Observation of a Narrow Resonance of Mass 2.46 GeV/c^2 Decaying to D_s^*+ pi^0 and Confirmation of the D_sJ^* (2317) State

Using 13.5 inverse fb of e+e- annihilation data collected with the CLEO II detector we have observed a narrow resonance in the Ds*+pi0 final state, with a mass near 2.46 GeV. The search for such a state was motivated by the recent discovery by the BaBar Collaboration of a narrow state at 2.32 GeV, the DsJ*(2317)+ that decays to Ds+pi0. Reconstructing the Ds+pi0 and Ds*+pi0 final states in CLEO data, we observe peaks in both of the corresponding reconstructed mass difference distributions, dM(Dspi0)=M(Dspi0)-M(Ds) and dM(Ds*pi0)=M(Ds*pi0)-M(Ds*), both of them at values near 350 MeV. We interpret these peaks as signatures of two distinct states, the DsJ*(2317)+ plus a new state, designated as the DsJ(2463)+. Because of the similar dM values, each of these states represents a source of background for the other if photons are lost, ignored or added. A quantitative accounting of these reflections confirms that both states exist. We have measured the mean mass differences = 350.0 +/- 1.2 [stat] +/- 1.0 [syst] MeV for the DsJ*(2317) state, and = 351.2 +/- 1.7 [stat] +/- 1.0 [syst] MeV for the new DsJ(2463)+ state. We have also searched, but find no evidence, for decays of the two states via the channels Ds*+gamma, Ds+gamma, and Ds+pi+pi-. The observations of the two states at 2.32 and 2.46 GeV, in the Ds+pi0 and Ds*+pi0 decay channels respectively, are consistent with their interpretations as (c anti-strange) mesons with orbital angular momentum L=1, and spin-parities of 0+ and 1+.Comment: 16 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS, version to be published in Physical Review D; minor modifications and fixes to typographical errors, plus an added section on production properties. The main results are unchanged; they supersede those reported in hep-ex/030501

Measurement of the Charge Asymmetry in B→K∗(892)±π∓B\to K^* (892)^{\pm}\pi^{\mp}

We report on a search for a CP-violating asymmetry in the charmless hadronic decay B -> K*(892)+- pi-+, using 9.12 fb^-1 of integrated luminosity produced at \sqrt{s}=10.58 GeV and collected with the CLEO detector. We find A_{CP}(B -> K*(892)+- pi-+) = 0.26+0.33-0.34(stat.)+0.10-0.08(syst.), giving an allowed interval of [-0.31,0.78] at the 90% confidence level.Comment: 7 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS, submitted to PR

Study of the q^2-Dependence of B --> pi ell nu and B --> rho(omega)ell nu Decay and Extraction of |V_ub|

We report on determinations of |Vub| resulting from studies of the branching fraction and q^2 distributions in exclusive semileptonic B decays that proceed via the b->u transition. Our data set consists of the 9.7x10^6 BBbar meson pairs collected at the Y(4S) resonance with the CLEO II detector. We measure B(B0 -> pi- l+ nu) = (1.33 +- 0.18 +- 0.11 +- 0.01 +- 0.07)x10^{-4} and B(B0 -> rho- l+ nu) = (2.17 +- 0.34 +0.47/-0.54 +- 0.41 +- 0.01)x10^{-4}, where the errors are statistical, experimental systematic, systematic due to residual form-factor uncertainties in the signal, and systematic due to residual form-factor uncertainties in the cross-feed modes, respectively. We also find B(B+ -> eta l+ nu) = (0.84 +- 0.31 +- 0.16 +- 0.09)x10^{-4}, consistent with what is expected from the B -> pi l nu mode and quark model symmetries. We extract |Vub| using Light-Cone Sum Rules (LCSR) for 0<= q^2<16 GeV^2 and Lattice QCD (LQCD) for 16 GeV^2 <= q^2 < q^2_max. Combining both intervals yields |Vub| = (3.24 +- 0.22 +- 0.13 +0.55/-0.39 +- 0.09)x10^{-3}$ for pi l nu, and |Vub| = (3.00 +- 0.21 +0.29/-0.35 +0.49/-0.38 +-0.28)x10^{-3} for rho l nu, where the errors are statistical, experimental systematic, theoretical, and signal form-factor shape, respectively. Our combined value from both decay modes is |Vub| = (3.17 +- 0.17 +0.16/-0.17 +0.53/-0.39 +-0.03)x10^{-3}.Comment: 45 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS, submitted to PR

Search for CP Violation in D^0--> K_S^0 pi^+pi^-

We report on a search for CP violation in the decay of D0 and D0B to Kshort pi+pi-. The data come from an integrated luminosity of 9.0 1/fb of e+e- collisions at sqrt(s) ~ 10 GeV recorded with the CLEO II.V detector. The resonance substructure of this decay is well described by ten quasi-two-body decay channels (K*-pi+, K*0(1430)-pi+, K*2(1430)-pi+, K*(1680)-pi+, Kshort rho, Kshort omega, Kshort f0(980), Kshort f2(1270), Kshort f0(1370), and the ``wrong sign'' K*+ pi-) plus a small non-resonant component. We observe no evidence for CP violation in the amplitudes and phases that describe the decay D0 to K_S^0 pi+pi-.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, also available at http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS/, submitted to PR

Measurement of Lepton Momentum Moments in the Decay bar{B} \to X \ell \bar{\nu} and Determination of Heavy Quark Expansion Parameters and |V_cb|

We measure the primary lepton momentum spectrum in B-bar to X l nu decays, for p_l > 1.5 GeV/c in the B rest frame. From this, we calculate various moments of the spectrum. In particular, we find R_0 = [int(E_l>1.7) (dGam/dE_sl)*dE_l] / [int(E_l>1.5) (dGam/dE_sl)*dE_l] = 0.6187 +/- 0.0014_stat +/- 0.0016_sys and R_1 = [int(E_l>1.5) E_l(dGam/dE_sl)*dE_l] / [int(E_l>1.5) (dGam/dE_sl)*dE_l] = (1.7810 +/- 0.0007_stat +/- 0.0009_sys) GeV. We use these moments to determine non-perturbative parameters governing the semileptonic width. In particular, we extract the Heavy Quark Expansion parameters Lambda-bar = (0.39 +/- 0.03_stat +/- 0.06_sys +/- 0.12_th) GeV and lambda_1 = (-0.25 +/- 0.02_stat +/- 0.05_sys +/- 0.14_th) GeV^2. The theoretical constraints used are evaluated through order 1/M_B^3 in the non-perturbative expansion and beta_0*alpha__s^2 in the perturbative expansion. We use these parameters to extract |V_cb| from the world average of the semileptonic width and find |V_cb| = (40.8 +/- 0.5_Gam-sl +/- 0.4_(lambda_1,Lambda-bar)-exp +/- 0.9_th) x 10^-3. In addition, we extract the short range b-quark mass m_b^1S = (4.82 +/- 0.07_exp +/- 0.11_th) GeV/c^2. Finally, we discuss the implications of our measurements for the theoretical understanding of inclusive semileptonic processes.Comment: 21 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS, submitted to PR

A review of symptomatic leg length inequality following total hip arthroplasty

Leg length inequality (LLI) following total hip replacement is a complication which features increasingly in the recent literature. The definition of LLI is complicated by lack of consensus regarding radiological measurement, clinical measurement and the incomplete relationship between LLI and associated symptoms. This paper reviews 79 reports relating to LLI post hip replacement, detailing definitions and classification and highlighting patient populations prone to symptomatic LLI. While there is no universal definition of LLI, there is a broad consensus that less than 10 mm of difference on AP view plain radiographs is clinically acceptable. There are few techniques described that consistently produce a postoperative LLI of less than this magnitude. Where postoperative LLI exists, lengthening appears to cause more problems than shortening. In cases of mild LLI, non-surgical management produces adequate outcomes in the majority of cases, with functional LLI cases doing better than those with true LLI. Operative correction is effective in half of cases, even where nerve palsy is present, and remains an important option of last resort. Poor outcomes in patients with LLI may be minimised if individuals at risk are identified and counselled appropriately

K-Shell photodetachment of Li−: Experiment and theory

We have measured the first and second moments of the hadronic mass-squared distribution in B→Xclv, for Plepton>1.5 GeV/c. We find(MX 2−MD −2)= 0.251 ± 0.66 GeV2,((MX 2−MX 2)2)=0.576 ± 0.170 GeV4, where M¯ Dis the spin-averaged D meson mass. From that first moment and the first moment of the photon energy spectrum in b→s γ, we find the heavy quark effective theory parameter λ1(in the modified minimal subtraction renormalization scheme, to order 1/MB 3and γ0αs 2) to be −0.24±0.11GeV2. Using these first moments and the B semileptonic width, and assuming parton-hadron duality, we obtain|Vcb|=0.0404±0.0013

Making Nursing Work: Breaking Through the Role Confusion of Advanced Practice Nursing

The Aim of this study was to develop a research-informed model of the service parameters and an analysis framework for advanced practice nursing roles. Background: Changing patterns of health care are forcing service planners to examine new service delivery models. Apparent is the call for nursing service that incorporates expanded levels of autonomy, skill and decision making. A number of nursing roles conform to this description under the generic title of advanced practice nurse. However, there is confusion in the health service community internationally about nomenclature, role and scope of practice for advanced nursing roles. An emerging priority in response to recent developments in the nurse practitioner role is to establish service parameters for advanced practice nursing and to operationally differentiate between advanced practice and practitioner nursing roles. Design: We conducted an interpretive, qualitative examination of the practice of a random sample of nine advanced practice nurses working in three acute care hospitals in south east Queensland, Australia. Methods: Data collection involved individual in-depth interviews. The interview data were deductively analysed and tested against published advanced practice nursing models. Results: This analysis identified the Strong Model of Advanced Practice as most comprehensively supporting the practice experiences of the research participants. The Strong Model supports definition of the service parameters and the design of an operational framework for implementation and evaluation of APN roles. Conclusions: This exploratory study has addressed some of the confusion that surrounds advanced practice nursing roles. The findings provide a description of the service parameters of the APN role; differentiate advanced practice nurse and nurse practitioner roles; and provides an operational framework to identify, establish and evaluate advanced and extended nursing positions. Subject to further validation, this research outcome can provide operational information for implementing innovative nursing roles appropriate to consumer needs and specific health service models