Classifying Monetary Economics: Fields and Methods from Past to Future

We propose a simple, yet sufficiently encompassing classification scheme of monetary economics. It comprises three fundamental fields and six recent areas that expand within and across these fields. The elements of our scheme are not found together and in their mutual relationships in earlier studies of the relevant literature, neither is this an attempt to produce a relatively complete systematization. Our intention in taking stock is not finality or exhaustiveness. We rather suggest a viewpoint and a possible ordering of the accumulating knowledge. Our hope is to stimulate an improved understanding of the evolving nature and internal consistency of monetary economics at large.monetary economics, monetary theory, monetary policy, public finance, classification, methodology

The evolution of carrying capacity in constrained and expanding tumour cell populations

Cancer cells are known to modify their micro-environment such that it can sustain a larger population, or, in ecological terms, they construct a niche which increases the carrying capacity of the population. It has however been argued that niche construction, which benefits all cells in the tumour, would be selected against since cheaters could reap the benefits without paying the cost. We have investigated the impact of niche specificity on tumour evolution using an individual based model of breast tumour growth, in which the carrying capacity of each cell consists of two components: an intrinsic, subclone-specific part and a contribution from all neighbouring cells. Analysis of the model shows that the ability of a mutant to invade a resident population depends strongly on the specificity. When specificity is low selection is mostly on growth rate, while high specificity shifts selection towards increased carrying capacity. Further, we show that the long-term evolution of the system can be predicted using adaptive dynamics. By comparing the results from a spatially structured vs.\ well-mixed population we show that spatial structure restores selection for carrying capacity even at zero specificity, which a poses solution to the niche construction dilemma. Lastly, we show that an expanding population exhibits spatially variable selection pressure, where cells at the leading edge exhibit higher growth rate and lower carrying capacity than those at the centre of the tumour.Comment: Major revisions compared to previous version. The paper is now aimed at tumour modelling. We now start out with an agent-based model for which we derive a mean-field ODE-model. The ODE-model is further analysed using the theory of adaptive dynamic

The relationship between self-blame for the onset of a chronic physical health condition and emotional distress : a systematic literature review

Objective: Past literature presents contrasting perspectives regarding the potential influence of self-blame on adjustment to illness. This systematic literature review aimed to summarise findings from all investigations to date that have explored the relationship between self-blame for the onset of a chronic physical health condition and emotional distress. Method: Between November 2014 and February 2015 electronic databases were searched for relevant literature. Only those studies which assessed self-blame directly and related specifically to illness onset were included within the review. The methodological and reporting quality of all eligible articles was assessed and themes within the findings were discussed using a narrative synthesis approach. Results: The majority of studies found self-blame to be associated with increased distress. However, several concerns with the quality of the reviewed articles may undermine the validity of their conclusions. Conclusions: It is important for professionals supporting people with chronic physical health conditions to have an understanding of how of self-critical causal attributions might relate to emotional distress. Further research is required to understand the concept of self-blame, the factors that may encourage this belief and to develop reliable and valid measures of this experience

Resistance of a compartmented surface-effect ship

A series of carefully controlled experiments on the resistance of a model of a compartmented surface-effect ship has been conducted in a towing tank. Configurations of the model included cases encompassing one subcushion and two subcushions, as well as differing values of the pressures in the subcushions. It was shown that a reduced total resistance in the appropriate range of Froude number could be achieved in this manner. Furthermore, the previously developed theory for the resistance of a surface-effect ship was verified for the model for a Froude number greater than 0.40