Issue 134 November 2016

A NEWSLETTER OF THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

Photo Courtesy of Dumitru Mihai Renewable Energy Y v e t t e C h i n

When Sheikhs invest in solar, you know a over times when the sun isn’t shining or the What Else paradigm change has arrived. A slew of sun- wind isn’t blowing—have brought down costs drenched Middle Eastern states, prompted by and increased reliability so much that the Inside? the now-favorable economics of renewable sector is competitive (as low as under $0.04/ Postdoc Retreat 2016 energy, and a concomitant cloudy outlook kWh) versus fossil fuels. Upfront investment for fossil fuels, are looking to transition their costs are lowered by tax credits and net me- 2 Ju l i e t t e Wi pf oil-heavy economies towards solar energy tering rules, which allows the sale of unused Culture Corner production. Closer to home, New York State energy back to utilities to recoup expenses. Mr. Robot and Gomorrah Governor Andrew Cuomo too has a vision— Tax credits in particular were essential to the 3 B e r n i e L a n g s expedited in no small part by the exigencies of adoption of renewables, although the neces- climate change, economics & energy securi- sity of subsidies is receding as the industry is Nobel Prize in 2011 ty—to secure a clean, affordable and resilient able to stand on its own merit. In December Ralph M. Steinman post-oil future. 2015, a divided Congress rallied to extend the 4 Jo s e p h L u n a Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar Vision (REV) commits NY state to a Clean energy & the 2.3-cent/kWh Production Tax Ostuni, Italy Energy Standard (CES) with the goal of meet- Credit (PTC) for wind energy for five years 5 F r a n c e s c a C ava l l o ing at least 50% of the state’s energy use with (through 2020), among a slew of renewable renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro- subsidies, to ensure successful implementa- New York State Of Mind power and geothermal energy and reducing tion of the CPP. On current form, the impor- Interviewing Tiago Siebert greenhouse gas emission levels from 1990 by tance of such subsidies will diminish further 6 G ua da l u p e A s t o r g a 40% by 2030. This was prompted by the US as innovation continues to drive down costs New York City Dialect Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and bring about mass adoption. New York-ese, Lesson 2 Clean Power Plan (CPP), which mandates a Second, climate change and environmen- 7 A i l e e n M a r s h a l l less stringent 32% reduction in carbon emis- tal concerns lend an urgency to the transition sions from 2005 levels by 2030. to clean and low-carbon energy sources. Credit Crossword: Think Big Deal The pivot to renewables has many causes. Hurricane Sandy for the harsh reminder that George Barany and John Child First, cost is king and with renewables at least, ocean levels are rising and reclaiming low- 8 cheaper is better. Advances in technology— lying flood-prone land. The energy sector ap- Life on a Roll cheaper, more efficient photovoltaic (PV) cells Les Sables d’Olonne and wind turbines; souped up batteries to tide CONTINUED TO P.2 * 10 Elodie Pau w els 1 Postdoc Retreat 2016 Editorial Board Ju l i e t t e Wi pf EDITORIAL BOARD This year’s Rockefeller Postdoctoral Jim Keller Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor Association (PDA) Retreat was held Aileen Marshall from September 21 to 22 at the Inter- Assistant Copy Editing Manager * CONTINUED FROM P.1 laken Inn in Lakeville, CT. The In- Qiong Wang terlaken Inn is a charming country Copy Editor, Webmaster, Public Relations Manager pears to be a zero-sum game with the rise resort with great facilities and over Juliette Wipf of renewables occurring at the expense of 130 Rockefeller postdocs came to en- Copy Editor, Webmaster the coal industry where a projected 50GW joy this getaway. Many supported the Peng Kate Gao of capacity is expected to be lost by 2022 event with presentations, ranging in Copy Editor Johannes Buheitel and, indeed, completely phased out in scope from social evolution in ants, Copy Editor New York state. The upheavals of this en- aphids and their interacting microbi- Chew-Li Soh ergy revolution have being manifested in omes, through to visual signaling in Copy Editor the rise of populist presidential candidate Drosophila. Yvette Chin Donald Trump, fueled in part by the loss The PDA further organized a panel Copy Editor of jobs in America’s Rust Belt. Advocacy discussion focusing on non-academic Nan Pang groups such as the Sierra Club and ardent careers, which was one of the high- Designer environmental activists are also playing a lights of the retreat. Candid responses Guadalupe Astorga significant role in the adoption of low-car- to heartfelt questions were given by Designer bon fuels. The Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal George Yancopoulos, the President selections.rockefeller.edu Campaign organized a community-based and CSO of Regeneron Pharmaceuti- [email protected] push for off-shore wind energy investment cals, Inc., who also gave the retreat’s with a Clean Energy rally in lower Man- keynote address, Nadim Shohdy (Di- hattan followed by personal testimonies rector, Office of Therapeutics Allianc- from state-wide attendees to the Public es NYU Langone), David Pompliano Service Commission. These efforts paid off (co-founder & CSO, Lodo Therapeu- in the adoption of a 90MW offshore wind tics), Imran Babar (Private Equity / project, the largest in the country, in feder- Venture Capital, OrbiMed Advisors & ally leased waters off Montauk, in a tie-up VP of Scientific Affairs, Rare Genom- between the New York Power Authority ics Institute), Yaihara Fortis-Santiago (NYPA), the Long Island Power Author- (Director of Science Alliance, the New ity (LIPA) and Deepwater Wind, a private York Academy of Sciences), as well as company. Moreover, the CES envisions es- two Rockefeller insiders, namely our tablishing New York state as a clean ener- new President Richard Lifton and our gy powerhouse to safeguard the economic Career and Professional Development future of the state’s workforce by ensuring Director, Andrea Morris. The speak- its technical expertise in the renewable en- ers depicted the advantages of drop- ergy sector. Slated to be one of the largest ping into a non-academic field and solar panel factories in the world, a 27-acre attempted to boost our self-confidence $750m SolarCity battery facility financed for trying out such alternative career and constructed by New York state is an- routes. In some cases maybe even out other example of the economic thrust of of a personal recruitment interest? the REV. The high-efficiency solar panels A bonfire by the scenic Lake manufactured in the gigafactory produce Wononskopomuc brought the first electricity at a cost of roughly $2.5/W and day come to an unforgettable end. production is expected to hit full capacity S’more roasting gave the postdocs en- in late 2017. ergy after burning themselves out on The REV is expected to lower energy the dance floor. After another round bills through localized power generation of talks in the morning, playing ten- and distribution, furnish a greater choice nis, sunbathing by the heated pool, of energy providers to reduce dependence kayaking and swimming in the lake in on a central utility, advance net-zero en- the afternoon, everybody reluctantly ergy efficient smart homes that can be made their way back to New York City controlled remotely, boost employment in on Thursday night. the hi-tech renewables sector and improve overall quality of life from the greening of Thank you PDA for organizing this the energy industry. n event! n 2 Culture Corner Television Series Review: Mr. Robot and Gomorrah B e r n i e L a n g s

Caution: spoilers ahead bringing down friends and familyl. Drug societal depression enables the mob family addiction, hallucination, paranoia, loneli- syndicates to move in to recruit dispirited There is a widely-held notion that television ness, intense anger, sexual confusion, and a young men to join their ranks with fast cash is presently in the midst of a golden age and host of other problems including the anxiety and an exciting life. They don’t blink an eye that the quality and diversity in program- of breaking the law are what makes Elliott’s when these youths wind up murdered in ming has never been better for the medium. world a terrifying place. Elliott’s personal- the undertaking of their exploits, much of One might generally associate the phrase ity problems make for tense, dramatic and which centers around bringing cheap drugs “golden age” with eras of creativity in cultur- deeply disturbing viewing and are original to the area for desperate junkies and users. al history, such as the glory days of Ancient to the concept of a star lead in a serialized Gomorrah is beautifully filmed with grit- Greece or Renaissance Italy, while thinking show. tiness and often showcases a world of deep of television more in terms of crassness and The plot to undo E Corp and change shadows, dark alleys, and junkyard aban- the lowest possible taste (think the Kar- the course of history involves a great cast doned factories. None of the actors and ac- dashians or the Housewives reality series). of characters including Elliott’s co-workers tresses are familiar to American audiences Yet I can’t deny that TV is offering many at a cybersecurity firm and the insiders at E and all of the performances are seamless and more stimulating choices these days than Corp, in particular their own technology ex- powerful. It’s almost akin to watching a fast- big Hollywood studio films. The best current ecutive, Tyrell Wellick (Martin Wallstrom). paced documentary on Italian crime. The television shows are filmed cinematically to E Corp’s CEO, Phillip Price (Michael Cris- action follows the travails of a crime fam- big budget movie standards and the writing tofer), is played as a wealthy hard-nosed, ily led by the ruthless Don Pietro Savastano and scripts of these series offer superlative coldhearted corporate leader, yet his per- (Fortunato Cerlino), his wife, the incredibly plot devices and new, untested ideas without sonality has enough individuality and com- strong, stoic, and mean-spirited Imma (Ma- falling into the trap of typical clichés that plexity to separate him from being a simple ria Pia Calzone), his son, Gennaro (Salva- plague so much of our visual entertainment. television villain. tore Esposito), who undertakes an amazing Two series in particular have hooked me Mr. Robot has completed two seasons. personality shift in the course of a handful into becoming a loyal viewer. USA Network’s I’ve viewed the first and one quarter of the of episodes, and the gang’s most trusted Mr. Robot revolves around the exploits of a second. The huge problem it faces comes lieutenant, Ciro (Marco D’Amore), who young, brilliant, socially-challenged hacker. from two imposing challenges: the title dons the nickname “Immortal” and who The other, the Sundance Channel’s Gomor- character of Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) is incredibly heartless and ruthless. Ciro rah, is an import from Italy based around has been revealed late in season one as the has such dynamic personality qualities and the inner workings of the criminal mob in ghost and mirage of Elliott’s father and the charisma that viewers may find themselves the city and surrounding region of present more difficult plot line that since a major wishing beyond hope that he could control day Naples. hack has occurred, the show must enter an his more violent tendencies and become a While Mr. Robot is the more tradition- even deeper world of unreality. Many shows dynamic leader. al television fare of the two, it successfully jump the shark at such a crossroad. I feared A show like Gomorrah could have fallen pushes the boundaries of the medium in that might happen with Mr. Robot’s second victim into a trap of common plot devices many ways. Created, written and directed season, after the intense and wonderfully and stereotypical characters seen in a glut by Egyptian-American, Sam Esmail, it fol- stimulating drama of the first. The first two of films and television shows on the Mafia. lows the exploits of Elliott Alderson, played episodes of season two were a little off pace, Yet, it succeeds as a social statement of the with disturbing nuance by Rami Malek. El- as if Esmail had written himself into a cor- politics and society facing Italy and much of liott begins as a kind of hacker vigilante, ner. He seemed to be too intent on keeping Europe today and feels incredibly current on punishing the abusive people he can gain us aware of Elliott’s completely separated its take of what causes such a blight on the access to via his superb computer skills, and internal world to the point of extreme. Yet, face of Italy. After each episode I’m left feel- soon becomes entangled in a plot hatched episode three hooked me right back into ing amazed. by a group of misfit hackers to destroy the the dystopian nightmare of Elliott’s life and The show was preceded by a 2008 fea- computer systems of a massive corporation, I look forward to seeing what comes next. ture film, both of which were based on the E Corp (dubbed Evil Corp). Their hope is Gomorrah is simply an unbelievably fan- book of the same name by Roberto Savi- to change the world by eliminating the re- tastic show. I can hardly comprehend that a ano. His fiction and investigative reporting cords of most credit card debt in America television executive would think of airing of the Camorra crime syndicate has led to thus freeing the populace from the grips of on a major cable network a series in Italian him currently living under police protec- the greed of capitalism. with English subtitles. Gomorrah is shot in tion. I cannot think of any other dramatic There are several innovative ways that the back streets and suburbs of Naples and television show that is so reflective of a life- make Mr. Robot unique. Elliott is an incred- we get to see views of Italy that tourists and style that is unusual to our everyday reality ibly brilliant young programmer, yet his vacationers could never imagine. Horribly than Gomorrah. The first season has aired in social anxieties and mental health issues, conceived apartment complexes litter ar- America with the second on the way. One sometimes used to his advantage, come eas filled with the near-poor who have little hopes Gomorrah can keep up the fantastic close to completely destroying him, while hope of a good life. This poverty and general pace it has set. n 3 Twenty-four visits to Stockholm: a concise history of the Rockefeller Nobel Prizes Part XXIII: Ralph M. Steinman, 2011 Prize in Physiology or Medicine Jo s e p h L u n a A macrophage is on the hunt. Crawling apart. Except that this didn’t seem to be and sniffing its way across a petri dish, the case: Cohn’s graduate student, Barbara this “big eater” lunges forward, its roll- Ehrenreich, had elegantly documented ing membranes like tank treads, toward how macrophages ground down foreign a colony of bacteria. A pall descends on proteins to individual amino acids. Stein- the prokaryotes, and soon a membrane man extended this work by feeding mac- washes over them like a toxic blanket. The rophages an enzyme called horseradish engulfed bacteria, momentarily stunned, peroxidase (HRP) that could be used as find themselves in the belly of the mac- a tracer both under the microscope and rophage and attempt to regain their bear- by measuring its enzymatic activity. He ings. They never see the army of lyso- found that the macrophages dutifully ate somes marching toward them, with acid the protein, only to degrade it all the way knives drawn and thirsty. to single amino acids, just as Ehrenreich Zanvil Cohn looked up from his mi- had observed. HRP activity followed a croscope and snapped a photo of the bat- similar course and gradually, but com- tle below. This phenomenon of cells eat- pletely, disappeared. ing cells, or phagocytosis, was well known So it appeared that macrophages from immunological territory. But armed with the mouse peritoneal cavity weren’t able time-lapse microscopy, Cohn could record to keep intact antigens around. Steinman how the macrophage moved and ate in decided to look somewhere else. It was startling detail; with James Hirsch, Cohn Photo Courtesy of THE rockefeller university known since the 1930s that the spleen discovered that lysosomes swooped in to was an organ where an immune response digest bacteria when engulfed. Cohn and of the adaptive immune system, the ones could begin, and only in 1966 were re- Hirsch ran a joint lab at the then recently who could produce very specific bombs searchers in California able to generate renamed Rockefeller University that was made of antibodies? an immune response from suspensions an epicenter of macrophage research in These were questions that kept a of mouse spleen cells. With this in mind, the 1960s. Housed in the Southern Labo- young medical resident in Boston named Steinman took mouse spleens, ground ratory (now known as Bronk) and under Ralph Steinman up all night. Convinced them up, and plated the cells onto glass the guidance of the eminent René Dubos, he wanted to go into research, Steinman dishes. Adherent cells like macrophages Cohn and Hirsch made landmark discov- attended lectures and dived into the im- stuck to the glass, as was the standard eries on how these cells defended against munology literature. He was particularly practice to isolate them. As he peered into microbes, using the latest techniques to fi- fascinated with the work of MacFarlane the microscope, fully expecting lysosome- nally begin answering questions as old as Burnet and his book, The Clonal Selec- rich macrophages prowling about, he saw immunology itself. tion Theory of Acquired Immunity. Burnet something quite different: cells with nu- Eighty years earlier, a Russian zoolo- proposed that the immune system was merous extended processes, like branches gist named Ilya Metchnikoff witnessed the made of a repertoire of cellular clones, of a tree. Being in an expert macrophage first macrophage chomping on microbes, each with a unique antigen it sought to lab, Steinman and Cohn were quickly circa 1882. Such a startling discovery led destroy. When the antigen showed up, its able to document all the strange differ- him to propose that an immune system, specific clone expanded rapidly to counter ences between this new cell, which they at the cellular level, was composed of the threat. But missing was how a specific named a dendritic cell, and the usual ad- cells like macrophages on constant patrol clone knew it was time to expand. One herent roamers. Dendritic cells had few for viruses and bacteria. It was an innate idea was that there might be an accessory lysosomes, were poor at engulfing trac- and uncompromising system. Yet, there cell, one that might instruct adaptive im- ers like HRP, and didn’t move around so was another equally compelling school of mune cells with parts of the antigen, akin much as constantly extend and retract thought, championed by German immu- to issuing reports from the front lines their limbs, probing about. These cells nologist Paul Ehrlich, of adaptive immu- with specific coordinates for antibody air- were relatively rare (about 1% of spleen nity, an ever-changing system that could strikes. Among the most promising can- cells) and difficult to isolate, but by the recognize a foreign threat, and remem- didates for such an accessory cell was the mid 1970s the then Cohn-Steinman lab ber to counter that specific foreign threat macrophage. discovered that a single dendritic cell was in the future, through the action of what Steinman arrived at Rockefeller as a a hundred times more potent at inducing Ehrlich called antibodies. There was never postdoc to work with Cohn in the summer an immune response. Over the next four too long of a debate as to which side was of 1970, set on exploring this idea further. decades, the Steinman lab discovered all right; it was clear that they both were. But If macrophages could present antigens to sorts of functions, mechanisms and po- missing was the link. How did an adaptive adaptive immune cells, it stood to rea- tential therapeutic uses for dendritic cells. immune response start? How were mac- son that the antigens they encountered Like branches on a well-rooted tree, a field rophage foot soldiers connected to cells weren’t completely destroyed, just taken was born. n 4 Ostuni, A New Jewel in Italy’s Crown F r a n c e s c a C ava l l o Puglia, with its beautiful beaches and land- Towers and Porta San Domenico, both built isn’t painted, but it’s still beautiful because of scapes, stunning architecture and friendly in the thirteenth century. With the Spanish the way light reflects from its stone facade. people has become hugely popular as a holi- rule in 1506, Ostuni began to experience a In the square in front of the cathedral was day destination. period of splendor by the granting of special the elegant arcade Arch of Incalzi, linking When most travelers think “Italian beach favors by the Dukes. The decline of Ostuni the Palazzo del Seminario and the Palazzo vacation,” they think of places like Portofino began in the seventeenth century due to the Vescovile. All cities and towns of Italy have and Capri. Puglia is pretty much the exact op- debts incurred during the “Thirty Years War” their patron saints, so-called protectors, and posite of those places and all the better for it. (European conflicts from 1618 to 1648). King it is an ancient tradition to have religious and While the Italian Riviera and Amalfi Coast Philip IV of Habsburg sold it to the family public celebrations in their honor. Among all are well-groomed, glamorous, and sparkling, Zevallos, merchants that then impoverished the year round number of feasts commemo- Puglia is rugged, simple, and totally laid- it. Moreover, the plague began to rage in the rating the patron saints in Italy, you do not back. Its landscape, studded with farmhous- surroundings even if it did not directly strike want to miss the chance to attend the most es and miles of olive groves, reminds one of the village, as the whitewash used to paint grandiose and impressive one: the Cavalcata neighboring Greece. But its spirit remains 100 houses turned out to be a good and effective di Sant’Oronzo (Sant’Oronzo ride) in Os- percent Italian. Located in the heel of Italy’s natural disinfectant. With the advent of the tuni. A three day festival is held in honor of boot, Puglia is where Italians vacation. This Bourbon dynasty in the eighteenth century, Sant’Oronzo every year, beginning on the summer I had the pleasure to visit this region, the city slowly began to flourish. 25th of August. The festivities promise a cul- in particular my father’s hometown of Ostuni There are two parts of Ostuni: the Terra, tural extravaganza in honor of the saint. The located about 11 km from the coast, in the the old town, and the Marina, the modern silver statue of the Patron is carried through province of Brindisi. This charming, fortified portion closer to the Adriatic sea, just 6 km the town by 40 riders on horseback, wearing hill town is known as “la città bianca” (the away. Walking through old Ostuni from the costumes of an elegant red color, dotted with white city) due to its whitewashed buildings bottom of the hill there is a baroque column hand sewn sequins, which create a spectacu- and city walls, which give it a very exotic feel, nearly six stories tall that dominates the lar sight. There are knights, bishops and au- more Greek or Middle Eastern than Italian. square and is topped with a statue of Ostuni’s thorities that escort the statue. Beginning at The stark white of the town is broken up patron saint, St. Oronzo. According to legend, the cathedral, the parade takes a journey right by some beautiful historical architecture, the saint found refuge in a cave in Ostuni af- through the heart of the Piazza Sant’Oronzo. all of which stands out from its surround- ter he saved the population of the nearby The festivities continue throughout the three ings. The Messapii ancient Italian popula- coastal town of Salento from the plague that days with a variety of food and beverages, un- tion founded the first nucleus of the city in began in Naples. til the festival finally concludes on the 27th seventh century BC on the top of a hill pro- From the square, the walk continues of August, lighting up the sky with a colorful tected by walls, which also sheltered it from through the labyrinth of alleys, staircases fireworks show. It is a special occasion indeed attacks, and provided for the construction of and curved footpaths that lead us to small to not only appreciate the religious aspects of roads. Later, in third century BC, the Romans squares on multiple levels. At the top, there is the region but also to have the opportunity to conquered it and today some Roman traces a Gothic-style cathedral with its delicate rose walk and admire an untainted natural area, remain in farms built on the foundations of window, which symbolizes the Cristo Sole. It its monastic buildings as well as its Mediter- Roman villas. With the fall of the Western is composed of three concentric circles, with ranean vegetation. Roman Empire, Ostrogoths, Lombards, Sara- 24 rays finely crafted, 12 concentric arches I deeply suggest you visit this majestic cens and Byzantines settled, in turn leaving embellished with floral motifs and figures of town. Lose yourself in the alleys, discovering visible traces of their occupation. The Ara- the twelve apostles. At the center, surrounded step by step the history, the people and the gonese created four-door access to the village by seven cherubs, is a figure of the Cristo Sole, monuments, with their Romanic and Gothic of which today only the twelfth century Porta master of the universe represented by the style influences. Last but not least, don’t forget Nova is still evident, as well as the Thirteen same rosette. It’s one of the few buildings that to enjoy the amazing food and beaches. n ity hite C stuni the W O

5 CourtesyPhoto of NEW York state of MinD This Month Natural Selections Features Tiago Siebert, Postdoctoral Associate, Gilbert Lab.

I n t e r v i e w by G ua da l u p e A s t o r g a way. I don’t see much of a beach culture in neighborhoods without a particular goal, NYC, I really like the beach, and it seems just walking on the streets of some place that people here don’t take much advan- that I haven’t been yet. It’s a large city and tage of it. it’ll take many weekends until I have ex- plored enough to pick one favorite place What do you miss most when you are and just keep going back there. out of town? I haven’t been out of town much, just in What is the most memorable experi- Connecticut for two days. I’ve become ence you have had in NYC? used to the options of places to eat and The arrival, the first days in NYC. This city interesting things to do on the weekends, is so impressive with all these skyscrap- so if I was out of town I would definitely ers, the agitation, the size, the cars and miss that. I also got used to the agitation the noise. I have never experienced this How long have you been living in the of the city, so if I was out of town I would before anywhere else. New York area? miss that too. I’ve been living in NYC for five months Bike, MTA or WALK IT??? now. Has anything (negative or positive) Walk! I haven’t ridden a bike much in NYC changed about you since you became yet, it’s nice, but I like to walk, even if it Where do you currently live? Which is one of us “New Yorkers?” takes longer, I’d rather walk. your favorite neighborhood? Negative, I don’t recognize anything yet. I currently live in the Upper East Side Positive, I’m getting used to walking a lot, If you could live anywhere else, where and my favorite neighborhood is hard to I can walk for more than one hour and I re- [would] might that be? choose because there are so many inter- ally like it. I would like to live in Europe, somewhere esting neighborhoods in NYC. But, I re- with cities much older than those in Amer- ally like the East Village, Hell’s Kitchen and If you could change one thing about ica and Latin America, with 1000 year old some parts of Brooklyn. NYC, what would that be? buildings, I would like to try that. I would take out the cars honking, that’s What do you think is the most overrat- one of the things that affects me the most, Do you think of yourself as a New York- ed thing in the city? And underrated? it’s very unnecessary and stressing. er? Overrated, I guess I still didn’t have the ex- I think I’m getting there, maybe a few more perience of being frustrated about some- What is your favorite weekend activity months. People have already asked me for thing I was expecting. Underrated is the in NYC? directions in the street and usually I know fact that you can go to the beach by sub- To explore new parts of the city, visit new the answer, so I think I’m on my way. n

Quotable Quote

“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

BILL GATES

6 Lesson 2 New York City Dialect New York-ese

A i l e e n M a r s h a l l

Welcome back to our series on learning dropped in words ending in “-ing.” The the New York dialect. Did you practice syllable is pronounced “in.” your vocabulary words from last month? Here are some examples of “-ing” As a recap, the letter T in the New York di- words used in a sentence. Click on the alect is pronounced like a D. Our vocabu- links to hear the pronunciation. lary words were dem, dese, and dose. Here are some more examples of these words Are you doin’ anything tonight? used in a sentence. I have to go; I can hear my mother cal- I’ve got all dese leftover subway tokens, lin’ me from up the block. how do I get rid of dem? Dose tourists are walkin’ too slow. Dose cars in da intersection are block- ing da box. When learning any language, it helps Other common words in which the T to listen to as much as you can, to train is pronounced like a D are water and but- your ear to pick it up. Try to pay attention ter. Click on the links to hear them. to conversations you hear on the street New York City has the best tap wada. and the subway. Also, watch episodes of Barbara Streisand’s voice is like budda. Seinfeld and listen to the Jerry and George characters. This month’s lesson: Watch next month for dropped R In the New York dialect, the G is words. n

NAN PANG/NATURAL SELECTIONS

Natural Selections wants your ART!

Whether you can’t stop drawing while waiting for the bus, or taking a walk around the city; if photography is your passion, or if you’re more of a painter, this is your chance to share your art.

Beginning in 2016, Natural Selections will publish a picture of the art we receive every month. To take advantage of this opportunity, email us your work with a title, a brief description, and your name. We’ll make sure to include it in a future issue. We hope to receive several images to create an open space for art!

We’ll be delighted to receive your artwork, please email hi-res image or vector files to: [email protected]

Natural Selections is not an official publication of The Rockefeller University. University administration does not produce this newsletter. The views expressed by the contributors to this publication may not necessarily reflect views or policies of the University. 7 Think Big Deal George Barany is a Rockefeller alum (1977) currently on the faculty of the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. John Child has had an interesting career George Barany and John Child and currently lives in Nepal. For more about this specific puzzle, including a link to the answer, visit here. More Barany and Friends crosswords can be found here.

Across

1. Actors Damon and Dillon 6. Brainstorms 11. F/X tech. 14. Enjoy the taste of 19. Rhone tributary 20. Old Pac. pact 21. Arles article 22. “Pygmalion” protégée 23. Baby boomer’s boom? 27. Place of safe haven 28. Element with the symbol Sn 29. They are each made of three bones 30. Sony co-founder ___ Morita 31. “6 ___ Riv Vu” (1972 Broadway play) 32. Friends with ___ 34. 24 horas 37. GDR org. with informants 39. What the troubador did for his supper 40. Govt. property overseer 41. Squander 42. Cow, perhaps 44. YouTube coverage of a celebrity roast? 48. Derring-do 50. Singers Martell and Ronstadt 51. Words with wedge, in an idiom 52. “You’ve gotta be joking!” 55. Acct. akin to an IRA 57. “My sentiments exactly” 79. Suffix for a saturated Tyson testified that its current 107. Enters tentatively 58. Birnam, in “Macbeth” compound comprising only C annual budget was “half a 109. Telling treats in a game 59. Cul-de-___ and H penny on your tax dollar” show green room? 60. It’s just not a raga without 80. Something lost unluckily 94. Path 114. Squalid place to live them that’s believed to be lucky 95. Nobel Peace Prize venue 115. Old tar’s tool 63. Mauna ___ when found 96. Chew the scenery 116. Five, seven, and five / Just 64. Future bacon, perhaps 82. Like a short flick 98. Word with maker or count the syllables / ___ is easy 65. “In vitro” footwear? 84. Mythical sea monster breaker 117. Presto’s opposite 68. Pick, pick, pick and sigil of House Greyjoy in 99. Jello or pie topping 118. Word with dog or leap 71. Mail place: Abbr. “Game of Thrones” 101. ___ Paulo, Brazil 119. Imminent tassel wearers: 73. Right and fitting 87. Beehives, e.g. 102. Dog star Abbr. 74. Netflix nuisance 88. Bangkok second-story man 105. Flightless bird extinct 120. Physicist Mach 75. Org. that hired Darrow for 92. Babe Ruth and Hank since 1681 121. Gas used in some lasers the Scopes Trial Aaron, e.g.: Abbr. 106. “___ and the Art of 76. Cromwell’s crime 93. In 2012, Neil deGrasse Motorcycle Maintenance” CONTINUED TO P.9 * 8 * CONTINUED FROM P.8 25. Heist’s brains 56. Draw out Hillbillies” 26. Japanese electronics giant 60. It has more than a hundred 89. Hoofer Charisse Down whose name means “sunrise” flights 90. Request at the butcher’s 32. Auto___ (Kraftwerk title) 61. “May ___ of service?” counter 1. “___ Solemnis” (Beethoven) 33. Three-pointers: Abbr. 62. Chicken pox reminder 91. Oil company that merged 2. Drenched 34. Italian or Russian, for 65. Plain ___ (obvious) with BP in 1998 3. Balm for court problems? saddle-sore city dwellers? 66. Big seller of little trucks 97. Blowhard 4. Activewear material 35. “Goodnight ___” (Leadbelly 67. Metric wts. 99. Wraith maker, in short 5. Group out of the mainstream song) 69. High and mighty 100. Polo alternatives 6. Kosher : halal : : Jewish : ___ 36. Battery part 70. Ballpark figure 101. Solicits 7. Kind souls 38. Early hairstyle for Jesse or 72. It can come before frost 103. Relate, as an issue 8. “Piece of cake!” Michael Jackson 75. Non-speaking part in 104. Williams who played 9. Co. founded by Alexander 39. Get a move on “Antony and Cleopatra” Potsie on “Happy Days” Graham Bell 41. Weekly event at some 76. Anwar’s successor 105. One caught in the 10. Began to melt churches 77. Early computer called headlights? 11. Fashion knockoff 42. Confesses Project PX when contracted by 107. Nabokov’s title professor 12. Emerald, ruby, or diamond 43. Rebel yell the US Army in 1943 (1957) 13. “Are we there yet?” 45. Title heroine for both 78. Answer for “Do you carry it 108. Kansas city in “violation”? 14. Slips through the cracks? Sophocles and Euripides in stock?” 109. Toddler’s constant query 15. “The Sound of Music” 46. “_w__ directed” 80. Subway fare? 110. Weed-killer backdrop 47. Small lab containers 81. French bread 111. 93-Across spacewalk: 16. By means of 49. JFK : New York :: ___ : 83. Lineup headers Abbr. 17. English wts. Chicago 85. Potent potable in Paris 112. Noel staple 18. Stool pigeon 53. Literary monogram 86. Nancy who played Miss 113. Mideast alliance, 1958- 24. Tendon-bone connector 54. Catch on a trunk Jane Hathaway on “The Beverly 1961: Abbr. NATURAL NATURAL SELECTIONS NAN PANG/ NAN In-n-out NYC: Grand Central 9 Life on a Roll

Elodie Pau w els https://elodiepphoto.wordpress.com Les Sables d’Olonne is a French town lo- cated by the Atlantic Ocean and is partic- ularly known for being the start and fin- ish points of the “Vendée Globe.” This is a non-stop round the world single-handed boat race, which takes place every four years. François Gabart won the last race in 2012-2013, as immortalized by a plaque on the seafront. Early November, about 25 skippers will travel along the channel from the large marina called Port Olona, crowded for the occasion, and then between both lighthouses towards the vastness of the ocean. The lucky ones completing the cir- cumnavigation are expected to come back anytime from late January/early February 2017. Can’t you feel the call of the sea? n All Photos by ELODIE PAUWELS

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