Optical Activity of Chiral Excitons.

Recent activity in the area of chiroptical phenomena has been focused on the connection between structural asymmetry, electron spin configuration and light/matter interactions in chiral semiconductors. In these systems, spin-splitting phenomena emerge due to inversion symmetry breaking and the presence of extended electronic states, yet the connection to chiroptical phenomena is lacking. Here, we develop an analytical effective mass model of chiral excitons, parameterized by density functional theory.

A-Site Cation Chemistry in Halide Perovskites.

Metal halide perovskites are an important class of semiconductors now being implemented as photovoltaic absorbers and explored for light emission, among other device applications. The semiconducting properties of halide perovskites are deeply intertwined with their composition and structure. Specifically the symmetry, tilting, and distortions of the metal halide octahedra impact the band structure and other optoelectronic properties.

Remote chirality transfer in low-dimensional hybrid metal halide semiconductors.

In hybrid metal halide perovskites, chiroptical properties typically arise from structural symmetry breaking by incorporating a chiral A-site organic cation within the structure, which may limit the compositional space. Here we demonstrate highly efficient remote chirality transfer where chirality is imposed on an otherwise achiral hybrid metal halide semiconductor by a proximal chiral molecule that is not interspersed as part of the structure yet leads to large circular dichroism dissymmetry factors (g) of up to 10. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the transfer of stereochemical information from the chiral proximal molecule to the inorganic framework is mediated by selective interaction with divalent metal cations.

The German research consortium for the study of bipolar disorder (BipoLife): a quality assurance protocol for MR neuroimaging data.

Background: The German multicenter research consortium BipoLife aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying bipolar disorders. It focuses in particular on people at high risk of developing the disorder and young patients in the early stages of the disease. Functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data was collected in all participating centers.

Predicting the outcome of psychotherapy for chronic depression by person-specific symptom networks.

Psychotherapies are efficacious in the treatment of depression, albeit only with a moderate effect size. It is hoped that personalization of treatment can lead to better outcomes. The network theory of psychopathology offers a novel approach suggesting that symptom interactions as displayed in person-specific symptom networks could guide treatment planning for an individual patient.

[Relapse prevention of bipolar disorders: an explorative cluster analytical approach in a randomized controlled psychotherapy study].

The aim of this study was to differentiate between types of bipolar disorders and the associated features using explorative analysis. The focus was particularly on the role of bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorders as well as the influence of prophylactic interventions for relapse in a randomized, controlled treatment study. A total of 274 of the 305 originally included persons could be investigated in the study.

Childhood trauma and differential response to long-term psychoanalytic versus cognitive-behavioural therapy for chronic depression in adults.

Background: Childhood trauma is a major risk factor for chronic depression. It has been suggested that adults with chronic depression who have experienced childhood trauma may require long-term treatment owing to a breakdown of basic trust and related difficulties in developing a productive therapeutic relationship.

Aims: As empirical studies have been preliminary and scarce, we studied the effects of psychoanalytic therapy (PAT) versus cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for chronic depression in adults with a history of childhood trauma.

The importance of cultural understanding and practical solutions during the handover of a psychotherapy and psychotraumatology program in Northern Iraq into local hands.

In post war regions, especially in low-income countries, the health care systems often require immediate support. For example, after the terror of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in 2014, many internally displaced persons took refuge in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Those displaced by war have had to face the reality that psychotherapy did not exist as a service in the Kurdish health system.

Room-temperature spin injection across a chiral perovskite/III-V interface.

Spin accumulation in semiconductor structures at room temperature and without magnetic fields is key to enable a broader range of optoelectronic functionality. Current efforts are limited owing to inherent inefficiencies associated with spin injection across semiconductor interfaces. Here we demonstrate spin injection across chiral halide perovskite/III-V interfaces achieving spin accumulation in a standard semiconductor III-V (AlGa)InP multiple quantum well light-emitting diode.

Adjuvant Psychotherapies to Prevent Relapse in Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Several psychotherapy protocols have been evaluated as adjuncts to pharmacotherapy for patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Little is known about their comparative effectiveness.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of 2 types of group psychotherapy, skill-oriented, material-based cognitive behavioral therapy (SEKT) and supportive, patient-centered, emotion-focused therapy (FEST), to prevent relapse in patients with euthymic BD.

Differential Psychological Treatment Effects in Patients With Late-Life Depression and a History of Childhood Maltreatment.

Objective: This is the first interventional study to assess the impact of childhood maltreatment (CM) on psychological treatment outcomes in patients with late-life depression (LLD).

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial with 251 participants aged ≥60 years with moderate to severe depression. Participants were randomly assigned to cognitive behavioral therapy for late life depression (LLD-CBT) or to a supportive intervention (SUI).

Larger putamen in individuals at risk and with manifest bipolar disorder.

Background: Individuals at risk for bipolar disorder (BD) have a wide range of genetic and non-genetic risk factors, like a positive family history of BD or (sub)threshold affective symptoms. Yet, it is unclear whether these individuals at risk and those diagnosed with BD share similar gray matter brain alterations.

Methods: In 410 male and female participants aged 17-35 years, we compared gray matter volume (3T MRI) between individuals at risk for BD (as assessed using the EPI scale; = 208), patients with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of BD ( = 87), and healthy controls ( = 115) using voxel-based morphometry in SPM12/CAT12.

Algorithm-based modular psychotherapy vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with depression, psychiatric comorbidities and early trauma: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial.

Effect sizes of psychotherapies currently stagnate at a low-to-moderate level. Personalizing psychotherapy by algorithm-based modular procedures promises improved outcomes, greater flexibility, and a better fit between research and practice. However, evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of modular-based psychotherapy, using a personalized treatment algorithm, is lacking.

A transdiagnostic group exercise intervention for mental health outpatients in Germany (ImPuls): results of a pragmatic, multisite, block-randomised, phase 3 controlled trial.

Background: Globally, mental health conditions pose a substantial burden of disease. Despite the availability of evidence-based pharmacological and psychological treatments, the symptoms of a substantial subgroup of patients do not respond to these interventions, and only a minority of patients have access to them. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of ImPuls, a 6-month transdiagnostic group exercise intervention, plus treatment-as-usual, compared with treatment-as-usual alone in outpatients with various mental disorders.

Perceived Physical Health and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Supportive Psychotherapy Outcomes in Adults With Late-Life Depression: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Physical diseases co-occur with late-life depression (LLD). The influence of physical diseases and the subjective perception of physical health (PPH) on treatment outcome in LLD, however, is not well understood.

Objective: To assess the association of physical diseases and PPH with the outcomes of 2 different types of psychotherapy in LLD.

Exciton engineering of 2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites by synergistically tuning the intra and interlayer structures.

Designing two-dimensional halide perovskites for high-performance optoelectronic applications requires deep understanding of the structure-property relationship that governs their excitonic behaviors. However, a design framework that considers both intra and interlayer structures modified by the A-site and spacer cations, respectively, has not been developed. Here, we use pressure to synergistically tune the intra and interlayer structures and uncover the structural modulations that result in improved optoelectronic performance.

Social support in older adults: Validation and norm values of a brief form of the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU K-6).

Background: Social relations are crucial for maintaining physical and mental health across the life span. As social roles, networks and needs change with age a valid assessment of social support in older adults and age-specific norms are necessary. The present work aims to [1) assess the level of social support in individuals > 60 years of the general German population, [2) evaluate the brief six-item form of the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU K-6) in this age group and to [3) provide age-specific norm values.

Controlling Exciton/Exciton Recombination in 2-D Perovskite Using Exciton-Polariton Coupling.

In this paper, we demonstrate that exciton/exciton annihilation in the 2D perovskite (PEA)PbI (PEPI)─a major loss mechanism in solar cells and light-emitting diodes, can be controlled through coupling of excitons with cavity polaritons. We study the excited state dynamics using time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy and show that the system can be tuned through a strong coupling regime by varying the cavity width through the PEPI layer thickness. Remarkably, strong coupling occurs even when the cavity quality factor remains poor, providing easy optical access.

Longitudinal Clusters of Long-Term Trajectories in Patients with Early-Onset Chronic Depression: 2 Years of Naturalistic Follow-Up after Extensive Psychological Treatment.

Introduction: In clinical trials, mostly group-level treatment effects of repeated cross-sectional measures are analyzed. However, substantial heterogeneity regarding individual symptom profiles and the variability of treatment effects are often neglected, especially over the long-term course. To provide effective personalized treatments, investigations of these characteristics are urgently needed.

Long-term efficacy of exercise across diagnostically heterogenous mental disorders and the mediating role of affect regulation skills.

Background: Exercise interventions are efficacious in reducing disorder-specific symptoms in various mental disorders. However, little is known about long-term transdiagnostic efficacy of exercise across heterogenous mental disorders and the potential mechanisms underlying treatment effects.

Methods: Physically inactive outpatients, with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, insomnia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were randomized to a standardized 12-week exercise intervention, combining moderate exercise with behavior change techniques (BCTs) (n = 38), or a passive control group (n = 36).

Implications of the Network Theory for the Treatment of Mental Disorders: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Conceptualizing mental disorders as latent entities has been challenged by the network theory of mental disorders, which states that psychological problems are constituted by a network of mutually interacting symptoms. While the implications of the network approach for planning and evaluating treatments have been intensively discussed, empirical support for the claims of the network theory regarding treatment effects is lacking.

Objective: To assess the extent to which specific hypotheses derived from the network theory regarding the (interindividual) changeability of symptom dynamics in response to treatment align with empirical data.

Concept and study protocol of the process evaluation of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to promote physical activity in outpatients with heterogeneous mental disorders-the ImPuls study.

Background: Evidence suggests that patients suffering from different mental disorders benefit from exercise programs combined with behavior change techniques. Based on this evidence, we have developed an exercise program (ImPuls) specifically designed to provide an additional treatment option in the outpatient mental health care system. The implementation of such complex programs into the outpatient context requires research that goes beyond the evaluation of effectiveness, and includes process evaluation.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Late-Life Depression (CBTlate): Results of a Multicenter, Randomized, Observer-Blinded, Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Different psychotherapeutic interventions for late-life depression (LLD) have been proposed, but their evaluation in large, multicenter trials is rare.

Objective: The present study evaluated the efficacy of a specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for LLD (LLD-CBT) in comparison with a supportive unspecific intervention (SUI), both administered in a specialist psychiatric outpatient setting.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled, parallel group trial, we recruited participants (≥60 years) with moderate to severe depression at 7 trial sites in Germany.

Daring to Feel: Emotion-Focused Psychotherapy Increases Amygdala Activation and Connectivity in Euthymic Bipolar Disorder-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: In bipolar disorder (BD), the alternation of extreme mood states indicates deficits in emotion processing, accompanied by aberrant neural function of the emotion network. The present study investigated the effects of an emotion-centered psychotherapeutic intervention on amygdala responsivity and connectivity during emotional face processing in BD.

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial within the multicentric BipoLife project, euthymic patients with BD received one of two interventions over 6 months: an unstructured, emotion-focused intervention (FEST), where patients were guided to adequately perceive and label their emotions (n = 28), or a specific, structured, cognitive behavioral intervention (SEKT) (n = 31).