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Research on strengths-based positive interventions (SBPIs) has often supported their effectiveness, but these studies overwhelmingly focus on experiential outcomes such as affect and subjective well-being. Much less is known about their effectiveness for eliciting positive behavioral outcomes. The current article provides a lexicon to clarify distinctions between various types of positive interventions. This is followed by a meta-analysis of studies examining behavioral outcomes from SBPIs. Multiple databases were searched through October 2020. Out of 418 studies evaluating what could be considered SBPIs, only 48 analyses across 29 articles examined group differences in a behavioral outcome. Random-effects meta-analysis of post-test data revealed a small to medium, statistically significant effect, Hedges’ g= 0.32. Evidence was insufficient to suggest small-study or methodological bias. SBPIs seemed effective for eliciting behavioral change relative to control conditions consistent with prior meta-analyses. However, the available data are too limited to support SBPIs as an alternative to traditional approaches that focus on direct symptom reduction.

Rice bran is a nutrient-rich and resource-dense byproduct of rice milling. The primary cause of rice bran utilization limitation is oxidative deterioration and inadequate storage facilities. Improving stability to extend the shelf-life of rice bran has thus become an utmost necessity. This study aimed to stabilize raw fresh rice bran (RB) by using dry heat methods at 120 °C (233, 143, and 88 min) and 130 °C (86, 66, and 50 min). The results indicated that after dry heat pretreatment, peroxidase levels were at 90%, and the storage stability of dry-heat-stabilized RB was better. However, with an increase in treatment temperature and time, the peroxidase activity improved while the lipase activity decreased to a certain extent without significant changes. The total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were significantly unchanged during storage, while oleic/linoleic acid increased substantially by 1% at 120 °C for 88 min. The increase in treatment time and temperature was beneficial in controlling the fatty acid values. However, extended treatment time caused an increase in the peroxide value and MDA. The essential and non-essential amino acid ratios, which evaluate a protein’s nutritional value, remained relatively stable. The essential subunit of rice bran protein was not affected by the temperature and time of dry heat treatment and storage time.

The COVID-19 pandemic is truly one of the greatest collective health crises in history which have altered our life and living. For years, people have felt fatigued from following public health directives such as social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and working or studying remotely without in-person interactions. In this paper, we explore strategies for resilience and wellbeing which can mitigate pandemic-caused stress and behavioural fatigue. We start with individual level strategies including reworking stress appraisals, the importance of psychological flexibility, reducing loneliness through adaptive online platform use, optimizing familial relationships when living in close quarters for a prolonged period, reducing symptoms of burnout and using adaptive distractions, using specific evidence-based resilience strategies. We discuss specific considerations which tap on our shared identities and shared responsibilities which can enhance a sense of community, especially for individuals from marginalized backgrounds and how suicide risks can be minimized.

COVID-19 is truly an unprecedented event, forcing nearly four billion people into isolation, social distancing, and requiring people to rigorously follow public health measures such as frequent hand washing and indoor face-covering. People around the world have spent months staying home-bound, enduring significant financial, social, and emotional costs. They have been feeling anxious, irritable, afraid, and ambivalent in the wake of an invisible, pervasive, and potent pandemic. A strength focus can help us mitigate unwarranted or excessive negative emotions engendered by maintaining social distancing. This paper posits that by using our strengths, we can enhance our psychological immunity through pragmatic actions to enhance our daily wellbeing. More importantly, we can reframe and reappraise challenges to build perspective in dealing with global crises such as pandemics and disasters. Strengths expressed through pragmatic actions can boost our coping skills as well as enhance our wellbeing. Consistent with the zeitgeist of our times-equity, social justice, digital connections, the paper offers easily implemented, concrete actions using character strengths in adaptive ways to reduce the likelihood that social distancing will result in overwhelming anxiety, lack of structure or stimulation, and demoralization.

Objectives There exists a dearth of research focused explicitly on predictors of attrition, particularly in the area of group therapy, where both attrition and attendance becomes of primary concern. The present study examined both pretreatment and treatment-specific variables in the prospective prediction of attendance and attrition in group therapy. Method Fifty-two participants were randomized to one of two 12-week group treatments. Participants completed baseline interviews and questionnaires, as well as weekly assessments of treatment-specific factors. Results No pretreatment factors predicted attendance or drop out, although men attended a larger amount of sessions and were less likely to drop out. Cross-lagged panel analyses supported bidirectional, causal relationships both treatment-specific predictors (therapeutic alliance and number of therapeutic techniques) and attendance. Conclusions Successful retention in group therapy may be less predictable from pretreatment factors and instead lie in increasing alliance and fostering the practice of therapeutic strategies.

Over the years, extrusion has been a multi-step thermal technique that has proven to be the most effective process to stabilize rice bran (RB). This study aimed to investigate the effects of extrusion treatment and temperature (15, 25, and 40 °C) on the storage stability, lipid oxidation, peroxidase, and peroxide values, free fatty acids, fatty acid composition, and protein variations of RB over 60 days. The study offers novel insights into the changes in RB’s protein and amino acid compositions during extrusion and storage, which has not been extensively explored in prior research. After extrusion processing, peroxidase activity (POD) and lipase activity (LPS) were significantly reduced. However, peroxide value (PV), free fatty acids (FFA), and malondialdehyde content (MDA) observed a significantly increased by 0.64 mEqO2/kg, 8.3 mg/100 g, and 0.0005 μmol/L respectively. The storage stability of RB after extrusion shows that the POD, LPS, FFA, PV, and MDA were positively correlated with storage duration and temperature. The oleic acid/linoleic acid ratio in processed RB by extrusion had no significant changes during storage. The total and essential/non-essential amino acid ratios showed a downward trend of 5.26% and 8.76%, respectively. The first-order kinetics was the best-fitting model to describe the enzymatic inactivation and degradation of extruded RB during storage. The extrusion treatment did not affect the crude protein and the essential subunits of protein. Overall, the optimized extrusion procedure exhibited promising results in stabilizing the RB.

As positive psychology has developed as a field, questions have arisen around how to ensure best practice, including with respect to ethics. This issue is particularly pertinent vis-à-vis its applied dimensions, such as positive psychology interventions by students and graduates of MAPP programmes. However, the field has hitherto lacked clear ethical guidelines to assist practitioners. Aiming to address this gap, the authors have devised a set of guidelines, in collaboration with key stakeholders across the positive psychology community, published in the International Journal of Wellbeing. The current article briefly summarises the importance, development, content, and future directions of these guidelines, thus providing a concise overview of this important project. It is hoped that this article, together with the guidelines themselves, will not only highlight the importance of ethical practice, but offer practical suggestions for guiding practitioners in the field.

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids, carotenoids, pH, and total titratable acidity of red and black date's vinegar were analyzed. The extraction method was designed and optimized for this purpose with respect to the variety and solvent concentrations along with the time of ultrasonication. The results showed that red dates' vinegar has significantly (p 0.05). Use of 50% and 80% methanol with 25 min of ultrasonication for extraction seemed more effective. The total phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, carotenoids, and physiochemical analysis of the red and black date's vinegar indicated that vinegar from dates (red or black dates) is a competitive product in the marketplace.

With the aim of finding an alternative ameliorative mechanism for 2-furoylmethyl-amino acid (2-FM-AA) formation in drying technology, this work was conducted. This was achieved by drying banana with relative humidity (RH) convective hot-air dryer at 60, 70 and 80 °C under RH (10% 20% and 30%) at 2.0 m/s air velocity. The results revealed that at every 10% increase in RH, a reduction between 13.4 and 29.4% of the 2-FM-AA was achieved. Based on statistical parameters such as coefficient of correlation (0.9104–0.9998), root mean square error (0.0176–0.3620) and reduced chi-square (1.5 × 10-4–0.1310), the first order model could satisfactorily predict 2-FM-AA formation. Furthermore, rate constants revealed the dependence of 2-FM-AA formation on RH and also demonstrated the critical role played by RH in reducing 2-FM-AA formation. The results also show that, higher temperatures were mainly responsible for 2-FM-AA formation and functional groups deformation; however this can be mitigated when drying is conducted under higher RH.

Eggs are an excellent source of quality proteins. Eggs as a whole and its components (egg white and egg yolk) are employed in a range of food preparations. Thermal processing employed for stabilizing and improving shelf‐life of egg components is known to have adverse effect on heat‐sensitive proteins leading to protein denaturation and aggregation thus, reducing the required functional, technological, and overall quality of egg proteins and other constituents. Therefore, the current challenge is to identify novel processing techniques that not only improve the intrinsic functional properties of eggs or its components, but also improve the quality of the product. This review focuses on the use of technologies such as ultrasound, pulsed electric field, high‐pressure processing, radiofrequency, ultraviolet light, microwave, and cold plasma for egg products. These novel technologies are known for their advantages over thermal treatments especially in protecting the heat sensitive nature and retaining the overall quality of the egg and egg products. Availability of alternatives processing has significantly improved the structural properties, techno‐functional, nutritional and as well improving the safety egg and egg products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Eggs are consumed worldwide as whole egg or in some cases, consumed partly as egg whites or egg yolks. Egg components with improved techno‐functional properties can be used in various food industries (such as baking, confectionery, and culinary preparation, etc.). Value addition of new products can be achieved through modification of egg proteins. Additionally, these techniques also provide microbial safety and have a reduced impact on nutritional content and overall food quality.

The present study examined mechanisms of change in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills group and positive psychotherapy (PPT) group intervention, two treatments that have previously been shown to be effective at reducing symptoms of BPD and depression over a 12-week treatment protocol within the context of a college counseling center (Uliaszek et al., 2016). The present study is secondary data analysis of that trial. We hypothesized that change in dysfunctional coping skills use would be a specific mechanism for DBT, while change in functional coping skills use and therapeutic alliance would be mechanisms of change for both treatments. Fifty-four participants completed self-report and interview-based assessments at pretreatment, weeks 3, 6, 9, and posttreatment. Path models examined the predictive power of the mechanisms in predicting outcome; the moderating effect of group membership was also explored. Dysfunctional coping skills use across the course of treatment was a significant mechanism of change for BPD and depression for the DBT group, but not the PPT group. Conversely, therapeutic alliance was a significant mechanism of change for the PPT group, but not the DBT group. Findings highlight the importance of each mechanism during mid-to late-treatment specifically.

The effects of sweep frequency ultrasound thawing (SFUT) and fixed frequency ultrasound thawing (FFUT) on the water holding capacity (WHC), strength, color, rheological properties as well as moisture migration and distribution of myofibrillar protein (MP) gel from small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) were evaluated. The results showed that the MP gel from the SFUT sample had a smaller chromatic aberration (ΔE) (12.39), higher WHC (65.05%) and strength (101.03 g) than the MP gel from FFUT and flow water thawing (FWT) samples. Compared with FFUT and FWT groups, the MP gel from the SFUT sample had higher elasticity and smaller apparent viscosity. Meanwhile, the MP gel from the SFUT sample had higher immobilized water content and lowered free water content close to the fresh sample (FS). Overall, the MP gel from the SFUT sample had better gelling properties than the MP gel from the FFUT and FWT groups.

The present study describes the production of biosurfactant from isolate B. licheniformis Ali5. Seven different, previously-reported minimal media were screened for biosurfactant production, and two selected media were further optimized for carbon source. Further, various fermentation conditions such as (pH 2&ndash, 12, temperature 20&ndash, 50 &deg, C, agitation speed 100&ndash, 300 rpm, NaCl (0&ndash, 30 g&middot, L&minus, 1) were investigated. The partially purified biosurfactant was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS) and found a lipopeptide mixture, similar to lichenysin-A. Biosurfactant reduced surface tension from 72.0 to 26.21 &plusmn, 0.3 and interfacial tension by 0.26 &plusmn, 0.1 mN.m&minus, 1 respectively, biosurfactant yield under optimized conditions was 1 g&middot, 1, with critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 21 mg&middot, 1 with high emulsification activity of (E24) 66.4 &plusmn, 1.4% against crude oil. Biosurfactant was found to be stable over extreme conditions. It also altered the wettability of hydrophobic surface by changing the contact angle from 49.76&deg, to 16.97&deg, Biosurfactant efficiently removed (70-79%) motor oil from sand, with an efficiency of more than 2 fold as compared without biosurfactant (36-38%). It gave 32% additional oil recovery over residual oil saturation upon application to a sand-packed column. These results are indicative of potential application of biosurfactant in wettability alteration and ex-situ microbial enhanced oil recovery.

Flaxseed gum (FSG) is a heteropolysaccharide consist of neutral and acidic components that makes up approximately 8% of seed mass. FSG was extracted from mixture of brown and golden varieties of flaxseeds by hot water extraction method. The molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide analysis, chemical composition, and surface morphology of FSG were scrutinized in the current study to get a better insight regarding this important polysaccharide. The average molecular weight was recorded as 1,322 kDa with a polydispersity ratio of 1.6 for Mw/Mn and 2.4 for Mn/Mz. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) screening revealed that extracted FSG was comprised of rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, glucose, fucose, xylose, galactose, glucosamine, glucuronic acid, and galacturonic acid, of which mannose and glucosamine have not been reported previously. The antioxidant activities of FSG measured as DPPH, ABTS, reducing power, and total antioxidant activity clearly demonstrated the antioxidant potency of FSG. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1 H, 13 C) s pectra ratified the presence of functional groups typical for polysaccharide. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Flaxseed gum is a natural carbohydrate polymar. This study provides useful information regarding antioxidant potential, chemical, and structural characterization of FSG. The availability of a gum is fully characterized with bioactive composition, structural features, and antioxidant potential provides a toolset for the practical application in the food or drug industry.

Purpose: To determine the effects of dates vinegar on blood biochemical and hematological parameters in type 2 diabetic subjects. Methods: Current research focused on fifty-five subjects having blood sugar more than126 mg/dL. Participants ingested dates vinegar (20 mL) daily into their normal diets for a period of 10 weeks. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), creatinine (Cr), urea, complete blood count (CBC), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), potassium and folate levels were analyzed before, after 5 weeks and after the experiment Results: Dates vinegar improved the blood concentrations of HbA1c (6.80 ±2.34 to 6.17 ± 2.14 (%)), FBS (171.43 ±36.74 to 147.56 ± 38.86 mg/dL,p=0.001), TC (218.10 ± 16.9 to 191.14 ± 14.23 mg/dL, p

Highlights • Ultrasound modes had effects on the structure of myofibrillar proteins (MPs). • Dual-frequency 20/40 kHz ultrasound thawing (DUT) was best thawing method. • DUT can effectively minimized the changes in MPs structure during thawing process. • MPs pretreated by DUT had less aggregation and degradation. • DUT protect the rheological behavior during the thawing process., The influence of multi-frequency combined ultrasound thawing on primary, secondary, and tertiary structures, electrophoresis pattern, particle size distribution, zeta potential values, thermal stability, rheological behavior, and microstructure of small yellow croaker myofibrillar proteins (MPs) were studied. Four treatments were used for thawing small yellow croakers: flow water thawing (FWT), mono-frequency ultrasonic thawing (MUT), dual-frequency ultrasonic thawing (DUT), and tri-frequency ultrasonic thawing (TUT). Compared with fresh samples (FS), the MPs of the sample pretreated by DUT had non-significant effect on protein primary (including free amino groups and surface hydrophobicity), secondary, tertiary structures, electrophoresis pattern, and microstructure. MPs pretreated by DUT had less aggregation and degradation. Besides, DUT treatment increased the thermal stability of MPs. The ultrasound had significant effects on the rheological properties of MPs. Overall, DUT effectively minimized the changes in MPs structure and protected the protein thermal stability and rheological behavior during the thawing process.

The influence of ultrasonic frequency (20 kHz) and glucose pretreatments either alone or in combination on the drying of sweet potato slices (3 mm) using a hot-air dryer at 60 °C was tested to study the kinetics modeling, phytochemicals, antioxidant activities, and functional and textural changes of the final dried product. The results indicated that total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were significantly higher in glucose-pretreated samples while antioxidant activities were higher in ultrasound- and glucose-pretreated samples. For vitamin C, much degradation occurred in the glucose-pretreated samples when compared with the other pretreated samples apart from the control. Enzymatic browning made a minor contribution to the ultrasound/glucose-pretreated samples, while no significant differences were noted in the glucose-pretreated samples. A modified Henderson and Pabis (MHP) model, followed by the two-term and Hii models, fitted best among the 15 selected mathematical models. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of glucose, phenols, and flavonols in all samples. Microstructural analysis confirmed the hardness (N) in the final glucose-pretreated samples due to glucose layers and less cell damage.

Objective:The main purpose of this study was to screen effective proteolytic enzymes for producing hydrolysates from rapes protein, and to optimize hydrolysis conditions using response surface design to prepare hydrolysates with maximum ACE inhibitor activity.Methods:RSM design was successfully applied to the hydrolysis conditions on the basis of single factor experiments which further derived a statistical model for experimental validation. The molecular weight distribution of rapeseed protein hydrolysates with different degree of hydrolysis was also investigated.Results:All the proteolytic enzymes tested produced hydrolysates that possessed ACE inhibitory activity. Aiding RSM design the highest ACE inhibitory activity 56.3% was achieved under optimum hydrolysis conditions at the hydrolysis time, pH, hydrolysis temperature, and enzyme dosage were at 90.11 min, 8.88, 50°C and 3580.36 UgConclusion:Enzymatic hydrolysis and response surface methodology found good techniques in order to achieve hydrolysates with maximum ACE inhibitory activity. The findings of current research suggested that the hydrolysates obtained under optimized conditions could be utilized to formulate nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals

This article explores the integration of mindfulness meditation and character strengths. Beyond simply focusing attention, mindfulness involves the cultivation of attention infused by an unconditional friendliness and interest. Universally valued character strengths (Peterson & Seligman, 2004) are useful constructs for such an infusion. Most mindfulness approaches and programs deal with managing a problem or psychological disorder; far less discussion, empirical work, and scholarly papers have addressed mindfulness from a positive psychology perspective that explicitly attempts to increase what is good. We review research and practice considerations for such an integration and discuss how character strengths enhance mindfulness (i.e. Strong Mindfulness) by dealing with barriers to mindfulness practice and augmenting mindful living in walking, driving, consuming, speaking, and listening.

Positive psychotherapy (PPT) is an established psychological intervention initially validated with people experiencing symptoms of depression. PPT is a positive psychology intervention, an academic discipline which has developed somewhat separately from psychotherapy and focuses on amplifying wellbeing rather than ameliorating deficit. The processes targeted in PPT (e.g. strengths, forgiveness, gratitude, savouring) are not emphasised in traditional psychotherapy approaches to psychosis. The goal in modifying PPT is to develop a new clinical approach to helping people experiencing psychosis. An evidence-based theoretical framework was therefore used to modify 14-session standard PPT into a manualised intervention, called WELLFOCUS PPT, which aims to improve wellbeing for people with psychosis. Informed by a systematic review and qualitative research, modification was undertaken in four stages: qualitative study, expert consultation, manualisation and stake-holder review. The resulting WELLFOCUS PPT is a theory-based 11-session manualised group therapy.

The promotion of well-being is an important goal of recovery oriented mental health services. No structured, evidence-based intervention exists that aims to increase the well-being in people with severe mental illness such as psychosis. Positive psychotherapy (PPT) is a promising intervention for this goal. Standard PPT was adapted for use with people with psychosis in the UK following the Medical Research Council framework for developing and testing complex interventions, resulting in the WELLFOCUS Model describing the intended impact of WELLFOCUS PPT. This study aims to test the WELLFOCUS Model, by piloting the intervention, trial processes, and evaluation strategy. This study is a non-blinded pragmatic pilot RCT comparing WELLFOCUS PPT provided as an 11-session group therapy in addition to treatment as usual to treatment as usual alone. Inclusion criteria are adults (aged 18–65 years) with a main diagnosis of psychosis who use mental health services. A target sample of 80 service users with psychosis are recruited from mental health services across the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Participants are randomised in blocks to the intervention and control group. WELLFOCUS PPT is provided to groups by specifically trained and supervised local therapists and members of the research team. Assessments are conducted before randomisation and after the group intervention. The primary outcome measure is well-being assessed by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Secondary outcomes include good feelings, symptom relief, connectedness, hope, self-worth, empowerment, and meaning. Process evaluation using data collected during the group intervention, post-intervention individual interviews and focus groups with participants, and interviews with trial therapists will complement quantitative outcome data. This study will provide data on the feasibility of the intervention and identify necessary adaptations. It will allow optimisation of trial processes and inform the evaluation strategy, including sample size calculation, for a future definitive RCT. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN04199273 – WELLFOCUS study: an intervention to improve well-being in people with psychosis, Date registered: 27 March 2013, first participant randomised on 26 April 2013.