Limits on Spin-Dependent WIMP-Nucleon Cross Section Obtained from the Complete LUX Exposure.

We present experimental constraints on the spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon elastic cross sections from the total 129.5 kg yr exposure acquired by the Large Underground Xenon experiment (LUX), operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota (USA). A profile likelihood ratio analysis allows 90% C.L. upper limits to be set on the WIMP-neutron (WIMP-proton) cross section of σ_{n}=1.6×10^{-41} cm^{2} (σ_{p}=5×10^{-40} cm^{2}) at 35 GeV c^{-2}, almost a sixfold improvement over the previous LUX spin-dependent results. The spin-dependent WIMP-neutron limit is the most sensitive constraint to date.

First Searches for Axions and Axionlike Particles with the LUX Experiment.

The first searches for axions and axionlike particles with the Large Underground Xenon experiment are presented. Under the assumption of an axioelectric interaction in xenon, the coupling constant between axions and electrons g_{Ae} is tested using data collected in 2013 with an exposure totaling 95 live days ×118 kg. A double-sided, profile likelihood ratio statistic test excludes g_{Ae} larger than 3.5×10^{-12} (90% C.L.) for solar axions. Assuming the Dine-Fischler-Srednicki-Zhitnitsky theoretical description, the upper limit in coupling corresponds to an upper limit on axion mass of 0.12 eV/c^{2}, while for the Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zhakharov description masses above 36.6 eV/c^{2} are excluded. For galactic axionlike particles, values of g_{Ae} larger than 4.2×10^{-13} are excluded for particle masses in the range 1-16 keV/c^{2}. These are the most stringent constraints to date for these interactions.

Results from a Search for Dark Matter in the Complete LUX Exposure.

We report constraints on spin-independent weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)-nucleon scattering using a 3.35×10^{4} kg day exposure of the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment. A dual-phase xenon time projection chamber with 250 kg of active mass is operated at the Sanford Underground Research Facility under Lead, South Dakota (USA). With roughly fourfold improvement in sensitivity for high WIMP masses relative to our previous results, this search yields no evidence of WIMP nuclear recoils. At a WIMP mass of 50 GeV c^{-2}, WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross sections above 2.2×10^{-46} cm^{2} are excluded at the 90% confidence level. When combined with the previously reported LUX exposure, this exclusion strengthens to 1.1×10^{-46} cm^{2} at 50 GeV c^{-2}.

Improved Limits on Scattering of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles from Reanalysis of 2013 LUX Data.

We present constraints on weakly interacting massive particles (WIMP)-nucleus scattering from the 2013 data of the Large Underground Xenon dark matter experiment, including 1.4×10^{4} kg day of search exposure. This new analysis incorporates several advances: single-photon calibration at the scintillation wavelength, improved event-reconstruction algorithms, a revised background model including events originating on the detector walls in an enlarged fiducial volume, and new calibrations from decays of an injected tritium ß source and from kinematically constrained nuclear recoils down to 1.1 keV. Sensitivity, especially to low-mass WIMPs, is enhanced compared to our previous results which modeled the signal only above a 3 keV minimum energy. Under standard dark matter halo assumptions and in the mass range above 4 GeV c^{-2}, these new results give the most stringent direct limits on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section. The 90% C.L. upper limit has a minimum of 0.6 zb at 33 GeV c^{-2} WIMP mass.

Results on the Spin-Dependent Scattering of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles on Nucleons from the Run 3 Data of the LUX Experiment.

We present experimental constraints on the spin-dependent WIMP (weakly interacting massive particle)-nucleon elastic cross sections from LUX data acquired in 2013. LUX is a dual-phase xenon time projection chamber operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (Lead, South Dakota), which is designed to observe the recoil signature of galactic WIMPs scattering from xenon nuclei. A profile likelihood ratio analysis of 1.4×10^{4} kg day of fiducial exposure allows 90% C.L. upper limits to be set on the WIMP-neutron (WIMP-proton) cross section of σ_{n}=9.4×10^{-41} cm^{2} (σ_{p}=2.9×10^{-39} cm^{2}) at 33 GeV/c^{2}. The spin-dependent WIMP-neutron limit is the most sensitive constraint to date.

A sub-50meV spectrometer and energy filter for use in combination with 200kV monochromated (S)TEMs.

A high-energy resolution post-column spectrometer for the purpose of electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy-filtered TEM in combination with a monochromated (S)TEM is presented. The prism aberrations were corrected up to fourth order using multipole elements improving the electron optical energy resolution and increasing the acceptance of the spectrometer for a combination of object area and collection angles. Electronics supplying the prism, drift tube, high-tension reference and critical lenses have been newly designed such that, in combination with the new electron optics, a sub-50 meV energy resolution has been realized, a 10-fold improvement over past post-column spectrometer designs. The first system has been installed on a 200 kV monochromated TEM at the Delft University of Technology. Total system energy resolution of sub-100 meV has been demonstrated. For a 1s exposure the resolution degraded to 110 meV as a result of noise. No further degradation in energy resolution was measured for exposures up to 1 min at 120 kV. Spectral resolution measurements, performed on the pi* peak of the BN K-edge, demonstrated a 350 meV (FWHM) peak width at 200 kV. This measure is predominantly determined by the natural line width of the BN K-edge.

Comparative analysis of bone stresses and strains in the Intoss dental implant with and without a flexible internal post.

The clinical success of any dental implant is dependent upon the maintenance of good-quality bone supporting it. Previous studies have shown high values of strain around the neck of an implant under lateral loading. These high values may lead to fatigue damage and resorption in lower strength cancellous bone. In this study, the finite element method has been used to study the bone strain distribution around the following implants: (a) an Intoss dental implant, referred to as the 'standard' implant; (b) a comparative Branemark implant and (c) a modified Intoss implant with a central flexible post, referred to as the 'modified' implant. Three different bone distributions have been investigated under axial and lateral loading: (a) implant surrounded by cortical bone; (b) implant tip supported by cortical bone with a thin layer of cancellous bone along the length and top of the implant; (c) implant tip and top supported by cortical bone with a thin layer of cancellous bone along the remaining length. For the standard implant, similar maximum equivalent strain values were predicted for the bone surrounding a comparable length Branemark-type implant. Modification of the standard implant design to include a flexible central post resulted in a decrease in the maximum von Mises stresses and equivalent strains in the cancellous bone. It is postulated that this will reduce the likelihood of bone fatigue failure and subsequent resorption in this bone. Thus the proposed design change is predicted to be highly beneficial in terms of bone load transfer.

Analysis of surface cleanliness of three commercial dental implants.

Six routinely packaged commercially pure titanium dental implants (three commercial brands) were analysed using secondary ion mass spectrometry to examine the outermost surface layer. The aim of the analysis was to compare the surface purity (99.95%) of the implants with the substrate metal, common to all three brands. The use of a low primary ion current density provided a nominal protection limit of 0.01% or 100 p.p.m. All the implants examined had extremely pure surfaces. However, only one brand of implant had an ultraclean oxide surface in relation to the substrate.

Contributory factors and etiology of sciatic nerve palsy in total hip arthroplasty.

Twenty-three peroneal and sciatic nerve palsies occurred in 21 patients following hip arthroplasty. Apparent risk factors included revision operations, being female, and significant lengthening of the extremity. The amount of lengthening was correlated with the development of either a peroneal palsy or sciatic nerve palsy. In cases of peroneal palsy the average lengthening was 2.7 cm (1.9 cm-3.7 cm) in comparison with 4.4 cm (4.0 cm-5.1 cm) for sciatic nerve palsies. Seven of these nerve palsies occurred among 614 consecutive patients treated at one institution during the period 1983-1985. This corresponded to an overall incidence of 1.1%. Electromyography demonstrated that peroneal stretch palsies originated primarily at the level of the neck of the fibula with some diffuse but lesser involvement along the proximal course of the peroneal division of the sciatic nerve.

Optimization of preamplifiers for detection of short pulses of light with photodiodes.

The design of the preamplifier used with photodiodes to detect short pulses of light is presented. Expressions are derived giving the output signal-to-noise ratio in terms of the noise characterization of the amplifier, the characteristics of the detector, and its operating conditions. The frequency response of a vacuum tube amplifier is specified to give the maximum output signal-to-noise ratio. A numerical example is given.