Conceptualizing women's sexual function : linear vs. circular models of sexual response

Introduction. The lack of an adequate empirical base for models of female sexual response is a critical issue within the female sexual dysfunction (FSD) literature.

Aim. The current research compared the extent to which a linear model of sexual response and Basson's circular model of female sexual response represent the sexual function of women with and without FSD.

Main Outcome Measures. Women's levels of sexual function/dysfunction were assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index and additional items measured women's endorsement of models of female sexual function as representing their own sexual experience.

Methods. An anonymous online survey assessing female sexual response and associated aetiological factors was completed by a random sample of 404 women.

Results. Although the linear model of sexual response was a good fit for women with and without sexual dysfunction, the relationship between sexual arousal and orgasm was mediated by sexual desire for women with FSD. The fit of the initial circular model of women's sexual response was poor for both groups. Following pathway modification, the modified circular model adequately represented the responses of both groups and revealed that a number of the relationships between sexual response variables were stronger for women with FSD.

Conclusions. The linear model was a more accurate representation of sexual response for women with normal sexual function than women with FSD and sexual arousal and orgasm was mediated by sexual desire for women with FSD. The modified circular model was a more accurate representation of the sexual response of women with FSD than women with normal sexual function.

Using a circular grid for offline handwritten character recognition

Offline handwritten recognition is more challenging as indicated by the recognition technologies. This study demonstrates significantly higher rates recognition when compared with other comparable studies. In this paper, we present a circular grid zoning method applied on Polar transformation recognition system. It compares the circular grid zoning (CGZ) and standard zoning (SZ) feature extraction method on Polar and Cartesian coordinate system. We report recognition rates of 92.3%, which are considerably higher than previous studies of zoning based Polar transformation system (86.6%) and zoning based Cartesian recognition system (80.6%). Based on the finding, we propose that our circular grid zoning based Polar transformation system may provide improved classification rates for complex offline handwritten recognition.

Electromagnetic energy harvesting in a head-mountable DBS device using a circular PIFA

A circular planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) is designed and simulated at the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band of 915 MHz for energy harvesting in a head-mountable deep brain stimulation device. Moreover, a rectifier is designed, and also the interaction of the PIFA with a rat head model is investigated. In the proposed PIFA, the top radiating layer is meandered, and a substrate of FR-4 is used. The radius and the height of the antenna are 10 mm and 1.8 mm, respectively. The bottom conductive layer works as a ground plate, and a superstrate of polyethylene reduces the electromagnetic penetration into the rat head. The resonance frequency of the designed antenna is 915 MHz with a bandwidth of 18 MHz at the return loss of -10 dB in free space. The antenna parameters (e.g. reflection coefficient, gain, radiation efficiency), electric field distribution, and SAR value are evaluated within a seven-layer rat head model by using the finite difference time domain EM simulation software XFdtd. The interactions of the antenna and the rat head model are studied in both functional and biological aspects.

Circular breathing

Circular Breathing links animated architectural buildings found at Pilchuck Glass School with a glass sculptural house, enabling the glass form to appear to breath through animation.

Investigating the affective core of SWB: the circular way

 This thesis builds on premises from the subjective wellbeing homeostasis theoretical framework, and applies constructs from circumplex theories of affect. The findings inform basic affective science by using circumplex modeling and curve-fitting to identify the set-point core affective state associated with normal self-perceptions, and overall life satisfaction.