Alvina: um protocolo para orientar o desenvolvimento e validação de tecnologias baseadas em aba para o tratamento do autismo

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects about 1-2% of the global population and leads to long-term challenges in the daily social lives of individuals with the disability. Based mainly on behavioral symptoms, the ASD is usually diagnosed after the second year of life. Beyond that, research indicates that the prevalence rates of this disorder have increased during the last three decades. Early interventions based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) have contributed to good results in treatments, demonstrating significant improvements in language, cognitive ability and social skills for many individuals diagnosed with ASD. Besides ABA, Assistive Technologies (ATs) such as games, robots, among others, contribute positively to the development and learning process compared to other instructional methods. Then, associating ABA practices with the use of technology can contribute to controllable intervention, structured, adaptable, stimulating and increasingly effective processes. However, it is observed that ATs designed based on ABA principles for ASD treatment do not meet the criteria proposed by this science. Thus, this paper’s main objective was to propose ALVINA: A Protocol to Guide the Development and Validation of ABA-Based Technologies for the Treatment of Autism. As a way of expanding reflections and reinforcing the importance and benefits of ALVINA, an evaluation was carried out, which took place through the application of questionnaires, in which computer professionals and Behavior Analysts participated. As a result of this assessment, these professionals highlighted the relevance of ALVINA information, considering it capable of involving important and essential points in the understanding process of how to validate and design ABA-based ATs for the ASD treatment, besides intelligibly meeting the criteria for the fundamental principles of this science. All this demonstrates the professionals involved in the ALVINA assessment have recognized the importance and need of a protocol for the development and validation of a proposed AT to be used during the intervention process. Furthermore, as a way of demonstrating the applicability of ALVINA, it was used to validate the SEIA: Teaching System Based on Artificial Intelligence and ABA and TEO: An Interactive Game Suite To Support The Treatment Of Children With Autism. Through this validation, the Behavior Analysts analyzed the weaknesses and strengths of SEIA and TEO. The guidelines described by ALVINA were also used for the development of a prototype called AUTISMALG: Application to Assist in Teaching Identification and Counting Number for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This prototype aimed to identify and understand the application of the recommendations of each guideline proposed by ALVINA in the development of an AT. Finally, it is expected that the guidelines proposed by this protocol be efficient in the validation and development of ATs, aiming to ensure the correct execution of ABA practices during the intervention process, thus providing improvements for the treatment of individuals with ASD.O Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo (TEA) é uma condição do neurodesenvolvimento que afeta cerca de 1-2% da população global e leva a desafios de longo prazo na vida social diária dos indivíduos com o transtorno. Baseado principalmente em sintomas comportamentais, o diagnóstico do TEA geralmente se dá a partir do segundo ano de vida. Além disso, as pesquisas apontam que as taxas de prevalência desse transtorno têm aumentado durante as últimas três décadas. Intervenções precoces baseadas na Análise do Comportamento Aplicada (ABA) tem contribuído com bons resultados nos tratamentos, demonstrando melhorias significativas na linguagem, capacidade cognitiva e habilidades sociais para muitos indivíduos com TEA. Além da ABA, Tecnologias Assistivas (TAs) como jogos, robôs entre outras, contribuem positivamente no processo de desenvolvimento e aprendizagem em comparação com outros métodos instrucionais. Assim, associar as práticas da ABA ao uso da tecnologia pode contribuir para processos de intervenção controláveis, estruturados, adaptáveis, estimulantes e cada vez mais efetivos. No entanto, observa-se que as TAs projetadas com base nos princípios da ABA para o tratamento do TEA não atendem aos critérios propostos por esta ciência. Dessa maneira, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi propor o ALVINA: (A Protocol to Guide the Development and Validation of ABA-Based Technologies for the Treatment of Autism) um protocolo que orienta o desenvolvimento e validação de TAs fundamentadas nos princípios da ABA para o tratamento do autismo. Como forma de ampliar as reflexões e reforçar a importância e os benefícios do ALVINA, foi realizada uma avaliação, a qual ocorreu por meio da aplicação de questionários, em que participaram profissionais da computação e Analistas do Comportamento. Como resultado dessa avaliação, estes profissionais destacaram a relevância das informações do ALVINA, considerando-o capaz de envolver pontos importantes e essenciais no processo de compreensão de como validar e projetar TAs baseadas em ABA para o tratamento do TEA, além de atender de forma inteligível os princípios fundamentais desta ciência. Tudo isso demonstra o reconhecimento por parte dos profissionais envolvidos na avaliação do ALVINA sobre a importância e necessidade de um protocolo para o desenvolvimento e validação de uma TA proposta para ser utilizada durante o processo de intervenção. Ademais, como forma de demonstrar a aplicabilidade do ALVINA, este foi utilizado para validar o SEIA: Sistema de Ensino Baseado em Inteligência Artificial e ABA e o TEO: Uma Suíte De Jogos Interativos Para Apoio ao Tratamento De Crianças Com Autismo. Por meio desta validação, os Analistas do Comportamento analisaram as fragilidades e potencialidades do SEIA e do TEO. As orientações descritas pelo ALVINA também foram utilizadas para o desenvolvimento de um protótipo chamado AUTISMALG: Aplicativo para Auxiliar no Ensino da Identificação e Contagem de Algarismos para Crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista. Esse protótipo, se propôs identificar e compreender a aplicação das recomendações de cada diretriz proposta pelo ALVINA no desenvolvimento de uma TA. Por fim, espera-se que as orientações propostas por este protocolo sejam eficientes na validação e desenvolvimento de TAs, visando garantir a execução correta das práticas da ABA durante o processo de intervenção, proporcionando, assim, melhorias para o tratamento dos indivíduos com TEA

Chapadas do Alto Vale do Jequitinhonha, MG: II - mineralogia, micromorfologia e evolução da paisagem

Palm swanp formations, the so-called veredas, typically occur in the Brazilian biome known as Cerrado (savanna-like vegetation), especially on flattened areas or tablelands (chapadas). The aim of this study was to characterize the mineralogy and micromorphology of soil materials from a representative toposequence of the watershed of the vereda Lagoa do Leandro, located in Minas Novas, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, on plains in the region of the upper Jequitinhonha valley, emphasizing essential aspects of their genesis and landscape evolution. The toposequence is underlain by rocks of the Macaúbas group and covered with detrital and metamorphic rocks (schists of Proterozoic diamictites). The soil profiles were first pedologically described; samples of the disturbed and undisturbed soils were collected from all horizons for further micromorphological and mineralogical analyses. The mineralogical analysis was mainly based on powder X ray diffractometry (XRD) and micromorphological descriptions of thin sections under a petrographic microscope. The soils from the bottom to the top of this toposequence were classified as: Typic Albaquult (GXbd), Xanthic Haplustox, gray color, here called Gray Haplustox (LAC), Xanthic Haplustox (LA) and Typic Haplustox (LVA). The clay mineralogy of all soils was found to be dominated by kaolinite. In soil of LA and LVA, the occurrence of goethite, gibbsite, and anatase was evidenced; LAC also contained anatase and the GXbd, illite, anatase, and traces of vermiculite. The micromorphological analyses of the LVA, LA and LAC soils showed the prevalence of a microaggregate-like or granular microstructure, and aggregate porosity has a stacked/packed structure, which is typical of Oxisols. A massive structure was observed in GXbd material, with the presence of illuviation cutans of clay minerals and iron compounds. Paleogleissolos, which are strongly weathered, due to the action of the excavating fauna , and resulted in the present LAC. The GXbd at the base of the vereda preserved the physical, mineralogical and micromorphological properties that are typical of a pedogenesis with a strong influence of long dry periods.As veredas são formações típicas que ocorrem no Cerrado brasileiro, principalmente nas áreas aplainadas denominadas chapadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar mineralógica e micromorfologicamente os solos de uma topossequência representativa da microbacia da Vereda Lagoa do Leandro, localizada no município de Minas Novas - MG, situada nas chapadas do Alto Vale do Jequitinhonha, enfatizando aspectos de suas gêneses e da evolução da paisagem. A topossequência está embasada em rochas do Grupo Macaúbas, com cobertura detrítica e rochas metamórficas (xistos diamictitos do Proterozoico). Os solos foram descritos em trincheiras, e amostras deformadas e indeformadas foram coletadas em todos os horizontes, para análises mineralógicas e micromorfológicas. As análises mineralógicas da fração argila foram determinadas pela técnica de difração de raios X (DRX), e as micromorfológicas, por descrições de lâminas delgadas em microscópio petrográfico. Os solos caracterizados da base da vereda para o topo foram Gleissolo Háplico (GXbd), Latossolo Amarelo, de cor cinzenta, aqui denominado Latossolo Acinzentado (LAC), Latossolo Amarelo (LA) e Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo (LVA). A mineralogia da fração argila em todos os solos é dominada pela caulinita. Nos LVA e LA foram identificadas goethita, gibbsita e anatásio; no LAC, anatásio; e no GXbd, ilita, anatásio e traços de vermiculita. A micromorfologia do LVA, LA e LAC é dominada pela microestrutura do tipo granular ou microagregados e porosidade do tipo empilhamento/empacotamento, típicos de Latossolos. No GXbd predomina a estrutura maciça, com a presença de cutãs de iluviação e ferri-argilãs. Paleogleissolos foram latolizados pela ação da fauna escavadora e deram origem aos atuais LAC. Os GXbd da base da vereda preservaram atributos físicos, mineralógicos e micromorfológicos que tiveram suas gêneses em períodos secos

Applied Behavior Analysis for the Treatment of Autism: A Systematic Review of Assistive Technologies

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that may lead to significant impairment in social communication, repetitive patterns of behavior, and possible fixed and restricted interests. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a well-supported and evidence-based treatment for the delays attributed to ASD. Assistive technologies, such as gamification, software apps, computer-based training (Web), and robotics; provide a standardized method of implementing ABA techniques. This review provides a synthesis of the main characteristics of these technologies. The assessed proposals focused on technologies such as Distributed Systems, Image Processing, Gamification, and Robotics. The primary objectives of these tools sought to improve social behavior, attention, communication, and reading skills. Some common limitations found in the literature was a failure to accurately define their target audience, and a failure to comply with the dimensions of ABA as defined by Baer, Wolf, and Risley in 1968

Uma revisão da literatura Sobre Técnicas de Inteligência Artificial Aplicadas a Redes Inteligentes de Autocura/ A Review of Literature on Artificial Intelligence Techniques Applied to Self-Healing Smart Grids

The development of self-healing in smart grids is an attractive research topic. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for this purpose has been studied recently, and works published in this area show the effectiveness of AI. This article's purpose is to conduct a literature review of research articles published in recent years between 2014 and 2019, with the main theme related directly to self-healing and AI. Compared to the total number of articles published in smart grids, there is a small number of papers with this specific theme, mostly concentrated in Multi-Agent System (MAS). Performing an attribute agreement analysis, it is possible to look for relations between common characteristics of the articles and the chosen AI technique option. The methodology is applicable for educational and research purposes to facilitate the learning and investigation process.

IPSAL: Implementação do módulo para geração da sequência e índices de Sobol

Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis hold significant importance across a range of applications, spanning from industrial problems to climate change, financial risk assessment, as well as mathematical and computational models. These analyses involve identifying influential input parameters in models to comprehend their impact on the output. Sensitivity analysis can be performed locally, examining parameter effects at a fixed value, or globally, evaluating the model across a range of parameter values. The Sobol method stands as a robust approach for global sensitivity analysis, employing a Sobol sequence to create samples more uniformly within the input parameter space, thus enabling efficient exploration of model inputs. This paper aims to introduce a computational implementation in Scilab to generate the Sobol sequence for utilization in sensitivity analysis through the Sobol method. A test case was applied to generate Sobol sequences and discuss the obtained results.A análise de sensibilidade e da incerteza tem uma importância significativa numa série de aplicações, abrangendo desde problemas industriais até alterações climáticas, avaliação de riscos financeiros, bem como modelos matemáticos e computacionais. Essas análises envolvem a identificação de parâmetros de entrada influentes nos modelos para compreender seu impacto na saída. A análise de sensibilidade pode ser realizada localmente, examinando os efeitos dos parâmetros em um valor fixo, ou globalmente, avaliando o modelo em uma faixa de valores de parâmetros. O método de Sobol apresenta uma abordagem robusta para análise de sensibilidade global, empregando uma sequência de Sobol para criar amostras de forma mais uniforme dentro do espaço de parâmetros de entrada, permitindo assim a exploração eficiente das entradas do modelo. Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma implementação computacional no Scilab para gerar a sequência e os índices de Sobol para utilização em análise de sensibilidade através do método Sobol. Um caso de teste foi aplicado para gerar sequências de Sobol e discutir os resultados obtidos

The role of potassium channels in the endothelial dysfunction induced by periodontitis

Objective: Periodontitis is associated with endothelial dysfunction, which is clinically characterized by a reduction in endothelium-dependent relaxation. However, we have previously shown that impairment in endothelium-dependent relaxation is transient. Therefore, we evaluated which mediators are involved in endothelium-dependent relaxation recovery. Material and methods: Rats were subjected to ligature-induced experimental periodontitis. Twenty-one days after the procedure, the animals were prepared for blood pressure recording, and the responses to acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside were obtained before and 30 minutes after injection of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), cyclooxygenase inhibitor (Indomethacin, SC-550 and NS- 398), or calcium-dependent potassium channel blockers (apamin plus TRAM- 34). The maxilla and mandible were removed for bone loss analysis. Blood and gingivae were obtained for C-reactive protein (CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) measurement, respectively. Results: Experimental periodontitis induces bone loss and an increase in the gingival MPO and plasmatic CRP. Periodontitis also reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation, a hallmark of endothelial dysfunction, 14 days after the procedure. However, the response was restored at day 21. We found that endothelium-dependent vasodilation at day 21 in ligature animals was mediated, at least in part, by the activation of endothelial calcium-activated potassium channels. Conclusions: Periodontitis induces impairment in endothelial-dependent relaxation; this impairment recovers, even in the presence of periodontitis. The recovery is mediated by the activation of endothelial calcium-activated potassium channels in ligature animals. Although important for maintenance of vascular homeostasis, this effect could mask the lack of NO, which has other beneficial properties

Interação da luz laser para a avaliação da textura de madeiras nativas e de Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden.

This work had the objective of study in patterns of the “speckle” as function of the wood texture of Bowdichia  virgilioides (sucupira),  Swietenia  macrophylla (mogno),  Balfourodendron  riedelianum (pau-marfim) and Eucalyptus grandis wood. The He-Ne laser 10 mW was used to illuminate the wood samples and a digital camera captured the result of the interaction of the wood with the laser light. The results obtained from image analysis were compared with the pattern obtained by microscopic methodology. The captured images show the intensities of each pixel, varying between 0 and 255 in the gray scale. From the images, a central area of 16x16 pixels was removed and analyzed by the application of the convolution function and its Fourier Transform, resulting in the power density spectrum. The results showed that the information obtained by the power density spectrum of the “speckle” space variation allow classing samples of woods with different texture.Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar padrões do "speckle" em função da textura das madeiras Bowdichia virgilioides (sucupira), Swietenia macrophylla (mogno) e Balfourodendron riedeliaum (pau-marfim) e de Eucalyptus grandis. A análise do fenômeno ótico denominado "speckle", aliada a técnicas de tratamento digital de imagens foi utilizada para avaliação de rugosidade e teve como parâmetro de comparação o método microscópico tradicional. Foi utilizada uma fonte de luz laser de He-Ne 10mW para iluminar as amostras de madeira para produção do "speckle" e o resultado da interação da luz laser com a madeira foi capturado por uma câmera digital tipo CCD. As imagens capturadas contêm informações de variação espacial de intensidade luminosa de cada pixel do "speckle", e variando entre 0 e 255 em tons de cinza. Uma área central de 16 x 16 pixels dessa imagem foi selecionada e analisada pela aplicação da função de convolução e da Transformada de Fourier, resultando na densidade espectral da variação espacial de intensidades da imagem. Os resultados mostraram que as informações obtidas pela densidade espectral permitiram classificar amostras de madeiras com rugosidades diferentes

Standardization of blood smears prepared in transparent acetate : an alternative method for the microscopic diagnosis of malaria

Background: Due to students’ initial inexperience, slides are frequently broken and blood smears are damaged in microscopy training, leading to the need for their constant replacement. To minimize this problem a method of preparing blood smears on transparent acetate sheets was developed with the goal of implementing appropriate and more readily available teaching resources for the microscopic diagnosis of malaria. Methods: Acetate sheets derived from polyester were used to standardize the preparation and staining of thin and thick blood smears on transparent acetate sheets. Thick and thin blood smears were also prepared using the conventional method on glass slides. The staining was conducted using Giemsa staining for the thick and thin smears. Results: Microscopic examination (1,000x) of the thin and thick blood smears prepared on transparent acetate produced high-quality images for both the parasites and the blood cells. The smears showed up on a clear background and with minimal dye precipitation. It was possible to clearly identify the main morphological characteristics of Plasmodium, neutrophils and platelets. After 12 months of storage, there was no change in image quality or evidence of fungal colonization. Conclusion: Preparation of thin and thick blood smears in transparent acetate for the microscopic diagnosis of malaria does not compromise the morphological and staining characteristics of the parasites or blood cells. It is reasonable to predict the applicability of transparent acetate in relevant situations such as the training of qualified professionals for the microscopic diagnosis of malaria and the preparation of positive specimens for competency assessment (quality control) of professionals and services involved in the diagnosis of malaria