Abstract: An acid soluble defluidizing pill for reducing fluid loss in a wellbore is provided that includes an oleaginous or non-oleaginous base fluid; at least one synthetic fiber; and at least one inorganic crystalline fiber; in which one or more of the synthetic fiber and the inorganic crystalline fiber are at least substantially acid soluble.

Abstract: Inhibiting gas hydrate formation while transporting hydrocarbon fluids may include providing a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor, adding the kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor to a fluid capable of producing gas hydrates, and transporting the fluid that comprises the kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor. Generally a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor may include a heterocyclic compound comprising nitrogen, e.g., polyvinyl pyrrolidone).

Abstract: Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, one method includes using a latex emulsion to treat well bore tar comprising. The method comprises providing a latex emulsion comprising a tar stabilizing polymer and water, combining the latex emulsion with alcohol, introducing a treatment fluid comprising the latex emulsion into a well bore, and contacting tar resident in the well bore with the treatment fluid wherein the latex emulsion at least partially reduces the tendency of the tar to adhere to a surface.

Abstract: Consolidation compositions comprising a multipodal silane coupling agent comprising at least two silane groups and at least one amino group; a curable resin; and a resin hardening agent. The curable resin is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy resin, an aliphatic epoxy resin, a glycidylamine epoxy resin, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising the following steps: a) preparing an internal olefin sulfonate, comprising sulfonating an internal olefin into sulfonated internal olefin followed by contacting sulfonated internal olefin with a base containing solution resulting in the internal olefin sulfonate, wherein sulfonated internal olefin is contacted with the base containing solution in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant, and/or after step a) but before step b), the internal olefin sulfonate and said non-ionic surfactant are combined; b) transporting an aqueous solution comprising the internal olefin sulfonate and the non-ionic surfactant to the location of the hydrocarbon containing formation; c) providing the internal olefin sulfonate and the non-ionic surfactant to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation; and d) allowing the internal olefin sulfonate and the non-ionic surfactant to interact with the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon c

Abstract: An apparatus and method sinters or partially sinters green pellets in a selected temperature range to make proppant particles as the green pellets pass through a first central portion of the first vortex gas flow and exit the second end of the first cylindrical vessel and/or pass through a second central portion of the second vortex flow and exit the fourth end of the second cylindrical vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a fluoride fluorescent material, comprising: contacting a fluoride particles represented by the following general formula (I): K2[M1?aMn4+aF6]??(I) wherein M is at least one member selected from the group consisting of elements belonging to Groups 4 and 14 of the Periodic Table, and a satisfies the relationship: 0<a<0.2; with a solution containing alkaline earth metal ions in the presence of a reducing agent to form an alkaline earth metal fluoride on the surface of the fluoride particles.

Abstract: The invention provides an etching solution, comprising: 10 to 30 wt % of phosphoric acid; 2 to 20 wt % of nitric acid; 6 to 18 wt % of hydrofluoric acid; 5 to 10 wt % of hydrochloric acid; and water, wherein the weight percentages are based on the weight of the etching solution. The etching solution can be used for thinning the substrate in large-scale production, dissolving the precipitated impurities attached to the surface of the substrate after substrate thinning so as to remove effectively the impurities on the surface of the substrate, improve the qualified ratio and passed ratio of a product, and at the same time, provide the effective insurance for controlling the thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: The means concerns a liquid crystal composition that has negative dielectric anisotropy and that comprises a specific compound having a high stability to ultraviolet light as a first component, wherein the composition may comprise a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a second component, and a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy as a third component, and a specific compound having a polymerizable group as an additive component.

Abstract: A pyrolysis apparatus, including a retort tube in a closed loop configuration the retort tube defining a single entrance point and two exit points, a vortex separator joined to retort tube; and a plurality of fins positioned in spiraling rows about the retort tube, the fins extending through and sealed to a wall of the retort tube, the fins simultaneously extending beyond either side of the wall and being positioned to be a static mixer inside and outside the retort tube.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for producing deasphalted bitumen and heavy bitumen compositions from oil sands and processes for upgrading the bitumen compositions. The processes for producing the deasphalted bitumen and heavy bitumen compositions involve a Phase I and/or Phase II extraction solvent. According to the Phase I process, a high quality oil sands-derived, deasphalted bitumen can be produced using a Phase I type solvent. According to the Phase II process, a substantial amount of the heavy bitumen on the oil sand can be extracted using a Phase II type solvent, while producing a relatively a tailings by-product that is non-harmful to the environment. The heavy bitumen from the Phase II type extraction process can be hydroprocessed for ready conversion into relatively high volumes of high quality transportation fuels.

Abstract: The present development is a catalyst composition, comprising zinc oxide nanowires having one or more catalytically-active metal particles attached to a surface of the zinc oxide nanowires. The catalytically-active metal particles are comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, copper, and platinum. The present development further discloses a method to prepare the catalyst composition, and use of the catalyst composition for desulfurization.

Abstract: A hydrocracking catalyst having a support of a composite of mesoporous materials, molecular sieves and alumina, is used in the last bed of a multi-bed system for treating heavy crude oils and residues and is designed to increase the production of intermediate distillates having boiling points in a temperature range of 204° C. to 538° C., decrease the production of the heavy fraction (>538° C.), and increase the production of gasoline fraction (<204° C.). The feedstock to be processed in the last bed contains low amounts of metals and is lighter than the feedstock that is fed to the first catalytic bed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for hydrocracking of petroleum heavy oil containing a heavy metal component, comprising a supplying step of supplying a raw material slurry containing the petroleum heavy oil and an iron-based catalyst as well as a hydrogen gas to a hydrocracking reactor; a hydrocracking step of hydrocracking the petroleum heavy oil in the hydrocracking reactor; a recovering step of recovering a residual oil component containing the iron-based catalyst from a product after the hydrocracking step; a disintegrating step of disintegrating the iron-based catalyst of the recovered residual oil component to acquire a disintegrated iron-based catalyst; and a resupplying step of resupplying a processed residual oil component containing the disintegrated iron-based catalyst to the hydrocracking reactor. At the disintegrating step, the iron-based catalyst may be pulverized by a pulverizing machine. The iron-based catalyst may be limonite.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a metal ferrite oxygen carrier for the chemical looping combustion of solid carbonaceous fuels, such as coal, coke, coal and biomass char, and the like. The metal ferrite oxygen carrier comprises MFexOy, where MFexOy is a chemical composition with 1.5?x?2.5 and 3.5?y?4.5 and M is one of Ca, Ba, and combinations thereof. For example, MFexOy may be one of CaFe2O4, BaFe2O4, MgFe2O4. SrFe2O4 and combinations thereof. Mixing of the metal ferrite oxygen carrier and the solid carbonaceous fuel generates a product stream comprising at least 50 vol. % CO and H2. The MFexOy may be supported on an inert support. In an embodiment, the MFexOy comprises at least 30 wt. % of the metal ferrite oxygen carrier the inert support when present comprises from about 5 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of the metal ferrite oxygen carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a catalyst system, such as a mixed catalyst composition, that can be used to make biofuel. In some embodiments, the mixed catalyst composition can comprise an inorganic catalyst and an organic catalyst, such as a cyclic organic catalyst. In particular disclosed embodiments, a mixed catalyst composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of an inorganic catalyst and an organic catalyst can be used to enhance the production of biofuel, such as biodiesel, by reducing the amount of time needed to make the biofuel as compared to that needed for the inorganic catalyst or the organic catalyst independently. Also disclosed herein are combinations and kits comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of embodiments of a mixed catalyst composition.

Abstract: The use of a complex ester obtainable by esterification reaction between aliphatic linear or branched C2- to C12-dicarboxylic acids, aliphatic linear or branched polyhydroxy alcohols with 3 to 6 hydroxyl groups, and, as chain stopping agents, aliphatic linear or branched C1- to C30-monocarboxylic acids or aliphatic linear or branched monobasic Ci- to C30-alcohols, as an additive in a fuel.

Abstract: A sliding machine includes: a pair of sliding members having sliding surfaces that oppose each other and are able to move relative to each other; and a lubricating oil which is able to be interposed between the opposed sliding surfaces, in which at least one of the sliding surfaces is covered with a chromium (Cr)-containing amorphous carbon film (chromium-coating DLC), and the lubricating oil contains an oil-soluble molybdenum compound having a chemical structure formed from a trinuclear material of molybdenum (Mo). Specifically, the chromium-coating DLC contains, when the entirety of the film is assumed to be 100 at. %, 1% to 49% of Cr, 0% to 30% of hydrogen (H), carbon (C) as a remainder, and impurities. The lubricating oil contains 5 ppm to 800 ppm of the oil-soluble molybdenum compound in terms of Mo mass ratio with respect to the entirety of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: A tribologically modified polyoxymethylene polymer composition is disclosed. The polyoxymethylene polymer composition is comprised of a polyoxymethylene polymer and at least one tribological modifier. The tribological modifier may comprise at least one tribological modifier comprising an ultra-high molecular weight silicone having a kinematic viscosity of greater than 100,000 mm2s?1. The composition may exhibit a dynamic coefficient of friction against a counter-material of from about 0.01 to about 0.15. The polyoxymethylene polymer compositions provide polymer articles with improved tribological properties and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A particulate composite lubricant for powder metallurgy comprises: first discrete particles comprising at least about 90 wt % of a fatty primary monoamide wax, being substantially free of fatty bisamide wax, and being at least partially coated with metal oxide nanoparticles and second metal-stearate free discrete particles comprising a fatty bisamide wax. A particulate composite lubricant for powder metallurgy can comprise: a Montan acid ester wax and at least one fatty amide wax comprising at least one of a fatty monoamide wax and a fatty bisamide wax.

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: This invention generally relates to the isolation of molecules exhibiting vitamin E activity, e.g. tocopherols and/or tocotrienols, from mixed lipid feedstocks. In alternative embodiments, the inventions provides methods and industrial processes for isolating vitamin E molecules, including tocopherols and/or tocotrienols, from mixed lipid feedstocks by combining the feedstock with an alcohol and reacting the mixture at or above the critical point of the alcohol, and then optionally separating the products into discreet fractions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing glyceride type polyunsaturated fatty acids. The method comprises: firstly mixing a basic catalyst with glycerol or a glyceride uniformly; then adding the mixture to a polyunsaturated fatty acid material slowly, and carrying out an esterification reaction under certain conditions to obtain glyceride type polyunsaturated fatty acids, wherein the basic catalyst is a lower aliphatic alcohol sodium/potassium or a solution thereof. The procedure of the process is simple, has mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, high yield and good quality of the obtained product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thickening concentrate for continuously producing a liquid cationic formulation of domestic cleaners or fabric softeners and to a method for continuously producing a liquid cationic formulation of domestic cleaners or fabric softeners, in which method a thickening concentrate according to the invention is used. The invention further relates to a formulation that can be obtained in accordance with the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Surfactant systems are provided using microfibrous cellulose to suspend particulates. In one embodiment the surfactant system includes a microfibrous cellulose at a concentration from about 0.05% to about 1.0% (w/w), a surfactant at a concentration of about 5% to about 50% (w/w active surfactant), and a particulate. Also provided herein are methods for preparing surfactant systems including microfibrous cellulose.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides with lipase activity. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; compositions comprising the polynucleotides and methods of using the polypeptides or the compositions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for formulating and utilizing chemical gel formulations, particularly with respect to cooling tower fill cleaning operations.

Abstract: Solid textile- and/or skin-care compositions encompassing a water-soluble particle and a water-insoluble particle that contains a water-insoluble carrier and a textile- and/or skin-care compound. Also, textile-softening washing detergents or cleaning agents encompassing the textile- and/or skin-care composition.

Abstract: To provide a microorganism culture vessel that can control existence of invading foreign matters and put a large amount of sample therein, a microorganism test kit, a method for testing a dialysate, a method for culturing the microorganism, a method for testing the microorganism and a method for producing the microorganism culture vessel. The invention includes the microorganism culture vessel, including an inlet-equipped culture bag in which a sheet-like medium is put and sealed.

Abstract: Provided are a neurovascular unit (NVU)-on-a-chip and a method of fabricating the same, which 3-dimensionally integrates various human brain cells in a microfluidic platform by using a brain cell co-culture technique so as to simulate a similar environment to the human brain in vitro. The NVU-on-a-chip includes an extracellular matrix (ECM) simulation material (70) in a gel state; and at least one channel (75) which passes through the ECM simulation material (70) and perfuses a culture medium, in which the ECM simulation material (70) contains a plurality of types of human brain cells on an outer side of the channel (75), a brain microvessel endothelial cell lining (91) is formed on an inner side of the channel (75), and the plurality of types of human brain cells and the brain microvessel endothelial cell lining (91) contact each other through the channel (75) to simulate a blood brain barrier (BBB) of a human brain and a neurovascular unit (NVU) of the human brain including the BBB.

Abstract: A single-use bioreactor, suitable in particular for use in a parallel bioreactor system for applications in cell culture and/or microbiology, a head plate for such a single-use bioreactor and a process for manufacturing the single-use bioreactor and the head plate. The single-use bioreactor comprises a head plate, a dimensionally stable container and a mixer, the head plate and the container enclosing a reaction chamber, and the mixer having a mixer shaft and a stirring member, said mixer shaft being mounted rotatably about a rotational axis in a bearing and the stirring member being fastened torsionally rigidly to the mixer shaft. The mixer and the bearing are arranged entirely within the reaction chamber and the mixer shaft has a magnetic portion which is arranged and adapted in such a way that it can be coupled magnetically in an axial direction to a rotary drive.

Abstract: The invention provides a culture plate made from a polymer incorporating a culture component releasable into culture media in the well, methods of culturing a microorganisms in the culture plate, and a methods of making the culture plate.

Abstract: Bioreactor system and method for cloning the physiological state of microorganisms comprises in preferred embodiment of a mother-reactor and one or more daughter-reactors with sensors, stirrers, fluid and gas flow channels, scales, pumps, controllers, computer, software, valves and accessory devices. The bioreactors are inter-connected with culture transfer hose. To achieve the method, the mother-reactor is filled with necessary volume, inoculated, stabilised in continuous cultivation, the microbial culture's volume is increased in variable volume cultivation while maintaining constant physiology, microbial culture is transferred from the mother-reactor into the daughter-reactors while maintaining constant physiology, experiment in the daughter reactor follows. After the experiment daughter-reactors are sterilized and rinsed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises: a hopper for feeding biomass; a horizontal extruder comprising a cylindrical housing and a rotatable screw mounted in the housing, in which one side of the housing is connected to the hopper, and an outlet provided at the other side of the housing is connected to an inlet for feeding biomass into a refiner; and a refiner comprising a stator disc having a cooling water space formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, one or more enzyme feeding holes provided in a refining region adjacent to the circumference of the stator disc, and a biomass inlet provided at the central portion thereof, and a refining disc which is disposed so as to form a gap with the inner surface of the stator disc and to have a refining region opposite to that of the stator disc and is rotated by a separate motor.

Abstract: A method of precipitating cell membrane fragments from a cell lysate is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the cell lysate with a hydrophobic chelator and a metal ion under conditions that allow precipitation of the cell membrane fragments. Kits for precipitating cell membrane fragments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell culture media comprising inorganic ester derivatives of tyrosine and/or cysteine. The poor solubility of tyrosine and the often non-sufficient stability of cysteine in cell culture media is overcome by substituting them with an inorganic ester derivative, e.g. with a phosphorylated derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transduced T cell precursor prepared by introducing a gene construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein) to a T cell precursor and overexpressing the C/EBP thereby, wherein the transduced T cell precursor is capable of differentiating into a regulatory T cell and an induced regulatory T cell differentiated therefrom. The transduced T cell precursor and the induced regulatory T cell may be useful for preventing and treating autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases and graft rejections caused by the malfunction of immune response.

Abstract: Described are compositions of matter, protocols, and treatment means for induction of immune mediated killing in dogs suffering from cancer. The invention provides means of extracting peripheral blood from a canine patient, expanding immunocytes capable of killing cancer cells in vitro, and re-administering said immunocytes into a patient in need of therapy. In one embodiment, immunocytes expanded are T cells possessing tumor cytotoxic activity induced by stimulation of NKG2D.

Abstract: A tissue construct comprising includes a self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregate. The cell aggregate includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of biocompatible and degradable nanoparticles and/or microparticles that are incorporated within the cell aggregate. The nanoparticles and/or microparticles act as a bulking agent and/or provide bioactive agents or signals within the cell aggregate to increase the cell aggregate size and/or thickness and improve the mechanical properties of the cell aggregate and/or regulate cell function within the aggregate allowing the cell aggregate to be readily manipulated and formed into tissue constructs with defined architectures and potential tissue specific functionality.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions, kits, and agents useful for inducing ? cell maturation, and isolated populations of SC-? cells for use in various applications, such as cell therapy.

Abstract: Use invention provides a method for producing polypeptide protein products and nucleic acid products having reduced levels of antigenicity in an animal being treated with a biologic product. Somatic cells are isolated from an animal, transformed into pluripotent stem cells, transfected with a nucleic acid(s) of interest, and re-differentiated towards somatic cells known to be high level producers of the desired nucleic acid product. The invention can be used to derive a general cell line to treat populations, racial specific cell lines to treat ethnic groups, or patient specific cell lines to treat individuals. Additionally, the invention provides a method to allow induced pluripotent stem cells to be re-differentiated towards their somatic cell of origin so that the cells can be used to therapeutically treat an animal without resulting teratoma formation.

Abstract: Improved methods for the production of reassortant influenza viruses are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for production of inactivated rotavirus directly from cell culture supernatants containing active or infectious rotavirus (e.g., bovine rotavirus), without prior isolation or purification of the rotavirus from the cell culture supernatants. In some embodiments, inactivated rotavirus (e.g., bovine rotavirus) is produced by heating a volume of culture supernatant to at least a temperature at which the rotavirus is inactivated. In some embodiments, the rotavirus (e.g., bovine rotavirus) is inactivated once the entire volume is heated to at least a temperature at which the rotavirus is inactivated. In some embodiments, the temperature of the cell culture supernatant is maintained for a suitable amount of time, which may be determined using any of the tests described herein. Inactivated rotavirus (e.g., bovine rotavirus) may then be isolated from the culture supernatant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated or recombinant polypeptide comprising or consisting of a modified P450 reductase which lacks N-terminal amino acids relative to the corresponding wild type P450 reductase and comprises an epitope tag comprising the sequence HDEL or KDEL. The modified P450 reductase, when co-expressed with a cytochrome P450, increases the activity and/or expression of the cytochrome P450 compared to the activity and/or expression of the cytochrome P450 when co-expressed with the wild type P450 reductase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gram positive bacterium, preferably a lactic acid bacterium (LAB) or Bifidobacterium, with increased stress resistance and/or improved manufacturing, processing and/or storage characteristics. In particular, the invention relates to a gram positive bacterium which accumulate intracellular trehalose. The gram positive bacterium according to the invention lack trehalose 6-phosphate phosphorylase (TrePP) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further lack cellobiose-specific PTS system IIC component (ptcC) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further overexpress trehalose transporters. The invention further relates to compositions comprising such gram positive bacterium as well as methods and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial nuclease comprising a DNA-binding domain and a function domain linked to each other via a polypeptide consisting of 35 to 55 amino acid residues wherein amino acid residues at two sites in a DNA-binding module contained in a DNA-binding domain exhibit a mode of repetition that is different for every four DNA-binding modules; a vector for expressing said artificial nuclease; a vector library for preparing said vector; and a vector set for preparing said vector library.

Abstract: A process for the production of an enzymatic cocktail with a cellulolytic microorganism comprises two phases: a phase a) for growth of said microorganism in a closed reactor in the presence of a carbonaceous growth solution; a phase b) for the production of said enzymatic cocktail carried out with a supply of carbonaceous production solution the concentration of carbonaceous substrate of which is in the range 150 to 400 g/L, said carbonaceous production solution comprising a carbonaceous inducer substrate; characterized in that said carbonaceous inducer substrate is a liquid residue obtained from a step for pre-treatment of lignocellulosic materials, the C5 sugar oligomers of which represent at least 1% by weight of the total sugars present in said liquid residue, and at least 0.3% by weight of the total sugars present in said carbonaceous production solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pullulanase variants having increased thermoactivity and comprising substitutions of the parent pullulanase at one or more positions corresponding to positions 393, 143, 150, 243, 244, 345, 346, 368, 370, 373, 381, 382, 385, 387, 402, 429, 430, 431, 432, 456, 486, 492, 610, 624, 631, 632, 665 and 699 of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3. 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. The variants are mainly derived from pullulanases from Bacillus deramificans, Bacillus acidopullulyticus or hybrid pullulanases.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid sequence comprising a sequence of contiguous nucleotides, wherein said sequence of contiguous nucleotides has at least 90% sequence identity to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and wherein said sequence of contiguous nucleotides encodes a single-chain BoNT/E1 protein. The present invention also provides methods for producing soluble single-chain BoNT/E1 protein in an E. coli host cell, together with methods for producing soluble di-chain BoNT/E1 protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having protease activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention further relates to the use of such polypeptides in detergent and/or in cleaning processes. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing the polypeptides.