Status of New Physics searches with b→sℓ+ℓ−b \to s \ell^{+}\ell^{-} transitions @ LHCb

Rare decays of heavy-flavoured particles provide an ideal laboratory to look for deviations from the Standard Model, and explore energy regimes beyond the LHC reach. Decays proceeding via electroweak penguin diagrams are excellent probes to search for New Physics, and $b \to s \ell^{+}\ell^{-}$ processes are particularly interesting since they give access to many observables such as branching fractions, asymmetries and angular observables. Recent results from the LHCb experiment are reviewed.Comment: Proceedings for the Fifty-Second Rencontres de Moriond on Electroweak Interactions and Unified Theorie

Electroweak physics at LHCb

Measurements of electroweak boson production provide an important test of the Standard Model at the LHC energies and allow the partonic content of the proton to be constrained. $W$ and $Z$ bosons are reconstructed in several leptonic final states using data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of up to about 1 $fb^{-1}$. Inclusive and associated production cross-sections are reported.Comment: Proceedings for the Second Annual Conference on Large Hadron Collider Physics (LHCP

International Trade from the 1980s to the 1990s: The Latin American Perspective

summary Latin American regional issues illustrate some of the divergent trends winch have been at work over the lost development decade of the 1980s. This article argues that there has been an increasing marginalisation of Latin America in world trade over this period, and a polarisation of different country experiences and interests within Latin America. It is argued that there is no coherent set of Latin American interests being expressed within the Uruguay Round for a more open multilateral trading system for the 1990s. This is reflected by the behaviour of countries such as Mexico which is seeking closer bilateral ties with the United States for its growing manufactured exports; the Dominican Republic exploring the possibility of inclusion into the EC's Lomé Convention for a better deal on sugar exports, and Brazil facing hostile responses to its import substituting policies from both the US and the EC. Résumé Le commerce international des années 80 aux années 90: Perspectives de l'Amérique Latine Les problèmes régionaux de l'Amérique Latine illustrent certaines des tendances divergeantes qui ont opéré durant la décade de développement ‘perdu’ des années 80. Cet article soutient qu'il y a eu un accroissement de la marginalisation en Amérique Latine dans le domaine du commerce extérieur durant cette période, et une polarisation des diverses expériences et interêts en Amérique Latine. L'article soutient qu'il n'existe pas d'ensemble cohérent des interêts de l'Amérique Latine représentés dans le Cercle Uruguayien en vue d'un système de commerce multilatéral plus ouvert pour les années 90. Ceci est reflété par l'attitude de pays tels que le Mexique, qui cherche à établir des liens bilatéraux avec les Etats?Unis pour ses exportations croissantes de produits manufacturés, tels que la République Dominicaine qui explore les possibilités d'intégration dans la Convention Lomé de la Communauté Européenne en vue d'un meilleur marché de ses exportations de sucre, tels que le Brésil qui fait face à des réponses hostiles de la part des Etats Unis et de la Communauté Européenne envers sa nouvelle politique d'importations. Resumen El comercio internacional desde la décade de 1980 a la de 1990. La perspectiva latinoamericana Los problemas latinoamericanos ilustran algunas de las tendencias divergentes que han oceundo en el transcurso de la década “perdida” para el desarrollo. Este artículo argumenta que ha habido una margmalización creciente de América Latina en el comercio mundial durante este período, así como también una polarización de las diferentes experiencias e intereses nacionales dentro de América Latina. Se argumenta que no hay un conjunto de intereses latinoamericanos expresados dentro de la Rueda de Uruguay, para un sistema comercial multilateral en la década de 1990. Esto se refleja en la conducta de países tales como México, que busca lazos bilaterales más estrechos con Estados Unidos para sus crecientes exportaciones manufactureras; Republica Dominicana que explora la posibilidad de ser uncluída en la Convención de Lomé para lograr un mejor trato para sus exportaciones azucareras y, Brasil que enfrenta respuestas hostiles a sus políticas substitutivas de importaciones tanto de Estados Unidos como de la Comunidad Económica Europea

Improving accuracy of corneal power measurement with partial coherence interferometry after corneal refractive surgery using a multivariate polynomial approach

Background: To improve accuracy of IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany) in corneal power measurement after myopic excimer corneal refractive surgery (MECRS) using multivariate polynomial analysis (MPA). Methods: One eye of each of 403 patients (mean age 31.53 ± 8.47 years) was subjected to MECRS for a myopic defect, measured as spherical equivalent, ranging from - 9.50 to - 1 D (mean - 4.55 ± 2.20 D). Each patient underwent a complete eye examination and IOLMaster scan before surgery and at 1, 3 and 6 months follow up. Axial length (AL), flatter keratometry value (K1), steeper keratometry value (K2), mean keratometry value (KM) and anterior chamber depth measured from the corneal endothelium to the anterior surface of the lens (ACD) were used in a MPA to devise a method to improve accuracy of KM measurements. Results: Using AL, K1, K2 and ACD measured after surgery in polynomial degree 2 analysis, mean error of corneal power evaluation after MECRS was + 0.16 ± 0.19 D. Conclusions: MPA was found to be an effective tool in devising a method to improve precision in corneal power evaluation in eyes previously subjected to MECRS, according to our results