Abstract: A method of rehabilitation of a deposition area to render it suitable for plant growth comprising a particulate mineral material, which particulate mineral material has been dewatered from a suspension of said material, comprising the steps of transferring the suspension of particulate mineral material as a fluid to the deposition area, and in which the suspension is allowed to stand and dewater at the deposition area to form a dewatered particulate mineral material, wherein the rehabilitation of the disposal area is achieved by adding a dewatering amount of a polymer to the suspension of the particulate mineral material while it is being transferred as a fluid to the deposition area, wherein the polymer is either a synthetic water-soluble polymer formed from one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 4 dl/g or a water-soluble polymer that is a natural polymer or semi natural polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of closed-cells on a substrate surface. Each of the closed-cells comprise one or more internal walls that divide an interior of each of the closed-cells into a single first zone and a plurality of second zones. The first zone occupies a larger area of the closed-cell than any one of said second zones and the first and second zones are interconnected to form a common volume.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for determining aggregation in protein, peptide or peptoid formulation, without the use of probes or additives. The method uses FTIR spectroscopy combined with the two-dimensional correlation analysis (2DCOS) which allows for the determination of the presence of aggregates, the determination of the mechanism of aggregation, allowing for correction in the pipeline manufacturing process of the protein to once again generate viable protein. In addition, the thermal transition of the protein can also be determined and a 2DCOS plot generated to compare with the established viable protein, allowing for quality control, stability and viability of the desired protein product. The ease of sample preparation and data analysis allows for the automation of this method.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid-based molecular switches that respond to changes in pH. The switches may be used in DNA nanodevices. The switches may also act as sensors for measuring the pH of a sample, including cells, regions thereof, and whole organisms. The switch includes an A-motif that forms at acidic pH. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for measuring the pH of cells or regions thereof, such as vesicles, the nucleus, mitochondrial matrix, or the Golgi lumen.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating selenium-containing wastewater, in which wastewater containing hexavalent selenium is subjected to reduction treatment, selenium can be effectively removed at a small amount of metal leached, and, preferably, sludge produced during treatment is white, thereby facilitating the disposal of the sludge. The selenium-containing wastewater is brought into contact with an alloy or a mixture of metallic titanium and a first metal other than metallic titanium to partially leach the first metal, thereby subjecting selenium in the wastewater to reduction treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemical sensors comprising fluorescent conjugated polymers as sensitive materials and to their use in detecting or assaying nitro compounds, in particular nitroaromatic compounds. Fields of application: detection of explosives, monitoring and observation of atmospheric pollution and of the quality of relatively confined surroundings, watching over industrial sites.

Abstract: Pressurized water evaporation systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from water impoundment ponds or other waste water sources. Water evaporation systems include one or more water evaporation barrels having an air acceleration chamber, water atomization chamber, and pressurizable air and water lines in fluid communication with the barrel. Fast moving air and water create fine water droplets within the water atomization chamber of each barrel. A fine spray or mist of tiny water droplets is emitted from a discharge nozzle of each barrel. Water evaporation systems and methods can be used to efficiently evaporate waster water produced by a wide variety of industrial processes, including waste water produced at oil or gas wells.

Abstract: Water evaporation devices, systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from water impoundment ponds or other waste water sources. Water evaporation devices include a water evaporation barrel having an air acceleration chamber that creates venturi suction so as to draw water from a water source into a venturi chamber. Fast moving air and water create fine water droplets within a water atomization chamber, which droplets are then emitted from the water evaporation barrel through a discharge nozzle and into the air as a spray or cloud of fine water droplets. Water evaporation devices and associated systems and methods can be used to efficiently evaporate waster water produced by a wide variety of industrial processes.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid-based molecular switches that respond to changes in pH. The switches may be used in DNA nanodevices. The switches may also act as sensors for measuring the pH of a sample, including cells, regions thereof, and whole organisms. The switch includes an A-motif that forms at acidic pH. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for measuring the pH of cells or regions thereof, such as vesicles, the nucleus, mitochondrial matrix, or the Golgi lumen.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems are disclosed, including microfluidic devices and methods, useful for simultaneously analyzing multiple analytes in each of a plurality of distinct nanoliter-volume samples.

Abstract: A cartridge and cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a sample are provided. The cartridge has one or more light sources and/or optical systems and other components that are specific for a certain type of application such as fluorescence, absorbance, or luminescence. The light source, optical systems, and other components for a specific application are housed in a single cartridge. The system has a plurality of cartridges for different applications for a multimode instrument. The cartridges are removably engaged with the apparatus in a “plug-in” format such that one cartridge may be removed from the apparatus and another cartridge may be easily installed.

Abstract: A holographic sensor comprising a thin film polymer matrix that undergoes a change in response to a substance to be sensed, the matrix containing within its volume a set of two or more holographic recordings, each recording providing a holographic image when the sensor is illuminated, wherein the presence or appearance of each image is visible to the eye as a function of the response of the sensor to the substance to be sensed. The images provide the dynamic range of the sensor. Such a sensor can be used to provide a visible image that changes or appears to the eye in response to an analyte.

Abstract: A system for selectively removing at least one undesirable ion from an acidic solution including a tank receiving the acidic solution, a chiller in fluid communication with the tank, the chiller being configured to reduce a temperature of the acidic solution, and an ion exchanger in fluid communication with the chiller, the ion exchanger including an ion exchange resin that is selective for the undesirable ion.

Abstract: The invention generally provides methods to determine the extent to which a compound interferes with steroid metabolism, comprising a novel biomarker of a felinine derivative. The invention also provides such novel felinine derivative biomarker.

Abstract: Chalcogenide compounds with cation exchange capability and methods of using the compounds are described. Compounds of the general formula A2xMxSn3-xS6 are described wherein x is 0.1-0.95, A is Li+, Na+, K+ or Rb+ and M is Mn2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Co2+ or Ni2+. Compounds of the general formula H2xMxSn3-xS6 are also described wherein x is 0.1-0.95 and M=Mn2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Co2+ or Ni2+. The compounds can be layered compounds. The compounds are capable of intercalation of Cs+, Sr2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, and/or Ag+ ions. A process involving contacting the compounds with a solution comprising one or more ions including Cs+, Sr2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, and/or Ag+ is also provided. The one or more ions can be removed from the solution by the compounds. A process comprising contacting compounds of the general formula A2xMxSn3-xS6 with a solution containing UO22+, Th4+ or Pu4+ ions is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of water by adding surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate or an aqueous suspension comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate and having a pH greater than 6.0 measured at 20° C., to the medium, wherein the surface-reacted calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more acids and the use of the surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate for this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the removal of endocrine disrupting compounds from an aqueous medium by adding surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate or an aqueous suspension comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate and having a pH greater than 6.0 measured at 20° C., to the medium, wherein the surface-reacted calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more acids, the use of the surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate for the removal of endocrine disrupting compounds, as well as to a combination of a surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate and activated carbon for the removal of endocrine disrupting compounds.

Abstract: A sampling device for analysis of a substance which is chosen from the group consisting of isocyanates, aminoisocyanates, amines, and isothiocyanates, and which is present in an air flow intended to pass through the sampling device is disclosed, as well as a method for the production of said sampling device, and a method for the analysis of said substance in the air flow.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable program is disclosed for facilitating the selection of a fertilizer. The basis for selecting the fertilizer includes determining the water type based on the water chemistry and taking into consideration the crop type that is to be grown.