25 research outputs found
Z Boson Pair-Production at LEP
Events stemming from the pair-production of Z bosons in e^+e^- collisions are
studied using 217.4 pb^-1 of data collected with the L3 detector at
centre-of-mass energies from 200 GeV up to 209 GeV. The special case of events
with b quarks is also investigated.
Combining these events with those collected at lower centre-of-mass energies,
the Standard Model predictions for the production mechanism are verified. In
addition, limits are set on anomalous couplings of neutral gauge bosons and on
effects of extra space dimensions
A randomised controlled trial of intravenous zoledronic acid in malignant pleural disease: A proof of principle pilot study
© 2015 Clive et al. Introduction: Animal studies have shown Zoledronic Acid (ZA) may diminish pleural fluid accumulation and tumour bulk in malignant pleural disease (MPD). We performed a pilot study to evaluate its effects in humans. Methods: We undertook a single centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with MPD. Patients were randomised (1:1) to receive 2 doses of intravenous ZA or placebo, 3 weeks apart and were followed-up for 6 weeks. The co-primary outcomes were change in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score measured breathlessness during trial follow-up and change in the initial area under the curve (iAUC) on thoracic Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) from randomisation to week 5. Multiple secondary endpoints were also evaluated. Results: Between January 2010 and May 2013, 30 patients were enrolled, 24 randomised and 4 withdrew after randomisation (1 withdrew consent; 3 had a clinical decline). At baseline, the ZA group were more breathless, had more advanced disease on radiology and worse quality of life than the placebo group. There was no significant difference between the groups with regards change in breathlessness (Adjusted mean difference (AMD) 4.16 (95%CI -4.7 to 13.0)) or change in DCE-MRI iAUC (AMD -15.4 (95%CI -58.1 to 27.3). Two of nine (22%) in the ZA arm had a >10% improvement by modified RECIST (vs 0/11 who received placebo). There was no significant difference in quality of life measured by the QLQ-C30 score (global QOL: AMD -4.1 (-13.0 to 4.9)), side effects or serious adverse event rates. Conclusions: This is the first human study to evaluate ZA in MPD. The study is limited by small numbers and imbalanced baseline characteristics. Although no convincing treatment effect was identified, potential benefits for specific subgroups of patients cannot be excluded. This study provides important information regarding the feasibility of future trials to evaluate the effects of ZA further. Trial Registration: UK Clinical Research Network ID 8877 ISRCTN17030426 www.isrctn.com
Study of the W+W-gamma Process and Limits on Anomalous Quartic Gauge Boson Couplings at LEP
The process e+e- -> W+ W- gamma is studied using the data collected by the L3
detector at LEP. New results, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of
427.4 pb-1 at centre-of-mass energies from 192 GeV to 207 GeV, are presented.
The W+W- gamma cross sections are measured to be in agreement with Standard
Model expectations. No hints of anomalous quartic gauge boson couplings are
observed. Limits at 95% confidence level are derived using also the process
e+e- --> nu nubar gamma gamma
Production of Single W Bosons at LEP and Measurement of WWgamma Gauge Coupling Parameters
Single W boson production in electron-positron collisions is studied with the
L3 detector at centre-of-mass energies between 192 GeV and 209 GeV. Events with
two acoplanar hadronic jets or a single energetic lepton are selected, and the
single W cross section is measured. Combining the results with measurements at
lower centre-of-mass energies, the ratio of the measured cross section to the
Standard Model expectation is found to be 1.12^{+0.11}_{-0.10}+/-0.03. From all
single W data, the WWgamma gauge coupling parameter kappa_gamma is measured to
be 1.116^{+0.082}_{-0.086}+/-0.068