The results of a comprehensive, independent re-analysis of data from Experiment 859 at the BNL AGS on -meson production in Si Au collisions with incident beam momentum p = 14.6A GeV/c are presented. ...The invariant-mass distribution in the K +K− channel, momentum distribution, and total yield have been studied. For events in the top 15% of the minimum-bias total multiplicity distribution, the measurements of the mass and width are consistent with the world-average values for 's decaying in free space. Experimental systematics prevent the assignment of any physical significance to the previously reported decrease of m in events with the highest total multiplicity. Yield results are quoted for events in the top 7% of the multiplicity distribution. The parameters of the momentum distribution obtained are consistent with those previously published, while the total yield is found to be higher than that reported previously by a factor of about two. production per participant nucleon is enhanced in central Si Au collisions relative to in pp collisions at the same energy by a factor of special characters omitted, an amount compatible with the enhancements in K + and K− production observed in the same system by E859. The yield ratio N /special characters omitted is special characters omitted, about the same as for pp collisions at the same special characters omitted according to a new parameterization of world data on inclusive and K− yields in pp collisions. Comparison to preliminary results on the centrality dependence of production in Au Au collisions by E917 shows rough agreement and indicates that the relative enhancement of and K + production changes slowly with system size, if at all. The current measurement cannot distinguish whether the pattern of production in central Si Au collisions is more similar to the pattern of K + or K− production, or whether it is similar to both but distinct from either, but these findings suggest some relationship between the mechanisms responsible for the and K± enhancements observed in heavy-ion collisions at the AGS.
The physics program of the KLOE experiment at DAΦNE is described, and recent results are presented. Preliminary measurements obtained using ~17 pb
−1 of data from the year 2000 include those of the ...ratio of branching ratios
BR(K
S → π
+π
−)
BR(K
S → π
0π
0)
, the BR for the
K
e3
decay of the
K
S
, the ratio
BR(φ → η′γ)
BR(φ → ηγ)
and the pseudoscalar mixing angle
ϕP, and the BR's for the decays
φ →
f
0
γ and
φ →
a
0
γ. Future directions for the KLOE physics program are summarized.
DAFNE, the Frascati phi factory, has been in operation since 1999. At the center of the physics program is the KLOE experiment, a multipurpose detector with optimizations for tagged and ...interferometry-based measurements of the neutral kaon system. KLOE has been taking data since 2000 and has helped to explore a wide array of topics in kaon and hadronic physics, including a comprehensive set of measurements to determine the CKM matrix element |Vus|, and a measurement of the e+e- --> pi+pi- cross section for the determination of the hadronic contribution to the muon anomaly. In addition, the DEAR experiment has measured the X-ray spectrum of kaonic hydrogen, and the FINUDA experiment has conducted its first studies in hypernuclear spectroscopy and a search for \bar{K}-nuclear bound states. We review the design, construction, and operation of the DAFNE facility, with an emphasis on the physics program of the KLOE experiment.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) testing in pre-participation screening (PPS) remains controversial due to its cost, resource dependency, and the potential for inaccurate interpretations. At most centres, ...ECGs are conducted internally by providers trained in athletic ECG interpretation. Outsourcing ECG requisitions to an athlete's primary care network (PCN) may reduce institutional demands. This study compared PCN-conducted athletic ECG interpretation to expert sports cardiology interpretation.
This was a retrospective, single-centre chart-review study of all athletes who underwent cardiovascular PPS between 2017 and 2021. All athletes submitted an ECG with their screening package, which was conducted and interpreted within their PCN. All ECGs were reinterpreted by a sports cardiologist using the International Criteria (IC) for electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes. Overall, positive, and negative percent agreement were used to compare PCN-conducted ECG interpretation with IC interpretation.
A total of 740 athletes submitted a screening package with a valid ECG (mean age: 18.5 years, 39.6% female). PCN-conducted ECGs were interpreted by 181 unique physicians. Among 41 (5.5%) PCN-conducted ECGs that were initially interpreted as abnormal, only 5 (0.7%) were classified as abnormal according to the IC. All PCN-conducted ECGs reported as normal were also classified as normal according to the IC. The overall agreement between PCN-conducted and IC ECG interpretation was 95.1% (positive percent agreement: 100%, negative percent agreement: 95.1%).
Normal PCN-conducted athletic ECGs are interpreted with high agreement to the IC. Majority of PCN-conducted ECGs interpreted as abnormal are indeed normal as per the IC. These findings suggest that a PPS workflow model that outsources ECG requisitions to a PCN may be a reliable approach to PPS, all while reducing screening-related institutional costs and resource requirements.
Display omitted
•PCN-conducted ECGs are interpreted with adequate overall agreement to the IC•Most ECGs interpreted as abnormal by the PCN are indeed normal when interpreted by a sports cardiologist according to IC•All ECGs reported as normal were also classified as normal according to the IC•Acquiring athletic ECGs from a PCN may be reliable and resource-efficient
Background Clinical practice recommendations for participation in sports and exercise among young competitive athletes with cardiovascular conditions at risk for sudden death are based largely on ...expert consensus with a paucity of prospective outcomes data. Recent guidelines have taken a more permissive approach, using a shared decision-making model. However, the impact and outcomes of this strategy remain unknown. Methods The ORCCA (Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes) study is a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal, observational cohort study designed to monitor clinical outcomes in athletes with potentially life-threatening cardiovascular conditions. The study will assess sports eligibility decision-making, exercise habits, psychosocial well-being, and long-term cardiovascular outcomes among young competitive athletes with cardiovascular conditions. Competitive athletes aged 18 to <35 years diagnosed with a confirmed cardiovascular condition or borderline finding with potential increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events are eligible. Outcomes will be monitored for an initial 5-year follow-up period or until age 35, and metrics of psychosocial well-being and composite adverse cardiovascular events including arrhythmias, sudden cardiac arrest/sudden cardiac death, and evidence of disease progression will be compared among athletes who continue versus discontinue competitive sports participation. Conclusions The ORCCA study aims to assess the process and results of return to sport decision-making and to monitor major adverse cardiovascular events, exercise habits, and the psychosocial well-being among young competitive athletes diagnosed with confirmed cardiovascular conditions or borderline findings with potential increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. The results of this work will generate an evidence base to inform future guidelines.
Background Initial protocols for return to play cardiac testing in young competitive athletes following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection recommended cardiac troponin (cTn) to screen for cardiac involvement. This ...study aimed to define the diagnostic yield of cTn in athletes undergoing cardiovascular testing following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Methods and Results This prospective, observational cohort study from ORCCA (Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes) included collegiate athletes who underwent cTn testing as a component of return to play protocols following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The cTn values were stratified as undetectable, detectable but within normal limits, and abnormal (>99% percentile). The presence of probable or definite SARS‐CoV‐2 myocardial involvement was compared between those with normal versus abnormal cTn levels. A total of 3184/3685 (86%) athletes in the ORCCA database met the inclusion criteria for this study (age 20±1 years, 32% female athletes, 28% Black race). The median time from SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis to cTn testing was 13 days (interquartile range, 11, 18 days). The cTn levels were undetectable in 2942 athletes (92%), detectable but within normal limits in 210 athletes (7%), and abnormal in 32 athletes (1%). Of the 32 athletes with abnormal cTn testing, 19/32 (59%) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 30/32 (94%) underwent transthoracic echocardiography, and 1/32 (3%) did not have cardiac imaging. One athlete with abnormal troponin met the criteria for definite or probable SARS‐CoV‐2 myocardial involvement. In the total cohort, 21/3184 (0.7%) had SARS‐CoV‐2 myocardial involvement, among whom 20/21 (95%) had normal troponin testing. Conclusions Abnormal cTn during routine return to play cardiac screening among competitive athletes following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection appears to have limited diagnostic utility.
NATO nations stressed Thursday that their common aim in Libya is to bring an end to Moammar Gadhafi's regime, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the world must increase its ...support for the Libyan opposition.
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