Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the fat firmness and meat quality of a meat animal and/or altering the ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids in meat by administering to a meat animal (e.g., pig) a composition comprising an amount of dehydrated castor oil that is effective to improve the quality indices of the animal's meat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the fat firmness and meat quality of a meat animal and/or altering the ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids in meat by administering to a meat animal (e.g., pig) a composition comprising an amount of dehydrated castor oil that is effective to improve the quality indices of the animal's meat.

Abstract: A composition and method for enhancing the thermal conductivity in heat transfer systems. The composition comprises a powder having average particle sizes in the nanometer to micron size range, a coating for imparting corrosion resistance and/or acting as a dispersant, and a heat transfer medium. The heat transfer medium is selected from the group of interpolymers, polymers, gaseous and liquid fluids, and phase change materials. Suitable powders include metals and metal oxides, alloys or blends thereof, and carbon derivatives. The surface of the powder is modified by surface complexes or physical adsorption with a coating compound. The coated powder, when mixed with a heat transfer medium, forms a colloidal dispersion which exhibits enhanced heat transfer capacity and thermal conductivity, stable chemical composition, faster heat transfer rates, and dispersion maintenance which are beneficial to most heat transfer systems.

Abstract: A composition comprised of graft copolymers of polyhydroxy compounds. The resulting high molecular weight grafted polyhydroxyl polymer can be used for applications taking advantage of the improved physical properties. The composition comprises monomeric and polymeric hydroxyl-substituted compounds, and grafting segments as selected from the group of &agr;-hydroxyalkanoic acids, &bgr;-hydroxyalkanoic acids, and other polyesters. The composition provides an effective method to create an environmentally acceptable chewing gum comprising the steps of creating a chewing gum base that includes a sufficient amount of grafted polyhydroxy copolymer to create a resultant chewing gum that is more environmentally acceptable than a chewing gum without the graft copolymers of polyhydroxy compounds, and adding to the chewing gum base components known in the principles of the art of creating resultant chewing gum products from otherwise standard elastomers.

Abstract: A composition and method for supplementing feed, nutrition and diet systems with bioactive glycerides of conjugated linoleic acid comprised of a synergistic blend of conjugated linoleic bioactive isomers acid in mono-, di-, and/or triglyceride form. The composition comprises (A) bioactive glycerides of conjugated linoleic acid comprised of a synergistic blend of conjugated linoleic bioactive isomers acid in mono-, di- and/or triglyceride form, (B) a carrier medium, and (C) a delivery system as a dietary supplement. The composition provides an effective increase in nutritional, therapeutic, and pharmacological properties in nutrition and diet systems.

Abstract: A composition and method for supplementing feed, nutrition and diet systems with bioactive glycerides of conjugated linoleic acid comprised of a synergistic blend of conjugated linoleic bioactive isomers acid in mono-, di-, and/or triglyceride form. The composition comprises (A) bioactive glycerides of conjugated linoleic acid comprised of a synergistic blend of conjugated linoleic bioactive isomers acid in mono-, di- and/or triglyceride form, (B) a carrier medium, and (C) a delivery system as a dietary supplement. The composition provides an effective increase in nutritional, therapeutic, and pharmacological properties in nutrition and diet systems.

Abstract: A system and process for recycling shredder residue, in which separating any polyurethane foam materials are first separated. Then separate a fines fraction of less than about ¼ inch leaving a plastics-rich fraction. Thereafter, the plastics rich fraction is sequentially contacted with a series of solvents beginning with one or more of hexane or an alcohol to remove automotive fluids; acetone to remove ABS; one or more of EDC, THF or a ketone having a boiling point of not greater than about 125° C. to remove PVC; and one or more of xylene or toluene to remove polypropylene and polyethylene. The solvents are recovered and recycled.

Abstract: A water and UV light degradable copolymer of monomers of lactic acid and a modifying monomer selected from the class consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, P-dioxanone, 1,5 dioxepan-2-one, 1,4-oxathialan-2-one, 1,4-dioxide and mixtures thereof. These copolymers are useful for waste disposal and agricultural purposes. Also disclosed is a water degradable blend of polylactic acid or modified polylactic acid and high molecular weight polyethylene oxide wherein the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is present in the range of from about 2 by weight to about 50% by weight, suitable for films. A method of applying an active material selected from the class of seeds, seedlings, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and mixtures thereof to an agricultural site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A degradable high molecular weight poly(lactic acid). A poly(lactic acid) has a terminal end group of one of carboxyl or hydroxyl groups with low molecular weight poly(lactic acid) units coupled with linking agents of di-isocyanates, bis-epoxides, bis-oxazolines and bis-ortho esters. The resulting high molecular weight poly(lactic acid) can be used for applications taking advantage of the improved physical properties.

Abstract: A water and UV light degradable copolymer of monomers of lactic acid and a modifying monomer selected from the class consisting of ethylene and polyethylene glycols, propylene and polypropylene glycols, P-dioxanone, 1,5 dioxepan-2-one, 1,4 -oxathialan-2-one, 1,4-dioxide and mixtures thereof. These copolymers are useful for waste disposal and agricultural purposes. Also disclosed is a water degradable blend of polylactic acid or modified polylactic acid and high molecular weight polyethylene oxide wherein the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is present in the range of from about 2% by weight to about 50% by weight, suitable for films. A method of applying an active material selected from the class of seeds, seedlings, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and mixtures thereof to an agricultural site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and system for treating aluminum salt cake containing water soluble halide salts by contacting the salt cake with water to dissolve water soluble halide salts forming a saturated brine solution. Transporting a portion of about 25% of the saturated brine solution to a reactor and introducing into the saturated brine solution at least an equal volume of a water-miscible low-boiling organic material such as acetone to precipitate a portion of the dissolved halide salts forming a three-phase mixture of an aqueous-organic-salt solution phase and a precipitated salt phase and an organic rich phase. The precipitated salt phase is separated from the other phases and the organic rich phase is recycled to the reactor. The remainder of the saturated brine solution is sent to a multiple effect evaporator having a plurality of stages with the last stage thereof producing low grade steam which is used to boil off the organic portion of the solution which is recycled.

Abstract: A surface modified alumina hydrate composition compatible with thermoplastic resins when used as a flame retardant and smoke suppressing filler. Surface modification is accomplished by treating powdered alumina hydrate with about 0.2 to 5 percent by weight of a liquid mixture of C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 carboxylic acids having a titer below about 30.degree. C. and an iodine value of about 15 or less. In a preferred embodiment, the alumina hydrate has a particle size of less than about two microns, and the liquid mixture of acids comprises isostearic acid.