Cause Of Discrepancy Research Articles

Interpretable machine learning models for the estimation of seismic drifts in CLT buildings

An accurate estimation of drift demands is crucial for designing and assessing structures under seismic loads. Given the novelty of massive timber buildings, predictive models for the estimation of drifts in mid-to high-rise CLT structures are lacking, particularly in the form of simple models suitable for preliminary design evaluations or regional seismic assessments. In this paper, we present and compare several Machine Learning (ML) models for the estimation of peak inter-storey and roof drifts in multi-storey Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) walled structures. The ML techniques used include: Multiple Linear Regression, Regression Trees, Random Forest, K-nearest Neighbor, and Support Vector Regression. To this end, 69 structures spanning mid-rise to tall timber buildings are subjected to a large collection of acceleration records and used to create the training and testing datasets. Different structural configurations and behaviour factors, related to the assumed energy dissipation capacity of the buildings, are considered. A diversity of feature selection techniques informs our choice of parameters to the reduced input space leading to a set of six most efficient features: the spectral acceleration at the building's fundamental period (Sa(T1)), the Peak Ground Velocity (PGV), tuning ratio (T1/Tm), behaviour factor (q), wall height (Hw), and the wall subdivision ratio (Wr). After verifying the high accuracy of our model predictions, the SHapley Additive exPlanation method (SHAP) is used to gain insight into the influence of key input features on the ML model outputs. Finally, our ML drift estimations are compared against previous proposals and design code assumptions, and the potential causes of disagreement are discussed.

Physical Characterization of Early Galaxies in the Webb’s First Deep Field SMACS J0723.3-7327

This paper highlights initial photometric analyses of JWST NIRCam imaging data in the sightline of SMACS0723, aiming to identify galaxies at redshift z > 7. By applying a conservative Lyman-break selection followed by photometric-redshift analysis and visual inspection, we identify four F090W-dropout and two F150W-dropout sources, three of which were recently confirmed in an independent spectroscopic analysis to z = 7.663, 7.665, and 8.499. We then supplement our sample with a photometric-redshift selection, and identify five additional candidates at 7 < z phot < 13. The NIRCam images clearly resolve all sources and reveal their subgalactic components that were not resolved/detected in the previous imaging by Hubble Space Telescope. Our spectral energy distribution analysis reveals that the selected galaxies are characterized by young stellar populations (median age of ∼50 Myr) of subsolar metallicity (∼0.2 Z ⊙) and little dust attenuation (A V ∼ 0.5). In several cases, we observe extreme Hβ+[O iii] lines being captured in the F444W band and seen as color excess, which is consistent with their observed high star formation rate surface density. Eight of the 11 sources identified in this study appear in at least one of the recent studies (Adams et al.; Atek et al.; Donnan et al.; Harikane et al.; Yan et al.) of the same fields, implying the high fidelity of our selection. We crossmatch all high-z galaxy candidates presented in the five studies with our catalog and discuss the possible causes of discrepancy in the final lists.

The Effect of Time on Holding the Peace

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; ABSTRACT&#x0D; &#x0D; Time is an influencing factor on contracts, through its impact on the pillars of the contract, its conditions, and its effects. This research paper is concerned with studying the impact of time on the peace contract, especially that the term is of great importance in the stability and demise of the contract, by specifying the time of delivery, and specifying the time of arrest, the contracting parties’ agreement on installments and the exchange by astrology, and other conditions and elements that are not free of time. Therefore time is the most prominent factor in the peace contract, and this is what makes it a cause for disagreement and a source of disagreement between the two contracting parties, hence the importance of research in this topic.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

In the tension between large-scale analysis and accuracy - Identifying and analysing intra-urban (sub-)centre structures comparing official 3D-building models and TanDEM-X nDSMs

Intra-urban polycentricity has often been described by a balanced distribution of jobs/residences outside the traditional core cities in so-called (sub-)centres. Recently, this purely socioeconomic view has changed, so that centres are also increasingly understood as a physical manifestation of spatial development policies. Built-up volumes derived from 3D-building models are therefore frequently used instead of or as complement to employment/population figures when studying intra-urban polycentricity. However, such data are expensive and not available universally and permit only geographically limited investigations to date. To overcome this constraint, we investigate whether globally available and consistent TanDEM-X nDSMs (TDX) provide a valid data base for intra-urban polycentricity research based on built-up volumes. Our study focuses on four urban regions in Germany for which we have obtained official 3D-building models (LoD-1). For each study site, we derive aggregated built-up volumes from the TDX and the LoD-1 data and identify (sub-)centres. We use three centre identification algorithms to account for the diversity of methods and outcomes. We consider the LoD-1 (sub-)centres as reference and the TDX (sub-)centres as the entities to be reviewed. First, we quantify their spatial agreement and compare if polycentricity measures calculated based on both data sets lead to similar results. Second, we explore possible causes for discrepancies between the TDX/LoD-1 (sub-)centres. We find high spatial resemblances between TDX and LoD-1 (sub-)centres. Accordingly, we observe that polycentricity measures display similar trends among the two data sets. Nevertheless, we also show that the agreement between TDX and LoD-1 centres can be affected in uneven terrain, in sparsely built-up areas, and by the algorithms used to identify (sub-)centres. Overall, our results suggest that TDX nDSMs reflect the distribution of built-up structures in sufficient detail so that local-spatial densifications – here equated with (sub-)centres – can be appropriately studied. We therefore conclude that TDX data offer a great potential for the thematic domain of morphological urban analysis at large scale.

New preparation method of microstructurally and mechanically standardized PETG specimens by material extrusion additive manufacturing and machining

Additive manufacturing processes are recent and lack standardized methods to characterize the mechanical properties of the printed material. Sample preparations in the literature consist in the direct printing of specimens, which induces uncontrolled interactions between printing conditions of the specimens and material properties. This study aims to develop a method for the specimen preparation to characterize the behavior of materials manufactured by material extrusion additive manufacturing. The proposed method consists in preparing printed plates from polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified filament into a unique design before machining out specimens at different orientation angles. A comparison to directly printed specimens at the same orientation angles is performed to confront the proposed method to a commonly used one in the literature, and to understand the cause of discrepancies and the lack of predictiveness in additive manufacturing. The prepared specimens are characterized by X-ray tomography and tensile tests to assess process-structure-property relationships. The analysis highlights the structure heterogeneity of the as-printed specimen compared to the machined one, which influences the mechanical properties of the specimen. The new hybrid additive-subtractive preparation method for the specimen limits the superimposed thermo-kinetic effects caused by changes in deposition strategy, including coalescence and flow instability, and allows to measure effective mechanical properties based on a homogenized multiscale structure that is more representative of large parts. In addition, machining smooths the surface without thermal alterations, which leads to more accurate mechanical testing regarding cross-sectional area measurement, crack initiation and fracture mode. The proposed method is thought to standardize the preparation of additively manufactured materials based on extrusion to ease comparison between studies, to help the qualification of technical and industrial parts, and to measure intrinsic material’s properties based on a controlled microstructure for understanding of the process-related behavior and properties of material.

Abstract P1-10-11: Optical stimulated luminescence dosimeters for skin dose measurements during accelerated partial breast brachytherapy: In vivo dosimetric validation and clinical outcomes

Abstract BACKGROUND: The role of multi-lumen catheter devices in the delivery of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for adjuvant accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) for women with DCIS or early-stage breast cancer has been well established. In vivo dosimetry (IVD) using optically stimulating luminescence dosimeters (OSLD) is a feasible way to detect applicator instability that may cause translational and rotational inaccuracies during HDR brachytherapy delivery. Herein, we evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of IVD to improve patient outcomes following APBI brachytherapy using the Strut Adjusted Volume Irradiation (SAVI) device. METHODS: Single-institution cohort study piloting the use of OSLD on the patient’s skin during HDR brachytherapy APBI to assess the estimated maximum skin dose (skin Dmax) and the achievable accuracy of OSLD for skin Dmax measurements. Women treated with SAVI-based APBI between November 1, 2018 and October 1, 2021 were eligible to enroll in our study. All patients met the American Society for Radiation Oncology “suitable” or “cautionary” criteria and were treated according to the American Brachytherapy Society consensus treatment planning guidelines. A SAVI preplan was created to estimate the probable point of skin Dmax. During CT simulation, a radiopaque marker was placed on the skin for visualization during treatment planning. Correction factors were applied to account for the OSLD tissue-air interface that is not present in the TG-43 expected dose calculations. Measured and calculated IVD doses were analyzed to assess agreement and cause for discrepancies found. Breast phantom IVD measurements repeated seven times with two independent dose points were analyzed to assess the best accuracy achievable under ideal conditions. RESULTS: We enrolled 41 patients with an average age of 68 years. Table 1 details the brachytherapy treatment delivery and dosimetry data. Higher skin Dmax as a percentage of the radiation prescription was associated with the occurrence of breast volume loss noted on subsequent clinical breast exams (OR 1.84 per each 5% increase in skin Dmax; 95% CI 1.21 – 3.32; p=0.016). The graphically estimated skin Dmax threshold was 80% with all cases of noted breast volume loss occurring above this threshold. The overall level of achievable IVD accuracy was ±3.32% based on breast phantom measurements. Under ideal conditions, all measurements were in the ±7% range. Three of 14 phantom measurement exceeded the 6% discrepancy range. Clinical IVD measurements detected 5 true positive cases (12.2% of cohort) that required intervention due to rotations in the SAVI applicator. For a ±7% tolerance criteria, 90.2% of the patients tested passed IVD. Of the eight patients that failed at the 7% level, IVD detected 3 OSLD placement errors, 2 rotational discrepancy cases, and 1 large air-gap at the point of measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Accuracy and reproducibility are imperative tenets of HDR brachytherapy APBI. IVD utilizing OSLD is an effective method for detecting treatment set-up and delivery errors for patients receiving SAVI-based APBI with dose accuracy within ±3.32%. Errors requiring intervention due to SAVI device rotation were detected in 12.2% of our cohort, and these errors would have likely gone undetected without IVD. Using OSLD as IVD to measure skin Dmax doses that may increase the risk of breast cosmetic defects should be investigated further. Table 1. Brachytherapy treatment delivery and dosimetry data. *PTV-Eval is a uniform 10 mm expansion on the CTV with exclusion of PTV within 5 mm of skin or chest wall. +Percent dose discrepancy refers to difference in dose between APBI plan calculations and IVD measurements. Citation Format: Tyler Gutschenritter, Afua Yorke, Nayak Polissar, Nirnaya Miljacic, Janice Kim, Lori Young. Optical stimulated luminescence dosimeters for skin dose measurements during accelerated partial breast brachytherapy: In vivo dosimetric validation and clinical outcomes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-11.

Steam plant based on high-speed active microturbine with valve-inductor generator as part of power engineering complex for processing of CURRENT and power plant for hydrogen production

In the work, the possibility of using microturbine plants to cover auxiliary needs in the electric and thermal energy of complexes for the processing of municipal solid waste, as well as in hydrogen production plants when oxidizing powdered aluminum with water. There were proposed basic thermal diagrams of power units. There were given justification for the choice of wet-steam microturbines, which provide a higher ratio between thermal and electric power, as well as the possibility of their separate regulation in comparison with gas turbine and gas piston units. There were analyzed the working process of a single-stage two-stream active centripetal steam microturbine with an electric power of 50 kW (600 kW - thermal), which was developed, manufactured and tested, both at idle and under load as part of energy technology complexes for the disposal of municipal and agricultural solid waste. Tests showed a reduced blade efficiency of the radial microturbine compared to the calculated one. There were carried out analysis of possible causes of discrepancy and measures were developed to achieve the declared characteristics by subsequent samples of turbogenerators.

An examination of the reliability of seed-to-seed resting state functional connectivity in tinnitus patients

Resting state functional connectivity (RS-FC) studies of tinnitus over the years have produced inconsistent results. While findings can be organized into broad categories, such as increased correlations between auditory and limbic areas in tinnitus patients and a disrupted default mode network, there has been little one-to-one correspondence of results across RS-FC studies of tinnitus. While some of this variation can be explained by the heterogeneity of the tinnitus population, including tinnitus severity, the sources of variability in RS-FC of tinnitus patients are unclear. To directly assess the reliability of RS-FC measures in tinnitus, both tinnitus and control participants from two different sites (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or UIUC, and the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, or WHASC, at the Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio, Texas) participated in two resting state MRI scans separated by exactly one week. Seed-to-seed analysis assessing correlations between the fMRI activity of 27 regions in the default mode, dorsal attention, auditory, visual, salience, and emotional processing networks were examined in control and tinnitus participants separately for each site. Additionally, heart rate and respiration measures were collected at UIUC, and the effect of extra physiological corrections using these measures on reliability was examined within the UIUC participants. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used as the measure of reliability. Overall, RS-FC in a seed-to-seed analysis was as reliable in tinnitus participants as it was in control participants in the seed regions examined. As previously shown in studies of participants with normal hearing sensitivity, intra-network reliability was higher than inter-network reliability. Related to this, stronger correlations between two seed regions were predictive of stronger reliability of the connectivity between those regions. These effects were seen in both control and tinnitus populations. Additional physiological corrections did not have a significant impact on the ICC values. The current study demonstrates that, on a whole-brain level, RS-FC assessed via seed-to-seed analysis is reliable in tinnitus participants. We therefore must look to other sources as potential causes of discrepancies across studies, such as variability within analysis techniques or within the behavioral characteristics of tinnitus participants.

Further application of the 1/3 oct band heavy/hard impact prediction method

Previously, the author presented a 1/3 octave band heavy/hard impact prediction method based on force pulse measurements from a drop tower. Since then, we have been applying the method with a variety of success. The previous paper was based on concrete structures in North America. This paper will be looking at the validity of the method on lighter weight mass timber buildings primarily located in the United Kingdom as well as traditional concrete buildings. The discuss will be focused on the accuracy of the method across several structures and describe why the method was less accurate in some applications. The primary cause of disagreement between predicted and in-situ measurements was high levels of background noise and other site conditions.

The Effects of Neuromodulators on Spasticity, Balance, and Gait in Patients with MS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disorder in societies. The most common symptoms in patients with MS are gait disorders and spasticity. Pharmacological therapies have mild therapeutic influence with more side effects for management of these symptoms. There is evidence that neuro-rehabilitation techniques have more appropriate effects rather than pharmacological therapies. In this regard, some studies indicated the beneficial effects of brain stimulation techniques on gait improvement and decreasing spasticity in patients with MS, while the others have not shown any efficacy. Accordingly, conducting a meta-analysis study in this issue is very important. Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science from database inception on December 6, 2020, to find interventional studies assessing the effects of neuromodulators (transcranial direct-current stimulation [tDCS] or transcranial magnetic stimulation [TMS]) on spasticity, balance, and gait in patients with MS. The included studies were qualitatively assessed by the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Finally, the homogeneity studies were analyzed by Stata software. Study-specific results were pooled by using a random-effects model. Results: A total of seven studies were included in the analysis. In the pooled analysis of studies, a significant effect of the TMS technique on spasticity was observed in patients with MS: −0.80 (95% CI: −1.31, −0.29). In addition, no significant effect of the single-session tDCS technique on gait speed was observed in patients with MS: 0.11 (95% CI: −0.11, 0.32). Conclusions: One of the main causes of discrepancy in the findings of included studies is the number of sessions for using neuromodulator techniques. A single session of anodal tDCS is not enough to improve gait in patients with MS. In addition, meta-analysis shows that multi-session TMS is effective intervention for decreasing spasticity in patients with MS.

Comparison of Two Variant Analysis Programs for Next-Generation Sequencing Data of Whole Mitochondrial Genome.

With advance of next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, the need for mitochondrial DNA analysis is increasing not only in the forensic area, but also in medical fields. Two commercial programs, Converge Software (CS) and Torrent Variant Caller for variant calling of NGS data, were compared with a considerable amount of sequence data of 50 samples with a homogeneous ethnicity. About 2,300 variants were identified and the two programs showed about 90% of consistency. CS, a dedicated analysis program for mitochondrial DNA, showed some advantages for forensic use. By additional visual inspection, several causes of discrepancy in variant calling results were identified. Application of different notation rules for mitochondrial sequence and the minor allele frequency close to detection threshold were the two most significant reasons. With prospective improvement of each program, researchers and practitioners should be aware of characteristics of the analysis program they use and prepare their own strategies to determine variants.

THE MILITARY-POLITICAL SITUATION IN AZERBAIJAN IN CONDITIONS OF THE CONFLICT OF THE BOLSHEVIKS AND THE NATIONAL FORCES (April-July 1918)

The military-political situation in Azerbaijan in April-July 1918 in the context of the struggle of the Baku Soviet of People’s Commissars against the Republic of Azerbaijan is analyzed in the article. Since at the time of the establishment of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Baku gubernia was under the authority of the Baku Soviet of People’s Commissars, there was actually dual power in the country. But soon the Baku SPC started a war with the national government, due to which the Bolsheviks suffered heavy results. The article elucidates the relationship between the forces on the political scene in Baku. In the summer of 1918, the factors that determined the anti-Bolshevik activity of the forces represented in the Baku Soviet are revealed, and the reasons for the isolation and subsequent overthrow of the Bolsheviks are determined. The causes of disagreements between the Bolsheviks and the Dashnaks are analyzed in detail. Altogether, the influence of the Armenian factor on the events of the period is being studied. It also clarifies to whicht extent the military assistance of Soviet Russia played a role in the struggle of the Baku SPC against the Republic of Azerbaijan. The main source base of the paper is the press materials of the mentioned period and the memories of participants in the event of different political orientations.

ECONOMIC DIAGNOSTICS IN THE SYSTEM OF INFORMATION SUPPORT FOR MANAGEMENT DECISION-MAKING

The article updates the problem of the role, place and informative possibilities of economic diagnostics for making managerial decisions regarding the innovative development of the enterprise. A significant number of scientific publications of Ukrainian and foreign economists devoted to various aspects of managerial innovations were considered, and the need for a systematic search for ways of innovative transformation of managerial decision-making for the effective development of enterprises was revealed. Analytical models of managerial decision-making based on knowledge were analyzed, the necessity of using business analytics for multi-criteria decision-making was revealed. The factors of the impact of analytical information on the quality of management decisions regarding innovative development, technological improvement, productivity growth and value creation in the organizational environment are analyzed. The need to develop a system of information and analytical support for enterprise management using an analysis mechanism, the implementation of which is based on monitoring the achievement of predetermined evaluation criteria, is substantiated. The role of economic diagnostics in increasing the efficiency of management of the enterprise’s activities has been clarified. It is proposed to consider economic diagnostics as a leading element of the information support system of the management decision-making process, both to identify the causes of disagreements and to find factors for accelerating innovative transformations. The established diagnostic indicators of the system of innovative development of the enterprise are considered and the author’s approach to determining the factors of coordination is proposed. Thus, it was established that the use of economic diagnostics in the management of innovative development allows to increase the informative relevance for making conceptual management decisions.. Further research is proposed to focus on the development of methodological principles for the introduction of economic diagnostics into the system of management decision-making in operational, tactical and strategic directions.

Investigation of Nano-Silica Solution Flow through Cement Cracks

Cement cracks are one of the most common failures in oil and gas wells. Cracks can reduce cement strength, resulting in a loss of zonal isolation and fluid leak. Placement of gels of nanoparticles (NPs) in the cracks is considered as a promising solution to solve the problem. It is highly desirable to know if the flow behavior of the NPs solutions is predictable when they are squeezed into the cracks. Experimental tests were performed in this study to investigate the flow behavior of nano-silica solutions in ducts of cross-sections of rectangular shape. The linear relationship between flow rate and pressure gradient and the calculated Reynolds number values suggests laminar flow in the ducts. However, the Hagen–Poiseuille correlation for laminar flow does not describe the flow behavior of the nano-silica solution. The classic hydraulic model with hydraulic diameter describes the nano-silica flow behavior with an average error of 12.38%. The cause of discrepancies between the flow models and the measured data is not known. It can be attributed to the NPs–NPs frictions and NPs–wall frictions in the rough ducts that were not considered in the flow models.

Fretting behaviors of self-mated diamond-like carbon films: The evolution of fretting regime and transfer film

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) film is undoubtedly one excellent self-lubricating solid film to improve the fretting behavior due to its ultralow friction as well as high-hardness. Investigating the evolution laws of fretting running state with operating condition and the friction reduction mechanism of DLC film under fretting is vital for reducing friction and wear. Here, the fretting performance of self-mated hydrogen-containing DLC (H-DLC) and Cr-doped DLC (Cr-DLC) was studied under different normal loads and amplitudes. In addition, the mechanism of friction reduction for transfer film and the cause of discrepancy in fretting behavior were clarified through a control experiment. The results demonstrate that as the normal load increases, the relative slip decreases, the elastic deformation increases, and the fretting regime develops towards the partial slip regime, while the increasing amplitude moves the fretting regime towards slip regime. During fretting, the third body layer will transfer to the counterface, and form a uniform and graphitized transfer film. The difference in the length of run-in period and the sp2/sp3 hybrid carbon content of DLC films influences the formation rate and the graphitized degree of the transfer film, which induces the discrepancy of fretting behavior of H-DLC and Cr-DLC films. Thus, this study not only clarifies the evolution on fretting regime of DLC film with changes in working conditions, but also demonstrates the key role of highly graphitized transfer film in fretting performances of self-mated DLC films. This work demonstrates the controllability and potential of self-mated DLC films in the field of fretting.

Pilot Inter-Laboratory Comparison Study of Optical Genome Mapping Analysis for Cytogenomic Characterization of Hematological Malignancies: A Spanish Multicentric Study

Introduction. Optical genome mapping (OGM, Bionano Genomics) is a novel whole genome approach based on the imaging of long DNA molecules that allows detecting structural and copy number variants (CNV) at a high resolution. Recent publications in several hematologic malignancies have demonstrated the good performance of OGM to identify clinically relevant genetic aberrations, otherwise found by karyotyping, FISH and/or genomic microarrays. Despite its high potential as a diagnostic tool, consensus guidelines for OGM implementation in the clinical setting are still lacking. The aims of the study were: (1) To describe the inter-laboratory reproducibility in the identification and reporting of clinically relevant cytogenomic variants by OGM; (2) To outline the main causes of discrepancies among centers, to be addressed in future OGM recommendations. Patients and Methods. Six Spanish centers participated in this pilot inter-laboratory comparison. A total of 12 patients were included, analyzing three centers each. The analyzed samples comprised tumoral specimens from two chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), one follicular lymphoma (FL), two multiple myeloma (MM), two primary myelofibrosis (PMF), one acute myeloid leukemia (AML), two adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and two pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). High molecular weight DNA from peripheral blood (n=6) or bone marrow (n=6) samples was labelled, processed and imaged in a Saphyr System (Bionano Genomics). Molecule files from the rare variant analysis (obtained from the Bionano Access software) were shared among hospitals and each center analyzed the samples following the manufacturer's filtering/analysis recommendations. The concordance rate was calculated taking into account those variants included in the final curated variant list and those that would be included in the clinical report. Results. Globally, 152 variants were recorded by at least one center (median: 11/sample, range: 6-22), being 100 CNV, 44 translocations and 8 small insertions or inversions. Among them, 98 (68%) were considered clinically relevant as they were classified as pathogenic (disease-related or CNV >5Mb, n=62) or likely pathogenic (CNV<5Mb associated with translocations or translocations associated with pathogenic CNV, n=36). The remaining 54 were classified as variants of unknown significance (VUS). Regarding the detection of pathogenic and likely-pathogenic variants, the global concordance among centers was 83%, being 100% in 8/12 cases, around 90% in 3/12 cases and only 33% in one case. The latter had a low tumor burden and one laboratory did not perform a visual revision of the whole genome data (Figure). Remarkably, except for this case, 100% of concordance was obtained in the detection of the diagnostic and prognostic abnormalities described in guidelines (Table). Similar concordance rates were obtained for rearrangements (79%) and CNV gains and losses (86% and 85%, respectively). Concerning the inclusion in the clinical reports of those variants detected by all the centers, 94% (75/80) were concordantly reported. Discordances in the reporting included 3 pathogenic variants (one complex rearrangement and 2 losses with a low infiltration) and 2 likely pathogenic variants (complex rearrangements associated with CNV). In contrast, only 6/54 VUS (11%) were concordantly identified (3 CNV <500Kb and 3 translocations) and none of them was reported by all the centers. Conclusions. 1. The inter-laboratory concordance for the identification of the clinically relevant (diagnostic and/or prognostic) abnormalities was optimal. 2. Nevertheless, certain potential pathogenic aberrations were discordantly classified and/or reported; discrepancies were explained by a variable previous knowledge on the Bionano Access software, different filtering/analysis criteria and diverse professional expertise; 3. Future OGM international guidelines are needed to harmonize the introduction of such cytogenomic results in the clinical reports for hematological malignancies. Acknowledgements: 2017SGR437 and 2017SGR288 and CERCA Programme, Generalitat de Catalunya; Fundació Internacional Josep Carreras; PI19/01828 and PI21/00022 from ISCIII; Premios FIHGUV 20/425; SEHH (C. G-G personal grant) and ACIF/2021/169, from Generalitat Valenciana (R.G-S predoctoral contract). Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Long-term evolution of quantitative traits in the Drosophila melanogaster species subgroup.

Quantitative genetics aims at untangling the genetic and environmental effects on phenotypic variation. Trait heritability, which summarizes the relative importance of genetic effects, is estimated at the intraspecific level, but theory predicts that heritability could influence long-term evolution of quantitative traits. The phylogenetic signal concept bears resemblance to heritability and it has often been called species-level heritability. Under certain conditions, such as trait neutrality or contribution to phylogenesis, within-species heritability and between-species phylogenetic signal should be correlated. Here, we investigate the potential relationship between these two concepts by examining the evolution of multiple morphological traits for which heritability has been estimated in Drosophila melanogaster. Specifically, we analysed 42 morphological traits in both sexes on a phylogeny inferred from 22 nuclear genes for nine species of the melanogaster subgroup. We used Pagel's λ as a measurement of phylogenetic signal because it is the least influenced by the number of analysed taxa. Pigmentation traits showed the strongest concordance with the phylogeny, but no correlation was found between phylogenetic signal and heritability estimates mined from the literature. We obtained data for multiple climatic variables inferred from the geographical distribution of each species. Phylogenetic regression of quantitative traits on climatic variables showed a significantly positive correlation with heritability. Convergent selection, the response to which depends on the trait heritability, may have led to the null association between phylogenetic signal and heritability for morphological traits in Drosophila. We discuss the possible causes of discrepancy between both statistics and caution against their confusion in evolutionary biology.

Palliative and Hospice Care in Nursing Homes: Discrepancies Between Theoretical Framework and Everyday Practice

Despite the existence of a legislative framework, palliative care and hospice support in nursing homes vary widely. Although most nursing homes have palliative care concepts by now, they are rarely integrated into everyday practice. This study aims to examine differences in palliative and hospice care and to determine the causes of discrepancies between theoretical framework and everyday practice. Based on a pilot project, in depth structural and process analyses of two nursing homes in urban and rural areas in North Rhine-Westphalia were conducted. In addition, three nursing homes of an extended group of providers as well as an expert advisory board was included to minimize (provider-) specific characteristics and to expand findings. Although the proportion of palliative residents and their average age was comparable, analyses revealed significant differences between the nursing homes regarding the palliative length of stay (213.2 days vs. 88.6 days) as well as the mortality rate of palliative residents among all death cases (26% vs. 63.6%). Furthermore, internal processes within the nursing homes differed vastly despite similar concepts and procedural instructions. As a result, palliative care formally started at an earlier stage in nursing home X. Besides that, the identification of palliative care situations, as well as communication, organizational processes and the inclusion of cooperation partners, took place without fixed structures and was based on the subjective handling of staff members in both facilities. It turns out to be challenging for nursing homes to implement theoretical framework into everyday practice. To facilitate this process, aside from practicable assessments, defined responsibilities and organizational support, financing concepts at health policy level need to be established.

The spread of alcoholism and drug addiction in the regions of Russia

Alcoholism and drug addiction are serious social diseases that have a negative impact on many socio-economic indicators. The article presents the results of a study of alcoholism and drug addiction in Russia at the regional level: current data are given, regions with the best and worst values are highlighted, and dynamics over the past 15 years is shown. Despite positive changes and a decrease in officially registered cases of alcoholism and drug addiction in Russia, the real picture does not seem so rosy, and the negative impact of alcoholism and drug addiction on the most important indicators of quality of life and human potential remains high, that is confirmed by the results of this study. An attempt was made to find the causes for discrepancy between official data and real ones, as well as to identify the functional relationships of the studied indicator with other indicators of human potential and quality of life that can act as causes or consequences of alcoholism and drug addiction. According to the results of the correlation analysis, taking into account direct and reverse time lags for 8 years for 10 socio-economic indicators, there was revealed an extremely negative impact of alcoholism and drug addiction on the most important indicators of human potential, primarily on life expectancy, infant mortality, and the number of crimes and murders. The prospects for further research on the topic are described based on the experience gained in the course of this study.

SAARC AND ASEAN: A Comparative Study Success &amp; Failure.

The research paper is an attempt to understand the determinations behind establishment of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation and ASEAN. This paper describes reasons why Pakistan &amp; India were unwilling initially to join the said SAARC. The paper elaborates Evolution, Functions, Achievement, and failure including influence of internal and external power center of the world. The qualitative research method has adopted to evaluate the failure and success of ASEAN &amp; SAARC. ASEAN has shown very rapid growth in regional &amp; global trade; previously mentioned organization achievements are high as compared to SAARC. In fact, the idea was to promote peace, political harmony, cultural exchange and economic development in the region. Pakistan tried utmost to reduce trust defect among the regional countries by utilizing forum of SAARC. The cooperation of South Asian nations is linked with internal &amp; external security of regional countries. The hegemony of India and deep-rooted tension between two countries caused great damage to the smooth functions of SAARC. Kashmir is cause of disagreement between two sates its lingering position created hinders to achieve the goals of SAARC. The issue of so-called cross border terrorism and false flag operations by India has also sabotaged this forum. The Sri Lanka laid formal groundwork in first meeting in Colombo on April, 1981.The series of various meeting was held from 1981 to 1992 for the conceptual framework of SAARC. The foundation of this organization is following three conferences, which were held, between 1947 to 1954: 1. Asian Relations Conference 1947. 2. The Baguio Conference 1950. 3. Colombo Power Conference 1954.