Algoritmos genéticos e processamento paralelo aplicados à definição e treinamento de redes neurais perceptron de múltiplas camadas

ln this work, it was deveIoped a parallel cooperative genetic algorithm with different evolution behaviors to train and to define architectures for MuItiIayer Perceptron neural networks. MuItiIayer Perceptron neural networks are very powerful tools and had their use extended vastIy due to their abiIity of providing great resuIts to a broad range of appIications. The combination of genetic algorithms and parallel processing can be very powerful when applied to the Iearning process of the neural network, as well as to the definition of its architecture since this procedure can be very slow, usually requiring a lot of computational time. AIso, research work combining and appIying evolutionary computation into the design of neural networks is very useful since most of the Iearning algorithms deveIoped to train neural networks only adjust their synaptic weights, not considering the design of the networks architecture. Furthermore, the use of cooperation in the genetic algorithm allows the interaction of different populations, avoiding local minima and helping in the search of a promising solution, acceIerating the evolutionary process. Finally, individuaIs and evolution behavior can be exclusive on each copy of the genetic algorithm running in each task enhancing the diversity of populations

Plasticidade induzida por treinamento locomotor na medula espinal intacta em ratos: correlatos morfológicos

The locomotion is one of the most important capabilities developed by the animals, whose improvement is dependent on several neural centers, including the spinal cord. This activity promotes a lot of spinal modifications that enable it to adapt and improve their connections. This study aimed to observe the morphological changes occurring in the spinal cord after locomotor training in intact rats. For that we used male Wistar rats, which were submitted to locomotor training in wheel activity in protocols 1, 3 and 7 days (30min/day), and the results were compared to a control group not subjected to exercise. Coronal sections of 40 μm of the lumbosacral spinal cord were subjected to immunohistochemical techniques anti-Egr1, anti-NMDA and anti-SP, to characterize the spinal plasticity related to these substances. Egr1-immunoreactive cells were increased in all laminas, essentially in those more intensely activated by locomotion, laminas IV-X levels L4-S3. All observed sections expressed NMDA-immunoreactivity. Analysis of SP in the spinal dorsal horn resulted no significant variations of this neuropeptide related to locomotion. The results suggest that locomotor training provides synaptic plasticity similar to LTP in all laminas of the lumbosacral spinal cord, in different intensities. However, the SP appears do not participate of this process in the spinal dorsal horn. This work will contribute for consolidating and characterization of synaptic plasticity in the spinal cord

Efeitos do treinamento de dupla tarefa no controle do equilíbrio dinâmico e estático de idosas pré-frágeis: um estudo piloto

The increasing world population of older individuals has become a subject of growing research for prevention and reversibility of the frailty because it is a major risk factor for the occurrence of falls, especially when it involves everyday situations of dual task. Some rehabilitation programs have already used the methods of dual-task with general exercises for improving gait and postural control, but has been reported that these interventions have little specificity with limited success to improve certain aspects of static and dynamic position during the performance of functional tasks. This study aimed to verify the measures of postural control in a group of elderly women with fragility phenotype after physical therapy intervention program based on dual-task treadmill training. We selected six pre-frail elderly subjects, with a minimum age of 65, female, living in the community and randomly assigned to two groups. The survey was conducted twice a week for 45 minutes, for four weeks. The simple task intervention consisted only in training on a treadmill and the dual task consisted of in treadmill training associated with visual stimuli. The assessments were made with the use of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Balance Master® computerized posturography, static and dynamically. The effects of retention were observed after one month, using the same instruments earlier used. The results showed a tendency toward improvement or maintenance of the balance after training on a treadmill, especially with respect to static equilibrium. Both groups showed the most notable changes in the variables related to gait, as the length and speed. The BBS scores and the baropodometric variables showed that the experimental group could keep all values similar or better even one month after completion of training unlike the control group. We concluded that the dual-task performance had no additional value in relation to the improvement of balance in general, but we observed that the effectiveness of visual stimulation occurred in the maintenance of short term balancevariables

Efeito do treinamento resistido na pressão arterial e capacidade funcional de idosas hipertensas

The results of studies about the ideal resistance training intensity for reduction of resting blood pressure levels, as well as this type of training to increase the functional capacity of hypertensive older women are still unclear, since the few investigations usually analyze young individuals normotensive, and the literature lacks precise information in elderly hypertensive subjects. Objectives: To determine the effect of two resistance training intensities on resting blood pressure and the effect of resistance training on functional capacity in elderly women with systemic arterial hypertension, analyzing these variables before and after eight weeks of intervention. Methods: Patients underwent eight weeks of resistance training, with a frequency of three times per week on alternate days, in the afternoon. The exercises performed were: leg press, bench press, knee extension, lat pull-down, knee flexion, shoulder abduction, standing cable hip abduction and biceps curl. Results: It was found that patients who underwent training with moderate resistance, showed a reduction on resting values of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) p<0.03 and of mean arterial pressure (MAP) p<0.03. Patients who underwent mild resistance training showed reduction in resting values of MAP (p<0.03) and a tendency to decrease in DBP (p<0.06). With regard to functional capacity, the results showed significant increase in the strength of arms and legs, agility and aerobic endurance (p<0.001) and maintaining flexibility (p>0.05). Conclusion: The data indicated that both mild and moderate resistance training, even when started in old age, promoted cardiovascular benefits and also improve the functional capacity of hypertensive older women.

Efeitos do treinamento de marcha sobre superfícies inclinadas em indivíduos com hemiparesia crônica: ensaio clínico controlado randomizado

Among the therapeutic approaches that can be used to achieve this goal is the gait training on sloping surfaces, but there are few scientific findings that elucidate the results of this practice. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of training on sloping surfaces on the gait of subjects with chronic hemiparesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A controlled, randomized, blinded clinical trial was conducted. Concluded the study twenty-four subjects with age between 40 and 70 years (54,91±9,3). Their neurological function, functional independence, motor function and balance assessed, besides the gait evaluation through kinemetry. The subjects were allocated into two groups: control group (CG) underwent gait training on treadmill with partial body weight support (PBWS) without inclination; and the experimental group (EG) submitted to gait training on treadmill with PBWS and inclination of 10%. Twelve training sessions were performed. The paired t Student test and Wilcoxon test were used in statistical analysis to compare findings before and after training for each group, and the t student test for independent samples and Mann-Whitney.test were used to compare the to groups. RESULTS: After training within-group changes were observed on balance recovery, motor function and functionality, in both experimental conditions. The EG showed changes after training on speed, stride length, step length of paretic and non-paretic side, paretic single support, double support time and non-paretic swing time. The CG the differences were detected on double support, paretic single support and hip range of movement. The EG showed better results when compared to CG on the variables: speed (p=0,034), non-paretic single support (p=0,02) and paretic swing time (p=0,02). CONCLUSION: gait training on sloping surfaces represents a promising strategy for gait training of subjects with chronic hemiparesis since it is can influence a greater number of gait variables, when compared with gait training on flat surface

Treinamento muscular inspiratório para asma: revisão sistemática com metanálise

In asthmatic, the lung hyperinflation leaves the inspiratory muscle at a suboptimal position in length-tension relationship, reducing the capacity of to generate tension. The increase in transversal section area of the inspiratory muscles could reverse or delay the deterioration of inspiratory muscle function. Objective: To evaluate the evidence for the efficacy of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) with an external resistive device in patients with asthma. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out. The sources researched were the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of trials, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 11 of 12, 2012), MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AMED, ClinicalTrials.gov and reference lists of articles. All databases were searched from their inception up to November 2012 and there was no restriction on the language of publication. Randomised controlled trials that involved the use of an external inspiratory muscle training device versus a control (sham or no inspiratory training device) were considered for inclusion. Two reviewers independently selected articles for inclusion, evaluated risk of bias in studies and extracted data. Results: A total of five studies involving 113 asthmatic patients were included. Three clinical trials were produced by the same group. The included studies showed a significant increase in maximal inspiratory pressure (MD 13.34 cmH2O, 95% CI 4.70 to 21.98), although the confidence intervals were wide. There was no statistically significant difference between the IMT group and the control group for maximal expiratory pressure, peak expiratory flow rate, forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, sensation of dyspnea and use of beta2-agonist. There were no studies describing exacerbation events that required a course of oral and inhaled corticosteroids or emergency department visits, inspiratory muscle endurance, hospital admissions and days of work or school. Conclusions: There is no conclusive evidence in this review to support or refute inspiratory muscle training for asthma, once the evidence was limited by the small number of studies included, number of participants in them together with the risk of bias. More well conducted randomized controlled trials are needed, such trials should investigate respiratory muscle strength, exacerbation rate, lung function, symptoms, hospital admissions, use of medications and days off work or school. IMT should also be assessed in the context of more severe asthma

Efeitos do treinamento aeróbio sobre sinais precoces do remodelamento do ventrículo esquerdo induzido pelo diabetes Mellitus experimental

Our aim was to investigate the effects of an aerobic training program on adverse and early left ventricle (LV) remodeling, using an experimental model of short-term type 1 diabetes (T1D). Wistar rats were divided in 4 groups: sedentary control (SC), trained control (TC), sedentary diabetic (SD) and trained diabetic (TD). T1D was induced by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). The training program consisted of 4 weeks running on a treadmill (13 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/week). At the end of the experiments, hearts were collected for analysis of morphology and transcriptional profile of LV, by focusing on its remodeling. Deaths were recorded during the 4-week period. We verified high mortality among animals of DS group, whereas it was significantly reduced in DT group. DS group also showed an increase in cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes and fibrosis. TD group exhibited reduction in measures of cardiac trophism, but with respect to collagen content, it was similar to CS group. Analysis of gene expression related to cardiac remodeling revealed decreased expression of collagen I and III, as well as low expression of MMP-2 in DS group. TD group showed decreased levels of mRNA for MMP-9, and unchanged gene expression of MMP-2 when compared with the CS group. The expression of MMP-2 and TGF-1 were increased in CT group. The ratio between gene expression of collagen I and III was increased in the CT group and decreased in diabetic groups. These results establish early changes of the structure and transcriptional profile of LV myocardium. Moreover, they indicate that aerobic exercise training plays specific protection against mechanisms responsible for cardiac damage observed in T1D

Efeitos do treinamento muscular inspiratório domiciliar sobre a atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos respiratórios em asmáticos: estudo piloto

Asthma treatment aims to achieve and maintain the control of the disease for prolonged periods. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may be an alternative in the care of patients with asthma, and it is used as a complementary therapy to the pharmacological treatment. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a domiciliary program of IMT on the electromyographic activity of the respiratory muscles in adults with asthma. This is a clinical trial in which ten adults with asthma and ten healthy adults were randomized into two groups (control and training). The electrical activity of inspiratory muscles (sternocleidomastoid (ECM) and diaphragm) was obtained by a surface electromyography. Furthermore, we assessed lung function (spirometry), maximal inspiratory pressure - MIP - (manometer). The functional capacity was evaluated by six minute walk test. Participants were assessed before and after the IMT protocol of 6 weeks with POWERbreathe® device. The training and the control groups underwent IMT with 50% and 15 % of MIP, respectively. The sample data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0, attributing significance of 5 %. Were used t test, ANOVA one way and Pearson correlation. It was observed an increase in MIP, after IMT, in both training groups and in healthy sham group (P < 0.05), which was accompanied by a significant increase in ECM activity during MIP in healthy training group (1488 %) and in asthma training group (ATG) (1186.4%). The ATG also showed a significant increase in diaphragm activity in basal respiration (48.5%). Functional capacity increased significantly in the asthma sham group (26.5 m) and in the asthma training group (45.2 m). These findings suggest that IMT promoted clinical improvements in all groups, especially the ATG, which makes it an important complementary treatment for patients with asthma

Treinamento da ginástica rítmica: reflexões estéticas

O texto tem como objetivo refletir sobre os componentes estéticos presentes no treinamento da ginástica rítmica (GR). Tendo a hermenêutica como método, apresenta reflexões a partir de descrições de cenas do vídeo do programa História do esporte, exibido em junho de 2003 pela ESPN Brasil, cujo teor se remete ao dia-a-dia da equipe brasileira de GR em treinamento para os Jogos Pan-americanos de Santo Domingo. Tendo como suporte tais reflexões, discute implicações pedagógicas do ponto de vista estético para o treinamento da GR no âmbito escolar, advindas do modelo de treinamento de alta performance e possíveis interfaces entre esses dois contextos, considerando a necessidade da crítica e do respeito às especificidades de ambos

Implementação de uma arquitetura fuzzy neural em hardware com treinamento online

Computational Intelligence Methods have been expanding to industrial applications motivated by their ability to solve problems in engineering. Therefore, the embedded systems follow the same idea of using computational intelligence tools embedded on machines. There are several works in the area of embedded systems and intelligent systems. However, there are a few papers that have joined both areas. The aim of this study was to implement an adaptive fuzzy neural hardware with online training embedded on Field Programmable Gate Array – FPGA. The system adaptation can occur during the execution of a given application, aiming online performance improvement. The proposed system architecture is modular, allowing different configurations of fuzzy neural network topologies with online training. The proposed system was applied to: mathematical function interpolation, pattern classification and selfcompensation of industrial sensors. The proposed system achieves satisfactory performance in both tasks. The experiments results shows the advantages and disadvantages of online training in hardware when performed in parallel and sequentially ways. The sequentially training method provides economy in FPGA area, however, increases the complexity of architecture actions. The parallel training method achieves high performance and reduced processing time, the pipeline technique is used to increase the proposed architecture performance. The study development was based on available tools for FPGA circuits.

Proposta arquitetônica para o Centro de Treinamento dos Servidores do IFRN com base nos fatores de desempenho energético.

In recent years, as part of the expansion process of its activities, the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte – IFRN (Federal Institute for Education, Science and Technology of the State of Rio Grande do Norte – IFRN) detected the need to hire more employees for the institution. This expansion process, a policy of the Federal Government, together with the increase of human resources, required the construction of an adequate facility in the municipality of São Gonçalo do Amarante-RN, for training and qualification and as a means of better enabling its personnel. Along with this policy, the Federal Government is also deeply concerned that its buildings be environmentally friendly. This study deals with this subject matter, as it develops an architectural design of a public building with an emphasis upon the reduction of energy consumption, through the study of energy performance factors such as defined by Carneiro (1988) and adapted by the author of the present study. It is known that residential, commercial and public buildings represent about 45 % of energy consumption in Brazil. That is why it is necessary to consider the reduction of such consumption in buildings, as well as the role that professionals, especially architects, play in this issue. The most effective participation in this regard in the field of architecture occurs in the design phase. However, the architectural solution proposed here goes beyond the energy performance factors, since it also involves other aspects, such as the definition of the concept, the parti and the spatial solution itself. In this sense, the architectural project of the Centro de Treinamento dos Servidores do IFRN - CTSIFRN (Training Center for IFRN Personnel – CTSFIRN) is particularly fitting as a subject for research at the Professional Master Program at PPGAU/UFRN, which is devoted to research on architecture, design and the environment.

Um retrato do marginal brasileiro mediante o trabalho do ator com as personagens de Plínio Marcos em “Navalha na carne"

This thesis presented is to research the actor's work in the construction of physical actions, according to the methodology developed by Constantin Stanislavski in his analysis of dramatic action, called "method of physical action", applied to questions of scenic representation of the Brazilian marginal, according to the look "cruel" and realistic / naturalistic Plinio Marcos playwright. Based on the circumstances given by Pliniano universe, the intention is to contribute to the reflection on the actor's work on the scene with the marginal characters in "Razor in the Flesh", highlighting some important aspects, to assist in the construction of this fictional world. You want to create conditions for the formation of an actor that leverages the scene the contradictions and conflicts of this work. The research aims from the theoretical and practical study as a methodological hypothesis, producing critical reflection from the creative process of the agent with the realization of a scenic experiment focused on psychophysical technique of this Russian pedagogue. Thus, we intend to have a look at the method of physical actions focusing on his last great contribution to the work, especially the procedure of active analysis by doing a reading from "Razor in the Flesh" through this creative scenic exercise, extending the studies concerning the actor's art. This research is a general explanation about the trajectory of Stanislavski to his encounter with the physical action, while, highlights the inconsistencies of understanding of his work around the world. Stanislavski initially developed the "method" having as a backdrop, the realist aesthetic - a dialogue relationship between reality and the scene - through a style which creates a theatrical reality, and consequently, artistic, not literally naturalistic way through an integral mimicry. That is, the representation of work in realistic theater aesthetics should be developed in order to create a theatrical reality. Stanislavski believes that theater is convention, since the actor's work on himself should encourage this second nature, scenic.

Abordagem da ergonomia para avaliação do treinamento simulado das equipes de resposta à emergência em lançamentos de veículos aeroespaciais

This dissertation introduces a study that aims to analyze the simulated training of emergency teams and proposes recommendations for the current training system in order to improve the collective skills and resilience of these teams when facing possible critical situations, triggered by possible accident occurrences during aerospace vehicle launching operations in the Barreira do Inferno Launch Center in Parnamirim / RN. This is a field, exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, and a case study with a qualitative approach. Therefore, we adopted the ergonomics approach, using the situated method of ergonomic work analysis (AET), combining observational and interactive methods. The relevance of this research is characterized by the contributions to minimize the human and material hazzards resulting from possible accidents in these operations, the scientific contribution of the AET for simulated emergency training analysis in the launching operations of aerospace vehicles - which are complex and involve risk of accidents - and consequently, the scientific contribution to the current process of recovering the Brazilian Space Program. The survey results point to problems of various kinds in the current simulated training system which compromise the safety of the operations. These problems are grouped into four categories: technological, organizational, team training and from the activity itself, regarding more specifically communication and cooperation (among the team members and these ones with other sectors involved in the launching operation) and regarding the coordination of actions. We propose: a) a new training model, from the creation and application of scenarios based on postulated abnormalities, which could simulate real critical situations, in order to train and improve the skills of the emergency response teams especially in terms of communication, coordination and cooperation; b) restructuring and reorganizing the current training system, based on the formal establishment of a managing staff, on the clear division of responsibilities, on the standardization of processes, on the production of management indicators, on the continuous monitoring, on the feedback from trainees about the quality of the training and on the continuing and frequent training of emergency teams.

Desenvolvimento e avaliação do emprego de dispositivo ajustável ao corpo para treinamento de habilidade de acesso venoso periférico no membro superior

OBJECTIVE: To dev elop and evaluate the use of a body adjustable device for training of peripheral venous catheterization for healthcare undergraduate students . METHODS: This study involved two phases: I) development of the innovative simulator and II) a controlled trial co mparing the performance of the body adjustable device in relation to the commercial simulator for the training of venipuncture skills. A total of 79 first - year medical students participated in the intervention phase, which consisted of pretest assessment, lecture on peripheral venous access, randomization into two groups according to the simulator used for training (Commercial Simulator and Experimental Simulator), real venipuncture procedure, post - test assessment and evaluation of satisfaction. RESULTS: Gr oups were homogeneous in age, sex, pre - test and post - test scores, attitudinal assessment and performance in performing the real venipuncture. Students from the Experimental Simulator group performed better on the filling of simulated records. At the end of the study, cognitive gain significantly increased in both groups. The degree of realism perceived by students was equivalent for two groups. A total of 85.7% of students rated the Experimental Simulator as good or excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental simu lator proved to be a low cost alternative for the training of venipuncture skills in upper limb. The cognitive procedural and attitudinal performances of students who used the experimental simulator were similar to those observed in the group trained with commercial simulator.

Critério de correntropia no treinamento de redes fuzzy wavelet neural networks para identificação de sistemas dinâmicos não lineares

The great interest in nonlinear system identification is mainly due to the fact that a large amount of real systems are complex and need to have their nonlinearities considered so that their models can be successfully used in applications of control, prediction, inference, among others. This work evaluates the application of Fuzzy Wavelet Neural Networks (FWNN) to identify nonlinear dynamical systems subjected to noise and outliers. Generally, these elements cause negative effects on the identification procedure, resulting in erroneous interpretations regarding the dynamical behavior of the system. The FWNN combines in a single structure the ability to deal with uncertainties of fuzzy logic, the multiresolution characteristics of wavelet theory and learning and generalization abilities of the artificial neural networks. Usually, the learning procedure of these neural networks is realized by a gradient based method, which uses the mean squared error as its cost function. This work proposes the replacement of this traditional function by an Information Theoretic Learning similarity measure, called correntropy. With the use of this similarity measure, higher order statistics can be considered during the FWNN training process. For this reason, this measure is more suitable for non-Gaussian error distributions and makes the training less sensitive to the presence of outliers. In order to evaluate this replacement, FWNN models are obtained in two identification case studies: a real nonlinear system, consisting of a multisection tank, and a simulated system based on a model of the human knee joint. The results demonstrate that the application of correntropy as the error backpropagation algorithm cost function makes the identification procedure using FWNN models more robust to outliers. However, this is only achieved if the gaussian kernel width of correntropy is properly adjusted.