In male rats continually self-administering nicotine (approximately 1.5 mg free base/kg/day), we found a significant increase of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) labeled by epibatidine (Epb) in 11 brain areas. A large increase of highaffinity Epb binding sites was apparent in the ventral tegmentum/substantia nigra, nucleus tractus solitarii, nucleus accumbens, thalamus/subthalamus, pa...

The expanse of deep water between the central Pacific islands and the continental shelf of the Eastern Tropical Pacific is regarded as the world's most potent marine biogeographic barrier. During recurrent climatic fluctuations (ENSO, El Niño Southern Oscillation), however, changes in water temperature and the speed and direction of currents become favourable for trans-oceanic dispersal of larv...

The marine tropics contain five major biogeographic regions (East Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA) and Central Pacific). These regions are separated by both hard and soft barriers. Reconstructing ancestral vicariance, we evaluate the extent of temporal concordance in vicariance events across three major barriers (Terminal Tethyan Event (TTE), Isthmus of Panama ...

The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) has emerged as an important mediator of a wide range of Ca(2+)-dependent physiological responses (Ca(2+) signaling) in various tissues. To explore the role of CaSR in the epidermis, we utilised the keratin 14 promoter to express CaSR cDNA constitutively in the basal cells of the stratified squamous epithelium of transgenic mice. Analysis of the transgenic mic...

Mechanical and neurological couplings exist between musculotendon units of the human hand and digits. Studies have begun to understand how these muscles interact when accomplishing everyday tasks, but there are still unanswered questions regarding the control limitations of individual muscles. Using intramuscular electromyographic (EMG) electrodes, this study examined subjects' ability to indiv...

OBJECTIVE To compare the technical strengths and weaknesses between retrodiscal (RD) and conventional subpedicular (SP) approaches of transforaminal epidural block (TF-EPB). METHOD Sixty-one patients with L5 radiculopathy who planned to undergo TF-EPB were consecutively enrolled as study subjects. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. For the RD approach, the positioning of th...

The slurry–earth pressure balance dual-mode shield has an earth (EPB) and slurry functions. Based on a tunnel project of Guangzhou Metro Line 12 in China, this study investigates the clogging prevention composed stratum with medium–coarse sand argillaceous siltstone. results show that mode was not applicable to excavated soil accumulated easily chamber, causing clogging. total thrust force incr...

This research was undertaken with the objective of relating entrepreneurial perceived behaviour (EPB) and intentions (EI) students’ perceptions United Nations sustainable development goals. The current advances on from EPB EI to analyse whether study competencies (ECs) enhance impact growth. Sustainable growth is measured through perception students regarding SDGs, SDG3, SDG8, SDG9, SDG10. Earl...

Abstract Ionospheric irregularities can cause detrimental effects on the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals, often in form of rapid fluctuations both amplitude and phase. Over low-latitude regions, equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) frequently arises after sunset, leading to GNSS scintillations since signals propagate through ionospheric irregularities. The relationship between (S4 i...

Soil conditioning is a key factor in increasing tunnel face stability and extraction efficiency of excavated soil when excavating tunnels using an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield boring machine (TBM). Weathered granite soil, which abundant the Korean Peninsula (also Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore), has different characteristics than sand clay; it also particle-crushing characteristics. Conditi...