Conductivity of Paired Composite Fermions

We develop a phenomenological description of the nu=5/2 quantum Hall state in which the Halperin-Lee-Read theory of the half-filled Landau level is combined with a p-wave pairing interaction between composite fermions (CFs). The electromagnetic response functions for the resulting mean-field superconducting state of the CFs are calculated and used in an RPA calculation of the q and omega dependent longitudinal conductivity of the physical electrons, a quantity which can be measured experimentally

Marine Mammals Inhabiting the Baffin Bay North Water in Winter

Aerial surveys in March-April 1978 and March 1979 showed that some species of marine mammals overwinter in isolated areas of open water in the North Water in northern Baffin Bay. About 700 walruses and 37 bearded seals were seen, most over deep water (200-500 m) near SE Ellesmere Island in March 1979. Both species were much less common in 1978. Approximately 500 belugas were found in recurrent leads along the edge of the fast-ice in eastern Jones and Lancaster sounds and, to a lesser extent, in Smith Sound. Only 12 narwhals were seen. It has been concluded that the North Water is not a major overwintering area for marine mammals

THE CHANGES IN EFFORT DISTRIBUTION FROM NOVICE TO EXPERIENCED PERFORMERS IN THE TRIPLE JUMP

This study investigated the ratios of the three phases in triple jumping by novice (n=8) and experienced (n=5) athletes during indoor competition. Video data were analysed to determine the phase distances for 58 competitive triple jump performances. Phase ratio percentages were calculated for each of the trials. There were significant differences in the step phase percentage (

Striatal dopamine D2 receptor binding of risperidone in schizophrenic patients as assessed by 123I-iodobenzamide SPECT: a comparative study with olanzapine

The aim of this investigation was to compare the degree of striatal dopamine-(D2) receptor blockade by two atypical antipsychotic drugs, risperidone and olanzapine. The percentage of D2 receptor occupancy during treatment was calculated by comparing the results of 123I-iodobenzamide SPECT with those from healthy control subjects. Twenty inpatients suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective psychosis according to DSM IV/ICD-10 criteria were treated with clinically recommended doses of risperidone and compared with 13 inpatients treated with up to 20 mg olanzapine. Neuroleptic dose and D2 receptor blockade correlated strongly for both risperidone (Pearson r = –0.86, p = 0.0001) and olanzapine (Pearson r = –0.77, p = 0.002). There was no significant difference between the D2 receptor occupancy of the two substances when given in the clinically recommended dose range (unpaired t-test, t= –0.112, p=0.911)

Entanglement model of antibody viscosity

Antibody solutions are typically much more viscous than solutions of globular proteins at equivalent volume fraction. Here we propose that this is due to molecular entanglements that are caused by the elongated shape and intrinsic flexibility of antibody molecules. We present a simple theory in which the antibodies are modeled as linear polymers that can grow via reversible bonds between the antigen binding domains. This mechanism explains the observation that relatively subtle changes to the interparticle interaction can lead to large changes in the viscosity. The theory explains the presence of distinct power law regimes in the concentration dependence of the viscosity as well as the correlation between the viscosity and the charge on the variable domain in our anti-streptavidin IgG1 model system

Multidimensional joint coupling: a case study visualisation approach to movement coordination and variability

A case study visualisation approach to examining the coordination and variability of multiple interacting segments is presented using a whole-body gymnastic skill as the task example. One elite male gymnast performed 10 trials of 10 longswings whilst three-dimensional locations of joint centres were tracked using a motion analysis system. Segment angles were used to define coupling between the arms and trunk, trunk and thighs and thighs and shanks. Rectified continuous relative phase profiles for each interacting couple for 80 longswings were produced. Graphical representations of coordination couplings are presented that include the traditional single coupling, followed by the relational dynamics of two couplings and finally three couplings simultaneously plotted. This method highlights the power of visualisation of movement dynamics and identifies properties of the global interacting segmental couplings that a more formal analysis may not reveal. Visualisation precedes and informs the appropriate qualitative and quantitative analysis of the dynamics

Efficacy and safety characteristics of mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate fixed-dose combination in subjects with moderate to very severe COPD: findings from pooled analysis of two randomized, 52-week placebo-controlled trials

Background: The clinical efficacy and safety of a mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate (MF/F) fixed-dose combination formulation administered via a metered-dose inhaler was investigated in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Two 52-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with identical study designs were conducted in current or ex-smokers (aged =40 years), and pooled study results are presented herein. Subjects (n = 2251) were randomized to 26 weeks of twice-daily treatment with MF/F 400/10 µg, MF/F 200/10 µg, MF 400 µg, F 10 µg, or placebo. After the 26-week treatment period, placebo subjects completed the trial and 75% of subjects on active treatment entered a 26-week safety extension. Coprimary efficacy variables were mean changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), area under the curve from 0 to 12 hours postdose (AUC0–12 h), and morning predose/trough FEV1 from baseline to the week 13 endpoint. Key secondary efficacy variables were St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire scores, symptom-free nights, time-to-first exacerbation, and partly stable COPD at the week 26 endpoint. Results: In the 26-week treatment period, significantly greater increases in FEV1 AUC0–12 h occurred with MF/F 400/10 versus MF 400 and placebo at the week 13 and week 26 endpoints (P = 0.032). These increases were over three-fold greater with MF/F 400/10 than with MF 400. Also, significantly greater increases in morning predose/trough FEV1 occurred with MF/F 400/10 versus F 10 and placebo at the week 13 endpoint (P \u3c 0.05). The increase was four-fold greater with MF/F 400/10 than with F 10. All active treatment groups achieved minimum clinically important differences from baseline (\u3e4 units) in St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire scores at week 26. Symptom-free nights increased by =14% in the MF/F 400/10, MF 400, and F 10 groups (P= 0.033 versus placebo). The incidence of exacerbations was lower in the MF/F groups (=33.3%) than it was in the MF, formoterol, and placebo groups (=33.8%) over the 26-week treatment period. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the active-treated and placebo-treated subjects across 26 weeks of treatment. Over the 1-year study period, there were no notable differences in the incidence or types of adverse events between the MF/F 400/10 and MF/F 200/10 groups compared with the MF or formoterol groups. Differences in rates of individual treatment-emergent adverse events were Conclusion: Patients treated with MF/F demonstrated significant improvements in lung function, health status, and exacerbation rates. Although significant improvements were seen with both doses, a trend showing a dose-response effect was observed in the lung function measurements

The Perceived Stressors and Coping Skills of Graduate Students: A Developmental and Validation Study

This article outlines the development and validation of two instruments evaluating common stressors and coping skills as perceived by graduate counseling students. The review of the literature illustrated a need for the development of measures to provide empirical support in regard to the stressors and coping skills of graduate students in counseling programs. Exploratory factor analyses were applied to the two respective scales to evaluate the constructs. Recommendations and limitations are offered to further the development of psychometric properties within the scales

Effects of mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate fixed-dose combination formulation on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): results from a 52-week Phase III trial in subjects with moderate-to-very severe COPD

RATIONALE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination of mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate (MF/F) administered via a metered-dose inhaler in subjects with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial had a 26-week treatment period and a 26-week safety extension. Subjects (n = 1196), at least 40 years old, were current or ex-smokers randomized to twice-daily inhaled MF/F 400/10 μg, MF/F 200/10 μg, MF 400 μg, F 10 μg, or placebo. The trial\u27s co-primary endpoints were mean changes from baseline, as area under the curve (AUC), in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) over 0-12 hours (AUC0-12 h FEV1) with MF/F versus MF, and in morning (AM) pre-dose (trough) FEV1 with MF/F versus F after 13 weeks of treatment. Key secondary endpoints were the effects of MF/F on respiratory health status using the Saint George\u27s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), symptom-free nights, partly stable COPD at 26 weeks, and time to first COPD exacerbation. RESULTS: The largest improvements in AUC0-12 h FEV1 were observed with MF/F 400/10 μg and MF/F 200/10 μg. Serial spirometry results demonstrated that bronchodilator effects with MF/F occurred rapidly (within 5 minutes), persisted for 12 hours after dosing, and were sustained over the 26-week treatment period. Similar findings were observed for AM pre-dose FEV1, for which effects were further investigated, excluding subjects whose AM FEV1 data were incorrectly collected after 2 days from the last dose of study treatment. Improvements in SGRQ scores surpassed the minimum clinically important difference of more than four units with both MF/F treatments. At 26 weeks, no notable between-treatment differences in the occurrence and nature of adverse events (AEs) were reported. No unexpected AEs were observed. Overall, 90 subjects reported AEs considered to be treatment-related, the most common of which were lenticular opacities, dysphonia, and oral candidiasis. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, MF/F treatments improved lung function and respiratory health status, reduced exacerbations, and were well tolerated in subjects with moderate-to-very severe COPD