Abstract: Provided is a sensing apparatus comprising a chip for integrated amplification and sequencing of a template polynucleotide in a sample. The apparatus comprises a chip with at least one ISFET in a well or chamber, amplification means for amplifying the template polynucleotide on a surface of said chip and comprising at least one heating means suitable for conducting amplification of the template polynucleotide at temperatures elevated with respect to room temperature, and sequencing means for sequencing the amplified template polynucleotide in said well or chamber. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include analyzing nucleic acids from single cells using methods that include using tagged polynucleotides containing multiplex identifier sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, among other things, probes, compositions, methods, and kits for simultaneous, multiplexed detection and quantification of protein and/or nucleic acid expression in a user-defined region of a tissue, user-defined cell, and/or user-defined subcellular structure within a cell that are adaptable for use with existing sequencing technologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting a chromosomal aneuploidy in a foetus carried by a pregnant female. Such methods are based on one or more of particular configurations and/or detections and/or analyses of two or more regions of DNA, including those that show differential methylation between DNA that originates from cells of a foetus (and/or the placenta of a foetus) and DNA of maternal origin. Such methods utilise a sample taken from said pregnant female, which sample comprises DNA that originates from cells of a foetus and/or the placenta of a foetus in admixture with differently methylated DNA of maternal origin. Such methods have diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive utility; in particular for the detection/diagnosis of chromosomal aneuploidy, such as a trisomy, in a foetus, and/or for detecting an increased risk of a pregnant female suffering from or developing a pregnancy-associated medical condition.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the in vitro diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment monitoring of neurodegenerative, neurological and inflammation-based diseases, wherein the method comprises the steps: a) isolating microglial microvesicles (MVs) from biological fluids obtained from an individual; b) collecting the microRNA (miRNA) contained into said MVs; c) determining the expression profile of a predetermined set of miRNA; d) comparing said expression profile to one or several reference expression profiles, wherein the comparison of said determined expression profile to said one or several reference expression profiles allows for the diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment monitoring of the disease.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an algorithm and method using the same algorithm for in vitro predicting the probability of a drug or a compound to induce a particular effect in a patient, said method using at least one target exhibiting an A-to-I editing of RNA. The present invention also relates to kits for the implementation of the method.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to genetic variations associated with endometriosis. For example, this document provides methods for using such genetic variations to assess risk of, or susceptibility of developing or diagnosing endometriosis.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with venous thrombosis. 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: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for collecting a non-placental biological samples of cells and quantifying and comparing levels of expression of microRNAs to characterize a preeclampsia-related condition. The samples may be collected before or after an intervention or may be collected over a period of time. One of the samples may be a control sample. Patients may then be treated according to their response.

Abstract: The gene responsible for encoding SERT has a functional polymorphism at the 5?-regulatory promoter region, which results in two forms, long (L) and short (S). The LL-genotype is hypothesized to play a key role in the early onset of alcohol use. The present invention discloses the differences in treatment and diagnosis based on the L or short genotypes as well as on a single nucleotide polymorphism of the SERT gene, the 3? UTR SNP rs1042173. The present invention demonstrates the efficacy of using the drug ondansetron and similar drugs for treatment based on variations in the polymorphisms of the SERT gene as well as methods for diagnosing susceptibility to abuse of alcohol and other addiction-related diseases and disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in a subject comprising the steps of determining in a biological sample from said subject the number and/or frequency of dominant BCR clones, and determining the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis based on said number of dominant BCR clones, wherein an increase of said number of dominant BCR clones and/or a higher frequency of at least one dominant BCR clone compared to a healthy control indicates an increased risk. In a preferred embodiment, said increased risk is indicated when at least 0.5% of the total number of BCR clones is a dominant BCR clone.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method for identifying a cancer cell, comprising detecting increased Sexpression of at least one lincRNA selected from the group consisting of PCAN-1, PCAN-2, PCAN-3, PCAN-5 and PCAN-6 and/or decreased expression of lincRNA PCAN-4 in a nucleic acid sample derived from the cell, wherein increased expression of at least one of PCAN-1, PCAN-2, PCAN-3, PCAN-5 and PCAN-6 and/or decreased expression of PCAN-4, as compared to expression from a control cell, indicates the cell is a cancer cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to, among others, a method for assessing a prognosis of a patient with a malignant disease and/or for predicting the response of a patient with a malignant disease to immunotherapy. For this purpose, a DNA methylation analysis is carried out on at least one immunoregulatory gene of cells of the malignant disease and/or T lymphocytes which interact with the cells of the malignant disease, said gene coding for an immune checkpoint selected from B7 proteins and the receptors thereof, MHC-peptide complex-binding co-receptors, the members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily TNFRSF9, CD40, TNFRSF4, TNFRSF18, and CD27, the members of the immunoglobulin superfamily TIGIT, BTLA, HAVCR2, BTNL2 and CD48, and the andenosine-binding adenosine 2A receptor.

Abstract: Described herein are methods that define cellular populations that are sensitive to RARA agonists and identify patient populations that will benefit from treatment with RARA agonists. The methods may comprise administering RARA agonists to patient populations.

Abstract: Molecular assays that involve measurement of expression levels of prognostic biomarkers, or co-expressed biomarkers, from a biological sample obtained from a prostate cancer patient, and analysis of the measured expression levels to provide information concerning the likely prognosis for said patient, and likelihood that said patient will have a recurrence of prostate cancer, or to classify the tumor by likelihood of clinical outcome or TMPRSS2 fusion status, are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for establishing which genomic alterations are truly clonal in cancer, and for determining the confidence for calling true clonal mutations in individual tumors using multi-region sequencing data. The invention further provides methods for treating cancer that comprise confidently determining truly clonal genomic alternations in the target cancer that is to be treated.

Abstract: A method of identifying a subject in need of therapeutic intervention to treat a disease or condi-tion or disease recurrence or disease progression comprising, isolating isomiRs or miRNAs from a sample obtained from the subject; and characterizing the isomiRs or miRNAs and their presence or absence in the sample to identify a signature, wherein when the signature is indicative of a di-agnosis of the disease then treatment of the subject is recommended.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting neoplasia and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms such as colorectal cancer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting Trichomonas vaginalis are provided.

Abstract: A kit for simultaneously detecting HSV1 and HSV2 includes a forward primer and a reverse primer specific to HSV1, and a forward primer and a reverse primer specific to HSV2. The forward primer specific to HSV1 has a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, and the reverse primer specific to HSV1 has a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 7. The forward primer specific to HSV2 has a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, and the reverse primer specific to HSV2 has a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.

Abstract: A ribbing process, particularly for providing leather coverings, includes the steps of applying a covering material on a template that includes longitudinally extended seats, inserting longitudinally extended forming rods in the seats of the template, and making the covering material adhere to the template and providing seats in the covering material. The ribbing process also includes hot pressing a first assembly that includes the template, the covering material, and the forming rods, thermoforming the covering material, and removing the forming rods from the first assembly.

Abstract: A surface detection apparatus for a blast furnace is provided. An antenna is fixed to a side of a container attached to an opening portion of the blast furnace and having a bottom surface opened in correspondence to the opening portion. A reflection plate is disposed in the container immediately above the opening portion so as to face the opening portion and the antenna. A tilt angle varying mechanism and a rotation mechanism for the reflection plate are configured as a double pipe structure and are provided at an anti-antenna side of the reflection plate.

Abstract: A steel sheet for hot press comprises: a predetermined chemical composition; and a steel microstructure that includes ferrite and cementite and in which Mn?/Mn? is 1.4 or more, where Mn? is a Mn concentration of the ferrite and Mn? is a Mn concentration of the cementite.

Abstract: A stainless steel foil having a chemical composition comprising, by mass %, C: 0.015% or less, Si: 0.50% or less, Mn: 0.50% or less, P: 0.040% or less, S: 0.010% or less, Cr: 10.0% or more and less than 16.0%, Al: 2.5 to 4.5%, N: 0.015% or less, Ni: 0.05 to 0.50%, Cu: 0.01 to 0.10%, Mo: 0.01 to 0.15%, at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti: 0.01 to 0.30%, Zr: 0.01 to 0.20%, Hf: 0.01 to 0.20%, and REM: 0.01 to 0.20%, where Ti+Zr+Hf+2REM?0.06 and 0.30?Ti+Zr+Hf are satisfied.

Abstract: Provided is a hot-band annealing equipment provided with a heating zone, a soaking zone and a cooling zone for subjecting a Si-containing hot rolled steel sheet to hot-band annealing, wherein when the Si-containing hot rolled steel sheet is subjected to hot-band annealing with the hot-band annealing equipment provided with a rapid heating device at an upstream side of the heating zone and/or in an inlet side of the heating zone, the hot rolled steel sheet is heated by not lower than 50° C. at a heating rate of not less than 15° C./s by using the rapid heating device to improve a descaling property, whereby descaling can be performed only by pickling without requiring mechanical descaling or heating the steel sheet in the pickling process. Also provided are a hot-band annealing method and a descaling method using the above equipment.

Abstract: A process for pre-conditioning a hot stamped part is provided. The process includes continuously annealing a boron steel material having an aluminum coating for a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature such that less than 10% Iron (Fe) is in the aluminum coating and AlSi pockets are formed in the aluminum coating prior to a subsequent hot stamping process, wherein the predetermined time and temperature are a function of a thickness of the boron steel material.

Abstract: A vertical autoclave according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vertical autoclave including an inlet port through which a process solution is introduced, an outlet port configured through which the process solution is discharged, an oxygen inlet port through which oxygen is supplied to the process solution, an agitator configured to mix the process solution, an inner wall, an acid-resistant brick layer lined on a lower portion and a side portion of the inner wall, and an acid-resistant metal layer lined on an upper portion of the inner wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrometallurgical technologies wherein liquid-liquid extraction, also called solvent extraction, is used to separate and concentrate metal ions. Exemplary embodiments relate to solvent extraction of copper and a diluent useful in copper solvent extraction. A bio-based composition can fulfil physico-chemical properties that are desired for solvent extraction. Moreover, a composition is disclosed, which in addition to providing more environmental friendly alternative, can also improve the solvent extraction process of copper.

Abstract: A conductive material for connection parts includes a matrix, a Cu—Sn alloy coating layer having a Cu content of 20 to 70 at % and an average thickness of 0.2 to 3.0 ?m and an Sn coating layer having an average thickness of 0.05 to 5.0 ?m. The Cu—Sn alloy covering layer and the Sn covering layer are formed in this order on a surface of the matrix.

Abstract: A conductive material for connection parts includes a matrix, a Cu—Sn alloy covering layer having a Cu content of 20 to 70 at % and an average thickness of from 0.2 to 3.0 ?m, and a Sn covering layer having an average thickness of from 0.05 to 5.0 ?m. The matrix is a copper alloy strip containing specified amounts of Fe and P. The Cu—Sn alloy covering layer and the Sn covering layer are formed in this order on a surface of the matrix.

Abstract: This free-cutting copper alloy contains 75.0%-78.5% Cu, 2.95%-3.55% Si, 0.07%-0.28% Sn, 0.06%-0.14% P, and 0.022%-0.25% Pb, with the remainder being made up of Zn and inevitable impurities. The composition satisfies the following relations: 76.2?f1=Cu+0.8×Si?8.5×Sn+P+0.5×Pb?80.3, 61.5?f2=Cu?4.3×Si?0.7×Sn?P+0.5×Pb?63.3. The area ratios (%) of the constituent phases satisfy the following relations: 25???65, 0???1.5, 0???0.2, 0???2.0, 97.0?f3=?+?, 99.4?f4=?+?+?+?, 0?f5=?+??2.5, 27?f6=?+6×?1/2+0.5×??70. The long side of the ? phase does not exceed 40 ?m, the long side of the ? phase does not exceed 25 ?m, and the ? phase is present within the ? phase.

Abstract: A nickel-based superalloy without titanium and a corresponding powder. A process for producing a component, wherein the alloy or the powder is used, in particular for a process for additive manufacture, especially selective laser sintering or selective laser melting. A component having an alloy or produced from the powder or produced by the process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continuously casting Al—Mg alloy sheet or plate product having a high amount of magnesium are disclosed. The Al—Mg products have 4 or 6 to 8 or 10 wt. % Mg and are resistant to both stress corrosion cracking and intergranular corrosion.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite comprises and/or consists of a uniform distribution of calcined ceramic particles having an average particle size of between 0.30 and 0.99 microns and a metal or alloy uniformly distributed with the ceramic particles and wherein the ceramic particles include oxides of two separate metals selected from the group consisting of Al, Li, Be, Pb, Fe, Ag, Au, Sn, Mg, Ti, Cu, and Zn, and in which said ceramic particles comprise at least 15 volume percent of the metal matrix sintered together and wherein said metal-matrix being machinable with a high speed steel (HSS) bit for greater than about one minute without excessive wear to the bit.

Abstract: A method for selecting a rail steel and a wheel steel comprising: selecting a rail steel and a wheel steel to be used as a rail and a wheel on an actual track, respectively, the rail steel and the wheel steel having a specific chemical composition, such that the rail comprises a head portion having a yield strength YSR of 830 MPa or more, the wheel comprises a rim portion having a yield strength YSW of 580 MPa or more, and a ratio YSR/YSW of the yield strength YSR at the head portion of the rail to the yield strength YSW at the rim portion of the wheel falls within a range of: 0.85?YSR/YSW?1.95 (1).

Abstract: A high strength, high toughness steel alloy is disclosed. The alloy has the following broad weight percent composition. Element Broad C 0.35-0.55 Mn 0.6-1.2 Si 0.9-2.5 P 0.01 max. S 0.001 max. Cr 0.75-2.0? Ni 3.5-7.0 Mo + ½ W 0.4-1.3 Cu 0.5-0.6 Co 0.01 max. V + (5/9) × Nb 0.2-1.0 Fe Balance Included in the balance are the usual impurities found in commercial grades of steel alloys produced for similar use and properties. Also disclosed is a hardened and tempered article that has very high strength and fracture toughness. The article is formed from the alloy having the broad weight percent composition set forth above. The alloy article according to this aspect of the invention is further characterized by being tempered at a temperature of about 500° F. to 600° F.

Abstract: A steel sheet includes a predetermined chemical composition and a metal structure represented by, in area fraction, ferrite: 50% to 95%, granular bainite: 5% to 48%, tempered martensite: 2% to 30%, upper bainite, lower bainite, fresh martensite, retained austenite, and pearlite: 5% or less in total, and the product of the area fraction of the tempered martensite and a Vickers hardness of the tempered martensite: 800 to 10500.

Abstract: Heat treatment of aluminum alloys containing Si with Sc additions improves mechanical properties of the alloys by the formation of Sc-containing dispersoids. The Al—Si—Sc alloys may include Zr or other refractory metals, and may also include Mg, Cu and/or Cr. Depending upon the cooling rate used during casting, at least some of the Sc-containing dispersoids may be present upon casting and cooling of the Al—Si alloy, in which case it may be desirable to reduce or eliminate coarsening of the as-cast dispersoids upon subsequent heat treatment. The subsequent heat treatment may also generate fresh Sc-containing dispersoids. Alternatively, the as-cast Al—Si alloy may not include Sc-containing dispersoids upon cooling, in which case the Sc-containing dispersoids may form during the heat treatment process.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to metallurgy and can be used to produce deformed semi-finished products as shapes of various cross-sections. Disclosed methods for producing deformed semi-finished products from aluminum-based alloys comprise preparing a melt containing iron and at least one element selected from the group consisting of zirconium, silicon, magnesium, copper, and scandium; producing a continuous casting bar by crystallisation of the melt; producing a deformed semi-finished product of a final or intermediate cross-section by hot rolling of the casting bar, with an initial casting bar temperature being not higher than 520° C. and a degree of deformation being of up to 60%; and additionally using at least one of the following operations: pressing of the casting bar in the temperature range of 300-500° C. by passing of the casting bar through the die, and water quenching of the resulting deformed semi-finished product at a temperature not lower than 450° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a wrought product made of an aluminum alloy composed, in wt %, of Mg: 3.8-4.2; Mn: 0.3-0.8 and preferably 0.5-0.7; Sc: 0.1-0.3; Zn: 0.1-0.4; Ti: 0.01-0.05; Zr: 0.07-0.15; Cr: <0.01; Fe: <0.15; Si<0.1; wherein the homogenization is carried out at a temperature of between 370° C. and 450° C., for between 2 and 50 hours, such that the equivalent time at 400° C. is between 5 and 100 hours, and the hot deformation is carried out at an initial temperature of between 350° C. and 450° C. The invention also relates to hot-worked products obtained by the method according to the invention, in particular sheets with a thickness of less than 12 mm. The products according to the invention are advantageous as they offer a better compromise in terms of mechanical strength, toughness and hot-formability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable magnesium alloy comprising x wt % of calcium, y wt % of zinc, and the balance of magnesium and inevitable impurities, wherein x and y have a range corresponding to a region in which the lower part of the trajectory of mathematical formula 1 (y=44.894x2?25.123x+5.192) and the upper part of the trajectory of mathematical formula 2 (y=?10.618x2+7.8784x+0.1637) overlap in the x-y plane, and a zinc compound phase contains 90 wt % or more of Ca2Mg6Zn3 on the basis of the total weight of the zinc compound phase.

Abstract: A method for removing soluble ferrous iron from a galvanizing flux solution includes circulating the flux solution through a concentration loop and injecting ozone into the concentration loop, wherein the ozone mixes with the flux solution and reacts with soluble ferrous iron to form insoluble ferric iron in the loop. Flux solution that is substantially free of insoluble ferric iron may be removed from the concentration loop through a filter medium such as a cross-flow microfilter, thereby concentrating the ferric iron in the concentration loop. The ozone may be injected through an eductor that utilizes motive force from a circulation pump, thereby reducing energy consumption and providing rapid mixing and reaction of ozone and ferrous iron.

Abstract: A nanocrystal production method includes a light irradiation step of applying light to a surface of a metal material immersed in water to form nanocrystals on the surface. In this nanocrystal production method, the metal material contains iron, the nanocrystal contains at least one of iron oxide and iron hydroxide, and in the spectrum of the light, a wavelength at which the intensity is maximum is not less than 360 nm and less than 620 nm.

Abstract: A vapor deposition apparatus disclosed by an embodiment comprises: a vacuum chamber (8); a mask holder (15) for holding a deposition mask 1; a substrate holder (29) for holding a substrate for vapor deposition (2); an electromagnet (3) disposed above a surface; a vapor deposition source 5 for vaporizing or sublimating a vapor deposition material; and a heat pipe (7) including at least a heat absorption part (71) and a heat dissipation part (72), the heat absorption part being in contact with the electromagnet (3), and the heat dissipation part being derived to an outside of the vacuum chamber (8). The heat pipe (7) and the electromagnet (3) are in intimate contact with each other at an area of a contact part between the heat pipe (7) and the electromagnet (3), the area being equal to or more than a cross-sectional area within an inner perimeter of a coil (32).

Abstract: Provided are a vapor deposition apparatus, a vapor deposition method, and a method of manufacturing an organic EL display apparatus which can prevent heat generation of a magnet chuck by using the magnet chuck that strongly attracts a deposition mask to dispose a substrate for vapor deposition and the deposition mask in proximity to each other during vapor deposition, while being less influenced by any magnetic field during alignment between the substrate for vapor deposition and the deposition mask. In the vapor deposition apparatus, a magnet chuck (3) includes a permanent magnet (3A) and an electromagnet (3B).

Abstract: A coated substrate comprising a metal or metal alloy such as a high speed steel, TiAl based alloy or Ni based alloy or an electrically conductive ceramic material, wherein the coating comprises a hard material protective coating comprising alternating layers of different compositions, wherein a first composition of the alternating layers comprises silicon, Si, and/or a second composition of the alternating layers comprises boron, B.

Abstract: A method for forming a substrate with a multi-layered, flexible, and anti-scratch metal oxides protective coating being deposited onto the substrate is provided in the present invention, wherein the top most layer of the coating comprises Al2O3 or a mixture thereof such that the top most layer acts as an anti-scratching layer. The multi-layered, flexible and anti-scratch metal oxides protective coating also retains the flexibility of the underlying substrate.

Abstract: A magnetically enhanced low temperature high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (LT-HDP-CVD) source has a hollow cathode target and an anode, which form a gap. A cathode target magnet assembly forms magnetic field lines substantially perpendicular to the cathode surface. A gap magnet assembly forms a magnetic field in the gap that is coupled with the cathode target magnetic field. The magnetic field lines cross the pole piece electrode positioned in the gap. The pole piece is isolated from ground and can be connected to a voltage power supply. The pole piece can have negative, positive, floating, or RF electrical potentials. By controlling the duration, value, and sign of the electric potential on the pole piece, plasma ionization can be controlled. Feed gas flows through the gap between the hollow cathode and anode. The cathode can be connected to a pulse power or RF power supply, or cathode can be connected to both power supplies. The cathode target and substrate can be inductively grounded.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a substrate is described. The carrier includes a carrier body having a first surface, and an adhesive arrangement provided on the first surface. The carrier body includes one or more conduits configured for providing a gas into the adhesive arrangement. Further, a method for controlling a temperature of a substrate is described. The method includes providing a carrier as described herein; supplying a gas through the one or more conduits into the adhesive arrangement; and providing the gas to a backside of the substrate attached to the adhesive arrangement.

Abstract: A method for depositing an amorphous film includes providing, in a substrate processing chamber, a substrate including an aluminum nitride layer and performing a pre-treatment process to condition an upper surface of the aluminum nitride layer. Performing the pre-treatment process includes supplying a gas mixture including ammonia into the substrate processing chamber and activating plasma within the substrate processing chamber to condition the upper surface of the aluminum nitride layer. The method further includes depositing the amorphous film onto the aluminum nitride layer.