Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating a plant having a plant part. One method involves providing a plant having a plant part; applying an aqueous treatment formulation to the plant, where the aqueous treatment formulation comprises a thickener, a water soluble divalent salt, a foam control agent, a complexing agent, a film forming agent, and water; and harvesting the plant part, where the aqueous treatment formulation, when applied to a surface of a plant, creates a water fast film on the surface that permits permeation of an aqueous material to the plant while minimizing loss of moisture or loss of a plant treatment chemical from the plant as compared to when the composition is not applied to the surface of the plant. The present invention also relates to a methods of treating a harvested plant part and to the treated harvested plant parts.

Abstract: A water retention agent for a cementitious composition, characterized in that it takes the form of a liquid aqueous suspension of at least one polysaccharide at a mass concentration of between 15 and 30% in an aqueous solution of a strong base salt, excluding ammonium salts, with an anionic strength of between 1.25 mol/L and 15 mol/L, having a pH greater than 9 and containing an attapulgite in micronized form and at least one non-phyllitic mineral powder, referred to hereafter as filler, which is chemically inert in the aqueous suspension and which has a grain size of between 0.1 and 100 micrometers, the aqueous suspension being stable at least in a temperature range of between 5° C. and 30° C. The water retention agent is suitable for increasing both the viscosity and the water retention capacity of cementitious compositions without affecting the spreading ability thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition for imparting superior fire retardancy and shape-retaining properties to polyester. The composition comprises 55 to 75% by weight of a sodium silicate solution, 0.5 to 7% by weight of carboxyl methyl cellulose, 0.7 to 10% by weight of a urethane resin, 0.7 to 10% by weight of an acrylic resin mixture and the remaining weight percent of water, based on 100% by weight of the composition, wherein the sodium silicate solution consists of Na2O and SiO2 in a molar ratio of 1:2.1 to 1:2.9, the urethane resin consists of 70 to 80% by weight of methylene diphenyl isocyanate and 20 to 30% by weight of methylpolyglycol, and the acrylic resin mixture consists of 36 to 40% by weight of a butyl acrylate monomer, 10 to 13% by weight of methyl methacrylate, 1 to 2% by weight of an emulsifier, 3 to 5% by weight of acrylic acid and the remaining weight percent of water.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions that can be used to make films to increase the efficiency of producing plants and plant parts. The films are designed in part to be environmentally friendly and/or edible. Also provided are methods of using such compositions as well as plants and plant parts comprising such compositions.

Abstract: Solutions comprising a sodium silicate waterglass having a modulus of less than 3 and at least 8% by weight of an organic polyhydroxy compound such as glycerol are useful in the production of interlayers used in fire resistant glass laminates. The solutions are dried on a flat surface such as glass to produce a clear intumescent interlayer having improved impact resistance. The dried interlayer may be removed from the surface in the form of an elastomeric material which may also be used as an interlayer in a fire resistant glazing.

Abstract: A method and cement composition is provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore, wherein the cement composition comprises zeolite, cementitious material, and water sufficient to form a slurry.

Abstract: A water-resistant prefabricated structural element comprising a substrate based on cured plaster, said substrate being able to be obtained by at least the following steps: (a) homogeneously mixing a dry material, comprising mostly at least one hydratable calcium sulfate, a water-repellent agent comprising at least one silicone compound, and water and preforming said substrate in the wet state; (b) drying the preformed substrate in order to obtain said substrate formed in the solid and dry state; wherein the homogeneous mix, prior to the preforming of the substrate in the wet state, also includes a mineral additive comprising at least one mineral component having a synergistic water-repellency affinity with said silicone compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium comprising a substrate having a glossy coating thereon, wherein the glossy coating comprises a binder and first and second groups of particles, wherein: (a) the first group comprises metal oxide particles, wherein the metal oxide particles are aggregates of smaller, primary particles, (b) the mean diameter of the primary particles is less than about 100 nm, (c) the mean diameter of the aggregates is from about 100 nm to about 500 nm, (d) the mean diameter of the particles in the second group is less than about 50% of the mean diameter of the aggregates in the first group, and (e) the ratio of particles in the first group to particles in the second group is from about 0.1:1 to about 10:1 by weight. The glossy coating of the inventive recording medium has an excellent rate of liquid absorption, a relatively high liquid absorption capacity, excellent adhesiveness, and a non-brittle, crack-resistant, glossy surface.

Abstract: A dry preblended carrier starch for corrugating adhesive compositions comprising modified starch and a dry alkali, the modified starch being preferably oxidized starch and the dry alkali being sodium metasilicate or trisodium phosphate. The dry preblended carrier starch for corrugating adhesives has improved viscosity stability over time and temperature fluctuations, eliminates the need for added caustic at end use or at the corrugator and does not require additional silicate compounds in the corrugating adhesive.

Abstract: Novel starch-silicate adhesive compositions are disclosed which are of particular advantage in the manufacture of corrugated board. By the controlled combination of starch, alkali silicate and, optionally, caustic soda and borax it has been found possible to produce useable adhesives having much higher levels of solids content than conventional starch-based adhesives, thereby allowing for lowered energy costs in use of the adhesive formulation to manufacture boxboard, as well as improved product quality. The formulation of starch-silicate adhesives according to the invention allows viscosity, rheological characteristics--in particular gelation temperature--and the speed of "green-bond" formation to be controlled and adapted to the requirements of modern high-speed corrugating equipment.

Abstract: The invention pertains to adhesive compositions comprising water glass, at least one oligosaccharide with more than three saccharide units, and at least one mono-, di- or tri-saccharide. Preferably, the oligosaccharide is a low-molecular weight dextrin. Such compositions demonstrate not only a high curing rate and a good wet tack, but also an excellent storage stability. The compositions are useful as a glue or sizing agent. When they are used as a glue, improved crush values of the finished products are observed.

Abstract: The present invention provides silicate polymers which regulate the function of a living body by restoring and normalizing the lowered cell functions due to diseases. The silicate polymers are preferably water soluble. The molecular weight of the polymers is in the range of 4,800 to 2,000,000, preferably 20,000 to 1,000,000, and they have a degree of polymerization in the range of 75 to 33,000, preferably 490 to 16,500. The monomer unit is --(SiO.sub.2)--. The polymers may be produced by dissolving a water-soluble silicate or a silicic acid containing material such as water glass in water to obtain an aqueous solution. The solution may be admixed with an acid to adjust the pH to 2-10, preferably 4-9.5. A saccharide or sugar alcohol or pharmaceutically acceptable salt may also be admixed with the solution. The aqueous solution is preferably dried to obtain a powder by heating at 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. or by lyophilization.

Abstract: Disclosed are silicate-dextrin-clay adhesive compositions and process for making the same for use in paper products, such as, paper tubes, corrugated boards and corner boards.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising (in percent by weight) from about 0.05 to about 0.50% of sodium silicate, from about 10 to about 47% of dextrin, from about 17 to about 70% of an alkali metal silicate, from about 0.05 to about 0.50% of sodium metaborate octahydrate or sodium metaborate tetrahydrate, and from about 18.0 to about 62.0% water and a process for preparing the same. The adhesive composition is useful in the manufacture of paper products, such as, paper tubes, corrugated boards and corner boards.

Abstract: This invention provides a hydraulic composition which contains a cementitious material in powder form, .beta.-1,3-glucan, and a superplasticizer. The composition makes it possible to prepare concrete with high resistance to segregation, high fluidity, and excellent filling ability. Because of this, vibration of the concrete is not necessary during casting; it can simply be poured.

Abstract: A hydraulic inorganic compositions which comprises a hydraulic inorganic powder at least one of polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of .beta.-1,3-glucans, pullulan and XCD-Polymer in an amount of 0.1-10 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of the hydraulic inorganic powder, and water in an effective amount.The composition preferably further contains a reinforcing fiber, a filler, in particular mountain leather, a coagulant and/or a second molding aid, in particular, methyl cellulose.The composition is hardened by hydration under normal pressure to provide a hardened molded article such as a cement board.

Abstract: A composition for use as a sealant or coating for concrete block walls is disclosed which includes water soluble silicate, water, fibers, clay and limestone, wherein the limestone accelerates the drying of the composition. The fibers used may be non-allergenic fibers such as polyethylene or polypropylene fibers. A method of using the sealant composition also is disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of alkali metal silicate are hardened using blends of alkylene carbonates and aliphatic alcohols such as alkylene diols, polyalkylene glycols, or hydroxyalkyl ethers. The aliphatic alcohol decreases the set time from that obtained using alkylene carbonate alone. The hardened alkali metal silicate compositions are useful as binders in the preparation of foundry molds or in other applications requiring agglomeration of particulate matter.