Gilciane Américo Albuquerque, Ana Vânia Carvalho, Lênio José Guerreiro de Faria, Renan Campos Chisté, Luiza Helena da Silva Martins and Alessandra Santos Lopes
Jambolan has be used as a diabetes-treatment aid, and it has become quite popular; studies have been carried out over the years on this fruit because it presents high activity…
Abstract
Purpose
Jambolan has be used as a diabetes-treatment aid, and it has become quite popular; studies have been carried out over the years on this fruit because it presents high activity against superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals due to the bioactive compounds that may play an important role against oxidative stress. No studies have been reported on the effects of pasteurization on the bioactive compounds of jambolan tropical juice. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
For evaluation of the effects of pasteurization on jambolan juice bioactive compounds, a complete compound and rotational experimental design was carried out by varying temperature (80–90°C) and time (45–75 s). The bioactive compounds (total phenolic, total anthocyanin and antioxidant activity) and the enzymatic activity of enzymes (enzymatic browning) were assessed.
Findings
The study of bioactive compounds in the pasteurized juice of jambolan, showed that the total phenolics (TP) and ABTS antioxidant activity presented statistical significance (p<0.05). The action of enzymes causing enzymatic browning was only observed in the standard sample. The optimization of the pasteurization process with the maximum bioactive compound retention was 91.65°C for 69.45 s. The optimal point found is in agreement with studies on thermal treatment that recommend using short times at high temperatures for better retention of food constituents.
Originality/value
The incidence of chronic diseases in humans has increased significantly over the years, some bioactive phytochemicals present in fruits may help against these diseases, so the production of tropical jambolana juices can help to nourish and regulate the consumer health. Therefore, studying the maintenance of bioactive compounds present in this product could be an alternative for the production of healthier foods.
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Ana Clara Carvalho Tourinho, Sabrina Andrade Barbosa, Özgür Göçer and Klaus Chaves Alberto
Using the campus of a Brazilian university as case study, this research aims to identify which aspects of the outdoor spaces are the most significant in attracting people.
Abstract
Purpose
Using the campus of a Brazilian university as case study, this research aims to identify which aspects of the outdoor spaces are the most significant in attracting people.
Design/methodology/approach
This research relies on the application of different post-occupancy evaluation (POE) methods, including user tracking, behavioural mapping and questionnaires, on one plateau of the campus.
Findings
Three group of aspects (socialization, proximity and infrastructure) were identified as key elements in explaining the impact of the campus physical characteristics on users’ behaviour. The results indicate that having characteristics of at least one group of aspects in those spaces can guarantee their vitality and, if there is presence of attributes of more than one group, liveliness can be increased.
Research limitations/implications
Further studies should be conducted on an entire campus to identify other spatial elements in the three groups.
Practical implications
This research contributes to the planning of future campuses and to solutions to the existed ones, indicating the most relevant spatial characteristics to be considered. Additionally, the combination of different methods may be useful to future research.
Originality/value
Most of the investigations on the university campuses focus on the buildings, and little research has investigated the outdoor spaces, although they play a critical role in learning and academic life, where people establish social, cultural and personal relationships. In addition, studies using several POE allowed a consistent and complete diagnostic about the aspects of the campus, giving recommendations for future projects.
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Ana Carvalho and Martinha Sampaio
The purpose of this paper is to complement and test prescriptive volunteer management proposals by examining how volunteers are actually managed and exploring factors other than…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to complement and test prescriptive volunteer management proposals by examining how volunteers are actually managed and exploring factors other than prescribed best practice to assess volunteer management effectiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use qualitative methods to study five Portuguese non-profit organisations, selected for having active volunteer programmes while presenting diverse sizes, organisation styles and levels of reliance upon volunteers. Interviews were conducted between February and August 2011 with board representatives, volunteer managers and volunteers.
Findings
This paper assesses volunteer management practices in these organisations, and further identifies a number of interrelated dimensions affecting volunteer programme success, namely: centrality, formalisation, professional support, sustainability and a minimum set of practices. It also uncovers weakness points that inhibit further development, including lack of a strategic approach and limited capacity to diversify sources of financing.
Research limitations/implications
This is an exploratory study, with a limited number of cases and interviews.
Practical implications
This study may help volunteer managers focus their attention in aspects other than prescribed management practice. Although a minimum set of identified practices are vital, the dimensions it uncovers have a pivotal role in the success of volunteer programmes.
Originality/value
This set of intertwined dimensions has not been specifically addressed in the literature. They go beyond the more conventionally prescribed volunteer management practices, and provide a promising framework for analysing the effectiveness and sustainability of volunteer management.
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Luiza Helena da Silva Martins, João Moreira Neto, Paulo Weslem Portal Gomes, Ana Vânia Carvalho, Antônio Manoel da Cruz Rodrigues and Alessandra Santos Lopes
The purpose of this paper is to use Amazon River shrimp meal and cassava flour as the raw materials for the production of an extruded product. Both these raw materials are highly…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use Amazon River shrimp meal and cassava flour as the raw materials for the production of an extruded product. Both these raw materials are highly consumed foods in the northern region of Brazil, but are not processed industrially, only being used for local consumption and there is little in the literature concerning their use.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was carried out using a full 23 factorial central composite rotational experimental design with three independent variables, which were shrimp meal; feed moisture content and temperature, with four replicates at the central point and six axial points. The dependent variables were: expansion index (EI), bulk density (BD) and specific length (SL). The principal component analysis (PCA) was applied for the sensory analysis.
Findings
Almost all the parameters studied had a significant influence (p<0.10) on the responses analysed. The product was well accepted by 78.11 per cent of the volunteers. Increases in the shrimp meal and feed moisture contents strongly influenced the physical analyses (EI, BD and SL) of the extruded product. In the application of the PCA for the sensory analysis, the influence of the variables aroma, appearance and purchase intention corresponded to PC1, and that of the variables flavour, texture, global acceptance and colour to PC2.
Social implications
The development of a product based on animal protein which is more available than common snacks, as a way of reducing the negative environmental impact caused by the disposal of Macrobrachium amazonicum, which is considered as accompanying fauna to artisan fishery.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper lies in the quest for the development and/or application of technologies that allow for the use of raw materials from the Amazon as a way of aggregating value to the existing wealth of this region.
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Ana Júlia Souto Carvalho, Jhonatan Rafael Zárate-Salazar, Michelle Cristine Medeiros Jacob, Patrícia Lima Araújo, Sávio Marcelino Gomes and Fillipe De Oliveira Pereira
This study aims to examine the role of edible mushrooms in the Brazilian diet, considering their strategic significance in meeting nutritional goals within sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the role of edible mushrooms in the Brazilian diet, considering their strategic significance in meeting nutritional goals within sustainable development. Despite their potential in the nutrition of the Brazilian population, significant knowledge gaps still exist. To address this, the authors formulated this study into five main sections: the consumption of edible mushrooms in Brazil, the factors influencing the consumption, the occurrence of edible mushrooms in Brazil, the nutritional contribution of mushrooms consumed in Brazil and sustainable mushroom production in Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors compiled current literature to develop this viewpoint paper using systematic review, systematic search and narrative review search methods.
Findings
Mushrooms are sporadically consumed in Brazil, primarily by the urban population, with challenges in estimating the most used species. Social, economic and cultural factors, health considerations and reduced meat consumption influence mushroom consumption behavior. While Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Agaricus bisporus are primary species, ethnomycological studies highlight a more diverse consumption among traditional indigenous communities. Brazil hosts approximately 133 wild mushroom species safe for human consumption. Some can be sustainably cultivated using substrates derived from agricultural and urban waste, offering high-protein, high-fiber, low-fat foods with bioactive compounds holding antioxidant and prebiotic potential.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has investigated how edible mushrooms contribute to the food and nutrition of the Brazilian population. This study emphasizes the crucial role of edible mushrooms in preserving Brazil’s cultural heritage, contributing to food and nutritional security and enhancing the overall diet quality.
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Ana Nunes de Almeida, Diana Carvalho and Ana Delicado
Inspired by the debates on participatory methods and drawing from research on “digital childhoods” in Portugal, this chapter aims to address the methodological innovations and…
Abstract
Inspired by the debates on participatory methods and drawing from research on “digital childhoods” in Portugal, this chapter aims to address the methodological innovations and challenges in collecting visual and digital data with children at their homes. As one of the stages of a research project on internet use, children were asked to take photos of their favorite objects at home and to collect screenshots of their most used webpages, followed by a conversation with the researcher. The use of photography allowed children greater expression and autonomy and gave researchers access to the children’s own perspectives on their home environment. It also provided unique information about the arrangement of digital objects at home and their different appropriations by girls and boys. Screenshots showed creative uses of the internet by children and gender differences. Ethical concerns were raised, due to the specific nature of working with children and with visual material (anonymization and dissemination). Entering the domestic setting provided a privileged access to children’s private sphere and to the in situ observation of their use of technology. However, the home is not a neutral place for a researcher and crossing the border into the private domain involves risks. These findings, illustrated by empirical examples from the research field, stress the importance of reflecting on and discussing the potentials, limitations, and ethical considerations of different methodologies, as well as their suitability to specific research objects, subjects, and contexts.
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Ana João Santos, Baltazar Nunes, Irina Kislaya, Ana Paula Gil and Oscar Ribeiro
Psychological elder abuse (PEA) assessment is described with different thresholds. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the prevalence of PEA and the phenomenon’s…
Abstract
Purpose
Psychological elder abuse (PEA) assessment is described with different thresholds. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the prevalence of PEA and the phenomenon’s characterisation varied using two different thresholds.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants from the cross-sectional population-based study, Aging and Violence (n=1,123), answered three questions regarding PEA. The less strict measure considered PEA as a positive response to any of the three evaluated behaviours. The stricter measure comprised the occurrence, for more than ten times, of one or more behaviours. A multinomial regression compared cases from the two measures with non-victims.
Findings
Results show different prevalence rates and identified perpetrators. The two most prevalent behaviours (ignoring/refusing to speak and verbal aggression) occurred more frequently (>10 times). Prevalence nearly tripled for “threatening” from the stricter measure (>10 times) to the less strict (one to ten times). More similarities, rather than differences, were found between cases of the two measures. The cohabiting variable differentiated the PEA cases from the two measures; victims reporting abuse >10 times were more likely to be living with a spouse or with a spouse and children.
Research limitations/implications
Development of a valid and reliable measure for PEA that includes different ranges is needed.
Originality/value
The study exemplifies how operational definitions can impact empirical evidence and the need for researchers to analyse the effect of the definitional criteria on their outcomes, since dichotomization between victim and non-victim affects the phenomenon characterisation.
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Paulo Sampaio, Maria Sameiro Carvalho and Ana Cristina Fernandes
Huy Truong Quang, Paulo Sampaio, Maria Sameiro Carvalho, Ana Cristina Fernandes, Duong Thi Binh An and Estela Vilhenac
The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of supply chain quality management (SCQM) and to propose a research model that considers the impact of SCQM practices on firm…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of supply chain quality management (SCQM) and to propose a research model that considers the impact of SCQM practices on firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a comprehensive literature review, SCQM most relevant practices were analyzed and selected. These practices were categorized into four dimensions: upstream (supplier assessment, supplier quality management (QM)), downstream sides of a supply chain (customer focus), internal process (product/service design, process management and logistics) and support practices (top management support, human resource management, information and supply chain integration). The measurement instrument of firm performance was also developed, including three aspects: operational performance, customer satisfaction and financial performance.
Findings
An innovative conceptual framework that provides a comprehensive picture covering core dimensions of SCQM and various aspects of firm performance was proposed. This conceptual framework can be used as “a guideline” for theory building and measurement instrument development of SCQM and firm performance. More importantly, on the road to gain a further insight, an extensive structural model that identifies direct and indirect relationships between SCQM and firm performance was also developed. Practitioners/managers can apply this model as “a road map” for implementing SCQM practices.
Research limitations/implications
It is necessary to test the rationality of these models by using empirical studies in different contexts.
Originality/value
The integration of quality and supply chain management still remains limited in the literature. Therefore, it is necessary to have a more focussed approach in assessing QM issues within the internal and external supply chain contexts. This study concentrates on the practices which improve quality aspects of the supply chain, known as SCQM practices. Proposed research models in this paper not only fill out the voids in the literature, but also contribute with conceptual frameworks for theory building in SCQM and firm performance. The authors also expect that this research can offer a useful guidance for measuring and implementing SCQM practices as well as facilitate further studies in this field.
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This article is a shortened version of a Master’s dissertation for the Liverpool University Centre for Archive Studies. It deals with issues of appraisal. Such issues involve…
Abstract
This article is a shortened version of a Master’s dissertation for the Liverpool University Centre for Archive Studies. It deals with issues of appraisal. Such issues involve fundamental concepts on what records are, why they are kept, and their life cycle. The answers to these questions were sought and found in the history of archives, and in the specialist literature. The theory and the methodology adopted were then applied to a case study of a recently established organisation in Lisbon, which has, at the core of its business, information in electronic format.