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The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will face the challenge of efficiently selecting interesting candidate events in pp collisions at 14 TeV center-of-mass energy, whilst rejecting the enormous number of background events. The High-Level Trigger (HLT = second level trigger and Event Filter), which is a software based trigger will need to reduce the level-1 output rate of ≈ 75 kHz to ≈ 200 Hz written out to mass storage. In this talk an overview of the current physics and system performance of the HLT selection for electrons and photons is given. The performance has been evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations and has been partly demonstrated in the ATLAS testbeam in 2004. The efficiency for the signal channels, the rate expected for the selection, the global data preparation and execution times will be highlighted. Furthermore, some physics examples will be discussed to demonstrate that the triggers are well adapted for the physics programme envisaged at the LHC. © 2005 IEEE.

The Large Hadron Collider at CERN offers unprecedented challenges to the design and construction of detectors and trigger/data acquisition systems. For ATLAS, a three level trigger system has been developed to extract interesting physics signatures with a 106 rate reduction. To accomplish this, components of physics analysis traditionally deferred to offline physics analysis must be embedded within the online trigger system. For the Muon trigger, the specific off-line algorithms MOORE (Muon Object Oriented REconstruction) and MuId (Muon Iden tification) have been adopted so far for the on-line use, imposing an operation in a Bayesian-like environment where only specific hypotheses must be validated. After a short review of the ATLAS trigger, the paper shows the general strategy of the Muon Identification and Selection accessing the full event data, or being seeded from results derived at a previous stage of the trigger chain. © 2005 IEEE.

Investigates the effects of hormone replacement therapy on the reactivity of monocytes and platelets in whole blood, measured by tissue factor activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and thromboxane B2. Significant reduction of tissue factor activity in monocytes and formation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and thromboxane B2 after 12 months of hormone replacement therapy.

Mitochondrial dysfunction reduces aerobic energy production and results in symptoms from various tissues, depending on metabolic demands. Mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is essential for sperm motility. Sperm motility was investigated in a patient with a mitochondrial disease caused by reduced activity of the mitochondrial enzyme complexes I and IV, and in two control subjects. Spermatozoa were cultured in media containing various energy substrates. Motility was judged by light microscopy, and ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy. In the patient with mitochondrial disease, 12% of the spermatozoa were motile in the medium containing only glucose. There was a three-fold increase in motile spermatozoa when pyruvate and succinate were present together with glucose. In contrast, the spermatozoa of both control subjects had best motility in the presence of substrates for complex I, and no further increase was observed when succinate was added. Glucose and pyruvate enter the respiratory chain at complex I, and succinate at complex II. Electron microscopy of spermatozoa from the patient with mitochondrial disease revealed mitochondria with increased matrix, thickening of membranes, parallelization of cristae and lipid inclusions, which are characteristic findings in mitochondrial disorders. Abnormal mitochondria were also found in a spermatid, suggesting that the ultrastructural changes of mitochondria are primary rather than secondary to degeneration of the spermatozoa. The results indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction causes reduced sperm motility in some men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tissue factor activity in blood monocytes was investigated during ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in 13 women. Blood samples were taken prior to hormonal stimulation (days 2-3 of the menstrual cycle, median serum oestradiol concentration 70 pmol/l) and the day after ovulation induction with human chorionic gonadotrophin (days 11-13, median serum oestradiol concentration 6270 pmol/l). The tissue factor activity in unstimulated monocytes and factor VII concentration were unchanged during the treatment. However, the tissue factor activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes was on average more than twice as high after stimulation (P < 0.02). A positive correlation was found between the tissue factor activity and the serum concentration of oestradiol (r = 0.514, P < 0.02). The tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha increased during ovarian stimulation (P = 0.05), and there was a positive correlation between the change in TNF-alpha and the change in tissue factor activity (r = 0.663, P < 0.05). Our results indicate an enhanced sensitivity of the extrinsic coagulation system during IVF treatment since more tissue factor is available upon stimulation. It is suggested that this may be important in thrombotic situations. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism behind this response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the recurrence risk of hypertensive disorders in subsequent pregnancies and to explore the associations among hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and maternal cardiovascular risk factor profile and the development of cardiovascular diseases later in life. STUDY DESIGN: We used population-based, cross-sectional data from the fourth survey of the Tromsø Study. RESULTS: Preeclampsia in the first pregnancy increased the risk of recurrence in later pregnancies (relative risk, 6.6; 95% confidence interval, 5.5-7.9) compared with a normotensive first pregnancy. Women with a history of preeclampsia or nonproteinuric hypertension had an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile. Hypertension was prevalent in 25% and 28% of the women, respectively. The carotid artery intima-media thickness and total carotid plaque area were significantly larger in women with previous preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: A strong association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases was demonstrated by the assessment of risk factors that can be potentially modified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify predictors of preferences for cesarean among pregnant women, and estimate how different predictors influence preferences. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study based on the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (n = 58,881). RESULTS: Of the study population, 6% preferred cesarean over vaginal delivery. While 2.4% of nulliparous had a strong preference for cesarean, the proportion among multiparous was 5.1%. The probability that a woman, absent potential predictors, would have a cesarean preference was similar (<2%) for both nulliparous or multiparous. In the presence of concurrent predictors such as previous cesarean, negative delivery experience, and fear of birth, the predicted probability of a cesarean request ranged from 20-75%. CONCLUSION: The proportion of women with a strong preference for cesarean was higher among multiparous than nulliparous women, but the difference was attributable to factors such as previous cesarean or fear of delivery and not to parity per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the influence of anti-D on the prevention of severe thrombocytopenia. Levels of maternal anti-HPA 1a antibodies; Pregnancy complications associated with anti-HPA 1a antibodies; Treatment for thrombocytopenia

Background: Rape is one of the most traumatizing violations a woman can be subjected to, and leads to extensive health problems, predominantly psychological ones. A large proportion of women develop a form of posttraumatic stress termed Rape Trauma Syndrome. A previous study by our research group has shown that women with a history of rape far more often had an operative delivery in their first birth and those who gave birth vaginally had second stages twice as long as women with no history of sexual assault. The aim of this study is to examine and illuminate how women previously subjected to rape experience giving birth for the first time and their advice on the kind of birth care they regard as good for women with a history of rape., Methods: A semi-structured interview with 10 women, who had been exposed to rape before their first childbirth. Data on the birth experience were analyzed by qualitative content analysis., Results: The main theme was "being back in the rape" with two categories: "reactivation of the rape during labor," with subcategories "struggle," "surrender," and "escape" and "re-traumatization after birth," with the subcategories "objectified," "dirtied," and "alienated body.", Conclusion: A rape trauma can be reactivated during the first childbirth regardless of mode of delivery. After birth, the women found themselves re-traumatized with the feeling of being dirtied, alienated, and reduced to just a body that another body is to come out of. Birth attendants should acknowledge that the common measures and procedures used during normal birth or cesarean section can contribute to a reactivation of the rape trauma., (© 2013, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2013, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: This study aimed to observe risk status on admission to hospital and change in risk status during labor., Design: A prospective observational study allocating all women into low-risk and high-risk groups on admittance to hospital and during labor based on prespecified risk criteria., Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a district hospital., Population: All 6406 deliveries from 2 May 2004 to 30 September 2006., Methods: A special form was filled out for all women admitted to the department in labor classifying them as either low or high risk. A change in risk status during labor was also recorded., Main Outcome Measures: Risk status (low and high risk) on admittance to hospital and change in risk status during first stage of labor., Results: On admittance, 67% of women with an intended vaginal delivery were low risk. During the first stage of labor, 41% of the low-risk women changed risk status. Use of epidural anesthesia gave rise to 73% of the risk changes during the first stage of labor and use of oxytocin caused 12%., Conclusions: Two-thirds of the women were low risk before labor, and 39% of these remained low-risk at the end of the first stage of labor. The main reason for a change of risk status in the obstetric department was the use of epidural anesthesia., (© 2013 The Authors Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica © 2013 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder and a risk factor for later cardiovascular disease. The cause and detailed pathophysiology remains unknown. G protein signaling is involved in a variety of physiological processes, including blood pressure regulation. We assessed whether distributions of 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes coding for components of G protein signaling pathways that have been associated with hypertension differ between women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women; the G protein β3 subunit gene (GNB3) C825T polymorphism (rs5443), the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (AGTR1) 3'UTR A1166C polymorphism (rs5186), and the regulator of G protein signaling 2 gene (RGS2) 3'UTR C1114G polymorphism (rs4606). Two separate Norwegian study populations were used; a large population based study and a smaller, but clinically well-described pregnancy biobank. A descriptive study of 43 women with eclampsia was additionally included. In the population-based study, an increased odds of preeclampsia (odds ratio, 1.21; [95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.40]; P=0.009) and recurrent preeclampsia (odds ratio, 1.43; [95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.92];, P=0.017) was found in women carrying the rs4606 CG or GG genotype. In early-onset preeclamptic patients with decidual spiral artery biopsies available (n=24), the rs4606 CG or GG genotype was more frequent in those with acute atherosis (resembling early stage of atherosclerosis) compared with those without: odds ratio, 15.0; (95% confidence interval, 2.02-111.2); P=0.004. No association was found between preeclampsia and the rs5443 or the rs5186. The genotype distribution in eclamptic women was not different from preeclamptic women. In conclusion, RGS2 rs4606 may affect the risk and progression of preeclampsia.

Objective: To describe causes of substandard care in obstetric compensation claims., Design and Setting: A nationwide descriptive study in Norway., Population: All obstetric patients who believed themselves inflicted with injuries by the Health Service and applying for compensation., Methods: Data were collected from 871 claims to The Norwegian System of Compensation to Patients during 1994-2008, of which 278 were awarded compensation., Main Outcome Measures: Type of injury and cause of substandard care., Results: Of 871 cases, 278 (31.9%) resulted in compensation. Of those, asphyxia was the most common type of injury to the child (83.4%). Anal sphincter tear (29.9%) and infection (23.0%) were the most common types of injury to the mother. Human error, both by midwives (37.1% of all cases given compensation) and obstetricians (51.2%), was an important contributing factor in inadequate obstetric care. Neglecting signs of fetal distress (28.1%), more competent health workers not being called when appropriate (26.3%) and inadequate fetal monitoring (17.3%) were often observed. System errors such as time conflicts, neglecting written guidelines and poor organization of the department were infrequent causes of injury (8.3%)., Conclusions: Fetal asphyxia is the most common reason for compensation, resulting in large financial expenses to society. Human error contributes to inadequate health care in 92% of obstetric compensation claims, although underlying system errors may also be present., (© 2012 The Authors Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica© 2012 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess risk factors for moderate and severe blood loss after cesarean delivery (CD)., Study Design: All planned (n = 32,716) and emergency (n = 47,942) cesareans, as reported over a 10-year period to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, were analyzed separately in a case-control design. Women with moderate (500 to ≤1500 mL) or severe (>1500 mL) blood loss were analyzed with women with blood loss less than 500 mL as controls in SPSS (version 17.0) with χ(2) test and logistic regression., Results: The prevalence of severe blood loss was consistently higher in emergency (3.2%) than planned CD (1.9%). Planned and emergency CDs share common risk factors for both moderate and severe blood loss, whereas emergency CD carries in addition delivery-related risk factors., Conclusion: When revising management schemes for CD, anesthetic procedures should be reconsidered as surgical competence in cases with placenta previa, placental abruption, and low hemoglobin., (Copyright © 2012 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)