Effect of pulses electric fields technology on phytochemical extraction from radish sprouts

[SPA] Los pulsos eléctricos (PE) son una tecnología emergente muy prometedora, cada vez más empleada en el campo de la industria alimentaria. En este sentido, este tratamiento puede mejorar la extracción de compuestos bioactivos de diferentes matrices alimentarias, mediante el efecto del fenómeno de electroporación. Por otro lado, los brotes de crucíferas como el rábano (Raphanus sativus), son ricos en metabolitos secundarios con un gran interés en la salud humana (glucosinolatos y sus productos de degradación: isotiocianatos, así como compuestos fenólicos). Debido a todo ello, los PE podrían ser una tecnología prometedora para la mejora de la extracción de fitoquímicos como los GLS en brotes de rábano. [ENG] Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) is a promising emerging technology, used in the field of food engineering. This treatment can improve the extraction of bioactive compounds from food matrixes among the effect of the electroporation phenomenon. On the other hand, cruciferous sprouts, such as radish (Raphanus sativus), are rich in secondary metabolites with interest for the human health (glucosinolates and degradation metabolites: isothyocianates, as well as phenolic compounds). Due to all the previously mentioned, pulsed electric fields could be a promising extraction technique for such bioactive compounds from radish sprouts.Este proyecto ha sido posible gracias al programa SUIT4FOOD, perteneciente al proyecto europeo ERASMUS +, y al laboratorio de Ciencia y Tecnología Alimentaria de la Universidad Tecnológica de Atenas

The construction and function of identities in Pro-Anorexia: A discourse analysis

This study examines the impact of pro-anorexia websites on the lived experience of site users. Pro-anorexia (also referred to as ‘pro-ana’, see Davies & Lipsey, 2003) is a relatively new and controversial phenomenon which constitutes a community of like minded individuals meeting in cyberspace to exchange hints and tips on weight loss but primarily to provide support for each other (Giles, 2006). It is thought that they offer a means of constructing positive identities for a marginalised and stigmatised group (Rich, 2006). The current study uses data collected over a five-month period from two pro-ana sites consisting of threads from discussion forums, and examines them using a form of discourse analysis as outlined by Potter and Wetherell (1987). Three interpretative repertoires were identified: ‘Anorexia as a lifestyle choice’, ‘Anorexia as a mental disorder’ and ‘Outsiders as a mistrusted out-group’. The analysis examined how site users engaged with these repertoires in order to construct positive identities. In addition, also suggested that while the use of these repertoires enabled site users to reject the dominant medical discourses of anorexia, they may also serve to constrain the individual as they embrace anorexia as a lifestyle choice. This isolating themselves from friends and family and presenting barriers to recovery. Despite this, it is possible that the re-engagement of the site-user with the medical discourse could offer the individual an opportunity to create an identity, which may permit recovery without losing the support of the community

Gender diversity as a CSR tool and financial performance in China

We utilize stakeholder, critical mass, and upper-echelon theories to investigate the effect of female representation on boards as corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and firm performance of A-share listed companies in China. The indicators used were the proportion of female board members, the average age of female board members, the educational background of female directors, TOBIN Q, asset size, and leverage. We used fixed effects estimates and stationarity, stability, cointegration, and Hausman tests to analyze the data. We find that the proportion of female directors, the average age of female directors, and average educational level of female directors have a significant impact on CSR performance and financial performance, while CSR performance has a significant impact on financial performance. Given that emerging societies and their environments are usually the most susceptible to unethical corporate practices, our findings that female directors have a strategic role in enabling firms to manage their social responsibilities ethically and sustainable practices have important policy implications for regulators and stakeholders

Gender diversity as a CSR tool and financial performance in China

AbstractWe utilize stakeholder, critical mass, and upper-echelon theories to investigate the effect of female representation on boards as corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and firm performance of A-share listed companies in China. The indicators used were the proportion of female board members, the average age of female board members, the educational background of female directors, TOBIN Q, asset size, and leverage. We used fixed effects estimates and stationarity, stability, cointegration, and Hausman tests to analyze the data. We find that the proportion of female directors, the average age of female directors, and average educational level of female directors have a significant impact on CSR performance and financial performance, while CSR performance has a significant impact on financial performance. Given that emerging societies and their environments are usually the most susceptible to unethical corporate practices, our findings that female directors have a strategic role in enabling firms to manage their social responsibilities ethically and sustainable practices have important policy implications for regulators and stakeholders