Semiconductor Bloch-equations formalism: Derivation and application to high-harmonic generation from Dirac fermions

We rederive the semiconductor Bloch equations emphasizing the close link to the Berry connection. Our rigorous derivation reveals the existence of two further contributions to the current, in addition to the frequently considered intraband and polarization-related interband terms. The extra contributions become sizable in situations with strong dephasing or when the dipole-matrix elements are strongly wave-number dependent. We apply the formalism to high-harmonic generation for a Dirac metal. The extra terms add to the frequency-dependent emission intensity (high-harmonic spectrum) significantly at certain frequencies changing the total signal up to a factor of 10

Progranulin Gene Variability and Plasma Levels in Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia

Basing on the assumption that frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BPD) might share common aetiological mechanisms, we analyzed genetic variation in the FTLD risk gene progranulin (GRN) in a German population of patients with schizophrenia (n = 271) or BPD (n = 237) as compared with 574 age-, gender- and ethnicity-matched controls. Furthermore, we measured plasma progranulin levels in 26 German BPD patients as well as in 61 Italian BPD patients and 29 matched controls

Allelic and genotype frequencies given as %(n) in German cases compared with age-, gender- and ethnicity matched controls.

*<p><i>P</i><0.001, OR: 0.20, 95%CI: 0.09–0.14.</p>**<p><i>P</i> = 0.001, OR: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.44–0.81.</p>***<p><i>P</i> = 0.0002, OR: 0.35, 95%CI: 0.20–0.61.</p>****<p><i>P</i><0.001, OR: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.17–0.44.</p>*****<p><i>P</i><0.001, OR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.49–0.80.</p>°<p><i>P</i> = 0.0003, OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.22–0.63.</p>°°<p><i>P</i> = 0.01, OR: 0.66, 95%CI: 0.49–0.90.</p>°°°<p><i>P</i> = 0.002, OR: 0.48, 95%CI: 0.31–0.77.</p>°°°°<p><i>P</i><0.001, OR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.30–0.63.</p>°°°°°<p><i>P</i> = 0.005, OR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.55–0.89.</p>•<p><i>P</i> = 0.01, OR: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.30–0.85.</p>••<p><i>P</i><0.0001, OR: 0.53, 95%CI: 0.39–0.72.</p>•••<p><i>P</i> = 0.019, OR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.42–0.91.</p>••••<p><i>P</i> = 0.007, OR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.56–0.91.</p

Characteristics of Italian (I) and German (G) subjects included in plasma level evaluation.

<p>Characteristics of Italian (I) and German (G) subjects included in plasma level evaluation.</p

Characteristics of German individuals included in the association study.

*<p> <b>age at disease onset.</b></p

Scattergram of progranulin plasma levels in BPD patients and controls.

<p>Black lines represent mean values. G = German. I = Italian. *<i>P</i><0.001, patients versus controls.</p