Abstract: Provided herein are methods for inducing CRISPR/Cas-based gene regulation (e.g., genome editing or gene expression) of a target nucleic acid (e.g., target DNA or target RNA) in a cell. The methods include using modified single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) that enhance gene regulation of the target nucleic acid in a primary cell for use in ex vivo therapy or in a cell in a subject for use in in vivo therapy. Additionally, provided herein are methods for preventing or treating a genetic disease in a subject by administering a sufficient amount of a modified sgRNA to correct a mutation in a target gene associated with the genetic disease.

Abstract: A fluid processing device (10) for processing fluid, wherein the fluid processing device (10) comprises a first fluid drive unit (20) configured for driving a first fluid along a first flow path (85), a second fluid drive unit (20?) configured for driving a second fluid along a second flow path (86), and a fluidic switch (90) fluidically coupled to the first flow path (85) and to the second flow path (86) and configured for being switchable for transferring first fluid from the first flow path (85) into the second flow path (86) without interruption of fluid flow along at least one of the first flow path (85) and the second flow path (86).

Abstract: A gas chromatography (GC) column heating apparatus is described. The GC column heating apparatus includes a first substrate; a heating element disposed over the first substrate; and a second substrate. A gas chromatography (GC) column heating and cooling apparatus is also described. The GC column cooling and heating apparatus includes a housing configured to receive a heating apparatus, the heating apparatus comprising a first side and a second side; a first thermal insulation layer disposed over the first side; a second thermal insulation layer disposed over the second side; and an actuator connected to the housing and configured to move the first and second thermal insulation layers in contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a heating sequence, and to move the first and second layers of insulation out of contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a cooling sequence.

Abstract: A light source having first and second wire-grid polarizers and a laser that emits a beam of linearly polarized light that is characterized by a propagation direction is disclosed. The first wire-grid polarization filter is characterized by a first linear polarization pass direction and a first actuator for causing the first linear polarization pass direction to rotate relative to the beam of linearly polarized light. The second wire-grid polarization filter is characterized by a second linear polarization pass direction and a second actuator for causing the second linear polarization pass direction to rotate relative to the beam of linearly polarized light. A controller sets the first and second linear polarization pass directions to provide linearly polarized light having a specified polarization direction.

Abstract: A fitting coupler is provided configured for coupling a planar fluid conduit and a fluidic device. The fluidic device comprises a cavity, a device conduit, and a mouth where the device conduit opens into the cavity. A contact pressure element is configured for sealingly pressing the planar fluid conduit to the mouth, so that a conduit opening of the planar fluid conduit opens into the mouth.

Abstract: Systems, tools and methods are used to perform complex sandwich hybridization assays of biological material. The tools comprise biological solution probes having a first region for hybridizing to capture probes on a universal assay apparatus, and a second region for hybridizing to a sample target. The solution probe assembles the target to the apparatus by hybridizing the second region to the target and the first region to the capture probe. Multiple biological samples, having a plurality of targets per sample, can be multiplexed on the same universal array. The customized solution probe addresses and assembles a predetermined target-sample combination onto the array at a corresponding capture probe address location. Specificity and sensitivity of the assay are provided by the incorporation of a modified monomer in the capture probe and a similarly modified monomer complement in the first region of the solution probe. The modified monomers preferentially hybridize with each other.

Abstract: A multiple array substrate having multiple assay chambers, each assay chamber containing one or more arrays. The assay chambers include a form-in-place gasket between a substrate and a cover. Methods of forming such multiple array substrates are described. The assay chambers may further be associated with an analysis site for analyzing a sample solution contained within the assay chamber. Each assay chamber is in fluid communication with a port, and the ports are positioned in a spatial format adapted to interface to standard laboratory equipment for handling multiple fluids in parallel.

Abstract: A receiver and method for using the same to process optical signals is disclosed. The receiver includes an optical coupler and a polarization dependent beam splitter. The optical coupler combines an input signal and a local oscillator signal into a first combined signal. The optical coupler includes a polarization filter that operates on the local oscillator to provide a linearly polarized signal having a predetermined LO polarization direction.

Abstract: The frequency changes in a bang-bang PLL that are generated using a digital phase detector's up/down signal are initially set to produce a faster pull-in rate and then reduced to produce a slower pull-in rate. The faster pull-in involves relatively large frequency changes and the slower pull-in rate involves smaller frequency changes. The changes in frequency of a bang-bang PLL can be implemented using a step size controller that includes timing control logic and step size logic. The function of the timing control logic is to control the timing of step size changes. The function of the step size logic is to set the step size of the frequency changes that are made by the VCO in response to the pd_up/down signal that is delivered directly to the VCO from the digital phase detector.

Abstract: Wavelength tunable light sources and methods of operating the same are described. In one aspect, a wavelength tunable light source includes a resonant light path, an optical gain medium, an optical grating, a first acousto-optic deflector, and a second acousto-optic deflector. In another aspect, a light source has a resonant light path containing first and second acousto-optic devices for tuning an output light beam over a specified frequency range with an output wavelength profile. The first acousto-optic device is driven with a first signal having a first time-varying frequency profile. The second acousto-optic device is driven with a second signal having a second time-varying frequency profile, wherein the second time-varying frequency profile differs from the first time-varying frequency profile by an amount substantially proportional to a time rate is of change of the output wavelength profile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the current-mode track and hold circuit comprise a cascode input stage, a dynamic biasing stage, a cascode output stage, and a switch operable to interconnect the input stage and the output stage. The input stage is connected to receive an input current. The dynamic biasing stage is connected to receive a scaled version of the input current as a dynamic biasing current and dynamically biases the input stage in response to the dynamic biasing current. Dynamically biasing the track-and-hold circuit in response to a dynamic biasing current that is a scaled version of the input current significantly increases the maximum peak-to-peak voltage swing allowed at the input of the track-and-hold circuit and enables a corresponding increase in signal-to-noise ratio. These benefits are obtained at the expense of only a small increase in power consumption.

Abstract: A lossless (or low loss) transmission line can be constructed using an auxiliary conductor inductively coupled to the primary conductor and driven by the primary conductor through an active shunt network distributed along the transmission line. The auxiliary conductor is placed close enough to the primary conductor so that the two conductors have a substantial amount of mutual inductance compared to their self-inductance. The transmission line can be operated in differential mode. In one embodiment, a combination of conductance and transconductance are used to cancel losses and control dispersion in the transmission line for high frequency signal transmission. Transconductance is achieved in a differential transmission line by inducing a signal from each transmission line into closely coupled parallel lines, adding active elements between each of the coupled lines to a common ground plane and controlling the current through each active element by the signal on the opposite transmission line.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed toward an optical excitation/detection device that includes an arrayed plurality of photodetectors and separately formed photoemitters, as well as a method for making such a device. A CMOS fabricated photodetector array including a plurality of individual photoreceptors is selectively etched back between photoreceptor locations to reveal a plurality of recessed regions having a certain geographic profile. A plurality of semiconductor blocks, each having light emitting capability and each having a certain geometric profile that is complementary in size and shape to the certain geometric profile of the recessed regions, are separately fabricated. These blocks are included within a fluid to form a slurry. The slurry is then flowed over the CMOS fabricated photodetector array in accordance with a fluidic self-assembly technique, and the included semiconductor blocks are individually deposited within each of the plurality of recessed regions in the CMOS fabricated photodetector array.

Abstract: Plasma charging devices and methods are disclosed for detecting plasma charging during semiconductor wafer processing. Charging monitors are disclosed having ferroelectric capacitance elements which can be preprogrammed prior to processing steps of interest, and then subsequently measured afterwards, in order to determine whether plasma related charging is a problem in the intervening processing steps.

Abstract: Liquids are transferred from a plurality of wells or depots having openings arranged in a selected format to one or more receptacles, by displacing liquid contained in each well so that a convex meniscus swells from the opening, and contacting the receptacle with the swollen meniscus to draw a portion of the liquid into the receptacle. According to the invention, the liquid transfer is effected directly from the depot to the corresponding receptacle without contact between depots and receptacles, and without interposition of any transfer device between depots and receptacles.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric capacitor is disclosed. The method comprises the decreases a reduction in a bottom electrode material during formation of the ferroelectric dielectric portion of the capacitor. In the above manner, a fatigue resistance of the ferroelectric capacitor is increased substantially.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric capacitor is disclosed. The method comprises the patterning of a top electrode layer and a dielectric layer to form a capacitor stack structure having sidewalls associated therewith. Prior to patterning the bottom electrode layer, a protective film is formed on the sidewalls of the capacitor stack structure in order to protect the dielectric material from conductive contaminants associated with a subsequent patterning of the bottom electrode layer.

Abstract: A platform for testing electronic parts and electrode used in the same for easy and accurate testing of a three-terminal device. The platform for testing electronic parts of the present invention comprises pressing means, DUT guide means, and electrode board. The pressing means presses DUT to the electrode board and maintains electrical and mechanical contact between the DUT terminals and the electrode groups. The DUT guide means hold the DUT while moving so that the relative position of the DUT to the electrode board is changed and the DUT moves between a plurality of specific positions. The electrode board has multiple electrode groups arranged corresponding to terminals of the DUT. The DUT is connected to test circuits corresponding to each of these electrode groups so that terminals of the DUT are connected to the corresponding test circuit when the DUT is placed at multiple specific positions on the above-mentioned electrode board.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode with which the LED chip will not be destroyed comprises an LED chip 40 mounted on plate-shaped wiring means 60 inside a light-emitting diode. Wiring means 60 comprises conductive paths 61 and 62 that electrically lead to a pair of opposing surfaces. The top surface is used for mounting the LED chip. Part of the conductive paths 61, 62 are connected electrically to LED chip 40, extending from the position where the LED is mounted to leads 21 and 22, to which they are connected by soldering. LED chip 40 is supported by being held inside concave part 23 in one lead 21 at this time.

Abstract: Plasma charging devices and methods are disclosed for detecting plasma charging during semiconductor wafer processing. Charging monitors are disclosed having ferroelectric capacitance elements which can be preprogrammed prior to processing steps of interest, and then subsequently measured afterwards, in order to determine whether plasma related charging is a problem in the intervening processing steps.