Marketing de banana: preferências do consumidor quanto aos atributos de qualidade dos frutos

O Brasil produz aproximadamente seis milhões de toneladas por ano de banana (Musa spp.), com consumo médio da ordem de 35 kg/ habitante / ano. A aceitação da banana deve-se, principalmente, a seus aspectos sensoriais, valor nutricional e conveniência. A identificação das necessidades e desejos dos clientes consiste em uma atividade crítica do marketing. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de pesquisar as preferências do consumidor de um mercado local (município de Cruz das Almas - Estado da Bahia) considerando os atributos de qualidade dos frutos frescos de banana madura. A metodologia utilizada foi a da pesquisa descritiva por método estatístico. Os dados foram coletados por questionário, na forma de entrevista pessoal com 400 pessoas. Os atributos de qualidade (variáveis) questionados e avaliados foram relacionados com a aparência, cor, textura, aroma, sabor e vida útil esperada dos frutos de banana. De acordo com a preferência dos consumidores entrevistados, o fruto de banana maduro ideal deve apresentar características como: penca contendo 10 a 12 dedos (frutos), dedos de tamanho médio ou grande, diâmetro médio, quina presente, ausência de pintas pretas na casca, cor da polpa amarelo-clara ou média, textura firme, aroma e sabor de intensidade média, mediamente doce e vida útil de 7 a 10 dias em condição ambiente. O sabor, vida útil e aparência dos frutos de banana são considerados os mais importantes atributos na escolha ou compra da banana, segundo os consumidores entrevistados.

Efeitos dos parâmetros operacionais na fotodegradação do azo corante direct red 23 na interface dióxido de titânio/água

The decolorization and degradation of direct red 23 azo dye have been investigated in aqueous suspension of titanium dioxide under artificial irradiation. The effects of some operational parameters such as azo dye concentration, catalyst loading, and solution pH were investigated at 30.0 ºC and optimized values were obtained. The first-order kinetic model was used to discuss the results. The UV-Vis spectra changes showed that the azo dye sample, collected after 6 h irradiation, was 98% decolorized while the residual total carbon was 97.9% degraded, indicating simultaneous photodecolorization and degradation.

An easy and direct method for the synthesis of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives through carboxylic acids and hydrazinophthalazine

We have developed an easy method for the synthesis of thirteen compounds derived from 1,2,4-triazoles through a carboxylic acid and hydrazinophthalazine reaction, with a 75-85% yield mediated by the use of agents such as 1-ethyl-3-(3'-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. The operational simplicity of this method and the good yield of products make it valuable for the synthesis of new compounds with pharmacological activity.

A comparison of electrodeposited Ti/β-PbO2 and Ti-Pt/β-PbO2 anodes in the electrochemical degradation of the direct yellow 86 dye

The electrochemical performance of electrodeposited Ti/β-PbO2 and Ti-Pt/β-PbO2 anodes was galvanostatically evaluated (batch mode, 50 mA cm-2) to degrade the Direct Yellow 86 dye (100 or 200 mg L-1 in 0.1 mol L-1 Na2SO4 + 1.5 g L-1 NaCl), investigating the effect of pH and temperature. Similar results were obtained for both electrodes and the best conditions for removal of color and chemical oxygen demand are pH 7 and 40 °C, when 90% decolorization is attained by passing a charge of only ~0.13 A h L-1 and total mineralization is achieved with expenditure of ~5 kW h m-3.

Influence of chloride-mediated oxidation on the electrochemical degradation of the direct black 22 dye using boron-doped diamond and β-PbO2 anodes

The Direct Black 22 dye was electrooxidized at 30 mA cm-2 in a flow cell using a BDD or β-PbO2 anode, varying pH (3, 7, 11), temperature (10, 25, 45 °C), and [NaCl] (0 or 1.5 g L-1). In the presence of NaCl, decolorization rates were similar for all conditions investigated, but much higher than predicted through a theoretical model assuming mass-transport control; similar behavior was observed for COD removal (at pH 7, 25 °C), independently of the anode. With no NaCl, COD removals were also higher than predicted with a theoretical model, which suggests the existence of distinct dye degradation pathways.

DIRECT INFUSION ESI-MS APPLIED IN THE DETECTION OF BYPRODUCTS DUE TO REDUCTIVE DEGRADATION OF ACETAMIPRID BY ZERO-VALENT IRON

This study investigated the reductive degradation of acetamiprid (5 mg L-1) in aqueous medium (at pH 2.0) induced by zero-valent iron (50 mg). The process was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the degradation rate as a function of reaction time, and direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DI-ESI-MS) to search for (and potentially characterize) any possible byproducts formed during degradation. The results obtained via HPLC showed that after 60 min, the degradation of the substrate reached nearly 100% in an acidic medium, whereas the mineralization rate (as determined by total organic carbon measurements) was as low as 3%. Data obtained by DI-ESI-MS showed that byproducts were formed mainly by insertions of hydrogen atoms into the nitrile, imine, and pyridine ring moieties, in addition to the observation of chlorine substitution by hydrogen replacement (hydrodechlorination) reactions.

A direct potentiometric titration study of the dissociation of humic acid with selectively blocked functional groups

A direct potentiometric titration method was applied to commercial and soil humic acids in order to determine their carboxyl and phenol group concentrations and apparent and intrinsic pK. In that context, acid-base properties of humic acids are interpreted by selective blocking of carboxylic and phenolic groups by esterification and acetylation. Differences in underivatized and derivatized HA's acid-base properties are ascribed to carboxyl and phenol groups influence on total humic acidity. Potentiometric data were treated with the modified Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Infra red results, the acidic group contents and the average values of apparent and intrinsic pK for underivatized and derivatized HAs confirmed the selectivity of esterification derivatization method. After blocking of the functional groups, the values of acidic group contents decreased, while the value of apparent pK increased after derivatization. Phenol groups cannot be specifically identified by the acetylation method, due to low selectivity of the acetylation method.

Direct determination of calcium in milk by atomic absorption spectrometry using flow-injection analysis

A flow-injection system with sample and reagent addition by the synchronous merging zones approach for calcium determination in milk by flame AAS is proposed. Main parameters were optimized using a factorial design with central point. The optimum conditions were 2.5% (m/v) for La concentration, 8 mL min-1 for the carrier flow-rate, 20 cm for coiled reactor and 250 ìL for sample volume. Different sample preparation procedures were evaluated such as dilution in water or acid and microwave-assisted decomposition using concentrated or diluted acids. The optimized flow system was applied to determine Ca in eleven commercial milk samples and two standard reference materials diluted in water. Similar calcium levels were encountered comparing the results obtained by the proposed method (dilution in water) with those obtained using microwave-oven digestion. Results obtained in two standard reference materials were in agreement at 95% confidence level with those certified. Recoveries of spiked samples were in the 93% - 116% range. Relative standard deviation (n = 12) was < 5.4% and the sample throughput was 150 measurements per hour, corresponding to a consumption of 250 µL of sample and 6.25 mg La per determination.

Direct and simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of Ni (II) and Co (II) using diethanoldithiocarbamate as complexing agent

A direct spectrophotometric method for simultaneous determination of Co(II) and Ni(II), with diethanoldithiocarbamate (DEDC) as complexing agent, is proposed using the maximum absorption at 360 and 638 nm (Co(II)/DEDC) and 390 nm (Ni/DEDC). Adjusting the best metal/ligand ratio, supporting eletrolite, pH, and time of analysis, linear analytical curves from 1.0 10-6-4.0 10-4 for Co(II) in the presence of Ni 1.0 10-6-1.0 10-4 mol L-1 were observed. No further treatment or calculation processes have been necessary. Recoveries in different mixing ratios were of 99%. Interference of Fe(III), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), and anions as NO3-, Cl-, ClO4-, citrate and phosphate has been evaluated. The method was applied to natural waters spiked with the cations.

Percepções de alunos de medicina sobre marketing médico

INTRODUÇÃO: Marketing médico é um assunto controverso, principalmente no que concerne a princípios éticos. Portanto, frente à competição acirrada de mercado, é necessário o preparo profissional. Conhecer a percepção dos alunos de Medicina pode auxiliar na estruturação de alternativas de capacitação. METODOLOGIA: Inicialmente, identificaram-se crenças sobre marketing médico através de grupo focal composto por 12 alunos. Com base nesses dados, dez afirmações para avaliar atitudes foram aplicadas aos alunos de uma Faculdade de Medicina pública brasileira. RESULTADOS: Observou-se falta de clareza sobre o conceito de marketing, preocupação com princípios éticos e necessidade de marketing no mercado competitivo. Na fase de aplicação, foram obtidas 280 respostas de diversos estágios do curso. Apenas 16,8% admitiram contato com o tema. Houve clareza sobre ética em relação ao paciente, influenciada positivamente pela progressão no curso, mas houve divergência na ética entre profissionais. CONCLUSÕES: Marketing médico é uma área pouco compreendida e relegada ao currículo oculto, sendo influenciada por transposições inadequadas de métodos didáticos destinados à comunicação profissional para a população leiga. Novos métodos de ensino, como a educação tutorial, podem ser uma alternativa para lidar com essas situações.

CLONAL PROPAGATION OF NEEM (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) VIA DIRECT AND INDIRECT IN VITRO REGENERATION

ABSTRACTThe study was conducted with shoot tip explants of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) to identify a viable regenerative process. Shoot tips were obtained from neem embryos cultured alternatingly in DKW medium supplemented with BAP and medium without hormones. Initial shoot development was influenced by cotyledon presence. Basal callus, excised from in vitro stem base, also presented organogenic potential. In some cases, plant lines, obtained from each seed, presented different characteristics. The most common characteristic observed in vitro was callus formation at the stem base. However, the rarest characteristics were stem callus formation and leaf senescence. The regenerated shoot tips were further subculture and rooted on a medium supplemented with IBA so that complete plants could be obtained. The rooted plants were transplanted to a greenhouse and successfully acclimatized. No significant differences in in vivo development were observed between neem plants from callus and from shoot tip propagation.

Perfomance evaluation of a direct injection engine using different blends of soybean (Glycine max) methyl biodiesel

Diesel fuel is used widely in Brazil and worldwide. On the other hand, the growing environmental awareness leads to a greater demand for renewable energy resources. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the use of different blends of soybean (Glycine max) methyl biodiesel and diesel in an ignition compression engine with direct injection fuel. The tests were performed on an electric eddy current dynamometer, using the blends B10, B50 and B100, with 10; 50 e 100% of biodiesel, respectively, in comparison to the commercial diesel B5, with 5% of biodiesel added to the fossil diesel. The engine performance was analyzed trough the tractor power take off (PTO) for each fuel, and the best results obtained for the power and the specific fuel consumption, respectively, were: B5 (44.62 kW; 234.87 g kW-1 h-1); B10 (44.73 kW; 233.78 g kW-1 h-1); B50 (44.11 kW; 250.40 g kW-1 h-1) e B100 (43.40 kW; 263.63 g kW-1 h-1). The best performance occurred with the use of B5 and B10 fuel, without significant differences between these blends. The B100 fuel showed significant differences compared to the other fuels.

Annual evolution of global, direct and diffuse radiation and fractions in tilted surfaces

It was evaluated the annual evolution of global, direct and diffuse components of incident solar radiation on tilted surfaces to 12.85, 22.85 and 32.85º, facing north, in Botucatu, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The radiometric fractions were obtained for each component of the radiation in the aforementioned surfaces, through the ratio with the global and top of the atmosphere radiations. Seasonality was evaluated based on monthly averages of daily values. The measures occurred between 04/1998 and 07/2001 at 22.85º; 08/2001 and 02/2003 at 12.85º; and from 03/2003 to 12/2007 at 32.85º, with concomitant measures in the horizontal surface (reference). The levels of global and direct radiation on tilted surfaces were lower in summer and higher in the equinoxes when compared with the horizontal. The diffuse radiation on tilted surfaces was lower in most months, with losses of up to 65%. A trend of increasing differences occurred between horizontal and tilted surfaces with the increase of the angle in all the components and fractions of incident radiation. The annual evolution of rainfall and cloud cover ratio directly affected the atmospheric transmissivity of direct and diffuse components in the region.

Marketing in the pre-development process of agricultural machines: a reference model

The theme of the research is the development of the domain of marketing knowledge in the design of agricultural machinery. It is developed throughout the design of agricultural machinery in order to identify the corporate and customers needs and to develop strategies to satisfy these needs. The central problem of the research questions which marketing tools to apply on pre-development process of farm machinery, in order to increase the market value of the products and of the company and, consequently, generate competitive advantage to the manufacturers of agricultural machinery. As methodology, it was developed bibliographical research and multicase study of the development process of agricultural machinery developed by small, medium and large companies and the academy. As a result, a marketing reference model was elaborated for the pre-development stage of agricultural machinery, which outlines the activities, tasks, mechanisms and controls that can be used in strategic planning and in products planning of agricultural machinery manufacturers, contributing to explain the explicit knowledge in the marketing field.