Abstract: A device for staking a tree into the earth has a ring suitable for extending around the trunk of the tree. A plurality of brackets are connected to the ring. The plurality of brackets have aperture formed therethrough suitable for receipt of stakes, which secure the ring to the earth. A support is connected to the ring and extends upwardly therefrom. A collar is connected to the support and positioned in spaced relation to the ring. The collar also has a diameter suitable for extending around the trunk of the tree.

Abstract: A transgenic rat containing in its genome a nucleotide sequence encoding a Ga subunit protein, which Ga protein subunit is uncoupled from regulation by Regulators of G-Protein Signaling (RGS) proteins, which Gx subunit protein is eventually the dominant-negative G188S mutant of Gax9, which nucleotide sequence is operatively associated with a neuron-specific expression control sequence, wherein the transgenic rat expresses the GA subunit protein in neural cells resulting in extended D-protein coupled receptor signaling mediated by the Ga subunit protein.

Abstract: A transgenic rat containing in its genome a nucleotide sequence encoding a Ga subunit protein, which Ga protein subunit is uncoupled from regulation by Regulators of G-Protein Signaling (RGS) proteins, which Gx subunit protein is eventually the dominant-negative G188S mutant of Gax9, which nucleotide sequence is operatively associated with a neuron-specific expression control sequence, wherein the transgenic rat expresses the GA subunit protein in neural cells resulting in extended D-protein coupled receptor signaling mediated by the Ga subunit protein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying compounds which disrupt the functional interaction of an intracellular receptor region of an a-subunit of a voltage gated ion channel and an amino-terminal inactivation region of an ion channel protein are disclosed. Compounds that disrupt the functional or binding interaction of these two regions have significant modulatory effects on ion channel activity, and thus are likely to be useful for treating and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases and pathological conditions associated with ion channel dysfunction. Such conditions include, for example, neurological disorders, cardiac diseases, metabolic diseases, tumor-driven diseases, and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A transgenic rat containing in its genome a nucleotide sequence encoding a Ga subunit protein, which Ga protein subunit is uncoupled from regulation by Regulators of G-Protein Signaling (RGS) proteins, which Gx subunit protein is eventually the dominant-negative G188S mutant of Gax9, which nucleotide sequence is operatively associated with a neuron-specific expression control sequence, wherein the transgenic rat expresses the GA subunit protein in neural cells resulting in extended D-protein coupled receptor signaling mediated by the Ga subunit protein.