Measurement of bottom-quark hadron masses in exclusive J/psi decays with the CDF detector

We measure the masses of b hadrons in exclusively reconstructed final states containing a J/psi --> mu-mu+ decay using 220 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II experiment. We find: m(B+) = 5279.10 +/- 0.41(stat.) +/- 0.36(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B0) = 5279.63 +/- 0.53(stat.) +/- 0.33(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B(s)0) = 5366.01 +/- 0.73(stat.) +/- 0.33(sys.) MeV/c2, m(lambda(b)0) = 5619.7 +/- 1.2(stat.) +/- 1.2(sys.) MeV/c2. m(B+) - m(B0) = -0.53 +/- 0.67(stat.) +/- 0.14(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B(s)0) - m(B0) = 86.38 +/- 0.90(stat.) +/- 0.06(sys.) MeV/c2, m(lambda(b)0) - m(B0) = 339.2 +/- 1.4(stat.) +/- 0.1(sys.) MeV/c2. The measurements of the B(s)0, lambda(b)0 mass, m(B(s)0) - m(B0) and m(lambda(b)0) - m(B0) mass difference are of better precision than the current world averages.

Measurement of the ratios of branching fractions and

We report an observation of the decay B(O)(S) --> D(-)(s)pi(+) in pp collisions at radical S = 1.96 TeV using 115 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe 83 +/- 11(stat) B(O)(s) --> D(-)(s)pi(+) candidates, representing a large increase in statistics over previous measurements and the first observation of this decay at a pp collider. We present the first measurement of the relative branching fraction Beta(B(O)(s) --> D(-)(s)pi(+))/Beta(B(0) --> D(-)(pi)(+)) = 1.32 +/- 0.18(stat) +/- 0.38(syst). We also measure Beta(B(+) --> D(0)pi(+))/Beta(B(0) -->D(-)pi(+)) = 1.97 +/- 0.10(stat) +/- 0.21(syst), which is consistent with previous measurements.

Search for scalar bottom quarks from gluino decays in collisions at

We searched for scalar bottom quarks 156 pb(-1) of pp collisions at radicalS = 1.96 recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab II experiment at the Tevatron. Scalar bottom quarks can be produced from gluino decays in -parity conserving models of supersymmetry when the mass of the gluino exceeds that of the scalar bottom quark. Then, a scalar bottom quark can decay into a bottom quark and a neutralino. To search for this scenario, we investigated events with large missing transverse energy and at least three jets, two or more of which were identified as containing a secondary vertex from the hadronization of quarks. We found four candidate events, where 2.6 +/- 0.7 are expected from standard model processes, and placed 95% confidence level lower limits on gluino and scalar bottom quark masses of up to 280 and 240 GeV/c(2), respectively.

Top-quark mass measurement from dilepton events at CDF II

We report a measurement of the top-quark mass using events collected by the CDF II detector from pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron. We calculate a likelihood function for the top-quark mass in events that are consistent with tt --> bl(-)nu(l)bl'+ nu'(l) decays. The likelihood is formed as the convolution of the leading-order matrix element and detector resolution functions. The joint likelihood is the product of likelihoods for each of 33 events collected in 340 pb(-1) of integrated luminosity, yielding a top-quark mass M(t) = 165.2 +/- 6.1(stat) +/- 3.4(syst) GeV/c2. This first application of a matrix-element technique to tt --> bl+ nu(l)bl'- nu(l') decays gives the most precise single measurement of M(t) in dilepton events. Combined with other CDF run II measurements using dilepton events, we measure M(t) = 167.9 +/- 5.2(stat) +/- 3.7(syst) GeV/c2.

Measurement of the inclusive jet cross section using the kT algorithm in pp collisions at (square root s)=1.96 TeV

We report on a measurement of the inclusive jet production cross section as a function of the jet transverse momentum in pp collisions at (square root s)=1.96 TeV using data collected with the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab in run II, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 385 pb-1. The measurement is carried out for jets with rapidity 0.1</yjet/<0.7 and transverse momentum in the range 54<pjetT<700 GeV/c. Next-to-leading order perturbative QCD predictions are in good agreement with the measured cross section after the necessary nonperturbative parton-to-hadron corrections are included.

Measurement of the dipion mass spectrum in decays

We measure the dipion mass spectrum in X(3872)--> J/psipi(+) pi(-) decays using 360 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root s= 1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector. The spectrum is fit with predictions for odd C-parity ((3)S(1), (1)P(1), and (3)D(J)) charmonia decaying to J/psipi(+) pi(-), as well as even C-parity states in which the pions are from rho(0) decay. The latter case also encompasses exotic interpretations, such as a D(0)D(*0) molecule. Only the (3)S(1) and J/psirho hypotheses are compatible with our data. Since (3)S(1) is untenable on other grounds, decay via J/psirho is favored, which implies C= +1 for the X(3872). Models for J/psi - rho different angular momenta L are considered. Flexibility in the models, especially the introduction of rho - omega interference, enables good descriptions of our data for both L = 0 and 1.

Search for Higgs bosons decaying to bb and produced in association with W bosons in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present a search for Higgs bosons decaying into bb and produced in association with W bosons in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV. This search uses 320 pb(-1) of the data set accumulated by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab. Events are selected that have a high-transverse momentum electron or muon, missing transverse energy, and two jets, at least one of which is consistent with the hadronization of a b quark. Both the number of events and the dijet mass distribution are consistent with standard model background expectations, and we set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio for the Higgs boson or any new particle with similar decay kinematics. These upper limits range from 10 pb for mH = 110 GeV/c2 to 3 pb for mH = 150 GeV/c2.

Evidence for the exclusive decay B(c)+- --> J/psi pi+- and measurement of the mass of the B(c)+- meson

We report the first evidence for a fully reconstructed decay mode of the B(c)+- meson in the channel B(c)+- --> J/psi pi+-, with J/psi --> mu+ mu-. The analysis is based on an integrated luminosity of 360 pb(-1) in pp collisions at 1.96 TeV center of mass energy collected by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We observe 14.6 +/- 4.6 signal events with a background of 7.1 +/- 0.9 events, and a fit to the J/psi pi+-mass spectrum yields a B(c)+- mass of 6285.7 +/- 5.3(stat) +/- 1.2(syst) MeV/c2. The probability of a peak of this magnitude occurring by random fluctuation in the search region is estimated as 0.012%.

Search for charged Higgs bosons from top quark decays in pp collisions at square root s=1.96 TeV

We report the results of a search for a charged Higgs boson in the decays of top quarks produced in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. We use a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 193 pb-1 collected by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab. No evidence for charged Higgs production is found, allowing 95% C.L. upper limits to be placed on BR(t-->H+b) for different charged Higgs decay scenarios. In addition, we present in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (mH+/-, tanbeta) plane the first exclusion regions with radiative and Yukawa coupling corrections.

Precision top-quark mass measurement in the lepton+jets topology in p p collisions at square root s=1.96 TeV

We report two measurements of the top-quark mass M(top) using the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in a 318 pb(-1) data sample of tt events in the lepton+jets final state. One method uses an event-based likelihood technique resulting in M(top) = 173.2(-2.4)(+2.6)(stat) +/- 3.2(syst) GeV/c2 or 173.2(-4.0)(+4.1) GeV/c2. The second method reconstructs a top-quark mass in each event using the measured invariant mass of the hadronically decaying W boson to constrain the jet energy scale to obtain a value for M(top)of 173.5(-3.6)(+3.7)(stat) +/- 1.3(syst) GeV/c2 or 173.5(-3.8)(+3.9) GeV/c2 . We take the latter, which is more precise, as our result.

Search for neutral Higgs bosons of the minimal supersymmetric standard model decaying to tau pairs in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present a search for neutral supersymmetric Higgs bosons decaying to tau pairs produced in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV. The data, corresponding to 310 pb(-1) integrated luminosity, were collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab in run II of the Tevatron. No significant excess above the standard model backgrounds is observed. We set exclusion limits on the production cross section times branching fraction to tau pairs for Higgs boson masses in the range from 90 to 250 GeV/c2.

Outcome predictors and complications in the management of intradural spinal tumours

The results of the management of 115 patients with intradural spinal tumours are presented. Data was collected retrospectively from the case notes. Tumours were categorized as intramedullary or extramedullary for statistical analysis. Meningioma, schwannoma and ependymoma accounted for 70% of tumours. Complete macroscopic excision was achieved in 84% of extramedullary and 54% of intramedullary tumours. There were two post-operative deaths, one of which was secondary to methacillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid leak (10%) and meningitis (7%) were the commonest complications. Ninety-six percent of patients with extramedullary tumours improved or remained unchanged on the Frankel scale. In the intramedullary group, 82% remained unchanged or improved after treatment. Pre-operative functional status was a predictor of good post-operative function for intra- and extramedullary tumours and for intramedullary tumours a good post-operative Frankel score predicted long-term survival.

Search for new high-mass particles decaying to Lepton pairs in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV

A search for new particles (X) that decay to electron or muon pairs has been performed using approximately 200 pb(-1) of pp collision data at (square root) s = 1.96 TeV collected by the CDF II experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron. Limits on sigma(pp --> X)BR (X --> ll) are presented as a function of dilepton invariant mass m(ll) > 150 GeV/c2, for different spin hypotheses (0, 1, or 2). The limits are approximately 25 fb for m(ll) > GeV/c2. Lower mass bounds for X from representative models beyond the standard model including heavy neutral gauge bosons are presented.

Search for [corrected] B0(s) --> mu+ mu- and B0(d) [corrected] --> mu + mu- decays in pp collisions with CDF II

We report on a search for B0(s) --> mu+ mu- and B0(d) --> mu + mu- decays in pp collisions at square root(s) = 1.96 TeV using 364 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. After applying all selection requirements, we observe no candidates inside the B0(s) or B0(d) mass windows. The resulting upper limits on the branching fractions are B(B0(s) --> mu+ mu-) < 1.5 x 10(-7) and B(B0(d) --> mu+ mu-) < 3.9 x 10(-8) at 90% confidence level.

Search for new physics using high-mass tau pairs from 1.96 TeV pp collisions

We present the results of a search for anomalous resonant production of tau lepton pairs with large invariant mass, the first such search using the CDF II Detector in Run II of the Tevatron pp collider. Such anomalous production could arise from various new physics processes. In a data sample corresponding to 195 pb(-1) of integrated luminosity we predict 2.8+/-0.5 events from standard model background processes and observe 4. We use this result to set limits on the production of heavy scalar and vector particles decaying to tau lepton pairs.

Measurement of B(t --> Wb)/B(t--> Wq) at the collider detector at fermilab

We present a measurement of the ratio of top-quark branching fractions R = B(t --> Wb)/B(t --> Wq), where q can be a b, s, or a d quark, using lepton-plus-jets and dilepton data sets with an integrated luminosity of approximately 162 pb(-1) collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab during Run II of the Tevatron. The measurement is derived from the relative numbers of tt events with different multiplicity of identified secondary vertices. We set a lower limit of R > 0.61 at 95% confidence level.

Search for long-lived doubly charged Higgs bosons in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV

We present a search for long-lived doubly charged Higgs bosons (H(+/- +/-)), with signatures of high ionization energy loss and muonlike penetration. We use 292 pb(-1) of data collected in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. Observing no evidence of long-lived doubly charged particle production, we exclude H(+/- +/-)(L) and H(+/- +/-)(R) bosons with masses below 133 GeV/c(2) and 109 GeV/c(2), respectively. In the degenerate case we exclude H(+/- +/-) mass below 146 GeV/c(2). All limits are quoted at the 95% confidence level.

Evidence for B0 s-->phiphi decay and measurements of branching ratio and A(CP) for B+ -->phiK+

We present the first evidence of charmless decays of the B(0)(s) meson, the decay B(0)(s)--> phiphi, and a measurement of the branching ratio BR(B(0)(s)--> phiphi) using 180 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. In addition, the BR and direct CP asymmetry for the B+-->phiK+ decay are measured. We obtain BR(B(0)(s)--> phiphi)=[14(+6)(-5)(stat)+/-6(syst)] x 10(-6), BR(B+-->phiK+)=[7.6+/-1.3(stat)+/-0.6(syst)] x 10(-6), and A(CP)(B+-->phiK+)= -0.07+/-0.17(stat)+0.03 / -0.02(syst). Both decays are governed in the standard model by second order (penguin) b-->s(-)ss amplitudes.

Primary antibody deficiency and diagnostic delay

AIMS

To assess the occurrence of diagnostic delay in primary antibody deficiency in the period 1989-2002, since a similar study in 1989, and to assess the impact of UK national guidelines communicated in 1995.

METHODS

A retrospective case note review was performed of 89 consecutive patients with antibody deficiency referred to a regional referral centre for clinical immunology in north west England and north Wales. The delay in diagnosis and the estimated resulting morbidity in terms of infections were assessed.

RESULTS

Fifty six of the 89 patients experienced delay in diagnosis. The overall median delay was 2 years (mean, 4.4), resulting in substantial morbidity (equivalent to two major infections and one minor infection). This shows a moderate improvement since the previous study in 1989 and since the introduction of UK national guidelines in 1995. Respiratory infections are the most frequent presenting infections, and respiratory physicians the most common source of referral.

CONCLUSIONS

There is still considerable delay in the diagnosis of primary antibody deficiency, but the data suggest an improvement in practice since the previous study in 1989 and the distribution of national guidelines in 1995.

Use of sensorineural tests in a large volume of medico-legal compensation claims for HAVS

BACKGROUND

The Department of Trade and Industry set up a contract to examine miners and ex-miners claiming compensation for hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). They had been exposed to hand-transmitted vibration. Over 100,000 have now been examined using sensorineural tests as part of that process.

AIMS

The purpose of this paper was to examine the internal consistency of the vibrotactile threshold test (VTT) and the thermal aesthesiometry test (TA).

METHODS

In 18 centres across the UK, nurses were trained to perform the measurement of VTT and TA in a controlled standardized manner. These tests were to aid the staging of the neurological component of the Stockholm Workshop Scales. The staging of this component was modified by dividing stage 2SN into 2SN (early) and 2SN (late). The test results and an automatic neurological staging were presented to the examining doctor following the clinical examination. The results of these sensorineural tests were held on a central database. The results and analysis of the first 57,000 tests are reported.

RESULTS

The correlations within the VTT and TA scores were consistent with reliable measures. However, these correlations were not of such strength as to allow reliance on the results of a single test when making an assessment of the severity of neurological damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Different end organs and nerve fibres should be tested when making an assessment of damage in the sensorineural component of HAVS. The correlations demonstrated for the VTT and TA suggest that they are of value in assessing these claimants and would be for other vibration exposed workers.

Two dimensions of measurement error: classical and Berkson error in residential radon exposure assessment

Measurement error in exposure assessment is unavoidable. Statistical methods to correct for such errors rely upon a valid error model, particularly regarding the classification of classical and Berkson error, the structure and the size of the error. We provide a detailed list of sources of error in residential radon exposure assessment, stressing the importance of (a) the differentiation between classical and Berkson error and (b) the clear definitions of predictors and operationally defined predictors using the example of two German case-control studies on lung cancer and residential radon exposure. We give intuitive measures of error size and present evidence on both the error size and the multiplicative structure of the error from three data sets with repeated measurements of radon concentration. We conclude that modern exposure assessment should not only aim to be as accurate and precise as possible, but should also provide a model of the remaining measurement errors with clear differentiation of classical and Berkson components.

Antibody response to pneumolysin and to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide in healthy individuals and Streptococcus pneumoniae infected patients

BACKGROUND

Animal experiments have shown that antibodies against capsular polysaccharide enhance phagocytosis of pneumococcal bacteria and that antibodies against pneumolysin are anti-inflammatory and prevent pneumococcal invasion. It is not known if an antibody response to pneumolysin can be acquired from natural exposure to pneumococcal bacteria or how the concentration of pneumolysin antibody at the mucosal surface compares with that of antibodies against pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide. This study used an equal potency method to measure specific antibody concentrations against pneumolysin and pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides in order to facilitate comparative estimates of concentrations in saliva and serum. The results may provide experimental information as a basis for an improved pneumococcal vaccine strategy.

RESULTS

Healthy individuals had higher IgM and IgG antibody concentrations against capsular polysaccharide than against pneumolysin in both saliva and serum, but for IgA the converse was true. Patients with acute pneumococcal infection had significantly lower concentrations of specific IgG antibodies against both antigens than the healthy group. These patients also had significantly higher concentrations of IgM antibody against both antigens than the healthy control group.

DISCUSSION

Healthy individuals acquire a comparatively lower concentration of antibody to pneumolysin than to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides from natural exposure to pneumococcal bacteria. Patients infected by pneumococcal bacteria have lower specific IgG antibody concentrations to both antigens than healthy individuals. These findings support the view that pneumolysin could potentially be used as a vaccine. For enhanced effectiveness, it could be used as a supplement to Pneumovax((R))II rather than as a replacement. The two acquired antibodies, i.e. to pneumolysin and to capsular polysaccharide, could then play their protective roles at different stages in the course of pneumococcal infection, and together contribute to an effective immune defence against Streptococcus pneumoniae.