Abstract: A microarray assembly for detection of a target molecule is disclosed. The microarray assemblies comprise an array chamber having a microarray located therein and features that facilitate liquid movement within the array chamber. Also disclosed are methods for making the microarray assembly using rollable films and methods for detecting microarray spots using an internal control fluorophore in the array spot.

Abstract: A sample handling method may include drawing an encapsulating liquid from an encapsulating-liquid input; discharging the drawn encapsulating liquid (a) onto a free surface of a carrier liquid in a carrier-liquid conduit having a stabilization feature and (b) proximate to the stabilization feature, the encapsulating liquid being immiscible with the carrier liquid, so that the discharged encapsulating liquid does not mix with the carrier liquid, floats on top of the carrier liquid, and is immobilized by the stabilization feature; drawing a sample liquid from a sample-liquid input; and discharging the drawn sample liquid, the sample liquid being immiscible with the encapsulating liquid and with the carrier liquid, so that the sample liquid does not mix with the encapsulating liquid or with the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A method for decomposing a target nucleic acid polymer, comprising: bonding a probe nucleic acid polymer and a microparticle to form a probe nucleic acid polymer-bonded microparticle, adding a target nucleic acid polymer to the probe nucleic acid polymer contained within the probe nucleic acid polymer-bonded microparticle to form an addition microparticle, and energizing the microparticle contained within the addition microparticle into a high-energy state and then using energy transfer from this high-energy state microparticle to decompose the target nucleic acid polymer.

Abstract: Currently, the circularization of small RNAs is broadly regarded as an obstacle in ligation-related assays and explicitly avoided while short lengths of linear RNA targets is broadly recognized as a factor limiting use of conventional primers in PCR-related assays. In contrast, the disclosed invention capitalizes on circularization of small RNA targets or their conjugates with oligonucleotide adapters. The circular RNA templates provide amplification of the target sequences via synthesis of multimer nucleic acids that can be either labeled for direct detection or subjected to PCR amplification and detection. Structure of small circular RNAs and corresponding multimeric nucleic acids provide certain advantages over current methods including flexibility in design of conventional RT and PCR primers as well as use of 5?-overlapping dimer-primers for efficient and sequence-specific amplification of short target sequences.

Abstract: A sensor device, which is adapted for detecting target molecules having a target nucleic acid sequence, comprises an optical whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator having a resonance frequency, wherein the WGM resonator is functionalized with a double-strand DNA precursor compound and the resonance frequency depends on a mass load provided by the double-strand precursor compound, the double-strand precursor compound is capable of a target-specific strand displacement reaction with the target molecules, and in response to the strand displacement reaction, the double-strand precursor compound is capable to be partially decoupled from the WGM resonator, wherein the mass load can be decreased and the resonance frequency of the WGM resonator can be increased. Furthermore, a sensing method for detecting target molecules including nucleic acid sequences is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the high throughput identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms by performing a complexity reduction on two or more samples to yield two or more libraries, sequencing at least part of the libraries, aligning the identified sequences and determining any putative single nucleotide polymorphisms, confirming any putative single nucleotide polymorphism, generating detection probes for the confirmed single nucleotide polymorphisms, subjection a test sample to the same complexity reduction to provide a test library and screen the test library for the presence or absence of the single nucleotide polymorphisms using the detection probe.

Abstract: A DNA library, and a preparing method thereof, a method of determining DNA sequence information, an apparatus and a kit for detecting SNPs, and a method for genotyping may be provided. The method for preparing the DNA library may comprise the steps of: digesting a genomic DNA sample using a restriction endonuclease to obtain a digested product, wherein the restriction endonuclease comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of Mbo II and Tsp 45I; separating the digested product to obtain DNA fragments having a length of 100 bp to 1,000 bp; end-repairing the DNA fragments to obtain an end-repaired DNA fragments; adding a base A to the end of the end-repaired DNA fragments to obtain DNA fragments having a terminal base A; and ligating the DNA fragments having the terminal base A with sequencing adaptors to obtain the DNA library.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the specific selection of target molecules, wherein immobilized capture molecules can be organized in a microarray in the form of spots or lines. In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method of specifically selecting target molecules in a reaction zone, as well as the use of such a device for specifically selecting target molecules, e.g. for target enrichment, or microarray based genome selection (MGS).

Abstract: An article such as a biosensor having a nonfouling surface thereon is described. The article comprises: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; (c) a polymer layer comprising brush molecules formed on the linking layer; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.) coupled to the brush molecules. The polymer layer is preferably formed by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon. Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form the brush molecule on the surface portion. Methods of using the articles are also described.

Abstract: Universal reference dye mixtures for quantitative amplification, and uses thereof, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for detecting, quantifying, and/or high-throughput-profiling microRNAs. Advantageously, the present invention is more sensitive and specific than other currently-available miRNA qPCR assays. In addition, the present invention is convenient, easy-to-perform, and cost-effective. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a universal primer for reverse transcription of all miRNAs, a universal reverse primer for PCR amplification reaction, and universal probes. In another embodiment, the present invention provides assays that allow simultaneous detection and/or quantification of a plurality of target miRNAs using a single reverse transcription reaction.

Abstract: Provided are devices comprising multivolume analysis regions, the devices being capable of supporting amplification, detection, and other processes. Also provided are related methods of detecting or estimating the presence nucleic acids, viral levels, and other biological markers of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the in vivo localization of double-strand breaks in a host cell, comprising incubating a host cell suspected to comprise DNA double-strand breaks and a linear polynucleotide comprising a known sequence, detecting the in vivo insertion sites of said polynucleotide in the genome of said host cell, and assessing the in vivo localization of double-strand breaks. Further envisaged by the present invention is a method for obtaining an endonuclease with altered in vivo specificity. Finally, the present invention is directed to a kit for determining in vivo specificity of an endonuclease.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for determining the fraction of fetal nucleic acids in a maternal sample comprising a mixture of fetal and maternal nucleic acids. The fraction of fetal nucleic acids can be used in determining the presence or absence of fetal aneuploidy.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for determining a nucleic acid sequence, said method comprising: a) denaturing a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule corresponding to the said nucleic acid sequence; b) hybridizing a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule, the primer, with the said denatured double-stranded nucleic acid molecule; c) applying a tension to the hybridized primer/double-stranded nucleic acid molecule obtained in b); d) incubating the hybridized primer/double-stranded nucleic acid molecule obtained in b) with a polymerase in conditions which will lead to at least one pause in replication; and e) determining a position of the said pause in replication with respect to one end of the double-stranded nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining a nucleic acid sequence by performing successive cycles of duplex extension along a single stranded template. The cycles comprise steps of extension, ligation, and, preferably, cleavage. In certain embodiments the methods make use of extension probes containing phosphorothiolate linkages and employ agents appropriate to cleave such linkages. The invention provides methods of determining information about a sequence using at least two distinguishably labeled probe families. In certain embodiments the methods acquire less than 2 bits of information from each of a plurality of nucleotides in the template in each cycle. In certain embodiments the sequencing reactions are performed on templates attached to immobilized beads. The invention further provides sets of labeled extension probes containing phosphorothiolate linkages.

Abstract: Methods and kits for selectively enriching non-random polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods and kits for generating libraries of sequences are provided. Methods of using selectively enriched non-random polynucleotide sequences for detection of fetal aneuploidy are provided.

Abstract: Methods of detecting sepsis in a sample from a patient are provided. Methods of detecting changes in expression of one or more microRNAs associated with sepsis are also provided. Compositions and kits are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting Nrf1 activity are provided for enhancing apoptosis in mammalian cells. Apoptosis is enhanced in mammalian cells by co-inhibiting Nrf1 activity and proteasome activity. Methods for identifying Nrf1 inhibitors are provided using an assay for screening Nrf1 inhibitors that enhance proteasome inhibition by preventing induced proteasome expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to development, validation and application of new sets of biomarkers for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders including early diagnosis of MCI and early prodrome of AD, identification of disease sub types, prediction of their response to disease management procedures, drugs and their combinations and for monitoring response for these treatments, including validation of biomarkers for clinical trials.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, kits, and compositions related to nucleic acid detection assays that allow discrimination of multiple target sequences with a single probe. In particular, provided herein are methods kits, and compositions that include single-probe target sequence discrimination where different target amplicons may have identical probe hybridization sequences by employing multiple temperature end-point signal probe detection. Also provided herein are methods, kits, and compositions for distinguishing between two or more target amplicons using multiple-temperature end-point probe detection. In certain embodiments, asymmetric PCR amplification methods are employed (e.g., LATE-PCR amplification).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the diagnosis, and/or the classification, of a hematological disorder, including the steps of: a). measuring, the expression level of at least the genes of a sub-group of 6 genes, b). comparing the expression level of each genes measured in step a)., with the expression level of the same genes in healthy control sample, and c). determining the status of the biological sample.

Abstract: Isolated nucleotides encoding polypeptides with mutations leading to amino acid substitutions linked to hereditary kidney disease or malformation of the urinary tract are provided herein. Constructs, cells, probes and inhibitory molecules comprising these mutations are also provided and may be used in screening assays for candidate agents to treat or reverse these diseases or alternatively to provide diagnostic tests. Methods of diagnosing subjects likely to develop these diseases or to be carriers of these diseases are also provided.

Abstract: The invention features methods to predict the response to a cardiac therapy in a patient suffering from a cardiac disease, e.g., heart failure. The invention features measurement expression of biomarkers that help in this prediction. The invention also features methods for treatment of cardiac diseases. These methods include cardiac resynchronization therapy and miRNA based therapeutics.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma or precursor lesions in a female subject and a kit for performing such diagnosis are provided. The method comprises the steps of (1) preparing epithelial cells of a sample of the subject obtained from a rinse of the uterine cavity and, optionally, the fallopian tubes, and (2) performing an analysis of the cells to determine an abnormality associated with ovarian or endometrial cancer, where the abnormality is indicative of adenocarcinoma or a precursor lesion.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods of characterizing a melanoma in a subject by measuring amounts of one or more RNAs, miRNAs, and/or polypeptides present in cancer-derived microvesicles isolated from a biological sample from the subject.

Abstract: This invention concerns pathological angiogenesis and cancer, related treatment methods, and related compositions. Also disclosed are related diagnosis kits and methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of determining the prognosis of thymic cancer in a subject comprising detecting a mutation in the general transcription factor IIi (GTF2I) genetic sequence or protein. The presence of a GTF2I mutation indicates that the thymic cancer is indolent.

Abstract: Various methods and compositions are provided for identifying and/or selecting soybean plants or soybean germplasm with tolerance or improved tolerance to Phytophthora infection. In certain embodiments, the method comprises detecting at least one marker locus that is associated with tolerance to Phytophthora infection. In other embodiments, the method further comprises detecting at least one marker profile or haplotype associated with tolerance to Phytophthora infection. In further embodiments, the method comprises crossing a selected soybean plant with a second soybean plant. Further provided are markers, primers, probes and kits useful for identifying and/or selecting soybean plants or soybean germplasm with tolerance or improved tolerance to Phytophthora infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detecting and identifying plant events that contain precision targeted genomic loci, and plants and plant cells comprising such targeted genomic loci. The method can be deployed as a high throughput process utilized for screening the intactness or disruption of a targeted genomic loci and optionally for detecting a donor DNA polynucleotide insertion at the targeted genomic loci. The methods are readily applicable for the identification of plant events produced via a targeting method which results from the use of a site specific nuclease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying compounds that modulate untranslated region-dependent expression of a target gene. The invention particularly relates to using untranslated regions of a target gene or fragments thereof linked to a reporter gene to identify compounds that modulate untranslated region-dependent expression of a target gene. The methods of the present invention provide a simple, sensitive assay for high-throughput screening of libraries of compounds to identify pharmaceutical leads.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure provides methods and systems for identifying viral nucleic acids in a sample. In another embodiment the invention provides methods for viral genome assembly and viral discovery using small inhibitory RNAs, or “small silencing,” RNAs (siRNAS), micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and/or PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), including siRNAS, miRNAs and/or piRNAs isolated or sequenced from invertebrate organisms such as insects (Anthropoda), nematodes (Nemapoda), Mollusca, Porifera, and other invertebrates, and/or plants, fungi or algae, Cyanobacteria and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining whether a human immunodeficiency virus is likely to be have enhanced ability to enter a cell expressing CD4 and CXCR4 relative to a reference HIV. In certain aspects, the methods comprise detecting one or more amino acids in an envelope protein of the HIV associated with enhanced ability to enter CD4- and CXCR4-expressing cells and determining that the HIV's ability to enter such cells is enhanced relative to a reference HIV, e.g., an HIV that does not comprise such amino acid(s).

Abstract: The invention provides novel mutant thermostable DNA polymerases having desirable properties such as increased polymerase efficiency and speed, increased affinity to DNA substrates and/or increased resistance to DNA polymerase inhibitors. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of producing, amplifying and/or sequencing nucleic acid molecules (particularly cDNA molecules) using kits, compositions and/or reactions mixtures containing such novel DNA polymerases.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.

Abstract: A process for the hydrolysis of xylose/arabinose-containing polymers, present in biomass material. The hydrolysis is performed by acid which is generated via salts present in the substrate, and whereby acid is constantly recycled, thereby strongly reducing salt discharge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of processing lignocellulosic material to obtain hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose and other high-value products. Also provided are hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose, and other high-value products.

Abstract: The present invention is a hair controller for mounting on a stretching machine used for stretching a pelt on a pelt board. The stretching machine has at least one holder for engaging the pelt. The hair controller includes a device for moving hair aside to expose a selected area of leather on the pelt, in particular the area of leather engaged by the holder. Also disclosed is a method for moving the hair of a pelt aside before the pelt is fixed by a holder in a stretching machine.

Abstract: A cleaning tool that includes an acoustic cavitation duct that cleans particles within a continuous flow of slurry. In one embodiment, the acoustic cavitation duct includes an elongated fluid passageway for carrying the flow of slurry. A number of ultrasonic transducers are spaced from one another along the length of the passageway and induce cavitation into the slurry as it travels through the duct. The cavitation promotes the cleaning of the slurry particles. In one example, the transducers operate at differing frequencies.

Abstract: A method of producing molten steel supplies gaseous oxygen from a top blowing lance into a converter to perform decarburization refining of molten iron while adding a CaO-containing powdery dephosphorizing agent to simultaneously decarburize and dephosphorize the molten iron and includes supplying the dephosphorizing agent to a bath surface of the molten iron together with at least one gas jet from the top blowing lance and a dynamic pressure determined when a gas jet blown from respective lance nozzles of the top blowing lance impinges onto the bath surface of the molten iron is controlled to not more than 0.50 kgf/cm2.

Abstract: Metallic alloys are disclosed containing Fe at 48.0 to 81.0 atomic percent, B at 2.0 to 8.0 atomic percent, Si at 4.0 to 14.0 atomic percent, and at least one or more of Cu, Mn or Ni, wherein the Cu is present at 0.1 to 6.0 atomic percent, Mn is present at 0.1 to 21.0 atomic percent and Ni is present at 0.1 to 16.0 atomic percent. The alloys may be heated at temperatures of 200° C. to 850° C. for a time period of up to 1 hour and upon cooling there is no eutectoid transformation. The alloys may then be formed into a selected shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a furnace system and a method for the controlled heat treatment of sheet metal components in individual component zones. The invention proposes a furnace system that is suitable for partly heating components made of steel sheet to a temperature above the AC3 temperature. The furnace system has a production furnace for heating the steel sheet parts to a temperature that is close to but below the AC3 temperature, said furnace system further having a profiling furnace with at least one level. The at least one level has an upper and a lower part and a product-specific intermediate flange that is introduced into a corresponding receiving area. The product-specific intermediate flange is designed to impose a specified temperature profile on the component with temperatures over AC3 for regions to be hardened and below AC3 for softer regions. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for partly heating steel sheet parts to a temperature above the AC3 temperature.

Abstract: In order to selectively extract copper and/or lead from an acidic solution containing high concentrations of manganese, etc., the valuable-metal extracting agent of the present invention is expressed by general formula (1). In the formula, R1 and R2 each represent the same or different alkyl groups, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a given group, other than an amino group, that bonds with an ? carbon as an amino acid. In general formula (1), the inclusion of a glycine unit, a histidine unit, a lysine unit, an asparagine acid unit, or a normal methylglycine unit is preferred. When using the extracting agent to extract copper/and lead, it is preferable that the pH of the acidic solution be adjusted to 1.0-5.5 inclusive.

Abstract: A copper alloy subjected to a thermo-mechanical treatment and composed of (in wt %) 15.5 to 36.0% Zn, 0.3 to 3.0% Sn, 0.1 to 1.5% Fe, optionally 0.001 to 0.4% P, optionally 0.01 to 0.1% Al, optionally 0.01 to 0.03% Ag, Mg, Zr, In, Co, Cr, Ti, Mn, optionally 0.05 to 0.5% Ni, the remainder being copper and unavoidable contaminants, wherein the microstructure of the alloy is characterized in that the proportions of the main texture orientations are at least 10 vl % copper orientation, at least 10 vl % S/R orientation, at least 5 vl % brass orientation, at least 2 vl % Goss orientation, at least 2 vl % 22RD-cube orientation, at least 0.5 vl % cube orientation, and finely distributed iron-containing particles are contained in the alloy matrix.

Abstract: Manufacturing method of a copper alloy sheet including melting and casting a raw material of a copper alloy having a composition containing 1.0 mass % to 3.5 mass % Ni, 0.5 mass % to 2.0 mass % Co, and 0.3 mass % to 1.5 mass % Si with a balance being composed of Cu and an unavoidable impurity. The method includes the steps of first cold rolling, intermediate annealing, second cold rolling, a solution heat treatment and aging. The solution heat treatment includes: heating at 800° C. to 1020° C.; first quenching to 500° C. to 800° C.; maintaining the 500° C. to 800° C. temperature for 10 seconds to 600 seconds; and second quenching to 300° C. or lower.

Abstract: There is provided a chromium-containing austenitic alloy wherein at least one surface of the surfaces of the alloy has a continuous chromium oxide film with a thickness of 5 nm or more and less than 50 nm. A maximum current density determined by a critical passivation current density method is 0.1 ?A/cm2 or less when the chromium oxide film is continuous. A chemical composition of a base metal preferably consists of, by mass percent, C: 0.15% or less, Si: 1.00% or less, Mn: 2.0% or less, P: 0.030% or less, S: 0.030% or less, Cr: 10.0 to 40.0%, Ni: 8.0 to 80.0%, Ti: 0.5% or less, Cu: 0.6% or less, Al: 0.5% or less, and N: 0.20% or less, the balance being Fe and impurities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing AlMn strip or sheet for making components by brazing, as well as the products obtained by said method. In particular this method is related to fin materials used in heat exchangers. The fins can be delivered with or without a cladding depending on application. Rolling slabs are produced from a melt which contains 0.3-1.5% Si, ?0.5% Fe, ?0.3% Cu, 1.0-2.0% Mn, ?0.5% Mg, ?4.0% Zn, ?0.3% each of elements from group IVb, Vb, or VIb elements, and unavoidable impurity elements, as well as aluminum as the remainder in which the rolling slabs prior to hot rolling are preheated at a preheating temperature of less than 550° C., preferably between 400 and 520° C., more preferably between 450 and 520° C. to control the number and size of dispersoid particles, and the preheated rolling slab is hot rolled into a hot strip. The strip is thereafter cold rolled into a strip with a total reduction of at least 90%, and the cold rolled strip is heat treated to obtain a 0.

Abstract: A wear-resistant aluminum alloy having a complex microstructure may include a range of about 19 to 27 wt % of zinc (Zn); a range of about 3 to 5 wt % of tin (Sn); a range of about 0.6 to 2.0 wt % of iron (Fe); and a balance of aluminum (Al).

Abstract: A wear-resistant alloy having a complex microstructure, which may include a range of about 28 to 38 wt % of zinc (Zn), a range of about 1 to 3 wt % of tin (Sn), a range of about 0.4 to 1.4 wt of iron (Fe) and a balance of aluminum (Al), is provided.

Abstract: A process for producing high strength steel is provided. The process includes providing a steel slab having a chemical composition in weight percent within a range of 0.025-0.07 C, 1.20-1.70 Mn, 0.050-0.085 Nb, 0.022 max Ti, 0.065 max N, 0.0040 max S, 0.10-0.45 Si, 0.070 max P, with the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. The steel slab is soaked within a temperature range of 1150-1230° C., hot rolled using a roughing treatment in order to produce a transfer bar and further hot rolled using a finishing treatment in order to produce hot rolled strip. The hot rolled strip is cooled using a cooling rate between 10-100° C./second (sec) and coiled within a temperature range of 580-400° C. Finally, the coiled hot rolled strip has a yield strength of at least 80 ksi and a DWTT transition temperature equal or less than ?20° C.