Abstract: Concentrated solutions of biocides are provided, particularly for silicone caulks, which comprise a biocide, sufficient levels of a ketoxime as a solvent for the biocide, and optional non-volatile carrier liquid.

Abstract: A placemat product having a built-in storage pocket is provided for customer entertainment. The placemat product provides the multiple functions of a sanitary tabletop placemat or tray liner, an entertainment device to occupy customers and a storage pocket to hold related entertainment items such as crayons, treats, games, children's menus, disposable wipes, small compact toys, promotional reply cards and the like all in one comprehensive, integrated product.

Abstract: Hydrosoluble copolymers made of hydrophilic monomers, e.g., acrylamide, and of silane or siloxane derivative-based hydrophobic monomers, e.g., a silane or or siloxane acrylate, is obtained by micellar or heterogeneous radical copolymerization, and such copolymers can be used as rheology control agents in, e.g., a well bore.

Abstract: A method of detecting lead contamination of a surface is disclosed. A handwipe issued to collect any lead contamination on the surface. The lead is solubilized with an aqueous acid solution and treated with rhodizonate or sulfide anions. A change in color from pink to red, where rhodizonate anions are used, or brown to black, where sulfide anions are used, is indicative of the presence of lead. The method is suitable for testing surfaces such as floors, walls, windowsills, and human skin.

Abstract: There are disclosed corrosion inhibiting compositions comprising (a) at least one amido acid or salt thereof and (b) at least one of an aryltriazole or 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole wherein the molar ratio of (a) to (b) is about 0.34:1 to about 5:1, and aqueous metal working fluids containing the corrosion inhibiting compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Compositions useful as desiccants are disclosed. The compositions may be prepared by admixing components comprising a hygroscopic material and an organic polymer in a solvent to form a solution, followed by drying the solution to remove solvent and provide a moisture-deficient hygroscopic material dispersed in the organic polymer. Alternatively, the compositions may be prepared by admixing components comprising a hygroscopic material and molten organic polymer to form a fluid admixture, followed by cooling the fluid admixture to a non-fluid state. The compositions of the present invention may comprise (1) a hygroscopic material dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol, (2) a deliquescent material dispersed in an organic polymer, or (3) hygroscopic material and polymeric material both dissolved in solvent.

Abstract: A first functional man-made ornamental plant comprises a foliage-floral part L of a man-made ornamental plant having a thin layer AB of a composition comprising an inorganic particulate substance having photocatalyst activity (a) and a binder which is inorganic or has been made inorganic (b) preferably on top of an under-coat layer B of the binder which is inorganic or has been made inorganic (b). A second functional man-made ornamental plant is characterized in that the foliage-floral part L of a man-made ornamental plant is molded from a composition comprising a matrix resin and, as incorporated therein, an inorganic particulate substance having photocatalyst activity (a). Preferably, the surface of the molded foliage-floral part L is delicately roughened.

Abstract: A method of recovering or increasing the recovery of oil and/or gas from an underground formation involving injecting into the formation, preferably in the form of an aqueous solution, at least one mono alkyl ether of polyethylene glycol in which the alkyl group has 3-5 carbons and the polyethylene glycol contains 3-6 ethylene oxy units e.g. butyl ether of triethylene glycol. Especially preferred are mixtures comprising that and at least one mono alkyl ether of mono or di ethylene glycol e.g. a mixture of butyl triglycol ether, butyl tetraglycol ether, butyl pentaglycol ether and butyl diglycol ether. The method of the invention may be applied to well stimulation treatments such as water blocking, sand consolidation, sandstone acidizing and methods of increasing the recovery of oil such as tertiary oil recovery.

Abstract: An encapsulated breaker slurry composition for reducing the viscosity of a fracturing fluid. The slurry has a flashpoint above 93° C., and the liquid of the slurry does not facilitate release of the breaker from the coating. Methods of using the slurry composition are also described.

Abstract: New compositions have been discovered which are useful as slurry concentrates to carry solid particles along in a fluid. A non-limiting example would be to carry proppants in a concentrate to a completion fluid being pumped downhole in a hydrocarbon recovery operation. The composition employs both a trivalent salt, such as aluminum chlorohydrate, as a viscosifying agent, and a surfactant. Surprisingly, it has been discovered that a synergistic effect is present between the aluminum chlorohydrate and the surfactant in that less of each component is required when both are used together to suspend the same amount of solids, than if one or the other is used separately. The viscoelasticity of the concentrate may be easily broken by dilution; other mechanisms are also anticipated.

Abstract: A composition which, when subjected to heat, expands to form heat-insulating barriers comprises an expandable graphite, a fire retardant, and an inorganic intumescent filler such as clay dispersed in a resinous emulsion. Particularly desirable results are obtained with a fire retardant which is a C2-C8 alkyl diamine phosphate.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) wherein Me is Pd(II) or Pt(II); R is H or C1-C18 alkyl, or is C3-C8 cycloalkyl, phenyl, pyridyl or phenyl-C1-C4 alkylene, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 alkoxy, R3—O—C(O)—, halogen, —CN or by —NO2; R1 and R2 are each independently of the other H, C1-C12 alkyl or C1-C12 alkoxy or R1 and R2 together are —OCH2O—, —OCH2CH2O—, or —CH═CH—CH═CH—, and R3 is C1-C18 alkyl, C3-C18 cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, C1-C12 alkylphenyl or C1-C12 alkylbenzyl. Compounds of formula (I) are valuable luminophores and/or intermediates for the preparation of palladium (II) or platinum (II) benzoporphyrins, which are likewise luminophores.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling a fluid flow over a sensing surface within a flow cell. The methods employ laminar flow techniques to position a fluid flow over one or more discrete sensing areas on the sensing surface of the flow cell. Such methods permit selective sensitization of the discrete sensing areas, and provide selective contact of the discrete sensing areas with a sample fluid flow. Immobilization of a ligand upon the discrete sensing area, followed by selective contact with an analyte contained within the sample fluid flow, allows analysis by a wide variety of techniques. Sensitized sensing surfaces, and sensor devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprises the steps of providing a fracturing fluid, and injecting the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to form fractures in the subterranean formation which surrounds the well bore. The pressure is then released from the fracturing fluid, after which the fluid may be removed from the well and the well placed into production. The fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous liquid, a polysaccharide soluble or dispersible in the aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid, an enzyme breaker which degrades the polysaccharide at a temperature above 180° F. Fracturing fluid compositions and enzyme breaker systems useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sterilization system using a sterilization process monitoring device which is capable of indicating the efficacy of the sterilization process in an enclosed sterilization container while still maintaining the sealed state of the sterilization container. The process monitoring device comprises at least one biological indicator and/or at least one chemical indicator. Upon completion of the sterilization cycle, the process monitoring device can be advantageously removed from the system to determine chemical and/or biological efficacy of the sterilization process. The removal of the biological and/or chemical indicators does not disturb the sterilized state of the articles inside the sterilization container.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of oil-soluble oleophilic organic liquid phases—flowable at temperatures of 0 to 10° C.—from the classes of corresponding monocarboxylic and/or polycarboxylic acid esters, carbonic acid esters, fatty alcohols and their oligoalkoxides and/or ethers as the at least predominant part of the liquid phase in storage-stable homogeneous mixtures with guar and/or water-soluble guar derivatives for their use in water-based borehole servicing fluids.

Abstract: Selectively cross-linked starches are disclosed that are useful as fluid loss control additives in subterranean treatment fluids comprising starches that are cross-linked to a Brabender peak viscosity of about 800 to about 1250 Brabender units after about 40 to about 70 minutes at about 92° C. and provide good fluid loss control over a temperature range of from about 20° C. to about 160° C. (68° F. to 320° F.).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reagent for evaluating a hepatic operation, comprising an aromatic amino acid, methionine, alanine, fructose or galactose labelled with 13C at least at one position. According to the present invention, there is provided a reagent for evaluating a hepatic operation, which imposes less physical burden on a subject, can give accurate test results immediately and can be used safely without side effects. The reagent of the invention is useful for measuring the accurate liver excision ratio, liver regeneration/increase ratio or liver weight of a subject after a hepatic operation. With the reagent of the invention, information which is useful for evaluating a hepatic operation and the degree of invasion by the operation and for diagnosis is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for drying out rock containing immobile formation water in the intake radius of natural gas wells and gas storage wells which deliver less than 50 l of water per 1000 m.sup.3 (S.T.P.) of natural gas produced, in which a dispersion comprising the componentsA) a water-repellent active compound,B) hydrophilic water-miscible dispersion medium, with or withoutC) a dispersant renders the water-containing rock hydrophobic.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for presenting alternative facial expressions, comprising: a first portion having a plurality of regions thereon. Each region includes indicia representative of an upper section of a face including a pair of eyebrows and each representation in a given region bears a unique representation from the representations of the other regions of the first portion. A second portion has a plurality of regions thereon, each region having indicia thereon representative of a middle section of face and including a pair of eyes; each representation in a given region bearing a unique representation from the representations of the other regions of the second portion. A third portion has a plurality of regions thereon, each region having indicia thereon representative of a lower section of the face and including a mouth; each representation in a given region bearing a unique representation from the representations of the other regions of the third portion.