Search for Dark Photons with Superconducting Radio Frequency Cavities.

We conduct the first "light-shining-through-wall" (LSW) search for dark photons using two state-of-the-art high-quality-factor superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities -Dark SRF-and report the results of its pathfinder run. Our new experimental setup enables improvements in sensitivity over previous searches and covers new dark photon parameter space. We design delicate calibration and measurement protocols to utilize the high-Q setup at Dark SRF. Using cavities operating at 1.3 GHz, we establish a new exclusion limit for kinetic mixing as small as ε=1.6×10^{-9} and provide the world's best constraints on dark photons in the 2.1×10^{-7}-5.7×10^{-6} eV mass range. Our result is the first proof of concept for the enabling role of SRF cavities in LSW setups, with ample opportunities for further improvements. In addition, our data set a competitive lab-based limit on the standard model photon mass by searching for longitudinal photon polarization.

Field-Enhanced Superconductivity in High-Frequency Niobium Accelerating Cavities.

The discovery of nitrogen-doping treatment revealed that the radio frequency surface resistance of niobium resonators may be significantly reduced when nitrogen impurities are dissolved as interstitials in the material. A peculiar behavior exhibited by N-doped cavities is the anti-Q slope, i.e., a reduction in the temperature-dependent component of the surface resistance as a function of the accelerating field. This unusual trend in the surface resistance behavior has been attributed to the presence of interstitial nitrogen in the niobium lattice after the doping treatment. This Letter presents a focused study on the field dependence of the temperature-dependent component of the surface resistance as a function of the cavity resonant frequency. The findings show that the anti-Q slope may appear even in clean niobium cavities if the resonant frequency is high enough, which suggests new routes toward understanding the anti-Q slope effect.

Radio Frequency Magnetic Field Limits of Nb and Nb_{3}Sn.

Superconducting radio frequency (srf) cavities, essential components of many large particle accelerators, rely on the metastable flux-free state of superconducting materials. In this Letter, we present results of experiments measuring the magnetic field limits of two srf materials, Nb and Nb_{3}Sn. Resonators made using these materials were probed using both high power rf pulses and dc magnetic fields. Nb, which is the current standard material for srf cavities in applications, was found to be limited by the superheating field H_{sh} when prepared using methods to avoid excessive rf dissipation at high fields. Nb_{3}Sn, which is a promising alternative material that is still in the early stages of development for srf purposes, was found to be limited between the onset field of metastability H_{c1} and H_{sh}. Analysis of the results shows that the limitation is consistent with nucleation of flux penetration at defects in the rf layer.

Mortality associated with primary hyperparathyroidism.

561 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were followed between 1961 and 1994. Relative survival was compared to that of the Australian population studied during the same time interval. Mortality was significantly greater in the hyperparathyroid population (P<0.001). Mortality was not greater in the patients with serum calcium levels >3.00 mmol/L compared to those with a serum calcium levels <3.00 mmol/L. 113 patients did not have parathyroid surgery. Their relative survival was not significantly different from those who had surgery but their mean serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly lower than those who had surgery. A re-analysis of the 453 patients followed between 1972 and 2011 was carried out and a 20-year survival analysis made of those diagnosed between 1972 and 1981 and those diagnosed between 1982 and 1991. The latter group had significantly worse relative mortality than the former group (P<0.001) but was significantly older at the time of diagnosis (56.94 ± 14.83 vs 52.01 ± 13.58, P<0.001). The serum calcium and serum PTH levels were not significantly different between these two groups.

Malignant hypophosphathaemic bone disease.

A case of crippling osteoporosis with muscular weakness, hypophosphatemia, hyperparathyroidism, defective skeletal calcification and cartilage destruction is reported. The patient, a male was observed from the age of 2 1/2 until his death at the age of 33 years. This bone/cartilage disease failed to respond to phosphate supplementation, parathyroidectomy and calcitriol. We believe this may represent a hitherto undescribed entity.

The portrayal of the doctor in non-medical literature. 15. The surgeon.

Fictional surgeons are perceived as confident and competent individuals. They may not have a profound knowledge of basic physiology or statistical methods and their social behavior may lack refinement, but they are great technologists and most of their patients get better. Inside the operating room, surgeons are absolute autocrats, with a few abusing their position and turning into petty tyrants. The prominent status of fictional surgeons within the medical profession is reflected in their arrogant and patronizing attitudes towards patients, primary care doctors and non-surgical specialists. Fictional surgeons are impatient, irascible and aggressive. These traits make them poor communicators and teachers. A few are suspected of harbouring sadistic tendencies. On the other hand, when the surgeon turns his aggression towards the disease process rather than his colleagues or his trainees, it enables him to achieve some spectacular therapeutic successes.