The present invention discloses a method for increasing absorbent capacity of a superabsorbent material (SAM) by treating the SAM with a selected multifunctional chemical agent (MCA) or a combination of a plurality of selected MCAs. The selected MCA(s) may interact with the polymer chain of the SAM through one or a plurality of mechanisms that enhance the absorbent capacity of the SAM. In various preferred embodiments, SAMs include polyelectrolytes that are made from polymerizing mixtures of acrylic acid monomer and acrylic acid sodium salt, and L-arginine or lysine is selected as the MCA.

Methods of producing an amino acid nitrate supplement drink suitable for human consumption are provided. The methods comprise providing a solid nitrate salt of an amino acid and adding an amount of water to the solid nitrate salt of the amino acid to produce the amino acid and nitrate drink, wherein the amount of water is sufficient to dissolve the solid nitrate salt of the amino acid. In particular implementations, the solid nitrate salt of an amino acid is selected from the group consisting of: creatine nitrate, arginine nitrate, leucine nitrate, isoleucine nitrate, valine nitrate, cysteine nitrate, glycine nitrate, agmatine nitrate, beta-alanine nitrate, N-acetyl cysteine nitrate, aspartic acid nitrate, lysine nitrate, histidine nitrate, norvaline nitrate, ornithine nitrate, glutamine nitrate, citrulline nitrate, and betaine nitrate.

Methods of producing an amino acid nitrate supplement drink suitable for human consumption are provided. The methods comprise providing a solid nitrate salt of an amino acid and adding an amount of water to the solid nitrate salt of the amino acid to produce the amino acid and nitrate drink, wherein the amount of water is sufficient to dissolve the solid nitrate salt of the amino acid. In particular implementations, the solid nitrate salt of an amino acid is selected from the group consisting of: creatine nitrate, arginine nitrate, leucine nitrate, isoleucine nitrate, valine nitrate, cysteine nitrate, glycine nitrate, agmatine nitrate, beta-alanine nitrate, N-acetyl cysteine nitrate, aspartic acid nitrate, lysine nitrate, histidine nitrate, norvaline nitrate, ornithine nitrate, glutamine nitrate, citrulline nitrate, and betaine nitrate.

Hydrotropic composition comprising at least one surface active cationic component, which is selected from a group of cholinium, guadinium or tetramethylguadinium, preferably cholinium, and a straight or branched carboxylate anion having at least six carbon atoms; and its uses, for treating of oil sands or the like, for treating tailings from separation of bitumen, asphaltenes or the like.

A polymer comprising repeating units derived from a first monomer, typically acrylonitrile, and repeating units derived from a second monomer different from the first monomer, wherein the second monomer is a compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated organic anion and an organic cation containing a C═N imine group; a process for producing carbon fibers using the said polymer; and carbon fibers made therefrom, are described herein.

A polymer comprising repeating units derived from a first monomer, typically acrylonitrile, and repeating units derived from a second monomer different from the first monomer, wherein the second monomer is a compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated organic anion and an organic cation containing a C═N imine group; a process for producing carbon fibers using the said polymer; and carbon fibers made therefrom, are described herein.

Compositions and methods are presented that selectively dissolve calcium from a variety of cementitious materials without dissolving or otherwise degrading calcium silica hydrate (CSH). Preferably, contemplated compositions comprise guanidine bisulfate hydrochloride, which can be prepared from a reaction of urea, hydrochloric acid, and sulfamic acid. Therefore, it is especially contemplated that the compositions contemplated herein are particularly suitable to clean or otherwise condition surfaces of cured concrete, Portland cement-based material, or an aggregate containing CSH.

Compositions and methods are presented that selectively dissolve calcium from a variety of cementitious materials without dissolving or otherwise degrading calcium silica hydrate (CSH). Preferably, contemplated compositions comprise guanidine bisulfate hydrochloride, which can be prepared from a reaction of urea, hydrochloric acid, and sulfamic acid. Therefore, it is especially contemplated that the compositions contemplated herein are particularly suitable to clean or otherwise condition surfaces of cured concrete, Portland cement-based material, or an aggregate containing CSH.

Compositions and methods are presented that selectively dissolve calcium from a variety of cementitious materials without dissolving or otherwise degrading calcium silica hydrate (CSH). Preferably, contemplated compositions comprise guanidine bisulfate hydrochloride, which can be prepared from a reaction of urea, hydrochloric acid, and sulfamic acid. Therefore, it is especially contemplated that the compositions contemplated herein are particularly suitable to clean or otherwise condition surfaces of cured concrete, Portland cement-based material, or an aggregate containing CSH.

Described are procedures and intermediates for the preparation of guadecitabine, and guadecitabine salts and solid state forms thereof.