60 research outputs found
The safety and efficacy of N-acetylcysteine as an augmentation in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
No full textBackground: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) ranks as the fourth most prevalent psychiatric disorder, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as its mainstay pharmacological treatment. However, approximately 40 to 60% of patients do not adequately respond to initial treatment, highlighting the need for alternative options. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is one of the several medications that have been used in augmentation with SSRIs to enhance their efficacy. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of NAC, a glutamate-modulating agent, as an augmentation in the treatment of moderate to severe OCD. Method: We conducted a thorough search across PubMed, Scopus, Web of science, and ProQuest to identify relevant trials published until December 2023. The primary outcome of interest was the mean difference between the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores before and after administrating augmented NAC among patients with moderate to severe OCD. Furthermore, we compared the occurrence of adverse drug events between the experimental and control groups. Results: We included six randomized controlled trials with 195 patients. The results of our study indicated a positive outcome for the experimental group in terms of the total Y-BOCS score when using the medication for a period of five to eight weeks (p-Value = 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed for durations shorter than five weeks or longer than 12 weeks. Additionally, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the obsession and compulsion Y-BOCS scores. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in terms of adverse events. Conclusion: Augmentation of NAC with SSRIs may benefit patients with moderate to severe OCD. However, it is necessary to conduct additional multi-center trials over extended periods to develop a comprehensive strategy for action
Correction: MBFair: a model-based verification methodology for detecting violations of individual fairness
No full text137Correction to: Software and Systems Modelinghttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-024-01184-y. The article "MBFair: a model-based verification methodology for detecting violations of individual fairness", written by Qusai Ramadan, Marco Konersmann, Amir Shayan Ahmadian, Jan Jürjens and Steffen Staab was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 10 June 2024 without open access. With the author(s)’ decision to opt for Open Choice the copyright of the article changed on 31 December 2024 to © The Author(s) 2024 and the article is forthwith distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.24
Exergoeconomic and multi-objective optimization of a solar thermochemical hydrogen production plant with heat recovery
No full textA solar hydrogen production plant based on a four-step copper-chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle is presented and analyzed in this paper. The integrated system includes a pressurized solar power tower, gas turbine unit, phase change material (PCM) for thermal energy storage (TES), Cu-Cl cycle, regenerative steam Rankine cycle (SRC), and a heat recovery unit. A predictive model is developed for energy, exergy, and exergo-economic analyses of the proposed system. A parametric study is also conducted to investigate the effect of major parameters on the system performance. The system is optimized with a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) considering exergy efficiency and product cost per unit exergy as the two objective functions. The results indicate that the energy and exergy efficiencies of the overall system are 48.2% and 45%, respectively, while the total product cost per unit of exergy is found to be 11.94/GJ, respectively
Three-month functional outcomes of acute ischemic stroke in patients with chronic renal function impairment.
No full textBackgroundChronic renal function impairment (RFI) increases the risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), greater stroke severity, and post-stroke disability and mortality.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the three-month functional outcomes of AIS in patients with chronic RFI.MethodsIn this prospective study, stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and functional outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Outcomes were analyzed based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).ResultsAmong the 205 patients included (median age: 70 years, IQR: 61-82), 123 (60%) were male. Patients with lower eGFR had higher NIHSS scores (more severe strokes) and higher mRS scores at both baseline and three months (poorer functional outcomes). Based on a logistic regression model adjusted for confounding factors, higher eGFR was significantly associated with good three-month functional outcomes (adjusted OR = 2.634, 95% CI [1.207, 5.748], p = 0.015).ConclusionsChronic RFI is associated with more severe strokes and poorer baseline and three-month functional outcomes after AIS. Future research should explore targeted management strategies to improve post-stroke recovery in this population
Gut Microbiota and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: A Systematic Review of Mechanistic Links, Evidence from Human and Preclinical Studies, and Therapeutic Prospects
No full textObsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a multifactorial condition, and interest in gut–brain interactions is increasing. We conducted a systematic two-step review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251083936). Step 1 mapped core OCD biology to gut-relevant pathways, including neuroimmune activation, epithelial barrier function, microbial metabolites, and stress circuitry, to clarify plausible mechanisms. Step 2 synthesized evidence from human and preclinical studies that measured or manipulated microbiota. Searches across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane (September 2025) yielded 357 biological and 20 microbiota-focused studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for human studies and SYRCLE’s tool for animal studies. Although taxonomic findings in human cohorts were heterogeneous, functional patterns converged: reduced short-chain fatty acid capacity, enrichment of pro-inflammatory pathways, and host markers of barrier disruption and inflammation correlating with OCD severity. Transferring patient microbiota to mice induced OCD-like behaviors with neuroinflammatory changes, partly rescued by metabolites or barrier-supporting strains. Mendelian randomization suggested possible causal contributions at higher taxonomic levels. Diet, especially fiber intake, and psychotropic exposure were major sources of heterogeneity. Evidence supports the microbiota as a modifiable co-factor in a subset of OCD, motivating diet-controlled, stratified clinical trials with composite host–microbe endpoints
Broadening the paradigm of laminin α2-related muscular dystrophy: A case of partial merosin deficiency with compound heterozygous variants
No full textLaminin α2-related muscular dystrophy is a rare autosomal recessive condition caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene, with clinical presentations ranging from severe congenital forms to milder phenotypes resembling limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. We report a case of a 4-month-old girl presenting with delayed head control, axial hypotonia, and proximal muscle weakness, while cognitive and cardiac functions remained preserved. Laboratory evaluations revealed elevated serum creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Muscle biopsy demonstrated dystrophic changes and partial merosin deficiency. Whole-exome sequencing identified two heterozygous variants in LAMA2: a known missense variant ( c.6548T>G; p.L2183R ) and another likely pathogenic missense variant ( c.6979G>T; p.G2327 ). However, targeted parental testing and quantitative PCR confirmed c.6548T>G as paternally inherited and revealed a novel heterozygous frameshift deletion ( c.291delC ) maternally inherited, consistent with compound heterozygosity in trans. The c.6979G>T variant was not confirmed as part of the disease-causing allele combination. In silico analyses supported the pathogenicity of the novel deletion. The patient received multidisciplinary care, including individualized physical and occupational therapy, and her family received genetic counseling. This case highlights the diagnostic value of early genetic testing, the importance of confirming inheritance patterns, and the contribution of novel LAMA2 mutations to the understanding of genotype–phenotype correlations in laminin α2-related muscular dystrophy
Representation theory of SU(2) and SU(3) with applications to spin and quark models
No full textIn this thesis we provide an elementary introduction in finite dimensional representation theory of the Lie groups SU(2) and SU(3) for undergraduate students in physics and mathematics. We will also give two application of representation theory of these two groups in physics: the spin and quark models. We begin with first discussing representation theory for finite groups to create intuition for representations. We will explain notions such as intertwining maps and complete reducibility and we will mention some application of representation theory of finite groups inquantum mechanics. Hereafter, we begin with representation theory for Lie groups and Lie algebras, especially the groups SO(3) and SU(2), as these groups will play an important role in the description of spin. One of the main results is that SU(2) is the universal cover of SO(3). Furthermore, we give a description of spin by means of representation theory of SO(3) and its Lie algebra so(3). We will show that half integer representations of the Lie algebra so(3) cannot be exponentiated to representations of the Lie group SO(3), but it can be exponentiated to its universal cover SU(2). Moreover, we study the irreducible representations of SO(3) inside the Hilbert space L2(R3). We will argue that one of the simplest quantum Hilbert spaces of a particle L2(R3), can be modified to the completion of the tensor product L2(R3) ⊗V, where, V is a finite dimensional Hilbert space that incorporates the internal degrees of freedom: spin. V carries an irreducible projective representation of SO(3). We will also discuss the addition of angular momentum of two particles in quantum mechanics. For this, we show how the tensor product of irreducible representations V and W of so(3) decomposes into SO(3) invariant subspaces of L2(R3). Hereafter, we will turn to representation theory of the Lie group SU(3) for setting up the mathematical framework for analysing the quark model. We will proof that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the irreducible representations of sl(3;C)and SU(3). We will also proof the theorem of the highest weight by which we can classify all the irreducible representations of SU(3) and sl(3;C) by their highest weight. We will also introduce the notion of the Weyl group and show that the Weyl group is a symmetry of weights of the finite dimensional representation of sl(3;C). Other properties of these representation, such as the dimension of the irreducible representations of sl(3;C) will be provided. Lastly, the quark model is discussed by means of representation theory of SU(3). We will show how this model can be used to classify two type of particles which also interact by means of the strong force: baryons and mesons. We show that we can classify the lightest mesons and baryons in so-called multiplets by the irreducible representations of SU(3). However, we will also introduce a modification of the strong force which further refines this model. A topic for further study would be how the symmetry group SU(3) describing Quantum Chromo Dynamics (QCD) can be used for the description of mesons and baryons.Applied Mathematics | Applied Physic
Analysis of Offshore Protective Berms using FEM and MPM
No full textBy increase in knowledge and complexity of the projects, worldwide, more attention towards safety provision in projects is being paid. With growth in waterway traffic the need of safety provision for structures crossing navigable waters increases. Especially bridge piers and immersed tunnels on the see floor or at tunnel approaches are at bigger risk of being hit by ships which have lost their navigational course due to any reasons. Therefore availability of collision protective systems is essential. A number of different methods are being used worldwide as protective systems while for the full frontal collision, protective berms are the most convenient systems. This research investigates the possibility of calculations for these berms using numerical modelling tools such as Finite Element Method (FEM) and Material Point Method (MPM). FEM is a well-known and proven tool in engineering world while MPM is a newly developed tool that is considered as an update of FEM. In MPM the material state and stresses are stored in material points that can freely move though the mesh. This tool is highly useful for problems with high expected deformations or dynamic calculations where FEM is not considered as an ideal tool and could fail. Furthermore, also, a simplified analytical method has been presented in this report.At present MPM is being developed around the world. Plaxis, which is a well-known software developer especially for Geo-Engineering applications, is currently developing software that provides MPM modelling. For this research, the Plaxis 2D software has been used for MPM under confidentiality terms. As mentioned, the software is in its development stage therefore some issues where expected. The FEM models are also created using the internationally used Plaxis 2D FEM version. The reliability of the MPM and also FEM models in dynamic calculations was analyzed in this research allowing for a better understanding for the final model which represents the ship-berm collision problem. Two models (static and dynamic) were created in both FEM and MPM which then verified and compared. Therefore it was concluded that MPM can be considered as a reliable tool for dynamic calculations since the obtained results were similar or comparable with FEM and analytical solutions. The final models in both FEM and MPM however, did not provide the required results that could help to understand the ship-berm collision mechanism and/or the stress situations within the soil (only partial results were obtained). The FEM model showed very unrealistic and inaccurate results. The constant predefined contact area between the ship and berm is considered to be the main issue in this model; on the other hand, due to encountered issues with MPM, the MPM simulation could not be fully performed in terms of minimum required time steps. Nevertheless the partial simulations with a limited simulation time, were found to be realistic and in accordance with expectation, suggesting the capability of MPM for dynamic calculation after the necessary developments. As conclusion, this report does not recommend the usage of FEM for such a modelling and considers MPM a good possible tool to be used after the necessary developments in the near future. Meanwhile the presented simplified analytical method could provide a rough estimation for required berm length. In addition a FEM model has also been suggested in this report allowing for the user to have an insight on the stress propagation within the soil.Geo-Engineerin
Application of Continuous Reinforcement Learning on Innovative Control Effector Aircraft: Online Actor-Critic-Based Adaptive Control for a Tailless Aircraft with Innovative Control Effectors
No full textHigher levels of autonomy in aerospace systems is an urgent requirement, considering the increase in control task difficulties, and the need for adaptability of the complex systems. Reinforcement learning (RL) control is one of the promising approaches for adaptive control of air vehicles that are designed for automation. Conventional discrete reinforcement learning methods fail in providing satisfactory performance for flight control systems (FCSs), especially for a complex configuration of a tailless over-actuated aircraft. The lack of efficiency of the discrete controller in exploration for finding the optimal policy, the so-called problem of 'curse of dimensionality', results in an approach that is not suitable for online implementation. Also, the achieved discrete non-smooth control policy usually does not apply to the real world control surfaces. This paper studies the experiments with Heuristic Dynamic Programming (HDP), a method obtained from adaptive critic design (ACDs), as a continuous reinforcement learning approach. ACD methods can capture the nonlinearities in the complex dynamics of the aircraft while solving the control problem computationally efficient by using continuous states and action spaces. Such qualities make ACDs suitable for online FCS design for unstable systems like tailless aircraft. In this paper, the ACD-based controller is developed and implemented for the Innovative Control Effector (ICE) aircraft, a highly maneuverable aircraft with redundancy in its control effectors suite. The coupled control effectors configuration has strong interactions and, therefore, proposes a need for proper control allocation. The online simulation results show the accuracy of the designed continuous RL controller in the longitudinal control of the aircraft using different sets of control effectors. The proposed approach also shows significant improvements in the tracking performance and control policy smoothness (e.g., compared to discrete methods).Aerospace Engineerin
Replacing the acquisition function in Bayesian optimization by a neural network: How effectively do meta-learned acquisition functions in Bayesian optimization perform when optimizing for control variates of unknown functions, as compared to BO with standard acquisition functions
No full textBayesian Optimization (BO) has demonstrated significant utility across numerous applications. However, due to it being designed as a universal optimizer, its performance can often be suboptimal in specialized environments. To overcome this issue, research has been conducted into the application of transfer learning for enhancing BO performance in these specialized contexts. This paper describes the research done into evaluating the MetaBO algorithm in some specific environments. MetaBO innovates by substituting the acquisition function component in BO with a neural network that serves as an acquisition function, trained via a reinforcement learning framework. Although the results indicate that the algorithm's performance is not optimal in the environments tested, these limitations are ascribed to elements of the implementation rather than the concept of the algorithm itself. Consequently, further research is necessary to refine the implementation process and fully exploit the potential of the MetaBO algorithm.CSE3000 Research ProjectComputer Science and Engineerin
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