Validation of the English version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale for assessing postoperative pain in cats

Background: A scale validated in one language is not automatically valid in another language or culture. The purpose of this study was to validate the English version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale (MCPS) to assess postoperative pain in cats. The English version was developed using translation, back-translation, and review by individuals with expertise in feline pain management. In sequence, validity and reliability tests were performed.Results: Of the three domains identified by factor analysis, the internal consistency was excellent for 'pain expression' and 'psychomotor change' (0.86 and 0.87) but not for 'physiological variables' (0.28). Relevant changes in pain scores at clinically distinct time points (e.g., post-surgery, post-analgesic therapy), confirmed the construct validity and responsiveness (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001). Favorable correlation with the IVAS scores (p < 0.001) and moderate to very good agreement between blinded observers and 'gold standard' evaluations, supported criterion validity. The cut-off point for rescue analgesia was > 7 (range 0-30 points) with 96.5% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity.Conclusions: The English version of the UNESP-Botucatu-MCPS is a valid, reliable and responsive instrument for assessing acute pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy, when used by anesthesiologists or anesthesia technicians. The cut-off point for rescue analgesia provides an additional tool for guiding analgesic therapy. © 2013 Brondani et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Observer-based control design for switched affine systems and applications to DC-DC converters

This paper deals with the problem of establishing a state estimator for switched affine systems. For that matter, a modification on the Luenberger observer is proposed, the switched Luenberger observer, whose idea is to design one output gain matrix for each mode of the original system. The efficiency of the proposed method relies on a simplification on estimation error which is proved always valid, guaranteeing the estimation error to asymptotically converge to zero, for any initial state and switching law. Next, a dynamic output-dependent switching law is formulated. Then, design methodologies using linear matrix inequalities are proposed, which, to the authors's knowledge, have not yet been applied to this problem. Finally, observers for DC-DC converters are designed and simulated as application examples. © 2013 Brazilian Society for Automatics - SBA.

Validity and feasibility of qualitative behavior assessment for the evaluation of Nellore cattle temperament

The aims of this study were to assess the validity and the feasibility of the qualitative behavior assessment (QBA) method as indicator of Nellore cattle temperament under field conditions, evaluating its associations with four other traditional methods and weight gain. The temperament and live weight of 2229 Nellore cattle was assessed at approximately 550 days of age. Five measurements of cattle temperament were recorded: flight speed test (FS, in m/s), visual scores of movement in the crush (MOV), crush score (CS), temperament score (TS), and the qualitative behavior assessment method (QBA), by using a list of 12 behavioral based adjectives as descriptors of temperament. Average daily weight gain (ADG) was calculated for each animal. For statistical analysis of QBA data, the Principal Component Analysis was used. A temperament index (TI) was defined for each animal using the scores for the first principal component. Pearson's correlation coefficients were estimated between TI with FS and ADG. A mixed model ANOVA was used to analyze the TI variation as a function of TS, CS, and MOV. The score plot for the first and second principal components was used to classify the cattle in four groups (from very bad to very good temperament). The first principal component explained 49.50% of the variation in the data set, with higher positive loadings for the adjectives 'agitated' and 'active', and higher negative loadings for 'calm' and 'relaxed'. TI was significantly correlated with FS (r=0.49; P<0.01) and ADG (r=-0.10; P<0.01). The means of ADG, FS, and the temperament scores (CS, TS, MOV) differed significantly (P<0.01) among the four groups, from very bad to very good temperament. The QBA method could discriminate different behavioral profiles of Nellore cattle and were in agreement with other traditional methods used as indicators of cattle temperament. Additional studies are needed to assess the inter- and intra-observers reliability and to study its association with physiological parameters. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Detecção de falhas em sistemas incertos com atraso no sinal de controle

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

Detecção e acomodação de falhas em sistemas incertos com atraso no sinal de controle utilizando modo deslizante

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

Aplicação de observadores e controladores com modos deslizantes no controle da geração

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise clínico-histológica da queilite actínica: uma abordagem interexaminadores e correlação de áreas atróficas e não atróficas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Investigação de metástases não funcionantes em câncer de tireóide com sestamibi-99mTc e iodo-131: avaliação metodológica comparativa

Pós-graduação em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (Biotecnologia Médica) - FMB

Sistema CIE Lab: análise computacional de fotografias

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A prática de uma professora bem sucedida: uma leitura comportamental

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Utilização de modelos de falhas e observadores de estado em estruturas reticuladas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Monitoramento da Integridade Estrutural de Sistemas Mecânicos via Observador de Estado Modal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Diagnose de trincas em sistemas rotativos, utilizando modelos de falhas através da metodologia dos observadores de estados

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Diagnose de falhas em sistemas rotativos com excitações desconhecidas, através da metodologia dos observadores de estado

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

Utilização de modelos de falhas na metodologia dos observadores de estado para detecção de trincas em sistemas contínuos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)