Abstract: A data encoding method comprises generating one or more encoding parameters; communicating the one or more encoding parameters for use by a decoding process; and encoding data items representing image data samples of an image by generating residual data indicative of a difference between an image data sample and a predicted version of that image data sample, the encoding step performing the encoding in dependence upon the one or more encoding parameters generated by the generating step; in which the generating step comprises deriving an estimate of the residual data in respect of at least a subset of the image data samples and generating the one or more encoding parameters in dependence upon the derived estimate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNAi) agents and compositions targeting an ATXN2 gene, as well as methods of inhibiting expression of an ATXN2 gene and methods of treating subjects having an ATXN2-associated neurodegenerative disease or disorder, e.g., SCAs and ALS, using such dsRNAi agents and compositions.

Abstract: A method of encoding successive data items comprises storing history data for encoded data items, the history data indicating one or more aspects of encoding the encoded data items; encoding a given data item by a first encoding technique comprising encoding a series of zero or more data sets, each data set representing a respective range of values of the data items and selecting the series of data sets from a plurality of candidate data sets in dependence upon (i) a number of previously encoded data sets; and (ii) the history data applicable to a given property of the given data item; and encoding any remaining value of the given data item, the remaining value being an amount by which the given data item exceeds a maximum value which can be encoded by the first encoding technique, by a second encoding technique different to the first encoding technique.

Abstract: A video data encoding method for encoding an array of video data values comprises the steps of: frequency-transforming the video data values according to a frequency transform, to generate an array of frequency-transformed values by a matrix-multiplication process using a transform matrix having a data precision of fourteen bits, the frequency transform being a discrete cosine transform; defining a 64×64 transform matrix M64 for a 64×64 DCT transform, the matrix M64 being defined by the accompanying FIGS. 10a-10e and 11; for an N×N transform where N is 2, 4, 8 or 16, subsampling the 64×64 transform matrix M64 to select a subset of N×N values, the subset MN[x][y] of values being defined by: MN[x][y]=M64[x][(2(6-log2(N)))y] for x,y=0 . . . (N?1).

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus comprises a selector configured to select, from a set of candidate prediction operations each defining at least a prediction direction, a prediction operation for prediction of samples of a current region of a current image, the current region comprising an array of two or more rows and two or more columns of samples; and an intra-image predictor configured to interpolate predicted samples of the current region with respect to one or more of a group of reference samples being samples decoded from previously encoded samples of the current image, the group of reference samples being selected in dependence upon a prediction direction, defined by the selected prediction operation, between a current sample to be predicted and a reference position amongst the reference samples, in which the intra-image predictor is configured to apply an interpolation process to the group of reference samples in order to generate each predicted sample; in which the intra-image predictor is configured to

Abstract: A method for the sorption of phosphorous and/or nitrogen from a liquid, the method comprising the step of contacting the liquid with a composition comprising spongolite.

Abstract: A method for detecting cough sounds from a sound wave of a subject includes applying features extracted from the sound wave to at least two electronic pattern classifiers including a first classifier trained to detect an explosive phase of a cough and a second classifier trained to detect one or more post-explosive phases of the cough sound. The features extracted from the sound wave are applied to the second classifier after the first classifier has classified features of the sound wave as an explosive phase of a cough sound.

Abstract: A method for the sorption of phosphorous and/or nitrogen from a liquid, the method comprising the step of contacting the liquid with a composition comprising spongolite.

Abstract: An alternative salt nutrient mixture for plant growth, wherein one or more of the following nutrients is present as a carbonate: nitrogen (eg ammonium), potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, zinc or copper and/or one or more of the following nutrients is present as a nitrate: nitrogen (eg ammonium), potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, zinc or copper.

Abstract: A method for detecting cough sounds from a sound wave of a subject includes applying features extracted from the sound wave to at least two electronic pattern classifiers including a first classifier trained to detect an explosive phase of a cough and a second classifier trained to detect one or more post-explosive phases of the cough sound. The features extracted from the sound wave are applied to the second classifier after the first classifier has classified features of the sound wave as an explosive phase of a cough sound.

Abstract: A soil additive comprising a sugar ferment wherein said ferment contains signalling molecules comprising between about 1-50% of the organic matter present in the ferment.

Abstract: An alternative salt nutrient mixture for plant growth, wherein one or more of the following nutrients is present as a carbonate: nitrogen (eg ammonium), potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, zinc or copper and/or one or more of the following nutrients is present as a nitrate: nitrogen (eg ammonium), potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, zinc or copper.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a workflow management system including a server, a user terminal configurable as a geographically distributed computing network in network communication with the server. The server is configured to execute the software instructions to automatically direct a user through an insurance account binding process by communicating with the server using the user terminal. The system is configured to execute the software instructions to automatically generate a document library that includes a folder structure associated with a particular account. An automated email server can email the account to at least one insurance market or underwriter based at least in part on user preference. Further, the software application can provide for a drag and drop feature where a user selecting, dragging and dropping an icon representing an electronic file, and automatically saving the file in a named folder corresponding to the electronic file.

Abstract: A soil additive comprising a sugar ferment wherein said ferment contains signalling molecules comprising between about 1-50% of the organic matter present in the ferment.

Abstract: A soil additive comprising a sugar ferment wherein said ferment contains signalling molecules comprising between about 1-50% of the organic matter present in the ferment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a workflow management system that manages all aspects of a customer account, including account initiation, management and electronic document storage through one simple and clean user interface running on a server via a terminal. The system includes a server and a user terminal in network communication with the server, wherein the user terminal is a dummy terminal. The system further includes a software application installed on and operated by the server. The system comprises a unique folder structure for each account created by the system in response to execution of the instructions of the software application by the server, wherein the unique folder structure is created within an electronic document library stored on the hard drive of the server. The system further includes an automatic email save function, wherein emails are automatically saved in a folder of the folder structure of the electronic document library.

Abstract: A soil additive comprising a sugar ferment wherein said ferment contains signalling molecules comprising between about 1-50% of the organic matter present in the ferment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (101) for the recovery of fat soluble compounds, such as beta carotene, is described. In one embodiment of the invention a solution (102) containing a fat soluble compound is passed through a fluidised bed (104) of crystalline metallic ore particles, such as magnetite, allowing the fat soluble compound to bind to the particles to form a complex (109). The fat soluble compound is released from the complex (109) by passing a wash solution (107) through the fluidised bed and subsequently collected in solution (108). The crystalline metallic ore particles may be reused.