Measurements of the branching fraction and CP-violation asymmetries in B0-->f0(980)K0S

We present measurements of the branching fraction and CP-violating asymmetries in the decay B0-->f0(980)K0S. The results are obtained from a data sample of 123 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays. From a time-dependent maximum likelihood fit, we measure the branching fraction B(B0-->f0(980)(-->pi+pi-)K0)=(6.0+/-0.9+/-0.6+/-1.2)x10(-6), the mixing-induced CP violation parameter S=-1.62(+0.56)(-0.51)+/-0.09+/-0.04, and the direct CP violation parameter C=0.27+/-0.36+/-0.10+/-0.07, where the first errors are statistical, the second systematic, and the third due to model uncertainties. We measure the f0(980) mass and width to be mf0(980)=(980.6+/-4.1+/-0.5+/-4.0) MeV/c2 and Gammaf0(980)=(43(+12)(-9)+/-3+/-9) MeV/c2, respectively.

Search for radiative penguin decays B(+)-->rho(+)gamma, B(0)-->rho(0)gamma, and B(0)-->omegagamma

A search for the decays B-->rho(770)gamma and B0-->omega(782)gamma is performed on a sample of 211 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB events collected by the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) storage ring. No evidence for the decays is seen. We set the following limits on the individual branching fractions: B(B+-->rho(+)gamma)<1.8 x 10(-6), B(B0-->rho(0)gamma)<0.4 x 10(-6), and B(B0-->omegagamma)<1.0 x 10(-6) at the 90% confidence level. We use the quark model to limit the combined branching fraction B [B-->(rho/omega)gamma]<1.2 x 10(-6), from which we determine a constraint on the ratio of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements |V(td)|/|V(ts)|.

A comparison of a 'J' wire and a straight wire in successful antegrade cannulation of the superficial femoral artery

AIMS

To evaluate the success of two different types of wire in common use in their ability to successfully cannulate the superficial femoral artery (SFA) using antegrade puncture.

METHODS

50 consecutive patients in whom antegrade infra-inguinal intervention was planned, underwent common femoral arterial puncture and then cannulation with either a standard 3mm 'J' wire or a floppy tipped straight wire (William Cook-Europe). The frequency with which each type of wire entered the SFA or profunda femoris artery without image guidance was recorded. Further analysis was also made of the success of manipulation of the wire into the SFA following profunda cannulation and the use of alternative guide wires.

RESULTS

In 19 out of 25 (76%) patients the 'J' wire correctly entered the SFA without image guidance. Only 5 out of 25 (25%) of straight wires entered the SFA with the initial pass (p < 0.0001). Following further manipulation with the same wire all except 1 'J' wire was successfully negotiated into the SFA. The same was true for only 9 of the remaining straight wires with 11 patients requiring an alternative guide wire.

CONCLUSIONS

When performing antegrade cannulation of the SFA a 'J' wire is more likely to be successful than a straight guide wire.

Whole-Cell Biotransformation of m-Ethyltoluene into 1S,6R-5-Ethyl-1,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-2,4-diene-1-carboxylic Acid as an Approach to the C-Ring of the Binary Indole - Indoline Alkaloid Vinblastine

The title compound 3, a potential building block for the construction of analogues of the clinically important anti-cancer agent vinblastine (1), has been prepared in an efficient manner through a whole-cell biotransformation of m-ethyltoluene (4) using the microorganism Pseudomonas putida BGXM1 which expresses the enzyme toluate dioxygenase (TADO). Metabolite 3 was readily converted into derivatives 5–8 using conventional chemical techniques and the structure, including absolute stereochemistry, of the last of these was established by single-crystal X-ray analysis.

Multidetector row CT angiography of the lower limb arteries: a prospective comparison of volume-rendered techniques and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography

AIM

To assess whether multi-detector CT angiograms (MDCTA) of the lower limb arteries, compared with conventional digital subtraction angiograms (DSA), could replace invasive arteriography in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective comparative analysis of MDCTA and DSA in 44 patients, MDCTA was analyzed using volume-rendered images acquired at a workstation and viewed in tandem with the original axial data. Designated arterial segments were graded according to their degree of stenosis.

RESULTS

We found agreement for the degree of stenosis in 88.8% and 85.4% of 1024 segments analysed for two observers. The sensitivity for treatable lesions (>50% stenosis) was 79.1% and 72% with a specificity of 93.3% and 92.6%. DSA failed to visualize 7.3% of segments that were visible with MDCTA. These segments were exclusively downstream to long segment occlusions.

CONCLUSION

MDCTA using 4-slice machines is insensitive to detecting significant arterial stenoses in the lower limb arteries. MDCTA is superior to DSA in its visualization of arterial territories downstream to significant occlusive disease.

Facile C−H Bond Activation: Synthesis of the N4C Donor Set Pentadentate Ligand 1,4-Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazacyclononane (dmpdacn) and a Structural Study of Its Alkyl−Cobalt(III) Complex [Co(dmpdacn-C)(OH2)](ClO4)2·H2O and Its Hydroxylated Derivative [Co(dmpdacnOH-O)Cl](ClO4)2·C3H6O

The 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazacyclononane (dmpdacn) ligand with a N(4)C donor set deprotonates at a CH(2) gamma to an amine under extraordinarily mild conditions (pH 7) and binds as a pentadentate ligand to Co(III) as the [Co(dmpdacn-C)(OH(2))](2+) complex. This complex was characterized by 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and a single-crystal X-ray structure is reported. In an alternative synthesis from Co(II), dmpdacn, and air, the same C-bonded complex is obtained along with a novel hydroxylated Co(III) complex [Co(dmpdacnOH-O)Cl](2+) which has been similarly characterized. Here the carbanion has been oxidized, a C- to O-bonded rearrangement has taken place, and the bound aqua group is replaced by Cl(-). The base hydrolysis kinetics of the hydroxylated Co(III) complex are reported, and mechanisms for this and the unusually facile C-H cleavage and CH(2) oxidation reactions are discussed.

Measurement of the B0-->phiK*0 decay amplitudes

With a sample of about 227x10(6) BB pairs recorded with the BABAR detector we perform a full angular analysis of the decay B0-->phiK(*0)(892). We make novel measurements of five parameters sensitive to CP violation. We also measure the branching fraction to be (9.2+/-0.9+/-0.5)x10(-6) and determine the fractions of longitudinal and parity-odd transverse contributions as f(L)=0.52+/-0.05+/-0.02 and f( perpendicular)=0.22+/-0.05+/-0.02. The phases of the parity-even and parity-odd transverse amplitudes relative to the longitudinal amplitude are found to be phi( parallel)=2.34(+0.23)(-0.20)+/-0.05 rad and phi( perpendicular)=2.47+/-0.25+/-0.05 rad. We also observe the decay B0-->phiK(*0)(1430).

Study of the decay B0(B- 0)-->rho+rho-, and constraints on the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle alpha

Using a data sample of 89 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B Factory at SLAC, we measure the B0(B (0))-->rho(+)rho(-) branching fraction as [30+/-4(stat)+/-5(syst)]x10(-6) and a longitudinal polarization fraction of f(L)=0.99+/-0.03(stat)+0.04-0.03(syst). We measure the time-dependent-asymmetry parameters of the longitudinally polarized component of this decay as C(L)=-0.17+/-0.27(stat)+/-0.14(syst) and S(L)=-0.42+/-0.42(stat)+/-0.14(syst). We exclude values of alpha between 19 degrees and 71 degrees (90% C.L.).

Superbowl Container Molecules

The design, chemical synthesis, guest binding, and self-assembly of tureen-shaped container molecules is presented. With a large noncollapsible interior and five external binding sites, each superbowl container host is shown to bind up to nine guest molecules in well-defined locations.

Measurement of time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in B0-->K*0gamma(K*0-->K(0)Spi0) decays

We present a measurement of the time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in B0-->K(*0)gamma(K(*0)-->K(0)(S)pi(0)) decays based on 124 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B Factory at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. In a sample containing 105+/-14 signal decays, we measure S(K(*)gamma)=0.25+/-0.63+/-0.14 and C(K(*)gamma)=-0.57+/-0.32+/-0.09, where the first error is statistical and the second, systematic.

Search for flavor-changing neutral current and Lepton-flavor violating decays of D0-->l+l-

We report on a search for the flavor-changing neutral current decays D0-->e(+)e(-) and D0-->mu(+)mu(-), and the lepton-flavor violating decay D0-->e(+/-)mu(-/+). The measurement is based on 122 fb(-1) of data collected by the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. No evidence is found for any of the decays. The upper limits on the branching fractions, at the 90% confidence level, are 1.2x10(-6) for D0-->e(+)e(-), 1.3x10(-6) for D0-->mu(+)mu(-), and 8.1x10(-7) for D0-->e(+/-)mu(-/+).

Searches for B0 decays to combinations of two charmless isoscalar mesons

We search for B meson decays into two-body combinations of eta, eta', omega, and phi mesons from 89 x 10(6) BB pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e+e- collider at SLAC. We find the branching fraction B(B0-->etaomega)=(4.0(+1.3)(-1.2)+/-0.4)x10(-6) with a significance of 4.3 sigma. For the other decay modes we set the following 90% confidence level upper limits on the branching fractions, in units of 10(-6): B(B0-->etaeta)<2.8, B(B0-->etaeta')<4.6, B(B0-->eta'eta')<10, B(B0-->eta'omega)<2.8, B(B0-->etaphi)<1.0, B(B0-->eta'phi)<4.5, and B(B0-->phiphi)<1.5.

Branching fractions and CP asymmetries in B0-->K+ K- K0 S and B+-->K+ K0 S K0 S

We measure the branching fractions and CP asymmetries in the decays B0-->K(+)K(-)K(0)(S) and B+-->K(+)K(0)(S)K(0)(S) using a sample of approximately 122x10(6) BB pairs collected by the BABAR detector. From a time-dependent analysis of the K(+)K(-)K(0)(S) sample that excludes phiK(0)(S), the values of the CP-violation parameters are S=-0.56+/-0.25+/-0.04 and C=-0.10+/-0.19+/-0.10, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. We confirm that the final state is nearly purely CP even and extract the standard model parameter sin(2beta=0.57+/-0.26+/-0.04(+0.17)(-0) where the last error is due to uncertainty on the CP content. We present the first measurement of the CP-violating charge asymmetry A(CP)(B+-->K(+)K(0)(S)K(0)(S))=-0.04+/-0.11+/-0.02. The branching fractions are B(B0-->K+K-K0)=(23.8+/-2.0+/-1.6)x10(-6) and B(B+-->K(+)K(0)(S)K(0)(S))=(10.7+/-1.2+/-1.0)x10(-6).

Study of B-->D(*)sJ +-D(*) decays

We report a study of D(*)(sJ)(2317)(+) and D(sJ)(2460)(+) meson production in B decays. We observe the decays B+-->D((*)+)(sJ)D ((*)0) and B0-->D((*)+)(sJ)D((*)-) with the subsequent decays D(*)(sJ)(2317)(+)-->D(+)(s)pi(0), D(sJ)(2460)(+)-->D(+)(s)gamma, and D(sJ)(2460)(+)-->D(*+)(s)pi(0). Based on a data sample of 122.1 x 10(6) BB pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B factory, we obtain branching fractions for these modes, including the previously unseen decays B-->D((*)+)(sJ)D(*). In addition, we perform an angular analysis of D(sJ)(2460)(+)-->D(+)(s)gamma decays to test the different D(sJ)(2460)(+) spin hypotheses.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Relationships of Dinuclear Complexes of Platinum(II) and Platinum(III) Containing Ortho-Metalated Tertiary Arsine Ligands

Reaction of 2-Li-4-MeC6H3AsPh2 with [PtCl2(SEt2)2] gives two isomeric dinuclear platinum(II) complexes, one containing a half-lantern structure with two chelating and two bridging C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2 ligands, [Pt2(kappa2As,C-C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2)2(mu-kappaAs,kappaC-C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2)2], and the other, a full-lantern with four bridging C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2 ligands, [Pt2(mu-kappaAs,kappaC-C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2)4]. The lantern structure of the latter is retained in the dihalodiplatinum(III) complexes that are formed by oxidative addition of chlorine, bromine, or iodine to the isomeric mixture. The dichloro derivative undergoes metathesis reactions with silver or sodium salts, yielding the corresponding cyano, thiocyanato, cyanato, and fluoro species. The structures of all complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The oxidative addition products have Pt-Pt distances in the range 2.65-2.79 A (cf. 2.89 A in the lantern diplatinum(II) structure), consistent with the presence of a Pt-Pt bond. Electrochemical data lead to the conclusion that an initial rapid one-electron process and subsequent chemical reactions produce the dihalodiplatinum(III) lantern structure when mixtures of the lantern and half-lantern complexes are oxidized by halogens. The electrochemical data also explain why chemical reduction of the dihalodiplatinum(III) complex produces only the lantern diplatinum(II) complex.

Search for B+/--->[K(-/+)pi(+/-)](D)K+/- and upper limit on the b-->u amplitude in B+/--->DK+/-

We search for B+/--->[K(-/+)pi(+/-)](D)K+/- decays, where [K(-/+)pi(+/-)](D) indicates that the K-/+pi(+/-) pair originates from the decay of a D0 or D (0). Results are based on 120x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at SLAC. We set an upper limit on the ratio R(Kpi) identical with[Gamma(B+-->[K(-)pi(+)](D)K+)+Gamma(B--->[K(+)pi(-)](D)K-)][Gamma(B+-->[K(+)pi(-)](D) / K+)+Gamma(B--->[K(-)pi(+)](D)K-)]<0.026 (90% C.L.). This constrains the amplitude ratio r(B) identical with|A(B--->D 0K-)/A(B--->D0K-)|<0.22 (90% C.L.), consistent with expectations. The small value of r(B) favored by our analysis suggests that the determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa phase gamma from B-->DK will be difficult.

Direct CP violating asymmetry in B0-->K+pi- decays

We present a measurement of the direct CP violating asymmetry in the decay B0-->K+pi(-) using a data sample of 227x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider at SLAC. We observe a total signal yield of nK-(pi(+))+nK+(pi(-))=1606+/-51 decays and measure the asymmetry (nK-(pi(+))-nK+(pi(-)))/(nK-(pi(+))+nK+(pi(-)))=-0.133+/-0.030(stat)+/-0.009(syst). The probability of observing such an asymmetry in the absence of direct CP violation is 1.3x10(-5), corresponding to 4.2 standard deviations.

Measurements of CP-violating asymmetries in B0-->K(0)(s)pi(0) decays

We present a measurement of the time-dependent CP-violating (CPV) asymmetries in B0-->K(0)(S)pi(0) decays based on 124x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at SLAC. In a sample containing 122+/-16 signal decays, we obtain the magnitudes of the direct CPV asymmetry CK(0)(S)(pi(0))=0.40(+0.27)(-0.28)+/-0.09 and of the CPV asymmetry in the interference between mixing and decay SK(0)(S)(pi(0))=0.48(+0.38)(-0.47)+/-0.06 where the first error is statistical and the second systematic.

Search for B0 decays to invisible final states and to nunugamma

We establish upper limits on branching fractions for B0 decays to final states where the decay products are purely invisible (i.e., no observable final state particles) and for B0 decays to nunugamma. Within the standard model, these decays have branching fractions that are below current experimental sensitivity, but various models of physics beyond the standard model predict significant contributions from these channels. Using 88.5 x 10(6) BB pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the BABAR experiment at the PEP-II e(+)e- storage ring at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, we establish upper limits at the 90% confidence level of 22 x 10(-5) for the branching fraction of B0-->invisible and 4.7 x 10(-5) for the branching fraction of B0-->nunugamma.

Measurement of the B-->Xsl+l- branching fraction with a sum over exclusive modes

We measure the branching fraction for the flavor-changing neutral-current process B-->X(s)l(+)l(-) with a sample of 89x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BBmacr; events recorded with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II e(+)e(-) storage ring. The final state is reconstructed from e(+)e(-) or micro(+)micro(-) pairs and a hadronic system X(s) consisting of one K+/- or K(0)(S) and up to two pions, with at most one pi(0). We observe a signal of 40+/-10(stat)+/-2(syst) events and extract the inclusive branching fraction B(B-->X(s)l(+)l(-))=(5.6+/-1.5(stat)+/-0.6(exp syst)+/-1.1(model syst))x10(-6) for ml(+)(l(-))>0.2 GeV/c(2).

Bound on the ratio of decay amplitudes for -B0-->J/psiK*0 and B0-->J/psiK*0

We have measured the time-dependent decay rate for the process B-->J/psiK(*0) (892) in a sample of about 88x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->B(-)B decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at SLAC. In this sample we study flavor-tagged events in which one neutral B meson is reconstructed in the J/psiK(*0) or J/psi(-)K(*0) final state. We measure the coefficients of the cosine and sine terms in the time-dependent asymmetries for J/psiK(*0) and J/psi(-)K(*0), find them to be consistent with the standard model expectations, and set upper limits at 90% confidence level (C.L.) on the decay amplitude ratios |A((-)B(0)-->J/psiK(*0))|/|A(B0-->J/psiK(*0))|<0.26 and |A(B0-->J/psi(-)K(*0))|/|A((-)B(0)-->J/psi(-)K(*0))|<0.32. For a single ratio of wrong-flavor to favored amplitudes for B0 and (-)B(0) combined, we obtain an upper limit of 0.25 at 90% C.L.

Measurement of the time-dependent CP asymmetry in the B0-->phiK0 decay

We present a measurement of the time-dependent CP asymmetry for the neutral B-meson decay B0-->phiK0. We use a sample of approximately 114 x 10(6) B-meson pairs taken at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B-meson factory at SLAC. We reconstruct the CP eigenstates phiK0S and phiK0L, where phi-->K+K-, K0S-->pi+pi-, and K0L is observed via its hadronic interactions. The other B meson in the event is tagged as either a B0 or Bbar0 from its decay products. The values of the CP-violation parameters are SphiK=0.47+/-0.34(stat)+0.08-0.06(syst) and CphiK=0.01+/-0.33(stat)+/-0.10(syst).

Study of high momentum eta' production in B --> eta'Xs

We measure the branching fraction for the charmless semi-inclusive process B --> eta'Xs, where the eta' meson has a momentum in the range 2.0 to 2.7 GeV/c in the upsilon4S center-of-mass frame and Xs represents a system comprising a kaon and zero to four pions. We find B(B --> eta'Xs) = [3.9 +/- 0.8(stat) +/- 0.5(syst) +/- 0.8(model)] x 10(-4). We also obtain the Xs mass spectrum and find that it fits models predicting high masses.

Measurement of branching fractions and charge asymmetries in B+/--->rho+/-pi0 and B+/--->rho0pi+/- decays, and search for B0-->rho0pi0

We present measurements of branching fractions and charge asymmetries in B-meson decays to rho(+)pi(0), rho(0)pi(+), and rho(0)pi(0). The data sample comprises 89x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BBmacr; decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B Factory at SLAC. We find the charge-averaged branching fractions B(B+-->rho(+)pi(0))=[10.9+/-1.9(stat)+/-1.9(syst)]x10(-6) and B(B+-->rho(0)pi(+))=(9.5+/-1.1+/-0.9)x10(-6), and we set a 90% confidence-level upper limit B(B0-->rho(0)pi(0))<2.9x10(-6). We measure the charge asymmetries ACP(pi(0))(rho(+))=0.24+/-0.16+/-0.06 and ACP(pi(+))(rho(0))=-0.19+/-0.11+/-0.02.