Searching for Scalar Field Dark Matter with LIGO.

We report on a direct search for scalar field dark matter using data from LIGO's third observing run. We analyze the coupling of size oscillations of the interferometer's beam splitter and arm test masses that may be caused by scalar field dark matter. Using new efficient search methods to maximize sensitivity for signatures of such oscillations, we set new upper limits for the coupling constants of scalar field dark matter as a function of its mass, which improve upon bounds from previous direct searches by up to four orders of magnitude in a frequency band from 10 to 180 Hz.

Squeezing the quantum noise of a gravitational-wave detector below the standard quantum limit.

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle dictates that the position and momentum of an object cannot be simultaneously measured with arbitrary precision, giving rise to an apparent limitation known as the standard quantum limit (SQL). Gravitational-wave detectors use photons to continuously measure the positions of freely falling mirrors and so are affected by the SQL. We investigated the performance of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) after the experimental realization of frequency-dependent squeezing designed to surpass the SQL.

Subjective Smell Disturbances in Children with Sars-Cov-2 or Other Viral Infections do not Correspond with Olfactory Test Results.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in children has not been verified by a validated olfactory test. We aimed to determine whether these complaints are objectifiable (test-based hyposmia), how often they occur during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to other upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), as well as in children recovered from COVID-19 compared to children with long COVID.

Methods: Olfactory testing (U-sniff test; hyposmia<8 points) and survey-based symptom assessments were performed in 434 children (5-17 years; 04/2021-06/2022).

Motivations for Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccination: A Comparative Study of Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives in Germany.

Given the crucial role of vaccination in halting the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to understand the factors that motivate adolescents to get vaccinated. We surveyed adolescents and their accompanying guardians scheduled to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (Comirnaty) in an urban region in Germany in mid-2021 regarding their motivation for getting vaccinated and collected data on their sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, vaccination status, and any history of COVID-19 infection in the family. We also queried information strategies related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Characterization and evasion of backscattered light in the squeezed-light enhanced gravitational wave interferometer GEO 600.

Squeezed light is injected into the dark port of gravitational wave interferometers, in order to reduce the quantum noise. A fraction of the interferometer output light can reach the OPO due to sub-optimal isolation of the squeezing injection path. This backscattered light interacts with squeezed light generation process, introducing additional measurement noise.

Olfactory disorders in childhood: A comparative study of olfaction in children with adenoid hyperplasia versus a control group and the postoperative effects of adenoidectomy with respect to olfactory ability.

Purpose: Hyposmia in childhood is poorly characterized. The "U-Sniff Test", validated for children with anosmia, can be used to objectify olfactory impairment but has not been used to distinguish between hyposmia and normosmia. Therefore, we investigated children with enlarged adenoids with respect to hyposmia, its correlation with adenoid size, and the sensitivity of questionnaires to predict olfactory impairment.

Constraints on Scalar Field Dark Matter from Colocated Michelson Interferometers.

Low-mass (sub-eV) scalar field dark matter may induce apparent oscillations of fundamental constants, resulting in corresponding oscillations of the size and the index of refraction of solids. Laser interferometers are highly sensitive to changes in the size and index of refraction of the main beam splitter. Using cross-correlated data of the Fermilab Holometer instrument, which consists of twin colocated 40-m arm length power-recycled interferometers, we investigate the possible existence of scalar field dark matter candidates in the mass range between 1.

Serotonergic modulation of appetitive and ingestive behavior in crayfish.

Serotonin is an important modulator of feeding behavior across animal species. In invertebrates, much is known about the regulation of feeding in several model organisms, but comparative data are limited. We examined the modulation of feeding behavior in crayfish by administering serotonin and two serotonin receptor ligands, mianserin and 5-carboxamidotryptamine.

Direct limits for scalar field dark matter from a gravitational-wave detector.

The nature of dark matter remains unknown to date, although several candidate particles are being considered in a dynamically changing research landscape. Scalar field dark matter is a prominent option that is being explored with precision instruments, such as atomic clocks and optical cavities. Here we describe a direct search for scalar field dark matter using a gravitational-wave detector, which operates beyond the quantum shot-noise limit.

Avelumab for platinum-ineligible/refractory recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: phase Ib results from the JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial.

Background: Recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) disease develops in approximately 65% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and is associated with a poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have proven effective in multiple tumor types, including R/M SCCHN. We report the efficacy and safety of avelumab (antiprogrammed death ligand 1 antibody) in an expansion cohort of patients with platinum-refractory/ineligible R/M SCCHN enrolled in the phase I JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial (NCT01772004).

Junior doctors and fitness to practice procedures in the UK: analysis of factors prompting tribunal referrals and outcomes.

Purpose Of The Study: To ascertain factors influencing referral to, and outcomes from medical tribunals for junior doctors with less than 7 years of postgraduate training.

Study Design: A mixed methods analysis of 49 publicly available determinations from the UK Medical Practitioner Tribunal Service (MPTS) between 2014 and 2020 was undertaken. Data on demographics, training grade, type of case and outcomes from the tribunal were recorded.

Outliers from national audits: their analysis and use by the Care Quality Commission in quality assurance and regulation of healthcare services in England.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. As part of the intelligence-driven approach to regulation, the CQC works closely with national clinical audit bodies to identify key metrics which reflect quality of care and track the performance of providers against these metrics. Where outliers on national audits are identified that may reflect risks to patients, the CQC encourages the hospital to identify any learning points and implement changes to improve patient care.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run.

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection.

The experience of D/deaf healthcare professionals during the coronavirus pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus pandemic, in particular the introduction of masks, presented a huge challenge for the UK's D/deaf community, many of whom rely on visual cues in lipreading and sign language. This particularly affected D/deaf healthcare professionals (HCPs), who faced significant communication challenges at work due to the lack of transparent masks or other reasonable adjustments.

Aims: To determine the impact that a lack of transparent masks and reasonable adjustments had on communication, confidence at work and well-being among D/deaf HCPs during the coronavirus pandemic.

First Demonstration of 6 dB Quantum Noise Reduction in a Kilometer Scale Gravitational Wave Observatory.

Photon shot noise, arising from the quantum-mechanical nature of the light, currently limits the sensitivity of all the gravitational wave observatories at frequencies above one kilohertz. We report a successful application of squeezed vacuum states of light at the GEO 600 observatory and demonstrate for the first time a reduction of quantum noise up to 6.03±0.

Post-traumatic (and postsurgical) Guillain-Barré Syndrome: a rare, but treatable entity.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, monophasic, polyradiculoneuropathy usually provoked by a preceding infection. The cardinal features are progressive weakness in the upper and lower limbs accompanied by loss of deep tendon reflexes. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical history and examination findings, supported by typical cerebrospinal fluid and electrophysiology findings.

Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA.

We present our current best estimate of the plausible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next several years, with the intention of providing information to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals for the third (O3), fourth (O4) and fifth observing (O5) runs, including the planned upgrades of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. We study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source for gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary systems of compact objects, that is binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems.

Efficacy and safety of first-line avelumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: results from a phase Ib cohort of the JAVELIN Solid Tumor study.

Introduction: Avelumab, an antiprogrammed death ligand-1 antibody, is approved as a monotherapy for treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and advanced urothelial carcinoma, and in combination with axitinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma. We report the efficacy and safety of first-line avelumab in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: In a phase I expansion cohort of the JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial, patients with treatment-naive, metastatic, or recurrent NSCLC received 10 mg/kg avelumab intravenously every 2 weeks.

Association of Programmed Death 1 Protein Ligand (PD-L1) Expression With Prognosis in Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin cancer. Prior to the advent of immunotherapy, treatment options were limited. In our study, we evaluate the impact of tumor cell PD-L1 expression and tumor immune microenvironment on survival in MCC patients who were not treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Immunohistochemistry Assay Comparison Studies in NSCLC: Characterization of the 73-10 Assay.

Introduction: Several programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays have been developed independently within clinical programs for therapeutic anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) or PD-L1 antibodies, necessitating assessment of assay comparability. We characterized the Dako PD-L1 IHC 73-10 assay used in clinical trials of avelumab (anti-PD-L1) or bintrafusp alfa (M7824; bifunctional immunotherapy) and compared it with the Dako PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx assay, an approved companion diagnostic for pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded NSCLC tumor samples from a commercial source and from the JAVELIN Solid Tumor phase 1 trial of avelumab (NCT01772004) were stained using the 73-10 and 22C3 IHC assays with a standard protocol.