CP violation, B mixing and B lifetime results from the BABAR experiment

The BaBar detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B Factory at SLAC collected a sample of 23M B-anti-B pairs in the years 1999 and 2000. Using this data sample, we measure the amplitude of the time-dependent CP-violating asymmetry in neutral B decays to the CP eigenstates B0 --> J/psi K0S, B0 --> psi(2S) K0S and B0 --> J/psi K0L. We find a value of sin2beta = 0.34 +/- 0.20 (stat) +/- 0.05 (syst). We also present preliminary measurements of the B^0-anti-B^0 oscillation frequency and of the lifetimes of charged and neutral B mesons.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, invited talk given at the 36th Rencontres de Moriond on QCD and Hadronic Interactions, 17-24 March 2001, Les Arcs, Franc

Simplification of the DREAM collaboration's "Q/S method" in dual readout calorimetry analysis

The DREAM collaboration has introduced the "Q/S Method" for obtaining the energy estimator from simultaneous Cherenkov and scintillator readouts of individual hadronic events. We show that the algorithm is equivalent to an elementary method

Mitigating impacts of climate change in stream food webs

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of changing climates on the processes which support aquatic biodiversity is of critical importance for managing aquatic ecosystems. This research used an experimental approach to determine whether there are potential ecological surprises in terms of threshold relationships between climate and critical aquatic processes. These results were then placed in the context of the potential for riparian replanting to mitigate against these impacts.A review was carried out of climate change experiments in freshwaters, and revealed that the vast majority of studies have failed to take into account predicted increases in the frequency of extreme events (such as heatwaves) on biota. In order to include these components of changes in climate, a methodology was developed for downscaling global circulation models of climate change to generate realistic temperature data to use as an experimental treatment. Stream communities from the field were brought into experimental flumes and warmed according to the predictions of the down-scaled climate change models. Experiments were run for six weeks and responses were measured for basal processes (algal productivity and carbon dynamics) and aquatic invertebrate communities. Basal processes showed relatively small responses to the changed temperature regime, and appear to be relatively resistant for warming on the scale predicted under climate change scenarios for the next century. Aquatic invertebrate communities did show some responses, but these tended to be in terms of changes in size structure withion particular taxa rather than major impacts on patterns of biodiversity.The largest effects were seen for emerging adults of aquatic insects, were all species in the community responded in some way to our 2100 climate change treatment. Responses were species- and sex-specific. Males of all mayfly species emerged faster under 2100 temperatures compared to 1990-2000 temperatures. For the mayfly Ulmerophlebia pipinna (Leptophlebiidae), this implied a change in the sex ratio that could potentially compromise populations and, ultimately, lead to local extinctions. Furthermore, our results show a decrease in the overall community body size (average across taxa) due to a shift from bigger to smaller species.These results are in accord with the ecological rules dealing with the temperature-size relationships (in particular, Bergmann’s rule). Studies of streams in the field revealed that riparian vegetation did cool stream temperatures, and that the presence of riparian vegetation, ideally with extensive vegetation cover across the catchment, did appear to maintain higher diversity and abundance in stream invertebrate communities. Therefore it seems that restoring riparian vegetation does represent an effective means of adaptation to changing climates for temperate south eastern Australian freshwaters.Please cite this report as: Thompson, RM, Beardall, J, Beringer, J, Grace, M, Sardina, P 2013 Mitigating impacts of climate change on stream food webs: impacts of elevated temperature and CO2 on the critical processes underpinning resilience of aquatic ecosystems National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast, pp.136.Understanding the effects of changing climates on the processes which support aquatic biodiversity is of critical importance for managing aquatic ecosystems. This research used an experimental approach to determine whether there are potential ecological surprises in terms of threshold relationships between climate and critical aquatic processes. These results were then placed in the context of the potential for riparian replanting to mitigate against these impacts.A review was carried out of climate change experiments in freshwaters, and revealed that the vast majority of studies have failed to take into account predicted increases in the frequency of extreme events (such as heatwaves) on biota. In order to include these components of changes in climate, a methodology was developed for downscaling global circulation models of climate change to generate realistic temperature data to use as an experimental treatment. Stream communities from the field were brought into experimental flumes and warmed according to the predictions of the down-scaled climate change models. Experiments were run for six weeks and responses were measured for basal processes (algal productivity and carbon dynamics) and aquatic invertebrate communities. Basal processes showed relatively small responses to the changed temperature regime, and appear to be relatively resistant for warming on the scale predicted under climate change scenarios for the next century. Aquatic invertebrate communities did show some responses, but these tended to be in terms of changes in size structure withion particular taxa rather than major impacts on patterns of biodiversity.The largest effects were seen for emerging adults of aquatic insects, were all species in the community responded in some way to our 2100 climate change treatment. Responses were species- and sex-specific. Males of all mayfly species emerged faster under 2100 temperatures compared to 1990-2000 temperatures. For the mayfly Ulmerophlebia pipinna (Leptophlebiidae), this implied a change in the sex ratio that could potentially compromise populations and, ultimately, lead to local extinctions. Furthermore, our results show a decrease in the overall community body size (average across taxa) due to a shift from bigger to smaller species.These results are in accord with the ecological rules dealing with the temperature-size relationships (in particular, Bergmann’s rule). Studies of streams in the field revealed that riparian vegetation did cool stream temperatures, and that the presence of riparian vegetation, ideally with extensive vegetation cover across the catchment, did appear to maintain higher diversity and abundance in stream invertebrate communities. Therefore it seems that restoring riparian vegetation does represent an effective means of adaptation to changing climates for temperate south eastern Australian freshwaters

An algorithm for quantifying dependence in multivariate data sets

We describe an algorithm to quantify dependence in a multivariate data set. The algorithm is able to identify any linear and non-linear dependence in the data set by performing a hypothesis test for two variables being independent. As a result we obtain a reliable measure of dependence. In high energy physics understanding dependencies is especially important in multidimensional maximum likelihood analyses. We therefore describe the problem of a multidimensional maximum likelihood analysis applied on a multivariate data set with variables that are dependent on each other. We review common procedures used in high energy physics and show that general dependence is not the same as linear correlation and discuss their limitations in practical application. Finally we present the tool CAT, which is able to perform all reviewed methods in a fully automatic mode and creates an analysis report document with numeric results and visual review.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Four major components of a behavioral objective and the advantage of using behavioral objectives

Certainly everyone who has ever attended a lecture, seminar, or class has undoubtedly asked themself, what purpose was served by that presentation. Unfortunately, there may also be those times when lecturers have to ask themselves the same question. When this situation occurs the result is a waste of money, resources, time, and human energy. This waste, and many other problems, could be eliminated with the use of well-written behavioral objectives. But there seems to be a resistance to using behavioral objectives by many of those who are involved in message design and instruction. Many reasons exist which tell why message designers do not make use of behavioral objectives. Two reasons will be discussed in this paper

Breast Cancer Patient Preparedness for Transition to Survivorship: Individualized Survivorship Care Plans

Purpose. For breast cancer survivors, after-effects of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can be substantial, and recurrence is a concern requiring constant surveillance. National healthcare organizations have promulgated guidelines that include providing individualized survivorship care plans (SCP’s). At a northern California oncology department, SCP’s will be prepared for breast cancer patients and delivered in-person by the oncology nurse navigator (ONN). Method. The author worked with the ONN to develop the format and content requirements for the SCP’s. The ONN prepared individualized plans for patients and scheduled in-person appointments to deliver the SCP’s. A feedback survey to assess preliminary impact was then administered to patients. The ten-question survey used a five-point Likert scale and allowed opportunity for qualitative feedback. Follow-up surveys were planned 4 to 6 weeks later. Results. Twelve patients completed the initial survey five of whom also completed the follow-up survey. Most patients strongly agreed (“5” on a “1 to 5” scale) with positive statements about the ONN and the usefulness of their SCP’s. Notably, two patients initially indicated mild agreement (“4”) as to “I will use the survivorship plan to help self-manage my wellness” but on follow-up changed their responses to strong agreement (“5”). Qualitative data was positive with some feedback that the nutrition/diet element of the SCP’s needs attention. Conclusion. Patient feedback was consistent with evidence-based practice that SCP’s can provide measurable benefits. Minimizing the risk of recurrence is a substantial benefit that justifies continued use of SCP’s for breast cancer patients and expanding to other cancer patients

Thin Film Approaches to The Srf Cavity Problem: Fabrication and Characterization of Superconducting Thin Films

Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavities are responsible for the acceleration of charged particles to relativistic velocities in most modern linear accelerators, such as those employed at high-energy research facilities like Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory’s CEBAF and the LHC at CERN. Recognizing SRF as primarily a surface phenomenon enables the possibility of applying thin films to the interior surface of SRF cavities, opening a formidable tool chest of opportunities by combining and designing materials that offer greater benefit. Thus, while improvements in radio frequency cavity design and refinements in cavity processing techniques have improved accelerator performance and efficiency – 1.5 GHz bulk niobium SRF cavities have achieved accelerating gradients in excess of 35 MV/m – there exist fundamental material bounds in bulk superconductors limiting the maximally sustained accelerating field gradient (approximately 45 MV/m for Niobium) where inevitable thermodynamic breakdown occurs. With state of the art niobium based cavity design fast approaching these theoretical limits, novel material innovations must be sought in order to realize next generation SRF cavities. One proposed method to improve SRF performance is to utilize thin film superconducting-insulating-superconducting (SIS) multilayer structures to effectively magnetically screen a bulk superconducting layer such that it can operate at higher field gradients before suffering critically detrimental SRF losses. This dissertation focuses on the production and characterization of thin film superconductors for such SIS layers for radio-frequency applications

Teacher’s Perceptions and Awareness of Cyberbullying Among Middle School Students

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ perceptions and awareness of cyberbullying among middle school students. Teachers from a rural school district were surveyed about their concern and awareness of cyberbullying, their confidence in identifying and managing cyberbullying, who should implement cyberbullying programs, and who should help students manage the issue. The results indicated that teachers are concerned about cyberbullying in their schools, but are unsure how to identify and manage it. Furthermore, they believe that school counselors, administrators, and teachers should all play a role in implementing cyberbullying programs in the school. Interpretations and implications of the survey results are also discussed