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1 – 10 of 41Ester Rocha and Brian H. Kleiner
Whistle blower was a word created in the 70s to specifically differentiate allegations from somebody from inside the company as opposed to allegations of a wrong doing by someone…
Abstract
Whistle blower was a word created in the 70s to specifically differentiate allegations from somebody from inside the company as opposed to allegations of a wrong doing by someone from outside the company. The agreed‐upon definition of whistle‐blowing has four components: 1) A person acts with the intention of making information public; 2) The information is transmitted to people outside the organisation who make it public and a part of the public record; 3) The information has to do with possible or actual nontrivial wrong doing in a company; and 4) The individual exposing the organisation is not a journalist or ordinary citizen, but an employee or former employee of the organisation. (Johnson, 2003:3‐4).
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The objective of this chapter is to outline an integrating picture of the situation, representativeness, contradictions, and challenges that the treatment of diversity assumes in…
Abstract
The objective of this chapter is to outline an integrating picture of the situation, representativeness, contradictions, and challenges that the treatment of diversity assumes in Brazilian society and in its organizations. The aim is to reply to the research question: “How are public policies and organizational practices constructing ways of inserting and valuing the diversity of Brazilians?” We provide a brief background of the changes in the global and Brazilian contexts over the last few decades and analyze the demographic data presented in the 2010 Census and in studies on diversity that were published in the main periodicals in the Administration area in Brazil, between 2000 and 2014 with regard to the segments most widely studied in the academic literature: Afro-descendants, homosexuals, the elderly, Indians, women, and people with a disability. The conclusion reached is that, in a short period of time, Brazil has made great strides in constructing the mechanisms and legal devices for recognizing the rights of its diverse population and that private companies are in the initial stages of introducing diversity programs.
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Jiaxin Li, Zhiyuan Zhu, Zhiwei Li, Yonggang Zhao, Yun Lei, Xuping Su, Changjun Wu and Haoping Peng
Gallic acid is a substance that is widely found in nature. Initially, it was only used as a corrosion inhibitor to retard the rate of corrosion of metals. In recent years, with…
Abstract
Purpose
Gallic acid is a substance that is widely found in nature. Initially, it was only used as a corrosion inhibitor to retard the rate of corrosion of metals. In recent years, with intensive research by scholars, the modification of coatings containing gallic acid has become a hot topic in the field of metal protection. This study aims to summarize the various preparation methods of gallic acid and its research progress in corrosion inhibitors and coatings, as well as related studies using quantum chemical methods to assess the predicted corrosion inhibition effects and to systematically describe the prospects and current status of gallic acid applications in the field of metal corrosion inhibition and protection.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the various methods of preparation of gallic acid in industry are understood. Second, the corrosion inhibition principles and research progress of gallic acid as a metal corrosion inhibitor are presented. Then, the corrosion inhibition principles and research progress of gallic acid involved in the synthesis and modification of various rust conversion coatings, nano-coatings and organic resin coatings are described. After that, studies related to the evaluation and prediction of gallic acid corrosion inhibition on metals by quantum chemical methods are presented. Finally, new research ideas on gallic acid in the field of corrosion inhibition and protection of metals are summarized.
Findings
Gallic acid can be used as a corrosion inhibitor or coating in metal protection.
Research limitations/implications
There is a lack of research on the synergistic improvement of gallic acid and other substances.
Practical implications
The specific application of gallic acid in the field of metal protection was summarized, and the future research focus was put forward.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper systematically expounds on the research progress of gallic acid in the field of metal protection for the first time and provides new ideas and directions for future research.
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Bingxue Cheng, Haitao Duan, Yongliang Jin, Lei Wei, Jia Dan, Song Chen and Jian Li
This paper aims to investigate the thermal oxidation characteristics of the unsaturated bonds (C=C) of trimethylolpropane trioleate (TMPTO) and to reveal the high temperature…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the thermal oxidation characteristics of the unsaturated bonds (C=C) of trimethylolpropane trioleate (TMPTO) and to reveal the high temperature oxidation decay mechanism of unsaturated esters and the nature of the anti-oxidation properties of the additives.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a DXR laser microscopic Raman spectrometer and Linkam FTIR600 temperature control platform, the isothermal oxidation experiments of TMPTO with or without 1.0 wt. % of different antioxidants were performed.
Findings
The results indicated that the Raman peaks of =C-H, C=C and -CH2- weaken gradually with prolonged oxidation time, and the corresponding Raman intensities drop rapidly at higher temperatures. The aromatic amine antioxidant can decrease the attenuation of peak intensity, as it significantly reduces the rate constant of C=C thermal oxidation. The hindered phenolic antioxidant has a protective effect during the early stages of oxidation (induction period), but it may accelerate the oxidation of C=C afterwards.
Originality/value
Research on the structure changes of synthetic esters during oxidation by Raman spectroscopy will be of great importance in promoting the use of Raman spectroscopy to analyze the oxidation of lubricants.
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Y. Sangeetha, S. Meenakshi and C. Sairam Sundaram
– The purpose of this paper is to develop an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl.
Design/methodology/approach
A pharmaceutical drug acetyl G was investigated for its corrosion inhibition efficiency using weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Findings
The inhibition efficiency increased with increase in inhibitor concentration. Results from polarisation studies revealed mixed type of inhibition. Impedance studies, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform spectroscopy confirm the adsorption of inhibitor on the mild steel surface.
Research limitations/implications
The drug acetyl G has sulphur and nitrogen atoms which effectively block the corrosion of mild steel and is non-toxic and has good inhibition efficiency.
Practical implications
This method provides an excellent, non-toxic and cost-effective material as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acid medium.
Originality/value
Application of this drug as a corrosion inhibitor has not been reported yet in the literature. Replacing the organic inhibitors, this green inhibitor shows excellent inhibition efficiency. This is adsorbed excellently on the mild steel surface due to the presence of long chain and hetero atoms. Thus, the drug retards the corrosion reaction.
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Salim Ahmed, Khushboo Kumari and Durgeshwer Singh
Petroleum hydrocarbons are naturally occurring flammable fossil fuels used as conventional energy sources. It has carcinogenic, mutagenic properties and is considered a hazardous…
Abstract
Purpose
Petroleum hydrocarbons are naturally occurring flammable fossil fuels used as conventional energy sources. It has carcinogenic, mutagenic properties and is considered a hazardous pollutant. Soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons adversely affects the properties of soil. This paper aim to remove pollutants from the environment is an urgent need of the hour to maintain the proper functioning of soil ecosystems.
Design/methodology/approach
The ability of micro-organisms to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons makes it possible to use these microorganisms to clean the environment from petroleum pollution. For preparing this review, research papers and review articles related to petroleum hydrocarbons degradation by micro-organisms were collected from journals and various search engines.
Findings
Various physical and chemical methods are used for remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons contaminants. However, these methods have several disadvantages. This paper will discuss a novel understanding of petroleum hydrocarbons degradation and how micro-organisms help in petroleum-contaminated soil restoration. Bioremediation is recognized as the most environment-friendly technique for remediation. The research studies demonstrated that bacterial consortium have high biodegradation rate of petroleum hydrocarbons ranging from 83% to 89%.
Social implications
Proper management of petroleum hydrocarbons pollutants from the environment is necessary because of their toxicity effects on human and environmental health.
Originality/value
This paper discussed novel mechanisms adopted by bacteria for biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation pathways, genes and enzymes involved in petroleum hydrocarbons biodegradation.
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Ana Topalović, Mirko Knežević, Ljubica Ivanović, Maja Mikulic-Petkovsek and Višnja Bogdanović
This study aims to examine the relationship between the chemical composition of juices obtained from fruits of autochthonous wild pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) grown in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationship between the chemical composition of juices obtained from fruits of autochthonous wild pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) grown in Montenegro and their cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.
Design/methodology/approach
To explore the potential value of wild pomegranate fruits, in vitro biological assays were carried out with juices whose composition was analyzed in detail for sugars, organic acids, vitamin C and phenolic compounds. The effect of juices on survival was determined in human lung A549, cervical HeLa and breast MCF-7 carcinoma cells by MTT assay. As a control, the cytotoxicity against normal fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) was monitored.
Findings
Among cancer cell lines, considering the IC50 related to total phenolics, the lowest value – 13 µg/mL was found for the A549. The strongest effect on lung cells was assumed due to the favorable contribution of ellagitannins to total phenolics in juice as well as the given combination of anthocyanins and their synergistic action. For HeLa cells, the lowest IC50 value was obtained at 88 µg/mL, and the cytotoxicity could be matched with the effects of anthocyanins and catechin. For MCF-7 cells, the lowest IC50 was 504 µg/mL, and the elevated levels of vitamin C and ellagic acid derivatives should have a noticeable effect on these cells.
Originality/value
This study provides an important contribution to the knowledge on the effect of phytochemicals from wild pomegranate juice on lung, cervical and breast cancer cells, in vitro. The present observations suggest that the juice of wild pomegranate has the potential in the fight against cancer.
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Xuemei Wang, Jixiang He, Yue Ma, Hao Wang, Dehong Ma, Dongdong Zhang and Hudie Zhao
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the tannase-assisted extraction of tea stem pigment from waste tea stem, after which the stability of the purified pigment was determined…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the tannase-assisted extraction of tea stem pigment from waste tea stem, after which the stability of the purified pigment was determined and analyzed.
Design/methodology/approach
The extracting process was optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) approach. Material-liquid ratio, temperature and time were chosen as variables and the absorbance as a response. The stability of the tea stem pigment at the different conditions was tested and analyzed.
Findings
The optimized extraction technology was as follows: material-liquid ratio 1:20 g/ml, temperature 50°C and time 60 min. The stability test results showed that tea stem pigment was sensitive to oxidants, but the reducing agents did not affect it. The tea stem pigment was unstable under strong acid and strong alkali and was most stable at pH 6. The light stability was poor. Tea stem pigment would form flocculent precipitation under the action of Fe2+ or Fe3+ and be relatively stable in Cu2+ and Na2+ solutions. The tea stem pigment was relatively stable at 60°C and below.
Originality/value
No comprehensive and systematic study reports have been conducted on the extraction of pigment from discarded tea stem, and researchers have not used statistical analysis to optimize the process of tannase-assisted tea stem pigment extraction using RSM. Additionally, there is a lack of special reports on the systematic study of the stability of pigment extracted from tea stem.
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Sabina Licen, Elija Muzic, Sara Briguglio, Arianna Tolloi, Pierluigi Barbieri and Pasquale Giungato
Methods to assess the authenticity and traceability of wines have been extensively studied as enhancers of food quality, allowing producers to obtain market recognition and…
Abstract
Purpose
Methods to assess the authenticity and traceability of wines have been extensively studied as enhancers of food quality, allowing producers to obtain market recognition and premium prices. Among analytical techniques, the volatilome profile attained by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is acquiring more and more attention by the scientific community, together with the use of chemometrics
Design/methodology/approach
The volatilome profile of three varieties of blanc wines from the Collio area (namely Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia and Friulano) between Italy and Slovenia, was determined by head space-solid phase micro extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, enhancing the carbonyl compounds identification with O-(2, 3, 4, 5, 6-pentafluorobenzyl)-hydroxylamine with the aim of identifying the autochthonous Friulano variety.
Findings
A two-step chemometric approach based on an unsupervised technique (PCA) followed by a supervised one (PLS-DA) allowed to identify possible markers for discriminating the Friulano Collio variety from the others, in particular two chemical classes were identified by PCA (ketones and long chain esters). PLS-DA showed 87% accuracy in classification. A correct classification (i.e. non-Friulano Collio) of a group of wines obtained from the same grape variety but produced in an extra-Collio area was obtained as well. The results confirmed the benefits of using a derivatization step prior to volatile organic compounds analysis.
Research limitations/implications
Among methods to assess the authenticity and traceability of wines, volatilome profile of wines determined by head space-solid phase micro extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, enhanced by the carbonyl compound identifications with O-(2, 3, 4, 5, 6-pentafluorobenzyl)-hydroxylamine, may have a key role in conjunction with chemometrics and, in particular with principal component analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis.
Practical implications
Among methods to assess the authenticity and traceability of Friulano wine, volatilome profile of wines determined by head space-solid phase micro extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, enhanced by the carbonyl compound identifications with O-(2, 3, 4, 5, 6-Pentafluorobenzyl)Hydroxylamine hydrochloride, may have a key role in conjunction with chemometrics.
Originality/value
Few works investigated both wine traceability with a volatilome enhancer and chemometrics of the Friulano wine variety obtaining such an improvement in this wine variety discrimination.
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