Neutron Star Constraints on the H Dibaryon

We study the influence of a possible H dibaryon condensate on the equation of state and the overall properties of neutron stars whose population otherwise contains nucleons and hyperons. In particular, we are interested in the question of whether neutron stars and their masses can be used to say anything about the existence and properties of the H dibaryon. We find that the equation of state is softened by the appearance of a dibaryon condensate and can result in a mass plateau for neutron stars. If the limiting neutron star mass is about that of the Hulse-Taylor pulsar a condensate of H dibaryons of vacuum mass 2.2 GeV and a moderately attractive potential in the medium could not be ruled out. On the other hand, if the medium potential were even moderately repulsive, the H, would not likely exist in neutron stars. If neutron stars of about 1.6 solar mass were known to exist, attractive medium effects for the H could be ruled out. Certain ranges of dibaryon mass and potential can be excluded by the mass of the Hulse-Taylor pulsar which we illustrate graphically.Comment: Revised by the addition of a figure showing the region of dibaryon mass and potential excluded by the Hulse-Taylor pulsar. 18 pages, 11 figures, latex (submitted to Phys. Rev. C

The development and initial evaluation of the Diarrhoea Management Diary (DMD) in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Purpose Chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea (CID) is a common, but often underreported problem in patients with breast cancer that has a profound effect on quality of life. It is best measured from a patient’s perspective, but tools are limited. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the Diarrhoea Management Diary (DMD), a self-report measure to assess CID, use of self-management strategies and treatment adherence. Methods The DMD was constructed using an iterative process of instrument development: concept elicitation (literature review), item generation and reduction (cognitive debriefing), and pilot testing in the target population. After translation into eight languages, the DMD was used in an international randomised trial for women receiving lapatinib and capecitabine for metastatic breast cancer with or without prophylactic octreotide. Patterns of missing data and sensitivity to change were examined. Results The understandability and completeness of the 8-item DMD was confirmed in cognitive interviews and pilot testing. Practicability of the DMD was evaluated in 62 women with metastatic breast cancer (median age 57). Up to 68% reported CID at any given time-point, and 19% had diarrhoea at each time-point. Patients also described efficacy of different strategies for diarrhoea management. Missing data were associated with study discontinuation. DMD missing item response was 0.9%. Sensitivity to change was good at most assessment points. Conclusions Although further psychometric testing is recommended, initial evaluation of the DMD showed good content validity and practicability in international research with cancer patients

The PHENIX Experiment at RHIC

The physics emphases of the PHENIX collaboration and the design and current status of the PHENIX detector are discussed. The plan of the collaboration for making the most effective use of the available luminosity in the first years of RHIC operation is also presented.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Further details of the PHENIX physics program available at http://www.rhic.bnl.gov/phenix

The Observed Correlations for the Strange Multibaryon States in Systems with Λ\Lambda-Hyperon from pa Collision at Momentum of 10 Gev/cc

he observed well-known resonances $\Sigma^0$ $\Sigma^{*+}$(1385) and $K^{*\pm}$(892) from PDG are good tests of this method. Exotic strange multibaryon states have been observed in the effective mass spectra of: $\Lambda \pi^{\pm}$,$\Lambda \gamma$, $\Lambda p$, $\Lambda p p$ subsystems. The mean value of mass for $\Sigma^{*-}(1385)$ resonance is shifted till mass of 1370 MeV/$c^2$ and width is two times larger than the same value from PDG. Such kind of behavior for width and invariant mass of $\Sigma^{*-}(1385)$ resonance is interpreted as extensive contribution from stopped $\Xi^-\to\Lambda\pi^-$ and medium effect with invariant mass. The mean value of mass for $\Sigma^{*+}(1385)$ from secondary interactions is also shifted till mass of 1370 MeV/$c^2$. The width of $\Sigma^0$ is $\approx$ 2 times larger than the experimental error. There are enhancement production for all observed hyperons.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, XXIst Rencontres de Blois "Windows on the Universe " Blois, France June 21st - June 26th, 200

Search for the pentaquark via the P^0_{{c bar}s} --> phi,pi,p decay

We report results of the first search for the pentaquark P_{{c bar}s} which is predicted to be a doublet of states: P^0_{{c bar}s}=({c bar} s u u d) and P^-_{{c bar}s}=({c bar} s d d u). A search was made for the decay P^0_{{c bar}s} --> phi,pi,p in data from Fermilab experiment E791, in which 500 GeV/c pi^- beam interacted with nuclear targets. We present upper limits at 90% confidence level for the ratio of cross section times branching fraction of this decay to that for the decay D_s --> phi,pi. The upper limits are 0.031 and 0.063 for M(P^0_{{c bar}s}) = 2.75 and 2.86 GeV/c^2, respectively, assuming a P^0_{{c bar}s} lifetime of 0.4 ps.Comment: 9 pages postscript file, 11 pages Latex file, one Figure. Submitted to Physical Review Letter

Use and abuse of hydrogen breath tests

Hydrogen breath tests are widely used to explore the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and carbohydrate malabsorption are disorders detected by these tests that have been proposed to be of great importance for symptoms in, for instance, irritable bowel syndrome. However, conclusions drawn from these studies are highly controversial and divergent results exist. There is also an extensive use of these tests in clinical practice with difficulties regarding interpretation of the tests and sometimes erroneous conclusions. The limitations and pitfalls of these tests will be reviewed in this article, and hopefully the occasional abuse of these tests can be turned into proper clinical and scientific use instead in the future

Effects of environmental distractors on nurse emergency triage accuracy: a pilot study protocol.

The clinical decisions of emergency department triage nurses need to be of the highest accuracy. However, studies have found repeatedly that these nurses over- or underestimate the severity of patient health conditions. This has major consequences for patient safety and patient flow management. Workplace distractors such as noise and task interruptions have been pointed to as factors that might explain this inaccuracy. The use of a serious game reproducing the work environment during triage affords the opportunity to explore the impact of these distractors on nurse emergency triage accuracy, in a safe setting. A pilot study with a factorial design will be carried out to test the acceptability and feasibility of a serious game developed specifically to simulate the triage process in emergency departments and to explore the primary effects of distractors on nurse emergency triage accuracy. Eighty emergency nurses will be randomized into four groups: three groups exposed to different distractors (A, noise; B, task interruptions; C, noise and task interruptions) and one control group. All nurses will have to complete 20 clinical vignettes within 2 h. For each vignette, a gold standard assessment will be determined by experts. Pre-tests will be conducted with clinicians and certified emergency nurses to evaluate the appeal of the serious game. Study results will inform the design of large-scale investigations and will help identify teaching, training, and research areas that require further development