How robust is the result of the Standard Model Higgs boson search at LEP?

An excess of signal-like events above the expected background, corresponding to approximately three standard deviations, was observed in the search for the Standard Model Higgs boson at LEP in 2000. This excess is consistent with the existence of a Higgs boson with mass 115GeV/c2. Relevant consistency and robustness checks, which further support the signal interpretation, are presented.Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, XXXVIth Rencontres de Moriond, France, 200

Hints of Higgs Boson Production at LEP

An excess of signal-like events above the expected background, corresponding to approximately three standard deviations, was observed in the search for the standard model Higgs boson at LEP in 2000. This excess is consistent with the existence of a 115GeV/c2 Higgs particle.Comment: 5 pages, 9 figures, Conference LEPTRE, XIII Convegno sulla fisica al LEP, Roma, 200

Cornering Higgs Bosons at LEP

The most recent results of the searches for Higgs bosons in the data taken at LEP in 1999 and their interpretation in a variety of theoretical framework are reviewed

Search for an invisibly decaying Higgs boson at LEP at centre-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV

An update of the search for an invisibly decaying Higgs boson with the data collected in 2000 by the ALEPH experiment at centre-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV is presented and combined with previous results obtained with data collected from 189 GeV upwards. A lower mass limit is set for a Higgs boson with completely invisible decays and with a production cross section equal to that of the standard model

Electroencephalographic baselines in astronaut candidates estimated by computation and pattern recognition techniques

Electroencephalographic baselines in astronaut candidates estimated by computer and pattern recognition technique

Pareto Analysis on the Total Quality Management (TQM) Status of the Nigerian Design Firms

This research sought to establish the status of the Nigerian Design Firms using European Construction Institute (ECI) Total Quality Management Matrix; and identified major factors responsible for the poor performance of the Nigerian design firms. Data for the study was obtained from a sample of 237 design firms across the country using ECI measurement matrix. Results were computed as outlined by ECI which was used to establish the status of the firms. Pareto Analysis was conducted to identify the vital factors. Result of ECI measurement matrix revealed that the Nigerian Building Design Firms scored an overall average of 27.4 points which placed them in the 4th ECI category – 'the Start of Improvement.' This indicated poor performance. Three quality factors identified using the Pareto Analysis were 'Training, awareness, education and skill' (3.3 ECI score), 'Objective measurement and feedback' (3.4) and 'Natural use of TQ tools and techniques' (3.4). Therefore, firms' programme relating to TQM should be improved beyond partial implementation. In particular, staff training should be provided, firms should create environment for natural use of TQM tools and techniques, while objective measurement and feedback be established.Keywords: Design Firms, Measurement Matrix, Pareto Analysis, Quality Factors, Total Quality Management