Abstract: Methods and systems for the detection of genetic mutations from a tissue sample (e.g., a preserved tissue sample) are provided. The method includes the steps of a) extracting a nucleic acid from a tissue or biological sample; b) preparing a targeted nucleic acid amplicon library from the extracted nucleic acid; c) sequencing the targeted nucleic acid amplicon library to produce tissue sample target nucleic acid sequence data; and d) analyzing the sample target nucleic acid sequence data to determine whether it contains a mutation (e.g., a mutation associated with a risk for a particular disease). The methods described herein advantageously can be performed in less than 36 hours.

Abstract: This document discloses a method for bonding a calcium phosphate coating to stainless steels or cobalt base alloys for bioactive fixation of artificial implants. The method consists essentially of the following successive steps: applying and thermally diffusing a layer of titanium or its alloys into the stainless steel or cobalt base alloy substrates, applying a calcium phosphate coating and thermally diffusing Ca.sup.2+ and PO.sub.4.sup.-3 ions of the calcium phosphate into the intermediate layer of the titanium or its alloys and finally, the hydrothermal processing of the calcium phosphate coating.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to present an apparatus consisting of a graphite rod, a vibration signal sensor, a signal processing unit, a data processing unit, and a data display unit to indicate the oxygen content of a copper melt. As such graphite rod is immersed into the molten metal it vibrates and the level of vibration is statistically correlated to the level of dissolved oxygen in the copper melt.

Abstract: A system to assist flap actuation of a convergent-divergent exhaust nozzle to overcome the high air loads on the flaps, so that the nozzle flaps can be properly positioned by the actuators. The structural members of the system are operatively associated with a controlled, air-pressurized, cavity positioned in the exhaust nozzle section. Pressurized air from the cavity acts against the flaps, and helps to overcome the load required to move them. The system is useful in any exhaust nozzle, and most particularly where the exhaust nozzle is two-dimensional, i.e., rectangularly shaped.