Test-retest reliability of a 3-min isokinetic all-out test using two different cadences

Objectives: To investigate the test-retest reliability of mechanical parameters derived from a 3-min isokinetic all-out test, performed at 60 and 100 rpm. Reliability and validity of the peak oxygen uptake derived from 3-min isokinetic all-out test were also tested. Design: 14 healthy male subjects completed an incremental ramp testing and four randomized 3-min isokinetic all-out test (two at 60 rpm and two at 100 rpm). Methods: The absolute and relative reliability of the following parameters were analyzed: peak power, mean power, end power, fatigue index, work performed above end power and peak oxygen uptake. Results: No difference was found between each two sets of data, although there were between-cadence differences for peak power, mean power, end power, and fatigue index. Higher intra-class correlation (ICC) and lower coefficient of variation (CV) were found for end power (ICC = 0.91 and 0.95; CV = 5.6 and 5.7%) and mean power (ICC = 0.97 and 0.98; CV = 2.4 and 3.1%), than for peak power (ICC = 0.81 and 0.84; CV = 8.7 and 10%) and work performed above end power (ICC = 0.79 and 0.84; CV = 7.9 and 10.6%; values reported for 60 rpm and 100 rpm, respectively). High reliability scores were also observed for peak oxygen uptake at both cadences (60 rpm, CV = 3.2%; 100 rpm, CV = 2.3%,) with no difference with the incremental ramp testing peak oxygen uptake. Conclusions: The power profile and peak oxygen uptake of a 3-min isokinetic all-out test are both highly reliable, whether the test is performed at 60 or 100 rpm. Besides, peak oxygen uptake and work performed above end power were not affected by the change in cadence while peak power, mean power, end power, and fatigue index were. © 2013.

Reliability of Cardiorespiratory Parameters During Cycling Exercise Performed at the Severe Domain in Active Individuals

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Structural and electrical characterization of semiconducting barium-lead-titanate ceramics

BaTiO3 is usually doped to achieve the temperature stability required by device applications, as well as to obtain a large positive temperature coefficient anomaly of resistivity (PTCR). Uniform distribution of dopants among the submicron dielectric particles is the key for optimal control of grain size and microstructure to maintain a high reliability. The system Ba0.84Pb0.16TiO3 was synthesized from high purity BaCO3, TiO2, PbO oxide powders as raw materials. Sb2O3, MnSO4 and ZnO were used as dopants and Al2O3, TiO2 and SiO2 as grain growth controllers. Phase composition was analyzed by using XRD and the microstructure was investigated by SEM. EDS attached to SEM was used to analyze phase composition specially related to abnormal grain growth. Electrical resistivities were measured as a function of temperature and the PTCR effect characterized by an abrupt increase on resistivity.

Fault location in underground systems using artificial neural networks and PSCAD/EMTDC

The need for high reliability and environmental concerns are making the underground networks the most appropriate choice of energy distribution. However, like any other system, underground distribution systems are not free of failures. In this context, this work presents an approach to study underground systems using computational tools by integrating the software PSCAD/EMTDC with artificial neural networks to assist fault location in power distribution systems. Targeted benefits include greater accuracy and reduced repair time. The results presented here shows the feasibility of the proposed approach. © 2012 IEEE.

Avaliação de sintomas neuropsiquiátricos na demência: Para melhorar a precisão

The issue of this article concerned the discussion about tools frequently used tools for assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients with dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease. The aims were to discuss the main tools for evaluating behavioral disturbances, and particularly the accuracy of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory - Clinician Rating Scale (NPI-C). The clinical approach to and diagnosis of neuropsychiatric syndromes in dementia require suitable accuracy. Advances in the recognition and early accurate diagnosis of psychopathological symptoms help guide appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. In addition, recommended standardized and validated measurements contribute to both scientific research and clinical practice. Emotional distress, caregiver burden, and cognitive impairment often experienced by elderly caregivers, may affect the quality of caregiver reports. The clinician rating approach helps attenuate these misinterpretations. In this scenario, the NPI-C is a promising and versatile tool for assessing neuropsychiatric syndromes in dementia, offering good accuracy and high reliability, mainly based on the diagnostic impression of the clinician. This tool can provide both strategies: a comprehensive assessment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia or the investigation of specific psychopathological syndromes such as agitation, depression, anxiety, apathy, sleep disorders, and aberrant motor disorders, among others.

Análise de integridade de sinal e crosstalk em placa de circuito impresso

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Sistema de gerenciamento automático de reatores eletrônicos com ajuste do nível de luminosidade para múltiplas lâmpadas fluorescentes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Procedimentos metodológicos para o planejamento de obras e usos: uma abordagem geotécnica e geoambiental

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Caracterização da rigidez póstero-anterior da coluna lombar in vivo: uma análise biomecânica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Procedimentos para descrição de figuras em texto impresso visando à acessibilidade para pessoas cegas: um estudo a partir de um livro de educação física adaptada

This study was aimed to analyze a procedure that makes the description of pictures in printed text from a book that promotes accessibility for blind people. In addition, the study was aimed to analyze the reformulations suggested by the judges and the index of agreement between researcher and judges. The descriptions were submitted to judges to evaluate the content of the material. The results were obtained through the analysis of two assessments: 1) agreement rate ‒ between the researcher and judges A and B, and between judge A and judge B and 2) analysis of the suggested reformulation. In quantitative terms, the results indicated that the material described achieved a high reliability. In qualitative terms, the reliability achieved represents the quality of the material offered, with well structured descriptions where writing meaning is equivalent to image information, fulfilling the purpose to present in printed text the elements represented in the pictures, effectively conveying their meaning.

Estudo da propagação de trinca por fadiga sob carregamento de amplitude variável

For engineering projects that require high reliability levels, is often not enough know only physical and chemical material properties. It’s necessary understand the failure mode of these materials in operation to ensure security level in the project and establish more stringent criteria in the analysis of structural integrity. Due to this need, aircraft industry has been using aluminum alloys in their designs and projects. “Currently more than 70% of aircraft structures are built of high strength aluminum alloys among which stand out 7075-T6 and 2024-T3 alloys, which are considered basics for being used in the new alloys development.” (PASTOUKHOV & VOORWALD, 1995). Some years ago ALCOA develops Al 2524 alloy that has emerged as refinement of Al 2024 (Al, Cu. Mg) alloy, with purpose of improve fracture toughness and fatigue resistance on structural components. The present research addresses testing of fatigue crack propagation under variable amplitude loading for Al 2024 alloy, observing the interaction effects from application of overhead blocks and plastic zone at the crack tip and makes an analysis of fracture surface images

Método para reconhecimento de íris baseado na sua região interna

Recognition of individuals through the characteristics of the iris has in recent years become a well accepted technique due to both the high reliability of this procedure and the its non invasiveness. The methods used in such procedures seek information all over the iris, which depending on the algorithm used may result in high computational costs. Considering that most characteristics of the iris are in its inner region the goal of this work is to develop an algorithm for the recognition of individuals using only this region. To bring the outcome of our approach to the level of the best techniques described in the literature this technique has to be further elaborated, even so the results show a promising technique.

Estudo sobre uma turbina a gás instalada em uma refinaria de petróleo

The gas turbine (GT) is known to have: low cost of capital over the amount of energy, high flexibility, high reliability, short delivery time, commissioning and commercial operation at the beginning and quick departure. The gas turbine is also recognized for its superior environmental performance, manifested in air pollution containment and reducing greenhouse gases (Mahi, 1994). Gas turbines in simple cycle mode (SC) have long been used by utilities to limited power generation peak. In addition, manufacturing facilities use gas turbines for power generation units on site, often in combination with the process of heat production, such as hot water and steam process. In recent years, the performance of industrial gas turbines has been improved due to significant investments in research and development, in terms of fuel to electricity conversion efficiency, plant capacity, availability and reliability. The greater availability of energy resources such as natural gas (NG), the significant reduction of capital costs and the introduction of advanced cycles, have also been a success factor for the increased use of gas turbines to load applications base (Poulikas, 2004). Open Cycle Gas Turbine with a greater degree of heat to the atmosphere may alternatively be used to produce additional electricity using a steam cycle, or to compose a cogeneration process. The combined cycle (CC) uses the heat from the gas turbine exhaust gas to increase the power output and increase the overall efficiency of more than 50% second (Najjar, 2001). The initial discovery of these cycles in the commercial power generation market was possible due to the development of the gas turbine. Only from the 1970s that gas turbine inlet temperature and therefore the exhaust gas temperature was sufficiently high to allow a better efficiency in the combined cycle ... (Complete Abstract click electronic access below)

Reduced knee flexion is a possible cause of increased loading rates in individuals with patellofemoral pain

Stair ascent is an activity that exacerbates symptoms of individuals with patellofemoral pain. The discomfort associated with this activity usually results in gait modification such as reduced knee flexion in an attempt to reduce pain. Although such compensatory strategy is a logical approach to decrease pain, it also reduces the normal active shock absorption increasing loading rates and may lead to deleterious and degenerative changes of the knee joint. Thus, the aims of this study were (i) to investigate whether there is reduced knee flexion in adults with PFP compared to healthy controls; and (ii) to analyze loading rates in these subjects, during stair climbing. Twenty-nine individuals with patellofemoral pain and twenty-five control individuals (18-30years) participated in this study. Each subject underwent three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic analyses during stair climbing on two separate days. Between-groups analyses of variance were performed to identify differences in peak knee flexion and loading rates. Intraclass correlation coefficient was performed to verify the reliability of the variables. On both days, the patellofemoral pain group demonstrated significantly reduced peak knee flexion and increased loading rates. In addition, the two variables obtained high to very high reliability. Reduced knee flexion during stair climbing as a strategy to avoid anterior knee pain does not seem to be healthy for lower limb mechanical distributions. Repeated loading at higher loading rates may be damaging to lower limb joints.

Desenvolvimento de um sistema de proteção e metodologia para localização de faltas em sistemas de distribuição

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)