External quality measurements reveal internal processes

With the present developments in CA technology it becomes possible to fine tune the storage conditions to the specific needs of the product. This generates the need to know the exact quality conditions of the product before storage starts. By measuring the initial quality we can determine these conditions optimally. At present the most likely candidates to assess the initial quality with fast and non-destructive measurements are colour, chlorophyll fluorescence, and maybe NIR spectroscopy. Two examples are presented where initial colour measurements on all products in a batch can be shown to be indicative for the keeping quality of that batch. The first example focuses on how initial colour measurements using a 3CCD video camera can be utilised to predict the keeping quality of a batch of cucumbers where colour itself is regarded as the most important quality attribute. The second example focuses on how colour measurements can be used to predict the keeping quality of a batch of strawberries where the ability to suppress a Botrytis cinerea infection is the most important quality attribute. Furthermore, attention is given to the use of modulated chlorophyll fluorescence imaging as a possible initial quality indicator for rose leafy stem cuttings. The level of inhomogeneity in the quantum yield of photochmistry od PSII of leaves of rose cuttings may be an indictor of the capability of the cutting to recover from severance, and to form roots and generate regrowt

On quasi-Jacobi and Jacobi-quasi bialgebroids

We study quasi-Jacobi and Jacobi-quasi bialgebroids and their relationships with twisted Jacobi and quasi Jacobi manifolds. We show that we can construct quasi-Lie bialgebroids from quasi-Jacobi bialgebroids, and conversely, and also that the structures induced on their base manifolds are related via a quasi Poissonization

Assessing a customer complaint indicator: a case study in the automotive sector

Introduction - Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are used in many organizations to facilitate decisions and actions. A KPI life cycle is composed of four phases: design, implementation, use, and review. In the review phase, indicators may eventually be deleted, included, or replaced. The literature lacks analyses of the real improvement caused by the implementation and use of revised KPIs. Purpose - This paper presents a real case of a reviewed KPI that was implemented in a leading company in the automotive electronics industry. Methodology - The Methodology adopted was the Case Study. Findings - The KPI that went through the review is related to customer complaints. Despite having overcome the limitation that triggered its creation, new shortcomings were perceived by management during the use phase. Three situations are presented to exemplify the limitations of previous and current indicators, concluding that the most critical drawback is present in both: the lack of a clear purpose. Therefore, assuming certain purposes, suggestions for improvement are proposed.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020

Uma tipografia de base elíptica e outros cruzamentos do design com a geometria das curvas cónicas

Através de alguns exemplos práticos, pretende-se defender que o conhecimento geométrico e, em particular, o conhecimento das curvas cónicas e suas aplicações, pode potenciar o trabalho projetual dos designers, diminuir os custos de hardware e software no ensino e no trabalho profissional, diminuir a necessidade de recurso a meios sofisticados e caros, reduzir a necessidade de permanente atualização dos meios tecnológicos, e de utilização de software que implique formação especializada e, sobretudo, que necessite de longos períodos de formação. Temos em vista contribuir para o reconhecimento da importância do estudo destas curvas e das superfícies por elas geradas, em especial no ensino da Geometria em cursos de Design. De facto, a partir da sistematização do conhecimento existente em outras áreas, como, por exemplo, a arquitetura e as engenharias, pelo aprofundamento da adaptação de propriedades das cónicas e de conhecimentos de áreas, como a geometria analítica ou a projetiva para a linguagem dos traçados geométricos, e pela contribuição com a sugestão de novos traçados, pode desenvolver-se a capacidade dos designers e estudantes de design resolverem problemas, no âmbito do projeto, na representação técnica e na comunicação externa com não peritos

Complexation Study of Alkali Metal Ions by Crown Ether Derivatives in Nonaqueous Solvents by Potentiometric Methods

The formation and stability of alkali metal complexes with crown ethers containing an anthraquinone unit has been investigated in methanol and acetonitrile solutions by potentiometric methods. Complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry were observed for all the studied systems; 2:1 complexes were only detected for the larger alkali cations (Rb+ and Cs+) and with the ligand with the larger macrocyclic cavity (AQ21C7). The 1:1 complexes with the highest stability are formed by K+ ion with the AQ18C6 ligand and by Cs+ ion with the AQ21C7 ligand. In the alkali cation group and in both solvents, the stability of the 1:1 complexes was found to vary in the following order, Li+ Rb+ > Cs+ with AQ18C6 ligand and Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+ with AQ21C7 ligand. The stability of the complexes of AQ21C7 is smaller than those of their AQ18C6 analogues. The stability of the silver complexes of AQ18C6 and AQ21C7 was found to be smaller than that of the alkali metal complexes of comparable size. The incorporation of an anthraquinone unit in crown ethers induces some loss of complexation stability for all cations, but the cation selectivity is not changed. The results obtained are analysed and discussed regarding the effects of the relative sizes of the cations and macrocyclic cavity of the ligands, solvating ability of the solvents towards the cation and influence of the anthraquinone unit

Coexistência de duas espécies exóticas de lagostins (Pacifastacus leniusculus e Procambarus clarkii) na bacia hidrográfica do rio Sabor (NE Portugal)

Em Portugal existia uma única espécie europeia de lagostim de água doce, Austropotamobius pallipes, o lagostim-de-patas-brancas, que se considera actualmente extinta no país. No nordeste de Portugal continental onde anteriormente ocorria esta espécie, os cursos de água estão actualmente a ser colonizados por duas espécies de lagostins norte americanos. Na década de 70, proveniente de Espanha onde foi intencionalmente introduzido, o lagostim-vermelho-da-Luisiana, Procambarus clarkii, colonizou rapidamente os rios do sul de Portugal, propagando-se depois por todas as massas hídricas do país. Em 1994, as autoridades espanholas introduziram uma outra espécie, o lagostim sinal, Pacifastacus leniusculus, na província de Zamora, que foi detectada em Portugal, no rio Maçãs (Bacia do Sabor) três anos depois. A propagação e evolução das populações destas espécies no rio Maçãs têm sido seguidas anualmente desde 2000. P. clarkii, espécie sub-tropical, nunca atingiu neste curso abundâncias muito elevados. Pelo contrário, P. leniusculus, espécie de águas mais frias, apresenta valores mais elevados, cerca de seis vezes superiores aos de P.clarkii. O lagostim sinal encontra-se bem adaptado, continuando a sua expansão neste rio e prevendo-se que venha a colonizar outras massas hídricas adjacentes. A expansão do lagostim vermelho de jusante para montante parece ser menos efectiva, não tendo, desde 2005, sido observado em novos locais deste rio. A coexistência das duas espécies verifica-se actualmente num troço fluvial de cerca de 45 km de extensão, apesar das diferenças notórias ao nível das características dos seus habitats

Dispersal and coexistence of two non-native crayfish species (Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii ) in NE Portugal over a 10-year period

NE Portugal is one of the most isolated and low populated regions of Western Europe. Recently, two American crayfish species reached this area: signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus coming from Spain and red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii in its northward expansion. The dispersion of both species was followed throughout the last decade in river Maçãs (Douro catchment). Our results support the hypothesis of faster downstream colonisation. The mean spread rate of signal crayfish was faster for the downstream expansion, 2.8 km·yr-1, while the upstream rate was 1.7 km·yr-1. Exceptionally, in one period, the rate of spread reached 6.7 km·yr-1, which was apparently caused by downstream washing in extreme conditions of flow. The mean rate of spread is higher than the observed in other studies which may also be related to the low current velocity of late spring and summer that provides favourable conditions for a fast upstream colonisation. Coexistence of signal and red swamp crayfish was detected in a large river sector. Signal crayfish strongly dominates in the upper and intermediate sectors which are the colder part of the river and in the lower sectors, species abundances are not significantly different. Winter temperature in the higher altitude reaches seems to moderate the competitive abilities of P. clarkii

Colonization and dispersal rates of two non-native crayfish species (Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii) in NE Portugal

In Europe, a generalized regression of the native crayfish was observed during the past decades. Simultaneously, several non-native species spread in most countries. In Portugal, the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is now occurring in most inland waters. The NE Portugal is one of the most isolated and low populated regions of Western Europe. Most rivers in these region present low levels of human impact and some are actually pristine. Recently, two American crayfish species reached the area: signal crayfish (Pacfastacus leniusculus) coming from Spain and red swamp crayfish. The isolation and the natural conditions of these rivers make them particularly valuable for the study of crayfish colonization and spreading. The colonization by both species was followed throughout the last decade in the Maçãs river (Douro catchment). Sampling was undertaken every year with baited traps. The average dispersal rate of signal crayfish was approximately 2 km/year, although a great variability among sectors was observed. Coexistence of signal and red swamp crayfish was detected in a large part of the river system. Signal crayfish developed well adapted and persistent populations. The lower abundance of red swamp crayfish is apparently caused by the low winter temperatures

Movement and interaction of two exotic crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii) using PIT telemetry in experimental conditions

The coexistence of two exotic crayfish species (Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus) was observed in a stretch of Rio Maçãs (Douro basin, Northeast of Portugal). The red swamp crayfish, P. clarkii, a sub-tropical species, was first detected in 1979 in Rio Caia (Alentejo) and from there rapidly spread through most freshwater bodies. This species is extremely resistant to severe climatic conditions, living in such contrasting environments as South or Northeast streams of Portugal. The signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus, a cold-water crayfish recently reached Portuguese waters and is now spreading in Rio Maçãs. To characterise movements, activity patterns and interactions of both species an experiment was developed in a confined area using PIT telemetry equipment with a multi-point decoder unit connected to eight circular panel antennae. Data were collected from sympatric tagged populations monitored during several days, to detect interactions between individuals during night and day