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).

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.

Avaliação dos efeitos do laser Er,Cr:YSGG em defeitos ósseos críticos e no tratamento de doença periodontal induzida em ratos submetidos a inalção de fumaça de cigarro

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Treatment of periodontal disease with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser in rats exposed to cigarette smoke inhalation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

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.

The interval between the emergence of pharmacologically synchronized ovarian follicular waves and ovum pickup does not significantly affect in vitro embryo production in Bos indicus, Bos taurus, and Bubalus bubalis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Chromium or L-carnitine supplementation during an aerobic conditioning program mildly modified the energy metabolism biomarker response in Mangalarga Marchador fillies

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluating the microbicidal, antiparasitic and antitumor effects of CR-LAAO from Calloselasma rhodostoma venom

CR-LAAO is an l-amino acid oxidase from Calloselasma rhodostoma snake venom that has been broadly studied regarding its structural and biochemical characteristics, however, few studies have investigated its pharmacological effects. The present study aimed at the evaluation of the biotechnological potential of CR-LAAO by determining its bactericidal, antifungal, leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activity, as well as its cytotoxicity on human tumor and non-tumor cell lines. After 24h of preincubation, CR-LAAO showed bactericidal effects against both Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.78μg/mL) and Escherichia coli (MIC 31.25μg/mL) strains, inducing dismantle of bacterial cell walls. After 6h of preincubation with Candida albicans, CR-LAAO was able to inhibit 80% of the yeast growth, and it also showed cytotoxic activity on Leishmania species and Trypanosoma cruzi. Additionally, CR-LAAO showed high cytotoxicity on HepG2 and HL-60 tumor cells (IC50 10.78 and 1.7μg/mL), with lower effects on human mononuclear cells (PBMC). The cytotoxic effects of CR-LAAO were significantly inhibited in the presence of catalase, which suggests the involvement of hydrogen peroxide in its mechanisms of toxicity. Therefore, CR-LAAO showed promising pharmacological effects, and these results provide important information for the development of therapeutic strategies with directed action, such as more effective antimicrobial agents.

Corrosion resistance of Ni-Cr alloys in different mouthwashes

Several alloys have been used for prosthodontics restorations in the last years. These alloys have a number of metals that include gold, palladium, silver, nickel, cobalt, chromium and titanium and they are used in oral cavity undergo several corrosion. Corrosion can lead to poor esthetics, compromise of physical properties, or increased biological irritation. The objective of this study was evaluated corrosion resistance of two alloys Ni-Cr and Ni-Cr-Ti in three types of mouthwashes with different active ingredients: 0.5g/l cetylpyridinium chloride + 0.05% sodium fluoride, 0.05% sodium fluoride + 0.03% triclosan (with fluor) and 0.12% chlorohexidine digluconate. The potentiodynamic curves were performed by means of an EG&G PAR 283 potentiostat/galvanostat. The counter electrode was a platinum wire and reference electrode was an Ag/AgCl, KCl saturated. Before each experiment, working electrodes were mechanically polished with 600 and 1200 grade papers, rinsed with distilled water and dried in air. All experiments were carried out at 37.0oC in conventional three-compartment double wall glass cell containing mouthwashes. The microstructures of two alloys were observed in optical microscopy. Analysis of curves showed that Ni-Cr alloy was less reactive in the presence of 0.12% chlorohexidine digluconate while Ni-Cr-Ti alloy was more sensitive for others two types of mouthwashes (0.5g/l cetylpyridinium chloride + 0.05% sodium fluoride  and 0.05% sodium fluoride + 0.03% triclosan). This occurred probably due presence of titanium in this alloy. Microstructural analysis reveals the presence of dendritic and eutectic microstructures for NiCr and Ni-Cr-Ti, respectively.

Ensaios não-destrutivos de propagação de ondas em toras e madeira serrada de Pinus. taeda L.

In this paper it was evaluated the influence of the relative position of logs on the trees, the type of wood (juvenile and mature wood and pith) and the dimension of sawed wood elements on the velocity of propagation of stress waves into the material on condition. P. taeda L wood (43 years old trees) from Horto Florestal of Manduri (latitude 230 00’ south, longitude 400 19’ west and altitude de 700 m) São Paulo State, Brazil were used, considering its easy growth rings visualization and the better ju regions definition. Six trees were randomly chosen in the plantation. Trees were sawed into 4 logs (2,5 m long each. In each log it was delimited the central board (80mm tick) region and the lateral boards (25mm tick) regions, cons right hand. It were evaluated relation between velocity of stress waves on logs and the correspondent lumber (central and lateral boards), on green condition, on the three main region of the elements (mature wood results obtained revealed the concordance between velocities of stress waves in the material before and after the its mechanical processing. It was also revealed statistical differences between the velocity of stress waves at juvenile wood, mature wood and pith regions. Keywords: stress wave method, velocity 17 destrutivos de propagação da propagação de ondas de tensão em toras e madeira serrada de taeda L. Hernando Alfonso Lara Palma - Universidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas – FCA/UNESP – Botucatu - SP, e-mail: awballarin@fca.unesp.br Luiz Antonio Vasques Hellmeister - Universidade Estadual Paulista - Faculdade de Arquitetura, FAAC/UNESP – Bauru - SP, e-mail: hellmeister@faac.unesp.br Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a influência do tipo de lenho, da posição da tora ao longo do fuste e das dimensões das peças desdobradas, na velocidade de as de tensão (Stress wave method), na condição de madeira verde. P. taeda L., originária de árvores de plantio do Horto Florestal de SP., com idade aproximada de 43 anos, pela facilidade de identificação dos anéis imento e demarcação das regiões de madeira adulta e madeira juvenil. Foram amostradas 6 árvores distintas, escolhidas ao acaso do talhão selecionado. De cada árvore foram retiradas 4 toras com comprimento de 2,5 m cada. Foram demarcadas nas toras a ha central (8 cm de espessura) e 4 tábuas laterais (espessura comercial de 2,5 cm), sendo duas à esquerda e duas à direita da prancha central. Foram avaliadas as relações existentes entre as velocidades de propagação das ondas de tensão na madeira íntegra (toras) e desdobrada (pranchas e tábuas), na condição de madeira verde, nas três regiões distintas do lenho: medula, madeira adulta e madeira juvenil. A análise comparativa dos resultados revelou a concordância entre as velocidades antes e após o desdobr madeira. Houve diferenciação estatisticamente significativa entre as velocidades de propagação das ondas de tensão nos lenhos adulto, juvenil e na medula. -destrutivos, método das ondas de tensão, Pinus taeda stress wave tests on green logs and lumber of Pinus taeda In this paper it was evaluated the influence of the relative position of logs on the trees, the type of wood (juvenile and mature wood and pith) and the dimension of sawed wood elements on the velocity of propagation of stress waves into the material on L wood (43 years old trees) from Horto Florestal of Manduri (latitude 19’ west and altitude de 700 m) São Paulo State, Brazil were used, considering its easy growth rings visualization and the better juvenile and mature wood regions definition. Six trees were randomly chosen in the plantation. Trees were sawed into 4 logs (2,5 m long each. In each log it was delimited the central board (80mm tick) region and the lateral boards (25mm tick) regions, considering 2 boards on the left and 2 at the right hand. It were evaluated relation between velocity of stress waves on logs and the correspondent lumber (central and lateral boards), on green condition, on the three main region of the elements (mature wood, juvenile wood and pith). Comparative analyses of results obtained revealed the concordance between velocities of stress waves in the material before and after the its mechanical processing. It was also revealed statistical differences ty of stress waves at juvenile wood, mature wood and pith regions

Association between neuropathic pain and A-Waves in Leprosy patients with type 1 and 2 reactions

Summary: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a well-recognized feature of leprosy neuropathy. However, the diagnosis of NP is difficult using only clinical criteria. In the study reported here, by means of conventional nerve conduction studies, the authors sought for an association between long-latency responses and NP complaints in leprosy patients with type 1 and 2 reactions. Of the 27 ulnar nerves of leprosy patients, 18 with type 1 reaction (T1R) and 9 with type 2 reaction (T2R) were followed-up for 6 months before and after steroid treatment. Clinical characteristics of pain complaints and clinical function were assessed, as well as the presence of F- and A-waves of the ulnar nerve using nerve conduction studies. The clinical and the neurophysiologic findings were compared to note positive concordances (presence of NP and A-waves together) and negative concordances (absence of NP and A-waves together) before and after treatment. Both reactions presented a high frequency of A-waves (61.1% in T1R and 66.7% in T2R, P < 0.05) and prolonged F-waves (69.4% in T1R and 65.8% in T2R, P = 0.4). No concordances were seen between pain complaints and F-waves. However, significant concordances between NP and A-waves were observed, although restricted to the T2R group ([chi]2 = 5.65, P = 0.04). After treatment, there was a significant reduction in pain complaints, as well as the presence of F- and A-waves in both groups (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). In conclusion, the presence of A-waves correlates well with pain complaints of neuropathic characteristics in leprosy patients, especially in those with type 2 reaction. Probably, such response shares similar mechanisms with the small-fiber dysfunction seen in these patients with NP, such as demyelination, intraneural edema, and axonal sprouting. Further studies using specific tools for small-fiber assessment are warranted to confirm our findings.

Inbreeding depression in castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) progenies

The purpose of this study was to investigate inbreeding depression (DE) in castor bean. From a population derived from the Guarani cultivar, 60 mother plants were sampled. Three types of progenies were obtained from each one: from self-pollination (AU), from crosses (CR) and from open pollination (PL). Grain yield of the progenies was evaluated in two locations. There was a strong interaction of progenies x locations, which led to obtaining estimates within each location. Broad variation was observed in inbreeding depression, with mean values of 6.7% and 13.4%, comparing AU progenies with PL progenies. It was observed that the population has high potential for selecting promising inbred lines. The frequency of mother plants generating progenies with simultaneous high general combination capacity and low inbreeding depression was low. Recurrent selection will increase the occurrence of parent plants associating these two properties, which is necessary for obtaining superior synthetic varieties.

L'associazione Tipifarnib-Bortezomib nel trattamento delle leucemie acute mieloidi: risultati di uno studio multicentrico di fase I/II e validazione di un profilo genico predittivo di risposta

Background. Outcome of elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients is dismal. Targeted-therapies might improve current results by overcoming drug-resistance and reducing toxicity. Aim. We conduced a phase II study aiming to assess efficacy and toxicity of Tipifarnib (Zarnestra®) and Bortezomib (Velcade®) association in AML patients >18 years, unfit for conventional therapy, or >60 years, in relapse. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluated the predictive value of the RASGRP1/APTX ratio, which was previously found to be associated to treatment sensitivity in patients receiving Zarnestra alone. Methods. Velcade (1.0 mg/m2) was administered as weekly infusion for 3 weeks (days 1, 8, 15). Zarnestra was administered at dose of 300-600 mg BID for 21 consecutive days. Real-time quantitative-PCR (q-PCR) was used for RASGRP1/APTX quantification. Results. 50 patients were enrolled. Median age was 71 years (56-89). 3 patients achieved complete remission (CR) and 1 partial response (PR). 2 patients obtained an hematological improvement (HI), and 3 died during marrow aplasia. 10 had progressive disease (PD) and the remaining showed stable disease (SD). RASGRP1/APTX was evaluated before treatment initiation on bone marrow (BM) and/or peripheral blood (PB). The median RASGRP/APTX value on BM was higher in responder (R) patients than in non responders (NR) ones, respectively (p=0.006). Interestingly, no marrow responses were recorded in patients with BM RASGRP1/APTX ratio <12, while the response rate was 50% in patients with ratio >12. Toxicity was overall mild, the most common being febrile neutropenia. Conclusion. We conclude that the clinical efficacy of the combination Zarnestra-Velcade was similar to what reported for Zarnestra alone. However we could confirm that the RASGPR1/APTX level is an effective predictor of response. Though higher RASGRP1/APTX is relatively rare (~10% of cases), Zarnestra (±Velcade) may represent an important option in a subset of high risk/frail AML patients.