Template-controlled piezoactivity of ZnO thin films grown via a bioinspired approach

Biomaterials are used as model systems for the deposition of functional inorganic materials under mild reaction conditions where organic templates direct the deposition process. In this study, this principle was adapted for the formation of piezoelectric ZnO thin films. The influence of two different organic templates (namely, a carboxylate-terminated self-assembled monolayer and a sulfonate-terminated polyelectrolyte multilayer) on the deposition and therefore on the piezoelectric performance was investigated. While the low negative charge of the COOH-SAM is not able to support oriented attachment of the particles, the strongly negatively charged sulfonated polyelectrolyte leads to texturing of the ZnO film. This texture enables a piezoelectric performance of the material which was measured by piezoresponse force microscopy. This study shows that it is possible to tune the piezoelectric properties of ZnO by applying templates with different functionalities

Psychedelics for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with a terminal illness:a systematic review

Background Terminally ill patients may experience existential distress, depression, or anxiety, limiting quality of life in the final stage. Existing psychotherapeutic or pharmacological interventions have (time) limited efficacy. Psychedelic treatment may be a safe and effective alternative treatment option. Aim Systematically review studies on psychedelic treatment with and without psychotherapy for existential distress, depression, and anxiety in terminally ill patients. Methods Medline, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched for original-data studies on the treatment of depression, anxiety, and existential distress with classical or a-typical psychedelics in patients with a terminal illness, using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results A total of 1850 records were screened, and 33 articles were included in this review: 14 studies on classical psychedelics (DPT, LSD, and psilocybin) and 19 studies on atypical psychedelics (MDMA and ketamine). Results of early pre-post studies are promising but have serious methodological flaws. Recent (controlled) trials with LSD, psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA are of higher methodological quality and indicate positive effects on existential and spiritual well-being, quality of life, acceptance, and reduction of anxiety and depression with few adverse and no serious adverse effects. Conclusions Both classical and a-typical psychedelics are promising treatment options in patients with terminal illness. To draw final conclusions on effectiveness and safety of psychedelics, we need larger high-quality studies for classical psychedelics and MDMA. Ketamine studies should pay more attention to existential dimensions of well-being and the psychotherapeutic context of the treatment

Holding on or letting go? Patient experiences of control, context, and care in oral esketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression:A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Ketamine and its enantiomer esketamine represent promising new treatments for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Esketamine induces acute, transient psychoactive effects. How patients perceive esketamine treatment, and which conditions facilitate optimal outcomes, remains poorly understood. Understanding patient perspectives on these phenomena is important to identify unmet needs, which can be used to improve (es)ketamine treatments. AIMS: To explore the perspectives of TRD patients participating in “off label” oral esketamine treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 patients (11 women) after a six-week, twice-weekly esketamine treatment program, and subsequently after six months of at-home use. Interviews explored participants’ perspectives, expectations, and experiences with esketamine treatment. Audio interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed following an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. RESULTS: Key themes included overwhelming experiences; inadequate preparation; letting go of control; mood states influencing session experiences; presence and emotional support, and supportive settings. Patients’ attempts to let go and give into vs. attempts to maintain control over occasionally overwhelming experiences was a central theme. Multiple factors influenced patients’ ability to give into the experience and appeared to impact their mood and anxiety about future sessions, including level of preparation and education, physical and emotional support, and setting during the session. CONCLUSION: Better preparation beforehand, an optimized treatment setting, and emotional and psychological support during (es)ketamine sessions can help patients to “let go” and may lead to better quality of care and outcomes. Recommendations to improve quality of patient care in (es)ketamine treatment are provided, including suggestions for the training of nurses and other support staff

Gegenbilder - literarisch/filmisch/fotografisch

Gegenbilder in Literatur, Film und Fotografie. Die moderne Welt ist voller Bilder. Auch die wissenschaftliche Beschäftigung mit ihnen erfährt Konjunktur. Dennoch fällt es eminent schwer, allgemeingültig zu definieren, was ein Bild ausmacht. Zu verschieden scheint das, was dem Menschen als „Bild“ entgegentritt: Das kann ein Foto, ein Gemälde oder ein Film sein, aber auch ein Gedanke, eine sprachliche Metapher, ein literarisches Motiv. Im Zentrum dieses Sammelbands stehen literatur- und medienwissenschaftliche Beiträge, die unter dem Leitbegriff „Gegenbilder“ ihren Fokus auf Ausprägungen des Widerständigen innerhalb einer polymorphen Bildlichkeit richten. Untersucht werden dabei die Inszenierungen von Gegenbildern auf der Figurenebene sowie die Rolle von Bildern bei der Darstellung von sozialer Zugehörigkeit, der Herstellung nationaler Identität und der Konstruktion kollektiver Gedächtnisorte. Welche traditionellen Motive, Topoi und Figurenmodelle transportieren Literatur, Film und Fotografie, gegen welche kämpfen sie an? Tragen konventionelle Beschreibungsmuster das Potential zum Widerstand gegen das Etablierte bereits in sich? Diesen und weiteren Fragen widmen sich die Autoren aus interdisziplinärer Perspektive und mit einem zeitgemäßen Verständnis von Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaft, das Geschriebenes sowie visuell präsente Bilder als gleichrangige Lesetexte auffasst und ebenso die Grenzen zwischen Hoch- und Populärkultur überwindet

Metrological Support of IRMM to Clinical Chemistry.

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel