Abstract: A request to initiate a launch procedure of a compute instance at a virtualization host configured to access a remote storage device over a network is received. A memory buffer of the host is allocated as a write-back cache for use during a portion of the launch procedure. In response to a write request directed to remote storage during the portion of the launch procedure, the write payload is stored in the buffer and an indication of fulfillment of the write is provided independently of obtaining an acknowledgement that the payload has been propagated to the remote storage. Subsequent to the portion of the launch procedure, payloads of other write requests are transmitted to the remote storage device.

Abstract: A request to initiate a launch procedure of a compute instance at a virtualization host configured to access a remote storage device over a network is received. A memory buffer of the host is allocated as a write-back cache for use during a portion of the launch procedure. In response to a write request directed to remote storage during the portion of the launch procedure, the write payload is stored in the buffer and an indication of fulfillment of the write is provided independently of obtaining an acknowledgement that the payload has been propagated to the remote storage. Subsequent to the portion of the launch procedure, payloads of other write requests are transmitted to the remote storage device.

Abstract: A request to initiate a launch procedure of a compute instance at a virtualization host configured to access a remote storage device over a network is received. A memory buffer of the host is allocated as a write-back cache for use during a portion of the launch procedure. In response to a write request directed to remote storage during the portion of the launch procedure, the write payload is stored in the buffer and an indication of fulfillment of the write is provided independently of obtaining an acknowledgement that the payload has been propagated to the remote storage. Subsequent to the portion of the launch procedure, payloads of other write requests are transmitted to the remote storage device.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring phrenic nerve function and preventing phrenic nerve injury during cardiac ablation. The system includes a pacing device operable to transmit stimulation energy to the phrenic nerve through target tissue proximate the phrenic nerve, a plurality of assessment electrodes operable to make comparisons between baseline, real-time, and predetermined threshold values for CMAP signal amplitude and amplitude over time. The processing device may be connected to an ablation console, and the processing device may interrupt or adjust an ablation procedure controlled by the ablation console and/or generate a system alert in response to one of these comparisons, if the comparison indicates phrenic nerve injury.

Abstract: In this disclosure, a resource scheduler is described that allows virtual machine instances to earn resource credits during the low activity levels. Virtual machine instances that spend a predominant amount of time operating at low activity levels are able to quickly gain resource credits. Once these virtual machine instances acquire enough resource credits to surpass a threshold level, the resource scheduler can assign a high priority level to the virtual machine instances that provide them with priority access to CPU resources. The next time that the virtual machine instances enter a high activity level, they have a high priority level that allows them to preempt other, lower priority virtual machine instances. Thus, these virtual machine instances are able to process operations and/or respond to user requests with low latency.

Abstract: In this disclosure, a resource scheduler is described that allows virtual machine instances to earn resource credits during the low activity levels. Virtual machine instances that spend a predominant amount of time operating at low activity levels are able to quickly gain resource credits. Once these virtual machine instances acquire enough resource credits to surpass a threshold level, the resource scheduler can assign a high priority level to the virtual machine instances that provide them with priority access to CPU resources. The next time that the virtual machine instances enter a high activity level, they have a high priority level that allows them to preempt other, lower priority virtual machine instances. Thus, these virtual machine instances are able to process operations and/or respond to user requests with low latency.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring phrenic nerve function and preventing phrenic nerve injury during cardiac ablation. The system includes a pacing device operable to transmit stimulation energy to the phrenic nerve through target tissue proximate the phrenic nerve, a plurality of assessment electrodes operable to make comparisons between baseline, real-time, and predetermined threshold values for CMAP signal amplitude and amplitude over time. The processing device may be connected to an ablation console, and the processing device may interrupt or adjust an ablation procedure controlled by the ablation console and/or generate a system alert in response to one of these comparisons, if the comparison indicates phrenic nerve injury.

Abstract: In a method for storing data in a relational database system using a processor, a collection of values is assigned to a structure dictionary, each of the values represents the value of a row for an attribute and has a unique ordinal number within the collection. and the structure dictionary contains structures defined based on at least one of interaction with a user of the system via an interface, automatic detection of structures occurring in data, automatic detection of frequencies of values occurring in data, analysis of a history of queries, and predetermined information about structures relevant to data content that is stored in the system. For each structure, forming a structure match list from ordinal numbers of values matching the structure, and a structure sub-collection from values matching the structure, using the processor.

Abstract: In this disclosure, a resource scheduler is described that allows virtual machine instances to earn resource credits during the low activity levels. Virtual machine instances that spend a predominant amount of time operating at low activity levels are able to quickly gain resource credits. Once these virtual machine instances acquire enough resource credits to surpass a threshold level, the resource scheduler can assign a high priority level to the virtual machine instances that provide them with priority access to CPU resources. The next time that the virtual machine instances enter a high activity level, they have a high priority level that allows them to preempt other, lower priority virtual machine instances. Thus, these virtual machine instances are able to process operations and/or respond to user requests with low latency.

Abstract: In a method for managing metadata in a relational database system using a processor, the metadata is created in a form of rough values corresponding to collections of values, wherein each rough value represents summarized information about values, the values are elements of the corresponding collection of values, and each rough value is substantially smaller than the corresponding collection of values. A collection of values is assigned to a structure dictionary, wherein each of the values represents the value of a row for an attribute and has a unique ordinal number within the collection, and wherein the structure dictionary contains structures defined based on at least one of interaction with a user of the system via an interface, automatic detection of structures occurring in data, and predetermined information about structures relevant to data content that is stored in the system. A match granule is formed, and for each structure in the structure dictionary, a structure granule is formed.

Abstract: In a method for storing data in a relational database system using a processor, a collection of values is assigned to a structure dictionary, wherein each of the values represents the value of a row for an attribute and has a unique ordinal number within the collection, and wherein the structure dictionary contains structures defined based on at least one of interaction with a user of the system via an interface, automatic detection of structures occurring in data, and predetermined information about structures relevant to data content that is stored in the system. For each structure in the structure dictionary, a structure match list is formed from ordinal numbers of values matching the structure, and a structure sub-collection from values matching the structure, using the processor.

Abstract: A relational database having a plurality of records is organized by using a processing arrangement to perform a clustering operation on the records so as to create a number of clusters. At least one of the clusters is characterized by a selected metadata parameter. The clustering operation is performed to optimize a calculated value of a selected precision factor for the selected metadata parameter. The selected metadata parameter is selected to optimize execution of a database query and the value of the selected precision factor is related to efficiency of execution of the database query.

Abstract: In a method for storing data in a relational database system using a processor, a collection of values is assigned to a structure dictionary, wherein each of the values represents the value of a row for an attribute and has a unique ordinal number within the collection, and wherein the structure dictionary contains structures defined based on at least one of interaction with a user of the system via an interface, automatic detection of structures occurring in data, and predetermined information about structures relevant to data content that is stored in the system. For each structure in the structure dictionary, a structure match list is formed from ordinal numbers of values matching the structure, and a structure sub-collection from values matching the structure, using the processor.

Abstract: In a method for storing data in a relational database system using a processor, a collection of values is assigned to a structure dictionary, wherein each of the values represents the value of a row for an attribute and has a unique ordinal number within the collection, and wherein the structure dictionary contains structures defined based on at least one of interaction with a user of the system via an interface, automatic detection of structures occurring in data, and predetermined information about structures relevant to data content that is stored in the system. For each structure in the structure dictionary, a structure match list is formed from ordinal numbers of values matching the structure, and a structure sub-collection from values matching the structure, using the processor.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for detecting prolonged myocardial repolarization as an indicator of cardiac conditions, including without limitation, transmural ischemia. In some embodiments, without limitation, the present invention comprises methods and apparatus to detect prolonged repolarization using electrocardiographic and electrophysiological tools and measurements.

Abstract: A relational database having a plurality of records is organized by using a processing arrangement to perform a clustering operation on the records so as to create a number of clusters. At least one of the clusters is characterized by a selected metadata parameter. The clustering operation is performed to optimize a calculated value of a selected precision factor for the selected metadata parameter. The selected metadata parameter is selected to optimize execution of a database query and the value of the selected precision factor is related to efficiency of execution of the database query.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for detecting prolonged myocardial repolarization as an indicator of cardiac conditions, including without limitation, transmural ischemia. In some embodiments, without limitation, the present invention comprises methods and apparatus to detect prolonged repolarization using electrocardiographic and electrophysiological tools and measurements.