Linking customer satisfaction, quality, and strategic planning

By acknowledging and dissecting the interconnected roles of customer satisfaction, quality, and strategic planning, this paper provides an analytical framework for creating a customer-driven organization and culture. It shows how quality starts and ends with the customer. Companies that are achieving long-term continuous improvement in quality tailored to customer satisfaction possess lasting characteristics such as customer orientation, customer consciousness, and customer responsiveness. In doing so, they liberate the quality concept from the narrow product or service focus to encompass total conformance to customer requirements in spite of the existing functionalization and departmentalization of modern complex structures. In addition to these key components, a customer-driven organization demands building and nurturing a customer satisfaction culture and value system that makes quality improvement and heightened concern for customer satisfaction a permanent aspect of organizational life.

Reproducing the organic matter model of anthropogenic dark earth of Amazonia and testing the ecotoxicity of functionalized charcoal compounds

The objective of this work was to obtain organic compounds similar to the ones found in the organic matter of anthropogenic dark earth of Amazonia (ADE) using a chemical functionalization procedure on activated charcoal, as well as to determine their ecotoxicity. Based on the study of the organic matter from ADE, an organic model was proposed and an attempt to reproduce it was described. Activated charcoal was oxidized with the use of sodium hypochlorite at different concentrations. Nuclear magnetic resonance was performed to verify if the spectra of the obtained products were similar to the ones of humic acids from ADE. The similarity between spectra indicated that the obtained products were polycondensed aromatic structures with carboxyl groups: a soil amendment that can contribute to soil fertility and to its sustainable use. An ecotoxicological test with Daphnia similis was performed on the more soluble fraction (fulvic acids) of the produced soil amendment. Aryl chloride was formed during the synthesis of the organic compounds from activated charcoal functionalization and partially removed through a purification process. However, it is probable that some aryl chloride remained in the final product, since the ecotoxicological test indicated that the chemical functionalized soil amendment is moderately toxic.

Síntese de análogo de brassinoesteróide a partir de vespertilina

In the last years, several research groups have been working on the synthesis of new steroidal plant hormones called brassinosteroids (BS), which promote plant growth and better crops. Many synthetic targets and applications of these compounds and their analogues have been described in the literature. From Solanum species of the Distrito Federal, we isolated the steroidal alkaloid solasodine, which was then converted into our starting material, vespertiline. By functionalization of rings A and B, we have synthesized a new analogue of BS, with a 2alpha,3alpha-dihydroxy-6-one structure, typical of the naturally occurring BS castasterone, the immediate biosynthetic precursor of brassinolide.

Adsorção do complexo H[Ru(III)Cl2(H2EDTA)] sobre a superfície da sílica gel modificada com [3-(2-aminoetil) aminopropil]trimetoxissilano em soluções etanólicas

Silica gel was functionalized with [3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyl]trimethoxysilane group (SF-AEATS) and the characterization by chemical analysis (N) and infrared spectroscopy confirmed the functionalization. The capacity of the modified silica to adsorb the complex Ru(III)-EDTA from ethanolic solution was studied. The selectivity coefficients of the complex formed on the support obtained was (Gñ), 2,07 x 10(4) L/mol and the average number of ligand bonded by one metal ion on the support (ñ) was ~ 1.

Propriedades fotofísicas de Eu3+ e Tb3+ imobilizados em sílica gel funcionalizada com beta-Dicetonas

Synthetic procedures, characterization and luminescent properties of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions supported on silica gel functionalized with beta-diketones are presented. The functionalization with propyl benzoyltrifluoroacetone (BPG), dibenzoylmethane (DBM) and hexafluoroacetone (HPG), leads to new luminescent materials which photophysical properties depend on the group substituent in the beta-diketone. These systems were evaluated in terms of luminescence and lifetime of the Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions. Silica functionalization was confirmed by TGA and Elemental Analysis. The sample contents of ions were from 0,2 to 0,3 % (w/w).

Fases estacionárias para cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência em fase reversa (CLAE-FR) baseadas em superfícies de óxidos inorgânicos funcionalizados

Particles of porous silica or other solvent resistent inorganic oxides can be functionalized by aliphatic (e.g., C-8 or C-18) or other groups to give stationary phases for use in reversed phase HPLC. The functionalization can be done by bonding of individual groups to the surface of the support particles, by producing an organic polymeric film from pre-polymers, or by adsorbing/immobilizing pre-formed polymers on the surfaces. These three types of functionalization are reviewed.

Métodos sintéticos para preparação de 2,2'-bipiridinas substituídas

The 2,2'-bipyridine has been entitled as the most widely used ligand. Nowadays there is a large variety of known molecules comprising at least two 2,2'-bipyridine units and the number of applications in many areas such as catalysis, new materials, optoeletronics and electrochemistry have increased very much in the past decades. Nevertheless, there is no article that gives an overview of the main synthetic methods for obtaining the substituted 2,2'-bipyridines, generally non available. This article presents a synthetic discussion about the three different methods (coupling reaction, ciclo-functionalization and functionalization of the heteroaromatic rings of 2,2'-bipyridine) for preparing these heterocyclic compounds and also provides a practical and fundamental guide, for obtaining more than eighty different symmetric and unsymmetrical substituted 2,2'-bipyridines, shown in a table with the corresponding references.

Fritz Feigl: sua obra e novos campos tecno-científicos por ela originados

Fritz Feigl's scientific legacy of more than 500 original publications of spot reactions and new chemical concepts, includes a precise definition of identification limit, the difference between specific and selective reactions, and the masking/demasking of chemical reactions, the selective functionalization for the development of new reactions. It resulted in a considerable and varied number of new applications evident in hundreds of citations of his publications, up to 2003, throughout the thirty years following his passing away, and comprehending scientific as well as commercial fields, like that of kits for exploratory tests, based on his reactions and of his followers.

Funcionalização de nanotubos de Carbono

Carbon nanotubes are very stable systems having considerable chemical inertness due to the strong covalent bonds of the carbon atoms on the nanotube surface. Many applications of carbon nanotubes require their chemical modification in order to tune/control their physico-chemical properties. One way of achieving this control is carrying out functionalization processes where atoms and molecules interact (covalent or non-covalent) with the nanotubes. We review some of the progress that has been made in chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes. Emphasis is given to chemical strategies, the most used techniques, and applications.

Hidróxidos duplos lamelares: nanopartículas inorgânicas para armazenamento e liberação de espécies de interesse biológico e terapêutico

Studies about the inorganic nanoparticles applying for non-viral release of biological and therapeutic species have been intensified nowadays. This work reviews the preparation strategies and application of layered double hydroxides (LDH) as carriers for storing, carrying and control delivery of intercalated species as drugs and DNA for gene therapy. LDH show low toxicity, biocompatibility, high anion exchange capacity, surface sites for functionalization, and a suitable equilibrium between chemical stability and biodegradability. LDH can increase the intercalated species stability and promote its sub-cellular uptake for biomedical purposes. Concerning the healthy field, LDH have been evaluated for clinical diagnosis as a biosensor component.

Identificação de microcistina LR ao nível molecular empregando microscopia de força atômica

Microcystins are non-ribosomal peptides that must be detected for its health concern. Here, microcystin LR and its specific antibody were respectively tethered to the substrate and to the tip of an atomic force microscope, after surface functionalization using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and glutaraldehyde. Functionalization was confirmed comparing topographic images taken on bare and modified tips. Force versus distance curves were successfully used to measure the specific antibody-antigen interactions comparing with a control in which microcystin was initially blocked by incubation with free antibodies. The results showed unequivocally the specific recognition of MLR, suggesting that this method could be useful for biosensor development.

Aproveitamento da glicerina proveniente da produção de biodiesel na obtenção de híbrido de caulinita para adsorção de Cr3+

The aim of this work was to contribute to the creation of new ways of treating wastewater contaminated with Cr3+, based on solid-liquid adsorption. An adsorbent material was prepared by functionalization of kaolinite with glycerin biodiesel by-product. This material was tested for adsorption performed using a batch method, and results showed that inclusion of glycerin in the structure of kaolinite led to a significant increase in the capacity of Cr3+ adsorption. This contributes to the allocation of by-product of biodiesel and to the treatment of effluents from tanneries.

CARBOXYLATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FOR THE IMMOBILIZATION OF β-GALACTOSIDASE AND ITS EFFICACY IN GALACTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES PRODUCTION

The present study investigated the carboxylation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by 1:3 nitric acid-sulfuric acid mixtures for immobilizing Aspergillus oryzae β-galactosidase. Carboxylated AgNPs retained 93% enzyme upon immobilization and the enzyme did not leach out appreciably from the modified nanosupport in the presence of 100 mmol L-1 NaCl. Atomic force micrograph revealed the binding of β-galactosidase on the modified AgNPs. The optimal pH for soluble and carboxylated AgNPs adsorbed β-galactosidase (IβG) was observed at pH 4.5 while the optimal operating temperature was broadened from 50 ºC to 60 ºC for IβG. Michaelis constant, Km was increased two and a half fold for IβG while Vmax decreases slightly as compared to soluble enzyme. β-galactosidase immobilized on surface functionalized AgNPs retained 70% biocatalytic activity even at 4% galactose concentration as compared to enzyme in solution. Our study showed that IβG produces greater amount of galacto-oligosaccharides at higher temperatures (50 ºC and 60 ºC) from 0.1 mol L-1 lactose solution at pH 4.5 as compared to previous reports.

OBTENÇÃO E CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE MATERIAL HÍBRIDO ENTRE SÍLICA E CICLODEXTRINAS

The obtention of silica and cyclodextrin hybrid materials was accomplished by refluxing them in xylol using citric acid as a binding agent. The materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. Evidence for the docking of cyclodextrins α and γ was substantiated based on the variation in band intensity for groups such as ≡Si-OH. Additional docking evidence includes the displacement of some of the bands that are related to cyclodextrin such as the deformation of the C-H axial bond. The α and γ-CDSi materials were characterized as amorphous compounds. The products obtained in the synthesis showed changes in the decomposition temperatures of their isolated constituents, in which the mass of α and γ-CD docked to the silica surface gave the estimated values of 41% and 47%, respectively. The elemental constituents were shown to be consistent and close to their relative theoretical values. ​Thermogravimetric analysis showed that a reduction in the percentage of the hybrids was proportional to the amount of lost mass. This new material is an improvement over synthesized organosilane materials because the operator and the environment benefit from a less toxic methodology. In addition, the material has several potential applications in complexation systems with cyclodextrin.