Abstract: Compositions comprising biopolymers such as alginates and cell attachment peptides are disclosed. Compositions may optionally further comprise cells. Methods for repairing or treating a tissues and organs with such compositions and systems for providing such compositions to tissues and organs, and methods for delivering desired proteins to individual with such compositions and systems for providing such compositions are also disclosed. In vitro methods of culturing cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Biopolymer beads and hydrogels are useful in the remodeling, repair and reconstruction of the heart, as well as in modification of electrical conduction in the heart. Various types of beads are useful, including beads comprising a core of alginate polymers which may or may not be bonded to peptides; beads comprising a core in which peptides are dispersed with alginate polymers, and a chitosan film ionically bonded to available alginate polymers at the surface of the core; beads comprising a core in which peptides and chitosan derivates are dispersed with alginate polymers and form alginate-peptide complexes to which the chitosan derivatives are bonded; and beads comprising a core of chitosan polymers which may or may not be bonded to peptides. The heart may also be treated with a hydrogel agent comprising alginate polymers and peptides covalently bonded to the alginate polymers.

Abstract: Crystal solids made via the continuous crystallization of a crude, concentrated aqueous feed solution are recovered as a crystalline solid product that is relatively free of impurities present in the crystallizer liquor. A portion of the withdrawn crystallizer slurry is concentrated in a first hydroclone, diluted with crystallizer feed solution, concentrated in a second hydroclone, and centrifuged and dried to recover the crystalline solid product.

Abstract: Sodium bicarbonate is produced by introducing solid sodium carbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and/or Wegscheider's salt into a reversion slurry, saturated with respect to bicarbonate and containing at least 10 wt. % solids, to effect rapid and complete conversion of the feed solids to crystalline sodium bicarbonate which is recovered from the slurry. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the reversion liquor to maintain its composition at a relatively constant value, preferably in a region of the Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 --NaHCO.sub.3 --H.sub.2 O phase diagram that minimizes the equilibrium partial pressure of CO.sub.2 vapor above such liquor.

Abstract: A method for enhancing recovery of sodium carbonate from sodium carbonate solutions which contain sodium chloride. Anhydrous sodium carbonate is recovered in good yields from aqueous sodium carbonate solutions containing sodium chloride by evaporative crystallization at superatmospheric pressure and at a temperature of at least about 120.degree. C.