Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment effect identification using alternative parallel assumptions

The core assumption to identify the treatment effect in difference-in-differences estimators is the so-called Parallel Paths assumption, namely that the average change in outcome for the treated in the absence of treatment equals the average change in outcome for the non-treated. We define a family of alternative Parallel assumptions and show for a number of frequently used empirical specifications which parameters of the model identify the treatment effect under the alternative Parallel assumptions. We further propose a fully flexible model which has two desirable features not present in the usual econometric specifications implemented in applied research. First, it allows for flexible dynamics and for testing restrictions on these dynamics. Second, it does not impose equivalence between alternative Parallel assumptions. We illustrate the usefulness of our approach by revising the results of several recent papers in which the difference-in-differences technique has been applied.The core assumption to identify the treatment effect in difference-in-differences estimators is the so-called Parallel Paths assumption, namely that the average change in outcome for the treated in the absence of treatment equals the average change in outcome for the non-treated. We define a family of alternative Parallel assumptions and show for a number of frequently used empirical specifications which parameters of the model identify the treatment effect under the alternative Parallel assumptions. We further propose a fully flexible model which has two desirable features not present in the usual econometric specifications implemented in applied research. First, it allows for flexible dynamics and for testing restrictions on these dynamics. Second, it does not impose equivalence between alternative Parallel assumptions. We illustrate the usefulness of our approach by revising the results of several recent papers in which the difference-in-differences technique has been applied
Influence of Supplementation with Liquid DL-Methionine Hydroxy Analogue-Free Acid (Alimet) or DL-Methionine on Performance of Broilers

SUMMARY The influence of graded equimolar additions of DL-methionine and DL-methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid to a wheat-soybean diet deficient in methionine was determined under commercial conditions with straight-run broiler chicks from 1 to 33 d of age. The graded addition of DL-methionine and DL-methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid caused a statistically significant increase in all observed parameters. Within the dosage levels, no statistically significant differences between the methionine products were observed.
Under Children's Eyes: Becoming Pious in Tayeb Salih and Pramoedya Ananta Toer Short Stories

This research seeks to discuss how child characters navigate their interactions with the adults in two short stories set in the predominantly Islamic society of Sudan and Indonesia. It examines Tayeb Salih’s “A Handful of Dates” (1964) and Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s “Circumcision” (1950) by locating both texts in World Literature which is largely Western or Eurocentric. Both short stories belong to the genre of initiation fiction often included in world literature anthologies. This paper argues that both authors help contribute to not only the rethinking of World Literature concept and circulation thereof, but also balanced view of heterogonous, multicultural Muslim society. Using post-Genette focalization theory as conceptual framework, this study finds out that the child narrators play distinct roles as (1) the perceptual focalizer to reveal injustice and frivolity of the adults’ world; (2) the ideological focalizer to make meaning of children’s faith through their relationship with the grown-ups. [Penelitian ini bertujuan membahas bagaimana tokoh anak berinteraksi dengan orang-orang dewasa dalam dua cerita pendek dari negara berpenduduk mayoritas Islam, Sudan dan Indonesia. Karya Tayeb Shalih, "A Handful of Dates"[Segenggam Kurma] (1964) dan karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer "Sunat" (1950) dikaji dengan menempatkan kedua teks dalam Sastra Dunia yang cenderung berkiblat ke dunia Barat dan Eropa. Kedua cerita pendek bergenre fiksi inisiasi ini sering diikutkan dalam antologi sastra dunia. Makalah ini menunjukkan bahwa kedua penulis memberikan kontribusi dalam penafsiran ulang konsep dan peredaran Sastra Dunia, serta pandangan yang lebih seimbang terhadap masyarakat Muslim yang heterogen dan multikultural. Menggunakan Teori Fokalisasi Pasca-Genette sebagai kerangka konseptual, studi ini menyimpulkan bahwa tokoh anak dalam kedua cerpen memainkan peran yang berbeda sebagai (1) focalizer (penyuara) perseptif yang mengungkapkan ketidakadilan dan kedegilan dunia orang dewasa; (2) penyuara ideologis yang memaknai keimanan anak lewat relasi dengan orang-orang dewasa. ]
Business Cycle Moderation - Good Policies or Good Luck: Evidence and Explanations for the Euro Area

Economic fluctuations in most of the industrialised world have for over the past 30 years been characterised by declining volatility. This decline has also been a trait witnessed for output fluctuations in the Euro Area. This paper has two objectives. The first is to provide a comprehensive characterisation of the decline in volatility using a large number of Euro area economic time series and a variety of methods designed to describe the time-varying time series processes. The second objective is to provide new evidence on the quantitative importance of various explanations for this ‘great moderation’. This paper focuses on the central elements in the literature contending why real output growth has stabilised. Such factors include shifts in the structure of the economy, improved policies, and a ‘good luck’ factor. Further, this paper goes on to investigate whether cross-country linkages in growth have shifted, perhaps in a way that can help rationalise the stabilisation in output. Taken together, the moderation in volatility is attributable to a combination of improved policy (around 5 - 30 percent) and identifiable forms of good luck that manifest themselves as smaller reduced-form forecast errors (40 percent).
Chemical composition and seasonal changes in the fatty acid profile of Uruguayan “ Colonia ” Cheeses

D. Hirigoyen, R. de los Santos, M.F. Calvo, A. González-Revello and M. Constantin Dpto. de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Leche. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de la República. Lasplaces 1550. 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA). La Estanzuela, Ruta 50 Km 11. Colonia, Uruguay. Cooperativa Laboratorio Veterinario de Colonia (COLAVECO). Parque El Retiro, Nueva Helvecia. Colonia, Uruguay.
Origin of Dissolve Ions in Groundwaters in the Northern Densu River Basin of Ghana Using Stable Isotopes of 18O and 2H

Stable isotopes of oxygen-18 and deuterium content in groundwater, surface water and rainfall in the northern part of the Densu river basin were studied with the main aim of identifying the origin and sources of ions in the groundwater in the area. The conversion of stable isotopes to d-excess was also exploited as a complementary tool to understand the processes of recharge. A comparison of the isotopic data with the rainfall, Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL) and Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL) indicates that the groundwater in the study area is mainly meteoric with few groundwater and all the surface water showing an evidence of evaporation. The study has also shown that, mineral dissolution from the geology is the main factor controlling the chemistry of the groundwater with evaporation having a minimal effect. The d-excess values show that the groundwater has undergone dilution with the rainfall and this is observed from the decrease of the d-excess of the groundwater with increase in Oxygen-18. This observation also suggests a modern day recharge to the groundwater.
Conversations among Black staff members at a historically White Afrikaans university campus on issues of race, social justice and reconciliation

In an ethnographically designed study, guided by a critical community psychology framework, Black staff members at a historically White Afrikaans university campus conducted email conversations relating to issues of race, social justice and reconciliation. The conversations were initiated by the author (Black) who mainly used prompts found in the local institutional context to elicit responses from colleagues. A critical discourse approach to thematic analysis of the email conversations was followed. The main findings are: Compared to the potential number of respondents (32 Black staff members or 18% of all faculty staff), very few colleagues (9 or 28% of Black staff members) responded via email to the invitations but, when met in person, all expressed strong views on the topics or prompts used in the initialising emails. The critical discourse approach revealed clear psychopolitical awareness and strong discourses of fear, powerlessness and bitterness, as well as a discourse of non-engagement. These discourses appeared in all three domains of analysis: local, institutional and societal. Theoretical explication is sought mainly in resistance theory for the discourse of non-engagement and the scarcity of responses located in the local domain. Transformative resistance is suggested so that alternative discourses are inculcated, at least, in faculties of education at some historically White Afrikaans university campuses.
Statistical Optimization of Medium Compositions for High Cell Mass and Exopolysaccharide Production by Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014

Background and Objective: Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 is known as a good producer of water soluble exopolysaccharide. Therefore, the aim of this study is to optimize the medium composition concurrently for high cell mass and exopolysaccharide production by Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014. Since both are useful for food and pharmaceutical application and where most studies typically focus on one outcome only, the optimization process was carried out by using molasses as cheaper carbon source. Material and Methods: The main medium component which is known significantly give high effect on the cell mass and EPS production was selected as variables and statistically optimized based on Box-Behnken design in shake flask levels. The optimal medium for cell mass and exopolysaccharide production was composed of (in g l -1 ): molasses, 40; yeast extract, 16.8; phosphate, 2.72; sodium acetate, 3.98. The model was found to be significant and subsequently validated through the growth kinetics studies in un-optimized and optimized medium in the shake flask cultivation. Results and Conclusion: The maximum cell mass and exopolysaccharide in the new optimized medium was 4.40 g l -1 and 4.37 g l -1 respectively after 44 h of the cultivation. As a result, cell mass and exopolysaccharide production increased up to 4.5 and 16.5 times respectively, and the maximal exopolysaccharide yield of 1.19 per gram of cells was obtained when molasses was used as the carbon source. In conclusion, molasses has the potential to be a cheap carbon source for the cultivation of Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 concurrently for high cell mass and exopolysaccharide production. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Negative Quasi-Probability in the Context of Quantum Computation

This thesis deals with the question of what resources are necessary and sufficient for quantum computational speedup. In particular, we study what resources are required to promote fault tolerant stabilizer computation to universal quantum computation. In this context we discover a remarkable connection between the possibility of quantum computational speedup and negativity in the discrete Wigner function, which is a particular distinguished quasi-probability representation for quantum theory. This connection allows us to establish a number of important results related to magic state computation, an important model for fault tolerant quantum computation using stabilizer operations supplemented by the ability to prepare noisy non-stabilizer ancilla states. In particular, we resolve in the negative the open problem of whether every non-stabilizer resource suffices to promote computation with stabilizer operations to universal quantum computation. Moreover, by casting magic state computation as resource theory we are able to quantify how useful ancilla resource states are for quantum computation, which allows us to give bounds on the required resources. In this context we discover that the sum of the negative entries of the discrete Wigner representation of a state is a measure of its usefulness for quantum computation. This gives a precise, quantitative meaning to the negativity of a quasi-probability representation, thereby resolving the 80 year debate as to whether this quantity is a meaningful indicator of quantum behaviour. We believe that the techniques we develop here will be widely applicable in quantum theory, particularly in the context of resource theories.
Who Are Better Informed Before Analysts’ Forecast Changes?

Using Korean data, we investigate information asymmetry among investors before analysts change their stock recommendations. By comparing trading activities between individuals, institutions, and foreign investors, we find that there is information asymmetry before analysts change their recommendations. Institutional investors buy/sell the stock before recommendation upgrades/downgrades, but individuals and foreign investors do not anticipate the upcoming news. We also document that the trade imbalance of institutional investors are associated with stock returns upon the announcements of recommendation changes. This result indicates that institutions take advantage of their superior information around the recommendation changes.
Effect of the TNF α-308 polymorphism on birth outcomes among South African women

The −308 G/A promoter polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α) gene has been extensively studied as a potential biomarker for pregnancy outcomes, but results tend to be population specific. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the TNF α-308 polymorphism with preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) in a cohort of South African women enrolled in a prospective pregnancy study. The Mother and Child Environmental cohort (MACE) pilot study was done in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal during 2010-2011 with 100 pregnant women recruited. Demographic, exposure and prenatal clinical data was collected during the third trimester, maternal and infant hospital records at delivery were reviewed. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the TNF-α -308 genotype. Plasma TNF-α concentration was measured using the human TNF-α Max Standard™ ELISA kit (Bio-legend). The polymorphic TNF-α GA+AA genotype was found among 35% of mothers. Mean birth weight was significantly lower among mothers with the TNF-α AG+AA genotype (p<0.05). Mothers who delivered LBW infants (<2500g) showed a significantly higher mean TNF- α level compared to mothers with normal birth weight deliveries. In addition, mothers with the TNF-α AG+AA genotype had a statistically significant drop in birth weight (β= -273.6; SE105.8; CI: -0.9,-1.35). While the TNF-α A allele was not associated with PTB, it was significantly associated with low birth weight in this study. Early identification of such immunological biomarkers may facilitate prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Splenic Preservation after Laparoscopic Left Pancreatectomy is associated with Less Postoperative Major Complications. An Analysis of 115 Consecutive Patients

Introduction Laparoscopic left pancreatectomy is progressively becoming the new gold standard procedure for the surgical treatment of left pancreatic disorders. However, as open pancreatic surgery, laparoscopic left pancreatectomy patients may present postoperative complications that could impair outcomes. Our aim was to identify preoperative or intraoperative risk factors for major postoperative complications. Patients and methods This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of 115 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic left pancreatectomy. Surgical procedures performed were laparoscopic left splenopancreatectomy, left pancreatectomy with splenic vessels preservation and left pancreatectomy without splenic vessels preservation (Warshaw’s technique, LLP-WT). 60-day major postoperative complications were classified according to the Dindo-Clavien classification, reviewed and analyzed. Results Out of the 115 patients, 51 (44.3%) underwent LLSP, 25 (21.8%) LLP-SVP and 39 (33.9%) LLP-WT. Major postoperative complications occurred in 15 (13%) patients. Univariate analysis idenfied LLSP as the most important risk factor for major complications (22% vs. 6%, p=0.024). Multivariate analysis identified LLSP as an independent risk of postoperative major complications (p=0.019, HR (95% CI): 4.617 (1.292-16.497)). Conclusions Although splenectomy during laparoscopic left pancreatectomy is necessary in some cases, spleen must be preserved whenever possible, since splenectomy might be associated with a higher risk of major postoperative complications.
Rainstorms able to induce flash floods in a Mediterranean-climate region (Calabria, southern Italy)

Abstract. Heavy rainstorms often induce flash flooding, one of the natural disasters most responsible for damage to man-made infrastructures and loss of lives, also adversely affecting the opportunities for socio-economic development of Mediterranean countries. The frequently dramatic damage of flash floods are often detected, with sufficient accuracy, by post-event surveys, but rainfall causing them are still only roughly characterized. With the aim of improving the understanding of the temporal structure and spatial distribution of heavy rainstorms in the Mediterranean context, a statistical analysis was carried out in Calabria (southern Italy) concerning rainstorms that mainly induced flash floods, but also shallow landslides and debris flows. Thus, a method is proposed – based on the overcoming of heuristically predetermined threshold values of cumulated rainfall, maximum intensity, and kinetic energy of the rainfall event – to select and characterize the rainstorms able to induce flash floods in the Mediterranean-climate countries. Therefore, the obtained (heavy) rainstorms were automatically classified and studied according to their structure in time, localization, and extension. Rainfall-runoff watershed models can consequently benefit from the enhanced identification of design storms, with a realistic time structure integrated with the results of the spatial analysis. A survey of flash flood events recorded in the last decades provides a preliminary validation of the method proposed to identify the heavy rainstorms and synthetically describe their characteristics. The notable size of the employed sample, including data with a very detailed resolution in time that relate to several rain gauges well-distributed throughout the region, gives robustness to the obtained results.
EVALUATION OF TERATOGENICITY EFFECTS OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF BINAHONG LEAVES (ANREDERA CORDIFOLIA (TEN) STEENIS) IN WISTAR RAT

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate teratogenicity effect of ethanolic extract of binahong ( Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) leaves in Wistar rats. Methods : The teratogenicity test were done in 5 groups of rat i. e. control group, trimethoprim at a dose of 360 mg/kg bw, ethanolic extract of binahong at doses of 100, 400, and 1000 mg/kg bw. Test substance was given orally on day 6 to day 15 of rats pregnancy. At day 20 of gestation, laparoctomy was performed to retrieve the fetuses. Evaluation was done towards the fetus skeletal, organ and fetal weight. Results: Teratogenicity test results showed that there was the ungrowth fetus observed in all groups with the highest incident in trimethoprim group (39.5%). Average of fetus body weight of trimethoprim, control, binahong extract at doses of 100, 400 and 1000 mg/kg bw group was 2.32 ± 0.66 g, 3.58 ± 0.24 g, 3.64 ± 0.26 g, 3.67 ± 0.25 g and 3.93 ± 0.61 g, respectively. Skeletal evaluation showed that there was malformation of sacral vertebrae (65.2%), convulated costal stucture (82.6%), palate (33.3%), head cavity (88.9%), nasal cavity (5.6%), eye cavity (5.6%), ear (5.6%) and liver (43.1%) which were observed only in trimethoprim group. Conclusion : Ethanolic extract of binahong at doses of 100, 400 and 1000 mg/kg bw in rat did not have the teratogenic effect.
The Influence of Auditor’s Personality Types, Experience, Ethics, and Gender on Fraud Detection Capability: Study of Big Four Public Accounting Firm in Indonesia

This study aims to examine individual factors such as auditor’s personality types, experience, ethics, and gender which influence auditor’s fraud detection capability through mediation effect of auditor’s professional skepticism. This study uses Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Theory of Psychological Types, and Selectivity Hypothesis. The research was conducted using survey method in collecting data from samples of permanent auditors who work at Big Four Public Accounting Firm in Indonesia. The sample size is 99 respondents. This study uses Partial Least Square (PLS) for data analyses. The result of this study is that auditors with ST (Sensing-Thinking) and NT (Intuitive-Thinking) personality types are found to have higher fraud detection capability than auditors with other personality types, but professional skepticism does not mediate the relationship. Auditor’s ethics positively influences fraud detection capability directly and through professional skepticism. Auditor’s experience and gender do not influence auditor’s fraud detection capability either directly and through professional skepticism. The implication of this study is that TPB and Theory of Psychological Types are able to explain the differences in individual’s behavior, and it is important for auditors to continuously exhibit professional skepticism and have ethical perception which favor Professional Codes of Ethics in order to be better in detecting fraud.
Natural Convection in a Porous Cavity with Sinusoidal Heating on Both Sidewalls

A numerical study has been performed on buoyancy-induced convection in a square porous cavity. The vertical sidewalls of the cavity are maintained with sinusoidal temperature distribution. The finite volume method is used to numerically solve the nondimensional governing equations. The Brinkman Forchheimer extended Darcy model is used in the present study. The results are analyzed over a range of the amplitude ratio, phase deviation, porosity, and Grashof and Darcy numbers. It is found that the heat transfer rate is increased when increasing the amplitude ratio, porosity, and Darcy number. The nonuniform heating on both sidewalls provides higher heat transfer rate than the nonuniform heating of one wall.
Timing of Millisecond Pulsars in NGC 6752. II. Proper Motions of the Pulsars in the Cluster Outskirts

Exploiting a 5 year span of data, we present improved timing solutions for the five millisecond pulsars known in the globular cluster NGC 6752. These include proper-motion determinations for the two outermost pulsars in the cluster, PSR J1910-5959A and PSR J1910-5959C. The values of the proper motions are in agreement with each other within current uncertainties, but they do not match (at the 4 σ and 2 σ levels, respectively) the value of the proper motion of the entire globular cluster derived in the optical band. The implications of these results for the cluster membership of the two pulsars are investigated. Prospects for the detection of the Shapiro delay in the binary system J1910-5959A are also discussed.