Implementation of an F-statistic all-sky search for continuous gravitational waves in Virgo VSR1 data

We present an implementation of the F-statistic to carry out the first search in data from the Virgo laser interferometric gravitational wave detector for periodic gravitational waves from a priori unknown, isolated rotating neutron stars. We searched a frequency f(0) range from 100 Hz to 1 kHz and the frequency dependent spindown f(1) range from -1.6(f(0)/100 Hz) x 10(-9) Hz s(-1) to zero. A large part of this frequency-spindown space was unexplored by any of the all-sky searches published so far. Our method consisted of a coherent search over two-day periods using the F-statistic, followed by a search for coincidences among the candidates from the two-day segments. We have introduced a number of novel techniques and algorithms that allow the use of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm in the coherent part of the search resulting in a fifty-fold speed-up in computation of the F-statistic with respect to the algorithm used in the other pipelines. No significant gravitational wave signal was found. The sensitivity of the search was estimated by injecting signals into the data. In the most sensitive parts of the detector band more than 90% of signals would have been detected with dimensionless gravitational-wave amplitude greater than 5 x 10(-24).

Search for gravitational radiation from intermediate mass black hole binaries in data from the second LIGO-Virgo joint science run

This paper reports on an unmodeled, all-sky search for gravitational waves from merging intermediate mass black hole binaries (IMBHB). The search was performed on data from the second joint science run of the LIGO and Virgo detectors (July 2009-October 2010) and was sensitive to IMBHBs with a range up to similar to 200 Mpc, averaged over the possible sky positions and inclinations of the binaries with respect to the line of sight. No significant candidate was found. Upper limits on the coalescence-rate density of nonspinning IMBHBs with total masses between 100 and 450 M-circle dot and mass ratios between 0.25 and 1 were placed by combining this analysis with an analogous search performed on data from the first LIGO-Virgo joint science run (November 2005-October 2007). The most stringent limit was set for systems consisting of two 88 M-circle dot black holes and is equal to 0.12 Mpc(-3) Myr(-1) at the 90% confidence level. This paper also presents the first estimate, for the case of an unmodeled analysis, of the impact on the search range of IMBHB spin configurations: the visible volume for IMBHBs with nonspinning components is roughly doubled for a population of IMBHBs with spins aligned with the binary's orbital angular momentum and uniformly distributed in the dimensionless spin parameter up to 0.8, whereas an analogous population with antialigned spins decreases the visible volume by similar to 20%.

First all-sky search for continuous gravitational waves from unknown sources in binary systems

We present the first results of an all-sky search for continuous gravitational waves from unknown spinning neutron stars in binary systems using LIGO and Virgo data. Using a specially developed analysis program, the TwoSpect algorithm, the search was carried out on data from the sixth LIGO science run and the second and third Virgo science runs. The search covers a range of frequencies from 20 Hz to 520 Hz, a range of orbital periods from 2 to similar to 2,254 h and a frequency-and period-dependent range of frequency modulation depths from 0.277 to 100 mHz. This corresponds to a range of projected semimajor axes of the orbit from similar to 0.6 x 10(-3) ls to similar to 6,500 ls assuming the orbit of the binary is circular. While no plausible candidate gravitational wave events survive the pipeline, upper limits are set on the analyzed data. The most sensitive 95% confidence upper limit obtained on gravitational wave strain is 2.3 x 10(-24) at 217 Hz, assuming the source waves are circularly polarized. Although this search has been optimized for circular binary orbits, the upper limits obtained remain valid for orbital eccentricities as large as 0.9. In addition, upper limits are placed on continuous gravitational wave emission from the low-mass x-ray binary Scorpius X-1 between 20 Hz and 57.25 Hz.

Multimessenger search for sources of gravitational waves and high-energy neutrinos: Initial results for 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(circle dot)c(2) at similar to 150 Hz with similar to 60 ms duration, and high-energy neutrino emission of 1051 erg comparable to the isotropic gamma-ray energy of gamma-ray bursts, we limit the source rate below 1.6 x 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.

Improved Upper Limits on the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from 2009-2010 LIGO and Virgo Data

Gravitational waves from a variety of sources are predicted to superpose to create a stochastic background. This background is expected to contain unique information from throughout the history of the Universe that is unavailable through standard electromagnetic observations, making its study of fundamental importance to understanding the evolution of the Universe. We carry out a search for the stochastic background with the latest data from the LIGO and Virgo detectors. Consistent with predictions from most stochastic gravitational-wave background models, the data display no evidence of a stochastic gravitational-wave signal. Assuming a gravitational-wave spectrum of Omega(GW)(f) = Omega(alpha)(f/f(ref))(alpha), we place 95% confidence level upper limits on the energy density of the background in each of four frequency bands spanning 41.5-1726 Hz. In the frequency band of 41.5-169.25 Hz for a spectral index of alpha = 0, we constrain the energy density of the stochastic background to be Omega(GW)(f) < 5.6 x 10(-6). For the 600-1000 Hz band, Omega(GW)(f) < 0.14(f/900 Hz)(3), a factor of 2.5 lower than the best previously reported upper limits. We find Omega(GW)(f) < 1.8 x 10(-4) using a spectral index of zero for 170-600 Hz and Omega(GW)(f) < 1.0(f/1300 Hz)(3) for 1000-1726 Hz, bands in which no previous direct limits have been placed. The limits in these four bands are the lowest direct measurements to date on the stochastic background. We discuss the implications of these results in light of the recent claim by the BICEP2 experiment of the possible evidence for inflationary gravitational waves.

Estudo do efeito de diferentes tratamentos térmicos nos compostos bioativos presentes na couve-manteiga e no almeirão

Atualmente observa-se uma diminuição no consumo de verduras entre os brasileiros, especialmente na região norte e nordeste do país, entre jovens e aos estratos sociais de baixa escolaridade. Entretanto, o consumo de verduras forma a base de excelência para uma alimentação saudável além de ser indispensável no dia-a-dia. Dentre as verduras de destaque encontram-se a couve-manteiga e o almeirão, que são verduras baratas, amplamente disponíveis no país e que contam com a presença de diferentes tipos de antioxidantes. Antioxidantes são compostos bioativos que possuem múltiplas propriedades, mas que se destacam pelo seu potencial de óxido-redução e por sua capacidade de competir por sítios ativos e receptores de estruturas celulares. Esses mecanismos estão descritos como sendo moduladores da resposta inflamatória, além de serem preventivos de várias condições e doenças. Incluem-se nessa classe os compostos fenólicos, que são produtos do metabolismo secundário dos vegetais e têm sua atividade devido a interação com espécies radicalares, tendo como um dos seus principais componentes os flavonoides, que são metabólitos secundários da classe dos polifenois, tendo seu consumo relacionado a diminuição do risco de doenças coronarianas e alguns tipos de câncer. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de quatro diferentes processos de cozimento (microondas, cozimento a vapor, cozimento em água fervente e fritura a óleo), em duas verduras de grande consumo no Brasil, em relação as quantidades de ácido ascórbico, acidez, compostos fenólicos totais, flavonoides totais e atividade sequestrante de radicais livres e verificar qual melhor método de cozimento que mantenha esses compostos. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que não há uma uniformidade nas alterações...

Variabilidade do padrão de esterases e atividade da glutationa S-transferase em linhagens geográficas de Drosophila melanogaster e D. simulans resistentes e suscetíveis ao inseticida DDT

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Planeamiento y análisis integral del paisaje de la cuenca hidrográfica del río buenavista provincia de Manabí-Ecuador para la implementación de políticas de incentivos a la restauración de ecosistemas con fines de conservación (programa socio Bosque-Ecuador)

Pós-graduação em Geografia - FCT

Narrow-band search of continuous gravitational-wave signals from Crab and Vela pulsars in Virgo VSR4 data

In this paper we present the results of a coherent narrow-band search for continuous gravitational-wave signals from the Crab and Vela pulsars conducted on Virgo VSR4 data. In order to take into account a possible small mismatch between the gravitational-wave frequency and two times the star rotation frequency, inferred from measurement of the electromagnetic pulse rate, a range of 0.02 Hz around two times the star rotational frequency has been searched for both the pulsars. No evidence for a signal has been found and 95% confidence level upper limits have been computed assuming both that polarization parameters are completely unknown and that they are known with some uncertainty, as derived from x-ray observations of the pulsar wind torii. For Vela the upper limits are comparable to the spin-down limit, computed assuming that all the observed spin-down is due to the emission of gravitational waves. For Crab the upper limits are about a factor of 2 below the spin-down limit, and represent a significant improvement with respect to past analysis. This is the first time the spin-down limit is significantly overcome in a narrow-band search.

Directed search for gravitational waves from Scorpius X-1 with initial LIGO data

We present results of a search for continuously emitted gravitational radiation, directed at the brightest low-mass x-ray binary, Scorpius X-1. Our semicoherent analysis covers 10 days of LIGO S5 data ranging from 50-550 Hz, and performs an incoherent sum of coherent F-statistic power distributed amongst frequency-modulated orbital sidebands. All candidates not removed at the veto stage were found to be consistent with noise at a 1% false alarm rate. We present Bayesian 95% confidence upper limits on gravitational-wave strain amplitude using two different prior distributions: a standard one, with no a priori assumptions about the orientation of Scorpius X-1; and an angle-restricted one, using a prior derived from electromagnetic observations. Median strain upper limits of 1.3 x 10(-24) and 8 x 10(-25) are reported at 150 Hz for the standard and angle-restricted searches respectively. This proof-of-principle analysis was limited to a short observation time by unknown effects of accretion on the intrinsic spin frequency of the neutron star, but improves upon previous upper limits by factors of similar to 1.4 for the standard, and 2.3 for the angle-restricted search at the sensitive region of the detector.

Advanced LIGO

The Advanced LIGO gravitational wave detectors are second-generation instruments designed and built for the two LIGO observatories in Hanford, WA and Livingston, LA, USA. The two instruments are identical in design, and are specialized versions of a Michelson interferometer with 4 km long arms. As in Initial LIGO, Fabry-Perot cavities are used in the arms to increase the interaction time with a gravitational wave, and power recycling is used to increase the effective laser power. Signal recycling has been added in Advanced LIGO to improve the frequency response. In the most sensitive frequency region around 100 Hz, the design strain sensitivity is a factor of 10 better than Initial LIGO. In addition, the low frequency end of the sensitivity band is moved from 40 Hz down to 10 Hz. All interferometer components have been replaced with improved technologies to achieve this sensitivity gain. Much better seismic isolation and test mass suspensions are responsible for the gains at lower frequencies. Higher laser power, larger test masses and improved mirror coatings lead to the improved sensitivity at mid and high frequencies. Data collecting runs with these new instruments are planned to begin in mid-2015.

Minimização do impacto ambiental com a técnica da retificação cilíndrica externa de mergulho de cerâmicas avançadas com a utilização da mínima quantidade de lubrificante (MQL) com adição água

Os fluidos de corte foram introduzidos nos processos de usinagem com a finalidade de melhorar as características de os processos tribológicos que estão sempre presentes nas superfícies de contato entre a ferramenta e a peça. Devido à multiplicidade de efeitos negativos do corte os fluidos, os resíduos produzem sobre a humanidade e o nosso meio ambiente, na produção moderna, tem havido uma crescente atenção com os cuidados para se selecionar os fluidos de forma eficiente que, além de eficiente deve ser compatível com o ambiente. Além dos requisitos habituais tribológicos de corte, os fluidos devem satisfazer as exigências do ambiente e atender a legislação ambiental imposta pelo Estado ou internacional ISO 14000. Dentre as alternativas, destaca-se a usinagem a seco e a utilização da mínima quantidade de lubrificação (MQL). Este último pode ser utilizado também com adição de água e, consequentemente, consumindo um volume menor de fluido de corte. Este trabalho pretende analisar o comportamento da técnica da MQL com adição de água no processo de retificação de cerâmicas avançadas, assunto pouco divulgado na literatura formal. Este estudo foi feito através da análise da avaliação do comportamento rugosidade do material retificado. Pela avaliação dos resultados obtidos, foi possível avaliar a técnica da MQL com água, interpretando-a como um método alternativo de usinagem menos agressivo ao meio ambiente, já que houve melhoria consistente da rugosidade do material pela técnica da MQL tradicional para a MQL com adição de água e com a limpeza da superfície de corte do rebolo.

Retificação cilíndrica externa de mergulho de cerâmicas avançadas com adição de água

Com o atual índice de poluição gerada por resíduos industriais prejuduciais à saúde do ser humano, as indústrias, universidades e centros de pesquisa são influenciados a pesquisar métodos alternativos menos danosas. O uso do fluido de corte, por exemplo, tem sido constantemente estudado para que este possa ser eliminado, substituído ou utilizado na mínima quantidade possível. Entre as alternativas, destacam-se a usinagem a seco e a utilização da MQL, que também pode ser utilizada com adição de água. Esta é a opção deste estudo no processo de retificação de cerâmicas avançadas, assunto pouco divulgado na literatura formal. Para isso, foram avaliadas as variáveis de saída na retificação externa, como o comportamento da rugosidade do material retificado e desgaste diametral do rebolo. Com os resultados obtidos, foi possível avaliar a técnica da MQL com água, interpretando-a como um método alternativo bem-sucedido: houve melhoria consistente da rugosidade e diminuição do desgaste do rebolo.

Proyecto ambiental Campus de Tafira ULPGC

Bajo el lema "de tu elección depende" se presenta este video publicitario diversos temas como son el aparcamiento, la importancia de re utilizar, parar, ciclar los residuos, estudios del agua o el programa energético. Producción, diseño y edición: Santiago García Ayuso. Cámaras: Antonio García del Río, Sergio Rodríguez, Santiago García Ayuso. Música original: Canton Becker. Con la colaboración de: La Oficina Proyecto Ambiental Campus de Tafira