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 $M>70$ $M_\odot$) 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 $0 < e \leq 0.3$ at $0.33$ Gpc$^{-3}$ yr$^{-1}$ at 90\% confidence level.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figure

Separation of binary mixtures by thermostatic sweeping gas membrane distillation II. Experimental results with aqueous formic acid solutions

Aq. solns. of formic acid were exptl. investigated in a modified sweeping gas membrane distn. (SGMD) configuration. A thermostated sweeping gas was used in order to enhance the mass transfer performance. A new tubular module was designed and built for this purpose. The effects of the relevant process parameters on the permeate flux and selectivity were studied. Expts. with pure water and pure formic acid were used to est. certain parameters in the model. From these mass transfer coeffs., the fluxes and selectivity for aq. formic acid mixts. were calcd. using the math. model previously described. The model predictions were compared with the exptl. data and a good agreement between both flux values were obtained. [on SciFinder (R)

Separation of binary mixtures by thermostatic sweeping gas membrane distillation I. Theory and simulations

A math. model describing a novel sweeping gas membrane distn. (SGMD) configuration is presented and the sepn. of two volatile components from binary mixts. by this membrane process is theor. investigated. SGMD configuration is modified by using a thermostated sweeping gas in order to enhance the driving forces decrease along the module. A Stefan-Maxwell-based model that includes vapor-liq. equil. and heat and mass transfer relations is used. This model that takes into account temp. and concn. polarization effects as well as temp. and concn. variation along the module length is employed to predict the flux and selectivity under the relevant operating conditions. Finally, a theor. evaluation of this particular configuration with respect to direct contact MD configuration is discussed. [on SciFinder (R)

The development and characterization of a high resolution bio-reaction calorimeter for weakly exothermic cultures

A unique bench-scale heat flux calorimeter is described, which is capable of detecting the low heat signal of an animal cell culture (a max. of 200 mW/l is produced with a batch culture of SF9 insect cells). After the tech. modifications that enhanced the sensitivity of a com. heat flux reaction calorimeter, RC1 from Mettler-Toledo AG. Switzerland, the behavior of this system is analyzed here under biol. operation conditions. Not only the heat flows provoked by the bioprocess parameters largely det. the final calorimetric resoln., but they are also more important than the culture heat signal (heat of reaction). Structural modifications aiming at the limitation of the non-biol. heat flows are described such as insulating and thermostatic housings, and glass reactors with a different geometry. The current resoln. of the RC1 is from +-4 to 12 mW/l compared to the former +-50 mW/l [Biotechnol. Bioeng. 57 (1998) 610], under usual animal cell culture conditions. This resoln. is similar to that of microcalorimeters [Biotechnol. Bioeng. 58 (1998) 464; Thermochim. Acta 309 (1998) 63; Thermochim. Acta 332 (1999) 211; J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods 32 (1996) 191] with the advantage of an in situ measurement technique and a well-controlled culture (from the biol. point of view). The monitoring sensitivity and control capacity of this instrument shows a clear potentiality for metabolic studies of low heat effect cell cultures and as a metabolic probe for industrial scale bioreactors's control. [on SciFinder (R)

Lung function decline, chronic bronchitis, and occupational exposures in young adults

RATIONALE: Occupational exposures to vapors, gas, dust, or fumes have been shown to be a risk factor of airway obstruction in cross-sectional studies in the general population. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to study the relationships between specific occupations and occupational exposures during a 9-yr follow-up period and changes in lung function and symptoms of chronic bronchitis. METHODS: Subjects from the general population aged 20 to 45 yr were randomly selected in 1991-1993 within the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Follow-up took place from 1998 to 2002 among 4,079 males and 4,461 females in 27 study centers. A total of 3,202 men and 3,279 women twice completed lung function measurements. Job history during follow-up was linked to a job exposure matrix and consequently translated into cumulative exposure estimates. MAIN RESULTS: Individuals exposed to dusts, gases, and fumes during the period of follow-up did not have a steeper decline of FEV1 than did individuals with consistently white-collar occupations without occupational exposures (relative change among men and women, + 1.4 and -3.1 ml/yr, respectively; p > 0.2), nor an increase of prevalence or incidence of airway obstruction defined as an FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 0.7. The incidence of chronic phlegm increased in men exposed to mineral dust (relative risk, 1.94 [1.29-2.91]) and gases and fumes (relative risk, 1.53 [0.99-2.36]), which was not modified by smoking. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposures to dusts, gases, and fumes occurring during the 1990s are associated with incidence of chronic bronchitis, although these did not impair lung function in a population of relatively young age

BioSecure signature evaluation campaign (BSEC’2009): evaluating online signature algorithms depending on the quality of signatures

In this paper, we present the main results of the BioSecure Signature Evaluation Campaign (BSEC’2009). The objective of BSEC’2009 was to evaluate different online signature algorithms on two tasks: the first one aims at studying the influence of acquisition conditions (digitizing tablet or PDA) on systems’ performance; the second one aims at studying the impact of information content in signatures on systems’ performance. In BSEC’2009, the two BioSecure Data Sets DS2 and DS3 are used for tests, both containing data of the same 382 people, acquired respectively on a digitizing tablet and on a PDA. The results of the 12 systems involved in this evaluation campaign are reported and analyzed in detail in this paper. Experimental results reveal a 2.2% EER for skilled forgeries and a 0.51% EER for random forgeries on DS2; and a 4.97% EER for skilled forgeries and a 0.55% EER for random forgeries on DS3

Lung function decline, chronic bronchitis and occupational exposures in young adults

Rationale: Occupational exposures to vapors, gas, dust, or fumes have been shown to be a risk factor of airway obstruction in cross-sectional studies in the general population. Objectives: Our aim was to study the relationships between specific occupations and occupational exposures during a 9-yr follow-up period and changes in lung function and symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Methods: Subjects from the general population aged 20 to 45 yr were randomly selected in 1991-1993 within the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Follow-up took place from 1998 to 2002 among 4,079 males and 4,461 females in 27 study centers. A total of 3,202 men and 3,279 women twice completed lung function measurements. Job history during follow-up was linked to a job exposure matrix and consequently translated into cumulative exposure estimates. Main Results: Individuals exposed to dusts, gases, and fumes during the period of follow-up did not have a steeper decline of FEV1 than did individuals with consistently white-collar occupations without occupational exposures (relative change among men and women, +1.4 and -3.1 ml/yr, respectively; p > 0.2), nor an increase of prevalence or incidence of airway obstruction defined as an FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 0.7. The incidence of chronic phlegm increased in men exposed to mineral dust (relative risk, 1.94 [1.29-2.91]) and gases and fumes (relative risk, 1.53 [0.99-2.36]), which was not modified by smoking. Conclusion: Occupational exposures to dusts, gases, and fumes occurring during the 1990s are associated with incidence of chronic bronchitis, although these did not impair lung function in a population of relatively young age