Abstract: Methods and kits for assembling a flow cage assembly are provided. The flow cage assembly may be used in a traveling valve, a standing valve, or a top plunger adapter of a downhole reciprocating pump. In some embodiments, the method comprises assembling a body, a tubular insert, and a retaining element such that the retaining element forms an interference fit with the body and thereby securely retains the tubular insert within the body. Top plunger adapters are also provided, assembled from embodiments of the methods and kits.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an inhalable formulation, suitable for use in a dry powder inhaler, for the delivery of epinephrine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. The inhalable formulation further comprises a solid carrier and results in a stable formulation with useful physical properties for delivery to the lungs of a subject in need of epinephrine.

Abstract: A metal-dissolving apparatus and process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reactor, a metal inlet for receiving a metal-containing substance, a solution inlet for receiving a metal-dissolving solution, a solution outlet for providing the metal-dissolving solution comprising dissolved metals. The apparatus comprises a length and a height, the height being less than the length. The process comprises providing a metal-dissolving solution into a first location of a reactor comprising metal-containing substances, flowing the metal-dissolving solution through the reactor, dissolving metal from the metal-containing substances into the metal-dissolving solution, and discharging the metal-dissolving solution from the reactor.

Abstract: Methods for preparing highly purified AAV vector formulations are provided. The highly pure AAV formulations described herein are superior for clinical use.

Abstract: Processes and methods for refining ferronickel alloy, and producing nickel sulfate or other nickel product, are provided, where the ferronickel alloy is treated with an oxidizing leach. The oxidizing leach may be, for example, a pressure oxidation (POX) leach or a leach with peroxide or copper (II) ions. The treatment may be in the presence of added copper, such as by providing a copper sulfate solution. Producing nickel sulfate may comprise removing copper and iron after the leach, removing impurities, and either crystallizing the nickel sulfate or precipitating/winning another nickel product.

Abstract: A treatment system and method for removal of nutrients and other pollutants to produce a low solid, high quality effluent suitable for discharge or reuse using a combination of aerobic granular sludge (AGS), either in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) AGS configuration or in a flow through AGS configuration, in combination with immersed/submerged membranes commonly referred to as membrane bio-reactor (MBR) wastewater treatment processes, systems, and methods.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for increasing the yield of rLV vector particles comprising a trans gene encoding a therapeutic protein or fragment thereof is disclosed. In one approach, cells are transfected with plasmids encoding the necessary components for rLV production using a calcium chloride transfection mix at pH 7.1 wherein the calcium chloride and plasmids form a complex which is added to the cells at a constant speed. The cells are then incubated for a suitable time period wherein virus particle media is collected at least twice during the incubation period and stored in a cold storage unit, thereby reducing virus inactivation.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, provided herein are methods for purifying recombinant adeno-associated (rAAV) vector particles.

Abstract: Processes and methods for refining ferronickel alloy, and producing nickel sulfate or other nickel product, are provided, where the ferronickel alloy is treated with an oxidizing leach. The oxidizing leach may be, for example, a pressure oxidation (POX) leach or a leach with peroxide or copper (II) ions. The treatment may be in the presence of added copper, such as by providing a copper sulfate solution. Producing nickel sulfate may comprise removing copper and iron after the leach, removing impurities, and either crystallizing the nickel sulfate or precipitating/winning another nickel product.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of generating a recombinant AAV vector with reduced immunogenicity, comprising: providing eukaryotic cells with a nucleic acid comprising a sequence of interest that is flanked by AAV inverted terminal repeats, wherein the nucleic acid comprises CpG dinucleotide sites, wherein at least a portion of the CpG dinucleotide sites are methylated, wherein the eukaryotic cell expresses one or more other components necessary to achieve recombinant AAV biosynthesis, whereby the recombinant AAV vector is generated by the eukaryotic cell, wherein the generated recombinant AAV vector comprises nucleic acid wherein at least a portion of the CpG dinucleotide sites are methylated.

Abstract: Methods and kits for assembling a flow cage assembly are provided. The flow cage assembly may be used in a traveling valve or a standing valve of a downhole pump. In some embodiments, the kit comprises a tubular body having an axial bore, a tubular insert, and a retaining element. The kit may be assembled such that the retaining element forms an interference fit with the tubular body and thereby retains the tubular insert within the axial bore. In some embodiments, the interference fit between the retaining element and the tubular body may reduce or eliminate a possible failure point within the flow cage assembly.

Abstract: A standing valve assembly comprises a flow cage, a ball seat, and a valve ball. The flow cage includes a cage body defining an axial fluid passage therethrough, and a bridge extending across the fluid passage. The cage body and the bridge collectively define a plurality of openings to the fluid passage. The valve ball is received between the bridge and the ball seat and is axially movable within the flow cage. The bridge has an upper face and defines at least one guide ramp in the upper face. Each guide ramp extends at a downward angle to a respective one of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A process and method for producing a crystallized metal sulfate. The crystallized metal sulfate may be battery-grade. The method may comprise receiving a metal ion-containing stream and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may comprise receiving a stream from a metal processing plant, and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may be a metal electrowinning process comprising crystalizing a metal ion-containing stream to form a crystallized metal sulfate in a mother liquor. The process or method may comprise returning the mother liquor upstream or to the metal electrowinning process.

Abstract: A process for battery chemical production, where a sodium sulfate stream is treated with an ion exchange process to provide potassium sulfate and sodium chloride. The sodium chloride may be treated with a chlor-alkali to produce sodium hydroxide for use upstream in the battery chemical production process.

Abstract: A treatment process for crystallizing a metal sulfate involving pre-treating a feedstock comprising calcium, magnesium, and/or lithium impurities, the pre-treating involving pre-leaching the feedstock in the presence of a lixiviant, selectively extracting a first portion of any of the impurities from the feedstock, and forming a leached solution comprising an uncrystallized metal sulfate and any remaining impurities; and/or refining the leached solution and removing a second portion of any of the remaining impurities; and crystallizing the uncrystallized metal sulfate from the leached solution to form a crystallized metal sulfate. So processed, the crystallized metal sulfate may be battery-grade or electroplating-grade.

Abstract: A process for removing impurities from a crystallized metal sulfate, including contacting crystallized metal sulfate with a liquor rich in metal sulfate. The metal may be cobalt, nickel, or manganese, and the impurities may be magnesium or calcium. The liquor rich in metal sulfate may be an overflow liquor from crystallization of the metal sulfate, and said overflow liquor may be subject to one or more impurities removal steps prior to contacting the crystallized metal sulfate, such that the overflow liquor contains lower levels of impurities than the crystallized metal sulfate to be contacted. A counter-current wash circuit may be used to remove impurities from a crystallized metal sulfate, whereby a plurality of washing tanks are configured to receive crystallized metal sulfate in a sequence, and washing liquor in reverse of said sequence.

Abstract: Methods for separating AAV empty capsids from mixtures of AAV vector particles and AAV empty capsids are described. The methods use column chromatography techniques and provide for commercially viable levels of recombinant AAV virions.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an adaptor apparatus for a downhole artificial lift system. The apparatus includes an upper adaptor section and a base adaptor section. The upper adaptor section includes a top connector portion for connecting to first equipment, and a neck portion below the top connector portion. The base adaptor section includes a bottom connector portion for connecting to second equipment. The base adaptor section and the neck section define a longitudinal fluid passage therethrough. The upper adaptor section includes slots extending from the fluid passage to an outer surface of the neck. The upper adaptor section also includes a plurality of fluid channels recessed in the outer surface of the upper adaptor piece.

Abstract: A flow through aerobic granular sludge (AGS) system includes a flow through reactor. The flow through reactor includes a first adsorption zone and first and second unaerated and aerated zones and may include a wastewater distribution system and a selector zone. The first adsorption zone includes AGS granules and may include a mixing device. The first and second unaerated zones are under anaerobic, anoxic, or both anaerobic and anoxic conditions and each may include a mixing device. The first and second aerated zones are under aerobic conditions and each may include an aeration device. The flow through reactor is configured such that the wastewater and AGS granules in the first adsorption zone flow continuously from the first adsorption zone through the first unaerated zone, the first aerated zone, the second unaerated zone, the second aerated zone, and optionally to the selector zone and out of the flow through reactor.

Abstract: Methods for separating AAV empty capsids from mixtures of AAV vector particles and AAV empty capsids are described. The methods use column chromatography techniques and provide for commercially viable levels of recombinant AAV virions.