Elizabeth Oluwaseun Sunny‐Roberts and Dietrich Knorr
This paper aims to evaluate the cellular injuries associated with spray‐drying of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in trehalose/monosodium glutamate (MSG) media by means of flow…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the cellular injuries associated with spray‐drying of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in trehalose/monosodium glutamate (MSG) media by means of flow cytometry measurements; and also whether, and to what extent, the probiotic remain stable and viable in food formulations.
Design/methodology/approach
Spray‐drying was applied in the production of trehalose‐based preparations containing LGG. To gain more insights on the cellular damages that must have occurred during drying, flow cytometric analysis was applied in combination with carboxyfluorescein diacetate (cFDA) and PI stains. Spray‐dried samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The storage stability of spray‐dried LGG was monitored in food samples over a period of time.
Findings
It was observed that during spray‐drying, 1.80×109 CFU/ml viable counts, which were equivalent of 68.8 per cent cells, were recovered in trehalose matrices but on incorporating 12.5 g/l MSG as a carrier component, survival rates were significantly improved. Density plot analysis showed a higher degree of membrane damage in cells spray‐dried in trehalose without MSG. SEM revealed no difference in the shapes and surfaces of spray‐dried samples. Evaluation of the recovery rates of LGG, initial count of ∼109 CFU/ml or g, at storage time intervals revealed a minimum level of ∼105 CFU/ml in apple juice after 12 days and ∼107 CFU/g in chocolate beverages after ten weeks.
Originality/value
The potential contribution of MSG as a carrier component with trehalose in preventing higher losses during spray‐drying and food storage is pointed out in this study.
Details
Keywords
Joana Geraldi and Jonas Söderlund
In 2006, the “Rethinking Project Management” network called for a paradigm shift in project research, and proposed five research directions. The directions inspired research and…
Abstract
Purpose
In 2006, the “Rethinking Project Management” network called for a paradigm shift in project research, and proposed five research directions. The directions inspired research and marked a milestone in the development of the field. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the past decade and to rejuvenate these research directions.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors propose the umbrella term: “project studies” to denote the research related to projects and temporary organizing. Project studies is conceived not only as a body of research, but also as a social process embedded in research communities, and contemporary Zeitgeist. Based on Sandberg’s interpretative approach to the fit between work and works (in this case research-researcher) and Habermas’ three types of human interests: technical, practical, and emancipatory, the authors develop a conceptual framework circumscribing three types of research in project studies.
Findings
The conceptual framework is used to craft future research directions, in the lines proposed by Winter et al. (2006b).
Research limitations/implications
The authors conclude by proposing for a sixth theme on the practice of theorizing, and call for engaged, ambidextrous scholars, who’s “job” goes beyond the writing of articles and research applications, and includes shaping discourses of project research, nurturing new project scholars, contributing to project practice and carefully considering the legacy of projects and project studies in society.
Originality/value
This paper positions research as a social process, and the role of researchers as actors shaping research in project studies.
Details
Keywords
One of the most critical and active research areas in the field of climate change in recent years has been the interaction between land use and carbon emissions (LUCE). As there…
Abstract
Purpose
One of the most critical and active research areas in the field of climate change in recent years has been the interaction between land use and carbon emissions (LUCE). As there is a lack of data to represent the knowledge structure and evolution of LUCE between 1987 and 2018, this paper turned to CiteSpace in order to identify and visualize the cited references and keyword networks, the distribution of categories and countries and highly cited references in connection to LUCE research. Two indicators, betweenness centrality (BC) and citation burst (CB) embedded in CiteSpace, were utilized to investigate the knowledge structures.
Design/methodology/approach
Two indicators, BC and CB embedded in CiteSpace, were introduced to investigate the knowledge structures.
Findings
Firstly, pre-2000 papers provide the main theoretical foundation for LUCE research, and the innovation of computer technology also provides new ideas and methods for related research. Secondly, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are attracting more attention. As agriculture also involves food security, the pressure on agriculture to reduce carbon is enormous, and more research and policy investment will be needed in the future. Thirdly, although the natural sciences ranked highly on BC detection, social and humanities sciences have contributed more to the LUCE research with an increasing emphasis on regional and global governance to combat climate change. Finally, keen interest in carbon emissions and sustainable development in developed countries, particularly in Europe, has led to a large number of LUCE studies. Research being done in developing countries that are most affected by climate change is also outstanding.
Originality/value
The results collected will assist scientific researchers to better understand the research status and frontier trends in this sector, thus permitting researchers to comprehend current research interests in the LUCE analysis field and providing useful information for further investigation and publication strategies.
Details
Keywords
Christos Begkos and Katerina Antonopoulou
This study aims to investigate the hybridization practices that medical managers engage with to promote accounting and performance measurement in the hybrid setting of healthcare…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the hybridization practices that medical managers engage with to promote accounting and performance measurement in the hybrid setting of healthcare. In doing so, the authors explore how medical managers enact and become practitioners of hybridity.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopt a practice lens to conceptualize hybridization as an emergent, situated practice and capture the micro-activities that medical managers engage with when they enact hybridity. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with medical managers, business managers and coding professionals and collected documents at an English National Health Service (NHS) hospital over the course of five years.
Findings
The findings accentuate two emergent practices through which medical managers instill hybridity to individuals who are hesitant or resistant to hybridization. Medical managers engage in equivocalizing and de-stigmatizing practices to broaden the understandings, further diversify or reconcile the teleologies of clinicians in non-managerial roles. In doing so, the authors signal the merits of accounting in improving care outcomes and remove the stigma associated to clinical engagement with costs.
Originality/value
The study contributes to hybridization and practice theory literature via capturing how hybridity is enacted in practice in a healthcare setting. As medical managers engage with and promote accounting information and performance measurement technologies in their practice environment, they transcend professional boundaries and hybridize the professional spaces that surround them.
Details
Keywords
Laura Kainiemi, Sanni Eloneva and Mika Järvinen
The purpose of this paper is to identify the most significant uncertainties for bioenergy applications, in order to identify factors determining the success of introducing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the most significant uncertainties for bioenergy applications, in order to identify factors determining the success of introducing bioenergy into the current energy system.
Design/methodology/approach
A framework is built for identifying the most significant uncertainties based on studies exploring the positive potentials as well as possible negative effects of bioenergy. The framework is applied to explore uncertainties of bioenergy-based transport fuels and heat and power generation through two real life case studies.
Findings
The results indicate that the most significant uncertainties are environmental and economic. Bioenergy applications have potential to mitigate climate change, but also come with negative environmental effects. Case studies show that operations in developing nations contain higher political/institutional and social uncertainty than those in developed countries, due to weaker regulations and enforcement.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is part of an on-going research project. Results will be verified with stakeholder interviews and analysis. Further institutional analysis of the country settings is necessary.
Practical implications
The use of a feedstock with high environmental, social and institutional uncertainties will lower public acceptance. Acting in accordance to the law is not sufficient to ensure sustainability and additional, voluntary measures should be undertaken.
Originality/value
The paper identifies the most significant uncertainties for bioenergy. Uncertainties from social acceptance and institutional settings are higher in developing countries and acceptability requires more than following regulations.
Details
Keywords
Manhal Gobara Hamid and Abdel Azim Ahmed Mohamed Nour
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of different drying methods on quality attributes of beetroot slices.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of different drying methods on quality attributes of beetroot slices.
Design/methodology/approach
Three drying methods (sun, oven and freeze-drying) were applied to dry fresh slices of beetroot cultivar (Beta vulgaris). The chemical composition, minerals, nitrate, betalains, total phenolic, total flavonoid and color were measured for fresh and dried slices.
Findings
The chemical composition, minerals, nitrate, bioactive compounds and color were measured for fresh and dried slices. Regardless of the drying method, the results showed that the chemical composition, total energy, minerals and nitrate of the dried slices were significantly (p=0.05) increased compared to that of fresh slices. Sun and oven drying of the slices significantly (p=0.05) reduced total betalain and betacynin. However, betaxanthin was significantly (p=0.05) increased. Total phenolics content of fresh beetroot was significantly (p=0.05) increased after sun and oven drying but total flavonoids were decreased. The 2,2,-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) of fresh beetroot was increased significantly (p=0.05) after sun and oven drying. The measurement of the color of the powder showed that there is a decrease in lightness (L) depending on the drying method applied. A maximum reduction in lightness was observed in powder of sun-dried slices. The color of the powder obtained from freeze-dried slices was stable compared to other drying methods.
Practical implications
Beetroot is a rich source of nutrients but with short shelf life. Dried beetroot has more keeping quality than the fresh one.
Originality/value
The study uses beetroot as a rich source of nutrients as well as natural antioxidant source. Betalain compounds are preserved in beetroot and a high source of phenolics and flavonoids. Flavonoids are a group of phenolic products of plant metabolism with high antioxidant properties to protect against diseases without side effects.