Measurements of the W and Z Inclusive Cross Sections and Determination of the W Decay Width

Recent results on the production of $W$ and $Z$ gauge bosons in $p\bar{p}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1.8$~TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider from the \D0 and CDF experiments are reviewed. Measurements of the inclusive cross sections times leptonic branching ratios in both the electron and muon decay channels are summarized and compared to QCD predictions. Using the ratio $R = {\sigma_W \cdot B(W\rightarrow l\nu)}/ {\sigma_Z \cdot B(Z\rightarrow ll)}$ and assuming standard model couplings, an indirect determination of the W decay width is obtained. By comparing this measured value with the predicted value for the $W$ width, a limit on the deviation from the standard model is obtained.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures appended in a uuencoded fil

Value-at-Risk time scaling for long-term risk estimation

In this paper we discuss a general methodology to compute the market risk measure over long time horizons and at extreme percentiles, which are the typical conditions needed for estimating Economic Capital. The proposed approach extends the usual market-risk measure, ie, Value-at-Risk (VaR) at a short-term horizon and 99% confidence level, by properly applying a scaling on the short-term Profit-and-Loss (P&L) distribution. Besides the standard square-root-of-time scaling, based on normality assumptions, we consider two leptokurtic probability density function classes for fitting empirical P&L datasets and derive accurately their scaling behaviour in light of the Central Limit Theorem, interpreting time scaling as a convolution problem. Our analyses result in a range of possible VaR-scaling approaches depending on the distribution providing the best fit to empirical data, the desired percentile level and the time horizon of the Economic Capital calculation. After assessing the different approaches on a test equity trading portfolio, it emerges that the choice of the VaR-scaling approach can affect substantially the Economic Capital calculation. In particular, the use of a convolution-based approach could lead to significantly larger risk measures (by up to a factor of four) than those calculated using Normal assumptions on the P&L distribution.Comment: Pre-Print version, submitted to The Journal of Risk. 18 pages, 17 figure

Sviluppo di una metodologia per la valutazione ecotossicologica di sedimenti marini costieri mediante biosaggi di genotossicità ed analisi del contenuto di metalli pesanti

Negli ultimi anni è aumentato l’interesse per la valutazione degli inquinanti presenti negli ecosistemi acquatici, mediante l’applicazione di indicatori biologici di diverso tipo. Lo studio dei fondali marini e l’analisi delle caratteristiche chimiche e fisiche dei sedimenti rivestono una notevole importanza nella valutazione dell’ambiente marino. I sedimenti, infatti, possono svolgere un ruolo di trasporto diretto dei contaminanti, sia di origine naturale che antropica, e possono inoltre fungere da ricettacolo transitorio e definitivo di sostanze essenziali o tossiche per gli organismi viventi, attraverso processi di bioaccumulo, assorbimento e rilascio da e nelle acque. Scopo di questa tesi è stato lo sviluppo di una metodologia per la valutazione ecotossicologica di sedimenti marini costieri mediante l’utilizzo di biosaggi di genotossicità e fitotossicità, unitamente all’analisi chimica del contenuto di metalli pesanti

ACUTE AND PROLONGED EFFECT OF NEW TREATMENTS (LEVOSIMENDAN AND SACUBITRIL/VALSARTAN) IN HEART FAILURE: AN HOLISTIC EVALUATION

Alveolar-capillary membrane evaluated by carbon monoxide diffusion (DLCO) plays an important role in heart failure (HF). Surfactant Proteins (SPs) have also been suggested as a worthwhile marker. In acute HF, Levosimendan improves pulmonary hemodynamics and reduces lung fluids but associated SPs and DLCO changes are unknown. Sixty-five acute HF patients underwent spirometry, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and SPs determination before and after Levosimendan. Levosimendan caused natriuretic peptide-B (BNP) reduction, peakVO2 increase and VE/VCO2 slope reduction. Spirometry improved but DLCO did not. SP-A, SP-D and immature SP-B reduced (73.7\u202f\ub1\u202f25.3 vs. 66.3\u202f\ub1\u202f22.7\u202fng/mL*, 247\u202f\ub1\u202f121 vs. 223\u202f\ub1\u202f110\u202fng/mL*, 39.4\u202f\ub1\u202f18.7 vs. 34.4\u202f\ub1\u202f17.9AU*, respectively); while mature SP-B increased (424\u202f\ub1\u202f218 vs. 461\u202f\ub1\u202f243\u202fng/mL, *\u202f=\u202fp\u202f<\u202f0.001). Spirometry, BNP and CPET changes suggest hemodynamic improvement and lung fluid reduction. SP-A, SP-D and immature SP-B reduction indicates a reduction of inflammatory stress; conversely mature SP-B increase suggests alveolar cell function restoration. In conclusion, acute lung fluid reduction is associated with SPs but not DLCO changes. SPs are fast responders to alveolar-capillary membrane condition changes. On the other hand, regarding chronic heart failure, Sacubitril/Valsartan represents a novel therapy in the treatment of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), has recently proved efficacy in improving exercise tolerance and cardiac performance. We enrolled a cohort of HFrEF outpatients eligible for sacubitril/valsartan and performed serial cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET), pulmonary function tests, laboratory and echocardiographic assessments before and during the gradual titration of this treatment, in order to evaluate its effects on cardiopulmonary function and left ventricular remodeling. In this interim analysis, we examined twenty-five patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan for at three months. At a mean follow-up of 169\ub174 days, 92% of patients reached the maximum dose, without important safety concerns. Ejection fraction increased (31.0\ub15.4 vs. 37.2\ub19.6 %; p=0.009), while left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes decreased (respectively, 116.8\ub131.4 vs. 90.5\ub121.3 ml, p=0.011; 80.9\ub124.5 vs. 58.2\ub121.4 ml, p=0.004). Peak oxygen consumption (VO2) improved from 63.4\ub112.5 to 70.3\ub113.3 % of predicted (p=0.002), along with workload at maximal exercise (97.0\ub139.3 vs. 103.7\ub139.7 watt, p=0.001) and VO2 at the anaerobic threshold (881\ub1278 to 1056\ub1350 ml, p=0.012). Minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production relationship (VE/VCO2 slope) did not reach statistical significance in this sub-population. New York Heart Association functional class improved (p=0.004), together with a significant decrease of MECKI (Metabolic Exercise test data combined with Cardiac and Kidney Indexes) score from 3.0 (IQR 1.7-6.3) to 1.8 (0.8-3.6) %, with a positive impact on two-year HF prognosis (p=0.009).In conclusion medium-term treatment with sacubitril/valsartan demonstrated beneficial effects on exercise tolerance, left ventricular remodelling and functional status, confirming the results from previous clinical trials in real-life. The longer follow-up and larger population of the finished study will further contribute to the assessment of its positive effects on HF patients

Exploring Determinants and Consequences of International Diversification: A Multi-Level Perspective

The dissertation explores determinants and consequences of international diversification and consists of two essays. Essay I focuses on the relationship between international diversification and firm performance (ID-P). Drawing on the global strategy literature and the institution-based view of strategy, we propose that the mixed findings of extant research on the ID-P relationship can be explained by the contextual conditions in which this relationship exists, including home-country formal and informal institutions. The model is tested in a meta-analysis (HOMA, MARA, and HiLLMA analyses) of firm-, industry-, and home country-level factors driving the ID-P relationship. The sample consists of 359 primary studies across 32 countries between 1972 and 2012—the largest sample of primary studies of any meta-analysis on this topic to date. The main finding is that international diversification positively impacts firm performance and the strength of this effect is contingent on the specific formal and informal institutions of the home country. Essay II focuses on the relationship between corporate governance and international diversification (CG-ID). The study utilizes a multidimensional conceptualization of the two constructs, exploring breadth and depth of ID and several mechanisms of CG (e.g., ownership concentration, CEO compensation, and board independence). Drawing on agency theory and the resource and information-processing perspectives, we propose bidirectional causal effects between CG and ID. Our arguments are then contextualized by exploring the moderating effect of home-country institutional and cultural conditions and, in particular, the legal protection of minority shareholders and the national uncertainty avoidance. We test the model using meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) with data from 104 primary studies across 28 countries covering the 1970-2012 period and find overall support for our theoretical predictions. The dissertation contributes to the literatures of global strategy and corporate governance and provides valuable insights to the practice of international business

Talking during class, packing up books and name calling: Is it really that big a deal? An exploration of classroom incivility

The main goal of my dissertation was to explore and expand our understanding of the concept of adolescent classroom incivility. Specifically, I wanted to expand the current research on classroom incivility in children and youth using a range of methods. Methods comprised validating a measure of engagement in uncivil behavior, including open-ended responses to understand the experiences and viewpoints of both adolescent students and their teachers and exploring social network position in relation to engaging in classroom incivility. In Study 1, I validated a scale of uncivil behavior in the classroom. This validation confirmed subscales of intentional and unintentional classroom incivility in adolescents. This study also assessed construct validity via the examination of associations between classroom incivility with self- and peer-reported behavior and mental health correlates. As well, I investigated differential personality profiles of adolescents who reported engaging in intentional vs. unintentional uncivil behavior. Study 2 focused on comparing and contrasting the perceptions and experiences of classroom incivility of middle and high school teachers and students. This study used both quantitative reporting and qualitative methods to investigate how middle and high school teachers were experiencing and understanding classroom incivility compared to students. The results of this study indicated that there were differences in how uncivil behaviors were being perceived by students and teachers, depending on the classroom or individual circumstances. Finally, Study 3 was an exploratory study that investigated the association between social network position and self-reported engagement in classroom incivility. Results indicated a curvilinear association between social network position and classroom incivility, such that students who engaged in the highest or lowest levels of classroom incivility had lower social network position, while students who engaged in moderate levels of classroom incivility had the highest levels of social network position. Taken together, these studies have expanded our knowledge and understanding of adolescent classroom incivility. These results can inform intervention of uncivil behavior in the classroom and have highlighted the importance of limiting uncivil behavior in adolescence in an effort to promote a civil society

The Others: Self-Perception And Social Stratification Amongst Incarcerated United States Citizens

This research examines how the experiences of incarceration affects the identity and social stratification within jailed/imprisoned populations. To this end, the focus of this project is on how retributive justice ideologies within correctional facilities affect the treatment and labeling of people in a method which turns them into an “Other” through means of dehumanization, maltreatment and deviantization. The focus is on the nature of the problem, and on the ways variation shows reform taking place at certain correctional institutions. Sources consulted for this research include first hand perspectives and memories of those who have experienced incarceration. Interview questions and on completed surveys completed by eight previously incarcerated participants stemmed from 115 letters written by currently imprisoned individuals. These were read and coded during a one year internship that I completed with the Incarcerated Voices Project. This research was conducted over an 8 week time-span and included 60-90 minute semi-structured interviews with eight participants. These participants are between the ages of 21 and 50 years of age, and served time in the United States correctional facilities within the last 15 years ranging from one day to 4 years. Conclusions feature data analysis of perspectives which reinforce dominant-power ideology, social stratification on which retributive justice is built, and identity effects experienced by persons who have previously been incarcerated