Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for simultaneously amplifying a plurality of sample wells for a predetermined amount of amplification, detecting whether amplification has occurred in a first set of the wells, amplifying for an additional amount of amplification and detecting whether amplification has occurred in a second set of the wells. Methods are also provided for analyzing a target nucleic acid sequence using melt curves that were generated in a plurality of amplification cycles.

Abstract: The invention provides an oligonucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention also provides method for detecting target DNA in a sample with the oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyzes include high density nucleic acid amplification and detection and immune-PCR.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for testing a human for aneuploidy. In some aspects, a plurality of chromosomal sequences in a DNA sample from a human are amplified with a single pair of primers complementary to said chromosomal sequences to form a plurality of amplicons, wherein the plurality of amplicons are not identical, and wherein the plurality of amplicons include sequences on a query chromosome and sequences on a plurality of reference chromosomes. In some aspects, reactions are performed to determine the nucleotide sequence of at least 3 nucleotides of the plurality of amplicons. In some aspects, amplicon nucleotide sequences are matched in silico to genomic sequences at genomic loci. In some aspects, numbers of matching amplicons at individual genomic loci are counted. In some aspects, numbers of amplicons matched to genomic loci on the query chromosome are compared to numbers of amplicons matched to genomic loci on the reference chromosomes.

Abstract: A technique for sequencing nucleic acids in an automated or semi-automated manner is disclosed. Sample arrays of a multitude of nucleic acid sites are processed in multiple cycles to add nucleotides to the material to be sequenced, detect the nucleotides added to sites, and to de-block the added nucleotides of blocking agents and tags used to identify the last added nucleotide. Multiple parameters of the system are monitored to enable diagnosis and correction of problems as they occur during sequencing of the samples. Quality control routines are run during sequencing to determine quality of samples, and quality of the data collected.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a sieve valve including: a substrate defining a channel; a flexible membrane adapted and configured for deployment at an intersection with the channel; and one or more protrusions extending into the channel from the substrate or the flexible membrane. The one or more protrusions define a plurality of recesses extending beyond the intersection between the channel and the flexible membrane; A microfluidic circuit including one or more sieve valves. In particular embodiments, the circuit comprises one or more input/output valves. The one or one or more input/output valves can include one or more input valves and one or more output valves. The microfluidic circuit can further include a mixing circuit. At least one of the sieve valves can be positioned between the one or more input/output valves and the mixing circuit. The invention further provides methods of using the device for the analysis of samples comprising cells.

Abstract: A probe or a probe set for evaluating influence of ultraviolet ray on the skin, which includes nucleic acids of (a), (b) or (c): (a) Nucleic acids including a base sequence constituting at least one kind of gene selected from the group consisting of GBA, GLB1, CAT, OLFM1, ASAH1, MMP14, MMP17 and COL18A1, (b) Nucleic acids including a base sequence complementary to the nucleic acids of aforesaid (a); (c) Nucleic acids which hybridize with nucleic acids including a base sequence complementary to the nucleic acids of aforesaid (a) or (b) under stringent conditions, and can detect a skin constitution-related gene.

Abstract: Cumulus cell (CC) gene expression is being explored as an additional method to morphological scoring to choose the embryo with the highest chance to pregnancy. The present invention relates to a novel method of identifying biomarker genes for evaluating the competence of a mammalian oocyte in giving rise to a viable pregnancy after fertilization, based on the use of live birth and embryonic development as endpoint criteria for the oocytes to be used in an exon level analysis of potential biomarker genes. The invention further provides CC-expressed biomarker genes thus identified, as well as prognostic models based on the biomarker genes identified using the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods of identifying, diagnosing, and prognosing lupus, including certain subphenotypes of lupus, are provided, as well as methods of treating lupus, including certain subpopulations of patients. The methods provided are based on a set of alleles associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk loci including BLK, TNIP1, PRDM1, JAZF1, UHRF1BP1, IL10, IFIH1, CFB, CEC16A, IL12B and SH2B3 that contribute to SLE risk. Also provided are methods for identifying effective lupus therapeutic agents and predicting responsiveness to lupus therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for predicting the outcome of anthracycline treatment of cell proliferative disorder patients. This is achieved by determining the expression level of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of PITX2; TFF1 and PLAU. The invention also relates to sequences, oligonucleotides and antibodies which can be used within the described methods.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and systems for identifying diseased-induced mutations by producing multi-dimensional reference sequence constructs that account for variations between individuals, different diseases, and different stages of those diseases. Once constructed, these reference sequence constructs can be used to align sequence reads corresponding to genetic samples from patients suspected of having a disease, or who have had the disease and are in suspected remission. The reference sequence constructs also provide insight to the genetic progression of the disease.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods, reagents, and kits for the detection of MAPK/ERK pathway mutations in a patient diagnosed for cancer. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a sensitive and selective method to identify mutations to the BRAF, KRAS, and NRAS genes in a single reaction. In another aspect of this embodiment, the invention comprises primers and probes for the detection of the BRAF, KRAS, and NRAS mutations using a single nucleotide primer extension assay. In another embodiment the invention is used to identify and select patients amenable for treatment with an ERK inhibitor.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for miRNA profiling for the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of melanoma and differentiation of melanoma from nevi.

Abstract: A method for identifying and enumerating candidate target cells within a biological fluid specimen is described. The method includes obtaining a biological fluid specimen, preparing the biological fluid specimen by staining cell features in the biological fluid specimen, capturing a digital image having a plurality of color channels of the biological fluid specimen, and applying image analysis to the digital image. A computer program product for identifying candidate target cells within a biological fluid specimen is also described. The computer program comprises instructions to cause a processor to carry out the image analysis.

Abstract: The invention pertains to analyzing the levels of DNA methylation at specific genetic loci to detect specific body fluids, for example, vaginal secretions or vaginal epithelial cells, semen or sperms, saliva or buccal epithelial cells, or blood or blood cells. Particularly, the levels of methylation of DNA at the genetic loci corresponding to SEQ ID NOs: 1, 6, 11, and 16 are used to detect vaginal secretions or vaginal epithelial cells, semen or sperms, saliva or buccal epithelial cells, and blood or blood cells, respectively. The level of methylation at the specific loci can be determined by high-resolution melt analysis (HRM) or sequencing of the amplicons produced using specific primers designed to amplify the specific loci. Kits containing the primers and reagents for carrying out the methods disclosed herein are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are new methods, primers, and kits for genotyping HIV-1, including group M viral strains. The methods can be used for HIV-1 drug resistance surveillance and monitoring, for example in resource-poor countries. The disclosed methods can detected more mixed HIV-1 population than previous methods. Given the high efficiency in genotyping diverse HIV-1 group M viral strains from plasma and dried blood spot (DBS) samples and substantial reagent cost saving, the disclosed methods can be used for HIV-1 drug resistance genotyping in both antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive and -experienced populations for surveillance purposes and patient monitoring.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid oligomers, including amplification oligomers, capture probes, and detection probes, for detection of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) nucleic acid. Also disclosed are methods of specific nucleic acid amplification and detection using the disclosed oligomers, as well as corresponding reaction mixtures and kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for predicting treatment efficacy of peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment in a subject suffering from chronic hepatitis C comprising: (a) measuring gene expression levels of genes comprising RSAD2, LOC26010, HERC5, HERC6, IFI44, SERPING1, IFITM3 and DDX60 of a blood sample from the subject after one week of the peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment; and (b) calculating a gene score according to cumulative fold change of the gene expression levels, when the gene score is equal to or higher than a cut-off value, the method predicts successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C with the peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment for the subject.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a yeast strain with high yield of glutathione, and belongs to the technical field of microorganisms. Saccharomyces cerevisiae tlj2016 provided in the present invention has been deposited in China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center of Microbe Preservation Management Committee, with a preservation number of CGMCC No. 12789. The strain can tolerate glucose with tolerance capability reaching 300 g/L, and has tolerance capability against L-cysteine that is far higher than that of the starting strain, contributing to the production of glutathione at conditions of high concentrations of glucose, with a final concentration of GSH produced through fermentation in a 5-L fermentation tank reaching 3308 mg/L.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the continuous treatment of biomass comprising a pretreatment step, wherein said biomass is contacted with a first supercritical, near-critical, or sub-critical fluid to form a solid matrix and a first liquid fraction; and a hydrolysis step, wherein said solid matrix formed in said pretreatment step is contacted with a second supercritical or near-supercritical fluid to produce a second liquid fraction and an insoluble lignin-containing fraction. Also disclosed are apparatuses for the continuous conversion of biomass comprising a pretreatment reactor and a hydrolysis reactor associated with said pretreatment reactor.

Abstract: A method of repairing a worn carburized surface on a sprag clutch comprising the steps of: grinding the worn carburized surface of the sprag clutch to prepare the surface for metallurgical bonding; place the worn carburized surface in a PVD Cathodic Arc chamber; preheat the worn carburized surface to remove moisture and provide for a good metallurgical bonding surface; reverse sputter clean the surface to remove any surface oxide; apply a first coating layer using the PVD process to a maximum thickness; change the coating macro topology by polishing the coated surface; apply a second coating layer using the PVD process to a maximum thickness; and, grind or polish the coating to a desired dimension.

Abstract: A surface of a steel material cut to a desired shape and carbonitrided is heated by excitation and thereafter repeatedly heated/cooled a predetermined number of times, such that an ultrafine crystal layer is formed immediately under the surface of the steel material and at least a predetermined number of cracks are formed under the formed ultrafine crystal layer, thereby enabling to increase toughness of the surface or immediately thereunder and enhance tenacity and inhibiting growth of cracks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the induction surface hardening of a ring surface of a workpiece, the ring surface and a hardening device having an induction coil being moved relative to one another in a treatment direction in a feed mode. A sprinkler is located downstream of the induction coil when seen in the direction of treatment and serves to heat the ring surface, starting from an initial zone to a final zone, by means of the induction coil and then to harden it by cooling the ring surface by means of the sprinkler, an unhardened soft zone being provided between the initial zone and the end zone.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing plated steel sheet by means of an annealing device which includes at least one section and in which the at least one section is filled with a gas constituting a non-reducing atmosphere or a weakly reducing atmosphere to substantially improve the quality of plating onto hot-dipped steel sheet, including the plating properties, alloying properties, anti-pickup properties, plating adhesion properties, anti-flaking properties, anti-cratering properties and anti-ash properties, by using prior-art annealing equipment and heat-treatment cycle without any additional oxidation-reduction heat treatment process or large quantities of high-cost alloying elements.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the leaching of a laterite ore or concentrate for the recovery of value metals, at least one value metal being nickel. The laterite ore or concentrate is subjected to a leaching step with a lixiviant comprising hydrochloric acid to leach nickel from the laterite ore. Nickel is extracted with an oxime at a lower pH than other processes for extraction of nickel from solution, especially after separation of iron and cobalt values.

Abstract: The invention provides a Cu—Ni—Sn—P alloy sheet satisfying the resistance property of stress relaxation in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction and excellent in the other necessary properties as terminals and connectors.

Abstract: A steel component having a steel substrate containing 0.3-3 wt.-% manganese, and an anti-corrosion coating applied to the steel substrate including a coating layer having at least 70 mass-% ?-Fe(Zn,Ni) mixed crystal, the remainder being intermetallic compounds of Zn, Ni and Fe, and which has at its free surface a Mn-containing layer in which the Mn is present in metallic or oxidic form.

Abstract: The aluminum-zinc plated steel sheet according to the present invention includes a plated steel sheet and a covering film that covers the plated steel sheet. The covering film contains a basic compound of transition metal other than cobalt and chromium, and metallic cobalt, or metallic cobalt and a cobalt compound. An amount of the covering film per one side is within a range of 0.01 to 0.8 g/m2. An amount in terms of mass of transition metal other than cobalt in the covering film per one side of the plated steel sheet is within a range of 4 to 400 mg/m2. An amount in terms of mass of cobalt in the covering film per one side of the plated steel sheet is within a range of 0.1 to 20 mg/m2.

Abstract: High strength forged aluminum alloys and methods for producing the same are disclosed. The forged aluminum alloy products may have grains having a high aspect ratio in at least two planes, generally the L-ST and the LT-ST planes. The forged aluminum alloy products may also have a high amount of texture. The forged products may realize increased strength relative to conventionally prepared forged products of comparable product form, composition and temper.

Abstract: A method for treating a super-hard structure, the method including heating the super-hard structure to a treatment temperature of at least 500 degrees centigrade and cooling the super-hard structure from the treatment temperature to a temperature of less than 200 degrees centigrade at a mean cooling rate of at least 1 degree centigrade per second and at most 100 degrees centigrade per second to provide a treated super-hard structure. A PCBN structure produced by the method may have flexural strength of at least 650 MPa.

Abstract: A nickel chromium alloy comprising 0.4 to 0.6% carbon, 28 to 33% chromium, 15 to 25% iron, 2 to 6% aluminum, up to 2% silicon, up to 2% manganese, up to 1.5% niobium, up to 1.5% tantalum, up to 1.0% tungsten, up to 1.0% titanium, up to 1.0% zirconium, up to 0.5% yttrium, up to 0.1% nitrogen, and nickel, has a high oxidation and carburization stability, long-term rupture strength and creep resistance. This alloy is particularly suited as a material for components of petrochemical plants and for parts, for example tube coils of cracker and reformer furnaces, pre-heaters, and reformer tubes, as well as for use for parts of iron ore direct reduction plants.

Abstract: A process for producing hot-rolled steel strip with a tensile strength of between 760 and 940 MPa and a steel produced therewith, suitable for producing parts by working such as press forming, bending or stretch flanging.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of a method for increasing the strength and toughness of a titanium alloy include plastically deforming a titanium alloy at a temperature in an alpha-beta phase field of the titanium alloy to an equivalent plastic deformation of at least a 25% reduction in area. After plastically deforming the titanium alloy in the alpha-beta phase field, the titanium alloy is not heated to or above the beta transus temperature of the titanium alloy. After plastic deformation, the titanium alloy is heat treated at a heat treatment temperature less than or equal to the beta transus temperature minus 20° F. (11.1° C.).

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of computationally designing a near-? transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) titanium (Ti) alloy is provided. A thermodynamic database of Ti alloys is created. The data of the thermodynamic database is tailored for martensitic transformations in the Ti alloys near room temperature. Then an overall composite of the near-? TRIP Ti alloy may be obtained by adjusting a reference overall composite of a reference near-? Ti alloy based on the tailored data in the thermodynamic database. In certain embodiments, an annealing temperature of the near-? TRIP Ti alloy may be determined such that a MS?(ct) temperature of the near-? TRIP Ti alloy is about room temperature. In certain embodiments, the near-? TRIP Ti alloy is Ti-8Al-1V-1Sn-1Zr-0.6Mo-0.9Fe-0.1Si-0.1O by weight percentage. In certain embodiments, the near-? TRIP Ti alloy may be cooled at a cooling rate greater than 20° C./min after annealing to inhibit formation of grain-boundary ? (GB-?) phase.

Abstract: A method of thermomagnetically processing an aluminum alloy entails heat treating an aluminum alloy, and applying a high field strength magnetic field of at least about 2 Tesla to the aluminum alloy during the heat treating. The heat treating and the application of the high field strength magnetic field are carried out for a treatment time sufficient to achieve a predetermined standard strength of the aluminum alloy, and the treatment time is reduced by at least about 50% compared to heat treating the aluminum alloy without the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for treatment of two surfaces, each surface belonging to a metal part which is designed to be painted, the two surfaces being secured adjacent to one another or one on top of the other. The treatment method comprising a sandblasting step during which each surface is subjected to sandblasting, a projection step during which each surface thus sandblasted is subjected to thermal projection of an aluminum alloy, such as to compensate for the divergences between the two surfaces, and a finishing step during which the layer of aluminum alloy thus projected is subjected to mechanical finishing, such as to constitute a coating with a homogeneous surface.

Abstract: A material that is useful as a wear-resistant member, a highly functional photocatalytic material, a photoelectric conversion element material, etc., is produced without the need for complicated processes or complicated handling, which are problems of the prior art. Provided is a method for producing a surface-treated metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material, the method comprising the steps of (1) forming titanium nitride on the surface of a metallic titanium material, and (2) heating the metallic titanium material with titanium nitride formed on the surface thereof obtained in step (1) in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for producing a case-hardened martensitic stainless steel article includes: providing an article comprised, at least in part, of a martensitic stainless steel, carburizing the article within a temperature range of 1625° F.-1680° F. (885° C.-916° C.), and then carbo-nitriding the article within a temperature range of 1575° F.-1625° F. (857° C.-885° C.). An article, such as a bearing ring, comprising such a case-hardened martensitic stainless steel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a steel component, which comprises the steps of: (a) carbonitriding the steel component, and (b) austenitically nitrocarburizing the steel component.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and a method of spray-coating solid powder on a substrate disposed in a coating chamber which is in a vacuum state, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for coating solid powder, which are configured such that a gas sucked from an atmospheric pressure gas, together with a gas supplied from a gas supply unit, can be used as a carrier gas for transporting the solid powder.

Abstract: A mask frame assembly and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the mask frame assembly for an organic light-emitting diode display includes a frame including a supporting unit, wherein an opening is formed in the frame. The assembly also includes a unit mask including a deposition pattern portion, wherein the unit mask extends in a first direction, and is fixed to the supporting unit. The assembly further includes a first supporter configured to support the unit mask, wherein a magnet is placed on at least one portion of the first supporter.

Abstract: A deposition mask is provided. The deposition mask including: a resin film 1 in which penetrating opening patterns 4 are formed and a frame-shaped metal thin film 5 having an opening is provided on one face 1a of the film 1; a metal mask 2 provided at a position corresponding to the opening of the metal thin film 5 on one face 1a side of the film 1, the metal mask 2 being separated from and independent of the film 1, the metal mask 2 being provided with through holes 6; and a metal frame 3 positioned on one face 1a side of the film 1, the metal frame 3 supporting the film 1 and the metal mask 2 by spot-welding a portion of the metal thin film 5 and an edge region of the metal mask 2 to one end face 3a.

Abstract: An improved method of preparing a TEM sample. A sample is extracted from a work piece and attached to a probe for transport to a sample holder. The sample is attached to the sample holder using charged particle beam deposition, and mechanically separated from probe by moving the probe and the sample holder relative to each other, without severing the connection using a charged particle beam.

Abstract: A method for coating workpieces includes the following steps: charging a coating chamber with the workpieces to be coated; closing and evacuating the coating chamber to a predetermined process pressure, starting a coating source, which comprises a target as a material source, whereby particles are accelerated from the surface of the target toward substrates, characterized in that until the target has been conditioned a shield is provided between the target surface and the substrate, wherein meanwhile the substrates to be coated are at least partially subjected to a pretreatment.

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: Methods of producing a uniformly or substantially uniformly doped relatively large area multi-layered graphene element are described comprising the steps of placing the graphene element and a dopant under low pressure conditions, and holding the graphene element and dopant at an elevated temperature for a period of time while under the low pressure conditions. In one arrangement, openings are formed in a multi-layered graphene element of relatively large area prior to doping. In another arrangement, a relatively large area multi-layered graphene element formed by an epitaxial growth technique is used. The invention also relates to an element produced using the aforementioned techniques.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning method for removing a first deposit, formed on an upper electrode through an etching of a metal layer containing a metal, by using a plasma generated between a lower electrode of a lower structure and the upper electrode in a processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus. The method includes a step of colliding ions with the first deposit formed on the upper electrode and a step of removing a second deposit, which is generated by said colliding and formed on the lower structure. Further, a cycle including the step of colliding and the step of removing is repeated multiple times.

Abstract: A reactor system and related methods are provided which may include a heating element in a wafer tray. The heating element may be used to heat the wafer tray and a substrate or wafer seated on the wafer tray within a reaction chamber assembly, and may be used to cause sublimation of a native oxide of the wafer.

Abstract: Methods of using Si-containing film forming compositions to deposit silicon-containing films using vapor deposition processes are disclosed. The disclosed Si-containing film forming composition comprises an amino(bromo)silane precursor having the formula: SiHxBry(NR1R2)4?x?y wherein x=0, 1 or 2; y=1, 2 or 3; x+y<4; each R1 and R2 is independently selected from C1-C6 alkyl, aryl, or hetero group; and R1 and R2 may be joined to form a cyclic nitrogen-containing heterocycle. The disclosed Si-containing film forming compositions include an amino(bromo)silane precursor selected from the group consisting of SiH2Br(NEt2), SiH2Br(N(iPr)2), SiH2Br(N(iBu)2) and SiBr(NMe2)3.

Abstract: A method of detoxifying an exhaust pipe in a film forming apparatus configured to supply a raw material gas contending a harmful component and a reaction gas capable of generating a harmless reaction product by reaction with the raw material gas into a process chamber to perform a film forming process on a substrate while independently exhausting the raw material gas and the reaction gas from a raw material exhaust pipe and a reaction gas exhaust pipe connected to the process chamber, respectively, is provided. The method includes supplying the reaction gas into the raw material exhaust pipe to detoxify an interior of the raw material exhaust pipe during a predetermined period in which the film forming apparatus is operated and the film forming process is not performed.