An improved algorithm for narrow-band searches of continuous gravitational waves

Continuous gravitational waves signals, emitted by asymmetric spinning neutron stars, are among the main targets of current detectors like Advanced LIGO and Virgo. In the case of sources, like pulsars, which rotational parameters are measured through electromagnetic observations, typical searches assume that the gravitational wave frequency is at a given known fixed ratio with respect to the star rotational frequency. For instance, for a neutron star rotating around one of its principal axis of inertia the gravitational signal frequency would be exactly two times the rotational frequency of the star. It is possible, however, that this assumption is wrong. This is why search algorithms able to take into account a possible small mismatch between the gravitational waves frequency and the frequency inferred from electromagnetic observations have been developed. In this paper we present an improved pipeline to perform such narrow-band searches for continuous gravitational waves from neutron stars, about three orders of magnitude faster than previous implementations. The algorithm that we have developed is based on the {\it 5-vectors} framework and is able to perform a fully coherent search over a frequency band of width $\mathcal{O}$(Hertz) and for hundreds of spin-down values running a few hours on a standard workstation. This new algorithm opens the possibility of long coherence time searches for objects which rotational parameters are highly uncertain.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures, 6 tables, submitted to CQ

A new data analysis framework for the search of continuous gravitational wave signals

Continuous gravitational wave signals, like those expected by asymmetric spinning neutron stars, are among the most promising targets for LIGO and Virgo detectors. The development of fast and robust data analysis methods is crucial to increase the chances of a detection. We have developed a new and flexible general data analysis framework for the search of this kind of signals, which allows to reduce the computational cost of the analysis by about two orders of magnitude with respect to current procedures. This can correspond, at fixed computing cost, to a sensitivity gain of up to 10%-20%, depending on the search parameter space. Some possible applications are discussed, with a particular focus on a directed search for sources in the Galactic center. Validation through the injection of artificial signals in the data of Advanced LIGO first observational science run is also shown.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figure

A semi-coherent analysis method to search for continuous gravitational waves emitted by ultra-light boson clouds around spinning black holes

As a consequence of superradiant instability induced in Kerr black holes, ultra-light boson clouds can be a source of persistent gravitational waves, potentially detectable by current and future gravitational-wave detectors. These signals have been predicted to be nearly monochromatic, with a small steady frequency increase (spin-up), but given the several assumptions and simplifications done at theoretical level, it is wise to consider, from the data analysis point of view, a broader class of gravitational signals in which the phase (or the frequency) slightly wander in time. Also other types of sources, e.g. neutron stars in which a torque balance equilibrium exists between matter accretion and emission of persistent gravitational waves, would fit in this category. In this paper we present a robust and computationally cheap analysis pipeline devoted to the search of such kind of signals. We provide a full characterization of the method, through both a theoretical sensitivity estimation and through the analysis of syntethic data in which simulated signals have been injected. The search setup for both all-sky searches and higher sensitivity directed searches is discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figure

Hepatic PPARs: their role in liver physiology, fibrosis and treatment

Complex molecular and cellular mechanisms are involved in the pathway of liver fibrosis. Activation and transformation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are considered the two main reasons for the cause and development of liver fibrosis. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) belonging to the family of ligand-activated transcription factors play a key role in liver homeostasis, regulating adipogenesis and inhibiting fibrogenesis in HSCs. Normal transcriptional function of PPARs contributes to maintain HSCs in quiescent phase. A reduced expression of PPARs in HSCs greatly induces a progression of liver fibrosis and an increased production of collagen. Here, we discuss role and function of PPARs and we take into consideration molecular factors able to reduce PPARs activity in HSCs. Finally, although further validations are needed, we illustrate novel strategies available from in vitro and animal studies on how some PPARs-agonists have been proved effective as antifibrotic substances in liver disease

Testbed for the Pellet Launching System for JT-60SA

As part of the European contribution to the large size superconducting tokamak project JT-60SA, a new Pellet Launching System (PLS) is designed and built. The aims of the PLS are to provide efficient fuelling to the plasma and to control and mitigate Edge Localised Modes (ELMs). Two pellet sources, one for fuelling pellets, one for pacing pellets, are delivering pellets to a centrifuge launcher. The centrifuge enables precise launch of pellets according to already proven control schemes. Furthermore, this system opens a way towards a test bed for the EU-DEMO fuelling system. The new PLS has to be completed and commissioned first at the IPP Garching pellet lab and then to be shipped to QST Naka site after having demonstrated its performance. This dedicated test bed has been set up, providing suitable vacuum conditions to operate the PLS in similar conditions (except magnetic field and radiation). Maximum hydrogen throughput is about 400 mbar·L/s per pellet source. Safety issues must be considered for hydrogen inventory of pellet sources (∼100 bar·L each). In a first step, the pellet sources will be put on a test vessel providing inherent safety by a huge volume (10 m³) which makes sure that the hydrogen concentration is below 1% under all circumstances. A hydrogen safety survey prior to assembly confirmed the concept to be followed by an assessment after the installation in order to get the required license for operation. The PLS as a whole, for the time being equipped with two pellet sources, is to be certified according to explosion prevention rules (ATEX) as a product to be shipped to Naka site. To obtain this, an appropriate declaration of explosion zones inside the vacuum system and the use of suitable and certified equipment is mandatory. Such, the integration of this system can be planned and assessed on a clear technical and regulatory basis

Build-Up/Wash-Off Monitoring and Assessment for Sustainable Management of First Flush in an Urban Area

The characterization of stormwater runoff on urbanized surfaces by means of comparison between experimental data and simulations is a strict requirement for a sustainable management of urban sewer systems. A monitoring campaign was carried out within a residential area in Puglia (Southern Italy) in order to collect and evaluate quantity and quality data. A strong correlation was observed between COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) and TSS (Total Suspended Solid) concentrations, whose values exceed water quality standards. TSS was used for calibration of Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) which was then validated with reference to the pollutograph’s shape and the peak-time. The first flush phenomenon occurrence was also investigated by looking at the distribution of pollutant mass vs. volume in stormwater discharges, using the so-called “M(V) curves”. Results show that on average the first 30% of that washed off carries 60% of TSS and provides important information for the design of efficient systems for first flush treatment

EM-100 Precision Irrigators Network

Identifying best management practices (BMPs) promoting greater water use efficiency while maintaining crop yields is essential to the future of Texas cropping systems. Available water for irrigated crops is vital for sustaining crop production throughout the state. However, the availability of this water for irrigation is diminishing through competition by urban development and, in some regions such as the Edwards Aquifer, is falling under state regulation. The awareness and improvement of efficient irrigation and best management practices to conserve water while maintaining crop production will help preserve the aquifer levels and increase water savings to producers. One component of BMPs for conserving water use is the application of decision support systems (DSS) that are used as tools for implementing irrigation BMPs. This DSS guide was developed as a complement to TWDB Report 362, "Water Conservation Best Management Practices Guide," which is a more comprehensive report on water conservation including an "Agricultural Irrigation Water Use Management" BMPs section. The full TWDB Report 362 can be found at: http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/assistance/conservation/consindex.asp. DSS include the Texas High Plains Evapotranspiration Network (TXHPET), the Precision Irrigators Network (PIN) and the Crop Production Management (CroPMan) model. These DSS strive to promote grower awareness of water conservation strategies. Irrigation conservation strategies are proposed to result in savings of approximately 1.4 million acre-feet per year by 2060 (TWDB and TWRI). TXHPET operates 18 meteorological stations located in 15 counties across the Texas North Plains and Texas South Plains. The regional coverage of TXHPET is estimated at 4 million irrigated acres. The network offers insight to evapotranspiration (ET)-based crop water use that producers and agricultural consultants can reference when making decisions on when and how much to irrigate their crops. This information is available to data users via fax or online (http://txhighplainset.tamu.edu) and currently results in approximately 300,000 downloads or faxes annually. The PIN program was formed in 2004 with a goal of saving millions of gallons of water annually by reducing irrigation water use by as much as 20 percent over several years and currently supports several crops (corn, cotton, sorghum, wheat) in seven counties of South Central Texas. Cooperation of the PIN programs consists of area producers, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers, Texas Cooperative Extension personnel, San Antonio Water System, Edwards Aquifer Authority, Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas Water Development Board, Uvalde County Underground Water Conservation District and Wintergarden Water Conservation District. The PIN database will allow producers to gain historical and real-time information for better management of irrigation scheduling. The PIN program estimates that when all irrigators in the Edwards Aquifer region implement limited irrigation scheduling, approximately 50,000 to 60,000 acre-feet of water can be saved per year and made available for purposes other than agriculture. CroPMan is a computer model designed to aid producers and agricultural consultants in optimizing crop management and maximizing production and profit through a production-risk approach. CroPMan will help growers identify limitations to crop yield, assist in making replant decisions and help recognize management practices that reduce the impact of agriculture on soil erosion and water quality. CroPMan is a Windows-based application program that can be downloaded from the CroPMan Web site (http://cropman.brc.tamus.edu)

Assessing the Association of Pioglitazone Use and Bladder Cancer Through Drug Adverse Event Reporting

OBJECTIVE\u2014To analyze the association between pioglitazone use and bladder cancer through a spontaneous adverse event reporting system for medications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS\u2014Case/noncase bladder cancer reports associated with antidiabetic drug use were retrieved from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) between 2004 and 2009 and analyzed by the reporting odds ratio (ROR). RESULTS\u2014Ninety-three reports of bladder cancer were retrieved, corresponding to 138 drug reaction pairs (pioglitazone, 31; insulin, 29; metformin, 25; glimepiride, 13; exenatide, 8; others, 22). RORwas indicative of a definite risk for pioglitazone (4.30 [95%CI 2.82\u20136.52]), and a much weaker risk for gliclazide and acarbose, with very few cases being treated with these two drugs (6 and 4, respectively). CONCLUSIONS\u2014In agreement with preclinical and clinical studies, AERS analysis is consistent with an association between pioglitazone and bladder cancer. This issue needs constant epidemiologic surveillance and urgent definition by more specific studies

A real-world study on unmet medical needs in triptan-treated migraine: Prevalence, preventive therapies and triptan use modification from a large Italian population along two years

Although migraine is a disabling neurological condition that causes important disability, it remains an area of underdiagnosis and undertreatment worldwide. The aim of this study was to depict the burden of the unmet medical needs in migraine treated with triptans in a large Italian population

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits doxorubicin-induced inflammation on human ovarian tissue

Chemotherapy protocol can destroy the reproductive potential of young cancer patients. Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent anthracycline commonly used in the treatment of numerous malignancies. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the ovarian toxicity of DOX via inflammation and the possible protective effect of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Ovarian tissue of three patients was cultured with 1 \ub5g/ml DOX and/or 10 \ub5g/ml EGCG for 24 and 48 h. Levels of inflammatory factors were determined by quantitative Real-Time PCR, western blot, zimography, and multiplex bead-based immunoassay. Morphological evaluation, damaged follicle count and TUNEL assay were also performed. DOX influenced inflammatory responses by inducing a significant increase in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-\u3b1 (TNF-\u3b1) and cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2), of inflammatory interleukins (IL), such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), and the inflammatory proteins mediators metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP2 and MMP9). IL-8 secretion in the culture supernatants and MMP9 activity also significantly raised after DOX treatment. Moreover, a histological evaluation of the ovarian tissue showed morphological damage to follicles and stroma after DOX exposure. EGCG significantly reduced DOX-induced inflammatory responses and improved the preservation of follicles. DOX-induced inflammation could be responsible for the ovarian function impairment of chemotherapy. EGCG could have a protective role in reducing DOX-mediated inflammatory responses in human ovarian tissue