Abstract: A method and cellular communication network are provided that maintains a desired level of speech quality by controlling the admission of a new call within a serving cell of the network. More specifically, the method includes the step of establishing speech quality values for a serving cell and at least one of a plurality of surrounding cells being interfered with by the serving cell. The method then operates to determine whether or not to admit the new call to the serving cell by utilizing the speech quality measure of the serving cell and the speech quality measure of the at least one surrounding cell in a predetermined manner (e.g., cell level approach, sub-cell approach and combined approach) so as to maintain the desired level of speech quality within the serving cell and the at least one surrounding cell.

Abstract: An improved process for the recovery of aromatic compounds from a mixture containing aromatic and non-aromatic compounds and method for retrofitting existing equipment for the same is provided. The improved process comprises the steps of recovering aromatic compounds via parallel operation of a hybrid extractive distillation/liquid-liquid extractor operation and variations thereof. Methods of quickly and economically retrofitting existing recovery process equipment for use with the improved aromatics recovery process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel composition with a high flash point and a high octane number is provided. The preferred embodiment of the fuel comprises a paraffin or aromatic hydrocarbon component which may be mixed with an additive of alcohols, ethers, esters, organometallic compounds or mixtures thereof. The fuel composition is useful as emergency fuel for use in gasoline powered vehicles.

Abstract: A rehabilitation system has been developed for cleaning, testing and slip lining pipe particularly sewer lines while in service. The system includes the use of equipment adapted for use on mobile vehicles to increase efficiency and mobility of the system. The cleaning system utilizes a specialized cleaning bucket that can be pulled from excavations and existing manholes. The testing and lining systems also utilize specialized test mandrels and pulling mandrels for the pipe liner that can be used with equipment operating, in part, from existing manholes.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack with low powered, gas gauge circuitry for monitoring and accumulating various operating parameters of the rechargeable battery pack, includes a current monitor for measuring the current flow into and out of a battery cell in the rechargeable battery pack. An integrated current accumulator connected to the current monitor is used to maintain a measure of the net charge having flowed into and out of the battery cell. A charging current accumulator, which is also coupled to the current monitor, is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed into the battery cell, while a discharging current accumulator is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed out of the battery cell. A highly accurate oscillator is used to drive the accumulators to greatly increase the accuracy of the gas gauge functions derived therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to the improvement of plaque remover consisting of an abradant for removing dental plaque, dirt adhered to teeth, dirt adhered to filler, dirt adhered to prosthesis or dirt adhered to implant by injecting it with water or with water and compressed air. By using granular polysaccharide as the plaque remover derived from natural materials such as cellulose, starch, agar, pulverized particles of a fibrous plant body, particles prepared by decomposing a fibrous plant body, plaque can be removed without damaging not only sound enamel but also dentin prosthesis filler, gingiva and stomal membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying crude terephthalic acid from a liquid dispersion thereof also containing impurities selected from unreacted starting materials, solvents, products of side reactions and/or other undesired materials is provided. The method comprises the steps of filtering the dispersion to form a crude terephthalic acid filter cake, dissolving the filter cake in a selective crystallization solvent at an elevated temperature to form a solution, crystallizing purified terephthalic acid from the solution in the crystallization solvent by reducing the pressure and temperature of the solution, and separating the crystallized purified terephthalic acid from the solution. According to the invention, the selective crystallization solvent is non-aqueous, non-corrosive and essentially non-reactive with terephthalic acid. Preferably, the selective crystallization solvent is N-methyl pyrrolidone.

Abstract: A convergence device system comprising a display monitor subsystem, a computer subsystem coupled to the display monitor subsystem, and a convergence functionality module adapted to provide a video signal to the computer subsystem. The display monitor subsystem is selectably operable in one of a first functional mode and a second functional mode, responsive to a control signal generated by the computer subsystem, wherein each of the modes corresponds to a set of selected display settings for the display monitor subsystem.

Abstract: Novel mammalian phospholipase (PLA.sub.2) nucleotide sequences and low molecular weight (about 14KD) amino acid sequences encoded thereby are disclosed. More particularly, a cloned human HPLA.sub.2 cDNA expressing HPLA.sub.2 -10 and its cloned rat RPLA.sub.2 cDNA counterpart, expressing RPLA.sub.2 -10, which are characterized as PLA.sub.2 Type IV, are disclosed. A second type of PLA.sub.2 cDNA, characterized as PLA.sub.2 Type III and exemplified by a rat PLA.sub.2 cDNA encoding RPLA.sub.2 -8 and a partial human PLA.sub.2 nucleotide sequence encoding HPLA.sub.2 -8, is disclosed. Expression of the cDNAs encode the two new types of PLA.sub.2 enzymes which have phospholipase activity. The novel PLA.sub.2 s do not include disulfide bridges between cysteine amino acids 11 and 77 or elapid loops. However, the novel PLA.sub.2 s may include amino acid COOH-terminal extensions which can vary in length. Seventeen of the eighteen absolutely conserved amino acids in all active 14KD PLA.sub.

Abstract: A horizontal remote mining system comprising a water jet cutting head, down hole crusher, jet pump, and guidance system for orchestrating select excavation of a horizontal borehole. The system is assembled on the end of a drill string comprised of multiple compartments accommodating various water pressures and functions in association with the remote excavation process. Selective tubing is also utilized to facilitate movement of air and ventilation of the borehole. In this manner, relatively thin coal seams can be economically mined.