title: Osmotic Dehydration of New Zealand Chestnuts with and without Shell and Pellicle

authors: Pontawe, Reagan Jazmin

abstract: Osmotic dehydration offers an alternative to air-drying for reducing moisture content at ambient temperature. Of four different solutes investigated, 22% (mass basis) sodium chloride (NaCl) and 60% (mass basis) sucrose solutions were the most successful, with each achieving approximately a 10% reduction in wet basis moisture content after 8 h without significant detrimental side effects, although NaCl solutions cause noticeable darkening in the pits on the surface of the chestnuts. The presence of the shell and pellicle did not significantly affect the dehydration rate. Osmotic dehydration by NaCl or sucrose prior to mechanical shell removal produced a small increase in efficiency of the shell removal process.

text: Osmotic Dehydration of New Zealand Chestnuts with and without Shell and Pellicle Osmotic dehydration offers an alternative to air-drying for reducing moisture content at ambient temperature. Of four different solutes investigated, 22% (mass basis) sodium chloride (NaCl) and 60% (mass basis) sucrose solutions were the most successful, with each achieving approximately a 10% reduction in wet basis moisture content after 8 h without significant detrimental side effects, although NaCl solutions cause noticeable darkening in the pits on the surface of the chestnuts. The presence of the shell and pellicle did not significantly affect the dehydration rate. Osmotic dehydration by NaCl or sucrose prior to mechanical shell removal produced a small increase in efficiency of the shell removal process.

year: 2016-01-01

title: Voluntary Disclosure of Listed Chinese Companies~2008-2012: An Empirical Study

authors: Qin, Tao

subjects: Voluntary Disclosure

abstract: The Chinese stock exchanges are an integral part of Chinese and global economy having a combined market capitalization of 3697 billion USD at end of year 2012.  Due to their size and economic impact it is important that they maintain growth and stability.  Writers have maintained that voluntary corporate disclosure can help to achieve growth and stability thus the aim of this research is to examine recent Chinese listed companies’ voluntary disclosure practice. 

The purpose of this study is to investigate voluntary disclosure level of top 50 listed Chinese companies on Shanghai Stock Exchange during 2008-2012 period.

This study primarily utilizes a quantitative approach.  The author constructs a Voluntary Disclosure Index (VDI) based on legislative/regulatory consideration, investor demand, investor sophistication and previous studies.  This VDI score is then used to measure companies’ voluntary disclosure level.

The results of this study indicate that the overall voluntary disclosure level did not increase during 2008-2012, rather it dropped.  Some interesting findings about disclosure level and individual disclosure item scores in certain disclosure categories stood out; for example, nearly all companies detached their CSR report or sustainability report from their annual reports in 2010, resulted a sharp decline in voluntary disclosure level in certain related disclosure category.  Further there was little employment information disclosed particularly of note are the areas of minority and gender, and little forward looking corporate focused financial information as opposed to general economic expectations was disclosed. 

By using more recent data and considering the changes in China’s corporate disclosure regulation system in recent years, this study addresses certain gaps from previous Chinese studies.  This study also explores some regulatory loopholes in China’s disclosure regulation system and certain insufficiencies in investors’ education, thus this study can be of value to policy makers.  Overall it is hoped that this study can lead to greater engagement between Chinese corporations and investors particularly in the area of voluntary disclosure.

text: Voluntary Disclosure of Listed Chinese Companies~2008-2012: An Empirical Study The Chinese stock exchanges are an integral part of Chinese and global economy having a combined market capitalization of 3697 billion USD at end of year 2012.  Due to their size and economic impact it is important that they maintain growth and stability.  Writers have maintained that voluntary corporate disclosure can help to achieve growth and stability thus the aim of this research is to examine recent Chinese listed companies’ voluntary disclosure practice. 

The purpose of this study is to investigate voluntary disclosure level of top 50 listed Chinese companies on Shanghai Stock Exchange during 2008-2012 period.

This study primarily utilizes a quantitative approach.  The author constructs a Voluntary Disclosure Index (VDI) based on legislative/regulatory consideration, investor demand, investor sophistication and previous studies.  This VDI score is then used to measure companies’ voluntary disclosure level.

The results of this study indicate that the overall voluntary disclosure level did not increase during 2008-2012, rather it dropped.  Some interesting findings about disclosure level and individual disclosure item scores in certain disclosure categories stood out; for example, nearly all companies detached their CSR report or sustainability report from their annual reports in 2010, resulted a sharp decline in voluntary disclosure level in certain related disclosure category.  Further there was little employment information disclosed particularly of note are the areas of minority and gender, and little forward looking corporate focused financial information as opposed to general economic expectations was disclosed. 

By using more recent data and considering the changes in China’s corporate disclosure regulation system in recent years, this study addresses certain gaps from previous Chinese studies.  This study also explores some regulatory loopholes in China’s disclosure regulation system and certain insufficiencies in investors’ education, thus this study can be of value to policy makers.  Overall it is hoped that this study can lead to greater engagement between Chinese corporations and investors particularly in the area of voluntary disclosure.

year: 2014

title: Lessons for teachers through intergenerational Māori experiences in Aotearoa’s education system

authors: Virtue, Katie

abstract: The intention of this research is to serve as professional development for myself and fellow teachers who work with tamariki Māori (Māori children) within mainstream education contexts in Aotearoa. This research explores historical factors that have contributed to the academic disparities of Māori including colonisation, the doctrine of discovery and contention over the differing versions of the Treaty of Waitangi. This research then shifts from holding the coloniser at the centre of the narrative to positioning Māori at the centre as exemplary examples of relentless Māori resistance. More contemporary examples of educational policies are then presented and analysed as an attempt to better understand these contexts.
What is blatantly clear through the exploration of educational policies throughout Aotearoa’s post-colonial history is the absence of Māori voice. For this reason, the findings of this thesis are centred on the voices of four wāhine Māori (Māori Women), across three generations, and their experiences with different teachers through Aotearoa’s education system.  
These stories provide invaluable lessons for all educators in Aotearoa.

text: Lessons for teachers through intergenerational Māori experiences in Aotearoa’s education system The intention of this research is to serve as professional development for myself and fellow teachers who work with tamariki Māori (Māori children) within mainstream education contexts in Aotearoa. This research explores historical factors that have contributed to the academic disparities of Māori including colonisation, the doctrine of discovery and contention over the differing versions of the Treaty of Waitangi. This research then shifts from holding the coloniser at the centre of the narrative to positioning Māori at the centre as exemplary examples of relentless Māori resistance. More contemporary examples of educational policies are then presented and analysed as an attempt to better understand these contexts.
What is blatantly clear through the exploration of educational policies throughout Aotearoa’s post-colonial history is the absence of Māori voice. For this reason, the findings of this thesis are centred on the voices of four wāhine Māori (Māori Women), across three generations, and their experiences with different teachers through Aotearoa’s education system.  
These stories provide invaluable lessons for all educators in Aotearoa.

year: 2021