W/Z Production Cross Sections and Asymmetries at E\u3ci\u3eCM\u3c/i\u3e = 2\u3ci\u3eTEV\u3c/i\u3e

The most recent results for W and Z bosom production cross sections and asymmetries are presented from the CDF and DØ collaborations using Run II data taken at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) Tevatron. Data set sizes range from 72pb-1 to 226pb-1, and results range from published to preliminary. Results presented agree with the Standard Model and world averages within errors

Composite signet-ring cell/neuroendocrine carcinoma of the stomach with a metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma component: a better prognosis entity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mixed (composite) exocrine-neuroendocrine cell carcinomas are defined as an intimate admixture of neoplastic glandular exocrine and neuroendocrine cell types. Although gastric adenocarcinoma containing a small number of neuroendocrine cells is a relatively frequent occurrence, gastric neoplasms containing equal proportions of both cell types are rare.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>We present a case of composite exocrine (signet-ring cell)-neuroendocrine cell carcinoma, in which the neoplastic signet-ring cell exocrine and neuroendocrine constituents occurred in fairly equivalent amounts, whereas only the neuroendocrine carcinoma portion of the tumor represented the metastatic component. Light microscopy, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic findings are described, and the literature is reviewed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study confirms the ability of pluripotent precursor cells to differentiate into either adenocarcinoma or neuroendocrine tumor and, justifying the designation of composite exocrine-neuroendocrine cell carcinoma as the appropriate classification for this tumor. The protracted clinical course further supports the notion that composite signet-ring cell/neuroendocrine carcinoma tumors behave relatively less aggressively than the pure forms of the former cell type.</p

Improved KL->pi e nu Form Factor and Phase Space Integral with Reduced Model Uncertainty

Using the published KTeV sample of 2 million KL-> pi e nu decays and a new form factor expansion with a rigorous bound on higher order terms, we present a new determination of the KL->pi e nu form factor and phase space integral. Compared to the previous KTeV result, the uncertainty in the new form factor expansion is negligible and results in an overall uncertainty in the phase space integral (IKe) that is a factor of two smaller: IKe = 0.15392 +- 0.00048 \.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, submitted to PRD Rapid Communicatio

A Measurement of the K0 Charge Radius and a CP Violating Asymmetry Together with a Search for CP Violating E1 Direct Photon Emission in the Rare Decay KL->pi+pi-e+e-

Using the complete KTeV data set of 5241 candidate KL->pi+pi-e+e- decays (including an estimated background of 204+-14 events), we have measured the coupling gCR=0.163+- 0.014(stat)+-0.023(syst) of the CP conserving charge radius process and from it determined a K0 charge radius of (K0)=(-0.077+-0.007(stat)+-0.011(syst)) fm**2. We have also determined a first experimental upper limit of 0.04 (90% CL) for the ratio |g_{E1}|/|g_{M1}| of the coupling for the E1 direct photon emission process relative to the coupling for M1 direct photon emission process. We also report the measurement of its associated vector form factor |gM1`|(1+ (a_1/a_2)/(M(rho)**2-M(K)**2)+2M(K)E(gamma*)) where |gM1`|=(1.11+- 0.12(stat)+-0.08(syst) and a_1/a_2 = (-0.744+-0.027(stat)0.032(syst)) GeV**2/c**2. In addition, a measurement of the manifestly CP violating asymmetry of magnitude (13.6+- 1.4+-(stat)+-1.5(syst))% in the CP and T odd angle phi between the decay planes of the e+e- and pi+pi- pairs in the KL center of mass system is reported

Measurement of the rare decay pi0 -> e+ e-

The branching ratio of the rare decay pi0 -> e+ e- has been measured precisely, using the complete data set from the KTeV E799-II experiment at Fermilab. We observe 794 candidate pi0 -> e+ e- events using K0_L -> 3pi0 as a source of tagged pi0's. The expected background is 52.7 +- 11.2 events, predominantly from high e+ e- mass pi0 -> e+ e- gamma decays. We have measured B[(pi0 -> e+ e-), (m_e+e-/m_pi0)^2 > 0.95] = 6.44 +- 0.25(stat) +- 0.22(syst) x10^(-8), which is above the unitary bound from pi0 -> gamma gamma and within the range of theoretical expectations from the standard model.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons' Knowledge and Comfort of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: A Survey of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Background: Despite limited oncologic benefit, contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) rates have increased in the United States over the past 15 years. CPM is often accompanied by breast reconstruction, thereby requiring an interdisciplinary approach between breast and plastic surgeons. Despite this, little is known about plastic surgeons' (PS) perspectives of CPM. The purpose of this study was to assess PS practice patterns, knowledge of CPM oncologic benefits, and perceptions of the CPM decision-making process.Methods: An electronic survey was sent to 2,642 members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Questions assessed demographics, practice patterns, knowledge of CPM oncologic benefits, and perceptions of the CPM decision-making process.Results: ASPS response rate was 12.5% (n = 329). Most responders worked in private practice (69%), were male (81%) and had been in practice for ≥15 years (60%). The median number of CPM reconstructions performed per month was 2–4. Fifty-five percent of PS reported routine attendance at a breast multidisciplinary conference. Responders reported CPM discussion was most likely to be initiated by the patient (51%) followed by the breast surgeon (38%), and plastic surgeon (7.3%). According to PS, the most common reason patients choose CPM is a perceived increased contralateral cancer risk (86%). Most plastic surgeons (63%) assessed the benefits of CPM as worth the risk of additional surgery and the majority (53%) estimated the complication rate at 2X the risk of unilateral surgery. The majority (61%) of PS estimated risk of contralateral cancer in an average risk patient between &lt;2 and 5% over 10 years, which is consistent with data reported from the current literature. Most plastic surgeons (87%) reported that there was no evidence or limited evidence for breast cancer specific survival benefit with CPM. A minority of PS (18.5%) reported discomfort with a patient's choice for CPM. Of those surgeons reporting discomfort, the most common reasons for their reservations were a concern with the risk/benefit ratio of CPM and with lack of patient understanding of expected outcomes. Common reasons for PS comfort with CPM were a respect for autonomy and non-oncologic benefits of CPM.Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first survey reporting PS perspectives on CPM. According to PS, CPM dialogue appears to be patient driven and dominated by a perceived increased risk of contralateral cancer. Few PS reported discomfort with CPM. While many PS acknowledge both the limited oncologic benefit of CPM and the increased risk of complications, the majority have the opinion that the benefits of CPM are worth the additional risk. This apparent contradiction may be due to an appreciation of the non-oncologic benefits CPM and a desire to respect patients' choices for treatment

Measurements of KL Branching Fractions and the CP Violation Parameter |eta+-|

We present new measurements of the six largest branching fractions of the KL using data collected in 1997 by the KTeV experiment (E832) at Fermilab. The results are B(KL -> pi e nu) = 0.4067 +- 0.0011 B(KL -> pi mu nu) = 0.2701 +- 0.0009 B(KL -> pi+ pi- pi0) = 0.1252 +- 0.0007 B(KL -> pi0 pi0 pi0) = 0.1945 +- 0.0018 B(KL -> pi+ pi-) = (1.975 +- 0.012)E-3, and B(KL -> pi0 pi0) = (0.865 +- 0.010)E-3, where statistical and systematic errors have been summed in quadrature. We also determine the CP violation parameter |eta+-| to be (2.228 +- 0.010)E-3. Several of these results are not in good agreement with averages of previous measurements.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. D; 20 pages, 22 figure

Measurement of Direct Emission in the KL->pi+pi-gamma Decay Mode

In this paper the KTeV collaboration reports the analysis of 112.1*10^3 candidate KL->pi+pi-gamma decays including a background of 671+/-41 events with the objective of determining the photon production mechanisms intrinsic to the decay process. These decays have been analyzed to extract the relative contributions of the CP violating bremsstrahlung process and the CP conserving M1 and CP violating E1 direct photon emission processes. The M1 direct photon emission amplitude and its associated vector form factor parameterized as |g_M1|(1+ (a_1/a_2)/(M(rho)^2-M(K)^2+2M(K)*E(gamma)) have been measured to be |g_M1|=1.198 +/- 0.035(stat) +/- 0.086(syst) and a_1/a_2 = -0.738 +/- 0.007(stat) +/- 0.018 (syst) GeV^2/c^2 respectively. An upper limit for the CP violating E1 direct emission amplitude |g_E1| < 0.21 (90% CL) has been found. The overall ratio of direct photon emission (DE) to total photon emission including the bremsstrahlung process (IB) has been determined to be DE/(DE +IB) = 0.689 +/- 0.021 for E(gamma) > 20 MeV.Comment: REVTeX 3.1, 4 pages, 4 figures submitted to Physical Review Letter

Search for the Decay K_L -> pi^0 nu nubar using pi^0 -> e^+ e^- gamma

We report on a search for the decay K_L -> pi^0 nu nubar, carried out as a part of E799-II, a rare K_L decay experiment at Fermilab. Within the Standard Model, the K_L -> pi^0 nu nubar decay is dominated by direct CP violating processes, and thus an observation of the decay implies confirmation of direct CP violation. Due to theoretically clean calculations, a measurement of B(K_L -> pi^0 nu nubar) is one of the best ways to determine the CKM parameter eta. No events were observed, and we set an upper limit B(K_L -> pi^0 nu nubar) < 5.9 times 10^-7 at the 90% confidence level.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure