B physics prospects at LHCb

The LHCb experiment at LHC is a single-arm spectrometer designed to pursue an extensive study of B physics and CP violation. In this contribution the physics which will be performed by LHCb is reviewed.Comment: Proceedings - XLIst Rencontres de Moriond, QCD and high energy hadronic interaction

Measurement of the Cross Section Times Branching Ratio of Light Higgs Decays at CLIC

The investigation of the properties of a Higgs boson, especially a test of the predicted linear dependence of the branching ratios on the mass of the final state, is currently one of the most compelling arguments for building a linear collider. We demonstrate that the large Higgs boson production cross section at a 3 TeV CLIC machine allows for a precision measurement of the Higgs branching ratios. The cross section times branching ratio of the decays H \rightarrow b^{-}b, H \rightarrow cc^{-} and H \rightarrow {\mu}{\mu} can be measured with a statistical uncertainty of 0.22%, 3.2% and 15%, respectively.Comment: LCWS 2011 Proceeding

Do different multi-segment foot models detect the same changes in kinematics when wearing foot orthoses?

Background: Different multi-segment foot models have been used to explore the effect of foot orthoses. Previous studies have compared the kinematic output of different multi-segment foot models, however, no study has explored if different multi-segment foot models detect similar kinematic changes when wearing a foot orthoses. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of two different multi-segment foot models to detect kinematic changes at the hindfoot and forefoot during the single and double support phases of gait when wearing a foot orthosis. Methods: Foot kinematics were collected during walking from a sample of 32 individuals with and without a foot orthosis with a medial heel bar using an eight-camera motion capture system. The Oxford Foot Model (OFM) and a multi-segment foot model using the Calibrated Anatomical System Technique (CAST) were applied simultaneously. Vector field statistical analysis was used to explore the kinematic effects of a medial heel bar using the two models, and the ability of the models to detect any changes in kinematics was compared. Results: For the hindfoot, both models showed very good agreement of the effect of the foot orthosis across all three anatomical planes during the single and double support phases. However, for the forefoot, the level of agreement between the models varied with both models showing good agreement of the effect in the coronal plane but poorer agreement in the transverse and sagittal planes. Conclusions: This study showed that while consistency exists across both models for the hindfoot and forefoot in the coronal plane, the forefoot in the transverse and sagittal planes showed inconsistent responses to the foot orthoses. This should be considered when interpreting the efficacy of different interventions which aim to change foot biomechanics