Culture of human cell lines by a pathogen-inactivated human platelet lysate

Alternatives to the use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) have been investigated to ensure xeno-free growth condition. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of human platelet lysate (PL) as a substitute of FBS for the in vitro culture of some human cell lines. PL was obtained by pools of pathogen inactivated human donor platelet (PLT) concentrates. Human leukemia cell lines (KG-1, K562, JURKAT, HL-60) and epithelial tumor cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7) were cultured with either FBS or PL. Changes in cell proliferation, viability, morphology, surface markers and cell cycle were evaluated for each cell line. Functional characteristics were analysed by drug sensitivity test and cytotoxicity assay. Our results demonstrated that PL can support growth and expansion of all cell lines, although the cells cultured in presence of PL experienced a less massive proliferation compared to those grown with FBS. We found a comparable percentage of viable specific marker-expressing cells in both conditions, confirming lineage fidelity in all cultures. Functionality assays showed that cells in both FBS- and PL-supported cultures maintained their normal responsiveness to adriamycin and NK cell-mediated lysis. Our findings indicate that PL is a feasible serum substitute for supporting growth and propagation of haematopoietic and epithelial cell lines with many advantages from a perspective of process standardization, ethicality and product safety

A Double Fourier-Transform Imaging Algorithm for a 24 GHz FMCW Short-Range Radar

A frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar for short-range target imaging, assembling a transceiver, a PLL, an SP4T switch, and a serial patch antenna array, was realized. A new algorithm based on a double Fourier transform (2D-FT) was developed and compared with the delay and sum (DAS) and multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithms proposed in the literature for target detection. The three reconstruction algorithms were applied to simulated canonical cases evidencing radar resolutions close to the theoretical ones. The proposed 2D-FT algorithm exhibits an angle of view greater than 25° and is five times faster than DAS and 20 times faster than the MUSIC one. The realized radar shows a range resolution of 55 cm and an angular resolution of 14° and is able to correctly identify the positions of single and multiple targets in realistic scenarios, with errors lower than 20 cm

Numerical and experimental comparison among a new hybrid FT-music technique and existing algorithms for through-the-wall radar imaging

A fast low-cost through-the-wall radar imaging (TWRI) system, based on a vector network analyzer (VNA), a couple of switches and an array of Vivaldi antennas, has been designed, realized, and tested. To solve the TWRI inversion problem, an original theoretical modeling for a class of TWRI techniques whose basic functions are the cross-range Fourier transform (FT) of the scattered field and its covariance operator has been proposed. Using these functions, four conventional algorithms, namely the delay and sum (DAS), the FT, the multiple signal classification (MUSIC), the hybrid DAS-MUSIC and a new algorithm, the hybrid FT-MUSIC, have been derived. All these techniques have been implemented and their accuracy and field of view have been tested on canonical scatterers. Then, the algorithms have been applied to measured data collected in different scenarios constituted by a metallic bar or a human subject in the absence and in the presence of a wall between the antenna and the considered targets. Using the proposed TWRI system, it has been possible to detect a subject located up to 5-m away from the radar antenna array through a tuff wall. The proposed FT-MUSIC algorithm has evidenced performances similar to those of the DAS-MUSIC but with significantly lower execution times. Finally, FT-MUSIC performances in terms of field of view and immunity to disturbances are better compared to those of the MUSIC algorithm

Annual Report of the Town Officers of the Town of Alfred Maine For the Year Ending February 15, 1913

A novel dielectric resonator antenna (DRA), working at 28 GHz with a peak gain of 12.4 dBi over a fractional bandwidth of 12.6%, is presented. The novel design achieves side-lobe levels below -10 dB for both the E and H-planes so to meet the requirements of the new generation 5G wireless communications systems

Perceived Anxiety Disorder Stigma: A Predictive Analysis

Anxiety remains one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders. Systemic barriers to mental health treatment persist. Research on anxiety is robust, although research on perceived anxiety disorder stigma is limited. The purpose of this quantitative analysis was to determine whether factors including age, gender, level of education, and presence of a diagnosable anxiety disorder condition would predict perceived anxiety stigma in a population of adults from the Midwestern region of the United States who were in treatment for anxiety. Based on Goffman’s framework, we used the Generalized Anxiety Stigma Scale (GASS) to determine the presence and level of anxiety disorder stigma. We evaluated data using multiple regression to predict factors that contribute to the dependent variable of perceived anxiety stigma. We found significance in the independent factors of age (p = 0.017), gender (p = 0.002), and level of education (p = 0.018) in the prediction of anxiety disorder stigma. This study may help the counseling profession limit the impact of perceived anxiety disorder stigma as a barrier to mental health treatment for persons with anxiety disorders who are vulnerable to this type of stigma. In this paper, we discuss the results and suggest future research

Leadership Skill Development in Master’s-Level Counselor Education

Student leadership identity is fast becoming one of the most critical challenges educational institutions face today. However, mental health counselors may be limited in the amount of education and training received as they become leaders in the field. There is currently no known mandate at the master’s level for leadership embedded within the counseling curriculum in the educational environment, although research suggests otherwise. The purpose of this correlational predictive empirical study was to investigate leadership identity characteristics as measured by the Socially Responsible Leadership Scale, Revision 2 (SLRS-R2), moderated by demographic factors. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine outcome measures of the SLRS-R2 relating to leadership. Conclusions and suggestions for future practice regarding leadership skill development are provided

Assessing social and economic impact of subcutaneous mAbs in oncology

Background: Rituximab and trastuzumab were the first monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) approved for the treatment of cancer patients. Both antibodies are administered intravenously (EV), but subcutaneous (SC) formulations have recently been developed. SC formulations proved to be as safe and effective as EV and to offer substantial benefits to the patient. Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a multidimensional assessment of the impact of rituximab and trastuzumab SC compared to the EV formulation, providing a particular focus on expected social and economic benefits for the patient. Methods: The best established HTA methods were applied to gather and organize evidence concerning the clinical, economic, organizational, social and ethical impact of SC formulations of rituximab and trastuzumab. Social aspects were investigated applying regression methods to data collected with a previous research, while the potential savings associated with the use of SC formulations were estimated by a simple economic model applying the societal perspective. Results Patients undergoing subcutaneous formulation are significantly more satisfied with their treatment experience than those treated with intravenous formulation. Subcutaneous formulation reduces patient dosing times, with a positive effect on the care provider's autonomy and productivity. Potential savings associated with the use of rituximab SC were estimated in € 4,050 per patient per year on average. For trastuzumab SC the estimated potential savings amounted to € 3,400 per patient per year, on average. Conclusion Rituximab and trastuzumab are promising treatment options significantly improving patients qol and reducing the treatment burden in terms of societal costs

Bottom-up meta-modelling: An interactive approach

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33666-9_2Proceedings of 15th International Conference, MODELS 2012, Innsbruck, Austria, September 30–October 5, 2012The intensive use of models in Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) raises the need to develop meta-models with different aims, like the construction of textual and visual modelling languages and the specification of source and target ends of model-to-model transformations. While domain experts have the knowledge about the concepts of the domain, they usually lack the skills to build meta-models. These should be tailored according to their future usage and specific implementation platform, which demands knowledge available only to engineers with great expertise in MDE platforms. These issues hinder a wider adoption of MDE both by domain experts and software engineers. In order to alleviate this situation we propose an interactive, iterative approach to meta-model construction enabling the specification of model fragments by domain experts, with the possibility of using informal drawing tools like Dia. These fragments can be annotated with hints about the intention or needs for certain elements. A meta-model is automatically induced, which can be refactored in an interactive way, and then compiled into an implementation meta-model using profiles and patterns for different platforms and purposes.This work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (project “Go Lite” TIN2011-24139) and the R&D programme of the Madrid Region (project “e-Madrid” S2009/TIC-1650

Two-year observations of the Jupiter polar regions by JIRAM on board Juno

We observed the evolution of Jupiter's polar cyclonic structures over two years between February 2017 and February 2019, using polar observations by the Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper, JIRAM, on the Juno mission. Images and spectra were collected by the instrument in the 5‐μm wavelength range. The images were used to monitor the development of the cyclonic and anticyclonic structures at latitudes higher than 80° both in the northern and the southern hemispheres. Spectroscopic measurements were then used to monitor the abundances of the minor atmospheric constituents water vapor, ammonia, phosphine and germane in the polar regions, where the atmospheric optical depth is less than 1. Finally, we performed a comparative analysis with oceanic cyclones on Earth in an attempt to explain the spectral characteristics of the cyclonic structures we observe in Jupiter's polar atmosphere