Verteilte Online-Mehrziel-Parameter-Optimierung in mechatronischen Systemen

von Markus DeppePaderborn, Univ., Diss., 200

Anti-Suicidal Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Depressive Patients: A Retrospective Analysis of a Large Sample

Background: Suicide is a major public health problem. About 90% of suicide victims have one or more major psychiatric disorder, with a reported 20-fold increased risk for suicide in patients with affective disorders in comparison with healthy subjects. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been established as an effective alternative or adjunctive treatment option for patients with depressive disorders, but little is known about its effects on suicide risk. Objective: For the assessment of the effectiveness of rTMS on suicidal ideation and behaviors, we performed a retrospective analysis of a large sample of patients with depressive disorders, who were treated with rTMS. Methods: We analyzed the records of 711 TMS in- and out-patients with depressive affective disorders in a tertiary referral hospital between 2002 and 2017. Out of these patients we were able to collect Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) data of 332 patients (180 females, 152 males; age range 20 to 79 years; mean age 47.3 ± 12.3) for which we analyzed the change of suicidal ideation by using item 3 (suicidality) of HAMD. Results: Out of all 711 patients treated with rTMS for their depression, one patient (0.1%) committed suicide during the TMS treatment. In the statistical analysis of the subsample with 332 patients there was an overall amelioration of depressive symptoms accompanied by a significant decrease in the suicidality item with a medium effect size. Decrease in suicidality was not inferior to changes in other items as indicated by effect sizes. Forty-seven percent of patients showed an amelioration in suicidality, 41.3% of patients did not show a change in their suicidality’s scores, and 11.7% of patients showed an increase in suicidality’s scores from baseline to final rating. Correlation of item 3 (suicidality) and item 7 (drive) demonstrated a significant positive association, revealing improved drive with a parallel decreased suicidality. Conclusion: Based on the proposed data, there is no evidence that rTMS increases the risk for suicide during the course of the treatment. Conversely, rTMS tends to reduce suicidal ideation. Our findings call for further rTMS controlled studies using large sample sizes and specific suicidality assessment measures to obtain more conclusive results

«Diseño para todos» en la investigación social sobre personas con discapacidad

[EN] Social studies on disability have increased in number and importance in Spain and other countries over the last few years. Nevertheless, the majority of the available sources and studies do not adequately represent this heterogeneous group, which currently makes up about 9 per cent of the Spanish population. The implementation of social measures requires representative sources and studies containing relevant information. The aim of this paper is to identify the main diffi culties involved in designing and developing social research methods concerning persons with disabilities, and offer proposals and recommendations in order to advance towards a more inclusive social research using the concepts of accessibility and design for all.[ES] Los estudios sociales sobre la discapacidad han aumentado en número e importancia en España y otros países durante los últimos años. Sin embargo, la mayoría de fuentes de información y estudios disponibles no recogen de manera adecuada la realidad de un colectivo muy heterogéneo, que supone en la actualidad aproximadamente el 9 por ciento de la población española. La implementación de medidas sociales requiere de fuentes y estudios representativos que aporten información precisa acerca de estas personas. El objetivo de esta nota es identifi car las principales difi cultades que se plantean a la hora de diseñar y llevar a la práctica metodologías de investigación social adecuadas hacia las personas con discapacidad, así como ofrecer propuestas y recomendaciones para avanzar hacia una investigación social más inclusiva, mediante los conceptos de accesibilidad y diseño para todos.Work carried out as part of the framework of research projects: “Qualitative Tracking with Young Disabled in European States. Quali-TYDES” (European Science Foundation, 09-ECRP-032) and “Hidden Innovation: paradigm shift in innovation studies” (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, FFI2011-25475).Peer reviewe

„Mild-behavioral-impairment“-Checkliste

Hintergrund: Das Syndrom einer leichten Verhaltensbeeinträchtigung („mild behavioral impairment syndrome“, MBI) ist definiert durch das Auftreten anhaltender neuropsychiatrischer Symptome im Alter. Die Mild-behavioral-impairment-Checkliste (MBI-C) dient der Erfassung von persistierenden neuropsychiatrischen Symptomen, welche die Präsenz des MBI definieren. Ziel: Erarbeitung einer deutschsprachigen Version der MBI-C und Beurteilung der klinischen Anwendbarkeit. Material undMethoden: ImAustausch mit dem federführenden Autor der englischen Originalversionwurde eine deutsche Version erstellt. Die Praktikabilität der Anwendung wurde im Rahmen einer Anwendbarkeitsstudie an einer Kohorte von 21 stationären alterspsychiatrischen Patienten überprüft. Dabei wurden die Compliance der Patienten, die Verständlichkeit, der Zeitaufwand, das Vorgehen bei der Auswertung und die Unterschiede zwischen den Angaben der Patienten und der Angehörigen beurteilt. Ergebnisse: Die erstellte Übersetzung der MBI-C gilt als offizielle deutsche Version und kann auf https://mbitest.org heruntergeladen werden. Alle Patienten beantworteten alle 34 Fragen vollständig, die Verständlichkeit zeigte sich als sehr gut, der durchschnittliche Zeitaufwand lag bei 16min. Es zeigten sich z. T. bedeutsame Unterschiede zwischen den Angaben der Patienten und der Angehörigen. Diskussion: Das MBI kann bei einem Teil der Personen mit neurodegenerativer demenzieller Erkrankung das ansonsten präsymptomatische Stadium markieren. Die MBI-C könnte somit bei der Früherkennung von neurodegenerativen Demenzen helfen. Diese Hypothese kann mithilfe der hier präsentierten sprachlich lokalisierten Version der MBI-C auch im deutschsprachigen Raumzukünftig überprüft werden

Improved ground-state modulation characteristics in 1.3 μm InAs/GaAs quantum dot lasers by rapid thermal annealing

We investigated the ground-state (GS) modulation characteristics of 1.3 μm InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) lasers that consist of either as-grown or annealed QDs. The choice of annealing conditions was determined from our recently reported results. With reference to the as-grown QD lasers, one obtains approximately 18% improvement in the modulation bandwidth from the annealed QD lasers. In addition, the modulation efficiency of the annealed QD lasers improves by approximately 45% as compared to the as-grown ones. The observed improvements are due to (1) the removal of defects which act as nonradiative recombination centers in the QD structure and (2) the reduction in the Auger-related recombination processes upon annealing

Quantum bits with Josephson junctions

Already in the first edition of this book (Barone and Paterno, "Fundamentals and Physics and Applications of the Josephson Effect", Wiley 1982), a great number of interesting and important applications for Josephson junctions were discussed. In the decades that have passed since then, several new applications have emerged. This chapter treats one such new class of applications: quantum optics and quantum information processing (QIP) based on superconducting circuits with Josephson junctions. In this chapter, we aim to explain the basics of superconducting quantum circuits with Josephson junctions and demonstrate how these systems open up new prospects, both for QIP and for the study of quantum optics and atomic physics.Comment: 30 pages, 10 figures. Book chapter for a new edition of Barone and Paterno's "Fundamentals and Physics and Applications of the Josephson Effect". Final versio

Thermal effect of a 445 nm diode laser on five dental implant systems: an in vitro study.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the thermal effect of the 445 nm diode laser on five dental implant systems. In an ailing implant protocol, five commercial dental implant systems were subjected to 445 nm diode laser energy at different wattages [W], exposure times, and modes (continuous wave [CW] vs. pulsed and contact vs. non-contact) of laser beam delivery. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed the evaluation of irradiated implant surfaces. A total of 2880 temperature response curves were recorded. The 445 nm wavelength caused temperature increases of more than 10 °C at or above the 0.8 W power level working in CW mode for 5 s and in pulsed mode at 3 W for 20 s with 10% duty cycle. Highest rises in temperature were seen in the Straumann Pure ceramic implant, lowest in the Ankylos system. SEM analysis revealed no surface alteration in all systems in non-contact mode. The applied laser is not inherently safe for the decontamination of ailing implants. From the results of this study it was concluded that different dental implant materials and geometries show different temperature response curves when subjected to 445 nm diode laser energy. Clinicians ought to be aware of this. Therefore, manufacturers of laser devices should provide implant-specific laser parameters for the decontamination process. However, both laser irradiation systems can prevent harmful rises in temperature and surface alteration when used at moderate laser parameters