Sexual quality of life and sexual self-efficacy among women during reproductive-menopausal transition stages and postmenopause: a comparative study

Sexual self-efficacy is essential for appropriate and desirable sexual function and sexual quality of life. This study aimed to compare sexual quality of life and sexual self-efficacy among women during reproductive-menopausal transition stages and postmenopause. This was a cross-sectional study of a sample of Iranian women. The sexual quality of life-female (SQOL-F) scale was used to measure sexual quality of life (SQOL) and sexual self-efficacy (SSE) was measured using the sexual self-efficacy questionnaire (SSEQ). Data were compared between the study groups using multiple linear regression. In all 340 women (170 in reproductive-menopausal transition stages and 170 postmenopause) were studied. The mean ages of reproductive-menopausal transition stages and postmenopausal women was 30.8 ± 6.55 and 56.3 ± 3.54 respectively (P < 0.001). Sexual self-efficacy and sexual quality of life were found to be significantly higher in reproductive-menopausal transition stages compared with postmenopause women (P < 0.001 and P = 0.017 respectively). Sexual and relationship satisfaction and sexual repression subscales differed significantly between the two groups (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively). Higher sexual self-efficacy contributed to higher sexual quality of life (P < 0.0001). Reproductive-menopausal transition stages women appear to enjoy higher levels of sexual self-efficacy and sexual quality of life. Given the importance of sexual quality of life, it is recommended to pay greater attention to sexual self-efficacy among postmenopausal women in order to improve sexual quality of life in this population.

How Do Non-driving-related Tasks Affect Engagement Under Highly Automated Driving Situations? A Literature Review

Driving automation has become a trending topic over the past decade, as recent technical and technological improvements have created hope for a possible short-term release of partially automated vehicles. Several research teams have been exploring driver performance during control transitions performed under highly automated driving (i.e., while resuming manual driving, when facing a critical situation for instance). In this paper, we present a state of the art of studies dealing with control transitions as well as the concept of non-driving-related task (NDRT) engagement. More specifically, we aim to provide a global view on how task engagement is investigated in the literature. Two main utilisations of task engagement emerged from our literature review: its manipulation as independent variable to vary the driver’s engagement state before a control transition, and its measurement as dependent variable to compare its variation to driving behaviour variables during a control transition. Furthermore, we propose a new perspective on control transition, which was so far studied through a techno-centric approach; research works were indeed designed in function of the system state. Our article suggests a more cognitive-centred view by taking in account the evolution of engagement mechanisms along control transition stages. Finally, we provide a categorisation of engagement mechanisms’ variables involved during these different stages, with a view to facilitate future investigations on the driver’s engagement state during this crucial phase of highly automated driving.

Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594) Life Cycle: Myzocytosis and Possible Links to the Origin of Intracellular Parasitism

Colpodella species are free living bi-flagellated protists that prey on algae and bodonids in a process known as myzocytosis. Colpodella species are phylogenetically related to Apicomplexa. We investigated the life cycle of Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594) to understand the timing, duration and the transition stages of Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594). Sam-Yellowe’s trichrome stains for light microscopy, confocal and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy was performed to identify cell morphology and determine cross reactivity of Plasmodium species and Toxoplasma gondii specific antibodies against Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594) proteins. The ultrastructure of Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594) was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The duration of Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594) life cycle is thirty-six hours. Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594) were most active between 20–28 h. Myzocytosis is initiated by attachment of the Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594) pseudo-conoid to the cell surface of Parabodo caudatus, followed by an expansion of microtubules at the attachment site and aspiration of the prey’s cytoplasmic contents. A pre-cyst formed at the conclusion of feeding differentiates into a transient or resting cyst. Both DIC and TEM microscopy identified asynchronous and asymmetric mitosis in Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594) cysts. Knowledge of the life cycle and stages of Colpodella sp. (ATCC 50594) will provide insights into the development of intracellular parasitism among the apicomplexa.

Enabling Ideas for Inclusive Post-Pandemic Scenarios

The COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered as the most severe medical threat of last decades, which forced billions of people to live in isolation and alienating conditions while millions have lost their lives. So far, the design interventions created to contrast the pandemic have been largely focused on the design of products for personal use (i.e. PPE), which however will not be very effective in the long run. In post-pandemic scenarios, designers will be asked to create new enabling solutions to foster socially inclusive and sustainable ‘new normalities’. These solutions will play a fundamental role in the transition toward future sustainable and inclusive living conditions. This paper proposes three inclusive-oriented design scenarios containing some promising design ideas conceived to enhance the social and sustainable qualities of living places and communities. Later, a number of promising testing grounds will be listed for immediate interventions in the postpandemic’s transition stages.

The Transformation of Ice-Candy-Man: Account of Partition Trauma in Cracking India

This article aims to unveil the capricious transformation of the key figure, Ice-Candy-Man (named Dilnawaz) and the riotous traumatic impact of the Partition of India on his personality in Cracking India. The most arousing, poignant, efficacious figure Ice-Candy-Man of Bapsi Sidhwa’s magnum opus Cracking India traps the mind of the readers. Sidhwa, the original mark and a victim of the Partition in 1947, had sensed the brutal incidents which impaled her heart with pathos and enforced her to pen it down by presenting vivacious, colorful characters with autobiographical touches. The Ice-Candy-Man appears with a different disguise each time. Why did Sidhwa characterize him in such a specific and dynamic manner? His gestures, speech and even his transition stages and his every next footstep are the symbols and metaphors of the changing society during the traumatic events of Partition—they denote how an individual turns his course of life. His act of transformation is the core to unlocking Sidhwa’s magical world. Without analyzing the Ice-Candy-Man, all endeavors to interpret Sidhwa’s messages are futile.