ATLAS Muon Detector Commissioning

The ATLAS muon spectrometer consists of several major components: Monitored Drift Tubes (MDTs) for precision measurements in the bending plane of the muons, supplemented by Cathode Strip Chambers (CSC) in the high eta region; Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) and Thin Gap Chambers (TGCs) for trigger and second coordinate measurement in the barrel and endcap regions, respectively; an optical alignment system to track the relative positions of all chambers; and, finally, the world's largest air-core magnetic toroid system. We will describe the status and commissioning of the muon system with cosmic rays and plans for commissioning with early beams.Comment: 6 pages, 18 figures. To be published in the proceedings of DPF-2009, Detroit, MI, July 2009, eConf C09072

Solutions of the motion of synchronous satellites with arbitrary eccentricity and inclination

A first order, semianalytical theory for the long term motion of resonant satellites is presented. The theory is valid for all eccentricities and inclinations and for all commensurability ratios. The method allows the inclusion of all the zonal and tesseral harmonics as well as luni solar perturbations and radiation pressure. The method is applied to a synchronous satellite including only the J sub 2 and J sub 22 harmonics. Global, long term solutions for this problem, eccentricity, argument of perigee, and inclination are obtained

Systems thinking: critical thinking skills for the 1990s and beyond

This pdf article discusses the need for teaching systems thinking and critical thinking skills. Systems thinking and systems dynamics are important for developing effective strategies to close the gap between the interdependent nature of our problems and our ability to understand them. This article calls for a clearer view of the nature of systems thinking and the education system into which it must be transferred. Educational levels: Graduate or professional

Timelike Compton scattering: exclusive photoproduction of lepton pairs

We investigate the exclusive photoproduction of a heavy timelike photon which decays into a lepton pair, gamma p -> l+ l- p. This can be seen as the analog of deeply virtual Compton scattering, and we argue that the two processes are complementary for studying generalized parton distributions in the nucleon. In an unpolarized experiment the angular distribution of the leptons readily provides access to the real part of the Compton amplitude. We estimate the possible size of this effect in kinematics where the Compton process should be dominated by quark exchange.Comment: 31 pages, 17 figure

On baryon-antibaryon coupling to two photons

We discuss recent claims that $p\bar{p} \to \gamma \gamma$ may be described by a generalized parton picture. We propose that quark-hadron duality provides a justification for the effective dominance of the "handbag" diagram assumed in recent literature, and that handbag diagrams may dominate phenomena in kinematic regions far more extensive than that might be expected from pQCD alone.Comment: 11 pages, 2 eps figures, minor modifications made, version to appear on Phys. Lett.

Improving Communication and Collaboration Between Disciplines: Utilization of aDaily Goals Sheet During Daily Multidisciplinary Rounds in the Critical Care Setting

Communication problems have been cited as the “top safety incident” causing patient harm in intensive care units (Halm, 2008). Many concerns related to interdisciplinary communication and collaboration were found in a small, satellite critical care unit of a major teaching facility. This led to missed patient care goals and opportunities for improved patient outcomes, as well as increased length of stay. The researcher used a convenience sample of 40 nurses and advanced care providers and a mixed methods quasi-experimental pre/post survey design to explore whether multidisciplinary rounds utilizing a rounding tool would improve communication and collaboration between advanced care providers and nursing staff, as well as improve understanding of the daily goals of patient care. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed yielding mixed results with both positive and negative attributes to interdisciplinary communication and collaboration. Overall, the study supported the use of daily multidisciplinary rounds in the critical care setting utilizing the Daily Goals Sheet to increase interdisciplinary communication and collaboration and improve understanding of the daily goals of patient care, when compared with rounds not using the Daily Goals Sheet. Major limitations of the study were the small sample size and increased workload and staff resistance in using the Daily Goals Sheet and completing the surveys. The most significant implication of this study is that the researcher plans to continue integration of the Daily Goals Sheet into the research study site’s new computer system, as well as to continue future research in this quality improvement area