Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-04-10T11:56:53Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Assunção Andrade de Barcelos - 2017.pdf: 2812488 bytes, checksum: cc71537463a6eab085ae1ffb58222bad (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-04-10T11:58:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Assunção Andrade de Barcelos - 2017.pdf: 2812488 bytes, checksum: cc71537463a6eab085ae1ffb58222bad (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-10T11:58:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Assunção Andrade de Barcelos - 2017.pdf: 2812488 bytes, checksum: cc71537463a6eab085ae1ffb58222bad (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-03 / The present study had as objective to analyze and to diagnose the water quality of the basin Sucuri brook, located in the city of Caçu-Goiás. With an area of 74 km ², the Sucuri stream basin is typically rural, does not receive urban and industrial effluents. It is inserted in the reservoir basin of Barra do Coqueiros Hydroelectric Plant (UHEBC), in the middle course of Rio Claro. Limnologically, five sampling points were defined in the watercourse in order to diagnose the quality of the water in four different periods. The methodology of water analysis followed the proposal of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 and Water Quality Index (IQA). Land use mapping was performed using the supervised classification method. From the analysis of land use it was verified that about 55.5% of the area of the basin is classified as smooth corrugated, 63% was occupied with pasture for extensive cattle raising. As of 2010, sugarcane cultivation now occupies about 18% of the area of the basin, while the forest covers around 16.5%. Pedologically the Red Latosols Dystrophic (LVd) occupy about 72.5% of the basin, and in the geological aspect sandstone rocks of Vale do Rio do Peixe Formation predominate occupying 90% of the basin. The climate is classified as Aw type with two well defined seasons, one dry (less rainy) and one wet (rainier) with annual rainfall being around 1400 to 1600 mm. According to the data evaluated, the nonconformity of the water of the Sucuri stream to class 1, the parameters that contributed the most to keep the IQA low were: electrical conductivity, phosphorus, thermotolerant coliform and dissolved oxygen, being this watercourse classified according to CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 of classes 2. According to the classification IQA-CETESB the waters were classified as Good quality, however for the IQA-IGAM it can be classified as Medium quality. / O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar e diagnosticar a qualidade das águas da bacia do córrego Sucuri, localizado no município de Caçu-Goiás. Com uma área de 74 km², a bacia do córrego Sucuri é tipicamente rural; não recebe efluentes urbanos e industriais. Está inserida na bacia do reservatório da Usina Hidrelétrica Barra do Coqueiros (UHEBC), no médio curso do Rio Claro. Limnologicamente, foram definidos cinco pontos de amostragem no curso d’água, a fim de se diagnosticar a qualidade das águas em quatro períodos distintos. A metodologia de análise da água seguiu a proposta do Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Resolução CONAMA nº 357/2005 e Índice de Qualidade das Águas (IQA). O mapeamento do uso e ocupação da bacia hidrográfica foi realizado pelo método da classificação supervisionada. A partir da análise do uso e ocupação da bacia hidrográfica, verificou-se que cerca de 55,5% da área da bacia são classificadas como suave ondulado, 63% eram ocupadas com pastagem para criação de gado extensivo. A partir de 2010, a cana-de-açúcar passou a ocupar cerca de 18% da área da bacia, enquanto que a mata/Cerrado ocupa uma área em torno de 16,5%. Pedologicamente, o Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico (LVd) ocupa cerca de 72,5% da bacia; no aspecto geológico, predominam rochas areníticas da Formação Vale do Rio do Peixe, ocupando 90% da bacia. O clima é classificado como Aw, com duas estações bem definidas - uma seca (menos chuvosa) e outra úmida (mais chuvosa), a precipitação média anual em torno de 1400 a 1600 mm. De acordo com os dados avaliados, verifica-se a não conformidade da água do córrego Sucuri para classe 1, os parâmetros que mais contribuíram para manter o IQA baixo foram: fósforo, coliformes termotolerantes e oxigênio dissolvido, sendo esse curso d'água classificado, segundo a Resolução CONAMA nº 357/05, como de classe 2. Segundo a classificação da IQA-CETESB, as águas foram classificadas como de Boa qualidade; entretanto, para o IQA-IGAM a água pode ser classificada de Média e Bom qualidade.

Introdução: Os crustáceos ocupam o quarto lugar em volume de captura no mundo e o seu elevado valor comercial, os tornam relevantes em relação ao montante financeiro gerado pela atividade pesqueira. Atualmente, a garantia da qualidade é requisito para a permanência no mercado, sendo exigida dentro de especificações previamente estabelecidas, tanto pelas autoridades sanitárias brasileiras como dos países para os quais o pescado é exportado. Objetivo: Caracterizar a qualidade dos camarões sete-barbas desembarcados na região Metropolitana da Baixada Santista, visando a segurança alimentar e a sustentabilidade da cadeia produtiva e, a partir do método do índice de qualidade (QIM), desenvolver um protocolo de avaliação do frescor para o camarão marinho Xiphopenaeu kroyeri inteiro armazenado em gelo. Métodos: Após o levantamento dos principais pontos de desembarque do camarão sete-barbas na região Metropolitana da Baixada Santista, SP., considerando a produção e frota pesqueira; realizou-se a caracterização da qualidade do camarão desembarcado na região pela determinação da biometria e dos parâmetros físicos, químicos e microbiológicos regulados (pH, bases nitrogenadas voláteis totais (BNVT), trimetilamina (TMA), residual de dióxido de enxofre, mercúrio e pesquisa de Staphylococcus aureus e Salmonella spp). Foi realizada a determinação instrumental de cor e textura; a quantificação das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), as contagens de coliformes totais e termotolerantes, de clostrídios sulfito redutores e testes sensoriais de aceitação. Para otimizar o protocolo de avaliação do frescor do camarão X. kroyeri armazenado em gelo, com e sem o uso de sulfito, foram conduzidos ensaios de vida útil empregando-se as análises física e químicas (pH, BNVT, TMA, TBARS e aminas biogênicas), microbiológicas (S.aureus, Salmonella spp, coliformes totais, bolores e leveduras, contagens padrão de bactérias heterotróficas aeróbias psicrotróficas e mesófilas) e testes sensoriais, onde se utilizou o protocolo elaborado. Resultados: A análise global dos parâmetros de qualidade de 20 desembarques mostra que os camarões apresentavam-se em desacordo com os limites propostos pelo Regulamento de Inspeção Industrial e Sanitária de Produtos de Origem Animal, embora atendessem aos padrões microbiológicos do Ministério da Saúde e, em alguns casos, foram qualificados sensorialmente como muito bons. Indicando a necessidade de adequação dos limites estipulados para os parâmetros físico e químicos nacionais vigentes para o consumo do camarão sete-barbas. Os padrões de coloração para a espécie parecem bem promissores, mas devem ser mais estudados, frente a gama de fatores que afetam a mesma. A rejeição sensorial do produto sem sulfito ocorreu primeiro, pelo escurecimento do cefalotórax do camarão (melanose) no 2° dia de armazenamento em gelo, tanto para o produto cru como para o cozido. A eficiência do uso de sulfitos, em solução a 1,25 por cento , na conservação do camarão foi indicada pela rejeição sensorial que ocorreu com 3 ou 4 dias e foi determinada pela presença de odores não característicos (amoniacal, ácido e/ou sulfídrico) no camarão cozido, os quais apresentaram correlação com o período de armazenamento em gelo (r= 0,70; p < 0,05). O limite residual de dióxido de enxofre em camarões provenientes de pescas longas (3 a 10 dias) apresentou-se sempre acima do limite permitido pela Agência Nacional da Vigilância Sanitária, confirmando que o uso do metabissulfito de sódio para retardar o aparecimento da melanose, deve ser cauteloso, com vistas a não causar prejuízos à saúde do consumidor. A regressão linear dos parâmetros sensoriais propostos no protocolo QIM (cor, odor, melanose, aderência do cefalotórax ao corpo e aderência da carapaça) mostrou a correlação dos mesmos com o período de estocagem em gelo, tanto para os camarões do controle, como para os tratados com sulfito. Conclusão: Com vistas à classificação de um lote de camarão sete-barbas como aceitável para o consumo são sugeridos os seguintes limites: pH 7,7; BNVT 35 mg.100 g -1 de músculo; firmeza muscular (entre os 2 primeiros segmentos da cauda) > 6 N, sendo desejável valores superiores para o camarão recém desembarcado. Há necessidade de melhorias nas práticas a bordo das embarcações pesqueiras. O protocolo QIM para o camarão X.kroyeri inteiro e conservado em gelo, consiste de 5 parâmetros e seus descritores, os quais somam 11 pontos de demérito e pode ser utilizado em camarões tratados ou não com sulfitos / Introduction: Crustaceans occupy the fourth place in world capture volume and their high economic value makes them relevant fishery activity in the market share. Nowadays, quality assurance is a mandatory requirement to be kept in market, due specific established requirements from national sanitary authorities or from imported countries. Objectives: Characterize the quality of the seabob-shrimp landed in Santos, SP (BR), to food security and sustainability of supply chain and, using the quality index method (QIM) to develop a protocol for freshness evaluation of Raw whole Xiphopenaeus kroyeri shrimp stored on ice. Methods: After the assessment of the main landing points of the seabob-shrimp in the metropolitan area of Santos, SP (BR), considering the production and shipping fleet; the characterization of the shrimp quality landed in the region was carried out by biometry determination and physical, chemical and regulated microbiological parameters (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA), sulfur dioxide residue, mercury, S. aureus and Salmonella spp,). Instrumental determination of the color and texture, substances thiobarbituric acid reactive quantification (TBARS), total and fecal coliforms counts, Clostridium sulfide reductors and sensory acceptance tests were also performed. To optimize the protocol for the evaluation of ice stored X. kroyeri shrimp freshness, treated or not with sulfite, trials of shelf life were conducted using physical and chemicals analyzes (pH, TVB-N, TMA, TBARS and biogenic amines), microbiological (S.aureus, Salmonella spp, total coliforms counts, molds and yeasts, Mesophilic and Psychrotrophic Bacteria) and sensory analysis, where established protocol was used. Results: Overall analysis of the quality parameters of 20 landings has shown that the shrimps were in disagreement with limits proposed by the Regulation of Industrial and Sanitary Inspection of Animal Products, although the microbiological standards requirements of the Ministry of Health were attended and, in some cases, were sensorially qualified as \"very good\". This implies the necessity of physical and chemical parameters adequacy for the current national seabob-shrimp consumption. The staining patterns for the species look very promising, but should be further studied, since the great range of factors that affect it. The sensory rejection of products without sulfite occurred first with a darkening of the shrimp carapace (melanosis) in the 2nd day of storage on ice, as much to the crude product as cooked one. The efficiency of the sulphites, in solution at 1.25%, in the seabob-shrimp conservation was indicated by the sensory rejection that occurred in 3 or 4 days and was determined by the presence of uncharacteristic odors (ammonia, acid and/ or hydrogen sulfide) in cooked shrimp, that showed correlation with ice storage period (r = 0.70, p < 0.05). Results of residual sulfur dioxide in shrimps from long fisheries (3 to 10 days) were always above the limit allowed by ANVISA, which confirms that the usage of sodium metabisulfite to delay the onset of melanosis should be cautious to avoid consumer health. The linear regression of the parameters proposed in the protocol QIM (color, odor, melanosis, adhesion of the cephalothorax and of the carapace to the body) showed a correlation between the period of storage on ice for both, control shrimps and treated with sulphite. Conclusion: In order to classify a batch of seabob-shrimp as acceptable for consumption the following limits are suggested: pH 7.7; TVB-N 35 mg.100 g-1 of muscle; muscle firmness (between the first and second segment of tail) > 6 N, with higher values for freshly landed shrimp. It is necessary to improve practices onboard of fishing vessels. The Quality Index protocol for shrimp X. kroyeri \"in natura\" consists of five parameters and their descriptors, with total 11 demerit points and can be used in shrimps treated or not with sulfite

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-07-14T12:40:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 mariamagalyheidenreichsilvabucci.pdf: 7508052 bytes, checksum: 9f148299f8fdb2f14075c208a378952b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-19T14:56:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 mariamagalyheidenreichsilvabucci.pdf: 7508052 bytes, checksum: 9f148299f8fdb2f14075c208a378952b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-19T14:56:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 mariamagalyheidenreichsilvabucci.pdf: 7508052 bytes, checksum: 9f148299f8fdb2f14075c208a378952b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-01-28 / A represa Dr. João Penido é o principal manancial de abastecimento de água de Juiz de Fora (MG). Apesar da importância, não há estudos sobre a qualidade de suas águas, sendo desconhecida para a comunidade científica. As formas de uso e ocupação do solo têm produzido impactos negativos no ecossistema aquático. As margens da represa apresentam-se degradadas, e não há mata ciliar. Existe abundância de macrófitas em vários pontos do espelho d‟água e nas regiões dos tributários, indicando processos de eutrofização. Nesta dissertação, foi realizado o monitoramento da qualidade das águas superficiais do reservatório e de dois principais tributários: ribeirão dos Burros e córrego da Grama. As campanhas foram realizadas mensalmente, durante um ano. Foram monitorados dezesseis parâmetros em cinco pontos amostrais: três na represa e um em cada tributário. O objetivo principal foi caracterizar a qualidade da água do manancial. Os parâmetros analisados foram comparados com a Resolução CONAMA 357/2005 (BRASIL, 2005), referentes a águas doces, classe 1. Verificou-se que o oxigênio dissolvido, pH, turbidez, DBO e fósforo total apresentaram-se em desconformidade com a citada norma. Foi calculado o Índice de Qualidade da Água (IQA) para os pontos amostrais, com a utilização de nove parâmetros. Constatou-se que na represa, houve predomínio do nível “médio” nas zonas fluvial e lacustre. A zona intermediária apresentou nível “bom” em todas as amostras analisadas. Os tributários apresentaram resultados que variaram de “ruim” a “bom”, com predomínio do nível “médio”. Foi calculado também o Índice de Estado Trófico (IET) para os pontos amostrais, com a utilização dos parâmetros fósforo total e clorofila a. Verificou-se o predomínio do estado “mesotrófico” para todos os pontos, havendo um registro de “supereutrófico” para tributário e “eutrófico” para a represa, no mês de julho de 2009 (estiagem). Espera-se que os estudos aqui apresentados possam contribuir para a gestão integrada da represa Dr. João Penido, de forma a garantir água de boa qualidade para os atuais e futuros usuários. O monitoramento da qualidade da água demonstrou ser ferramenta fundamental, auxiliando na tomada de decisões que envolvem a preservação do manancial. / “Dr. João Penido” dam is the main drinking water supply in Juiz de Fora (MG). Despite its importance, no studies have been reported on its water quality, being unknown data for the scientific community. The use and occupation of the land have caused negative impact on the aquatic ecosystems. The sides of the dam are damaged and without riparian forests. There is abundance of macrophytes in various sites of the water mirror and in the regions of the tributaries, indicating that there are processes of eutrophyzation. In this dissertation, it was carried out the water quality monitoring of the surface of the reservoir and of two main tributaries: "ribeirão dos Burros" and "córrego da Grama" (Burros brook and Grama stream). The samplings were performed monthly, during one year. Sixteen parameters were analyzed in five sample sites: three at the dam and one in each tributary. The main objective was to characterize the water quality of the water supply. The parameters analyzed were compared with the CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 (BRAZIL, 2005), which refers to freshwater, class 1. It was observed that the dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, BOD and total phosphorus were in disagreement with that resolution. The Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated for the sample sites, with the use of nine parameters. It was noticed predominance of the “medium” level in the fluvial and lacustrine zones in the dam. The intermediate zone showed “good” level in all samples analyzed. The tributaries showed results which varied from “bad” to “good”, mainly with “medium” level. It was also calculated the Trophic State Index (TSI) for the sample sites, with the use of the parameters total phosphorus and chlorophyll a. It was noticed predominance of “mesotrophic” state for all sites, and there was a register of “supereutrophic” for tributary and “eutrophic” for the dam, in July of 2009 (dry season). Hopefully, the studies demonstrated in this work may contribute with the integrated management of Dr. João Penido dam, in order to ensure good quality water supplies for people now and for future generations. Water quality monitoring is an essential tool, which helps to make the right decisions in relation to preservation of the water supply.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:29:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcia Matsumura de Araujo.pdf: 426334 bytes, checksum: a84834be65347b173ce793529a3d04cd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-13 / This study aimed to evaluate the food consumed by female players of team sports in high school, to assess the diet quality index and the nutrition knowledge of these players. The dietary intake was assessed through food records from 4 days, the Diet Quality Index and nutrition knowledge through a validated questionnaire. The group had a mean age of 16.8 years (± 1.5). The inadequacies of the diet found were: Low average energy consumption (1621,9Kcal); Inadequacie of carbohydrate (90.9%), proteins (81.8%) and lipids (50%). There were also found inadequacies for vitamins A (63.6%) and C (59.1%). The inadequacie minerals were: calcium (59.1%), phosphate (95.5%), zinc (77.3%) and electrolytes as sodium (100%) and potassium (100%). In addition, inadequate intake of fiber was found in 100% of the sample. As for the Diet Quality Index, 72.7% require modification of their diets and nutrition knowledge was moderate (72.5%). The analysis of food intake showed that players consume an inadequate diet for their health and physical performance and the Diet Quality Index, together with the assessment of nutrition knowledge show that athletes have moderate knowledge about nutrition but need changes in their diets, suggesting the need for nutritional intervention in this group. / A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a alimentação consumida por jogadoras que praticam esportes coletivos em escola de ensino médio, bem como avaliar o índice de qualidade da dietae mensurar o conhecimento nutricional.. Avaliou-se a ingestão dietética por meio de registro alimentar de 4 dias, o Índice de Qualidade da Dieta e conhecimento nutricional utilizando-se questionário validado. As atletas apresentaram idade média de 16,8 anos (±1,5). As inadequações encontradas na dieta foram: baixo consumo médio de energia (1621,9Kcal), inadequação do consumo de carboidratos (90,9%), proteínas (81,8%) e de lipídeos (50%), também foram encontradas inadequações de ingestão das vitaminas A (63,6%) e C (59,1%), dos minerais cálcio (59,1%), fósforo (95,5%), zinco (77,3%) e dos eletrólitos sódio (100%) e potássio (100%). Tamém se verificou inadequação do consumo de fibras em 100% da amostra. Quanto ao Índice de Qualidade da Dieta, 72,7% necessitam de modificações da dieta e o conhecimento nutricional foi moderado (72,5%). A análise da ingestão alimentar mostrou que as jogadoras consomem uma alimentação inadequada para o seu desempenho físico e saúde e o Índice de Qualidade da Dieta, juntamente com a avaliação do conhecimento nutricional demonstram que as mesmas possuem conhecimento moderado sobre nutrição mas que necessitam de alterações nas suas dietas, sugerindo a necessidade de intervenção nutricional para esse grupo.

Please read the abstract in the 00front part of this document / Dissertation (MSc (Mining Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Mining Engineering / unrestricted

Orientadores: Emilia Rutkowski, Orlando Fontes Lima Junior / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T15:55:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigues_MariaAparecida_M.pdf: 4917113 bytes, checksum: d1bbe941b7749939d66f2c62600f863d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002 / Resumo: As Universidades, pelas suas atividades de ensino, pesquisa e extensão desempenham papel importante na promoção da sustentabilidade do desenvolvimento da sociedade. No século XX, em sua última década, um número representativo de universidades implementou políticas ambientais ou processos de planejamento e gestão ambiental em seus campi. Esses processos se fundamentaram em princípios de minimização de impactos, conservação e uso adequado dos recursos naturais, obediência à legislação ambiental, proteção do meio e da biodiversidade, conscientização com motivação e comprometimento ambiental da comunidade universitária. Os programas e políticas propostas para as universidades, internacionais e nacionais, em seus macro-objetivos se compromissaram com a sustentabilidade do meio, estabelecendo um conjunto de indicadores - ambientais, sociais, institucionais e econômicos - como instrumentos de avaliação de seus campi. o presente trabalho pretende explorar a possibilidade de avaliar a qualidade ambiental de campi universitários através de indicadores ecológicos e sócio-econômicos com base na metodologia Battelle. Como estudo de caso a metodologia foi aplicada, com as adaptações necessárias, para avaliar a qualidade ambiental da Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz campus de Barão Geraldo da Unicam / Abstract: Universities have an important role to promote the sustainability of society's development. In the last decade of the 20th Century, environmental policies were implemented by an expressive number of universities. These processes were based on impacts minimization, natural resources conservation, obedience to the environmental legislation, biocomplexity protection, conscientiousness and motivation of their community to environmental commitments. The universities programs and policies aim environmental sustainability, establishing a set of indicators to evaluate their campuses. The present work intends to examine the universities environmental quality through Battelle Methodology. Cidade Universitária "Zeferino Vaz", the campus of UNICAMP at Barão Geraldo district of Campinas/SP (Brasil), is the case of study of the present work / Mestrado / Saneamento e Ambiente / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

No description available.

In early 2020, many businesses (including gyms) were instructed to shut down for an unspecified period of time as a response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Casagrande et al., 2020, p.1; Erskine, M., 2020, para.1; O’Brien, 2020, Gyms and Health Centers section, para.1-16). As a result, many people experienced a change in how much they exercised and the quality and quantity of their sleep (Antunes et al., 2020, pp.3,5; Bigalke et al., 2020, p.7; Cellini et al., 2021, pp.113- 115, 117; Constandt et al., 2020, p.4; Pérez-Carbonell et al., 2020, pp.164, 166; Puccinelli et al., 2021, p.6). There was also an increase in the levels of negative mental states, such as anxiety and depression in various populations (Daly et al., 2020, pp.2-5). This study primarily explored changes in exercise and sleep (quality and quantity) as a result of the pandemic in a highly athletic adult population of rowers and triathletes. The data collected from the study also touched upon the changes in the mental states of the participants. A survey was sent across Canada to rowing and triathlon clubs from SurveyMonkey that had both qualitative and quantitative questions to examine these areas of contention. A majority of participants indicated that their sleep quality had worsened as a result the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there wasn’t enough evidence to indicate that the pandemic affected the length of their sleep. The athletic performance of the athletes, as measured by self-report, decreased during the pandemic in an overwhelming number of participants. Finally, although there were many indications of worsened mental health states (such as reports of increased anxiety), there wasn’t a validated questionnaire used to measure changes in mental health concerns in the population related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some mental health concerns that were shared by the participants indicated other causes than only the pandemic. Future research should include more objective measures of sleep duration and anxiety and depression scores to better clarify those hypotheses. / Graduate

This research investigates and develops a new approach to the management of service quality with the emphasis on patient and staff satisfaction in the healthcare sector. The challenge of measuring the quality of service in healthcare requires us to view the problem from multiple perspectives. At the philosophical level, the true nature of quality is still debated; at the psychological level, an accurate conceptual representation is problematic; whilst at the physical level, an accurate measurement of the concept still remains elusive to practitioners and academics. This research focuses on the problem of quality measurement in the healthcare sector. The contributions of this research are fourfold: Firstly, it argues that from the technological point of view the research to date into quality of service in healthcare has not considered methods of real-time measurement and monitoring. This research identifies the key elements that are necessary for developing a real-time quality monitoring system for the healthcare environment.Secondly, a unique index is proposed for the monitoring and improvement of healthcare performance using information-theoretic entropy formalism. The index is formulated based on five key performance indicators and was tested as a Healthcare Quality Index (HQI) based on three key quality indicators of dignity, confidence and communication in an Accident and Emergency department. Thirdly, using an M/G/1 queuing model and its underlying Little’s Law, the concept of Effective Satisfaction in healthcare has been proposed. The concept is based on a Staff-Patient Satisfaction Relation Model (S-PSRM) developed using a patient satisfaction model and an empirically tested model developed for measuring staff satisfaction with workload (service time). The argument is presented that a synergy between patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction is the key to sustainable improvement in healthcare quality. The final contribution is the proposal of a Discrete Event Simulation (DES) modelling platform as a descriptive model that captures the random and stochastic nature of healthcare service provision process to prove the applicability of the proposed quality measurement models.

Introduction: Plusieurs indices de qualité alimentaire globale ont été élaborés en misant sur la consommation de certains nutriments ou aliments, ou des groupes d’aliments. Les indices de la qualité alimentaire globale sont en mesure d’évaluer de manière intégrée les aspects recherchés d’une bonne alimentation. C’est dans ce cadre que le Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI) a été développé pour évaluer le degré auquel les apports alimentaires des individus rencontrent les consignes du guide alimentaire canadien et les Recommandations nutritionnelles canadiennes. Objectif: Evaluer les liens entre l’indice de la qualité alimentaire globale C-HEI calculé à partir de la moyenne de trois rappels alimentaires de 24 heures et des paramètres nutritionnels, anthropométriques et des indicateurs de santé au recrutement (T1) dans l’étude longitudinale québécoise sur la nutrition et le vieillissement réussi (NuAge). Méthodologie: Des analyses bivariées (coefficients de corrélation, tableaux croisés et la statistique khi deux) ont été réalisées afin de déterminer les associations entre le score total C-HEI et certaines variables nutritionnelles, anthropométriques et le nombre de maladies chroniques. Résultats et discussion: Les participants ont rencontré ou dépassé la plupart de leurs apports nutritionnels de référence. Le C-HEI n’a pas été fortement corrélé aux nutriments individuels (rs= 0,14-0,52, p<0,01). Le C-HEI total était significativement associé aux recommandations canadiennes pour l’apport en fibres (rs= 0,51), le % d’énergie provenant des lipides (rs=-0,60) et des acides gras saturés (rs= -0,59), p<0,01. De plus, la suffisance en protéines et en énergie est augmentée lorsqu’on passait du Q1 (plus faible) à Q4 (plus élevé) du C-HEI (p<0,05). De même, les proportions des sujets ayant des mesures anthropométriques associées aux risques accrus pour la santé sont diminuées en passant du Q1 au Q4 (p<0,05), témoignant ainsi des liens entre une alimentation de bonne qualité et la protection des risques de santé associés à l’embonpoint et à l’obésité. Conclusion : Les résultats de cette recherche ont fourni des preuves additionnelles sur le lien entre le score C-HEI et certains paramètres nutritionnels et anthropométriques d’intérêt, et ce, provenant des données alimentaires quantitatives colligées au sein d’une population âgée vivant dans la communauté. / Introduction: Several diet quality indicators have been developed based on nutrient intakes, foods or food groupings, or a combination of nutrient and foods. Measures of overall diet quality consider numerous aspects of dietary intake. It is within this framework that the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI) was adapted to Canadian dietary and nutritional guidance using Canada’s Food Guide and Nutrition recommendations for Canadians. Objectives: To determine the links between the C-HEI using the mean of three 24-hour diet recalls, and certain health outcomes at entry into the study (T1). The analyses were carried out using data collected from participants in the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge). Methodology: Bivariate analyses (Spearman correlation, cross-tabulation and chi-square) were carried out to assess relationships between nutritional and anthropometric variables, the number of chronic disease and the C-HEI. Results and Discussion: Participants met or exceeded most Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). The C-HEI did not show consistent relationships with individual nutrients (rs= 0.14-0.52, p<0.01). However, selected sub-scores of the C-HEI reflect attainment of Canada’s Food Guide recommendations, showing a strong association with dietary fiber intakes (rs= 0.51) and nutrition recommendations addressing percent energy as fat (rs=-0.60) and as saturated fat (rs= -0.59), p<0.01. Energy and protein adequacy increased from Q1 to Q 4 of C-HEI (p<0.05). In addition, proportions of subjects with anthropometric measures associated with a health risk decreased from quartiles Q1 to Q4 (p<0.05), attesting to links between good diet quality and lower health risks associated with overweight and obesity. Conclusion: The C-HEI discriminates overall diet quality based on dietary data collected from 24HR, providing further evidence on the links between the C-HEI and selected nutritional and anthropometric parameters as applied to quantitative dietary data obtained from community-dwelling older adults.