Abstract: Various embodiments manage computing networks. In one embodiment, a set of network management data associated with one or more users is analyzed. The set of network management data includes at least electronic scheduling information associated with the one or more users. A concentration of users is predicted for a given location based on the analyzing. At least one network characteristic associated with the given location is performed based on at least the predicted concentration of users.

Abstract: A system and method tracks touches in a healthcare environment in order to analyze paths of transmission and contamination for the purpose of eliminating and containing transmission of colonizing, drug-resistant pathogens. Touches are identified and tracked with the use of recording devices. Each touch is logged and a touch graph is generated to identify transmission paths.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating a preview of a digital content item using social network analysis. Members of a social network who acquire the digital content item may identify interesting portions of the digital content. When a member of the social network requests a preview of the digital content item, typically in anticipation of an acquisition of the digital content item, the interesting portions of the digital content item identified by fellow social network members are considered in the generation of the preview. Selection of the interesting content for preview may include more identified content, as well as social network relationship and role magnitudes. The digital content item may include: text, such as books or articles; multimedia such as audio/video; and interactive, such as games or virtual worlds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel system and method for continual simulation of the optimal deployment of selecting one or more geographic locations for production of a good or service. Synthetic nodes and hypothetical configurations may be introduced into the mapping, or existing nodes removed, and the estimated communication, and thus performance, cost of these changes automatically and continuously calculated. The energy of the resultant composite order embedding algorithm is measured with the addition of one or more collections of instantiated or synthetic test nodes. In a case when the energy of the order embedding algorithm is sufficiently lower in one configuration than another, a decision module (DM) may be used to automatically determine whether the nodes corresponding to the test nodes should be planned.

Abstract: An adaptive system enables providers to customize educational objects and support services to maximize user engagement. The system is a self-service system for education for providers that includes a learning environment with interfaces for stakeholders, metrics for measuring the level of user engagement, and a customizable service configured to maximize user engagement. The system may operate in many domains, such as higher education, retail, government, test preparation and certification services, negotiations, and others.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating information between vehicle operators. The method includes receiving a request from a send vehicle operator to communicate a vehicle information message from a send vehicle. The method also includes generating the vehicle information message at the send vehicle. The method further includes sending the vehicle information message from the send vehicle to a receive vehicle.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes detecting one of an absence of a virtual universe (VU) occurrence in a VU within a predetermined time period, a special event in the VU and a change of real world status from a previous real world status. Additionally, the method includes determining a VU asset of a VU resident relevant to the VU occurrence, the special event or the previous real world status. Further, the method includes performing an automated asset reduction of the VU asset based on the determining.

Abstract: Methods, program products, services and devices are provided for protecting a protected avatar from actions of a second avatar within a virtual universe. Protection is implemented for a protected avatar from a second avatar within a virtual universe, including identifying an activity of the second avatar and disqualifying the second avatar from engaging in the identified activity within the virtual universe as a function of a relation of the identified activity to the protected avatar. A protective action is defined, associated with the identified activity and executable against the protected avatar or the second avatar. Activity of the protected avatar or the second avatar is monitored within the virtual universe for an occurrence of the identified activity, and the protective action is executed against the protected avatar or the second avatar in response to detecting the occurrence of the identified activity.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes detecting one of an absence of a virtual universe (VU) occurrence in a VU within a predetermined time period, a special event in the VU and a change of real world status from a previous real world status. Additionally, the method includes determining a VU asset of a VU resident relevant to the VU occurrence, the special event or the previous real world status. Further, the method includes performing an automated asset reduction of the VU asset based on the determining.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing a plurality of services in a service catalog. Metadata is received about one or more services. The metadata is analyzed to determine whether to perform a management activity on the service catalog, the management activity including recommending one or more services in the service catalog or coupling two or more services in the service catalog. If it is determined that the received metadata is insufficient, a signal is generated to gather additional metadata within a time period the metadata is determined to be insufficient.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for modifying of service levels based on contextual data of meeting entries in electronic calendars. An example system includes an electronic calendar module executed by a central processing unit. The electronic calendar module is configured to store a meeting entry for a scheduled meeting. The meeting entry includes contextual data for the scheduled meeting. A context-determining module is configured to determine a context for the scheduled meeting based on the contextual data. A service-modifying module is configured to automatically modify a service level of the scheduled meeting based on the context of the scheduled meeting.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for modifying of service levels based on contextual data of meeting entries in electronic calendars. An example system includes an electronic calendar module executed by a central processing unit. The electronic calendar module is configured to store a meeting entry for a scheduled meeting. The meeting entry includes contextual data for the scheduled meeting. A context-determining module is configured to determine a context for the scheduled meeting based on the contextual data. A service-modifying module is configured to automatically modify a service level of the scheduled meeting based on the context of the scheduled meeting.

Abstract: Methods, program products, services and devices are provided for protecting a protected avatar from actions of a second avatar within a virtual universe. Protection is implemented for a protected avatar from a second avatar within a virtual universe, including identifying an activity of the second avatar and disqualifying the second avatar from engaging in the identified activity within the virtual universe as a function of a relation of the identified activity to the protected avatar. A protective action is defined, associated with the identified activity and executable against the protected avatar or the second avatar. Activity of the protected avatar or the second avatar is monitored within the virtual universe for an occurrence of the identified activity, and the protective action is executed against the protected avatar or the second avatar in response to detecting the occurrence of the identified activity.

Abstract: An approach that facilitates explicit use of user context objects in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is a user context object tool that includes a user context object retrieving component configured to retrieve the plurality of user context objects for presentation to the avatar. A user context object selection and modification component is configured to receive a user context object selection and any desired modifications made to the user context object selection. A user context object permissions component is configured to permit the avatar to interact with the virtual universe in accordance with the user context object selection.

Abstract: A system, method and computer product for managing resources for tasks. An example system includes a rules database storing requirements and restrictions associated with a task. A graphical user interface contains resource icons of resources that can, at least partially, fulfill the requirements of the task and a virtual service agent (VSA) icon of a VSA associated with the task. When a resource icon is attempted to be dragged and dropped onto the VSA icon, the graphical user interface permits or prohibits the dragging and dropping responsive to a rules-checking module that checks violations of the restrictions. Furthermore, an agent-checking module ensures that at least one resource includes a software agent configured to answer natural language questions. The software agent queries data repositories and applies language processing, information retrieval, and machine learning to arrive at a conclusion.

Abstract: A system, method and computer product for managing resources for tasks. An example system includes a rules database storing requirements and restrictions associated with a task. A graphical user interface contains resource icons of resources that can, at least partially, fulfill the requirements of the task and a virtual service agent (VSA) icon of a VSA associated with the task. When a resource icon is attempted to be dragged and dropped onto the VSA icon, the graphical user interface permits or prohibits the dragging and dropping responsive to a rules-checking module that checks violations of the restrictions. Furthermore, an agent-checking module ensures that at least one resource includes a software agent configured to answer natural language questions. The software agent queries data repositories and applies language processing, information retrieval, and machine learning to arrive at a conclusion.

Abstract: A method for tracking user participation in a shared media session. A shared media session is connected to, where the shared media session includes a plurality of participants. A first identity is determined for a first participant with a first confidence level. The first participant is identified as the first identity if the first confidence level is above a first threshold. An amount of participation is tracked for the first identity. The amount of participation by the first identity is displayed on an electronic calendar for the shared media session to the plurality of participants.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for tracking user participation in a shared media session. A shared media session is connected to, where the shared media session includes a plurality of participants. A first identity is determined for a first participant with a first confidence level. The first participant is identified as the first identity if the first confidence level is above a first threshold. An amount of participation is tracked for the first identity. The amount of participation by the first identity is displayed on an electronic calendar for the shared media session to the plurality of participants.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in a shared media session. An indication is received from one or more of the participants in the shared media session. If the received indication is a first indication that indicates a background noise is present in the shared media session, the following steps are performed: a first counter is incremented for each of the first indications received from one or more of the plurality of participants, it is determined whether a background noise is present in the shared media session if the first counter exceeds a first threshold, an the shared media session is selectively muted such that the background noise is reduced if the background noise is determined to be present in the shared media session.

Abstract: A method for listing a service in a service catalog. Feedback is received about a candidate service that is used to determine a score for the candidate service. It is determined whether the score for the candidate service exceeds a first threshold. If the score for the candidate service exceeds the first threshold, the candidate service is listed as a published service in the service catalog. Feedback is received about the published service that is used to determine a score for the published service. It is determined whether the score for the published service exceeds a second threshold. If the score for the published service exceeds the second threshold, a signal is sent to a service actualization unit to actualize the published service.