Use in a gas oil fuel composition, which preferably comprises a Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel, of a compound according to formula (I): wherein: R1 to R4 are each independently hydrogen or a C1-10 alkyl group, where such alkyl groups may be the same as or different from one another; and X is a nitrogen- or oxygen-containing group, for the purpose of reducing the cetane number of said fuel composition; preparation of such a fuel composition; and operating a fuel consuming system.

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.

A fuel production method and a fuel production apparatus, for producing fuel by which the fuel efficiency can be improved and the generation of hazardous substances can be easily suppressed and which is stable, and fuel oil produced by such a method and apparatus are provided. This improves the satisfaction of users, and contributes to the prevention of environmental destruction. A fuel production method for producing fuel oil by mixing and reacting enzyme water with petroleum-based hydrocarbon oil is provided, the enzyme water being produced by mixing a natural plant enzyme, containing at least lipase, in water. The natural plant enzyme further contains cellulase. The enzyme water further contains methanol.

A process for converting triacylglycerides-containing oils into crude oil precursors and/or distillate hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The process may include reacting a triacylglycerides-containing oil-carbon dioxide mixture at a temperature in the range from about 250° C. to about 525° C. and a pressure greater than about 75 bar to convert at least a portion of the triacylglycerides to a hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons comprising one or more of isoolefins, isoparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics.

The moisture absorption capacity of biofuels can be more or less 10 times that of fossil diesel oil, causing biofuels to form acids that induce metal corrosion and form deposits in the fuel tank and pipe lines. Methods for removing moisture from stored biofuels and plant oils are described wherein glycerol is used as a solvent to extract the moisture from the bioliquid or oil, comprising the steps of placing the biofuel or oil in fluid contact with glycerol, incubating for a time, and then removing the glycerol. A cellulous ester dialysis or other semi-permeable membrane may be used to prevent the glycerol from contaminating the biofuel while allowing moisture to pass. Crude glycerol produced as a byproduct of biodiesel production may be used in the method of the disclosed invention with good result. Preferred embodiments of apparatus that employ the method of the subject invention are described.

A wax composition comprising various waxes and an organically modified polysiloxane (OMP). These materials are mixed and melted into a homogenous liquid state creating a molten blend. It is preferred that the slip agent be added to the blend at least 0.25 percent by weight, and more preferably at 0.50 percent by weight. By mixing OMP with known candle and wax potpourri waxes, the wax becomes much easier to remove from the wax container.

The disclosure describes a high energy density jet fuel composition, having a smoke point about 18 mm as determined by ASTM D1322 and a thermal stability of no more than 25 mm Hg as determined by ASTM D 3241, and a method for making a jet fuel composition, wherein the net heat of combustion is determined by the aromatics content, cycloparaffins content, and normal plus or iso paraffins content in the jet fuel composition.

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.

Use of a reaction product of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic mono- or polycarboxylic acids with aliphatic polyamines for improving or boosting the separation of water from fuel oils which comprise additives with detergent action. A Fuel additive concentrate comprising the said reaction product, certain additives with detergent action and optionally dehazers, cetane number improvers and solvents or diluents.

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.

A separation system and method for separating one or more solid fossil fuels from a contaminated source in a liquid medium, the system including primary separation means and secondary separation means, the primary and secondary separation means being arranged to operate with liquid media of differing specific gravities.

A method comprising applying a chemical change reagent to coal prior to combustion of the coal is provided. In some instances, the chemical change reagent can include an effective amount of a material to reduce NOx emissions, SOx emissions, or both from combustion of the coal.

The present invention is directed to a degradation composition, methods and kits for degrading organic pollutants comprising reduced copper based nanoparticles-polymer complex (Cu-NPs) and an oxidant.

A debris collecting and retaining magnet structure for removable disposition in a motor vehicle transmission. The magnet structure is cylindrical and defines a plurality of axially and circumferentially extending and intersecting bars or ribs. The intersecting bars or ribs form a cylindrical cage. The cage is secured to a mounting structure having a radially extending arm or lug with a mounting opening in which a threaded fastener may be installed to secure the magnet assembly to a transmission housing. The mounting structure includes a gasket such as an O-ring to seal it within the transmission. The cylindrical magnet cage exhibits significantly increased surface area relative to conventional magnets thereby increasing the amount of metal particles that may be attracted to and retained by the magnet.

A method includes removing glyphosate from a solution by contacting the solution with a mesoporous inorganic particle having an average pore size of greater than zero and less than about 50 nm, wherein the mesoporous inorganic particle is functionalized with a positively charged moiety selected from ammonium, amine and combinations thereof.

A method for removing glyphosate from a solution by contacting the solution with a polymeric particle including a moiety selected from the group consisting of ammonium, amine and combinations thereof, wherein the moiety is positively charged in the solution.

Methods and systems are provided for disinfecting water mains using ultraviolet (UV) light and advanced oxidation processes. One or more UV light sources are provided and secured to a movable device that moves axially in a pipe. The frequency and intensity of the UV light is determined based on characteristics of the pipe, such as its material and size. The rate at which the movable device moves through the pipe is also determined so that the interior surface of the pipe is properly disinfected. The movable device is remotely caused to move through the pipe. An oxidant supply component having a dispensing portion dispenses an oxidizing agent into the pipe. A portion of the emitted UV light may convert the dispensed oxidizing agent into additional oxidizing agents that further disinfect the pipe.

Various embodiments of contaminant removal systems, compositions, and methods are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for oxidizing a contaminant includes contacting the contaminant with a peroxygen compound and initializing, maintaining, or propagating degradation of the peroxygen compound with an oxygenated organic compound, thereby releasing oxidizing radicals. The method also includes oxidizing the contaminant with the released oxidizing radicals.

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.

A preparation method of Bacillus subtilis biological composite material loaded with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with core-shell structure includes the following steps: 1) preparation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, 2) preparation of Fe3O4@mSiO2 nanoparticles, 3) preparation of Fe3O4@mSiO2@MANHE nanoparticles; and 4) preparation of Bacillus subtilis@Fe3O4@mSiO2@MANHE composite.

Cations that can precipitate from an aqueous composition to produce scaling are sequestered by adding a multi-dentate ligand to the aqueous composition. The multi-dentate ligand bonds with the cation to form a non-scaling ionic complex; and the aqueous solution with the ionic complex is used in a process that produces substantially pure water from the aqueous composition, where the cation, absent formation of the ionic complex, is subject to scaling. The pH of the aqueous composition (or a brine including components of the aqueous composition) is then reduced to release the cation from the multi-dentate ligand; and the multi-dentate ligand, after the cation is released, is then reused in a predominantly closed loop.

An apparatus and a method are provided for an application specific fuel filter that is configured to prevent particulates from entering the fuel system of a motor vehicle, the fuel filter comprising a hollow canister comprising a length and diameter; a first end comprising a fuel inlet; a second end comprising a fuel outlet; a filter element comprising a plurality of pleats; and a rolled seam.

Devices and methods for characterization of analyte mixtures are provided. Some methods described herein include performing enrichment steps on a device before expelling enriched analyte fractions from the device for subsequent analysis. Also included are devices for performing these enrichment steps.

Systems and methods for controlling fluid movement and volumes of fluid between a subject and a controlled compliant flow path. The controlled compliant flow path has a means for selectively metering in and metering out fluid from the controlled compliant flow path. An extracorporeal flow path is in fluid communication with the controlled compliant flow path across a semi-permeable membrane where the extracorporeal flow path has a first terminal end and a second terminal end.

A blood purification apparatus capable of achieving a simplified configuration and switching between hemodialysis treatment (HD), hemofiltration treatment (HF), and hemodiafiltration treatment (HDF) as well as selecting from pre-dilution, post-dilution and pre and post-dilution easily and smoothly. The blood purification apparatus includes: a valve means 3 that is capable of closing and opening a dialysate introduction line and a dialysate supply line L3 in any manner, and a control unit 5 that operates the valve means 3 to allow any treatment to be performed selected from hemodialysis treatment in which the dialysate supply line L3 is closed while the dialysate introduction line L1 is opened, hemofiltration treatment in which the dialysate supply line L3 is opened while the dialysate introduction line L1 is closed, and hemodiafiltration treatment in which hemodialysis and hemofiltration are performed concurrently by alternately closing and opening the dialysate introduction line L1 and the dialysate supply line L3.

Blood separation systems and methods are provided for detecting lipids in plasma that has been separated from a plasma-containing fluid, such as blood. The system includes a fluid processing region in which a plasma-containing fluid is separated into plasma and other fluid components. A plasma flow path is associated with the fluid processing region for the flow of at least a portion of the separated plasma into or out of the region. A lipid detector shines blue and/or ultraviolet light through the separated plasma in the plasma line to optically detect the presence of lipids therein. The lipid detector may be used alone or in combination with a hemoglobin detector to reduce the number of false hemoglobin alarms or an interface detector for improved detection and correction of the location of an interface between separated fluid components in the fluid processing region.

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 reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration device includes a body, a RO cartridge, a first cartridge, a second cartridge and a storage tank all mounted inside the body. Water to be filtered sequentially goes through a water inlet of the RO water filtration device, the first cartridge, the RO cartridge, the storage tank, the second cartridge, and a faucet to get the water filtered. The storage tank provides additional water supply when the pressure between the faucet and RO cartridge is below the water pressure inside the storage tank to increase water volume upon opening a faucet.

A blood filtration device comprising a generally cylindrical housing having an interior wall. An interior member is mounted interior of the housing and comprises an outer surface having a porous membrane disposed thereon. The housing and interior member are relatively rotatable and define an annular gap therebetween. The blood filtration device also comprises an inlet for directing fluid into the annular gap, a first outlet for exiting filtrate passing through the membrane, and a second outlet for directing from the annular gap the remaining retentate. The porous membrane comprises a first layer and a second layer.

A process for inhibiting formation of calcium scale in a reverse osmosis desalination membrane during desalination involving desalinating an aqueous salt solution comprising water, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and sodium bicarbonate with the reverse osmosis desalination membrane, while concurrently irradiating the aqueous salt solution with a UV light source that emits UV light with a wavelength of 250-400 nm. Scale formation is inhibited by treating a salt solution with the UV light in a continuous or a non-continuous process.

A brine filtration device disposable at a bottom portion of a brine storage tank has inner and outer tubes having a plurality of fine slits in order to mechanically trap any large undissolved salt crystals that may be entrained within a sodium chloride solution. A plurality of beads are disposed between the inner and outer tubes to cause the sodium chloride solution to change direction (i.e., cause turbulence) which further promotes or facilitates dissolution of any undissolved salt crystals entrained within the sodium chloride solution. The sodium chloride solution continues to flow through the slits of the inner tube which further traps or catches any undissolved salt crystals. Additional changes in flow direction of the sodium chloride solution are also contemplated to further increase or facilitate dissolution of undissolved salt crystals entrained in the sodium chloride solution.

A pollution mitigation system is disclosed. The system can include a valve forming a passage the valve installable to form an orifice in a storm drain retention chamber that passes storm water into a conduit of a storm water management system. The valve having a stem connected to a closure member that can plug the orifice. The valve can have a spring loaded actuator that can move the closure member into a closed position. The system can also include a node such as a wireless sensor node or a mote that has sensors, a transceiver, an antenna, a microcontroller, memory, an energy source and at least one output to control movement of the closure member via the preloaded actuator. The node can have an output that provides the stimulus to the preloaded actuator to cause the preloaded actuator to move the closure member to a position that obstructs the passage in response to either the sensor or a transmission from a mobile telephone such as a cell phone or a smartphone.

Disclosed herein are methods for reducing fouling caused by process water present within a water recycling loop of a pyrolysis plant. The process water includes water, a pygas, and in some cases pygas byproducts. Fouling is caused by phase separation and accumulation of materials from the process water on equipment surfaces. The method includes applying a total of about 5 ppm to 500 ppm of one or more antifouling polymers to the process water to form a treated process water. The one or more antifouling polymers are selected from the group consisting of copolymers of unsaturated fatty acids, primary diamines, and acrylic acid; copolymers of methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride with acrylic acid and/or acrylamide; copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol; and blends of two or more thereof.

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.

A system and method for filtering pool water by removing algae from the water without the use of chemicals is presented. The system includes a pump, a hose, and a filter. The pump is configured to move a volume of water from the pool and push the water through the hose. A container is in communication with the hose to receive the water. The container includes an internal filter and a series of holes in the body of the container. The water passes through the filter and is discharged out through the holes. The water is recycled through the filter continuously. The location of the pump and the container relative to one another within the pool allows an operator to dictate the level of circulation and filtration of water through the pool.

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.…

A recent boxing showcase at a defunct West Oakland train station captured the historic spirit of the site. On Saturday June 11, Osric Pratt Promotions presented Unfinished Business, a showcase of Northern California boxing culture at the historic 16th Street train station in West Oakland. The event consisted of seven boxing matches, interspersed with hip-hop and poetry performances.…

'Don’t build technology for Mordor.' On Saturday at Peter Thiel’s San Francisco home overlooking the Bay, protesters demonstrated against a collaboration between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Palantir Technologies, a data-mining firm that Thiel co-founded. As reported in The Intercept, ICE will be using a new Palantir product called Investigative Case Management to to aid in its expanded deportation mission.…

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 Golden State Warriors paraded for the second time in three years in downtown Oakland yesterday. Players rode by in topless busses, paired with teammates and families, along with coaches, members of the team's ownership group, and of course the odd ambassadorial pairing of Mayor Libby Schaaf and MC Hammer.…

Here are photos from today's Warriors' championship parade.

Oakland’s Alphabet Rockers lands a second nomination for best children’s music album for record honoring gender and cultural diversity. The motto of the Alphabet Rockers is: "We make music that makes change." On its most recent album, The Love, the Oakland hip-hop collective lives up to that promise.…

Provided herein are methods of reliably determining whether or not an individual is a user of tobacco.

The invention concerns nucleic acids coding for mutated or truncated forms of the human parkin gene, or forms comprising multiplication of exons, and the corresponding proteins and antibodies. The invention also concerns methods and kits for identifying mutations of the parkin gene, and for studying compounds for therapeutic purposes.

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.

Disclosed are methods and compositions for detecting the presence of a cancer in a subject and assessing the efficacy of treatments for the same. The disclosed method use reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and multiplex polymerase chain reaction techniques as well as Template Exchange Extension Reaction (TEER) to detect the presence of point mutations, truncations, or fusions of anaplastic lymphoma kinase.

A method of detecting a cancer progression observation index gene group, comprising: a) preparing a plurality of AKR/J mice in which an oncogene is inserted into a thymocyte; b) dividing the AKR/J mice into three groups, raising the first group of the AKR/J mice after high-dose ionizing radiation of 0.8 Gy/min, raising the second group of the AKR/J mice after low-dose ionizing radiation of 0.7 mGy/hr, and raising the third group of the AKR/J mice in a general environment; c) obtaining a thymus of a dead mouse of the first or second group of the AKR/J mice throughout the b) operation and diagnosing cancer when a weight of the thymus is increased to twice or more than before radiation; d) extracting thymuses by sacrificing the first to third groups of the AKR/J mice at the time at which the third group of the AKR/J mice initially die; and e) selecting only a thymus having no change in weight compared to the organs of the same-aged non-irradiated AKR/J mice from the organs extracted in d) and detecting a gene of the organ whose weight is increased or decreased by a factor of two or more through gene analysis.

The present disclosure relates to use of high-concentration aldehyde-based fixatives to fix tissue samples. Aldehyde concentrations are selected that significantly increase rate of diffusion of the fixative solution into the tissue. When combined in the cold-temperature step of a two-temperature fixation, a substantial improvement in the preservation of post-translationally modified proteins is achieved.

Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.

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