A biophysical model of synaptic plasticity and metaplasticity can account for the dynamics of the backward shift of hippocampal place fields.

Hippocampal place cells in the rat undergo experience-dependent changes when the rat runs stereotyped routes. One such change, the backward shift of the place field center of mass, has been linked by previous modeling efforts to spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). However, these models did not account for the termination of the place field shift and they were based on an abstract implementation of STDP that ignores many of the features found in cortical plasticity. Here, instead of the abstract STDP model, we use a calcium-dependent plasticity (CaDP) learning rule that can account for many of the observed properties of cortical plasticity. We use the CaDP learning rule in combination with a model of metaplasticity to simulate place field dynamics. Without any major changes to the parameters of the original model, the present simulations account both for the initial rapid place field shift and for the subsequent slowing down of this shift. These results suggest that the CaDP model captures the essence of a general cortical mechanism of synaptic plasticity, which may underlie numerous forms of synaptic plasticity observed both in vivo and in vitro.

Anaesthesiological management of mediastinal tumors

The perioperative management of patients with mediastinal masses is a special clinical challenge in our field. Even though regional anaesthesia is normally the first choice, in some cases it is not feasible due to the method of operation. In these cases general anaesthesia is the second option but can lead to respiratory and haemodynamic decompensation due to tumor-associated compression syndrome (mediastinal mass syndrome). The appropriate treatment begins with the preoperative risk classification on the basis of clinical and radiological findings. In addition to anamnesis, chest radiograph, and CT, dynamical methods (e.g. pneumotachography and echocardiography) should be applied to verify possible intraoperative compression syndromes. The induction of general anaesthesia is to be realized in awake-fiberoptic intubation with introduction of the tube via nasal route while maintaining the spontaneous breathing of the patient. The anaesthesia continues with short effective agents applied inhalative or iv. If possible from the point of operation, agents of muscle relaxation are not to be applied. If the anaesthesia risk is classified as uncertain or unsafe, depending on the location of tumor compression (tracheobronchial tree, pulmonary artery, superior vena cava), alternative techniques of securing the respiratory tract (different tubes, rigid bronchoscope) and cardiopulmonary bypass with extracorporal oxygen supply are prepared. For patients with severe clinical symptoms and extensive mediastinal mass, the preoperative cannulation of femoral vessels is also recommended. In addition to fulfilling technical and personnel requirements, an interdisciplinary cooperation of participating fields is the most important prerequisite for the optimal treatment of patients.

Molecular and Translational Classifications of DAMPs in Immunogenic Cell Death.

The immunogenicity of malignant cells has recently been acknowledged as a critical determinant of efficacy in cancer therapy. Thus, besides developing direct immunostimulatory regimens, including dendritic cell-based vaccines, checkpoint-blocking therapies, and adoptive T-cell transfer, researchers have started to focus on the overall immunobiology of neoplastic cells. It is now clear that cancer cells can succumb to some anticancer therapies by undergoing a peculiar form of cell death that is characterized by an increased immunogenic potential, owing to the emission of the so-called "damage-associated molecular patterns" (DAMPs). The emission of DAMPs and other immunostimulatory factors by cells succumbing to immunogenic cell death (ICD) favors the establishment of a productive interface with the immune system. This results in the elicitation of tumor-targeting immune responses associated with the elimination of residual, treatment-resistant cancer cells, as well as with the establishment of immunological memory. Although ICD has been characterized with increased precision since its discovery, several questions remain to be addressed. Here, we summarize and tabulate the main molecular, immunological, preclinical, and clinical aspects of ICD, in an attempt to capture the essence of this phenomenon, and identify future challenges for this rapidly expanding field of investigation.

Interstellar neutral helium in the heliosphere from Interstellar Boundary Explorer observations. III. Mach number of the flow, velocity vector, and temperature from the first six years of measurements

We analyzed observations of interstellar neutral helium (ISN He) obtained from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) satellite during its first six years of operation. We used a refined version of the ISN He simulation model, presented in the companion paper by Sokol et al. (2015b), along with a sophisticated data correlation and uncertainty system and parameter fitting method, described in the companion paper by Swaczyna et al. We analyzed the entire data set together and the yearly subsets, and found the temperature and velocity vector of ISN He in front of the heliosphere. As seen in the previous studies, the allowable parameters are highly correlated and form a four-dimensional tube in the parameter space. The inflow longitudes obtained from the yearly data subsets show a spread of similar to 6 degrees, with the other parameters varying accordingly along the parameter tube, and the minimum chi(2) value is larger than expected. We found, however, that the Mach number of the ISN He flow shows very little scatter and is thus very tightly constrained. It is in excellent agreement with the original analysis of ISN He observations from IBEX and recent reanalyses of observations from Ulysses. We identify a possible inaccuracy in the Warm Breeze parameters as the likely cause of the scatter in the ISN He parameters obtained from the yearly subsets, and we suppose that another component may exist in the signal or a process that is not accounted for in the current physical model of ISN He in front of the heliosphere. From our analysis, the inflow velocity vector, temperature, and Mach number of the flow are equal to lambda(ISNHe) = 255 degrees.8 +/- 0 degrees.5, beta(ISNHe) = 5 degrees.16 +/- 0 degrees.10, T-ISNHe = 7440 +/- 260 K, nu(SNHe) = 25.8 +/- 0.4 km s(-1), and M-ISNHe = 5.079 +/- 0.028, with uncertainties strongly correlated along the parameter tube.

Liberation of hope: An ethnographic study of community-based initiatives in Houston, Texas

This is an ethnographic study about the worldview of community-based initiatives in Houston, Texas, and the people who work in them. People who participated in this study recognize that their direct constructive action is at the heart of authentic social change in their minority communities. Through qualitative data analysis, a constellation of relationships and process patterns were found to constitute themselves into the system of the community-based initiative. The predominant patterns identified from the findings in this study are: the pervasiveness of place, the importance of people, unique initiatory patterns, the concrete local sustainability, the ever-present action orientation, the resourceful use of networks and inter-relationships, the significance of church influence, the core sense of spirituality and the essence of hope. These patterns emerged out of the local knowledge, which is acutely sensitive to the elements of history and lived experience, embedded in the distinctive moral and visionary patterns of meaning and expression. Findings from the research reveal that these community-based initiatives are not programs--they are people--people who keep hope alive in their communities and who, by their daily practice, liberate others. ^

Intermodal exchange stations in the city of Madrid

The City of Madrid is putting into operation Intermodal Exchange Stations (IESs) to make connections between urban and suburban transportation modes easier for users of public transportation. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the actual effects that the implementation of IESs in the City of Madrid has on the affected stakeholders: users, public transportation operators, infrastructure managers, the government, the abutters and other citizens. We develop a methodology intended to help assess the welfare gains and losses for each stakeholder. Then we apply this methodology to the case study of the Avenida de América IES in the city of Madrid. We found that it is indeed possible to arrive at win–win solutions for the funding of urban transportation infrastructure, as long as the cost-benefit ratio of the project is high enough. Commuters save travel time. Bus companies diminish their costs of operation. The abutters gain in quality of life. The private operator of the infrastructure makes a fair profit. And the government is able to promote these infrastructure facilities without spending more of its scarce budgetary resources.

Assessment of Hydrogen as suistinable clean energy

The progressive depletion of fossil fuels and their high contribution to the energy supply in this modern society forces that will be soon replaced by renewable fuels. But the dispersion and alternation of renewable energy production also undertake to reduce their costs to use as energy storage and hydrogen carrier. It is necessary to develop technologies for hydrogen production from all renewable energy storage technologies and the development of energy production from hydrogen fuel cells and cogeneration and tri generation systems. In order to propel this technological development discussed where the hydrogen plays a key role as energy storage and renewable energy, the National Centre of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Experimentation in Spain equipped with installations that enable scientific and technological design, develop, verify, certify, approve, test, measure and, more importantly, the facility ensures continuous operation for 24 hours a day, 365 days year. At the same time, the system is scalable so as to allow continuous adaptation of new technologies are developed and incorporated into the assembly to verify integration at the same time it checks the validity of their development. The transformation sector can be said to be the heart of the system, because without neglecting the other sectors, this should prove the validity of hydrogen as a carrier - energy storage are important efforts that have to do to demonstrate the suitability of fuel cells or internal combustion systems to realize the energy stored in hydrogen at prices competitive with conventional systems. The multiple roles to meet the fuel cells under different conditions of operation require to cover their operating conditions, many different sizes and applications. The fourth area focuses on integration is an essential complement within the installation. We must integrate not only the electricity produced, but also hydrogen is used and the heat generated in the process of using hydrogen energy. The energy management in its three forms: hydrogen chemical, electrical and thermal integration requires complicated and require a logic and artificial intelligence extremes to ensure maximum energy efficiency at the same time optimum utilization is achieved. Verification of the development and approval in the entire production system and, ultimately, as a demonstrator set to facilitate the simultaneous evolution of production technology, storage and distribution of hydrogen fuel cells has been assessed.

Propagation mechanism modelling in the near region of circular tunnels

Artículo sobre comunicaciones ferroviarias. Abstract: Along with the increase in operating frequencies in advanced radio communication systems utilised inside tunnels, the location of the break point is further and further away from the transmitter. This means that the near region lengthens considerably and even occupies the whole propagation cell or the entire length of some short tunnels. To begin with, this study analyses the propagation loss resulting from the free-space mechanism and the multi-mode waveguide mechanism in the near region of circular tunnels, respectively. Then, by conjunctive employing the propagation theory and the three-dimensional solid geometry, a general analytical model of the dividing point between two propagation mechanisms is presented for the first time. Moreover, the model is validated by a wide range of measurement campaigns in different tunnels at different frequencies. Finally, discussions on the simplified formulae of the dividing point in some application situations are made. The results in this study can be helpful to grasp the essence of the propagation mechanism inside tunnels.

Emissions and economic costs of cycling compact fluorescent lamps with integrated ballasts

This paper proposes a way to quantify the emissions of mercury (Hg) and CO2 associated with the manufacture and operation of compact fluorescent lamps with integrated ballasts (CFLis), as well as the economic cost of using them under different operating cycles. The main purpose of this paper is to find simple criteria for reducing the polluting emissions under consideration and the economic cost of CFLi to a minimum. A lifetime model is proposed that allows the emissions and costs to be described as a function of degradation from turning CFLi on and their continuous operation. An idealized model of a CFLi is defined that combines characteristics stated by different manufacturers. In addition, two CFLi models representing poor-quality products are analyzed. It was found that the emissions and costs per unit of time of operation of the CFLi depend linearly on the number of times per unit of time it is turned on and the time of continuous operation. The optimal conditions (lowest emissions and costs) depend on the place of manufacture, the place of operation and the quality of the components of the lamp/ballast. Finally, it was also found that for each lamp, there are intervals when it is turned off during which emissions of pollutants and costs are identical regardless of how often the lamp is turned on or the time it remains on. For CO2 emissions, the lamp must be off up to 5 minutes; for the cost, up to 7 minutes and for Hg emissions, up to 43 minutes. It is advisable not to turn on a CFLi sooner than 43 minutes from the last time it was turned off.

Assessment of Content of Tritium, Other Hydrogen Isotopes and Helium in a W Armor for an Experimental HIPER Chamber

Tritium breeding is an essential component of future fusion nuclear reactors. Nuclear fusion reactors require Kg quantities of tritium per year of operation.

Influence of Atmospheric Conditions on mmWave CATR Facilities: Formulation and Compensation Scheme

The performance of a CATR relies on the planarity of the synthesized test wave, which is generated within a bounded volume for which specifications are drawn. Millimetre-wave facilities deal with the classical limitations of this frequency band, among which two become critical in our analysis: time-extensive acquisition campaigns and impact of environmental variables. Both features become more evident when increasing the frequency of operation. The variation in atmospheric variables, such as humidity, temperature and pressure has an influence over the performance of all the elements of the facility. The instrumentation behavior is influenced both by the warming up process, and the ambience conditions that surround the equipment. On the changes of the atmosphere itself, they affect the electromagnetic wave propagation, given the physical link between the conditions of the atmosphere and its electric properties as an electromagnetic waves propagation medium

Measurement and characterization of interoperability between devices with SpaceWire communications

This Master Final Project is intended to show the process developed to the functional and electrical characterization between different devices that use the SpaceWire space communications standard integrated into an evaluation board designed for this purpose. In order to carry out this characterization, firstly, a study to understand the SpaceWire standard is done. After that, another study for the understanding of the demonstration board with its different interfaces and IPs of SpW is done. According to this, it is expected to find out how the SpW devices are structured, especially at FPGA level, and how is the communication between them. Based on the knowledge obtained about SpaceWire and the SpW devices integrated into the evaluation board, the set of measurements and the strategy to validate electrical interoperability between the different devices are defined, as well as to perform functional checks required to ensure its proper understanding. Furthermore, it will let check whether the standard is met and search the limit of operation within a communication system representative of existing equipment in a satellite. Once finished the test plan and implemented on the representative hardware, the board will be considered characterized at SpW level and a report with the conclusions reached about the operation of the SpW interfaces in the board and constraints found will be done. RESUMEN. El presente Trabajo Fin de Máster pretende mostrar el proceso realizado para la caracterización eléctrica y funcional entre distintos dispositivos que utilizan el estándar de comunicaciones espaciales SpaceWire integrados en una tarjeta de evaluación diseñada para tal efecto. Para poder llevar a cabo dicha caracterización, en primer lugar, se realiza un estudio para el conocimiento del estándar SpaceWire. A continuación, se lleva a cabo otro estudio para el conocimiento de la tarjeta de demostración en la que se encuentran los distintos interfaces e IPs de SpW. Con esto último, se pretende conocer como están estructurados los dispositivos SpW, sobre todo a nivel de FPGA, y como se realiza la comunicación entre ellos. En base a los conocimientos adquiridos acerca de SpaceWire y los dispositivos SpW de la tarjeta de evaluación, se definen el conjunto de medidas y la estrategia a seguir para validar eléctricamente la interoperabilidad entre los distintos dispositivos, así como para realizar las comprobaciones funcionales necesarias para asegurar su correcto entendimiento. Además, con ello se podrá comprobar si se cumple el estándar y se podrá también buscar el límite de operación dentro de un sistema de comunicaciones representativo de los equipos existentes en un satélite. Realizado el plan de pruebas y aplicado sobre el hardware representativo se podrá dar por caracterizada la tarjeta a nivel SpW y realizar un informe con las conclusiones alcanzadas acerca del funcionamiento de los interfaces SpW de la tarjeta y las limitaciones encontradas.

Modeling and optimization of frequencies on congested bus lines

In this paper some mathematical programming models are exposed in order to set the number of services on a specified system of bus lines, which are intended to assist high demand levels which may arise because of the disruption of Rapid Transit services or during the celebration of massive events. By means of this model two types of basic magnitudes can be determined, basically: a) the number of bus units assigned to each line and b) the number of services that should be assigned to those units. In these models, passenger flow assignment to lines can be considered of the system optimum type, in the sense that the assignment of units and of services is carried out minimizing a linear combination of operation costs and total travel time of users. The models consider delays experienced by buses as a consequence of the get in/out of the passengers, queueing at stations and the delays that passengers experience waiting at the stations. For the case of a congested strategy based user optimal passenger assignment model with strict capacities on the bus lines, the use of the method of successive averages is shown.

Domestic hot water consumption vs. solar thermal energy storage: the optimum size of the storage tank

Many efforts have been made in order to adequate the production of a solar thermal collector field to the consumption of domestic hot water of the inhabitants of a building. In that sense, much has been achieved in different domains: research agencies, government policies and manufacturers. However, most of the design rules of the solar plants are based on steady state models, whereas solar irradiance, consumption and thermal accumulation are inherently transient processes. As a result of this lack of physical accuracy, thermal storage tanks are sometimes left to be as large as the designer decides without any aforementioned precise recommendation. This can be a problem if solar thermal systems are meant to be implemented in nowadays buildings, where there is a shortage of space. In addition to that, an excessive storage volume could not result more efficient in many residential applications, but costly, extreme in space consumption and in some cases too heavy. A proprietary transient simulation program has been developed and validated with a detailed measurement campaign in an experimental facility. In situ environmental data have been obtained through a whole year of operation. They have been gathered at intervals of 10 min for a solar plant of 50 m2 with a storage tank of 3 m3, including the equipment for domestic hot water production of a typical apartment building. This program has been used to obtain the design and dimensioning criteria of DHW solar plants under daily transient conditions throughout a year and more specifically the size of the storage tank for a multi storey apartment building. Comparison of the simulation results with the current Spanish regulation applicable, “Código Técnico de la Edificación” (CTE 2006), offers fruitful details and establishes solar facilities dimensioning criteria.

A review of the novel concepts in photovoltaics through their experimental achievements

The intermediate band solar cell (IBSC), the multiple exciton generation solar cell (MEGSC) and the hot carrier solar cell (HCSC) are three novel concepts in photovoltaics which aim to achieve high efficiency devices. In this paper we assess to what extent their physical principles of operation have been experimentally verified. It is found that there is experimental evidence supporting the underlying theory for all three.