Measurements of the Branching Fraction, Polarization, and CP Asymmetry for the Decay B

We present a comprehensive study of B^{0}→ωω decays using 772×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider. This process is a suppressed charmless decay into two vector mesons and can exhibit interesting polarization and CP violation. The decay is observed for the first time with a significance of 7.9 standard deviations. We measure a branching fraction B=(1.53±0.29±0.17)×10^{-6}, a fraction of longitudinal polarization f_{L}=0.87±0.13±0.13, and a time-integrated CP asymmetry A_{CP}=-0.44±0.43±0.11, where the first uncertainties listed are statistical and the second are systematic. This is the first observation of B^{0}→ωω and the first measurements of f_{L} and A_{CP} for this decay.

Observation of the Decay B_{s}

We measure the decay B_{s}^{0}→K^{0}K[over ¯]^{0} using data collected at the ϒ(5S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 121.4 fb^{-1}. We measure a branching fraction B(B_{s}^{0}→K^{0}K[over ¯]^{0})=[19.6_{-5.1}^{+5.8}(stat)±1.0(syst)±2.0(N_{B_{s}^{0}B[over ¯]_{s}^{0}})]×10^{-6} with a significance of 5.1 standard deviations. This measurement constitutes the first observation of this decay.

Observation of B(s)(0) → D(s)(*)+ D(s)(*)- using e+ e- collisions and a determination of the B(s)-B(s) width difference ΔΓ(s).

We have made the first observation of B(s)(0)→D(s)(*)+ D(s)(*)- decays using 23.6 fb(-1) of data recorded by the Belle experiment running on the Υ(5S) resonance. The branching fractions are measured to be B(B(s)(0)→D(s)+ D(s)-)=(1.03(-0.32-0.25)(+0.39+0.26))%, B(B(s)(0)→D(s)(*±) D(s)(∓))=(2.75(-0.71)(+0.83)±0.69)%, and B(B(s)(0)→D(s)*+ D(s)*-)=(3.08(-1.04-0.86)(+1.22+0.85))%; the sum is B[B(s)(0)→D(s)(*)+ D(s)(*)-]=(6.85(-1.30-1.80)(+1.53+1.79))%. Assuming B(s)(0)→D(s)(*)+ D(s)(*)- saturates decays to CP-even final states, the branching fraction determines the ratio ΔΓ(s)/cosφ, where ΔΓ(s) is the difference in widths between the two B(s)-B(s) mass eigenstates, and φ is a CP-violating weak phase. Taking CP violation to be negligibly small, we obtain ΔΓ(s)/Γ(s)=0.147(-0.030)(+0.036)(stat)(-0.041)(+0.042)(syst), where Γ(s) is the mean decay width.

Probing the population of the spin-orbit split levels in the actinide 5f states.

Spin-orbit interaction in the 5f states is believed to strongly influence exotic behaviors observed in actinide metals and compounds. Understanding these interactions and how they relate to the actinide series is of considerable importance. To address this issue, the branching ratio of the white-line peaks of the N4,5 edge for the light actinide metals, alpha-Th, alpha-U, and alpha-Pu were recorded using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Using the spin-orbit sum rule and the branching ratios from both experimental spectra and many-electron atomic spectral calculations, accurate values of the spin-orbit interaction, and thus the relative occupation of the j = 5/2 and 7/2 levels, are determined for the actinide 5f states. Results show that the spin-orbit sum rule works very well with both EELS and XAS spectra, needing little or no correction. This is important, since the high spatial resolution of a TEM can be used to overcome the problems of single-crystal growth often encountered with actinide metals, allowing acquisition of EELS spectra, and subsequent spin-orbit analysis, from nm-sized regions. The relative occupation numbers obtained by our method have been compared with recent theoretical results and they show a good agreement in their trend.

Peripheral vascular response to potassium administration during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Potassium (K+) is often administered to patients during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The effects of rapid K+ administration during CPB were studied in 30 adult patients. Each patient received one bolus dose (2, 4, 8, 12, or 16 mEq) of potassium chloride (KCl) (2 mEq/ml) during CPB. Serum K+ was significantly increased from baseline values at KCl doses of 8 mEq and larger (p less than 0.05). All increases in serum K+ returned to clinically acceptable levels within 5 minutes after the bolus. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) (torr) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) (dynes sec cm-5) changes were biphasic; after an initial transient decrease, maximal with the 16 mEq K+ bolus (MAP -21 +/- 6, TPR - 315 +/- 135), these parameters increased (8 mEq K+ bolus, MAP + 15 +/- 16, TPR + 301 +/- 90; 12 mEq K+ bolus, MAP + 43 +/- 9, TPR + 998 +/- 250; 16 mEq bolus, MAP + 51 +/- 9, TPR + 1,216 +/- 120) with a peak at 3 minutes after the bolus. Hypertension, in nine of 18 patients receiving a KCl bolus of 8 mEq or larger, was of such magnitude (range 132 to 196 torr) as to require rapid therapeutic intervention to lower blood pressure. When KCl supplementation is required on CPB and slow infusion rates seem unreasonable, bolus doses of less than 8 mEq may be administered without vascular effect.

Monitoring heparin anticoagulation and its neutralization.

Heparin anticoagulation and its neutralization were monitored by three different techniques: a manual protamine titration, an automated activated coagulation time, and an automated protamine titration. All three techniques provided satisfactory information. The decision of which to use must be based on other considerations such as available manpower and cost of equipment. The effect of using the automated protamine titration test on heparin and protamine requirements, and on blood loss measured intraoperatively after bypass and in overnight chest bottle drainage in two groups of comparable patients undergoing coronary artery bypass operation was studied. The heparin requirements were similar (24,420 +/- 584 units, control group; 23,550 +/- 849 units, treatment group), but the protamine requirements were markedly different (429 +/- 14.7 mg, control; 258 +/- 10.4 mg, treatment; p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in intraoperative blood loss or overnight chest bottle drainage.

Cyclooxygenase inhibitors depress norepinephrine constriction of rat abdominal, but not thoracic, aorta.

Experiments were done on aortic rings (thoracic and abdominal) from young and retired breeder Lewis and Sprague-Dawley male rats. Constriction responses to norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and prostaglandin F2 alpha, were done +/- the cyclooxygenase blockers, indomethacin or mefenamic acid. Indomethacin significantly depressed norepinephrine constriction in abdominal (but not thoracic) aorta of all groups. In additional studies of abdominal aorta from Lewis retired breeders, indomethacin and mefenamic acid depressed norepinephrine (but not 5-HT or prostaglandin F2 alpha) construction. Furthermore, indomethacin depressed norepinephrine constriction in vessels denuded of endothelial cells. The thromboxane receptor antagonist SQ 29548 did not alter norepinephrine constriction. Thus, in rat abdominal aorta, norepinephrine constriction is mediated by a constrictor prostanoid of vascular smooth muscle origin that is not thromboxane A2.

Perianesthetic considerations for the elderly patient.

The principles that guide the perianesthetic management of the elderly patient are the same as those used for all patients. What makes the care of this group challenging is not learning a new set of principles, but rather understanding the specific application of these guidelines to the unique traits of elderly patients. Only then is it possible to avoid complications that the elderly patient has very little margin of reserve to deal with.

A high-resolution serial sectioning specimen preparation technique for application to electron backscatter diffraction.

A high-resolution serial sectioning specimen preparation technique is described for acquisition of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data. The primary objective is to develop a method to reproducibly remove a controlled thickness of material from a polycrystalline Ta sample while producing quality surfaces for EBSD orientation imaging. This is integrated with the ability to accurately measure the amount of material removed with each iteration and experimentally register the ensuing EBSD scans. To facilitate enhanced accuracy of this method, a metrology device containing high-precision etching patterns is fabricated using standard lithographic techniques. This metrology device allows for the sub-micron measurement of the serial section slice thickness and approximately 1 microm registration accuracy of each EBSD scan.

Supervisor-trainee cotherapy as a method for individual psychotherapy training.

One of the problems in the training of young psychotherapists that educators have been reluctant to discuss involves charging a relatively inexperienced beginner with the responsibility of successfully conducting therapy, with a supervisor usually available only between sessions. To ask young surgeons to perform operations and then bring in process notes or audio or video tapes of the procedure for supervisory commentary would be considered reprehensible. And yet, despite educators' commitment to the value of clinical wisdom coupled wtih a sound theoretical rationale, all too often junior trainees and their patients are exposed to the risks of unsuccessful therapeutic encounters. This paper describes a model for psychotherapy training which we have found to be quite useful: cotherapy of individual patients by a supervisor and trainee. During the four years that this model has been in use in our clinic, we have come to appreciate the theoretical and practical issues which are raised when it is employed.

Research in college health. 4: Analyzing and communicating results.

The final article in this series on research in college health deals with the analysis and communication of research data. The authors introduce descriptive and inferential statistics and summarize the applicability of different types of statistical analysis to college health research. Two major means of conveying results, conference presentations and journal articles, are also described and some guidelines for the effective communication of findings are offered.

So you want to publish in JACH? How to avoid some potholes and pitfallls and make it into print.

Many college health professionals are intimidated at the thought of submitting an article to the Journal of American College Health. In this article, the editors provide details about the scope of the journal, describe types of articles it publishes, warn about common errors authors sometimes make in writing and submitting manuscripts for publication, and outline the steps in the review process.

Presumed moxidectin toxicosis in three foals.

Outcome and complications associated with administration of moxidectin gel to 3 foals < 4 months old are described. Two foals became comatose but survived following supportive treatment. One foal died following loss of consciousness associated with moxidectin administration. Risk of moxidectin overdose exists, because horse owners often fail to read or comprehend the package insert instructions pertaining to use of the syringe-locking mechanism. In addition, moxidectin should not be administered to foals < 4 months old, because it is likely that treated foals will become comatose.

Dislocation of the mandible: a case report.

Dislocation of the mandible is a possible complication of direct tracheal laryngoscopy. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is unique in that any movement of the bone always causes movement in both joints simultaneously. The entire TMJ is surrounded by a ligamentous capsule and is stabilized by 3 ligaments. Four muscles of mastication move the mandible with great power. The lateral pterygoid muscle has nearly horizontal muscular fibers and is chiefly responsible for dislocating the mandibular condyle and articular disc past the articular eminence into the infratemporal fossa, causing the patient great pain and distress. If mandibular dislocation should occur, prompt recognition and treatment of the dislocation is recommended. There are steps, used by dentists, which can be employed by the nurse anesthetist to relocate the mandible. The technique for intraoral bimanual relocation of the mandible is described.