Contraceptive use and sexual function: a comparison of Italian female medical students and women attending family planning services

Objectives: The aims of the study were to understand how education relates to contraceptive choice and how sexual function can vary in relation to the use of a contraceptive method. Methods: We surveyed female medical students and women attending a family planning service (FPS) in Italy. Participants completed an online questionnaire which asked for information on sociodemographics, lifestyle, sexuality and contraceptive use and also included items of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results: The questionnaire was completed by 413 women (362 students and 51 women attending the FPS) between the ages of 18 and 30 years. FSFI scores revealed a lower risk of sexual dysfunction among women in the control group who did not use oral hormonal contraception. The differences in FSFI total scores between the two study groups, when subdivided by the primary contraceptive method used, was statistically significant (p < 0.005). Women using the vaginal ring had the lowest risk of sexual dysfunction, compared with all other women, and had a positive sexual function profile. In particular, the highest FSFI domain scores were lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction, also among the control group. Expensive contraception, such as long-acting reversible contraception, was not preferred by this young population, even though such methods are more contemporary and manageable. Compared with controls, students had lower compliance with contraception and a negative attitude towards voluntary termination of pregnancy. Conclusion: Despite their scientific knowledge, Italian female medical students were found to need sexual and contraceptive assistance. A woman's sexual function responds to her awareness of her body and varies in relation to how she is guided in her contraceptive choice. Contraceptive counselling is an excellent means to improve female sexuality

Procedura automatica per lo studio dei segnali registrati da una stazione tiltmetrica

La Tiltmetria costituisce un metodo di misura in continuo della deformazione del suolo attraverso il monitoraggio delle variazioni di inclinazione nel tempo sia in ampiezza che in direzione ed è particolarmente utilizzata nelle aree vulcaniche e sismogenetiche attive [Wyatt et al., 1988; Ricco et al., 1991; Ricco et al., 2000; Ricco et al., 2003; Ricco et al., 2007]. La rete tiltmetrica gestita dalla Sezione Osservatorio Vesuviano dell’ INGV è composta da 7 stazioni in registrazione continua ai Campi Flegrei, 5 delle quali (DMA, DMB, DMC, BAI ed OLB) sono equipaggiate con sensori di superficie e 2 (OLB e TOI) anche con sensori borehole; al Vesuvio invece esistono 2 stazioni con sensori di superficie (OVO e CMD) (fig. 1) [Aquino et al., 2006]

Ground tilt monitoring at Phlegraean Fields (Italy): a methodological approach

Among geodetic methods used for monitoring ground deformation in volcanic areas, tiltmetry represents the most rapid technique and therefore it is used by almost all the volcanological observatories in the world. The deformation of volcanic building is not only the result of endogenous causes (i.e. dykes injection or magma rising), but also non-tectonic environmental factors. Such troubles cannot be removed completely but they can be reduce. This article outlines the main source of errors affecting the signals recorded by Phlegraean tilt, network, such as the dependence of the tilt response on temperature and to the thermoelastic effect on ground deformation. The analytical procedure used to evaluate about such errors and their reduction is explained. An application to data acquired from the tilt network during two distinct phases of ground uplift and subsidence of the Phlegraean Fields is reported

Monitoraggio geodetico dell’area vulcanica napoletana: risultati della livellazione geometrica di precisione eseguita ai Campi Flegrei a settembre 2008

Lo studio ed ilmonitoraggio deimovimenti verticali del suolo ai Campi Flegrei (Italy) sono effettuati con continuità da oltre 30 anni, operando su linee di livellazioni preesistenti istituite e/o ampliate da vari Enti a partire dal 1905 (IGM, Genio Civile e lo stesso INGV- NA Oss. Vesuviano). Attraverso i dati rilevati dal 1970 ad oggi sono state acquisite molte informazioni sulla deformazione del suolo durante le varie fasi di bradisismo discendente e ascendente ed attualmente si dispone di un importante data-base che può essere integrato con i risultati ottenuti dalle altre metodologie geodetiche. In questa nota presentiamo i risultati della campagna di livellazione geometrica di precisione eseguita su alcuni tratti della rete altimetrica dei Campi Flegrei nel Settembre 2008. Dopo la fase di lento sollevamento, iniziata nel 2004 e culminata alla fine del 2006 con un valore massimo di 55 mm rilevato a Pozzuoli (Lungomare Pertini) al caposaldo n. 23, nell’area flegrea è ripresa una fase di lenta subsidenza caratterizzata da una evidente decelerazione durante il 2008 rispetto all’anno precedente. Per delineare meglio e dettagliare l’attuale fase del bradisismo flegreo, si è ritenuto utile effettuare il confronto tra i dati altimetrici acquisiti nelle ultime 3 campagne (2006, 2007 e 2008) da cui è emersa una evidente disomogeneità del campo di spostamento verticale osservato

The spectroscopic evolution of the γ\gamma-ray emitting classical nova Nova Mon 2012. I. Implications for the ONe subclass of classical novae

Nova Mon 2012 was the first classical nova to be detected as a high energy $\gamma$-ray transient, by Fermi-LAT, before its optical discovery. We study a time sequence of high resolution optical echelle spectra (Nordic Optical Telescope) and contemporaneous NOT, STIS UV, and CHIRON echelle spectra (Nov 20/21/22). We use [O III] and H$\beta$ line fluxs to constrain the properties of the ejecta. We derive the structure from the optical and UV line profiles and compare our measured line fluxes for with predictions using Cloudy with abundances from other ONe novae. Mon 2012 is confirmed as an ONe nova. We find E(B-V)=0.85$\pm$0.05 and hydrogen column density $\approx 5\times 10^{21}$ cm$^{-2}$. The corrected continuum luminosity is nearly the same in the entire observed energy range as V1974 Cyg, V382 Mon, and Nova LMC 2000 at the same epoch after outburst. The distance, about 3.6 kpc, is quite similar to V1974 Cyg. The line profiles can be modeled using an axisymmetric bipolar geometry for the ejecta with various inclinations of the axis to the line of sight, 60 \le i \le 80 degrees, an opening angle of \approx$70 deg, inner radius$\Delta R/R(t)\approx 0.4$for permitted lines and less filled for forbidden lines. The filling factor$f\approx 0.1-0.3$implying M(ejecta)$\leq 6\times 10^{-5}$M$_\odot$. The ONe novae appear to comprise a single physical class with bipolar high mass ejecta, similarly enhanced abundances, and a common spectroscopic evolution within a narrow range of luminosities. The detected$\gamma$-ray emission may be a generic phenomenon, common to all ONe novae, possibly to all classical novae, and connected with acceleration and emission processes within the ejecta (abstract severely truncated).Comment: Submitted to A&A 9/1/2013; Accepted 27/2/2013 (in press

A study of tilt change recorded from July to October 2006 at the Phlegraean Fields (Naples, Italy)

The tiltmetric dataset of Phlegraean Fields area showed a discrete correlation with the volcanic dynamics, suggesting that tiltmetric monitoring is important for the surveillance of active volcanic areas. Tilt data recorded in 2006 at 2 stations belonging to the monitoring network of the Osservatorio Vesuviano (INGV, National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology, Italy) in the Phlegraean Fields are discussed in this paper. The acquired signals have shown a strong tiltmetric inversion that took place from the end of July 2006. After correcting tilt variations to eliminate the influence of temperature (influencing 90% of the signal at OLB station, hereafter OLB) a significant value of the tilt still remains. This change is related to a local inflation episode lasting 3 months, during an unrest phase that started 2 years before. It is interesting to note that tilt amplitude is much greater at OLB than the slope of the displacement field predicted by the theoretical inflation models, but data show that this field is not homogeneous and in some areas very tilted. Moreover, in the last days before the end of tilt inversion, a low energy seismic swarm happened at about 1 km of distance from the tiltmetric station by hundreds of VT (Volcano-Tectonics) and LP (Long-Period) events

INTEGRATED ANALYSIS OF GROUND DISPLACEMENT DATA, SEISMIC ACTIVITY AND MORPHOMETRIC DATA OF THE CAMPI FLEGREI (CAMPANIA, SOUTHERN ITALY) 2000-2006 RECENT BRADYSEISMIC CRISES, IN GIS ENVIRONMENT.

In this paper the results of an integrated analysis of ground displacement data, local seismic activity and DEM image analysis, in GIS environment, which has been performed for the Campi Flegrei volcanic area, are presented and discussed. The study has been carried out for the recent bradyseismic crises of 2000-2006, with the aim of working out a preliminary interpretation of the recent dynamics of the area

Brownian motion of a charged particle driven internally by correlated noise

We give an exact solution to the generalized Langevin equation of motion of a charged Brownian particle in a uniform magnetic field that is driven internally by an exponentially-correlated stochastic force. A strong dissipation regime is described in which the ensemble-averaged fluctuations of the velocity exhibit transient oscillations that arise from memory effects. Also, we calculate generalized diffusion coefficients describing the transport of these particles and briefly discuss how they are affected by the magnetic field strength and correlation time. Our asymptotic results are extended to the general case of internal driving by correlated Gaussian stochastic forces with finite autocorrelation times.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures with subfigures, RevTeX, v2: revise

Women's views of continuity of information provided during and after pregnancy: A qualitative interview study

Straightforward transfer of care from pregnancy to the postpartum period is associated with health benefits and is desired by women worldwide. Underpinning this transfer of care is the sharing of information between healthcare professionals and the provision of consistent information to women. In this qualitative study, two aspects of continuity of information were examined; first the information passed on from midwife to health visitor regarding a woman and her baby before the health visitor meets the woman postnatally and second, the consistency of information received by women from these two healthcare professionals (the main healthcare providers during and after pregnancy in England). To be eligible for the study, women had to have had a baby in England within 12 months prior to the interview. Participants also needed to be able to read and speak English and be over 18 years old. Recruitment of participants was via word of mouth and social media. Twenty-nine mothers were interviewed of whom 19 were first time mothers. The interviews took place in the summer and autumn of 2016 and were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Framework Analysis. Two overarching themes were identified: not feeling listened to and information inconsistencies. Women reported little experience of midwives and health visitors sharing information about their care, forcing women to repeat information. This made women feel not listened to and participants recommended that healthcare professionals share information; prioritising information about labour, mental health, and chronic conditions. Women had mixed experiences regarding receiving information from midwives and health visitors, with examples of both consistent and inconsistent information received. To avoid inconsistent information, joint appointments were recommended. Findings from this study clearly suggest that better communication pathways need to be developed and effectively implemented for midwives and health visitors to improve the care that they provide to women

Fighting or supporting corruption? The role of public sector audit organizations in Brazil

Public sector audit organizations are usually expected to fight corruption. Yet they may also end up being involved in, and contributing to, sustaining corruption. Relying on multiple interviews, this paper sheds new light on the concrete mechanisms through which corruption is sustained by Brazilian regional Courts of Accounts and their members. Our findings show how politico-economic elites’ private interests infiltrate the Courts via the appointment of high-ranked officials and how those officials may resort to a variety of actions to perpetrate forms of selective justice and to weaken the audit findings of these organizations – which ends up strengthening and supporting corruption. Additionally, we provide evidence of collective action emerging to challenge the current situation and reinforce the role Courts could play as watchdogs of the public interest. We contribute to the literature by highlighting the deleterious role of the interface between political and economic interests and the functioning of audit organizations. Moreover, relying on the literature of first- and second-order corruption, we discuss the specific conditions and mechanisms which enable corruption in public audit organizations. Finally, we present practical implications providing alternative views to the status quo