Abstract: Provided herein are methods for measuring concentration of circulating cell free DNA (cfDNA) from a sample of a subject, for the purposes of cancer or tumor detection and/or characterization.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape including a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto and an edge coating. The substrate and the adhesive together provide at least one masking edge where the edge coating is applied. The edge coating includes a lipophilic agent, a flocculating agent, or combinations thereof. The edge coating provides the tape with enhanced masking ability by preventing paints, varnishes, paint strippers, and other coating compositions from infiltrating the tape substrate or the interface between the tape and an adherend.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive tape comprising a backing, a layer of corrosion-resistant filaments on one surface of the backing, and pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that coats the filaments and binds them to the backing. A method for constructing a member for undersea deployment is provided, which comprises providing at least one tubular member, winding a wire reinforcement about the tubular member(s); and winding a corrosion-resistant filament-reinforced material over the wire reinforcement; and coating the filament reinforced member(s) with a layer of extruded polymer.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive using a modified planetary roller extruder is described. The process in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes introducing primary raw materials including a non-thermoplastic elastomer into a feeding section of the modified planetary roller extruder, conveying the raw materials from the feeding section to a compounding section of the modified planetary roller extruder, continuously mixing the primary raw materials in the compounding section to produce a homogeneous adhesive composition. The adhesive composition may be applied to a web-form material. The compounding section of the modified planetary roller extruder includes a main spindle surrounded by and intermeshed with a plurality of planetary spindles at least one of which is a double transversal mixing spindle having a plurality of back-cut helical flights.

Abstract: A process including the steps of: providing a planetary roller extruder having a plurality of compounding sections including a main spindle surrounded by and intermeshed with a plurality of planetary spindles; introducing monomers and initiator into a first compounding section; producing a homogeneous composition; heating the composition to initiate free-radical polymerization; introducing monomers and initiator into one or more of the remaining compounding sections and continuing the polymerization; discharging the polymerized composition; and optionally, taking a portion of the composition discharged from the planetary roller extruder and returning it to the first compounding section.

Abstract: A tape which includes a substantially transparentized paper web and a substantially clear adhesive layer assembled into a tape, wherein the opacity of the tape is less than about 30%.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive using a modified planetary roller extruder is described. The process in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes introducing primary raw materials including a non-thermoplastic elastomer into a feeding section of the modified planetary roller extruder, conveying the raw materials from the feeding section to a compounding section of the modified planetary roller extruder, continuously mixing the primary raw materials in the compounding section to produce a homogeneous adhesive composition. The adhesive composition may be applied to a web-form material. The compounding section of the modified planetary roller extruder includes a main spindle surrounded by and intermeshed with a plurality of planetary spindles at least one of which is a double transversal mixing spindle having a plurality of back-cut helical flights.

Abstract: A primer coating composition for use in polyolefin-backed pressure sensitive tape comprising a maleic anhydride modified chlorinated polyolefin covalently bonded to a maleic anhydride modified A-B-A block copolymer, where A is a thermoplastic polystyrene and B is a rubber midblock, by means of a crosslinking agent capable of reacting with the maleic anhydride functional groups in said polyolefin and said block copolymer a polyolefin-backed pressure sensitive tape employing the primer coating composition; and a method for manufacturing a polyolefin-backed pressure sensitive tape employing the primer coating composition are described.