Substrate transport and cocaine binding of human dopamine transporter is reduced by substitution of carboxyl tail with that of bovine dopamine transporter

A chimeric dopamine transporter (DAT) cDNA encoding mutant human DAT (hDAT) protein in which the intracellular carboxyl-terminal tail is replaced by that of the bovine dopamine transporter (bDAT) was constructed. The chimeric hDAT cDNA was expressed in COS-7 cells, and [3H]dopamine and [3H]MPP+ uptake and [3H]CFT binding capacities were assessed. Substrate transport and ligand binding of bDAT were reduced by 32-43% as a result of substitution of the carboxyl tail in hDAT, suggesting that the functional characteristics of bDAT arise from differences in the carboxyl tail between human and bovine DAT. Thus, it appears that the sequences encoded within the carboxyl terminal of DAT would be one of the important determinants for its functions.     

Regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase by dopaminergic drugs

We provide evidence that dopamine receptors differentially modulate tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase in the mouse striatum. The dopamine D1 receptor family (D1-like) antagonist, R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1 H-3-benazepine (SCH 23390), elevated aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity and protein content in striatum, as well as the mRNA for the enzyme in midbrain. The dopamine D1-like receptor agonist, (+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(1 H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol (SKF 38393), had no effect on aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. The dopamine D1-like drugs had no effect on tyrosine hydroxylase. In contrast, the dopamine D2 receptor family (D2-like) antagonists haloperidol and spiperone elevated both tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activities. The increase in aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity was accompanied by elevated enzyme protein content but not mRNA. The dopamine D2-like receptor agonists, bromocriptine, quinpirole and (+/-)-7-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT), all decreased striatal tyrosine hydroxylase. Under the conditions used, bromocriptine and 7-OH-DPAT, but not quinpirole, decreased aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity of striatum. Both the dopamine D1- and D2-like receptor antagonists enhanced the turnover of striatal dopamine to differing degrees, as judged by the ratio of acid metabolites of dopamine to dopamine. Taken together our results indicate that aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase can be modulated independently of tyrosine hydroxylase.     

A new design method for prestressed concrete continuous flat slabs

This paper presents a simple but relatively accurate procedure for the analysis of unbonded prestressed continuous flat slabs. Bi‐circular curves instead of conventional parabolic ones are introduced to obtain the characteristic parameters of the curved tendon profiles. Based on the proposed tendon profile and theory of thin plates, a series of simple formulae are derived to compute the bending moments of flat slabs. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing the results with those obtained from finite element analysis. The results of the analysis presented in this paper indicate that the proposed method turns out to be convenient and reasonably accurate in the analysis of prestressed flat slabs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of the detectivity for triple-layer heterojunction GaSb/GaInAsSb infrared detectors

In this paper, the detectivity is calculated and analyzed with the front-or backside illuminated case for both N-GaSb/p₂-Ga_0.8In_0.2As_0.19Sb_0.81/p₁-Ga_0.9In_0.1As_0.09Sb_0.91 and N₁-GaSb/n₂-Ga_0.9In_0.1As_0.09Sb_0.91/p-Ga_0.8In_0.2As_0.19Sb_0.81 infrared photovoltaic detectors, respectively. The analysis results show that the main absorption appears in the p-type Ga_0.8In_0.2As_0.19Sb_0.81 material with either front- or backside illuminated case for above two structures. In each structure, the carrier concentration obviously affects the detectivity. The carrier concentration in the wide-bandgap material for the isotype heterojunction should be reduced as low as possible to reduce the tunneling rate at the isotype heterointerface. Moreover, the change of the detectivity with the p-side surface recombination velocity for the N₁-n₂-p structure is more sensitive than that with the p₁-side surface recombination velocity for the N-p₂-p₁ structure. In the N-p₂-p₁ structure with the incident light from the p₁-side surface, two-color detection is achieved.     

An efficient assumed strain element model with six DOF per node for geometrically non-linear shells

The present paper describes an assumed strain finite element model with six degrees of freedom per node designed for geometrically non-linear shell analysis. An important feature of the present paper is the discussion on the spurious kinematic modes and the assumed strain field in the geometrically non-linear setting. The kinematics of deformation is described by using vector components in contrast to the conventional formulation which requires the use of trigonometric functions of rotational angles. Accordingly, converged solutions can be obtained for load or displacement increments that are much larger than possible with the conventional formulation with rotational angles. In addition, a detailed study of the spurious kinematic modes and the choice of assumed strain field reveals that the same assumed strain field can be used for both geometrically linear and non-linear cases to alleviate element locking while maintaining kinematic stability. It is strongly recommended that the element models, described in the present paper, be used instead of the conventional shell element models that employ rotational angles.     

Proton and hydrogen formation by cyclohexyl benzene during overcharge of Li-ion batteries

This study provides experimental evidence for proton and hydrogen formation caused by the anodic electropolymerization of cyclohexyl benzene (CHB), which is a popular electrolyte additive for overcharge protection of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). It is found that considerable H₂ evolution is observed in overcharged LiCoO₂/graphite cells, especially when CHB is included as an electrolyte additive. In order to confirm the proton generation during the CHB oxidation, Pt/Pt-rotating ring disc electrode (RRDE) measurements are performed in 1 M Li(C₂F₅SO₂)₂N ethylene carbonate/ethyl methyl carbonate (1/2, v/v) solutions with and without CHB. The cathodic ring current is intimately correlated to the anodic disc current, and the cathodic reaction at the ring is determined to be the reduction of the proton. The proton generation efficiency during the CHB oxidation is as high as 90%. Proton liberation is also observed during the anodic decomposition of the electrolyte solvents, although it occurs in a much less stoichiometric way compared with that during the CHB oxidation.     

Droplet de-entrainment by inertial impaction on vertical rods in an air-droplet mixture flow

We experimentally investigate the de-entrainment of droplets by inertial impaction on an array of vertical rods in an air-droplet mixture flow. The de-entrainment efficiencies are measured for a single rod, for a single row of rods, and for a multi-row of rods. We investigate the effects of the droplet mass flux (0.5–5.4 kg/m² s), the droplet Weber number (3000–8000), the air velocity (0–6 m/s), the rod geometry, and the surface roughness on the de-entrainment, and the rod diameter-to-pitch ratio effect on the de-entrainment. The results for a single rod show that the de-entrainment efficiency decreases slightly as the droplet mass flux increases; however, in our experimental ranges, there is negligible dependence on the droplet Weber number, the air velocity, and the surface roughness. The rod geometry affects the de-entrainment efficiency. The results for a single row of rods show that the existence of neighboring rods promotes de-entrainment due to droplet splashing, and we develop a correlation to show the effect of diameter-to-pitch ratio on the de-entrainment. Using information on the de-entrainment efficiencies of a single rod and those of a single row of rods, we propose a correlation that predicts the de-entrainment efficiency for a multi-row of rods with a staggered array. The RMS errors of the correlation from the de-entrainment efficiencies experimentally obtained are within 13.5%.     

Scaffolded writing and rewriting in the discipline: A web-based reciprocal peer review system

This paper describes how SWoRD (scaffolded writing and rewriting in the discipline), a web-based reciprocal peer review system, supports writing practice, particularly for large content courses in which writing is considered critical but not feasibly included. To help students gain content knowledge as well as writing and reviewing skills, SWoRD supports the whole cycle of writing, reviews, back-reviews, and rewriting by scaffolding the journal publication process as its authentic practice model. In addition, SWoRD includes algorithms that compute individual reviewer’s review accuracy, which is in turn used to support the various drawbacks of reciprocal peer reviews (e.g., variation in motivation or ability of reviewers). Finally, this paper describes an empirical evaluation showing that the SWoRD approach is effective in improving writing quality in content classes.     

Experimental observations on flow characteristics in an open two-phase natural circulation loop

The flow behavior in an open two-phase natural circulation loop was studied experimentally using Freon-113. The heat flux, inlet- and exit-restrictions, liquid charging level and inlet subcooling were taken as parameters. As a result, three basic circulation modes were observed with variation of the heat flux: periodic circulation (A), continuous circulation, and periodic circulation (B). Of these modes, only the continuous circulation mode was stable and the maximum circulation rate appeared with this mode. An increase in the inlet-restriction and/or decrease in the exit-restriction broadened the range of the continuous circulation mode and stabilized the system. When the liquid charging level was lowered or the inlet subcooling was decreased, the continuous circulation mode started at a lower heat flux and the system became stable. The results are summarized on instability maps in the plane of heat flux vs. inlet subcooling.     

Decision-directed maximum-likelihood estimation of OFDM framesynchronisation offset

The authors propose a method to estimate the synchronisation offset for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) frame alignment without resort to pilot tones. A decision-directed maximum-likelihood estimation of frame synchronisation offset is derived, and the performance of the proposed scheme is confirmed by computer simulation for QAM systems