Abstract: The present invention discloses a high concentration methanol tolerant methanotroph and its application, a accession number of the methanotroph in China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center being CGMCC No. 9873, deposit date being Oct. 29, 2014, category names being Methylomonas sp. ZR1. The methanotroph Methylomonas sp. ZR1 disclosed by the present invention can grow rapidly by using methane, and can tolerate with high concentration of methanol. The methanotroph Methylomonas sp. ZR1 can use C1 compounds such as methane and methanol to produce high value-added products such as carotenoids and polysaccharides, which has high application prospect in biological transformation of one-carbon chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enzyme electrode composed of a carbon particle on which glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) with flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as a coenzyme is supported and an electrode layer contacting the carbon particle, wherein the carbon particle and/or the electrode layer are/is composed of the carbon particles with a particle diameter of not more than 100 nm and a specific surface area of at least 200 m2/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Bacillus pumilus bilirubin oxidase, to the method for preparing same and also to the use thereof in particular for assaying bilirubin and for using enzymatic biofuel cells.

Abstract: An analyte sensor for measuring physiological parameters, a method for making the analyte sensor, and method of measuring a level of an analyte in a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, the analyte sensor includes a crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer in contact with a surface of an electrode, and an analyte sensing component embedded within the crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer. The crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer has methacrylate-derived backbone chains of first methacrylate-derived units, second methacrylate-derived units and third methacrylate-derived units. The first and second methacrylate-derived units have side chains that can be the same or different, and the third methacrylate-derived units in different backbone chains are connected by hydrophilic crosslinks. The crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer has an analyte permeability that is substantially temperature independent. The analyte sensor generates signals that are substantially temperature independent over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for diagnosing melanoma or basal cell carcinoma based on mutations in the DDR2 gene. Further, a distinct subgroup of BRAF-mutated melanomas have somatic mutations in the DDR2 gene as well. Applications of this finding to routine diagnostics include the molecular stratification of melanoma, and the tissue identification of targetable DDR2 kinase mutations in routine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. Described herein are methods, compositions and kits related to the discovery that DDR2 mutations may be markers for melanoma generally, and BRAF-mediated melanoma in particular, opening up the possibility of dual therapy for melanoma by targeting both DDR2 and BRAF.

Abstract: A method for quantitative assessment of base excision repair (BER) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) DNA capacities of one or more cellular extracts using supercoiled plasmid DNA by characterizing lesions on the plasmids relative to a control.

Abstract: A method of generating a gene expression profile of noncoding regulatory RNA (ncRNA; e.g. a microRNA) in a cell in vivo, is carried out by: (a) partitioning from a cell at least one mRNA-protein (RNP) complex, the RNP complex comprising: (i) an RNA binding protein (RNABP) or RNA associated protein, (ii) at least one mRNA bound to or associated with said protein, and (iii) at least one ncRNA bound to or associated with said protein, and then (b) identifying at least one ncRNA in-at least one RNP complex, thereby to produce a gene expression profile comprising the identity of an ncRNA in an RNP complex.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a biomarker in exhaled breath condensate nanodroplets comprises noninvasively collecting exhaled breath condensate nanodroplets of a subject, and analyzing said nanodroplets utilizing immuno-quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect one or more target biomarkers.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for determining the susceptibility of cancer patients to developing adverse reactions if treated with a telomerase inhibitor drug by measurement of telomere length in appropriate cells of the patient prior to initiation of the telomerase inhibitor treatment.

Abstract: This invention provides novel compositions and processes for analyte detection, quantification and amplification. Nucleic acid arrays and libraries of analytes are usefully incorporated into such compositions and processes. Universal detection elements, signaling entities and the like are employed to detect and if necessary or desirable, to quantify analytes. Amplification of target analytes are also provided by the compositions and processes of this invention.

Abstract: This invention provides novel compositions and processes for analyte detection, quantification and amplification. Nucleic acid arrays and libraries of analytes are usefully incorporated into such compositions and processes. Universal detection elements, signaling entities and the like are employed to detect and if necessary or desirable, to quantify analytes. Amplification of target analytes are also provided by the compositions and processes of this invention.

Abstract: The invention is in general directed to the rapid exponential amplification of short DNA or RNA sequences at a constant temperature.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to methods and compositions for isothermal amplification of nucleic acids.

Abstract: Polymorphisms are present throughout an organism's genome, and understanding which alleles are present in a particular organism's genome can be advantageous. When probing the identity of these alleles, one must minimize incorrect readings due to inefficiencies in the system. In hydrolysis probe applications, these inefficiencies may be due to over-activity of an exonuclease functionality that excises nucleotides from probes that are only partially, complementary to a region of a target. The present invention provides a mixture that contains a plurality of polymerases including one that has a 5??3? exonuclease functionality and one that lacks or substantially lacks it, each in a sufficient relative amount and concentration to increase efficiencies of the system.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells; and a plurality of solid supports, and each of the solid supports has a reagent attached thereto. The reagent is attached to the solid support via a labile reagent/support bond such that the reagent is configured to be cleaved from the support via a cleaving operation.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a method for preparing DNA molecule for sequencing. Generally, the method includes fragmenting the DNA molecule into double-stranded fragments; amplifying at least a portion of the double-stranded fragments; circularizing the fragments so that the first end of the fragment comprises a first loop connecting the strands and the second end of the fragment comprises a second loop connecting the strands; annealing a first sequencing primer to the first loop oriented to sequence at least a portion of one strand of the fragment; and annealing a second sequencing primer to the second loop oriented to sequence at least a portion of the other strand of the fragment. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method for sequencing a DNA molecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of characterizing a target polynucleotide. The method uses a pore and an XPD helicase. The helicase controls the movement of the target polynucleotide through the pore.

Abstract: In one aspect the disclosure relations to means and methods for identifying a protein or a DNA encoding the protein, involved in the production of a product by a micro-organism. In the methods the micro-organism is cultured under different culture conditions each of which exhibit a different level of the product that is produced by the micro-organism. The genetic expression of the genes of the micro-organism is compared with the level of the product, and groups of DNAs are identified that are involved in the production of the product by the micro-organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using nanopores to obtain sequence information of sample DNAs in ss test DNAs. The method comprises using speed bumps to stall the ss test DNAs in the nanopores at random positions of the ss test DNAs to obtain sequence information of each and every nucleotides of the sample DNAs, and to construct the whole sequences of the sample DNAs. The present invention also relates to identification and/or isolation of test DNAs having desired sequence(s) using nanopore detectors facilitated by speed bump.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument for biological or chemical analyses. The pulsed laser may produce sub-100-ps optical pulses at a repetition rate commensurate with electronic data-acquisition rates. The optical pulses may excite samples in reaction chambers of the instrument, and be used to generate a reference clock for operating signal-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the instrument.

Abstract: Techniques for assembling a lipid bilayer on a substantially planar solid surface are described herein. In one example, a lipid material such as a lipid suspension is deposited on a substantially planar solid surface, a bubble filled with fast diffusing gas molecules is formed on the solid surface, and the gas molecules are allowed to diffuse out of the bubble to form a lipid bilayer on the solid surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a human subject afflicted with multiple sclerosis or a single clinical attack consistent with multiple sclerosis with a pharmaceutical composition comprising glatiramer acetate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, comprising the steps of: a) determining whether the human subject is a glatiramer acetate responder by evaluating expression of a biomarker selected from the group consisting of ERAP2, SIGLEC1, AAK1, KIAA1671, PLEKHA2, LOC730974, IFIT3, RWDD3, MYO6 SCARA3 and IFI44L, or a combination thereof, in human subject; and b) administering the pharmaceutical composition comprising glatiramer acetate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the human subject only if the human subject is identified as a glatiramer acetate responder.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of diagnosing susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease. MI, abdominal aorta aneurysm, intracranial aneurysm restenosis and peripheral arterial disease, by assessing the presence or absence of alleles of certain polymorphic markers found to be associated with cardiovascular disease. The invention further relates to kits encompassing reagents for assessing such markers, and methods for assessing the probability of response to therapeutic agents and methods using such markers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for amplifying the whole genome of a single cell are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting abnormal cells in a sample using the radial position of one or more genes within the nucleus of a cell, as well as a kit for detecting abnormal cells using such methods. The invention also provides methods of identifying gene markers for abnormal cells using the radial position of one or more genes within the nucleus of a cell.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits useful for predicting or assessing responsiveness of a patient having B-cell lymphoma to treatment with anti-CD40 antibodies.

Abstract: A method to detect prostate cancer comprising contacting a sample of prostate cells from the patient with a set of detectably labeled probes under hybridization conditions and determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in prostate tumor tissue, PIN (intra-epithelial neoplasia), histologically benign tissue and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); a method to combine immunofluorescence and FISH (IF-FISH) to facilitate the assessment of chromosomal abnormalities; a set of probes; and a kit comprising the set of probes and instructions for diagnosing prostate cancer in a patient.

Abstract: Described herein are modified androgen receptor polypeptides that are resistant to inhibition by an androgen receptor inhibitor. Described herein are compositions, combinations, and kits containing the modified androgen receptor polypeptides and methods of using the modified androgen receptor polypeptides. Also described herein are methods of using the modified androgen receptor polypeptides as screening agents for the identification and design of third-generation androgen receptor modulators. Also described herein are third-generation androgen receptor modulators that inhibit the activity of the modified androgen receptor polypeptides. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein, as well as methods of using such androgen receptor modulators, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions, including cancers, such as castration resistant prostate cancers, that are mediated or dependent upon androgen receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to the diagnosis of bladder cancer and more specifically to the detection in urine samples of bladder carcinomas of the transitional type. The detection method according to the present invention enables, through the utilization of a DNA chip designed for this purpose, to determine the grade of the detected tumors.

Abstract: A system for classifying thyroid nodule tissue as malignant or benign is provided that is based on the identification of sets of gene transcripts, which are characterized in that changes in expression of each gene transcript within a set of gene transcripts can be correlated to with either malignant or benign thyroid nodule disease. The thyroid classification system provides for sets of “thyroid classifying” target sequences and further provides for combinations of polynucleotide probes and primers derived there from. These combinations of polynucleotide probes can be provided in solution or as an array. The combination of probes and the arrays can be used for diagnosis. The invention further provides further methods of classifying thyroid nodule tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the identification and selection of loci modulating phenotypic expression of a herbicide tolerance trait in plant breeding. In addition, methods are provided for screening germplasm entries for the performance and expression of this trait.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oligonucleotide for HIV detection including a base sequence which is at least 80% identical to a base sequence composed of 10 or more continuous bases in a base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO. 1 or 6, and an HIV detection kit and an HIV detection method that uses the oligonucleotide for HIV detection.

Abstract: Provided are methods of diagnosing a viral disease such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Castleman's disease, a lymphoma, a thymoma or a sarcoma in a patient by identifying one or more virus-specific elements such as a nucleic acid or a viral protein or a patient antibody to a virus-specific element, as well as to kits for diagnosing the viral disease in a patient. Further provided are methods of monitoring disease progression and/or the efficacy of therapy by measuring the levels of a virus-specific element in a sample from a patient, and methods of identifying therapeutic agents that show efficacy in reducing levels of virus-specific agents in vitro. Still further provided are methods of treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lymphoproliferative disease and cancer, as well as methods of preventing viral infection, including Herpesvirus saimiri infection.

Abstract: A sugar composition comprising at least 40% dissolved solids in an aqueous solution having a viscosity at least 10% lower than a 42 DE (Dextrose Equivalents) reference solution with a same dissolved solids concentration at a given temperature. Another sugar composition comprising at least 30% glucose relative to total sugars, at least 10% mannose relative to total sugars, at least 5% xylose relative to total sugars, and less than 0.25% ash. Another sugar composition comprising at least 30% glucose relative to total sugars at least 10% mannose relative to total sugars, at least 5% xylose relative to total sugars, and at least 2% total furfurals.

Abstract: On the basis of data obtained by means of analyzing coal, a first and second coal type satisfying conditions are selected, the ash melting point of the mixed coal resulting from mixing the first and second coal types is derived on the basis of a four-dimensional state diagram for SiO2—CaO—MgO-20% Al2O3, on the basis of the ash melting point of the mixed coal and the four-dimensional state diagram, an additive causing the ash melting point of the mixed coal to be at least 1400° C. at the lowest quantity when added to the mixed coal is selected from SiO2, MgO, and CaO, the addition quantity of the additive is derived, the first coal type and second coal type are mixed to result in the mixed coal, and the addition quantity of the additive is added to the mixed coal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of melting ferrous metal using a gaseous fuel, a liquid fuel or a pulverized solid fuel in a cokeless horizontal reverberatory furnace (FIG. 1) consisting of a hearth (1), an sloped melting chamber (2) a vertical refractory grid (4), a burner (3), a recuperator or regenerator (5) to transfer heat from waste gas and products of combustion to fresh oxygen bearing gases, whereas a burner system is installed on the hearth for combustion of the fuel and oxygen bearing gas, the hearth under the burner acts as a superheater to achieve the temperature necessary for alloying and to receive the molten metal cascading from the sloped melting chamber, the sloped melting chamber being fed from one end by the rising gas products of combustion and in which the waste gases are subject to post-combustion of carbon monoxide and volatiles before passing through a recuperator or a regenerator to pre-heat the oxygen bearing gases necessary for combustion.

Abstract: A process for quenching heat treated metal parts using a liquid quenchant and high pressure is disclosed. In general, the process includes the steps of providing a load of heat treated metal parts in a pressure vessel wherein the load is at an elevated temperature after being heat treated. In a subsequent step, a liquid quenchant is injected into the pressure vessel such that a vapor of the liquid quenchant forms rapidly in the pressure vessel and cools the metal parts. The step of injecting the liquid quenchant into the pressure vessel is continued for a time sufficient to establish a desired peak vapor pressure in the pressure vessel. An apparatus for carrying out the disclosed process is also described.

Abstract: Structures and methods of manufacturing utilizing direction of force loading or shock induced deformation of structures including microstructures produced in accordance with embodiments of the invention are provided. In one example, a method of manufacturing and structure including providing a metallic plate; forming said plate such that an original longitudinal direction of rolling the plate is perpendicular to a long direction of the plate, thus a force load on the plate would then be distributed over the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A base material of a ferrous material is heated to an AC1 point, which is a temperature to cause austenite appearance, or higher, and austenite appears in the base material 1a and 1b (S101). An amount of a strain assuming that an Mf point, which is a temperature where the base material becomes martensite completely, is decreased to be less than room temperature is introduced into the base material (S102). The all ferrous material becoming martensite on the occasion of cooling the ferrous material to room temperature is prevented. The base material is cooled to room temperature at a cooling rate where a line extrapolated a cooling curve of the base material intersects with a region where martensite is produced on the CCT diagram (S103). Austenite remains in the manufactured ferrous material at room temperature.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high strength steel sheet having excellent formability suitable for the material of an automotive part has a tensile strength (TS) of 980 MPa or more and total elongation (EL) is 25% or more. A steel slab has a chemical composition containing C: 0.03% to 0.35%, Si: 0.5% to 3.0%, Mn: 3.5% to 10.0%, P: 0.100% or less, S: 0.02% or less, and the remainder includes Fe and incidental impurities on a percent by mass basis is hot-rolled, a heat treatment is performed, in which an achieved temperature of Ac1 to Ac1+100° C. is held for 3 minutes or more, subsequently, cold rolling is performed at a rolling reduction of 20% or more and, annealing is performed, in which an achieved temperature of Ac1?30° C. to Ac1+100° C. is held for 1 minute or more.

Abstract: Provided is a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet including: a forsterite base film formed on a surface of the steel sheet; and an insulating tension coating formed on the base film, in which when Ti intensity FX(Ti), Al intensity FX(Al), and Fe intensity FX(Fe) obtained through quantitative analysis by performing fluorescent X-ray analysis on the surface of the steel sheet satisfy FX(Ti)/FX(Al)?0.15 and FX(Ti)/FX(Fe)?0.004, the frequency of crystal boundaries of secondary recrystallized grains in the direction orthogonal to the rolling direction is 20 grain boundaries/100 mm or less, the mean thickness of the forsterite base film t(Fo) and the thickness of the insulating tension coating t(C) satisfies t(Fo)/t(C)?0.3, and magnetic domain refining treatment is performed by irradiation with a laser beam, plasma flame, or electron beam, a sufficient iron loss reducing effect is achieved in a range where coating detachment does not occur.

Abstract: In a method for producing a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet by comprising a series of steps of hot rolling a raw steel material containing C: 0.002-0.10 mass %, Si: 2.0-8.0 mass % and Mn: 0.005-1.0 mass % to obtain a hot rolled sheet, subjecting the hot rolled steel sheet after or without hot band annealing to one stage cold rolling or two or more stage cold rollings including an intermediate annealing therebetween to obtain a cold rolled sheet having a final sheet thickness, subjecting the cold rolled sheet to decarburization annealing combined with primary recrystallization annealing, applying an annealing separator to the steel sheet surface and then subjecting to a final annealing, when rapid heating is performed at a rate of not less than 50° C./s in a range of 200-700° C. of the decarburization annealing, the cold rolled sheet is subjected to holding at any temperature of 250-600° C.

Abstract: Methods for degassing and for removing impurities from molten metals are disclosed. These methods can include operating an ultrasonic device in a molten metal bath, and adding a purging gas into the molten metal bath in close proximity to the ultrasonic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for purifying materials using a fractional solidification. Devices and methods shown provide control over a temperature gradient and cooling rate during fractional solidification, which results in a material of higher purity. The apparatus and methods of the present invention can be used to make silicon material for use in solar applications such as solar cells.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrometallurgical process for nickel oxide ore by high pressure acid leach that achieves a high iron oxidation ratio. The carbon grade in ore slurry and the flow rate are measured to determine the amount of carbon to be fed, and then, sulfuric acid is added. The blowing ratio of high pressure air and high pressure oxygen is adjusted so as to attain an oxygen purity of 21% to 60%. While the oxygen purity is maintained, an oxygen blowing amount per weight of carbon contained in the ore slurry and fed in the second step is adjusted to 200 to 600 Nm3, whereby ORP (Ag/AgCl basis) in the leaching treatment is controlled to 400 to 650 mV.

Abstract: An alumina- or magnesia-reducing process in which a greenhouse gas or substance harmful to the human body is not emitted, which can achieve improved energy efficiency in comparison with the Hall-Heroult or Pidgeon methods. The process includes: introducing an alumina or magnesia powder with a carrier gas to the upstream side of a throat provided on a reducing unit; pressure-transferring the powder and carrier gas to the throat by an operative gas introduced to the upstream side of the throat; irradiating the throat with a laser beam to convert the alumina or magnesia into a plasma state and dissociate the alumina or magnesia thermally; jetting the thermally dissociated product through a nozzle provided on the downstream side of the throat at a supersonic speed to form a frozen flow; and isolating aluminum or magnesium. Hydrogen may be added to the operative gas to accelerate the reduction of alumina or magnesia.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a solution containing zinc sulphate, so that at least one of the rare metals such as indium, gallium and germanium can be separated from it. A portion of the metals to be separated can be precipitated from zinc sulphate solution by neutralizing the acidic solution and at least a portion is cemented by means of metal powder. The solid precipitates that are formed can be combined and treated subsequently in some suitable way to leach out the desired metals.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas generating member includes a metal alloy having dispersed aluminum. The metal alloy includes an Al—X alloy, where X is Sn: 10.1 to 99.5% by mass, Bi: 30.1 to 99.5% by mass, In: 10.1 to 99.5% by mass, Sn +Bi: 20.1 to 99.5% by mass, Sn +In: to 10 to 99.5% by mass, Bi+In: 20.1 to 99.5% by mass, or Sn+Bi+In: 20 to 99.5% by mass. Hydrogen gas is generated by bringing the hydrogen gas generating member into contact with water.

Abstract: Provided are an aluminum alloy including an iron-manganese complete solid solution and a method of manufacturing the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, iron-manganese alloy powder is provided. The iron-manganese alloy powder is introduced into an aluminum melt. An aluminum alloy including an iron-manganese complete solid solution is manufactured by die casting the aluminum melt.

Abstract: A steel sheet for a hot stamping member contains, as a chemical composition, 0.10 mass % to 0.35 mass % of C; 0.01 mass % to 1.0 mass % of Si; 0.3 mass % to 2.3 mass % of Mn; 0.01 mass % to 0.5 mass % of Al; limited to 0.03 mass % or less of P; limited to 0.02 mass % or less of S; limited to 0.1 mass % or less of N; and a balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities, in which a standard deviation of diameters of iron carbides which are contained in a region from a surface to a ¼ thickness position of the steel sheet is less than or equal to 0.8 ?m.