The present invention relates to the use of 1,1-diethoxyethane for increasing the knocking resistance of low-boiling gasoline with an initial boiling point (IBP) of 80° C. to 120° C. by at least 40 units (Research Octane Number).

Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to control the conversion of carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a process having a control system that enables the system to produce a fuel of uniform quality, even with a change in biomass supply.

Polytetrahydrobenzoxazines and bistetrahydrobenzoxazines, obtainable by (A) reacting at least one diamine of the formula H2N-A-NH2 with a C1- to C12-aldehyde and a C1- to C8-alkanol at 20 to 80° C. with elimination and removal of water, (B) reacting the condensation product from (A) with a phenol which bears a long-chain substituent at 30 to 120° C., and optionally (C) heating the reaction product from (B) to 125 to 280° C. The resulting polytetrahydrobenzoxazines and bistetrahydrobenzoxazines are suitable as fuel or lubricant additives, especially as detergent additives for diesel fuels.

Present embodiments include systems for reducing moisture in a solid feed provided to a gasifier. For example, in an embodiment, a feedstock preparation system includes an aspirator having a first inlet for receiving a flow of steam, a second inlet for receiving a flow of a moist gaseous phase from a grinding mechanism configured to grind a solid fuel in the presence of a conveyance gas. The moist gaseous phase includes the conveyance gas and moisture removed from the ground solid fuel. The aspirator also includes an outlet configured to output a reduced pressure flow having the steam and the moist gaseous phase. The aspirator is configured to enhance moisture removal from the ground solid fuel to produce a dry feed of the ground solid fuel. The aspirator discharge is recycled within the process to heat the incoming dry conveyance gas and improve system efficiency.

A two-stage reactor is disclosed for the conversion of solid particulate biomass material. The reactor is designed to maximize conversion of the solid biomass material, while limiting excess cracking of primary reaction products. The two-stage reactor comprises a first stage reactor, in which solid biomass material is thermally pyrolyzed to primary reaction products. The primary reaction products are catalytically converted in a second stage reactor.

The present invention relates to alkanolamide-containing compositions, and more particularly to alkanolamide-containing compositions formed by the reaction of a fatty acid and diethanolamine (DEA) which contain low levels of undesirable by-products. Such compositions are particularly suitable for use as fuel additives.

A method for improving performance of fuel injectors, and a method for cleaning fuel injectors for an internal combustion engine. The methods include operating the engine on a fuel composition comprising a major amount of fuel and from about 1 to about 200 ppm by weight based on a total weight of the fuel of a reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbyl substituted compound containing at least one tertiary amino group and (ii) a halogen substituted C2-C8 carboxylic acid, ester, amide, or salt thereof, wherein the reaction product as made is substantially devoid of free anion species.

The present invention provides novel techniques for controlling the output of a distillation sub-process by controlling, using model predictive control, the temperature of steam used in the distillation sub-process, wherein the steam is generated in a milling and cooking sub-process. In particular, the present techniques are presented in the context of biofuel production, wherein the temperature of a cook tube generated in a milling and cooking sub-process may be controlled to optimize the energy utilization in the ethanol/water separation of a side stripper column, which uses the cook flash steam as an energy source. However, the present techniques may also be applied to other suitable applications, such as liquor processing, where steam generated in a different process may be used in a distillation process to help separate water from the liquor.

A process is provided comprising subjecting a quantity of plant biomass fibers to a pretreatment to cause at least a portion of lignin contained within each fiber to move to an outer surface of said fiber, wherein a quantity of pretreated tacky plant biomass fibers is produced; and densifying the quantity of pretreated tacky plant biomass fibers to produce one or more densified biomass particulates, wherein said biomass fibers are densified without using added binder.

News, arts, and dining coverage for Oakland, Berkeley, and the greater East Bay.

News, arts, and dining coverage for Oakland, Berkeley, and the greater East Bay.

A ballast water treatment device attached to a vessel provided with: a line (1) through which drawn treatment target water flows; and a ballast tank (5) connected to a downstream side of the line (1). The ballast water treatment device is provided with: a filter (3) which is disposed in the line (1) and which filters the treatment target water; and a controller (7). The controller (7) causes the treatment target water to be discharged outboard from an upstream side of the filter (3) in an early stage of drawing of the treatment target water, until water quality is stabilized, and, when the water quality of treatment target water has stabilized, causes the filter (3) to filter the treatment target water. Thus, ballast water filtering can be efficiently performed.

Provided is a method for reducing COD of wastewater with improved utilization efficiency of ozone. The method achieves an objective by adding agents for removing hydroxyl radical scavengers produced by base-catalyzed ozone advanced oxidation to wastewater. The addition of calcium ion, barium ion, etc. to a base-catalyzed ozonation system makes the hydroxyl radical scavengers form precipitates, separated from water and lose the capability of scavenging hydroxyl radicals, thereby enhancing ozone utilization efficiency. Furthermore, calcium ion, barium ion, etc. form precipitates with partial organic acids yielded in the wastewater ozonation and are separated from water, hence diminishing ozone consumption and indirectly improving the ozone utilization efficiency in the wastewater treatment. The present invention can not only significantly enhance the reaction rate and utilization efficiency of ozone, saving reaction time and costs, but also enable complete mineralization of the organic compounds, significantly reducing COD and total phosphorus of wastewater.

An in-tank filter bowl de-aeration shroud for a hydraulic or oil reservoir includes an outlet shroud surrounding the filter bowl outlet at a proximal end thereof and having a shroud fluid outlet at a distal end thereof with a larger opening than an opening of the filter bowl outlet. The outlet shroud may be formed as or include a diverging member surrounding the filter bowl outlet at a proximal end thereof and having a diverging member fluid outlet at a distal end thereof, wherein the member diverges from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. The outlet shroud may further include a central deflector positioned within the diverging member and combining with the diverging member to form an annular passage to the diverging member fluid outlet.

A novel embodiment of a Free Flow Filtration Unit ensuring unimpeded flow of media to be filtered and unimpeded flow of permeated media in a leakage proof fully fused rigid unit. A Filtration Unit fused into a singular element, formed by a fused stack of internally channeled flat filter plates (1) each plate formed by fusing of two molded flat half filter plates (2, 3), the filter effect formed by perforation slits or holes (10) in the surface of the plates, said perforations connecting to channels (9) in the plates for free flow of permeate (filtered media) leading to one or more exit (4) perpendicular to the plate, the filter plate exits forming exit channels for permeate from the Filtration Unit as the filter plates (1) are fused into a stack at the exit (4) and at bonding points (8) securing that the filter plates are spaced and rigidly fixed at specific distance in the stack, offering slit like gaps at least at 2 sides for free access and exit flow of media to be filtered. The filter area surface (6) can be covered by fusing a fine filter (7), typically an organic flat sheet membrane, to the filter area surface, whereby very fine micro or ultra-filtration or even molecular filtration can be achieved.

5 A liquid cleaning system rests on a surface having a non-porous material covering and a drain. A lower plate layer and an upper plate layer each have runners arranged in a grid. The lower plate layer rests upon the surface and the upper plate layer rests upon the lower plate layer offset at an angle with respect to the grid of the lower plate layer. An upper layer covers the upper plate layer and has a plurality of holes for the passage of fluids into the liquid cleaning system. As liquid enters the liquid cleaning system through the holes, the liquid traverses the grid of the lower plate layer and the grid of the upper plate layer flowing towards the drain, and contaminants within the liquid collect within the grid of the lower plate layer and the grid of the upper plate layer.

While the region's influence on mainstream hip-hop has gone overlooked for decades, a new generation of break-out artists are reclaiming their musical heritage and drawing national attention back to the area. In the hours leading up to their showcase at The Chapel in San Francisco's Mission District in late February, members of HBK Gang milled about the overcrowded green room, laughing, dancing, and taking selfies. The effervescent supergroup consists of more than a dozen East Bay rappers, singers, and producers mostly in their early twenties.…

"So the last time we played here was September 6th, 1993," announced Billie Joe Armstrong. He was on stage at storied Berkeley venue 924 Gilman Street, flanked by Mike Dirnt, Tre Cool, Jason White, and Jason Freese.…

Warriors fans from around the Bay Area flocked to Oakland for a parade through downtown and a rally on the shore of Lake Merritt. The massive crowd spilled into the streets, stopping traffic in many parts of the city, as team members, coaches, staff, and members of government gave speeches to commemorate the Warriors' historic championship.…

Roughly fifty demonstrators marched from Fruitvale BART on Friday night to Oakland City Hall in an anti-police rally called in response to the fatal shooting of Richard Perkins by Oakland police on November 15. But unlike protests earlier this year, police didn’t try to drive demonstrators onto the sidewalks to comply with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf’s policy banning nighttime street marches.…

First, a loud siren seared my ears. When I turned, I saw four men draped in bandages standing atop a white hearse.…

Last week, Oakland artist Jet Martinez finished his largest mural yet, on the side of the I. Magnin Building in downtown Oakland — to stunning effect. 

The Mexico-born artist  is known internationally for his gorgeous floral patterning inspired by motifs in Mexican folk art. But, according to a recent statement released about his new mural, he recently decided he wanted to contribute more directly to the community in which he lives by doing more local art.…

Jay Stone looked at home as he took the stage in a burgundy bathrobe last Thursday at The Night Light, a bar near Jack London Square.…

Despite some growing pains, the fest successfully expanded into a ten-day concert series that highlighted outstanding local talent. Jay Stone looked at home as he took the stage in a burgundy bathrobe last Thursday at The Night Light, a bar near Jack London Square. He was headlining the seventh night of Oakland Music Festival, which dominated the local concert calendar from September 30 to October 9 with shows taking place at different venues every night.…

Kamaiyah, Ice Cube, How to Dress Well, and Sigur Rós played in the rain despite the many delays, cancelations, and technical difficulties. Treasure Island promised one of its best lineups yet for its tenth anniversary, but severe weather literally rained on everyone's parade. Many performances were delayed or canceled, often with little communication to the public on Saturday.…

Including a photo slideshow. Even at 10 a.m. this past Saturday morning, hours before a throng of anti-fascists and Trump-supporting white nationalists overtook downtown Berkeley’s streets, it was clear that most of the attendees were less interested in speeches, protesting, and free speech — and were mostly there just to tee-off on each other. Before the brawling began, officers stationed themselves at the entrances to downtown's "Peace Park."…

The present invention refers to a process for classifying tumor samples of unknown and/or uncertain primary origin, specifically including the steps of obtaining patterns of biological activity modulation of tumor of unknown and/or uncertain primary origin and comparing them to an specific and unique group of biomarkers which determine the profiles of biological activity modulation of known origin tumors. The present invention belongs to the molecular biology and genetics field.

Compositions and methods for detecting Trichomonas vaginalis are provided.

A system and method for concurrently and uniformly removing thermal energy from clustered specimen samples.

An assay and a method for identifying a prebiotic to treat a subject in need thereof to promote intestinal barrier integrity or to blunt an inflammatory response are provided.

Methods of screening for expression of an RNA associated with a post-kidney transplant complication include collecting vesicles from urine, isolating vesicle-associated RNA, and analyzing expression patterns. In particular, AIF1, BTN3A3, CCL5, CD48, HAVCR1, or SLC6A6 mRNA expression patterns are analyzed.

An assay system and method for use in the field of chemical testing is disclosed. The assay system can be used for filtering whole blood for testing on an integrated circuit containing digital control functionality.

Methods and compositions are described for categorizing and treating autoimmune disease, using single cell network profiling (SCNP), where activation levels of one or more activatable elements are determined in single cells, with or without modulation, to categorize or determine treatment for the autoimmune disease.

The present invention provides assays for detecting and measuring the presence or level of anti-TNFα drug therapeutics and autoantibodies in a sample. The present invention is useful for optimizing therapy and monitoring patients receiving anti-TNFα drug therapeutics to detect the presence or level of autoantibodies (e.g., HACA and/or HAHA) against the drug.

This invention publicizes a chronic renal disease diagnostic kit, comprised of FGF23 monoclonal antibody, biotin labeling reagent Sulfo-NHS-LC-Biotin, PBS buffer solution (pH7.0, 0.1M), casein saline solution, streptomycin avidin and substrate TMB. The labeling condition is the weight ratio of FGF23 antibody and Sulfo-NHS-LC-Biotin, which is 1:5-1:12. The dilution ratio of streptomycin avidin is 1:3000. The lowest testing threshold limit value of FGF23 kit is 10 pg/ml, whose sensitivity is 10 times higher than that of common monoclonal antibody, which is very significant for early diagnose of chronic renal disease.

The present invention relates to in vitro methods of assessing the susceptibility or responsiveness of a subject to the treatment with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor/antagonist, wherein the subject has been diagnosed or suspected of suffering from inflammation-associated. These methods comprise determining the level of expression of EGFR in myeloid cells in a sample from the subject, wherein an expression of EGFR in the myeloid cells is indicative of the subject being susceptible to the treatment with an EGFR inhibitor/antagonist. The invention also relates to EGFR inhibitors/antagonists for use in the treatment or amelioration of inflammation-associated cancer. The invention furthermore provides in vitro methods of prognosing the survival time, progression-free survival time or disease course of a subject that has been diagnosed or suspected of suffering from from inflammation-associated cancer. In addition thereto, the invention relates to in vitro diagnostic methods of assessing the proneness of a subject to develop inflammation-associated cancer in which the expression of EGFR is determined in myeloid cells from the subject.

A method to detect prostate cancer comprising contacting a sample of prostate cells from the patient with a set of detectably labeled probes under hybridization conditions and determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in prostate tumor tissue, PIN (intra-epithelial neoplasia), histologically benign tissue and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); a method to combine immunofluorescence and FISH (IF-FISH) to facilitate the assessment of chromosomal abnormalities; a set of probes; and a kit comprising the set of probes and instructions for diagnosing prostate cancer in a patient.

In sporadic Alzheimer's disease, neurofibrillary lesion formation is preceded by extensive post-translational modification of the microtubule associated protein tau. Immunoassays have been developed recently that detect tau in biological specimens, thus providing a means for pre-mortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, which has remained elusive. These assays have been improved by the analysis of relevant post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, however opportunity for improvement remains. The present invention addresses this issue by disclosing synthetic methylated peptides derived from the tau protein of paired helical filaments and non-diseased control brain. Alzheimer's disease specificity is provided by the presence or absence of methyl moieties on lysine residues and differences between mono-, di-, and tri-methylation. The methylated peptide is useful as an antigen and a binding partner for identifying compounds that interact with the peptide and the methylated tau protein, including antibodies that can distinguish non-diseased brain from that affected by Alzheimer's disease. The resulting antibodies are useful diagnostically and therapeutically. The compounds that specifically bind to methylated tau proteins are useful for eliminating abnormally methylated tau.

Compositions and methods useful for point of care testing for hemophilia by measuring coagulation factor levels are provided.

Noted restaurateur Reem Assil has decided to close her Fruitvale restaurant, Reem's California.

"From the bottom of our hearts, we'd like to thank everyone who has supported us in keeping our humble oakland restaurant operation a force in our community.…

Oakland-based food-and-drinks company Purity Organic announced today that it is launching a limited new line of Sweet Leaf beverages that consumers can buy directly online.

"We can't wait to get Sweet Leaf back into the hands of our customers online," said Purity Organic vice president of marketing Bill Porter.…

Just in time to celebrate its ten-year anniversary, popular Filipino-fusion food truck Señor Sisig has established a long-term location in Oakland.

The brand-new spot is at 3331 Fruitvale Ave. in the Dimond District.…

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent UC Berkeley chancellor Carol Christ a letter today requesting permission to place a banner on the university's famous clocktower that reads "It's High Time We Went Vegan. PETA."…

The brick-and-mortar Fruitvale location of La Guerrera's Kitchen is now closed — permanently.

Mother-and-daughter owners Ofelia Barajas and Reyna Maldonado decided against negotiating a new lease for the restaurant when their previous one ended in March, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Instead, the pair will sell tamales online with pickups several days a week at the Ale Industries brewery.…

Benchmark Pizzeria in Old Oakland has closed permanently.

A notice now posted at the restaurant's website, addressed "to our Friends, Regulars, and Supporters," reads:

"We have made the very tough decision to close Benchmark Oakland permanently.…

The present invention relates to a process for producing an electrolytic capacitor, the process comprising process steps i) ii): i) providing a capacitor body (1) that comprises an electrode body (2) of an electrode material,a dielectric (3) which at least partially covers the surface of this electrode material, anda solid electrolyte (4) at least comprising an electrically conductive material which at least partially covers the dielectric surface; ii) applying a primer solution e) to the capacitor body (1), followed by an application of a solution or dispersion a) comprising a conjugated polymer b) and a solvent or dispersant d), followed by an at least partial removal of the solvent or dispersant d) for the formation of the polymeric outer layer (5) that is formed onto the capacitor body (1); wherein the primer solution e) comprises at least one monofunctional amine and at least one carboxylic acid.

A method and system for cooling a device (preferably a micro-device), comprising cooling the device by using a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) mixture. Enhancement of heat transfer rates is achieved during phase separation of a two-component system (two-component mixture) with a LCST. Convective heat transfer rates in small diameter pipes and over a vertical (hot) plate are demonstrated.

A package includes a conductive pad, with a plurality of openings penetrating through the conductive pad. A dielectric layer encircles the conductive pad. The dielectric layer has portions filling the plurality of openings. An Under-Bump Metallurgy (UBM) includes a via portion extending into the dielectric layer to contact the conductive pad. A solder region is overlying and contacting the UBM. An integrated passive device is bonded to the UBM through the solder region.

A stretchable electronic assembly comprising a stretchable body, a plurality of electronic components encapsulated in the stretchable body, at least one meandering conductor connected to at least one electronic component of the plurality of electronic components, at least one hollow pocket formed in the stretchable body, the at least one meandering conductor encapsulated in the stretchable body and the at least one meandering conductor located within the at least one hollow pocket formed in the stretchable body.

Provided herein is a resin fluxed solder paste that exhibits a desirable solder bump reinforcement effect without requiring an underfill process. The disclosure also provides a mount structure. The resin fluxed solder paste includes a non-resinic powder containing a solder powder and an inorganic powder; and a flux containing a first epoxy resin, a curing agent, and an organic acid. The non-resinic powder accounts for 30 to 90 wt % of the total, and the surface of the inorganic powder is covered with an organic resin.