Abstract: A device and method for real-time measurement using acoustic wave sensors, without the measurement being altered by environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, flow or pressure, and without requiring the use of external gauges. The proposed method and device improve the stability and detection limit of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors. The method and device are based on the high degree of correlation between acoustic resonators integrated into a single piezoelectric substrate. The use of a reference sample to correct the instability of the baseline is not required. The method and device are intended for the industrial sector of the production of measuring devices based on quartz crystals.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine that comprises a first Brayton cycle comprising a mixed ionic-electronic conducting (MIEC) membrane that separates the O2 from the air such that the suctioned air current is free from N2; a second Brayton cycle combined in a binary manner with the first Brayton cycle and nested with a cycle selected from an Otto cycle and a diesel cycle performed by means of oxy-combustion. The second Brayton cycle transmits mechanical energy and thermal energy from exhaust gases to the first Brayton cycle. The first Brayton cycle provides to the second Brayton cycle compressed O2 from the MIEC membrane. By means of the present engine, the NOx emission into the atmosphere is prevented by the separation of N2 in the MIEC membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine that comprises a first Brayton cycle comprising a mixed ionic-electronic conducting (MIEC) membrane that separates the O2 from the air such that the suctioned air current is free from N2; a second Brayton cycle combined in a binary manner with the first Brayton cycle and nested with a cycle selected from an Otto cycle and a diesel cycle performed by means of oxy-combustion. The second Brayton cycle transmits mechanical energy and thermal energy from exhaust gases to the first Brayton cycle. The first Brayton cycle provides to the second Brayton cycle compressed O2 from the MIEC membrane. By means of the present engine, the NOx emission into the atmosphere is prevented by the separation of N2 in the MIEC membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for improving polypeptide expression yield by increasing the number of polypeptides that can be transported into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) per translocation event.

Abstract: Means and methods for preparing combinatorial libraries of DNA constructs, in particular expression cassettes, including nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, host cells, methods for preparing host cells, and methods for producing polypeptides of interest, whereby the expression comprises an first intron and a second intron on either side of the polynucleotide to be expressed and a promoter and a terminator. Also claimed is a method of constructing eukaryotic host cells in which the cells are contacted with three polynucleotides and in which the first and second and the second and third are pairwise capable of homologous recombination and of subsequent formation of introns.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant host cells having a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a hexose transporter and a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a xylose isomerase, wherein the cells are capable of fermenting xylose in the presence of glucose and under oxygen limited growth. Also described are processes of fermenting saccharified material using the recombinant cells to produce ethanol at higher yields.

Abstract: The invention provides a fed-batch or continuous process for producing heterologous peptides, polypeptides or proteins in lactic acid bacteria, comprising the steps of (i) constructing a recombinant lactic acid bacterium comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the heterologous peptide, polypeptide or protein, and appropriate regulatory nucleotide sequences such as regulatable promoters and signal peptides to control the expression of the coding sequence and the secretion of gene product, (ii) cultivating the recombinant bacterium under or continuous cultivation conditions to express the gene, and (iii) harvesting the recombinant bacterium or the gene product. Preferably, the cultivation medium is a chemically defined or synthetic medium optionally supplemented with yeast extract.

Abstract: A method of identifying nucleotide sequences coding for signal peptides in lactic acid bacteria, using a DNA molecule comprising a transposon including a promoterless reporter gene from which DNA molecule a region between the LR and the reporter gene is deleted and the DNA molecule comprises a DNA sequence coding for a secretion reporter molecule. By deleting the region between the LR and the reporter gene, stop codons in-frame with the secretion reporter molecule is removed which upon transposition permits translational fusions from upstream the LR.

Abstract: A perfumed detergent tablet comprises a clay mineral compound and a heavy metal ion sequestrant. The clay mineral helps disperse the tablet in aqueous media and acts as a fabric softener for laundered fabrics. The perfume is free of Schiff bases, such as those formed from anthranilates and aldehydes, which can discolor the clay.

Abstract: A method of identifying nucleotide sequences coding for signal peptides in lactic acid bacteria, using a DNA molecule comprising a transposon including a promoterless reporter gene from which DNA molecule a region between the LR and the reporter gene is deleted and the DNA molecule comprises a DNA sequence coding for a secretion reporter molecule. By deleting the region between the LR and the reporter gene, stop codons in-frame with the secretion reporter molecule is removed which upon transposition permits translational fusions from upstream the LR.

Abstract: The complete DNA sequences for adhE and pfl genes of Lactococcus lactis, recombinant replicons comprising one or both of these genes or comprising mutants or variants hereof including mutants in which the genes are inactivated, and recombinant lactic acid bacteria comprising such a replicon are provided. The gene sequences and/or sequences regulating the expression of the genes can be modified to provide metabolically engineered lactic acid bacteria which have an enhanced or reduced production of one or more metabolites resulting from citrate and/or sugar fermentation. Such metabolically modified cell are useful as starter cultures in the manufacturing of food products and animal feed having improved flavour and/or shelf life, including dairy products, or they can be used directly in the manufacturing of a lactic acid bacterial metabolite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a perfumed detergent tablet, the tablet comprising a clay mineral compound, and the perfume comprising less than 0.6% of Schiff-base by weight of the perfume composition.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide fungal host organisms capable of expressing recombinant proteins while at the same time exhibiting satisfactory growth characteristics. It is a further object to provide—in a single fungal host organism—the characteristic of homogeneous growth and low viscosity typically associated with yeast organisms, and the capability for high protein secretion normally associated with filamentous fungi. It is a yet further object of the invention to provide useful tools for genetic analysis in zygomycetes, including dimorphic zygomycetes. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a recombinant, fungal cell or dimorphic fungal cell comprising a regulatable expression of a regulator of morphology. The nucleotide sequence encoding the at least one regulator of morphology is operably linked to an expression signal not natively associated therewith.

Abstract: A carton and a die cut for such a carton comprise two parallel lines of weakness corresponding to two edges of a side of the carton. This allows the side to be fully opened by tearing open the lines of weakness, thus giving access along the full width of the opened side. The cartons provide maximized and facilitated access to the contents of the carton.

Abstract: or continuous process for producing heterologous peptides, polypeptides or proteins in lactic acid bacteria, comprising the steps of (i) constructing a recombinant lactic acid bacterium comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the heterologous peptide, polypeptide or protein, and appropriate regulatory nucleotide sequences such as regulatable promoters and signal peptides to control the expression of the coding sequence and the secretion of gene product, (ii) cultivating the recombinant bacterium under or continuous cultivation conditions to express the gene, and (iii) harvesting the recombinant bacterium or the gene product. Preferably, the cultivation medium is a chemically defined or synthetic medium optionally supplemented with yeast extract.

Abstract: Expression vectors capable of being replicated in lactic acid bacterial cells comprising a promoter region comprising (a) a promoter sequence element the function of which is regulatable by an environmental or growth condition factor and (b) at least one further nucleotide sequence element, the position, orientation, presence and/or sequence of which element has a regulatory effect on the expression of a gene operably linked to the promoter region in which vectors the position, orientation, presence and/or sequence of at least one of said elements (a) or (b) is modified relative to the position, orientation, presence and/or sequence of the corresponding non-modified element whereby the expression of the gene is altered, and a lactic acid bacterium which is transformed with such a vector as defined above are provided.

Abstract: A device comprising unoccluded vents and containing a detergent is employed. This device is placed with fabrics to be washed in the drum of a washing machine and the machine is started up, allowing the washing cycle to proceed. A detergent composition some of whose constituents are separate is employed and at least one of the constituents is introduced into the device and at least one other of the constituents is associated separately with the said device, so that during the washing all the constituents diffuse into the fabrics and the washing bath.