scholarly journals Benefits of dietary fibre to human health: study from a multi-country platform

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 688-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Guiné ◽  
João Duarte ◽  
Manuela Ferreira ◽  
Paula Correia ◽  
Marcela Leal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Dietary Fibre ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Average Score ◽  
General Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Level Of Knowledge

Purpose Because dietary fibre has been recognized as a major ally to the maintenance of a healthy body as well as to help against the development of some chronic diseases, this paper aims to study the level of knowledge of a relatively wide range of people about the health effects related to the ingestion of dietary fibre in appropriate dosages. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken on a non-probabilistic sample of 6,010 participants. The data were collected from 10 countries in three different continents (Europe, Africa and America) and measured the level of knowledge regarding different health benefits from dietary fibre. The questionnaires were applied by direct interview after verbal informed consent. Findings The results obtained considering the general level of knowledge revealed a considerable degree of information about the benefits of fibre (average score of 3.54 ± 0.5, on a scale from 1 to 5). There were significant differences between genders (p < 0.001), with higher average score for women, and also for level of education (p < 0.001), with higher score for university level. The living environment also showed significant differences (p < 0.001), with people living in urban areas showing a higher degree of knowledge. Also for countries the differences were significant (p < 0.001), with the highest score obtained for Portugal (3.7), and the lowest for Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Macedonia and Romania (3.5). However, despite these differences, the results showed that for all the countries the degree of knowledge was good (above 3.5), corresponding to a minimum level of knowledge of 70 per cent. Originality/value This work is considered important due to the wide coverage, including so many countries inclusive with different social and cultural settings. The study allowed concluding that, in general, the participants in the study were quite well informed about the benefits of dietary fibre for the improvement of human health, regardless of gender, level of education, living environment or country. This finding is very relevant considering the diversity of people that composed the sample and reinforces the necessity of continuing with educational policies aimed at providing the general population with the knowledge that might help them make appropriate food choices.

The impact of professional capital on educational excellence and equality in Estonia

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maie Kitsing ◽  
Alan Boyle ◽  
Hasso Kukemelk ◽  
Jaan Mikk
Keyword(s):  
Education System ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Assessment ◽  
General Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Capital ◽  
International Student Assessment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Estonia’s results in programme for international student assessment (PISA) studies between 2006 and 2012 showed both high-level attainment and social equity. The combination of excellence and equity makes Estonia stand out from other countries. The purpose of this paper is to explore the wide range of factors that influence Estonian students’ performance in these tests and note how professional capital fits into the overall picture. Design/methodology/approach – First the authors present a brief analysis of the outcomes in terms of the PISA results. Then the authors describe a wide range of contextual factors in Estonia such as: the country’s general level of human development; historical and cultural factors; demographics and social factors. These are the inputs to the education system. Finally the authors explore the interplay between features of the education system itself – the schooling processes – and note the impact of professional capital. Findings – The authors judge that the interplay between professional capital with other factors that work in harmony explains why the system is highly effective. This coherence is not accidental; it is the outcome of a series of deliberate reforms and investment over a single generation. Originality/value – Between 2009 and 2012 Estonia increased its share of top performers in PISA tests while, at the same time, reduced the proportion of low performers. This is commonly referred to as “raising the bar and closing the gap”. Individual schools struggle to close attainment gaps between different groups of students. Estonia is one of a very small number of countries to achieve both excellence and equality across the whole national system.

scholarly journals Evaluation of consumer habits and knowledge about dietary fibre and fibre-rich products in Turkish population

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 375-385
Author(s):  
Erkan Yalçın ◽  
Cem Kösemeci ◽  
Paula Correia ◽  
Ezgi Karademir ◽  
Manuela Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Dietary Fibre ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Turkish Population ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Classification Analysis ◽  
Knowledge Age ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Consumer Habits

AbstractThis study investigated the Turkish consumers’ knowledge about dietary fibres and purchasing behaviours about fibre rich foods and also their attitudes towards food labelling with specific emphasis on dietary fibre. The survey consisted of a longitudinal study undertaken on a sample of 293 participants. For the analysis of the data, basic descriptive statistics was used, complemented with statistical tests (U-Mann Whitney [UMW] for comparisons between two groups and Kruskal–Wallis [KW] test for comparisons between three or more groups). Finally, a tree classification analysis was done to evaluate the relative importance of each of the possible influential variables on knowledge: age group, level of education, gender or living environment. The results revealed that both the level of knowledge about dietary fibre and foods and also the level of knowledge about dietary fibre and health effects were considered high for the general population. The classification analysis revealed that gender was the major discriminant for knowledge about dietary fibre and foods, while the most important discriminant for knowledge about dietary fibre and health effects was age. The importance of this study resided in the highlight of the pivotal factors that influence people’s knowledge about dietary fibre sources and the health benefits of its ingestion.

Effect of chitosans and chitooligosaccharides on the processing and storage quality of foods of animal and aquatic origin

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parminder Singh
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Storage Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Processing And Storage ◽  
And Storage

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to shed light on the use of chitosans and chitooligosaccharides as biopreservatives in various foods animal. Foods of animal and aquatic origin (milk, meat, fish, eggs, sea foods, etc) become contaminated with a wide range of microorganisms (bacteria, molds and yeasts) during harvesting, transporting, processing, handling and storage operations. Due to the perishable nature of these foods, their preservation is of utmost importance. Though many synthetic chemicals are available, yet their use is quite restricted due to their hazardous effects on human health. Design/methodology/approach – Within the domain of food industry, traditionally chitosan is used for biopreservation of foods, which is well known for its nutritional and medicinal properties in human nutrition. However, chitooligosaccharides also possess a number of nutraceutical and health promoting properties in addition to their preservative effect and shelf-life extension of foods. In this study, the comparative effects of both chitosan and chitooligosaccharides on preservation of foods of animal and aquatic origin have been summarized. Findings – Though chitosan has been extensively studied in various foods, yet the use of chitooligosaccharides has been relatively less explored. Chitooligosaccharides are bioactive molecules generated from chitosan and have several advantages over the traditional use of chitosan both in food products and on human health. But unfortunately, little or no literature is available on the use of chitooligosaccharides for preservation of some of the foods of animal origin. Notable examples in this category include cheese, beef, pork, chicken, fish, sea foods, etc. Originality/value – This paper focuses on the effects of chitosans and chitooligosaccharides on the processing and storage quality of foods of animal and aquatic origin, which offers a promising future for the development of functional foods.

scholarly journals Transfer of Plasmid DNA to Clinical Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcal Pathogens by Using a Unique Bacteriophage

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 2481-2488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Winstel ◽  
Petra Kühner ◽  
Bernhard Krismer ◽  
Andreas Peschel ◽  
Holger Rohde
Keyword(s):  
Plasmid Dna ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Reliable Technique ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Genetic Barriers

ABSTRACTGenetic manipulation of emerging bacterial pathogens, such as coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), is a major hurdle in clinical and basic microbiological research. Strong genetic barriers, such as restriction modification systems or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), usually interfere with available techniques for DNA transformation and therefore complicate manipulation of CoNS or render it impossible. Thus, current knowledge of pathogenicity and virulence determinants of CoNS is very limited. Here, a rapid, efficient, and highly reliable technique is presented to transfer plasmid DNA essential for genetic engineering to important CoNS pathogens from a uniqueStaphylococcus aureusstrain via a specificS. aureusbacteriophage, Φ187. Even strains refractory to electroporation can be transduced by this technique once donor and recipient strains share similar Φ187 receptor properties. As a proof of principle, this technique was used to delete the alternative transcription factor sigma B (SigB) via allelic replacement in nasal and clinicalStaphylococcus epidermidisisolates at high efficiencies. The described approach will allow the genetic manipulation of a wide range of CoNS pathogens and might inspire research activities to manipulate other important pathogens in a similar fashion.

scholarly journals Use of Proteins Identified through a Functional Genomic Screen To Develop a Protein Subunit Vaccine That Provides Significant Protection against Virulent Streptococcus suis in Pigs

2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan L. Brockmeier ◽  
Crystal L. Loving ◽  
Tracy L. Nicholson ◽  
Jinhong Wang ◽  
Sarah E. Peters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Vaccine Trial ◽  
Streptococcus Suis ◽  
Protein Subunit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Degree Of Protection ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Clinical Protection ◽  
Cellular Immune

ABSTRACT Streptococcus suis is a bacterium that is commonly carried in the respiratory tract and that is also one of the most important invasive pathogens of swine, commonly causing meningitis, arthritis, and septicemia. Due to the existence of many serotypes and a wide range of immune evasion capabilities, efficacious vaccines are not readily available. The selection of S. suis protein candidates for inclusion in a vaccine was accomplished by identifying fitness genes through a functional genomics screen and selecting conserved predicted surface-associated proteins. Five candidate proteins were selected for evaluation in a vaccine trial and administered both intranasally and intramuscularly with one of two different adjuvant formulations. Clinical protection was evaluated by subsequent intranasal challenge with virulent S. suis . While subunit vaccination with the S. suis proteins induced IgG antibodies to each individual protein and a cellular immune response to the pool of proteins and provided substantial protection from challenge with virulent S. suis , the immune response elicited and the degree of protection were dependent on the parenteral adjuvant given. Subunit vaccination induced IgG reactive against different S. suis serotypes, indicating a potential for cross protection.

scholarly journals Applicability of Honey on Silkworms (Bombyx mori) and Quality Improvement of Its Biomaterials

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4613
Author(s):  
Gabriela-Maria Baci ◽  
Alexandra-Antonia Cucu ◽  
Adela Ramona Moise ◽  
Daniel Severus Dezmirean
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Bombyx Mori ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Recombinant Proteins ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Life Sciences ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Medical Field ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Ancient Times

Since ancient times, honey has been considered one of the most illustrious and esteemed natural products. Honey plays two key roles; specifically, it is an appreciated nutritional product, and also exhibits a wide range of beneficial properties for human health as a therapeutic agent. Furthermore, it has been shown that honey has valuable effects on the biological and physiological features of mulberry silkworms (Bombyx mori). Bombyx mori exhibits importance not only for the economy, but it also serves as an important biotechnological bioreactor for the production of recombinant proteins that have a great impact in the medical field and beyond. It also represents an important model organism for life sciences. In view of the fact that silk fibroin serves as a natural biopolymer that displays high biocompatibility with human organisms and due to honey’s various and remarkable properties for human health, the two elements are currently used together in order to develop ideal biomaterials for a wide range of purposes. In this review, by discussing the applicability of honey on Bombyx mori and beyond, the importance of honey for life sciences and related fields is spotlighted.

The role of organizational culture in the knowledge management process

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Ling-hsing Chang ◽  
Tung-Ching Lin
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Individual

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to focus on the enhancement of knowledge management (KM) performance and the relationship between organizational culture and KM process intention of individuals because of the diversity of organizational cultures (which include results-oriented, tightly controlled, job-oriented, closed system and professional-oriented cultures). Knowledge is a primary resource in organizations. If firms are able to effectively manage their knowledge resources, then a wide range of benefits can be reaped such as improved corporate efficiency, effectiveness, innovation and customer service. Design/methodology/approach – The survey methodology, which has the ability to enhance generalization of results (Dooley, 2001), was used to collect the data utilized in the testing of the research hypotheses. Findings – Results- and job-oriented cultures have positive effects on employee intention in the KM process (creation, storage, transfer and application), whereas a tightly controlled culture has negative effects. Research limitations/implications – However, it would have been better to use a longitudinal study to collect useful long-term data to understand how the KM process would be influenced when organizational culture dimensions are changed through/by management. This is the first limitation of this study. According to Mason and Pauleen (2003), KM culture is a powerful predictor of individual knowledge-sharing behavior, which is not included in this study. Thus, this is the second limitation of this paper. Moreover, national culture could be an important issue in the KM process (Jacks et al., 2012), which is the third limitation of this paper for not comprising it. Practical implications – In researchers’ point of view, results- and job-oriented cultures have positive effects, whereas a tightly controlled culture has a negative effect on the KM process intention of the individual. These findings provide evidences that challenge the perspective of Kayworth and Leidner (2003) on this issue. As for practitioners, management has a direction to modify their organizational culture to improve the performance of KM process. Social implications – Both behavioral and value perspectives of the organizational cultural dimensions (results-oriented, tightly control, job-oriented, sociability, solidarity, need for achievement and democracy) should be examined to ascertain their effects firstly on KM culture and then on the KM process intention of the individual. It is hoped that the current study will spawn future investigations that lead to the development of an integrated model which includes organizational culture, KM culture and the KM process intention of the individual. Originality/value – The results-oriented, loosely controlled and job-oriented cultures will improve the effectiveness of the KM process and will also increase employees’ satisfaction and willingness to stay with the organization.

From digital citizen to digital professional

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1463-1477
Author(s):  
Olga Marino ◽  
Jaime Andres Gutierrez ◽  
Sandra Aguirre
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Global Issues ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Teaching Learning

Purpose This paper aims to propose and evaluate a pedagogically sound and innovative strategy to teach a higher education course that prepares future professionals to intelligently use information and communication technologies (ICTs) in their personal and professional lives. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual framework used for the design of the course was the socio-constructivism and activity theories. The implementation of the course was evaluated using the intrinsic case study methodology by including several instruments. Findings The pedagogical strategy proposed proved to be sound, as the evaluation showed that students were able to describe, use and propose innovative uses of a wide range of cutting-edge technologies in their both everyday lives and professional settings; they also had the skills to analyse the opportunities and challenges that these presented. Moreover, students liked this innovative way of learning and ended with a positive attitude towards ICT. Originality/value Although several courses prepare students to be digital citizens or use ICT to enhance the teaching-learning process, millennials are ill prepared to use cutting-edge technologies in an innovative, responsible and critical way in their future professions. The course that was designed is original in that it goes beyond preparing digital citizens to prepare professionals in any domain to use ICT in an informed and responsible way. Moreover, it is a documented, successful example of an undergraduate universal course in a highly important current society dimension. The authors believe that its pedagogical proposal could be transferred to courses dealing with other global issues such as the environment, economy and peace.

Incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics for MHD double-diffusive natural convection of a nanofluid in a cavity containing an oscillating pipe

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 882-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelraheem M. Aly
Keyword(s):  
Natural Convection ◽  
Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics ◽  
Cavity Wall ◽  
Lagrangian Description ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Particle Hydrodynamics ◽  
Smoothed Particle ◽  
Incompressible Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics ◽  
Double Diffusive

Purpose This paper aims to adopt incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (ISPH) method to simulate MHD double-diffusive natural convection in a cavity containing an oscillating pipe and filled with nanofluid. Design/methodology/approach The Lagrangian description of the governing partial differential equations are solved numerically using improved ISPH method. The inner oscillating pipe is divided into two different pipes as an open and a closed pipe. The sidewalls of the cavity are cooled with a lower concentration C_c and the horizontal walls are adiabatic. The inner pipe is heated with higher concentration C_h. The analysis has been conducted for the two different cases of inner oscillating pipes under the effects of wide range of governing parameters. Findings It is found that a suitable oscillating pipe makes a well convective transport inside a cavity. Presence of the oscillating pipe has effects on the heat and mass transfer and fluid intensity inside a cavity. Hartman parameter suppresses the velocity and weakens the maximum values of the stream function. An increase on Hartman, Lewis and solid volume fraction parameters leads to an increase on average Nusselt number on an oscillating pipe and left cavity wall. Average Sherwood number on an oscillating pipe and left cavity wall decreases as Hartman parameter increases. Originality/value The main objective of this work is to study the MHD double-diffusive natural convection of a nanofluid in a square cavity containing an oscillating pipe using improved ISPH method.

Risk perception and awareness of earthquake: the case of Dhaka

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Lutfur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Earthquake Preparedness ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Seismic Risk Perception ◽  
The Many ◽  
And Behavior

Purpose Among the many studies about risk perception, only a few deal with Bangladesh. Paul and Bhuiyan’s (2010) study has shown the earthquake-preparedness level of residents of Dhaka, but there are some biases in the data collection. This paper aims to examine the seismic-risk perception and the level of knowledge on earthquake and preparedness among the residents of Dhaka. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed, and data collection was undertaken through home and sidewalk surveys. This paper investigates how attitude, perception and behavior differ depending on gender, age, education and casualty awareness. This research tries to examine and make a comparison of the risk perception and preparedness level between different groups of gender, age and level of education. Findings This research shows that female respondents have a much better risk perception of and are better prepared for earthquakes than male respondents; younger people have a higher knowledge about earthquake preparedness than older people and less-educated people are at a higher risk of unpreparedness than more-educated people. Research limitations/implications This research is only limited to the Dhaka Division. Originality/value This paper concludes by noting that public awareness on seismic-risk perception and mitigation is poor, and their knowledge on basic theory and emergency response must be improved.

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