Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a dimeric glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 140 kD, encoded by a gene on the short arm of chromosome and a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-<em>β</em&g...Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a dimeric glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 140 kD, encoded by a gene on the short arm of chromosome and a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-<em>β</em>) superfamily. The expression of AMH is markedly different in males and females, both in concentration and temporality. In males, Sertoli cells maintain a high concentration of AMH in utero which peaks shortly after birth and then drops precipitously at puberty. In females, granulosa cells produce very low levels of AMH in utero followed by a transient spike in the neonatal period. Concentrations of the hormone then rise steadily through adolescence to a peak in the mid-twenties and subsequently decline until becoming undetectable in menopause. The study aimed to understand how Clinicians and Clinical Embryologists used anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) test to assess ovarian reserve, direct patient selection and treatment regimens and guide in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle management in all registered fertility hospitals in a West African country, Ghana. A web-based survey (questionnaire) using google forms was performed to solicit responses from all IVF hospitals that are registered with the Fertility Society of Ghana (FERSOG). This questionnaire consisted of fifteen (15) broader questions, ten (10) of which assessed the clinics’ use of AMH. Responses were screened for quality to verify that only one (1) survey was completed by each IVF centre. The study was conducted during May and June 2020 at the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Department of the Airport Women’s Hospital (AWH) in Accra, Ghana. Results are reported as the proportion of IVF cycles represented by a particular answer choice. Survey responses were completed from 15 IVF centres, representing 2504 IVF cycles performed annually. A good majority (73.3%) [1835 IVF cycles] of the respondent IVF hospitals reported to use AMH as a first line test and 93.3% reported it as the best test for evaluating ovarian reserve. Another 66.7% reported that AMH results were extremely relevant to clinical practice. However, in contrast, for predicting live birth rate, 60% reported age as the best predictor in their practice. Overall, our results indicate that AMH is considered a first line test for assessing ovarian reserve and is relevant to the clinical practice of majority of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) providers in Ghana.展开更多
In this study, surface modification of barium sulfate was investigated using several model molecules for chemical treatment: ethanesulfonic acid, butyric acid, trimethoxy(propyl) silane and phosphoric acid 2-hydroxyet...In this study, surface modification of barium sulfate was investigated using several model molecules for chemical treatment: ethanesulfonic acid, butyric acid, trimethoxy(propyl) silane and phosphoric acid 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Samples were characterized by FT-IR and TGA to check the capability of these model molecules to interact with BaSO<sub>4</sub> surface. The results pointed out the presence of an organic layer around the surface after the chemical treatment even after several washings to remove all species in excess. Model molecules were grafted onto BaSO<sub>4</sub> surface and grafted density was determined. It reveals that phosphoric acid and carboxylic acid are the best candidates for the modification of BaSO<sub>4</sub> surface. Both can be used as anchoring groups to modify the hydrophilic balance of barium sulfate surface in order to avoid the formation of aggregates and to improve the compatibility of this filler within hydrophobic polymer matrix.展开更多
In this paper, we present a multiobjective approach for solving the one-way car relocation problem.We fix three objectives that include the number of remaining rejected demands, the number of jockeys used for the relo...In this paper, we present a multiobjective approach for solving the one-way car relocation problem.We fix three objectives that include the number of remaining rejected demands, the number of jockeys used for the relocation operations, and the total time used by these jockeys. For this sake, we propose to apply two algorithms namely NSGA-Ⅱ and an adapted memetic algorithm(MA) that we call MARPOCS which stands for memetic algorithm for the one-way carsharing system. The NSGA-Ⅱ is used as a reference to compare the performance of MARPOCS. The comparison of the approximation sets obtained by both algorithms shows that the hybrid algorithm outperforms the classical NSGA-Ⅱ and so solutions generated by the MARPOCS are much better than the solutions generated by NSGA-Ⅱ. This observation is proved by the comparison of different quality indicators’ values that are used to compare the performance of each algorithm. Results show that the MARPOCS is promising to generate very good solutions for the multiobjective car relocation problem in one-way carsharing system. It shows a good performance in exploring the search space and in finding solution with very good fitness values.展开更多
Aluminas supported noble metal nanoparticles have been synthesized by a new ionothermal process. The method used is easy to implement and allows obtaining catalysts in one step with high specific surface area. In addi...Aluminas supported noble metal nanoparticles have been synthesized by a new ionothermal process. The method used is easy to implement and allows obtaining catalysts in one step with high specific surface area. In addition, the metallic phase in the composites is highly dispersed and exhibits homogeneous size.展开更多
文摘Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a dimeric glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 140 kD, encoded by a gene on the short arm of chromosome and a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-<em>β</em>) superfamily. The expression of AMH is markedly different in males and females, both in concentration and temporality. In males, Sertoli cells maintain a high concentration of AMH in utero which peaks shortly after birth and then drops precipitously at puberty. In females, granulosa cells produce very low levels of AMH in utero followed by a transient spike in the neonatal period. Concentrations of the hormone then rise steadily through adolescence to a peak in the mid-twenties and subsequently decline until becoming undetectable in menopause. The study aimed to understand how Clinicians and Clinical Embryologists used anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) test to assess ovarian reserve, direct patient selection and treatment regimens and guide in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle management in all registered fertility hospitals in a West African country, Ghana. A web-based survey (questionnaire) using google forms was performed to solicit responses from all IVF hospitals that are registered with the Fertility Society of Ghana (FERSOG). This questionnaire consisted of fifteen (15) broader questions, ten (10) of which assessed the clinics’ use of AMH. Responses were screened for quality to verify that only one (1) survey was completed by each IVF centre. The study was conducted during May and June 2020 at the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Department of the Airport Women’s Hospital (AWH) in Accra, Ghana. Results are reported as the proportion of IVF cycles represented by a particular answer choice. Survey responses were completed from 15 IVF centres, representing 2504 IVF cycles performed annually. A good majority (73.3%) [1835 IVF cycles] of the respondent IVF hospitals reported to use AMH as a first line test and 93.3% reported it as the best test for evaluating ovarian reserve. Another 66.7% reported that AMH results were extremely relevant to clinical practice. However, in contrast, for predicting live birth rate, 60% reported age as the best predictor in their practice. Overall, our results indicate that AMH is considered a first line test for assessing ovarian reserve and is relevant to the clinical practice of majority of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) providers in Ghana.
文摘In this study, surface modification of barium sulfate was investigated using several model molecules for chemical treatment: ethanesulfonic acid, butyric acid, trimethoxy(propyl) silane and phosphoric acid 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Samples were characterized by FT-IR and TGA to check the capability of these model molecules to interact with BaSO<sub>4</sub> surface. The results pointed out the presence of an organic layer around the surface after the chemical treatment even after several washings to remove all species in excess. Model molecules were grafted onto BaSO<sub>4</sub> surface and grafted density was determined. It reveals that phosphoric acid and carboxylic acid are the best candidates for the modification of BaSO<sub>4</sub> surface. Both can be used as anchoring groups to modify the hydrophilic balance of barium sulfate surface in order to avoid the formation of aggregates and to improve the compatibility of this filler within hydrophobic polymer matrix.
文摘In this paper, we present a multiobjective approach for solving the one-way car relocation problem.We fix three objectives that include the number of remaining rejected demands, the number of jockeys used for the relocation operations, and the total time used by these jockeys. For this sake, we propose to apply two algorithms namely NSGA-Ⅱ and an adapted memetic algorithm(MA) that we call MARPOCS which stands for memetic algorithm for the one-way carsharing system. The NSGA-Ⅱ is used as a reference to compare the performance of MARPOCS. The comparison of the approximation sets obtained by both algorithms shows that the hybrid algorithm outperforms the classical NSGA-Ⅱ and so solutions generated by the MARPOCS are much better than the solutions generated by NSGA-Ⅱ. This observation is proved by the comparison of different quality indicators’ values that are used to compare the performance of each algorithm. Results show that the MARPOCS is promising to generate very good solutions for the multiobjective car relocation problem in one-way carsharing system. It shows a good performance in exploring the search space and in finding solution with very good fitness values.
文摘Aluminas supported noble metal nanoparticles have been synthesized by a new ionothermal process. The method used is easy to implement and allows obtaining catalysts in one step with high specific surface area. In addition, the metallic phase in the composites is highly dispersed and exhibits homogeneous size.