Abstract: This disclosure provides modulators of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) having core structure (I), pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one such modulator, methods of treatment of CFTR mediated diseases, including cystic fibrosis, using such modulators and pharmaceutical compositions, combination pharmaceutical compositions and combination therapies employing those modulators, and processes and intermediates for making such modulators.

Abstract: A process of making a paper or nonwoven article is provide. The process comprising: a) providing a fiber furnish comprising a plurality of fibers and a plurality of binder microfibers, wherein the binder microfibers comprise a water non-dispersible, synthetic polymer; wherein the binder microfibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a fineness of less than 0.5 d/f; and wherein the binder microfibers have a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the fibers; b) routing the fiber furnish to a wet-laid nonwoven process to produce at least one wet-laid nonwoven web layer; c) removing water from the wet-laid nonwoven web layer; and d) thermally bonding the wet-laid nonwoven web layer after step (c); wherein the thermal bonding is conducted at a temperature such that the surfaces of the binder microfibers at least partially melt without causing the fibers to melt thereby bonding the binder microfibers to the fibers to produce the paper or nonwoven article.

Abstract: A paper or nonwoven article is provided comprising a nonwoven web layer, wherein the nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of fibers and a plurality of binder microfibers, wherein the binder microfibers comprise a water non-dispersible, synthetic polymer; wherein the binder microfibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a fineness of less than 0.5 d/f; and wherein the binder microfibers have a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the fibers.

Abstract: A versatile binder comprising at least one or more sulfopolyesters is provided. These sulfopolyester binders can enhance the dry tensile strength, wet tensile strength, tear force, and burst strength of the nonwoven articles in which they are incorporated. Additionally, the water permeability of these binders can be modified as desired by blending different types of sulfopolyesters to produce the binder. Therefore, the binder can be used in a wide array of nonwoven end products and can be modified accordingly based on the desired properties sought in the nonwoven products.

Abstract: Waterborne coating compositions are disclosed that include a latex emulsion polymer, and, as a reactive coalescent, a 2,2,4-trimethyl-3-oxopentanoate ester. The coating compositions of the invention have a reduced VOC content, and provide improved coalescing activity.

Abstract: A method of validating a user, comprises the steps of:—storing for a user data representative of a validation code for the user comprising a combination of symbols selected from a set of symbols; presenting a displayed image including a plurality of designatable areas in which said set of symbols is distributed between said designatable areas such that each designatable area contains a plurality of said symbols; varying the image between subsequent presentations such that the distribution of said symbols between said designatable areas changes between subsequent presentations, validating a user in an validation routine by detecting designation by a user of a combination of said designatable areas in a presented image, and determining whether the combination of designated designatable areas contains the combination of symbols making up the validation code for said user.

Abstract: A process of making a paper or nonwoven article is provide. The process comprising: a) providing a fiber furnish comprising a plurality of fibers and a plurality of binder microfibers, wherein the binder microfibers comprise a water non-dispersible, synthetic polymer; wherein the binder microfibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a fineness of less than 0.5 d/f; and wherein the binder microfibers have a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the fibers; b) routing the fiber furnish to a wet-laid nonwoven process to produce at least one wet-laid nonwoven web layer; c) removing water from the wet-laid nonwoven web layer; and d) thermally bonding the wet-laid nonwoven web layer after step (c); wherein the thermal bonding is conducted at a temperature such that the surfaces of the binder microfibers at least partially melt without causing the fibers to melt thereby bonding the binder microfibers to the fibers to produce the paper or nonwoven article.

Abstract: A paper or nonwoven article is provided comprising a nonwoven web layer, wherein the nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of fibers and a plurality of binder microfibers, wherein the binder microfibers comprise a water non-dispersible, synthetic polymer; wherein the binder microfibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a fineness of less than 0.5 d/f; and wherein the binder microfibers have a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the fibers.

Abstract: A method of validating a user, comprises the steps of: storing for a user data representative of a validation code for the user comprising a combination of symbols selected from a set of symbols; presenting a displayed image including a plurality of designatable areas in which said set of symbols is distributed between said designatable areas such that each designatable area contains a plurality of said symbols; varying the image between subsequent presentations such that the distribution of said symbols between said designatable areas changes between subsequent presentations, validating a user in an validation routine by detecting designation by a user of a combination of said designatable areas in a presented image, and determining whether the combination of designated designatable areas contains the combination of symbols making up the validation code for said user.

Abstract: A short-cut, water non-dispersible polymer microfiber is provided comprising at least one water non-dispersible polymer wherein the water non-dispersible polymer microfiber has an average fineness of less than 1 denier per filament; and wherein said water non-dispersible short-cut polymer microfiber has an aspect ratio of about 300 to about 1000. A process for producing water non-dispersible polymer microfibers and a process for producing nonwoven articles are also provided.

Abstract: A short-cut, water non-dispersible polymer microfiber is provided comprising at least one water non-dispersible polymer wherein the water non-dispersible polymer microfiber has an average fineness of less than 1 denier per filament; and wherein said water non-dispersible short-cut polymer microfiber has an aspect ratio of about 300 to about 1000. Processes to produce the short-cut, water non-dispersible polymer microfiber are also provided as well as process for producing nonwoven articles.

Abstract: Various fibrous articles incorporating a water non-dispersible short-cut polymer microfiber are provided. The water non-dispersible short-cut polymer microfibers can be incorporated into a number of different fibrous articles including personal care products, medical care products, automotive products, household products, personal recreational products, specialty papers, paper products, and building and landscaping materials. In addition, the water non-dispersible short-cut polymer microfibers can be incorporated into nonwoven webs, thermobonded webs, hydroentangled webs, multilayer nonwovens, laminates, composites, wet-laid webs, dry-laid webs, laminates, composites, wet laps, woven articles, fabrics and geotextiles. These various end products can incorporate the water non-dispersible short-cut polymer microfibers in varying amounts based on the desired end use.

Abstract: A high strength specialty paper comprising at least one nonwoven web layer is provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of cellulosic fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the cellulosic fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. Also disclosed is a process for producing the first fibers and the multicomponent fibers from which they are derived.

Abstract: A method of validating a user, includes: —storing for a user data representative of a validation code for the user including a combination of symbols from a set of symbols; presenting a displayed image including a plurality of designatable areas in which the set of symbols is distributed between said designatable areas such that each designatable area contains a plurality of the symbols; varying the image between subsequent presentations such that the distribution of symbols between the designatable areas changes between subsequent presentations, validating a user in an validation routine by detecting designation by a user of a combination of the designatable areas in a presented image, and determining whether the combination of designated designatable areas contains the combination of symbols making up the validation code for the user.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.

Abstract: A battery separator comprising at least one nonwoven web layer is provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of second fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the second fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. The nonwoven web layer comprises at least 10 weight percent of the first fibers, at least 10 weight percent of the second fibers, and at least 1 weight percent of the binder. The battery separator exhibits an enhanced combination of strength, durability, and ionic resistance.

Abstract: A paperboard and a cardboard comprising at least one nonwoven web layer are provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of second fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the second fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. The nonwoven web layer comprises at least 1 weight percent of the first fibers, at least 10 weight percent of the second fibers, and at least 1 weight percent of the binder. The paperboard and cardboard can incorporate a large amount of post consumer recycled fibers and still exhibit high strength and durability. Also disclosed is a process for producing the first fibers and the multicomponent fibers from which they are derived.

Abstract: A versatile binder comprising at least one or more sulfopolyesters is provided. These sulfopolyester binders can enhance the dry tensile strength, wet tensile strength, tear force, and burst strength of the nonwoven articles in which they are incorporated. Additionally, the water permeability of these binders can be modified as desired by blending different types of sulfopolyesters to produce the binder. Therefore, the binder can be used in a wide array of nonwoven end products and can be modified accordingly based on the desired properties sought in the nonwoven products.

Abstract: A versatile binder comprising at least one or more sulfopolyesters is provided. These sulfopolyester binders can enhance the dry tensile strength, wet tensile strength, tear force, and burst strength of the nonwoven articles in which they are incorporated. Additionally, the water permeability of these binders can be modified as desired by blending different types of sulfopolyesters to produce the binder. Therefore, the binder can be used in a wide array of nonwoven end products and can be modified accordingly based on the desired properties sought in the nonwoven products.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.