Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for immobilizing a nucleic acid molecule on a solid support and to a use of a combination of a first nucleic acid immobilized primer linked to a solid support and a second immobilized primer linked to said solid support in said method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparation of substrates for nucleic acid sequencing reactions. More specifically, the present invention provides a new method of preparing hairpins using force-induced strand invasion. Hairpins prepared by this method and methods of nucleic acid analysis using these hairpins are also part of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods of incorporating coded DNA into elastomeric materials and compositions thereof are claimed. Methods of recovering information from elastomeric materials with coded DNA and authenticating silicone objects with coded DNA are also claimed.

Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of a target nucleic acid, including steps of contacting a target nucleic acid with a polymerase to sequentially remove nucleotide triphosphates from the target nucleic acid, wherein the nucleotide triphosphates that are removed have a variety of different base moieties; and distinguishing the different base moieties for the nucleotide triphosphates that are removed. Also provided is a apparatus including a nanopore positioned in a fluid impermeable barrier to form a passage through which a nucleotide triphosphate can pass from a first fluid reservoir to a second fluid reservoir, and a reaction mix in the first fluid reservoir that includes a polymerase, target nucleic acid having two strands, and pyrophosphorolytic concentration of pyrophosphate.

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 methods and kits for determining a prognosis of a clinical response to a central nervous system (CNS)-active medicament in a patient suffering from major depressive disorder, cyclothymic disorder, or persistent depressive disorder.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining risk for depression, as well as compositions for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biomarker of detecting a biological sample, a probe, a kit and a method of non-invasively and qualitatively determining severity of endometriosis. The biomarker and the probe include a specific SNP site and a product expressed by a gene related to the SNP site, for detecting the genotype of SNP site and the product expressed by the gene corresponding to the SNP site, so as to accurately determine the severity of endometriosis. The biomarker and the probe can be applied to a probe and a kit of non-invasively and qualitatively determining the severity of endometriosis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to potentially pathogenic mutations in the nucleotide sequence of a human NAGLU gene. Some NAGLU gene variants have been discovered to be associated with reduced N-acetyl-?-D-glucosaminidase (NAGLU) activity.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for detecting a genetic predisposition to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) or hypertensive end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or both in a human subject. The methods include detecting the presence of at least one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in an APOL1 gene, such as the C-terminal exon of an APOL1 gene. In a further embodiment, methods are disclosed for detecting resistance of a subject to a disease associated with Trypanosoma infection. The methods include detecting the presence of at least one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in an APOL1 gene, such as the C-terminal exon of an APOL1 gene. Also disclosed are methods for treating a subject infected with T. brucei (such as T. brucei brucei, T. b. rhodesiense, or T. b. gambiense). The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of an APOL1 protein including a S342G substitution, an I384M substitution, and/or a deletion of N388 and Y389 to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pancreatic cancer, and more particularly to the survival prognosis of a patient suffering from pancreatic cancer. The invention also aims to determine the suitability of said patient to receive a treatment for pancreatic cancer, in particular a treatment with gemcitabine. The invention also concerns a method for monitoring the effectiveness of a treatment for pancreatic cancer, and advantageously a treatment with gemcitabine, by implementing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the survival time of a patient suffering from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprising i) determining the frequency of JAM-C expressing LSCs in a sample obtained from the patient ii) comparing the frequency determined at step i) with its predetermined reference value and iii) providing a good prognosis when the frequency determined at step i) is lower than its predetermined reference value, or 10 providing a bad prognosis when the frequency determined at step i) is higher than its predetermined reference value.

Abstract: Described herein are novel malignancy associated gene signature biomarkers, and assays and methods thereof, to classify prognosis or malignant potential of a cancer and identify cancer-initiating cells. The malignancy associated gene signature biomarkers, assays and methods described herein provide, in part, new methodologies to screen for novel drugs for treating cancers and tumors, such as, for example, triple-negative breast tumors. Using the assays and methods described herein proteasome inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and glycolysis inhibitors, were identified as being highly effective in altering gene expression signatures specifically in malignant or cancer-initiating cells.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses can determine and use methylation profiles of various tissues and samples. Examples are provided. A methylation profile can be deduced for fetal/tumor tissue based on a comparison of plasma methylation (or other sample with cell-free DNA) to a methylation profile of the mother/patient. A methylation profile can be determined for fetal/tumor tissue using tissue-specific alleles to identify DNA from the fetus/tumor when the sample has a mixture of DNA. A methylation profile can be used to determine copy number variations in genome of a fetus/tumor. Methylation markers for a fetus have been identified via various techniques. The methylation profile can be determined by determining a size parameter of a size distribution of DNA fragments, where reference values for the size parameter can be used to determine methylation levels. Additionally, a methylation level can be used to determine a level of cancer.

Abstract: Mitochondrial DNA deletions useful for the detection of cancers and sun exposure are provided. In particular, methods and kits for detecting mitochondrial DNA deletions for the early detection, diagnosis and progression of prostate cancer, sun exposure and non-melonoma skin cancer are provided.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms. For example, methods and materials for determining whether or not a stool sample from a mammal contains nucleic acid markers or polypeptide markers of a neoplasm are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to compounds, compositions, and methods to assess molecular characteristics papillary microcarcinoma (PMC) of the thyroid and indicators of indolent compared to aggressive PMC of the thyroid. In addition, the invention relates, in part, to methods of assessing characteristics of microRNAs associated with PMC of the thyroid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents and methods for screening, diagnosis and surveillance of cancer, in particular pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a centrifuge system for processing a massecuite composition. The centrifuge system may include a centrifuge having a vertical spindle, a housing, and a basket disposed within the housing. The basket may include a central hub coupled to the vertical spindle for rotation therewith, a cup coupled to the central hub or an end of the vertical spindle, and a loading cone positioned over the cup and coupled to the cup by a plurality of vanes extending outward from the cup to the loading cone. The loading cone may have a wide end open towards a bottom of the basket, and the plurality of vanes may be radially spaced apart. The centrifuge system may further include a feed pipe vertically disposed above the cup and having a feed outlet oriented towards the cup. The cup defining a cavity oriented in a direction away from the central hub.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ionic liquid represented by the following chemical formula, [(CH3)3N(CH2)2OH]+[NH2(CH2)3CH(NH2)COO]?. The present invention provides an ionic liquid capable of dissolving cellulose within twenty-four hours.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steel sheet having an excellent cold workability during forming and a method for producing the same. The steel sheet of the present invention is characterized in that: (a) the ratio of the number of carbides at the ferrite grain boundary to the number of carbides in the ferrite grain exceeds 1, (b) the ferrite grain diameter is 5 ?m or more and 50 ?m or less, (c) the in-plane anisotropy |?r| of the r value is 0.2 or less, (d) the Vickers hardness is 100 HV or more and 150 HV or less, (e) the random intensity ratio of the {311} <011> orientation at the ½-thickness portion of the steel sheet is 3.0 or less.

Abstract: A steel sheet comprising, in wt %, 0.04?C?0.30, 0.5?Mn?4, 0?Cr?4, 2.7?Mn+Cr?5, 0.003?Nb?0.1 0.015?Al?0.1 and 0.05?Si?1.0, has a chemistry that makes hot formed sheet after austenization insensitive to cooling rate and ensures a uniform distribution of tensile strength, in the range of 800-1400 MPa, across parts independent of the time delay between operations and final cooling/quenching. As a result, a formed part can be cooled while inside a die or in air. The addition of Nb reduces the amount of C needed to achieve a given tensile strength and improves weldability.

Abstract: Electric resistance welded steel pipe securing the high strength and high toughness demanded from oil well pipe in recent years. The metal structure in a region having a width of 0.5 mm in both the thickness directions from a reference point, when using a point defined as a point ¼ of the thickness in the thickness direction from the surface in the base material part of the steel pipe as the reference point, consists of polygonal ferrite: 10 area % or less and a balance: bainitic ferrite. The thickness is 15 mm or more.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a steel wire for mechanical structural parts that is reduced in deformation resistance and improved in crack resistance during cold working, and thus exhibits excellent cold workability. The steel wire for mechanical structural parts of the present invention is a steel wire containing, in mass %, 0.3 to 0.6% of C, (105 to 0.5% of Si, 0.2 to 1.7% of Mn, more than 0% and 0.03% or less of P, 0.001 to 0.05% of S, 0.005 to 0.1% of Al, and 0 to 0.015% of N, the balance being iron and inevitable impurities, wherein steel of the steel wire has a metal structure formed of ferrite and cementite, and the number proportion of cementite particles present in ferrite grain boundaries is 40% or more based on the total number of cementite particles.

Abstract: A process and reactor for arsenic fixation in which a first gas stream comprises oxygen and an iron-containing particulate material. The oxygen and particulate material may be fed to reactor through respective first and second inlets. A second gas stream containing one or more volatile arsenic compounds is fed through a third inlet and mixed with the first gas stream and the particulate material to produce a combined gas stream containing the volatile arsenic compounds and the particulate material. The arsenic compounds are reacted with iron in the particulate material as the combined gas stream flows through the reactor to produce solid iron arsenates which are then recovered. The portion of the reactor including the first, second and third inlets is vertically oriented, and the reactor may include a venturi arrangement having a throat at which the second inlet is located.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a nickel and cobalt mixed sulfide that is capable of stabilizing nickel and cobalt concentrations in the sulfidation end solution at low levels and of limiting decreases in nickel and cobalt recovery rates without increasing cost even when processing with a sulfuric acid acidic solution containing nickel and cobalt and a high iron ions concentration as the sulfidation start solution. This method generates a sulfidation reaction by blowing hydrogen sulfide gas into a sulfuric acid acidic solution comprising nickel and cobalt to obtain a mixed sulfide, wherein: the sulfuric acid acidic solution, which is the sulfidation start solution, contains iron ions at a rate of 1.0-4.0 g/L; and the sulfidation reaction is generated by blowing hydrogen sulfide gas into the sulfidation start solution and adding sodium hydrogensulfide (NaHS) obtained by absorbing hydrogen sulfide gas-containing exhaust gas, generated by the sulfidation, in an alkaline solution.

Abstract: A titanium alloy containing copper, which cannot be realized by a conventional method, is provided, having a composition in which copper is contained in titanium with no segregation, and having improved strength and hardness. In addition a method is also provided, in which the titanium alloy is produced at lower cost than in a conventional method. The ?+? or ? titanium alloy contains copper at 1 to 10 mass %, has a crystal phase of ? and ? phase or of ? phase, is formed of crystal particles not more than 100 ?m, and has a copper concentration per an arbitrary specified 1 mm3 portion of the crystal phase at within ±40% compared to another arbitrary specified portion. The ?+? or ? titanium alloy is produced by mixing 1 to 10 mass % of copper powder and the remainder of titanium alloy powder and then pressing and forming while being heated.

Abstract: A beryllium-free high-strength copper alloy includes, about 10-30 vol % of L12-(Ni,Cu)3(Al,Sn), and substantially excludes cellular discontinuous precipitation around grain boundaries. The alloy may include at least one component selected from the group consisting of: Ag, Cr, Mn, Nb, Ti, and V, and the balance Cu.

Abstract: In order to improve the strength and elongation of a solder and improve the reliability of a joining portion joined by the solder, the present invention provides a solder alloy that comprises 2.0-4.0 mass % of Ag, 0.5-1.0 mass % of Cu, 0.1-1.0 mass % of Sb, 0.1-0.5 mass % of an additive element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Mn, and Al, and a balance of Sn.

Abstract: An Al—Mg—Si aluminum alloy sheet has a chemical composition which includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cr, and Zr and which meets the condition: 0.6?([Mg]/[Si]-0.15[Mn]-0.3[Cr]-0.1[Zr]?1.8. The aluminum alloy sheet is controlled to have a higher aspect ratio of grains, thereby has significantly higher strength after artificial aging such as paint bake (after bake hardening), and satisfactorily has strength necessary for automobile structural components, without deterioration in bendability.

Abstract: The invention relates to method of making a molybdenum alloy which has a high titanium content and further comprises silicon and/or boron. The method comprises subjecting to pressureless sintering or sintering under pressure in an inert gas atmosphere a mixture of one or more powders (i) of an alloy of Mo and Ti and, optionally, one or more additional metals X and/or (i?) powders of Mo and of TiN, and (ii) one or more powders comprising one or more powders of silicides of Mo and/or Ti and/or (iii) one or more powders of nitrides which comprise Si3N4 powder and/or BN powder.

Abstract: An alloy material includes: a composition, in a composition range of a ternary alloy of silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), and copper (Cu), the composition containing 20 to 30 wt % of Ag, 35 to 55 wt % of Pd, and 20 to 40 wt % of Cu. The composition as a base is added with tin (Sn) in a range of 0.5 to 2.5 wt %, further added with any one of or a combination of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and zinc (Zn) in a range of 0.1 to 1.0 wt %, and added with 0.01 to 0.1 wt % of either one of or a combination of iridium (Ir) and ruthenium (Ru).

Abstract: A light metal material having a tensile strength of >180 MPa at room temperature is provided, as well as a method for producing such a light metal material and the use of such a light metal material as a piston component in a rotary piston engine.

Abstract: A Ge-containing stainless steel is disclosed. The disclosed Ge-containing stainless steel is principally composed of Fe and Cr. Pitting corrosion is significantly reduced when a certain amount of Ge is added. When more Ge is added, the pitting corrosion is reduced to a minimum level.

Abstract: A bainitic steel comprising, in weight % (wt %) C: 0.16-0.23, Si: 0.8-1.0, Mo: 0.67-0.9, Cr: 1.10-1.30, V: 0.18-0.4, Ni: 1.60-2.0, Mn: 0.65-0.9, P: 50.020, S: 50.02, Cu: <0.20, N: 0.005-0.012, balance Fe and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: An improved atomized powder metal material containing an increased amount of free graphite after heat treatment and/or sintering is provided. The powder metal material is typically a ferrous alloy and includes carbon in an amount of 1.0 wt. % to 6.5 wt. % and silicon in an amount of 0.1 wt. % to 6.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the powder metal material. The powder metal material can also include various other alloying elements, for example at least one of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), aluminum (Al), sulfur (S), phosphorous (P), boron (B), nitrogen (N), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta) zirconium (Zr), zinc (Zn), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), barium (Ba) magnesium (Mg), lithium (Li), sodium (Na), and potassium (K).

Abstract: Disclosed is, as a high-strength steel plate of API X80 grade or higher with a thickness of 38 mm or more, a thick steel plate for structural pipes or tubes that exhibits high strength in the rolling direction and excellent Charpy properties at its mid-thickness part without addition of large amounts of alloying elements. The thick steel plate for structural pipes or tubes disclosed herein has: a specific chemical composition; a microstructure at its mid-thickness part that is a dual-phase microstructure of ferrite and bainite with an area fraction of the ferrite being less than 50%, and that contains ferrite grains with a grain size of 15 ?m or less in an area fraction of 80% or more with respect to the whole area of the ferrite; a tensile strength of 620 MPa or more; and a Charpy absorption energy vE?20+ C. at ?20° C. at the mid-thickness part of 100 J or more.

Abstract: A base material (13) included in a plated steel sheet (1) includes a structure, at a ¼ sheet thickness position, represented by, in volume fraction: tempered martensite: 3.0% or more; ferrite: 4.0% or more; and retained austenite: 5.0% or more. An average hardness of the tempered martensite in the base material (13) is 5 GPa to 10 GPa, and a part or all of the tempered martensite and the retained austenite in the base material form an M-A. A volume fraction of ferrite in a decarburized ferrite layer (12) included in the plated steel sheet (1) is 120% or more of the volume fraction of the ferrite in the base material (13) at the ¼ sheet thickness position, an average grain diameter of the ferrite in the decarburized ferrite layer (12) is 20 ?m or less, a thickness of the decarburized ferrite layer (12) is 5 ?m to 200 ?m, a volume fraction of tempered martensite in the decarburized ferrite layer (12) is 1.

Abstract: Provided is a forging method for highly increasing hardness of a forged product as well as suppressing a decrease in the hardness in a use environment. The forging method includes a warm-forging step (S105) of warm-forging a metallic workpiece 10 which has been solutionized; and an artificial aging step (S106) of artificially aging the workpiece 10 after the warm-forging step (S105) in advance, at equal to an environmental temperature or higher than a temperature at which a product of the workpiece is used after production. Here, an equivalent plastic strain of the workpiece that increases between before and after the warm-forging step is in the range from 0.1 to 2.5.

Abstract: A method of strengthening a dilute magnesium alloy sheet includes providing a dilute magnesium alloy sheet, which includes a magnesium alloy consisting essentially of (wt %): >0 to 3.0 of Zn; >0 to 1.5 of Ca; 0 to 1.0 of Zr; 0 to 1.3 of a rare earth element or mixture of the same; 0 to 0.3 of Sr; 0 to 0.7 of Al, the balance of Mg and other unavoidable impurities, wherein the total weight % of alloying elements is less than 3%; subjecting the dilute magnesium alloy sheet to plastic deformation, in which the tensile plastic strain should exceed 0.5%, but be less than 8% to form a pre-deformed magnesium alloy sheets; and subjecting the pre-deformed magnesium alloy sheets to an ageing treatment in a temperature range of 80 to 250° C. for at least 1 minute, thereby forming a strengthened magnesium alloy sheet.

Abstract: A coinage alloy for coinage includes nickel present in an amount from 13 wt. % to 16 wt. %, based on a total weight of the coinage alloy; zinc present in an amount from 25 wt. % to 32 wt. %, based on the total weight of the coinage alloy; manganese present in an amount from 1 wt. % to 4 wt. %, based on a total weight of the coinage alloy; copper; an electrical conductivity from 5% International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS) to 6% IACS; and a color comprising a yellowness vector b* that is from 5 to 10, based on a CIE L*a*b* color space and determined in accordance with ASTM Standard E308-15 (2015).

Abstract: A coinage alloy for coinage includes nickel present in an amount from 4 wt. % to 11 wt. %, based on a total weight of the coinage alloy; zinc present in an amount from 20 wt. % to 35 wt. %, based on the total weight of the coinage alloy; manganese present in an amount from 3 wt. % to 6 wt. %, based on a total weight of the coinage alloy; copper; an electrical conductivity from 5% International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS) to 6% IACS measured in accordance with ASTM E1004-09 (2009); and a color comprising a yellowness vector b* that is from 6 to 11, based on a CIE L*a*b* color space and determined in accordance with ASTM Standard E308-15 (2015).

Abstract: A coinage cladding alloy for coinage includes nickel present in an amount from 5 wt. % to 7 wt. %, based on a total weight of the coinage cladding alloy; zinc present in an amount from 21 wt. % to 29 wt. %, based on the total weight of the coinage cladding alloy; manganese present in an amount from 12 wt. % to 16 wt. %, based on a total weight of the coinage cladding alloy; copper; an electrical conductivity from 2% International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS) to 3% IACS; and a color comprising a yellowness vector b* that is from 2 to 10, based on a CIE L*a*b* color space and determined in accordance with ASTM Standard E308-15 (2015).

Abstract: A method of forming a hybrid component having an axis of rotation includes forming a first substrate having a first interface surface and a first average grain size, forming a second substrate having a second interface surface and a second average grain size different from the first average grain size, and inertia welding the first and second substrates at a junction of the first and second interface surfaces to form a solid-state joint between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a zirconium alloy plate, wherein fine precipitates having an average size of 35 nm or less are uniformly distributed in a matrix through multi-pass hot rolling, thus increasing corrosion resistance and fatigue failure resistance, the method including forming a zirconium alloy ingot (step 1); subjecting the ingot of step 1 to beta annealing and rapid cooling (step 2); preheating the ingot of step 2 (step 3); forming a multi-pass hot-rolled plate through primary hot rolling and then air cooling during which secondary hot rolling is subsequently conducted (step 4); subjecting the multi-pass hot-rolled plate of step 4 to primary intermediate annealing and primary cold rolling (step 5); subjecting the rolled plate of step 5 to secondary intermediate annealing and secondary cold rolling (step 6); subjecting the rolled plate of step 6 to tertiary intermediate annealing and tertiary cold rolling (step 7); and finally annealing the rolled plate of step 7 (step 8).

Abstract: A continuous hot-dip metal coating method that can reduce both non-coating caused by metal vapor generated in a snout and non-coating caused by an oxide film on a molten metal bath surface in the snout and stably and promptly change the oxidizability of the atmosphere in the snout is provided. In a continuous hot-dip metal coating method, oxidizing gas is supplied into a snout 14, a temperature of an inner wall surface of the snout is maintained at 150° C. or less below a temperature of the molten metal bath, and an atmospheric temperature of an upper portion in the snout is maintained at 100° C. or less below the temperature of the molten metal bath.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for cooling a metal strip (2) having a liquid coating to be solidified, wherein said strip is continuously moving. Said equipment is characterized in that each half-cooler (11, 12) is divided, over the length thereof, into at least two sections, a first section (13) and a second section (14), in the direction of the movement of the strip (2). The first section (13) is separated from the second section (14) in each half-cooler (11, 12) by a respective internal adjustment device (7, 8), making it possible to change the gas flow/pressure parameter so that the value of said gas flow/pressure parameter is different in the first section (13) from the value of said parameter in the second section (14).

Abstract: This invention provides a method for graphene or graphene oxide reinforcement in a metallic thermal spray coating. The incredible properties of graphene and graphene oxide make them attractive options to increase the mechanical properties in a variety of materials. Recent developments in the manufacturing of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide powders have greatly reduced their cost, making them viable additives in thermal spray powders for widespread use in industry.

Abstract: The steel for nitrocarburizing has a chemical composition that contains C: 0.01% or more and less than 0.20%, Si: 1.0% or less, Mn: 1.5% or more and 3.0% or less, P: 0.02% or less, S: 0.06% or less, Cr: 0.30% or more and 3.0% or less, Mo: 0.005% or more and 0.40% or less, V: 0.02% or more and 0.5% or less, Nb: 0.003% or more and 0.20% or less, Al: 0.010% or more and 2.0% or less, Ti: more than 0.005% and less than 0.025%, N: 0.0200% or less, Sb: 0.0005% or more and 0.02% or less, and the balance consisting of Fe and incidental impurities; and a steel microstructure that contains bainite phase in an area ratio of more than 50%.

Abstract: Provided is a reactive sputtering method and the like that are capable of making it unlikely for a particle deposit deposited on a non-erosion region or a nodule generated in an erosion region to be peeled off from a sputtering target, and of suppressing arc discharge and the like. A reactive sputtering method for performing deposition by using a sputtering device including magnetron sputtering cathodes 17, 18, 19, and 20 in a vacuum chamber 10, and by introducing a process gas containing a reactive gas into the vacuum chamber is wherein the reactive gas includes an oxygen gas or a nitrogen gas, and water is contained in the reactive gas. The action of water contained in the reactive gas makes it unlikely for a particle deposit and a nodule to be peeled off from a sputtering target, and also reduces the electric charges of the charged particle deposit or nodule, allowing arc discharge and the like to be suppressed.