Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA.

We present possible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next decade, with the intention of providing information to the astronomy community to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals, and study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source. We report our findings for gravitational-wave transients, with particular focus on gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary neutron star systems, which are the most promising targets for multi-messenger astronomy.

THz rotational spectrum of H2F+.

In view of recent tremendous advance in astronomical observations in the submillimeter to THz region brought by the Herschel space craft, laboratory high-resolution spectroscopic investigations in that frequency region into unstable molecules, in particular, light hydride ions, are urgently needed. As a part of such endeavor, rotational transitions of H(2)F(+) were observed in the THz-region by using a tunable far-infrared spectrometer. These newly detected lines together with the submillimeter-wave lines obtained previously and the combination differences derived from infrared vibration-rotation lines were subject to a least-squares analysis that yielded a set of molecular constants with much better accuracy.

Submillimeter-wave and far-infrared spectroscopy of high-J transitions of the ground and ν2 = 1 states of ammonia.

Complete and reliable knowledge of the ammonia spectrum is needed to enable the analysis and interpretation of astrophysical and planetary observations. Ammonia has been observed in the interstellar medium up to J=18 and more highly excited transitions are expected to appear in hot exoplanets and brown dwarfs. As a result, there is considerable interest in observing and assigning the high J (rovibrational) spectrum.

Up-regulation in the expression of renin gene by the influence of aluminium.

The excretion of aluminium in urine was significantly increased after intake of analgesics containing aluminium, confirming increased absorption and hence exposure to aluminium with such medication. The effect of aluminium on the kidney was further investigated by study of gene expression in mice. After a single dose of aluminium, an up-regulation of renin gene was found by DNA sequencing of the products of differential display analysis.

Separation and conversion dynamics of four nuclear spin isomers of ethylene.

Molecules with three or more nuclei of nonzero spin exist as discrete spin isomers whose interconversion in the gas phase is generally considered improbable. We have studied the interconversion process in ethylene by creating a sample depleted in the B2u nuclear spin isomer. The separation was achieved through spatial drift of this isomer induced by resonant absorption of narrow-band infrared light.