Large pTp_T Hadroproduction of ZZ as a Probe of Gluon Distribution inside Proton

The transverse momentum distribution of single vector boson production at hadron colliders provides useful ways of testing the Standard Model and searching new physics beyond the Standard Model. We study large $p_{_T}$ hadroproduction of $Z$-boson as a probe of gluon distributions inside proton. We investigate how to get initial gluon-involving contributions, or how to subtract quark-quark (or -antiquark) contributions from total cross section. We also investigated the simultaneous measurement of the rapidity and the transverse momentum of the produced $Z$ boson, to obtain momentum fractions of initial partons. And we extracted relevant uncertainties involving in experimental and theoretical analyses. This large $p_{_T}$ hadroproduction of $Z$ can be used as constraints on analyses of global parton (gluon and quarks) distribution functions inside proton.Comment: (a) 13 pages(LaTeX) + 1 figure ps file(3 pages):compressed, uuencoded (b) accepted by Phys.Lett.B. (c) some figures are combined and one is omitted. (d) conclusion part is included into abstrac

Decays rates for S- and P-wave bottomonium

We use the Bodwin-Braaten-Lepage factorization scheme to separate the long- and short-distance factors that contribute to the decay rates of $\Upsilon$, $\eta_b$ (S-wave) and $\chi_b$,$h_b$ (P-wave). The long distance matrix elements are calculated on the lattice in the quenched approximation using a non-relativistic formulation of the $b$ quark dynamics.Comment: 3 pages Latex using espcrc2.sty and epsf.sty + 2 postscript figure

A study of the quenched bc mass spectrum at beta=6.2

We present an analysis of the mass spectrum of heavy quarkonia with non-degenerate quark masses. The heavier (bottom) valence quark is treated in a non-relativistic fashion and the other (charm) is a relativistic Wilson-like quark using the improved SW action. Such states provide and interesting probe between the relativistic B meson states and the non-relativistic bottomonium states.Comment: 4 pages LaTeX, 4 postscript figures. requires espcrc2.sty and epsf.sty. To be published in the proceedings of Lattice 97, Edinburgh, Scotlan

Fewer Charges are being Laid in the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal: Should we be Concerned?

Since the Cartwright Report was produced 27 years ago, it has become accepted that the needs of patients should be at the centre of our health system – including when things go wrong. This article examines professional disciplinary charges laid against doctors in the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, and compares them with those laid in its predecessor organisation, the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. It concludes that fewer charges, particularly charges that relate to clinical misconduct, are coming before the Tribunal, and discusses the implications of this change. The article questions whether this evolving practice could undermine some of the purposes of the Tribunal and lead to a less patient-focused system

Cross Hedging with Single Stock Futures

This study evaluates the efficiency of cross hedging with the new single stock futures (SSF) contracts recently introduced in the United States. We use matched sample estimation techniques to select SSF contracts that will reduce the basis risk of crossing hedging and will yield the most efficient hedging portfolio. Employing multivariate matching techniques with cross-sectional matching characteristics, we can improve hedging efficiency while at the same time overcoming the contingency of the correlation between spot and futures prices on the sample period and length. Overall, we find that the best hedging performance is achieved through a portfolio that is hedged with market index futures and a SSF matched by both historical return correlation and cross-sectional matching characteristics. We also find it preferable to retain the chosen SSF contracts for the whole out-of-sample period but to re-estimate the optimal hedge ratio for each rolling window.

Understanding the information needs of users of public information about higher education

Report to HEFCE by Oakleigh Consulting and Staffordshire University. "This study's aims were to carry out research into understanding the needs of intended users (primarily prospective students but with some focus on their advisors and employers) of public information on higher education (HE). The work focussed on England, but also took into account Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where relevant." - Page 1

Search for New Physics in the Semileptonic D_{l4} Decays, D->K \pi l \nu

New physics effects through the direct CP violation and the decay rate change are investigated in the semileptonic $D_{l4}$ decays, $D^\pm\to K\pi l^\pm \nu$, by including a scalar-exchange interaction with a complex coupling. In the decay process, we included various excited states as intermediate states decaying to the final hadrons, $K+\pi$, and found that among the intermediate states only the lowest state ($K^*$) is dominant and the other higher excited states are negligible, contrary to the $B_{l4}$ decays. We also obtained constraints on the new complex coupling within the multi-Higgs doublet model and the scalar leptoquark models.Comment: LaTeX, 16 pages, including 3 figure