Technological properties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum): Production of snacks and health benefits related to type-2 diabetes

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is one of the most consumed pulses worldwide (over 2.3 million tons enter the world market annually). Some chickpea components have shown, in preclinical and clinical studies, several health benefits, including antioxidant capacity, and antifungal, antibacterial, analgesic, anticancer, antiinflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic properties, as well as angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibition. In the United States, chickpea is consumed mostly in the form of hummus. However, the development of new products with value-added bioactivity is creating new opportunities for research and food applications. Information about bioactive compounds and functional properties of chickpea ingredients in the development of new products is needed. The objective of this review was to summarize available scientific information, from the last 15 years, on chickpea production, consumption trends, applications in the food industry in the elaboration of plant-based snacks, and on its bioactive compounds related to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Areas of opportunity for future research and new applications of specific bioactive compounds as novel food ingredients are highlighted. Research is key to overcome the main processing obstacles and sensory challenges for the application of chickpea as ingredient in snack preparations. The use of chickpea bioactive compounds as ingredient in food products is also a promising area for accessibility of their health benefits, such as the management of T2D.     

Framing the construct of life satisfaction in terms of older adults' personal goals.

Older adults' life satisfaction can be better understood in light of their personal goals. This study of 179 elders examined (1) how goals correlate with satisfaction, (2) whether elders maintain satisfaction by accommodating goals to past losses, and (3) how correlations between satisfaction and key predictors differ among groups with different goals. Satisfaction was related positively to social maintenance and energetic lifestyle goals and negatively to concerns for improvement, disengagement, stability, and reduced activity. Past losses were correlated with current goals but not with satisfaction, consistent with the notion of accommodation. A cluster analysis identified 5 patterns of goals: high demand, age prescribed, self-focused, socially engaged, and low demand. Correlations between satisfaction and other predictors differed by cluster, suggesting that the determinants of elders' satisfaction depend on personal goals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coping with illness: Interrelationships across family members and predictors of psychological adjustment.

This study examined coping in families in which there was a chronically ill parent. Husbands, wives, and one child (aged 7–18 yrs) from 75 families in which the husband had hemophilia participated. Coping styles and psychological adjustment were assessed, and patterns of coping among family members were examined. Avoidant coping was associated with poorer adjustment for all family members. In addition, the coping style of one family member was found to be related to the psychological adjustment of other family members. Avoidant coping by one spouse related to poorer psychological functioning in the other spouse, and avoidant coping by either parent related to greater child adjustment problems for girls and boys. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The dietary fiber fraction in raw and processed foods

The purpose of the present study was to estimate dietary fiber components in raw vegetables and processed by different methods. Samples of 8 raw, 15 boiled, 5 fermented, 5 fried and 2 canned vegetables were analyzed. Results indicated the sample vegetables after being boiled, canned, fermented and fried, presented alterations in the dietary fiber insoluble and soluble components, e.i., by interaction or solubility tending to an increase or decrease of its components. Results obtained in the dietary fiber components of processed vegetables, in the sample analyzed, presented variations among them with the different processing techniques.     

On intelligence testing and immigration legislation.

Criticizes M. Snyderman and R. J. Herrnstein's (see record 1984-09428-001) discussion of how and to what extent intelligence test data influenced the passage of the 1924 Immigration Act. The present author argues against Snyderman and Herrnstein's claim, based on a lack of reference in the Congressional Record, that intelligence testing had no influence on the law's passage. It is also noted that Snyderman and Herrnstein's general point has been made elsewhere, although they appear unaware of it. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of psychotherapy: Efficacy, effectiveness, and patient progress.

Treatment-focused research is concerned with the establishment of the comparative efficacy and effectiveness of clinical interventions, aggregated over groups of patients. The authors introduce and illustrate a new paradigm—patient-focused research—that is concerned with the monitoring of an individual's progress over the course of treatment and the feedback of this information to the practitioner, supervisor, or case manager. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Direct synthesis of A2(Ti(1 − y)Zry)2O7 (A = Gd, Y) solid solutions by ball milling constituent oxides

Different compositions in two solid solutions, A₂(Ti_(1 − y)Zr_y)₂O₇ (A = Gd³⁺, Y³⁺), with high oxygen ion conductivity, have been successfully prepared at room temperature via mechano-chemical synthesis. Stoichiometric mixtures of the constituent oxides were milled in a planetary ball mill by using zirconia vials and balls. Chemical changes in the powder mixtures as a function of composition and milling time were followed by using X-ray diffraction showing that in all cases and after milling for 19 h, the powders consisted of a single phase. Powders were also examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) finding out that they basically consist of sub-micron size agglomerates and aggregates of nanoparticles.