bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cervical Lactobacillus and leukocyte infiltration in preterm premature rupture of membranes
Authors: Silva M.G. , Peraçoli J.C. , Sadatsune T. , Abreu E.S. , Peraçoli M.T.S.
Published: April 2003

Objectives: To evaluate the possible association between microorganisms present in the cervical secretions and amniotic fluid of pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and histologic chorioamnionitis. Methods: Thirty‐seven pregnant women with PPROM and 21 healthy pregnant women were studied. Secretions from the cervical canal and amniotic fluid were collected to isolate microorganisms present in the genital tract. Cervical smears were Gram stained and evaluated microscopically. At delivery, chorioamniotic membranes were collected for histopathologic analysis. Results: Microscopic examination of the cervical secretion smears obtained from the PPROM group showed a low rate of Lactobacillus species, large numbers of leukocytes, and a wide diversity of microorganisms compared with the control group. The PPROM group presented an 80% rate of chorioamnionitis. Staphylococcus aureus isolation in cervical secretion was associated with intense inflammatory infiltrate in the membranes and might play a role in the pathogenesis of PPROM. Conclusions: The low colonization of cervical flora by Lactobacillus species associated with an intense leukocyte infiltrate detected in Gram‐stained cervical smears can be considered a rapid method of detecting chorioamnionitis in pregnant women with PPROM.
Vulvar vestibulitis treated by modified vestibulectomy
Authors: Kehoe Sean , Luesley David
Published: April 2003

Objective: A prospective study to evaluate the success of a modified vestibulectomy in treating vulvar vestibulitis. Methods: Fifty seven consecutive women with vulvar vestibulitis and suitable for surgery based on the criteria: superficial dyspareunia, erythematous vestibular region, positive Q‐tip test, symptoms reduced with local anesthetic cream. A modified vestibulectomy with or without a modified Fentons procedure was performed. Response was based on return to normal coitus, 3 months after surgery. Results: Most women suffered from chronic conditions (median duration of symptoms=18 months). The median age was 28 years (range 18–53). Any infections were treated prior to surgery. All but 4 (7%) had histological abnormalities, mainly non‐specific inflammation. In 18% of women who had cervical cytology some abnormality was detected. Mean follow‐up time was 12 months (range 2–42). Three women were not evaluable. Complete response to surgery was achieved in 33 (61.1%) of the women, partial response was achieved in 15 (27.8%). Six (11.1%) had persistent symptoms, four of whom has psychosexual problems. Conclusion: Presently, surgery remains the most successful intervention for vulvar vestibulitis. Modified surgery which is less destructive seems to afford acceptable results. The completion of randomized studies are needed to recognise the optimum surgical procedure.
Multiple hepatocellular adenomas in a patient with a history of oral contraception
Authors: Caballes R.L , Caballes R.A
Published: April 2003

We report a previously undescribed association between multiple hepatocellular adenomas and the use of oral contraceptives in a 29‐year‐old woman. She underwent trisegmentectomy, with 90% of the liver resected. Based on the rather large size of some of the adenomas at the time of diagnosis, most likely, the lesions were already present years before they were discovered. The liver was fully regenerated 6 months after surgery. Four years later, multiple adenomas recurred. During work‐up for a liver transplant, she was found to have cryptococcal meningitis and pneumohydrocephalus which caused her demise.
Three dimensional volume measurement of the cervix during pregnancy compared to conventional 2D‐sonography
Authors: Hoesli I.M , Surbek D.V , Tercanli S , Holzgreve W
Published: April 2003

Objective: To compare the three dimensional (3D) volume assessment of the cervix with the conventional two‐dimensional cervical length measurement in a low and a high risk group for cervical incompetence. Methods: In an observational study, we investigated a group A of low risk pregnancies (no preterm contractions, no vaginal bleeding or vaginal infections and no history of preterm delivery) and a group B of high risk pregnancies (preterm contractions or PROM). All patients underwent a transvaginal ultrasound investigation with a 7.5 MHz probe using a three‐dimensional ultrasound system (Combison 530, Kretztechnik, Austria). After measuring the cervical length, the internal os and the funneling with the B‐mode, 3D‐volume was recorded twice by the same investigator using the same machine. Since 2D‐length measurement of the cervix has been established to be predictive for spontaneous preterm delivery, we wanted to test whether 3D‐volume assessment has a better discriminative power to differentiate a high‐risk from a low‐risk group. Therefore the 2D and 3D measurements (mm, resp. cm3) were compared between patient groups A and B using the two tailed Student t‐test and Fisher's Exact test. Results: In 2D cervical length measurement the mean cervical length in group A was significantly longer than in group B: 41.1±8.61 mm and 27.77±10.42 mm, P=0.00000017. In 3D‐sonography the mean cervical volume was larger in group A, but the difference compared to group B was not significant: 47.71±18.38 mm and 39.90±12.57 mm, P=0.07. Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis cervical length measurement therefore was superior to cervical volume measurement assessed by 3D ultrasound for identifying women with increased risk of spontaneous preterm delivery. This may be due to the larger distribution of measurement values in the 3D group.
Influence of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation on the climate of the Sierra Nevada, California and Nevada
Authors: Benson Larry , Linsley Braddock , Smoot Joe , Mensing Scott , Lund Steve , Stine Scott , Sarna-Wojcicki Andre
Published: April 2003

Mono Lake sediments have recorded five major oscillations in the hydrologic balance between A.D. 1700 and 1941. These oscillations can be correlated with tree-ring-based oscillations in Sierra Nevada snowpack. Comparison of a tree-ring-based reconstruction of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) index (D’Arrigo et al., 2001) with a coral-based reconstruction of Subtropical South Pacific sea-surface temperature (Linsley et al., 2000) indicates a high degree of correlation between the two records during the past 300 yr. This suggests that the PDO has been a pan-Pacific phenomena for at least the past few hundred years. Major oscillations in the hydrologic balance of the Sierra Nevada correspond to changes in the sign of the PDO with extreme droughts occurring during PDO maxima. Four droughts centered on A.D. 1710, 1770, 1850, and 1930 indicate PDO-related drought reoccurrence intervals ranging from 60 to 80 yr.
Czech Privatization and Corporate Governance
Authors: Palda Kristian
Published: April 2003

The rapid privatization of the Czech economy has contributed to its first rank in the economic performance of the post-communist countries. The claim that 75 per cent of its GDP originates in the private sector may, however, be only formally true. Many of the voucher-privatized former state-owned enterprises and financial institutions are still influenced through core stakes in their share capital by the Fund of National Property and by their mutual interdependence. This article concludes that full privatization will likely be attained through a hybrid of German and American corporate governance systems.
Restitution of Private Property: Re-privatization in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Kozminski Andrzej K.
Published: April 2003

The article deals with the relatively little researched problem of the restitution of property confiscated by the communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe, After the fall of communism, new democratic governments and parliaments were faced with the problem of compensating former owners. This problem has practical aspects related to investors' confidence, as well as moral, symbolic, and emotional ones. Quite often it becomes a pawn in the political game. Legislation adopted and proposed in the key countries of the region is examined and compared. The political, economic, and institutional context of re-privatization is analysed. From the point of view of the key objectives of property restitution, the different re-privatization formulas, practised throughout the region, are assessed.
Political Parties and Ideological Spaces in East Central Europe
Authors: Markowski Radoslaw
Published: April 2003

This article analyzes the structuring of party systems of four East Central European countries. At the outset an assumption is proposed that the region is by no means homogeneous (as is often treated) but exhibits different levels of ideological articulation and party formation. First, we concentrate on the left-right ideological identities and its' attitudinal-issue correlates as well as the social roots of left-right ideological orientations. The main part deals with socio-political attitudes as predictors of ideological orientations, both on mass and elite level. The results indicate different levels of ideological structuration and political divisions of the party systems in Eastern Europe, which are explained not only by socio-economic factors, but mainly by varying experiences of pre-communist rule, communist governance and pathways to democracy.
Ethnicity, Ideology and Geopolitics in Crimea
Authors: Dawson Jane I.
Published: April 2003

This paper considers the ethnic, ideological, and geopolitical crises that have engulfed the Crimean peninsula since 1991 and provides a preliminary explanation for the region's success in averting violent conflict to date. Focusing on the role of political entrepreneurs in mobilizing key social constituencies, it argues that the failure of competing elites to correctly identify and skillfully manipulate existing ethnic, ideological, and geopolitical cleavages in society significantly limited the effectiveness of their mobilizational appeals. The existence of cross-cutting cleavages and the failure of political entrepreneurs to bring these cleavages into alignment have played a central role in deterring violent conflict in the region.
Regional Governors and the Kremlin: the Ongoing Battle for Power
Authors: Tolz Vera , Busygina Irina
Published: April 2003

This article examines the relationship between heads of regional administrations (governors) and the federal government in Russia since 1992. It looks at the methods with which governors have enhanced their powers vis-a-vis Moscow and at the policies of the federal authorities aimed at preserving some form of control over regional officials. The article argues that the gubernatorial elections of September 1996–March 1997, which gave almost all governors a popular mandate, will not considerably change the balance of power in center-periphery relations, despite fears to this effect among members of the Presidential Administration.
The CDC 2002 Guidelines for the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Implications for Women's Health Care
Authors: Scharbo‐DeHaan Marianne , Anderson Donna G.
Published: April 2003

Persons rely on health care providers to make diagnostic and therapeutic decisions based on the most current information. With areas of practice changing rapidly, providers are challenged to keep abreast of new and changing treatment guidelines. The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2002 Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Treatment Guidelines provide clinical guidance in the appropriate assessment and management of STDs. This article reviews recent changes in the STD Treatment Guidelines for the most common disease entities and their sequelae encountered by women's health practitioners. The changes noted in this article include new screening recommendations, use of new diagnostics, new treatment algorithms, and changes in therapeutic regimens.
Directionality of Affective Priming: Effects of Trait Anxiety and Activation Level
Authors: Maier Markus A. , Berner Michael P. , Pekrun Reinhard
Published: April 2003

Abstract. Among the most influential models of automatic affective processing is the spreading activation account ( Fazio, Sanbonmatsu, Powell, & Kardes, 1986 ). However, investigations of this model by different research groups using the pronunciation task in an affective priming paradigm yielded contradictory results. Whereas one research group reported congruency effects, another obtained reversed priming effects (contrast effects), and still another found null effects. In Experiment 1, we were able to show an influence of trait anxiety on the direction of the affective priming effect. By using a multiple priming paradigm in Experiment 2, we were able to link the occurrence of reversed priming effects to increased levels of activation of affective representations. We propose that this relation might underlie the influence of trait anxiety on the direction of affective priming effects. Both experiments indicate that automatic evaluation in an affective network is substantially moderated by personality traits and activation level.
Endocannabinoids as mediators in the heart: a potential target for therapy of remodelling after myocardial infarction?
Authors: Hiley C Robin , Ford William R
Published: April 2003

Endocannabinoid production by platelets and macrophages is increased in circulatory shock. This may be protective of the cardiovascular system as blockade of CB1 cannabinoid receptors exacerbates endothelial dysfunction in haemorrhagic and endotoxin shock and reduces survival. Now evidence suggests that blockade of CB1 receptors starting 24 h after myocardial infarction in rats has a deleterious effect on cardiac performance, while use of a nonselective cannabinoid receptor agonist prevents hypotension and reduces endothelial dysfunction, although left ventricular end diastolic pressure is elevated. Cannabinoids and endocannabinoid systems may therefore present useful targets for therapy following myocardial infarction.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 138, 1183–1184. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705155
CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonism promotes remodeling and cannabinoid treatment prevents endothelial dysfunction and hypotension in rats with myocardial infarction
Authors: Wagner Jens A , Hu Kai , Karcher Jan , Bauersachs Johann , Schäfer Andreas , Laser Martin , Han Hong , Ertl Georg
Published: April 2003

To study the long‐term effects of altered cannabinoid receptor activity on myocardial and vascular function, Wistar rats were treated with the selective CB1 antagonist AM‐251 (0.5 mg kg−1 d−1), the potent synthetic cannabinoid HU‐210 (50 μg kg−1 d−1) or vehicle for 12 weeks after coronary artery ligation or sham operation.

AM‐251 further reduced the pressure‐generating capacity, shifted the pressure volume curve to the right (P<0.05) and increased the left‐ventricular operating volume (AM‐251: 930±40 μl vs control: 820±40 μl vs HU‐210: 790±50 μl; P<0.05) in rats with large myocardial infarction (MI).

Left‐ventricular CB1 immunoactivity in rats 12 weeks after large MI was unaltered as compared with noninfarcted hearts.

Cannabinoid receptor activation through HU‐210, a cannabinoid that alters cardiovascular parameters via CB1 receptors, increased the left‐ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP, P<0.05). However, it prevented the drop in left‐ventricular systolic pressure (HU‐210: 142±5 mm Hg; P<0.05 vs control: 124±3 mm Hg; and P<0.001 vs AM‐251: 114±3 mm Hg) and prevented endothelial dysfunction (ED) in aortic rings of rats with large MI (P<0.05).

Compared with AM‐251, HU‐210 prevented the decline in the maximal rate of rise of left‐ventricular pressure and the maximum pressure‐generating ability (P<0.05). In rats with small MI, HU‐210 increased cardiac index (P<0.01) and lowered the total peripheral resistance (P<0.05).

The study shows that during the development of congestive heart failure post‐large MI, cannabinoid treatment increases LVEDP and prevents hypotension and ED. Presumed CB1 antagonism promotes remodeling despite unchanged myocardial CB1 expression.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 138, 1251–1258. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705156
Evidence for cross‐talk between M2 and M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the regulation of second messenger and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase signalling pathways in Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Hornigold David C , Mistry Rajendra , Raymond Pamela D , Blank Jonathan L , John Challiss R A
Published: April 2003

We have examined possible mechanisms of cross‐talk between the Gq/11‐linked M3 muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh) receptor and the Gi/o‐linked M2 mACh receptor by stable receptor coexpression in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. A number of second messenger (cyclic AMP, Ins(1,4,5)P3) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (ERK and JNK) responses stimulated by the mACh receptor agonist methacholine were examined in CHO‐m2m3 cells and compared to those stimulated in CHO‐m2 and CHO‐m3 cell‐lines, expressing comparable levels of M2 or M3 mACh receptors.

Based on comparisons between cell‐lines and pertussis toxin (PTx) pretreatment to eliminate receptor‐Gi/o coupling, evidence was obtained for (i) an M2 mACh receptor‐mediated contribution to the predominantly M3 mACh receptor‐mediated Ins(1,4,5)P3 response and (ii) a facilitation of the inhibitory effect of M2 mACh receptor on forskolin‐stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation by M3 mACh receptor coactivation at low agonist concentrations (MCh 10−9–10−6 M).

The most profound cross‐talk effects were observed with respect to ERK activation. Thus, while MCh stimulated ERK activation in both CHO‐m2 and CHO‐m3 cells (pEC50 values: 5.64±0.09 and 5.57±0.16, respectively), the concentration–effect relation was approx 50‐fold left‐shifted in CHO‐m2m3 cells (pEC50: 7.17±0.07). In addition, the ERK response was greater and more sustained in CHO‐m2m3 cells. In contrast, only minor differences were seen in the time‐courses and concentration‐dependencies of JNK activation in CHO‐m3 and CHO‐m2m3 cells.

Costimulation of endogenous P2Y2 purinoceptors also caused an approx 10‐fold left‐shift in the MCh‐stimulated ERK response in CHO‐m2 cells, suggesting that the Gq/11/Gi/o interaction to affect ERK activation is not specific to muscarinic receptors.

PTx pretreatment of cells had unexpected effects on ERK activation by MCh in both CHO‐m2m3 and CHO‐m3 cells. Thus, in CHO‐m3 cells PTx pretreatment caused a marked left‐shift in the MCh concentration–effect curve, while in PTx‐treated CHO‐m2m3 cells the maximal responsiveness was decreased, but the potency of MCh was only slightly affected.

The data presented here strongly suggest that cross‐talk between M2 and M3 mACh receptors occurs at the level of both second messenger and ERK regulation. Further, these data provide novel insights into the involvement of Gi/o proteins in both positive and negative modulation of ERK responses evoked by G protein‐coupled receptors.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 138, 1340–1350. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705178
Superior Haptic Perceptual Selectivity in Late-Blind and Very-Low-Vision Subjects
Authors: Heller Morton A , Wilson Kathy , Steffen Heather , Yoneyama Keiko , Brackett Deneen D
Published: April 2003

Blindfolded sighted, congenitally blind, late-blind, and very-low-vision subjects were tested on a tangible version of the embedded-figures test. The results of ANOVAs on accuracy measures yielded superior performance by the very-low-vision and late-blind subjects compared with the blindfolded sighted and congenitally blind participants. Accuracy of the congenitally blind subjects was similar to that of the blindfolded sighted participants. However, all groups of blind subjects were significantly faster than the blindfolded sighted subjects. It is suggested that experience with pictures combined with haptic skill aid perceptual selectivity in touch.
Breast cancer and serum organochlorine residues
Authors: Charlier C , Albert A , Herman P , Hamoir E , Gaspard U , Meurisse M , Plomteux G
Published: April 2003

Background:Controversy still exists about the breast carcinogenic properties in humans of environmental xenoestrogens (organochlorines), justifying new investigations.

Aims:To compare the blood levels of total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in samples collected at the time of breast cancer discovery, in order to avoid the potential consequences of body weight change (after chemotherapy or radiotherapy) on the pesticide residue levels.

Methods:Blood levels of HCB and total DDT (we calculated total DDT concentrations by adding all DDT and DDE isomers) were compared in 159 women with breast cancer and 250 presumably healthy controls. Risk of breast cancer associated with organochlorine concentration was evaluated.

Results:Mean levels of total DDT and HCB were significantly higher for breast cancer patients than for controls. No differences in serum levels of total DDT or HCB were found between oestrogen receptor positive and oestrogen receptor negative patients with breast cancer.

Conclusions:These results add to the growing evidence that certain persistent pollutants may occur in higher concentrations in blood samples from breast cancer patients than controls.
Increased mortality odds ratio of male liver cancer in a community contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons in groundwater
Authors: Lee L J-H , Chung C-W , Ma Y-C , Wang G-S , Chen P-C , Hwang Y-H , Wang J-D
Published: April 2003

Aims:To investigate the association between cancer mortality risk and exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons in groundwater of a downstream community near a contaminated site.

Methods:Death certificates inclusive for the years 1966–97 were collected from two villages in the vicinity of an electronics factory operated between 1970 and 1992. These two villages were classified into the downstream (exposed) village and the upstream (unexposed) according to groundwater flow direction. Exposure classification was validated by the contaminant levels in 49 residential wells measured with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Mortality odds ratios (MORs) for cancer were calculated with cardiovascular-cerebrovascular diseases as the reference diseases. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to estimate the effects of exposure and period after adjustment for age.

Results:Increased MORs were observed among males for all cancer, and liver cancer for the periods after 10 years of latency, namely, 1980–89, and 1990–97. Adjusted MOR for male liver cancer was 2.57 (95% confidence interval 1.21 to 5.46) with a significant linear trend for the period effect.

Conclusion:The results suggest a link between exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons and male liver cancer risk. However, the conclusion is limited by lack of individual information on groundwater exposure and potential confounding factors.
PHYSICAL MECHANISMS GENERATING SPONTANEOUS SYMMETRY BREAKING AND A HIERARCHY OF SCALES
Authors: CONSOLI M. , STEVENSON P. M.
Published: April 2003

We discuss the phase transition in (3+1)-dimensional λΦ4 theory from a very physical perspective. The particles of the symmetric phase ("phions") interact via a hard-core repulsion and an induced, long-range -1/r3 attraction. If the phion mass is sufficiently small, the lowest-energy state is not the "empty" state with no phions, but is a state with a nonzero density of phions Bose–Einstein condensed in the zero-momentum mode. The condensate corresponds to the spontaneous-symmetry-breaking vacuum with <Φ> ≠ 0 and its excitations ("phonons" in atomic physics language) correspond to Higgs particles. The phase transition happens when the phion's physical mass m is still positive; it does not wait until m2 passes through zero and becomes negative. However, at and near the phase transition, m is much, much less than the Higgs mass Mh. This interesting physics coexists with "triviality;" all scattering amplitudes vanish in the continuum limit, but the vacuum condensate becomes infinitely dense. The ratio [Formula: see text], which goes to zero in the continuum limit, can be viewed as a measure of nonlocality in the regularized theory. An intricate hierarchy of length scales naturally arises. We speculate about the possible implications of these ideas for gravity and inflation.
THE SCHRÖDINGER REPRESENTATION FOR FERMIONS AND A LOCAL EXPANSION OF THE SCHWINGER MODEL
Authors: NOLLAND DAVID , MANSFIELD PAUL
Published: April 2003

We discuss the functional representation of fermions, and obtain exact expressions for wave-functionals of the Schwinger model. Known features of the model such as bosonization and the vacuum angle arise naturally. Contrary to expectations, the vacuum wave-functional does not simplify at large distances, but it may be reconstructed as a large time limit of the Schrödinger functional, which has an expansion in local terms. The functional Schrödinger equation reduces to a set of algebraic equations for the coefficients of these terms. These ideas generalize to a numerical approach to QCD in higher dimensions.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT REGULATORS IN THE NONLOCAL FIELD–ANTIFIELD QUANTIZATION
Authors: ABREU EVERTON M. C.
Published: April 2003

Recently it was shown how to regularize the Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) field–antifield formalism of quantization of gauge theories with the nonlocal regularization (NLR) method. The objective of this work is to make an analysis of the behavior of this NLR formalism, connected to the BV framework, using two different regulators: a simple second order differential regulator and a Fujikawa-like regulator. This analysis has been made in the light of the well-known fact that different regulators can generate different expressions for anomalies that are related by a local counterterm, or that are equivalent after a reparametrization. This has been done by computing precisely the anomaly of the chiral Schwinger model.
GAUGE CONSISTENT WILSON RENORMALIZATION GROUP I: THE ABELIAN CASE
Authors: SIMIONATO M.
Published: April 2003

A version of the Exact Renormalization Group Equation consistent with gauge symmetry is presented. A discussion of its regularization and renormalization is given. The relation with the Callan–Symanzik equation is clarified.
HEAVY QUARKS AND TAU
Authors: Thaler Jon J
Published: April 2003

I present some recent experimental results on τ, charm, and bottom physics. CVC test and Michel parameters of the τ; [Formula: see text] mixing and fDs; and fB, Nc, η'K, ππ and Kπ, Vcb and Vub, lifetime and mixing, and CP violation searches in B decays.
STATE OF THE UNIFICATION ADDRESS
Authors: DUFF M. J.
Published: April 2003

After reviewing how M-theory subsumes string theory, I report broadly on some new and interesting developments, focusing on the "brane world": circumventing no-go theorems for supersymmetric brane-worlds, complementarity of the Maldacena and Randall-Sundrum pictures; self-tuning of the cosmological constant. I conclude with the top ten unsolved problems.
Review of Parton Distributions and Implications for the Tevatron and the LHC
Authors: HUSTON JOEY
Published: April 2003

This talk is intended to serve as a pedagogical guide on the determination of, the proper use of, and the uncertainties of parton distribution functions and their impact on physics cross sections at the Tevatron and LHC. A longer writeup of this talk is available at .
DOUBLE DIFFRACTION DISSOCIATION IN $\bar pp$ COLLISIONS AT THE FERMILAB TEVATRON
Authors:   (for the CDF Collaboration), CONVERY M. E.
Published: April 2003

We present results from a study of double diffraction dissociation in [Formula: see text] collisions at the Fermilab Tevatron performed by the CDF Collaboration. The production cross section for events with a central pseudorapidity gap (overlapping η = 0) of width Δη0 > 3 is found to be [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. Our results are compared with previous measurements and with predictions based on Regge theory and factorization.
STUDY OF ZZ PRODUCTION AT LEP AT $\sqrt{s} =183 -209\, {\rm GeV}$
Authors: PÁSZTOR GABRIELLA
Published: April 2003

A study of Z boson pair production in e + e - annihilation using the OPAL detector at LEP is reported . The ZZ production cross-section is measured, limits on anomalous ZZ γ and ZZZ couplings are derived, and constraints on models of low scale quantum gravity in extra spatial dimensions are set.
MEASUREMENT OF THE CROSS SECTION RATIOS AND FORWARD-BACKWARD ASYMMETRIES OF FLAVOUR TAGGED EVENTS WITH THE DELPHI DETECTOR AT LEP 2
Authors: LIEBIG WOLFGANG
Published: April 2003

In this paper preliminary results of the cross-section ratio [Formula: see text] and the forward-backward asymmetry [Formula: see text] are presented for [Formula: see text] final states produced in the reaction [Formula: see text]. They are measured with the DELPHI detector at LEP collision energies ranging from 183 up to a maximum of 209 GeV. Lifetime and secondary vertex information provided by DELPHI's 3-layer microvertex detector are the main ingredients of a tagging variable which is used to separate the quark flavours. High purity selections are made from which Rf and [Formula: see text] are measured. The compatibility of the results with the Standard Model expectations is evaluated.
FOUR FERMION NEUTRAL CURRENT EVENTS WITH THE DELPHI DETECTOR AT LEP
Authors:   on behalf of the DELPHI Collaboration, GRAZIANA ENRICO
Published: April 2003

Results on the measurements of the four fermion final states originating from neutral current processes, in the data sample collected by the DELPHI detector at centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 208 GeV are presented. The measurements cover a wide range of the possible four fermion configurations: purely leptonic (llll), hadronic and leptonic (llqq, ννqq), purely hadronic (qqqq). On shell Z0Z0 and Z0γ* contributions are individually estimated.
A STUDY OF $B^0\bar B^0$ OSCILLATIONS WITH FULLY RECONSTRUCTED B MESONS WITH THE BABAR DETECTOR
Authors:   for the BABAR Collaboration, RAHATLOU SHAHRAM
Published: April 2003

Time-dependent [Formula: see text] flavor oscillations are studied in e+e- annihilation data collected with the BABAR detector at center-of-mass energies near the ϒ(4S) resonance. We report a preliminary result for the time-dependent [Formula: see text] oscillations frequency, Δmd=0.512±0.017±0.022 ℏ ps -1.
Results on B to Charmonia Decays from CLEO
Authors: GAO YONGSHENG
Published: April 2003

We review some recent results on B to charmonia decays from CLEO based on 9.7 × 106[Formula: see text] pairs collected with the CLEO detector. These include measurements of [Formula: see text] and J/ ψ π0 branching fractions, search for direct CP violation in B± → J/ψ K± and ψ(2S)K±, observation of B → ηcK, study of χc1, χc2 production and measurement of [Formula: see text].
RARE B MESON DECAYS WITHOUT CHARM FROM BELLE
Authors:   Belle Collaboration, CASEY BRENDAN C. K.
Published: April 2003

We report preliminary results on searches for radiative and charmless hadronic B meson decay modes using 5.27 million [Formula: see text] pairs recorded on the ϒ(4S) resonance by the Belle experiment at KEKB. Both inclusive b → sγ and exclusive B → K*γ modes are observed and limits are set on the ratio B → ργ/ B→ K*γ. We see evidence for the [Formula: see text] mode B+ → ϕ K+, and several pseudo-scalar + pseudo-scalar modes. Significant signals are observed in the K+ π-, K+ π0, and K0π0 modes. We see evidence for the K0π+, π+π-, and π+ π0 modes however, the significance is small. No signal is observed in either the K+K- or K0K+ modes.
Rare B meson decays to charmed final states at Belle $(B\to D^{(*)} K^-, B^0\to D^+_s \pi^-)$
Authors:   Belle Collaboration , Belle, KEK, Oho 1-1, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken Japan, Zheng Yangheng
Published: April 2003

We report observations of the Cabibbo-suppressed decays B→ D(*)K and an upper limit for the decay branching fraction for [Formula: see text] using a 5.3fb-1 data sample accumulated at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- asymmetric collider.
$\Lambda^+_c$ PRODUCTION, DECAY, AND LIFETIME RESULTS AT CLEO
Authors:   For the CLEO Collaboration., HART TERRY
Published: April 2003

Production, decay, and lifetime measurements of the [Formula: see text] are presented by the CLEO collaboration using e+e- annihilation data collected on or just below the ϒ(4S) resonance at CESR. These measurements provide insight into the dynamics of heavy-quark production and decay.
A HIGH STATISTICS MEASUREMENT OF Ξc LIFETIMES
Authors:   For the E831/FOCUS Collaboration., RAMIREZ JUAN EDUARDO
Published: April 2003

Preliminary results of the charm-strange baryon lifetimes from the FOCUS experiment at Fermilab are presented. The [Formula: see text] lifetime is determined to be 0.440±0.031 ps and the [Formula: see text] lifetime to be 0.124±0.013 ps. The systematic errors are still under review.
DIRECT CP VIOLATION SEARCHES AT FOCUS
Authors:   For the FOCUS Collaboration., O'REILLY BRIAN
Published: April 2003

We report on searches for direct CP violation in the hadronic decays of charmed mesons. Results for the decay modes D0→K+ K-, D0→π+π- and D+→K+K-π+ are presented as are preliminary results for the decays [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
IMPROVED BOUNDS ON THE TAU MAGNETIC MOMENTS
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-SPRINBERG GABRIEL A. , SANTAMARIA ARCADI , VIDAL JORGE
Published: April 2003

New limits on the tau magnetic couplings to the photon, the Z and the W bosons are obtained from the most general effective Lagrangian. Model independent bounds are set using data for tau pair production and W decay into tau leptons at LEP1, LEP2, SLD and hadron colliders. For the anomalous magnetic moment the bounds are, for the first time, of the order of magnitude of the standard model prediction.
Precision Tau and Electron Neutral Current Asymmetry Measurements from the Tau Polarization at OPAL
Authors:   For the OPAL Collaboration., Graham Kevin
Published: April 2003

A measurement of the τ lepton polarization and forward-backward asymmetry near the Z0 resonance using the OPAL detector is described. The measurement is based on analysis of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], τ → π (K) ντ, τ → ρ ντ and τ → a1 ντ decays from a sample of 144, 810 e + e - → τ+ τ- candidates corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 151 pb-1. Assuming that the τ lepton decays according to V - A theory, we measure the average τ polarization near [Formula: see text] to be  = (-14.11 ± 0.73 ± 0.56)% and the τ polarization forward-backward asymmetry to be [Formula: see text], where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. These results are consistent with the hypothesis of lepton universality and, within the context of the Standard Model, combine to produce [Formula: see text].
FIRST MEASUREMENT OF THE CP-VIOLATING ASYMMETRIES WITH BABAR
Authors:   For the BABAR Collaboration., KOLOMENSKY YURY G.
Published: April 2003

We report on a preliminary measurement of time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] decays recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B Factory at SLAC. The data sample consisted of 9.0 fb-1 collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance and 0.8 fb-1 off-resonance. One of the pair of neutral B mesons produced at the ϒ(4S) was fully reconstructed, while the flavor of the other neutral B meson was tegged at the time of its decay. The value of the asymmetry amplitude, sin 2β, was determined from a maximum likelihood fit to the time distribution of 120 tegged candidates to be sin 2β=0.12±0.37( stat. )± 0.09( syst. ) (preliminary).
Study of ${\rm B^0_s}$ oscillations and measurement of the inclusive b semileptonic branching ratio in ALEPH
Authors: SCIABÀ ANDREA
Published: April 2003

An improved search for [Formula: see text] oscillations is performed on b hadron decays collected by the ALEPH experiment during 1991-1995 with three analyses, using respectively an inclusive sample of semileptonic b decays, a sample of [Formula: see text] events and a sample of fully reconstructed [Formula: see text] decays. This update results in a significant improvement over previously published results.

A precise measurement of the inclusive semileptonic b branching ratio is performed, by exploiting the correlation between the lepton charge and an inclusive charge estimator in the opposite hemisphere, thus allowing to reduce the dependence on the b-decay modelling.
Results on Inclusive and Semileptonic B decays from Belle
Authors:   The Belle collaboration , Belle, KEK, Oho 1-1, Tsukuba Japan, Nam J. W.
Published: April 2003

We report on studies of inclusive and semileptonic B decay from Belle. The measurement of branching ratios of exclusive semileptonic B decays [Formula: see text] and inclusive B→π0X and the momentum spectrum of neutral pions are presented.
SEARCH FOR KL→π0μ±e∓
Authors:   FOR THE KTEV COLLABORATION., BELLAVANCE ANGELA
Published: April 2003

The KTeV experiment (Kaons at the TeVatron) at Fermilab studies CP violating and other rare kaon decays, including the search for the lepton-flavor violating mode KL→π0μ±e∓. KTeV has obtained a new, preliminary branching ratio limit of BR(KL→π0μ±e∓)<4.40×10-10.
RARE HYPERON AND KAON DECAYS FROM HYPERCP
Authors:   For the HyperCP (Fermilab E871) Collaboration: A. Chan, Y. C. Chen, C. Ho, J. Shen, P. K. Teng, C. Yu, Z. Yu Academia Sinica); W. S. Choong, G. Gidal, T. D. Jones, K. B. Luk, P. Zyla (Berkeley/LBNL); M. Crisler, C. James, J. Volk (Fermilab); J. Felix, G. Moreno, M. Sosa (Guanajuato); R. A. Burnstein, A. Chakravorty, D. M. Kaplan, L. M. Lederman, W. Luebke, D. Rajaram, H. A. Rubin, C. G. White, S. L. White (IIT); N. Leros, J.-P Perround (Lausanne); H. R. Gustafson, M. Longo, F. Lopez, H. K. Park (Michigan);, White Christopher G.
Published: April 2003

Over 120 terabytes of data were collected during the 1997 and 1999 runs of Fermilab E871 (HyperCP). From these data we expect to reconstruct more than 1 billion cascade hyperon decays, 100 million charged kaon decays, and 10 million omega hyperon decays. These data provide new sensitivity to lepton number violation in hyperon decays, and independent confirmation of the flavor changing neutral current decay of a charged kaon to a pion and two muons.
TOWARD A NEUTRINO MASS MATRIX
Authors: CAHILL KEVIN
Published: April 2003

One may identify the general properties of the neutrino mass matrix by generating many random mass matrices and testing them against the results of the neutrino experiments.
First Solar Neutrino Observations from SNO
Authors:   For the SNO Collaboration., Neubauer Mark S.
Published: April 2003

The first solar neutrino observations from the Sudbury Neutrino Obervatory are presented. SNO is a water Cerenkov detector which uses heavy water (D2O) as both the interaction and detection medium. Based on the angular distribution of events with respect to the solar direction and the radial and energy distribution of events in the detector, it is concluded that data in the region of interest is dominated by 8 B solar neutrinos detected via the charged current and elastic scattering reactions.
NEW RESULTS ON ATMOSPHERIC NEUTRINOS FROM SOUDAN 2
Authors:   For the Soudan-2 Collaboration., Sanchez Mayly
Published: April 2003

We present atmospheric neutrino data from a 5.1 fiducial kty exposure of the Soudan-2 iron tracking calorimeter. A determination of the oscillation parameters using the Feldman-Cousins method is reported.
SEARCH FOR CHARGINOS AND NEUTRALINOS WITH THE DELPHI DETECTOR AT LEP
Authors:   On behalf of the DELPHI collaboration., ALDERWEIRELD THOMAS
Published: April 2003

Search for charginos and neutralinos are presented, based on the data samples recorded in 1999 and 2000 by the DELPHI detector at centre-of-mass energies from 192 to 209 GeV. No evidence for a signal was found. The lower chargino mass limits are 5-6 GeV /c2 higher than those obtained at a centre-of-mass energy of 189 GeV. The (μ, M 2) MSSM domain excluded by combining the chargino searches with neutralino searches at the Z resonance implies a limit on the mass of the lightest neutralino which, for a heavy sneutrino, is constrained to be above 37.6 GeV /c2 for tan β≥1. Upper limit at 95% CL on the neutralino production cross-section times branching fraction are derived.
SEARCH FOR CHARGINOS AND NEUTRALINOS BY THE OPAL COLLABORATION AT LEP
Authors:   On behalf of the OPAL Collaboration., TRIGGER ISABEL
Published: April 2003

Searches for charginos and neutralinos predicted by supersymmetric theories, are performed using data taken at center-of-mass energies of up to 209 GeV. No significant excesses are found, so constraints are placed on the cross-section of possible chargino and neutralino production in electron-positron collisions.
SEARCH FOR SCALAR PARTNERS OF FERMIONS BY THE OPAL COLLABORATION AT LEP
Authors:   On behalf of the OPAL Collaboration., TRIGGER ISABEL
Published: April 2003

Search for scalar partners of fermions, predicted by supersymmetric theories, are performed using a data sample of about 520 pb -1 taken at center-of-mass energies in the range 183–209 GeV. As excess of candidates is found, cross-section limits are calculated.
A flavour-independent search for a hadronically decaying neutral Higgs bosons at LEP with the L3 detector
Authors: TEYSSIER DANIEL
Published: April 2003

General two Higgs doublet models allow for five scalar bosons, three of which being neutral. No signal is found in the data collected by the L3 detector in e+e- collisions at 189 – 202 GeV center-of-mass energies. Limits are set on the couplings of the h and A Higgs bosons to the Z boson.
Search for Large Extra Dimensions Using the DØ detector
Authors:   For the DØ Collaboration., Boehnlein Amber
Published: April 2003

We have searched for the effects of Kaluza Klein gravitons predicted in theories of large spatial extra dimensions (LED). Analyzing angular and invariant mass distributions of photon and electron pairs in 127 pb -1 of data, we find complete agreement with expectations from the Standard Model. There were no anomalous events found that are characteristic of virtual graviton exchange. We set lower limits on the compactification scale of large extra dimensions between 1.0 and 1.4 TeV for the number of extra dimensions between 2 and 7.
Search for Heavy Particles Decaying into Electron-Positron Pairs in $p{\bar p}$ Collisions
Authors:   For the DØ Collaboration., Miao Chyi-Chang
Published: April 2003

We present preliminary results of searches for technibadrons (ρT,ωT), and Z′ particles, using their decay into e+e-. The search is based on 124.8 pb -1 of data collected by the DØ detector at the Tevatron during 1992-1996. In the absence of a signal we set 95% CL upper limits on the production cross section and decay into e+e- as a function of the mass of the decaying particle. For certain model parameters, we exclude the existence of degenerate ρT and ωT states with masses below 207 GeV/c2. We exclude a Z′ with mass below 670 GeV/c2, assuming that the Z′ has the same couplings as the Z boson.
SEARCHES FOR EXOTIC PARTICLES IN e+ e- COLLISIONS WITH THE DELPHI DETECTOR
Authors:   On behalf of the DELPHI Collaboration., TOMÉ BERNARDO
Published: April 2003

Results of searches for exotic particles by the DELPHI collaboration at CERN are prented. Highlights from the searches for Flavor Changing Neutral Currents, Technicolor, Fermiophobic Higgs and Compositeness, in the LEP 2 data are shown. No evidence for new physics was found and the excluded regions of the parameter space for each model are presented.
SEARCH FOR NEW PHYSICS IN eμX DATA AT THE TEVATRON USING SLEUTH: A QUASI-MODEL-INDEPENDENT SEARCH STRATEGY FOR NEW PHYSICS
Authors:   For the DØ collaboration., KNUTESON BRUCE
Published: April 2003

We present a quasi-model-independent search for physics beyond the standard model. We define final states to be studied, and construct a rule that identifies a set of variables appropriate for any particular final state. A new algorithm ("Sleuth") searches for regions of excess in the space of those variables and quantifies the significance of any detected excess. After demonstrating the sensititvity of the method, we apply it to the semi-inclusive channel eμX collected in ≈108 pb -1 of [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] at the DØ experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron. We find no evidence of new high pT physics in this sample.
PROJECTIVE GROUP ALGEBRAS
Authors: CASALBUONI R.
Published: April 2003

In this paper we apply a recently proposed algebraic theory of integration to projective group algebras. These structures have received some attention in connection with the compactification of the M theory on noncommutative tori. This turns out to be an interesting field of applications, since the space [Formula: see text] of the equivalence classes of the vector unitary irreducible representations of the group under examination becomes, in the projective case, a prototype of noncommuting spaces. For vector representations the algebraic integration is equivalent to integrate over [Formula: see text]. However, its very definition is related only at the structural properties of the group algebra, therefore it is well defined also in the projective case, where the space [Formula: see text] has no classical meaning. This allows a generalization of the usual group harmonic analysis. Particular attention is given to Abelian groups, which are the relevant ones in the compactification problem, since it is possible, from the previous results, to establish a simple generalization of the ordinary calculus to the associated noncommutative spaces.
SKYRMIONS, SPECTRAL FLOW AND PARITY DOUBLES
Authors: BALACHANDRAN A. P. , VAIDYA SACHINDEO
Published: April 2003

It is well-known that the winding number of the Skyrmion can be identified as the baryon number. We show in this paper that this result can also be established using the Atiyah–Singer index theorem and spectral flow arguments. We argue that this proof suggests that there are light quarks moving in the field of the Skyrmion. We then show that if these light degrees of freedom are averaged out, the low energy excitations of the Skyrmion are in fact spinorial. A natural consequence of our approach is the prediction of a [Formula: see text] state and its excitations in addition to the nucleon and delta. Using the recent numerical evidence for the existence of Skyrmions with discrete spatial symmetries, we further suggest that the the low energy spectrum of many light nuclei may possess a parity doublet structure arising from a subtle topological interaction between the slow Skyrmion and the fast quarks. We also present tentative experimental evidence supporting our arguments.
RARE DECAYS OF ψ AND ϒ
Authors: SHARMA K. K. , VERMA R. C.
Published: April 2003

We study two-body weak hadronic decays of ψ and ϒ employing the factorization scheme. Branching ratios for ψ → PP/PV and ϒ→ PP/PV decays in the Cabibbo-angle-enhanced and Cabibbo-angle-suppressed modes are predicted.
ON THE ULTRAVIOLET BEHAVIOR OF QUANTUM FIELDS OVER NONCOMMUTATIVE MANIFOLDS
Authors: VÁRILLY JOSEPH C. , GRACIA-BONDÍA JOSÉ M.
Published: April 2003

By exploiting the relation between Fredholm modules and the Segal–Shale–Stinespring version of canonical quantization, and taking as starting point the first-quantized fields described by Connes' axioms for noncommutative spin geometries, a Hamiltonian framework for fermion quantum fields over noncommutative manifolds is introduced. We analyze the ultraviolet behavior of second-quantized fields over noncommutative three-tori, and discuss what behavior should be expected on other noncommutative spin manifolds.
TOPOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO FERMIONIC CORRELATORS AND NONPERTURBATIVE ASPECTS OF QCD IN TWO DIMENSIONS
Authors: CHRISTIANSEN HUGO R.
Published: April 2003

We analyze the formation of fermionic condensates in two-dimensional quantum chromodynamics for matter in the fundamental representation of the gauge group. We show that a topological regular instanton background is crucial in order to obtain nontrivial correlators. We discuss both massless and massive cases.