A chloroprene-based block copolymer, a latex, a latex composition, and a rubber composition that can produce a product with excellent tensile properties and flexibility without the use of a vulcanizing agent or a vulcanizing accelerator having a chloroprene-based block copolymer, contains 5 to 30% by mass of a polymer block (A) and 70 to 95% by mass of a chloroprene-based polymer block (B), wherein the polymer block (A) is derived from a monomer, when the monomer is polymerized alone, a polymer with a glass transition temperature of 80° C. or higher can be obtained and the chloroprene-based polymer block (B) includes a chloroprene monomer unit and a polyfunctional monomer unit.

The present invention includes compositions, methods, and methods of making and using a nanoscale discoidal membrane comprising: an amphiphilic membrane patch comprising self-assembled molecular amphiphiles capable of supporting one or more membrane proteins in the amphiphilic membrane patch; and one or more amphipathic scaffold macromolecules that encase the nanoscale discoidal membrane.

Provided herein are polymer materials that find use in, for example, delivery of short-chain fatty acids. In particular, polymers are provided that form stable nanoscale structures and release their payload, for example, by cleavage of a covalent bond (e.g., via hydrolysis or enzymatic cleavage). The polymers are useful, for example, for delivery of payloads (e.g., SCFAs) to the intestine for applications in health and treatment of disease, and have broad applicability in diseases linked to changes in the human microbiota including inflammatory, autoimmune, allergic, metabolic, and central nervous system diseases, among others.

A method of polymerizing a first, and a second class of monomers to form product polymer. The first class of monomers polymerize via a radical pathway in the presence of light, and the second class of monomers polymerize via an insertion pathway in the absence of light.

The invention relates to compounds, compositions and polymers comprising a first component adapted to promote germination of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and a second component which acts as an antimicrobial agent. Said compounds, compositions and polymers are useful for destroying C. diff where conventional antimicrobial agents are unsuccessful. The compositions can be formulated as coating or materials which actively destroy C. diff which come into contact with it. The germination promotion is induced by bile salts. The invention also relates to the use of such materials as a treatment for C. diff associated diseases and toxic megacolon.

A method of coating a structure is disclosed. Method steps include providing a structure having a first portion of a first material having a first surface and providing a second portion of a second material having a second surface, wherein a mask is provided over the first surface. Another step includes exposing the mask and the second surface to a solution comprising a polymer and a solvent, wherein the solution dewets from the mask and the polymer collects onto the second surface to form a polymer coating over the second surface without forming a polymer coating on the first surface.

Butadiene-isoprene diblock copolymer formed by a block of crystalline polybutadiene (hard block) and by a block of amorphous polyisoprene (soft block). Said butadiene-isoprene diblock copolymer can be advantageously used both in the footwear industry (for example, in the production of shoe soles), and in the production of tires for motor vehicles and/or trucks.

Modification of functional groups along a polymer backbone to render the groups activatable upon exposure to actinic radiation is described. The polymers are typically controlled architecture polymers. Also described are adhesives containing the modified architectured polymers and related methods of use.

Modification of functional groups along a polymer backbone to render the groups activatable upon exposure to actinic radiation is described. The polymers are typically controlled architecture polymers. Also described are adhesives containing the modified architectured polymers and related methods of use.

The present invention provides a preparing method of a polymer which is low-toxic, environmental-friendly, highly controllable, and low cost to obtain a polymer with high molecular weight. The preparing method comprises conducting a controlled radical polymerization process of monomer (Y). In the controlled radical polymerization process, organic compound (A) which has the formula (I) and radical initiator (B) are existing in a mole ratio (B/A) ranged from 0.5 to 25,

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group, or hydroxyl group, the alkyl group can be alkyl having substituents or alkyl substituent, and the aryl group can be aryl having substituents or aryl substituent.