Measurement of the inclusive and dijet cross-sections of b-jets in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The inclusive and dijet production cross-sections have been measured for jets containing b-hadrons (b-jets) in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The measurements use data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 34 pb^-1. The b-jets are identified using either a lifetime-based method, where secondary decay vertices of b-hadrons in jets are reconstructed using information from the tracking detectors, or a muon-based method where the presence of a muon is used to identify semileptonic decays of b-hadrons inside jets. The inclusive b-jet cross-section is measured as a function of transverse momentum in the range 20 < pT < 400 GeV and rapidity in the range |y| < 2.1. The bbbar-dijet cross-section is measured as a function of the dijet invariant mass in the range 110 < m_jj < 760 GeV, the azimuthal angle difference between the two jets and the angular variable chi in two dijet mass regions. The results are compared with next-to-leading-order QCD predictions. Good agreement is observed between the measured cross-sections and the predictions obtained using POWHEG + Pythia. MC@NLO + Herwig shows good agreement with the measured bbbar-dijet cross-section. However, it does not reproduce the measured inclusive cross-section well, particularly for central b-jets with large transverse momenta.Comment: 10 pages plus author list (21 pages total), 8 figures, 1 table, final version published in European Physical Journal

Bully for you : harassment and bullying in the workplace

Bullying and harassment is a significant predicament that midwives face on a regular basis. Bullying and harassment may be characterized by unpleasant, threatening, malevolent or offensive behaviour. It involves abuse or misuse of power intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or harm the recipient. Deliberate bullying and/or harassment can have a major impact upon physical and mental health, as well as function within role. There are consequences for the persecutor, victim and institution in terms of health, cost and reputation. The objective of this paper is to provide managers with solutions to diminish levels of bullying and harassment within maternity units. To this effect, a bullying and harassment protocol has been written to guide managers to use appropriate strategies to diminish the intensity of bullying and harassment within their unit. To audit success, a Bullying and Harassment Scale (BAHS) has been devised to measure effectiveness of interventions targeted at reducing the problem

Birth planning for midwives and mothers

If women are to be empowered to make choices for childbirth, it is important that midwives explore and discuss their wishes and feelings about the delivery options available. Providing practical and sensible information should facilitate women with constructing a more accurate picture from which realistic hopes, fears and expectations can be formulated about impending labour. To facilitate midwives with this process, a flexible framework for a birth plan has been proposed. This easy to complete template can be used to assist childbearing women with assimilating their ambitions and desires regarding labour. Birth planning is important, since studies that compare women’s expectations of childbirth with actual experience present contrasting accounts, with disappointment, guilt and failure compared with delight, pride and success. Since experiences differ it is recommended that midwives audit birth satisfaction against women’s birth plans. Results would inform auditors of whether there is satisfaction with a woman’s birth experience and the quality of care that she perceived she received. Women’s articulated wishes about birth would facilitate understanding of why satisfaction/ dissatisfaction occurs

Fathers at the birth?

In the West there is a contemporary expectation that fathers should be present at the birth of their babies (Longworth and Kingdon 2011), with many unclear of their job description(Vehvilainen-Julkunen and Liukkkonnen 1998). A former Royal College of Midwives (RCM) survey established that roughly 98 per cent of UK fathers were inclined to participate at the birth (Reid 1994), with around 97 per cent embracing positive attitudes towards the impending event (Hollins Martin 2008a). Longworth and Kingdon (2011) identified that some fathers were unsure about their role and how to involve themselves more

Obedience and conformity in clinical practice

This study analyzes the psychological processes involved when a midwife accepts directions from a senior person. A representative sample of 20 midwives were recruited from 7 maternity units in North Yorkshire. An inductive thematic analysis was used to interpret interview data. Results showed that midwives respond to social influence from senior people using two processes: obedience and/or conformity. Thirteen (65%) excerpts informed that participants’ interpreted direction from the senior person as instructions they were expected to follow (obedience) and seven (35%) showed that others voluntarily changed their viewpoint to agree with the one offered by the senior person (conformity). Participants’ behaviour has been explained in terms of ‘legitimacy’, ‘perceived obligation to the organization’ and ‘social identification’. These pressures create conflict between the midwives’ knowledge of how they would prefer to behave and concern to please authority or fit into the social group. Consequently, it may be difficult for midwives to support safe requests from women that conflict with what a senior person

Nutrition and diet in menopause

Nutrition and Diet in Menopause is a single comprehensive source that will provide readers with an understanding of menopause. Holistic in its approach, this volume is divided into five sections covering psychological, endocrine and lifestyle factors, metabolism and physiology, bone and nutrition, cancer and nutrition, cardiovascular factors and dietary supplements in menopause. In-depth chapters review the potential long term consequences of menopause on the overall health of women, not only at the physical level including hot flushes (flashes), alterations to the genitourinary system, skin changes, decreased cardiovascular functions, hypertension, headache, back pain, and constipation. Written by international leaders and trendsetters, Nutrition and Diet in Menopause is essential reading for endocrinologists, cardiologists, nutritionists and all health care professionals who are interested in women’s health

Exploring the consequences of how Scotland interprets the UK misuse of drugs act 1971

Purpose – This paper aims to critically explore the consequences of how Scotland interprets the UK Misuse of Drugs Act (1971). Scotland prosecutes 24 per cent of people found in possession of illegal drugs for drug ‘‘dealing’’ compared to less than 15 per cent in England and Wales and less than 16 per cent in Northern Ireland. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a narrative review in the context of the background of the economic and social costs of illegal drugs in Scotland and compares this with the UK and Northern Ireland. Findings – The explanation for such a wide disparity in numbers of dealers between these countries proposed is that the Scottish Police force is comparatively more successful at persuading courts that small quantities of drugs rather than for personal use are in fact for onward sale or supply to others. Practical implications – The police in Scotland have a network of specialist drug units in which officers make decisions in the absence of benchmarks against which to judge quantities of repossessed drugs. Taking this approach, a devolved Scotland’s commitment to drug prohibition has resulted in some very curious differences in classifications of prosecutions compared to other countries. Originality/value – The paper explores the consequences of how Scotland deals with the use of illegal drugs and the economic and social costs