LHC potential for Standard Model Measurements

I review the potential of precision measurements at the LHC. I argue that total cross-section measurements will soon be limited by systematics; instead, differential cross-sections will constrain the theory much more efficiently. As an example, measuring the Z rapidity distributions will allow to reduce the uncertainty on the high-mass Drell-Yan spectrum, provided we can identify leptons as forward as possible. Similarly, the W distributions can be deduced from the Z ones, largely reducinging the uncertainties affecting the W mass measurement. For this analysis, I argue that an ultimate precision of 5 MeV should be within reach. This number sets a goal of 500 MeV on the top mass measurement

Uncertainty components in profile likelihood fits

When a measurement of a physical quantity is reported, the total uncertainty is usually decomposed into statistical and systematic uncertainties. This decomposition is not only useful to understand the contributions to the total uncertainty, but also to propagate these contributions in a subsequent analysis, such as combinations or interpretation fits including results from other measurements or experiments. In profile-likelihood fits, contributions of systematic uncertainties are most often quantified using impacts, which are not adequate for such applications. We discuss the difference between these impacts and uncertainty components, and propose a simple method to determine the latter.Comment: 20 page

Response to Pediatric Physical Therapy in Infants With Positional Preference and Skull Deformation

Background Pediatric physical therapy (PPT) seems to reduce skull deformation in infants with positional preference. However, not all infants show improvement. \ud \ud Objective The purpose of this study was to determine which infant and parent characteristics were related to response to PPT in 2-4 month-old infants with positional preference and/or skull deformation. \ud \ud Design A prospective cohort study. \ud \ud Methods Infants 2–4 months old with positional preference and/or skull deformation were recruited by pediatric physical therapists at the start of PPT. Primary outcome was good or poor response (moderate/severe skull deformation) at 4.5 to 6.5 months of age. Potential predictors for response to PPT were assessed at baseline using questionnaires, plagiocephalometry, and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses using a stepwise backward elimination method were performed. \ud \ud Results 657 infants participated in the study. At follow-up 364 infants (55.4%) showed poor response and 293 infants (44.6%) good response to therapy. Multiple logistic regression analysis resulted in the identification of four significant predictors at baseline for poor response to PPT: starting therapy after 3 months of age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.50, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.17), skull deformation (plagiocephaly (aOR: 2.64, 1.67 to 4.17), brachycephaly (aOR: 3.07, 2.09 to 4.52)) and a low parental satisfaction score (aOR: 2.64, 1.67 to 4.17). \ud \ud Limitations Information about PPT was collected retrospectively and concerned general therapy characteristics. Subsequently no adjustment for therapy for the individual participants could be made. \ud \ud Conclusions Four predictors for response to PPT in infants of 2-4 months of age with positional preference and/or skull deformation were identified. Health professionals can use these predictors in daily practice to provide infants with more individualized therapy, resulting in better chances of a good outcom

Screening for Postpartum Depression in Well-Baby Care Settings:A Systematic Review

Introduction Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mental health problem frequently experienced by mothers in the first year postpartum. Early detection and treatment can help to reduce its negative effect on the development of the newborn child. Well-baby care (WBC) is a promising screening setting for early detection of PPD. This systematic review investigates the evidence of the effectiveness of screening for PPD in WBC settings regarding mother and child outcomes. Methods Three electronic databases were searched: SCOPUS, PsychINFO and CINAHL. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection. Data extraction was based on a predefined data extraction form. Results Six studies were included; a quality assessment rated two studies as strong and four as weak. Four studies measuring outcomes at process level showed improvement in detection, referral and/or treatment rates. Four studies, including the two strong ones, where screening and enhanced care were combined, showed improvements in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores of the mothers in the intervention groups. No improvements were reported on other outcomes at parent level or at child level. At child level, weight was the only outcome that was measured. Discussion This review provides limited yet positive evidence for the value of screening for PPD in a WBC setting. The outcomes are comparable with studies on screening for PPD in general. The evidence that we found is very promising but the small number of available studies shows a need for additional high-quality studies, to strengthen the evidence regarding the potential benefits of screening in a WBC setting.</p

Helmet therapy in infants with positional skull deformation: randomised controlled trial

Objective To determine the effectiveness of helmet therapy for positional skull deformation compared with the natural course of the condition in infants aged 5-6 months. Design Pragmatic, single blinded, randomised controlled trial (HEADS, HElmet therapy Assessment in Deformed Skulls) nested in a prospective cohort study. Setting 29 paediatric physiotherapy practices; helmet therapy was administered at four specialised centres. Participants 84 infants aged 5 to 6 months with moderate to severe skull deformation, who were born after 36 weeks of gestation and had no muscular torticollis, craniosynostosis, or dysmorphic features. Participants were randomly assigned to helmet therapy (n=42) or to natural course of the condition (n=42) according to a randomisation plan with blocks of eight. Interventions Six months of helmet therapy compared with the natural course of skull deformation. In both trial arms parents were asked to avoid any (additional) treatment for the skull deformation. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was change in skull shape from baseline to 24 months of age assessed using plagiocephalometry (anthropometric measurement instrument). Change scores for plagiocephaly (oblique diameter difference index) and brachycephaly (cranioproportional index) were each included in an analysis of covariance, using baseline values as the covariate. Secondary outcomes were ear deviation, facial asymmetry, occipital lift, and motor development in the infant, quality of life (infant and parent measures), and parental satisfaction and anxiety. Baseline measurements were performed in infants aged between 5 and 6 months, with follow-up measurements at 8, 12, and 24 months. Primary outcome assessment at 24 months was blinded. Results The change score for both plagiocephaly and brachycephaly was equal between the helmet therapy and natural course groups, with a mean difference of −0.2 (95% confidence interval −1.6 to 1.2, P=0.80) and 0.2 (−1.7 to 2.2, P=0.81), respectively. Full recovery was achieved in 10 of 39 (26%) participants in the helmet therapy group and 9 of 40 (23%) participants in the natural course group (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.4 to 3.3, P=0.74). All parents reported one or more side effects. Conclusions Based on the equal effectiveness of helmet therapy and skull deformation following its natural course, high prevalence of side effects, and high costs associated with helmet therapy, we discourage the use of a helmet as a standard treatment for healthy infants with moderate to severe skull deformatio

γ∗γ∗\gamma^*\gamma^* total cross-section in the dipole picture of BFKL dynamics

The total $\gamma^*\gamma^*$ cross-section is derived in the Leading Order QCD dipole picture of BFKL dynamics, and compared with the one from 2-gluon exchange. The Double Leading Logarithm approximation of the DGLAP cross-section is found to be small in the phase space studied. Cross sections are calculated for realistic data samples at the $e^+e^-$ collider LEP and a future high energy linear collider. Next to Leading order corrections to the BFKL evolution have been determined phenomenologically, and are found to give very large corrections to the BFKL cross-section, leading to a reduced sensitivity for observing BFKL.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figure

Rechtstreeks verwijzen door de jeugdarts bij verdenking op heupdysplasie: het perspectief van ouders

Doel: Rechtstreeks verwijzen door de jeugdarts naar de tweede lijn lijkt zinvol bij verdenking op heupdysplasie. Screening op heupdysplasie vindt plaats door lichamelijk onderzoek en de identificatie van risicofactoren. Echografische screening blijkt medisch en economisch gezien te leiden tot betere uitkomsten. Als onderdeel van een studie naar de haalbaarheid van implementatie van echografische screening in Nederland is onderzocht hoe ouders het verwijstraject beoordelen afhankelijk van de manier waarop zij naar de orthopaedisch chirurg zijn verwezen - rechtstreeks of via de huisarts - bij verdenking op heupdysplasie. Methode: Een vragenlijst is ontwikkeld om de ervaring van ouders die verwezen zijn te meten. In totaal is de vragenlijst gestuurd naar 355 ouders van kinderen die verwezen zijn tussen januari 2008 en november 2008. Resultaten: De respons op de vragenlijst was 46,5%. Ouders waren meer tevreden wanneer zij door de jeugdarts rechtstreeks waren verwezen dan wanneer dat via de huisarts plaatsvond. De tijd tussen de verwijzing en de eerste afspraak bij de orthopaedisch chirurg was korter als kinderen rechtstreeks werden verwezen. Tot slot waren ouders meer tevreden als zij het verwijstraject als niet stressvol ervoeren en als het traject soepel verliep. Conclusie: Gebaseerd op de perceptie van ouders, geeft dit onderzoek een eerste indicatie dat, met inachtneming van een aantal belangrijke randvoorwaarden, rechtstreeks verwijzen in het geval van heupdysplasie wenselijk is

Re-evaluation of the LHC potential for the measurement of Mw

We present a study of the LHC sensitivity to the W boson mass based on simulation studies. We find that both experimental and phenomenological sources of systematic uncertainties can be strongly constrained with Z measurements: the lineshape is robustly predicted, and its analysis provides an accurate measurement of the detector resolution and absolute scale, while the differential cross-section analysis absorbs most of the strong interaction uncertainties. A sensitivity \delta Mw \sim 7 \MeV for each decay channel (W --> e nu, W --> mu nu), and for an integrated luminosity of 10 fb-1, appears as a reasonable goal