Here we employ discrete wavelet transforms (DWTs) to develop test statistics for the detection of transients, i.e., signals with a short duration and unknown shape, embedded in Gaussian white noise. ...Distributions of the test statistics under both the null and alternative hypotheses can be easily derived. We test performance on a set of 78 templates provided by theoretical studies on gravitational waves emitted in a supernova explosion where we seek the maximal detection distance of the source generating the signal at which the tests correctly reject the null hypothesis. We discuss practical implementation issues and performance assessment methods. We compare results with both matched filtering, an optimal method that requires the prior knowledge of the signal shape, and with the slope filtering, that uses limited prior knowledge on the signal. The wavelet statistics show a good behavior for each of the considered waveforms, unlike other detection methods.
The low frequency facility, a Virgo R&D experiment, is composed by a Fabry–Perot cavity attached and controlled by the Virgo suspension; the goal is to measure the thermal noise of the apparatus ...above 10 Hz, with a displacement sensitivity as high as 10
−18 m
/
Hz
. Since September 2001 the apparatus, located inside the INFN-Pisa experimental area, has been completely built and put into operation. Vacuum facilities and the control loops have been set up. Transfer functions, necessary to control the cavity, absolute test mass displacement and the first demonstration of the cavity locking are reported.
Both PC-3 and DU-145 cell lines are androgen-insensitive, but, in our experience, they contain androgen receptors (AR). Treatment of these cells with natural beta-interferon at a concentration of ...1,000 IU/ml of culture medium determines an increase of AR (evaluated by a whole-cell assay), statistically significant with respect to control. Androgen unresponsiveness of our cells could be due to an AR level which is lower than that present in hormone-sensitive prostatic cancer cell lines, such as LNCaP cells. For this reason, interferon-promoted AR increase merits further investigation, even if other defects in receptor mechanism, responsible for hormone insensitivity, cannot be excluded.
The effect of purified human fibroblast beta-interferon (B-IFN) and recombinant alpha-2b-interferon (A-IFN) on cell proliferation was investigated in two human prostate carcinoma cell lines, named ...PC-3 and DU-145. Both cell lines respond to the antiproliferative action of interferon, B-IFN being more effective than A-IFN. PC-3 is more sensitive than DU-145 cell line, showing 95% inhibition of cell proliferation at the highest concentration of B-IFN. As interferons, besides reducing cell growth, are able to modify steroid receptor content in different hormone-sensitive human tumours, our results may be of some relevance as these drugs might be used to regulate both cell proliferation and hormone-sensitivity in prostate cancer.
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