Digital controller design considering hardware constraints: application in a paraplegic patient

INTRODUCTION: A methodology was developed for implementing closed-loop control algorithms and for evaluating the behavior of a system, considering certain component restrictions used in laboratory implementation. METHODS: Mathematical functions representing a model of the biological system were used for knee extension/flexion movements. A Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller and another one using the root locus method were designed to control a patient’s leg position by applying functional electrical stimulation (FES). The controllers were simulated in Matlab and ISIS Proteus. After the simulations were performed, the codes were embedded in a microcontroller, and tests were conducted on a paraplegic volunteer. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that ISIS Proteus software resources have been used prior to implementing a closed-loop system designed to control the leg position of patients. RESULTS:This method obviates the application of initial controller tests directly to patients. The response obtained in the experiment with a paraplegic patient complied with the specifications set in terms of the steady-state error, the settling time, and the percentage overshoot. The proposed procedure was successfully applied for the implementation of a controller used to control the leg position of a paraplegic person by electrical muscle stimulation. CONCLUSION:The methodology presented in this manuscript can contribute to the implementation of analog and digital controllers because hardware limitations are typically not taken into account in the design of controllers.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Estadual Paulista Department of Electrical EngineeringLondrina State University Center of Technology and Urbanism Department of Electrical EngineeringUniversidade Estadual Paulista Department of Electrical Engineerin

Factors associated with pacifier use among children of working women with childcare in the workplace

ABSTRACTPurpose: to identify the prevalence of pacifier use as well as the reasons for introducing a pacifier and to analyze factors associated with this practice among children of working women with childcare in the workplace.Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted with 46 women working at a higher education institution that offered childcare in the workplace; the children were in the age range 2.6 years. Data collection was carried out using a self-report questionnaire filled at home. Reasons for introducing a pacifier were analyzed descriptively; Poisson regression was used in the multiple analysis.Results: the prevalence of pacifier use was 63%. Most women offered the pacifier after the infant's 16th day of life, in order to calm the baby. In the multiple analysis, higher maternal education was associated with pacifier use.Conclusion: a high prevalence of pacifier use was observed, as well as early pacifier introduction, among children of working women with childcare in the workplace. With regard to the factors associated with pacifier use in this population, lower maternal education acted as a protective factor against pacifier use.RESUMOObjetivo: identificar a prevalência de uso da chupeta e os motivos para sua introdução além de analisar os fatores associados a essa prática entre filhos de mulheres com creche no local de trabalho.Métodos: estudo transversal realizado com 46 mulheres trabalhadoras de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior com creche no local de trabalho, mães de crianças com idade média de 2,6 anos. Para coleta de dados, utilizou-se questionário enviado para casa. Procedeu-se análise descritiva dos motivos da introdução da chupeta e para a análise múltipla utilizou-se regressão de Poisson.Resultados: a prevalência do uso de chupeta foi de 63%. A maioria ofereceu a chupeta após o 16º dia, com o intuito de acalmá-la. Na análise múltipla, a maior escolaridade materna associou-se ao uso de chupeta.Conclusão: constatou-se a alta prevalência de uso e introdução precoce de chupeta entre filhos de mulheres trabalhadoras com creche no local de trabalho. Com relação aos fatores associados ao uso de chupeta nesta população verificou-se a menor escolaridade das mães como fator de proteção ao uso de chupeta

Detection of Anaplasma sp. phylogenetically related to A. phagocytophilum in a free-living bird in Brazil

Abstract Wild animals play an important role in carrying vectors that may potentially transmit pathogens. Several reports highlighted the participation of wild animals on the Anaplasma phagocytophilum cycle, including as hosts of the agent. The aim of this study was to report the molecular detection of an agent phylogenetically related to A. phagocytophilum isolated from a wild bird in the Midwest of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Fifteen blood samples were collected from eleven different bird species in the Guarapuava region. One sample collected from a Penelope obscura bird was positive in nested PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma spp. The phylogenetic tree based on the Maximum Likelihood analysis showed that the sequence obtained was placed in the same clade with A. phagocytophilum isolated from domestic cats in Brazil. The present study reports the first molecular detection of a phylogenetically related A. phagocytophilum bacterium in a bird from Paraná State