Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical switch element, comprising a liquid-crystalline medium for the temperature-dependent regulation of radiant energy flow. The invention furthermore relates to the use of the optical switch element for the regulation of radiant energy flow between interior spaces and the environment and for the regulation of the temperature of interior spaces. The invention furthermore relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, characterized in that it comprises 5-95% of a compound of the formula (I), in particular for use in the optical switch elements according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal mixture and a liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal composition comprises one or more types of first liquid crystal molecules substituted by difluoroalkenyl group and one or more types of second liquid crystal molecules for vertical alignment. The probability of polymerization between polymerizable monomers and the first liquid crystal molecules can be effectively reduced by the steric effect caused by the difluoroalkenyl group of the first liquid crystal molecules during a process of polymer alignment. Thus, the probability of polymerization occurred between the polymerizable monomers and polyimide on the surface of an alignment film is increased, so as to solve the problem of the image sticking.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition including a first class including a polar liquid crystal compound having at least one fluorine atom and a second class compound including a neutral liquid crystal compound, in which the first class compound includes a first subclass compound having a dielectric anisotropy (??) of 15 to 21 and a second subclass compound having a dielectric anisotropy (??) of 5 to 15, and the first sub-class compound includes a liquid crystal compound expressed by the following Chemical Formula 1, in which R is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group.

Abstract: The present description relates to a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a polymerizable liquid crystal composition including the same, and an optically anisotropic body.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition containing an optically active compound represented by the following formula (1) and a liquid crystal compound shows a cholesteric liquid crystal phase having an excellent alignment state: K1 and K2 represent benzene, cyclohexane or cyclohexene; X1 to X12 represent hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkynyl, alkenyl or alkyloxy.

Abstract: A process for liquefying a cellulosic material to produce a liquefied product comprising contacting the cellulosic material with a hydrogenation catalyst a liquid medium; and a source of hydrogen. The hydrogenation catalyst comprises a hydrogenating metal or precursor thereof and a megaporous structure, wherein the megaporous structure comprises a porosity of at least 60% by volume and at least 30 volume % of the pore volume of the megaporous structure is present in megapores having a diameter of equal to or more than 1 micrometer.

Abstract: A method for converting synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons by introducing a synthesis gas feed into a Fischer-Tropsch system that includes a catalytic reactor fluidly connected with at least two slurry loops, the reactor comprising at least as many reactor product outlets and slurry return inlets as slurry loops; each slurry loop comprising a separation system comprising at least one separator, an inlet of each separator fluidly connected to a reactor product outlet via a slurry offtake, and an outlet of each separator fluidly connected to a slurry return inlet via a slurry return; separating concentrated catalyst slurry from the reaction product via the slurry loops; removing liquid hydrocarbon product from each separator; and returning concentrated catalyst slurry to the catalytic reactor via the slurry returns and slurry return inlets. A system for converting synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons via the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A separation process with a modified enhanced hot separator system is described. The process eliminates undesirable entrainment while allowing for enhanced stripping of the net liquid only. The modified enhanced hot separator system combines a hot separator with a hot stripping column.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparing an improved catalyst comprising a clay derived zeolite. In particular, the invention comprises combining an yttrium compound with a zeolite produced by treating clay with a silica source and under alkaline conditions. The clay derived zeolite can be further combined with conventional matrix and/or binder precursors to form particulates suitable for use as catalysts in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC). Alternatively, the clay that is treated with the silica source and alkaline conditions can be in particulate form having sizes suitable for use in FCC, and the zeolite is produced in situ within the particulate. Yttrium compound is then combined with the zeolite in the particulate, e.g., via impregnation. It has been shown that the addition of the yttrium compound improves zeolite surface area retention, and zeolite stability in catalysts comprising clay derived zeolites.

Abstract: A process for producing a gas oil fraction by hydrodesulfurizing a feedstock oil prepared by blending a straight-run gas oil and a light cycle oil, wherein the process is capable of maintaining the activity of the desulfurization catalyst over a long period, and is capable of producing a low-sulfur gas oil fraction having a low sulfur content and excellent color index. The process for producing a low-sulfur gas oil fraction includes hydrodesulfurizing a feedstock oil to a sulfur content of not more than 10 ppm by mass, wherein the feedstock oil is prepared by blending a straight-run gas oil with a light cycle oil having a 10 volume % distillation temperature of less than 220° C. and a 90 volume % distillation temperature of less than 325° C., such that the blend proportion of the light cycle oil is not more than 30% by volume. Further, a low-sulfur gas oil is obtained by blending the low-sulfur gas oil fraction with a kerosene fraction.

Abstract: A gas-liquid catalyzed reaction is performed by introducing at least a portion of the reactive gas into the catalyst as a cross-flow or radial-flow stream. Introducing at least a portion of the reactive gas as a radial flow stream allows the reactive gas to travel through the catalyst bed along a shorter path length. This reduces the pressure drop for the radial flow portion of the gas. The reactive gas can be introduced into the catalyst bed at various heights relative to the height of the catalyst bed.

Abstract: Method and system for predicting a need for introducing anti-fouling additives to a hydrocarbon stream in a hydrocarbon refinery. The method comprises characterizing whether the hydrocarbon stream is a non-high solvency dispersive power (“HSDP”) crude and performing at least one of determining whether the hydrocarbon stream is subject to filterable solids levels greater than about 100 wppm or classifying whether the hydrocarbon stream has an expected low flow velocity during normal operating conditions within the refinery. The method further comprises indicating, using a processor, that anti-fouling additives are recommended if the hydrocarbon stream is characterized to be a non-HSDP crude and either the hydrocarbon stream is determined to be subject to filterable solids levels greater than about 100 wppm or the hydrocarbon stream is classified as having expected low flow within a heat exchanger of the refinery.

Abstract: A system and process capable of promoting the energy content of a syngas produced from a biomass material. The system and process entail compacting a loose biomass material and simultaneously introducing the compacted biomass material into an entrance of a reactor tube, and then heating the compacted biomass material within the tube to a temperature at which organic molecules within the biomass material break down to form ash and a fuel gas mixture. The fuel gas mixture is withdrawn from the tube and the ash is removed from the tube through an exit thereof. The entrance and exit of the tube, the compaction step, and the removal step cooperate to inhibit ingress of air into the tube by forming a plug of the biomass material at the entrance of the tube and a plug of ash at the exit of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid gasification system which simultaneously has the advantages of an entrained-flow gasifier using pulverized fuel and a fluidized-bed gasifier utilized for gasifying fuel with relatively various properties. The present intention provides a hybrid gasification system employing a structure in which a second reaction chamber operated at a temperature of 700 to 900 is surrounded by a first reaction chamber operated at temperature, thereby obtaining an insulation effect, performing additional heat exchange, and minimizing a heat loss. Furthermore, the present invention provides a hybrid gasification system having a structure in which unreacted substances and tar within synthetic gas generated from a first reaction chamber reacts within a second reaction chamber, thereby increasing the entire gasification efficiency.

Abstract: A system includes a gasifier having a first enclosure having a first inlet, a first outlet, and a first interior volume. The first inlet is configured to receive a first fuel feedstock into the first interior volume, and the first outlet is configured to output a first syngas away from the first interior volume. The system also includes a plasma gasifier disposed downstream from the first outlet and coupled to a waste stream produced by the gasifier from the first fuel feedstock.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for production of a liquid containing fuel that avoid the need to add any extra surfactant and also the need to apply ultrasonic wave energy and attain high stability of minute bubbles, etc. Production apparatus for a liquid containing fuel comprises pump for pressurizing a stored fuel and nanobubble generating unit adapted to inject a liquid containing the pressurized fuel. The apparatus may be equipped with homogenizing means for storing the liquid containing fuel. The process for production of a liquid containing fuel is characterized by sequentially performing storing of a liquid containing fuel in storage means, pressurizing the liquid so as to obtain a high-pressure liquid with a given pressure, injecting the same through a nozzle into a matrix of liquid containing fuel and effecting collision thereof with a wall so that nanobubbles of foreign substance are dispersed in the matrix of liquid containing fuel.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for reducing the risk of oxidation of hydrate inhibitors such as monoethylene glycol used to prevent the formation of hydrates in fluid handling systems including flow lines and pipelines. A hydrate inhibitor storage tank in fluid communication with the fluid handling system is used to hold a volume of liquid hydrate inhibitor, a volume of blanket gas and a layer of a liquid, nonflammable at operating conditions, therebetween. The liquid is immiscible with glycol.

Abstract: A drag reducing composition and method of use wherein the drag reducing composition comprises a polyolefin, drag reducing polymer, a carrier or suspending medium, and a polycarboxylate dispersion agent.

Abstract: One embodiment may include a gear assembly comprising at least one pair of meshing gears situated inside a gear case having a sump portion and a wall portion. A gear oil mixture may be disposed at least in the sump portion. At least one gear is immersed partially or fully in the oil mixture. The oil mixture comprises a hydrocarbon oil base and a coolant having an endothermic liquid/vapor transition at a temperature between the lower and upper operating temperatures of the gear assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of avocado seeds in order to obtain avocado oil enriched in alkyl polyols and/or acetylated derivatives thereof, said avocado seeds accounting for 10 to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of avocado used. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining avocado oil enriched in alkyl polyols or acetylated derivatives thereof from at least avocado seeds, said avocado seeds accounting for 10 to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of avocado used. The invention also relates to avocado oil enriched in alkyl polyols and/or acetylated derivatives thereof, obtainable by the present method. The invention also relates to the use of avocado oil in order to prepare an avocado oil concentrate enriched in alkyl polyols and/or acetylated derivatives thereof, or to prepare an avocado unsaponifiable enriched in alkyl polyols.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of counteracting malodor by introducing a malodor counteracting effective amount of novel cyclohexanol compounds, wherein the compounds are represented by the following formula: an isomer or a mixture of isomers thereof, wherein one of R and R? represents hydrogen with the other representing a C1-C6 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aromatic group; and one of the dashed lines represents a carbon-carbon single bond with the other representing a carbon-carbon double bond.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel quinazoline compounds and their use in perfume compositions. The novel quinazoline compounds of the present invention are represented by the following formula: an isomer or a mixture of isomers thereof, wherein the broken line represents a single or double bond.

Abstract: Methods of producing fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) using a direct transesterification process are described. The direct transesterification process uses low levels of chemical solvents, acid catalysts, and heating energy to produce the FAEE in a method with increased efficiency in a co-solvent system. The FAEE produced may be used in a variety of products including health, beauty, nutraceutical, and cosmetic products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing esters from fatty alcohols, in which fatty alcohols and fatty acids are reacted in the presence of an enzyme at a temperature in the range of 30 to 50° C., the water which forms is removed and the reaction is completed under reduced pressure at a temperature of 50 to 80° C.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions and processes for cleaning residue from a microelectronic device having said residue thereon. The composition comprises at least one amine, at least one oxidizing agent, water, and at least one borate species and achieves highly efficacious cleaning of the residue material, including post-ash residue, post-etch residue, post-CMP residue, particles, organic contaminants, metal ion contaminants, and combinations thereof from the microelectronic device while simultaneously not damaging the titanium nitride layers and low-k dielectric materials also present on the device.

Abstract: The need for a treatment composition which provides a pleasant odor to a treated situs, particularly one having a long-lasting woody, floral, fruity or citrus character, and which does not discolor over time, is met by formulating the treatment composition with microcapsules comprising a microcapsule wall formed from cross-linked formaldehyde, and a core comprising an aldehyde or ketone containing perfume, in combination with a formaldehyde scavenger which does not complex with the aldehyde and/or ketone and amine, to form complexes that result in discoloration.

Abstract: An invention for infusing liquids, such as beer or wine, at a desired temperature is disclosed. The invention comprises a fillable container to contain the infusing material and the liquid to be infused and a cooling system to maintain the temperature of the liquid at a desired level during infusion. The preferred embodiment can easily be connected to an existing beer faucet mount and has transparent sides to allow the customer to visibly observe the liquid as it is being infused.

Abstract: A sustained release delivery system and composition of materials for slowly releasing an additive to a fermentation fluid over a sustained period of time of up to 96 hours is described. The product of the present invention includes a complement of additives and a sustained release mechanism to allow a single addition of components that yield release profiles consistent with multiple additions in juice, fermented beverages, other foodstuffs, and biofuels production.

Abstract: The invention provides a sparkling alcoholic beverage produced using, as a part of ingredients thereof, at least one selected from the group consisting of etherified starch, etherified cross-linked starch and enzymatic hydrolysates thereof; and a method for producing the sparkling alcoholic beverage, wherein at least one selected from the group consisting of etherified starch, etherified cross-linked starch and enzymatic hydrolysates thereof is added in any step of the production process. The sparkling alcoholic beverage of the invention has good body and prolonged froth duration and contains water-soluble dietary fiber.

Abstract: Methods and devices for biological sample preparation and analysis are disclosed. A device may have a linear or circular arrangement of containers, with a connecting structure such as a bar or disk. Fluidics channels between containers allow the performance of different techniques for sample preparation, such as lysing, washing and elution. Different functional elements, such as grinders or mixers, may be attached to the containers.

Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor includes at least one ultrasonic transducer that can acoustically generate a multi-dimensional standing wave. The standing wave can be used to retain cells in the bioreactor, and can also be utilized to dewater or further harvest product from the waste materials produced in a bioreactor.

Abstract: A cold box having a cooling receptacle filled with a dry protective gas in which is accommodated a rack loaded with tube-shaped vessels. The cooling receptacle is covered by a movable lid which is associated with a lid part and which is preferably formed by an outer lid and a rotatable inner lid integrated in the outer lid so that the cooling receptacle is completely covered in every position of the lid. At least one of the through-holes provided in the inner lid can be arranged over a respective tube-shaped vessel by a coordinated movement of the outer lid and rotation of the inner lid so that the tube-shaped vessel located under the through-hole in alignment therewith can be filled with a sample through the through-hole by means of a commercially available pipette tip/dispensing needle of an automated pipetting device.

Abstract: A method of damaging cell structure of an aquatic substance includes: providing an aquatic substance raw material, where the aquatic substance raw material includes an aquatic substance; adjusting a water content in the aquatic substance raw material to form an aquatic substance slurry to be processed; placing the aquatic substance slurry to be processed in a pressure container; introducing a compressed gas into the pressure container to enable the compressed gas and the water in the aquatic substance slurry to be processed to form an acidic fluid, and making the cell structure of the aquatic substance hydrolyzed and damaged by the acidic fluid; and performing a depressurizing step to separate the compressed gas.

Abstract: Methods of treating contamination, particularly bacterial contamination, in an open culture of microalgae with organic carbon are described herein. The methods comprise reducing the pH of a culture for a period of time and then raising the pH of the culture, wherein the culture comprises the presence of a first acid and the culture is contacted with a second acid to reduce the culture pH from a first pH value to a second pH value. The culture is maintained at the second pH value for at least 5 minutes before the culture pH is raised from the second pH value by contact with a base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hepatocyte-like cells. Also disclosed are methods of making the cells and using the cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to precursor cells to hepatic stellate cells, compositions comprising same and methods of isolating same. The surface antigenic profile of the precursors is MHC class Ia negative, ICAM-1+, VCAM-1+, ?3-integrin+. In addition to expression of these surface markers, the cells also express the intracellular markers desmin, vimentin, smooth muscle ?-actin, nestin, hepatocyte growth factor, stromal derived factor-1? and Hlx homeobox transcriptional factor.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting the coenzyme dependency of enzymes of the medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (MDR) family. A further object of the present invention is to provide enzyme variants of the MDR family whose coenzyme dependency is converted by the conversion method and a method for enzymatically producing optically active alcohols using the enzymes. The present inventors developed a novel enzyme conversion method for converting the coenzyme dependency of enzymes of the MDR family, rationally designed enzyme variants that are altered by the enzyme conversion method to be able to use NADPH as a coenzyme from a useful enzyme of the MDR family that uses NADH as a coenzyme, and actually provide variants having such an ability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacterial cell with texturizing property, starter cultures comprising the cell, and dairy products fermented with the starter culture.

Abstract: A DNA polymerase (Neq DNA polymerase) derived from Nanoarchaeum equitans is split into Neq L and Neq S fragments, each of which contains inteins. A Neq hot-start (HS) DNA polymerase in which the inteins of the Neq L and Neq S fragments are linked with each other is provided in the form of a precursor of Neq DNA polymerase. A purification method can be significantly improved by inserting a His-tag sequence composed of six histidine residues between the inteins of the Neq L and Neq S fragments at a gene level. As a result of effort to enhance PCR efficiency of the Neq HS DNA polymerase, a gene coding for the Neq HS DNA polymerase is mutated at specific positions to screen mutant Neq HS polymerases (M1, M2, and M3) having a highly improved PCR amplification rate and amplification level.

Abstract: A mutant hydrolase optionally fused to a protein of interest is provided. The mutant hydrolase is capable of forming a bond with a substrate for the corresponding nonmutant (wild-type) hydrolase which is more stable than the bond formed between the wild-type hydrolase and the substrate and has at least two amino acid substitutions relative to the wild-type hydrolase. Substrates for hydrolases comprising one or more functional groups are also provided, as well as methods of using the mutant hydrolase and the substrates of the invention. Also provided is a fusion protein capable of forming a stable bond with a substrate and cells which express the fusion protein.

Abstract: The cDNA and amino acid sequences of a ferulate esterase obtained from Lactobacillus fermentum NRRL B-1932 is determined. An expression vector for expression of the ferulate esterase gene is generated. The recombinate ferulate esterase gene and transcribed protein contains a linker sequence and 6×HIS tag for purification. Enzymatic activity of the recombinant protein is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent alpha-amylase. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants and to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides, and methods of using the variant enzymes.

Abstract: Compositions and techniques for the extraction, enrichment and isolation of nucleic acids from fresh, fixed or fixed and embedded cells, tissues, biological materials and cellular source material using amine monomers are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for isolating cellular ribonucleic acid (RNA) from cells. The method includes suspending cells in an extraction solution comprising formamide; incubating the cells and formamide mixture; and pelleting cell debris, DNA, and protein to form an RNA-containing supernatant. Also provided herein are kits for isolating RNA and solutions for extracting RNA from a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a circular DNA molecule having a specific structure that enables to distinguish circular DNA formed from a single DNA molecule (single-molecule circular DNA), from circular DNA formed from multiple DNA molecules (multiple-molecule circular DNA) and also from single-molecule circular DNA derived from the circular DNA formed from multiple DNA molecules. According to the present invention, only single-molecule circular DNA that is not derived from multiple-molecule circular DNA can be selected in the production of circular DNA.

Abstract: Method and kit for constructing a random mutagenesis library. The method comprises providing a first expression vector comprising a target polynucleotide fragment, providing a pair of Vector-primers that are complementary to the vector portion of the first expression vector, wherein the Vector-primers comprise a second selection marker gene, and wherein the Vector-primers allow PCR amplification of the target polynucleotide; and performing a PCR reaction using the first expression vector as the template with the Vector-primers under error-prone PCR conditions in the presence of a thermostable DNA ligase, generating a second expression vector which comprises the second selection marker gene and a mutated target polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotides with base modified nucleosides for enhancement of binding affinity.

Abstract: Antisense compositions targeted against an mRNA sequence coding for a selected protein, at a region having its 5? end from 1 to about 25 base pairs downstream of a normal splice acceptor junction in the preprocessed mRNA, are disclosed. The antisense compound is RNase-inactive, and is preferably a phosphorodiamidate-linked morpholino oligonucleotide. Such targeting is effective to inhibit natural mRNA splice processing, produce splice variant mRNAs, and inhibit normal expression of the protein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing viral genome amounts in a target cell are provided. In the subject methods, the activity of a miRNA is inhibited in a manner sufficient to reduce the amount of viral genome in the target cell, e.g., by introducing a miRNA inhibitory agent in the target cell. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits and systems for use in practicing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of applications, including the treatment of subjects suffering from a viral mediated disease condition, e.g., an HCV mediated disease condition.

Abstract: Novel compositions for use to enhance weed control. Specifically, the present invention provides for methods and compositions that modulate protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase in weed species. The present invention also provides for combinations of compositions and methods that enhance weed control.