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Showing papers by "Humboldt University of Berlin published in 2009"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a review of the status of the theoretical prediction and in particular discuss the role of the hadronic vacuum polarization effects and hadronic light-by-light scattering correction, including a new evaluation of the dominant pion exchange contribution.

945 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings provide a solid foundation for continued examination of resting state fcMRI in typical and atypical populations, and short- and long-term measures of the consistency of global connectivity patterns were highly robust.
Abstract: Recent years have witnessed an upsurge in the usage of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine functional connectivity (fcMRI), both in normal and pathological populations. Despite this increasing popularity, concerns about the psychologically unconstrained nature of the “resting-state” remain. Across studies, the patterns of functional connectivity detected are remarkably consistent. However, the test–retest reliability for measures of resting state fcMRI measures has not been determined. Here, we quantify the test–retest reliability, using resting scans from 26 participants at 3 different time points. Specifically, we assessed intersession (>5 months apart), intrasession ( nonsignificant), 2) correlation valence (positive > negative), and 3) network membership (default mode > task positive network). Short- and long-term measures of the consistency of global connectivity patterns were highly robust. Finally, hierarchical clustering solutions were highly reproducible, both across participants and sessions. Our findings provide a solid foundation for continued examination of resting state fcMRI in typical and atypical populations.

905 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These subdivisions within the precuneus suggest that neuroimaging studies will benefit from treating this region as anatomically (and thus functionally) heterogeneous, and provide support that resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) may in part reflect underlying anatomy.
Abstract: Evidence from macaque monkey tracing studies suggests connectivity-based subdivisions within the precuneus, offering predictions for similar subdivisions in the human. Here we present functional connectivity analyses of this region using resting-state functional MRI data collected from both humans and macaque monkeys. Three distinct patterns of functional connectivity were demonstrated within the precuneus of both species, with each subdivision suggesting a discrete functional role: (i) the anterior precuneus, functionally connected with the superior parietal cortex, paracentral lobule, and motor cortex, suggesting a sensorimotor region; (ii) the central precuneus, functionally connected to the dorsolateral prefrontal, dorsomedial prefrontal, and multimodal lateral inferior parietal cortex, suggesting a cognitive/associative region; and (iii) the posterior precuneus, displaying functional connectivity with adjacent visual cortical regions. These functional connectivity patterns were differentiated from the more ventral networks associated with the posterior cingulate, which connected with limbic structures such as the medial temporal cortex, dorsal and ventromedial prefrontal regions, posterior lateral inferior parietal regions, and the lateral temporal cortex. Our findings are consistent with predictions from anatomical tracer studies in the monkey, and provide support that resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) may in part reflect underlying anatomy. These subdivisions within the precuneus suggest that neuroimaging studies will benefit from treating this region as anatomically (and thus functionally) heterogeneous. Furthermore, the consistency between functional connectivity networks in monkeys and humans provides support for RSFC as a viable tool for addressing cross-species comparisons of functional neuroanatomy.

875 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that implicit stereotypes and sex differences in science participation and performance are mutually reinforcing, contributing to the persistent gender gap in science engagement.
Abstract: About 70% of more than half a million Implicit Association Tests completed by citizens of 34 countries revealed expected implicit stereotypes associating science with males more than with females. We discovered that nation-level implicit stereotypes predicted nation-level sex differences in 8th-grade science and mathematics achievement. Self-reported stereotypes did not provide additional predictive validity of the achievement gap. We suggest that implicit stereotypes and sex differences in science participation and performance are mutually reinforcing, contributing to the persistent gender gap in science engagement.

833 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that resting state fMRI can be used to investigate human amygdala networks at a greater level of detail than previously appreciated, allowing for the further advancement of translational models.

715 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article compares the two approaches (linear model on the one hand and two versions of random forests on the other hand) and finds both striking similarities and differences, some of which can be explained whereas others remain a challenge.
Abstract: Relative importance of regressor variables is an old topic that still awaits a satisfactory solution. When interest is in attributing importance in linear regression, averaging over orderings methods for decomposing R2 are among the state-of-the-art methods, although the mechanism behind their behavior is not (yet) completely understood. Random forests—a machine-learning tool for classification and regression proposed a few years ago—have an inherent procedure of producing variable importances. This article compares the two approaches (linear model on the one hand and two versions of random forests on the other hand) and finds both striking similarities and differences, some of which can be explained whereas others remain a challenge. The investigation improves understanding of the nature of variable importance in random forests. This article has supplementary material online.

690 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Bi-stable channelrhodopsins that convert a brief pulse of light into a stable step in membrane potential are described that retain millisecond-scale temporal precision and offer important new capabilities for a broad range of in vivo applications.
Abstract: Here we describe bi-stable channelrhodopsins that convert a brief pulse of light into a stable step in membrane potential. These molecularly engineered probes nevertheless retain millisecond-scale temporal precision. Photocurrents can be precisely initiated and terminated with different colors of light, but operate at vastly longer time scales than conventional channelrhodopsins as a result of modification at the C128 position that extends the lifetime of the open state. Because of their enhanced kinetic stability, these step-function tools are also effectively responsive to light at orders of magnitude lower intensity than wild-type channelrhodopsins. These molecules therefore offer important new capabilities for a broad range of in vivo applications.

600 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings demonstrate the utility of FC for the study of developing functional organization and suggest that measures of FC may provide a quantitative index of brain maturation in healthy subjects and those with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Abstract: Human cerebral development is remarkably protracted. Although microstructural processes of neuronal maturation remain accessible only to morphometric post-mortem studies, neuroimaging tools permit the examination of macrostructural aspects of brain development. The analysis of resting-state functional connectivity (FC) offers novel possibilities for the investigation of cerebral development. Using seed-based FC methods, we examined the development of 5 functionally distinct cingulate-based intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) in children (n 5 14, 10.6 6 1.5 years), adolescents (n 5 12, 15.4 6 1.2) and young adults (n514, 22.4 6 1.2). Children demonstrated a more diffuse pattern of correlation with voxels proximal to the seed region of interest (ROI) (‘‘local FC’’), whereas adults exhibited more focal patterns of FC, as well as a greater number of significantly correlated voxels at long distances from the seed ROI. Adolescents exhibited intermediate patterns of FC. Consistent with evidence for different maturational time courses, ICNs associated with social and emotional functions exhibited the greatest developmental effects. Our findings demonstrate the utility of FC for the study of developing functional organization. Moreover, given that ICNs are thought to have an anatomical basis in neuronal connectivity, measures of FC may provide a quantitative index of brain maturation in healthy subjects and those with neurodevelopmental disorders.

527 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the dual superconformal generators of planar = 4 super Yang-Mills theory were shown to transform covariantly with respect to a ''dual'' symmetry algebra psu(2,2|4) for tree-level scattering amplitudes.
Abstract: Tree-level scattering amplitudes in = 4 super Yang-Mills theory have recently been shown to transform covariantly with respect to a `dual' superconformal symmetry algebra, thus extending the conventional superconformal symmetry algebra psu(2,2|4) of the theory. In this paper we derive the action of the dual superconformal generators in on-shell superspace and extend the dual generators suitably to leave scattering amplitudes invariant. We then study the algebra of standard and dual symmetry generators and show that the inclusion of the dual superconformal generators lifts the psu(2,2|4) symmetry algebra to a Yangian. The non-local Yangian generators acting on amplitudes turn out to be cyclically invariant due to special properties of psu(2,2|4). The representation of the Yangian generators takes the same form as in the case of local operators, suggesting that the Yangian symmetry is an intrinsic property of planar = 4 super Yang-Mills, at least at tree level.

520 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A novel approach for analysing time series using complex network theory is proposed and the potential of these complex network measures for the detection of dynamical transitions is illustrated by using the logistic map.

516 citations


Posted Content
TL;DR: An experiment in which self-reported privacy preferences of 171 participants were compared with their actual disclosing behavior during an online shopping episode, suggesting that current approaches to protect online users' privacy may face difficulties to do so effectively.
Abstract: interactive, privacy is a matter of increasing concern. Many surveys have investigated households' privacy attitudes and concerns, revealing a general desire among Internet users to protect their privacy. To complement these questionnaire-based studies, we conducted an experiment in which we compared selfreported privacy preferences of 171 participants with their actual disclosing behavior during an online shopping episode. Our results suggest that current approaches to protect online users' privacy, such as EU data protection regulation or P3P, may face difficulties to do so effectively. This is due to their underlying assumption that people are not only privacy conscious, but will also act accordingly. In our study, most individuals stated that privacy was important to them, with concern centering on the disclosure of different aspects of personal information. However, regardless of their specific privacy concerns, most participants did not live up to their self-reported privacy preferences. As participants were drawn into the sales dialogue with an anthropomorphic 3-D shopping bot, they answered a majority of questions, even if these were highly personal. Moreover, different privacy statements had no effect on the amount of information disclosed; in fact, the mentioning of EU regulation seemed to cause a feeling of 'false security'. The results suggest that people appreciate highly communicative EC environments and forget privacy concerns once they are `inside the Web'.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a measurement of the cosmic-ray electron spectrum with H.E.S. starting at 340 GeV and show no indication of a structure in the electron spectrum, but rather a power-law spectrum with spectral index of 3.0 +- 0.1 (stat.) + − 0.3 (syst.) which steepens at about 1 TeV.
Abstract: The measurement of an excess in the cosmic-ray electron spectrum between 300 and 800 GeV by the ATIC experiment has - together with the PAMELA detection of a rise in the positron fraction up to 100 GeV - motivated many interpretations in terms of dark matter scenarios; alternative explanations assume a nearby electron source like a pulsar or supernova remnant. Here we present a measurement of the cosmic-ray electron spectrum with H.E.S.S. starting at 340 GeV. The H.E.S.S. data with their lower statistical errors show no indication of a structure in the electron spectrum, but rather a power-law spectrum with spectral index of 3.0 +- 0.1 (stat.) +- 0.3 (syst.) which steepens at about 1 TeV.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The excess-electron distribution and the preference for subsurface vacancies are explained in terms of defect-induced lattice relaxation effects.
Abstract: One of the most topical issues surrounding oxygen vacancies on CeO2(111) is the relative stability of surface and subsurface defects. Using density-functional theory (DFT) with the HSE06 (Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof) hybrid functional as well as the DFT+U approach (where U is a Hubbard-like term describing the on-site Coulomb interactions), we find subsurface vacancies with (2x2) periodicity to be energetically more favorable by 0.45 (HSE06), 0.47 [PBE+U (Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof functional)], and 0.22 eV [LDA+U (local density approximation)]. The excess electrons localize not on Ce ions which are the nearest neighbor to the defect as priorly suggested, but instead on those that are next-nearest neighbors. The excess-electron distribution and the preference for subsurface vacancies are explained in terms of defect-induced lattice relaxation effects.

Journal ArticleDOI
27 Feb 2009-Science
TL;DR: This work measures the conductance and mechanical characteristics of a single polyfluorene wire by pulling it up from a Au(111) surface with the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope, thus continuously changing its length up to more than 20 nanometers.
Abstract: The development of electronic devices at the single-molecule scale requires detailed understanding of charge transport through individual molecular wires. To characterize the electrical conductance, it is necessary to vary the length of a single molecular wire, contacted to two electrodes, in a controlled way. Such studies usually determine the conductance of a certain molecular species with one specific length. We measure the conductance and mechanical characteristics of a single polyfluorene wire by pulling it up from a Au(111) surface with the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope, thus continuously changing its length up to more than 20 nanometers. The conductance curves show not only an exponential decay but also characteristic oscillations as one molecular unit after another is detached from the surface during stretching.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present recent results for the Landau-gauge gluon and ghost propagators in SU (3 ) lattice gluodynamics obtained on a sequence of lattices with linear extension ranging from L = 64 to L = 96 at β = 5.70, thus reaching “deep infrared” momenta down to 75 MeV.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A 640-kb region at chromosome 8q24.21 was found to contain multiple markers with highly significant evidence for association with the cleft phenotype, including three markers that reached genome-wide significance.
Abstract: We conducted a genome-wide association study involving 224 cases and 383 controls of Central European origin to identify susceptibility loci for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). A 640-kb region at chromosome 8q24.21 was found to contain multiple markers with highly significant evidence for association with the cleft phenotype, including three markers that reached genome-wide significance. The 640-kb cleft-associated region was saturated with 146 SNP markers and then analyzed in our entire NSCL/P sample of 462 unrelated cases and 954 controls. In the entire sample, the most significant SNP (rs987525) had a P value of 3.34 x 10(-24). The odds ratio was 2.57 (95% CI = 2.02-3.26) for the heterozygous genotype and 6.05 (95% CI = 3.88-9.43) for the homozygous genotype. The calculated population attributable risk for this marker is 0.41, suggesting that this study has identified a major susceptibility locus for NSCL/P.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The paper uses a three-layer model of user privacy concerns to relate them to system operations and examine their effects on user behavior, and develops guidelines for building privacy-friendly systems.
Abstract: In this paper we integrate insights from diverse islands of research on electronic privacy to offer a holistic view of privacy engineering and a systematic structure for the discipline's topics. First we discuss privacy requirements grounded in both historic and contemporary perspectives on privacy. We use a three-layer model of user privacy concerns to relate them to system operations (data transfer, storage and processing) and examine their effects on user behavior. In the second part of the paper we develop guidelines for building privacy-friendly systems. We distinguish two approaches: "privacy-by-policy" and "privacy-by-architecture." The privacy-by-policy approach focuses on the implementation of the notice and choice principles of fair information practices (FIPs), while the privacy-by-architecture approach minimizes the collection of identifiable personal data and emphasizes anonymization and client-side data storage and processing. We discuss both approaches with a view to their technical overlaps and boundaries as well as to economic feasibility. The paper aims to introduce engineers and computer scientists to the privacy research domain and provide concrete guidance on how to design privacy-friendly systems.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The controlled coupling of a single nitrogen vacancy center to a plasmonic structure with the help of an atomic force microscope provides hybrid systems as important building blocks for novel nanophotonic light sources in advanced plAsmonic devices stable even at room temperature.
Abstract: In this Letter we present the controlled coupling of a single nitrogen vacancy center to a plasmonic structure. With the help of an atomic force microscope, a single nanodiamond containing a single nitrogen vacancy center and two gold nanospheres are assembled step-by-step. We show that both the excitation rate and the radiative decay rate of the color center are enhanced by about 1 order of magnitude, while the single photon character of the emission is maintained. Hot spots between diamond and gold nanoparticles provide an efficient near-field coupling, despite the mismatch in size and shape. Our approach provides hybrid systems as important building blocks for novel nanophotonic light sources in advanced plasmonic devices stable even at room temperature.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The genome of plant-associated Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 harbors an array of giant gene clusters involved in synthesis of lipopeptides and polyketides with antifungal, antibacterial and nematocidal activity and genes involved in ribosome-dependent synthesis of lantibiotics and other peptides are scarce.

Book ChapterDOI
06 Nov 2009
TL;DR: An approach to execute SPARQL queries over the Web of Linked Data using an iterator-based pipeline to discover data that might be relevant for answering a query during the query execution itself and an extension of the iterator paradigm is proposed.
Abstract: The Web of Linked Data forms a single, globally distributed dataspace. Due to the openness of this dataspace, it is not possible to know in advance all data sources that might be relevant for query answering. This openness poses a new challenge that is not addressed by traditional research on federated query processing. In this paper we present an approach to execute SPARQL queries over the Web of Linked Data. The main idea of our approach is to discover data that might be relevant for answering a query during the query execution itself. This discovery is driven by following RDF links between data sources based on URIs in the query and in partial results. The URIs are resolved over the HTTP protocol into RDF data which is continuously added to the queried dataset. This paper describes concepts and algorithms to implement our approach using an iterator-based pipeline. We introduce a formalization of the pipelining approach and show that classical iterators may cause blocking due to the latency of HTTP requests. To avoid blocking, we propose an extension of the iterator paradigm. The evaluation of our approach shows its strengths as well as the still existing challenges.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that HIF-1α-dependent induction of netrin-1 attenuates hypoxia-elicited inflammation at mucosal surfaces.
Abstract: The neuronal guidance molecule netrin-1 is linked to the coordination of inflammatory responses. Given that mucosal surfaces are particularly prone to hypoxia-elicited inflammation, we sought to determine the function of netrin-1 in hypoxia-induced inflammation. We detected hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha)-dependent induction of expression of the gene encoding netrin-1 (Ntn1) in hypoxic epithelia. Neutrophil transepithelial migration studies showed that by engaging A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR) on neutrophils, netrin-1 attenuated neutrophil transmigration. Exogenous netrin-1 suppressed hypoxia-elicited inflammation in wild-type but not in A2BAR-deficient mice, and inflammatory hypoxia was enhanced in Ntn1(+/-) mice relative to that in Ntn1(+/+) mice. Our studies demonstrate that HIF-1alpha-dependent induction of netrin-1 attenuates hypoxia-elicited inflammation at mucosal surfaces.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: G protein-coupled receptors are ubiquitous signal transducers in cell membranes, as well as important drug targets, and their activation intermediates can now be interpreted as the stepwise engagement of protein domains.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a meta-analysis of 69 data sets (N = 125,308) was carried out on studies that simultaneously evaluate the effects of math and verbal achievements on self-concepts.
Abstract: A meta-analysis of 69 data sets (N = 125,308) was carried out on studies that simultaneously evaluate the effects of math and verbal achievements on math and verbal self-concepts. As predicted by the internal/external frame of reference (I/E) model, math and verbal achievements were highly correlated overall (.67), but the correlation between math and verbal self-concepts (.10) was close to zero. Correlations between math and verbal achievement and correlations between achievements and self-concepts within the domains were more positive when grades instead of standardized test results were used as achievement indicators. A path analysis revealed support for the I/E model, with positive paths from achievement to the corresponding self-concepts (.61 for math, .49 for verbal) and negative paths from achievement in one subject to self-concept in the other subject (−.21 from math achievement on verbal self-concept, −.27 from verbal achievement to math self-concept). Furthermore, results showed that the I/E mod...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A genome-wide association study among 2,323 individuals with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 9,013 control subjects and evaluated all SNPs with P < 1.0 × 10−4 revealed genome- wide significance for one SNP, rs12608932, which maps to a haplotype block within the boundaries of UNC13A, which regulates the release of neurotransmitters at neuromuscular synapses.
Abstract: We conducted a genome-wide association study among 2,323 individuals with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 9,013 control subjects and evaluated all SNPs with P < 1.0 x 10(-4) in a second, independent cohort of 2,532 affected individuals and 5,940 controls. Analysis of the genome-wide data revealed genome-wide significance for one SNP, rs12608932, with P = 1.30 x 10(-9). This SNP showed robust replication in the second cohort (P = 1.86 x 10(-6)), and a combined analysis over the two stages yielded P = 2.53 x 10(-14). The rs12608932 SNP is located at 19p13.3 and maps to a haplotype block within the boundaries of UNC13A, which regulates the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate at neuromuscular synapses. Follow-up of additional SNPs showed genome-wide significance for two further SNPs (rs2814707, with P = 7.45 x 10(-9), and rs3849942, with P = 1.01 x 10(-8)) in the combined analysis of both stages. These SNPs are located at chromosome 9p21.2, in a linkage region for familial ALS with frontotemporal dementia found previously in several large pedigrees.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that default-mode network NBRs are reduced in MDD and modulate these patients' abnormally negative emotions.

Journal ArticleDOI
Rasha Abbasi1, Markus Ackermann, Jenni Adams2, Markus Ahlers3  +267 moreInstitutions (28)
TL;DR: In this paper, the Digital Optical Modules (DOMs) are used to detect, digitize and timestamp the signals from optical Cherenkov-radiation photons at the South Pole.
Abstract: IceCube is a km-scale neutrino observatory under construction at the South Pole with sensors both in the deep ice (InIce) and on the surface (IceTop). The sensors, called Digital Optical Modules (DOMs). detect, digitize and timestamp the signals from optical Cherenkov-radiation photons. The DOM Main Board (MB) data acquisition subsystem is connected to the central DAQ in the IceCube Laboratory (ICL) by a single twisted copper wire-pair and transmits packetized data on demand. Time calibration is maintained throughout the array by regular transmission to the DOMs of precisely timed analog signals, synchronized to a central GPS-disciplined clock. The design goals and consequent features, functional capabilities, and initial performance of the DOM MB, and the operation of a combined array of DOMs as a system, are described here. Experience with the first InIce strings and the IceTop stations indicates that the system design and performance goals have been achieved. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated coronary angiography using whole-heart 320-row CT, which avoids exposure-intensive overscanning and overranging, and found that per-patient sensitivity and specificity for CT compared with conventional coronary Angiography were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72 to 100) and 94%(95% CI, 73 to 100), respectively.
Abstract: Background— Noninvasive coronary angiography with the use of multislice computed tomography (CT) scanners is feasible with high sensitivity and negative predictive value; however, the radiation exposure associated with this technique is rather high. We evaluated coronary angiography using whole-heart 320-row CT, which avoids exposure-intensive overscanning and overranging. Methods and Results— A total of 30 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease referred for clinically indicated conventional coronary angiography (CCA) were included in this prospective intention-to-diagnose study. CT was performed with the use of up to 320 simultaneous detector rows before same-day CCA, which, together with quantitative analysis, served as the reference standard. The per-patient sensitivity and specificity for CT compared with CCA were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72 to 100) and 94% (95% CI, 73 to 100), respectively. Per-vessel versus per-segment sensitivity and specificity were 89% (95% CI, 62 ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The best peptides, representing the top quartile of predicted activities, were effective against a broad array of multidrug-resistant "Superbugs" with activities that were equal to or better than four highly used conventional antibiotics.
Abstract: Increased multiple antibiotic resistance in the face of declining antibiotic discovery is one of society's most pressing health issues. Antimicrobial peptides represent a promising new class of antibiotics. Here we ask whether it is possible to make small broad spectrum peptides employing minimal assumptions, by capitalizing on accumulating chemical biology information. Using peptide array technology, two large random 9-amino-acid peptide libraries were iteratively created using the amino acid composition of the most active peptides. The resultant data was used together with Artificial Neural Networks, a powerful machine learning technique, to create quantitative in silico models of antibiotic activity. On the basis of random testing, these models proved remarkably effective in predicting the activity of 100,000 virtual peptides. The best peptides, representing the top quartile of predicted activities, were effective against a broad array of multidrug-resistant "Superbugs" with activities that were equal to or better than four highly used conventional antibiotics, more effective than the most advanced clinical candidate antimicrobial peptide, and protective against Staphylococcus aureus infections in animal models.

Book
27 Apr 2009
TL;DR: In this article, a minimal methodology for designing the Femtedit network is presented, and the materiality of learning is discussed. But the authors do not discuss the role of technology in the design of the FemTEDIT network.
Abstract: 1. Introduction: a minimal methodology 2. Components and opponents: designing the Femtedit Network 3. Forms of technology 4. Forms of knowledge 5. Forms of presence 6. Conclusion: the materiality of learning.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The economics profession appears to have been unaware of the long build-up to the current worldwide financial crisis, and to have significantly underestimated its dimensions once it started to unfold as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The economics profession appears to have been unaware of the long build-up to the current worldwide financial crisis and to have significantly underestimated its dimensions once it started to unfold. In our view, this lack of understanding is due to a misallocation of research efforts in economics. We trace the deeper roots of this failure to the profession's focus on models that, by design, disregard key elements driving outcomes in real-world markets. The economics profession has failed in communicating the limitations, weaknesses, and even dangers of its preferred models to the public. This state of affairs makes clear the need for a major reorientation of focus in the research economists undertake, as well as for the establishment of an ethical code that would ask economists to understand and communicate the limitations and potential misuses of their models.