Dark matter axion search using a Josephson Traveling wave parametric amplifier.

We describe the first implementation of a Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier (JTWPA) in an axion dark matter search. The operation of the JTWPA for a period of about two weeks achieved sensitivity to axion-like particle dark matter with axion-photon couplings above 10-13 Ge V-1 over a narrow range of axion masses centered around 19.84 µeV by tuning the resonant frequency of the cavity over the frequency range of 4796.7-4799.5 MHz. The JTWPA was operated in the insert of the axion dark matter experiment as part of an independent receiver chain that was attached to a 0.56-l cavity. The ability of the JTWPA to deliver high gain over a wide (3 GHz) bandwidth has engendered interest from those aiming to perform broadband axion searches, a longstanding goal in this field.

Search for a Dark-Matter-Induced Cosmic Axion Background with ADMX.

We report the first result of a direct search for a cosmic axion background (CaB)-a relativistic background of axions that is not dark matter-performed with the axion haloscope, the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX). Conventional haloscope analyses search for a signal with a narrow bandwidth, as predicted for dark matter, whereas the CaB will be broad. We introduce a novel analysis strategy, which searches for a CaB induced daily modulation in the power measured by the haloscope. Using this, we repurpose data collected to search for dark matter to set a limit on the axion photon coupling of a CaB originating from dark matter cascade decay via a mediator in the 800-995 MHz frequency range. We find that the present sensitivity is limited by fluctuations in the cavity readout as the instrument scans across dark matter masses. Nevertheless, we suggest that these challenges can be surmounted using superconducting qubits as single photon counters, and allow ADMX to operate as a telescope searching for axions emerging from the decay of dark matter. The daily modulation analysis technique we introduce can be deployed for various broadband rf signals, such as other forms of a CaB or even high-frequency gravitational waves.

Verification of High-Rate Vertical Loading Laboratory Skeletal Fractures by Comparison with Theater Injury Patterns.

For the current study, an existing theater injury data set was compared to component and whole body experiments meant to replicate the theater high rate vertical loading environment. The theater injury data set was derived from real world events that were within the design range of the Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the whole body fracture patterns was developed to determine whether the laboratory loading was correctly representing the resulting injuries seen in theater Underbody Blast (UBB) events. Results indicated that most of the experimental test fracture patterns were similar to the theater injuries for Abbreviated Injury Scale body regions of interest (lower extremities, pelvis, and spine); however, some of the body regions had higher similarity scores compared to others. Whole body fracture distribution was less similar than the component tests because of differences in injury distributions. The lower extremity whole body similarity was lower than spine and pelvis similarity. This analysis was able to identify some experimental tests that might not represent theater loading. In conclusion, this analysis confirmed that some laboratory testing produced skeletal injury patterns that are seen in comparable theater UBB events.

Search for Invisible Axion Dark Matter in the 3.3-4.2 µeV Mass Range.

We report the results from a haloscope search for axion dark matter in the 3.3-4.2 µeV mass range. This search excludes the axion-photon coupling predicted by one of the benchmark models of "invisible" axion dark matter, the Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov model. This sensitivity is achieved using a large-volume cavity, a superconducting magnet, an ultra low noise Josephson parametric amplifier, and sub-Kelvin temperatures. The validity of our detection procedure is ensured by injecting and detecting blind synthetic axion signals.

Catalytic aerobic oxidation of phenols to ortho-quinones with air-stable copper precatalysts.

A range of air-stable copper species was examined for catalytic activity in the catalytic aerobic transformation of phenols into ortho-quinones. Efficient catalysis was obtained with commercially available copper(II) acetate. The stability of all constituents before mixing makes for a practical process that advances previously reported copper(I)-based oxygenations.

Behavioural outcomes of perinatal maternal fluoxetine treatment.

During and following pregnancy, women are at considerable risk of experiencing depression. For treatment, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs, such as fluoxetine, are commonly prescribed, yet the potential effects of perinatal exposure to these drugs on the brain and behaviour have not been examined in humans beyond childhood. This is despite abundant evidence from studies using rodents indicating that altered serotonin levels early in life affect neurodevelopment and behavioural outcomes. These reported effects on behaviour are inconsistent, however, and the testing of females has often been overlooked. In the present study, the behavioural outcomes of female mice perinatally (embryonic day 15 to postnatal day 12) treated with fluoxetine (25mg/kg/day) via a non-stressful method of maternal administration were assessed using a battery of tests. Maternal treatment resulted in subtle alterations in anxiety-like and depression-like behaviour in early adulthood, with a decrease in both types of behaviour as well as body weight. Though altered anxiety and depression have previously been reported in this area of research, decreased anxiety is a novel finding. While there was little effect of perinatal maternal fluoxetine treatment on many of the behaviours assessed, the capacity to alter "emotional" behaviours in mice has implications with regard to research on human infant fluoxetine exposure.

Local adaptation for body color in Drosophila americana.

Pigmentation is one of the most variable traits within and between Drosophila species. Much of this diversity appears to be adaptive, with environmental factors often invoked as selective forces. Here, we describe the geographic structure of pigmentation in Drosophila americana and evaluate the hypothesis that it is a locally adapted trait. Body pigmentation was quantified using digital images and spectrometry in up to 10 flies from each of 93 isofemale lines collected from 17 locations across the United States and found to correlate most strongly with longitude. Sequence variation at putatively neutral loci showed no evidence of population structure and was inconsistent with an isolation-by-distance model, suggesting that the pigmentation cline exists despite extensive gene flow throughout the species range, and is most likely the product of natural selection. In all other Drosophila species examined to date, dark pigmentation is associated with arid habitats; however, in D. americana, the darkest flies were collected from the most humid regions. To investigate this relationship further, we examined desiccation resistance attributable to an allele that darkens pigmentation in D. americana. We found no significant effect of pigmentation on desiccation resistance in this experiment, suggesting that pigmentation and desiccation resistance are not unequivocally linked in all Drosophila species.

Mobile male-killer: similar Wolbachia strains kill males of divergent Drosophila hosts.

Wolbachia are capable of eliciting a variety of reproductive phenotypes from their hosts, including the production of an all-female progeny through embryonic male-killing. To date, phylogenetic analyses indicate six independent acquisitions of the ability to kill male embryos among Wolbachia strains which infect insects. Of these six strains, only one appears to have experienced horizontal transmission between host species while maintaining a male-killing phenotype. The rarity of male-killing Wolbachia and their disjunct phylogenetic relationships is surprising, given the apparently common occurrence of horizontal transfer involving Wolbachia strains causing other phenotypes. A male-killing Wolbachia strain examined here in Drosophila borealis represents a second case of apparent horizontal transmission, based on its close relationship to a male-killing strain in a distantly related Drosophila species. The results reported here show that this Wolbachia has maintained a stable phenotype in D. borealis over a period of at least 50 years, and that a similar strain elicits the same male-killing phenotype in a second Drosophila species, indicating that male-killing may be a stable long-term strategy. Sampling bias and/or a lack of suitable hosts are discussed as possible causes of the low frequency of male-killers identified among Wolbachia strains.

Patterns of microsatellite variation through a transition zone of a chromosomal cline in Drosophila americana.

Chromosomal rearrangements have been considered as important barriers to gene flow and were often used in the delineation of species. The original taxonomic designation of Drosophila americana americana and Drosophila americana texana is based on the presence/absence of a centric fusion between the X- and fourth chromosomes. D. a. americana presents the derived fused state, whereas Drosophila a. texana presents the freely segregating ancestral state. The degree of genetic separation between the two chromosomal forms is still controversial, with different genetic markers yielding contrasting results even when the same populations were analyzed. Using 27 polymorphic microsatellites, we re-evaluated patterns of genetic differentiation between six D. americana populations sampled through a transition zone of both chromosomal forms in the central United States. Our results clearly reject a scenario of two differentiated species forming a hybrid zone in a region of parapatry and indicate that gene flow minimizes genome-wide differentiation associated with the two chromosomal arrangements.

Coherent THz synchrotron radiation from a storage ring with high-frequency RF system.

The generation of brilliant, stable, and broadband coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) in electron storage rings depends strongly on ring rf system properties such as frequency and gap voltage. We have observed intense coherent radiation at frequencies approaching the THz regime produced by the MIT-Bates South Hall Ring, which employs a high-frequency S-band rf system. The measured CSR spectral intensity enhancement with 2 mA stored current was up to 10,000 times above background for wave numbers near 3 cm(-1). The measurements also uncovered strong beam instabilities that must be suppressed if such a very high rf frequency electron storage ring is to become a viable coherent THz source.

Identifying an O2 supply pathway in CO oxidation on Au/TiO2(110): a density functional theory study on the intrinsic role of water.

Au catalysis has been one of the hottest topics in chemistry in the last 10 years or so. How O2 is supplied and what role water plays in CO oxidation are the two challenging issues in the field at the moment. In this study, using density functional theory we show that these two issues are in fact related to each other. The following observations are revealed: (i) water that can dissociate readily into OH groups can facilitate O2 adsorption on TiO2; (ii) the effect of OH group on the O2 adsorption is surprisingly long-ranged; and (iii) O2 can also diffuse along the channel of Ti (5c) atoms on TiO2(110), and this may well be the rate-limiting step for the CO oxidation. We provide direct evidence that O2 is supplied by O2 adsorption on TiO2 in the presence of OH and can diffuse to the interface of Au/TiO2 to participate in CO oxidation. Furthermore, the physical origin of the water effects on Au catalysis has been identified by electronic structure analyses: There is a charge transfer from TiO2 in the presence of OH to O2, and the O2 adsorption energy depends linearly on the O2 charge. These results are of importance to understand water effects in general in heterogeneous catalysis.

A density functional theory study of sulfur poisoning.

Density functional theory calculations have been used to investigate the chemisorption of H, S, SH, and H(2)S as well as the hydrogenation reactions S+H and SH+H on a Rh surface with steps, Rh(211), aiming to explain sulfur poisoning effect. In the S hydrogenation from S to H(2)S, the transition state of the first step S+H-->SH is reached when the S moves to the step-bridge and H is on the off-top site. In the second step, SH+H-->H(2)S, the transition state is reached when SH moves to the top site and H is close to another top site nearby. Our results show that it is difficult to hydrogenate S and they poison defects such as steps. In order to address why S is poisoning, hydrogenation of C, N, and O on Rh(211) has also been calculated and has been found that the reverse and forward reactions possess similar barriers in contrast to the S hydrogenation. The physical origin of these differences has been analyzed and discussed.

Histological and immunohistochemical investigation on ovarian development and plasma estradiol levels in the swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.).

The paper reports a histological and immunohistochemical description of oocyte growth and ultrastructural aspects of zona radiata (ZR) formation as well as the relationship between plasma estradiol-17beta, (E2) levels and ovarian development in swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) from the Mediterranean Sea. Ovaries were inactive during March to mid April; maturation occurred during late April to June and spawning in June and July. Zona radiata formation starts, as Pas positive material, in oocytes at the lipid stage. In this stage a deposit of electrondense material between oolemma and follicular cells appears. In the cortical alveoli stage and through the early vitellogenic stage, the deposition of a moderately electrondense material occurred on the inner side of the ZR. Finally, in late vitellogenic oocytes a third layer, made of microfibrillar material, appeared. The immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the initial internalisation of hepatic zona radiata proteins (Zrp) in the swordfish oocyte starts before the uptake of vitellogenin (Vtg) and that it is associated with the low previtellogenic E2 plasma levels, while a significant E2 increase in plasma is associated with the beginning of Vtg uptake. This would appear to confirm the hypothesis that the differential and sequential induction of zonagenesis and vitellogenesis may reflect a general feature of teleost oogenesis.

Mapping of paternal-sex-ratio deletion chromosomes localizes multiple regions involved in expression and transmission.

The paternal-sex-ratio (PSR) chromosome in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis is a submetacentric supernumerary (B chromosome). Males transmit PSR, but after fertilization it causes the loss of the paternal autosomes. Paternal genome loss caused by PSR results in the conversion of a female (diploid) zygote into a male (haploid) under haplodiploid sex determination. In this study, site-specific markers were developed to assay deletion derivatives of PSR. Both polymerase chain reaction and Southern hybridization were used to detect the presence/absence of 16 single-site markers on a set of 20 functional and nine nonfunctional deletion chromosomes. Based on the pattern of marker loss on the deletion chromosomes, the basic organization of PSR was revealed. Two sets of markers were deleted independently, apparently representing the two arms of the submetacentric chromosome. The presence or absence of specific regions was examined in relation to phenotypic characteristics of the deletion chromosomes; ability to cause paternal genome loss, and stability in mitotic cell divisions. Rather than identifying a single region on PSR as being responsible for PSR function, the results suggest that the retention of one of two chromosomal regions is sufficient for causing paternal genome loss. Furthermore, a region was identified that is tightly correlated with mitotic stability, as measured from chromosomal transmission rates. Functional chromosomes with short-arm deletions had high (approximately 100%) transmission rates, whereas functional chromosomes with long-arm deletions had low (approximately 85%) transmission rates.

Wild intersex roach (Rutilus rutilus) have reduced fertility.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, known to be present in the environment, have great potential for interfering with reproductive health in wildlife and humans. There is, however, little direct evidence that endocrine disruption has adversely affected fertility in any organism. In freshwater and estuarine fish species, for example, although a widespread incidence of intersex has been reported, it is not yet known if intersexuality influences reproductive success. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to determine gamete quality in wild intersex roach (Rutilus rutilus) by assessing sperm characteristics, fertilization success, and ability to produce viable offspring. The results clearly demonstrate that gamete production is reduced in intersex roach. A significantly lower proportion of moderately or severely feminized fish (17.4% and 33.3%, respectively) were able to release milt compared with normal male fish from contaminated rivers (in which 97.6% of the males were able to release milt), reference male fish (97.7%), or less severely feminized intersex fish (experiment 1: 85.8%, experiment 2: 97%). Intersex fish that did produce milt produced up to 50% less (in terms of volume per gram of testis weight) than did histologically normal male fish. Moreover, sperm motility (percentage of motile sperm and curvilinear velocity) and the ability of sperm to successfully fertilize eggs and produce viable offspring were all reduced in intersex fish compared with normal male fish. Male gamete quality (assessed using sperm motility, sperm density, and fertilization success) was negatively correlated with the degree of feminization in intersex fish (r = -0.603; P < 0.001) and was markedly reduced in severely feminized intersex fish by as much as 50% in terms of motility and 75% in terms of fertilization success when compared with either less severely feminized intersex fish or unaffected male fish. This is the first evidence documenting a relationship between the morphological effects (e.g., intersex) of endocrine disruption and the reproductive capabilities of any wild vertebrate. The results suggest that mixtures of endocrine-disrupting substances discharged into the aquatic environment could pose a threat to male reproductive health.

Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) as a tool for monitoring sperm quality in fish.

The use of motility as a measure of sperm quality in fish is reviewed. Computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) provides a simple and rapid quantitative assessment of the quality of fish sperm and may predict its ability to fertilize eggs. It has been used to: monitor the effects of heavy metal pollutants, such as mercury and tributyltin, on sperm quality; to select broodstock; to improve the efficiency of cryopreservation and storage; and to optimise conditions for fertilisation. In combination with CASA, morphological measurements can be used to determine the causes of reduced sperm motility. Technical details for the use of CASA are described.

Evidence for selection at the fused1 locus of Drosophila americana.

We analyze genetic variation at fused1, a locus that is close to the centromere of the X chromosome-autosome (X/4) fusion in Drosophila americana. In contrast to other X-linked and autosomal genes, for which a lack of population subdivision in D. americana has been observed at the DNA level, we find strong haplotype structure associated with the alternative chromosomal arrangements. There are several derived fixed differences at fused1 (including one amino acid replacement) between two haplotype classes of this locus. From these results, we obtain an estimate of an age of approximately 0.61 million years for the origin of the two haplotypes of the fused1 gene. Haplotypes associated with the X/4 fusion have less DNA sequence variation at fused1 than haplotypes associated with the ancestral chromosome arrangement. The X/4 haplotypes also exhibit clinal variation for the allele frequencies of the three most common amino acid replacement polymorphisms, but not for adjacent silent polymorphisms. These patterns of variation are best explained as a result of selection acting on amino acid substitutions, with geographic variation in selection pressures.

Histologic and radiographic evidence of vertical ridge augmentation utilizing distraction osteogenesis: 10 consecutively placed distractors.

BACKGROUND: Vertical ridge augmentation for dental implant placement is one of the greatest challenges facing the surgeon. Inadequate vertical bone compromises the implant positioning and resulting restoration. The cleansibility, esthetics, and mechanical properties of the restoration can all be compromised. While the technique of distraction osteogenesis has been successfully employed for long bone applications for over 40 years, it has only recently been introduced as a technique for vertical ridge augmentation prior to dental implant reconstruction. METHODS: In this study, the placement of 10 consecutive distractors in 7 patients was evaluated. The surgical technique, latency period, distraction rate, and consolidation period are reviewed. RESULTS: The technique of distraction osteogenesis resulted in an average vertical augmentation of 7 mm, with a range of 5 to 9 mm. There were no complications affecting the outcome of the distraction procedure. No failures have occurred to date in the 16 implants that were placed and loaded following distraction. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, clinical, histologic, and radiographic evidence of consistent vertical bone augmentation was found with this technique of distraction osteogenesis for vertical ridge augmentation.

Neutral evolution of the sex-determining gene transformer in Drosophila.

The amino acid sequence of the transformer (tra) gene exhibits an extremely rapid rate of evolution among Drosophila species, although the gene performs a critical step in sex determination. These changes in amino acid sequence are the result of either natural selection or neutral evolution. To differentiate between selective and neutral causes of this evolutionary change, analyses of both intraspecific and interspecific patterns of molecular evolution of tra gene sequences are presented. Sequences of 31 tra alleles were obtained from Drosophila americana. Many replacement and silent nucleotide variants are present among the alleles; however, the distribution of this sequence variation is consistent with neutral evolution. Sequence evolution was also examined among six species representative of the genus Drosophila. For most lineages and most regions of the gene, both silent and replacement substitutions have accumulated in a constant, clock-like manner. In exon 3 of D. virilis and D. americana we find evidence for an elevated rate of nonsynonymous substitution, but no statistical support for a greater rate of nonsynonymous relative to synonymous substitutions. Both levels of analysis of the tra sequence suggest that, although the gene is evolving at a rapid pace, these changes are neutral in function.

The effects of megestrol acetate on nutritional parameters in a dialysis population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of megestrol acetate on nutritional parameters in a hemodialysis population. DESIGN: Prospective case studies of hemodialysis patients. SETTING: A freestanding, nonprofit, hemodialysis unit. SUBJECTS: Seventeen patients were studied. They were included regardless of gender, age, or cause of renal disease. They had to be on dialysis for at least 2 months, had a serum albumin <3.5 g/dL for these 2 months, and had to be at high nutritional risk. There were 8 women and 9 men. Ages were 44 to 87 years. Eight were diabetics, and 9 were nondiabetics. INTERVENTIONS: Megestrol acetate 400 mg orally twice daily was prescribed, and patients were studied for 6 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre-evaluation and postevaluation were performed by patient questionnaire, Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), dry weight, and anthropometric measurements. Monthly laboratory monitoring included albumin, prealbumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol, triglycerides, carbon dioxide, platelets, hematocrit, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase, and glucose. Glycohemoglobin and hemoglobin A1c were monitored in diabetic patients. RESULTS: Three patients were able to take megestrol acetate for 5 to 6 months. They reported improved appetite and showed an increase in dry weight. The annualized mortality rate was about 59%. Side effects included diarrhea, confusion, hyperglycemia, headaches, dizziness, and elevated LDH. CONCLUSION: Megestrol acetate may help stimulate appetite in the hemodialysis patient, but it is risky and must be monitored closely. Eight hundred milligrams per day is probably too large a dose for the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patient.