In a genetic screen for active zone defective mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans, we isolated a loss-of-function allele of unc-7, a gene encoding an innexin/pannexin family gap junction protein. Innexin UNC-7 regulates the size and distribution of active zones at C. elegans neuromuscular junctions. Loss-of-function mutations in another innexin, UNC-9, cause similar active zone defects as unc-7 m...

Active deformation in Alborz range is due to N-S convergence between Arabia and Eurasia. This paper provides geomorphic traces of regional deformation in NW Iran in order to characterize active faulting on major faults. Soltanieh and North Zanjan fault systems are involved in convergence boundary extent between South Caspian Basin and Central Iran. Soltanieh and North Zanjan faults are major re...

The dimensions of neuronal dendrites, axons, and synaptic terminals are reproducibly specified for each neuron type, yet it remains unknown how these structures acquire their precise dimensions of length and diameter. Similarly, it remains unknown how active zone number and synaptic strength are specified relative the precise dimensions of presynaptic boutons. In this paper, we demonstrate that...

The cross-border effects of a capacity market and a strategic reserve in interconnected electricity markets are modeled using an agent-based modeling methodology. Both capacity mechanisms improve the security of supply and reduce consumer costs. Our results indicate that interconnections do not affect the effectiveness of a capacity market, while a strategic reserve is affected negatively. The ...

Neurotransmitter is released from synaptic vesicles at the highly specialized presynaptic active zone (AZ). The complex molecular architecture of AZs mediates the speed, precision and plasticity of synaptic transmission. Importantly, structural and functional properties of AZs vary significantly, even for a given connection. Thus, there appear to be distinct AZ states, which fundamentally influ...

Universität Würzburg for sharing their experience in discussions and supporting me on my project. This work was funded by DFG (http://www.dfg.de/) grant to MS (GK1156) for the first two years.

Late-term fetal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are bent ventrolaterally en utero, requiring extreme flexibility of the axial skeleton and associated soft tissues. At birth, neonatal dolphins must immediately swim to the surface to breath, yet the dorsoventral oscillations used during locomotion may be compromised by the lateral flexibility evident in the fetus. The unique fetal positi...

A common problem in local active noise control is that the zone of quiet centered at the physical microphone is too small to extend to the desired location of attenuation, such as an observer’s ear. The physical microphone must therefore be placed at the desired location of attenuation, which is often inconvenient. Virtual microphones overcome this by shifting the zone of quiet away from the ph...