Abstract: Silver-copper-zinc compositions are employed as catalysts, e.g., for fuel cell and/or electrolyzer applications. These compositions have been experimentally tested in solid oxide fuel cell and proton exchange membrane fuel cell configurations. Such catalysts can be effective for both the anode and cathode half-reactions. A preferred composition range is AgxCuyZnz, where 0?x?0.1, 0.2?y?0.5, and 0.5?z?0.8.

Abstract: The disclosed forms a proton exchange membrane. First, multi-maleimide and barbituric acid are copolymerized to form a hyper-branched polymer. Next, the solvent of the sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (Nafion) aqueous solution is replaced from water with dimethyl acetamide (DMAc). 10 to 20 parts by weight of the hyper-branched polymer is added to the 90 to 80 parts by weight of the Nafion in a DMAc solution, stood and heated to 50° C. to inter-penetrate the hyper-branched polymer and the Nafion. The heated solution is coated on a substrate, baked, and pre-treated to remove residue solvent for completing an inter-penetrated proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to proton-conducting composites comprising a polymer matrix within which inorganic particles are dispersed, grafted to the surface of which particles are polymers comprising repeat units that comprise at least one acid proton-exchange group, optionally in the form of salts, or a precursor group of said acid group, said particles being chosen from particles of zeolites, of zirconium phosphates or phosphonates, or of oxides. Application to the field of fuel cells.

Abstract: A binder for an electrode of a fuel cell is a basic polymer including a nitrogen-containing functional group and a proton conductive polymer having a phosphoric acid impregnation capacity of 200 wt % or less. An electrode for a fuel cell includes the binder and a catalyst, and a fuel cell includes the electrode. The electrode is manufactured by mixing the binder, a catalyst, and a solvent; and coating the mixture on a carbon support and heat-treating the coated mixture. The binder has excellent proton conductivity by having a phosphoric acid impregnation capacity of 200 wt % or less, and has improved durability without membrane damage and micro-structural changes due to swelling, which occurs when PBI is used as a binder. Accordingly, an electrode including the binder has improved phosphoric acid retention capacity, and increased wetting velocity. Thus, a fuel cell having improved efficiency can be manufactured due to the improved proton conductivity and durability of the electrode.

Abstract: Methods for storing holographic data are presented. The method includes providing an optically transparent substrate comprising a thermally active photochemically active polymer composition, the polymer composition including a photochemically active dye and a heat generating chromophore, thermally activating at least a part of a volume element of the optically transparent substrate to increase a quantum efficiency of photochemical conversion of the photochemically active dye into a photo-product, within the at least a part of the volume element and converting at least some of the photochemically active dye to a photo-product, and producing concentration variations of the photo-product within the volume element of the optically transparent substrate, thereby producing an optically readable datum corresponding to the volume element.

Abstract: A mask blank for use in the manufacture of a binary mask adapted to be applied with ArF excimer laser exposure light has, on a transparent substrate, a light-shielding film for forming a transfer pattern. The light-shielding film has a laminated structure of a lower layer and an upper layer and has an optical density of 2.8 or more for exposure light and a thickness of 45 nm or less. The lower layer is made of a material in which the total content of a transition metal and silicon is 90 at % or more, and has a thickness of 30 nm or more. The upper layer has a thickness of 3 nm or more and 6 nm or less. The phase difference between exposure light transmitted through the light-shielding film and exposure light transmitted in air for a distance equal to the thickness of the light-shielding film is 30 degrees or less.

Abstract: A reflector structure suitable for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) is provided. The structure comprises a substrate having a multi-layer reflector. A capping layer is formed over the multi-layer reflector to prevent oxidation. In an embodiment, the capping layer is formed of an inert oxide, such as Al2O3, HfO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2, or the like. The capping layer may be formed by reactive sputtering in an oxygen environment, by non-reactive sputtering wherein the materials are sputtered directly from the respective oxide targets, by non-reactive sputtering of the metallic layer followed by full or partial oxidation (e.g., by natural oxidation, by oxidation in oxygen-containing plasmas, by oxidation in ozone (O3), or the like), by atomic level deposition (e.g., ALCVD), or the like.

Abstract: In the field of semiconductor production using shaped charged particle beam lithography, a method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed, in which a plurality of shaped beam shots is determined which will form a target pattern on a surface, within a predetermined tolerance, where the plurality of shaped beam shots includes a plurality of circular or nearly-circular character projection (CP) shots plus one or more non-circular shot, and where at least two shots in the plurality of circular or nearly-circular shots overlap. Methods for manufacturing a surface and for manufacturing a semiconductor device on a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive photosensitive resin composition that includes (A) a polybenzoxazole precursor including a repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1; (B) a photosensitive diazoquinone compound; (C) a silane compound; (D) a phenol compound; and (E) a solvent. In the above Chemical Formula 1, each substituent is the same as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A method for performing a photolithography process includes providing a reticle on a projection apparatus, the reticle having a test pattern defined thereon, the test pattern including a plurality of one-dimensional structures and a plurality of two-dimensional structures. The test pattern defined on the reticle is transferred to at least one area on a wafer. The projection apparatus is focused on the test pattern transferred on the wafer during a photolithography process to perform a process monitoring.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic toner capable of providing a stable image by suppressing sleeve contamination even under a high-temperature and high-humidity environment and under a normal-temperature and low-humidity environment and further suppressing large-particle fogging caused after the toner is left alone for a week. The magnetic toner contains toner particles, each of which contains a binder resin and a magnetic iron oxide particle, in which the binder resin has a polyester unit, the toner has i) a dielectric loss factor at 40° C. and 100 kHz of 0.50 pF/m or more but 0.90 pF/m or less, and ii) a true specific gravity of 1.50 g/cm3 or more but 1.85 g/cm3 or less.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner includes a latex, a colorant, and a release agent, wherein G?(80) is in a range of about 2.0×105 Pa to about 3.0×106 Pa and G?(80)/G?(140) is in a range of about 2.0×102 to about 3.0×103, wherein in regard to a molecular weight distribution on a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) chromatogram, the molecular weight region of 1.0×104 g/mol or less of a tetrahydrofuran (THF)-soluble component of the electrophotographic toner is about 5% or less, and the molecular weight region of 1.0×105 g/mol or more of the THF-soluble component of the electrophotographic toner is in a range of about 5% to about 20%, where G?(80) and G?(140) respectively denote storage moduli of the electrophotographic toner at temperatures of 80° C. and 140° C. when a dynamic viscoelasticity according to a sine-wave vibration is measured at an angular velocity of 6.28 rad/sec and at a temperature increase rate of 2.0° C./min.

Abstract: A toner containing base particles produced by dissolving and/or dispersing a toner material in an organic solvent so as to prepare a toner material solution, and emulsifying and/or dispersing the toner material solution in an aqueous medium, wherein the toner material contains a binder resin and a releasing agent, the binder resin contains a polyester resin, and the releasing agent is a hydrocarbon wax which is modified with a carboxylic acid or carboxylic anhydride.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a mother particle which contains a coloring agent, a release agent and a binder resin; and an inorganic particle which is added to the surface of the mother particle, and wherein a relation between a relaxation time t and a relaxation modulus G(t) which are determined from the dynamic viscoelasticity measurement made on the toner satisfies the following equations (1) and (2); G(t1)<100 Pa??(1) 515<(G(t2)?G(t1))/(log(t1)?log(t2))<1,230??(2) wherein t1 represents the maximum relaxation time and t2 represents the minimum relaxation time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid developer composition comprising a dispersant, and toner particles dispersed in said dispersant. The liquid developer composition can be used for printing onto a substrate. The binder resin in the toner particles is curable, e.g. by UV-light.

Abstract: There are disclosed sulfonic acid precursor compositions, as are methods of using these compositions in, for example, photolithography. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cyanurate compositions are provided that are particularly useful as a reagent to form a resin component of a coating composition underlying an overcoated photoresist. Preferred isocyanurates compound comprise substitution of multiple cyanurate nitrogen ring atoms by at least two distinct carboxy and/or carboxy ester groups.

Abstract: A positive resist composition comprising a polymer having a tetrahydrobenzocycloheptane-substituted secondary or tertiary carboxyl group ester as an acid labile group exhibits a high contrast of alkaline dissolution rate before and after exposure, a high resolution, a good pattern profile and minimal edge roughness after exposure, a significant effect of suppressing acid diffusion rate, and improved etching resistance.

Abstract: A positive-tone radiation-sensitive composition is used in a resist pattern-forming method as a first positive-tone radiation-sensitive composition. A positive-tone radiation-sensitive composition includes a polymer, a photoacid generator, and a solvent. The polymer includes an acid-labile group and a crosslinkable group. The resist pattern-forming method includes providing the first positive-tone radiation-sensitive composition on a substrate to form a first resist pattern on the substrate. The first resist pattern is made to be inactive to light or heat so that the first resist pattern is insoluble in a second positive-tone radiation-sensitive composition. The second positive-tone radiation-sensitive composition is provided on the substrate to form a second resist pattern on the substrate on which the first resist pattern is formed.

Abstract: A thermosetting silicon-containing film-forming composition for forming a silicon-containing film to be formed in a multi-layer resist process used in lithography, the composition including at least: (A) a silicon-containing compound obtained by hydrolysis-condensation of a hydrolyzable silicon compound and compound(s) selected from the group consisting of a hydrolyzable silicon compound and a reactive compound; (B) a thermal crosslinking accelerator; (C) an organic acid with one, or two or more valency having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; and (D) an organic solvent.

Abstract: A resist composition for immersion exposure, including a base component that exhibits changed solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid, an acid generator component that generates acid upon exposure, and a fluorine-containing compound represented by a general formula (c-1) that is decomposable in an alkali developing solution: wherein R1 represents an organic group which may contain a polymerizable group, with the proviso that said polymerizable group has a carbon-carbon multiple bond, and the carbon atoms forming the multiple bond are not directly bonded to the carbon atom within the —C(?O)— group in general formula (c-1); and R2 represents an organic group having a fluorine atom.

Abstract: A method is used to make a laser-ablatable element for direct laser engraving that has a laser-ablatable, relief-forming layer that has a relief-image forming surface and a bottom surface. The relief-forming layer can be prepared by applying multiple formulations. Each formulation comprises a coating solvent, a laser-ablatable polymeric binder, and an infrared radiation absorbing compound. The infrared radiation absorbing compound concentration in the resulting sub-layers is different in each adjacent pair of sub-layers so that the concentration is always greater in each pair sub-layer that is closer to the substrate, and the concentration is progressively greater in the sub-layers as they are closer to the substrate after the coating solvent is removed, wherein the multiple sub-layers provide a relief-forming layer so that the sub-layer farthest from the substrate provides a relief-image forming surface.

Abstract: An upper-layer film-forming composition includes (A) a resin that is soluble in an alkaline aqueous solution, and includes a fluorine atom, and (B) a solvent component that includes (B1) a solvent having a boiling point at 101.3 kPa of 150° C. or more and a static surface tension of 23.0 mN/m or less, the upper-layer film-forming composition being used to form an upper-layer film on a photoresist film.

Abstract: A flexographic printing sleeve or plate is made by a method that includes providing a millable polyurethane, crosslinking the millable polyurethane, and forming a relief by at least laser engraving the crosslinked millable polyurethane. For example, crosslinking may be accomplished by a peroxide-based process or by a vulcanization process using sulfur. A relief in one example is formed by extruding the millable polyurethane, thermally crosslinking the polyurethane after the extrusion step and laser engraving the crosslinked millable polyurethane. A printing article is formed into the shape of a flat printing plate or a continuous in-the-round printing sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitive resin composition comprising 100 parts by mass of a polyurethane prepolymer having an ethylenically unsaturated group, 10 to 150 parts by mass of an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of a photopolymerization initiator, wherein the ethylenically unsaturated compound comprises 0.1 to 10 parts by mass of a polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated compound having 6 or more (meth)acryloyl groups in a molecule thereof with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polyurethane prepolymer.

Abstract: A photosensitive element comprises a support, a photosensitive layer and a protective film laminated in that order, wherein the photosensitive layer is composed of a photosensitive resin composition containing a binder polymer, a photopolymerizing compound, a photopolymerization initiator and a compound with a maximum absorption wavelength of 370-420 nm, and the protective film is composed mainly of polypropylene.

Abstract: There is provided an anti-reflective coating forming composition for use in a lithography of the manufacture of semiconductor devices and for forming an anti-reflective coating that can be developed with an alkaline developer for photoresist, and a method for forming photoresist pattern by use of the anti-reflective coating forming composition. The anti-reflective coating forming composition comprises a compound having at least two vinyl ether groups, an alkali-soluble compound having at least two phenolic hydroxy groups or carboxyl groups, a photoacid generator, and a solvent.

Abstract: There is provided a method for forming a superfine pattern, which can simply produce a superfine pattern with high mass productivity. The method comprises the steps of forming a first convex pattern, on a film to be treated, forming a spacer formed of a silazane-containing resin composition on the side wall of the convexes constituting the first convex pattern, and forming a superfine pattern using as a mask the spacer or a resin layer disposed around the spacer. The spacer is formed by curing an evenly coated resin composition only in its part around the first convex pattern. According to this method for pattern formation, unlike the conventional method, a superfine pattern can be formed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to lithographic processes used in integrated circuit fabrication for improving line edge roughness (LER) and reduced critical dimensions (CD) for lines and/or trenches. Embodiments use the combinations of polarized light lithography, shrink coating processes, and double exposure processes to produce synergetic effects in the formation of trench structures having good resolution, reduced CDs, reduced pitch, and reduced LER in the lines and/or trenches of the patterned interconnect structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide Dermal Micro-organs (DMOs), methods and apparatuses for producing the same. Some embodiments of the invention provide a DMO including a plurality of dermal components, which substantially retain the micro-architecture and three dimensional structure of the dermal tissue from which they are derived, having dimensions selected so as to allow passive diffusion of adequate nutrients and gases to cells of the DMO and diffusion of cellular waste out of the cells. Some embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for harvesting the DMO. An apparatus for harvesting the DMO may include, according to some exemplary embodiments, a support configuration to support a skin-related tissue structure from which the DMO is to be harvested, and a cutting tool able to separate the DMO from the skin-related tissue structure.

Abstract: Subjecting a heterogeneous cell population (one with both stem cells and non-stem cells) to extreme stress selectively eliminated the non-stem cells and resulted in the enrichment of stem cells in the population. The stress can take many forms, including without limitation, cell toxins, high temperature, high salt, and low oxygen (hypoxic) conditions. The number of stem cells remaining after stress were increased, and showed increased expression of traditional stem cell markers. The stem cells were shown to be capable of proliferation and differentiation into multiple types of cells. This method allows purification of stem cells from adult heterogeneous cell populations on a large scale basis without requirement of expensive equipment, and without requiring the presence of cell surface markers. Stem cells produced by the above method can be used for clinical applications, including tissue engineering.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining the amount of an analyte having an oxidation potential, for a one electron oxidation process, of about +0.10 to about +1.20 volts at pH 7, relative to the normal hydrogen electrode at 298K, said method comprising measuring the emission intensity or emission lifetime, at two or more wavelengths, from a sample comprising said analyte and two or more different macrocyclic lanthanide (III) complexes, wherein each of said macrocyclic lanthanide (III) complexes comprises a different lanthanide ion but the same macrocyclic ligand, and using a ratio of emission intensities or emission lifetimes measured at two different wavelengths to calculate the amount of analyte in said sample.

Abstract: A method of detection comprising a conjugate of a randomly and asymmetrically branched dendritic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for improved detection of infectious agents and microbes. In particular, the present invention provides novel methods for detecting infectious agents, providing information about the viability status of such infectious agents and for determining drug susceptibility. In certain embodiments, the present invention employs techniques involving nucleic acid amplification-based microbial identification together with phage-based biological detection of drug resistance. The methods of the invention are suitable for all microbes and infectious agents, including bacterial agents such as Mycobacteria.

Abstract: An isolated steroidogenesis modified cell comprising one or more steroid biosynthesis knock down nucleic acid operatively linked to a promoter, wherein the steroid biosynthesis knock down nucleic acid reduces the expression of a gene selected from the group CYP21A2, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, CYP19A1, 3-?HSD1, 3-?HSD2, 17-?HSD1, StAR, HMGR, CYP11B2, CYP11B1, 5?-Reductase 2, SULT1E1, CYP3A4 and UTG1A1, wherein the cell comprises reduced expression of one or more of said genes. The cells are useful for identifying endocrine disruptors. Accordingly, the disclosure includes in a further aspect a screening assay for identifying an endocrine disruptor comprising: a) contacting a cell described herein with a test substance; b) determining a level of at least one steroid or steroidogenic gene mRNA or enzyme activity; wherein a modulation in the level of the at least one steroid or steroidogenic gene mRNA or enzyme activity compared to a control is indicative that the test substance is an endocrine disruptor.

Abstract: A scalable process and device for producing a biomolecule, in particular pharmaceutical grade plasmid DNA. The process includes the steps of alkaline lysis and a neutralization. For separating the lysate and the precipitate, the mixture is allowed to gently flow downward through a clarification reactor that is partially filled, in its lower part, with retention material like glass beads, whereby the precipitate is retained on top of and within the retention. In a preferred embodiment of the lysis step, cell suspension and alkaline lysis solution flow through a lysis reactor that is filled with particulate material like glass beads. The process can be run continuously and fully automated.

Abstract: A method for detecting a nucleic acid molecule having a target sequence adjacent a 3? terminus is provided. Also provided is a method for differentiating nucleic acid molecules having a target sequence adjacent a 3? terminus from nucleic acid molecules in which the same sequence is embedded within the molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting mutations in a Gnaq gene in a melanocytic neoplasm for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. The invention further provides methods of treating such melanocytic neoplasm by modulating the activity of the mutated Gnaq gene.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to compositions, methods, and systems for performing single-molecule, real-time analysis of a variety of different biological reactions. The ability to analyze such reactions provides an opportunity to study those reactions as well as to potentially identify factors and/or approaches for impacting such reactions, e.g., to either enhance or inhibit such reactions. In certain preferred embodiments, RNA templates are used in single-molecule real-time sequencing reactions.

Abstract: Methods, substrates, and devices related to arrays of optical confinements having surfaces with high levels of bias. Substrates having transparent or silica based portions and opaque or reflective portions are treated with 1) a selective passivating agent, that selectively coats the opaque or reflective regions, 2) a functionalizing agent such as a coupling agent, and 3) a selective removal agent, which selectively removes functionalizing agent from the passivated opaque or reflective surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides a transgenic soybean event MON 87708 plant and plants, plant cells, seeds, plant parts, and commodity products derived from event MON 87708. The invention also provides polynucleotides specific for event MON 87708 and plants, plant cells, seeds, plant parts, and commodity products comprising polynucleotides specific for event MON 87708. The invention also provides methods related to event MON 87708.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful in the detection and identification of species of Candida are disclosed. The compositions are combinations of oligonucleotides, where the forward primers of the primer pairs have identical sequences, while each reverse primer of the primer pairs has a unique sequence relative to all of the other reverse primers; or the reverse primers of the primer pairs have identical sequences, while each forward primer of the primer pairs has a unique sequence relative to all of the other forward primers. The oligonucleotides also include probes capable of detecting these amplicons, and sequencing primers for determining, in primer extension reactions, the nucleotide sequences contained within the amplicons. The detection of an amplicon indicates that the sample contains at least one isolate of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, or Candida tropicalis, and the nucleotide sequence data is used to determine which of these four Candida species is present.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention a method for detecting low frequency occurrence of one or more HIV sequence variants associated with drug resistance is describe that comprises generating cDNA species from RNA molecules in an HIV sample population; amplifying first amplicons from the cDNA species, wherein each amplicon comprises amplified copies and is amplified with a pair of nucleic acid primers that define a locus; clonally amplifying the amplified copies of the first amplicons to produce second amplicons that comprise an immobilized population of substantially identical copies from one of the amplified copies of first amplicons; determining a nucleic acid sequence composition from at least 100 of the immobilized populations in parallel on a single instrument; detecting one or more sequence variants that occur at a frequency of 5% or less in the nucleic acid sequence composition of the at least 100 immobilized populations; and correlating the detected sequence variants with variation associated with HIV

Abstract: Oligonucleotides targeted to HPV Type 16 and/or Type 18 nucleic acid sequences which are particularly useful to aid in detecting HPV type 16 and or 18 are described. The oligonucleotides can aid in detecting HPV Type 16 and/or Type 18 in different ways such as by acting as hybridization assay probes, helper probes, and/or amplification primers.

Abstract: The invention provides specific transgenic cotton plants, plant material and seeds, characterized in that these products harbor a specific transformation event at a specific location in the cotton genome. Tools are also provided which allow rapid and unequivocal identification of the event in biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel thermoelectric method for determining the sequence of nucleotides on a nucleic acid molecule through use of a thermopile and/or sequencing reagents flowing under the conditions of laminar flow. The methods disclosed herein involve the measurement of the heat generated by a deoxynucleotide incorporation event that can be accomplished without the need to control the temperature of any of a thermopile's junctions.

Abstract: Development of acquired resistance to the therapeutic effects of an epidermal growth factor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor in a patient that is suffering from a cancer is predicted by: (a) obtaining a sample from the patient, wherein the cancer harbors a somatic gain-of-function mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR that enhances the sensitivity of the cancer to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and (b) testing the sample to determine whether the gene encoding EGFR is present in a mutant form that encodes a T790M mutant of EGFR in addition to the somatic gain of function mutation. A finding that the mutant form is present indicates that the cancer has become or will become resistant to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting bacterial contaminations preferably in physiological samples as well as sequences of synthetic oligonucleotides used therefor. The method comprises the steps of i) extracting the nucleic acid, particularly bacterial DNA, ii) amplification by means of primers and detection by means of oligonucleotides, particularly fluorescence-marked oligonucleotides as hybridization probes, containing a sequence that is selected from among a group encompassing SEQ ID NO:5 to SEQ ID NO:35, preferably in real-time PCR, and iii) evaluation by means of fusion curve analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of affinity-purified polyclonal human autoantibodies against the TSH receptor (TSHR-Auto-Ab), obtained from the serum of Graves' disease patients and which have been purified to obtain biochemical homogeneity and comprise a specific activity of at least 1 IU/mg protein (human immunoglobulin). Also disclosed is the use of animal antibodies, which compete with the former for the binding sites of a functional human TSH receptor, as a specific binding reagent in an immunological determination method for the clinical identification of autoantibodies against the TSH receptor (TSHR-Auto-Ab) in a sample of a biological fluid of a patient to be examined for Graves' disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microfluidic structures, and more specifically, to microfluidic structures and methods including meandering and wide channels. Microfluidic systems can provide an advantageous environment for performing various reactions and analysis due to a reduction in sample and reagent quantities that are required, a reduction in the size of the operating system, and a decrease in reaction time compared to conventional systems. Unfortunately, the small size of microfluidic channels can sometimes result in difficulty in detecting a species without magnifying optics (such as a microscope or a photomultiplier). A series of tightly packed microchannels, i.e., a meandering region, or a wide channel having a dimension on the order of millimeters, can serve as a solution to this problem by creating a wide measurement area.