Abstract: An improved device and system for facilitating polymerase chain reaction including a light source, detector, waveguide, and filters that occupy minimal space and facilitate reduced sample read time and rapid reading of multiple light wavelengths.

Abstract: The present description refers to methods and kits for the assessment of RNA quality in a sample. Stable RNA is used as a reference for the assessment of RNA quality, wherein the stable RNA has low susceptibility to nuclease degradation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fast nucleic acid amplification in which concentrations of primers and polymerase are increased.

Abstract: The molecules harbored in exosomes play important roles in biological science. A highly desirable goal for exosome research is the rapid, simple, simultaneous tracking and quantification of exosome harbored molecules. Disclosed herein are methods and devices for inducing the release and measurement of biomolecules harbored in exosomes. The disclosed method, Electric Field Induced Release and Measurement (EFIRM) technique, uses an electrical field to simultaneously disrupt exosomes to release the contents and measure the harbored exosomal RNA/proteins. The exosome vesicle contents can be released within minutes. This provides a potential on-site method for the detection of exosome-harbored biomolecules.

Abstract: Methods for detecting genomic rearrangements are provided. In one embodiment, methods are provided for the use of paired end tags from restriction fragments to detect genomic rearrangements. Sequences from the ends of the fragments are brought together to form ditags and the ditags are detected. Combinations of ditags are detected by an on-chip sequencing strategy that is described herein, using inosine for de novo sequencing of short segments of DNA. In another aspect, translocations are identified by using target specific capture and analysis of the captured products on a tiling array.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with cardiovascular disorders, particularly acute coronary events such as myocardial infarction and stroke, and genetic polymorphisms that are associated with responsiveness of an individual to treatment of cardiovascular disorders with statin. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in HLA-B*15:02 that can be used as a biomarker for carbamazepine-induced severe adverse skin reactions in Asians. Also provided herein are methods and reagents for assessing the specific SNP, and applying the SNP in predicting an increased risk of carbamazepine-induced severe adverse skin reactions.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for analyzing a clinical response of a patient suffering from or at risk of developing a neoplastic disease towards at least one given mode of treatment, said method comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a biological sample from said patient; b) determining, on a non protein basis, the expression level of three genes of interest, said genes being correlated with the Estrogen receptor (ESR) status in the sample, c) comparing the pattern of expression levels determined in (b) with one or several reference pattern(s) of expression levels; and d) predicting therapeutic success for said given mode of treatment in said patient from the outcome of the comparison in step (c); and treating based on said outcome.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. More specifically, this invention relates to the clinical application of a bioinformatics methodology described in patent application Ser. No. 14/154,303 for the early detection of cancer. Said clinical application relates to obtaining the genome sequence from an individual's healthy tissue and comparing it to the DNA sequence obtained from that same individual's body tissues, wastes and/or fluids. Said method inspects the DNA sequence obtained from body tissues, wastes and/or fluids for the presence of DNA damage at bioinformatically predicted genetically unstable loci within cancer-linked regions of the patients healthy DNA. The identification of DNA damage within a predicted locus is considered to be evidence of cancer. Said method then uses the unique signature of any damaged DNA sequence which has occurred at predicted unstable cancer-linked loci to construct patient-specific cancer biomarker(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for determining whether a subject having prostate cancer is at greater risk of developing progressive disease, and methods of treating the subjects. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that approximately 90% of men carrying at least one of the following fusion genes: TRMT11-GRIK2, SLC45A2-AMACR, MTOR-TP53BP1, LRRC59-FLJ60017, TMEM135-CCDC67 and CCNH-C5orf30 experienced prostate cancer recurrence, metastases and/or prostate cancer-specific death after radical prostatectomy (each examples of “progressive prostate cancer”), while these outcomes occurred in only 36% of men not carrying any of these fusion genes. It is also based, at least in part, on the discovery that no patient studied survived five years without recurrence if their primary prostate cancer contained a TRMT11-GRIK2 or MTOR-TP53BP1 fusion gene. It is also based, at least in part, on the discovery that the protein encoded by the MAN2A1-FER fusion gene exhibits kinase activity.

Abstract: Processes for the serotype specific detection and identification of one or more Salmonella serotypes are provided. A family of specific primers and probes are provided that allow screening of biological or environmental samples for robust, rapid, and reproducible detection and identification of one or more Salmonella serotypes in the sample.

Abstract: The present methods pertain to amplifying and/or detecting Staphylococcus aureus (“SA”) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”) nucleic acids based on a combined detection of ldh1 as a SA marker and mecA as a MRSA marker. In certain embodiments the methods also pertain to amplifying and/or detecting one or more SCCmec integration sites or bridge regions. Primers and probes are suitable to be used in the present methods to detect SA and MRSA simultaneously in a single reaction or in separate reactions. The amplified nucleic acid can be detected by a variety of state of the art methods, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (“FRET”), radiolabels, enzyme labels, and the like.

Abstract: Described herein are glucose and insulin sensors. The sensors are composed of host cells with DNA specifically designed to produce fluorescence when the cells come into contact with glucose and/or insulin in the sample. Once the fluorescence has been quantified, it can be correlated with the amount of glucose and/or insulin present in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting bacteriolytic conditions in a test sample comprising the step of contacting the test sample with a bacterial strain and a substrate which undergoes a detectable change when cleaved by a specific enzyme of said bacterial strain, wherein the bacterial strain is unable of: (a) uptaking the substrate from the medium and (b) secreting the enzyme specific for the substrate outside of the cell and wherein detecting a change in the test sample due to the cleavage of the substrate by its specific bacterial enzyme indicates that bacteriolytic conditions exist in the test sample. The invention further provides a kit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to particular agents and/or reduced interactivity with immunological reagents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside or nucleotide analogs and/or reduced interactivity with antibodies to viral surface components including reduced sensitivity to these antibodies. Vaccines and diagnostic assays are also contemplated herein.

Abstract: Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum var. nov. strain deposited under BCCM deposit number 54871, comprising the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 1; composition comprising said strain, 2:1 smectite clays, metal ions and chitin and use thereof as bio-nematicide. The invention also discloses a composition comprising said strain, fungicides, bio-fungicides, insecticides, bio-insecticides, nematicides and bio-nematicides.

Abstract: A process for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is provided. The process generally includes flowing water through a pretreatment reactor containing a bed of particulate ligno-cellulosic biomass to produce a pressurized, high-temperature hydrolyzate exit stream, separating solubilized compounds from the hydrolyzate exit stream using an inorganic nanoporous membrane element, fractionating the retentate enriched in solubilized organic components and recycling the permeate to the pretreatment reactor. The pretreatment process provides solubilized organics in concentrated form for the subsequent conversion into biofuels and other chemicals.

Abstract: Provided are a fixed-type electric furnace enabling continuous operation which allows melting without the interruption of power supply and tapping in a fixed state, and a fixed-type electric furnace and a molten steel production method using same. The fixed-type electric furnace comprises: a preheating furnace which is disposed on the side of a melting furnace and preheats an iron source (scrap) using exhaust gas from the melting furnace; a supply means for supplying the iron source, which has been preheated in the preheating furnace, to the melting furnace; the melting furnace comprising electrodes for melting the preheated iron source; and a fixed-type discharge means for discharging molten steel which has been melted in the melting furnace, wherein the preheating furnace is integrally connected to the melting furnace.

Abstract: A ferritic stainless steel material for brazing without grain coarsening has a partially recrystallized structure and composition comprising, in % by mass, C:0.03% or less, Si: more than 0.1 to 3%, Mn: 0.1 to 2%, Cr: 10 to 35%, Nb: 0.2 to 0.8%, N: 0.03% or less, if necessary, at least one of Mo, Cu, V and W: 4% or less in total, at least one of Ti and Zr: 0.5% or less in total, at least one of Ni and Co: 5% or less in total, or at least one of Al: 6% or less, REM (rare earth metal): 0.2% or less and Ca: 0.1% or less, the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities, wherein area ratio in percentage of recrystallized grains formed by heating after cold working is from 10 to 80%.

Abstract: A heavy wall and high strength seamless steel pipe having high sour resistance is provided. In particular, a quenching and tempering treatment is conducted to adjust the yield strength to be higher than 450 MPa and adjust the Vickers hardness HV5 that can be measured at an outermost side or an innermost side of the pipe under a 5 kgf load (test load: 49 N) to be 250 HV5 or less.

Abstract: Hot-stamped steel includes: a base metal that is steel including a tempered portion having hardness corresponding to 85% or less of the highest quenching hardness, the highest quenching hardness being defined as a Vickers hardness at a depth position spaced away from a surface by ¼ times a sheet thickness in a case of performing water quenching after heating at a temperature equal to or higher than an Ac3 point and retention for 30 minutes; and a Zn coating layer that is formed on the tempered portion of the base metal. The Zn coating layer includes a solid-solution layer including a solid-solution phase that contains Fe and Zn that is solid-soluted in Fe, and a lamella layer that includes the solid-solution phase and a capital gamma phase. An area ratio of the lamella layer in the Zn coating layer is 20% or less.

Abstract: Problem is to selectively and inexpensively recover a metal ion in a liquid. Solution is a metal ion recovery device, in which a permselective membrane for selectively permeating Li is used, and on both main faces of the plate-like permselective membrane, a mesh-like negative electrode and a positive electrode are formed, respectively. This structure is provided in a treatment tank, and in the treatment tank, the permselective membrane partitions between a stock solution containing a Li ion, and a recovery solution into which Li is recovered. As the permselective membrane, lithium nitride (Li3N), Li10GeP2S12, (Lax, Liy)TiOz, Li1+x+yAlx(Ti, Ge)2?xSiyP3?yO12, and the like, which are super lithium ion conductors, can be used.

Abstract: A system for extracting uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid (WPA), includes an ion exchange resin or solvent extractor for separating uranium from WPA to produce a loaded uranium solution stream and a uranium depleted WPA stream. An ion exchange resin is positioned to receive the loaded uranium solution stream and bind uranium species thereto. An anion solution stream is positioned to feed a solution comprising anions onto the ion exchange resin to form a loaded uranium eluant stream. The loaded uranium eluant stream may then be treated to provide a uranium containing product.

Abstract: A Ni-based alloy includes, as a chemical composition, C, Si, Mn, Cr, Mo, Co, Al, Ti, B, P, S, and a balance consisting of Ni and impurities. The average grain size d is 10 ?m to 300 ?m, when the average grain size d is an average grain size in unit of ?m of a ? phase included in a metallographic structure of the Ni-based alloy. Precipitates with a major axis of 100 nm or more are absent in the metallographic structure. An area fraction ? is f2 or more, when the area fraction ? and the f2 are expressed by using the average grain size d and amounts in mass % of each element in the chemical composition.

Abstract: A nickel-based alloy, consisting of (in mass %) 1.5-3.0% Si, 1.5-3.0% Al, and >0.1-3.0% Cr, where Al+Si+Cr is ?4.0 and ?8.0 for the contents of Si, Al, and Cr in %; 0.005-0.20% Fe, 0.01-0.20% Y, and <0.001-0.20% of one or more the elements Hf, Zr, La, Ce, Ti, where Y+0.5*Hf+Zr+1.8*Ti+0.6*(La+Ce) is ?0.02 and ?0.30 for the contents of Y, Hf, Zr, La, Ce, and Ti in %; 0.001-0.10% C; 0.0005-0.10% N; 0.001-0.20% Mn; 0.0001-0.08% Mg; 0.0001-0.010% O; max. 0.015% S; max. 0.80% Cu; Ni remainder; and the usual production-related impurities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Ni-based single crystal superalloy which has the following composition by weight: 0.1 wt % or more and 9.9 wt % or less of Co, 5.1 wt % or more and 10.0 wt % or less of Cr, 1.0 wt % or more and 4.0 wt % or less of Mo, 8.1 wt % or more and 11.0 wt % or less of W, 4.0 wt % or more and 9.0 wt % or less of Ta, 5.2 wt % or more and 7.0 wt % or less of Al, 0.1 wt % or more and 2.0 wt % or less of Ti, 0.05 wt % or more and 0.3 wt % or less of Hf, 1.0 wt % or less of Nb and less than 3.0 wt % of Re with the remainder including Ni and unavoidable impurities. This Ni-based single crystal superalloy has a low Re content and also has excellent high-temperature strength, mainly creep strength.

Abstract: A 6000-series aluminum alloy plate, which is obtained by introducing a minor amount of Sn into a 6000-series aluminum alloy plate that has a specific Mg and Si composition, and controlling the tissue of the plate on the basis of the tissue thereof under a specific heat treatment, shows an improved hem bendability even after aging for a long period of time at room temperature, as a characteristic after the natural aging, and increases the bake hardenability (BH response) in baking finishing a molded automobile panel.

Abstract: A hot-dip galvanized steel sheet having a good appearance and good adhesion to a coating, the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet having a composition containing, on a mass basis: C: 0.08% or more and less than 0.20%, Si: 0.1% to 3.0%, Mn: 0.5% to 3.0%, P: 0.001% to 0.10%, Al: 0.01% to 3.00%, and S: 0.200% or less, a remainder being Fe and incidental impurities, wherein the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet includes an internal oxidation layer and a decarburized layer, the internal oxidation layer having a thickness of 5 ?m or less, the decarburized layer having a thickness of 20 ?m or less, and 50% or more by area of the internal oxidation layer is composed of a Si oxide containing Fe and/or Mn represented by Fe2XMn2-2XSiOY, wherein X ranges from 0 to 1, and Y is 3 or 4.

Abstract: A method for depositing a layer includes repeatedly performing a unit deposition process until the layer on a deposition target reaches a predetermined thickness. The unit deposition process includes (A) placing the deposition target in a chamber, (B) providing a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere or a vacuum atmosphere in the chamber, (C) depositing the layer on the deposition target by a cold spray process in the non-oxidizing gas atmosphere or the vacuum atmosphere, and (D) heat treating the deposition target after the depositing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a high-temperature protective coating for metallic components, in particular components of turbomachines which are subjected to thermal loading. The process comprises producing a slip from MCrAlY powder, in which M is at least one metal, and from a Cr powder, applying the slip to the component to be coated and subsequently alitizing the component provided with the slip.

Abstract: A mask frame assembly includes a mask having pattern openings and a frame including a first support portion configured to support an end of the mask and having a clamping slot and a support slot adjacent to the clamping slot; and a second support portion connected to the first support portion.

Abstract: A method to transfer a layer of harder thin film substrate onto a softer, flexible substrate. In particular, the present invention provides a method to deposit a layer of sapphire thin film on to a softer and flexible substrate e.g. quartz, fused silica, silicon, glass, toughened glass, PET, polymers, plastics, paper and fabrics. This combination provides the hardness of sapphire thin film to softer flexible substrates.

Abstract: A method for fabricating structures on substrate having a substrate surface includes providing a set of control parameters to an ion beam source and thermal source corresponding to a desired nanostructure topology. The method also includes forming a plurality of nanostructures in a first surface area of the substrate by exposing the substrate surface to an ion beam from the ion beam source and thermal energy from the thermal source. The ion beam has a first area of effect on the substrate surface, and the thermal energy has an second area of effect on the substrate surface Each of the first area and the second area includes the first surface area. In other words, the coincident beams under the set of control parameters produces a plurality of nano structures.

Abstract: A process for applying a chromized layer on a substrate by first applying an overlay coating to a portion of the substrate, and subsequently contacting a different portion of the substrate and the overlay with a gas containing gaseous chromium, wherein the gaseous chromium can be generated from a chromium source and an activator. The process prepares the substrate, often a jet engine airfoil, for service.

Abstract: In various embodiments, evaporation sources for deposition systems are heated and/or cooled via a fluid-based thermal management system.

Abstract: A target assembly comprising—a support body having a carrying surface; —a sputtering target having an attaching surface, said carrying surface and said attaching surface being arranged in opposing facing relation to one another, thereby defining an intermediate space between said carrying surface and said attaching surface; and—a bonding material disposed in the intermediate space for binding said attaching surface to said carrying surface, —wherein distinct areas of one or both of said attaching surface and said carrying surface are selectively, superficially treated to enhance the bonding strength of said bonding material in said distinct areas.

Abstract: A circular PVD chamber has a plurality of sputtering targets mounted on a top wall of the chamber. A pallet in the chamber is coupled to a motor for rotating the pallet about its center axis. The pallet has a diameter less than the diameter of the circular chamber. The pallet is also shiftable in an XY direction to move the center of the pallet beneath any of the targets so all areas of a workpiece supported by the pallet can be positioned directly below any one of the targets. A scanning magnet is in back of each target and is moved, via a programmed controller, to only be above portions of the workpiece so that no sputtered material is wasted. For depositing a material onto small workpieces, a cooling backside gas volume is created between the pallet and the underside of sticky tape supporting the workpieces.

Abstract: A metal nanodot formation method includes: loading a target substrate inside a processing container of a processing apparatus; depositing a plurality of metal nanodots on a surface of the target substrate by a sequence of: supplying a CO gas from a CO gas container which stores the CO gas into a raw material container which stores a metal carbonyl compound; generating gas of the metal carbonyl compound; introducing the generated gas of the metal carbonyl compound as a mixture gas containing the CO gas into the processing container; and decomposing the metal carbonyl compound on the target substrate, and directly introducing the CO gas from the CO gas container into the processing container, in a state where the introduction of the mixture gas into the processing container is stopped, such that the CO gas is brought into contact with the metal nanodots on the surface of the target substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing deposition products from internal surfaces of a processing chamber, and for preventing or slowing growth of such deposition products. A halogen containing gas is provided to the chamber to etch away deposition products. A halogen scavenging gas is provided to the chamber to remove any residual halogen. The halogen scavenging gas is generally activated by exposure to electromagnetic energy, either inside the processing chamber by thermal energy, or in a remote chamber by electric field, UV, or microwave. A deposition precursor may be added to the halogen scavenging gas to form a deposition resistant film on the internal surfaces of the chamber. Additionally, or alternately, a deposition resistant film may be formed by sputtering a deposition resistant metal onto internal components of the processing chamber in a PVD process.

Abstract: Precursor and process design for photo-assisted metal atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is described. In an example, a method of fabricating a thin metal film involves introducing precursor molecules proximate to a surface on or above a substrate, each of the precursor molecules having one or more metal centers surrounded by ligands. The method also involves depositing a metal layer on the surface by dissociating the ligands from the precursor molecules using a photo-assisted process.

Abstract: A vapor deposition apparatus includes a stage on which a substrate is mounted; a heater unit that is disposed at a side of the stage and includes a first heater and a second heater, wherein the first heater and the second heater are movable so that the first heater and the second heater are spaced apart from each other or are disposed adjacent to each other; and a nozzle unit that is disposed at a side opposite to the side at which the heater unit is disposed about the stage and includes one or more nozzles.

Abstract: A microwave plasma apparatus for processing a material includes a plasma chamber, a microwave radiation source, and a waveguide guiding microwave radiation from the microwave radiation source to the plasma chamber. A process gas flows through the plasma chamber and the microwave radiation couples to the process gas to produce a plasma jet. A process material is introduced to the plasma chamber, becomes entrained in the plasma jet, and is thereby transformed to a stream of product material droplets or particles. The product material droplets or particles are substantially more uniform in size, velocity, temperature, and melt state than are droplets or particles produced by prior devices.

Abstract: A film deposition apparatus includes a vacuum chamber into which first and second gases are sequentially supplied for a plural times, a rotation table including a first surface having a receiving area and rotating the receiving area inside the vacuum chamber, a first part supplying the first gas to a first region, a second part supplying the second gas to a second region separated from the first region in a peripheral direction of the rotation table via a separation region, a plasma gas part supplying a plasma generation gas into a plasma region inside the vacuum chamber, an antenna facing the first surface of the rotation table and generating plasma from the plasma generation gas inside a plasma space by inductive coupling, and a faraday shield being grounded and provided between the antenna and the plasma space and including slits aligned in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the antenna.

Abstract: The pretreatment solution for electroless plating of the present invention is composed of noble metal colloidal nanoparticles, a sugar alcohol, and water. The colloidal nanoparticles are gold, platinum, or palladium, have an average particle diameter of 5 to 80 nm, and are contained in the pretreatment solution in an amount of 0.01 to 10 g/L as metal mass. The sugar alcohol is at least one selected from the group consisting of tritol, tetritol, pentitol, hexitol, heptitol, octitol, inositol, quercitol, or pentaerythritol and is contained in the pretreatment solution in an amount of 0.01 to 200 g/L in total. The electroless plating method of the present invention uses the pretreatment solution and performs the electroless plating in an electroless plating bath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for serial surface treatment of metallic components comprising aluminum surfaces, wherein an alkaline pretreatment is followed by a conversion treatment. According to the invention, the intention during the alkaline pretreatment is that a maximum value for the concentration of dissolved zinc is not exceeded, in order to ensure a sufficient quality of the corrosion-protective coating on the aluminum surface of the components following the surface treatment. In a preferred embodiment, the content of dissolved zinc is effectively held below the respective bath-typical maximum value of dissolved zinc by the addition of compounds constituting a source of sulfide ions. The functionality of the surface treatment can be additionally increased by likewise controlling the content of dissolved aluminum in the alkaline pretreatment such that, by adding compounds constituting a source for silicate anions, a threshold value for dissolved aluminum is not exceeded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microetching solution for copper, a replenishment solution therefor and a method for production of a wiring board. The microetching solution of the present invention consists of an aqueous solution containing a cupric ion, an organic acid, a halide ion, an amino group-containing compound having a molecular weight of 17 to 400 and a polymer. The polymer is a water-soluble polymer including a polyamine chain and/or a cationic group and having a weight average molecular weight of 1000 or more. When a concentration of the amino group-containing compound is A % by weight and a concentration of the polymer is B % by weight, a value of A/B of the microetching solution of the present invention is 50 to 6000. According to the present invention, an adhesion between copper and a resin or the like may be maintained even with a low etching amount.

Abstract: An electrochemical conversion method for converting at least a portion of a first mixture comprising hydrocarbon to C2+ unsaturates by repeatedly applying an electric potential difference, V(?1), to a first electrode of an electrochemical cell during a first time interval ?1; and reducing the electric potential difference, V(?1), to a second electric potential difference, V(?2), for a second time interval ?2, wherein ?2??1. The method is beneficial, among other things, for reducing coke formation in the electrochemical production of C2+ unsaturates in an electrochemical cell. Accordingly, a method of reducing coke formation in the electrochemical conversion of such mixtures and a method for electrochemically converting carbon to C2+ unsaturates as well as an apparatus for such methods are also provided.

Abstract: Electropolymerizable systems are disclosed. The electropolymerizable systems include an electropolymerizable composition including one or more 1,1-disubstituted alkene compounds and one or more conductive synergists.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium by reducing alumina. The cell may comprise a sidewall including at least one side block. The side block may comprise an aluminous material having an apparent porosity of less than about 10% and a composition, as a weight percentage on the basis of the aluminous material and for a total of about 100%, such that: Al2O3>about 50%, beta-alumina being less than about 20% of the weight of the aluminous material, oxides that are less reducible than alumina at 1000° C.<about 50%, Na2O<about 3.9%, and other components<about 5%.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing electrolytic copper having a low Ag content by successfully suppressing the Ag concentration in an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic copper production method involves a step in which blister copper comprising Ag is used as an anode, and electrolysis is carried out under sulfuric acid acidity while maintaining the anode electric potential at a relatively low electric potential in comparison to the electric potential of the Ag elution.