Abstract: Techniques for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer are described herein. In one example, an agitation stimulus level such as an electrical agitation stimulus is applied to a lipid bilayer wherein the agitation stimulus level tends to facilitate the formation of nanopores in the lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, a change in an electrical property of the lipid bilayer resulting from the formation of the nanopore in the lipid bilayer is detected, and a nanopore has formed in the lipid bilayer is determined based on the detected change in the lipid bilayer electrical property.

Abstract: A method for sequencing a polynucleotide strand by using sequencing-by-synthesis techniques. To address the problem of incomplete extension (IE) and/or carry forward (CF) errors that can occur in sequencing-by-synthesis reactions, an alternative flow ordering of dNTPs is used. In contrast to conventional flow orderings, the dNTPs are flowed in an ordering that is not a continuous repeat of an ordering of the four different dNTPs. This alternate flow ordering may reduce the loss of phasic synchrony in the population of template polynucleotide strands that result from IE and/or CF errors.

Abstract: This disclosure provides chips, systems and methods for sequencing a nucleic acid sample. Tagged nucleotides are provided into a reaction chamber comprising a nanopore in a membrane. An individual tagged nucleotide of the tagged nucleotides can contain a tag coupled to a nucleotide, which tag is detectable with the aid of the nanopore. Next, an individual tagged nucleotide of the tagged nucleotides can be incorporated into a growing strand complementary to a single stranded nucleic acid molecule derived from the nucleic acid sample. With the aid of the nanopore, a tag associated with the individual tagged nucleotide can be detected upon incorporation of the individual tagged nucleotide. The tag can be detected with the aid of the nanopore when the tag is released from the nucleotide.

Abstract: Nucleosides and nucleotides are disclosed that are linked to detectable labels via a cleavable linker group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, methods and systems for analyzing the methylation state of nucleic acids. Some embodiments relate to a compositions, methods and systems for analyzing the methylation state of DNA with a gene array.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for assessing the methylation and mutation status of nucleic acid in a sample. The methods provide for methylation-dependent modification of the nucleic acid in a sample, and subsequently nucleic acid amplification processes to distinguish between mutated and non-mutated target sequence.

Abstract: Technology provided herein relates in part to methods, processes and apparatuses for non-invasive assessment of genetic variations.

Abstract: The invention is a novel MECP2E1 splice variant and its corresponding polypeptide. The invention also includes methods of using these nucleic acid sequences and proteins in medical diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders or development disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive methods of detecting, diagnosing, and assessing neuronal damage associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Specific species of microRNAs (miRNA), small, noncoding RNA molecules that play gene regulatory functions, are correlated with cellular damage and oxidative stress following TBI or CTE, allowing for rapid, minimally-invasive diagnosis and assessment of brain injury. The early identification and longitudinal assessment of neuronal damage in subjects suffering from or at risk of suffering from a TBI (e.g., football players, boxers, military personnel, fall victims) will improve clinical outcomes by guiding critical medical and behavioral decision making.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for diagnosing a disease or disorder in a subject by introducing into cells of the subject a diagnostic gene switch construct and monitoring expression of a reporter gene. The invention further relates to methods and compositions for monitoring the progression of a disease or disorder or the effectiveness of a treatment for a disease or disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying patients at increased risk of developing an adverse neurological event in response to a cancer treatment. Methods also include modifying the treatment regimen of said patent dependent on the presence or absence of biomarkers in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides sets of genes the expression of which is important in the prognosis of cancer. In particular, the invention provides gene expression information useful for predicting whether cancer patients are likely to have a beneficial treatment response to chemotherapy FHIT; MTA1; ErbB4; FUS; BBC3; IGF1R; CD9; TP53BP1; MUC1; IGFBP5; rhoC; RALBP1; STAT3; ERK1; SGCB; DHPS; MGMT; CRIP2; ErbB3; RAP1GDS1; CCND1; PRKCD; Hepsin; AK055699; ZNF38; SEMA3F; COL1A1; BAG1; AKT1; COL1A2; Wnt.5a; PTPD1; RAB6C; GSTM1, BCL2, ESR1; or the corresponding expression product, is determined, said report includes a prediction that said subject has a decreased likelihood of response to chemotherapy.

Abstract: Biomarkers and methods using the biomarkers for molecular detection and classification of disease and, particularly, molecular markers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and methods of use thereof are provided.

Abstract: Predictive biomarkers identify those patients suffering from immunoglobulin positive (Ig+) B lineage malignancies that are responsive to active immunotherapy, where the active immunotherapy comprises vaccination with a tumor-specific idiotype-immunogen. It is shown herein that patient responsiveness to the idiotype-immunogen is dependent upon the sequence of the immunogen, where an immunogen having a low number of tyrosine residues in the CDR1 (herein termed CDR1-Y10) regions of one or both of the immunogen heavy and light chains is predictive of a positive anti-tumor response, while a high number of CDR1 tyrosine residues (herein termed CDR1-Yhi) is predictive of a low anti tumor response.

Abstract: Provided are oligonucleotides that are capable of detecting KRAS and PIK3CA mutations in both cancer patients and healthy individuals with high specificity in kPCR assays. When the oligonucleotides are used as forward primers in conjunction with a defined genotyping algorithm spreadsheet, the primers are capable of enhancing detection of KRAS codon 12, 13, and 61 and PIK3CA codon 542, 545, and 1047 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a background of wild-type sequences. The oligonucleotides of the present invention are also capable of preventing pseudogene amplification when the oligonucleotides are hybridized as reverse primers or detection probes to the mismatch sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for detecting the presence or absence of an integrated insertion polynucleotide.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for microbiologically producing astaxanthin of high concentration at low cost while suppressing production of canthaxanthin. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing carotenoids including astaxanthin comprising culturing a bacterium that concurrently produces astaxanthin and canthaxanthin in a medium containing biotin, wherein a ratio of concentration of produced canthaxanthin to concentration of produced astaxanthin in a culture product after the end of culture in the medium is lower than that in a culture product after the end of culture in a biotin-free medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and processes for improving the clarification of sugar juices and syrups in sugar mills. The process involves adding compositions directly to the juice and or syrup. The compositions provided in this invention are mixed intimately into the sugar juices or syrups, and allowed sufficient time to react with the sugar juices or syrups as well as with the any other chemicals added in the clarification processes so as to impart an improvement in the purity of the clarified juice or syrup obtained therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for generating glucose and glucose derivatives from the direct contacting of cellulose, hemicelluloses and/or polysaccharides with a mixed super critical fluid system of alcohol and water whereby the partial pressure of the system provides for both alcoholysis and hydrolysis of the material to generate primarily glucose, and glucose derivatives.

Abstract: A blast furnace system is used wherein the coke rate is decreased by recycling upgraded top gas from the furnace back into its shaft section (which upgraded top gas is heated in a tubular heater prior to being recycled). The top gas, comprising CO, CO2 and H2, is withdrawn from the upper part of the blast furnace; cooled and cleaned of dust, water, and CO2 for increasing its reduction potential and is heated to a temperature above 850° C. before being recycled thus defining a first gas flow path used during normal operation of the blast furnace. Uniquely, a second gas flow path for continued circulation of top gas selectively through the heater and a cooler during operation interruptions of the blast furnace allows time for gradual controlled cool down of the heater in a manner to avoid heat-shock damage to the tubular heater.

Abstract: A method for forming a smooth interface between a weld cap and an adjacent base metal utilizing ultrasonic impact treatment. The method improves the geometric profile of a weld while imparting a compressive residual stress layer on the weld metal and base metal thereby alleviating the tensile residual stresses imparted to the metals during welding. The contouring process does not remove material, as in grinding, but plastically deforms the surface being treated producing a densified surface, in turn providing a smooth weld cap and base metal surface finish without the loss of base or weld metal thickness.

Abstract: When the amount of C, the amount of Si and the amount of Mn are respectively represented by [C], [Si] and [Mn] in unit mass %, the cold rolled steel sheet satisfies a relationship of (5×[Si]+[Mn])/[C]>10, the metallographic structure contains, by area ratio, 40% to 90% of a ferrite and 10% to 60% of a martensite, further contains one or more of 10% or less of a pearlite by area ratio, 5% or less of a retained austenite by volume ratio and 20% or less of a bainite by area ratio, the hardness of the martensite measured using a nanoindenter satisfies H20/H10<1.10 and ?HM0<20, and TS×? representing the product of TS that is a tensile strength and ? that is a hole expansion ratio is 50000 MPa·% or more.

Abstract: The vacuum heat treatment device includes: a guide plate used to guide a cooling medium supplied by a cooling unit, into a heat-insulating container through one of at least two openings of the heat-insulating container in a state where the two openings of the heat-insulating container are opened; and a movement mechanism used to move the guide plate so that at least part of the guide plate is inserted into a movement area of a cover portion in a state where the two openings of the heat-insulating container are opened and so that the guide plate is retracted from the movement area of the cover portion before the cover portion is moved in order to close the two openings of the heat-insulating container.

Abstract: A batch annealing furnace includes a coil support base on which an end face of a coil is mounted and that supports the coil with an axis of the coil being upright, an inner cover that covers an entire body of the coil mounted on the coil support base, and a cooling pipe that extends downward from the upper part of the inner cover to a cavity of the inner peripheral part of the coil mounted on the coil support base and cools the coil from the inner surface side by passing a coolant through the inside of the cooling pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for effectively priming a non-electrically conductive filter for removal of solid inclusions from liquid metal. In one embodiment, the ceramic filter media is surrounded by a low frequency induction coil (1-60 Hz) with its axis aligned in the direction of the net metal flow. The coil is positioned to enhance the heating of any metal frozen onto, or in the pores of, the filter element. In one embodiment, the coil is positioned in order to generate Lorentz forces, which act to cause heated metal to impinge on the upper surface of the filter element, enhancing the priming action. Once a filter equipped with such a coil has been primed, it can be kept hot or reheated, and subsequently reused during several batch tapping sequences.

Abstract: The aluminum alloy forged material for an automobile according to the present invention is composed of an aluminum alloy including Si: 0.7-1.5 mass %, Fe: 0.5 mass % or less, Cu: 0.1-0.6 mass %, Mg: 0.6-1.2 mass %, Ti: 0.01-0.1 mass % and Mn: 0.25-1.0 mass %, further including at least one element selected from Cr: 0.1-0.4 mass % and Zr: 0.01-0.2 mass %, restricting Zn: 0.05 mass % or less, and a hydrogen amount: 0.25 ml/100 g-Al or less, with the remainder being Al and inevitable impurities, wherein the aluminum alloy forged material has an area ratio the <111> texture of 60% or more in a cross section parallel to the extrusion direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a heat-resistant material comprising a Rh-based alloy, wherein the Rh-based alloy is a high heat-resistant and high strength alloy comprising a Rh-based alloy where Al and W as essential additive elements are added to Rh (0.2 to 15.0 mass % of Al, 15.0 to 45.0 mass % of W and Rh as the remainder), and a ?? phase (Rh3 (Al, W)) having an L12 structure is dispersed as a strengthening phase in a matrix. The Rh-based alloy of the present invention can be further improved in workability and high temperature oxidation characteristics by optionally adding B, C, Mg, Ca, Y, La or misch metals, Ni, Co, Cr, Fe, Mo, Ti, Nb, Ta, V, Zr, Hf, Ir, Re, Pd, Pt or Ru as an additive element. The Rh-based alloy of the present invention is a heat-resistant material having excellent high-temperature-resistant characteristics and a good balance of factors such as weight.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet for stamping, which has excellent cold workability, has such satisfactory surface quality as to be free from unplating and other defects even in the absence of dedicated facilities, and ensures a strength of 1370 MPa or more after quenching even when cooled at a low rate. Also disclosed is a method effective for the produce of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet for stamping. The hot-dip galvanized steel sheet for stamping comprises a base steel sheet and a hot-dip galvanized layer on a surface of the base steel sheet, in which the base steel sheet has a predetermined chemical composition and has a microstructure comprising equiaxed ferrite having an average aspect ratio of 4.0 or less and cementite and/or pearlite having an average major axis of grains of 20 ?m or less.

Abstract: A mask and a method of making the mask are disclosed. The mask includes a transition region including at least one first region having a first thickness, and an active region having another thickness, where the thickness of the active region is greater than the first thickness. The method of making the mask includes forming a plurality of patterns in a mask body, the patterns being formed in regions of the mask body corresponding with the active region and the transition region of the mask.

Abstract: A substrate structure with invisible inner electrode patterns is provided. The substrate structure includes a substrate, an electrode pattern, a first laminated structure, and a passivation layer. The electrode pattern is disposed on the substrate. The first laminated structure is disposed on the electrode pattern, in which the first laminated structure includes a first upper layer, a second upper layer, and a third upper layer. The first upper layer is adjoined to the electrode pattern and the substrate. The first upper layer, the second upper layer, and the third upper layer are stacked sequentially. The passivation layer is disposed on the first laminated structure. The refractive indexes of the electrode pattern, the first upper layer, the second upper layer, the third upper layer, and the passivation layer are decreased sequentially.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an arc source, whereby an electric spark discharge is ignited and run on the surface of a target and the spark discharge is simultaneously fed a direct current with an associated constant voltage DV as well as a pulsed current generated by a periodically applied voltage signal. The voltage at the arc source is boosted over several microseconds and the shape of the voltage signal is in essence arbitrarily selectable.

Abstract: A sputtering target for a magnetic recording film containing SiO2, wherein a peak strength ratio of a (011) plane of quartz relative to a background strength (i.e. quartz peak strength/background strength) in an X-ray diffraction is 1.40 or more. An object of this invention is to obtain a sputtering target for a magnetic recording film capable of inhibiting the formation of cristobalites in the target which cause the generation of particles during sputtering, shortening the burn-in time, magnetically and finely separating the single-domain particles after deposition, and improving the recording density.

Abstract: A physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber for depositing a transparent and clear hydrogenated carbon, e.g., hydrogenated diamond-like carbon, film. A chamber body is configured for maintaining vacuum condition therein, the chamber body having an aperture on its sidewall. A plasma cage having an orifice is attached to the sidewall, such that the orifice overlaps the aperture. Two sputtering targets are situated on cathodes inside the plasma cage and are oriented opposite each other and configured to sustain plasma there-between and confined inside the plasma cage. The plasma inside the cage sputters material from the targets, which then passes through the orifice and aperture and lands on the substrate. The substrate is moved continuously in a pass-by fashion during the process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit shield used in a substrate processing chamber may include a shield body having an inner surface and an outer surface, a process kit shield impedance match device coupled between the shield body and ground, wherein the process kit shield impedance match device is configured to adjust a bias voltage of the process kit shield, a cavity formed on the outer surface of the shield body, and one or more magnets disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments related to hardware and methods for processing a semiconductor substrate are disclosed. One example film deposition reactor includes a process gas distributor including a plasma gas-feed inlet located to supply plasma gas to a plasma generation region within the film deposition reactor and a precursor gas-feed inlet located to supply film precursor gas downstream of the plasma generation region; an insulating confinement vessel configured to maintain a plasma generation region at a reduced pressure within the film deposition reactor and an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) coil arranged around a portion of a sidewall of the insulating confinement vessel and positioned so that the sidewall separates the plasma generation region from the ICP coil; and a susceptor configured to support the semiconductor substrate so that a film deposition surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed to a reaction region formed downstream of the process gas distributor.

Abstract: Methods of forming carbon films, structures and devices including the carbon films, and systems for forming the carbon films are disclosed. A method includes depositing a metal carbide film using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Metal from the metal carbide film is removed from the metal carbide film to form a carbon film. Because the films are formed using ALD, the films can be relatively conformal and can have relatively uniform thickness over the surface of a substrate.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition method is disclosed for preparing polypeptides. The method comprises providing a solid-phase support comprising a reactive amine monolayer in an atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber. The solid-phase support is contacted with a first protected amino acid substituted with a protecting group by atomic layer deposition, wherein the protecting group is bonded to a non-side chain amino group of the protected amino acid. A carboxylic acid group of the first protected amino acid is reacted with the reactive amine monolayer, thereby coupling the first protected amino acid to the solid-phase support to produce a coupled-product.

Abstract: A vertical furnace includes a heat treatment tube, at least one reactive gas inlet, first adiabatic plates and second adiabatic plates. The at least one reactive gas inlet is disposed at or near a bottom end of the heat treatment tube. The first adiabatic plates are stacked in the heat treatment tube, each of the first adiabatic plates having a flow channel structure for allowing a gas to pass through, in which all the corners in the flow channel structure are rounded. The second adiabatic plates are stacked below the first adiabatic plates in the heat treatment tube.

Abstract: A liquid delivery system for a substrate processing system includes a liquid ampoule to store liquid precursor. A pressure adjusting system adjusts pressure in the liquid ampoule. A pressure sensor senses a pressure in the liquid ampoule. A capillary injector includes a capillary tube in fluid communication with an output of the liquid ampoule. A temperature control device controls a temperature of the capillary tube. A first valve has an input connected to the capillary tube. A controller is configured to determine a predetermined pressure in the liquid ampoule corresponding a desired flow rate and a predetermined temperature of the capillary tube, maintain the temperature of the capillary tube at the predetermined temperature, communicate with the pressure sensor and the pressure adjusting system, and control the pressure in the liquid ampoule to the predetermined pressure to provide the desired flow rate.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a film having a surface structure of a random wrinkles. A compound according to the present invention is coated and then, a film having a surface structure of random wrinkles may be simply formed through simple ultraviolet (UV) curing or thermosetting. When the film thus formed is used in an organic light emitting device, light generated from the organic light emitting device is scattered on surfaces of the random wrinkles to prevent light guide or total reflection, and thus, light is extracted to the outside. That is, a random structure disposed at the outside of the device performs a light extraction function and consequently, light efficiency of the organic light emitting device may be increased.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a substrate; an etch stop layer overlying the substrate, wherein the etch stop layer is substantially resistant to etching conditions; and a patterned layer overlying the etch stop layer, wherein the patterned layer is substantially labile to the etching conditions, and wherein the patterned layer comprises a number of features including substantially consistent feature profiles among regions of high feature density and regions of low feature density.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing produce metal implants having nano-modified surfaces that contain antimicrobial properties. The methods may include immersing the implant in an acid, rinsing the acid-treated implant in an aqueous cleaner, and thereafter heating the rinsed implant. The nano-modified implants described herein may contain an increased surface roughness; surface features with increased width or height; and/or decreased surface energy. The implants that result from these methods contain a nano-modified surface that is resistant to microbial cell adhesion and ultimately reduce biomaterials-related infections at the implant site.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for purifying brine are provided including (1) providing an aqueous brine solution comprising one or more inorganic salts and one or more organic compounds and (2) conducting at least one unit operation for removing organic compounds from the brine solution to obtain a purified brine solution.

Abstract: Provided is a cation exchange membrane having excellent mechanical strength against folding and the like and capable of delivering stable electrolytic performance for a long time, an electrolysis vessel using the cation exchange membrane and a method for producing the cation exchange membrane. A cation exchange membrane 1 at least includes: a membrane body containing a fluorine-based polymer having an ion-exchange group; and two or more reinforcing core materials arranged approximately in parallel within the membrane body. The membrane body is provided with two or more elution holes 12 formed between the reinforcing core materials 10 adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus including at least one electrolytic cell having at least one electrode compartment structured to contain a liquid electrolyte and a plurality of electrically conducting particulates forming a particulate bed, at least one reaction region structured to support electrochemical reactions, at least one collection region structured to facilitate collection of electrically conducting particulates, at least one feeding region structured to facilitate input of electrically conducting particulates, at least one actuation module arranged substantially outside of the at least one reaction region of relevance for the electrochemical modifications.

Abstract: An electrolytic recycling method recovers two or more component elements of one or more compounds simultaneously. A compound, such as a compound semiconductor, to be recycled is dissolved in a liquid electrolyte. Electrolysis of the dissolved compound recovers component elements simultaneously at respective negative and positive electrodes by reduction and oxidation respectively. The component elements produced may be in respective condensed phases or include a gaseous phase.

Abstract: This method for producing anodic porous alumina such that an oxide coating film having a plurality of minute pores is formed at the surface of an aluminum substrate is characterized by containing: a step (a) for immersing the aluminum substrate in an electrolytic liquid resulting from mixing a plurality of acids; a step (b) for imposing a voltage on the aluminum substrate immersed in the electrolytic liquid; a step (c) for holding the aluminum substrate in the state of being immersed in the electrolytic liquid essentially without imposing a voltage on the aluminum substrate; and a step (d) for alternately repeating step (b) and step (c). By means of the present invention, it is possible using a simple device and with few steps to provide a method that easily produces anodic porous alumina such that an oxide coating film having a plurality of minute pores is formed at the surface of an aluminum substrate.

Abstract: Plate-like samples each having as a principal plane thereof a cross section perpendicular to the long axis direction of a polycrystalline silicon rod grown by the deposition using a chemical vapor deposition method are sampled; an X-ray diffraction measurement is performed omnidirectionally in the plane of each of the plate-like samples thus sampled; and when none of the plate-like samples has any X-ray diffraction peak with a diffraction intensity deviating from the average value ±2×standard deviation (?±2?) found for any one of the Miller indices <111>, <220>, <311> and <400>, the polycrystalline silicon rod is selected as the raw material for use in the production of single-crystalline silicon. The use of such a polycrystalline silicon raw material suppresses the local occurrence of the portions remaining unmelted, and can contribute to the stable production of single-crystalline silicon.

Abstract: A method for depositing a magnesium oxide thin film on a substrate by a laser abrasion method using a sintered body or single crystal of magnesium oxide as a target. In this method, a flat processed film made of magnesium oxide having a (111) plane as its front surface is prepared, using a substrate made of strontium titanate having a (111) plane as its principal surface or yttria-stabilized zirconia having a (111) plane as its principal surface, by directly depositing a film on the principal surface of the substrate and epitaxially growing the film.

Abstract: A silicon carbide substrate, a silicon carbide ingot, and methods for manufacturing the silicon carbide substrate and the silicon carbide ingot capable of improving a yield of a semiconductor device having silicon carbide as constituent material are provided. In the silicon carbide substrate, patterns formed by crossing straight lines extending along the <11-20> direction and being observable by means of an X-ray topography are present at a number density of less than or equal to 0.1 patterns/cm2 on one main surface. As described above, in the silicon carbide substrate, the number density of the crossing patterns present on the main surface is reduced to less than or equal to 0.1 patterns/cm2. Therefore, when the semiconductor device is manufactured with use of a silicon carbide substrate, a lowering of a yield caused by the crossing patterns can be suppressed.