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The Telecom Infra Project Open Optical & Packet Transport (TIP OOPT) carries out activities aimed at decoupling hardware and software and accelerating innovation in optical and IP networks. This article focuses on the TIP Phoenix Project, in which operators are working together to present common use cases and specifications to encourage the entry of new vendors and reduce costs. The background of the project, efforts to date, and contribution of the NTT Group are explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellulose solution state and formation mechanism are fundamental and essential issues in cellulose science and related industry. Herein, we revealed the cellulose solution state and formation mechanism in a series of ionic liquids (ILs) and IL/co-solvent systems. The types and amounts of ILs and co-solvents have a significant influence on the initial solution state and the dissolution process of cellulose. Acetate-based ILs and a high co-solvent content are beneficial to the formation of a molecularly dispersed state. In contrast, chloride-based ILs or a low content of co-solvents make cellulose adopt a coexistence state of single molecular chains and undissolved cellulose microdomains, which gradually convert into a molecularly dispersed state. The hydrogen-bonding basicity and microstructure of ILs and co-solvents are the determining factors for the initial solution state and dissolution process of cellulose. In IL/co-solvent systems with a high hydrogen-bonding basicity (>0.92) and a small ion cluster structure, a molecularly dispersed solution of cellulose forms directly. Such a clear and comprehensive outline of the solution state, dissolution process and regulation principles is of critical significance to understand cellulose dissolution, characterize the physical properties of cellulose, control homogeneous derivatization, and process cellulose materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to prevent methamphetamine (METH)-induced neurotoxicity and plays a role in various stages of METH addiction. However, there is a lack of research with longitudinal design on changes in plasma BDNF levels in active METH-dependent individuals. Aims The aim of the study was to investigate changes in BDNF levels during METH self-administration in monkeys. Methods This study measured plasma BDNF levels in three male rhesus monkeys with continuous METH exposure and four male control rhesus monkeys without METH exposure. Changes in plasma BDNF levels were then assessed longitudinally during 40 sessions of METH self-administration in the three monkeys. Results Repeated METH exposure decreased plasma BDNF levels. Additionally, plasma BDNF decreased with long-term rather than short-term accumulation of METH during METH self-administration. Conclusions These findings may indicate that the changes in peripheral BDNF may reflect the quantity of accumulative METH intake during a frequent drug use period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-agent consensus has been widely applied in engineering. A novel protocol that can achieve an average state consensus for multi-agent systems in finite time is presented in this paper. The proposed protocol contains a non-linear and a linear term. The state consensus is achieved in finite time by the non-linear term and convergence performance is improved by the linear term to some degree. The protocol can be applied to systems with a switching topology as long as the communication graph is always undirected and connected. The upper bound of convergence time is obtained. The relationship between convergence time and protocol parameter, communication topology and initial state is analysed. Lastly, simulations are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]