Abstract: A testing method is disclosed. The testing method includes: providing a mixture solution of a gelling agent and a microbe to a gelling device; solidifying the mixture solution to form a solid thin film in which the microbe is immobilized; supplying a bioactive agent to the solid thin film and allowing the bioactive agent to diffuse into the solid thin film; and imaging the individual responses of the single microbial cells to the bioactive agent, and determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bioactive agent based on the analysis of the images to obtain AST results.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring for a change in the amount and/or concentration of a pathogen in a pathogenic fluid. The method includes providing a pathogen-impermeable enclosure enclosing the pathogenic fluid, wherein the pathogenic fluid includes a pathogen and a carrier fluid. Additionally, the method includes acoustically monitoring for a change in the amount and/or concentration of the pathogen enclosed in the pathogen-impermeable enclosure.

Abstract: There is provided a renewable sensor for sensing or selectively capturing a targeted bacteria in a fluid. The renewable sensor includes a surface, the surface includes a substrate, a biologically or bacterially non-adhesive feature disposed on or in functional proximity to at least a portion of the substrate; and an adhesive elements disposed on or in functional proximity to the non-adhesive feature, a flow channel in operative contact with the surface; and a detector configured to detect the targeted cell type captured on the surface. Also provided are method for using the sensor and the surface.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of in-vitro diagnostics. Within this field, it provides the amplification of at least a first target nucleic acid that may be present in at least one fluid sample using an internal control nucleic acid for qualitative and/or quantitative purposes and at least one external control nucleic acid in an aqueous buffer. It further provides an analytical system comprising an internal control nucleic acid for qualitative and/or quantitative purposes and at least one external control nucleic acid in an aqueous buffer.

Abstract: Providing herein, among other things, is a method for preparing a nucleic acid for sequencing. In some embodiments, the method comprises a) amplifying a nucleic acid template using a dNTP mix that contains 5-methyl dCTP, thereby producing product nucleic acid molecules that contains methylcytosines; b) digesting the product nucleic acid molecules with a methylation-dependent restriction endonuclease, thereby cleaving the product nucleic acid molecules at sites that are adjacent to at least some of the methylcytosine and producing fragments of the product nucleic acid molecules; and c) ligating double-stranded adaptors onto the ends of the fragments to produce adaptor-ligated products.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a nucleic acid detection method which takes advantage of the high specificity of hybridization techniques, reduces the time length and the number of steps required for detection of PCR products, and allows for easy and highly accurate detection by visual observation without the need of special equipment; and a nucleic acid detection device or kit. The invention provides a method for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample, which includes performing amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence to synthesize an amplification product having a partially double-stranded structure where a single-stranded region is added to each end of the target sequence, and hybridizing a nucleic acid sequence bound to a development medium and a nucleic acid sequence labeled with a labeling compound with the single-stranded regions of the amplification product to form a sandwich hybridization complex; and a detection device thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for determining functional relationships between a cosmetic agent and a hair biology condition of interest. Also provided are methods and systems for identifying cosmetic agents that affect a hair biology condition, as well as the use of agents identified by such methods and systems for the preparation of cosmetic compositions, personal care products, or both.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for reducing amplification of non-template molecules in a nucleic acid sample. In certain embodiments, the method involves adding a helicase to a reaction mixture for non-helicase-dependent amplification of target nucleic acid.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for isothermal nucleic acid amplifications that use an oligocation-oligonucleotide conjugate primer for amplifying a target nucleic acid to generate amplicons. Isothermal DNA amplification methods that employ a strand displacing DNA polymerase and polyamine-oligonucleotide conjugate primer are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for capturing, detecting and quantifying mature small RNAs are provided herein. Embodiments of the methods comprise ligating 5? and 3? ligation adaptors to the 5? and 3? ends of the mature small RNAs, respectively, in the presence of 5? and 3? semi-degenerate ligation splints to generate a ligation product. Other embodiments comprise reverse transcribing polyadenylated mature small RNA with a universal reverse transcription primer and ligating an adaptor to the 3? end of the cDNA in the presence of a semi-degenerate ligation splint to generate a cDNA ligation product.

Abstract: Technology provided herein relates in part to methods, processes, compositions and apparatuses for analyzing nucleic acid.

Abstract: A method for determining an allelic ladder signal for DNA analysis includes obtaining a measured allelic ladder signal for an allelic ladder substance, which includes a plurality of fragments, obtaining a reference set of expected fragment sizes of fragments of the ladder substance, and generating a signal identifying whether a peak for a fragment size of the measured ladder signal is a true peak of the ladder substance based on the reference set of expected fragment sizes, wherein the allelic ladder signal for DNA analysis includes the true peaks identified in the signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for constructing a high-throughput sequencing library, which comprises: fragmenting genomic DNA; end-repairing the DNA fragments; adding a base A to the 3? end of the end-repaired DNA fragments; connecting the DNA fragments having cohesive end A with a methylated adapter; carrying out hybrid capture on the connection products by using specific probes to obtain object fragments; treating the object fragments with bisulfite, to convert non-methylated cytosines to uracils; PCR amplifying the converted object fragments; and separating and purifying the amplification products, wherein the amplification products constitute the high-throughput sequencing library. The present invention also provides a method and an apparatus for identifying methylation information in specified genome regions of a sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for parallel high throughput sequencing of nucleic acid molecules, in particular in the single molecule format.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel class of cyanine dyes that are functionalized with a linker moiety that facilitates their conjugation to other species and substituent groups which increase the water-solubility, and optimize the optical properties of the dyes. Also provided are conjugates of the dyes, methods of using the dyes and their conjugates and kits including the dyes and their conjugates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein in are methods and systems for determining genetic variants (e.g., copy number variation) in a polynucleotide sample. A method for determining copy number variations includes tagging double-stranded polynucleotides with duplex tags, sequencing polynucleotides from the sample and estimating total number of polynucleotides mapping to selected genetic loci. The estimate of total number of polynucleotides can involve estimating the number of double-stranded polynucleotides in the original sample for which no sequence reads are generated. This number can be generated using the number of polynucleotides for which reads for both complementary strands are detected and reads for which only one of the two complementary strands is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for analyzing mammalian transcriptomes, particularly, for low abundant transcripts, and with the use of high throughput technologies. Heptamer primers and sequence tags generated by the iterative randomized algorithm, as well as the sequencing-library generation system for amplifying and synthesis-based sequencing low abundant transcripts using the heptamer primers are also provided. The present invention further provides the use of the invention system and method for identifying key embryological lineage specific transcripts that anticipate differentiation of specific cell types.

Abstract: The Invention relates to a method of predicting resistance to infectious pancreatic necrosis in salmon, the method comprising determining the alleles present at a DNA polymorphism in the salmon and predicting whether or not the salmon is resistant to infectious pancreatic necrosis based on the determination of the alleles. The invention also relates to a method of selecting a salmon for use as broodstock, wherein the salmon is selected based on the prediction by the first method that the salmon will have resistance to infectious pancreatic necrosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of CSF3.

Abstract: Methods are provided to determine the entire genomic region of a particular HLA locus including both intron and exons. The resultant consensus sequences provides linkage information between different exons, and produces the unique sequence from each of the two genes from the individual sample being typed. The sequence information in intron regions along with the exon sequences provides an accurate HLA haplotype.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening a mammal for the onset or predisposition to the onset of a neuropsychiatric disorder. More particularly, the present invention provides a method of screening a mammal for the onset or predisposition to the onset of schizophrenia by screening for a decrease in the functional level of protein 14-3-3?. In a related aspect, the present invention also provides a means of monitoring a patient diagnosed with a neuropsychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia, by screening for changes to functional levels of protein 14-3-3?. This may be useful, for example, in the context of evaluating the effectiveness of a prophylactic or therapeutic treatment regime or otherwise monitoring the impact of physiological or metabolic changes which may occur in a patient.

Abstract: A method for measuring blood levels of ? cell DNA that is released upon ? cell death by using a quantitative probe technology to detect amplified methylated and demethylated forms of the insulin gene DNA, representing normal tissue and ? cell specific origin, respectively. Using probes permits the sensitive and specific identification of demethylated insulin DNA patterns that are present only in ? cells. The method offers a bioassay for detecting ? cell loss in diabetes, useful for screening of prediabetes, monitoring of disease progression, and selection and monitoring of therapies. The technique finds potential use in both Type I and Type II diabetes, as well as gestational diabetes.

Abstract: Disclosed are markers associated with sensitivity to treatment with proteasome inhibitors. Sensitivity is observed when RAS gene is wild type in tumor cells. Compositions and methods are further provided to assess markers of marker genes to predict outcome of treatment using proteasome inhibitors to patients having a solid tumor, such as a lung tumor or a colon tumor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer using expression analysis of one or more groups of genes, and a combination of expression analysis with bronchoscopy. The methods of the invention provide far superior detection accuracy for lung cancer when compared to any other currently available method for lung cancer diagnostic or prognosis. The invention also provides methods of diagnosis and prognosis of other lung diseases, particularly in individuals who are exposed to air pollutants, such as cigarette or cigar smoke, smog, asbestos and the like air contaminants or pollutants.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing or detecting a condition, e.g., lung disease in a mammalian subject by use of a micro-RNA expression level or an expression level profile of multiple miRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the subject which is characteristic of COPD or NSCLC. Detection of changes in expression in specific miRNA biomarkers from that of a reference sample or miRNA expression profile are correlated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and/or COPD and permit differentiation among healthy subjects, subjects with COPD and subjects with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method and a means of rapidly and reliably detecting lymph node metastasis in cancer or the risk of lymph node metastasis. Specifically, the present invention provides a method and a rapid determination kit for detecting lymph node metastasis in cancer or its risk by identifying a certain genetic polymorphism of the human CRP gene, and it is clinically significant in determining the treatment strategy, because effective prediction/determination can be made regarding lymph node metastasis, which is an important phenomenon in cancer progression.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for predicting and/or determining whether a subject has cancer based on the level of expression of BPTF. The disclosure also provides methods for determining whether a cancer in a subject is progressing or regressing based upon the change of expression levels of BPTF between two time points. The disclosure further provides methods to treat a subject with a cancer by administering a polynucleotide comprising an inhibitory BPTF nucleic acid and/or an agent that inhibits the expression or activity of BPTF.

Abstract: A method is presented for screening cells that produce allogeneic autophagosome enriched compositions able to induce expression of a selective marker on a subpopulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the method comprising contacting a cell with a proteasome inhibitor, contacting the cell with a lysosome inhibitor, harvesting the resulting autophagosomes, determining a molecular signature of the harvested autophagosomes, and selecting cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes. By screening for cells that divert one or more Toll-like receptor agonist and/or one or more molecular chaperones to the harvested autophagosomes, enriched populations of autophagosomes may be generated which may illicit a specific immune response against numerous cancer types.

Abstract: Described herein are polynucleotides associated with prostate and lung cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs and miRNA precursors. Related methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of those medical conditions are disclosed. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of prostate and lung cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides a diverse population of uniquely labeled probes, containing about thirty or more target specific nucleic acid probes each attached to a unique label bound to a nucleic acid. Also provided is a method of producing a population of uniquely labeled nucleic acid probes. Also provided is a method of detecting a nucleic acid analyte. The method consists of (a) contacting a mixture of nucleic acid analytes under conditions sufficient for hybridization with a plurality of target specific nucleic acid probes each having a different specifier; (b) contacting the mixture under conditions sufficient for hybridization with a corresponding plurality of anti-genedigits each having a unique label, the plurality of anti-genedigits having a diversity sufficient to uniquely hybridize to genedigits within the specifiers, and (c) uniquely detecting a hybridized complex between one or more analytes in the mixture, a target specific probe, and an anti-genedigit.

Abstract: Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of mecC-containing Staphylococcus aureus (mecC-MRSA) in a biological or non-biological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers, probes targeting the genes for mecC-MRSA, along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of mecC-MRSA.

Abstract: Compositions, reaction mixtures, kits and methods used in amplifying and detecting nucleic acids from various species of the class Mollicutes. Particular regions of the 23S rRNA or its gene have been identified as preferred targets for nucleic acid amplification reactions of a sample suspected containing at least one species of Mollicutes. Some oligomers comprise tag regions, target closing regions, promoter sequences, and/or binding moieties. Samples can be from any source suspected of containing a species of the class Mollicutes. Preferred sample sources include bioreactors, cell lines, cell culture wares and pharmaceutical manufacturing wares.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of finding compounds which increase the tolerance of plants to abiotic stress factors acting on this plant, such as, for example, temperature (such as chill, frost or heat), water (such as dryness, drought or anoxia), or the chemical load (such as lack of or excess of mineral salts, heavy metals, gaseous noxious substances) by increasing the expression of plant-endogenous proteins, and to the use of these compounds for increasing the tolerance in plants to abiotic stress factors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for identifying gene(s)/genetic element(s) associated with mating impairment in strains of Trichoderma reesei QM6a or strains derived thereof comprising the steps of a) providing a first strain being a Trichoderma reesei QM6a strain having a MAT1-2 locus or a strain derived thereof, b) sexually crossing said strain with a second strain being a mating competent strain of a Trichoderma reesei (Hypocrea jecorina) strain having a complementary locus, i.e.

Abstract: Probes and primers are disclosed for detecting a C. glabrata resistant to an echinocandin in a sample. Method are also disclosed that utilize these probes and primers, wherein the methods can be used to detect a C. glabrata resistant to an echinocandin in a sample.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequencing methods and related products are disclosed. Methods for sequencing a target nucleic acid comprise providing a daughter strand produced by a template-directed synthesis, the daughter strand comprising a plurality of subunits coupled in a sequence corresponding to a contiguous nucleotide sequence of all or a portion of the target nucleic acid, wherein the individual subunits comprise a tether, at least one probe or nucleobase residue, and at least one selectively cleavable bond. The selectively cleavable bond(s) is/are cleaved to yield an Xpandomer of a length longer than the plurality of the subunits of the daughter strand, the Xpandomer comprising the tethers and reporter elements for parsing genetic information in a sequence corresponding to the contiguous nucleotide sequence of all or a portion of the target nucleic acid. Reporter elements of the Xpandomer are then detected.

Abstract: A strain of marine oil degrading bacteria, compounds obtained by fermentation and their uses are published. The name is Alcanivorax dieselolei T6-6, with preservation Number: CGMCC NO: 9033. It belongs to ?-proteobacteria, oceanospirillales, alkane degrading bacteria branch, alcanivorax category and diesel alcanivorax species. The said bacteria can be used to degrade and remove petroleum hydrocarbon, control environmental pollution, produce surfactants, reduce surface tension of water, and for other purposes; a compound can be isolated from secondary metabolites after fermentation, one of which is dieselolei T6-6, 2-amino-6-(N-2-carbonyl-4-tridecyl-cyclobutane) hexanoic acid, and it is a kind of lysine ester. The compound has emulsifying activity on different organics, antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria and fungus, and a better cytotoxic activity.

Abstract: Process for the production of sugars from biomass including at least one polysaccharide which comprises putting a biomass in contact with an aqueous solution of at least one organic acid having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, the pH of said aqueous solution being ranging from 0.6 to 1.6, preferably ranging from 0.9 to 1.3. The sugars thus obtained can be advantageously used as carbon sources in fermentation processes for the production of alcohols (e.g., ethanol, butanol), diols (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol), lipids, or other intermediates or products. Said alcohols, diols, lipids, or other intermediates or products, can be advantageously used in the chemical industry or in the formulation of fuels for motor vehicles. Said alcohols and said diols can also be advantageously used in the bio-butadiene production.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for the hydrolysis of mixed biomass. The methods include forming a mixture of at least two modified biomass feedstocks to achieve various benefits, such as maximizing sugar yields and minimizing the formation of degradation products.

Abstract: There is proposed a method for preliminary treatment of molten iron wherein heat source for dissolving scrap is ensured sufficiently to improve iron yield while decreasing phosphorus concentration efficiently by suppressing the amount of flux solvent used in the process of desiliconization, dephosphorization and decarburization. In the method for preliminary treatment of molten iron by conducting desiliconization and dephosphorization of molten iron with a converter type container, molten iron is first charged into the converter type container to conduct desiliconization and then intermediate slag removal is conducted, and subsequently a lime-based flux solvent is added to the container while blowing oxygen to conduct dephosphorization of the molten iron, and thereafter newly untreated molten iron is charged into the container to conduct desiliconization, and subsequently the above treatments are repeatedly conducted with the same container.

Abstract: A high-strength hot-rolled steel strip or sheet with tensile strength of 570 to 870 MPa and an excellent combination of total elongation, stretch-flange formability, as well as fatigue resistance and to a method of manufacturing the steel strip or sheet and a chassis part made thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic induction hardening of a workpiece includes a magnetic tool having a body portion formed of a generally non-magnetic material. The body portion has a surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to the workpiece being hardened. The apparatus further includes a magnetic arrangement coupled to the body portion at or adjacent the surface of the body portion and configured to provide regions of alternating polarity. A workpiece holder is configured to support the workpiece in close proximity to the surface of the magnetic tool. A drive arrangement for rotating the magnetic tool relative to the workpiece holder about an axis of rotation is provided to induce heating of the workpiece to achieve a temperature in the austenitic range of the workpiece resulting in hardening of the workpiece through a microstructural transformation.

Abstract: A non-oriented electrical steel sheet having a high magnetic flux density and a low iron loss is produced by hot rolling a steel slab comprising C: not more than 0.005 mass %, Si: not more than 4 mass %, Mn: 0.03-3 mass %, Al: not more than 3 mass %, P: 0.03-0.2 mass %, S: present at not more than 0.005 mass %, N: not more than 0.005 mass %, Ca: 0.0005-0.01 mass %, provided that an atom ratio of Ca to S ((Ca mass %/40)/(S mass %/32)) is within a range of 0.5-3.5, and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities, hot band annealing, cold rolling, and then conducting recrystallization annealing by heating at an average temperature rising rate of not less than 100° C/s up to at least 740° C.

Abstract: A bake-hardening galvanized steel sheet having a base steel sheet and a coating layer formed on the base steel sheet, the base steel sheet having a specified chemical composition and a metallographic structure including a ferrite phase and a cementite phase, in which an average ferrite grain diameter is controlled to be 10 ?m or more and 30 ?m or less, and in which the surface area of the interface between ferrite and cementite per unit volume is controlled to be 1.0/mm or more and 10.0/mm or less, a hydrogen concentration in steel of the base steel sheet is controlled to be less than 0.1 ppm, and a zinc coating weight per unit surface area of the steel sheet is controlled to be 40 g/m2 or more and 100 g/m2 or less.

Abstract: A method of recovering gold from refractory ore containing a carbonaceous material, a sulfide and gold is provided. Gypsum seed crystals are added to a slurry containing a roasted refractory ore or a pressure-oxidized refractory ore to decrease gypsum encapsulation of gold and improve gold recovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for pressure and temperature let down of autoclave discharge slurry, in particular in pressure oxidation or high pressure acid leach of metal containing ore. The method of the invention comprises a step of providing autoclave vent gas obtained from the autoclave to the top-entry flash vessel for inducing overpressure to the top-entry flash vessel and preventing boiling of the slurry during the transfer to next top-entry flash vessel. The invention further relates to an autoclave and pressure let-down arrangement adapted for providing autoclave vent gas to one or more top-entry flash vessels.

Abstract: A process for the removal of ferric iron as hematite from a nickel solution containing ferric and ferrous ions including the steps of: raising the temperature of the nickel solution to between 90° C. and the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure; raising the pH of the nickel solution to be between 2 and 3; and adding a hematite seed to facilitate hematite precipitation, wherein ferric ions are precipitated as hematite in a predominantly crystalline form.

Abstract: A zinc production method includes a reaction step such as a leaching step (101) of bringing electric arc furnace dust (1) containing zinc oxide or the like into contact with a chlorine gas (8) to obtain a zinc oxide component in the electric arc furnace dust (1) or the like as crude zinc chloride (3), a purification step (102) of heating the crude zinc chloride (3) obtained at the reaction step to produce zinc chloride vapor, and cooling and condensing the zinc chloride vapor, thereby obtaining purified zinc chloride (6), and an electrolysis step (103) of electrolyzing the purified zinc chloride (6) obtained at the purification step (102) in a molten state to obtain a zinc melt (9) and the chlorine gas (8).

Abstract: A titanium alloy member with high strength and high proof stress not only in the surface but also inside, using a general and inexpensive ?-? type titanium alloy, and a production method therefor, are provided. The production method includes preparing a raw material made of titanium alloy, nitriding the raw material to form a nitrogen-containing raw material by generating a nitrogen compound layer and/or a nitrogen solid solution layer in a surface layer of the raw material, mixing the raw material and the nitrogen-containing raw material to yield a nitrogen-containing mixed material, sintering the nitrogen-containing mixed material to obtain a sintered titanium alloy member by bonding the material together and uniformly diffusing nitrogen in solid solution from the nitrogen-containing raw material to the entire interior portion of the sintered titanium alloy member, and hot plastic forming the sintered titanium alloy member.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to Ni—Cr—P eutectic alloys bearing Nb as substitution for Cr that are capable of forming metallic glasses with critical rod diameter of at least 1 mm or more. With further minority addition of Si as replacement for P, such alloys are capable of forming metallic glasses with critical rod diameters as high as 10 mm or more. Specifically, Ni-based compositions with a Cr content of between 5 and 14 atomic percent, Nb content of between 3 and 4 atomic percent, P content of between 17.5 and 19 atomic percent, and Si content of between 1 and 2 atomic percent, were capable of forming bulk metallic glass rods with diameters as large as 6 mm or larger.