Abstract: This invention relates to a new process to directly produce transportation gasoline from synthesis gas containing principally carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. The process entails three sequential catalytic stages with intermediate heat exchange to provide the requisite temperature in each stage, but with no interstage separation. The recycle loop enhances the conversion of the synthesis gas to the desired products and also serves as heat sink for the highly exothermic reactions involved in each stage.

Abstract: A process for recovering heat from the separation of hydrocarbons. The overhead vapor stream from a fractionation column is passed to a two stage heat pump compressor. The first stage of compression is used to reboil the fractionation column. The second stage is compressed and cooled passed to a separation zone. The liquid in the separation zone may be passed back to the fractionation column as secondary reflux, and/or recovered as liquid product. Heat may also be removed from the second stage. A suction drum on the first stage may be used to protect the heat pump compressor from any droplets in the overhead stream.

Abstract: An improved system and method for refining various types of used oil involves using solvents to treat used oil in a system designed to recycle the solvents and produce minimal waste byproducts. The system includes a main reactor for enabling the used oil and the solvents to react chemically and for wasted products to dissipate and separate through sedimentation. The system also includes a reservoir for providing a second opportunity for a chemical reaction and sedimentation of waste byproducts before the mixture of refined oil and solvents enter a housing unit configured to be heated to separate the refined oil from the solvents via vaporization and subsequent condensation. Thereby, the solvents are recycled and made available for reuse in further treatment of used oil.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for reducing the sulphur content of hydrocarbon feedstocks such as Natural Gas Condensate, Kerosene, Jet Fuel, Diesel, Vacuum Gas Oil and Fuel Oil. The process uses a tailored oxidation process comprising one or two oxidation steps to produce sulphoxides and/or sulphones. These sulphoxides and sulphones, while being still present in the liquid hydrocarbon streams, are subsequently extracted thereby producing a low sulphur hydrocarbon stream and optionally following further treatment of the sulphoxides and/or sulphones, produce a low sulphur aromatic hydrocarbon stream and an aqueous stream of sodium sulphite or sulphuric acid. The low sulphur hydrocarbon stream and low sulphur aromatic hydrocarbon stream may be individually recycled or combined for recycling.

Abstract: A method providing for the selective hydroprocessing of cracked naphtha feedstock to make a low-sulfur gasoline blending component. The method includes the use of two catalytic distillation stages in combination with two stripping columns and two fixed-bed reactors integrated in a novel arrangement so as to provide for the treatment of cracked naphtha feedstock that has a high sulfur concentration to yield exceptionally low-sulfur light cracked naphtha and heavy cracked naphtha products. The desulfurized light and heavy cracked naphtha are produced with a minimal amount of hydrogenation of the olefin content and at may suitably be used as gasoline blending components.

Abstract: Vapor and liquid flow concurrently down through a vertical vessel. A horizontal scale collection and predistribution tray is located in the vessel to remove solid contaminants and to redistribute the liquid to a fine distribution tray. The scale collection and predistribution tray consists of a tray plate with a scale collection zone where the solid contaminants settle and deposit. In one embodiment, an upstanding permeable wall forms the scale collection zone, and liquid is filtered as it flows through the permeable wall, leaving the solid contaminants trapped upstream from the permeable wall. The predistribution tray has a rim provided with a slotted weir. Liquid from the scale collection zone forms a liquid level in a trough located between the permeable wall and the weir. Due to the uniform liquid level in the trough, liquid flow rates through the slots in the weir are nearly equal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods using durable functional materials for processes that include an oxidation step. The durable functional materials are redox active oxygen carrier materials that include a zirconia or yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ) matrix containing a redox-active metal ion(s), such as, but not limited to Fe, Mn, Cu, Co and Cr. In an embodiment, these materials are used in chemical looping processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemical technology and equipment, in particular to apparatuses of processing of solid household and industrial waste, as well as other carbon-containing feedstock into combustible gasification gas and methods for pyrolysis and downdraft gasification process.

Abstract: A biogas blending and energy content verification system and method for controlled enhancement of a biogas feedstock stream energy content profile by selective sampling and analysis of the biogas feedstock stream and controlled injection of a refined gas of a known, higher energy content into the biogas feedstock stream to produce a blended biogas having an augmented energy content profile meeting or exceeding a pre-established minimum to meet end user requirements.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition and method of for providing an acceptable number of low-speed pre-ignition events in a boosted internal combustion engine using the lubricating oil composition. The lubricating oil composition includes greater than 50 wt. % of a base oil of lubricating viscosity, and an additive composition that includes an overbased calcium-containing detergent having a TBN greater than 225 mg KOH/g, and one or more zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate compounds are derived from a molar ratio of secondary alcohol to primary alcohol of 20:100 to about 100:0 and have an average total carbon content of greater than 10 carbon atoms per mole of phosphorous. The lubricating oil compositions contains the overbased calcium-containing detergent in an amount to provide greater than 900 ppm to less than 2400 ppm by weight calcium, and at least 0.01 wt. % of the zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate, both amounts based on the total weight of the lubricating oil composition.

Abstract: A lubricating oil comprises a base oil; and an anti-degradation additive comprising microcapsules, nanocapsules, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; the microcapsules and the nanocapsules each independently having a core of a neutralizing material and a polymeric encapsulant configured to release the neutralizing material in an acidic environment by breaking crosslinks or hydrogen bonds in the polymeric encapsulant. The released neutralizing material can prevent the formation of viscous, high molecular weight molecules thus enhancing the lifetime of the lubricating oil and improving its reliability.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an organic oil in steps, including the following: A) providing a raw oil; B) degumming the raw oil by adding water or acid to the raw oil and forming at least two phases, an aqueous phase and an oil phase, and separating the aqueous phase enriched in phospholipid from the oil phase; C) adding sodium hydrogencarbonate and/or sodium acetate to the oil phase from step B, and removing alkaline-earth compounds and/or phospholipids and/or stearyl glycosides, in solution or suspension in an aqueous phase, from the oil phase.

Abstract: A novel fragrance carrier comprising 1,2,3-triacetoxypropane (triacetin) of formula I:

Abstract: An automatic dishwashing detergent composition having a pH as measured in 1% weight aqueous solution at 25° C. of from about 5 to about 7.5, the composition including an esterified alkyl alkoxylated surfactant of general formula (I) wherein R is a branched or unbranched alkyl radical having 8 to 16 carbon atoms; R3, R1 independently of one another, are hydrogen or a branched or unbranched alkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R2 is an unbranched alkyl radical having 5 to 17 carbon atoms; 1, n independently of one another, are a number from 1 to 5 and m is a number from 13 to 35.

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: An oxygen-based cleaning composition, comprises a cleaning formulation in powder form, wherein the cleaning formulation includes a hydrogen peroxide addition compound layer comprising a hydrogen peroxide addition compound powder for producing hydrogen peroxide, a surfactant layer formed by coating an outer surface of the hydrogen peroxide addition compound layer with a liquid surfactant, and a saponin layer formed by coating an outer surface of the surfactant layer with a saponin powder.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods of use, and methods of manufacture for an intercalated bleach compound and compositions thereof. The intercalated bleach compound has the formula Mx(OCl)y(O)m(OH)n where M is an alkaline earth metal such as magnesium, calcium or mixture thereof. The values of x and y independently equal any number greater than or equal to 1 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), and m and n independently equal any number greater than or equal to 0 (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), but m and n are not both 0. In addition, the molar ratio of the alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium or calcium) to hypochlorite is at least 3:1. In other words, x is ?3y. The compounds exhibit excellent stability, little or no chlorine bleach odor, exhibit excellent pH buffering characteristics, and less reactivity with organic materials as compared to alternative chlorine bleach products.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for producing of hop aroma from hop oil that uses only carbon dioxide and ethanol as solvents. It also covers ‘green’ aromas produced by that method and the beers produced using these ‘green’ aromas.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and processing organic waste by anaerobic bioconversion comprising a closed tank which is the bioconversion site, provided in the top portion thereof with a gasometric bell for storing and pressurizing the biogas produced, around which the external members of the apparatus are distributed on a pod which also forms the support for a body of the digester. The tank, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a main enclosure which is the bioconversion site, and a secondary central enclosure called the crop, intended to receive and store the organic waste to be processed before the dosing of same into the main enclosure to complete the bioconversion. The crop forms a removable subassembly that can be configured in different ways, with a circulation and distribution block on which it is secured and with a liquid-solid phase separator which is mounted over same.

Abstract: The current is directed to a device comprising, a reaction chamber where a reaction takes place, one or more feeding chambers which contain feeding solution comprising chemicals required for the reaction, and one or more porous membranes separating the reaction chamber from the one or more feeding chambers, and wherein the one or more porous membranes are in substantially vertical position. The current invention is also directed to an apparatus comprising a plurality of devices, wherein each device comprises of a reaction chamber where a reaction takes place, one or more feeding chambers which contain feeding solution comprising chemicals required for the reaction, and one or more porous membranes which separate the reaction chamber from feeding chambers, wherein the one or more porous membranes are in substantially vertical position. These devices and apparatuses can be used for high throughput synthesis of biomolecules and chemicals and biological screening assays.

Abstract: In some embodiments the present invention provides perfusion bioreactors and cell culture scaffolds suitable for the preparation of tissue grafts, such as bone tissue grafts. In some embodiments, the perfusion bioreactors comprise a graft chamber and/or a graft chamber insert configured to hold a tissue graft having a certain shape and/or certain dimensions, and/or to allow culture of such tissue grafts under press-fit direct perfusion conditions. In some embodiments, the perfusion bioreactors comprise an equilibration chamber.

Abstract: A bioreactor system for stem cell expansion has a fluid-filled reactor chamber in which stem cells are cultured. The culture compartment of the reactor chamber is transversed by a perfusion core with multiple niche-like scaffolds positioned along the length of the perfusion core. The bioreactor system also uses a media gas exchange module that is free standing and does not require its inclusion in a CO2 incubator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining fluid flow (e.g., sterile media flow, filtrate flow, etc.) through tubing is provided. The apparatus includes an air source, a flow valve, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a media tubing section extending between the first sensor and the second sensor. In operation, air from the air source is introduced by the flow valve into a fluid flow to create a lead line of fluid immediately following the introduced air. As the lead line of fluid passes each sensor, the sensors are used to determine a time between when the lead line passes the first sensor and the second sensor and that determined elapsed time is used, along with a determined volume of the media tubing section to determine the rate of flow of the fluid flow.

Abstract: Disclosed are a cell determination device, a cell determination method, and a non-transitory computer readable recording medium recorded with a cell determination program capable of objectively determining a state of a cell with high accuracy. The cell determination device includes: a cell information acquisition unit 31 that acquires information relating to a proliferation rate of a cell and information relating to a movement distance of the cell per unit time based on plural cell images obtained by imaging the cell in a time series manner; and a determination unit 32 that determines a state of the cell based on the information relating to the proliferation rate and the information relating to the movement distance.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a distributed bioreactor system in which a plurality of modular bioreactors are operated in parallel to produce and maintain a biological cell culture. A central or nurse perfusion bioreactor produces and maintains a cell culture and transfers portions of the cell culture to a plurality of modular peripheral perfusion bioreactors, each of which produces and maintains the cell culture in turn. In order to prevent contamination and facilitate segregation of particular peripheral bioreactors, the distributed system is configured such that one-way fluid communication is established from the central/nurse bioreactor to each of the peripheral bioreactors while maintaining fluid isolation among the peripheral bioreactors. Each modular peripheral bioreactor unit has a plug-and-play configuration and may be plugged into or otherwise coupled to the central/nurse bioreactor to scale up the overall size of the cell culture without requiring sterilization or redesign or reconfiguration of the system.

Abstract: A method of culturing Antrodia cinnamomea with high Triterpenoids includes mixing a malt extract, glucose, peptone, agar, and a mushroom's extract with distilled water to obtain a culture medium; providing the culture medium to a high-pressure sterilization machine for sterilization to obtain a sterilized culture medium; providing the sterilized culture medium to an incubator in a disinfection environment to obtain a solidified culture medium after a predetermined time; transplanting Antrodia cinnamomeas strains to the solidified culture medium at separated positions; and exposing the solidified culture medium under a beam.

Abstract: This invention provides gels and matrices having a rigidity in the range of 0.1-2.5 kPa, methods of manufacturing same, and method of preserving a mesenchymal stem cell population or studying mesenchymal stem cells, comprising same.

Abstract: A method for making a culture medium for culturing neural cells is provided. An original carbon nanotube structure is provided. The original carbon nanotube structure includes a drawn carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotubes joined end to end by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotubes are substantially oriented along the same direction. A carbon nanotube structure including a number of carbon nanotube wires spaced from each other is formed by treating the original carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure is fixed on a substrate.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated population of human pluripotent stem cells comprising at least 50% human pluripotent stem cells characterized by an OCT4+/TRA1-60?/TRA1-81?/SSEA1+/SSEA4? expression signature, and novel methods of generating and maintaining same in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state a suspension culture devoid of cell clumps. Also provided are novel culture media, cell cultures and methods for culturing pluripotent stem cells in a suspension culture or a two-dimensional culture system while maintaining the cells in a proliferative, pluripotent and undifferentiated state. The novel culture media comprise interleukin 11 (IL11) and Ciliay Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF); bFGF at a concentration of at least 50 ng/ml and an IL6RIL6 chimera; or an animal contaminant-free serum replacement and an IL6RIL6 chimera. Also provided are methods for generating lineage-specific cells from the pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a non-human, mammalian oocyte carrying a modified target sequence in its genome, the method comprising the steps of introducing into a non-human, mammalian oocyte: (a) a clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9 protein) or a nucleic acid molecule encoding said Cas9 protein; and (b-i) a target sequence specific CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and a trans-activating crRNA (tracr RNA) or a nucleic acid molecule encoding said RNAs; or (b-ii) a chimaeric RNA sequence comprising a target sequence specific crRNA and tracrRNA or a nucleic acid molecule encoding said RNA; wherein the Cas9 protein introduced in (a) and the RNA sequence(s) introduced in (b-i) or (b-ii) form a protein/RNA complex that specifically binds to the target sequence and introduces a single or double strand break within the target sequence.

Abstract: Methods for generating functional brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) under chemically defined, serum-free conditions are provided. In particular, efficient and cost-effective methods for generating functional BMECs under chemically defined culture conditions are provided. BMECs obtained according to the methods provided herein are suitable for in vitro blood brain barrier (BBB) formation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for somatic cell proliferation as well as increasing viability of somatic cells are provided. The compositions include heparin binding protein isolated from a medium conditioned by growth of pluripotent stem cells, such as, human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic carcinoma cells. The methods include contacting a somatic cell with a heparin binding protein composition for a sufficient period of time to provide for enhanced proliferation and/or viability of the somatic cell as compared to the absence of the heparin binding protein composition.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for preventing or treating neoplastic disease in a mammalian subject. A composition is provided which comprises an enriched immune cell population reactive to a human endogenous retrovirus type E antigen on a tumor cell. A method of treating a neoplastic disease in a mammalian subject is provided which comprises administering to a mammalian subject a composition comprising an enriched immune cell population reactive to a human endogenous retrovirus type E antigen, in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate the neoplastic disease or to prevent its occurrence or recurrence.

Abstract: Methods of preparing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compositions are disclosed which include adding CD34+ cells to the PRP composition. In addition, the concentration of stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in the PRP composition may be adjusted to a pre-determined value. The compositions may have elevated levels of white blood cells but reduced levels of neutrophils. Compositions produced by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing pancreatic endocrine cells, the method including introducing one or more genes of a GLIS family or one or more gene products thereof and a Neurogenin3 gene or one or more gene products thereof into somatic cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods, compositions, and kits for producing an induced pluripotent stem cell from a non-pluripotent mammalian cell using a 3?-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) activator or a compound that promotes glycolytic metabolism as well as other small molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) replication (Rep) sequences. In one embodiment, the invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding a chimeric protein, wherein the encoded chimeric protein contains a wild type AAV Rep inhibitory amino acid sequence, and wherein the nucleotide sequences contain a scrambled and/or deoptimized polynucleotide sequence encoding the wild type AAV Rep inhibitory amino acid sequence. The invention provides vectors, cells, and viruses containing the invention's sequences. Also provided are methods for detecting portions of the AAV Rep inhibitory amino acid sequence, which reduce replication and/or infection and/or productive infection by viruses. The invention's compositions and methods are useful for site-specific integration and/or expression of heterologous sequences by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors and by rAAV virus particles, such as hybrid viruses (e.g., Ad-AAV) comprising such vectors.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a vector which comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding the human C1 esterase inhibitor or Factor XII. The invention is also directed to a composition comprising the vector and a method of using the vector to treat or prevent hereditary angioedema.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the identification, cloning, and optimizing the lytic activity of one or more novel Bacillus lysin proteins, a method of selecting a lysin agent for use in molecular diagnostic testing that includes analyzing genome databases for Bacillus anthracis and near neighbors, selecting candidate genes encoding potential lytic enzymes based on conserved amino acid motifs as determined in peptidoglycan hydrolases, cloning the candidate genes in expression vector, isolating proteins thereof, and testing for lytic activity against Bacillus anthracis, and selecting an optimum gene of the candidate genes for optimizing lysis conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for heterologous expression of termite and termite-associated symbiont cellulases. The cellulases can, for example, be codon-optimized and expressed in yeast host cells, such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cellulases can also be co-expressed in host cells with other cellulases. The expression in such host cells of the termite and termite-associated symbiont cellulases, and variants and combinations thereof, result in yeast with improved cellulosic activity. Thus, such genes and expression systems are useful for efficient and cost-effective consolidated bioprocessing systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of an enzymatic cocktail from a cellulolytic microorganism producing cellulases and/or hemi-cellulases, comprising: a step for the production of enzymes with a medium being obtained containing enzymes and a microorganism must, said must is separated, or not separated, from the liquid containing said enzymes, a step of cooling said must to a temperature below the temperature of the enzyme production step and for a time such that the beta-glucosidase concentration of the liquid originating from the cooling step is greater than that of the liquid originating from the enzyme production step, and/or the solid volume/total volume ratio is less than said ratio for the enzyme production step, and an enzymatic cocktail is obtained at the end of the cooling step.

Abstract: Isolated and prepared heparinases SDhep I and SDhep II obtained from a bacterium Sphingobacterium daejeonense are heparin enzymes that have not been reported. The isolated and prepared enzymes were obtained by steps of bacterium fermentation, crude enzyme extraction, multi-step column chromatography and so on. A study in properties showed that the two enzymes are specific for enzymolysis of heparin and are expected to be used in low molecular weight heparins preparation or heparin quality testing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel polypeptides with 3-buten-2-ol dehydratase activity, polypeptides with catalytic activity in the conversion of 3-methyl-3-buten-2-ol to isoprene, and crystal structure data for one of such polypeptides. Methods of making and using the polypeptides and their related crystal structure data are also provided.

Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for modulating or altering metabolism in a cell using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC). The present method includes using a heparin-immobilized affinity chromatography column, and through chromatography method obtaining a purified ChABC from a matrix containing the ChABC. The present method is capable of obtaining ChABC in high purity with the advantages of simplicity in preparation and high yield.

Abstract: The subject innovation relates to a RNA binding buffer comprising (a) at least one chaotropic agent; and (b) an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of ethylene carbonate, ethylene glycol diacetate and 2-pyrrolidone or combinations thereof. The subject innovation further relates to a method of binding RNA to a solid support and to a method of isolating RNA both making use of the binding buffer of the subject innovation. The subject innovation finally relates to a kit comprising the RNA binding buffer or the organic solvent as relevant substance therein.

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

Abstract: Disclosed are vectors and compositions comprising a pol II promoter and an shRNA wherein the shRNA has a sense RNA strand and an antisense RNA strand, wherein the sense and the antisense RNA strands form an RNA duplex, and wherein the sense RNA strand comprises a nucleotide sequence identical to a target sequence in STAT3, VEGFR, or EPOR. Also disclosed are methods of treating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), methods of inhibiting expression of STAT3, VEGFR, and EPOR, and methods of regulating signaling events associated with intravitreal neovascularization (IVNV).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a modular composition comprising 1) an oligonucleotide; 2) one or more tetraGalNAc ligands of Formula (I), which may be the same or different; optionally, 3) one or more linkers, which may be the same or different; and optionally, 4) one or more targeting ligands, solubilizing agents, pharmacokinetics enhancing agents, lipids, and/or masking agents.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a colorectal cancer drug that uses microRNA exhibiting outstanding effectiveness in colorectal cancer patients, particularly colorectal cancer patients having a mutated KRAS gene. miR4689 and/or miR4685-3p can suppress the growth of colorectal cancer cells, particularly colorectal cancer cells having a mutated KRAS gene, and thus exhibit an effective antitumor effect.