Gas generation and wind power: A review of unlikely allies in the United Kingdom and Ireland

No single solution currently exists to achieve the utopian desire of zero fossil fuel electricity generation. Until such time, it is evident that the energy mix will contain a large variation in stochastic and intermittent sources of renewable energy such as wind power. The increasing prominence of wind power in pursuit of legally binding European energy targets enables policy makers and conventional generating companies to plan for the unique challenges such a natural resource presents. This drive for wind has been highly beneficial in terms of security of energy supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, it has created an unusual ally in natural gas. This paper outlines the suitability and challenges faced by gas generating units in their utilisation as key assets for renewable energy integration and the transition to a low carbon future. The Single Electricity Market of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and the British Electricity Transmission Trading Agreement Market are the backdrop to this analysis. Both of these energy markets have a reliance on gas generation matching the proliferation of wind power. The unlikely and mostly ignored relationship between natural gas generation and wind power due to policy decisions and market forces is the necessity of gas to act as a bridging fuel. This review finds gas generation to be crucially important to the continued growth of renewable energy. Additionally, it is suggested that power market design should adequately reward the flexibility required to securely operate a power system with high penetrations of renewable energy, which in most cases is provided by gas generation

Clinical and prognostic features of patients with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus in the intensive care unit

Objective: To investigate the clinical and prognostic features of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus.Methods: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit for severe pneumonia associated with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus were evaluated.Results: The study included 20 patients with the mean age of 36±13. Of the 20 subjects, 17 (85%) had underlying conditions. Of the 20 patients, 11(55%) were discharged and 9 (45%) died. Cardinal symptoms were fever, myalgia, and hemoptysis with the rates of 85 %, 75 % and 45 %, respectively. All patients had pneumonic infiltrations in their chestroentgenograms. Main laboratory findings were lymphopenia, high creatin phosphokinase (CPK) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. All patients had positivity on real time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). None of the patients had pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus vaccination. None of them had taken oseltamivir within 48hours. Main reasons for mortality were cardiovascular complications and ventilatory associated pneumonia due to Acynetobacter baumannii.Conclusion: Early diagnosis and antiviral treatment in these cases seem to be the best approach to avoid serious illness. Special attention should be given to patients having underlying conditions such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and pregnancy

Clinical and prognostic features of patients with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus in the intensive care unit

Objective: To investigate the clinical and prognostic features of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus. Methods: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit for severe pneumonia associated with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus were evaluated. Results: The study included 20 patients with the mean age of 36±13. Of the 20 subjects, 17 (85%) had underlying conditions. Of the 20 patients, 11(55%) were discharged and 9 (45%) died. Cardinal symptoms were fever, myalgia, and hemoptysis with the rates of 85 %, 75 % and 45 %, respectively. All patients had pneumonic infiltrations in their chest roentgenograms. Main laboratory findings were lymphopenia, high creatin phosphokinase (CPK) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. All patients had positivity on real time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). None of the patients had pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus vaccination. None of them had taken oseltamivir within 48 hours. Main reasons for mortality were cardiovascular complications and ventilatory associated pneumonia due to Acynetobacter baumannii. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and antiviral treatment in these cases seem to be the best approach to avoid serious illness. Special attention should be given to patients having underlying conditions such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and pregnancy

Neonatal regulatory behavior problems are predicted by maternal early pregnancy overweight and obesity:findings from the prospective PREDO Study

Abstract Introduction: Maternal overweight/obesity and comorbid hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes associate with neurodevelopmental delay in the offspring in childhood. We hypothesize that these maternal conditions associate also with the offspring regulatory behavior problems and impact on neurodevelopment via the offspring regulatory behavior. Methods: A number of 3117 women of the PREDO Study filled in a questionnaire on regulatory behavior problems at the child’s mean age of 16.9 days and 2116 of them a questionnaire on developmental milestones at the child’s mean age of 42.2 months. Data on maternal BMI and comorbid disorders come from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. Results: Offspring of overweight/obese mothers in comparison to normal weight mothers had higher levels of regulatory behavior problems and 22% (95% confidence interval 5–42%) higher odds of having problems on multiple domains of behavioral regulation at the mean age of 16.9 days. Offspring regulatory behavior problems partially mediated the association between maternal overweight/obesity and developmental milestones comprising communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal/social domains of development. Comorbid disorders did not associate with offspring regulatory behavior problems. Conclusion: Regulatory behavior problems of the offspring have prenatal origins and partially mediate the effects of maternal overweight/obesity on offspring neurodevelopment

Epidemic Adenoviral Keratoconjunctivitis Possibly Related to Ophthalmological Procedures in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Lessons from an Outbreak

Purpose: Epidemic adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis can spread rapidly among preterm infants who frequently undergo ophthalmological examination. Here we present our experience on a nosocomial outbreak that affected 8 nursery staff members and 26 premature infants. We focus on the presentation and progress of the outbreak, the diagnosis of the disease and the measures taken for its control