Abstract: This disclosure teaches a composition and process which makes it possible to remove floating particulates or prevent the dissemination or particulates, by the misting of a solution that readily captures any particulate material in the air. More specifically, the present disclosure teaches the composition and use of aromatic compounds that are semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) or slow evaporators in water-based carriers with surfactants as the misting/fogging agent for dust suppression. The particulate material is lowered to surfaces and removed by vacuuming, damp-wiping or using a dry cloth with a cationic charge (static cloth). This method can be achieved with neutral air pressure differentials in the work areas.

Abstract: To provide a chemical sensor that can dissolve analytes in a gas in a liquid using a simple method, the chemical sensor comprising a sensor support section; a gas injection hole through which a gas containing an analyte is injected; a sample collection section in which the analyte contained in the gas injected through the gas injection hole is collected; a sample delivery section through which the analyte collected in the sample collection section is delivered; a sample reaction section including a reactant that causes a predetermined reaction with the analyte delivered through the sample delivery section; and a detection section in which the analyte reacted with the reactant in the sample reaction section is detected, wherein the sample collection section includes a Peltier element that liquefies water vapor contained in the gas injected through the gas injection hole.

Abstract: The present invention provides assay systems and methods for detection of copy number variation at one or more loci and polymorphism detection at one or more loci in a mixed sample from an individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, apparatuses and methods for automated bioprocessing. Examples of protocols and bioprocessing procedures suitable for the present invention include but are not limited to: immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, recombinant protein isolation, nucleic acid separation and isolation, protein labeling, separation and isolation, cell separation and isolation, food safety analysis and automatic bead based separation. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods of western blot processing.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a PCR device including two heating blocks which is used for nucleic acid amplification reactions is disclosed. Using the PCR device of the present invention, nucleic acid amplification reactions can be efficiently performed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed immunoassay cuvettes that comprise diffusely bound and non-diffusely bound reagents for carrying out an immunoassay. The reaction and detection are carried out in the immunoassay cuvette. The immunoassay cuvette comprises a transparent front wall, a back wall, side walls, a bottom, and a top opening. The back wall of the cuvette has a substantially planar surface made of a non-porous material and comprises a capture zone having reagents non-diffusedly bound and a signal reagent zone having reagents diffusedly bound.

Abstract: An LDL cholesterol measurement method that can be used with a test piece is provided. The LDL cholesterol measurement method for measuring LDL cholesterol in a sample has (A) a step of providing a total-cholesterol measurement portion and a non-LDL cholesterol measurement portion for measuring non-LDL cholesterol, which is cholesterol other than LDL cholesterol; (B) a step of measuring the total cholesterol in the sample in the total-cholesterol measurement portion; (C) a step of measuring the non-LDL cholesterol in the sample in the non-LDL cholesterol measurement portion; and (D) a step of obtaining the LDL cholesterol level in the sample by subtracting the non-LDL cholesterol value measured in the step (C) from the total-cholesterol value measured in the step (B).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biological optimization systems for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and methods of use.

Abstract: A thermal cycle system and method suitable for mass production of DNA comprising a temperature control body having at least two sectors. Each sector has at least one heater, cooler, or other means for changing temperature. A path traverses the sectors in a cyclical fashion. In use, a piece of tubing or other means for conveying is placed along the path and a reaction mixture is pumped or otherwise moved along the path such that the reaction mixture is repetitively heated or cooled to varying temperatures as the reaction mixture cyclically traverses the sectors. The reaction mixture thereby reacts to form a product. In particular, polymerase chain reaction reactants may continuously be pumped through the tubing to amplify DNA. The temperature control body is preferably a single aluminum cylinder with a grooved channel circling around its exterior surface, and preferably has wedge-shaped or pie-shaped sectors separated by a thermal barrier.

Abstract: A device for the transport of a placenta and a stand for the collection of stem cells from the placenta. The placental transport device comprising a cylindrical top portion and a cylindrical bottom portion together defining a placental storage region, with a hinge coupling the portions such that the placenta is enclosed inside the placental storage region when the cylindrical top and bottom portions are in a closed configuration. The stand comprising a base with a recess adapted to hold a placenta during stem cell collection solution loading, an upright back support, and an upper platform with a recess adapted to hold the placenta during collection of stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant domain antibody (dAb) which binds to human TNF-?, the dAb comprising an immunoglobulin heavy or light chain variable domain, comprising at least one complementarity determining region (CDR) having a sequence derived from a New World primate.

Abstract: Provided are methods of assaying and improving protein folding using circular permutants of fluorescent proteins, including circular permutants of GFP variants and combinations thereof. The invention further provides various nucleic acid molecules and vectors incorporating such nucleic acid molecules, comprising polynucleotides encoding fluorescent protein circular permutants derived from superfolder GFP, which polynucleotides include an internal cloning site into which a heterologous polynucleotide may be inserted in-frame with the circular permutant coding sequence, and which when expressed are capable of reporting on the degree to which a polypeptide encoded by such an inserted heterologous polynucleotide is correctly folded by correlation with the degree of fluorescence exhibited.

Abstract: Isolated, latently infected T cell lines are provided that can be utilized in high throughput screening to discover compounds capable of activating HIV-I. The T cell lines harbor a latent HIV-I derived vector pro virus, which upon activation expresses a marker for late viral gene expression due to the insertion of the marker gene in the position of HIV-I envelope.

Abstract: The invention provides a natural killer cell, NK-92, modified to express an Fc receptor on the surface of the cell, such as CD16 (Fc?RIII-A), or other Fc? or Fc receptors. The modified NK-92 cell can be further modified to concurrently express an associated accessory signaling protein, such as Fc?RI-?, TCR-?, or to concurrently express interleukin-2 (IL-2) or other cytokines. Additional methods are disclosed for various assays, assessments, and therapeutic treatments with the modified NK-92 cells.

Abstract: A method for inducing the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into skeletal muscle or skeletal muscle progenitor cells is provided. Specifically, a method for producing artificial skeletal muscle or skeletal muscle progenitor cells from human pluripotent stem cells is provided, comprising the following steps of: (1) culturing human pluripotent stem cells by suspension culture; (2) culturing a cell population after suspension culture by adhesion culture; (3) dissociating cells after adhesion culture; and (4) culturing the dissociated cells by adhesion culture. Artificial skeletal muscle or induced skeletal muscle progenitor cells prepared by the method are also provided.

Abstract: A drug composition containing as a drug substance a polymeric guanidine derivative based on a diamine containing oxyalkylene chains between two amino groups, with the guanidine derivative representing a product of polycondensation between a guanidine acid addition salt and a diamine containing polyalkylene chains between two amino groups, as well as the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-steroidal ligands for use in nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system, and a method to modulate exogenous gene expression in which an ecdysone receptor complex comprising: a DNA binding domain; a ligand binding domain; a transactivation domain; and a ligand is contacted with a DNA construct comprising: the exogenous gene and a response element; wherein the exogenous gene is under the control of the response element and binding of the DNA binding domain to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of the gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chemically defined culture system, by which induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are obtained with high efficiency. The culture medium supplement of the present invention includes vitamin C and a glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor; another culture medium supplement of the present invention further includes, in addition to vitamin C and the glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor, vitamin B12, insulin, a receptor tyrosine kinase, and an anti-oxidant; and the culture medium supplement of the present invention may further be a mixture of the above two culture medium supplements with a serum replacement cell growth promoter. The present invention further provides a complete culture medium for iPS cells, which is formed by one or more of a basal culture medium, serum, and a serum replacement supplement, and the above culture medium supplements, or formed only by the above culture medium supplements and a basal culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a glycoprotein having a human-type sugar chain comprising a step in which transformed plant cell is obtained by introducing to a plant cell the gene of glycosyltransfetase and the gene of an exogenous glycoprotein, and a step in which the obtained transformed plant cell is cultivated.

Abstract: Various agents for improving adhesion of cold end coatings on glass surfaces are described Also described are agents for improving bonding between cold end coatings and organic inks. And, methods and related detection solutions for detecting the presence of cold end coatings on a substrate such as a glass bottle are disclosed. Additionally, particular additives and primers are described that can be applied onto cold end coatings for improving adhesion thereto.

Abstract: A fluorescent dye or fluorophore capable of forming complexes with mercury comprises 6,8-difluoro-7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylate amide, wherein the amide is formed by reacting the succinimidyl ester (Pacific Blue™) with an amino acid containing a thiol group, such as cysteine or glutathione. Mercury complexes of the fluorophore fluoresce when excited by a UV or violet laser diode, and the detected intensity can be calibrated to quantify the concentration of mercury in a sample reacted with the fluorophore.

Abstract: Provided is a method for high concentration cation exchange metathesis of divalent ions such as calcium with univalent ions such as sodium or potassium. Due to the difference between ionic valences between the exchanged ions, the provided process behavior is strongly dependent upon the selection of resin properties and to total solution normality. A combination of resin properties and solution normality is provided to achieve the cation exchange.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a halogenated cyanocinnamic acid derivative with the general formula: wherein R is selected independently among F, Cl and Br, n=3, 4 or 5 and R? is selected among COOH, CONH2, SO3H and COOR? with R?=C1-O5-Alkyl; and/or of 4-bromo-?-cyanocinnamic acid and/or of ?-cyano-2,4-dichlorocinnamic acid in a matrix for a MALDI mass spectrometry of an analyte.

Abstract: This invention concerns a fluorometer preferably combined with a thermal cycler useful in biochemical protocols such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA melting curve analysis. The present fluorometer features a low heat-generating light source such as a light emitting diode (LED), having a one-to-one correspondence to each of a plurality of sample containers, such as capped PCR tubes in a standard titer tray. The fluorometer of the present invention further comprises an optical path between each LED and its correspondingly positioned container, and another optical path between each fluorescing sample within the positioned container and an optical signal sensing means. The instrument can be computer controlled.

Abstract: A method for preparing carbon allotrope based sulfide detectors comprising first functionalizing a carbon allotrope, such as a single-walled carbon nanotubes or graphene, with a solution of a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon-sulfonic acid, such as 1-pyrenesulfonic acid, followed by treatment with a metal, such as gold nanowires or cupric salt doped polyaniline, to give a metal-functionalized carbon allotrope, then drop casting the metal-functionalized carbon allotrope onto an inert surface, such as a silicon dioxide film on a silicon wafer having electrodes. Detection of sulfides may be by means such as photochemical or conductance methods. The hydrogen sulfide detectors may be used to detect and/or quantitate ppb and ppm levels of hydrogen sulfide in industrial settings or in detecting halitosis.

Abstract: Methods for determining the amount of vitamin D compounds in a sample are provided. The methods can employ LC-MS/MS techniques and optionally the use of deuterated internal standards. Methods for diagnosing vitamin D deficiencies are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a nanotechnology-based personal sensor device composed of molecularly imprinted polymers that are interrogated using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for use in simultaneously monitoring airborne contaminants, e.g., of second-hand cigarette smoke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for studying the reaction (chemical or physical) of a sample with a gas in the active atmosphere of an instrument such as an Environmental Transmission Electron Microscope (ETEM), optical microscope, X-ray microscope or scanning probe microscope. The sample is exposed to inert gas at a desired temperature before exchanging the inert gas to the active gas to reduce to avoid, or at least minimize, sample drift during image acquisition.

Abstract: In one innovative aspect, systems and methods for modular electronic test kits such that test can be more easily fabricated as well as integrated with other devices is provided. In a further innovative aspect, systems, and methods for test strip readers including improved accuracy of the tests performed by the test reader are provided.

Abstract: Electrospray ionization techniques are used to generate reagents that ionize analytes for mass spectrometric analysis by charge transfer. Such techniques may be performed under ambient conditions. Suitable precursors for such reagents include ionizable nonpolar solvents, such as toluene or xylenes, polar solvents, such as water or alchohols, inert gases, such as helium or nitrogen, or combinations thereof. Environmental conditions in the ionization chamber of the mass spectrograph can be manipulated to generate a selected ion of an analyte in preference to other ions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pretreatment of a desired sample in a discrete fluid analyzing instrument comprises automated means for handling and analyzing the sample and means for performing a pretreatment step on the sample or a sub-sample of the sample. The means for pretreatment are used for immobilizing at least one substance or analyte from the sample or sub-sample wherein the substance or analyte is reversibly immobilized. Usually, the apparatus further comprises means for eluting the substance or analyte from the capture means prior to analysis.

Abstract: An optical glucose sensor comprising: a sensing region comprising a boronic acid receptor for binding to glucose and a fluorophore associated with said receptor; an optical waveguide for directing incident light onto the sensing region; and a hydrophilic, polymeric, glucose-permeable barrier layer which is provided on at least a part of the sensing region; wherein the sensor is adapted so that glucose enters the sensing region of the sensor through said barrier layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of detecting a molecule in a sample, such as an explosive. In some embodiments, the method comprises: associating the sample with an antigen/binding agent complex; measuring a rate of displacement of the binding agent from the antigen by the molecule in the sample; and correlating the measured rate of displacement to the presence of the molecule in the sample. In some embodiments, the measuring step comprises a determination of a change in frequency of the sample and a change in energy dissipation of the sample over a time interval. In some embodiments, the correlating step comprises a calculation of a ratio of a change in energy dissipation of the sample over a change in frequency of the sample over the time interval. In some embodiments, the method is used to determine the molecule concentration in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preparation and/or treatment of a biological sample comprising a set of storage chambers and/or reaction chambers intended for receiving a fluid, the chambers being separated by walls so as to constitute a set of adjacent chambers. It also relates to an analysis apparatus capable of using such a device and also a method of using this device. The device comprises a base and a drawer comprising the set of adjacent chambers, the drawer being movable relative to the base, the drawer comprising a contact surface on which emerge first means for placing in fluidic communication linked to the volume of at least one chamber, the contact surface of the drawer being intended to be positioned facing a contact surface of the base comprising at least one position at which there are arranged second fluidic communication means linked to detection means. The invention has a preferred application in the field of medical diagnosis.

Abstract: An isolated antibody that specifically binds to sFlt-1 or a fragment thereof having (i) a variable heavy domain region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, (ii) a variable light domain region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or (iii) both (i) and (ii), a pharmaceutical composition and a kit comprising such an antibody, a method of making such an antibody, a method of determining the presence, amount or concentration of sFlt-1 or a fragment thereof in a test sample, a method of treating a patient in therapeutic or prophylactic need of an antagonist of sFlt-1, an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of (i) SEQ ID NO: 2, (ii) SEQ ID NO: 4, or (iii) both (i) and (ii), optionally as part of a vector, and a host cell comprising and expressing such a nucleic acid.

Abstract: An exemplary method of forming a variable resistance memory may include forming first source/drain regions in a substrate, forming gate line structures and conductive isolation patterns buried in the substrate with the first source/drain regions interposed therebetween, and forming lower contact plugs on the first source/drain regions. The forming of lower contact plugs may include forming a first interlayer insulating layer, including a first recess region exposing the first source/drain regions adjacent to each other in a first direction, forming a conductive layer in the first recess region, patterning the conductive layer to form preliminary conductive patterns spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and patterning the preliminary conductive patterns to form conductive patterns spaced apart from each other in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an in-plane switching (IPS) type liquid crystal display (LCD) device according to an embodiment includes forming gate lines arranged in a first direction and data lines arranged in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the gate lines and the data lines defining pixel regions on an array substrate; forming a storage electrode on the array substrate; forming common electrodes extending across each pixel region; forming pixel electrodes arranged to be substantially parallel to the common electrodes, the common electrodes and the pixel electrodes being alternately arranged to generate an in-plane field in each pixel region; and forming thin film transistors (TFTs) at intersection areas of the gate lines and the data lines, each TFT including a source electrode connected to the corresponding data line, a drain electrode connected to the corresponding pixel electrode and a gate electrode.

Abstract: A photoresist composition, a method of forming a pattern using the photoresist composition, and a method of manufacturing a display substrate are disclosed. A photoresist composition includes an alkali-soluble resin, a quinone diazide-based compound, a multivalent phenol-based compound, and a solvent. Therefore, photosensitivity for light having a wavelength in a range of about 392 nm to about 417 nm may be improved, and reliability of forming a photo pattern and a thin film pattern using the photoresist composition may be improved.

Abstract: A method includes the step of preparing a GaN-based substrate 10, the step of forming on the substrate a nitride-based semiconductor multilayer structure including a p-type AldGaeN layer (p-type semiconductor region) 26, the p-type AldGaeN layer 26 being made of an AlxInyGazN semiconductor (x+y+z=1, x?0, y?0, z?0), and a principal surface of the p-type AldGaeN layer 26 being an m-plane, the step of forming a metal layer 28 which contains at least one of Mg and Zn on the principal surface of the p-type AldGaeN layer 26 and performing a heat treatment, the step of removing the metal layer 28, and the step of forming a p-type electrode on the principal surface of the p-type AldGaeN layer 26, wherein the heat treatment causes a N concentration to be higher than a Ga concentration in the p-type AldGaeN layer 26.

Abstract: A method of preparing a silicon nanowire and a method of fabricating a lithium secondary battery including the silicon nanowire are provided. The method of preparing a silicon nanowire may include forming a catalyst layer including metal particles separated from one another on a silicon layer, selectively etching the silicon layer contacting the metal particles, and removing the metal particles.

Abstract: Conventional “on-chip” or monolithically integrated thermocouples are very mechanically sensitive and are expensive to manufacture. Here, however, thermocouples are provided that employ different thicknesses of thermal insulators to help create thermal differentials within an integrated circuit. By using these thermal insulators, standard manufacturing processes can be used to lower cost, and the mechanical sensitivity of the thermocouple is greatly decreased. Additionally, other features (which can be included through the use of standard manufacturing processes) to help trap and dissipate heat appropriately.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a thin-film solar cell using plasma between a couple of parallel electrodes. In the method, a base member is placed in a chamber between a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other. A hydrogen gas is heated, and thus heated hydrogen gas and a silicon-based gas are introduced into a space between the first electrode and the second electrode. A ratio of a flow rate of the heated hydrogen gas to that of the silicon-based gas is at least 25 and no more than 58. A plasma is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode by applying high-frequency power to the second electrode while a pressure in the chamber is 1000 Pa or higher, and an optically active layer containing crystalline silicon is deposited on the base material.

Abstract: A process of forming an isolation region that defines an active region on a semiconductor wafer, a process of forming a photoelectric conversion element in the active region defined by the isolation region, and a process of forming a micro lens over the photoelectric conversion element are provided. Alignment in the process of forming the photoelectric conversion element and alignment in the process of forming the micro lens are performed using an alignment mark formed in the process of forming the isolation region.

Abstract: A method for making the image sensor structure, for avoiding or mitigating lens shading effect. The image sensor structure includes a substrate, a sensor array disposed at the surface of the substrate, a dielectric layer covering the sensor array, wherein the dielectric layer includes a top surface having a dishing structure, an under layer filled into the dishing structure and having a refraction index greater than that of the dielectric layer, a filter array disposed on the under layer corresponding to the sensor array, and a microlens array disposed above the filter array. A top layer may be additionally disposed to cover the filter array and the microlens array is disposed on the top layer.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor is disclosed. The CMOS imager includes a lightly doped semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. At least one CMOS pixel of a second conductivity type is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate is configured to receive a bias voltage applied for substantially depleting the semiconductor substrate and for forming a depletion edge within the semiconductor substrate. A well of the second conductivity type substantially surrounds the at least one CMOS pixel to form a depletion region about the at least one CMOS pixel operable to form a minimum predetermined barrier to the depletion edge within the semiconductor substrate to pinch off substrate bias in proximity to the return contact.

Abstract: Methods for photovoltaic absorber materials for uses including solar cells. The methods include depositing onto a substrate an ink comprising one or more compounds having the formula MB(ER)3 wherein MB is In, Ga or Al, E is S or Se, and R is selected from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, amido, and silyl, and heating the substrate.

Abstract: A method for preparing a Group 1a-1b-3a-6a material using a selenium/Group 1b ink comprising, as initial components: a selenium component comprising selenium, an organic chalcogenide component having a formula selected from RZ—Z?R? and R2—SH, a Group 1b component and a liquid carrier; wherein Z and Z? are each independently selected from sulfur, selenium and tellurium; wherein R is selected from H, C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group, a C1-20 alkylhydroxy group, an arylether group and an alkylether group; wherein R? and R2 are selected from a C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group, a C1-20 alkylhydroxy group, an arylether group and an alkylether group; and wherein the selenium/Group 1b ink is a stable dispersion.

Abstract: A precursor layer for a photovoltaic absorber layer on a substrate is formed, where the precursor layer comprises group IB and IIIA elements. The precursor layer is heated in an elongate furnace, where the heating includes depositing a group VIA-based material on the precursor layer. The substrate is placed on a support and advanced through the furnace. The support has an anti-stiction surface of a material including at least one of: silicon carbide, glass, spin-on-glass (SOG), diamond-like carbon (DLC), silicon carbide (SiC), a hydrogenated diamond coating, pyrolytic carbon and a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: A method for calculating an offset value for aligned deposition of a second pattern onto a first pattern, comprising steps of: (a) loading a substrate with the first pattern on a surface of the substrate into a pattern recognition device at an original position inside the pattern recognition device; (b) determining a coordinate of a prescribed point of the first pattern by the pattern recognition device; (c) superimposing the second pattern onto the first pattern on the surface of the substrate; (d) bringing back the substrate with the first pattern and the second pattern into the original position inside the pattern recognition device; (e) determining a coordinate of a prescribed point of the second pattern by the pattern recognition device; wherein the prescribed point of the first pattern corresponds to the prescribed point of the second pattern; and (f) calculating the offset value between the first pattern and the second pattern.

Abstract: Formulations and methods of making solar cell contacts and cells therewith are disclosed. The invention provides a photovoltaic cell comprising a front contact, a back contact, and a rear contact. The back contact comprises, prior to firing, a passivating layer onto which is applied a paste, comprising aluminum, a glass component, wherein the aluminum paste comprises, aluminum, another optional metal, a glass component, and a vehicle. The back contact comprises, prior to firing, a passivating layer onto which is applied an aluminum paste, wherein the aluminum paste comprises aluminum, a glass component, and a vehicle.