Abstract: The invention provides a grease composition, being a grease composition containing a base oil and, as a thickener a calcium complex soap, and being a grease composition using for the carboxylic acids forming the aforementioned calcium complex soap substituted or unsubstituted C18-22 straight-chain higher fatty acids, aromatic monocarboxylic aromatic acids having substituted or unsubstituted benzene rings and C2-4 straight-chain saturated lower fatty acids, wherein the aforementioned substituted or unsubstituted C18-22 straight-chain higher fatty acids include behenic acid and the amount of behenic acid used, as a mass ratio in terms of the total amount of the aforementioned substituted or unsubstituted C18-22 straight-chain higher fatty acids used, is from 25 mass % up to 70 mass %.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a lubricant. The lubricant includes a first non-amphiphilic triglyceride. The lubricant further includes a second non-amphiphilic triglyceride. The second non-amphiphilic triglyceride is different from the first non-amphiphilic triglyceride. The lubricant further includes a non-amphiphilic glycol ester.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition for automotive transmissions is disclosed. It offers an automotive transmission (especially a fuel-saving type) which satisfies all requirements as regards the properties of resistance to churning, maintenance of the oil film and low-temperature viscosity. It comprises a GTL low viscosity base oil and a Group 1 high viscosity base oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric-inorganic nanoparticle compositions and preparation processes thereof. The invention also relates to an additive and lubricant compositions comprising these polymeric-inorganic nanoparticle compositions, as well as to the use of these polymeric-inorganic nanoparticle compositions in an oil lubricant formulation to improve tribological performance, in particular to improve extreme pressure performance and friction reduction on metal parts.

Abstract: Provided is a grease composition including a base oil (A) containing an alkyl naphthalene (A1) and an aliphatic diurea (B) represented by general formula (b1): R1—NHCONH—R3—NHCONH—R2??(b1) (wherein, R1 and R2 each independently represent a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 9 to 20 carbon atoms, and R3 represents a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms), wherein a content of the aliphatic diurea (B) is 20 to 30% by mass based on a total amount of the grease composition.

Abstract: A hybrid mint plant characterized by an essential oil composition profile, methods of cultivating the hybrid mint plant, and methods of producing an essential oil composition with the essential oil composition profile using the hybrid mint plant are disclosed.

Abstract: Surfactant systems and compositions incorporating the same are disclosed for use as rinse aids on plastics and other wares. The surfactant systems and compositions include both liquid and solid formulations, along with methods of use for treating plastics and other wares. The surfactant systems and compositions provide synergistic combinations allowing lower actives in composition formulations of the plastic-compatible surfactant systems providing good sheeting, wetting and drying properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods of manufacture, and methods for reducing metal corrosion during alkaline cleaning. In particular, the method employs an alkylamino hydroxy acid, secondary amine, or combination thereof in alkaline cleaning of hard surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel whitening agents for cellulosic substrates. The whitening agents are comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. The whitening agents are further characterized by having a dispersion component value of the Hansen Solubility Parameter of less than or equal to about 17 MPa0.5. This invention also relates to laundry care compositions including but not limited to liquid and/or powder laundry detergent formulations and rinse added fabric softening (RAFS) compositions that comprise such whitening agents.

Abstract: A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.

Abstract: Provided is an assembled bioreactor chamber comprising an upper end portion, at least one intermediate portion and a lower end portion for forming a chamber of the reactor chamber. The upper end portion and the lower end portion are respectively provided with an interface connected with a culture medium line, and the upper end portion and the intermediate portion, and the intermediate portion and the lower end portion are detachably connected in a sealed manner through a connecting mechanism; when the number of the intermediate portions is ?2, the adjacent intermediate portions are detachably connected in a sealed manner through a connecting mechanism; and the chamber also comprises a cell carrier for cell attachment growth.

Abstract: A microfluidic device may include a microfluidic channel including an electrode placed at opposite ends of the microfluidic channel to create an electrical field within the channel and an ejection device to eject at least one cell porated within the electrical field. A cassette may include a substrate, a die coupled to the substrate, a microfluidic channel defined within the die, the microfluidic channel including a necked portion to receive a cell therein and at least two electrodes each placed at a first and a second end of the microfluidic channel to apply an electric field to the cell above a proration threshold and a cell ejection device to eject the cell from the die.

Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic device includes a device configured to model a blood-brain barrier. The device includes a center well in fluidic communication with each of an inlet and an outlet. Each of the center well, inlet, and outlet includes a porous membrane that separates a “blood” portion (a fluid flow portion) from a “brain” portion (a fluid containing portion). The porous membrane is seeded with endothelial cells such as the human venule endothelial cells (HUVECs) on the blood side, and with astrocytes on the brain side, to accurately model the blood-brain barrier. Fluid flows between the inlet, the center well, and the outlet to test the permeability of the porous membrane, thereby providing an accurate in vitro model of a blood-brain barrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting, quantifying, enriching, and/or separating bacterial species in fluid sample are provided. The fluid sample is provided as input to a microfluidic passage of a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises at least one electrode disposed adjacent to the microfluidic passage. The at least one electrode is activated to capture bacteria in the sample using dielectrophoresis, wherein the capture efficiency of bacteria is at least 99%.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting, quantifying, enriching, and/or separating bacterial species in fluid sample are provided. The fluid sample is provided as input to a microfluidic passage of a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises at least one electrode disposed adjacent to the microfluidic passage. The at least one electrode is activated to capture bacteria in the sample using dielectrophoresis, wherein the capture efficiency of bacteria is at least 99%.

Abstract: A rigid cartridge for housing and removably coupling with a soft body bioreactor is provided. The rigid cartridge includes rigid walls defining a rigid housing. The rigid walls expose a fixed interior configured to house the soft body. An interior surface of a first rigid wall includes a first mating mechanism to engage a second mating mechanism of the soft body to removably coupled with the rigid cartridge and accommodate the soft body in the fixed interior of the rigid cartridge. A rigid wall includes a planar upper surface including an aperture. Each aperture is encompassed by an annular hood protruding upwardly from the substantially planar upper surface and integrally formed with the at least one rigid wall. The aperture is configured to receive and fixed engage a corresponding connector. Each connector includes a rigid coupling mechanism that provides communication with a corresponding plurality of ports of the soft body.

Abstract: A medium for culturing Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni in vitro, method for preparing the medium and method for culture in vitro are provided, which belongs to technical field of in vitro culture of intestinal protozoa. The formulation of the culture medium includes: 100 ml of Ringer's solution, 0.5 g of yeast extract, 1.0 g of proteose peptone, 3-6 ml of fetal bovine serum, 6-10 ml of horse serum, 300-500 ?l of Bacillus licheniformis suspension, 200-300 mg of aseptic starch. Culture steps include: inoculating collected Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni into a prepared medium, filling with nitrogen and sealing, culturing at 15° C. for 48-72 hours, then transferring to another fresh medium, cycling back and forth, proliferating the Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni continuously. Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni are capable of achieving cell division and proliferation in the culture medium, and lays foundation for the physiological and experimental ecology research of the Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a yeast which is capable of simultaneously fermenting a pentose and a hexose sugar, the method comprising providing a yeast which comprises: one or more heterologous genes encoding an enzyme of a pentose metabolic pathway, a disruption of a gene encoding a ribulose-phosphate 3-epimerase and a disruption of a gene encoding a glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, and one or more overexpressed endogenous genes encoding an enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway; and subjecting the yeast to evolutionary engineering on a medium comprising a hexose sugar and at least one pentose sugar, selecting for a yeast with improved growth rate when grown on a media comprising a hexose and at least one pentose sugar, so as to obtain an evolved yeast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a certain microorganism for altering the composition of oral biofilms, in particular for use in the treatment and/or prevention of dental caries and/or periodontal disease. In particular, the present invention relates to a microorganism for use as a probiotic agent for altering the bacterial composition of oral biofilms derived from saliva, preferably for reducing the proportions of Gram-negative anaerobic genera and/or increasing the proportions of aerobic or facultatively anaerobic genera. Furthermore, the present invention provides oral pharmaceutical compositions, oral care products or products for nutrition or pleasure comprising the microorganism as probiotic agents as well as a method of production thereof.

Abstract: There is described a method of promoting the attachment, survival and/or proliferation of a stem cell in culture, the method comprising culturing a stem cell on a positively-charged support surface. There are also provided a cell composition prepared according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing more mature telencephalon or a progenitor tissue thereof, in vitro, from mammalian pluripotent stem cells, comprising obtaining a telencephalon marker-positive aggregate by culturing an aggregate of pluripotent stem cells in suspension in the presence of a Wnt signal inhibitor and a TGF? signal inhibitor, and further culturing the telencephalon marker-positive aggregate in suspension under a high oxygen partial pressure condition. In one embodiment, the suspension culture under a high oxygen partial pressure condition is performed in the presence of a Wnt signal enhancer and a bone morphogenetic factor signal transduction pathway activating substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for ex vivo generating and expanding ?? Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, and therapeutic uses thereof. The inventors performed the induction of Foxp3+ expression in ex vivo human induced tumor-antigen specific CD4+ TCR?? unrestricted T cells and the induction of autologous CD8-mediated T-cell responses against tumor-antigen specific FOXP3 expressing CD4+ TCR?? unrestricted T cells. The inventors developed a method to ex vivo generated and expanded antigen specific Foxp3 expressing CD3+ TCR??+ unrestricted T cells, committed to exclusively exert regulatory activity, whichever culture condition of stimulation is. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for generating ex vivo ?? Foxp3+ regulatory T cells having the following phenotype: CD3+ TCR??+ Foxp3+.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition that enables measurement of glycated hemoglobin in the presence of a stronger surfactant than conventional surfactants. To this end, the present invention provides an amadoriase in which one or more amino acids have been substituted at positions corresponding to positions selected from the group consisting of positions 80, 71, 175, 172, 279, 12, 9, 77, 30, 28, 13, 3, 4, 286, 204, 338, 44, 340, and 194 of the amadoriase derived from the genus Coniochaeta having the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 as well as a composition for measurement of glycated hemoglobin comprising an amadoriase that retains activity in the presence of an anionic surfactant. The present invention can provide an enzyme and a composition for measurement of glycated hemoglobin that sufficiently remain stable even when exposed to anionic surfactants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glucosyltransferases with modified amino acid sequences. Such engineered enzymes synthesize insoluble alpha-glucan products having decreased molecular weight. Further disclosed are reactions and methods in which engineered glucosyltransferases are used to produce insoluble alpha-glucan.

Abstract: Presented herein are polymerase enzymes for improved incorporation of nucleotide analogues, in particular nucleotides which are modified at the 3? sugar hydroxyl, as well as methods and kits using the same.

Abstract: Conformationally-constrained helicases having improved activity and strength are provided. Methods of making conformationally-constrained helicases having improved activity and strength are provided. Methods of using conformationally-constrained helicases having improved activity and strength are provided. The present invention is based on the discovery of novel modified helicases that show dramatically enhanced helicase activity and increased strength as compared to unmodified helicases. As described further herein, it has been surprisingly discovered that, by controlling the conformation of certain subdomains such that the helicase remains in a closed form (e.g., by covalently crosslinking the 2B domain to the 1A domain or the 1B domain in a Rep helicase), a highly active and strong form of the helicase is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the generation of compact Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENS) that can efficiently target and process double-stranded DNA. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for the creation of TALENs that consist of a single TALE DNA binding domain fused to at least one catalytic domain such that the active entity is composed of a single polypeptide chain for simple and efficient vectorization and does not require dimerization to target a specific single double-stranded DNA target sequence of interest and process DNA nearby the DNA target sequence. The present invention also relates to compact TALENs, vectors, compositions and kits used to implement the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions that allow one to identify in vivo edited cells when employing nucleic-acid guided editing. Additionally provided are automated multi-module instruments for performing editing and selection methods and using the compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides codon optimized nucleotide sequences encoding human alpha-galactosidase A, vectors, and host cells comprising codon optimized alpha-galactosidase A sequences, and methods of treating disorders such as Fabry disease comprising administering to the subject a codon optimized sequence encoding human alpha-galactosidase A.

Abstract: Provided are a recombinant polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide including a reporter moiety, a substrate moiety, and a destabilization moiety, a host cell including the same, and use thereof to measure the level of a protease by using the recombinant polynucleotide.

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 present invention provides engineered phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) polypeptides and compositions thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding the engineered phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) polypeptides. Methods for producing PAL enzymes are also provided. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are optimized to provide enhanced catalytic activities that are useful under industrial process conditions for the production of pharmaceutical compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for promoting acetylglucosamine synthesis of Bacillus subtilis, which belongs to the field of genetic engineering. The present invention adopts the recombinant Bacillus subtilis BSGNKAP2 as a starting strain, exogenously introducing pyruvate carboxylase BalpycA derived from Bacillus cereus, eliminating the central carbon metabolism overflow of the Bacillus subtilis and avoiding the synthesis of the by-product acetoin; further, five exogenous reducing force metabolic reactions are introduced to replace the reaction of generating NADH in glycolysis pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle to reconstruct intracellular reducing force metabolism, which specifically comprise glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate ferredoxin dehydrogenase, isocitrate NAD+ dehydrogenase, a malate quinone dehydrogenase, a ketoacid ferredoxin oxidoreductase and a nitrogenase ferritin. In a shake-flask fermentation process using a complex medium, acetylglucosamine yield of the recombinant strain BSGNKAP8 is 24.

Abstract: A dissection system has a dissection platform which has a frame, an agitation platform, a tissue section tray, a solution dispenser unit, an airflow drying unit and a waste collection unit and a specimen collector which has a tubular body, a plunger button, a hollow shaft, a piston cylinder, a motor unit, a piston, a piston spring and a piston rod. The agitation platform, the solution dispenser unit, the airflow drying unit and the waste collection unit are disposed on the frame, and the tissue section tray is removably disposed on the agitation platform. The plunger button, the hollow shaft and the piston cylinder are movably inserted in the tubular body. The piston is slidably inserted within the piston cylinder, the piston spring is biased in between the piston cylinder and the motor unit, and the piston rod is connected in between the motor unit and the piston.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to bacterial polypeptide display systems, libraries using these bacterial display systems, and methods of making and using these systems, including methods for improved display of polypeptides on the extracellular surface of bacteria using circularly permuted transmembrane bacterial polypeptides that have been modified to increase resistance to protease degradation and to enhance polypeptide display characteristics.

Abstract: A method is provided comprising the following steps: (a) treating a nucleic acid with bisulfite to convert non-methylated cytosines in the nucleic acid into uracils while leaving methylated cytosines unchanged to form a treated nucleic acid strand that is part of two joined nucleic acid strands; (b) ligating a first adapter to a 3? end of the treated nucleic acid strand, the first adapter having a first protruding random sequence that least 3 bases long and that acts as a splint for the two joined nucleic acid strands; (c) ligating a second adapter to a 5? end of the once adapter ligated nucleic acid strand, the second adapter having a second protruding random sequence at least 3 bases long and that acts as a splint for the two joined nucleic acid strands; and (d) performing PCR amplification on the twice ligated nucleic acid strand.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sample preparation techniques that allow amplification (e.g., whole genome amplification) and sequencing of chromatin accessible regions of single cells are provided. The methods and systems generally operate by forming or providing partitions (e.g., droplets) including a single biological particle and a single bead comprising a barcoded oligonucleotide. The preparation of barcoded next-generation sequencing libraries prepared from a single cell is facilitated by the transposon-mediated transposition and fragmentation of a target nucleic acid sequence. The methods and systems may be configured to allow the implementation of single-operation or multi-operation chemical and/or biochemical processing within the partitions.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to methods and compounds for modulating expression of SMN. In certain embodiments at least two compounds are used: a first compound for inhibiting SMN-NAT and increasing expression of SMN, and a second compound for modulating the splicing of SMN. Such methods and compounds are useful for increasing expression exon 7 containing SMN mRNA in cells and animals.

Abstract: Disclosed are double stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules that are toxic to insect pests. In particular, interfering RNA molecules capable of modulating expression of a pest insect target gene and that are toxic to the insect pest are provided. Further, methods of making and using the interfering RNA, for example as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition or in a transgenic plant, to confer protection from insect damage are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antisense oligonucleotides that are capable of inducing expression of ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) from the paternal allele in animal or human neurons. The oligonucleotides target the suppressor of the UBE3A paternal allele by hybridization to SNHG14 long non-coding RNA at the 5?-end of UBE3A-AS, which is downstream of SNORD115-45 snoRNA. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treatment of Angelman syndrome.

Abstract: Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for TTR.

Abstract: Methods of riboswitch-mediated gene expression in thermophiles are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting the ANGPTL3 gene, as well as methods of inhibiting expression of ANGPTL3 and methods of treating subjects having a disorder of lipid metabolism, such as hyperlipidemia or hypertriglyceridemia, using such dsRNA compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of modulatory polynucleotides.

Abstract: A splice modulating oligonucleotide (SMO), is provided having a sequence designed to modulate the splicing of a SCN8A pre-mRNA, wherein the SMO sequence specifically binds to a sequence in the SCN8A pre-mRNA. Certain embodiments of the invention provide methods of using the SMOs described herein, including methods of treating or preventing epilepsy or a Dravet Spectrum disorder in subject (e.g., a mammal, e.g., a human), including the administration of an SMO or composition described herein to the subject. A method of using the SMOs is described herein to treat spinal cord injury, cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, autism, hemiplegic migraine, multiple sclerosis, CNS infections, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, or other neurological diseases or disorders in which excitotoxicity or hyperexcitability contributes to the pathology.

Abstract: A method of modulating hygrosensing and/or thermosensing in an animal, particularly, an insect or disease vector, is provided. Also provided is a method of reducing survival, host-seeking, and/or reproductive capability of an animal, particularly an insect or disease vector. The methods involve an effective amount of an agent that modulates the activity and/or expression of a polynucleotide or polypeptide of an ionotropic receptor (Ir) selected from one or more of Ir25a, Ir93a, Ir40a, Ir68a, or Ir21a. A method of identifying an agent that modulates survival, host-seeking, and/or reproductive capability of an animal, e.g., an insect, is further provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting the TMPRSS6 gene, and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to inhibit expression of TMPRSS6.

Abstract: Genetically modified microorganisms that have the ability to convert carbon substrates into chemical products such as 2,3-BDO; 1,4-BDO; isobutyraldehyde; isobutanol; 1-butanol; n-butanol; ethanol; fatty alcohols; and fatty acid methyl ester are disclosed. For example, genetically modified methanotrophs that are capable of generating 2,3-BDO; 1,4-BDO; isobutyraldehyde; isobutanol; 1-butanol; n-butanol; ethanol; fatty alcohols; and fatty acid methyl ester at high titers from a methane source are disclosed. Methods of making these genetically modified microorganisms and methods of using them are also disclosed. These microorganisms and methods make use of molecular switches to regulate gene expression.

Abstract: A method is provided for achieving transfection of host cells using sonoporation. An acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship with respect to a reservoir containing host cells to be transfected, exogenous material to be incorporated into the host cells, and a cell-compatible fluid medium. The acoustic radiation generator is activated to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation into the reservoir in a manner effective to enable transfection of the host cells with the exogenous material.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel reagents and a cloning procedure based on homologous recombination for the site-directed cloning of a DNA fragment to a vector at designed site(s). The cloning reagents are made of mixture of extracts from at least two different cell types, preferably a mixture made of extracts from wild-type E. coli and S. cerevisiae. Due to the activity of the mixture of cell extracts, recombination occurs between the 3? and 5?-ends of the target DNA and at the ends of linearized vector, which facilitates in-frame construction of expression vectors.