Probing met repressor-operator recognition in solution.

The three-dimensional crystal structure of the Escherichia coli methionine repressor, MetJ, complexed with a DNA operator fragment is described in an accompanying article. The complex exhibits several novel features of DNA-protein interaction. DNA sequence recognition is achieved largely by hydrogen-bond contacts between the bases and amino-acid side chains located on a beta-ribbon, a mode of recognition previously hypothesized on the basis of modelling of idealized beta-strands and DNA, and mutagenesis of the Salmonella phage P22 repressors Arc and Mnt. The complex comprises a pair of MetJ repressor dimers which bind to adjacent met-box sites on the DNA, and contact each other by means of a pair of antiparallel alpha-helices. Here we assess the importance of these contacts, and also of contacts that would be made between the C-helices of the protein and DNA in a previous model of the complex, by studying mutations aimed at disrupting them. The role of the carboxy-terminal helix face in operator binding was unclear, but we demonstrate that recognition of operator sequences occurs through side chains in the beta-strand motif and that dimer-dimer interactions are required for effective repression.     

On the limitations of comparing mean square forecast errors

Linear models are invariant under non-singular, scale-preserving linear transformations, whereas mean square forecast errors (MSFEs) are not. Different rankings may result across models or methods from choosing alternative yet isomorphic representations of a process. One approach can dominate others for comparisons in levels, yet lose to another for differences, to a second for cointegrating vectors and to a third for combinations of variables. The potential for switches in ranking is related to criticisms of the inadequacy of MSFE against encompassing criteria, which are invariant under linear transforms and entail MSFE dominance. An invariant evaluation criterion which avoids misleading outcomes is examined in a Monte Carlo study of forecasting methods.     

匣母和余母在粤方言中的古今演变

以广州话和古劳话为代表，探讨了古匣母和余母在粤方言中的演变规律。匣母演变成半元音［ｊ］［ｗ］和辅音［ｘ］［ｆ］，余母演变成半元音［ｊ］［ｗ］和辅音［ｘ］。这种变化与发音时的气流有关：如气流强，匣母会变成［ｘ］［ｆ］，余母会变成［ｘ］；如气流弱，又受了介音［ｉ］［ｕ］的影响，匣母和余母都会变成半元音［ｊ］［ｗ］。     

Trying times for human insulin.

The introduction of human insulin to treat diabetics seemed straightforward. What can account for the problems that have followed?     

关于线性NDDE振动性的代数判据（Ⅰ）

本文给一阶线性自治中立型方程一切解振动的充要条件，这些条件仅依赖于系统的参数，从而对自治系统彻底解决了［１］中提出的问题１２     

感应加热钢包炉电磁与结构优化

感应加热钢包炉是国外新发展的一种二次精炼及加热设备，具有高效、低能耗、无污染的特点，本文在感应加热钢包炉电磁与结构分析工作的基础上，用电磁场数值模拟方法对感应加热钢包炉的电磁设计和包壳结构进行优化。