Explicit generating functional for pions and virtual photons

We construct the explicit one-loop functional of chiral perturbation theory for two light flavours, including virtual photons. We stick to contributions where 1 or 2 mesons and at most one photon are running in the loops. With the explicit functional at hand, the evaluation of the relevant Green functions boils down to performing traces over the flavour matrices. For illustration, we work out the pi+ pi- -> pi0 pi0 scattering amplitude at threshold at order p^4, e^2p^2.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figures; version accepted for publication, minor typographical changes, acknowledgments adde

Spectrum and decays of hadronic atoms

We describe the spectra and decays of pi pi and pi K atoms within a non-relativistic effective field theory. The evaluations of the energy shifts and widths are performed at next-to-leading order in isospin symmetry breaking. The prediction for the lifetime of the pi K atom in its ground-state yields tau = (3.7 \pm 0.4) * 10^{-15} sec.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of MESON 2004: 8th International Workshop on Meson Production, Properties and Interaction, Cracow, Poland, 4-8 June 2004. 7 page

The relationship between maladaptive appraisals and posttraumatic stress disorder: a meta-analysis.

Cognitive models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggest maladaptive appraisals play a central role in the aetiology of this disorder. The current meta-analysis sought to provide a comprehensive, quantitative examination of the relationship between maladaptive appraisals and PTSD. One-hundred and 35 studies met study inclusion criteria and were subject to random effects meta-analysis. A large effect size was found for the relationship between appraisals and PTSD (r = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.51-0.56, k = 147), albeit with significant heterogeneity. In studies using only the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory or Child Post-traumatic Cognitions Inventory, the effect size remained large (r = 0.56; k = 104). In adults, appraisals about the self had a large effect size (r = 0.61), appraisals about the world had a medium effect size (r = 0.46) and self-blame appraisals had a small effect size (r = 0.28). In child/adolescent studies, large effect sizes were found for both 'fragile person in a scary world' and 'permanent and disturbing change' appraisals (r = 0.54 and r = 0.60, respectively). The effect size remained large in prospective longitudinal studies up to one year after trauma. There was no moderation effect for civilian vs military populations, questionnaire vs interview measures of PTSD, single vs multiple trauma exposure, or intentional vs unintentional trauma. The main effect size estimate was robust to sensitivity analyses concerning statistics used, study quality and outliers. These findings are consistent with the strong role for maladaptive appraisals in the aetiology of PTSD proposed by cognitive models. In particular, the role of self-appraisals in adults was highlighted. Avenues for future research include more studies in child, multiple trauma and military populations and longer-term follow up studies

Nachhaltigkeit in der Kreditfinanzierung

Für den Einbezug von Nachhaltigkeitsaspekten in den Bereichen Anlegen und Finanzieren hat sich Sustainable Finance (nachhaltige Finanzen) als übergeordneter Begriff etabliert. Auch wenn Sustainable Finance immer schon nachhaltige Aktivitäten in den verschiedensten Finanzbereichen mit einbezogen hat, lag der Fokus der Finanzinstitute wie auch der akademischen Forschung bisher auf dem Anlagegeschäft (Sustainable Investing). Ein eher weniger beleuchtetes Themenfeld ist die nachhaltige Finanzierung (Sustainable Financing), speziell die nachhaltige Kreditfinanzierung (Sustainable Lending). Da die Kreditfinanzierung eine der wichtigsten Finanzierungsquellen des Privatsektors darstellt (vgl. Box 1), ist sie auch für die aktuelle und zukünftige Nachhaltigkeitsdiskussion von zentraler Bedeutung und soll im Rahmen der vorliegenden Publikation vertieft diskutiert werden. Ziel ist es, einen möglichst umfassenden Überblick zu Theorie, Praxis und zukünftigen Handlungsfeldern im Bereich der nachhaltigen Kreditfinanzierung zu schaffen. Praxisbeispiele zeigen begleitend auf, wie einzelne Teilaspekte bereits konkret umgesetzt werden. Der Fokus liegt auf den zwei wichtigsten Teilgebieten der Kreditfinanzierung, dem Hypothekargeschäft und dem Unternehmenskreditgeschäft. Als Grundlage werden in Kapitel 1.2 zunächst die relevanten Perspektiven zur Nachhaltigkeit im Kreditwesen und in Kapitel 1.3 die relevanten Handlungsfelder der nachhaltigen Kreditfinanzierung erarbeitet. Diese Grundlagen sind notwendig, um darauf aufbauend die Nachhaltigkeitsbestrebungen im Bereich der Unternehmenskredite (Kapitel 2) sowie im Hypothekarbereich (Kapitel 3) zu diskutieren und die Notwendigkeit der in Kapitel 4 besprochenen weitergehenden Finanzierungsformen im Kreditbereich zu verdeutlichen (spezifische Finanzierung von Nachhaltigkeitslösungen). Ergänzend finden sich in den verschiedenen Kapiteln zahlreiche Boxen, welche weiterführende Hintergrundinformationen, Fallstudien sowie Praxisbeispiele enthalten

A cluster randomized controlled platform trial comparing group MEmory specificity training (MEST) to group psychoeducation and supportive counselling (PSC) in the treatment of recurrent depression.

Impaired ability to recall specific autobiographical memories is characteristic of depression, which when reversed, may have therapeutic benefits. This cluster-randomized controlled pilot trial investigated efficacy and aspects of acceptability, and feasibility of MEmory Specificity Training (MEST) relative to Psychoeducation and Supportive Counselling (PSC) for Major Depressive Disorder (N = 62). A key aim of this study was to determine a range of effect size estimates to inform a later phase trial. Assessments were completed at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. The cognitive process outcome was memory specificity. The primary clinical outcome was symptoms on the Beck Depression Inventory-II at 3-month follow-up. The MEST group demonstrated greater improvement in memory specificity relative to PSC at post-intervention (d = 0.88) and follow-up (d = 0.74), relative to PSC. Both groups experienced a reduction in depressive symptoms at 3-month follow-up (d = 0.67). However, there was no support for a greater improvement in depressive symptoms at 3 months following MEST relative to PSC (d = -0.04). Although MEST generated changes on memory specificity and improved depressive symptoms, results provide no indication that MEST is superior to PSC in the resolution of self-reported depressive symptoms. Implications for later-phase definitive trials of MEST are discussed