The value of dispatchability of CSP plants in the electricity systems of Morocco and Algeria

This paper examines the effects of an increased integration of concentrated solar power (CSP) into the conventional electricity systems of Morocco and Algeria. A cost-minimizing linear optimization tool was used to calculate the best CSP plant configuration for Morocco's coal-dominated power system as well as for Algeria, where flexible gas-fired power plants prevail. The results demonstrate that in both North African countries, storage-based CSP plants offer significant economic advantages over non-storage, low-dispatchable CSP configurations. However, in a generalized renewable integration scenario, where CSP has to compete with other renewable generation technologies, like wind or photovoltaic (PV) power, it was found that the cost advantages of dispatchability only justify CSP investments when a relatively high renewable penetration is targeted in the electricity mix

Non-perturbative four-wave mixing in InSb with intense off-resonant multi-THz pulses

High-field multi-THz pulses are employed to analyze the coherent nonlinear response of the narrow-gap semiconductor InSb which is driven off-resonantly. Field-resolved four-wave mixing signals manifest the onset of a non-perturbative regime of Rabi flopping at external amplitudes above 5 MV/cm per pulse. Simulations based on a two-level quantum system confirm these experimental results.publishe

Ultrafast low-energy dynamics of graphite studied by nonlinear multi-THz spectroscopy

Ultraintense few-cycle THz pulses are employed to study the nonlinear response of graphite. A phase sensitive 2D spectroscopy setup is capable of detecting pump-induced transient changes as well as multi-wave mixing processes. The observed strong THz-pump THz-probe signals provide insight into ultrafast dynamics and the spectral response of the low-energy carriers. Here we report the observation of a pump-induced transmission in graphite. The relaxation dynamics shows three distinct time scales, which are assigned to carrier thermalization, phonon emission and a slow cooling down back to equilibrium.publishe

50 GBit/s Photodetectors Based on Wafer-Scale Graphene for Integrated Silicon Photonic Communication Systems

Optical data links are the backbone of today’s telecommunication infrastructure. The integration of electronic and optic components on one chip is one of the most attractive routes to further increase the system performance. Here, we present the fabrication of photodetectors based on CVD-grown graphene on silicon photonic waveguides. The devices operate bias-free in the C-band at 1550 nm and show an extrinsic −3 dB bandwidth of 41 GHz. We demonstrate that these detectors work at data rates up to 50 GBit/s with excellent signal integrity

Long-term Effects of Multimodal Treatment on Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms

IMPORTANCE Knowledge about the long-term effects of multimodal treatment in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is much needed. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term efficacy of multimodal treatment for adult ADHD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This observer-masked, 1.5-year follow-up of the Comparison of Methylphenidate and Psychotherapy in Adult ADHD Study (COMPAS), a prospective, multicenter randomized clinical trial, compared cognitive behavioral group psychotherapy (GPT) with individual clinical management (CM) and methylphenidate (MPH) with placebo (2 x 2 factorial design). Recruitment started January 2007 and ended August 2010, and treatments were finalized in August 2011 with follow-up through March 2013. Overall, 433 adults with ADHD participated in the trial, and 256 (59.1%) participated in the follow-up assessment. Analysis began in November 2013 and was completed in February 2018. INTERVENTIONS After 1-year treatment with GPT or CM and MPH or placebo, no further treatment restrictions were imposed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was change in the observer-masked ADHD Index of Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale score from baseline to follow-up. Secondary outcomes included further ADHD rating scale scores, observer-masked ratings of the Clinical Global Impression scale, and self-ratings of depression on the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS At follow-up, 256 of 433 randomized patients (baseline measured in 419 individuals) participated. Of the 256 patients participating in follow-up, the observer-masked ADHD Index of Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale score was assessed for 251; the mean (SD) baseline age was 36.3 (10.1) years; 125 patients (49.8%) were men; and the sample was well-balanced with respect to prior randomization (GPT and MPH: 64 of 107; GPT and placebo: 67 of 109; CM and MPH: 70 of 110; and CM and placebo: 55 of 107). At baseline, the all-group mean ADHD Index of Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale score was 20.6, which improved to adjusted means of 14.2 for the GPT arm and 14.7 for the CM arm at follow-up with no significant difference between groups (difference, -0.5; 95% CI, -1.9 to 0.9; P=.48). The adjusted mean decreased to 13.8 for the MPH arm and 15.2 for the placebo arm (difference, -1.4; 95% CI, -2.8 to -0.1; P=.04). As in the core study, MPH was associated with a larger reduction in symptoms than placebo at follow-up. These results remained unchanged when accounting for MPH intake at follow-up. Compared with participants in the CM arm, patients who participated in group psychotherapy were associated with less severe symptoms as measured by the self-reported ADHD Symptoms Total Score according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) (DSM-IV) of Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (AMD, -2.1; 95% CI, -4.2 to -0.1; P=.04) and in the subscale of reducing pure hyperactive symptoms, measured via the Diagnostic Checklist for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults (AMD, -1.3; 95% CI, -2.8 to 0.1; P=.08). Regarding the Clinical Global Impression scale assessment of effectiveness, the difference between GPT and CM remained significant at follow-up (odds ratio, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.03-2.59; P=.04). No differences were found for any comparison concerning depression as measured with the Beck Depression Inventory. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Results from COMPAS demonstrate a maintained improvement in ADHD symptoms for adults 1.5 years after the end of a 52-week controlled multimodal treatment period. The results indicate that MPH treatment combined with GPT or CM provides a benefit lasting 1.5 years. Confirming the results of the core study, GPT was not associated with better results regarding the primary outcome compared with CM. TRIAL REGISTRATION isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN5409620

Long-term Effects of Multimodal Treatment on Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Follow-up Analysis of the COMPAS Trial

IMPORTANCE Knowledge about the long-term effects of multimodal treatment in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is much needed. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term efficacy of multimodal treatment for adult ADHD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This observer-masked, 1.5-year follow-up of the Comparison of Methylphenidate and Psychotherapy in Adult ADHD Study (COMPAS), a prospective, multicenter randomized clinical trial, compared cognitive behavioral group psychotherapy (GPT) with individual clinical management (CM) and methylphenidate (MPH) with placebo (2 x 2 factorial design). Recruitment started January 2007 and ended August 2010, and treatments were finalized in August 2011 with follow-up through March 2013. Overall, 433 adults with ADHD participated in the trial, and 256 (59.1%) participated in the follow-up assessment. Analysis began in November 2013 and was completed in February 2018. INTERVENTIONS After 1-year treatment with GPT or CM and MPH or placebo, no further treatment restrictions were imposed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was change in the observer-masked ADHD Index of Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale score from baseline to follow-up. Secondary outcomes included further ADHD rating scale scores, observer-masked ratings of the Clinical Global Impression scale, and self-ratings of depression on the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS At follow-up, 256 of 433 randomized patients (baseline measured in 419 individuals) participated. Of the 256 patients participating in follow-up, the observer-masked ADHD Index of Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale score was assessed for 251; the mean (SD) baseline age was 36.3 (10.1) years; 125 patients (49.8%) were men; and the sample was well-balanced with respect to prior randomization (GPT and MPH: 64 of 107; GPT and placebo: 67 of 109; CM and MPH: 70 of 110; and CM and placebo: 55 of 107). At baseline, the all-group mean ADHD Index of Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale score was 20.6, which improved to adjusted means of 14.2 for the GPT arm and 14.7 for the CM arm at follow-up with no significant difference between groups (difference, -0.5; 95% CI, -1.9 to 0.9; P=.48). The adjusted mean decreased to 13.8 for the MPH arm and 15.2 for the placebo arm (difference, -1.4; 95% CI, -2.8 to -0.1; P=.04). As in the core study, MPH was associated with a larger reduction in symptoms than placebo at follow-up. These results remained unchanged when accounting for MPH intake at follow-up. Compared with participants in the CM arm, patients who participated in group psychotherapy were associated with less severe symptoms as measured by the self-reported ADHD Symptoms Total Score according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) (DSM-IV) of Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (AMD, -2.1; 95% CI, -4.2 to -0.1; P=.04) and in the subscale of reducing pure hyperactive symptoms, measured via the Diagnostic Checklist for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults (AMD, -1.3; 95% CI, -2.8 to 0.1; P=.08). Regarding the Clinical Global Impression scale assessment of effectiveness, the difference between GPT and CM remained significant at follow-up (odds ratio, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.03-2.59; P=.04). No differences were found for any comparison concerning depression as measured with the Beck Depression Inventory. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Results from COMPAS demonstrate a maintained improvement in ADHD symptoms for adults 1.5 years after the end of a 52-week controlled multimodal treatment period. The results indicate that MPH treatment combined with GPT or CM provides a benefit lasting 1.5 years. Confirming the results of the core study, GPT was not associated with better results regarding the primary outcome compared with CM. TRIAL REGISTRATION isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN5409620