The elevated expression of GPNMB and VCAM-1 has been observed in many cancers including breast cancer, melanoma, and prostate cancers. Such overexpression of GPNMB and VCAM-1 has been associated with poor prognosis and increased cancer metastasis. Thus, GPNMB and VCAM-1 are potential targets for immunotherapies across multiple cancers. In this study, two high-affinity specific human VH domain antibody candidates, 87 (GPNMB) and 1B2 (VCAM-1), were isolated from our in-house proprietary phage-displayed human VH antibody domain libraries. The avidity was increased after conversion to VH-Fc. Domain-based bispecific T-cell engagers (DbTE) based on these two antibodies combined with the anti-CD3ε OKT3 antibody exhibited potent killing against GPNMB and VCAM-1-positive cancer cells, respectively. Hence, these two domain antibodies are promising therapeutic candidates for cancers expressing GPNMB or VCAM-1.

Polygon clipping is a frequent operation in many fields, including computer graphics, CAD, and GIS. Thus, efficient and general polygon clipping algorithms are of great importance. Greiner and Hormann (1998) propose a simple and time-efficient algorithm that can clip arbitrary polygons, including concave and self-intersecting polygons with holes. However, the Greiner–Hormann algorithm does not properly handle degenerate intersection cases, without the undesirable need for perturbing vertices. We present an extension of the Greiner–Hormann polygon clipping algorithm that properly deals with such degenerate cases.

Three variants of multi-threaded ic3 are presented. Each variant has a fixed number of ic3s running in parallel, and communicating by sharing lemmas. They differ in the degree of synchronization between threads, and the aggressiveness with which proofs are checked. The correctness of all three variants is shown. The variants have unpredictable runtime. On the same input, the time to find the solution over different runs varies randomly depending on the thread interleaving. The use of a portfolio of solvers to maximize the likelihood of a quick solution is investigated. Using the Extreme Value theorem, the runtime of each variant, as well as their portfolios is analyzed statistically. A formula for the portfolio size needed to achieve a verification time with high probability is derived, and validated empirically. Using a portfolio of 20 parallel ic3s, speedups over 300 are observed compared to the sequential ic3 on hardware model checking competition examples. The use of parameter sweeping to implement a solver that performs well over a wide range of problems with unknown hardness is investigated.

Introduction The objective of this study was to evaluate the circumstances leading to fall from equipment injuries in the mining industry. Method The 2006 and 2007 Mine Safety and Health Administration annual injury databases were utilized for this study whereby the injury narrative, nature of injury, body part injured, mine type, age at injury, and days lost were evaluated for each injury. Results The majority of injuries occurred at surface mining facilities (∼ 60%) with fractures and sprains/strains being the most common injuries occurring to the major joints of the body. Nearly 50% of injuries occurred during ingress/egress, predominately during egress, and approximately 25% of injuries occurred during maintenance tasks. The majority of injuries occurred in relation to large trucks, wheel loaders, dozers, and conveyors/belts. The severity of injury was independent of age and the median days lost was seven days; however, there was a large range in severity. Impact on industry From the data obtained in this study, several different research areas have been identified for future work, which include balance and stability control when descending ladders and equipment design for maintenance tasks.

We have developed and synthesized highly conductive regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene) (rr-PAT) derivatives for use in sensor arrays on a chip. Poly(3-alkylthiophene)s are ideally suited for this application because of their excellent electrical properties, solution processability and our ability to modify their chemical structure. Here, we synthesized rr-PATs that have different side chains and different end groups. The polymers were ink-jetted onto ChemFET devices on a chip and their chemical sensing properties were tested to a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The sensors demonstrated ppm level sensitivity and selectivity to all VOCs tested, including both polar and non-polar compounds.

Significant cost reductions in continuously reinforced titanium-matrix composites have enabled their successful insertion into two aerospace applications. Additional applications are being pursued, but reduced anisotropy is required to achieve the broadest impact of this technology. Novel hybrid composites consisting of continuous SiC reinforcements and titanium alloys enhanced with TiB and/or TiC particles are being developed to reduce the anisotropy between longitudinal and transverse properties.

Discontinuously reinforced titanium alloys have been produced by gasatomizing Ti-6Al-4V (in weight percent) with additions of boron and/or carbon to make a pre-alloyed, in-situ reinforced titanium-alloy powder. The rapid cooling that takes place during atomization results in a fine and uniform dispersion of titanium carbide and titanium boride. The atomized powder can be consolidated using standard titanium powder consolidation methods such as hot isostatic pressing or extrusion and further processed to produce standard mill forms. Mechanical properties of the consolidated product show room-temperature tensile strengths up to 1,470 MPa with an elastic modulus of approximately 140 GPa.