Global Search for New Physics with 2.0/fb at CDF

Data collected in Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron are searched for indications of new electroweak-scale physics. Rather than focusing on particular new physics scenarios, CDF data are analyzed for discrepancies with the standard model prediction. A model-independent approach (Vista) considers gross features of the data, and is sensitive to new large cross-section physics. Further sensitivity to new physics is provided by two additional algorithms: a Bump Hunter searches invariant mass distributions for "bumps" that could indicate resonant production of new particles; and the Sleuth procedure scans for data excesses at large summed transverse momentum. This combined global search for new physics in 2.0/fb of ppbar collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV reveals no indication of physics beyond the standard model.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures. Final version which appeared in Physical Review D Rapid Communication

Observation of Orbitally Excited B_s Mesons

We report the first observation of two narrow resonances consistent with states of orbitally excited (L=1) B_s mesons using 1 fb^{-1} of ppbar collisions at sqrt{s} = 1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We use two-body decays into K^- and B^+ mesons reconstructed as B^+ \to J/\psi K^+, J/\psi \to \mu^+ \mu^- or B^+ \to \bar{D}^0 \pi^+, \bar{D}^0 \to K^+ \pi^-. We deduce the masses of the two states to be m(B_{s1}) = 5829.4 +- 0.7 MeV/c^2 and m(B_{s2}^*) = 5839.7 +- 0.7 MeV/c^2.Comment: Version accepted and published by Phys. Rev. Let

A New Definition of Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities is a generic term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual and presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction. Even though a learning disability may occur concomitantly with other handicapping conditions (e.g., sensory impairment, mental retardation, social and emotional disturbance) or environmental influences (e.g., cultural differences, insufficient/inappropriate instruction, psychogenic factors), it is not the direct result of those conditions or influences.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Measurement of the ttbar Production Cross Section in ppbar collisions at sqrt s = 1.96 TeV in the All Hadronic Decay Mode

We report a measurement of the ttbar production cross section using the CDF-II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The analysis is performed using 311 pb-1 of ppbar collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV. The data consist of events selected with six or more hadronic jets with additional kinematic requirements. At least one of these jets must be identified as a b-quark jet by the reconstruction of a secondary vertex. The cross section is measured to be sigma(tbart)=7.5+-2.1(stat.)+3.3-2.2(syst.)+0.5-0.4(lumi.) pb, which is consistent with the standard model prediction.Comment: By CDF collaboratio

Search for charged Higgs bosons in decays of top quarks in p-pbar collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.96 TeV

7 pages, 2 figuresWe report the recent charged Higgs search in top quark decays in 2.2/fb CDF data. This is the first attempt to search for charged Higgs using fully reconstructed mass assuming H->c-sbar in small tan beta region. No evidence of a charged Higgs is observed in the CDF data, hence 95% upper limits are placed at B(t->H+b)We report on the first direct search for charged Higgs bosons decaying into cs̅ in tt̅ events produced by pp̅ collisions at √s=1.96  TeV. The search uses a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.2  fb-1 collected by the CDF II detector at Fermilab and looks for a resonance in the invariant mass distribution of two jets in the lepton+jets sample of tt̅ candidates. We observe no evidence of charged Higgs bosons in top quark decays. Hence, 95% upper limits on the top quark decay branching ratio are placed at B(t→H+b)< 0.1 to 0.3 for charged Higgs boson masses of 60 to 150  GeV/c2 assuming B(H+→cs̅ )=1.0. The upper limits on B(t→H+b) are also used as model-independent limits on the decay branching ratio of top quarks to generic scalar charged bosons beyond the standard model.Peer reviewe

Search for chargino-neutralino production in ppbar collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.96 TeV

We present the results of a search for associated production of the chargino and neutralino supersymmetric particles using up to 1.1 fb-1 of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF II experiment at the Tevatron ppbar collider at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. The search is conducted by analyzing events with a large transverse momentum imbalance and either three charged leptons or two charged leptons of the same electric charge. The numbers of observed events are found to be consistent with standard model expectations. Upper limits on the production cross section are derived in different theoretical models. In one of these models a lower limit on the mass of the chargino is set at 129 GeV/c^2 at the 95% confidence level.Comment: To be submitted to Phys.Rev.Let

Standardization of diagnostic criteria for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis in the Oestrus ovis infected sheep model

BackgroundThe sheep is an established model for endoscopic surgical procedures, as well as for postsurgical healing. Standardization of the presence and the degree of eosinophilia within this model still has not been done. This study was undertaken to show the eosinophilic response secondary to Oestrus ovis parasitic infestation within the nasal cavity to standardize the sheep model of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and to set diagnostic criteria for CRS in sheep.MethodsNasal mucosal secretions were obtained from sheep naturally infested with O. ovis and showed signs of CRS and from sheep treated with ivermectin to prevent the infestation. Full thickness mucosal biopsy specimens from the lateral nasal wall were obtained also from these sheep. After histological fixing and staining, the degree of eosinophilia in the mucous secretion smears and in the epithelial layer of the lateral nasal wall was quantified using a light microscope.ResultsThe average number of eosinophils in the mucous secretions and in the nasal wall epithelium was significantly higher in the sheep that showed signs of rhinosinusitis and had visible O. ovis larvae compared with control sheep (p = 0.003 and p = 0.05, respectively).ConclusionBased on the average numbers of eosinophils observed the diagnostic criterion for CRS in sheep is two eosinophils per high-power field averaged over three fields of secreted mucous smears or an average of at least one eosinophil per high-power field of nasal wall epithelial biopsy specimens.Thomas, Devika C. ; Wormald, Peter-Joh

Engineering self-adaptive systems through feedback loops

To deal with the increasing complexity of software systems and uncertainty of their environments, software engineers have turned to self-adaptivity. Self-adaptive systems are capable of dealing with a continuously changing environment and emerging requirements that may be unknown at design-time. However, building such systems cost-effectively and in a predictable manner is a major engineering challenge. In this paper, we explore the state-of-the-art in engineering self-adaptive systems and identify potential improvements in the design process. Our most important finding is that in designing self-adaptive systems, the feedback loops that control self-adaptation must become first-class entities. We explore feedback loops from the perspective of control engineering and within existing self-adaptive systems in nature and biology. Finally, we identify the critical challenges our community must address to enable systematic and well-organized engineering of self-adaptive and self-managing software systems