Combination of the top-quark mass measurements from the Tevatron collider

The top quark is the heaviest known elementary particle, with a mass about 40 times larger than the mass of its isospin partner, the bottom quark. It decays almost 100% of the time to a W boson and a bottom quark. Using top-antitop pairs at the Tevatron proton-antiproton collider, the CDF and D0 Collaborations have measured the top quark's mass in different final states for integrated luminosities of up to 5.8fb -1. This paper reports on a combination of these measurements that results in a more precise value of the mass than any individual decay channel can provide. It describes the treatment of the systematic uncertainties and their correlations. The mass value determined is 173.18±0.56(stat)±0.75(syst)GeV or 173.18±0.94GeV, which has a precision of ±0.54%, making this the most precise determination of the top-quark mass. © 2012 American Physical Society.

Measurement of angular correlations of jets at s=1.96 TeV and determination of the strong coupling at high momentum transfers

We present a measurement of the average value of a new observable at hadron colliders that is sensitive to QCD dynamics and to the strong coupling constant, while being only weakly sensitive to parton distribution functions. The observable measures the angular correlations of jets and is defined as the number of neighboring jets above a given transverse momentum threshold which accompany a given jet within a given distance δR in the plane of rapidity and azimuthal angle. The ensemble average over all jets in an inclusive jet sample is measured and the results are presented as a function of transverse momentum of the inclusive jets, in different regions of δR and for different transverse momentum requirements for the neighboring jets. The measurement is based on a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.7 fb -1 collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in pp- collisions at s=1.96 TeV. The results are well described by a perturbative QCD calculation in next-to-leading order in the strong coupling constant, corrected for non-perturbative effects. From these results, we extract the strong coupling and test the QCD predictions for its running over a range of momentum transfers of 50-400 GeV. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Study of the decay Bs0→J/ψf2′(1525) in μ +μ -K +K - final states

We investigate the decay Bs0→J/ψK +K - for invariant masses of the K +K - pair in the range 1.35

Measurement of the p(p)over-bar -> W plus b plus X production cross section at root s=1.96 TeV D0 Collaboration

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Measurement of the combined rapidity and p(T) dependence of dijet azimuthal decorrelations in p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Confidence and the Stock Market: An Agent-Based Approach

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Assessment of the Correlation Between Insertion Torque and Resonance Frequency Analysis of Implants Placed in Bone Tissue of Different Densities

The primary stability of dental implants is fundamental for osseointegration. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the correlation between insertion torque (IT) and resonance frequency analysis (RFA) of implants placed in mandibles and maxillas of different bone densities. Eighty dental implants were placed in maxillas and mandibles, and IT and the implant stability quotient (ISQ) were measured at the time of implant insertion. Bone density was assessed subjectively by the Lekholm and Zarb index. The type I and II densities were grouped together (group A)as were the type III and IV densities (group B). The IT in group A was higher (Student t test, P = .0013) than in group B (46.27 +/- 18.51 Ncm, 33.62 +/- 14.74 Ncm, respectively). The implants placed in group A showed higher ISQ (Student t test, P = .0004) than those placed in group B (70.09 +/- 7.50, 63.66 +/- 8.00, respectively). A significant correlation between IT and the ISQ value was observed for group A (Pearson correlation test; r = 0.35; P = .0213) and for group B (r = 0.37; P = .0224). Within the limitations of this study, it was possible to conclude that there is a correlation between IT and RFA of implants placed in mandibles and maxillas of different bone densities.

The root systems of permian arborescent sphenopsids: evidence from the northern and southern hemispheres

Anatomically preserved calamitalean trunks are described from the Permian fossil forests of Chemnitz, Germany, and Tocantins, central-north Brazil. Several trunk bases were found in situ, still rooting in their former substrate or in parautochthonous sediments and revealing multiple organic connections between stems and roots. The new evidence of several free-stemmed Permian calamitaleans from different fossil lagerstatten and different taphonomic modes from the Northern and Southern hemispheres has implications for understanding calamite growth and challenges the universal validity of the reconstruction of rhizome-bearing woody trees. Whereas the stems belong to different species of the widely distributed genus Arthropitys GOEPPERT 1864, among them the generitype A. bistriata (COTTA) emend. RoSSLER, FENG & NOLL 2012 the attached roots represent the largest calamite roots ever found and incorporate a broad spectrum of preservational forms and ontogenetic stages. The latter are represented by the root genera Astromyelon WILLIAMSON 1878, Myriophylloides HICK & CASH 1881 and Asthenomyelon LEISTIKOW 1962 that were evidenced for the first time from Chemnitz, the type locality of Arthropitys and Calamitea (COTTA) emend. ROSSLER & NOLL 2007. Branched, stem-borne, adventitious root systems exhibit similar architectures, arise from different nodes of the lowermost trunks and anchor the trees in' different substrates. Developmental features were analysed in first- to third-order roots, which possess clearly-defined concentric tissue zones: epidermis/periderm, cortex, endodermis and central vascular tissue with or without pith. First-order roots, in particular, show considerable secondary growth. Numerous zones of concentric density variation in the secondary xylem indicate some kind of seasonality in the early Permian environments.

Systemic risk in dynamical networks with stochastic failure criterion

Complex non-linear interactions between banks and assets we model by two time-dependent Erdos-Renyi network models where each node, representing a bank, can invest either to a single asset (model I) or multiple assets (model II). We use a dynamical network approach to evaluate the collective financial failure -systemic risk- quantified by the fraction of active nodes. The systemic risk can be calculated over any future time period, divided into sub-periods, where within each sub-period banks may contiguously fail due to links to either i) assets or ii) other banks, controlled by two parameters, probability of internal failure p and threshold T-h ("solvency" parameter). The systemic risk decreases with the average network degree faster when all assets are equally distributed across banks than if assets are randomly distributed. The more inactive banks each bank can sustain (smaller T-h), the smaller the systemic risk -for some Th values in I we report a discontinuity in systemic risk. When contiguous spreading becomes stochastic ii) controlled by probability p(2) -a condition for the bank to be solvent (active) is stochasticthe- systemic risk decreases with decreasing p(2). We analyse the asset allocation for the U.S. banks. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2014

Minimally Invasive Selective Neck Dissection: A Prospective Study of Endoscopically Assisted Dissection via a Small Submandibular Approach in cT(1-2)N(0) Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Selective neck dissection (SND) in clinical N-0 (cN(0)) cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been performed by surgeons using a retroauricular or modified facelift approach with robotic or endoscopic assistance. However, these procedures provide cosmetic satisfaction at the cost of possible maximal invasiveness. In this prospective study, we introduced and evaluated the feasibility as well as surgical invasiveness and cosmetic outcome of endoscopically-assisted SND via a small submandibular approach.Forty-four patients with cT(1-2)N(0) oral SCC (OSCC) were randomly divided into two groups of endoscopically-assisted SND and conventional SND. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes of patients were evaluated, including the length of the incision, operating time for neck dissection, estimated blood loss during the operation, amount and duration of drainage, total hospitalization period, total number of lymph nodes retrieved, satisfaction scores based on the cosmetic results, perioperative local complications, shoulder syndrome, and follow-up information.The mean operation time in the endoscopically-assisted group (126.04 +/- A 12.67 min) was longer than that in the conventional group (75.67 +/- A 16.67 min). However, the mean length of the incision was 4.33 +/- A 0.76 cm in the endoscopically-assisted SND group, and the amount and duration of drainage, total hospital stay, postoperative shoulder pain score, and cosmetic outcomes were superior in the endoscopically-assisted SND group. Additionally, the retrieved lymph nodes and complications were comparable.Endoscopically-assisted SND via a small submandibular approach had a longer operation time than the conventional approach. However, endoscopically-assisted SND was feasible and reliable while providing minimal invasiveness and satisfactory appearance.

Combined measurement of the Higgs Boson Mass in pp collisions at root s=7 and 8 TeV with the ATLAS and CMS experiments

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synchronous reconstruction of bilateral osteoradionecrosis of the mandible using a single fibular osteocutaneous flap in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The reconstruction of bilateral osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of mandibular defects using a single free bone flap is rarely performed because extensively radiated neck tissue with severe fibrosis is usually unsuitable for vascularized reconstruction. Thirty-one patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) underwent bilateral reconstruction of advanced ORN in the mandible using a single fibular osteocutaneous flap. Clinical factors associated with the operation were assessed, including classification of mandible defects, types of recipient vessels, perioperative complications, and postoperative outcomes. All of the fibular osteocutaneous flaps survived completely, with the exception of 1 inner skin paddle that presented partial necrosis in a reconstruction of through-and-through defects. All patients experienced an improvement in cosmetic results 6 months after the reconstruction, whereas 23 patients experienced improved mouth opening compared to the preoperative condition. Advanced bilateral ORN in patients with NPC could be synchronously reconstructed with a single fibular osteocutaneous flap. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2015.

BER-Based Call Admission In Wavelength-Routed Optical Networks

Consider a wavelength-routed optical network in which nodes, i.e., multiwave length cross-connect switches (XCSs), are connected by fiber to form an arbitrary physical topology. A new call is admitted into the network if an all-optical lightpath can be established between the call’s source and destination nodes. Wavelength converters are assumed absent in this work.

Transparent vs. Opaque vs. Translucent Wavelength-Routed Optical Networks

A wavelength-routed optical network consists of multi-wavelength crossconnect switches (XCSs) which are interconnected by optical fibers. Some (or all) crossconnects, referred to as nodes in this paper, are also attached to access stations where data from several end-users could be multiplexed onto a single wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) channel. An access station provides optical-to-electronic (O/E) conversion and wice wersa to interface the optical network with conventional electronic equipment. The access station, at an intermediate node, may also be used (as in this study) for signal regenerution on a lightpath. A new call is admitted into the network if a lightpath (a set of free wavelengths along a given route from source to destination) can be established between the call’s source and destination stations. Depending on the number of all-optical fragments in a single lightpath, three different approaches may be employed to operate such a network. These approaches are: transparency, opacity, and translucency (to be explained below). Our study concentrates on evaluating the relative merits of these three approaches in a sample network environment.

Vitamin or mineral supplement intake and the risk of head and neck cancer: pooled analysis in the INHANCE consortium

To investigate the potential role of vitamin or mineral supplementation on the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC), we analyzed individual-level pooled data from 12 casecontrol studies (7,002 HNC cases and 8,383 controls) participating in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology consortium. There were a total of 2,028 oral cavity cancer, 2,465 pharyngeal cancer, 874 unspecified oral/pharynx cancer, 1,329 laryngeal cancer and 306 overlapping HNC cases. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for self reported ever use of any vitamins, multivitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and calcium, beta-carotene, iron, selenium and zinc supplements were assessed. We further examined frequency, duration and cumulative exposure of each vitamin or mineral when possible and stratified by smoking and drinking status. All ORs were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, study center, education level, pack-years of smoking, frequency of alcohol drinking and fruit/vegetable intake. A decreased risk of HNC was observed with ever use of vitamin C (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.590.96) and with ever use of calcium supplement (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.420.97). The inverse association with HNC risk was also observed for 10 or more years of vitamin C use (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.540.97) and more than 365 tablets of cumulative calcium intake (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.160.83), but linear trends were not observed for the frequency or duration of any supplement intake. We did not observe any strong associations between vitamin or mineral supplement intake and the risk of HNC.