Allocative Efficiency and an Incentive Scheme for Research

In this paper we examine whether an incentive scheme for improving research can have adverse effect on research itself. This work is mainly motivated by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in UK. In a game theoretic framework we show that a scheme like RAE/REF can actually result in deterioration of the over-all research in a country though it may create a few isolated centres of excellence. The central assumption behind this result is that high ability researchers produce positive externalities to their colleagues. We assume these externalities have declining marginal benefit as the number of high ability researchers in a department increases. Because of this declining marginal benefit an incentive scheme like the RAE or REF may lead to over concentration of the high ability researchers in a few departments.RAE, REF, coalitions, strong nash equilibrium

Simultaneous Continuation of Infinitely Many Sinks Near a Quadratic Homoclinic Tangency

We prove that the $C^3$ diffeomorphisms on surfaces, exhibiting infinitely many sinksnear the generic unfolding of a quadratic homoclinic tangency of a dissipative saddle, can be perturbed along an infinite dimensional manifold of $C^3$ diffeomorphisms such that infinitely many sinks persist simultaneously. On the other hand, if they are perturbed along one-parameter families that unfold generically the quadratic tangencies, then at most a finite number of those sinks have continuation

A New Medicare End-of-Life Benefit for Nursing Home Residents

A new Medicare benefit is needed to support end-of-life care for those spending their final days in a nursing home, say the authors of this article. Arguing that the current hospice benefit is a poor fit with the nursing home setting, the authors recommend a new benefit that would enable nursing home residents to receive individualized palliative and psychosocial services in addition to rehabilitative services

Randomised feasibility study of a novel experience-based internet intervention to support self-management in chronic asthma.

ElectronicPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Combinatorial synthesis of oxysulfides in the lanthanum-bismuth-copper system

Establishing synthesis methods for a target material constitutes a grand challenge in materials research, which is compounded with use-inspired specifications on the format of the material. Solar photochemistry using thin film materials is a promising technology for which many complex materials are being proposed, and the present work describes application of combinatorial methods to explore the synthesis of predicted La–Bi–Cu oxysulfide photocathodes, in particular alloys of LaCuOS and BiCuOS. The variation in concentration of three cations and two anions in thin film materials, and crystallization thereof, is achieved by a combination of reactive sputtering and thermal processes including reactive annealing and rapid thermal processing. Composition and structural characterization establish composition-processing-structure relationships that highlight the breadth of processing conditions required for synthesis of LaCuOS and BiCuOS. The relative irreducibility of La oxides and limited diffusion indicate the need for high temperature processing, which conflicts with the temperature limits for mitigating evaporation of Bi and S. Collectively the results indicate that alloys of these phases will require reactive annealing protocols that are uniquely tailored to each composition, motivating advancement of dynamic processing capabilities to further automate discovery of synthesis routes

Coarse-Grained Force Fields from the Perspective of Statistical Mechanics: Better Understanding of the Origins of a MARTINI Hangover

The popular MARTINI coarse-grained model is used as a test case to analyze the adherence of top-down coarse-grained molecular dynamics models (i.e., models primarily parametrized to match experimental results) to the known features of statistical mechanics for the underlying all-atom representations. Specifically, the temperature dependence of various pair distribution functions, and hence their underlying potentials of mean force via the reversible work theorem, are compared between MARTINI 2.0, Dry MARTINI, and all-atom simulations mapped onto equivalent coarse-grained sites for certain lipid bilayers. It is found that the MARTINI models do not completely capture the lipid structure seen in atomistic simulations as projected onto the coarse-grained mappings and that issues of accuracy and temperature transferability arise due to an incorrect enthalpy–entropy decomposition of these potentials of mean force. The potential of mean force for the association of two amphipathic helices in a lipid bilayer is also calculated, and especially at shorter ranges, the MARTINI and all-atom projection results differ substantially. The former is much less repulsive and hence will lead to a higher probability of MARTINI helix association in the MARTINI bilayer than occurs in the actual all-atom case. Additionally, the bilayer height fluctuation spectra are calculated for the MARTINI model, and compared to the all-atom results, it is found that the magnitude of thermally averaged amplitudes at intermediate length scales are quite different, pointing to a number of possible consequences for realistic modeling of membrane processes. Taken as a whole, the results presented here show disagreement in the enthalpic and entropic driving forces driving lateral structure in lipid bilayers as well as quantitative differences in association of embedded amphipathic helices, which can help direct future efforts to parametrize CG models with better agreement to the all-atom systems they aspire to represent

Sport and Family Functioning: Strengthening Elite Sport Families

Families play an important role in society, both in human sustenance and individual development.  Family systems theory views the family as a series of interconnected parts that when functioning properly, provide individual members with multiple benefits. Interaction with external systems, such as sport, school or church, can have positive and negative impacts on the family. It is unclear, however, what elements of sport relate to specific outcomes.  The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationship between elite youth sport participation and family units, and how these two spheres, individually and in combination, impact family functioning.  In-depth, purposeful interviews with seven “sport families” revealed that in addition to the depletion of resources (financial and time), elite sport engagement strongly detracts from the marital dyad and family unit receiving sufficient time and attention for proper functioning.  The results also offer insight into how the leagues can be better managed such that they positively contribute to family functioning.  Specifically, the results indicate that leagues can aid in strengthening family functioning through allowing families to have coaching input, and providing greater attention to scheduling, league expectations, and instrumental support

Infinitely Many Stochastically Stable Attractors

Let f be a diffeomorphism of a compact finite dimensional boundaryless manifold M exhibiting infinitely many coexisting attractors. Assume that each attractor supports a stochastically stable probability measure and that the union of the basins of attraction of each attractor covers Lebesgue almost all points of M. We prove that the time averages of almost all orbits under random perturbations are given by a finite number of probability measures. Moreover these probability measures are close to the probability measures supported by the attractors when the perturbations are close to the original map f.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure

Identifying Feasible Physical Activity Programs for Long-Term Care Homes in the Ontario Context

Background Structured exercise programs for frail institutionalized seniors have shown improvement in physical, functional, and psychological health of this population. However, the ‘feasibility’ of implementation of such programs in real settings is seldom discussed. The purpose of this systematic review was to gauge feasibility of exercise and falls prevention programs from the perspective of long-term care homes in Ontario, given the recent changes in funding for publically funded physiotherapy services. Method Six electronic databases were searched by two independent researchers for randomized controlled trials that targeted longterm care residents and included exercise as an independent component of the intervention. Results A total of 39 studies were included in this review. A majority of these interventions were led by physiotherapist(s), carried out three times per week for 30–45 minutes per session. However, a few group-based interventions that were led by long-term care staff, volunteers, or trained non-exercise specialists were identified that also required minimal equipment. Conclusion This systematic review has identified ‘feasible’ physical activity and falls prevention programs that required minimal investment in staff and equipment, and demonstrated positive outcomes. Implementation of such programs represents cost-effective means of providing long-term care residents with meaningful gains in physical, psychological, and social health