Critical Practice: Protocol for a Fused Technology

Software created for architecture often presumes a certain repertoire of design intents; software appropriated from other fields does not make such presumptions but introduces translation difficulties into material logics. Aaron Sprecher, Chandler Ahrens and Eran Neuman describe how their collaborative design group, Open Source Architecture (O-S-A), has worked with structural engineers and software developers to create a computational protocol based on a stochastic evolutionary topological optimisation algorithm. This procedure allows architectural designers to work with complex geometries previously limited to the expertise of engineering. In addition to taking the form of a distributed network spanning New York, Los Angeles and Tel Aviv, O-S-A opens the possibility for various disciplines (computer science, structural engineering, architectural design) to work with a fluidity and commonality not previously possible. Like the work of RSG (also featured in this issue), here design begins with the construction of a software environment in which a project can occur, and which merges previously distinct areas of expertise. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Defluorination of Wet-Phosphoric Acid： Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies

This study describes the advantages of using iron-oxide-pillared MF （montmorillonite） and EDTA （ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid）-pillared MD （montmorillonite） for the removal of fluoride in the phosphoric acid. The MF and MD were characterized by using BET （Brunauer-Emmett-Teller） and SEM （scanning electron microscope） for there to appreciate their textural and structural properties and in order to appraise their capacity in the fixation of the fluorine experimental results of fluorine adsorption show a defluoration of the phosphoric acid passing beyond 90% with both clays with a light performance for the MD. The kinetics of fluorine adsorption on MF and on MD has been measured at different temperatures. Indeed, the adsorbed quantity increases more favorably to temperatures more high. This kinetics could be described by two models： pseudo-first-order or pseudo-second-order, which depends on temperature and the nature of adsorbent. At different temperatures used and with various adsorbents （MD and MF, the pseudo second order model was the most reliable to determine the order of kinetics of adsorption of fluorine, which is also reflected a good correlation coefficient （above 0.99）. The fluoride sorption was reasonably explained with Langmuir or Freundlich isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters such as AG~, AH~, AS~ and kinetic one E,, （apparent activation energy） were calculated in order to understand the nature of sorption process. Results indicate that the mechanism of adsorption of the ion of fluoride on the pillared montmorillonite is an exothermic reaction. During equilibrium conditions, both the systems showed negative Gibbs energy, which indicates stability of system. The values of apparent activation energy for the both clays show that the adsorption of F ions is easier on the MF.     

pH effects on BSA-dispersed carbon nanotubes studied by spectroscopy-enhanced composition evaluation techniques

Dispersion and exfoliation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) by water soluble dispersants such as surfactant, polymer or protein is a key step toward the application of carbon nanotubes in composite materials, biochemical and biomedical applications. Upon dispersion, the solution phase separates into dispersed nanotubes in the supernatant and a precipitate phase including carbonaceous impurities but also nanotubes and dispersants. Yet, simple but accurate tools for measuring the concentrations of the constituents are not available. In most studies a comparison between CNT suspensions is based on ocular observation or on UV-visible measurement of a featureless spectrum at single wavelength. Such measurements are complex since both nanotubes and most dispersants absorb along the whole UV-visible spectrum and an overlap of their signals occurs. In this paper we employ chemometric techniques to evaluate the pH effect on the concentration of both dispersant (protein-bovine serum albumin, BSA) and single-wall nanotube (SWNT) from a full UV-visible spectrum of aqueous solutions. We find strong correlation between the conformation of the protein and its dispersion efficiency.     

The Contribution of the Minimal Promoter Element to the Activity of Synthetic Promoters Mediating CAR Expression in the Tumor Microenvironment

Harnessing immune effector cells to benefit cancer patients is becoming more and more prevalent in recent years. However, the increasing number of different therapeutic approaches, such as chimeric antigen receptors and armored chimeric antigen receptors, requires constant adjustments of the transgene expression levels. We have previously demonstrated it is possible to achieve spatial and temporal control of transgene expression as well as tailoring the inducing agents using the Chimeric Antigen Receptor Tumor Induced Vector (CARTIV) platform. Here we describe the next level of customization in our promoter platform. We have tested the functionality of three different minimal promoters, representing three different promoters’ strengths, leading to varying levels of CAR expression and primary T cell function. This strategy shows yet another level of CARTIV gene regulation that can be easily integrated into existing CAR T systems.     

Effect of Non-magnetic Ti4+ Ion Doping at Mn-site on Magnetocaloric Properties and Critical Behavior in AMn1-xTixO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) Compounds

Journal of Low Temperature Physics - In this paper, we present a thorough study for the critical behavior of AMn1-xTixO3 (A?=?La0.5Pr0.2Sr0.3, x?=?0.0 and 0.2)...     

Improved nursing home end-stage renal disease patient participation in physical therapy with onsite,more frequent dialysis

Introduction

For end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients residing in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the logistics and physical exhaustion of life-saving hemodialysis therapy often conflict with rehabilitation goals. Integration of dialysis care with rehabilitation programs in a scalable and cost-efficient manner has been a significant challenge. SNF-resident ESRD patients receiving onsite, more frequent hemodialysis (MFD) have reported rapid post-dialysis recovery. We examined whether such patients have improved Physical Therapy (PT) participation.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective electronic medical records review of SNF-resident PT participation rates within a multistate provider of SNF rehabilitation care from January 1, 2022 to June 1, 2022. We compared three groups: ESRD patients receiving onsite MFD (Onsite-MFD), ESRD patients receiving offsite, conventional 3×/week dialysis (Offsite-Conventional-HD), and the general non-ESRD SNF rehabilitation population (Non-ESRD). We evaluated physical therapy participation rates based on a predefined metric of missed or shortened (<15 min) therapy days. Baseline demographics and functional status were assessed.

Findings

Ninety-two Onsite-MFD had 2084 PT sessions scheduled, 12,916 Non-ESRD had 225,496 PT sessions scheduled, and 562 Offsite-Conventional-HD had 9082 PT sessions scheduled. In mixed model logistic regression, Onsite-MFD achieved higher PT participation rates than Offsite-Conventional-HD (odds ratio: 1.8, CI: 1.1–3.0; p < 0.03), and Onsite-MFD achieved equivalent PT participation rates to Non-ESRD (odds ratio: 1.2, CI: 0.3–1.9; p < 0.46). Baseline mean ± SD Charlson Comorbidity score was significantly higher in Onsite-MFD (4.9 ± 2.0) and Offsite-Conventional-HD (4.9 ± 1.8) versus Non-ESRD (2.6 ± 2.0; p < 0.001). Baseline mean self-care and mobility scores were significantly lower in Onsite-MFD versus Non-ESRD or Offsite-Conventional-HD.

Discussion

SNF-resident ESRD patients receiving MFD colocated with rehabilitation had higher PT participation rates than those conventionally dialyzed offsite and equivalent PT participation rates to the non-ESRD SNF-rehabilitation general population, despite being sicker, less independent, and less mobile. We report a scalable program integrating dialysis and rehabilitation care as a potential solution for ESRD patients recovering from acute hospitalization.