Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of the mesonephros in the development of the sheep fetal ovary

Summary. Sexually indifferent gonads, ovaries and mesonephroi of sheep embryos and fetuses from day 24 of development through term (day 145) were studied by high resolution light microscopy and electron microscopy. From day 24 to at least day 58, the sexually indifferent gonads and the ovaries are massively invaded and colonized by cells mobilized from a peculiar nephron situated in the proximal third of the mesonephros and referred to, because of its large size, as« giant ». The mobilization process occurs simultaneously with the involution of the giant nephron, and involves the mesangial and epithelial cells of the glomerulus and, in late stages, also the epithelial cells of the walls of the excretory tubules. At first sporadically and, then, in the form of a prominent, compact cellular mass, these cells leave their sites of origin and, advancing along cranio-caudal and dorso-ventral directions, invade the gonads. Here the mesonephric cells establish a close and permanent associative relationship with the germinal cells, also seeding the gonads at these times. During sequential stages of ovarian development, the relationship between mesonephric and germinal cells assumes characteristics of increasing organization ; at first, it involves isolated cells, then cellular clusters and, ultimately, the ovigerous cords, elongated formations of mesonephric and germinal cells lined by a basal lamina from which follicles eventually develop. Our observations demonstrate that, in the sheep, the mesonephros plays a fundamental role in the morphogenesis of the ovary as the source of the follicle cells and as one of the organizers of specific ovarian structures.
25-Designs , groups and lattices

The notion of designs in Grassmannian spaces was introduced by the author and R. Coulangeon, G. Nebe, in [3]. Af ter having recalled some basic properties of these objects and the connections with the theory of lattices, we prove that the sequence of Barnes-Wall lattices hold 6-Grassmannian designs. We also discuss the connections between the notion of Grassmannian design and the notion of design associated with the symmetric space of the totally isotropic subspaces in a binary quadratic space, which is revealed in a certain construction involving the Clifford group.
Adaptive compression method for underwater images based on perceived quality estimation

Underwater image compression is an important and essential part of an underwater image transmission system. An assessment and prediction method of effectively compressed image quality can assist the system in adjusting its compression ratio during the image compression process, thereby improving the efficiency of the image transmission system. This study first estimates the perceived quality of underwater image compression based on embedded coding compression and compressive sensing, then builds a model based on the mapping between image activity measurement (IAM) and bits per pixel and structural similarity (BPP-SSIM) curves, next obtains model parameters by linear fitting, and finally predicts the perceived quality of the image compression method based on IAM, compression ratio, and compression strategy. Experimental results show that the model can effectively fit the quality curve of underwater image compression. According to the rules of parameters in this model, the perceived quality of underwater compressed images can be estimated within a small error range. The presented method can effectively estimate the perceived quality of underwater compressed images, balance the relationship between the compression ratio and compression quality, reduce the pressure on the data cache, and thus improve the efficiency of the underwater image communication system.
Antecedents and outcomes of consumer environmentally friendly attitudes and behaviour

Abstract With the intensification of problems relating to the environment, a growing number of consumers are becoming more ecologically conscious in their preferences and purchases of goods. This paper presents the results of a study conducted among 500 Cypriot consumers, focusing on the factors that shape consumer environmental attitudes and behaviour, as well as on the resulting outcomes. The findings confirmed that both the inward and outward environmental attitudes of a consumer are positively influenced by his/her degree of collectivism, long-term orientation, political involvement, deontology, and law obedience, but have no connection with liberalism. The adoption of an inward environmental attitude was also found to be conducive to green purchasing behaviour that ultimately leads to high product satisfaction. On the other hand, an outward environmental attitude facilitates the adoption of a general environmental behaviour, which is responsible for greater satisfaction with life. The findings of the study have important implications for shaping effective company offerings to consumers in target markets, as well as formulating appropriate policies at the governmental level to enhance environmental sensitivity among citizens.
CONVICTED RAPISTS' VOCABULARY OF MOTIVE: EXCUSES AND JUSTIFICATIONS*

This paper analyzes the excuses and justifications which a sample of convicted, incarcerated rapists used to explain themselves and their crimes. Excuses consisted of appeals to forces outside of their control which, the men argued, compelled them to rape. Justifications attempted to present their own behavior as situationally appropriate and, using a number of common rape stereotypes, to make their victims appear culpable. We demonstrate how these excuses and justifications allowed the majority of these rapists to view themselves as either non-rapists or “exrapists. ” Finally, through their narrative accounts, we explore convicted rapists' own perceptions of their crime.
The Consequences of Things: The Semiotics and the Pragmatistic Route to Designing

The starting point of this contribution is the concept of “sense”, which derives from the Charles S. Peirce’s semiotic view: “Our idea of anything is our idea of its sensible effects” (Peirce, CP 5.401). For Peirce, the meaning – or sense – of any sign (text, artifact, system) comes surrounded with all the conceivable effects and the “practical consequences” that the sign produces or could produce. However, among the practical consequences, could be also included the formation of beliefs and the definition of individual or social behaviour through habits, and furthermore – in the long run – the very organization of political life. From this derives the responsibility of design, which stimulates an improvement of the consumer goods production (sort of an extension of the design, widening its application in more areas: communication, services, ecology etc.) in the cultural context where part of the social and the planet lives are decided. In this perspective, the sense is no longer just a semantic value within a system, such as the structuralist tradition has taught us, but is open and attempts to a pragmatic dimension. That is, the sense is not found only in texts and artifacts, but above all in the living scene of use: in the context where the objects are found and used.
Risk Factors and Effects of Exercise Therapy

The causes of hip osteoarthritis (OA) appear to be heterogeneous with genetic, environmental and lifestyle-related risk factors influencing the development of the disease. Hip OA causes pain and disability, reducing the quality of life, and there is no treatment to prevent or cure it after the onset of development. Therefore, the reduction of pain and improvement in physical function are important outcomes when evaluating the effective treatment strategy for hip OA. The aim of the study was to identify independent risk factors for developing hip OA in a prospective population-based study with a follow-up period of up to 22 years. An assessment was made of the short-term and long-term effectiveness of exercise-based rehabilitation in reducing pain, maintaining physical function and limiting direct health care costs attributable to hip OA in a two-year randomized controlled trial. A further aim was to identify predictors of pain and disability in hip OA. Objective and subjective physical function were investigated with a battery of physical function tests and questionnaires, including Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and RAND 36-Item Health Survey (RAND-36). Heavy manual work and musculoskeletal injuries were found to predict the development of hip OA in the 22-year follow-up study. Factors explaining and predicting disability and pain in hip OA are multidimensional and no single factor was found to be more important than any other. Higher educational levels, absence of knee OA and comorbidities, supervised exercise training and habitual physical activity predicted a lower prevalence of pain and a better functional status in patients with hip OA. Exercise therapy for hip OA had no significant effect on self-reported pain or general physical health, but it slightly improved self-reported physical function in individuals with hip OA. Based on these findings, the clinical importance of exercise therapy remains uncertain and it is unclear whether exercise training translates into true improvement in physical performance or reduced health care costs. National Library of Medicine Classification: WE 860, WL 704 Medical Subject Headings: Exercise Therapy/economics: Osteoarthritis, Hip; Pain/rehabilitation; Risk factors; Treatment Outcome
The direct discontinuous Galerkin method with symmetric structure for diffusion problems

In this thesis, a discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element method for nonlinear diffusion equations named the symmetric direct discontinuous Galerkin (DDG) method is studied. The scheme is first developed for the one dimensional heat equation using the DG approach. To define a numerical flux for the numerical solution derivative, the solution derivative trace formula of the heat equation with discontinuous initial data is used. A numerical flux for the test function is introduced in order to arrive at a symmetric scheme. Having a symmetric scheme is the key to proving an optimal L2(L2) error estimate. In addition, stability results and an optimal energy error estimate are proven. In order to ensure stability of the scheme, a notion of flux admissibility is defined. Flux admissibility is analyzed resulting in explicit guidelines for choosing free coefficients in the numerical flux formula. The scheme is extended to one dimensional nonlinear diffusion, nonlinear convection diffusion, as well as two dimensional linear and nonlinear diffusion problems. Numerical examples are carried out to demonstrate the optimal (k + 1)th order of accuracy for the method with degree k polynomial approximations for both linear and nonlinear problems, under one-dimensional and two-dimensional settings. In addition, admissibility analysis results are explored numerically.
Financialization and the workplace: extending and applying the disconnected capitalism thesis

The global financial crisis has brought discussion of financialization to the fore. Yet, what is notable is the extent to which the dysfunctional micro-economic consequences of financialization at firm level have gone largely unremarked and unchanged. By revisiting and renewing the disconnected capitalism thesis, this article seeks to rectify the omission of a focus on financialization and the workplace and develops a complex and nuanced bigger picture that explores in some detail changes in accumulation, corporate, work and employment domains. The dual objective is thus to understand the dynamics and drivers of such changes and to identify the extent to which financialization has shaped them. In identifying patterns of connection and disconnection across and within domains, a recurrent theme concerns financialization interacting with, accelerating and exacerbating longer term trends such as labour market insecurity, externalization and internationalization.
JB Review Rotation and structure of F o F 1 -ATP synthase

FoF1-ATP synthase is one of the most ubiquitous enzymes; it is found widely in the biological world, including the plasma membrane of bacteria, inner membrane of mitochondria and thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts. However, this enzyme has a unique mechanism of action: it is composed of two mechanical rotary motors, each driven by ATP hydrolysis or proton flux down the membrane potential of protons. The two molecular motors interconvert the chemical energy of ATP hydrolysis and proton electrochemical potential via the mechanical rotation of the rotary shaft. This unique energy transmission mechanism is not found in other biological systems. Although there are other similar man-made systems like hydroelectric generators, FoF1-ATP synthase operates on the nanometre scale and works with extremely high efficiency. Therefore, this enzyme has attracted significant attention in a wide variety of fields from bioenergetics and biophysics to chemistry, physics and nanoscience. This review summarizes the latest findings about the two motors of FoF1-ATP synthase as well as a brief historical background.
Inverse Dynamics Approach to Adaptive Damage-Tolerant Control for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

A control problem is discussed for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as applies to its short-period longitudinal motion. The problem is formulated taking into account various uncertainty factors such as imperfect knowledge about UAV parameters and characteristics as well as environment exposure. One more class of the uncertainty factors includes failures of UAV systems and its structural damages. A preliminary step is needed to synthesize adaptive damage-tolerant control systems. This step consists in plant identification using artificial neural network (ANN) techniques. Next step is a synthesis of appropriate neural controller. An adaptive control scheme based on inverse dynamics problem (IDP) approach is used to achieve control goals for the conditions mentioned above. The scheme is implemented basing on ANN tools. Simulation is carried out to confirm efficiency of the adaptive damage-tolerant neural control. Appropriate computer experiment results are presented and discussed to demonstrate features of the proposed approach.
Debris discs in the 27 Myr old open cluster IC 4665

We present Spitzer IRAC and MIPS 24-μm imaging of members of the 27 ± 5 Myr old open cluster IC 4665. Models for the assembly of terrestrial planets through planetesimal collisions and mergers predict episodic dust debris discs at this epoch. We determine that 42 +18 ―13 per cent of the solar-type (F5-K5) cluster members have excess emission at 24 μm indicative of these debris discs, the highest frequency of the clusters studied with Spitzer to date. The majority of these discs have intermediate levels of excess (F 24 /F phot < 2), and no source is found to have extreme levels of excess indicative of a recent transient event as opposed to steady-state collisional evolution. We find no evidence of a link between multiplicity and 24-μm excess in this cluster sample. Only the early-type star TYC424-473-1 (T eff ∼ 8420 K) has significant near-infrared excess from 4.5 μm as measured with IRAC. Two solar-type targets have low-significance 8-μm excess but no significant 24-μm excess. All other targets show no evidence for near-infrared excess which could indicate the presence of an optically thick primordial disc, demonstrating that the observed 24-μm excess arises from a debris disc.
Nasolabial Esthetic Evaluation in Young Adults with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Comparing among Patients , Laypersons , and Healthcare Professionals

J Med Assoc Thai Vol. 100 Suppl. 6 2017 Correspondence to: Tansalarak R, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand. Phone: +66-55-966062; Fax: +66-55-966059 E-mail: ratchawanortho@gmail.com Nasolabial Esthetic Evaluation in Young Adults with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Comparing among Patients, Laypersons, and Healthcare Professionals
Climate policy innovation: a sociotechnical transitions perspective

Seeking to develop a novel understanding of how climate policy innovation (CPI) emerges and spreads, we conceptualise three types of CPIs – genuinely original, diffusion based, and reframing based – and relate these to the sociotechnical transitions literature, particularly the multi-level perspective (MLP) that explains change through interaction between ‘niche’, ‘regime’, and ‘landscape’ levels. Selected climate-related transport policies in Finland, Sweden, and the UK are used to illustrate five hypotheses that connect these concepts from the MLP to particular types of CPI. ‘Original’ policy innovation may be uncommon in contexts with major sunk investments such as transport, principally because sociotechnical regimes tend to be resistant to political pressures for change originating at the same level. Nonetheless, the MLP posits that regimes are subject to influence by pressures originating at both niche and landscape levels. Given that policy reframing is relatively common, it may offer a key entry point for CPI in the short to medium term.
LOCAL LUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXIES. I. SPATIALLY RESOLVED OBSERVATIONS WITH THE SPITZER INFRARED SPECTROGRAPH

We present results from the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph spectral mapping observations of 15 local luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs). In this paper, we investigate the spatial variations of the mid-IR emission which includes fine structure lines, molecular hydrogen lines, polycyclic aromatic features (PAHs), continuum emission, and the 9.7 μm silicate feature. We also compare the nuclear and integrated spectra. We find that the star formation takes place in extended regions (several kpc) as probed by the PAH emission, as well as the [Ne ii]12.81 μm and [Ne iii]15.56 μm emissions. The behavior of the integrated PAH emission and 9.7 μm silicate feature is similar to that of local starburst galaxies. We also find that the minima of the [Ne iii]15.56 μm/[Ne ii]12.81 μm ratio tends to be located at the nuclei and its value is lower than that of H ii regions in our LIRGs and nearby galaxies. It is likely that increased densities in the nuclei of LIRGs are responsible for the smaller nuclear [Ne iii]15.56 μm/[Ne ii]12.81 μm ratios. This includes the possibility that some of the most massive stars in the nuclei are still embedded in ultracompact H ii regions. In a large fraction of our sample, the 11.3 μm PAH emission appears more extended than the dust 5.5 μm continuum emission. We find a dependency of the 11.3 μm PAH/7.7 μm PAH and [Ne ii]12.81 μm/11.3 μm PAH ratios with the age of the stellar populations. Smaller and larger ratios, respectively, indicate recent star formation. The estimated warm (300 K <T< 1000 K) molecular hydrogen masses are of the order of 108 M☉, which are similar to those found in ULIRGs, local starbursts, and Seyfert galaxies. Finally we find that the [Ne ii]12.81 μm velocity fields for most of the LIRGs in our sample are compatible with a rotating disk at ∼kpc scales, and they are in a good agreement with Hα velocity fields.
Morphometrics Thinning Thickening Swelling Fractures

Revealing latent structure in data is an active field of research, having brought exciting new models such as variational autoencoders and generative adversarial networks, and is essential to push machine learning towards unsupervised knowledge discovery. However, a major challenge is the lack of suitable benchmarks for an objective and quantitative evaluation of learned representations. To address this issue we introduce Morpho-MNIST. We extend the popular MNIST dataset by adding a morphometric analysis enabling quantitative comparison of different models, identification of the roles of latent variables, and characterisation of sample diversity. We further propose a set of quantifiable perturbations to assess the performance of unsupervised and supervised methods on challenging tasks such as outlier detection and domain adaptation.
Entropy-Penalized Semidefinite Programming

Low-rank methods for semi-definite programming (SDP) have gained a lot of interest recently, especially in machine learning applications. Their analysis often involves determinant-based or Schatten-norm penalties, which are difficult to implement in practice due to high computational efforts. In this paper, we propose Entropy-Penalized Semi-Definite Programming (EP-SDP), which provides a unified framework for a broad class of penalty functions used in practice to promote a low-rank solution. We show that EP-SDP problems admit an efficient numerical algorithm, having (almost) linear time complexity of the gradient computation; this makes it useful for many machine learning and optimization problems. We illustrate the practical efficiency of our approach on several combinatorial optimization and machine learning problems.
Qualidade da educação superior e a tensão entre democratização e internacionalização na universidade brasileira

O texto decorre de uma investigacao que toma a democratizacao e a internacionalizacao como dois referentes da qualidade da educacao brasileira. A primeira aponta para a inclusao de uma populacao estudantil de primeira geracao, em que muitos dos seus integrantes trabalham e estudam, sao provenientes de camadas medias da populacao e, em alguns casos, ingressam atraves de cotas etnicas ou cotas de escolas publicas, distantes dos padroes anteriores da meritocracia. A outra parece apontar para exigencias meritocraticas, envolvendo carreiras de complexidade mais alta, trajetorias estudantis com maiores oportunidades culturais incluindo o dominio de idiomas e disponibilidade de condicoes para afastar-se do trabalho, entre outras condicoes. Explorando contribuicoes de autores que tem se dedicado a explorar o impacto dos dois vetores na educacao superior, o texto defende uma democratizacao na perspectiva cultural e epistemologica que mediara o avanco da internacionalizacao, quando esta estiver preocupada em favorecer o processo de acumulacao de capital de atores hegemonicos. Aposta, tambem, na importância de uma globalizacao que se identifica com o trabalho solidario e nos movimentos defensores das identidades culturais que dialogam com os referentes globais. Essa sera uma possibilidade de se constituir numa conquista de sistemas educacionais mais justos e numa sociedade mais igualitaria.
Tundra environments in the Neogene Sirius Group, Antarctica: evidence from the geological record and coupled atmosphere–vegetation models

The Neogene Meyer Desert Formation, Sirius Group, at Oliver Bluffs in the Transantarctic Mountains, contains a sequence of glacial deposits formed under a wet-based glacial regime. Within this sequence fluvial deposits have yielded fossil plants that, along with evidence from fossil insects, invertebrates and palaeosols, indicate the existence of tundra conditions at 85°S during the Neogene. Mean annual temperatures of c. −12 °C are estimated, with short summer seasons with temperatures up to +5 °C. The current published date for this formation is Pliocene, although this is hotly debated. Reconstructions produced by the TRIFFID and BIOME 4 vegetation models, utilizing a Pliocene climatology derived from the HadAM3 General Circulation Model (running with prescribed boundary conditions from the US Geological Survey PRISM2 dataset), also predict tundra-type vegetation in Antarctica. The consistency of the model outputs with geological evidence demonstrates that a Pliocene age for the Meyer Desert Formation is consistent with proxy environmental reconstructions and numerical model reconstructions for the mid-Pliocene. If so, the East Antarctic Ice Sheet has behaved in a dynamic manner in the recent geological past.