Sexual functioning among breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, and healthy women.

Determined the specific type of sexual functioning deficits and the relationship between global sexual satisfaction and adjustment in 2 related life areas (marital relationship and body image) for 2 groups of cancer patients at high risk for sexual difficulties. The 2 groups included 16 27–67 yr old females with Stage 2 breast cancer and 16 31–65 yr old females with gynecologic cancer. These Ss were compared to 16 healthy female outpatients (controls). Measures included the Sexual Activities scale from the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory, a modified version of the Dyadic Assessment Scale (marital adjustment), a global sexual evaluation, and a body-image scale. Analyses revealed that the aspects of sexual functioning for breast-cancer and gynecologic-cancer Ss that differed from those of controls were the frequency of sexual behaviors and the level of sexual arousal. Whereas Ss' evaluations of their current sexual life had no relationship to their marital-adjustment ratings, analyses suggested that body-image disruption may be a prevalent problem for gynecologic cancer patients. Data suggest that cancer diagnosis and treatment are instrumental in producing reductions in sexual activity and arousability. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relational self: An interpersonal social-cognitive theory.

The authors propose an interpersonal social-cognitive theory of the self and personality, the relational self, in which knowledge about the self is linked with knowledge about significant others, and each linkage embodies a self-other relationship. Mental representations of significant others are activated and used in interpersonal encounters in the social-cognitive phenomenon of transference (S. M. Andersen & N. S. Glassman, 1996), and this evokes the relational self. Variability in relational selves depends on interpersonal contextual cues, whereas stability derives from the chronic accessibility of significant-other representations. Relational selves function in if-then terms (W. Mischel & Y. Shoda, 1995), in which ifs are situations triggering transference, and thens are relational selves. An individual's repertoire of relational selves is a source of interpersonal patterns involving affect, motivation, self-evaluation, and self-regulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adaptive multiresolution antenna modeling using hierarchicalmixed-order tangential vector finite elements

Hierarchical mixed-order tangential vector finite elements (TVFEs) for tetrahedra are attractive for accurate and efficient finite element or hybrid finite element/boundary integral (FE/BI) simulation of complicated electromagnetic problems. They provide versatility in the geometrical modeling of physical structures, guarantee solutions free of spurious modes, and allow a local increase of resolution by combination of mixed-order TVFEs of different orders within a computational domain. Regions with higher order mixed-order TVFEs can be selected a priori or be found adaptively via methods for a posteriori error estimation or indication. This paper demonstrates the merits of various explicit residual methods for a posteriori error indication via adaptive refinement of FE/BI solutions of electromagnetic radiation problems using hierarchical mixed-order TVFEs for tetrahedra     

Bi-directional transmission properties of Venetian blinds: experimental assessment compared to ray-tracing calculations

An accurate evaluation of daylight distribution through advanced fenestration systems (complex glazing, solar shading systems) requires the knowledge of their Bidirectional light Transmission (Reflection) Distribution Function BT(R)DF. An innovative equipment for the experimental assessment of these bi-directional functions has been developed, based on a digital imaging detection system. An extensive set of BTDF measurements was performed with this goniophotometer on Venetian blinds presenting curved slats with a mirror coating on the upper side.In this paper, the measured data are compared with ray-tracing results achieved with a virtual copy of the device, that was constructed with a commercial ray-tracing software. The model of the blind was created by implementing the measured reflection properties of the slats coatings in the ray-tracing calculations. These comparisons represent an original and objective validation methodology for detailed bi-directional properties for a complex system; the good agreement between the two methods, yet presenting very different parameters and assessment methodologies, places reliance both on the digital-imaging detection system and calibration, and on the potentiality of a flexible calculation method combining ray-tracing simulations with simple components measurements.     

Perception of self-motion: Psychophysical and computational approaches.

Visually induced perception of self-motion has been studied from 2 perspectives—one concerned with psychophysical relations between the visual stimulus and the perception of self-motion and a 2nd concerned with computational relations between changing 2-dimensional projections and observer motion in a 3-dimensional environment. Results from these 2 perspectives are analyzed in terms of the occurrence of perceived rotation and translation, the perceived direction of self-motion, eye movements, focal/ambient theory, and optic flow. The lack of interaction between the different approaches is noted, and it is argued that further research, integrating these 2 approaches, is needed for a more complete understanding of the distinctions between optical transformations that result in perceived object motion and those that result in perceived self-motion. (75 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)