Measurement of /V(ub)/ using inclusive B-->X(u)lnu decays with a novel X(u)-reconstruction method

We report the measurement of an inclusive partial branching fraction for charmless semileptonic B decay and the extraction of /V(ub)/. Candidates for B-->X(u)lnu are identified with a novel X(u) reconstruction method based on neutrino reconstruction via missing 4-momentum and a technique called "simulated annealing." Based on 86.9 fb(-1) of data taken with the Belle detector, we obtain DeltaB(B-->X(u)lnu;M(X)<1.7 GeV/c2,q2>8.0 GeV2/c2)=[7.37+/-0.89(stat)+/-1.12(syst)+/-0.55(b-->c)+/-0.24(b-->u)]x10(-4) and determine |V(ub)|=[4.66+/-0.28(stat)+/-0.35(syst)+/-0.17(b-->c)+/-0.08(b-->u)+/-0.58(theory)]x10(-3).

Observation of the radiative decay D0-->phigamma

We report the observation of the decay D0-->phigamma with a statistical significance of 5.4sigma in 78.1 fb(-1) of data collected by the Belle experiment at the KEKB e+e- collider. This is the first observation of a flavor-changing radiative decay of a charmed meson. The Cabibbo- and color-suppressed decays D0-->phipi(0), phieta are also observed for the first time. We measure branching fractions B(D0-->phigamma)=[2.60(+0.70)(-0.61)(stat)+0.15-0.17(syst)] x 10(-5), B(D0-->phipi(0))=[8.01+/-0.26(stat)+/-0.47(syst)] x 10(-4), and B(D0-->phieta)=[1.48+/-0.47(stat)+/-0.09(syst)] x 10(-4).

Rho0 production and possible modification in Au+Au and p+p collisions at square root [sNN] = 200 GeV

We report results on rho(770)(0)-->pi(+)pi(-) production at midrapidity in p+p and peripheral Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. This is the first direct measurement of rho(770)(0)-->pi(+)pi(-) in heavy-ion collisions. The measured rho(0) peak in the invariant mass distribution is shifted by approximately 40 MeV/c(2) in minimum bias p+p interactions and approximately 70 MeV/c(2) in peripheral Au+Au collisions. The rho(0) mass shift is dependent on transverse momentum and multiplicity. The modification of the rho(0) meson mass, width, and shape due to phase space and dynamical effects are discussed.

Azimuthal anisotropy at the relativistic heavy ion collider: the first and fourth harmonics

We report the first observations of the first harmonic (directed flow, v(1)) and the fourth harmonic (v(4)), in the azimuthal distribution of particles with respect to the reaction plane in Au+Au collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Both measurements were done taking advantage of the large elliptic flow (v(2)) generated at RHIC. From the correlation of v(2) with v(1) it is determined that v(2) is positive, or in-plane. The integrated v(4) is about a factor of 10 smaller than v(2). For the sixth (v(6)) and eighth (v(8)) harmonics upper limits on the magnitudes are reported.

Observation of the decay psi(2S)-->K0SK0L

The decay psi(2S)-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L) is observed using psi(2S) data collected with the Beijing Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider; the branching fraction is determined to be B(psi(2S)-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L))=(5.24+/-0.47+/-0.48)x10(-5). Compared with J/psi-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L), the psi(2S) branching fraction is enhanced relative to the prediction of the perturbative QCD "12%" rule. The result, together with the branching fractions of psi(2S) decays to other pseudoscalar meson pairs (pi(+)pi(-) and K+K-), is used to investigate the relative phase between the three-gluon and the one-photon annihilation amplitudes of psi(2S) decays.

Particle-type dependence of azimuthal anisotropy and nuclear modification of particle production in Au+Au collisions at square root of sNN=200 GeV

We present STAR measurements of the azimuthal anisotropy parameter v(2) and the binary-collision scaled centrality ratio R(CP) for kaons and lambdas (Lambda+Lambda) at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at square root of s(NN)=200 GeV. In combination, the v(2) and R(CP) particle-type dependencies contradict expectations from partonic energy loss followed by standard fragmentation in vacuum. We establish p(T) approximately 5 GeV/c as the value where the centrality dependent baryon enhancement ends. The K(0)(S) and Lambda+Lambda v(2) values are consistent with expectations of constituent-quark-number scaling from models of hadron formation by parton coalescence or recombination.

Observation of radiative B-->phi K gamma decays

The radiative decay B-->phi K gamma is observed for the first time. The branching fraction for the charged B--->phi K- gamma decay mode is measured to be B(B--->phi K- gamma)=(3.4+/-0.9+/-0.4)x10(-6). The photon energy distribution for the B--->phi K- gamma decay is presented. The signal for the neutral B(0)-->phi K(0)gamma decay mode is not statistically significant and an upper limit, B(B(0)-->phi K(0)gamma)<8.3x10(-6) at 90% C.L., is set. The analysis is based on a data set of 90 fb(-1) collected by the Belle experiment at the e(+)e(-) asymmetric collider KEKB.

A visual DNA chip for simultaneous detection of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus type-1

For the simultaneously visual detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), a qualitative DNA chip method, combining multiplex and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with arrayed anchored primer PCR and a biotin-avidin alkaline phosphatase (Av-AP) indicator system, was developed. After pretreatment of infected blood samples and reverse transcription of the RNA virus genome, PCR was performed in a single tube by using the outer primer pairs. Second round nested multiplex PCR was performed on the DNA chip, on which the primers array had already been prepared. During the arrayed anchored multiplex PCR, 5[N-(N-biotinylaminocaproyl)-epsilon-3-aminoallyl]-2-deoxy-uridine-5-triphosphate (biotin-11-dUTP) was incorporated into the extended DNA chains in order to bind avidin alkaline phosphatase via avidin and biotin. To produce purple precipitates on the chips, the enzyme substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (BCIP) was used in conjunction with the enhancer, nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT). Blood samples containing the three viruses were tested using this DNA chip and about 1 pg of specific viral DNA fragments were detected on the chip wells after nested PCR.

Measurements of the D(sJ) resonance properties

We report measurements of the properties of the D(+)(sJ)(2317) and D(+)(sJ)(2457) resonances produced in continuum e(+)e(-) annihilation near sqrt[s]=10.6 GeV. The analysis is based on an 86.9 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. We determine the masses to be M(D(+)(sJ)(2317))=2317.2+/-0.5(stat)+/-0.9(syst) MeV/c(2) and M(D(+)(sJ)(2457))=2456.5+/-1.3(stat)+/-1.3(syst) MeV/c(2). We observe the radiative decay mode D(+)(sJ)(2457)-->D(+)(s)gamma and the dipion decay mode D(+)(sJ)(2457)-->D(+)(s)pi(+)pi(-) and determine their branching fractions. No corresponding decays are observed for the D(sJ)(2317) state. These results are consistent with the spin-parity assignments of 0(+) for the D(sJ)(2317) and 1(+) for the D(sJ)(2457).

Pion-Kaon correlations in central Au+Au collisions at square root [sNN] = 130 GeV

Pion-kaon correlation functions are constructed from central Au+Au STAR data taken at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV by the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The results suggest that pions and kaons are not emitted at the same average space-time point. Space-momentum correlations, i.e., transverse flow, lead to a space-time emission asymmetry of pions and kaons that is consistent with the data. This result provides new independent evidence that the system created at RHIC undergoes a collective transverse expansion.

Measurement of time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in B0-->phiK(0)S, K+K-K0(S), and eta'K0(S) decays

We present an improved measurement of CP-violation parameters in B0-->phiK(0)(S), K(+)K(-)K(0)(S), and eta(')K(0)(S) decays based on a 140 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. One neutral B meson is fully reconstructed in one of the specified decay channels, and the flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified from its decay products. CP-violation parameters for each of the three modes are obtained from the asymmetries in the distributions of the proper-time intervals between the two B decays. We find that the observed CP asymmetry in the B-->phiK(0)(S) decay differs from the standard model (SM) expectation by 3.5 standard deviations, while the other cases are consistent with the SM.

Evidence for B0-->pi0pi0

We report evidence for the decay B0-->pi(0)pi(0). The analysis is based on a data sample of 152x10(6) BBmacr; pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) storage ring. We detect a signal for B0-->pi(0)pi(0) with a significance of 3.4 standard deviations, and measure the branching fraction to be [1.7+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.2(syst)]x10(-6).

Observation of the D(sJ)(2317) and D(sJ)(2457) in B decays

We report the first observation of the B-->Dmacr;D(sJ)(2317) and B-->Dmacr;D(sJ)(2457) decays based on 123.8x10(6) BBmacr; events collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. We observe the D(sJ)(2317) decay to D(s)pi(0) and the D(sJ)(2457) decay to the D(*)(s)pi(0) and D(s)gamma final states. We also set 90% C.L. upper limits for the decays D(sJ)(2317)-->D(*)(s)gamma, D(sJ)(2457)-->D(*)(s)gamma, D(sJ)(2457)-->D(s)pi(0), and D(sJ)(2457)-->D(s)pi(+)pi(-).

Observation of B-->K*l+l-

We report the observation of the flavor-changing neutral current decay B-->K(*)l(+)l(-) and an im-proved measurement of the decay B-->Kl(+)l(-), where l represents an electron or a muon, with a data sample of 140 fb(-1) accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at KEKB. The results for the branching fractions are B(B-->K(*)l(+)l(-))=(11.5(+2.6)(-2.4)+/-0.8+/-0.2)x10(-7) and B(B-->Kl(+)l(-))=(4.8(+1.0)(-0.9)+/-0.3+/-0.1)x10(-7), where the first error is statistical, the second is systematic and the third is from model dependence.

Observation of a narrow charmoniumlike state in exclusive B+/--->K+/-pi+pi-J/psi decays

We report the observation of a narrow charmoniumlike state produced in the exclusive decay process B+/--->K+/-pi(+)pi(-)J/psi. This state, which decays into pi(+)pi(-)J/psi, has a mass of 3872.0+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.5(syst) MeV, a value that is very near the M(D0)+M(D(*0)) mass threshold. The results are based on an analysis of 152M B-Bmacr; events collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance in the Belle detector at the KEKB collider. The signal has a statistical significance that is in excess of 10sigma.

Improvement of Homogeneity of Analytical Biodevices by Gene Manipulation

Homogeneity is proposed for evaluation of the quality of analytical biodevices, such as biosensors and biochips. As a demonstration, glucose oxidase (GOx) was modified at its C-terminal with a linker peptide with a cysteine residue at the end. The fusion structure (GOx-linker-cysteine) enables the enzyme to immobilize on gold surfaces with a Cys-S-Au bond or to immobilize on a silanized glass surface via disulfide chemistry. With this fusion structure, the enzyme can be anchored onto the substrate with well-controlled orientation, thus forming a homogeneous biological layer on biodevices. The linker peptide between GOx and the cysteine acts as a spacer to reduce the steric hindrance caused by the bulky body of the enzyme. Biochemistry experiments showed that this genetically modified glucose oxidase (shortened to GOxm) retained most of its catalytic characteristics, with K(m) and K(cat) similar to those of the wild-type GOx. Electrochemistry experiments showed that GOxm-modified electrode gave higher and more stable current responses than the electrode modified with GOx which has no free -SH on its surface. The coefficients of variation (used for evaluation of the interchangeability of the enzyme device from the same batch preparation) were 9.5% for the GOxm gold electrode and 20.0% for the GOx gold electrode and the GOxm oxygen electrode. The relative errors (used for evaluation of the precision of the individual enzyme device) were 2.9% for the GOxm gold electrode, 12.0% for the GOx gold electrode, and 11.2% for the GOxm oxygen electrode. Atomic force microscopy images revealed that GOxm formed a self-assembled monolayer in a hexagonal-like lattice packing arrangement on the gold surface, while GOx formed multilayer assembling or aggregated particles. The homogeneity of the protein chips, the GOxm array that was prepared through -S-S- formation, and the GOx array that was prepared through nonspecific adsorption was evaluated. The coefficients of variation, calculated with the signal level of all dots, were 5.4% for the GOxm array and 81.8% for the GOx array. All experimental results pointed to the fact that the homogeneity of the analytical biodevices could be considerably improved by using the proposed method.

Evidence for B-->phiphiK

We report evidence for the decay mode B-->phiphiK based on an analysis of 78 fb(-1) of data collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. This is the first example of a b-->sssss transition. The branching fraction for this decay is measured to be B(B+/--->phiphiK+/-)=(2.6(+1.1)(-0.9)+/-0.3)x10(-6) for a phiphi invariant mass below 2.85 GeV/c(2). Results for other related charmonium decay modes are also reported.

Observation of B-/+-->rho-/+rho0 decays

We report the first observation of the charmless vector-vector decay process B-/+-->rho(-/+)rho(0). The measurement uses a 78 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider operating at the Upsilon(4S) resonance. We obtain a branching fraction of B(B-/+-->rho(-/+)rho(0))=[31.7+/-7.1(stat)+3.8-6.7(syst)]x10(-6). An analysis of the rho helicity-angle distributions gives a longitudinal polarization fraction of Gamma(L)/Gamma=0.95+/-0.11(stat)+/-0.02(syst). We also measure the direct-CP-violating asymmetry A(CP)(B-/+-->rho(-/+)rho(0))=0.00+/-0.22(stat)+/-0.03(syst).

Measurement of branching fractions and polarization in B-->phiK(*) decays

We present the first measurement of decay amplitudes in B-->phiK* and measurements of branching fractions in B-->phiK(*) decays based on 78.1 fb(-1) of data recorded at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- storage ring. The decay amplitudes for the different phiK*0 helicity states are measured from the angular distributions of final state particles in the transversity basis. The longitudinal and transverse complex amplitudes are |A0|2=0.43+/-0.09+/-0.04, |A(perpendicular)|2=0.41+/-0.10+/-0.04, arg((A(parallel))=-2.57+/-0.39+/-0.09, and arg((A(perpendicular))=0.48+/-0.32+/-0.06. The direct CP-violating asymmetries are found to be consistent with zero.

Transverse-momentum and collision-energy dependence of high-pT hadron suppression in Au+Au collisions at ultrarelativistic energies

We report high statistics measurements of inclusive charged hadron production in Au+Au and p+p collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. A large, approximately constant hadron suppression is observed in central Au+Au collisions for 5<p(T)<12 GeV/c. The collision energy dependence of the yields and the centrality and p(T) dependence of the suppression provide stringent constraints on theoretical models of suppression. Models incorporating initial-state gluon saturation or partonic energy loss in dense matter are largely consistent with observations. We observe no evidence of p(T)-dependent suppression, which may be expected from models incorporating jet attenuation in cold nuclear matter or scattering of fragmentation hadrons.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a hypoxia-responsive CITED3 cDNA from grass carp

We have isolated a 1586-bp full-length CITED3 cDNA from grass carp which specifies for a cAMP-responsive element-binding protein/p300-interacting transactivator with glutamic acid (E)/aspartic acid (D)-rich C-terminal domain protein. The cDNA, designated as gcCITED3, has an open reading frame of 762 bp and encodes a protein of 253 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 28.3 kDa and pI of 6.4. Pairwise comparison showed that gcCITED3 shares high sequence identity with the CITED3 of zebrafish (94%), chicken (72%) and Xenopus (59%). Northern blot analysis indicated that gcCITED3 is most highly expressed and responsive to hypoxia in the carp kidney. Hypoxic induction was also observed in heart, albeit at a lower level. This is the first report on the isolation of a hypoxia-responsive CITED3 gene from fish.

Evidence from d+Au measurements for final-state suppression of high-p(T) hadrons in Au+Au collisions at RHIC

We report measurements of single-particle inclusive spectra and two-particle azimuthal distributions of charged hadrons at high transverse momentum (high p(T)) in minimum bias and central d+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The inclusive yield is enhanced in d+Au collisions relative to binary-scaled p+p collisions, while the two-particle azimuthal distributions are very similar to those observed in p+p collisions. These results demonstrate that the strong suppression of the inclusive yield and back-to-back correlations at high p(T) previously observed in central Au+Au collisions are due to final-state interactions with the dense medium generated in such collisions.

Observation of a near-threshold enhancement in the pp mass spectrum from radiative J/psi-->gammapp decays

We observe a narrow enhancement near 2m(p) in the invariant mass spectrum of pp pairs from radiative J/psi-->gammapp decays. No similar structure is seen in J/psi-->pi(0)pp decays. The results are based on an analysis of a 58 x 10(6) event sample of J/psi decays accumulated with the BESII detector at the Beijing electron-positron collider. The enhancement can be fit with either an S- or P-wave Breit-Wigner resonance function. In the case of the S-wave fit, the peak mass is below 2m(p) at M=1859(+3)(-10) (stat)+5-25(syst) MeV/c(2) and the total width is Gamma<30 MeV/c(2) at the 90% confidence level. These mass and width values are not consistent with the properties of any known particle.

Observation of B0-->pLambda(pi)(-)

We report the first observation of the charmless hyperonic B decay, B0-->pLambda(pi)(-), using a 78 fb(-1) data sample recorded on the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at KEKB. The measured branching fraction is B(B0-->pLambda(pi)(-))=(3.97(+1.00)(-0.80)+/-0.56)x10(-6). Searches for B0-->pLambda(K)- and pSigma(0)pi(-) yield no significant signals and we set 90% confidence-level upper limits of B(B0-->pLambda(K)-)<8.2x10(-7) and B(B0-->pSigma(0)pi(-))<3.8x10(-6).

Observation of B0 -->D0K0 and B0 -->D0K*0 decays

We report on a search for B(0)-->D(*0)K(*0) decays based on 85 x 10(6) BB events collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. The B(0)-->D0K(0) and B(0)-->D0K(*0) decays have been observed for the first time with the branching fractions B(B(0)-->D0K(0))=(5.0(+1.3)(-1.2)+/-0.6)x10(-5) and B(B(0)-->D0K(*0))=(4.8(+1.1)(-1.0)+/-0.5)x10(-5). No significant signal has been found for the B(0)-->D(*0)K*0) and B(0)-->D(*0)K(*0) decay modes, and upper limits at 90% C.L. are presented.

Studies of the decay B+/- -->D(CP)K+/-

We report studies of the Cabibbo-suppressed decay B+/--->D(CP)K+/-, where D(CP) denotes CP eigenstates of the D0-D0; system. The analysis is based on a 29.1 fb(-1) sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) storage ring. We measure ratios of branching fractions, relative to Cabibbo-favored B+/--->D(CP)pi(+/-), of B(B--->D1K-)/B(B--->D1pi(-))=0.125+/-0.036+/-0.010 and B(B--->D2K-)/B(B--->D2pi(-))=0.119+/-0.028+/-0.006; the index 1 (2) denotes the CP=+1 (-1) eigenstate. We also extract the partial rate asymmetries for B+/--->D(CP)K+/-, finding A(1)=0.29+/-0.26+/-0.05 and A(2)=-0.22+/-0.24+/-0.04.

Observation of the decay B0-->lambda+cp

We report the measurement of the charmed baryonic decay B(0)-->Lambda(+)(c)p with a branching fraction of (2.19(+0.56)(-0.49)+/-0.32+/-0.57)x10(-5) and a statistical significance of 5.8 sigma. The errors are statistical, systematic, and the error of the Lambda(+)(c)-->pK(-)pi(+) decay branching fraction. This is the first observation of a two-body baryonic B decay. The analysis is based on 78.2 fb(-1) of data accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider.

Measurement of branching fractions for B-->eta(c)K(*) decays

We report measurements of branching fractions for charged and neutral B-->eta(c)K decays where the eta(c) meson is reconstructed in the K(0)(S)K+/-pi(-/+), K+K-pi(0), K(*0)K-pi(+), and pp; decay channels. The neutral B0 channel is a CP eigenstate and can be used to measure the CP violation parameter sin(2phi(1). We also report the first observation of the B0-->eta(c)K(*0) mode. The results are based on an analysis of 29.1 fb(-1) of data collected by the Belle detector at KEKB.

Measurement of the electroweak penguin process B-->X(s)l+l-

We report the first measurement of the branching fraction for the inclusive decay B-->X(s)l(+)l(-), where l is either an electron or a muon, and X(s) is a hadronic recoil system that contains an s quark. We analyzed a data sample of 65.4 x 10(6) B meson pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) asymmetric-energy collider. We find B(B-->X(s)l(+)l(-))=[6.1 +/-1.4(stat) +1.4-1.1(syst)] x 10(-6) for dilepton masses greater than 0.2 GeV/c(2).

Measurement of the B(0)-B(0) mixing parameter Deltam(d) using semileptonic B0 decays

We present a measurement of the B0-Bmacr;(0) mixing parameter Deltam(d) using neutral B meson pairs in a 29.1 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. We exclusively reconstruct one neutral B meson in the semileptonic B0-->D(*-)l(+)nu decay mode and identify the flavor of the accompanying B meson from its decay products. From the distribution of the time intervals between the two flavor-tagged B meson decay points, we obtain Deltam(d)=(0.494+/-0.012+/-0.015) ps(-1), where the first error is statistical and the second error is systematic.

Observation of D+(s)K- and evidence for D+(s)pi- final states in neutral B decays

We report the first observation of a B meson decay that is not accessible by a direct spectator process. The channel B(0)-->D(+)(s)K- is found in a sample of 85 x 10(6) BB; events, collected with the Belle detector at KEKB, with a branching fraction B(B(0)-->D(+)(s)K-)=(4.6(+1.2)(-1.1)+/-1.3) x 10(-5). We also obtain evidence for the B0-->D(+)(s)pi(-) decay with branching fraction B(B0-->D(+)(s)pi(-))=(2.4(+1.0)(-0.8)+/-0.7) x 10(-5). This value may be used to extract a model-dependent value of |V(ub)|.

Radiative B meson decays into kpigamma and kpipigamma final states

We report observations of radiative B meson decays into the K+pi(-)gamma and K+pi(-)pi(+)gamma final states. In the B0-->K+pi(-)gamma channel, we present evidence for decays via an intermediate tensor meson state with a branching fraction of B(B0-->K(*)(2)(1430)(0)gamma)=[1.3+/-0.5(stat)+/-0.1(syst)]x10(-5). We measure the branching fraction B(B+-->K+pi(-)pi(+)gamma)=[2.4+/-0.5(stat) +0.4-0.2(syst)]x10(-5), in which the B+-->K(*0)pi(+)gamma and B+-->K+rho(0)gamma channels dominate. The analysis is based on a data set of 29.4 fb(-1) recorded by the Belle experiment at the KEKB collider.

Observation of B+/- -->omegaK+/- decay

We report the first observation of the charmless two-body mode B+/--->omegaK+/- decay, and a new measurement of the branching fraction for the B+/--->omegapi(+/-) decay. The measured branching fractions are B(B+/--->omegaK+/-)=(9.2(+2.6)(-2.3)+/-1.0)x10(-6) and B(B+/--->omegapi(+/-))=(4.2(+2.0)(-1.8)+/-0.5)x10(-6). We also measure the partial rate asymmetry of B+/--->omegaK+/- decays and obtain A(CP)=-0.21+/-0.28+/-0.03. The results are based on a data sample of 29.4 fb(-1) collected on the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider.

Observation of B(0)-->D((*)0)pp

The B meson decay modes B-->Dpp; and B-->D(*)pp; have been studied using 29.4 fb(-1) of data collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. The B;(0)-->D(0)pp; and B;(0)-->D(*0)pp; decays have been observed for the first time with branching fractions B(B;(0)-->D(0)pp;)=(1.18+/-0.15+/-0.16)x10(-4) and B(B;(0)-->D(*0)pp;)=(1.20(+0.33)(-0.29)+/-0.21)x10(-4). No signal has been found for the B+-->D(+)pp; and B+-->D(*+)pp; decay modes, and the corresponding upper limits at 90% C.L. are presented.

Genetic modification of glucose oxidase for improving performance of an amperometric glucose biosensor

Glucose oxidase (GOD) was genetically modified by adding a poly-lysine chain at the C-terminal with a peptide linker inserted between the enzyme and poly-lysine chain. The poly-lysine chain was added in order to anchor more electron transfer mediator, ferrocenecarboxylic acid, to GOD for the purpose of improving sensitivity and stability of glucose biosensors. The modified GOD had similar K(m) and K(cat) to those of the wild type enzyme. After interacted with the electron transfer mediator, the modified enzyme retained 90.01% of its native activity, while the commercial GOD and the wild type GOD (Aspergillus niger) retained only 22.43 and 22.17%, respectively. Screen-printed electrodes coated with the modified GOD, wild type yeast-derived GOD or the commercial GOD were tested in glucose solution of different concentrations. Experimental results showed that the biosensor based on the modified GOD gave the largest signal among the three. In addition, the linear range of the biosensor prepared by the modified GOD could extend to 45 mM, while they were about 20 mM for the biosensors based on the wild type yeast-derived enzyme and the commercial enzyme.

Observation of double cć production in e+e- annihilation at squareroot[s] approximately 10.6 GeV

We report the observation of prompt J/psi via double cc; production from the e+e- continuum. In this process one cc; pair fragments into a J/psi meson while the remaining pair either produces a charmonium state or fragments into open charm. Both cases have been experimentally observed. We find cross sections of sigma[e+e- -->J/psieta(c)(gamma)]xB(eta(c)-->>or=4 charged)=(0.033(+0.007)(-0.006)+/-0.009) pb and sigma(e+e- -->J/psiD(*+)X)=(0.53(+0.19)(-0.15)+/-0.14) pb and infer sigma(e+e- -->J/psicc;)/sigma(e+e- -->J/psiX)=0.59(+0.15)(-0.13)+/-0.12. These results are obtained from a 46.2 fb(-1) data sample collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance, with the Belle detector at the KEKB collider.

Observation of the decay B(0)-->D(+/-)D(*-/+)

We report the first observation of the decay B(0)-->D(+/-)D(*-/+) with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) Collider operated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance. The sum of branching fractions B(B(0)-->D(+)D(*-))+B(B(0)-->D(-)D(*+)) is measured to be (1.17+/-0.26(+0.22)(-0.25))x10(-3) using the full reconstruction method where both charmed mesons from B0 decays are reconstructed. A consistent value [(1.48+/-0.38(+0.28)(-0.31))x10(-3)] is obtained using a partial reconstruction technique that uses only the slow pion from the D(*-)-->D(-0)pi(-) decay and a fully reconstructed D(+) to reconstruct the B(0).

Observation of the eta(c)(2S) in Exclusive B-->KK(S)K-pi(+) Decays

We report the observation of a narrow peak in the K(S)K-pi(+) invariant mass distribution in a sample of exclusive B-->KK(S)K-pi(+) decays collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. The measured mass of the peak is M=3654+/-6(stat)+/-8(syst) MeV/c(2), and we place a 90% confidence level upper limit on the width of Gamma<55 MeV/c(2). The properties agree with heavy-quark potential model expectations for the eta(c)(2S) meson, the n=2 singlet S charmonium state.

Measurements of the cross section for e(+)e(-) --> hadrons at center-of-mass energies from 2 to 5 GeV

We report values of R = sigma(e(+)e(-)-->hadrons)/sigma(e(+)e(-)-->mu(+)mu(-)) for 85 center-of-mass energies between 2 and 5 GeV measured with the upgraded Beijing Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider.

Construction of a fusion enzyme system by gene splicing as a new molecular recognition element for a sequence biosensor

A bifunctional fusion enzyme system constructed by gene splicing is proposed as a new model to develop sequence biosensors, taking maltose biosensor as an example. The cDNA fragment of Aspergillus niger glucoamylase (E.C 3.2.1.3, GA) was fused to the 3' end of Aspergillus niger glucose oxidase (E.C 1.1.3.4, GOD) gene with the insertion of a flexible linker peptide [-(Ser-Gly)5-] coding sequence. The fusion gene was cloned into the vector pPIC9 and expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115 under the control of the AOX1 promoter. It was found that a bifunctional hybrid protein with a molecular weight of 430 kDa was secreted after induction with methanol. The fusion enzyme GOD-(Ser-Gly)5-GA (GLG) was purified using Q Sepharose Fast Flow ion-exchange chromatography. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that GLG retained the typical kinetic properties of both GA and GOD. After being immobilized on an aminosilanized glass slide through covalent bonding by glutaraldehyde, GLG showed much higher sequential catalytic efficiency than the mixture of separately expressed GA and GOD (GA/GOD). Maltose biosensors were fabricated with GLG and GA/GOD, respectively. The performance characteristics of the maltose biosensor with respect to reproducibility, signal level, and linearity were effectively improved by using the fusion enzyme. Our findings offer a basis for the development of other sequence biosensors.

[Preparation and anti-HIV activity study of baicalien and its benzylated derivatives]

Baicalein (1) was prepared from baicalin by acid hydrolysis with yield of 24%. 5, 6-Dibenzyl-7-hydroxyl-flanone (4) and 6-benzyl-5, 7-dihydroxyl-flanone (5) were obtained by using different benzylating agents, and then hydrolyzing those benzylated compounds. The total yield of (4) and (5) were 5.9% and 5%, respectively. Both 4 and 5 were less effective than baicalien on inhibition of HIV-1 RT in vitro.

Anchor-chain molecular system for orientation control in enzyme immobilization

An anchor-chain molecular system was constructed for controlled orientation and high activity in enzyme immobilization. A streptavidin recognition peptide (streptag) coding sequence was fused to the 3' end of the phoA gene, which codes for E. coli alkaline phosphatase (EAP). Both the wild-type (WT) and the Asp-101 --> Ser (D1O1S) mutant were modified with the streptag sequence with or without the insertion of a flexible linker peptide [-(Gly-Ser)(5)-] coding sequence. The fused genes were cloned into the vector pASK75 and expressed in the periplasm of the host cell Escherichia coli SM547. The proteins were released by osmotic shock and purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Enzyme activities of all proteins were measured spectrophotometrically with rho-nitrophenyl phosphate as the substrate. Specific activities of D101S-streptag and D101S-linker-streptag enzymes were increased 25- or 34-fold over the WT, respectively. These fusion proteins were then immobilized on microtiter plates through streptag-streptavidin binding reaction. After immobilization, the D101S-linker-streptag enzyme displayed the highest residual activity and the ratio of enzyme activities of the linker to nonlinker enzymes was 8.4. These results show that the addition of a linker peptide provides a spacer so as to minimize steric hindrance between the enzyme and streptavidin. The method provides a solution for controlled enzyme immobilization with high recover activity, which is especially important in construction of biosensors, biochips, or other biodevices.

Role of Ser(289) in RARgamma and its homologous amino acid residue of RARalpha and RARbeta in the binding of retinoic acid

The biological actions of retinoic acid (RA) are mediated by retinoic acid receptors (RARalpha, -beta, and -gamma) and retinoid X receptors (RXRalpha, -beta, and -gamma). Although the ligand-binding domains of RARs and RXRs have been suggested to share the same novel folding pattern, the ligand-binding pockets of each of the retinoid receptors must have unique structural features since it has been possible to develop RAR subtype-selective and RXR-selective retinoids. We have previously demonstrated the importance for RA binding and RA-dependent transactivation of Arg(276) in RARalpha and Arg(278) in RARgamma; however, in RARbeta Arg(269) functions in conjunction with Lys(220). Here we have examined the role of the hydroxyl group of RARgamma Ser(289) and its homologous amino acid residues in RARalpha (Ser(287)) and RARbeta (Ser(280)) alone and in conjunction with their respective RARgamma Arg(278) homologs for RA binding and RA-dependent transactivation activity. The hydroxyl group of this Ser in all three RARs was found by itself not to be important for RA binding and RA-dependent transactivation activity. However, in RARalpha and RARgamma this Ser appears to play a small role in conjunction with Arg(276) and Arg(278), respectively, for these activities. Alternatively, strong synergism was observed in RARbeta between Ser(280) and Arg(269) for RA-binding and RA-dependent transactivation activity. This provides further evidence that the mechanism of interaction between the carboxylate group of retinoids and the amino acid residues in the ligand binding pocket of RARbeta is different from that of RARalpha and RARgamma.

Murine RARbeta4 displays reduced transactivation activity, lower affinity for retinoic acid, and no anti-AP1 activity

The biological actions of retinoic acid (RA) are mediated by retinoic acid receptors (RARalpha, beta, and gamma) and retinoid X receptors (RXR alpha, beta, and gamma). Each of the RARs is expressed as four to seven different isoforms. Four isoforms of RAR beta (beta1, beta2, beta3, and beta4), which differ only in their N-terminal sequence (A domain) have been described. These RARbeta isoforms display a specific pattern of expression in developing and adult animals and are highly evolutionarily conserved suggesting that they mediate distinct cellular effects of vitamin A. Experiments were performed to examine directly the RA-binding activity, transactivation activity, and anti-AP1 activity of each of these four RARbeta isoforms. The results demonstrate that RARbeta1, beta2, and beta3 bind RA with a similar K(d) value, have a similar EC(50) value in RA-dependent transactivation assays and inhibit AP1 activity to a similar level. By contrast, RARbeta4 has an elevated K(d) for RA, an increased EC(50) value in RA-dependent transactivation assays and does not display the ability to inhibit AP1 activity. This provides additional evidence that at least one RAR isoform, RARbeta4, may mediate distinct activities within a cell. Furthermore, these data suggest that the presence of an A domain in RARbeta is important for modulating these activities of RARs.

[Gene cloning and expression of mouse type I soluble interleukin 1 receptor in insect cells]

Interleukin 1(IL-1), which takes part in many physiological and pathological processes, is a kind of important cytokines. Their effects are exerted via specific IL-1 receptors (IL-1R) which are present on a wide variety of different cell types. Two types of IL-1R are identified as type I receptor (IL-1RI) and type II receptor (IL-1RII). Soluble forms of IL-1R can be produced from proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular portion of the two type receptors on cell surface. In this study, mouse type I soluble IL-1R (sIL-1RI) has been cloned and expressed in insect cells Sf9 with baculovirus as vector. Total RNA from NIH/3T3 cell was extracted with guanidinium thiocyanate followed by ultra-centrifugation in cesium chloride solution. The cDNA of sIL-1RI was amplified by RT-PCR technique. The cDNA was cloned into plasmid pAcGP67B. The recombinant plasmid pAI (pAcGP67B-sIL-1RI) was cotransfected with wild type AcNPV DNA into insect cells Sf9, because of genetic exchange occurred by homologous recombination in vivo, recombinant baculovirus rAcNPV was produced. Insect cells Sf9 were infected with the purified rAcNPV and sIL-1RI gene were expressed. SDS-PAGE analyses and Blockage assay of IL-1 beta biological activity demonstrated that the recombinant sIL-1RI had biological function and could be secreted into the medium.

Arg278, but not Lys229 or Lys236, plays an important role in the binding of retinoic acid by retinoic acid receptor gamma

The diverse biological actions of retinoic acid (RA) are mediated by retinoic acid receptors (RARalpha, beta and gamma) and retinoid X receptors (RXR alpha, beta, and gamma). Although the ligand-binding domains of RARs share the same novel folding pattern, many RAR subtype-specific retinoids have been synthesized indicating that the ligand-binding pocket of each RAR subtype has unique features. Previously we have demonstrated the importance for RA binding and RA-dependent transactivation of Arg276 of RARalpha alone and in RARbeta Arg269 in conjunction with Lys220. In this study, we have examined the role of the homologous amino acid residues (Lys229 and Arg278) in RARgamma for these activities. Like RARalpha but dissimilar to RARbeta, Arg278 in RARgamma alone was found to play an important role in RA binding and RA-dependent transactivation. Since Lys236 in RARgamma was suggested from the crystal structure of holo-RARgamma to interact with RA, we also examined its role and that of its homologs in RARalpha and RARbeta. Despite the suggestion from the crystal structure, neither Lys236 nor its homologs in RARalpha and RARbeta play a role in the binding of RA or RA-dependent transactivation. It is likely that Lys236 in RARgamma and its homologs in RARalpha and RARbeta are solvent exposed rather than pointing into the RA-binding pocket.