Quantum memories are regarded as one of the fundamental building blocks of linear-optical quantum computation [1] and long-distance quantum communication [2]. A long standing goal to realize scalable quantum information processing is to build a long-lived and efficient quantum memory. There have been significant efforts distributed towards this goal. However, either efficient but short-lived [3,4] or long-lived but inefficient quantum memories [5][6][7] have been demonstrated so far. Here we report a high-performance quantum memory in which long lifetime and high retrieval efficiency meet for the first time. By placing a ring cavity around an atomic ensemble, employing a pair of clock states, creating a longwavelength spin wave, and arranging the setup in the gravitational direction, we realize a quantum memory with an intrinsic spin wave to photon conversion efficiency of 73(2)% together with a storage lifetime of 3.2(1) ms. This realization provides an essential tool towards scalable linearoptical quantum information processing.A high-performance quantum memory is of crucial importance for large-scale linear-optical quantum computation[1], distributed quantum computing, and long-distance quantum communication [2]. The lifetime and the retrieval efficiency of a quantum memory are two important quantities that determine the scalability of realistic quantum information protocols. For a certain quantum information task, e.g. creating a large-scale cluster state [8] or distributing entanglement through the quantum repeater protocol [9-12], the time overhead T r is inversely proportional to a power law of the retrieval efficiency R, T r ∝ R −n , where n is determined by the scale of the quantum computation or the communication distance. In order to implement one of those tasks, the lifetime of the quantum memory must be larger than this time overhead. To satisfy this condition, one has to improve the lifetime of the quantum memory and reduce the time overhead by improving the retrieval efficiency. Besides, different protocols also set thresholds on the retrieval efficiency and lifetime. For example, in loss-tolerant linear-optical quantum computation the minimum retrieval efficiency required is 50% [13] and in long-distance quantum communication distributing en-tanglement over 1000 km requires a communication time of at least 3.3 ms.Quantum memories for light have been demonstrated with atomic ensembles [14][15][16], solid state systems [17,18], and single atoms [19]. With these quantum memories, the principle of some quantum information protocols have been demonstrated, e.g., functional quantum repeater nodes were realized with atomic ensembles [20,21]. However, due to the low retrieval efficiency and short lifetime, the implementation of further steps is extremely difficult. Therefore, in recent years, many efforts have been devoted towards improving the retrieval efficiency and the lifetime of the quantum memories and significant progress has been achieved. However, an efficient and long-lived quantum memory remai...

E-mental health and home treatment are treatment approaches that have proven to be effective, but are only slowly implemented in the German health care system. This paper explores the attitudes toward these innovative treatment approaches. Data was collected in two large, non-clinical samples representative of the German population in spring 2020 (N = 2,503) and winter 2020/2021 (N = 2,519). Statistical associations between variables were examined using two-tailed tests. Binary and multinomial logistic regressions were performed to predict attitudes toward online-based treatment concepts and home treatment approaches. Only few (<20%) people preferred online-based treatment approaches, while a larger proportion (~50%) could imagine being treated at home. Overall, younger subjects were more open to online-therapy approaches, while people with lower education preferred more often a traditional therapy setting. Acceptance of online-therapy did not raise significantly during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. When different online-based treatment options were available, the probability of accepting home treatment significantly increased with increasing levels of therapeutic support. Further promotion of acceptance for online-therapy and home treatment seems to be necessary. In the future, more information on innovative treatment approaches should be actively provided.

Actigraphy has been used for more than 60 years to objectively measure sleep–wake rhythms. Improved modern devices are increasingly employed to diagnose sleep medicine disorders in the clinical setting. Although less accurate than polysomnography, the chief advantage of actigraphs lies in the cost-effective collection of objective data over prolonged periods of time under everyday conditions. Since the cost of wrist actigraphy is not currently reimbursed, this method has not enjoyed wide acceptance to date. The present article provides an overview of the main clinical applications of actigraphy, including the recommendations of specialist societies.

ObjectiveElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well-established, safe, and efficacious treatment for severe psychiatric disorders. In children and adolescents, it is used much less frequently than in adults, likely because of a lack of knowledge.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed all patients aged 12 to 17 years who completed a course of ECT at 3 psychiatric university hospitals in Germany between 2010 and 2020. Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) scores were assessed based on electronic medical records. Changes in CGI-S scores were assessed using a paired samples t test. Predictors for response and remission were assessed using binomial logistic regression.ResultsWe included 32 patients. The CGI-S scores improved significantly from before to after ECT treatment (6.9 vs 3.9, t = 10.0, P < 0.01). A total of 40.6% of patients responded (CGI ≤ 3) and 21.9% remitted (CGI ≤ 2). The number of ineffective medication trials in the 6 months before ECT treatment was significantly associated with response (odds ratio, 0.54; P = 0.028) and remission (odds ratio, 0.31; P = 0.048). Five patients reported subjective cognitive adverse effects, 2 patients exhibited a prolonged seizure, 1 patient reported headaches, and 1 patient experienced a mild allergic reaction after anesthesia with etomidate. A total of 65.6% of patients experienced no adverse effects at all.ConclusionsThis retrospective analysis found ECT to be effective and safe in children and adolescents irrespective of their main diagnosis. The reported data point to the importance of an early use of ECT for severe psychiatric diseases in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund und Zielsetzung: Die Elektrokonvulsionstherapie (EKT) ist ein hoch wirksames und in der Erwachsenenpsychiatrie gut untersuchtes Therapieverfahren, das gerade bei schwerwiegenden depressiven und psychotischen Erkrankungen erfolgreich eingesetzt wird. Obwohl schwere Krankheitsverläufe auch im kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Bereich vorkommen, erfolgt ein Einsatz der EKT hier deutlich seltener. Dies liegt womöglich auch daran, dass kaum systematisch erhobene Daten zur Anwendung, Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit der EKT bei kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Patient_innen existieren. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Untersuchung und Darstellung von Krankheitsverläufen unter EKT-Behandlung im kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Bereich und damit eine Vergrößerung der bestehenden Datenbasis zu diesem Thema. Methoden: Es erfolgte eine retrospektive Erhebung zur EKT bei unter 18-jährigen Patient_innen an drei deutschen universitären Zentren. Hier wurden alle dokumentierten Fälle erfasst und auf Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit hin untersucht. Darüber hinaus erfolgte eine umfassende PubMed-basierte Datenbankrecherche. Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerungen: International existieren keine Meta-Analysen oder kontrollierte randomisierte Studien und aus Deutschland kaum veröffentlichte Fälle zum Thema Elektrokonvulsionstherapie in der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie. Unsere Daten zur EKT bei 29 12- bis 17-jährigen Patient_innen zeigen eine gute Wirksamkeit. Nebenwirkungen traten selten auf. Es ergaben sich keine Hinweise auf Unterschiede bezüglich Indikation (Depression, Katatonie, Schizophrenie), Wirksamkeit, negative Prädiktoren und Verträglichkeit einer EKT zwischen erwachsenen und minderjährigen Patient_innen. Die Ergebnisse deuten zudem darauf hin, dass der Einsatz der EKT bei Adoleszenten früher im therapeutischen Prozess in Erwägung gezogen werden sollte.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is, with a prevalence of 2% to 6%, one of the most common neurobehavioral disorder affecting children and adolescents, persisting into adulthood. Comorbidity and psychosocial circumstances enter into the choice of intervention strategies. Several agents have been demonstrated effective in treating individuals with ADHD. Direct or indirect attenuation of dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmission appears closely related to both the stimulant and nonstimulant medications efficacious in ADHD. However, important differences concerning efficacy and side effects exist both between and with the specific classes of agents like neuroleptics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, alpha-agonists, beta-blockers, buspiron, l-dopa, melatonin, pycnogenol, zinc, magnesium, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and homeopathy. Elucidating the various mechanisms of action of ADHD medications may lead to better choices in matching potential responses to the characteristics of individuals. We review the purported mechanism of action and available evidence for selected complementary and alternative medicine therapies for ADHD in childhood and adolescence.

ObjectiveThis study investigated simultaneously the impact of methylphenidate (MPH) on the interaction of inhibitory and facilitative pathways in regions processing motor and cognitive functions.MethodNeural markers of attention and response control (event‐related potentials) and motor cortical excitability (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and their pharmacological modulation by MPH were measured simultaneously in a sample of healthy adults (n = 31) performing a cued choice reaction test.ResultsMethylphenidate modulated attentional gating and response preparation processes (increased contingent negative variation) and response inhibition (increased nogo P3). N1, cue‐ and go‐P3 were not affected by MPH. Motor cortex facilitation, measured with long‐interval cortical facilitation, was increased under MPH in the nogo condition and was positively correlated with the P3 amplitude.ConclusionMethylphenidate seems particularly to enhance response preparation processes. The MPH‐induced increased motor cortex facilitation during inhibitory task demands was accompanied by increased terminal response inhibition control, probably as a compensatory process.

Objective: Disturbed regulation of vigilance in the wake state seems to play a key role in the development of mental disorders. It is assumed that hyperactivity in adult ADHD is an attempt to increase a general low vigilance level via external stimulation in order to avoid drowsiness. For depression, the avoidance of stimulation is interpreted as a reaction to a tonic increased vigilance state. Although ADHD is assumed to start during childhood, this vigilance model has been barely tested with children diagnosed for ADHD so far.Methods: Resting-state EEG (8 min) measures from two groups of children diagnosed with either ADHD [N = 76 (16 female, 60 male), age: (mean/SD) 118/33 months] or depression [N = 94 (73 female, 21 male), age: 184/23 months] were analyzed. Using the VIGALL toolbox, EEG patterns of vigilance level, and regulation were derived and compared between both groups. In correlation analysis, the relations between vigilance measures, attentional test performance (alertness and inhibition), and mental health symptoms were analyzed.Results: Children with ADHD differed from children with most prominent depressive symptoms in brain arousal regulation and level, but EEG vigilance was not related to behavior problems and not related to the attentional test performance. Brain arousal was dependent on the age of the participant in the whole sample; younger children showed lower vigilance stages than teenagers; this effect was not present when analyzed separately for each diagnostic group. EEG assessment time and received medication had no effect on the EEG vigilance.Discussion: Although based on a small sample, this explorative research revealed that EEG vigilance level is different between children with ADHD and with depression. Moreover, even the standard procedure of the clinical routine EEG (resting state) can be used to differentiate brain arousal states between participants with ADHD and depression. Because routine EEG is not specialized to vigilance assessment, it may not be sufficiently sensitive to find vigilance–symptomatology associations. Further research should address developmental changes in EEG measurements in children and use bigger samples of participants within the same age range.