Abstract: A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

Abstract: A method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon or a liquid biologically derived fuel by adding to the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel a compound having formula C{Ph(R1)i(OR2)j}2{Ph(R3)m(OR4)n}{Ph(R5)o(OR6)p}, wherein Ph represents a benzene ring, R1, R3 and R5 independently are C1-C18 alkyl or C4-C18 heteroalkyl; R2, R4 and R6 independently are C1-C18 alkyl or C4-C18 heteroalkyl, i, j, m, n, o and p independently are zero, one or two. Each compound having formula C{Ph(R1)i(OR2)j}2{Ph(R3)m(OR4)n}{Ph(R5)o(OR6)p} is present at a level from 0.01 ppm to 20 ppm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for precise monitoring and control of torrefaction temperature, which enables accurate control of the quality and properties of the torrefied material. The method includes determining the surface temperature of the biomass in the torrefaction arrangement is using an IR-thermometer and hot nitrogen gas a purge gas.

Abstract: A lubricant including an ionic liquid, which includes a conjugate acid (B+) and a conjugate base (X?), and is protic, wherein the conjugate acid includes a straight-chain hydrocarbon group having 10 or more carbon atoms, and wherein the conjugate base is represented by the following general formula (1): where n is an integer of from 0 to 6 in the general formula (1).

Abstract: A method for improving wear control in an engine or other mechanical component lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil has a composition that includes a lubricating oil base stock as a major component; and at least one phosphazene represented by the formula as a minor component. In the above formula, Q is nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen; a is a value from about 2 to about 6, c is a value from about 2 to about 6, e is a value from about 2 to about 6, g is a value from about 2 to about 6, i is a value from about 2 to about 6, and k is a value from about 2 to about 6; b is a value of 2a+q, d is a value of 2c+r, f is a value of 2e+s, h is a value of 2g+t, j is a value of 2i+u, and l is a value of 2k+v; q, r, s, t, u and v are independently a value of 0 or ?2; with the proviso that not all of a, c, e, g, i and k are the same value.

Abstract: A lubricant composition comprising from 75 to 95 percent by weight polyalphaolefin base oil; and from 7.5 to 25 percent by weight oil soluble polyalkylene glycol (OSP) additive, wherein the polyalkylene glycol has a viscosity at 40° C. from 15 cSt to 50 cSt and comprises units derived from propylene oxide and units derived from butylene oxide; wherein the lubricant composition exhibits a four ball EP weld load result of at least 160 kg and an air release value at 75° C. of less than 3 minutes is provided.

Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a lubricant composition comprising a water-miscible silicone material having a silicone emulsion wherein the silicone emulsion contains less than 500 ppm of a triethanolamine salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acid compounds.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for the facile extraction and purification of oils from plant material, including cannabis and hemp. The systems and methods herein are versatile, and may utilize a wide range of solvents to extract oils from a variety of plant-based material. Further, the provided systems and methods are closed loop, reducing the loss solvent and decreasing the risk of safety concerns such as human exposure to solvent chemicals or explosion of volatiles. In some embodiments, the systems and methods remove impurities from the extracted oils, for example waxes or other precipitates, and provide a higher purity and higher quality extract.

Abstract: Methods for creating concentrated plant material solution, including combining ethanol-soluble, water-insoluble concentrated plant material with ethanol to define mixtures and reducing the amount of ethanol in the mixtures until the mixtures have viscosities compatible for use with electronic cigarettes. Some examples include combining ethanol-soluble, water-insoluble concentrated plant material, hydrocarbon bases, and liquid solutions containing ethanol to define mixtures, removing the hydrocarbon bases from the mixtures, and reducing the ethanol content of the mixtures until the mixtures define viscosities compatible for use with electronic cigarettes. Some examples include extracting solute from source materials and including the extracted solute in the ethanol-soluble, water-insoluble concentrated plant material.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions which can be applied to surfaces and materials to clean or condition the surfaces or materials which provide an enhanced level of non-toxicity and biodegradability by conforming to EcoLogo CCD-146 and Green Seal standards.

Abstract: The invention is related to a contact lens care solution comprising a buffer solution, a chelating agent, a surfactant and a wetting agent, wherein the wetting agent comprises 100 parts by weight of glycerol, 0.5 to 40 parts by weight of vinylacetamide-containing polymer and 5 to 40 parts by weight of alginic acid.

Abstract: Certain alkyl mono-alcohols provide low temperature stability benefits to isotropic liquid detergent compositions.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a turbine engine includes directing a cleaning solution towards a component of the turbine engine having a layer of foreign material thereon, the cleaning solution including water, a first organic acidic component, a second organic acidic component, isopropylamine sulphonate, alcohol ethoxylate, triethanol amine, and sodium lauriminodipropionate. The cleaning solution has a pH between 2.5 and 7.0.

Abstract: Compositions include a water-soluble polymer, silica nanoparticles, and a combination of a nonionic and anionic dispersed in an aqueous liquid phase. The polymer is a water-soluble copolymer of acrylic acid and an acrylamide, or a salt of the same. Methods of using the compositions to clean and coat a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Self-adhesive detergent compositions are described including a pH-sensitive color-changing system. The color-changing system is useful with certain acidic compositions and certain alkaline compositions. The compositions have a given color upon application to a hard surface, e.g., a toilet bowl. In one embodiment, when the self-adhesive composition is exposed to a water-based rinse, such as on flushing a toilet, the color-changing system provides the released cleaning portion of the composition, and thereby the water, with a color different from the color of the composition to indicate cleaning is occurring. In another embodiment, following exposure to a plurality of rinses, the color-changing system changes the color of the composition when the composition is near depletion to provide an “end-of-use” cue.

Abstract: A method of treating a fabric, where the method includes a washing step and a rinsing step. A multi-component fabric treatment system, wherein the system includes a first component comprising a detergent composition, and where the system further includes a second component comprising a softener composition.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for the microfluidic manipulation and/or detection of particles, such as cells and/or beads. The invention provides systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for the microfluidic manipulation and/or analysis of particles, such as cells, viruses, organelles, beads, and/or vesicles. The invention also provides microfluidic mechanisms for carrying out these manipulations and analyses. These mechanisms may enable controlled input, movement/positioning, retention/localization, treatment, measurement, release, and/or output of particles. Furthermore, these mechanisms may be combined in any suitable order and/or employed for any suitable number of times within a system.

Abstract: A culture bag for culturing adherent cells is provided without requiring a highly clean production environment and a complex production step such as a masking step. An adherent cell culture vessel that is formed of a polyolefin is configured so that part or the entirety of the inner surface of the culture vessel has a static water contact angle of 95° or more, and has an advancing contact angle and a receding contact angle that satisfy the inequality “advancing contact angle?receding contact angle>25°” when water runs down along the inner surface.

Abstract: A carrier for growing stem cells is provided, the carrier comprises a substrate comprising one or more outer surfaces; and a hydrophilic, water soluble coating material disposed and dried on one or more of the outer surfaces. The carrier comprises one or more structured indentations on one or more of the outer surfaces, wherein the carrier has a length at least about 0.2 mm, a width at least about 0.2 mm, and a height in a range from about 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm and each of the structured indentations has a major axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, a minor axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and a depth in a range from about 0.025 mm to about 0.5 mm. A method of culturing stem cells and stromal cells using the same carrier are also provided.

Abstract: The invention describes a gas permeable fluoropolymer and silicone material used in the construction of cell culture bags.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for optimising the usage of laboratory and cell culturing space for cell culture and biomanufacturing. The invention provides a system and method that can be used to provide a plurality of workstations and/or storage bays for bioreactors in cell culturing and/or biomanufacturing facilities.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for interfering with viability of bacteria and related compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The production of a diutan polysaccharide exhibiting increased viscosity properties as compared with previously produced polysaccharide of the same type of repeating units. Such an improved diutan polysaccharide is produced through the generation of a derivative of Sphingomonas sp. ATCC 53159 that harbors a multicopy broad host-range plasmid into which genes for biosynthesis of diutan polysaccharide have been cloned. The inventive methods of production of such an improved diutan polysaccharide, as well as the novel cloned genes required to produce the improved diutan within such a method, are also encompassed within this invention. Additionally, the novel engineered Sphingomonas strain including the needed DNA sequence is encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a neutralized glucomannan scaffold capable of promoting cell growth and suitable for three-dimensional tissue culture and engineering. The present invention also provides methods for making and degrading the neutralized glucomannan scaffold. The present invention further provides a method of growing cells on a neutralized glucomannan scaffold.

Abstract: The present invention is based in part on a chemically defined method of generating neural stem cells (NSCs) and dopaminergic (DA) neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). The DA neurons of the invention can be derived from hPSCs and NSCs. The present invention also provides reagents and kits useful for the derivation of neural stem cells and dopaminergic neurons from human pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of warmers, or autonomous heat packs, for heating and maintaining a solution on at a suitable temperature, for the period of time required to accomplish a chemical, biochemical or biological reaction, in particular in molecular biology or cell biology applications. Biology kits containing warmers are also part of this invention.

Abstract: Methods for generating iPSCs and differentiated cells of interest by reprogramming donor cells that have been obtained in a non-invasive manner. In particular, the donor cells are exfoliated epithelial urine cells. The differentiated cells can be obtained by differentiation of the reprogrammed iPSCs or by direct reprogramming the urine cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides for identification and use of small molecules to induce pluripotency in mammalian cells as well as other methods of inducing pluripotency.

Abstract: A fiber includes one or more layers of polymer surrounding a central lumen, and living animal cells disposed within the lumen and/or within at least one of the one or more layers, wherein the fiber has an outer diameter of between 5 and 8000 microns and wherein each individual layer of polymer has a thickness of between 0.1 and 250 microns. Also disclosed are model tissues including such fibers, and method of making such fibers. The fibers can serve as synthetic blood vessels, ducts, or nerves.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition useful to prepare high titer influenza viruses, e.g., in the absence of helper virus, which includes at least five internal genes from an influenza virus isolate that replicates to high titers in embryonated chicken eggs or MDCK cells.

Abstract: Novel glucose oxidase (GOx) variants are disclosed that have the substitutions of T30V and I94V set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, and additionally at least one further amino acid substitution in the enzyme sequence in any of the positions S53; A137; A173; A332; F414 and V560. The GOx variants herein exhibit specificity for glucose and significantly reduced oxygen consumption rates and/or increased enzyme activity for electron mediators other than oxygen. Also provided are assay devices incorporating at least one of the GOx variants herein for improved blood glucose measurements.

Abstract: Genetically modified proteins with uricolytic activity are described. Proteins comprising truncated urate oxidases and methods for producing them, including PEGylated proteins comprising truncated urate oxidase are described.

Abstract: Genetically modified proteins with uricolytic activity are described. Proteins comprising truncated urate oxidases and methods for producing them, including PEGylated proteins comprising truncated urate oxidase are described.

Abstract: Two novel cytochrome P450 genes are isolated from sorghum, each gene encoding a protein having pentadecatrienyl resorcinol hydroxylase activity. Expression vectors containing these sequences are made and used to elevate levels of pentadecatrienyl resorcinol hydroxylase in transgenic cells and organisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are an amino acid sequence of myrmecia incise reisigl diacylgycerol acyltransferase, an encoding gene sequence and application thereof. Specifically, based on myrmecia incise reisigl transcriptome sequencing data, cloning to obtain full-length cDNA and full-length DNA sequences of a myrmecia incise reisigl diacylgycerol acyltransferase gene, and expressing the gene in yeast TAG synthesis defect strain H1246, finding that an encoded protein thereof has a capability for synthesizing a TAG, and using a substrate preference experiment to prove that the encoded protein of the gene tends to C18:1 fatty acid.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan with a weight average degree of polymerization (DPw) of at least 1000. This glucan polymer comprises at least 30% alpha-1,3 linkages and at least 30% alpha-1,6 linkages. Further disclosed are glucosyltransferase enzymes that synthesize poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan. Ether derivatives of poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan and methods of using such derivatives as viscosity modifiers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A practical method for enzymatically synthesizing c-di-GMP with excellent productivity is provided. A diguanylate cyclase having physical and chemical characteristics (A) to (F): (A) catalytic action on reaction “2 GTP?c-di-GMP”; (B) a molecular weight of 19800±2000; (C) an optimum pH of 7.3 to 9.4; (D) an optimum temperature of 35 to 60° C.; (E) thermal stability as the remaining activity of 90% or higher after heated for 60 minutes under conditions of 50° C. and pH7.8; and (F) the presence of GGDEF (SEQ ID NO:26) domain and the lack of amino acid sequence KXXD (SEQ ID NO:23) in the i-site.

Abstract: A new method of RNA-PAP was developed that can directly amplify RNA template without additional treatment. RNA-PAP brings in a new mechanism for amplification of RNA template in which RNA-dependent DNA pyrophosphorolysis and RNA-dependent DNA polymerization are serially coupled using 3? blocked primers. Due to this serial coupling, RNA-PAP has high selectivity against mismatches on the RNA template, providing highly specific amplification of RNA template. In addition, mutant polymerases were genetically engineered for higher efficiency of RNA-dependent DNA pyrophosphorolysis and RNA-dependent DNA polymerization.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved alkaline phosphatases, pharmaceutical compositions comprising improved alkaline phosphatases and the use of improved alkaline phosphatases for preventing, treating or curing diseases.

Abstract: Engineered CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases with altered and improved PAM specificities and their use in genomic engineering, epigenomic engineering, and genome targeting.

Abstract: Engineered CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases with improved specificity and their use in genomic engineering, epigenomic engineering, genome targeting, and genome editing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity, catalytic domains, cellulose binding domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains. 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, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains.

Abstract: Polypeptides having endoglucanase activity, catalytic domains, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides or catalytic domains. Nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides or catalytic domains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium composition for production of botulinum toxin and, more particularly, to a medium composition for culture of Clostridium sp. capable of producing botulinum toxin. The medium composition of the present invention comprises at least one plant-derived peptone selected from the group consisting of a garden pea hydrolysate, a cotton seed hydrolysate and a wheat gluten hydrolysate. When the medium according to the present invention, which contains plant-derived peptones and minerals, is used for culture of Clostridium botulinum, the growth rate of the bacterium in the medium is about 1.5-2 times higher than that in the medium that is in current use. In addition, when botulinum toxin is produced by culturing the bacterium in the medium, infection with transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) or the like can be prevented by blocking introduction of animal-derived components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protease variants and methods for obtaining protease variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The invention relates to an encapsulating device (100), which is designed to encapsulate a sample (1, 2) in a polymer capsule, comprising a drop generator (10), which is designed to provide a drop (3) of a suspension, which drop contains the sample (1), and a cross-linking device (20), which is designed to polymerize the drop (3), wherein the drop generator (10) has a retaining device (11), which is designed to accommodate the drop (3) in a hanging state, and the cross-linking device (20) is designed to feed a polymerization substance to the hanging drop (3) on the retaining device (11) and to form the polymer capsule. The invention further relates to a method for encapsulating a sample (1, 2) in a polymer capsule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device for extracting and isolating DNA from cells. The device includes a support having an inlet port for receiving a sample containing a cell, an outlet port for dispensing DNA isolated from the cell, and a microfluidic channel disposed within the support and extending from the inlet port to the outlet port. The microfluidic channel includes a micropillar array, an inflow channel disposed between the inlet port and the micropillar array, and an outflow channel disposed between the micropillar array and the outlet port. The micropillar array includes micropillars spatially configured to entrap, by size exclusion, the cell, to immobilize DNA released from the cell, and to maintain the immobilized DNA in elongated or non-elongated form when hydrodynamic force is applied to the microfluidic channel. Systems and methods of making and using the device are also provided herein.

Abstract: A fluid sample extraction device is disclosed comprising a housing defining an internal fluid passage having a distal open end and a proximal open end and a porous medium within the fluid passage, between the distal open end and proximal open end. The porous medium, which may be glass, is configured to allow fluid flow in the fluid passage to flow around the porous medium, toward the proximal open end of the housing, when fluid is drawn from the distal open end toward the proximal open end, and to allow fluid in the fluid passage to flow toward the distal open end of the housing, through the porous medium when the fluid is forced toward the distal open end. The porous medium is also configured to capture nucleic acids in the porous medium from the fluid when fluid is forced through the porous medium. Devices and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating a repertoire of recombinant fusion polypeptides from immune cells, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating a repertoire of recombinant fusion polypeptides from immune cells, and uses thereof.