Chiral behavior of the B(s,d)-Bbar(s,d) mixing amplitude in the Standard Model and beyond

We compute the chiral logarithmic corrections to the Bd and Bs mixing amplitudes in the Standard Model and beyond. We then investigate the impact of the inclusion of the lowest-lying scalar heavy-light states to the decay constants and bag-parameters and show that this does not modify the pion chiral logarithms, but it does produce corrections which are competitive in size with the K- and eta-meson chiral logarithms. This conclusion is highly relevant to the lattice studies since the pion chiral logarithms represent the most important effect in guiding the chiral extrapolations of the lattice data for these quantities. Also important is to stress that the pion chiral logarithmic corrections are useful in guiding those extrapolations as long as Mpi << Delta, where Delta is the mass gap between the scalar and pseudoscalar heavy-light mesons.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures (published version

Ds(0±)D_s(0^\pm) Mesons spectroscopy in Gaussian Sum Rules

The masses of the $D_s(0^\pm)$ mesons are investigated from a view-point of ordinary light-heavy system in the framework of the Gaussian sum rules, which are worked out by means of the Laplacian transformation to the usual Borel sum rules. Using the standard input of QCD non-perturbative parameters, the corresponding mass spectra and couplings of the currents to the $D_s(0^\pm)$ mesons are obtained. Our results are $m_{D_s(0^-)}=1.968\pm0.016\pm0.003$ GeV and $m_{D_s(0^+)}=2.320\pm0.014\pm0.003$ GeV, which are in accordance well with the experimental data, 1.969 GeV and 2.317 GeV.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Present and Future CP Measurements

We review theoretical and experimental results on CP violation summarizing the discussions in the working group on CP violation at the UK phenomenology workshop 2000 in Durham.Comment: 104 pages, Latex, to appear in Journal of Physics

Performance reporting for consumers: issues for the Australian private hospital sector

A group of consumers of private hospital services and their carers collaborated with staff of a Melbourne private hospital and with industry representatives to develop a consumer-driven performance report on cardiac services. During the development process participating consumers identified situational and structural barriers to their right to be informed of costs, to choice and to quality care. Their growing appreciation of these barriers led them to a different perspective on performance reporting, which resulted in their redirecting the project. The consumer participants no longer wanted a performance report that provided comparative quantitative data. Instead they designed a report that outlined the structures, systems and processes the hospital had in place to address the quality and safety of services provided. In addition, consumer participants developed a decision support tool for consumers to use in navigating the private health care sector. The journey of these consumers in creating a consumer driven performance report for a private hospital service may assist those responsible for governance of Australia's health system in choosing appropriate strategies and mechanisms to enhance private hospital accountability. The situational and institutional industry barriers to choice, information and quality identified by these consumers need to be addressed before public performance reporting for private hospitals is introduced in Australia

Consumers' experiences and values in conventional and alternative medicine paradigms: a problem detection study (PDS)

Background: This study explored consumer perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and relationships with CAM and conventional medicine practitioners. A problem detection study (PDS) was used. The qualitative component to develop the questionnaire used a CAM consumer focus group to explore conventional and CAM paradigms in healthcare. 32 key issues, seven main themes, informed the questionnaire (the quantitative PDS component - 36 statements explored using five-point Likert scales.