Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising a neutralized acid copolymer or ionomer thereof, an organic acid, and optionally other polymers, having a ratio of wet cup permeance to dry cup permeance greater than 10. The composition is useful as a variable vapor barrier for moisture control of buildings. Also disclosed are articles comprising the variable vapor composition and methods of their use.

Abstract: A composition and an article comprising or produced from the composition are disclosed. The composition comprises an ionomer and a reducing static charge-buildup amount of potassium ion wherein the ionomer is neutralized with sodium, zinc, or magnesium ions. The article can be a film including a multilayer film.

Abstract: A method for preparing a multilayer package comprising a substrate and a composition having a moisture vapor permeation value of at least 200 g-mil/m2/24 h and barrier to liquid water. The method comprises melt blending an organic acid-modified ionomer with an ethylene-containing copolymer and a copolymer comprising a dicarboxylic acid derivative as a comonomer to provide a composition and applying the composition to the substrate in a molten condition and allowing the composition to cool and solidify.

Abstract: A method for preparing a selectively permeable protective structure. The selectively permeable structure comprises a membrane having a moisture vapor permeation value of at least 200 g-mil/m2/24 h and barrier to liquid water, and a supporting substrate.

Abstract: A selectively permeable protective structure and a method for limiting damage to the article due to corrosion or mold growth, comprising wrapping or covering the article in the selectively permeable protective structure. The selectively permeable structure comprises a membrane having a moisture vapor permeation value of at least 200 g-mil/m2/24 h and barrier to liquid water, and optionally a supporting substrate.

Abstract: An article comprising a selectively permeable protective structure wherein the article is wrapped or covered with the structure and a method for limiting damage to the article due to corrosion or mold growth, comprising wrapping or covering the article in the selectively permeable protective structure. The selectively permeable structure comprises a membrane having a moisture vapor permeation value of at least 200 g-mil/m2/24 h and barrier to liquid water, and optionally a supporting substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to flexible, user-adapted, continuous searching, on behalf of a particular user, for points of interest relevant to the user's current location within a specifically computed personal region of interest. In a general case, the personal region of interest is computed as a function of the user's level of disposition towards the searched-for points of interest. The level of disposition towards the searched-for points of interest may, in turn, be based on two or more of the user's location, the current date and time, a history of the user's interaction with the POI-searching system, including user-initiated searches and user selections from displayed search results, a user profile developed for, and continuously updated on behalf of, the user, and a current context for the search, as specified by a search query or by other context-specifying means.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to flexible, user-adapted, continuous searching, on behalf of a particular user, for points of interest relevant to the user's current location within a specifically computed personal region of interest. In a general case, the personal region of interest is computed as a function of the user's level of disposition towards the searched-for points of interest. The level of disposition towards the searched-for points of interest may, in turn, be based on two or more of the user's location, the current date and time, a history of the user's interaction with the POI-searching system, including user-initiated searches and user selections from displayed search results, a user profile developed for, and continuously updated on behalf of, the user, and a current context for the search, as specified by a search query or by other context-specifying means.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved packages and methods for packaging meat, fish, poultry, vegetables or other food products. A package of the present invention is a vacuum skin package comprising a multilayer film comprising at least one layer of an organic acid modified ionomer blend and at least one layer of an ethylene-containing polymer, such as an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, wherein the film has specific gas permeability requirements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blended composition comprising a humidity-dependent composition having a ratio of wet cup permeance to dry cup permeance greater than 10 and a crystallizable polymer sufficiently permeable to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor, exhibiting an increase in permeability to at least one of oxygen and carbon dioxide by a factor of at least 2.5 over a temperature range of 10° C. between 0° C. and 40° C. Also disclosed are packaging materials comprising the blended composition and methods for storing respiring materials using the packaging materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved packages and methods for packaging meat, fish, poultry, vegetables or other food products. A package of the present invention is a vacuum skin package comprising a multilayer film comprising at least one layer of an organic acid modified ionomer blend and at least one layer of an ethylene-containing polymer, such as an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, wherein the film has specific gas permeability requirements.

Abstract: Various system embodiments of the present invention are directed to an automated concierge system through which users of the automated concierge system can request and obtain many types of information and services. Unlike traditional search engines and electronic query-processing interfaces, the automated concierge systems provide much greater flexibility with respect to means of access, including types of electronic devices and communications media that can be used to access the concierge services, greater flexibility in the timing of responses to information and service requests, more efficient information and service provision, and access to a much broader range of information sources and service providers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer structure comprising a layer of humidity-dependent composition having a ratio of wet cup permeance to dry cup permeance greater than 10 and a layer of crystallizable polymer sufficiently permeable to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor, exhibiting an increase in permeability to at least one of oxygen and carbon dioxide by a factor of at least 2.5 over a temperature range of 10° C. between 0° C. and 40° C. Also disclosed are packaging materials comprising the multilayer structure and methods for storing respiring materials using the packaging materials.

Abstract: A package comprising an article and a selectively permeable protective structure and a method for limiting damage to the article due to corrosion or mold growth, comprising wrapping or covering the article in the selectively permeable protective structure. The selectively permeable structure comprises a membrane that may have a moisture vapor permeation value of at least 800 g-mil/m2/24 h and barrier to liquid water, and optionally a supporting substrate.

Abstract: Multilayer film webs having a layer of an oxygen-permeable composition that is a blend of i) an organic acid or organic acid salt, ii) a copolymer of a) ethylene, b) an C3 to C8 ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and optionally c) an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate comonomer, where greater than 70% of the total acid moieties of (i) plus (ii) are neutralized to the corresponding metal salts, and iii) at least one additional ethylene-containing polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymers other than ethylene acid copolymers and ionomers are used to form packaging materials in a process in which a packaging structure is provided that includes the multilayer film web, a vacuum is applied to the packaging structure, and the perimeters of the film web layers are heat sealed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable vapor barrier comprising or produced from a composition wherein the composition comprises an ethylene copolymer, a fatty acid, and an additional polymer; the ethylene copolymer comprises repeat units derived from ethylene, a C3-8 ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and optionally a comonomer; the fatty acid is one or more carboxylic acids having fewer than 36 carbon atoms, or salts thereof; and the additional polymer is present in the from about 30 to about 85%, based on the weight of the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are golf balls having soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers with improved softness and scuff resistance and methods for their preparation. The soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers comprise at least partially neutralized mixtures of carboxylate functionalized terpolymers (molecular weight between about 80,000 and 500,000) with carboxylate functionalized ethylene low copolymers (molecular weight between about 2,000 and 30,000).

Abstract: Provided are partially or fully neutralized mixtures of carboxylate functionalized ethylene high copolymers or terpolymers (Mw between 80,000 and 500,000 Da) with carboxylate functionalized ethylene low copolymers (Mw between 2,000 and 30,000 Da). The compositions are used in films, multilayer structures and other articles of manufacture. The compositions are preferably used on a surface of the articles.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising virus in a formulation comprising a polyhydroxy hydrocarbon buffered to maintain a pH in a range from about 7 to about 8.5 at a temperature in the range from about 2° C. to 27° C. Methods for concentrating and purifying virus preparations are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article comprising a selectively permeable membrane supported on a support is disclosed wherein the article has moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 1800 g/m2/24 h and the selectively permeable membrane comprises a composition comprising an organic acid-modified ionomer.