Χαρτογραφική απόδοση με χρήση διαδικτυακών υπηρεσιών

Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο--Μεταπτυχιακή Εργασία. Διεπιστημονικό-Διατμηματικό Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών (Δ.Π.Μ.Σ.) “Γεωπληροφορική

Combinational approach of retrospective clinical evidence and transcriptomics highlight AMH superiority to FSH, as successful ICSI outcome predictor

Acknowledgments We would like to thank Mr. Alexander Joseph Currie for English language editing and constructive comments towards the improvement of this manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

On software modernisation due to library obsolescence

Software libraries, typically accessible through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), enhance modularity and reduce development time. Nevertheless, their use reinforces system dependency on third-party software. When libraries become obsolete or their APIs change, performing the necessary modifications to dependent systems, can be time-consuming, labour intensive and error-prone. In this paper, we propose a methodology that reduces the effort developers must spend to mitigate library obsolescence. We describe the steps comprising the methodology, i.e., source code analysis, visualisation of hot areas, code-based transformation, and verification of the modified system. Also, we present some preliminary results and describe our plan for developing a fully automated software modernisation approach

Radiofrequency Ablation for Adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis is a common benign gynecologic condition characterized by ectopic endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium causing pain (dysmenorrhea) and abnormal uterine bleeding. New interventional techniques have been introduced over recent years. This study evaluates the treatment success and side effects of radiofrequency ablation. An electronic literature search in the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases was carried out on the outcomes of pain reduction and, secondarily, on abnormal uterine bleeding, reintervention, reproductive outcome, imaging outcome, and complications. There was a mean decrease in dysmenorrhea pain scores by -63.4 ± 9.0% at 12 months. Data on other outcome parameters were sparse. No major complications were reported. Radiofrequency ablation represents a promising minimally invasive and organ-preserving treatment in patients with symptomatic adenomyosis. It is associated with clinically meaningful improvement of adenomyosis-related pain in the short term

Efficiency of companies of ready made concrete 2008-2010

83 σ.Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι η μέτρηση της επίδοσης της λειτουργίας εταιριών παραγωγής ετοίμου σκυροδέματος για τα έτη 2008,2009,2010. Στα πλαίσια της εργασίας αυτής μελετήθηκαν τα στοιχεία κάθε εταιρίας ξεχωριστά και χρησιμοποιήθηκε η μέθοδος της περιβάλλουσας ανάλυσης δεδομένων για την μέτρηση της αποδοτικότητας και αποτελεσματικότητας του. Αρχικά παρουσιάζονται θεωρητικές έννοιες και μαθηματικές απεικονίσεις των εννοιών της αποδοτικότητας και αποτελεσματικότητας. Επίσης περιγράφεται η μέθοδος της περιβάλλουσας ανάλυσης δεδομένων καθώς και τα βασικά υποδείγματα της που εφαρμόζονται στη εργασία. Στα ακόλουθα κεφάλαια περιγράφονται οι δείκτες εισροών και εκροών που χρησιμοποιούνται για την εφαρμογή του μοντέλου της Περιβάλλουσας Ανάλυσης Δεδομένων έτσι ώστε να μετρήσουμε την επίδοση των εταιριών. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζεται η ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων των δύο σεναρίων εφαρμογής της DEA και γίνεται σύγκριση των αποτελεσμάτων. Η εργασία αυτή ολοκληρώνεται με τη σύνοψη των συμπερασμάτων για την επίδοση των εταιριών και με την παρουσίαση των αποδοτικότερων. Ακόμη αναφέρονται προτεινόμενα μέτρα για τη βελτίωση της επίδοσης των μη αποδοτικών εταιριών. Στα παραρτήματα παρουσιάζονται πίνακες που βοήθησαν στην ανάλυση και ερμηνεία του βαθμού επίδοσης.The purpose of this thesis is to measure the operating performance of companies producing ready mixed concrete for the years 2008,2009,2010.In this thesis we studied the details of each company separately and used the method of data envelopment analysis to measure the efficiency and effectiveness.Originally presented theoretical concepts and mathematical representations of the concepts of efficiency and effectiveness. The method of data envelopment analysis and the basic model applied are also described. The following chapters describe the input and output indicators used to implement the model of data envelopment analysis to measure the performance of companies. This paper concludes with a summary of conclusions on the performance of companies with the most effective presentation. Even out proposed measures to improve the performance of inefficient firms. The annexes present tables that helped in the analysis and interpretation of the degree performance.Γεώργιος Δ. Κολοβό

Ash Deposition in a Pulverized Coal-Fired Power Plant after High-Calcium Lignite Combustion

7 páginas, 5 figuras, 2 tablas.The fabric, mineralogy, and chemistry of high-calcium ash deposits from the Agios Dimitrios pulverized-lignite power plant in northern Greece have been investigated as a key to the ability to improve the performance of the power plant. All inner surfaces in the boiler are covered with a layer of particulate matter showing various degrees of agglomeration or with fouling deposits. Agglomerated fabric occurs in the lower and upper furnace sections, whereas sintered textures are mainly observed in the air heater sections. Particles in the size range of 10−50 μm with no sign of large agglomeration constitute the fly ash. Calcium mineral phases are dominant in deposits (anhydrite (CaSO4), calcite (CaCO3), portlandite (Ca(OH)2), and lime (CaO)); however, there are also significant amounts of silicon-containing minerals in bottom ash and fly ash (quartz (SiO2), gehlenite (Ca2Al2SiO7), and anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8)). Gas−solid reactions control deposition, without the participation of alkaline element compounds in the buildup of deposits. Technological modifications in the facility cannot improve the situation significantly, because of the fact that these effects are the consequence of the thermal decomposition of the high content of calcite (CaCO3) in the feed lignite, coming from the lignite seams and the intermediate sterile layers co-excavated with the lignite. Only through improvement of the quality of the lignite during mining can the power plant improve its operations.The authors would like to thank the assistance provided by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University of Barcelona (especially, the Scientific-Technical Survey), and the Institute of Earth Sciences, Jaume Almera-CSIC.Peer reviewe

Characterization of Extended Spectrum Cephalosporin-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Raw Poultry Carcasses in Catering Services in Northern Greece

Antimicrobial resistance is considered a topic of utmost interest under the concept of “One Health”, having severe implications in both human and veterinary medicine. Among the antibiotic-resistant bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, especially those belonging to the order of Enterobacterales (such as Escherichia coli), hold a prominent position in terms of both virulence and possessing/disseminating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) traits. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing E. coli isolates in raw poultry carcasses collected from a university club. Five hundred raw poultry skin samples were collected from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) club in Thessaloniki, Greece. A total of 64% of the samples were positive for the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli. The isolates were further examined for their susceptibility to selected antibiotics by the disc diffusion method and were characterized as true ESBL, as producing class C cephalosporinases (AmpC) or “of unknown etiology” by the combination disc test. The 86 of the 120 isolates (71.67%) were classified as true ESBL, 24 (20.00%) as AmpC, and 10 (8.33%) as “of unknown etiology”. The isolates were screened for the occurrence of β-lactamase genes (blaTEM, blaCTX-M, blaSHV, and blaOXA). Thirty-six isolates (32 ESBL- and 4 AmpC-phenotype) harbored both blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes, twenty-two isolates (among which 19 ESBL-phenotype and 2 AmpC-phenotype) harbored blaCTX-M only, whereas twenty-six (14 ESBL- and 12 AmpC-phenotype) isolates harbored blaTEM alone. No isolate harboring blaSHV or blaOXA was detected. The results demonstrate the existence of E. coli isolates producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases in poultry carcasses from Greece, pausing a risk for antibiotic resistance transfer to humans

Treatment of endometriosis: a review with comparison of 8 guidelines

Background: Endometriosis, the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, is a common clinical entity between women of reproductive age, with a prevalence of about 10%. Due to the variety of endometriosis-associated symptoms, a great variety of treatments have been implemented. The aim of this review is to give an overview on therapeutical approaches of eight national and international widely used guidelines. Methods: Six national (College National des Gynecologues et Obstetriciens Francais, National German Guideline (S2k), Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, American College of Obstetricians (ACOG) and Gynecologists, American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and National Institute for Health and Care (NICE) and two international (World Endometriosis Society, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) guidelines are included in this review. Conclusion: All the above-mentioned guidelines agree that the combined oral contraceptive pill, progestogens are therapies recommended for endometriosis associated pain. Concerning infertility, there is no clear consensus about surgical treatment. Discrepancies are also found on recommendation of the second- and third-line treatments. Keywords: Conservative treatment; Endometriosis; Guidelines; Infertility; Pain; Surgical treatment

Leptin concentrations in endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, affecting mainly women of reproductive age. Leptin is a regulator of food intake and energy expenditure, posing pleiotropic actions, and regulating immunity and fertility. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding leptin concentrations in biological fluids and tissues of women with endometriosis, and to investigate and propose a possible role of leptin in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Materials and methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted in two electronic databases (MEDLINE, COCHRANE) and grey literature for original research articles on humans, published in any language. Results: Twenty-nine studies with 1291 women with endometriosis and 1664 controls were included in the systematic review. Peritoneal fluid and follicular fluid leptin concentrations were higher in endometriosis compared with control group [mean difference (MD) 7.10, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 4.76 to 9.44 ng/mL, 18 studies), (MD 1.35, 95 % CI 0.54-2.17 ng/ml, 2 studies) respectively. No differences were evident in serum (MD 0.92, 95 % CI -0.84 to 2.68 ng/mL, 12 studies) or plasma (MD -0.95, 95 % CI -4.63 to 2.72 ng/mL, 3 studies) between the groups. No meta-analysis was conducted for ovarian tissue leptin (2 studies). Conclusions: This meta-analysis provided evidence for increased leptin concentrations in both peritoneal fluid and follicular fluid of women with endometriosis compared with control; these differences were not present in the serum or plasma. The above results support a potential pathophysiologic role for leptin in the local microenvironment while declines its use as a blood diagnostic marker. Furthermore, we propose a possible role of leptin in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Keywords: Adiponectin; Endometrioma; Endometriosis; Follicular fluid; Leptin; Leptin receptor; Leptin-binding protein; Peritoneal fluid; Plasma; Serum

Current Progress and Future Perspectives in Contact and Releasing-Type Antimicrobial Coatings of Orthopaedic Implants: A Systematic Review Analysis Emanated from In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Background: Despite the expanding use of orthopedic devices and the application of strict pre- and postoperative protocols, the elimination of postoperative implant-related infections remains a challenge. Objectives: To identify and assess the in vitro and in vivo properties of antimicrobial-, silver- and iodine-based implants, as well as to present novel approaches to surface modifications of orthopedic implants. Methods: A systematic computer-based review on the development of these implants, on PubMed and Web of Science databases, was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results: Overall, 31 in vitro and 40 in vivo entries were evaluated. Regarding the in vitro studies, antimicrobial-based coatings were assessed in 12 entries, silver-based coatings in 10, iodine-based in 1, and novel-applied coating technologies in 8 entries. Regarding the in vivo studies, antimicrobial coatings were evaluated in 23 entries, silver-coated implants in 12, and iodine-coated in 1 entry, respectively. The application of novel coatings was studied in the rest of the cases (4). Antimicrobial efficacy was examined using different bacterial strains, and osseointegration ability and biocompatibility were examined in eukaryotic cells and different animal models, including rats, rabbits, and sheep. Conclusions: Assessment of both in vivo and in vitro studies revealed a wide antimicrobial spectrum of the coated implants, related to reduced bacterial growth, inhibition of biofilm formation, and unaffected or enhanced osseointegration, emphasizing the importance of the application of surface modification techniques as an alternative for the treatment of orthopedic implant infections in the clinical settings