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

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

The spectroscopic evolution of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis during its 2011 outburst. II.The optically thin phase and the structure of the ejecta in recurrent novae

We continue our study of the physical properties of the recurrent nova T Pyx, focussing on the structure of the ejecta in the nebular stage of expansion during the 2011 outburst. The nova was observed contemporaneously with the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT), at high resolution spectroscopic resolution (R ~ 65000) on 2011 Oct. 11 and 2012 Apr. 8 (without absolute flux calibration), and with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope, at high resolution (R ~ 30000) on 2011 Oct. 10 and 2012 Mar. 28 (absolute fluxes). We use standard plasma diagnostics (e.g. [O III] and [N II] line ratios and the H$\beta$ line fluxes) to constrain electron densities and temperatures. Using Monte Carlo modeling of the ejecta, we derive the structure and filling factor from comparisons to the optical and ultraviolet line profiles. The ejecta can be modeled using an axisymmetric conical -- bipolar -- geometry with a low inclination of the axis to the line of sight, i=15+/-5 degrees, compatible with published results from high angular resolution optical spectro-interferometry. The structure is similar to that observed in the other short orbital period recurrent novae during their nebular stages. We show that the electron density scales as $t^{-3}$ as expected from a ballistically ejected constant mass shell; there is no need to invoke a continuing mass outflow following the eruption. The derived mass for the ejecta with filling factor f ~ 3%, M_ej ~ 2E-6$M_sun is similar to that obtained for other recurrent nova ejecta but inconsistent with the previously reported extended optically thick epoch of the explosion. We suggest that the system underwent a common envelope phase following the explosion that produced the recombination event. Implications for the dynamics of the recurrent novae are discussed. (truncated)Comment: accepted for publication in A&A (10 Nov. 2012), 10 pgs, 16 fig

Protagonists of Latin American Futures

In the absence of a coherent and convincing narrative of hope, new protagonists and their solidly responsible forms of imagining and struggling for livable futures enter the stages of parliaments, social media platforms and public spaces in cities around the world. It is precisely such spirit of collective solidarity, facing multiple crises at once, that links indigenous struggles over land and environment with the young people of the climate strike movement, as Brum has it, the “first generation without hope.” This leads to the overarching question of this theme issue: Who are the protagonists of Latin American futures? Who is imagining, writing, narrating such futures – how, when and where? In this CROLAR theme issue, we map protagonists of Latin American futures, both human and non-human, looking at the ways in which they act, create, and think futures

Protagonistas dos futuros latino-americanos

Na ausência de uma narrativa centrada na esperança que seja coerente e convincente, novos protagonistas e suas maneiras de imaginar e lutar por futuros vivos com responsabilidade sólida ocupam os palcos de parlamentos, plataformas de redes sociais e espaços públicos urbanos em todo o mundo. É precisamente este espírito de solidariedade coletiva, que enfrenta diversas crises simultâneas, que une as lutas indígenas pela demarcação de terra e proteção do meio-ambiente aos jovens do movimento contra a mudança climática – “a primeira geração sem esperança”, como já disse Brum (2019). Isto nos leva à questão norteadora desta edição: Quem são os e as protagonistas dos futuros latino-americanos? Quem está imaginando, escrevendo, narrando esses futuros – como, quando e onde? Nesta edição da CROLAR, mapeamos protagonistas de futuros latino- americanos, tanto humanos quanto não humanos, considerando como agem, criam e pensam futuros

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

Evaluation of the integration of the Wind-Induced Flutter Energy Harvester (WIFEH) into the built environment: experimental and numerical analysis

With the ubiquity of low-powered technologies and devices in the urban environment operating in every area of human activity, the development and integration of a low-energy harvester suitable for smart cities applications is indispensable. The multitude of low-energy applications extend from wireless sensors, data loggers, transmitters and other small-scale electronics. These devices function in the microWatt-milliWatt power range and will play a significant role in the future of smart cities providing power for extended operation with little or no battery dependence. This study thus aims to investigate the potential built environment integration and energy harvesting capabilities of the Wind-Induced Flutter Energy Harvester (WIFEH) – a microgenerator aimed to provide energy for low-powered applications. Low-energy harvesters such as the WIFEH are suitable for integration with wireless sensors and other small-scale electronic devices; however, there is a lack in study on this type of technology’s building integration capabilities. Hence, there is a need for investigating its potential and optimal installation conditions. This work presents the experimental investigation of the WIFEH inside a wind tunnel and a case study using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling of a building integrated with a WIFEH system. The experiments tested the WIFEH under various wind tunnel airflow speeds ranging from 2.3 to 10 m/s to evaluate the induced electromotive force generation capability of the device. The simulation used a gable-roof type building model with a 27° pitch obtained from the literature. The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flow was used for the simulation of the approach wind. The work investigates the effect of various wind speeds and WIFEH locations on the performance of the device giving insight on the potential for integration of the harvester into the built environment. The WIFEH was able to generate an RMS voltage of 3 V, peak-to-peak voltage of 8.72 V and short-circuit current of 1 mA when subjected to airflow of 2.3 m/s. With an increase of wind velocity to 5 m/s and subsequent membrane retensioning, the RMS and peak-to-peak voltages and short-circuit current also increase to 4.88 V, 18.2 V, and 3.75 mA, respectively. For the CFD modelling integrating the WIFEH into a building, the apex of the roof of the building yielded the highest power output for the device due to flow speed-up maximisation in this region. This location produced the largest power output under the 45° angle of approach, generating an estimated 62.4 mW of power under accelerated wind in device position of up to 6.2 m/s. For wind velocity (UH) of 10 m/s, wind in this position accelerated up to approximately 14.4 m/s which is a 37.5% speed-up at the particular height. This occurred for an oncoming wind 30° relative to the building facade. For UH equal to 4.7 m/s under 0° wind direction, airflows in facade edges were the fastest at 5.4 m/s indicating a 15% speed-up along the edges of the building