Abstract: A manufacturing method of a lubricant composition includes mixing a composite ester A that contains polyester obtained by condensing trihydric or more polyhydric alcohol a1, a divalent or more polyvalent carboxylic acid a2, and at least one selected from monohydric alcohol a3 or a monovalent carboxylic acid a4, with a compound B having a hydroxyl number of greater than 50 mgKOH/g. A lubricant composition contains the composite ester A and the compound B.

Abstract: A grease composition comprises a thickener, a base oil, and a friction modifier. The friction modifier comprises: at least one selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty acid metal salts, phosphate esters, thiophosphate esters, and zinc dithiophosphates; and a polyhydric alcohol ester.

Abstract: Provided is a vacuum pump oil which contains a mineral oil (A) having a temperature gradient ?|?*| of complex viscosity between two points of t (° C.) and t?10(° C.) (where ?15?t??10), as measured using a rotary rheometer at an angular velocity of 6.3 rad/s, of 10 Pa·s/° C. or less, and one or more compounds selected from a phenol-based compound (B) and an amine-based compound (C), and which has a viscosity index of less than 160. The vacuum pump oil has a good ultimate vacuum degree and is excellent in water separability, oxidation stability and shear stability, and is therefore applicable to various applications.

Abstract: A method for extending performance or service life of a lubricating oil in an engine or other mechanical component lubricated with the lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil has a composition including a lubricating oil base stock as a major component, and at least one microencapsulated lubricating oil additive, as a minor component. The at least one microencapsulated lubricating oil additive includes an encapsulating material (e.g., polymeric matrix) and a core material (e.g., at least one lubricating oil additive) encapsulated by the encapsulating material. A method of improving solubility, compatibility and/or dispersion of lubricating oil additives in a lubricating oil base stock. A method for controlling release of a lubricating oil additive into a lubricating oil. A lubricating oil having a composition including a lubricating oil base stock as a major component, and at least one microencapsulated lubricating oil additive, as a minor component.

Abstract: Some variations provide an automated system for solvent extraction of a feed stock to produce a botanical extract, fats, oils, or other desirable solute, comprising: an extraction reactor; a distillation unit; and a second-stage purge chamber or a second-stage purge process utilizing the extraction reactor itself. The second-stage purge chamber or process receives or holds the solid material along with a heated inert non-condensable gas and/or solvent vapor, to recover residual solvent contained in the solid material.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a composition comprising two or more compounds of the general formula (I), a dry or liquid formulation comprising said composition as well as the use of said composition as degreasing agent for removing greasy and/or oil type deposits or as emulsifying agent or as wetting agent.

Abstract: A washing agent, preferably a liquid washing agent, which contains at least one amine oxide together with at least one sugar surfactant. For example, at least one glucamide, preferably a fatty acid-N-alkyl glucamide, and/or at least one alkyl polyglycoside, having improved cleaning performance, in particular against fat-containing stains. The invention also relates to methods for washing textiles using the described washing agents and to the uses thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a detergent composition including the following steps in the recited order: providing an aqueous composition comprising a citrate salt; lowering the pH by adding a first, un-neutralized or partially neutralized, polyacrylic acid having a weight average molecular weight in the range of 1000 to 6000 to form a second mixture; increasing the pH by adding alkali metal carbonate and/or alkali metal bicarbonate to form a third mixture; and adding a second polyacrylic acid having a weight average molecular weight in the range of 1000 to 6000 to form a fourth mixture; wherein the detergent composition is preferably an automatic dishwashing detergent composition or a laundry detergent composition.

Abstract: A composition comprising: from 25 to 80 wt % of at least one vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymer, where the copolymer comprises at least 85 mol % vinyl alcohol units; from 1 to 25 wt % of at least one polyhydric alcohol; and from 5 to 50 wt % of a first active agent which is: a polymer comprising a monomer having at least one carboxylic acid group or a salt or ester thereof; a polymer comprising a monomer having at least one imine group or a salt thereof; or a polymer comprising a monomer having at least one aspartic acid group or a salt or ester thereof. A package containing the composition. A method of preparing the composition, the method comprising extruding the composition. A method of machine dishwashing, wherein the first active agent is released into wash water over the course of a plurality of dishwashing programs.

Abstract: A phosphate-free automatic dishwashing cleaning composition comprising i) a protease wherein the protease is a variant having at least 60% identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and comprising at least one amino acid substitution (using the SEQ ID NO: 1 numbering) selected from the group consisting of X54T; X126A, D, G, V, E, K, I; X127E, S, T, A, P, G, C; and X128E, C, T, D, P, G, L, Y, N; and ii) from 10 to 50% by weight of the composition of a complexing agent system comprising from 0 to less than 30% by weight of the composition of citric acid.

Abstract: A phosphate-free automatic dishwashing cleaning composition including: a) a protease wherein the protease is a variant having at least 60% identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2 including two negatively charged amino acid residues, aspartic acid (D) and/or glutamic acid (E), in positions 124-131 using the SEQ ID NO: 1 numbering and the SEQ ID NO:2, respectively; and b) from 10 to 50% by weight of the composition of a complexing agent system comprising from 0 to less than 30% by weight of the composition of citric acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to detergent compositions comprising xanthan lyase variants and methods for use of said compositions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of enzymes for preventing, reducing or removing odor, a cleaning composition comprising enzymes and a method for washing an hard surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a detergent composition comprising endoglucanase variants and methods for use of said compositions.

Abstract: An alkaline wet solution for protecting features on a patterned substrate and a substrate processing method using the alkaline wet solution are described. The method includes providing a patterned substrate containing a low-k material, a metal oxide feature, and an etch residue, performing a treatment process that exposes the patterned substrate to an alkaline wet solution that forms a protective coating on the metal oxide feature, the alkaline wet solution containing a mixture of 1) water, 2) ammonium hydroxide, a quaternary organic ammonium hydroxide, or a quaternary organic phosphonium hydroxide, and 3) dissolved silica, and performing a wet cleaning process that removes the etch residue but not the metal oxide feature that is protected by the protective coating. The patterned substrate can further include a metallization layer and the alkaline wet solution can further contain 4) an inhibitor that protects the metallization layer from etching by the alkaline wet solution.

Abstract: A method, and related apparatus, for producing beer from any types of grains includes activating phenomena of controlled hydro-dynamic cavitation during all the steps of the process, from mashing to hopping, and possibly after yeast inoculation. The present method and apparatus provide a number of advantages over traditional techniques, for example, avoiding the pre-crushing of the malts or the grains, thereby increasing the efficiency of saccharification and of starch extraction, and avoiding the boiling at equal efficiency of the hopping. Another advantage is the opportunity of causing the concentration of gluten to fall in the final product simply with controlled hydraulic processes through electromechanics, and of possibly extending fermentation.

Abstract: A tank outlet (1) of a tank (100) comprising a tube fitting body (10), with an inlet region (11), which can be mounted on an outlet region (111) of a tank (100), a vortex breaker (20), which is mounted solely on the tube fitting body (10), wherein the vortex breaker (20) extends into the tank (100) through the inlet region (11) and does not touch the tank (100). Moreover, a method for mounting a corresponding vortex breaker (20) on a tank outlet (1) of a tank (100) is claimed.

Abstract: A photobioreactor system and a process for its use is illustrated, whereby water and nutrients from multiple sources are balanced (mixed using aeration) to the specific requirements of the particular photosynthetic organism strain used, sterilized, further mixed to balance the system and seeded with the photosynthetic microorganism, e.g. microalgae (dilution of a concentrated stock or added to an existing algal biomass). In accordance with such an embodiment, the algal biomass is then grown for a most efficient number of hours in a totally controlled environment where temperature (using aeration, an internal coil cooling system, or a combination thereof), pH (via CO2 delivery) and light delivery (using internal lighting directly inside the algal biomass) are optimized to the algal strain grown.

Abstract: Methods for producing hydrocarbon-based polymers and hydrocarbon-based polymeric structures that are capable of removing carbon dioxide from an ambient environment to produce breathable oxygen. The methods produce enclosed, solar-exposed polymeric structures capable of expanding in area through the reuse of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-based polymers. As such, the method produces self-sustaining polymeric/hydrocarbon-based structures capable of in-situ resource harvesting and reuse to create a sustainable, habitable area. The methods can be used to create a habitable environment in otherwise harsh conditions, such as those associated with high concentrations of carbon dioxide and low pressure, without the need to use external, non-renewable resources, and instead using renewable, in-situ resources to improve the viability of habitation within the environment of the manufactured three-dimensional structures.

Abstract: Cell culture devices, and related methods and kits, for modeling isotropic-to-anisotropic cellular transitions are provided. The devices can include a substrate having an isotropic film surface with one or more regions of aligned fibers dispersed thereon.

Abstract: The invention provides a cell and biotissue transporting container for transporting cells or biotissues while maintaining their cultured state. A cell/biotissue transporting container A10 includes a base member 1 with an opening 110 at an upper end and a first tubular portion 11 extending vertically, a lid body 2 including a top plate portion 21 to close the opening 110 and a second tubular portion 22 extending from a peripheral edge of the top plate portion 21 in the thickness direction to fit onto the first tubular portion 11, and a container body 3, formed separately from the base member 1 using a flexible material, where the container body includes a bottom wall portion 31, a tubular side wall portion 32 rising from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 31 and inserted into the opening 110, and a flange 33 extending outward from an upper edge of the side wall portion 32.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics and, in some embodiments, to the determination of cells. In some aspects, primers able to introduce restriction sites into certain amplified nucleic acids are used. For example, the primers may introduce restriction sites into normal (wild-type) nucleic acids, but be unable to introduce restriction sites into mutant nucleic acids, e.g., due to a mismatch in the nucleic acid sequences caused by the mutant. After amplification, the nucleic acids may be exposed to a suitable restriction enzyme, which may cleave normal nucleic acids but not the mutant nucleic acids. In this way, mutant nucleic acids may be relatively quickly identified. In some embodiments, cells may be contained within microfluidic droplets and assayed to determine the mutant cells. In certain cases, for example, the nucleic acids may be amplified within droplets and attached to suitable tags, e.g., prior to breaking or merging the droplets and sequencing of the nucleic acids.

Abstract: A cell culture insert with a hollow cylindrical housing having an upper end-face opening delimited by an opening edge and a lower end-face base designed as a membrane, support feet being arranged on the base edge of the housing and/or on the base and at least one support arm. The legs protrude downward for supporting the housing on a support in a non-tipping manner with a small uniform spacing between the base and the support. The at least one support arm protrudes outwards at the opening edge and can be placed on an edge of a well plate in which a plurality of wells. The support arm is an edge hanging element, and for this purpose, has a support section that runs radially relative to the housing and a hanging section that runs from the support section downwards in the direction of the base of the housing.

Abstract: A cell culturing device has: a first culture chamber; a first introduction flow channel and a first discharge flow channel which are connected to the first culture chamber; a second culture chamber connected to a halfway part of the first introduction flow channel via a first porous membrane; and a second introduction flow channel and a second discharge flow channel which are connected to the second culture chamber. The first discharge flow channel is connected to the first culture chamber via a second porous membrane. The first introduction flow channel has a liquid collecting part between the first culture chamber and the second culture chamber.

Abstract: A liquid filtration system according to the present invention comprises a syringe pump comprising a gas chamber and a movable plunger, wherein the gas chamber has an aperture at a first end and the plunger forms a seal within the internal walls of the chamber; a liquid chamber having two openings, the openings positioned at opposite ends of the chamber and the first opening connected to the aperture of the gas chamber; a bioreactor in fluidic communication with the second opening of the liquid chamber; a filter arranged to filter liquid passing between the bioreactor and the liquid chamber, the filter comprising a permeate outlet for removing filtered liquid; wherein, in use, the plunger may be moved in a reciprocating motion causing a corresponding movement of gas which drives liquid alternately between the liquid chamber and the bioreactor such that liquid passes through the filter and filtered liquid may be removed via the permeate outlet.

Abstract: A cell filtration filter that includes a metal membrane part that has a first main surface on which the cells are to be captured and a second main surface that opposes the first main surface. The metal membrane part has a plurality of hole edges that define a plurality of first through holes and a support region that is arranged around the hole edges and supports the hole edges. In the support region of the metal membrane part, a plurality of second through holes, which have smaller openings than the first through holes, are arranged so as to surround the hole edges. On the first main surface of the membrane part, the hole edges are raised with respect to the support region.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating an electroporation system with single cell resolution. The system controllably adjusts an (x,y) position of a multi-well plate to position a particular well relative to an electrode, a pipette, and a microscope camera that are stationary in the (x,y) plane. The same motorized (x,y) stage is also controlled to position a particular one of a plurality of interchangeable microfluidic probes (e.g., micropipettes) below a microfluidic probe coupler, wherein the coupler is also stationary in the (x,y) plane.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a level and/or density sensor for vessels suitable for storing liquids, in particular barrels or vats, more in particular barrels or vats for storing or producing wine. The hydrostatic pressure differential sensor for measuring volume and/or density disclosed herein comprises a main body; a tube for diving into the liquid; a hydrostatic pressure differential sensor; an air injector for injecting air into said tube; wherein the tube is coupled to the main body; wherein the hydrostatic pressure differential sensor has two inlets, a first inlet airtight connected to the upper top of said tube, configured so that the tube maintains air present in the interior thereof when dived into the liquid, and a second inlet for communicating with the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A cell culture device includes: a culture tank of culturing a cell in a culture solution, the culture tank being in a shape in which a horizontal sectional area upwardly increases; a pump and a culture solution supply pipe, as a supply unit supplying the culture solution to the culture tank; and a control unit controlling the supply of the culture solution of the supply unit, in which the culture solution is intermittently supplied to the culture tank from the supply unit, according to the control of the control unit, and a circulation upward flow is formed in the culture solution, and thus, a plug flow of the culture solution is formed in a culture region in which the cell is retained in the culture tank.

Abstract: In a state where a culture unit is contained in a container of an automatic cell culture device, the circulation of a culture solution in the culture unit is controlled by a control unit, and cell culture is performed in a culture tank. The culture solution is supplied from a culture solution tank, and the cell cultured by a cell collection vial, is collected. In a state where the culture unit is contained in a container of a cell culture device for transport, the circulation of the culture solution in the culture unit is controlled by the control unit, and the cell culture is performed in the culture tank. For this reason, even in a state where the culture unit is attached to the cell culture device for transport, the circulation of the culture solution is controlled, and thus, the culture of the cell is continued.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for isolating stem cells from fetal tissues, which device has an incubation chamber, at least one pump, at least one reservoir for a tissue break-down solution, at least one reservoir for a rinsing solution, optionally a control unit, optionally a means for removing contaminants, and optionally a means for expansion of the isolated stem cells. The invention further relates to a method for isolating stem cells from fetal tissue, which method comprises, among other things, the mechanical dissociation and the enzymatic digestion of the fetal tissue and optionally density gradient centrifugation for removing contaminants. The device and the method according to the invention are particularly suitable for isolating mesenchymal stem cells from fetal tissues, such as umbilical cord tissue, placenta tissue, or fetal lung tissue.

Abstract: Provided are various genetically engineered strains of TEKK microorganisms, e.g., yeast in a container of industrial-scale volume containing biomass, wherein the microorganisms are capable of fermenting C5 material to produce desirable organic compounds. Also provided are methods for efficiently producing industrial-scale volumes of the desirable organic compounds, e.g., lactic acid, by TEKK strains of microorganisms such as TEKK-LAC and variants thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a composition and in vitro method for generating a desired cell type and/or tissue type from hair follicular stem cells. The composition and in vitro method are particularly suitable for generating an autologous desired cell type and/or tissue type. Furthermore, the composition and method are especially efficient and suitable for use in the context of cosmetic cell and/or tissue transplantation in recipient areas of a subject experiencing cell and/or tissue loss caused by, for example, a wound, scar, burn injury, tissue degeneration, and aging. The composition and in vitro method are also suitable to circumvent complications related to infections and/or immune rejection of a cosmetic cell and/or tissue implant or graft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of differentiating neural stem cells or neural precursor cells into dopamine neurons and more particularly, a method of differentiating into dopamine neurons, in which chromosomal stability is maintained by transfecting neural stem cells or neural precursor cells with mRNA of a dopamine neuron-inducing transcription factor under time-based control. The method of differentiating into dopamine neurons, according to the present invention, may enable preparation of mature and functional dopamine neurons having chromosomal stability by synthesizing a dopamine neuron-inducing transcription factor into a mRNA form, which has no risk of genetic modification, and transfecting the synthetic mRNA, unlike existing methods using retroviral vectors, and thus may be usefully used in the clinical field for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the identification and isolation of human otic progenitor cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of using cell markers to identify and isolate human otic progenitor cells from a mixed population of cells, methods of enrichment and production of human otic progenitor cells, and associated kits for use in identification and/or isolation of human otic progenitor cells, wherein the cell markers are selected from SSEA1 (CD15), disialoganglioside GD3, TRA-2-49 (liver/bone/ kidney alkaline phosphatase), SSEA4, ganglioside GD2 and CD141.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and methods for processing and harvesting adipose tissue. The disclosed devices, systems, and methods offer allow for filtering and harvesting small adipose particles. The devices, systems, and methods include a device comprising an interior tissue harvesting volume and an exterior waste collection volume separated by a filter. Fluids and small molecular elements that pass through the filter during tissue processing are removed, while adipose tissues of interest may remain within the filter to be collected and reinjected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing an artificial tooth primordium in vitro, comprising the steps: a) providing isolated mesenchymal dental pulp cells; and b) culturing the mesenchymal dental pulp cells under non-adherent conditions to form a cell aggregate representing an artificial tooth primordium; as well as to an artificial tooth primordium derived therefrom.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods employing stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. In some embodiments, compositions for assessing cardiotoxicity using 3-dimensional cultures of stem-cell cardiomyocytes are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for generating SC-? cells, and isolated populations of SC-? cells for use in various applications, such as cell therapy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure concern systems, methods, and compositions for both in vitro and in vivo models of metastases, such as bone metastases. In specific embodiments, there is a system comprising a source of bone cells, such as osteoblasts, and a source of cancer cells, wherein the bone cells and cancer cells are configured in a chamber or on a chick chorioallantoic membrane such that interaction between the cells is determined. In specific embodiments, the bone cells are comprised in an organoid comprising both mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts (although a naturally derived bone scaffold may be employed), and the cancer cells are comprised in an organoid comprising mesenchymal stem cells and the cancer cells.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for efficiently generating human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) containing a nucleic acid including a doxycycline promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding Cas9. These methods include transfecting a human somatic cell with a nucleic acid molecule comprising a doxycycline promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a Cas9, and constitutive promoter operably linked to a tetracycline responsive element and inducing the somatic cell to form an iPSC, thereby producing an iPSC that can undergo CRISPR/Cas9-mediated recombination at a high efficiency. The human iPSC, or a cell differentiated therefrom, is cultured in the presence of doxycycline to induce expression of the Cas9. These cells can then be used to target in any gene of interest by introducing nucleic acids encoding sgRNAs. Induced pluripotent stem cells produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of improving the function of stem cells, and/or reducing or inhibiting or inhibiting stem cell aging.

Abstract: This disclosure provides modified cytosine deaminases(CDs). The disclosure further relates to cells and vector expressing or comprising such modified CDs and methods of using such modified CDs in the treatment of disease and disorders.

Abstract: Provided is an alphavirus replicon particle (ARP), which comprises (i) alphavirus structural proteins comprising capsid and/or envelope, and (ii) an alphavirus replicon comprising a polynucleotide encoding alphavirus non-structural proteins nsp1, nsp2, nsp3 and nsp4 and at least one gene of interest wherein at least one of capsid, and E3 and E2 in the envelope comprise one or more amino acid alteration but E1 in the envelope comprises no amino acid alteration.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified parvovirus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that do not functionally interact with wild-type large Rep proteins, synthetic Rep proteins that functionally interact with the modified ITRs, and methods of using the same for delivery of nucleic acids to a cell or a subject. The modifications provide a novel Rep-ITR interaction that limits vector mobilization, increasing the safety of viral vectors.

Abstract: Identification of a protein having an activity of oxidizing oleanane-type triterpene, and a gene encoding the protein, the protein and the gene, and use thereof are provided. For example, a protein having an activity of oxidizing oleanane-type triterpene obtained from a plant in the family Fabaceae, a gene encoding the protein and use thereof are provided. The protein is shown in, for example, SEQ ID NO: 4, 14 or 18, and the gene encoding the protein is shown in, for example, SEQ ID NO: 3, 13 or 17. A transformant into which the gene is introduced can be produced, and thereby a triterpene oxidase can be obtained.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an efficient method for expressing a protein of interest as an active soluble recombinant protein in a transformant. The present invention provides a method for producing an enzyme having improved activity per recombinant as compared with a reference form, comprising the steps of: (1) preparing recombinants each expressing a mutant having an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of the reference form by the substitution of one or more cysteine residues by other amino acid residues; (2) selecting a plurality of mutants that exhibit 50% or more activity per recombinant relative to 100% activity of the reference form; and (3) expressing a mutant in which corresponding amino acid residues are substituted at two or more positions among the respective positions of the substituted amino acid residues of the mutants selected in step (2).

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for improved production of steviol glycosides in a host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a Setaria italica UDP-glycosyltransferase 40087 or its variant UDP-glycosyltransferase. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a UDP-glycosyltransferase sr.UGT_9252778, Bd_UGT10850, and/or Ob_UGT91B1_like. In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding further enzymes of a pathway capable of producing steviol glycosides in the host cell. The compositions and methods described herein provide an efficient route for the heterologous production of steviol glycosides, including but not limited to, rebaudioside D and rebaudioside M.

Abstract: Provided is a recombinant microorganism having enhanced cellulose synthase gene stability, a method of producing cellulose by using the recombinant microorganism, and a method of preparing the recombinant microorganism.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen and polymerase antigen, and related combinations are described. Also described are vectors, such as DNA plasmids or viral vectors, expressing the HBV core and polymerase antigens, and immunogenic compositions containing the expression vectors. Methods of inducing an immune response against HBV or treating a HBV-induced disease, particularly in individuals having chronic HBV infection, using the immunogenic compositions are also described.