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Theoretical predictions for particle production cross sections and decays at colliders rely heavily on perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) calculations, expressed as an expansion in powers of the strong coupling constant \\(\\alpha_s\\). The current \\(\\mathcal{O}(1\\%)\\) uncertainty of the QCD coupling evaluated at the reference Z boson mass, \\(\\alpha_s(m_Z) = 0.1179 \\pm 0.0009\\), is one of the limiting factors to more precisely describe multiple processes at current and future colliders. A reduction of this uncertainty is thus a prerequisite to perform precision tests of the Standard Model as well as searches for new physics. This report provides a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art, challenges, and prospects in the experimental and theoretical study of the strong coupling. The current \\(\\alpha_s(m_Z)\\) world average is derived from a combination of seven categories of observables: (i) lattice QCD, (ii) hadronic \\(\\tau\\) decays, (iii) deep-inelastic scattering and parton distribution functions fits, (iv) electroweak boson decays, hadronic final-states in (v) \\(e^+e^-\\), (vi) e-p, and (vii) p-p collisions, and (viii) quarkonia decays and masses. We review the current status of each of these seven \\(\\alpha_s(m_Z)\\) extraction methods, discuss novel \\(\\alpha_s\\) determinations, and examine the averaging method used to obtain the world-average value. Each of the methods discussed provides a ``wish list'' of experimental and theoretical developments required in order to achieve the goal of a per-mille precision on \\(\\alpha_s(m_Z)\\) within the next decade.

The National College Health Assessment Survey (NCHA), sponsored by the American College Health Association, measured depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among 15,977 college students in the academic year 1999–2000. Similar to the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1995, 9.5% of students reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide and 1.5% of students reported that they had attempted suicide within the last school year. The NCHA findings show a relationship between suicidal behavior and depressed mood. Depressed mood, difficulties of sexual identity, and problematic relationships all increase the likelihood of vulnerability to suicidal behavior. Less than 20% of students reporting suicidal ideation or attempts were receiving treatment.

Aims. This is the first of a set of three papers evaluating drinking status and mortality risk. Analyses of multiple studies describe associations of drinking patterns with characteristics hypothesized to confound the relationships between drinking status and mortality. Characteristics which both significantly differentiate drinking groups and are consistent across studies would suggest that mortality studies not controlling for them may be compromised. Design and participants. Associations are evaluated from the raw data of 10 general population studies which contained mortality data. Long‐term abstainers are compared to former drinkers, long‐term abstainers and former drinkers are compared to light drinkers (by quantity, frequency and volume in separate analyses) and moderate to heavy drinkers are compared to light drinkers. Tetrachoric correlation coefficients assess statistical significance; meta‐analysis determines if associations are homogeneous across studies. Measurements. Measures of alcohol consumption are quantity, frequency and volume; long‐term abstainers are differentiated from former drinkers. Multiple measures of health, social position, social integration and mental health characteristics are evaluated. Findings. Across studies, adult male former drinkers are consistently more likely to be heavier smokers, depressed, unemployed, lower SES and to have used marijuana than long‐term abstainers. Adult female former drinkers are consistently more likely to be heavier smokers, in poorer health, not religious, and unmarried than long‐term abstainers. Both types of abstainers tend to be of lower SES than light drinkers and report poorer health (not consistent). Female abstainers are more likely to be of normal or overweight than light drinkers. Conclusions. Characteristics of two groups of abstainers, other than their non‐use of alcohol, may confound the associations found between drinking and mortality risk.

OBJECTIVES. Period effects of per capita consumption of alcohol and divorce rates are assessed for change in quantity and frequency among age/sex groups in multiple longitudinal studies. METHODS. Twenty-five studies of quantity and 29 studies of frequency are used. Studies are from 15 nations and cover periods of 1 to 21 years. Models predict the standardized mean difference for quantity and frequency based on period effects and group-level and methodological variables. RESULTS. When both the period effects of per capita consumption and the divorce rate are considered, the divorce rate significantly predicts change in quantity and frequency. An increase in the divorce rate is associated with a stronger decrease in frequency among younger people; men are more likely than women to decrease their frequency of drinking when divorce rates rise. CONCLUSIONS. Multiple societal-level factors should be considered critical in influencing the drinking patterns of groups. These results suggest that an increase in the divorce rate is associated with more \"dry\" social contexts, characterized possibly by drinking patterns of a more \"volitive\" nature (i.e., heavier quantity per occasion and less frequent drinking).