Measurement of the strong coupling constant from inclusive jet production at the Tevatron pp collider

We report a measurement of the strong coupling constant, alpha(s)(MZ), extracted from inclusive jet production in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1800 GeV. The QCD prediction for the evolution of alpha(s) with jet transverse energy ET is tested over the range 40<ET<450 GeV using ET for the renormalization scale. The data show good agreement with QCD in the region below 250 GeV. The value of alpha(s) at the mass of the Z0 boson averaged over the range 40<ET<250 GeV is found to be alpha(s)(MZ) = 0.1178+/-0.0001(stat)+0.0081(-0.0095)(expt. syst). The associated theoretical uncertainties are mainly due to the choice of renormalization scale ((+6%)(-4%)) and input parton distribution functions (5%).

The dynamics of living arrangements in later life: evidence from the British Household Panel Survey

Living arrangements are a key dimension of quality of life and well-being in old age. Availability of family care, as well as social and economic support, is in part a function of whom you live with. In order to be able to forecast future changes in household composition, particularly in relation to planning and targeting particular community care services, information is needed on the probability of a person experiencing a change in their living arrangements, and the life course events that may act as triggers for such changes. This article uses data from the British Household Panel Survey (1991-99) to analyse the dynamics of living arrangements in later life.

More reliable minority ethnic population estimates and proportions for local areas: which areas to select and other choices to be made--an exploratory analysis

Central and Local Government and other organisations are interested, for a variety of purposes, in obtaining better--more reliable--estimates of the proportions of the total populations in local authority districts which belong to the minority ethnic population. In inter-censal periods, this aim could be met, for example, by an increase in the size of the Labour Force Survey sample in selected areas. This article considers the optimal sample size for each area under different criteria to improve the reliability of its estimated minority ethnic proportion.

The sizes and characteristics of the minority ethnic populations of Great Britain--latest estimates

This article presents estimates of the minority ethnic populations of Great Britain in 2000 and describes the regional distributions of the different groups. It also discusses changes in the sizes of the different minority ethnic populations during the 1990s. The paper provides information on some key demographic features of these populations at the end of the 1990s--age and sex structures, proportions born in the United Kingdom and whether children lived with their natural parents.

Neuropsychological assessment, depression, and past exposure to organic solvents

This study assessed neuropsychological performance in persons with a history of exposure to organic solvents and nonexposed healthy controls. Structured clinical interviews were also done to determine current Axis I diagnosis of mood disorder to assess the contribution of mood disorder to neuropsychological performance. Solvent-exposed participants were found to have significantly reduced scores on 3 of 5 neuropsychological clusters (learning and memory, visuospatial, psychomotor speed) compared to controls. No differences were found between the groups on measures of general intelligence. Within the exposed group, 50% met current Axis I criteria for mood disorder. Hierarchical multiple regression, controlling for age and education, revealed that mood disorder was significantly related to performance on only the visuospatial domain. There was no association between mood disorder and measures of learning and memory, attention, motor speed, and general intelligence. Higher ratings of past exposure were associated with poorer scores on learning and memory tests and slower times on speeded tests. These findings are consistent with other research documenting deficits in neuropsychological and psychiatric functioning in exposed workers.

Search for gluinos and squarks using like-sign dileptons in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 1.8 TeV

We present results of the first search for like-sign dilepton ( e(+/-)e(+/-), e(+/-)mu(+/-), mu(+/-)mu(+/-)) events associated with multijets and large missing energy using 106 pb(-1) of data in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 1.8 TeV collected during 1992-1995 by the CDF experiment. Finding no events that pass our selection, we examine pair production of gluinos (tilde g) and squarks (tilde q) in a constrained framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. At tan beta = 2 and mu = -800 GeV/c(2), we set 95% confidence level limits of M(tilde g)>221 GeV/c(2) for M(tilde g) approximately M(tilde q), and M(tilde q)>168 GeV/c(2) for M(tilde q)>>M(tilde g), both with small variation as a function of mu.

Observation of diffractive J/psi production at the Fermilab Tevatron

We report the first observation of diffractive J/psi(--> mu+mu-) production in pp collisions at root square[s] = 1.8 TeV. Diffractive events are identified by their rapidity gap signature. In a sample of events with two muons of transverse momentum p(mu)T>2 GeV/c within the pseudorapidity region /eta/ < 1.0, the ratio of diffractive to total J/psi production rates is found to be R(J/psi) = [1.45 +/- 0.25]%. The ratio R(J/psi)(x) is presented as a function of x-Bjorken. By combining it with our previously measured corresponding ratio R(jj)(x) for diffractive dijet production, we extract a value of 0.59 +/- 0.15 for the gluon fraction of the diffractive structure function of the proton.

Search for quark-lepton compositeness and a heavy W' Boson using the enu channel in p p macro collisions at square root of [s] = 1.8 TeV

We present searches for quark-lepton compositeness and a heavy W' boson at high electron-neutrino transverse mass. We use approximately 110 pb(-1) of data collected in p p macro collisions at square root of [s] = 1.8 TeV by the CDF Collaboration during 1992-1995. The data are consistent with standard model expectations. Limits are set on the quark-lepton compositeness scale Lambda, the ratio of partial cross sections sigma(W'-->enu)/sigma(W-->enu), and the mass of a W' boson with standard model couplings. We exclude Lambda<2.81 TeV and a W' boson with mass below 754 GeV/c(2) at the 95% confidence level. Combining with our previously published limit obtained using the muon channel, we exclude a W' boson with mass below 786 GeV/c(2) at the 95% confidence level.

Sebaceous carcinoma of the nasal vestibule

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare disease arising from holocrine adnexal components of the skin. Fewer than 400 cases have been reported worldwide and only about 19 are from the nose. We present a sebaceous cancer of the nasal vestibule in a patient who, with adequate excision, is disease-free after two years.

Privacy: a review of the literature

The concept of privacy is used in many disciplines and is recognised as one of the important concepts also in nursing. In this review, a description about the perspectives and dimensions of the concept will be made and empirical studies in the area will be analysed. Perspectives include units experiencing privacy, desired-achieved state, and reactiveness. Dimensions are divided into physical, psychological, social and informational. In the empirical studies, the concept of the privacy has mainly been studied in hospital organisations using the physical dimension. The concept needs further clarification in future.

Intracochlea acoustic neuroma: a case report and discussion

A case of an intracochlea acoustic neuroma that was diagnosed radiologically is presented and discussed.

Charged-particle multiplicity pp collisions at square root of (s) = 1.8 TeV

We report on a measurement of the mean charged-particle multiplicity of jets in dijet events with dijet masses in the range 80-630 GeV/c(2), produced at the Tevatron in pp collisions with square root (s) = 1.8 TeV and recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. The data are fit to perturbative-QCD calculations carried out in the framework of the modified leading log approximation and the hypothesis of local parton-hadron duality. The fit yields values for two parameters in that framework: the ratio of parton multiplicities in gluon and quark jets, r identical withN(g-jet)(partons)/N(q-jet)(partons) = 1.7+/-0.3, and the ratio of the number of charged hadrons to the number of partons in a jet, K(charged)(LPHD) identical with N(charged)(hadrons)/N(partons) = 0.57+/-0.11.

Electron energy loss near edge structure on the nitrogen K-edge in vanadium nitrides

This paper presents electron energy-loss near-edge structure (ELNES) data for the N K edges of vanadium nitrides. By rapid thermal processing of vanadium layers in pure nitrogen at high temperatures the two known vanadium nitrides, VN and V2N, have been prepared. The phases have been checked by electron diffraction and quantitative electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis. Because their crystallographical structures are different, they also exhibit different ELNES features, which can be used as fingerprints for rapidly distinguishing between VN and V2N. The experimental findings are supported by modelling the N K edge using a band structure approach (full linearized augmented plane wave method).

Rapid presumptive diagnosis of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome by peripheral blood smear review

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is a rare but frequently lethal acute zoonotic viral infection in rural North America. The rapidity of progression from febrile prodrome to cardiogenic shock and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema requiring intensive care creates high diagnostic urgency and a need for a rapid screening tool. In this retrospective cohort study, 2 pathologists scored blinded peripheral blood smears from 52 patients with HCPS and 128 seronegative patients referred for diagnosis of suspected hantavirus infection. During the prodromal phase, thrombocytopenia was the only consistent abnormality and could be used to indicate hantavirus serologic testing. After the onset of pulmonary edema detected radiographically, the presence of 4 of 5 findings (thrombocytopenia, myelocytosis, hemoconcentration, lack of significant toxic granulation in neutrophils, and more than 10% of lymphocytes with immunoblastic morphologic features) has a sensitivity for HCPS of 96% and a specificity of 99% and missed no patients with HCPS who required intensive care. While each abnormality is commonly seen, the combination of at least 4 of these CBC count data and peripheral blood smear findings can guide early treatment and patient transport decisions until rapid, specific, serologic testing becomes widely available.

Double diffraction dissociation at the Fermilab Tevatron collider

We present results from a measurement of double diffraction dissociation in pp collisions at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. The production cross section for events with a central pseudorapidity gap of width Deltaeta(0)>3 (overlapping eta = 0) is found to be 4.43+/-0.02(stat)+/-1.18(syst) mb [ 3.42+/-0.01(stat)+/-1.09(syst) mb] at square root of (s) = 1800[630] GeV. Our results are compared with previous measurements and with predictions based on Regge theory and factorization.

Measurement of d sigma/dM and forward-backward charge asymmetry for high-mass Drell-Yan e(+)e(-) pairs from pp macro collisions at square root of s = 1.8 TeV

We report on a measurement of the mass dependence of the forward-backward charge asymmetry, A(FB), and production cross section d sigma/dM for e(+)e(-) pairs with mass M(ee)>40 GeV/c(2). The data sample consists of 108 pb(-1) of pp macro collisions at square root of s = 1.8 TeV taken by the Collider Detector at Fermilab during 1992-1995. The measured asymmetry and d sigma/dM are compared with the predictions of the standard model and a model with an extra Z' gauge boson.

Measurement of the top quark p(T) distribution

We have measured the p(T) distribution of top quarks that are pair produced in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV using a sample of tt decays in which we observe a single high- p(T) charged lepton, a neutrino, and four or more jets. We use a likelihood technique that corrects for the experimental bias introduced due to event reconstruction and detector resolution effects. The observed distribution is consistent with the standard model prediction. We use these data to place limits on the production of high- p(T) top quarks suggested in some models of anomalous top quark pair production.

Diet restriction in rat toxicity studies: automated gravimetric dispensing equipment for allocating daily rations of powdered rodent diet into pouches and 7-day feeders

Survival of ad libitum-fed rats has declined in the 2-year carcinogenicity bioassay. Restriction of the number of calories, without compromise of the overall nutrition offered to animals including rats, results in increased lifespan of animals. Diet restriction in rats is best achieved through offering of rations of feed daily instead of weekly, as is routinely done in ad libitum studies. The objective of this project was to develop an accurate and precise method of dispensing daily rations of feed. A gravimetric vibratory-type dispenser was used to dispense target weights of 15 and 20 g of powdered certified rodent diet into either labeled pouches or seven-well carousel feeders. The tolerance of the dispenser was the target weight +/- 3%. The amount of food offered to the diet-restricted rats was approximately 25% lower than that consumed by rats offered diet ad libitum. After 2 years, male rats offered 20 g and female rats offered 15 g of powdered rodent diet daily had remarkably lower body weights than did animals offered the diet ad libitum. Generally, the rats ate the entire ration of food offered to them each day. Survival of the diet-restricted rats was 70% to 82% at the end of a 2-year study. This investigation demonstrates that modest reduction of food intake, resulting in increased survival of Sprague Dawley rats in 2-year carcinogenicity bioassays, can be achieved reliably and efficiently through use of an accurate and precise automated method of dispensing powdered diet for use in multiple rat studies. In addition, this method of food dispensing provides a practical way to administer test compound in the diet under the conditions of diet restriction.

Identification of novel pheromone-response regulators through systematic overexpression of 120 protein kinases in yeast

Protein kinases are well known to transmit and regulate signaling pathways. To identify additional regulators of the pheromone signaling apparatus in yeast, we evaluated an array of 120 likely protein kinases encoded by the yeast genome. Each kinase was fused to glutathione S-transferase, overexpressed, and tested for changes in pheromone responsiveness in vivo. As expected, several known components of the pathway (YCK1, STE7, STE11, FUS3, and KSS1) impaired the growth arrest response. Seven other kinases also interfered with pheromone-induced growth arrest; in rank order they are as follows: YKL116c (renamed PRR1) = YDL214c (renamed PRR2) > YJL141c (YAK1, SRA1) > YNR047w = YCR091w (KIN82) = YIL095w (PRK1) > YCL024w (KCC4). Inhibition of pheromone signaling by PRR1, but not PRR2, required the glutathione S-transferase moiety. Both kinases inhibited gene transcription after stimulation with pheromone, a constitutively active kinase mutant STE11-4, or overexpression of the transcription factor STE12. Neither protein altered the ability of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Fus3 to feedback phosphorylate a known substrate, the MAPK kinase Ste7. These results reveal two new components of the pheromone-signaling cascade in yeast, each acting at a point downstream of the MAPK.

In vitro generation of Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T cells in patients receiving haplo-identical allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Use of a partially mismatched related donor (PMRD) is an option for patients who require allogeneic transplantation but do not have a matched sibling or unrelated donor. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced lymphoma is a major cause of mortality after PMRD transplantation. In this study, we present a clinical grade culture system for donor-derived EBV-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) that do not recognize haplo-identical recipient cells. The EBV-specific CTLs were tested for cytolytic specificity and other functional properties, including ability to transgress into tissues, propensity for apoptosis, degree of clonality, stability of dominant T-cell clones, and Tc and Th phenotypes. The EBV-specific CTLs were routinely expanded to greater than 80 x 10(6) over a period of 5 weeks, which is sufficient for clinical application. A CD8+ phenotype predominated, and the CTLs were highly specific for donor lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) without killing of recipient targets or K562. Vbeta spectratyping showed an oligoclonal population that was stable on prolonged culture. The EBV-specific CTLs were activated (D-related human leukocyte antigen [HLA-DR+], L-selectin+/-) and of memory phenotype (CD45RO+). Expression of the integrin VLA-4 suggested that these CTLs could adhere to endothelium and migrate into tissues. The Bcl-2 message was upregulated, which may protect the CTLs from the apoptosis. The first demonstration of overexpression of bcl-2 in human memory CTLs. In addition, we show that lymphoblastoid cell lines used to generate CTLs are readily genetically modified with recombinant lentivirus, indicating that genetically engineered antigen presentation is feasible.

The costs of caring for stroke patients in a GP-led community hospital: an application of programme budgeting and marginal analysis

There has been little evaluation of the role of community hospitals in the provision of integrated health care services in a primary care-led health system. The aim of this study was to model the probable changes in the use of NHS resources from the introduction of integrated stroke care in a general pracititioner-led community hospital. A programme budgeting and marginal analysis (PBMA) exercise was conducted combining practice data for the 'before' period and data from the literature to model the 'after' period. Data were collected from all patients discharged with a primary diagnosis of stroke 1994-96 in Nairn and Ardersier Total Fundholding pilot site, Highland Health Board, Scotland. Under several assumptions, a policy of early discharge of patients to the community hospital, and/or avoiding admission at the acute trust and admitting patients to the community hospital directly (except emergencies), is likely to result in a reduction of the total annual costs of treating stroke patients, from 183,000 pounds per annum to, at most, 74,000 pounds. The analysis of routine discharge data since integrated stroke care was set up has shown that progress has been made in shifting the treatment of patients from the acute trust to the community hospital. The care of stroke patients in a GP-led community hospital is likely to reduce the use of scarce health service resources. Current evidence suggests that health outcomes are unchanged due to early discharge, but further research is required to ensure that patients' health status and quality of life are maintained before such a policy is widely adopted.