Recent and Current Wind Engineering Research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

This paper briefly reviews recent and current National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) research aimed at improving standard provisions and advancing structural design practice for wind loads. The research covers: (i) New wind speed maps for the conterminous United States; (ii) Risk-consistent estimation of wind load factors for use with the wind tunnel procedure; (iii) Modern peaks-over-threshold approaches to estimation of peak wind effects; (iv) User-friendly procedures for the database-assisted design of rigid and flexible structures; (v) Novel approaches to codification of pressures on cladding and components; (vi) Modern modeling of synoptic storm planetary boundary layers and its implications for super-tall building design; (vii) Computational Wind Engineering (CWE); (viii) Tornado climatology and development of tornado-resistant design methodologies; (ix) Joint climatology of wind speeds, storm surge and waves heights, and estimates of their combined effects on structures.

Predictors of Visual Acuity After Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration - Current Perspectives.

Visual acuity is a key outcome measure in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents. Large variations in visual responses between individuals within clinical trials and real-world studies may relate to underlying differences in patient and treatment factors. Most notably, a better baseline visual acuity, younger age and smaller choroidal neovascularization lesion size have been strongly associated with achieving better visual outcomes. In addition, there is emerging evidence for other roles including genetic factors and anatomical variables such as fluid status. Apart from patient-related factors, treatments that favor a higher number of injections tend to provide better visual outcomes. Overall, the identification of predictive factors does not currently play an essential role in the clinical management of patients with nAMD. However, they have allowed for the understanding that early detection, timely management and close monitoring of the disease are required to achieve optimal visual outcomes. Further investigation into predictive factors alongside the development of novel therapeutic agents may one day provide a means to accurately predict patient outcomes. Treatment regimens that offer flexible dosing patterns such as the treat-and-extend strategy currently provide a degree of personalization during treatment.