text:
Health Vol.8 No.9 , June 2016
Beneficial Effects of Tibolone on Sexual Dys-function in Women with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)
Author(s) Florence E. Omu1*, Assem Elbiaa2, Amal Ghafour2, Ibrahim Gadalla2, Alexander E. Omu2,3
1 College of Nursing, Public Authority for Applied Education & Training, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
2 Maternity Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
3 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Introduction: Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) is cessation of ovarian functions before the age of 40 years old with consequent cessation of menstruation. Objective of study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Premature Ovarian Failure and sexual dysfunctions and outcome of management with tibolone. Patients and Methods: Thirty-one women with Premature Ovarian Failure seen at the outpatient clinic of Maternity Hospital were enrolled into the study with 31 healthy women as control group. The instrument of data collection included two types of questionnaires to assess the effect of Premature Ovarian Failure on sexuality. All the women with POF had oral tibolone 2.5 mg for at least one year and the second questionnaire and the profiles were repeated. Results: Of the 31 women with POF that presented with sexual dysfunction (SD), 27 (87.1%) complained of one or more SD domains such as reduced frequency of coitus, dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, reduced libido and general sexual satisfaction (P < 0.01), amenorrhea (P < 0.01) and hot flashes compared to 5 (16.1%) control women (P < 0.01). Administration of tibolone was associated with significant increase in frequency of coitus, reduced dyspareunia and vaginal dryness, increase libido and general satisfaction and happiness. Reduction of sexual dysfunction was predicated on the estrogenic, progestogenic and androgenic metabolite of tibolone through the reduction of serum level of FSH and LH and increased levels of estrogen and testosterone (P < 0.01). Tibolone had no adverse effect on serum lipid profile. Conclusion: Premature Ovarian Failure is associated with sexual dysfunction. Tibolone provides an effective means of treating sexual dysfunction caused by Premature Ovarian Failure.
Premature Ovarian Failure, Sexual Dysfunction, Tibolone, Replacement Therapy
Received 5 April 2016; accepted 17 June 2016; published 21 June 2016
Premature Ovarian Failure is defined as reduced function of the ovaries with cessation of menstruation and increased serum levels of gonadotropins and decreased levels of estrogen before the age of 40 years old. It is also called Primary Ovarian Insufficiency and Premature Menopause [1] . It may occur as a result of genetic, autoimmunity, gonadotoxicity from chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer patients and surgery. It affects about 1 percent of women and as a result of estrogen deficiency, it leads to severe long-term health consequences [2] .
Although sexual function in women with normal menopause has been extensively dealt with in specialized literature worldwide [3] [4] , very few and specific studies have been reported on this subject in women with premature ovarian failure [5] - [7] . The paucity of biological data on sexual dysfunction in women with POF may be attributed to lack of reliable experimental models and tools for the investigation of female sexual function [8] . Six domains of sexual dysfunction have been identified, including desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, pain and vaginal lubrication [8] [9] . In a national survey, about 25 percent of women reported sexual dysfunction [10] . The parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are two parts of the autonomic system that keeps sexuality in balance. A number of side-effects from an imbalance of the two systems as a result of peripheral nervous disorders can result in sexual dysfunction [11] and manifest loss of erotic sensation, dyspareunia, loss of lubrication, loss of feeling during vaginal intercourse, difficulties in achieving orgasm, and changes in the feeling of orgasm [12] - [14] .
In a recent cross-sectional study, the use of systemic estrogen among women with POF was not enough to improve complaints of lubrication and pain despite conferring similar tropism and vaginal flora. Progestins usually combined with estrogen to prevent endometrial hyperplasia are less effective when used alone for hot flushes [15] . Recent reviews have supported the addition of testosterone to HRT to improve sexual function and wellbeing [16] . Testosterone therapy may be needed to restore sexual arousability. Tibolone is a synthetic steroid derived from 19-nortestosterone, structurally similar to norestinone and noretinodrel. It is a selective tissue estrogenic activity regulator (STEAR) because it has specific effects in different tissues after conversion to three active metabolites following oral ingestion, with estrogenic, progestogenic and androgenic effects. Estrogenic metabolites act centrally, on the vagina and other tissues and, together with androgenic metabolites, relieve hot flushes and improve energy and sexual well-being. In a well-designed trial comparing tibolone to estrogen/pro- gestin therapy, tibolone was similar or superior in the treatment of sexual dysfunction [17] . On bone, tibolone has estrogenic effect acting on the estrogenic receptor [18] . Tibolone is a well-established treatment for climacteric complaints and prevention of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and improve sexuality [18] - [20] . Concerns and caution have been expressed about the side-effects of tibolone such as breast cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease [21] .
Objective of the study
The aim of this study was to evaluate.
1) The pattern of sexual dysfunction in women with POF in the community.
2) Factors that could contribute to sexual dysfunction and,
3) The effect of hormone replacement therapy using Tibolone among women with premature ovarian failure in Kuwait.
2. Patients and Methods
Patients: Between June 2000, and May 2014, details of sexual history were compiled from 31 women that attended the Menopause Clinic at the Maternity Hospital, Kuwait, with premature ovarian failure (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency or Premature menopause).
1) During the five year study period, there were 52 women with features of premature ovarian failure, who were below the age of 40 years, who attended our menopause clinic, but only 31 who were married and perceived to be sexually active were included in the study.
2) Control group matched for Age was chosen from the clinic, staff and students.
3. Ethical Consideration
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Maternity Hospital. Kuwait. Verbal informed consent was received from all women and to obtain the participants' informed consent, the objectives and general procedures of the research were explained to them as well as their right to drop out at any given moment with no ensuing change in the quality of the medical care they would continue to receive.
3.1. Study Design
3.1.1. The Study Was in Two Parts
1) This was a cross-sectional study with 31 study patients and 31 control healthy women with normal menstruation, with regards to the pattern of sexual dysfunction and hormone and lipid profile.
2) Comparison of pre and post tibolone therapy with regards to attenuation of the different domains of sexual dysfunction.
3.1.2. Inclusion Criteria for Study Women
1) The woman should be less than 40 years.
2) Amenorrhea for at least 4 - 6 months.
3) Serum FSH ≥ 40 IU/L and LH ≥ 28 IU/L and Estradiol ≤ 12 pmol/L.
4) Should be married
3.1.3. Inclusion Criteria for Control Healthy Women
1) All below 40 years.
2) Regular menstrual periods, bleeding for 3 to 7 days, with cyclicity of 22 to 35 days regularly.
3) With no medical disorder and not on any medication.
3.1.4. Exclusion Criteria
1) All those with medical disorders like diabetes mellitus and genital surgeries.
2) Those currently on radiotherapy or Chemotherapy.
3) All women who are not sexually active on cultural and religious grounds.
3.1.5. Clinical Evaluation
At the first clinic consultation a full history including coital history was taken and a physical examination carried out for each patient, including weight in kilograms and height in metres for Body mass index (BMI). For cultural and religious sensitivities, only married women were investigated in issues pertaining to sexuality in POF women and non POF controls matched with age (±2 years). In order to confirm POF, serum hormone profile-FSH, LH and estradiol were estimated. Estimation of Androstenedione Prolactin and Testosterone and lipid profile were also carried out.
4. Interviews
4.1. Two Types of Questionnaires Were Used for Data Collection
1) Personal data of the women (both study and healthy controls) through history, investigations and investigations.
2) Sexual index Scores. More of the existing instruments like the self-administered Derogatis Interview for Self (DISF-SR) [22] , the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) [23] and 8 other descriptive and psychometric contemporary measures of quality of sexual function [22] was completely suitable for assessment of sexual dysfunction in our community because of cultural and religious sensitivities. We therefore developed an acceptable home-based, original and simple instrument for data collection consisting of six domains: Coital frequency, Desire, Dyspareunia, Vaginal dryness, Satisfaction and General well-being, in a scale of 1 to 5 in an ascendancy of favorability.
1) Coital frequency, scores are 1 = no coitus, 2 = once, 3 = twice, 4 = 3 and 5 = ≥4 sexual contact per week.
2) Dyspareunia: 1 = Regularly, 2 = Almost always, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Occasionally, 5 = Never.
4.2. Hormone Measurements
10 ml of blood was taken from each patient and centrifuged at 1000 g and serum separated and stored at −20˚C until assayed. Each blood sample was assayed for Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Estradiol, Testosterone and androstenedione. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin was estimated with ELIZA technique.
4.3. Administration of Tibolone
All the women with POF had oral tibolone 2.5 mg for at least one year and the second questionnaire and the profiles were repeated.
The second clinical and laboratory evaluations were carried out after one year. However, the patients were seen in the clinic every 3 months mainly to evaluate their well-being, sexual satisfaction and side-effects of tibolone.
4.4. Statistical Analysis
We analyzed fully completed questionnaires only. We report results as mean (SD) or median (range) and tested comparisons with the Wilcoxon Rank Sum. To examine the relationship between sexual functioning and possible factors, multiple regression analysis were performed and logistic regression analysis for dichotomous outcomes. The correlation among variables and sexual dysfunction domain in each set of emotional reaction to POF was calculated using the Spearman and Pearson lineal correlation coefficients, respectively. For calculation and elaboration of graphs, SPSS (version 22) was used. Significant correlation was considered at significance level P = 0.05.
There were no significant differences between age, ethnic background, marital status and body mass index (BMI) between women with POF and control group. As shown in Table 1, Of the 31 women with POF, 27 (87.1%) had sexual dysfunction compared to 5 (16.1%) of the control women (P < 0.01). Fewer women with POF were University graduates than the control group (P < 0.05). Women with POF had more hot flashes (77 percent) (P < 0.01) and night sweats (52 percent) (P < 0.05) compared to healthy ovulatory controls.
As shown in Table 2, all the women with POF had high gonadotropins FSH and LH and low Estrogen in the postmenopausal range with high positive correlation with hot flushes (r = 0.628, P < 0.01) and night sweat (r = 0.448, P < 0.05) and inverse relationship with Estrogen (r = −0.542 P < 0.05). Nine women (29 percent) with POF had serum Testosterone level below the lower quartile range of ≤ 0.5 nmol/L. In lipid profile, the LDL-C was significantly higher in the POF group (p < 0.05). Conversely, vitamin D3 was much higher in the control group than in women with POF (P < 0.01).
Table 1. Comparison of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics between with premature ovarian failure and control.
Table 2. Comparison of hormone and lipid profiles in women with POF and healthy controls.
NS: Not significant.
Table 3 compared the 6 sexual dysfunction domains in women with POF and controls. The actual frequency of sexual contact with the husband was significantly lower in women with POF than control women (P < 0.01). Women with POF experienced problems of impaired sexual desire, dyspareunia, and increased vaginal dryness during sexual contact more often than control women (P < 0.01). With respect to satisfaction with their sexual life, women with POF tended to be less satisfied than the control women. The satisfaction rating frequencies in women with POF was significantly lower than those for the control women (P < 0.05), When questioned about the sense of well-being, they scored this item significantly less often as compared with control women (P < 0.05).
Understanding of the contributing factors to sexual dysfunction will certainly help in any therapeutic intervention strategy. Climacteric Symptom is a risk factor for effect of POF on sexuality. Multiple regression analysis and Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients identified age, hot flashes and night sweats (vasomotor symptoms), low estrogen, low testosterone as having differential contributions to sexual dysfunction as shown in Table 4. Low androgen levels had a significant influence on sexual desire and satisfaction; higher total testosterone levels were associated with increased frequency of desire for sexual contact, and higher androstenedione levels were associated with elevated frequency of sexual contact.
Table 5 summarizes the attenuation of different domains of sexual dysfunction by tibolone. In order to gauge the degree of improvement, the mean composite scores of the healthy controls were included for comparison between pre-thaerapy and post-therapy of tibolone. For coital frequency, there was 71 percent improvement over the pretherapy mean composite score. As to effect of tibolone on dyspareunia and vaginal dryness, there was improvement of 90 percent and 83 percent respectively. The analysis for sexual satisfaction and well-being revealed improvement of 83 percent and 50 percent respectively in the two domains.
In Figure 1, the effects of tibolone on hormone profile are outlined. There is highly significant (P < 0.01) reduction of serum FSH and LH with positive correlation with reduction of hot flushes (r = 0.624, P < 0.01). Conversely, tibolone was associated with significant increase with serum testosterone (P < 0.01) and estradiol (P < 0.05 and inverse correlation with vasomotor symptoms (r = −0.425, P < 0.05). There ws no significant change in the serum level of androstenedione with tibolone. However, there was significant increase in SHBG, which was inversely correlated with Serum testosterone (r = −0.542, P < 0.01).
Table 3. Comparison of mean composite sexual scores between women with POF and healthy controls.
Table 4. Factors contributing to sexual dysfunction in patients with premature ovarian failure.
*P < 0.05, **P < 0. 01.
Table 5. Effect on tibolone on sexual dysfunction.
A vs. b: pre tibolone versus post tibolone. X = composie sexual scores for healthy controls (not on Tibolone).
5.1. Safety of Tibolone
There were six patients (19.4 percent) that reported very few and mild side-effects such as slight breakthrough vaginal bleeding. As shown in Figure 2, tibolone use was associated with a slight increase in total Cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride but the differences did not reach level of significance
5.2. Discussion
This is the first study aimed to explore the prevalence and the different domains of sexual dysfunction among women with premature ovarian failure in the community. There is general perception of taboos surrounding discussion of issues of sexuality [24] . Cultural and religious beliefs certainly play a key role in the perception and attitude to issues pertaining to sexual dysfunction. This is why a locally developed in-house and acceptable scale was used in this study instead of validated scales [22] [23] that may be offensive to women in the community.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Figure 1. Effect of tibolone on hormone profile. (a) FSH and LH, (b) Estrogen, (c) Testosterone/androstenedione, (d) Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG).
The present study has shown that there is high prevalence of POF of 87.1 percent occurs in Kuwait as in other parts of the world with the usual multifactorial origin [25] and it is associated with a highly associated with vasomotor symptoms and sexual dysfunction determined by changes in frequency of sexual contact, dyspareunia and vaginal dryness. During the postmenopausal period, sexual interest and activity seem to decline, as part of the menopausal effect of oestrogen deficiency. Vasomotor Symptoms and Sexual dysfunction occur frequently in women who have an abrupt menopause from chemotherapy or ovarian suppression. Hormone replacement was advocated in our previous study [26] . Problem with oestrogen replacement is the stimulation of breast and endometrial cells. Recent studies have also shown that use of systemic estrogen among women with POF is not enough to improve complaints of lubrication and pain [1] . Oestrogens have been shown to have some beneficial effect on sexual desire, but oestrogen alone may be ineffective in completely ameliorating dyspareunia. The addition of testosterone is usually beneficial and improves quality of life [27] and restores sexual arousability [5] . Although a woman's motivation or desire might change as a result of HRT, on its own this will not influence the frequency of intercourse or response during intercourse. Non-menopausal aspects of the sexual relationship must be considered too. These aspects include the quality of the relationship, the sexual performance of the partner (since sexual desire decreases in both sexes with age), and age-related changes in self-image [27] . In the present study, tibolone significantly ameliorated vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, and different domains of sexual dysfunction, without significant short term side-effects. Women with POF have impaired
Figure 2. Effects of Tibolone on lipid profile. (a) Total cholesterol, (b) HDL-C, (c) LDL-C, (d) Triglycerides.
sexual function, determined mainly by changes in arousal and desire. Aspects related to lubrication and dyspareunia complaints have lower determination coefficient in SF. These results are important in adapting the approach of sexual disorders in this group of women.
Tibolone undergoes differential tissue-selective metabolic transformation and may exert estrogenic, progestogenic and androgenic activity [20] . There is abundant evidence that each of these three metabolites has its effects in the body and contributes to the overall remedial action of tibolone in ameliorating sexual dysfunction in women with POF [18] [28] [29] . Some randomized controlled studies [20] [30] have suggested that tibolone decreases vasomotor symptoms and ameliorates vaginal dryness and dyspareunia as demonstrated in the present study. This is probably through the estrogenic metabolite. This estrogenic metabolite effects are mainly evident in the brain, bone and vaginal tissue [18] [20] [21] , This effect is weak or absent in the endometrium because it is transformed into progestogen and increase the progestogenic metabolite and robustly counteract the stimulating effects of estrogen on the endometrium to prevent endometrial hyperplasia [28] [29] .
There is abundant evidence that androgens are necessary for sexual arousability, libido and sexual satisfaction [5] [16] [27] - [31] . The present study has demonstrated a positive effect of tibolone on sexual frequency, desire, satisfaction and general wellbeing and this may be due to the androgenic metabolites of tibolone.
Tibolone has been shown to be generally safe throughout the present study period and well tolerated, with mild side-effects like headache, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, swollen feet and itching and breast tenderness and vaginal bleeding [20] . Recent research suggests that tibolone may increase the risk of stroke in vulnerable women [21] . This risk is mainly seen in women over 60 years of age with an extra 13 cases per 1000 women [30] .
High level of stressors like past traumas such as sexual abuse and rape often seem to have effect on different domains of sexual dysfunction [32] . Many women complained of being given inadequate information about their problem by their physicians [33] . These issues should be addressed at health education level and specific counselling to women who present with premature ovarian failure [34] [35] .
1) A significant limitation of this study is the small sample size. In the future it is hoped that a large sample size will be used.
2) A standard well tested scale of evaluation of sexuality could not be used, before and intervention with tibolone because of cultural and religious sensitivities. We have in fact identified this as a rich and veritable area of future research.
3) The women in the present study were followed up for one year. For the evaluation of side-effects of tibolone, a longer period of more than a year may be needed.
POF is multifactorial in origin. There is a decline in sexual response and activity in women with POF in Kuwait with diminished general and sexual well-being and is less satisfaction with their sexual lives than control women. There is an important independent role for androgens in various aspects of sexual functioning. Clinicians have an important role in encouraging women to report and discuss their sexual complaints. Giving women the opportunity to talk about sexual problems is a fundamental part of health care and may improve their quality of life. Research into optimal management of sexual dysfunction with POF is urgently needed. The long-term side-ef- fects of Toulon should be of concern. The use of tibolone should be monitored with lipid profile as is done in the present study.
The authors are grateful to the patients that willingly participate in the study, medical doctors and nursing staff of Maternity Hospital for following up the patients. The technical staff of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University contributed immensely with the statistical analysis deserve exceeding gratitude. The study was partially supported by Grant MO360 of the Research Sector, Kuwait University, Kuwait.
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of this study.
*Corresponding author.
Omu, F. , Elbiaa, A. , Ghafour, A. , Gadalla, I. and Omu, A. (2016) Beneficial Effects of Tibolone on Sexual Dys-function in Women with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF). Health, 8, 857-867. doi: 10.4236/health.2016.89090.
[1] Pacello, P.C., Yela, D.A., Rabelo, S., Giraldo, P.C. and Benetti-Pinto, C.L. (2014) Dyspareunia and Lubrication in Premature Ovarian Failure Using Hormonal Therapy and Vaginal Health. Climacteric, 17, 342-347.
[2] Shuster, L.T., Rhodes, D.J., Gostout, B.S., Grossardt, B.R. and Rocca, W.A. (2010) Premature Menopause or Early Menopause: Long-Term Health Consequences. Maturitas, 65, 161-166.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.08.003
[3] Graziottin, A. and Leiblum, S.R. (2005) Biological and Psychosocial Pathophysiology of Female Sexual Dysfunction during the Menopausal Transition. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2, 133-145.
[4] Omu, A.E. and AlQattan, N. (1997) Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Sexuality in Postmenopausal Women in a Mideast Country. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 23, 157-164.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0756.1997.tb00825.x
[5] Graziottin, A. and Basson, R. (2004) Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Premature Menopause. Menopause, 11, 766-777.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.GME.0000139926.02689.A1
[6] de Almeida, D.M., Benetti-Pinto, C.L. and Makuch, M.Y. (2011) Sexual Function of Women with Premature Ovarian Failure. Menopause, 18, 262-266.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e3181f4318d
[7] Dennerstein, L., Koochaki, P.E., Barton, I. and Graziottin, A. (2006) Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Menopausal Women: A Survey of Western European Women. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 3, 212-222.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2006.00215.x
[8] Kalantaridou, S.N., Calis, K.A., Vanderhoof, V.H., et al. (2006) Testosterone Deficiency in Young Women with 46, XX Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Failure. Fertility and Sterility, 86, 1475-1482.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.04.028
[9] Basson, R. (2000) The Female Sexual Response: A Different Model. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 26, 51-65.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/009262300278641
[10] Bancroft, J., Loftus, J. and Long, J.S. (2003) Distress about Sex: A National Survey of Women in Hetersexual Relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 193-208.
[11] Artune-Ulkumen, B., Erkan, M.M., Pala, H.G. and Bulbul Baytur, Y. (2014) Sexual Dysfunction in Turkish Women with Dyspareunia and Its Impact on the Quality of Life. Clinical and Experi-mental Obstetrics and Gynecology, 41, 567-571.
[12] Zhang, H., Fan, S. and Yip, P.S. (2015) Sexual Dysfunction among Reproductive-Aged Chinese Married Women in Hong Kong: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Associated Consequences of Ovarian Failure. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12, 738-745.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12791
[13] Vodusek, D.B. (2013) Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Peripheral Nervous Disorders. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical, 177, 20.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2013.05.016
[14] Benetti-Pinto, C.L., Soares, P.M., Giraldo, H.P.D. and Yela, D.A. (2015) Role of the Different Sexuality Domains on the Sexual Function of Women with Premature Ovarian Failure. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12, 685-689.
[15] Garefalakis, M. and Hickey, M. (2008) Role of Androgens, Progetins and Tibolone in the Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms: A Review of the Clinical Evidence. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 3, 1-8.
[16] Drillich, A. and Davis, S.R. (2007) Androgen Therapy in Women: What We Think We Know. Experimental Gerontology, 42, 457-462.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2007.02.005
[17] Ziaei, S., Moghasemi, M. and Faghihzadeh, S. (2010) Comparative Effects of Conventional Hormone Replacement Therapy and Tibolone on Climacteric Symptoms and Sexual Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women. Climacteric, 13, 147-156.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13697130903009195
[18] Modelska, K. and Cummings, S. (2002) Tibolone for Post-Menopausal Women: Systematic Review of Randomized Trials. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 87, 16-23.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jcem.87.1.8141
[19] Lamarca, M. (2012) The Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Tibolone in the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. In: Dionyssiotis, Y., Ed., Osteoporosis, InTech, Chapter 29.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/30164
http://www.intechopen.com/books/osteoporosis/the-role-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt-and-tibolone-in-the-prevention-and-treatment-of-postmeno
[20] Formoso, G., Perrone, E., Maltoni, S., Balduzzi, S., D'Amico, R., Bassi, C., Basevi, V., Marata, A.M., Magrini, N. and Maestri, E. (2012) Short and Long Term Effects of Ti-bolone in Postmenopausal Women (Review). The Cochrane Collaboration, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 15, Article ID: CD008536.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008536.pub2
[21] Egarter, C., Sator, M., Berghammer, P. and Huber, J. (1999) Efficacy, Tolerability and Rare Side-Effects of Tibolone Treatment of Postmenopausal Women. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 64, 281-286.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7292(99)00002-8
[22] Derogatis, L.R. (2008) Assessment of Sexual Func-tion/Dysfunction via Patient Reported outcomes. International Journal of Impotence Research, 20, 35-44.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901591
[23] Rosen, R., Brown, C., Heiman, J., Leiblum, S., Meston, C., Shabsigh, R., Ferguson, D. and D'Agostino, R. (2000) The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A Multidimensional Self-ReportInstrument for the Assessment of Female Sexual Function. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 26, 191-208.
[24] Roudsari, R.L., Javadnoori, M., Hasanpour, M., Hazavehei, S.M.M. and Taghipour, A. (2013) Socio-Cultural Challenges to Sexual Health Education for Female Adolescents in Iran. Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 11, 101-110.
[25] Ebrahim, M. and Asbagh, F.A. (2011) Pathogenesis and Causes of Premature Ovarian Failure: An Update. International Journal of Fertility & Sterility, 5, 54-65.
[26] Omu, A.E. and Al-Qattan, N. (1996) Premature Menopause. Singapore Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 27, 23-28
[27] Nappi, R.E. and Lachowky, M. (2009) Menopause and Sexuality: Prevalence of Symptoms and Impact on Quality of Life. Maturitas, 63, 138-141.
[28] Kloosterboer, H.J. (2004) Tissue-Selectivity: The Mechanism of Action of Tibolone. Maturitas, 48, 30-40
[29] Kloosterboer, H.J. (2001) Tibolone: A Steroid with Tissue Specific Mode of Action. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 76, 231-238.
[30] Cummings, S.R., Ettinger, B., Delmas, P.D., Kenemans, P., Stathopoulos, V., Verweij, P. and LIFT Trial Investigators. (2008) The Effects of Tibolone in Older Postmenopausal Women. The New England Journal of Medicine, 359, 697- 708.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa0800743
[31] van der Stege, J.G., Groen, H., van Zadelhoff, S.J., Lambalk, C.B., Braat, D.D., van Kasteren, Y.M., et al. (2008) Decreased Androgen Concentrations and Diminished General and Sexual Well-Being in Women with Premature Ovarian Failure. Menopause, 15, 23-31.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e3180f6108c
[32] Deeks, A. (2002) Sexual Desire: Menopause and Its Psychological Impact. Australian Family Physician, 31, 433-439.
[33] Singer, D., Mann, E., Hunter, M.S., Pitkin, J. and Panay, N. (2011) The Silent Grief: Psychosocial Aspects of Premature Ovarian Failure. Climacteric, 14, 428-437.
[34] Okeke, T.C., Anyaehie, U.B. and Ezenyeaku, C.C. (2013) Premature Menopause. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 3, 90-95.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.109458
[35] ESHRE (2015) Management of Women with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Guideline of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. POI Guideline Development Group.


Artweek has just finished for another year and it's been another success. The hot weather and the world cup haven't helped but there were certainly enough people visiting to make it all worthwhile. In the main exhibition at the Civic Hall a steady stream of visitors came to look round whilst at Sculpture Lounge we put on another fringe exhibition featuring most of the studio holders and the preview evening went really well. Music was provided by 'Renegade' who played an acoustic set which the audience really loved, drinks were provided by the 'pop up drinks company' and 'road bloc' and this year we installed Allan and his famous pizza oven indoors. Over the week we had the added attraction of open studios where the public could walk round the various studios and see where and how the artists work too.
This entry was posted on 8th July 2018 by mick.


Unfortunately for DeVante Parker dynasty owners that third year breakout season did not come to fruition last year. Parkers numbers regressed to 670 receiving yards on 56 catches and only 1 receiving touchdown in 2017. While 2017 was disappointing for Parker, I have not yet hit the panic button on his dynasty value just yet. In fact, quite the opposite. For the first time in his career, Parker will have the opportunity to become the Dolphins true number one receiver with Jarvis Landry no longer on the roster.
Since DeVante Parker arrived in 2015, Jarvis Landry has totaled 458 targets in the past three seasons for the Dolphins. In 2017 alone Landry totaled 161 targets that will be up for grabs in 2018 with Landry now catching passes in Cleveland. In the four seasons, Jarvis Landry was in Miami, he accounted for a little over 25% of the Dolphins receiving targets.
This off-season the Dolphins have brought in pass catchers such as Danny Amendola and Abert Wilson through free agency and Mike Gesicki through the draft, none of which will supplant the target opportunities that will be going to Parker this upcoming season. Along with the return of starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who missed all of 2017 due to an ACL injury, these are all positive signs that point to a DeVante Parker break-out season in 2018.
Even with three disappointing seasons statistically, few still question the talent and ability Parker possesses to become a consistent NFL and fantasy wide receiver for 2018 and beyond. Parker is still only 25 years old and possesses a rare combination of size and speed at 6'3'' 212 pounds while running a 4.45 40 yard dash at the 2015 NFL combine. He will need to take control of the opportunity to finally become the number one wide receiver in Miami he was drafted to be four years ago.
DeVante Parker has proven he still has tremendous talent and big-play ability totaling just under 14 yards per reception in his short career with 139 catches for 1,908 receiving yards. For comparison, Parker's 13.7 yards per reception are better than the career averages of Antonio Brown (13.5), Larry Fitzgerald (12.6), and almost 4 yards more than former teammate Jarvis Landry (10.1). This specific stat shows that DeVante Parker can be a reliable fantasy wide receiver with the anticipated uptick in target share moving forward.
As mentioned earlier, staying healthy will also be very key to Parker's success as he has missed 6 games in his first 3 NFL seasons. Simply put, with the new opportunity Parker will have for the first time in his career to be the number one option on his team in 2018 paired with the talent and experience he has, I fully expect him to become the player many dynasty owners have been expecting for the past three seasons. Buy DeVante Parker while his price is still relatively low.
Do you agree that Parker will breakout in 2018? If you do, or even if you don't you can find me on Twitter @DFF_Maverick and let me know.


text:
9 Habits to Grow Psychological Safety in your Team
Jane Chung | 6 min read
What are the three words you should welcome most in team discussions and yet feel least comfortable saying yourself?
"I Screwed Up".
Creating a workplace environment where employees feel safe to admit their mistakes, ask "stupid" questions and speak up about new ideas without fear of embarrassment or punishment is critical to team and company success.
In part one of our series on psychological safety, we talked about what psychological safety is (and what it is not) and why it is critical to growing high-performance teams, highlighting two decades of research from the likes of Google and Dr. Amy Edmondson from Harvard Business School.
Now we'll talk about the HOW. How do you create psychological safety in your team? How do you help your team members overcome the human instinct to err on "let's just go with the status quo".
We'll learn from successful leaders across different industries and companies, from NASA and Pixar, to the US Army and the Children's Hospital and Clinics in Minneapolis.
Leveraging the three-stage framework we discussed earlier (setting the stage, inviting engagement and responding productively), here are 9 tangible actions you can take to remove the fear of failure in your team.
Set the Stage
1. Frame projects as a learning problem, not an execution problem
Framing projects as a "learning" problem helps to trigger a growth mindset in your team. Instead of getting from point A to point B with blinders focused on executing via a pre-defined plan, the focus is on learning what works, what doesn't and what can be done differently in the journey between point A and B.
How do you trigger this "learning" mindset? Julie Morath, COO of Children's Hospital and Clinics Minneapolis does it by openly discussing the uncertainties, risks and complexities of any project her team takes on. She lets them know that the only logical way to overcome these uncertainties is for team members to openly voice their concerns and learn from failures.
"Healthcare delivery by its nature is a complex error-prone system…Speaking up saves lives."
– Julie Morath, COO of Children's Hospital and Clinics in Minneapolis
2. Acknowledge mistakes you've made
Leaders go first. Owning up to and sharing stories of your mistakes help people understand that it's okay to be wrong. Dr. Amy Edmondson at Harvard Business School even talks about how powerful it is for leaders to apologize for not having made it safe enough for employees to approach them about problems in the past.
"Here's the mistake I made…"
– Ed Catmull, CEO and Cofounder of Pixar
3. Create "rules of engagement" in team meetings
Getting people to speak up in meetings can sometimes feel like pulling teeth, but it doesn't have to be. Here are a few ground rules that can create a safe environment for people to speak up during meetings:
Don't let one person dominate speaking time – especially if that person is you.
Remove power structure from the room. One way to do this is to make sure that no one, not even the CEO, can override ideas or dismiss problems. At Pixar, the Brain Trust Meeting has a "no power" mandate designed to do just that.
Limit the number of people in the meeting. Robert Sutton, Stanford University professor of organizational behavior, studied dynamics of different group sizes and found that the most productive meetings have 5 to 8 people.
Contrarian Office Hours
At URX, the team gathers every Friday for a meeting designed as a safe space where people are explicitly asked to call out what isn't working and how things can be done differently. It has helped them tackle hot button issues from vacation policies to equity packages.
Invite Engagement
4. Have an "Always On" channel for honest feedback
Create different channels for people to share feedback with you. "Open door" policy is great, but not everyone may feel comfortable talking about sensitive topics this way. Having an anonymized feedback channel that your employees can trust is key to building trust and opening up deeper conversations.
5. Art of the Debrief
A debrief is when a team comes together to reflect on a recent experience (project completion, event rollout, etc.), discuss what went well and examine areas of improvement. A meta-analysis have found that teams using debriefs performed 25% better than teams that did not debrief (Tennenbaum & Cerasoli, 2013).
NASA uses debriefs as a vital tool to train their astronauts and ground crews for the Mars Mission. The U.S. Army uses the After Action Review (AAR) approach to debrief. Here are two principles to live by to make your debriefs effective:
Do not judge success or failure in a debrief. The focus is on what can be learned moving forward.
Assume every team member did the best they could with what they knew at the time, their skills and the resources they had on hand.
6. Measure Psychological Safety
Psychological safety is not just a fluffy idea it can be measured. From her studies of team dynamics across different industries, Dr. Amy Edmondson developed a seven-item measure of psychological safety. These measures ask participants to assess whether they agree or disagree with specific statements as they relate to their experiences of vulnerability, support and encouragement at work.
Measure Psychological Safety in Your Team
Understanding what psychological safety is like in your team is the first step to figuring out how and when to drive impactful actions to improve your team's effectiveness.
Respond Productively
7. "Plussing" it out
How do you turn a "reject" idea into a pot of gold? At Pixar, "plussing" is the answer. It is a technique where instead of rejecting ideas in their entirety, you take an additive approach to sharing feedback. The purpose is to turn rocks into diamonds. For example, if the creative director for Pixar's Toy Story 4 doesn't like the way Woody's eyes roll, he won't just toss out the sketch. Instead he'll "plus" it by asking the animator "I like the way you drew Woody's eyes. What if they rolled left?" This way you "amplify" ideas, instead of "silencing" them. Here are some example amplifiers and silencers you can use:
Silencers vs. Amplifiers
Source: Pixar's Secret For Giving Feedback
8. Approach with Curiosity
When team members come to you to talk about mistakes or failures, the worst reaction is to play the blame game. Blame and criticism escalates conflict resulting in defensiveness and disengagement. A great alternative to blame is curiosity.
Start by separating the person from the problem. Then invite them on a joint exploration of the issues. For example, "I would imagine you faced several roadblocks during this project. How about we take some time to uncover them together?"
9. The Power of Saying "I Don't Know"
There is often a misconception that leaders should always be "in the know". But the opposite is true. As Simon Sinek says, the biggest leadership lesson he's ever learnt is to say "I don't know" or "I don't understand" or "I need help". These three magic words signal a great leader who is not afraid to be vulnerable and strong enough to ask his/her team to work together to find the answer.
– Simon Sinek on his biggest leadership lesson
Key Learnings
Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable saying "I screwed up" is crucial to the growth of high-performance teams and business success.
Successful leaders put into practice simple, yet powerful tactics that build greater psychological safety in their teams
Practise these 9 actions in your everyday interactions with your team:
Setting the Stage:
Frame projects as a learning, not an execution problem
Acknowledge mistakes you've made
Create "rules of engagement" in team meetings
Inviting Engagement
Have an "Always On" channel for honest feedback
Art of the Debrief
Measure Psychological Safety
Responding Productively
"Plussing" it out
Approach with Curiosity
Power of saying "I Don't Know"
© 2018 Perked! Inc. All rights reserved.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: How can I make a ElementHost transparent so that the form behind it is visible and clickable? I tried to derive a class form ElementHost and overiding the  CreateParams method:
    protected override CreateParams CreateParams
    {
        get
        {
            const int WS_EX_TRANSPARENT = 0x20;
            CreateParams cp = base.CreateParams;
            cp.ExStyle = cp.ExStyle | WS_EX_TRANSPARENT;
            return cp;
        }
    }

This makes it transparent, but the form is not clickable.

A: Try adding this to your derived class:
private const int WM_NCHITTEST             = 0x0084;
private const int HTTRANSPARENT            = (-1);

protected override void WndProc(ref Message m)
{
   if (m.Msg == WM_NCHITTEST)
   {
      m.Result = (IntPtr) HTTRANSPARENT;
   }
   else
   {
      base.WndProc(ref m);
   }
}

This should make the entire ElementHost "transparent" to the mouse, if you want the WPF content to respond to the mouse you will have to use VisualTreeHelper.HitTest to decide what to return from your WM_NCHITTEST handler.
I haven't tested it with ElementHost but it works with normal WinForms controls.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
— Sports —
'Cancer Shows No Favoritism': NFL's Legendary Terry Bradshaw Humbly Speaks Of His Christian Faith
By Hank Berrien
Nov 3, 2022 DailyWire.com
Icon Sportswire/GettyImages
Four-time Super Bowl champion and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who was diagnosed with cancer months before he went public about it in early October, came forward to explain his reticence.
Bradshaw revealed he had been suffering from bladder cancer and a Merkel cell tumor on October 2 on "Fox NFL Sunday" after fans had derogated him appearing out of breath the week before.
"I couldn't breathe," he reflected. "That's when everybody notices. 'What's wrong with him?' Social media went, 'Get rid of him. He needs to be off the air. He's an embarrassment.' And I was like, 'Embarrassment? I got cancer.'"
"I didn't talk about it because I didn't want pity," Bradshaw said on NBC's Today. "I didn't talk about it because a lot of celebrities — unfortunately, I'm one of those — when they say this, I think the perception around America with all the millions of people is, 'Aw, look at him. Bless his heart. He has cancer. Well, my husband died of cancer! My kids are…' I didn't want that. It took a long time before I told my family."
"I wasn't scared," Bradshaw told NBC's Harry Smith of the initial diagnosis.
"Really?" Smith reacted.
"No. You know what, Harry? I don't know why; I never was scared," Bradshaw replied.
"I mean, you're Terry Bradshaw. You're bigger than life," Smith told him.
"Well, cancer didn't think so," Bradshaw laughed. "I don't think cancer cares. Listen, cancer shows no favoritism."
Bradshaw threw what is probably the most famous and unforgettable pass in pro football history, the "Immaculate Reception," which was called the "miracle of all miracles" by famed announcer Curt Gowdy and led to the beginning of the Pittsburgh Steeler dynasty.
Bradshaw cited his Christian faith as the source for his strength in dealing with the disease, declaring, "As a man of faith, as a Christian, my attitude was, well, if I go, I'm okay. If I stay, I'm okay."
He had been treated for his bladder cancer, first diagnosed in November 2021, and was pronounced clear of it before he began experiencing "nerve pain in my neck and my shoulder." He recalled thinking, "I have injured my neck before, so this is not uncommon."
A tumor was discovered that required removal; Bradshaw admitted that he initially kept his cancer secret from his family. But he praised his wife, saying, "I can't put into words how thankful I am for her. Seriously. I can't imagine not holding her hand when we take off on a plane or when we land or when we snuggle up when we're in bed together. I look at her and she doesn't know I'm looking at her, and I'm so thankful now I'm getting emotional."
The Daily Wire > Read > 'Cancer Shows No Favoritism': NFL's Legendary Terry Bradshaw Humbly Speaks Of His Christian Faith


text:
Collected Works is the first compilation album by Australian rock group, Hunters & Collectors. It was issued on 19 November 1990 by Mushroom Records' White Label and includes material from their previous six studio albums as well as a re-recording of "Throw Your Arms Around Me", which was released as a single. The album peaked at No. 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart and No. 26 on the New Zealand Albums Chart.

Background
Hunters & Collectors celebrated ten years since their formation with the release of their first compilation album, Collected Works, on 19 November 1990. It appeared on the White Label imprint of Mushroom Records. The group's founding mainstays were John Archer (bass guitar), Doug Falconer (drums) and Mark Seymour (guitar and lead vocals). They were joined by Robert Miles (sound engineer) and Ray Tosti-Gueira on guitar and backing vocals. By September 1980 they had added Geoff Crosby on keyboards and Greg Perano (ex-True Wheels) on percussion.

The core of Hunters & Collectors was expanded by a brass section, later dubbed Horns of Contempt, including Michael Waters on trombone; Jack Howard on trumpet; and Jeremy Smith on French horn. By July 1982 Tosti-Gueira was replaced by Martin Lubran (ex-Spiny Norman) on guitar. In early 1988 Barry Palmer (Harem Scarem, ex-Stephen Cummings Band) joined the group on guitar.

This album's slower acoustic version of "Throw Your Arms Around Me" had been recorded in 1989 (at the same time as sessions for their sixth studio album, Ghost Nation) and was co-produced by Hunters & Collectors with Clive Martin, and was mixed by Eric "E.T" Thorngren. It was released as a single in November 1990 and reached No. 34 on the ARIA Singles Chart. This was the third time the group had issued "Throw Your Arms Around Me" as a single. The group's first video album, of the same name, was released simultaneously on VHS. It comprised 14 music videos and three live tracks, the latter had been recorded at The Venue, Melbourne on 24 and 25 August 1984.

To support the album's appearance the group undertook a national Collected Works Tour for two months into January the following year. Seymour told Bevan Hannan of The Canberra Times, that the tour was "an interruption in a manner of speaking. We're actually in the process of writing an album which we are meant to be recording in April or May. But it's been really good, much better than anything we've done before as far as crowd sizes".

On the record liner notes Seymour states "This record documents ten years of Hunters and Collectors music. It includes material from every 'period', including those times when the band's popularity waned, music that few people have heard, and music that some may have forgotten". It was also released overseas by I.R.S. Records, with a different track listing, as it only featured material recorded during the time the band was signed with that label. The United Kingdom version included "Stuck on You" instead of "Talking to a Stranger".

Reception

Penelope Layland of The Canberra Times felt the album was an "excellent compilation ... a double album of well-chosen, quality tracks ... must rate as one of the best-value Christmas present in the record stores this summer". Allmusic's Mike DeGagne described the United States version on I.R.S. Records, which "takes the best tracks from the first ten years of the band's existence and lays them out in chronological order, resulting in a wonderful compilation".

Track listing

Personnel

Credited to:

Hunters & Collectors members
 John Archer – bass guitar
 Geoff Crosby – keyboards, Korg MS-20, effects
 Doug Falconer – drums, percussion
 Robert Miles – live sound, art director
 Greg Perano – percussion
 Mark Seymour – guitar, lead vocals
 Ray Tosti-Guerra – guitar, backing vocals
 Martin Lubran – guitar
 Barry Palmer – lead guitar

Horns of Contempt members
 Nigel Crocker – trombone
 Jack Howard – trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals
 Andy Lynn – trumpet
 Chris Malherbe – trumpet
 Jeremy Smith – French horn, keyboards, guitar
 Michael Waters – trombone, keyboards

Production details
 Producer – Hunters & Collectors, Konrad Plank, Mike Howlett, Gavin MacKillop, Greg Edward, Clive Martin

Charts

Certifications

References

1990 albums
Hunters & Collectors albums
Albums produced by Conny Plank
Albums produced by Mike Howlett
Mushroom Records compilation albums

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


For maximum flexibility and user convenience, SpinRite is a 96 Kbyte MS-DOS program that can be started from either DOS or Windows. If you start the SPINRITE.EXE program from Windows, SpinRite presents you with an opening screen, then pauses to ask for your permission to shut down Windows and go to DOS where it can have exclusive access to your system's mass storage drives.
The alternative is to simply start or restart your system in MS-DOS (Command Prompt Only) mode, then start SpinRite by giving the command "SpinRite" at the DOS command prompt.
This comprehensive map of the current drive partition shows the pre-existing condition of the drive (dimmed) and the results of SpinRite's analysis and repair. Any events of trouble or repair are logged into the Detailed Technical Log (see below) and also written to disk to form a permanent record.
SpinRite's current activity and partition status are continually posted to this display. Click the thumbnail image to the left to see the extent of comprehensive information that is continually available.
SpinRite translates its findings and actions into simple, easily readable english for posting onto this screen. The same postings are also recorded on disk, creating a permanent, readable, record of Spinrite's findings and activities.
SpinRite incorporates a "flux synthesizer" to dynamically create worst case data patterns for use during recording surface defect detection. (See the Defect Detection page for more information.) This display monitors the actions of the flux synthesis system.
Whenever SpinRite runs into trouble reading a disk's data, the Dynastat Data Recovery display snaps into view to monitor SpinRite's statistical data recovery processes and to display the uncertain "erroneous" region of the sector that's currently under analysis.
Since thorough analysis and data recovery on large drives can require many hours, SpinRite's operation can be interrupted and later resumed. This display shows the various interruption options that are available.
analysis of your drive's characteristics.
A number of options can be set to alter SpinRite's operation. Options include the program's operating mode -- specified as a "testing level", the number of past operation logs to retain, and the type of information to be recorded into the operations log. The options are automatically remembered and preserved until changed.
When SpinRite first runs on fixed disk drives, it determines and retains detailed characteristic information that allows it to restart immediately whenever it is re-run on the same drive.
The "Partition Information" screen summarizes the current condition of the drive and provides a quick reference to the dates and results of the prior five times SpinRite has been run on the partition.
When starting SpinRite, the user chooses which logical partitions SpinRite should be run upon. SpinRite can then be left unattended (for example, overnight) with its built-in screen blanker continually informing the user of the program's status.
SpinRite incorporates an advanced mass storage benchmarking system that generates a metric (Sector Access Velocity) to accurately reflect the observed performance of the entire system.


From drones to Bruno Mars to the Cloud Expo, we've got you covered. Relive the magic over and over all the way up to DF15!
See the DF14 Campus and gorgeous San Francisco skyline like you've never seen it before!
Not only does it feature awesome dance moves, but it also features real Apttus employees.
"Good Vibrations," which basically sums up my DF14 experience. Nothing but happy times the whole time!
Kirk Krappe sits down with Salesforce's Kimberly Seabrook and Neopost's Steve Rakoczy for an exclusive interview amidst the action of Dreamforce 2014.
It was impossible to roam around the DF campus and not see Apttus Green everywhere. Check out what the A-Team was up to.


Gotta Identify Decorative Fence Maintenance in Texas?
Let College Station Fencing Satisfy Your Fencing Needs!
Whenever you lease a home in Texas, it likely has a security perimeter surrounding it and you will at some point in time require Decorative Fence Maintenance because things do occur!
Maybe you're handy at working with Decorative Fence Maintenance – however, if you can't do that, you better identify specialists who are talented and knowledgeable about Decorative Fence Maintenance - a business such as College Station Fencing!
Exactly why does College Station Fencing excel over other organizations that offer Decorative Fence Maintenance in Texas?
When anything goes wrong with your security perimeter, never spend any time trying to identify good assistance with your fencing. Call the specialists from College Station Fencing to provide Decorative Fence Maintenance– you'll be delighted you had them come out!
Got Old Fences in Texas?


A 'have a go' event is being held at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's training centre at Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes on Saturday 20 October between 10am and 3pm to encourage local people to become on-call firefighters across east and west Wiltshire.
New on-call recruits are needed to provide fire cover at locations including Devizes, Melksham, Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Calne, Corsham, Chippenham and Malmesbury.
To be on-call, you will need to be able to respond to your local fire station in around five minutes once your pager goes off. This can be from home or work, and employers can benefit from a firefighter's training – such as first aid, manual handling, a greater understanding of health & safety in the workplace, and enhanced team spirit.
If you are interested in being an on-call firefighter but can't attend this event, visit www.dwfire.org.uk/be-one-of-us for more information.


On the page of this website discusses with regard to Roblox sign up free. Roblox sign up free articles reviews may be able to provide useful tip for your.
Please look the list of article titles below, pertain to Roblox sign up free. You shall look the specified tip with regard to Roblox sign up free. Probably useful.


text:
January 30, 1995 / Blog
Diary – Monday 30 January 1995
It seems that something happened last week: proof, at last, that Britain's national identity has been lost for ever. What was it – has the Encyclopaedia Britannica dropped its second name? Is Rule Britannia no longer to be the rousing finale at the last night of the Proms? Of course not. A building society, The Britannia (a title I have always thought is much better suited to ships), merely decided to get rid of its logo, the woman warrior in classic pose with Union Jack shield and trident. So what?
After all, the Bank of Scotland is soon to produce a Star Trek bank card, which is a far cry from the bank's traditional St Andrew's Cross-festooned chequebooks, but nobody north of the border has raised so much as a squeak. The Britannia, too, needs to find a popular image that will help bring it the commercial success it needs.
If anything, I'm glad the old, anachronistic Britannia symbol is going. I spend a lot of time defending my country against accusations by north American friends that Britain is out-dated, jingoistic and isolationist. Now I will, at least partially, be able to prove them wrong.
Talking of Britannia, I am reminded of a yarn about the athletic Labour MP Kate Hoey, whose hearty enthusiasm once caused Neil Kinnock's imagination to work overtime: he called her Ho Ho Hoey. Ms Hoey, a former Northern Ireland high-jump champion, has earned a few people's disapprobation by landing various soccer bigwigs in the proverbial manure, as she did in the Commons last night.
Still, in Hackney they love her unreservedly. Many moons ago Ms Hoey, then a local councillor, founded a leisure centre, which she named the Britannia. She would not rest, however, until she won permission for a wave machine to be installed in the pool there – something that gave the councillors coronaries just to think about. (They wanted money spent on sensible things, you see.)
"They hated her for it," says a friend, "but she didn't care."
Spotted by yours truly at the Royal Opera House on Friday night was the BA chief executive, Sir Colin Marshall, and his wife, accompanied by – you've got it – the former Saatchi's director, Maurice Saatchi, and his novelist wife, Josephine Hart.
Theoretically, of course, the £60m BA account is still open, although if I were a rival ad exec I wouldn't fancy my chances much.
I know that Valentine's Day is a whole 15 days away, but is there a man in the country who has not already booked the flowers, the restaurant, the gifts?
Oh yes, there is. My fiance has a quite stunning record of forgetting about it every year, no matter how hard I scribble all over his diary in January, "Remember 14 Feb".
Trouble is, boys, the longer you leave it, the harder it is to get in anywhere. Le Caprice, in London's West End, and Albert Roux's Quat'Saisons outside Oxford, are already fully booked. Further researches revealed a similar state of affairs elsewhere inthe country. Ah well. If you fail you can always copy my fiance, who says every time: "Of course I didn't book anywhere – you've got far too much taste to want to sit in a restaurant with hundreds of gruey twoeys." Humph.
Memo to Gary Lineker: Please would you consider moving to Essex? The brash reputation of that county was reinforced for me when I learnt that David Sullivan, the man who is bringing a soft- porn channel to our televisions, lives there – in the inevitableneo-Georgian mansion. As a former citizen of the county I wish fervently that we could produce one icon of decency to compensate for men such as Sullivan.
As it is, many people I know who live there still find themselves apologising for the fact. Only the other night I overheard a middle-aged couple greet another couple at a London theatre. "Where are you living now?" inquired one man of the other. "Essex," replied the man. "Suffolk," replied his wife simultaneously – treading, I noticed, rather hard on her husband's foot.
Prince William is to have, it is reported, 18 bodyguards at Eton, should he go there – paid for by local taxpayers. Eighteen? Isn't that rather excessive, given that the Thames Valley police force, from whom they are to be recruited, is likely to lose 150 officers in cuts this year?
Still, bodyguards have their uses – not all of them as obvious as you might think. A friend of mine who was at Cambridge with Prince Edward once commented on his popularity there. "No question the Prince was very amiable," confided my friend, "but that wasn't the reason for asking him to dinner," he smirked. "The truth was that one of his bodyguards was bloody good company."


text:
#region License

#endregion
using System;
using System.Web;
using System.Collections;
using System.Collections.Specialized;
namespace Digital.ContentManagement.Nodes
{
    public class SiteMapVirtualNode : SiteMapPageNode
    {
        public SiteMapVirtualNode(SiteMapProvider provider, string key, string url, string title)
            : base(provider, key, url, title) { }
        public SiteMapVirtualNode(SiteMapProvider provider, string key, string url, string title, string description, IList roles, NameValueCollection attributes, NameValueCollection explicitResourceKeys, string implicitResourceKey)
            : base(provider, key, url, title, description, roles, attributes, explicitResourceKeys, implicitResourceKey) { }

        public SiteMapNode Actual { get; set; }

        //public override string Url
        //{
        //    get { return Actual.Url; }
        //    set { Actual.Url = value; }
        //}
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The complexity involved in obtaining pure Kesterite Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) thin film primarily arises due to its narrow region of stability, leading to the presence of unavoidable binary selenides of the constituent metals. This study offers an insight on the formation of Cu selenides when the amount of Cu is varied in the precursor from Cu poor to Cu rich. The amount of Cu selenides was found to decrease when the composition of CZTSe absorber approached Cu rich conditions but functional devices were not obtained. Detailed characterizations also showed that the Cu and Sn binary phases were present at the backside interface of CZTSe solar cells. However with an increase in the selenization temperature it was found that the amount of Cu selenides and other secondary phases could be drastically minimized or even eliminated leading to high efficiency devices.
Next to Si-based solar cells, inorganic solar cells based on chalcogenide thin films, such as CdTe and Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 (CIGS), have been at the forefront in thin film solar cell technology. However, the toxicity of Cd and Te and the reliance on the non-abundant elements In and Ga presents a major barrier towards meeting the multi-terawatt-scale target for renewable energy supplied by photovoltaic cells based on these technologies. Quaternary compounds containing Cu, Zn, Sn and S (CZTS) or Se (CZTSe) are an alternative chalcogenide solar cell absorber that provides diversification away to avoid the non-earth-abundant elements mentioned above. CZT(S,Se) compounds are p-type semiconductors, with high absorption coefficients (>104cm-1) and direct band gap that varies from 1 eV to 1.5 eV [1, 2] depending on the extent of anion substitution, satisfying the basic requirements for a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Although recently 12.7%  efficiency was achieved with a CZTSSe absorber, the reported values are much lower than record efficiencies obtained with CIGS (22.3%)1 and the theoretical Shockley Queisser limits. An important characteristic of high efficiency CZTSe thin film solar cell is a non-stoichiometric composition. The empirical conditions for high-efficiency CZTS(Se) [4, 5] – based thin-film solar cells are the Cu-poor and Zn-rich conditions which would correspond to the A-type or B-type substitution mechanism . Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that 9.2% devices have also been obtained from Cu rich CZTSe via co evaporation . Among several of the well-known reasons limiting the efficiency of CZTSe based thin film solar cells the existence of a very small region of pure CZTSe in the phase diagram , the omnipresent secondary phases such as CuSe, Cu2Se, SnSe2, SnSe, ZnSe and Cu2SnSe3 that evolve during the formation of the quaternary Cu2ZnSnSe4 due to less tolerance to composition variation  have been discussed and well documented . Whether a secondary phase potentially harms the solar cell performance not only depends on the properties of that particular phase but also on its precise location in the active device [11, 12]. Hence, managing these secondary phases during the absorber formation has been a challenging task and has also been a serious limitation in improving the efficiencies of CZTSe solar cells.
In this framework we report on the processing of non-stoichiometric CZTSe thin film solar cells under conditions ranging from Cu poor to Cu rich and the reactive annealing of the different compositions. Detailed physical and electrical analysis were carried out on the solar cells obtained from these compositions and the results obtained from the physical analysis strongly corroborate with the device characteristics and the processing carried out. Finally a few concerns and limitations are also pointed out.
All the solar cells are fabricated on a 3 mm thick and 25 cm2 soda lime glass substrate covered by Mo (purchased from Guardian) as electrical back contact. The thickness of Mo is estimated to be 400 nm. The constituent elements that make up the absorber layer are deposited in the order Sn/Zn/Cu on top of Mo by DC sputtering. It is to be noted here that Sn is deposited as Cu10Sn90 alloy in the precursor.
In the final step of the absorber processing, the precursor films are sintered and converted nto crystalline CZTSe kesterite layers at high temperatures (450 °C–500 °C). The annealing takes place in a rapid thermal annealing system under a Se rich atmosphere created by a constant flow of 10% H2Se in the chamber. The selenization recipe used in this study starts with a fast ramping step at 1 °C/s from room temperature to the maximum selenization temperature followed by a 15 min dwell under H2Se flow and finishes with a fast cooling step involving the flow of H2/N2 until the samples are cooled down below 70 °C.
The absorbers are KCN etched (5 wt% solution in aqueous KOH) for 30 or 120 s to remove secondary phases, elemental selenium and native oxide from the absorber surface. The CdS buffer layer is deposited by chemical bath deposition at 70 °C using 2.63 E-3 M Cd(CH3CO2)2 and 0.1 M SC(NH as precursors in aqueous NH3 medium. The solar cells are finished by a transparent bi-layer of RF magnetron sputtered i-ZnO (120 nm) and Al:ZnO (280 nm) followed by the deposition of 1 μm thick Al fingers as front contact. Individual cells with an area of 0.5 cm2 are laterally isolated by mechanical scribing.
The morphology and chemical composition of the CZTSe thin films used in this study have been evaluated by SEM-EDX (XL 30 tool, equipped with an EDX analysis system). The accelerating voltage used for the EDX analysis was 20 kV. The Raman spectra were acquired with a Horiba Jobin-Yvon HR800 Raman tool which uses a 532 nm laser with 25% filter. XRD measurements were carried out on a X'Pert Pro MRD X-ray diffractometer in the conventional Bragg-Brentano ω-2θ geometry using the Cu Kα (1.5411 Å) radiation as the incident beam. The cross section SEM Images were obtained from Nova 200 FEI. Depth dependent elemental distribution was investigated by Auger electron spectroscopy. Depth profiles were sputtered in argon gas using a (3 kV × 10 mA) incident beam.
The processed solar cells were analyzed using current-voltage (I-V, 2401 Sourcemeter, Keithley) measurements performed under a solar simulator system using an AM1.5G spectrum with an illumination density of 1000 W/m2. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) has been measured at room temperature using a laboratory-built system with a grating monochromator-based dual-beam setup under chopped light from a Xe lamp. The lifetime of minority carriers was measured using a Hamamatsu C12132 near infrared compact fluorescence lifetime measurement system. The tool uses 15 KHz, 1.2 ns pulsed 532 nm laser and 1 mW of average laser power to illuminate an area of 3 mm diameter on the measured solar cell.
In this work CZTSe thin films were synthesized by selenization at 450 °C of different Sn/Zn/Cu metallic stacks varying in Cu thickness. From SEM-EDX measurements the [Zn]/[Sn] ratio of these compositions was found to vary between 1–1.1 whilst the [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio in the metallic stack was between 0.44–0.95. The variation in the [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio was achieved by changing the thickness of the Cu layer in the stack. After selenization at 450 °C the [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio of the CZTSe thin films was between 0.53–1.1. The exact reason for the change in the metallic ratios before and after selenization is not fully known. However, Sn or Zn losses cannot be excluded. It is also expected that the initial Cu content might influence the formation of volatile phases resulting in this difference.
Using standard solar cell processing explained in the experimental section CZTSe solar cells were fabricated with these compositions. All 16 compositions could not be studied in detail and in order to differentiate the more relevant samples from the others there are 2 data sets S1 and S2 (Tabs. 1 and 2). The information from S1 is utilized only in Figures 1a and 1b. The differentiation is not based on the Cu content but only to facilitate better understanding of the results.
Amount of Cu selenides (CuSe, Cu2−xSe and CuxSe) in terms of area under the corresponding XRD peak as a function of (a) [Zn]/[Sn] and (b) [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratios measured after selenization at 450 °C.
In all the compositions the presence of binary phases (CuSe, Cu2−xSe, SnSe) along with the active CZTSe layer were detected from XRD measurements. All the phases were matched using the PDF cards listed below in the footnote2.
Figures 1a and 1b show the plot of the calculated peak area of Cu selenides from several compositions versus the [Zn]/[Sn] and [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratios. The ΣCuSe peak area was calculated as the area under the CuSe and Cu2−xSe reflections after removing the background noise in the XRD measurements and removing the contribution from Kα2 radiation (note: the peak area was not calculated after a structure refinement and hence, it is not an absolute value and does not relate to the % proportion of the phase in question).
From the available data, a correlation coefficient of −0.46 was calculated between the [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) and the peak area indicating a weak trend whereas no strict correlation was observed between [Zn]/[Sn] ratio and the calculated peak area of Cu selenides.
(a) XRD spectrum of CZTSe absorbers with increasing [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratios. (b) SEM Images of CZTSe absorbers with increasing [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratios. (c) Evolution of particle size with increasing [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio.
The reaction leading to the formation of CZTSe has been discussed in literature elsewhere . It can have one of the several pathways (1) and (2) as shown below depending on the composition and the annealing conditions. Both reactions involve the formation of binary selenides of Cu, Sn and Zn (secondary phases) due to their very low formation energies [14, 15, 16] even at temperatures below 300 °C. The presence of some of the Cu selenide phases after selenization observed in the Cu poor region suggests that the formation reaction of CZTSe is not complete, at least after 15 min of annealing at 450 °C. The CZTSe thin film layers obtained in the Cu poor region were found to contain Cu selenides in different amounts along with the active absorber layer after selenization. For further explanation on the influence of the Cu content on the physical and electrical characteristics of CZTSe solar cells, we will further analyse dataset S2 in more detail.
When the Cu content in the starting layers was increased thereby increasing the [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio in the selenized layers the proportion of Cu selenides was found to decrease as mentioned earlier and is also seen from Figure 2a. It is expected to have a lot of Cu selenides in the Cu rich domain but from XRD measurements Cu binaries were not detected (very very small value Σ value in Fig. 1b.) As the [Zn]/[Sn] ratio of the Cu rich absorbers is below 1 it is possible that the existence of Cu2Se as a stable secondary phase could have been thwarted due to the formation of Cu2SnSe3. The increase in the [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio (>1) also lead to an increase in the particle size. The word particle size used in this study indicates the respective ferret diameter of the particles measured the from SEM images. This phenomenon in Cu rich conditions has been reported elsewhere  for CZT(S,Se) thin films.
(a)–(c) Detailed peak fitting of Kesterite A modes of Cu poor CZTSe thin film absorber (d) and (e) Detailed peak fitting of Kesterite A modes of Cu rich CZTSe thin film absorber. (f) Comparison of the minority carrier lifetimes of Cu poor and Cu rich samples in this study.
Despite the advantage of being morphologically attractive, Cu rich samples never resulted in functional devices. Analysis of these samples by Raman spectroscopy revealed some useful information. Fitting the experimental data with Lorentzian using Origin 2015 Analysis software it can be seen that for the Cu poor absorbers (Figs. 3a–3c) except the main modes at 173 cm-1 and 196 cm-1 no additional features were observed. Peak fitting of the experimental data for shows Kesterite A modes clearly along with an additional shoulder like feature at 168.5 cm-1 in the Cu rich samples (Figs. 3d and 3e). The peak at 191.4 cm-1 was included to improve the goodness of the fitting procedure. The regression coefficient for the fitting with 3 Lorentzians was almost 1 whereas with 2 Lorentzians it was much lower than 1. Similarly for the Cu rich CZTSe thin films using 4 Lorentzians resulted in a regression coefficient of almost 1 compared to 3 Lorentzians.
(a) and (b) Illuminated I-V curves of CZTSe solar cells fabricated with and without KCN etching step. (c) and (d) AES depth profiling of the same cells. (e) and (f) graphical schematic showing the amount of Cu selenide secondary phase in the 2 solar cells.
In literature the shoulder like feature has been associated with the presence of defects in the crystalline lattice or in some cases these bands arise from non-center phonons, which become active by the relaxation of the quasi crystalline momentum conservation law, caused by the breakage of the crystalline symmetry. In general, either point or extended defects can be responsible for such activation of non-center phonons leading to a characteristic shoulder on the high or low frequency region . This could be an indication of a defective CZTSe phase that forms under Cu rich conditions .
The minority carrier lifetime extracted from time resolved photoluminescence measurement performed on these samples is shown in Figure 3f. The minority carrier lifetimes were measured at room temperature. The minority carrier lifetime is derived using a two exponential fit to the photoluminescence decay curve. The slower decay time usually is considered as the minority carrier lifetime . It can be seen that the carrier lifetimes are very low for the Cu rich samples in comparison with the lifetime of the other Cu poor samples. The exact reason for the very low lifetimes remains unknown, but probably involves electronic defect states.
In order to understand the effect of the Cu selenides on CZTSe devices, we selected 2 Cu poor compositions (as no working devices could be obtained from Cu rich) which have a [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio of 0.76 and 0.77 in the thin film after selenization. The same 5 × 5cm2 metallic stack that was selenized at 450 °C for both compositions was cut in 2 pieces and one of them was processed into a full solar cell without the KCN etching step while the other half was processed with the KCN etching step. The illuminated IV curves are shown in Figures 4a and 4b for comparison. The solar cell processed without the KCN step suffered from low shunt resistances (4 times lower) and a lower Voc than the solar cell that had the KCN etching step. Also Figures 4e and 4f show the presence of CuSe after KCN etching in these devices. The variation in FF in the 2 solar cells is due to the change in the Shunt resistance. Similar to the change in shunt resistance, the secondary phases shown (CuSe and SnSe) could also act as potential recombination centers thereby decreasing the Voc.
It seems logical to increase the KCN etching time to achieve complete removal of these phases but longer KCN etching times are associated with a progressive decrease of the FF of the solar cells when increasing the treatment duration from 30 s to 300 s as reported by Buffiere et al. . Hence, keeping this in mind longer etching times were avoided.
The AES depth profile of a 6.7% solar cell (KCN etched) shown in Figure 4c shows a clear increase in the Cu and Se signals compared to the Sn and Zn signals which keep going down at the same time. A small but an observable increase in the Cu and Se signals in the absorber at the backside at the same time can indicate the presence of an inclusion like CuSe along with CZTSe. As the amount of this phase is not so high only a small difference could be observed.
Similarly the depth profile of the 6.2% device (KCN etched) seen in Figure 4d shows an increase in the Sn and Se signals compared to the Cu and Zn signals which keep going down at the same time. A small but an observable increase in the Sn and Se signals in the absorber at the backside at the same time can indicate the presence of an inclusion like SnSe along with CZTSe.
From the depth profiles of these 2 high performance devices obtained in this study shown here it is fair enough to say that secondary phases that are responsible for this shunting behavior (CuSe or SnSe) are present most likely towards the backside of the completed device. Given that the absorber is Cu poor, if these secondary phases had segregated near the surface it would have been etched by KCN quite considerably. Since this did not take place CuSe might exist as a buried phase in the active absorber in Cu poor conditions. As KCN etching will not help in overcoming this problem another alternative has to be sought after.
Schematic showing the evolution of particle size with temperature for different [Cu]/[Zn] + [Sn] ratios. (The ferret diameter could not be measured for the CZTSe absorber with [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio 0.77 and hence, it is not shown here).
(a) XRD spectrum of CZTSe thin film absorber with [Cu]/[Zn] + [Sn] ratio of 0.84 selenized at 450 °C, 480 °C and 500 °C. (b) Section showing the disappearance of the intense (001) peak of SnSe2. (c) XRD spectrum of CZTSe thin film absorber with [Cu]/[Zn] + [Sn] ratio of 0.76 selenized at 450 °C, 480 °C and 500 °C.
During the processing of the absorber the selenization temperature was found to have the same effect as Cu rich films on the grain growth. When the selenization temperature was increased from 450 °C to 500 °C the measured grain size of CZTSe (measured as the ferret diameter) also showed an increase. Figure 5 clearly illustrates this observation on the data set S2.
As Cu rich films did not result in good devices, and all other Cu poor CZTSe absorbers selenized at temperatures 480 °C and 500 °C peeled off after KCN etching except the ones with 0.84 and 0.76 further discussion within this section is limited to these two absorbers. Figures 6a and 6c show the XRD measurements of these CZTSe absorbers. Figure 6a shows the XRD spectrum of the CZTSe thin film layer with [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio of 0.84 along with SnSe2 secondary phase indexed within the measurement range at 450 °C. As the selenization temperature was increased from 450 °C. the disappearance of SnSe2 binary phase can be observed. The intense (001) peak, the (011) and the (003) peaks of SnSe2 completely disappears at 480 °C itself as evidenced from the Figure 6b.
(a) and (c) Illuminated IV curves of CZTSe solar cells with a [Cu]/[Zn] + [Sn] ratio of 0.84 and 0.76 selenized at 450 °C and 480 °C repsectively (b) and (d). External Quantum efficiency curves of CZTSe solar cells with a Cu]/[Zn] + [Sn] ratio of 0.84 and 0.76 selenized at 450 °C and 480 °C repsectively.
Figure 6c shows the XRD spectrum of the CZTSe thin film layer with [Cu]/([Zn] + [Sn]) ratio of 0.76. At 450 °C the presence of CuSe, SnSe and CuxSe (probably in small amounts) along with CZTSe can be observed. With the increase in the selenization temperature the secondary phases were found to react reaching completion identical to the CZTSe absorber discussed formerly. Applying the phase diagram of CZTS discussed in  to the pure selenide we can find out that except ZnSe, all other phases seen from the XRD measurements of these thin film layers phases such as Cu2−xSe (stable in the Cu rich region) and SnSe2 (stable in the Sn rich region) are not the stable secondary phases in the Cu poor and Zn rich regions. Hence, an increase in the selenization temperature helps in improving the kinetics of the overall reaction enabling complete reaction of all the binary selenides that are present at 450 °C and below.
This effect of selenization temperature is also reflected in the solar cell performance. Figures 7a and 7c show the illuminated IV curves of the solar cells made from the absorbers with [Cu]/[Zn] + [Sn] ratios of 0.84 and 0.76. The solar cells which were processed with CZTSe selenized at a higher temperature showed a better overall performance. From Figures 7b and 7d we see that the carrier collection efficiency has significantly improved for solar cells processed with CZTSe selenized at 480 °C pointing out clearly that higher selenization temperatures are needed for obtaining higher efficiencies in CZTSe based solar cells but the problem of delamination of the active absorber material processed at higher temperatures during the KCN etching step is a real limitation in achieving this. The delamination after KCN etching could arise due to the poor adhesion of the absorbers at the Mo backside interface at higher temperatures but addressing such issues is beyond the scope of this work.
The effects of varying the Cu content during the processing of CZTSe absorbers and varying the selenization temperature were investigated. While Cu rich samples turn out to be an interesting option due to their attractive grain morphology, very low lifetimes and electronic defect states lead to nonfunctional devices. As already shown in all previous literature data, we reconfirm the finding that the best composition range for making good devices seems to be Cu poor between 0.75 and 0.85 for a Zn rich interval 1.1–1.2. In this composition range we have been able to make solar cell devices with an efficiency of up to 7%. But even in this composition interval numerous secondary phases could be observed, which shows that the formation reaction for CZTSe is not complete. Nevertheless it was also found that, the amount of secondary phases in this region can be strongly decreased by increasing the selenization temperature most likely at the expense of exacerbating the adhesion between the Mo/CZTSe interface. Hence, obtaining CZTSe absorbers at higher temperatures in the right composition window and ensuring good adhesion between the absorber and the backside metal is a meaningful direction to proceed in, to obtain a good quality CZTSe absorber and eventually solar cells.
International Center for Diffraction Data: CZTSe – 04-010-6295; MoSe2 – 04-004-8782; SnSe: 04-009-2274; SnSe2: 01-089-2939; ZnSe: 04-015-0312; CuSe: 00-049-1456; Cu1.8Se: 04-004-4729;Cu2Se: 00-029-0575; Cu2SnSe3: 04-012-4693; Mo: 01-088-2331.
This research is partially funded by the Flemish government, Department Economy, Science and Innovation. We would like to acknowledge Flamac at Gent for the sputter-deposition of the metal layers.
Cite this article as: Sylvester Sahayaraj, Guy Brammertz, Marie Buffière, Marc Meuris, Jef Vleugels, Jef Poortmans, Effect of Cu content and temperature on the properties of Cu2 ZnSnSe4 solar cells, EPJ Photovoltaics 7, 70304 (2016).


text:
var assert = require('assert');

module.exports = function() {};

module.exports.prototype = {

    configure: function(requireAlphabetizedVarDeclarations) {
        assert(
            typeof requireAlphabetizedVarDeclarations === 'boolean',
            'requireAlphabetizedVarDeclarations option requires boolean'
        );
        assert(
            requireAlphabetizedVarDeclarations === true,
            'requireAlphabetizedVarDeclarations option requires true value or should be removed'
        );

        this._requireAlphabetizedVarDeclarations = requireAlphabetizedVarDeclarations;
    },

    getOptionName: function() {
        return 'requireAlphabetizedVarDeclarations';
    },

    check: function(file, errors) {
        var nodesToScan = [];

        // Iterate through each function declaration inside the file. Add each
        // node to the list of nodes that will be scanned.
        file.iterateNodesByType(['FunctionDeclaration', 'FunctionExpression'], function(functionNode) {
            nodesToScan.push(functionNode.body.body);
        });

        // Return the string with the first letter as it was and the rest of the
        // letters in lowecase.
        function toLowerCaseAfterFirstLetter(string) {
            return string.substr(0, 1) + string.substr(1).toLowerCase();
        }

        // Check variables are in alphabetical order. This will ignore case after
        // the first letter by use of `toLowerCaseAfterFirstLetter`.
        function checkVariables(variableName, previousVariableName) {
            if (variableName.substr(0, 1) === '$' && previousVariableName === previousVariableName.toUpperCase()) {
                // If this variable starts with a $ and the previous is all
                // caps, then the previous is a constant and this should return
                // `true`.
                return true;
            }

            // Ignore case after the first letter of both variables.
            variableName = toLowerCaseAfterFirstLetter(variableName);
            previousVariableName = toLowerCaseAfterFirstLetter(previousVariableName);

            return variableName > previousVariableName;
        }

        // Create custom iterator to prevent needing lodash or underscore.
        function each(obj, iterator, context) {
            var key;

            if (obj === null || typeof obj === 'undefined') {
                return obj;
            }

            for (key in obj) {
                if (obj.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
                    iterator.call(context, obj[key], key, obj);
                }
            }

            return obj;
        }

        // Define function to scan a node. If child blocks are found, they will
        // be added to the nodesToScan stack.
        function checkNode(node) {
            // Define the previous variable name.
            var previousVariableName;

            // Loop through each childNode inside this node.
            each(node, function(childNode) {
                var childNodeType = childNode.type;
                var childNodeDeclarations;

                if (childNodeType === 'VariableDeclaration') {
                    // This is a variable declaration. Each declaration can
                    // declare multiple variables (var a, b;), so loop through
                    // all of them.

                    if (childNode.declarations) {
                        childNodeDeclarations = childNode.declarations;
                    } else if (childNode.body) {
                        childNodeDeclarations = childNode.body;
                    } else {
                        throw new Error('no children');
                    }

                    each(childNode.declarations, function(declaration) {
                        // Save the variable name.
                        var variableName = declaration.id.name;

                        if (typeof previousVariableName !== 'undefined') {
                            // This is at least the second variable in the block.
                            if (!checkVariables(variableName, previousVariableName)) {
                                errors.add(
                                    'Var declarations should be in alphabetical order (\'' + previousVariableName + '\' found before \'' + variableName + '\')',
                                    declaration.parentNode.loc.start
                                );
                            }
                        }

                        previousVariableName = declaration.id.name;
                    });
                }
            });
        }

        while (nodesToScan.length > 0) {
            checkNode(nodesToScan.pop());
        }
    }
};


I am trying to simulate a LDAP server timing out.  I'm setting the options LDAP_OPT_NETWORK_TIMEOUT and LDAP_OPT_TIMELIMIT, but the script runs indefinitely without timing out.
If I run the below script in a second ssh session, it runs forever and never times out.
Is there a way to have this script timeout after a certain number of seconds?
Script times out in 3 seconds.
I launched «nc -l 1234» in a shell, in an other one the PHP script, I only got «PHP Warning:  ldap_bind(): Unable to bind to server: Can't contact LDAP server in /tmp/test.php on line 8» immediatly, not even after 3 seconds.
I meant I replaced it by «$ldap = ldap_connect('localhost', 1234);», sorry.
Ok, got it, I had to do «nc -l -p 1234» instead of «nc -l 1234».
LDAP_OPT_NETWORK_TIMEOUT is for socket level timeout, in your test there is no such thing as the nc is indeed listening on the socket.
What you need is LDAP_OPT_TIMEOUT from openldap, which is not available yet in PHP.
So I'm gonna add this to php-ldap as it seems usefull.
I added support for LDAP_OPT_TIMEOUT, please check that it fixes your problem.


text:
#ifndef GRPC_CORE_LIB_RESOLVER_SERVER_ADDRESS_H
#define GRPC_CORE_LIB_RESOLVER_SERVER_ADDRESS_H

#include <grpc/support/port_platform.h>

#include <stddef.h>
#include <stdint.h>

#include <map>
#include <memory>
#include <string>
#include <vector>

#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
#include "src/core/lib/gpr/useful.h"
#include "src/core/lib/iomgr/resolved_address.h"

namespace grpc_core {

//
// ServerAddress
//

// A server address is a grpc_resolved_address with an associated set of
// channel args.  Any args present here will be merged into the channel
// args when a subchannel is created for this address.
class ServerAddress {
 public:
  // Base class for resolver-supplied attributes.
  // Unlike channel args, these attributes don't affect subchannel
  // uniqueness or behavior.  They are for use by LB policies only.
  //
  // Attributes are keyed by a C string that is unique by address, not
  // by value.  All attributes added with the same key must be of the
  // same type.
  class AttributeInterface {
   public:
    virtual ~AttributeInterface() = default;

    // Creates a copy of the attribute.
    virtual std::unique_ptr<AttributeInterface> Copy() const = 0;

    // Compares this attribute with another.
    virtual int Cmp(const AttributeInterface* other) const = 0;

    // Returns a human-readable representation of the attribute.
    virtual std::string ToString() const = 0;
  };

  // Takes ownership of args.
  ServerAddress(const grpc_resolved_address& address, const ChannelArgs& args,
                std::map<const char*, std::unique_ptr<AttributeInterface>>
                    attributes = {});
  ServerAddress(const void* address, size_t address_len,
                const ChannelArgs& args,
                std::map<const char*, std::unique_ptr<AttributeInterface>>
                    attributes = {});

  // Copyable.
  ServerAddress(const ServerAddress& other);
  ServerAddress& operator=(const ServerAddress& other);

  // Movable.
  ServerAddress(ServerAddress&& other) noexcept;
  ServerAddress& operator=(ServerAddress&& other) noexcept;

  bool operator==(const ServerAddress& other) const { return Cmp(other) == 0; }

  int Cmp(const ServerAddress& other) const;

  const grpc_resolved_address& address() const { return address_; }
  const ChannelArgs& args() const { return args_; }

  const AttributeInterface* GetAttribute(const char* key) const;

  // Returns a copy of the address with a modified attribute.
  // If the new value is null, the attribute is removed.
  ServerAddress WithAttribute(const char* key,
                              std::unique_ptr<AttributeInterface> value) const;

  // TODO(ctiller): Prior to making this a public API we should ensure that the
  // channel args are not part of the generated string, lest we make that debug
  // format load-bearing via Hyrum's law.
  std::string ToString() const;

 private:
  grpc_resolved_address address_;
  ChannelArgs args_;
  std::map<const char*, std::unique_ptr<AttributeInterface>> attributes_;
};

//
// ServerAddressList
//

using ServerAddressList = std::vector<ServerAddress>;

//
// ServerAddressWeightAttribute
//
class ServerAddressWeightAttribute : public ServerAddress::AttributeInterface {
 public:
  static const char* kServerAddressWeightAttributeKey;

  explicit ServerAddressWeightAttribute(uint32_t weight) : weight_(weight) {}

  uint32_t weight() const { return weight_; }

  std::unique_ptr<AttributeInterface> Copy() const override {
    return std::make_unique<ServerAddressWeightAttribute>(weight_);
  }

  int Cmp(const AttributeInterface* other) const override {
    const auto* other_locality_attr =
        static_cast<const ServerAddressWeightAttribute*>(other);
    return QsortCompare(weight_, other_locality_attr->weight_);
  }

  std::string ToString() const override;

 private:
  uint32_t weight_;
};

}  // namespace grpc_core

#endif /* GRPC_CORE_LIB_RESOLVER_SERVER_ADDRESS_H */


Sjava Iqhawe. Ambitiouz Entertainments rapper called Sjava releases another new song titled Iqhawe, Sjava drops the song as the fourth song in the newly released Extended Play [EP] titled Umphako. The project was Sjava's second project in the Label Imprint Ambitiouz.


text:
Petr Hejduk (24. srpna 1949 – 10. května 1995) byl český bubeník a zdravotník, známý především ze svého působení ve skupinách Olympic a Balet.

Osobní život
Vystudoval Pražskou konzervatoř. Do roku 1970 hrál ve skupině Golden Kids, která byla jejími členy rozpuštěna poté, co Marta Kubišová obdržela zákaz veřejného vystupování. Petr Janda mu nabídl místo v kapele Olympic, místo Jana Antonína Pacáka, v níž setrval patnáct let (1971–1985). Na některých písních se podílel autorsky. Ze skupiny odešel k 17. prosinci 1985.

V roce 1986 založil s Jindřichem Malíkem vlastní skupinu Balet, ve které krátce působila také zpěvačka Iveta Bartošová, tu po jejím odchodu nahradila Blanka Šrůmová. V roce 1988 se rozhodl odejít z hudebního světa.

Od mládí chtěl studovat lékařství, ale otec filharmonik jej přesvědčil ke studiu hudby. Po opuštění hudební kariéry absolvoval zdravotnický kurz a v roce 1990 začal pracovat jako řidič-zdravotník na zdravotnické záchranné službě.

10. května 1995 podlehl rakovině. Téhož roku Olympic k jeho památce vydal album Olympic – Petr Hejduk, které obsahuje jeho písně.

Oldřich Zámostný vydal 8. května 2015 album Petr Hejduk – Ten den v omezeném nákladu 300 kusů.

Odkazy

Poznámky

Reference

Externí odkazy

 Bláznům zatím nezpívá, Nedělní expres, 7.–8. 11. 1992
 Host Rádia Dyje – skupina Olympic, in: Radio Dyje, Simona Navrátilová, bestia.cz, 15. 4. 2009

Čeští bubeníci
Čeští hudební skladatelé
Členové Olympicu
Narození 24. srpna
Úmrtí 10. května
Narození v roce 1949
Úmrtí v roce 1995
Zemřelí na nádorová onemocnění
Muži