The Paradox of Disconnected Coalitions

COALITION FORMATION; DYNAMIC ANALYSIS; SINGLE-PEAKEDNESS; LEGISLATURES; MILITARY ALLIANCES.

Superfluid Spin-down, with Random Unpinning of the Vortices

The so-called ``creeping'' motion of the pinned vortices in a rotating superfluid involves ``random unpinning'' and ``vortex motion'' as two physically separate processes. We argue that such a creeping motion of the vortices need not be (biased) in the direction of an existing radial Magnus force, nor should a constant microscopic radial velocity be assigned to the vortex motion, in contradiction with the basic assumptions of the ``vortex creep'' model. We point out internal inconsistencies in the predictions of this model which arise due to this unjustified foundation that ignores the role of the actual torque on the superfluid. The proper spin-down rate of a pinned superfluid is then calculated and turns out to be much less than that suggested in the vortex creep model, hence being of even less observational significance for its possible application in explaining the post-glitch relaxations of the radio pulsars.Comment: To be published in J. Low Temp. Phys., Vol. 139, May 2005 [Eqs 11, 15-17 here, have been revised and, may be substituted for the corresponding ones in that paper

Randomised controlled trial of homoeopathy versus placebo in perennial allergic rhinitis with overview of four trial series

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that homoeopathy is a placebo by examining its effect in patients with allergic rhinitis and so contest the evidence from three previous trials in this series. Design: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group, multicentre study. SETTING: Four general practices and a hospital ear, nose, and throat outpatient department. PARTICIPANTS: 51 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Intervention: Random assignment to an oral 30c homoeopathic preparation of principal inhalant allergen or to placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes from baseline in nasal inspiratory peak flow and symptom visual analogue scale score over third and fourth weeks after randomisation. RESULTS: Fifty patients completed the study. The homoeopathy group had a significant objective improvement in nasal airflow compared with the placebo group (mean difference 19.8 l/min, 95% confidence interval 10.4 to 29.1, P=0.0001). Both groups reported improvement in symptoms, with patients taking homoeopathy reporting more improvement in all but one of the centres, which had more patients with aggravations. On average no significant difference between the groups was seen on visual analogue scale scores. Initial aggravations of rhinitis symptoms were more common with homoeopathy than placebo (7 (30%) v 2 (7%), P=0.04). Addition of these results to those of three previous trials (n=253) showed a mean symptom reduction on visual analogue scores of 28% (10.9 mm) for homoeopathy compared with 3% (1.1 mm) for placebo (95% confidence interval 4.2 to 15.4, P=0.0007). CONCLUSION: The objective results reinforce earlier evidence that homoeopathic dilutions differ from placebo

Evaluation of four global reanalysis products using in-situ observations in the Amundsen Sea Embayment, Antarctica

The glaciers within the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE), West Antarctica, are amongst the most rapidly retreating in Antarctica. Meteorological reanalysis products are widely used to help understand and simulate the processes causing this retreat. Here we provide an evaluation against observations of four of the latest global reanalysis products within the ASE region—the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Interim Reanalysis (ERA-I), Japanese 55-year Reanalysis (JRA-55), Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), and Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA). The observations comprise data from four automatic weather stations (AWSs), three research vessel cruises, and a new set of 38 radiosondes all within the period 2009–2014. All four reanalyses produce 2 m temperature fields that are colder than AWS observations, with the biases varying from approximately −1.8°C (ERA-I) to −6.8°C (MERRA). Over the Amundsen Sea, spatially averaged summertime biases are between −0.4°C (JRA-55) and −2.1°C (MERRA) with notably larger cold biases close to the continent (up to −6°C) in all reanalyses. All four reanalyses underestimate near-surface wind speed at high wind speeds (>15 m s−1) and exhibit dry biases and relatively large root-mean-square errors (RMSE) in specific humidity. A comparison to the radiosonde soundings shows that the cold, dry bias at the surface extends into the lower troposphere; here ERA-I and CFSR reanalyses provide the most accurate profiles. The reanalyses generally contain larger temperature and humidity biases, (and RMSE) when a temperature inversion is observed, and contain larger wind speed biases (~2 to 3 m s−1), when a low-level jet is observed

Taking the MICL: An Interdisciplinary Masters Programme in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership

The Masters in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership (the MICL) is an innovative, radically interdisciplinary and highly successful programme that is offered as part of the portfolio of Management Masters courses at Cass Business School in the UK. In this paper, we argue that while the world is increasingly Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA), educational responses to this have been surprisingly limited. We note the parallel development of interest in interdisciplinary activity, particularly in relation to higher education, and then describe the MICL as an interdisciplinary management education programme developed against the background of an increasingly VUCA world. We describe the aims and structure of the MICL programme, as well as some of the methods employed to assist staff and students with adopting our interdisciplinary approach. Finally, we present some quantitative data on outcomes for students after completing the programme, as well as some qualitative data relating to the first cohort of students, that lead us to believe that the MICL programme provides a strong foundation on the basis of which students can survive and thrive in a world of increasingly dramatic change and complexity

The semileptonic decays of the B_c meson

We study the semileptonic transitions B_c to \eta_c, J/\psi, D, D^*, B, B^*, B_s, B_s^* in the framework of a relativistic constituent quark model. We use experimental data on leptonic J/\psi decay, lattice and QCD sum rule results on leptonic B_c decay, and on radiative \eta_c transitions to adjust the quark model parameters. We compute all form factors of the above semileptonic B_c-transitions and give predictions for various semileptonic B_c decay modes including their \tau-modes when they are kinematically accessible. The implications of heavy quark symmetry for the semileptonic decays are discussed and are shown to be manifest in our explicit relativistic quark model calculation. A comparison of our results with the results of other calculations is performed.Comment: 31 pages Latex (uses epsf, revtex). Section II expanded, typos corrected. This version will appear in Phys. Rev.

Great Lakes hydrology by months, 1946-1946

Monthly estimates of precipitation on each lake, evaporation from each lake surface, and runoff into each lake from surrounding land areas are developed for the Great Lakes for calendar years 1946 through 1965. Overlake precipitation is estimated by extrapolation of the land isohyetal patterns multiplied by lake-land ratios as established from island-shore stations. Evaporation by months is calculated using the mass transfer method. An isopleth mapping technique is used to estimate the runoff. The net basin supply for a lake is equal to the total runoff plus the precipitation on the lake surface minus the evaporation from the lake surface. The monthly and annual net basin supplies for each lake are determined from the estimated values of runoff, precipitation, and evaporation and are compared with the monthly and annual net basin supplies as reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The estimated 20 year mean annual net basin supply for all lakes is about 6 per cent less than the value reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyOpe

El partenariado en aprendizaje-servicio de la Universidad Católica Australiana y la Universidad DePaul (Chicago)

Aquest article explica el partenariat en aprenentatge servei entre la Universitat Catòlica d'Austràlia i la Universitat DePaul (Chicago) i com aquesta associació ha enriquit l'aprenentatge servei per a ambdues institucions. Mitjançant una metodologia d'estudi de cas, explorem com dues grans institucions catòliques d'educació superior amb missions similars però diferents s'han associat per conèixer els seus enfocaments i contextos. Des del 2018, les dues universitats s'han reunit per discutir els seus programes i explorar oportunitats de col·laboració. Aquestes discussions han donat lloc a noves interpretacions i traduccions de la terminologia pedagògica en contextos australians i nord-americans i a la identificació de com la coherència de la missió pot informar les associacions entre les institucions catòliques d'educació superior. L'associació també ha donat lloc a col·laboracions contínues que han impulsat la missió de l'aprenentatge servei i la seva institucionalització a les dues universitats. L’article conclou reflexionant sobre el valor de les associacions entre les institucions catòliques d'educació superior a través de les fronteres nacionals i el valor d'explorar mútuament la missió, els principis i la pràctica mentre es busca una major institucionalització de l'aprenentatge servei. És a dir, aprenentatge servei en benefici mutu i per a la transformació de la comunitat i la universitat.In this paper, we report on the service-learning partnership between Australian Catholic University and DePaul University (Chicago) and how this partnership has enriched the scholarship of service-learning for both institutions. Using a case study methodology, we explore how two large Catholic Higher Education Institutions (CHEIs) with similar, yet distinct missions have partnered to learn about each other’s approaches and contexts. Since 2018, the SteansCenter for Community-Based Service-learning and Community Service Studies (DePaul) and ACU Engagement, the central agency responsible for supporting the extensive service-learning program at ACU, have met to discuss their programs and explore opportunities for collaboration. These discussions have led to new understandings and translations in the pedagogical terminology across Australian and US contexts and the identification of how mission coherence can inform partnerships between CHEIs. The partnership has also led to ongoing collaborations that have furthered the service-learning mission and institutionalisation of both universities. The paper concludes by reflecting upon the value of partnerships between CHEIs across national boundaries and the value of mutually exploring mission, principles, and practice as the field seeks further institutionalisation of service-learning. That is, service-learning for the mutual benefit and transformation of the community and university.Este artículo explica la relación de partenariado de aprendizaje-servicio entre la Universidad Católica de Australia y la Universidad DePaul (Chicago) y cómo esta asociación ha enriquecido el aprendizaje servicio para ambas instituciones. Mediante una metodología de estudio de caso, exploramos cómo dos grandes instituciones católicas de educación superior con misiones similares pero diferentes se han asociado para conocer sus enfoques y contextos. Desde 2018, ambas universidades se han reunido para discutir sus programas y explorar oportunidades de colaboración. Estas discusiones han dado lugar a nuevas interpretaciones y traducciones de la terminología pedagógica en contextos australianos y estadounidenses y a la identificación de cómo la coherencia de la misión puede informar a las asociaciones entre las instituciones católicas de educación superior. La asociación también ha dado lugar a colaboraciones continuas que han impulsado la misión del aprendizaje-servicio y su institucionalización en ambas universidades. El artículo concluye reflexionando sobre el valor de las asociaciones entre las instituciones católicas de educación superior a través de las fronteras nacionales y el valor de explorar mutuamente la misión, principios y práctica mientras se busca una mayor institucionalización del aprendizaje-servicio. Es decir, aprendizaje-servicio en beneficio mutuo y para la transformación de la comunidad y la universidad

Withdrawal from treatment as an outcome in the Isolde study of COPD

Objectives: To investigate the determinants of patient withdrawal from our study, and the effect of these withdrawals on the outcome of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids in patients with COPD. Design: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Setting: Eighteen outpatient centers in the United Kingdom. Participants: Seven hundred fifty-one patients with stable COPD defined clinically as baseline postbronchodilator FEV1 > 0.8 L and < 85% predicted, FEV1/FVC ratio < 70%, and FEV1 change after albuterol < 10% of predicted. Intervention: Random assignment of either 500 micrograms bid of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP)using a spacer device or an identical placebo inhaler. Treatment was continued for 3 years or until patients withdrew from follow-up. Measurements and results: Postbronchodilator FEV1 was measured on three occasions before randomization and every 3 months thereafter. Health status was assessed by the disease-specific St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the modified short-form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) at baseline and every 6 months. Three hundred thirty-nine patients withdrew, of whom 156 patients received FP. Prescription of frequent courses of oral prednisolone was the most common reason for withdrawing as specified in the protocol (69 patients in the FP group withdrew due to respiratory symptoms, compared with 93 patients in the placebo group). This explained the significantly greater dropout of placebo-treated patients that was most evident when FEV1 was < 50% predicted. Patients withdrawing had a significantly more rapid decline in health status, measured by both the SGRQ and the SF-36 (p < 0.001). Those withdrawing from the placebo group had a more rapid decline in FEV1 and more exacerbations than the FP-treated groups. Baseline FEV1 was lower in dropouts than in patients completing the study receiving placebo, but there was no difference between the respective groups receiving FP. Conclusions: Patients who withdrew from follow-up were those with the most rapidly deteriorating health status and lung function. Losing these patients from the final analysis can reduce the power of a study to achieve its primary end point