The Spectrum of the Loop Transfer Matrix on Finite Lattice

We consider the model of random surfaces with extrinsic curvature term embedded into 3d Euclidean lattice $Z^3$. On a 3d Euclidean lattice it has equivalent representation in terms of transfer matrix $K(Q_{i},Q_{f})$, which describes the propagation of loops $Q$. We study the spectrum of the transfer matrix $K(Q_{i},Q_{f})$ on finite dimensional lattices. The renormalisation group technique is used to investigate phase structure of the model and its critical behaviour.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, Latex, psfi

The Impact of Bacteriospermia on Semen Parameters: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: To evaluate the impact of bacteriospermia on semen parameters. Materials and methods: We used the Medline (1966-2017), Scopus (2004-2017), Clinicaltrials.gov (2008-2017), EMBASE, (1980-2017), LILACS (1985-2017) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL (1999-2017) databases in our primary search along with the reference lists of electronically retrieved full-text papers. Meta-analysis was performed with the RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Eighteen studies were finally included. Men were stratified in two groups, healthy controls (5,797 men) and those suffering from bacteriospermia (3,986 men). Total sperm volume was not affected by the presence of bacteriospermia when all pathogens were analyzed together (MD 0.02 95%CI -0.13,0.17). Both sperm concentration (MD -27.06, 95% CI -36.03, -18.08) and total sperm count (MD -15.12, 95% CI -21.08, -9.16) were significantly affected by bacteriospermia. Decreased rates of normal sperm morphology were also found (MD -5.43%, 95% CI -6.42, -4.44). The percentage of alive sperm was significantly affected by bacteriospermia (MD -4.39 %, 95% CI -8.25, -0.53).  Total motility was also affected by bacteriospermia (MD -3.64, 95% CI -6.45, -0.84). In addition to this, progressive motility was significantly affected (MD -12.81, 95% CI -18.09, -7.53). Last but not least, pH was importantly affected (MD 0.03, 95% Cl 0.01, 0.04). Conclusion: Bacteriospermia significantly affects semen parameters and should be taken in mind even when asymptomatic. Further studies should evaluate the impact of antibiotic treatment on semen parameters and provide evidence on fertility outcome

Interfacility transfers in a non-trauma system setting: an assessment of the Greek reality

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Quality assessment of any trauma system involves the evaluation of the transferring patterns. This study aims to assess interfacility transfers in the absence of a formal trauma system setting and to estimate the benefits from implementing a more organized structure.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The 'Report of the Epidemiology and Management of Trauma in Greece' is a one year project of trauma patient reporting throughout the country. It provided data concerning the patterns of interfacility transfers. We compared the transferred patient group to the non transferred patient group. Information reviewed included patient and injury characteristics, need for an operation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admittance and mortality. Analysis employed descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Interfacility transfers were then assessed according to each health care facility's availability of five requirements; Computed Tomography scanner, ICU, neurosurgeon, orthopedic and vascular surgeon.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data on 8,524 patients were analyzed; 86.3% were treated at the same facility, whereas 13.7% were transferred. Transferred patients tended to be younger, male, and more severely injured than non transferred patients. Moreover, they were admitted to ICU more often, had a higher mortality rate but were less operated on compared to non transferred patients. The 34.3% of transfers was from facilities with none of the five requirements, whereas the 12.4% was from those with one requirement. Low level facilities, with up to three requirements transferred 43.2% of their transfer volume to units of equal resources.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Trauma management in Greece results in a high number of transfers. Patients are frequently transferred between low level facilities. Better coordination could lead to improved outcomes and less cost.</p

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels in Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Objective: Serum Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Its prognostic value in determining the risk of developing preeclampsia remains, to date, unclear. The purpose of the present systematic review is to accumulate current evidence in this field. Materials and methods: We searched Medline (1966–2017), Scopus (2004–2017), Clinicaltrials.gov (2008–2017), EMBASE (1980-2017), LILACS (1986-2017) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL (1999-2017) databases. Results: Four studies were included in with a total number of 401 women. Among them 146 had preeclampsia while 232 were recruited as normotensive controls. Current data are suggestive of the potential predictive value of serum AMH as its levels seem to be lower among women that develop preeclampsia. One study reported that women with and AMH value below the 10th percentile of the studied population had a 3.3 increased risk of developing preeclampsia (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2–8.7, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Taking in mind these findings, future studies are needed in this field to establish optimal cut-off values and evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of this biomarker during the first trimester of pregnancy

Energy Resolution Performance of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter

The energy resolution performance of the CMS lead tungstate crystal electromagnetic calorimeter is presented. Measurements were made with an electron beam using a fully equipped supermodule of the calorimeter barrel. Results are given both for electrons incident on the centre of crystals and for electrons distributed uniformly over the calorimeter surface. The electron energy is reconstructed in matrices of 3 times 3 or 5 times 5 crystals centred on the crystal containing the maximum energy. Corrections for variations in the shower containment are applied in the case of uniform incidence. The resolution measured is consistent with the design goals

ENhancinG vAGinal dElivery in Greece through educational and behavioral interventions among maternity care providers regarding labor management: the ENGAGE stepped-wedge randomized prospective trial protocol

Background: There is an emerging need to systematically investigate the causes for the increased cesarean section rates in Greece and undertake interventions so as to substantially reduce its rates. To this end, the ability of the participating Greek obstetricians to follow evidence-based guidelines and respond to other educational and behavioral interventions while managing labor will be explored, along with barriers and enablers. Herein discussed is the protocol of a stepped-wedge designed intervention trial in Greek maternity units with the aforementioned goals in mind, named ENGAGE (ENhancinG vAGinal dElivery in Greece). Methods: Twenty-two selected maternity units in Greece will participate in a multicenter stepped-wedge randomized prospective trial involving 20,000 to 25,000 births, with two of them entering the intervention period of the study each month (stepped randomization). The maternity care units entering the study will apply the suggested interventions for a period of 8–18 months depending on the time they enter the intervention stage of the study. There will also be an initial phase of the study lasting from 8 to 18 months including observation and recording of the routine practice (cesarean section, vaginal birth, and maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality) in the participating units. The second phase, the intervention period, will include such interventions as the application of the HSOG (the Hellenic Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology) Guidelines on labor management, training on the correct interpretation of cardiotocography, and dealing with emergencies in vaginal deliveries, while the steering committee members will be available to discuss and implement organizational and behavioral changes, answer questions, clarify relevant issues, and provide practical instructions to the participating healthcare professionals during regular visits or video conferences. Furthermore, during the study, the results will be available for the participating units in order for them to monitor their own performance while also receiving feedback regarding their rates. Τhe final 2-month phase of the study will be devoted to completing follow-up questionnaires with data concerning maternal and neonatal morbidities that occurred after the completion of the intervention period. The total duration of the study is estimated at 28 months. The primary outcome assessed will be the cesarean section rate change and the secondary outcomes will be maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Discussion: The study is expected to yield new information on the effects, advantages, possibilities, and challenges of consistent clinical engagement and implementation of behavioral, educational, and organizational interventions described in detail in the protocol on cesarean section practice in Greece. The results may lead to new insights into means of improving the quality of maternal and neonatal care, particularly since this represents a shared effort to reduce the high cesarean section rates in Greece and, moreover, points the way to their reduction in other countries. Trial registration: NCT 04504500 (ClinicalTrials.gov). The trial was prospectively registered. Ethics Reference No: 320/23.6.2020, Bioethics and Conduct Committee, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greec

Penilaian Kinerja Keuangan Koperasi di Kabupaten Pelalawan

This paper describe development and financial performance of cooperative in District Pelalawan among 2007 - 2008. Studies on primary and secondary cooperative in 12 sub-districts. Method in this stady use performance measuring of productivity, efficiency, growth, liquidity, and solvability of cooperative. Productivity of cooperative in Pelalawan was highly but efficiency still low. Profit and income were highly, even liquidity of cooperative very high, and solvability was good

Measurements of the pp → ZZ production cross section and the Z → 4ℓ branching fraction, and constraints on anomalous triple gauge couplings at √s = 13 TeV

Four-lepton production in proton-proton collisions, pp -> (Z/gamma*)(Z/gamma*) -> 4l, where l = e or mu, is studied at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1). The ZZ production cross section, sigma(pp -> ZZ) = 17.2 +/- 0.5 (stat) +/- 0.7 (syst) +/- 0.4 (theo) +/- 0.4 (lumi) pb, measured using events with two opposite-sign, same-flavor lepton pairs produced in the mass region 60 4l) = 4.83(-0.22)(+0.23) (stat)(-0.29)(+0.32) (syst) +/- 0.08 (theo) +/- 0.12(lumi) x 10(-6) for events with a four-lepton invariant mass in the range 80 4GeV for all opposite-sign, same-flavor lepton pairs. The results agree with standard model predictions. The invariant mass distribution of the four-lepton system is used to set limits on anomalous ZZZ and ZZ. couplings at 95% confidence level: -0.0012 < f(4)(Z) < 0.0010, -0.0010 < f(5)(Z) < 0.0013, -0.0012 < f(4)(gamma) < 0.0013, -0.0012 < f(5)(gamma) < 0.0013

Severe early onset preeclampsia: short and long term clinical, psychosocial and biochemical aspects

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder commonly defined as de novo hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks gestational age. It occurs in approximately 3-5% of pregnancies and it is still a major cause of both foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide1. As extensive research has not yet elucidated the aetiology of preeclampsia, there are no rational preventive or therapeutic interventions available. The only rational treatment is delivery, which benefits the mother but is not in the interest of the foetus, if remote from term. Early onset preeclampsia (<32 weeks’ gestational age) occurs in less than 1% of pregnancies. It is, however often associated with maternal morbidity as the risk of progression to severe maternal disease is inversely related with gestational age at onset2. Resulting prematurity is therefore the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in patients with severe preeclampsia3. Although the discussion is ongoing, perinatal survival is suggested to be increased in patients with preterm preeclampsia by expectant, non-interventional management. This temporising treatment option to lengthen pregnancy includes the use of antihypertensive medication to control hypertension, magnesium sulphate to prevent eclampsia and corticosteroids to enhance foetal lung maturity4. With optimal maternal haemodynamic status and reassuring foetal condition this results on average in an extension of 2 weeks. Prolongation of these pregnancies is a great challenge for clinicians to balance between potential maternal risks on one the eve hand and possible foetal benefits on the other. Clinical controversies regarding prolongation of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies still exist – also taking into account that preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the Netherlands5 - a debate which is even more pronounced in very preterm pregnancies with questionable foetal viability6-9. Do maternal risks of prolongation of these very early pregnancies outweigh the chances of neonatal survival? Counselling of women with very early onset preeclampsia not only comprises of knowledge of the outcome of those particular pregnancies, but also knowledge of outcomes of future pregnancies of these women is of major clinical importance. This thesis opens with a review of the literature on identifiable risk factors of preeclampsia

Optimasi Portofolio Resiko Menggunakan Model Markowitz MVO Dikaitkan dengan Keterbatasan Manusia dalam Memprediksi Masa Depan dalam Perspektif Al-Qur`an

Risk portfolio on modern finance has become increasingly technical, requiring the use of sophisticated mathematical tools in both research and practice. Since companies cannot insure themselves completely against risk, as human incompetence in predicting the future precisely that written in Al-Quran surah Luqman verse 34, they have to manage it to yield an optimal portfolio. The objective here is to minimize the variance among all portfolios, or alternatively, to maximize expected return among all portfolios that has at least a certain expected return. Furthermore, this study focuses on optimizing risk portfolio so called Markowitz MVO (Mean-Variance Optimization). Some theoretical frameworks for analysis are arithmetic mean, geometric mean, variance, covariance, linear programming, and quadratic programming. Moreover, finding a minimum variance portfolio produces a convex quadratic programming, that is minimizing the objective function ðð¥with constraintsð ð 𥠥 ðandð´ð¥ = ð. The outcome of this research is the solution of optimal risk portofolio in some investments that could be finished smoothly using MATLAB R2007b software together with its graphic analysis