Efficient inter-group competition and the provision of public goods

We propose an intergroup competition scheme (ICS) to solve the free-riding problem in the public goods game. Our solution only requires knowledge of the group contributions, is budget balanced and with the right parameters a dominant strategy. The main innovations of our design are that the prize to the winning group is paid by the losing group and that the size of the transfer depends on the difference in contribution by the two groups. With the right parameters, this scheme changes the dominant strategy from none to full contribution. We tested different parameterizations for the ICS. The experiments show dramatic gains in efficiency in all the ICS treatments. Moreover, versions of the ICS in which intergroup competition should not change the zero contribution Nash equilibrium also produce remarkable gains in efficiency and no decline in contributions over time.public goods, intergroup competition, team production, voluntary contributions mechanism, economic experiments

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Understanding the informal public transport : the case of indigenous public transport system in Davao City Philippines

2008【要旨

MOTORCYCLE-PROPELLED PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND LOCAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT

In most developing countries, motorcycles are part of the essential mode of transportation. In the case of the Philippines, local public transport in the form of tricycles as well as “habal-habal”, or “motorcycle taxi” exists. This paper reviewed the local transport policy development with regards to innovating motorcycles as tricycles or using motorcycles as a public transport mode. It assumes that motorcycle-propelled public transport precedes the development of local public transport policy. Davao City is chosen as the site for the case study since a wide variation of motorcycle-innovations can be observed. Philippine tricycle is classified as a motor vehicle composed of motorcycle fitted with a single wheel sidecar or with a two-wheel cab, operated as a public transport for a fee. In Davao City, three forms of tricycles can be observed: side-cab, center-cab and open cab. An emerging mode, in the form of motorcycle taxi known as “habal-habal” can also be found. The study shows that the presence of various motorcycle-propelled public transport in Davao City is attributed to inadequacy of either national or local policy that defines its operation and physical design. The policy response of eliminating “triciboat” and the presence of private motorcycle credit facility led to the emergence of informal and illegal modes like the “habal-habal” and open-cab tricycles. The issues and gaps in policy implementation and the importance of relating policies to local urban and transportation planning and management were discussed

Is the use of informal public transport modes in developing countries habitual? An empirical study in Davao City, Philippines

The presence of unique kinds of public transportation often described as informal characterizes many cities in developing countries. As often noted, people in the lower income categories are usually the ones who rely on informal public transport services. In the Philippines, one can observed that an average Filipino uses door-to-door transport services regularly. This starts from stepping out of the house, walking several paces (if at all), hailing a “pedicab” (bicycle with a side-cab) or tricycle (motorcycle with side-cab), to riding a public utility jeepney (PUJs) or bus, getting-off, hopping on to another “pedicab or “tricycle”, and getting transported right to the door of final destination. Using Davao City, Philippines as the case study area, the paper tries to explore the concept of habit and dependency on the different road-based public transport modes based on both theories of rational behavior and planned behavior. Empirical results using structural analysis show the strong public transport dependency to PUJs and tricycles where half of the household population have vehicles. It confirms the role of rational behavior where socio-economic factors affect modal decision. Likewise, the study also shows interesting findings wherein the quality of service evaluation played a direct role in the perceived dependency to formal modes (buses, taxis) and informal mode (such as motorcycle taxis or MC taxis) but an indirect role in the actual use of the mode. The study shows the relationship of perceived reliance vis-à-vis trip recall using indigenous modes (PUJs, tricycles) and supports the theory that suggests the role of habits and “mere exposure” effect. As noted in many related studies, it is not easy to alter habits. This indicator is validated by the actual use of public transport modes especially tricycles and MC taxis for short-distance trips as well as how one views own dependency vis-à-vis how the same individual sees his/her household and community dependency to a certain public transport mode. These findings suggest the need to understand Filipino commuter\u27s psychology and a careful review and understanding of the concept of sustainability, infrastructure needs, seamless multi-modal connections and over-all quality of service given limited economic support in a context of an emerging city in a developing country

Sustainable transportation in the Philippines

Various studies have confirmed the numerous advantages of non transportation (NMT) especially on the environment and personal wellmotorized being of the commuter. Unfortunately its transportation modal share has always been negligible in the Philippines. Recently, the rapid rise in the price of oil and an overwhelming increase in environmental awareness have resurrected the intere sts of commuters, policymakers an d transport planners on the use and promotion of NMT. This study analyzes the Philippine case by reviewing its overall NMTrelated transport policies at the national and local levels and by investigating the use of pedicab s and bicycles in the country. The results reveal various sporadic initiatives in the promotion, use and regulation of NMT. Issues such as the lack of both hard and soft infrastructure (physical facilities and policies, respectively) serve as major impediments in the growth and development of NMT in the country. The challenge is to encourage different stakeholders in promoting NMT

Towards a sustainable transportation environment: The case of pedicabs and cycling in the Philippines

Various studies have confirmed the numerous advantages of non transportation (NMT) especially on the environment and personal wellmotorized being of the commuter. Unfortunately its transportation modal share has always been negligible in the Philippines. Recently, the rapid rise in the price of oil and an overwhelming increase in environmental awareness have resurrected the intere sts of commuters, policymakers an d transport planners on the use and promotion of NMT. This study analyzes the Philippine case by reviewing its overall NMTrelated transport policies at the national and local levels and by investigating the use of pedicab s and bicycles in the country. The results reveal various sporadic initiatives in the promotion, use and regulation of NMT. Issues such as the lack of both hard and soft infrastructure (physical facilities and policies, respectively) serve as major impediments in the growth and development of NMT in the country. The challenge is to encourage different stakeholders in promoting NMT

A simple and affordable kinetic assay of nucleic acids with SYBR Gold gel staining.

Labeling substrates or products are paramount in determining enzymatic kinetic parameters. Several options are available; many laboratories use either radioactive or fluorescent labeling because of their high sensitivity. However, those methods have their own drawbacks such as half-life decay, expensive and hazardous. Here, we propose a novel, simple, economical and fast alternative to substrate labeling for studying the kinetics of nucleic acids: post-migration gel staining with SYBR Gold. Cleavage rates similar to the ones reported in the literature for the I-R3 DNA-cleaving DNA enzyme in the presence of zinc chloride are an indication of the quality of the new method. Moreover, the activity of the hammerhead ribozyme was also monitored by our method to illustrate its versatility. This labeling-free method has several advantages such as its ease of use as well as cost effective and versatility with both non-structured and structured RNAs or DNAs