Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Thrombospondin 1 gene (THB-S1) that are herein linked to an increased risk for dry eye (also known as keratoconjunctivitis). The polymorphisms disclosed herein are directly useful for the diagnosis of an increased risk for dry eye, as well as for the determination of patient treatment pre- and post-surgery (e.g. pre and post refractive eye surgery) or in a patient having a condition associate with dry eye (e.g. diabetes, lupus, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, thyroid disorders, vitamin A deficiency, and rheumatoid arthritis). Computer systems and medium are also enclosed. The SNPs can be present in unique combinations, or as specific haplotypes indicative of dry eye. The SNPs linked to an increased risk for dry eye include rs1478604, rs2228261, and rs2292305.

Abstract: Truncation variants of BCR-ABL mRNA that produces BCR-ABL proteins with a truncated C-terminus and its role in resistance to treatment with kinase inhibitors is described. Vectors for expressing the truncated gene products are described as well as recombinant cells that express the truncated gene products from cDNA constructs. Also provided are methods compositions and kits for detecting the BCR-ABL truncation variants. Also provided are methods for determining the prognosis of a patient diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disease, and methods for predicting the likelihood for resistance to a treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor in a patient diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disease. Additionally, methods for screening BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase domain inhibitors which rely on the recombinant cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, kits, and methods for the identification of depressive disorders. In particular, provided herein are compositions, kits, and methods for the detection or diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a method for identifying a treatment regimen for a patient diagnosed with cancer, predicting patient resistance to therapeutic agents and identifying new therapeutic agents. Specifically, the present invention relates to the use of an algorithm to identify a mutation in a kinase, determine if the mutation is an activation or resistance mutation and then to suggest an appropriate therapeutic regimen. The invention also relates to the use of a pattern matching algorithm and a crystal structure library to predict the functionality of a gene mutation, predict the specificity of small molecule kinase inhibitors and for the identification of new therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Novel mutant ESR1 molecules and uses are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to predict the response to treatment with radiotherapy combined with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with cancer, preferably non-microcytic lung cancer, wherein said method is based on the detection of the presence of methylation in the IGFBP-3 gene. The present invention also relates to an in vitro method to design a customised treatment for an individual with said disease. The method of the invention may be quantitative or semi-quantitative. The present invention also relates to a probe designed for the quantitative detection of the methylation of the IGFBP-3 gene, to a kit that comprises it and to the use of the kit to predict the response of a subject to the aforementioned treatment.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and kits for identifying a subject as having leukemia. Also provided herein are methods and kits for determining a leukemia subtype in subject. Further provided herein are methods and kits for determining the prognosis of a subject having leukemia and for determining the progression of leukemia in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein is reagent mixture comprising multiplexed amplification reagents and flap assay reagents for detecting, in a single reaction, mutant copies of the KRAS gene that contain any of the 34A, 34C, 34T, 35A, 35C, 35T or 38A point mutations. Methods that employ the reagent mix and kits for performing the same are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to oligonucleotides and to the use thereof as universal primers for the detection and identification of amphibia/fish species, especially in complex and deteriorated substrates. The invention also relates to a method for detecting and identifying amphibia/fish species in samples collected from the environment (ground, water, faeces) or from industry (especially transformed products). The invention further relates to a kit for said detection.

Abstract: The invention provides a lysis reagent for lysing red blood cells, thereby releasing a target, such as RNA from a parasitic organism, in a form suitable for analysis. The reagent includes at least ammonium chloride and an anionic detergent, and may include an anti-coagulant. The reagent serves to lyse red blood cells, protect the released target from degradation in the lysate, and is compatible with subsequent steps for analysis of the target such as target capture, amplification, detection, or sequencing.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and disease resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding corn plants containing quantitative trait loci that are associated with resistance to gray leaf spot, a fungal disease associated with Cercospora spp. The invention further includes germplasm and the use of germplasm containing quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring disease resistance for introgression into elite germplasm in a breeding program for resistance to gray leaf spot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting the shrunken2-R (sh2-R) mutation and identifying maize plants, maize plant parts and/or maize germplasm having the sh2-R mutation.

Abstract: A method of detecting a heat-resistant fungus, which has a step of identifying the heat-resistant fungus using the following nucleic acid (I) or (II): (I) a nucleic acid including a nucleotide sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 24 to 35 and 83 to 86, or a complementary sequence thereof; or (II) a nucleic acid including a nucleotide sequence resulting from a deletion, substitution, or addition of one to several nucleotides in the nucleotide sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 24 to 35 and 83 to 86 and being capable of detecting the heat-resistant fungus, or a complementary sequence thereof.

Abstract: A method of detecting a heat-resistant fungus, which has a step of identifying the heat-resistant fungus using the following nucleic acid (I) or (II): (I) a nucleic acid including a nucleotide sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 24 to 35 and 83 to 86, or a complementary sequence thereof; or (II) a nucleic acid including a nucleotide sequence resulting from a deletion, substitution, or addition of one to several nucleotides in the nucleotide sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 24 to 35 and 83 to 86 and being capable of detecting the heat-resistant fungus, or a complementary sequence thereof.

Abstract: Methods and oligonucleotide reagents for diagnosing dengue virus infection are described. In particular, the invention relates to methods for detection, quantitation, and serotyping dengue virus, including serotypes 1-4. The dengue virus can be specifically detected by these methods even in samples containing other viruses, such as West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, tick-born encephalitis virus, HIV, or HCV.

Abstract: Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP243 (KCTC 11045P), a composition for treating intestinal diseases comprising Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP243, and a composition for enhancing immune response comprising Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP243.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for improved energy efficiency in a direct reduction iron production process which uses a direct reduction shaft furnace and syngas as the reduction gas. The method and system of the invention use a part of the top gas emanating from the shaft furnace as transport gas for the gasifier, and control the volume of the top gas used as recycled top gas or fuel for the gas heater. The present invention achieves high energy efficiency, and reduces the need to use additional CH4 source for the reduction gas.

Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating molten carbonate fuel cells with processes for iron and/or steel production. The systems and methods can provide process improvements such as increased efficiency, reduction of carbon emissions per ton of product produced, or simplified capture of the carbon emissions as an integrated part of the system. The number of separate processes and the complexity of the overall production system can be reduced while providing flexibility in fuel feed stock and the various chemical, heat, and electrical outputs needed to power the processes.

Abstract: Abrasion resistant steel plates with excellent low-temperature toughness having a Brinell hardness of 361 or more, and methods for manufacturing such steel plates. The steel plates have a lath martensitic structure with an average grain size of not more than 20 ?m, and the steel plates include fine precipitates that are 50 nm or less in diameter and that have a density of 50 or more particles per 100 ?m2. Additionally, the steel plates include, by mass %, C: 0.10 to less than 0.20%, Si: 0.05 to 0.5%, Mn: 0.5 to 1.5%, Cr: 0.05 to 1.20%, Nb: 0.01 to 0.08%, B: 0.0005 to 0.003%, Al: 0.01 to 0.08%, N: 0.0005 to 0.008%, P: not more than 0.05%, S: not more than 0.005%, and O: not more than 0.008%, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: The invention discloses a steel plate resistant to zinc-induced crack and a manufacturing method therefor. A low-alloy steel subjected to low C-ultra low Si-high Mn-low Al—(Ti+Nb) microalloying treatment is taken as a basis; the Al content in the steel is appropriately reduced; the conditions are controlled so that Mn/C?15, [(% Mn)+0.75(% Mo)]×(% C)?0.16, Nb/Ti?1.8 and Ti/N is between 1.50 and 3.40, CEZ?0.44% and the B content is ?2 ppm, Ni/Cu?1.50; a Ca treatment is performed and the Ca/S ratio is controlled between 1.0 and 3.0, with (% Ca)×(% S)0.28?1.

Abstract: A method for separating zirconium oxide/hafnium oxide by pyrometallurgy. The mixture of zirconium oxide/hafnium oxide, carbon and pure bromine react one hour at 650° C., then added to molten salt mixture for rectifying separation, and then maintained two hours at rectifying tower bottom below 357° C., to get the non-target substance; and then maintained five hours at 357° C. to collect the target substance zirconium tetrabromide; the residue in the reactor is retained, then rectification separation is performed in the same device, heated to 400° C. to retain more than five hours, to get hafnium tetrabromide, then the zirconium tetrabromide and hafnium tetrabromide are substituted by magnesium to get the pure zirconium and pure hafnium.

Abstract: Method for producing eutectic copper-iron alloy in which crystal grain fragments containing iron are dispersed in a copper matrix, includes: a charging step charging a first melting furnace (MF) and second MF respectively with electrolytic-copper and pure iron grain fragments; molten copper (MC) deoxidizing step heating electrolytic-copper to at least melting-point in the first MF, melting and deoxidizing the electrolytic-copper; molten iron (MI) deoxidizing step heating pure iron to at least melting-point in the second MF, melting and deoxidizing pure iron; MI transfer step increasing the MI temperature generated in the second MF; transferring the MI to a primary reaction furnace; MC transfer step increasing the MC temperature in the first MF to at least the iron melting-point; transferring the MC to the primary reaction furnace; and a reaction step causing a crystallization reaction between copper in the MC and iron in the MI in the primary reaction furnace.

Abstract: A Cu—Be alloy according to the present invention is a Co-containing Cu—Be alloy, in which the Co content is 0.005% to 0.12% by mass, and the number of Cu—Co-based compound particles having a particle size of 0.1 ?m or more that can be confirmed on a TEM image at a magnification of 20,000 is five or less in a field of view of 10 ?m×10 ?m. Furthermore, a method for producing a Cu—Be alloy according to the present invention includes a solution annealing treatment step of subjecting a Cu—Be alloy raw material containing 0.005% to 0.12% by mass of Co and 1.60% to 1.95% by mass of Be to solution annealing treatment to obtain a solution-annealed material.

Abstract: An alpha-beta titanium alloy comprises, in weight percentages: an aluminum equivalency in the range of 2.0 to 10.0; a molybdenum equivalency in the range of 0 to 20.0; 0.3 to 5.0 cobalt; and titanium. In certain embodiments, the alpha-beta titanium alloy exhibits a cold working reduction ductility limit of at least 25%, a yield strength of at least 130 KSI (896.3 MPa), and a percent elongation of at least 10%. A method of forming an article comprising the cobalt-containing alpha-beta titanium alloy comprises cold working the cobalt-containing alpha-beta titanium alloy to at least a 25 percent reduction in cross-sectional area. The cobalt-containing alpha-beta titanium alloy does not exhibit substantial cracking during cold working.

Abstract: A cobalt-nickel alloy composition comprising by weight (wt %): about 31 to 42 percent cobalt (Co); about 26 to 31 percent nickel (Ni); about 10 to 16 percent chromium (Cr); about 4 to 6 percent aluminum (Al); about 6 to 15 percent tungsten (W); the Co and Ni being present in an atomic ratio of about 1.3:1.

Abstract: A cermet and a cutting tool are provided which have high wear resistance and high fracture resistance at a cutting edge even in a mode of cutting where the cutting edge comes to have a high temperature. A cermet 1 includes a hard phase 2 including a carbonitride of one or more kinds of metals selected from Group 4, Group 5, and Group 6 metals of the periodic table including at least Ti and a binder phase 3 containing W and at least one kind of a metal selected from Co and Ni, wherein the binder phase 3 includes a first binder phase 4 in which a mass ratio of W to a total amount of Co and Ni (W/(Co+Ni)) is 0.8 or less and a second binder phase 5 in which a mass ratio of W to a total amount of Co and Ni (W/(Co+Ni)) is 1.2 or more.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of fabricating an aluminum matrix composite by a simple process of heating a mixture of a ceramic reinforcing phase and aluminum in nitrogen containing atmosphere and an aluminum matrix composite fabricated by the same. The aluminum matrix composite may be fabricated by heating to temperatures even lower than the melting temperature of aluminum as well as to temperatures higher. The exothermic nitridation reaction contributes to the melting of the aluminum matrix and the aluminum nitride formed in-situ as a result may act as an additional reinforcing phase.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferrous alloy article is disclosed and includes the steps of melting a ferrous alloy composition into a liquid, atomizing and solidifying of the liquid into powder particles, outgassing to remove oxygen from the surface of the powder particles, and consolidating the powder particles into a monolithic article.

Abstract: A seamless steel pipe has a yield strength of 400 MPa or less and excellent HIC resistance. The seamless steel pipe includes: a chemical composition consisting, in mass %, of, C: 0.01 to 0.20%, Si: 0.05 to 0.50%, Mn: 0.3 to 2.0%, P: 0.02% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Cr: 0.02 to 0.2%, sol.Al: 0.001 to 0.100%, O: 0.0050% or less, N: 0.0100% or less, Ca: 0 to 0.0050%, Ti: 0 to 0.012%, and Nb: 0 to 0.012%, the balance being Fe and impurities; and a structure consisting, in area ratio, of 10 to 50% of ferrite and 0 to less than 5% of pearlite, the balance being tempered bainite and/or tempered martensite, and the number of inclusions each having a grain diameter of 50 mm or more is not more than 15 per 100 mm2, and the seamless steel pipe has a yield strength of 400 MPa or less.

Abstract: A sintered alloy having superior heat resistance and superior wear resistance and also having corrosion resistance against salt damage that may occur in cold-weather regions, and a production method therefor, are provided. The sintered alloy consists of, by mass %, 32.4 to 48.4% of Cr, 2.9 to 10.0% of Mo, 0.9 to 2.9% of Si, 0.3 to 1.8% of P, 0.7 to 3.9% of C, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, and it has a density ratio of not less than 90% and includes carbides that are dispersed in a matrix of a metallic structure thereof.

Abstract: A strain-hardenable stainless steel alloy includes hard secondary phases dispersed in an austenitic primary phase, the alloy including 0.3-0.6% nitrogen by weight.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a superstrength cold rolled weathering steel sheet, wherein the weight percentage of the chemical elements thereof are as follows: C: 0.05˜0.16%; Mn: 1.00˜2.20%; Al: 0.02˜0.06%; Cu: 0.20˜0.40%; Cr: 0.40˜0.60%; Ti: 0.015˜0.035%; P: less than 0.03%; and C+Mn/16 is more than 0.19% and less than 0.23%; the remainders thereof being Fe and other unavoidable impurities. The present invention also discloses a method of manufacturing said superstrength cold rolled weathering steel sheet, comprising the following stages: smelting, heating and preservation, hot rolling, coiling, pickling, cold rolling, continuous annealing and skin passing. The advantages of the superstrength cold rolled weathering steel sheet and the method of manufacturing the same are: high strength, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a NiIr-base heat-resistant alloy which includes a Ni—Ir—Al—W-base alloy which contains Ir: 5.0 to 50.0 mass %, Al: 1.0 to 8.0 mass %, W: 5.0 to 20.0 mass %, and the balance is Ni, and a ?? phase having an L12 structure precipitating and dispersing in a matrix as an essential strengthening phase, and a ratio (Y/X) of a peak intensity (Y) of (201) plane of the Ir3W phase observed in the range of 2?=48° to 50° to a peak intensity (X) of (111) plane of the ?? phase observed in the range of 2?=43° to 45° in X-ray diffraction analysis is 0.5 or less. The alloy exhibits good high-temperature property stably.

Abstract: A method for heat-treating a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6Al-4V. The method may occur after or include a step of forging the titanium alloy such that localized, highly deformed grains are formed in the titanium alloy. Then the method may include steps of recrystallization annealing the titanium alloy by heating the titanium alloy to a temperature in a range between 30° F. to 200° F. below beta transus of the titanium alloy for 1 hour to 6 hours and then furnace cooling of the titanium alloy to 1200° F. to 1500° F. at a rate of 50° F. to 500° F. per hour. Following the recrystallization annealing, the method may include beta annealing the titanium alloy. These steps may be performed in a single heat treating cycle.

Abstract: A low alloy steel is heated to a temperature ranging from 550 to 620° C., and high KN and low KN value processes are performed for a total process time of A: 1.5 to 10 hours. In the high KN value process, a nitriding potential KNX given by Formula (1): 0.15 to 1.50, the average KNX value KNXave: 0.30 to 0.80, and the process time is X in hours. In the low KN value process, which is performed after the high KN value process, a nitriding potential KNY given by Formula (1): 0.02 to 0.25, the average KNY value KNYave: 0.03 to 0.20, and the process time is Y in hours. Average nitriding potential value KNave determined by Formula (2) ranges from 0.07 to 0.30. KNi=(NH3 partial pressure)/(H2 partial pressure)3/2]??(1) KNave=(X×KNXave+Y×KNYave)/A??(2) where i is X or Y.

Abstract: A method for making a magnetic recording medium, including providing a substrate, forming a magnetic layer on the substrate, applying filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) deposition to form a film on the magnetic layer, and performing nitridation on the film formed by the FCVA deposition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a susceptor which is for the processing chamber of protective gas and vacuum high-temperature processing installations and consists of graphite or CFC, has a tunnel-like design, and can be closed by a cover at both its ends. The invention should allow the provision of a flexibly and modularly extendable susceptor that has a material-saving design and, in particular, uniform thermal expansion. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that said susceptor (1) consists of a plurality of modules (2) aligned one next to the other along a continuous tunnel, that each module (2) consists of a tubular section (3) and a base panel (4) fixed thereto, and that the end faces (5) between each pair of modules (2) are interconnected in a form-fitting manner.

Abstract: A process of preparing polycrystalline group III nitride chunks comprising the steps of (a) placing a group III metal inside a source chamber; (b) flowing a halogen-containing gas over the group III metal to form a group III metal halide; (c) contacting the group III metal halide with a nitrogen-containing gas in a deposition chamber containing a foil, the foil comprising at least one of Mo, W, Ta, Pd, Pt, Ir, or Re; (d) forming a polycrystalline group III nitride layer on the foil within the deposition chamber; (e) removing the polycrystalline group III nitride layer from the foil; and (f) comminuting the polycrystalline group III nitride layer to form the polycrystalline group III nitride chunks, wherein the removing and the comminuting are performed in any order or simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling precursor flow in a semiconductor processing tool are disclosed. A method may include flowing gas through a gas line, opening an ampoule valve(s), before a dose step, to start a flow of precursor from the ampoule to a process chamber through the gas line, closing the ampoule valve(s) to stop the precursor from flowing out of the ampoule, opening a process chamber valve, at the beginning of the dose step, to allow the flow of precursor to enter the process chamber, and closing the process chamber valve, at the end of the dose step, to stop the flow of precursor from entering the process chamber. A controller may include at least one memory and at least one processor and the at least one memory may store instructions for controlling the at least one processor to control precursor flow in a semiconductor processing tool.

Abstract: A film forming apparatus that includes a mounting table for loading a wafer, a encompassing member surrounding the mounting table and dividing an inside of a process container, an exhaust part that vacuum exhausts the process container, a clamp ring loaded upon an upper space of the encompassing member and lifted from the upper space of the encompassing member while contacting an inner circumference part thereof with an outer circumference of the wafer loaded on the mounting table, and a cylindrical wall extended downward from the clamp ring, formed along a circumference of the clamp ring into a cylinder shape, and positioned between an outer circumference surface of the mounting table and an inner circumference surface of the encompassing member.

Abstract: A method of producing a metal-organic framework (MOF) film on a substrate is disclosed, the method comprising providing a substrate having a main surface and forming on said main surface a MOF film using an organometallic compound precursor and at least one organic ligand, wherein each of said organometallic compound precursor and said at least one organic ligand is provided only in vapour phase.

Abstract: Disclosed are Group 6 film forming compositions comprising Group 6 transition metal-containing precursors selected from the group consisting of: M(=O)(NR2)4 Formula I, M(=O)2(NR2)2 Formula II, and M(=NR)2(OR)2 Formula III, wherein M is Mo or W and each R is independently H, a C1 to C6 alkyl group, or SiR?3, wherein R? is H or a C1 to C6 alkyl group. Also disclosed are methods of synthesizing and using the disclosed compositions to deposit Group 6 transition metal-containing films on substrates via vapor deposition processes.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber in which etching by a corrosive gas is performed to remove a film formed therein after a film formation process, a susceptor disposed in the process chamber and having a substrate loading portion, a stationary shaft passing through the susceptor, a first securing member securing the susceptor at an upper side, a second securing member securing the susceptor at a lower side, a pressing member disposed below the susceptor to urge the stationary shaft in a downward direction while urging the second securing member in an upward direction, and a stopping member formed above the susceptor and engaged with the stationary shaft to urge the first securing member in cooperation with the pressing member. The susceptor, the first securing member and the stopping member are made of a material having corrosion resistance higher than the pressing member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for depositing a cobalt layer in features formed on a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of depositing a cobalt layer atop a substrate includes: (a) providing a substrate to a substrate support that is rotatable between two processing positions; (b) exposing the substrate to a cobalt containing precursor at a first processing position to deposit a cobalt layer atop the substrate; (c) rotating the substrate having the deposited cobalt layer to a second processing position; and (d) treating the substrate at the second processing position to remove contaminants from the cobalt layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a release layer which lies between a substrate and a supporting member and has a property that changes when the release layer absorbs light coming through the supporting member, by carrying out plasma CVD with a high-frequency power that is set so as to be higher than a power at which a mode jump occurs.

Abstract: A mechanical component for an internal combustion engine includes a mechanical component body made of one of aluminum and aluminum alloy and used for the internal combustion engine, a nickel plating layer formed to cover a surface of a predetermined portion of the mechanical component body, and a reforming layer formed between the surface of the predetermined portion of the mechanical component body and the nickel plating layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zirconium-based metal pretreatment coating composition that includes a metal chelator that chelates copper in the metal pretreatment coating composition and thereby improves adhesion of paints to a metal substrate coated with the pretreatment coating composition and the chelating agent is present in a sufficient amount to ensure that in the deposited pretreatment coating on the metal substrate the average total atomic % of copper to atomic % of zirconium is equal to or less than 1.1. The pretreatment coating composition is useful for treating a variety of metal substrates.

Abstract: A methods, apparatus and compositions for producing colored, self-cleaning substrates by roll coating are provided. The roll coated, colored, self-cleaning substrates retain the predetermined color and a predetermined gloss of the colored coating, thereby facilitating their use in architectural applications. The roll coated, colored, self-cleaning substrates may be iridescent-free.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting corrosion of metal surfaces by aqueous acids are described. The methods include combining a corrosion inhibiting aqueous emulsion with the aqueous acid solution to form a treatment fluid and contacting the metal surface with the treatment fluid. The corrosion inhibiting aqueous emulsion includes one or more silicone polymers having hydrophilic functional groups.