The lure of sirens: joint distance and velocity measurements with third generation detectors

The next generation of detectors will detect gravitational waves from binary neutron stars at cosmological distances, for which around a thousand electromagnetic follow-ups may be observed per year. So far, most work devoted to the expected cosmological impact of these standard sirens employed them only as distance indicators. Only recently their use as tracers of clustering, similar to what already proposed for supernovae, has been studied. Focusing on the expected specifications of the Einstein Telescope (ET), we forecast here the performance on cosmological parameters of future standard sirens as both distance and density indicators, with emphasis on the linear perturbation growth index and on spatial curvature. We improve upon previous studies in a number of ways: a more detailed analysis of available telescope time, the inclusion of more cosmological and nuisance parameters, the Alcock-Paczynski correction, the use of sirens also as both velocity and density tracers, and a more accurate estimation of the distance posterior. We find that the analysis of the clustering of sirens improves the constraints on $H_0$ by 30% and on $\Omega_{k0}$ by over an order of magnitude, with respect to their use merely as distance indicators. With 5 years of joint ET and Rubin Observatory follow-ups we could reach precision of 0.1 km/s/Mpc in $H_0$ and 0.02 in $\Omega_{k0}$ using only data in the range $0<z<0.5$. We also find that the use of sirens as tracers of density, and not only velocity, yields good improvements on the growth of structure constraints

FSH dose and strategy of administration during ovarian stimulation alter the gene expression profile in ovine cumulus-oocyte complexes.

Ovarian stimulation is an important tool to increase the number of oocytes obtained by laparoscopy for the in vitro production of embryos (IVP). In sheep, different concentrations of FSH administered in single dose (SD) or multiple doses (MD) have been adopted. In parallel, the oocyte quality is fundamental for IVP success, so strategies to produce more competent oocytes have been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gene expression profile of BCB+ COC from different hormonal protocols of ovarian stimulation in Santa Inês ewes. To achieve that, a cross-over design was used, where 12 pluriparous ewes had their follicular wave synchronized (Balaro et al., Domest Anim Endocrinol, 54: 10-14, 2016). At 80 h after progestogen implant removal, all ewes received a new vaginal sponge and it started the stimulation by administration of: 80 (Group 1 - 80-SD) or 120 (Group 2 - 120-SD) mg FSH (Folltropin-V®, Bioniche Animal Health, Ontario, Canada) and 300 IU of eCG both in single dose, or 80 (Group 3 - 80-MD) or 120 (Group 4 - 120-MD) in decreasing doses (50/30/20%) every 12 h. The COCs were recovered by laparoscopy and classified morphologically in grade I / II (homogeneous ooplasm and more than 3 cumulus cells layers), III (homogeneous ooplasm and less than 3 cumulus cells layers or partially denuded) and IV (heterogeneous ooplasm or degenerate). For inference of the development competence GI, II and III COCs were stained with bright cresyl blue (BCB) and classified into: BCB+ (competent) and BCB- (non-competent). These variables were compared by ANOVA followed by Tukey test. The abundance of mRNA that encodes proteins associated with steroidogenesis (STAR, FSHr, LHr and ER?), oocyte quality (MATER, BMP15, GDF9 and ZAR1) and apoptosis (BAX and Bcl-2) was assessed by real-time qPCR normalized with GAPDH in BCB+ COCs. The abundance of gene transcripts associated with steroidogenesis was down-regulated (P <0.05) with increasing FSH concentration, when administration was performed in a single dose (80-SD and 120-SD). On the other hand, when the administration was performed in MD, only the LHr was down-regulated (80-MD and 120-MD). In the 80-MD group, FSHr and Er? were down-regulated (P <0.05) in comparison with 80-SD. For genes related with oocyte quality, 80-MD showed up-regulation (P <0.05) to MATER (when compared to 80-SD), ZAR1 and MATER (compared to 120-SD). Nonetheless, apoptosis genes were not affected. These data demonstrate that the FSH dose and strategy of administration affect the gene expression profile in ovine COCs. Subsequent studies are necessary to assess the effect of this change on maturation rate and developmental competence.Proceedings of the 31st Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Embryo Technology Society (SBTE), Cabo de Santo Agostinho, PE, Brazil, August 17 to 19, 2017

Mini-Percoll processing of domestic ruminant frozen-thawed semen dispenses the use of heparin in capacitating medium.

Sperm capacitation is a prerequisite for mammal successful fertilization. Although usually a capacitating substance such as heparin is used during sheep in vitro fertilization, evidences suggest that the cryopreservation process and Percoll technique could induce spontaneous capacitation. This study aimed to compare ovine, caprine and bovine frozen-thawed sperm after mini-Percoll processing on sperm parameters, receiving or not heparin supplementation. In conclusion, frozen-thawed ovine, caprine and bovine spermatozoa processed with mini-Percoll behave similarly regarding to capacitation status and does not require heparin supplementation during in vitro incubation to achieve capacitation. [Processamento pela técnica de mini-Percoll em sêmen congelado/descongelado de ruminantes domésticos dispensa o uso da heparina em meio capacitante].Edição dos anais do XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal (CBRA), Santos, SP, Brasil, maio 2017

Mini-percoll technique induces Similar capacitation features in domestic ruminant frozen-thawed spermatozoa regardless of the presence of heparin.

Background: Sperm capacitation is a process consists of a series of functional, biochemical, and biophysical modifications that render the ejaculated sperm competent for oocyte fertilization. Secreted by the female reproductive tract epithelium, heparin promotes capacitation by binding to and removing seminal plasma proteins, which are adsorbed to the sperm PM and would inhibit capacitation. There is substantial evidence that cryopreservation promotes capacitation-like changes in bull, ram and buck sperm. Our general hypotheses were: (a) cryopreserved ram sperm suffer capacitation more quickly than buck and bull sperm under the same conditions; (b) the capacitation status of ruminant cryopreserved sperm is similar whether or not heparin is present after the mini-Percoll technique; and (c) ruminant frozen-thawed sperm selected by mini-Percoll and incubated within media without heparin supplementation is not impaired in terms of capacitation status and sperm agglutination. This study aimed to compare sperm parameters of ovine, caprine, and bovine frozen-thawed sperm after mini-Percoll processing followed by incubation with or without heparin supplementation. Materials, Methods & Results: Commercial semen of all species were used. Sperm samples were selected by mini-Percoll and supplemented (or not) with heparin within an incubation medium for 18 h. Sperm kinematics (CASA system analyzes), capacitation status (CTC staining) and sperm agglutination were evaluated after thawing, mini-Percoll, 1.5 h, 3 h, 6 h and 18 h. In comparison with post-thawing analysis, ovine species demonstrated a reduction (P 0.05). In caprine and bovine species, a lower (P < 0.05) rate of sperm agglutination was observed in the presence of heparin at 18 h of incubation. In the absence of heparin, ovine samples showed a higher (P < 0.05) agglutination rate compared to the bovine species after long incubation period. Discussion: The present study compared sperm parameters (sperm kinematics, agglutination rate and capacitation status) of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm after mini-Percoll selection followed by in vitro incubation with or without heparin supplementation. In this study, it was observed the same rate of capacitated cells after the sperm selection (min-Percoll) between ruminant species. This indicate that the capacitation process occurs similarly between ruminant species, refuting the first hypothesis of this study. The presence of heparin did not influence the capacitation status of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm after mini-Percoll selection, it demonstrates that the second hypothesis was supported by this study making more economic and practical the use of ruminant frozen-thawed semen. The absence of heparin in the incubation medium did not harmed the capacitation status and sperm agglutination of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm. This supported the third hypothesis of the current study and indicate that the use of mini-Percoll technique regardless the presence of heparin could be a useful alternative for the preparation of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm. In conclusion, the capacitation status of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm is similar whether or not heparin is present after the mini-Percoll technique

L-carnitine supplementation during vitrification did not improve survival and quality rates, but altered CrAT and PRDX1 expression in in vivo-produced ovine embryos.

Embryo cryodamage is observed mainly at metabolic and molecular aspects and it impairs post warming quality and survival rates. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine (LC) supplementation during either vitrification or post warming solutions on the 6-7th day of in vivo-produced ovine embryos. LC (3.72 mM) was added to vitrification (Experiment 1; C1: control; LC1: supplemented embryos) or warming solutions (Experiment 2; C2; LC2). In vitro culture (IVC) of warmed embryos was performed for 72 h at 38,5 °C, 5% CO2 and 5% O2 to evaluate survival rates in both Experiments. In Experiment 1, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by CellROX Green staining, total cell number (TCN) by Hoechst 33342, number of apoptotic cells by caspase-3 immunofluorescence staining protocol, apoptotic index evaluation in both groups. Gene expression analysis of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 and 2 (CPT1 and CPT2), carnitine O-acyltransferase (CrAT) and peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1), were performed by RT-qPCR (ACTB as endogenous control) in Experiments 1 and 2 and results were compared to fresh embryos (FE). Averages of survival rates were compared by the Chi-Square test. Means of TCN, apoptotic cells, apoptotic index and fluorescence intensity were compared by Student's t-test, at 5% significance level. Survival rates were similar between groups (p> 0.05) in Experiments 1 (68.7%, C1 vs 81.8%, LC1) and 2 (48.5%, C2 vs 64.7%, LC2). In Experiment 1, ROS levels at 24 h of IVC (85.83 ± 68.37 x 1010, C1 vs 89.04 ± 84.48 x 1010, LC1), total cell number at 24 h (89 ± 22, C1 vs 82.2 ± 28, LC1) and 72 h (86 ± 19.9, C1 vs 68.5 ± 25.26, LC1), apoptotic cells (3.75 ± 1.48, C1 vs 4.50 ± 4.72, LC1) and apoptotic index (4.37 ± 1.45, C1 vs 5.23 ± 4.72, LC1) at 72 h of IVC did not differ (p> 0.05) between C1 and LC1. Gene expression analysis showed no differences in CPT1 and CPT2 mRNA relative abundance in embryos of both experiments compared to FE, however, CrAT was downregulated (p< 0.05) in C1 and PRDX1 was downregulated (p< 0.05) in both C1 and LC1, compared to FE. Moreover, CrAT and PRDX1 were upregulated (p< 0.05) in C2 and CrAT was downregulated (p< 0.05) in LC2, in relation to FE. In conclusion, although the short-term LC supplementation at 3.72 mM during cryopreservation did not improve post-warming survival and morphological parameters of the evaluated embryos, it was able to modulate expression of genes related to energy homeostasis (CrAT) and oxidative stress (PRDX1), proving to be beneficial, in both forms of supplementation, to in vivo-produced ovine embryos.".Proceedings of the 31st Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Embryo Technology Society (SBTE); Cabo de Santo Agostinho, PE, Brazil, August 17th to 19th, 2017. Abstracts

Repetibilidade de resposta para produção in vivo de embriões em ovelhas Santa Inês.

Resumo: Tem sido observado em caprinos e bovinos que animais com desempenho satisfatório em programas de superovulação tendem a manter esta boa resposta em protocolos consecutivos. Esta característica tem uma grande aplicabilidade, uma vez que um primeiro programa para produção de embriões poderia servir para triar animais com maior potencial de resposta. Assim, apenas as doadoras com histórico de alto potencial de resposta seriam incluídas em futuras superovulações, o que poderia aumentar a eficiência da MOTE. Levando em conta estes conceitos, objetivou-se verificar se borregas da raça Santa Inês mantém um padrão de resposta quando submetidas a três superovulações consecutivas para a produção in vivo de embriões. [Repeatability of response for embryo in vivo production in Santa Inês sheep].Resumo apresentado nos anais do XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal, Santos, SP, 2017

A dark siren measurement of the Hubble constant using gravitational wave events from the first three LIGO/Virgo observing runs and DELVE

The current and next observation seasons will detect hundreds of gravitational waves (GWs) from compact binary systems coalescence at cosmological distances. When combined with independent electromagnetic measurements, the source redshift will be known, and we will be able to obtain precise measurements of the Hubble constant H0 via the distance–redshift relation. However, most observed mergers are not expected to have electromagnetic counterparts, which prevents a direct redshift measurement. In this scenario, one possibility is to use the dark sirens method that statistically marginalizes over all the potential host galaxies within the GW location volume to provide a probabilistic source redshift. Here we presented H0 measurements using two new dark sirens compared to previous analyses using DECam data: GW190924 021846 and GW200202 154313. The photometric redshifts of the possible host galaxies of these two events are acquired from the DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey (DELVE) carried out on the Blanco telescope at Cerro Tololo. The combination of the H0 posterior from GW190924 021846 and GW200202 154313 together with the brightsiren GW170817 leadsto H0 = 68.84+15.51 −7.74 km s−1 Mpc−1. Including these two dark sirens improves the 68 per cent confidence interval (CI) by 7 per cent over GW170817 alone. This demonstrates that the addition of well-localized dark sirens in such analysis improves the precision of cosmological measurements. Using a sample containing 10 well-localized dark sirens observed during the third LIGO/Virgo observation run, without the inclusion of GW170817, we determine a measurement of H0 = 76.00+17.64 −13.45 km s−1 Mpc−1

Headache in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for primary headaches in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Headache was classified in 75 patients with JME using a questionnaire, and its prevalence was correlated with the literature on the general population and clinical data. Headache was present in 47 patients. Thirty-one had migraine [20 migraine without aura (MO), 11 migraine with aura (MA)]. Fourteen patients with migraine had tension-type headache (TTH) in addition. Sixteen had only TTH. Comparison with the general population revealed a significantly higher prevalence of migraine (RR 4.4), MO (3.6), MA (7.3) and TTH (3.4) in JME. Risk factors for migraine and MO were female gender and for MA family history of migraine in first-degree relatives. Migraine and MA were associated with fairly controlled generalized tonic clonic seizures, MO with absences. Together with its strong genetic background, JME appears to be an attractive homogenous subtype of epilepsy for genetic research on migraine

Efeito de diferentes protocolos hormonais para superestimulação ovariana sobre o número e a qualidade de oócitos em ovelhas da raça Santa Inês.

Resumo: A obtenção de oócitos competentes é um dos fatores que influenciam o sucesso da produção in vitro de embriões em ovinos. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de protocolos hormonais na quantidade e qualidade de complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCOs) em ovelhas da raça Santa Inês. Para o número de oócitos GII, houve efeito (P0,05) na taxa de CCOs BCB+ nos diferentes tratamentos: T1(72%), T2 (88%), T3 (80%) ou T4 (76%). Assim, recomenta-se utilizar o T1, devido à praticidade de administração única ou T3, protocolo que possibilita reduzir os custos e efeitos colaterais do eCG. [Effect of different hormonal protocols for ovarian superstimulation on the number and quality of oocytes in Santa Inês ewes].Edição dos anais do XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal (CBRA), Santos, SP, Brasil, maio 2017

Perfil de indicadores da atenção primária à saúde no estado de São Paulo: retrospectiva de 10 anos

Há mais de 20 anos da criação do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e após longo período de incremento da atenção primária à saúde (APS) no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, uma das mais importantes tarefas é avaliar seus processos e resultados. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o perfil de indicadores relacionados à APS no Estado de São Paulo, de 2000 a 2009. Foram selecionados 14 indicadores de estrutura, desempenho do SUS e de condições de saúde, relacionados à APS. Esses indicadores foram analisados considerando o Estado de São Paulo como um todo e por grupos de municípios segundo portes populacionais (pequeno: menos de 20 mil habitantes; médio: entre 20 e 100 mil; grande: acima de 100 mil) e "riqueza" (alta; baixa). Quase todos dos 14 indicadores tiveram incremento favorável no período. Os indicadores de estrutura da APS apresentaram incremento, sendo que os grupos dos pequenos municípios apresentaram melhores níveis no período. Os indicadores de desempenho mostraram diferenças entre grupos de municípios. O grupo dos grandes municípios obteve taxas mais baixas de internações nas condições sensíveis à APS. No entanto, esse grupo obteve as piores taxas de exames citopatológicos de colo uterino. O grupo dos municípios pequenos e ricos apresentou melhor evolução dos indicadores de condições de saúde. O grupo dos grandes municípios apresentou as maiores taxas de mortalidade por câncer de colo uterino e por doença do aparelho circulatório. Concluindo, verificou-se uma clara melhora na APS, em termos de estrutura, desempenho da atenção e do estado de saúde.More than 20 years after the creation of Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS - Brazil's National Health System) and after a long period of improvements in primary health care (PHC) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, one of the most important tasks is to evaluate their processes and their health outcomes. The aim of this study is to analyze the profile of indicators related to PHC in the State of São Paulo during the last decade (2000 to 2009). Fourteen indicators related to PHC structure, SUS performance and to health conditions were selected. These indicators were analyzed considering the entire State of São Paulo and by groups of municipalities defined by their population (small: less than 20 thousand inhabitants; medium: between 20 and 100 thousand inhabitants; large: more than 100 thousand inhabitants) and by their wealth (low; high). Almost all the 14 selected indicators improved along the period. The PHC structure-related indicators had a global improvement, and the groups of small municipalities showed better levels along the entire period. The SUS performance-related indicators showed differences among groups of municipalities. The group of large municipalities obtained lower hospitalization rates in conditions preventable by PHC. Nevertheless, this same group had the lowest rates of pap smear tests. The group of small and high wealth municipalities presented better trends in health condition indicators. The group of large municipalities presented the highest rates of mortality caused by cervical cancer and cardiovascular disease. In conclusion, there is a clear improvement in PHC in terms of structure, health care performance and health conditions