We report on the results of the study of e + e − collisions at the highest PETRA energy of √ s = 31.57 GeV, using the 4π sr, electromagnetic and calorimetric detector Mark J. Based on 88 hadron events, and an integrated luminosity of 243 nb −1 we obtain R = σ (e + e − → hadrons)/ σ (e + e − → μ + μ − ) = 4.0 ± 0.5 (statistical) ± 6 (systematic). The R value, the measured thrust distribution and average spherocity show no evidence for the production of new quark flavors.
CORRECTIONS FOR TWO-PHOTON PROCESSES, TAU HEAVY LEPTON PRODUCTION AND INITIAL STATE RADIATIVE CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPLIED.
THRUST DISTRIBUTION (1/N)*DN/DTHRUST AT 31.57 GEV. THESE DATA ARE RATHER DETECTOR DEPENDENT.