New Results from the Search for Low-Mass Weakly Interacting Massive Particles with the CDMS Low Ionization Threshold Experiment.

The CDMS low ionization threshold experiment (CDMSlite) uses cryogenic germanium detectors operated at a relatively high bias voltage to amplify the phonon signal in the search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). Results are presented from the second CDMSlite run with an exposure of 70 kg day, which reached an energy threshold for electron recoils as low as 56 eV. A fiducialization cut reduces backgrounds below those previously reported by CDMSlite. New parameter space for the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section is excluded for WIMP masses between 1.6 and 5.5 GeV/c^{2}.

First direct limits on lightly ionizing particles with electric charge less than e/6.

While the standard model of particle physics does not include free particles with fractional charge, experimental searches have not ruled out their existence. We report results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment that give the first direct-detection limits for cosmogenically produced relativistic particles with electric charge lower than e/6. A search for tracks in the six stacked detectors of each of two of the CDMS II towers finds no candidates, thereby excluding new parameter space for particles with electric charges between e/6 and e/200.

Search for low-mass weakly interacting massive particles using voltage-assisted calorimetric ionization detection in the SuperCDMS experiment.

SuperCDMS is an experiment designed to directly detect weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), a favored candidate for dark matter ubiquitous in the Universe. In this Letter, we present WIMP-search results using a calorimetric technique we call CDMSlite, which relies on voltage-assisted Luke-Neganov amplification of the ionization energy deposited by particle interactions. The data were collected with a single 0.6 kg germanium detector running for ten live days at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. A low energy threshold of 170 eVee (electron equivalent) was obtained, which allows us to constrain new WIMP-nucleon spin-independent parameter space for WIMP masses below 6 GeV/c2.

Parameter estimation in searches for the stochastic gravitational-wave background.

The stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB) is expected to arise from the superposition of many independent and unresolved gravitational-wave signals of either cosmological or astrophysical origin. The spectral content of the SGWB carries signatures of the physics that generated it. We present a Bayesian framework for estimating the parameters associated with different SGWB models using data from gravitational-wave detectors. We apply this technique to recent results from LIGO to produce the first simultaneous 95% confidence level limits on multiple parameters in generic power-law SGWB models and in SGWB models of compact binary coalescences. We also estimate the sensitivity of the upcoming second-generation detectors such as Advanced LIGO or Virgo to these models and demonstrate how SGWB measurements can be combined and compared with observations of individual compact binary coalescences in order to build confidence in the origin of an observed SGWB signal. In doing so, we demonstrate a novel means of differentiating between different sources of the SGWB.

Results from a low-energy analysis of the CDMS II germanium data.

We report results from a reanalysis of data from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Data taken between October 2006 and September 2008 using eight germanium detectors are reanalyzed with a lowered, 2 keV recoil-energy threshold, to give increased sensitivity to interactions from weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with masses below ∼10 GeV/c(2). This analysis provides stronger constraints than previous CDMS II results for WIMP masses below 9 GeV/c(2) and excludes parameter space associated with possible low-mass WIMP signals from the DAMA/LIBRA and CoGeNT experiments.

Thrombophilia in women with pregnancy-associated complications: fetal loss and pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Existing data regarding the prevalence of thrombophilia in women with pregnancy complications are conflicting. METHODS: To investigate the relationship between pregnancy-associated complications and the presence of thrombophilia, we studied the records of 453 women with pregnancy-associated complications. In 55 women, intrauterine fetal death (fetus mortus in utero, FMU) after 20 weeks of gestation was recorded, in 231 two or more consecutive recurrent fetal losses (RFL) were recorded, while 167 had a venous thromboembolism (VTE) during one of their pregnancies. The control group consisted of 128 healthy women, with no previous history of thrombotic events or miscarriages. RESULTS: In the FMU group we found 54.5% of women had thrombophilia, in the RFL group 38%, and in the VTE group 52.7%. The most frequent thrombophilia in the VTE group was the FV Leiden (OR 17.9, 95% CI 4.2-75.9). The most frequent thrombophilia in the FMU group was the FII G20210A (OR 7.09, 95% CI 1.8-27.9). Statistical difference between RFL and the control group was observed only for FV Leiden (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.6-29.7). CONCLUSION: Thrombophilia was found to be considerably more common in women with pregnancy-associated complications in comparison with the women with normal pregnancies, most frequently in patients with VTE or FMU.

Search for axions with the CDMS experiment.

We report on the first axion search results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. An energy threshold of 2 keV for electron-recoil events allows a search for possible solar axion conversion into photons or local galactic axion conversion into electrons in the germanium crystal detectors. The solar axion search sets an upper limit on the Primakov coupling g(agammagamma) of 2.4x10(-9) GeV-1 at the 95% confidence level for an axion mass less than 0.1 keV/c2. This limit benefits from the first precise measurement of the absolute crystal plane orientations in this type of experiment. The galactic axion search analysis sets a world-leading experimental upper limit on the axioelectric coupling g(aee) of 1.4x10(-12) at the 90% confidence level for an axion mass of 2.5 keV/c2.

Decreased expression of MMP-9 in CD8+ cells in placenta with severe preeclampsia.

We compared the number of CD4-positive (CD4+) and CD8-positive (CD8+) cells in severe and non-severe preeclampsia (PE), and in normal pregnancy. We also evaluated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Immunohistochemistry for CD4+ and CD8+ was performed on the decidua basalis of 15 severe and 13 non-severe PE women and compared to decidual tissue of 19 normal pregnancies (control group). Co-expression of MMP-9 with CD8+ and CD4+ cells was determined by double immunofluorescence staining. The median number of CD8+ cells/mm2 was significantly lower for the severe PE group than for the normal pregnancy group, as was the number of CD4+ cells and MMP-9+CD8+ cells. No statistical difference was found between the non-severe PE group and the normal pregnancy group. The significant decrease of CD4+, CD8+ and MMP-9+CD8+ cells at the fetal-maternal interface only in the severe PE group suggests that immunological disorders play a role in the pathophysiology of severe PE.

Oxidation of placental insulin and insulin-like growth factor receptors in mothers with diabetes mellitus or preeclampsia complicated with intrauterine growth restriction.

Placental insulin receptor (IR) and insulin-like growth factor receptors (IGFRs) are essential for fetal growth. We investigated structural changes of these receptors exposed to increased oxidative stress in mothers diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) or preeclampsia (PE) complicated with intrauterine growth restriction. Increased amount of IR and decreased amounts of IGF1R and IGF2R were found in both pathologies, accompanied by significant elevation in protein carbonyls. When isolated receptors were examined, increased carbonylation of IR and IGF1R in PE placentas was detected, whereas the amounts of carbonylated IR and IGF1R were similar in DM and healthy placentas. Carbonylation status of IGF2R did not change due to pathology, confirming the detrimental role of primary structure and conformation in oxidative susceptibility. Ligand binding was similar in all three groups of samples and did not seem to be affected by receptor oxidation. Since babies delivered by mothers with PE were smaller than the referent population, increased carbonylation of receptors might have affected downstream receptor signaling post-ligand binding.

Mercury in contaminated coastal environments; a case study: the Gulf of Trieste.

Some general facts, uncertainties and gaps in current knowledge of Hg cycling in coastal and oceanic environments are given. As a case study the Gulf of Trieste is chosen. The Gulf is subject to substantial Hg pollution, originating from the Soca river, that drains the cinnabar deposits of the world's second largest Hg mining area, Idrija, Slovenia. The Gulf belongs to one of the most polluted areas in the Mediterranean. Apart from Hg problems, the Gulf is also a subject to industrial and sewage pollution. Due to deteriorating water quality in the Gulf there is a great concern that Hg can be remobilized from sediments to the water column as well as enhance methylation rates which may consequently increase already elevated Hg levels in aquatic organisms. The paper presents data from a recent study which aims to assess the extent of contamination of the Gulf of Trieste after the closure of the Hg mine. Mercury and methylmercury were measured in various environmental compartments (estuarine and marine waters, sediments, and organisms) during the period 1995-1997. Data obtained show that even 10 years after closure of the Hg mine, Hg concentrations in river sediments and water are still very high and did not show the expected decrease of Hg in the Gulf of Trieste. A provisional annual mercury mass balance was established for the Gulf of Trieste showing that the major source of inorganic mercury is still the River Soca (Isonzo) while the major source of methylmercury is the bottom sediment of the Gulf.

Croatian initial experience with the suitability of the ICIDH for classifying health status.

As consequences of disease and disorders cannot be expressed with the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH) was tested on a data sample of 1800 persons from the Croatian Register of Psychophysical Development Disorders and Other Disabilities (CRPDOD). Persons with either a visceral impairment, skeletal impairment, disfiguring impairment or one from the group of generalized, sensory and other impairments, were selected. Despite favourable results some amendments are suggested. These involve several examples of coding practice, modified elaboration of consciousness and continence impairments, newly created categories and subcategories in classifications I and D, as well as common codes for cases having several disability categories simultaneously.

[The importance of the adaptation period in medical rehabilitation in attaining definitive work capacity]. / Vaznost perioda adaptacije u medicinskoj rehabilitaciji za postizanje definitivne radne sposobnosti.

Medical rehabilitation may bring functional improvement up to a level permitted by damages of the locomotor system, especially by those of the joints. At the start of rehabilitation the restricted motions are initially very painful and provoke an intensive protective spasm. In the course of rehabilitation the range of motions becomes more extensive, motions are less and less painful, until finally the pain disappears. The final condition which is medically considered as definite is the contracture due to damages of the joints and periarticular tissues. The process of rehabilitation includes a period of worker's adjustment to the new conditions. The worker learns to use the damaged part of the body in a different manner by means of adaptation, substitution and other mechanisms of adjustment. That is a period of voluntary control of the damaged parts, and yet some certain tenderness or pain is present. Adaptation is supposed to develop new neural patterns, a new sequence and coordination of motions, and consequently new motion schemes. So voluntary use of the damaged body part is substituted by automatic and painless control. Definite evaluation of working capacity and residual working ability is possible only after the period of adaptation.

[Approach to treatment of lumbar pain syndromes and criteria of evaluating driving capability in professional drivers of large motor vehicles]. / Pristup lijecenju lumbalnog bolnog sindroma i kriteriji ocjene vozacke sposobnosti profesionalnih vozaca teskih motornih vozila.

In truck drivers the negative effects of long-lasting body posture stress, vibration, muscular effort, changing of weather and climate conditions, monotony of driving, irregular rest, sleep and diet summarize. Our investigations performed on 80 professional truck drivers admitted to the commission demonstrated that in 35.5% back pain was the leading or one of leading diagnoses. The temporary working disability was injustifiable too long--32.5% more than 2 years, and the number of attacks in 70% over 4. The performed treatment was neither complex, nor continuous. 91.3% have lost the driving ability for professional truck driving. 89% of them were classified as able for an adequate job with full time, and 8.2% for part time. Only in 2.8% total permanent working disability was found. We developed following approach to the treatment of back pain in professional truck drivers: In the first attack the treatment should be carefully performed with high professional physiotherapy. In the second attack there should be performed possible improvements of working conditions and regime. In the third attack the disability is imminent, and the driver should be transferred to another adequate job. Such approach in the treatment ensures to truck driver maximal possible working span and profitable business.

[The level of reliability of Lasegue's symptoms measured in the sitting position--results of a multicenter study]. / Stupanj pouzdanosti Lasegue-ovog simptoma mjerenog u sjedecem polozaju--rezultati multicentrickog ispitivanja.

The results of Lasègue test /LT/ examination are not always enough objective owing to subjective complaints superposition. The first favourable clinical experiences with analysis of the LT in sitting position stimulated our previous anatomical, biometrical and clinical investigations (Mandic and col. 1970.). There has been established the stretching of the ischial nerve in classical LT to 12.7 cm, in sitting position to 4.8 cm, and the changing of position from supine to sitting to 6.4 cm. That means that the stretching in sitting LT is greater then in classical way/i.e. 13.26 cm/. The stretching forces in both ways were equal (0-3.7 kp/. The multicentric investigation included 330 patients of both sexes, aged 15-62 years. In 57 patients/17.3%/was LT in sitting position positive and in supine negative. That demonstrate the higher degree of reliability 17.3%. These quantitative results will be continued in qualitative investigation of statistical correlation of relative flexion degrees. The advantages of sitting LT are:more simple, more quick, the taking off patient's clothes is not needed, and the result is more suitable for the objective evaluation of psychogenic complaints superposition or simulation.

Dark matter search results from the CDMS II experiment.

Astrophysical observations indicate that dark matter constitutes most of the mass in our universe, but its nature remains unknown. Over the past decade, the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment has provided world-leading sensitivity for the direct detection of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter. The final exposure of our low-temperature germanium particle detectors at the Soudan Underground Laboratory yielded two candidate events, with an expected background of 0.9 +/- 0.2 events. This is not statistically significant evidence for a WIMP signal. The combined CDMS II data place the strongest constraints on the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent scattering cross section for a wide range of WIMP masses and exclude new parameter space in inelastic dark matter models.