The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an ionomer resin, comprising the steps of: (i) adding a poor solvent to a crude ionomer resin solution comprising a (meth)acrylic acid unit (A), a neutralized (meth)acrylic acid unit (B) and an ethylene unit (C) to allow a granular resin with a peak top particle size of from 50 to 700 μm to be precipitated; and (ii) washing the precipitated granular resin with a washing solution; wherein the total amount of the unit (A) and the unit (B) is from 6 to 10 mol % based on the entire monomeric units constituting the crude ionomer resin.

The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

Provided is a thermoplastic elastomer composition for an impact-resistant material, comprising a block copolymer composition comprising a block copolymer (B) in which a functional group capable of noncovalent bonding is introduced into a block copolymer (A) including at least one aromatic vinyl polymer block and at least one conjugated diene polymer block.

Provided is a thermoplastic elastomer composition for an impact-resistant material, comprising a block copolymer composition comprising a block copolymer (B) in which a functional group capable of noncovalent bonding is introduced into a block copolymer (A) including at least one aromatic vinyl polymer block and at least one conjugated diene polymer block.

There is provided a smart release potash fertilizer granule comprising a potash core; an extended release layer covering the potash core, wherein the extended release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles and at least one water-soluble organic acid or water-soluble organic carboxylate salt; a controlled release layer covering the extended release layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

There is provided a smart release potash fertilizer granule comprising a potash core; an extended release layer covering the potash core, wherein the extended release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles and at least one water-soluble organic acid or water-soluble organic carboxylate salt; a controlled release layer covering the extended release layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

A positive resist composition comprising a base polymer comprising recurring units (a) having the structure of an ammonium salt of N-carbonylsulfonamide having an iodized aromatic ring, and recurring units (b1) having an acid labile group-substituted carboxyl group and/or recurring units (b2) having an acid labile group-substituted phenolic hydroxyl group exhibits a high sensitivity, high resolution, low edge roughness and dimensional uniformity, and forms a pattern of good profile after exposure and development.

A positive resist composition comprising a base polymer comprising recurring units (a) having the structure of an ammonium salt of N-carbonylsulfonamide having an iodized aromatic ring, and recurring units (b1) having an acid labile group-substituted carboxyl group and/or recurring units (b2) having an acid labile group-substituted phenolic hydroxyl group exhibits a high sensitivity, high resolution, low edge roughness and dimensional uniformity, and forms a pattern of good profile after exposure and development.

Antistatic polymers including divalent segments represented by formula a) wherein R.sup.1 represents hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.2 represents an alkylene group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently represent alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X represents a halogen. Methods of making antistatic polymers and uses thereof as PSAs are also disclosed. a)

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