Abstract: Specific embodiments of the present invention provide a hydrocracking process for converting low value-added heavy hydrocarbon distillates into high value-added hydrocarbon distillates using a supercritical solvent as a medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon stream is contacted with water, at supercritical conditions and also subjects an effluent hydrocarbon stream to separation techniques. The resulting hydrocarbon stream is substantially free of sulfur oxides, sulfoxides, and sulfones.

Abstract: In a gasification apparatus, a gasification furnace (101) having an octagonal hollow cross-sectional shape, a heat exchanger (102) having a quadrangular hollow cross-sectional shape, and a connection portion (103) which connects an upper portion of the gasification furnace (101) to a lower portion of the heat exchanger (102) are provided, thereby simplifying structures and enhancing efficiencies can be achieved.

Abstract: A solids circulation system receives a gas stream containing char or other reacting solids from a first reactor. The solids circulation system includes a cyclone configured to receive the gas stream from the first reactor, a dipleg from the cyclone to a second reactor, and a riser from the second reactor which merges with the gas stream received by the cyclone. The second reactor has a dense fluid bed and converts the received materials to gaseous products. A conveying fluid transports a portion of the bed media from the second reactor through the riser to mix with the gas stream prior to cyclone entry. The bed media helps manipulate the solids that is received by the cyclone to facilitate flow of solids down the dipleg into the second reactor. The second reactor provides additional residence time, mixing and gas-solid contact for efficient conversion of char or reacting solids.

Abstract: A gasification system includes a scrubber in communication with a particulate removal subsystem and a quench sub-system.

Abstract: A method for reducing aqueous phase separation of an emulsion comprising ethanol-based fuel and a lubricating oil comprising molybdenum ester amide complex, comprising the step of adding to the lubricating oil a dispersant polyalkyl (meth) acrylate (DPMA) in an amount from about 0.01 to about 0.5% by weight of the lubricating oil, such that the weight ratio of molybdenum to DPMA is about 2.05 or less.

Abstract: A sliding component for an internal combustion engine may include a ferrous base having a peripheral sliding surface covered with a protective layer including at least one of a nitride applied via physical vapor deposition and a nitrided layer. The base may include a coating of carbon of a diamond-like carbon type. The coating may include at least one of (i) a transition layer including a composition of WC1-X and (ii) a layer of metallic chromium of crystalline structure disposed between the ferrous base and an outer layer of amorphous carbon. The coating may also include an intermediate layer of a nanocrystalline phase of carbides in a multilayer structure having a first sub-layer including a composition different than a second sub-layer disposed under the outer layer.

Abstract: The invention pertains to certain (per)fluoropolyether triazine derivatives comprising at least one triazine group and at least one fluoropolyoxyalkene chain (chain Rf) comprising a fluorocarbon segment having ether linkages in main chain, said chain Rf comprising at least one hydroxyl group, to a method for their manufacture and to their use in lubrication, in particular for lubricating sliding or moving parts of magnetic recording media.

Abstract: A lubricating oil comprises a major amount of a base oil and a minor amount of an additive package, and the additive package comprises at least one friction modifier of formula I: where R is a linear or branched, saturated, unsaturated, or partially saturated hydrocarbyl having about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms or R is represented by: and R1 is a linear or branched, saturated, unsaturated, or partially saturated hydrocarbyl having about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and R2 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl having about 1 to about 2 carbon atoms. Methods of using the lubricating oil to improve thin film and/or boundary layer friction in an engine are also disclosed.

Abstract: Lubricating oil compositions are provided herein that comprise a mixture of: (A) a hydrocarbon as a low-viscosity constituent, (B) a polyalkylene glycol (PAG) as a high-viscosity constituent wherein the oxygen/carbon weight ratio is in the range of from 0.450 to 0.580, and (C) a compound as a control constituent wherein the oxygen/carbon weight ratio is in the range of from 0.080 to 0.350. Methods of lubricating a surface using such lubricating compositions are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided are formulations, methods of making, and methods of using a functional fluid of the present invention to achieve and maintain optimal frictional characteristics in machines housing that fluid, wherein the functional fluid comprises, among others, a friction-modifying amount of an alkyl toluene sulfonate salt or a mixture of alkyl toluene sulfonate salts.

Abstract: A sulphurised calcium phenate detergent is made by (i) reacting hydrogenated distlled CNSL with a calcium salt and sulphur in the presence of a promoter and process solvent; (ii) reacting the product of (i) with additional calcium salt and promoter, and with a co-surfactant, and then carbonating; and optionally (iii) further carbonating the reaction mixture to obtain overbased sulphurised calcium phenate.

Abstract: Suggested is a perfume composition, comprising (a) Petit grain oil and (b) Hydroxy carboxylic acid esters, which is particular useful for fighting various malodors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of perfumery. More particularly, it concerns compounds comprising at least one ?-glucuronide moiety capable of liberating a perfuming alcohol. The present invention concerns also the use of said compounds in perfumery as well as the perfuming compositions or perfumed articles, in particular deodorants or antiperspirants comprising the invention's compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lipase powder composition which comprises a filter aid(s) and a product obtained by pulverizing a Thermomyces sp.-derived lipase immobilized to a silica carrier(s) into the average particle diameter of 1 ?m or more and less than 300 ?m. This lipase powder composition improves the lipase activity and operability and, therefore, can be suitably used in the methods for exchanging esters of fats and oils and for esterification.

Abstract: The need for a stable, compact composition providing improved fabric care benefit, that is also convenient to use, can be met by incorporating a cationic cellulose polymer into a non-aqueous composition, using a non-aqueous dispersant. Such compositions have good physical stability, with little or no clumping of the cationic polymer in particulate form.

Abstract: A detergent emulsifier for laundry and other hard surface cleaning using an APE-free surfactant blend is disclosed. The emulsifier system is efficacious for removal of oily soils and greasy food removal. The compositions according to the invention include linear and branched fatty alcohol ethoxylates and ethoxylate propoxylate block copolymers. Methods of using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to detergent compositions containing pyridinol-N-oxide compounds and being substantially free of bleach. Methods for treating a stained fabric using such detergent compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to cleaning compositions and, more specifically, to cleaning compositions containing a polyetheramine that is suitable for removal of stains from soiled materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one additional cleaning agent, and in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are mixed with the at least one additional cleaning agent. Preferably, the additional cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of polyester or nylon, most preferably in the form of beads.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to cleaning methods and solvent cleaning compositions including at least one hydrofluoro-olefin or hydrochlorofluoro-olefin solvent for use in connection with cleaning of metal parts, and in certain preferred embodiments cleaning metal parts to be used in an aircraft.

Abstract: A device for distributing wine uniformly over a wine cap includes a T-joint member, an impeller and a shaft. The T-joint member has a top opening, a bottom opening, a side opening, a through-opening extending from the top opening to the bottom opening and a side-through-opening extending from the side opening to the through-opening. The impeller includes a one-piece conical shaped body that has a circular base, a cylindrical center, a conical-shaped outer surface, a central-through-opening extending through the cylindrical center, and a plurality of curved blades extending from the top of the cylindrical center along the inclined outer surface. The T-joint member is configured to allow wine to be pumped into the through-opening through the side opening and to exit through the bottom opening and then to flow onto the impeller. The impeller is configured to allow the wine to flow uniformly around and down the conical-shaped outer surface of the impeller and through the impeller.

Abstract: An inflatable bioreactor bag for cell cultivation, which comprising a top and a bottom sheet of flexible material, joined together to form two end edges and two side edges, wherein one baffle or a plurality of baffles extend from the bottom sheet in a region where the shortest distance to any one of the two end edges is higher than about one fourth of the shortest distance between the two end edges.

Abstract: Culture systems, devices and related methods and articles may automate the culturing or incubation process according to defined culturing protocols. Such may employ removable multi-well growth cassette. Wells may be subdivided into subwells. Such may employ removable media and waste cartridges and/or gas canisters to supply consumables, which may be supplied in kits, for example with processor executable culturing protocols. Direct fluidic coupling between growth cassettes and the removable cartridges or canisters may be employed. Operational and/or environmental conditions may be sensed or monitored, and may be used to adjust or alter operation. A microscopy subsystem may capture images which may be stored and/or analyzed. Analysis may be used to adjust or alter operation.

Abstract: Bioreactors suitable for housing a predetermined volume of culture medium comprising a plurality of containers of approximately equal internal volume in which the culture medium resides, wherein the predetermined volume of culture medium is retained in approximately equal amounts within each of the plurality of containers during operation of the bioreactor, and wherein the internal volume of each container is selected so that the amount of culture medium in each container exceeds 50 vol. % of the container internal volume during operation of the bioreactor, and related methods of use.

Abstract: A bioreactor is provided. The bioreactor is a multi-scalable bioreactor, which comprises a culture vessel for seeding and culturing cells by adding a cell-culture media, wherein the culture vessel comprises at least a side wall and a bottom surface, a specific heat transfer area and a specific gas transfer area; wherein the culture vessel is configured to accommodate the cell-culture media volume up to 10 liters, and wherein the specific heat transfer area and the specific gas transfer area are independent of cell-culture media volume. A kit for culturing cells in a large scale is also provided which further comprises disposable tubings, culture bag or combinations thereof. A method for culturing cells is also provided.

Abstract: A recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising one or more of the following mutated protease genes: a) a mutated Tsp gene, wherein the mutated Tsp gene encodes a Tsp protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated Tsp gene; b) a mutated ptr gene, wherein the mutated ptr gene encodes a Protease III protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated ptr gene; and c) a mutated DegP gene encoding a DegP protein having chaperone activity and reduced protease activity; wherein the cell is isogenic to a wild-type bacterial cell except for the mutated Tsp gene and/or mutated ptr gene and/or mutated DegP gene and optionally a polynucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest.

Abstract: This present invention provides novel methods for deriving embryonic stem cells, those cells and cell lines, and the use of the cells for therapeutic and research purposes without the destruction of the embryo. It also relates to novel methods of establishing and storing an autologous stem cell line prior to implantation of an embryo, e.g., in conjunction with reproductive therapies such as IVF.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a method for directly obtaining pluripotent stem cells from body tissue and the thus obtained pluripotent stem cells. The present invention relates to SSEA-3 (+) pluripotent stem cells that can be isolated from body tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for aggregating dermal papilla cells or dermal sheath cells or a combination thereof, the method comprising: growing dermal papilla cells or dermal sheath cells or a combination thereof in suspension culture; and contacting the culture with an effective amount of an enzyme, wherein a substrate of the enzyme is an extracellular matrix molecule in the suspension culture, so as to aggregate dermal papilla cells or dermal sheath cells. The culture may be a hanging drop culture and the enzyme may be a hyaluronidase.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method for producing auricular cartilage tissue having a sufficient thickness and mechanical strength, and auricular cartilage tissue produced by the method for producing auricular cartilage tissue. The present invention provides a method for producing auricular cartilage tissue, including the steps of: seeding auricular chondrocytes onto a non-woven fabric consisting of a bioabsorbable material having an average fiber diameter of 0.90 to 7.00 ?m; and forming a composite of the non-woven fabric seeded with the auricular chondrocytes and a mesh-like framework consisting of a non-bioabsorbable material, and shaping the composite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for tagging, identifying and isolating a target cell, wherein the cell is contacted with a capture compound comprising a small molecule moiety, for example a pharmaceutical drug molecule, capable of selectively binding with the cell surface of the target cell, and a function that is capable to covalently or quasi-covalently bind to a surface as a marker or tagging function. In some embodiments the capture compound also includes a photoactivatable reactivity function. The capture compound attaches to a particle that mediates identification or isolation of the tagged cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes, microorganisms comprising the mutant alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes, and methods for the production of products by microbial fermentation using the microorganisms.

Abstract: Healthcare costs are a significant worldwide, with many patients being denied medications because of their high prices. One approach to addressing this problem involves the biosynthesis of chiral drug intermediates, an environmentally friendly solution that can be used to generate pharmaceuticals at much lower costs than conventional techniques. In this context, embodiments of the invention comprise methods and materials designed to allow microorganisms to biosynthesize the nonnatural amino acid L-homoalanine. As is known in the art, L-homoalanine is a chiral precursor of a variety of pharmaceutically valuable compounds including the anticonvulsant medications levetiracetam (sold under the trade name Keppra®) and brivaracetam, as well as ethambutol, a bacteriostatic antimycobacterial drug used to treat tuberculosis. Consequently, embodiments of the invention can be used in low cost, environmentally friendly processes to generate these and other valuable compounds.

Abstract: Fusion proteins comprising a tafazzin peptide and a cellular permeability peptide are disclosed. The tafazzin peptide may be coupled to the permeability peptide through a polypeptide linker. Methods of making and using the fusion proteins are also disclosed. For example, the disclosed fusion proteins may be used to treat a patient having a disorder associated with a tafazzin deficiency or a remodeled cardiolipin deficiency (e.g., Barth syndrome). Additionally, the disclosed fusion proteins may be used in prophylaxis against developing a disorder associated with a tafazzin deficiency or a remodeled cardiolipin deficiency in a patient at risk of developing such a disorder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polypeptides having transaminase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides.

Abstract: An isolated or a purified nucleic acid sequence for enhancing expression levels of a protein of interest, in 5? to 3? direction, comprises: a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter; an eEF-1 intron repeat (eEF-1 IR); and a regular sequence, which comprises: at least one tag element, a fixable linker sequence, wherein the fixable sequence is TEV sequence; and a multiple cloning site (MCS). By means of the array of the specific promoter and eEF-1 IR, the expression and purity of the recombinant protein could be enhanced; wherein eEF-1 IR can reduce the length of vector and assist RNA polymerase II transcription. Besides, TEV sequence of the fixable linker sequence of the regular sequence can remove a tag on recombinant protein; a specific target can be inserted into the multiple cloning site.

Abstract: Novel fungal endoglucanases Cel5 and Cel12 are disclosed. The endoglucanases are conveniently produced by recombinant technology, and means for their production are described. The endoglucanases are used for treating cellulosic material, especially in textile industry, e.g. in biofinishing or biostoning. They may also be used in detergents, in animal feed and/or in pulp and paper industry, or in hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material for, e.g. bioethanol production.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for nucleic acid quantification and, in particular, to microfluidic methods and devices for nucleic acid quantification. In certain embodiments methods of quantifying a target nucleic acid without the need for amplification are provided. The methods involve, in some embodiments, allowing a binding agent to become immobilized with respect to the target nucleic acid. In some cases, the binding agent comprises a signaling moiety that can be used to quantify the amount of target nucleic acid. In another aspect, the quantification can be carried out rapidly. For example, in certain embodiments, the quantification can be completed within 5 minutes. In yet another aspect, samples containing a low amount of target nucleic acid can be quantified. For instance, in some cases, samples containing less than 100 nanograms per microliter may be quantified. Also described are devices and kits for performing such methods, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for antibody engineering, e.g., humanization. In particular, the disclosure provides a high-throughput antibody humanization process that can be automated by computer-implementation.

Abstract: The invention provides novel and versatile classes of riboregulators, including inter alia activating and repressing riboregulators, switches, and trigger and sink RNA, and methods of their use for detecting RNAs in a sample such as a well and in modulating protein synthesis and expression.

Abstract: Provided herein are gapmer oligomeric compounds for reduction of target RNA in vivo comprising different nucleotide modifications within one or both wing regions. Also provided are methods of using such oligomeric compounds, including use in animals. In certain embodiments, such compound have desirable potency and toxicity characteristics.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses methods for rational design of microRNA and small interfering RNA chimeras and compositions and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the identification of compounds that selectively modulate epigenetic changes in gene expression. Compounds, compositions, kits or assays devices, and methods are provided for modulating the expression, endogenous levels or the function of small non-coding RNAs cognate to or transcribed by heterochromatic regions subject to epigenetic regulation (i.e., promoters, enhancers, centromeres, telomeres, origins of DNA replication, imprinted loci, or loci marked by dosage-compensation), and for modulating the formation or function of heterochromatin in cells, tissues or animals.

Abstract: Decoy nucleic acid sequences comprising a sequence encoding all or part of a binding site for bacterial sigN alternative sigma54 factor are described. Uses of the decoys in antibacterial complexes and for the treatment of bacterial infections are also described.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for modulating the differentiation of a myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC). In particular, described herein are miR-142 polynucleotides and miR-223 polynucleotides that can be used to modulate differentiation of MDSCs. Increased differentiation of a MDSC population, or cells within an MDSC population, can be achieved by increasing the miR-142 and/or miR-223 polynucleotides in a MDSC.

Abstract: In Caenorhabditis elegans, lin-4 and let-7 enclode 22- and 21-nucleotide RNAs, respectively, that function as key regulators of developmental timing. Because the appearance of these short RNAs is regulated during development, they are also referred to as “small temporal RNAs” (stRNAs). We show that many more 21- and 22-nt expressed RNAs, termed microRNAs, (miRNAs), exist in invertebrates and vertebrates, and that some of these novel RNAs, similar to let-7 stRAN, are also highly conserved. This suggests that sequence-specific post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms mediated by small RNAs are more general than previously appreciated.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of Frizzled Related Protein-1 mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having glaucoma or at risk of developing glaucoma.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for inducing tumor cell senescence and a method for inducing tumor cell senescence using the same. The composition can inhibit a PAPSS2 gene in a tumor cell to thereby induce senescence of the tumor cell, and if the composition is used concurrently with irradiation of the tumor cell, the composition can improve the sensitivity of the tumor cell to radiation.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Also provided herein are methods and compositions for the reduction of blood glucose level, the reduction of gluconeogenesis, the improvement of insulin resistance and the reduction of plasma cholesterol level. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise inhibiting the activity of miR-103. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise inhibiting the activity of miR-107. In certain embodiments, the activity of both miR-103 and miR-107 is inhibited. In certain embodiments, such methods comprise administering a compound comprising an oligonucleotide targeted to a microRNA.