Recent Results in Semileptonic B Decays With BaBar

In this note, recent results of studies of semileptonic B meson decays from \babar\ are discussed and preliminary results given. In particular, a recent measurement of $\mathcal{B}(B \to D^{(*)}\tau \nu)$ and the ratio $\mathcal{B}(B \to D^{(*)}\tau \nu)/\mathcal{B}(B \to D^{(*)}\ell \nu)$ is presented. For the $D^*$ mode, a branching fraction of 1.79\pm0.13\stat\pm0.17\syst is found, with a ratio of 0.325\pm0.023\stat\pm0.027\syst. For the $D$ mode, the results are 1.04\pm0.12\stat\pm0.14\syst and 0.456\pm0.053\stat\pm0.056\syst, respectively. In addition, a study of $B_s$ production and semileptonic decays using data collected in a center-of-mass energy region above the \Y4S resonance is discussed. The semileptonic branching fraction $\mathcal{B}(B_s \to \ell \nu X)$ is measured to be 9.9{}^{+2.6}_{-2.1}\stat{}^{+1.3}_{-2.0}\syst.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, Parallel talk at APS meeting of the Division of Particles and Fields 201

MARYLAND\u27S NEXT SMART GROWTH INITIATIVE: THE NEXT STEPS

This article discusses Maryland\u27s Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Initiative, the nation\u27s first statewide, incentive-based program to reduce the impact of urban sprawl. It has been used as a model by other states and espouses the notions that no growth is bad and the economy and environment are intertwined. Maryland attempts to change the bottom line of development decisions by making it more attractive and less costly to build in designated growth areas. The article identifies the next steps in Maryland\u27s Smart Growth initiative and concludes that Maryland and the United States must be successful in these and similar efforts to avoid a future of environmental and economic harm as a result of sprawl

A study of the crab pot as a fishing gear

The crab pot as a fishing gear was introduced in Maryland waters, following some years of greatly expanded use in Virginia, during the 1939 season, and was widely used during 1940. The 1941 session of the Maryland Legislature, however, illegalized the crab pot. Since that time the device has been given up almost entirely by Maryland fishermen, its attempted use in a commercial way having persisted in diminishing numbers in only one region of the state

Deletions in the neuraminidase stalk region of H2N2 and H9N2 avian influenza virus subtypes do not affect postinfluenza secondary bacterial pneumonia

We investigated the synergism between influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, particularly the role of deletions in the stalk region of the neuraminidase (NA) of H2N2 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses. Deletions in the NA stalk (ΔNA) had no effect on NA activity or on the adherence of S. pneumoniae to virus-infected human alveolar epithelial (A549) and mouse lung adenoma (LA-4) cells, although it delayed virus elution from turkey red blood cells. Sequential S. pneumoniae infection of mice previously inoculated with isogenic recombinant H2N2 and H9N2 influenza viruses displayed severe pneumonia, elevated levels of intrapulmonary proinflammatory responses, and death. No differences between the WT and ΔNA mutant viruses were detected with respect to effects on postinfluenza pneumococcal pneumonia as measured by bacterial growth, lung inflammation, morbidity, mortality, and cytokine/chemokine concentrations. Differences were observed, however, in influenza virus-infected mice that were treated with oseltamivir prior to a challenge with S. pneumoniae. Under these circumstances, mice infected with ΔNA viruses were associated with a better prognosis following a secondary bacterial challenge. These data suggest that the H2N2 and H9N2 subtypes of avian influenza A viruses can contribute to secondary bacterial pneumonia and deletions in the NA stalk may modulate its outcome in the context of antiviral therapy. © 2012, American Society for Microbiology.Fil: Chockalingam, Ashok K.. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Hickman, Danielle. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Pena, Lindomar. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Ye, Jianqiang. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Ferrero, Andrea. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Echenique, Jose Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Chen, Hongjun. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Sutton, Troy. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Perez, Daniel R.. University of Maryland; Estados Unido

Maryland Turtles

Since McCauley's 1945 publication, now out of print, on the "Turtles of Maryland," little has appeared on this interesting component of Maryland's vertebrate fauna. This work is thus an attempt to bring up to date the information that has accumulated during the interval. Each species has been treated in a similar vein regarding name, drawing, distribution, life history and biology. Additional information not usually found in texts or manuals has been added, especially that on folklore, uses and commercial value. Comments on environs, identification, species which should not be considered part of the turtle fauna, and the five known introduced species are included. A key to all the material and introduced species and subspecies is presented for the first time. The distribution maps have been made following the present limits of a species' known range. Dots were not used to illustrate ranges since so many species can and do move about readily. Those species whose ranges are expected to be larger than presently known are so indicated. These species and specimens thereof from the latter areas should be kept arid called to the attention of qualified personnel. All levels from the high school to scientist will find material of interest herein. (PDF contains 43 pages

Public Takings by the State for Private Use: A Maryland Case Study in \u3cem\u3eGeorges Creek Coal & Iron Company v. New Central Coal Company\u3c/em\u3e (1871-1874)

This paper examines the legal controversy concerning New Central Company’s attempt to execute a public taking of the land of the Georges Creek Coal and Iron Company for its private use to build a railroad. This paper analyzes the significance of the case within the social, economic, and political context of the town of Lonaconing in Allegany County, Western Maryland, where the parties were situated. This paper also traces the procedural history of the case, including its appearance before the Allegany Circuit Court in 1872, and before the Maryland Court of Appeals in 1873 and 1874. Finally, this paper presents an analysis of the Maryland Court of Appeals 1873 opinion

Maryland Health Gaps Report: What's Driving Health Differences Across the State and How Can Those Gaps Be Closed?

Why is there so much difference in the health of residents in one county compared to other counties in the same state? In this report, the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program explores how wide gaps are throughout Maryland and what is driving those differences. This information can help Maryland state leaders as they identify ways for everyone to have a fair chance to lead the healthiest life possible. Specifically, this document can help state leaders understand: 1. What health gaps are and why they matter 2. The size and nature of the health gaps among counties within Maryland 3. What factors are influencing the health of residents, and 4. What state and local communities can do to address health gaps

Self-duality triggered dynamical transition

A basic result about the dynamics of spinless quantum systems is that the Maryland model exhibits dynamical localization in any dimension. Here we implement mathematical spectral theory and numerical experiments to show that this result does not hold, when the 2-dimensional Maryland model is endowed with spin 1/2 -- hereafter dubbed spin-Maryland (SM) model. Instead, in a family of SM models, tuning the (effective) Planck constant drives dynamical localization{delocalization transitions of topological nature. These transitions are triggered by the self-duality, a symmetry generated by some transformation in the parameter -- the inverse Planck constant -- space. This provides significant insights to new dynamical phenomena such as what occur in the spinful quantum kicked rotor.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure

McCulloch at 200

March 6, 2019 marked the 200th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s issuance of its decision in McCulloch v. Maryland, upholding the constitutionality of the Second Bank of the United States, the successor to Alexander Hamilton’s national bank. McCulloch v. Maryland involved a constitutional challenge by the Second Bank of the United States to a Maryland tax on the banknotes issued by the Bank’s Baltimore branch. The tax was probably designed to raise the Second Bank’s cost of issuing loans and thereby disadvantage it relative to Maryland’s own state-chartered banks. Marshall’s opinion famously rejected the Jeffersonian strict-constructionist argument that implied powers are limited to those legislative means that are indispensably necessary to the viability of the enumerated power. Instead, Marshall concluded, Congress must have discretion to choose among any means convenient or well-adapted to implementing the government’s granted powers. After concluding that Congress had the power to create the Second Bank, the McCulloch opinion turned to the question of whether Maryland could tax it. Reasoning that the essence of federal supremacy is to remove all obstacles to federal government action within its sphere, Marshall concluded that states cannot tax operations of the federal government