CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / O crescimento do interesse pela pesca de cefalÃpode deve-se a sobre-explotaÃÃo dos principais recursos pesqueiros (teleÃsteos e crustÃceos). No CearÃ, a pesca do polvo Octopus insularis, iniciou-se em 2004, como alternativa para a Ãpoca de defeso da lagosta, mas somente em 2005 a pescaria tornou-se efetivamente comercial. Para a administraÃÃo de uma pescaria o crescimento e a reproduÃÃo sÃo os principais fatores a serem estudados, sendo os principais fatores que podem afetar o crescimento sÃo a temperatura e salinidade. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo, analisar quali-quantitivamente a morfometria, quantificar a idade, validar a metodologia, e relaÃÃo à proporÃÃo de maturidade gonadal com variÃveis morfomÃtricas (CM e Wt) e n de dias. Foram amostrados 20 exemplares mensalmente, e deles coletadas variÃveis morfomÃtricas do corpo e do bico superior, a validaÃÃo da quantificaÃÃo foi feita com a utilizaÃÃo do marcador oxitetraciclina (OTC), a quantificaÃÃo da idade foi realizada atravÃs da contagem do nÃmero de anÃis etÃrios da parede lateral do bico superior, a proporÃÃo gonadal atravÃs da caracterizaÃÃo macroscÃpica das gÃnadas. O crescimento dos polvos, Octopus insularis foi influenciado pela temperatura, em que os polvos no perÃodo chuvoso apresentaram maiores valores de comprimento dorsal do manto e peso total. AlÃm disso, a diferenÃa entre os coeficientes angulares (b) das regressÃes para as fÃmeas mostrou que os polvos crescem diferentes entre os sexos e de acordo com o perÃodo do ano (seco ou chuvoso). A marcaÃÃo das linhas de incremento nas paredes laterais dos bicos demonstrou um perfil de deposiÃÃo diÃrio, e assim a espÃcie apresenta um ciclo de vida extremamente curto de no mÃximo 6 meses de idade (180 dias) e assim demonstrando que esses sÃo animais de crescimento rÃpido. A quantificaÃÃo da idade nas paredes laterais do bico superior mostrou boa correlaÃÃo com o comprimento dorsal do manto e o comprimento da crista do bico superior, porÃm foi obtida uma fraca correlaÃÃo com o peso total. Nesse trabalho, foram utilizados somente polvos sub-adultos e adultos, porÃm ainda à necessÃrio estudo do perfil de deposiÃÃo de anÃis na parede lateral do bico superior das paralarvas. / The growing interest in cephalopod fisheries due to overexploitation of the main fishing resources (teleosts and crustaceans). In CearÃ, fishing for octopus Octopus insularis, started in 2004, as an alternative to the closed lobster season, but only in 2005 the fishery has become effectively trade. For the management of a fishery, growth and reproduction are the main factors to be studied, the main factors that affect growth are temperature and salinity. This study aimed to investigate qualitative and quantitatively morphometry to quantify the age, to validate the methodology, and the proportion of sexual maturity with morphometric variables (CM and Wt) and number of days. 20 specimens were sampled monthly, and their morphometric variables collected from the body and the upper beak, the validation of the quantification was done using the marker oxytetracycline (OTC), the quantification of age was performed by counting the number of increments of lateral wall the upper beak, the proportion by gonadal macroscopic characterization of the gonads. The growth of the octopus, Octopus insularis was influenced by temperature, in which the octopuses in the rainy season had higher values of dorsal mantle length and total weight. Moreover, the difference between the slopes (b) of the regressions for females showed that octopuses grow different between sexes and according to time of year (dry or wet). The marking of lines increase the sidewalls of the nozzles showed a profile of daily deposition, and thus the species has an extremely short life cycle of up to 6 months (180 days) and thus demonstrating that these animals are rapidly growing . Quantification of age on the sidewalls of the upper beak showed good correlation with the length of the dorsal mantle and crest length of the upper beak, but a weak correlation was obtained with the total weight. In this study, we used only octopuses sub-adults and adults, but still need to study the profile of deposition of rings in the side wall of the upper beak of paralarvas.

The fishery for octopus in Northwest Mexico has increased to over 2,000 tons annually, but to date the specific composition of the catch has been ignored. With at least three main species targeted by artisanal fisheries in the region with distinct life histories, the lack of basic biological information about the distribution, metapopulation size and structure of each species could impede effective fisheries management to avoid overexploitation. We tested if different life histories of three species of octopus could help predict observed patterns of genetic diversity, population dynamics, structure and connectivity and how this information could be relevant to the sustainable management of the fishery. We sequenced two mitochondrial genes and genotyped seven nuclear microsatellite loci to identify the distribution of each species in 20 locations from the Gulf of California and the west coast of the Baja California peninsula. We tested five hypotheses derived from population genetic theory based on differences in the fecundity and dispersal potential for each species. We discovered that Octopus bimaculoides with low fecundity and direct development (without a planktonic phase) had lower average effective population size and genetic diversity, but higher levels of kinship, population structure, and richness of private alleles, than the other two species. These features indicated limited dispersal and high local recruitment. In contrast, O. bimaculatus and O. hubbsorum with higher fecundity and planktonic phase as paralarvae had higher effective population size and genetic diversity, and overall lower kinship and population structure than O. bimaculoides. These observations supported higher levels of gene flow over a larger geographical scale. O. bimaculatus with the longest planktonic paralarval duration and therefore larger dispersal potential had differences in the calculated parameters possibly associated with increased connectivity. We propose O. bimaculoides is more susceptible to over exploitation of small, isolated populations and could have longer recovery times than the other two species. This species may benefit from distinct fishery management within each local population. O. bimaculatus and O. hubbsorum may benefit from fishery management that takes into account metapopulation structure over larger geographic scales and the directionality and magnitude of larval dispersal driven by ocean currents and population connectivity among individuals of each locality. The distribution of each species and variations in their reproductive phenology is also important to consider when establishing marine reserves or seasonal fishing closures.

A diversidade da seqüência do DNA de oito populações de Octopus cf. vulgaris da costa brasileira e de uma população de Octopus vulgaris proveniente de Portugal foi investigada pelo uso do gene Citocromo oxidase subunidade I (COI) do DNA mitocondrial. Aproximadamente 600 pb do gene COImt foram amplificados por meio dos primers LCO1490 e HCO2198, purificados e seqüenciados. As seqüências foram alinhadas pelo método Clustal W. A árvore filogenética gerada pelo alinhamento das seqüências do COImt revelou dois conjuntos principais, formando clados monofiléticos sustentados por bootstraps superiores a 93%. Um clado contendo os indivíduos provenientes das regiões Sudeste e Sul, similares aos haplótipos de Portugal, que são classificados como Octopus vulgaris, e outro conjunto formado pelos indivíduos coletados em várias localidades das regiões Norte e Nordeste. O nível de diferenciação genética encontrado sugere a presença de duas espécies de Octopus. Quanto à estruturação populacional, os resultados encontrados pelo uso do DNA nuclear e do DNA mitocondrial indicam que as populações estão estruturadas geneticamente. / The diversity of the sequence of the DNA of eight vulgaris populations of Octopus cf. vulgaris of the Brazilian coast and a population of Octopus vulgaris proceeding from Portugal was investigated by the use of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Approximately 600 bp of the mitochondrial COI gene were amplified by means of primers LCO1490 and HCO2198, purified and sequenced. The sequences were lined up by the ClustalW method. The phylogenetic tree generated by the alignment of the sequences of the COI revealed two main sets, forming monophyletic supported by bootstraps 93%. A clade containing the individuals proceeding from the Southeastern and South regions similar to the haplotypes of Portugal, which are classified as Octopus vulgaris, and another set formed by the individuals collected in several places of the North and Northeast regions. The level of the found genetic differentiation suggests the presence of two species of Octopus. As far as the population structure is concerned, the results found by the use of the nuclear DNA and the mitochondrial DNA indicates that the populations are genetically structured.

abstract: August Krogh, a 20th century Nobel Prize winner in Physiology and Medicine, once stated, "for such a large number of problems there will be some animal of choice, or a few such animals, on which it can be most conveniently studied." What developed to be known as the Krogh Principle, has become the cornerstone of bioinspired robotics. This is the realization that solutions to various multifaceted engineering problems lie in nature. With the integration of biology, physics and engineering, the classical approach in solving engineering problems has transformed. Through such an integration, the presented research will address the following engineering solution: maneuverability on and through complex granular and aquatic environments. The basilisk lizard and the octopus are the key sources of inspiration for the anticipated solution. The basilisk lizard is a highly agile reptile with the ability to easily traverse on vast, alternating, unstructured, and complex terrains (i.e. sand, mud, water). This makes them a great medium for pursuing potential solutions for robotic locomotion on such terrains. The octopus, with a nearly soft, yet muscular hydrostat body and arms, is proficient in locomotion and its complex motor functions are vast. Their versatility, "infinite" degrees of freedom, and dexterity have made them an ideal candidate for inspiration in the fields such as soft robotics. Through conducting animal experiments on the basilisk lizard and octopus, insight can be obtained on the question: how does the animal interact with complex granular and aquatic environments so effectively? Following it through by conducting systematic robotic experiments, the capabilities and limitations of the animal can be understood. Integrating the hierarchical concepts observed and learnt through animal and robotic experiments, it can be used towards designing, modeling, and developing robotic systems that will assist humanity and society on a diversified set of applications: home service, health care, public safety, transportation, logistics, structural examinations, aquatic and extraterrestrial exploration, search-and-rescue, environmental monitoring, forestry, and agriculture, just to name a few. By learning and being inspired by nature, there exist the potential to go beyond nature for the greater good of society and humanity. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Mechanical Engineering 2020

El interés del pulpo de roca como especie para producción acuícola creció durante las últimas décadas, pero su desarrollo fue ralentizado por la falta de dietas formuladas adecuadas que garantizaran el crecimiento de Octopus vulgaris. La primera sección de esta tesis está enfocada en la deshidratación que se lleva a cabo para la obtención de ingredientes. El Capítulo I trata de la selección de un método de deshidratación para materias primas incluidas en dietas artificiales para el engorde. Los resultados reflejaron que la inclusión de boga deshidratada a baja temperatura (≈ 60°C) como ingrediente tuvo un efecto similar a la inclusión de boga liofilizada en relación al crecimiento, la ingesta, la digestibilidad de nutrientes y la supervivencia sugiriendo este tipo de deshidratación como apropiado para ser aplicado en materias primas destinadas al engorde de pulpo. En el Capítulo II se analizó el perfil de clases lipídicas en materias primas de origen marino (moluscos, crustáceos y peces) y estándares de lípidos puros congelados y deshidratados por liofilización o exposición a aire caliente, a 60 °C y 100 °C. El calor aplicado causó una reducción del total de lípidos polares (TPL) y un incremento del total de lípidos neutros (TNL), de forma más marcada cuanto mayor fue la temperatura aplicada. La segunda sección aborda la selección de un protocolo de alimentación. Para ello, se evaluó el rendimiento de la misma dieta artificial (ingesta, crecimiento, eficacia alimentaria, digestibilidad y condición de los animales) aplicando dos protocolos de alimentación en los que se incluyeron dos o tres días de ayuno no consecutivos por semana. Ambos tratamientos fueron similares en relación al crecimiento y la digestibilidad de nutrientes (P>0,05), no registraron mortalidad y mostraron tasas de ingesta superiores el día posterior al ayuno. Sin embargo, con tres días de ayuno se observó una mejora de la eficacia alimentaria. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que el pulpo podría tener la capacidad de compensar los días de ayuno aumentando la ingesta, en el día posterior al ayuno, u optimizando el uso de sus reservas. Además, en términos comerciales, la reducción de los días de alimentación supondría una reducción de los costes de producción. La tercera sección de este documento se centra en la suplementación de dietas con lípidos polares de origen vegetal y animal. La adición de fosfolípidos fue promotora de mejoras en el crecimiento, la supervivencia y funciones digestivas en otros organismos marinos. Sin embargo, la inclusión de lecitina, ya fuera de soja o marina, como fuente de lípidos polares no generó mejoras en el rendimiento. En la cuarta y última sección de esta tesis, se comprobó que los avances generados en dietas para O. vulgaris podían ser transferidos a otra especie. El suministro de piensos a juveniles de pulpo rojo patagónico (Enteroctopus megalocyathus) generó rendimientos satisfactorios indicando que el formato y la formulación de dietas para O.vulgaris pueden ser transferidos y considerados para el desarrollo futuro de dietas específicas para el engorde de esta especie.

A two part project spanning four and one half years was designed to investigate a number of aspects of the natural history of Octopus dofleini in the Northeast Pacific. The tag-release recapture (Part I) involved weekly SCUBA dives, during daylight hours, at three sites on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. A total of 320 octopuses were sighted during 616 dives (Part I) and 151 of those octopuses were tagged or recaptured. The ratio of dives per octopus sighted was 1.93:1 and the ratio of dives per octopus tagged or recaptured was 4.08:1. A total of 98 octopuses were tagged (Part I) and 30 of those octopuses were recaptured two or more times for a recapture rate of 30.61%. Statistical analysis of data weighted to provide uniform effort showed Site 1 (Tanner Rock) to have a significantly greater number of large octopuses while Site 2 (Tozier Rock) had a significantly greater number of very small octopuses. An analysis of the data on octopus sex ratios found no significant difference between the number of males and females at each site even though there had been a significant difference in the ratio within Site 2. Analysis of data on annual distribution of octopus body weight combined with the results from the recapture of individual octopuses led to the proposal of a four year lifespan for female Octopus dofleini and an undetermined, but longer, lifespan for males of the species. An examination of the data on octopus movement showed that a peak number of small octopuses (approximately 250 g) appeared at the sites in February. The evidence showed that over the next 19 to 22 months the octopuses grew from approximately 250 grams to a pre adult body weight of 13.8 kg for males (in September) and 14.7 kg for females (in December). No octopuses between 16 and 19.5 kg were captured suggesting a movement of octopuses of that body weight away from the sites. Small numbers of octopuses weighing between 19.5 kg and 28 kg were captured mainly during the first half of the year. An analysis of octopus position data showed that Octopus dofleini does not maintain a constant distance from its nearest neighbour. Nearest neighbour distance was not significantly influenced by the size or sex of the neighbour nor by changes in water temperature. A highly significant correlation was found between estimated den volume and octopus body weight. There were no significant relationships between den surroundings, number of exits, den type and den depth when compared to den usage suggesting that Octopus dofleini is an opportunistic animal using whatever shelter of appropriate volume it discovers. The major food item at all sites as determined by midden heap contents was the Red Rock Crab, Cancer productus. An examination of the physical condition of each octopus captured revealed 21.2% of the animals had either scars or amputated arms or both. Correlations examining the relationships between water temperature and growth rate, body weight, sex and nearest neighbour distance were nonsignificant. Part 11 of the project was the physical measuring and describing of each den at each site. During the 126 SCUBA dives done another 127 octopuses were sighted. As octopuses were captured only when it was necessary to examine the inside of the den there were only 11 octopuses captured during the second part of the project. In total, 447 octopuses were sighted during 742 dives. This results in an effort per octopus sighted of 1.66 dives per octopus. / Graduate

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Software development organizations are involved in different scenarios with distinct projects in relation to specific project characteristics and demands. There isn´t a software process model appropriate for all projects and/or organizations. The best process depends of the project context. Situational Method Engineering (SME) proposes the building of specific software development methods for each project according to its situational characteristics from method fragments stored in a repository. This work proposes a systematic approach for building a specific development software process for each project through tailoring process based on SME concepts, called OSPTA Octopus SME Process Tailoring Approach. OSPTA uses stored method fragments which include practices recommended by agile and planned process. These fragments are retrieved according to one or more tailoring criteria (tailoring process requirements) and are prioritized from contextual factors defined by Octopus Model. The technique used for this prioritization is Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique to guide the process engineers in choosing the best fragments to include into organization s standard software process (PSPO). A metamodel was proposed to define method fragments. A support tool was developed to validate the proposed approach through case studies which use project risks as tailoring criteria. / As organizações de desenvolvimento de software estão envolvidas em um ambiente dinâmico, com diferentes cenários de acordo com as características e demandas específicas de cada projeto de software. Não há um processo de software que atenda as necessidades específicas de todos os projetos e/ou organizações. Assim, a adequação de um processo de desenvolvimento de software depende do contexto do projeto. Situational Method Engineering (SME) propõe a construção de métodos de desenvolvimento de software específicos para cada projeto de acordo com as características situacionais dos mesmos a partir de fragmentos de métodos armazenados em um repositório. Este trabalho propõe uma abordagem sistemática para a construção de processos de desenvolvimento de software específicos para cada projeto a partir da adaptação de processos, com base em conceitos de SME, chamada OSPTA Octopus SME Process Tailoring Approach. OSPTA utiliza fragmentos de métodos armazenados em um repositório, os quais incluem práticas preconizadas por processos ágeis e planejados. Tais fragmentos são recuperados de acordo com um ou mais critério de adaptação, ou requisitos para o processo adaptado, e são priorizados de acordo com fatores de contextualização de projetos de software definidos no Octopus Model. A técnica usada para esta priorização é Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), para guiar os engenheiros de processo na escolha dos melhores fragmentos para serem incluídos no processo de software padrão da organização (PSPO), dando origem ao processo adaptado, específico para o projeto. Um metamodelo foi proposto para a definição de fragmentos de métodos para serem utilizados na abordagem. Foi desenvolvida uma ferramenta para apoiar a abordagem proposta. Estudos de caso considerando riscos do projeto como critério de adaptação foram elaborados para validar a abordagem.

Qualidade e inocuidade do polvo (Octopus sp) nos diferentes elos da sua comercialização na Baixada Santista, SP, Brasil O pescado é uma fonte de alimento com componentes altamente desejáveis para uma dieta saudável, apesar de vários fatores poderem torná-lo um risco potencial para a saúde do consumidor. Dentre os diferentes tipos de pescado desembarcados pelas frotas que atuam no litoral paulista e águas adjacentes, os moluscos da Classe Cephalopoda (lulas e polvos) constituem um grupo de interesse econômico tanto para o mercado interno quanto para o externo. Tendo em vista a inexistência de dados sobre a qualidade de polvo e o interesse que vem despertando como produto de exportação, o presente estudo teve por objetivo verificar a ocorrência de contaminação microbiana e de metais pesado, bem como seu grau de frescor. Foram analisadas 121 amostras de polvo cru adquiridas em locais como feiras-livres (14), mercados/peixarias (27), supermercados (25), indústrias (23) e terminais pesqueiros ou entrepostos (32) em quatro municípios da Baixada Santista (Guarujá, Santos, São Vicente e Praia Grande). Foram realizadas análises microbiológicas, físico-químicas e de metais pesados. Salmonella spp foi detectada em oito (6,6%) das 121 amostras sendo duas provenientes de amostras coletadas em entreposto, três de amostras de indústria, duas de amostras de polvo coletadas em supermercados e uma amostra coletada em feira-livre; L. monocytogenes foi detectada em 15 (12,4%) amostras de polvo sendo seis (5,0%), de amostras coletadas em entreposto, duas (1,6%) proveniente de indústria, uma (0,8%) de amostra coletada em feira livre, cinco (4,1%) de supermercados e uma (0,8%) em peixaria. Observou-se que uma amostra (0,8%), coletada em entreposto, apresentou população de coliformes termotolerantes na faixa de 104 a 105 NMP/animal e uma (0,8%) proveniente de feira livre apresentou o maior nível de contaminação (105 - 106 NMP/animal). Apenas uma amostra (0,8%), proveniente de entreposto, apresentou população de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva acima de 103 UFC/animal. Quarenta e uma amostras (33,9%) apresentaram populações de aeróbios mesófilos acima de 106 UFC/animal. Em relação aos psicrotróficos, 94 (77,7%) amostras apresentaram populações acima de 106 UFC/animal. Os valores de pH oscilaram entre 6,02 e 7,22.- Para N-BVT os valores variaram entre 11,5 e 69,01 mg/100g. Considerando o limite máximo estabelecido de 30 mg de N-BVT/100g de pescado, do total de amostras analisadas, 29,3% foram consideradas impróprias para consumo humano. Os resultados obtidos para TBARS variaram de 0,08 a 2,37mg de aldeído malônico/kg de pescado. Na quantificação de metais os níveis para As variaram de 1,256 a 28,502 mg/kg; Cd de 0,006 a 0,540 mg/kg; Pb de 0,0018 a 0,491 mglkg; Hg de 0,007 a 0,179 mg/kg; Se de 0,074 a 0,690 mg/kg e Zn de 4,7 a 140,8 mg/kg de polvo in natura. No Brasil, o Ministério da Saúde estabelece o limite máximo de tolerância (LMT) de 1,0 mg/kg para o arsênio em peixe e produtos da pesca, 0,5 mg/kg para o mercúrio para o chumbo 2,0 mg/kg e cádmio 1,0 mg/kg. Em relação ao As, 100% das amostras encontram-se acima do LMT. O presente estudo sugere a importância dos ensaios físico-quimicos, microbiológicos e de metais pesados na avaliação da qualidade do polvo para consumo humano. É imprescindível um esforço em conjunto dos órgãos de pesquisa, de fiscalização e instituições relacionadas à capacitação dos manipuladores do pescado visando garantir o oferecimento de um alimento, não só de alto valor nutricional, como é o polvo, mas com qualidade assegurada. / Seafood contain highly desirable nutrients for a healthy diet, although several factors may turn it into a potential risk to consumers health. Among the different types of seafood landed by the fleets operating in the Sao Paulo coast and adjacent waters, the mollusc class Cephalopoda (squid and octopus) are a group of economic interest for both domestic and externai market. In view of the lack of data on the quality of octopus and irs increasing attracting interest as an export product, this study aimed to verify the occurrence of microbial and heavy metais contamination, and it\'s degree offreshness. 121 samples of raw octopus purchased at street fairs (14), free markets/fish markets (27), supermarkets (25), industries (23) and fish warehouses (32) in four municipalities of the Baixada Santista (Guarujá , Santos, São Vicente and Praia Grande) were analyzed. Microbiological, physical-chemical analyses were performed as well as heavy metais determinations. Salmonella was detected in eight (6.6%) of 121 samples - two samples were collected from fish warehouses, three samples from industries, two samples from supermarkets and one sample from street fair; L. monocytogenes was detected in 15 (12.4%) samples, six of them (5.0%) collected from fish warehouses, two (1.6%) from industries, one (0.8%) from streetfair, five (4.1%) from supermarkets, and one (0.8%) from fish markets. One sample (0.8%), collected from fish warehouse, showed a population of thermotolerant coliforms in the range of 104 to 105 MPN/animal and one (0.8%) collected from street fair showed the highest levei of contamination (105 - 106 MPN/animal). Only one sample (0.8%), collected from warehouse, showed a positive population of Staphylococcus coagulase above 103 CFU/animal. Forty-one samples (33.9%) showed aerobic mesophiles populations higher than 106 CFU/animal. In relation to psychrotrophics, 94 (77.7%) samples showed populations higher than 106 CFU/animal. The pH values ranged between 6.02 and 7.22. TVBN values ranged between 11.5 and 69.01 mg/100g. Considering 30 mg TVBN/100g of fish the maximum established Iimit 29.3% of the samples were considered unfit for human consumption. Results for TBARS ranged from 0.08 to 2.37 mg of malonic aldehyde/kg of fish. In relation to metal quantification the levels of As ranged from 1.256 to 28.502 mg/kg, Cd from 0.006 to 0.540 mg/kg, Pb from 0.0018 to 0.491 mg/kg, Hg 0.007 to 0.179 mg/kg. These levels are related to raw octopus. The Brazilian Ministry of Health sets the maximum residue Iimit (MRL) of 1.0 mg/kg for arsenic in fish and fish products, 0.5 mg/kg for mercuryin predatory fish, 2.0 mg / kg for lead in predatory fish, and 1.0 mg / kg for cadmium. 100% of the samples were above the arsenic MRL. This study suggests the importance of physical-chemical, microbiological and heavy metais analysis in assessing the quality of octopus for human consumption. It is essential to coordinate a task force among research and surveillance centers as well as institutions related to fish handlers training to ensure the delivery of a food, not only of high nutritional value, as is the octopus, but with assured quality.

Qualidade e inocuidade do polvo (Octopus sp) nos diferentes elos da sua comercialização na Baixada Santista, SP, Brasil O pescado é uma fonte de alimento com componentes altamente desejáveis para uma dieta saudável, apesar de vários fatores poderem torná-lo um risco potencial para a saúde do consumidor. Dentre os diferentes tipos de pescado desembarcados pelas frotas que atuam no litoral paulista e águas adjacentes, os moluscos da Classe Cephalopoda (lulas e polvos) constituem um grupo de interesse econômico tanto para o mercado interno quanto para o externo. Tendo em vista a inexistência de dados sobre a qualidade de polvo e o interesse que vem despertando como produto de exportação, o presente estudo teve por objetivo verificar a ocorrência de contaminação microbiana e de metais pesado, bem como seu grau de frescor. Foram analisadas 121 amostras de polvo cru adquiridas em locais como feiras-livres (14), mercados/peixarias (27), supermercados (25), indústrias (23) e terminais pesqueiros ou entrepostos (32) em quatro municípios da Baixada Santista (Guarujá, Santos, São Vicente e Praia Grande). Foram realizadas análises microbiológicas, físico-químicas e de metais pesados. Salmonella spp foi detectada em oito (6,6%) das 121 amostras sendo duas provenientes de amostras coletadas em entreposto, três de amostras de indústria, duas de amostras de polvo coletadas em supermercados e uma amostra coletada em feira-livre; L. monocytogenes foi detectada em 15 (12,4%) amostras de polvo sendo seis (5,0%), de amostras coletadas em entreposto, duas (1,6%) proveniente de indústria, uma (0,8%) de amostra coletada em feira livre, cinco (4,1%) de supermercados e uma (0,8%) em peixaria. Observou-se que uma amostra (0,8%), coletada em entreposto, apresentou população de coliformes termotolerantes na faixa de 104 a 105 NMP/animal e uma (0,8%) proveniente de feira livre apresentou o maior nível de contaminação (105 - 106 NMP/animal). Apenas uma amostra (0,8%), proveniente de entreposto, apresentou população de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva acima de 103 UFC/animal. Quarenta e uma amostras (33,9%) apresentaram populações de aeróbios mesófilos acima de 106 UFC/animal. Em relação aos psicrotróficos, 94 (77,7%) amostras apresentaram populações acima de 106 UFC/animal. Os valores de pH oscilaram entre 6,02 e 7,22.- Para N-BVT os valores variaram entre 11,5 e 69,01 mg/100g. Considerando o limite máximo estabelecido de 30 mg de N-BVT/100g de pescado, do total de amostras analisadas, 29,3% foram consideradas impróprias para consumo humano. Os resultados obtidos para TBARS variaram de 0,08 a 2,37mg de aldeído malônico/kg de pescado. Na quantificação de metais os níveis para As variaram de 1,256 a 28,502 mg/kg; Cd de 0,006 a 0,540 mg/kg; Pb de 0,0018 a 0,491 mglkg; Hg de 0,007 a 0,179 mg/kg; Se de 0,074 a 0,690 mg/kg e Zn de 4,7 a 140,8 mg/kg de polvo in natura. No Brasil, o Ministério da Saúde estabelece o limite máximo de tolerância (LMT) de 1,0 mg/kg para o arsênio em peixe e produtos da pesca, 0,5 mg/kg para o mercúrio para o chumbo 2,0 mg/kg e cádmio 1,0 mg/kg. Em relação ao As, 100% das amostras encontram-se acima do LMT. O presente estudo sugere a importância dos ensaios físico-quimicos, microbiológicos e de metais pesados na avaliação da qualidade do polvo para consumo humano. É imprescindível um esforço em conjunto dos órgãos de pesquisa, de fiscalização e instituições relacionadas à capacitação dos manipuladores do pescado visando garantir o oferecimento de um alimento, não só de alto valor nutricional, como é o polvo, mas com qualidade assegurada. / Seafood contain highly desirable nutrients for a healthy diet, although several factors may turn it into a potential risk to consumers health. Among the different types of seafood landed by the fleets operating in the Sao Paulo coast and adjacent waters, the mollusc class Cephalopoda (squid and octopus) are a group of economic interest for both domestic and externai market. In view of the lack of data on the quality of octopus and irs increasing attracting interest as an export product, this study aimed to verify the occurrence of microbial and heavy metais contamination, and it\'s degree offreshness. 121 samples of raw octopus purchased at street fairs (14), free markets/fish markets (27), supermarkets (25), industries (23) and fish warehouses (32) in four municipalities of the Baixada Santista (Guarujá , Santos, São Vicente and Praia Grande) were analyzed. Microbiological, physical-chemical analyses were performed as well as heavy metais determinations. Salmonella was detected in eight (6.6%) of 121 samples - two samples were collected from fish warehouses, three samples from industries, two samples from supermarkets and one sample from street fair; L. monocytogenes was detected in 15 (12.4%) samples, six of them (5.0%) collected from fish warehouses, two (1.6%) from industries, one (0.8%) from streetfair, five (4.1%) from supermarkets, and one (0.8%) from fish markets. One sample (0.8%), collected from fish warehouse, showed a population of thermotolerant coliforms in the range of 104 to 105 MPN/animal and one (0.8%) collected from street fair showed the highest levei of contamination (105 - 106 MPN/animal). Only one sample (0.8%), collected from warehouse, showed a positive population of Staphylococcus coagulase above 103 CFU/animal. Forty-one samples (33.9%) showed aerobic mesophiles populations higher than 106 CFU/animal. In relation to psychrotrophics, 94 (77.7%) samples showed populations higher than 106 CFU/animal. The pH values ranged between 6.02 and 7.22. TVBN values ranged between 11.5 and 69.01 mg/100g. Considering 30 mg TVBN/100g of fish the maximum established Iimit 29.3% of the samples were considered unfit for human consumption. Results for TBARS ranged from 0.08 to 2.37 mg of malonic aldehyde/kg of fish. In relation to metal quantification the levels of As ranged from 1.256 to 28.502 mg/kg, Cd from 0.006 to 0.540 mg/kg, Pb from 0.0018 to 0.491 mg/kg, Hg 0.007 to 0.179 mg/kg. These levels are related to raw octopus. The Brazilian Ministry of Health sets the maximum residue Iimit (MRL) of 1.0 mg/kg for arsenic in fish and fish products, 0.5 mg/kg for mercuryin predatory fish, 2.0 mg / kg for lead in predatory fish, and 1.0 mg / kg for cadmium. 100% of the samples were above the arsenic MRL. This study suggests the importance of physical-chemical, microbiological and heavy metais analysis in assessing the quality of octopus for human consumption. It is essential to coordinate a task force among research and surveillance centers as well as institutions related to fish handlers training to ensure the delivery of a food, not only of high nutritional value, as is the octopus, but with assured quality.

This study examines the emerging notion of learning partnerships. As the study of such partnerships is a nascent research field, no single definition has yet emerged in the literature. However, within an uncertain and rapidly changing global context, two strategic initiatives have been identified which will support individuals, communities and organisations in their transition to a knowledge-based economy whilst building capacity for change and renewal. These two strategies are fostering learning communities/regions/towns and developing learning partnerships between multiple stakeholders. The term "learning partnership" has appeared in a wide variety of literatures including those of adult learning, management, social science and education. Working papers and emerging case reports identify a diversity of applications and a range of operational models or configurations that link multiple stakeholders. Learning partnerships have been associated with vocational education and training, innovation and research, lifelong learning, organisational learning and knowledge cultivation. These literatures reveal a paucity of Australian research to explain how multiple stakeholders form and develop these configurations, particularly in the Queensland context. The purpose of this study is to build deeper understanding of the meaning of a learning partnership in the Australian and (more precisely) the Queensland context. A working definition of a learning partnership, adopted as the basis for the research, indicates a strategy designed to foster continuous learning, collaboration, innovation and renewal in response to the demands of the knowledge-based economy and knowledge and learning societies. The research focuses on organisational arrangements in order for the researcher to gain deeper understanding from the key stakeholders in their work environments. Three diverse situations were selected for detailed exploration of their issues, relationships, activities, processes and working knowledge. With a view to contributing to emerging theory, an organisational case study methodology was adopted to identify and explore the nature of the relationships and issues confronting the key stakeholders in three Queensland-based learning partnerships. An interpretive theoretical framework draws on the social theory of symbolic interactionism and the "systems thinking" of General Systems Theory. An interpretivist perspective influenced the case study research strategy and guided data collection, analysis and reporting. Within the case studies, data collection methods included observations, informal meetings, synergetic focus groups, semi-structured interviews, diary notes, researcher memos and documents. From these multiple data sources, the researcher was able to assemble three case files. The inductive process for within-case analysis for the case reports, and later, cross-case analysis, integrated as a form of constant comparison technique, was used as a basis for presenting findings. These findings are reported as three separate "in progress" models to address three interrelated research questions. The case reports explain complex and interconnected organisational arrangements - evolving, adapting and responding to internal and external tensions. While there is considerable activity which could be regarded as representing learning partnerships, there is no cohesive policy framework to support such partnerships, and much ambiguity, "muddy" definitions and unclear terminology. It appears that a "new breed" of knowledge-worker is emerging - linking, networking, interacting, exchanging - to work across organisational intersections. The study shows that like "herding cats", co-ordinating and managing the inter relationships at the organisational intersection take time, resources, vision, processes for interaction, individual willingness and "in-kind" support. Whilst there is opportunity for linking disparate groups to cross-fertilise ideas, working knowledge, and information, and there is the potential to cultivate a knowledge and learning ecosystem (a fertile compost heap for knowledge generation and an innovative learning system) - "intellectual horsepower" - such configurations may also derail, realign or stagnate. It is individual stakeholders who form the relationships, interact, share ideas, and build networks, and it is the individual who maintains the relationships, engages in the process and learns from the experience. Therein lies a paradox between the strength of diversity of the collective (synergies) and their weakness as the relationships may be compromised by a single individual who withdraws or transfers. Drawing on a computing analogy, this could be akin to "corruption" in a system which may not be sufficiently robust to tolerate ambiguity, or a system that is too inflexible to survive threats while maintaining the momentum to adapt and renew. On the basis of this research it would appear that a more robust or resilient paradigm is emerging with interconnected, blurred boundaries and much "talking and thinking" about more sustainable futures. The study identifies these as indicative of wider social and economic changes. The thesis proposes three conceptual models as particularly useful in interpreting these "shifting systems and shifting paradigms": the concentric, the centripetal, and the plutonic.