Abstract: This invention provides a nucleotide analogue comprising (i) a base selected from the group consisting of adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, (ii) a deoxyribose, (iii) an allyl moiety bound to the 3?-oxygen of the deoxyribose and (iv) a fluorophore bound to the base via an allyl linker, and methods of nucleic acid sequencing employing the nucleotide analogue.

Abstract: Provided are methods of predicting a trait in a subject including obtaining information about at least a portion of a polynucleotide sequence of the subject, the polynucleotide sequence encoding the acid ceramidase polypeptide, and using the information to predict the expression of the trait in the subject. Further provided are methods of developing a treatment plan for a subject with a disease or condition responsive to exercise. The methods may include obtaining information about at least a portion of a polynucleotide sequence of the subject, the polynucleotide sequence encoding the acid ceramidase polypeptide, using the information to predict a trait selected from maintaining an exercise program and physiological responsiveness to an exercise program, and developing a treatment plan for the subject to treat the disease or condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit and a method for determining whether a subject shows an immune response against an antigen.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for non-invasively detecting fetal chromosomal abnormality in maternal samples using high throughput sequencing technologies. The present invention provides a method to minimize the influence of G/C-content in analyzing sequencing data and thus increase the sensitivity and accuracy in detecting any aneuploid chromosome in a genome. This method is especially helpful for analyzing sequencing data with lower quality or low coverage.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions useful for detecting mutations which cause Familial Dysautonomia. Familial dysautonomia (FD; Riley-Day syndrome), an Ashkenazi Jewish disorder, is the best known and most frequent of a group of congenital sensory neuropathies and is characterized by widespread sensory and variable autonomic dysfunction. Previously, we mapped the FD gene, DYS, to a 0.5 cM region of chromosome 9q31 and showed that the ethnic bias is due to a founder effect, with >99.5% of disease alleles sharing a common ancestral haplotype. To investigate the molecular basis of FD, we sequenced the minimal candidate region and cloned and characterized its 5 genes. One of these, IKBKAP, harbors two mutations that can cause FD. The major haplotype mutation is located in the donor splice site of intron 20. This mutation can result in skipping of exon 20 in the mRNA from FD patients, although they continue to express varying levels of wild-type message in a tissue-specific manner.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection and treatment of schizophrenia are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to genetic markers of mental illness, e.g., schizophrenia (SZ), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with cardiovascular disorders, particularly acute coronary events such as myocardial infarction and stroke, and genetic polymorphisms that are associated with responsiveness of an individual having a cardiovascular disorder to treatment of the disorder with statin. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.

Abstract: Biological markers that predict patient responsiveness to B-cell antagonists are provided. Also provided are methods of using such biological markers. In addition, methods for identifying patients suffering from an autoimmune disease, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, who are not likely to respond to B-cell antagonists are provided, as are methods of treating such patients. Methods for selecting therapeutic agents to treat such patients are also provided.

Abstract: Methods to detect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease (PSAD) using an indicator cell assay platform (iCAP) in a test subject are described. Specifically, the disclosure provides a method comprising contacting a biological fluid of said test subject with indicator cells and assessing said indicator cells for the level of expression of an exon of CKIgamma2 that encodes the C-terminal palmitoylated region of said CKIgamma2, to determine the probability that a test subject is afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Further disclosed are methods of using indicator cells that are pan neuronal populations of glutamatergic (and/or GABAergic) neurons to determine the probability of the presence of presymptomatic or symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (PSAD) in a test subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for determining and optimizing a personalized treatment regimen for a subject suffering from a pathologic disorder, specifically, MS, based on the expression pattern of specific marker genes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the diagnosis of the occurrence and cause of stroke.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the prediction of antipsychotic treatment efficacy based on a patient's genotype at one or more single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci and to the treatment of a patient based on such prediction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition, a kit and a method for diagnosing ovarian cancer metastasis or predicting risk of the metastasis by detecting methylation levels at CpG sites of one or more genes selected from the group consisting of ADAM12 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12), NTN4 (netrin 4), and PTGS2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and tool for amplification and detection of different NRAS isotypes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and reagents for the treatment of melanoma and/or of metastatic melanoma that directly or indirectly target TYRP1 RNA transcript. The invention also relates to methods for predicting if a melanoma patient will be therapeutically responsive to such methods of treatment and reagents, and to methods for assessing the effectiveness of such methods of treatment and reagents. The invention further relates to a combination of biological markers that allows the prediction of melanoma patients' survival irrespective of the treatment administered.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for electrochemically detecting a variant of a target sequence in a sample, the target sequence being present as a plurality of variants within the sample, the system comprising an electrode comprising a first probe on its surface, said probe being capable of binding a first variant of the target sequence, and a second probe capable of binding a second variant of the target sequence, wherein the second probe is added to the sample, thereby preventing binding of the second variant to the first probe. Also disclosed herein are kits for electrochemical detection of target sequences.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions, kits, and methods for detecting a plurality of genes and associated variants in a sample from a subject with lung cancer. The compositions, kits, and methods include a set of oligonucleotides, typically primers and/or probes that can hybridize to identify a gene variant. The methods disclosed herein provide for a mutation status of a tumor to be determined and subsequently associated with an actionable treatment recommendation.

Abstract: MicroRNA profiles transition from normal breast to ductal carcinoma in situ and transition to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and methods of use thereof are described. Methods of diagnosis and prognosis using microRNA signatures to differentiate invasive from in situ carcinoma are described. Also described is the use of microRNA expression for predicting overall survival and time to metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for the identification of non-responders to a HER2 inhibitor, whereby one or more mutations in exon 9 of Phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PIK3CA) indicate non-responsiveness.

Abstract: A longstanding challenge in forensics is maximizing the number of “mini”-short tandem repeat amplicons within the limited confines of fluorescent channels and run length afforded by capillary electrophoresis. The instant disclosure overcomes this longstanding challenge by fusing mini-STR amplicons in a locus specific manner with a DNA construct of defined length. Staggering the lengths of the DNA constructs allows for staggering the mini-STRs in a locus specific manner. Beyond maximizing mini-STRs, the disclosed methods, compositions and kits can dramatically increase throughput of forensic samples by capillary electrophoresis.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods, compositions, and kits for multiplex nucleic acid analysis of single cells. The methods, compositions and systems may be used for massively parallel single cell sequencing. The methods, compositions and systems may be used to analyze thousands of cells concurrently. The thousands of cells may comprise a mixed population of cells (e.g., cells of different types or subtypes, different sizes).

Abstract: Described herein are methods of measuring, in a genomic sample from an individual, the relative frequency of a target sequence (that is, its copy number) with respect to a control sequence of known copy number at a different genomic locus in the same genome, wherein the target and control sequences differ by at least one single nucleotide variation (SNV). These methods involve both the target sequence and the control sequence in a single reaction/container, using a pair of primers that prime amplification of both the target sequence and the control sequence, or a single downstream primer and two upstream primers (that differs only at the position of the SNV between the target and control sequences), and measuring the abundance of each of the target sequence and the control sequence using SNV-specific labeled probes or primers, or a melting curve analysis that distinguishes between the amplified control and target sequences. The methods are exemplified with various different amplifications process.

Abstract: A bacterial strain of Actinoplanes sp. and an application thereof. The bacterial strain is named Actinoplanes sp. HS-16-20, whose preservation number is CGMCC No. 7294. The bacterial strain can generate Fidaxomicin, and Fidaxomicin has an inhibitory effect on various gram positive bacteria pathogens, and in particular, on Clostridium difficile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microorganism that produces and/or secretes an organic chemical compound, wherein the microorganism has an increased expression, compared to the respective starting strain, of a polypeptide LpdA with the activity of a transhydrogenase; and a process for producing an organic chemical compound using the microorganism according to the invention.

Abstract: The invented method prevents precipitation of a carbohydrate, such as trehalose, in a solution comprising mixing an effective amount of at least one antifreeze protein with the carbohydrate in the solution, wherein the antifreeze protein is described in whole or in part by one of SEQ. ID 1, SEQ. ID 2, SEQ. ID 3, and SEQ. ID 4, and wherein the antifreeze protein mass to the carbohydrate mass is between about 1:8000 and 1:30. Trehalose is a multifunctional non-reducing disaccharide, having a wide range of applications in industries (e.g., medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries). However, trehalose has a high propensity to precipitate/crystallize out of the solutions or formulations particularly at low temperatures, forming trehalose dihydrate. The invention is especially useful for improving the applications of a carbohydrate, such as trehalose, and the quality of the carbohydrate-containing products in industries by prevention the carbohydrate crystallization in formulations and products.

Abstract: A process includes: (a) providing a tantalum-coated metal alloy substrate; (b) heat annealing the tantalum-coated metal alloy substrate by heating to an annealing temperature for the tantalum-coated metal alloy substrate, holding at the annealing temperature for a period of time and then quenching to a temperature below 50 degrees Celsius; (c) heating the tantalum-coated metal substrate to the precipitation hardening temperature of the metal alloy substrate; and (d) cooling the tantalum-coated metal alloy substrate to a temperature below 50 degrees Celsius; wherein the process is further characterized by carrying out steps (b)-(d) under a tantalum-inert gas atmosphere and by quenching in step (b) and cooling in step (d) being carried out by flowing a tantalum-inert gas having a temperature of less than 50 degrees Celsius over the tantalum-coated metal alloy substrate.

Abstract: A helicoid conveyor screw manufactured from alloy steel and tempered by electromagnetic induction or flame used to convey abrasive granular products in the process of screw rotation under high friction and wear. Its inventive principle is related to the method for obtaining it by alloying steel with the chemical element Boron (B) and heat treating it, which results in greater hardness and durability of the flight.

Abstract: An equipment line for manufacturing a seamless steel tube includes a steel heating device, a piercing device that pierces the steel into a hollow steel tube, a rolling mill that forms the hollow steel tube into a seamless steel tube having a predetermined shape, and a cooling system arranged between the heating device and the piercing device or between the piercing device and the rolling mill.

Abstract: A roughly shaped material for a rolling bearing of the present invention is produced by forging a steel composed of a high-carbon chrome bearing steel containing 0.7 mass % to 1.2 mass % of a carbon, and 0.8 mass % to 1.8 mass % of a chromium to a predetermined shape while heating the steel to a forging temperature in a range of (Ae1 point+25° C.) to (Ae1 point+105° C.), cooling a forged article to a temperature of Ae1 point or lower, and performing an annealing in which the forged article that is obtained is heated to a soaking temperature in a range of (Ae1 point+25° C.) to (Ae1 point+85° C.), the forged article is retained for 0.5 hours or longer, and the forged article is cooled down to 700° C. or lower at a cooling rate of 0.30° C./s or slower.

Abstract: A hot-rolled steel sheet having a sheet thickness of 2-10 mm and containing specific amounts of C, Mn, Al, and N with iron and unavoidable impurities. With regard to all grains existing at a position of t/4 in depth, t being sheet thickness, an area ratio of grains having a sheet-plane orientation within 10° from (123) plane is 20% or more, a total area ratio of grains having a crystal direction within 10° from <001> direction and grains having a crystal direction within 10° from <110> direction, in a rolling direction, is 25% or less, and an average grain size of all grains is 3-50 ?m.

Abstract: A continuous annealing system and a continuous annealing method with which it is possible to achieve an annealing atmosphere having a low dew point which is suitable for annealing a steel strip containing easily oxidizable metals such as Si and Mn at low cost and with stability by preventing easily oxidizable metals such as Si and Mn in steel from being concentrated in a surface portion of a steel strip and preventing the formation of oxides of easily oxidizable metals such as Si and Mn.

Abstract: A method for increasing the porosity of a metal bearing ore is provided, the method including exposing the metal bearing ore to an oscillating magnetic field, wherein the frequency of oscillation of the oscillating magnetic field is greater than about 0.1 MHz, and preferably about 0.1 MHz to about 1 MHz. The exposure rate of the metal bearing ore to the oscillating magnetic field is greater than about 0.1 T/kg/min. An apparatus is also provided for increasing the porosity of a metal bearing ore.

Abstract: A process for upgrading waste powders of the mining industry containing iron oxides is described, which comprises the steps of preparing a mixture comprising powder based on iron oxides, an aqueous dispersion of a thermosetting resin and optionally also carbon powder, and a catalyst of acidic nature; kneading the mixture at a temperature comprised between 5 and 100 ° C. to form a homogeneous paste, and granulating such homogeneous paste at a temperature comprised between 100 and 300 ° C., thus obtaining granules comprising powder based on iron oxides and optionally carbon powder bound by said resin that has been polymerized.

Abstract: The disclosed processes can be effective for treating various materials comprising several different metals. These materials can be leached with HCl for obtaining a leachate and a solid. Then, they can be separated from one another and a first metal can be isolated from the leachate. Then, a second metal can further be isolated from the leachate. The first and second metals can each be substantially selectively isolated from the leachate. This can be done by controlling the temperature of the leachate, adjusting pH, further reacting the leachate with HCl, etc. The metals that can be recovered in the form of metal chlorides can eventually be converted into the corresponding metal oxides, thereby allowing for recovering HCl. The various metals can be chosen from aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, thorium, phosphorus, uranium, titanium, rare earth element and rare metals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a material are provided, the material being the upper layer from a metal melting process, the material containing one or more salts, the material containing one or more metals, the salts and/or metals being recycled as a result of the method/apparatus. The method includes feeding the material to a leaching step; obtaining a leachate from the leaching step; feeding the leachate to a drying step or spray drying step; obtaining a solid from the drying step or spray drying step. Off gases from the leaching step are used to provide heat to the drying step. The drying step provides a product well suited to being turned into pellets for reuse.

Abstract: Method of removing cobalt deposits in a reactor for the cobalt-catalyzed high-pressure hydroformylation of olefins by treatment with aqueous nitric acid, wherein the reactor is at least partly filled with aqueous nitric acid and the temperature of the aqueous nitric acid is increased during the treatment.

Abstract: There are provided processes comprising submitting an aqueous composition comprising lithium sulphate and/or bisulfate to an electrolysis or an electrodialysis for converting at least a portion of said sulphate into lithium hydroxide. During electrolysis or electrodialysis, the aqueous composition is at least substantially maintained at a pH having a value of about 1 to about 4; and converting said lithium hydroxide into lithium carbonate.

Abstract: Method for producing eutectic copper-iron alloy in which crystal grain fragments containing iron are dispersed in a copper matrix, includes: a charging step charging a first melting furnace (MF) and second MF respectively with electrolytic-copper and pure iron grain fragments; molten copper (MC) deoxidizing step heating electrolytic-copper to at least melting-point in the first MF, melting and deoxidizing the electrolytic-copper; molten iron (MI) deoxidizing step heating pure iron to at least melting-point in the second MF, melting and deoxidizing pure iron; MI transfer step increasing the MI temperature generated in the second MF; transferring the MI to a primary reaction furnace; MC transfer step increasing the MC temperature in the first MF to at least the iron melting-point; transferring the MC to the primary reaction furnace; and a reaction step causing a crystallization reaction between copper in the MC and iron in the MI in the primary reaction furnace.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a treated material. The method includes providing a high-speed blender; adding a solvent and brass granules to the blender and blending at high speed until mixed; adding copper granules to the blender and mixing at high speed until mixed; adding carbon nanotubes and graphene to the blender and mixing until blended. The mixture of solvent, brass granules, copper granules, carbon granules, carbon nanotubes, and graphene are added to an additional mixture of brass and copper and mixed until all of the granules are uniformly saturated. The mixture is then dried to a powder. Thereafter, the dry powder may be added to ferrous or nonferrous metal(s) in a high temperature crucible and then heated until melted.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a brass alloy, wherein Al2O3 is present in the alloy in the form of ceramic nanoparticles. Furthermore the invention refers to a method for production of the brass alloy.

Abstract: In a method for controlling energy damping in a shape memory alloy, provided is a shape memory alloy having a composition including at least one of: Cu in at least about 10 wt. %, Fe in at least about 5 wt. %, Au in at least about 5 wt. %, Ag in at least about 5 wt. %, Al in at least about 5 wt. %, In in at least about 5 wt. %, Mn in at least about 5 wt. %, Zn in at least about 5 wt. % and Co in at least about 5 wt. %. The shape memory alloy is configured into a structure including a structural feature having a surface roughness and having a feature extent that is greater than about 1 micron and less than about 1 millimeter. Energy damping of the structural feature is modified by exposing the structural feature to process conditions that alter the surface roughness of the structural feature.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to new, formable and strong aluminum alloys for making packaging products such as bottles and cans.

Abstract: Downhole tools including at least one component made of a doped magnesium alloy solid solution that at least partially degrades in the presence of an electrolyte. The downhole tool is selected from the group consisting of a wellbore isolation device, a completion tool, a drill tool, a testing tool, a slickline tool, a wireline tool, an autonomous tool, a tubing conveyed perforating tool, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: An age-hardenable steel having a composition consisting of: C: 0.05 to 0.20%, Si: 0.01 to 0.50%, Mn: 1.5 to 2.5%, S: 0.005 to 0.08%, Cr: more than 0.50% and not more than 1.6%, Al: 0.005 to 0.05%, V: 0.25 to 0.50%, Mo: 0 to 1.0%, Cu: 0 to 0.3%, Ni: 0 to 0.3%, Ca: 0 to 0.005%, and Bi: 0 to 0.4%, the balance being Fe and impurities. Within the impurities, P?0.03%, Ti<0.005%, and N<0.0080%, and [C+0.3Mn+0.25Cr+0.6Mo?0.68], [C+0.1Si+0.2Mn+0.15Cr+0.35V+0.2Mo?1.05], and [?4.5C+Mn+Cr?3.5V?0.8Mo?0.12]. The steel has hardness before aging of not more than 310 HV. After aging, the fatigue strength is not less than 480 MPa and absorbed energy at 20° C. is not less than 12 J.

Abstract: A conductor that resists plastic deformation is provided for an electronic signal-carrying or electric power-carrying cable, cable assembly, or device. The conducting element itself has favorable mechanical properties and therefore combines plastic deformation resistance with conductance. In one embodiment, the superelastic conductor is fabricated using a shape memory alloy such that the transformation temperature of the superelastic conductor is set outside the useful operating range of the conductor. In another embodiment, the conductor is fabricated using a shape memory alloy that is nominally in a martensitic phase under stress free conditions. In both embodiments, the conductor microstructures are able to accommodate externally applied strain, bending, deformation, or other external displacement through mechanisms which do not involve plastic deformation.

Abstract: A lightweight, selectively degradable composite material is disclosed. The composite material comprises a compacted powder mixture of a first powder, the first powder comprising first metal particles comprising Mg, Al, Mn, or Zn, or an alloy of any of the above, or a combination of any of the above, having a first particle oxidation potential, a second powder, the second powder comprising low-density ceramic, glass, cermet, intermetallic, metal, polymer, or inorganic compound second particles, and a third metal powder, the third metal powder comprising third metal particles having an oxidation potential that is different than the first particle oxidation potential. The compacted powder mixture has a microstructure comprising a matrix comprising the first metal particles, the second particles and third particles dispersed within the matrix, the third particles comprising a network of third particles extending throughout the matrix, the composite material having a density of about 3.5 g/cm3 or less.

Abstract: 3000-series aluminum alloy sheet which has a high strength enabling application to automobile body panel and excellent in bendability and shape freezability is provided.

Abstract: A method for the production of a highly stressable component from an ?+?-titanium aluminide alloy for reciprocating-piston engines and gas turbines, especially for aircraft engines, characterized in that the alloy used is a TiAl alloy with the following composition (in atom %): 40-48% Al; 2-8% Nb; 0.1-9% of at least one ?-phase-stabilizing element selected from Mo, V, Ta, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Fe, Si; 0-0.5% B; and a remainder of Ti and smelting-related impurities, wherein the deformation is carried out in a single stage starting from a preform with a volume distribution varying over the longitudinal axis, wherein the component is deformed isothermally in the ?-phase region at a logarithmic deformation rate of 0.01-0.5 1/s.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide: a molten metal plating furnace that can increase plating quality and work efficiency; a system for producing and method for producing a metal plated product; and a metal plated steel tube obtained by means of the method for producing.