Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a closure system for a drain hole of a bath, sink or the like. The system comprises a closure means which is movable between an open drainage position and closed sealed position. The movement is controlled by a movement assembly mounted in connection with the closure means so as to allow the movement to be achieved without direct contact between the user and the closure means being required. Typically one or more user operable switches or remote control means are provided to allow the selective movement of the closure means by the movement assembly to be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waster trap assembly of the type which can be used in a drain hole of, for example, a sink or bath. The assembly includes sealing means such that the assembly can be moved axially between a sealing position and an open, drainage position. In the drainage position, debris is collected in a waste collecting means of the assembly rather than passing into the drain hole. The waste collecting means is provided to be manipulated between a waste collecting configuration in which the same is typically held when in the drain hole and a waste discarding configuration to which the same can be moved when it is desired to discard collected waste from the assembly.

Abstract: Allocating distributed computing resources comprises creating offers to provide the resources for use by application programs. Each offer specifies a performance characteristic and a value associated with a corresponding resource. Bids to obtain the resources for use by the application programs are created. Each bid specifies a service level required for operation of a corresponding application program and a value associated with operating the corresponding application program. Bids are matched to offers via a market exchange model by matching the service level requirement and value of each bid to the performance characteristic and value of one of the offers. Resources associated with each offer are allocated to the application program associated with a matching bid, and the application program's operations are migrated to the allocated resources. Resources are monitored to ensure compliance with the service level requirement of each bid, and non-complying resources are replaced via the market exchange model.

Abstract: Using an enhanced service contract to support the design, deployment, testing, and operation of an enterprise-wide service-oriented architecture. The enhanced service contract includes both static and dynamic parameters and may be contained in an electronic format to facilitate automating of certain design, deployment, testing, and operation functions. The enhanced service contract supports validating system requirements for a service, including developing test code used to test services. The enhanced service contract also supports performance testing during operations and supports allocating system costs and optimizing system resources.