Implication of Increased Anti-Western Propaganda in the Election Results

A gradual decrease in the level of public trust toward Western institutions has been observed in recent years in Georgia. Nevertheless, a substantial majority of Georgians still supports the country's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and this majority appears resilient to increasing anti-Western propaganda. It is particularly interesting to examine whether these recent developments influenced the final results of Georgia's recent parliamentary elections. The article seeks to demonstrate that the political dimension of the anti-Western propaganda campaign appeared less successful than its cultural and social dimensions

Perturbative Approach For Non Renormalizable Theories

Renormalization procedure is generalized to be applicable for non renormalizable theories. It is shown that introduction of an extra expansion parameter allows to get rid of divergences and express physical quantities as series of finite number of interdependent expansion parameters. Suggested method is applied to quantum (Einstein's) gravity.Comment: 14 pages (LaTEX file

Clinical Utility of Multigene Profiling Assays in Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer: An Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) Clinical Practice Guideline

Objective: The purpose of this guideline is to determine the clinical utility of multigene profiling assays in individuals with early-stage invasive breast cancer. Methods: This guideline was developed by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)’s Program in Evidence-Based Care (PEBC) through a systematic review of relevant literature, patient- and caregiver-specific consultation and internal and external reviews. Recommendation 1: In patients with early-stage estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer, clinicians should consider using multigene profiling assays (i.e., Oncotype DX, MammaPrint, Prosigna, EndoPredict, and the Breast Cancer Index) to help guide the use of systemic therapy. Recommendation 2: In patients with early-stage node-negative ER-positive/HER2-negative disease, clinicians may use a low-risk result from Oncotype DX, MammaPrint, Prosigna, EndoPredict/EPclin, or Breast Cancer Index assays to support a decision not to use adjuvant chemotherapy. Recommendation 3: In patients with node-negative ER-positive/HER2-negative disease, clinicians may use a high-risk result from Oncotype DX to support a decision to offer chemotherapy. A high Oncotype DX recurrence score is capable of predicting adjuvant chemotherapy benefit. Recommendation 4: In postmenopausal patients with ER-positive/HER2-negative tumours and one to three nodes involved (N1a disease), clinicians may withhold chemotherapy based on a low-risk Oncotype DX or MammaPrint score if the decision is supported by other clinical, pathological, or patient-related factors. Recommendation 5: The evidence to support the use of molecular profiling to select the duration of endocrine therapy is evolving. In patients with ER-positive disease, clinicians may consider using a Breast Cancer Index (H/I) high assay result to support a decision to extend adjuvant endocrine therapy if the decision is supported by other clinical, pathological, or patient-related factors

Tumor BRCA Testing in High Grade Serous Carcinoma: Mutation Rates and Optimal Tissue Requirements

Background: Approximately 25% of women diagnosed with tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma have germline deleterious mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2, characteristic of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, while somatic mutations have been detected in 3–7%. We set out to determine the BRCA mutation rates and optimal tissue requirements for tumor BRCA testing in patients diagnosed with tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma. Methods: Sequencing was performed using a multiplexed polymerase chain reaction-based approach on 291 tissue samples, with a minimum sequencing depth of 500X and an allele frequency of >5%. Results: There were 253 surgical samples (87%), 35 biopsies (12%) and 3 cytology cell blocks (1%). The initial failure rate was 9% (25/291), including 9 cases (3%) with insufficient tumor, and 16 (6%) with non-amplifiable DNA. Sequencing was successful in 78% (228/291) and deemed indeterminate due to failed exons or variants below the limit of detection in 13% (38/291). Repeat testing was successful in 67% (28/42) of retested samples, with an overall success rate of 86% (251/291). Clinically significant (pathogenic, likely pathogenic) variants were identified in 17% (48/276) of complete and indeterminate cases. Successful sequencing was dependent on sample type, tumor cellularity and size (p ≤ 0.001) but not on neoadjuvant chemotherapy or age of blocks (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study shows a 17% tumor BRCA mutation rate, with an overall success rate of 86%. Biopsy and cytology samples and post-chemotherapy specimens can be used for tumor BRCA testing, and optimal tumors measure ≥5 mm in size with at least 20% cellularity

alGOVrithms. State of Play. Report on algorithms usage in government-citizens relations in the Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Poland, Serbia and Slovakia

The heated debate on algorithms — which are part of the governmental (but also legislative and judiciary) software and strongly influence citizens’ lives — is present in Western countries, but it has notn yet reached the same level in Central and Eastern Europe. Yet it does not mean that automated decision processes do not exist in the region. During the research, we have found a significant number of algorithms that may be qualified as a part of automated decision making (ADM). We have detected automated decision making in a large number of spheres including speed control, allocation of judges and other public officials, choosing batches for conducting controls and inspections, distributing social benefits, detecting frauds or even preselection of contractors in public procurements. None of the researched countries is close to the transparency standards of ADM. We have met with an official refusal to access source codes or its al gorithmic parts based on statements that this is not public information, they are protected by copyrights or economic secrecy. There is a general lack of understanding among authorities of what automated decision making is. The quotation from one of the emails at the beginning of the report is only an example. Some responses were limited to the statement that the particular office is using computers for their work, so surely there are some algorithms involved. Systems are not transparent even for those who use them. This is the case of the system allocating judges to specific court cases or public officials using algorithms to recruit children into nurseries or pre-selecting bidders. There is no clear division of responsibility for the accuracy of algorithms. Some tools are created and owned by the states, some are owned by external companies. No independent system of auditing algorithmic fairness is set in place as well as no accumulated knowledge exists within central governmental institutions if algorithms are implemented in other subordinated offices. There are no ethical standards implemented nor impact and needs assessments performed to see how algorithms may influence individuals and society. If there is any explanation as to how the specific algorithm works, it is written in a very complicated language and still does not answer crucial questions. We see our role as those who should find some answers where possible and detect specific black holes within the system. We are finishing our report with general recommendations and have separately prepared Policy Recommendations to address these emerging problems to policy and decision makers