Abstract: A liquid crystal composition contains: at least one compound of general formula I and at least one polymerizable compound of general formula II. Such a liquid crystal composition has a suitable optical anisotropy, a suitable dielectric anisotropy, and a better pretilt angle consistency while maintaining a relatively high clearing point, and the drop mura is good. When the liquid crystal composition is applied to a PSA liquid crystal display, the liquid crystal composition has an excellent display effect.

Abstract: A coating composition, a method for manufacturing a substrate using the same, and an optical device are provided. The method for manufacturing the substrate provides the substrate having excellent performance, as the substrate has fixed spacers on its surface by using a single layer in which nanoparticles and spacers are dispersed in an alignment film to reduce processes and cost. The optical device may be manufactured by such method.

Abstract: A system for producing a hydrocarbon by high-temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is described. The system includes a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit, a reaction water separation unit, and a catalyst reduction unit. The catalyst reduction unit uses a gas containing the tail gas of the synthesis unit as a reducing gas and a small amount of synthesis gas for adjusting the hydrogen to carbon ratio, to react with the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst. After the reduction reaction, the reacted gas is cooled to room temperature, and enters a gas-liquid separator to obtain a gas phase and a liquid phase. The gas phase flows to a cryogenic separation unit to recover gaseous hydrocarbons. The liquid phase is separated into reaction water and Fischer-Tropsch oil products. The reduced catalyst is sent to the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit.

Abstract: A turbocharger control system includes a turbine; a fluid source of a pressurized fluid; an input valve fluidly coupled between the fluid source and an input of the turbine; a bypass valve fluidly coupled between the fluid source and an output of the turbine; a rotating machine operatively coupled to the turbine and configured to move a working fluid; and a control system communicably coupled to the input valve and the bypass valve. The control system is configured to perform operations including determining a level of the pressurized fluid in the fluid source; determining at least one of a flow rate or a pressure of a working fluid moved by the rotating machine; and operating the input valve and the bypass valve to change an operating state of the turbine from a first operating state to a second operating state.

Abstract: Novel catalysts comprising nickel oxide nanoparticles supported on alumina nanoparticles, methods of their manufacture, heavy oil compositions contacted by these nanocatalysts and methods of their use are disclosed. The novel nanocatalysts are useful, inter alia, in the upgrading of heavy oil fractions or as aids in oil recovery from steam-assisted well reservoirs.

Abstract: Methods for resolving emulsions in a hydrocarbon stream by contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a demulsifying composition are disclosed. Demulsifying compositions for treating a hydrocarbon stream are also disclosed, wherein the demulsifying composition comprises at least one C4-C12 alkyl phenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and compositions for providing catalysts for tail gas clean up in sulfur recovery operations. Aspects of the disclosure involve obtaining catalyst that was used in a first process, which is not a tailgas treating process and then using the so-obtained catalyst in a tailgas treating process. For example, the catalyst may originally be a hydroprocessing catalyst. A beneficial aspect of the disclosed methods and systems is that the re-use of spent hydroprocessing catalyst reduces hazardous waste generation by operators from spent catalyst disposal. Ultimately, this helps reduce the environmental impact of the catalyst life cycle. The disclosed methods and systems also provide an economically attractive source of high-performance catalyst for tailgas treatment, which benefits the spent catalyst generator, the catalyst provider, and the catalyst consumer.

Abstract: A method for processing a hydrocarbon feed to produce olefins may comprise introducing the hydrocarbon feed to a first fluid catalytic cracking system, which may cause at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed to undergo catalytic cracking and produce a spent first cracking catalyst and a first cracked effluent comprising one or more olefins. The method may further comprise passing the first cracked effluent to a separation system downstream of the first fluid catalytic cracking system, which may separate the first cracked effluent to produce at least a naphtha effluent comprising one or more olefins. Additionally, the method may comprise passing the naphtha effluent to a second fluid catalytic cracking system downstream of the separation system, which may cause at least a portion of the naphtha effluent to undergo catalytic cracking and produce a spent cracking catalyst mixture and a second cracked effluent comprising one or more olefins.

Abstract: Petrochemical products may be produced from a hydrocarbon material by a process that may include separating the hydrocarbon material into at least a lesser boiling point fraction and a greater boiling point fraction, cracking the lesser boiling point fraction in a first reactor in the presence of a catalyst at a reaction temperature of from 500° C. to 700° C. to produce a first cracking reaction product, and cracking the greater boiling point fraction in a second reactor in the presence of the catalyst at a reaction temperature of from 500° C. to 700° C. to produce a second cracking reaction product. The hydrocarbon material may be crude oil. The first reactor may be a riser, and the second reactor may be a downer. The catalyst may be passed from the first reactor to the second reactor, from the second reactor to a regenerator, and from the regenerator to the first reactor, such that the catalyst is circulated between the first reactor, second reactor, and regenerator.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for producing aromatic compounds from pyrolysis gasoline comprising C5-C6 non-aromatic hydrocarbons includes aromatizing the pyrolysis gasoline in an aromatization unit, thereby converting the C5-C6 non-aromatic hydrocarbons to a first stream comprising benzene-toluene-xylenes (BTX); hydrotreating the first stream comprising BTX in a selective hydrotreatment unit, thereby producing a de-olefinated stream comprising BTX; hydrodealkylating and transalkylating the de-olefinated stream comprising BTX in a hydrodealkylation-transalkylation unit, thereby producing a second stream comprising BTX, the second stream comprising BTX having a greater amount of benzene and xylenes than the first stream comprising BTX; and processing the second stream comprising BTX in an aromatics recovery complex, thereby producing the aromatic compounds from the pyrolysis gasoline, the aromatic compounds comprising benzene, toluene, and xylenes.

Abstract: A biosolids treatment system that treats human biosolids to produce thermal energy for self-consumption for the production of beneficial use products including low carbon ash, high carbon activated biochar, and Class A biosolids. The system includes a variable feed conveyor that conveys a biosolid feed into a dryer; a dryer that dries the biosolid feed to a predetermined moisture content to create one of a beneficial use products, where the predetermined moisture content is controlled by varying the speed of variable feed conveyors and a variable feed mixer; and a gasifier that converts the biosolid feed into two of the beneficial use products.

Abstract: A fuel production plant includes an electrolysis apparatus; an ethanol generation apparatus that decomposes sugars to generate ethanol and carbon dioxide; and a hydrocarbon generation apparatus that generates hydrocarbons by reacting carbon dioxide with hydrogen. The fuel production plant further includes a hydrogen supply part that supplies hydrogen generated in the electrolysis apparatus to the hydrocarbon generation apparatus by coupling the electrolysis apparatus to the hydrocarbon generation apparatus, an oxygen supply part that supplies oxygen generated in the electrolysis apparatus to the ethanol generation apparatus by coupling the electrolysis apparatus to the ethanol generation apparatus, and a carbon dioxide supply part that supplies carbon dioxide generated in the ethanol generation apparatus to the hydrocarbon generation apparatus by coupling the ethanol generation apparatus to the hydrocarbon generation apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel composition comprising a liquid fuel and a compound of dimer amide quaternary ammonium type. The invention also relates to the use of the compound of dimer amide quaternary ammonium type as a detergent additive in a liquid fuel for internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Lubricity additives for hydrocarbon fuels are provided according to formula I: wherein n is 1 or 0; each Q is independently selected from oxygen and sulfur; each R is independently selected from C8-C60 alkenyl groups which are substituted or unsubstituted; and L is a linking group comprising 0-20 carbons which may be substituted or unsubstituted and may optionally comprise catenary heteroatoms. Fuel mixtures comprising a hydrocarbon fuel; and a lubricity additive according to the present disclosure are also provided. Methods of making lubricity additives comprise reacting an alkenyl succinic anhydrides (ASA's) with certain bisamides or bisthioamides.

Abstract: A fuel composition comprising a fuel and a lubricity additive where the lubricity additive is selected from (1) 1-Lauroyl-rac-glycerol, (2) Dodecanamide, N-hydroxy-, or (3) 2-Ethylhexanoic acid and the fuel is gasoline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated sliding parts having coating systems which allow better sliding performance under dry and/or under lubricated conditions. The coating systems according to the present invention being characterized by having an outermost layer which—is a smooth oxide-containing layer in case of sliding applications under lubricated conditions, or—is a self-lubricated layer comprising molybdenum nitride, in case of sliding applications under dry or lubricated conditions, is a self lubricated layer with a structured surface comprising a multitude of essentially circular recesses with diameters of several micrometers or below, the recesses randomly distributed over the surface.

Abstract: A grease composition comprising a thickener and a lubricating base oil, wherein the lubricating base oil has a viscosity in the range of from 5-1000 cSt (at 40° C.). The thickener is present in an amount of 5-40 wt. %, based on total weight of the grease composition. The thickener comprises an ester terminated oligomer which has the general formula: “R1—O—[CO—R2—CO—NH—R3—NH—CO—R2—CO]n-O—R1”. “R1” represents a hydrocarbon group containing 4-22 carbon atoms. “R2” represents a hydrocarbon group containing 4-42 carbon atoms. “R3” represents a hydrocarbon group containing 2-9 carbon atoms. “n” represents an integer in the range of 1-20. The weight ratio between the lubricating base oil and the ester terminated oligomer (oil/oligomer) is larger than 1. The grease composition can be used for lubricating a mechanical component having a metal surface and/or for protecting a mechanical component having a metal surface against corrosion, wear and/or fretting.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a lubricating oil (e.g., gear oil) for use in an electric or hybrid vehicle. The lubricating oil has a composition including one or more lubricating oil base stocks as a major component, and one or more lubricating oil additives, as a minor component. The one or more lubricating oil base stocks include at least one Group IV base oil, or at least one Group V base oil. The lubricating oil has a kinematic viscosity (KV100) from 1 cSt to 7 cSt at 100° C. as determined by ASTM D-445, and an electrical conductivity at room temperature of less than 15,000 pS/m as determined by ASTM D-2624. This disclosure also relates to methods for producing a lubricating oil for a transmission, gear train, gear set, gear box, or gears of an electric vehicle powertrain and methods for improving energy efficiency, while maintaining or improving wear control.

Abstract: The present invention discloses solvent free process for extracting cholesterol free of impurities from milk fat. The so isolated cholesterol is useful for the further preparation of vitamin D3. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical grade cholesterol from milk fat of high purity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for purification of a primary triacylglyceride oil comprising the steps of washing the primary triacylglyceride oil, trapping assisted removal of chlorinated precursors of MCPDEs by admixing the primary triacylglyceride oil with an auxiliary trapping agent; crystallising the auxiliary trapping agent or the primary triacylglyceride oil; and separating solid and liquid phases of the product.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surfactant blend containing (i) an extended chain anionic surfactant and (ii) an extended chain intermediate surfactant. The surfactant blend may be used in the preparation of cleaning compositions, or compositions for use in oil field treatment applications, water based metal working applications and polyurethane foam applications.

Abstract: According to the invention, the compositions and methods provide for the complete removal of labels, synthetic glues and/or adhesives from a plurality of surfaces through the use of an aqueous or non-aqueous basic organic solvent and/or an amidine, optionally in combination with surfactants, chelants, acidulants and/or additional bottle wash additives. Beneficially, the compositions and methods are suitable for use at lower temperatures and pH conditions, along with under caustic-free and/or reduced caustic conditions to effectively remove such labels, synthetic glues and/or adhesives from a surface within less than about 30 minutes.

Abstract: A unit dose detergent pack includes a pouch and a detergent composition encapsulated within the pouch. The detergent composition includes a surfactant component including an alcohol ethoxy sulfate having a C8-C20 backbone that is ethoxylated with from about 1 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide and is present in an amount of from about 5 to about 30 weight percent actives, water present in a total amount of from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, and a particular tertiary amine present in an amount of at least about 0.5 weight percent actives. The detergent composition has a viscosity of less than about 5,000 cps when diluted with additional water at about a 2:1 weight ratio of the detergent composition:water. The block copolymer is incorporated as a rheology modifying agent.

Abstract: Described herein, are fabric care compositions comprising: an aminofunctional polysiloxance; optionally a thickening agent; and optionally a non-ionic surfactant. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described.

Abstract: An aqueous composition includes (A) from 0.0001 to 10 mass % of one or more kinds of compounds selected from a C4-13 alkylphosphonic acid, a C4-13 alkylphosphonate ester, a C4-13 alkyl phosphate and a salt thereof, with respect to the total amount of the aqueous composition; and (B) from 0.0001 to 50 mass % of an acid other than the C4-13 alkylphosphonic acid, the C4-13 alkylphosphonate ester and the C4-13 alkyl phosphate or a salt thereof, with respect to the total amount of the aqueous composition.

Abstract: A beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise: a base; a fermentation module which comprises a fermenter module having an opening part, and a fermentation lid for opening and closing the opening part, and which is disposed on the upper side of the base; a passage module connected to the fermentation module and comprising at least one passage and at least one valve; and a main frame disposed on the upper side of the base and having at least a part of the passage module mounted thereto.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for rapid aging of distilled ethyl alcohol. The system includes a vessel with at least one aperture for introducing RF energy at a preselected frequency to be absorbed by opaque material in a target area; at least one liquid circulating system; and a platform to substantially contain a plurality of units of wood as the opaque material. Each unit of wood has a plurality of capillaries containing at least wood sugar and resin. The system has a wood agitation system to move the wood through the target area. An RF generator provides constant RF energy at the predetermined frequency to induce oscillation of molecules within the wood. The system has an oxygenator to provide oxygen into the liquid mixture and outgas congeners from the liquid, the vessel further providing at least one vent structured and arranged to vent the outgassed congeners.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems which accommodate 3-dimensional adipocyte expansion to produce, e.g., mature adipocytes and synthetic adipose tissue with cellular properties of mature adult organisms, including cell size and cytoarchitecture, and the use of such methods and systems for, e.g., in vitro drug screening and/or toxicity assays, disease modeling, and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A method of vascularising a cell aggregate on a microfluidic device, microfluidic cell culture devices comprising perfusable vascular networks and kits and assays using the microfluidic cell culture devices are described. The microfluidic devices comprise one or more capillary pressure barriers allowing for formation of an extracellular matrix gel within a confined area of the network, in which cells can be cultured for different uses.

Abstract: Zebrafish are a powerful model for investigating cardiac repair due to their unique regenerative abilities, scalability, and compatibility with many genetic tools. However, characterizing the regeneration process in live adult zebrafish hearts has proved challenging because adult fish are opaque and explanted hearts in conventional culture conditions experience rapid declines in morphology and physiology. To overcome these limitations, we fabricated a fluidic device for culturing explanted adult zebrafish hearts with constant media perfusion that is also compatible with live imaging. Unlike hearts cultured in dishes for one week, the morphology and calcium activity of hearts cultured in the device for one week were largely similar to freshly explanted hearts.

Abstract: A scaffold for cell culture or tissue engineering is provided. The scaffold includes a fiber web having a three-dimensional network structure, which includes a biodegradable scaffold fiber. Therefore, a microenvironment suitable for migration, proliferation and differentiation of cells to be cultured is created, thereby improving a cell proliferation rate and cell viability. In addition, the scaffold may be easily removed from cells cultured therein without physical/chemical stimuli, and thus the cultured cells may be easily recovered, and is able to be grafted into the body while the cultured cells are included in the scaffold. Moreover, the cultured cells may be cultured to have a similar shape/structure to those of an actual animal body to make it more suitable to be applied in grafting into an in vitro experimental model or animal body.

Abstract: An impeller, for example, a Rushton impeller for a bioreactor system is disclosed. The impeller includes a hub, optionally including a slot, a plurality of blades, and one or more turbulators. The plurality of blades is disposed along a circumferential direction of the hub and spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of blades is coupled to at least a portion of a circumference and/or a top surface of the hub. Each blade of the plurality of blades includes a pressure face and a suction face. The one or more turbulators is disposed on at least a portion of the suction face, the pressure face, or both, of a blade of the plurality of blades.

Abstract: A device and method for forming fibrin foam, preferably utilizing a single container, comprising a base structured to be rotationally driven and including a separation chamber disposed and structured to receive a blood sample therein. The base includes a reaction chamber disposed in fluid communication with said separation chamber. The blood sample is separated into a plasma segment and a packed cell segment when subjected to sufficient centrifugation concurrent to the driven rotation of the base. According to structural features, and in some instances concurrent and continuous centrifugation, the plasma segment is directed from said separation chamber into said reaction chamber which includes sufficient quantities of gas and reactant composition to facilitate formation of fibrin foam therein concurrent to centrifugation.

Abstract: To continue a series of cell treatments even in a case where a treatment has become impossible in any isolator, a cell treatment system is provided with at least two isolators that perform different treatments, such that a sequential series of cell treatments is performed in each of the isolators. The cell treatment system is provided with a first isolator that performs a first treatment, a second isolator that performs a second treatment different from the first treatment, and a common isolator capable of performing the first treatment and the second treatment.

Abstract: A platform for testing cell response to biochemical agents. The TrophoWell™ includes a well which contains a gel, and a plurality of capillaries that open into it. Cells and various biochemical agents such as drugs and growth factors are flown through those capillaries. The platform allows for the evaluation of cell response by imaging. The platform is a cost effective testing platform and can be used in the fields for drug discovery and personalized medicine.

Abstract: A storage assembly for storing a plurality of specimens includes a frame, a plurality of modular storage units for perfusion and/or incubation of one or more specimens removably coupled to the frame, a sample transfer apparatus configured to retrieve a specimen holder from a chosen modular storage unit of the plurality of modular storage units, and a control unit communicatively coupled to the sample transfer apparatus. The control unit is configured to cause the sample transfer apparatus to retrieve a specimen from a modular storage unit of the plurality of modular storage units and deliver the specimen to a delivery position.

Abstract: An algae cultivation system may include: a plurality of panels within a cultivation container, positioned along a first axis perpendicular to the gravitational force, wherein a cultivation volume is created between each pair of panels, and wherein the cultivation volumes are fluidly coupled so as to allow horizontal flow therebetween along the first axis; at least one first sparger, to distribute a first fluid into the container at a first operating flow rate; at least one second sparger, to distribute a second fluid into the container at a second operating flow rate; and at least one controller, to control the first operating flow rate and the second operating flow rate. The first operating flow rate may be adapted to allow turbulent mixing the algae in the cultivation container, and the second operating flow rate may be adapted to allow assimilation of materials in a liquid in the cultivation container.

Abstract: The present application relates to plant growth promoting microbes (PGPMs), compositions comprising these PGPMs and methods of using these PGPMs and/or compositions for enhancing plant health, plant growth and/or plant yield, and/or for preventing, inhibiting, or treating the development of plant pathogens or the development of phytopathogenic diseases. This application also provides non-naturally occurring plant varieties that are artificially infected with a PGPM descried herein, as well as seed, reproductive tissue, vegetative tissue, regenerative tissues, plant parts, or progeny thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are bioink compositions, which may have an elastic modulus similar to a natural tissue and/or tunable mechanical properties, along with methods of preparing and using the compositions. The compositions described herein may be useful as a medium for cell and/or tissue culture and/or for bioprinting, but are not limited thereto.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods for reducing the proportion of sperm cells with abnormal morphology, and unviable sperm cells, in a sperm cell population.

Abstract: Provided is a medium composition for differentiation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell to a dermal papilla precursor cell, a differentiation method, and a use for inducing hair follicle neogenesis using the differentiated dermal papilla precursor cell. Further provided is a method for differentiating a human induced pluripotent stem cell into a dermal papilla precursor cell having hair follicle forming ability and a composition of a dermal papilla precursor cell specific differentiation medium for the above differentiation, and have effectively induced hair follicle neogenesis consisting only of human cells without conventional mouse-human hybrid hair follicles by using the human induced dermal papilla precursor cell and a human induced epidermal precursor cell obtained through the differentiation method. Human hair follicle tissue produced is expected to be useful as a therapeutic method for patients suffering from hair loss by overcoming the limitations of hair loss treatments.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally provide for expanding cells in a cell expansion system. The cells may be grown in a bioreactor, and the cells may be activated by an activator (e.g., a soluble activator complex). Nutrient and gas exchange capabilities of a closed, automated cell expansion system may allow cells to be seeded at reduced cell seeding densities, for example. Parameters of the cell growth environment may be manipulated to load the cells into a particular position in the bioreactor for the efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. System parameters may be adjusted to shear any cell colonies that may form during the expansion phase. Metabolic concentrations may be controlled to improve cell growth and viability. Cell residence in the bioreactor may be controlled. In embodiments, the cells may include T cells. In further embodiments, the cells may include T cell subpopulations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating ?? T cells having at least one down-regulated co-inhibitory receptor, the method comprising the steps of: (a) culturing a population of cells comprising ?? T cells with a phosphoantigen to expand the ?? T cells; and (b) culturing the expanded ?? T cells with artificial antigen-presenting cells expressing a Fc receptor, and an anti-CD3 antibody. The present invention also relates to ?? T cells generated according to a method of the present invention, as well as methods of treatment and medical uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of isolating T cells and TCRs having antigenic specificity for a mutated amino acid sequence encoded by a cancer-specific mutation. Also disclosed are related methods of preparing a population of cells, populations of cells, TCRs, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating or preventing cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for enhancing the transduction efficiency of vectors into cells, e.g., primary human T lymphocytes.

Abstract: Described is a crosslinked hydrogel for muscle stem cell culture and a preparation method and use thereof. The preparation method includes: dissolving collagen to prepare a solution and adding alginate and heparan sulfate proteoglycan and uniformly mixing with the collagen solution; adding ?-PL and TGase into the solution, uniformly stirring, and putting a slurry into a mold for crosslinking to obtain the hydrogel. The hydrogel is prepared by linking the collagen, the polylysine, and the heparan sulfate proteoglycan using the TGase to form covalent crosslinking, and forming a compact three-dimensional “egg box” network structure through a physical electrostatic interaction between the polylysine and the alginate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing commercial scale quantities of canine functional beta cells and to the establishment of cell lines from immature canine pancreatic tissues. It also relates to a method of diagnosis using canine beta cell tumours or cells derived thereof. The method comprises sub-transplantation procedure to enrich the graft in proliferating beta cells, allowing generating canine Beta cell lines. Such lines express, produce and secrete insulin upon glucose stimulation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a second-order culture method for producing a suspended Vero cell vaccine, wherein same comprises the following steps: suspension culture growth of Vero cells, inoculation of a virus, dilution or addition of a production medium, secondary growth of cells, and optionally harvesting and purifying the virus fluid to produce the vaccine.

Abstract: Described herein are processes for the purification of viruses and compositions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is related to compositions and methods for the regulated and controlled expression of proteins.