A hybrid linear discriminant analysis and genetic algorithm to create a linear model of aging when performing motor tasks through inertial sensors positioned on the hand and forearm.

BACKGROUND: During the aging process, cognitive functions and performance of the muscular and neural system show signs of decline, thus making the elderly more susceptible to disease and death. These alterations, which occur with advanced age, affect functional performance in both the lower and upper members, and consequently human motor functions. Objective measurements are important tools to help understand and characterize the dysfunctions and limitations that occur due to neuromuscular changes related to advancing age. Therefore, the objective of this study is to attest to the difference between groups of young and old individuals through manual movements and whether the combination of features can produce a linear correlation concerning the different age groups. METHODS: This study counted on 99 participants, these were divided into 8 groups, which were grouped by age. The data collection was performed using inertial sensors (positioned on the back of the hand and on the back of the forearm). Firstly, the participants were divided into groups of young and elderly to verify if the groups could be distinguished through the features alone. Following this, the features were combined using the linear discriminant analysis (LDA), which gave rise to a singular feature called the LDA-value that aided in verifying the correlation between the different age ranges and the LDA-value. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that 125 features are able to distinguish the difference between the groups of young and elderly individuals. The use of the LDA-value allows for the obtaining of a linear model of the changes that occur with aging in the performance of tasks in line with advancing age, the correlation obtained, using Pearson's coefficient, was 0.86. CONCLUSION: When we compare only the young and elderly groups, the results indicate that there is a difference in the way tasks are performed between young and elderly individuals. When the 8 groups were analyzed, the linear correlation obtained was strong, with the LDA-value being effective in obtaining a linear correlation of the eight groups, demonstrating that although the features alone do not demonstrate gradual changes as a function of age, their combination established these changes.

Queimaduras no Triângulo Mineiro (Brasil): estudo epidemiológico de uma unidade de queimados / Burns in Triângulo Mineiro (Brazil): epidemiological study of a burn unit / Quemaduras en Triângulo Mineiro (Brasil): un estudio epidemiológico de la unidad de quemados

Objetivo: Caracterizar a unidade e os pacientes atendidos em uma Unidade de Queimados, entre janeiro de 2006 e dezembro de 2013. Método: Realizouse estudo epidemiológico descritivo, observacional, retrospectivo com abordagem quantitativa dos pacientes e da Unidade de Queimados, a partir de dados do serviço de estatística do hospital. Resultados: Em geral, o perfil dos pacientes atendidos nos últimos oito anos é de adultos em idade laboral e crianças menores de 10 anos, sexo masculino, vítimas de acidentes com líquidos inflamáveis ou aquecidos, apresentando queimaduras de 2° grau em cerca de 10 a 19% do corpo, sobretudo no tronco. O maior número de admissões (81) ocorreu em 2010, sendo que a maior taxa de ocupação (67,2%) da unidade se deu em 2007 e a menor (33,14%) em 2008, mesmo ano no qual foi observada a maior taxa de mortalidade (7,2%). Em contrapartida, a menor taxa de mortalidade foi observada em 2006 (1,6%). Cerca de 40% das internações tiveram duração inferior a dez dias. Dos 517 procedimentos cirúrgicos realizados dentro da unidade, 20% foram enxertos dérmico-epidérmicos. Conclusão: Houve pouca mudança no perfil epidemiológico dos atendimentos realizados nesta unidade em comparação com a década anterior. Entretanto, adequações físicas e metodológicas devem incluir estratégias focadas na criança e na perspectiva laboral de adultos.

Objective: To characterize the Burn Unit and its inpatients between January 2006 and December 2013. Methods: A descriptive, observational, retrospective epidemiological study with quantitative approach of the Burn Unit and its inpatients was performed with data from the hospital statistical service. Results: In general, the profile of the Burn Unit inpatients seen in the past eight years are adults in working age and children under 10 years old, victims of accidents with flammable and heated liquids, presenting second degree burns in about 10 to 19% of body surface area, especially on the trunk. The highest number of new admissions (81) occurred in 2010, with the highest occupancy rate in 2007 (67.2%) and lowest in 2008 (33.14%), the same year in which the highest mortality rate (7.2%) was observed. In contrast, the lowest mortality rate was observed in 2006 (1.6%). About 40% of the total admissions lasted less than ten days. From the 517 surgical procedures carried out inside the unit, 20% were dermal-epidermal grafts. Conclusion: There were little changes on the epidemiological profile of the delivered treatments in this unit when compared to the previous decade. However, physical and methodological adjustments should focus on child and on adults' occupational perspective.

Objetivo: Caracterizar una Unidad de Quemaduras y los pacientes hospitalizados entre enero de 2006 y diciembre de 2013. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, observacional, retrospectivo epidemiológico con un enfoque cuantitativo de los pacientes y de la Unidad de Quemados, a partir de los datos del servicio de estadísticas de los hospitales. Resultados: En general, el perfil de los pacientes atendidos en los últimos ocho años son adultos en edad de trabajar y los niños menores de 10 años de edad, de sexo masculino, las víctimas de accidentes con líquidos inflamables y con calefacción, que tienen respectivamente quemaduras 2° grado en aproximadamente el 10 -19% del cuerpo, especialmente en el tronco. Mayor número de admisiones (81) se produjo en 2010, y la tasa de ocupación más elevada (67,2%) de la unidad se produjo en 2007 y el más bajo (33,14%) en el año 2008. En cuanto a la tasa de mortalidad en 2008 que era (7,2%) y la más baja fue registrada en 20 (1,6%). Alrededor del 40% de las hospitalizaciones duró menos de diez días. 517 de los procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados dentro de la unidad, el 20% eran injertos dermo-epidérmica. Conclusión: Hubo pocos cambios en el perfil epidemiológico de la atención recibida en esta unidad en comparación con la década anterior. Sin embargo, los ajustes físicos y metodológicos deben incluir estrategias centradas en el niño y la perspectiva de trabajo los adultos.