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فى هذه المجموعة «كان يا ما كان.. وقصص أخرى» تأثر كبير وتقليد بشكل أو بآخر لأساليب الحكايات الشعبية المعروفة بما فيها من رؤى خيالية ومضامين فلسفية ودروس وعظ وإرشاد إلا أن الكاتب يفرض فى كثير من الأحيان نظامه الشخصى المتعلق بالقيم يحطم المسار التقليدى لمثل هذه الحكايات ويضفى على أقاصيصه ألوانا من البهجة والفكاهة.

Although low levels of genetic structure are expected in highly widespread species, geographical and/or ecological factors can limit species distributions and promote population structure and morphological differentiation. In order to determine the effects of geographical isolation on population genetic structure and wing morphology, 281 individuals of the cosmopolitan odonate Pantala flavescens were collected from four continental (Central and South America) and five insular sites (Polynesian islands and the Maldives). COI sequences and eight microsatellite loci were used to characterize genetic diversity and genetic structure between and within locations. Linear and geometric morphometry were used to evaluate differences in the size and shape of wings. Genetic analysis showed a global genetic difference between the continental and insular sites. American locations did not show genetic structure, even in locations separated by a distance of 5000 km. Easter Island showed the lowest values of genetic diversity (mainly mitochondrial diversity) and the highest values of genetic differences compared to other insular and continental sites. Individuals from Easter Island showed smaller forewings, a different abdomen length to thorax length ratio, and a different configuration of anal loop in the hindwings. Thus, the greater isolation, smaller area, and young geological age seem to have determined the genetic and morphological differences in P. flavescens of Easter Island, where selection could promote a loss of migratory behavior and may improve other life history traits, such as reproduction. This work provides new insight into how microevolutionary processes operate in isolated populations of cosmopolitan species.

The adoption of algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been rapidly increasing during the last few years. However, some aspects of AI techniques are under heavy scrutiny. For instance, in many use cases, it is not clear whether the decisions of an algorithm are well informed and conforming to human understanding. Having ways to address these concerns is crucial in many domains, especially whenever humans and intelligent (physical or virtual) agents must cooperate in a shared environment. In this paper, we apply an explainability method based on the creation of a Policy Graph (PG) based on discrete predicates that represent and explain a trained agent’s behaviour in a multi-agent cooperative environment. We show that from these policy graphs, policies for surrogate interpretable agents can be automatically generated. These policies can be used to measure the reliability of the explanations enabled by the PGs through a fair behavioural comparison between the original opaque agent and the surrogate one. The contributions of this paper represent the first use case of policy graphs in the context of explaining agent behaviour in cooperative multi-agent scenarios and present experimental results that sets this kind of scenario apart from previous implementations in single-agent scenarios: when requiring cooperative behaviour, predicates that allow representing observations about the other agents are crucial to replicate the opaque agent’s behaviour and increase the reliability of explanations.

The research presented in this article exposes a wide gap between evidence and public policy with regard to influenza vaccination in the context of the 2009 pandemic and with regard to yearly seasonal epidemics. It shows that the World Health Organization and health authorities worldwide failed to protect the interests of the most vulnerable during the 2009 flu pandemic and demonstrates a lack of scientific base for seasonal flu vaccination campaigns. Narrowing the gap between scientific evidence and public health policies with regard to influenza is a serious and urgent matter, one that implies confronting the interests of big pharmaceutical corporations and their allies at academic and government levels. The credibility of science and the well-being of many are at stake.

How organisms adapt to unfavorable environmental conditions by means of plasticity or selection of favorable genetic variants is a central issue in evolutionary biology. In the Maipo River basin, the fish Basilichthys microlepidotus inhabits polluted and non-polluted areas. Previous studies have suggested that directional selection drives genomic divergence between these areas in 4% of Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) loci, but the underlying genes and functions remain unknown. We hypothesized that B. microlepidotus in this basin has plastic and/or genetic responses to these conditions. Using RNA-Seq, we identified differentially expressed genes in individuals from two polluted sites compared with fish inhabiting non-polluted sites. In one polluted site, the main upregulated genes were related to cellular proliferation as well as suppression and progression of tumors, while biological processes and molecular functions involved in apoptotic processes were overrepresented in the upregulated genes of the second polluted site. The ornithine decarboxylase gene (related to tumor promotion and progression), which was overexpressed in both polluted sites, was sequenced, and a parallel pattern of a heterozygote deficiency and increase of the same homozygote genotype in both polluted sites compared with fish inhabiting the non-polluted sites was detected. These results suggest the occurrence of both a plastic response in gene expression and an interplay between phenotypic change and genotypic selection in the face of anthropogenic pollution.

In order to determine the effect of a dam on metal concentrations in riverine fish species, we studied fish inhabiting the influent (Cachapoal River) and effluent (Rapel River) of the Rapel Reservoir in central Chile. Heavy metals were quantified in gills, liver and muscle of the catfish Trichomycterus areolatus and the silverside Basilichthys microlepidotus . Also, the bioaccumulation index (BAI) was estimated by considering heavy metal concentrations obtained from water and sediment. Results showed the presence of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn in the fish organs. The analysis showed high metal concentrations in catfish inhabiting the influent compared to those collected in the effluent. These results indicate a possible filter effect of the dam for most of the metals identified in the fish organs, because metal concentrations decreased in the effluent. Finally, catfish exhibited a larger BAI for most metals analyzed.

Surveying the evolution of blood pressure (BP) levels and hypertension (HTN) prevalence is important. A stringent strategy was utilized in a population cohort study. The BP was measured at two visits at least 3 months apart, and the results were analyzed using the following two methods: the Surveillance method (three BP measurements were performed in one visit, and the results were compared with those published previously for the identical method) and the Clinical method (three measurements per visit for two visits, and the concordant results in both visits were used to determine the BP classification). A total of 2542 subjects completed the evaluation. Using the Clinical method, an average systolic/diastolic BP value of 129.8/76.8 mm Hg was obtained, and the prevalence of HTN was 31.6%. Of the hypertensive patients, 74.3% were aware of his/her condition; 69.1% were treated and 40.8% of those treated had adequate BP control. A total of 24.7% of subjects changed his/her BP classification between visits, and 13.7% misreported HTN. Using the Surveillance method, we determined that the average global SBP has been maintained, with HTN prevalence increasing in this region, drifting from reported trends nationally and worldwide. There has been improvement in the proportion of treated and controlled subjects; however, the Surveillance method overestimated the HTN prevalence and underestimated the proportion of treated and controlled subjects. The BP levels were higher than observed worldwide in high-cardiovascular (CV) risk countries as well as higher than the minimum risk exposure level for developing CV disease.

Understanding the interaction between anthropogenic land use and the rainfall pattern can be crucial to predict changes in total suspended solids (TSS) in streams and rivers. We assessed the effects of land use and annual rainfall on the TSS load of 19 southern Chilean catchments. The results indicated that the concentration of TSS increased in catchments with a rainy regime and greater annual precipitation. TSS load also increased as the surface of open areas increased at the catchment scale and decreased with increasing cover of glaciers and perennial snow. However, we did not find support for models with interaction terms between climate and land use. Results suggest that a regional decrease in annual rainfall accompanied by an increase in the altitude of the zero isotherms, as predicted by climate models, should have multiple effects on TSS. In particular, increased TSS load can be expected from a contraction of glaciers and perennial snow areas as well as the intensification of new crops and urban expansion.

Background Work capacity is primarily assessed by absenteeism and rheumatic patients may experience decreased productivity as well as presenteeism due to their health problems as well as its costs consequences. Objectives To evaluate the relation between work disability, productivity and disease activity, quality of life and functional disability. Methods 242 rheumatic patients were recruited, 33.3% employed (N=81) completed the questionnaires of work disability and productivity: WALS (Workplace Activity Limitations Scale), SPS 6 (Stanford Presenteeism Scale) and WPAI (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment) 4 scores - absenteeism, presenteeism, work and activity impairment. Patient-reported parameters included pain, fatigue, sleep quality and disease activity (VAS). Functional disability and quality of life outcomes were assessed by HAQ-DI, FACIT and SF-12. Data were collected during a 4-week period. The analysis included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation, p <.05. Results 81 gainfully employed patients (85% female) had 48±11 years old, with 10±4 schooling years. Mean VAS were: pain 47±32, fatigue 57±33, sleep quality 46±33 and disease activity 43±30; HAQ-DI: 1.76±0.9, FACIT:17±11 and SF-12: 39±13 in PCS and 43±18 in MCS. Productivity assessment revealed limitations in all measured scores: WALS 8±6 [0-25], SPS 6 12±3 [3-15], WPAI work impairment 29±32%, activity impairment 29±29%, absenteeism 2.1±12.3% and presenteeism 28±32%. WALS was positively correlated to HAQ (r=.657, p<.0001), FACIT (r=.720, p<.0001), both SF12 scores (r>.517, p<.0001), all 4 WPAI's scores (r>.296, p<.01) and inversely with SPS 6 (r= -.341, p=.002). WPAI's scores were all significantly associated to HAQ, FACIT, SF12 PCS and sick leave in the last 12 months (p<.05). SPS 6 was inversely related to HAQ and FACIT scores, WPAI presenteeism, work and activity impairment (p<.05), but not with absenteeism. Pain and fatigue were significantly higher in patients with higher WALS and WPAI scores, in exception to absenteeism, and pain was associated with SPS 6 (p<.05). Sleep quality was decreased when related to higher WALS and WPAI scores (p<.05). When comparing the employed/unemployed patients, WPAI activity impairment, PCS, MCS, HAQ, FACIT, pain and disease activity (p<.01), we verified significantly higher limitations and impairment in the unemployed group, in exception to SPS 6, fatigue and sleep quality. Conclusions These findings suggest the significant impact of rheumatic disease in productivity losses, and that unemployed patients present worst quality of life and higher levels of pain, fatigue and disability. We found good correlations between the productivity assessment and the SF12, HAQ, FACIT, pain, fatigue, sleep quality and disease activity. This provides information about trend of work restrictions, useful in cost-effectiveness analysis for example of new treatment therapies. Moreover, these issues are particularly important because absenteeism and presenteeism have strong links to health related costs. Prevention of work disability and job changes/adaptations to the individual capabilities would be most effective in reducing socioeconomic and work related impact. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.5488

Background Regardless of epidemiologic evidence suggesting a positive impact of protein dietary intake over bone health, the connection between dietary protein and bone metabolism remains controversial. A hyperproteic diet is linked to increased renal calcium excretion but there is no clear evidence of its relevance in the development of osteoporosis (OP). In the elderly, it is often found a low dietary protein intake and association between low serum albumin levels, femoral neck fracture and post-fracture mortality. A correlation between body composition and fall occurrence is under discussion. Objectives To study the relation between nutritional/biochemical variables and occurrence of falls and fractures. Methods A questionnaire on dietary protein intake was applied to patients at a Rheumatology clinic during 4 non-consecutive weeks from July to September 2013. Nutritional evaluation included body composition (InBody 720). Clinical data collected included: fall occurrence; history of clinical and/or radiologic vertebral fractures; total serum protein, albumin, inorganic phosphate, calcium, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D and calcium urinary excretion levels and neck/lumbar densitometry. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Qui-Square and Spearman correlation were applied for a significance of p<0,05. Results 196 subjects were included, 88% female, mean age 58 years. The most prevalent rheumatic diseases were: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), Sjögren's syndrome, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, spondyloarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and fibromyalgia. The average body mass index (BMI) was 27,5 kg/m2, higher in patients diagnosed with SLE, OA and RA. 20 subjects (10,2%) had previous history of fall occurrence, 24 (12,2%) had history of fractures (7 vertebral, 2 femoral neck, 4 wrist). We found correlation between the occurrence of fractures and female gender (25 vs. 0 patients, p=0,046); lower T-score at femoral neck (r=-0,521, p=0,046) and lower total serum protein levels (6,39 vs. 6,69, p=0,018). These variables were also correlated with the number of fractures. Fall occurrence was higher in older subjects (64,8 vs. 57,4 years, p=0,017), and in those with higher T-score at lumbar spine (r=0,663, p=0,014). In subjects over 58 years, we found an association with body percentage and BMI, independent of muscle mass (p<0,05). There were no differences between the groups with and without fracture concerning nutritional parameters or mean age (62 vs.57,7 years, p=0,136). Conclusions In this population, in a rheumatologic setting, fractures were commoner in women, with lower bone mineral density and lower serum protein levels. Higher BMI and body fat percentage may be risk factors for fall occurrence in the elderly, eventually related to a shift in the centre of gravity. Nutritional advice in OP patients should consider these notions. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4357