Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Motor, Imitation, and Early Social Communication Skills in Children with Autism

Objective: Development of early social skills in children is a complex process. To understand this process, it is important to assess how strengths or weaknesses in other developmental domains may be affected by these skills. The present study aimed at investigating the association of motor skills and imitation ability with early social communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method: In this study, 20 children with ASD aged 3 to 5 years (M = 4.05, SD = 0.55) participated. All children were diagnosed as ASD based on the DSM-V criteria by an independent child psychiatrist. Additionally, Autism Diagnostic interview-Revised was used for subsequent diagnostic confirmation. Children were tested with Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), the Motor Imitation Scale (MIS), and the Early Social Communication Scales (ESCS). All examinations were videotaped for subsequent scoring. The relationship between these skills was estimated by Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: A significant and strong correlation was obtained between TGMD total score and imitation total score (r =.776; p <0.001). However, the relationship between MIS subscales and TGMD-2 locomotor subtest scores was not significant (P>0.05). A significant correlation was found between MIS and TGMD total scores with Initiating Joint Attention and Responding to Joint Attention (p≤0/025) as ESCS subscales. But MIS and TGMD total scores were not correlated with social interaction and responding to behavioral requests subscales. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that indicated both imitation ability and motor function have an association with each other and with early social communication skills.
Motion control of omni-directional type cane robot based on human intention

A three-wheeled omni-directional cane robot is designed for aiding the elderly walking. Possible move modes are analyzed and a corresponding hybrid model is constructed to describe walking behavior. A concept called intentional direction is presented to denote the moving intention of a human. Based on experiments and some assumptions, dynamic model of intentional direction is obtained as well as its online estimation method. A new admittance control scheme is presented based on intentional direction, which provides natural and intuitive human machine interface. Experiment results show the effectiveness of the design.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), a Future Potential Medicinal Fungus in Oncology? A Chemical Study and a Comparison of the Cytotoxicity Against Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells (A549) and Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B)

Background: Inonotus obliquus, also known as Chaga, is a parasitic fungus growing on birches and used in traditional medicine (especially by Khanty people) to treat various health problems. In this study, we aimed to quantify the 3 metabolites frequently cited in literature, that is, betulin, betulinic acid, and inotodiol in the Chaga recently discovered in forests located in Normandy (France), and to compare their concentrations with Ukrainian and Canadian Chaga. This study also explores the cytotoxicity of the French Chaga against cancer-derived cells and transformed cells. Methods: A quantification method by HPLC-MS-MS (high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry) of betulin, betulinic acid, and inotodiol was developed to study the French Chaga and compare the concentration of these metabolites with extracts provided from Chaga growing in Canada and Ukraine. This method was also used to identify and quantify those 3 compounds in other traditional preparations of Chaga (aqueous extract, infusion, and decoction). Among these preparations, the aqueous extract that contains betulin, betulinic acid, and inotodiol was chosen to evaluate and compare its cytotoxic activity toward human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549 line) and human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B line). Results: French Chaga contains betulin and betulinic acid at higher levels than in other Chaga, whereas the concentration of inotodiol is greater in the Canadian Chaga. Moreover, the results highlighted a cytotoxic activity of the Chaga’s aqueous extract after 48 and 72 hours of exposure with a higher effect on cancer-derived cells A549 than on normal transformed cells BEAS-2B (P = 0.025 after 48 hours of exposure and P = 0.004 after 72 hours of exposure).
Mirror neurons : still an open question ?

ions, actions, emotions, perceptions of our body and, in general, of anything that make us feel watchful. It also involves the subjective feeling of being present on the scene where events are occurring, and of being responsible for them in some way. Authors such as Damasio and Edelman have argued, albeit in slightly different ways, that there are different levels of consciousness. However, according to these Authors, these levels of consciousness would be overlapping, interdependent and non-parallel. According to them there would be a primitive level (the only one that can stand alone), along with a further two advanced levels, which are present only in humans. An injury on the first level would prevent the existence of the two successive levels, and, simiOriginal article SUMMARY: To understand the mechanisms that shape consciousness and the evolutionary advantages it confers, identification of the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) is considered to be of fundamental importance. Hence, by reviewing neglect pathology, I set out to identify the brain areas whose damage causes the loss of consciousness without preventing unconscious perception. Once these areas had been identified, by analysis of the resulting neglect I sought to define a distinction between areas responsible for access to consciousness and those responsible for consciousness itself. This approach led to the identification of the anterior cingulate and the precuneus-posterior cingulate as components of access to consciousness, while the medial-superior temporal lobe, the superior parietal lobe, the anterior insula, the posterior insula, the lateral motor cortices BA 8 and BA 6, the inferior frontal lobe and the inferior parietal lobe appeared to correspond to 8 distinct and autonomous parallel real consciousnesses. Acting simultaneously, these areas give us 8 contemporaneous conscious sensations, respectively, namely 1) image perception, 2) spatial image positioning, 3) emotions related to these images, 4) presence on the scene, 5) possibility to move oneself in the scene, 6) possibility to move single objects, 7) possibility to move more than one object, and 8) feeling of being subject spectator in the theatre of consciousness. The evolutionary advantages provided by the conscious process are the ability to learn rapidly (without long training/trial and error) and a problem-solving approach mediated by mental images. All the 8 consciousnesses detailed above are thought only to be present in humans, developing as we climbed the evolutionary ladder, bringing new memory and reasoning skills, from the primitive consciousnesses that first appeared in reptiles. The neural correlates of these consciousnesses bear a striking anatomical and physiological resemblance to mirror neurons. Like the mirror neurons, the NCCs are active when we perceive both external and mental images. The seductive hypothesis that mirror neurons are in fact the NCCs is therefore also discussed.
Evidence-Based Principles for Using Technology-Enhanced Learning in the Continuing Professional Development of Health Professionals

Abstract: Increasingly, health professional training involves the use of educational technologies through what is broadly termed “Technology-Enhanced Learning” (TEL). TEL includes hardware, such as computers and mobile devices, and software, such as software applications (apps), learning management systems, and discussion boards. For many years, TEL has formed an integral part of health professional programs and is growing in acceptance, if not expectation, in postgraduate training and continuing education. TEL generally aims to be flexible, engaging, learner focused and interactive, and may involve collaboration and communication. It offers many benefits for learning and teaching, whether used on its own or in conjunction with face-to-face teaching through blended learning. The ubiquity of mobile devices in clinical settings means TEL is ideal for busy clinicians, both as learners and teachers. TEL enables participants to learn at a time and place that is convenient to them, so learners living in geographically dispersed locations can access standardized courses. To realize these potential benefits, we recommend that those developing TEL programs for health professionals take a systematic approach to planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. To that end, we propose 10 principles: clarify purpose and conduct a needs assessment; allocate adequate time and technology; incorporate proven approaches to improve learning; consider the need for a skills component; enable interaction between learners and with others; create different resources for different groups; pilot before implementing; incorporate measures to retain learners; provide opportunities for revision to aid retention; and evaluate learning outcomes, not just satisfaction.
Properties of body composition of female representatives of the Polish national fencing team – the sabre event

Fencing is a combat sport whose form of direct confrontation involves hitting the opponent with a weapon. The purpose of the study was to determine the properties of body composition of female representatives of the Polish national fencing team. The study involved 11 female athletes of the Polish national fencing team. Their age was 16-22 years (19±2.32), body weight 52-78 kg (59.7±7.4), body height 158-183 cm (167.46±6.10) and the training experience 7.64±3.47 years. The reference group consisted of 153 students of Warsaw University of Technology (Poland). Twenty basic somatic characteristics were measured. The following indices were calculated: slenderness, Rohrer’s, BMI, Manouvrier’s, and pelvic-shoulder indices. Density of the body, total body fat, active tissue, the overall profile of body composition and internal proportions of the body were determined. Analysis of internal proportions of factors of the athletes’ body composition revealed significant differences in particular groups of features. The total size of the athletes’ bodies is due to less-than-average magnitude of the length and stoutness characteristics and a high magnitude of adiposity (M = 0.63) in the Polish female national team of fencers (sabre) calculated from the normalized values for the control group. The proportions of features within the analysed factors revealed a significant advantage of the length of the upper extremity over the lower one and a distinct advantage of forearm musculature. The specific profile of body composition of female athletes practising sabre fencing is most likely due to long-term effects of training as well as the system of selection of persons with specific somatic prerequisites developed in the course of many years of training practice.
The dispositions of things: the non‐human dimension of power and ethics in patient‐centred medicine

Abstract This article explores power relations between clinicians, patients and families as clinicians engage in patient‐centred ethical work. Specifically, we draw on actor‐network theory to interrogate the role of non‐human elements in distributing power relations in clinical settings, as clinicians attempt to manage the expectations of patients and families. Using the activities of a multidisciplinary team providing deep brain stimulation to children with severe movement disorders as an example, we illustrate how a patient‐centred tool is implicated in establishing relations that constitute four modes of power: ‘power over’, ‘power to’, “power storage” and “power/discretion”. We argue that understanding the role of non‐human elements in structuring power relations can guide and inform bioethical discussions on the suitability of patient‐centred approaches in clinical settings.
Experimental and numerical investigation of low-temperature performance of modified asphalt binders and mixtures

Thermal cracking is the prevalent type of distress experienced by asphalt pavements in cold regions. It is widely assumed that when thermal stresses induced in the pavement exceed the tensile strength of the asphalt surface layer, cracking occurs; however, the role of thermal fatigue should not be ignored. To better describe the low-temperature (LT) performance properties of modified asphalt binders, a new parameter, normalised tensile stress (NTS), was defined in this research. NTS values were compared with bending beam rheometer (BBR), direct tension (DT) and semi-circular bending (SCB) fracture test results. The m-value parameter of the BBR test specifies the type of asphalt binder. This classification changes as the loading time changes and is only valid in the linear viscoelastic range. It showed limited sensitivity to changes in the material properties of modified asphalt binders that showed superior LT damage resistance. In contrast, the results from the DT, SCB and NTS parameters were sensitive to the changes. The results of SCB testing and NTS parameters were in agreement with the existing field data. It was also found that the use of sulphur as a cross-linking agent improved the storage stability of styrene butadiene styrene (SBS)-modified asphalt binder and decreased the amount of SBS required to yield a comparable result by about 50%. In contrast to what has been reported by some investigators, the use of polyphosphoric acid as a cross-linking agent intensified the phase separation of bitumen and SBS, and somewhat reduced the efficacy of SBS modification with regard to LT performance.
Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Finafloxacin in Healthy Volunteers

ABSTRACT Finafloxacin is a novel fluoroquinolone exhibiting enhanced activity under acidic conditions and a broad-spectrum antibacterial profile. The present study assessed the pharmacokinetic properties and the safety and tolerability of finafloxacin following intravenous infusions. In this mixed-parallel-group, crossover study, healthy male and female volunteers received single ascending doses (18 volunteers, 200 to 1,000 mg) or multiple ascending doses (40 volunteers, 600 to 1,000 mg) of finafloxacin or placebo. Plasma and urine samples were collected by a dense sampling scheme to determine the pharmacokinetics of finafloxacin using a noncompartmental approach. Standard safety and tolerability data were documented. Finafloxacin had a volume of distribution of 90 to 127 liters (range) at steady state and 446 to 550 liters at pseudoequilibrium, indicating the elimination of a large fraction before pseudoequilibrium was reached. Areas under the concentration-time curves and maximum plasma concentrations (geometric means) increased slightly more than proportionally (6.73 to 45.9 μg · h/ml and 2.56 to 20.2 μg/ml, respectively), the terminal elimination half-life increased (10.6 to 17.1 h), and the urinary recovery decreased (44.2% to 31.7%) with increasing finafloxacin doses (single doses of 200 to 1,000 mg). The pharmacokinetic profiles suggested multiphasic elimination by both glomerular filtration and saturable tubular secretion. The values of the parameters were similar for single and multiple administrations. The coefficient of variation for the between-subject variability of exposure ranged from 10% (≤600 mg) to 38% (>600 mg). Adverse events were mild and nonspecific, with no dependence of adverse events on dose or treatment (including placebo) being detected. Despite a relatively high interindividual variability at higher doses, the level of exposure following intravenous administration of finafloxacin appears to be predictable. Individual elimination processes should be evaluated in more detail. Finafloxacin exhibited a favorable safety and tolerability profile. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01910883.)
Health-related quality of life and psychological status of women with primary Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract Patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) always suffer from dryness, pain, and fatigue caused by the involvement of multiple different systems or organs. The uncomfortable disease symptoms, the consequent disability, and the side effects of therapeutic drugs decrease the quality of life and lead to emotional problems. We investigated the health-related quality of life and psychological status of a large cohort of women patients with pSS and associated factors. A total of 304 women with pSS referred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital during 2011 and 2014 were included. The internationally recognized Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess patients’ quality of life; a higher score indicated a better quality of life. Patients’ psychological status was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and higher scores predicted more anxiety or depression. Patients with pSS had remarkably lower SF-36 scores. The Hospital Anxiety Scale (HAS) and Hospital Depression Scale (HDS) scores of the pSS patients (7 [4,10] and 6 [3,10], respectively) were significantly higher than that of patients with other internal diseases (3.37 ± 2.81 and 3.83 ± 3.14; both P < .001). Negative predictors of quality of life were: pain (physical condition, &bgr; = –0.225; P < .001); fatigue (physical condition, &bgr; = –0.298; P < .001; and mental condition, &bgr; = –0.319; P < .001). Risk factors for anxiety were: young age (&bgr; = –0.059; P = .035); pain (&bgr; = 0.025; P = .028); or fatigue (&bgr; = 0.029; P = .004). Risk factors for depression were: xeroderma (&bgr; = 0.030; P = .003); pain (&bgr; = 0.022; P = .047); or fatigue (&bgr; = 0.033; P = .001). Patients with pSS have a low quality of life with anxiety and depression. Pain and fatigue are primary factors for lower quality of life, which cause more anxiety and depression.
Reciprocal Feedback Between miR-181a and E2/ERα in Myometrium Enhances Inflammation Leading to Labor.

CONTEXT The initiation of term and preterm labor is associated with an up-regulated inflammatory response in myometrium; however, the underlying signaling pathways remain incompletely defined. OBJECTIVE To define the regulatory mechanisms that mediate the increased myometrial inflammatory response leading to labor, we investigated the roles of microRNAs (miRNA/miR). DESIGN AND SETTING Human myometrial tissues, isolated smooth muscle cells, and animal models were used to study miR-181a regulation of uterine inflammatory pathways and contractility. PATIENTS Myometrial tissues from 15 term pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section (not in labor) and 10 term pregnant women undergoing emergency cesarean section (in labor) were used. RESULTS Expression of the highly conserved microRNA, miR-181a, was significantly decreased in mouse and human myometrium during late gestation. By contrast, the putative miR-181a targets, TNF-α, and estrogen receptor (ER)-α, and the validated target, c-Fos, key factors in the inflammatory response leading to parturition, were coordinately up-regulated. In studies using human myometrial cells, overexpression of miR-181a mimics repressed basal as well as IL-1β-induced TNF-α, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 and 8 expression, whereas the expression of the antiinflammatory cytokine, IL-10, was increased. Overexpression of miR-181a dramatically inhibited both spontaneous and IL-1β-induced contraction of human myometrial cells. Notably, miR-181a directly targeted ERα and decreased its expression, whereas estradiol-17β reciprocally inhibited expression of mature miR-181a in myometrial cells. CONCLUSIONS Thus, increased estradiol-17β/ERα signaling in myometrium near term inhibits miR-181a, resulting in a further increase in ERα and proinflammatory signaling. This escalating feedback loop provides novel targets and therapeutic strategies for the prevention of preterm labor and its consequences.
A Newly Secure Solution to MIMOME OFDM-Based SWIPT Frameworks: A Two-Stage Stackelberg Game for a Multi-User Strategy

The paper technically proposes a newly secure scheme for simultaneous wireless power and information transfer (SWIPT) frameworks. We take into account an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based game which is in relation to a multi-input multi-output multi-antenna Eavesdropper (MIMOME) strategy. The transceiver is generally able to witness the case imperfect channel state information (ICSI) at the transmitter side. Transferring power and information are conducted via orthogonally provided sub-carriers. We propose a two-step Stackelberg game to optimise the Utility Functions of both power and information parts. The price for the first stage (in connection with information) is the total power of the other sub-carriers over which the energy is supported. In this stage, the sum secrecy rate should be essentially maximised. The second level of the proposed Stackelberg game is in association with the energy part. In this stage, the price essentially is the total power of the other sub-carriers over which the information is transferred. In this stage, additionally, the total power transferred is fundamentally maximised. Subsequently, the optimally and near-optimally mathematical solutions are derived, for some special cases such as ICSI one. Finally, the simulations validate our scheme as well, authenticating our contribution’s tightness and efficiency.
Estimating the quality of data using provenance: a case study in eScience

Data quality assessment is a key factor in data-intensive domains. The data deluge is aggravated by an increasing need for interoperability and cooperation across groups and organizations. New alternatives must be found to select the data that best satisfy users’ needs in a given context. This paper presents a strategy to provide information to support the evaluation of the quality of data sets. This strategy is based on combining metadata on the provenance of a data set (derived from workflows that generate it) and quality dimensions defined by the set’s users, based on the desired context of use. Our solution, validated via a case study, takes advantage of a semantic model to preserve data provenance related to applications in a specific domain.
On examination and measurement for recuperation modes targeting range extension in electric vehicles

Improving the cruising range is one of the main research challenges regarding fully electric vehicles. The optimisation of the regenerative braking can help to enlarge the range without an extension of the accumulator capacity. In this paper, a general overview of recuperation strategies is given. The recuperation energy and therefore the obtained range extension of currently available electric vehicles is measured for different kinds of journeys. In a further step, theoretically possible energy values for different recuperation modes are discussed.