Status of the ATLAS Experiment

The ATLAS detector, which has been under construction and installation for more than 15 years, is now fully installed and running at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. In this paper the detector will be described. Some results from commissioning the detector with first single beam data from 2008 as well as cosmic ray data will be presented. Some physics expectations from the coming first year of LHC collision data will also be given

Local Hadronic Calibration of Single Pion Data from the Combined ATLAS Testbeam of 2004

For the first time, the local hadronic calibration scheme has been applied to real data from the combined test beam of 2004. In this note, the performance of the weighting of the combined test beam data is shown in relation to Monte Carlo simulations. The performance of the local calibration scheme when applied to simulated jets in full ATLAS set-up has also been demonstrated, and compared with the current default jet calibration, the "global" method. The local hadronic calibration achieves a calorimeter linearity within 3%, and the linearities of simulation and test beam data after weighting are in agreement. The calibration improves the resolution of simulated test beam data for beam energies larger than 8 GeV, and energies larger than 20 GeV for the data. In addition, the local hadronic calibration is shown to be a stable method for compensating the calorimeter system of ATLAS

The ATLAS tile calorimeter digitizer

The ATLAS Tile Calorimeter digitizer system samples photomultiplier signals from the scintillating tiles of the hadronic calorimeter. For each channel a pair of 10-bit ADCs digitize high and low gain signals at 40.08 MHz to provide the necessary 16-bit dynamic range. The sampled data is temporarily stored in digital pipelines for up to 6.375 \mu­s, awaiting a level-1 accept. For each accept received, the corresponding sampled pulse is transferred to a derandomizer buffer for subsequent readout to the data acquisition system (DAQ). The main functionality of the digitizer is implemented in radiation tolerant ASICs, using a fault tolerant architecture to minimize the consequences of radiation induced faults

In-sample forecasting: A brief review and new algorithms

Statistical methods often distinguish between in-sample and out-of-sample approaches. In particular this is the case when time is involved. Then often time series methods are proposed that extrapolate past patterns into the future via complicated recursion formulas. Standard statistical inference is on the other hand concerned with estimating parameters within the given sample. This review paper is about a statistical methodology, where all parameters are estimated in-sample while producing a forecast out-of-sample without recursion or extrapolation. A new super-simulation algorithm ensures a faster implementation of the simplest and perhaps most important version of in-sample forecasting

A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness evaluation of "booster" interventions to sustain increases in physical activity in middle-aged adults in deprived urban neighbourhoods

Background: Systematic reviews have identified a range of brief interventions which increase physical activity in previously sedentary people. There is an absence of evidence about whether follow up beyond three months can maintain long term physical activity. This study assesses whether it is worth providing motivational interviews, three months after giving initial advice, to those who have become more active. Methods/Design: Study candidates (n = 1500) will initially be given an interactive DVD and receive two telephone follow ups at monthly intervals checking on receipt and use of the DVD. Only those that have increased their physical activity after three months (n = 600) will be randomised into the study. These participants will receive either a "mini booster" (n = 200), "full booster" (n = 200) or no booster (n = 200). The "mini booster" consists of two telephone calls one month apart to discuss physical activity and maintenance strategies. The "full booster" consists of a face-to-face meeting with the facilitator at the same intervals. The purpose of these booster sessions is to help the individual maintain their increase in physical activity. Differences in physical activity, quality of life and costs associated with the booster interventions, will be measured three and nine months from randomisation. The research will be conducted in 20 of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Sheffield, which have large, ethnically diverse populations, high levels of economic deprivation, low levels of physical activity, poorer health and shorter life expectancy. Participants will be recruited through general practices and community groups, as well as by postal invitation, to ensure the participation of minority ethnic groups and those with lower levels of literacy. Sheffield City Council and Primary Care Trust fund a range of facilities and activities to promote physical activity and variations in access to these between neighbourhoods will make it possible to examine whether the effectiveness of the intervention is modified by access to community facilities. A one-year integrated feasibility study will confirm that recruitment targets are achievable based on a 10% sample.Discussion: The choice of study population, study interventions, brief intervention preceding the study, and outcome measure are discussed

Expansion of seasonal influenza vaccination in the Americas

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Seasonal influenza is a viral disease whose annual epidemics are estimated to cause three to five million cases of severe illness and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide. Vaccination is the main strategy for primary prevention.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To assess the status of influenza vaccination in the Americas, influenza vaccination data reported to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) through 2008 were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty-five countries and territories administered influenza vaccine in their public health sector, compared to 13 countries in 2004. Targeted risk groups varied. Sixteen countries reported coverage among older adults, ranging from 21% to 100%; coverage data were not available for most countries and targeted populations. Some tropical countries used the Northern Hemisphere vaccine formulation and others used the Southern Hemisphere vaccine formulation. In 2008, approximately 166.3 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine were purchased in the Americas; 30 of 35 countries procured their vaccine through PAHO's Revolving Fund.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Since 2004 there has been rapid uptake of seasonal influenza vaccine in the Americas. Challenges to fully implement influenza vaccination remain, including difficulties measuring coverage rates, variable vaccine uptake, and limited surveillance and effectiveness data to guide decisions regarding vaccine formulation and timing, especially in tropical countries.</p