Search for gravitational-lensing signatures in the full third observing run of the LIGO-Virgo network

Gravitational lensing by massive objects along the line of sight to the source causes distortions of gravitational wave-signals; such distortions may reveal information about fundamental physics, cosmology and astrophysics. In this work, we have extended the search for lensing signatures to all binary black hole events from the third observing run of the LIGO--Virgo network. We search for repeated signals from strong lensing by 1) performing targeted searches for subthreshold signals, 2) calculating the degree of overlap amongst the intrinsic parameters and sky location of pairs of signals, 3) comparing the similarities of the spectrograms amongst pairs of signals, and 4) performing dual-signal Bayesian analysis that takes into account selection effects and astrophysical knowledge. We also search for distortions to the gravitational waveform caused by 1) frequency-independent phase shifts in strongly lensed images, and 2) frequency-dependent modulation of the amplitude and phase due to point masses. None of these searches yields significant evidence for lensing. Finally, we use the non-detection of gravitational-wave lensing to constrain the lensing rate based on the latest merger-rate estimates and the fraction of dark matter composed of compact objects

Search for eccentric black hole coalescences during the third observing run of LIGO and Virgo

Despite the growing number of confident binary black hole coalescences observed through gravitational waves so far, the astrophysical origin of these binaries remains uncertain. Orbital eccentricity is one of the clearest tracers of binary formation channels. Identifying binary eccentricity, however, remains challenging due to the limited availability of gravitational waveforms that include effects of eccentricity. Here, we present observational results for a waveform-independent search sensitive to eccentric black hole coalescences, covering the third observing run (O3) of the LIGO and Virgo detectors. We identified no new high-significance candidates beyond those that were already identified with searches focusing on quasi-circular binaries. We determine the sensitivity of our search to high-mass (total mass M>70 M⊙) binaries covering eccentricities up to 0.3 at 15 Hz orbital frequency, and use this to compare model predictions to search results. Assuming all detections are indeed quasi-circular, for our fiducial population model, we place an upper limit for the merger rate density of high-mass binaries with eccentricities 0<e≤0.3 at 0.33 Gpc−3 yr−1 at 90\% confidence level

Ultralight vector dark matter search using data from the KAGRA O3GK run

Among the various candidates for dark matter (DM), ultralight vector DM can be probed by laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors through the measurement of oscillating length changes in the arm cavities. In this context, KAGRA has a unique feature due to differing compositions of its mirrors, enhancing the signal of vector DM in the length change in the auxiliary channels. Here we present the result of a search for U(1)B−L gauge boson DM using the KAGRA data from auxiliary length channels during the first joint observation run together with GEO600. By applying our search pipeline, which takes into account the stochastic nature of ultralight DM, upper bounds on the coupling strength between the U(1)B−L gauge boson and ordinary matter are obtained for a range of DM masses. While our constraints are less stringent than those derived from previous experiments, this study demonstrates the applicability of our method to the lower-mass vector DM search, which is made difficult in this measurement by the short observation time compared to the auto-correlation time scale of DM

Relação entre níveis de imunoglobulinas IgE e IgG e a forma clínica da esquistossomose mansônica em pacientes do município de Padre Paraíso, Minas Gerais.

Exportado OPUSMade available in DSpace on 2019-08-13T02:51:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_julianafroeselerfittipaldi.pdf: 1647368 bytes, checksum: ba38aca7ccb1e295a04efaca0c925a13 (MD5) Previous issue date: 6RESUMOA esquistossomose mansônica é uma doença prevalente em várias regiões do mundo e no Brasil, particularmente no estado de Minas Gerais, representa um dos principais problemas de saúde pública. A forma crônica da doença é classificada em intestinal, hepatointestinal e hepatoesplênica, conforme as manifestações clínicas. Os fatores que levam alguns indivíduos a desenvolver fibrose periportal são pouco entendidos. Há indícios de que deficiências nos mecanismos de imunorregulação estariam envolvidas na patogenia da esquistossomose, levando ao desenvolvimento da fibrose hepática. Neste estudo, após a padronização de uma técnica de adsorção de anticorpos específicos das amostras de plasma em colunas de Sepharose conjugadas ao antígeno de ovo (SEA) ou de verme adulto (SWAP) foi possível medir os níveis de IgG e IgE específicos contra o parasito (anti-SEA e anti-SWAP), através da técnica de ELISA. Foi utilizado o banco de dados de um grupo de 97 pacientes com idade entre 14 e 68 anos, de ambos os sexos, bem caracterizados clínica, parasitológica e ultra-sonograficamente, procedentes de uma área endêmica para esquistossomose, no município de Padre Paraíso, nordeste de Minas Gerais. Esta população apresentou baixa carga parasitária, com mediana de 30 ovos por grama de fezes. Utilizando programas de análise estatística, os níveis de IgG e IgE específicos foram relacionados com os fatores da infecção, como sexo, idade, etnia, carga parasitária, contato com água, tratamento, além de medidas clínicas e ultra-sonográficas de órgãos. Foi verificado que os indivíduos que tiveram aumento da vesícula biliar (um dos principais marcadores de fibrose) apresentaram diminuição de IgE. Os dados encontrados sugerem que o aumento de IgE (total e específicas para SEA e SWAP) está relacionado à proteção contra a evolução do quadro de fibrose na esquistossomose. Enquanto a IgG aumentou com os marcadores de fibrose (aumento do baço e da espessura da veia porta), sugerindo que IgG, principalmente anti-SWAP, está relacionada à evolução da patologia para fibrose. Apesar de ter sido detectado uma associação positiva entre IgE e medição do fígado pelo lado ântero-posterior esquerdo, esta consiste num viés, visto que aumenta progressivamente com a altura e o peso dos indivíduos, consistindo num fator de confusão nas medidas, e por isso não deve ser usado para avaliações ultra-sonográficas. Comparando os níveis de IgE e IgG com idade, sexo, etnia e carga parasitária, foi verificado que IgG anti-SEA diminui com a idade. O dado sugere que com o passar da idade, em populações endêmicas, os níveis de IgGs, que não são protetoras, diminuem e isto ocorre independente de outros fatores. Não foi encontrada relação entre etnia, determinada por padrões moleculares e auto-avaliação, e IgE ou IgG específicos. Os dados sugerem que não importa a origem étnica (molecular ou auto-avaliação) do indivíduo para pressupor o prognóstico da evolução do quadro da esquistossomose. Quanto ao tratamento, houve diminuição significativa de IgE (total e específicas) nos pacientes que relatam tratamento. Os demais fatores não apresentaram relação com IgE e IgG. Então, a avaliação da resposta humoral específica contra o parasito serve como marcador do desenvolvimento de formas graves da patologia de esquistossomose

Age-Standardized Mortality Rates Related to Cirrhosis in Brazil from 2000 to 2012: A Nationwide Analysis

Background Cirrhosis remains the most frequent liver-related cause of death worldwide and we aimed to evaluate its burden in Brazil from 2000 to 2012.Material and methods The Brazilian National Death Registry was analyzed from 2000 to 2012. Death by cirrhosis was defined by the presence of I85, K73 and/or K74 ICD-10 codes in contributing or underlying causes of death on the death certificate (DC). Crude mortality rates were calculated as the ratio of the absolute number of deaths and the estimated population. Mortality rates were age-adjusted by the direct standardization method using the WHO standard populationResults. A total of 265,180 deaths where cirrhosis was mentioned on the DC [77% male, aged 56 years] occurred from 2000 to 2012. Cirrhosis codes were present in 46% of liver-related deaths and 2% of all deaths in this period. Despite an increase in the absolute number of deaths (n = 18,245 to 22,340), the age-standardized mortality rates (95%CI) decreased from 13.32 (13.16-13.48) to 11.71 (11.59-11.83) per 100,000 inhabitants from 2000 to 2012 (p < 0.001). This trend was not uniform across the country, with decreases in death rates in the South [14.46 (14.07-14.87) to 10.89 (10.59-11.19)] and Southeast [15.85 (15.6-16.09) to 12.52 (12.34-12.70)] and increases in the North [8.84 (8.24-9.43) to 11.53 (11.08-11.99)] and Northeast [9.41 (9.13-9.69) to 10.93 (10.68-11.17)] (p < 0.001 for all)Conclusion. Cirrhosis remains a major public health issue, despite the reduction in mortality rates in the last decade

Age-standardized mortality rates related to viral hepatitis in Brazil

Abstract Background Liver-related mortality has been increasing worldwide. We aimed to estimate the age-standardized mortality rates from viral hepatitis in Brazil. Methods The Brazilian National Death Registry was analyzed from 2008 to 2014. Viral hepatitis deaths were defined by the following ICD-10 codes in the death certificate: hepatitis A [B15.0; B15.9]; hepatitis B [B16.2; B16.9; B18.1]; hepatitis C [B17.1; B18.2]; hepatitis Delta [B16.0; B16.1; B18.0; B17.0] and other viral hepatitis [B17.2; B17.8; B18.8; B18.9; B19.0; B19.9]. Crude mortality rates were calculated by the ratio between total number of deaths and estimated population. Mortality rates were age-standardized by the direct method using the WHO standard population. Results Thirty four thousand ,nine hundred seventy eight deaths had viral hepatitis mentioned in their death certificate [65% male, aged 58 years, 73% associated with hepatitis C]. Age-standardized mortality rate (95% CI) due to viral hepatitis was 2.695 (2.667–2.724) deaths per 100,000 inhabitants: South region had the higher rates [3.997 (3.911–4.085)]. Mortality rates associated with hepatitis A and Delta were 0.032 (0.029–0.035) and 0.028 (0.025–0.031), respectively. Hepatitis C mortality rates were 4-fold higher than those associated with hepatitis B [1.964 (1.940–1.989) vs 0.500 (0.488–0.512)]. South region had the higher rates for hepatitis C [3.163 (3.087–3.241)] and North had the higher rates for hepatitis A [0.066 (0.049–0.087)], B [0.986 (0.918–1.058)] and Delta [0.220 (0.190–0.253)]. Conclusion Viral hepatitis remains a major public health issue in Brazil. Mortality rates were not homogeneous across the country, suggesting that health policies should be customized according to geographical location

Association of <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i>-Specific IgG and IgE Antibody Production and Clinical Schistosomiasis Status in a Rural Area of Minas Gerais, Brazil

<div><p>Background</p><p>Studies in murine models and human populations have indicated that the collagen-rich granulomatous response against parasite eggs trapped in the liver is associated with the development of severe hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, characterized by periportal fibrosis and portal hypertension. The role of the humoral response in parasite susceptibility has been well established, but its participation in disease severity remains poorly understood. In this work, we evaluated the relationship between parasite-reactive IgE and IgG levels and schistosomiasis morbidity in infected patients with similar parasite burdens.</p><p>Methodology/Principal Findings</p><p>Ninety-seven <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i>-infected individuals were subjected to clinical examination and abdominal ultrasound analysis. IgG reactivity and IgE concentration against <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> soluble egg antigens (SEA) and adult worm antigen preparation (SWAP) were evaluated by ELISA assay. Multivariable linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between parasite-reactive antibodies and the co-variables investigated. The study population showed low parasite burden (median 30 eggs/g feces), constant re-infection, and signs of fibrosis was detected in more than 30% of individuals. Most infected individuals showed IgG reactivity, and the median concentrations of IgE anti-SEA and anti-SWAP antibodies were 1,870 and 1,375 ng/mL, respectively. There was no association between parasite burden and antibody response or any parameter of disease severity. However, IgG anti-SWAP level was positively associated with morbidity parameters, such as spleen size and thickness of portal vein at the entrance and secondary branch. In contrast, the data also revealed independent inverse correlations between concentration of parasite-reactive IgE and gallbladder wall thickness, a marker of fibrosis in schistosomiasis.</p><p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>The data indicate that IgG anti-SWAP is positively associated with severe schistosomiasis, independently of parasite burden, while high production of parasite-specific IgE is associated with mild disease in the human population. Antibody profiles are good correlates for schistosomiasis severity and could be tested as biomarkers of disease severity.</p></div