Detection of Critical Events in Renewable Energy Production Time Series

The introduction of more renewable energy sources into the energy system increases the variability and weather dependence of electricity generation. Power system simulations are used to assess the adequacy and reliability of the electricity grid over decades, but often become computational intractable for such long simulation periods with high technical detail. To alleviate this computational burden, we investigate the use of outlier detection algorithms to find periods of extreme renewable energy generation which enables detailed modelling of the performance of power systems under these circumstances. Specifically, we apply the Maximum Divergent Intervals (MDI) algorithm to power generation time series that have been derived from ERA5 historical climate reanalysis covering the period from 1950 through 2019. By applying the MDI algorithm on these time series, we identified intervals of extreme low and high energy production. To determine the outlierness of an interval different divergence measures can be used. Where the cross-entropy measure results in shorter and strongly peaking outliers, the unbiased Kullback-Leibler divergence tends to detect longer and more persistent intervals. These intervals are regarded as potential risks for the electricity grid by domain experts, showcasing the capability of the MDI algorithm to detect critical events in these time series. For the historical period analysed, we found no trend in outlier intensity, or shift and lengthening of the outliers that could be attributed to climate change. By applying MDI on climate model output, power system modellers can investigate the adequacy and possible changes of risk for the current and future electricity grid under a wider range of scenarios

The association between alterations in motor and cognitive dimensions of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: a systematic review

Motor and cognitive alterations in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD) share common neural underpinnings, highlighting the necessity for a thorough exploration of the connections between these areas. This relationship is crucial, as it holds potential significance in unraveling the underlying mechanisms of SSD pathophysiology, ultimately leading to advancements in clinical staging and treatment strategies. The purpose of this review was to characterize the relationship between different hyper and hypokinetic domains of motor alterations and cognition in SSD. We systematically searched the literature (PROSPERO protocol CRD42019145964) and selected 66 original scientific contributions for review, published between 1987 and 2022. A narrative synthesis of the results was conducted. Hyper and hypokinetic motor alterations showed weak to moderate negative correlations with cognitive function across different SSD stages, including before antipsychotic treatment. The literature to date shows a diverse set of methodologies and composite cognitive scores hampering a strong conclusion about which specific cognitive domains were more linked to each group of motor alterations. However, executive functions seemed the domain more consistently associated with parkinsonism with the results regarding dyskinesia being less clear. Akathisia and catatonia were scarcely discussed in the reviewed literature. The present review reinforces the intimate relationship between specific motor alterations and cognition. Identified gaps in the literature challenge the formulation of definitive conclusions. Nevertheless, a discussion of putative underlying mechanisms is included, prompting guidance for future research endeavors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mouse Protocadherin-1 gene expression is regulated by cigarette smoke exposure in vivo

Protocadherin-1 (PCDH1) is a novel susceptibility gene for airway hyperresponsiveness, first identified in families exposed to cigarette smoke and is expressed in bronchial epithelial cells. Here, we asked how mouse Pcdh1 expression is regulated in lung structural cells in vivo under physiological conditions, and in both short-term cigarette smoke exposure models characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness and chronic cigarette smoke exposure models. Pcdh1 gene-structure was investigated by Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends. Pcdh1 mRNA and protein expression was investigated by qRT-PCR, western blotting using isoform-specific antibodies. We observed 87% conservation of the Pcdh1 nucleotide sequence, and 96% conservation of the Pcdh1 protein sequence between men and mice. We identified a novel Pcdh1 isoform encoding only the intracellular signalling motifs. Cigarette smoke exposure for 4 consecutive days markedly reduced Pcdh1 mRNA expression in lung tissue (3 to 4-fold), while neutrophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness was induced. Moreover, Pcdh1 mRNA expression in lung tissue was reduced already 6 hours after an acute cigarette-smoke exposure in mice. Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke induced loss of Pcdh1 protein in lung tissue after 2 months, while Pcdh1 protein levels were no longer reduced after 9 months of cigarette smoke exposure. We conclude that Pcdh1 is highly homologous to human PCDH1, encodes two transmembrane proteins and one intracellular protein, and is regulated by cigarette smoke exposure in vivo

Uncovering Electromechanical Uncoupling in Subclinical Pathogenic Mutation Carriers and Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Patients

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a progressive inherited heart disease. The clinical presentation of ACM is heterogenous and diagnosis remains challenging. Whereas echocardiographic deformation imaging was capable in detecting subtle functional abnormalities in asymptomatic ACM patients, the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is still not able to detect these subtle electrical changes. As the 12-lead ECG might not be sensitive enough, this study aimed to relate the electrical changes as recorded by body surface potential mapping (BSPM) to the mechanical changes detected by echocardiographic deformation imaging. Per lead, the integral values of all 67 leads were calculated per 5 ms intervals during ventricular depolarization and the lead in which the absolute minimum appeared the most (lead{min}) was identified. The direction of this vector towards a specific heart segment was then compared to the interval between QRS onset and local onset of myocardial shortening, the electromechanical interval (EMI). We observed a relation of {lead{min}} pointing towards the basal segment of the right ventricle (RV{basal}) and an increased EMI in this area suggesting the existence of an electromechanical relationship in RV{basal},, With this study, the first steps towards relating both electrical and mechanical changes in ACM pathogenic mutation carriers is made.</p

Systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving for borderline personality disorder:A systematic review

Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) is a group treatment program for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The program was intended to be highly accessible, both for patients and therapists. During STEPPS, patients are taught emotion regulation and behavior management skills. This systematic review synthesizes the current empirical status of STEPPS, focusing on research designs, quality of studies, target groups, protocols, and outcome. We selected 20 studies, with three randomized controlled trials. Patients with BPD, subthreshold BPD, and patients with BPD and comorbid antisocial personality disorder were investigated. One study was conducted in adolescents. There were no studies in older adults. Results demonstrated STEPPS to be associated with reduced BPD symptoms, improved quality of life, decreased depressive symptoms, and decreased negative affectivity. Mixed results were found for impulsivity and suicidal behaviors. STEPPS has both been studied as an add-on therapy to patients' ongoing treatment, and, with the addition of individual STEPPS sessions, as a stand-alone treatment. High attrition rates were found in patients attending STEPPS, complicating the generalizability of the results. Although the evidence for STEPPS is promising, further research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. Recommendations for future research are discussed

Linking Unserved Energy to Weather Regimes

The integration of renewable energy sources into power systems is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades. This can result in critical situations related to the strong variability in space and time of weather patterns. During these critical situations the power system experiences a structural shortage of energy across multiple time steps and regions, leading to Energy Not Served (ENS) events. Our research explores the relationship between six weather regimes that describe the large scale atmospheric flow and ENS events in Europe by simulating future power systems. Our results indicate that most regions have a specific weather regime that leads to the highest number of ENS events. However, ENS events can still occur during any weather regime, but with a lower probability. In particular, our findings show that ENS events in western and central European countries often coincide with either the positive Scandinavian Blocking (SB+), characterised by cold air penetrating Europe under calm weather conditions from north-eastern regions, or North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO+) weather regime, characterised by westerly flow and cold air in the southern half of Europe. Additionally, we found that the relative impact of one of these regimes reaches a peak 10 days before ENS events in these countries. In Scandinavian and Baltic countries, on the other hand, our results indicate that the relative prevalence of the negative Atlantic Ridge (AR-) weather regime is higher during and leading up to the ENS event.Comment: Rogier H. Wuijts and Laurens P. Stoop contributed equally to this wor

Prenatal smoke exposure induces persistent Cyp2a5 methylation and increases nicotine metabolism in the liver of neonatal and adult male offspring

Prenatal smoke exposure (PSE) is a risk factor for nicotine dependence. One susceptibility gene for nicotine dependence is Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of nicotine to cotinine and nicotine clearance in the liver. Higher activity of the CYP2A6 enzyme is associated with nicotine dependence, but no research has addressed the PSE effects on the CYP2A6 gene or its mouse homologue Cyp2a5. We hypothesized that PSE affects Cyp2a5 promoter methylation, Cyp2a5 mRNA levels, and nicotine metabolism in offspring. We used a smoke-exposed pregnant mouse model. RNA, DNA, and microsomal protein were isolated from liver tissue of foetal, neonatal, and adult offspring. Enzyme activity, Cyp2a5 mRNA levels, and Cyp2a5 methylation status of six CpG sites within the promoter region were analysed via HPLC, RT-PCR, and bisulphite pyrosequencing. Our data show that PSE induced higher cotinine levels in livers of male neonatal and adult offspring compared to controls. PSE-induced cotinine levels in neonates correlated with Cyp2a5 mRNA expression and promoter methylation at CpG-7 and CpG+45. PSE increased methylation in almost all CpG sites in foetal offspring, and this effect persisted at CpG-74 in male neonatal and adult offspring. Our results indicate that male offspring of mothers which were exposed to cigarette smoke during pregnancy have a higher hepatic nicotine metabolism, which could be regulated by DNA methylation. Given the detected persistence into adulthood, extrapolation to the human situation suggests that sons born from smoking mothers could be more susceptible to nicotine dependence later in life

Postnatal Smoke Exposure Further Increases the Hepatic Nicotine Metabolism in Prenatally Smoke Exposed Male Offspring and Is Linked with Aberrant Cyp2a5 Methylation

Prenatal smoke exposure (PreSE) is a risk factor for nicotine dependence, which is further enhanced by postnatal smoke exposure (PostSE). One susceptibility gene to nicotine dependence is Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of nicotine to cotinine in the liver. Higher CYP2A6 activity is associated with nicotine dependence and could be regulated through DNA methylation. In this study we investigated whether PostSE further impaired PreSE-induced effects on nicotine metabolism, along with Cyp2a5, orthologue of CYP2A6, mRNA expression and DNA methylation. Using a mouse model where prenatally smoke-exposed adult offspring were exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 months, enzyme activity, mRNA levels, and promoter methylation of hepatic Cyp2a5 were evaluated. We found that in male offspring, PostSE increased PreSE-induced cotinine levels and Cyp2a5 mRNA expression. In addition, both PostSE and PreSE changed Cyp2a5 DNA methylation in male groups. PreSE however decreased cotinine levels whereas it had no effect on Cyp2a5 mRNA expression or methylation. These adverse outcomes of PreSE and PostSE were most prominent in males. When considered in the context of the human health aspects, the combined effect of prenatal and adolescent smoke exposure could lead to an accelerated risk for nicotine dependence later in life.</p

Associations between momentary mental states and concurrent social functioning after remission from first episode psychosis:A HAMLETT ecological momentary assessment study

Background: Symptom severity and social functioning are important outcomes after first episode psychosis (FEP), yet current evidence about associations between them is inconsistent and lacks (subclinical) momentary insights. Methods: The current Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) study was conducted in 58 people in remission from FEP, as part of the HAMLETT (Handling Antipsychotic Medication: Long-term Evaluation of Targeted Treatment) trial. At baseline, participants were prompted to report momentary mental states and social context 10x/day for eight consecutive days, including psychotic experiences (PEs), motivation/drive and negative affect, that may indicate proxies of (subclinical) psychotic, negative and general affective symptoms, respectively. We employed multilevel mixed-effects regressions to investigate associations between self-reported mental states and concurrent activity or social company and subjective appraisal thereof. We also conducted retrospective clinical assessments of symptoms (PANSS) and social functioning (WHODAS 2.0) and investigated their cross-sectional associations using multivariable linear regression. Results: Analyses of 3101 EMA-questionnaires showed that lower motivation/drive was associated with more passive activity and less company (OR = 0.96 [95%CI: 0.96; 0.97], OR = 0.95 [95%CI: 0.93; 0.96], N.B. ORs per 1-point symptom-score change). PEs and negative affect were associated with more proactive activity (OR = 1.02 [95%CI: 1.00; 1.03], OR = 1.02 [95%CI: 1.01; 1.03]). All three mental state domains were associated with lower activity appraisal overall, though activity-specific associations differed. PEs and negative affect were associated with lower company appraisal (B = −0.25 [95%CI: −0.36; −0.14], B = −0.15 [95%CI: −0.23; −0.06]). When assessed retrospectively, only PANSS general psychopathology was associated with poorer social functioning (B = 2.52 [95%CI: 1.69; 3.34]). Conclusion: Self-reported PEs, momentary motivation/drive and general affective symptoms are associated with daily-life functioning after remission from FEP. Retrospective observer-rated and momentary self-report assessment methods do not measure the same aspects or intensity of psychopathology.</p