Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How to Make Causal Inferences with Time-Series Cross-Sectional Data *

Time-series cross-sectional (TSCS) data have played an increasingly important role in empirical political science research. e appeal of such repeatedmeasurements is obvious: TSCS data allow for more powerful estimation of causal effect by pooling across time periods. However, this can also lead to confusion regarding which causal questions can be answered and which methods can answer them. In this paper, we demonstrate that a weighting approach to causal inference can estimate a wide array of causal quantities of interest and that other, more commonly used approaches tend to perform poorly in the TSCS setting. We demonstrate these methods with an application to the relationship between democracy and war. *We are grateful to Neal Beck, Jake Bowers, Simo Goshev, and Cyrus Samii for helpful advice and feedback. Any remaining errors are our own. †Department of Political Science, University of Rochester, Harkness Hall, Rochester,  . web: http://www.mattblackwell. org email: m.blackwell@rochester.edu ‡Department of Government, Harvard University,  Cambridge St., Cambridge,   email: aglynn@gov.harvard. edu
and clinical interaction in frontline

This paper reports findings from a study of the practical experiences of junior diagnostic radiographers in the UK when managing patients with dementia. Extended semi-structured interviews with six participants (mean experience in diagnostic radiography = 3.5 years) were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings highlight that participants’ recurrently-cited lack of confidence around their knowledge of dementia, and regular treatment of the condition as a ‘generic’ thing in practice, had sometimes damaged clinical interaction, particularly when the participant was feeling institutional time pressures. Education for new professionals was seen as lacking in both quantity and context-relevance, with implications for professional confidence and ethical practice. Carers and family members were viewed by participants as potentially positive and negative forces within an examination context, and technological advances in radiography were taken to be clinically advantageous, but also actively detrimental to the effective interpersonal care of their patients.
Individual di ﬀ erences in higher-level cognitive abilities do not predict overcon ﬁ dence in complex task performance

Even when people perform tasks poorly, they often report unrealistically positive estimates of their own abilities in these situations. To better understand the origins of such overcon ﬁ dence, we investigated whether it could be predicted by individual di ﬀ erences in working memory, attentional control, and self-reported trait impulsivity. Overcon ﬁ dence was estimated by contrasting objective and subjective measures of situation awareness (the ability to perceive and understand task-relevant information in the environment), acquired during a challenging air tra ﬃ c control simulation. We found no signi ﬁ cant relationships between overcon ﬁ dence and either working memory or attentional control. However, increased impulsivity signi ﬁ cantly predicted greater overcon ﬁ dence. In addition, overall levels of overcon ﬁ dence were lower in our complex task than in previous studies that used less-complex lab-based tasks. Our results suggest that overcon ﬁ dence may not be linked to high-level cognitive abilities, but that dynamic tasks with frequent opportunities for performance feedback may reduce misconceptions about personal performance.
Conﬁguration of Logistics Activities across Life-Cycle of the Firms and Performance: Proposal of a Conceptual Model

In the last years, broad changes have contributed to the enhancement of the importance of the logistics as a source of competitive advantage, not just for increasing the satisfaction of the clients, but also for improving the performance of the firms. Nevertheless, the response functions of the firms to the referred changes are different according to the life-cycle stage that they face. The present paper aims to present a conceptual model that explores the connection between the life-cycle firm’s stages, and the standard profile of logistics activities, and the correspondent impact on performance.
Quantifying uncertainty in future ocean carbon uptake

Attributing uncertainty in ocean carbon uptake between societal trajectory (scenarios), Earth System Model construction (structure), and inherent natural variation in climate (internal) is critical to make progress in identifying, understanding, and reducing those uncertainties. In the present issue of Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Lovenduski et al. (2016) disentangle these drivers of uncertainty in ocean carbon uptake over time and space and assess the resulting implications for the emergence timescales of structural and scenario uncertainty over internal variability. Such efforts are critical for establishing realizable and efficient monitoring goals and prioritizing areas of continued model development. Under recently proposed climate stabilization targets, such efforts to partition uncertainty also become increasingly critical to societal decision‐making in the context of carbon stabilization.
Merdeka Curriculum: Encouraging Creativity and Innovation of Islamic Religious Education Teachers in Madrasah

The Merdeka Curriculum is a new curriculum in Indonesia that gives teachers the freedom to develop learning materials and methods that suit students' needs. This research aims to examine the influence of the Merdeka Curriculum on the quality of Islamic Education (PAI) learning. This research uses qualitative methods to understand how the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum encourages PAI teacher creativity and innovation in three different State Madrasah Aliyah (MAN) schools in the big cities of Medan, Padang and Bukittinggi. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews, classroom observations, and study of related documents. Merdeka Curriculum, data analysis was carried out using thematic, narrative and comparative analysis techniques. The research sample consisted of PAI teachers who had implemented the Merdeka Curriculum for more than one year and had sufficient teaching experience. The research results show that the Merdeka Curriculum has positive potential in improving the quality of PAI learning, including a more open and flexible learning approach, the relevance of learning to everyday life, as well as developing the character and ethics of students. However, the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in PAI learning also faces several challenges, such as teacher competency and readiness, support from each government and schools in each region, as well as the availability of resources. Comprehensive support from various parties, including government, schools and teachers, is needed to overcome these challenges.
Influence of phosphorus and zinc fertilization on growth and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan

An experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Durgapura, Rajasthan, to study the effect of phosphorus and zinc fertilization on the growth and productivity of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2 O5 /ha) and 6 levels of zinc and zinc solubilizer [0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg Zn/ ha, zinc solubilizer (Bacillus endophyticus), 2.5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer were tested in split-plot design with 3 replications. Application of 40 kg P2 O5 /ha and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer resulted in significant increase in plant height, dry-matter accumulation, effective root nodules, leaf-area index, different yield attributes and yield of fenugreek. Application of 60 kg P2 O5 /ha increased the seed yield of fenugreek by 33% during 2015–16 and 40% during 2016–17 over the control. Zinc fertilization @ 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer increased seed yield of fenugreek by 24% during 2015–16, while the increase was 27% during 2016–17 over the control.
User acceptance of cloud based hospital information system

Abstract. In this study, it is aimed to determine the factors that affect system use of the IT specialists. Accordingly, it is aimed to analyze,through web-based survey and Technology Acceptance Model, the factors that influence the cloudbasedsystem usage of the 150 IT specialists, who work for state hospitals, The results related to the structural model developed fromTechnology Acceptance Modelhave been analyzed with AMOS - Analyis of Moment Structures programme and the accordance of the statistical results have been analyzed by using Structural Equation Modelling method on model.According to analysis results, the effects of the factors related to the IT specialists’ perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use on the applicability of this technology with their advantages and disadvantages havealso been discussed, thanks to the data gathered from the users. The Structural model has been confirmed with the statistical results and confirmed hypotheses have been evaluated separately. Suggestions have been offered to the researchers about making prevalent of the cloud based Hospital Information System as a software service, required substructure, its components and applicability. Standards and legal status has also been examined. Keywords. Cloud computing, Technology acceptance model, Cloud basedhospital information system, Structural equation model. JEL. J24, O15, M12, M51, M55.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Cisplatin/Paclitaxel Versus Carboplatin/Paclitaxel in Improving Survival and Quality of Life in the Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patient Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

Ovarian cancer, being one of the prevalent gynecological cancers, warrants a therapy that’s both effective and well tolerated. After extensive drug testing, combination regimens with paclitaxel plus platinum-based agents such as cisplatin/carboplatin and taxanes, have shown promising results for advanced ovarian cancer. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy of two treatment regimens for advanced ovarian cancer: cisplatin/paclitaxel and carboplatin/paclitaxel. PubMed (Medline), Science Direct, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to March 2023. The meta-analysis included patients with histologically verified International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages IIB to IV ovarian carcinoma who received either carboplatin/paclitaxel or cisplatin/paclitaxel. The primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), quality of life (QOL), complete response rate (CRR), and partial response rate (PRR). The revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 was used to assess the quality of the RCTs The five RCTs chosen for this statistical analysis consisted of a total of 2239 participants, with 1109 receiving paclitaxel/cisplatin for treatment and the remaining 1130 receiving carboplatin/paclitaxel. Among all included outcomes, these reported significant findings: QoL (p-value=0.0002), thrombocytopenia (p=<0.00001), neurological toxicity (p-value=0.003), nausea/vomiting (p-value=<0.00001), myalgia/arthralgia (p-value=0.02), and febrile neutropenia (p-value=0.01). We concluded that the carboplatin/paclitaxel doublet endows a better quality of life (QOL) to patients along with significantly fewer gastrointestinal and neurological toxicities when compared with the cisplatin/paclitaxel combination. However, the myelosuppressive effects of carboplatin/paclitaxel remain a point of concern and may require clinical management.
Reaction softening by dissolution–precipitation creep in a retrograde greenschist facies ductile shear zone, New Hampshire, USA

We describe strain localization by a mixed process of reaction and microstructural softening in a lower greenschist facies ductile fault zone that transposes and replaces middle to upper amphibolite facies fabrics and mineral assemblages in the host schist of the Littleton Formation near Claremont, New Hampshire. Here, Na‐poor muscovite and chlorite progressively replace first staurolite, then garnet, and finally biotite porphyroblasts as the core of the fault zone is approached. Across the transect, higher grade fabric‐forming Na‐rich muscovite is also progressively replaced by fabric‐forming Na‐poor muscovite. The mineralogy of the new phyllonitic fault‐rock produced is dominated by Na‐poor muscovite and chlorite together with late albite porphyroblasts. The replacement of the amphibolite facies porphyroblasts by muscovite and chlorite is pseudomorphic in some samples and shows that the chemical metastability of the porphyroblasts is sufficient to drive replacement. In contrast, element mapping shows that fabric‐forming Na‐rich muscovite is selectively replaced at high‐strain microstructural sites, indicating that strain energy played an important role in activating the dissolution of the compositionally metastable muscovite. The replacement of strong, high‐grade porphyroblasts by weaker Na‐poor muscovite and chlorite constitutes reaction softening. The crystallization of parallel and contiguous mica in the retrograde foliation at the expense of the earlier and locally crenulated Na‐rich muscovite‐defined foliation destroys not only the metastable high‐grade mineralogy, but also its stronger geometry. This process constitutes both reaction and microstructural softening. The deformation mechanism here was thus one of dissolution–precipitation creep, activated at considerably lower stresses than might be predicted in quartzofeldspathic rocks at the same lower greenschist facies conditions.
Influence of irrigation and tillage management on growth, yield and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Gangetic plains in West Bengal

A field experiment was carried out during the winter seasons of 201617 and 201718 at Gayeshpur, Nadia (West Bengal) in the Gangetic alluvial soil, to assess the impact of irrigation and tillage-management practices on growth attributes, yield components, yield and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. UP 262 Results revealed that increase in irrigation frequency from irrigation water : cumulative pan evaporation (IW : CPE) 0.4 to 1.0 significantly promoted growth parameters, and 6 irrigations at 1617 days interval (IW : CPE ratio of 1.0) was found to be superior. Growth parameters were significantly higher under conventional tillage over minimum tillage. The plants receiving 6 irrigations (IW : CPE 1.0) recorded the highest consumptive use (CU), while the highest consumptive-use efficiency (CUE) was obtained with the plants receiving 5 irrigations. The maximum num- ber of spikes/m2, spike length and number of filled grains/spike were found in plants irrigated 6 times (IW : CPE 1.0) at an interval of 1617 days. Maximum wheat grain and straw yield were obtained with 6 irrigations, closely followed by those obtained with 5 irrigations (IW : CPE 0.8). Tillage practices showed significant variation in the number of spikes/m2 and it was maximum with crops grown under conventional tillage. Both grain and straw yields were significantly higher for plants grown under conventional tillage than those obtained under the minimum till- age. The gross returns, net returns and benefit: cost ratio were maximum when the crop received 6 irrigations un- der conventional tillage management. Hence, 6 irrigations under conventional tillage could be more effective in augmenting wheat yield, CUE and economics in the Gangetic plains of West Bengal.
Remote Sensing Image Segmentation and Object Extraction Based on Spectral and Texture Information

ii Acknowledgments. v Vita . vi Publications . vi Fields of Study . vii List of Tables . xi List of Figures . xii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Motivations. 1 1.2 Literature Review . 2 1.2. 1 Seagrass Mapping Using Hyperspectral Imagery . 3 1.2. 2 Road Extraction . 4 1.2. 3 Combined Spectral-Texture Segmentation . 5 1.3 Research Issues and Objectives. 6 1.4 Overview of Dissertation . 9
HOMA-IR INDEX IN INDUSTRIAL SHIFT WORKERS, A PRELIMINARY STUDY

There is strong evidence suggesting a probable association between shift work (SW) and insulin resistance (IR). Hence, it is crucial to evaluate this factor in therapeutic and preventive interventions. In a comparative cross-sectional study, serum fasting glucose levels and serum fasting insulin hormone levels were estimated, then Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) index was examined among shift workers (SWs) employed in the industrial sector. An occupational surveillance framework included 60 industrial workers, who were classified as follows: thirty were shift workers (SWs) and thirty were non-shift workers (NSWs). Fasting blood sugar and fasting serum insulin hormone levels were estimated, and HOMA-IR Index was calculated for all participants and the results were investigated for a possible link with shift work. A significantly higher serum fasting insulin level as well as a high HOMA-IR index was observed among SWs as a result (p<0.05). Accordingly, Shift work may raise the potential for developing insulin resistance.
Azimuthal transects of stream orientations: An advanced in understanding the regional morphotectonic setting of eastern Abruzzo (Central Italy)

The recently proposed azimuthal transects method was applied to the drainage network of the eastern Abruzzo area, in order to confirm the location and identify the kinematics of regional fault zones, supposed to characterise the boundaries between different morphotectonic sectors previously recognised in the area. This methodology consists of applying the azimuthal analysis of low order (younger) stream orientations along transects crossing inferred faults. Its usefulness in morphotectonic investigations is linked to the possibility of identify statistical progressive rotations of channels induced by strike-slip displacements, especially where the classical structural analysis is unlikely to be performed because of lacking pervasive deformations within outcropping rocks. At the boundaries between the three different morphotectonic sectors formerly mentioned, strike-slip offsets were identified along E-W oriented fault zones, whose presence is also suggested by some macroscopic geomorphological evidence, such as the deflection of several main rivers towards the E-W direction. These results are consistent with those get by structural and geophysical studies, thus allowing to infer that these shallow crust plio-quaternary deformations could be the effect of the activity of the E-W lithospheric deformation zone which, according to many Authors, would divide the Adriatic plate into two different portions.
Influence of long-term integrated nutrient management on productivity and soil properties in rice (Oryza sativa)rice cropping system in an acidic soil

A permanent plot experiment on integrated nutrient supply system with 12 treatments replicated thrice in rice (Oryza sativa L.)rice cropping system was conducted during 198384 to 201314 at Chiplima in a sandy loam soil. The soil had pH 5.4 and organic carbon 0.62%. Application of 50% recommended dose of nutrients through chemical fertilizers (RDF, i.e. N:P:K @ 100-22-41.3 kg/ha) coupled with 50% recommended N through green ma- nuring of Sesbania cannabina to the rainy season (kharif) rice followed by supply of 100% RDF through chemical fertilizers to summer rice resulted in higher average (of 31 years) system yield of 9.32 t/ha/year. This treatment combination increased average system yield by 7, 25 and 122% over application of RDF, farmers practice (N:P:K @ 50-11-20.7 kg/ha + 2 t FYM/ha for both crops) and control (without application of any fertilizer) respectively. This treatment also recorded the highest system gross returns ( 115,030/ha), net returns ( 59,284/ha) and ben- efit: cost ratio (2.06). Application of 50% RDF through fertilizers coupled with 50% recommended N through FYM to kharif rice followed by supply of 100% RDF through chemical fertilizers to summer rice was the second best treatment combination with system grain yield 9.21 t/ha/year, system gross returns ( 113,520) and net returns ( 54,874/ha). These were also most sustainable and improved soil physico-chemical properties with respect to bulk density, soil organic carbon, available NPK, microbial biomass carbon and soil nutrient balance.
Effect of sulphur and zinc fertilization on growth, yield attributes and grain yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2018 at Jobner, Rajasthan, to study the ef- fect of sulphur and zinc fertilization on growth, yield attributes and grain yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The experiment, comprising 4 levels each of sulphur (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha) and zinc (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg zinc sulphate/ha), thereby making 16 treatment combinations, was laid out in factorial randomized block design and replicated thrice. Progressive increase in level of sulphur up to 30 kg/ha significantly increased the most of the growth and yield-attributing characters of sesame, viz. plant height, dry-matter accumulation, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), branches/plant, chlorophyll content, leaf-area index, capsules/plant, seeds/ capsule and test weight, over preceding levels. It also recorded significantly higher seed yield (712 kg/ha) of sesame over the control and 15 kg/ha. However, it was found at par with 45 kg/ha, wherein the maximum values of growth and yield attributes as well as yield were obtained. Results further showed that an increase in level of zinc sulphate up to 20 kg/ha by and large significantly improved the most of the growth and yield-determining charac- ters of sesame over lower levels. It also recorded significantly higher seed yield (725 kg/ha) over the control and 10 kg/ha and found at par with 30 kg/ha. Application of 30 kg S/ha in conjunction with zinc sulphate at 20 kg/ha (S Zn ) was the most effective treatment combination for obtaining higher seed yield (802 kg/ha) and net returns 30 20 ( 48,970/ha) in sesame.
Contact Transformations and Their Schwarzian Derivatives

The second author introduced Schwarzian derivatives for 3-dimensional contact transformations in [Sat]. Our purposes of this paper are firstly to investigate the fundamental properties of the contact Schwarzian derivatives of 3-dimensional contact transformations that are satisfied by the usual Schwarzian derivatives, secondly to consider systems of linear PDE's with contact Schwarzian derivatives as coefficients and their integrability conditions, and finally to reconstruct the contact transformation from the solutions of the systems of linear PDE's. We obtain the necessary and sufficient condition for functions to be contact Schwarzian derivatives of a 3-dimensional contact transformation.