Reasons for technology-based companies contemplated by the first company program to seek ISO 9001:2008 certification

The search for implementation of Quality Management Systems aims to continuously improve their results. Thus, for the services and/or products offered to convey trust and credibility, they must be designed within appropriate norms and standards. In this sense, this study seeks to assess the reasons that induce incubated technology-based companies to seek adequacy of their quality management system to the NBR ISO 9001:2008 standard. Through an exploratory survey in twenty-six incubated technology-based companies, a twelve-question questionnaire proposed by Bhuiyan and Alam (2005) was applied. After analyzing the data, it is concluded that the reasons for adequacy of QMS to the NBR ISO 9001:2008 standard are: competitive advantage over competitors; consultant´s approach for implementation; improvement in product quality; and government funding for ISO 9001 certification.  It is found that the consultant´s approach stands out as a strong reason for seeking the adequacy of QMS to the NBR ISO 9001 standard

Preservation of refrigerated sperm of the mutton snapper with diluents and modified atmosphere

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes diluentes, em atmosfera normal e modificada, na preservação de sêmen refrigerado da cioba – Lutjanus analis. Amostras de sêmen de 30 peixes foram avaliadas quanto à taxa de motilidade, duração da motilidade, concentração espermática e espermatócrito. Para a refrigeração a 4ºC, três diferentes diluentes, com distintas composições iônicas e valores de pH distintos, foram testados em atmosfera normal e atmosfera modificada (100% oxigênio). Posteriormente, um teste de fertilização foi realizado para avaliar a viabilidade do sêmen refrigerado. No experimento de refrigeração, a taxa de motilidade e a duração da motilidade foram adequadas, durante 72 horas, para os diluentes A (48±7%;190±26 s) e B (41±4%; 160±22 s) em atmosfera normal. Na atmosfera modificada, a qualidade do sêmen caiu drasticamente durante as primeiras 24 horas, independentemente do diluente utilizado, e não houve vantagem em sua utilização. A taxa de fertilização com sêmen refrigerado por 24 horas, tratado com diluente A, não diferiu daquela com sêmen fresco, e ambas foram superiores à obtida com sêmen refrigerado por 48 horas.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different diluents at normal and modified atmosphere on the preservation of refrigerated sperm of the mutton snapper Lutjanus analis. Sperm samples o  30 fishes were evaluated for motility rate, motility time, sperm concentration and spermatocrit. For the refrigeration at 4ºC, three different diluents with distinct ionic compositions and pH values were tested at normal and at modified atmospheres (100% oxygen). Afterwards, a fertilization test was accomplished to evaluate the viability of the refrigerated sperm. In the refrigeration experiment, the motility rate and the motility time were maintained appropriate for 72 hours for the extender A (48±7%, 190±26 s) and B (41±4%, 160±22 s) at normal atmosphere. At the modified atmosphere, the sperm quality fell drastically during the first 24 hours, independently of the utilized diluent, and there was no advantage in its use. The fertilization rate with refrigerated sperm for 24 hours, treated with the diluent A, was not different from that of fresh sperm, and both were higher than the one obtained with refrigerated sperm for 48 hours

Reasons, benefits and difficulties associated with ISO 9001 certification for sugar and ethanol companies

Purpose: With increasing business competitiveness, companies have sought to adapt their processes and / or products to worldwide established quality standards in order to achieve a greater share of consumers having as favorable aspect the quality assurance of the products and/or services provided. It was observed that companies of different sizes have different challenges regarding the certification however, the degree of difficulty is the same for all of them. The objective of this paper is to verify the reasons for the implementation of ISO 9001, the obstacles encountered during the implementation, the benefits arising from the use of the quality management system and the degree of difficulty to implement this standard. Design/methodology/approach: This work was developed based on a survey involving companies certified with ISO 9001:2008 from the productive sector of sugar, ethanol and derivatives of sugarcane, located in all Brazilian states. Findings: It was observed that companies of different sizes have different challenges regarding the certification however the degree of difficulty is the same for all of them. Originality/value: Thus, we believe that expected results represent a very important contribution to examining the reasons, benefits and difficulties of the ISO 9001 to both, the companies and certification bodies, and to researchers

Reasons and benefits associated with ISO 9001 - Certification for sugar and ethanol companies

With increasing business competitiveness, companies have sought to adapt their processes and / or products to worldwide established quality standards in order to achieve a greater share of consumers having as favorable aspect the quality assurance of the products and/or services provided. It was observed that companies of different sizes have different challenges regarding the certification however, the degree of difficulty is the same for all of them. The objective of this paper is to verify the reasons for the implementation of ISO 9001, the obstacles encountered during the implementation, the benefits arising from the use of the quality management system and the degree of difficulty to implement this standard. This work was developed based on a survey involving companies certified with ISO 9001:2008 from the productive sector of sugar, ethanol and derivatives of sugarcane, located in all Brazilian states. It was observed that companies of different sizes have different challenges regarding the certification however the degree of difficulty is the same for all of them. Thus, we believe that expected results represent a very important contribution to examining the reasons, benefits and difficulties of the ISO 9001 to both, the companies and certification bodies, and to researchers.CAPES Foundation, (Process PE024/2008), the FAPEMIG Foundation (Processes: T EC-PPM-00520/13 and TEC-PPM-000 58-13) and the CNPq (Processes: 2 49160/2013-7, 310660/ 2012-2, 401082/2 014-8 and 478509/2012-

Detection, control, and prevention of photobacteriosis in cobia culture in Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a detecção, o controle e a prevenção de fotobacteriose em cultivo de bijupirá. Essa doença é causada pela bactéria Photobacterium damselae, que, juntamente com outros fatores, pode estar sendo responsável pela estagnação no crescimento da produção nacional de bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum). Essa bactéria é considerada um dos principais patógenos de peixes marinhos cultivados, tendo sido responsável por importantes prejuízos econômicos em diversos países. No Brasil, essa bactéria ainda não recebeu a devida importância, apesar de já ter sido detectada como causadora de mortalidades nos cultivos de bijupirá. Photobacterium damselae possui duas subespécies, piscicida e damselae, que podem ser consideradas ameaças sanitárias, respectivamente, em relação à atividade econômica da piscicultura marinha e em relação à saúde humana. Neste trabalho, são apresentadas algumas estratégias de detecção, controle e prevenção. Enfatiza-se, também, a necessidade de um melhor acompanhamento sanitário nos cultivos de bijupirá e a importância da vacinação contra esse patógeno.The objective of this work was to analyse the detection, control, and prevention of photobacteriosis in cobia culture. This disease is caused by Photobacterium damselae bacterium, which, along with other factors, might be responsible for the stagnation in the development of national cobia (Rachycentron canadum) culture. This bacterium is considered one of the most important pathogens in marine fish culture, and it was responsible for major economic losses in a variety of countries. In Brazil, this bacterium has not yet getten proper attention, even though it was shown to have caused mortality in several cultured cobia fish. Photobacterium damselae has two subspecies, piscicida and damselae, which may be considered sanitary threats both to marine aquaculture economic activities and to human health, respectively. This paper presents some detection, control, and prevention strategies. It also emphasizes the need for a better sanitary control in cobia culture and the importance of vaccination against this pathogen

Evaluation of opening pattern and bone neoformation at median palatal suture area in patients submitted to surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) through cone beam computed tomography

AbstractSurgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) is the treatment of choice to adult patients even with severe transversal maxillary discrepancies. However, the adequate retention period to achieve the bone remodeling, thus assuring treatment stability, is controversial.Objective To evaluate the opening pattern and bone neoformation process at the midpalatal suture in patients submitted to surgically assisted (SARME) through cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Material and Methods Fourteen patients were submitted to SARME through subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy. Both the opening pattern and the mean bone density at midpalatal suture area to evaluate bone formation were assessed pre- and post-operatively (15, 60 and 180 days) through CBCT.Results Type I opening pattern (from anterior to posterior nasal spine) occurred in 12 subjects while type II opening pattern (from anterior nasal spine to transverse palatine suture) occurred in 2 individuals. The 180-day postoperative mean (PO 180) of bone density value was 49.9% of the preoperative mean (Pre) value.Conclusions The opening pattern of midpalatal suture is more related to patients’ age (23.9 years in type I and 33.5 years in type II) and surgical technique. It was not possible to observe complete bone formation at midpalatal suture area at the ending of the retention period studied (180 days)

Desempenho do robalo-flecha submetido a diferentes frequências e taxas de alimentação em alimentadores automáticos

The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth performance of common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) subjected to different feeding rates and frequencies using automatic feeders. Two experiments of 60 days each were carried out. In the first one, 20 fishes per tank were distributed in three feeding rates of: 5, 10, and 15% body weight per day. In the second experiment, 20 fishes per tank were distributed in nine tanks, in three feeding frequency: once a day, three times a day, and six times a day. Water parameters were maintained at the recommended level for the species. Final weight, body weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed conversion rate did not differ significantly between the 10 and 15% feeding rates. However, both rates differed from the 5% one. The feeding frequency of six times a day resulted in better values for final weight, final biomass, body weight gain, and specific growth rate. Therefore, common snook fingerlings should be fed at the feeding rate of 10% body weight per day, six times a day, in order to achieve the best growth performance.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho do robalo-flecha (Centropomus undecimalis) submetido a diferentes taxas e frequências alimentares com o uso de alimentadores automáticos. Dois experimentos, com duração de 60 dias cada um, foram realizados. No primeiro, 20 peixes por tanque foram distribuídos em três taxas alimentares de: 5, 10 e 15% de peso vivo por dia. No segundo experimento, 20 peixes por tanque foram distribuídos em nove tanques e em três frequências alimentares de: uma vez, três vezes e seis vezes ao dia. Os parâmetros de qualidade da água foram mantidos dentro da faixa recomendada para a espécie. A massa final, o ganho de peso diário, a taxa de crescimento específico e a conversão alimentar não diferiram entre as taxas de alimentação de 10 e 15%. Entretanto, ambas as taxas diferiram da de 5%. A frequência de seis vezes ao dia resultou em maiores valores de massa final, biomassa final, taxa de crescimento específico e ganho de peso diário. Portanto, formas jovens de robalo-flecha devem ser alimentadas à taxa de 10% do peso vivo por dia, com frequência alimentar de seis vezes ao dia, para alcançar o melhor desempenho quanto à taxa de crescimento

Crescimento compensatório e privação alimentar no desempenho produtivo do robalo‑flecha

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of food deprivation and the occurrence of compensatory growth on the performance of common snook fingerlings (Centropomus undecimalis). The experiment lasted for 60 days, when fish – 35 individuals per tank – were divided into three groups of treatments, as follows: daily feeding (control); feeding for five days a week, followed by two days of fast; and feeding for four days a week, followed by three days of fast. The treatments of alimentary restriction provided performance indicators significantly inferior to those of the control. Common snook fingerlings should not be subjected to food restriction because of the damages that this practice entails to productive performance.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da privação alimentar e a ocorrência de crescimento compensatório sobre o desempenho produtivo de formas jovens do robalo‑flecha (Centropomus undecimalis). O experimento teve duração de 60 dias, em que os peixes – 35 indivíduos por tanque – foram divididos nos três seguintes grupos de tratamentos: com alimentação todos os dias (controle); com alimentação cinco dias por semana, seguidos de dois dias de jejum; e com alimentação quatro dias por semana, seguidos de três dias de jejum. Os tratamentos de privação alimentar proporcionaram indicadores de desempenho significativamente inferiores aos do controle. Formas jovens da espécie não devem ser submetidas a períodos de privação alimentar, pelos prejuízos que esta prática acarreta ao desempenho produtivo