Impact of Comprehensive Dental Health Program on the Oral Health-related Quality of Life among Socially Handicapped Children.

Aim: Socially handicapped children face a number of challenges including limited access to basic health including oral healthcare. The aim of this study is to determine the oral health status and treatment needs of socially handicapped children and to assess the effectiveness of the Comprehensive Dental Health Program (CDHP) on their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Materials and methods: A total of 97 children in the age-group of 7-14 years were enrolled in the study. Prior to the implementation of CDHP, the collection of baseline data including basic demographic data, dentition status, decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), and treatment needs [World Health Organization (WHO) 1997] was done. CDHP was instituted based on their assessment and treatment needs. The evaluation of OHRQoL was done at baseline as well as a postintervention intervention at the end of 12 months. Statistical analysis: Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to find normality. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon sign rank tests were applied for item analysis in the questionnaire. The value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean domain scores of OHRQoL at baseline and following CDHP showed a statistically significant difference. There was a consistent overall increase in the postintervention domain scores with respect to all the components. Conclusion: The oral health status of socially handicapped children was found to be fair requiring minimal dental treatment. CDHP instituted among them was beneficial in improving their OHRQoL. Clinical significance: Assessing the impact of oral diseases using a multidimensional constraint and planning appropriate interventional measures that improve the general well-being of socially handicapped children. How to cite this article: Babu BS, Sahana S, Vasa AAK, et al. Impact of Comprehensive Dental Health Program on the Oral Health-related Quality of Life among Socially Handicapped Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(3):260-264.

A study on the effectiveness of training in the operation of an electric mobility aid in severely mentally and physically handicapped children.

Hideshima Y, Asami T, Ichiba M, Matsuo K, Murata T. A study on the effectiveness of training in the operation of an electric mobility aid in severely mentally and physically handicapped children. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2024; 15: 8-16. Purpose: We examined whether operation training for children with severe mental and physical disabilities using recently developed electric mobility aids improves their skills in operating such aids and their daily activities. By doing so, we aimed to clarify the effectiveness of electric mobility aid operation training for children with severe mental and physical disabilities. Method: Operation training and normal training using an electric mobility aid were conducted for 42 school-aged children with severe mental and physical disabilities, aged 8-18 years old. The trainee children were randomly assigned to two groups: 21 to the intervention group to receive operation training and 21 to the control group to receive general training. The intervention lasted 20 minutes/training session, with three sessions/week over a period of eight weeks. The Powered Mobility Program (PMP) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) were used for pre- and post-intervention assessments, and SPSS was used for two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: PMP scaled scores significantly increased (p = 0.001) in both groups, but there was no interaction effect. The PEDI scaled scores did not significantly increase in either of the two groups. Discussion: The effects of the intervention and use of the electric mobility aid on the operating skills of children with severe mental and physical disabilities were explicitly demonstrated. Future long-term studies are required to clarify the effects of training in the operation of electric mobility aids on the subsequent development of severely physically and mentally handicapped children.

Comparison of water balance among healthy young and old adults and handicapped adults.

The body's water balance is changed by food and beverage intake, metabolism, and excretion. In this study, we performed a cross-sectional study that investigated the changes of water intake and water output in healthy Japanese young and elderly people and handicapped adults. Water balance was assessed by water intake from foods and beverages, metabolic water production, non-renal water losses (NRWL), and urine volume. Most of the parameters did not change with aging in healthy adults. Estimated total water intake (ml/kg/day) increased with aging. In the healthy men, healthy women, and handicapped adults, daily water intake (median [interquartile range]) accounted for 49.4 (41.4-59.9) ml/kg, 42.9 (38.7-51.8) ml/kg, and 50.9 (43.8-74.0) ml/kg, respectively. Water loss from the kidney accounted for 19.2 (16.2-29.2) ml/kg, 22.0 (16.2-26.6) ml/kg, and 27.5 (22.7-47.2) ml/kg, respectively. NRWL accounted for 26.6 (18.5-35.2) ml/kg, 22.4 (16.2-28.8) ml/kg, and 23.5 (19.8-28.5) ml/kg, respectively. Our findings suggest that a daily total water intake of more than 50-55 ml/kg is required to prevent dehydration in healthy and handicapped adults. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 195-199, February, 2023.

Comparative analysis of acoustic therapies for tinnitus treatment based on auditory event-related potentials.

Introduction: So far, Auditory Event-Related Potential (AERP) features have been used to characterize neural activity of patients with tinnitus. However, these EEG patterns could be used to evaluate tinnitus evolution as well. The aim of the present study is to propose a methodology based on AERPs to evaluate the effectiveness of four acoustic therapies for tinnitus treatment. Methods: The acoustic therapies were: (1) Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), (2) Auditory Discrimination Therapy (ADT), (3) Therapy for Enriched Acoustic Environment (TEAE), and (4) Binaural Beats Therapy (BBT). In addition, relaxing music was included as a placebo for both: tinnitus sufferers and healthy individuals. To meet this aim, 103 participants were recruited, 53% were females and 47% were males. All the participants were treated for 8 weeks with one of these five sounds, which were moreover tuned in accordance with the acoustic features of their tinnitus (if applied) and hearing loss. They were electroencephalographically monitored before and after their acoustic therapy, and wherefrom AERPs were estimated. The sound effect of acoustic therapies was evaluated by examining the area under the curve of those AERPs. Two parameters were obtained: (1) amplitude and (2) topographical distribution. Results: The findings of the investigation showed that after an 8-week treatment, TRT and ADT, respectively achieved significant neurophysiological changes over somatosensory and occipital regions. On one hand, TRT increased the tinnitus perception. On the other hand, ADT redirected the tinnitus attention, what in turn diminished the tinnitus perception. Tinnitus handicapped inventory outcomes verified these neurophysiological findings, revealing that 31% of patients in each group reported that TRT increased tinnitus perception, but ADT diminished it. Discussion: Tinnitus has been identified as a multifactorial condition highly associated with hearing loss, age, sex, marital status, education, and even, employment. However, no conclusive evidence has been found yet. In this study, a significant (but low) correlation was found between tinnitus intensity and right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, heart rate, area under the curve of AERPs, and acoustic therapy. This study raises the possibility to assign acoustic therapies by neurophysiological response of patient.

Low Cost Magnetic Field Control for Disabled People.

Our research presents a cost-effective navigation system for electric wheelchairs that utilizes the tongue as a human-machine interface (HMI) for disabled individuals. The user controls the movement of the wheelchair by wearing a small neodymium magnet on their tongue, which is held in place by a suction pad. The system uses low-cost electronics and sensors, including two electronic compasses, to detect the position of the magnet in the mouth. One compass estimates the magnet's position while the other is used as a reference to compensate for static magnetic fields. A microcontroller processes the data using a computational algorithm that takes the mathematical formulations of the magnetic fields as input in real time. The system has been tested using real data to control an electric wheelchair, and it has been shown that a trained user can effectively use tongue movements as an interface for the wheelchair or a computer.

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke Patients with Moderate to Severe Pre-Stroke Disability.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Studies on mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with preexisting disability are limited. We aimed to compare the outcomes of MT versus best medical treatment (BMT) in these patients. METHODS: In the nationwide Austrian registry and Swiss monocentric registry, we identified 462 AIS patients with pre-stroke disability (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score ≥3) and acute large vessel occlusion. The primary outcome was returning to pre-stroke mRS or better at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were early neurological improvement (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score improvement ≥8 at 24 to 48 hours), 3-month mortality, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Multivariable regression models and propensity score matching (PSM) were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Compared with the BMT group (n=175), the MT group (n=175) had younger age, more severe strokes, and lower pre-stroke mRS, but similar proportion of receiving intravenous thrombolysis. MT was associated with higher odds of returning to baseline mRS or better at 3 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39 to 4.47), early neurological improvement (aOR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.41 to 4.88), and lower risk of 3-month mortality (aOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.49). PSM analysis showed similar findings. MT was not associated with an increased risk of sICH (4.0% vs. 2.1% in all patients; 4.2% vs. 2.4% in the PSM cohort). CONCLUSIONS: MT in patients with pre-stroke mRS ≥3 might improve the 3-month outcomes and short-term neurological impairment, suggesting that pre-stroke disability alone should not be a reason to withhold MT, but that individual case-by-case decisions may be more appropriate.

The predictive role of psychological toughness and adaptability on the actual well-being of mothers with handicapped children.

Background and Aim: Handicapped children cause psychological problems for mothers. As mothers' actual well-being is so important in the family and society, the aim of this research was to predict the role of psychological toughness and adaptability on the actual well-being of mothers with handicapped children. Materials and Methods: The research was descriptive correlational study with volunteer mothers of handicapped children (n=150). Data collection tools were: Ahwaz Kiamarsi et al. (1998) psychological toughness questionnaire, Connor and Davidson adaptability scale (2003), Lyubomerisky and Leper actual well-being scale (1999) and Diener life satisfaction scale (2009). Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data using SPSS 21 version. Results: The results showed that psychological toughness and its components (commitment, control, struggle) have a significant positive relationship with the actual well-being of mothers with handicapped children and its dimensions (actual well-being and life satisfaction) and is able to predict their well-being. Discussion: Therefore, it can be said that by promoting adaptability, mothers with handicapped children can resist and overcome stressors as well as factors that cause many psychological problems. By reducing psycho-emotional problems in mothers, mental well-being and life satisfaction are improved. Conclusion: The actual well-being of mothers with handicapped children can be predicted by their psychological toughness and adaptability.

Autism spectrum disorder in a boy with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: In this case report, we described the past history, clinical manifestations, genetic characteristics and cognitive evaluation of a boy with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) who developed autism spectrum disorder (ASD). CASE PRESENTATION: The boy had an early onset of CIPA at the age of 48 months, and was later diagnosed with ASD at 5 years old. Developmental delays in communication, social skills and the presence of maladaptive behaviors were observed in the patient. Professional treatments significantly improved the developmental delays. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrated that ASD may develop in children with CIPA, and pediatricians should be aware that if they suspect or identify a child with CIPA that they should also be screened for ASD using similar examination and diagnostic tools as shown in the present report. Moreover, therapeutic interventions for ASD was helpful for the remission of both diseases.

Prevalence of Oral Health Status and Needs in Institutionlized Physically Challenged Children.

BACKGROUND: Oral hygiene has significant effect on the overall health of an individual as it has vital role in human life, so it is necessary to protect oral hygiene of all children since childhood. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to evaluate and compare the prevalence of dental caries and oral hygiene status in institutionalized physically challenged children of Bihar. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: A total of 700 (400 male and 300 female) children were included in the study that were physically handicapped and were institutionalized in various special schools. In this study, complete oral examination was done and was recorded by using Oral Hygiene Status-Simplified given by Greene and Vermillion, 1964, and all statistical analyses were done by using SPSS software. For statistical analysis, Chi-square test and ANOVA were used. RESULTS: Out of 700 children, 48.8% (342) had dental caries with mean Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index of 0.86 (standard deviation [SD] ±1.37) and mean dmft index of 0.36 (SD ± 0.98). In this study, orthopedic, blind, deaf and dumb, and compound students were examined. It was observed that the dental caries prevalence was high in the blind group (71%) compared to that of the deaf and dumb group (40.2%), while oral hygiene status was observed as good in 42.2%, fair in 46.9%, and poor in 10.9% of children. CONCLUSION: Every dental professional should be aware of his/her responsibilities and provide both comprehensive and incremental dental care to improve the overall oral hygiene condition of physically handicapped children.

Comportamiento de las discapacidades en el Consejo Popular Hermanos Barcón, septiembre - diciembre de 2020 / Behavior of disabilities at Hermanos Barcon People's Council, September-December 2020

RESUMEN Introducción: las discapacidades constituyen un importante problema de salud y social a nivel mundial. Objetivo: determinar el comportamiento de las discapacidades en el Consejo Popular Hermanos Barcón de Pinar del Río de septiembre a diciembre del 2020. Métodos: se realizó una investigación epidemiológica, descriptiva y transversal. El universo lo integraron las 479 personas con discapacidades, se investigó a la totalidad de los mismos. La información se obtuvo de las historias de salud familiar e individuales de los consultorios médicos. Se realizó un análisis univariado de las variables con el empleo de la estadística descriptiva y se estimaron las tasas de prevalencia de discapacidades general, por grupos de edades, sexo y de cada una de las discapacidades. Se calcularon intervalos de confianza de 95 % de confiabilidad para las respectivas tasas y se calcularon las frecuencias absolutas y los porcentajes. Resultados: se encontró una tasa de prevalencia global de las discapacidades de 3,9 por cada 100 habitantes, prealeció en el grupo de 60 años y más con 8,7 y en el sexo masculino con 4,2. La tasa de discapacidad intelectual fue 1,4 y en las físico motoras de 1,1. Las causas posnatales ocuparon el 67,6 %. Conclusiones: la prevalencia global de las discapacidades fue baja, las que incrementaron con la edad. Fueron frecuentes en el sexo masculino. Predominaron las discapacidades intelectuales y las físico motoras, prevalecieron las causas posnatales.

ABSTRACT Introduction: disabilities constitute an important health and social problem worldwide. Objective: to determine the behavior of disabilities at Hermanos Barcon People's Council in Pinar del Rio from September to December 2020. Methods: an epidemiologic, descriptive and cross-sectional research was conducted. The target group comprised 479 disabled people, including them all in the research. The information was collected through the analysis of the familial and individual health history from the Doctors' Offices. A univariate analysis of the variables was conducted applying descriptive statistics and estimation of the rate of prevalence for the general disabilities per group of ages, sex and each of the disabilities. The intervals of confidence of 95 % of confidentiality were calculated for the respective rates, as well as the calculation of the absolute frequencies and percentages. Results: it was found a rate of global prevalence of disabilities 3,9 per each 100 inhabitants, most frequent in the group of 60 years and older with 8,7 and male sex with 4,2. The rate of intellectual disability was 1,4 and physical-motor 1,1 Postnatal causes reached 67,6 %. Conclusions: the global prevalence of disabilities was low, increasing with age, most frequent in male sex. Intellectual and physical-motor disabilities predominated, postnatal causes prevailed.

Assessment of Have Problems and Care Burdens of Mothers with Handicapped Children in COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the study, it was aimed to evaluate the problems and care burden of mothers who have a handicapped child in the pandemic process. The population of the descriptive study consisted of the mothers of the children who came to the rehabilitation center (n = 230), and the sampling consisted of the mothers who wanted to participate in the study (n = 216). The research data were collected through social media and the data were analyzed using the mean, standard deviation, percentage and frequency measurements, independent sample t test, Oneway anova, Kruskal wallis tests in the SPSS program. In the study, Burden Interview Scale (BIS) scores of the mothers who stated that the educational status of their child was adversely affected in the pandemic, stated that they were worried that there would be someone to take care of my child if I died, stated that the child's health checks were interrupted, stated that they did not send their child to school due to the fear of COVID-19, and reported that they had a problem in reaching the health institution was determined were significantly higher than. Mothers with handicapped children stated that their children experienced difficulties in important situations such as health checks and educations during the pandemic period. In addition, it was found that the care burden of these mothers was higher. During the pandemic period, it is necessary to make and support new regulations in accordance with the disability of these special children with state policies as well as healthcare professionals.

Intensive intervention for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: comparison of three rehabilitation treatments.

INTRODUCTION: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions, characterised by difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviours and interests. There are several rehabilitative interventions for individuals with ASD but the evidence of their effectiveness is low or moderate overall. The transition phase of ASD individuals from adolescence to adulthood represents an important challenge. Adults with ASD struggle to access employment or independent living. METHODS: In our study, we evaluated the effect of three different high-intensity interventions, namely Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication-Handicapped Children (TEACCH) and Behavioural Educational Intervention (BEI), in 93 ASD (levels 2 and 3) adolescents (age range 12-18 years). RESULTS: Our results showed that all adolescents with ASD reported an improvement of core symptoms, regardless of the type of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A high intensity intervention ameliorates the core symptoms of ASD, enriching evidence of effectiveness regarding adolescents with ASD.KEY POINTSIndividuals with ASD need lifespan support and they struggle to access employment, independent living and community inclusion.There are several rehabilitative interventions for individuals with ASD but the evidence of their effectiveness in adolescents is insufficient.The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible enhancement produced by three intensive interventions (ABA, TEACCH, BEI) of symptom severity and adaptive functions.Results show that independently of the treatment, individuals with ASD decrease in ASD severity.Individuals who were treated with the BEI and TEACCH programmes reported improvements in the adaptive domains.

Evaluation of microbial contamination and efficacy of antimicrobial agents in disinfection of handicapped patients' toothbrushes

This study aimed to evaluate the contamination of toothbrushes usedby patients with disabilities, by microbial culture and cariogenic biofilm formation,and to explore two methods of disinfection. Methods: Experimental procedures were divided into three stages, with the same interval between each stage. In the first stage, the patients brushed their teeth, rinsed them with water, and their toothbrushes were sprayed with sterilized tap water. In the second and third stages, the steps were similar to those of Stage I, except the toothbrushes were sprayed with 0.12% chlorhexidine and 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride solutions, respectively. At the end of each stage, the toothbrush bristles were cultured in bacitracin sucrose broth (CaSaB) medium. Data were analyzed through Friedman's nonparametric test (5% significance level). Results: In Stage I, mutans group streptococci (MS) were present in 30 toothbrushes (76.9%), and the number of colonies/biofilms ranged from 0 to +100. In Stage II, no MS colonization was observed. In Stage III, only 10.2% of the toothbrushes were contaminated with MS, and the number of colonies/biofilms ranged from 1 to 31. Conclusion: Bristles of toothbrushes used by patients with disabilities became contaminated with MS after a single brushing. The 0.12% chlorhexidine solution eliminated all microorganisms from the bristles of the toothbrushes used by the patients. Both 0.12% gluconate chlorhexidine and 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride spray solutions can effectively be used for toothbrush disinfection to reduce contamination.

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a contaminação de escovas de dente utilizadas por pacientes especiais, por meio de cultura microbiana e formação de biofilme cariogênico, explorando dois métodos de desinfecção. Métodos: O estudo foi dividido em três estágios, com o mesmo intervalo de tempo entre cada estágio. No primeiro estágio, os pacientes escovaram os dentes e enxaguaram com água, em seguida, suas escovas foram borrifadas com água destilada. No segundo e terceiro estágios, as etapas foram semelhantes às do estágio I, exceto que as escovas de dente foram borrifadas com soluções de clorexidina 0,12% e cloreto de cetilpiridínio 0,05%, respectivamente. Ao final de cada etapa, as cerdas das escovas de dente foram cultivadas em meio de Caldo Sacarose Bacitracina (CaSaB). Os dados foram analisados por meio do teste não paramétrico de Friedman (nível de significância de 5%). Resultados: No estágio I, os estreptococos do grupo mutans (EM) estavam presentes em 30 escovas de dente (76,9%), e o número de colônias / biofilmes variou de 0 a +100. No estágio II, nenhuma colonização por MS foi observada. No estágio III, apenas 10,2% das escovas de dente estavam contaminadas com MS, e o número de colônias / biofilmes variou de 1 a 31. Conclusão: As cerdas das escovas de dente utilizadas por pacientes especiais contaminaram-se com EM após uma única escovação. A solução de clorexidina 0,12% eliminou todos os microrganismos das cerdas das escovas de dente utilizadas pelos pacientes. Ambas as soluções em spray (gluconatode clorexidina 0,12% e cloreto de cetilpiridínio 0,05%) podem ser utilizadas com eficácia para desinfecção das escovas de dente para reduzir a contaminação.

Powering strategies for implanted multi-function neuroprostheses for spinal cord injury.

Implantable motor neuroprosthetic systems can restore function to individuals with significant disabilities, such as spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. Neuroprostheses provide restored functionality by electrically activating paralysed muscles in coordinated patterns that replicate (enable) controlled movement that was lost through injury or disease. It is important to consider the general topology of the implanted system itself. The authors demonstrate that the wired multipoint implant technology is practical and feasible as a basis for the development of implanted multi-function neuroprosthetic systems. The advantages of a centralised power supply are significant. Heating due to recharge can be mitigated by using an actively cooled external recharge coil. Using this approach, the time required to perform a full recharge was significantly reduced. This approach has been demonstrated as a practical option for regular clinical use of implanted neuroprostheses.

Mothers with disabled children: needs, stress levels and family functionality in rehabilitation.

This study was planned to investigate the relationship between the needs, stress levels of mothers with disabled children and family functioning in rehabilitation. The study was conducted with 181 mothers in a private rehabilitation centre in eastern Turkey. The personal information form, 'Family Needs Assessment Tool (FNAT)', 'Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)' and 'Family Functioning Scale in Rehabilitation (FFSIR)' were used in the data collection. In the analysis of data number, percentage, mean score, standard deviations, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman correlation were used. The mean score of the mothers on the whole FNAT was 67.49 ± 1.85; the mean score of them on the PSS was 24.99 ± 4.32; the mean score of them on the FFSIR was 153.98 ± 20.61. It was found that there was a positive correlation between the mean scores of the mothers on the FNAT and PSS while there was a negative correlation between the mean scores of them on the PSS and FFSIR (p < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics of the mothers and the PSS and FFSIR (p < 0.05). It was determined that the mothers' information needs were high, they had moderate stress levels, and the family functionality was moderate in rehabilitation. It was concluded that the mothers' stress levels increased as the needs of them increased while their stress levels decreased as the functionality of them increased in rehabilitation.

O Poder Judiciário e o acesso ao Sistema de Frequência Modulada: uma análise sobre a efetivação das políticas públicas em saúde auditiva / The Judiciary and access to the Frequency Modulation System: an analysis of the effectiveness of public policies on hearing health

RESUMO Objetivo conhecer como se deu o processo de criação de políticas públicas em saúde auditiva no Brasil, bem como a influência do Poder Judiciário na concretização do acesso, pela pessoa com deficiência auditiva, ao Sistema de Frequência Modulada (Sistema FM) e para utilização em ambiente escolar. Métodos estudo qualitativo exploratório, por meio do qual foi realizado, inicialmente, um levantamento normativo nos sítios eletrônicos da Presidência da República, Câmara dos Deputados e Ministério da Saúde, visando identificar, no período compreendido entre outubro de 1988 e outubro de 2019, a existência de normas que versassem sobre a criação de políticas públicas em saúde auditiva. Foi realizado, em complemento, levantamento jurisprudencial nos sítios eletrônicos de Tribunais de Justiça, Tribunais Regionais Federais e Tribunais Superiores, visando identificar, no período compreendido entre janeiro de 2000 e outubro de 2019, a existência de decisões judiciais que versassem sobre acesso ao Sistema FM, via Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Resultados foi possível identificar dez instrumentos normativos que tratavam, especificamente, da criação de políticas públicas em saúde auditiva, além de seis decisões judiciais, cujos méritos consistiam, propriamente, no acesso ao Sistema FM, via SUS. Conclusão o Poder Judiciário tem papel fundamental na concretização do acesso ao Sistema FM pela pessoa com deficiência auditiva, uma vez que sua atuação suprime omissões dos outros Poderes e impede que políticas públicas já concebidas contemplem restrições contrárias à Constituição Federal.

ABSTRACT Purpose to know how the process of creating public policies on Hearing Health in Brazil, and the influence of the Judiciary Power for the access by the hearing impaired person and the use in the school environment, concerning the Frequency Modulation (FM) System. Methods an exploratory qualitative study through which a normative survey was initially carried out - on the websites of the Presidency, the Chamber of Deputies and the Ministry of Health - aiming to identify, from October 1988 to October 2019, the existence of norms dealing with the creation of public policies on Hearing Health. Also, a jurisprudential survey was carried out - on the websites of Courts of Justice, Federal Regional Courts, and Superior Court of Justice - to identify the existence of court decisions dealing with access to the FM System via the Unified Health System in the period from January 2000 to October 2019. Results We identified ten normative instruments that dealt specifically with the creation of public policies on Hearing Health, as well as six court decisions whose merits consisted of access to the FM System via the Unified Health System. Conclusion The Judiciary has a fundamental role in achieving access to the FM System for people with hearing impairment since its performance suppresses omissions provided by other Powers and prevents public policies already designed to contemplate restrictions contrary to the Federal Constitution.

Design and evaluation of an alternative wheelchair control system for dexterity disabilities.

This work details the design and development of a novel 3D printed, modular alternative wheelchair control system for powered wheelchair users afflicted with dexterity inhibiting disorders, which mechanically interfaces directly with the installed standard joystick. The proposed joystick manipulator utilises an accelerometer for gesture control input processed by the Arduino microprocessor and a mechanical control interface, which sits over a standard installed two-axis proportional joystick, the preferential control system for most powered chair manufacturers. When fitted, this allows powered electric wheelchair users with limited dexterity, independent to navigate their wheelchair unassisted. The mechanical system has been selected so that the joystick manipulator is as universal as possible and can be installed to almost any powered wheelchair that uses a two-axis joystick. The design process and key aspects of the operation of the joystick manipulator are presented as well as field testing on a wheelchair conducted. The test results show that the proposed joystick manipulator is a successful system that can be universally fitted to most powered chairs and offers potentially greater independence for the powered wheelchair user.

LED-based indoor positioning system using novel optical pixelation technique.

At present, about 47 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's disease (AD), and because there is no treatment currently available to cure AD, people with AD (PWAD) are cared for. The estimated cost of care for PWAD in 2016 alone is about $236 billion, which puts a huge burden on relatives of PWAD. This work aims to reduce this burden by proposing an inexpensive indoor positioning system that can be used to monitor PWAD. For the positioning, freeform lenses are used to enable a novel optically pixeled LED luminaire (OPLL) that focuses beams from LEDs to various parts of a room, thereby creating uniquely identifiable regions which are used to improve positioning accuracy. Monte Carlo simulation with the designed OPLL in a room with dimensions 5 m × 5 m × 3 m is used to compute the positioning error and theoretical analysis and experiments are used to validate the time for positioning. Results show that by appropriate LED beam design, OPLL has a positioning error and time for positioning of 0.735 m and 187 ms which is 55.1% lower and 1.2 times faster than existing multiple LED estimation model proximity systems.

El conocimiento sobre salud bucal de padres y maestros de la Escuela especial La Edad de Oro / Oral health knowledge of parents and teachers at La Edad de Oro special school

RESUMEN Introducción: los escolares discapacitados se caracterizan por presentar numerosos factores de riesgo asociados a diversas enfermedades bucales. En esta etapa se requiere de la participación de padres y educadores que les enseñen hábitos básicos para el cuidado de la salud bucal. Objetivo: evaluar el nivel de conocimiento en salud bucal de padres y educadores. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en la escuela primaria especial La Edad de Oro, de Holguín, de enero a abril de 2016. El universo estuvo constituido por 203 adultos y la muestra por 126. Se aplicó un cuestionario con temas relacionados con la higiene bucal, la dieta cariogénica y los hábitos bucales deformantes. Resultados: el nivel de conocimiento sobre salud bucal fue regular en el sexo femenino, en el 71,6%, y en el masculino fue malo, en el 46,7%. De acuerdo con el nivel de escolaridad, el de secundaria presentó nivel de conocimiento malo (53,3%); sólo el 8,6% de los adultos obtuvo mal. Se desconocían hábitos bucales deformantes, como la deglución atípica, la queilofagia y los hábitos posturales, en el 91,3%, el 90,5% y el 85,7% de los participantes, respectivamente. Conclusiones: los padres y educadores de los niños discapacitados presentaron en su mayoría, niveles de conocimientos regulares sobre salud bucal.

ABSTRACT Introduction: handicapped children may present different symptoms of several buccal diseases. Parents and teachers concern are required in order to teach them basic habits to keep a good oral health. Objective: to evaluate parents and teachers level of knowledge about oral health. Method: a cross sectional research at La Edad de Oro Special Primary School, was carried out in Holguín from January to April 2016. Universe was 203 adults and sample 126. A survey including several topics related to oral hygiene, cariogenic diet and deformation of buccal habits, was applied. Results: the level of knowledge about oral health was regular for females (71.6%) and it was bad for males (46.7%). High level participants presented bad knowledge with 53.3 % and only 8.6% showed a poor knowledge level. Deforming oral habits suchs as: atypical swallowing (91.3%), cheilophagia (90.5%) and postural habits (85.7%) were ignored by the participants at these levels. Conclusions: most handicapped children's parents and teachers showed regular knowledge levels about oral health.