The impact on biochemical profiles and allograft function for patients converted from cyclosporine to tacrolimus after clinical heart transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Tacrolimus, a potent calcineurin inhibitor, is a widely used immunosuppressant. This study sought to determine whether conversion from cyclosporine to tacrolimus afforded benefits on biochemical profiles and graft function among Chinese heart transplantation recipients.

METHODS

Forty-nine patients (44 men and 5 women) among 252 heart transplantations performed from 1995 to 2005 were converted from cyclosporine to tacrolimus due to rejection (69%) or to cyclosporine intolerance (31%). The median age of these recipients at transplantation was 46.4 years (range, 5 months to 68 years). Their median body weight was 60 kg (range, 4-84 kg). The allograft median ischemic time was 145 minutes (range, 52-300 minutes). We compared the biochemical markers, rejection episodes and allograft function.

RESULTS

The mean duration from heart transplantation to conversion was 419 days. After conversion, the serum bilirubin and alanine transaminase levels were significantly improved at 1 year. The lipid profiles, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein were nonsignificantly changed. The rejection episodes significantly decreased from 1.53 to 0.15 per patient per year (P < .001). The left ventricular ejection fraction significantly improved from 54.3 +/- 17.9% to 63.2 +/- 10.9% (P < .01). The right atrial pressure significantly decreased from 9.1 +/- 5.8 mmHg to 6.3 +/- 4.3 mm Hg (P < .01). The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure significantly decreased from 15.3 +/- 9.5 mm Hg to 10.8 +/- 5.3 mm Hg (P = .04).

CONCLUSION

In heart transplantation, conversion to tacrolimus owing to rejection or cyclosporine intolerance showed better liver profiles with fewer rejection episodes and improved graft function.

Measurement of branching fractions, isospin, and CP-violating asymmetries for exclusive b-->dgamma modes

We report new measurements of the decays B+-->rho+gamma, B0-->rho0gamma, and B0-->omegagamma using a data sample of 657x10(6) B meson pairs accumulated with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- collider. We measure branching fractions B(B+-->rho+gamma)=(8.7_-2.7-1.1;+2.9+0.9)x10(-7), B(B0-->rho0gamma)=(7.8_-1.6-1.0;+1.7+0.9)x10(-7), and B(B0-->omegagamma)=(4.0_-1.7;+1.9+/-1.3)x10(-7). We also report the isospin asymmetry Delta(rhogamma)=-0.48_-0.19-0.09;+0.21+0.08 and the first measurement of the direct CP-violating asymmetry ACP(B+-->rho+gamma)=-0.11+/-0.32+/-0.09, where the first and second errors are statistical and systematic, respectively.

A self-protected colorless WDM-PON with 2.5 Gb/s upstream signal based on RSOA

In this investigation, we propose and demonstrate a colorless wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) at 2.5 Gb/s using reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA)-based optical networking units (ONUs); together with a self-protected architecture against fiber fault. In the optical line terminal (OLT), we use an array of self-seeding Fabry-Perot laser diodes (FP-LDs) to provide single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) continuous wave (CW) optical sources for the external injection to the RSOA-based ONUs. The self-survivable function for protecting the fiber fault in the distributed fibers and the proposed network performance are investigated and discussed.

Search for B+-->D*+pi0 decay

We report on a search for the doubly Cabibbo suppressed decay B+-->D*+pi0, based on a data sample of 657x10(6) BB pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider. We find no significant signal and set an upper limit of B(B+-->D*+pi0)<3.6x10(-6) at the 90% confidence level. This limit can be used to constrain the ratio between suppressed and favored B-->D*pi decay amplitudes, r<0.051, at the 90% confidence level.

Giant anisotropy of the magnetoresistance and the 'spin valve' effect in antiferromagnetic Nd(2-x)Ce(x)CuO(4)

We have studied anisotropic magnetoresistance (MR) and magnetization with a rotating magnetic field (B) within the CuO(2) plane in lightly doped AF Nd(2-x)Ce(x)CuO(4). A giant anisotropy in the MR is observed at low temperature, below 5 K. The c-axis resistivity can be tuned over about one order of magnitude just by changing the B direction within the CuO(2) plane, and a scaling behavior for the out-of-plane and in-plane MR is found. A 'spin valve' effect is proposed for explaining the giant anisotropy of the out-of-plane MR and the evolution of the scaling parameters with the external field. It is found that the field-induced spin-flop transition of the Nd(3+) layer under high magnetic field is the key to understanding the giant anisotropy. These results suggest that a novel entanglement of charge and spin dominates the underlying physics.

Co-graft of acellular dermal matrix and autogenous microskin in a child with extensive burns

A 6-yr-old boy was the victim of a burns accident in a public bathhouse. The burns involved the face, neck, upper and lower extremities, anterior and posterior trunk, and both buttocks, covering 72% of the total body surface area (TBSA). The lesions in the lower extremities and parts of the right upper extremity were deep partial-thickness, comprising 40% TBSA. On day 5 post-burn, the lesions in both lower extremities were excised to the extent of the fascia under general anaesthesia. Meshed J1 Jayya Acellular Dermis®, a kind of acellular allodermal (ADM) matrix, was then placed on the left knee joint. The right knee joint served as control. The wounds in both lower extremities were then overlaid with microskin autografting. At 19 days post-application, the lesions in both lower extremities had almost completely resurfaced. Follow-up at six months revealed well-healed and stable skin of acellular ADM and microskin autografts on the left knee. However, the skin of the right knee was unstable and there was a chronic residual ulcer. Both legs showed some significant hypertrophic scars. The left knee joint (acellular ADM grafted site) showed mild contractures, while the right knee joint developed a significant contracture. The "skin" of the co-graft covered site appeared thicker and more elastic. The movement range of the left knee joint was much larger than that of the right knee joint. These results suggest that co-graft of acellular dermal matrix and autogenous microskin may be an effective way to repair this functional site in children with extensive burns and to improve the functional and cosmetic results.

Observation of B{0}-->ppK*0 with a large K*0 polarization

Using a 492 fb{-1} data sample collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e{+}e{-} collider, we observe the decay B{0}-->ppK*0 with a branching fraction of (1.18{-0.25}{+0.29}(stat)+/-0.11(syst))x10{-6}. We study the decay dynamics of B{0}-->ppK*0 and compare with B{+}-->ppK*+. The K*0 meson is found to be almost 100% polarized (with a fraction of (101+/-13+/-3)% in the helicity zero state), while the K*+ meson has a (32+/-17+/-9)% fraction in the helicity zero state. The direct CP asymmetries for B{0}-->ppK*0 and B{+}-->ppK*+ are measured to be -0.08+/-0.20+/-0.02 and -0.01+/-0.19+/-0.02, respectively. In addition, we report improved measurements of the branching fractions B(B{+}-->ppK*+)=(3.38{-0.60}{+0.73}+/-0.39)x10{-6} and B(B{0}-->ppK{0})=(2.51{-0.29}{+0.35}+/-0.21)x10{-6}, which supersede our previous measurements.

Measurement of B(Ds{+}-->mu+nu(mu))

We present a measurement of the branching fraction B(D{s}{+}-->mu{+}nu{mu}) using a 548 fb{-1} data sample collected by the Belle experiment at the KEKB e{+}e{-} collider. The D{s} momentum is determined by reconstruction of the system recoiling against DKgammaX in events of the type e{+}e{-}-->D{s}{*}DKX, D{s}{*}-->D{s}gamma, where X represents additional pions or photons from fragmentation. This full-reconstruction method provides high resolution in the neutrino momentum and thus good background separation, equivalent to that achieved by experiments at the tau-charm factories. We obtain the branching fraction B(D{s}{+}-->mu{+}nu{mu})=[6.44+/-0.76(stat)+/-0.57(syst)]x10{-3}, implying a D{s} decay constant of f{D{s}}=[275+/-16(stat)+/-12(syst)] MeV.

Production of new charmoniumlike states in e+e- -->J/psiD*D[over](*) at sqrt[s] approximately 10.6 GeV

We report a study of the processes e+e- -->J/psiD*D[over](*). In J/psiD*D[over]* we observe a significant enhancement in the D*D[over]* invariant mass spectrum, which we interpret as a new charmoniumlike state and denote X(4160). The X(4160) parameters are M=(4156(-20)+25+/-15) MeV/c2 and Gamma=(139(-61)+111+/-21) MeV. We also report a new measurement of the X(3940) mass and width: M=(3942(-6)+7+/-6) MeV/c2 and Gamma=(37(-15)+26+/-8) MeV. The analysis is based on a 693 fb(-1) data sample recorded near the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy collider.

Creating optical anisotropy of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots by coupling to surface plasmon polariton resonance of a metal grating

An efficient method that can be used to control the optical anisotropy of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots by coupling to the surface plasmon polariton resonance of a metal grating has been demonstrated. It is found that the unpolarized emission and Raman scattering signals arising from CdSe/ZnS quantum dots can be manipulated and exhibit a strong anisotropic behavior based upon our strategy. The optical anisotropy is interpreted in terms of the coupling between the directional surface plasmon of metal grating and the emitted light beam of quantum dots. Due to the importance of quantum dots in optoelectronic devices, our new approach should be useful for future application.

Observation of a resonancelike structure in the pi +- psi' mass distribution in exclusive B-->Kpi +- psi' decays

A distinct peak is observed in the pi +/- psi' invariant mass distribution near 4.43 GeV in B-->K pi +/- psi' decays. A fit using a Breit-Wigner resonance shape yields a peak mass and width of M=4433+/-4(stat)+/-2(syst) MeV and Gamma=45-13+18(stat)-13+30(syst) MeV. The product branching fraction is determined to be B(B 0-->K -/+Z+/-(4430)) x B(Z+/-(4430)-->pi+/-psi')=(4.1+/-1.0(stat)+/-1.4(syst)) x 10(-5), where Z+/-(4430) is used to denote the observed structure. The statistical significance of the observed peak is 6.5 sigma. These results are obtained from a 605 fb(-1) data sample that contains 657 x 10(6) BB pairs collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy e+ e- collider.

Observation of B_(s)(0)-->phigamma and search for B_(s)(0)-->gammagamma decays at Belle

We search for the radiative penguin decays B_{s}{0}-->varphigamma and B_{s}{0}-->gammagamma in a 23.6 fb{-1} data sample collected at the Upsilon(5S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e{+}e{-} asymmetric-energy collider. We observe for the first time a radiative penguin decay of the B_{s}{0} meson in the B_{s}{0}-->varphigamma mode and we measure B(B_{s}{0}-->varphigamma)=(57_{-15}{+18}(stat)-11+12(syst))x10{-6}. No significant B_{s}{0}-->gammagamma signal is observed and we set a 90% confidence level upper limit of B(B_{s}{0}-->gammagamma)<8.7x10{-6}.

Measurement of time-dependent CP-violating parameters in B(0)-->K_(S)(0)K_(S)(0) decays

We report a measurement of the CP-violating parameters in B;{0}-->K_{S}{0}K_{S}{0} decays based on a data sample of 657x10{6} BB[over ] pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e;{+}e{-} collider. In this Letter, one neutral B meson is fully reconstructed in the B;{0}-->K_{S}{0}K_{S}{0} decay mode, and the flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified by its decay products. The CP-violating parameters are measured from the asymmetry in the distributions of the proper-time interval between the two B decays: S_K_{S}{0}K_{S}{0}}=-0.38_{-0.77}{+0.69}(stat)+/-0.09(syst) and A_{K_{S}{0}K_{S}{0}}=-0.38+/-0.38(stat)+/-0.05(syst).

Observation of anomalous upsilon(1S)pi+pi(-) and upsilon(2S)pi+pi(-) production near the upsilon(5S) resonance

We report the first observation of e;{+}e;{-}-->Upsilon(1S)pi;{+}pi;{-}, Upsilon(2S)pi;{+}pi;{-}, and first evidence for e;{+}e;{-}-->Upsilon(3S)pi;{+}pi;{-}, Upsilon(1S)K+K-, near the peak of the Upsilon(5S) resonance at sqrt[s] approximately 10.87 GeV. The results are based on a data sample of 21.7 fb;{-1} collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e;{+}e;{-} collider. Attributing the signals to the Upsilon(5S) resonance, the partial widths Gamma(Upsilon(5S)-->Upsilon(1S)pi;{+}pi;{-})=0.59+/-0.04(stat)+/-0.09(syst) MeV and Gamma(Upsilon(5S)-->Upsilon(2S)pi;{+}pi;{-})=0.85+/-0.07(stat)+/-0.16(syst) MeV are obtained from the observed cross sections. These values exceed by more than 2 orders of magnitude the previously measured partial widths for dipion transitions between lower Upsilon resonances.

Interpopulation and intrapopulation maternal lineage genetics of the Lanyu pig (Sus scrofa) by analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b and control region sequences

The Lanyu pig is an indigenous breed from the Lanyu Islet, which is southeast of Taiwan. Two herds of Lanyu pigs were introduced from the Lanyu Islet into Taiwan in 1975 and 1980. The current population of conserved Lanyu pigs consists of only 44 animals with unknown genetic lineage. The Lanyu pig possesses a distinct maternal genetic lineage remote from Asian and European pigs. The present study aimed to understand the phylogenetic relationship among conserved Lanyu, Asian, and European type pigs based on the cytochrome b coding gene, to ascertain the maternal lineage and genetic diversity within the conserved Lanyu pigs, and to address whether genetic introgression from exotic or Formosan wild pigs had occurred in the conserved Lanyu pigs. Entire mitochondrial genomes of both types of Lanyu pig comprised 2 ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA, and 13 protein-coding genes. Only 2 haplotypes of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and cytochrome b were identified in the conserved Lanyu pig herds. When maximum likelihood trees were constructed, the Type I Lanyu mitochondrial genes formed a unique clade with a large pairwise distance of both cytochrome b and the control region from Asian and European type breeds, Formosan wild pigs, and exotic breeds. Significant loss of genetic diversity of mtDNA within the conserved Lanyu pigs was demonstrated by low haplotype and nucleotide diversities, supported by Fu and Li's D* neutrality test (1.44055; P < 0.05). The mtDNA control region sequences of extant pigs in the Lanyu Islet, however, showed high haplotype and nucleotide diversity, and clustered with exotic pigs. These results indicate no maternal lineage mtD-NA gene introgression from Formosan wild pigs and introduced exotic pigs to conserved Type I Lanyu pigs, and a severe loss of heterozygosity of mtDNA in conserved Lanyu pigs. The remaining extant pigs on the Lanyu Islet have been introgressed with exotic breeds. Strategies for future conservation of native Lanyu pigs are now even more urgent and important.

Observation of a new DsJ meson in B+-->D0D0K+ decays

We report the observation of a new DsJ meson produced in B+-->D0DsJ-->D0D0K+. This state has a mass of M=2708+/-9(-10)(+11) MeV/c2, a width Gamma=108+/-23(-31)(+36) MeV/c2 and a 1- spin-parity. The statistical significance of this observation is 8.4 sigma. The results are based on an analysis of 449 x 10(6) BB events collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider.

Observation of the psi(4415)-->DD2*(2460) decay using initial-state radiation

We report measurements of the exclusive cross section for e(+)e(-)-->D(0)D(-)pi(+) over the center-of-mass energy range 4.0 GeV to 5.0 GeV with initial-state radiation and the first observation of the decay psi(4415)-->D(0)D(-)pi(+). From a study of the resonant substructure in psi(4415) decay we conclude that the psi(4415)-->D(0)D(-)pi(+) decay is dominated by psi(4415)-->DD(2)(*)(2460). We obtain B(psi(4415)-->D(0)D(-)pi(nonresonant)(+))/B(psi(4415)-->DD(2)(*)(2460)-->D(0)D(-)pi(+))<0.22 at 90% C.L. The analysis is based on a data sample collected with the Belle detector with an integrated luminosity of 673 fb(-1).

Dynamic optimal learning rates of a certain class of fuzzy neural networks and its applications with genetic algorithm

The stability analysis of the learning rate for a two-layer neural network (NN) is discussed first by minimizing the total squared error between the actual and desired outputs for a set of training vectors. The stable and optimal learning rate, in the sense of maximum error reduction, for each iteration in the training (back propagation) process can therefore be found for this two-layer NN. It has also been proven in this paper that the dynamic stable learning rate for this two-layer NN must be greater than zero. Thus it Is guaranteed that the maximum error reduction can be achieved by choosing the optimal learning rate for the next training iteration. A dynamic fuzzy neural network (FNN) that consists of the fuzzy linguistic process as the premise part and the two-layer NN as the consequence part is then illustrated as an immediate application of our approach. Each part of this dynamic FNN has its own learning rate for training purpose. A genetic algorithm is designed to allow a more efficient tuning process of the two learning rates of the FNN. The objective of the genetic algorithm is to reduce the searching time by searching for only one learning rate, which is the learning rate of the premise part, in the FNN. The dynamic optimal learning rates of the two-layer NN can be found directly using our innovative approach. Several examples are fully illustrated and excellent results are obtained for the model car backing up problem and the identification of nonlinear first order and second order systems.

Time-dependent CP-violating asymmetry in B0-->rho0gamma decays

We report the first measurement of CP-violation parameters in B0-->rho0gamma decays based on a data sample of 657x10(6)BB pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider. We obtain the time-dependent and direct CP-violating parameters, Srho0gamma=-0.83+/-0.65(stat)+/-0.18(syst) and Arho0gamma=-0.44+/-0.49(stat)+/-0.14(syst), respectively.

Search for B --> h(*)nunu[over ] decays at Belle

We present a search for the rare decays B --> h(*)nunu[over ], where h(*) stands for a light meson. A data sample of 535 x 10{6} BB[over ] pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e{+}e{-} collider is used. Signal candidates are required to have an accompanying B meson fully reconstructed in a hadronic mode and signal side particles consistent with a single h(*) meson. No significant signal is observed and we set upper limits on the branching fractions at 90% confidence level. The limits on B{0} --> K{*0}nunu[over ] and B{+} --> K{+}nunu[over ] decays are more stringent than the previous constraints, while the first searches for B{0} --> K{0}nunu[over ], pi{0}nunu[over ], rho{0}nunu[over ], varphinunu[over ] and B{+} --> K{*+}nunu[over ], rho{+}nunu[over ] are reported.

Search for the CP-violating decays Upsilon(4S)-->B0B0-->J/psiKS0+J/psi(etac)KS0

We report the first search for CP-violating decays of the Upsilon(4S) using a data sample that contains 535 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S) mesons with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. A partial reconstruction technique is employed to enhance the signal sensitivity. No significant signals were observed. We obtain an upper limit of 4 x 10(-7) at the 90% confidence level for the branching fractions of the CP violating modes, Upsilon(4S)-->B(0)B(0)-->J/psiK(S)(0)+J/psi(eta(c))K(S)(0). Extrapolating the result, we find that an observation with 5sigma significance is expected with a 30 ab(-1) data sample, which is within the reach of a future super B factory.

Observation of B(0)-->D(*-)tau(+)nu(tau) decay at Belle

We report an observation of the decay B{0}-->D{*-}tau{+}nu{tau} in a data sample containing 535x10{6} BB pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e{+}e{-} collider. We find a signal with a significance of 5.2sigma and measure the branching fraction B(B{0}-->D{*-}tau{+}nu{tau})=(2.02{-0.37}{+0.40}(stat)+/-0.37(syst))%. This is the first observation of an exclusive B decay with a b-->ctaunu{tau} transition.

Measurement of the e+e- -->pi+pi- J/psi cross section via initial-state radiation at Belle

The cross section for e(+)e(-)-->pi(+)pi(-)J/psi between 3.8 and 5.5 GeV/c(2) is measured using a 548 fb(-1) data sample collected on or near the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at KEKB. A peak near 4.25 GeV/c(2), corresponding to the so called Y(4260), is observed. In addition, there is another cluster of events at around 4.05 GeV/c(2). A fit using two interfering Breit-Wigner shapes describes the data better than one that uses only the Y(4260), especially for the lower-mass side of the 4.25 GeV enhancement.

Observation of two resonant structures in e+ e- -->pi+ pi- psi(2S) via initial-state radiation at Belle

The cross section for e+ e- --> pi+ pi- psi(2S) between threshold and sqrt[s]=5.5 GeV is measured using 673 fb(-1) of data on and off the Upsilon(4S) resonance collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. Two resonant structures are observed in the pi+ pi- psi(2S) invariant-mass distribution, one at 4361 +/- 9 +/- 9 MeV/c2 with a width of 74 +/- 15 +/- 10 MeV/c2, and another at 4664 +/- 11 +/- 5 MeV/c2 with a width of 48 +/- 15 +/- 3 MeV/c2, if the mass spectrum is parametrized with the coherent sum of two Breit-Wigner functions. These values do not match those of any of the known charmonium states.

Progress in cell membrane chromatography

Cell membrane chromatography (CMC) was first established by He et al. in 1996. A bioaffinity chromatography technique, CMC has since proven to be an important method for studying drug-receptor interactions and screening active compounds from medicinal herbs. This paper briefly reviews the characteristics of the cell membrane stationary phase (CMSP), the CMC analytical system, and its applications.

Measurement of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-type flavor entanglement in Upsilon(4S) --> B0 B0 decays

The neutral B meson pair produced at the Upsilon(4S) should exhibit a nonlocal correlation of the type discussed by Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen. We measure this correlation using the time-dependent flavor asymmetry of semileptonic B(0) decays, which we compare with predictions from quantum mechanics and two local realistic models. The data are consistent with quantum mechanics, and inconsistent with the other models. Assuming that some B pairs disentangle to produce B(0) and B(0) with definite flavor, we find a decoherent fraction of 0.029 +/ -0.057, consistent with no decoherence.

Measurement of D0-D0 mixing parameters in D0 --> Ks pi+ pi- decays

We report a measurement of D0-D(0) mixing parameters in D(0) --> K(s)(0) pi(+) pi(-) decays using a time-dependent Dalitz-plot analysis. We first assume CP conservation and subsequently allow for CP violation. The results are based on 540 fb(-1) of data accumulated with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider. Assuming negligible CP violation, we measure the mixing parameters x = (0.80 +/- 0.29(-0.07-0.14)(+0.09+0.10))% and y = (0.33+/-0.24(-0.12-0.08)(+0.08+0.06))%, where the errors are statistical, experimental systematic, and systematic due to the Dalitz decay model, respectively. Allowing for CP violation, we obtain the CP-violating parameters |q / p| = 0.86(-0.29-0.03)(+0.30+0.06) +/- 0.08 and arg(q/p) = (-14(-18-3-4)(+16+5+2)) degrees .

Measurements of branching fractions for B --> K pi and B --> pi pi decays

We report measurements of branching fractions for B --> K pi and B --> pi pi decays based on a data sample of 449 x 10(6) BB[over] pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. We also measure the ratios of partial widths for B-->Kpi decays, namely R(c) identical with 2Gamma(B(+) --> K(+) pi(0))/Gamma(B(+) --> K(0) pi(+)) = 1.08+/-0.06+/-0.08 and R(n) identical with Gamma(B(0) --> K(+) pi(-))/2 Gamma(B(0) --> K(0) pi(0)) = 1.08+/-0.08+/-0.08, where the first and the second errors are statistical and systematic, respectively. These ratios are sensitive to enhanced electroweak penguin contributions from new physics; the new measurements are, however, consistent with standard model expectations.

Measurement of the tau lepton mass and an upper limit on the mass difference between tau+ and tau-

The mass of the tau lepton has been measured in the decay mode tau-->3pinutau using a pseudomass technique. The result obtained from 414 fb-1 of data collected with the Belle detector is Mtau=[1776.61+/-0.13(stat)+/-0.35(sys)] MeV/c2. The upper limit on the relative mass difference between positive and negative tau leptons is |Mtau+-Mtau-|/Mtau<2.8 x 10-4 at 90% confidence level.

Experimental constraints on the spin and parity of the Lambdac(2880)+

We report the results of several studies of the Lambda(c)(+)pi(+)pi(-)X final state in continuum e(+)e(-) annihilation data collected by the Belle detector. An analysis of angular distributions in Lambda(c)(2880)(+)-->Sigma(c)(2455)(0,++)pi(+,-) decays strongly favors a Lambda(c)(2880)(+) spin assignment of 5/2 over 3/2 or 1/2. We find evidence for Lambda(c)(2880)(+)-->Sigma(c)(2520)(0,++)pi(+,-) decay and measure the ratio of Lambda(c)(2880)(+) partial widths Gamma(Sigma(c)(2520)pi)/Gamma(Sigma(c)(2455)pi)=0.225+/-0.062+/-0.025. This value favors the Lambda(c)(2880)(+) spin-parity assignment of 5/2(+) over 5/2(-). We also report the first observation of Lambda(c)(2940)(+)-->Sigma(c)(2455)(0,++)pi(+,-) decay and measure Lambda(c)(2880)(+) and Lambda(c)(2940)(+) mass and width parameters. These studies are based on a 553 fb(-1) data sample collected at or near the Upsilon(4S) resonance at the KEKB collider.

Evidence for CP violation in B0-->D+D- decays

We report measurements of the branching fraction and CP violation parameters in B(0)-->D+ D- decays. The results are based on a data sample that contains 535 x 10(6) BB pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance, with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider. We obtain [1.97+/-0.20(stat) +/- 0.20(syst)] x 10(-4) for the branching fraction of B0-->D+D-. The measured values of the CP violation parameters are S=-1.13+/-0.37+/-0.09, A=0.91+/-0.23+/-0.06, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. We find evidence of CP violation in B0-->D+D- at the 4.1sigma confidence level. While the value of S is consistent with expectations from other measurements, the value of the parameter A favors large direct CP violation at the 3.2sigma confidence level, in contradiction to standard model expectations.

Measurement of CP asymmetry in a time-dependent Dalitz analysis of B0-->(rhopi)0 and a constraint on the quark mixing matrix angle phi2

We present a measurement of CP asymmetry using a time-dependent Dalitz plot analysis of B0-->pi+pi-pi0 decays based on a 414 fb(-1) data sample containing 449 x 10(6) BB pairs. The data was collected on the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy e+ e- collider. Combining our analysis with information on charged B decay modes, we perform a full Dalitz and isospin analysis and obtain a constraint on the CKM angle phi2, 68 degrees < phi2 < 95 degrees as the 68.3% confidence interval for the phi2 solution consistent with the standard model (SM). A large SM-disfavored region also remains.

Evidence for D0-D0 mixing

We observe evidence for D(0)-D(0) mixing by measuring the difference in the apparent lifetime when a D(0) meson decays to the CP eigenstates K(+)K(-) and pi(+)pi(-) and when it decays to the final state K(-)pi(+). We find the relative difference of the lifetimes y(CP) to be [1.31+/-0.32(stat)+/-0.25(syst)]%, 3.2 standard deviations from zero. We also search for a CP asymmetry between D(0) and D(0) decays; no evidence for CP violation is found. These results are based on 540 fb(-1) of data recorded by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider.

Observation of direct CP violation in B0 --> pi+pi- decays and model-independent constraints on the quark-mixing angle phi2

We report a new measurement of the time-dependent CP-violating parameters in B(0)-->pi(+)pi(-) decays with 535 x 10(6) BB pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider operating at the Upsilon(4S) resonance. We find 1464+/-65 B(0)-->pi(+)pi(-) events and measure the CP-violating parameters S(pipi)=-0.61+/-0.10(stat)+/-0.04(syst) and A(pipi)=+0.55+/-0.08(stat)+/-0.05(syst). We observe large direct CP violation with a significance greater than 5 standard deviations for any S(pipi) value. Using isospin relations, we measure the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark-mixing matrix angle phi(2)=(97+/-11) degrees for the solution consistent with the standard model and exclude the range 11 degrees <phi(2)<79 degrees at the 95% confidence level.

Observation of B decays to two kaons

Using 449x10(6) BB[over ] pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider, we observe clear signals for B(+)-->K[over ](0)K(+) and B(0)-->K[over ](0)K(0) decays with 5.3sigma and 6.0sigma significance, respectively. We measure the branching fractions B(B(+)-->K[over ](0)K(+))=(1.22(-0.28-0.16)(+0.32+0.13))x10(-6) and B(B(0)-->K[over ](0)K(0))=(0.87(-0.20)(+0.25)+/-0.09)x10(-6), and partial-rate asymmetries A(CP)(B(+)-->K[over ](0)K(+))=0.13(-0.24)(+0.23)+/-0.02 and A(CP)(B(0)-->K[over ](0)K(0))=-0.58(-0.66)(+0.73)+/-0.04. From a simultaneous fit, we also obtain B(B(+)-->K(0)pi(+))=(22.8(-0.7)(+0.8)+/-1.3)x10(-6) and A(CP)(B(+)-->K(0)pi(+))=0.03+/-0.03+/-0.01. The first and second error in the branching fractions and the partial-rate asymmetries are statistical and systematic, respectively. No signal is observed for B(0)-->K(+)K(-) decays, and for this branching fraction, we set an upper limit of 4.1x10(-7) at the 90% confidence level.

Search for invisible decay of the Upsilon(1S)

We report results of a search for the invisible decay of the Upsilon(1S) via the Upsilon(3S)-->pi+ pi- Upsilon(1S) transition using a data sample of 2.9 fb-1 at the Upsilon(3S) resonance. The data were collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+ e- collider. No signal is found, and an upper limit for the branching fraction at the 90% confidence level is determined to be B(Upsilon(1S)-->invisible)<2.5 x 10(-3).

Observation of the decay B(0)-->J/psieta

We report the first observation of B(0)-->J/psieta decay. These results are obtained from a data sample that contains 449 x10(6) BB[over] pairs accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. We observe a signal with a significance of 8.1 sigma and obtain a branching fraction of (9.5+/-1.7(stat)+/-0.8(syst)) x 10(-6).

The effect of activation treatments on the development of reconstructed bovine oocytes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different activation treatments on the development of IVM-derived and cloned bovine embryos. The effect of oocyte age (20h versus 24h after IVM) on the blastocyst rate was also investigated. No differences in the percentage of blastocyst development were observed between the oocytes matured for 20 and 24h (15% versus 27%, p>0.05). Reconstructed oocytes activated 4h after fusion (fusion before activation, FBA) had a higher blastocyst rate than those oocytes activated immediately after electrofusion (fusion and activation simultaneously, FAS) (26% versus 5%, p<0.01). Blastocyst rates were significantly greater (p<0.01) for the reconstructed oocytes activated by calcium ionophore (A23187) combined with 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) (51.6%) than for those activated with cycloheximide (CHX) plus cytochalasin B (CB) treatment (1h, 8.2%; 5h, 14.3%). However, the blastocyst rates were similar among reconstructed oocytes activated by electric pulses and A23187 (30.5% versus 42.2%) or by A23187 and ionomycin (36.7% versus 33.3%) combined with 6-DMAP, respectively. Blastocysts that developed from reconstructed oocytes activated by A23187 and 6-DMAP resulted in three pregnancies (3/9) and one live birth from 18 embryos transferred to recipient cows. Genotypic analysis of six bovine microsatellite markers by polymerase chain reaction confirmed that the cloned calf was genetically identical to the nuclear donor. In conclusion, reconstructed oocytes that derived from oocytes exposed to activation treatment 4h after electrofusion are more likely to develop to the blastocyst stage. The best treatment to activate reconstructed bovine oocytes in this study was A23187 combined with 6-DMAP.

Measurement of the near-threshold e+e- --> D(*)+/-D(*)-/+ cross section using initial-state radiation

We report a measurement of the exclusive e+e- -->D(*)+/-D*-/+ cross section as a function of center-of-mass energy near the D(*)+/-D*-/+ threshold with initial-state radiation. A partial reconstruction technique is used to increase the efficiency and to suppress background. The analysis is based on a data sample collected with the Belle detector with an integrated luminosity of 547.8 fb(-1).

Observation of a charmoniumlike state produced in association with a J/psi in e+e- annihilation at sqrt[s] approximately equal to 10.6 GeV

We report the first observation of a charmoniumlike state recoiling from the J/psi in the inclusive process e+e- -->J/psi+anything at a mass of (3.943+/-0.006+/-0.006) GeV/c{2}. We also observe the decay of this state into D*D[over ] and determine its intrinsic width to be less than 52 MeV/c{2} at the 90% C.L. These results are obtained from a 357 fb{-1} data sample collected with the Belle detector near the Upsilon(4S) resonance, at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider.

Oxygen diffusion and consumption in active aerobic granules of heterogeneous structure

The interior structure of aerobic granules is highly heterogeneous, hence, affecting the transport and reaction processes in the granules. The granule structure and the dissolved oxygen profiles were probed at the same granule in the current work for possible estimation of transport and kinetic parameters in the granule. With the tested granules fed by phenol or acetate as carbon source, most inflow oxygen was consumed by an active layer thickness of less than 125 microm on the granule surface. The confocal laser scanning microscopy scans also revealed a surface layer thickness of approximately 100 microm consisting of cells. The diffusivities of oxygen transport and the kinetic constant of oxygen consumption in the active layers only were evaluated. The theoretical models adopted in literature that ignored the contributions of the layered structure of aerobic granule could have overlooked the possible limitations on oxygen transport.

Measurement of inclusive Ds, D0, and J/psi rates and determination of the Bs(*)Bs(*) production fraction in bb Events at the Upsilon(5S) resonance

The inclusive production of D(s), D(0), and J/psi mesons is studied using a 1.86 fb(-1) data sample collected on the Upsilon(5S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. The number of bb events in this Upsilon(5S) data sample is determined. We measure the branching fractions B(Upsilon(5S)-->D(s)X)/2=(23.6+/-1.2+/-3.6)%, B(Upsilon(5S)-->D(0)X)/2=(53.8+/-2.0+/-3.4)%, and B(Upsilon(5S)-->J/psiX)/2=(1.030+/-0.080+/-0.067)%. From the D(s) and D(0) inclusive branching fractions the ratio f(s)=(18.0+/-1.3+/-3.2)% of B(s)(*)B(s)(*) to the total bb quark pair production at the Upsilon(5S) energy is obtained in a model-dependent way.

Oxygen diffusion in active layer of aerobic granule with step change in surrounding oxygen levels

High biomass density and large size limit the transfer of dissolved oxygen (DO) in aerobic granules. In the literature, the oxygen diffusivity is often employed as an input parameter for modeling transport processes in aerobic granules. The interior of an aerobic granule was observed to be highly heterogeneous. In this work, the distributions of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and cells in the interior of phenol-fed and acetate-fed granules were built up using a five-fold staining scheme, combined with the use of a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The steady-state and transient DO with step changes in surrounding DO levels at various depths were measured in the granules using microelectrodes. Cells were probed in a surface layer of thickness 125-375 microm. A marked fall in DO was also noted over this surface layer. No aerobic oxidation could occur beneath the active layer, indicating the oxygen transfer limit. Fitting the steady-state and transient DO data over the active surface layer yielded apparent diffusivities of oxygen were (9.5+/-3.5)x10(-10)m(2)s(-1) for the phenol-fed granule and (3.5+/-1.0)x10(-10)m(2)s(-1) for the phenol-fed granule. These values were lower than those adopted in models in the literature.

Observation of time-dependent CP violation in B0 --> eta'K0 decays and improved measurements of CP asymmetries in B0 --> phiK0, KS0KS0KS0 and B0 --> J/psiK0 decays

We present improved measurements of CP-violation parameters in B(0) --> phiK(0), eta(')K(0), KS(0)KS(0)KS(0) decays based on a sample of 535 x 10(6) BB pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. We obtain sin2phi1(eff)=+0.64+/-0.10(stat)+/-0.04(syst) for B(0) --> eta(')K(0), +0.50+/-0.21(stat)+/-0.06(syst) for B(0) --> phiK(0), and +0.30+/-0.32(stat)+/-0.08(syst) for B(0) --> KS(0)KS(0)KS(0) decays. We have observed CP violation in the B(0) --> eta(')K(0) decay with a significance of 5.6 standard deviations. We also perform an improved measurement of CP asymmetries in B(0) --> J/psiK(0) decays and obtain sin2phi1=+0.642+/-0.031(stat)+/-0.017(syst).

Evidence of the purely leptonic decay B- --> tau- nu(tau)

We present the first evidence of the decay B- --> tau- nu(tau), using 414 fb(-1) of data collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+ e- collider. Events are tagged by fully reconstructing one of the B mesons in hadronic modes. We detect the signal with a significance of 3.5 standard deviations including systematics and measure the branching fraction to be B(B- --> tau- nu(tau)) = (1.79(-0.49) +0.56(stat)(-0.51) +0.46(syst)) x 10(-4). This implies that fB = 0.229(-0.031) +0.036(stat)(-0.037) +0.034(syst) GeV and is the first direct measurement of this quantity.

Study of decay mechanisms in B--->Lambdac+ppi- decays and observation of low-mass structure in the Lambdac+p system

Using a sample of 152 x 10(6) BB pairs accumulated with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- collider, we study the decay mechanism of three-body charmed decay B- --> Lambdac+ ppi-. The intermediate two-body decay B--->Sigmac (2455)0 p is observed for the first time with a branching fraction of (3.7 +/- 0.7 +/- 0.4 +/- 1.0) x 10(-5) and a statistical significance of 8.4sigma. We also observe a low-mass enhancement in the (Lambdac+p) system, which can be parametrized as a Breit-Wigner function with a mass of (3.35(-0.02)(+0.01) +/-0.02) GeV/c2 and a width of (0.07(-0.03)(+0.04) +/-0.04) GeV/c2. We measure its branching fraction to be (3.9(-0.7)(+0.8) +/- 0.4 +/- 1.0) x 10(-5) with a statistical significance of 6.2sigma. The errors are statistical, systematic, and that of the Lambdac+-->pK- pi+ decay branching fraction.

Observation of B+ --> Lambda c+ Lambda c- K+ and B0 --> Lambda c+ Lambda c- K0 decays

We report the first measurements of the doubly charmed baryonic B decays B --> Lambda c+ Lambda c- K. The B+ --> Lambda c+ Lambda c- K+ decay is observed with a branching fraction of (6.5(-0.9)(+1.0)+/-1.1+/-3.4)x10(-4) and a statistical significance of 15.4sigma. The B0 --> Lambda c+ Lambda c- K0 decay is observed with a branching fraction of (7.9(-2.3)(+2.9)+/-1.2+/-4.1)x10(-4) and a statistical significance of 6.6sigma. The branching fraction errors are statistical, systematic, and the error resulting from the uncertainty of the Lambda c+ --> pK- pi+ decay branching fraction. The analysis is based on 357 fb(-1) of data accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+ e- collider.