Pathological Science

I discuss examples of what Dr. Irving Langmuir, a Nobel prize winner in Chemistry, called "the science of things that aren't so." Some of his examples are reviewed and others from High Energy Physics are added. It is hoped that discussing these incidents will help us develop an understanding of some potential pitfalls.Comment: Presented at Theoretical Advanced Study Institute In Elementary Particle Physics (Tasi), University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado June, 2000. To appear in the proceedings. (10/31/2000 - Fixed a reference.

The Decriminalisation of Abortion: an Argument for Modernisation

While abortion is now offered as a routine part of modern NHS-funded reproductive healthcare, the legal framework regulating it remains rooted in the punitive, conservative values of the mid-Victorian era. This article argues that this framework is in need of fundamental reform to modernise it in line with the clinical science and moral values of the 21st century. It assesses the current statutory framework regulating abortion against the purposes that are typically claimed to motivate it: the protection of women; and the prevention and condemnation of the intentional destruction of fetal life. It argues that it fails to achieve either of these broad aims and that we should thus remove specific criminal penalties relating to abortion. This, it is suggested, would be likely to have very limited impact on the incidence of abortion but would, however, better recognise contemporary medical realities and moral thinking

Airship stresses due to vertical velocity gradients and atmospheric turbulence

Munk's potential flow method is used to calculate the resultant moment experienced by an ellipsoidal airship. This method is first used to calculate the moment arising from basic maneuvers considered by early designers, and then expended to calculate the moment arising from vertical velocity gradients and atmospheric turbulence. This resultant moment must be neutralized by the transverse force of the fins. The results show that vertical velocity gradients at a height of 6000 feet in thunderstorms produce a resultant moment approximately three to four times greater than the moment produced in still air by realistic values of pitch angle or steady turning. Realistic values of atmospheric turbulence produce a moment which is significantly less than the moment produced by maneuvers in still air

Future B Experiments from The BTeV/LHC-b Perspective

Many measurements are necessary in the program of studying mixing, CP violation and rare decays of b and c quarks. These measurements require large numbers of B^o, B_s, B^- and D^{*+} hadrons. Fortunately, copius production of particles containing b and c quarks will occur at Tevatron and the LHC. The crucial measurements are described here, as well as the design of the two experiments, LHC-b and BTeV, that can exploit the 4-20 x 10^{11} b hadrons produced every 10^7 seconds.Comment: Presented at the 3rd International Conference on B Physics and CP Violation, Taipei, December 3-7, 1999 15 pages, 10 figure

Future of Heavy Flavour Physics: Experimental Perspective

I discuss what measurements need to be done to search for physics beyond the Standard CKM model, rather than just what studies can be done in the near future. It is also important to accurately measure the CKM matrix elements. Current best estimates for two important elements are: |V_{cb}|=0.0381 +/- 0.0021 and |V_{ub}/V_{cb}|=0.085 +/- 0.019. Finally, future experiments are discussed.Comment: Presented at "Heavy Flavours 8," Southampton, UK, July 1999, 9 pages 7 figure