Oscillating decorated interfaces in parametrically driven systems.

Macroscopic systems forced by the temporal modulation of their parameters exhibit complex interfaces between symmetric states. Here we investigate the origin of the transition from a flat to an oscillating decorated interface. Based on a model that describes a magnetic plane under the influence of an oscillating magnetic field and an extended Josephson junction under the influence of an alternating current, we derive a simple model that accounts for the interface dynamics. Analytically this model allows us to reveal that this transition is a parametric resonance between the frequencies of interface modes and the forcing. Numerical simulations of magnetic systems, extended Josephson junctions, and our simplified model show quite good agreement.

Flaming 2π kinks in parametrically driven systems.

Macroscopic extended systems with dissipation and injection of energy can exhibit particlelike solutions. Dissipative kinks with an oscillatory cloak and a family of localized states that connect uniform symmetric states in a magnetic wire forced with a transversal oscillatory magnetic field and in a parametrically driven damped pendula chain are studied. The oscillatory cloak is composed of evanescent waves emitted at the kink position and generated by a resonant mechanism. These waves mediate the kink interaction and generate a family of localized states.

[The history of family planning among women who opt for surgical sterilization in the Social Security Fund of Panama]. / Historia de la planificación familiar en las mujeres que optan por la esterilización quirúrgica en la Caja de Seguro Social de Panamá.

In this study, the previous history of family planning and prior usage of contraceptive methods are analyzed, in a sample of 175 women who voluntarily opted for surgical sterilization as a permanent method of fertility regulation, in the Panamanian Social Security System. A questionnaire was applied during the second trimester of pregnancy, by which information would be gathered in regard to knowledge, usage and adverse effects of the contraceptive methods used prior to the intervention. Results showed that 99% of the sample had heard, on some occasion about oral contraceptives (OC) and, in lesser proportion to intrauterine devices (IUD), barrier methods and hormonal inyectables. The first contraceptive method used, and the one of longest usage, was the combined OC, of which 43% begun between 17 and 25 years of age. In contrast, 7.4% initiated contraception with IUD, from the age of 26 years. The health personnel constituted the major source of recommendation for contraceptive usage and, despite the fact that 37% of the sample did not use contraception prior to the last pregnancy, over half of the subjects responded that combined OC were considered as the most secure method.

Historia de la planificación familiar en las mujeres que optan por la esterilización quirúrgica en la Caja de Seguro Social de Panamá / The history of family planning among women who opt for surgical sterilization in the Social Security Fund of Panama

In this study, the previous history of family planning and prior usage of contraceptive methods are analyzed, in a sample of 175 women who voluntarily opted for surgical sterilization as a permanent method of fertility regulation, in the Panamanian Social Security System. A questionnaire was applied during the second trimester of pregnancy, by which information would be gathered in regard to knowledge, usage and adverse effects of the contraceptive methods used prior to the intervention. Results showed that 99% of the sample had heard, on some occasion about oral contraceptives (OC) and, in lesser proportion to intrauterine devices (IUD), barrier methods and hormonal inyectables. The first contraceptive method used, and the one of longest usage, was the combined OC, of which 43% begun between 17 and 25 years of age. In contrast, 7.4% initiated contraception with IUD, from the age of 26 years. The health personnel constituted the major source of recommendation for contraceptive usage and, despite the fact that 37% of the sample did not use contraception prior to the last pregnancy, over half of the subjects responded that combined OC were considered as the most secure method