Abstract: Image data encoding apparatus, comprises an entropy encoder configured to selectively encode data items representing image data so as to generate encoded binarized symbols of successive output data units; the entropy encoder being configured to generate an output data stream subject to a constraint defining an upper limit to the number of binarized symbols that may be expressed by any individual output data unit relative to the size in bytes of that output data unit, in which the entropy encoder is configured to provide padding data, for each output data unit which does not meet the constraint, so as to increase the size in bytes of that output data unit in order to meet the constraint; the apparatus comprising: an attribute detector configured to detect an encoding attribute applicable to a given output data unit; and a selector configured to select, in response to the detected encoding attribute, a constraint, for use with the given output data unit, from two or more candidate constraints.

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.