Environmental management best practices: towards social innovation

This research investigates exploratory environmental initiatives in tourism companies in Mallorca over five years, with special consideration to those involving partnerships and synergies with other parties (including academic ones), in an exploration of Social Innovation (SI) approaches in the industry. The paper starts with an outline of the growing importance of sustainability within the hospitality industry and its inherent relation with SI. The study draws its empirical material from ten innovative practices on sustainability from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and a big hotel chain in Mallorca. The data were collected by means of questionnaires and interviews. All cases incorporated SI features (partnerships, synergies, circular processes, systemic approach), developing, therefore, towards an integrated system of SI policy and practice. The study indicates that embracing environmental principles alongside social and economic concerns can lead to a systemic approach and these commitments can be regarded as a more solid model of sustainability

Fibrous Cellular Structures are Found in a Commercial Fruit Smoothie and Remain Intact during Simulated Digestion

The intactness of cell wall structures in foods has important repercussions for nutrient digestion and availability. In this study, we show the presence of intact cell wall structures in a commercial fruit smoothie (blend of banana, mango, orange and apple) and fruit purée (banana, mango), but not in fruit juices (apple or orange). Small clusters of cells were observed in fresh crushed fruit (banana, mango, and apple), the size of the cluster dependent on the type of fruit. When the smoothie was subjected to simulated gastro-intestinal digestion, cell wall structures were found abundantly even after 16 hrs of agitated incubation with digestive enzymes (protease, amylase and amyloglucosidase). Total dietary fibre (TDF) content of the smoothie was measured using the AOAC (991.43) and integrated fibre (IF) analysis methods. TDF-AOAC value was significantly lower (1.61%) than the TDF-IF (2.22%), but the ratio of insoluble to soluble dietary fibre (IDF: SDF) was consistently 1:3. Disruption of the cell wall structures in the smoothie by high shear homogenisation led to a 68% reduction in viscosity, 30% reduction in TDF content and a 10% increase in SDF. These experiments suggest that cell wall structures similar to those observed in crushed fruit are preserved during commercial smoothie manufacture and are retained during digestion. Their presence may have implications for fibre quantification and fibre functionality in the gut. We discuss the need to consider fibre structure, as well as content, when evaluating the nutritional properties of fruit and their products

Energetic constraints on avian incubation : studies of three passerine species.

Field studies were conducted with "three species of passerine, in order to investigate the possibility that an energetic constraint limits reproduction during incubation. Swallows (Hirundo rustiea), Dippers (Cinelus einelus) and Great Tits (Parus nlajor) were studied at sites in Central Scotland. All three species exhibit gynelateral intermittent incubation, so time and energy must be allocated between the conflicting demands of reproduction and selfmaintenance. An assessment of incubation ability in the Swallow was conducted by the manipulation of clutch size during incubation. There was evidence of a clutch size dependent cost, as the duration of the incubation period was prolonged for enlarged (15.6d) compared to reduced (14.8d) clutches. The proportion of eggs hatching successfully was also lower in enlarged (81 %) than in reduced (92%) clutches, though enlarged clutches still produced the greatest number of hatched young. Clutch manipulation did not influence patterns of nest attendance, or female body condition. No effects of incubation effort were detected posthatch on either parents or offspring. The effects of clutch size on field metabolism during incubation were investigated in the Dipper. Clutch size was manipulated and energy use measured by means of the doubly labelled water technique. The results were combined with previous data collected for incubating Dippers. The field metabolic rate of 33 incubating females averaged 5.41 ± 1.34 cm3 CO2 g-l h-1 , equivalent to a daily energy expenditure of 211.52" ± 51.25kJ ind-1 d-1 , e.3 times the basal metabolic rate. Clutch enlargement resulted in an increase in energy use to 4-6 times basal metabolism for some birds," but not for others. While the mean energy use did not differ between groups, the variation amongst birds was significantly greater for enlarged than control clutches. Energy use was also influenced by river flow rates, the duration of incubation sessions and behaviour during incubation recesses. Manipulation of the energy budget of incubating Great Tits was achieved by the reduction of thermoregulatory demands. Treated nest boxes were supplied with additional heat during the hours of darkness, resulting in an elevation of nest air temperature of e.4°C above the corresponding temperature for a control group, lasting for a period of 9 hours. This produced an estimated energetic saving of 10kJ per night. Heated birds increased the duration of both the ~period of continuous incubation overnight and of incubation sessions throughout the following day, resulting in an additional 51 minutes per day spent incubating compared to the control group. The metabolic rate of22 incubating Great Tits was 7.79 ± 2.43 cm3 C02 g-1 h- 1 , or 106.4 ± 32.2 kJ ind-1 d- 1 , equivalent to e.3 times basal metabolism. Energy use escalated for control, but not for heated birds at low ambient temperatures. The importance of reserve storage and utilisation, and of provisioning by the mate were evaluated in each species. A combined hypothesis was proposed to account for body condition during incubation, incorporating elements of programmed reserve utilisation, mass adjustment, maintenance of an insurance reserve and reproductive stress. In summary, the study found "evidence of an energetic constraint acting during incubation in these species." Energy use increased in a probabilistic manner with increasing clutch size, such that birds with large clutches increased their risk of being unable to incubate the entire clutch successfully. It was suggested that such a constraint could contribute to the determination of an upper limit for avian clutch size

Influence of the NAO on the northwestern Mediterranean wave climate

RESUMEN. Influencia de la nao en el clima marítimo del Mediterráneo noroccidental. – El presente trabajo estudia las teleconexiones entre la Oscilación del Atlántico Norte (NAO ) y el clima marítimo en el Mediterráneo noroccidental, definido por la media mensual de la altura significante (SWH) y la media mensual de la altura significante correspondiente al percentil 95 (percentil 95 SWH), en el período comprendido entre 1958 y 2001. Los datos analizados corresponden al retroanálisis de 44 años de datos atmosféricos, dentro del marco del proyecto HIPOCAS . Estos datos han sido codificados en forma de EOF s para obtener la variabilidad espacio-temporal asociada a la NAO . Los datos utilizados han sido previamente blanqueados para evitar correlaciones ficticias entre las series, mediante el ajuste a un modelo autorregresivo de orden p. Los resultados muestran como el clima marítimo del Mediterráneo noroccidental está influenciado a escala mensual por las distintas fases de la NAO . Cuando la NAO está en su fase positiva, podemos observar anomalías positivas en la altura significante media mensual, así como en la altura de ola correspondiente al percentil 95, estas anomalías aparecen en la zona comprendida entre las Islas Baleares, el Golfo de León y la costa catalana.ABSTRACT. This study examines teleconnections between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO ) and the wave climate of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea (NWM), defined by the monthly mean significant wave height (SWH) and the 95th percentile significant wave height (95th percentile SWH), in the period ranging from 1958 to 2001. The data analyzed comes from the multidecadal hindcast over Europe carried out during the HIPOCAS project. In order to avoid fictitious cross-correlations, data were prewhitened by fitting a p-order autoregressive model. To split the temporal and spatial variability, an EOF encoding technique was applied to residuals before searching for teleconnections. We found the northwestern Mediterranean wave climate to be influenced by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO ) with an instantaneous response. When the NAO is in its positive phase, positive anomalies in the SWH and the 95th percentile SWH appear in the area between the Balearic Islands, the Gulf of Lions and the Catalonian coast

Growth Region Impacts Cell Wall Properties and Hard-to-Cook Phenotype of Canned Navy Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Cellular mechanisms underpinning the hard-to-cook phenomenon are poorly understood. Navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) from the same cultivar but grown in different regions of North America showed different canning characteristics. Up to 46.4% more force was required to disrupt hard beans (HB) grown in Ontario compared with soft beans (SB) grown in Manitoba. HB absorbed 12.5% and 14.7% less water during blanching and canning, respectively. Microscopic assessment revealed that canning led to swelling of middle lamella and cell walls, but preservation of cell adhesion in both types of beans. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed reduced labelling of methyl-esterified homogalacturonan (HG) and more non-methyl-esterified HG and arabinan epitopes in HB. Compositional analysis indicated that the polysaccharides from HB were less water soluble and enriched in neutral sugars, including 46.5% more arabinose and 51.8% more galactose than in SB. ELISA analysis of polymers in the canning medium supported the increased solubility of cell wall polymers in SB. In the same cultivar, growth region affects cell wall properties with consequences for processing, eating and nutritional quality

Chlamydia trachomatis infection and the risk of perinatal mortality in Hungary

Introduction: Chlamydial infections of the genital tract are thought to often lead to preterm birth, which is the most important perinatal problem in Hungary. Aim of study: A multicenter study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, risk factors for the infection and to relate the infection to perinatal mortality, accounting for potential confounding effects. Methods: The nucleic acid hybridization method (PACE2 Gen-Probe) was applied for the examination of Chlamydia trachomatis. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk. Results: A total of 6156 pregnant women were examined for the occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis. The observed overall rate of chlamydial infection was 5.9%. Young age (less than 24 years old) (OR and 95% CI:1.6 (1.3-2.0)), unmarried status (1.5 (1.2-1.9)) and the high unemployment rate (2.1 (1.6-2.7)) were statistically significant predictors of the infection. In logistic regression analysis, chlamydial infection (1.9 (1.1-3.3)). high unemployment rate (1.5 (1.2-2.2)) and low birth weight (1.7 (1.1-2.7) were significant predictors of perinatal mortality. Conclusions: Testing pregnant women for diseases that can be transmitted perinatally is an important part of obstetric cart. Screening for C. trachomatis of unmarried women under 24 years of age is suggested and need increased observation during labor

Downscaling ECMWF seasonal precipitation forecasts in Europe using the RCA model

6 páginas, 4 figuras.--Licencia Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No comercial 3.0The operational performance and usefulness of regional climate models at seasonal time scales are assessed by downscaling an ensemble of global seasonal forecasts. The Rossby Centre RCA regional model was applied to downscale a five-member ensemble from the ECMWF System3 global model in the European Atlantic domain for the period 1981–2001. One month lead time global and regional precipitation predictions were compared over Europe—and particularly over Spain—focusing the study in SON (autumn) dry events. A robust tercile-based probabilistic validation approach was applied to compare the forecasts from global and regional models, obtaining significant skill in both cases, but over a wider area for the later. Finally, we also analyse the performance of a mixed ensemble combining both forecasts.This work was partly supported by projects ENSEMBLES from the 6th FP EU(GOCE-CT-2003-505539), EXTREMBLES (CGL2010-21869) and CORWES (CGL2010-22158-C02) from the Spanish Ministry MICINN (Plan Nacional de I+D+i) and by ESCENA (200800050084265) from the Spanish Ministry MARM.Peer reviewe