THE SPECTRUM OF DOUBLY-IONISED ANTIMONY

This paper deals with the doubly-ionised antimony@IAC

Hysteresis phenomenon in turbulent convection

Coherent large-scale circulations of turbulent thermal convection in air have been studied experimentally in a rectangular box heated from below and cooled from above using Particle Image Velocimetry. The hysteresis phenomenon in turbulent convection was found by varying the temperature difference between the bottom and the top walls of the chamber (the Rayleigh number was changed within the range of $10^7 - 10^8$). The hysteresis loop comprises the one-cell and two-cells flow patterns while the aspect ratio is kept constant ($A=2 - 2.23$). We found that the change of the sign of the degree of the anisotropy of turbulence was accompanied by the change of the flow pattern. The developed theory of coherent structures in turbulent convection (Elperin et al. 2002; 2005) is in agreement with the experimental observations. The observed coherent structures are superimposed on a small-scale turbulent convection. The redistribution of the turbulent heat flux plays a crucial role in the formation of coherent large-scale circulations in turbulent convection.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, REVTEX4, Experiments in Fluids, 2006, in pres

NEW TERMS IN THE ARC SPECTRUM OF TELLURIUM

In this paper arc spectrum of tellurium has been studied@IAC

CCN-2 is up-regulated by and mediates effects of matrix bound advanced glycated end-products in human renal mesangial cells

CCN-2, also known as connective tissue growth factor (CCN-2/CTGF) is a cysteine rich, extracellular matrix protein that acts as a pro-fibrotic cytokine in tissues in many diseases, including in diabetic nephropathy. We have published that soluble advanced glycation end products (AGEs), that are present in increased amounts in diabetes, induce CCN-2. However in vivo AGEs are known to be heavily tissue bound and whether matrix bound AGEs regulate CCN-2 has not been investigated. In this study we determined in human renal mesangial cells if CCN-2 is induced by matrix associated AGEs and if CCN-2 may then secondarily mediate effects of matrix AGEs on extracellular matrix expansion. Data generated show that CCN-2 mRNA and protein expression are induced by matrix bound AGEs, and in contrast, this was not the case for TGF-β1 mRNA regulation. Using CCN-2 adenoviral anti-sense it was found that CCN-2 mediated the up-regulation of fibronectin and the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase, TIMP-1, that was caused by matrix bound AGEs. In conclusion, CCN-2 is induced by non-enzymatically glycated matrix and it mediates downstream fibronectin and TIMP-1 increases, thus through this mechanism potentially contributing to ECM accumulation in the renal glomerulus in diabetes

From mindfulness to meta-mindfulness: further integration of meta-mindfulness concept and strategies into cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an efficacious treatment for a wide range of psychological disorders. In the last three decades, there has been a fruitful and successful integration of Buddhist thought and practices in CBT through the concept of mindfulness. Mindfulness is actually only one of the eight contemplative practice guidelines of the Middle Way, a pan-Buddhist principle for overcoming suffering and generating happiness. Hence, in Western literature, although the integration of the mindfulness concept was successful, it is rather narrow and does not reflect the complexity of mindfulness as in Buddhism. This may have impeded the use of its full potential in clinical practice. This article therefore will highlight the lesser known aspect of mindfulness (Right Mindfulness) in the Middle Way and its synergistic relationship with the other seven practice guidelines (i.e., Right Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Concentration, Thought, and View). We then propose their potential integration and application in an evidence-based CBT approach. It is suggested that by integrating this broader meta-mindfulness approach, further advances in CBT practices, research, and training can be made to benefit the human race