Dynamics in an OLG model with non-separable preferences

This paper presents sufficient conditions for existence and uniqueness of a steady state equilibrium in an OLG model with non separable preferences and analyzes the implications of such assumption for the local stability of the steady state equilibrium. The conditions for a stable solution are derived under the assumption that habits are transmitted both across and within generations. Under this assumption, monotonic convergence to the steady state is not always assured. Both competitive and optimal equilibrium may display explosive dynamics

A note on the power of panel conitegration tests - An application to health care expenditure and GDP

This paper enlarges on Gutierrez's (2003) results on the power of panel cointegration tests. By a comparison of power of panel cointegration tests, we show how the choice of most powerful test depends on the values of the sample statistics. Country - by - country and panel stationarity and cointegration tests are performed on a panel of 20 OECD countries over the period 1971 - 2004. Residual - based tests and a cointegration rank test in the system of health care expenditure and GDP are used to test cointegration. Asymptotic normal distribution of these tests allows a straightforward comparison: for some values of the sample statistics, residual - based and rank tests are not directly comparable as the power of the residual - based tests oscillates; for other values of the sample statistics, the rank test is more powerful than the residual - based tests. This suggests that a clear-cut conclusion on the most powerful test cannot be reached a priori

Fairness in Primary Care Procurement Measures of Under-Doctoredness: Sensitivity Analysis and Trends

The White Paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say noted concerns about geographical equity of access to GPs (Department of Health, 2006, page 63), listed the 30 PCTs with the lowest number of GPs per head of need adjusted population, and set out policy initiatives to attract additional providers of general practice services to these PCTs. We were asked to evaluate the impact of these policies on the bottom 30 PCTs and will report in Autumn 2010. In this report we consider a number of related measurement issues which are relevant for consideration of policy on equality of access to general practice. Our main conclusion is that whilst the set of worst provided PCTs varies, sometimes substantially, with the choice of GP supply measure, need adjustment, and population base, the set of 30 identified by the White Paper contains a core of around 10 PCTs which are amongst the worst provided on most possible alternative definitions. The White Paper set also contains a larger fringe group which are in the bottom 30 on some definitions, particularly when the White Paper definition of GPs is used, but which also often fall outside the worst provided bottom 30. There is no obviously right set of definitions of GPs, need adjustments, and populations which can be implemented with available data. Judgements are required and those underlying the White Paper seem not unreasonable. However, we suggest that consideration be given to broadening the definition of the general practice staff from GPs to include practice nurses and possibly non-clinical staff as well.

Do hospital mergers reduce waiting times? Theory and evidence from the english NHS

We analyse - theoretically and empirically- the effect of hospital mergers on waiting times in healthcare markets where prices are fixed. Using a spatial modelling framework where patients choose provider based on travelling distance and waiting times, we show that the effect is theoretically ambiguous. In the presence of cost synergies, the scope for lower waiting times as a result of the merger is larger if the hospitals are more profit- oriented. This result is arguably confirmed by our empirical analysis, which is based on a conditional flexible difference-in-differences methodology applied to a long panel of data on hospital merger in the English NHS, where we find that the effects of a merger on waiting times crucially rely on a legal status that can reasonably be linked to the degree of profit-orientation. Whereas hospital mergers involving Foundation Trusts tend to reduce waiting times, the corresponding effect of mergers involving hospitals without this legal status tends to go in the opposite direction

Analysis of a scaled stone masonry facade subjected to differential settlements

Historical masonry structures are vulnerable to differential settlements of the ground. This vulnerability is potentially higher for historic buildings on wooden pile foundations, which can have their bearing capacity reduced by material deterioration. In order to protect such buildings from the effect of soil subsidence it is therefore essential assessing their response to settlements. The aim of this paper is to investigate the settlement-induced damage on a stone masonry façade. For the first time, experimental testing and computational analyses were performed on a scaled model of a specific existing historic structure, the Loggia palace in Brescia, Italy. Differential settlements were applied to dry blocks and mortar joints models of the façade. Experimental results showed the capability of the façade to reach a new equilibrium configuration following the subsidence of two adjacent columns. This approach can be used to assess the behaviour of similar structures. The validated numerical model confirms the interpretation of the failure mechanism and has the potential to allow extending the approach to a wider range of settlement and structural scenarios, as well as to different buildings

Erasmus+sport let’s move Europa: learning units for health promotion among children and adolescents

Background School years are crucial for acquiring life-lasting healthy habits. However, an increasing rate of children and adolescents fail to maintain a healthy lifestyle. European Union has financed the Erasmus+ Sport Let’s Move Europa project to design an innovative digital tool for promoting healthy lifestyles among those age groups. University of Bologna, partner of the project, has developed 30 Learning Units (LUs) about Physical Activity, Sleep and Nutrition to be integrated in the school program by teacher

Analysis of a scaled stone masonry facade subjected to differential settlements

Historical masonry structures are vulnerable to differential settlements of the ground. This vulnerability is potentially higher for historic buildings on wooden pile foundations, which can have their bearing capacity reduced by material deterioration. In order to protect such buildings from the effect of soil subsidence it is therefore essential assessing their response to settlements. The aim of this paper is to investigate the settlement-induced damage on a stone masonry façade. For the first time, experimental testing and computational analyses were performed on a scaled model of a specific existing historic structure, the Loggia palace in Brescia, Italy. Differential settlements were applied to dry blocks and mortar joints models of the façade. Experimental results showed the capability of the façade to reach a new equilibrium configuration following the subsidence of two adjacent columns. This approach can be used to assess the behaviour of similar structures. The validated numerical model confirms the interpretation of the failure mechanism and has the potential to allow extending the approach to a wider range of settlement and structural scenarios, as well as to different buildings

Evaluation of school-based interventions including homework to promote healthy lifestyles: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Aim: It is important to promote healthy lifestyles in youth through initiatives in school, which is a preferred setting to implement health-related interventions also targeted at families to be more effective. This study aimed to synthesise school-based interventions including homework and extracurricular activities for the promotion of healthy lifestyles, especially healthy nutrition and physical activity, in children and adolescents. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Tool for Quality Assessment for randomized and non-randomized control trials, while the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology) guidelines were used for observational studies. Results: From the 1356 studies identified, eight were included. Across studies, a significant effect was found in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing snack and sugar intake, while no effect was found for moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) unless for light PA (LPA) and step counts. The results of BMI and waist circumference are still unclear after performing a meta-analysis of three studies. Conclusion: School-based interventions including homework and extracurricular activities were shown to improve nutritional behaviour, step counts, and LPA. Despite some statistically significant results, the effects of BMI and waist circumference are still unclear. Further studies are needed to demonstrate that these intervention s can represent an effective strategy for obesity prevention