Transport of charged particles by adjusting rf voltage amplitudes

We propose a planar architecture for scalable quantum information processing (QIP) that includes X-junctions through which particles can move without micromotion. This is achieved by adjusting radio frequency (rf) amplitudes to move an rf null along the legs of the junction. We provide a proof-of-principle by transporting dust particles in three dimensions via adjustable rf potentials in a 3D trap. For the proposed planar architecture, we use regularization techniques to obtain amplitude settings that guarantee smooth transport through the X-junction.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure

"...because I am something special" or "I think I will be something like a guinea pig": information and assent of legal minors in clinical trials – assessment of understanding, appreciation and reasoning

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study is to assess and evaluate the capacities for understanding, appreciation and reasoning of legal minors with psychiatric disorders and their parents and their competence to consent or assent to participation in clinical trials. The beliefs, fears, motivation and influencing factors for decision-making of legal minors and parents were also examined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR), an instrument developed for adults whose capacities to consent are unclear, we provided information about clinical trials and assessed understanding, appreciation and reasoning. We adapted this tool for legal minors and examined 19 children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 15 with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or ADHD combined with oppositional defiant disorder (DSM-IV 314.00/314.01/312.8) enrolled in clinical trials. Parents were also examined using the MacCAT-CR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Facts such as the procedures involved in trials or their duration were well understood by legal minors, but more abstract issues like the primary purpose of the trial were not understood by children and adolescents or by many parents. Legal minors also had difficulties understanding the nature of placebo and the probability of receiving placebo. Children's and adolescents' decisions were influenced by fears about their disorder worsening and by problems in their relationship with their parents. Parents wanted the best therapy for their children in order to minimize problems in school.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Legal minors and parents need to be informed more precisely about specific issues like placebo and the primary purpose of trials. In general, the reasoning of children and adolescents was influenced by their experience with their disorder and decision making was based on reasonable arguments. Their fears were based on everyday experiences such as school performance or family relationships.</p

Traumatische Erlebnisse, Psychopathologie und Delinquenz bei Heimjugendlichen im Schweizer Jugendhilfe- und Jugendstrafsystem

Die Studie liefert einen Überblick zur Häufigkeit traumatischer Erfahrungen sowie der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS) sowohl bei zivil- als auch bei strafrechtlich eingewiesenen Heimjugendlichen in der Deutschschweiz. Weiterhin wurden auf Basis der potentiell traumatischen Erlebnisse der Jugendlichen verschiedene Muster bzw. Profile traumatisierender Vergangenheiten identifiziert und in Zusammenhang mit Psychopathologie, Delinquenz und Merkmalen der aktuellen Maßnahme gesetzt. Insgesamt 245 Jugendliche aus 31 Einrichtungen wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Der Altersbereich reichte von 8 bis 25 Jahre, mit einem Mittelwert von 16,8. Ein Viertel der Jugendlichen war weiblich. Der Großteil (81 %) der Heimjugendlichen gab an, bereits mindestens eine potentiell traumatische Erfahrung gemacht zu haben; von diesen erfüllten 54 % mit mindestens einem Ereignis das DSM-IV-A-Kriterium der PTBS. Mit 4 % (Mädchen 4,7 %, Jungen 3,9 %) liegt die Prävalenz der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung ca. viermal höher als in der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Bei der Bildung von "Trauma-Klassen" mittels einer Latenten Klassenanalyse fanden sich drei Gruppen: "Ohne Traumatisierung", "Mittlere Traumatisierung" und "Schwere Traumatisierung". Die weiteren Analysen verdeutlichten einen Zusammenhang zwischen schwerer, interpersoneller Traumatisierung und psychischen Auffälligkeiten sowie delinquentem, insbesondere Gewaltverhalten. Die kinder- und jugendpsychiatrische Versorgung insbesondere der schwer traumatisierten Jugendlichen zeigte sich dagegen als unzureichend. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass der Großteil der Jugendlichen in der stationären Jugendhilfe spezifische (trauma-)pädagogische Konzepte bzw. Zugang zu traumapsychotherapeutischen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten benötigt. Weiterhin wurde deutlich, dass die Diagnosekriterien der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung die komplexe Störungssymptomatik der schwer traumatisierten Heimjugendlichen offensichtlich nicht abbilden konnte

Group cognitive behavioural therapy and weight regain after diet in type 2 diabetes: results from the randomised controlled POWER trial

Aims/hypothesis: Weight-loss programmes for adults with type 2 diabetes are less effective in the long term owing to regain of weight. Our aim was to determine the 2 year effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural group therapy (group-CBT) programme in weight maintenance after diet-induced weight loss in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes, using a randomised, parallel, non-blinded, pragmatic study design. Methods: We included 158 obese adults (median BMI 36.3 [IQR 32.5–40.0] kg/m2) with type 2 diabetes from the outpatient diabetes clinic of Erasmus MC, the Netherlands, who achieved ≥5% weight loss on an 8 week very low calorie diet. Participants were randomised (stratified by weight loss) to usual care or usual care plus group-CBT (17 group sessions). The primary outcomes were the between-group differences after 2 years in: (1) body weight; and (2) weight regain. Secondary outcomes were HbA1c levels, insulin dose, plasma lipid levels, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, quality of life, fatigue, physical activity, eating disorders and related cognitions. Data were analysed using linear mixed modelling. Results: During the initial 8 week dieting phase, the control group (n = 75) lost a mean of 10.0 (95% CI 9.1, 10.9) kg and the intervention group (n = 83) lost 9.2 (95% CI 8.4, 10.0) kg (p = 0.206 for the between-group difference). During 2 years of follow-up, mean weight regain was 4.7 (95% CI 3.0, 6.3) kg for the control group and 4.0 (95% CI 2.3, 5.6) kg for the intervention group, with a between-group difference of −0.7 (95% CI −3.1, 1.6) kg (p = 0.6). The mean difference in body weight at 2 years was −1.2 (95% CI −7.7, 5.3) kg (p = 0.7). None of the secondary outcomes differed between the two groups. Conclusions/interpretation: Despite increased treatment contact, a group-CBT programme for long-term weight maintenance after an initial ≥5% weight loss from dieting in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes was not superior to usual care alone. Trial registration: Trialregister.nl NTR2264 Funding: The study was funded by the Erasmus MC funding programme ‘Zorg