Abstract: In a ray tracer, to prevent any long-running query from hanging the graphics processing unit, a traversal coprocessor provides a preemption mechanism that will allow rays to stop processing or time out early. The example non-limiting implementations described herein provide such a preemption mechanism, including a forward progress guarantee, and additional programmable timeout options that can be time or cycle based. Those programmable options provide a means for quality of service timing guarantees for applications such as virtual reality (VR) that have strict timing requirements.

Abstract: A mono-, di-, and triglyceride emulsifier is provided that is obtained by the interesterification or glycerolysis of triglycerides with glycerol. The diglyceride portion w/w is at least about 65% to about 80%, and most preferably from about 70% to about 80%. The high diglyceride emulsifier is useful in preparing a margarine from a selected quantity a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil and from an amount of saturated fat for use in puff pastry products. The puff pastry is trans fat free and a less than usual percentage of saturated fats. A preferred structured puff pastry margarine is prepared by mixing on a weight to weight basis about 14 parts of the high diglyceride emulsifier that is in predominantly stable beta crystal form, from about 14 to 27 parts of a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil, and from about 40 to about 52 parts of a saturated fat.

Abstract: An igniter bracket is provided for use with a water heater to mount an igniter to the water heater. The igniter bracket includes a base portion occupying a base plane and at least one mounting portion extending from the base portion, wherein an edge of the at least one igniter mounting portion occupies an edge plane that is not perpendicular to the base plane.

Abstract: A mono-, di-, and triglyceride emulsifier is provided that is obtained by the interesterification or glycerolysis of triglycerides with glycerol. The diglyceride portion w/w is at least about 65% to about 80%, and most preferably from about 70% to about 80%. The high diglyceride emulsifier is useful in preparing a margarine from a selected quantity a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil and from an amount of saturated fat for use in puff pastry products. The puff pastry is trans fat free and a less than usual percentage of saturated fats. A preferred structured puffpastry margarine is prepared by mixing on a weight to weight basis about 14 parts of the high diglyceride emulsifier that is in predominantly stable beta crystal form, from about 14 to 27 parts of a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil, and from about 40 to about 52 parts of a saturated fat.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method, and circuits that operate in accordance with the method, for decoding data received from a communications channel. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving a modulated communications signal that conveys block encoded data having at least a data field and a syndrome data field; and (b) determining transition metrics and path metrics for the block encoded data. The step of determining path metrics includes a step of retaining path metrics only for a Maximum-Likelihood (ML) path and for a second best ML path. The method further includes a step of: (c) decoding the block encoded data by performing either a full or a partial traceback operation for both the ML path metrics and also for the second best ML path metrics.