Abstract: A cache hierarchy and a method of operating the cache hierarchy are disclosed. The cache hierarchy comprises a first cache level comprising an instruction cache, and predecoding circuitry to perform a predecoding operation on instructions having a first encoding format retrieved from memory to generate predecoded instructions having a second encoding format for storage in the instruction cache. The cache hierarchy further comprises a second cache level comprising a cache and the first cache level instruction cache comprises cache control circuitry to control an eviction procedure for the instruction cache in which a predecoded instruction having the second encoding format which is evicted from the instruction cache is stored at the second cache level in the second encoding format. This enables the latency and power cost of the predecoding operation to be avoided when the predecoded instruction is then retrieved from the second cache level for storage in the first level instruction cache again.

Abstract: A variable noise attenuation element includes at least two tube sections that define an overall tube length that defines a first effective length and associated first peak frequency for noise attenuation, and a valve having a valve member. The valve joins the tube sections together and includes openings that permit communication between the tube sections when the valve is in an open configuration. The valve member operates to close the opening in response to a predetermined vacuum level within the tube sections to define a second tube effective length and associated second peak frequency for attenuation that is less than the overall length. A method of attenuating noise in a vehicle using a passive attenuation arrangement operates a valve disposed between two tube sections to change an effective length of the tube and associated peak frequencies for attenuation in response to an engine operating parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a branch target buffer (BTB) to store predicted target addresses of branch instructions. In response to a fetch block address identifying a fetch block comprising two or more program instructions, the BTB performs a lookup to identify whether it stores one or more predicted target addresses for one or more branch instructions in the fetch block. When the BTB is identified in the lookup as storing predicted target addresses for more than one branch instruction in said fetch block, branch target selecting circuitry selects a next fetch block address from among the multiple predicted target addresses returned in the lookup. A shortcut path bypassing the branch target selecting circuitry is provided to forward a predicted target address identified in the lookup as the next fetch block address when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises processing circuitry, an instruction cache, decoding circuitry to decode program instructions fetched from the cache to generate macro-operations to be processed by the processing circuitry, and predecoding circuitry to perform a predecoding operation on a block of program instructions fetched from a data store to generate predecode information to be stored to the cache with the block of instructions. In one example the predecoding operation comprises generating information on how many macro-operations are to generated by the decoding circuitry for a group of one or more program instructions. In another example the predecoding operation comprises generating information indicating whether at least one of a given subset of program instructions within the prefetched block is a branch instruction.

Abstract: A process for removal of heavy metals at contamination level (50-500 mg/L) using ultrasonic energy and electrolysis, as a measure to decontaminate industrial waste, is described.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus 2 contains branch prediction circuitry 10 including a micro branch target buffer 28, a full branch target buffer 30 and a global history buffer 32. The branch target buffer entries 40 contain history data 42, 44 which indicates whether or not a number of the following blocks of program instructions, subsequent to and sequential to a block of program instruction identified by that branch target buffer entry containing a branch instruction, do themselves contain any branch instructions. If the history data 42, 44 indicates that the following blocks of program instructions do not contain branches, then the operation of the branch prediction circuitry 28, 30, 32 is suppressed for these following blocks of program instructions so as to save energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of a device, Cognitive Communication Hub (CCH) that combines multiple and hybrid physical layers to collaborate and establish a unified network. The heterogeneous network so formed supports a whole range of bandwidth and spectrum while providing quality of service and class of service. The routing algorithm of the device is designed to explore the best route that can optimally use hybrid networking technologies to make a connection. The device has multiple interfaces and acts in an adhoc fashion. It forms multiple parallel data paths between source and destination and hence provides fault tolerance as a break down in one path does not disconnect end to end connection.

Abstract: Equipment for the semi-continuous direct chill (DC) casting of sheet ingot or slabs of different dimensions, in particular for rolling purposes. The equipment includes a mold frame (2) with a pair of facing long side walls (3) and a pair of facing short end walls (4) where the walls define an upwardly open inlet for the supply of metal and a downwardly facing outlet. The outlet is provided with a starter block (6) on a movable support, which prior to each casting, closes the opening. The equipment includes a device for changing the mold dimensions where at least one end wall can be displaced to enable casting of different size ingots. The equipment further includes an arrangement for indirect and direct cooling of the metal during casting. The starter block is provided with short end walls (11) and long side walls (9). At least one short end wall is movable relative to the mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of a device, Cognitive Communication Hub (CCH) that combines multiple and hybrid physical layers to collaborate and establish a unified network. The heterogeneous network so formed supports a whole range of bandwidth and spectrum while providing quality of service and class of service. The routing algorithm of the device is designed to explore the best route that can optimally use hybrid networking technologies to make a connection. The device has multiple interfaces and acts in an adhoc fashion. It forms multiple parallel data paths between source and destination and hence provides fault tolerance as a break down in one path does not disconnect end to end connection.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for assessing arterial stiffness noninvasively using photoplethysmography. The method of the invention for assessing arterial stiffness using photoplethysmography comprises: a user information input step, characteristic point extraction step, and arterial stiffness assessment step. In particular, the characteristic point extraction step includes the correction of the characteristic points, and the arterial stiffness assessment step includes the result of performing multiple linear regression analysis using the baPWV (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity) value. In addition, according to this invention, arterial stiffness assessment, which was previously an expensive procedure which the user could only obtain at a specialized institution, can be carried out at low cost in the course of daily life, e.g. at home or at work, and can thus be applied in the u-healthcare and home health management service environments.

Abstract: A mounting structure for one or more pantographs is provided. The mounting structure comprises a bottom support structure, a mid support structure, and a top platform. The bottom support structure includes a pair of primary front legs. The mid support structure includes a pair of secondary front legs coupled to the pair of primary front legs. The mid support structure further includes a pair of angled rear legs rigidly connected to the pair of secondary front legs by a deck. The pair of secondary front legs extends above the deck. The mid support structure further includes a first and second pair of front and side extended support arms rigidly connected to a top portion of the pair of secondary front legs. The top platform is coupled to the mid support structure and is configured to mount the one or more pantographs.

Abstract: Equipment for the semi-continuous direct chill (DC) casting of sheet ingot or slabs of different dimensions, in particular for rolling purposes. The equipment includes a mould frame (2) with a pair of facing long side walls (3) and a pair of facing short end walls (4) where the walls define an upwardly open inlet for the supply of metal and a downwardly facing outlet. The outlet is provided with a starter block (6) on a movable support which prior to each casting closes the opening.

Abstract: A method for coordinating resources for events, the method comprises identifying participants for an event; collecting information concerning the identified participants, the information at least comprising availability schedules; and providing an event monitoring interface to at least one participant device, the event monitoring interface presenting a representation of identified participants and at least one resource associated with the event.

Abstract: A distributed system for managing users and workspaces comprises a network cloud comprising at least one server configured to store and run at least one application and at least one meeting appliance configured to communicate with the network cloud, to run the at least one application on the network cloud, and to display output of the at least application on the meeting appliance.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting coordination of resources for events in an organization includes a knowledge component storing a resource-utilization model, the resource-utilization model comprising at least one ontology, each ontology comprising a respective schema and data stored according to the schema; a knowledge acquisition component adapting the resource-utilization model in real-time in response to receiving data from various sources about resource utilization in the organization; a domain reasoner adapting the resource-utilization model based on contents of a modifiable set of rules applied by the organization; and a query endpoint receiving queries about resources for events and responding to the queries based on the resource-utilization model.