Abstract: Precision of multi-stage digital signal processing is increased by preserving least significant bits of one or more output samples of a particular processing stage, having finite word widths, while avoiding the loss of most significant bits. The technique is applicable to one or more stages of multi-stage digital signal processing, thereby increasing precision therein and the signal-to-noise ratio. A plurality of output samples are calculated using a plurality of input samples, and the dynamic range of one or more of the output samples is decreased if the output sample can be represented in a smaller dynamic range without losing a significant bit. The input samples of a particular stage, obtained from the output samples of a previous stage, may further be normalized so that the input samples are represented in the same dynamic range before being processed.

Abstract: A wipe comprising a nonwoven web of a wettable fiber matrix, wherein the wettable fiber matrix are thermoplastic polymeric fibers blended with at least one hydrophilic melt additive. In alternate embodiments, the nonwoven web further includes binder fibers which may be wettable or non-wettable or combinations of both.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fluid-permeable cover sheet; a fluid-permeable or liquid impermeable back sheet; and a nonwoven fabric between the cover sheet and the back sheet, the nonwoven fabric including an absorbent assembly of meltblown thermoplastic fibers and a hydrophilic wetting agent, wherein the cover sheet, nonwoven fabric and back sheet are bonded together. The article is particularly suitable for use as a bandage or wound dressing.

Abstract: A battery separator material comprising a nonwoven web of a wettable fiber matrix, wherein the wettable fiber matrix are thermoplastic polymeric fibers blended with at least one hydrophilic melt additive. In alternate embodiments, the nonwoven web further includes binder fibers which may be wettable or non-wettable or combinations of both.

Abstract: A rigid thermoformable recyclable nonwoven liner material is formed by a wet process on a papermaking machine. The rigid thermoformable nonwoven liner material is intended to be laminated to a woven fabric and then thermomolded around a wooden panel to form an office partition. The wet-laying process may consist entirely of conventional steps. The fiber furnish includes polyester matrix fibers and co-polyester/polyester bicomponent binder fibers. The web of fibers coming off the papermaking machine is passed through a foam press, which applies a water-based medium having polyvinyl chloride binder dispersed therein. The web is dried, treated again with a water-based medium having polyvinyl chloride binder dispersed therein and then dried again. The final product can be molded in a wide range of temperatures ranging from 225° to 300° F.

Abstract: Precision of multi-stage digital signal processing is increased by preserving least significant bits of one or more output samples of a particular processing stage, having finite word widths, while avoiding the loss of most significant bits. The technique is applicable to one or more stages of multi-stage digital signal processing, thereby increasing precision therein and the signal-to-noise ratio. A plurality of output samples are calculated using a plurality of input samples, and the dynamic range of one or more of the output samples is decreased if the output sample can be represented in a smaller dynamic range without losing a significant bit. The input samples of a particular stage, obtained from the output samples of a previous stage, may further be normalized so that the input samples are represented in the same dynamic range before being processed.

Abstract: A battery separator material comprising a nonwoven web of a wettable fiber matrix, wherein the wettable fiber matrix are thermoplastic polymeric fibers blended with at least one. hydrophilic melt additive. In alternate embodiments, the nonwoven web further includes binder fibers which may be wettable or non-wettable or combinations of both.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite web suitable for use as a battery separator is formed by a wet process on a papermaking machine. The nonwoven composite material is made from a furnish of nylon binder fibers and nylon staple fibers. The web coming off the papermaking machine is dried using infra-red dryers followed by heated dryer cans. After drying, the web is thermally bonded using heated calendar rolls. The nylon binder fibers melt as the web passes through the calendar rolls and thermally bond the nylon staple fibers of the web when the melted binder fiber material fuses upon cooling. The use of dryer cans to dry and partially bond the web eliminates the need for surfactant treatment to improve potassium hydroxide absorption.

Abstract: In maintaining a communication network of processing units distributed in multiple nodes linked by communication channels, system software in a plurality of data processing units is updated by first installing the updated software in a first node. The updated software is transmitted through the network to other nodes. A trial use of the updated software is initiated in the nodes. If failures of the updated software are detected in a node, that node will be restored to the original software version. If the trial use of the updated software is completed successfully in a node, the updated version will be installed as a preferred operational version in the node.