Relative Discrepancy Research Articles

MAPPING PADDY RICE EXTENT AND CROPPING PATTERN IN IADA BARAT LAUT SELANGOR USING INTEGRATION OF SENTINEL-1 AND 2 DATA

The Malaysian government, under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), has set a goal to achieve a self-sufficient level (SSL) of 70% for rice production. Accurate and timely spatiotemporal information on harvested rice extent is required to measure progress towards achieving the SSL for rice. Remote sensing technology has been widely used to provide information on rice extent in large areas rapidly. The aim of this study is to create maps of rice extent and cropping patterns in the IADA Barat Laut Selangor (BLS) using a combination of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery data from Sentinel-1, optical imagery data at level-2A or Surface Reflectance (SR) from Sentinel-2, the unsupervised K-means clustering method, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud-based computing platform. The clustering results were then classified into rice and non-rice groups, and used to generate rice cropping patterns based on their representative profiles of temporal composite values of VH backscatter of Sentinel-1 data and NDVI of Sentinel-2 data. The accuracy of the map products was evaluated using a confusion matrix based on visual interpretation using very high-resolution imagery in Google Earth (GE) and compared with the existing data from IADA BLS. The rice extent map generated at 10-meter resolution exhibited excellent accuracy with an overall accuracy of 98% and a kappa coefficient of 0.95. The estimated rice parcel area in IADA BLS for 2021 was 17,864 ha, which is close to the existing data of 18,785 ha. The comparison of results in the irrigation block also indicated that the rice field area agreed well with the statistical data, with an R2 of 0.95, RMSE of 357 ha, and relative discrepancy of 4.9%. The cropping pattern also showed satisfactory results as compared to the existing data. These findings demonstrate that the proposed methodology can provide high-accuracy rice extent map products and has the potential to be applied to rice fields across Malaysia and other tropical regions to address food security issues.

Verification of a novel fuel burnup algorithm in the RAPID code system based on Serpent-2 simulation of the TRIGA Mark II research reactor

The Real-time Analysis for Particle-transport and In-situ Detection (RAPID) Code System, developed based on the Multi-stage Response-function Transport (MRT) methodology, enables real-time simulation of nuclear systems such as reactor cores, spent nuclear fuel pools and casks, and sub-critical facilities. This paper presents the application of a novel fission matrix-based burnup methodology to the well-characterized JSI TRIGA Mark II research reactor. This methodology allows for calculation of nuclear fuel depletion by combination and interpolation of RAPID's burnup dependent fission matrix (FM) coefficients to take into account core changes due to burnup. The methodology is compared to experimentally validated Serpent-2 Monte Carlo depletion calculations. The results show that the burnup methodology for RAPID (bRAPID) implemented into RAPID is capable of accurately calculating the keff burnup changes of the reactor core as the average discrepancies throughout the whole burnup interval are 37 pcm. Furthermore, capability of accurately describing 3D fission source distribution changes with burnup is demonstrated by having less than 1% relative discrepancies compared to Serpent-2. Good agreement is observed for axially and pin-wise dependent fuel burnup and nuclear fuel nuclide composition as a function of burnup. It is demonstrated that bRAPID accurately describes burnup in areas with high gradients of neutron flux (e.g. vicinity of control rods). Observed discrepancies for some isotopes are explained by analyzing the neutron spectrum. This paper presents a powerful depletion calculation tool that is capable of characterization of spent nuclear fuel on the fly while the reactor is in operation.

Problems of accounting of payroll calculations

In the Programs for the Development of Federal Accounting Standards adopted in recent years, there is no standard devoted to the issues of accounting for payroll calculations. At the same time, there are numerous situations in which the answer to a number of accounting questions of such calculations is not unambiguous. The article analyzes such problematic situations. It substantiates the presence of debatable questions about in which cases the costs of payment should be included in the cost of assets created in the organization, and in which cases such costs should be attributed to the expenses of the period. Examples of possible discrepancies in relation to the accounting of such situations are given. The article also explores the issue of assessing wage obligations. Substantiates the existence of debatable issues relating to the assessment of long-term pay obligations. On the basis of research,the article argues the conclusion that it is necessary to adopt a federal accounting standard for payroll calculations, the rules of which would eliminate the possible ambiguity of the practical solution of issues related to the accounting of payroll calculations. The research methods were comparison, analysis, synthesis, grouping method, systemic and logical approaches. The results of the study complement the study of the problems of standardization of accounting issues for various objects and business operations.

A kernel Stein test for comparing latent variable models

Abstract We propose a kernel-based nonparametric test of relative goodness of fit, where the goal is to compare two models, both of which may have unobserved latent variables, such that the marginal distribution of the observed variables is intractable. The proposed test generalizes the recently proposed kernel Stein discrepancy (KSD) tests (Liu et al., Proceedings of the 33rd international conference on machine learning (pp. 276–284); Chwialkowski et al., (2016), In Proceedings of the 33rd international conference on machine learning (pp. 2606–2615); Yang et al., (2018), In Proceedings of the 35th international conference on machine learning (pp. 5561–5570)) to the case of latent variable models, a much more general class than the fully observed models treated previously. The new test, with a properly calibrated threshold, has a well-controlled type-I error. In the case of certain models with low-dimensional latent structures and high-dimensional observations, our test significantly outperforms the relative maximum mean discrepancy test, which is based on samples from the models and does not exploit the latent structure.

The Logic of Pregnancy

This article takes its point of departure in Bracha Ettinger's discussion on the "matrixial borderspace": the structure of the experience of "the womb," both from a "mother-pole" and a "fetus-pole". Ettinger describes this borderspace as a place of differentiation-in-co-emergence, separation-in-jointness, and distance-in-proximity. The question this article poses is what kind of logic this experience is an expression of, as there seems to be a discrepancy in relation to the classical Aristotelian logic of identity. As an alternative to classical Aristotelian logic, Nicholas of Cusa's logic of the non-aliud is explored as a paradigm more in line with Ettinger's description of pregnancy specifically and more generally, to an understanding of life as a co-poietic emergence of structures of pactivity and permeability.

Relations between intelligence index score discrepancies and psychopathology symptoms in the EDEN mother-child birth cohort

The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential linkages between intelligence and psychopathology across the full IQ range, while considering both absolute IQ scores and discrepancies between them. We drew data from the EDEN mother-child birth cohort, gathered at two time points: 5.5 and 11.5 years of age. We examined three instruments assessing psychopathology: the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment for Adolescents. We focused on four distinct scales: internalizing disorder, conduct disorder, social problems, and ADHD symptoms.Our analyses first examined correlations between Full-scale IQ, Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, and psychopathology scores. Subsequently, we explored correlations between absolute and relative verbal-performance IQ discrepancies and psychopathology scores. In general, we found that relations between intelligence index scores and psychopathology scales were generally null or negative (high IQ associated with fewer psychopathology symptoms). Our results do not lend support to the hypothesis that high intelligence or index score discrepancies are risk factors for psychopathology in children and adolescents.

Utility of virtual stenting in treatment of cerebral aneurysms by flow diverter devices.

Successful endovascular treatment by stenting of intracranial aneurysms requires proper placement of the device and appropriate choice of its diameter and length. To date, several methods have been employed to achieve these goals, although each has inherent critical issues. Recently developed stent planning software applications can be used to assist interventional neuroradiologists. Based on a 3D-DSA image acquired before stenting, these applications simulate and visualize the final placement of the deployed stent. In this single-centre retrospective study, 27 patients undergoing an intravascular procedure for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms from June 2019 to July 2020 were evaluated according to strict inclusion criteria. Stent virtualization was performed with Syngo 3D Aneurysm Guidance Neuro software. We compared the software-generated stent measurement and measurements taken by the interventional radiologist. Statistical analysis was performed using the STAC web platform. Mean and standard deviations of absolute and relative discrepancies between predicted and implanted stents were recorded. Friedman's nonparametric test was used to refute the null hypotheses, i.e. (I) discrepancies between the size of virtual and implanted stents would occur, and (II) operator influence does not affect the outcome of the virtual stenting process. Based on these observations, it is believed that the virtual stenting process can validly assist interventional neuroradiologists in selecting the appropriate device and reducing peri- and post-procedural complications. The results of our study suggest that virtual reality simulation of devices used for endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is a useful, rapid, and accurate tool for interventional procedure planning.

Comparison of PPPH MATLAB based program vs Online GNSS Services

The modernization of GNSS provides promising improvements to satellite navigation users across the world, it is important to determine the reliability of using free online processing software for the Global Navigation Satellite System post-processing. The study aims at assessing the accuracy of two free online processing software, GAPS, and CSRS-PPP and Open-source software, PPPH MATLAB based software, and GNSS solutions. Field observations were carried out on data from three stations using GNSS observation from IGS with an observation period of 30 seconds the acquired data were post-processed using both online and open-source software. The coordinates generated from each software were then compared with the ones obtained from station to determine their relative discrepancies and accuracies. for GAPS and CSRS-PPP both in X, Y, and Z direction in ITRF14 reference. Online GNSS processing services are easy to use, do not require the knowledge of GNSS data processing and can be adopted for engineering and geodetic applications. Initial time must be checked for better resolution.

Development and validation of a measure of adolescent and young adult goal-based quality of life (MAYA-GQOL).

We developed and validated a measure assessing quality of life (QOL) through importance, attainability, and discrepancy of life goals among adolescents and young adults (AYA) with and without cancer. A specific goal-based QOL measure for AYA fills a critical gap in knowledge for AYA who are at a unique life stage, which may include shifts in priorities and goals. Through review of our existing AYA databases on goals, the literature, and cognitive interviews we developed the MAYA-GQOL. Items were administered to AYA with cancer (on/off treatment) (n = 124) and healthy AYA controls (n = 103) aged 15-29years old. Psychometric analyses for comparison with existing QOL measures and discrepancies in perceived importance/attainability of goals were examined. An item pool of 700 goals, based on prior research, was refined to 173 goals across nine categories: academic, administrative, body, health, job, leisure, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and religion. Validation between the MAYA-GQOL and existing QOL measures was supported. AYA survivors reported fewer overall current goals and fewer administrative, interpersonal, leisure, and religious goals. AYA survivors rated body goal importance significantly higher than healthy controls and intrapersonal goal importance significantly lower. Little discrepancy in importance and attainability across AYA was found. The MAYA-GQOL represents an innovative way of measuring QOL among AYA by focusing on the relative importance, attainability, and discrepancy of developmentally appropriate goals. The MAYA-GQOL can identify areas of resilience and competence via assessment of important and attainable goals and can further assess how AYA with chronic illness are functioning relative to peers on goal domains relevant to the AYA developmental period.

Uncertainty Quantification and Exploration for Reinforcement Learning

Quantify the uncertainty to decide and explore better In statistical inference, large-sample behavior and confidence interval construction are fundamental in assessing the error and reliability of estimated quantities with respect to the data noises. In the paper “Uncertainty Quantification and Exploration for Reinforcement Learning”, Dong, Lam, and Zhu study the large sample behavior in the classic setting of reinforcement learning. They derive appropriate large-sample asymptotic distributions for the state-action value function (Q-value) and optimal value function estimations when data are collected from the underlying Markov chain. This allows one to evaluate the assertiveness of performances among different decisions. The tight uncertainty quantification also facilitates the development of a pure exploration policy by maximizing the worst-case relative discrepancy among the estimated Q-values (ratio of the mean squared difference to the variance). This exploration policy aims to collect informative training data to maximize the probability of learning the optimal reward collecting policy, and it achieves good empirical performance.

Does the Functional Status of the Upper Limb Influence Limb Length Discrepancy in a Child with Birth Brachial Plexus Palsy?

Background: Limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a frequent observation in children with birth brachial plexus palsy (BBPP) and a common concern among parents. A common assumption is that the LLD decreases if the child is using the involved limb more. However, there is no literature evidence for this assumption. The present study was conducted to assess the correlation between the functional status of the involved limb and the LLD in children with BBPP. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients (age > 5 years) with unilateral BBPP seen at our institute underwent measurements of limb lengths to assess the LLD. The arm, forearm and hand segments were measured separately. The functional status of the involved limb was assessed using modified House's Scoring system (Scores 0-10). The correlation between limb length and functional status was assessed using the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Post-hoc analyses were performed as required. Results: A length difference was observed in 98% of the limbs with brachial plexus lesions. The average absolute LLD was 4.6 cm with a standard deviation of 2.5 cm. We found a statistically significant difference in LLD among the patients with a House score of <7 ('Poor function') and 7 and above ('Good function'; p < 0.001) with later indicative of independent use of the involved limb. We found no correlation between age and LLD. More extensive plexus involvement resulted in higher LLD. The maximal relative discrepancy was found in the hand segment of the upper extremity. Conclusions: LLD was seen in most of the patients with BBPP. The functional status of the involved upper limb in BBPP was found to be significantly associated with LLD. Though causation cannot be assumed. We found that children using the involved limb independently tend to have the least LLD. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

A Quantitative Assessment of LIDAR Data Accuracy

Airborne laser scanning sensors are impressive in their ability to collect a large number of topographic points in three dimensions in a very short time thus providing a high-resolution depiction of complex objects in the scanned areas. The quality of any final product naturally depends on the original data and the methods of generating it. Thus, the quality of the data should be evaluated before assessing any of its products. In this research, a detailed evaluation of a LIDAR system is presented, and the quality of the LIDAR data is quantified. This area has been under-emphasized in much of the published work on the applications of airborne laser scanning data. The evaluation is done by field surveying. The results address both the planimetric and the height accuracy of the LIDAR data. The average discrepancy of the LIDAR elevations from the surveyed study area is 0.12 m. In general, the RMSE of the horizontal offsets is approximately 0.50 m. Both relative and absolute height discrepancies of the LIDAR data have two components of variation. The first component is a random short-period variation while the second component has a less significant frequency and depends on the biases in the geo-positioning system.

Assessment of Electrical Machines’ State Based on Mathematical Modeling of Defect Formation in Windings

The highest quality and timely diagnostics of windings’ state of various types of electrical machines including of asynchronous motors’ windings is an impoitant task. Among the existing diagnostic methods currently the most promising are those ones based on methods for analyzing resonance processes occurring in electrical machines. The aim of the article was to assess the possibility of use resonant processes occurring in electrical machines for qualitative diagnostics of their windings state using the asynchronous motors example, to build mathematical models that allow describing defect formation in windings and to analyze the deviation of mathematical models relative to the results obtained.Analysis of the influence of the level of interturn resistances, the number of closed turns and the location of closed turns in sections on the phase-frequency characteristics of asynchronous motors windings of various classes has been carried out. Mathematical models of the phase-frequency characteristics are obtained, coefficients of polynomials are determined and the relative discrepancy between these mathematical dependences relative to the experimental data is estimated depending on the considered parameters characterizing defects in the coils’ windings of electrical machines.Obtained mathematical models and coefficients for them can serve as the basis for construction of automated control and diagnostic systems for checking of the windings state of electrical machines including assessing the residual life of their work.

Little discrepancy between one-stage and chromogenic factor VIII (FVIII)/IX assays in a large international cohort of persons with nonsevere hemophilia A and B

BackgroundAccurate measurements of coagulation factor activity form an essential part of hemophilia management and are performed by the one-stage or chromogenic assay. Current literature suggests that approximately one-third of persons with nonsevere hemophilia A exhibit assay discrepancy, albeit with a high variability between studies. Such data are scarce in nonsevere hemophilia B. ObjectivesTo investigate the extent of factor VIII/IX one-stage and chromogenic assay discrepancy in moderate and mild hemophilia A and B. MethodsPersons with previously diagnosed nonsevere hemophilia A and B with a factor level of 2 to 35 IU/dL were included from the international DYNAMO cohort study. Central measurements of the factor VIII and IX activity levels were performed by the one-stage and chromogenic assay. Relative and absolute discrepancy definitions were used, with the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis-Scientific and Standardization Committee proposed ratio of >2.0 or <0.5 being the primary outcome. Discrepancy was also evaluated in a subgroup of 13 persons with mutations previously associated with discrepancy (≥3 cases reported in literature). ResultsA total of 220 persons were included, of whom 3 (1%) showed assay discrepancy: 2/175 hemophilia A and 1/45 hemophilia B. Six persons (3%) exhibited an absolute difference >10 IU/dL between the assay results. In addition, with more lenient definitions, over 90% of participants (n = 197) had no discrepant results. Only 1 out of 13 persons with a mutation previously associated with discrepancy had significant assay discrepancy. ConclusionLittle assay discrepancy was observed despite the presence of mutations previously associated with discrepancy, suggesting that the presence and magnitude of assay discrepancy are largely determined by laboratory variables.

Atmospheric pollen allergen load and environmental patterns in central and southwestern Iberian Peninsula

Over one quarter of the population in industrialised countries suffers from some type of allergy and inhaled aeroallergens from pollen are the primary cause of allergic ailments. The networks for monitoring biological air quality measure the airborne pollen concentrations that characterize periods of exposure to major airborne aeroallergens but there are certain discrepancies in relation to the allergen-pollen dynamic. In this paper we analyse the airborne allergens Ole e 1, Phl p 1, Phl p 5 and Pla a 1, and interpreted the adjustments and mismatches in their concentrations in relation to airborne pollen. The influence of main environmental patterns was considered. The study was conducted in two urban areas of the centre and southwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Toledo in Spain and Évora in Portugal). Monitoring for pollen followed the standard protocol using Hirst volumetric spore traps and allergenic particles were quantified by ELISA assay. The results indicate that the discrepancies in this relationship were affected by the weather conditions up to 6 days prior. Precipitation and humidity above normal values caused a higher concentration of the allergen Pla a 1. This effect occurred in reverse in the case of humidity for the allergens Ole e 1 and Phl p 1. Humidity and precipitation generated the same pattern in the allergen-pollen relationship in both Phl p 1 and Phl p 5. Our findings show consistent results that allow to interpret the rate of discrepancy between allergen and pollen, and it can be used to improve allergy risk prediction models generated from atmospheric pollen.

Procedure for characterization and validation of commercial clearance monitors using Monte Carlo simulations

The goal of the present work is to propose and validate a numerical model for the calibration of clearance monitors, aimed at determining conversion factors between the measured count rates and the activity for non-standard radionuclides and geometries. For this, Monte Carlo simulations were carried out using the multipurpose code FLUKA in combination with an offline optimization of the model parameters used to correct the simulation results. Parameter optimization was performed by comparing experimental measurements of point sources in an empty chamber of a clearance monitor with the simulation results, whereas for model validation, the simulation results were compared to measurements of the sources in different geometries. The maximum relative discrepancy between the calculated and measured efficiencies in the validation was <10%. This procedure is relevant for the calibration of clearance monitors used in particle accelerator and nuclear facilities, where a variety of radionuclides, materials and geometries need to be measured and released from regulatory control.

Assessing the accuracy of online GNSS processing services and commercial software on short baselines

With the rapid establishment of free online processing services to provide users with reliable solutions, it is important to determine the reliability of using free online processing software for the Global Navigation Satellite System post-processing. The study aim at assessing the accuracy of two (2) free online processing software, AUSPOS, and CSRS-PPP and two (2) commercial software, compass post-processing, and GNSS solutions. Field observations were carried out on seven (7) control points using static GNSS observation techniques with an observation period of 1hr for three (3) consecutive days and conventional surveying using total station instruments to establish a closed traverse. The acquired data were post-processed using both online and commercial software. The co-ordinates generated from each software were then compared with the ones obtained using total station instruments to determine their relative discrepancies and accuracies. Root mean square error and T-test were used for the analysis of the result. The result obtained is (0.004m, 0.003m and 0.007m) for compass post-processing software and (0.015m, 0.012m and 0.016m) for GNSS solutions software and the online software had the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of (0.025m, 0.023m and 0.027m) for AUSPOS and (0.034m, 0.037m and 0.041m) for CSRS-PPP both in X, Y, and Z direction i.e. UTM East, North and ellipsoidal height respectively. Analysis at a 5% level of significance shows no significant difference between the two methods. Online GNSS processing services are easy to use, do not require the knowledge of GNSS data processing and can be adopted for engineering and geodetic applications.

Assessment of Deviations of Implants Installed with Prototyped Surgical Guide and Conventional Guide: In Vitro Study.

The study aimed to assess the angular and linear deviations of implants installed in mannequins aided by surgical guides produced with the techniques of dual tomography (DT), model-based tomography (MT), and nonprototyped guide. Implants were installed in mannequins of a partially edentulous maxilla and divided into three groups: Group C (n = 20), implants installed using the conventional technique with flap opening and conventional guide; Group DT (n = 20), implants installed using guided surgery with the dual tomography technique; and Group MT (n = 20), implants installed using the model-based tomography technique. After implant installation, the mannequin was subjected to a computed tomography (CT) to measure the linear and angular deviations of implant positioning relative to the initial planning on both sides. There was a higher mean angular deviation in group C (4.61 ± 1.21, p ≤ 0.001) than in groups DT (2.13 ± 0.62) and MT (1.87 ± 0.94), which were statistically similar between each other. Similarly, the linear deviations showed group C with the greatest discrepancy in relation to the other groups in the crown (2.17 ± 0.82, p = 0.007), central (2.2 ± 0.77, p = 0.004), and apical (2.34 ± 0.8, p = 0.001) regions. The techniques of DT and MT presented smaller angular and linear deviations than the conventional technique with the nonprototyped guide. There was no difference between the two-guided surgery techniques.

Numerical Investigations of Molten Salt Pump Journal Bearings Under Hydrodynamic Lubrication Conditions for FHRs

Fluoride salt-cooled, High-temperature Reactors (FHRs), featuring particle fuel, graphite moderator, and molten fluoride salt coolant, are used for electricity generation and process heat applications. The primary loop of an FHR is a closed loop that operates slightly above the atmospheric pressure with the fluoride salt temperature over 600°C. Reliable high-temperature molten salt pumps are critical to the successful deployment of FHRs. To stabilize rotating shafts and reduce the associated friction coefficients, well-designed bearings are required for molten salt pumps. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the detailed hydrodynamic performance of bearings under high-temperature molten salt conditions. In this study, a computational fluid dynamics software package, i.e., STAR-CCM+, was used to predict the performance of fluoride salt–lubricated bearings. The numerical models were verified and validated respectively based on an analytical solution derived from the Reynolds equation and experimental data published in the literature. Good agreement was observed between the simulation results and the analytical solution and experimental data with a maximum relative discrepancy of less than 5%. The validated numerical model was then employed to predict the pressure distributions, applied static loads, and power losses of high-temperature fluoride salt–lubricated bearings with various Sommerfeld numbers. In addition, a parametric analysis was performed to investigate the influence of the axial and helical grooves of bearings on applied static load and power loss. It is found that under the same salt lubrication conditions, the bearings with helical grooves and axial grooves respectively yield 20% off and 14% off power loss compared with the bearing without grooves.

Variaciones horizontales, verticales y transversales en la Relación Céntrica (RC) en pacientes con Disfunción Temporomandibular (DTM) y Síntomas Otológicos (SO)

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la magnitud de las variaciones horizontales, verticales y transversales en la relación céntrica (RC) en pacientes con Disfunción Temporomandibular (DTM) y síntomas otológicos (SO) comparando con pacientes que no presenten DTM ni SO, mediante el uso del articulador MG2, fueron valorados en la División de Estomatología-Ortodoncia del Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González” (HGMGG). En un periodo comprendido del 2005 al 2006, con rango de edad entre 20 a 60 años.Para la realización de este estudio, se incluyeron 27 pacientes con DTM y SO, y 15 pacientes sin DTM ni SO.Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que los pacientes con DTM y SO presentan una discrepancia horizontal, vertical y transversal en relación a la máxima intercuspidación (MI) y la relación céntrica (RC), significativa. Presentándose en 15 de los 27 casos estudiados variaciones anteroposteriores. Siendo menos significativa las variaciones verticales presentándose solo en 10 de los casos estudiados.