Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
L/M cone ratios as a function of retinal eccentricity

Heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) was employed to estimate how the human long-wave sensitive (L) to middle-wave sensitive (M) cone ratio varies with retinal location in five color-normal males. Measurements were made at 0°, 25°, and 40° in the temporal retina. The HFP spectral sensitivities were fitted with a linear combination of L and M cone sensitivity functions derived from the Stockman and Sharpe1 cone fundamentals, according to genotype. For the white (6500 K, 3 log Td) adapting field conditions, the deduced L/M cone ratios of each subject were nearly constant at all measured eccentricities, with individual values ranging from 0.9:1 to 3.4:1. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 26, S128–S132, 2001
Semi-Implicit Euler Digital Implementation of Conditioned Super-Twisting Algorithm With Actuation Saturation

The standard super-twisting algorithm (STA) suffers from the windup problem when the actuator of the underlying controlled system is saturated. In the literature, an extension of the standard STA called conditioned STA was proposed to eliminate the windup effect through the feedback of the saturated control action. However, with the standard STA, the digital realizations of the conditioned STA with explicit Euler methods are prone to result in chattering and zigzag oscillations, which degenerate the control performance when the gains of STA are large or the sampling time-step increases. This article proposes a semi-implicit Euler realization for the conditioned STA to avoid these problems. The control accuracy and robustness of the proposed algorithm are analyzed in a discrete-time manner and it shows the proposed realization algorithm is consistent with the standard STA in terms of control accuracy. In addition, the proposed implementation method does not increase the magnitudes of numerical chattering when the gains of conditioned STA are overestimated and when the sampling time-step is large. The advantages of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated numerically with comparisons with other STA realization schemes through simulations and experiments with a platform of linear motor systems with saturated actuation.
Determinants Of Individual Taxpayer Compliance: Motivation, Level Of Education, And Tax Sanctions

This study aims to analyze the influence of taxpayer motivation, level of education, and tax sanctions on tax compliance for individual taxpayers in West Surabaya. The t test is used as an analytical method. The unit of analysis in this study is individual taxpayers domiciled in West Surabaya, consisting of 100 respondents. The results of the study show that the motivation of taxpayers, education level, and tax sanctions have an influence on taxpayer compliance in West Surabaya. The implications of this research can be useful for the Directorate General of Taxes, which can be used as input for future decision-making regarding tax policy for individual taxpayers in West Surabaya.
A Case Report of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) After Administration of the COVID-19 Vaccine

Since the issuance of the emergency use authorization (EUA) of 3 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, there have been over 180 million individuals fully vaccinated in the United States (US). With the increasing administration of COVID-19 vaccinations, there have been over 550,000 adverse events reported in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) with approximately 230,000 experienced after receipt of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine as of September 23rd 2021. Audio-vestibular symptoms (including Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)) secondary to immunizations has previously been evaluated. However, this report describes the first case of bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss potentially due to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. We further review the available literature regarding the treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, and the association of SSNHL with previous immunizations and COVID-19 infection. Lastly, we hypothesize the underlying potential mechanisms between SSNHL and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Nutrient digestibility and physiological implication of feed withdrawal periods and ascorbic acid supplementation in growing pigs under tropical environment

A study was conducted to evaluate nutrient digestibility and physiological impact of feed withdrawal periods and ascorbic acid supplementation in pigs reared in tropics. Unsexed, 8 weeks old mixed breed pigs (54) with mean body weight of 5. 5Â±0.2 kg were arranged in a 3Ã—3 factorial layout. The pigs were grouped on weight equalization into 9 treatments of 3 replicates with 2 pigs per replicate. Vital signs data were obtained on weekly basis. Three pigs from each treatment group were selected at tenth week and arranged in clean disinfected metabolic cages for a 7 day adaptation and a 5 day quantification of feed intake and faecal output. Faeces collected were dried in a forced air cabinet and analysed for proximate composition. About 5 ml blood sample was collected, 2.5 ml each was placed in EDTA and sterile bottles for haematological and biochemical indices evaluation. Data obtained were subjected to a 2-way analysis of variance. The feed withdrawal period had no impact on nutrient digestibility. Ascorbic acid supplementation significantly influenced excreted faeces, faecal dry matter output, dry matter and ash digestibility. Neutrophils increased with increasing period of feed withdrawal while lymphocytes decreased significantly with increasing period of feed withdrawal. Feed withdrawal period and ascorbic acid supplementation had no influence on serum biochemical parameters. It can be concluded that feed withdrawal periods influenced neutrophil, lymphocyte and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio whereas ascorbic acid enhanced nutrient digestibility of pigs but had no impact on vital signs and blood indices.
Developing An Intercultural Competence Instrument In Foreign Language Teaching Context: A Study Of Chinese Students Of Spanish As A Foreign Language

The present study aims to develop an intercultural competence (IC) instrument for Chinese students of Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL). In order to do so, we took steps to modify the statements and confirm the validity of the IC instrument. The new instrument was validated by using exploratory factor analysis through a self-report methodology. The results showed that the instrument possessed adequate validity and reliability. The 28-item scale identified seven personal traits for the development of intercultural competence: attentiveness and willingness to interact; respect for cultural differences; interaction confidence; interaction enjoyment; non-verbal communication and behavior; cultural elements; and non-verbal aspects in verbal communication. The internal consistency of the scale was found to be adequate. Therefore, the newly constructed scale is valid and reliable for use in Chinese cultural settings.
Seasonal-to-decadal predictions with the ensemble Kalman filter and the Norwegian Earth System Model: a twin experiment

Here, we firstly demonstrate the potential of an advanced flow dependent data assimilation method for performing seasonal-to-decadal prediction and secondly, reassess the use of sea surface temperature (SST) for initialisation of these forecasts. We use the Norwegian Climate Prediction Model (NorCPM), which is based on the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM) and uses the deterministic ensemble Kalman filter to assimilate observations. NorESM is a fully coupled system based on the Community Earth System Model version 1, which includes an ocean, an atmosphere, a sea ice and a land model. A numerically efficient coarse resolution version of NorESM is used. We employ a twin experiment methodology to provide an upper estimate of predictability in our model framework (i.e. without considering model bias) of NorCPM that assimilates synthetic monthly SST data (EnKF-SST). The accuracy of EnKF-SST is compared to an unconstrained ensemble run (FREE) and ensemble predictions made with near perfect (i.e. microscopic SST perturbation) initial conditions (PERFECT). We perform 10 cycles, each consisting of a 10-yr assimilation phase, followed by a 10-yr prediction. The results indicate that EnKF-SST improves sea level, ice concentration, 2 m atmospheric temperature, precipitation and 3-D hydrography compared to FREE. Improvements for the hydrography are largest near the surface and are retained for longer periods at depth. Benefits in salinity are retained for longer periods compared to temperature. Near-surface improvements are largest in the tropics, while improvements at intermediate depths are found in regions of large-scale currents, regions of deep convection, and at the Mediterranean Sea outflow. However, the benefits are often small compared to PERFECT, in particular, at depth suggesting that more observations should be assimilated in addition to SST. The EnKF-SST system is also tested for standard ocean circulation indices and demonstrates decadal predictability for Atlantic overturning and sub-polar gyre circulations, and heat content in the Nordic Seas. The system beats persistence forecast and shows skill for heat content in the Nordic Seas that is close to PERFECT.
Dynamics of coarse grained dislocation densities from an effective free energy

A continuum description of the time evolution of an ensemble of parallel straight dislocations has recently been derived from the equations of motion of individual dislocations. The predictions of the continuum model were compared to the results of discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) simulations for several different boundary conditions. It was found that it is able to reproduce all the features of the dislocation ensembles obtained by DDD simulations. The continuum model, however, is systematically established only for single slip. Due to the complicated structure of the equations extending the derivation procedure for multiple slip is not straightforward. In this paper an alternative approach based on a thermodynamics-like principle is proposed to derive continuum equations for single slip. An effective free energy is introduced even for zero physical temperature, which yields equilibrium conditions giving rise to Debye-like screening; furthermore, it generates dynamical equations along the lines of phase field theory. It is shown that this leads essentially to the same evolution equations as obtained earlier. In addition, it seems that this framework is extendable to multiple slip as well.
REPEATED LOW-DENSITY BURST ERROR DETECTING CODES

Abstract. The paper deals with repeated low-density burst error de-tecting codes with a speci ed weight or less. Linear codes capable of de-tecting such errors have been studied. Further codes capable of correctingand simultaneously detecting such errors have also been dealt with. Thepaper obtains lower and upper bounds on the number of parity-checkdigits required for such codes. An example of such a code has also beenprovided. 1. IntroductionOne of the most important aspects in Coding Theory has been the detectionand correction of errors. Various kinds of errors have been dealt with for whichcodes have been developed to detect and/or correct such errors. Hamming[8] made the beginning with the detection and correction of random errors.Considering the fact that in many communication channels the likelihood of theoccurrence of errors is more in adjacent digits rather than their occurrence in arandom manner, Abramson [1] developed codes which dealt with the correctionof single and double adjacent errors. A more general concept of clustered errorscalled ‘burst errors’ was given by Fire [7]. A burst of length
Value-Added Analysis: A Dynamic Approach to the Estimation of Treatment Effects

Randomized experiments are rarely feasible in large-scale educational and social evaluations. Most evaluations are observational studies in which the investigators have very limited control over the assignment of individuals to treatments. Since the effect of an intervention becomes confounded with those of other influences, clear causal inferences are very difficult to obtain. A number of statistical “adjustment” strategies have been suggested in an attempt to remove the bias attributable to these confounding factors. These techniques are based on a static model in which the outcome is a relatively simple function of various inputs, one of which is the treatment. In educational studies, one of the principal “inputs” is generally a measure of the outcome variable prior to the program. Statistical adjustments are based primarily on the observed relationship between these pretest scores and the posttest scores measured after the intervention. An alternative analysis approach is presented in this paper. It focuses explicitly on the fact that an educational treatment typically involves an intervention in a growth process. By modelling this process, it may be possible to estimate expected growth for various treatment groups under “control” conditions. Actual growth can be compared with projected growth to estimate thevalue-added by the program. A very simple model is developed here as a first step toward implementing this approach. The model is applied to a set of data taken from the Head Start Planned Variation Study. The results are compared with a parallel analysis using the analysis of covariance. Discrepancies between the results of the two analyses are examined, and it is suggested that the value-added results are more accurate in this instance.
Origins and cavity-based regulation of optical anisotropy of α-MoO3 crystal

Orthogonal α-MoO3 is one of the most common and air-stable compounds of molybdenum, holding the merits of wide bandgap, van der Waals (vdW) structure, biaxial symmetry and recently discovered hyperbolic topological transitions, which has drawn significant attention in developing novel nanophotonic and optoelectronic devices. Herein the broadband optical anisotropy, one of the most fundamental physical characteristics of α-MoO3 crystal, was systematically investigated using a combination of spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) and reflectance difference spectroscopy (RDS). The centimeter-level high-quality α-MoO3 crystal was grown by modified physical vapor deposition. The optical refractive indices along three crystalline axes were precisely determined by SE in the broad spectral range (400–1600 nm), and then the in-plane and out-plane birefringence was analyzed. Both the intrinsic and resonant cavity modulated optical anisotropy of α-MoO3 was studied by polarization-resolved RDS, from which we find the physical origins of linear dichroism are dominated by electronical transitions along the c-axis. Furthermore, the external photonic cavity of SiO2 enables enhanced sensitivity to view electronical transitions and a high modulation ratio of optical anisotropy reached 30, which provides new opportunities to tune optical anisotropy for polarized photonic devices. Our results can help understand the physical origin of the highly optical anisotropy of α-MoO3 and establish an effective metrological tool to study other types of vdW crystals.
Infrared-active phonons of LaMnO 3 and CaMnO 3

The infrared absorption spectra of polycrystalline ${\mathrm{LaMnO}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{CaMnO}}_{3}$ measured in the frequency range of the transverse optical phonons are reported, discussed, and compared with calculations of the lattice dynamics. For ${\mathrm{LaMnO}}_{3}$ the measured spectrum is consistent with the expected orthorhombic structure. For ${\mathrm{CaMnO}}_{3}$ the spectrum reflects a symmetry lower than that of a cubic perovskite. We find a close correspondence between the spectra of the two materials which suggests a similarity in their structures.
Comparison of four tonometers in the measurement of intraocular pressure in healthy horses.

BACKGROUND Measurement of the intraocular pressure (IOP) is a useful diagnostic tool in equine ophthalmology. Handheld tonometers, such as Tonovet and Tonovet Plus (rebound), Tono-Pen AVIA Vet (applanation), and Kowa HA-2 (applanation using the Goldmann methodology) are used to obtain IOP measurements in veterinary medicine. OBJECTIVES To compare and evaluate the accuracy of four handheld tonometers in measuring IOP using different methodologies in healthy horses. STUDY DESIGN In vivo experiment and cross-sectional survey of healthy horses. METHODS Intraocular pressure was measured in 72 eyes of 36 horses. An in vivo study was conducted on sedated horses to compare the real IOP values obtained using manometry versus those obtained using tonometry, and a field study was conducted on unsedated healthy horses with normal eyes to measure the IOP values using different tonometers. RESULTS In the in vivo study, the mean IOP values using ocular manometry was 24.9±4.0 mmHg (range, 20.0-30.0 mmHg). The mean IOP values using tonometry were: Tonovet, 25.7±5.8 mmHg (range 19.5-33.0 mmHg); Tonovet Plus, 24.8±7.1 mmHg (range 13.2-33.2 mmHg); Tono Pen AVIA Vet, 19.2±4.7 mmHg (range 13.1-26.5 mmHg); and Kowa Ha-2, 24.1±1.2 mmHg (range 22.8-25.8 mmHg). In the field study, the IOP values were: Tonovet, 30.7±5.6 mmHg (range 21.7-38.0 mmHg); Tonovet Plus, 29.6±6.7 mmHg (range 16.2-38.6 mmHg); Tono-Pen AVIA Vet, 27.3±5.8 mmHg (range 14.6-37.1 mmHg); and Kowa HA-2, 23.4±2.2 mmHg (range 20.2-28.7 mmHg). MAIN LIMITATIONS This study included only healthy horses and a limited number of animals in the in vivo study. CONCLUSIONS There was a strong correlation between the IOP values and manometry for all tonometers. IOP should be estimated using the same tonometer over time, and the bias of the tonometer used, such as overestimation (rebound tonometer) and underestimation (applanation tonometer), should be acknowledged. A normal reference value for each tonometer should be established in horses.
Time-resolved study of laser-induced breakdown in dielectrics

We present the first femtosecond time-resolved study of the evolution of the laser-excited carrier density with the laser intensity, in various dielectrics of practical interest (SiO2, Al2O3, MgO) both above and below the breakdown threshold. These measurements demonstrate that the high electronic excitation responsible for optical breakdown in these solids is produced by multiphoton absorption by valence electrons, for pulses shorter than a few ps. No sign of electronic avalanche has been observed for such short pulses.
Dynamic Evolution of Avian RNA Virus Sensors: Repeated Loss of RIG-I and RIPLET

Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) are key RNA virus sensors belonging to the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) family. The activation of the RLR inflammasome leads to the establishment of antiviral state, mainly through interferon-mediated signaling. The evolutionary dynamics of RLRs has been studied mainly in mammals, where rare cases of RLR gene losses were described. By in silico screening of avian genomes, we previously described two independent disruptions of MDA5 in two bird orders. Here, we extend this analysis to approximately 150 avian genomes and report 16 independent evolutionary events of RIG-I inactivation. Interestingly, in almost all cases, these inactivations are coupled with genetic disruptions of RIPLET/RNF135, an ubiquitin ligase RIG-I regulator. Complete absence of any detectable RIG-I sequences is unique to several galliform species, including the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus). We further aimed to determine compensatory evolution of MDA5 in RIG-I-deficient species. While we were unable to show any specific global pattern of adaptive evolution in RIG-I-deficient species, in galliforms, the analyses of positive selection and surface charge distribution support the hypothesis of some compensatory evolution in MDA5 after RIG-I loss. This work highlights the dynamic nature of evolution in bird RNA virus sensors.
Effects of response format on speech intelligibility in noise: Results obtained from open‐set, closed‐set, and delayed response tasks

Many word recognition studies over the last 40 years have used forced‐choice closed‐set tasks, based on the assumption that closed‐set and open‐set tasks differ only in the level of chance performance. However, Sommers, Kirk, and Pisoni (1997) found that lexical competition and talker variability produce robust effects on performance only in open‐set tasks, suggesting fundamental differences in the task demands and processing strategies between open‐ and closed‐set tasks. In the present study, listeners were asked to recognize spoken words degraded by a bit‐flipping algorithm in three response formats: open‐set, closed‐set ‘‘before,’’ and closed‐set ‘‘after. ’’ In the closed‐set ‘‘before’’ condition, the six response alternatives were presented 1 s prior to the onset of the auditory signal. In the closed‐set ‘‘after’’ condition, the response alternatives were presented 1 s after the auditory signal. Results revealed significant effects of lexical competition and talker variability only in the open‐set task.
Structural phase transition of BaZrO3 under high pressure

We studied the phase transition behavior of cubic BaZrO3 perovskite by in situ high pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments up to 46.4 GPa at room temperature. The phase transition from cubic phase to tetragonal phase was observed in BaZrO3 for the first time, which takes place at 17.2 GPa. A bulk modulus 189 (26) GPa for cubic BaZrO3 is derived from the pressure–volume data. Upon decompression, the high pressure phase transforms into the initial cubic phase. It is suggested that the unstable phonon mode caused by the rotation of oxygen octahedra plays a crucial role in the high pressure phase transition behavior of BaZrO3.
Evolution by mean curvature flow in sub-Riemannian geometries:A stochastic approach

We study evolution by horizontal mean curvature flow in sub- Riemannian geometries by using stochastic approach to prove the existence of a generalized evolution in these spaces. In particular we show that the value function of suitable family of stochastic control problems solves in the viscosity sense the level set equation for the evolution by horizontal mean curvature flow.
The electronic structure of MoS2 and α-MoTe2 by photoelectron spectroscopy using line and synchrotron sources

Photoelectron spectroscopy studies have been conducted for UHV-cleaved single crystals of MoS2 and alpha -MoTe2. Angle-integrated studies have been conducted for a range of incident photon energies. For the variation of peak intensities with increasing photon energy the contributions from d-like and p-like bands have been separated. These variations can, to a first approximation, be understood in terms of the energy dependence of photoionisation cross sections from tightly bound initial states to plane wave final states. Angle-resolved photoemission studies were conducted at one value of the photon energy (21.2 eV). The observed angular variations of spectral intensities are discussed in terms of the symmetry of the initial state wave functions and possible multiple scattering effects. Two-dimensional band structures have been determined from the data, but in these materials agreement with calculated structures is not as good as for layered solids composed of lighter atoms.
Measurement of piezoelectric coefficients of lead zirconate titanate thin films by strain-monitoring pneumatic loading method

A method to simultaneously measure the longitudinal (d33) and transverse (d31) piezoelectric coefficients of a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin film was developed. This system was based on the pneumatic loading method but was modified to monitor the radial strain when a pressurized gas was introduced into the chamber. The results of the bulk piezoelectric material measured by this system coincided with that measured by both the Berlincourt method and the resonance method. The effective d33 and the real d31 of the PZT thin film fabricated by the sol-gel multiple coating method, and poled at 300 kV/cm were 125 and −60 pC/N, respectively. The real d33 estimated upon considering the constraints by the silicon substrate was 180 pC/N.