Demonstrating Agreement between Radio and Fluorescence Measurements of the Depth of Maximum of Extensive Air Showers at the Pierre Auger Observatory

We show, for the first time, radio measurements of the depth of shower maximum (X_{max}) of air showers induced by cosmic rays that are compared to measurements of the established fluorescence method at the same location. Using measurements at the Pierre Auger Observatory we show full compatibility between our radio and the previously published fluorescence dataset, and between a subset of air showers observed simultaneously with both radio and fluorescence techniques, a measurement setup unique to the Pierre Auger Observatory. Furthermore, we show radio X_{max} resolution as a function of energy and demonstrate the ability to make competitive high-resolution X_{max} measurements with even a sparse radio array. With this, we show that the radio technique is capable of cosmic-ray mass composition studies, both at Auger and at other experiments.

Probing size variations of molecular aggregates inside chlorosomes using single-object spectroscopy

We theoretically investigate the possibility to use single-object spectroscopy to probe size variations of the bacteriochlorophyll aggregates inside chlorosomes. Chlorosomes are the light-harvesting organelles of green sulfur and non-sulfur bacteria. They are known to be the most efficient light-harvesting systems in nature. Key to this efficiency is the organization of bacteriochlorophyll molecules in large self-assembled aggregates that define the secondary structure inside the chlorosomes. Many studies have been reported to elucidate the morphology of these aggregates and the molecular packing inside them. It is widely believed that tubular aggregates play an important role. Because the size (radius and length) of these aggregates affects the optical and excitation energy transport properties, it is of interest to be able to probe these quantities inside chlorosomes. We show that a combination of single-chlorosome linear polarization resolved spectroscopy and single-chlorosome circular dichroism spectroscopy may be used to access the typical size of the tubular aggregates within a chlorosome and, thus, probe possible variations between individual chlorosomes that may result, for instance, from different stages in growth or different growth conditions.

Unraveling intra-aggregate structural disorder using single-molecule spectroscopy

Structural disorder within self-assembled molecular aggregates may have strong effects on their optical functionality. Such disorder, however, is hard to explore using standard ensemble measurements. In this paper, we report on the characterization of intra-aggregate structural disorder through a linewidth analysis of fluorescence excitation experiments on individual zinc-chlorin (ZnChl) nanotubular molecular aggregates. Recent experiments suggest an anomaly in the linewidths of the two absorption bands that dominate the spectra: the higher-energy bands on average show a smaller linewidth than the lower-energy bands. This anomaly is explored in this paper by analyzing and modeling the correlation of the two linewidths for each aggregate. We exploit a Frenkel exciton model to show that the experimentally observed correlation of linewidths and other statistical properties of the single-aggregate spectra can be explained from small variations of the molecular orientations within individual aggregates.

Spectral and Structural Variations of Biomimetic Light-Harvesting Nanotubes

Bioinspired, self-assembled nanotubes have been investigated by low-temperature, polarization-resolved single-tube spectroscopy. These assemblies are based on zinc chlorin monomers and are considered as model systems that resemble the secondary structural elements in the natural light-harvesting systems of green (non)sulfur bacteria. Compared to the natural systems, the spectral parameters extracted from the single-nanotube spectra feature distributions with significantly smaller widths, which is ascribed to a tremendous reduction of structural heterogeneity in the artificial systems. Employing quantum chemical molecular modeling the spectra of individual nanotubes can be explained consistently only for a molecular packing model that is fundamentally different from those considered so far for the natural systems. Subsequent theoretical simulations reveal that the remaining spectral variations between single nanotubes can be traced back to small variations of the mutual orientations of the monomer transition dipole moments that are far beyond the resolving power of high-resolution electron microscopy imaging techniques.

Long-term outcome of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with sequential chemotherapies before the era of modern combination therapy protocols

INTRODUCTION

Patients (pts) with locally advanced (LAPC) or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) have a dismal prognosis. Recently, new combination chemotherapies such as FOLFIRINOX and nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine have demonstrated superiority over gemcitabine monotherapy. However, a substantial proportion of pts cannot tolerate these intensive front-line protocols. Moreover, the long-term superiority of multiagent protocols over less intensive strategies remains to be shown. To provide a benchmark for future studies, we analyzed the outcome of patients with LAPC or mPDAC treated at the West German Cancer Center before the FOLFIRINOX/nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine era.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 201 consecutive pts with LAPC and mPDAC treated between 2007 and 2011. Efficacy parameters were correlated with type of chemotherapy, number of treatment lines and clinicopathological parameters.

RESULTS

Gemcitabine monotherapy was given as first-line therapy in 51.1%, whereas 48.9% received combination chemotherapies such as gemcitabine/oxaliplatin or FOLFOX. Patients received a median of two lines of treatment, with 54.8% receiving second-line and 37.9% receiving third- and further-line therapies. There was no significant difference between gemcitabine monotherapy and combination therapies. Despite moderate activity of first-line treatment, median overall survival for LAPC was 11.3 months and 8.7 months for mPDAC. Multivariate analysis identified age and number of treatment lines as prognostic markers.

CONCLUSION

The long-term outcome of unselected pts with LAPC and mPDAC treated before the introduction of aggressive multiagent chemotherapy protocols compares favorably with the results of contemporary benchmark trials. This suggests a multifactorial benefit from interdisciplinary care provided over sequential treatment lines at high volume expert centers.

Micro-Refractometry and Local-Field Mapping with Single Molecules

The refractive index n is one of the most important materials parameters of solids and, in recent years, has become the subject of significant interdisciplinary interest, especially in nanostructures and meta-materials. It is, in principle, a macroscopic quantity, so its meaning on a length scale of a few nanometers, i.e., well below the wavelength of light, is not clear a priori and is related to methods of its measurement on this length scale. Here we introduce a novel experimental approach for mapping the effective local value [Formula: see text] of the refractive index in solid films and the analysis of related local-field enhancement effects. The approach is based on the imaging and spectroscopy of single chromophore molecules at cryogenic temperatures. Since the fluorescence lifetime T₁ of dye molecules in a transparent matrix depends on the refractive index due to the local density of the electromagnetic field (i.e., of the photon states), one can obtain the local [Formula: see text] values in the surroundings of individual chromophores simply by measuring their T₁ times. Spatial mapping of the local [Formula: see text] values is accomplished by localizing the corresponding chromophores with nanometer accuracy. We demonstrate this approach for a polycrystalline n-hexadecane film doped with terrylene. Unexpectedly large fluctuations of local-field effects and effective [Formula: see text] values (the latter between 1.1 and 1.9) were found.

Excited state dynamics and conformations of a Cu(ii)-phthalocyanine-perylenebisimide dyad

We investigate the excited state dynamics and the conformations of a new molecular donor-bridge-acceptor system, a Cu(ii)-phthalocyanine (CuPc) covalently linked via a flexible aliphatic spacer to a perylenebisimide (PBI). We performed time-resolved polarization anisotropy and pump-probe measurements in combination with molecular dynamics simulations. Our data suggest the existence of three conformations of the dyad: two more extended, metastable conformations with centre-of-mass distances >1 nm between the PBI and CuPc units of the dyad, and a highly stable folded structure, in which the PBI and CuPc units are stacked on top of each other with a centre-of-mass distance of 0.4 nm. In the extended conformations the dyad shows emission predominantly from the PBI unit with a very weak contribution from the CuPc unit. In contrast, for the folded conformation the PBI emission of the dyad is strongly quenched due to fast energy transfer from the PBI to the CuPc unit (3 ps) and subsequent intersystem-crossing (300 fs) from the first excited singlet state of CuPc unit into its triplet state. Finally, the CuPc triplet state is deactivated non-radiatively with a time constant of 25 ns.

Long-term follow-up of reflux nephropathy in adults with vesicoureteral reflux – radiological and pathoanatomical analysis

Purpose: To study the long-term development of urographic renal morphology in adults with vesicoureteral reflux, to investigate the relationship between renal damage and reflux grade, and to analyse the association between the long-term urographic outcome and the occurrence of acute pyelonephritis and reflux during follow-up. The purpose was also to try to distinguish between acquired and developmental renal damage, based on analyses of renal histological specimens and urographic features, and to analyse associated congenital urogenital abnormalities and family history of reflux, reflux nephropathy, urological malformation or death from end-stage renal disease.

Material and Methods: Renal damage was identified in 100 (83 women) of 115 adults, selected because of documented reflux. Eighty-seven patients had two urographies done (median interval 14.3 years). The extent and progression of renal damage were assessed and features of developmental renal damage were determined. Histological renal specimens were available in 23 patients with renal damage.

Results and Conclusions: The extent of renal damage correlated positively with the severity of reflux. No renal damage developed during the follow-up in 45 previously undamaged kidneys and progression of renal damage was rare (4 of 120 previously damaged kidneys), despite persisting reflux in half of the cases and episodes of acute pyelonephritis during follow-up. Thus, repeated renal imaging is rarely justified in adults with reflux nephropathy. Histological examination showed "chronic pyelonephritis" in all 23 cases and co-existing renal dysplasia in 1 case. The detailed urographic analysis did not reveal support for developmental renal damage. High frequencies of associated congenital urogenital abnormalities and of a positive family history were found. Thus, congenital and/or hereditary factors cannot be discarded as background factors for the development of renal damage.

Microwave Radiometric System for Biomedical ‘True Temperature’ and Emissivity Measurements

A novel type of radiometer is described, which solves the problem of emissivity-(mismatch)-independent noise temperature measurements by simultaneous registration of an object's apparent temperature and its reflectivity with just one microwave receiver and real-time calculation of the object's emissivity and its actual temperature.

[Current Practice of Dealing with Comorbid Problematic Substance Use in Non-Specialized Rehabilitation Settings: A Survey in German Somatic and Psychosomatic Rehabilitation Centres]

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The current practice of dealing with comorbid problematic substance use in non-specialized somatic and psychosomatic rehabilitation centres is described.

METHODS

A nationwide survey of rehabilitation centres across all indications was conducted.

RESULTS

Incidents related to substance use within the past 12 months were reported by every centre participating in the survey. Even though these incidents occurred rather infrequently, 85% of the respondents stated that the opportunity should be used to address the topic of problematic substance use with all patients. At the same time the issue is discussed controversially by staff members in 42% of the centres, and 29% of the respondents state that there is a need to change the way this issue is dealt with.

CONCLUSION

It seems necessary to strengthen the awareness of the problem as well as the professional confidence in dealing with it. In order to support identification of and dealing with problematic substance use, appropriate practice guidelines for the somatic and psychosomatic rehabilitation settings are needed. The present survey constitutes a basis for developing such practice guidelines.

Preparation and characterization of a possible topological insulator BiYO3: experiment versus theory

The Bi-Y-O system has been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction, UV-vis and IR experiments. A metastable cubic high temperature phase of BiYO3 with fluorite-type structure has been structurally characterized for the first time and shows a large band gap of ∼ 5.9 eV. A unified description for the numerous structural variants discovered in the Bi-Y-O system is established within the symmetry breaking approach. This rich structural phenomenon makes the Bi-Y-O system a promising candidate in the search for new topological insulators for applications. On this basis, a long standing controversy on the phase diagram of the Bi-Y-O system has been solved. Our DFT calculations predict a high pressure phase for BiYO3 with perovskite (ABO3) structure and ordering of Bi and Y on the A and B sites, respectively. However, our analysis of the nature of the low energy electronic structure shows that this phase is not a suitable candidate for a topological insulator.

Characterization of azimuthal and radial velocity fields induced by rotors in flows with a low Reynolds number

We theoretically and experimentally investigate the flow field that emerges from a rodlike microrotor rotating about its center in a nonaxisymmetric manner. A simple theoretical model is proposed that uses a superposition of two rotlets as a fundamental solution to the Stokes equation. The predictions of this model are compared to measurements of the azimuthal and radial microfluidic velocity field components that are induced by a rotor composed of fused microscopic spheres. The rotor is driven magnetically and the fluid flow is measured with the help of a probe particle fixed by an optical tweezer. We find considerable deviations of the mere azimuthal flow pattern induced by a single rotating sphere as it has been reported by Di Leonardo et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 134502 (2006)]. Notably, the presence of a radial velocity component that manifests itself by an oscillation of the probe particle with twice the rotor frequency is observed. These findings open up a way to discuss possible radial transport in microfluidic devices.

Hidden magnetism in the paramagnetic phase of EuTiO₃

EuTiO3 is investigated experimentally by temperature dependent conductivity and dielectric constant measurements. Both data sets evidence a crossover behavior in their temperature dependence around T * ~ 200 K indicating a change of the electrical and magnetic behavior of EuTiO3 as already observed by muon spin rotation (μSR) measurements. Around T '  =  80 K an additional anomaly appears which is consistent with previous resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) data. By applying a magnetic field (1.2 T at room temperature) the bulk conductivity is anomalously enhanced by more than one order of magnitude. The bulk dielectric constant ε(r) decreases with increasing temperature and is enhanced by the magnetic field by up to 22%. All data reveal a substantial hysteresis which is diminished in a magnetic field. The unusual magnetic field dependence of all quantities is suggested to stem from magnetically active domain walls which are mobile between the structural phase transition temperature (T(S)  =  282 K) and T * and are pinned below it.

Dynamic muscle O2 saturation response is impaired during major non-cardiac surgery despite goal-directed haemodynamic therapy

BACKGROUND

Near-infrared spectroscopy combined with a vascular occlusion test (VOT) could indicate an impairment of microvascular reactivity (MVR) in septic patients by detecting changes in dynamic variables of muscle O2 saturation (StO2). However, in the perioperative context the consequences of surgical trauma on dynamic variables of muscle StO2 as indicators of MVR are still unknown.

METHODS

This study is a sub-analysis of a randomised controlled trial in patients with metastatic primary ovarian cancer undergoing debulking surgery, during which a goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm was applied using oesophageal Doppler. During a 3 min VOT, near-infrared spectroscopy was used to assess dynamic variables arising from changes in muscle StO2.

RESULTS

At the beginning of surgery, values of desaturation and recovery slope were comparable to values obtained in healthy volunteers. During the course of surgery, both desaturation and recovery slope showed a gradual decrease. Concomitantly, the study population underwent a transition to a surgically induced systemic inflammatory response state shown by a gradual increase in norepinephrine administration, heart rate, and Interleukin-6, with a peak immediately after the end of surgery. Higher rates of norepinephrine and a higher heart rate were related to a faster decline in StO2 during vascular occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Using near-infrared spectroscopy combined with a VOT during surgery showed a gradual deterioration of MVR in patients treated with optimal haemodynamic care. The deterioration of MVR was accompanied by the transition to a surgically induced systemic inflammatory response state.

Quantitative assessment of small bowel motility in patients with Crohn's disease using dynamic MRI

BACKGROUND

Assessment of motility alterations by functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contributes to improved evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of the study was to quantify motility in inflammatory bowel segments and to compare motility alterations with MR-based parameters for activity of inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

Thirty consecutive patients with CD underwent bowel MRI which included a dynamic sequence for automatic generation of parametric maps facilitating quantification of bowel motility. Mean motility score (MMS) of small bowel segments with signs of inflammation was measured and compared with MMS of the whole gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). MRI-based score of inflammatory activity and lesion length were correlated with the MMS ratio of inflammatory small bowel lesion and whole GI tract.

KEY RESULTS

Inflammatory bowel segments showed a mean value of MMSs of 1080, whereas the whole GI tract showed a mean value of MMSs of 2839 (p < 0.0001). Decrease in motility ranged between 20 and 87% in inflammatory bowel segments compared to the MMS of the whole GI tract. The MMS ratio of an inflammatory small bowel segment and whole GI tract showed negative correlation with MR activity score (r = -0.5921, p = 0.0003) and length of the lesion (r = -0.3495, p = 0.0462).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Quantitative assessment of motility alterations by means of motility scoring in small bowel segments affected by CD provides additional information on inflammatory activity.

Measurements of the neutron spectrum in transit to Mars on the Mars Science Laboratory

The Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft, containing the Curiosity rover, was launched to Mars on 26 November 2011. Although designed for measuring the radiation on the surface of Mars, the Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) measured the radiation environment inside the spacecraft during most of the 253-day, 560-million-kilometer cruise to Mars. An important factor for determining the biological impact of the radiation environment inside the spacecraft is the specific contribution of neutrons with their high biological effectiveness. We apply an inversion method (based on a maximum-likelihood estimation) to calculate the neutron and gamma spectra from the RAD neutral particle measurements. The measured neutron spectrum (12-436 MeV) translates into a radiation dose rate of 3.8±1.2 μGy/day and a dose equivalent of 19±5 μSv/day. Extrapolating the measured spectrum (0.1-1000 MeV), we find that the total neutron-induced dose rate is 6±2 μGy/day and the dose equivalent rate is 30±10 μSv/day. For a 360 day round-trip from Earth to Mars with comparable shielding, this translates into a neutron induced dose equivalent of about 11±4 mSv.

Investigation of the Orbital and magnetic orderings in VF3

We report on a magnetic and structural investigation of layered antiferromagnetic system vanadium (III) fluoride. VF3 crystallizes in a distorted ReO3 structure (R-3c) with rotated undistorted VF6 octahedra. The V3+ cations are arranged in a triangular lattice with the possibility of exhibiting magnetic frustration. Polycrystalline samples of VF3 were investigated using heat capacity, dielectric, magnetic susceptibility, synchrotron and neutron powder diffraction methods. Combining our results, we report the first evidence for a first order phase transition resulting from the ordering of the t2g orbitals below 105-110 K. This transition reduces the symmetry to C2/c. We further confirm that VF3 undergoes a long-range antiferromagnetic order at ∼19 K in accordance with literature [1]. The antiferromagnetic order results in a magnetic structure with the magnetic moments alternating between a parallel and b parallel alignments in the ab plane.

Röntgenographische, elektrische und spektroskopische Untersuchungen an den Palladiumchalkogeniden PdS1-xSex / Roentgenographic, Electrical and Spectroscopic Investigations of the Palladium Chalcogenides PdS1-xSex

Silvery reflecting melting cakes of PdS1-xSex (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) have been prepared by annealing mixtures of Pd, S and Se at 873 K in evacuated quartz tubes. The PdS-type mixed crystals are stable only in the ranges 0.0 ≤ .x ≤ 0.2 and 0.9 ≤ x ≤ 1.0, whereas a new phase appears in the intermediate region. The new phase PdS1-xSex (0.2 < x < 0.9) crystallizes in the space group P42/mbc and Z = 24. Lattice constants are a = 1126.2(7), c = 683.2(7) pm (PdS0.6Se0.4) and a = 1130.8(9), c = 685.4(8) pm (PdS0.4Se0.6). The relationships between the new structure type and the PtS and PdS structure types are discussed.

The infrared reflection spectra of polycrystalline samples of PdS were measured between 10 and 300 K in the frequency range from 30 to 400 cm-1. Both phonons and plasmons contribute to the spectra. The temperature dependence of the plasmon contribution shows an unusual behaviour which is explained by the assumption of a phonon assisted hopping conductivity mechanism at low temperatures and a Drude-like transport at high temperatures. The normal mode which may be involved in the hopping process is proposed from a normal coordinate calculation using a three-parameter short range valence force field model. The electrical transport data are in general agreement with the optical ones. The infrared spectra of the mixed crystals PdS1-xSex (0.2 < x ≤ 1) are discussed.

Mn3Nb6O11 und Mg3Nb6O11 - Darstellung von Einkristallen und Strukturverfeinerung / Mn3Nb6O11 and Mg3Nb6O11 - Preparation of Single Crystals and Structure Refinement

Dark green single crystals of Mg3Nb6O11 have been prepared by heating a pellet containing MgO, Nb, Nb2O5 (15:14:8) at 1550 °C in a Nb-container. Single crystals of the isotypic Mn3Nb6O11 were formed by heating a mixture of LiF, MnF2, Mn, NbO, NbO2 (1:1:1:1:2) in a corundum crucible at 750 °C. Both compounds crystallize in the trigonal space group P3̄ m 1 (Z = 1) with a = 6.041(1), c = 7.466(1) and a = 6.080(1), c = 7.627(1), respectively. The positional parameters for Mg3Nb6O11 are in excellent agreement with those determined by Marinder from powder data.

Lattice and polarizability mediated spin activity in EuTiO3

EuTiO3 is shown to exhibit novel strong spin-charge-lattice coupling deep in the paramagnetic phase. Its existence is evidenced by an, until now, unknown response of the paramagnetic susceptibility at temperatures exceeding the structural phase transition temperature T(S) = 282 K. The 'extra' features in the susceptibility follow the rotational soft zone boundary mode temperature dependence above and below TS. The theoretical modeling consistently reproduces this behavior and provides reasoning for the stabilization of the soft optic mode other than quantum fluctuations.

Nonlinear pressure dependence of TN in almost multiferroic EuTiO3

The antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase transition temperature TN of EuTiO3 has been studied as a function of pressure p. The data reveal a nonlinear dependence of TN on p with TN increasing with increasing pressure. The exchange interactions exhibit an analogous dependence on p as TN (if the absolute value of the nearest neighbor interaction is considered) and there is evidence that the AFM transition is robust with increasing pressure. The corresponding Weiss temperature ΘW remains anomalous since it always exhibits positive values. The data are analyzed within the Bloch power law model and provide excellent agreement with experiment.

Correlation of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) with the standardized uptake value (SUV) in hybrid 18F-FDG PET/MRI in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lesions: initial results

PURPOSE

To compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in non-small cell lung cancer lesions with standardized uptake values (SUV) derived from combined 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose-positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (FDG-PET/MRI) and those derived from FDG-PET/CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 18 consecutive patients with histologically proven NSCLC (17 men, 1 woman; mean age, 61 ± 12 years), whole-body FDG-PET/MRI was performed after whole-body FDG-PET/CT. Regions of interest (ROI) encompassing the entire primary tumor were drawn into FDG-PET/CT and FDG-PET/MR images to determine the maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax; SUVmean) and into ADC parameter maps to assess mean ADC values. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to compare SUV and ADC values.

RESULTS

The SUVmax of NSCLC was 12.3 ± 4.8 [mean ±SD], and the SUVmean was 7.2 ± 2.8 as assessed by FDG-PET/MRI. The SUVmax and SUVmean derived from FDG-PET/CT and FDG-PET/MRI correlated well (R = 0.93; p < 0.001 and R = 0.92; p < 0.001, respectively). The ADCmean of the pulmonary tumors was 187.9 ± 88.8 × 10-5 mm²/s [mean ± SD]. The ADCmean exhibited a significant inverse correlation with the SUVmax (R = -0.72; p < 0.001) as well as with the SUVmean assessed by FDG-PET/MRI (R = -0.71; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This simultaneous PET/MRI study corroborates the assumed significant inverse correlation between increased metabolic activity on FDG-PET and restricted diffusion on DWI in NSCLC.Citation Format:

Measurements of energetic particle radiation in transit to Mars on the Mars Science Laboratory

The Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft, containing the Curiosity rover, was launched to Mars on 26 November 2011, and for most of the 253-day, 560-million-kilometer cruise to Mars, the Radiation Assessment Detector made detailed measurements of the energetic particle radiation environment inside the spacecraft. These data provide insights into the radiation hazards that would be associated with a human mission to Mars. We report measurements of the radiation dose, dose equivalent, and linear energy transfer spectra. The dose equivalent for even the shortest round-trip with current propulsion systems and comparable shielding is found to be 0.66 ± 0.12 sievert.

Magnetic field enhanced structural instability in EuTiO3

EuTiO(3) undergoes a structural phase transition from cubic to tetragonal at T(S) = 282 K which is not accompanied by any long range magnetic order. However, it is related to the oxygen octahedral rotation driven by a zone boundary acoustic mode softening. Here, we show that this displacive second order structural phase transition can be shifted to higher temperatures by the application of an external magnetic field (ΔT(S) ∼ 4 K for μ(0)H = 9 T). This observed field dependence is in agreement with theoretical predictions based on a coupled spin-anharmonic-phonon interaction model.

Spectral diffusion and electron-phonon coupling of the B800 BChl a molecules in LH2 complexes from three different species of purple bacteria

We have investigated the spectral diffusion and the electron-phonon coupling of B800 bacteriochlorophyll a molecules in the peripheral light-harvesting complex LH2 for three different species of purple bacteria, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Rhodospirillum molischianum, and Rhodopseudomonas acidophila. We come to the conclusion that B800 binding pockets for Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas acidophila are rather similar with respect to the polarity of the protein environment but that the packaging of the alphabeta-polypeptides seems to be less tight in Rb. sphaeroides with respect to the other two species.

Achieving symptomatic remission in out-patients with schizophrenia--a naturalistic study with quetiapine

OBJECTIVE

Symptomatic remission was defined as a score of mild or less on each of eight key schizophrenia symptoms on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-8). To evaluate the symptomatic remission criterion in clinical practice and to determine predictors for achieving symptomatic remission, a 12-week non-interventional study (NIS) with quetiapine was conducted in Germany.

METHOD

For the comparison of patients with and without symptomatic remission, sociodemographic and clinical variables of 693 patients were analyzed by logistic regression for their predictive value to achieve remission.

RESULTS

Four hundred and four patients (58.3%) achieved symptomatic remission after 12 weeks' treatment with quetiapine. Remission was significantly predicted by a low degree of PANSS-8 total score, PANSS single items blunted affect (N1), social withdrawal (N4), lack of spontaneity (N6), mannerism and posturing (G5), and low disease severity (CGI-S) at baseline. Predictors of non-remission were older age, diagnosis of schizophrenic residuum, multiple previous episodes, longer duration of current episode, presence of concomitant diseases, and alcohol abuse.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the majority of schizophrenia out-patients achieved symptomatic remission after 12 weeks treatment and confirms the importance of managing negative symptoms in order to achieve disease remission.