National Research University – Higher School of Economics

About: National Research University – Higher School of Economics is a education organization based out in Moscow, Russia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Politics. The organization has 12873 authors who have published 23376 publications receiving 256396 citations.

Subnational Appointments in Authoritarian Regimes: Evidence from Russian Gubernatorial Appointments

Abstract: Elections are among the most important and least understood institutions in contemporary authoritarian regimes. Theoretically, electoral authoritarian regimes should have an informational advantage that makes them more robust than other types of authoritarian regimes, but much empirical evidence suggests otherwise. In this paper we offer a new perspective on why this might be the case. Specifically, we consider how authoritarian elections influence a ruler’s choices in making cadre appointments. We argue that the imperative of winning authoritarian elections forces authoritarian leaders to prioritize the appointment of politically loyal cadres, who can help the regime win elections. This choice often comes at the expense of appointing officials who are competent at making good public policy and promoting economic development, factors that may contribute to long-term regime stability. We test this theory using an original dataset of gubernatorial appointments in one leading contemporary authoritarian regime, Russia.

Quantum difference equation for Nakajima varieties

Abstract: For an arbitrary Nakajima quiver variety $X$, we construct an analog of the quantum dynamical Weyl group acting in its equivariant K-theory. The correct generalization of the Weyl group here is the fundamental groupoid of a certain periodic locally finite hyperplane arrangement in $Pic(X)\otimes {\mathbb{C}}$. We identify the lattice part of this groupoid with the operators of quantum difference equation for $X$. The cases of quivers of finite and affine type are illustrated by explicit examples.

Base change for semiorthogonal decompositions

Abstract: Consider an algebraic variety $X$ over a base scheme $S$ and a faithful base change $T \to S$. Given an admissible subcategory $\CA$ in the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves on $X$, we construct an admissible subcategory in the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves on the fiber product $X\times_S T$, called the base change of $\CA$, in such a way that the following base change theorem holds: if a semiorthogonal decomposition of the bounded derived category of $X$ is given then the base changes of its components form a semiorthogonal decomposition of the bounded derived category of the fiber product. As an intermediate step we construct a compatible system of semiorthogonal decompositions of the unbounded derived category of quasicoherent sheaves on $X$ and of the category of perfect complexes on $X$. As an application we prove that the projection functors of a semiorthogonal decomposition are kernel functors.

Dissociations of cognitive inhibition, response inhibition, and emotional interference: Voxelwise ALE meta-analyses of fMRI studies.

Abstract: Inhibitory control is the stopping of a mental process with or without intention, conceptualized as mental suppression of competing information because of limited cognitive capacity. Inhibitory control dysfunction is a core characteristic of many major psychiatric disorders. Inhibition is generally thought to involve the prefrontal cortex; however, a single inhibitory mechanism is insufficient for interpreting the heterogeneous nature of human cognition. It remains unclear whether different dimensions of inhibitory processes-specifically cognitive inhibition, response inhibition, and emotional interference-rely on dissociated neural systems. We conducted systematic meta-analyses of fMRI studies in the BrainMap database supplemented by PubMed using whole-brain activation likelihood estimation. A total of 66 study experiments including 1,447 participants and 987 foci revealed that while the left anterior insula was concordant in all inhibitory dimensions, cognitive inhibition reliably activated specific dorsal frontal inhibitory system, engaging dorsal anterior cingulate, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and parietal areas, whereas emotional interference reliably implicated a ventral inhibitory system, involving the ventral surface of the inferior frontal gyrus and the amygdala. Response inhibition showed concordant clusters in the fronto-striatal system, including the dorsal anterior cingulate region and extended supplementary motor areas, the dorsal and ventral lateral prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, midbrain regions, and parietal regions. We provide an empirically derived dimensional model of inhibition characterizing neural systems underlying different aspects of inhibitory mechanisms. This study offers a fundamental framework to advance current understanding of inhibition and provides new insights for future clinical research into disorders with different types of inhibition-related dysfunctions.