Two Higgs Doublet Model and Lepton Polarization in the B -> K tau+ tau- Decay

The decay width, forward-backward asymmetry and tau lepton longitudinal and transversal polarization for the exclusive (B -> K tau^+ tau^-) decay in a two Higgs doublet model are computed. It is shown that the forward-backward asymmetry and longitudinal polarization of the tau lepton are very effective tools for establishing new physics.Comment: 25 pages, 20 figures, LaTeX formatte

Sociodemographic Correlates of Bariatric Surgery by Procedure Type among a Statewide Ethnically Diverse Patient Population

Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) 2013 inpatient data was used to conduct a retrospective review using International Classification of Diseases 9th edition (ICD-9) procedure codes to examine the sociodemographic correlates of three bariatric procedures [Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB), and Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG)]. Race-ethnic groups included non-Hispanic white (NHW), non- Hispanic black (NHB), Hispanic, and other. The sample (n=6,424, mean age 46 years) was predominantly NHW (57.4%), female (74.9%), commercial-insurance carriers (51.2%), and severely obese (98.8%). SG was the most common procedure (57.9%) followed by RYGB (39.3%), and LAGB (2.8%). Regardless of bariatric procedure type, over 40% were covered by commercial insurance. The relationship between insurance status and bariatric procedure type was statistically significant (p\u3c0.01). However, race-ethnicity and bariatric procedure relationship was not significant after adjusting for age, sex, and insurance status. Despite the current high obesity frequencies across all demographics in the state of Florida, NHW women (compared to their sex-ethnic-specific counterparts) in our sample received the highest proportion of bariatric surgeries. Further research should examine why this finding continues despite obesity and its health-related consequences affecting all sex- ethnic groups

Development partner support to the health sector at the local level in Morogoro region, Tanzania

Background: The Tanzanian health sector receives large amounts of funding from multiple international development partners to support a broad range of population-health interventions. However, little is known about the partners’ level of commitment to sustain funding, and the implications of uncertainties created by these funding mechanisms.  This study had the following objectives: 1) To present a theoretical model for assessing funding commitments by health development partners in a specified region; 2) to describe development partner funding commitments against this framework, using a case study example of Morogoro Region, Tanzania; and 3) to discuss policy considerations using this framework for district, regional and national level.Methods: Qualitative case study methodology was used to assess funding commitments of health-related development partners in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. Using qualitative data, collected as part of an evaluation of maternal and child health programs in Morogoro Region, key informants from all development partners were interviewed and thematic analysis was conducted for the assessment. Results: Our findings show that decisions made on where to commit and direct funds were based on recipient government and development partner priorities. These decisions were based on government directives, such as the need to provide health services to vulnerable populations; the need to contribute towards alleviation of disease burden and development partner interests, including humanitarian concerns. Poor coordination of partner organizations and their funding priorities may undermine benefits to target populations. This weakness poses a major challenge on development partner investments in health, leading to duplication of efforts and resulting in stagnant disease burden levels.Conclusion: Effective coordination mechanisms between all stakeholders at each level should be advocated to provide a forum to discuss interests and priorities, so as to harmonize them and facilitate the implementation of development partner funded activities in the recipient countries

Rare B -> K^* l^+ l^- decay, two Higgs doublet model, and light cone QCD sum rules

The decay width, forward-backward asymmetry and lepton longitudinal and transversal polarization for the exclusive K^* -> l^+ l^- decay in a two Higgs doublet model are computed. It is shown that all these quantities are very effective tools for establishing new physics.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, LaTeX formatte

Quality assurance for the query and distribution systems of the RCSB Protein Data Bank

The RCSB Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB, www.pdb.org) is a key online resource for structural biology and related scientific disciplines. The website is used on average by 165 000 unique visitors per month, and more than 2000 other websites link to it. The amount and complexity of PDB data as well as the expectations on its usage are growing rapidly. Therefore, ensuring the reliability and robustness of the RCSB PDB query and distribution systems are crucially important and increasingly challenging. This article describes quality assurance for the RCSB PDB website at several distinct levels, including: (i) hardware redundancy and failover, (ii) testing protocols for weekly database updates, (iii) testing and release procedures for major software updates and (iv) miscellaneous monitoring and troubleshooting tools and practices. As such it provides suggestions for how other websites might be operated

Light cone QCD sum rule analysis of B -> K l(+) l(-) decay

We calculate the transition formfactors for the B -> K l(+) l(-) decay in the framework of the light cone QCD sum rules. The invariant dilepton mass distribution and the final lepton longitudinal polarization asymmetry are investigated. The comparison analysis of our results with traditional sum rules method predictions on the formfactors is performed.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures, LaTeX formatte

Factors associated with contralateral preventive mastectomy

INTRODUCTION: Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is an option for women who wish to reduce their risk of breast cancer or its local recurrence. There is limited data on demographic differences among patients who choose to undergo this procedure. METHODS: The population-based Florida cancer registry, Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration data, and US census data were linked and queried for patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer from 1996 to 2009. The main outcome variable was the rate of CPM. Primary predictors were race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), marital status and insurance status. RESULTS: Our population was 91.1% White and 7.5% Black; 89.1% non-Hispanic and 10.9% Hispanic. Out of 21,608 patients with a single unilateral invasive breast cancer lesion, 837 (3.9%) underwent CPM. Significantly more White than Black (3.9% vs 2.8%; P<0.001) and more Hispanic than non-Hispanic (4.5% vs 3.8%; P=0.0909) underwent CPM. Those in the highest SES category had higher rates of CPM compared to the lowest SES category (5.3% vs 2.9%; P<0.001). In multivariate analyses, Blacks compared to Whites (OR =0.59, 95% CI =0.42–0.83, P=0.002) and uninsured patients compared to privately insured (OR =0.60, 95% CI =0.36–0.98, P=0.043) had significantly less CPM. CONCLUSION: CPM rates were significantly different among patients of different race, socio-economic class, and insurance coverage. This observation is not accounted for by population distribution, incidence or disease stage. More in-depth study of the causes of these disparities in health care choice and delivery is critically needed

Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) among pregnant women in hard-to-reach areas in Bangladesh:BPCR in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh

Birth preparedness and complication readiness aims to reduce delays in care seeking, promote skilled birth attendance, and facility deliveries. Little is known about birth preparedness practices among populations living in hard-to-reach areas in Bangladesh.To describe levels of birth preparedness and complication readiness among recently delivered women, identify determinants of being better prepared for birth, and assess the impact of greater birth preparedness on maternal and neonatal health practices.A cross-sectional survey with 2,897 recently delivered women was undertaken in 2012 as part of an evaluation trial done in five hard-to-reach districts in rural Bangladesh. Mothers were considered well prepared for birth if they adopted two or more of the four birth preparedness components. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used for analysis.Less than a quarter (24.5%) of women were considered well prepared for birth. Predictors of being well-prepared included: husband's education (OR = 1.3; CI: 1.1-1.7), district of residence, exposure to media in the form of reading a newspaper (OR = 2.2; CI: 1.2-3.9), receiving home visit by a health worker during pregnancy (OR = 1.5; CI: 1.2-1.8), and receiving at least 3 antenatal care visits from a qualified provider (OR = 1.4; CI: 1.0-1.9). Well-prepared women were more likely to deliver at a health facility (OR = 2.4; CI: 1.9-3.1), use a skilled birth attendant (OR = 2.4, CI: 1.9-3.1), practice clean cord care (OR = 1.3, CI: 1.0-1.5), receive post-natal care from a trained provider within two days of birth for themselves (OR = 2.6, CI: 2.0-3.2) or their newborn (OR = 2.6, CI: 2.1-3.3), and seek care for delivery complications (OR = 1.8, CI: 1.3-2.6).Greater emphasis on BPCR interventions tailored for hard to reach areas is needed to improve skilled birth attendance, care seeking for complications and essential newborn care and facilitate reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality in low performing districts in Bangladesh