Abstract: A method for detection of a nerve agent in a sample, which method comprises (a) irradiating an optical sensing element, the optical sensing element comprising a fluorescent sensing compound provided on a substrate, and measuring the luminescence of the optical sensing element; wherein the fluorescent sensing compound comprises a combination of at least one electron acceptor moiety and, optionally, one or more electron donor moieties such that the electronic properties of the sensing compound are sufficient to enable a change in the luminescence of the sensing element in the presence of the nerve agent, and a moiety that influences solubility of the sensing compound in a solvent; (b) contacting the sample with the optical sensing element; (c) measuring the luminescence of the optical sensing element; and (d) determining whether the nerve agent is present in the sample based on the measurements obtained in steps (a) and (c).

Abstract: Microbial-assisted heap leaching of fragments or agglomerates of fragments of copper-containing sulfidic ores, such as chalcopyrite ores, and copper-containing sulfidic waste materials is disclosed. A heap leaching method includes controlling the sulfate concentration in a leach liquor. When heap leaching includes using agglomerates, a method of forming agglomerates includes adding the feed materials at, or close to, the inlet end, typically no more than 40%, typically no more than 30%, more typically no more than 20%, of the length from the inlet end of the agglomeration unit.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for detecting a nerve agent in an analyte, said nerve agent having a phosphorus-fluorine bond, which method comprises: (a) contacting the analyte with a solid state composition comprising a sensor compound; wherein the sensor compound comprises a basic nitrogen atom and a hydroxyaryl moiety protected by a silyl protecting group; and wherein, in the presence of hydrogen fluoride, said silyl group is cleaved to effect deprotection of the hydroxyl group thus forming a luminescent reporter compound; (b) irradiating the solid state composition at a predetermined wavelength; (c) measuring the luminescence to determine if the reporter compound is present; and (d) determining whether the nerve agent is present in the analyte based on the measurement obtained in step (c).

Abstract: A method of recovering a metal, such as copper or nickel or zinc or cobalt, from a metal sulfide-containing material in a mined material that is “non-economic” to recover metals from using conventional recovery options before the invention was made is disclosed. The method includes mixing (i) the metal sulfide-containing material and (ii) pyrite and forming agglomerates, leaching agglomerates with a leach liquor and microbes and removing a metal from the metal sulfide-containing material and forming a pregnant leach liquor containing metal, and recovering the metal from the pregnant leach liquor. A heap leaching operation for a metal sulfide-containing material is also disclosed. A flotation circuit for an ore processing plant for a metal sulfide-containing material is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical sensing element for detection of a narcotic, the optical sensing element comprising a fluorescent sensing compound provided on a substrate, wherein emission of the fluorescent sensing compound is quenched in the presence of the narcotic, and wherein the fluorescent sensing compound is non-polymeric and comprises an electron donor moiety, an electron acceptor moiety and a moiety that influences solubility of the compound in a solvent. Sensing devices incorporating the sensing element and methods of detecting narcotics are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a personal care product including a treatment sheet having a lower surface, a housing including a floor surface and a plurality of columns, and a cavity formed by a volume extending from the lower surface to the floor surface. The volume extends from an inner column wall of the housing. The plurality of columns is formed in a side wall of the housing. The cavity has a height of at least one-fifteenth of a height of the personal care product and/or a height of at least about a height of one of the columns. The columns extend upward from the floor surface of the housing or to a lower ledge of a carrier of the housing. The floor surface is flat or shaped (e.g., a dome or a cone shape). Fluid flows within the cavity, into and out of windows between the columns.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel personal care product including an upper product end, a housing at the upper product end, the housing having a top opening and an outer wall, a treatment sheet disposed over the top opening of the housing; and one or more windows disposed in the outer wall of the housing. Fluid flows through the windows or through a plurality of apertures in the treatment sheet or both. The fluid flow removes debris from a lower surface of the treatment sheet, a cavity of said housing, or both. The fluid flows in a direction parallel to the treatment sheet into and/or out of the one or more windows. The windows can be a polygonal or round shape and can have rounded corners. The windows may oppose each other. The outer wall is along an outer surface of the upper end of the product.

Abstract: An optical sensing element for use in the detection of hydrogen peroxide includes a sensing compound provided as a coating on a substrate. The sensing compound, on exposure to hydrogen peroxide, forms a luminescent reporter compound when excited with stimulating radiation at a predetermined wavelength that the sensing compound does not absorb.

Abstract: A method of recovering a metal, such as copper or nickel or zinc or cobalt, from a metal-containing material, such as a metal-containing material that has been categorized by a mine operator as being “non-economic” from the perspective of recovering the metal from the material. Mixing (i) the metal-containing material and (ii) pyrite and forming agglomerates. Leaching agglomerates with a leach liquor, with pyrite generating acid and heat that facilitate recovering the metal from the metal-containing material, and forming a pregnant leach liquor containing metal. Recovering the metal from the pregnant leach liquor.

Abstract: A method of recovering a metal, such as copper or nickel or zinc or cobalt, from a metal-containing material, such as a metal-containing material that has been categorized by a mine operator as being “non-economic” from the perspective of recovering the metal from the material. Mixing (i) the metal-containing material and (ii) pyrite and forming agglomerates. Leaching agglomerates with a leach liquor, with pyrite generating acid and heat that facilitate recovering the metal from the metal-containing material, and forming a pregnant leach liquor containing metal. Recovering the metal from the pregnant leach liquor.

Abstract: A sensing element for use in the detection of an analyte based on a luminescent response, the sensing element comprising a luminescent triaryl amine compound provided as a coating on a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical sensing element for detection of a narcotic, the optical sensing element comprising a fluorescent sensing compound provided on a substrate, wherein emission of the fluorescent sensing compound is quenched in the presence of the narcotic, and wherein the fluorescent sensing compound is non-polymeric and comprises an electron donor moiety, an electron acceptor moiety and a moiety that influences solubility of the compound in a solvent. Sensing devices incorporating the sensing element and methods of detecting narcotics are also described.

Abstract: Included is a method for providing a customized product recommendation to a user. Information is collected from a user regarding issues experienced by the user after cutting and/or removing hair selected from the group consisting of discomfort, dry skin, missed hairs, hair not cut close enough, nicks, cuts, trapped hairs, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, blemishes, acne, razor burn, irritation, redness, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and itching. The information collected from the user is analyzed. A product for the user is selected from at least two available products based upon the information collected from the user. The selected product is recommended to the user.

Abstract: An optical sensing element for use in the detection of hydrogen peroxide, the sensing element comprising a sensing compound provided as a coating on a substrate. The sensing compound, on exposure to hydrogen peroxide, forms a luminescent reporter compound when excited with stimulating radiation at a predetermined wavelength that the sensing compound does not absorb.

Abstract: Included is a method for providing a customized product recommendation to a user. Information is collected from a user regarding issues experienced by the user after cutting and/or removing hair selected from the group consisting of discomfort, dry skin, missed hairs, hair not cut close enough, nicks, cuts, trapped hairs, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, blemishes, acne, razor burn, irritation, redness, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and itching. The information collected from the user is analyzed. A product for the user is selected from at least two available products based upon the information collected from the user. The selected product is recommended to the user.

Abstract: A method of leaching copper-containing ores includes leaching copper-containing ores or concentrates or tailings of the ores or concentrates with a leach liquor in the presence of an additive that enhances the dissolution of copper from copper minerals in the ores and concentrates by forming a complex between (a) sulfur, that has originated from copper minerals in the ores, and (b) the additive. A method of leaching copper-containing ores includes leaching copper-containing ores or concentrates or tailings of the ores or concentrates with a leach liquor includes leaching copper-containing ores or concentrates or tailings of the ores or concentrates with a leach liquor in the presence of a nitrogen-containing organic complexing additive that forms a complex between sulfur, that has originated from copper minerals in the ores, and the additive.

Abstract: A method of leaching copper-containing ores, such as chalcopyrite ores, with a leach liquor in the presence of silver and an activation agent that activates silver whereby the silver enhances copper extraction from copper ores.

Abstract: A method of leaching chalcopyrite ores includes the steps of forming agglomerates of fragments of chalcopyrite ores and silver and leaching the agglomerates with suitable leach liquor.