A measurement of the branching ratio for the∑ + →pγ decay

We have measured the weak radiative decay branching ratio (∑ ⁺ →pγ)/(∑ ⁺ →pπ⁰). The experiment was carried out at Brookhaven National Laboratory using a low-energy separatedK ^? beam stopping in liquid hydrogen. The∑ ⁺ was tagged by observing the pion fromK ^? K ⁺ p→∑ ⁺π^? in a range telescope, and the gamma was detected in a segmented NaI detector. The result is (2.81±0.39 _?0.43 ^+0.21 )×10^?3, which is consistent with previous measurements. This corresponds to a branching ratio for (∑ ⁺ →pγ)/(∑ ⁺ → all) of (1.45±0.20 _?0.22 ^+0.11 )×10^?3, where the quoted errors are statistical and systematic, respectively. A total of 408 signal events were observed, doubling the previous world total.     

π0 and η spectra fromp\bar p annihilations at rest

The low-energy part of theπ ⁰ spectrum associated with \(p\bar p\) annihilation at rest was measured in order to search for bound baryonium-like states. The upper limit for reaching such states via the emission of monochromaticπ ⁰'s was found to be 8% per annihilation in the mass region of 1650 MeV. The low-energy part of the η spectrum from \(p\bar p\) annihilations at rest was also observed.     

Evaluation of relative DNA binding affinities of anthrapyrazoles by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Binding interactions of a new series of anthrapyrazoles (APs) with DNA were evaluated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Relative binding affinities were estimated from the ESI-MS data based on the fraction of bound DNA for DNA/anthrapyrazole mixtures, and they show a correlation to the shift in melting point of the DNA measured from a previous study. Minimal sequence specificity was observed for the series of anthrapyrazoles. Upon collisionally activated dissociation of the duplex/anthrapyrazole complexes, typically ejection of the ligand was the dominant pathway for most of the complexes. However, for complexes containing AP2 or mitoxantrone, strand separation with the ligand remaining on one of the single strands was observed, indicative of a different binding mode or stronger binding.     

Experimental constraints on left-right symmetric models from muon decay

The TWIST Collaboration has completed a new measurement of the energy-angle spectrum of positrons from the decay of highly polarized muons. A simultaneous measurement of the muon decay parameters ρ, δ, and P(μ)(π)ξ tests the standard model in a purely leptonic process and provides improved limits for relevant extensions to the standard model. Specifically, for the generalized left-right symmetric model |(g(R)/g(L))ζ|<0.020 and (g(L)/g(R))m(2)>578 GeV/c(2), both 90% C.L.