Abstract: Apparatus comprises source circuitry to provide data items; buffer circuitry having a set of buffer entries to hold one or more data items, provided by the source circuitry, for delivery to one or more destinations within a respective delivery latency, in which a buffer entry holding an initial data item becomes available to hold another data item in response to delivery of the initial data item to its respective destination; and control circuitry to control acceptance of data items from the source circuitry for holding by the buffer circuitry, the control circuitry being configured to control the buffer circuitry to accept a given data item when: (i) a buffer entry is available to hold the given data item and (ii) the delivery latency of data items including the given data item held by the buffer circuitry is such that at least a threshold number of buffer entries may be made available within no more than a threshold availability period.

Abstract: Apparatus comprises source circuitry to provide data items; buffer circuitry having a set of buffer entries to hold one or more data items, provided by the source circuitry, for delivery to one or more destinations within a respective delivery latency, in which a buffer entry holding an initial data item becomes available to hold another data item in response to delivery of the initial data item to its respective destination; and control circuitry to control acceptance of data items from the source circuitry for holding by the buffer circuitry, the control circuitry being configured to control the buffer circuitry to accept a given data item when: (i) a buffer entry is available to hold the given data item and (ii) the delivery latency of data items including the given data item held by the buffer circuitry is such that at least a threshold number of buffer entries may be made available within no more than a threshold availability period.

Abstract: An optical head for a Raman spectroscopy system includes a housing an input configured to allow input radiation of a selected wavelength into the housing, a first lens disposed in an end of the housing to allow the input radiation to emit from the housing through the first lens and to receive reflected radiation including specular reflection and diffuse reflection, and a second lens disposed in the housing and configured to receive reflected radiation from the first lens. The optical head includes an output configured to receive the reflected radiation from the second lens. The optical head includes a blocking mirror disposed in the housing between the first lens and the second lens. The blocking mirror is configured and positioned to direct the radiation from the input to the first lens. The blocking mirror blocks at least a portion of specular reflection from reaching the second lens but allows diffuse reflection to the reach the second lens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for handling access requests. The apparatus has processing circuitry for processing a plurality of program threads to perform data processing operations on data, where the operations identify the data using virtual addresses, and the virtual addresses are mapped to physical addresses within a memory system. The cache storage has a plurality of cache entries to store data, an aliasing condition existing when multiple virtual addresses map to the same physical address, and allocation of data into the cache storage being constrained to prevent multiple cache entries of the cache storage simultaneously storing data for the same physical address.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for handling access requests. The apparatus has processing circuitry for processing a plurality of program threads to perform data processing operations on data, where the operations identify the data using virtual addresses, and the virtual addresses are mapped to physical addresses within a memory system. The cache storage has a plurality of cache entries to store data, an aliasing condition existing when multiple virtual addresses map to the same physical address, and allocation of data into the cache storage being constrained to prevent multiple cache entries of the cache storage simultaneously storing data for the same physical address.

Abstract: An optical head for a Raman spectroscopy system includes a housing an input configured to allow input radiation of a selected wavelength into the housing, a first lens disposed in an end of the housing to allow the input radiation to emit from the housing through the first lens and to receive reflected radiation including specular reflection and diffuse reflection, and a second lens disposed in the housing and configured to receive reflected radiation from the first lens. The optical head includes an output configured to receive the reflected radiation from the second lens. The optical head includes a blocking mirror disposed in the housing between the first lens and the second lens. The blocking mirror is configured and positioned to direct the radiation from the input to the first lens. The blocking mirror blocks at least a portion of specular reflection from reaching the second lens but allows diffuse reflection to the reach the second lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides (termed propeller peptides herein) and related peptides (termed peptides of the G12.2 family herein), about 60 to about 90 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which blocks the desensitization of AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPARs).

Abstract: Improved component placement inspection and verification is performed by a pick and place machine. Improvements include stereovision imaging of the intended placement location; enhanced illumination to facilitate the provision of relatively high-power illumination in the restricted space near the placement nozzle(s); optics to allow image acquisition device to view the placement location from an angle relative to a plane of the placement location, thereby reducing the possibility of such images being obstructed by the component; techniques for rapidly acquiring images with commercially available CCD arrays such that acquisition of before and after images does not substantially impact system throughput; and image processing techniques to provide component inspection and verification information.

Abstract: Improved component placement inspection and verification is performed by a pick and place machine. Improvements include stereovision imaging of the intended placement location; enhanced illumination to facilitate the provision of relatively high-power illumination in the restricted space near the placement nozzle(s); optics to allow image acquisition device to view the placement location from an angle relative to a plane of the placement location, thereby reducing the possibility of such images being obstructed by the component; techniques for rapidly acquiring images with commercially available CCD arrays such that acquisition of before and after images does not substantially impact system throughput; and image processing techniques to provide component inspection and verification information.

Abstract: Improved component placement inspection and verification is performed by a pick and place machine. Improvements include stereovision imaging of the intended placement location; enhanced illumination to facilitate the provision of relatively high-power illumination in the restricted space near the placement nozzle(s); optics to allow image acquisition device to view the placement location from an angle relative to a plane of the placement location, thereby reducing the possibility of such images being obstructed by the component; techniques for rapidly acquiring images with commercially available CCD arrays such that acquisition of before and after images does not substantially impact system throughput; and image processing techniques to provide component inspection and verification information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include providing first article inspection in pick and place machines by collecting images of the placement event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By displaying this information as it is generated on the machine, the operator can take prompt and effective corrective actions. In one embodiment, images are taken of the placement location before and after placement of the component. These images are then processed and displayed to the operator shortly after the placement has completed. In addition to the images, key measurements are displayed to the operator to assist in the diagnosis of problems as they occur. Key features that are presented to the operator include absence/presence detection, vibration detection and manual visual inspection.

Abstract: A nutritional composition and method of introducing the composition into a soft gelatin capsule. The composition includes effective amounts of omega-3 fatty acid, vitamin D and selenium. The method includes forming each component into a unitary form, forming a soft gelatin capsule and introducing the unitary composition into the capsule. The soft gelatin capsule then serves as a delivery system for the composition when the capsule is introduced into the body of the user.

Abstract: A plasma measurement device comprises data sensors for sensing properties of the plasma environment together with diagnostic sensors for measuring properties related to the functional integrity of the measurement device. Events reported by the diagnostic sensors of the invention may be interpreted as failures of the measurement device, as warnings requiring operator attention or intervention, or alternatively may be employed as data in a predictive algorithm to estimate the remaining useful lifetime of the device. By providing an ability to detect events indicative of faults or failures in a plasma measurement device during use of the device, the invention provides enhanced certainty and confidence in the integrity of data collected by the plasma measurement device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include inspecting the pick operation in pick and place machines by collecting images of the pick event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By detecting and displaying this information as it generated on the machine, the operator or machine can take prompt and effective corrective actions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include providing first article inspection in pick and place machines by collecting images of the placement event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By displaying this information as it is generated on the machine, the operator can take prompt and effective corrective actions. In one embodiment, images are taken of the placement location before and after placement of the component. These images are then processed and displayed to the operator shortly after the placement has completed. In addition to the images, key measurements are displayed to the operator to assist in the diagnosis of problems as they occur. Key features that are presented to the operator include absence/presence detection, vibration detection and manual visual inspection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include measuring the travel of a pick and place machine placement nozzle and the motion characteristics of the workpiece through the placement process. Since the component is placed on the workpiece with some force to ensure proper adhesion to the workpiece, some deflection of the workpiece is expected during the placement cycle. The placement force is adjusted to ensure that the component is safely placed into the solder paste or adhesive. Placement force is adjusted through a number of characteristics including: choice of spring tension in the nozzle; the length of the nozzle and the amount of over-travel into the board; the rigidity of the board and design; and the placement of the board support mechanisms. With proper adjustment of these characteristics and parameters, high quality placements onto the workpiece can be ensured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition as well as method for providing nutrition to renal patients. Pursuant to the present invention, the enteral composition includes an effective amount of a protein source including whey protein and free amino acids that provide essential as well as nonessential amino acids. The composition is calorically dense and has a moderate osmolality.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing and controlling antigen-specific immunoglobulin concentrations in a patient. In addition, the present invention provides a method for maintaining physiological functions of the intestine in a patient. Pursuant to the present invention, the composition includes a protein source, a carbohydrate source, a fat source, and a specialized vitamin and mineral profile.