Contemporary Lifestyles Research Articles

A Study of Nanorriutit – Polar Bear Dogs in Avanersuaq

Nanorriutit are specialized dogs integral to traditional nanoq (polar bear) hunting in Avanersuaq (Thule district, North Greenland). This practice, involving a deep relationship between the piniartoq (hunter), the nanoq, and the qimmeq (dog), is a crucial aspect of Inughuit cultural heritage in the region. However, the hunting culture associated with nanorriutit faces significant challenges due to the contemporary lifestyle, urbanization and impacts of climate change, which are deteriorating the traditional hunting grounds. This study aims to examine the evolving role of nanorriutit in polar bear hunting practices and the broader cultural context of Avanersuaq. Utilizing a qualitative approach, data were collected through fourteen semi-structured interviews with thirteen knowledge holders from the settlement of Savissivik and the town of Qaanaaq, conducted in Inuktun and kalaallisut. The findings illustrate both the enduring significance of nanorriutit, and the adaptations required in response to changing environmental conditions. This research contributes to the understanding of how the contemporary lifestyles and climate change is influencing Inughuit hunting practices and emphasizes the need to preserve this valuable cultural tradition amidst a rapidly transforming Arctic urbanization and environment.

Role of Cortisol in Cognitive Impairment (Alzheimer’s Disease)

As people grow older, their chances of facing cognitive impairment tend to rise, and this probability fluctuates in relation to their age. Research has pointed out that 21.04% of individuals between 60 to 69 years old encounter cognitive issues, a percentage that escalates to 23.91% for those aged 70 to 79, and peaks at 32.65% in the elderly population over eighty. This condition primarily stems from factors like high stress levels and hypertension, conditions often associated with the hormone 'cortisol.' Prevent cognitive decline, individuals can take initiative-taking steps such as supporting a balanced diet, emphasizing physical well-being, controlling blood pressure, and incorporating other beneficial practices that collectively reduce the risk. Despite the straightforward prevention methods, the complexities of contemporary lifestyles often lead people to overlook these crucial aspects. In this study, our focus aims to delve into the impact of the 'cortisol' hormone on mental health conditions (AD), how it functions and is secreted within the body, and suggest strategies to prevent such challenges in a rapidly evolving societal landscape.

Polyaniline‐Doped Textile‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator: Self‐Powered Device for Wearable Electronics

ABSTRACTThe emergence of wearable electronics in contemporary lifestyles has spurred the need for smart fabrics capable of harnessing biomechanical energy. In the present study, a flexible polyaniline‐doped textile‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (PT‐TENG) is designed to harvest low‐frequency mechanical vibrations and convert them into electricity. For the device fabrication, five different textile fabrics are doped with conducting PANI, which is utilized as the tribopositive material, PVC thin film as the tribonegative material, and Al foil as electrodes. The PT‐TENG works in vertical‐contact separation mode, devised in arch structure for easy and complete contact between the working layers. Interestingly, the device featuring a PANI‐doped silk fabric generated the highest output voltage of 257.68 V and a current of 5.36 μA, respectively. Additionally, the PT‐TENG exhibits mechanical durability and electrical stability during continuous 7000 cyclic operations. Furthermore, the PT‐TENG showcases practical applications such as charging commercial capacitors, powering green LEDs and smartwatches, and as a self‐powered touch sensor. Thus, the PT‐TENG offers a facile fabrication process and robustness, highlighting its potential for sustainable energy harvesting in wearable electronics.

Students’ Multilingual Experiences With Online Machine Translation: Implications for General Language Use

This article discusses how online machine translators (OMT) can influence the way people use general language or languages. The latter distinction has to do with the fact that contemporary lifestyles turn language users into plurilingual communicators. Online shopping, travelling abroad or social media often require at least some degree of plurilingual text mediation skills. Irrespective of foreign language competences, a lot of plurilingual communicators seek OMT support in making sure their messaging with international partners is correct and effective. The article discusses research results concerning how a selected group of BA and MA students in education use machine translation for day-to-day plurilingual communication tasks. We asked them about the relation between machine translation, language learning and language use. We give some insight into the machine translation engine DeepL Translator, which can effectively be used in support of plurilingual text mediation. The article also contains basic educational implications for why and how to make OMT part of foreign language curricula.

Disrupted Circadian Rhythms and Substance Use Disorders: A Narrative Review.

Substance use disorder is a major global health concern, with a high prevalence among adolescents and young adults. The most common substances of abuse include alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, nicotine, and opiates. Evidence suggests that a mismatch between contemporary lifestyle and environmental demands leads to disrupted circadian rhythms that impair optimal physiological and behavioral function, which can increase the vulnerability to develop substance use disorder and related problems. The circadian system plays an important role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and reward processing, both of which directly affect substance abuse. Distorted substance use can have a reciprocal effect on the circadian system by influencing circadian clock gene expression. Considering the detrimental health consequences and profound societal impact of substance use disorder, it is crucial to comprehend its complex association with circadian rhythms, which can pave the way for the generation of novel chronotherapeutic treatment approaches. In this narrative review, we have explored the potential contributions of disrupted circadian rhythms and sleep on use and relapse of different substances of abuse. The involvement of circadian clock genes with drug reward pathways is discussed, along with the potential research areas that can be explored to minimize disordered substance use by improving circadian hygiene.

Synthesis, characterization and thrombolytic activity evaluation of novel pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-4-carbohydrazide derivatives

Thrombosis, a leading cause of numerous fatalities, particularly in developed nations, accounts for thousands of deaths. The contemporary lifestyle inevitably leads to occurrences of venous thrombosis, including deep vein thrombosis and thromboembolism. This article presents a groundbreaking study where a novel series of N′-(arylmethylidene)-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridine-4-carbohydrazide derivatives were efficiently synthesized and screened for thrombolytic activities. Compounds 4a, 4c, 4d, and 4h demonstrated the best antiplatelet activities when using different agonists such as arachidonic acid and collagen. These compounds showed >50 % activity by using agonist collagen and inhibited >50 % platelet aggregation in whole human blood. Compounds 4c and 4d showed the greatest inhibitory effect of 97.98 % and 98.97 %, respectively as compared to other synthesized compounds and aspirin. For platelet aggregation using arachidonic acid, all the synthesized compounds 4a, 4c, 4d and 4h shown >93 % inhibition than that of aspirin. In computational studies, ligands 4c(ap) and 4d(ap) exhibited potent interaction with the COX-1 active site, suggesting inhibitory potential against thrombolytic activities. Ligand 4c(ap) scored 8896 and ACE of -418.31 kcal/mol, while 4d(ap) scored 8742 and ACE of -417.43 kcal/mol. Similarly, ligands 4c(ap) and 4h(ap) displayed outstanding docking scores at the COX-2 active site, with 4c(ap) scoring 8574 (ACE:301.49 kcal/mol) and 4h(ap) scoring 8424 (ACE:276.16 kcal/mol). Synthesized compounds particularly 4c and 4d have the potential to be used for clinical trials and could be beneficial for the designing and development of novel therapeutics for cardiovascular and thromboembolic ailments.

Pengaruh Harga, Kualitas Pelayanan Dan Store Atmosphere Terhadap Kepuasan Pelanggan

The advent of contemporary lifestyles has precipitated a surge in the number of coffee shops, which have become pivotal sites for social interaction and work. In light of the pivotal role coffee shops play in contemporary society, it is crucial to gain insight into the factors that shape consumer satisfaction. The degree of consumer loyalty to a product, in this case coffee, is significantly influenced by the level of satisfaction experienced by the customer. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the influence of price, service quality and shop atmosphere on customer satisfaction at Sarang Kopi Susu Café in Karanggede, Boyolali. This research employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The research population comprised all customers of the Sarang Kopi Susu Café. A sample of 100 respondents was selected using purposive sampling. The data were analysed using multiple linear regression analysis, a t-test, an F-test and a coefficient of determination (R²). The results of this study indicate that variable X1, namely price, has a positive but insignificant effect on customer satisfaction. Conversely, the variables of service quality and store atmosphere have a significant effect on customer satisfaction at Cafe Sarang Kopi Susu Karanggede, Boyolali.

Tibetan food customization mini-program study

One of China's distinctive culinary traditions, Tibetan cuisine is currently beset by a number of issues, including a disconnect between traditional catering and contemporary lifestyle, a low penetration rate, and the relative backwardness of traditional ordering practices with respect to informationization and intelligence. We create and implement a personalised Tibetan food system called "Intelligent Tibetan Food" as a small programme to address these issues. The system aims to enhance user satisfaction and convenience by offering personalised recommendations, online ordering, dish introduction, and other features through extensive research and analysis of Tibetan food culture, mobile Internet technology, and artificial intelligence algorithms.

Exercise addiction in team sports: A systematic literature review.

While regular exercise should be part of the contemporary lifestyle, many people overindulge in it to the point of losing control over their behavior. This condition is known as exercise addiction (EA). Although addiction is an individual phenomenon, and most of the over 1,000 published studies on EA look at individual exercisers, there are studies on team sports athletes, too. Theoretically, these athletes should not manifest exercise addiction, but some studies are projecting the contrary. Therefore, in this literature review, we analyze EA in team athletes. Based on four databases (PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), we located 22 articles conforming to inclusion criteria. These studies suggest a high risk of exercise addiction among team sports participants. While the figures are lower than for individual exercisers, they are in discord with the concept of addiction as a dysfunction, and the lack of a single case of exercise addiction reported (to date) in team sports athletes in the academic literature. In agreement with a recent position paper, we conclude that there are substantial conceptual and measurement errors in exercise addiction research.

Living Outside with the Sun

This paper reflects upon the history of design of outdoor living spaces, a typology that blends interior directly with landscape. In Australasia, outdoor living is a symbol of contemporary life style but it must adapt to the danger of over-exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Tempering openness to the summer sky is not just a choice but rather a survival strategy. The relationship of European descendents to the Antipodean sun has fluctuated over time. In Victorian times, hats, copious clothing and villa verandahs protected prized pale complexions. Tanned skin branded the labouring classes and the native population. In the 1920s, the ancient Greek practice of heliotherapy was hailed as beneficial for the treatment of tuberculosis. Concurrently architecture clipped verandahs and proposed open sun terraces, sometimes scantily clad by a pergola. The negative consequences of this sun-worship were not known until the 1980s when the relation between ultraviolet rays and skin cancer was made and the recognition that one in three Australasians will be affected. Living outside with the sun therefore requires modification. Sunscreen is prescribed for application every two hours; hats, clothing and sun-glasses protect the body but hinder communication between people and their surroundings. Traditional solid shade shields direct rays, but deny the warmth of the sun, which is often so welcome in temperate New Zealand. Open shade sails fail to acknowledge the fact that ultraviolet rays scatter. Living well outside is not simple.

Research on Cultural and Creative Product Design of Bengbu Museum Based on Bronze Artifacts

By analyzing the historical background and cultural value of Bengbu bronzes, combining with modern design concepts and market demand, we excavate the connotation of bronze culture, combine it with contemporary lifestyle, and create cultural and creative products with regional characteristics and the spirit of the times, in order to promote the innovation and inheritance of traditional culture, and to enrich the people's aesthetic experience and way of life.

The association between paleolithic diet pattern scores and psychological disorders in Iranian adults

ABSTRACT Background There is evidence indicating that the transition from traditional Paleolithic lifestyle to contemporary lifestyle plays a significant impact in the occurrence and widespread of psychological problems. This study aimed to examine the associations between the Paleolithic diet (PD) and the Paleolithic-like lifestyle and the likelihood of psychological issues in adults. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 7165 participants who were enrolled in the Yazd Health Study (YaHS) and Yazd Nutrition Study (TAMYZ). To evaluate the participants’ food intake, a reliable 178-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was utilized. The PD score was computed using the food intakes of subjects received from FFQ. The study utilized the authorized Iranian version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21) to evaluate psychological illnesses and stress levels. Results The mean ± SD of PD and Paleolithic-like lifestyle scores were 38.93 ± 5.27 and 48.48 ± 5.61, respectively. Based on the findings of the present study, after adjusting for potential confounders, it seems that increasing adherence to PD alone or in combination with lifestyle factors significantly reduces the risk of anxiety (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.96; P-trend = 0.044 and OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.48–0.96; P-trend = 0.047, respectively). However, significant effects on the risk of depression and stress were not observed. Conclusions Our research indicates that adhering to a Paleolithic diet, either alone or in conjunction with lifestyle factors, significantly reduces the risk of anxiety in the general population.

Beyond Rest: Exploring the Sleep-Exercise Connection

Introduction The bidirectional relationship between the effects of sleep and exercise is often underappreciated. We aim to explore the bidirectional relationship of sleep and exercise. We further discuss the prominence of poor sleep in both the athletic and general population and understand the underlying mechanisms of interdependencies between the two. The goal is to illuminate practical implications to improve both areas and optimize physical and mental health.Objectives-To explore the bidirectional relationship between sleep and exercise-To understand how exercise can counterbalance the adverse metabolic consequences of sleep deprivation. MethodsWe conducted a systemic literature review from Pubmed, Scopus, and PsychINFO using the search terms: “(exercise) and (sleep),” “(exercise performance) and (sleep),” “(sleep quality) and (exercise).” We included original studies in English conducted on age groups 18 years and older.Results Data from 31 studies shows that a significant number of athletes experience poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. 68.5% of Qatar Stars League soccer players and 61% of collegiate athletes in NCAA institutions report daytime fatigue several times a week. Most common causes include overtraining, hectic travel schedules, and sleeping in unfamiliar settings. Studies confirm athletes often sleep less before intense training or competitions. Sleep deficiency may lead to reduced muscular strength and endurance, mood changes, increased perceived effort, impaired cognitive processing, and diminished motor skills. Athletes averaging less than 8 hours of sleep nightly were 1.7 times more prone to injuries. Physiologically, sleep loss alters ventilation, plasma lactate concentration, hormone secretion, and inflammatory responses, hinders muscle glycogen restoration. Extended sleep restriction decreases testosterone levels, which influence muscle mass, energy, bone strength, and more. On the contrary, exercise may counter adverse metabolic impacts of sleep deprivation. High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) has shown to nullify negative metabolic effects of sleep deprivation, suggesting exercise’s protective potential.Conclusions Sleep and exercise are fundamental to maintaining physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The bidirectional, interdependent relationship can be best utilized by the providers to optimize overall well being. The critical impact of adequate sleep, particularly among athletes, is frequently underestimated. Poor sleep can detrimentally affect performance, amplify injury risks, and disrupt physiological functions, yet contemporary lifestyles often downplay its significance. It is important for healthcare professionals to emphasize a balanced approach to optimize these vital aspects. Continued research can offer strategies that benefit athletes and the broader populace, aiming to uplift daily life functionality.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

ELEMEN DESAIN INTERIOR PADA VISUALISASI RUANG “PODCAST”

Podcasts have been growing into a new trend in the development of digital communication media in Indonesia. The public is interested in podcasts because the discussions presented are relaxed but informative. What is more, the podcasters as the owners and the hosts of the event are popular public figures in community. Podcasts usually take place in closed spaces or indoors which are instagrammable with their attractive and artistic interior design. It implies that podcast studios are built at great expense. The current study aims to examine interior design elements essential for the existence of a podcast studio based on the viewpoint, the principles of balance, elements of space, color, texture, lighting concepts, the use of furniture, and other elements to fill the space. Observation results of podcast studios’ artistic layout confirm that interior design elements are added values attached to the setting of the spaces. Remarkably, there is a tendency in interior display of podcast studios to expose contemporary lifestyles of the owners in conjunction with architecture development and urban interior design.

Motivation for physical exercise: the benefits of active transport in the fight against sedentary lifestyles

Our contemporary lifestyles offer little incentive to be physically active, and give us far fewer opportunities to be active than in the past, with many of our tasks being sedentary and most of our transport being motorized. While it's easy to acknowledge a lack of physical activity, putting it into practice is eminently more complex, and many researchers are trying to answer the thorny question: how can we enable people to be more physically active in their daily lives? With this in mind, the aim of this article is to show that active transport is an effective way of getting sedentary people to engage in regular physical activity.

The multilocality of sense of place in ecosystem services discourse

This paper focuses on sense of place as a cultural ecosystem service and a mediatory experience in grasping a collection of ecosystem benefits. Through phenomenological and social constructionism/relational approaches, we focus on sense of place as a relational entity at both the individual and collective levels. Using content analysis of 32 in-depth interviews with (a) environmental officials and (b) local inhabitants in the region of Ostrobothnia, Finland, the study finds that sense of place is shaped via the interactions of environmental settings and cultural practices. Here, we argue that material and non-material interactions contribute to sense of place. With a phenomenological approach, the study presents the qualities associated with places, such as tranquility, beauty, and uniqueness that are important for achieving both material and non-material ecosystem benefits, while social constructionism/relational approaches indicate that the social dimension of sense of place contributes to ecosystem service benefits through traditional cultural practices. The study also shows a shift in cultural practices from provisioning to recreation in creating meaningful places. The results highlight a multilocal dimension of senses of places, particularly in contemporary lifestyles and increased mobilities.

Benang yang Hilang: Mengurai Alienasi Kultural Hindu dan Aniaya Budaya di Tengah Urbanisasi Generasi Z

Cultural alienation has resulted in changes in the religious culture and feelings of generation Z with several cultural cases causing a sharp decline in cultural values, customs and religious practices. This is especially sad in the context of Hinduism, where traditional traditions are at risk of extinction, as a result of cultural persecution and cultural alienation. The aim of this research is to reveal the extent of the cultural transformation experienced by Generation Z during the urbanization process, as well as identify specific factors that contribute to cultural alienation and persecution within the Hindu community by proposing effective solutions and interventions to mitigate the decline in cultural values, customs, and Hindu religion. Researchers use qualitative research with the research approach that will be used is ethnography. Data collection techniques using in-depth interviews, surveys and participant observation. In a novel way, this research introduces a new perspective by focusing on the intersection between urbanization, Generation Z, and Hindu culture, revealing the intricacies of cultural alienation and cultural persecution. The results of this research show that traditional customs are giving way to a more contemporary lifestyle, which shows that there is a complex negotiation between cultural heritage and modernity, so that factors emerge that contribute to cultural alienation, including (1). Peer influence, (2). The impact of media hegemony (flexing content) and the rapid pace of urban life emerge as the main factors contributing to cultural alienation among Generation Z. Several solutions to increase the fighting power of Generation Z return to the axis of Hindu culture and religion, without abandoning the positive innovations of the impact of urbanization, including: (1) Strengthening Cultural Education, (2) Community Engagement Initiatives, (3) Adapting Traditions in a Modern Context, (4) Digital Platforms for Cultural Awareness, (5) Intergenerational Cross Experience. It is concluded that the cultural structure of Generation Z in a dynamic urbanization landscape requires special handling and that preserving values and traditions is a shared responsibility for all aspects of social life.

Barriers to Physical Activity (PA) in the Working Population: A Review

Regular physical activity (PA) plays a crucial role in promoting overall health and preventing non-communicable diseases, with exercise both during and outside working hours reducing accumulated fatigue and stress caused by various job tasks. However, despite this, many people do not engage in sufficient levels of PA for various reasons. In line with this, this comprehensive research aimed to identify the barriers to physical exercise among the working population (WP). A search of literature was conducted using the following databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, and Mendeley, covering the period from 2002 to 2022. To potentially include in the study, all titles and abstracts were reviewed. A search of the databases based on keywords yielded 420 studies, then, through analysis and in accordance with the study’s objectives, 50 studies were included for analysis. Through a detailed analysis of selected studies, various barriers to PA in the WP have been identified. All barriers can be divided into three main groups: i) Work schedule and workplace as barriers; ii) Marital and extramarital relationships, parenthood, family, and household obligations as barriers; iii) Time, behavioral, socio-economic, demographic, and ecological factors as barriers. The detected barriers suggest that interventions to overcome them should not be directed toward a single solution, given their diversity. In the context of the contemporary lifestyle where economic activities almost dominantly prevail, maintaining the health and adequate work level of employees is of utmost importance, further emphasizing the significance of PA and the identification of barriers of various kinds. Therefore, this research is of great value, as by determining the state and identifying different barriers to PA, it can serve as an initial step in devising various measures and solutions to eliminate these barriers and enable the WP to engage in physical activities for the improvement of their health and work potential.

A Comprehensive Examination of Human Brain Disorders

Various factors such as illness, genetics, and trauma have been identified as potential aetiologies for a diverse array of neurological conditions. The hazards, identification, and treatments for each type differ. Dementia, brain tumours, and other neurological disorders represent a subset of the various pathological conditions that can impact the brain. They may introduce challenges in the execution of mundane activities. The prognosis of an individual is influenced by various factors, including brain pathology, spatial distribution, and the degree of severity. The prevalence of brain diseases poses a significant concern in global healthcare due to the considerable stress associated with contemporary lifestyles. Consequently, there exists a compelling necessity for continuous investigations pertaining to the anatomy and functionality of the brain within the framework of both well-being and disease. Since antiquity, scholars have engaged in the inquiry and analysis of the functional and anatomical brain aspects, resulting in the extensive acquisition of knowledge in this field globally. Scientists have made significant progress in elucidating the aetiology of brain disorders and abnormalities, bringing them closer to a comprehensive understanding of these conditions. The present synopsis encompasses a compilation of cerebral ailments and dysfunctions, delineating their respective manifestations and the therapeutic modalities employed for their management.

From fields to factory – women and plantation-wood processing in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

ABSTRACT Industrial timber plantations and their processing have been promoted by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) government to generate rural employment and reduce economic reliance on the agriculture sector. Using a comparative case-study approach at two wood-processing factories, this paper seeks to understand the existing roles of women in wood processing and how they compare with men in terms of employment, compensation and developmental opportunities, as well as the broader socio-economic factors that enable their employment. Findings show that women were well-represented in the workforce in both cases because management valued purported gendered attributes such as patience [ot-thon] and attention to detail [la-iat]. Demand for employment by rural women of all ages reflects the broader forces of agrarian transition in Lao PDR, including the desire for regular off-farm income to meet the expectations of a contemporary lifestyle. Gender balance in the factory workplace was found to be enhanced by mechanisation, which increased the roles under which women may be employed, and by access to certified markets by companies, which required adherence to international labour standards, including conditions such as maternity leave and carer’s leave. The prominent role of women in wood processing in Lao PDR contrasts with that in Australia because extended families can provide unpaid childcare and other domestic support to working families that ameliorates inflexible work practices, which exist in both countries.