Abstract: A method for spatially tagging nucleic acids of a biological specimen, including steps of (a) providing a solid support comprising different nucleic acid probes that are randomly located on the solid support, wherein the different nucleic acid probes each includes a barcode sequence that differs from the barcode sequence of other randomly located probes on the solid support; (b) performing a nucleic acid detection reaction on the solid support to locate the barcode sequences on the solid support; (c) contacting a biological specimen with the solid support that has the randomly located probes; (d) hybridizing the randomly located probes to target nucleic acids from portions of the biological specimen; and (e) modifying the randomly located probes that are hybridized to the target nucleic acids, thereby producing modified probes that include the barcode sequences and a target specific modification, thereby spatially tagging the nucleic acids of the biological specimen.

Abstract: Provided herein are products and processes for the quantitation of mitochondrial nucleic acid in a sample from a subject. In certain aspects are multiplex methods for determining dosage of mitochondrial nucleic acid relative to genomic nucleic acid for a sample from a subject including amplifying sets of mitochondrial polynucleotides and genomic polynucleotides from nucleic acid for a sample under amplification conditions. In certain aspects are multiplex methods for determining dosage of mitochondrial nucleic acid relative to genomic nucleic acid for a sample from a subject including amplifying sets of mitochondrial polynucleotides and amplifying sets of nuclear polynucleotides from nucleic acid for a sample under amplification conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, methods, kits, and compositions for nucleic acid analysis using digital PCR. In particular, methods are provided to analyze high titer samples that cannot be divided into a sufficient number of partitions containing zero nucleic acid molecules per partition to allow for Poisson analysis (digital PCR analysis).

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to improved methods, compositions, and systems for detecting, quantifying, and characterizing genomic sequences from heterogeneous genomic samples. The disclosed methods include providing a unique molecular identifier to the initial target sequences prior to amplification and addition of indexing barcodes. The methods, compositions, and systems can be employed to accurately detect and quantify operational taxonomic units from heterogeneous samples and further to detect sequencing errors, e.g., chimeric sequences, which may occur during the development and sequencing of the library.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of determining the presence, absence or one or more characteristics of multiple analytes. The invention concerns coupling a first analyte to a membrane containing a detector and investigating the first analyte using the detector. The invention also concerns coupling a second analyte to the membrane and investigating the second analyte. The first analyte is uncoupled from the membrane prior to investigating the second analyte. The invention also relates to polynucleotide sequencing.

Abstract: This disclosure describes frameworks and techniques related to the random access of digital data encoded by polynucleotides. Digital data of a data file can be encoded as a series of nucleotides and one or more polynucleotide sequences can be generated that encode the digital data for the data file. The bits of the digital data can be segmented to produce multiple polynucleotide sequences that encode the bits of the digital data with each polynucleotide sequence encoding an individual segment of the digital data. The individual segments can be grouped together and associated with a group identifier. Each data file can be associated with a number of group identifiers and the number of segments in each group can be within a specified range. Primers corresponding to the group identifiers can be used to selectively access the polynucleotides that encode the digital data of a data file.

Abstract: Methods for non-invasive prenatal paternity testing are disclosed herein. The method uses genetic measurements made on plasma taken from a pregnant mother, along with genetic measurements of the alleged father, and genetic measurements of the mother, to determine whether or not the alleged father is the biological father of the fetus. This is accomplished by way of an informatics based method that can compare the genetic fingerprint of the fetal DNA found in maternal plasma to the genetic fingerprint of the alleged father.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs and a use thereof, and specifically, a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs, comprising a polynucleotide consisting of 5 to 300 consecutive nucleotides comprising the nucleotides from the 1524th to the 1527th positions in the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a polynucleotide complementary thereto, a composition for determining meat quality traits of pigs comprising an agent capable of detecting the genetic marker, a composition for determining Korean native pigs, a kit, a microarray, a method for determining meat quality traits of pigs, and a method for determining meat quality traits of Korean native pigs.

Abstract: A precise measurement of the immunological receptor diversity present in a sample is obtained by sequence analysis. Samples of interest are generally complex, comprising more than 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 1010, 1011, 1012 or more different sequences for a receptor of interest. Immunological receptors of interest include immunoglobulins, T cell antigen receptors, and major histocompatibility receptors. The specific composition of immunological receptor sequence variations in the sample can be recorded and output. The composition is useful for predictive, diagnostic and therapeutic methods relating to the immune capabilities and history of an individual. Such predictions and diagnoses are used to guide clinical decisions.

Abstract: High-throughput long read sequencing is used to perform immunogenomic characterization of expressed antibody repertoires in the context of vaccination. Informatic analysis allows global characterizations of isotype distributions, determination of the lineage structure of the repertoire and measure age and antigen related mutational activity. Global analysis of the immune system's clonal structure provides direct insight into the effects of vaccination and provides a detailed molecular portrait of age-related effects.

Abstract: Contemplated systems and methods allow for computational genomic analysis using paired-end sequence analysis and split read refinement to thereby identify high-confidence breakpoints associated with high copy numbers and orientation of rearrangements, which is then the basis for full reconstruction of double minutes (DM). In especially preferred aspects, the DM will also include an oncogene or tumor suppressor gene, and/or may be found in blood or blood derived fluids.

Abstract: The invention provides an assay useful in predicting risk of 5-fluorouracil (FU) toxicity in a subject. The subject may be screened for the presence of at least one TYMS polymorphism and/or at least one DPYD polymorphism. Suitable TYMS and DPYD polymorphisms are provided. The presence of one or more of the polymorphisms indicates an increased risk of developing FU toxicity; a negative result may indicate a decreased risk of developing FU toxicity.

Abstract: Provided are non-small cell lung cancer markers and the use thereof in diagnosing and monitoring diseases in vitro. The non-small cell lung cancer markers include at least one of 26 selected detectable mature microRNAs existing stably in human serum or plasma. Also provided are probe combinations, a kit and a biochip for detecting the non-small cell lung cancer markers. The invention further provides a method for detecting the said lung cancer markers. The method in the present invention enables extensive detection spectrum, high sensitivity, low cost, convenient sample taking and preservation. The method can be applied in the general survey of disease, solves problems of low specificity and sensitivity encountered with previous single markers, and increases significantly the clinical detection rate of diseases. The methods provide an effective means for diagnosing diseases at an early stage.

Abstract: Methods of the present disclosure provide for detection of mutations and splice variants of the androgen receptor using a non-invasive approach, RNAseq, for examining circulating tumor cells.

Abstract: Cancer biomarkers and methods of using them are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to a method for determining if a thyroid tumor in a subject is malignant, comprising determining in a sample from the subject the amount of TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) mRNA which lacks the ? sequence and the amount of TERT mRNA in the sample which comprises the ? sequence, wherein a preponderance (e.g., at least about 55%) of TERT mRNA in the sample which comprises the ? sequence indicates that the tumor is malignant, and wherein a preponderance of TERT mRNA which lacks the ? sequence indicates that the tumor is not malignant.

Abstract: Methods of assessing expression of a PrfA mediated expression construct in a Listerial host cell are provided. Aspects of the methods include maintaining a Listerial host cell that includes a PrfA mediated expression construct in a defined medium containing a reducing agent and evaluating expression of a product from the expression construct to assess expression of the PrfA mediated expression construct. Also provided are methods of producing and using a Listerial vaccine, as well as defined media for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant bacterium based on a non-pathogenic bacterium that has a modified genome containing a nucleic acid of interest from a pathogen that is detected by a molecular diagnostic assay and that mimics the diagnostic profile of the pathogen. The invention further relates to a diagnostic control composition comprising the recombinant bacterium and to methods for producing the recombinant bacterium. The recombinant bacterium is a safe, reliable quality control for the detection of pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus. The invention also relates to a kit comprising either the recombinant bacterium, compositions containing the recombinant bacterium or bacteria produced according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of secretory antibody-bound bacteria in the microbiota in a subject that influence the development and progression of inflammatory diseases and disorders. Thus, the invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting and identifying the constituents of a subject's microbiota, methods of modifying the constituents of the microbiota, and methods for treating inflammatory diseases and disorders in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, devices, and kits for conducting a quantitative analysis of a whole blood sample. Various modifications to the disclosed methods, devices, and kits are described.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system for production of reactive intermediates from lignocellulosic biomass. The reactive intermediates can be used as platform chemicals for biological conversions or can be further catalytically upgraded to be used as “drop in” reagents for fuels. The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for processing biomass to biofuels and intermediates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a component made of austenitic manganese alloyed steel using transformation induced plasticity. The component is deformed so that the component has an essentially same thickness of 0.5-2 millimeter in each region of the component, and the component has at least two regions having different mechanical property values.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method for a seawater-resistant stainless clad steel including a cladding material made of stainless steel having a pitting index represented by Cr[mas %]+3.3Mo[mass %]+16N[mass %], of 35.0 or more and a microstructure in a surface portion thereof including, by area ratio, less than 2.0% of a ? phase. The method including the steps of performing a mechanical treatment from at least one of grindstone polishing and belt polishing and performing at least one of an electrolytic treatment in acid solutions or in neutral salt solutions, and a pickling treatment, to manufacture the stainless clad steel having dynamic friction coefficients in the rolling direction and in a direction at a right angle to the rolling direction, determined in accordance with JIS K 7125, both of 0.05 or less.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus 1 includes a coolant passage defining body 42 to define a coolant passage 48 to supply a coolant to a workpiece 100. The coolant passage defining body 42 includes an upper member 50 and a lower member 40 as a plurality of coolant passage defining members, and is configured so that, by displacing these members 49 and 50 so as to approach each other along an up-down direction Z1 crossing a conveyance direction, the coolant passage 48 is defined in a state housing the workpiece 100. In addition, the coolant passage defining body is configured so that, by displacing the members 49 and 50 described above so as to separate from each other along the up-down direction Z1, the workpiece 100 is allowed to be let into and out of the coolant passage 48 along the conveyance direction A1.

Abstract: A far-infrared radiation multi-stage type heating furnace for steel sheets for hot stamping, the furnace including far-infrared radiation heaters having flexibility that are prevented from deflecting even during heating at temperatures ranging from the Ac3 transformation temperature to 950° C. The furnace includes: multiple-staged heating units that accommodate steel sheets, each heating unit formed by thermal insulation materials disposed around the periphery; and far-infrared radiation heaters positioned above and below the heating units. A far-infrared radiation heater is received by first metal strips. The first metal strips are disposed so that their strong axis direction approximately corresponds to the direction of gravity and supported by support pieces so as to be expandable and contractible in a longitudinal direction by thermal expansion or thermal contraction. The support pieces are disposed outside the thermal insulation materials in the heating units and a ceiling unit.

Abstract: Grinding aid compositions comprising hydrolyzed starches, such as dextrin, maltodextrin or corn syrup solids. The grinding aid compositions are typically added to various mineral ore slurries prior to grinding operations to affect the rheology characteristics of the mineral ore slurries.

Abstract: A copper/molybdenum separation processor is provided featuring a slurry/media mixture stage configured to receive a conditioned pulp containing hydrophobic molybdenite and hydrophilic copper, iron and other minerals that is conditioned with sodium hydrosulfide together with an engineered polymeric hydrophobic media, and provide a slurry/media mixture; and a slurry/media separation stage configured to receive the slurry/media mixture, and provide a slurry product having a copper concentrate and a polymerized hydrophobic media product having a molybdenum concentrate that are separately directed for further processing. The slurry/media mixture stage include a molybdenum loading stage configured to contact the conditioned pulp with the engineered polymeric hydrophobic media in an agitated reaction chamber, and load the hydrophobic molybdenite on the engineered polymeric hydrophobic media.

Abstract: A copper alloy disclosed in the present description has a basic alloy composition represented by Cu100-(x+y)SnxMny (where 8?x?16 and 2?y?10 are satisfied), in which a main phase is a ?CuSn phase with Mn dissolved therein, and the ?CuSn phase undergoes martensitic transformation when heat-treated or worked.

Abstract: A metal-matrix composite includes a reinforced composite material including reinforcement material dispersed in a binder material. The reinforcement material includes a metallic component dispersed with reinforcing particles and at least 25 percent of the metallic component has a particle size of 50 microns or less.

Abstract: An iron-based alloy powder for powder metallurgy contains 2.0 mass % to 5.0 mass % of Cu, the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. From 1/10 to 8/10 of the Cu is diffusion bonded in powder-form to the surfaces of iron powder that serves as a raw material for the iron-based alloy powder, and the remainder of the Cu is contained in this iron powder as a pre-alloy. The iron-based alloy powder has superior compressibility to conventional Cu pre-alloyed iron-based alloy powders and enables production of a high strength sinter-forged member even when sintered at a lower temperature than conventional iron-based alloy powders containing mixed Cu powder.

Abstract: Provided is a plurality of flaky magnetic metal particles of the embodiments, each flaky magnetic metal particle having a flat surface provided with either or both of a plurality of concavities and a plurality of convexities arranged in a first direction, each concavity or convexity having a width of 0.1 ?m or more, a length of 1 ?m or more, and an aspect ratio of 2 or higher; and at least one first element selected from the group consisting of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni), the flaky magnetic metal particles having an average thickness of between 10 nm and 100 ?m inclusive and an average aspect ratio of between 5 and 10,000 inclusive.

Abstract: Steel has a chemical composition that contains 0.050% to 0.40% of C, 0.50% to 3.0% of Si, 3.0% to 8.0% of Mn, and 0.001% to 3.0% of sol. Al, by mass %, and has a metallographic structure that contains 10% to 40% of austenite in terms of % by volume. The average concentration of C in austenite is 0.30% by 0.60%, by mass %, structure uniformity, which is represented by a value obtained by subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value of Vickers hardness that is measured, in the metallographic structure is 30 Hv or less, and the tensile strength is 900 MPa to 1800 MPa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steel and a mold constituted of the steel, in which the steel contains as essential elements, in terms of % by mass, 0.58%?C?0.70%, 0.010%?Si?0.30%, 0.50%?Mn?2.00%, 0.50%?Cr<2.0%, 1.8%?Mo?3.0%, and 0.050%<V?0.80%, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shape memory alloy comprising 45 to 50 atomic percent nickel; and 1 to 30 atomic percent of at least one metalloid selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, zinc, gallium, tin, and a combination of one or more of the foregoing metalloids, with the remainder being titanium. The shape memory alloy may further contain aluminum. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing the shape memory alloy.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a component formed of an aluminum alloy for use in an automotive vehicle application, for example those requiring high strength, light-weight, and a complex three-dimensional shape. The method begins by providing a blank formed of an aluminum alloy which is already solution heat treated and tempered, and thus has a temper designation of about T4. The method further includes heating the blank to a temperature of 150° C. to 350° C., preferably 190° C. to 225° C. The method next includes quickly transferring the blank to a hot or warm forming apparatus, and stamping the blank to form the complex three-dimensional shape. Immediately after the forming step, the component has a temper designation of about T6, but preferably not greater than T6, and thus is ready for use in the automotive vehicle application without any post heat treatment or machining.

Abstract: An age-hardenable aluminum alloy on the basis of Al—Mg—Si, Al—Zn, Al—Zn—Mg or Al—Si—Mgv has precipitates caused by natural aging. The aluminum alloy has at least one alloy element, in addition to its main alloy element or in addition to its main alloy elements, which can be correlated with quenched-in empty spaces of the aluminum alloy, particularly reducing their mobility in the crystal lattice, at such a content less than 500, particularly less than 200 atomic ppm, that the aluminum alloy forms empty spaces essentially not correlated with these precipitates, in order to reduce the negative effect of natural aging of the aluminum alloy on its further artificial aging, by mobilization of these non-correlated empty spaces.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a spring is disclosed that comprises: forming the spring from a material; heat treating the spring; performing a first machining step to the ends of the spring; subjecting the spring to a first stress relief heat treatment; performing a second machining step to the ends of the spring; and subjecting the spring to a second stress relief heat treatment step. A spring that is manufactured by this method is also described. This spring may then be used in a pressure relief valve, as well as in other assemblies.

Abstract: A method for producing a tube of a nickel-based alloy tube which comprises the steps of hot working a nicked-based alloy casting into a pretubular-shaped workpiece or into a cylindrical bar, trepanning the cylindrical bar or machining an inner diameter of the pretubular-shaped workpiece to obtain a tubular workpiece, and cold working the tubular workpiece. The hot working comprises one of: rolling, forging, and a combination thereof. The cold working comprises flow forming or pilgering. A nickel-based alloy tube produced with the method comprises an outer diameter greater than or equal to 60.3 mm, an average wall thickness greater than or equal to 2.8 mm, and less than or equal to 70 mm.

Abstract: A hot-dip galvanized cold-rolled steel sheet has a tensile strength of 750 MPa or higher, a composition consisting, in mass percent, C: more than 0.10% and less than 0.25%, Si: more than 0.50% and less than 2.0%, Mn: more than 1.50% and 3.0% or less, and optionally containing one or more types of Ti, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, B, Ca, Mg, REM, and Bi, P: less than 0.050%, S: 0.010% or less, sol. Al: 0.50% or less, and N: 0.010% or less, and a main phase as a low-temperature transformation product and a second phase as retained austenite. The retained austenite volume fraction is more than 4.0% and less than 25.0% of the whole structure, and has an average grain size of less than 0.80 ?m. A number density of retained austenite grains having a grain size of 1.2 ?m or more is 3.0×10?2/?m2 or less.

Abstract: A method for selective carburization of an article using low pressure induction carburization includes: providing or procuring an article including a surface; subjecting the article to directed induction heating, wherein a first portion of the surface of the article is inductively heated to a temperature that exceeds a carburizing temperature, while a second portion of the surface of the article remains at a temperature below the carburizing temperature; and simultaneously with subjecting the article to directed induction heating, subjecting the article to low pressure carburization, thereby selectively carburizing the first portion of the surface of the article while not carburizing the second portion of the surface of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for surface treatment of a steel component, providing high resistance to wear and corrosion, including nitriding or nitrocarburising to form a compound layer with a thickness of at least 8 micrometers made up of iron nitrides having phases ? and/or ??, oxidizing to generate a layer of oxides with a thickness of 0.1-3 micrometers, and soaking in an impregnation bath during at least 5 minutes at room temperature, the bath being made up of at least 70 wt %, ±1%, of a solvent made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons formed by a C9 to C17 alkane fraction, 10 to 30 wt %, ±1%, of at least one paraffin oil formed by a C16 to C32 alkane fraction, and at least one additive such as a synthetic phenolic additive with a concentration of 0.01 to 3 wt %, ±0.1%.

Abstract: A mask and an assembling method are provided. The mask includes a plurality of strip-shaped supporting structures; a mask sheet supported by adjacent supporting structures, having a mask pattern; and a frame having an opening area; each of the supporting structures includes an intermediate portion and extension portions at both ends of the supporting structure, a width of the intermediate portion is greater than a width of each of the extension portions; the frame is provided with a groove connected with the opening area; and the extension portions of the supporting structure and an transition area in the intermediate portion close to the extension portion are located in the groove, and a fixing point configured to fix the supporting structure with the groove is at least disposed in the transition area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coated substrate with a coating deposited on at least a part of the substrate surface, said coating comprising at least one metal boron carbide layer, characterized in that the metal boron carbide layer is a ternary compound exhibiting a polycrystalline structure formed of a single phase of hafnium, boron and carbon. Further a method for deposition of such a coating is provided.

Abstract: A deposition system comprises a vacuum chamber having a cylindrical inner wall, a cylindrical parts carousel disposed concentrically inside the cylindrical inner wall of the vacuum chamber, and one or more deposition sources arranged to flow deposition material onto the cylindrical parts carousel. A cylindrical shutter assembly is disposed concentrically inside the cylindrical inner wall of the vacuum chamber, and has (1) a shuttered position in which the cylindrical shutter assembly blocks the one or more deposition sources from depositing onto the parts carousel and (2) an unshuttered position in which the cylindrical shutter assembly does not block the one or more deposition sources from depositing onto the parts carousel. A drive train rotates the cylindrical shutter assembly between the shuttered and unshuttered positions. The drive train not operatively connected to rotate the cylindrical parts carousel. The deposition sources may include inner and outer sputter sources.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving optical spectrum fidelity of an integrated computational element fabricated on a substrate. The integrated computational element is configured, upon completion, to process an optical spectrum representing a chemical constituent of a production fluid from a wellbore. The systems and methods measure in situ a thickness, a complex index of refraction, or both of a film formed during fabrication to generate a predicted optical spectrum. The predicted optical spectrum is compared to a target optical spectrum. Revisions to a design of the integrated computational element are conducted in situ to improve optical spectrum fidelity relative to the target optical spectrum. Other systems and methods are presented.

Abstract: An ion implantation system is provided having an ion source configured to form an ion beam from aluminum iodide. A beamline assembly selectively transports the ion beam to an end station configured to accept the ion beam for implantation of aluminum ions into a workpiece. The ion source has a solid-state material source having aluminum iodide in a solid form. A solid source vaporizer vaporizes the aluminum iodide, defining gaseous aluminum iodide. An arc chamber forms a plasma from the gaseous aluminum iodide, where arc current from a power supply is configured to dissociate aluminum ions from the aluminum iodide. One or more extraction electrodes extract the ion beam from the arc chamber. A water vapor source further introduces water to react residual aluminum iodide to form hydroiodic acid, where the residual aluminum iodide and hydroiodic acid is evacuated from the system.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a flow passage structure includes a member. The member has a surface and is provided with a first passage, a plurality of first openings, a second passage, and a plurality of second openings. The first passage includes a plurality of first closed path portions connected to each other. The first openings is connected to the first passage and is opened in the surface. The second passage includes a plurality of second closed path portions connected to each other. The second openings is connected to the second passage and is opened in the surface. The first closed path portions pass through the second closed path portions while being isolated from the second closed path portions. The second closed path portions pass through the first closed path portions while being isolated from the first closed path portions.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a reaction tube with a process chamber defined therein, the process chamber being configured to process a substrate; a heating device configured to heat the process chamber; a gas supply part configured to supply a process gas used in processing the substrate; and a plasma generating part including an electrode composed of a first electrode portion connected to a high frequency power supply and a second electrode portion grounded to the earth, which are installed to surround the entire circumference of an outer wall of the reaction tube. An inter-electrode distance between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion is determined by at least a frequency of the high frequency power supply and a voltage applied across the electrode. The first and second electrode portions are installed based on the determined inter-electrode distance.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing device can include a reactor assembly comprising a reaction chamber sized to receive a substrate therein. An exhaust line can be in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, the exhaust line configured to transfer gas out of the reaction chamber. A valve can be disposed along the exhaust line to regulate the flow of the gas along the exhaust line. A control system can be configured to operate in an open loop control mode to control the operation of the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the intensity and distribution of a plasma discharge in a plasma chamber. In one embodiment, a shaped electrode is embedded in a substrate support to provide an electric field with radial and axial components inside the chamber. In another embodiment, the face plate electrode of the showerhead assembly is divided into zones by isolators, enabling different voltages to be applied to the different zones. Additionally, one or more electrodes may be embedded in the chamber side walls.