A Surrogate Model of Gravitational Waveforms from Numerical Relativity Simulations of Precessing Binary Black Hole Mergers

We present the first surrogate model for gravitational waveforms from the coalescence of precessing binary black holes. We call this surrogate model NRSur4d2s. Our methodology significantly extends recently introduced reduced-order and surrogate modeling techniques, and is capable of directly modeling numerical relativity waveforms without introducing phenomenological assumptions or approximations to general relativity. Motivated by GW150914, LIGO's first detection of gravitational waves from merging black holes, the model is built from a set of $276$ numerical relativity (NR) simulations with mass ratios $q \leq 2$, dimensionless spin magnitudes up to $0.8$, and the restriction that the initial spin of the smaller black hole lies along the axis of orbital angular momentum. It produces waveforms which begin $\sim 30$ gravitational wave cycles before merger and continue through ringdown, and which contain the effects of precession as well as all $\ell \in \{2, 3\}$ spin-weighted spherical-harmonic modes. We perform cross-validation studies to compare the model to NR waveforms \emph{not} used to build the model, and find a better agreement within the parameter range of the model than other, state-of-the-art precessing waveform models, with typical mismatches of $10^{-3}$. We also construct a frequency domain surrogate model (called NRSur4d2s_FDROM) which can be evaluated in $50\, \mathrm{ms}$ and is suitable for performing parameter estimation studies on gravitational wave detections similar to GW150914.Comment: 34 pages, 26 figure

Supporting Department Chair Development: Learnings from the Leadership Cohort

This best practice presentation will highlight key features, benefits and challenges of a cohort-based leadership development program for chairs. We’ll engage with sample materials and activities used during cohort meetings and share recommendations for those looking to initiate leadership development programs on their campus

Electroretinography in Dogs and Cats. Part I. Retinal Morphology and Physiology

Electroretinography is an important objective procedure that is used to assess the outer retina and follow the progression of and recovery from retinal disorders. This procedure is more sensitive than other diagnostic techniques, such as ophthalmoscopy, for determining subtle or early alterations in the outer retina. Electroretinography cannot, however, assess vision because an electroretinograpn (ERG) may be normal in dogs and cats with cortical blindness or early stages of glaucoma. If retinal dysfunction is known or suspected, an ERG may be necessary. This two-part presentation provides general practitioners with information about this relatively noninvasive electrodiagnostic procedure in order to assist them in assessing the need for referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist or neurologist. Part I reviews the morphologic and physiologic characteristics of the retina; Part II will examine electroretinographic technique, interpretations, and indications

Electroretinography in Dogs and Cats. Part II. Technique, Interpretation, and Indications

Electroretinography, a technique that objectively assesses the function of the retina, is used to evaluate the progression of retinal disorders. Part I of this two-part presentation discussed the morphologic and physiologic characteristics of the retina. The information presented in Part II can help practitioners determine when an electroretinogram (ERG) is recommended. In addition to the standard flash ERG, visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are useful for evaluating disorders that lead to blindness. The most common indications for electroretinography are presurgical evaluation of patients with cataracts, characterization of disorders that cause blindness, and identification of the extent of retinal damage caused by glaucoma. A flash ERG can only show changes that occur to the retina in advanced stages of glaucoma; whereas a pattern ERG (PERG) can record early, selective damage to ganglion cells in the retina

Leadership Development for Department Chairs: Learnings Across Three Approaches

This session shares insights and recommendations from three approaches to faculty leadership development: a co-mentoring group for faculty leaders; a community of practice for mentoring; and a leadership development cohort. Participants will be invited assess and revise these recommendations to jointly inform best practices in faculty leadership development

Attitudes Toward Breast Cancer Genetic Testing in Five Special Population Groups

Purpose: This study examined interest in and attitudes toward genetic testing in 5 different population groups. Methods: The survey included African American, Asian American, Latina, Native American, and Appalachian women with varying familial histories of breast cancer. A total of 49 women were interviewed in person. Descriptive and nonparametric statistical techniques were used to assess ethnic group differences. Results: Overall, interest in testing was high. All groups endorsed more benefits than risks. There were group differences regarding endorsement of specific benefits and risks: testing to “follow doctor recommendations” (p=0.017), “concern for effects on family” (p=0.044), “distrust of modern medicine” (p=0.036), “cost” (p=0.025), and “concerns about communication of results to others” (p=0.032). There was a significant inverse relationship between interest and genetic testing cost (p Conclusion: Cost may be an important barrier to obtaining genetic testing services, and participants would benefit by genetic counseling that incorporates the unique cultural values and beliefs of each group to create an individualized, culturally competent program. Further research about attitudes toward genetic testing is needed among Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Appalachians for whom data are severely lacking. Future study of the different Latina perceptions toward genetic testing are encouraged

The pseudorabies virus protein, pUL56, enhances virus dissemination and virulence but is dispensable for axonal transport

Neurotropic herpesviruses exit the peripheral nervous system and return to exposed body surfaces following reactivation from latency. The pUS9 protein is a critical viral effector of the anterograde axonal transport that underlies this process. We recently reported that while pUS9 increases the frequency of sorting of newly assembled pseudorabies virus particles to axons from the neural soma during egress, subsequent axonal transport of individual virus particles occurs with wild-type kinetics in the absence of the protein. Here, we examine the role of a related pseudorabies virus protein, pUL56, during neuronal infection. The findings indicate that pUL56 is a virulence factor that supports virus dissemination in vivo, yet along with pUS9, is dispensable for axonal transport

Improved grade outcomes with an e-mailed “grade nudge”

Information provided at the moment a person makes a decision can influence behavior in predictable ways. The United Kingdom\u27s Behavioural Insights Team have used this idea to help improve the insulation of lofts, collect taxes, and even reduce litter. The authors of this article developed software that appends a personalized message to each assignment in the class regarding the student\u27s current grade. This “grade nudge” explains precisely how the assignment will impact the student\u27s final grade given their current standing in the class. Through a randomized trial, the authors show that the nudge improves student homework performance by about four percentage points

Synthetic Studies toward Hennoxazole A. Use of a Selective Bisoxazole Alkylation as the Key Fragment Coupling

A model system for side chain fragment coupling to the core of hennoxazole A is investigated. Lateral metallation of a C13-TBS-protected bisoxazole, using lithium diethylamide, allows for selective and efficient alkylation at C15.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Vaccine-induced skewing of T cell responses protects against Chikungunya virus disease

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections can cause severe and debilitating joint and muscular pain that can be long lasting. Current CHIKV vaccines under development rely on the generation of neutralizing antibodies for protection; however, the role of T cells in controlling CHIKV infection and disease is still unclear. Using an overlapping peptide library, we identified the CHIKV-specific T cell receptor epitopes recognized in C57BL/6 infected mice at 7 and 14 days post-infection. A fusion protein containing peptides 451, 416, a small region of nsP4, peptide 47, and an HA tag (CHKVf5) was expressed using adenovirus and cytomegalovirus-vectored vaccines. Mice vaccinated with CHKVf5 elicited robust T cell responses to higher levels than normally observed following CHIKV infection, but the vaccine vectors did not elicit neutralizing antibodies. CHKVf5-vaccinated mice had significantly reduced infectious viral load when challenged by intramuscular CHIKV injection. Depletion of both CD