A rubbery composition is prepared by combining (A) a rubber component, (B) a cellulose, and (C) fluorene compound having a 9,9-bis(aryl)fluorene skeleton. The fluorene compound (C1) may be a compound represented by the following formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein a ring Z represents an arene ring, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent a substituent, X.sup.1 represents a heteroatom-containing functional group, k denotes an integer of 0 to 4, n denotes an integer of not less than 1, p denotes an integer of not less than 0. The rubbery composition has improved mechanical properties such as strength, elongation, and hardness.

Polymer conjugates are provided that are capable of mimicking functions of natural proteoglycans found in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. The polymer conjugates of the invention have utility in treating a subject suffering soft tissue conditions. Also provided are simple and scalable chemical processes for the preparation of the polymer conjugates of the invention.

The present invention provides methods, compositions and modified foods and foodstuffs useful for weight management and glycemic control.

A method of making a proppant-gel matrix comprising: a) hydrating a gelling agent to form a hydrated gelling agent; b) adding a basic compound to the hydrated gelling agent to form a basic hydrated gelling agent having a pH in the range of 11.5 to 14.0; c) mixing the basic hydrated gelling agent and a proppant to form a basic hydrated gelling system; and d) adding a crosslinking agent to the basic hydrated gelling system to form the proppant-gel matrix, is disclosed. The proppant-gel matrix can then be used as a fracturing fluid in a hydraulic fracturing process.

The present invention provides novel hybrid polymers having unique physical properties. The hybrid polymers comprise a cellulose ether moiety, a linking group moiety, a spacer group moiety, and a lactam moiety. The present invention also provides compositions comprising the hybrid polymers and methods for preparing and using the hybrid polymers. In a first embodiment, the hybrid polymers have the structure:
A-(L.sub.1-S—(B).sub.k).sub.q
wherein A is derived from a cellulose ether moiety comprising a —OH group; L.sub.1 is a linking group moiety selected from the group consisting of urethanes, amides, esters, carbonates, and phosphate esters, or is derived from a moiety selected from the group consisting of anhydrides, cyclic ethers, and aziridines; S is a spacer group moiety, selected from the group consisting of straight- or branched-chain functionalized and unfunctionalized alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, and aryl groups, wherein any of the above groups may be with or without heteroatoms, or is a direct bond; and B is a lactam moiety; wherein k≥1 and q≥1. In a second embodiment, the hybrid polymers have the structure:
A-(L.sub.2-S—B).sub.y
wherein A is derived from a cellulose ether moiety comprising a —OH group; L.sub.2 is an ether linking group moiety; S is a spacer group moiety, selected from the group consisting of straight- or branched-chain functionalized and unfunctionalized alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, and aryl groups, wherein any of the above groups may be with or without heteroatoms, or is a direct bond; and B is a lactam moiety; wherein y≥1; with the proviso that when the cellulose ether moiety is hydroxyethyl cellulose, -(L.sub.2-S—B).sub.y is not derived from 1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone.

The present invention provides novel hybrid polymers having unique physical properties. The hybrid polymers comprise a cellulose ether moiety, a linking group moiety, a spacer group moiety, and a lactam moiety. The present invention also provides compositions comprising the hybrid polymers and methods for preparing and using the hybrid polymers. In a first embodiment, the hybrid polymers have the structure:
A-(L.sub.1-S—(B).sub.k).sub.q
wherein A is derived from a cellulose ether moiety comprising a —OH group; L.sub.1 is a linking group moiety selected from the group consisting of urethanes, amides, esters, carbonates, and phosphate esters, or is derived from a moiety selected from the group consisting of anhydrides, cyclic ethers, and aziridines; S is a spacer group moiety, selected from the group consisting of straight- or branched-chain functionalized and unfunctionalized alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, and aryl groups, wherein any of the above groups may be with or without heteroatoms, or is a direct bond; and B is a lactam moiety; wherein k≥1 and q≥1. In a second embodiment, the hybrid polymers have the structure:
A-(L.sub.2-S—B).sub.y
wherein A is derived from a cellulose ether moiety comprising a —OH group; L.sub.2 is an ether linking group moiety; S is a spacer group moiety, selected from the group consisting of straight- or branched-chain functionalized and unfunctionalized alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, and aryl groups, wherein any of the above groups may be with or without heteroatoms, or is a direct bond; and B is a lactam moiety; wherein y≥1; with the proviso that when the cellulose ether moiety is hydroxyethyl cellulose, -(L.sub.2-S—B).sub.y is not derived from 1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone.

Cellulose-containing compositions and method of making same are disclosed. The compositions comprise a cellulose product comprising a type-I cellulose, a type-II cellulose, amorphous cellulose, or a combination thereof. Further, methods are disclosed for making these compositions and for further hydrolyzing these compositions. Additionally, uses for the cellulose-containing compositions are disclosed.

Cellulose-containing compositions and method of making same are disclosed. The compositions comprise a cellulose product comprising a type-I cellulose, a type-II cellulose, amorphous cellulose, or a combination thereof. Further, methods are disclosed for making these compositions and for further hydrolyzing these compositions. Additionally, uses for the cellulose-containing compositions are disclosed.

The invention relates to a method for preparing cellulose derivatives which are reversibly crosslinked with glyoxal and thus display delayed water solubility. In the methods, a water-wetted cellulose derivative is mixed at a temperature of between 20 to 70° C. with an aqueous solution containing glyoxal, a monovalent or polyvalent organic acid, and at least one alkaline earth salt and/or alkali salt of phosphoric acid as a buffer substance to reversibly crosslink the cellulose derivative. The amount of glyoxal is 0.010 to 0.050 mol, in each case in relation to 1 mol of anhydroglucose units of the cellulose derivative, and the molar ratio of monovalent or polyvalent organic acid to glyoxal is in the range of 1:1 to 1:12. The cellulose derivative is then dried and milled, and the drying and milling may also be combined. The invention also relates to cellulose derivatives produced according to the method.

Cellulose-containing compositions and method of making same are disclosed. The compositions comprise a cellulose product comprising a type-I cellulose, a type-II cellulose, amorphous cellulose, or a combination thereof. Further, methods are disclosed for making these compositions and for further hydrolyzing these compositions. Additionally, uses for the cellulose-containing compositions are disclosed.