Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of advanced prosthetic knee joints on perceived performance and everyday life activity level of low-functional persons with a transfemoral amputation or knee disarticulation.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of two types of microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joints (MPKs) on perceived performance and everyday life activity level. DESIGN Randomized cross-over trial. SUBJECTS Thirty persons with a unilateral above-knee amputation or knee disarticulation classified as Medicare Functional Classification Level-2. METHODS Participants were measured in 3 conditions, i.e. using a mechanically controlled prosthesis, an MPK featuring a microprocessor-controlled stance and swing phase (MPKA), and an MPK featuring a microprocessor-controlled stance phase (MPKB). Subjects' perceived performance regarding prosthesis use was measured with the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire. Subjects' activity level was quantified using accelerometry. As high within-group variability regarding subjects' functional performance was expected to impede detection of possible effects of an MPK, data were analysed for the total group and for 3 subgroups of participants. RESULTS Participants' perception regarding ambulation, residual limb health, utility, and satisfaction with walking were significantly higher in the MPKA condition compared with the mechanical knee joint condition. Participants' activity level was similar in all knee joint conditions. CONCLUSION Although Medicare Functional Classification Level-2 amputees report benefitting in terms of their performance from using an MPK, this is not reflected in their actual daily activity level after one week of using an MPK.
Signalling Pathways Implicated in Early Mammary Gland Morphogenesis and Breast Cancer

Specification of mammary epithelial cell fate occurs during embryogenesis as cells aggregate to form the mammary anlage. Within the embryonic mammary bud, a population of epithelial cells exists that will subsequently proliferate to form a ductal tree filling the stromal compartment, and which can produce milk upon terminal differentiation after birth. Subsequently, these structures can be remodelled and returned to a basal state after weaning before regenerating in future pregnancies. The plasticity of the mammary epithelial cell, and its responsiveness to hormone receptors, facilitates this amazing biological feat, but aberrant signalling may also result in unintended consequences in the form of frequent malignancies. Reflecting this intimate connection, a considerable number of signalling pathways have been implicated in both mammary gland morphogenesis and carcinogenesis.
Formal analysis of SAML 2.0 web browser single sign-on: breaking the SAML-based single sign-on for google apps

Single-Sign-On (SSO) protocols enable companies to establish a federated environment in which clients sign in the system once and yet are able to access to services offered by different companies. The OASIS Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) 2.0 Web Browser SSO Profile is the emerging standard in this context. In this paper we provide formal models of the protocol corresponding to one of the most applied use case scenario (the SP-Initiated SSO with Redirect/POST Bindings) and of a variant of the protocol implemented by Google and currently in use by Google's customers (the SAML-based SSO for Google Applications). We have mechanically analysed these formal models with SATMC, a state-of-the-art model checker for security protocols. SATMC has revealed a severe security flaw in the protocol used by Google that allows a dishonest service provider to impersonate a user at another service provider. We have also reproduced this attack in an actual deployment of the SAML-based SSO for Google Applications. This security flaw of the SAML-based SSO for Google Applications was previously unknown.
Depression and prognosis following hospital admission because of acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Whether there is an association between depression at the time of acute myocardial infarction and subsequent risk of cardiac complications and death remains controversial. Most studies of this risk factor have been limited to patients of single institutions, and this might account for the varying results. We prospectively evaluated patients admitted to 5 tertiary care and 5 community hospitals and followed them for 1 year to measure the prevalence and prognostic impact of depressive symptoms after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS Patients were recruited for the study by trained nurse interviewers who had documented acute myocardial infarction within 2-3 days of admission. The nurses collected information from the medical records and asked study subjects to complete the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire during their stay in hospital and using a mailed questionnaire 30 days, 6 months and 1 year later. We obtained information on vital status for patients lost to follow-up from a central death registry. RESULTS Of the 587 study subjects, 550 (94%) completed the Beck Depression Inventory at baseline and 191 (35%) had a score of 10 or more, indicating at least mild depression. Rates of depression did not vary over the follow-up period and were similar among patients admitted to tertiary care or community hospitals. Depressed patients were more likely to undergo catheterization (57% v. 47%, 95% confidence interval [CI] around the difference 0.1%-19.6%) and were more likely to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (32% v. 24%, 95% CI around the difference 0.1%-16.2%) within 30 days of first admission to hospital. Patients with depression on admission had higher rates of a composite of cardiac complications, including recurrent ischemia, infarction or congestive heart failure during their first stay in hospital or readmission for angina, recurrent acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure or arrhythmia (adjusted hazard ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.05-1.86), compared with patients who were not depressed on admission. After 1 year, death rates were higher among patients who were depressed at admission (30 patients, 16%) compared with nondepressed patients (28 patients, 8%), although the difference was not statistically significant (hazard ratio 1.3, 95% CI 0.59-3.05). INTERPRETATION Depressive symptoms are common after acute myocardial infarction and are associated with a slight increase in risk of in-hospital catheterization and angiography and readmission because of cardiac complications. Death was infrequent, with no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups.
Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience Synaptic Neuroscience

According to Hebb's rule, the change of the weight from a presynaptic neuron to a postsynaptic neuron depends only on the spiking history of the presynaptic cell and postsynaptic neu-rons, but does not take into account changes at other neurons " unseen " by the active synapse or other contextual signals. In spite of the fact that Hebb's rule only predicts strengthening of synaptic weights, most theoretical algorithms inspired by Hebb include both associative potentiation and normative depression rules (reviews in Brown et al.
Time-dependent geoid anomalies at subduction zones due to the seismic cycle

We model the geoid anomalies excited during a megathrust earthquake cycle at subduction zones, including the interseismic phase and the contribution from the inﬁnite series of previous earthquakes, within the frame of self-gravitating, spherically symmetric, compressible, viscoelastic Earth models. The fault cuts the whole 50 km lithosphere, dips 20 ◦ , and the slip amplitude, together with the length of the fault, are chosen in order to simulate an M w = 9.0 earthquake, while the viscosity of the 170 km thick asthenosphere ranges from 10 17 to 10 20 Pa s. On the basis of a new analysis from the Correspondence Principle, we show that the geoid anomaly is characterized by a periodic anomaly due to the elastic and viscous contribution from past earthquakes and to the back-slip of the interseismic phase, and by a smaller static contribution from the steady-state response to the previous inﬁnite earthquake cycles. For asthenospheric viscosities from 10 17 –10 18 to 10 19 –10 20 Pa s, the characteristic relaxation times of the Earth model change from shorter to longer timescales compared to the 400 yr earthquake recurrence time, which dampen the geoid anomaly for the higher asthenospheric viscosities, since the slower relaxation cannot contribute its whole strength within the interseismic cycle. The geoid anomaly pattern is characterized by a global, time-dependent positive upwarping of the geoid topography, involving the whole hanging wall and partially the footwall compared to the sharper elastic contribution, attaining, for a moment magnitude M w = 9.0, amplitudes as high as 6.6 cm for the lowermost asthenospheric viscosities during the viscoelastic response compared to the elastic maximum of 3.8 cm. The geoid anomaly vanishes due to the back-slip of the interseismic phase, leading to its disappearance at the end of the cycle before the next earthquake. Our results are of importance for understanding the post-seismic and interseismic geoid patterns at subduction zones.
Verifying higher-order programs with the dijkstra monad

Modern programming languages, ranging from Haskell and ML, to JavaScript, C# and Java, all make extensive use of higher-order state. This paper advocates a new verification methodology for higher-order stateful programs, based on a new monad of predicate transformers called the Dijkstra monad. Using the Dijkstra monad has a number of benefits. First, the monad naturally yields a weakest pre-condition calculus. Second, the computed specifications are structurally simpler in several ways, e.g., single-state post-conditions are sufficient (rather than the more complex two-state post-conditions). Finally, the monad can easily be varied to handle features like exceptions and heap invariants, while retaining the same type inference algorithm. We implement the Dijkstra monad and its type inference algorithm for the F* programming language. Our most extensive case study evaluates the Dijkstra monad and its F* implementation by using it to verify JavaScript programs. Specifically, we describe a tool chain that translates programs in a subset of JavaScript decorated with assertions and loop invariants to F*. Once in F*, our type inference algorithm computes verification conditions and automatically discharges their proofs using an SMT solver. We use our tools to prove that a core model of the JavaScript runtime in F* respects various invariants and that a suite of JavaScript source programs are free of runtime errors.
Different Global Precipitation Responses to Solar, Volcanic, and Greenhouse Gas Forcings

Understanding climate change caused by different external forcings is an urgent need for crisis management and sustainable economic development. It remains unclear how differently global precipitation changes in response to global temperature variations induced by the change of individual solar, volcanic, or greenhouse gas (GHG) forcings. We address this issue by performing three last millennium simulations under each of these individual forcings with the Community Earth System Model version 1.0. The results show that all three forcings can excite strong low‐frequency variations that are longer than one decade, that is, global warming under strong solar radiation or high GHG concentration and global cooling under frequent volcanic eruptions. For a given global temperature change, the global precipitation change under volcanic forcing is larger than that under solar and GHG forcings. The reason is that the volcanic forcing induces the strongest solar irradiance change in the wet tropics. Among the three forcings we examined, the GHG forcing excites the strongest high‐latitude warming, especially the Arctic amplification of global warming. There is no Arctic amplification of temperature decrease under the volcanic forcing‐induced global cooling. The volcanic forcing weakens the Intertropical Convergence Zone and reduces precipitation. The results suggest that while volcanic eruptions can reduce precipitation, they do not mitigate the Arctic amplification of temperature increase under the GHG‐induced warming. The underlying mechanisms for these different climate responses are also discussed.
Prosthetic Status, Needs and Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) in the Elderly Population of Aluva, India.

INTRODUCTION Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL), being a patient-centred outcome has profound association with the existing prosthetic status and needs. AIM To assess the association between the prosthetic status and needs with OHRQOL in the elderly population of Aluva, Kochi, Kerala, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among the elderly residing in the municipal wards of Aluva municipality, Kochi, Kerala, India. A total of 539 subjects whose age was 60 years or above were considered for the study. Proforma utilizing a validated structured questionnaire of two sections; the first section noted with demographic details with WHO assessment of prosthetic needs and details regarding loss of teeth and denture wear and the second section consisted of Oral Health Impact Proflie (OHIP)-14 questions to measure the OHRQOL which was prepared in the local language. Type III oral examination (WHO Basic Oral Health Assessment 2013) was carried out on selected elderly subjects from house hold survey at municipal wards and recordings were done by the trained local health worker. ANOVA was used to find out the association between different domains of the OHIP and prosthetic status and need. RESULTS The prosthetic status was 18.2% and 14.7% and the prosthetic needs 62.7% and 60.3% of the upper and lower jaws respectively for the population. The prosthetic status was found to have no impact on the OHRQOL. However, the prosthetic need was significantly related to various components of OHRQOL of the study population. Of all the domains in OHRQOL, physical pain was the most affected in this population. CONCLUSION There is high unmet prosthetic care for non-institutionalised elderly population in Aluva.
Impact of intellectual capital, capital structure, and credit risk on financial performance on banking companies listed on the Indonesian stock exchange

The purpose of this study is to obtain empirical evidence of Intellectual Capital, Debt to Equity Ratio, and Non Perfroming Loan on Banking Firm’s Performance on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The sampling technique used purposive sampling, the research samples obtained totaled 46 company with annualy research period from 2018-2022 so that there were 27 units of analysis. The research design was quantitative descriptive. The analysis technique in this research is multiple regression analysis method. The results showed that Debt to Equity Ratio, and Non Perfroming Loan has a significant positive effect on Banking Firm’s Performance. The implication of this research is that companies must pay attention to Intellectual Capital, Debt to Equity Ratio, and Non Perfroming Loan that can affect Firm Performance so that company profitability can increase.
Spatio-Temporal Correlation Tensors Reveal Functional Structure in Human Brain

Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been commonly used to measure functional connectivity between cortical regions, while diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be used to characterize structural connectivity of white matter tracts. In principle combining resting state fMRI and DTI data could allow characterization of structure-function relations of distributed neural networks. However, due to differences in the biophysical origins of their signals and in the tissues to which they apply, there has been no direct integration of these techniques to date. We demonstrate that MRI signal variations and power spectra in a resting state are largely comparable between gray matter and white matter, that there are temporal correlations of fMRI signals that persist over long distances within distinct white matter structures, and that neighboring intervoxel correlations of low frequency resting state signals showed distinct anisotropy in many regions. These observations suggest that MRI signal variations from within white matter in a resting state may convey similar information as their corresponding fluctuations of MRI signals in gray matter. We thus derive a local spatio-temporal correlation tensor which captures directional variations of resting-state correlations and which reveals distinct structures in both white and gray matter. This novel concept is illustrated with in vivo experiments in a resting state, which demonstrate the potential of the technique for mapping the functional structure of neural networks and for direct integration of structure-function relations in the human brain.
Neurite outgrowth in peripherin-depleted PC12 cells

Peripherin is the major neuronal intermediate filament (IF) protein in PC12 cells and both its synthesis and amount increase during nerve growth factor (NGF) promoted neuronal differentiation. To address the question of the biological function of peripherin in neurite initiation we have used an antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the 5' region of peripherin mRNA to specifically inhibit its transcription. The oligonucleotide blocks both the synthesis of peripherin and its increase in response to NGF. Peripherin was found to be a stable protein with a cellular half-life of approximately 7 d. 6 wk of incubation with the oligonucleotide decreases peripherin to 11% of the level in naive control cells and to 3% of that in NGF-treated control cells. Despite the depletion, NGF elicits apparently normal neurite outgrowth from the oligonucleotide-treated cells. As evaluated by EM, there are few IFs in these cells, either in the cell bodies or neurites. There is no compensatory increase in NF-M, NF-L, or vimentin levels as a result of the inhibition of peripherin synthesis. These findings suggest that peripherin is not required for neurite formation, but is necessary for the formation of a cellular IF network which could be involved in process stability. They also demonstrate the utility of antisense oligonucleotides for the study of proteins with long half- lives.
Circulating antioxidant defences are decreased in healthy people after a high-fat meal

The aim of this study was to examine the responses of uric acid, antioxidant defences and pro-oxidant variables after a high-fat meal. Twenty-five healthy persons without criteria for the metabolic syndrome, underwent a high-fat meal with Supracal® (60 g fat). Measurements were made at baseline and 3 h after the meal of TAG, uric acid, HDL-cholesterol, total proteins and oxidative stress. Following the high-fat meal, we detected a significant increase in pro-oxidative variables and a decrease in antioxidative variables. The uric acid concentrations were significantly lower after the high-fat meal and the reduction correlated significantly with the oxidative stress variables. The inverse relation between reduced uric acid and increased carbonylated proteins remained in multiple regression analysis. We conclude that uric acid is a powerful antioxidant and its reduction following a high-fat meal may be related with its acute antioxidative action.
In situ measurements of soil saturated hydraulic conductivity: Assessment of reliability through rainfall–runoff experiments

The saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, is a soil property that has a key role in the partitioning of rainfall into surface runoff and infiltration. The commonly used instruments and methods for in situ measurements of Ks have frequently provided conflicting results. Comparison of Ks estimates obtained by three classical devices—namely, the double ring infiltrometer (DRI), the Guelph version of the constant‐head well permeameter (GUELPH‐CHP) and the CSIRO version of the tension permeameter (CSIRO‐TP) is presented. A distinguishing feature in this study is the use of steady deep flow rates, obtained from controlled rainfall–runoff experiments, as benchmark values of Ks at local and field‐plot scales, thereby enabling an assessment of these methods in reliably reproducing repeatable values and in their capability of determining plot‐scale variation of Ks. We find that the DRI grossly overestimates Ks, the GUELPH‐CHP gives conflicting estimates of Ks with substantial overestimation in laboratory experiments and underestimation at the plot scale, whereas the CSIRO‐TP yields average Ks values with significant errors of 24% in the plot scale experiment and 66% in laboratory experiments. Although the DRI would likely yield a better estimate of the nature of variability than the GUELPH‐CHP and CSIRO‐TP, a separate calibration may be warranted to correct for the overestimation of Ks values. The reasons for such discrepancies within and between the measurement methods are not yet fully understood and serve as motivation for future work to better characterize the uncertainty associated with individual measurements of Ks using these methods and the characterization of field scale variability from multiple local measurements.
Are personal characteristics associated with exercise participation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? A cross-sectional explorative survey.

BACKGROUND Organized exercise programs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are useful to enhance physical activity and fitness. However, participation and adherence rates of these programs are low. This study aimed to identify demographic, personal and disease-related factors interfering with implementing an exercise program for RA. METHODS A random sample of ambulatory RA patients from a single centre was divided into two groups, depending on their willingness to participate in an exercise program. Subsequently, demographic data (gender, age, disease duration and educational level) and disease-related and personal factors were obtained (Disease Activity Score; Short Form 36 [SF-36]; Health Assessment Questionnaire; Global Disease Activity; and also the Utrecht Coping List [UCL], Illness Cognition Questionnaire; TAMPA scale and modified Baecke questionnaire). RESULTS Of the 154 people completing the survey, 113 (73%) indicated that they were willing to participate in an exercise program. These positive responders (PR) were more often female (p<0.05), and had a higher educational level (p<0.05). In the negative responders (NR), higher scores were found in the general health perception (54.7; [SD 18.3] versus 47.4; [SD 20.8]) and vitality (61.6 [SD 19.8] versus 53.7 [SD 20.1] sections of the SF-36, and a lower score was found on the reassuring thoughts subscale of the UCL (11.9 [SD 2.7] versus 12.9 [SD 2.7]) compared with the PR (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Although few differences were found between the groups, some insights regarding pitfalls in implementing an exercise program were highlighted. Further insights into external and personal motivators for patients are needed.
A word graph algorithm for large vocabulary continuous speech recognition

Abstract This paper describes a method for the construction of a word graph (or lattice) for large vocabulary, continuous speech recognition. The advantage of a word graph is that a fairly good degree of decoupling between acoustic recognition at the 10-ms level and the final search at the word level using a complicated language model can be achieved. The word graph algorithm is obtained as an extension of the one-pass beam search strategy using word dependent copies of the word models or lexical trees. The method has been tested successfully on the 20 000-word NAB'94 task (American English, continuous speech, 20 000 words, speaker independent) and compared with the integrated method. The experiments show that the word graph density can be reduced to an average number of about 10 word hypotheses, i.e. word edges in the graph, per spoken word with virtually no loss in recognition performance.