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Regarding the problem of digital camera identification, many methods have been proposed, and for several of them, their effectiveness has been verified on the basis of disputed flat images. However, in real cases the disputed images are natural images, rather than flat images. In that case, several of the already proposed methods are not effective. Hence, in this paper, a method is proposed for the digital camera identification from natural images based on the statistical comparison between the residual noise in the natural disputed images and the fingerprint defined for the eligible digital cameras. In the reported case studies, the HDR database provided by the Communications and Signal Processing Laboratory of University of Florence is used to select a set of eligible digital cameras, and from this image database, for each digital camera, a set of disputed flat images, a set of disputed natural images, and a set of flat reference images were selected. Thus, the fingerprint of each digital camera was calculated from the probability density function (PDF) of the photo-response nonuniformity (PRNU) extracted from its reference images. Therefore, in order to identify the source digital camera of a natural disputed image, the Jensen–Shannon divergence (JSD) was implemented to statistically compare the PRNU-based fingerprint of each eligible source camera against the noise residual of that disputed image. The proposed method has a similar effectiveness to methods based on the peak-to-correlation energy or the Kullback–Leibler divergence when the disputed images are flat images and the PRNU is considered, but it is significantly more effective than those methods when the disputed images are natural images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We analyze the processing sequence involved in the manufacture of a skull‐cup and the manipulation of human bones from the Early Neolithic of Cueva de El Toro (Málaga, Spain). Materials and methods: The Early Neolithic material studied includes human remains found in two separate assemblages. Assemblage A consists of one skull‐cup, a non‐manipulated adult human mandible, and four ceramic vessels. Assemblage B contains manipulated and non‐manipulated human remains that appeared mingled with domestic waste. Using a taphonomic approach, we evaluate the skull‐cup processing and the anthropogenic alteration of human bones. Results: The skull‐cup was processed by careful paring away of skin, fragmentation of the facial skeleton and base of the skull, and controlled percussion of the edges of the calotte to achieve a regular shape. It was later boiled for some time in a container that caused pot polish in a specific area. The other human bones appeared scattered throughout the living area, mixed with other remains of domestic activity. Some of these bones show cut marks, percussion damage for marrow extraction, and tooth/chewing marks. Discussion: Evidence from Cueva de El Toro suggests that cannibalism was conducted in the domestic sphere, likely following ritualized practices where the skull‐cup could have played a part. Interpretation of this evidence suggests two hypotheses: (a) aggressive cannibalism relates to extreme inter‐group violence; and (b) funerary cannibalism is a facet of multi‐stage burial practices. Similar evidence has been found in other Neolithic sites of this region and suggests that cannibalism and skull‐cups were elements widespread in these communities. These practices may be linked to significant transformations associated with the end of the Early Neolithic in southern Iberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective : Adaptation of the ECAS to the Spanish population. Methods : The ECAS test was adapted and implemented in a random sample of 102 ALS patients. A test-retest reliability of the instrument and internal consistency assessment were carried out. Its convergent validity was determined by comparing the ECAS screen with the ALS Cognitive Behavioural Screen (ALS-CBS), another standard tool. Results : The Spanish adaptation of the ECAS scale preserves the statistical characteristics of the original version. Its analysis revealed a high internal consistency, similar to that of the original version. A significant correlation was found between the ECAS scale and the ALS-CBS, with the highest degree of correlation values shown at the Executive and Lack of empathy domains scales. Additionally, significant differences were observed between the scores obtained in ALS patients and healthy individuals. Furthermore, the analysis of the screen discrimination ability resulted acceptable. Conclusion : The results of this study prove that the Spanish adaptation of the ECAS scale preserves the internal consistency and construct validity of its original version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized functional decline, traditionally measured by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R). The Rasch-Built Overall Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Disability Scale (ROADS) is an alternative comprehensive, detailed functional disability measure for people with ALS (pwALS), not yet translated to Spanish. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Spanish ROADS. 53 Spanish speaking pwALS were recruited. They completed the ALSFRS-R and Spanish ROADS. Reliability (internal consistency, intra-class correlation) and validity (ALSFRS-R total and item-total correlations) were determined. The Spanish ROADS internal consistency reliability was excellent (Cronbach’s standardized alpha = 0.94), the test-retest reliability intra-class correlation value was 0.93. There was a strong significant correlation between the Spanish ROADS and ALSFRS-R totals (rs(52) = .89, p < .001). Additionally, the ALSFRS-R subscales and ROADS items correlations showed domain-to-item specific expected significant correlations. The Spanish ROADS is a psychometrically robust, valid and reliable measure for quantifying functional disability for pwALS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ALSFRS-R is a tool designed to measure disease progress in ALS patients. It consists of 12 items grouped into four functions designed to assess disabilities according to the Activities of daily living (ADL). Our objective was to validate the Spanish version of ALSFRS-R based on the original version. Four examiners assessed 73 ALS patients, applying the ALSFRS-R, ALSAQ-40 and the respiratory function variable assessed by the SRI scale, which measures respiratory insufficiency. Internal consistency and test-retest correlations were measured using Cronbach's alpha and Spearman's Rho tests. Factor analysis was performed by applying Varimax rotation and Kaiser standardization. Validity was analysed based on correlations between items in the ALSFRS-R scales and equivalents in the ALSAQ-40 and SRI questionnaires. The results showed high internal consistency (0.77–0.95) and a good test-retest correlation (0.80–0.95). Factor analysis showed a 73.3% principal component contribution; the weight of each item regarding their corresponding factors was 0.7–0.9. High correlations were observed ( rs >0.60) between corresponding factors of ALSFRS-R/ALSAQ-40 and ALSFRS-R/SRI. We conclude that the version obtained from the ALSFRS-R maintains the internal consistency and validity of the construct of the original scale. The Spanish version of ALSFRS-R is available for readers at [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: ALS is a neurodegenerative disease of the entire motor system that most frequently ends with respiratory arrest in few years. Its diagnosis and the rapid progression of the motor dysfunctions produce a continued emotional impact. Studies on this impact are helpful to plan adequate psychotherapeutic strategies., Objective: To assess and analyze: First: How the patients with ALS perceive their emotional health. Second: The emotional impact of their physical disabilities. Third: The physical disabilities with highest emotional impact. Fourth: The feelings with highest emotional impact., Methods: Up to 110 Spanish patients with ALS were assessed less than 1 year from diagnosis, then twice more at 6 month intervals, using the ALS Quality of Life Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40) validated for use in Spanish. Descriptive analysis and correlation between variables were obtained., Results: Worries about the future, of lack of freedom, and of being a burden were prevalent feelings. On average depression was felt only "sometimes." Only 25% of the variations in the emotional state were explained by changes in the physical state at first evaluation, and 16% at the last one. Emotional functioning correlated significantly with the physical disabilities at first and second evaluation, less so at third. Communication disabilities always had the highest impact. Depression at first evaluation and hopelessness at the next two evaluations had the highest emotional impact. Hopelessness did not correlate with any physical disability at the third evaluation. On the whole, emotional dysfunction was self perceived as intermediate (between none and worst), and remained stable at 1 year follow up, in both bulbar and spinal onset patients., Conclusions: Physical dysfunctions per se have a limited role in patients´ emotional distress. Communication disabilities, as well as feelings of depression at early stages of illness, and of hopelessness later on, had the most impact. This requires their careful therapeutic attention. On average, Spanish patients with ALS cope with their disease, overcoming depression, which is not felt often, and with just mid levels of emotional dysfunction.