Notes on the term “Dhāraṇī” in medieval Chinese Buddhist thought

2008 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Copp
Keyword(s):  
Narrow Band ◽  
The Body ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Mnemonic Devices ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Practical Sense

Abstract“Dhāraṇī”, with its many cognates in Chinese and other languages, is one of the most complex terms in Buddhism. Particular shadings of the tradition's notions of memory, meaning, and meditation, as well as specific kinds of incantations and mnemonic devices, all fall within what can seem a rather bewildering semantic range. However, the logic of the term is consistent over a wide range of sources, though Western treatments have often been misleading. It is usually claimed that the basic practical significance of “dhāraṇī” is either memory or incantation. Yet Chinese sources make clear that each of these understandings overly privileges a narrow band of the term's usage. Understanding that the basic practical sense of “dhāraṇī” was “grasp”, not memory or spells, illuminates connections within a range of sources, from doctrinal treatments to injunctions to “hold” dhāraṇī-incantations in mind and, indeed, on the body encountered in texts of various kinds.

scholarly journals Changes in goslings’ blood pattern under the influence of different doses additives of selenium in forages

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (92) ◽  
pp. 50-55
Author(s):  
S. V. Sobolieva ◽  
B. V. Gutyj ◽  
O. I. Sobolev
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cells ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
The Body ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Poultry Feed ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Doses

According to many scientists, the list of trace elements that are currently used in compound feeds for various types of poultry is clearly insufficient. In recent years, applied research has been conducted to determine the physiological needs of poultry for certain mineral elements that perform important biochemical functions in the body. This also applies to such biotic ultramicroelement as selenium. Scientific research of domestic and foreign scientists in the field of physiology, biochemistry, medicine and veterinary medicine has proved that selenium is a trace element with a fairly wide range of physiological and biochemical effects. When developing and theoretically justifying optimal norms for introducing selenium into poultry feed, it is necessary to evaluate not only its productive qualities, but also the blood picture. The question of the influence of selenium on changes in blood parameters in the poultry body is a great theoretical and practical significance because it allows us to expand our knowledge of its biological role and explain the data obtained in experiments. In scientific and economic experience has been studied the influence of additives of different doses of selenium in compound feed on the morphological and biochemical parameters of the goslings' blood raised for meat. During the experiment, feeding of goslings of all groups were carried out with dry feed mixes in accordance with existing norms. The goslings of the first control group did not receive selenium supplementation. The poultry of the second experimental group were additionally fed selenium at the rate of 0.2 mg/kg, the third of 0.3 and the fourth of 0.4 mg/kg. It is established that the additive in the feed of different doses of selenium stimulate hemocytopoiesis are added to different compound feeds, this is achieved by a homogeneous tendency per day, within physiological values in the goslings' peripheral blood number of red blood cells (by 1.7–3.9 %), white blood cells (by 2.1–3.2 %) and hemoglobin (by 2.4–8.6 %). Immune defense mechanisms are activated, which is manifested in an increase in the level of total protein (by 1.4–3.8 %) and the concentration of immunoglobulins in the blood serum (by 3.2–9.7 %). It is found changes in the content of total glutathione and its reduced form in the blood indicate a positive effect of selenium on the non-enzymatic element of the antioxidant defense system of the poultry's body. The addition of selenium to compound feed at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg had a significant effect on the morphological and biochemical parameters of the goslings' blood raised for meat.

Creating the Wind

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 14-31
Author(s):  
Élodie Dupey García
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
The Body ◽  
Historical Sources ◽  
Natural Behavior ◽  
Sensory Experiences ◽  
Identity And Agency ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Late Postclassic ◽  
Comparative Examination ◽  
Meteorological Phenomenon

This article explores how the Nahua of late Postclassic Mesoamerica (1200–1521 CE) created living and material embodiments of their wind god constructed on the basis of sensory experiences that shaped their conception of this divinized meteorological phenomenon. In this process, they employed chromatic and design devices, based on a wide range of natural elements, to add several layers of meaning to the human, painted, and sculpted supports dressed in the god’s insignia. Through a comparative examination of pre-Columbian visual production—especially codices and sculptures—historical sources mainly written in Nahuatl during the viceregal period, and ethnographic data on indigenous communities in modern Mexico, my analysis targets the body paint and shell jewelry of the anthropomorphic “images” of the wind god, along with the Feathered Serpent and the monkey-inspired embodiments of the deity. This study identifies the centrality of other human senses beyond sight in the conception of the wind god and the making of its earthly manifestations. Constructing these deity “images” was tantamount to creating the wind because they were intended to be visual replicas of the wind’s natural behavior. At the same time, they referred to the identity and agency of the wind god in myths and rituals.

Development and Validation of a New Scoring Tool to Evaluate the Clinical Evolution of Adult Patients with Nonsegmental Vitiligo

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
María Luisa Peralta-Pedrero ◽  
Denisse Herrera-Bringas ◽  
Karla Samantha Torres-González ◽  
Martha Alejandra Morales-Sánchez ◽  
Fermín Jurado Santa-Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Surface ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Clinical Evolution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Extreme Groups

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Vitiligo has an unpredictable course and a variable response to treatment. Furthermore, the improvement of some vitiligo lesions cannot be considered a guarantee of a similar response to the other lesions. Instruments for patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) can be an alternative to measure complex constructions such as clinical evolution. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study was to validate a PROM that allows to measure the clinical evolution of patients with nonsegmental vitiligo in a simple but standardized way that serves to gather information for a better understanding of the disease. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The instrument was created through expert consensus and patient participation. For the validation study, a prospective cohort design was performed. The body surface area affected was measured with the Vitiligo Extension Score (VES), the extension, the stage, and the spread by the evaluation of the Vitiligo European Task Force assessment (VETFa). Reliability was determined with test-retest, construct validity through hypothesis testing, discriminative capacity with extreme groups, and response capacity by comparing initial and final measurements. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Eighteen semi-structured interviews and 7 cognitive interviews were conducted, and 4 dermatologists were consulted. The instrument Clinical Evolution-Vitiligo (CV-6) was answered by 119 patients with a minimum of primary schooling. A wide range was observed in the affected body surface; incident and prevalent cases were included. The average time to answer the CV-6 was 3.08 ± 0.58 min. In the test-retest (<i>n</i> = 53), an intraclass correlation coefficient was obtained: 0.896 (95% CI 0.82–0.94; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). In extreme groups, the mean score was 2 (2–3) and 5 (4–6); <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001. The initial CV-6 score was different from the final one and the change was verified with VES and VETFa (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05, <i>n</i> = 92). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The CV-6 instrument allows patient collaboration, it is simple and brief, and it makes it easier for the doctor to focus attention on injuries that present changes at the time of medical consultation.

scholarly journals Tribological Aspects, Optimization and Analysis of Cu-B-CrC Composites Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4217
Author(s):  
Üsame Ali Usca ◽  
Mahir Uzun ◽  
Mustafa Kuntoğlu ◽  
Serhat Şap ◽  
Khaled Giasin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Wear Rate ◽  
Coefficient Of Friction ◽  
Applied Load ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Tribological Characteristics ◽  
M 10 ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Coefficient Of Friction ◽  
Four Levels

Tribological properties of engineering components are a key issue due to their effect on the operational performance factors such as wear, surface characteristics, service life and in situ behavior. Thus, for better component quality, process parameters have major importance, especially for metal matrix composites (MMCs), which are a special class of materials used in a wide range of engineering applications including but not limited to structural, automotive and aeronautics. This paper deals with the tribological behavior of Cu-B-CrC composites (Cu-main matrix, B-CrC-reinforcement by 0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 wt.%). The tribological characteristics investigated in this study are the coefficient of friction, wear rate and weight loss. For this purpose, four levels of sliding distance (1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 m) and four levels of applied load (10, 15, 20 and 25 N) were used. In addition, two levels of sliding velocity (1 and 1.5 m/s), two levels of sintering time (1 and 2 h) and two sintering temperatures (1000 and 1050 °C) were used. Taguchi’s L16 orthogonal array was used to statistically analyze the aforementioned input parameters and to determine their best levels which give the desired values for the analyzed tribological characteristics. The results were analyzed by statistical analysis, optimization and 3D surface plots. Accordingly, it was determined that the most effective factor for wear rate, weight loss and friction coefficients is the contribution rate. According to signal-to-noise ratios, optimum solutions can be sorted as: the highest levels of parameters except for applied load and reinforcement ratio (2500 m, 10 N, 1.5 m/s, 2 h, 1050 °C and 0 wt.%) for wear rate, certain levels of all parameters (1000 m, 10 N, 1.5 m/s, 2 h, 1050 °C and 2.5 wt.%) for weight loss and 1000 m, 15 N, 1 m/s, 1 h, 1000 °C and 0 wt.% for the coefficient of friction. The comprehensive analysis of findings has practical significance and provides valuable information for a composite material from the production phase to the actual working conditions.

scholarly journals Hydromechanics of low-Reynolds-number flow. Part 2. Singularity method for Stokes flows

1975 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen T. Chwang ◽  
T. Yao-Tsu Wu
Keyword(s):  
Exact Solutions ◽  
Stokes Flow ◽  
Fundamental Solutions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Circular Cylinders ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Flow Problems ◽  
Singularity Method ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Body Shapes

The present study further explores the fundamental singular solutions for Stokes flow that can be useful for constructing solutions over a wide range of free-stream profiles and body shapes. The primary singularity is the Stokeslet, which is associated with a singular point force embedded in a Stokes flow. From its derivatives other fundamental singularities can be obtained, including rotlets, stresslets, potential doublets and higher-order poles derived from them. For treating interior Stokes-flow problems new fundamental solutions are introduced; they include the Stokeson and its derivatives, called the roton and stresson.These fundamental singularities are employed here to construct exact solutions to a number of exterior and interior Stokes-flow problems for several specific body shapes translating and rotating in a viscous fluid which may itself be providing a primary flow. The different primary flows considered here include the uniform stream, shear flows, parabolic profiles and extensional flows (hyper-bolic profiles), while the body shapes cover prolate spheroids, spheres and circular cylinders. The salient features of these exact solutions (all obtained in closed form) regarding the types of singularities required for the construction of a solution in each specific case, their distribution densities and the range of validity of the solution, which may depend on the characteristic Reynolds numbers and governing geometrical parameters, are discussed.

scholarly journals A Computational Study on the Role of Parameters for Identification of Thyroid Nodules by Infrared Images (and Comparison with Real Data)

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4459
Author(s):  
José R. González ◽  
Charbel Damião ◽  
Maira Moran ◽  
Cristina A. Pantaleão ◽  
Rubens A. Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thyroid Nodules ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Internal Heat ◽  
Heat Transfer Process ◽  
The Body ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Infrared Sensors ◽  
Wide Range

According to experts and medical literature, healthy thyroids and thyroids containing benign nodules tend to be less inflamed and less active than those with malignant nodules. It seems to be a consensus that malignant nodules have more blood veins and more blood circulation. This may be related to the maintenance of the nodule’s heat at a higher level compared with neighboring tissues. If the internal heat modifies the skin radiation, then it could be detected by infrared sensors. The goal of this work is the investigation of the factors that allow this detection, and the possible relation with any pattern referent to nodule malignancy. We aim to consider a wide range of factors, so a great number of numerical simulations of the heat transfer in the region under analysis, based on the Finite Element method, are performed to study the influence of each nodule and patient characteristics on the infrared sensor acquisition. To do so, the protocol for infrared thyroid examination used in our university’s hospital is simulated in the numerical study. This protocol presents two phases. In the first one, the body under observation is in steady state. In the second one, it is submitted to thermal stress (transient state). Both are simulated in order to verify if it is possible (by infrared sensors) to identify different behavior referent to malignant nodules. Moreover, when the simulation indicates possible important aspects, patients with and without similar characteristics are examined to confirm such influences. The results show that the tissues between skin and thyroid, as well as the nodule size, have an influence on superficial temperatures. Other thermal parameters of thyroid nodules show little influence on surface infrared emissions, for instance, those related to the vascularization of the nodule. All details of the physical parameters used in the simulations, characteristics of the real nodules and thermal examinations are publicly available, allowing these simulations to be compared with other types of heat transfer solutions and infrared examination protocols. Among the main contributions of this work, we highlight the simulation of the possible range of parameters, and definition of the simulation approach for mapping the used infrared protocol, promoting the investigation of a possible relation between the heat transfer process and the data obtained by infrared acquisitions.

scholarly journals Polymer-Drug Conjugates as Nanotheranostic Agents

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-81
Author(s):  
Sajana Manandhar ◽  
Erica Sjöholm ◽  
Johan Bobacka ◽  
Jessica M. Rosenholm ◽  
Kuldeep K. Bansal
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Drug Release ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
The Body ◽  
Drug Conjugates ◽  
Imaging Characteristics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Systemic Side Effects ◽  
Theranostic Agents ◽  
The Stability

Since the last decade, the polymer-drug conjugate (PDC) approach has emerged as one of the most promising drug-delivery technologies owing to several benefits like circumventing premature drug release, offering controlled and targeted drug delivery, improving the stability, safety, and kinetics of conjugated drugs, and so forth. In recent years, PDC technology has advanced with the objective to further enhance the treatment outcomes by integrating nanotechnology and multifunctional characteristics into these systems. One such development is the ability of PDCs to act as theranostic agents, permitting simultaneous diagnosis and treatment options. Theranostic nanocarriers offer the opportunity to track the distribution of PDCs within the body and help to localize the diseased site. This characteristic is of particular interest, especially among those therapeutic approaches where external stimuli are supposed to be applied for abrupt drug release at the target site for localized delivery to avoid systemic side effects (e.g., Visudyne®). Thus, with the help of this review article, we are presenting the most recent updates in the domain of PDCs as nanotheranostic agents. Different methodologies utilized to design PDCs along with imaging characteristics and their applicability in a wide range of diseases, have been summarized in this article.

scholarly journals Sustainable Sources from Aquatic Organisms for Cosmeceuticals Ingredients

Cosmetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Carmen G. Sotelo ◽  
María Blanco ◽  
Patricia Ramos ◽  
José A. Vázquez ◽  
Ricardo I. Perez-Martin
Keyword(s):  
Social Issues ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fishing Activity ◽  
Marine Biomass ◽  
Cosmetic Industry ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Long Life ◽  
By Products

Long life expectancy of populations in the developing world together with some cultural and social issues has driven the need to pay special attention to health and physical appearance. Cosmeceuticals are gaining interest in the cosmetic industry as their uses fulfills a double purpose: the requirements of a cosmetic (clean, perfume, protect, change the appearance of the external parts of the body or keeping them in good condition) with a particular bioactivity function. The cosmetics industry, producing both cosmetics and cosmeceuticals, is currently facing numerous challenges to satisfy different attitudes of consumers (vegetarianism, veganism, cultural or religious concerns, health or safety reasons, eco-friendly process, etc.). A currently growing trend in the market is the interest in products of low environmental impact. Marine origin ingredients are increasingly being incorporated into cosmeceutical preparations because they are able to address several consumer requirements and also due to the wide range of bioactivities they present (antioxidant, whitening, anti-aging, etc.). Many companies claim “Marine” as a distinctive marketing signal; however, only a few indicate whether they use sustainable ingredient sources. Sustainable marine ingredients might be obtained using wild marine biomass through a sustainable extractive fishing activity; by adopting valorization strategies including the use of fish discards and fish by-products; and by sustainably farming and culturing marine organisms.

Electromechanical fields in a hollow piezoelectric cylinder under non-uniform load: flexoelectric effect

2021 ◽  
pp. 108128652110207
Author(s):  
Olha Hrytsyna
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Solutions ◽  
Point Group ◽  
The Body ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Gradient Theory ◽  
Local Mass ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mass Displacement ◽  
Local Mass Displacement ◽  
Local Gradient

The relations of a local gradient non-ferromagnetic electroelastic continuum are used to solve the problem of an axisymmetrical loaded hollow cylinder. Analytical solutions are obtained for tetragonal piezoelectric materials of point group 4 mm for two cases of external loads applied to the body surfaces. Namely, the hollow pressurized cylinder and a cylinder subjected to an electrical voltage V across its thickness are considered. The derived solutions demonstrate that the non-uniform electric load causes a mechanical deformation of piezoelectric body, and vice versa, the inhomogeneous radial pressure of the cylinder induces its polarization. Such a result is obtained due to coupling between the electromechanical fields and a local mass displacement being considered. In the local gradient theory, the local mass displacement is associated with the changes to a material’s microstructure. The classical theory does not consider the effect of material microstructure on the behavior of solid bodies and is incapable of explaining the mentioned phenomena. It is also shown that the local gradient theory describes the size-dependent properties of piezoelectric nanocylinders. Analytical solutions to the formulated boundary-value problems can be used in conjunction with experimental data to estimate some higher-order material constants of the local gradient piezoelectricity. The obtained results may be useful for a wide range of appliances that utilize small-scale piezoelectric elements as constituting blocks.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Regulation of Cannabinoid-Mediated Attenuation of Inflammation and Its Impact on the Use of Cannabinoids to Treat Autoimmune Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7302
Author(s):  
Bryan Latrell Holloman ◽  
Mitzi Nagarkatti ◽  
Prakash Nagarkatti
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Chronic Inflammation ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
T Regulatory Cells ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Suppressor Cells ◽  
The Body ◽  
New Class ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Clinical Disorders

Chronic inflammation is considered to be a silent killer because it is the underlying cause of a wide range of clinical disorders, from cardiovascular to neurological diseases, and from cancer to obesity. In addition, there are over 80 different types of debilitating autoimmune diseases for which there are no cure. Currently, the drugs that are available to suppress chronic inflammation are either ineffective or overtly suppress the inflammation, thereby causing increased susceptibility to infections and cancer. Thus, the development of a new class of drugs that can suppress chronic inflammation is imperative. Cannabinoids are a group of compounds produced in the body (endocannabinoids) or found in cannabis (phytocannabinoids) that act through cannabinoid receptors and various other receptors expressed widely in the brain and immune system. In the last decade, cannabinoids have been well established experimentally to mediate anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that they suppress inflammation through multiple pathways, including apoptosis and inducing immunosuppressive T regulatory cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Interestingly, cannabinoids also mediate epigenetic alterations in genes that regulate inflammation. In the current review, we highlight how the epigenetic modulations caused by cannabinoids lead to the suppression of inflammation and help identify novel pathways that can be used to target autoimmune diseases.

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