Search results for "added value"

Novel Food Processing and Extraction Technologies of High-Added Value Compounds from Plant Materials

2018

Some functional foods contain biologically active compounds (BAC) that can be derived from various biological sources (fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, wastes, and by-products). Global food markets demand foods from plant materials that are “safe”, “fresh”, “natural”, and with “nutritional value” while processed in sustainable ways. Functional foods commonly incorporate some plant extract(s) rich with BACs produced by conventional extraction. This approach implies negative thermal influences on extraction yield and quality with a large expenditure of organic solvents and energy. On the other hand, sustainable extractions, such as microwav…

Solar heterogeneous photocatalysis for high added value molecules production

Communication quality and added value: a measurement instrument for municipalities

2009

PurposeThis study aims to achieve a better understanding of communication quality and how it can be measured in the municipal context. A previously developed instrument for measuring communication in municipalities is tested and evaluated.Design/methodology/approachThe instrument draws on the balanced scorecard of Kaplan and Norton and quality control procedures as utilised by the European Foundation of Quality Measurement (EFQM). For municipalities, communication quality can be defined as the degree to which communication contributes towards the effectiveness of municipal policy and how it strengthens the relationship between citizens and municipal organisations. Three communication functi…

Clarifying Skills and Competencies in Organisational Decision Making – Perceptions of Finnish Communication Professionals

2017

This paper seeks to better understand the skills and competencies that Public Relations (PR) professionals use in contributing to organisational decision-making processes. The data were collected by interviewing Finnish professionals using thematic semi-structured interviews. Overall, the results highlight a deep understanding of organisation management and decision-making processes. The most important competencies were business understanding and target group oriented thinking. The findings indicate that important skills are related to writing and social media. ‘Regarding personal attributes, interaction and tolerance to criticism were acknowledged as most crucial. The conclusions suggest t…

Heterogeneous photocatalytic aqueous succinic acid formation from maleic acid reduction

2022

This study reports the anaerobic reduction of maleic acid to succinic acid in aqueous dispersion of different TiO2 based photocatalysts. Some home prepared and commercial solids containing different polymorphic phases of TiO2 and loaded with Pt and Ru were compared at different acidic pHs. The aim of the work was to verify the feasibility of the process and to determine the best samples and the optimal experimental conditions of the reaction. The best selectivity towards succinic acid was 23.2 % at 70 % of maleic acid conversion. Fumaric acid was also formed as another high added value compound, and its quantity was related to the experimental conditions and the photocatalyst used.

Legumes in 21st century Europe: present and future importance in agri-food systems? New challenges for reseach.

2013

Intensification of agriculture since 1950 has globally led to the decline of grain legume crops, which currently represent less than 3 % of arable crops in France and Europe. Nevertheless, legumes have several major assets (i) as plant proteins for animal feed and human food and (ii) as plants fixing atmospheric N2 and thereby saving nitrogen inputs in cropping systems, and (iii) as diversification crops. The analysis of forage and grain legume producing systems in France showed that the dominant system results in a lock-in of the different factors limiting legume insertion into the current systems. But legumes could have a major role to play in the agroecological transition towards more su…

New development opportunities for the craft brewing segment: the case study of a micro-malthouse

2017

In Italy in the past few years, the number of small breweries penetrating the craft beer sector has grown exponentially. Craft producers intend to give a strong added value and a local character to their production in different ways. One of these is the use of malt derived from small batches of local cereals and pseudo cereals. The aim of this study is the assessment of investment profitability, through a cost-benefit analysis (CBA), for a compact and a modular micro-malting plant in Sicily (Southern Italy). The CBA for a micro-malthouse was carried out considering both installation and operating costs. Net present value (NPV), discounted benefit-cost ratio (DBCR) and internal rate of retur…

The Role of Productivity in Increasing Latvian Competitiveness

2018

Productivity is the main key factor for Latvia to increased prosperity, ensuring efficient use of resources. Due to limited availability of resources and the increasing competition in the global markets, it is important for Latvia to support its economic growth through increased productivity.

Open Science now: A systematic literature review for an integrated definition

2018

Abstract Open Science is a disruptive phenomenon that is emerging around the world and especially in Europe. Open Science brings about socio-cultural and technological change, based on openness and connectivity, on how research is designed, performed, captured, and assessed. Several studies show that there is a lack of awareness about what Open Science is, mainly due to the fact that there is no formal definition of Open Science. The purpose of this paper is to build a rigorous, integrated, and up-to-date definition of the Open Science phenomenon through a systematic literature review. The resulting definition “Open Science is transparent and accessible knowledge that is shared and develope…

The Implementation of Dual VET in Spain: An Empirical Analysis

2019

This paper provides a brief overview of how Dual VET was implemented in the Spanish VET system. Dual VET was first regulated in Spain by the end of 2012 with the aim to replace the existing work experience module (FCT) within formal VET. However, companies have hardly contributed to its development, and the educational administrations that mandated it did not support its anchorage in the economy, while forcing VET schools and teachers to introduce it. This has resulted in an example of how not to implement educational reforms. We will use our own empirical research as well as secondary analysis of empirical studies to analyze the views of VET teachers on the whole process and the added valu…