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It is demonstrated that single‐crystalline and highly doped GaAs membranes are excellent candidates for realizing infrared‐transparent shields of electromagnetic interference at millimeter frequencies. Measured optical transmittance spectra for the semiconductor membranes show resonant features between 750 and 2500 nm, with a 100% maximum transmittance. The shielding effectiveness of the membranes is extracted from measured scattering parameters between 65 and 85 GHz. Selected GaAs membranes and membranes/polyamide films exhibit shielding effectiveness ranging from 22 to 40 dB, which are suitable values to ensure the safe operation of infrared devices for commercial applications. Theoretical calculations based on a plane wave model show that the interplay of primary reflection and multiple internal reflections of the radio‐frequency waves results in broadband shielding capabilities of the membrane between 10 and 300 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The human face significantly affects the individuals' quality of life, attitude, and mental state. The study of anatomy would always be on the spotlight, as the beauty of the face is desired by humans worldwide. However, age, stress, and negative emotions could lead to stimulation of the corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles in the glabellar region and, subsequently, to alterations in face's characteristics, which could be associated with isolation and avoidance of engaging in social contacts. Aims: Here, we aimed to examine the degree to which treatment with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT A) can affect patients' quality of life and mental state. Patients/Methods: The data collection was performed using 11 questionnaires, which were filled by 83 individuals who underwent BoNT A treatment (sex, 95% female and 5% male; mean age, 48 years). Results: The results showed that the treatment with BoNT A improved the patients' social and psychological behavior, and their opinion regarding their appearance. This effect developed within 1 month following completion of the treatment. Moreover, the effect was higher in patients' social behavior and was better in patients aged 40–49 years compared to those aged <40 and ≥49 years. Conclusions: Thus, BoNT A treatment could be considered as an important way to improve the social behavior and socialization of individuals by raising their psychology and self‐esteem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 loss‐of‐function variants have been linked to increased breast and ovarian cancer risk, with more than 5,000 distinct pathogenic variants being reported worldwide. Among individuals of Greek descent, the BRCA1/2 variant spectrum is heterogeneous, but characterized by strong founder effects. As patients from certain geographical regions of Greece (like Crete) were underrepresented in previous studies, we hypothesized that isolated Cretans, a southern Greece islanders' population with distinct demographic, cultural and genetic features, could harbor founder BRCA1/2 mutations. A total of 304 breast or/and ovarian cancer patients of Cretan descent, fulfilling NCCN criteria for genetic testing, were tested by NGS or Sanger sequencing, followed by MLPA. Haplotype analysis was subsequently performed to investigate potential founder effects of recurrent alleles. Overall, 16.5% (50/304) of the tested patients carried 22 different pathogenic variants; 48% in BRCA1, 52% in BRCA2. Three variants, namely two in BRCA2 (Δexons 12 and 13 and c.7806‐2A>T) and one in BRCA1 (c.5492del), constituting approximately half (48%) of all detected pathogenic variants, were shown to have a founder effect, with all carriers sharing common haplotypes. Remarkably, these variants were confined to Cretans and have not been identified in other regions of Greece. The high prevalence of specific BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants among Cretans, provides the possibility of cost‐ and time‐efficient screening of the Cretan population. Integrating this knowledge in local public health services may have a significant impact on cancer prevention, and may serve as a starting point for the implementation of testing on a population level. What's new? While inherited mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes, which increase breast and ovarian cancer risk, occur at varying frequency within populations, mutational hot spots and founder effects have been reported in certain ethnic and geographically isolated groups. Here, among persons of Cretan descent, a founder effect was identified specifically for two BRCA2 variants and one BRCA1 variant, which together accounted for half of all BRCA1/2 variants detected in the study population and which were not found in persons from other regions of Greece. The findings suggest that Cretans may benefit from more efficient, population‐specific cancer screening and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been shown to be of prognostic value in several cancer types. In early breast cancer, TILs have a prognostic utility, as well, especially in HER2‐positive and triple‐negative breast cancer. TILs presence is broadly associated with improved survival; however, there is controversy regarding TILs subpopulations. Patients and methods: Early‐stage breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline‐based chemotherapy within two randomized trials were included in the study. We evaluated, by qRT‐PCR, 826 tumor tissue samples for mRNA expression of CD3, CD8, and FOXP3 for potential prognostic significance in terms of disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: After a median follow‐up of 133.0 months, 255 patients (30.9%) had died and 314 (38.0%) had disease progression. In the univariate analysis, high CD3 and CD8 mRNA expression was found to be of favorable prognostic value for DFS (P = 0.007 and P = 0.016, respectively). In multivariate analyses, the association of high CD8 mRNA expression with increased DFS was retained (HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.60‐0.998, Wald's P = 0.048), whereas that of high CD3 mRNA expression was of marginal statistical significance (HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.59‐1.01, P = 0.059). Moreover, a significant interaction was observed between HER2 status and CD3 mRNA expression with respect to DFS (interaction P = 0.032). In the HER2‐positive subgroup, the hazard ratio associated with high CD3 mRNA expression was of greater magnitude (HR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.30‐0.76, P = 0.002) compared with the hazard ratio presented above, for the entire cohort. No significant findings were observed for FOXP3 in terms of DFS, while none of the studied markers were of prognostic value for OS. Conclusions: High CD3 and CD8 mRNA expression in early‐stage breast cancer patients is of prognostic value for decreased risk of relapse and, in the future, could potentially be of importance in deciding the most appropriate therapeutic strategy in light of the recent immune‐related treatment developments. We used CD3, CD8, and FOXP3 mRNA expression as markers for T cell infiltration, in early breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline‐based adjuvant chemotherapy. Results showed that high CD8 mRNA expression is associated with improved outcome in breast cancer and such prognostic value is more profound in the HER2‐positive subtype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scope of the current study is to examine the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) modules after being subjected to high impulse voltages, which are usually generated by lightning or switching surges. Tests were conducted at the High Voltage Laboratory of the University of Patras in Greece on PV modules of 5 and 195 Wp derived from different manufacturers, by performing various stress scenarios. The I‐V and P‐V characteristic curves of the examined modules, before and after the impulse voltage stress tests, are compared with each other considering the modules' ability to maintain their nominal electrical characteristics. After certain periods of time, the electrical performances of the stressed modules are examined again in order to ensure whether they regain some or all of their properties in case of prior differentiation. The experimental results are compared with theoretical estimations, so as to confirm the rightness of the presented procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequency and gender differences of psychiatric medication intake in a sample of suicide victims from the Athens Greater Area were investigated with a particular focus on the implications for suicide prevention. Data were collected from the toxicological analyses of the suicide cases of the period November 2007–October 2009. Information was available for 262 individuals, 196 men (74.8%) and 66 women (25.2%); 109 of these (41.6%) were receiving psychiatric medication(s). Women were statistically more frequently under treatment: antidepressants (32.8% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001), antiepileptics (9.1% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.001), antipsychotics (24.2% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.003), and benzodiazepines (16.7% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.024). Campaigns aiming to bring men with psychological difficulties in contact with mental health services and to lessen the stigma of mental illness, together with better training of nonpsychiatrists into “suspecting” “male” depression, could be particularly helpful for decreasing male suicides. More thoughtful choice of psychiatric medication could possibly already prevent a number of female suicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic leg ulcers are a public health problem that can have a significant impact on the patient's physical, socioeconomic and psychological status. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life, anxiety and depression, self-esteem and loneliness in patients suffering from leg ulcers. A total of 102 patients were enrolled in the study. The quality of life, anxiety and depression, self-esteem and loneliness of the patient were assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index ( DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS), Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale ( RSES) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale ( UCLA-Version 3), respectively. The mean DLQI score was 13·38 ± 2·59, suggesting a serious effect on the quality of life of patients. Those with leg ulcers had statistically significant higher scores according to the HADS-total scale ( P = 0·031) and HADS-anxiety subscale ( P = 0·015) compared with healthy volunteers. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups concerning the UCLA-scale ( P = 0·029). Female patients presented with a higher score of anxiety ( P = 0·027) and social isolation ( P = 0·048), and worse quality of life ( P = 0·018) than male patients. A severe quality of life impairment was documented, reflecting a significant psychosocial impact on patients with leg ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control of the cathode work function (WF) is essential to enable efficient electron injection and extraction at organic semiconductor/cathode interfaces in organic electronic devices. In this paper, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy is used to confirm that depositing an ultrathin layer of the moderately air-stable pentamethylrhodocene dimer onto various conducting electrodes, by either vacuum deposition or drop casting from solution, substantially reduces their WF to less than 3.6 eV, with 2.7 eV being the lowest attainable value. Detailed measurements of the Rh core levels with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal that the electron transfer from the molecule to the respective substrates is responsible for the appreciable WF reduction. Notably, even after air exposure, the WF of the donor-covered electrodes remains below those of typically used clean cathode metals, such as Al and Ag, rendering the approach appealing for practical applications. The WF reduction, together with the observed air stability of the covered electrodes, demonstrates the ability of the pentamethylrhodocene dimer to reduce the WF for a wide range of electrodes used in all-organic or organic-inorganic hybrid devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis and leg ulcers have a marked impact on the patient's quality of life and represent a life-long burden for affected patients. The aim of this study is to compare the quality of life, anxiety and depression, self-esteem, and loneliness in patients with psoriasis and leg-ulcer patients. Eighty patients with leg ulcers, eighty patients with psoriasis, and eighty healthy controls were included in this study. The quality of life, depression and anxiety, loneliness of the patient, and self-esteem were assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the UCLA loneliness Scale (UCLA-Version 3), and the Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale (RSES), respectively. The DLQI score among patients with psoriasis was 12.74 ± 4.89 and leg ulcer patients was 13.28 ± 2.57. The patients with psoriasis presented statistically significant higher anxiety (9.87 ± 4.56) than both leg ulcer patients (8.26 ± 2.82) and controls (6.45 ± 1.89), while leg ulcer patients also presented higher anxiety than controls. Regarding self-esteem, although there were no significant differences between the patients with psoriasis (15.25 ± 3.20) and the ones with leg ulcers (15.89 ± 2.93), they both presented statistically significant lower self-esteem scores than control group (18.53 ± 3.04). The patients with psoriasis presented statistically significant higher levels of loneliness and social isolation (46.18 ± 6.63) compared to leg ulcer patients (43.73 ± 5.68) than controls (42.49 ± 3.41). Psoriasis and leg ulcers are long-term skin diseases associated with significant impairment of the patient's quality of life, anxiety, and self-esteem, which are frequently under-recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chronic hand eczema is a common dermatological disorder of multifactorial aetiology. It affects physical, material, social and psychological aspects of life, thereby impairing health-related quality of life. Objectives The aim of the present study was to assess quality of life, anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive tendencies in patients with chronic hand eczema. Materials and methods Seventy-one patients with chronic hand eczema were included in the study. Quality of life was evaluated according to the Dermatology Life Quality Index ( DLQI). Patients were also assessed for anxiety and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS), and for compulsive behaviour with the Leyton Trait Scale. Results The DLQI score was 11.11 ± 1.81 in patients with chronic hand eczema. Scores on the Leyton Trait Scale were significantly higher than those of healthy controls ( p < 0.027). As concerns the HADS-Anxiety subscale, patients with hand dermatitis had statistically significantly higher scores than those of volunteers ( p = 0.002). In contrast, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to the HADS-Depression subscale score and total HADS score. Conclusion Hand eczema treatment should address the severity of skin lesions as well as the psychological impact of hand eczema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary hyperhidrosis, although extensively documented in adults, typically has onset that dates back to early childhood. It is an unpleasant and socially disabling problem for the affected child, but little attention has been paid to the disease in adolescents. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) in adolescents with primary palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis and to determine its effect on quality of life and social isolation. Thirty-five individuals (17 girls, 18 boys) with moderate to severe palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis were treated with BTXA (onabotulinum). Patients were examined at baseline and 6 months after treatment. The Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale ( HDSS) was used to evaluate disease severity and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index ( CDLQI) was used to assess quality of life. The University of California at Los Angeles loneliness scale ( UCLA version 3) was used to assess personal perception of loneliness and social isolation. The median age of the participants was 14 years, and 48.6% were female. Twenty-one had palmar hyperhidrosis, and 14 had axillary hyperhidrosis. Total CDLQI and social isolation scores decreased significantly after treatment with BTXA (both p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between pre- and post-treatment levels of severity of hyperhidrosis. No statistically significant difference was documented for CDLQI and UCLA scores between boys and girls. Treatment of hyperhidrosis with BTXA resulted in improvement in quality of life, social skills, and activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Alopecia is a common dermatological condition with mostly cosmetic consequences that, nevertheless, has significant psychological and psychosocial impact. Objective To assess the impact of alopecia on quality of life and certain psychological domains and to compare it between scarring and non-scarring alopecia in Greek adult women. Patients and methods Forty-four women, aged 18-70 years, with scarring (n = 19) or non-scarring alopecia (n = 25) were recruited. All patients were evaluated by Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES) and UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS). Results Women with scarring alopecia had higher scores in DLQI, HADS and UCLA- LS and lower scores in RSES, compared to women with non-scarring alopecia. A statistically significant difference between the two groups was documented for DLQI (p = 0.0067), HADS (p = 0.0008), and HADS-Anxiety (HADS-A) (p < 0.05) and HADS-Depression (HADS-D) (p < 0.01) subscales. Conclusions The psychological burden is heavier and quality of life is more severely impaired among women with scarring alopecia compared with non-scarring alopecia, probably depicting the poorer prognosis of the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Alopezie ist eine häufige dermatologische Erkrankung mit zumeist kosmetischen Folgen, jedoch einem wesentlichen psychologischen und psychosozialen Einfluss. Ziel Vergleichende Erhebung des Einflusses einer vernarbenden und einer nicht-vernarbenden Alopezie auf die Lebensqualität und verschiedene psychologische Bereiche bei erwachsenen Griechinnen. Patientinnen und Methoden Vierundvierzig Frauen im Alter zwischen 18 und 70 Jahren mit vernarbender (n = 19) oder nicht-vernarbender (n = 25) Alopezie wurden eingeschlossen. Bei allen Patientinnen wurden der Dermatologische Lebensqualitätsindex (Dermatology Life Quality Index, DLQI), die Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), die Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES) und die UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS) erhoben. Ergebnisse Frauen mit vernarbender Alopezie hatten höhere DLQI-, HADS- und UCLA-LS-Werte und niedrigere RSES-Werte im Vergleich zu Frauen mit nicht-vernarbender Alopezie. Statistisch signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen bestanden bei DLQI (p = 0,0067), HADS (p = 0,0008) und den HADS-Angst (HADS-A) (p < 0,05) sowie HADS-Depression (HADS-D) (p < 0,01) - Subskalen. Schlussfolgerungen Bei vernarbender Alopezie ist die psychologische Belastung der Patientinnen schwerer und die Lebensqualität stärker eingeschränkt als bei nicht-vernarbender Alopezie, was wahrscheinlich die schlechtere Prognose der vernarbenden Alopezie widerspiegelt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External overvoltages constitute a typical cause of faults, damages and interruptions in the electrical networks' high‐voltage transmission lines. In order to protect the lines and their equipment against lightning, overhead ground wires in combination with surge arresters are installed, improving the lightning performance of the system and reducing the annual failure rate. The achievement of low values of earth resistance is an essential requirement, since a good grounding system reduces considerably the corresponding insulation breakdowns. However, the behaviour of surge arresters in relation to the grounding resistance is different, as it depends on the position of the lightning hit. The current work is devoted to the sensitivity analysis of the failure probability of surge arresters with relation to the grounding resistance, investigating concurrently the effect of the arresters' installation interval and the energy absorption capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power losses, current and voltage stresses in semiconductor devices in voltage source transformerless multilevel inverters (VSTMLIs) topologies are unequal, depending on the switching states, the duty ratio, the levels of output voltage, the load power factor and the depth of modulation index. Non-uniform power loss profiles mean both unequal junction temperature and power rating in semiconductors. In this study, a comparison of power losses, current and voltage stresses in semiconductors of VSTMLIs is performed. Initially, the structural characteristics and operating principles of dominant VSTMLIs with sinusoidal pulse width modulation are analysed. Then, modifications of existing VSTMLIs and simplified multilevel topologies are proposed, which achieve a further reduction in switch count and power losses in semiconductors. The proposed modified circuitries are suitable for converting existing four-level VSTMLI topologies into five-level ones. This conversion is desirable, when a zero output voltage level under no-load conditions or low modulation indices should be obtained. Power losses in semiconductors are calculated analytically and then confirmed by simulation. A comparative presentation of profiles of power losses, current and voltage stresses in semiconductors of the examined VSTMLIs is analytically carried out. The obtained results are valuable for sizing and selecting the semiconductors in VSTMLIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new cognitive radio antenna system is presented and discussed in this study. The antenna system is composed of a wideband antenna that is used for channel sensing and a communicating antenna that is used for dynamic transmission over various frequencies. The communicating antenna is a software controlled reconfigurable antenna that can tune its frequency response by changing the height and angular position of its ground plane. This antenna is composed of a rectangular patch and three ground planes. Two ground planes are fixed while the third one moves and tilts based on the user's demand. The antenna's moving ground plane is controlled by an Arduino board and two linear actuators. The wideband sensing antenna is composed of a printed monopole patch that searches the spectrum for idle frequencies. A prototype of the complete antenna system is fabricated and tested. Both experimental and simulated results show good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The realization of fully solution processed multilayer polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) constitutes the pivotal point to push PLED technology to its full potential. Herein, a fully solution processed triple-layer PLED realized by combining two different deposition strategies is presented. The approach allows a successive deposition of more than two polymeric layers without extensively redissolving already present layers. For that purpose, a poly(9,9-dioctyl-fluorene-co-N-(4-butylphenyl)-diphenylamine) (TFB) layer is stabilized by a hard-bake process as hole transport layer on top of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). As emitting layer, a deep blue emitting pyrene-triphenylamine copolymer is deposited from toluene solution. To complete the device assembly 9,9-bis(3-(5′,6′-bis(4-(polyethylene glycol)phenyl)-[1,1′:4′,1″-terphenyl]-2′-yl)propyl)-9′,9′-dioctyl-2,7-polyfluorene (PEGPF), a novel polyfluorene-type polymer with polar sidechains, which acts as the electron transport layer, is deposited from methanol in an orthogonal solvent approach. Atomic force microscopy verifies that all deposited layers stay perfectly intact with respect to morphology and layer thickness upon multiple solvent treatments. Photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the offsets of the respective frontier energy levels at the individual polymer interfaces lead to a charge carrier confinement in the emitting layer, thus enhancing the exciton formation probability in the device stack. The solution processed PLED-stack exhibits bright blue light emission with a maximum luminance of 16 540 cd m−2 and a maximum device efficiency of 1.42 cd A−1, which denotes a five-fold increase compared to corresponding single-layer devices and demonstrates the potential of the presented concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and efficient method based on electrochemistry for the production of graphene-based materials for electronics is demonstrated. Uncharged acetonitrile molecules are intercalated in graphite by electrochemical treatment, owing to the synergic action of perchlorate ions dissolved in acetonitrile. Then, acetonitrile molecules are decomposed with microwave irradiation, which causes gas production and rapid graphite exfoliation, with an increase in the graphite volume of up to 600 %. Upon further processing and purification, highly dispersible nanosheets are obtained that can be processed into thin layers by roll-to-roll transfer or into thicker electrodes with excellent capacitance stability upon extensive charging/discharging cycles. The good exfoliation yield (>50 % of monolayers), minimal oxidation damage and good electrochemical stability of the nanosheets obtained were confirmed by scanning force and electron microscopy, as well as Raman spectroscopy and galvanostatic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 59-year-old man who was diagnosed classic Kaposi sarcoma (CKS) due to complaints of edema in the left lower extremity, skin patches, and enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes. Topics include the presence of CKS in his family history on the mother's side, the development of palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia during the fifth cycle of chemotherapy, and the decrease in lymphedema after the chemotherapy's first dose.

Computational analyses are performed on a parallel-plate Blumlein line with a nonstandard width of the dielectric, as a way to mitigate against the dielectric breakdown. We report its effects on the electric field, propagation time of the transient effect, characteristic impedance of the line, and output pulse. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 46: 220–225, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20950 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to avoid the computational complexities involved in analyzing reconfigurable antennas, neural networks are used as an alternate approach. The neural network finds the location of the operational frequency bands for any combination of switches connecting different radiating elements. The network outputs are compared with the experimentally measured results. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 351–354, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20632 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the integration of an antenna with a photodetector for high capacity wireless communications. A waveguide photodetector (WGPD), illuminated on the side, is used to convert the RF-modulated optical power into a microwave signal. That microwave signal is used to feed an antenna built on the same plane as the photodetector. The WGPD is a standard p-i-n device grown on a semi-insulating InP. The performance of this RF/photonic antenna in the frequency range 17–20 GHz is studied theoretically and experimentally. An equivalent circuit model for the WGPD is developed to predict the photodetector impedance as a function of frequency. The photodetector is matched to the input impedance of the antenna. The agreement between measurement and the circuit model results for the WGPD impedance is very good. It is envisioned that a large number of such RF/Photonic antenna elements could be networked together into a star configuration, feeding in and out of a radio hub. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 35: 179–184, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10550 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel method of fabricating helical antennas, singular and arrayed, for the low-terahertz (0.1–2.7 THz) frequency range. The THz antenna structures are fabricated by using laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) to form fibers that can be grown into complex three-dimensional structures directly on semiconductor substrates. By focusing the laser through a diffractive optic, arrays of antennas can be fabricated at the same time. THz radiation detection devices can be realized by combining the LCVD antennas with MEMS microbolometers that convert received THz radiation into a change in resistance. Arrays of these antenna–bolometer pairs can be fabricated on the same substrate to realize a THz imaging device. ©2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 24: 106–111, 2000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Leg ulcers have been shown to have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life (QoL). Little is known, however, about the secondary impact of the disease on the QoL of the relatives and partners of patients with leg ulcers. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of chronic leg ulcers on the lives of both patients and their family members. Two hundred sixteen patients with leg ulcers and their family members were recruited. All patients entered were evaluated for QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scale, and family members were similarly evaluated using the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI).The study included 56 female and 52 male patients, and 50 female and 58 male family members. The FDLQI score for the latter group was 14.37 ± 2.46 with over 96% of family members reporting a large effect on their QoL due to their relative's disease. The DLQI score in patients with leg ulcers was 13.18 ± 2.88. A significant positive and high correlation between DLQI and FDLQI scores ( r = 0.71, p < 0.001) was documented, while DLQI contributed significantly to the prediction of FDLQI (standardized β = 0.71, p < 0.001). Our study results indicate that the QoL of the family was also affected by the patient's condition of chronic leg ulcers and clearly associated with that of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact CPW-fed aperture-coupled patch antenna is modeled using the moment method code IE3D. It is shown that improvements can be made by optimizing various parameters of the antenna, such as patch diameter, CPW slot width, etc. The improvements are an increase in the bandwidth of the antenna, in the return loss across the band, as well as in the design which yield a more practical antenna in terms of construction (i.e., typical manufacturing tolerances do not significantly affect the performance of the antenna). It is also shown that a CPW-fed aperture-coupled patch antenna can be made with a ground plane which will actually improve the performance of the antenna after careful consideration of the height above the ground plane and dielectric used. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 19: 391–396, 1998. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new stacked microstrip antenna structure that enhances the bandwidth without changing the resonance frequency is proposed and studied in this paper. The effect of the various antenna parameters on the bandwidth is investigated. The resulting antenna, using the proposed structure, has an ultra-wide bandwidth of 35%, compared to 21.8% for the conventional stacked antenna structure. The proposed structure has little effect on the antenna's radiation characteristics. The analysis of the proposed structure is carried out using the FDTD method. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 26–28, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10660 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the association between delusional beliefs (DBs) and the onset of psychotic disorders. Based on clinical studies conducted in patients suffering from schizophrenic and delusional disorders, the type of DBs experienced by older people with psychotic depression vary according to age of onset. The researchers have observed that late onset (LO) psychotic depressives had more DBs of somatic and impending disaster content when compared to earl onset (EO) patients.