Abstract: Methods of preparing double-stranded nucleic acids with single-stranded overhangs for amplification and sequencing are disclosed. Contacting a blunt-ended double-stranded nucleic acid molecules with Taq results in non-templated directed addition of a single nucleotide to the 3? ends of the nucleic acid with A added most frequently followed by G followed by C and T. G tailing is sufficiently frequent that the efficiency of ligation of nucleic acid molecules to adapters can be significantly increased by including adapters tailed with T and C. The ligation efficiency can be increased even further with blunted-ended adapters to ligate to blunt-ended nucleic acid molecules that failed to undergo tailing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein in are methods and systems for determining genetic variants (e.g., copy number variation) in a polynucleotide sample. A method for determining copy number variations includes tagging double-stranded polynucleotides with duplex tags, sequencing polynucleotides from the sample and estimating total number of polynucleotides mapping to selected genetic loci. The estimate of total number of polynucleotides can involve estimating the number of double-stranded polynucleotides in the original sample for which no sequence reads are generated. This number can be generated using the number of polynucleotides for which reads for both complementary strands are detected and reads for which only one of the two complementary strands is detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to new nucleotide and oligonucleotide compounds and their use in nucleic acid sequencing applications.

Abstract: Some embodiments provided herein include methods and compositions for the detection of target ligands on an array. In some embodiments, a capture probe specifically binds to a target ligand from a sample, the location of a bead comprising the capture probe in an array is determined, and the bead is decoded to identify the capture probe and the sample. In some embodiments, a barcode is indicative of a capture probe attached to a bead; and an index is indicative of a subpopulation of beads. In some embodiments, the barcode and the index are determined by sequencing.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for assessed, monitored, and/or treated mammals (e.g., humans) having cancer. For example, methods and materials for identifying a mammal as having cancer (e.g., a localized cancer) are provided. For example, methods and materials for assessing, monitoring, and/or treating a mammal having cancer are provided.

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: Disclosed herein are structural variants in the Williams-Beuren Syndrome locuse of the dog genome that are associated with hyper-social behavior in dogs relative to wolves, and that are informative regarding the nature of social behavior in dogs. Disclosed also is a commercial test with these loci as indicators along the spectrum of sociality. Methods of breeding dogs to select for dogs having increased sociability are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for distinguishing between sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in a patient, comprising: (i) determining the amount of one or more biomarker for sepsis, and one or more biomarker for SIRS in a sample obtained from a patient, wherein the one or more biomarker for sepsis is selected from the group consisting of: ITGB3, ITGA2B, MYL9, LCN2, TREML1, LCN15, CMTMS, PPBP, and PF4; and the one or more biomarker for SIRS is selected from the group consisting of: PLA2G7, ARHGEF10L, MYCL, TGFBI, and GPR124, (ii) comparing the amount of the one or more biomarker for sepsis determined in said sample in (i) to a corresponding reference value representative of a healthy individual, (iii) comparing the amount of the one or more biomarker for SIRS determined in said sample in (i) to a corresponding reference value representative of a healthy individual; wherein the patient is diagnosed as having sepsis, when an increase is observed in the one or more biomarker for sepsis, and no

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing and treating endometrial cavity-distorting leiomyoma using microRNA, and particularly, a composition and a kit for diagnosing uterine leiomyoma, the composition and the kit including an agent capable of detecting a microRNA expression level in a biological sample; a method of diagnosing uterine leiomyoma of a subject, the method including measuring a microRNA expression level in a biological sample from the subject, and diagnosing that the subject has uterine leiomyoma having endometrial cavity distortion or uterine leiomyoma having a likelihood of developing endometrial cavity distortion, when the microRNA expression level is downregulated; and a method of treating uterine leiomyoma, the method including measuring a microRNA expression level in a biological sample from a subject, and performing uterine leiomyoma treatment when the microRNA expression level is downregulated.

Abstract: The application presently discloses a method of treating atherosclerosis in a human subject comprising administering an effective amount of an IL-8 inhibitor, an IL-6 inhibitor, and/or an IL-1? inhibitor, wherein the subject has a TET2 and/or DNMT3A mutation thereby treating atherosclerosis. It also discloses a method for treating atherosclerosis in a human subject comprising sequencing at least a part of a genome comprising TET2 and/or DNMT3A of one or more cells in a blood sample of the subject; determining from the sequencing whether the subject has one or more mutations in TET2 and/or DNMT3A, if it is determined that the subject has at least one TET2 and/or DNMT3A mutation, administering an IL-8 inhibitor, an IL-6 inhibitor, and/or an IL-1? inhibitor to a subject to the subject thereby treating atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis of sepsis are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to the use of biomarkers for aiding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of sepsis, and to a panel of biomarkers that can be used to distinguish sepsis from noninfectious sources of inflammation, such as caused by traumatic injury, surgery, autoimmune disease, thrombosis, or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of infection, e.g. after burn injury.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved method for providing information on breast cancer and a diagnostic kit therefore, and more specifically, to an improved kit for diagnosing breast cancer by using a one-tube nested PCR and a diagnostic method therefor.

Abstract: A risk stratification method for a patient in a disease state and specifically patients presenting a tumor, includes determining if the patient is a homozygote or heterozygote and further determining the allelic expression for the patient, CC, T/C, or C/T. For patients having the cytosine methylated, they have a C/T allelic expression and patients without a methylated cytosine have a T/C allelic expression, A patient with a TT allelic expression is classified as a highest risk patient, a patient with a T/C allelic expression is classified as a second highest risk, patient, a patient with a C/T allelic expression is classified as a third highest risk patient and a patient with a CC allelic expression is classified as a lowest risk patient. The risk stratification method may further include identification of an abnormal expression or mutation/function of a gene product produced by CTCF binding site 6.

Abstract: A system and method for an adjustable bio-stream self-selecting system. Through a plethora of inputs, the system associates therapeutic recipes and associated biomarker in a personalized approach to recommending an individual to a specific therapeutic program. Therapeutic programs operate in accordance with personalized inputs suggested by the user and through digital markers and biomarkers, which trigger new recommendations by “knowing” the individual. Each bio-stream contains information utilized within these biomarkers to trigger additional therapy recommendations. Because of the complexity of the plurality of inputs, these biomarkers are managed in a way that enables low latency detections, low bandwidth needs, low processing needs, and less battery needs. The pre-processing of these biomarkers helps additional therapy management and precision medicine across larger global population needs of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems of utilizing sequencing reads for detecting and quantifying the presence of a tissue type or a disease type in cell-free DNA prepared from blood samples.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method to detect sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) and to differentiate SSA/Ps from hyperplastic polyps (HPs). The method uses a molecular signature that is platform-independent and could be used with multiple platforms such as microarray, RNA-seq or real-time quantitative platforms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and determining prognosis of certain cancers (e.g., esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or ESCC) in a subject by detecting suppressed expression of the DLEC1 gene, which in some cases is due to elevated methylation level in the genomic sequence of this gene. A kit and device useful for such a method are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating cancer by increasing DLEC1 gene expression or activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials related to the detection of colorectal neoplasm-specific markers (e.g., markers associated with colorectal cancer, markers associated with adenoma) in or associated with a subject's stool sample. In particular, the present invention provides methods and materials for identifying mammals (e.g., humans) having a colorectal neoplasm by detecting the presence and level of indicators of colorectal neoplasia such as, for example, long DNA (e.g., quantified by Alu PCR) and the presence and level of tumor-associated gene alterations (e.g., mutations in KRAS, APC, melanoma antigen gene, p53, BRAF, BAT26, PIK3CA) or epigenetic alterations (e.g., DNA methylation) (e.g., CpG methylation) (e.g., CpG methylation in coding or regulatory regions of bmp-3, bmp-4, SFRP2, vimentin, septin9, ALX4, EYA4, TFPI2, NDRG4, FOXE1) in DNA from a stool sample obtained from the mammal.

Abstract: A multi-analyte composition for the diagnosis of lung cancer or lung disease comprises a ligand selected from a nucleic acid sequence, polynucleotide or oligonucleotide capable of specifically complexing with, hybridizing to, or identifying an mRNA gene transcript from a mammalian blood sample, and an additional ligand selected from a nucleic acid sequence, polynucleotide or oligonucleotide capable of specifically complexing with, hybridizing to, or identifying an miRNA of a gene from a mammalian blood sample. Each ligand and additional ligand binds to a different gene transcript or miRNA and the gene transcripts and miRNA identified form a characteristic profile of a stage of lung cancer or lung disease. Methods of using this composition for diagnosis and evaluation and methods for developing such compositions are described.

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: 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: The methods of the present invention are based upon the gathering of information from various sources about animals. The information is based upon laboratory testing, genetic analysis and observations by owners and/or trainers about various traits that can be readily observed. Based upon this collection of information, one method generates Performance Index which scores or ranks an animal in terms of how well an animal might function for the intended purpose. Other methods include the ability to selection an optimum breeding pair from one or more stallions and/or one or more mares that would likely produce an offspring with the desired traits.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and test kits for detecting Tilletia indica (Karnal bunt) in biological samples. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a diagnostic method employing isothermal amplification of nucleic acids, namely a loop-mediated amplification (LAMP), in combination with lateral flow technology to detect Karnal bunt in a grain sample, e.g., from wheat or triticale, as well as test kits and reagent mixtures for use in same.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to yeast cells having a genetic mutation that give rise to increased alcohol production. Such yeast is well-suited for use in alcohol production to reduce fermentation time and/or increase yields.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising spray-dried oxalate decarboxylase crystals are disclosed. Methods to treat a disorder associated with elevated oxalate concentration using compositions comprising spray-dried oxalate decarboxylase crystals are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for fixating a stretched pelt on a pelt board by means of a tubular plastics sleeve, which two outwardly extending flanges. The pelt has a substantially tubular shape, which defines an inwardly orientated leather side, an outwardly orientated fur side, a nose end and a rear end. The pelt board defines a top end for accommodating and fixating the nose end of the pelt, a circumferential wall for facing the inwardly orientated leather side of the pelt and a base end located opposite the top end. The apparatus comprises a holding device for holding the base end of the pelt board, and further comprises a fixating device which has a pair of gripping members.

Abstract: Steel for a crankshaft includes 0.37 to 0.42 wt % of carbon (C), 0.55 to 0.70 wt % of silicon (Si), 1.45 to 1.65 wt % of manganese (Mn), 0.025 wt % or less (excluding 0 wt %) of phosphorus (P), 0.020 to 0.035 wt % of sulfur (S), 0.15 to 0.30 wt % of chromium (Cr), 0.035 to 0.055% of vanadium (V), and the remainder of Fe and other inevitable impurities. The steel for a crankshaft has strength that is maintained high even when reducing the amount of vanadium.

Abstract: The present invention particularly has as its technical problem to provide austenitic stainless steel sheet used as the material for housings of turbochargers in which excellent heat resistance and workability are demanded. The austenitic stainless steel sheet according to the present invention comprises, by mass %, C: 0.005 to 0.2%, Si: 0.1 to 4%, Mn: 0.1 to 10%, Ni: 2 to 25%, Cr: 15 to 30%, N: 0.01 to less than 0.4%, Al: 0.001 to 1%, Cu: 0.05 to 4%, Mo: 0.02 to 3%, V: 0.02 to 1%, P: 0.05% or less, and S: 0.01% or less, comprises a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and has an annealing twin frequency of 40% or more and is excellent in heat resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hot-pressed member that can exhibit very high tensile strength after hot pressing as high as TS: 1780 MPa or more and excellent delayed fracture resistance after projection welding by properly adjusting its chemical composition and its microstructure such that at least 5 Ti-based precipitates having a grain size of 0.10 ?m or less are present on average per 100 ?m2 of a cross section parallel to a thickness direction of the member within a range of 100 ?m in a thickness direction from a surface of the member, a volume fraction of martensite is 95% to 100% within a depth range of 20 ?m to 100 ?m in the thickness direction from the surface of the member, and at least 10 cementite grains having a grain size of less than 0.20 ?m are present on average in a prior austenite grain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hot-pressed member that can exhibit very high tensile strength after hot pressing as high as TS: 1780 MPa or more, and excellent resistance to resistance welding cracking by properly adjusting its chemical composition and its microstructure such that a prior austenite average grain size is 7.5 ?m or less, a volume fraction of martensite is 95% or more, and at least 10 Nb-based and Ti-based precipitates having a grain size of less than 0.10 ?m are present on average per 100 ?m2 of a cross section parallel to a thickness direction of the member within a range of 100 ?m or less in the thickness direction from the surface of the member, and such that a B concentration in prior austenite grain boundaries is at least 3.0 times a B concentration at a position 5 nm away from the grain boundaries.

Abstract: Continuous annealing or galvanizing line for metal strips with at least two consecutive annealing furnaces, a tensioning unit with at least two rollers located between the two annealing furnaces, and a production control and optimization system for said line.

Abstract: A method for operating an annealing furnace to anneal a metal strip provides that, initially, at least one target material property (MPTarget) is specified for a point or a section of the metal strip after passing through the annealing furnace. In addition, information (E) on the metal strip is provided before or in the annealing furnace. A calculation of a target temperature distribution (TTarget) and/or a target speed (VTarget) of the metal strip in the annealing furnace is then carried out with the assistance of a computer-aided model as a function of the target material properties and the specified information. The target temperature distribution and/or target speed calculated in this manner is/are subsequently set in the annealing furnace in order to transfer the material property of the metal strip behind the annealing furnace to the desired target material property MPTarget.

Abstract: A method (10) for preparing a leach feed material, the method (10) comprising the steps of: passing an ore or concentrate containing vanadium and iron to a reduction step (12) to form a reduced ore or concentrate; and passing the reduced ore or concentrate to a ferric leach step (14) to produce a ferric leachate containing iron and a ferric leach residue containing vanadium, wherein the ferric leach residue is suitable for use as the leach feed material for extracting and recovering vanadium.

Abstract: The present application discloses an on-line aluminum scrap remelting device, comprising an aluminum scrap conveying device, a primary aluminum scrap purification device, a remote aluminum scrap transport device, an ultimate aluminum scrap purification device, and a feed remelting device. The application further discloses an on-line aluminum scrap remelting process, comprises machined scrap removal, underground aluminum scrap transport collection, temporary storage, crushing, spin-drying, remote transport, secondary magnetic separation, drying, weighing, remelting, tempering, and use.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering uranium comprising (A) bringing a solution (A) into contact with a resin (A) to produce a mixture of solution (B) and resin (B), wherein the solution (A) is an aqueous solution comprising dissolved sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or a mixture thereof, and wherein the resin (A) is a strong acid cation exchange resin that comprises one or more cationic moiety that comprises uranium and one or more cationic moiety that comprises iron, and (B) separating the solution (B) from the resin (B).

Abstract: Metal alloys including platinum are disclosed. The alloys have a similar variety of applications to platinum-based alloys. The alloy with a solid solution matrix consisting of: Platinum (Pt) 20 to 70 at. %; Palladium (Pd)>0 to 70 at. %; Cobalt (Co)>0 to 50 at. % and at least one of: Nickel (Ni) up to 50 at. %; Chromium (Cr) up to 50 at. % and Iron up to 50 at. %.

Abstract: A Ni-based superalloy powder having a freezing range of not more than 80° C. is disclosed, with a composition, expressed in weight percent, of: Ni; 9-25 Co; 3-15 Cr; 0-5 Mo; 0-12 W; 3-9 Al; 0-6.5 Nb; 0.3-1 C; 0-6.5 Ta; 0-3 Ti, and incidental impurities. It is disclosed in methods for manufacturing or repair of gas turbine engine components such as gas turbine blades using additive layer manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy is provided including between about 7.5-9.5 wt. % silicon, between about 3.0-4.0 wt. % copper, and between about 0.01-5.0 wt. % titanium. The aluminum alloy may include up to about 1.3 wt. % iron, up to about 0.5 wt. % manganese, up to about 0.1 wt. % magnesium, up to about 3.0 wt. % zinc, and up to about 0.35 wt. % tin. The balance of the aluminum alloy may include aluminum.

Abstract: A nodular iron alloy and automotive components, such as differential and drive axle components, are provided. The nodular iron alloy may include iron, about 3.1-3.3 wt % carbon, about 2.7-4.3 wt % silicon, about 0.15-0.40 wt % manganese, about 0-0.10 wt % magnesium, about 0-0.2 wt % nickel, about 0-0.4 wt % copper, about 0-0.30 wt % chromium, about 0-0.03 wt % phosphorus, and about 0-0.02 wt % sulfur. The nodular iron alloy may have an ultimate tensile strength of at least 620 MPa as-cast. This alloy possesses favorable weldability to weld with steel components without substantial preheating or post heat treatment for a strong and tough weldment, and it has good machinability to facility comprehensive machining operations.

Abstract: A steel sheet has a composition comprising, by weight: 0.010%?C?0.080%, 0.06%?Mn?3%, Si?1.5%, 0.005%?Al?1.5%, S?0.030%, P?0.040%, Ti and B such that: 3.2%?Ti?7.5% and (0.45×Ti)?1.35?B?(0.45×Ti)?0.43, optionally Ni?1%, Mo?1%, Cr?3%, Nb?0.1%, V?0.1%, the remainder being iron and unavoidable impurities resulting from the smelting. The steel sheet has a structure consisting of ferrite, at most 10% of austenite, and precipitates comprising eutectic precipitates of TiB2, the volume fraction of TiB2 precipitates with respect to the whole structure being of at least 9%, the proportion of TiB2 precipitates having a surface area lower than 8 ?m2 being of at least 96%.

Abstract: A method of determining a composition of a steel alloy includes minimizing a presence of AlN by satisfying the following condition: Al×N<5×103 (weight %), minimizing a formation of cementite by satisfying the following condition: Si+Al>4×C (weight %), wherein an Al content is selected in a range of 0.05 to 3.00 in weight %, wherein a N content is selected in a range of 0.001-0.025 in weight %, wherein a Si content is selected in a range of 0.25-4.00 in weight %, wherein a C content is selected in a range of 0.1-0.70 in weight %.

Abstract: A high-strength steel member having a predetermined chemical composition, having a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa or higher, containing 0.10% or more of, in terms of percent (%) by area, at least one Ti precipitate that has an average size of from 30 to 200 nm in terms of an average equivalent circle diameter and is selected from the group consisting of a Ti carbide, a Ti nitride, and a composite compound thereof, at a location of 1 mm in depth from a surface of the steel member, and containing 0.5 ppm by mass or more of non-diffusible hydrogen that is released in a temperature range of from 400 to 800° C. in a thermal desorption hydrogen analysis.

Abstract: This austenitic stainless steel contains, by mass %: C: 0.3% or less, Si: 0.1% to 1.5%, Mn: 5.5% to 20%, P: 0.050% or less, S: 0.005% or less, Cr: 10% to 20%, Ni: 4.0% to 12%, N: 0.40% or less, Cu: 4.0% or less, O: 0.02% or less, and either one or both of Ca: 0.01% or less and Al: 0.3% or less, with a remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities, and the following Formula (1) is satisfied. [Ni]+[Cu]+12.93[C]+1.11[Mn]+0.72[Cr]+0.88[Mo]?0.27[Si]+7.55[N]?29.

Abstract: A method of forming a high strength aluminum alloy is disclosed. The method includes solutionizing to a temperature ranging from about 5° C. above a standard solutionizing temperature to about 5° C. below an incipient melting temperature for the aluminum material to form a heated aluminum material, which is then quenched. The aluminum material includes at least one of magnesium and silicon as a secondary component at a concentration of at least 0.2% by weight. The cooled aluminum material is subjected to ECAE processing using one of isothermal conditions and non-isothermal conditions. Isothermal conditions include having a billet and a die at the same temperature from about 80° C. to about 200° C. Non-isothermal conditions include having a billet at a temperature from about 80° C. to about 200° C. and a die at a temperature of at most 100° C. The aluminum material is than aged at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 175° C.

Abstract: The invention concerns an extruded, rolled and/or forged aluminum-based alloy product having a thickness of at least 25 mm comprising (in weight %): Zn 6.70-7.40; Mg 1.50-1.80; Cu 2.20-2.60, with a Cu to Mg ratio of at least 1.30; Zr 0.04-0.14; Mn 0-0.5; Ti 0-0.15; V 0-0.15; Cr 0-0.25; Fe 0-0.15; Si 0-0.15; impurities ?0.05 each and ?0.15 total. The invention also concerns a method of making such a product. Products according to the invention are particularly advantageous because they exhibit simultaneously a low sensitivity to environmentally assisted cracking under conditions of high stress and humid environment, high strength and high toughness properties.

Abstract: The invention is related to a high gamma prim nickel based superalloy, its use and a method of manufacturing of turbine engine components by welding, 3D additive manufacturing, casting and hot forming, and the superalloy comprises 9.0-10.5 wt. % Cr, 20-22 wt. % Co, 1.0-1.4 wt. % Mo, 5.0-5.8 wt. % W, 2.0-6.0 wt. % Ta, 3.0-6.5 wt. % Al, 0.2-0.5 wt. % Hf, 0.01-0.16 wt. % C, 1.5-3.5 wt. % Re, 0-1.0 Ge wt. %, 0-0.2 wt. % Y, 0-1 wt. % Si, 0-0.015 wt. % B and nickel with impurities to balance.

Abstract: To provide a manufacturing process of a Ni based superalloy and a member of the Ni based superalloy which achieves both of excellent workability in a manufacturing step of the Ni based superalloy of the precipitation strengthening type which contains much amount of the gamma prime phase and excellent high temperature strength of the Ni based superalloy. The manufacturing process of a Ni based superalloy includes a step for working the Ni based superalloy softening material into a desired shape and a solution-aging step for obtaining a Ni based superalloy member. The composition of the Ni based superalloy contains, in mass %, 10% or more and 25% or less of Cr, 30% or less of Co, 3% or more and 9% or less of the total of Ti, Nb and Ta, 1% or more and 6% or less of Al, 10% or less of Fe, 10% or less of Mo, 8% or less of W, 0.03% or less of B, 0.1% or less of C, 0.08% or less of Zr, 2.0% or less of Hf, and 5.

Abstract: A method of coating a fiber-reinforced composite material includes providing a fiber-reinforced composite workpiece, treating a surface of the workpiece to remove at least a portion of a polymer matrix and to expose fibers to a treated surface of the workpiece, and coating the treated surface of the workpiece using a thermal spray coating process. The treatment can include laser ablating or applying a peel ply process. The method yields a coated fiber-reinforced composite workpiece with the coating being bonded directly to the fibers via diffusion of the coating into the fibers, the formation of an intermediate compound at an interface of the coating and the fibers, or both.

Abstract: There is described a method of forming an oxidation resistant coating on a cermet comprising tungsten carbide, tungsten boride, or boron carbide and a metallic binder material. The method comprises exposing the cermet to silicon in the presence of an activator to form a mixture, exposing the mixture to an inert gas, and heating the mixture to a temperature T for a time t, thereby forming a coating on the cermet.