Allocation Procedure Research Articles

Online panel work through a gender lens: implications of digital peer review meetings

Abstract Previous studies have highlighted how the academic peer review system has been marked by gender bias and nepotism. Panel meetings arranged by research funding organisations (RFOs), where reviewers must explain and account for their assessment and scoring of grant applications, can potentially mitigate and disrupt patterns of inequality. They can however also constitute arenas where biases are reproduced. This article explores, through a gender lens, the shift from face-to-face to digital peer review meetings in a Swedish RFO, focusing on the implications for an unbiased and fair grant allocation process. Drawing on twenty-two interviews with panellists and staff in the RFO, the analysis identifies both benefits and challenges of this shift, regarding use of resources, meeting dynamics, micropolitics, social glue, and possibilities for group reflections. RFOs deliberating digitalisation of their peer review processes need to consider these implications to develop policies promoting unbiased and fair grant allocation processes and procedures.

The diagnostic continua of the soils of Europe

Diagnostic horizons, properties and materials are commonly applied building units of national and international soil classification systems. The presence, depth or absence of diagnostic information supports the process of objective soil classification, such as the World Reference Base (WRB). While the diagnostic units and associated descriptive qualifiers convey information that reflect pedogenesis, they also indicate important, and often complex properties that are related to soil fertility and other soil functions. The spatial extent or the continuum of diagnostic information is often different from the spatial extent of the mapping units in general soil maps (mostly reflecting soil types). This paper presents the spatial distribution of selected diagnostic units and qualifiers for the European Union and describes their significance for key soil functions. The derivation of selected diagnostics was performed based on the information provided in the European Soil Database and by taking into consideration the definitions, rules and allocation procedure of soils to the appropriate Reference Soil Group (RSG) defined by the WRB key. The definition of the presence/absence of the diagnostic units were performed by extracting information related to the first level of the WRB classification and to the qualifiers provided by the ESDB on the Soil Taxonomic Units (STU) level. The areal percentage of the STUs (thus, the derived diagnostics) within Soil Mapping Units (SMUs) was calculated and was visualized on separate maps. The study demonstrated the importance of the spatial information that the diagnostic elements convey, especially related to soil functions.

Estimation of user activity prior for active user detection in massive machine type communications

To enable massive-scale connectivity with low latency and efficient resource usage for massive machine type communications, the grant free access scheme has been proposed, which allows users to communicate with low signaling overhead and without the need for any prior resource allocation procedure. Due to the sporadic nature of packet transmission and non-orthogonal multiplexing, access points need to perform active user detection (AUD) to identify which users have sent the packets based on the received data. In this paper, we propose an enhanced AUD algorithm, which exploits each user’s activity pattern for detecting active users. We assume that each user randomly sends its own packet with different probability distributions parameterized by the user activity probability (UAP). In our work, such UAPs are inferred from the trajectory of the measurements collected over a certain period of time. Then, the estimated UAPs are incorporated into the compressed sensing-based algorithm for the joint AUD and channel estimation. Using the expectation-maximization algorithm, our method can efficiently find the maximum likelihood estimate of the UAPs for all users. We also present an on-line algorithm that sequentially updates the UAP estimates for each measurement. Our numerical evaluation demonstrates the benefit of the UAP estimation for compressed sensing-based AUD methods.

Parameter allocation approach for runoff simulation in an arid catchment using the KINEROS2 hydrological model

AbstractThe KINEROS2 model was utilized for runoff simulation in the Dehgin catchment situated in the Hormozgan province of Iran. A parameter allocation procedure was used in lieu of parameter optimization. After parameter allocation, the model was able to adequately simulate hydrographs associated with high‐magnitude peak discharge events with the efficiency values between 0.011–0.83 for Nash–Sutcliffe and 0.36–0.98 for Kling–Gupta, but the model did not accurately simulate hydrographs corresponding to low‐magnitude peak discharge events. Although calibration after parameter allocation improved model performance with respect to the simulation of low‐magnitude discharge events, numerical values of the hydraulic conductivity and net capillary pressure as the most sensitive model parameters did not agree with parameters known to be reasonable in the region. So that the value of hydraulic conductivity was decreased from 61 to 55 mm/h in channels and from 3.7 to 1.7 mm/h in planes. The new values are physically reasonable but are not approximately the same as physical values associated with the regional and environmental context of the Dehgin catchment. In this case, the values of the evaluation criteria were obtained between −2.5 and 0.78 for Nash–Sutcliffe and 0.17 and 0.98 for Kling–Gupta. The results of using the HydroPSO package in R to automated calibration of the model, with the value of Nash–Sutcliffe between −0.63 and 0.43, indicated that autocalibration without intelligent and deliberate selection of parameters cannot accurately represent hydrological processes, and therefore should be avoided. Also, the results show that an understanding of the catchment environmental conditions and appropriate allocation of parameters is initially more effective as a first step of the modeling process and thereby contributes to a first‐order characterization of environmental conditions in the catchment.

An optimized cost-based data allocation model for heterogeneous distributed computing systems

<span lang="EN-US">Continuous attempts have been made to improve the flexibility and effectiveness of distributed computing systems. Extensive effort in the fields of connectivity technologies, network programs, high processing components, and storage helps to improvise results. However, concerns such as slowness in response, long execution time, and long completion time have been identified as stumbling blocks that hinder performance and require additional attention. These defects increased the total system cost and made the data allocation procedure for a geographically dispersed setup difficult. The load-based architectural model has been strengthened to improve data allocation performance. To do this, an abstract job model is employed, and a data query file containing input data is processed on a directed acyclic graph. The jobs are executed on the processing engine with the lowest execution cost, and the system's total cost is calculated. The total cost is computed by summing the costs of communication, computation, and network. The total cost of the system will be reduced using a Swarm intelligence algorithm. In heterogeneous distributed computing systems, the suggested approach attempts to reduce the system's total cost and improve data distribution. According to simulation results, the technique efficiently lowers total system cost and optimizes partitioned data allocation.</span>

Liver Transplantation Using Allografts With Recent Liver Blunt Trauma: A Nationwide Audit From the French CRISTAL Biomedicine Agency Registry.

In the current setting of organ shortage, brain-dead liver donors with recent liver trauma (RLT) represent a potential pool of donors. Yet, data on feasibility and safety of liver transplantation (LT) using grafts with RLT are lacking. All liver grafts from brain-dead donors with RLT proposed for LT between 2010 and 2018 were identified from the nationwide CRISTAL registry of the Biomedicine Agency. The current study aimed at evaluating 1-y survival as the primary endpoint. Among 11 073 LTs, 142 LTs (1.3%) using grafts with RLT were performed. These 142 LTs, including 23 split LTs, were performed from 131 donors (46.1%) of 284 donors with RLT proposed for LT. Transplanted grafts were procured from donors with lower liver enzymes levels ( P < 0.001) and less advanced liver trauma according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma liver grading system ( P < 0.001) compared with not transplanted grafts. Before allocation procedures, 20 (7%) of 284 donors underwent damage control intervention. During transplantation, specific liver trauma management was needed in 19 patients (13%), consisting of local hemostatic control (n = 15), partial hepatic resection on back-table (n = 3), or perihepatic packing (n = 1). Ninety-day mortality and severe morbidity rates were 8.5% (n = 12) and 29.5% (n = 42), respectively. One-year overall and graft survival rates were 85% and 81%, and corresponding 5-y rates were 77% and 72%, respectively. Using liver grafts from donors with RLT seems safe with acceptable long-term outcomes. All brain-dead patients with multiorgan trauma, including liver injury, should be considered for organ allocation.

Amplified effect of social vulnerability on health inequality regarding COVID-19 mortality in the USA: the mediating role of vaccination allocation

BackgroundVaccination reduces the overall burden of COVID-19, while its allocation procedure may introduce additional health inequality, since populations characterized with certain social vulnerabilities have received less vaccination and been affected more by COVID-19. We used structural equation modeling to quantitatively evaluate the extent to which vaccination disparity would amplify health inequality, where it functioned as a mediator in the effect pathways from social vulnerabilities to COVID-19 mortality.MethodsWe used USA nationwide county (n = 3112, 99% of the total) level data during 2021 in an ecological study design. Theme-specific rankings of social vulnerability index published by CDC (latest data of 2018, including socioeconomic status, household composition & disability, minority status & language, and housing type & transportation) were the exposure variables. Vaccination coverage rate (VCR) during 2021 published by CDC was the mediator variable, while COVID-19 case fatality rate (CFR) during 2021 published by John Hopkinson University, the outcome variable.ResultsGreater vulnerabilities in socioeconomic status, household composition & disability, and minority status & language were inversely associated with VCR, together explaining 11.3% of the variance of VCR. Greater vulnerabilities in socioeconomic status and household composition & disability were positively associated with CFR, while VCR was inversely associated with CFR, together explaining 10.4% of the variance of CFR. Our mediation analysis, based on the mid-year data (30th June 2021), found that 37.6% (mediation/total effect, 0.0014/0.0037), 10% (0.0003/0.0030) and 100% (0.0005/0.0005) of the effects in the pathways involving socioeconomic status, household composition & disability and minority status & language, respectively, were mediated by VCR. As a whole, the mediation effect significantly counted for 30.6% of COVID-19 CFR disparity. Such a mediation effect was seen throughout 2021, with proportions ranging from 12 to 32%.ConclusionsAllocation of COVID-19 vaccination in the USA during 2021 led to additional inequality with respect to COVID-19 mortality. Viable public health interventions should be taken to guarantee an equitable deployment of healthcare recourses across different population groups.

Improving Survival in Cardiogenic Shock-A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of the Impact of an Institutional Allocation Protocol to Short-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) is a life-saving treatment option for patients in cardiogenic shock (CS), but many aspects such as patient selection, initiation threshold and optimal modality selection remain unclear. This study describes a standard operating procedure (SOP) for tMCS allocation for CS patients and presents outcome data before and after implementation. Data from 421 patients treated for CS with tMCS between 2018 and 2021 were analyzed. In 2019, we implemented a new SOP for allocating CS patients to tMCS modalities. The association between the time of SOP implementation and the 30-day and 1-year survival as well as hospital discharge was evaluated. Of the 421 patients included, 189 were treated before (pre-SOP group) and 232 after implementation of the new SOP (SOP group). Causes of CS included acute myocardial infarction (n = 80, 19.0%), acute-on-chronic heart failure in patients with dilated or chronic ischemic heart failure (n = 139, 33.0%), valvular cardiomyopathy (n = 14, 3.3%) and myocarditis (n = 5, 1.2%); 102 patients suffered from postcardiotomy CS (24.2%). The SOP group was further divided into an SOP-adherent (SOP-A) and a non-SOP-adherent group (SOP-NA). The hospital discharge rate was higher in the SOP group (41.7% vs. 29.7%), and treating patients according to the SOP was associated with an improved 30-day survival (56.9% vs. 38.9%, OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.01-4.80, p = 0.044). Patient allocation according to the presented SOP significantly improved 30-day survival.

How to De-Reserve Reserves: Admissions to Technical Colleges in India

We study the joint implementation of reservation and de-reservation policies in India that has been enforcing comprehensive affirmative action since 1950. The landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India in 2008 mandated that whenever the OBC category (with 27% reservation) has unfilled positions, they must be reverted to general category applicants in admissions to public schools without specifying how to implement it. We disclose the drawbacks of the recently reformed allocation procedure in admissions to technical colleges and offer a solution through “de-reservation via choice rules.” We propose a novel priority design—Backward Transfers (BT) choice rule—for institutions and the deferred acceptance mechanism under these choice rules (DA-BT) for centralized clearinghouses. We show that DA-BT corrects the shortcomings of existing mechanisms. By formulating India’s legal requirements and policy goals as formal axioms, we show that the DA-BT mechanism is unique for the concurrent implementation of reservation and de-reservation policies. This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Minimum Power Control Allocation for Incremental Control of Over-Actuated Transition Aircraft

Existing control allocation approaches usually minimize an or norm of the actuator commands that is loosely related to the thrust produced or the aerodynamic drag. This paper proposes a novel incremental control allocation method that directly minimizes the total power required for an over-actuated, propeller-driven transition aircraft. The minimum power cost function is derived in a convex form and leads to a closed-form algebraic solution for an additional command increment in the null space of the local control effectiveness matrix. The complete control allocation procedure consists of a two-step approach that is direction-preserving in the presence of actuator saturations and nonlinear due to the incremental formulation. The proposed control allocation is particularly advantageous in the case of a transition aircraft, where the tradeoff between using aerodynamic lift and vertical thrust can be solved naturally by including incremental attitude commands as virtual inputs in the minimum power control allocation. The resulting control allocation scheme allows to both maximize control authority and find minimum power trim solutions. Flight tests are performed on an over-actuated transition aircraft, showcasing the minimum power trim and control allocation without the use of flight mode switching or blending functions throughout all flight regimes.

Reducing interference via link adaptation in delay-critical wireless networks

One of the current (6G) wireless networks research’s trends is to investigate short distance and dense scenarios, where users are locally connected in sub-networks. Such use case is critical to support the advances of industrial internet of things or Industry 4.0 (I4.0), e.g. connecting an entire group of sensors and actuators of a robot. Therefore, schemes that can properly manage the interference must be deployed in practical systems to allow the promised performance advances of 6G. Targeting these high density scenarios, we describe the Power Optimization for Low Interference and Throughput Enhancement (POLITE) paradigm for link adaptation and power allocation, which leverages available radio resources to stabilize and reduce the interference. The baseline link adaptation schemes are compared with POLITE in their performance in a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) calibrated system level simulator for industrial scenarios. As services in industrial environments require high reliability under constrained delays, we propose different delay-aware formulations in the POLITE design. In this work, we provide solutions both for relaxed delay requirements and for latency critical traffic, whose delay must be minimized. In particular, in the latter case, we propose also modifications of user selection and resource allocation procedures to further improve the reliability and latency. Simulation results prove the benefits of POLITE in terms of increased throughput, fulfillment of relaxed and delay-critical requirements, with an overall reduced transmit power compared to the current baseline link adaptation schemes.

Procedure dependence in resource allocations: How focusing on resource or target affects variety-seeking.

Many resource allocation tasks involve the assignment of multiple units of a resource (e.g., money, time, labor) to multiple targets (e.g., stocks, expenditure categories, projects to be carried out). The decision-maker can either focus on the individual targets and decide how many resource units each target should receive (allocation-by-target), or focus on the individual resource units and decide which target each unit should be assigned to (allocation-by-unit). We suggest that the two allocation procedures might result in different outcomes. Specifically, we predict that the allocation-by-unit procedure leads to more variety-seeking than the allocation-by-target procedure. Nine experiments (N = 4,152) provided evidence consistent with this procedure dependence hypothesis. We further demonstrate that the effect occurs because the allocation-by-target procedure encourages people to consider the differences between targets whereas the allocation-by-unit procedure induces people to focus more on each undifferentiated unit. As a result, allocation-by-target, relative to allocation-by-unit, leads to a lower variety-seeking, which manifests as a more concentrated distribution of the resource units across the targets. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

An original deconvolution approach for oil production allocation based on geochemical fingerprinting

• A novel deconvolution algorithm for production allocation is introduced. • An improved experimental procedure for GC targeting production allocation is proposed. • Extensions to traditional production allocation algorithms are formulated. We tackle oil commingling scenarios and develop an original deconvolution approach for geochemical production allocation. This yields robust assessment of the proportions of oils forming a mixture originating from commingling oils associated with diverse reservoirs or, wells. Our study starts from considering that production allocation performed by means of geochemical fingerprinting is relevant in the context of modern and sustainable use of georesources, with the added benefit of favoring shared facilities and production equipment. A geochemical production allocation workflow is typically structured according to two steps: (i) determination of the chromatograms associated with the mixture (and eventually with each of the End Members, EMs, constituting the fluids in the mixture), and (ii) the use of a deconvolution algorithm to estimate the mass fraction of each EM. Concerning the latter step, we introduce an original approach and the ensuing deconvolution algorithm (hereafter termed PGM) that does not require additional laboratory efforts in comparison with traditional approaches. We also present extensions of widely used deconvolution algorithms, which we frame in a (stochastic) Monte Carlo context to improve their robustness and reliability. The new PGM approach is assessed jointly with a suite of typically used approaches and algorithms against new laboratory-based commingling scenarios. The latter are based on the design and introduction of a novel and low-cost experimental method. The results of the study (i) constitute a unique and rigorous comparison of the traditionally employed production allocation deconvolution algorithms, (ii) document the critical importance of the number of features of the chromatograms used during a quantitative deconvolution, and (iii) suggest that our new PGM approach is very robust and accurate compared to existing approaches.

Fiscal Transfer n Intergovernmental Relations: A Case of Wajir County, Kenya

The declaration of the constitution 2010 was proposed to change the predominant socio-political plan in Kenya. The constitution expects to achieve fiscal changes by evenhanded dispersion of assets to advance improvement strategies and administrations that are customized to local needs. Different laws and strategies, for example, the Public Finance Management Act of 2012 and the County Government Act of 2012 means to ensure, advance and authorize the execution of these standards in the 47 counties Regardless of all these changes, fiscal transfer has been facing challenging issues in the devolution cycle in Kenya, creating broad discussions among different partners especially between the devolved units and national government. This study aimed at exploring the effects of fiscal transfers on intergovernmental relations in Wajir County, with the aim of providing sustainable recommendations on the research topic at hand. The study objectives were to assess the impacts of the amount allocated, timely disbursement, procedure of and national government fiscal control measures on intergovernmental relations in Kenya. This study depends on the theory of fiscal decentralization by that analyzes the channels through which fiscal decentralization influences intergovernmental relations and the fiscal control theory. The survey utilized descriptive research design and target targeted region government officials and chosen officials from Wajir County and the staff of Wajir County. The primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative data was analyzed using clear measurements which incorporated; rates, frequencies, mean and standard deviation. For qualitative data, it got analyzed using thematic analysis. The study found out that resource allocated, timely disbursement of resources and procedure of allocation of resources significantly affected fiscal transfers on intergovernmental relations in Wajir County. On the other hand, national government fiscal control measures had an insignificant effect on the intergovernmental relations in Wajir County. The study recommends that county governments and the national government should look for ways of ensuring adherence to policies and also come up with mechanisms of developing new policies regularly, Resource allocation to various activities should be enhanced and that the health departments should allocate significant amounts to non- recurrent expenditure, amount of resources should be improved through regular trainings and Governance structures should be established with a clear chain of command and they should incorporate all the stakeholders involved.

Performance-Based Transit Operating Subsidy Allocation: A Before and After Study

Transit operating subsidy allocation procedures based on such factors as deficit or population have been under attack ever since operating subsidy became widespread in the 1970s. These procedures do not directly provide any incentive for innovation, cost cutting strategies, and efficient operation. Recognizing the problems associated with a 100 percent population-based formula, the State of Indiana, since 1986, has used transit performance as a part of its subsidy allocation procedure. This paper examines the impact of this procedure on transit system self-reliance, efficiency, and effectiveness by analyzing the relevant data between the periods before and after the procedure was instituted. The results show that the procedure has positively affected transit system performance, particularly for small- and medium-sized properties. The largest positive change has been realized in transit system effectiveness and self-reliance, while no perceptible change was observed in transit system efficiency.

Research funders should be more transparent: a plea for open applications.

Transparency is increasingly becoming the new norm and modus operandi of the global research enterprise. In this mini-review, we summarize ongoing initiatives to increase transparency in science and funding in particular. Based on this, we make a plea for the next step in funders' compliance with the principles of Open Science, suggesting the adoption of open applications. Our proposed model includes a plea for the publication of all submitted grant applications; open sharing of review reports, argumentations for funding decisions and project evaluation reports; and the disclosure of reviewers' and decision committee members' identities. In line with previous calls for transparency and the available evidence about these measures' effectiveness, we argue that open applications could lead to more diverse collaboration, recognition of research ideas, fairer procedures for grant allocation, more research on funding practices and increased trust in the funding allocation process.

Location of organ procurement and distribution organisation decisions and their impact on kidney allocations: a developing country perspective.

Managing organ transplant networks is a complex task. It intertwines between locating the organ procurement and distribution organization (OPDO) (long-term decision) and allocating organs to the suitable destination (short-term decision). The literature lacks deliberation on the effect of those long-term decisions on short-term ones under the influence of clinical and non-clinical factors. This paper addresses this gap using a k-sum model for locational choice, and a discrete simulation approach for the allocation procedure for a real-life case study from a developing economy perspective. The study explores the trade-off between efficiency (distance-centric models) and equity (the result of time-centric allocation models). Our analysis of the efficiency of locational models and equity of the allocation policies reveal strong inter-dependence of both these decisions, a significant finding of this research. These findings offer an integrated model for high-level decision-makers, which can be used during the locational planning stage and provide input to design standard operating procedures for transplantation schemes.

Assessing the completeness and comparability of environmental product declarations

More environmental product declarations (EPDs) have been published in recent years, but type III declarations still have limitations, for example regarding comparability. According to ISO 14027, a comparative disclaimer addresses the equivalence between a given product and a competing product that performs the same function. ISO 14025 states that EPDs developed under the same rules can be compared, but previous research has found that even EPDs developed using the same rules cannot be used for comparison. This paper evaluates the rates of comparability between EPDs developed within the scope of the same product categories and their respective product category rules (PCRs), sub-PCRs, and program operators. For the initial analysis, the International EPD System (IES) and the Institute Bauen und Umwelt e.V. (IBU) were selected and two product categories defined from each program for a total of four categories: boards and thermal insulation from IES, and floor covering and thermal insulation from IBU. Then, the completeness of the reported information according to the requirements from ISO 14025 was assessed. The final step compared EPDs developed using the same rules and calculated the rate of comparability between documents. Comparability between two EPDs was classified into three levels (fully comparable, comparable with caution, and cannot be compared). From the four product categories, 436 EPDs were selected, each based on one PCR/sub-PCR. Only 5.04% of the EPDs presented all the mandatory information required; this lack of information affected comparability, since items that are not reported cannot be compared. This, together with flexible definitions of some elements (such as functional/declared units, allocation procedures, and cut-off rules) in the PCRs led to low rates of comparability. Of all the potential comparisons, 8.06% of the documents could not be compared in any aspect, 89.15% were considered incomparable, 2.75% could be compared with caution, and only 0.04% were comparable.

Environmental Performance of Deconstructable Concrete Beams Made with Recycled Aggregates

The construction sector is one of the most energy-intensive and raw-material-demanding human activities and, hence, contributes a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions. As a matter of principle, making the construction sector “greener” is one of the main challenges for policy makers, private companies and the scientific community. For this reason, one of the most promising actions is based on recycling Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) and converting them into secondary raw materials for the construction sector itself. Moreover, the reduction of the environmental impact can be further amplified through the optimization of the production, assembly and deconstruction/reuse procedures and through the maximization of the service life. In this aim, the present work aims at analyzing the environmental performance of duly sized and designed prefabricated Decontructable and Reusable Beam (DRB) incorporating with Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) assembled by means of an innovative system based on a memory®-steel prestressing technique. The environmental performance is evaluated through Life Cycle Assessment with a cradle-to-gate approach: the analysis of 16 midpoint impact categories was conducted using the methodology proposed by EN15804. In this context, three allocation scenarios for avoided impacts due to reuse (100-0, 50:50 and 0-100) were considered, and a sensitivity analysis was performed. It was verified that due to the higher amount of post-tensioning required for the innovative shape memory alloy steel bars, the DRBs present inferior environmental performance than the Ordinary Beams (ORB). However, when analyzing the reuse scenarios, it was observed that the DRB could have considerably lower impacts, depending on the type of allocation procedure adopted in LCA modeling. This study brings as the main contribution an evaluation and some design guidelines for the development of circular concrete structures based on the principles of Design for Deconstruction (DfD) and the prefabricated process.

Different Chromosome Segregation Patterns Coexist in the Tetraploid Adriatic Sturgeon Acipenser naccarii

The Adriatic sturgeon, Acipenser naccarii (Bonaparte, 1836), is a critically endangered tetraploid endemism of the Adriatic region; it has been targeted, over the last 20 years, by different conservation programs based on controlled reproduction of captive breeders followed by the release of their juvenile offspring; its preservation would greatly benefit from the correct and coordinated management of the residual genetic variability available in the different captive stocks. In this sense, the setup of an efficient parental allocation procedure would allow identifying familiar groups and establishing informed breeding plans, effectively preserving genetic variation. However, being the species tetraploid, the analyses often deal with complex genome architecture and a preliminary evaluation of allele segregation patterns at different chromosomes is necessary to assess whether the species can be considered a pure tetraploid, as previously observed at some loci, or if a more complex situation is present. Here we study the segregation at 14 microsatellites loci in 12 familiar groups. Results support in different families the tetrasomic segregation pattern at 11 markers and the disomic segregation at three markers. The Adriatic sturgeon thus shows a mixed inheritance modality. In this species, and likely in other sturgeons, accurate knowledge of the loci used for paternity analysis is therefore required.