Explicit analytic formulas for Newtonian Taylor-Couette primary instabilities

In this study, existing primary stability boundary data for flow between concentric cylinders, for the broad range of radius and rotation ratios examined, were found to be self-similar in a properly chosen parameter space. The experimental results for the primary transitions to both Taylor vortex flow and spiral vortex flow collapsed onto a single curve using a combination of variables technique, for both counter-rotating and co-rotating cylinders. The curves were then empirically fit, yielding explicit analytic formulas for the critical Reynolds number for any radius ratio (eta) and rotation ratio (micro) . For counter-rotating flows, the primary critical Reynolds number is determined by a single variable: the ratio of the nodal gap fraction to a known function of the radius ratio. The existence and influence of a nodal surface is shown experimentally for micro approximately equal -1.7. For co-rotating flows, the important scaled variable was found to be the radius ratio divided by the nodal radius ratio. Comparisons of the resulting explicit stability formulas were made to existing analytic stability expressions and experimental data. Excellent quantitative agreement was found with data across the entire parameter space.

Viscous heating and the stability of newtonian and viscoelastic taylor-couette flows

The effects of viscous heating on the stability of Taylor-Couette flow were investigated through flow visualization experiments for Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids. For highly viscous Newtonian fluids, viscous heating drives a transition to a new, oscillatory mode of instability at a critical Reynolds number significantly below that at which the inertial transition is observed in isothermal flows. The effects of viscous heating may explain the discrepancies between the observed and predicted critical conditions and the symmetry of the disturbance flow for viscoelastic instabilities.

Cell cycle regulation of a human cyclin-like gene encoding uracil-DNA glycosylase

The predicted amino acid sequence of a human cDNA encoding uracil-DNA glycosylase activity shows striking similarity to the cyclin protein family. To characterize the expression of this DNA repair enzyme, we have isolated the corresponding genomic clone. This gene is contained within 4.2 kilobases and is composed of only two exons. Sequence analysis of the upstream region shows that it contains two cell cycle box (CCB) regulatory elements which are also found in yeast cyclin genes. Deletional analysis of the promoter reveals the presence of a repressor region located from position -812 to -603. An inverted CCB element (alpha-CCB) and an SP1-like binding site are contained within this region. When uracil-DNA glycosylase mRNA levels are examined in vivo, a 2-3-fold increase is associated with G1 phase in both HeLa S3 and WI38 cells. To examine the role of the 209-base pair repressor region in mediating cell cycle regulation, this fragment was used in gel shift assays with cellular extracts prepared from various stages of the cell cycle. Several specific complexes are formed during S and G2 phases which are not present during M and G1 phases. Two of the complexes are the result of alpha-CCB binding as they can be specifically disrupted by the addition of an oligonucleotide containing the alpha-CCB binding site. Immunoprecipitation studies reveal that uracil-DNA glycosylase protein levels are also elevated during G1 phase. Additionally, we show that the 36-kDa uracil-DNA glycosylase protein is turned over during the course of one cell cycle. These results demonstrate coordinate regulation of uracil-DNA glycosylase at both the transcriptional and the post-transcriptional levels as a function of the cell cycle.

Isolation and characterization of a human cDNA encoding uracil-DNA glycosylase

DNA repair of genetic information is an essential defense mechanism, which protects cells against mutation and transformation. The biochemistry of human DNA repair is in its beginning stages. Our research has concentrated on the enzymes involved in the removal of atypical bases from DNA. We present information on the identification and characterization of a cDNA isolate encoding uracil-DNA glycosylase. Uracil-DNA glycosylase was purified to homogeneity from HeLa S3 cells and used to generate polyclonal antibodies. These antibodies were in turn used to isolate a uracil-DNA glycosylase specific cDNA from a human T cell (Jurkat) lambda-gt11 library. The identity of this 1.25 kb cDNA was verified using in vitro transcription and translation systems to generate specific uracil-DNA glycosylase activity. Sequence data revealed a 327 amino acid open reading frame, which encodes a protein with a predicted molecular weight of 35351. No significant amino acid homology was found between this human uracil-DNA glycosylase and the glycosylases of yeast, Escherichia coli, herpes simplex virus, or a recently identified 26,000 Da species of human uracil-DNA glycosylase. This apparent lack of homology prompted an investigation of uracil-DNA glycosylase in a variety of eukaryotic species. Western analysis demonstrated the presence of a 36 kDa uracil-DNA glycosylase protein in human fibroblast, human placental and Vero cell extracts. Interestingly, these antibodies did not detect glycosylase protein in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) or mouse NIH3T3 fibroblast cells. Under conditions of reduced stringency, Southern blot analysis of BamHI digested DNA from human fibroblasts, human placental cells and Vero cells revealed common 12 kb and 3 kb fragments. In contrast, using the same reduced stringency protocol, 6 and 8 kb fragments for CHO and NIH3T3 DNA were seen, respectively, as well as a common 3 kb fragment. Under more stringent wash conditions, the common 3 kb band was absent in all samples analyzed, and no hybridization signal was detected from DNA of hamster or mouse origin. The lack of immunological reactivity between the human uracil-DNA glycosylase and the rodent forms is therefore reflected at the genetic level as well. This distinction in human and CHO hybridization patterns enabled us to localize this human uracil-DNA glycosylase cDNA to chromosome 5 by somatic cell hybridization.

Structure and histogenesis of the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve: effects of prenatal exposure to ethanol

Clinical and experimental evidence shows that prenatal exposure to ethanol causes craniofacial malformations, microcephaly, and abnormal development of the central nervous system. This study describes the effects of ethanol on the development of the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (PSN). The offspring of two groups of rats were examined. Pregnant females in one group were fed a liquid diet containing 6.7% (v/v) ethanol (Et) and rats in the other group were fed an isocaloric liquid control diet (Ct). Each pregnant rat was administered [3H]thymidine on one day during the period from gestational day (G) 10 to G22. After pups grew to 30 days of age, they were killed and their brains were processed by an autoradiographic procedure. Qualitatively, the PSN of Ct- and Et-treated rats appeared similar; they were composed chiefly of small neurons and a few scattered large neurons. On the other hand, quantitative analyses revealed significant differences between both groups. Although the volume of the PSN of Et-treated rats was not significantly different (-3.2%) than that for Ct-treated rats, the PSN of Et-treated rats had significantly (P less than 0.01) fewer (30.0%) neurons than did the PSN of Ct-treated rats. The number of the small neurons, but not of the large neurons, was affected most by the ethanol exposure. Prenatal exposure to ethanol also altered the generation of PSN neurons. Most neurons in the PSN of Ct-treated rats were born between G12 and G15, the small neurons being generated before the large neurons. In Et-treated rats, too, small neurons were born before the large neurons; however, the time frame of neuronogenesis was delayed as it occurred between G13 and G16. Thus, prenatal exposure to ethanol produces profound developmental abnormalities that lead to permanent alterations in the structure of the mature central nervous system.