Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural Foundations of perception and action in stone knapping

On the other hand, the intuitive conviction that stone knapping is somehow special remains hard to dismiss. After all, hominins are the only animals ever to have engaged in this behaviour in a natural setting. Can it be that this uniquely hominin behaviour is merely a ‘variation on the theme’ of an ape adaptive grade (Wynn & McGrew 1989, 384)? The way in which this question is answered depends quite a bit on the theoretical perspective that is adopted. This chapter explores the potential application of a perception– action perspective to the question of stone knapping in human evolution, especially in relation to recent functional brain-imaging research (Stout et al. 2000) on the subject. Dietrich Stout
Physical therapists’ self-perceived adequacy of entry-level education and their current confidence levels with respect to temporomandibular disorders: A pilot study

ABSTRACT Objective Physical therapy (PT) has been shown to be one of the most effective conservative treatments for temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The objectives of this pilot study are to determine the self-perceived knowledge, adequacy of entry-level education, and the current confidence levels of PTs in Florida regarding TMD treatment. Methods An online questionnaire was used. The overall experience, education, and confidence regarding TMD treatment and its implications were discussed. Results A total of 247 PTs participated. Nearly 70% of the PTs responded that they did not believe they received adequate education in TMD, and 50% are not confident to treat these patients. Seventy-seven percent were interested in knowing more about PT for TMD. Discussion This pilot study shows the lack of confidence of PTs in Florida to treat TMD patients. More adequate training on TMD in the entry-level professional education is needed.
Impact of Smoking as a Risk Factor for Dental Implant Failure: A Critical Review

There are numerous studies in the published literature that report on the increased risk of implant complications and failure in patients who smoke. An association between dental implants, grafting procedures (e.g. bone grafts maxillary sinus augmentation) and smoking history has been reported in the literature. Cigarette smoking may adversely affect wound healing and thus, jeopardize the success of bone grafting and dental implantation.
THE EVOLUTION OF FIELD DEPLOYABLE fNIR SPECTROSCOPY FROM BENCH TO CLINICAL SETTINGS

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Dr. Britton Chance and his colleagues, using picosecond-long laser pulses, spearheaded the development of time-resolved spectroscopy techniques in an effort to obtain quantitative information about the optical characteristics of the tissue. These efforts by Chance and colleagues expedited the translation of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based techniques into a neuroimaging modality for various cognitive studies. Beginning in the early 2000s, Dr. Britton Chance guided and steered the collaboration with the Optical Brain Imaging team at Drexel University toward the development and application of a field deployable continuous wave functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) system as a means to monitor cognitive functions, particularly during attention and working memory tasks as well as for complex tasks such as war games and air traffic control scenarios performed by healthy volunteers under operational conditions. Further, these collaborative efforts led to various clinical applications, including traumatic brain injury, depth of anesthesia monitoring, pediatric pain assessment, and brain–computer interface in neurology. In this paper, we introduce how these collaborative studies have made fNIR an excellent candidate for specified clinical and research applications, including repeated cortical neuroimaging, bedside or home monitoring, the elicitation of a positive effect, and protocols requiring ecological validity. This paper represents a token of our gratitude to Dr. Britton Chance for his influence and leadership. Through this manuscript we show our appreciation by contributing to his commemoration and through our work we will strive to advance the field of optical brain imaging and promote his legacy.
JPEG2000 image compression: an overview

This paper presents an overview of the new JPEG2000 image compression standard. It provides brief background, explains the core coding structure, highlights the new features and applications, and demonstrates the coding performance of JPEG2000. For readers to probe further, directions to access a number of publicly available software implementations, documents and relevant web sites are also given.
Saxagliptin Upregulates Nesfatin-1 Secretion and Ameliorates Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Profiles in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Saxagliptin as one of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors can effectively improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and nesfatin-1 is regarded as a very important factor in regulating feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. In this trial, we observed the effect of saxagliptin on regulating nesfatin-1 secretion and ameliorating insulin resistance and metabolic profiles in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS One hundred two type 2 diabetes participants (M/F = 48/54) were investigated. Fifty-one (M/F = 24/27) of them as the treatment group were treated with oral glucose-lowering agents including saxagliptin, the other 51 (M/F = 24/27) as the control group were treated with oral glucose-lowering agents excluding any DPP-4 inhibitors. The parameters of serum nesfatin-1, C-peptide, homeostasis model assessment-β (HOMA-β) function, HOMA insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP) at baseline, month 3, 6, and 12 were observed and compared respectively. RESULTS Saxagliptin significantly upregulated nesfatin-1 secretion (P < 0.001 at 3-, 6-, and 12-months vs. baseline), increased serum C-peptide (P < 0.05, 0.001, and 0.001 at 3-, 6-, and 12-months vs. baseline), improved HOMA-IR and function of HOMA-β (P < 0.001 at 3-, 6-, and 12-months vs. baseline) and metabolic profiles (P < 0.001 with HbA1c at 3-, 6- and 12-months; P < 0.001 with LDL-C at 6- and 12-months; P < 0.001 and 0.01 with HDL-C at 6- and 12-months vs. baseline), declined BMI (P < 0.05 at 6- and 12-months vs. baseline) and BP (P < 0.001 with systolic BP (SBP), and mean BP at 6- and 12-months, P < 0.01 with diastolic BP at 6- and 12-months vs. baseline). CONCLUSIONS Saxagliptin could upregulate nesfatin-1 secretion and ameliorate insulin resistance and metabolic profiles in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Saxagliptin had the potential to play fundamental by upregulating nesfatin-1 secretion besides lowering glucose by inhibiting the degradation of glucagon-like peptide-1.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Analysis of Gentamicin, Penicillin, Methicillin, Vancomycin, Linezolid and Tetracycline Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

Bu calismada, Staphylococcus aureus izolatlarinda gentamisin, penisilin, metisilin, vankomisin, linezolid ve tetrasiklin direnc oranlarinin arastirilmasi ve plazmid iceriginin belirlenmesi amaclanmistir. 2015 yili Ocak-Eylul aylari arasinda yara, kan, idrar gibi farkli orneklerden 100 tane S. aureus izolati elde edilmistir. Antibiyotik duyarliliklarini belirlemek icin otomatik bakteri identifikasyon ve antibiyotik duyarlilik sistemi (BD PhoenixTM, Sparks, MD, ABD) kullanildi. Ayrica, metisilin direnci 30 μg sefoksitin disk kullanilarak Kirby-Bauer disk difuzyon yontemi ile de arastirildi. Antibiyotik direncine bagli aac (6 ')/aph (2' '), blaZ, mecA, femA, vanA, vanB, cfr, tetK ve tetM genlerinin varligi tum izolatlarda PCR amplifikasyonu ile arastirildi. Plazmid DNA'lari Thermo Scientific GeneJET Plazmid Miniprep Kiti kullanilarak izole edildi. Disk difuzyon ve otomatik sistem sonuclarina gore belirlenen S.aureus izolatlarinin sefoksitin direnci %19 olarak belirlendi. Vankomisin ve linezolid direnci izolatlarda gorulmezken, otomotize sistem ile %2 gentamisin, %100 penisilin, %19 metisilin, %8 tetrasiklin direnci belirlendi. Molekuler analiz sonuclarina gore aac (6 ')/aph (2' '), blaZ, mecA, femA, tetK ve tetM genleri sirasiyla % 2, % 100, % 19, % 100, % 17 ve %3 olarak belirlendi. Fakat vanA, vanB ve cfr genleri PCR ile amplifiye edilmedi. Antibiyotik direnci ve plazmid varligi arasindaki iliskiyi belirlemek icin plazmidler, tanimlanmis bakteriyel izolatlardan izole edildi. Bakteriyel izolatlarin cogunun (% 79) farkli sayilarda plazmid icerdigi bulundu. Antibiyotik duyarliligi icin hizli ve guvenilir bir yontem, uygun tedavi kararini belirlemek icin onemlidir. Otomatik sistem ile elde edilen sonuclarin dogrulanmasi icin PCR kullanilabilir veya MRSA ile iliskili antibiyotik direnc genlerinin hizli, hassas ve spesifik saptanmasi icin rutin tanida alternatif bir tani yontemi olarak kullanilabilir.
Volumetric Next-best-view Planning for 3D Object Reconstruction with Positioning Error

Three-dimensional (3D) object reconstruction is the process of building a 3D model of a real object. This task is performed by taking several scans of an object from different locations (views). Due to the limited field of view of the sensor and the object's self-occlusions, it is a difficult problem to solve. In addition, sensor positioning by robots is not perfect, making the actual view different from the expected one. We propose a next best view (NBV) algorithm that determines each view to reconstruct an arbitrary object. Furthermore, we propose a method to deal with the uncertainty in sensor positioning. The algorithm fulfills all the constraints of a reconstruction process, such as new information, positioning constraints, sensing constraints and registration constraints. Moreover, it improves the scan's quality and reduces the navigation distance. The algorithm is based on a search-based paradigm where a set of candidate views is generated and then each candidate view is evaluated to determine which one is the best. To deal with positioning uncertainty, we propose a second stage which re-evaluates the views according to their neighbours, such that the best view is that which is within a region of the good views. The results of simulation and comparisons with previous approaches are presented.
Edentulism and associated variables among institutionalized elders

The population aging is a worldwide phenomenon. It is estimated that the number of people aged 60 or more will reach two billion people or 22% of the global population by 2050,1 which may indicate that the number of institutionalized elders will also increase. Usually, institutionalized patients have high degree of dependency that can contribute to the poor oral health and unfavorable local physiological conditions.2 In this respect, attention to these unfavorable oral conditions should be priority for the institution staff.3
Parallel control loops based on spatial subband processing for adaptive optics

Adaptive control and filtering algorithms have been proposed previously for correcting turbulence-induced phase distortions in large telescopes and other optical systems operating in atmosphere. The problem is posed as an adaptive disturbance-rejection problem with many channels. The solution given is an adaptive feedforward control loop built around a multichannel adaptive lattice filter. The paper presents a parallel-processing structure that spreads the large real-time computational burden of the adaptive control loop over separate processing blocks for groups of control and filtering channels. The grouping of these channels is based on a parameterization of actuator space that divides the span of the actuator influence functions into sub-bands of spatial frequency. Simulation results presented demonstrate the significant improvement in imaging resolution produced by the parallel adaptive control loop compared to a conventional linear time-invariant control loop.
[Improving national health-enhancing physical activity promotion policies].

CONTEXT In order to help states to develop policies and strategies impacting on all determinants of physical activity, the WHO has set up a policy analysis tool, the HEPA PAT (Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policy Analysis Tool). This tool allows evaluation of national policies, while considering the complex network of determinants and influencing factors. This article has a double objective: firstly, to present this tool in order to define its specificity and utility in the development of HEPA national policies; secondly, to illustrate its application in the case of France. METHODS The national HEPA policies and projects in France were identified and analysed using the HEPA PAT methodology and quality criteria to highlight the opportunities and to propose recommendations for improvement. RESULTS HEPA promotion is a recent and fragmented process in France. Development is more intensive at the local level and needs stronger national support and coordination. The main problem seems to be the lack of long-term vision accompanied by a unified national strategy. Implementation is impaired by vaguely defined action plans, very often without any evaluation criteria or sustainable financing methods. CONCLUSION The use of HEPA PAT provides a clear and complete overview of the political structure in the field of physical activity promotion. Further analysis of regional policies and projects is recommended to complete this work.
Streaming stored continuous media over fair-share bandwidth

We investigate the impact of the long-term behavior of fair-share bandwidth on transmission schemes for streaming stored Continuous Media (CM). To obtain typical fair-share bandwidth conditions, we perform a series of Internet experiments in which we monitor TCP bulk-data transfers between various sites, and collect average TCP throughput traces. The collected traces exhibit highvariability over a broad range of time scales as well as self-similar scaling behavior over longer time scales. Under fair-share bandwidth conditions, we evaluate the performance of a series of data transmission schemes for non-layered CM, and of several bandwidth allocation schemes for streaming layered CM. Our findings demonstrate that prefetching during playback over intervals of several minutes is necessary for achieving best quality. For layered CM encoded into two layers, we propose a threshold-based inter-layer bandwidth allocation scheme, and a measurement-based heuristic for dynamically computing the threshold. Our empirical results show that, using conservative estimates for future average bandwidth, our heuristic is highly reliable.
Leadership practices in German and UK organisations

Purpose – The aim of this research was to determine whether leadership practices vary between German and UK organisations.Design/methodology/approach – The author used self‐assessment documents submitted by German and UK organisations to the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), to identify leadership practices in both countries. A survey was used to determine whether these practices were commonly used and whether they were regarded as good practice.Findings – The research found similarities but also differences, e.g. feedback, recognition and communication. Many of the approaches described as good practice by UK organisations, were not described as usual practice. Where modern leadership practices had been adopted in Germany, they appeared to be more consistently deployed.Research limitations/implications – The research findings indicate changes are happening in Germany, for instance with strategic management more common than found by previous researchers. A longitudinal study could track th.
GLUCOSE CHANGES IN A PATIENT WITH INSULIN AUTOIMMUNE SYNDROME DEMONSTRATED BY CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORING.

Objective Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is an unusual cause of hypoglycemia in individuals without underlying diseases. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has rarely been applied for IAS. We present a case of IAS with available 6-day CGM data. Methods A 61-year-old Taiwanese man was admitted because of impaired consciousness while driving, caused by a low blood glucose level of 30 mg/dL. He regained consciousness fully after parenteral glucose administration. Results During the prolonged fasting test, his C-peptide and insulin levels were respectively 11 ng/mL and 169.34 μIU/mL when plasma glucose was 41 mg/dL. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging did not show any pancreatic abnormality. His 6-day CGM data revealed fasting hypoglycemia, several instances of postprandial hyperglycemia, and low blood glucose levels before lunch and dinner. Additional diagnostic findings included elevated anti-insulin antibody of 78.2%, thyrotoxicosis due to Graves disease, and gastric ulcer. He was discharged home on prednisolone at 5 mg daily, methimazole at 10 mg daily, and esomeprazole at 40 mg daily. Hypoglycemia and impairment of consciousness did not recur throughout the subsequent year-long follow up. Conclusion We proposed a novel approach using CGM coupled with measurements of plasma insulin, C-peptide, and anti-insulin antibodies as the initial investigation for hypoglycemia in non-diabetic subjects. These relatively inexpensive tests may lead to earlier detection of IAS and thus render hospital admission and more costly explorations unnecessary.
Serum lipid profile and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

For the first time in 1935, the classic form of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was described by Stein and Levental. They reported the association between polycystic ovaries and amenorrhea, hirsutism and obesity.1 Polycystic ovary syndrome encompasses a spectrum of diseases that are associated with the following features: cutaneous hyperandrogenism (such as hirsutism, acne resistant to treatment, or male or female pattern baldness (androgenetic baldness), irregular menstruation (such as oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, or irregular bleeding), polycystic ovaries (one or two), obesity and insulin resistance.2 Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder in women with a prevalence of 6-10% of women in reproductive age and also is the main leading cause of infertility due to lack of ovulation.3,4 There is evidence that PCOS is may be the result of metabolic disorders including insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia and early incidence of type 2 diabetes in patients with this syndrome is higher than the normal population.2 Given the role of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary, lowering medications are used to treat insulin resistance.5–7 Dyslipidemia pattern in insulin resistance, low levels of HDL and high triglyceride levels pattern are common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperinsulinemia inhibits lipolysis and thus increase esterified acids. High levels of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) may increase triglyceride and decrease HDL level.8 Dyslipidemia is a common metabolic disorder in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, although in different geographic regions and ethnic groups has been reported different.9 Abnormal situation of lipoproteins is common in this syndrome, these disorders include: Increased level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (lowdensity lipoprotein), reduced high-density lipoprotein and apoprotein A1.9 Abdominal obesity is positively associated with increased LDL and VLDL and has inverse proportion with amount of HDL.10
Achilles Tendon Rupture: Advances in Functional Rehabilitation and the Role of Non-operative Management

Achilles tendon rupture is a potentially devastating event for a patient, especially a young, active one. In a clinical setting, the diagnosis is usually straightforward. Despite an uncomplicated diagnosis, treatment options can differ widely. In order to review differences between treatment options, an online literature review was conducted for the search terms “Achilles tendon rupture functional rehabilitation” “acute Achilles tendon rupture” by two authors independently. Randomized controlled trials, Cochrane reviews, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses published in the last twenty-five years (i.e. since 1992) were included. Twentyseven articles were identified that met inclusion criteria: studies published in the English language, those that treated acute Achilles tendon rupture, and those that employed a functional rehabilitation program (i.e. compared groups with accelerated range of motion and/or weight bearing). In studies that included an operative cohort, both minimally invasive and traditional open techniques were employed. In those that immobilized patients after injury, casts, splints, and other orthotics were included. Data on re-rupture was also included.
An object‐oriented technique for nowcasting heavy showers and thunderstorms

Accurate forecasting of heavy showers and thunderstorms with associated hazards is vitally important for many business sectors and national utilities. In the UK a fully automated procedure is being developed in the Met. Office for the National Rivers Authority. The GANDOLF (Generating Advanced Nowcasts for Deployment in Operational Land surface Flood forecasting) system seeks to provide warnings of heavy rain and forecast accumulations in sensitive river catchments to flood hydrologists. GANDOLF will automatically choose the most appropriate nowcasting technique depending upon synoptic conditions. In a convective situation an important method available to GANDOLF is an object-oriented nowcasting procedure. Multi-beam, high resolution radar data and Meteosat IR satellite data are used to analyse convective cells in all stages of growth; subsequent movement and development up to 3 hours ahead is then predicted using a conceptual life-cycle model combined with mesoscale NWP data. This paper describes the object-oriented technique and demonstrates its usefulness in a severe convective situation with a case study.