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Chang, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Chang, M..

Measurement of branching-fraction ratios and CP asymmetries in B± → DCP±K± decays at Belle and Belle II

Abstract We report results from a study ofB ± → DK ± decays followed byDdecaying to theCP-even final stateK + K − and CP-odd final state$$ {K}_S^0{\pi}^0 $$ K S 0 π 0 , whereDis an admixture ofD 0 and$$ {\overline{D}}^0 $$ D ¯ 0 states. These decays are sensitive to the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa unitarity-triangle angleϕ 3 . The results are based on a combined analysis of the final data set of 772×10 6 $$ B\overline{B} $$ B B ¯ pairs collected by the Belle experiment and a data set of 198×10 6 $$ B\overline{B} $$ B B ¯ pairs collected by the Belle II experiment, both in electron-positron collisions at the Υ(4S) resonance. We measure the CP asymmetries to be$$ \mathcal{A} $$ A CP+ = (+12.5±5.8±1.4)% and$$ \mathcal{A} $$ A CP− = (−16.7±5.7±0.6)%, and the ratios of branching fractions to be$$ \mathcal{R} $$ R CP+ = 1.164±0.081±0.036 and$$ \mathcal{R} $$ R CP− = 1.151±0.074±0.019. The first contribution to the uncertainties is statistical, and the second is systematic. The asymmetries$$ \mathcal{A} $$ A CP+ and$$ \mathcal{A} $$ A CP− have similar magnitudes and opposite signs; their difference corresponds to 3.5 standard deviations. From these values we calculate 68.3% confidence intervals of (8.5 ° <ϕ 3 < 16.5 ° ) or (84.5 ° <ϕ 3 < 95.5 ° ) or (163.3 ° <ϕ 3 < 171.5 ° ) and 0.321 B< 0.465.

Physics↗

Search for charged-lepton flavor violation in Υ(2S) → ℓ∓τ± (ℓ = e, μ) decays at Belle

Abstract We report a search for the charged-lepton flavor violation in Υ(2S) →ℓ ∓ τ ± (ℓ=e, μ) decays using a 25 fb −1 Υ(2S) sample collected by the Belle detector at the KEKBe + e − asymmetric-energy collider. We find no evidence for a signal and set upper limits on the branching fractions ($$ \mathcal{B} $$ B ) at 90% confidence level. We obtain the most stringent upper limits:$$ \mathcal{B} $$ B (Υ(2S)→ μ ∓ τ ± )<0.23×10 −6 and$$ \mathcal{B} $$ B (Υ(2S)→ e ∓ τ ± )<1.12×10 −6 .

Physics↗

The two consecutive M substates in the photocycle of bacteriorhodopsin are affected specifically by the D85N and D96N residue replacements

The photocycle of the proton pump bacteriorhodopsin contains two consecutive intermediates in which the retinal Schiff base is unprotonated; the reaction between these states, termed M1 and M2, was suggested to be the switch in the proton transport which reorients the Schiff base from D85 on the extracellular side to D96 on the cytoplasmic side (Varo and Lanyi, Biochemistry 30, 5016-5022, 1991). At pH 10 the absorption maxima of both M1 and M2 could be determined in the recombinant D96N protein. We find that M1 absorbs at 411 nm as do M1 and M2 in wild-type bacteriorhodopsin, but M2 absorbs at 404 nm. Thus, in M2 but not M1 the unprotonated Schiff base is affected by the D96N residue replacement. The connectivity of the Schiff base to D96 in the detected M2 state, but not in M1, is thereby established. On the other hand, the photostationary state which develops during illumination of D85N bacteriorhodopsin contains an M state corresponding to M1 with an absorption maximum shifted to 400 nm, suggesting that this species in turn is affected by D85. These results are consistent with the suggestion that M1 and M2 are pre-switch and post-switch states, respectively.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

Pathways of proton release in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle

The pH dependencies of the rate constants in the photocycles of recombinant D96N and D115N/D96N bacteriorhodopsins were determined from time-resolved difference spectra between 70 ns and 420 ms after photoexcitation. The results were consistent with the model suggested earlier for proteins containing D96N substitution: BR hv----K----L----M1----M2----BR. Only the M2----M1 back-reaction was pH-dependent: its rate increased with increasing [H+] between pH 5 and 8. We conclude from quantitative analysis of this pH dependency that its reverse, the M1----M2 reaction, is linked to the release of a proton from a group with a pKa = 5.8. This suggests a model for wild-type bacteriorhodopsin in which at pH greater than 5.8 the transported proton is released on the extracellular side from this as yet unknown group and on the 100-microseconds time scale, but at pH less than 5.8, the proton release occurs from another residue and later in the photocycle most likely directly from D85 during the O----BR reaction. We postulate, on the other hand, that proton uptake on the cytoplasmic side will be by D96 and during the N----O reaction regardless of pH. The proton kinetics as measured with indicator dyes confirmed the unique prediction of this model: at pH greater than 6, proton release preceded proton uptake, but at pH less than 6, the release was delayed until after the uptake. The results indicated further that the overall M1----M2 reaction includes a second kinetic step in addition to proton release; this is probably the earlier postulated extracellular-to-cytoplasmic reorientation switch in the proton pump.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

Structures of aspartic acid-96 in the L and N intermediates of bacteriorhodopsin: analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The light-induced difference Fourier transform infrared spectrum between the L or N intermediate minus light-adapted bacteriorhodopsin (BR) was measured in order to examine the protonated states and the changes in the interactions of carboxylic acids of Asp-96 and Asp-115 in these intermediates. Vibrational bands due to the protonated and unprotonated carboxylic acid were identified by isotope shift and band depletion upon substitution of Asp-96 or -115 by asparagine. While the signal due to the deprotonation of Asp-96 was clearly observed in the N intermediate, this residue remained protonated in L. Asp-115 was partially deprotonated in L. The C = O stretching vibration of protonated Asp-96 of L showed almost no shift upon 2H2O substitution, in contrast to the corresponding band of Asp-96 or Asp-115 of BR, which shifted by 9-12 cm-1 under the same conditions. In the model system of acetic acid in organic solvents, such an absence of the shift of the C = O stretching vibration of the protonated carboxylic acid upon 2H2O substitution was seen only when the O-H of acetic acid is hydrogen-bonded. The non-hydrogen-bonded monomer showed the 2H2O-dependent shift. Thus, the O-H bond of Asp-96 enters into hydrogen bonding upon conversion of BR to L. Its increased hydrogen bonding in L is consistent with the observed downshift of the O-H stretching vibration of the carboxylic acid of Asp-96.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

A residue substitution near the beta-ionone ring of the retinal affects the M substates of bacteriorhodopsin

The switch in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle, which reorients access of the retinal Schiff base from the extracellular to the cytoplasmic side, was suggested to be an M1----M2 reaction (Varo and Lanyi. 1991. Biochemistry. 30:5008-5015, 5016-5022). Thus, in this light-driven proton pump it is the interconversion of proposed M substates that gives direction to the transport. We find that in monomeric, although not purple membrane-lattice immobilized, D115N bacteriorhodopsin, the absorption maximum of M changes during the photocycle: in the time domain between its rise and decay it shifts 15 nm to the blue relative to the spectrum at earlier times. This large shift strongly supports the existence of two M substates. Since D115 is located near the beta-ionone ring of the retinal, the result raises questions about the possible involvement of the retinal chain or protein residues as far away as 10 A from the Schiff base in the mechanism of the switching reaction.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

Heterojunction bipolar transistor technology for data acquisition and communication

Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) technology has emerged as one of the most promising technologies for ultrahigh-speed integrated circuits. HBT circuits for digital and analog applications, data conversion, and power amplification have been realized, with speed performance well above 20 GHz. At Rockwell, a baseline AlGaAs/GaAs HBT technology has been established in a manufacturing facility. This paper describes the HBT technology, transistor characteristics, and HBT circuits for data acquisition and communication.

Wang, C.↗

Containerless polymeric microsphere production for biomedical applications

A containerless method that produces highly uniform microspheres (greater than 50 microns in diameter) from many materials has been developed for biomedical applications. A piezoelectrically vibrated drop generator forms uniform (monodisperse) monomer droplets that are either electrostatistically levitated and polymerized using UV irradiation, or free-radical polymerized. Spheres of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymer have been produced with diameters of 155 microns + or - 1.57 percent.

Rhim, W. K.↗

Durability testing of advanced catalysts and catalyst supports for gas turbine engine combustors

The paper presents new information on the durability of a CATCOM catalyst operating at low-emission combustion temperatures (about 1527 K) with a liquid fuel, No. 2 diesel. Information on the activity of No. 2 diesel after 1000 hr of aging is given. In addition, a unique in situ activity test developed for monitoring the subtle changes in the catalyst activity of the CATCOM catalyst is also detailed. The study demonstrated the feasibility of using a CATCOM catalyst in catalytically supported thermal combustion for extended operating periods

Heck, R. M.↗

Durability testing at one atmosphere of advanced catalysts and catalyst supports for automotive gas turbine engine combustors, part 1

The durability of catalysts and catalyst supports in a combustion environment was experimentally demonstrated. A test of 1000 hours duration was completed with two catalysts, using diesel fuel and operating at catalytically supported thermal combustion conditions. The performance of the catalysts was determined by monitoring emissions throughout the test, and by examining the physical condition of the catalyst core at the conclusion of the test. The test catalysts proved to be capable of low emissions operation after 1000 hours diesel aging, with no apparent physical degradation of the catalyst support.

Heck, R. M.↗