Screen time significantly increased during and post-COVID-19 pandemic as it served as the main mode of communication, especially for the purpose of social connection and the provision of education through remote learning. However, excessive screen time has already become a public health concern as recent research shows its negative impact on health, some of which being related to unhealthy dietary intake and higher Body Mass Index (BMI), with varying data on sex. Even so, most studies lack focus on college students, as existing studies are centered primarily on children. This study determined the association of screen time to the dietary intake, BMI, and sex of the students of College of Home Economics (CHE) at the University of the Philippines Diliman. The study was completed following a descriptive correlational design. The participants consisted of 27 enrolled undergraduate students from the CHE at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Three (3) food records were accomplished on two non-consecutive weekdays and one weekend to measure dietary intake, along with three (3) screen time records on the same day the records were completed. Screen time was assessed through self-measurement and the use of Stayfree, an automatic time log application and browser extension. BMI was computed and interpreted based on weight and height assessments. The collected data were processed and analyzed using weighted mean, frequency and percentages, Spearman's Rho Correlation, and the Chi-Square Test of Independence to examine the relationships among the variables of interest. Among all nutrients, only potassium showed a weak positive correlation with educational screen time. No correlation was found between recreational screen time and dietary intake. There was also no significant correlation between screen time (both educational and recreational) and BMI and sex. The results suggest that there is a weak tendency for CHE students who spend more time on screens to consume higher levels of potassium in their diet. More research involving a higher number of participants is needed to substantiate this association.

Identification and isolation of bioactive peptides from fish sources is an emerging research area for their potential use as ingredients in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Bioinformatics tools provide a more cost-effective and time saving method for predicting potential bioactivities in proteins and aiding experimental methods by guiding enzyme selection for producing fish protein hydrolysates (FPHs). Thus, this study used the in silico tool BIOPEP-Uniwesytet Warmińsko-Mazurski (BIOPEP-UWM) to evaluate the potential of ten representative milkfish (Chanos chanos) muscle proteins to release bioactive peptides with 12 proteases and two enzyme combinations. Results revealed that milkfish is a potentially rich source of antioxidant and angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibiting peptides. Pepsin, papain, and bromelain were most effective in liberating ACE inhibitors while proteinase K, pepsin, and ficin were most successful in releasing antioxidant peptides. Combinations of gastrointestinal (GI) enzymes were also shown to release large amounts of both ACE inhibitors and antioxidants. Furthermore, using PeptideRanker, 40 novel peptides were identified after proteolysis. Additional bioinformatic tools like AllerTop, PeptideCutter, ToxinPred, AHTPin, and AnOxPePred were also used in the study to characterize selected novel peptides on their allergenicity, resistance to GI digestion, toxicity, and predicted antihypertensive and antioxidant activities. The present work suggests that C. chanos is a good source of ACE inhibiting and antioxidant peptides and that in silico approaches can serve as theoretical basis for future in vitro and in vivo research on bioactive peptides from C. chanos proteins.

The concept of living space drastically changed due to the pandemic and how people adapted to the work-from-home setups including remote learning. The purpose of the study is to describe the attributes of interior spaces that contributed to videoconferencing fatigue and its correlation. The study used a quantitative descriptive research design that utilizes purposive and convenience sampling. Thirty (30) students based on the criteria developed by the researcher qualified for the online survey. A quantitative data analysis focusing on the frequency of responses using a thematic analysis was utilized. Results showed that the most common physiological issue relates to posture, specifically the back and neck. Moreover, the most common spatial issue relates to lack of adequate lighting and unsuitable location of the eremote learning setup. The respondents addressed these issues through improving the quality and dimensions of their furniture , as well as their access to proper lighting and a more efficient location of their setup. The study concludes that there is a direct correlation between the furniture and spatial design to the physiological and spatial well-being. Based on he likert scale, the physiological improvements were significant after the changes were made. The findings in this study will be beneficial to designers, furniture manufacturers, and homeowners as it will serve as a guide on how to curate and reconfigure existing spaces to have a conducive space for remote learning and explore non-COVID-19-related health issues. The study also provides data for the educational sector on the significant effects of synchronous classes to physical well-being despite the absence of physical contact.

Queer spaces emerged as places of refuge, comfort, and protest for the LGBTQIA+ community. Due to rampant discrimination, systemic oppression, and normative traditions, most public spaces are not inclusive or accommodating to the queer community. The purpose of this study is to discover the spatial characteristics of public interior spaces that will address the needs and preferences of the LGBTQIA+ with the goal of developing recommendations that interior designers can use in future projects. An exploratory qualitative research was applied where ten LGBTQIA+ individuals were selected through purposive and snowball sampling approaches. Semi-structured interviews were conducted both online and face-to-face depending on the participants’ availability. Data was analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings showed that the aspects of public interior spaces that address participants’ needs are manifested through options for private and personal spaces, social spaces, and accessible and equal spaces. In terms of spatial characteristics that address participants’ preferences, it was found that they prefer spaces that have good natural lighting, views of the outside, and comfortable seating. There are negative feelings towards dark spaces, bland colors, overexposed spaces, and lack of proper furniture. Overall, the qualities of spaces that can be recommended as bases for designing spaces that include and represent the LGBTQIA+ are symbolic, nonconforming, nonbinary, inclusive-accessible, and inclusive-relational, and comfortable and home-like (with desired preferences for neutral and pastel colors, wood and reflective finishes, comfortable, laid-back, curvy and round furniture, and bright warm lighting).

In the Philippines, it appears that agriculture is more concentrated in rural areas than in urban centers. According to Nitural (n.d.), urban centers serve as distribution hubs for rural agriculture's goods and sometimes experience shortages of items due to marketing strategies and other factors. Hence, only a few studies have been linked to its actual impacts and sustainability. Additionally, only a few studies have been linked to the feasibility of urban farming facilities in an academic institution and its sustainability. Thus, this study aims to assess the perceived feasibility of establishing an Urban Farming Facility (UFF) among academic and non-academic participants in the College of Home Economics, University of the Philippines Diliman (CHE-UPD). Specifically, this study aims to first identify the perceived departmental feasibility of a UFF setup based on the learning activity, food security, healthy food source, physical well-being, and source of raw materials; second, describe the perceived individual feasibility of a UFF setup based on food consumption habits, mental well-being, physical well-being, and learning activity; and third, to determine the perceived sustainability of a UFF setup based on skills and knowledge, willingness, time and willingness, tasks, and motivation. A descriptive quantitative approach through a close-ended self-administered online survey will be administered to the study participants from CHE-UPD using non-random sampling, specifically the snowball sampling technique to determine the perceived individual and departmental feasibility of a UFF setup in CHE-UPD. The participants in this study consist of students and support staff currently enrolled or working in CHE-UPD. Data to be collected will be processed using MS Excel and Sheets. Descriptive statistics will be used to analyze the data.