Impact of Na Dynamics at the Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4/CdS Interface During Post Low Temperature Treatment of Absorbers.

Cu2SnZn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells based on earth abundant and nontoxic elements currently achieve efficiencies exceeding 12%. It has been reported that, to obtain high efficiency devices, a post thermal treatment of absorbers or devices at temperatures ranging between 150 and 400 °C (post low temperature treatment, PLTT) is advisable. Recent findings point toward a beneficial passivation of grain boundaries with SnOx or Cu-depleted surface and grain boundaries during the PLTT process, but no investigation regarding alkali doping is available, even though alkali dynamics, especially Na, are systematically reported to be crucial within the field.

Relationship of initial chorionic sac diameter to abortion and abortus karyotype based on new growth curves for the 16th to 49th post-ovulation day.

In order to determine whether initial chorionic sac diameter is related to subsequent abortion, abortus karyotype, or birth weight and length, chorionic sac diameter was prospectively measured by transvaginal ultrasound in 700 singleton pregnancies before post-ovulation day 31, the latest day cardiac activity becomes detectable in normal pregnancy. Results were compared to values for the 10th to the 90th centiles, determined from 227 measurements of in-vitro fertilization and gamete intra-Fallopian transfer pregnancies. The abortion rate was 23.

The relationship of initial embryo crown--rump length to pregnancy outcome and abortus karyotype based on new growth curves for the 2-31 mm embryo.

The objective of this study was to determine if measurement of initial crown--rump length (CRL) is helpful in predicting low birth weight, newborn length, spontaneous abortions, or abortus karyotype. We measured CRL prospectively in 837 consecutive singleton pregnancies at the time a heart rate was first detectable with transvaginal ultrasonography and compared these measurements to normal values for the 10th through 90th centiles determined from 227 transvaginal ultrasound measurements in in-vitro fertilization and gamete intra-Fallopian transfer pregnancies with known ovulation dates. The relationship of initial CRL to birth weight and length and to abortion and abortus karyotype was analysed after all pregnancies had delivered.

Relationship of endometrial thickness and pattern to fecundity in ovulation induction cycles: effect of clomiphene citrate alone and with human menopausal gonadotropin.

Objective: To determine if preovulation endometrial thickness or pattern are related to fecundity and to use of clomiphene citrate (CC) or hMG in IUI.

Design: Prospective ultrasound evaluation the day of hCG after CC alone (n = 197), hMG alone (n = 49), concurrent hMG or sequential CC and hMG (n = 205), and no medications (n = 23).

Setting: Private fertility clinic.

Effects of medium composition on murine and human blastocyst formation and hatching rate.

Purpose: Murine two-cell embryos (n = 5573) were cultured for 96 hr in human tubal fluid (HTF) medium (n = 2709) or alpha modification of minimum essential medium (MEM; n = 2864) through the hatched blastocyst stage from mid-1990 to mid-1991. An additional 373 embryos were cultured in MEM or HTF with 0, 1, 5, or 10 ng/ml E. coli endotoxin.

Relationship of biochemical pregnancy to pre-ovulatory endometrial thickness and pattern in patients undergoing ovulation induction.

In order to assess the relationship between pre-ovulatory endometrial thickness and pattern and biochemical pregnancy, the pregnancy outcome was retrospectively analysed in 81 patients undergoing ovulation induction evaluated by vaginal ultrasound on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration or luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. Biochemical pregnancies occurred in 7/32 (21.9%) pregnancies when endometrial thickness was < 9 mm, compared to 0/49 when endometrial thickness was > or = 9 mm on the day of HCG administration or LH surge (P < 0.

Sequential clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotrophin for ovulation induction: comparison to clomiphene citrate alone and human menopausal gonadotrophin alone.

The need for frequent injections and monitoring, the possibility of multiple gestations, and the higher cost compared to clomiphene citrate, prevents many clinicians from using human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) for ovulation induction. A sequential medication regimen, in which HMG is taken after clomiphene, overcomes these problems. We retrospectively compared per cycle fecundity and birth rates in 119 cycles of clomiphene-HMG, 524 cycles of clomiphene alone, 57 cycles of HMG alone, and 79 cycles of concurrent HMG and clomiphene in patients receiving intra-uterine insemination (IUI), who were free of endometriosis or tubal disease.

Incidence and significance of unequal gestational sac diameter or embryo crown-rump length in twin pregnancy.

The incidence of differences in gestational sac diameter and crown-rump length, measured at the time of the first ultrasound, in which at least one gestational sac or crown-rump length could be visualized, were analysed retrospectively in 260 twin pregnancies in which one or both fetuses were delivered at term. The difference in gestational sac diameter averaged 1.2 +/- 0.

Relationship of first-trimester subchorionic bleeding detected by color Doppler ultrasound to subchorionic fluid, clinical bleeding, and pregnancy outcome.

We analyzed retrospectively the incidence of subchorionic fluid and embryonic death in 2116 consecutive patients evaluated with abdominal ultrasound and 783 patients evaluated with vaginal ultrasound. These women were examined during the first 12 postmenstrual weeks and had conceived as a result of infertility treatment. In addition, we analyzed the relationship of subchorionic bleeding to subchorionic fluid in 230 patients evaluated with color Doppler ultrasound and the relationship of subchorionic bleeding to clinical bleeding, precipitating factors, pregnancy outcome, and the karyotypes of abortuses.

Relationship of small gestational sac-crown-rump length differences to abortion and abortus karyotypes.

We retrospectively reviewed ultrasound findings in 539 infertility patients to evaluate the incidence of small gestational sac syndrome and its association with abortion, karyotype of the abortus, and known abortion factors. Small gestational sac syndrome (gestational sac diameter minus crown-rump length less than 5 mm) occurred in 1.9% of pregnancies scanned with vaginal ultrasound 37-65 days after the first day of the last menstrual period.

Relationship of follicle number and other factors to fecundability and multiple pregnancy in clomiphene citrate-induced intrauterine insemination cycles.

Objective: To determine characteristics associated with pregnancy and multiple gestation after clomiphene citrate (CC)-intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Design: Prospective study of all patients undergoing CC-IUI between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 1989.

Setting: Private fertility clinic.

Endometrial pattern and thickness associated with pregnancy outcome after assisted reproduction technologies.

The endometrial pattern and thickness was analysed prospectively on the day of administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in 200 in-vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) and tubal embryo transfer (TET) cycles. Increasing maturity of the endometrial pattern was positively correlated with oestradiol levels (r = 0.20; P = 0.

Relationship of follicle number, serum estradiol, and other factors to birth rate and multiparity in human menopausal gonadotropin-induced intrauterine insemination cycles.

Objective: To determine the characteristics associated with pregnancy and multiple gestation after human menopausal gonadotropin intrauterine insemination (hMG-IUI).

Design: Prospective study of all patients undergoing hMG-IUI between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 1989.

Setting: University affiliated private clinic.

The probability of multiple births when multiple gestational sacs or viable embryos are diagnosed at first trimester ultrasound.

The live birth outcome when multiple gestational sacs were diagnosed at first trimester ultrasound was reviewed in 227 twin, 43 triplet and five quadruplet pregnancies. When two gestational sacs were present, the probability of delivering twins was 63% for maternal age less than 30 and 52% for maternal age greater than or equal to 30. With three gestational sacs, the probability of a triplet birth was 45% for maternal age less than 30 and 18% for maternal age greater than or equal to 30.

Fertilization of human oocytes by microinjection of human sperm aspirated from the caput epididymidis of an individual with obstructive azoospermia.

Aspiration of spermatozoa from the caput region of the epididymis was performed, due to obstructive azoospermia. When all inseminated oocytes failed to fertilize in vitro, immotile spermatozoa were microinjected into the perivitelline space to achieve fertilization. Of six oocytes microinjected, one exhibited two normal pronuclei and two polar bodies and was subsequently transferred to a fallopian tube of the wife.

The occurrence of ectopic pregnancy with and without clomiphene citrate use in assisted and nonassisted reproductive technology.

An eleven-year review of treatment records of patients who became pregnant as a result of infertility treatment (n = 3692) was conducted. All records were examined to determine whether clomiphene citrate (CC) was used in the cycle of conception and whether or not an ectopic pregnancy occurred. Data were additionally analyzed for the incidence of ectopic pregnancy with and without assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Pregnancies established by gamete intrafallopian transfer and pronuclear-stage transfer in patients with premature ovarian failure using donated oocytes and low-dose oral micronized estradiol and progesterone.

This report describes both gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and pronuclear-stage transfer (PROST) of donated oocytes to patients with premature ovarian failure (POF), using micronized oral progesterone (P4) and low-dose micronized estradiol (E2) for endometrial preparation and maintenance. Patient A, with POF of 15 years' duration, received four donated oocytes for GIFT and subsequently delivered a normal, term, female infant. Patient B was diagnosed as POF 3 years ago.