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.

Axion Dark Matter Experiment: Detailed design and operations.

Axion dark matter experiment ultra-low noise haloscope technology has enabled the successful completion of two science runs (1A and 1B) that looked for dark matter axions in the 2.66-3.1 µeV mass range with Dine-Fischler-Srednicki-Zhitnisky sensitivity [Du et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 151301 (2018) and Braine et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 101303 (2020)]. Therefore, it is the most sensitive axion search experiment to date in this mass range. We discuss the technological advances made in the last several years to achieve this sensitivity, which includes the implementation of components, such as the state-of-the-art quantum-noise-limited amplifiers and a dilution refrigerator. Furthermore, we demonstrate the use of a frequency tunable microstrip superconducting quantum interference device amplifier in run 1A, and a Josephson parametric amplifier in run 1B, along with novel analysis tools that characterize the system noise temperature.

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.

Extended Search for the Invisible Axion with the Axion Dark Matter Experiment.

This Letter reports on a cavity haloscope search for dark matter axions in the Galactic halo in the mass range 2.81-3.31 µeV. This search utilizes the combination of a low-noise Josephson parametric amplifier and a large-cavity haloscope to achieve unprecedented sensitivity across this mass range. This search excludes the full range of axion-photon coupling values predicted in benchmark models of the invisible axion that solve the strong CP problem of quantum chromodynamics.

Search for Invisible Axion Dark Matter with the Axion Dark Matter Experiment.

This Letter reports the results from a haloscope search for dark matter axions with masses between 2.66 and 2.81 µeV. The search excludes the range of axion-photon couplings predicted by plausible models of the invisible axion. This unprecedented sensitivity is achieved by operating a large-volume haloscope at subkelvin temperatures, thereby reducing thermal noise as well as the excess noise from the ultralow-noise superconducting quantum interference device amplifier used for the signal power readout. Ongoing searches will provide nearly definitive tests of the invisible axion model over a wide range of axion masses.

Piezoelectrically Tuned Multimode Cavity Search for Axion Dark Matter.

The µeV axion is a well-motivated extension to the standard model. The Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX) collaboration seeks to discover this particle by looking for the resonant conversion of dark-matter axions to microwave photons in a strong magnetic field. In this Letter, we report results from a pathfinder experiment, the ADMX "Sidecar," which is designed to pave the way for future, higher mass, searches. This testbed experiment lives inside of and operates in tandem with the main ADMX experiment. The Sidecar experiment excludes masses in three widely spaced frequency ranges (4202-4249, 5086-5799, and 7173-7203 MHz). In addition, Sidecar demonstrates the successful use of a piezoelectric actuator for cavity tuning. Finally, this publication is the first to report data measured using both the TM_{010} and TM_{020} modes.

Dark Matter Search in a Proton Beam Dump with MiniBooNE.

The MiniBooNE-DM Collaboration searched for vector-boson mediated production of dark matter using the Fermilab 8-GeV Booster proton beam in a dedicated run with 1.86×10^{20} protons delivered to a steel beam dump. The MiniBooNE detector, 490 m downstream, is sensitive to dark matter via elastic scattering with nucleons in the detector mineral oil. Analysis methods developed for previous MiniBooNE scattering results were employed, and several constraining data sets were simultaneously analyzed to minimize systematic errors from neutrino flux and interaction rates. No excess of events over background was observed, leading to a 90% confidence limit on the dark matter cross section parameter, Y=ε^{2}α_{D}(m_{χ}/m_{V})^{4}≲10^{-8}, for α_{D}=0.5 and for dark matter masses of 0.01

Laboratory constraints on chameleon dark energy and power-law fields.

We report results from a search for chameleon particles created via photon-chameleon oscillations within a magnetic field. This experiment is sensitive to a wide class of unexplored chameleon power-law and dark energy models. These results exclude 5 orders of magnitude in the coupling of chameleons to photons covering a range of 4 orders of magnitude in chameleon effective mass and, for individual models, exclude between 4 and 12 orders of magnitude in chameleon couplings to matter.

Search for chameleon particles using a photon-regeneration technique.

We report the first results from the GammeV search for chameleon particles, which may be created via photon-photon interactions within a strong magnetic field. Chameleons are hypothesized scalar fields that could explain the dark energy problem. We implement a novel technique to create and trap the reflective particles within a jar and to detect them later via their afterglow as they slowly convert back into photons. These measurements provide the first experimental constraints on the couplings of chameleons to photons.

Search for axionlike particles using a variable-baseline photon-regeneration technique.

We report the first results of the GammeV experiment, a search for milli-eV mass particles with axionlike couplings to two photons. The search is performed using a "light shining through a wall" technique where incident photons oscillate into new weakly interacting particles that are able to pass through the wall and subsequently regenerate back into detectable photons. The oscillation baseline of the apparatus is variable, thus allowing probes of different values of particle mass. We find no excess of events above background and are able to constrain the two-photon couplings of possible new scalar (pseudoscalar) particles to be less than 3.1x10;(-7) GeV-1 (3.5x10;(-7) GeV-1) in the limit of massless particles.

New limit on CPT violation

A search for antiproton decay has been made at the Fermilab Antiproton Accumulator. Limits are placed on fifteen antiproton decay modes. The results are used to place limits on the characteristic mass scale m(X) that could be associated with CPT violation accompanied by baryon number violation.

Differential expression of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-6 in occlusive and aneurysmal aortic disease.

BACKGROUND: Both aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm disease (AAA) are traditionally considered degenerative conditions that are caused by atherosclerosis. Although it is becoming apparent that the pathophysiology of each condition has its own determinants, inflammation is thought to play a role in each. The purpose of this study was to analyze the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in aortic disease and compare AAA with AIOD, as well as to compare both with normal aorta. METHODS: Aortic tissue was harvested at the time of aortic reconstructive surgery for AAA (n = 13) and AIOD (n = 14) or at time of organ harvest for normal (n = 16) aortic specimens. Whole organ cultures were immediately established, and the culture medium was collected after 72 hours. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assay for PGE2 and a lymphoproliferative assay was used to quantitate IL-6. Statistical analysis was performed using paired 2-tail t tests. RESULTS: Normal aorta expressed much less PGE2 (384 +/- 67 ng/mL) than either AAA (11,093 +/- 7,411 ng/mL) (P < .001) or AIOD (13, 719 +/- 3,355 ng/mL) (P < .002). However there was no statistically significant difference in PGE2 expression between the AAA and AIOD groups (P = . 44). The IL-6 assay also showed that normal aorta had very little expression (1,861 +/- 334 U/mL) compared with either AAA (14,329 +/- 4,159 U/mL) (P = . 02) or AIOD (39,805 +/- 8,426) (P < .001). Comparison between AAA and AIOD revealed significantly higher expression of IL-6 by the AIOD cultures (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: AAA and AIOD are associated with increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokines PGE2 and IL-6. However, AIOD is associated with a much higher level of IL-6 expression than is AAA, although the level of PGE2 expression is the same. This differential expression of IL-6 may help explain the pathogenesis of these 2 distinct aortic diseases.

Indomethacin inhibits expansion of experimental aortic aneurysms via inhibition of the cox2 isoform of cyclooxygenase.

PURPOSE: Cyclooxygenase, either the cox1 or cox2 isoform, controls synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which regulates expression of matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9). PGE2 and MMP-9 are elevated in aortic aneurysms. The mechanisms and time course of the inhibition of aneurysm expansion with a nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, were determined in an animal model. METHODS: Rats underwent aortic perfusion with saline (n = 40) as controls or with elastase. Elastase-treated animals received no treatment (n = 82) or received indomethacin (n = 73). Aortic diameters were determined at the time of aortic perfusion and when the rats were killed. The aortas were harvested and used for whole organ culture, substrate gel zymography, or histologic analysis. RESULTS: The control group demonstrated little change in aortic diameter. All the elastase-only animals developed aneurysms (maximal aortic diameter, 5.27 +/- 2.37 mm on day 14). Indomethacin markedly decreased the rate of aortic expansion (maximum aortic diameter, 3.45 +/- 1.11 mm; P <.001 vs the elastase-only group). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of aortic explant culture media showed that PGE2 synthesis paralleled aortic expansion, and indomethacin decreased PGE2 synthesis. Histologically, the aortic elastin architecture was destroyed in the elastase group, but was preserved with indomethacin treatment. In situ, hybridization for cox1 and cox2 showed that cox2, but not cox1, was expressed and was co-localized by immunohistochemistry to macrophages associated with the aortic wall. Decreased levels of MMP-9 activity with indomethacin were shown by means of substrate zymography. MMP-9 was also localized to macrophages. CONCLUSION: Indomethacin attenuates aneurysm growth, and its effects are mediated via inhibition of the cox2 isoform of cyclooxygenase, which decreases PGE2 and MMP-9 synthesis.

Prostaglandin E2 synthesis and cyclooxygenase expression in abdominal aortic aneurysms.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the two cyclooxygenase isoforms (cox1 and cox2) in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tissue. METHODS: Ten specimens each of normal aortas and aneurysmal aortas were collected and used for histologic analysis and whole organ culture. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for PGE2 was performed on the media from the aortic explant whole organ culture. An immunohistochemical analysis for PGE2 was performed, as was in situ hybridization for cox1 and cox2 on tissue sections. RESULTS: PGE2 production of AAA specimens was found to be 67,287 +/- 27,303 pg/ml as compared with 1698 +/- 858 pg/ml for normal aortic specimens (p < 0.001). PGE2 was localized by immunohistochemical analysis to the inflammatory infiltrate in AAAs. Minimal expression was noted in normal aortas. Using in situ hybridization, little expression of cox1 was noted in either the normal or the AAA specimens. Cox2 was expressed by macrophage-like cells within the inflammatory infiltrate of the AAA specimens but was not significantly expressed in the normal aorta. CONCLUSION: The expression of PGE2 is associated with the pathogenesis of human AAAs. Its expression is localized to macrophage-like cells within the inflammatory infiltrate and is controlled by the cox2 isoform of cyclooxygenase. Cox2 is, therefore, a potential target for pharmacotherapy of AAAs.

Indomethacin prevents elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms in the rat.

Perfusion of the rat abdominal aorta with elastase induces abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), in which the development of aortic dilatation correlates with the influx of inflammatory cells, increased production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and destruction of medial elastin. We tested the hypothesis that indomethacin, an inhibitor of macrophage MMP expression, might attenuate aneurysmal degeneration in this model. Fourteen adult male Wistar rats underwent 2-hr aortic perfusion with elastase. Six animals received injections of saline and eight animals received 4 mg/kg/day indomethacin for 7 days. Pre-perfusion, post-perfusion, and final aortic diameters (AD) were determined, and histology and substrate gel zymography were performed. Five out of six control animals developed AAA, while no aneurysms were observed in the indomethacin-treated group (P < 0.01). Whereas AD increased 126 +/- 16% in control animals, the mean increase in the indomethacin-treated group was only 56 +/- 6% (P < 0.001). Although animals in both groups demonstrated an inflammatory response dominated by macrophages, the marked destruction of medial elastin in the control group was not present in the treatment group. In addition, substrate zymography demonstrated decreased levels of MMP-9 in animals treated with indomethacin. Indomethacin inhibits aneurysm growth in this model, and the data suggest that it does so by decreasing macrophage expression of at least one elastolytic metalloproteinase, MMP-9.

Fatigue failure in small diameter tibial nails.

The prevalence of implant failure in small diameter tibial nails has not been well characterized. In a series of 130 tibial fractures stabilized with 8-mm and 9-mm nails, implant failure occurred in 18 fractures (13.8%): 4 nails (3%) broke and 16 (12.3%) screws failed. All nail failures occurred in open, unstable fractures with delayed union, and all of the nails that broke were dynamically locked during the failure. Of the 130 fractures, 128 (98.5%) eventually united. Delayed union, degree of comminution, metaphyseal location, and dynamic locking of unstable fractures contribute to hardware failure. Based on these findings, dynamization could be used to treat delayed union only in axially stable diaphyseal fractures. Exchange nailing is recommended to treat delayed union in comminuted or metaphyseal fractures to prevent hardware failure. Bone grafting should be performed at 6 to 12 weeks for fractures with > 50% bone loss.

Prediction of angular deformity and leg-length discrepancy after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature patients.

Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in young children and adolescents are becoming more common as more youngsters participate in organized sports. The dilemma for the orthopaedic surgeon is that untreated ACL ruptures may result in meniscal damage and joint degeneration, whereas surgical treatment may result in physeal arrest, with shortening and angular deformity. To help determine the appropriate timing for ACL repair in skeletally immature patients, graphs have been developed to predict the amount of shortening and angular deformity to expect after repair.

Production of interleukin 1 by SK hepatoma tumor cells.

SK hepatoma cells and SK hepatoma conditioned media contain an 18,000-dalton factor which is pyrogenic, stimulates collagenase and prostaglandin production in skin and synovial fibroblasts, induces bone resorption, and stimulates the proliferation of murine thymocytes. These results are consistent with the finding that this tumor cell line produces interleukin 1 [Doyle, M. V., Brindley, L., Kawasaki, E., & Larrick, J. (1985) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 130, 768-773] since all these activities have been associated with this cytokine. Greater than 80% of the cellular activity has a molecular weight of 30,000, while in contrast, greater than 80% of the activity in the tumor-conditioned media has a molecular weight of 18,000. When active material from the cells is incubated with trypsin, this high molecular weight material is completely converted into an active 18,000 molecular weight species. The isoelectric point of all active material is always between pI 4.0 and 5.1, regardless of molecular weight. All of these results are consistent with the hypothesis that active, high molecular weight interleukin 1 alpha is first synthesized and stored by the tumor cell. This cytokine is then cleaved by a trypsin-like protease to an active, lower molecular weight species which can be secreted into the media.