OST
OST, an abbreviation for original soundtrack, refers to the music composed specifically for and synchronized with a film, television program, video game, or other audiovisual production, often released as a standalone album compiling the score's key tracks.[1][2] Unlike broader soundtrack compilations that frequently incorporate licensed pre-existing songs, OSTs prioritize bespoke compositions tailored to the narrative's pacing, mood, and thematic elements, typically crafted by specialized film composers using orchestras, synthesizers, or hybrid ensembles.[3][4] These soundtracks have profoundly shaped cinematic and gaming experiences, with empirical evidence from box office correlations and listener data indicating that memorable OSTs can amplify audience engagement and cultural longevity; for instance, orchestral scores have been shown to heighten emotional responses in viewers through precise synchronization with on-screen action.[1] Notable achievements include Academy Awards for Best Original Score, awarded to works demonstrating innovative integration of music with visuals, as seen in historical analyses of scoring techniques from the silent era onward.[2] Controversies surrounding OSTs often involve causal disputes over creative ownership, such as composer-studio conflicts during production or post-release alterations for commercial albums, which can dilute the intended artistic fidelity.[4] Despite biases in media reporting that may overemphasize populist hits over structural scores, data from sales and streaming metrics underscore OSTs' independent viability as art forms, with digital platforms enabling global dissemination unbound by theatrical runs.[3]Music and media
Original Sound Track
An original soundtrack (OST), also known as an original score, comprises music composed specifically for a film, television production, video game, or similar media to underscore scenes, evoke emotions, and support narrative elements, distinguishing it from compilations of pre-existing licensed songs.[3][5] OSTs are predominantly instrumental, crafted by composers using orchestras, synthesizers, or digital tools to align with visual timing, often recorded in studios post-filming to match edited sequences.[6][3] The commercial release of OSTs as albums emerged in the late 1930s, with Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) producing the first movie soundtrack issued as a record, featuring songs and score excerpts that sold over 1 million copies by 1938 through innovative merchandising tied to the film.[7] This milestone shifted film music from live theater accompaniment to preserved, marketable artifacts, enabling broader dissemination via vinyl, later cassettes, CDs, and streaming platforms.[7] By the 1950s, composers like Max Steiner and Erich Wolfgang Korngold established orchestral scoring norms for Hollywood epics, influencing global practices.[8] OSTs significantly amplify media's emotional resonance and memorability, guiding audience perception of tension, joy, or introspection where dialogue alone falls short, as evidenced in scores like John Williams' for Star Wars (1977), which boosted orchestral revival and box-office longevity.[9][10] Commercially, standout OSTs generate independent revenue; for instance, The Bodyguard (1992) soundtrack sold over 45 million units worldwide, driven by Whitney Houston's contributions atop original cues.[9] In non-film media, OSTs for video games like The Legend of Zelda series have fostered dedicated fan communities and live concert tours, underscoring music's role in immersive experiences.[11] Despite production costs averaging $1-2 million for major films, effective OSTs yield returns through licensing, awards (e.g., Academy Awards for Best Original Score since 1934), and cultural longevity.[10]Science and technology
OST file format
The OST (Offline Storage Table) file format is a proprietary binary data file format developed by Microsoft for use in Outlook email client applications. It serves as a local cache of mailbox contents, including emails, calendar entries, contacts, tasks, notes, and journal items, enabling offline access and operation when connected to an Exchange Server, Microsoft 365, or Outlook.com account.[12][13] OST files are automatically generated and maintained in Cached Exchange Mode, where Outlook synchronizes data bidirectionally with the server upon reconnection, updating only changes to minimize bandwidth usage.[14][15] Introduced in the late 1990s alongside early versions of Outlook integrated with Exchange Server, the OST format addressed the need for reliable offline functionality in enterprise environments, where constant server connectivity was not guaranteed.[16] Prior to widespread OST adoption, users relied on manual exports or limited offline stubs, but the format's synchronization capabilities improved productivity by mirroring server-side data locally without requiring full mailbox downloads.[13] The format has evolved with Outlook releases; for instance, Unicode support was added in Outlook 2003 and later, allowing larger file sizes and better handling of international characters, while modern versions (Outlook 2016 onward) enforce a default 50 GB limit for OST files to prevent excessive local storage consumption.[17] Internally, OST files employ a compound file structure akin to the Personal Folder File (PFF) binary format shared with PST files, organizing data into hierarchical folders, message objects, attachments, and indexes for efficient querying and retrieval.[18] This structure supports embedded compression and indexing but remains proprietary, with no official public specification released by Microsoft, limiting third-party interoperability to reverse-engineered tools or licensed APIs. OST files are not self-contained archives; they reference the associated Exchange account and are regenerated from the server if corrupted or deleted, though manual repair via Outlook's built-in scan tool (scanost.exe in older versions) or inbox repair utilities may be needed for recovery.[19][18] In contrast to PST (Personal Storage Table) files, which are standalone, portable archives suitable for backups or POP/IMAP accounts, OST files are account-specific and non-portable across different profiles or machines without conversion, as they prioritize server synchronization over independent storage.[20][21] PST files support manual uploads to other services and explicit backups, whereas OST files auto-sync but can grow large (often exceeding 50 GB in heavy-use scenarios) due to retained deleted items and uncapped historical data unless manually purged via server-side retention policies.[20] OST files also feature default server-side encryption in Exchange environments, enhancing security over optionally password-protected PSTs, though both formats are vulnerable to local disk failures without separate backups.[21][22] Common issues with OST files include rapid size inflation from cached attachments and stubs of removed items, which do not shrink automatically even after deletions, necessitating server-side mailbox cleanup or OST recreation to reclaim space.[23] As of Outlook for Microsoft 365 (updated through 2025), OST files remain exclusive to the classic desktop client and are not directly supported in the web or new Outlook app, where cloud syncing replaces local caching.[12] Third-party viewers or converters exist for forensic or migration purposes but require caution due to potential data integrity risks.[18]Outer Space Treaty
The Outer Space Treaty, formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, establishes foundational rules for international conduct in space.[24] Opened for signature on January 27, 1967, in Washington, D.C., London, and Moscow by the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union, it entered into force on October 10, 1967, after ratification by the depositary states and others.[25] As of May 2025, 116 states are parties to the treaty, including all major spacefaring nations, with an additional number as signatories but not yet ratifiers.[26] The treaty's core aim is to promote peaceful exploration and use of outer space while preventing its weaponization with weapons of mass destruction, reflecting Cold War-era efforts to extend arms control beyond Earth amid the space race.[27] Negotiations originated from Soviet proposals in 1963 to ban nuclear weapons in orbit, building on the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty that prohibited nuclear tests in space.[28] The United Nations played a central role through its Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, where the U.S., USSR, and UK drafted the text over six months following UN General Assembly endorsement of principles in 1963.[27] Final approval came from the General Assembly on December 19, 1966, after bilateral U.S.-Soviet consultations resolved disputes over verification and liability.[27] The treaty's rapid negotiation—spanning less than four years from initial proposals—stemmed from mutual interest in averting an arms race in space, though it deliberately omitted binding verification mechanisms, relying instead on national compliance and international pressure.[28] Key provisions include the principle that exploration and use of outer space shall benefit all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind, with free access to all areas of celestial bodies.[25] States parties agree not to place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit around Earth, install them on celestial bodies, or station them in outer space in any other manner.[25] The treaty prohibits establishing military bases, installations, or fortifications on celestial bodies and conducting military maneuvers there, but permits their use for peaceful purposes and does not ban overflight by military spacecraft or reconnaissance satellites.[27] States bear international responsibility for national space activities, whether governmental or non-governmental, and must authorize and supervise the latter; harmful contamination and adverse changes to Earth's environment from space activities are to be avoided.[24] Astronauts receive assistance as "envoys of mankind," and states must consult on activities with significant adverse effects on others' interests.[25] The treaty has shaped subsequent space law, serving as the basis for agreements on liability, registration of objects, and rescue of astronauts, while influencing national policies on satellite operations and lunar exploration.[29] Compliance has generally held, with no verified instances of WMD deployment in space, though interpretations differ on issues like anti-satellite testing, which the treaty does not explicitly prohibit as long as it avoids WMD.[27] Its non-appropriation clause has constrained territorial claims but allows resource extraction under certain conditions, prompting ongoing debates over commercial mining on asteroids and the Moon without formal amendments.[29] As private entities expand space activities, the treaty's state responsibility provision underscores governmental oversight to ensure adherence.[24]Organizations
Office of Science and Technology
The Office of Science and Technology (OST) was a non-ministerial department of the United Kingdom government, established in 1992 to centralize coordination of science and technology policy across Whitehall.[30] It formed through the integration of the Science Branch from the Department of Education and Science with the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser within the Cabinet Office, aiming to enhance strategic oversight amid growing emphasis on science-driven economic competitiveness.[31] By 1995, the OST transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), reflecting a shift toward linking science policy more directly with industrial and trade objectives.[32] The OST's core functions included advising ministers on science and technology priorities, developing cross-departmental policies, and administering funding for basic research primarily through the seven Research Councils, which disbursed around £2 billion annually by the early 2000s.[33] It also supported the Chief Scientific Adviser in providing evidence-based input to Cabinet decisions, fostering foresight exercises on emerging technologies, and ensuring alignment between public investment in research and national priorities such as innovation and sustainability.[34] These responsibilities extended to international collaboration, including representation in bodies like the European Research Advisory Board, though domestic policy coordination remained paramount.[34] In 2007, the OST's functions were reallocated during governmental reorganization, with policy coordination moving to the newly formed Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), while advisory roles evolved into the Government Office for Science under the Cabinet Office.[35] This transition marked the end of the OST as a distinct entity, though its legacy persists in subsequent structures like the modern Office for Science and Technology Strategy within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which continues horizontal policy integration but with a stronger focus on digital and AI governance.[36] Critics, including parliamentary inquiries, noted that the OST's influence waxed and waned with political priorities, occasionally sidelined by departmental silos despite its mandate for whole-of-government approaches.[31]Ostin Technology Group Co., Ltd.
Ostin Technology Group Co., Ltd. is a Cayman Islands-incorporated holding company that operates through subsidiaries to design, develop, and manufacture thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) modules and polarizers, primarily based in China.[37] Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, with facilities focused on producing display components for various applications.[38] Its operations emphasize customization, offering TFT-LCD modules in standard and tailored sizes ranging from small to large formats.[39] The company's products target consumer electronics markets, including all-in-one computers, monitors, laptop computers, and tablets; commercial LCD displays; and automotive display systems.[40] Ostin Technology Group supplies these modules and polarizers to end-users and integrators, leveraging in-house manufacturing capabilities in China to meet demand for cost-effective display solutions.[41] As of its initial public offering disclosures, the firm employed approximately 272 personnel, primarily in research, development, and production roles.[37] Ostin Technology Group trades on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol OST, having completed its initial public offering in 2022.[42] The company's financial performance has shown revenue volatility, with reported figures declining from $167.7 million in fiscal year 2021 to $32.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.[43]| Fiscal Period | Total Revenue (USD millions) | Gross Profit (USD millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 (full year) | 167.7 | Not specified in summary data[43] |
| 2022 (full year) | 105.4 | Not specified in summary data[43] |
| 2023 (full year) | 57.5 | Not specified in summary data[43] |
| 9 months ended 9/30/2024 | 32.5 | 1.7[43][44] |