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© 2018 The Author(s). Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Identifying monoclonal antibodies that block human voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) is a challenging endeavor exacerbated by difficulties in producing recombinant ion channel proteins in amounts that support drug discovery programs. We have developed a general strategy to address this challenge by combining high-level expression of recombinant VGICs in Tetrahymena thermophila with immunization of phylogenetically diverse species and unique screening tools that allow deep-mining for antibodies that could potentially bind functionally important regions of the protein. Using this approach, we targeted human Kv1.3, a voltage-gated potassium channel widely recognized as a therapeutic target for the treatment of a variety of T-cell mediated autoimmune diseases. Recombinant Kv1.3 was used to generate and recover 69 full-length anti-Kv1.3 mAbs from immunized chickens and llamas, of which 10 were able to inhibit Kv1.3 current. Select antibodies were shown to be potent (IC50

The purpose of this article is to introduce a data visualization technique for class cover catch digraphs which allows for the discovery of latent subclasses. We illustrate the technique via a pedagogical example and an application to data sets from artificial nose chemical sensing and gene expression monitoring by DNA microarrays. Of particular interest is the discovery of latent subclasses representing chemical concentration in the artificial nose data and two subtypes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the gene expression data and the associated conjectures pertaining to the geometry of these subclasses in their respective high-dimensional observation spaces.

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) are the most commonly reported diseases in the USA, with increasing concern regarding cephalosporin-resistant GC strains and growing discussion of routine male screening and analysing extragenital sites. Hospital emergency departments (EDs) may be appropriate screening venues, and our objective was to identify the extent of genital and oropharyngeal CT/GC infection in ED patients.From June 2012 to March 2013, ED patients aged 15-34 were asked to provide a urine sample and oropharyngeal swab for CT/GC analysis and complete a sexual history survey.The 301 female and 192 male participants had a mean age of 25.2 years (SD 4.9); were 65.5% white patients and 33.5% black patients and85% reported sexual activity in the past year. Tested patient prevalence was 7.7% (any infection/any site; n=38) with no gender differences. Regarding oral infections (n=10), those so infected were more likely to report a friend with a sexually transmitted disease (OR=4.25; CI 1.12 to 16.20), anonymous sex in the past year (OR=5.77; CI 1.58 to 21.15) and belief of some chance of oral infection (OR=5.29; CI 1.31 to 21.28) than those not so infected. Furthermore, four had no corresponding genital infection, and 66.7% (CI 29.1% to 100%) of the oral GC infections were missing concordant genital infection.We find that male and female ED patients have similar likelihood of infection, that 26.3% (CI 12.4% to 40.2%) of those infected have an oral infection and that the majority of oral GC infections would not be identified or treated with urine-based screening. EDs may be important venues to identify those orally infected and provide male screening.

For many the use of SMYS in conjunction with working-strength design for pipelines leads to the expectation that the least strength of the joints in the pipeline is at or above SMYS. In contrast, regulations relevant to pipeline operation reference specifications require limited testing to demonstrate the acceptance of pipe joints made from a “heat” of steel, and where such testing fails such specifications admit a retest. Thus, contrary to the expectation of that all joints constructed into a pipeline achieve SMYS, the statistical reality is that some joints can have strengths that fall below this design expectation. This paper considers the implications of changes due to the globalization of the steel and pipe-making industries relative to the historical evolution of classes/grades of steel and their processing in regard to the statistical properties of line pipe built into a pipeline. It is shown for the data evaluated that, in spite of globalization and other aspects that tend to diminish quality such as increasing heat-volume, controls affected in steel and pipe production can lead to better quality today as compared to historical scenarios. Circumstances that can compromise this outcome are identified and discussed.Copyright © 2010 by ASME

In-line inspection equipment is commonly used to examine a large portion of the long distance transmission pipeline system that transports natural gas from well gathering points to local distribution companies. A piece of equipment that is inserted into a pipeline and driven by product flow is called a ''pig''. Using this term as a base, a set of terms has evolved. Pigs that are equipped with sensors and data recording devices are called ''intelligent pigs''. Pipelines that cannot be inspected using intelligent pigs are deemed ''unpigable''. But many factors affect the passage of a pig through a pipeline, or the ''pigability''. The pigability pipeline extend well beyond the basic need for a long round hole with a means to enter and exit. An accurate assessment of pigability includes consideration of pipeline length, attributes, pressure, flow rate, deformation, cleanliness, and other factors as well as the availability of inspection technology. All factors must be considered when assessing the appropriateness of ILI to assess specific pipeline threats.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an accurate means of analyzing disruptions of the native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Various techniques may be used to repair a disrupted ACL. A common repair is the Macintosh lateral-substitution over-the-top repair in which a strip of fascia lata from the iliotibial band is used as a “neoligament.” The results of 27 MR examinations of 17 athletes with this repair were analyzed to determine the appearance of the neoligament on MR. Thirteen of the 17 patients had returned to full athletic activity and four were capable of strenuous activity. Examinations were made at both 0.5 and 1.5 T in varied extents of external rotation from 0 to 20°, and at variable time intervals after surgery from 1 to nearly 40 months. Only two patients clinically required postrepair arthroscopy, but both had normal repairs. Neoligaments were classified as well-defined (n = 6 studies), ill-defined (n = 10), and not discernible (n = 11), based on clarity of appearance. Reasons for this variable appearance include the variable presence of fibrous and fatty tissue investing the neoligament. We conclude that the normal neoligament, unlike the normal active ACL, has a variable appearance, including nonvisualization on MR and that criteria used in evaluating the native ligament will be inadequate to assess the repair.

The authors, disillusioned by their experiences in a traditional psychiatric setting, began a crisis intervention center in October 1969. As this program increased in size, their desire to create a structure responsive to a different set of values came into conflict with internalized assumptions concerning “help,” and the role of the Organization. This paper attempts to create a conceptual framework useful in discussing the issues involved in this conflict. Distinctions between the innovative professional crisis center and the counter-cultural center are discussed.