Mango Peel Pectin: Recovery, Functionality and Sustainable Uses

Concerns regarding the overconsumption of natural resources has provoked the recovery of biopolymers from food processing biomass. Furthermore, the current market opportunity for pectin in other areas has increased, necessitating the search for alternative pectin resources. This is also a step towards the sustainable and circular green economy. Mango peel is the byproduct of agro-processing and has been used for high value-added components such as polysaccharide biopolymers. Pectin derived from the peel is yet to be exploited to its greatest extent, particularly in terms of its separation and physiochemical properties, which limit its applicability to dietary fiber in culinary applications. The functionality of the mango peel pectin (MPP) strongly depends on the molecular size and degree of esterification which highlight the importance of isolation and characterisation of pectin from this novel resource. This article therefore provides a useful overview of mango peel as a potential biomaterial for the recovery of MPP. Different extraction techniques and the integrated recovery were also discussed. The utilisation of MPP in different industrial schemes are also detailed out from different perspectives such as the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. This review convincingly expresses the significance of MPP, providing a sustainable opportunity for food and pharmaceutical development.

An Integrative Review of Recovery Services to Improve the Lives of Adults Living with Severe Mental Illness

There is an increasing call for recovery-oriented services but few reviews have been undertaken regarding such interventions. This review aims to synthesize evidence on recovery services to improve the lives of adults living with severe mental illness. An integrative review methodology was used. We searched published literature from seven databases: Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus. Mixed-methods synthesis was used to analyse the data. Out of 40 included papers, 62.5% (25/40) used quantitative data, 32.5% used qualitative and 5% (2/40) used mixed methods. The participants in the included papers were mostly adults with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This review identified three recovery-oriented services—integrated recovery services, individual placement services and recovery narrative photovoice and art making. The recovery-oriented services are effective in areas such as medication and treatment adherence, improving functionality, symptoms reduction, physical health and social behaviour, self-efficacy, economic empowerment, social inclusion and household integration. We conclude that mental health professionals are encouraged to implement the identified recovery services to improve the recovery goals of consumers.

The perception of biopsychosocial impacts of COVID-19 during lockdown restrictions over time in the UK – a mixed methods study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the health of individuals physically, mentally, and socially. This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of this impact across the pandemic from a biopsychosocial stance. Methods: A survey created by the research team was employed between November 2020 and February 2021 across social media, relevant organizations, and networks. The survey incorporated 5-time points across the different stages of the pandemic, covering biological, psychological, and social. There were 5 items for each survey (Very Positive affect to Very Negative affect), and analysis was undertaken using SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric Friedman and Wilcoxon Tests, as well as correlations between the three domains, were implemented. Results: This study included 164 participants (77.0% female and 35.0% male) across 24 out of 38 counties in the UK. The impact of COVID-19 on biological domain was significant across the five data points χ2(4) = 63.99, p < 0.001, psychological χ2(4) = 118.939, p <0.001 and socially χ2(4) = 186.43, p <0.001. Between the 5 data points, 4 out of 5 had a negative impact, however between the first stage of lockdown and the easing of restrictions, findings for biological (Z=-2.35, p <0.05), psychological (Z=-6.61, p < 0.001), and socially (Z = -8.61, p <0.001) were positive. Negative correlations between the three domains across the pandemic are apparent, but in later stages, the biological domain had a positive correlation r = 0.52, p < 0.001. Conclusion: The data shows a negative impact from the self-reported perception of wellbeing from a biopsychosocial stance over time, as well as perceiving the three domains to interact negatively. To address these biopsychosocial issues, the research implies a place-based integrated recovery effort is needed, addressing biological, psychological, and social issues simultaneously. Further research should investigate biopsychosocial health among a more generalizable population.

COVID-19 Strengthens the Solidarity and Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Japan Cooperation

This article examines the initiatives of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan through the cooperation of Government to Government (G2G) and the Special ASEAN Summit to combat the pandemic collectively. The initial cooperation through the coordinated “Integrated Recovery Plan” has been very significant for the future of ASEAN and the resilience of a post-COVID-19 world by way of maintaining market stability in order to avoid the potential risk of economic recessions and public health emergencies. This synergism is seen as one of the best mechanisms to help ASEAN in ensuring socio-economic activities are restored and the welfare of about 600 million people is addressed. This research found that ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation should formulate a Regional Recovery Plan and emphasize that the continuity of the supply chain should be maintained to ensure a smooth flow of food and medical supplies. Secondly, APT cooperation needs to be committed to the continuation of opening up markets, maintaining normal trade, services and investment flow in order to continue strengthening regional economic resilience. Thirdly, APT needs to formulate a plan that focuses not only on financial aspects (post-COVID-19 economic recovery) but also on social security networks, food security and education.

A Heritage Science Workflow to Preserve and Narrate a Rural Archeological Landscape Using Virtual Reality: The Cerro del Castillo of Belmez and Its Surrounding Environment (Cordoba, Spain)

The main aim of this article is to present a heritage action protocol based on the application of photogrammetric and LiDAR acquisitions, a catalogue of flora and fauna, archeological research, and 3D virtualization for the integrated recovery of a rural cultural heritage site located in the Alto Guadiato Valley of Cordoba, Spain. This joint multidisciplinary action focusing on a common heritage objective has resulted in a comprehensive and innovative action: the virtualization of an 800-hectare multitemporal archeological landscape. The results may be of interest to researchers, educators, and tourism agents, or for the dissemination of scientific knowledge, among other applications. The protocol of actions implemented in the framework of this project can be replicated in sites with similar characteristics, particularly rural areas with well-preserved landscapes that have not been investigated. The main result of the project is the preservation of geomorphological features using remote sensing technologies and the creation of a virtual lookout for this historical and natural landscape (GuadiatVR), which is a very uncommon outcome within the virtualization of historical landscapes. The lookout can be downloaded from Google Play on IOS.

United States

The U.S. authorities should preserve the considerable progress in the resiliency, recoverability, and resolvability of financial companies and insured depository institutions (IDIs), and intensify financial crisis preparedness efforts. After a decade of resolution planning, the development of the U.S. resolution regime is more advanced than in other major economies. This regime, together with the strong track record of the deposit insurance system (DIS) for banks and the federal banking agencies’ (FBAs) preparation for resolution, provide a strong foundation for crisis preparedness. Bank holding companies (BHCs) have integrated recovery and resolution planning (RRP) into business-as-usual (BAU) activities, increasing their resiliency; this process has deepened the FBAs’ understanding of the BHCs’ business models and RRP capabilities. The FBAs should continue their own annual resolution planning and mitigate the recent changes that reduced the BHCs’ RRP. These efforts should be complemented by further interagency crisis preparedness, including particularly with the U.S. Department of the Treasury (UST), given its essential role in critical aspects of crisis responses. Finally, further refinements relating to cross-border resolution also deserve attention.