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

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

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

Differential cross section measurements for the production of a W boson in association with jets in proton–proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Measurements are reported of differential cross sections for the production of a W boson, which decays into a muon and a neutrino, in association with jets, as a function of several variables, including the transverse momenta (pT) and pseudorapidities of the four leading jets, the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta (HT), and the difference in azimuthal angle between the directions of each jet and the muon. The data sample of pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV was collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb[superscript −1]. The measured cross sections are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo generators, MadGraph + pythia and sherpa, and to next-to-leading-order calculations from BlackHat + sherpa. The differential cross sections are found to be in agreement with the predictions, apart from the pT distributions of the leading jets at high pT values, the distributions of the HT at high-HT and low jet multiplicity, and the distribution of the difference in azimuthal angle between the leading jet and the muon at low values.United States. Dept. of EnergyNational Science Foundation (U.S.)Alfred P. Sloan Foundatio