Connected TV refers to any TV or set-top box that can be connected to the Internet providing access to additional content such as TV applications, Web browsing and communication with other devices in the network. These new features turn TV devices into more versatile and interesting platforms, but also clog the screen with more content, making TVs more inaccessible for people with visual impairments. This paper presents the design and implementation of a solution that explores multiple modalities, personalization and allows users to control TV applications from their mobile devices, taking advantage of the accessibility features of the latter.


We constructed a new health monitoring system to detect damage using a fiber optic distributed sensor, namely a Brillouin optical time domain reflectometer (BOTDR), and installed it in International America's Cup Class (IACC) yachts, the Japanese entry in America's Cup 2000. IACC yachts are designed to be as fast as possible, so it is essential that they are lightweight and encounter minimum water resistance. Advanced composite sandwich structures, made with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) skins and a honeycomb core, are used to achieve the lightweight structure. Yacht structure designs push the strength of the materials to their limit and so it is important to detect highly stressed or damaged regions that might cause a catastrophic fracture. The BOTDR measures changes in the Brillouin frequency shift caused by distributed strain along one optical fiber. We undertook two experiments: a pulling test and a four point bending test on a composite beam. The former showed that no slippage occurred between the optical fiber glass and its coating. The latter confirmed that a debonding between the skin and the core of 300 mm length could be found with the BOTDR. Next we examined the effectiveness with which this system can assess the structural integrity of IACC yachts. The results show that our system has the potential for use as a damage detection system for smart structures.


The second Tenovus Symposium was held to explore the possibilities of automating cervical cytology in order to facilitate mass screening programmes. Automation in cytology, particularly gynaecological cytology, has been talked about for many years now and it is excellent to have the diverse and different approaches to the problem collected together in one volume. This volume contains the proceedings of the symposium, and is well produced and easy to read, more readable than is usual in a collection of papers. Almost 10 years ago Tolles, Horvath & Beston (1961) pioneered automation in the interpretation of cervical smears in USA. They showed that it was possible to detect by automation increased cell size and density in smears, but as they measured only about 200 random cells in each smear they could not ensure the finding of malignant cells which might be present at a rate of less than 1 per 1000. The machine was not applied to screening generally, not so much because these initial criteria were wrong, but because the material presented in cervical smears contained not single cells, but clumps of cells and also extraneous material, bacteria, leucocytes, etc., which masked the nuclear density and size. Diamond gave a paper at the sixth Annual General Meeting of the Society for Clinical Cytology in London in September 1967 where he described his findings, and showed that practically all malignant cells had the shortest nuclear diameter greater than 12 U. This is larger than that found, as a result of hormonal changes in pregnancy, postnatal and post-menopausal smears. He thus tested the value of the single parameter of nuclear size. This work was corroborated to some extent by Rimmer (1968) working in Birmingham, but she also found a significant percentage of invasive cancers contained no large cells. Ward & McMaster (1965) used a multiparameter measurement of the nucleus but point out that the machine must first find these nuclei and then measure them.


ABSTRACT Given the lack of information on the use of spontaneous plants from the Caatinga biome as green manure to produce green grains, the present work aimed to agronomically and economically optimize cowpea production for green grains and their components when fertilized with equitable biomass amounts of hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia L.) and roostertree (Calotropis procera Ait.) in two cropping seasons in a semi-arid environment. The experiment used a randomized complete block design, with five treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of equitable amounts of dry M. aegyptia and C. procera biomass of 16, 29, 42, 55 and 68 t ha-1. In each experiment, an additional treatment was planted with cowpea without fertilizer (absolute control), and another was fertilized with mineral fertilizer for the purpose of comparison with the treatment of maximum physical or economic efficiency. The maximum optimized physical (agronomic) efficiencies of cowpea green pods and grain production were reached in the productivity of green pods at 3.90 t ha-1 and green grains at 4.06 t ha-1, with incorporation into the soil of 45.07 and 50.48 t ha-1 of green manure, respectively. The maximum economic efficiency of cowpea green grain production was reached at a net income of R$5826.12 ha-1 and at a rate of return of 1.29 reals for each real invested with application to the soil of 38.74 and 37.85 t ha-1 of the tested green manure biomass.


For societies undergoing transition from an authoritarian to a more liberal political order, the consequences of pluralism are often hard to cope with. Under the old system political repression may have been the norm, but at least the previous regime offered some form of protection against the waves of pornography, violence and social collapse which often appear to accompany liberalisation. Such problems are even more acute for religious organisations, many of whose leaders may have played a role in bringing down the old authoritarian regime but now find themselves wondering about the democratic beast they have unleashed. In the changing political system they have to compete with new ideologies and faiths, but also with the more colourful pleasures of the flesh now available to the average citizen. Amongst the new arrivals may be an array of alternative or minority religious movements which compete with more traditional religious communities in a religious free market. Simultaneously many of the minorities already active in the country may acquire a greater public profile and becoming increasingly active as a result of political liberalisation. In response the national churches, often in alliance with conservative or nationalist politicians, may seek ways to privilege the national religion or restrict the rights of the minority religions so as to preserve their influence on the wider society. In this article I compare the ways in which two neighbouring countries, Greece and Bulgaria, have responded to the question of religious pluralism during a time of transition. Both are nations where Orthodoxy has played a key role in shaping national identity, both are countries which in the last three decades have made a transition from authoritarian to more or less democratic rule and both are countries in which religion's contribution to change was negligible. Of course the starting-point of their transitions was very different. Greece was ruled from 1967 to 1974 by a military junta which deposed a quasi-democratic state and defined its mission in terms of saving Christian civilisation from the threat of communism and radical democracy. Bulgaria was ruled from 1945 to 1989 by a communist party ostensibly committed to removing all traces of religious influence from public and even private life. In nature, the rule of both was often inefficient, but Greek authoritarianism was short-lived and far less brutal than that of the communists to the north. In 1974 the Greek junta fell following an ill-timed intervention in Cyprus, whilst the Bulgarian regime fell as an almost accidental consequence of developments in the USSR and other parts of Eastern Europe. Following the collapse of the Greek junta a more


OBJECTIVE: To establish quality standards of Liuwei gancao pills. METHODS: TLC method was adopted for qualitative identification of Glycyrrhiza uralensis in prescription. The content of liquiritoside was detected by HPLC. RESULTS: TLC spot was separated well and clear; the linear range of liquiritoside was 4.024 0~24.144 0 μg·mL-1(r=0.999 7) with an average recovery of 98.3%(RSD=0.96%,n=6); the content of G. uralensis in each pill was not less than 2.8 mg by the content of liquiritoside. CONCLUSION: Established quality standards can be used for the quality control of Liuwei gancao pills.


In this paper, we report the results of nanocrystalline CaCO 3 by using TEM, SEM, X ray diffraction (XRD) and Voigt functioin analysis, and furthermore, give an explanation to the abnormal infra red behavior of nano particle calcite. We suppose that the size effect that exists in micro structure causes the intensive stress in the crystal structure of calcite, and which results in an 40 cm -1 blue shift and obvious narrowness of the ν 3 assimilation band.$$$$


The key issue in e-commerce security is digital signature. Chaum first proposed the concept of blind digital signature, and designed untraceable payments. To avoid threats from chosen-message attacks presented by Coron et al. (1999), Fan et al. (2000) proposed a randomization enhanced Chaum blind signature scheme, by injecting a random factor into messages. In this paper, we first formally define the unlinkability of the blind signature scheme. According to this definition, we prove that Fan's scheme does not possess the unlinkablity property: after the message and signature have been revealed to the public by the sender, the signer can trace the corresponding blinded message and signature by constructing a linkage between the message and the blind message. Therefore, Fan's scheme cannot provide true blind signatures.


This thesis uses a qualitative sociological approach to identify case-specific cultural patterns and strategies among university students in Japan. The qualitative material was collected during a field study in summer 2002 and is presented in four cases. The focus in the study is on structural tendencies and cultural reproduction in using schooling as a basis for both identity and participation in Japanese society. The aim of the thesis is to shed light on individual life-worlds and cultural patterns that create a rational field in utilising education as a resource. The main question is how the participants identify school as both a cultural and a structural resource. The meritocratic Japanese educational system emphasises the aspect of equal educational opportunities. The normative and structural basis of educational policy is to a large extent used by the participants in this study as an ideal image of what a high-achieving and motivated student is like. The specific cases, on the other hand, do not identify themselves as following the normative way of achieving an education. For them school and education are mainly an instrument for identity creation and social recognition. Specific qualities that the cases can recognise are used as symbolic capital in their rational field. Specifically Japanese characteristic in terms of gender relations, ethnic belonging, and differences between urban and rural areas tend to create different cultural patterns among the participants, for whom education becomes an instrument for both formal participation and identity creation. The cases measure themselves against an ideal that they do not recognise themselves as achieving. It is instead an alternative allocation of resources that makes them see education as a resource in creating independence both through economic self-sufficiency and against cultural patterns they recognise as limiting their self-fulfilment. Keywords: Education, culture, ideology, gender-specific relations, urban-rural, Koreans.


ABSTRACT Data from two thermo-mechanical pulp mills are collected to simulate the refining process using deep learning. A multilayer perceptron neural network is utilized for pattern recognition of the refining variables. Results show the impressive capability of artificial intelligence methods in refining energy simulation so that the correlation coefficient of 98% is accessible. A comprehensive parametric study has been made to investigate the effect of refining disturbance variables, plate gap and dilution water on refining energy simulation. The generated model reveals the non-linear hidden pattern between refining variables, which can be used for optimal refining control strategy. Considering the disturbance variables' effect in refining energy simulation, model accuracy could increase by 15%. Removing the plate gape from predictive variables reduces the simulation determination coefficient by up to 25% in both mills, while the mentioned value for removing dilution water is 9–17% in mill 1 and about 35% in mill 2.


The flowchart to fulfill 2-dimension engineering diagram, and the function, process and application method of the winding program in 3-dimension transformer design system are introduced. The application example is presented.


Level of autoantibodies to interleukins in blood serum and lacrimal fluid was studied by ELISA method in 16 patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (nDR) and in 11 persons without this pathology. Increase of autoantibodies level of IgAs to IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 in lacrimal fluid of patients with nDR was stated. Increase of autoantibodies level of IgG to IL-6 ahd IL-8 in blood serum of these patients was also observed with exception to IL-10 which concentration was practically unchangeable.


Ultra-Low thermal expansion (ULE) silica glass with essentially zero coefficient of thermal expansion is one of the most promising achievements in glass technology in a few decades. The property of the low thermal expansion coefficient makes it a suitable candidate for optical systems to be used in critical environments like space or vacuum. In this paper, by the help of ICP-OES and Infrared reflectance spectra, we measured titanium content of different samples and its corresponding reflection spectrum. We compared the linear fitting relation of Ti content with reflectivity and of Ti content with integration area of Gaussian fitting peak with a weighted average wave centre in 923cm-1. Results show that the latter one has a better correlation coefficient. By the tests of the IR reflectance spectrum of samples, we can deduce the Ti content using the linear fitting result.


This paper presents a technique to compensate the intrinsic loss of a tunable resonator, which can then be used to realize tunable bandpass filters (BPFs) with reduced insertion loss (IL). The parasitic losses in a tunable resonator can be compensated by introducing a negative resistance to the resonator through parametric amplification. Based on the proposed technique, a third-order tunable BPF operating between 1.5 to 2 GHz is designed and simulated. The simulated results indicate that the intrinsic loss can be compensated at each operating frequency. The compensated intrinsic losses are 11.9, 9, and 7.2 dB at 1.5, 1.75, and 2 GHz, respectively. In addition, the resulted noise figure, out-of-band rejection, and return loss are all improved when the parametric amplification technique is applied.


Objective:To investigate the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) of aged patient.Methods:The clinical data of 238 patients from Mar.2003 to Mar.2008 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:All the operations were succeeded,the operative time was 30-90min.Five patients occurred pulmonary infection.There were 4 cases who occurred subcutaneous emphysema.Conclusions:If there are full preparation,proper anesthetic methods and skilled operation,it's safe for aged patient to undergo LC.


Objective The safety of intersections, interchanges, and other traffic facilities is most often assessed by tracking and analyzing police-reported motor vehicle crashes over time. Given the infrequent and random nature of crashes, this process is slow to reveal the need for remediation of either the roadway design or the flow-control strategy. This process is also not applicable to assess the safety of roadway designs that have yet to be built or flow-control strategies that have yet to be applied in the field. This TechBrief summarizes the research and development of the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM), a technique combining microsimulation and automated conflict analysis, which analyzes the frequency and character of narrowly averted vehicle-to-vehicle collisions in traffic, to assess the safety of traffic facilities without waiting for a statistically above-normal number of crashes and injuries to actually occur. Figure 1. Conflict scenario resulting from a lane change maneuver.


ABSTRACT This article focuses on the relationship between cultural and cognitive-psychological processes, and discusses the potential impact of the cognitive sciences (broadly defined) on understanding culture, as well as on the social sciences in general. It utilizes a computational cognitive architecture to illustrate the potential of combining the cognitive sciences with the social sciences. A cognitive architecture can provide not only detailed, mechanistic, process-based, micro-level interpretations of cultural phenomena, but also conceptual tools for addressing relevant theoretical issues.


Editors' note: Larry lost his battle against pancreatic cancer in September 2009. When we invited him, some months before his death, to prepare this essay he eagerly agreed, despite his worsening health. We acknowledge with gratitude his longtime service as a member of the Geographical Review Editorial Board, as a Councilor of the American Geographical Society, and as a professor of geography at San Diego State University. In many ways he was himself an inspiration.


This paper presents a truncated sequential procedure for testing if the failure rate of a device is constant versus a linearly increasing failure rate. A number of items, N, are placed on test and their failure times are recorded sequentially. After each observation one decides either to accept or reject a constant failure rate or to wait for another observation. Simulation under various parametric conditions yields information on the initial choice of N, average sample sizes, and points on the OC curve. Selection of the various parametric conditions is discussed. An example illustrates the use of the test.


The article delves into the development of a Non-Gaussian Process Monitoring Strategy for a Copper Cathode Manufacturing Unit (CCMU). The monitoring strategy being devised highlighted the issue of multi-stage process monitoring via the usage of Multi-block Independent Component Analysis (MBICA) techniques. MBICA is the multi-block variant of ICA technique which is prevalently used for process laden with non-Gaussian or non-normal data. Development of the monitoring strategy involved detection of fault(s) and their subsequent diagnosis. Detection of fault(s) was carried out by employment of I2 control chart whose control limit was established via Bootstrap procedure. The diagnosis of the detected fault was carried out by employment of fault diagnostic statistic. An amalgamation of MBICA and Multivariate Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (MEWMA) are also known as MBICA-MEWMA approach was also proposed for detection of incipient fault(s). The monitoring strategy thus developed was showcased for a CCMU which specialised in the manufacture of copper cathode which has got varied practical applications. The monitoring strategy thus devised was able to detect and diagnose the faults with appreciable accuracy.


A high Q Gaussian beam open resonator and a new arrangement of it are described as a new method for determining absolute loss due to surface resistance of highly reflective materials at short millimeter- and submillimeter wave frequencies. The Gaussian beam open resonator consists of a pair of spherical mirrors with highly reflective partially transparent circular coupling regions and a plane minor, where the plane minor is the test sample. Application of this new method to reflection type measurement enabled simultaneous attainment of high Q factor and high signal-to-noise ratio, which would have been impossible using a conventional reflection-type open resonator with a small coupling hole. Moreover, the use of a pair of identical spherical mirrors enabled direct measurement of the Q of these mirrors, which is equal to Q/sub others/, without changing the experimental conditions. Surface loss measurements of metal films are made at 100 GHz band. In the room temperature experiment, surface resistance of 110 m/spl Omega/ was measured with an accuracy of /spl plusmn/7.6%.<<ETX>>


A novel, precise, and simple method is described for developing a GPC calibration curve for a polymer where only broad molecular weight distribution samples are available. The method demands a GPC calibration curve for another polymer (e.g., polystyrene) and measurement of the intrinsic viscosity and an average molecular weight for each of several samples of the broad molecular weight distribution polymer in addition to GPC measurements on those samples. Results of applying the procedure to poly(n-lauryl methacrylate) are presented.


The Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom is a source of high nutritional value and bioactive compounds such as β-glucans, with immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic and prebiotic activity. The aim of this work was to developed a bread with P. ostreatus powder (POP) to increase its nutritional value and reduce its glycemic index. Four formulations were proposed substituting 5, 10, 15 and 20% of wheat flour (w/w) for POP in the bread and their physical characteristics and nutritional were evaluated. In addition to determining the glycemic index and the in vitro digestion of starch in the proposed formulations. Results shown that with the addition of POP the specific volume of the bread decreased, and it became darker. The nutritional value of the bread was enriched, since the content on proteins, fiber and minerals increased. The results of in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion demonstrated that bread supplemented with POP showed more optimal starch digestibility with slower digestion rate, lower eGI and RDS contents, which could bring health benefits to humans. These findings suggest that the mushroom powder is an excellent alternative to produce bread with improved nutritional quality and decreased glycemic index.


Executive Summary With the emergence of the federal government budget surplus in the mid-1990s, the government increased its investment in academic genomics research with the introduction of new policies, agencies, and programs. Despite increased funding, the expectation of an economic return on investment, as measured by traditional metrics such as patents, licenses and spin-offs, has not materialized. In the attempt to improve Canada's performance, granting programs now increasingly include assessment criteria related to achieving both economic and social impact from the supported research. Furthermore, a majority of stakeholders now recognize the need to move beyond traditional technology transfer activities of patenting, licensing, and spin-offs. New modes of achieving the desired economic and social impacts worth considering include knowledge translation, entrepreneurship, and industry and community collaborations. Looking at recent European experiences, the concept of valorization presents a broader framework that encompasses economic and social benefits that arise from research and are realized through multiple pathways that go beyond traditional technology transfer. This GPS policy brief traces the Canadian history of commercialization programs and policy development over the past two decades and presents strategies for a new framework based on valorization to guide future policy development in genomics research. The scope of this policy brief, along with several illustrative examples, centres largely on life sciences and health genomics in particular. Where warranted, we will engage in more encompassing analyses about research in general and discuss other important life sciences sectors in Canada, including plant genomics and agricultural biotechnology. The best way to move forward "beyond commercialization" in genomics research will likely require addressing the problem globally since the structure, programs, resources, and talent required to promote changes across the channels of valorization entail much more than genomics research alone to justify the policy changes and resource (re-)allocation.


The optimal maxillary antrostomy size to surgically treat sinusitis is not well known. In this study, we examined clinical metrics of disease severity and symptom scores, measured secreted inflammatory markers, and characterized the sinus microbiome to determine if there were significant differences in outcome between different maxillary ostial sizes.


The transition from foraging systems to agricultural dependence is a persistent focus of archaeological research, and the focus of a major research project supported by the European Research Council (ERC grant no. 323842, 'ComPAg'). Gordon Childe, director of the Institute of Archaeology 1947–1957, influentially defined the Neolithic revolution as that which instigated a series of changes in human societies towards sedentism (settling in one place), larger populations, food production based on domesticated plants and animals, transformed cosmologies and the dawn of new malleable technologies such as ceramics and textiles (Childe 1936).


This paper (Wallace & Beange, 2008) raises critical issues regarding effective models of healthcare delivery for individuals with intellectual disability (ID), particularly within a hospital setting (but not necessarily limited to that setting). When the US-based Special Olympics organisation began to analyse its data from the screening clinics it supported for prospective athletes, and then commissioned a comprehensive survey of the health disparities experienced by individuals with ID, it began a debate with ongoing implications for effective models of healthcare delivery to this population (Horowitz, Kerker, Owens, & Zigler, 2001; Special Olympics, 2001). The subsequent report issued by the US Surgeon General helped to define the extent of the problems and made some critical recommendations for their resolution (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2002). A report by the Health Issues Special Interest Research Group of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID) identified the pervasive nature of these disparities among the healthcare systems of all developed countries (Scheepers et al., 2005). As the authors point out, problems with existing healthcare systems can have catastrophic consequences for the individual. Although the data on potentially avoidable deaths among adults with ID requiring emergency hospitalisation is limited, the available data raise significant questions. The literature cited by Wallace and Beange describes the cascading nature of critical events in the development of an appreciation of the severity of the medical crisis and then the appropriateness of responses from the generic social and healthcare services. This is an example of what has been defined as ''the quality chasm'' (Committee on Quality of Health Care in America, 2001), whereby the ''burden of harm conveyed by the collective impact of all our health care quality problems leads to staggering results'' (Chassin & Galvin, 1998). So the problem, as well as the solution proposed in this paper, address both broad and very individualised questions about effective models of healthcare delivery for this population. The breadth of the problem for healthcare systems is not captured by focusing on the relatively small proportion of the population with ID and their ongoing physical health problems, but rather by examining the costs associated with their care. This group of individuals could be considered – for all the reasons cited by the authors – as a special example of the ''80/20 rule'': that is, 80% of the medical costs in any given country are incurred by fewer than 20% of the patient population (Krugman & Wells, 2006). The complexities inherent in providing appropriate healthcare to individuals with limited communicative and cognitive abilities add to their healthcare delivery costs and make


Abstract This study explores the performance of classical methods for detecting publication bias—namely, Egger's regression test, Funnel Plot test, Begg's Rank Correlation and Trim and Fill method—in meta-analysis of studies that report multiple effects. Publication bias, outcome reporting bias, and a combination of these were generated. Egger's regression test and the Funnel Plot test were extended to three-level models, and possible cutoffs for the estimator of the Trim and Fill method were explored. Furthermore, we checked whether the combination of results of several methods yielded a better control of Type I error rates. Results show that no method works well across all conditions and that performance depends mainly on the population effect size value and the total variance.


Abstract : The report contains presentations of guest speakers and reports of seminar workshops. The seminar theme is Improving Management Education in the Army. (Author)


Detection of traffic interruptions is a critical aspect of managing traffic on urban road networks. This work outlines a semi-supervised strategy to automatically detect traffic interruptions occurring on arteries using high resolution data from widely deployed inductive loop detectors. The techniques highlighted in this paper are tested on data collected from detectors installed on more than 300 signalized intersections over a 6 month period. Our results show that we can detect interruptions with high precision and recall.


A compact, one‐piece, metal‐plate, multiple antenna system capable of generating concurrent 2.4‐ and 5‐GHz bands with directional radiation patterns for wireless local area network (WLAN) applications is presented.The design is obtained by integrating two loop and two slot antennas arranged sequentially along a rectangular antenna ground into a single flat plate with overall size of 3 × 75 × 75 mm3. The ground plane in this design not only acts like a reflector for the 2.4 GHz loops but also provides the 5 GHz slots an efficient finite ground to properly excite the antenna. With a simple structure, compact size, and good radiation characteristics, the antenna is easy to fabricate and suitable for applications in WLAN access points. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:815–820, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26624


The history of World War I is well documented, but a comprehensive study of German cryptology during that epoch is yet to be undertaken. Owing to the silence of German cryptologists and intelligence officers, this topic remains almost untouched to date. Hence, a perspective on the role of German cryptology in World War I comes mainly from British and US authors, but generally not from German sources. This paper provides an overview of an ongoing research, focused on the German culture of cryptology between 1871 and 1918. It is based on the assumption that a fixation on cryptography is the essential part of that cryptology culture of those times. From 1914 on, Germans had to learn cryptanalysis the hard way. Questions regarding who started this learning process, how it developed, the failures and successes it produced, and the structures that were involved in the process, are yet to be answered. This investigation links the current state of the art with data obtained from the archives. Connecting cryptology with intelligence and technology, it also evaluates its impact on decisionmaking. Finally, understanding the antecedent German culture of cryptology enables us to investigate that of its descendants – spanning the decades from World War II to the Cold War, as well as today's "information security culture".


The thiolysis of S-ethoxycarbonyl O-ethyl dithiocarbonate (1) has been examined in order to study both its transesterification reaction and the reactivities of its carbonyl and thiocarbonyl groups. The two symmetrical pyrothiocarbonates (EtOCS)2S (4) and (EtOCO)2S (5) are produced by reactions of (1) with EtOCS2K (7) or EtOCOSK (8) in 95% ethanol at 0 °C; (4) was always the main product in the reaction with (7) whereas (5) was initially the main product in the reaction with (8). The reaction of (1) with BuOCS2K yielded first BuOCS2CSOEt and then BuOCS2CO2Et and (BuOCS)2S. These results indicate that the thiocarbonyl group of (1) is more reactive than the carbonyl one.


We consider a compound Poisson risk model in which the premium rate changes when the surplus exceeds a threshold. The explicit form of the ruin probability for the risk model is obtained by deriving and using the overflow probability of the workload process in the corresponding M/G/1 queueing model.


The automobile is one of the most convenient products of modern civilization, and the number of vehicles is rapidly increasing as the human population continues to grow and developing countries become more economically active. From the standpoint of "energy, resources, and environmental conservation," however, the ongoing wave of motorization has brought with it a number of problems, including the exhaustion of resources stemming from rising fossil fuel consumption and the rapid deterioration of the environment caused by greenhouse gases, which are contained within automobile exhaust (CO2 from automobile exhaust accounts for approximately 25% of gross CO2 emissions) (6)-(8). This being the case, almost all automobile manufacturers have developed for commercial use electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) using an electric motor, out of consideration for the earth's natural resources and the environment (14), (19). Presumably, the ultimate results of such efforts are fuel cell electric vehicles (FC EVs) or hydrogen engine vehicles, both of which make use of hydrogen (H2) as fuel (9), (10). Meanwhile, dramatic progress in high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology in recent years (1)-(3), (16), (17) has revealed that electric motors wound with HTS wire, whose electrical resistance is almost zero, are optimal for motors to power moving bodies, as they produce high torque while also conserving space and energy (4), (14). Already, a prototype liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooled HTS motor using the first-generation HTS wire (DI-BSCCO) is being tested in ships (5) and automobiles (11). By lowering the cooling temperature, it is possible to significantly increase the permissible electrical current (Ic: Critical current) of HTS wire (7). For example, DI-BSCCO is capable of generating 200 A of Ic per HTS wire (≈ 1 mm2) at the LN2 temperature of 77 K (-196 °C) (2), (16). If this HTS wire is cooled using LH2 with a temperature of 20 K (253 °C), its Ic can be increased by approximately six times (200 A x 6 > 1 KA) (7), which makes it then possible to increase output (torque = function of "Ampere x Turn") with minimum loss while retaining the ultra-compact nature of the motor with ideally high energy efficiency. However, the problem still remains of creating a system for cooling the HTS motor to this level of LN2/LH2 temperature and maintaining such a temperature. Meanwhile, in order to facilitate the spread of FC EVs and hydrogen engine vehicles, both of which utilize hydrogen resources, it is crucial that an infrastructure (i.e., hydrogen stations) be developed that are equivalent to gas stations for gasoline-powered vehicles. Given the present situation of the EU and North America, which currently hold the lead in this field, it seems that it would be most practical and feasible to use LH2 tank trucks to deliver hydrogen produced off-site to such stations installed throughout the country, just as with gasoline. When it comes to generating hydrogen as a sustainable energy source, it has been pointed out that it will not be long before it becomes necessary to depend on hydrogen that is either generated off-site as a by-product or intensively produced using a new type of energy (primarily solar cell power) (7), (8). Whatever the case may be, it is likely that "LH2 will be supplied to hydrogen stations." If we consider this "LH2 station infrastructure" in relation to the "use of HTS motors using LH2," we arrive at the concept of "LH2 high-temperature superconducting hybrid electric vehicles (LH2 HTS HEVs)." These completely clean, green, compact and energy-conserving vehicles that run on sustainable energy, namely, sun-generated hydrogen, and (liquid) hydrogen stations will surely guarantee to future generations the maintenance of a social system wherein these convenient and essential automoThe 21st century is "the era of energy, resource and environment." In the near future, an increasing population and advanced civilization will urge us to rely on solar-originated new energy sources. More specifically, hydrogen (H2) energy generated by solar cell power will assume an important role to power vehicles, the most convenient products of modern civilization. The H2 energy will be delivered in liquid form by tank trucks to H2 stations, where the liquid hydrogen (LH2) will be supplied to every automobile. Meanwhile, high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials and technologies have markedly developed. By utilizing such application technologies as Sumitomo Electric's cutting-edge BSCCO, an ideal hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) will be practical. LH2, which produces 20 K cool energy, can act as a coolant itself for an HTS motor and therefore, a cooling device will not need to be mounted any more. Thus, LH2 holds high potential for realization of an energy-efficient environmental-friendly compact HEV, and therefore LH2, besides high-pressure H2 gas, should be included within the development policies for the HEV.


The magnetization at low temperatures for Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 and Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 samples showed a rapid increase with decreasing temperatures, contrary to a La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 sample. Specific heat measurement at low temperatures showed a Schottky-like anomaly for the first two samples. However, there is not a straight forward correlation between the intrinsic magnetic moment of the Nd 3+ ions and the Schottky-like anomaly.


Tongue movement ear pressure signals have been used to generate controlling commands in human-machine interfaces. The objective of this study is to classify the controlled movement relating to an intended action from interfering signals that can be experienced. These interfering signals include but are not limited to, speech, coughing and drinking. Thus data was collected for six types of controlled movement and the various interfering signals, when subjects spoke, coughed or drank. The signal processing involves detection, segmentation, feature extraction and selection, and classification of tongue motions. The segmented signals were initially transformed into the wavelet packet domain, allowing for various features to be extracted based on statistical properties of the wavelet coefficients. These are then used as input into a Bayesian classifier under multivariate Gaussian assumptions. The average classification performance for identifying controlled movements and interfering tongue signals achieved 98% and 93.5% respectively. Thus the classification of tongue movement ear pressure signals based on the wavelet packet transform is robust. The application of this Bayesian classification strategy significantly reduces the interference of controlling commands when considered within a human-machine interface system operating in a challenging environment.


This paper presents a non-linear model predictive control (NMPC) of a supermarket refrigeration system. This is a hybrid process involving switching nonlinear dynamics and discrete events, on/off manipulated variables, like valves and compressors, continuous controlled variables like goods temperatures and finally, several operation constraints. The hybrid controller is based on a parameterization of the on/off control signals in terms of time of occurrence of events instead of using directly binary values, on this way, we can reformulate the optimization problem as a NLP problem. A rigorous model of a real supermarket refrigeration system provided by Danfoss is presented as well as results of the hybrid controller operating on it. The paper describes the hybrid process, presents the control problem formulation and provides some results of the proposed approach and comparisons with the traditional control.


Highly excited levels of ytterbium have been investigated using two-photon absorption spectroscopy and space-charge detection. The authors tuned the 0.2 cm-1 dye laser radiation over the range 3900-4100 AA and observed the even-parity states J=0 and J=2 belonging to the series 4f146s ns 1S0, 4f146s nd 1D2, 4f146s nd 3D2 from n=13-62, from n=11-64 and from n=11-21, respectively. Many strong perturbations appear due to configurations with a 4f13 core.


Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human-specific gamma-herpes virus of the Lymphocryptovirus genus that has succeeded to colonize more than 90% of the adult population. EBV's co-evolution with humans has established a largely harmless coexistence that depends on the variability of viral gene expression and on the immunological host response. Though infection with EBV is generally harmless, the virus is associated with multiple human tumors, such as Burkitt lymphoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, and AIDS lymphomas. The role of EBV in the malignant transformation is still enigmatic even after more than 40 years of research on this virus. EBV readily infects B-lymphocytes in vitro. After infection the virus establishes a latent infection and expresses 9 viral proteins. The concerted effect of these EBV proteins will be the activation and proliferation of the infected B cells. This viral gene expression pattern was named type III latency. As the EBV-infected B cells with type III latency are highly immunogenic they are readily detected and killed by the specific cytotoxic T cells. In contrast to the EBV-infected normal B cells, the majority of the EBV-carrying tumors do not express all the nine proteins; rather they express only EBNA-1 or EBNA1 together with the latent membrane proteins (LMP-1 and LMP-2). The factors that determine what viral genes EBV will express in the different normal and malignant cells are only partially known. Motivated by the lack of in vitro models in which to study the interaction of EBV with the malignant Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells, we infected with EBV one of the Hodgkin lymphoma-derived cell lines and studied the viral gene expression in this EBV-converted subline. In this system we identified two cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, that could modulate the viral gene expression (specifically, induce the expression of LMP-1) and with their help we could for the first time reconstitute in vitro the EBV gene expression seen in the classical Hodgkin lymphomas in vivo. We have also studied the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the induction of LMP-1 by IL-4 and IL13. Through these studies we identified STAT6 as an important inducer of LMP-1 expression. As STAT6 is constitutively activated in the majority of Hodgkin lymphomas, our results not only provides an explanation how LMP-1 is expressed in the EBV-carrying HRS cells, but might also have future therapeutic implications. Further work identified two additional cytokines, IL-10 and IL-21, which could induce the expression of LMP-1 in EBV-positive B cell and NK cell lymphoma-derived cell lines. The effect of IL-21 was pleiotropic: it could induce LMP-1 in cells that did not express it, and it induced the plasma cell differentiation and down-regulation of expression of the EBV nuclear antigens (EBNA-1 to -6) in type III lymphoblastoid and Burkitt lymphoma cell lines. Furthermore, when isolated human CD4+ T cells were co-cultured with different EBVcarrying lymphoma cell lines, we found that upon activation they were capable of inducing the expression of LMP-1, just as the recombinant cytokines did. Altogether our results provide evidence for an important role for the cytokines secreted by CD4+ T or other inflammatory cells in the modulation of EBV latent gene expression. LIST OF PUBLICATIONS INCLUDED IN THE THESIS I. Kis LL, Nagy N, Klein G, Klein E. Expression of SH2D1A in five classical Hodgkin's disease-derived cell lines. Int J Cancer. 2003 May 1;104(5):65861. II. Nishikawa J, Kis LL, Liu A, Zhang X, Takahara M, Bandobashi K, Kiss C, Nagy N, Okita K, Klein G, Klein E. Upregulation of LMP1 expression by histone deacetylase inhibitors in an EBV carrying NPC cell line. Virus Genes. 2004 Jan;28(1):121-8. III. Kis LL, Nishikawa J, Takahara M, Nagy N, Matskova L, Takada K, Elmberger PG, Ohlsson A, Klein G, Klein E. In vitro EBV-infected subline of KMH2, derived from Hodgkin lymphoma, expresses only EBNA-1, while CD40 ligand and IL-4 induce LMP-1 but not EBNA-2. Int J Cancer. 2005 Mar 1;113(6):937-45. IV. Kis LL, Takahara M, Nagy N, Klein G, and Klein E. IL-10 can induce the expression of EBV-encoded latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) in the absence of EBNA-2 in B-lymphocytes and in Burkitt lymphoma-, and NK lymphoma-derived cell lines. Blood. 2006 Apr 1; 107(7): 2928-2935. V. Takahara M., Kis LL, Nagy N, Liu A, Harabuchi Y, Klein G, and Klein E. Concomitant increase of LMP1 and CD25 (IL-2-receptor alpha) expression induced by IL-10 in the EBV-positive NK lines SNK6 and KAI3. Int J Cancer. 2006 Dec 15;119(12):2775-83. VI. Kis LL, Salamon D, Persson EK, Nagy N, Scheeren FA, Spits H, Klein G, Klein E. "IL-21 imposes a type II EBV gene expression on both type III and type I B cells by the repression of the C-promoter and activation of the LMP1 promoter" – manuscriptVII. Kis LL, Gerasimcik N, Salamon D, Persson EK, Nagy N, Klein G, Severinson E, Klein E. "A new STAT6 signaling pathway activated by the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 induces the expression of the EBV-encoded protein LMP-1 in absence of EBNA-2: implications for the type II EBV latent gene expression in Hodgkin lymphoma" – manuscriptRELATED PUBLICATIONS NOT INCLUDED IN THE THESIS 1. Kis LL, Takahara M, Nagy N, Klein G, and Klein E. Cytokine mediated induction of the major Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)encoded transforming protein, LMP-1. Immunol Lett. 2006 Apr 15;104(1-2):83-8. Review. 2. Klein E, Kis LL, Takahara M. Pathogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)carrying lymphomas. Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica 2006, 53(4):439455. Review. 3. Klein E, Kis LL, Klein G. Epstein-Barr virus infection in humans: from harmless to life endangering virus-lymphocyte interactions. Oncogene. 2007 Feb 26;26(9):1297-305. Review. 4. Klein E, Takahara M, and Kis LL (2008). "Contribution of the microenvironment to the pathogenesis of EBV-positive Hodgkin and nasal NK/T-cell lymphomas", in "Innate and Adaptive Immunity in the Tumor Microenvironment", ed. Eitan Yefenof (Springer, Heidelberg) pp. 195-209


Morphological descriptions and illustrations of pollen grains and spores of 70 species occurring in the "Pampa" and "Mata Atlântica" biomes are presented. The aim of this investigation was to show the pollen grain diversity in different biomes composing the southern razilian grasslands. Eight collection points were selected in the states of Rio Grande do Sul State and Santa Catarina State. The species analysed are distributed in 67 genera and 42 families. Pollen descriptions of 25 species are unpublished in the Santa Catarina State and morphological descriptions of 15 species are unpublished for Rio Grande do Sul State. The morphological descriptions were associated to vegetation and altitude of species. The results allow a comparison between the pollen grains dispersed in quaternary and superfi cial sediments. The pollen grains allied with the vegetation formations assists in environmental reconstructions.


Abstract Polyurethane elastomers [1] are linear block copolymers of the type in which one of the two blocks is typically a polyether or a polyester diol with a molar mass between 300 to 6000. These blocks comprise the soft segments because at the service temperature they exist in a rubbery or a viscous state and impart elastomeric properties. The other segments are composed of aromatic diisocyanates extended with low diols to produce blocks with molar mass ranging from 500 to 3000. These blocks comprise the hard segments because at the service temperature they exist in the glassy (or semicrystalline) state. Dimensional stability is imparted through microphase separation of the hard segments into domains which act as a reinforcing filler and multifunctional crosslinks. Polyurethanes are mainly thermoplastics because heating above the hard segment glass transition temperature (Tg) will allow the material to flow.


The complexes (π-C5H5)2MCl2(M = Mo or W) undergo displacement reactions with pseudohalides forming a variety of complexes, e.g., (π-C5H5)2MX2, where M = Mo, W and X = N3, NCS. Related complexes with mixed ligands are similarly prepared, e.g., (π-C5H5)2WXY, where X and Y are Cl and NCS, NCS and SCN, MeO and CN, or EtO and CN. The cyanate anion reacts forming the complexes (π-C5H5)2Mo(OCONH2)2, (π-C5H5)2W(OCONH2),H2O, and (π-C5H5)2W(NCO)2. Some of the complexes oxidise forming stable cations, e.g., [(π-C5H5)2WCINCS]+PF6. The cyano-complexes protonate forming hydrogen cyanide complexes, e.g., [(π-C5H5)2-WOEtCNH]+PF6–.


In this article, we investigate intelligent anti-jamming communication method for wireless sensor networks. The stochastic game framework is introduced to model and analyze the multi-user anti-jamming problem, and a joint multi-agent anti-jamming algorithm (JMAA) is proposed to obtain the optimal anti-jamming strategy. In intelligent multi-channel blocking jamming environment, the proposed JMAA adopts multi-agent reinforcement learning to make online channel selection, which can effectively tackle the external malicious jamming and avoid the internal mutual interference among sensor nodes. The simulation results show that, the proposed JMAA is superior to the frequency-hopping method, the sensing-based method and the independent reinforcement learning. Specifically, the proposed JMAA has the higher average packet receive ratio than both the frequency-hopping method and the sensing-based method. Compared with the independent reinforcement learning, JMAA has faster convergence rate when reaching the same performance of average packet receive ratio. In addition, since the JMAA does not need to model the jamming patterns, it can be widely used for combating other malicious jamming such as sweep jamming and probabilistic jamming.


We comment on the recent observation of a 115 day modulation in the X-ray flux of the ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) NGC 5408 X-1, and in particular, the interpretation of this modulation as the orbital period. We suggest that this modulation may instead be due to a precessing jet, and is thus superorbital in nature. Comparing the properties of this ULX with those of the prototypical micro-quasar SS 433, we argue that NGC 5408 X-1 is very similar to SS 433: a hyper-accreting stellar-mass black hole in a shorter-period binary. If the analogy holds, the 115 day modulation is best explained by the still poorly understood physics of inner-disk/jet precession and a longer observing baseline would be able to reveal an intrinsic phase jitter that is associated with such a precession.


Power fluctuations accumulate in ROADM-free space-switched networks. Thousands of randomized nonlinear transmissions demonstrate that capacity with an inventory of {5,10,15,20} dB gain amplifiers is within 10 % of optimal and triple that with {10,20} dB amplifiers over 1,000 km.


ABSTRACT Understanding site formation processes is essential before we can make inferences about human behaviour, and a key part of the inferential process is the integration of multiple, diverse lines of evidence. The term 'multiproxy' has become increasingly used in studies of use of space, particularly in geoarchaeology, to describe an approach in which multiple methods are combined to reduce the impact of equifinality of interpretation. Since the early 1990s this integration has been an aim of the reflexive methodology at the Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük. Methods including sediment micromorphology, microartefact patterning and geochemical analyses of floors and wall plasters, phytoliths and starch, alongside artefact studies, macrobotanical and zooarchaeological analysis have all provided insights, but there is still a gap between macroscale and microscale approaches, and integration has not always been successful. Considering the history of analytical approaches at this site provides an opportunity to reflect on how we acquire and interpret archaeological science data, and the relationship between multiproxy and multivocality.


A host-based intrusion detection (HIDS) monitors execution of a process to identify malicious behavior. Anomaly detection identifies a monitored activity as malicious if a deviation from a model of process behavior is observed. In statistical-anomaly detection, the model of process behavior is constructed using statistical methods on execution traces of the process. One of the major advantages of statistical-anomaly detection techniques is that they can discover new attacks. However, due to variability in behavior of a process, statistical-anomaly detection techniques suffer from the false-alarm problem, i.e., normal behavior which is identified as malicious. We present a filtering-based approach to anomaly detection in which we view normal behavior as noise and anomalous behavior as signal. Filtering techniques are then used to measure the strength of the signal (anomalous behavior), which is then used to identify anomalous or malicious behavior. The filtering approach to anomaly detection has the potential of reducing false alarms because the normal behavior is "filtered out" of the observed behavior. We also demonstrate that the filtering based approach can address the masquerade-detection problem, which is defined as determining the identity of the user that generated a given execution trace.


The rigid polyurethane, PUR, foam was prepared by reacting diphenylmethane diisocyanate, MDI, with aliphatic correactants of polyether type.

The insulating pipe was made by moulding technic. The PUR pipe was subjected to isothermal aging by special equipment which was constructed for this purpose in order to study the structural changes in PUR foam under various temperatures and to define the maximal temperature at which it might be used as insulation in insulating pipes.

The structural changes of PUR foam were studied by means of spectrophoto-metric measurement and thermal analysis.

The evidence of thermal degradation of PUR foam has been found. Its course and intensity depend upon the temperature and differ throught the verticale cross-section of the insulating pipe.

The correlation between chemical changes of PUR foam and its physical properties are also discussed.


This paper deals with the estimation of the stress–strength parameter R=P(Y<X), when X and Y are independent exponential random variables, and the data obtained from both distributions are progressively type-II censored. The uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator and the maximum-likelihood estimator (MLE) are obtained for the stress–strength parameter. Based on the exact distribution of the MLE of R, an exact confidence interval of R has been obtained. Bayes estimate of R and the associated credible interval are also obtained under the assumption of independent inverse gamma priors. An extensive computer simulation is used to compare the performances of the proposed estimators. One data analysis has been performed for illustrative purpose.


Infections remain among the leading complications of immunosuppression for transplantation. Therefore, cognizance of the interactions between anti-infective drugs and immunosuppressants is a critically important aspect of the care of solid organ transplant recipients. Appropriate therapy of specific infections in this setting should be dictated not only by knowledge of the infecting organism and its sensitivity to antimicrobial agents, but also by the effects that these agents will have on the plasma concentrations of immunosuppressants and on their toxicity. With some antimicrobial agents such as the rifamycins (e.g. rifampin), and ketoconazole, the effects are so profound that alternative anti-infective regimens should be used if possible. If their use is unavoidable, an increase or decrease in the dose of immunosuppressants (e.g. cyclosporine, tacrolimus) should be made very early in the course of therapy so as to avoid precipitating rejection episodes from rapid decline in concentrations (with rifampin) or toxicity from increased concentrations (with ketoconazole). In other instances, there may be additive or synergistic toxicity of the immunosuppressant and the anti-infective drug. Again, where possible, such combinations may be avoided if the organism is susceptible to alternative anti-infective agents.


This article explores the significance of Karl Barth's (homiletical) theology for the current study of prophetic preaching in South Africa today. In the first section, I explore and probe the significance in questioning the current study of prophetic preaching in South Africa, and whether one could relate that to the call of reading Barth's theology anew in the South African context. Thereafter, I explore both these focuses in more detail in their own right – the state of discourse and scholarship in our study of prophetic preaching, and the significance of revisiting and exploring the meaning in Barth's famous words to do (in the midst of crises) theology "as if nothing had happened". In the last section, I will spell out some of these insights of Barth for the study and practice of prophetic preaching in South Africa today


Under the new historical circumstances,intensifying the education of college students in patriotism is of great immediate significance.The patriotic education of college students consists mainly in multiple education in national security,the concepts of reform and opening-up,national self-esteem and the sense of national pride,traditional national culture,and socialism.In such education,we must give full play to the role of classroom teaching as a main avenue,create a favorable environment for education,pay more attention to the students' social practices,and make good use of the Internet.


The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took effect on January 1, 1994. The agreement is designed to reduce trade restrictions and enhance trade among Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The primary objective of this article is to examine and estimate the impact of NAFTA on the trade between Mexico and the United States. The data from 1989 to 1998 were used to estimate the overall trade as well as trade in three important products. The trade statistics were divided into two time periods: 1989-1993, before NAFTA, and 1994-1998, after NAFTA. The regression analysis and statistical t-test were employed to determine whether there were significant differences in the dollar volume of trade between the two time periods. The analysis of the data demonstrates that the trade between the United States and Mexico was significantly larger after NAFTA, which could not be attributed to other factors. However, the effects of other factors were analyzed. The success of the NAFTA model may have future policy implications in forging a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) in the near future.


Komicker, Louis S. Myodocopid Ostracoda of Enewetak and Bikini Atolls. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, number 505, 140 pages, 71 figures, 7 tables, 1991.—Samples collected at Bikini Atoll in 1946 and at Enewetak Atoll in 1969 and 1979, mainly in benthic traps and bottom trawl samples, contained a diverse assortment of mydocopid ostracodes: 17 species (3 described previously, 12 new, and 2 left in open nomenclature) in 15 genera (2 new). Keys are supplied for genera in the Sarsiellinae and to species in 3 genera. Three species from Enewetak Atoll were previously known from either Hawaii, Fiji, or the Philippine Islands. Of the 15 genera collected at Enewetak and Bikini atolls, 7 are world-wide, 6 are known primarily from the Indo-West Pacific Region, and 2 are known only from the atolls. The juveniles as well as the adults are described for the new species Cypridina spina and C. spinula, and it is determined that each has 6 stages including the adult. A table is presented listing the number of pectinate teeth comprising the main tooth of the 5th limb of species of Cypridinidae for which this character is known; the number of teeth on the adult 5th limb ranges from 3 to 7, and about 90% of the species have 6. For those species having 6 pectinate teeth on the adult 1 tooth is added on each succeeding instar starting with instar I, information useful for identifying the age of instars. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION DATE is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded in the Institution's annual report, Smithsonian Year. SERIES COVER DESIGN: The coral Montastrea cavernosa (Linnaeus). Library of Congress Caulogingin-Publication Data Komicker, Louis S., 1919Myodocopid Ostracoda of Enewetak and Bikini atolls / Louis S. Komicker. p. cm. — (Smithsonian contributions to zoology ; no. 505) Includes bibliographical references. Supt of Docs, no.: SI 1.27:505 1. Myodocopida—Marshall Islands—Enewetak Atoll. 2. Myodocopida—Marshall Islands—Bikini Atoll. I. Title. IL Series. QL1.S54 no. 505 [QL444.085] 591 s—dc20 [595.3'3] 90-10359


The presence of luxury brands in social media is getting more intensive. Although the management of luxury product, requires the use of specific marketing tools, manufacturers of luxury goods undergo the current trends, engaging in activities such as blogs, tweets, social networks. Until recently, the presence on social networking sites such as Facebook, was considered in the category of threats to corporate reputation. Nowadays, many luxury brands treat Facebook as a mandatory tool of creating their image. The aim of article is the analysis of the activity of manufacturers of luxury goods on Facebook. Because of strong transparency of the fashion industry, the considerations set out in the article focus precisely on this sector.


In this paper, we study the multi-agent system to achieve a faster consensus with multiple time-delays under a directed asymmetric information exchange topology. We first assume that an agent processes its own state information with self-delay and receives state information from its neighbors with communication delays. Based on state proportion derivative feedback, the improved consensus protocol can accelerate the system to achieve a consensus. A sufficient condition for reaching consensus is then derived based on the Nyquist stability criterion and frequency domain analysis. In addition, a specific form of consensus equilibrium is obtained which is influenced by the initial states of agents, time-delays and state feedback intensity. Finally, simulations are presented to verify the validity of the theoretical results.


Intermetallics form a versatile group of materials that possess unique properties ranging from superconductivity to giant magnetoresistance. The intermetallic Co–Sn and Ni–Sn compounds are promising materials for magnetic applications as well as for anodes in lithium‐ and sodium‐ion batteries. Herein, a method is presented for the preparation of Co3Sn2 and Ni3Sn2 thin films using diamine adducts of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) chlorides, CoCl2(TMEDA) and NiCl2(TMPDA) (TMEDA = N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine, TMPDA = N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐1,3‐propanediamine) combined with tributyltin hydride. The films are grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD), a technique that enables conformal film deposition with sub‐nanometer thickness control. The Co3Sn2 process fulfills the typical ALD qualifications, such as self‐limiting growth, excellent film uniformity, and conformal coverage of a trench structure. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) shows reflections characteristic to the hexagonal Co3Sn2 phase, which confirms that the films are, indeed, intermetallic instead of being mere alloys of Co and Sn. The films are extremely pure with impurity levels each below 1.0 at.%. Ni3Sn2 films similarly exhibit the expected XRD reflections for the intermetallic phase and are of high purity. The Co3Sn2 film show magnetic hysteresis with high coercivity values exceeding 500 Oe, indicating great potential in terms of applicability of the films.


Summary of Current Limitations to theClinical Utility of Advanced Lipoprotein Tests In summary, a lipoprotein measure obtained from an ad-vanced test is clinically useful if the following criteria aremet: It adds to clinical knowledge; it provides risk informa-tion that is independent of established predictors; it is easy tomeasure and interpret in a clinical setting; it is accurate,reproducible, and internationally standardized; and it has afavorable cost-benefit ratio. 55 Importantly, the lipoproteinmeasures should improve patient management, particularlyof therapy. 55,56 Challenges to the routine clinical use ofadvanced lipoprotein tests are summarized in the Table. Todate, the most useful measures obtained from lipoprotein testsrelate to atherogenic particle number (apoB or LDL particleconcentration), but for now, non-HDL cholesterol or the total/HDL cholesterol ratio is of comparable predictive strength andresults in no additional cost. LDL size is correlated withatherogenic particle number, but it has no clear benefit overmeasuring particle number in most studies to date. Additionalresearch is needed to determine the utility of followingchanges in lipoproteins as therapeutic targets and whethercertain subgroups of individuals, such as those with cardio-


The paper elucidates the necessity and developing status of solar energy application,analyzes the natural conditions,social and policy environment,technical condition for developing solar energy in Wenshan state and advances developing solar energy research strategies from two perspectives of "do what" and "how to do" in Wenshan state.


The purpose of this paper is to describe the problems encountered in changing from one generation of Information and Communications Technology to the next from the points of view of the administration, the professors and the students involved in the distance education programmes at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC). RMC is a small university that operates distance education programmes for students located across Canada and at various locations worldwide.


With the increasing use of high-power lasers, especially CO2 lasers, in the field of industrial laser-materials processing numerous applications occur, in which diagnostics of laser-beam characteristics may help to maintain or to increase processing quality and reproducibility as well as system reliability. Three different types of diagnostic devices are presented, developed to monitor the total laser power, the intensity distribution of unfocused as well as focused beams, and the beam position. The practical use of these systems is discussed with some examples typical for the industrial applications of high-power-lasers.


A system for generating ultra-broadband microwave frequency combs (MFCs) is proposed and investigated. In such a system, a current modulated distributed feedback semiconductor laser (DFB-SL) is utilized to generate a seed resource of MFC, whose comb space can be tuned but bandwidth is relatively narrow. Then, the seed resource of MFC is injected into another DFB-SL for enhancing the bandwidth. The results demonstrate that, after being injected into another DFB-SL, the bandwidth of seed resource of the MFC can be enhanced greatly, and the MFC with bandwidth over 70 GHz can be obtained under suitable injection parameters.


Many studies assume that fatty acids or lipids, which are known to be strong filmforming agents, can readily form crystalline films on aqueous drops. Specifically, stearic acid (SA) is often used in laboratory and modeling studies to mimic the surface composition of organic-containing particles in the atmosphere. We used laboratory measurements to determine the rate of SA spreading on aqueous surfaces, ranging in composition from ammonium sulfate to highly acidic sulfuric acid. Maximum spreading rates were observed on surfaces of neutral electrolyte solutions. No spreading was observed on aqueous sulfuric acid (pH < 0). Also, the spreading rate on electrolyte surfaces declined sharply as the solution pH was lowered from 7 to 3. SA film formation was not observed on aqueous solutions, containing water-soluble organic materials. Our measurements show that the time required to form a lipid film, to completely seal off a submicron drop, is often longer than a typical 2-week lifetime of an atmospheric particle. We conclude that lipids in most atmospheric particles are either tied up in a crystalline phase or are solubilized in solution by organic surfactants.


This past weekend I stole a few hours to work on a book that I'm writing about the evolution of the oil industry. I got some material on the oil industry from the 1890s from the sub‐sub‐basement of The Harvard Library. I was very struck to discover that in the 1890s, they also referred to frontier oil development. At that time the frontier was the Lima Field in Ohio and a wildcat well might cost $3,000. Times have changed. The frontier has gotten farther out; it's gotten deeper; and it's gotten much, much more expensive.


Counting is a material that is considered not easy for most elementary school students. Not only from the considerations that are considered challenging but also the influence of the teacher's teaching style which makes bored, and boring is also a problem. In this study, an educational game balloon shooter prime numbers were made. In game design, the Mamdani fuzzy algorithm is applied to calculate the jumrance of balloons with the input variables of remaining_balloon and remaining_time. The application of the Mamdani fuzzy algorithm is considered successful, as evidenced by the high percentage rate of appearance of all balloons, reaching 76.4%.


The Aid for Trade Initiative has reached its limits and is in a need to be revamped. This article describes the political economy that led to the launch of the Initiative and explains why it focused on the mobilization of financial resources. The mobilization of resources has been impressive but, in the midst of a fiscal crisis and against the background of growing suspicion by developing countries, the Initiative is asked to show results. This proved difficult. As a result, in order to preserve resource mobilization and preserve donors' interest, the WTO is expanding the scope of the Initiative to new areas only remotely related to the trade and growth nexus. This article argues that this is unlikely to address the main challenge that the initiative faces: building confidence. As confidence is crucial for the future of the Initiative and for the negotiation of a Doha Round agreement, the WTO should rather follow the suggestion of some donors to narrow the scope of the Initiative in order to make it more focus, monitorable, and efficient. The Aid for Trade Initiative was launched in 2005 because the WTO and donors had converging interests. The WTO needed to mobilize resources to address developing countries' concern about the possible impact of the Doha Round. Donors, needed to scale up aid to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) while improving aid effectiveness. The objective of the Initiative is to use trade as an engine for development. However, in part because the task of operationalizing the Initiative was given to the WTO, Aid for Trade focused on the mobilization of financial resources. The issue of how best harness trade for development purposes was largely overlooked. The mobilization of financial resources was impressive and became the metrics of the success of the Initiative. However, after six years and in the midst of a fiscal crisis that puts development budgets under pressure, the focus is changing. Aid for Trade is asked to show results. This proved difficult to do convincingly. This article argues that unable to show meaningful results, with bleak prospects of mobilizing more financial resources, and with a monitoring and evaluation framework which, despite


In the absence of any obvious input, sensory neurons and interneurons can display resting or spontaneous activity. This is often regarded as noise and removed through trial averaging, although it may reflect history-dependent modulation of tuning or fidelity and, thus, be of functional relevance to downstream interneurons. Here, we investigate the history-dependence of spontaneous activity in a pair of identified, bimodal descending interneurons of the stick insect, called contralateral ON-type velocity-sensitive interneurons (cONv). The bilateral pair of cONv conveys antennal mechanosensory information to the thoracic ganglia, where it arborises in regions containing locomtor networks. Each cONv encodes the movement velocity of the contralateral antenna, but also substrate vibration as induced by discrete tapping events. Moreover, cONv displays highly fluctuating spontaneous activity that can reach rates similar to those during antennal movement at moderate velocities. Hence, cONv offers a unique opportunity to study history-dependent effects on spontaneous activity and, thus, encoding fidelity in two modalities. Here, we study unimodal and cross-modal effects as well as unilateral and bilateral effects, using bilateral recordings of both cONv neurons, while moving one antenna and/or delivering taps to induce substrate vibration. Tapping could reduce spontaneous activity of both neurons, whereas antennal movement reduced spontaneous activity of the contralateral cONv neuron only. Combination of both modalities showed a cooperative effect for some parameter constellations, suggesting bimodal enhancement. Since both stimulus modalities could cause a reduction of spontaneous activity at stimulus intensities occurring during natural locomotion, we conclude that this should enhance neuronal response fidelity during locomotion.


Computer technologies have been introduced with anticipation for improved practices and purpose-driven learning outcomes. However, the outcomes often lead to a need to re-examine issues pertaining to the affordances of technology, teacher competencies, student learning, scalability and sustainability of technology in education. Building on prior experiences gained from using asynchronous CMC tools and a generic model for designing learning environment, Infodata, a prototype of an asynchronous CMC tool for project-based teaching and learning was developed. A case study was conducted on two teachers and eight students (aged 15) who explored the characteristics, knowledge construction and scaffolding thinking of the technology in an activity.


The previous researches results seem to suggest that some aspects of learning of diffusion and osmosis concepts such as membranes, kinetic energy of matter, and elements of the particulate and random nature of matter could lead to misconceptions. The concept of diffusion is very common in science instruction, and understanding the concept is an important precursor to instruction in life science and physical science. The leaening of concentration and tonicity processes of diffusion and osmosis, life forces influence on diffusion and osmosis, and random nature of matter were difficult learning for students. It appears that misconceptions may play a larger role students learn diffusion and osmosis concepts. What could be take place the active role of the student learning without misconceptions of difussion and osmosis? It is possible suggest, students should actively engaged in constructing knowledge. During each phase of the learning, students should actively manipulating materials, recording data, or analyzing results. Students should encourage discussing findings in groups and with the class. The teacher acts as a facilitator via making connections betvveen concepts. Students may debate and argue relationships betvveen concepts and their contens this may provides paying their attention experiences with the concepts. Because of its importance of diffusion and osmosis, it may be benefial to investigate misconceptions of high school students. The purpose of this study vvas to investigate students' understanding about scientifically acceptable content knowledge by exploring the relationship betvveen knowledge of diffusion and osmosis and a student's confidence in their content knowledge following instruction. Keywords: Diffusion, concentration, membranes, random nature of matter.


Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is an emerging epidemiological concern primarily associated with rural agricultural communities across the globe. In spite of adults as the main focus of research, children in affected areas share the same potential risk factors. Therefore, we hypothesized that screening for early renal abnormalities among children living in CKDu endemic and emerging areas may provide important insights into the onset and progression of renal diseases in early life. The study was conducted in two schools in CKDu endemic areas in North Central Province (N = 337) and two schools in CKDu emerging areas in Sabaragamuwa Province (N = 325). First void early morning urine samples were collected and analyzed for microalbumin, creatinine and uric acid. Albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) was considered as the criteria for determination of renal abnormalities. The median ACR values were 7.54 (2.89 – 5.72) mg/g and 5.95 (2.73 – 6.09) mg/g for endemic and emerging areas respectively. The highest median uric acid 26. 35 mg/dL (19.63 – 68.56) was recorded in the endemic locations followed by emerging locations 25.61 mg/dL (17.75 – 34.97). Median urinary microalbumin excretion levels were 2.5 mg/dL (2.5 – 4.7) and 2.5 mg/dL (2.5 – 4.8) for endemic and emerging areas respectively. No significant differences were found between the locations for all studied parameters (p > 0.05). Overall, 97.97% of the students reported no renal abnormalities (ACR 300 mg/g) categories. The study provided evidences to suggest that children in study areas may be having an early renal damage. However, a detailed study is in progress for characterization of renal damage in terms of renal injury biomarkers in order to validate the incidence of renal abnormalities among children along with associated risk factors and management strategies.


This paper gives an overview of the control strategies of AC&DC micro grids. Micro grid is a combination of micro generators, energy storage systems and loads. Control strategy of micro grids is an important issue to make micro grids as a controllable unit. The control strategies of micro grids are realized by the control of converters. The control strategies of converters are different from AC micro grids to DC micro grids. As a result, there are also some differences in the control strategies of AC and DC micro grids. This paper explains the theory of the control strategies of converters and the control strategies of micro grids in both AC&DC conditions.


Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (SDRA), has been defined as a syndrome characterized by severe hypoxemia refractory to oxygen treatment, bilateral alveolar infiltrates in chest x-ray and low lung compliance. It is basically a more severe form of acute lung injury (ALI). The parameter used to differentiate ALI from ARDS is the degree of hypoxemia. In humans, the criteria to define ARDS and ALI include: acute beginning, bilateral alveolar infiltrates in chest x-ray, hypoxemia and absence of signs of left atrial hypertension. Still very little is known about the causes leading to the occurrence of ALI / ARDS. It is believed that several events with different risk factors may occur and culminate with the development of the syndrome. Some of the clinical signs observed are: progressive hypoxemia, tachypnea, respiratory anguish and cyanosis. Findings of clinical exams include rough lung sounds, orthopnea and the use of respiratory muscles. Productive cough may be rarely observed. With the presence of non cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and risk factors, it is possible to suspect a diagnosis of ARDS / ALI. Since in the patients with ARDS undergo a significant amount of alveolar inundation or consolidations and atelectasis. Therefore, the objective when treating an ARDS patient is, basically, to use the lowest tidal volume in order to avoid lung hyperinflation as well as Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) to maintain recruitable alveoli or atelactasic alveoli open. Aside from volume, another parameter that has been related to pulmonary stress is flow pressure in airways. It has been observed that lung injury happens according to external energy applied on the lung by the ventilator. Given that in patients with ARDS the portion of lung available for ventilation is reduced, flow pressure in airways is measured according to PEEP and end inspiratory plateau pressure, which is equivalent to the relation between tidal volume and lung compliance. This measurement seems to better represent lung injury risk. Nowadays it is known that in patients with ARDS ventilated with different tidal volumes and PEEP levels, flow pressure in airways can be very useful in identifying which of the patients present risk of developing lung injuries.


Realizing the importance of Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) in concrete pavement design, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), over the past several years, has worked with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to improve the CTE Test Method (AASHTO T336). As part of this work, the FHWA conducted a ruggedness study for the AASHTO T336 test method in 2012. Of the seven variables that were evaluated as part of the ruggedness study, specimen saturation was found to be one of the significant variables that warranted further investigation. This paper documents a follow up study performed to specifically evaluate the effect of specimen saturation in the measurement of CTE using the AASHTO T336 test method. Specimens from five concrete mixtures (three laboratory prepared and cores from two field projects) were used for this study. CTE tests were conducted on multiple specimens from each mixture at different levels of saturation in water; T336 criterion, 4 days, 7 days, 14 days, 28 days and vacuum saturation. CTE devices from two different commercial manufacturers were used for this study. Data analysis from this study indicates that there is no statistical difference in CTE measurement after 28 days of water saturation versus T336 criterion, 4 days, 7 days, 14 days and vacuum saturation. Based on this limited study, it appears that the current saturation criterion outlined in AASHTO T336 is adequate.


A study was undertaken to delineate the status of available major nutrients in soils of Mehsana district of Gujarat. Total 371 representative surface soil samples were collected from cultivated farmer's field of 10 talukas of Mehsana district during April-2016. Results revealed that soils of Mehsana district are slightly neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction (pH 7.67) with low soluble salt (EC 0.37 dS/m) content. The soils of Mehsana district were low in organic carbon (0.41 per cent) and available nitrogen (224.80 kg/ha), medium in available phosphorus (44.38 kg/ha) and high in available potassium status (413.89 kg/ha). Overall, soils of Mehsana district had nutrient index values of 1.32, 2.06 and 2.78 for available N, P2O5 and K2O which indicates very low, adequate and very high fertility status, respectively.


Chronos Technology (Div. of FMI, Inc.) is presently involved in an SBIR phase II effort to produce and deliver a comprehensive, practical and commercially available solution for a novel extreme temperature (both cold & hot), and radiation tolerant, compact radio frequency clock source (RTXO). Offering compelling features such as surface mounting, scalable configuration and miniature footprint, this innovative technology directly targets a wide range of requirements. RTXO satisfies the critical requirements of NASA space programs such as Mars science laboratory (MSL), MER and future missions to Moon at both system and subsystem level with operating temperatures in the -180degC to +120degC. It also addresses the requirements of the extreme high temperature RTXO that could be utilized for the missions to Venus and other extreme environment space systems with highest operating temperature range to 460degC. Furthermore, the RTXO enables and improves wide range of scientific, military & commercial space systems with its miniaturized footprint and rugged construction. As for non space systems, it delivers a higher level of performance at smaller size to critical down-hole, nuclear process monitoring and very demanding geothermal applications. We do expect that our solution will immediately and profoundly impact plans for the present and future space missions and other extreme environment applications. RTXO brings new paradigm to resolve space systems design risk in terms of higher reliability and performance at significantly reduced size, weight and manufacturing time which all point to lower cost. This effort will yield innovations ranging from unique extreme temperature and high-Q resonator material, a unique matching integrated resonator driver amplifier/buffer based on silicon carbide (SiC) and the smallest surface mount high reliability, space level, radiation tolerant clock source


Abstract:  Xenotransplantation using porcine cells, tissues, or organs may offer a potential solution for the shortage of allogeneic human organs. Prior to the clinical use of porcine xenotransplants, three main hurdles must be overcome: immunologic rejection, physiologic incompatibility, and risk of transmission of porcine pathogens. Designated pathogen‐free breeding of pigs can prevent transmission of most porcine microbes. However, this is not possible in the case of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV), which are integrated in the pig genome and can infect human cells in vitro. In order to assess the probability of transmission of PERV, a careful screening of the source pig herd is recommended. Two types of PERV are present in pigs, human‐tropic PERV‐A and PERV‐B, which are both present in the genome of all pigs, and PERV‐C, which is not ubiquitous and infects only pig cells. In addition to these viruses, recombinant PERV‐A/C viruses have recently been described that (i) are able to infect human cells; (ii) are characterized by high titre replication; and (iii) are associated with proviruses that are de novo integrated in the DNA of somatic pig cells, but not yet in the pig germ line. The risks presented by PERV‐A/C recombinant viruses could easily be eliminated by using pigs not containing PERV‐C in their germ line, thereby effectively preventing recombination with PERV‐A. Selection of PERV‐C‐free animals, if possible, therefore reduces the risk of PERV‐A/C transmission to humans. Although it is unclear whether PERV‐C may be transmitted in vivo from pig‐to‐pig, an infection of PERV‐C‐free animals with this virus may be prevented. To select pigs with low‐level expression of PERV‐A and PERV‐B, it is recommended to apply assays based on real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), which enables discrimination between pigs with high‐level expression and low‐level expression.


By interweaving chitin/cotton blended yarn of different blending ratios with cotton yarn and using plain texture,wearable cotton interwoven products have been developed.The wearability of five samples has been tested and the test indexes include abrasion resistance,crease recovery,draping property,flexibility and air permeability.


This study explores the fine structural details of the boundaries between the growth micro-sectors in a leucosapphire (pure corundum, α-Al2O3) crystal grown hydrothermally on a nonsingularly oriented (011̄2̄) seed.


Glutamate is the central nervous system's principal excitatory transmitter, and its levels in the brain's extracellular space are under tight spatial and temporal regulation. During evoked vesicular release, glutamate levels can peak in the millimolar range within the synaptic cleft. Active transport, enzymatic degradation and diffusion all work to reduce this level so as to avert the continual activation or desensitization of receptors, and give postsynaptic neurons a high signal-to-noise input. However, it has been shown that a much lower, nanomolar to micromolar ambient concentration of glutamate remains within the interstitium. It is therefore possible that such a tonic level may be affecting cellular excitation. Indeed, even such low quantities of the amino acid are sufficient to activate NMDA receptors (NMDARs). The potential tonic activation of NMDARs is of particular interest as these channels have unique electrical properties and are involved in intracellular cascades implicated in a wide range of cellular processes, from learning and memory to excitotoxicity.

Sah et al. (1989) were the first to show that NMDARs could be active without synaptic stimulation. Studying rat hippocampal slices, they recorded from CA1 pyramidal neurons in whole-cell configuration under voltage clamp at −35 mV. After the addition of APV (dAP5), a competitive NMDAR antagonist, the group noted a substantial (hundreds of picoamps) net outward shift in the holding current. This effect was magnesium and voltage dependent, hallmarks of an NMDAR-mediated conductance. Notably, they also observed that APV reversibly reduced action potential output in response to current injection, suggesting a role for the tonic conductance in enhancing neuronal excitability.

This Journal Club article focuses on The Journal of Physiology publication by Le Meur et al. (2007), who recently added to this area of interest. Voltage clamping CA1 pyramidal neurons at +40 mV, they observed a net inward shift in holding current after the addition of APV, and an I–V curve of the APV-sensitive component typical of NMDARs. Importantly, the change in current after APV was only tens of picoamps, an order of magnitude less than that seen by Sah et al. (1989). In different cells, they superfused NBQX and LY341495 and saw no change in the tonic current, suggesting that the observed change is dependent on NMDARs and not other ionotropic or metabotropic glutamate receptors. If ambient glutamate was indeed activating this NMDAR-dependent current, then increasing its concentration should have the opposite effect of adding APV. Indeed, after blocking glutamate uptake with TBOA, there was an immediate net outward shift in the holding current. Interestingly, in experiments performed in the presence of TBOA, blockers of AMPARs did cause a small effect, and this was amplified by cyclothiazide, a drug that inhibits AMPAR desensitization. This suggested that in their slice recording conditions, the regulation of ambient glutamate levels and receptor desensitization both act to prevent the tonic activation of non-NMDA glutamate receptors.

A tonic current mediated by glutamate receptors contrasts sharply with the standard dogma of glutamate signalling, which involves evoked, vesicular release from one neuron to another within a highly structured synapse. While this ambient glutamate could theoretically originate via spillover from high-frequency synaptic activity, work subsequent to Sah et al. (1989) has shown that it is instead mediated by neighbouring glia. Le Meur et al. (2007) therefore focused on confirming this glial origin in their experimental preparation. They first treated slices with bafilomycin A1 to prevent vesicular release. In these slices, there was no difference from control slices in the change in holding current induced by TBOA or MK801, a non-competitive NMDAR antagonist. This confirmed that the glutamate source was indeed not synaptic. In the next experiment, they used L-methionine sulfoximine (MSO) to inhibit glutamine synthetase, a glial enzyme responsible for converting glutamate to glutamine. This treatment has been shown to drastically increase glutamate concentrations in glial cells. While the amplitude of the basal tonic current was unchanged, currents induced by TBOA were doubled in slices first treated with MSO. These data support the notion that the ambient glutamate is of glial origin, and underscore the idea that glia play a far greater role than a simple 'support network' for neurons. A number of the above experiments have been done previously and similar results were obtained (Angulo et al. 2004).

If the tonic conductance is not activated by vesicular release, one could hypothesize that the ambient glutamate was activating extrasynaptic NMDARs, specifically. Le Meur et al. (2007) first tested this idea with pharmacological tools to block particular NMDAR subunits, as such an approach has been used previously to discriminate synaptic from extrasynaptic NMDA (Fellin et al. 2004) as well as GABAA receptors. EPSC amplitude and holding current were compared in the presence of these blockers. However, these studies did not clearly differentiate between the NMDAR subunits mediating synaptic versus tonic currents. PPDA, an NMDAR2C- and D-preferring blocker, inhibited the tonic slightly more than the synaptic current, but infenprodil (an NMDAR2B antagonist) inhibited neither, and NVP-AAM077 (an NMDAR2A-preferring antagonist) inhibited them equally.

In a key experiment, they then turned to the use-dependent general NMDAR antagonist, MK801. After recording control EPSCs at +40 mV in the presence of NBQX, they stopped synaptic stimulation and washed in MK801. Stimulation was resumed, and the first EPSC after MK801 superfusion was compared with the last one before it. The holding current was monitored during the same time frame. If the NMDARs mediating the tonic current were extrasynaptic, one would expect to see a change in the holding current during MK801 wash-in (as these receptors would be open), and less of a change in the synaptic current (these receptors would have been closed, owing to a lack of glutamate in the cleft). This is indeed what Le Meur et al. (2007) observed. While the tonic current was approximately halved, the peak amplitudes of the EPSCs before and after wash-in did not differ. There was, however, a decrease in the decay time constant of the EPSC after MK801 addition, which is consistent with the use-dependent blocker shortening the mean channel open-time, demonstrating the efficacy of MK801 at these synapses. While the idea that extrasynaptic NMDARs are mediating the tonic current has been suggested previously (Fellin et al. 2004), this open channel block experiment elegantly revealed the existence of separate tonic and phasic populations of glutamate receptors.

With mounting evidence for ambient glutamate present both in vitro and in vivo, many questions remain regarding the signalling roles of extrasynaptic receptor activation. This publication focused on a tonic glutamate-mediated current. However, Angulo et al. (2004) and others have described transient currents of the order of hundreds of milliseconds which were also suggested to be due to glial glutamate release. This issue of the dynamics of extra-synaptic glutamate is critical in determining its potential roles in neuronal signalling. Such observations argue for the importance of understanding glial physiology with respect to the spatial and temporal variations in extracellular glutamate concentration, including mechanisms and modulation of release and reuptake.

Equally intriguing questions remain regarding the postsynaptic effects of ambient glutamate. NMDAR activation may affect neuronal activity on multiple time scales. The small tonic NMDAR component did not affect the overall input–output relationship of CA1 neurons in this study, which contrasts with measurements of Sah et al. (1989). However, tonic NMDAR activation may be particularly important in shaping synaptic inputs. As NMDARs are expressed in dendritic membranes, they are poised to interact with local synaptic inputs prior to somatic integration. Moreover, the magnesium block of NMDARs results in negative slope conductance profiles at voltages near and below action potential generation, which means that depolarization from a nearby EPSP will boost the amount of inward currents flowing through open NMDARs. The effects of such boosting may be EPSP amplification or possibly regenerative dendritic spiking. Furthermore, there have been reports that glial-dependent NMDAR activation may be highly temporally correlated in nearby neurons, suggesting a possible role of synchronous modulation of excitability across multiple neuronal elements (Fellin et al. 2004; Angulo et al. 2004).

At longer time scales, NMDAR activation by ambient glutamate may result in important intracellular signalling due to the influx of Ca2+. NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ influx may act locally to modulate ion channels or biochemical processes, as well as distally by affecting signalling cascades and gene transcription. Hardingham et al. (2002) further suggest that activation of extrasynaptic NMDARs, unlike synaptic receptors, cause cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) dephosphorylation and mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. These dramatic findings highlight the importance of current studies like the one discussed in this Journal Club article, as glutamate activity outside the synapse may be a critical parameter in the function of neuronal circuits.


Attendees to the Twenty-Fourth Annual Meeting of the International Tinnitus Forum (ITF) 2006 (Translational Research in Tinnitus Therapy II) experienced a positive glimpse into the future both from basic science and neuroscience and from its clinical translation for tinnitus patient diagnosis and treatment. The high level of interest in the presentations was reflected in the attendance, audience participation in the discussions, and CME comments.