Abstract: Layered phyllosilicates are useful for adsorbing and/or binding to cholesterol and, thereby, reducing blood cholesterol in a patient. Accordingly, provided herein is a method of reducing hypercholesteremia in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a protonated and at least partially exfoliated layered phyllosilicate material alone and in combination with other cholesterol-reducing agents in an amount effective to reduce hypercholesteremia in said mammal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, A water-proofing laminate includes a drainboard having a first surface positioned against a hydraulic source and a second surface opposed to the first surface, a fastener plate positioned against the second surface of the drainboard securing the drainboard to the hydraulic surface, the fastener plate comprising a conductive element and a thermoplastic resin, and a self-healing hydraulic barrier comprising a thermoplastic surface adjoined to a geotextile and carrying a water-absorbent material, the thermoplastic surface inductively welded to the fastener plate.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a flue gas scrubbing composition, a method of using the flue gas scrubbing composition, and a method of entombing mercury collected with the flue gas scrubbing composition. The flue gas scrubbing composition includes an admixture of a mercury sorbent material that comprises a clay, copper, and sulfur; and lime that comprises calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide. The method of collecting mercury from a flue gas includes injecting the flue gas scrubbing composition of any one of the preceding claims into a flue duct comprising the flue gas; reacting the mercury sorbent material with mercury in the flue gas to form a mercury-sorbed material and thereby reducing the concentration of mercury in the flue gas; reacting the lime with SO2, SO3, and/or HCl in the flue gas to form a calcium sulfate and/or a calcium chloride; and collecting a mixture that includes the mercury-sorbed material.

Abstract: The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide-end group-containing coupling agent.

Abstract: The compositions, articles and methods described herein remain intact for sealing between and around structures that contact salt water. The compositions include: (i) a partially cross-linked polyacrylamide/partially neutralized polyacrylic acid copolymer; (ii) a smectite clay; (iii) an elastomer, e.g., butyl rubber; (iv) a polyolefin polymer or copolymer; and (v) a cationic flocculant, the compositions have exceptional and unexpected free swell and cohesiveness when in contact with high conductivity water or multivalent ion-containing-contaminated water. The articles of manufacture described herein all include a combination of (i) a partially cross-linked acrylamide/acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer; (ii) a smectite clay; (iii) an elastomer, e.g.

Abstract: A stable, oil-in-water (O-W) emulsion-based sunscreen composition having at least one water-insoluble, organic UV-absorber having a water-solubility of much less than 0.1% by weight, contained in the oil phase of the sunscreen emulsion, comprising i) zinc oxide (ZnO) particles having a surface free of any prior coating of any inorganic oxide and hydrophobic material, remaining dispersed in the water phase of the sunscreen emulsion; ii) at least one non- or low-foaming, non-cationic, hydrophilic polymer, capable of dispersing or deflocculating the ZnO particles but incapable of thickening an aqueous composition to a viscosity of greater than 100 cps at 25° C.

Abstract: A suspension having a specific gravity greater than 1.0 that contains one or more reactive materials, said suspension containing a biopolymer that decomposes over time, thereby releasing the contaminant reactant for contact with the contaminants in the waterway bottom sediment or waterway floor material. In one embodiment, the suspension includes a water-buoyant material, that can be placed underwater over a sub-aqueous waterway bottom or floor that contains a contaminant to be treated or confined and remains in place for treatment and/or confinement. After the suspension is placed, it may be stabilized against movement by applying a confining or weighting layer, such as sand or a water-permeable or water-impermeable geotextile, thereover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating produced fluid from a well, the heating apparatus comprising a produced fluid pathway; a heat generation system comprising a diesel engine, a heated hydraulic fluid pathway, and an engine coolant pathway; and a heat transfer system disposed between the produced fluid pathway and the heat generation system to transfer thermal energy from the heat generation system to a produced fluid contained within the produced fluid pathway.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mercury sorbent material comprising making a copper/clay mixture by admixing a dry clay and a dry copper source; making a sulfur/clay mixture by admixing a dry clay and a dry sulfur source; admixing the copper/clay mixture and the sulfur/clay mixture, to form a mercury sorbent pre-mixture; and shearing the mercury sorbent pre-mixture to form the mercury sorbent material. The mercury sorbent material has an interlayer d(001)-spacing of less than 12 ? when the mercury sorbent material contains less than 4 wt % water, and a powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the mercury sorbent material is substantially free of a diffraction peak at 2.73±0.01 ?, and the ?-potential of the mercury sorbent material is greater than the ?-potential of the dry clay.

Abstract: Reactive gabion cage or grid structures, and their methods of manufacture, for controlling contaminants in soil, sediment or water that allow the passage of essentially non-contaminated water therethrough. The articles and methods described herein utilize gabions cages or grids, which are box shaped cages or grids (see FIG. 2) made of either steel wire mesh or plastic. In one embodiment, reactive geotextile mats are disposed on a top major surface of a gabion cage or grid. In other embodiments, the cages or grids surround a geocomposite containing reactive material. The gabion cage or grid structures can be constructed in-situ (at the site of deployment) or remotely (on land or barge) and set in place. They are typically placed side-by-side and, in a preferred embodiment, are configured to cover a target sediment area, underwater. The gabion cages or grids may be filled with clean sediment, silt, sand and/or concrete block or rock to hold the reactive geocomposite in place and for armoring.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, A water-proofing laminate includes a drainboard having a first surface positioned against a hydraulic source and a second surface opposed to the first surface, a fastener plate positioned against the second surface of the drainboard securing the drainboard to the hydraulic surface, the fastener plate comprising a conductive element and a thermoplastic resin, and a self-healing hydraulic barrier comprising a thermoplastic surface adjoined to a geotextile and carrying a water-absorbent material, the thermoplastic surface inductively welded to the fastener plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fragrance composition and a method for making the same having a fragrance particulate and a viscoelastic gel; where the composition has enhanced fragrance retention throughout the processing of the composition.

Abstract: A suspension having a specific gravity greater than 1.0 that contains one or more reactive materials, said suspension containing a biopolymer that decomposes over time, thereby releasing the contaminant reactant for contact with the contaminants in the waterway bottom sediment or waterway floor material. In one embodiment, the suspension includes a water-buoyant material, that can be placed underwater over a sub-aqueous waterway bottom or floor that contains a contaminant to be treated or confined and remains in place for treatment and/or confinement. After the suspension is placed, it may be stabilized against movement by applying a confining or weighting layer, such as sand or a water-permeable or water-impermeable geotextile, thereover.

Abstract: A method is disclosed concerning discovering how the use of an additive in a polyolefin compound affects the weatherability of that compound, Applying that technique, a weatherable polyolefin nanocomposite is disclosed, which contains UV stabilizers that filter wavelengths in a range influenced by presence of organoclay in the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A controlled delivery system for active ingredients, like a fragrance, for use in fabric softener products, such as tumble dryer sheets, rinse added liquids, and similar products, is disclosed. The delivery system enhances performance of an active ingredient, such as a fragrance. The controlled delivery system contains polymeric micro-particles highly loaded with the active ingredient. Other active ingredients that can be incorporated into a fabric softener composition using the delivery system include ironing aides, silicone fluids, antiwrinkle agents, antistatic agents, optical brighteners, fabric crisping agents, bleaching agents, germicides, fungicides, flow agents, and surfactants.

Abstract: Layered phyllosilicates are useful for adsorbing and/or binding to cholesterol in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and, thereby, reducing blood cholesterol in a patient. Accordingly, provided herein is a method of reducing hypercholesteremia in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a protonated and at least partially exfoliated layered phyllosilicate material alone and in combination with other cholesterol-reducing agents in an amount effective to reduce hypercholesteremia in said mammal. Also provided are methods of treating a cardiovascular disorder associated with atherosclerosis in a mammalian subject comprising administering to the subject a layered phyllosilicate material in an amount effective to reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation in the subject.

Abstract: A composition and method for reducing the shine of human skin is disclosed. The composition imparts a topical matte finish to the skin for an extended time period. The composition contains polymeric microparticles, optionally loaded with a cosmetic or therapeutic skin care compound.

Abstract: The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide-end group-containing coupling agent.

Abstract: Reactive geocomposite mats, and their method of manufacture, for treating contaminants in soil or water that allow the passage of essentially non-contaminated water therethrough. The geocomposite mat includes a pre-formed woven or non-woven geotextile, having a thickness of about 6 mm to about 200 mm, and having, a porosity sufficient to receive a powdered or granular contaminant-reactive material, contaminant-sorptive material, or a contaminant-neutralizing material (hereinafter collectively referred to as “contaminant-reactant material” or “contaminant-reactive material”) throughout its thickness, or in any portion of the thickness across its entire major surface(s). The powdered or granular contaminant-reactive material is disposed within the pores of the previously formed, high loft geotextile mat to surround the fibers, e.g.