The transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily is a non-selective Ca2+-permeable cation channels involved in sensory physiology. Here we show that 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), a compound commonly used as TRP channel inhibitor, dose-dependently induce a significant facilitation on the frequency of spontaneous neurotransmitter release at developing Xenopus neuromuscular junction through, surprisingly, TRP channel activation. Bath application of universal TRP channel inhibitors either SKF96365, flufenamic acid or RuR cease the 2-APB-induced synaptic facilitation. Exclusion of Ca2+ from culture medium or bath application of the pharmacological Ca2+ channel inhibitor cadmium, membrane-permeable Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM, effectively hampered the facilitation of neurotransmitter release induced by 2-APB, suggesting Ca2+ influx is requisite for 2-APB-induced synaptic facilitation. Blockade of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel with either nifedipine, verapamil or £s-CTX failed to abolish the SSC facilitating effect of 2-APB. Electrophysiological recording of 2-APB induced single channel currents by using cell-attached patch-clamp technique reveals 2-APB evoked a robust single channel activity recorded at different pipette voltages. Furthermore, the 2-APB-evoked single-channel events are significantly abolished in the presence of SKF96365. Either pretreatment of the cultures with inhibitor of phospholipase C (U73122) or tyrosine kinase (Genistein) abolishes 2-APB induced potentiation of synaptic transmission. The structure of PMA is analogous to diacylglycerol (DAG), which abolishes 2-APB induced synaptic facilitation. 2-APB no longer elicited any changes in SSC frequency when serum is eliminated from culture medium. Overall, results from our current study provide evidences that 2-APB induces the opening of TRP channels and Ca2+ influx which resulting in facilitation of spontaneous neurotransmitter release at developing Xenopus neuromuscular synapse. Serum may activate tyrosine kinase to turn on PI3K and phospholipase C. Then phospholipase C cleavage PIP2 to IP3 and diacylglycerol, and diacylglycerol induced TRP channel opening. 2-APB potentiates and sensitizes the TRP channel, increasing Ca2+ inffux. Elevated [Ca2+]i resulted in enhancement of neurotransmitter release from presynaptic nerve terminal.

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In this thesis, the blind phase estimator algorithms are studied, including Histogram Algorithm (HA), Modified Histogram Algorithm (MHA), Maximum Likelihood (ML), 4th power-law and modified 4th power-law to compare their performance under quadrature amplitude modulation and additive white gaussian noise(AWGN) channel. Owing to the development of wireless communication, I used the fading channel of wireless communication and studied the performance of all algorithms again. After differential encoding and quadrature amplitude modulation, signals enter additive white gaussian noise(AWGN), constant phase offset and fading channel. At receiver, I use the above estimator to find the phase offset. If there is not line of sight under fading channel, all estimators performance are not good from simulation results, if there is a strong line of sight, all estimators performance are good and approximate to the AWGN channel.

The Northeastern region of Mexico has developed rapidly over the last few decades and reservoir construction has accompanied the growth of the region. As a result, recreational and sport fishing have become very popular. To regulate tournaments and to address growing exploitation concerns the Northeastern state of Nuevo Leon has begun to manage selected freshwater fisheries. Intensive management of warm water recreational species, however, does not have a long history in the region. This assessment was designed to evaluate the population structure and feeding habits of largemouth bass and channel catfish at a small rural fishery in Northeastern Mexico to get insight into mortality, growth, reproduction, and length related feeding patterns. Largemouth bass and channel catfish at La Juventud experience high mortality rates more than likely due to the selective removal of larger-older fish by angling. Extended spawning efforts at lower latitudes have also been implicated in accelerating the mortality of reproductively mature largemouth bass; however, studies regarding the onset, frequency, and duration of largemouth bass spawning in Northeastern Mexico are necessary to determine spawning seasonality and the adverse effects that extended reproduction efforts may have on growth potential. Largemouth bass grow fast during the first year of life and attain large sizes by age 1. Growth of young-of-year may benefit from an early onset of spawning and a long first-growing season, an abundant multi-species forage base of small fish, and frequent utilization of fish. Growth to age 3 and quality size (300 - 380-mm TL) is similar to that of populations from the Southeastern U.S.; however, the growth potential of individuals older than age 3 appeared limited by suitable sizes of prey. Channel catfish mean length-at-age values were similar to the mean of means for length-at-age-3 values of fish in Texas, and larger than the mean values from several regions in the Southern U.S.A. Largemouth bass at La Juventud may spawn early in the year (early spring or earlier than spring) and late in the year (fall). Spawning success; however, may be adversely affected by fluctuating water levels associated with an arid climate and undesirable interactions with other nest spawning species. Day-time gill net collections in 2006 and 2007 may have under sampled channel catfish. Gill net catches were low and variable; thus, interpretation of length, age, and weight data were constrained by small sample size.

The Port of Houston and the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) are highly industrialized areas along Galveston Bay, Texas. The HSC is highly polluted with a host of persistent organic pollutants, including dioxins. The main objective of this study was to determine the potential for in situ bioremediation in the HSC sediments. Our study focused on the bacterial group Dehalococcoides, since it is the only known group to reductively dechlorinate dioxins. Culture independent methods were used to determine the presence or absence of Dehalococcoides in HSC sediments. Molecular methods including PCR, cloning, restriction enzyme digest, and sequencing were used to determine the diversity of Dehalococcoides as well as total bacterial diversity in HSC sediments. The metabolically active members of the microbial community in HSC sediments were also determined using the same molecular methods as described above. Dehalococcoides was detected in every sediment core and at various depths within each core. Depths ranged from 1cm (SG-6) to 30cm (11261). Dehalococcoides diversity was centered on Dehalococcoides ethenogenes strain 195 and Dehalococcoides sp. strain CBDB1. Overall bacterial diversity in HSC sediments was dominated by Proteobacteria, especially Deltaproteobacteria, and Chloroflexi, which include Dehalococcoides. Total bacterial diversity at a wetlands control site was dominated by Betaproteobacteria and Acidobacteria. Deltaproteobacteria and Chloroflexi were determined to be the major metabolically active groups within the HSC sediments. These findings indicate that the HSC sediments have great potential for successful in situ bioremediation. These results also support the use of Dehalococcoides as a biological proxy for dioxin contamination.

The gas turbine blade/vane internal cooling is achieved by circulating the compressed air through the cooling passages inside the turbine blade. Leading edge and trailing edge of the turbine blade are two critical regions which need to be properly cooled. Leading edge region receives extremely hot mainstream flow and high heat transfer enhancement is required. Trailing edge region usually has narrow shaped geometry and applicable cooling techniques are restricted. Heat transfer will be investigated in the leading edge and trailing edge cooling channels at high rotation numbers close to the engine condition. Heat transfer and pressure drop has been investigated in an equilateral triangular channel (Dh=1.83cm) to simulate the cooling channel near the leading edge of the gas turbine blade. Three different rib configurations (45°, inverted 45°, and 90°) were tested at four different Reynolds numbers (10000-40000), each with five different rotational speeds (0-400 rpm). By varying the Reynolds numbers (10000-40000) and the rotational speeds (0-400 rpm), the rotation number and buoyancy parameter reached in this study were 0-0.58 and 0-2.3, respectively. 45° angled ribs show the highest thermal performance at stationary condition. 90° ribs have the highest thermal performance at the highest rotation number of 0.58. Heat transfer coefficients are also experimentally measured in a wedge-shaped cooling channel (Dh =2.22cm, Ac=7.62cm2) to model an internal cooling passage near the trailing edge of a gas turbine blade where the coolant discharges through the slot to the mainstream flow. Tapered ribs are put on the leading and trailing surfaces with an angle of attack of 45°. The ribs are parallel with staggered arrangement on opposite walls. The inlet Reynolds number of the coolant varies from 10,000 to 40,000 and the rotational speeds varies from 0 to 500 rpm. The inlet rotation number is from 0 - 1.0. The local rotation number and buoyancy parameter are determined by the rotational speeds and the local Reynolds number at each region. Results show that heat transfer is high near the regions where strong slot ejection exists. Both the rotation number and buoyancy parameter have been correlated to predict the rotational heat transfer enhancement.

Multichannel marketing is the practice of simultaneously offering information, goods, services, and support to customers through two or more synchronized channels. In this dissertation, I develop an integrated framework of multichannel marketing and develop models to assist managers in their marketing resource allocation decisions. In the first essay of the dissertation, I investigate the factors that drive customers multichannel shopping behavior and identify its consequences for retailers. In the second essay, I build on this work and develop a model that enables firms to optimize their allocation of marketing resources across different customer-channel segments. In the first essay, I develop a framework comprising the factors that drive consumers’ channel choice, the consequences of channel choice, and their implications for managing channel equity. The results show that customer-channel choice is driven in a nonlinear fashion by a customer demographic variable such as age and is also influenced by consumer shopping traits such as number of categories bought and the duration of relationship with a retailer. I show that by controlling for the moderating effects of channel-category associations, the influence of customers’ demographics and shopping traits on their channel choices can vary significantly across product categories. Importantly, the results show that multichannel shoppers buy more often, buy more items, and spend considerably more than single channel shoppers. The channel equity of multichannel customers is nearly twice that of the closest single channel customers (online or offline). In the second essay, I propose a model for optimal allocation of marketing efforts across multiple customer-channel segments. I first develop a set of models for consumer response to marketing efforts for each channel-customer segment. This set comprises four models, the first for purchase frequency, the second for purchase quantity, the third for product return behavior, and the fourth for contribution margin of purchase. The results show that customers’ responses to firm marketing efforts vary significantly across the customer-channel segments. They also suggest that marketing efforts influence purchase frequency, purchase quantity and monetary value in different ways. The resource allocation results show that profits can be substantially improved by reallocating marketing efforts across the different customer-channel segments.

Transport of ions and molecules in solids is a very important process in many technological applications, for example, in drug delivery, separation processes, and in power sources such as ion diffusion in electrodes or in solid electrolytes. Progress in the understanding of the ionic and molecular transport mechanisms in solids can be used to substantially increase the performance of devices. In this dissertation we use ab initio calculations and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the mechamisn of transport in solid. We first analyze molecular transport and storage of H2. Different lightweight carbon materials have been of great interest for H2 storage. However, pure carbon materials have low H2 storage capacity at ambient conditions and cannot satisfy current required storage capacities. Modification of carbon materials that enhance the interaction between H2 and absorbents and thus improve the physisorption of H2, is needed for hydrogen storage. In this dissertation, corannulene and alkali metal-doped corannulene are investigated as candidate materials for hydrogen storage. Molecularalso investigated. Using computational chemistry, we predict enhanced H2 adsorption on molecular systems with modification and hydrogen uptake can reach DOE target of 6.5wt% at at 294 bar at 273 K, and 309 bar at 300 K. In the second part of this dissertation, we study the lithium ion transport from a solid electrolyte phase to a solid electrode phase. Improvement of ionic transport in solid electrolytes is a key element in the development of the solid lithium ion batteries. One promising material is dilithium phthalocyanine (Li2Pc), which upon self-assembly may form conducting channels for fast ion transport. Computational chemistry is employed to investigate such phenomena: (1) to analyze the crystalline structure of Li2Pc and formation of conducting channels; (2) to understand the transport of Li ions inside channels driven by an electric field; (3) to study the continuity of the conducting channels through interface. The study shows Li2Pc has higher conductivity than PEO as electrolyte.

Many efforts have been conducted for improving the operation and management of open channel networks. Implementing simulation models and software is an effective step in achieving better operation of control structures in open channel networks. The purpose of this study was to develop a tool in ArcGIS for assisting the open channel network managers in operating flow control structures. This model presents a time schedule for gate operation based on the demands at turnouts through the water usage schedule of the network. The developed model was designed to be added as a tool to ArcToolbox in ArcGIS. Any ArcGIS user who has access to ArcView or ArcInfo can add this tool to ArcToolbox. Using ArcGIS Geoprocessing tools, ModelBuilder, Scripting and ArcToolbox tools, the proposed model, "Arc-Canal", was created. Arc-Canal is implementable for irrigation networks that open channel network are digitized in ArcGIS. Simulation is for the gravity flow in open channels without any pump in the network. Calculations are based on steady flow. All hydraulic calculations for water level, gates, and weirs are based on the methods defined in "Open-Channel Hydraulics" (Chow 1959). Most of the available flow simulation models are complicated individual software for which user needs to be trained to install and use it. Also most of these software are not free accessible. Arc-Canal is an easy to use tool that anyone with the knowledge of working with ArcGIS can run it. By adding the tool to ArcToolbox and following the described naming method, and entering the required data, model is ready to run. The developed model is a free access tool. Most of the channels in open channel networks in south Texas have mild bottom slope and flow is steady gravity flow. It is desired that the developed model will be a tool to assist irrigation districts in south Texas.

Since Ministry of Transportation and Communication of the DGT put ¡§liberalization of telecommunications¡¨ into practice in 1997, the development of the mobile phone industry has been 7 years. The sales volume is affected by brand, function, specification, and service of system proprietor. Moreover, the available distribution channel and the execellent after-sales service have played an important role in it. In other words, according to the replacement of mobile phone, the influence of distribution channel is more important than before. Because the real channel is the biggest part of the mobile phone industry, this study wants to research demographic and lifestyle of consumers in this field. This study adopted the research of questionnaire as study method. The target of this study is consumers who have purchased mobile phone in Kaohsiung area, and the field of this study was concentrated on demographic and lifestyle of consumer behavior. The valid questionnaire volum is 551. This study used SPPS software to access factor analysis and cluster analysis to get the lifestyle data of consumers, and then it used Chi-square test to examine the influence between the demographic and lifestyle of consumers and consumer behavior. If the examination is remarkable, it would go a step further to show the distribution of sample frequencies. By this way, we would know where the difference is.According to this study result, it shows that different gender, years, occupation, and disposable income would have the remarkable difference with consumer behavior. It meant that the consumer characteristics had influenced the purchasing behavior of mobile phone. Therefore, the distribution channel should consinder more about consumer characterstics to decide its strategy. Moreover, different lifestyle would have an impact on purchasing price and choice of purchasing place. It meant that distribution channel could aim the distinguishing feature of different group to choose unique product and business modle. It would help to satisfy the need of different group and to create distinctive position of market.