Development of a manometric monitoring method for early detection of air microbiological contamination in the bloodstream

Atmospheric air is a microbial habitat of pathogenic bioaerosols that may pose serious risks to humans. A commonly laboratory-based approach for the diagnosis of such infections in the bloodstream is the blood culture analysis. Its clinical relevance is attributed to the fact that these infections are characterized by high rates of morbidity and mortality, requiring the need for efficient methods for rapid diagnosis. For this reason, our study aimed to develop a method of manometric monitoring for the rapid detection of viable microorganisms in blood culture vials. A methodology was developed to detect pressure variation in intra-vials through a manometric instrument that was coupled to vials of blood culture containing culture broth that allowed microbial growth. This device allowed the early detection of microbial activity based on the production or use of intra-flask gases as a result of microbial metabolic activity. The analyzed variables were the pressure as a function of time, microbial species, and culture medium. The highest pressure found in the flasks without microorganisms was 40 mmHg between 2 and 6 h, and the lowest pressure was 42 mmHg between 21 and 24 h. The variation of the internal pressure in blood culture flasks according to different groups of microorganisms as a function of time demonstrated that the fermentative gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive cocci exhibited a significant increase in relation to their respective control groups (p < 0.001). The non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli showed expected results in relation to the pressure variation in which the production of negative pressures was noticed during the period of analysis, with a significant difference with respect to their control groups (p < 0.001). The developed methodology for the early detection of microorganisms responsible for bloodstream infection was demonstrated to be effective.e Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe-Program Centelha (FAPITEC/SE) and by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), and Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) through the project UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund) funded by national funds, and co-financed Education (FCT/MEC) from national funds and FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Measure of Customer Satisfaction in the Residential Electricity Distribution Service Using Structural Equation Modeling

The main objective of this study is to apply structural equation modeling with partial least squares, and based on covariance, to assess the satisfaction of residential electricity consumers. The methodology used compares the results of both structural equation models to indicate the model that best fits the problem of measuring the satisfaction of residential consumers with electricity concessionaires and licensees. The sample used in the survey contained questionnaire responses from 86,175 individuals considering the period from 2014 to 2018. The constructs evaluated were satisfaction, quality, value, loyalty, and trust. A confidence interval analysis shows that all weights are significant, demonstrating the importance of all the indicators that represent the constructs. The trust, quality, and value constructs can explain 74.4% of the satisfaction construct variability, so this relationship&rsquo;s explanatory capacity is considered substantial. Finally, the evaluation of the performance of the service provided by the electric energy concessionaires/licensees, measured by customer satisfaction, allows for the continuous improvement of services, and meeting, even if minimally, the expectations of its consumers

Measure of Customer Satisfaction in the Residential Electricity Distribution Service Using Structural Equation Modeling

The main objective of this study is to apply structural equation modeling with partial least squares, and based on covariance, to assess the satisfaction of residential electricity consumers. The methodology used compares the results of both structural equation models to indicate the model that best fits the problem of measuring the satisfaction of residential consumers with electricity concessionaires and licensees. The sample used in the survey contained questionnaire responses from 86,175 individuals considering the period from 2014 to 2018. The constructs evaluated were satisfaction, quality, value, loyalty, and trust. A confidence interval analysis shows that all weights are significant, demonstrating the importance of all the indicators that represent the constructs. The trust, quality, and value constructs can explain 74.4% of the satisfaction construct variability, so this relationship’s explanatory capacity is considered substantial. Finally, the evaluation of the performance of the service provided by the electric energy concessionaires/licensees, measured by customer satisfaction, allows for the continuous improvement of services, and meeting, even if minimally, the expectations of its consumers