Chlormequat selective electrodes: construction, evaluation and application at FIA systems

A flow injection analysis (FIA) system having a chlormequat selective electrode is proposed. Several electrodes with poly(vinyl chloride) based membranes were constructed for this purpose. Comparative characterization suggestedthe use of membrane with chlormequat tetraphenylborate and dibutylphthalate. On a single-line FIA set-up, operating with 1x10-2 mol L-1 ionic strength and 6.3 pH, calibration curves presented slopes of 53.6±0.4mV decade-1 within 5.0x10-6 and1.0x10-3 mol L-1, andsquaredcorrelation coefficients >0.9953. The detection limit was 2.2x10-6 mol L-1 and the repeatability equal to ±0.68mV (0.7%). A dual-channel FIA manifold was therefore constructed, enabling automatic attainment of previous ionic strength andpH conditions and thus eliminating sample preparation steps. Slopes of 45.5±0.2mV decade -1 along a concentration range of 8.0x10-6 to 1.0x10-3 mol L-1 with a repeatability ±0.4mV (0.69%) were obtained. Analyses of real samples were performed, and recovery gave results ranging from 96.6 to 101.1%.

Voltammetric quantification of fluoxetine: application to quality control and quality assurance processes

The oxidative behaviour of fluoxetine was studied at a glassy carbon electrode in various buffer systems and at different pH using cyclic, differential pulse and square wave voltammetry. A new square wave voltammetric method suitable for the quality control of fluoxetine in commercial formulations has been developed using a borate pH 9 buffer solution as supporting electrolyte. Under optimized conditions, a linear response was obtained in the range 10 to 16 μM with a detection limit of 1.0 μM. Validation parameters such as sensitivity, precision and accuracy were evaluated. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of fluoxetine in pharmaceutical formulations. The results were statistically compared with those obtained by the reference high-performance liquid chromatographic method. No significant differences were found between the methods.

A case study on the eco-efficiency performance of a composite processing industry: evaluation and quantification of potential improvements

In this study, an attempt was made in order to measure and evaluate the eco-efficiency performance of a pultruded composite processing company. For this purpose the recommendations of World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WCSD) and the directives of ISO 14301 standard were followed and applied. The main general indicators of eco-efficiency, as well as the specific indicators, were defined and determined. With basis on indicators’ figures, the value profile, the environmental profile, and the pertinent eco-efficiency ratios were established and analyzed. In order to evaluate potential improvements on company eco-performance, new indicators values and eco-efficiency ratios were estimated taking into account the implementation of new proceedings and procedures, at both upstream and downstream of the production process, namely: i) Adoption of a new heating system for pultrusion die-tool in the manufacturing process, more effective and with minor heat losses; ii) Recycling approach, with partial waste reuse of scrap material derived from manufacturing, cutting and assembly processes of GFRP profiles. These features lead to significant improvements on the sequent assessed eco-efficiency ratios of the present case study, yielding to a more sustainable product and manufacturing process of pultruded GFRP profiles.

Assessing the eco-efficiency of a composite processing industry: evaluation and quantification of potential improvements’

In this study, an attempt was made in order to measure and evaluate the eco-efficiency performance of a pultruded composite processing company. For this purpose the recommendations of World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WCSD) and the directives of ISO 14301 standard were followed and applied. The main general indicators of eco-efficiency, as well as the specific indicators, were defined and determined. With basis on indicators’ figures, the value profile, the environmental profile, and the pertinent ecoefficiency’s ratios were established and analyzed. In order to evaluate potential improvements on company eco-performance, new indicators values and eco-efficiency ratios were estimated taking into account the implementation of new proceedings and procedures, both in upstream and downstream of the production process, namely: a) Adoption of new heating system for pultrusion die in the manufacturing process, more effective and with minor heat losses; c) Recycling approach, with partial waste reuse of scrap material derived from manufacturing, cutting and assembly processes of GFRP profiles. These features lead to significant improvements on the sequent assessed eco-efficiency ratios of the present case study, yielding to a more sustainable product and manufacturing process of pultruded GFRP profiles.

From quality gurus and TQM to ISO 9001:2015: a review of several quality paths

A revision of several paths for the Quality journey is presented: from Quality Gurus and Total Quality Management (TQM) models to the ISO 9000 International Standards Series. Since ISO 9001:2008 is now in the revision process to the expected ISO 9001:2015 version, an analysis is made of he proposed changes and the underlying reasons and the impacts foreseen on the more than 1.3 Million certified organizations. This revision should be a step towards TQM and reflect the changes of an increasingly complex, demanding and dynamic environment, while assuring that complying organizations are able to provide conformity products and services that satisfy their customers. Major benefits are expected such as less emphasis on documentation and new/reinforced approaches: consideration of Organizational Context and (relevant) Stakeholders, Risk Based thinking and Knowledge Management.

A qualidade no terceiro setor: o caso do Centro de Reabilitação Profissional de Gaia (CRPG)

O presente estudo tem por finalidade analisar o Centro de Reabilitação Profissional de Gaia (CRPG), enquanto associação que exerce a sua missão tendo por base a responsabilidade social. O CRPG foi a primeira associação em Portugal a apresentar a preocupação de demonstrar a qualidade das práticas que exerce, através da Certificação da Excelência dos Serviços Sociais. Esta certificação é efetuada segundo o sistema European Quality in Social Services (EQUASS), o qual permite o reconhecimento, garantia e certificação da qualidade às organizações que atuam no âmbito dos serviços sociais, tais como a reabilitação, a formação profissional, a assistência e cuidados às pessoas em situação de fragilidade social. Salienta-se a este propósito o cariz voluntário para a aquisição deste tipo de certificação, o que comprova, além de outras preocupações, como a garantia da qualidade dos serviços prestado, a conduta socialmente responsável do CRPG.

O controlo interno nas PME’s estudo de caso: impacto no desempenho do setor de compras nas PME’s do concelho de Vila Nova de Famalicão

Dissertação de Mestrado em Auditoria apresentado ao Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para a obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Auditoria, sob Orientação de: Professora Doutora Alcina Augusta de Sena Portugal Dias

Relationship between ISO 9001 certification maturity and EFQM business excellence model results

Purpose: This exploratory research evaluates if there is a relationship between the number of years since an organization has achieved ISO 9001 certification and the highest level of recognition received by the same organization with the EFQM Business Excellence Model. Methodology/Approach: After state of the art review a detailed comparison between both models was made. Fifty two Portuguese organizations were considered and Correlation coefficient Spearman Rho was used to investigate the possible relationships. Findings: Conclusion is that there is indeed a moderate positive correlation between these two variables, the higher the number of years of ISO 9001 certification, the higher the results of the organization EFQM model evaluation and recognition. This supports the assumption that ISO 9001 International Standard by incorporating many of the principles present in the EFQM Business Excellence Model is consistent with this model and can be considered as a step towards that direction. Research Limitation/implication: Due to the dynamic nature of these models that might change over time and the possible time delays between implementation and results, more in-depth studies like experimental design or a longitudinal quasi-experimental design could be used to confirm the results of this investigation. Originality/Value of paper: This research gives additional insights on conjunct studies of both models. The use of external evaluation results carried out by the independent EFQM assessors minimizes the possible bias of previous studies accessing the value of ISO 9001 certification.

The influence of relationship quality and culture in the relations between exporter and distributor : the case of portuguese exports to Angola

The objective of this research is to investigate the role of the relationship quality, cooperation and culture between Portuguese companies and their export market intermediaries in Angola. In particular, we aim to understand the importance that the quality of the relationship has in cooperation and the role of cultures in export activities. An important aspect of this study is precisely the fact that it includes an African country, where, in terms of the literature, there is a strong lack of studies. In terms of methodology we opted for qualitative analysis; we present the results of two case studies of Portuguese exporting companies and one case study of Angolan intermediate. In general, the results are that the business relationships are characterized by trust, commitment, cooperation, culture, similar values, as in the past, Angola belonged to Portugal there is easy communication because both countries share the same. Such factors will influence the trade relations between Portuguese exporters and their Angolan distributors.

Effects of home environment and center-based child care quality on children’s

This study examined the joint effects of home environment and center-based child care quality on children’s language, communication, and early literacy development, while also considering prior developmental level. Participants were 95 children (46 boys), assessed as toddlers (mean age = 26.33 months;Time 1) and preschoolers (mean age = 68.71 months; Time 2) and their families. At both times, children attended center-based child care classrooms in the metropolitan area of Porto, Portugal. Results from hierarchical linear models indicated that home environment and preschool quality, but not center-based toddler child care quality, were associated with children’s language and literacy outcomes at Time 2. Moreover, the quality of preschool classrooms moderated the association between home environment quality and children’s language and early literacy skills – but not communication skills – at Time 2, suggesting the positive cumulative effects of home environment and preschool quality. Findings further support the existence of a detrimental effect of low preschool quality on children’s language and early literacy outcomes: positive associations among home environment quality and children’s developmental outcomes were found to reduce substantially when children attended low-quality preschool classrooms.

Evaluating the quality and the success of online courses

Measuring the quality of a b-learning environment is critical to determine the success of a b-learning course. There are a lot of materials related to the quality process, namely different approaches and perspectives but none of them is specific of the product of a b-learning context. In this paper we identify the indicators that should be analyzed in order to determine the quality of a b-learning course, since its success reflect not only the student’s perception, but also what should be taken into account. B-Learning environments are relatively new and combine educational characteristics with technological elements that support the learning process and the training delivery. Our main objective is to know what a high quality b-learning environment is in students’’ perception and what are the main quality dimensions of these courses, in the perspective of the products and services offered. After a literature review concerning the quality process and in particular the b-learning quality field, a structure that provides the main elements that should be evaluated by students when we are measuring the quality and the success of b-learning product/services was created. The structure obtained was applied to a case study of the Polytechnic Institute of Oporto. Results presented will help institutions to deliver services with more quality and improve their long-term competitiveness.

Processo de transição do sistema de acreditação para o sistema de certificação de entidades formadoras, segundo o referencial normativo da DGERT: o caso da Iconefile, Formação & Consultoria Lda.

Trabalho de Projeto

Characterisation of noisy speech channels in 2G and 3G mobile networks

As the wireless cellular market reaches competitive levels never seen before, network operators need to focus on maintaining Quality of Service (QoS) a main priority if they wish to attract new subscribers while keeping existing customers satisfied. Speech Quality as perceived by the end user is one major example of a characteristic in constant need of maintenance and improvement. It is in this topic that this Master Thesis project fits in. Making use of an intrusive method of speech quality evaluation, as a means to further study and characterize the performance of speech codecs in second-generation (2G) and third-generation (3G) technologies. Trying to find further correlation between codecs with similar bit rates, along with the exploration of certain transmission parameters which may aid in the assessment of speech quality. Due to some limitations concerning the audio analyzer equipment that was to be employed, a different system for recording the test samples was sought out. Although the new designed system is not standard, after extensive testing and optimization of the system's parameters, final results were found reliable and satisfactory. Tests include a set of high and low bit rate codecs for both 2G and 3G, where values were compared and analysed, leading to the outcome that 3G speech codecs perform better, under the approximately same conditions, when compared with 2G. Reinforcing the idea that 3G is, with no doubt, the best choice if the costumer looks for the best possible listening speech quality. Regarding the transmission parameters chosen for the experiment, the Receiver Quality (RxQual) and Received Energy per Chip to the Power Density Ratio (Ec/N0), these were subject to speech quality correlation tests. Final results of RxQual were compared to those of prior studies from different researchers and, are considered to be of important relevance. Leading to the confirmation of RxQual as a reliable indicator of speech quality. As for Ec/N0, it is not possible to state it as a speech quality indicator however, it shows clear thresholds for which the MOS values decrease significantly. The studied transmission parameters show that they can be used not only for network management purposes but, at the same time, give an expected idea to the communications engineer (or technician) of the end-to-end speech quality consequences. With the conclusion of the work new ideas for future studies come to mind. Considering that the fourth-generation (4G) cellular technologies are now beginning to take an important place in the global market, as the first all-IP network structure, it seems of great relevance that 4G speech quality should be subject of evaluation. Comparing it to 3G, not only in narrowband but also adding wideband scenarios with the most recent standard objective method of speech quality assessment, POLQA. Also, new data found on Ec/N0 tests, justifies further research studies with the intention of validating the assumptions made in this work.

Avaliação da qualidade do ensino superior na perspetiva dos estudantes: comparação entre uma IES certificada pela ISO 9001 e uma não certificada

Dissertação de Mestrado em Gestão Integrada da Qualidade, Ambiente e Segurança

Condicionamento acústico e certificação energética de edifícios

O presente relatório desenvolvido no âmbito do estágio curricular realizado na empresa – ASL & Associados, com duração de seis meses, tem como objetivo a elaboração e desenvolvimento de estudos acústicos de edifícios e elaboração de certificados energéticos de edifícios existentes. Inicialmente, será feita uma descrição da empresa acolhedora expondo a sua missão, valores e o portfólio abarcando projetos e revisão de projetos, certificação energética, ensaios acústicos, gestão e fiscalização de empreendimentos. As atividades desenvolvidas no estágio englobam a certificação energética de edifícios existentes aplicando a nova regulamentação térmica (REH), apresentando as simplificações de cálculo aplicadas a edifícios existentes e dois exemplos específicos de uma fração autónoma e um edifício unifamiliar. No campo da acústica foram estudados três edifícios, um habitacional, um misto e um de serviços. Para o condicionamento acústico dos casos de estudo serão aplicados métodos de cálculo utilizados na empresa e um método de cálculo para avaliação e classificação da qualidade acústica, o qual foi desenvolvido pelo Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil – LNEC. Por fim, foram elaborados as ponderações sobre a experiência vivida, como considerações sobre os resultados obtidos tendo em conta os objetivos propostos para o desenvolvimento do estágio.