LAr1-ND: Testing Neutrino Anomalies with Multiple LArTPC Detectors at Fermilab

This white paper describes LAr1-ND and the compelling physics it brings first in Phase 1 and next towards the full LAr1 program. In addition, LAr1-ND serves as a key step in the development toward large-scale LArTPC detectors. Its development goals will encompass testing existing and possibly innovative designs for LBNE while at the same time providing a training ground for teams working towards LBNE combining timely neutrino physics with experience in detector development

Design and construction of the MicroBooNE detector

This paper describes the design and construction of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber and associated systems. MicroBooNE is the first phase of the Short Baseline Neutrino program, located at Fermilab, and will utilize the capabilities of liquid argon detectors to examine a rich assortment of physics topics. In this document details of design specifications, assembly procedures, and acceptance tests are reported

Proteomic analysis of mitotic RNA polymerase II reveals novel interactors and association with proteins dysfunctional in disease

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcribes protein-coding genes in eukaryotes and interacts with factors involved in chromatin remodeling, transcriptional activation, elongation and RNA processing. Here, we present the isolation of native RNAPII complexes using mild extraction conditions and immunoaffinity purification. RNAPII complexes were extracted from mitotic cells, where they exist dissociated from chromatin. The proteomic content of native complexes in total and size-fractionated extracts was determined using highly sensitive LC-MS/MS. Protein associations with RNAPII were validated by high-resolution immunolocalization experiments in both mitotic cells and in interphase nuclei. Functional assays of transcriptional activity were performed after siRNA-mediated knockdown. We identify >400 RNAPII associated proteins in mitosis, amongst these previously uncharacterized proteins for which we show roles in transcriptional elongation. We also identify, as novel functional RNAPII interactors, two proteins involved in human disease, ALMS1 and TFG, emphasizing the importance of gene regulation for normal development and physiology

Equity Dilution: An Alternative Perspective on Mortgage Default

Empirical research on mortgage default in the single-family market has focused on the value of the borrower's put option using house price indices to estimate contemporaneous loan-to-value ratio or the probability of negative equity. But since the borrower possesses the option to increase leverage by taking on additional debt secured by junior liens subsequent to loan origination (a phenomenon termed here equity dilution), even a perfect house price adjustment cannot be expected to accurately measure changes in borrower equity over time. Since junior liens are generally unobservable to senior debt holders, proxies are required in empirical applications. This paper employs an independent estimate of junior lien probability developed from the 1998 Survey of Consumer Finances combined with loan level mortgage performance data to examine the role junior liens play in increasing default risk. Copyright 2004 by the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association