Search results

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that children consume at least three daily servings of whole grains. Data from a pilot after‐school program indicated that graham snacks, containing 5 g whole wheat per serving, were consumed in the range of 73‐88 percent, similar to the refined grain counterpart. This paper aims to examine whether a full serving (16 g) of whole grain delivered in a graham snack is acceptable as tested among children participating in an after‐school snack program.

Subjects included ∼100 children (grades K‐6) participating in after‐school snack programs. Over eight weeks, children were offered graham snacks containing 5, 8, 12, and 16 g whole wheat flour per 30 g serving. Plate waste was used to measure graham snack consumption, as children placed their unfinished snacks in a receptacle and waste was measured after each session. At week nine, a subgroup of children participated in taste tests and rated each snack for liking on a nine‐point hedonic scale. Another subgroup was enrolled in group interviews to provide input about their perceptions of the products' quality and suggestions for improvement.

Consumption for the 5, 8, 12, and 16 g graham snacks was 80, 76, 79, and 80 percent, respectively. The taste tests results showed no significant difference in rating of the four‐graham snacks. The focus groups indicated that overall, the products are well‐liked, particularly for texture.

This paper suggests that graham snacks can contribute a significant dietary source, nearly one full serving of whole grain when offered in children's natural environment through an after‐school snack program.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the food safety knowledge and practices of the Iranian consumers and also its association with socio-demographic characteristics.

In the present cross-sectional and population-based study, the validated food safety questionnaires applied to 1,500 participants who were selected through multistage stratified cluster sampling from the capital city and regional area of East-Azerbaijan – Iran. The Student t-test and analysis of variance and linear regression were used for statistical analysis.

Although the overall percentages of mean score for knowledge (77.66 percent) and self-reported practice (70.77 percent) were good, there was a low level of awareness and self-reported practice in some subsections such as optimal heating/cooling temperature, proper thawing techniques and eating raw egg. Female and married respondents had significantly higher mean knowledge score than males (p<0.001) and singles (p=0.04). Residents of regional areas acted more safely than capital city residents (p=0.01).

Despite the good knowledge of some respondents regarding food safety, their food safety practices were poor. It can thus be suggested that the future studies have better focus on investigating the perceived barriers of consumers about food safety practices.

Although the mean knowledge and practice regarding food safety of Iranian consumers was good, yet there is the lack of knowledge and practice on some important factors related to food poisonings such as eating raw or lightly cooked egg or improper heating/thawing practices. So, it is important to develop proper food safety education programs emphasizing on these issues. According to lower food safety knowledge and practice of low-educated, single and male respondents, the educational programs should mainly focus on these groups.

For the development of effective food safety education programs in Iran, learning about the basic knowledge and practice of consumers is essential; however, there is limited data that directly tackles this issue in Iran.

The purpose of this paper is to describe reliability and relative validity of the short-food frequency questionnaire (SH-FFQ) used for assessing food groups and nutrient intakes of Iranian adults.

The food list used in the SH-FFQ was elaborated based on a dietary survey of a sample of 60 individuals aged between 15 and 65 years. A total of 180 subjects (93 males and 87 females) were included in the study. All participants completed two SH-FFQs with one month interval, a single 24 hours recall (24hR) and two food records for three non-consecutive days.

No significant differences were observed in the mean daily intakes of energy, food groups and most of the nutrients between the reference tools and the two semi-quantitative SH-FFQs (p>0.05). The mean energy-adjusted reliability coefficients for all variables were 0.54 and 0.55 in men and women. The mean energy-adjusted and deattenuated correlation coefficients for all items between the SH-FFQ and reference tools were 0.54. Also, the mean percent misclassified into opposite quartiles for all food groups and nutrients was 12.6 percent.

The designed SH-FFQ developed for the Life style Promotion Project has reasonable reliability and relative validity for food groups and nutrient in Iranian adults.

The aim of this article states that in each stage of the industrial revolution, only a few initiatives have been real game changers. In Industry 3.0, “Internet of Information” has transformed the business landscape via connectivity and communications. Enterprises could come together to spur innovation in a cooperative or competitive manner. In Industry 4.0, the “Internet of Value” has shown considerable benefits; and, blockchain technology is expected to touch all layers of a business ecosystem, and the construction industry is not an exception.

This study aims to answer the “How do enterprise blockchain solutions contribute to the vibrancy of the construction ecosystem from social, economic, and environmental aspects?” Following a comprehensive literature review, the Grey Ordinal Priority Approach (OPA-G) is employed in multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA). OPA-G can select functionally rich enterprise blockchain solutions that meet the needs of the future construction industry, while there is uncertainty in the input data.

The results from the case study show that organization under observation welcomes an enterprise blockchain solution that delivers services related to “renewable energy certificates” in the context of “smart cities and built environment”. Employing high-ranked blockchain solutions brings vibracy and sustainability to construction ecosystem in terms of “C₆. decentralized finance and investment,” “C₃. multi-party and cross-industry collaboration,” and “C₈. data-driven value creation”.

At the micro level, blockchain solutions automate processes, streamline operations, and build new capacities on a new business model. At the macro level, blockchain creates a vibrant ecosystem based on transparency, decentralization, consensus-based democracy, interoperability, etc. Indeed, the capability of blockchain solutions at an enterprise scale (enterprise blockchain solutions) can shape a new construction ecosystem. The practical implications of current research are preparing executives for a fundamentally different next normal in construction.

The purpose of this paper is to minimize the torque pulsation in Halbach array permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs).

Because of its specific structure, the cogging torque influences the main part of the torque pulsation in a Halbach array PMSM. In this paper, first it is shown that the conventional magnet skewing method does not have a significant effect on the torque pulsation in this motor, and then an improved skewing method with fewer skewing steps is proposed. In this method permanent magnet segments are placed sinusoidally, with two‐step skewing along the rotor. Generalization with different combinations of slots and poles is considered for a Halbach array PMSM.

Using a detailed finite element method (FEM) it was found that with the proposed technique the cogging torque factor is reduced to as low as 8 percent, while the average value of the torque is maintained near the machine nominal average torque.

Halbach array PMSMs are very good candidates for high dynamic performance applications such as aerospace applications due to their high acceleration and deceleration features. This technique also resolves the mechanical vibration and acoustic noise issues, which are caused by torque pulsation and significantly affect machine performance.

The originality of this paper lies in the FEM results. Since Halbach array PMSMs have a special structure it was shown that the conventional skewing method does not work well for this machine. The new proposed technique has a significant effect on the torque pulsation.

This study aims to investigate the entrepreneurial actions of successful Iranian women entrepreneurs. It is an attempt to find the roots, motivations, challenges and strategies of successful actions of these women, despite the unequal and masculine structure of the society.

This research was conducted through the theoretical framework of poststructuralist feminism and the qualitative method. By purposive sampling, the researchers selected 10 women entrepreneurs living in Khorasan Razavi province for in-depth interviews. These women have created many jobs based on local potential and become recognized as top entrepreneurs. The narratives of these women were analyzed phenomenologically.

The actions of these women are fertilized under the influence of family background and early socialization and in the combination of internal motivations and external stimuli. These women resist social barriers such as widespread patriarchy, gender division of labor in society and complex bureaucratic processes through the “strategic cycle” resulting from the interaction of “reliance on intertwined social networks,” “social entrepreneurship,” “gradual formation of social capital” and “reliance on local potentials.”

The strategies to overcome gender inequalities at the micro (family) and macro (society) levels introduced in this research can inspire women entrepreneurs who seek success in their businesses.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative research that, by studying the actions of successful Iranian women entrepreneurs, describes how they overcome structural inequalities and their success strategies.

This study investigates the impact of top management’s networking capabilities on the organizational networking and absorptive capacities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Puerto Rico. This study aims to enhance understanding of how top management influences the networking behaviors that drive SME performance.

Data were collected from Puerto Rican SMEs and analyzed using multi-item reflective indicators on a five-point Likert scale. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses and explore relationships between networking capabilities and absorptive capacities.

The study finds that top management’s networking capabilities are predominantly reactive, significantly impacting information acquisition, opportunity enabling and weak-tie resource mobilization. Both potential and realized absorptive capacities are critical for SMEs to leverage resources for competitive advantage.

Further research is needed to explore how these findings apply to other regions or industries and expand on the role of proactive networking in enhancing SME competitiveness.

The study underscores the importance of refining proactive and reactive networking capabilities to sustain competitive advantage in dynamic environments.

Puerto Rico’s unique economic context, including natural disasters and economic downturns, makes the findings relevant for SMEs in similar regions that rely on strong networks for resilience.

This research contributes to the dynamic capabilities literature by confirming SMEs’ proactive and reactive networking dimensions. It also offers a unique perspective by focusing on Puerto Rican SMEs facing distinct economic and social challenges.

Este estudio investiga el impacto de las capacidades de networking de la alta dirección en las redes organizacionales y las capacidades de absorción de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMEs) en Puerto Rico. La investigación tiene como objetivo mejorar la comprensión de cómo la alta dirección influye en los comportamientos de networking que impulsan el desempeño de las PYMEs.

Se recopilaron datos de PYMEs puertorriqueñas y se analizaron utilizando indicadores reflexivos de múltiples ítems en una escala Likert de cinco puntos. Se empleó el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS-SEM) para probar las hipótesis y explorar las relaciones entre las capacidades de networking y las capacidades de absorción.

El estudio encuentra que las capacidades de networking de la alta dirección son predominantemente reactivas, lo que impacta significativamente en la adquisición de información, la habilitación de oportunidades y la movilización de recursos a través de vínculos débiles. Tanto las capacidades de absorción potenciales como las realizadas son fundamentales para que las PYMEs aprovechen los recursos para obtener una ventaja competitiva.

Esta investigación contribuye a la literatura sobre capacidades dinámicas al confirmar las dimensiones proactivas y reactivas de networking en las PYMEs. También ofrece una perspectiva única al centrarse en las PYMEs de Puerto Rico que enfrentan desafíos económicos y sociales particulares.

Se necesita más investigación para explorar cómo estos hallazgos se aplican a otras regiones o industrias y para profundizar en el papel del networking proactivo en la mejora de la competitividad de las PYMEs.

El estudio subraya la importancia de perfeccionar las capacidades de networking proactivas y reactivas para mantener una ventaja competitiva en entornos dinámicos.

El contexto económico único de Puerto Rico, incluidas las catástrofes naturales y las recesiones económicas, hace que los hallazgos sean relevantes para PYMEs en regiones similares que dependen de redes sólidas para su resiliencia.

Este estudo investiga o impacto das capacidades de networking da alta gestão nas redes organizacionais e nas capacidades de absorção das pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs) em Porto Rico. A pesquisa visa melhorar a compreensão de como a alta gestão influencia os comportamentos de networking que impulsionam o desempenho das PMEs.

Os dados foram coletados de PMEs porto-riquenhas e analisados usando indicadores reflexivos de múltiplos itens em uma escala Likert de cinco pontos. Foi utilizado o modelo de equações estruturais de mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS-SEM) para testar as hipóteses e explorar as relações entre as capacidades de networking e as capacidades de absorção.

O estudo conclui que as capacidades de networking da alta gestão são predominantemente reativas, impactando significativamente a aquisição de informações, a habilitação de oportunidades e a mobilização de recursos através de vínculos fracos. Tanto as capacidades de absorção potenciais quanto as realizadas são fundamentais para que as PMEs aproveitem os recursos para obter vantagem competitiva.

Esta pesquisa contribui para a literatura sobre capacidades dinâmicas ao confirmar as dimensões proativas e reativas de networking nas PMEs. Também oferece uma perspectiva única ao focar nas PMEs de Porto Rico, que enfrentam desafios econômicos e sociais distintos.

Mais pesquisas são necessárias para explorar como esses achados se aplicam a outras regiões ou indústrias, além de expandir o papel do networking proativo no aumento da competitividade das PMEs.

O estudo destaca a importância de aperfeiçoar as capacidades de networking proativas e reativas para manter a vantagem competitiva em ambientes dinâmicos.

O contexto econômico único de Porto Rico, incluindo desastres naturais e crises econômicas, torna os achados relevantes para PMEs em regiões semelhantes que dependem de redes sólidas para sua resiliência.

By analyzing urbanism products, development plans and the process of modernization in Iran, the purpose of this paper is to critically trace the effect of dictatorial control on urbanism and the emergence of government-imposed urban segregation.

The main body of this work is concentrated on studying the history of urbanism in Iran, of which collecting data and descriptions played a crucial role. To prevent the limitations associated with singular methods, the methodology of this research is based on methodological triangulation (Denzin, 2017). With the triangulation scheme, the data are gathered by combining different qualitative and quantitative methods such as library, archival and media research, online resources, non-participatory observation and photography. For the empirical part, the city of Tehran is selected as the case study. Moreover, individual non-structured interviews with the locals were conducted to gain more insights regarding the housing projects.

The results reveal that despite the intense propaganda, the regime policies barely mentioned the urban poor. With the rise of new principles of architecture and urban planning, the regime tried to promote the image of an updated society; restructuring of the urban space was part of this process. However, the majority of the urban projects disregarded the financial ability of low-income groups and eventually benefited only the middle and upper classes. Also, by imposing a physical distance, low-income neighborhoods were located in the south in order to marginalize the urban poor who were in contrast with the idea of a modern city. Under these circumstances, severe economic inequality was provoked, which to this day has transformed into a complex socio-spatial segregation.

The works of general historical studies are not concentrated on urbanism and urban researchers have mostly focused on urbanism products during different periods, regardless, of the importance of urbanism as a tool in the service of hegemony. In other words, the majority of existing research investigates the evolution of urbanism and architecture in modern Iran, by questioning “what has been built?” and has ignored to trace the beneficiaries of the urban projects and to question “built for whom?”. Moreover, urbanism under the government of Mossadegh (1951–1953) has been largely overlooked, which could be due to his short time as Prime Minister of Iran. Mossadegh’s government was the first democratic government in Iran; hence investigating the policies used in this period has a great importance.

Effective maintenance management of medical equipment is one of the major issues for quality of care and cost-effectiveness especially in modern hospitals. An effective medical equipment maintenance management (MEMM) consists of adequate planning, management and implementation. This is essential for providing good health services and saving scarce resources. Considering the importance of the subject, the purpose of this paper is to extract the influential factors on MEMM using a qualitative approach.

Documents review and interviews were main methods for data collection. Semi structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 14 clinical engineers with different degree of education and job levels. Interviews were voice recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analyzed using a content analysis approach (inductive and deductive) to identify the underlying themes and sub-themes.

Factors influencing an effective and efficient MEMM system categorized in seven themes and 19 sub-themes emerged. The themes included: “resources,” “quality control,” “information bank,” “education,” “service,” “inspection and preventive maintenance” and “design and implementation.”

The proposed framework provides a basis for a comprehensive and accurate assessment of medical equipment maintenance. The findings of this study could be used to improve the profitability of healthcare facilities and the reliability of medical equipment.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the quality of the frying oil used in restaurants, fast food establishments, and confectionary stores. The compliance of used frying oils with the quality standards as determined by the peroxide value (PV) and the total polar materials (TPMs) is investigated by analyzing 375 samples of oil.

The PV was measured according to the national standard procedure number 4179, while the TPM was determined using a Testo 270 cooking oil tester. Frying oils with a PV>5 mEq/kg and a TPM>25 percent were considered to be non-edible. For a comparison of groups, the Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation tests were used, and p<0.05 was considered significant.

The maximum TPM and PV recorded for frying oils in fast food restaurants were 97.5 percent and 77.9 mEq/kg, respectively. The results also revealed that 60 percent of samples were non-edible according to the TPM, while 58.9 percent of the oil samples were non-edible because of the PV. TPM and PV correlated well with each other (r=0.99, p<0.001) and with oil replacement intervals (r=0.90, p<0.001). The relationship between the TPM and PV was stronger in the polynomial model than the linear model. The following equation was obtained: peroxide (mEq/kg oil)=0.0043 TPM2 (%)+0.1587 TPM (%)–0.6152.

Considering the current limitations in official supervision by health authority, on-site self-monitoring of the TPM using the Testo 270 cooking oil tester by sellers as a solution seems a new approach. Food stores, restaurants, and confectionary stores should be equipped with TPM analyzers to determine the quality of the frying oil and the timely replacement of non-edible oils.