Effect of Traditional Cooking and In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion of the Ten Most Consumed Beans from the Fabaceae Family in Thailand on Their Phytochemicals, Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Potentials

The edible beans in Fabaceae have been used for foods and medicines since the ancient time, and being used more and more. It is also appeared as a major ingredient in dairy cooking menu in many regions including Thailand, a rich biodiversity country. Many studies reported on health benefits of their flavonoids, but there is no report on the effect of cooking on phytochemical profile and pharmacological potentials. Thus, this present study aims to complete this knowledge, with the 10 most consumed Fabaceae beans in Thailand, by determining the impact of traditional cooking and gastrointestinal digestion on their phytochemicals, their antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities using different in vitro and in cellulo yeast models. The results showed that Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis were the richest source of phytochemicals, whereas the population of V. mungo, Phaseolus vulgaris, V. angularis, and V. unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis were richest in monomeric anthocyanin contents (MAC). Furthermore, the results clearly demonstrated the impact of the plant matrix effect on the preservation of a specific class of phytochemicals. In particular, after cooking and in vitro digestion, total flavonoid contents (TFC) in Glycine max extract was higher than in the uncooked sample. This study is the first report on the influence of cooking and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the inhibition capacity toward advanced glycation end products (AGEs). All samples showed a significant capacity to stimulate glucose uptake in yeast model, and V. angularis showed the highest capacity. Interestingly, the increase in glucose uptake after in vitro digestion was higher than in uncooked samples for both P. vulgaris and G. max samples. The current study is the first attempt to investigate at the effects of both processes not only on the natural bioactive compounds but also on antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities of Thailand’s 10 most consumed beans that can be applied for agro-industrial and phytopharmaceutical sectors.

THE EXISTENTIAL NATURE OF THE HIKMETS OF AHMED YASSAWI

This article analyzes existential concepts in the work of Ahmet Yassawi “Diwani hikmet”, which forms the Sufi direction of the deeply rooted Turkic civilization, using comparative research methods. In this context, the article collected and investigated the following metaphysical problems, such as the unity and struggle of time and being, disinterested attachment to the Creator, as well as the phenomenon of life and death. The content of the Hikmet is an existential representation of a religious preaching orientation, filled with the principles of a nomadic civilization developed in the Kazakh steppe. Although the main goal of the Hikmet is religious, there are often such existentials as the existence of the Creator and the problems of human existence, life and death, morality, justice, responsibility, conscience. The main position of the Hikmets is to point out a direct path to the Islamic world and suggest ways to form a “True Muslim”. The concepts of the book of wisdom are a way of revealing transcendental contradictions for those who are in an existential crisis. For those who cannot understand the meaning of life and are in existential stagnation, we decided to use the hikmet of Ahmet Yassawi to explain the meaning of real life.

Caregivers’ perception about their participation in a community-based exercise intervention - Body & Brain Project

Evidence is scarce on caregivers’ perception regarding their participation in exercise interventions targeting individuals with neurocognitive disorder (NCD). This study aims to investigate the views of family caregivers of people with NCD about taking part in a community-based physical exercise intervention with their care-recipients. Twenty caregivers (N Male: 13; 66.5 ± 14.39 years old; age range: 36-88) answered to a semi-structured interview conducted by telephone about their perception on participating or not as class members of a 6-month multicomponent training intervention. Transcribed data from the interview were analyzed through thematic analysis. Main themes regard their perceived key-role in the care recipients’ participation, which included knowing their limitations, making them feel accompanied and motivated, and the possibility of providing comfort and tranquility throughout the intervention. Caregivers also mentioned the possibility of fulfilling own needs for physical activity and being engaged in new experiences. Disturbing the care recipients’ involvement and performance, the opportunity for respite during the sessions’ time, and being enrolled in the program only in specific moments or by telephone were also mentioned. Findings highlight the inclusive perspective of caregivers to take part of exercise programs designed for people with NCD, not only due to their decisive role on care-recipients engagement but also due to the associated (in-/)direct personal benefits. This data may be useful for planning and prescribing future community-based exercise interventions for NCD caregiving dyads. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT04095962. Supported by FCT: “Body and Brain” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031808), CIAFEL (FCT/UIDB/00617/2020), and Ph.D. Grants (SFRH/BD/136635/2018) to FM (2020.05911.BD) to DB.

Social Media in the Eye of Parents

The purpose of this study is to identify the views of parents about social media. In accordance with phenomenological research design, one of qualitative research methods, the data was collected with semi-structured interview questions developed by the researcher under the control of experts. In the determination of the work group of the study the criterion sampling was used. The data was collected by recording the interviews and analysed by using the content analysis. In the findings of the study, the opinions of the parents about the effects of social median on students’ behaviours were grouped as positive and negative behaviours. While parents stated that “gathering information about the lessons” and “positive shares” are important positive behaviours, students’ “wasting time” and “causing violence” were stated as negative behaviours. An important ratio of the parents stated that social media may improve students academically, however, more than half of the parents stated that social media could not improve students school success as students waste their time on social media and do not use it for educational purposes. According to parents, social media supports education by providing easiness to reach information and including so many sources. Causing waste of time and being exposed to undesirable content are accepted as obstacles to education. In order to have a more educative social media, parents suggest that we should raise awareness of using social media healthily. People should share more educational sources on social media and a mechanism to supervise social median must be developed.

Social competence, leisure time activities, and smoking trajectories among adolescent boys: Data from The Korean Children & Youth Panel Survey

Objectives: To identify trajectories and potential predictors of tobacco use patterns among adolescents in Korea and to develop appropriate strategies for the implementation of primary prevention of tobacco use.Methods: Tobacco trajectory and associated predictors were analyzed for 1,169 children from sixth (age 11) to tenth (age 15) grades in The Korean Children & Youth Panel Survey from 2012 to 2016. Results: The three trajectory of smoking experience was identified: non-smokers (T1; 82.3%), temporary users (T2; 3.4%), and continuous users (T3; 14.3%). Compared with non-smokers, “ever-users” (i.e., T2 and T3) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of having a girlfriend, committing delinquent behaviors, having delinquent friends, having a lesser reading time, dissatisfaction with grades, and being in lower household income. Having delinquent friends, having a lesser reading time, and being in the lowest household income were the significant factors for being continuous users (T3).Conclusions: Experiencing delinquent behaviors and lower socioeconomic status might initiate and continue the smoking among adolescents, while smoking experimentation could be shifted by concern about grades and engaging in positive leisure activities. These information can contribute to development of tailored prevention and early cessation programs for adolescents.

Social Media in the Eye of Parents

The purpose of this study is to identify the views of parents about social media. In accordance with phenomenological research design, one of qualitative research methods, the data was collected with semi-structured interview questions developed by the researcher under the control of experts. In the determination of the work group of the study the criterion sampling was used. The data was collected by recording the interviews and analysed by using the content analysis. In the findings of the study, the opinions of the parents about the effects of social median on students’ behaviours were grouped as positive and negative behaviours. While parents stated that “gathering information about the lessons” and “positive shares” are important positive behaviours, students’ “wasting time” and “causing violence” were stated as negative behaviours. An important ratio of the parents stated that social media may improve students academically, however, more than half of the parents stated that social media could not improve students school success as students waste their time on social media and do not use it for educational purposes. According to parents, social media supports education by providing easiness to reach information and including so many sources. Causing waste of time and being exposed to undesirable content are accepted as obstacles to education. In order to have a more educative social media, parents suggest that we should raise awareness of using social media healthily. People should share more educational sources on social media and a mechanism to supervise social median must be developed.

Substance use behavior and its lifestyle-related risk factors in Bangladeshi high school-going adolescents: An exploratory study

Substance abuse is a major concern worldwide and is increasing rapidly in Bangladesh. However, there are no prior studies concerning lifestyle-related factors that influence adolescents’ substance use behavior. Therefore, the present study investigated the prevalence of substance use and its associated sociodemographic and lifestyle-related risk factors among a total of 424 Bangladeshi high school-going adolescents through a structured questionnaire interview study. The survey questionnaire consisted of socio-demographics, lifestyle-related information, and substance use-related questions. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 22.0, and a p-value of <0.05 determined statistical significance. Results showed that 21.2%, 14.4%, and 15.1% of the participants reported smoking, using a drug, and consuming alcohol, respectively, at least once during their lifespan; whereas the current (i.e., past-month) rates were reported to be 10.4%, 2.8%, and 3.1%, respectively. Overall, the current substance use risk factors were identified as being male, not being from science academic background, having less family influence on personal life, irregular teeth brushing, being smartphone users, using a smartphone for a longer time, and being late-night sleepers. From the list of identified risk factors of substance use, those that are modifiable may be targeted to evolve a prevention program to manage this problem in Bangladeshi adolescents.

Finding a place to call home: the experience of frontline workers searching for housing for refugee claimants in Toronto

This qualitative research paper examines the roles of frontline workers who work in refugee-specific shelters in Toronto, and whose tasks involve finding housing for refugee claimants. Four participants from different shelters were interviewed and were asked about the barriers that they face when fulfilling this role. These types of barriers are those that FLWs experience on behalf of their clients, in addition to barriers that FLWs experience in their workplace which can impact the success of their work. This paper reflects on these findings using an Anti-Oppressive Practice framework. Findings reveal that the participants experience a range of discrimination against their clients by landlords, in addition to stigma surrounding unemployment, welfare recipients, and newcomers. Participants also face difficulties fulfilling their client’s expectations of housing that is available in Toronto. Furthermore, participants face barriers at their workplace such as working over time and being understaffed. Keywords: Refugee claimants, frontline workers, housing, Toronto

Finding a place to call home: the experience of frontline workers searching for housing for refugee claimants in Toronto

This qualitative research paper examines the roles of frontline workers who work in refugee-specific shelters in Toronto, and whose tasks involve finding housing for refugee claimants. Four participants from different shelters were interviewed and were asked about the barriers that they face when fulfilling this role. These types of barriers are those that FLWs experience on behalf of their clients, in addition to barriers that FLWs experience in their workplace which can impact the success of their work. This paper reflects on these findings using an Anti-Oppressive Practice framework. Findings reveal that the participants experience a range of discrimination against their clients by landlords, in addition to stigma surrounding unemployment, welfare recipients, and newcomers. Participants also face difficulties fulfilling their client’s expectations of housing that is available in Toronto. Furthermore, participants face barriers at their workplace such as working over time and being understaffed. Keywords: Refugee claimants, frontline workers, housing, Toronto

UAV routing with genetic algorithm based matheuristic for border security missions

In recent years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are a good alternative for the problem of ensuring the security of the borders of the countries. UAVs are preferred because of their speed, ease of use, being able to observe many points at the same time, and being more cost-effective in total compared to other security tools. This study is dealt with the problem of the use of UAVs for the security of the Turkey-Syria borderline which becomes sensitive in recent years and the problem is modeled as a UAV routing problem. To solve the problem, a Genetic Algorithm Based Matheuristic (GABM) approach has been developed and 12 scenarios have been created covering the departure bases, daily patrol numbers, and ranges of UAVs. GABM finds the minimum number of UAVs to use in scenarios with the help of a GA run first and tries to find the optimal routes for these UAVs. If GABM can find an optimal route for the determined UAV number, it decreases the UAV number and tries to solve the problem again. GABM proposes a hybrid approach in which a metaheuristic with a mathematical model works together and the metaheuristic sets an upper limit for the number of UAVs in the model. In computational studies, when compared GA with GABM it is seen that GABM has obtained good results and decreased the utilized number of UAVs (up to 400%) and their flight distances (up to 85.99%) for the problem in very short CPU times (max. 122.17 s. for GA and max. 46.39 s. for GABM in addition to GA).