Estratégias de enfrentamento de pessoas vivendo com AIDS frente à situação da doença

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), considered today one chronic nature of the disease due to the advent of antiretroviral therapy (TARV), brings to individuals living with this disease, difficulties related to social interaction and adaptation to new physical condition and the routines imposed by the treatment. This reality has a strong impact on the lives of these people in order of overcoming them use coping strategies, Coping. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiological, clinical and life habits of people living with AIDS and analyze the coping strategies used with the situation of the disease, according to sociodemographic, clinical and life habits. This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 331 people registered at the clinic of the Hospital Giselda Trigueiro (HGT), located in Natal / RN, who had scheduling for outpatient medical consultation from January to August 2014. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte with the Presentation of Certificate for Ethics Assessment (CAAE), paragraph 16578613.0.0000.5537. The data of social characterization showed predominance of men (52%), young people (42%) coming from the capital (58%), mulatto (53%), single (56%), heterosexual (79%), poor (68 %). With regard to clinical aspects it has been found that most held the first HIV testing for less than five years (60%) had signs and symptoms of AIDS before the examination (90%) were hospitalized (90%) started ART for less than five years (60%) believe they have good knowledge of the disease (75%) and believe that their health has improved (92%). For lifestyle, it became clear that most do not consume alcohol (71%), do not smoke (88%) and do not use illicit drugs (92%) and never used condoms before diagnosis (62%) and only 192 (58%) use the currently codon. With regard to the reference was higher coping focused modes of emotion, although the problem solving has been the second most common. The mean scores of women, workers, religious and never abandoned the treatment were higher for all factors. Having a partner, living with family members and support in the treatment had higher average scores for various factors, coinciding in the confrontation, withdrawal and social support. As for the leisure and physical exercise also dominated the modes focused on emotion as was seen in the correlation between the time of treatment, education and family income and IEEFL factors, although with low intensity. The profile of the study population confers with national characteristics, suggesting feminization, internalization, pauperization, heterosexual, increased CD4 cell count and viral load reduction during treatment and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. Coping strategies used were more focused on emotion. In this context, it is understood that the identification of these strategies can facilitate care planning, encouraging such persons to adapt to stressors with the situation of the disease

Adaptação e validação da escala de dependência de exercício físico em versão tradicional e informatizada

While providing physical and psychological benefits, excessive exercise could be or cause a compulsive behavior, making the individual dependent on it. In a parallel discussion, computerized psychological instruments, for a hand, reflects the development of information technology and your applicability to other areas, but also shows little advance for Psychological Assessment. In this perspective, this study aims to adapt the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS-R) in two formats (paper-and-pencil and computerized) and evaluate evidence of factorial and convergent validity, and reliability of each version and compare them with each other. It is also proposed to observe the relationship of some bio-demographic (Sex, age, frequency, duration and intensity of practice exercise) and the exercise dependence (DEF). For this purpose, 709 regular physical activity practitioners, selected by procedures non-probabilistic sampling, responded a adapted version of EDS-R, Muscle Appearance Satisfaction Scale (MASS), Body Modification Scale (BMS) and a demographic questionnaire, analyzed through Exploratory Factor Analysis, Cronbach's Alpha and not parametric tests. Both the traditional version and the computer showed a seven factors structure, explaining 57 and 62% of the variance, respectively, and Cronbach's alphas of 0.83 and 0.89. Factors were: (1) intentionality, (2) continuity, (3) tolerance, (4) reduction of other activities, (5) lack of control, (6) abstinence and (7) time spent on exercise. Relationships were observed between the Exercise Dependence and the variables: age, diets, consumption of food supplements and medicines for weight change, desire to do plastic surgery and body satisfaction. We observed also a positive correlation between the DEF and the frequency, duration and intensity of exercise, and the factor "Dependence on exercising" from MASS, indicating convergent validity of the EDS-R. Finally, comparisons between the two formats were equivalent, with few changes: computerized version achieved higher DEF scores. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the EDS-R has factorial and convergent validity, reliability, to measure exerceise dependence on traditional e computerized formats. DEF is related to actions used to body modification and behaviors toward exercise. Finally, it was found equivalence between the formats, especially in psychometric parameters, thus suggesting feasibility of a computerized assessment. However, it was observed that the computerized data has sample recruiting strategies more limited

Evidências de validade do Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD) na avaliação psicológica de candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica

the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic is an instrument, developed from a consensus among health professionals, to identify psychological factors that may compromise the conducting of medical treatment in order to allow a better adhesion. As it has been one of the most used tools to assess bariatric surgery, the objective of this research is to verify the evidence validity of Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD) for psychological assessment of candidates for bariatric surgery. Method: males and females volunteers, aged 18 to 70, grouped in 150 patients admitted for surgical procedures or suffering from chronic diseases (control group) and 426 patients candidates for bariatric surgery, contacted in person or by the internet. For the study in the face group were also administered Millon Index of Personality Styles (MIPS), the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) and the General Health Questionnaire of Goldberg, just in bariatric surgery patients. Results: there are indicators of semantic adaptation of the instrument, with 27 factors in five areas of the instrument, all with satisfactory levels of validity. The reliabitity indicators were satisfactory in 18 of the 32 scales that comprise the MBMD, while relations with the other three instruments showed significant variations compared to the original indicators. The MBMD was sensitive to differences between groups about gender, age, education, marital status, body mass index, comorbidities and chronic disease patients and with or without obesity. The use of this instrument in the assessment of candidates for bariatric surgery presents indicators of validity in view the limitations as to the realiability of certain scales

Estrutura de organizações sociais: adaptação aos projetos sociais ou às pressões institucionais?

This is a study concerning in the structure of non governmental organizations, based on the institutional theory. It aims to understand the relation among structure, social projects and environmental influences, analyzing if there is coherence with project social or expresses adaptation to the institutional pressures of the environment. It introduces as theoretical support for the themes, studies about institutional theory and social structure. The research is descriptive and exploratory; it also applies to a study of case, based on the technical procedures. From the research universe, that was compound by non governmental organizations from Natal, RN, Brasil, it was chosen the Casa Renascer, a non governmental organization that works with the combat to the violence and sexual exploration of children and teenagers. The data collection process employed includes documental research, observations and semi structured research devices, guided by the organizational process proposed by Serva (1996) and by the institutional theory. The collected data were qualitatively treated. The analysis was divided into three parts, following the research matters. The social project characterization demonstrated that the organization went by three main phases. The first one, characterized by focus in women and girls education and health; the second shows the emphasis on girls in social risk situation, with preventive approach; and the last one, characterized by victims assistance of violence and sexual exploration. From the analysis using the institutional theory mechanisms, the results showed that exists coherence between structure and environmental influences, but a weak coherence between structure and social projects. It indicates as main determinant of the structure, an aspect forgotten by the institutional theory, the power. It was observed the presence from normative, coercive and mimetic mechanisms, highlighting normative influences

Tradução, adaptação e validação da versão brasileira do questionário utian quality of life (uqol) para avaliação da qualidade de vida no climatério

The present study had as objective translates, to do equivalence and validation of the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) for the Brazilian population through methods internationally accepted, in which the original questionnaire was translated for the Portuguese by three teachers and the consensual version was translated back for English by two American teachers (back translation). A multidisciplinary committee evaluated all versions and the final version in Portuguese was applied to climacteric women for the process of adaptation. Validation of the instrument was performed by measuring the reliability and validity properties. Construct validity was examined through the comparison between UQOL and the general measuring scale of quality of life Short Form-36 (SF-36). The final version of translation process was easily recognized by the target population, that didn't tell understanding problems. The results obtained for the reliability intra and interobserver showed significant agreement in all of the subjects. The construct validity was obtained through correlations statistically significant among the domains occupational, health and emotional of UQOL with the SF-36 domains. For the exploratory factorial analysis, it was verified that three factors explain 60% of the total variance of the data, the present study allowed concluding that UQOL was appropriately translated and adapted for applicability in Brazil, presenting high reliability and validity. In that way, the executed project provided the involvement of different areas as gynecology, psychology and physiotherapy (interdisciplinary). Thus, this instrument can be included and used in Brazilian studies to assessment the quality of life during the climacteric years

Influência do ácido α-lipóico na adaptação antioxidante ao exercício físico em ratas wistar hígidas e ovariectomizadas

Introdução: Os hormônios estrogênicos possuem importante papel na defesa contra as espécies reativas do oxigênio, fato que se evidencia na maior incidência de doenças cardiovasculares e neurodegenerativas após a menopausa. O exercício físico melhora as defesas antioxidantes, contudo em altas cargas e em baixas concentrações de estrógeno possui efeito aditivo ao dano oxidativo. O ácido α-lipóico possui uma ampla gama de ação antioxidante e poderia contribuir para diminuição do dano nestas condições. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é caracterizar a ação do ácido α-lipóico sobre a adaptação antioxidante e funções reprodutivas de ratas submetidas a natação moderada. Material e métodos: Os animais foram submetidos a natação diária (1 hora) e sacrificados após 30, 60 e 90 dias. Os animais foram divididos em controles sedentários e exercitados; suplementados (ácido α-lipóico 100mg/Kg/dia) sedentários e exercitados e animais ovariectomizados e suplementados com ácido lipóico. Avaliou-se diariamente o ciclo estral e os seguintes marcadores de estresse oxidativos foram mensurados em fígado e sangue: atividade enzimática da SOD, GPx e CAT, além do SRAT e GSH. Resultados: O protocolo de exercício aumentou a duração do ciclo estral no grupo controle exercitado, sobretudo na fase diestral. Neste mesmo grupo, houve diminuição da lipoperoxidação com melhora da atividade antioxidante da SOD e GPx. O grupo exercitado e suplementado não apresentou alteração na duração do ciclo estral e manteve os benefícios sobre o sistema antioxidante antes observado nos animais exercitados. A suplementação antioxidante juntamente com a natação em períodos superiores a 30 dias, diminuiu o processo de adaptação antioxidante quando comparado aos animais somente exercitados. Nos animais ovariectomizados, o exercício e a suplementação com ácido lipóico não promoveu adaptação antioxidante ao contrário dos demais grupos. Conclusão: O aumento na duração do ciclo estral e a melhora nos marcadores de estresse oxidativo seriam uma resposta adaptativa frente ao exercício moderado. O ácido lipóico impediu a alteração no ciclo induzida pelo exercício, mas preservou a melhoria no sistema antioxidante. A depleção estrogênica provocada pela ovariectomia eleva o potencial de dano oxidativo gerado pelo exercício. A ação antioxidante do LA na presença de estrógeno diminuiu excessivamente o dano oxidativo, comprometendo a adaptação antioxidante a natação. Nos animais ovariectomizados, contudo, o AL promoveu adaptação antioxidante ao exercício

Tradução, adaptação cultural e análise das propriedades psicométricas do activities of daily living questionnaire - ADLQ - para avaliação funcional de pacientes com a doença de alzheimer

O Activities daily living questionnaire - ADLQ foi elaborado para avaliar atividades básicas e instrumentais em pacientes com a doença de Alzheimer. O objetivo principal deste estudo consistiu em realizar a tradução do ADLQ para a língua portuguesa, adaptação transcultural e análise das suas propriedades psicométricas. A amostra foi composta por 60 pacientes e os respectivos 60 cuidadores. O estudo iniciou-se com a tradução do instrumento pela técnica de retrotradução associada ao método bilíngüe. A versão traduzida foi respondida pelo cuidador e o Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) aplicado ao paciente. A análise psicométrica foi realizada através da validade das medidas do instrumento. Os resultados verificaram uma correlação inversamente significativa (r=-0,793;p<0,05) entre os instrumentos avaliados, com uma explicação da variância total de 62%. A coerência interna do instrumento foi realizada através da correlação com os resultados do MEEM sugerindo uma versão condensada do ADLQ. Avaliando-se através do teste t para amostras correlacionadas, as médias do ADLQ-versão traduzida e versão condensada não apresentaram diferenças significativas, demonstrado assim que a simplificação do instrumento não alterou os valores do nível de dependência funcional observados. A análise fatorial realizada através da rotação Varimax indicou seis dimensões. Atividades como; comer, vestir-se, banho, necessidades fisiológicas, tomar comprimidos, participação em grupos, administrar finanças, manusear dinheiro, locomover pela vizinhança, usar telefone, compreensão, dentre outras, são os mais importantes preditores da capacidade funcional, no grupo estudado. Atividades com desempenho pouco comum a ambos os sexos, e no desempenho de papéis sociais enquanto gênero na sociedade brasileira (afazeres domésticos, consertos e manutenção em casa), na amostra estudada, não demonstraram ter importância na determinação da capacidade funcional com o paciente com a Doença de Alzheimer. O presente estudo disponibiliza uma nova ferramenta de avaliação funcional, visando contribuir para a mensuração mais cuidadosa do estado funcional do paciente por todos os profissionais da área da saúde

A importância da atividade física regular como estratégia complementar na promoção de resiliência de idosas e sua importância para suas vidas

O conceito de saúde, na concepção mais abrangente, é uma condição multidimensional de bem-estar físico, psicológico e social e não apenas a inexistência de enfermidades. Os benefícios da atividade física são tão relevantes quanto os benefícios psicológicos, porque ambos contribuem para a saúde. A literatura aponta um conjunto de ligações diretas e indiretas entre a atividade física e a qualidade de vida. Apesar destes benefícios, o processo de envelhecimento é caracterizado por grandes perdas biopsicossociais, que geram várias situações de adversidades que causam preocupação e podem colocar em risco a saúde do idoso. Deste modo, surge a resiliência como um conjunto de processos sociais e intrapsíquicos, que possibilitam o desenvolvimento saudável do idoso, mesmo diante de experiências negativas. Nesta direção, observou-se a necessidade de executar uma pesquisa de conhecimento multidisciplinar conciliando a Educação Física com a Psicologia, a Medicina, a Terapia Ocupacional e a Gerontologia, com o objetivo de investigar o efeito da atividade física sobre os níveis de resiliência em mulheres idosas, bem como conhecer a importância desta atividade para suas vidas. Para tanto, realizou-se um estudo comparativo descritivo, de caráter transversal. Assim sendo, 230 mulheres idosas foram divididas em dois grupos: ativas (n=115; 65,8±5,8 anos de idade), constituído por idosas matriculadas em um programa de atividade física orientada para idosos com período de prática igual ou superior a dois anos, e sedentárias (n=115; 69,2±7,2 anos de idade). Em seguida, foram submetidas à avaliação do nível de resiliência psicológica e da aptidão física (resistência muscular de membros superiores e inferiores, flexibilidade e resistência aeróbia). As idosas ativas apresentaram valores significativamente (p=0,001) maiores do fator 3 da resiliência psicológica quando comparados àqueles do grupo de idosas sedentárias, o qual está relacionado à autoconfiança e à capacidade de adaptação a situações diversas. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas (p>0,05) entre os grupos para os demais fatores (1 e 2). Quando comparados os testes de aptidão física com o nível de resiliência psicológica moderada (n=28) e alta (n=202) do fator 3, observou- se que idosas com nível de resiliência psicológica alta apresentaram maior flexibilidade (p=0,004). E para a avaliação da percepção da importância da atividade física para as idosas foi aplicado um questionário semiestruturado. A partir da Análise de Conteúdo proposto por Bardin (2009) os resultados foram: saúde/prevenção (85%), interação (47%), autonomia (40%), alegria/felicidade (33%), resiliência (33%), lazer (15%). E para avaliar a resiliência utilizou-se a Escala de resiliência de Wagnild e Young (1993). Quanto aos níveis de resiliência os resultados demonstraram que todas idosas apresentaram alto nível. Considerando os achados do presente estudo, sugere-se o emprego da atividade física como método de intervenção para melhora da saúde mental e, por conseguinte, da resiliência psicológica na população em questão, uma vez que os resultados apontam que idosas fisicamente ativas apresentam escores de resiliência psicológica superiores àquelas estratificadas como sedentárias. O resultado desse estudo possibilitou também concluir que a importância da atividade física parece estar relacionada, na sua maioria, às características de saúde/prevenção, interação social, autonomia, resiliência, alegria/felicidade e lazer. Além disso, as mulheres do presente estudo apresentaram um alto nível de resiliência quando comparado à tabela normativa

Aptidão física e psicológica relacionada à saúde de policiais militares da cidade de Natal

condições de saúde são questões que precisam ser investigadas na nossa sociedade. Diante da inexistência de estudos que abordem os aspectos psicológicos e físicos desses profissionais, tornou-se necessário e relevante esta investigação para a área de segurança pública num contexto multidisciplinar. O estudo objetivou verificar as características da aptidão física e psicológica relacionada à saúde de policiais militares do Batalhão de Atividades Policiais Especiais (BOPE), da Polícia Militar do Rio Grande do Norte. A amostra selecionada de forma aleatória foi composta de 64 militares de diferentes graduações, do sexo masculino com idade média de 26,2±2,6 anos. Foram utilizados como instrumentos de medida o Questionário de Saúde Geral de Goldberg para avaliar a saúde geral; uma balança digital da marca Techline®, e estadiômetro portátil da marca Sanny® para avaliar a massa corporal e a estatura; fita antropométrica metálica Sanny® para avaliar a perimetria (circunferência do braço contraído, circunferência da panturrilha); paquímetro Sanny® para avaliar os diâmetros ósseos (bi-epicondilar umeral e bi-epicodilar femural); adipômetro Harpender® para avaliar a espessura das dobras cutâneas; dinamômetro manual Jamar para avaliar a força de preensão manual; flexímetro Sanny®, fotocélulas CEFISE modelo Speed Test Fit e o YoYo Intermitent Recovery Test para avaliar o desempenho físico ( flexibilidade, agilidade, velocidade e endurance anaeróbica). Os participantes apresentaram valores elevados para risco de distúrbio ou mesmo a presença de distúrbio, no que se refere à saúde geral; o grupo estudado é classificado como mesoendomorfico, predominando características de endurance aeróbico e anaeróbico e força que foram relacionadas com os aspectos psicológicos. O perfil somatotípico meso-endomorfo parece interferir nos elevados riscos de distúrbios psicológicos advindos da atividade laboral exigida, apesar dos mesmos apresentarem um bom desempenho físico

Influência do hipoestrogenismo por ooforectomia na adaptação antioxidante em ratas wistar exercitadas regularmente

Post-menopause is a period of women s life cycle that is characterized by estrogen depletion and therefore increasing cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, urogenital atrophy, osteoporosis, hot flushes and sexual discomfort incidences. Estrogen is a hormone with comfirmed antioxidant action and its depletion is related to oxidative stress instalation and damaging various important biomolecules. Regular physical activity has been identified as a factor involved in reducing women s post-menopausal complications in addition to improving antioxidant defense by reducing the oxidative damage and consequently improving life s quality in this part of the population. This study aims to evaluate the influence of hypoestrogenism in antioxidant adaptation due to regular exercise, by determining reduced glutathione (GSH) and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (SRAT) concentrations and antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) activities in blood, brain and liver of rats. To achieve this goal we used 50 Wistar rats, weighing 180-250g which were divided into two groups, control - GC (25) and ooforectomized - GO (25). Each group was subdivided into five subgroups: Not-trained - S (5), Not-trained Acute Exercise - SEA (5), regular exercise 30 days - E30 (5), regular exercise 60 days - E60 (5) and regular exercise 90 days - E90 (5). Each of the three subgroups exercised regularly was subjected to acute exercise on the eve and the day of sacrifice to collect biological samples of blood, liver and brain and subsequent determination of SRAT concentration, GSH content and antioxidant enzymes GPx, SOD and CAT activities. The results indicated that the sedentary animals acutely exercised presented oxidative stress and regular physical activity led to antioxidant adaptation. In ooforectomized group the antioxidant adaptation seen in control animals showed to be impaired. Unlike the results from blood and liver, in brain there was a shield against oxidative damage originated by the exercise and that hypoestrogenism led to a loss of this natural antioxidant potential. Therefore, hypoestrogenism interferes negatively in antioxidant adaptation due to regular exercise

Diagnósticos de enfermagem em pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise: semelhanças entre o modelo de adaptação e a NANDA internacional

The nurses in the hemodialysis has an important role in the nursing process implementation, in the context of a theoretical referential. Among the nursing theories, highlights the Roy´s adaptations model, who considers a person as an holistic adaptive system that aims to adapt customers to different living conditions. Thus, it is believed that the Roy´s nursing process will guide nursing care to patients on dialysis. Therefore, the study aimed to analyze the nursing diagnosis present in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis based on the theoretical model of Roy and NANDA-International. Descriptive and cros-sectional study, performed at a dialysis center in a city in northeastern Brazil. Sample of 178 patients and consecutive sampling by convenience. Data collection ocurred from October/2011 until February/2012, through interview and physical examination forms. Data analysis was initiated by clinical reasoning, diagnosis judgment and similarity relation. Then, the data were entered into SPSS program, 16.0 version, generating descriptive statistics. The project was approved by the Ethics Research Committee (protocol nº 115/11) with a Presentation Certificate for Ethics Appreciation (in 0139.0.051.000-111) and was funded by the Universal edict MCT / CNPq 14/2010. The results revealed that most patients were male (52.2%), married (62.9%) and residents in the Natal´s metropolitan region (54.5%). The mean age was 46.6 years and the years of study, 8,5. Regarding nursing diagnosis obtained an average of 6.6, especially: Risk of Infection (100%), excessive fluid volume (99.4%) and hypothermia (61.8%). On the other hand the adaptive problems average was 6.4, and the most common: intracellular fluid retention (99.4%); Hyperkalemia (64.6%); Hypothermia (61.8%) and edema (53.9%). Were established 20 similarity relations between the NANDA-International nursing diagnosis and adaptive problems of Roy, namely: risk of falls / injury risk and potential for injury, impaired physical mobility and walking mobility and / or restricted coordination, dressing self-care deficit and loss of self-care ability; hypothermia and hypothermia; impaired skin integrity and impaired skin integrity; excessive fluid volume and intracellular fluid retention / Hyperkalemia / Hypocalcemia / edema; imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements and Nutrition less than the body's needs; constipation and constipation, acute pain and acute pain, chronic pain and chronic pain, sensorial perception disturbed: visual, tactile and auditory disabilities and a primary sense: sight, hearing and tactile; sleep deprivation and insomnia, fatigue and intolerance to activities; ineffective self health and fails in the role; sexual dysfunction and sexual dysfunction; situational low self-esteem and low self-esteem, and diarrhea and diarrhea. We conclude that there is similarity between the typologies and was required a model´s analysis, because they present different ways to establish the nursing diagnosis. Moreover, the nursing process use, under the context of a theory and a classification system, subsidizes the care and contributes to the strengthening of nursing science

Metodologia para adaptação de microarquiteturas microprogramadas soft-core à uma ISA padrão: estudo do impacto sobre a complexidade de hardware para o padrão MIPS

In academia, it is common to create didactic processors, facing practical disciplines in the area of Hardware Computer and can be used as subjects in software platforms, operating systems and compilers. Often, these processors are described without ISA standard, which requires the creation of compilers and other basic software to provide the hardware / software interface and hinder their integration with other processors and devices. Using reconfigurable devices described in a HDL language allows the creation or modification of any microarchitecture component, leading to alteration of the functional units of data path processor as well as the state machine that implements the control unit even as new needs arise. In particular, processors RISP enable modification of machine instructions, allowing entering or modifying instructions, and may even adapt to a new architecture. This work, as the object of study addressing educational soft-core processors described in VHDL, from a proposed methodology and its application on two processors with different complexity levels, shows that it s possible to tailor processors for a standard ISA without causing an increase in the level hardware complexity, ie without significant increase in chip area, while its level of performance in the application execution remains unchanged or is enhanced. The implementations also allow us to say that besides being possible to replace the architecture of a processor without changing its organization, RISP processor can switch between different instruction sets, which can be expanded to toggle between different ISAs, allowing a single processor become adaptive hybrid architecture, which can be used in embedded systems and heterogeneous multiprocessor environments

Adaptação de um sistema automatizado para medição de microdureza

The hardness test is thoroughly used in research and evaluation of materials for quality control. However, this test results are subject to uncertainties caused by the process operator in the moment of the mensuration impression diagonals make by the indenter in the sample. With this mind, an automated equipment of hardness mensuration was developed. The hardness value was obtained starting from the mensuration of plastic deformation suffered by the material to a well-known load. The material deformation was calculated through the mensuration of the difference between the progress and retreat of a diamond indenter on the used sample. It was not necessary, therefore, the manual mensuration of the diagonals, decreasing the mistake source caused by the operator. Tension graphs of versus deformation could be analyzed from data obtained by the accomplished analysis, as well as you became possible a complete observation of the whole process. Following, the hardness results calculated by the experimental apparatus were compared with the results calculated by a commercial microhardness machine with the intention of testing its efficiency. All things considered, it became possible the materials hardness mensuration through an automated method, which minimized the mistakes caused by the operator and increased the analysis reliability

Adaptação eletrônica de um leitor mecânico de coto, investigação e desenvolvimento de interface CAD

Due to advances in the manufacturing process of orthopedic prostheses, the need for better quality shape reading techniques (i.e. with less uncertainty) of the residual limb of amputees became a challenge. To overcome these problems means to be able in obtaining accurate geometry information of the limb and, consequently, better manufacturing processes of both transfemural and transtibial prosthetic sockets. The key point for this task is to customize these readings trying to be as faithful as possible to the real profile of each patient. Within this context, firstly two prototype versions (α and β) of a 3D mechanical scanner for reading residual limbs shape based on reverse engineering techniques were designed. Prototype β is an improved version of prototype α, despite remaining working in analogical mode. Both prototypes are capable of producing a CAD representation of the limb via appropriated graphical sheets and were conceived to work purely by mechanical means. The first results were encouraging as they were able to achieve a great decrease concerning the degree of uncertainty of measurements when compared to traditional methods that are very inaccurate and outdated. For instance, it's not unusual to see these archaic methods in action by making use of ordinary home kind measure-tapes for exploring the limb's shape. Although prototype β improved the readings, it still required someone to input the plotted points (i.e. those marked in disk shape graphical sheets) to an academic CAD software called OrtoCAD. This task is performed by manual typing which is time consuming and carries very limited reliability. Furthermore, the number of coordinates obtained from the purely mechanical system is limited to sub-divisions of the graphical sheet (it records a point every 10 degrees with a resolution of one millimeter). These drawbacks were overcome by designing the second release of prototype β in which it was developed an electronic variation of the reading table components now capable of performing an automatic reading (i.e. no human intervention in digital mode). An interface software (i.e. drive) was built to facilitate data transfer. Much better results were obtained meaning less degree of uncertainty (it records a point every 2 degrees with a resolution of 1/10 mm). Additionally, it was proposed an algorithm to convert the CAD geometry, used by OrtoCAD, to an appropriate format and enabling the use of rapid prototyping equipment aiming future automation of the manufacturing process of prosthetic sockets.

Avaliação muscular respiratória: adaptação do mano vacuômetro nacional para a avaliação da pressão inspiratória nasal e nível de intensidade da ventilação voluntária máxima em sujeitos saudáveis

The clinical importance of evaluating the respiratory muscles with a variety of tests has been proposed by several studies, once that the combination of several tests would allow a better diagnosis and therefore, a better clinical follow of disorders of the respiratory muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of adapting a national electronic manovacuometer to measure the nasal inspiratory pressure (study 1) and analyze the level of load intensity of maximum voluntary ventilation, as well as the variables that may influence this maneuver in healthy subjects (study 2). We studied 20 healthy subjects by a random evaluation of two measures of SNIP in different equipments: a national and an imported. In study 2 it was analyzed the intensity of the load of MVV test, change in pressure developed during the maneuver, the possible differences between genders, and the correlations between the flow developed in the test and the result of MVV. In study 1 it was found the average for both measures of nasal inspiratory pressures: 125 ± 42.4 cmH2O for the imported equipment and 131.7 ± 28.7 cmH2O for the national one. Pearson analysis showed a significant correlation between the average, with a coefficient r = 0.63. The average values showed no significant differences evaluated by paired t test (p> 0.05). In the Bland-Altman analysis it was found a BIAS = 7 cmH2O, SD 32.9 and a confidence interval of - 57.5 cmH2O up to 71.5 cmH2O. In the second study it was found significant differences between the genders in the air volume moved, being higher in males 150.9 ± 13.1 l / min vs 118.5 ± 15.7 L / min for (p = 0.0002, 95% CI 44.85 to 20:05). Regarding the inspiratory and expiratory loading, they were significantly higher in men than in women, peak inspiratory pressure (34.7 ± 5.3 cmH2O vs 19.5 ± 4.2 cmH2O, 95% CI - 18.0 to -12.3, p <0.0001), peak expiratory (33.8 vs. 23.1 ± 5.9 cmH2O ± 5.4 cmH2O, 95% CI -17.1 to - 4.6, p <0.0001), and the delta pressure (59.7 ± 10 cmH2O vs 36.8 ± 8.3 cmH2O, 95% CI 14.5 to 31.2, p <0.0002). The Pearson correlation showed that the flow generated by the maneuver is strongly correlated with the delta-expiratory pressure / inspiratory (r2= 0.83,R = 0.91, 95%IC 0.72 a 0.97 e p< 0.0001).Through these results we suggest that the national electronic manovacuometer is feasible and safe to perform the sniff test in healthy subjects. For the MVV, there are differences between the genders in the intensity of pressure developed during the maneuver. We found a load intensity considered low during the MVV, and found a strong correlation between the flow generated in the test and the delta pressure expiratory / inspiratory