Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anthropomorphic awareness of partner robot to user's situation based on gaze and speech detection

This paper introduces a daily-partner robot, that is aware of the user's situation by using gaze and utterance detection. For appropriate anthropomorphic interaction, the robot should talk to the user in proper timing without interrupting her/his task. Our proposed robot 1) estimates the user's context (the target of her/his speech) by detecting his/his gaze the utterance, 2) expresses the need to speak to the user by silent gaze-turns towards the user and the object of joint attention (speech-implying behaviour) and 3) tells the message when the user talks to the robot. Based on preliminary results that show the sufficient human-sensitivity to the speech-implying behaviours of the robot, we evaluate the proposed behavioural model. The results show that the crossmodal awareness is effective for respectful communication that does not disturb the user's ongoing task by silent behaviours that effectively show the robot's intention to speak and draw the user's attention.
Rapid and Long-term Adaptations in Gait Symmetry Following Unilateral Step Training in People With Hemiparesis

Background and Objective: Evidence for specific physical interventions that improve walking symmetry in individuals with hemiparesis poststroke is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the rapid and prolonged effects of unilateral step training (UST) on step length asymmetry (SLA) in people with hemiparesis. Subjects and Design: Eighteen individuals with chronic hemiparesis and substantial SLA during overground walking participated in a single-group, pretest-posttest study. The study consisted of 2 phases, with 10 subjects participating in each phase; 2 subjects participated in both phases. Interventions and Measurements: To investigate rapid effects of UST, the participants completed a 20-minute session of UST on a treadmill with their unimpaired limb, with the impaired limb held stationary off the treadmill. Data for spatiotemporal gait parameters during overground walking at self-selected and fastest speeds were collected prior to and following UST, with follow-up measurements at 1 day and 1 week. To investigate the prolonged effects, the participants completed ten 20-minute sessions of UST. Data for spatiotemporal gait parameters were collected prior to training as well as after every third session, with follow-up measurements at 1 and 2 weeks. Results: Immediately following UST, SLA tested during fast-paced overground walking improved by up to 13% (49% reduced to a 36% SLA), with changes retained for up to 24 hours. Following 10 sessions of UST, SLA improved significantly, with changes retained for up to 2 weeks. Limitations: Despite repeated baseline measurements, the absence of a control group was a limitation. Furthermore, stepping characteristics during UST were not quantified. Conclusion: Unilateral step training may improve spatiotemporal patterns in people with substantial gait asymmetry poststroke. Repeated training may be necessary for maintenance of adaptations.
Viral, host and therapeutic factors affecting T-cell recovery in virologically controlled HIV patients

Despite suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy, a considerable proportion of HIV-infected patients do not achieve adequate immune recovery in terms of the CD4+ T-cell count, although they have controlled viremia values. Many questions remain for clinicians in the management of these patients, defined as immunological nonresponders, including questions about the mechanisms underlying the lack of immune restoration and possible therapeutic approaches to this particular group of patients.
Neurophysiologic and Rehabilitation Insights From the Split-Belt and Other Locomotor Adaptation Paradigms

Locomotion is incredibly flexible. Humans are able to stay upright and navigate long distances in the face of ever-changing environments and varied task demands, such as walking while carrying a heavy object or in thick mud. The focus of this review is a behavior that is critical for this flexibility: motor adaptation. Adaptation is defined here as the process of adjusting a movement to new demands through trial-and-error practice. A key feature of adaptation is that more practice without the new demand is required to return the movement to its original state. Thus, motor adaptation is a short-term motor learning process. Several studies have been undertaken to determine how humans adapt walking to novel circumstances. Many of these studies have examined locomotor adaptation using a split-belt treadmill. The results of these studies of people who were healthy and people with neurologic damage suggest that the cerebellum is required for normal adaptation of walking and that the role of cerebral structures may be less critical. They also suggest that intersegmental and interlimb coordination is critical but readily adaptable to accommodate changes in the environment. Locomotor adaptation also can be used to determine the walking potential of people with specific neurologic deficits. For instance, split-belt and limb-weighting locomotor adaptation studies show that adults with chronic stroke are capable of improving weight-bearing and spatiotemporal symmetry, at least temporarily. Our challenge as rehabilitation specialists is to intervene in ways that maximize this capacity.
The effect of varying practitioner communication on patients' health status and treatment outcomes

This is the protocol for a review . The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of interventions in which healthcare practitioner communication in face-to-face consultations with patients is experimentally varied in comparison to usual care or contrasted active control interventions, on patient health and treatment outcomes. A secondary aim is to investigate if the intervention effect is modified by intervention type, type of illness, length of follow-up, type of outcome and the way the subjects are exposed to communication in studies (real versus simulated).
The State of Telehealth and Telecare in the UK: Prospects for Integrated Care

Telehealth and telecare innovations have the potential to improve quality of life, reduce unnecessary hospital and care home admissions, and support care integration by providing care and disease management from multi‐disciplinary care teams linked remotely to users. About 1.7 million people benefit from telecare services in the UK, but telehealth services have only around 5000 users, many of whom receive services through the Department of Health's Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) Pilot Programme. There is an identifiable chasm between early adopters and wider uptake of telehealth and telecare solutions. Key barriers include lack of robust evidence on cost‐effectiveness, of a consumer market and of interoperability of the technology between service sectors, and the implications for professionals and organisations of changing their established methods of practice. Telehealth and telecare could be combined to provide a common platform to integrate care for people requiring both health and social care support, but relatively few people are judged suitable for joint care. This is related both to the nature of the technology and the profile of those people who can use it, and to the different ways in which health and social care systems assess who is most 'at risk', which makes it difficult to assess which individuals might best benefit from an integrated response to their care needs. While there is considerable interest and policy momentum behind the adoption and diffusion of telehealth and telecare in England, more understanding of their benefits is required to convince commissioners and providers of its potential.
Hand instrumentation in root canal preparation

Root canal preparation using traditional stainless-steel ISO 0.01 tapered instruments by hand very often results in iatrogenic damage to curved root canals. A further disadvantage is their tendency to create narrow canal shapes which makes effective access for irrigants more difficult and apical extrusion of debris more likely. The major advantage of NiTi alloy is its ability to retain flexibility with increased taper. This has resulted in the development of two groups of NiTi hand instruments – The GT Instruments which have 2–6 times the taper of ISO 0.02 files and Hand ProTaper which have a variable taper. Both are used with a crown-down sequence. These NiTi Hand instrumentation methods leave good tactile feedback and the start-up costs are low. They are an excellent teaching tool and a useful introduction to NiTi Rotary Techniques. They can be used exclusively or in conjunction with or complementary to rotary techniques. Hand NiTi instruments can be selected in teeth with difficult canal anatomy, secure apical curvature or awkward access for a hand piece.
Extended Exercise Rehabilitation After Hip Fracture Improves Patients' Physical Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Although the principal goal of hip fracture management is a return to the pre-event functional level, most survivors fail to regain their former levels of autonomy. One of the most effective strategies to mitigate the fracture's consequences is therapeutic exercise. Purpose The purpose of this study was to review and quantify the reported effects of an extended exercise rehabilitation program offered beyond the regular rehabilitation period on improving physical functioning for patients with hip fractures. Sources The Cochrane libraries, PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, and EMBASE were searched to April 2012. Study Selection All randomized controlled trials comparing extended exercise programs with usual care for community-dwelling people after hip fracture were included in the review. Data Extraction and Synthesis Two reviewers conducted each step independently. The data from the included studies were summarized, and pooled estimates were calculated for 11 functional outcomes. Results Thirteen trials were included in the review and 11 in the meta-analysis. The extended exercise program showed modest effect sizes (ESs), which reached significance, under random theory, for knee extension strength for the affected and nonaffected sides (ES=0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.27–0.66, and ES=0.45, 95% CI=0.16–0.74, respectively), balance (ES=0.32, 95% CI=0.15–0.49), physical performance-based tests (ES=0.53, 95% CI=0.27–0.78), Timed “Up & Go” Test (ES=0.83, 95% CI=0.28–1.4), and fast gait speed (ES=0.42, 95% CI=0.11–0.73). Effects on normal gait speed, Six-Minute Walk Test, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, and physical function subscale of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36-PF) did not reach significance. Community-based programs had larger ESs compared with home-based programs. Conclusions To the authors' knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to provide evidence that an extended exercise rehabilitation program for patients with hip fractures has a significant impact on various functional abilities. The focus of future research should go beyond just effectiveness and study the cost-effectiveness of extended programs.
A Practitioner's Complaint and Proposed Direction: Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, Factitious Disorder by Proxy, and Fabricated and/or Induced Illness in Children

Practitioners look to experts in a particular area to formulate and solidify diagnoses, dynamics, and other phenomena. Despite 30 years of literature, clarity and clinical direction are lacking in the case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), factitious disorder by proxy (FDBP), and fabricated and/or induced illness in children (FII). These diagnoses are rare, complex, and controversial, and their underlying dynamics and etiology are at best poorly understood by health professionals. Situations arise, nonetheless, requiring professionals to address these diagnoses under forensic scrutiny without solid scientific footing. This is the nature of the complaint addressed in this article, and the authors propose that these categories be reexamined using diagnostic conventions that already exist in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM–IV–TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) and applying the most recognized markers of FDBP for an acceptable individual and dynamic diagnostic description.
High performance wireless sensor network localisation system

In this paper we summarise the results of our research concerned with the development, implementation and evaluation of a software framework for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) localisation - high performance localisation system (HPLS). The system can be used to calculate positions of sensing devices (network nodes) in the deployment area, and to tune and verify various localisation schemes through simulation. It provides tools for data acquisition from a workspace, estimation of inter-node distances, calculation of geographical coordinates of all nodes with unknown position and results evaluation. Received Signal Strength measurements are utilised to support the localisation process. Trilateration, simulated annealing (SA) and genetic algorithm (GA) are applied to calculate the geographical coordinates of network nodes. The utility, efficiency and scalability of the proposed localisation system HPLS have been justified through simulation and testbed implementation. The calculations have been done in parallel using the map-reduce paradigm and the high performance computing (HPC) environment formed by a cluster of servers. The testbed networks were formed by sensor devices manufactured by Advantic Technology (clones of TelosB platform). A provided case study demonstrates the localisation accuracy obtained for small-, medium and large-size multihop networks.
Development and Validation of the Computer-Administered Animated Activity Questionnaire to Measure Physical Functioning of Patients With Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis

Background Physical functioning of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis is measured by self-report questionnaires and performance-based tests. However, performance-based tests often are not feasible. Objective The aim of this study was to develop a computer-administered questionnaire (ie, the Animated Activity Questionnaire [AAQ]) to measure physical functioning in patients with hip or knee OA. By showing animations of activities, the influence of the patient's own reference frame is minimized. The AAQ measures the same aspects of physical functioning as performance-based tests do. Design This was a development and preliminary validation (cross-sectional) study. Methods A pilot version of the AAQ was developed using motion capture to analyze the movement of a person performing 7 daily activities. Different animations of the same activity were made with 2 to 5 levels of difficulty. For each activity, participants were asked to choose one animation that best corresponds to their own way of performing the activity. A preliminary validation study was performed to compare the AAQ with validated self-report questionnaires (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and questionnaires on walking, stair climbing, and rising and sitting down) and performance-based tests (walking, Timed “Up & Go” Test, Timed Stair Test) in 33 patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Results As expected, the AAQ showed a correlation above . 70 (.79, 95% confidence interval=.61–.89) with the total score of the performance-based tests. On the subscore level, the results were partly as expected. Fifty-eight percent of the participants preferred the AAQ over self-report questionnaires and performance-based tests. Limitations The findings need to be replicated in larger samples of patients because the sample size of the study was rather small. Conclusion The AAQ might be a good alternative for measuring physical functioning of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. The AAQ can easily be adapted for use in other patient populations. However, further development and validation are needed.
Management of Infected Early Postoperative Lymph Leak in the Groin

Lymph leak from a groin incision following vascular procedures on the fem oral vessels can be a difficult postoperative management problem. Eight pa tients (of 198 undergoing vascular reconstructions involving the femoral vessels) developed 9 lymph leaks (4.5%) through the groin skin incision in the first post operative week. Three patients (38%) had a synthetic prosthesis and 5 (62%) had autogenous saphenous vein grafts. Initially, the authors treated the patients with intravenous antibiotics, bed rest, and sterile occlusive dressings. The lym phorrhea persisted in all patients, and serial cultures of the draining lymph became positive within fourteen days postoperatively. Surgical management consisted of radical debridement of the wound and rotation of a muscle flap to cover the vascular repair. The wounds were left open to granulate, then split- thickness skin grafts were applied. During a follow-up period ranging from eighteen to thirty-six months, there was no evidence of graft infection, recurrent lymph leak, or limb loss. Although the patient population is small, the authors feel that when a lymph collection in the groin leaks through the skin incision, the incidence of infection is high. Their surgical approach seems to yield a favorable outcome in control ling the lymph leak and preventing extension of infection to the vascular recon struction.
Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of Bifidobacteria-Fermented Milk on Ulcerative Colitis

Background: Alterations of intestinal flora, such as reduction in the concentration of bifidobacteria and increase in that of Bacteroides species, are apparently associated with the severity of ulcerative colitis. Objective: We conducted a randomised clinical trial of the use of a bifidobacteria-fermented milk (BFM) supplement as a dietary adjunct in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Methods: The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: a group with BFM supplementation (BFM group, 11 subjects) and a control group (control group, 10 subjects). The BFM group was given 100 mL/day of BFM for one year. Colonoscopies, general blood markers and examinations of intestinal flora including the analysis of fecal organic acids were performed at the commencement of the study and after one year. Results: Exacerbation of symptoms was seen in 3 out of 11 subjects in the BFM group and in 9 out of 10 in the control group. Log rank statistic analysis of the cumulative exacerbation rates showed a significant reduction in exacerbations for the BFM group (p = 0.0184). The analysis of microflora and the organic acids in the feces showed a significant reduction in the relative proportion of B. vulgatus in Bacteroidaceae and butyrate concentration, respectively, after supplementation with BFM, in comparison with before. Conclusion: Supplementation with the BFM product was successful in maintaining remission and had possible preventive effects on the relapse of ulcerative colitis.
Histopathology of the Liver Following Administration of Artesunate in Adult Wistar Rats

In most of the developing countries especially in Africa antimalaria drugs are taken regularly either to treat or prevent malaria. Fifteen wistar rats of both sexes were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5 each and tested as follows: - Group O- control (water), Group A – 2mg/kg and Group B - 6mg/kg. The animals were sacrificed after the 7th day. There was no mortality caused by the drug but dizziness in the animals. In the group administered with 2mg/kg of oral artesunate there was no form of distortion in the tissue architecture of the liver, but in the group administered with 6mg/kg of artesunate, artesunate caused sinusoidal congestion, infiltration of inflammatory cells and there was loss of tissue architecture. Drugs are produce to combat illnesses but may turn out to be harmful when administered wrongly. In most of the developing countries especially in Africa antimalaria drugs are taken regularly either to treat or prevent malaria. They are taken such that one could even imaging if it is a food supplement.
Características del síndrome coronario agudo en pacientes ancianos españoles

Objetivos: Los pacientes ancianos que sufren un sindrome coronario agudo (SCA) de alto riesgo estan escasamente representados en trabajos de investigacion y guias de practica clinica. El objetivo del trabajo es conocer las caracteristicas del SCA de alto riesgo en pacientes de >75 anos. Metodos: Estudio prospectivo descriptivo de 161 pacientes de >75 anos con SCA con y sin elevacion del segmento ST de alto riesgo segun criterios de la ACA/AHA. Se recogieron variables analiticas, electrocardiograficas, ecocardiograficas y epidemiologicas. Tras seis meses de seguimiento observamos el pronostico en relacion con mortalidad y eventos cardiovasculares adversos (ECVA) de tipo de angorpostinfarto, reinfarto o insuficiencia cardiaca. Resultados: La edad media de edad era de 79,4+3,4 anos. El 59,6 % eran varones, La hipertension arterial era el factor de riesgo cardiovascular mas frecuente (65,2 %) y el angor el antecedente mas comun (33,5 %). El 57,8 % presentaban elevacion del segmento ST y predominaba la fraccion de eyeccion conservada (>50 %): 44,7 %. La mayoria presentaban algun grado de disfuncion renal con media de: 61,4+21,8 ml/min/1,73m2(MDRD-4). El 23,6 % sufrian arritmias durante el ingreso. El tratamiento de reperfusion precoz con tromboliticos y/o intervencionismo coronario percutaneo en el SCACEST fue de un 48,4 %. El pronostico era adverso, 20,5 % sufrian algun ECVA y fallecian el 24,2 %. Conclusion: El perfil del SCA en pacientes de 75 anos y mas es un varon hipertenso, con angor previo, fraccion de eyeccion conservada, deterioro de la funcion renal, alta morbimortalidad y tratamiento inicial conservador.
Stepping Asymmetry Among Individuals With Unilateral Transtibial Limb Loss Might Be Functional in Terms of Gait Stability

Background The asymmetry in step length in prosthetic gait is often seen as a detrimental effect of the impairment; however, this asymmetry also might be a functional compensation. An advantage of a smaller step length of the nonprosthetic leg, and specifically foot forward placement (FFP), might be that it will bring the center of mass closer to the base of support of the leading foot and thus increase the backward margin of stability (BW MoS). Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize differences in step length, FFP, and the concomitant difference in BW MoS between steps of the prosthetic and nonprosthetic legs (referred to as prosthetic and nonprosthetic steps, respectively) of people after transtibial amputation. Design This was an observational and cross-sectional study. Methods Ten people after transtibial amputation walked for 4 minutes on a self-paced treadmill. Step length and FFP were calculated at initial contact. The size of the BW MoS was calculated for the moment of initial contact and at the end of the double-support phase of gait. Results Step length (5.4%) and FFP (7.9%) were shorter for the nonprosthetic step than for the prosthetic step. The BW MoS at initial contact was larger for the nonprosthetic step, but because of a significant leg × gait event interaction effect, BW MoS did not differ significantly at the end of the double-support phase. Limitations All participants were relatively good walkers (score of E on the Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine [SIGAM] scale). Conclusions The smaller step length and FFP of the nonprosthetic step help to create a larger BW MoS at initial contact for the nonprosthetic step compared with the prosthetic step. Hence, step length asymmetry in people after transtibial amputation might be seen as a functional compensation to preserve BW MoS during the double-support phase to cope with the limited push-off power of the prosthetic ankle.