Measurement of b hadron lifetimes in exclusive decays containing a J/psi in p-pbar collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96TeV

We report on a measurement of $b$-hadron lifetimes in the fully reconstructed decay modes B^+ -->J/Psi K+, B^0 --> J/Psi K*, B^0 --> J/Psi Ks, and Lambda_b --> J/Psi Lambda using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.3 ${\rm fb}^{-1}$, collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The measured lifetimes are $\tau$B^+ = $1.639 \pm 0.009 ({\rm stat}) \pm 0.009 {\rm (syst) ~ ps}$, $\tau$B^0 = $1.507 \pm 0.010 ({\rm stat}) \pm 0.008 {\rm (syst) ~ ps}$ and $\tau$Lambda_b = $1.537 \pm 0.045 ({\rm stat}) \pm 0.014 {\rm (syst) ~ ps}$. The lifetime ratios are $\tau$B^+/$\tau$B^0 = $1.088 \pm 0.009 ({\rm stat})\pm 0.004 ({\rm syst})$ and $\tau$Lambda_b/$\tau$B^0 = $1.020 \pm 0.030 ({\rm stat})\pm 0.008 ({\rm syst})$. These are the most precise determinations of these quantities from a single experiment.Comment: revised version. accepted for PRL publicatio

Measurement of ZZ production in leptonic final states at {\surd}s of 1.96 TeV at CDF

In this paper we present a precise measurement of the total ZZ production cross section in pp collisions at {\surd}s= 1.96 TeV, using data collected with the CDF II detector corresponding to an integrated luminosity of approximately 6 fb-1. The result is obtained by combining separate measurements in the four-charged (lll'l'), and two-charged-lepton and two-neutral-lepton (llvv) decay modes of the Z. The combined measured cross section for pp {\to} ZZ is 1.64^(+0.44)_(-0.38) pb. This is the most precise measurement of the ZZ production cross section in 1.96 TeV pp collisions to date.Comment: submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Search for High Mass Resonances Decaying to Muon Pairs in root s=1.96 TeV p(p)over-bar Collisions

We present a search for a new narrow, spin-1, high mass resonance decaying to mu(+)mu(-) + X, using a matrix-element-based likelihood and a simultaneous measurement of the resonance mass and production rate. In data with 4.6 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF detector in p (p) over bar collisions at root s = 1960 GeV, the most likely signal cross section is consistent with zero at 16% confidence level. We therefore do not observe evidence for a high mass resonance and place limits on models predicting spin-1 resonances, including M > 1071 GeV/c(2) at 95% confidence level for a Z' boson with the same couplings to fermions as the Z boson

Measurement of b Hadron Lifetimes in Exclusive Decays Containing a J/Psi in p(p)over-bar Collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

We report on a measurement of b-hadron lifetimes in the fully reconstructed decay modes B+-> J/psi K+, B-0 -> J/psi K*(892)(0), B-0 -> J/psi K-s(0), and Lambda(0)(b)-> J/psi Lambda(0) using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.3 fb(-1), collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The measured lifetimes are tau(B+)=[1.639 +/- 0.009(stat)+/- 0.009(syst)]ps, tau(B-0)=[1.507 +/- 0.010(stat)+/- 0.008(syst)]ps, and tau(Lambda(0)(b))=[1.537 +/- 0.045(stat)+/- 0.014(syst)]ps. The lifetime ratios are tau(B+)/tau(B-0)=[1.088 +/- 0.009(stat)+/- 0.004(syst)] and tau(Lambda(0)(b))/tau(B-0)=[1.020 +/- 0.030(stat)+/- 0.008(syst)]. These are the most precise determinations of these quantities from a single experiment

Feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness of a reproductive patient reported outcome measure for cancer survivors

Background: Cancer patients can experience a number of reproductive complications as a result of cancer treatment and may benefit from reproductive preventative health strategies. A Reproductive Survivorship Patient Reported Outcome Measure (RS-PROM) is not currently available but could assist patients address reproductive concerns. Purpose: To develop and test the acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness of a RS-PROM tool to be used to assess reproductive needs of cancer survivors aged 18-45 years. Methods: We reviewed the outcomes of a recently published audit of reproductive care provided in our cancer survivorship clinic to identify gaps in current service provided and used this along with available validated reproductive measures, to develop this pilot RS-PROM. Survivors aged 18-45 years either attending the SCH survivorship clinic over a 1-year period or participants on the Australasian Oncofertility Registry (AOFR) who had agreed to be contacted for future research studies were asked to complete the RS-PROM and a questionnaire on the acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness of content included. Results: One-hundred and fifty patients participated (61.3% females). Median age at cancer diagnosis was 24.5 years (range: 2-45 years). Eighty percent of participants reported the length of the RS-PROM was "just right", 92% agreed they would not mind completing the RS-PROM and 92.7% were willing to answer all questions, with 97% agreeing that the RS-PROM would be an important tool in addressing difficult sexual/reproductive topics concerning with healthcare professionals. Conclusion: The large majority of survivors participating in our pilot study found the RS-PROM to be an acceptable, feasible and useful tool to assist discussions of their sexual and reproductive health concerns and experiences with their clinical team

Reduced fungicide use on a new Australian peanut cultivar, highly resistant to the late leaf spot and rust pathogens

Rust (caused by Puccinia arachidis) and late leaf spot (LLS, caused by Mycosphaerella berkeleyi) can cause significant yield losses in Australian peanut crops. Until recently, all commercial peanut varieties were highly susceptible to these pathogens, but the new Australian cultivar Sutherland has significantly higher levels of resistance than the older cultivars. Field trials were conducted at two sites in Queensland to (a) confirm the improved resistance of cv. Sutherland over another commercial cultivar, Menzies, (b) study the effects of timing of first spray, spray interval and cultivar on disease severity and yield, and (c) develop a suitable fungicide management program for cv. Sutherland. In the 2006 and 2007 trials, rust and LLS developed slower and had lower final disease ratings and AUDPC values on unsprayed plots of cv. Sutherland than on cv. Menzies. The timing of the first spray is critical in managing both rust and late leaf spot, with the results demonstrating that the first fungicide spray on cv. Sutherland should be applied as soon as rust and LLS are first seen on cv. Menzies. In most trials spray intervals of 14 days or 21 days were suitable to effectively control rust and LLS. In years with low disease pressure, few, if any, fungicide applications will be needed to manage the diseases, but in other years up to four sprays may be necessary