Automatic Electromechanical Perturbator for Postural Control Analysis Based on Model Predictive Control

Objective clinical analyses are required to evaluate balance control performance. To this outcome, it is relevant to study experimental protocols and to develop devices that can provide reliable information about the ability of a subject to maintain balance. Whereas most of the applications available in the literature and on the market involve shifting and tilting of the base of support, the system presented in this paper is based on the direct application of an impulsive (short-lasting) force by means of an electromechanical device (named automatic perturbator). The control of such stimulation is rather complex since it requires high dynamics and accuracy. Moreover, the occurrence of several non-linearities, mainly related to the human–machine interaction, signals the necessity for robust control in order to achieve the essential repeatability and reliability. A linear electric motor, in combination with Model Predictive Control, was used to develop an automatic perturbator prototype. A test bench, supported by model simulations, was developed to test the architecture of the perturbation device. The performance of the control logic has been optimized by iterative tuning of the controller parameters, and the resulting behavior of the automatic perturbator is presented

Applications of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Purposes

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) technique is prescribed for several treatments, as the management of venous leg ulcers or the prevention of deep vein thrombosis. Commercial devices do not enable the full customization of the compressive patterns due to design specifications and low dynamics. However, IPC can be implemented in a wide scenario of clinical protocols, and not only as a therapeutic tool. In this paper, the results of the research on IPC devices conducted at the Politecnico di Torino (Turin, Italy) are presented. In particular, applications regarding the treatment of the end-diastolic volume (EDV) reduction, the investigation of vascular phenomena as hyperemia, and the assessment of venous pulse wave velocity (vPWV) are discussed. The outcomes of the research demonstrate that IPC technology can lead to the creation of widely used diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative devices

Application of Model Predictive Control in Physical Human-Machine Interaction

In this paper, an application of Model Predictive Control (MPC) to physical human-machine interaction is presented. In particular, the study focuses on the development of a mechatronic device able to apply a well-controlled mechanical impulsive force on the human body, for clinical investigation of postural control. The need for high accuracy and repeatability led to the MPC design, which is able to manage the non-linearities related to the human-machine interaction. The hardware architecture design of the prototype, the development of the control system (based on motor current saturation) and its optimization are presented. The results of experimental trials carried out in the laboratory and on healthy subjects show that the MPC algorithm is able to provide the accuracy and robustness requested by the application

Carta de Psicología No. 55

Alteración de las funciones ejecutivas en adultos consumidores de cocaína. Alteraciones neuropsicológicas de la demencia frontotemporal. Ansiedad y aprendizaje: retos para la educación virtual. Efectos del aislamiento social sobre el estrés y la memoria de trabajo. Efectos de los videojuegos sobre la atención en niños y adolescentes. Calidad en la educación superior enfocada en la comprensión de lectura. ¿Saben los estudiantes de la Universidad Católica en qué consiste el cambio climático y cuáles son susconsecuencias? Fortalecimiento: una mirada conceptual desde la psicología comunitaria. Del estrés laboral al síndrome de burnout en tiempos de teletrabajo. Conoce las alternativas de trabajo de grado del programa de pregrado en Psicología. El eneagrama: una herramienta para la gestión del talento humano. Relación de factores psicosociales con el engagement en empleados de modalidad de teletrabajo debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. La inteligencia emocional como estrategia para impulsar competencias y habilidades en el desarrollo. El comportamiento proambiental de cuidado del agua: una caracterización bibliométrica. Motivaciones de una persona para hacerse modificaciones corporales. Percepción de la población colombiana sobre corrupción e injusticia. Instrumento para identificar la percepción de los sectores sociales LGBTI+ en relación con su vida laboral y profesional.1a ed

Memorias. Encuentro de Experiencias en Inventarios y Monitoreo Biológico

Las discusiones temáticas alrededor de la consolidación del Inventario Nacional de Biodiversidad para Colombia y la Red de Monitoreo de Biodiversidad como una estrategia de largo plazo, sin duda temas complejos que requerirán de grandes esfuerzos, coordinación y generosidad institucional y personal, los podrá apreciar el lector a lo largo del presente documento, esperando que pueda entender también la importancia que tienen los resultados y la agenda propuesta si en el futuro queremos tomar decisiones con bases científicas