1. |
- Abadie, J., et al.
(author)
-
Implementation and testing of the first prompt search for gravitational wave transients with electromagnetic counterparts
- 2012
-
In: Astronomy & Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 539
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. A transient astrophysical event observed in both gravitational wave (GW) and electromagnetic (EM) channels would yield rich scientific rewards. A first program initiating EM follow-ups to possible transient GW events has been developed and exercised by the LIGO and Virgo community in association with several partners. In this paper, we describe and evaluate the methods used to promptly identify and localize GW event candidates and to request images of targeted sky locations. Methods. During two observing periods (Dec. 17, 2009 to Jan. 8, 2010 and Sep. 2 to Oct. 20, 2010), a low-latency analysis pipeline was used to identify GW event candidates and to reconstruct maps of possible sky locations. A catalog of nearby galaxies and Milky Way globular clusters was used to select the most promising sky positions to be imaged, and this directional information was delivered to EM observatories with time lags of about thirty minutes. A Monte Carlo simulation has been used to evaluate the low-latency GW pipeline's ability to reconstruct source positions correctly. Results. For signals near the detection threshold, our low-latency algorithms often localized simulated GW burst signals to tens of square degrees, while neutron star/neutron star inspirals and neutron star/black hole inspirals were localized to a few hundred square degrees. Localization precision improves for moderately stronger signals. The correct sky location of signals well above threshold and originating from nearby galaxies may be observed with similar to 50% or better probability with a few pointings of wide-field telescopes.
|
|
2. |
- Abadie, J., et al.
(author)
-
All-sky search for periodic gravitational waves in the full S5 LIGO data
- 2012
-
In: Physical Review D (Particles, Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology). - 1550-2368. ; 85:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on an all-sky search for periodic gravitational waves in the frequency band 50-800 Hz and with the frequency time derivative in the range of 0 through -6 x 10(-9) Hz/s. Such a signal could be produced by a nearby spinning and slightly nonaxisymmetric isolated neutron star in our Galaxy. After recent improvements in the search program that yielded a 10x increase in computational efficiency, we have searched in two years of data collected during LIGO's fifth science run and have obtained the most sensitive all-sky upper limits on gravitational-wave strain to date. Near 150 Hz our upper limit on worst-case linearly polarized strain amplitude h(0) is 1 x 10(-24), while at the high end of our frequency range we achieve a worst-case upper limit of 3.8 x 10(-24) for all polarizations and sky locations. These results constitute a factor of 2 improvement upon previously published data. A new detection pipeline utilizing a loosely coherent algorithm was able to follow up weaker outliers, increasing the volume of space where signals can be detected by a factor of 10, but has not revealed any gravitational-wave signals. The pipeline has been tested for robustness with respect to deviations from the model of an isolated neutron star, such as caused by a low-mass or long-period binary companion.
|
|
3. |
- Abadie, J., et al.
(author)
-
Search for gravitational waves from low mass compact binary coalescence in LIGO's sixth science run and Virgo's science runs 2 and 3
- 2012
-
In: Physical Review D (Particles, Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology). - 1550-2368. ; 85:8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on a search for gravitational waves from coalescing compact binaries using LIGO and Virgo observations between July 7, 2009, and October 20, 2010. We searched for signals from binaries with total mass between 2 and 25M(circle dot); this includes binary neutron stars, binary black holes, and binaries consisting of a black hole and neutron star. The detectors were sensitive to systems up to 40 Mpc distant for binary neutron stars, and further for higher mass systems. No gravitational-wave signals were detected. We report upper limits on the rate of compact binary coalescence as a function of total mass, including the results from previous LIGO and Virgo observations. The cumulative 90% confidence rate upper limits of the binary coalescence of binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems are 1.3 x 10(-4), 3.1 x 10(-5), and 6.4 x 10(-6) Mpc(-3) yr(-1), respectively. These upper limits are up to a factor 1.4 lower than previously derived limits. We also report on results from a blind injection challenge.
|
|
4. |
- Bost, J. P., et al.
(author)
-
Delivery of Oligonucleotide Therapeutics: Chemical Modifications, Lipid Nanoparticles, and Extracellular Vesicles
- 2021
-
In: Acs Nano. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1936-0851 .- 1936-086X. ; 15:9, s. 13993-14021
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Oligonucleotides (ONs) comprise a rapidly growing class of therapeutics. In recent years, the list of FDA-approved ON therapies has rapidly expanded. ONs are small (15-30 bp) nucleotide-based therapeutics which are capable of targeting DNA and RNA as well as other biomolecules. ONs can be subdivided into several classes based on their chemical modifications and on the mechanisms of their target interactions. Historically, the largest hindrance to the widespread usage of ON therapeutics has been their inability to effectively internalize into cells and escape from endosomes to reach their molecular targets in the cytosol or nucleus. While cell uptake has been improved, "endosomal escape" remains a significant problem. There are a range of approaches to overcome this, and in this review, we focus on three: altering the chemical structure of the ONs, formulating synthetic, lipid-based nanoparticles to encapsulate the ONs, or biologically loading the ONs into extracellular vesicles. This review provides a background to the design and mode of action of existing FDA-approved ONs. It presents the most common ON classifications and chemical modifications from a fundamental scientific perspective and provides a roadmap of the cellular uptake pathways by which ONs are trafficked. Finally, this review delves into each of the above-mentioned approaches to ON delivery, highlighting the scientific principles behind each and covering recent advances.
|
|
5. |
- Haghighi, Mona, et al.
(author)
-
A Comparison of Rule-based Analysis with Regression Methods in Understanding the Risk Factors for Study Withdrawal in a Pediatric Study
- 2016
-
In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Regression models are extensively used in many epidemiological studies to understand the linkage between specific outcomes of interest and their risk factors. However, regression models in general examine the average effects of the risk factors and ignore subgroups with different risk profiles. As a result, interventions are often geared towards the average member of the population, without consideration of the special health needs of different subgroups within the population. This paper demonstrates the value of using rule-based analysis methods that can identify subgroups with heterogeneous risk profiles in a population without imposing assumptions on the subgroups or method. The rules define the risk pattern of subsets of individuals by not only considering the interactions between the risk factors but also their ranges. We compared the rule-based analysis results with the results from a logistic regression model in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. Both methods detected a similar suite of risk factors, but the rule-based analysis was superior at detecting multiple interactions between the risk factors that characterize the subgroups. A further investigation of the particular characteristics of each subgroup may detect the special health needs of the subgroup and lead to tailored interventions.
|
|
6. |
- Leyton, A., et al.
(author)
-
Identification and efficient extraction method of phlorotannins from the brown seaweed Macrocystis pyrifera using an orthogonal experimental design
- 2016
-
In: Algal Research. - : Elsevier. - 2211-9264. ; 16, s. 201-208
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract The brown seaweed contains a type polyphenol compound characteristic of its species, the phlorotannins, which are produced from the polymerization of phloroglucinol units. They have been extensively studied due to their pharmacological and nutraceutical properties, but there is still a need for an optimized extraction protocol. In this study, the brown seaweed Macrocystis pyrifera was employed to determine the best conditions for extraction of phlorotannins. A set of different variables were evaluated such as the use of pre-treatment, type of solvent, drying temperature, particle size, temperature and extraction time as well as the solid/liquid ratio upon extraction. The optimal conditions for the extraction of phlorotannins were: pre-treatment with hexane, extraction with water, drying temperature 40 °C, particle size below 1.4 mm, at 55 °C for 4 h and a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:15. Under these conditions, the concentration of phlorotannins achieved in the extract was 200.5 ± 5.6 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g dry seaweed (DS) and total antioxidant activity of the extract of 38.4 ± 2.9 mg trolox equivalent (TE)/100 g DS. Further, it was possible to identify two phlorotannins through HPLC-ESI-MS analyses: phloroeckol and a tetrameric phloroglucinol. These phlorotannins have been reported in the literature to have an antidiabetic effect and prevention of Alzheimer's disease for phloroeckol, and free radical scavenging ability and antiallergic effect for tetrameric phloroglucinol. Therefore, the extract of phlorotannins has potential as medicinal foods or therapeutics for human health applications.
|
|
7. |
- Pérez-Maldonado, Iván N, et al.
(author)
-
Exposure assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Mexican children
- 2009
-
In: Chemosphere. - : Elsevier BV. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 75:9, s. 1215-1220
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Flame retardants (FRs) constitute a group of compounds that are added to materials in order to suppress, reduce, or delay fire. At present the most used FRs are the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and diverse studies have found individuals exposed to them. However, few studies have reported data in children. The objective of this report was to assess PBDEs levels in children of six communities in México. During the year 2006 we analyzed a total of 173 healthy children (aged 6-13 years old). Plasma samples were taken and quantified (gas chromatography/mass spectrometer) for PBDEs. Six PBDEs congeners (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, and BDE-209) were quantified in blood serum. We detected exposure to PBDEs in all the communities. The total PBDEs levels ranged from no detectable (nd) to 43.4 ng g(-1) lipid, the dominant PBDE congener was BDE-47, followed by BDE-100, BDE-99 and BDE-153, whereas the levels of BDE-209 were below LOD. Children living in an industrial and urban area (Cd. Juarez, Chih) had the highest levels of PBDEs, approximately two times that of children living in El Refugio, S.L.P. (a rural area) or in Milpillas, S.L.P. (municipal landfill) and 4-5 times higher than levels found in children living in San Luis Potosi, S.L.P. (urban area), in Chihuahua, Chih. (urban area), and San Juan Tilapa, Edo. Mex. (municipal landfills). Results cannot be generalized since the communities selected are not representative of the Mexican population. However, they do indicate that Mexican children are exposed to PBDEs.
|
|
8. |
- Richens, JL, et al.
(author)
-
Spontaneous charged lipid transfer between lipid vesicles
- 2017
-
In: Scientific reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7:1, s. 12606-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An assay to study the spontaneous charged lipid transfer between lipid vesicles is described. A donor/acceptor vesicle system is employed, where neutrally charged acceptor vesicles are fluorescently labelled with the electrostatic membrane probe Fluoresceinphosphatidylethanolamine (FPE). Upon addition of charged donor vesicles, transfer of negatively charged lipid occurs, resulting in a fluorescently detectable change in the membrane potential of the acceptor vesicles. Using this approach we have studied the transfer properties of a range of lipids, varying both the headgroup and the chain length. At the low vesicle concentrations chosen, the transfer follows a first-order process where lipid monomers are transferred presumably through the aqueous solution phase from donor to acceptor vesicle. The rate of transfer decreases with increasing chain length which is consistent with energy models previously reported for lipid monomer vesicle interactions. Our assay improves on existing methods allowing the study of a range of unmodified lipids, continuous monitoring of transfer and simplified experimental procedures.
|
|
9. |
|
|
10. |
- Usachov, D. Yu, et al.
(author)
-
Cubic Rashba Effect in the Surface Spin Structure of Rare-Earth Ternary Materials
- 2020
-
In: Physical Review Letters. - 0031-9007. ; 124:23
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Spin-orbit interaction and structure inversion asymmetry in combination with magnetic ordering is a promising route to novel materials with highly mobile spin-polarized carriers at the surface. Spin-resolved measurements of the photoemission current from the Si-terminated surface of the antiferromagnet TbRh2Si2 and their analysis within an ab initio one-step theory unveil an unusual triple winding of the electron spin along the fourfold-symmetric constant energy contours of the surface states. A two-band k·p model is presented that yields the triple winding as a cubic Rashba effect. The curious in-plane spin-momentum locking is remarkably robust and remains intact across a paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition in spite of spin-orbit interaction on Rh atoms being considerably weaker than the out-of-plane exchange field due to the Tb 4f moments.
|
|