Abstract: To broadcast different types of transmission having different tiers of coverage in a wireless broadcast network, each base station processes data for a wide-area transmission in accordance with a first mode (or coding and modulation scheme) to generate data symbols for the wide-area transmission and processes data for a local transmission in accordance with a second mode to generate data symbols for the local transmission. The first and second modes are selected based on the desired coverage for wide-area and local transmissions, respectively. The base station also generates pilots and overhead information for local and wide-area transmissions. The data, pilots, and overhead information for local and wide-area transmissions are multiplexed onto their transmission spans, which may be different sets of frequency subbands, different time segments, or different groups of subbands in different time segments. More than two different types of transmission may also be multiplexed and broadcast.

Abstract: Techniques to seamlessly switch reception between multimedia programs are described. For “continued decoding”, a wireless device continues to receive, decode, decompress, and (optionally) display a current program, even after a new program has been selected, until overhead information needed to decode the new program is received. After receiving the overhead information, the wireless device decodes the new program but continues to decompress the current program. The wireless device decompresses the new program after decoding this program. For “early decoding”, the wireless device receives a user input and identifies a program with potential for user selection. The identified program may be the one highlighted by the user input or a program anticipated to be selected based on the user input. The wireless device initiates decoding of the identified program, prior to its selection, so that the program can be decompressed and displayed earlier if it is subsequently selected.

Abstract: Techniques for multiplexing and transmitting multiple data streams are described. Transmission of the multiple data streams occurs in “super-frames”. Each super-frame has a predetermined time duration and is further divided into multiple (e.g., four) frames. Each data block for each data stream is outer encoded to generate a corresponding code block. Each code block is partitioned into multiple subblocks, and each data packet in each code block is inner encoded and modulated to generate modulation symbols for the packet. The multiple subblocks for each code block are transmitted in the multiple frames of the same super-frame, one subblock per frame. Each data stream is allocated a number of transmission units in each super-frame and is assigned specific transmission units to achieve efficient packing. A wireless device can select and receive individual data streams.

Abstract: In addition to global index chunks that indicate the order of program portions in a multimedia stream carrying multiple multiplexed programs, index blocks are provided in data chunks of the stream that point to times when particular program portions arrive. This information can be used at the physical or transport layer of a wireless battery-powered receiver by, e.g., a simple state machine to energize the analog receiving circuitry only for as long as necessary to receive information pertaining to a desired program, thereby conserving battery power.

Abstract: A system for disposing of body fluids collected during surgery comprises a canister and an apparats for emptying and cleaning canister. The canister has a lid having an inlet port to receive body fluids during surgery and for insertion of a cleaning fluid sprayer during servicing, an outlet port with a suction tube extending into the canister for removal of fluids therefrom, and a vacuum port for the application of vacuum to the canister. The servicing unit is an appliance having a receiving compartment in which the canister is placed. A connector head in the servicing unit connects the canister to a source of cleaning fluid and to a conduit for evacuating the fluids in the canister through the suction tube and to a decontamination chamber, where they are brought into contact with a disinfecting fluid, and subsequently to a drain.

Abstract: A rapid emergency dam is disclosed. During adverse weather conditions heavy rain can lead to rivers breaking their banks and lakes overflowing causing flooding to the surrounding countryside. Coastline defenses can also be breached by increased sea swell and large waves. A fluid barrier section (1) of the present invention comprises an elongate rectangular fluid barrier sheet 2, an apron 4 extending from the lowermost edge 6 of the fluid barrier (2), an elongate rectangular front panel (7) and support means in the form of a plurality of support ribs (8). The fluid barrier sheet (2) is of a flexible fluid impermeable material such as plastics, rubber, waterproof canvas, nylons or any other suitable natural or man made material. A preferred material for the barrier sheet (2) is a fluid impermeable tear resistant flexible foil. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the lowermost edge (6) of the fluid barrier is bonded to one edge of the apron (4).

Abstract: An integrated circuit that reduces spacing between circuitry and a bus. In accordance with this invention, the bus is a strip of conductive material in a layer of the integrated circuit. The layer includes at least one slot that removes conductive material from the bus. The removal of the conductive material in the slot allows the space between circuitry adjacent the bus and the bus to be reduced.

Abstract: A system for disposing of body fluids collected during surgery comprises a canister and an apparatus for emptying and cleaning the canister. The canister has a lid having an inlet port to receive body fluids during surgery and for insertion of a cleaning fluid sprayer during servicing, an outlet port with a suction tube extending into the canister for removal of fluids therefrom, and a vacuum port for the application of vacuum to the canister. The servicing unit is an appliance having a receiving compartment in which the canister is placed. A connector head in the servicing unit connects the canister to a source of cleaning fluid and to a conduit for evacuating the fluids in the canister through the suction tube and to a decontamination chamber, where they are brought into contact with a disinfecting fluid, and subsequently to a drain.

Abstract: An integrated circuit that reduces spacing between circuitry and a bus. In accordance with this invention, the bus is a strip of conductive material in a layer of the integrated circuit. The layer includes at least one slot that removes conductive material from the bus. The removal of the conductive material in the slot allows the space between circuitry adjacent the bus and the bus to be reduced.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar from beets includes the step of filtering a sucrose-containing feed juice, which has been obtained from macerated sugar beets, through a first ultrafiltration membrane that has a first molecular weight cutoff. This ultrafiltration step produces a first ultrafiltration permeate and a first ultrafiltration retentate. The first ultrafiltration permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane that has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first molecular weight cutoff. This second ultrafiltration step produces a second ultrafiltration permeate and a second ultrafiltration retentate. The second ultrafiltration permeate is nanofiltered through a nanofiltration membrane, thereby producing a nanofiltration permeate and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar from beets includes the step of filtering a sucrose-containing feed juice, which has been obtained by diffusion from sliced sugar beets, through a first ultrafiltration membrane that has a first molecular weight cutoff. This ultrafiltration step produces a first ultrafiltration permeate and a first ultrafiltration retentate. The first ultrafiltration permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane that has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first molecular weight cutoff. This second ultrafiltration step produces a second ultrafiltration permeate and a second ultrafiltration retentate. The second ultrafiltration permeate is nanofiltered through a nanofiltration membrane, thereby producing a nanofiltration permeate and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar from cane includes the step of filtering a sucrose-containing feed juice, which has been obtained from macerated sugar cane, through a first ultrafiltration membrane that has a first molecular weight cutoff. This ultrafiltration step produces a first ultrafiltration permeate and a first ultrafiltration retentate. The first ultrafiltration permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane that has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first molecular weight cutoff. This second ultrafiltration step produces a second ultrafiltration permeate and a second ultrafiltration retentate. The second ultrafiltration permeate is nanofiltered through a nanofiltration membrane, thereby producing a nanofiltration permeate and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: The present invention beneficially provides a method and apparatus that can support multiple HDLs in both the creation of new circuit designs and the use of legacy data such as IP blocks. Where a graphical design tool supports a first HDL and design data is provided in a second HDL, the present invention generates an interface description for the design data written in the first HDL, and then generates a graphical design unit based on the interface description. The resulting graphical design unit is supported by the graphical design tool.

Abstract: A system for collecting and disposing of body fluids collected during surgery comprises a canister and a servicing unit for removing the body fluids from the canister and cleaning the canister for re-use. The canister is a vessel having sidewalls, a bottom and a lid. The lid has a first inlet port for the inflow of body fluids into the canister during surgery and a vacuum port for application of vacuum to the canister to induce the inflow of body fluids into the canister. The lid has a second inlet port for the inflow of cleaning fluid into the canister and a spray head in fluid communication with the second inlet port for spraying the cleaning fluid within the canister. The lid also has an outlet port with a suction tube extending into the canister for the outflow of body fluids and cleaning fluid from the canister. Caps are provided for closing those ports when the canister is being used to collect body fluids during surgery.

Abstract: It has been found that certain insoluble hydrophilic cross-linked polysaccharides are useful pharmaceutical agents in diverting water elimination from the renal route to the gastrointestinal route, and removing excess water from the body by the gastrointestinal route. These properties are of specific therapeutic value in the treatment of edema, water intoxication in chronic renal failure, in reducing the frequency of hemodialysis, and in the treatment of other forms of fluid retention such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and other disorders associated with refractory swelling. Sephadex-brand insoluble hydrophilic, cross-linked dextrans are preferred in the practice of the invention.