Low-Pass FSS for 50-230 GHz Quasi-Optical Demultiplexing for the MetOp Second-Generation Microwave Sounder Instrument

This paper reports the design, manufacture and characterisation of a new frequency selective surface (FSS) structure which meets the demanding requirements for transmission of 50.2 − 57.7 GHz radiation simultaneously for TE and TM polarizations at 45° incidence, and reflection of signals in four discrete higher frequency bands centered at 89 GHz, 165.5 GHz, 183.3 GHz and 229 GHz. The FSS is required for a quasi-optical network, which was developed during preparatory breadboarding of the Microwave Sounder instrument. The 100 mm diameter ultra-wide band FSS must exhibit ≤0.25 dB loss for all signals in the above bands, and has to satisfy the requirements of the space environment. The FSS is formed by a periodic metal film array sandwiched between two 0.83 mm thick, optically flat, fused quartz substrates. It has 19,000 unit cells composed of two compact resonant slot elements, a meandering elliptical annulus and a folded dipole. Spectral transmission and reflection measurements in the 50 − 230 GHz frequency range yielded results that are in excellent agreement with numerical predictions

A novel airborne microwave sounder radiometer (HYMS)

An airborne heterodyne radiometer has been developed at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in order to observe oxygen spectral signatures around 60 GHz at an altitude above 40 km with high spectral resolution. It comprises low noise millimeter-wave amplifiers and a diplexer to split the channel into the lower side band (50.3 GHz - 57.3 GHz) and the upper side band (63.3 GHz - 67.9 GHz). A Schottky mixer in each band dowconverts the incoming signal into the intermediate frequencies (IF) and is then processed using a novel wideband fast Fourier transform digital spectrometer, which has an instantaneous bandwidth of 8 GHz and spectral resolution of 3 MHz. For this radiometer, we have measured a double sideband system noise temperature of less than 200 K and a noise equivalent differential temperature of 0.3 K for a spectral bandwidth of 10 MHz and an integration time of 300 milliseconds. The sideband rejection measured between the upper and lower sidebands is better than -45 dB

Elevating the Standard of Care for Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: ‘Calls to Action’ from a Multistakeholder Pan-European Initiative

Abstract Introduction Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex, progressive, and often debilitating disease. Despite recent advances in treatment, numerous unmet needs in patient care persist. Rheumacensus is a multistakeholder, pan-European initiative designed to identify ways to elevate the standard of care (SoC) and treatment ambition for patients with PsA, using the perspectives of three key stakeholder groups: patients, healthcare professionals (HCPs) and payors. Methods Rheumacensus followed three phases: an insights-gathering workshop to identify current unmet needs in PsA and an area of focus for the project, a modified Delphi process to gain consensus on improvements within the agreed area of focus, and a Consensus Council (CC) meeting which used consensus statements as inspiration to generate ‘Calls to Action’ (CTA)—practical measures which, if implemented, could elevate the SoC for patients with PsA. Results The Rheumacensus CC consisted of four patient representatives, four HCPs and four payors. All 12 members completed all three Delphi e-consultations. The shared area of focus that informed the Delphi process was “patient empowerment through education on the disease and treatment options available, to enable patient involvement in management”. Four key themes emerged from the Delphi process: patient empowerment, patient knowledge and sources of education, patient–HCP consultations, and optimal initial treatment. Statements within these themes informed 12 overarching CTA, which focus on the need for a multistakeholder approach to implementing a paradigm shift towards patient-centred care and improved outcomes for patients with PsA. Conclusion Rheumacensus has identified shortcomings in the current SoC for patients with PsA and provides a foundation for change through practical CTA. It is hoped that all stakeholders will now take practical steps towards implementing these CTA across Europe to elevate the SoC for patients with PsA