Abstract: When a producer processing unit, such as a video decoder, of a media processing system is producing a data output for use by a consumer processing unit, such as a display processor, the producer processing unit also generates metadata for the data output that it is producing and provides that metadata for use by the consumer processing unit. The consumer processing unit then uses the metadata provided by the producer processing unit when processing the data output to which the metadata relates.

Abstract: A back brace for providing lumbar stabilisation. The back brace includes a lumbar support having a left support portion and a right support portion. The left and right portions are operable to move from a first position wherein the left and right portions are spaced apart, to a second position wherein the left and right portions are closer together. Each of the left and right lumbar support portions comprise a bar that at least partially delineates at least two apertures in each of the left and right support portions. The brace further comprises a line extending through apertures of the lumbar supports such that actuation of the line moves the left and right portions from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A method of performing tone mapping in a stream of images (Fr1 . . . N) includes, for each image (FrN) in the stream: sparsely reading image data values (IDN) corresponding to the image (FrN) to provide sparse image data from a plurality of sparsely distributed positions (Pos1 . . . k) in the image (FrN); generating, based on the sparse image data, tone mapping parameters of a tone mapping algorithm (TMA) for each position in the image (FrN); each position in the image (FrN) including the sparsely distributed positions (Pos1 . . . k) and a plurality of further positions (PosF1 . . . j) in the image (FrN); reading the image data values (IDN) corresponding to the image (FrN) to provide image data from each position in the image (FrN); and tone mapping the image by mapping the image data from each position in the image (FrN) to adjusted image data using the generated tone mapping parameters.

Abstract: A sleeve for use with a foot, the sleeve including a compression portion operable to apply compression to the midfoot region of the foot. The foot sleeve further includes a raised heel support portion for abutment with the base of the heel region of the foot, and a ball portion for abutment with the ball region of the foot. The thickness of the raised heel support portion is greater than the thickness of the ball portion. The foot sleeve can be used for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Abstract: A method of performing tone mapping in a stream of images (Fr1 . . . N) includes, for each image (FrN) in the stream: sparsely reading image data values (IDN) corresponding to the image (FrN) to provide sparse image data from a plurality of sparsely distributed positions (Pos1 . . . k) in the image (FrN); generating, based on the sparse image data, tone mapping parameters of a tone mapping algorithm (TMA) for each position in the image (FrN); each position in the image (FrN) including the sparsely distributed positions (Pos1 . . . k) and a plurality of further positions (PosF1 . . . j) in the image (FrN); reading the image data values (IDN) corresponding to the image (FrN) to provide image data from each position in the image (FrN); and tone mapping the image by mapping the image data from each position in the image (FrN) to adjusted image data using the generated tone mapping parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and materials for oligomerization of lower olefins (e.g., C2-C8) to transportations fuels including diesel and/or jet fuel. The oligomerization employs, in certain embodiments, tungstated zirconium catalysts. Surprisingly, the oligomerizations proceed smoothly in high yields and exhibit little to no sensitivity to the presence of significant amounts of oxygenates (e.g., water, lower alcohols such as C2-C8 alcohols) in the feed stream. Accordingly, the present disclosure is uniquely suited to the production of fuels derived from bio-based alcohols, wherein olefins produced from such bio-based alcohols typically contain high levels of oxygenates.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for producing an output image representing a scene. The method comprises rendering a plurality of component images. Each component image corresponds to an associated depth within the scene. The method comprises determining one or more elements of a view pose to which an output image is to correspond, and deriving an output image part from each of the plurality of component images based on the determined one or more elements. The method then comprises overlaying each of the output image parts, to produce the output image.

Abstract: There is described an insole comprising a flexible base and a reinforcing member arranged within the base. The insole may be an orthotic insole. The insole can be used for treating fallen arches, flat feet, plantar fasciitis and pronation problems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and materials for oligomerization of lower olefins (e.g., C2-C8) to transportations fuels including diesel and/or jet fuel. The oligomerization employs, in certain embodiments, tungstated zirconium catalysts. Surprisingly, the oligomerizations proceed smoothly in high yields and exhibit little to no sensitivity to the presence of significant amounts of oxygenates (e.g., water, lower alcohols such as C2-C8 alcohols) in the feed stream. Accordingly, the present disclosure is uniquely suited to the production of fuels derived from bio-based alcohols, wherein olefins produced from such bio-based alcohols typically contain high levels of oxygenates.

Abstract: When a producer processing unit, such as a video decoder, of a media processing system is producing a data output for use by a consumer processing unit, such as a display processor, the producer processing unit also generates metadata for the data output that it is producing and provides that metadata for use by the consumer processing unit. The consumer processing unit then uses the metadata provided by the producer processing unit when processing the data output to which the metadata relates.

Abstract: There is described a back brace for providing lumbar stabilisation. The back brace comprises a lumbar support comprising a left support portion and a right support portion. The left and right portions are operable to move from a first position wherein the left and right portions are spaced apart, to a second position wherein the left and right portions are closer together. Each of the left and right lumbar support portions comprise a bar that at least partially delineates at least two apertures in each of the left and right support portions. The brace further comprises a line extending through apertures of the lumbar supports such that actuation of the line moves the left and right portions from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A sleeve for use with a foot, the sleeve including a compression portion operable to apply compression to the midfoot region of the foot. The foot sleeve further includes a raised heel support portion for abutment with the base of the heel region of the foot, and a ball portion for abutment with the ball region of the foot. The thickness of the raised heel support portion is greater than the thickness of the ball portion. The foot sleeve can be used for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Abstract: This application relates to the production of functionalized lower hydrocarbons and more particularly to the process of converting ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbons. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbon conversion is catalyzed by a ZnxZryAvQsMnwOz mixed oxide catalyst or a bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to be converted is present at molar concentrations in the reactor feed equal to or exceeding 14%.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for producing an output image representing a scene. The method comprises rendering a plurality of component images. Each component image corresponds to an associated depth within the scene. The method comprises determining one or more elements of a view pose to which an output image is to correspond, and deriving an output image part from each of the plurality of component images based on the determined one or more elements. The method then comprises overlaying each of the output image parts, to produce the output image.

Abstract: A digit immobilizing splint is provided. The splint includes a first support portion operable in use to abut and support an underneath face of a digit on a first side of a joint of the digit, a second support portion operable in use to abut and support the underneath face of the digit on a second side of the joint, first and second fixing portions operable in use to respectively abut opposing side faces of the digit. The first and second fixing portions each extend between the first support portion and the second support portion. The first and second fixing portions are operable to be moved between a first, open, position wherein the first and second fixing portions do not abut the digit when the first and second support portions are abutting the digit, and a second, closed, position wherein the first and second fixing portions abut opposing sides of the digit such as to immobilize the digit and hold the splint in position around the digit.

Abstract: This application relates to the production of functionalized lower hydrocarbons and more particularly to the process of converting ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbons. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbon conversion is catalyzed by a ZnxZryAvQsMnwOz mixed oxide catalyst or a bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to be converted is present at molar concentrations in the reactor feed equal to or exceeding 14%.

Abstract: A method and system for transparently processing a search query by displaying a search query interpretation or restatement inside a search box. Upon receiving a natural language input from a user, the method converts the natural language input to a search query interpretation of the natural language input. Then, the method displays the search query interpretation to the user inside a search box, executes a search based on the search query interpretation and displays a search result to the user. The system includes a user interface to receive a search query input from a user, a restatement engine to convert the search query input into a search query interpretation, a search box to display the search query interpretation to the user, and an execution engine to execute a search based on the search query interpretation and provide a search result for display to the user.

Abstract: A method and device for treatment of a varicose vein is provided which includes the step of applying to the skin of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated a device including: (a) an element for securing the device to the leg of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated such as a carrier tape; and (b) a one-way valve element such as a cantilever element biased by a spring for applying a selected amount of pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced; and applying sufficient pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method and device for treatment of a varicose vein is provided which includes the step of applying to the skin of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated a device including: (a) an element for securing the device to the leg of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated such as a carrier tape; and (b) a one-way valve element such as a cantilever element biased by a spring for applying a selected amount of pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced; and applying sufficient pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method and device for treatment of a varicose vein is provided which includes the step of applying to the skin of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated a device including: (a) an element for securing the device to the leg of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated such as a carrier tape; and (b) a one-way valve element such as a cantilever element biased by a spring for applying a selected amount of pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced; and applying sufficient pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced.