Characteristics of Infertile Clientele Attending a Public in Vitro Fertilization Clinic: Appraising Priorities in a Low-Income Country

Introduction: Infertilityaffects one in six couples, and it is an important public health issue largely due to thepervasive effects on the emotional and psychological wellbeing of affected couples. In many developing nations emphasis is placed on childbirth and inability to fulfill this role can be very distressing. There is an unmet need for assisted reproductive technology (ART) in many developing countries and where facilities exist, they are mostly privately owned, expensive and concentrated in urban areas. To bridge this gap, public fertility clinics have been established to provide subsidized care. Evaluating the characteristics and peculiarities of clientele presenting at these public facilities will aid planning and prioritization of care. Methodology: A descriptive retrospective study of 116 infertile patients presenting to the fertility clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria from inception on the 14th of February 2019 and 31st of December 2022.Data was analyzed using the Statical Package for Social Sciences (IBM, SPSS, New York) version 23. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results which were presented with the aid of bar charts and frequency tables. Result: The mean age of the patients was 40.70 ± 6.62 years. Post-menopausal patients accounted for about one-fifth of the study population while 80.2% (93 women) were older than 35 years. The mean duration of infertility was 9.39 ± 6.11years and nine patients (7.8%) had a duration greater than 2 decades. Secondary infertility occurred in 67.2% of the women. Twenty-nine women (25%) had undergone myomectomy prior to presentation. Hypertension (11.2%) was the most prevalent comorbidity. Nineteen patients (16.4%) had used contraceptives in the past with the male condom (36.8%)being the most preponderant. Sixty-seven patients had experienced pregnancy losses before 28 weeks of gestation while just 16 patients (13.8%) had undergone ART, and none was successful. Conclusion: Secondary infertility was the prevalent type of infertility and may not be unconnected with the low contraceptive usage and high risk of sexually transmitted infection. Late presentation coupled with a large proportion of post-menopausal clientele suggests delayed health-seeking behavior most probably due to the prohibitive cost of ART. The need to streamline services offered in public fertility clinics is paramount in low-income countries grappling with scarce resources. A pragmatic approach will involve the provision of low-cost ART, while enhancing gamete donation programs through the implementation of gamete sharing policies. This will invariably bridge the unmet need and skewed access to ART in developing countries.

Load Statistics Priority Random Access Technology Based on Air-Space-Ground Integrated Network

In today's world where everything is interconnected, air-space-ground integrated networks have become a current research hotspot due to their characteristics of high, long and wide area coverage. Given the constantly changing and dynamic characteristics of air and space networks, along with the sheer number and complexity of access nodes involved, the process of rapid networking presents substantial challenges. In order to achieve rapid and dynamic networking of air-space-ground integrated networks, this paper focuses on the study of methods for large-scale nodes to randomly access satellites. This paper utilizes a cross-layer design methodology to enhance the access success probability by jointly optimizing the physical layer and medium access control(MAC) layer aspects. Load statistics priority random access(LSPRA) technology is proposed.Experiments show that when the number of nodes is greater than 1 000, this method can also ensure stable access performance, providing ideas for the design of air-space-ground integrated network access systems.

Applying an Ordinal Priority Approach Based Neutrosophic Fuzzy Axiomatic Design Approach to Develop Sustainable Geothermal Energy Source

Geothermal energy is considered a renewable,environmentally friendly,especially carbon-free,sustainable energy source that can solve the problem of climate change.In general,countries with geothermal energy resources are the ones going through the ring of fire.Therefore,not every country is lucky enough to own this resource.As a country with 117 active volcanoes and within the world’s ring of fire,it is a country whose geothermal resources are estimated to be about 40%of the world’s geothermal energy potential.However,the percentage used compared to the geothermal potential is too small.Therefore,this is the main energy source that Indonesia is aiming to exploit and use.However,the deployment and development of this energy source are still facing many obstacles due to many aspects from budget sources due to high capital costs,factory construction location,quality of resources,and conflicts of the local community.In this context,determining the optimal locations for geothermal energy sites(GES)is one of the most important and necessary issues.To strengthen the selection methods,this study applies a two-layer fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method.Through the layers,the Ordinal Priority Approach(OPA)is proposed to weight the sub-criteria,the main criterion,and the sustainability factors.In layer 2,the Neutrosophic Fuzzy Axiomatic Design(NFAD)is applied to rank and evaluate potential locations for geothermal plant construction.Choosing the right geothermal energy site can bring low-cost efficiency,no greenhouse gas emissions,and quickly become the main energy source providing electricity for Indonesia.The final ranking shows Papua,Kawah Cibuni,and Moluccas as the three most suitable cities to build geothermal energy systems.Kawah Cibuni was identified as the most potential GES in Indonesia,with a score of 0.46.Papua is the second most promising GES with a score of 0.45.Next is the Moluccas,with a score of 0.39.However,the three least potential sites among the 15 studied sites are Lumut Balai,Moluccas and Patuha,with scores of 0.08,0.11 and 0.17,respectively.The conclusion of this study also classifies positions into groups to aid in decision-making.

COMRADES FOREVER--To Lam’s visit demonstrates that China remains Vietnam’s top foreign policy priority

On August 20,2024,General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam(CPV)Central Committee and Vietnamese President To Lam concluded his state visit to China.China was the destination for Lam's first overseas visit after taking office as general secretary of the CPV Central Committee,which clearly demonstrates that the heads of both countries attach importance to developing the bilateral relations and that Vietnam regards China as the strategic choice and top priority for its foreign policy.

Shape Analysis of Agricultural Parcels for Land Consolidation Priorities in Tekirdag Province,Turkey

Shape irregularity,a sub-factor of parcel fragmentation is a problem that hinders sustainable agriculture and is solved using land consolidation projects.Determination of the parcel shape degree contributes significantly to spatial prioritization where there is also a high probability of achieving positive effects of consolidation projects.This study aims to determine the shape degree of the agricultural parcels both at singular and rural county scales in Tekirdag Province,Turkey in 2020 by combining the parcel shape index(PSI) with the minimum bounding geometry index(MBG) to improve parcel scores.Hot-spot zones of the highly irregular and near optimum parcels were also determined using Getis-Ord G_(i)^(*) statistic.The parcel degrees were classified into four categories,namely highly irregular,irregular,regular and near optimum.The obtained unweighted scores of the parameters exhibit deviations from the expected values.After weighting by pairwise comparison,the values approached ideal scores.Among 346 740 parcels,53% were highly irregular and irregular and 47% were regular and near optimum shapes after weighting whereas these were 70% and 30%,respectively before weighting.The average parcel degree of 63 rural counties was regular while the average parcel degree of the remaining 264 rural counties was irregular.The combined use of PSI and MBG index improved the correctness of the parcel shape score.It could be suggested to use as a tool in land consolidation prioritization.

基于前馈补偿的轮腿式平台多任务复合运动解耦控制

轮腿式平台在执行复杂作战环境载运任务时,由于其动态协调腿部与车轮运动是复杂耦合的,其行驶速度的稳定性、位姿控制的精确性都十分困难.文中基于轮腿式平台通过有限高度场景的动态协调任务,提出了一种基于前馈补偿的多任务优先级复合运动解耦控制框架.首先,分别建立了关节和车轮动力学模型,降低模型复杂度;然后,搭建了基于任务优先级的前馈关节力矩解算,叠加轮端前馈交互力和反馈控制力矩降低实时位姿调整对质心速度的影响;最后,采用转速闭环PI控制器,并引入车轮滚动阻力实现车轮速度到质心速度的有效传递.仿真结果表明,所提出控制方法在受限场景运动过程中平台质心速度最大跟踪误差小于3%,为轮腿式平台复杂环境下执行任务提供了可行控制框架.

“三个更加注重”的理论阐释、实践路径与对策研究

党的二十届三中全会在进一步全面深化改革的指导思想中明确提出了“三个更加注重”的原则要求。“三个更加注重”的内涵十分丰富、意蕴深远,既是对马克思主义基本原理的继承与发展,也是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想在全面深化改革方法论上的鲜明体现。它为进一步全面深化改革提供了科学方法论和实践路径。在实践中,“更加注重系统集成”要求必须坚持系统观念统揽全局的科学思维;“更加注重突出重点”要求必须坚持问题导向精准施策的基本原则;“更加注重改革实效”要求必须坚持结果导向惠及人民的衡量标准。但是,“三个更加注重”在实施过程中也存在系统集成难度大、重点领域改革攻坚难度大、改革实效评估机制不健全、人民群众参与度不高等问题,同时也面临国内外环境变化的挑战。面对问题和挑战,需要从顶层设计、问题导向、改革实效、社会活力以及党的建设等多个方面入手,形成合力,共同推动进一步全面深化改革向纵深发展,为实现以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴奠定坚实基础。

“西方哲学史”课程的“寓教于研”教学模式探索

“寓教于研”是一种把教师的最新研究成果有机融入教学过程的创新型教学模式。此模式注重在理解的基础上把握哲学家们的思想线索,力图通过揭示古典话题的当代活力实现“经典活化”的效果。“寓教于研”教学模式避免了传统的“知识传授”教学模式所引起的内容枯燥、思维抽象等弊端,但“寓教于研”教学模式也对教师的专业研究水准及学生的自主思考强度提出了更高要求。

一种融合Priority-Flood算法与D8算法特点的河网提取方法

基于数字高程模型(Digital Elevation Models)进行河网提取是数字地形分析的重要研究内容和水文分析的关键步骤,而流向算法是其中最重要的部分。然而,传统的流向算法在平坦地形区域容易形成平行河网。为解决平行河网问题,该文提出了一种结合Priority-Flood算法漫水思想和改进D8算法的流向算法。借助Priority-Flood算法的漫水思想,可以保证流向符合宏观地形特征;同时将地形划分为上坡、平地和下坡3种类型,辅以PriorityFlood算法可以实现在不填洼的基础上计算流向,而且针对不同地形,采用相应的改进D8流向算法,从而保证流向符合微观地形特征。通过这两种算法的结合,可以直接使用原始DEM提取河网,消除了填洼过程,提高了流向计算效率,同时消除了填洼造成的大量平地,有效地解决了平地区域平行河网问题。最后,选取全球不同区域SRTM数据对J&D算法与新算法进行对比实验,结果表明,新算法能够有效地改善平行河网问题。

Priority approach based on quadratic programming model to fuzzy preference relation

We investigate the decision-making problem with a finite set of alternatives,in which the decision information takes the form of a fuzzy preference relation. We develop asimple and practical approach to obtaining the priority vector of a fuzzy preference relation. Theprominent characteristic of the developed approach is that the priority vector can generally beobtained by a simple formula, which is derived from a quadratic programming model. We utilize theconsistency ratio to check the consistency of fuzzy preference relation. If the fuzzy preferencerelation is of unacceptable consistency, then we can return it to the decision maker to reconsiderstructuring a new fuzzy preference relation until the fuzzy preference relation with acceptableconsistency is obtained. We finally illustrate the priority approach by two numerical examples. Thenumerical results show that the developed approach is straightforward, effective, and can easily beperformed on a computer.

On Application of Nida’s Priorities in Translation

This paper analyzes Nida’s theory of translation, also his system of priorities. The paper uses examples to illustrate the application of Nida’s four priorities in the practice of English Chinese and Chinese English translation and concludes that we can apply the system to help the receptors of second language and source language to have the closest response.

描写还是解释:由ChatGPT反思语言学的两种目标

本文在现代大语言模型语境下反思语言学研究的两种目标之争:精确描写(语言事实,how)还是科学解释(语言能力,why)?以此为中心,讨论了一系列相关的问题,并考察了ChatGPT能否捕获长距离依存、能否理解句法与语义分离的句子、对语言的科学解释与精确描写是否对立。得出的结论是:(1)ChatGPT等大模型能够超越马尔可夫过程模型,来捕获语句中不同词语之间的长距离依存关系;能够隐式地学习基本的句法和语义知识,从而理解、识别和生成语义异常的句子。(2)对语言的精确描写和科学解释并不对立,并且前者比后者更加重要。(3)生成语法学的“原则与参数”范式下的范畴语法,对于描写人类自然语言有不可克服的困难。(4)语法学的研究取向应该是语义优先,而不是句法优先。(5)大模型的成功说明:对语言事实的准确描写远比对语言能力的抽象解释更为基本。

优先订单的物料齐套分析与系统开发

针对优先订单的物料不齐套造成的生产停滞问题,对优先订单的物料齐套分析方法和实现方案进行研究,构建了优先订单的物料齐套分析平台。利用贪婪算法(Greedy Algorithm)、BOM(Bill of Materials)存储算法、模糊综合评价法等,实现了基于优先级的订单物料齐套分析系统,并以企业实际生产数据多次测试。实验结果表明,该系统对于优先订单的物料齐套分析结果具有良好的准确性与稳定性,能够帮助企业快速查询优先订单的齐套数量,指导企业生产,减少因物料缺失而造成的停工现象。

考虑输电权分配的跨省跨区电力应急调度优化出清模型

跨省跨区应急调度是在市场化手段用尽后,从跨省区电力余缺互济角度解决省级电网保供/消纳应急需求的指令性兜底保障措施。在无法直接依据市场申报价格出清的情况下,如何有序调配应急需求与跨省区支援能力,并将有限的通道可用容量合理分配至市场主体(省),是当前应急调度亟待解决的关键问题之一。文章提出了考虑输电权的跨省跨区电力应急调度优化出清模型。以我国当前输电通道收益权分配机制为启发,基于属地化原则与应急需求轻重缓急安排优先匹配顺序,提出了考虑输电权分配的应急交易优先级判定方法,将输电权转变为优先交易权,解决了应急调度阶段输电容量分配缺乏合理依据的问题。考虑输电通道可用容量约束、交易流平衡约束及交易点电力约束,以调整社会福利最大化为目标,构建了计及交易路径优先级的应急调度优化出清模型。算例对比了价差顺序出清、场景分离与计及交易路径优先3种出清模式的优化计算结果,验证了所提优化出清模型的有效性与优越性,并分析了相关参数设置对出清结果的影响。

Multi-phase bus signal priority strategy at isolated intersections

To satisfy the multiple priority requests from buses that arrive at different phases within a small time window, a multi-phase bus signal priority （MPBSP） strategy is developed. The proximity principle is brought forward to settle the conflicts among multiple priority requests and arrange the optimal priority sequence. To avoid over saturation of the intersection, a conditional MPBSP algorithm that adopts early green and green extension strategies is developed to give priority to the bus with the highest priority level when green time that each phase runs makes its saturation degree not larger than 0. 95. Finally, the algorithm is tested in the VISSIM environment and compared with the normal signal timing algorithm. Sensitive analysis of the number of priority phases, bus demand, and volume to capacity ratios are conducted to quantify their impacts on the benefits of the MPBSP. Results show that the MPBSP strategy can effectively reduce bus delays, and with the increase in the number of priority phases, the reduction range of bus delays also increases.

基于混合深度强化学习的ICV任务卸载与资源分配

随着智能网联车辆(ICV)技术的发展,计算资源有限的ICV面临计算需求大幅增加的问题。ICV可以通过路侧单元(RSU)将任务卸载到移动边缘计算(MEC)服务器上。然而,车联网环境的动态性和复杂性使任务卸载和资源分配变得极具挑战。本文提出在环境和资源的约束下,通过控制任务卸载决策、通信功率和计算资源分配,最小化任务计算能耗。针对这一问题离散和连续控制变量共存的特性,设计了混合深度强化学习(HDRL)算法:利用双深度Q网络(DDQN)生成任务卸载决策,利用深度确定性策略梯度(DDPG)生成通信功率和MEC资源分配决策,并结合改进的优先级经验回放(IPER)机制来评估和选择动作,输出最优策略。仿真实验结果表明,该方法比对比算法具有更快更稳定的决策收敛性,实现了任务计算卸载的最小能耗,并能有效适应ICV数量和任务大小的变化,具有高实时性和良好环境适应性。

基于“面积-服务-格局”的优先保护空间划分:以张家口-承德地区为例

生态空间的分区比例设定是影响地方政府能否以最小的财政投入来最大化保护重要生态空间的直接因素,恰如其分地划定优先保护空间颇具挑战性。本研究以生态系统面积-服务效益最大化为目标,遵循“空间效率优先、兼顾空间连续性”的分区原则,创建单位面积水源涵养服务贡献率(per-unit-area contribution rate of water conservation services,PCRWCS)用以判定分区阈值,提出基于“面积-服务-格局”的优先保护空间划定方法,并以张家口-承德地区(简称“张承地区”)为例开展了实例应用分析。结果表明:①PCRWCS用以识别优先保护空间的划分阈值,可以定量识别出水源涵养量相对较大的栅格,避免了传统统计分区方法中分级数量、断点识别凭主观判断的弊端以及对生态过程及相互作用机制考虑不足的问题。②PCRWCS≥1的栅格经临近斑块聚合、破碎细小斑块剔除以及边界优化后,在空间上呈集中连片分布状态,范围覆盖了京津城市群主要水源地(密云水库、潘家口水库)的上游汇水区域,其中森林生态系统面积占比最高。③划定的张承地区优先保护空间,以49.0%的面积提供了66.3%的水源涵养量,实现了“以小面积提供大服务”的效果,生态系统完整性得到增强。研究显示,利用“面积-服务-格局”方法划定的优先保护空间,既保护了水源涵养服务较高、空间连续性较强的森林、草地、湿地生态系统,又预留了城镇空间,在实践中解决了优先保护空间“划多大”的问题,为权衡国土开发与生态保护的空间竞争关系提供了新途径。

荒漠-绿洲过渡带典型固沙植物根区土壤优先流特征

本研究以荒漠-绿洲过渡带3种典型固沙植物泡泡刺、梭梭和沙拐枣作为研究对象,在入渗水量分别为10 L、15 L和20 L条件下(模拟小雨、中雨和大雨),采用野外染色示踪方法与计算机图像处理技术,分析染色图像垂直和水平剖面优先流分布规律和特征参数,选取特征参数作为评价指标,通过均方决策法探明典型固沙植物根区土壤优先流发育程度,为荒漠-绿洲过渡带固沙植被恢复及水资源有效利用提供参考依据。结果表明:(1)荒漠绿洲过渡带固沙植物根区存在土壤优先流现象,且主要类型为孔隙流,固沙植物种类不同,其根区优先流的垂直和水平分布特征也不同,但随着入渗水量的增加,优先流均发生侧向入渗。(2)在不同入渗水量条件下,3种固沙植物根区土壤染色面积比随土层深度的增加呈非线性减小趋势,梭梭和沙拐枣根区土壤染色面积比曲线变化呈“S”型,且水分呈非均匀下渗现象。(3)优先流评价指数P_(FI)由大到小为梭梭(0.685)、泡泡刺(0.543)、沙拐枣(0.502),梭梭根区土壤优先流发育程度最高。

基于层次近邻传播聚类的用户低电压越限模式挖掘方法

开展用户低电压越限模式挖掘工作可以为用户低电压问题的治理提供指导。针对目前台区低电压用户电压复杂多变、低电压越限模式未知的问题,文中提出基于层次近邻传播(hierarchical affinity propagation, HAP)聚类的用户低电压越限模式挖掘方法。首先,通过HAP聚类算法对大规模低电压用户电压数据集进行聚类分析,获得若干聚类簇。然后,将不同的聚类簇视作不同的低电压越限模式,并从越限时长和越限电压幅值两方面定义低电压越限模式的4项基本特征指标,通过计算各聚类簇的基本特征指标,反映其所对应低电压越限模式的特征。最后,将该方法运用到某地区低电压用户的电压数据集中,有效挖掘出该地区低电压用户的4种低电压越限模式,从而根据不同低电压越限模式的特征,有针对性地开展低电压用户的监管、分析工作,并制定用户低电压问题治理的优先级。

花岗岩废石料替代混凝土组分优先性试验

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