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Anders D, Dobener F, Schäfer F, Chatterjee S, Stein M. Inhibited Inelastic Scattering of Incoherent Excitons for Near-Band Edge Excitations. Phys Rev Lett 2024; 132:106901. [PMID: 38518321 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.106901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
A multiple pump-terahertz probe experiment enables the clear distinction between elastic and inelastic scattering of excitons with a free electron-hole plasma in (Ga,In)As multiquantum wells. Low plasma energies dictate the prevalence of elastic scattering by inhibiting inelastic processes due to the absence of final states for quasiparticles. Yet, an increased plasma energy results in a progressive destruction of excitons. Notably, despite plasma energy variations, the interaction strength between excitons and the electron-hole plasma remains unaltered.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Anders
- Institute of Experimental Physics I and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - F Dobener
- Institute of Experimental Physics I and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - F Schäfer
- Institute of Experimental Physics I and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - S Chatterjee
- Institute of Experimental Physics I and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - M Stein
- Institute of Experimental Physics I and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
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2
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FitzGerald J, Patel S, Eckenberger J, Guillemard E, Veiga P, Schäfer F, Walter J, Claesson MJ, Derrien M. Improved gut microbiome recovery following drug therapy is linked to abundance and replication of probiotic strains. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2094664. [PMID: 35916669 PMCID: PMC9348039 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2094664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Probiotics have been used for decades to alleviate the negative side-effects of oral antibiotics, but our mechanistic understanding on how they work is so far incomplete. Here, we performed a metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiota in participants who underwent a 14-d Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy with or without consumption of a multi-strain probiotic intervention (L. paracasei CNCM I-1518, L. paracasei CNCM I-3689, L. rhamnosus CNCM I-3690, and four yogurt strains) in a randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial. Using a strain-level analysis for detection and metagenomic determination of replication rate, ingested strains were detected and replicated transiently in fecal samples and in the gut during and following antibiotic administration. Consumption of the fermented milk product led to a significant, although modest, improvement in the recovery of microbiota composition. Stratification of participants into two groups based on the degree to which their microbiome recovered showed i) a higher fecal abundance of the probiotic L. paracasei and L. rhamnosus strains and ii) an elevated replication rate of one strain (L. paracasei CNCMI-1518) in the recovery group. Collectively, our findings show a small but measurable benefit of a fermented milk product on microbiome recovery after antibiotics, which was linked to the detection and replication of specific probiotic strains. Such functional insight can form the basis for the development of probiotic-based intervention aimed to protect gut microbiome from drug treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie FitzGerald
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Shriram Patel
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Julia Eckenberger
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Eric Guillemard
- Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
| | - Patrick Veiga
- Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
| | - Florent Schäfer
- Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
| | - Jens Walter
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Marcus J Claesson
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland,Marcus J Claesson School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Muriel Derrien
- Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France,CONTACT Muriel Derrien Advanced Health & Science, Danone Nutricia Research, RD 128, Avenue de la Vauve, Palaiseau cedexF-91767, France
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3
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Schäfer F, Quinquis L, Klein M, Escutnaire J, Chavanel F, Chevallier H, Fagherazzi G. Attitudes and Expectations of Clinical Research Participants Toward Digital Health and Mobile Dietary Assessment Tools: Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Front Digit Health 2022; 4:794908. [PMID: 35355684 PMCID: PMC8959345 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.794908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The adoption of health technologies is key to empower research participants and collect quality data. However, the acceptance of health technologies is usually evaluated in patients or healthcare practitioners, but not in clinical research participants. Methods A 27-item online questionnaire was provided to the 11,695 members of a nutrition clinical research participant database from the Nantes area (France), to assess (1) participants' social and demography parameters, (2) equipment and usage of health apps and devices, (3) expectations in research setting and (4) opinion about the future of clinical research. Each item was described using frequency and percentage overall and by age classes. A global proportion comparison was performed using chi-square or Fisher-exact tests. Results A total of 1529 respondents (81.0% women, 19.0% men) completed the survey. Main uses of health apps included physical activity tracking (54.7%, age-related group difference, p < 0.001) and food quality assessment (45.7%, unrelated to age groups). Overall, 20.4% of respondents declared owning a connected wristband or watch. Most participants (93.8%) expected the use of connected devices in research. However, protection of personal data (37.5%), reliability (35.5%) and skilled use of devices (28.5%) were perceived as the main barriers. Most participants (93.3%) would agree to track their food intake using a mobile app, and 80.5% would complete it for at least a week while taking part in a clinical study. Only 13.2% would devote more than 10 min per meal to such record. A majority (60.4%) of respondents would accept to share their social media posts in an anonymous way and most (82.2%) of them would accept to interact with a chatbot for research purposes. Conclusions Our cross-sectional study suggests that clinical study participants are enthusiastic about all forms of digital health technologies and participant-centered studies but remain concerned about the use of personal data. Repeated assessments are suggested to evaluate the research participant's interest in technologies following the increase in use and demand for innovative health services during the pandemic of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maxime Klein
- Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France.,UFR Médecine et Pharmacie, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | | | | | | | - Guy Fagherazzi
- Deep Digital Phenotyping Research Unit, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
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4
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Pescador ED, Schäfer F, Kliem S. Modelling of multidimensional effects in thermal-hydraulic system codes under asymmetric flow conditions – Simulation of ROCOM tests 1.1 and 2.1 with ATHLET 3D-Module. Nuclear Engineering and Technology 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2021.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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5
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Guillemard E, Poirel M, Schäfer F, Quinquis L, Rossoni C, Keicher C, Wagner F, Szajewska H, Barbut F, Derrien M, Malfertheiner P. A Randomised, Controlled Trial: Effect of a Multi-Strain Fermented Milk on the Gut Microbiota Recovery after Helicobacter pylori Therapy. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13093171. [PMID: 34579049 PMCID: PMC8466689 DOI: 10.3390/nu13093171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication therapy alters gut microbiota, provoking gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms that could be improved by probiotics. The study aim was to assess the effect in Hp patients of a Test fermented milk containing yogurt and Lacticaseibacillus (L. paracasei CNCM I-1518 and I-3689, L. rhamnosus CNCM I-3690) strains on antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) (primary aim), GI-symptoms, gut microbiota, and metabolites. A randomised, double-blind, controlled trial was performed on 136 adults under 14-day Hp treatment, receiving the Test or Control product for 28 days. AAD and GI-symptoms were reported and feces analysed for relative and quantitative gut microbiome composition, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), and calprotectin concentrations, and viability of ingested strains. No effect of Test product was observed on AAD or GI-symptoms. Hp treatment induced a significant alteration in bacterial and fungal composition, a decrease of bacterial count and alpha-diversity, an increase of Candida and calprotectin, and a decrease of SCFA concentrations. Following Hp treatment, in the Test as compared to Control group, intra-subject beta-diversity distance from baseline was lower (padj = 0.02), some Enterobacteriaceae, including Escherichia-Shigella (padj = 0.0082) and Klebsiella (padj = 0.013), were less abundant, and concentrations of major SCFA (p = 0.035) and valerate (p = 0.045) were higher. Viable Lacticaseibacillus strains were detected during product consumption in feces. Results suggest that, in patients under Hp treatment, the consumption of a multi-strain fermented milk can induce a modest but significant faster recovery of the microbiota composition (beta-diversity) and of SCFA production and limit the increase of potentially pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Guillemard
- Danone Nutricia Research, Department of Innovation Science and Nutrition, 91767 Palaiseau, France; (M.P.); (F.S.); (L.Q.); (C.R.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-6-29-12-63-64
| | - Marion Poirel
- Danone Nutricia Research, Department of Innovation Science and Nutrition, 91767 Palaiseau, France; (M.P.); (F.S.); (L.Q.); (C.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Florent Schäfer
- Danone Nutricia Research, Department of Innovation Science and Nutrition, 91767 Palaiseau, France; (M.P.); (F.S.); (L.Q.); (C.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Laurent Quinquis
- Danone Nutricia Research, Department of Innovation Science and Nutrition, 91767 Palaiseau, France; (M.P.); (F.S.); (L.Q.); (C.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Caroline Rossoni
- Danone Nutricia Research, Department of Innovation Science and Nutrition, 91767 Palaiseau, France; (M.P.); (F.S.); (L.Q.); (C.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Christian Keicher
- Charité Research Organisation GmbH, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (C.K.); (F.W.)
| | - Frank Wagner
- Charité Research Organisation GmbH, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (C.K.); (F.W.)
| | - Hania Szajewska
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland;
| | | | - Muriel Derrien
- Danone Nutricia Research, Department of Innovation Science and Nutrition, 91767 Palaiseau, France; (M.P.); (F.S.); (L.Q.); (C.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Peter Malfertheiner
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Magdeburg Clinic, OVGU University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany;
- Department of Internal Medicine II, LMU University Clinic, 81377 München, Germany
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6
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Grahn A, Pescador ED, Kliem S, Schäfer F, Höhne T. Modelling of complex boron dilution transients in PWRs—Validation of CFD simulation with ANSYS CFX against the ROCOM E2.3 experiment. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2020.110938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Schäfer F, Faviez C, Voillot P, Foulquié P, Najm M, Jeanne JF, Fagherazzi G, Schück S, Le Nevé B. Mapping and Modeling of Discussions Related to Gastrointestinal Discomfort in French-Speaking Online Forums: Results of a 15-Year Retrospective Infodemiology Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e17247. [PMID: 33141087 PMCID: PMC7671840 DOI: 10.2196/17247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort is prevalent and known to be associated with impaired quality of life. Real-world information on factors of GI discomfort and solutions used by people is, however, limited. Social media, including online forums, have been considered a new source of information to examine the health of populations in real-life settings. OBJECTIVE The aims of this retrospective infodemiology study are to identify discussion topics, characterize users, and identify perceived determinants of GI discomfort in web-based messages posted by users of French social media. METHODS Messages related to GI discomfort posted between January 2003 and August 2018 were extracted from 14 French-speaking general and specialized publicly available online forums. Extracted messages were cleaned and deidentified. Relevant medical concepts were determined on the basis of the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities and vernacular terms. The identification of discussion topics was carried out by using a correlated topic model on the basis of the latent Dirichlet allocation. A nonsupervised clustering algorithm was applied to cluster forum users according to the reported symptoms of GI discomfort, discussion topics, and activity on online forums. Users' age and gender were determined by linear regression and application of a support vector machine, respectively, to characterize the identified clusters according to demographic parameters. Perceived factors of GI discomfort were classified by a combined method on the basis of syntactic analysis to identify messages with causality terms and a second topic modeling in a relevant segment of phrases. RESULTS A total of 198,866 messages associated with GI discomfort were included in the analysis corpus after extraction and cleaning. These messages were posted by 36,989 separate web users, most of them being women younger than 40 years. Everyday life, diet, digestion, abdominal pain, impact on the quality of life, and tips to manage stress were among the most discussed topics. Segmentation of users identified 5 clusters corresponding to chronic and acute GI concerns. Diet topic was associated with each cluster, and stress was strongly associated with abdominal pain. Psychological factors, food, and allergens were perceived as the main causes of GI discomfort by web users. CONCLUSIONS GI discomfort is actively discussed by web users. This study reveals a complex relationship between food, stress, and GI discomfort. Our approach has shown that identifying web-based discussion topics associated with GI discomfort and its perceived factors is feasible and can serve as a complementary source of real-world evidence for caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent Schäfer
- Innovation Science and Nutrition, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Guy Fagherazzi
- Deep Digital Phenotyping Research Unit, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg.,Center of Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, UMR 1018 Inserm, Institut Gustave Roussy, Paris-Sud Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Boris Le Nevé
- Innovation Science and Nutrition, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
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8
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Diaz Pescador E, Grahn A, Kliem S, Schäfer F, Höhne T. Advanced modelling of complex boron dilution transients in PWRs – Validation of ATHLET 3D-Module against the experiment ROCOM E2.3. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2020.110776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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9
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Rumpf AL, Mathiak M, Caliebe A, Schäfer F, van Mackelenbergh M, Bauerschlag D, Maass N, Heilmann T. A non-Cowden syndrome associated giant hamartoma of the breast in a young breast cancer patient. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2020. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1718314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A-L Rumpf
- UKSH Kiel, Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe
| | | | | | | | | | | | - N Maass
- UKSH Kiel, Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe
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10
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Khazen W, Jeanne JF, Demaretz L, Schäfer F, Fagherazzi G. Rethinking the Use of Mobile Apps for Dietary Assessment in Medical Research. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e15619. [PMID: 32554383 PMCID: PMC7333076 DOI: 10.2196/15619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Food intake and usual dietary intake are among the key determinants of health to be assessed in medical research and important confounding factors to be accounted for in clinical studies. Although various methods are available for gathering dietary data, those based on innovative technologies are particularly promising. With combined cost-effectiveness and ease of use, it is safe to assume that mobile technologies can now optimize tracking of eating occasions and dietary behaviors. Yet, choosing a dietary assessment tool that meets research objectives and data quality standards remains challenging. In this paper, we describe the purposes of collecting dietary data in medical research and outline the main considerations for using mobile dietary assessment tools based on participant and researcher expectations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laëtitia Demaretz
- Innovation Science and Nutrition, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
| | - Florent Schäfer
- Innovation Science and Nutrition, Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
| | - Guy Fagherazzi
- Digital Epidemiology Hub, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg.,Center of Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, UMR 1018 Inserm, Institut Gustave Roussy, Paris-Sud Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France
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Abstract
AbstractThe present paper gathers the main insights obtained during the numerical simulation of a 10 % main steam line break (MSLB) in a generic German PWR KONVOI reactor with the thermal-hydraulic system code ATHLET 3.1A. The contents of this paper are focused first on the transient thermal-hydraulic calculation during affected steam generator (SG) 1 boil-off and subsequently on the multidimensional fluid mixing study of the overcooled water stream and the coolant in the reactor pressure vessel. With this aim, the boundary conditions from the test PKL G3.1, carried out at the PKL test facility in the framework of the OECD/PKL-II project, are implemented in the simulation over the plant nominal parameters from the KONVOI reactor. The thermal-hydraulic and fluid mixing results obtained in the simulations are qualitatively assessed against suitable experimental data from the PKL and ROCOM test facilities, showing a good agreement between simulation and test behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Diaz Pescador
- 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Reactor Safety Division, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - F. Schäfer
- 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Reactor Safety Division, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - S. Kliem
- 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Reactor Safety Division, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany
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12
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Faviez C, Le Nevé B, Schäfer F, Jeanne JF, Voillot P, Najm M, Fagherazzi G, Schück S. Identification des facteurs de l’inconfort digestif à partir des témoignages sur les réseaux sociaux français. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.respe.2019.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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13
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Wilhelm P, Jobst M, Kozmenkov Y, Schäfer F, Kliem S. Severe accident management measures for a generic German PWR. Part I: Station blackout. ANN NUCL ENERGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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14
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Schäfer F, Jeanne JF. Evaluating the effects of food on health in a world of evolving operational challenges. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2018; 12:51-54. [PMID: 30259002 PMCID: PMC6151854 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In a context of rising interest in food and supplement clinical trials, operational considerations for the set-up and conduct of these research projects remain difficult to address in the absence of a harmonized referential. Food trials tend to be more pragmatic than drug trials which are usually more elucidatory. However, comparing them is difficult because the objectives they serve are different. Food trials are usually conducted to evaluate the effect of food products on the prevention or mitigation of symptoms, not the treatment or cure of a condition. In this article we explain these main differences and discuss several key operational and regulatory aspects to consider when dealing with clinical research evaluating the effect of food products on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes.
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15
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Glöckner S, Schäfer F, Rübsamen N, Krause G, Castell S. Acceptance of self-reporting technologies and self-sampling of biospecimen in infectious disease epidemiology: a survey in Lower Saxony. Das Gesundheitswesen 2017. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1605993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S Glöckner
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig
| | - F Schäfer
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Epidemiology, Braunschweig
| | - N Rübsamen
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Epidemiology, Braunschweig
| | - G Krause
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Epidemiology, Braunschweig
- Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infections Research, Hanover
- Hanover Medical School (MHH), Hanover
| | - S Castell
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Epidemiology, Braunschweig
- Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infections Research, Hanover
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Abstract
Abstract
In the frame of the nuclear safety research program of the Helmholtz Association HZDR performs fundamental and applied research to assess and to reduce the risks related to the nuclear fuel cycle and the production of electricity in nuclear power plants. One of the research topics focuses on the safety aspects of current and future reactor designs. This includes the development and application of methods for analyses of transients and postulated accidents, covering the whole spectrum from normal operation till severe accident sequences including core degradation. This paper gives an overview of the severe accident research activities at the Reactor Safety Division at the Institute of Resource Ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Wilhelm
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) e. V. , Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - M. Jobst
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) e. V. , Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - F. Schäfer
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) e. V. , Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - S. Kliem
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) e. V. , Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden , Germany
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Schäfer F, Herrera I, Cherukattil S, Lovecchio C, Cataliotti FS, Caruso F, Smerzi A. Experimental realization of quantum zeno dynamics. Nat Commun 2015; 5:3194. [PMID: 24476716 PMCID: PMC3916840 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally impossible to probe a quantum system without disturbing it. However, it is possible to exploit the back action of quantum measurements and strong couplings to tailor and protect the coherent evolution of a quantum system. This is a profound and counterintuitive phenomenon known as quantum Zeno dynamics. Here we demonstrate quantum Zeno dynamics with a rubidium Bose–Einstein condensate in a five-level Hilbert space. We harness measurements and strong couplings to dynamically disconnect different groups of quantum states and constrain the atoms to coherently evolve inside a two-level subregion. In parallel to the foundational importance due to the realization of a dynamical superselection rule and the theory of quantum measurements, this is an important step forward in protecting and controlling quantum dynamics and, broadly speaking, quantum information processing. While a quantum system is always disturbed by any observation, one can exploit the back action of measurements and strong couplings to tailor the system evolution via quantum Zeno dynamics. Schäfer et al. demonstrate quantum Zeno dynamics in a five-level Hilbert space using a 87Rb Bose–Einstein condensate.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Schäfer
- 1] LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [2] Dipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - I Herrera
- LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S Cherukattil
- LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - C Lovecchio
- LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - F S Cataliotti
- 1] LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [2] Dipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [3] QSTAR, Largo Enrico Fermi 2, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - F Caruso
- 1] LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [2] Dipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [3] QSTAR, Largo Enrico Fermi 2, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - A Smerzi
- 1] LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [2] QSTAR, Largo Enrico Fermi 2, 50125 Firenze, Italy [3] Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, INO-CNR, Largo Enrico Fermi 2, 50125 Firenze, Italy
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Bittner S, Dietz B, Harney HL, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F. Scattering experiments with microwave billiards at an exceptional point under broken time-reversal invariance. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2014; 89:032909. [PMID: 24730915 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.89.032909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Scattering experiments with microwave cavities were performed and the effects of broken time-reversal invariance (TRI), induced by means of a magnetized ferrite placed inside the cavity, on an isolated doublet of nearly degenerate resonances were investigated. All elements of the effective Hamiltonian of this two-level system were extracted. As a function of two experimental parameters, the doublet and the associated eigenvectors could be tuned to coalesce at a so-called exceptional point (EP). The behavior of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors when encircling the EP in parameter space was studied, including the geometric amplitude that builds up in the case of broken TRI. A one-dimensional subspace of parameters was found where the differences of the eigenvalues are either real or purely imaginary. There, the Hamiltonians were found to be PT invariant under the combined operation of parity (P) and time reversal (T) in a generalized sense. The EP is the point of transition between both regions. There a spontaneous breaking of PT occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bittner
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany and Laboratoire de Photonique Quantique et Moléculaire, CNRS UMR 8537, Institut d'Alembert FR 3242, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, F-94235 Cachan, France
| | - B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - H L Harney
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, D-69029 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Miski-Oglu
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - A Richter
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - F Schäfer
- Division of Physics and Astronomy, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
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Kumar S, Nock A, Sommers HJ, Guhr T, Dietz B, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F. Distribution of scattering matrix elements in quantum chaotic scattering. Phys Rev Lett 2013; 111:030403. [PMID: 23909297 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.030403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Scattering is an important phenomenon which is observed in systems ranging from the micro- to macroscale. In the context of nuclear reaction theory, the Heidelberg approach was proposed and later demonstrated to be applicable to many chaotic scattering systems. To model the universal properties, stochasticity is introduced to the scattering matrix on the level of the Hamiltonian by using random matrices. A long-standing problem was the computation of the distribution of the off-diagonal scattering-matrix elements. We report here an exact solution to this problem and present analytical results for systems with preserved and with violated time-reversal invariance. Our derivation is based on a new variant of the supersymmetry method. We also validate our results with scattering data obtained from experiments with microwave billiards.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kumar
- Fakultät für Physik, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Lotharstrasse 1, D-47048 Duisburg, Germany.
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Tusheva P, Schäfer F, Reinke N, Altstadt E, Kliem S. Study on severe accidents and countermeasures for VVER-1000 reactors using the integral code ASTEC. KERNTECHNIK 2013. [DOI: 10.3139/124.110253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The research field focussing on the investigations and the analyses of postulated severe accidents is an important part of the nuclear safety. To maintain the safety barriers as long as possible and to retain the radioactivity within the airtight premises of the containment, to avoid or mitigate the consequences of such events and to assess the risk, thorough studies are needed. This paper is focused on the possibilities for accident management measures in case of severe accidents. The analyses performed with the integral code ASTEC cover two accident sequences which could lead to a severe accident: a small break loss of coolant accident and a station blackout. The discussed issues concern the main phenomena during the early and late in-vessel phase of the accidents, the time to core heat-up, the hydrogen production, the mass of corium in the reactor pressure vessel lower plenum and the failure of the reactor pressure vessel. Additionally, possible operator's actions and countermeasures in the preventive or mitigative domain are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Tusheva
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) e.V Bautzner Landstraße 400 01328 Dresden
| | - F. Schäfer
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) e.V Bautzner Landstraße 400 01328 Dresden
| | - N. Reinke
- Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) mbH, Schwertnergasse 1, 50667 Cologne
| | - E. Altstadt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) e.V Bautzner Landstraße 400 01328 Dresden
| | - S. Kliem
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) e.V Bautzner Landstraße 400 01328 Dresden
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21
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Hurling R, Claessen JP, Nicholson J, Schäfer F, Tomlin CC, Lowe CF. Automated coaching to help parents increase their children's brushing frequency: an exploratory trial. Community Dent Health 2013; 30:88-93. [PMID: 23888538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Advances in digital communication, such as the internet, now provide a cost effective channel to reach and help families struggling to establish good oral hygiene in their homes. This paper describes a novel internet based oral hygiene intervention whose design draws from advances in social cognitive models of behaviour change. Intervention components included role-modelling cartoons for children, a guide for parents on using rewards, a personalised plan with clear steps, tips to follow and a weekly 10-minute review of progress. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of the online coaching programme; specifically we expected that those in the intervention group would brush their teeth more frequently during the intervention period than those in the control group. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN An exploratory trial using a randomised controlled parallel approach. PARTICIPANTS Children aged 5 to 9 years from 44 families (23 control and 21 intervention). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE An objective monitoring of tooth brushing. RESULTS In the 3-week intervention period, children from families assigned to the coaching programme brushed their teeth 38% more often than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The programme was effective in a number of respects. Opportunities for further research are discussed, including the need to create a more engaging system and so increase compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Hurling
- Unilever Research, Colworth, Bedford, UK.
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22
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Tusheva P, Schäfer F, Reinke N, Altstadt E, Rohde U, Weiss FP, Hurtado A. Investigation on primary side oriented accident management measures in a hypothetical station blackout scenario for a VVER-1000 pressurized water reactor. KERNTECHNIK 2013. [DOI: 10.3139/124.110077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
As a consequence of a total loss of AC power supply (station blackout) at a VVER-1000 leading to unavailability of major active safety systems, the safety criteria ensuring the safe operation of the nuclear power plant would be violated and core heat-up with possible core degradation could occur. A dedicated accident management measure (primary side depressurization) can be applied to reduce the primary pressure and to activate the injection from the passive emergency core cooling systems (accumulators). The analyses presented in this paper are aiming at both a detailed investigation of the accident sequence, taking into account the depressurization of the primary circuit, and the possibilities to prevent or at least to mitigate a damage of the reactor core so as to gain additional time for taking necessary countermeasures. The analyses are performed using the codes ASTEC and ATHLET developed by IRSN (Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire) and GRS (Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit mbH).
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Tusheva
- Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany. E-Mail: ; ; ;
| | - F. Schäfer
- Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany. E-Mail: ; ; ;
| | - N. Reinke
- Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) mbH, Schwertnergasse 1, 50667 Cologne, Germany. E-mail:
| | - E. Altstadt
- Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany. E-Mail: ; ; ;
| | - U. Rohde
- Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany. E-Mail: ; ; ;
| | - F. P. Weiss
- Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany. E-Mail: ; ; ;
| | - A. Hurtado
- Technical University of Dresden, George-Bähr-Strasse 3b, 01069 Dresden, Germany. E-mail:
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Beckers F, Schäfer F, Stoelben E. Spontanremission eines histologisch nachgewiesenen Bronchialkarzinoms mit mediastinaler Lymphknotenmetastasierung. Pneumologie 2013. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1334577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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24
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Schäfer F. Letter to Editors regarding “Breast elasticity: Principles, technique, results: An update and overview of commercially available software”, C. Balleyguier et al. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.03.001. Eur J Radiol 2013; 82:385-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 11/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Zirkel J, Cecil A, Schäfer F, Rahlfs S, Ouedraogo A, Xiao K, Sawadogo S, Coulibaly B, Becker K, Dandekar T. Analyzing Thiol-Dependent Redox Networks in the Presence of Methylene Blue and Other Antimalarial Agents with RT-PCR-Supported in silico Modeling. Bioinform Biol Insights 2012; 6:287-302. [PMID: 23236254 PMCID: PMC3516044 DOI: 10.4137/bbi.s10193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the face of growing resistance in malaria parasites to drugs, pharmacological combination therapies are important. There is accumulating evidence that methylene blue (MB) is an effective drug against malaria. Here we explore the biological effects of both MB alone and in combination therapy using modeling and experimental data. Results We built a model of the central metabolic pathways in P. falciparum. Metabolic flux modes and their changes under MB were calculated by integrating experimental data (RT-PCR data on mRNAs for redox enzymes) as constraints and results from the YANA software package for metabolic pathway calculations. Several different lines of MB attack on Plasmodium redox defense were identified by analysis of the network effects. Next, chloroquine resistance based on pfmdr/and pfcrt transporters, as well as pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine resistance (by mutations in DHF/DHPS), were modeled in silico. Further modeling shows that MB has a favorable synergism on antimalarial network effects with these commonly used antimalarial drugs. Conclusions Theoretical and experimental results support that methylene blue should, because of its resistance-breaking potential, be further tested as a key component in drug combination therapy efforts in holoendemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zirkel
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Germany. ; Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna, Nouna, Burkina Faso
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Schmidt W, Schäfer F, Striggow V, Fröhlich K, Striggow F. Cannabinoid receptor subtypes 1 and 2 mediate long-lasting neuroprotection and improve motor behavior deficits after transient focal cerebral ischemia. Neuroscience 2012; 227:313-26. [PMID: 23069763 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.09.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is crucially involved in the regulation of brain activity and inflammation. We have investigated the localization of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors in adult rat brains before and after focal cerebral ischemia due to endothelin-induced transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (eMCAO). Using immunohistochemistry, both receptor subtypes were identified in cortical neurons. After eMCAO, neuronal cell death was accompanied by reduced neuronal CB1 and CB2 receptor-linked immunofluorescence. In parallel, CB1 receptor was found in activated microglia/macrophages 3 days post eMCAO and in astroglia cells at days 3 and 7. CB2 receptor labeling was identified in activated microglia/macrophages or astroglia 3 and 7d ays post ischemia, respectively. In addition, immune competent CD45-positive cells were characterized by pronounced CB2 receptor staining 3 and 7 days post eMCAO. KN38-72717, a potent and selective CB1 and CB2 receptor agonist, revealed a significant, dose-dependent and long-lasting reduction of cortical lesion sizes due to eMCAO, when applied consecutively before, during and after eMCAO. In addition, severe motor deficits of animals suffering from eMCAO were significantly improved by KN38-7271. KN38-7271 remained effective, even if its application was delayed up to 6h post eMCAO. Finally, we show that the endocannabinoid system assembles a comprehensive machinery to defend the brain against the devastating consequences of cerebral ischemia. In summary, this study underlines the therapeutic potential of CB1 and/or CB2 receptor agonists against neurodegenerative diseases or injuries involving acute or chronic imbalances of cerebral blood flow and energy consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Schmidt
- KeyNeurotek Pharmaceuticals AG, ZENIT Technology Park, Leipziger Straße 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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27
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Bittner S, Dietz B, Günther U, Harney HL, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F. PT symmetry and spontaneous symmetry breaking in a microwave billiard. Phys Rev Lett 2012; 108:024101. [PMID: 22324686 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.108.024101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the presence of parity-time (PT) symmetry for the non-Hermitian two-state Hamiltonian of a dissipative microwave billiard in the vicinity of an exceptional point (EP). The shape of the billiard depends on two parameters. The Hamiltonian is determined from the measured resonance spectrum on a fine grid in the parameter plane. After applying a purely imaginary diagonal shift to the Hamiltonian, its eigenvalues are either real or complex conjugate on a curve, which passes through the EP. An appropriate basis choice reveals its PT symmetry. Spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs at the EP.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bittner
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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28
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Labahn J, Kubicek J, Schäfer F. Vapor diffusion-controlled meso crystallization of membrane proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2012; 914:17-24. [PMID: 22976020 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-023-6_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The presented method to crystallize membrane proteins combines the advantages of the meso-phase crystallization method and the classical vapor diffusion crystallization. It allows fast screening of crystallization conditions employing automated liquid handlers suited for the 96-well crystallization format.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Labahn
- Institute for Structural Biology and Biophysics, Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
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Kayser O, Order B, Schäfer F. Die insulininduzierte, lokale Amyloidose der Brust – eine seltene Differenzialdiagnose zum DCIS und Mammakarzinom. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2011. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1279988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Bittner S, Dietz B, Miski-Oglu M, Iriarte PO, Richter A, Schäfer F. Double-slit experiments with microwave billiards. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2011; 84:016221. [PMID: 21867287 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.84.016221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Single and double-slit experiments are performed with two microwave billiards with the shapes of a rectangle and a quarter stadium, respectively. The classical dynamics of the former is regular, whereas that of the latter is chaotic. Microwaves can leave the billiards via slits in the boundary, forming interference patterns on a screen. The aim is to determine the effect of the billiard dynamics on their structure. For this the development of a method for the construction of a directed wave packet by means of an array of multiple antennas was crucial. The interference patterns show a sensitive dependence not only on the billiard dynamics but also on the initial position and direction of the wave packet.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bittner
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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31
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Schäfer F, Strauss A, Schäfer P. Manifestation eines Lupus erythematodes in der Mamma. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2011. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1271068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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32
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Dietz B, Harney HL, Kirillov ON, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F. Exceptional points in a microwave billiard with time-reversal invariance violation. Phys Rev Lett 2011; 106:150403. [PMID: 21568534 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.106.150403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We report on the experimental study of an exceptional point (EP) in a dissipative microwave billiard with induced time-reversal invariance (T) violation. The associated two-state Hamiltonian is non-Hermitian and nonsymmetric. It is determined experimentally on a narrow grid in a parameter plane around the EP. At the EP the size of T violation is given by the relative phase of the eigenvector components. The eigenvectors are adiabatically transported around the EP, whereupon they gather geometric phases and in addition geometric amplitudes different from unity.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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33
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Ferrari G, Catani J, Fallani L, Giusfredi G, Schettino G, Schäfer F, Cancio Pastor P. Coherent addition of laser beams in resonant passive optical cavities. Opt Lett 2010; 35:3105-3107. [PMID: 20847793 DOI: 10.1364/ol.35.003105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
An optical resonator, designed for frequency doubling of cw single-frequency radiation, is simultaneously injected by two phase-coherent laser beams with the same frequency. By using standard methods in laser-cavity stabilization, we are able to stabilize the cavity length on resonance with the laser, as well as the relative phase of the fundamental beams, to fulfill the optimum coupling conditions simultaneously on the two input couplers. By using this method, we generate reliably more than 220 mW of single-frequency radiation at 399 nm using two 0.5 W semiconductor tapered amplifiers at 798 nm. This method can be generalized to a larger number of input couplers and holds promise for improving the performances of extreme-UV frequency combs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ferrari
- INO-CNR, Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Sezione Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
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Bittner S, Bogomolny E, Dietz B, Miski-Oglu M, Oria Iriarte P, Richter A, Schäfer F. Experimental test of a trace formula for two-dimensional dielectric resonators. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2010; 81:066215. [PMID: 20866509 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.81.066215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Resonance spectra of two-dimensional dielectric microwave resonators of circular and square shapes have been measured. The deduced length spectra of periodic orbits were analyzed and a trace formula for dielectric resonators recently proposed by Bogomolny [Phys. Rev. E 78, 056202 (2008)] was tested. The observed deviations between the experimental length spectra and the predictions of the trace formula are attributed to a large number of missing resonances in the measured spectra. We show that by taking into account the systematics of observed and missing resonances the experimental length spectra are fully understood. In particular, a connection between the most long-lived resonances and certain periodic orbits is established experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bittner
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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35
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Dietz B, Friedrich T, Harney HL, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F, Weidenmüller HA. Quantum chaotic scattering in microwave resonators. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2010; 81:036205. [PMID: 20365830 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.81.036205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In a frequency range where a microwave resonator simulates a chaotic quantum billiard, we have measured moduli and phases of reflection and transmission amplitudes in the regimes of both isolated and of weakly overlapping resonances and for resonators with and without time-reversal invariance. Statistical measures for S -matrix fluctuations were determined from the data and compared with extant and/or newly derived theoretical results obtained from the random-matrix approach to quantum chaotic scattering. The latter contained a small number of fit parameters. The large data sets taken made it possible to test the theoretical expressions with unprecedented accuracy. The theory is confirmed by both a goodness-of-fit-test and the agreement of predicted values for those statistical measures that were not used for the fits, with the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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Bäcker A, Dietz B, Friedrich T, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F, Tomsovic S. Friedel oscillations in microwave billiards. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2009; 80:066210. [PMID: 20365257 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.80.066210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Friedel oscillations of electron densities near step edges have an analog in microwave billiards. A random plane-wave model, normally only appropriate for the eigenfunctions of a purely chaotic system, can be applied and is tested for non-purely-chaotic dynamical systems with measurements on pseudointegrable and mixed dynamics geometries. It is found that the oscillations in the pseudointegrable microwave cavity match the random plane-wave modeling. Separating the chaotic from the regular states for the mixed system requires incorporating an appropriate phase-space projection into the modeling in multiple ways for good agreement with experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bäcker
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Dietz B, Friedrich T, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F, Seligmann TH. Nonperiodic echoes from quantum mushroom-billiard hats. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2009; 80:036212. [PMID: 19905205 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.80.036212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2009] [Revised: 06/24/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Nonperiodic tunable quantum echoes have been observed in experiments with an open microwave billiard whose geometry under certain conditions provides Fibonacci-like sequences of classical delay times. These sequences combined with the reflection at the opening induced by the wave character of the experiment and the size of the opening allow to shape quantum pulses. The pulses are obtained by response of an integrable scattering system.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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40
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Dietz B, Friedrich T, Harney HL, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F, Verbaarschot J, Weidenmüller HA. Induced violation of time-reversal invariance in the regime of weakly overlapping resonances. Phys Rev Lett 2009; 103:064101. [PMID: 19792569 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.103.064101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We measure the complex scattering amplitudes of a flat microwave cavity (a "chaotic billiard"). Time-reversal (T) invariance is partially broken by a magnetized ferrite placed within the cavity. We extend the random-matrix approach to T violation in scattering, determine the parameters from some properties of the scattering amplitudes, and successfully predict others. Our work constitutes the most precise test of the random-matrix theoretical approach to T violation so far available.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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41
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Fuerst M, Lammers L, Schäfer F, Niggemeyer O, Steinhagen J, Lohmann CH, Rüther W. Investigation of calcium crystals in OA knees. Rheumatol Int 2009; 30:623-31. [PMID: 19639325 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-009-1032-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2009] [Accepted: 06/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
For studies on matrix mineralization in osteoarthritis (OA), a clear analytical approach is necessary to identify and to quantify mineralization in the articular cartilage. The aim of this study is to develop an effective algorithm to quantify and to identify cartilage mineralization in the experimental setting. Four patients with OA of the knee undergoing total knee replacement and four control patients were included. Cartilage calcification was studied by digital contact radiography (DCR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) X-ray element analysis and Raman spectroscopy (RS). DCR revealed mineralization in all OA cartilage specimens. No mineralization was observed in the control cartilage. Patient I showed rhomboid shaped crystals with a mean Ca:P molar ratio of 1.04 indicated the presence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals, while Patients II, III and IV presented carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite (HA). RS also showed the presence of CPPD crystals in Patient I while Patients II, III and IV revealed spectra confirming the presence of HA crystals. In the corresponding chondrocyte cell culture analyzed with SEM, the presence of CPPD crystals in the culture of Patient I and HA crystals in the culture of Patient II, III and IV was confirmed. No mineralization was found in the cell culture of the controls. The differentiation between BCP and CPPD crystals plays an important role, and the techniques presented here provide an accurate differentiation of these two types of crystals. For quantification of articular cartilage mineralization, DCR is a simple and accurate method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Fuerst
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Clinic Bad Bramstedt, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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42
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Dietz B, Friedrich T, Harney HL, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F, Weidenmüller HA. Chaotic scattering in the regime of weakly overlapping resonances. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2008; 78:055204. [PMID: 19113179 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.78.055204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2008] [Revised: 10/28/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We measure the transmission and reflection amplitudes of microwaves in a resonator coupled to two antennas at room temperature in the regime of weakly overlapping resonances and in a frequency range of 3-16GHz . Below 10.1GHz the resonator simulates a chaotic quantum system. The distribution of the elements of the scattering matrix S is not Gaussian. The Fourier coefficients of S are used for a best fit of the autocorrelation function of S to a theoretical expression based on random-matrix theory. We find very good agreement below but not above 10.1GHz .
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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43
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Dietz B, Friedrich T, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F. Properties of nodal domains in a pseudointegrable barrier billiard. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2008; 78:045201. [PMID: 18999479 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.78.045201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We investigate experimentally the scaling properties of the number of nodal domains of the wave functions and the distribution of the nodal domain areas in a pseudointegrable barrier billiard. The number of nodal domains is smaller than expected for billiards whose dynamics is chaotic or regular. This reduction is explained by the appearance of superscars in the barrier billiard, i.e., regular structures, which are embedded into the underlying chaotic wave functions. Furthermore, the area distribution of nodal domains follows the predictions of a percolation model for chaotic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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44
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Heer IM, Falk C, Kümper C, Schäfer F, Strauss A. Messung der Schalleitgeschwindigkeit in der Mammasonographie – Machbarkeitsstudie zur Anwendung zonaren Ultraschalls in der Routine. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1088686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Schäfer F, Breuer U, Benndorf D, von Bergen M, Harms H, Müller R. Growth ofAquincola tertiaricarbonis L108 ontert-Butyl Alcohol Leads to the Induction of a Phthalate Dioxygenase-related Protein and its Associated Oxidoreductase Subunit. Eng Life Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200700011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Schäfer F, Adams S, Nicholson J, Cox T, McGrady M, Moore F. In vivo evaluation of an oral health toothpaste with 0.1% vitamin E acetate and 0.5% sunflower oil (with vitamin F). Int Dent J 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1875-595x.2007.tb00152.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Dietz B, Friedrich T, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F. Spectral properties of Bunimovich mushroom billiards. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2007; 75:035203. [PMID: 17500749 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.75.035203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2006] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Properties of a quantum mushroom billiard in the form of a superconducting microwave resonator have been investigated. They reveal unexpected nonuniversal features such as, e.g., a supershell effect in the level density and a dip in the nearest-neighbor spacing distribution. Theoretical predictions for the quantum properties of mixed systems rely on the sharp separability of phase space--an unusual property met by mushroom billiards. We however find deviations which are ascribed to the presence of dynamic tunneling.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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48
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Dietz B, Friedrich T, Harney HL, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F, Weidenmüller HA. Induced time-reversal symmetry breaking observed in microwave billiards. Phys Rev Lett 2007; 98:074103. [PMID: 17359026 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.074103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Using reciprocity, we investigate the breaking of time-reversal (T) symmetry due to a ferrite embedded in a flat microwave billiard. Transmission spectra of isolated single resonances are not sensitive to T violation, whereas those of pairs of nearly degenerate resonances do depend on the direction of time. For their theoretical description a scattering matrix model from nuclear physics is used. The T-violating matrix elements of the effective Hamiltonian for the microwave billiard with the embedded ferrite are determined experimentally as functions of the magnetization of the ferrite.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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49
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Dietz B, Friedrich T, Metz J, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F, Stafford CA. Rabi oscillations at exceptional points in microwave billiards. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2007; 75:027201. [PMID: 17358455 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.75.027201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
We experimentally investigated the decay behavior with time t of resonances near and at exceptional points, where two complex eigenvalues and also the associated eigenfunctions coalesce. The measurements were performed with a dissipative microwave billiard, whose shape depends on two parameters. The t2 dependence predicted at the exceptional point on the basis of a two-state matrix model could be verified. Outside the exceptional point the predicted Rabi oscillations, also called quantum echoes in this context, were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dietz
- Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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50
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Bogomolny E, Dietz B, Friedrich T, Miski-Oglu M, Richter A, Schäfer F, Schmit C. First experimental observation of superscars in a pseudointegrable barrier billiard. Phys Rev Lett 2006; 97:254102. [PMID: 17280358 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.97.254102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2006] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
With a perturbation body technique intensity distributions of the electric field strength in a flat microwave billiard with a barrier inside up to mode numbers as large as about 700 were measured. A method for the reconstruction of the amplitudes and phases of the electric field strength from those intensity distributions has been developed. Recently predicted superscars have been identified experimentally and--using the well-known analogy between the electric field strength and the quantum mechanical wave function in a two-dimensional microwave billiard--their properties determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bogomolny
- Laboratoire de Physique Théorique et Modèles Statistiques, Université de Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 100, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France
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