Abstract: This application discloses methods, systems and kits for correlating the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences within a population with the ability to create immune tolerance in that same population. Tolerance can be induced by solo or repeated administration of antigen, including soluble antigens administered either intravenously or sublingually. This application also discloses methods for detecting variants. In addition the application addresses the use or avoidance of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs in therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of comparing disease markers obtained from subject samples to test for, detect, or diagnose autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and a disease marker for such disease. The method for detecting autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and the method for screening for an agent for treatment or prevention of such disease comprise detecting a gene that is expressed specifically in cases of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, including IGFBP7.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the risk of acute kidney injury comprising determining the amount of a marker selected from VCAN, NRP1, CCL2, CCL19, COL3A1, GZMM or any combination thereof in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnosis and/or prognosis of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events. A prognostic risk score in relation to the cardiovascular events, more particular after intervention, can be determined by counting the number of deregulated genes (or derived proteins) in their isolated monocytes. Deregulation means low expression of COX1 and/or COX4I1, and/or TFAM, and/or RUNX2.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for diagnosis or prognosis of Alzheimer's disease in a patient. The methods may include assessing whether a patient has Alzheimer's disease or assessing a patient's risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. The methods typically include determining, either directly or indirectly, whether the patient has mutations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, in a plurality of genes that encode gene products that function in steroid biosynthesis.

Abstract: Novel mutant ESR1 molecules and uses are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for classifying a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of a subject into a GCB-DLBCL or into a ABC-DLBCL comprising the step of determining the expression level of 10 genes in a tumor tissue sample obtained from the subject by performing a Reverse Transcriptase Multiplex Ligation dependent Probe Amplification (RT-MLPA) assay wherein the 10 genes are NEK6, IRF4, IGHM, LMO2, FOXP1, TNFRSF9, BCL6, TNFRSF13B, CCND2 and MYBL1.

Abstract: Cancer immunology provides promising new avenues for cancer treatment but validation of potential neoantigens to target is costly and expensive. Analysis of MHC binding affinity, antigen processing, similarity to known antigens, predicted expression levels (as mRNA or proteins), self-similarity, and mutant allele frequency, provides screening method to identify and prioritize candidate neoantigens using sequencing data. Methods of the invention thereby save time and money by identifying the priority candidate neoantigens for further experimental validation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for classification of thyroid tumors through the analysis of the expression patterns of specific microRNAs in fine needle aspiration samples. Thyroid tumor classification according to a microRNA expression signature allows optimization of diagnosis and treatment, as well as determination of signature-specific therapy.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing living cells in a living state with high accuracy. A method for distinguishing a desired cell type from a cell group comprising two or more types of cells, using the expression of miRNA as an indicator, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (1) a step of introducing mRNA comprising a marker gene operably linked to the target sequence of miRNA used as an indicator into a cell group; and (2) a step of distinguishing a cell type, using the translation level of the marker gene as an indicator.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the differential detection of high risk forms of HPV from a urine sample provided by a patient. Specifically, the invention provides primers and probes that specifically recognize and bind sequences within the E1 gene of HPV. Detection of high risk forms of HPV identifies individuals at risk of developing or in the early stages of cervical carcinoma.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing process performance in a biological process comprising at least one process step, the method comprising: (a) an identification phase, in which at least seven factors are identified, wherein a factor is defined as a feature of or within a process that when modified will affect the performance of the process, and wherein the factors are selected from at least one process factor and at least one genetic factor; (b) a factor screening phase, in which individual and combined contributions to process performance of each of the at least seven factors are determined, such that at least one multi-factorial interaction is identified; and (c) a refinement phase, in which higher order interactions that result in an increase in process performance between the at least seven factors are identified and tested. The method may be incorporated within automated laboratory and design of experiment systems.

Abstract: A detection wave from a transmitting/receiving means is guided to the interior of a blast furnace via an antenna and a reflecting plate, and when a reflected wave from the surface of a loaded material is reflected by the reflecting plate and received by the transmitting/receiving means, the reflecting plate is rotated together with the antenna, or the reflecting plate is rotated additionally, and the surface profile of the loaded material is measured by scanning the surface of the loaded material in a linear manner or a planar manner during the turning of a chute or for each prescribed turn of the chute. A deposition profile is obtained on the basis of this surface profile and is compared to a predetermined theoretical deposition profile, and the chute is controlled so as to correct the error with respect to the theoretical deposition profile and then which new loaded material is introduced.

Abstract: A fine-grained alloy steel includes iron (Fe) as a main component, and 0.40 to 0.55% by weight of carbon (C), 0.20 to 0.40% by weight of silicon (Si), 0.8 to 1.0% by weight of manganese (Mn), 0.8 to 1.2% by weight of chromium (Cr), 0.045% by weight of aluminum (Al), and inevitable impurities, based on a total weight of the alloy steel.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the issue of providing a heat treatment system and a heat treatment method whereby the inner circumference of a cylindrical workpiece can be reliably cooled regardless of the dimensions or shape of the workpiece and productivity can be improved, during quenching of the inner circumference of the cylindrical workpiece. The present invention has: rotating devices 18, 19 that rotate the cylindrical workpiece 11: holding members 181, 191 that hold the cylindrical workpiece 11 at a prescribed position; a heating member 16 that heats the cylindrical workpiece 11 from the inner circumferential surface side; a cooling device 17 that injects cooling fluid and cools the cylindrical workpiece 11 from the outer circumferential surface side; and a injecting device 34 provided at a position separated from the cooling device 17 and which inject the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A surface of a steel material cut to a desired shape and carbonitrided is heated by excitation and thereafter repeatedly heated/cooled a predetermined number of times, such that an ultrafine crystal layer is formed immediately under the surface of the steel material and at least a predetermined number of cracks are formed under the formed ultrafine crystal layer, thereby enabling to increase toughness of the surface or immediately thereunder and enhance tenacity and inhibiting growth of cracks.

Abstract: A method for cost effectively case hardening a component formed from a martensitic stainless steel material with a desired metallurgical condition for high temperature, high rolling contact fatigue, corrosion and spall initiation and propagation resistance bearing performance. The method describes a method to significantly reduce the carburization or carbo-nitriding process times for appreciable reduction in manufacturing cost. The Method includes the steps of: forming the component from a martensitic stainless steel material having an ASTM grain size of 9 or finer; and subjecting the component to one of a carburization and a carbo-nitriding treatment with significantly lower case hardening times for manufacturing cost-effectiveness.

Abstract: A grain-oriented electrical steel sheet is subjected to magnetic domain refining treatment by irradiating a steel sheet surface with an electron beam having a beam diameter d of 0.40 mm or less, wherein a modulated irradiation line region is formed with repeating units connected to each other in the line region direction, a periodic distance of the repeating units in the modulated irradiation line region is ?×d mm to 2.5×d mm, a repeating interval of the modulated irradiation line region in the rolling direction is 4.0 mm to 12.5 mm, and intensity of the electron beam is not lower than an intensity with which long and narrow divided magnetic domains extending in the modulated irradiation line region direction are formed at least on an irradiated side, and not higher than an intensity with which coating damage does not occur and a plastic strain region is not formed on the irradiated side.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet or pre-coated blank comprising a steel substrate for heat treatment, overlaid on at least a part of at least one of its principal faces, by a pre-coating having, at least one layer of aluminum or aluminum alloy overlaid, on at least a part of the above-mentioned pre-coating, by a polymerized layer having a thickness between 2 and 30 ?m composed of a polymer that does not contain silicon, and the nitrogen content of which, is greater than 1% by weight expressed in relation to the above-mentioned layer, wherein the above-mentioned polymerized layer contains carbon pigments in a quantity between 3 and 30% by weight, expressed in relation to said layer.

Abstract: To improve the formability of dual phase steels, the martensite phase is tempered. It may form a ferrite-carbide structure. The tempering step occurs after martensite has been formed in the dual phase steel. The tempering step can occur in a box annealing step or it can be performed in a continuous fashion, such as on a continuous annealing, continuous tempering heat treating, or continuous coating line. The tempering step can further comprise a temper rolling on a temper mill after the heating step.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a rare earth metal-bearing scrap material by melting an extractant selected from the group consisting of bismuth (Bi) and lead (Pb) and contacting the melted extractant and the scrap material at a temperature and time to recover at least one of the light rare earth metal content and the heavy rare earth metal content as a metallic extractant alloy, which can be subjected to vacuum distillation or sublimation to recover the rare earth metal(s). The method can be practiced to recover the light rare earth metal content and the heavy rare earth metal content concurrently in a one-step process or separately and sequentially in a two-step process.

Abstract: A grain refiner for a magnesium alloy according to the present invention contains aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn), and contains a compound of aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) in the microstructure thereof, wherein the grain refiner is composed of a structure in which, in the compound of aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn), the area of the compound having an Al/Mn compositional (atomic) ratio of 4-4.5 is larger than the area of the compound having an Al/Mn compositional (atomic) ratio of 5.5-6.5. When the grain refiner is added to molten magnesium, crystal grains can be refined to 50-100 ?m.

Abstract: A copper alloy material production method is provided. A copper raw material including not higher than 30 ppm by mass of oxygen is melted to form a molten copper. Not lower than 4 ppm by mass and not higher than 55 ppm by mass of titanium is added to the molten copper. After the adding of the titanium, not lower than 100 ppm by mass and not higher than 7000 ppm by mass of magnesium is added.

Abstract: Alloys, processes for preparing the alloys, and articles including the alloys are provided. The alloys can include, by weight, about 4% to about 7% aluminum, 0% to about 0.2% carbon, about 7% to about 11% cobalt, about 5% to about 9% chromium, about 0.01% to about 0.2% hafnium, about 0.5% to about 2% molybdenum, 0% to about 1.5% rhenium, about 8% to about 10.5% tantalum, about 0.01% to about 0.5% titanium, and about 6% to about 10% tungsten, the balance essentially nickel and incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: New aluminum casting alloys having 8.5-9.5 wt. % silicon, 0.8-2.0 wt. % copper (Cu), 0.20-0.53 wt. % magnesium (Mg), and 0.35 to 0.8 wt. % manganese are disclosed. The alloy may be solution heat treated, treated in accordance with T5 tempering and/or artificially aged to produce castings, e.g., for cylinder heads and engine blocks. In one embodiment, the castings are made by high pressure die casting.

Abstract: A method for making an article is disclosed. The method involves first generating a digital model of the article. The digital model is inputted into an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising an energy source. The additive manufacturing apparatus applies energy from the energy source to successively applied incremental quantities of a powder to fuse the powder to form the article corresponding to the digital model. The powder includes an aluminum alloy having 83.35-93.00 wt. % aluminum, 6.00-8.00 wt. % silicon, 1.00-3.00 wt. % magnesium, 0-0.50 wt. % iron, 0-0.50 wt. % manganese, 0-2.00 wt. % titanium, 0-0.50 wt. % boron, 0-1.50 wt. % nickel, 0-0.25 wt. % vanadium, 0-0.25 wt. % zirconium, and 0-0.15 wt. % other alloying elements, based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A method for making an article is disclosed. The method involves first generating a digital model of the article. The digital model is inputted into an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising an energy source. The additive manufacturing apparatus applies energy from the energy source to successively applied incremental quantities of a powder to fuse the powder to form the article corresponding to the digital model. The powder includes an aluminum alloy having 90.15-95.80 wt. % aluminum, 3.00-4.50 wt. % silicon, 0.70-1.50 wt. % magnesium, 0.50-1.00 wt. % manganese, 0-0.50 wt. % iron, 0-0.10 wt. % copper, 0-0.50 wt. % titanium, 0-0.20 wt. % boron, 0-1.50 wt. % nickel, and 0-0.05 wt. % other alloying elements, based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A method for making an article is disclosed. The method involves first generating a digital model of the article. The digital model is inputted into an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising an energy source. The additive manufacturing apparatus applies energy from the energy source to successively applied incremental quantities of a powder to fuse the powder to form the article corresponding to the digital model. The powder includes an aluminum alloy having 85.20-96.40 wt. % aluminum, 2.50-4.00 wt. % magnesium, 0.10-0.50 wt. % copper, 0.50-1.00 wt. % nickel, 0.50-5.50 wt. % zinc, 0-0.15 wt. % chromium, 0-3.00 wt. % titanium, 0-0.50 wt. % boron, and 0-0.15 wt. % other alloying elements, based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A method for making an article is disclosed. The method involves first generating a digital model of the article. The digital model is inputted into an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising an energy source. The additive manufacturing apparatus applies energy from the energy source to successively applied incremental quantities of a powder to fuse the powder to form the article corresponding to the digital model. The powder includes an aluminum alloy having 78.80-92.00 wt. % aluminum, 5.00-6.00 wt. % copper, 2.50-3.50 wt. % magnesium, 0.50-1.25 wt. % manganese, 0-5.00 wt. % titanium, 0-3.00 wt. % boron, 0-0.15 wt. % vanadium, 0-0.15 wt. % zirconium, and 0-0.25 wt. % silicon, 0-0.25 wt. % iron, 0-0.50 wt. % chromium, 0-1.0 wt. % nickel, and 0-0.15 wt. % other alloying elements, based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

Abstract: The invention includes a copper-nickel-zinc alloy with the following composition in weight %: Cu 47.0 to 49.0%, Ni 8.0 to 10.0%, Mn 0.2 to 0.6%, Si 0.05 to 0.4%, Pb 1.0 to 1.5%, Fe and/or Co up to 0.8%, the rest being Zn and unavoidable impurities, wherein the total of the Fe content and double the Co content is at least 0.1 weight % and wherein mixing silicides containing nickel, iron and manganese and/or containing nickel, cobalt and manganese are stored as spherical or ellipsoidal particles in a structure consisting of an ?- and ?-phase. The invention further relates to a method for producing semi-finished products from a copper-nickel-zinc alloy.

Abstract: A spheroidal graphite cast iron for a component of an engine exhaust system includes carbon ranging from about 3.0 wt % to about 3.4 wt %, silicon ranging from about 4.2 wt % to about 4.5 wt %, manganese ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 0.3 wt %, sulfur ranging from about 0.002 wt % to about 0.01 wt %, phosphorous in a range equal to or less than about 0.05 wt %, magnesium ranging from about 0.035 wt % to about 0.055 wt %, molybdenum ranging from about 0.9 wt % to about 1.2 wt %, nickel ranging from about 0.2 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, vanadium ranging from about 0.4 wt % to about 0.6 wt %, niobium ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 0.4 wt %, cerium ranging from about 0.005 wt % to about 0.01 wt %, aluminum ranging from about 0.003 wt % to about 0.007 wt %, and a remainder of iron.

Abstract: The invention relates cold work tool steel. The steel includes the following main components (in wt. %): C 2.2-2.4, Si 0.1-0.55, Mn 0.2-0.8, Cr 4.1-5.1, Mo 3.1-4.5, V 7.2-8.5, balance optional elements, iron and impurities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-strength hollow steel pipe material. The high-strength hollow steel pipe material includes Fe as a main ingredient, 0.30 to 0.40% by weight of C, 0.10 to 0.40% by weight of Si, 1.10 to 1.60% by weight of Mn, 0.20 to 0.40% by weight of Cr, 0.50 to 1.00% by weight of Ni and 0.001 to 0.005% by weight of B, the high-strength hollow steel pipe material having increased material corrosion fatigue life, compared to conventional steel pipe materials, by enhancing elongation and corrosion resistance while reinforcing strength through increase of the amounts of C and Ni conventionally added and addition of Nb and Mo as new materials.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy including additions of scandium, zirconium, erbium and, optionally, silicon.

Abstract: A structural aluminum alloy plate includes 7.0% to 12.0% by mass of Zn, 1.5% to 4.5% by mass of Mg, 1.0% to 3.0% by mass of Cu, 0.05% to 0.30% by mass of Zr, 0.005% to 0.5% by mass of Ti, 0.5% or less by mass of Si, 0.5% or less by mass of Fe, 0.3% or less by mass of Mn, 0.3% or less by mass of Cr, and the balance that includes aluminum and inevitable impurities. A method of producing the structural aluminum alloy plate is also provided.

Abstract: Titanium alloys formed into a part or component used in applications where a key design criterion is the energy absorbed during deformation of the part when exposed to impact, explosive blast, and/or other forms of shock loading is described. The titanium alloys generally comprise a titanium base with added amounts of aluminum, an isomorphous beta stabilizing element such as vanadium, a eutectoid beta stabilizing element such as silicon and iron, and incidental impurities. The titanium alloys exhibit up to 70% or more improvement in ductility and up to a 16% improvement in ballistic impact resistance over a Ti-6Al-4V alloy, as well as absorbing up to 50% more energy than the Ti-6Al-4V alloy in Charpy impact tests. A method of forming a part that incorporates the titanium alloys and uses a combination of recycled materials and new materials is also described.

Abstract: A ceramic coating process comprises introducing a suspension including a fine ceramic particulate suspended in a liquid carrier into a plasma torch. The method includes melting the fine ceramic particulate in the plasma torch; propelling the fine ceramic particulate toward a substrate; and forming a coating on the substrate, the coating comprises splats of the fine ceramic particulate.

Abstract: A method for coating a substrate in which a wire-like spray material based on iron is melted in an electric arc and is isolated as a layer on the substrate is disclosed. The following alloy components are contained in the spray material: carbon: 0.1% by weight to 0.3% by weight; manganese: 1.5% by weight to 2.0% by weight; and silicon: 0.25% by weight to 0.4% by weight, respectively with regard to a total weight. The substrate is an aluminium alloy and the surface thereof is roughened mechanically before the coating in such a way that a roughness is formed with undercuts which are filled with the spray material over the course of the coating and therefore a cause a mechanical interlocking of the coating with the substrate. The coating is removed on the surface. An electric arc wire sprayed layer based on iron on the substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for color register spraying of a hub, which includes machining and turning for glossy finish after spraying a black paint on the surface of a hub, and then spraying a color transparent paint onto the hub. The method provided by the invention achieves a spraying-based color register effect through spraying of the color transparent paint, which greatly improves the production efficiency and is available for batch production.

Abstract: A low alloy steel is heated to a temperature ranging from 550 to 620° C., and high KN and low KN value processes are performed for a total process time of A: 1.5 to 10 hours. In the high KN value process, a nitriding potential KNX given by Formula (1): 0.15 to 1.50, the average KNX value KNXave: 0.30 to 0.80, and the process time is X in hours. In the low KN value process, which is performed after the high KN value process, a nitriding potential KNY given by Formula (1): 0.02 to 0.25, the average KNY value KNYave: 0.03 to 0.20, and the process time is Y in hours. Average nitriding potential value KNave determined by Formula (2) ranges from 0.07 to 0.30. KNi=(NH3 partial pressure)/(H2 partial pressure)3/2]??(1) KNave=(X×KNXave+Y×KNYave)/A??(2) where i is X or Y.

Abstract: There have been cases where transistors formed using oxide semiconductors are inferior in reliability to transistors formed using amorphous silicon. Thus, in the present invention, a semiconductor device including a highly reliable transistor formed using an oxide semiconductor is manufactured. An oxide semiconductor film is deposited by a sputtering method, using a sputtering target including an oxide semiconductor having crystallinity, and in which the direction of the c-axis of a crystal is parallel to a normal vector of the top surface of the oxide semiconductor. The target is formed by mixing raw materials so that its composition ratio can obtain a crystal structure.

Abstract: A thin film depositing apparatus and a thin film deposition method using the apparatus. The thin film depositing apparatus includes a chamber configured to have a substrate mounted therein, an ejection unit configured to move in the chamber and to eject a deposition vapor to the substrate, and a source supply unit configured to supply a source of the deposition vapor to the ejection unit.

Abstract: A double-valve device includes a base unit, two valve units and a transport unit. The base unit has a surrounding wall, an entrance wall connected to the surrounding wall and formed with an entrance opening, an exit wall connected to the surrounding wall oppositely of the entrance wall and formed with an exit opening, and a spacing wall disposed between the entrance and exit walls and formed with a pass-through opening. The surrounding wall, the entrance wall and the spacing wall cooperatively define a buffer chamber. The surrounding wall, the spacing wall and the exit wall cooperatively define a joint chamber. The valve units are respectively disposed in the buffer and joint chambers for respectively sealing and unsealing the entrance and pass-through openings.

Abstract: Fabrication method of a graphene film including the following successive steps: placing the substrate and a solid carbon source in a reaction chamber, provided with a gas inlet; and heating the solid carbon source, by flow of a current in said source, under a gas flow, the gas being devoid of hydrocarbon, so as to convert at least a part of the solid carbon source into a graphene film on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second processors to process a substrate, an adjuster to adjust a position of the substrate, a conveyance mechanism to convey the substrate, and a controller. The controller controls the adjuster to adjust a position of the substrate which is to be conveyed to the first processor, controls the conveyance mechanism to convey the substrate to the second processor without causing the adjuster to readjust the position of the substrate when there is a trouble in the first processor while the position of the substrate has been adjusted by the adjuster, and controls at least one of the conveyance mechanism and the second processor such that the substrate is arranged at a target position in the second processor.

Abstract: Methods of depositing a metal-containing film by exposing a substrate surface to a first precursor and a reactant, where one or more of the first precursor and the react comprises a compound having the general formula of one or more of M(XR3)2, M(XR3)3, M(XR3)4, M(XR3)5 and M(XR3)6, where M is selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, Ta, Zr, La, Hf, Ce, Zn, Cr, Sn, V and combinations thereof, each X is one or more of C, Si and Ge and each R is independently a methyl or ethyl group and comprises substantially no ?-H.

Abstract: A gas deposition chamber includes a volume expanding top portion and a substantially constant volume cylindrical middle portion and optionally a volume reducing lower portion. An aerodynamically shaped substrate support chuck is disposed inside the gas deposition chamber with a substrate support surface positioned in the cylindrical middle portion. The top portion reduces gas flow velocity, the aerodynamic shape of the substrate support chuck reduces drag and promotes laminar flow over the substrate support surface, and the lower portion increases gas flow velocity after the substrate support surface. The gas deposition chamber is configurable to 200 mm diameter semiconductor wafers using ALD and or PALD coating cycles. A coating method includes expanding process gases inside the deposition chamber prior to the process gas reaching a substrate surface. The method further includes compressing the process gases inside the deposition chamber after the process gas has flowed passed the substrate being coated.

Abstract: A gas delivery system includes a first valve including an inlet that communicates with a first gas source. A first inlet of a second valve communicates with an outlet of the first valve and a second inlet of the second valve communicates with a second gas source. An inlet of a third valve communicates with a third gas source. A connector includes a first gas channel and a cylinder defining a second gas channel. The cylinder and the first gas channel collectively define a flow channel between an outer surface of the cylinder and an inner surface of the first gas channel. The flow channel communicates with the outlet of the third valve and the first end of the second gas channel. A third gas channel communicates with the second gas channel, with the outlet of the second valve and with a gas distribution device of a processing chamber.

Abstract: There is provided a graphene production method including: forming a catalyst metal film on a surface of a substrate; heating the catalyst metal film; and cooling the heated catalyst metal film, wherein the forming a catalyst metal film includes introducing carbons into the catalyst metal film.

Abstract: Plasma deposition systems and techniques are provided that use plasma generating units having one horizontal dimension at least three times as long as the other horizontal dimension. Plasma sources as disclosed herein thus have non-uniformly scaled dimensions in the x and y directions, to facilitate uniform deposition. Sources as disclosed herein may reduce heating of the substrate due to substrate cooling between plasma sources. They also may provide improved particle coverage when the film deposited is a barrier film due to plasma and gas flow divergence at the edges of the plasma source.