Improved upper limits on the stochastic gravitational-wave background from 2009-2010 LIGO and Virgo data.

Gravitational waves from a variety of sources are predicted to superpose to create a stochastic background. This background is expected to contain unique information from throughout the history of the Universe that is unavailable through standard electromagnetic observations, making its study of fundamental importance to understanding the evolution of the Universe. We carry out a search for the stochastic background with the latest data from the LIGO and Virgo detectors. Consistent with predictions from most stochastic gravitational-wave background models, the data display no evidence of a stochastic gravitational-wave signal. Assuming a gravitational-wave spectrum of Ω_{GW}(f)=Ω_{α}(f/f_{ref})^{α}, we place 95% confidence level upper limits on the energy density of the background in each of four frequency bands spanning 41.5-1726 Hz. In the frequency band of 41.5-169.25 Hz for a spectral index of α=0, we constrain the energy density of the stochastic background to be Ω_{GW}(f)<5.6×10^{-6}. For the 600-1000 Hz band, Ω_{GW}(f)<0.14(f/900 Hz)^{3}, a factor of 2.5 lower than the best previously reported upper limits. We find Ω_{GW}(f)<1.8×10^{-4} using a spectral index of zero for 170-600 Hz and Ω_{GW}(f)<1.0(f/1300 Hz)^{3} for 1000-1726 Hz, bands in which no previous direct limits have been placed. The limits in these four bands are the lowest direct measurements to date on the stochastic background. We discuss the implications of these results in light of the recent claim by the BICEP2 experiment of the possible evidence for inflationary gravitational waves.

Search for gravitational waves associated with γ-ray bursts detected by the interplanetary network.

We present the results of a search for gravitational waves associated with 223 γ-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the InterPlanetary Network (IPN) in 2005-2010 during LIGO's fifth and sixth science runs and Virgo's first, second, and third science runs. The IPN satellites provide accurate times of the bursts and sky localizations that vary significantly from degree scale to hundreds of square degrees. We search for both a well-modeled binary coalescence signal, the favored progenitor model for short GRBs, and for generic, unmodeled gravitational wave bursts. Both searches use the event time and sky localization to improve the gravitational wave search sensitivity as compared to corresponding all-time, all-sky searches. We find no evidence of a gravitational wave signal associated with any of the IPN GRBs in the sample, nor do we find evidence for a population of weak gravitational wave signals associated with the GRBs. For all IPN-detected GRBs, for which a sufficient duration of quality gravitational wave data are available, we place lower bounds on the distance to the source in accordance with an optimistic assumption of gravitational wave emission energy of 10(-2)M⊙c(2) at 150 Hz, and find a median of 13 Mpc. For the 27 short-hard GRBs we place 90% confidence exclusion distances to two source models: a binary neutron star coalescence, with a median distance of 12 Mpc, or the coalescence of a neutron star and black hole, with a median distance of 22 Mpc. Finally, we combine this search with previously published results to provide a population statement for GRB searches in first-generation LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors and a resulting examination of prospects for the advanced gravitational wave detectors.

[Captopril induced lichenoid eruption]. / Eruption lichénoïde au Captopril.

The authors report three cases of Captopril induced lichenoid eruption, already unmentionned, as far as they know. This cutaneous adverse reaction seemed to be dose related. Late onset was possible, even after six months of therapy. Violaceous papules or plaques were localized (two cases) or disseminated (one case) on the skin. The oral cavity was spared, but mucous membrane may be involved (localisation on the glans penis in one case). Histopathology was suggestive of lichen, but cellular dermal infiltrate was rather sparse. Immunofluorescent study in one case showed anti-IgM and C4 deposits on dermal colloid bodies. Captopril withdrawal was followed by improvement. Reviewing the literature, the authors are questionning about the fact that chemical structures of Penicillamine, Pyritinol and Captopril are strikingly similar and perhaps causative.

[Captopril-induced eruptions: occurrence over a 3-year period]. / Toxidermies au Captopril: incidence au cours d'un traitement de 1.321 mois/patients.

With an informatized sample of 123 patients taking Captopril and treated for a total duration of 1,321 month/patients, the frequency of the dermatological symptoms induced by the drug is related. Pruritus is found in 10,5 p. 100 and rashes in 2,4 p. 100 of cases. The results are compared with those of preceeding reports, although some authors have found a higher percentage because of highin doses of the drug. The clinical features of the rashes and the proposed mechanisms are also reported.

[Familial study of Hb A2 Babinga (delta 136 Glyc----Asp) in South America]. / Etude familiale d'une hémoglobine A2 Babinga (delta 136 Glyc----Asp) en Amérique du Sud.

In November 1983, HB A2 Babinga was found in a Columbian male in Paris. Blood samples from Columbia showed that his mother and one of his brothers were also Hb A2 Babinga carriers and that his mother and another brother and his sister were Hb S carriers.