E1B 55-kilodalton-associated protein: a cellular protein with RNA-binding activity implicated in nucleocytoplasmic transport of adenovirus and cellular mRNAs

The adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) early 1B 55-kDa protein (E1B-55kDa) is a multifunctional phosphoprotein that regulates viral DNA replication and nucleocytoplasmic RNA transport in lytically infected cells. In addition, E1B-55kDa provides functions required for complete oncogenic transformation of rodent cells in cooperation with the E1A proteins. Using the far-Western technique, we have isolated human genes encoding E1B-55kDa-associated proteins (E1B-APs). The E1B-AP5 gene encodes a novel nuclear RNA-binding protein of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family that is highly related to hnRNP-U/SAF-A. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that two distinct segments in the 55-kDa polypeptide which partly overlap regions responsible for p53 binding are required for complex formation with E1B-AP5 in Ad-infected cells and that this protein interaction is modulated by the adenovirus E4orf6 protein. Expression of E1B-AP5 efficiently interferes with Ad5 E1A/E1B-mediated transformation of primary rat cells. Furthermore, stable expression of E1B-AP5 in Ad-infected cells overcomes the E1B-dependent inhibition of cytoplasmic host mRNA accumulation. These data suggest that E1B-AP5 might play a role in RNA transport and that this function is modulated by E1B-55kDa in Ad-infected cells.     

Calcium regulation of Ndr protein kinase mediated by S100 calcium-binding proteins

Ndr is a nuclear serine/threonine protein kinase that belongs to a subfamily of kinases identified as being critical for the regulation of cell division and cell morphology. The regulatory mechanisms that control Ndr activity have not been characterized previously. In this paper, we present evidence that Ndr is regulated by EF-hand calcium-binding proteins of the S100 family, in response to changes in the intracellular calcium concentration. In vitro, S100B binds directly to and activates Ndr in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Moreover, Ndr is recovered from cell lysates in anti-S100B immunoprecipitates. The region of Ndr responsible for interaction with Ca2+/S100B is a basic/hydrophobic motif within the N-terminal regulatory domain of Ndr, and activation of Ndr by Ca2+/S100B is inhibited by a synthetic peptide derived from this region. In cultured cells, Ndr is rapidly activated following treatment with Ca2+ ionophore, and this activation is dependent upon the identified Ca2+/S100B-binding domain. Finally, Ndr activity is inhibited by W-7 in melanoma cells overexpressing S100B, but is unaffected by W-7 in melanoma cells that lack S100B. These results suggest that Ndr is regulated at least in part by changes in the intracellular calcium concentration, through binding of S100 proteins to its N-terminal regulatory domain.     

A comparative study of activity and dual sensor: activity and minute ventilation pacing responses to ascending and descending stairs

Previous studies with activity-based rate adaptive pacemakers have shown a somewhat paradoxical response when comparing ascending stairs to descending stairs. The objective of this investigation was to measure dual-sensor rate response provided by activity and minute ventilation (MV) compared with activity alone, and with a control group, during ascending and descending stairs. For dual sensor mode, measured mean peak pacing rate with 72 (92) steps per minute was 111 +/- 13 beats/min (124 +/- 14 beats/min) ascending stairs and 81 +/- 7 beats/min (97 +/- 13 beats/min) for descending. For activity mode alone, mean peak pacing rate was 90 +/- 12 beats/min (108 +/- 19 beats/min) ascending stairs and 97 +/- 12 beats/min (123 +/- 17 beats/min) descending. The mean peak control group heart rate ascending stairs for a step rate of 72 (92) steps/min were 116 +/- 11 beats/min (127 +/- 14 beats/min) ascending stairs and for descending 89 +/- 12 beats/min (95 +/- 11 beats/min). While for dual sensor controlled pacing there was a significant difference for ascending and descending stairs at both step rates, there was no difference between going upstairs and downstairs for activity mode alone. Rates with dual sensor did not significantly differ from respective rates of the control group. The mean correlation coefficient between MV and paced rate was 0.85. Pacing heart rates delivered by the dual sensor mode were appropriate for ascending and descending stairs. In contrast to activity mode alone, the peak heart rates for dual sensor mode are higher during ascending than during descending stairs.     

Ion pair extraction of water soluble dyes

The removal of azo dyes from water by ion pair extraction is investigated. Mathematical relationships are derived from batch data and applied to the continuous extraction in a reciprocating plate extraction column.     

Direct observation of inelastic deformation and mechanochemical activation of indented quartz single crystals

In a basic study of the mechanism of mechanochemical activation of fine powdery materials, a large single crystal of quartz was stressed by loading with a diamond indenter. The stressed crystal was subsequently immersed in 1 N KOH solution at 60 °C for various periods. The microstructures of the indented region before and after immersion were observed under a scanning electron microscope, in order to examine the direct correlation between the manner and the extent of deformation and the degree of activation. Inelastic deformation was recognized by indenting under a load as low as 1 kp. As the force is related to the area of indentation, the corresponding local pressure amounts to about 10 GPa. At higher loads, very fine fragments were produced and deformed highly inelastically. This part of the material dissolved preferentially because of the enhanced reactivity. It was thus verified qualitatively that the enduring effect of mechanochemical activation is a consequence of the inelastic deformation.     

The expected linearity of a simple equivalence algorithm

The average time needed to form unions of disjoint equivalence classes, using an algorithm suggested by Aho, Hopcroft, and Ullman, is shown to be linear in the total number of elements, thereby establishing a conjecture of Yao. The analytic methods used to prove this result are of interest in themselves, as they are based on extensions of Stepanov's approach to the study of random graphs. Several refinements of Yao's analyses of related algorithms are also presented.     

Total and local heat transfer from a smooth circular cylinder in cross-flow at high reynolds number

The total and local heat transfer from a smooth circular cylinder to the cross flow of air has been measured over the Reynolds number range 3 × 10⁴ < Re < 4 × 10⁶. The interaction between flow and heat transfer is discussed. In particular, the boundary-layer effects on the heat transfer, such as transition from laminar to turbulent flow or boundary-layer separation, are considered in conjunction with the distributions of local static pressure and skin friction.