The Role of Intersectionality in Access to Technology Among Older Adults

In the era of COVID-19, technology has become a primary means of connecting with the world while maintaining physical distance, which is crucial for older adults who are at disproportionately high risk of infection and death. Throughout the pandemic, there has been increased emphasis on using telehealth to access medical and mental health care, and technology (e.g., apps, social media, video calls) for social interactions/communication to mitigate loneliness/isolation. Thus, COVID-19 has increased the need for older adults to access technology, and widened disparities experienced by those with limited access. This study used data from the 2018 National Health and Aging Trends Study, an annual longitudinal panel survey of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65+ in the U.S, to explore the association between the interaction of race/ethnicity and sex, and access to both a working cell phone and laptop/computer. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted. The sample (N=2,442) was 83.7% white, 8.5% Black, and 7.8% Hispanic. After accounting for other explanatory variables, logistic regression analysis indicated significantly higher odds of not having both a working cell phone or computer/laptop among White women (OR=1.518, CI=.1.510-1.527), Black men (OR=.1.741, CI= 1.720-1.763), Black women (OR=2.567, CI= 2.545-2.589), Hispanic men (OR=1.036, CI=1.022-1.050), and Hispanic women (OR=2.265, CI=.2.243-2.287) compared to White men. Overall, Hispanic and Black women were the least likely to have access to technology compared to other groups. Addressing technological equity remains a need. Future research should consider how the provision of devices along with technological literary programs can improve well-being among BIPOC women.

The autonomous control of landing on mobile platforms

In this paper, we propose a simulation application that allows an aerial vehicle to land autonomously on a moving platform in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances. We have tested our method with various speeds and positions for the landing platform. In the context of this article, the autonomous control of landing on mobile platforms consists in synchronizing the movement of an aerial vehicle with the movement of the mobile platform. As a first step, the Spacelab INCAS laboratory group has developed an offline simulation application that allows an ABB robot to receive information on the movement of a Stewart-type mobile platform in order to conduct a landing process. The application can initiate a landing process on the mobile platform and guide the vehicle for perfect docking on the platform. Offline simulation allows the study of several scenarios of a robot working cell - the mobile platform before setting up the production cell. The offline application has a distributed client-server structure. The client communicates with the server through specific communication protocols. The client and server can reside on the same computer. The client application is developed in the Matlab environment and has as object the simulation and programming of the PS-6TL-1500 platform; the server one simulates and programs an ABB 7600-500/2.55 robot that moves on the track, in the RAPID language under RobotStudio ABB simulator.

Cell Banking of HEK293T cell line for clinical-grade lentiviral particles manufacturing

Background Cell banks are widely used to preserve cell properties as well as to record and control the use of cell lines in biomedical research. The generation of cell banks for the manufacturing of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products, such as cell and gene therapy products, must comply with current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. The quality of the cell lines used as starting materials in viral-vector manufacturing processes must be also assessed. Methods Three batches of a Master Cell Bank and a Working Cell Bank of the HEK293T cell line were manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practices regulations. Quality control tests were performed according to product specifications. Process validation includes the training of manufacturing personnel by performing simulation tests, and the continuous measurement of environmental parameters such as air particles and microorganisms. Cell number and viability of cryopreserved cells were periodically measured in order to define the stability of these cellular products. Results All batches of HEK293T Master and Working Cell Banks met the acceptance criteria of their specifications showing the robustness and homogeneity of the processes. In addition, both Master and Working Cell Banks maintained the defined cell viability and concentration over a 37 month-period after cryopreservation. Conclusions Manufacturing cell banks under Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for their use as raw materials or final cellular products is feasible. HEK293T cell banks were used to manufacture clinical-grade lentiviral particles for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell based clinical trials.

Cell Banking of HEK293T cell line for clinical-grade lentiviral particles manufacturing

Background: Cell banks are widely used to preserve cell properties as well as to record and control the use of cell lines in biomedical research. The generation of cell banks for the manufacturing of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products, such as cell and gene therapy products, must comply with current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. The quality of the cell lines used as starting materials in viral-vector manufacturing processes must be also assessed.Methods: Three batches of a Master Cell Bank and a Working Cell Bank of the HEK293T cell line were manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practices regulations. Quality control tests were performed according to product specifications. Process validation includes the training of manufacturing personnel by performing simulation tests, and the continuous measurement of environmental parameters such as air particles and microorganisms. Cell number and viability of cryopreserved cells were periodically measured in order to define the stability of these cellular products.Results: All batches of HEK293T Master and Working Cell Banks met the acceptance criteria of their specifications showing the robustness and homogeneity of the processes. In addition, both Master and Working Cell Banks maintained the defined cell viability and concentration over a 37 month-period after cryopreservation. Conclusions: Manufacturing cell banks under Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for their use as raw materials or final cellular products is feasible. HEK293T cell banks were used to manufacture clinical-grade lentiviral particles for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell based clinical trials.

Cell Banking of HEK293T Cell Line for Clinical-Grade Lentiviral Particles Manufacturing

Background: Cell banks have been widely used to preserve cell properties as well as to record and control cell line access in research. However, the generation of cell banks involved in the manufacturing of Advanced therapy medicinal products such as cell or gene therapy products must comply with the current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation. Similarly, the quality of those cell lines used as starting materials in viral-vector manufacturing processes must be also evaluated.Methods: Three batches of both Master Cell Bank and Working Cell Bank of the HEK293T cell line were manufactured under the current Good Manufacturing Practices regulation. Quality control test were performed according to the product specifications. The process validation includes previous qualification of the manufacturing personnel by performing simulation tests as well as the continuous measure of environmental parameters during manufacturing such as air particles and microorganism. Cell number and viability of cryopreserved cells were periodically measured in order to define the stability of these cellular products.Results: All batches of Master Cell Bank and Working Cell Bank fulfilled the acceptance criteria of their specifications showing the robustness and homogeneity of the processes. In addition, both Master and Working cell bank maintain the defined viability and cell number 37 months after cryopreservation. Conclusions: Manufacturing cell banks under Good Manufacturing Practices regulation for its use as raw material or final cellular product is feasible. HEK293T cell banks have been used to manufacture clinical-grade lentiviral particles for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell based clinical trials.

Cell Banking of HEK293T Cell Line for Clinical-Grade Lentiviral Particles Manufacturing

Background: Cell banks have been widely used to preserve cell properties as well as to record and control cell line access in research. However, the generation of cell banks involved in the manufacturing of Advanced therapy medicinal products such as cell or gene therapy products must comply with the current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation. Similarly, the quality of those cell lines used as starting materials in viral-vector manufacturing processes must be also evaluated.Methods: Three batches of both Master Cell Bank and Working Cell Bank of the HEK293T cell line were manufactured under the current Good Manufacturing Practices regulation. Quality control test were performed according to the product specifications. The process validation includes previous qualification of the manufacturing personnel by performing simulation tests as well as the continuous measure of environmental parameters during manufacturing such as air particles and microorganism. Cell number and viability of cryopreserved cells were periodically measured in order to define the stability of these cellular products.Results: All batches of Master Cell Bank and Working Cell Bank fulfilled the acceptance criteria of their specifications showing the robustness and homogeneity of the processes. In addition, both Master and Working cell bank maintain the defined viability and cell number 37 months after cryopreservation. Conclusions: Manufacturing cell banks under Good Manufacturing Practices regulation for its use as raw material or final cellular product is feasible. HEK293T cell banks have been used to manufacture clinical-grade lentiviral particles for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell based clinical trials.

Complex Formation with the Iodide Electrolyte Influences Electron Dynamics in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Ground state complexes between the components of the iodide/triiodide redox couple and D149, a wellknown organic dye used in dye sensitized solar cells, have been detected in acetonitrile and on semiconductor surfaces. Generally, in acetonitrile, these complexes have high formation constants in the case of the donor moiety of D149, D149ester and D149. These complexes adsorb on semiconductor surfaces and show different electron dynamics on ZrO2 and TiO2 in comparison to D149 itself. Such complexes on semiconductor surfaces can certainly limit the efficiency of a working cell based on similar organic dyes.

Complex Formation with the Iodide Electrolyte Influences Electron Dynamics in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Ground state complexes between the components of the iodide/triiodide redox couple and D149, a wellknown organic dye used in dye sensitized solar cells, have been detected in acetonitrile and on semiconductor surfaces. Generally, in acetonitrile, these complexes have high formation constants in the case of the donor moiety of D149, D149ester and D149. These complexes adsorb on semiconductor surfaces and show different electron dynamics on ZrO2 and TiO2 in comparison to D149 itself. Such complexes on semiconductor surfaces can certainly limit the efficiency of a working cell based on similar organic dyes.