Association of depression with sexual function in women with history of recurrent pregnancy Loss:descriptive-correlational study in Tehran, Iran

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between depression and sexual function in women with recurrent pregnancy loss. Methods: In a cross-sectional correlational study, 130 consecutive patients with history of recurrent pregnancy loss were included who referred to Avicenna Fertility Center in Tehran, Iran during November 2018-February 2019. The outcomes were sexual dysfunction (Assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index) and depression (Evaluated with the Beck's Depression Inventory). The study data were analyzed by using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The study findings revealed that 40.8% of the participants suffered from some degrees of depression. The data analysis revealed that depression had a significant inverse correlation with sexual function and its domains (r = - 0.392, p < 0.001, R2= 0.15). The spouse' education level and economic status demonstrated a significant relationship with women's sexual function (p = 0.01, p = 0.033). A significant relationship was also detected between women's depression and economic status (p = 0.028). Conclusions: The study findings showed that women with RPL who had severe depression indicated lower score of sexual function. Since psychological and sexual problems are not reported to health care providers due to giving priority to fertility issues or considering such issues as taboos, the assessment of sexual and mental health needs to be part of the consultation in women with history of RPL, whether the patient seeks help for depression and sexual dysfunction or not

Individual Predictors of Autonomous Vehicle Public Acceptance and Intention to Use: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Fully autonomous vehicles (AV) would potentially be one of the most disruptive technologies of our time. The extent of the prospective benefits of AVs is strongly linked to how widely they will be accepted and adopted. Monitoring and tracking of individuals’ reactions and intentions to use AVs are critical. The current study aims to explore and classify individual predictors (i.e., influential factors or determinants) of public acceptance of, and intention to use AVs, by conducting a systematic literature review and developing a conceptual framework to map out the individual influential factors that shape public attitudes towards AVs, which influence user acceptance and adoption preferences. This framework contains the key factors identified in the systematic review—i.e., demographic, psychological, and mobility behavior characteristics. The findings of the review disclose that public perceptions and adoption intentions vary significantly among different socio-demographic cohorts. Commuters value different aspects concerning AVs, which shape their intentions on acceptance and adoption. Thus, direct experience with AVs along with education and communication would be helpful to change people’s attitudes towards AVs in a positive way. The study informs urban and transport policymakers, managers, and planners, and helps in planning for a healthy AV adoption process with minimal societal disruption

Challenges and opportunities in the adoption of autonomous demand responsive transit (ADRT) by adult residents of South East Queensland

This project examined how the South East Queensland adult residents’ demographic profiles influence their current mobility behaviour, perceptions, and adoption of autonomous shuttle buses. The method includes an online stated preference survey distributed across urban and peri-urban areas, complemented by a wide-ranging review of prior global studies, descriptive and ordinal/binary logistic regression analysis, and partial least structural equation modelling. The findings were validated through qualitative study by interviewing transport experts. The research findings provide comprehensive insights to assist policymakers, transport planners and engineers in their policy decisions and system plans contributing to the wider uptake of ADRT technology solutions

Navigating autonomous demand responsive transport: stakeholder perspectives on deployment and adoption challenges

As cities implement intelligent systems and public transportation users seek flexibility, autonomous demand-responsive transport (ADRT) will play an important role in a region’s broader public transportation system. We have seen this in cities where trials have been conducted. Great efforts and investments are being made in the industrial and academic sectors to make autonomous driving a reality. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities of adopting ADRT in South East Queensland, Australia. This is critical as ADRT can help be an alternative way to provide public transport, especially for first and last-mile service. The adapted methodology is an exploratory qualitative study through interviews with transport experts to provide comprehensive insights regarding the ADRT service concept, potential customer groups in terms of the supply and the demand side, potential use cases, followed by an explanation of the ADRT deployment and adoption challenges in terms of the supply side and the demand side. Accordingly, we offer recommendations mainly contributing to mindset change, education and exposure, subsidies and incentives, liability and insurance that can support policymakers, transport planners, and engineers in making effective policy choices and developing successful transportation systems, while also increasing public recognition and adoption of ADRT technology.</p