Directional limits on persistent gravitational waves using LIGO S5 science data.

The gravitational-wave (GW) sky may include nearby pointlike sources as well as stochastic backgrounds. We perform two directional searches for persistent GWs using data from the LIGO S5 science run: one optimized for pointlike sources and one for arbitrary extended sources. Finding no evidence to support the detection of GWs, we present 90% confidence level (C.

Observational constraints on multimessenger sources of gravitational waves and high-energy neutrinos.

Many astronomical sources of intense bursts of photons are also predicted to be strong emitters of gravitational waves (GWs) and high-energy neutrinos (HENs). Moreover some suspected classes, e.g.

Vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels and 6-year change in peripheral nerve function and neurological signs.

Background: Low vitamin B12 and high homocysteine (Hcy) levels are common in older adults and may be associated with worse neurological function. The aim of this study is to determine whether changes in B12 or Hcy levels are associated with longitudinal changes in peripheral nerve function and clinical neurological signs and symptoms.

Methods: Participants aged 60 years and older at baseline (n = 678; 72.

A state observer for the Virgo inverted pendulum.

We report an application of Kalman filtering to the inverted pendulum (IP) of the Virgo gravitational wave interferometer. Using subspace method system identification techniques, we calculated a linear mechanical model of Virgo IP from experimental transfer functions. We then developed a Kalman filter, based on the obtained state space representation, that estimates from open loop time domain data, the state variables of the system.

The Program Assessment Guide: an approach for structuring contextual knowledge and experience to improve the design, delivery, and effectiveness of nutrition interventions.

As evidence from small-scale trials has accumulated concerning the efficacy of low-cost interventions to address undernutrition, the design, implementation, and strengthening of large-scale programs to deliver these interventions has become a high priority. This scaling up process involves a large number of technical, logistical, administrative, political, and social considerations and little research exists on how to address these in a systematic way. This paper introduces the Program Assessment Guide (PAG), a set of analysis and decision tools that seeks to fill this gap, and reports on its application in Kyrgyzstan and Bolivia.

The relationship between plasma carotenoids and depressive symptoms in older persons.

Objective: We examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationship between plasma carotenoids and depressive symptoms over a 6-year follow-up in older persons.

Methods: This research is part of the InCHIANTI Study, a prospective population-based study of older persons in Tuscany, Italy. The sample for this analysis included 958 women and men aged 65 years and older.

Genetic variants in novel pathways influence blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk.

Blood pressure is a heritable trait influenced by several biological pathways and responsive to environmental stimuli. Over one billion people worldwide have hypertension (≥140 mm Hg systolic blood pressure or  ≥90 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure). Even small increments in blood pressure are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Genome-wide association study identifies six new loci influencing pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure.

Numerous genetic loci have been associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in Europeans. We now report genome-wide association studies of pulse pressure (PP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). In discovery (N = 74,064) and follow-up studies (N = 48,607), we identified at genome-wide significance (P = 2.

Bisphenol A exposure is associated with in vivo estrogenic gene expression in adults.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic estrogen commonly used in polycarbonate plastic and resin-lined food and beverage containers. Exposure of animal and cell models to doses of BPA below the recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 50 μg/kg/day have been shown to alter specific estrogen-responsive gene expression, but this has not previously been shown in humans.

Objective: We investigated associations between BPA exposure and in vivo estrogenic gene expression in humans.

Endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end products is associated with low serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and elevated IL-6 in older community-dwelling adults.

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are thought to cause inflammation through interaction with the receptor for AGEs (RAGE), therefore contributing to adverse aging-related processes. The relationship between AGEs, RAGE, and inflammation has not been well characterized.

Methods: We examined the relationship of plasma endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE); carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), a circulating AGE; and inflammatory mediators in 1,298 adults, 20-97 years, who participated in the InCHIANTI study in Tuscany, Italy.

SHBG, sex hormones, and inflammatory markers in older women.

Context: In premenopausal and older women, high testosterone and estradiol (E2) and low SHBG levels are associated with insulin resistance and diabetes, conditions characterized by low-grade inflammation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between SHBG, total testosterone, total E2, and inflammatory markers in older women.

Design And Patients: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 433 women at least 65 yr old from the InCHIANTI Study, Italy, who were not on hormone replacement therapy or recently hospitalized and who had complete data on SHBG, testosterone, E2, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6r), and TNF-α.

LRP5 gene polymorphism and cortical bone.

Background And Aims: There is evidence that distinct genetic polymorphisms of LRP5 are associated with low Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and the risk of fracture. However, relationships between LRP5 polymorphisms and micro- and macro architectural bone characteristics assessed by pQCT have not been studied. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of Ala1330Val and Val667Met polymorphisms in LRP5 gene with volumetric BMD (vBMD) and macro-architectural bone parameters in a population-based sample of men and women.

Mediterranean diet and mobility decline in older persons.

We examined whether adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet has positive effects on mobility assessed over a 9-year follow-up in a representative sample of older adults. This research is part of the InCHIANTI Study, a prospective population-based study of older persons in Tuscany, Italy. The sample for this analysis included 935 women and men aged 65 years and older.

Plasma soluble gp130 levels are increased in older subjects with metabolic syndrome. The role of insulin resistance.

Objective: Increased interleukin-6 plasma levels have been reported in metabolic syndrome (MS); nevertheless, it is unclear whether interleukin-6 activity is exerted through direct signalling only or also through the "trans-signalling". This issue is important to clarify since signalling and "trans-signalling" affect different tissues. We investigated the relationship between MS and the interleukin-6 system in an older population.

Critical issues in radiology requests and reports.

Purpose: This study evaluated the appropriateness and accuracy of 500 radiology requests and their matched reports in order to identify recurring errors in both areas.

Materials And Methods: A randomly chosen sample consisting of 167 computed tomography (CT), 166 ultrasonography (US) and 167 radiographic examinations were collected and analysed according to national referral guidelines and to the principles of justification and optimisation (Law no. 187/2000).

In-vacuum Faraday isolation remote tuning.

In-vacuum Faraday isolators (FIs) are used in gravitational wave interferometers to prevent the disturbance caused by light reflected back to the input port from the interferometer itself. The efficiency of the optical isolation is becoming more critical with the increase of laser input power. An in-vacuum FI, used in a gravitational wave experiment (Virgo), has a 20 mm clear aperture and is illuminated by an almost 20 W incoming beam, having a diameter of about 5 mm.

Daily bisphenol A excretion and associations with sex hormone concentrations: results from the InCHIANTI adult population study.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production volume chemical widely used in packaging for food and beverages. Numerous studies have demonstrated that BPA can alter endocrine function in animals, yet human studies remain limited.

Objective: We estimated daily excretion of BPA among adults and examined hypothesized associations with serum estrogen and testosterone concentrations.

C. elegans twist gene expression in differentiated cell types is controlled by autoregulation through intron elements.

The temporospatial regulation of genes encoding transcription factors is important during development. The hlh-8 gene encodes the C. elegans mesodermal transcription factor CeTwist.

A case report of bilateral mandibular vertical guided bone regeneration with and without bovine thrombin/calcium chloride activated platelet-rich plasma.

One patient with a bilateral vertical defect was treated on one side with guided bone regeneration (GBR) and an autologous bone graft and on the contralateral side with the addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). At the 6-month reentry, clinically and radiographically enough bone width and height were present to allow implant placement in both sites. At the same time point, at the histologic level, no differences were noticeable.

Frailty and the homeostatic network.

Trajectories of health and functioning with age show extreme variability among different individuals. In frail, older persons the decline in functional reserve is accelerated and compensatory mechanisms start failing, with high risk of homeostasis disruption and consequent negative health outcomes. Frailty is currently conceptualized as an age-related alteration in physiology and pathology that results into a typical constellation of signs and symptoms.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and depressive symptoms in older women and men.

Context: Hypovitaminosis D and depressive symptoms are common conditions in older adults.

Objective: We examined the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and depressive symptoms over a 6-yr follow-up in a sample of older adults.

Design And Setting: This research is part of a population-based cohort study (InCHIANTI Study) in Tuscany, Italy.

Trail Making Test predicts physical impairment and mortality in older persons.

Objectives: To examine whether performance in the Trail Making Test (TMT) predicts mobility impairment and mortality in older persons.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Community-dwelling older persons enrolled in the Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) Study.

Relationship between low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and dementia in the elderly. The InChianti study.

Background: To evaluate the association between plasma lipid fractions and the prevalence of dementia in a large sample of Italian older individuals.

Methods: A total of 1051 older community-dwelling individuals (age >/=65 years), enrolled in the InChianti study, were included. Diagnosis of dementia was established at baseline and at the 3-year follow-up using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (Fourth Edition) criteria.