Negative Discrepancy Research Articles

Discrepancies between self-rated depression and observed depression severity: The effects of personality and dysfunctional attitudes

BackgroundPatient self-reports and clinician ratings of depression severity can differ substantially. The aim of the current study was to explore factors associated with discrepancies between depressed patients' Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) self-reports and clinicians' Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) ratings. MethodsWe first computed discrepancy scores defined as the standardized weighted HAMD-17 total score minus the standardized PHQ-9 total score. To assess correlates of inconsistent scores, results of patients with similar standardized scores were removed (i.e., within ½ standard deviation, n = 270). Positive values indicate underreporting (HAMD-17 > PHQ-9), i.e., the underreporting group (n = 200); and negative discrepancy scores indicate overreporting (PHQ-9 > HAMD-17), i.e., the overreporting group (n = 221). We examined the relationship of demographic, dysfunctional attitudes and personality variables to the discrepancies between self and observer rated depression. ResultsThere were significant differences in extraversion, psychoticism, neuroticism, dysfunctional attitudes and occupation between the underreporting group and the overreporting group (all p < .05). When controlling for potential confounding variables, being a working professional and having high neuroticism and dysfunctional attitudes were significantly associated with overestimating symptoms of depression (e.g., professional: OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.67–5.00; p < .001; high neuroticism: OR, 7.08; 95% CI, 1.47–34.08; p < .001;dysfunctional attitudes: OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.02; p = .030). People with average, or high extraversion tended to underestimate scores (average extraversion: OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37–0.95; high extraversion: OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.24–0.98). ConclusionsThis study is the first to use PHQ-9 and HAMD-17 to explore the discrepancies between self and observer rated depression. Discrepancies occurred between the PHQ-9 score and HAMD-17 score, which were related to neuroticism, extraversion, dysfunctional attitudes and being a working professional. Future research should clarify the relationship between these factors and therapeutic effects of treatments, including adverse outcomes.

Fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning sources of global black carbon from GEOS-Chem simulation and carbon isotope measurements

Abstract. We identify sources (fossil fuel combustion versus biomass burning) of black carbon (BC) in the atmosphere and in deposition using a global 3-D chemical transport model GEOS-Chem. We validate the simulated sources against carbon isotope measurements of BC around the globe and find that the model reproduces mean biomass burning contribution (fbb; %) in various regions within a factor of 2 (except in Europe, where fbb is underestimated by 63 %). GEOS-Chem shows that contribution from biomass burning in the Northern Hemisphere (fbb: 35±14 %) is much less than that in the Southern Hemisphere (50±11 %). The largest atmospheric fbb is in Africa (64±20 %). Comparable contributions from biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion are found in southern (S) Asia (53±10 %), southeastern (SE) Asia (53±11 %), S America (47±14 %), the S Pacific (47±7 %), Australia (53±14 %) and the Antarctic (51±2 %). fbb is relatively small in eastern Asia (40±13 %), Siberia (35±8 %), the Arctic (33±6 %), Canada (31±7 %), the US (25±4 %) and Europe (19±7 %). Both observations and model results suggest that atmospheric fbb is higher in summer (59 %–78 %, varying with sub-regions) than in winter (28 %–32 %) in the Arctic, while it is higher in winter (42 %–58 %) and lower in summer (16 %–42 %) over the Himalayan–Tibetan Plateau. The seasonal variations of Atmosphericfbb are relatively flat in North America, Europe and Asia. We conducted four experiments to investigate the uncertainties associated with biofuel emissions, hygroscopicity of BC in fresh emissions, the aging rate and size-resolved wet scavenging. We find that doubling biofuel emissions for domestic heating north of 45∘ N increases fbb values in Europe in winter by ∼30 %, reducing the discrepancy between observed and modeled atmospheric fbb from −63 % to −54 %. The remaining large negative discrepancy between model and observations suggests that the biofuel emissions are probably still underestimated at high latitudes. Increasing the fraction of thickly coated hydrophilic BC from 20 % to 70 % in fresh biomass burning plumes increases the fraction of hydrophilic BC in biomass burning plumes by 0 %–20 % (varying with seasons and regions) and thereby reduces atmospheric fbb by up to 11 %. Faster aging (4 h e-folding time versus 1.15 d e-folding time) of BC in biomass burning plumes reduces atmospheric fbb by 7 % (1 %–14 %, varying with seasons and regions), with the largest reduction in remote regions, such as the Arctic, the Antarctic and the S Pacific. Using size-resolved scavenging accelerates scavenging of BC particles in both fossil fuel and biomass burning plumes, with a faster scavenging of BC in fossil fuel plumes. Thus, atmospheric fbb increases in most regions by 1 %–14 %. Overall, atmospheric fbb is determined mainly by fbb in emissions and, to a lesser extent, by atmospheric processes, such as aging and scavenging. This confirms the assumption that fbb in local emissions determines atmospheric fbb in previous studies, which compared measured atmospheric fbb directly with local fbb in bottom-up emission inventories.

Effect of colloidal properties on the particle characteristics in the flame-assisted spray-drying process

Spherical silica particles have been synthesised from sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) via flame-assisted spray-drying. The parameters of colloidal properties, such as pH and concentration of a solution (ranging 8–11 and 0.1–0.3 mol/L, respectively), were studied to understand their effects on droplet size and the resultant morphological changes in the silica particles. A three-dimensional multiphase computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation for the flame-assisted spray-drying process has been developed to predict the temperature distribution in flame reactors and the generated average particle size. The pH and concentration of the solutions were found to affect the precursor physical properties, such as density, viscosity, and surface tension. This observation was validated by the presence of non-spherical doughnut-like particles using the colloidal precursor at pH 8 and solution concentration 0.1 mol/L. An approach that permits the direct estimation of the average droplet size produced from an ultrasonic nebulizer is presented in this paper. Good agreement, with an approximately 5% negative discrepancy, was observed between the experimental results and the theoretical values. A higher discrepancy of approximately 33% occurred in the particles using the colloidal precursor at pH 8 owing to morphological changes in the silica particles.

Tek taraflı dudak ve damak yarığına sahip hastalarda alt çene ark boyu uyumsuzluğu: ortodontik model analizi

Objective: This study aimed to assess the lower arch length discrepancy in a group of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Materials and Method: Pretreatment dental casts and panoramic radiographs of 23 patients (aged 9–19 years) with a nonsyndromic complete UCLP, without having large restorations/crowns, tooth agenesis, impacted or supernumerary teeth in the lower arch, and previous orthodontic and/or prosthetic treatment, were evaluated. All patients underwent lip and palate repair. Lower arch discrepancies were determined using the Hayes-Nance analysis. Panoramic radiographs were used to estimate the size of permanent premolars for the patients with late mixed dentition. The positive discrepancy defined diastema, whereas the negative discrepancy defined crowding in the lower arch. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequencies and percentages, and the differences were evaluated using the binomial test. Results: One out of 23 patients had no discrepancy in the lower arch. For the remaining patients (n = 22), the prevalence of diastema was 47.8% (n = 10), with a mean value of 3.6 ± 1.9 mm, and lower arch crowding was observed in 52.2% (n = 12), with a mean value of –2.9 ± 1.4 mm. No significant difference was found between the prevalence of crowding and diastema (p = 0.832). Conclusion: In patients with a UCLP, diastema can be encountered approximately at the same frequency as crowding in the lower arch. Crowding was at a low to mid-level.

Experiential learning: analyzing success and failures in Indian telecom sector

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the self and vicarious learning patterns of organizations through operational success and benchmark failure experiences. The study is specific to the Indian telecom sector.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses published data of four major telecom firms in India reported by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and analyzed the influence of aspiration performance discrepancy on organizational learning by hypotheses testing. Feasible generalized least square model with year fixed effects is used to run panel data regression.FindingsIn the case of operating experience for performance above aspiration, firms fail to learn from their own experience as well as from others’ experiences. For benchmark failure experience under positive discrepancy, firms learn from their own experience. For performance below aspiration, no significant result was found. These insights allow managers to reconfigure their learning orientation and to develop an effective mechanism for absorbing crucial knowledge from themselves and peer firms.Practical implicationsPractitioners should take into account that their knowledge repertoire is essential for learning in good times. This study also motivates managers involved in operating activities to make use of publicly disclosed reports, engage in vicarious learning or form a coalition for developing coping mechanism under negative discrepancy scenarios.Originality/valueThis paper presents a unique context by studying operational success, and failure experiences of telecom sector in India wherein benchmark for failure was decided by the governing regulatory body, TRAI, unlike other studies where success and failures reference points are intrinsically selected.

Sleep Discrepancy in Patients With Comorbid Fibromyalgia and Insomnia: Demographic, Behavioral, and Clinical Correlates

Individuals with primary insomnia often have poorer self-reported sleep than objectively measured sleep, a phenomenon termed negative sleep discrepancy. Recent studies suggest that this phenomenon might differ depending on comorbidities. This study examined sleep discrepancy, its night-to-night variability, and its correlates in comorbid insomnia and fibromyalgia. Sleep diaries and actigraphy data were obtained from 223 adults with fibromyalgia and insomnia (age = 51.53 [standard deviation = 11.90] years; 93% women) for 14 days. Sleep discrepancy was calculated by subtracting diary from actigraphy estimates of sleep onset latency (SOL-D), wake after sleep onset (WASO-D), and total sleep time (TST-D) for each night. Night-to-night variability in sleep discrepancy was calculated by taking the within-individual standard deviations over 14 days. Participants completed measures of mood, pain, fatigue, sleep/pain medications, nap duration, and caffeine consumption. Average sleep discrepancies across 14 days were small for all sleep parameters (< 10 minutes). There was no consistent positive or negative discrepancy. However, sleep discrepancy for any single night was large, with average absolute discrepancies greater than 30 minutes for all sleep parameters. Greater morning pain was associated with larger previous-night WASO-D, although diary and actigraphy estimates of WASO remained fairly concordant. Taking prescribed pain medications, primarily opioids, was associated with greater night-to-night variability in WASO-D and TST-D. Unlike patients with primary insomnia, patients with comorbid fibromyalgia do not exhibit consistent negative sleep discrepancy; however, there are both substantial positive and negative discrepancies in all sleep parameters at the daily level. Future research is needed to investigate the clinical significance and implications of high night-to-night variability of sleep discrepancy, and the role of prescribed opioid medications in sleep perception.

Tale of two anomalies

A recent improved determination of the fine structure constant, $\alpha= 1/137.035999046(27)$, leads to a $\sim 2.4 \sigma$ negative discrepancy between the measured electron anomalous magnetic moment and the Standard Model prediction. That situation is to be compared with the muon anomalous magnetic moment where a positive $\sim 3.7 \sigma$ discrepancy has existed for some time. A single scalar solution to both anomalies is shown to be possible if the two-loop electron Barr-Zee diagrams dominate the scalar one-loop electron anomaly effect and the scalar couplings to the electron and two photons are relatively large. We also briefly discuss the implications of that scenario.

Discrepancy between pregnancy dating methods affects obstetric and neonatal outcomes: a population-based register cohort study

To assess associations between discrepancy of pregnancy dating methods and adverse pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcomes, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for discrepancy categories among all singleton births from the Medical Birth Register (1995–2010) with estimated date of delivery (EDD) by last menstrual period (LMP) minus EDD by ultrasound (US) −20 to +20 days. Negative/positive discrepancy was a fetus smaller/larger than expected when dated by US (EDD postponed/changed to an earlier date). Large discrepancy was <10th or >90th percentile. Reference was median discrepancy ±2 days. Odds for diabetes and preeclampsia were higher in pregnancies with negative discrepancy, and for most delivery outcomes in case of large positive discrepancy (+9 to +20 days): shoulder dystocia [OR 1.16 (95% CI 1.01–1.33)] and sphincter injuries [OR 1.13 (95% CI 1.09–1.17)]. Odds for adverse neonatal outcomes were higher in large negative discrepancy (−4 to −20 days): low Apgar score [OR 1.18 (95% CI 1.09–1.27)], asphyxia [OR 1.18 (95% CI 1.11–1.25)], fetal death [OR 1.47 (95% CI 1.32–1.64)], and neonatal death [OR 2.19 (95% CI 1.91–2.50)]. In conclusion, especially, large negative discrepancy was associated with increased risks of adverse perinatal outcomes.

Organ donation and transplantation: the "friendly access initiative" in the Federico II Hospital (Naples), between nudging and narrative medicine

In Italy, to show the willingness to donate one's organs, there is the principle of the explicit consensus (or disagreement) (Law n. 91 of the 01.04.1999, Art. 23; Decree of the Italian Health Ministry of the 08.04.2000). According to data of the Italian Association for the donation of organs, tissues and cells (AIDO), in 2017 in Campania Region (Southern Italy) an average of 12.5 people x1,000,000 donated their organs vs. a national average of 23.7. This negative discrepancy between national and regional data highlights that it is imperative to promote awareness-raising measures to address to the population of Campania Region in order to improve the following of a practice which is still object of preconceptions and scarce knowledge. This paper describes a pilot project started in 2017 by the "Sportello amico trapianti" (friendly access to transplantation) to promote the donation of organs within the university-hospital "Federico II" (Naples, Campania Region). The first phase of this project was based on the nudge theory, that is the "little push" to direct decisional processes of groups and individuals. This phase took place during the "Atelier della salute" (a health workshop), organized by the Medicine and Surgery school of the university-hospital "Federico II": here, a questionnaire was administered to 60 people. The questionnaire consisted in 12 questions, answered by volunteers, which aim was to test the general knowledge about organ donation and transplantation. Analysing the answers, a panel of 7 experts (2 epidemiologists, 1 social worker, 2 experts in public and institutional communication, 1 biologist expert in donation of haematopoietic progenitor cell, 1 transplant surgeon), responsible for the coordination and monitoring of the activities, identified the critical elements to bring attention to in order to raise awareness in the population. The second phase consisted in a literary workshop which aim was to identify nudge cases. The text used was Never let me go by Kazuo Ishiguro, a novel focused on organ donation in a dystopic context where the protagonists are clones created to facilitate the donation of organs. Six students participated in this workshop: all six considered the dystopic scenario as a potential nudge to humanize the approach to organ donation and transplant. In conclusion, we believe that the nudge methodology may be used in order to improve awareness and adherence to donation of organs.

When Do People Initiate a Negotiation? The Role of Discrepancy, Satisfaction, and Ability Beliefs

AbstractNegotiation research increasingly pays attention to the beginning of negotiations. Building on a theory of the initiation of negotiation we investigated when and why people consider initiating negotiations. Results from one field study and two scenario experiments show that a negative discrepancy between an actual state and a desired state increased the intention to initiate a negotiation and promoted real initiation behavior. This effect was mediated by the subjective perception of this discrepancy and feelings of dissatisfaction. Expectancy considerations in the form of ability to initiate negotiations and implicit beliefs about negotiation ability moderated this serial mediation effect: high initiation ability and incremental negotiation beliefs facilitated the decision to negotiate whereas low initiation ability and entity negotiation beliefs inhibited negotiation initiations. In the present work, we offer a first empirical test of the theory of initiation of negotiation.

The motivational consequences of life satisfaction.

Previous research indicates that high levels of life satisfaction are associated with positive outcomes in various life domains, but the mechanisms underlying these associations are largely unclear. In this article, we argue that life satisfaction is associated with motivational consequences that may explain its positive effects on major life outcomes. This hypothesis was tested in 7 correlational and experimental studies that examined desire for change and goal orientation as motivational and volitional outcomes. Across studies, people low in life satisfaction reported a greater desire to change their life circumstances as well as a greater orientation toward change and a weaker orientation toward stability than people high in life satisfaction, statistically controlling for affect. These findings contribute to life-satisfaction research by providing initial evidence on the motivational consequences of life satisfaction and adding to the growing literature on the functional distinction between life satisfaction and affect. Furthermore, these findings contribute to motivation science by showing that motivational processes do not just arise in the presence, but also in the absence of a perceived negative discrepancy between one’s desired and one’s actual state. Together, these studies suggest that life satisfaction is an important factor in motivating people to influence their life circumstances through the adoption of personal goals.

Injunctive and descriptive logics during newcomer socialization: The impact on organizational identification, trustworthiness, and self‐efficacy

Failure to adjust to a new organization has major personal, team, and organizational costs. Yet, we know little about how newcomers' pre-entry institutional assumptions influence and shape their subsequent socialization. To address this issue, we propose and test a model examining whether the discrepancy between newcomers' injunctive logics (pre-entry beliefs about what institutional practices ought to be) and their descriptive logics (actual experience of these institutional practices) influences the development of organizational identification, perceived organizational trustworthiness, and self-efficacy. We examined the impact of discrepant logics in a healthcare context by surveying new staff on their first day of employment and then again six weeks later (N = 264). We found that when there was a negative discrepancy between injunctive and descriptive logics (that is, when the prevailing logics did not match what newcomers thought they ought to be), organizational identification and perceived organizational trustworthiness decreased over time and consequently so did self-efficacy. The results highlight the important role of institutional logics in shaping socialization processes and outcomes soon after organizational entry. We conclude that histories and personal and professional moral codes provide a background against which newcomers evaluate their new institutional, social, and work context. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

On the solution of inverse problems of dynamics of linearly controlled systems by the negative discrepancy method

The paper is devoted to the substantiation of the negative discrepancy method for solving inverse problems of the dynamics of deterministic control systems that are nonlinear in state variables and linear in control. The problem statements include the known sampling history of trajectories measured inaccurately, with known error estimates. The investigation is based on the Pontryagin maximum principle. The results of simulation of an inverse problem for a macroeconomic model are presented.

Impaired awareness of deficits in individuals with neuropsychiatric symptoms after acquired brain injury: Associations with treatment motivation and depressive symptoms.

The purpose of this study was to investigate impaired awareness of deficits in relation to treatment motivation and depressive symptoms in patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms after acquired brain injury. The study had a Cross-sectional design with 93 outpatient brain injury patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms in the chronic phase after injury. Awareness was measured by the discrepancy in answers between patients and significant others and/or clinicians. Patients were divided into 3 awareness groups: underestimation, accurate estimation, and overestimation of competencies. Treatment motivation and depressive symptoms were measured with self-report questionnaires. Average discrepancy scores suggested patients had accurate awareness of deficits. However, when dividing patients into 3 awareness groups, 30% underestimated, 38% accurately estimated, and 32% overestimated their competencies. Linear regression analysis with discrepancy scores showed overestimation of competencies (positive discrepancy scores) was associated with less depressive symptoms, whereas underestimation (negative discrepancy scores) was associated with more depressive symptoms (β = -.28 to -.42, p < .05). Group analysis revealed that the underestimation group reported significantly more depressive symptoms than the overestimation group (β = .43 to .44, p < .05). No significant difference between the accurate estimation and overestimation group was found (p > .05). An association between awareness and treatment motivation was not statistically confirmed. This study demonstrated that when considering awareness groups, more nuanced results arise than when only considering discrepancy scores. From a clinical and scientific standpoint, it is important to distinguish awareness groups in addition to considering mean discrepancy scores.

Angle Class I malocclusion treated with lower incisor extraction

In planning orthodontic cases that include extractions as an alternative to solve the problem of negative space discrepancy, the critical decision is to determine which teeth will be extracted. Several aspects must be considered, such as periodontal health, orthodontic mechanics, functional and esthetic alterations, and treatment stability. Despite controversies, extraction of teeth to solve dental crowding is a therapy that has been used for decades. Premolar extractions are the most common, but there are situations in which atypical extractions facilitate mechanics, preserve periodontal health and favor maintenance of the facial profile, which tends to unfavorably change due to facial changes with age. The extraction of a lower incisor, in selected cases, is an effective approach, and literature describes greater post-treatment stability when compared with premolar extractions. This article reports the clinical case of a patient with Angle Class I malocclusion and upper and lower anterior crowding, a balanced face and harmonious facial profile. The presence of gingival and bone recession limited large orthodontic movements. The molars and premolars were well occluded, and the discrepancy was mainly concentrated in the anterior region of the lower dental arch. The extraction of a lower incisor in the most ectopic position and with compromised periodontium, associated with interproximal stripping in the upper and lower arches, was the alternative of choice for this treatment, which restored function, providing improved periodontal health, maintained facial esthetics and allowed finishing with a stable and balanced occlusion. This case was presented to the Brazilian Board of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (BBO), as part of the requirements for obtaining the BBO Diplomate title.

FRI0091 Discrepancy between patient and physician global assessments in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – the need for swollen joint evaluation

BackgroundDiscrepancy between patient (PTGA) and physician (MDGA) global assessments in RA can adversely affect therapeutic decisions in many cases. Understanding the factors influencing this discrepancy may improve clinical outcomes.ObjectivesThe purpose...

EVALUATION OF ASTER GDEM v.2 USING GPS CHECKPOINTS, OSGB DEM VALUES AND PHOTOGAMMETRICALLY DERIVED DEMS

Abstract. A 2010 study examining ASTER GDEM v1 data revealed accuracies of 12-25m and strong negative discrepancy biases compared to precise GPS observations, in several test sites in China. Rather than further investigating these, with the advent of ASTER GDEM v2 a new series of tests, also using precise GPS observations but also other DEMs, was performed. In these tests better than the expected 17m accuracies were found (RMSE values of 3.9m to 15.3m) and no strong biases.

Predicting the demand of physician workforce: an international model based on "crowd behaviors"

BackgroundAppropriateness of physician workforce greatly influences the quality of healthcare. When facing the crisis of physician shortages, the correction of manpower always takes an extended time period, and both the public and health personnel suffer. To calculate an appropriate number of Physician Density (PD) for a specific country, this study was designed to create a PD prediction model, based on health-related data from many countries.MethodsTwelve factors that could possibly impact physicians' demand were chosen, and data of these factors from 130 countries (by reviewing 195) were extracted. Multiple stepwise-linear regression was used to derive the PD prediction model, and a split-sample cross-validation procedure was performed to evaluate the generalizability of the results.ResultsUsing data from 130 countries, with the consideration of the correlation between variables, and preventing multi-collinearity, seven out of the 12 predictor variables were selected for entry into the stepwise regression procedure. The final model was: PD = (5.014 - 0.128 × proportion under age 15 years + 0.034 × life expectancy)2, with R2 of 80.4%. Using the prediction equation, 70 countries had PDs with "negative discrepancy", while 58 had PDs with "positive discrepancy".ConclusionThis study provided a regression-based PD model to calculate a "norm" number of PD for a specific country. A large PD discrepancy in a country indicates the needs to examine physician's workloads and their well-being, the effectiveness/efficiency of medical care, the promotion of population health and the team resource management.

Transverse malocclusion, posterior crossbite and severe discrepancy

This article reports the orthodontic treatment of a 14 years and 2 months old female patient, presenting both anterior and posterior unilateral left crossbite, related to a transverse atrophy of the maxilla and a severe negative tooth-arch discrepancy in the upper arch. A maxillary expansion with a modified Haas appliance was the first therapeutic attempt. Then, fixed appliances were used in both arches, and the second left premolar was extracted. The space for the upper left lateral incisor was achieved with compressed springs and tooth movement was accomplished with double archwires. The final result showed a good intercuspation, considering that the left molar relation remained as a Class II, which demanded special occlusal adjustments. This case was presented to the Brazilian Board of Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics, representing category 5, as a partial requirement for the BBO certificate.

Using VLAD scores to have a look insight ICU performance: towards a modelling of the errors

Mortality prediction models using logistic regression analysis play a pivotal role in intensive care quality evaluation, allowing a hospital's performance to be compared with a standard. However, when a difference between predicted and observed mortality exists, that is, the numerator of the Variable Life Adjusted Display (VLAD) score, the investigation for a possible explanation could be arduous. In this article we tested the ability of Bayesian Network (BN) to identify factors determining the negative discrepancy between expected and actual outcomes recorded in four Italian intensive care units (ICUs). A BN was implemented to predict the extent of the expected-observed distance quantified by the VLAD score. BN performance was compared with those of a set of tools including Linear Model, Random Forest Regression Tree analysis, Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machine. BN allows the identification of critical areas responsible for bad performance. Compared with other techniques, BN always explains a higher variance percentage and it shows similar or superior discrimination ability. BN, being able to guide interpretation of covariates role by means of a graphic representation of relationships, confirms its utility particularly where many interactions between predictors exist and when a coherent set of theories regarding which variables are related and how is not available.