Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to W M Sun.
We have studied two-body charmless decays of the B meson into the final states rho(0)rho(0), K(*0)rho(0), K(*0)K(*0), K(*0)K(*0), K(*+)rho(0), K(*+)K(*0), and K(*+)K(*-) using only decay modes with charged daughter particles. Using 9.7x10(6) BB pairs collected with the CLEO detector, we place 90% confidence level upper limits on the branching fractions (1.4-14.1)x10(-5), depending on final state and polarization.
We have searched for the two-body decay of the B meson to a light pseudoscalar meson h = pi(+/-),K+/-,K(0)(S) and a massless neutral feebly interacting particle X(0) such as the familon, the Nambu-Goldstone boson associated with a spontaneously broken global family symmetry. We find no significant signal by analyzing a data sample containing 9.7x10(6) BBbar mesons collected with the CLEO detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, and set 90% C.L. upper limits italicB(B(+/-) --> h(+/-)X(0)) = 4.9x10(-5) and italicB(B(0) --> K(0)(S)X(0)) = 5.3x10(-5). These limits correspond to a lower bound of approximately 10(8) GeV on the family symmetry breaking scale with vector coupling involving the third generation of quarks.
We have measured the branching fraction and photon energy spectrum for the radiative penguin process b-->s gamma. We find Beta(b-->s gamma) = (3.21+/-0.43+/-0.27(+0.18)(-0.10))x10(-4), where the errors are statistical, systematic, and from theory corrections. We obtain first and second moments of the photon energy spectrum above 2.0 GeV, = 2.346+/-0.032+/-0.011 GeV, and - (2) = 0.0226+/-0.0066+/-0.0020 GeV(2), where the errors are statistical and systematic. From the first moment, we obtain (in the modified minimal subtraction renormalization scheme, to order 1/M(3)(B) and beta(0)alpha(2)(s)) the heavy quark effective theory parameter Lambda = 0.35+/-0.08+/-0.10 GeV.
We have measured the first and second moments of the hadronic mass-squared distribution in B-->X(c)l nu, for P(lepton)>1.5 GeV/c. We find = 0.251+/-0.066 GeV(2), <(M(2)(X)- )(2)> = 0.576+/-0.170 GeV(4), where M macro(D) is the spin-averaged D meson mass. From that first moment and the first moment of the photon energy spectrum in b-->s gamma, we find the heavy quark effective theory parameter lambda(1) (in the modified minimal subtraction renormalization scheme, to order 1/M(3)(B) and beta(0)alpha(2)(s)) to be -0.24+/-0.11 GeV(2). Using these first moments and the B semileptonic width, and assuming parton-hadron duality, we obtain absolute value of V(cb) = 0.0404+/-0.0013.
We present the first measurement of the D*(+) width using 9/fb of e(+)e(-) data collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the CLEO II.V detector. Our method uses advanced tracking techniques and a reconstruction method that takes advantage of the small vertical size of the Cornell Electron-positron Storage Ring beam spot to measure the energy release distribution from the D*(+)-->D(0)pi(+) decay. We find gamma(D*(+)) = 96+/-4 (stat)+/-22 (syst) keV. We also measure the energy release in the decay and compute Delta m identical with m(D*(+))-m(D(0)) = 145.412+/-0.002 (stat)+/-0.012 (syst) MeV/c(2).
We report on a search for the radiative decay Upsilon(1S)-->gammaeta(') in 61.3 pb(-1) of data taken with the CLEO II detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring. Three decay chains were investigated, all involving eta(')-->pi(+)pi(-)eta, followed by eta-->gammagamma, eta-->pi(0)pi(0)pi(0), or eta-->pi(+)pi(-)pi(0). We find no candidate events in any of the three cases and set a combined upper limit of 1.6x10(-5) at 90% C.L., significantly smaller than the previous limit. We compare our result to other radiative Upsilon decays, to radiative J/psi decays, and to theoretical predictions.
Using 12.7 fb(-1) of data collected with the CLEO detector at CESR, we observed two-photon production of the cc states chi(c0) and chi(c2) in their decay to pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-). We measured gamma(gammagamma)(chi(c))xB(chi(c)-->pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-)) to be 75+/-13(stat)+/-8(syst) eV for the chi(c0) and 6.4+/-1.8(stat)+/-0.8(syst) eV for the chi(c2), implying gamma(gammagamma)(chi(c0)) = 3.76+/-0.65(stat)+/-0.41(syst)+/-1.69(br) keV and gamma(gammagamma)(chi(c2)) = 0.53+/-0.15(stat)+/-0.06(syst)+/-0.22(br) keV. Also, cancellation of dominant experimental and theoretical uncertainties permits a precise comparison of gamma(gammagamma)(chi(c0))/gamma(gammagamma)(chi(c2)), evaluated to be 7.4+/-2.4(stat)+/-0.5(syst)+/-0.9(br), with QCD-based predictions.
We have measured the CP asymmetry A(CP) identical with[gamma(b-->sgamma)-gammab-->sgamma)]/[gamma(b-->sgamma)+gamma(b-->sgamma)] to be A(CP) = (-0.079+/-0.108+/-0.022) (1.0+/-0.030), implying that, at 90% confidence level, A(CP) lies between -0.27 and +0.10. These limits rule out some extreme non-standard-model predictions, but are consistent with most, as well as with the standard model.
The tau decays to six-pion final states have been studied with the CLEO detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring. The measured branching fractions are B(tau(-)-->2pi(-)pi(+)3pi(0)nu(tau)) = (2.2+/-0.3+/-0.4)x10(-4) and B(tau(-)-->3pi(-)2pi(+)pi(0)nu(tau)) = (1.7+/-0.2+/-0.2)x10(-4). A search for substructure in these decays shows that they are saturated by intermediate states with eta or omega mesons. We present the first observation of the decay tau(-)-->2pi(-)pi(+)omega(nu)tau and the branching fraction is measured to be (1.2+/-0.2+/-0.1)x10(-4). The measured branching fractions are in good agreement with the isospin expectations but somewhat below the conserved-vector-current predictions.
Using 13.7 fb(-1) of data recorded by the CLEO detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we investigate the spectrum of charmed baryons which decay into Lambda+(c)pi(-)pi(+) and are more massive than the Lambda+(c)(2625) baryon. We find evidence for two new states: one is broad and has an invariant mass roughly 480 MeV above that of the Lambda+(c) baryon; the other is narrow with an invariant mass of 596+/-1+/-2 MeV above the Lambda+(c) mass.
Using 13.7 fb(-1) of data recorded by the CLEO detector at Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we report evidence of two new charmed baryons: one decaying into Xi(0')(c)pi(+) with the subsequent decay Xi(0')(c)-->Xi(0)(c)gamma, and its isospin partner decaying into Xi(+')(c)pi(-) followed by Xi(+')(c)-->Xi(+)(c)gamma. We measure the following mass differences for the two states: M(Xi(0)(c)gammapi(+))-M(Xi(0)(c)) = 318.2+/-1.3+/-2.9 MeV and M(Xi(+)(c)gammapi(-))-M(Xi(+)(c)) = 324.0+/-1.3+/-3.0 MeV. We interpret these new states as the J(P) = 1 / 2(-) Xi(c1) particles, the charmed-strange analogs of the Lambda(+)(c1)(2593).
The CLEO experiment at the CESR collider has used 13.7 fb(-1) of data to search for the production of the Omega(0)(c) (css ground state) in e(+)e(-) collisions at square root of (s) approximately 10.6 GeV. The modes used to study the Omega(0)(c) are Omega(-)pi(+), Omega(-)pi(+)pi(0), Xi-K-pi(+)pi(+), Xi0K-pi(+), and Omega(-)pi(+)pi(+)pi(-). We observe a signal of 40.4+/-9.0(stat) events at a mass of 2694.6+/-2.6(stat)+/-1.9(syst) MeV/c(2), for all modes combined.
We report the first observation of exclusive decays of the type B-->D(*)N_NX, where N is a nucleon. Using a sample of 9.7x10(6)B_B pairs collected with the CLEO detector operating at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we measure the branching fractions B(B0-->D(*-)p_p pi(+)) = (6.5(+1.3)(-1.2)+/-1.0)x10(-4) and B(B0-->D(*-)p_n) = (14.5(+3.4)(-3.0)+/-2.7)x10(-4). Antineutrons are identified by their annihilation in the CsI electromagnetic calorimeter.
The Lambda+c lifetime is measured using 9.0 fb(-1) of e+e- annihilation data collected on or just below the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the CLEO II.V detector at CESR. Using an unbinned maximum likelihood fit, the Lambda+c lifetime is measured to be 179.6+/-6.9(stat)+/-4.4(syst) fs. The precision of this colliding beam measurement is comparable to other measurements, which are based on fixed-target experiments, with different systematic uncertainties.
A diagnostic test is useful if it can provide information regarding the underlying pathophysiology, confirm a clinical suspicion, or guide clinical management. In a prospective study, anorectal manometry was shown not only to confirm a clinical impression, but also to provide new information that was not detected clinically. The information obtained from these studies influenced the management and outcome of patients with defecation disorders (Table 1). These findings have been confirmed further by another study that showed colorectal physiologic tests provided a definitive diagnosis in 75% of patients with constipation, 66% of patients with incontinence, and 42% of patients with intractable anorectal pain. A systematic and careful appraisal of anorectal function can provide invaluable information that can guide treatment of patients with anorectal disorders. A more uniform method of performing these tests and interpreting the results is needed to facilitate a wider use of this technology for the assessment of patients with anorectal disorders.
The relationships between gastric wall motion and intraluminal pressure are believed to be major determinants of flows within and from the stomach. Gastric antral wall motion and intraluminal pressures were monitored in five healthy subjects by concurrent antropyloroduodenal manometry and transabdominal ultrasound for 60 min after subjects drank 500 ml of clear soup. We found that 99% of antral contractions detected by ultrasound were propagated aborally, and 68% of contractions became lumen occlusive at the site of the ultrasound marker. Of the 203 contractions detected by ultrasound, 53% were associated with pressure events in the manometric reference channel; 86% of contractions had corresponding pressure events detectable somewhere in the antrum. Contractions that occluded the lumen were more likely to be associated with a pressure event in the manometric reference channel (P < 0.01) and to be of greater amplitude (P < 0.01) than non-lumen-occlusive contractions. We conclude that heterogeneous pressure event patterns in the antrum occur despite a stereotyped pattern of contraction propagation seen on ultrasound. Lumen occlusion is more likely to be associated with higher peak antral pressure events.
Animal studies demonstrate that nizatidine, an H2-receptor inhibitor, may enhance colonic activity independent of its effect on acid secretion. The effect of nizatidine on human colonic motility is unknown. We evaluated the potential prokinetic property of nizatidine in 12 healthy subjects (10 men and 2 women, age 21-46 years). Each subject received either nizatidine (600 mg), famotidine (80 mg, a H2-receptor inhibitor used as a control), or a placebo, on separate days in randomized order at least 3 days apart. Following an overnight fast, a three-lumen catheter fitted with a stimulus balloon and two barostat bags was placed in the descending colon. The gastrocolonic response was tested by antral balloon inflation and the colonic peristaltic reflex was evaluated by colonic distension. Changes in colonic motility were assessed by volume changes in the barostat bags. Antral distension evoked volume-dependent increases in colonic motility, maximal at a 300-ml inflation, as demonstrated by a reduced bag volume. Nizatidine enhanced colonic motility in response to antral distension at 200 and 300 ml, compared with famotidine and placebo. Colonic distension evoked volume-dependent increases in colonic motility proximal to the stimulus balloon. Compared with famotidine and placebo, nizatidine enhanced the ascending and descending contractile limbs of the peristaltic reflex but did not affect relaxation distal to the balloon. In conclusion, nizatidine enhanced the gastrocolonic response and the colonic peristaltic reflex in healthy subjects. Further research on the prokinetic action of nizatidine in the colon may lead to novel treatments for idiopathic constipation.
We report results of searches for charmless hadronic B meson decays to pseudoscalar( pi(+/-), K+/-, pi(0), or K(0)(S))-vector( rho, K(*), or omega) final states. By using 9.7x10(6) BB pairs collected with the CLEO detector, we report the first observation of B(-)--->pi(-)rho(0), B(0)-->pi(+/-)rho(-/+), and B(-)-->pi(-)omega, which are expected to be dominated by hadronic b-->u transitions. The measured branching fractions are (10.4(+3.3)(-3.4)+/-2.1)x10(-6), (27.6(+8.4)(-7.4)+/-4.2)x10(-6), and (11.3(+3.3)(-2.9)+/-1. 4)x10(-6), respectively. Branching fraction upper limits are set for all of the other decay modes investigated.