The present gravitational wave detection effort

Gravitational radiation offers a new non-electromagnetic window through which to observe the universe. The LIGO and Virgo Collaborations have completed a first joint data run with unprecedented sensitivities to gravitational waves. Results from searches in the data for a variety of astrophysical sources are presented. A second joint data run with improved detector sensitivities is underway, and soon major upgrades will be carried out to build Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo with expected improvements in event rates of more than 1000. In parallel there is a vigorous effort in the radio pulsar community to detect nHz gravitational waves via the timing residuals in an array of pulsars at different locations in the sky.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/85430/1/jpconf10_203_012002.pd

Kidney Androgen-Regulated Protein (KAP) Transgenic Mice Are Protected Against High-Fat Diet Induced Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is reaching epidemic proportions with significant social and economical burden worldwide. Since the molecular basis of MS remains poorly defined, we investigated the impact of KAP, a kidney specific androgen-regulated gene, in the development of high fat-diet (hfd)-induced MS. Tg mice overexpressing KAP specifically in proximal tubule cells of the kidney exhibited reduced body weight and lower liver and adipose tissue weight compared to control littermates when fed a hfd. KAP Tg mice showed diminished adipocyte hypertrophy and reduced hepatic steatosis, significantly correlating with expression of relevant molecular markers and lower lipid content in liver. KAP transgenic were protected from hfd-induced insulin resistance, increased blood pressure and exhibited lower IL-6 serum levels and diminished expression of inflammatory markers in the adipose. Moreover, KAP was localized in the secretory pathway of proximal tubule cells and it is released to the extracellular media, preventing IL-6 induction and STAT-3 activation upon TNFα stimulation. We conclude that KAP, which might act as a hormone-like product in extra-renal tissues, protects Tg mice against hfd-induced MS by preventing inflammatory related events that are mediated, in part, through the IL-6 pathway