170 research outputs found
Two-way Flow Networks with Small Decay
This paper characterizes the set of equilibrium networks in the two-way flow model of network formation with small decay, and this for all increasing benefit functions of the players. We show that as long as the population is large enough, this set contains large- as well as small-diameter networks. For all benefit functions, the periphery-sponsored star is the most stable. When the marginal benefits of information are constant, all non-star networks are equally stable. With increasing marginal benefits of information, small-diameter networks in general tend to be more stable. However, with decreasing marginal benefits of information, large-diameter networks tend to be the most robust along with the periphery-sponsored sta
Nash Codes for Noisy Channels
This paper studies the stability of communication protocols that deal with
transmission errors. We consider a coordination game between an informed sender
and an uninformed decision maker, the receiver, who communicate over a noisy
channel. The sender's strategy, called a code, maps states of nature to
signals. The receiver's best response is to decode the received channel output
as the state with highest expected receiver payoff. Given this decoding, an
equilibrium or "Nash code" results if the sender encodes every state as
prescribed. We show two theorems that give sufficient conditions for Nash
codes. First, a receiver-optimal code defines a Nash code. A second, more
surprising observation holds for communication over a binary channel which is
used independently a number of times, a basic model of information
transmission: Under a minimal "monotonicity" requirement for breaking ties when
decoding, which holds generically, EVERY code is a Nash code.Comment: More general main Theorem 6.5 with better proof. New examples and
introductio
Hyperkahler Metrics from Periodic Monopoles
Relative moduli spaces of periodic monopoles provide novel examples of
Asymptotically Locally Flat hyperkahler manifolds. By considering the
interactions between well-separated periodic monopoles, we infer the asymptotic
behavior of their metrics. When the monopole moduli space is four-dimensional,
this construction yields interesting examples of metrics with self-dual
curvature (gravitational instantons). We discuss their topology and complex
geometry. An alternative construction of these gravitational instantons using
moduli spaces of Hitchin equations is also described.Comment: 23 pages, latex. v2: an erroneous formula is corrected, and its
derivation is given. v3 (published version): references adde
N=2 Supersymmetric Scalar-Tensor Couplings
We determine the general coupling of a system of scalars and antisymmetric
tensors, with at most two derivatives and undeformed gauge transformations, for
both rigid and local N=2 supersymmetry in four-dimensional spacetime. Our
results cover interactions of hyper, tensor and double-tensor multiplets and
apply among others to Calabi-Yau threefold compactifications of Type II
supergravities. As an example, we give the complete Lagrangian and
supersymmetry transformation rules of the double-tensor multiplet dual to the
universal hypermultiplet.Comment: 23 pages, LaTeX2e with amsmath.sty; v2: corrected typos and added
referenc
TBA for non-perturbative moduli spaces
Recently, an exact description of instanton corrections to the moduli spaces
of 4d N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories compactified on a circle and Calabi-Yau
compactifications of Type II superstring theories was found. The equations
determining the instanton contributions turn out to have the form of
Thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz. We explore further this relation and, in
particular, we identify the contact potential of quaternionic string moduli
space with the free energy of the integrable system and the Kahler potential of
the gauge theory moduli space with the Yang-Yang functional. We also show that
the corresponding S-matrix satisfies all usual constraints of 2d integrable
models, including crossing and bootstrap, and derive the associated Y-system.
Surprisingly, in the simplest case the Y-system is described by the MacMahon
function relevant for crystal melting and topological strings.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figur
N = 2 supersymmetric sigma-models and duality
For two families of four-dimensional off-shell N = 2 supersymmetric nonlinear
sigma-models constructed originally in projective superspace, we develop their
formulation in terms of N = 1 chiral superfields. Specifically, these theories
are: (i) sigma-models on cotangent bundles T*M of arbitrary real analytic
Kaehler manifolds M; (ii) general superconformal sigma-models described by
weight-one polar supermultiplets. Using superspace techniques, we obtain a
universal expression for the holomorphic symplectic two-form \omega^{(2,0)}
which determines the second supersymmetry transformation and is associated with
the two complex structures of the hyperkaehler space T*M that are complimentary
to the one induced from M. This two-form is shown to coincide with the
canonical holomorphic symplectic structure. In the case (ii), we demonstrate
that \omega^{(2,0)} and the homothetic conformal Killing vector determine the
explicit form of the superconformal transformations. At the heart of our
construction is the duality (generalized Legendre transform) between off-shell
N = 2 supersymmetric nonlinear sigma-models and their on-shell N = 1 chiral
realizations. We finally present the most general N = 2 superconformal
nonlinear sigma-model formulated in terms of N = 1 chiral superfields. The
approach developed can naturally be generalized in order to describe 5D and 6D
superconformal nonlinear sigma-models in 4D N = 1 superspace.Comment: 31 pages, no figures; V2: reference and comments added, typos
corrected; V3: more typos corrected, published versio
Hospital characteristics and patient populations served by physician owned and non physician owned orthopedic specialty hospitals
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence of physician owned specialty hospitals focusing on high margin procedures has generated significant controversy. Yet, it is unclear whether physician owned specialty hospitals differ significantly from non physician owned specialty hospitals and thus merit the additional scrutiny that has been proposed. Our objective was to assess whether physician owned specialty orthopedic hospitals and non physician owned specialty orthopedic hospitals differ with respect to hospital characteristics and patient populations served.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a descriptive study using Medicare data of beneficiaries who underwent total hip replacement (THR) (N = 10,478) and total knee replacement (TKR) (N = 15,312) in 29 physician owned and 8 non physician owned specialty orthopedic hospitals during 1999–2003. We compared hospital characteristics of physician owned and non physician owned specialty hospitals including procedural volumes of major joint replacements (THR and TKR), hospital teaching status, and for profit status. We then compared demographics and prevalence of common comorbid conditions for patients treated in physician owned and non physician owned specialty hospitals. Finally, we examined whether the socio-demographic characteristics of the neighborhoods where physician owned and non physician owned specialty hospitals differed, as measured by zip code level data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Physician owned specialty hospitals performed fewer major joint replacements on Medicare beneficiaries in 2003 than non physician owed specialty hospitals (64 vs. 678, P < .001), were less likely to be affiliated with a medical school (6% vs. 43%, P = .05), and were more likely to be for profit (94% vs. 28%, P = .001). Patients who underwent major joint replacement in physician owned specialty hospitals were less likely to be black than patients in non physician owned specialty hospitals (2.5% vs. 3.1% for THR, P = .15; 1.8% vs. 6.3% for TKR, P < .001), yet physician owned specialty hospitals were located in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of black residents (8.2% vs. 6.7%, P = .76). Patients in physician owned hospitals had lower rates of most common comorbid conditions including heart failure and obesity (P < .05 for both).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Physician owned specialty orthopedic hospitals differ significantly from non physician owned specialty orthopedic hospitals and may warrant the additional scrutiny policy makers have proposed.</p
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