Abstract: A system adapted for characterizing gain chips and a method for characterizing gain chips are disclosed. The system includes a probe light source that generates an output light signal characterized by a wavelength that can be varied in response to a wavelength control signal and a mounting stage adapted for receiving a gain chip characterized by a waveguide having a reflective face on a first surface of the gain chip and a transparent face on a second surface of the gain chip. The system also includes an optical system that focuses the output light signal into the waveguide through the transparent face; and a controller that causes the probe light source to generate the output light signal and measures an intensity of light both with and without the gain chip being powered for each of a plurality of different wavelengths to form a gain profile for the gain chip.

Abstract: A method for the repair of a unit, by specific diagnosis of the undesired state, and its appropriate repair, using said specific diagnosis as a means to repair in an appropriate way said unit. The diagnosis and repair processes may involve chemical, physical, or mechanical means. The units being diagnosed and repaired include live matter (e.g. human beings, animals, plants) as well as non-live matter (e.g. buildings, electronic equipment, polymer materials).

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods for determining the eligibility of a subject having a malignancy for treatment with an anti-PD therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the method includes determining, by immunohistochemistry, the number of PD-L1 positive malignant cells in a tumor tissue section as well as the number of infiltrating non-malignant cells and/or non-malignant cells of the stromal interface area. The infiltrating non-malignant cells and/or non-malignant cells of the stromal interface area are positive for a marker selected from PD-L1, CD8, CD68, and any combination thereof. Compositions and kits or performing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of visualizing targets in histological samples, e.g. biopsy samples, wherein the methods comprise staining of the sample with (i) one or more target specific immunochemical stains, and (ii) a histological stain for specific tissue components e.g. iron, mucins glycogen, amyloid, nucleic acids, etc., e.g. hematoxilyn and/or eosin stains or the like, that is used to enhance contrast in the microscopic image of a tissue sample, highlight morphologic structures in the sample for viewing, define and examine tissues, cell populations, or organelles within individual cells. Methods may further comprise evaluation of expression of one or more targets in the sample. The disclosed methods are useful for medical diagnostics.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography (LC) column includes a wall having a length along a central axis from the inlet end to the outlet end, the wall enclosing a column interior and having a column radius relative to the central axis, the wall comprising a structured portion configured such that the column radius varies along the length; and a plurality of particles packed in the column interior, wherein at least some of the particles are in contact with the structured portion.

Abstract: A method for making an asymmetrically-tagged sequencing library is provided. In some embodiments, the method may comprise: obtaining a symmetrically-tagged library of cDNA or genomic DNA fragments, hybridizing a tailed first primer to the 3? sequence tag of the library and extending the same to produce primer extension products, and amplifying the primer extension products using a pair of tailed primers to produce asymmetrically-tagged library.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods to assess the genomic landscape of fixed cells using light activated oligonucleotides that can be directed to the nucleus, mitochondria, or cytoplasm of fixed cells and that, upon activation, can be extended for in situ copying of nuclear single-stranded DNA (i.e., open chromatin), open mitochondrial DNA, and/or cytoplasmic RNA into barcoded complementary DNA. These methods also provide for gene specific 3D chromatin structural niche analysis.

Abstract: A device is provided in a supercritical fluid system, which uses a mobile phase output by a separation device, the mobile phase volumetrically expanding as it decompresses. The device includes a passive splitter and a shuttle valve. The passive splitter is configured to receive the mobile phase and to split the mobile phase into a primary flow stream and a split flow stream, where the primary flow stream is directed to a pressure maintenance device. The passive splitter is further configured to reduce pressure of the split flow stream, causing volumetric expansion of the split flow stream. The shuttle valve is configured to insert volumetric aliquots of the volumetrically expanded split flow stream into a dilution flow stream to provide a diluted split flow stream, and to direct the diluted split flow stream to a low pressure detector.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the amplification method may comprise producing a reaction mix comprising: a nucleic acid sample, a polymerase, nucleotides, a forward primer that hybridizes to a sequence in the bottom strand of a fragment in the sample, and a reverse primer. The reverse primer has a hairpin structure comprising a loop, a stem and a 3? overhang of at least 8 nucleotides, wherein the 3? overhang hybridizes to a sequence in the top strand of the fragment. Subjecting the reaction mix at least two rounds of denaturation, renaturation and primer extension conditions results in extension the forward and reverse primers to produce an amplification product that contains: a double stranded region comprising a nick adjacent to the 5? end of the reverse primer, and the loop of the first hairpin primer. Primer sets and kits for performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for making a synthetic nucleic acid which comprise: (a) identifying a conflicting nucleotide sequence in a target sequence; (b) inserting a masking sequence into the conflicting sequence to produce a disrupted target sequence, wherein: (i) the masking sequence comprises recognition sites for one or more Type IIS restriction endonucleases; and (ii) digestion of said disrupted target sequence by said one or more Type IIS restriction endonucleases followed by re-ligation reconstitutes the target sequence; (c) synthesizing a polynucleotide comprising the disrupted target sequence using polymerase chain assembly; and (d) removing the masking sequence from said polynucleotide by digesting said polynucleotide with said one or more Type IIS restriction endonucleases followed by re-ligation of the digestion product, thereby producing a polynucleotide comprising said target sequence.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for fabricating transformable or transfectable molecules that includes an assembly reaction containing a variety of pre-made cassettes possessing ends that hybridize to one another, transforming or transfecting said molecules into a desired host cell and then selecting a transformed/transfected host cell containing plasmid molecules composed of said the cassettes. A kit for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: In embodiments, a packing material for supported liquid extraction has a sorbent media that includes synthetic silica particles. In embodiments, the synthetic silica particles can have physical properties relating to one or more of particle surface area, shape, size, or porosity. In one embodiment, synthetic silica particles have a surface area less than about 30 m2/g. In another embodiment, the synthetic silica particles have an approximately uniform particle shape. In further examples, synthetic silica particles have a particle size in a range of about 30-150 ?m inclusive or greater than about 200 ?m. In another embodiment, synthetic silica particles are arranged to have a pore size greater than about 500 Angstroms. In an embodiment, an apparatus for supported liquid extraction includes a container and a sorbent media that includes synthetic silica particles. In a further embodiment, a method for extracting target analytes through supported liquid extraction is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for hybridizing at least one molecule to a target. The composition comprises at least one nucleic acid sequence, formamide, and a hybridization solution, wherein the concentration of formamide is less than or equal to 25%.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for hybridizing at least one molecule to a target. The invention may, for example, utilize a of cyclic and/or non-cyclic solvent that is non-toxic and may eliminate or reduce the amount of formamide in the hybridization composition.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus having a stage adapted to hold a specimen to be imaged and to move the specimen in a first direction, and a light source that includes a tunable laser that generates a light beam having an illumination wavelength that varies as a function of an input signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an imaging system having a scanning assembly that includes a focusing lens that focuses the light beam to a measurement point on the specimen, a first mirror that moves in a second direction relative to the stage such that the focusing lens maintains a fixed distance between the focusing lens and the stage, and a displacement sensor that measures a distance between the scanning assembly at a mapping point on the specimen, and a light detector that measures an intensity of light leaving the measurement point on the specimen.