Speech and music signals are multifractal phenomena. The time displacement profile of speech and music signal show strikingly different scaling behaviour. However, a full complexity analysis of their frequency and amplitude has not been made so far. We propose a novel complex network based approach (Visibility Graph) to study the scaling behaviour of frequency wise amplitude variation of speech and music signals over time and then extract their PSVG (Power of Scale freeness of Visibility Graph). From this analysis it emerges that the scaling behaviour of amplitude-profile of music varies a lot from frequency to frequency whereas it’s almost consistent for the speech signal. Our left auditory cortical areas are proposed to be neurocognitively specialised in speech perception and right ones in music. Hence we can conclude that human brain might have adapted to the distinctly different scaling behaviour of speech and music signals and developed different decoding mechanisms, as if following the so called Fractal Darwinism. Using this method, we can capture all non-stationary aspects of the acoustic properties of the source signal to the deepest level, which has huge neurocognitive significance. Further, we propose a novel non-invasive application to detect neurological illness (here autism spectrum disorder, ASD), using the quantitative parameters deduced from the variation of scaling behaviour for speech and music.

Empathy and psychopathy seem to be two distant extremes, which only differ, with nothing similar. Therefore, the question that seems to be surprising is whether such a theoretical perspective is justified. Empathy exerts significant influence on social relationships and is associated with moral development, whereas psychopathy seems to be an opposite phenomenon, as it is associated with the lack of deep interpersonal bonds and the violation of legal norms. As studies from various disciplines and scientific areas indicate, such concepts as behavioral effectiveness, morality or altruism might help explain the complex nature of the interrelationship between psychopathy and empathy. The authors tried to explore and describe the complexity of the two presented concepts in the light of the conducted research, and the resulting theoretical and empirical implications.

One of the challenges of modern crystallography of complex systems (complex metallic alloys, proteins, aperiodic crystals and quasicrystals) is to properly describe the disorder in these systems and discuss correctly the refinement results in terms of the structural disorder. In this paper we briefly discuss a new approach to phasons and phonons in quasicrystals and focus on the new theory of phonons in these materials. A newly derived correction factor for phonons in the form of the Bessel function is the approximated way of describing optic modes in the phonon spectra of quasicrystals. It is applied to a real decagonal quasicrystal in the Al-Cu-Rh system with 56/38 atoms per thick/thin structural unit, based on 2092 unique reflections selected from the collected diffraction data, significantly improving the refinement results. The final R-factor value is 7.24%, which is over 0.5% better result comparing to originally reported. We believe our work will open a broader discussion on the disorder in quasicrystals (and other aperiodic systems) and motivate to develop new approaches to treat the diffraction data influenced by different types of disorder in the new way.

Introduction: Arthrocentesis has been used in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to analyze components of the synovial fluid or as a therapeutic procedure associated or not with the admini- stration of a drug. The rabbit is one of the most commonly used animal species as a model for pathologies that affect the TMJ. The aim of this study was to propose a specific technique to perform arthrocentesis on the rabbit TMJ, emphasizing descriptions of reference points and measurements for a successful puncture without complications. Materials and methods: Fourteen adult rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used. The project was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Universidad de La Frontera (File Nº083/2016). Results: The description of the technique was divided into three steps: 1) Location of the rabbit TMJ, 2) Positioning of the needles in the TMJ, and 3) Passage of fluid through the TMJ. Conclusions: This arthrocen- tesis technique could help to simplify the procedure and give the investigator a guide for joint washing and extraction of synovial fluid in the rabbit TMJ.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is one of the most common problem in contemporary dentistry. It is a term covering dysfunction of the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joints. Patients are suffering from severe pain, followed by limited mandibular opening and sounds in the temporomandibular joints during jaw movement. TMD influences the quality of life because the symptoms can become chronic and difficult to manage. Radiofrequency waves (RF) are electromagnetic waves with low energy and high frequency. They provide pain relief without causing significant damage to the nervous tissue. The RF therapy is commonly used for physiotherapeutic treatment of skeletal muscle relaxation, as a supportive therapy. The rehabilitation effect of these waves is based on diathermy by means of high-voltage quick alternating current. RF has also found application in physical therapy, as a therapeutic tool for various types of chronic pain syndromes. The aim of this literature review is to show the beneficial effect of radiofrequency waves on the pain of the masticatory muscles in the course of TMD.

The text discusses the problems of sensory processing disorders (SPD) and their impact on difficulties children have at school. Individual categories of sensory processing disorders were characterized and examples of behavior of children who may have those problems were described. Certain strategies which teachers can use when working with a child with SI disorders were also offered.

It should be noted that the early diagnosis of symptoms that may indicate the occurrence of sensory processing disorders, followed by apt diagnosis and therapy allow children to function properly in the school environment and positively influence their self-esteem. This in turn facilitates the process of learning and contributes future success.

Professor Agnieszka Chacińska from the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology talks about her research on mitochondrial proteins and their association with neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders.

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the second most common cause of chronic pain in the human musculoskeletal system. The triad of symptoms of TMD includes: pain within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), limitation of its mobility and crepitations. The aim of the study was to present the methods of physiotherapy and to assess its effectiveness in patients with hypomobility of temporomandibular joints.

Material and Methods: 44 patients (40.2 ± 10.6 years) were examined for signs of TMD using the Manual Functional Analysis of masticatory system (MFA) questionnaire due to DC/TMD. In the above group, 20 patients showed hypomobility of TMJs and myofascial pain. They underwent a 3-week phy-siotherapy consisting of manual therapy and exercises. In the study group, linear measurements of TMJs mobility and palpation of selected masticatory muscles were performed. Pain was assessed before and after 3 weeks of therapy according to Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Statistical processing of the data was done with STATISTICA 13 and was conducted considering significance at a p-value <0.05.

Results: Significant improvement in TMJ’s mobility, which increased on average by 6.6 mm (p = 0.0005) and reducing of pain, a decrease of 3 points on average on the NRS Scale (p = 0.00002) were achieved.

Conclusions: The applied physiotherapy algorithm, including manual therapy and exercises of mas-ticatory muscles, is effective in the case of improvement TMJ’s range of motion and reduction of pain in patients with hypomobility of TMJ’s.

Early modern Spain witnessed the birth of a new social group — veterans — many of whom described their services in the form of autobiographies. Its authors reveal themselves through a narrator and self-created “me” that represents their struggle to break social barriers. On the other hand, their grief and isolation may also stem from war-infl icted trauma. This paper analyses the autobiography of Alonso de Contreras, focusing on this duality in narration, that may explain the severe situation of early modern veterans.

Significant impact factor and psycho-emotional stress in the etiology of dysfunction indicate the need of the routine approach in the treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders to be changed. The aim of the study was to obtain data, documented test results as to the efficiency of progressive muscle relaxation in the treatment of pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorders, as a supplement to previous methods using occlusal splint and other physical therapies. The study included 100 patients of both sexes, aged from 20 to 35 years who were diagnosed with pain due to temporomandibular joint disorders accompanied with high muscle tension of musticatory muscles which were treatment by relaxation therapy. All patients underwent physical examination, specialized functional examination of the masticatory system in accordance with the Polish version of the study RDC/TMD (The Research Diagnostic Criteria of Temporomandibular Disorders, Axis I — physical assessment, Axis II — assessment of psychosocial status and pain — related disability) and assessment of psycho emotional factor and stress, based on the survey developed for their own purpose. The results of the research were obtained using specialized statistical package “R” i386 3.2.3. The results of examinations aft er relaxation therapy showed a signifi cant reduction in the intensity of myofascial pain in all patients. Progressive muscle relaxation can be successfully used as an supportive therapy treatment of patient with dysfunction.

Trophic disorders like reduced skin blood circulation are well−known epiphenomenon of cerebral palsy (CP). They can influence quality of life and can lead to skin damages and, as a consequence, to decubitus. Therefore, it is important to analyse temperature regulation in patients with CP. Thermal imaging camera FLIR BCAM SD was used to study the dependency of skin blood circulation in upper extremities of patients with CP on hand dominance, hand force and hand volume. The hand force was evaluated using a conventional dynamometer. The hand volume was measured with a volumeter. A cold stress test for hands was applied in 22 patients with CP and 6 healthy subjects. The warming up process after the test was recorded with the thermal camera. It was confirmed that the hands of patients warm up slower comparing to healthy persons. The patients’ working hands warm up faster than non−working ones. A slight correlation was established between the hand grip force of the working hands and their warm up time. No correlation was found between the warming up time and the volume of the hand. The results confirm our assumption that there is a connection of peripheral blood circulation to upper limb motor functions.

The persons with intellectual disability have serious difficulties in language skills and consequently in the process of learning. The problems can be caused by Central Auditory Processing Disorders. In this paper we present research results on effectiveness of the Warnke method as a supporting tool in the development of language skills and in the process of education of children with such intellectual disabilities of mild degree.

One of the main traits of a society of reflexive modernity is the critical analysis of categories that in the past appeared unquestionable. Socio-cultural gender and health or illness/mental disorders are categories of this type. Above all, they are socially constructed, that is, they are dependent on culture and on political, economic, and religious factors. The author undertakes to analyse the relations between the diagnostic criteria used in the international system of classifying mental diseases (DSM-IV and ICD-10) and traditional schemas of masculinity and femininity. Confirmation of the incidence of particular diseases in connection with gender is the author’s entry point for seeking answers to why individuals suffering from certain illnesses/mental disorders display behaviour corresponding to traditional gender roles, even though contemporary gender roles are fluid in many respects, and hypotheses about biological differences as causes of incidence of disease in men and women have not been empirically confirmed.