Guided respiration mindfulness therapy: Development and evaluation of a brief therapist training program

The present paper describes the development and evaluation of a standardized multi-component therapist training program in guided respiration mindfulness therapy (GRMT). GMRT is a manual-based, experimental clinical intervention involving concentrated focus on sustained self-regulation of breathing, application of mindfulness to emergent somatic experience and relaxation. Therapists (n = 61) new to the approach attended a 2-day experiential workshop and were evaluated pre-post workshop for change in intervention knowledge, as well as change in mindfulness. These trainees also participated in post-workshop focus group sessions to explore perception of the intervention. A subset of 40 therapists participated in a second training component, and 14 of these were rated for competent delivery of the intervention during participation in a clinical trial. During training, therapists personally received the treatment giving the opportunity to assess treatment session (n = 283) impact on sense of wellbeing. Results indicated a brief focused training program can equip therapists with basic knowledge and skills required to deliver the standardized manual-based treatment. Qualitative analysis of focus group sessions showed that therapists endorsed the intervention for clinical use and found it personally beneficial. This research provides a foundation for further evaluation of clinical effectiveness of the intervention.

Many disciplines-common approach: Experiences in the development and delivery of an interprofessional health subject

In 2004, the Faculty of Health Sciences at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia, introduced a new, final-year subject ‘Interdisciplinary Professional Practice’. The subject is taught to all students enrolled in the 11 allied health and human service disciplines at La Trobe University across metropolitan and rural campuses. The delivery is online to overcome timetabling barriers and to provide time and geographic flexibility. The subject is presented using an enquiry-based learning model. Students are exposed to the concepts of interdisciplinary teamwork through shared learning across professional boundaries to enable a collaborative workforce. An outline of the background development and design of this subject, and its implementation and content areas is presented. A discussion of relevant literature and an analysis of the subject evaluations and focus groups that have guided subject development to enhance student learning over eight cohorts is included.

Development and transient performance results of a single stage activated carbon - HFC 134a closed cycle adsorption cooling system

A laboratory model of a thermally driven adsorption refrigeration system with activated carbon as the adsorbent and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a) as the refrigerant was developed. The single stage compression system has an ensemble of four adsorbers packed with Maxsorb II specimen of activated carbon that provide a near continuous flow which caters to a cooling load of up to 5W in the 5-18 degrees C region. The objective was to utilise the low grade thermal energy to drive a refrigeration system that can be used to cool some critical electronic components. The laboratory model was tested for it performance at various cooling loads with the heat source temperature from 73 to 93 degrees C. The pressure transients during heating and cooling phases were traced. The cyclic steady state and transient performance data are presented. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Climate change, sustainable development and India: Global and national concerns

Climate change is one of the most important global environmental challenges, with implications for food production, water supply, health, energy, etc. Addressing climate change requires a good scientific understanding as well as coordinated action at national and global level. This paper addresses these challenges. Historically, the responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions' increase lies largely with the industrialized world, though the developing countries are likely to be the source of an increasing proportion of future emissions. The projected climate change under various scenarios is likely to have implications on food production, water supply, coastal settlements, forest ecosystems, health, energy security, etc. The adaptive capacity of communities likely to be impacted by climate change is low in developing countries. The efforts made by the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol provisions are clearly inadequate to address the climate change challenge. The most effective way to address climate change is to adopt a sustainable development pathway by shifting to environmentally sustainable technologies and promotion of energy efficiency, renewable energy, forest conservation, reforestation, water conservation, etc. The issue of highest importance to developing countries is reducing the vulnerability of their natural and socio-economic systems to the projected climate change. India and other developing countries will face the challenge of promoting mitigation and adaptation strategies, bearing the cost of such an effort, and its implications for economic development.

A TEM study on TiB2-20%MoSi2 composite: Microstructure development and densification mechanism

We report the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study, carried out on a hot-pressed TiB2-20 wt.%MoSi2 composite. One of the important microstructural observations includes the detection of crystalline TiSi2 at triple grain junctions. The densification mechanism is discussed, based on experimental observations and thermodynamic analysis

GATA Factors Regulate Inner Ear Development and Midbrain Neurogenesis

The zinc-finger transcription factors GATA2 and GATA3 in vertebrates belong to the six-member family that are essential regulators in the development of various organs. The aim of this study was to gain new information of the roles of GATA2 and GATA3 in inner ear morphogenesis and of the function of GATA2 in neuronal fate specification in the midbrain using genetically modified mouse and chicken embryos as models. A century ago the stepwise process of inner ear epithelial morphogenesis was described, but the molecular players regulating the cellular differentiation of the otic epithelium are still not fully resolved. This study provided novel data on GATA factor roles in several developmental processes during otic development. The expression analysis in chicken suggested that GATA2 and GATA3 possess redundant roles during otic cup and vesicle formation, but complementary cell-type specific functions during vestibular and cochlear morphogenesis. The comparative analysis between mouse and chicken Gata2 and Gata3 expression revealed many conserved aspects, especially during later stages of inner ear development, while the expression was more divergent at early stages. Namely, expression of both Gata genes was initiated earlier in chicken than mouse otic epithelium relative to the morphogenetic stages. Likewise, important differences concerning Gata3 expression in the otic cup epithelium were detected between mouse and chicken, suggesting that distinct molecular mechanisms regulate otic vesicle closure in different vertebrate species. Temporally distinct Gata2 and Gata3 expression was also found during otic ganglion formation in mouse and chicken. Targeted inactivation of Gata3 in mouse embryos caused aberrant morphology of the otic vesicle that in severe cases was disrupted into two parts, a dorsal and a ventral vesicle. Detailed analyses of Gata3 mutant embryos unveiled a crucial role for GATA3 in the initial inner ear morphogenetic event, the invagination of the otic placode. A large-scale comparative expression analysis suggested that GATA3 could control cell adhesion and motility in otic epithelium, which could be important for early morphogenesis. GATA3 was also identified as the first factor to directly regulate Fgf10 expression in the otic epithelium and could thus influence the development of the semicircular ducts. Despite the serious problems in the early inner ear development, the otic sensory fate establishment and some vestibular hair cell differentiation was observable in pharmacologically rescued Gata3-/- embryos. Cochlear sensory differentiation was, however, completely blocked so that no auditory hair cells were detected. In contrast to the early morphogenetic phenotype in Gata3-/- mutants, conditional inactivation of Gata2 in mouse embryos resulted in a relatively late growth defect of the three semicircular ducts. GATA2 was required for the proliferation of the vestibular nonsensory epithelium to support growing of the three ducts. Concurrently, with the role in epithelial semicircular ducts, GATA2 was also required for the mesenchymal cell clearance from the vestibular perilymphatic region between the membranous labyrinth and bony capsule. The gamma-aminobutyric acid-secreting (GABAergic) neurons in the midbrain are clinically relevant since they contribute to fear, anxiety, and addiction regulation. The molecular mechanisms regulating the GABAergic neuronal development, however, are largely unknown. Using tissue-specific mutagenesis in mice, GATA2 was characterized as a critical determinant of the GABAergic neuronal fate in the midbrain. In Gata2-deficient mouse midbrain, GABAergic neurons were not produced, instead the Gata2-mutant cells acquired a glutamatergic neuronal phenotype. Gain-of-function experiments in chicken also revealed that GATA2 was sufficient to induce GABAergic differentiation in the midbrain.

Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against WbSXP-1 for the detection of circulating filarial antigens

The importance of developing effective assays to diagnose, monitor and evaluate human lymphatic filariasis has been emphasized by the World Health Organization. Presently, few immunodiagnostics are available for filarial monitoring programmes. The Wuchereria bancrofti (Wb) SXP-1 parasite protein, with 84% homology to Brugia malayi (Bm) SXP-1, was found to be highly immunogenic. WbSXP-1 is one among the diagnostic candidate molecules that were used for developing a rapid-antibody-flow-through diagnostic kit for filariasis. Studies were initiated with the aim of developing monoclonal antibodies against recombinant WbSXP-1 and prospective applications for the detection of both circulating Wb and Bm antigens in serum samples from infected individuals. The monoclones 1A6C2 of subclass IgG1k, and 2A12F8 of class IgM, specifically detected Wb and Bm microfilaria isolated from patients and did not show cross-reactivity with other filarial recombinant antigens. We anticipate that this work will address the problems faced in the rapid diagnosis of human lymphatic filariasis in endemic areas in developing countries.

Development and studies on microstrip detector

We report development of gas microstrip detectors using thin film and lithography techniques. The detectors were tested for their performance for X-rays (5.9 keV) and a maximum gas gain of similar to 13,000 and best resolution of similar to 12% was obtained. Factors affecting gain and resolution were investigated. The detectors were tested for their one-dimensional position sensitivity. Meandering resistive strips were used for charge division method. A position resolution of 0.48 mm was obtained.