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Transmitter
Terms modified by Transmitter Selected AbstractsFunctions of glutamate transporters in cerebellar Purkinje cell synapsesACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009Y. Takayasu Abstract Glutamate transporters play a critical role in the maintenance of low extracellular concentrations of glutamate, which prevents the overactivation of post-synaptic glutamate receptors. Four distinct glutamate transporters, GLAST/EAAT1, GLT-1/EAAT2, EAAC1/EAAT3 and EAAT4, are distributed in the molecular layer of the cerebellum, especially near glutamatergic synapses in Purkinje cells (PCs). This review summarizes the current knowledge about the differential roles of these transporters at excitatory synapses of PCs. Data come predominantly from electrophysiological experiments in mutant mice that are deficient in each of these transporter genes. GLAST expressed in Bergmann glia contributes to the clearing of the majority of glutamate that floods out of the synaptic cleft immediately after transmitter release from the climbing fibre (CF) and parallel fibre (PF) terminals. It is indispensable to maintain a one-to-one relationship in synaptic transmission at the CF synapses by preventing transcellular glutamate spillover. GLT-1 plays a similar but minor role in the uptake of glutamate as GLAST. Although the loss of neither GLAST nor GLT-1 affects cerebellar morphology, the deletion of both GLAST and GLT-1 genes causes the death of the mutant animal and hinders the folium formation of the cerebellum. EAAT4 removes the low concentrations of glutamate that escape from uptake by glial transporters, preventing the transmitter from spilling over into neighbouring synapses. It also regulates the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) in perisynaptic regions at PF synapses, which in turn affects mGluR1-mediated events including slow EPSCs and long-term depression. No change in synaptic function is detected in mice that are deficient in EAAC1. [source] Physiological requirement for the glutamate transporter dEAAT1 at the adult Drosophila neuromuscular junctionDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 10 2006Thomas Rival Abstract L -Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. Specific proteins, the Na+/K+ -dependent high affinity excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), are involved in the extracellular clearance and recycling of this amino acid. Type I synapses of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) similarly use L -glutamate as an excitatory transmitter. However, the localization and function of the only high-affinity glutamate reuptake transporter in Drosophila, dEAAT1, at the NMJ was unknown. Using a specific antibody and transgenic strains, we observed that dEAAT1 is present at the adult, but surprisingly not at embryonic and larval NMJ, suggesting a physiological maturation of the junction during metamorphosis. We found that dEAAT1 is not localized in motor neurons but in glial extensions that closely follow motor axons to the adult NMJ. Inactivation of the dEAAT1 gene by RNA interference generated viable adult flies that were able to walk but were flight-defective. Electrophysiological recordings of the thoracic dorso-lateral NMJ were performed in adult dEAAT1-deficient flies. The lack of dEAAT1 prolonged the duration of the individual responses to motor nerve stimulation and this effect was progressively increased during physiological trains of stimulations. Therefore, glutamate reuptake by glial cells is required to ensure normal activity of the Drosophila NMJ, but only in adult flies. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006 [source] Anterior neural centres in echinoderm bipinnaria and auricularia larvae: cell types and organizationACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 2 2002Thurston C. Lacalli Abstract Serial and interval electron micrograph series were used to examine the anterior part of the ciliary band system in the bipinnaria larva of Pisaster ochraceus and the auricularia larva of Stichopus californicus for evidence of ganglion-like organization. The bipinnaria has paired concentrations of Multipolar with Apical Processes (MAP) cells in this region that correspond in position with previously identified clusters of serotonergic and peptidergic neurones. MAP cells located in the centre of the band have well-developed apical processes, but no cilium. Those at the sides of the band have fewer processes, but some have recumbent cilia that extend under the glycocalyx, suggesting a sensory function. Comparable cell types are not found elsewhere in the band, a clear indication that the apical parts of the ciliary band system are organized in a distinctive fashion. Two neuronal cell types were identified in the apical region of the auricularia larva, a conventional bipolar neurone that corresponds with previously described serotonergic apical cells, and more numerous MAP cells for which there is no previous record and hence, no known transmitter. Previous immunocytochemical studies are summarized and re-examined in the light of these results. Relevant evolutionary issues are also discussed, but the data fail to provide strong evidence either for or against Garstang's hypothesis that the chordate brain and spinal cord derive from larval ciliary bands resembling those of modern echinoderms. [source] Effects of radio-transmitter antenna length on swimming performance of juvenile rainbow troutECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 4 2004K. J. Murchie Abstract,,, Technological advances have lead to the production of micro radio-transmitters capable of being implanted in fish as small as c. 5 g. Although the actual tags are small, transmitters are equipped with long antennas that can increase drag and tangle in debris. We examined the effects of radio-transmitter antenna length on the swimming performance of juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, (N = 156, mean mass = 34 g, mean fork length = 148 mm). Although we tested a variety of different antenna lengths up to a maximum of 300 mm, only the longest antenna significantly impaired swimming performance relative to control fish (P < 0.001). There was no difference in swimming performance between the sham (surgery, but no transmitter) and the control fish (handled, but no surgery), suggesting that the surgical procedure itself did not negatively affect the fish. Regression analysis, however, indicated that there was a significant decrease in swimming performance associated with increased antenna length (R2 = 0.11, P < 0.001). In addition, when held in laboratory tanks, fish with the three longest antennas (150, 225 and 300 mm) frequently became entangled with the standpipe. We suggest that researchers, under the guidance of the tag manufacturer, trim antennas to the shortest possible length required to detect fish in their specific study area. Antenna length is clearly an important issue for small fish, especially for species that inhabit complex habitats where antennas may become entangled, and where fish must attain speeds near limits of their swimming capacity. Resumen 1. Los avances tecnológicos han llevado a producir micro radio-trasmisores capaces de ser implantados en peces de muy pequeño tamaño (,5 g). Aunque las marcas actuales son pequeñas, los trasmisores están equipados con antenas largas que pueden llegar a enredarse en los restos de vegetación. Examinamos los efectos de la longitud de la antena sobre la rutina natatoria de juveniles de Oncorhynchus mykiss (n = 156, peso medio = 34 g, longitud furcal media = 148 mm). 2. Aunque analizamos varias longitudes de antena, hasta 300 mm, solamente las de mayor longitud alteraron la rutina natatoria en relación a los peces control (P < 0.001). No hubo diferencia en la rutina natatoria entre individuos bajo cirugía pero sin trasmisores respecto de los individuos control (manipulados pero sin cirugía) lo que sugiere que los procedimientos de cirugía no afectaron negativamente a los peces. Sin embargo, análisis de regresión indicaron un declive significativo en la rutina natatoria asociado a la longitud de la antena (R2 = 0.11, P < 0.001). Además, al ser mantenidos en tanques, los individuos con las tres antenas mas largas (150, 225, y 300 mm) frecuentemente se enredaron con las tuberías. 3. Sugerimos a los investigadores que, bajo la dirección de los productores de marcas y antenas, consideren el uso de las antenas más pequeñas que permitan detectar a los peces en sus respectivas áreas de estudio. La longitud de la antena es una cuestión importante para los pequeños peces, especialmente para especies en hábitats complejos donde las antenas pueden llegar a enredarse y donde los peces pueden alcanzar velocidades casi al limite de su capacidad natatoria. [source] Switching of the transmitters that mediate hindbrain correlated activity in the chick embryoEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2009Hiraku Mochida Abstract Widely propagating correlated neuronal activity is a hallmark of the developing nervous system. The activity is usually mediated by multiple transmitters, and the contribution of gap junctions has also been suggested in several systems. In some structures, such as the retina and spinal cord, it has been shown that the dominant transmitter mediating the correlated wave switches from acetylcholine to glutamate during development, although the functional significance of this phenomenon has not been clarified. An important question is whether such a transmitter switch occurs in other systems, especially in the brain. In the present study, we demonstrate that the major transmitter mediating correlated wave activity in the embryonic chick hindbrain changes from acetylcholine/,-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glycine to glutamate/GABA as development proceeds. The results show for the first time that the dominant transmitter switches from acetylcholine to glutamate in a region other than the retina and spinal cord. This finding sheds more light on the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the generation of correlated wave activity, which is considered to regulate the development of the nervous system. [source] Concepts of neural nitric oxide-mediated transmissionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 11 2008John Garthwaite Abstract As a chemical transmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, nitric oxide (NO) is still thought a bit of an oddity, yet this role extends back to the beginnings of the evolution of the nervous system, predating many of the more familiar neurotransmitters. During the 20 years since it became known, evidence has accumulated for NO subserving an increasing number of functions in the mammalian central nervous system, as anticipated from the wide distribution of its synthetic and signal transduction machinery within it. This review attempts to probe beneath those functions and consider the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which NO evokes short- and long-term modifications in neural performance. With any transmitter, understanding its receptors is vital for decoding the language of communication. The receptor proteins specialised to detect NO are coupled to cGMP formation and provide an astonishing degree of amplification of even brief, low amplitude NO signals. Emphasis is given to the diverse ways in which NO receptor activation initiates changes in neuronal excitability and synaptic strength by acting at pre- and/or postsynaptic locations. Signalling to non-neuronal cells and an unexpected line of communication between endothelial cells and brain cells are also covered. Viewed from a mechanistic perspective, NO conforms to many of the rules governing more conventional neurotransmission, particularly of the metabotropic type, but stands out as being more economical and versatile, attributes that presumably account for its spectacular evolutionary success. [source] 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions enhance and serotonergic grafts normalize the evoked overflow of acetylcholine in rat hippocampal slicesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 10 2002Anja Birthelmer Abstract Adult rats were subjected to intracerebroventricular injections of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT; 150 µg) and, 15 days later, to intrahippocampal grafts of fetal raphe cell suspensions. About 11 months later, we assessed baseline and electrically evoked release of tritium ([3H]) in hippocampal slices, preloaded with tritiated ([3H])choline or [3H]serotonin (5-HT), in the presence or absence of the 5-HT1B receptor agonist CP-93,129 and the 5-HT receptor antagonist methiothepine. HPLC determinations of monoamine concentrations were also performed. The lesions reduced the concentration of 5-HT (,90%) and the accumulation (,80%) as well as the evoked release (,90%) of [3H]5-HT. They also decreased the inhibitory effects of CP-93,129 on the evoked release of [3H]5-HT. Most interestingly, they facilitated the evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine (+20%). In slices from rats subjected to lesions and grafts, the responsiveness of the serotonergic autoreceptors (presumably located on the terminals of the grafted neurons) and the release of acetylcholine were close to normal. These results confirm that grafts rich in serotonergic neurons may partially compensate for the dramatic effects of 5,7-DHT lesions on serotonergic hippocampal functions. The lesion-induced reduction of the 5-HT1B autoreceptor-mediated inhibition of evoked 5-HT release may be an adaptation enhancing serotonergic transmission in the (few) remaining terminals. The facilitated release of acetylcholine is probably caused by a reduced serotonergic tone on the inhibitory 5-HT1B heteroreceptors of the cholinergic terminals. When related to data in the literature, this facilitation may be of particular interest in terms of transmitter-based strategies developed to tackle cognitive symptoms related to neurodegenerative diseases. [source] Properties of LTD and LTP of retinocollicular synaptic transmission in the developing rat superior colliculusEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 9 2002Fu-Sun Lo Abstract The developing retinocollicular pathway undergoes synaptic refinement in order to form the precise retinotopic pattern seen in adults. To study the mechanisms which underlie refinement, we investigated long-term changes in retinocollicular transmission in rats aged P0,P25. Field potentials (FPs) in the superior colliculus (SC) were evoked by stimulation of optic tract fibers in an in vitro isolated brainstem preparation. High intensity stimulation induced long-term depression (LTD) in the SC after both low (1000 stimuli at 1 Hz) and higher (1000 stimuli at 50 Hz) frequency stimulation. The induction of LTD was independent of activation of NMDA and GABAA receptors, because d -APV (100 µM) and bicuculline (10 µM) did not block LTD. Induction of LTD was dependent upon activation of l -type Ca2+ channels as 10 µM nitrendipine, an l -type Ca2+ channel blocker, significantly decreased the magnitude of LTD. LTD was down-regulated during development. LTD magnitude was greatest in rats aged P0,P9 and significantly less in rats aged P10,P25. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced by low intensity stimulation and only after high frequency tetanus (1000 stimuli at 50 Hz). LTP was NMDA receptor dependent because d -APV (100 ,M) completely abolished it. LTP induction was also blocked by the l -type Ca2+ channel blocker nitrendipine. The magnitude of LTP first increased with age, being significantly greater at P7,P13 than at P0,3 and then decreased at P23,25. In summary, both LTD and LTP are present during retinocollicular pathway refinement, but have different transmitter and ionic mechanisms and time courses of expression. [source] Hypocretin (orexin) in the rat pineal gland: a central transmitter with effects on noradrenaline-induced release of melatoninEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2001Jens D. Mikkelsen Abstract Hypocretin-1 (HCRT-1) and hypocretin 2 (HCRT-2), also known as orexin-A and orexin-B, are two neuropeptides derived from the same precursor. Hypocretinergic neurons have been found exclusively in the hypothalamic dorsolateral area. These neurons are implicated in sleep and feeding through activation of specific G-protein-coupled orexin-1 and orexin-2 receptor (OR-R1 and OR-R2). The purpose of this study was to determine the existence of the HCRT peptides in the central input of the rat pineal gland. Further, OR-R1 and OR-R2 expression was determined in the pineal gland and the effect of HCRT-2 on melatonin synthesis and secretion was analysed in dissociated rat pinealocytes. A large contingent of HCRT-positive nerve fibres and terminals were observed in the epithalamus, many of which entered into the pineal parenchyma. A significant number of nerve fibres endowed with positive boutons were identified in the pineal stalk, though the number of positive fibres decreased along the extension of the stalk. So far, no positive fibres have been found in the superficial pineal gland. RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of OR-R2 mRNA, whereas OR-R1-receptor mRNA was not detected. When tested alone, HCRT-2 had no effect on secretion of melatonin from cultured rat pinealocytes. However, HCRT-2 partially inhibited (by a maximum of 30%) the ,-adrenergic-induced melatonin secretion. The same effect was seen on activation of N-acetyltransferase activity. The distribution and the large number of HCRT-positive fibres together with the effect on noradrenaline-mediated melatonin release through specific receptors suggests that these peptides may be significant central transmitters in pineal function, probably mediating homeostatic signals to the pineal gland. [source] Optimised spreading code redistribution PAPR reduction technique for MC-CDMA systemsEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 5 2009Lin Yang Multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) is one of the most promising techniques considered for future broadband mobile services. However, the high peak to average power ratio (PAPR) problem associated with MC-CDMA systems can significantly degrade the power efficiency at the transmitter. This paper proposes an efficient PAPR reduction technique for the downlink of MC-CDMA systems. It regards the order of the CDMA spreading codes as an extra degree of freedom and exploits it to effectively reduce the PAPR of the signal. The proposed technique requires only slight modification to the MC-CDMA base station and negligible complexity to the mobile terminals. Both lightly loaded and fully loaded systems are examined when using the orthogonal sets of Walsh,Hadamard (WH) and Golay complementary sequences (CSs). It will be demonstrated that the proposed technique achieves significant PAPR reduction with low system complexity at both transmitter and receiver. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] CGU-frame-based representations and their connection with Reed,Solomon and DCT/DST coding schemesEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 1 2009Fatma Abdelkefi We investigate the use of overcomplete frame representations to correct errors occurring over burst-based transmission channels or channels leading to isolated errors. We show that when the overcomplete signal representation is based on a class of frames, called cyclic geometrically uniform (CGU) finite frames, the family of frames containing finite harmonic frames (both in and ), this representation becomes equivalent to a Reed--Solomon (RS) coding scheme. Hence, introducing an RS decoding procedure at the receiver, leads to remove the errors introduced by the transmission channel and consequently results in a quasi-perfect reconstructed signal. The advantage of this approach is to exploit the RS coding scheme without using it explicitly at the transmitter, which would lead to a robust and low complexity transmission. Furthermore, we prove that the discrete cosine transform (DCT) coding is a special case of CGU-frame-based representations and this property holds also true for the discrete sine transform (DST) coding scheme. Simulation results are presented to confirm our claims. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Adaptive resource allocation in OFDMA systems with fairness and QoS constraints,EUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 6 2007Liang Chen This paper describes several practical and efficient adaptive subchannel, power and bit allocation algorithms for orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA) systems. Assuming perfect knowledge of channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter, we look at the problem of minimising the total power consumption while maintaining individual rate requirements and QoS constraints. An average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) approximation is used to determine the allocation while substantially reducing the computational complexity. The proposed algorithms guarantee improvement through each iteration and converge quickly to stable suboptimal solutions. Numerical results and complexity analysis show that the proposed algorithms offer beneficial cost versus performance trade-offs compared to existing approaches. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Gaussian inputs: performance limits over non-coherent SISO and MIMO channelsEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 3 2007Rasika R. Perera Performance limits of information transfer over a discrete time memoryless Rayleigh fading channel with neither the receiver nor the transmitter knowing the fading coefficients except its statistics is an important problem in information theory. We derive closed form expressions for the mutual information of single input single output (SISO) and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) Rayleigh fading channels for any antenna number at any signal to noise ratio (SNR). Using these expressions, we show that the maximum mutual information of non-coherent Rayleigh fading MIMO channels is achieved with a single transmitter and multiple receivers when the input distribution is Gaussian. We show that the addition of transmit antennas for a fixed number of receivers result in a reduction of mutual information. Furthermore, we argue that the mutual information is bounded by the SNR in both SISO and MIMO systems showing the sub-optimality of Gaussian signalling in non-coherent Rayleigh fading channels. Copyright © 2006 AEIT [source] Suppression of sidelobes in OFDM systems by multiple-choice sequences,EUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 6 2006Ivan Cosovic In this paper, we consider the problem of out-of-band radiation in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems caused by high sidelobes of the OFDM transmission signal. Suppression of high sidelobes in OFDM systems enables higher spectral efficiency and/or co-existence with legacy systems in the case of OFDM spectrum sharing systems. To reduce sidelobes, we propose a method termed multiple-choice sequences (MCS). It is based on the idea that transforming the original transmit sequence into a set of sequences and choosing that sequence out of the set with the lowest power in the sidelobes allows to reduce the out-of-band radiation. We describe the general principle of MCS and out of it we derive and compare several practical MCS algorithms. In addition, we shortly consider the combination of MCS sidelobe suppression method with existing sidelobe suppression methods. Numerical results show that with MCS approach OFDM sidelobes can be reduced significantly while requiring only a small amount of signalling information to be sent from transmitter to receiver. For example, in an OFDM overlay scenario sidelobes power is reduced by around 10,dB with a signalling overhead of only 14%. Copyright © 2006 AEIT. [source] Simple On-Line Scheduling Algorithms for All-Optical Broadcast-and-Select NetworksEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 1 2000Marco Ajmone Marsan This paper considers all-optical broadcast networks providing a number of slotted WDM channels for packet communications. Each network user is equipped with one tunable transmitter and one fixed receiver, so that full connectivity can be achieved by tuning transmitters to the different wavelengths. Tuning times are not negligible with respect to the slot time. A centralized network controller allocates slots in a TDWDM frame according to (long-term) bandwidth requests issued by users. Simple on-line transparent scheduling strategies are proposed, which accommodate bandwidth requests when they are received (on-line approach), with the constraint of not affecting existing allocations when a new request is served (transparency). Strategies that attempt to allocate in contiguous slots all the transmissions of each source on one wavelength reduce overheads, are simple, and provide good performance. Even better performance can be achieved, at the cost of a modest complexity increase, when the transparency constraint is not strictly imposed, i.e., when a full re-allocation of existing connections is performed once in a while. [source] Keratinocytes: a source of the transmitter l -glutamate in the epidermisEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Matthias Fischer Abstract:, Various glutamate receptors have been described in both keratinocytes and melanocytes. l -Glutamate is the physiological agonist of the glutamate receptor family. The source of this transmitter had not yet been identified. In normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and HaCaT-keratinocytes, cell supernatants were sampled in various stages of cell density and the l -glutamate content photometrically determined. The following examination time-points were defined: non-confluent (ca. 33%), subconfluent (ca. 70%) and confluent (90,100%). The l -glutamate concentration originally in the culture medium was 14.7 mg/l (0.1 mm/l). The l -glutamate concentration in the cell supernatant increased in NHEK with increasing cell density: non-confluent 39.9 ± 4 mg/l, subconfluent 60.6 ± 15.8 mg/l, confluent 100.7 ± 33.2 mg/l. A linear increase of l -glutamate concentration was also found for HaCaT cells. The investigations show that keratinocytes are capable of producing and releasing l -glutamate. Thus they are a source of l -glutamate which acts as a transmitter on epidermal glutamate receptors. [source] Intramembrane-sensing histidine kinases: a new family of cell envelope stress sensors in Firmicutes bacteriaFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 2 2006Thorsten Mascher Abstract Two-component signal-transducing systems (TCS) consist of a histidine kinase (HK) that senses a specific environmental stimulus, and a cognate response regulator (RR) that mediates the cellular response. Most HK are membrane-anchored proteins harboring two domains: An extracytoplasmic input and a cytoplasmic transmitter (or kinase) domain, separated by transmembrane helices that are crucial for the intramolecular information flow. In contrast to the cytoplasmic domain, the input domain is highly variable, reflecting the plethora of different signals sensed. Intramembrane-sensing HK (IM-HK) are characterized by their short input domain, consisting solely of two putative transmembane helices. They lack an extracytoplasmic domain, indicative for a sensing process at or from within the membrane interface. Most proteins sharing this domain architecture are found in Firmicutes bacteria. Two major groups can be differentiated based on sequence similarity and genomic context: (1) BceS-like IM-HK that are functionally and genetically linked to ABC transporters, and (2) LiaS-like IM-HK, as part of three-component systems. Most IM-HK sense cell envelope stress, and identified target genes are often involved in maintaining cell envelope integrity, mediating antibiotic resistance, or detoxification processes. Therefore, IM-HK seem to constitute an important mechanism of cell envelope stress response in low G+C Gram-positive bacteria. [source] Activity and energetics of free-swimming fish: insights from electromyogram telemetryFISH AND FISHERIES, Issue 1 2004Steven J Cooke Abstract Electromyogram (EMG) telemetry studies that involve remotely monitoring the locomotory activity and energetics of fish are contributing important information to the conservation and management of fisheries resources. Here, we outline the development of this rapidly evolving field and formulate the studies conducted that utilize this technology. To date, more than 60 studies have been conducted using EMG telemetry that spans 18 species. Several general trends were observed in the methodology of the studies that we have highlighted as standards that should be adopted associated with transmitter customization, electrode placement and surgical technique. Although numerous studies have been methodological, there are still some deficiencies in our basic understanding of issues such as the need for individual calibration and the method of reporting or transforming data. Increasingly, this technology is being applied to address issues in conservation, management and aquaculture production. At present, the technology has been most frequently applied to the study of animal activity or energetics and to migration. Several recent studies have also focused on addressing more basic questions in ecological and evolutionary biology (e.g. parental care dynamics) similar to the large body of literature that has been collected for other taxa (e.g. marine mammals, birds), using activity telemetry. Collectively, studies conducted using EMG telemetry have contributed important information on free-swimming fish that was previously difficult to obtain. EMG telemetry is particularly effective for examining behaviour at temporal and spatial scales that are difficult using other techniques. The development of an ultrasonic transmitter based on the same proven principles as those used in the current radio transmitter technology will permit studies in other environments (i.e. marine, brackish, deep water) and on different species of fish. We encourage the continued development and refinement of devices for monitoring the activity and energetics of free-swimming fish, and also encourage researchers to consider EMG telemetry as a tool for addressing questions that are not effectively answered with other techniques. [source] Introduction of a new physiological acoustic electromyogram transmitterFISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 5-6 2008G. LEMBO Abstract, Electromyogram (EMG) radio transmitters have proven to be a useful tool to monitor activity levels in free swimming fish. Unfortunately, the availability of the EMG transmitter in only radio mode limited its use to the freshwater environment. Applications in the marine environment are numerous and include monitoring activity levels in both wild and cultured finfish. This study presents preliminary data from trials examining activity levels in free swimming sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, L., using an acoustic EMG transmitter. Three adult sea bass were surgically implanted with the newly created prototype EMG transmitters. Signals from the transmitter were calibrated to swimming speed using a Bla,ka-style chamber. Swimming trials showed a high correlation between EMG signal and swimming velocity (r2 = 0.978) and were described using a sigmoid model. No significant differences (P < 0.05) were found among the four swimming trials conducted on the same fish or among the trials of the three different fish, indicating minimum variation from the prototypes tested. [source] Mammalian septin Sept2 modulates the activity of GLAST, a glutamate transporter in astrocytesGENES TO CELLS, Issue 1 2004Nagatoki Kinoshita Sept2 is a member of the septin family of GTPases. Septins form filaments in a GTP-form dependent manner, and are involved in cytokinesis from yeast to mammals; however, some mammalian septins, including Sept2, are expressed in the brain, a tissue in which almost all the cells are postmitotic. Recently, some functions of mammalian septin other than cytokinesis such as vesicle transport have been reported. However, mammalian septin's physiological functions are still unclear. The present study revealed that Sept2 co-localizes with the astrocyte glutamate transporter GLAST in the Bergmann glial processes facing axons and synapses. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that Sept2 bound directly to the carboxy-terminal region of GLAST in a GDP-form dependent manner. Expression of constitutive GDP-form Sept2 mutant reduced the glutamate uptake activity of GLAST via internalization of GLAST from cell surface. Thus Sept2 may regulate GLAST-mediated glutamate uptake by astrocytes, which is important for appropriate transmitter signalling in the cerebellum. [source] Dispersion and radial depth of investigation of borehole modesGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 4 2004Bikash K. Sinha ABSTRACT Sonic techniques in geophysical prospecting involve elastic wave velocity measurements that are performed by placing acoustic transmitters and receivers in a fluid-filled borehole. The signals recorded at the receivers are processed to obtain compressional- and shear-wave velocities in the surrounding formation. These velocities are generally used in seismic surveys for the time-to-depth conversion and other formation parameters, such as porosity and lithology. Depending upon the type of transmitter used (e.g. monopole or dipole) and as a result of eccentering, it is possible to excite axisymmetric (n= 0), flexural (n= 1) and quadrupole (n= 2) families of modes propagating along the borehole. We present a study of various propagating and leaky modes that includes their dispersion and attenuation characteristics caused by radiation into the surrounding formation. A knowledge of propagation characteristics of borehole modes helps in a proper selection of transmitter bandwidth for suppressing unwanted modes that create problems in the inversion for the compressional- and shear-wave velocities from the dispersive arrivals. It also helps in the design of a transmitter for a preferential excitation of a given mode in order to reduce interference with drill-collar or drilling noise for sonic measurements-while-drilling. Computational results for the axisymmetric family of modes in a fast formation with a shear-wave velocity of 2032 m/s show the existence of Stoneley, pseudo-Rayleigh and anharmonic cut-off modes. In a slow formation with a shear-wave velocity of 508 m/s, we find the existence of the Stoneley mode and the first leaky compressional mode which cuts in at approximately the same normalized frequency ,a/VS= 2.5 (a is the borehole radius) as that of the fast formation. The corresponding modes among the flexural family include the lowest-order flexural and anharmonic cut-off modes. For both the fast and slow formations, the first anharmonic mode cuts in at a normalized frequency ,a/VS= 1.5 approximately. Cut-off frequencies of anharmonic modes are inversely proportional to the borehole radius in the absence of any tool. The borehole quadrupole mode can also be used for estimating formation shear slownesses. The radial depth of investigation with a quadrupole mode is marginally less than that of a flexural mode because of its higher frequency of excitation. [source] Experimental validation of the wavefield transform of electromagnetic fieldsGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 5 2002Kaushik Das The wavefield transform is a mathematical technique for transforming low-frequency electromagnetic (EM) signals to a non-diffusive wave domain. The ray approximation is valid in the transform space and this makes traveltime tomography for 3D mapping of the electrical conductivity distribution in the subsurface possible. The transform, however, imposes stringent frequency bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio requirements on the data. Here we discuss a laboratory scale experiment designed to collect transform quality EM data, and to demonstrate the practical feasibility of transforming these data to the wavefield domain. We have used the scalable nature of EM fields to design a time-domain experiment using graphite blocks to simulate realistic field conditions while leaving the time scale undisturbed. The spatial dimensions have been scaled down by a factor of a thousand by scaling conductivity up by a factor of a million. The graphite blocks have two holes drilled into them to carry out cross-well and borehole-to-surface experiments. Steel sheets have been inserted between the blocks to simulate a conductive layer. Our experiments show that accurate EM data can be recorded on a laboratory scale model even when the scaling of some features, such as drill-hole diameters, is not maintained. More importantly, the time-domain EM data recorded in cross-well and surface-to-borehole modes can be usefully and accurately transformed to the wavefield domain. The observed wavefield propagation delay is proportional to the direct distance between the transmitter and receiver in a homogeneous medium. In a layered medium, data accuracy is reduced and, hence, our results are not so conclusive. On the basis of the experimental results we conclude that the wavefield transform could constitute a valid approach to the interpretation of accurate, undistorted time-domain data if further improvement in the transform can be realized. [source] On removing the primary field from fixed-wing time-domain airborne electromagnetic data: some consequences for quantitative modelling, estimating bird position and detecting perfect conductorsGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 4 2001Richard Smith In the process of removing the primary field from fixed-wing time-domain airborne EM data, the response is decomposed into two parts, which are referred to here as the time-domain ,in-phase' and ,quadrature' components. The time-domain in-phase component is dominated by the primary field, which varies significantly as the transmitter,receiver separation changes. The time-domain quadrature component comes solely from the secondary response associated with currents induced in the ground and this is the component that has traditionally been used in the interpretation of data from fixed-wing towed-bird time-domain EM systems. In the off-time, the quadrature response is very similar to the total secondary response. However, there are large differences in the on-time and even some small differences in the off-time.One consequence of these differences is that when airborne EM data are to be interpreted using a synthetic mathematical model, the synthetic data calculated should also be the quadrature component. A second consequence relates to the time-domain in-phase component which is sometimes used to estimate the receiver-sensor (bird) position. The bird-position estimation process assumes there is no secondary field in the in-phase component. If the ground is resistive, the secondary contained in the in-phase component is small, so the bird-position estimate is accurate to about 30 cm, but in highly conductive areas the secondary contribution can be large and the position estimate can be out by as much as 5 m. A third consequence arises for highly conductive bodies, the response of which is predominantly in-phase. This means that any response from these types of body is lost in the component that has been removed in the primary-field extraction procedure. However, if the bird position is measured very accurately, the actual free-space primary field can be estimated. If this is then subtracted from the estimated primary (actually free-space primary plus secondary in-phase response), then the residual is the secondary in-phase response of the ground. Using this methodology, very conductive ore bodies could be detected. However, a sensitivity analysis shows that detection of a large vertically dipping very conductive body at 150 m depth would require that the bird position be measured to an accuracy of about 1.4 cm and the aircraft attitude to within about 0.01°. Such tolerances are very stringent and not easily attainable with current technology. [source] Distortions of EM transients in coincident loops at short time-delaysGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 6 2000F. Kamenetsky Transient electromagnetic measurements with short time-delays of transients are used for solving different problems within the upper part of a geoelectric section. However, it is necessary to take into consideration distortions connected with self-transients within the transmitter,receiver system. From the practical point of view, it is important to estimate the minimum time-delay after which these distortions may be neglected. We present such an estimation which uses a simple approximation method for a single-loop (or coincident-loop) configuration. For common values of the loop size (10 m × 10 m to 40 m × 40 m) and of the resistivity of a homogeneous half-space (1,100 ,m), the minimum time-delay beyond which we can use a standard interpretation is in the range of 2,10 µs. This is equivalent to a minimum depth of investigation in the range of 1,30 m. [source] Role of glial amino acid transporters in synaptic transmission and brain energeticsGLIA, Issue 3 2004Païkan Marcaggi Abstract This article reviews how the uptake of neurotransmitter by glial amino acid transporters limits the spatial spread of transmitter to preserve the independent operation of nearby synapses, temporally shapes postsynaptic currents, and regulates the effects of tonic transmitter release. We demonstrate the importance of amino acid uptake and recycling mechanisms for preventing the loss of energetically costly neurotransmitter from the brain, and also examine the suggestion that glutamate uptake into glia plays a key role in regulating the energy production of the brain. Finally, we assess the role of glial amino acid transporters in transmitter recycling pathways. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Synaptic Transmission: Inhibition of Neurotransmitter Release by Botulinum ToxinsHEADACHE, Issue 2003Oliver Dolly MSc Botulinum toxin type A, a protein long used in the successful treatment of various dystonias, has a complex mechanism of action that results in muscle relaxation. At the neuromuscular junction, the presynaptic nerve ending is packed with synaptic vesicles filled with acetylcholine, and clustered at the tip of the folds of the postsynaptic muscle membrane are the acetylcholine receptors. Synaptic vesicles fuse with the membrane in response to an elevation of intraneuronal calcium concentration and undergo release of their transmitter by exocytosis. Intracellular proteins that contribute to the fusion of the vesicles with the plasma membrane during exocytosis include synaptosomal protein with a molecular weight of 25 kDa (SNAP-25); vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP), also known as synaptobrevin; and syntaxin. Through their proteolytic action on these proteins, botulinum toxins prevent exocytosis, thereby inhibiting the release of acetylcholine. There are 7 serotypes of this toxin,A, B, C1, D, E, F, and G,and each cleaves a different intracellular protein or the same target at distinct bonds. The separate cleavage sites in SNAP-25 for botulinum toxin types A and E contribute to their dissimilar durations of muscle relaxation. This report describes the molecular basis for the inhibition by botulinum toxins of neuroexocytosis and subsequent functional recovery at the neuromuscular junction. [source] Experimental modelling and intelligent control of a wood-drying kilnINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 8 2001Givon Chuen Kee Yan Abstract Proper control of the wood-drying kiln is crucial in ensuring satisfactory quality of dried wood and in minimizing drying time. This paper presents the development, implementation, and evaluation of a control system for a lumber drying kiln process incorporating sensory feedback from in-wood moisture content sensors and intelligent control such that the moisture content of lumber will reach and stabilize at the desired set point without operator interference. The drying process is difficult to model and control due to complex dynamic nonlinearities, coupling effects among key variables, and process disturbances caused by the variation of lumber sizes, species, and environmental factors. Through system identification scheme using experimental data and recursive least-squares algorithm for parameter estimation, appropriate models are developed for simulation purpose and controller design. Two different control methodologies are employed and compared: a conventional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller and a direct fuzzy logic controller (FLC), and system performance is evaluated through simulations. The developed control system is then implemented in a downscaled industrial kiln located at the Innovation Centre of National Research Council (NRC) of Canada. This experimental set-up is equipped with a variety of sensors, including thermocouples for temperature feedback, an air velocity transmitter for measuring airflow speed in the plenum, relative humidity sensors for measuring the relative humidity inside the kiln, and in-wood moisture content sensors for measuring the moisture content of the wood pieces. For comparison, extensive experimental studies are carried out on-line using the two controllers, and the results are evaluated to tune the controller parameters to achieve good performance in the wood-drying kiln. The combination of conventional control with the intelligent control promises improved performance. The control system developed in this study may be applied in industrial wood-drying kilns, with a clear potential for improved quality and increased speed of drying. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Envelope tracking power amplifier with static predistortion linearizationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUIT THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Issue 2 2009Timo Rautio Abstract This paper presents the design method, properties and driving techniques of a linear 0.5,W 1,GHz LDMOS power amplifier used in a supply modulated envelope tracking transmitter with real-time predistortion. Causes of nonlinearities are identified, and various supply voltage drives are experimented. Measured results show that the power efficiency can be improved while maintaining high linearity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Joint queue control and user scheduling in MIMO broadcast channel under zero-forcing multiplexingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 12 2009Feng She Abstract This paper studies the problem of queue control and user scheduling in multi-antenna broadcast (downlink) systems under zero forcing beamforming transmit strategy. In the system, we assume that the data packet arrives randomly to the buffered transmitter. By taking the broadcast channel as a controlled queueing system, we deduce the property of queue control function that maximizes the weighted system throughput while guarantees the delay fairness among users. We also present a low-complexity user selection algorithm with the consideration of queue state and channel state together. Simulation results show that the joint queue control and user selection policy can achieve considerable fairness and stability among users. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Clock synchronization for packet networks using a weighted least-squares error filtering technique and enabling circuit emulation serviceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 6 2007James Aweya Abstract Circuit emulation service (CES) allows time-division multiplexing (TDM) services (T1/E1 and T3/E3 circuits) to be transparently extended across a packet network. With circuit emulation over IP, for instance, TDM data received from an external device at the edge of an IP network is converted to IP packets, sent through the IP network, passed out of the IP network to its destination, and reassembled into TDM bit stream. Clock synchronization is very important for CES. This paper presents a clock synchronization scheme based on a double exponential filtering technique and a linear process model. The linear process model is used to describe the behaviour of clock synchronization errors between a transmitter and a receiver. In the clock synchronization scheme, the transmitter periodically sends explicit time indications or timestamps to a receiver to enable the receiver to synchronize its local clock to the transmitter's clock. A phase-locked loop (PLL) at the receiver processes the transmitted timestamps to generate timing signal for the receiver. The PLL has a simple implementation and provides both fast responsiveness (i.e. fast acquisition of transmitter frequency at a receiver) and significant jitter reduction in the locked state. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||