Abstract: A staining kit is provided, including a first pattern including antibodies against T cell, B cell, NK cell, monocyte, regulatory cell, CD8, CD45, and CTLA4; a second pattern including antibodies against T cell, B cell, NK cell, monocyte, regulatory cell, dendritic cell, and CD45; a third pattern including antibodies against T cell, B cell, NK cell, monocyte, CD8, CD45, CD45RA, CD62L, CD197, CX3CR1 and TCR??; and a fourth pattern including antibodies against B cell, CD23, CD38, CD40, CD45 and IgM, wherein the antibodies of each pattern are labeled with fluorescent dyes. A method of identifying characterized immune cell subsets of a disease and a method of predicting the likelihood of NPC in a subject in the need thereof using the staining kit are also provided.

Abstract: A footwear includes a sole and a toe separating device disposed on a top surface of the sole. The toe separating device includes a hallux separating unit having a hallux separating column for separating the hallux and the second toe of a user's foot. The hallux separating column has a hallux columnar body defining a receiving space with an opening formed in a top surface thereof. The hallux columnar body has a length in a top-bottom direction and a width in a left-right direction transverse to the top-bottom direction. A hallux adjusting member is removably inserted into the receiving space through the opening to expand the width of the hallux columnar body.

Abstract: The present invention relates a physical vapor deposition (PVD) system. e.g. a planetary system, for forming one or more layers of a coating material on a substrate and for treating, or modifying, the substrate surface, which can include the surface of the substrate or a deposited layer of coating material thereon. The PVD system includes a single vacuum (or process) chamber having an ion source and at least one PVD source of the coating material. The ion source, such as a linear ion source, is configured to emit a beam of energetic particles at a substrate for surface modification of the substrate surface, for example, to provide film densification, etching, cleaning, surface smoothing, and/or oxidation thereof. The PVD source(s) of the coating material deposits one or more layers of coating material(s) on the substrate.

Abstract: An improved planetary sputter deposition method for sputter depositing an alloy on a substrate wherein the sputter deposited amount, or thickness, of a specific material of the alloy can be controlled so that different substrates can be provided with an alloy having a different composition, i.e. having different percentages of the same materials, thus, reducing the costs of stockpiling multiple alloy targets. The method generally includes providing a substrate and a plurality of targets with each of the plurality of targets being composed of one or more magnetic materials. The targets are sputtered, in sequence, to deposit each of the materials of the plurality of targets on the substrate to provide at least one laminate defining an alloy.

Abstract: A thermally stable spin valve sensor having an increased GMR ratio by virtue of an AP pinned layer structure in which the first and second pinned layers are separated by an AP coupling layer having a nano-oxide layer formed as an oxidized surface portion of the AP coupling layer. The nano-oxide layer provides an increase in the specular scattering, and in turn, an increase in the GMR ratio.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin-film magnetic element, such as a TMR element or a spin valve element, on a substrate wherein at least a surface portion of a nonmagnetic metal layer is oxidized by cluster ion beam (CIB) oxidation. Specifically, the method comprises depositing a first magnetic layer on a substrate, then depositing a nonmagnetic metal layer on the first magnetic layer. At least a top surface of the nonmagnetic layer is oxidized by CIB oxidation. In one embodiment, only a top surface portion is oxidized such that a nano-oxide layer (NOL) is formed on a nonmagnetic conductive layer. In another embodiment, the nonmagnetic metal layer is oxidized throughout it's thickness such that the layer is converted to a nonmagnetic insulating film. After oxidation, a second magnetic layer is deposited on the oxidized layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin-film magnetic element, such as a TMR element or a spin valve element, on a substrate wherein at least a surface portion of a nonmagnetic metal layer is oxidized by cluster ion beam (CIB) oxidation. Specifically, the method comprises depositing a first magnetic layer on a substrate, then depositing a nonmagnetic metal layer on the first magnetic layer. At least a top surface of the nonmagnetic layer is oxidized by CIB oxidation. In one embodiment, only a top surface portion is oxidized such that a nano-oxide layer (NOL) is formed on a nonmagnetic conductive layer. In another embodiment, the nonmagnetic metal layer is oxidized throughout it's thickness such that the layer is converted to a nonmagnetic insulating film. After oxidation, a second magnetic layer is deposited on the oxidized layer.

Abstract: A thermally stable spin valve sensor having an increased GMR ratio by virtue of an AP pinned layer structure in which the first and second pinned layers are separated by an AP coupling layer having a nano-oxide layer formed as an oxidized surface portion of the AP coupling layer. The nano-oxide layer provides an increase in the specular scattering, and in turn, an increase in the GMR ratio.