Detecting gravitational radiation from neutron stars using a six-parameter adaptive MCMC method

We present a Markov chain Monte Carlo technique for detecting gravitational radiation from a neutron star in laser interferometer data. The algorithm can estimate up to six unknown parameters of the target, including the rotation frequency and frequency derivative, using reparametrization, delayed rejection and simulated annealing. We highlight how a simple extension of the method, distributed over multiple computer processors, will allow for a search over a narrow frequency band. The ultimate goal of this research is to search for sources at a known locations, but uncertain spin parameters, such as may be found in SN1987A.Comment: Submitted to Classical and Quantum Gravity for GWDAW-8 proceeding

GaN/AlGaN Avalanche Photodiode Detectors for High Performance Ultraviolet Sensing Applications

The shorter wavelengths of the ultraviolet (UV) band enable detectors to operate with increased spatial resolution, variable pixel sizes, and large format arrays, benefitting a variety of NASA, defense, and commercial applications. AlxGa1-xN semiconductor alloys, which have attracted much interest for detection in the UV spectral region, have been shown to enable high optical gains, high sensitivities with the potential for single photon detection, and low dark current performance in ultraviolet avalanche photodiodes (UV-APDs). We are developing GaN/AlGaN UV-APDs with large pixel sizes that demonstrate consistent and uniform device performance and operation. These UV-APDs are fabricated through high quality metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth on lattice-matched, low dislocation density GaN substrates with optimized material growth and doping parameters. The use of these low defect density substrates is a critical element to realizing highly sensitive UV-APDs and arrays with suppressed dark current under high electric fields.Optical gains greater than 5X10 (exp 6) with enhanced quantum efficiencies over the 350-400 nm spectral range have been demonstrated, enabled by a strong avalanche multiplication process. Furthermore, we are developing 6X6 arrays of devices to test high gain UV-APD array performance at ~355 nm. These variable-area GaN/AlGaN UV-APD detectors and arrays enable advanced sensing performance over UV bands of interest with high resolution detection for NASA Earth Science applications

Training nephrologists from developing countries: does it have a positive impact?

In the past 25 years the International Society of Nephrology has sponsored 545 physicians from 83 developing countries to undertake nephrology training in renal units in the developed world. Data collected biennially from past fellows have demonstrated a very positive impact of the program on individual trainees and their home institutions. Many of the trainees have gone on to leadership positions in their home institutions, countries, and regions. Increasingly, fellowships are undertaken in selected developed centers within the fellow's own region, which increases the relevance and utility of the training to the fellow and the fellow's home institution, and lessens the risk of ‘brain drain’

Pharmacokinetic Disposition and Clinical Outcomes in Infants and Children Receiving Intravenous Busulfan for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

AbstractWe conducted a retrospective pharmacokinetic analysis of i.v. busulfan in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and describe its relation to transplantation outcomes. Forty-five children (median age, 3 yr) underwent HSCT at The Hospital for Sick Children from April 2003 through January 2006 and received i.v. busulfan every 6 h as part of their conditioning regimen. Initial busulfan doses were based on actual patient weight: <9 kg, 0.95 mg/kg per dose; 9-16 kg, 1.2 mg/kg per dose; 16-23 kg, 1.1 mg/kg per dose; 24-34 kg, 0.95 mg/kg per dose; >34 kg, 0.8 mg/kg per dose. Plasma busulfan concentrations were obtained after the first dose. The fourth and subsequent busulfan doses were adjusted to achieve an area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) of 900-1500 μM·min. Development of hepatic venous occlusive disease (HVOD; modified Baltimore criteria) and engraftment (absolute neutrophil count ≥0.5 × 109/L) were evaluated. Busulfan pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using 1-compartment methods. Mean busulfan pharmacokinetic parameters were maximum concentration (Cmax; 4.7 ± 0.75 μM), volume of distribution at steady state (0.68 ± 0.17 L/kg), elimination rate constant (0.0051 ± 0.0010 min−1), total body clearance (3.5 ± 1.23 mL/[min·kg]), and AUC (1271 ± 280 μM·min). Mean volume of distribution at steady state was larger in children <1 yr of age (0.77 ± 0.24 vs 0.64 ± 0.11 L/kg; P = .040) and children <4 yr of age (0.73 ± 0.18 vs 0.60 ± 0.11 L/kg; P = .001) than in older children. Compared with older children, mean weight-adjusted total body clearance was higher in children <4 yr of age (3.8 ± 1.40 versus 3.0 ± 0.76 mL/[min·kg]). HVOD was diagnosed in 8 children (18%), including 4 children <1 yr of age. Children who developed HVOD achieved a lower Cmax than did those without HVOD (4.2 ± 0.68 versus 4.8 ± 0.73 μM; P = .035). Other than Cmax, no association was observed between busulfan disposition and development of HVOD in children for whom i.v. busulfan doses were adjusted to achieve a target AUC. The influence of factors other than busulfan disposition on transplantation outcomes, such as genetic polymorphisms, should be evaluated

Revitalization of the School Library Media Specialist Certification Program at the University of Kentucky: Preparing 21st Century School Library Technology Leaders

In 2010 due to decreased enrollment and university-wide budget cuts, the University of Kentucky School of Library and Information Science made the decision to suspend admission to the School Library Media Certification program. The Kentucky librarian community responded with a campaign to request that this program be reinstated since the University of Kentucky is the only university in Kentucky offering a school library media preparation program within an American Library Association-accredited master\u27s program. As a result, a committee of experts was formed to examine the status of the school library media profession in the state of Kentucky, collect and analyze data of perceptions of differing stakeholders, and make a decision in regards to the future of the School Library Media certification program. This paper presents the study conducted by this committee, the findings, and the implications for the future of the School Library Media certification program at the University of Kentucky

Guideline for the Prevention of Oral and Oropharyngeal Mucositis in Children Receiving Treatment for Cancer or Undergoing Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

PURPOSE: To develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the prevention of oral mucositis in children (0-18 years) receiving treatment for cancer or undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: The Mucositis Prevention Guideline Development Group was interdisciplinary and included internationally recognised experts in paediatric mucositis. For the evidence review, we included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in either children or adults evaluating the following interventions selected according to prespecified criteria: cryotherapy, low level light therapy (LLLT) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). We also examined RCTs of any intervention conducted in children. For all systematic reviews, we synthesised the occurrence of severe oral mucositis. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to describe quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. RESULTS: We suggest cryotherapy or LLLT may be offered to cooperative children receiving chemotherapy or HSCT conditioning with regimens associated with a high rate of mucositis. We also suggest KGF may be offered to children receiving HSCT conditioning with regimens associated with a high rate of severe mucositis. However, KGF use merits caution as there is a lack of efficacy and toxicity data in children, and a lack of long-term follow-up data in paediatric cancers. No other interventions were recommended for oral mucositis prevention in children. CONCLUSIONS: All three specific interventions evaluated in this clinical practice guideline were associated with a weak recommendation for use. There may be important organisational and cost barriers to the adoption of LLLT and KGF. Considerations for implementation and key research gaps are highlighted

Genome-Wide Association with Select Biomarker Traits in the Framingham Heart Study

BACKGROUND: Systemic biomarkers provide insights into disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, and risk stratification. Many systemic biomarker concentrations are heritable phenotypes. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provide mechanisms to investigate the genetic contributions to biomarker variability unconstrained by current knowledge of physiological relations. METHODS: We examined the association of Affymetrix 100K GeneChip single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to 22 systemic biomarker concentrations in 4 biological domains: inflammation/oxidative stress; natriuretic peptides; liver function; and vitamins. Related members of the Framingham Offspring cohort (n = 1012; mean age 59 ± 10 years, 51% women) had both phenotype and genotype data (minimum-maximum per phenotype n = 507–1008). We used Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), Family Based Association Tests (FBAT) and variance components linkage to relate SNPs to multivariable-adjusted biomarker residuals. Autosomal SNPs (n = 70,987) meeting the following criteria were studied: minor allele frequency ≥ 10%, call rate ≥ 80% and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium p ≥ 0.001. RESULTS: With GEE, 58 SNPs had p < 10-6: the top SNPs were rs2494250 (p = 1.00*10-14) and rs4128725 (p = 3.68*10-12) for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1), and rs2794520 (p = 2.83*10-8) and rs2808629 (p = 3.19*10-8) for C-reactive protein (CRP) averaged from 3 examinations (over about 20 years). With FBAT, 11 SNPs had p < 10-6: the top SNPs were the same for MCP1 (rs4128725, p = 3.28*10-8, and rs2494250, p = 3.55*10-8), and also included B-type natriuretic peptide (rs437021, p = 1.01*10-6) and Vitamin K percent undercarboxylated osteocalcin (rs2052028, p = 1.07*10-6). The peak LOD (logarithm of the odds) scores were for MCP1 (4.38, chromosome 1) and CRP (3.28, chromosome 1; previously described) concentrations; of note the 1.5 support interval included the MCP1 and CRP SNPs reported above (GEE model). Previous candidate SNP associations with circulating CRP concentrations were replicated at p < 0.05; the SNPs rs2794520 and rs2808629 are in linkage disequilibrium with previously reported SNPs. GEE, FBAT and linkage results are posted at . CONCLUSION: The Framingham GWAS represents a resource to describe potentially novel genetic influences on systemic biomarker variability. The newly described associations will need to be replicated in other studies.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study (N01-HC25195); National Institutes of Health National Center for Research Resources Shared Instrumentation grant (1S10RR163736-01A1); National Institutes of Health (HL064753, HL076784, AG028321, HL71039, 2 K24HL04334, 1K23 HL083102); Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; American Diabetes Association Career Developement Award; National Center for Research Resources (GCRC M01-RR01066); US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (58-1950-001, 58-1950-401); National Institute of Aging (AG14759