Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnosis, research and therapy, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present invention relates to ncRNAs as diagnostic markers and clinical targets for prostate, lung, breast and pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: A method of sample analysis is provided. In certain embodiments, the method involves: a) amplifying a product from a sample that comprises both wild type copies of a genomic locus and mutant copies of the genomic locus that have a point mutation relative to said wild type copies of the genomic locus, to produce an amplified sample, where: i. the amplifying is done using a first primer and a second primer; and ii. the first primer comprises a 3? terminal nucleotide that base pairs with the point mutation and also comprises a nucleotide sequence that is fully complementary to a sequence in the locus with the exception of a single base mismatch within 6 bases of the 3? terminal nucleotide; and b) detecting the presence of said product in said amplified sample using a flap assay that employs an invasive oligonucleotide. A kit for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for collection and analysis of environmental air dust (EAD) within an individually ventilated cage rack (IVR) environment for detecting pathogens. The method includes collection of an EAD sample by a collection media, isolation of a plurality of nucleic acids (e.g., RNA and/or DNA) representative of one or more infectious agents from the EAD sample, optional reverse transcription of RNA to cDNA if the isolated nucleic acids contain RNA, amplification of the cDNA and/or DNA (e.g., by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)), and assay interpretation. Optionally, the EAD sample may be analyzed with one or more other sample types (e.g., fecal pellets, oral swabs, body swabs, tissue, etc.) to improve detection of low-copy organisms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for determining the presence or absence of a mechanism of antimicrobial resistance in a sample.

Abstract: Cell-free translation and assembly systems allow for HBV capsid assembly under cell-free conditions that also mimic the physiological salt and protein concentrations. These hepatitis virus capsid assembly systems utilize the C-terminal domain (CTD) and N-terminal domain (NTD) of the hepatitis capsid protein in capsid assembly. Uses of the system include the identification of potential new therapeutic strategies and screening of potential therapeutic agents which target these domains and modulate capsid assembly and/or disassembly and other functions of these domains in HBV replication and pathogenesis.

Abstract: Methods of detecting RNA, such as ribosomal RNA (rRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), and others. The methods include heating a cell comprising RNA in a solution to release the RNA from the cell, reverse transcribing the RNA into DNA with an enzyme, amplifying the DNA with the same enzyme, and detecting the amplified DNA. The heating, reverse-transcribing, and amplifying in at least some of the methods are performed at substantially the same temperature and a substantially constant temperature without adding additional reagents during or between the steps. The methods can be used to detect the presence of one cell type as distinguished from another cell type within a sample or to determine levels of gene expression, each without the need for elaborate extraction protocols.

Abstract: A liquid handling system of a PCR system is instructed to obtain a matrix of samples and reagents for a PCR experiment. A fluid pumping system of the PCR system is instructed to maintain a continuous flow of a transport fluid through a plurality of micro-channels that allows the mixture of the samples and the reagents producing a plurality of mixed sample droplets. One or more post-bridge detection values are received from a post-bridge detection system of the PCR system for each mixed sample droplet to determine if the mixed sample droplet is mixed correctly. A thermocycler of the PCR system is instructed to maintain one or more temperatures for cycling the temperature of the plurality of mixed sample droplets. One or more endpoint detection values are received from an endpoint detection system of the PCR system for each mixed sample droplet to analyze the PCR experiment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel strain, Lactobacillus fermentum strain, and a use thereof. Specifically, novel Lactobacillus fermentum PL9988, novel Lactobacillus fermentum PL9037, novel Lactobacillus fermentum PL9038, novel Lactobacillus fermentum PL9039 and novel Lactobacillus fermentum PL9040 strains, isolated from adults in a longevity village, and culture fluids thereof: have no antibiotic resistance transfer; have excellent intestinal cell adhesiveness, acid resistance and bile resistance; inhibit harmful pathogenic organisms in intestines; and have an immunity-enhancing effect, an endotoxin shock suppression effect and an antioxidant effect. In particular, Lactobacillus fermentum PL9988 strain significantly satisfies all of the above-mentioned conditions as a probiotic, and thus can be effectively used as a probiotic for intestinal health and defecation improvement and enhancement, or as a health food.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a process for obtaining a variant yeast strain capable of producing less ethanol in an alcoholic fermentation process than its corresponding ancestral strain. The variant yeast strain is obtained by culturing the ancestral strain in the presence of increasing concentrations of a salt capable of causing an hyperosmotic stress to the ancestral yeast strain. The present disclosure also concerns variant yeast strain obtained from this process (for example the variant yeast strain deposited at Institut Pasteur, on Jan. 9, 2014, under accession number CNCM I-4832, the variant yeast strain deposited at Institut Pasteur, on Oct. 18, 2012 under accession number CNCM I-4684, the variant yeast strain deposited at Institut Pasteur, on Oct. 18, 2012 under accession number CNCM I-4685 and/or the variant yeast strain deposited at Institut Pasteur on Jan. 28, 2015 under accession number CNCM I-4952) as well as processes using the variant yeast strain (wine fermentation for example).

Abstract: A lignocellulosic biomass treatment device (100) includes at least one screw (110) that has spiral screw grooves (110a, 110b) formed in an outer periphery of the screw, a barrel (120) that has a spiral barrel groove (120a) formed in an inner periphery of the barrel, and surrounding a portion of the screw (110) where the screw grooves (110a, 110b) are formed, and a chute (130) to put lignocellulosic biomass into a gap (135) between the screw (110) and the barrel (120). By a rotation of the screw (110), the lignocellulosic biomass is milled while a pressure is applied thereto in the gap (135).

Abstract: Devices and methods for removal of animal hair are provided. The devices and methods can include one or more rotating bodies that form pinch regions for mechanical removal of animal hair.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plant complex for steel production comprising a blast furnace for producing pig iron, a converter steel mill for producing crude steel, a gas-conducting system for gases that occur in the production of pig iron and/or in the production of crude steel, and a power-generating plant for electricity generation. The power-generating plant is operated with a gas that comprises at least a partial amount of the blast-furnace top gas that occurs in the production of pig iron and/or a partial amount of the converter gas. According to the invention, a chemical or biotechnological plant is provided and connected to the gas-conducting system and arranged in parallel with the power-generating plant with respect to the gas supply. Externally obtained electricity and power-generating plant electricity are used to cover the electricity demand of the plant complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing syngas in combined operation with a metallurgical plant which comprises at least one blast furnace for producing crude iron, a converter steel mill and a coke-oven plant. Part of the blast-furnace top gas that is produced in the production of crude iron and/or part of the converter gas that occurs in the converter steel mill and/or part of the coke-oven gas that is produced in the coke-oven plant are mixed. By choosing the gas streams that are brought together to form a mixed gas and/or by changing the mixing ratios of the gas streams that are brought together, at least two streams of useful gas are produced, differing with regard to their composition and respectively prepared to form streams of syngas.

Abstract: A system for fluidized bed reduction of powdered iron ore. Use of high-gas-velocity processing accelerates iron ore reduction speed and greatly improves the gas-treatment capabilities of a unit-cross-sectional fluidized bed. Use of parallel connections involving reduced coal gas lessens the volume of gas passing through a single-stage fluidized bed. Use of serial/parallel-connection processing involving reduced coal gas increases the coal gas utilization rate. The invention achieves the highly-effective reduction of powdered iron ore in a fluidized bed under near-atmospheric pressure. A reduction method based on the present system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for the fluidized direct reduction of iron ore concentrate powder. A two-phase fluidized bed is used for the direct reduction of iron ore concentrate powder. Each phase of the fluidized bed is formed by a bubbling bed and a circulating bed. Use of serial-connection processing involving gas and of high-gas-velocity processing of the circulating bed increase the gas utilization rate and the reduction efficiency of single-phase reduction. Once reduced gases are subjected to preheating, each gas is sent into an initial reduction phase and a final reduction phase so as to implement reduction of minerals. Use of mixed-connection processing involving gas appropriately reduces processing pressure. Hot flue gas produced by combustion in a gas heater is sent to a mineral pre-heating system that is used for pre-heating iron ore concentrate powder.

Abstract: A method for reducing metal oxide containing charge materials (1): reducing the metal oxide containing charge materials (1) in at least two fluidized bed units (RA,RE) by means of a reduction gas (2), wherein at least some of the resulting off-gas (3) is recycled and wherein the metal oxide containing charge materials (1) are conveyed into the fluidized bed unit RE by a propellant gas. Also, apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of making bainitic steels may involve austenitizing a quantity of steel by exposing the quantity of steel to a first temperature. A composition of the quantity of steel may be configured to impede formation of non-bainite ferrite, pearlite, and Widmanstätten ferrite. The quantity of steel may be heat-treated to form bainite by exposing the quantity of steel to a second, lower temperature. The second, lower temperature may be stabilized by exposing the quantity of steel to the second, lower temperature in the presence of a thermal ballast.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-line method for producing workpieces or assemblies (2), in which method the workpieces or assemblies (2) pass through a number of successive workstations (4) by means of a conveyor device (3). Said method is characterised by a hardening step that is carried out in one of the workstations (4), during which step at least one region of the workpiece or assembly (2) is hardened by the application of at least one laser hardening trace (6) by means of a laser device (5), in particular, a laser with programmable focusing optics (PFO) or a linear laser. The invention also relates to a corresponding in-line production plant.

Abstract: Provided are a hot work tool material having an annealed structure effective for producing a finer quenched and tempered structure when made into a hot work tool, and a method for manufacturing a hot work tool. A hot work tool material which has an annealed structure and which is used upon being quenched and tempered, wherein the hot work tool material has a composition that can be adjusted to a martensite structure by the aforementioned quenching, and ferrite grains in a cross-section of the annealed structure of the hot work tool material have, in an oversize cumulative distribution based on the cross-sectional area of the ferrite grains, a grain diameter distribution such that the grain diameter is 25 ?m or less as a circle equivalent diameter when the cumulative cross-sectional area is 90% of the total cross-sectional area. In addition, a method for manufacturing a hot work tool in which quenching and tempering is performed on the aforementioned hot work tool material.

Abstract: A controlled thermal coefficient product manufacturing system and method is disclosed. The disclosed product relates to the manufacture of metallic material product (MMP) having a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) in a predetermined range. The disclosed system and method provides for a first material deformation (FMD) of the MMP that comprises at least some of a first material phase (FMP) wherein the FMP comprises martensite randomly oriented and a first thermal expansion coefficient (FTC). In response to the FMD at least some of the FMP is oriented in at least one predetermined orientation. Subsequent to deformation, the MMP comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient (STC) that is within a predetermined range and wherein the thermal expansion of the MMP is in at least one predetermined direction. The MMP may be comprised of a second material phase (SMP) that may or may not transform to the FMP in response to the FMD.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for improving the steel structure of a steel component after heating including the steps of heating the steel component to a temperature of at least 1100° C., quenching the steel component to a temperature above the martensite start temperature (Ms) to form bainite, and maintaining the steel component at that temperature for a holding time sufficient for transformation of all austenite to bainite, re-heating the steel component to a temperature of at least 580° C. but below the Ac1 transformation temperature, and maintaining the steel component at that temperature for the steel component to exhibit a hardness of 45 Rockwell hardness C or below, and cooling the steel component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for restoring the steel structure of a steel component after heating the steps of heating the steel component to a temperature of at least 1100° C., quenching the steel component to a temperature above the martinsite start temperature (Ms), and maintaining the steel component at that temperature for a holding time sufficient for transformation of all austenite, re-heating the steel component to a temperature of 950 to 1110° C., quenching the steel component to a temperature above the martensite start temperature (Ms), and maintaining the steel component at that temperature for a holding time sufficient for transformation of all austenite, re-heating the steel component to a temperature of above the Ac1 transformation temperature and below 800° C.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for restoring a steel structure for a steel component, such as a soft annealed steel component, a welding joint comprising the steps of welding the steel component to form a welding joint, quenching the steel component to a temperature of above the martensite start temperature (Ms) and maintaining the steel component at that temperature for a holding time sufficient for transformation of all austenite, re-heating the steel component to a temperature of 950 to 1110° C., quenching the steel component to a temperature of above the martensite start temperature (Ms) to form bainite, and maintaining the steel component at that temperature for a holding time sufficient for transformation of all austenite to bainite, re-heating the steel component to a temperature of at least 580° C.

Abstract: Disclosed are a quenched steel sheet and a method for manufacturing the same. The quenched steel sheet according to an aspect of the present invention contains, in terms of wt %, C: 0.05˜0.25%, Si: 0.5% or less (excluding 0), Mn: 0.1˜2.0%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.03% or less, the remainder Fe, and other unavoidable impurities, wherein a refined structure of the steel sheet comprises 90 volume % or more of martensite with a first hardness and martensite with a second hardness.

Abstract: An abrasion resistant steel plate having excellent low-temperature toughness and excellent cracking resistance in a portion which has been heated to a temperature range in which low-temperature temper embrittlement occurs and a method for manufacturing the steel plate. The steel plate includes a microstructure at positions located at ¼ of the thickness and at ¾ of the thickness including a martensite single phase microstructure having an average prior austenaite grain diameter in the range of 20 ?m to 60 ?m, or a mixed microstructure of martensite and bainite having a proportion of martensite-austenite constituent of less than 5% in terms of area ratio with respect to the whole microstructure.

Abstract: A method for creating a formed steel part from a steel sheet is provided. The steel sheet is heated to austenitization temperature. The steel sheet is formed with simultaneous cooling-down. A manganese-rich surface layer of the formed steel sheet is removed.

Abstract: A process for controlling the dissolution of a metal in an acid bath is described. The metal may comprise aluminum and the acid bath may contain a metal catalyst that causes the metal to dissolve. In order to control the rate of dissolution and/or the amount of gas evolved during the process, an iron source is added to the bath. In one embodiment, the process can be used to dissolve aluminum contained in spent fuel assemblies for recovering a nuclear fuel, such as uranium.

Abstract: A microwave thermosolar method and device used in a tubular reactor (110) includes a conveyor for substrates defined as materials thus conveyed. According to this method, a step is provided for circulating an electric current in the conveyor in order to produce heat in this conveyor by Joule effect and optionally to cause, in the substrates, at least some of the following: curing, pyrolyses, gasifications, fusions and chemical reactions including oxidation-reduction reactions, under the action of the electric current.

Abstract: A method for separating zirconium oxide/hafnium oxide by pyrometallurgy. The mixture of zirconium oxide/hafnium oxide, carbon and pure bromine react one hour at 650° C., then added to molten salt mixture for rectifying separation, and then maintained two hours at rectifying tower bottom below 357° C., to get the non-target substance; and then maintained five hours at 357° C. to collect the target substance zirconium tetrabromide; the residue in the reactor is retained, then rectification separation is performed in the same device, heated to 400° C. to retain more than five hours, to get hafnium tetrabromide, then the zirconium tetrabromide and hafnium tetrabromide are substituted by magnesium to get the pure zirconium and pure hafnium.

Abstract: An extractant and a method for the extraction and separation of yttrium are disclosed in the invention. Cations of said extractant are selected from the group of quaternary phosphonium or quaternary ammonium, and the anion is sec-octylphenoxy acetate. The extractant has a simple composition, the formulated organic phase has stable properties and can be recycling used without significantly decreased concentration. The present invention used a mixed organic phase consisting of an extractant and a diluent to extract a rare earth feed liquid containing yttrium, and then washed and back extracted it with deionized water so that the consumption of acid and alkali in all the processes of extraction, washing and back extraction was avoided. Therefore, the extraction is carried out under a low acidity and a high extraction efficiency was ensured. The organic phase can be recycling used without saponification, so that no ammonia wastewater was produced in the processes.

Abstract: Provided is a process for recovering metals from solid radioactive waste, preferably uranium, cesium, mercury, thorium, rare earths or combinations thereof. The process comprises a leaching step and a separation step. The leaching step comprises contacting the solid radioactive waste with an aqueous inorganic acid and a leaching salt to produce a mixture of a metal-rich leachate and a metal-poor waste, which are separated in the separation step. Also provided is a process for recovering metals from solid radioactive waste comprising an attrition step, a leaching step, a washing step, a combination step and a recovery step.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a copper alloy having a high corrosion resistance for a wide range of different lubricants, in particular different base oils and a variation of lubricant additives. The property of a low corrosion tendency for different tribological systems is also combined with good mechanical properties, and a high strength in particular. Furthermore, the alloy has a low wear and a coefficient of friction. The lubricant-compatible copper alloy is suitable for producing gear components that come in contact with lubricant and are exposed to friction stresses, such as synchronizer rings. A method for manufacturing such gear components and a gear having such gear components is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nickel-based superalloys and additive manufacturing processes using nickel-based superalloys are disclosed herein. For example, a nickel-based superalloy includes, on a weight basis of the overall superalloy: about 9.5% to about 10.5% tungsten, about 9.0% to about 11.0% cobalt, about 8.0% to about 8.8% chromium, about 5.3% to about 5.7% aluminum, about 2.8% to about 3.3% tantalum, about 0.3% to about 1.6% hafnium, about 0.5% to about 0.8% molybdenum, about 0.005% to about 0.04% carbon, and a majority of nickel. Exemplary additive manufacturing processes include subjecting such a nickel-based superalloy in powdered build material form to a high energy density beam in an additive manufacturing process to selectively fuse portions of the build material to form a built component and subjecting the built component to a finishing process to precipitate a gamma-prime phase of the nickel-based superalloy.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy is provided which does not contain a rare earth and which achieves, in a high-temperature region of about 200° C., both satisfactory mechanical properties and thermal conductivity. A magnesium alloy including Mg, Ca, Al and Si, where a content of Ca is less than 9.0 mass %, a content of Al is equal to or snore than 0.5 mass % but less than 5.7 mass %, a content of Si is equal to or less than 1.3 mass % and Al+8Ca?20.5%.

Abstract: A magnesium casting alloy is provided in which unlike an extruded alloy, a large amount of energy and a large cost are not needed for plastic processing, and in which in a high-temperature region of about 200 to 250° C., both mechanical properties and thermal conductivity are achieved. A magnesium casting alloy including Mg, Zn and Y, where a content of Zn is equal to or more than 1.2 atomic % but equal to or less than 4.0 atomic %, a content of Y is equal to or more than 1.2 atomic % but equal to or less than 4.0 atomic %, a composition ratio Zn/Y of Zn to Y is equal to or more than 0.65 but equal to or less than 1.35 and an Mg purity of an Mg mother phase is equal to or more than 97.0%.

Abstract: A ceramic steel, which is composed of a ceramic phase and a metal phase. The ceramic phase is the boride consisted of one or more elements of Fe, Co, Ni, and one or more metal elements of IVB, VB and VIB of the fourth, fifth and sixth periodic metals. And the metal phase is an alloy composed of Mo and one or more metal elements of Fe, Co, Ni. The ceramic steel has properties of high hardness, excellent wear resistance, corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, and has good weldability with steel and other metal materials. The ceramic steel can be used for producing knives, cutting tools, and all kinds of wear resistant, corrosion resistant, high temperature resistant materials and all kinds of structural components.

Abstract: A high strength cast aluminium alloy for high pressure die casting comprising magnesium silicide 6 to 12 wt. %, magnesium 4 to 10 wt. %, X element from copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), silver (Ag), gold (Au) and Lithium (Li) at 3 to 10 wt. %,manganese 0.1 to 1.2 wt. %, iron max. 1.5 wt. %, titanium or the other grain refining elements from Cr, Nb, and Sc with 0.02 to 0.4 wt. %, and impurity and minor alloying elements at a level of maximum 0.3 wt. % and totally <0.5% of at least one element selected from scandium (Sc), zirconium (Zr), Nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), niobium (Nb), gadolinium (Gd), calcium (Ca), yttrium (Y), antinomy (Sb), bismuth (Bi), neodymium (Nd), ytterbium (Yb), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), beryllium (Be) and boron (B) and the remainder aluminium.

Abstract: A steel wire rod for a spring includes: C: 0.2 to 1.2%, Si: 1.0 to 3%, Mn: 0.1 to 2%, Cr: 3% or less (not inclusive of 0%), Al: 0.0002 to 0.005%, Ca: 0.0002 to 0.002%, Ti: 0.0003 to 0.010%, and balance: iron and unavoidable impurities. An average composition of oxide-based inclusions having a minor axis of 1 ?m or more which are present in a cross section satisfies CaO: 35% or less, Al2O3: 40% or less, SiO2: 30 to 95%, MgO: 8% or less, MnO: 5% or less, TiO2: 3 to 10%, and CaO+Al2O3+SiO2+MgO+MnO+TiO2?80%. The number of oxide-based inclusions having a minor axis of 2 ?m or more which are present in the cross section is more than 0.002 inclusions/mm2.

Abstract: A method for the production of iron-based alloy powders, or particulate materials, through rotating or centrifugal atomization (CA) is disclosed. The invention is suitable for obtaining steel powder, especially tool steel powder, high strength steels and other iron-based alloys of similar properties by means of centrifugal atomization, particularly conducted by means of a rotating element atomization technique. The fine, smooth, low oxygen content and low satellite, or even satellite-free, powder is atomized by a cooled rotating atomization device (e.g. disk, cup, . . . ) with various geometries in an atomization chamber under a preferably non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for reducing the speed of propagation of a crack in a metal substrate by means of laser heat treatment can include heating the metal substrate with a laser heat treatment at one or more crack ends, wherein the laser beam is guided over the substrate surface so that it defines the form of an oval, an arc or a curve. Alternatively, the substrate can be treated by means of laser heat treatment before a crack arises. For example, areas at risk of cracking are identified in a metal substrate and the metal substrate is then heated by means of laser heat treatment in these areas, wherein the laser beam is guided over the substrate surface so that it defines the form of an oval, an arc or a curve. Also disclosed herein are metal substrates produced by the method and the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thick plate high strength 7xxx aluminum alloy product comprising 8.0 to 8.4 wt. % Zn, 1.5 to 2.0 wt. % Mg, 1.1 to 1.5 wt. % Cu, and 0.05 to 0.15 wt. % Zr, 4.0 to 5.3 of Zn/Mg weight percentage ratio, 0.14 to 0.19 of Cu/Zn weight percentage ratio, and 10.7 to 11.6 wt. % of Cu+Mg+Zn. This alloy can be fabricated to produce 3-10 inch thick plate, extrusion or forging products, and is especially suitable for aerospace structural components, especially large commercial airplane wing structure applications. The product provides high strength, high damage tolerance performance as well as better corrosion resistance performance suitable for aerospace application.

Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products and methods of making the same are disclosed. The new methods may include preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product for solution heat treatment, solution heat treating and then quenching the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product, and then exposing the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product to a treatment temperature of from 30° C. to 60° C. for 0.2 to 300 seconds. After the exposing step, the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product may be coiled and then placed in an ambient environment. Due to the post-quench heating and subsequent exposure to ambient, a preselected amount of Newtonian cooling may be induced, thereby creating a unique and consistent microstructure within the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products.

Abstract: Articles coated with a porous, segmented thermal barrier coating. The coating described has a density less than about 88% of the theoretical density. Multi-layer articles and methods of applying the thermal barrier coatings to an article are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an OLED material vacuum thermal evaporating mask plate, comprising a mask frame (1), a quickset (3) fixed on the mask frame (1) and a mask (5) fixed on the quickset (3); the mask frame (1) comprises four edges, and the four edges surround to form an opening corresponding to the mask (5); each edge of the mask frame (1) comprises a groove (11) dented at the upper surface; the quickset (3) is fixed in the groove (11); the mask (5) is fixed on the quickset (3) by point weld, and welding points (7) are on the quickset (3). When the mask deforms and the replacement is necessary, only the quickset is extracted for polishing or is replaced. The mask frame can be repeatedly used to diminish the waste amount and to raise the availability of the mask frame. Meanwhile, the spare amount of the mask frame can be reduced to save material and production cost.

Abstract: A hard coating containing at least one layer including chromium, aluminum, tantalum and nitrogen as main components and a chemical composition (AlaCrbTac)N in which the following conditions are satisfied: a=x, (1-c), b=(1-x)·(1-c), 0.60?x?0.70, and 0.01?c?0.5. The layer has an X-ray diffraction peak intensity ratio of 1200/(1200+I111)?0.25. The application also relates to a reactive arc ion plating PVD process for making the hard coating.

Abstract: An oxide sintered body which, when made into an oxide semiconductor thin film by sputtering, can achieve low carrier density and high carrier mobility, and a sputtering target using said oxide sintered body are provided. This oxide sintered body contains indium, gallium and zinc as oxides. The gallium content is 0.20 or more and 0.49 or less in terms of Ga/(In+Ga) atomic ratio, and the zinc content is 0.0001 or more and less than 0.08 in terms of Zn/(In+Ga+Zn) atomic ratio. This amorphous oxide semiconductor thin film is formed with the oxide sintered body as a sputtering target, and can achieve a carrier density of 4.0×1018 cm?3 or less and a carrier mobility of 10 cm2/V*s or greater.

Abstract: An oxide sintered body which, when made into an oxide semiconductor thin film by sputtering, can achieve low carrier density and high carrier mobility, and a sputtering target using said oxide sintered body are provided. This oxide sintered body contains indium, gallium and zinc as oxides. The gallium content is 0.08 or more and less than 0.20 in terms of Ga/(In+Ga) atomic ratio, and the zinc content is 0.0001 or more and less than 0.08 in terms of Zn/(In+Ga+Zn) atomic ratio. This crystalline oxide semiconductor thin film is formed with the oxide sintered body as a sputtering target, and can achieve a carrier density of 8.0×1017 cm?3 or less and a carrier mobility of 10 cm2/V·s or greater.

Abstract: Processes for refurbishing a spent sputtering target with a non-circular shape are disclosed. In one form, the processes include the steps of receiving one or more spent sputtering targets, inspecting and weighing the spent sputtering targets, removing any contaminants or other surface impurities from the spent sputtering target surfaces, preparing a hot press die with spacers, disposing the spent sputtering targets in the hot press die, the spacers used to center the spent sputtering targets therein, loading fresh metal refilling powder into the die to account for depleted regions of the spent sputtering targets to produce a powder-filled sputtering target, and applying sufficient heat and force to the filled sputtering target to produce a refurbished sputtering target with homogeneous composition and sufficient adhesion strength.

Abstract: An anode layer ion source includes a magnetic field generating member, an upper cathode electrode, a lower cathode electrode, a case member, and an anode electrode. The magnetic field generating member generates a magnetic field. The upper cathode electrode and the lower cathode respectively have two end members and form an opening there between. The two end members are two ends of the opening and guide the magnetic field to the opening, and the magnetic field in the openings is substantially parallel to the connection of two ends of the opening. The case member, the upper cathode electrode, and the lower cathode electrode form an accommodating cavity. The anode electrode is disposed in the accommodating cavity and generates an electric field to the opening. The electric field in the opening is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field in the opening.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and apparatus for electrically grounding a shadow mask for use in a deposition chamber. In one embodiment, a substrate support is provided and includes a substrate receiving surface, and a plurality of compressible grounding devices disposed about a periphery of the substrate receiving surface. Each of the plurality of grounding devices comprises a base member fixed to the substrate support, and a biasing assembly movably disposed in the base member.