Abstract: A fluid composition for cleanout of wellbores and pipe systems includes an effective amount of an amphiphilic chemical combined with an effective amount of a friction reducer in an aqueous solution of a base liquid. A remainder of the composition includes the base liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature resistant nano composite mining additive for mining heavy oil and super heavy oil, which is prepared from 3-8 wt. % of a modified nano-inorganic additive, 3-8 wt. % of petroleum sulfonate, 10-40 wt. % of a viscosity depressant, 5-15 wt. % of an emulsifier, 2-10 wt. % of a surface wetting agent, 2-10 wt. % of a penetrant, 5-10 wt. % of a polymer modifier, and 1-8 wt. % of a catalyst, with a balance being water. Also disclosed is a preparation process for the above-mentioned high-temperature resistant nano composite mining additive for mining heavy oil and super heavy oil. The mining additive of the present invention has the advantages of a good high-temperature resistant performance, and an excellent emulsification performance and anti-salt performance, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of production and reducing the cost of mining.

Abstract: Crosslinked gelling agents employed during subterranean operations use electronically-modified boronic acids to enable higher operating temperatures while allowing reduced gelling agent loadings; the boronic acids having Formula I: wherein X1 and X2 are independently selected from the group consisting of O, CH2, CH2O, OCH2, bond, and null and wherein either X1 or X2 is null, Y1 and Y2 are independently N or C, Ar is phenyl; m is 1 or 2, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and each Z is independently an electron withdrawing group selected from nitro, ester, carboxylic acids, carboxylates, halogen, cyano, amide, acyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, CF3, a quaternary ammonium salt, polyhaloalkyl, and carbamate, with the proviso that when n is 0, the link L between M1 and Ar includes an electron withdrawing group attached to Ar, and introducing the treatment fluids into subterranean formations.

Abstract: Solid proppants are coated in a process that includes the steps of: (a) coating free-flowing proppant solids with a first component of either a polyol or an isocyanate in mixer; (b) adding a second component of either an isocyanate or a polyol that is different from the first component at a controlled rate or volume sufficient to form a polyurethane coating on the proppant solids; and (c) adding water at a rate and volume sufficient to retain the free-flowing characteristics of the proppant solids.

Abstract: A composite having a solid particulate and a surface modifying treatment agent on the solid particulate wherein the surface modifying treatment agent has a hydrophobic tail and an anchor for adhering the hydrophobic tail onto the solid particulate. The anchor may be metal and the hydrophobic tail may be an organo-silicon material, a fluorinated hydrocarbon or both an organo-silicon material and a fluorinated hydrocarbon. The composite may be used as a proppant in a hydraulic fracturing operation as well as a sand control particulate in a gravel packing operation. The presence of the surface modifying treatment agent on the surface of the solid particulate reduces the generation of fines and dust as well as the migration of sand during a hydraulic fracturing operation or a sand control operation. The presence of the surface modifying treatment agent on the surface of the solid particulate further enhances the crush resistance of the solid particulate.

Abstract: A method for preparing photoluminescent carbon nanodots includes preparing and drying a sample, ashing the sample, extracting the ashed sample with solvent, filtering the extracted sample, concentrating the filtered sample, dissolving the sample in water, and freeze-drying the dissolved sample. The sample is preferably a food waste residue or animal excrement.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition and an AM LCD device including the same are described. The liquid crystal composition has a negative dielectric anisotropy, contains a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy as a first component, and may further contain a specific compound having high a maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a second component, a specific compound having a negative dielectric anisotropy as a third component, and/or a specific compound having a polymerizable group as an additive component.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions comprising a crude liquid crystal sample containing ions and polyamide particles are disclosed. Upon separation of the polyamide particles from the crude liquid crystal sample, a purified liquid crystal sample is produced, which shows a 1-2× reduction in ion concentration. Methods for carrying out purification processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An alignment method includes: (1) providing a substrate, applying a coating material formed from any two materials of aromatic dianhydrides, aromatic diamines or diamines containing biphenyl and hexyl in side groups; (2) sputtering a third material which is not coated in step (1) along a direction having an angle not equal to zero with the substrate for conducting a polymerization reaction with the two materials coated in step (1) to generate a reaction product; (3) thermally treating the reaction product. The diamine containing biphenyl and hexyl in side group reacts with the main group to form a side chain, and thus controls the pretilt angle while assisted with physical sputtering to sputter in a certain angle, thereby forming a pretilt direction.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a first insulation substrate; a gate line and a data line formed on the first insulation substrate; a first electrode and a second electrode formed on the gate line and the data line and overlapping each other via an insulating layer interposed therebetween; a second insulation substrate facing the first insulation substrate; and a chiral dopant inserted between the first insulation substrate and the second insulation substrate. A content of the chiral dopant may be within about 1%, and liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal layer may be twisted with a pitch of about 10 ?m to about 100 ?m by the chiral dopant.

Abstract: A torrefaction reactor includes a preheater section and a torrefaction section arranged to receive the biomass material from the preheater section. The preheater section includes a plurality of preheater plates arranged to facilitate the flow of the biomass material between the preheater plates by the force of gravity, each of the preheater plates facilitates a flow of a preheater fluid through the preheater plate for heating the biomass material. The torrefaction section includes a plurality of torrefaction plates arranged to facilitate the flow of the biomass material between the torrefaction plates by the force of gravity, each the torrefaction plates facilitates a flow of a torrefaction fluid through the torrefaction plate for heating the biomass material to the torrefaction temperature, and a first and second torrefaction purge gas openings to facilitate a flow of a torrefaction purge gas for providing an oxygen-depleted environment within the torrefaction section.

Abstract: The separation according to the invention of a material-laden hot gas stream substantially consists of the following method steps: the material-laden hot gas stream is separated in a first separator into a gas stream and a material stream, wherein the material stream contains a coarser and a finer fraction, and the material stream is then classified in a classifier with at least a proportion of the gas stream, the coarser fraction of the material stream being discharged, while the finer fraction is carried away together with the gas stream separately from the coarser fraction.

Abstract: An enhanced Fischer-Tropsch process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, green hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. Naphtha is destroyed in a hydrogen generator and recycled as feedstock to a syngas (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. A further variation integrates a second hydrogen generator capturing light hydrocarbon gas for conversion to hydrogen and carbon monoxide which supplements the Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The result is a considerable increase in the volume of syndiesel formulated. A system for effecting the process is also characterized in the specification.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for processing of liquid hydrocarbon raw materials. The method includes preliminary pretreatment of a flow of raw materials and further processing with fractionation. The pretreatment is performed by forming a primary flow of liquid hydrocarbon with the characteristics of a straight tubular laminar flow and then directing that flow through a spiral tubing at a velocity the maximal value of which maintains laminarity of the laminar primary flow through the spiral tubing. The laminary primary flow is fractionated following the pretreatment. The invention has applications to the field of petroleum processing and may find application in the petroleum and petrochemical industries, and in the field of fuel power engineering.

Abstract: A demulsification process for extracting surface active biochemical products from crude oil and its fractions when they are used as feedstock during biochemical productions utilizes subcritical/supercritical CO2 as a proton pump. The process also includes a pH tuning step, thereby inducing demulsification and precipitation of biochemical products into the aqueous phase, but avoiding asphaltene precipitation by apriori addition of resinous solvents derived from crude oil or bioresources. The biochemical products are then extracted from the aqueous phase via temperature change or some other technique.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic steam cracking of non-asphaltene containing heavy hydrocarbon fractions. The method enables upgrading heavy hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons capable of being transported through pipelines and/or a pretreated step before further treatment in an upgrading refinery, including the steps of separating the heavy hydrocarbon mixture into a light fraction, a full gasoil fraction and a vacuum residue fraction with or without at least partial reduction or asphaltenes; adding a catalyst to the full gasoil and/or to the blend of this with a reduced asphaltenes fraction and subjecting the catalyst-full gasoil and/or deasphalted oil fraction to catalytic steam cracking to form an effluent stream; separating the effluent stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream; and mixing the liquid stream with the light fraction and the vacuum residue fraction to form an upgraded oil. The system includes hardware capable of performing the method.

Abstract: A method for producing a lubricant base oil, the method comprising a first step of fractionating, from a hydrocarbon oil containing a base oil fraction and a heavy fraction that is heavier than the base oil fraction, the base oil fraction and the heavy fraction, and a second step of obtaining a dewaxed oil by isomerization and dewaxing of the base oil fraction fractionated in the first step, wherein a hydrocracked oil obtained by hydrocracking the heavy fraction fractionated in the first step is returned to the first step.

Abstract: Energy-efficient gasification-based multi-generation apparatus, facilities, or systems, and methods of modifying existing gasification-based multi-generation apparatus and the various conventional thermal coupling arrangements, are provided. Apparatus for managing waste heat recovery through integration of a gasification-based multi-generation facility or other multi-generation system with a hydrocarbon refining facility or other hydrocarbon refining system and methods of providing the respective integration are also provided. An exemplary apparatus includes an integrated site energy management system configured according to one or more process-based thermal coupling schemes comprising one or more thermal coupling arrangements between a gasification-based multi-generation system or facility and a hydrocarbon refining system or facility.

Abstract: A synergistic mixture comprising from 1 to 99.9% by weight of compounds having structural elements (I) in which the free valencies on the oxygen atom and on the nitrogen atom may be combined to form a five-, six- or seven-membered ring and the benzene ring may also bear substituents at one or more of the free positions, and from 0.1 to 99% by weight of sulfur-containing organic compounds with antioxidant action. This synergistic mixture is suitable as a stabilizer for stabilizing inanimate organic material, especially mineral oil products and fuels, against the action of light, oxygen and heat.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a gasification process for the production of a methane-rich syngas at temperatures exceeding 400° C. through the use of an alkali hydroxide MOH, using a gasification mixture comprised of at least 0.25 moles and less than 2 moles of water for each mole of carbon, and at least 0.15 moles and less than 2 moles of alkali hydroxide MOH for each mole of carbon. These relative amounts allow the production of a methane-rich syngas at temperatures exceeding 400° C. by enabling a series of reactions which generate H2 and CH4, and mitigate the reforming of methane. The process provides a methane-rich syngas comprised of roughly 20% (dry molar percentage) CH4 at temperatures above 400° C., and may effectively operate within an IGFC cycle at reactor temperatures between 400-900° C. and pressures in excess of 10 atmospheres.

Abstract: An assembly for processing green biomass materials from two separate feed sources for use as a fuel pellet includes a drying assembly, a torrefaction assembly and a heating assembly. The drying assembly is adapted to convert the green biomass material obtained from a first source to white biomass material. The torrefaction assembly is adapted to convert green biomass material obtained from a second source to torrefied biomass material. The heating assembly provides heat for both the drying assembly and the torrefaction assembly.

Abstract: A combustion process wherein a fuel, a comburent and component A) are fed to a combustor, component A), comprising low-melting salts and/or oxides having a melting temperature ?1,450 K, the ratio by moles A?/(A??A?)?0.01, being: A? the sum by moles between the amount of metals, under the form of low-melting salts and/or low-melting oxides present in the component A) and the amount of metals under the form of the low-melting salts and/or low-melting oxides or their low-melting mixtures, contained in the fuel, A? is the sum of the amount of all the metals contained in the fuel and of those contained in component A), in which the combustor is isothermal type and flameless.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for increasing the high load (knock) limit of an internal combustion engine operated in a low temperature combustion ignition mode, the method comprising operating the engine with a fuel composition comprising (a) gasoline having a Research Octane Number (RON) greater than 85 and (b) one or more cetane improvers.

Abstract: Lubricant compositions comprising an improved ashless organic friction modifier additive, capable of reducing both friction and wear, is provided. It has been found that mixtures of fatty-alkanolamides containing secondary hydroxyls on the amino alkyl substituent, such as amide mixtures prepared from bis(2-hydroxyporopyl)amine and mixtures of at least two different C8-24 fatty acids, provide better oil solubility and friction reduction than alkanolamides with primary hydroxyl functionality, such as amide mixtures prepared from di-ethanol)amine.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a lubricant composition having improved compatibility with fluoropolymer seals. The lubricant composition includes a base oil and a sulfonate ester. The disclosure is also directed to an additive package for a lubricant composition that provides improved compatibility with fluoropolymer seals. The additive package includes the sulfonate ester. The disclosure is also directed to a method of improving compatibility of a lubricant composition with a fluoropolymer seal disposed in an internal combustion engine. The sulfonate ester improves the compatibility with fluoropolymer seals of the resultant lubricant composition.

Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a mixture of a water-miscible silicone material and a water-miscible lubricant. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide drier lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for fatty acid alkanolamide (FAAA) synthesis and isolation from lipid-containing algal biomass, and the products of such methods.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a cleaning composition that contains 1) at least one redox agent; 2) at least one first chelating agent, the first chelating agent being a polyaminopolycarboxylic acid; 3) at least one second chelating agent different from the first chelating agent, the second chelating agent containing at least two nitrogen-containing groups; 4) at least one metal corrosion inhibitor, the metal corrosion inhibitor being a substituted or unsubstituted benzotriazole; 5) at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of water soluble alcohols, water soluble ketones, water soluble esters, and water soluble ethers; 6) water; and 7) optionally, at least one pH adjusting agent, the pH adjusting agent being a base free of a metal ion. This disclosure also relates to a method of using the above composition for cleaning a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Anionic surfactants have a formula: RfSO2N(H)—CH2CH(CH3)OH; or RfSO2N(H)—(CH2CH2O)xH, where x is an integer from 2-6. Rf is a fluoroalkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Neutral surfactants having a formula: (a) RfSO2N[CH2CH(CH3)OH]2; (b) RfSO2N[CH2CH(CH3)OH][(CH2CH2O)nH], where n is an integer from 1-6; (c) RfSO2N(R)[(CH2CH2O)pH], where p is an integer from 2-6, and R is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; or (d) RfSO2N[(CH2CH2O)qH][(CH2CH2O)mH], where q is an integer from 1-6 and m is an integer from 3-6. Rf is a fluoroalkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for producing granules comprising one or more complexing agent salts of formula (I): from an aqueous starting solution, comprising the one or more complexing agent salts in a concentration of from 10 to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous starting solution, in a jet apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-conditioning space (10) for storing samples in a time-controlled manner, comprising a device (22) for automatically feeding sample containers (18) into a climatically sealed space (12) having at least one wall (43), into which a sample container (18) can be inserted into the climatically sealed space (12) through an opening (40, 42), wherein the feed device (22) has at least one drive and control unit, and an incubator receptacle (30) for receiving the samples (18) is provided inside the climatically sealed space (12). The invention is distinguished by the fact that the feed device has an automatic feed arm (22, 24) which grips a sample container (18) from a receiving position outside the climatically sealed space (12) and deposits the sample container (18) there in a clear deposit position in an incubator receptacle (30).

Abstract: An imaging section of a microscope apparatus captures a plurality of microscope images each having the focal position which differs in the field being same with a light flux having passed through a microscopic optical system. A region separating section separates a cellular region from a non-cellular region by using the plurality of the microscope images. A focusing position calculating section finds a focusing position in a target pixel included in the cellular region based on a brightness change in the position being same in the plurality of the microscope images. A three dimensional information generating section generates three dimensional information of a cultured cell based on a position of the cellular region and the focusing position in the target pixel.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic platform for cell culturing and a cell culturing method using the same. By applying a structure of a compartment which surrounds at least a portion of an annular reservoir and moving cells to be cultured to a site adjacent to a microchannel via rotation, a probability of observing cells that grew after culturing may increase and a probability of causing cells, particularly neurons, to grow so as to correspond to a signal transfer direction may increase.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for improved cell-based therapies for retinal degeneration and for differentiating human embryonic stem cells and human embryo-derived into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and other retinal progenitor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to methods for producing tissue-specific cells from patient samples, and to tissue-specific cells produced using these methods. Methods for reprogramming cells using RNA are disclosed. Therapeutics comprising cells produced using these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein is a reliable method for preparing a potent vaccine useful for immunotherapy comprising the step of cryopreserving a population of cells undergoing immunogenic cell death, and using such cells to activate dendritic cells for use in immunotherapy. In a specific embodiment, the method comprises cryopreserving cancer cells undergoing cell death, which can be used to prepare a pharmaceutical composition for immunotherapy against cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a carotenoid having 50 carbon atoms which comprises culturing, in a medium, a cell transformed with a mutant phytoene desaturase gene and obtaining the carotenoid having 50 carbon atoms from the culture. The mutant phytoene desaturase gene has an introduced mutation to encode a mutant phytoene desaturase having an enhanced activity to desaturate a carotenoid backbone compound of 50 carbon atoms.

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: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity, beta-xylosidase activity, or beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Provided are methods for reducing intraocular pressure in the eye of a subject by administering neutral active soluble active hyaluronidase glycoproteins (sHASEGPs) and modified forms thereof to the eye. The sHASEGPs are soluble forms of human PH20 hyaluronidase. Also provided are the sHASEGPs, methods of manufacture, and uses thereof. Minimally active polypeptide domains of the soluble, neutral active sHASEGP domains are described. The sHASEGPs include asparagine-linked sugar moieties required for a functional neutral active hyaluronidase domain.

Abstract: Production of products by engineered bacteria is increased by regulating cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is controlled by reducing electron transfer enzyme activity. Some examples of electron transfer enzymes include NADH dehydrogenases, Succinate dehydrogenases, ubiquinone synthesis, cytochrome O, and cytochrome D. In one example, deletion of UbiCA prevents respiration. Respiration can the be controlled by addition of ubiquinone or expression of ubiCA.

Abstract: Provided is a gold nanocage with pores, charged ligand molecules covalently bound to internal surfaces of the gold nanocage, and payload molecules electrostatically adsorbed onto said charged ligand molecules, wherein a pore diameter is between 1.2 and 20 times a gyration radius of the payload molecule. Also provided is a method for making a nanoparticle, including using polyvinylpyrrolidone as a capping agent in a galvanic replacement reaction to convert a silver nanocube into a gold nanocage having pores, replacing the polyvinylpyrrolidone on internal surfaces with charged ligand molecules, and electrostatically adsorbing payload molecules onto the charged ligand molecules, with a pore diameter less than twenty times a gyration radius of the payload molecule. Also provided is a method of delivering a pharmacological agent to a mammalian cell, including contacting the cell with a gold nanocage having pores, ligand molecules bound to internal surfaces, and pharmacological agent adsorbed onto ligand molecules.

Abstract: A device for extraction or isolation of an analyte, such as a nucleic acid, a protein, or a cell, from a sample, and in particular from a biological sample is described. Methods of using the device are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening anticancer agent or SIP1/ZEB2 inhibitor using integrin alpha 5 (ITGA5), more precisely a method for measuring integrin alpha 5 expression pattern in SIP1/ZEB2 over-expressing cell line or SIP1/ZEB2 expression induced cell line, both treated with sample compounds, by comparing with that of the control. The method of the present invention facilitates screening of anticancer agent or SIP1/ZEB2 inhibitor simply by measuring integrin alpha 5 expression, so that it can be effectively applied in the field of medicine.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for reducing MYC target RNA and protein levels via use of dsRNAs, e.g., Dicer substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) agents.

Abstract: Methods for inducing cardiomyocyte proliferation, e.g., in vivo, by administering a composition comprising miRNA17-92 cluster oligonucleotides, e.g., miR-19a oligonucleotides, miR-19b oligonucleotides, or both miR-19a and miR-19b oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The invention provides interfering RNA molecule-ligand conjugates useful as a delivery system for delivering interfering RNA molecules to a cell in vitro or in vivo. The conjugates comprise a ligand that can bind to a transferrin receptor (TfR). Therapeutic uses for the conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent for a corneal epithelial disorder, containing a miR-203 inhibitor; an agent for promoting proliferation of corneal epithelial cells, containing a miR-203 inhibitor; a liquid culture medium for use in the manufacture of a corneal epithelial sheet, containing a miR-203 inhibitor; and a method for producing a corneal epithelial sheet, including the step of culturing corneal epithelial cells using a liquid culture medium containing a miR-203 inhibitor. According to the present invention, a therapeutic agent for a corneal epithelial disorder, an agent for promoting proliferation of corneal epithelial cells, a liquid culture medium for use in the manufacture of a corneal epithelial sheet, a method for producing a corneal epithelial sheet, including the step of culturing corneal epithelial cells using the liquid culture medium, and a method for treating a corneal epithelial disorder can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention related to miR145, miR132, miR212, and the genes or gene products regulated by these miRNAs. miR145 is downregulated in cells infected with HCMV. This downregulation modulates expression of miR145 target genes, including IRS-1. Transfection of cells with a miR145 agent, such as a miR145 mimetic, reduces HCMV replication and protein expression. miR132 and miR212 are upregulated in cells infected with HCMV. This upregulation modulates expression of miR132 and miR212 target genes, including MeCP2 and RICS. Transfection of cells with a miR132 and/or a miR212 antagonist reduces HCMV replication and protein expression. Accordingly, the invention provides methods of attenuating HCMV replication by modulating, for example, miR145, miR132, and/or miR212, and targets thereof. Also provided are methods of detecting an HCMV infection, and compositions and kits useful for attenuating HCMV replication.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated soluble endoglin polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding soluble endoglin polypeptides, antibodies that specifically bind soluble endoglin polypeptides, and kits containing these materials. The invention also provides methods for treating or decreasing the likelihood of developing a soluble endoglin-mediated disorder in a subject requiring the administration of an agent capable of reducing the expression or biological activity of a soluble endoglin polypeptide and methods for treating or decreasing the likelihood of developing a soluble endoglin-preventive disorder in a subject requiring the administration of a soluble endoglin polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding the soluble endoglin polypeptide. The invention further provides methods for the diagnosis of a soluble endoglin-mediated disorder or a soluble endoglin-preventive disorder and methods for identifying a compound to treat a soluble endoglin-mediated or a soluble endoglin-preventive disorder.