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

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

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

Aplasjön house

The concept for the project is based on using the wetland at Apalsjön as an activity site that contain  a Folketshus, a research center for water studies and a cold bath house. The land today is arable land that has some recurring problems such as flooding and high carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, the soil is not good enough for cultivation. During the autumn semester, I chose with a group of colleagues to work with the land. The project was to develop a model where we develop knowledge of how a wetland can be used and managed, so that it can deliver eco-system services, recreation and new financial opportunities. Simply to see the wetland as an opportunity and not as a problem or obstacle. The project consists of three sections; The building in the middle is the commercial part, where there will be a cafe and some shops for renting equipment as well as a shop that sells local goods from the farms in the area. The cold bath part to the west has various saunas and relaxation areas that can be used both in summer and in winter. Folketshus and the research part to the east, consists of different rooms, open spaces, to different types of gatherings, lectures and meeting places. OUR COMMON PLACE IN NATURE:In modern history, we in Sweden have had different concepts to describe the puplic places: Medborgarhus, Folkets hus, Bygdegård, Allaktivitetshus and Allmänna samlingslokaler. The idea is clear: We need buildings that can gather us, places where different activities and groups of people can meet and mingle. Public premises that help each individual to get closer to themselves, closer to others and also closer to nature. Is there a place where you can get knowledge, practical help, information, culture, cosiness and movement? A place that can receive every individual as it is? A place that, despite its definite and visible character, welcomes the difference? Personally, I have thought about the questions for a long time. Apalsjön project is a new attempt.konceptet till  kandidatprojekt bygger på  att använda våtmarken vid Apalsjön som en aktivitetsplats som består av ett folketshus, ett forskning center för vattenstudier och ett kallbadhus. Marken idag är en åkermark som har en del återkommande problem som översvämningen och hög koldioxid insläpp. Samtidigt så är inte marken nog bra för odling. Under höstterminens Valde jag med en grupp kollegor att jobba med marken. Projektet var att utveckla en modell där vi tar fram kunskap om hur en våtmark kan brukas och förvaltas, så att den kan leverera eko systemtjänster, rekreationer, fritid och nya ekonomiska möjligheter. Helt enkelt att se våtmarken som en möjlighet och inte som ett problem eller hinder. Projektet består av tre sektioner; Byggnaden i mitten är den kommersiella delen, där det kommer finnas ett kafé och några butiker för uthyrnings av utrustning samt en butik som säljer lokala varor från gårdarna i området. Kallbadhus delen till väst har olika bastu och relaxutrymme som kan utnyttjas både i sommaren och i vintern. Folketshus och forskning delen till öst, består av olika rum, öppna utrymmen, till olika typer av samlingar, föreläsningar och mötesplatser. VÅR GEMMENSAMA PLATS I NATUREN:I modern historia har vi i Sverige haft olika begrepp för att beskriva dem platser som kan vara för oss alla: Medborgarhus, Folkets hus, Bygdegård, Allaktivitetshus och Allmänna samlingslokaler. Idéen är tydlig: Vi behöver byggnader som kan samla oss, platser där olika verksamheter och grupper av människor kan träffas och blandas. Offentliga lokaler som hjälper varje individ att komma närmare sig själv, närmare de andra och även närmare naturen. Finns det en plats där man kan få kunskap, praktisk hjälp, information, kultur, mys och rörelse? En plats som kan ta emot varje individ som den är? En plats som, trots sin bestämda och synliga karaktär, välkomnar olikheten? Själv har jag funderat länge på frågorna. Apalsjön projekt är ett nytt försök

Aplasjön house

The concept for the project is based on using the wetland at Apalsjön as an activity site that contain  a Folketshus, a research center for water studies and a cold bath house. The land today is arable land that has some recurring problems such as flooding and high carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, the soil is not good enough for cultivation. During the autumn semester, I chose with a group of colleagues to work with the land. The project was to develop a model where we develop knowledge of how a wetland can be used and managed, so that it can deliver eco-system services, recreation and new financial opportunities. Simply to see the wetland as an opportunity and not as a problem or obstacle. The project consists of three sections; The building in the middle is the commercial part, where there will be a cafe and some shops for renting equipment as well as a shop that sells local goods from the farms in the area. The cold bath part to the west has various saunas and relaxation areas that can be used both in summer and in winter. Folketshus and the research part to the east, consists of different rooms, open spaces, to different types of gatherings, lectures and meeting places. OUR COMMON PLACE IN NATURE:In modern history, we in Sweden have had different concepts to describe the puplic places: Medborgarhus, Folkets hus, Bygdegård, Allaktivitetshus and Allmänna samlingslokaler. The idea is clear: We need buildings that can gather us, places where different activities and groups of people can meet and mingle. Public premises that help each individual to get closer to themselves, closer to others and also closer to nature. Is there a place where you can get knowledge, practical help, information, culture, cosiness and movement? A place that can receive every individual as it is? A place that, despite its definite and visible character, welcomes the difference? Personally, I have thought about the questions for a long time. Apalsjön project is a new attempt.konceptet till  kandidatprojekt bygger på  att använda våtmarken vid Apalsjön som en aktivitetsplats som består av ett folketshus, ett forskning center för vattenstudier och ett kallbadhus. Marken idag är en åkermark som har en del återkommande problem som översvämningen och hög koldioxid insläpp. Samtidigt så är inte marken nog bra för odling. Under höstterminens Valde jag med en grupp kollegor att jobba med marken. Projektet var att utveckla en modell där vi tar fram kunskap om hur en våtmark kan brukas och förvaltas, så att den kan leverera eko systemtjänster, rekreationer, fritid och nya ekonomiska möjligheter. Helt enkelt att se våtmarken som en möjlighet och inte som ett problem eller hinder. Projektet består av tre sektioner; Byggnaden i mitten är den kommersiella delen, där det kommer finnas ett kafé och några butiker för uthyrnings av utrustning samt en butik som säljer lokala varor från gårdarna i området. Kallbadhus delen till väst har olika bastu och relaxutrymme som kan utnyttjas både i sommaren och i vintern. Folketshus och forskning delen till öst, består av olika rum, öppna utrymmen, till olika typer av samlingar, föreläsningar och mötesplatser. VÅR GEMMENSAMA PLATS I NATUREN:I modern historia har vi i Sverige haft olika begrepp för att beskriva dem platser som kan vara för oss alla: Medborgarhus, Folkets hus, Bygdegård, Allaktivitetshus och Allmänna samlingslokaler. Idéen är tydlig: Vi behöver byggnader som kan samla oss, platser där olika verksamheter och grupper av människor kan träffas och blandas. Offentliga lokaler som hjälper varje individ att komma närmare sig själv, närmare de andra och även närmare naturen. Finns det en plats där man kan få kunskap, praktisk hjälp, information, kultur, mys och rörelse? En plats som kan ta emot varje individ som den är? En plats som, trots sin bestämda och synliga karaktär, välkomnar olikheten? Själv har jag funderat länge på frågorna. Apalsjön projekt är ett nytt försök

Long-Term Toxicity of [213]Bi-Labelled BSA in Mice

International audienceBackgroundShort-term toxicological evaluations of alpha-radioimmunotherapy have been reported in preclinical assays, particularly using bismuth-213 ([213]Bi). Toxicity is greatly influenced not only by the pharmacokinetics and binding specificity of the vector but also by non-specific irradiation due to the circulating radiopharmaceutical in the blood. To assess this, an acute and chronic toxicity study was carried out in mice injected with [213]Bi-labelled Bovine Serum Albumin ([213]Bi-BSA) as an example of a long-term circulating vector.MethodBiodistribution of [213]Bi-BSA and [125]I-BSA were compared in order to evaluate [213]Bi uptake by healthy organs. The doses to organs for injected [213]Bi-BSA were calculated. Groups of nude mice were injected with 3.7, 7.4 and 11.1 MBq of [213]Bi-BSA and monitored for 385 days. Plasma parameters, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, were measured and blood cell counts (white blood cells, platelets and red blood cells) were performed. Mouse organs were examined histologically at different time points.ResultsHaematological toxicity was transient and non-limiting for all evaluated injected activities. At the highest injected activity (11.1 MBq), mice died from liver and kidney failure (median survival of 189 days). This liver toxicity was identified by an increase in both ALT and AST and by histological examination. Mice injected with 7.4 MBq of [213]Bi-BSA (median survival of 324 days) had an increase in plasma BUN and creatinine due to impaired kidney function, confirmed by histological examination. Injection of 3.7 MBq of [213]Bi-BSA was safe, with no plasma enzyme modifications or histological abnormalities.ConclusionHaematological toxicity was not limiting in this study. Liver failure was observed at the highest injected activity (11.1 MBq), consistent with liver damage observed in human clinical trials. Intermediate injected activity (7.4 MBq) should be used with caution because of the risk of long-term toxicity to kidneys

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for canine CD138 (syndecan-1) for nuclear medicine preclinical trials on spontaneous tumours

International audienceWe isolated 11 antibodies specific for canine CD138 (cCD138) to validate the interest of CD138 antigen targeting in dogs with spontaneous mammary carcinoma. The affinity of the monoclonal antibodies in the nanomolar range is suitable for immunohistochemistry and nuclear medicine applications. Four distinct epitopes were recognized on cCD138 by this panel of antibodies. CD138 expression in canine healthy tissues is comparable to that reported in humans. CD138 is frequently expressed in canine mammary carcinomas corresponding to the human triple negative breast cancer subtype, with cytoplasmic and membranous expression. In canine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, CD138 expression is associated with the 'non-germinal center' phenotype corresponding to the most aggressive subtype in humans. This homology of CD138 expression between dogs and humans confirms the relevance of tumour-bearing dogs as spontaneous models for nuclear medicine applications, especially for the evaluation of new tumour targeting strategies for diagnosis by phenotypic imaging and radio-immunotherapy

Description des modalités pratiques de prescription d’un facteur de croissance de la lignée granulocytaire (G-CSF) chez les patientes recevant une chimiothérapie pour un cancer du sein : étude Opaline

International audienc