Comparing Single-Item and Multi-Item Trust Scales: Insights for Assessing Trust in Project Leaders

Funding: This research was funded by Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal. Institutional Review Board Statement: Ethical review and approval were waived for this study. Brazilian Comitê de Ética de Pesquisa (CEP), CNS/466/12, indicates ethical approval is not required for this type of study.The purpose of this research is to provide researchers and leaders with a reliable and up-to- date comparison between a single-item and a multi-item trust scale, enabling effective assessment of team members’ trust in their leaders. The aim of the study is to investigate whether a single-question scale is as reliable as a multi-item questionnaire in measuring trust. An additional goal is to provide researchers with insights and conditions for effectively using single or multiple measures to assess trust in leaders, considering factors like reliability and effectiveness. After conducting a compre- hensive literature review, data were collected from 101 project members in Brazil using a survey methodology. The respondents were asked to provide feedback regarding their leaders, specifically project managers, and factor analysis was then employed to test the single-item and multi-item measures of trust. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are discussed. The findings of our study demonstrate that both single-item and multi-item scales of trust should be utilized to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the trust construct. Single-item questionnaires can reduce survey length, improve respondent friendliness, and increase participant willingness. On the other hand, multi-item questionnaires enable researchers to analyze latent variables that contribute to an overall variable, but they cannot isolate data for each of those constructs. The results show that both measures are reliable, providing researchers and professionals with insights into the benefits and drawbacks associated with each method. Consequently, this research equips researchers and project professionals with valuable information for selecting the appropriate measurement tool.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Diagenesis of Holocene Beachrock in Northeastern Brazil: Petrology, Isotopic Evidence and Age

This work aims to understand beachrock formation during Holocene through petrology, geochemistry and dating of a core located 5,43m deep in relation to present-day sea-level in the Piedade Beach in Jaboatao dos Guararapes- PE. The core is located 143 meters distant from the coast line towards mainland. Four lithofacies have been identified, taking into account differences in texture and sedimentary structures. The framework grain size ranges from medium to very coarse sand, indicating variations in depositional energy. Petrographic data indicate that the beachrocks have values of 64.23% to 70.69% of framework composed of quartz grains. Carbonate cement (represents 13.5%) consisting of high magnesium calcite surrounding grains as isopachous fringe (4.15% to 11.95%), micritic cement (0.60% to 6.42%) and equant cement (0.26% to 7.01%), indicates marine environment precipitation. The results of the isotopic composition of carbon and oxygen present valuesof 3.09‰ to 3.89‰, with an average of 3.63‰ to δ13CPDB and of -0.91‰ to 0.96‰, with an average of 0.54‰ to δ18OPDB, suggesting that the cement is formed in a shallow marine environment with freshwater influence. The values obtained in paleotemperature vary from 21ºC to 30ºC, with an average of 23ºC, with little variation indicating precipitation in a shallow water environment. In the study area, the beachrocks are indicators of sea level and the results suggest that between 7.509 years B.P. and 5982 years B.P. there was a marine transgression process, with sea level 9.18 m lower than the current sea level

Identification of possible targets of the Aspergillus fumigatus CRZ1 homologue, CrzA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Calcineurin, a serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatase, plays an important role in the control of cell morphology and virulence in fungi. Calcineurin regulates localization and activity of a transcription factor called CRZ1. Recently, we characterize <it>Aspergillus fumigatus CRZ1 </it>homologue, AfCrzA. Here, we investigate which pathways are influenced by <it>A. fumigatus </it>AfCrzA during a short pulse of calcium by comparatively determining the transcriptional profile of <it>A. fumigatus </it>wild type and <it>ΔAfcrzA </it>mutant strains.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We were able to observe 3,622 genes modulated in at least one timepoint in the mutant when compared to the wild type strain (3,211 and 411 at 10 and 30 minutes, respectively). Decreased mRNA abundance in the <it>ΔcrzA </it>was seen for genes encoding calcium transporters, transcription factors and genes that could be directly or indirectly involved in calcium metabolism. Increased mRNA accumulation was observed for some genes encoding proteins involved in stress response. AfCrzA overexpression in <it>A. fumigatus </it>increases the expression of several of these genes. The deleted strain of one of these genes, AfRcnA, belonging to a class of endogenous calcineurin regulators, calcipressins, had more calcineurin activity after exposure to calcium and was less sensitive to menadione 30 μM, hydrogen peroxide 2.5 mM, EGTA 25 mM, and MnCl₂25 mM. We constructed deletion, overexpression, and GFP fusion protein for the closely related <it>A. nidulans </it>AnRcnA. GFP::RcnA was mostly detected along the germling, did not accumulate in the nuclei and its location is not affected by the cellular response to calcium chloride.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have performed a transcriptional profiling analysis of the <it>A. fumigatus ΔAfcrzA </it>mutant strain exposed to calcium stress. This provided an excellent opportunity to identify genes and pathways that are under the influence of AfCrzA. AfRcnA, one of these selected genes, encodes a modulator of calcineurin activity. Concomitantly with <it>A. fumigatus AfrcnA </it>molecular analysis, we decided to exploit the conserved features of <it>A. nidulans </it>calcineurin system and investigated the <it>A. nidulans </it>AnRcnA homologue. <it>A. nidulans </it>AnRcnA mutation is suppressing CnaA mutation and it is responsible for modulating the calcineurin activity and mRNA accumulation of genes encoding calcium transporters.</p

Free 2-propen-1-amine derivative and inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin: scanning electron microscopy, dissolution, cytotoxicity and antimycobacterial activity

Inclusion complexes and physical mixtures of isomeric mixture of E/Z (50:50) of 3-(4'-bromo-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-propen-1-amine (BBAP) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) in the molar proportion of 1:1 and 1:2 were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The dissolution behavior of BBAP and of the inclusion complexes were also evaluated for six hours. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was possible to observe an inclusion complex formed between BBAP and beta-CD by co-evaporation, either in the molar proportion of 1:1 or 1:2. In the physical mixtures, no complex was observed as previously detected by physicochemical analysis. The dissolution studies showed that the inclusion complexes BBAP/beta-CD 1:1 and 1:2 released respectively 49.07 &plusmn; 1.48 and 40.26 &plusmn; 3.90% of BBAP during six hours. Free BBAP was less soluble than the inclusion complex and reached 9.00 &plusmn; 0.75% of dissolution. Biological assays, such as cytotoxicity to J774 macrophages and to a permanent lung fibroblast cell line (V79), indicated that the BBAP does not exhibit any additional toxic effect with the beta-CD complexes. However, the complexes were less cytotoxic to V79 cells than the free form. The BBAP/beta-CD inclusion complexes were more effective (MIC) than the free compound on several mycobacteria strains. Similar behavior was observed for BBAP/beta-CD complexes and rifampicin, a front-line antitubercular drug, on M. tuberculosis H37Rv growing inside J774 macrophages.Complexos de inclusões e misturas físicas contendo mistura isomérica E/Z (50:50) de 3-(4'-bromo-[1,1'-bifenil]-4-il)-3-(4-bromofenil)-N,N-dimetil-2-propen-1-amina (BBAP) e beta-ciclodextrina (b-CD) nas proporções molares de 1:1 e 1:2 foram analisados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM). O perfil de dissolução do BBAP e dos complexos de inclusões foram também avaliados durante 6 horas. Por microscopia eletrônica de varredura foi possível observar os complexos de inclusões formados entre BBAP e beta-CD por co-evaporação nas proporções molares de 1:1 e 1:2. Como previamente detectado pela caracterização físico-química, na mistura física não se observou a presença de complexo de inclusão. Os estudos de dissolução mostraram que os complexos de inclusões 1:1 e 1:2 liberaram, respectivamente 49.07 &plusmn; 1.48 e 40.26 &plusmn; 3.90% de BBAP durante 6 horas. BBAP na forma livre foi menos solúvel que os complexos de inclusões e atingiu 9.00 &plusmn; 0.75% de dissolução. Os ensaios de citotoxicidade em macrófagos J774 e em uma linhagem de células fibroblásticas de pulmão (V79) indicaram que o BBAP não exibiu efeito tóxico adicional quando complexado com beta-CD. Entretanto, os complexos de inclusões foram menos tóxicos para células V79 que BBAP na forma livre. Os complexos de inclusões BBAP/beta-CD foram mais efetivos (CIM) que o composto livre em várias cepas de micobactérias. Resultados semelhantes foram observados sobre M. tuberculosis H37Rv intracelular para os complexos de inclusões BBAP/b-CD e rifampicina, uma droga anti-tuberculose de primeira linha.682689Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Ictiose Arlequim: Caso Clínico

Harlequin ichthyosis is a rare autosomal recessive congenital disease in which neonates present generalized hyperkeratotic plaques and deep fissures, ectropion, eclabium, malformation of the auricular pavilion and typical facies. Although several complications related to the skin restriction may occur, support in intensive care and early introduction of systemic retinoids, such as acitretin, have significantly contributed to patients' survival and improved prognosis. The purpose of this report is to present a rare case of harlequin ichthyosis and to discuss strategies for early diagnosis and first supportive care.Ictiose arlequim é uma doença congênita autossómica recessiva rara, na qual os recém-nascidos apresentam placas de hiperqueratose generalizadas e fissuras profundas, ectrópio, eclábio, malformação do pavilhão auricular e fácies típicas. Embora várias complicações relacionadas à restrição cutânea possam ocorrer, o suporte em terapia intensiva e a introdução precoce de retinóides sistémicos, como a acitretina, têm contribuído significativamente para a melhoria da sobrevida e do prognóstico dos doentes. O objetivo deste relato é apresentar um raro caso de ictiose arlequim e discutir estratégias para o diagnóstico precoce e o primeiro tratamento de suporte

Prediction of Early TBI Mortality Using a Machine Learning Approach in a LMIC Population.

Background: In a time when the incidence of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is increasing in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), it is important to understand the behavior of predictive variables in an LMIC's population. There are few previous attempts to generate prediction models for TBI outcomes from local data in LMICs. Our study aim is to design and compare a series of predictive models for mortality on a new cohort in TBI patients in Brazil using Machine Learning. Methods: A prospective registry was set in São Paulo, Brazil, enrolling all patients with a diagnosis of TBI that require admission to the intensive care unit. We evaluated the following predictors: gender, age, pupil reactivity at admission, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), presence of hypoxia and hypotension, computed tomography findings, trauma severity score, and laboratory results. Results: Overall mortality at 14 days was 22.8%. Models had a high prediction performance, with the best prediction for overall mortality achieved through Naive Bayes (area under the curve = 0.906). The most significant predictors were the GCS at admission and prehospital GCS, age, and pupil reaction. When predicting the length of stay at the intensive care unit, the Conditional Inference Tree model had the best performance (root mean square error = 1.011), with the most important variable across all models being the GCS at scene. Conclusions: Models for early mortality and hospital length of stay using Machine Learning can achieve high performance when based on registry data even in LMICs. These models have the potential to inform treatment decisions and counsel family members. Level of evidence: This observational study provides a level IV evidence on prognosis after TBI

Hydrosedimentological studies in the Paciencia Dam, Southeastern Brazil

The utilization of dams for many purposes, such as water supply, navigation, flood control, irrigation, storage of water and generation of electricity, among others, solves several problems but unfortunately creates many others. Water management is not a simple task, and the presence of dams generates social, physical, chemical, biological and environmental consequences. Among these severe impacts associated to the implantation and operation of dams, the issues related to the transported and deposited sediments are very significant, although many times hard to evaluate. The objective of this paper is to present the results of studies performed close to the dam of a small hydro power plant located in the Paraibuna River, in the southeast part of Brazil. A grain size analysis of the sediments and its chemical characterization were evaluated before and after a bottom discharge. Two bathymetric surveys in a section of 1.6 km upstream the dam were also performed, one just before and other just after the bottom discharge, in order to evaluate its influence in the bathymetry of the river. The results showed that after the bottom discharge, the amount of muddy sediments upstream the dam became smaller. Regarding to the heavy metal content, the bottom sediments collected upstream and downstream the dam presented, in several samples, values higher than the threshold above which a probable adverse effect on the biota is expected, in particular for cadmium, chromium and zinc, in order of importance