Model-independent analysis of \bbox{B}-\bbox{\bar B} mixing and \bbox{CP} violation in \bbox{B} decays

We present a framework to analyze effects of new physics beyond the standard model on $B$-$\bar B$ mixing and $CP$ violation in $B$ decays in a model-independent manner. Assuming that tree level decay amplitudes are dominated by the standard model ones, new physics contribution to the $B$-$\bar B$ mixing can be extracted from several measurements at $B$ factories. Using this framework, we show the present constraint on new physics contribution to the $B$-$\bar B$ mixing, and illustrate constraints expected to be given by future experiments at $B$ factories. We also point out a possibility that $CP$ asymmetries in $B\rightarrow\psi K_S$, $B\rightarrow\pi\pi$, and $B\rightarrow DK$ modes look consistent with the standard model, even if a large new physics contribution is present in the $B$-$\bar B$ mixing.Comment: 11 pages, 3 Postscript figures, also available via anonymous ftp at ftp://ftp.kek.jp/kek/preprints/TH/TH-44

Pressure-Wire-Guided Percutaneous Transluminal Pulmonary Angioplasty A Breakthrough in Catheter-Interventional Therapy for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

AbstractObjectivesThis study sought to prove the safety and effectiveness of pressure-wire-guided percutaneous transluminal pulmonary angioplasty (PTPA).BackgroundPTPA has been demonstrated to be effective for treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. However, a major and occasionally fatal complication after PTPA is reperfusion pulmonary edema. To avoid this, we developed the PEPSI (Pulmonary Edema Predictive Scoring Index). The pressure wire has been used to detect insufficiency of flow in a vessel.MethodsWe included 350 consecutive PTPA sessions in 103 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013. During these 5 years, 140 PTPA sessions were performed without guidance, 65 with guidance of PEPSI alone, and 145 with both PEPSI and pressure-wire guidance. Each PTPA session was finished after achieving PEPSI scores of <35.4 with PEPSI guidance and each target lesion achieving distal mean pulmonary arterial pressure <35 mm Hg with pressure-wire guidance.ResultsThe occurrence of clinically critical reperfusion pulmonary edema and vessel injuries were lowest in the group using the guidance of both pressure wire and PEPSI (0% and 6.9%, respectively). Furthermore, the group guided by pressure wire and PEPSI accomplished the same hemodynamic improvements with fewer numbers of target lesions treated and sessions performed.ConclusionsThe combined approach using pressure wire and PEPSI produced more efficient clinical results and greatly reduced reperfusion pulmonary edema and vessel complications. This is further evidence that PTPA is an alternative strategy for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Muon anomalous magnetic moment, lepton flavor violation, and flavor changing neutral current processes in SUSY GUT with right-handed neutrino

Motivated by the large mixing angle solutions for the atmospheric and solar neutrino anomalies, flavor changing neutral current processes and lepton flavor violating processes as well as the muon anomalous magnetic moment are analyzed in the framework of SU(5) SUSY GUT with right-handed neutrino. In order to explain realistic mass relations for quarks and leptons, we take into account effects of higher dimensional operators above the GUT scale. It is shown that the supersymmetric (SUSY) contributions to the CP violation parameter in $K^0-\bar{K}^0$ mixing, $\epsilon_K$, the $\mu \to e \gamma$ branching ratio, and the muon anomalous magnetic moment become large in a wide range of parameter space. We also investigate correlations among these quantities. Within the current experimental bound of $\text{B}(\mu \to e \gamma)$, large SUSY contributions are possible either in the muon anomalous magnetic moment or in $\epsilon_K$. In the former case, the favorable value of the recent muon anomalous magnetic moment measurement at the BNL E821 experiment can be accommodated. In the latter case, the allowed region of the Kobayashi-Maskawa phase can be different from the prediction within the Standard Model (SM) and therefore the measurements of the CP asymmetry of $B\to J/\psi K_S$ mode and $\Delta m_{B_s}$ could discriminate this case from the SM. We also show that the $\tau \to \mu \gamma$ branching ratio can be close to the current experimental upperbound and the mixing induced CP asymmetry of the radiative B decay can be enhanced in the case where the neutrino parameters correspond to the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein small mixing angle solution.Comment: 70 pages, 14 figure

Methodology of evaluation of morphology of the spine and the trunk in idiopathic scoliosis and other spinal deformities - 6th SOSORT consensus paper

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Comprehensive evaluation of the morphology of the spine and of the whole body is essential in order to correctly manage patients suffering from progressive idiopathic scoliosis. Although methodology of clinical and radiological examination is well described in manuals of orthopaedics, there is deficit of data which clinical and radiological parameters are considered in everyday practise. Recently, an increasing tendency to extend scoliosis examination beyond the measure of the Cobb angle can be observed, reflecting a more patient-oriented approach. Such evaluation often involves surface parameters, aesthetics, function and quality of life.</p> <p>Aim of the study</p> <p>To investigate current recommendations of experts on methodology of evaluation of the patient with spinal deformity, essentially idiopathic scoliosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Structured Delphi procedure for collecting and processing knowledge from a group of experts with a series of questionnaires and controlled opinion feedback was performed. Experience and opinions of the professionals - physicians and physiotherapists managing scoliosis patients - were studied. According to Delphi method a Meeting Questionnaire (MQ) has been developed, resulting from a preliminary Pre-Meeting Questionnaire (PMQ) which had been previously discussed and approved on line. The MQ was circulated among the SOSORT experts during Consensus Session on "Measurements" which took place at the Annual Meeting of the Society, totally 23 panellists being engaged. Clinical, radiological and surface topography parameters were checked for agreement.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>90% agreement or more was reached in 35 items and superior than 75% agreement was reached in further 25 items. An evaluation form was proposed to be used by clinicians and researchers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The consensus was reached on evaluation of the morphology of the patient with idiopathic scoliosis, comprising clinical, radiological and, to less extend, surface topography assessment. Considering the variety of parameters indicated by the panellists, the Cobb angle, yet the gold standard, can be seen neither as the unique nor the only decisive parameter in the management of patients with idiopathic scoliosis.</p

Flavor changing neutral current processes in BB and KK decays in the supergravity model

Flavor changing neutral current processes such as $b \to s \gamma$, $b \to s l^+ l^-$, $b \to s \nu \bar{\nu}$, $\epsilon_K$, $\Delta m_B$, $K^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar{\nu}$ and \K_L \to \pi^0 \nu \bar{\nu} are calculated in the supersymmetric standard model based on supergravity. We consider two assumptions for the soft supersymmetry breaking terms. In the minimal case soft breaking terms for all scalar fields are taken to be universal at the GUT scale whereas those terms are different for the squark/slepton sector and the Higgs sector in the nonminimal case. In the calculation we have taken into account the next-to-leading order QCD correction to the $b \to s \gamma$ branching ratio, the results from the LEP II superparticles search, and the condition of the radiative electroweak symmetry breaking. We show that $\Delta m_B$ and $\epsilon_K$ can be enhanced up to 40% compared to the Standard Model values in the nonminimal case. In the same parameter region the $b \to s \nu \bar{\nu}$, $K^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar{\nu}$ and \K_L \to \pi^0 \nu \bar{\nu} branching ratios are reduced up to 10%. The corresponding deviation in the minimal case is 20% for $\Delta m_B$ and $\epsilon_K$ and within 3% for the $b \to s \nu \bar{\nu}$, $K^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar{\nu}$ and \K_L \to \pi^0 \nu \bar{\nu}. For the $b \to s l^+ l^-$ process the significant deviation from the Standard Model is realized only when the $b \to s \gamma$ amplitude has an opposite sign to the Standard Model prediction. Significance on these results from possible future improvements of the $b \to s \gamma$ branching ratio measurement and top squark search is discussed.Comment: 45 pages, 20 EPS figures included. Figures are corrected; references are added and updated (Jul 23, 1998