Abstract: The present invention relates to a resiliently flexible article and method for receiving and coupling two straps, etc., of a clothing item while providing support and comfort for the person wearing the clothing item. The article has generally planar dimensions with a thickness between top and bottom surfaces of the article and has only two holes for receiving the two straps, etc. The article when viewed at its top or bottom surface has an oblong shape with a major axis and a minor axis. The length of the article in the major axis direction is greater than its width in the minor axis direction. The two straps, etc., of the clothing item may be received through the two holes from the bottom side of the article and coupled together above the top surface of the article to rest on the top surface of the article between the two holes.

Abstract: Liquid-liquid extraction of a substance from an aqueous solution thereof, which consists in preparing a microemulsion of this solution with a hydrophobic liquid in such a way that the layer of microemulsion is accompanied by a layer of consumed aqueous solution and a layer of hydrophobic liquid containing the substance to be extracted.

Abstract: Gallium values are extracted and recovered from basic aqueous solutions thereof, notably from sodium aluminate solutions of Bayer process origin, by liquid/liquid extraction thereof with a water immiscible organic phase comprising an organic solvent having dissolved therein an organic-soluble substituted hydroxyquinoline and at least one organic-soluble organophosphorus compound comprising at least one acid function.

Abstract: Extraction of a metal compound from an aqueous solution by means of a hydrophobic liquid, with the production of a microemulsion; the aqueous solution has a pH of about 0.5 to 8; the surfactant employed for formation of the microemulsion is nonionic or anionic.

Abstract: Gallium values are extracted and recovered from basic aqueous solutions thereof, notably from sodium aluminate solutions of Bayer process origin, by liquid/liquid extraction thereof with a water immiscible organic phase comprising an organic solvent having dissolved therein an organic-soluble substituted hydroxyquinoline and at least one organic-soluble organosulfate or organosulfonate comprising at least one acid function, either in the free acid or salt form thereof.