Abstract: The present invention relates to a PSA-mode liquid crystal display device including a polymer produced by polymerizing a polymerizable compound by energy ray irradiation in a state in which a mixture of the polymerizable compound and a liquid crystal composition is held between the first substrate and the second substrate, the polymer having a number-average molecular weight of 50,000 or more in terms of polystyrene. In a PSA-mode display device in which alignment of liquid crystal molecules substantially vertically aligned between the substrates is controlled by applying a voltage, a pre-tilt angle can be properly given without being inhibited. Therefore, the present invention provides a PSA-mode display device with good alignment stability, uniform alignment within the substrates, and no or suppressed display defects and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A problem is to provide a liquid crystal compound satisfying at least one physical property such as high stability to heat and light, a high clearing point (or high maximum temperature), a low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large dielectric anisotropy, a suitable elastic constant and excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, a liquid crystal composition containing the compound and a liquid crystal display device including the composition. A solution is a compound represented by formula (1). In which, R1 is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons or the like; Z1, Z2 and Z3 are independently a single bond, —COO—, —OCH2—, —CF2O— or the like, and at least one of Z1, Z2 and Z3 is —CF2O—; X1 is hydrogen, fluorine, —CF3 or —OCF3; and L1, L2, L3 and L4 are independently hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine.

Abstract: A polymerizable compound-containing liquid crystal composition of the present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition containing a polymerizable compound represented by general formula (I) and a compound represented by general formula (II) and can be used for a liquid crystal display device imparted with liquid crystal aligning ability by polymerization. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition is required to cause no precipitation in a wide temperature range and have a low viscosity corresponding to fast switching, and a liquid crystal display device using the composition is required to have more stable alignment after polymerization and to cause no defect in display characteristics. In the present invention, the problems can be solved using a specified compound.

Abstract: A method of producing low CTE graphite electrodes from needle coke formed from a coal tar distillate material having a relatively high initial boiling point.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) hydrocarbon resource upgrading device may include a first hydrocarbon resource upgrading path that may include a plurality of first RF power applicator stages coupled in series. Each first RF power stage is configured to apply RF power to upgrade a hydrocarbon resource passing therethrough. The RF hydrocarbon resource upgrading device may also include a second hydrocarbon resource upgrading path that may include at least one second RF power applicator stage coupled in parallel with at least one of the first RF power applicator stages. The second RF power applicator stage is configured to apply RF power to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource passing therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving efficiency of a organic food production plant, the process comprising preparing a feedstock of a raw harvested organic food base product; processing the prepared food base product, including heating; extracting the organic food material from the food base product, and leaving a residual waste product; feeding the waste product into a continuous process for converting carbonaceous material in the waste product into a liquid hydrocarbon product and extracting a liquid hydrocarbon product. The process is related to palm oil production from fresh fruit bunches.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for converting a biomass-derived product containing levulinic acid and/or gamma-valerolactone to a transportation fuel precursor product containing diesel like hydrocarbons. These methods are expected to produce fuel products at a reduced cost relative to conventional approaches.

Abstract: A method of removing sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon fluid. The method includes contacting the hydrocarbon fluid with an adsorbent comprising a carbonaceous material doped with nanoparticles of uranyl oxide (UO3) to reduce the concentrations of the sulfur compounds. The carbonaceous material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon and carbon nanotubes, and the adsorbent has a weight ratio of C to U in the range from 9:1 to 17:1, and a weight ratio of C to O in the range from 5:1 to 13:1.

Abstract: Methods and systems for slurry hydrocracking with reduced feed bypass and methods for modulating an amount of toluene insoluble material present in a slurry hydrocracking reactor are provided. An exemplary slurry hydrocracking method comprises the steps of: combining a hydrocarbon feed and a slurry hydrocracking catalyst or catalyst precursor to generate a slurry hydrocracking feed; introducing the slurry hydrocracking feed to a slurry hydrocracking reactor under hydrocracking conditions suitable to generate a first product stream; drawing a drag stream from the slurry hydrocracking reactor, the drag stream comprising a hydrocarbon, mesophase material, and solid catalyst particles; separating the drag stream into a first separated stream and a recycle stream, with the first separated stream comprising mesophase material and solid catalyst particles, and the recycle stream comprising the hydrocarbon; and directing the recycle stream into the slurry hydrocracking reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a utility fluid, such as a fluid containing aromatic and non-aromatic ringed molecules, useful as a diluent when hydroprocessing pyrolysis tar, such as steam cracker tar. The specified utility fluid comprises ?10.0 wt % aromatic and non-aromatic ring compounds and each of the following: (a) ?1.0 wt % of 1.0 ring class compounds; (b) ?5.0 wt % of 1.5 ring class compounds; (c) ?5.0 wt % of 2.0 ring class compounds; and (d) ?0.1 wt % of 5.0 ring class compounds. The invention also relates to methods for producing such a utility fluid and to processes for hydroprocessing pyrolysis tar.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is for recycling HCO and/or naphtha from a first FCC unit to a second FCC unit to recover additional distillate and/or light olefins. A first catalyst stream for the first FCC unit may be isolated from a second catalyst stream for the second FCC unit. Fractionation of second cracked products from the second FCC unit may be separate from fractionation of first cracked products from the first FCC unit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is for recycling LCO and/or HCO to an FCC unit to recover additional distillate. Spent catalyst recycle in the FCC unit may be used to improve distillate yield. A hydroprocessing zone may saturate cycle oil aromatics for cracking in an FCC unit. The recycle cracked stream may be recycled to a downstream hydroprocessing zone to avoid a first hydroprocessing zone for hydrotreating feed to the FCC unit. Additional recovery of cycle oil for recycle is obtained by heating slurry oil prior to vacuum separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibition of high temperature naphthenic acid corrosion occurring in hydrocarbon processing units.

Abstract: A compound useful for reducing fouling in a hydrocarbon refining process is provided. A method for preparing the compound includes hydrohalogenating a polymer having a vinyl chain end to obtain a halogen-containing terminal group, and reacting the terminal group with a polyamine. Methods of using the compound and compositions thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The system includes: an absorber which brings an introduction gas into contact with an absorbent that absorbs CO2 and H2S; an absorbent regenerator which releases CO2 or the like to regenerate the absorbent; a second supply line which returns a regenerated absorbent to the absorber from the regenerator; a third supply line which extracts a semi-rich solution from the vicinity of a middle stage of the absorber, and introduces the semi-rich solution to the vicinity of the middle stage of the regenerator; and a semi-rich solution heat exchanger which is interposed at an intersection between the third supply line and the second supply line to perform the heat exchange between the semi-rich solution and the lean solution.

Abstract: Mesoporous organosilica sorbents are effective to remove contaminants (such as glycerol or detergent) from biodiesel. Contacting biodiesel with various a mesoporous organosilica sorbents comprising phenyl and sulfonate moieties resulted in the contaminants being absorbed by the sorbent and thus removed from the biodiesel.

Abstract: A method for converting cedarwood oil into high density fuels including, hydrogenating cedarwood oil in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst to generate hydrogenated cedarwood oil, removing the hydrogenation catalyst from the hydrogenated cedarwood oil, purifying the hydrogenated cedarwood oil to produce a first high density fuel, isomerizing the first high density fuel in the presence of at least one acid catalyst catalyst to generate a hydrocarbon mixture including adamantanes, and distilling the adamantane mixture to produce a second alkyl-adamantane high density fuel.

Abstract: This document relates to a fuel oil composition comprising: (i) a solid hydrocarbonaceous and/or solid carbonaceous material, wherein the material is in particulate form, and wherein at least about 90% by volume (% v) of the particles are no greater than about 20 microns in diameter; and (ii) a liquid fuel oil; wherein the solid hydrocarbonaceous and/or solid carbonaceous material is present in an amount of at most about 30 by mass (% m) based on the total mass of the fuel oil composition. The invention further relates a process for the preparation of this fuel oil composition, a method of changing a grade of a liquid fuel oil, and a method for adjusting the flash point of a liquid fuel oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a hydrocarbon gas stream containing H2S and mercaptans, in which dialkyldisulfides are produced then removed by hydrogenation, as well as a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: Refining assemblies and methods for refining rich natural gas containing a first methane gas and other hydrocarbons that are heavier than methane gas are disclosed. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a methane-producing assembly configured to receive at least one liquid-containing feed stream that includes water and rich natural gas and to produce an output stream therefrom by (a) converting at least a substantial portion of the other hydrocarbons of the rich natural gas with the water to a second methane gas, a lesser portion of the water, and other gases, and (b) allowing at least a substantial portion of the first methane gas from the rich natural gas to pass through the methane-producing assembly unconverted. The assemblies may additionally include a purification assembly configured to receive the output stream and to produce a methane-rich stream therefrom having a greater methane concentration than the output stream.

Abstract: A reactor for drying and torrefaction, configured for torrefying biomass, including a chamber in which two separate areas are delimited, a mechanism for mixing and transferring biomass from one end of the chamber to the other, a drying device in an upstream area of the chamber configured to dry the biomass introduced into the reactor, a torrefaction device in a downstream area of the chamber configured to torrefy biomass dried in the upstream area, and a transfer and sealing system configured to allow dried biomass to be transferred from the upstream area to the downstream area at time intervals, and to make the two areas mutually sealed during each interval. Such a reactor may, for example, find application to torrefaction of lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: An element with at least one slide surface with a coating for use on an internal combustion engine may include a base of a metallic alloy and at least one inner surface provided with a hard ceramic coating generated by physical vapor deposition. The element may include a porosity with a rate lower than 2 percent by volume, a Vickers hardness ranging from 1500 to 3000HV, and a compressive inner tension lower than 500 MPa.

Abstract: The invention provides a lubricating composition containing an aromatic compound and an oil of lubricating viscosity. The invention further relates to the use of the lubricating composition in an internal combustion engine. The invention further relates to the use of the aromatic compound as an antiwear agent.

Abstract: A composition for sliding member includes a binder resin, a solid lubricant, and an epoxy modified silicone oil having an epoxy group at both ends or at one end thereof. A weight ratio of the binder resin and the epoxy modified silicone oil is 97:3 to 75:25.

Abstract: The lubricating oil composition for a timepiece according to the present invention contains a lubricant component (A) containing a base oil (A1), at least one antiwear agent (B) selected from a neutral phosphate ester and a neutral phosphite ester, and an antioxidant (C), and is characterized in that the total acid number of the composition is not more than 0.8 mgKOH/g, the antiwear agent (B) is contained in an amount of 0.1 to 15 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the lubricant component (A), the antioxidant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.01 to 3 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the lubricant component (A), and the composition contains a diphenylamine derivative (C-1) and a hindered amine compound (C-2) as the antioxidants (C).

Abstract: Methods for obtaining corn oil from milled corn germ (e.g., dry milled corn germ), involving adding water, at least one acidic cellulase, at least one acidic protease, and at least one phytase to milled corn germ to obtain corn oil.

Abstract: This invention is a hydrogel capsule with a fragrance or odorant encapsulated therein during the polymerization process. The hydrogel capsule is of use in fabric care or personal care formulations.

Abstract: Metathesized triacylglycerol polyols, fractionated polyol variants thereof, and their related physical and thermal properties are disclosed.

Abstract: The current invention is directed towards compounds of the general formula (I), wherein the integers are defined as follows: R1 is —(CH2)nCH(CH3)2, R2 is —(CH2)n+2CH(CH3)2, G1 selected from monosaccharides with 4 to 6 carbon atoms, x in the range of from 1.1 to 4, n is a number in the range of from zero to 3.

Abstract: An automotive cleaning composition includes by weight of the composition about 48% by weight of xylene, about 22% by weight of a nonylphenol ethoxylate, about 15% by weight of a hydrophobic glycol ether, and the balance being water.

Abstract: Aqueous hard surface cleaners and concentrates are disclosed. In one aspect, the cleaners comprise water, a monounsaturated C8-C14 fatty N,N-dialkylamide, and at least one anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric surfactant. The cleaners have a pH within the range of 6.0 to 9.0. Dilutable hard surface cleaner concentrates comprising the monounsaturated N,N-dialkylamide and a surfactant are also disclosed. Also included are aqueous hard surface cleaners which comprise a monounsaturated N,N-dialkylamide, and which by measure of ASTM D4488-95 A5 soil, provide superior percent cleaning at a pH less than 10 than they do at pH 10 and higher. Surprisingly, when a monounsaturated C8-C14 fatty N,N-dialkylamide is included in the aqueous hard surface cleaner or concentrate, rapid and thorough cleaning performance can be achieved even at relatively neutral pH. Consequently, the hard surface cleaners are effective on greasy soils, including baked-on soils, despite their low alkalinity.

Abstract: Liquid compositions include: a) one or more anionic surfactants and b) one or more nonionic surfactants, wherein they comprise the surfactants of components a) and b) in a total concentration of >25% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid composition, and are free from alkanolamines and salts thereof. Upon combination with bleaches, the liquid compositions exhibit a significantly higher bleaching efficacy than comparable alkanolamine-containing compositions.

Abstract: The present application relates to novel whitening agents for cellulosic substrates. The whitening agents are comprised of at least two constituents: at least one chromophore constituent and at least one polymeric constituent. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. This disclosure also relates to laundry care compositions including but not limited to liquid and/or powder laundry detergent formulations and rinse added fabric softening (RAFS) compositions that comprise such whitening agents.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid composition that removes titanium nitride from a substrate without corroding tungsten or a low-k interlayer dielectric also present on said substrate. Said liquid composition has a pH between 0 and 4, inclusive, and contains the following: at least one oxidizing agent (A) selected from the group consisting of potassium permanganate, ammonium peroxodisulfate, potassium peroxodisulfate, and sodium peroxodisulfate; a fluorine compound (B); and a tungsten-corrosion preventer (C). The tungsten-corrosion preventer (C) either contains at least two different compounds selected from a group of compounds (C1) consisting of alkylamines, salts thereof, fluoroalkylamines, salts thereof, and the like or contains at least one compound selected from said group of compounds (C1) and at least one compound selected from a group of compounds (C2) consisting of polyoxyalkylene alkylamines, polyoxyalkylene fluoroalkylamines, and the like.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are generally related to a cell culture system. More particularly, the systems and methods enable the culturing and interconnecting of a plurality of tissue types in a biomimetic environment. By culturing organ specific tissue types within a biomimetic environment and interconnecting each of the organ systems in a physiologically meaningful way, experiments can be conducted on in vitro cells that substantially mimic the responses of in vivo cell populations. In some implementations, the organ systems are fluidically connected with a constant-volume pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a lactic acid bacteria strain which results in a high mechanical shear resistance of the products fermented with the strain and to bacteria strains obtainable by such a method. Furthermore, the present invention relates to lactic acid bacteria strains which results in a high resistance towards mechanical shear treatment of the products fermented with the strains or mutants and variants thereof. The improved stability of the texture can be measured as reduced sedimentation in drinking yoghurt applications and reduced syneresis in set-type yoghurt applications. Thus, the present invention also relates to methods for preparation of a fermented milk product, such as a yoghurt, with such lactic acid bacteria strains and to such fermented milk products.

Abstract: The first object of the present invention is to provide an immortalized cell line derived from a thread-sail filefish. The first object of the present invention can be solved by a cell line or a passage strain thereof derived from a living body part of a fish of the family Monacanthidae, wherein the cell line or the passage strain thereof is capable of being subcultured substantially without limitations. The second object of the present invention is to provide a pluripotent stem cell derived from a thread-sail filefish. The second object of the present invention can be solved by a cell line or a passage strain thereof derived from a living body part of a fish of the family Monacanthidae, wherein the cell line or the passage strain thereof is positive for at least a cell marker selected from a group consisting of TRA-1-60, OCT4 and SSEA-3.

Abstract: A method for the isolation, storage and retrieval of mature retinal cells is disclosed. The Method is applicable to adult mammalian cone cells, and more particularly human cone cells, and to healthy as well as pathological or otherwise altered cone cells. A kit for the isolation, storage and retrieval of mature retinal cells is also described.

Abstract: A cell culture medium comprising adenosine triphosphate; a carrier protein; cholesterol, linoleic acid, and lipoic acid; glutathione; at least one nucleotide salvage pathway precursor base; phosphoethanolamine; selenium; transferrin; triiodothyronine; all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and vitamin C; zinc, magnesium, and copper; an agent that increases intracellular cAMP; epidermal growth factor (EGF); hydrocortisone; insulin; and charcoal stripped fetal bovine serum, wherein said cell culture medium is substantially free, if not entirely free, of vitamin D, androgenic hormones, androgenic ligands, estrogenic hormones, estrogenic ligands, and/or androgenic receptors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue collection apparatus. The tissue collection apparatus comprises a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, a first filter disposed within the housing, a second filter disposed within the housing, the second filter configured to isolate tissue particles of a desired size that pass through the first filter under the application of an aspiration force applied through the housing. A method of harvesting tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for culturing cells so that the cells are induced to differentiate into cells that express a hepatic stellate phenotype and cells that express a hepatic sinusoidal endothelial phenotype. The invention is also directed to cells produced by the methods of the invention. The cells are useful, among other things, for treatment of liver deficiency, liver metabolism studies, and liver toxicity studies.

Abstract: A somatic stem cell that is CD10+, CXCR4+, and CD31+ and another somatic stem cell that is CD105+, CD44+, and nestin+. Also disclosed are both a method of preparing these stem cells and a method of using them to treat degenerative diseases, e.g., a muscle-degenerative disease. The invention further includes making and using liver cells derived from the somatic cell that is CD105+, CD44+, and nestin+.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer vector for inserting a gene into a genetic locus of a baculovirus sequence. The transfer vector comprises an expression cassette comprising a eukaryotic promoter operably linked to the gene and a bipartite selection cassette. The present invention also relates to methods of using the transfer vector and derived bacmids and baculoviruses.

Abstract: The present application describes an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide capable of synchronously binding VEGF polypeptide and placenta growth factor (PIGF) polypeptide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a VEGFR1 component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutants of Cre recombinase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing enzyme-immobilized beads used for preparation of tagatose, and a method for preparing enzyme-immobilized beads using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing enzyme-immobilized beads, comprising a nozzle with an inside diameter of 0.1-1 mm having a cylindrical lower end and comprising a cut-type liquid outlet (cut perpendicularly to the vertical axis of the nozzle) formed at the lower end, and a method for preparing enzyme-immobilized beads using the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to immobilization of a cell using a carboxylated surface by contacting the carboxylated surface with a sample comprising the cell for a sufficient time to permit the cell to bind to the carboxylated surface. The immobilized cell may then be separated from the remainder of the sample and further manipulated to isolate, concentrate, and/or analyze the cell or a component thereof.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the migration of cells by applying a time-varying magnetic field to induce eddy currents that promote electrotaxis (galvanotaxis) of cells. The method of the present invention accelerates the healing of wounds by electrotaxis of cells.

Abstract: Methods for the creation of one or more user-defined mutations that can be located anywhere in a target sequence, such as in a gene are disclosed. These methods can be used on a single-stranded or double-stranded template and, for a single-stranded template, generally include: (a) conducting a first amplification reaction in the presence of a thermostable DNA polymerase and a thermostable DNA ligase to synthesize a mutagenized strand of DNA comprising at least one mutagenic oligonucleotide relative to a complementary single-stranded template DNA comprising a target nucleic acid molecule in a circular DNA vector; (b) conducting a second amplification reaction in the presence of a thermostable DNA polymerase and a thermostable DNA ligase to synthesize a complementary mutant strand of DNA; and (c) degrading the template DNA and non-covalently closed circular nucleic acid molecules to obtain a mutation-containing double-stranded DNA product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the screening, identification and/or application of microorganisms of use in imparting beneficial properties to plants.