Uncertainty evaluation at three spatial scales for the NDVI-based VWC estimation method used in the SMAP algorithm

Vegetation water content (VWC) is the key input parameter for a soil moisture retrieval algorithm based on microwave remote sensing, and VWC uncertainty can limit the estimated accuracy of soil moisture. There has been little research on VWC algorithm development and validation in China, and the uncertainty of the VWC estimation method has not been well evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the uncertainty of the VWC estimation method used in the SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) algorithm on three spatial scales (the point-scale, 30 m scale, and 1 km scale) for maize in northeast China. Results from three ground experimental datasets showed that the SMAP VWC estimation method was strongly biased with an average overestimation of 1.16 kg m^?2,1.04 kg m^?2, and 1.13 kg m^?2 for the point-scale, 30 m scale, and 1 km scale respectively, and maximum bias occurred in the mid-stage of maize. Also, a new power relationship between NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and VWC was proposed for the 30 m scale based on Sentinel 2 NDVI and field VWC values from 2017 experiment, with respective R² (coefficient of determination) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values of 0.80 and 0.67 kg m^?2. The results confirmed that this power relationship was still suitable for VWC estimation at the 1 km scale, and it has smaller bias than the original SMAP VWC method. Future work will be carried out to evaluate the applicability of this VWC estimation method over a lager region. It is expected that it can improve the accuracy of soil moisture by providing high precision VWC input parameters.     

A Tool to Assess Patient and Surrogate Knowledge About the POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) Program

ContextIt is especially important that patients are well informed when making high-stakes, preference-sensitive decisions like those on the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. However, there is currently no way to easily evaluate whether patients understand key concepts when making these important decisions.ObjectivesTo develop a POLST knowledge survey.MethodsExpert (n = 62) ratings of key POLST facts were used to select items for a POLST knowledge survey. The survey was administered to nursing facility residents (n = 97) and surrogate decision-makers (n = 112). A subset (n = 135) were re-administered the survey after a standardized advance care planning discussion to assess the scale's responsiveness to change.ResultsThe 19-item survey demonstrated adequate reliability (α = 0.72.). Residents' scores (x = 11.4, standard deviation 3.3) were significantly lower than surrogate scores (x = 14.7, standard deviation 2.5) (P < 0.001). Scores for both groups increased significantly after administration of a standardized advance care planning discussion (P < 0.001). Although being a surrogate, age, race, education, cognitive functioning, and health literacy were significantly associated with higher POLST Knowledge Survey scores in univariate analyses, only being a surrogate (P < 0.001) and being white (P = 0.028) remained significantly associated with higher scores in multivariate analyses.ConclusionThe 19-item POLST Knowledge Survey demonstrated adequate reliability and responsiveness to change. Findings suggest the survey could be used to identify knowledge deficits and provide targeted education to ensure adequate understanding of key clinical decisions when completing POLST.     

腹膜前引流对腹腔镜经腹腹膜前疝修补术患者术后血肿及血清肿的影响

目的探讨腹腔镜经腹腹膜前疝修补术（TAPP）放置腹膜前引流对术后血肿及血清肿的影响。 方法选取2016年6月至2018年5月，江苏省苏州市中西医结合医院收治的单侧腹股沟疝患者90例，随机分为试验组和对照组，2组患者均行TAPP手术。试验组放置腹膜前引流管，对照组不放置引流管。收集2组患者的一般资料、手术相关资料及随访资料进行统计学分析，对比2组患者术后血肿及血清肿发生率差异。 结果全部患者均完成手术及随访。2组患者的一般资料、疝位置、疝分型、手术时间、住院花费、术后住院时间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。2组患者的术后发热发生率、急性疼痛发生率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。试验组术后血肿发生率明显低于对照组（P<0.05），试验组患者术后1和3个月血清肿发生率明显低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。2组患者1年随访均观察到1例复发的病例，差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）；随访期内2组患者均未出现感染的病例。 结论TAPP中，放置腹膜前引流管能够有效降低患者术后血肿和血清肿的发生率，同时并不增加感染和复发风险。     

Assessment of the Antimetastatic Activity of Extracts of Filipedula ulmaria Depending on Extractant

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - Three extracts were produced from the above-ground part of the meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. using water, 40% ethanol, and 70% ethanol. Comparative...