Bryophytes as a safeguard of fruits from postharvest fungal diseases: A Review

Postharvest losses from fungal pathogens to essential fruits and vegetables are enormous and alarming. Orthodox synthetic fungicides are being used as a regular practice to restrict these losses. However, now by knowing the hazards of these chemical-based fungicides, the situation demands alternative green technology. Consequently, many angiosperms plant extracts have been evaluated for their antifungal nature and achieved substantial success. However, the second most prevalent flora on land, i.e. bryophytes, have been scarcely used and somewhat remain neglected besides their remarkable thallus organization, water relations and antimicrobial potential. For postharvest fungus control, these bryophytes, the first land plants' extracts to be researched and promoted due to concerns about drug resistance, nephrotoxicity and biomagnification related to current synthetic fungicides. Since these amphibious plants have their unique protective mechanism against fungal or bacterial attacks due to their unique phytochemistry, therefore have great potential to be used as eco-friendly fungicides. Considering these factors, this article seeks to direct the attention of interested researchers toward the relatively accessible but vast underutilised bryo-diversity to investigate their remarkable potential as postharvest antifungal agents first in laboratories and then on a commercial scale in the future.

Free Listening

Given the widespread ideological polarization of the current times, cultivating ways to empathize across difference has never been more important. In this essay, we outline Free Listening (FL), a pedagogical practice that helps people grow their capacity to empathetically engage others across difference by engaging in structured sessions of active empathetic listening. Our prior work demonstrates that the structured practice of FL has both affective and practical implications for how students engage with others; students leave the practice with a greater sense of awareness, appreciation for other cultures, and ability to listen across cultural and ideological boundaries. We believe FL has great promise within the teaching-and-learning process in relation to civic and community engagement, service learning, and relational praxis. In this essay, we outline the practice of FL and review literature that helps elucidate what this practice is and does. Some key themes are discussed that reveal the valuable contributions of this practice as they have emerged from our students’ and our own experience with/in FL. Finally, we trace the pedagogical implications of FL as they connect to theories of dialogue and dialogic praxis. Overall, we argue that FL should be a regular practice for pedagogues across the social sciences in order to cultivate in students the relational and empathetic skills that are needed to advance the project of depolarization—a project in which other-centeredness should be a defining feature.

Effect of Super Brain Yoga on Concentration and Memory in Children in a Selected Private School, Kelambakkam, Kanchipuram Dt, Tamilnadu, India

Background: The Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory says that the school age is the important stage in the development of self-confidence. Many studies reveals that physical exercise has a positive effect in the cognitive intellectual areas of the children. Regular practice of simple exercise will makes the children more sharp minded and helps to give a better learning outcome Material & Methods: The main aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of super brain yoga by measuring the changes in concentration and memory in children.. A quantitative evaluative approach was used for this study with a one group pretest and posttest design. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 120 students aged between 10 to 12 years who were studying in 6th and 7th standard. The practice of super brain yoga was given 20 times over 10 minutes per day for a period of one month. The Digit Cancellation Test and the Knox Cube Test was used to was used to assess the pretest and posttest level of concentration and memory in children. Results: The pretest mean and standard deviation of concentration was 33.64±5.43 with a standard error of 0.496. The first posttest (at the end of second week of practice of super brain yoga) mean and standard deviation was 33.55± 5.378 with a standard error of 0.491 and the t-value was 0.749. The second posttest (at the end of fourth week of practice of super brain yoga) mean and standard deviation was 33.67±5.393 with a standard error of 0.492 and the t-value was 0.240. The pretest mean and standard deviation of memory was 33.67±4.696with a standard error of 0.429.The first posttest (at the end of second week of practice of super brain yoga) mean and standard deviation was 33.66±4.654with a standard error of 0.425 and the t-value was 0.080. The second posttest (at the end of fourth week of practice of super brain yoga) mean and standard deviation was 33.68±4.700with a standard error of 0.420and the t-value was 0.074. The present study result shows that statistically there was no significant effect of super brain yoga on concentration and memory of children and no association between posttest level of concentration and memory of children with their selected demographic variables. Conclusion: Hence the study concludes that the super brain yoga has no significant effect on concentration and memory of children with a duration of four weeks of practice.The study recommended that to bring the desired positive effect on children’s concentration and memory the study can be conducted for a long period of time.

Effects of Heartfulness Meditation Practices on Control of Alz-heimer’s Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Background: Progressive stress levels, aging and less care on mental health among adults lead to a decline in neurophysiological functioning and diminish the performance of working memory. Regular practice of meditation through Heartfulness will enhance mental health and thereby considerably reduce the risks of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: This review article was carried out from the literature available on databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science and Research Gate until May 2020. A qualitative analysis of the impact of Heartfulness meditation on people with chronic insomnia, students of different age groups, Heartfulness meditation practitioners and caregivers were summarized. Results: From the survey results of selected 10 articles, it has been observed that the people who were practicing meditation through Heartfulness gain emotional wellness, joy, sound sleep pattern and reduction of stress, tension and anger. Moreover, the level of brain waves of the practitioners, especially alpha and delta activities in the brain were increased and there was a tremendous change in neuroplasticity among the practitioners. Conclusion: Regular practice of meditation through Heartfulness improves the cognitive ability of the practitioners, with improved neurophysiological functions and suppresses the risks of Alzheimer’s diseases.

ANALYSIS OF POSTURAL BALANCE IN CHILDREN WHO PRACTICE AND THOSE WHO DO NOT PRACTICE SPORTS ACTIVITIES

ABSTRACT Introduction: Postural balance is essential for activities of daily living and sports performance in all life phases, but it remains unknown whether the regular practice of sports activities can improve postural balance in children. Objective: To evaluate postural balance in children who practice and those who do not practice regular sports activities. Methods: The sample consisted of 60 children (7-13 years of age) divided into two groups: participants in sports activities (n = 30) and non-participants in sports activities (n = 30). The level of physical activity was assessed by applying the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) and static postural balance was assessed on the BIOMEC400-412 strength platform in bipedal and unipedal support. Results: No significant difference was observed between the groups in age, height or body mass index (p > 0.05). However, the groups showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the level of physical activity. The practicing sports group was characterized as active and the non-practicing group as sedentary. The practicing sports group had better postural balance in both bipedal and unipedal support compared to the non-practicing group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The practice of regular sports activities improves postural balance in children from 7 to 13 years of age. Level of evidence II; Diagnostic study - Investigating a diagnostic test.

Supporting Well-being at a Community Day Care Centre for Adults with Other Abilities Using Music Therapy

<p>This qualitative research investigates the music therapy approaches taken in order to support well-being at a day centre for adults with disabilities. Music therapy at the day centre involved individual and group sessions, engaging in music with the wider community, developing trust and supporting each other. The research centred on secondary analysis of music therapy practice text, collected during a five-month period at the day centre. Literature about music / music therapy being able to support well-being in community settings, especially in relation to the practice of community music therapy, was reviewed. The research question 'How did I support well-being at a community day centre for adults with other abilities using music therapy?' was established. Secondary analysis was the methodology used for this study, involving no disruption to regular practice as a student therapist and being low-risk for music therapy participants. A thematic analysis of texts was undertaken and this was developed from; research text, supervision text and a reflective journal of my practice. Analysis involved coding and sorting text and developing meaningful themes. The findings of the analysis demonstrated three core themes which involved supporting well-being: encouraging a sense of fun, promoting a sense of purpose and developing togetherness.</p>

Supporting Well-being at a Community Day Care Centre for Adults with Other Abilities Using Music Therapy

<p>This qualitative research investigates the music therapy approaches taken in order to support well-being at a day centre for adults with disabilities. Music therapy at the day centre involved individual and group sessions, engaging in music with the wider community, developing trust and supporting each other. The research centred on secondary analysis of music therapy practice text, collected during a five-month period at the day centre. Literature about music / music therapy being able to support well-being in community settings, especially in relation to the practice of community music therapy, was reviewed. The research question 'How did I support well-being at a community day centre for adults with other abilities using music therapy?' was established. Secondary analysis was the methodology used for this study, involving no disruption to regular practice as a student therapist and being low-risk for music therapy participants. A thematic analysis of texts was undertaken and this was developed from; research text, supervision text and a reflective journal of my practice. Analysis involved coding and sorting text and developing meaningful themes. The findings of the analysis demonstrated three core themes which involved supporting well-being: encouraging a sense of fun, promoting a sense of purpose and developing togetherness.</p>

Uso de áreas verdes para la actividad física: análisis descriptivo en escolares chilenos durante la pandemia por COVID-19 (Use of green areas for physical activity: descriptive analysis in Chilean schoolchildren during the COVID -19 pandemic)

La vegetación de los centros urbanos puede proveer abundantes beneficios en el medio ambiente y en la sociedad, en este sentido, las áreas verdes pueden ofrecer oportunidades para la práctica regular de actividad física, proporcionando beneficios para la salud física y mental en la vida de la población. Objetivo: El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar la práctica de actividad física y los motivos de la no práctica en menores de 5 a 17 años en áreas verdes de la ciudad de Temuco, Chile. Método: Enfoque cuantitativo, de corte transversal y con un diseño no experimental y alcance descriptivo. Instrumentos: Se aplicó el cuestionario sobre la práctica de actividad física en áreas verdes y los motivos de no práctica. Resultados: Si bien la mayor parte de los menores tiene áreas verdes cerca de su domicilio, la mayoría de ellos no las utiliza para la práctica de actividad física, especialmente las damas. Respecto al tipo de actividades principalmente realizadas en las áreas verdes destacan aquellas más de tipo recreativo como jugar, caminar y el uso de la bicicleta. Conclusión: Los espacios para realizar actividad física existen, pero los menores requieren de interés, motivación y principalmente de apoyo familiar para practicar actividad física en las áreas verdes, por lo que se requiere de una mayor oferta de programas deportivos y/o recreativos relacionados con la práctica de actividad física en áreas verdes. Abstract. The vegetation of urban centres can provide abundant benefits in the environment and society. In this way, green areas can offer opportunities for the regular practice of physical activity, providing benefits for physical and mental health in the life of the population. Aim: to determine the practice of physical activity and the reasons for non-practice in children aged between 5 to 17 years in green areas of Temuco, Chile. Methods: quantitative approach, cross-sectional and with a non-experimental design and descriptive scope. Instruments: A questionnaire to measure the practice of physical activity in green areas and the reasons for non-practice was applied. Results: Although most of children have green areas near their homes, most of them do not use these areas for physical activities, with the group of girls highlighting in this respect. Regarding the type of activities mainly carried out in green areas were those of recreational nature such as playing, walking and cycling. Conclusion: Spaces for physical activity exist, but children require interest, motivation and mainly family support to practice physical activity in green areas, as well as a greater supply of sports and/or recreational programs related to the practice of physical activity in green areas.

Sports, Executive Functions and Academic Performance: A Comparison between Martial Arts, Team Sports, and Sedentary Children

It is well known that curricular physical activity benefits children’s executive functions and academic performance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether there is an influence of extracurricular sports on executive functions and academic performance. However, it is less known which specific types of the sport better enhance executive functions in children; to investigate this issue, this study compared the performance on executive functions tasks and academic performance in one hundred and two boys and girls with an average age of 11.84 years recruited from Italian schools and gyms (N = 102), who participated in martial arts or team sports or were sedentary children. Executive functions were measured with the tests: Attenzione e Concentrazione, Digit Span test, Tower of London, IOWA Gambling task BVN 5-11, and BVN 12-18. Results demonstrated that children practicing martial arts showed better executive functioning and higher school marks than those involved in team sports or not involved in any sports. Furthermore, participants aged 12 to 15 years old outperformed in cool and hot executive functions tasks and had a better academic performance. Thus, the present findings supported the view that regular practice of extracurricular sports enhances executive functions development and consequently influences academic performance.

Investigating the influence of meditation style and practitioner experience on change blindness using a flicker-paradigm.

Change blindness engenders an inability to detect changes made to a visual scene and has negative implications for areas such as road safety and eye-witness memory. Therefore, it’s important to find ways of reducing change blindness to create a safer society. One way this might be achieved is through the practice of meditation. Regular practice of meditation may reduce the effects of change blindness by expanding a practitioner’s consciousness and brain potential over time. This study compared the influence of practitioner experience and medi- tation style- Transcendental Meditation (TM) or Mindfulness-based Meditation (MBM), on change blindness susceptibility. Forty-six participants (30 female and 16 male) with a com- bined mean age of 42 years old, were assigned to two experimental groups depending on the pre-existing meditation style they practiced. Both groups completed an identical experimen- tal task known as a flicker-paradigm where they had to identify changes made to various images. A two-way independent ANOVA revealed a significant effect of meditation style and experience on change-detection reaction times- (F(1,42) =7.22, p < 0.05, = .147), with long-term transcendental meditation practitioners recording faster reaction times (mean = 5927.73, SD = 606.92) on average than long-term mindfulness-based practitioners (mean = 10949.92 SD = 984.72). These results support the contention that long-term practice of transcendental meditation is more effective at reducing change blindness than long-term practice of mindfulness-based meditation.