We are developing a DR-specific quality of life (QoL) item bank, and we report here on the qualitative results from the first phase of this project.
Methods Eight focus groups and 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 57 patients with DR. The sessions were transcribed https://www.selleckchem.com/products/4-hydroxytamoxifen-4-ht-afimoxifene.html verbatim and iteratively analysed using the constant comparative method and NVIVO software.
Results Participants had a median age of 58 years (range 27-83 years). Twenty-seven (47%) participants had proliferative DR in the better eye, and 14 (25%) had clinically significant macular oedema. Nine QoL domains were identified,
namely visual symptoms, ocular surface symptoms, vision-related activity limitation, mobility, emotional well-being, health concerns, convenience,
social, and economic. Participants described many vision-related activity limitations, particularly under challenging lighting conditions; however, socioemotional issues were equally important. Participants felt frustrated Selleckchem MDV3100 due to their visual restrictions, concerned about further vision loss and had difficulty coping with this uncertainty. Restrictions on driving were pervasive, affecting transport, social life, relationships, responsibilities, work and independence.
Conclusions Patients with DR experience many socioemotional issues in addition to vision-related activity limitations. Data from this study will be used to generate data for a DR-specific QoL item bank.”
“We model the effects of a quasibound photonic state that can exist within a substrate/metal film/Bragg reflector/air structure. The photonic state is confined as a result of total internal reflection at the air interface coupled with the effect of the photonic band gap of the Bragg reflector. The presence of the thin metallic film ensures that distinctive features are observable in the associated reflectivity spectrum. With an appropriately chosen metal layer thickness, light is able to penetrate into the structure but
is then effectively trapped, leading to a greatly increased field intensity at the air interface and PF-02341066 datasheet an associated sharp feature in the reflectivity. The sensitivity of the reflectivity feature to structural details and angle of incidence and the property of substantial field enhancement suggest that the structure could be of use in sensor/detector technology and nonlinear optics applications.”
“We investigate electronic energy level alignment and photocurrent in crystalline silicon/organic/semitransparent metal heterojunction diodes. Optically thin films of poly[2-methoxy,5-(2(')-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV), poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) [PFO], pentacene (Pc), and C(60) were deposited on n and p type Si wafers and diode structures were formed by depositing either a Au anode or Al cathode onto the organic film.