Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.

Abstract: The invention provides an effective method for improving N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) production by engineered B. subtilis Deletion of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase encoding gene pckA and encoding pyruvate kinase gene pyK in recombinant GlcNAc-producing strain BSGNK-PxylA-glmS-P43-GNA1 (BSGNK) is first performed to enhance GlcNAc production, followed by overexpression of pyruvate carboxylase encoding gene pycA for facilitating cell growth. Finally, the GlcNAc production of the recombinant strain BPTS3 reached to 11.3 g/L, which was 1.84-fold of BSGNK. This method can be used for improve cellular property of engineered B. subtilis for GlcNAc production, which can be further applied to industrial production of GlcNAc.

Abstract: A nucleotide production process comprises: decomposing an RNA by using a nuclease P1 so as to obtain nucleotides AMP, GMP, CMP and UMP, converting part or all of the nucleotide AMP into a nucleotide IMP by using adenosine deaminase, separating the obtained nucleotide by using an ion exchange resin, and then performing concentration and crystallization to obtain purified nucleotides AMP, GMP, CMP, UMP and IMP or obtain purified nucleotides GMP, CMP, UMP and IMP. The whole biocatalysis production of nucleotides is implemented by using a double-enzyme catalysis method, and high-purity nucleotides are obtained by using an ion resin separation technology and a solvent crystallization method; and the production process is simple and environmentally-friendly, and has low costs, high product safety and purity.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the design, evolution, preparation, and/or manufacture of enzymes for use with polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the enzymatic modification of a glycoprotein. The process comprises the step of contacting a glycoprotein comprising a glycan comprising a terminal GlcNAc-moiety, in the presence of glycosyltransferase that is, or is derived from, a ?-(1,4)-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, with a non-natural sugar-derivative nucleotide. The non-natural sugar-derivative nucleotide is according to formula (3): wherein A is selected from the group consisting of —N3, —C(O)R3, —(CH2)iC?C—R4, —SH, —SC(O)R8, —SC(0)OR8, —SC(S)OR8, —F, —CI, —Br —I, —OS(O)2R5, terminal C2-C24 alkenyl groups, C3-C5 cycloalkenyl groups, C4-C8 alkadienyl groups, terminal C3-C24 allenyl groups and amino groups.

Abstract: For more efficient and high-performance analysis of a function of a microalgae gene, the present invention provides an empirical analysis method of a metabolic pathway using a microalgae cell-free system, including: preparing microalgae homogenate; allowing a reaction vessel to contain the microalgae homogenate, and then treating with an effector molecule; and comparing with a control, which is not treated with the effector molecule, to measure a biological effect of the effector molecule treatment.

Abstract: This present disclosure provides methods and compositions for multiplex amplification, e.g., PCR, of DNA samples compartmentalized on the surface of an array. In certain aspects, the method includes providing a solid substrate having features of immobilized forward and reverse primer pair constructs therein for amplifying a target polynucleotide sequence, contacting the plurality of features with a corresponding nucleic acid sample, and incubating the contacted features under conditions to allow release of the forward and reverse primer constructs and amplification of the desire target polynucleotide. The release of the primer constructs from the substrate can be done prior to or during the incubating step.

Abstract: A two-step multiplex amplification reaction includes a first step which truncates the standard initial multiplex amplification round to “boost” the sample copy number by only a 100-1000 fold increase in the target. Following the first step the product is divided into optimized secondary single amplification reactions, each containing one of the primer sets that were used previously in the first or multiplexed booster step. The booster step can occur using an aqueous target nucleic acid or using a solid phase archived nucleic acid. In particular, nucleic acid sequences that uniquely identify E. Coli were identified using the multiplex amplification method.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein relate to methods and compositions for next generation sequencing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reciprocal-flow-type nucleic acid amplification device comprising: heaters capable of forming a denaturation temperature zone and an extension/annealing temperature zone; a fluorescence detector capable of detecting movement of a sample solution between the two temperature zones; a pair of liquid delivery mechanisms that allow the sample solution to move between the two temperature zones and that are configured to be open to atmospheric pressure when liquid delivery stops; a substrate on which the chip for nucleic acid amplification according to claim 2 can be placed; and a control mechanism that controls driving of each liquid delivery mechanism by receiving an electrical signal from the fluorescence detector relating to movement of the sample solution from the control mechanism; the device being capable of performing real-time PCR by measuring fluorescence intensity for each thermal cycle.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a complete genomic analysis device and methods of use thereof for high throughput genomic analysis of biological samples.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting allelic imbalance using nucleic acid sequencing are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel primers and method for the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences. The primers and methods provided herein are useful in a wide variety of molecular biology applications and are particularly useful in allele-specific PCR.

Abstract: A method of sequencing a nucleic acid such as DNA or RNA is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the use of the H3K9me2 methylation levels in plant genomes to predict transgene silencing, transgene stability, and/or transgene expression level. Provided are methods and/or systems for generating whole-genome H3K9me2 maps and its use with an assigned threshold value for predicting gene silencing. The methods and/or systems provided herein can be used in high-throughput setting for screening large number of transformed event in a relatively short period of time as compared to existing technologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for predicting acute rejection in heart recipients. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for predicting acute rejection in a heart recipient comprising the steps consisting of i) determining the expression level (ELi) of at least one miRNAi selected from the group consisting of miR-155, miR-10a, miR-92a and miR-31 in a blood sample obtained from the heart recipient, ii) comparing the expression level (ELi) determined at step i) with a predetermined reference level (ELRi) and iii) and concluding that the recipient has a high risk of developing acute rejection when the level the expression level (ELi) determined at step i) is different (higher or lower) than the predetermined reference level (ELRi).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the therapy, prophylaxis and diagnosis of disorders that are associated with aberrant bone mineral density, in particular osteoporosis; wherein the level of selected micro RNAs in samples of patients are detected and wherein an increase or decrease of said level compared to the level of healthy individuals is indicative of the disorder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica, in particular of differential diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) vs. multiple sclerosis (MS) using miRNA biomarkers. These miRNAs could potentially serve as future diagnostic biomarkers for NMO and help in diagnosis, monitoring disease activity, and evaluation of treatment responses in patients with MS.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for expecting and diagnosing UQCRB-related disease, and more particularly, related to a method for diagnosing a UQCRB-related disease and a cholesterol biosynthesis related disease, as well as expecting risks of post-occurrence of the UQCRB-related disease and the cholesterol biosynthesis related disease, simply by measuring an expression level of miRNA, and a kit and a biomarker composition for the method.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of novel biomarkers predictive of responsiveness to anti-immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in vitro or in vivo method for diagnosing Paget's disease or bone tumors associated therewith or for determining the predisposition of a subject affected by Paget's disease of bone to develop a bone tumor, the method being based on the detection of a mutation in the nucleotide sequence of the ZNF687 gene or in the amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the mutated ZNF687 gene. The invention also refers to isolated nucleic acids comprising the mutated nucleotide sequence of the ZNF687 gene or a portion thereof and the encoded amino acid sequences.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a kit or a device for the detection of esophageal cancer and a method for detecting esophageal cancer. The present invention provides a kit or a device for the detection of esophageal cancer, comprising nucleic acid(s) capable of specifically binding to miRNA(s) in a sample f a subject, and a method for detecting esophageal cancer, comprising measuring the miRNA in vitro.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a kit or a device for the detection of colorectal cancer and a method for detecting colorectal cancer. The present invention provides a kit or a device for the detection of colorectal cancer, comprising a nucleic acid capable of specifically binding to a miRNA in a sample from a subject, and a method for detecting colorectal cancer, comprising measuring the miRNA in vitro.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a kit or a device for the detection of breast cancer and a method for detecting breast cancer. The present invention provides a kit or a device for the detection of breast cancer, comprising nucleic acid(s) capable of specifically binding to a miRNA in a sample of a subject, and a method for detecting breast cancer, comprising measuring the miRNA in vitro.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kit or a device for the detection of stomach cancer and a method for detecting stomach cancer, and provides a kit or a device for the detection of stomach cancer, comprising a nucleic acid(s) capable of specifically binding to a miRNA(s) in a sample from a subject, and a method for detecting stomach cancer, comprising measuring the miRNA(s) in vitro.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing colorectal cancer and precursors thereof using miRNA biomarkers are disclosed, together with kits and devices for detecting the biomarkers, and uses of the biomarkers. The biomarkers described are reliably detected in stool and demonstrate significantly different expression levels in colorectal cancer patients when compared to colorectal cancer negative patients.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a kit or a device for the detection of lung cancer and a method for detecting lung cancer. The present invention provides a kit or a device for the detection of lung cancer, comprising a nucleic acid capable of specifically binding to a miRNA in a sample from a subject, and a method for detecting lung cancer, comprising measuring the miRNA in vitro.

Abstract: An RSV reporter strain that can be used for high-throughput drug discovery is disclosed. Also disclosed is a recombinant RSV vector that contains an RSV genome encoding the disclosed RSV reporter strain operably linked to an expression control sequence. Also disclosed is an infectious RSV virion produce by expression of the disclosed recombinant RSV vector in a host cell. Also disclosed is a recombinant nucleic acid that comprises an RSV F protein having an escape mutation operably linked to a heterologous expression control sequence. Also disclosed are methods of screening for antiviral agents using the disclosed RSV reporter strains.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for detecting viral nucleic acids. Targets that can be detected in accordance with the invention include HBV and/or HIV-1 and/or HCV nucleic acids. Particularly described are oligonucleotides that are useful as hybridization probes and amplification primers that facilitate detection of very low levels of HBV nucleic acids.

Abstract: Methods of predicting whether a subject has a cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesion are provided. Aspects of the methods include obtaining both morphometric and biomarker data from a liquid cervical cellular sample and then using both types of data to predict whether the subject has a CIN lesion. Also provided are systems that find use in practicing the methods. The methods and systems find use in a variety of applications, including cervical cancer screening applications.

Abstract: Processes for converting lignocellulose to feedstock and downstream products are disclosed. The processes may include acid treatment of lignocellulose to produce a fermentation feedstock. In various instances, the processes include recovery or recycling of acid, such as recovery of hydrochloric acid from concentrated and/or dilute streams. Downstream products may include acrylic acid-based products such as diapers, paper and paper-based products, ethanol, biofuels such as biodiesel and fuel additives, and detergents.

Abstract: A process for preserving raw/fresh hides and skins is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hides and skins are treated with an antimicrobial composition containing a carbonate and/or bicarbonate salt of a quaternary ammonium cation. Alternatively, the antimicrobial composition contains a halide salt of a quaternary ammonium cation in combination with a second antimicrobial agent which may comprise a polyhexamethylene biguanide. The compositions are capable of preventing microbial degradation of the raw skins and hides for significant periods of time, such as greater than 48 hours.

Abstract: Feedstock for steel production in an arc furnace comprising a first influent comprised of cured and bound solid pieces comprised of a mixture of carbon materials, including a dominate amount of low grade coal, and a second influent comprised of ferrous material comprising scrap iron and/or steel for full reaction with the carbon material to produce the alloy.

Abstract: A method of processing a metal component is provided. The method includes laser cladding at least one surface of a metal component to obtain a laser cladded metal component having a predefined hardness. The method further includes heat-treating the laser cladded metal component to reduce the predefined hardness of the laser cladded metal component for performing metal working operations thereon. The method also includes cryogenically hardening the laser cladded metal component after the heat-treatment thereof, to induce the predefined hardness to the laser cladded metal component.

Abstract: A steel product has: a chemical composition represented by, in mass %, C: 0.050% to 0.35%, Si: 0.50% to 3.0%, Mn: exceeding 3.0% to 7.5% or less, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.01% or less, sol. Al: 0.001% to 3.0%, N: 0.01% or less, V: 0% to 1.0%, Ti: 0% to 1.0%, Nb: 0% to 1.0%, Cr: 0% to 1.0%, Mo: 0% to 1.0%, Cu: 0% to 1.0%, Ni: 0% to 1.0%, Ca: 0% to 0.01%, Mg: 0% to 0.01%, REM: 0% to 0.01%, Zr: 0% to 0.01%, B: 0% to 0.01%, Bi: 0% to 0.01%, and the balance: Fe and impurities; and a metal structure in which a thickness of a decarburized ferrite layer is 5 ?m or less and a volume ratio of retained austenite is 10% to 40%, wherein tensile strength is 980 MPa or more.

Abstract: A method for heat treatment, a heat treatment apparatus, and a heat treatment system that is capable of performing highly precise and efficient control of heat treatment. A heat treatment furnace has in-furnace structures made of graphite and has a heat-treatment chamber in which heat treatment of materials to be treated is performed. A value of ?G0 (standard formation Gibbs energy) is computed with reference to the sensor information from respective sensors, and an Ellingham diagram, a control range, and a status of the heat treatment furnace in operation expressed by ?G0 are displayed on a display device. A control unit controls a flow rate of neutral gas or inactive gas as atmosphere gas or a flow velocity of the gas so that ?G0 is within the control range.

Abstract: A steel has a predetermined chemical composition with a balance being Fe and incidental impurities, wherein a sum of Cu content and Ni content is 0.15 mass % or more, and a crystal grain size after forming into a stabilizer shape and quenching is in a range of 7.5 to 10.5 in prior austenite crystal grain size number. Thus, a highly durable stabilizer steel that has a tensile strength of 1200 MPa or more and excellent normal-temperature and low-temperature toughness and is used in an environmentally friendly manufacturing process at lower cost can be realized.

Abstract: High modulus turbine shafts and high modulus cylindrical articles are described as are the process parameters for producing these shafts and cylindrical articles. The shafts/articles have a high Young's modulus as a result of having high modulus <111> crystal texture along the longitudinal axis of the shaft/article. The shafts are produced from directionally solidified seeded <111> single crystal cylinders that are axisymmetrically hot worked before a limited recrystallization process is carried out at a temperature below the recrystallization temperature of the alloy. The disclosed process produces an intense singular <111> texture and results in shaft or cylindrical article with a Young's modulus that is at least 40% greater than that of conventional nickel or iron alloys or conventional steels.

Abstract: A method for producing a high strength coated steel sheet having a yield strength YS of at least 800 MPa, a tensile strength TS of >1180 MPa, a total elongation >14% and a hole expansion ratio HER>30%. The steel contains in weight %: 0.13%?C?0.22%, 1.2%?Si?1.8%, 1.8%?Mn?2.2%, 0.10%?Mo?0.20%, Nb?0.05%, Al?0.5%, the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The sheet is annealed at a temperature TA higher than Ac3 but less than 1000° C. for more than 30 s, then quenched by cooling temperature QT between 325° C. and 375° C., at a cooling speed sufficient to obtain a structure consisting of austenite and at least 60% of martensite, the austenite content being such that the fmal structure can contain between 3% and 15% of residual austenite and between 85 and 97% of the sum of martensite and bainite, without ferrite, then heated to a partitioning temperature PT between 430° C. and 480° C.

Abstract: A method for producing a high strength steel piece having desired mechanical properties, obtainable by a reference heat treatment comprising a first reference treatment and a final reference treatment comprising at least an overaging, The method comprising a step of heat treating on an equipment comprising at least an overaging means for which it is possible to set at least one operating point, the final treatment comprising an overaging for which it is possible to calculate two final treatment parameters OAP1 and OAP2 depending on an operating point of the overaging means. A minimum OAP1 min and a maximum OAP2 max final treatment parameters are determined in order to obtain the desired properties, at least one operating points of the overaging section means is determined such that OAP1?OAP1 min and OAP2?OAP2 max. The piece is heat treated accordingly.

Abstract: A method for producing a high strength steel sheet having a yield strength YS of at least 850 MPa, a tensile strength TS of at least 1180 MPa, a total elongation of at least 14% and a hole expansion ratio HER of at least 30%. The chemical composition of the steel contains: 0.15%?C?0.25%, 1.2%?Si?1.8%, 2%?Mn?2.4%, 0.1%?Cr?0.25%, Nb?0.05%, Ti?0.05%, Al?0.50%, the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The sheet is annealed at an annealing temperature TA higher than Ac3 but less than 1000° C. for more than 30 s, by cooling it to a quenching temperature QT between 275° C. and 325° C., at a cooling speed sufficient to have, just after quenching, a structure consisting of austenite and at least 50% of martensite, the austenite content en.) being such that the final structure can contain between 3% and 15% of residual austenite and between 85 and 97% of the sum of martensite and bainite, without ferrite, heated to a partitioning temperature PT between 420° C. and 470° C.

Abstract: A galvanized steel sheet has formability and crashworthiness, consists of 0.03% to 0.13% C, 1.0% to 2.0% Si, 2.4% to 3.5% Mn, 0.001% to 0.05% P, 0.0001% to 0.01% S, 0.001% to 0.1% Al, 0.0005% to 0.01% N, and 0.0003% to 0.01% B on a mass basis; and optionally contains at least one selected from the following A-C: A: at least one selected from the group consisting of 0.0005% to 0.1% Ti and 0.0005% to 0.05% Nb on a mass basis; B: at least one selected from the group consisting of 0.01% to 1.0% Mo, 0.01% to 2.0% Ni, and 0.01% to 2.0% Cu on a mass basis; and C: 0.001% to 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bainite-containing-type high-strength hot-rolled steel sheet. The steel sheet, containing C: greater than 0.07 to 0.2%, Si: 0.001 to 2.5%, Mn: 0.01 to 4%, P: 0.15% or less, S: 0.03% or less, N: 0.01% or less, Al: 0.001 to 2% and a balance being composed of Fe and impurities, has an average value of pole densities of the {100}<011> to {223}<110> orientation group at a sheet thickness center portion being a range of ? to ? in sheet thickness from the surface of the steel sheet is 4.0 or less, and a pole density of the {332}<113> crystal orientation is 4.8 or less, an average crystal grain diameter is 10 ?m or less and vTrs is ?20° C. or lower, and a microstructure is composed of 35% or less in a structural fraction of pro-eutectoid ferrite and a balance of a low-temperature transformation generating phase.

Abstract: Provided is a steel for a mechanical structure for cold working, which contains C, Si, Mn, P, S, Al and N and in which the metal structure includes pearlite and ferrite, the total areal proportion of pearlite and ferrite relative to the overall structure is 90% or higher, the average circle-equivalent diameter of bcc-Fe crystal grains surrounded by large angle grain boundaries is 5-15 ?m, the average aspect ratio of pro-eutectoid ferrite crystal grains is 3.0 or lower, and the average spacing at the narrowest pearlite lamellar spacing is 0.20 ?m or less.

Abstract: A method of producing a galvannealed steel sheet includes: annealing a steel strip by conveying the steel strip through a heating zone including a direct fired furnace, a soaking zone, and a cooling zone in this order in an annealing furnace; hot-dip galvanizing the steel strip discharged from the cooling zone; and heat-alloying a galvanized coating formed on the steel strip. Mixed gas of humidified gas and dry gas is supplied into the soaking zone from at least one gas supply port located in a region of lower ½ of the soaking zone in a height direction so that a dew point measured in a region of upper ? of the soaking zone in the height direction and a dew point measured in a region of lower ? of the soaking zone in the height direction are both ?20° C. or more and 0° C. or less.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a low alloy steel ingot, the method including a) melting all or part of an electrode by a vacuum arc remelting method, the electrode, before melting, including iron and carbon, the melted portion of the electrode being collected in a crucible, thus forming a melt pool within the crucible; and b) solidifying the melt pool by heat exchange between the melt pool and a cooling fluid, the heat exchange applied serving to impose a mean solidification speed during step b) that is less than or equal to 45 ?m/s and to obtain an ingot of low alloy steel.

Abstract: A vortex chamber includes an outer circumference wall, a container, an annular shoal portion provided between the container and the outer circumference wall so as to encircle the outer circumference of the container, and a dam portion protruding upward from the upper surface of the outer circumference of the container so as to partition the container from the shoal portion. An undried nonferrous metal block is fed into the shoal portion, the block having such a size that is not completely submerged into the molten metal in the shoal portion. The fed nonferrous metal block is gradually melted to have a reduced volume of small pieces and particles of nonferrous metal, which are re-circulated in the shoal portion, flown over the dam portion, and dropped into the container, thereby forming a vortex in the container in which remaining small pieces and particles submerged into the molten metal are melted.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a copper alloy according to the present invention comprises (a) weighing a copper powder and one of a Cu—Zr master alloy and a ZrH2 powder such that an alloy composition of Cu-xZr (x is the atomic % of Zr, and 0.5?x?8.6 is satisfied) is obtained and pulverizing and mixing the copper powder and the one of the Cu—Zr master alloy and the ZrH2 powder in an inert atmosphere until an average particle diameter D50 falls within the range of from 1 ?m to 500 ?m to thereby obtain a powder mixture; and (b) subjecting the powder mixture to spark plasma sintering by holding the powder mixture at a prescribed temperature lower than eutectic temperature while the powder mixture is pressurized at a pressure within a prescribed range.

Abstract: A composite is obtained by press-molding a mixed powder comprising 20-50 vol % of a metal powder and 50-80 vol % of a diamond powder for which a first peak in a volumetric distribution of particle size lies at 5-25 ?m, and a second peak lies at 55-195 ?m, and a ratio between the area of a volumetric distribution of particle sizes of 1-35 ?m and the area of a volumetric distribution of particle sizes of 45-205 ?m is from 1:9 to 4:6, thereby obtaining a composite having a high thermal conductivity and a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of semiconductor devices, which is easy to mold into a prescribed shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low ductility steel tube for use in chemical engineering applications. In particular, the invention relates to a high strength steel tube which has low ductility at elevated temperatures. Such tubes are typically used in chemical plants for transporting reactants and products. One such application includes the use in plants for producing hydrogen and methanol. The tubes could also be used when producing ethylene and other hydrocarbons.