The Physics of the B Factories

This work is on the Physics of the B Factories. Part A of this book contains a brief description of the SLAC and KEK B Factories as well as their detectors, BaBar and Belle, and data taking related issues. Part B discusses tools and methods used by the experiments in order to obtain results. The results themselves can be found in Part C

Self-employment amongst migrant groups: New evidence for England and Wales

Self-employment constitutes a vital part of the economy since entrepreneurs can provide employment not only for themselves but also for others. The link between self-employment and immigration is, however, complex, especially given the changing nature of self-employment. We investigate the evolving relationship between self-employment and immigration using recently released microdata from the 2011 Census for England and Wales. Our findings indicate large variations, with high self-employment rates observed for some groups with a long established history of migration to the UK (especially men born in Pakistan) and also for some groups who have arrived more recently (such as from the EU’s new member states). We further explore the differences, analyse variations by gender and identify key determining factors. In addition to certain socio-economic characteristics, it is found that migration-related influences, such as English language proficiency and period of arrival in the UK, play an important role for some groups

Reduced membrane protein associated with resistance of human squamous carcinoma cells to methotrexate and cis-platinum

A membrane protein recognized by monoclonal antibody SQM1 was identified in human squamous carcinomas, including those originating in the head and neck (SqCHN), lung and cervix. Cell lines derived from SqCHN of previously untreated patients expressed high amounts of this protein. In contrast, many cell lines established from SqCHN of patients previously treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation showed diminished amounts of this SQM1 protein. The expression of SQM1 antigen was determined in several SqCHN cell lines made resistant by exposure to methotrexate (MTX) in vitro. The parent cell lines all exhibited strong binding to SQM1 antibody. The MTX-resistant sublines showed much lower membrane binding of SQM1. The lowest SQM1 reactivity was found in cell lines with high resistance to MTX and with dimineshed rate of MTX transport. Some highly MTX-resistant cell lines which had high levels of dihydrofolate reductase, but which retained a high rate of MTX transport, also retained high levels of SQM1 binding. Reduced SQM1 protein was also found in SqCHN cells which developed resistance to the alkylating drug cis-platinum (CDDP) and which showed reduced membrane transport of CDDP. Cell growth kinetics and non-specific antigenic shifts were not responsible for the differences in SQM1 binding between the parent cell lines and their drug-resistant sublines. The finding of a novel protein which is reduced in cell resistant to MTX and CDDP could contribute to our understanding of the basic mechanisms of drug resistance. By detecting SQM1 protein in clinical specimens, it may be possible to monitor the development of drug resistance in tumors.link_to_subscribed_fulltex