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The proxies used to compose cognitive reserve (CR) for patients of a first episode of psychosis (FEP) have varied in the literature. The development of FEP is linked to peripheral pathways of the central nervous system, yet despite this knowledge, no research has considered the introduction of biomarkers as proxies for CR. Meanwhile, schizophrenia has been linked to the metabolic system, indicating that alterations in the levels of biological parameters, in particular high-density lipoproteins (HDL), cause worse global functioning and cognitive impairment. For these reasons, the present study aimed to create a quantifiable and objective CR index that adjusts for the multifactorial nature of FEP.

Cognitive reserve (CR) has recently been considered a key factor in the onset of a first episode of psychosis (FEP). However, the differences in CR in FEP patients according to sex have not yet been investigated.

Deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM) had been suggested as a possible endophenotype for unaffected relatives of first episode of psychosis (FEP) patients. There are a limited number of studies which have evaluated ToM deficits among the siblings and parents of FEP patients.

Introduction: Processing Speed (PS) deficits represent a fundamental aspect of cognitive impairment, evident not only in schizophrenia but also in individuals undergoing their first episode of psychosis (FEP) and their unaffected first-degree relatives. Heterogeneity in tests assessing PS reflects the participation of motor and cognitive subcomponents to varying degrees. We aim to explore differences in performance of the subcomponents of PS in FEP patients, parents, siblings, and controls.

Spectral indices can be defined to characterize how the solar spectrum affects photovoltaic devices. The use of such indices is particularly important in technologies which are highly dependent on spectral variations, such as tandem, or multijunction (MJ), solar cells. In this paper, we analyze the capability of three effective irradiance values, given by the photocurrents of the components of triple-junction solar cells, and covering different spectral bands, to define the spectrum condition. Even though these parameters will be based on a particular type of MJ solar cell, they provide enough information to accurately assess the spectral impact on other types of MJ solar cell technologies with significantly different spectral responses. Consequently, specific component cells for each MJ solar cell technology may not be necessarily needed and a reference technology could be used for all of them, providing a way for the future standardization of these devices as a mean of defining the solar spectral condition.

Concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) requires accuracy in optical alignment. Optical misalignment in the module was measured and analyzed. Such information was useful to identify assembly problems and improved module performance. A Monte Carlo simulation was developed to analyze the impact of alignment errors by assembly errors. The simulation result implied that the key statistical parameters for module performance were not averaged errors but the standard deviation and the worst value. “Cutting above certain level” was effective, including the introduction of jigs that keep misalignment at a certain level. The standard deviation of misalignment should be controlled to less than 20% of the designed acceptance half angle.

The proxies used to compose cognitive reserve (CR) for patients of a first episode of psychosis (FEP) have varied in the literature. The development of FEP is linked to peripheral pathways of the central nervous system, yet despite this knowledge, no research has considered the introduction of biomarkers as proxies for CR. Meanwhile, schizophrenia has been linked to the metabolic system, indicating that alterations in the levels of biological parameters, in particular high-density lipoproteins (HDL), cause worse global functioning and cognitive impairment. For these reasons, the present study aimed to create a quantifiable and objective CR index that adjusts for the multifactorial nature of FEP.

The acidity‐enhancing effectof BH3in gas‐phase phosphine⋅boranes compared to the corresponding free phosphines is enormous, between 13 and 18 orders of magnitude in terms of ionization constants. Thus, the enhancement of the acidity of protic acids by Lewis acids usually observed in solution is also observed in the gas phase. For example, the gas‐phase acidities (GA) of MePH2and MePH2⋅BH3differ by about 118 kJ mol−1(see picture).

Dimethyldisulfide (I) is the simplest model of the biologically relevant family of disubstituted disulfides. The experimental study of its gas‐phase protonation has provided, we believe for the first time, a precise value of its gas‐phase basicity. This value agrees within 1 kJ mol−1with the results of G3 calculations. Also obtained for the first time was the reaction rate constant for the bimolecular reaction between Iand its protonated form, IH+, to yield methanethiol and a dimethyldithiosulfonium ion. This constant is of the order of magnitude of the collision limit. A computational mechanistic study based on the energetic profile of the reaction, completed with Fukui's and Bader's treatments of the reactants and transition states fully rationalizes the regioselectivity of the reaction as well as the existence of a shallow, flat Gibbs energy surface for the reaction. The mechanistic relevance of the chalcogen–chalcogen interaction and the CH⋅⋅⋅S bonds has been demonstrated.

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1) Protonation at all possible sites of adamantane (C10H16) was studied at the MP2/6‐311++G(3df,2p)//MP2/6‐311++G(d,p) level. This provided values of the changes in the thermodynamic state functions for these processes. Whenever direct comparison was possible, the agreement with experimental data was very good. 2) By the same means, the reaction paths linking the various species obtained in these reactions were analyzed. 3) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) spectroscopy was used to determine the rate constants for proton transfer from 16 protonated reference bases to adamantane in the gas phase. Also, the rate constants for the formation of ionic products in these reactions were determined. 4) The experimental reaction rates were successfully predicted and refined on the basis of a simple mechanistic model based on the reaction profiles indicated above. 5) Our results hint at the potential usefulness of this approach for mechanistic studies.

Cognitive reserve (CR) has recently been considered a key factor in the onset of a first episode of psychosis (FEP). However, the differences in CR in FEP patients according to sex have not yet been investigated.

Solar simulators for characterization of concentrator photovoltaic modules (CPV) are now commercially available, providing an alternative to outdoor performance characterization with clear advantages in terms of repeatability, availability, control of operating conditions, and cost. Nevertheless, optical concentration implies particular characteristics that introduce the need of new performance figures and characterization methods. CPV solar simulators have demonstrated characterization capabilities beyond simple current--voltage ($I$--$V$) curve acquisition. This paper summarizes other indoor performance tests developed at the Instituto de Energía Solar (IES-UPM) that have proven to be useful for the optical, mechanical, and spectral characterization and optimization of a CPV module.