Multimessenger Search for Sources of Gravitational Waves and High-Energy Neutrinos: Results for Initial LIGO-Virgo and IceCube

We report the results of a multimessenger search for coincident signals from the LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave observatories and the partially completed IceCube high-energy neutrino detector, including periods of joint operation between 2007-2010. These include parts of the 2005-2007 run and the 2009-2010 run for LIGO-Virgo, and IceCube's observation periods with 22, 59 and 79 strings. We find no significant coincident events, and use the search results to derive upper limits on the rate of joint sources for a range of source emission parameters. For the optimistic assumption of gravitational-wave emission energy of $10^{-2}$\,M$_\odot$c$^2$ at $\sim 150$\,Hz with $\sim 60$\,ms duration, and high-energy neutrino emission of $10^{51}$\,erg comparable to the isotropic gamma-ray energy of gamma-ray bursts, we limit the source rate below $1.6 \times 10^{-2}$\,Mpc$^{-3}$yr$^{-1}$. We also examine how combining information from gravitational waves and neutrinos will aid discovery in the advanced gravitational-wave detector era

Expanded Use of the VPCML Oxygenator

The Variable Prime Cobe Membrane Lung (VPCML) is a membrane gas exchange device originally developed for the short term cardiopulmonary support of infants and small adults. A particular advantage is its low static priming volume of 425 cc. To assess the efficacy of the VPCML in heavier patients, we used it for cardiopulmonary bypass in 123 consecutive adult patients weighing 47-120 kg (mean 78 ± 15 kg). Arterial and venous blood gases were obtained simultaneously at maximum hypothermia and during rewarming. Venous pO2 was used to assess the adequacy of perfusion. Mean venous pO2 during rewarming between the 60–70 kg group (n=22) and the 90–100 kg group (n=17) was 38±8 mmHg and 38±6 mmHg respectively (p = NS). Our results, with a mean flow of 3.79 ± 0.39 LPM, showed excellent gas exchange at maximum hypothermia and during rewarming regardless of weight range. In summary, our experience with the VPCML oxygenator demonstrates its ability to safely and efficiently oxygenate a wide range of adult patients while keeping priming volume to a minimum