Aggregate disturbances, monetary policy, and the macroeconomy: the FRB/US perspective

The FRB/US macroeconometric model of the U.S. economy was created at the Federal Reserve Board for use in policy analysis and forecasting. This article begins with an examination of the model's characterization of the monetary transmission mechanism -- the chain of relationships describing how monetary policy actions influence financial markets and, in turn, output and inflation. The quantitative nature of this mechanism is illustrated by estimates of the effect of movements in interest rates and other factors on spending in different sectors and by simulations of the effect of a change in the stance of policy on the economy as a whole. After the discussion of the transmission mechanism, the article considers the influence of monetary policy on the macroeconomic consequences of specific events by showing how the predicted effects of selected disturbances change under alternative policy responses. These examples illustrate an important policy tradeoff in the FRB/US model involving the variability (but not the level) of output and inflation: Past some point, lower variability in inflation can be obtained only at the expense of greater fluctuations in output and interest rates.Forecasting ; Macroeconomics ; Monetary policy

Genetic and epidemiological aspects of diabetes mellitus

Using an interview-questionnaire technique, the frequency of insulin-taking diabetics in the families of non-insulin-taking diabetics, and vice-versa, is compared with the frequencies in control families and in the general population. The results suggest that these two forms of diabetes are not genetically distinct. Early-onset, insulin-dependent diabetics show indications of dominant inheritance in their families more often than do diabetics of other types. Cardiovascular complications, at least in late-onset, insulin-taking diabetics, are found to occur more rapidly, and to be more severe, in individuals with a strong family history. Diabetics and controls are examined for a range of red and white cell polymorphisms, serum proteins and isoenzymes. In some of these systems, the control group exhibits significant heterogeneity with regard to age. Comparison of the diabetic population with matched controls shows no significant associations except in the case of the ABO system, where older diabetics, especially males, show a higher frequency of group A(_1) and in the HLA system, where insulin-taking diabetics show higher frequencies of the B8 and Bwl5 alleles. It is suggested that the apparent association with ABO is the result of differential mortality amongst non-diabetics rather than any increased liability to the disease of group A(_1)individuals. Associations with the HLA system show a relationship with age at diagnosis which may explain certain inconsistencies in previously published reports. The prevalence of clinically diagnosed diabetes in the Durham area in 1975 exceeds that reported previously for other British populations. The presentation of new cases of insulin-requiring diabetics has a marked peak in February

Complex trait analysis of the mouse striatum: independent QTLs modulate volume and neuron number

Background: The striatum plays a pivotal role in modulating motor activity and higher cognitive function. We analyzed variation in striatal volume and neuron number in mice and initiated a complex trait analysis to discover polymorphic genes that modulate the structure of the basal ganglia. Results: Brain weight, brain and striatal volume, neuron-packing density and number were estimated bilaterally using unbiased stereological procedures in five inbred strains (A/J, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, BALB/cJ, and BXD5) and an F2 intercross between A/J and BXD5. Striatal volume ranged from 20 to 37 mm[super]3. Neuron-packing density ranged from approximately 50,000 to 100,000 neurons/mm[super]3, and the striatal neuron population ranged from 1.4 to 2.5 million. Inbred animals with larger brains had larger striata but lower neuron-packing density resulting in a narrow range of average neuron populations. In contrast, there was a strong positive correlation between volume and neuron number among intercross progeny. We mapped two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with selective effects on striatal architecture. Bsc10a maps to the central region of Chr 10 (LRS of 17.5 near D10Mit186) and has intense effects on striatal volume and moderate effects on brain volume. Stnn19a maps to distal Chr 19 (LRS of 15 at D19Mit123) and is associated with differences of up to 400,000 neurons among animals. Conclusion: We have discovered remarkable numerical and volumetric variation in the mouse striatum, and we have been able to map two QTLs that modulate independent anatomic parameters

Deriving amplitude equations for weakly-nonlinear oscillators and their generalizations

AbstractResults by physicists on renormalization group techniques have recently sparked interest in the singular perturbations community of applied mathematicians. The survey paper, [Phys. Rev. E 54(1) (1996) 376–394], by Chen et al. demonstrated that many problems which applied mathematicians solve using disparate methods can be solved using a single approach. Analysis of that renormalization group method by Mudavanhu and O’Malley [Stud. Appl. Math. 107(1) (2001) 63–79; SIAM J. Appl. Math. 63(2) (2002) 373–397], among others, indicates that the technique can be streamlined. This paper carries that analysis several steps further to present an amplitude equation technique which is both well adapted for use with a computer algebra system and easy to relate to the classical methods of averaging and multiple scales

PIGEONS (Rock Doves)

Pigeons (Columbia livia) typically have a gray body with a whitish rump, two black bars on the secondary wing feathers, a broad black band on the tail, and red feet. Pigeons are found throughout the United States (including Hawaii), southern Canada, and Mexico. Pigeons are highly dependent on humans to provide them with food and sites for roosting, loafing, and nesting. Pigeons are primarily grain and seed eaters and will subsist on spilled or improperly stored grain. The common pigeon was introduced into the United States as a domesticated bird, but many escaped and formed feral populations. Pigeon droppings deface and accelerate the deterioration of buildings and increase the cost of maintenance. Feral pigeons are not protected by federal law and most states do not afford them protection

Genealogy Interests in Deaf and Hearing Adults: Educational and Psychological Comparisons

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An Assessment of Panel vs. Individual Instructor Ratings of Student Speeches

This study addressed the possibility of utilizing a panel of instructors to evaluate student speeches. Forty-six public speaking students were videotaped during an informative speech assignment. Instructor panels evaluated each speech using the same criteria as the real instructor. This study found that trait error exists in panel grading as it does in individual instructor evaluation. Panel and individual instructor ratings were generally similar but inferior speeches were graded lower by the panel than the real instructor. This suggests that panels may be less likely to experience leniency error and may give more accurate evaluations of weaker speeches. Considerations are offered for the possible use of panel evaluations