recipient specimens up to 2 weeks after transfusion. The recipient remained asymptomatic at 4 weeks of monitoring

Seroprevalence of antibodies to dengue and chikungunya viruses in Thailand

<div><p>The abundance of <i>Aedes</i> mosquito species enabled widespread transmission of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) in Southeast Asia. Periodic seroprevalence surveys are therefore necessary to assess the viral burden in the population and the effectiveness of public health interventions. Since the current seroprevalence for CHIKV and DENV in Thailand are unknown, we evaluated evidence of past infection among Thais. Eight-hundred and thirty-five serum samples obtained from individuals living in central and southern Thailand were assessed for anti-CHIKV and anti-DENV IgG antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Overall, 26.8% (224/835) of individuals were seropositive for CHIKV, the majority of whom were also DENV-seropositive (91.1%, 204/224). Approximately half of all adults in their fifth decade of life had attained CHIKV seropositivity. Children under 15 years of age in southern Thailand were significantly more likely to be CHIKV-seropositive compared to those residing in central Thailand. In contrast, 79.2% (661/835) of Thais were DENV-seropositive, 30.9% (204/661) of whom also had antibodies to CHIKV. CHIKV/DENV dual seropositivity among Thais was 24.4% (204/835). The age-standardized seroprevalence for DENV was three times that of CHIKV (80.5% vs. 27.2%). Relatively high CHIKV seroprevalence among adults living in central Thailand revealed an under-recognized CHIKV burden in the region, while the low-to-moderate transmission intensity of DENV (seroprevalence <50% at 9 years) is expected to reduce the impact of DENV vaccination in Thailand. This most recent seroprevalence data provide serological baselines for two of the most common mosquito-borne viruses in this region.</p></div

Analysis of anti-CHIKV IgG antibody by region.

<p>Analysis of anti-CHIKV IgG antibody by region.</p

Age group-specific anti-DENV IgG seroprevalence in Thailand by region.

<p>The line graphs represent regional DENV seroprevalence (y-axis) relative to age groups (x-axis). Seropositivity rates for each age group are indicated on the graphs.</p

Seroprevalence of anti-CHIKV IgG antibody.

<p>Seroprevalence of anti-CHIKV IgG antibody.</p

Analysis of anti-DENV IgG antibody by region.

<p>Analysis of anti-DENV IgG antibody by region.</p