398 research outputs found
Micro-bias and macro-performance
We use agent-based modeling to investigate the effect of conservatism and
partisanship on the efficiency with which large populations solve the density
classification task--a paradigmatic problem for information aggregation and
consensus building. We find that conservative agents enhance the populations'
ability to efficiently solve the density classification task despite large
levels of noise in the system. In contrast, we find that the presence of even a
small fraction of partisans holding the minority position will result in
deadlock or a consensus on an incorrect answer. Our results provide a possible
explanation for the emergence of conservatism and suggest that even low levels
of partisanship can lead to significant social costs.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
Differentiation of mammary tumors and reduction in metastasis upon Malat1 lncRNA loss
Genome-wide analyses have identified thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Malat1 (metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1) is among the most abundant lncRNAs whose expression is altered in numerous cancers. Here we report that genetic loss or systemic knockdown of Malat1 using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in the MMTV (mouse mammary tumor virus)-PyMT mouse mammary carcinoma model results in slower tumor growth accompanied by significant differentiation into cystic tumors and a reduction in metastasis. Furthermore, Malat1 loss results in a reduction of branching morphogenesis in MMTV-PyMT- and Her2/neu-amplified tumor organoids, increased cell adhesion, and loss of migration. At the molecular level, Malat1 knockdown results in alterations in gene expression and changes in splicing patterns of genes involved in differentiation and protumorigenic signaling pathways. Together, these data demonstrate for the first time a functional role of Malat1 in regulating critical processes in mammary cancer pathogenesis. Thus, Malat1 represents an exciting therapeutic target, and Malat1 ASOs represent a potential therapy for inhibiting breast cancer progression
Corruption and bicameral reforms
During the last decade unicameral proposals have been put forward in fourteen US states. In this paper we analyze the effects of the proposed constitutional reforms, in a setting where decision making is subject to ‘hard time constraints’, and lawmakers face the opposing interests of a lobby and the electorate. We show that bicameralism might lead to a decline in the lawmakers’ bargaining power vis-a-vis the lobby, thus compromising their accountability to voters. Hence, bicameralism is not a panacea against the abuse of power by elected legislators and the proposed unicameral reforms could be effective in reducing corruption among elected representatives
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