Measurement of Direct-Photon Cross Section and Double-Helicity Asymmetry at sqrt[s]=510 GeV in p[over →]+p[over →] Collisions.

We present measurements of the cross section and double-helicity asymmetry A_{LL} of direct-photon production in p[over →]+p[over →] collisions at sqrt[s]=510 GeV. The measurements have been performed at midrapidity (|η|<0.25) with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. At relativistic energies, direct photons are dominantly produced from the initial quark-gluon hard scattering and do not interact via the strong force at leading order. Therefore, at sqrt[s]=510 GeV, where leading-order-effects dominate, these measurements provide clean and direct access to the gluon helicity in the polarized proton in the gluon-momentum-fraction range 0.02

Probing Gluon Spin-Momentum Correlations in Transversely Polarized Protons through Midrapidity Isolated Direct Photons in p

Studying spin-momentum correlations in hadronic collisions offers a glimpse into a three-dimensional picture of proton structure. The transverse single-spin asymmetry for midrapidity isolated direct photons in p^{↑}+p collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV is measured with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Because direct photons in particular are produced from the hard scattering and do not interact via the strong force, this measurement is a clean probe of initial-state spin-momentum correlations inside the proton and is in particular sensitive to gluon interference effects within the proton. This is the first time direct photons have been used as a probe of spin-momentum correlations at RHIC. The uncertainties on the results are a 50-fold improvement with respect to those of the one prior measurement for the same observable, from the Fermilab E704 experiment. These results constrain gluon spin-momentum correlations in transversely polarized protons.

[Effects of an educational campaign on cardiovascular risk factors in a French town (Epernon, study town). Methods and preliminary results: prevalence and level of risk factors]. / Influence d'une campagne d'information sur les facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire dans une ville française (Epernon, Ville d'Etude). Méthodologie et résultats préliminaires: prévalence et niveau des facteurs de risque.

The authors report the methods and preliminary findings of a study scheduled to last 5 years, which aims to evaluate cardiovascular risk factor changes in response to an education program. The population sample consisted of 961 subjects, from Epernon itself (the study town) and from two control towns. The assessment criteria were reported at the beginning of the study and then again after 2 and 5 years. They consisted of an analysis of medical events and of biomedical and dietary data and a detailed analysis of behavior with regard to health and socio-economic variables. Preliminary data show that the samples were similar in Epernon and the control towns and also comparable to some French epidemiological data. There is a striking difference between the percentage of subjects aware of their blood pressure (65.5%) and blood cholesterol (13.4%) levels.

[Impact of an information campaign on cardiovascular risk factors. 5-year results at the study town Epernon]. / Influence d'une campagne d'information sur les facteurs de risque cardio-vasculaire. Epernon ville d'étude, résultats à 5 ans.

OBJECTIVES: Information campaigns are implemented to improve knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors. The impact of these programs must be evaluated to determine whether they truly contribute to modifying risk factors in the population. METHODS: A 5-year information campaign on cardiovascular disease and risk factors was conducted in Epernon, France. The main objectives of the campaign focused on stopping smoking, regular physical exercise and balanced nutrition. Data were collected from a representative sample of the female and male population aged 20 to 65 years selected from the study town Epernon (500 subjects), and in control towns, Magny-en-Vexin and Moret-sur-Loing (200 subjects). The study town and control towns were comparable for population, demographic characteristics and geographic localization (distance from Paris). The subjects were invited to respond to a questionnaire on demographic data, attitudes toward health, risk factors and diet and underwent a clinical examination with blood tests. RESULTS: The initial sample included 961 subjects and 68.5% participated in the final survey. We were unable to evidence any significant difference in risk factors or the 10-year risk score calculated from the Framingham equation adapted to France. The information campaign was well accepted, the population not expression a feeling of lassitude. The campaign had a minimal effect on the way individuals relate to health. There was a fall in mean energy intake, mainly fat calories, which was similar in all three towns. CONCLUSION: No major modification in cardiovascular risk factors was observed in this low-risk population, suggesting that future information campaigns should be aimed at targeted populations with a higher risk profile using simple and selected messages.

[Evaluation of health interventions. 2. To evaluate a maternal-child protection program]. / L'evaluation des actions de sante: 2. evaluer un programme de protection materno-infantile.

PIP: The process of evaluating maternal-child health services in Tokombere, North Cameroon, is described to illustrate the use of different indicators to evaluate different aspects of a health program. The maternal-child health program in Tokombere calls for children 5 and under and their parents to meet once each month for health education and weighing of children to screen for nutritional problems. Vaccinations are provided elsewhere during regular campaigns. The 1st step in evaluating the program is to determine whether a maternal-child health program actually exists in the village and whether it meets regularly. Attendance at the maternal-child health services can be evaluated by calculating the proportion of children 1-5 years old who attended at least 3 meetings during the year. To ascertain the proportion, attendance can be taken at each meeting, or the proportion can be estimated by checking at a single well-attended meeting to see how many children have attended 2 other meetings in the past year. The total number of children can be estimated through a survey, by asking the village head, or by consulting the census or vital register, if they exist. Indicators of the effectiveness of the maternal-child health program in screening for and treating malnutrition include the proportion of children for whom a growth curve is completed and correctly interpreted, the proportion of children identified as malnourished, and the proportion of children among those identified at the maternal-child health meeting who are followed up until their weight returns to a satisfactory level. The most difficult aspect of the valuation is determining its impact on the health status of children. Often quantitative measures are impossible, and even with qualitative measures it may be impossible to distinguish between the effects of the program and effects of other actions or of general social development. THe infant mortality rate, if available, may be a useful indicator, as may the existence of other development projects prompted by the maternal-child health program. The Tokombere project demonstrates the importance of having a series of indicators to measure different aspects of project functioning. The evaluation should be repeated periodically to assess trends and longterm impact. Each result or trend should be examined and explained in order that program weaknesses can be identified and corrected.^ieng