Abstract: A technique for managing application workloads in a data processing system includes establishing a reserve resource allocation of a data processing resource for use by a data processing application having a need to utilize the resource, sharing a portion of the resource that is not part of the reserve resource allocation or otherwise utilized by the application with other applications, allowing the application to consume the reserve resource allocation when the application desires to increase its utilization of the resource, and replenishing the reserve resource allocation from the sharable portion of the resource as the application consumes the reserve resource allocation. Advantageously, the reserve resource allocation can be effectively managed so that the data processing resource is available to the application in order to reduce application latency without depriving other applications of the ability to use the resource.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to techniques utilized within an operating system or a similar virtualization environment for reducing overhead of memory management data structures. Memory management data structures are used by operating systems to track the location of hardware pages in physical memory, consuming around 1% of a computer system's physical memory. However, these data structures may be classified as redundant when multiple data structures are used to track the same virtual memory pages stored within physical memory. One embodiment discloses an operation that identifies redundant data structures tracking frames of a single large page that are stored contiguously in the physical memory. Once identified, the redundant data structures may be removed from physical memory, freeing the physical memory for other uses. A further embodiment enables recreation of the removed data structures in physical memory if later accessed within the operating system.

Abstract: An improved 3He nuclear reactor with provision for direct electric conversion of a relativistic proton stream into useable electric power at a voltage level compatible with the national power grid (one million V DC). Various embodiments include multiple collector cages for extracting relativistic protons of various energy levels, diverter wires for deflecting high-energy proton streams to either side of lower energy cages to avoid unwanted impact. Other embodiments include arrangements for dividing multi-megavolt voltages down to a useable one megavolt level compatible with the national power grid. Further embodiments comprise guiding the proton stream by the cusps of magnetron cavities to permit conversion of the relativistic proton energies into microwave power. A proposal is also made for harvesting 3He from the Moon to supply earth-bound and space-bound reactors.

Abstract: A technique for low-power detection of a grace period for deferring the destruction of a shared data element until pre-existing references to the data element have been removed. A grace period processing action is implemented that requires a response from a processor that may be running a preemptible reader of said shared data element before further grace period processing can proceed. A power and reader status of the processor is also determined. Grace period processing may proceed despite the absence of a response from the processor if the power and reader status indicates that an actual response from the processor is unnecessary.

Abstract: A pattern implementation technique in which a pattern is defined as a software artifact that comprises a pattern signature representing one or more parameters of the pattern and a pattern implementation model representing one or more methods for expanding the pattern in a selected software context by assigning one or more arguments to the one or more parameters. The pattern implementation model can be based on one or more framework code sets, each of which supports the creation of plural patterns by providing a pattern implementation model for a particular software context. The framework code sets can be rendered extensible by a pattern author by virtue of providing methods whose code is adapted to be modified by a pattern author when defining a pattern. The pattern can be applied by creating an instance of the pattern in a software context and presenting a graphical representation of the pattern instance that can be manipulated by the pattern user in order to apply arguments to the pattern parameters.

Abstract: A self-anchoring beverage container with directional release and attachment capability has a flexible nonporous base member adapted to seal to a reference surface and create a controlled pressure zone. A receptacle assembly is mounted to the base member and includes a beverage holding chamber. A communication channel in the receptacle assembly extends from the controlled pressure zone to an area of ambient pressure. A pressure control device on the receptacle assembly is adapted to alternately close the communication channel to seal the controlled pressure zone and open the communication channel to vent the controlled pressure zone to ambient pressure. The receptacle assembly further includes a grasping portion arranged to be grasped by a user. The pressure control device is operatively connected to the grasping portion for actuation to the open position when a user grasps the grasping portion during normal lifting of the beverage container from the reference surface.

Abstract: A self-anchoring beverage container with directional release and attachment capability has a flexible nonporous base member adapted to seal to a reference surface and create a controlled pressure zone. A receptacle assembly is mounted to the base member and includes a beverage holding chamber. A communication channel in the receptacle assembly extends from the controlled pressure zone to an area of ambient pressure. A pressure control device on the receptacle assembly is adapted to alternately close the communication channel to seal the controlled pressure zone and open the communication channel to vent the controlled pressure zone to ambient pressure. The receptacle assembly further includes a grasping portion arranged to be grasped by a user. The pressure control device is operatively connected to the grasping portion for actuation to the open position when a user grasps the grasping portion during normal lifting of the beverage container from the reference surface.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for intelligent discovery of network information from multiple information gathering agents adapted to discover information concerning the network. The discovery agents each have an associated discovery capability. Based on consideration of the agent discovery capabilities, discovery assignments are computed and network discovery is performed according to the assignments so as to reduce discovery poll overhead.

Abstract: A user-level read-copy update (RCU) technique. A user-level RCU subsystem executes within threads of a user-level multithreaded application. The multithreaded application may include reader threads that read RCU-protected data elements in a shared memory and updater threads that update such data elements. The reader and updater threads may be preemptible and comprise signal handlers that process signals. Reader registration and unregistration components in the RCU subsystem respectively register and unregister the reader threads for RCU critical section processing. These operations are performed while the reader threads remain preemptible and with their signal handlers being operational.

Abstract: A handle configuration for a stringed racquet includes a handle shaft having a defined exterior shape and plural mounting apertures, with a butt cap being provided at a base end thereof. A contour assembly has an exterior of designed contour, including an upper protrusion and a lower trigger. The contour assembly is mountable on the racquet handle shaft at a plurality of discrete locations defined by the mounting apertures. The contour assembly has an interior shape conforming to the handle shaft shape to allow the contour assembly to be received on the handle shaft for attachment thereto. One or more mounting elements on the contour assembly align with the handle shaft mounting apertures for attachment of the contour assembly thereto.

Abstract: A degradable paper article with long-shelf-life adhesive backing, together with a related fabrication method. The article includes a layer of degradable paper, a layer of degradable pressure sensitive adhesive, a release liner on the adhesive layer, and a degradable polymer blocking layer disposed between the adhesive layer and the paper layer that blocks adhesive from bleeding into said paper.

Abstract: An improved long box package for prerecorded media includes an elongated substantially rectangular box enclosure having a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of first and second side walls. The box enclosure further includes an open top end, a bottom end adapted to be closed, and an interior shelf disposed between the top end and the bottom end for supporting the bottom end of a media case to be carried by the package. An opening is formed in the front wall that is contiguous with the open top end and which extends toward the shelf. In combination, the open top end and the contiguous front wall opening define an open channel for receiving the media case. The open channel facilitates rapid placement of the media case in the package by virtue of the media case not being restricted to insertion through the top end only.

Abstract: A low track pitch write module and bidirectional tape head for writing and/or reading data on a magnetic recording tape. The write module and tape head have a tape bearing surface for engaging the magnetic recording tape and plural write elements. The write elements are arranged so that the write gaps of adjacent write elements are spaced from each other by not more than approximately one write gap width, while being generally aligned along an axis that is perpendicular to a direction of movement of the magnetic recording tape. The write elements may have a planar or vertical construction comprising plural thin film layers oriented in generally parallel or perpendicular relationship with the tape bearing surface. One or more read element arrays may also be provided.

Abstract: A tape path control system and related method for controlling the position of a tape medium in the tape drive. The tape path includes a first tape guide roller, a second tape guide roller spaced from the first roller, and a transducing head situated between the first and second rollers. The first and second rollers may be large and closely spaced, with the second tape guide roller being spaced from the first roller at a roller diameter/center-to-center spacing ratio of between approximately 1:1-1:2 while still accommodating the transducing head therebetween. A precision alignment system is associated with the second roller. When operable, the precision alignment system allows the second roller to be adjustably aligned relative to the first roller in order to control lateral tape movement when a tape medium streams across the rollers in operative engagement with the transducing head.

Abstract: A storage manager and related method and computer program product manages client data on a data storage resource and includes the ability to utilize many different types of data stream filters that are neither built into the storage manager nor require a custom programming effort. A storage manager user may readily implement filtering by simply identifying a data stream filter the user wishes the storage manager to use for filtering the user's data. The filter can be an off-the-shelf program that is not part of the storage manager and which does not require client application or storage manager domain knowledge (e.g., knowledge of protocols or data types or formats used by the application or storage manager). The storage manager invokes the identified filter as part of a requested data stream operation and receives a data stream from a data stream source. The data stream is provided to the filter, which filters the data stream.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for supporting concurrent updates to a shared data element group while preserving group integrity on behalf of one or more readers that are concurrently referencing group data elements without using locks or atomic instructions. Two or more updaters may be invoked to generate new group data elements. Each new data element created by the same updater is assigned a new generation number that is different than a global generation number associated with the data element group and which allows a reader of the data element group to determine whether the new data element is a correct version for the reader. The new generation numbers are different for each updater and assigned according to an order in which the updaters respectively begin update operations.

Abstract: A technique for managing the session state of a web application during transaction processing. When a message is exchanged between a web client and a web server, such as a web client request or a web server response, session information therein is stored on behalf of the client. Following an interruption in session state, the session state may be recreated by using the stored session information.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing grace period detection following a data element update operation that affects preemptible data readers. A determination is made whether the data processing system is a uniprocessor system or a multiprocessor system. Grace period detection processing is performed using a first grace period detection technique if the data processing system is a multiprocessor system. Grace period detection processing is performed using a second grace period detection technique if the data processing system is a uniprocessor system. The grace period detection processing according to either technique determines the end of a grace period in which readers that are subject to preemption have passed through a quiescent state and cannot be maintaining references to the pre-update view of the shared data.

Abstract: An intrusion detection system, and a related method and computer program product, for implementing intrusion detection in a remote, on-demand computing service environment in which one or more data processing hosts are made available to a remote on-demand user that does not have physical custody and control over the host(s). Intrusion detection entails monitoring resources defined by the on-demand user (or a third party security provider) for intrusion events that are also defined by the on-demand user (or security provider), and implementing responses according to event-action rules that are further defined by the on-demand user (or security provider). An intrusion detection system agent is associated with each of the data processing hosts, and is adapted to monitor the intrusion events and report intrusion activity. If there are plural intrusion detection system agents, they can be individually programmed to monitor and report on agent-specific sets of the intrusion events.

Abstract: A network endpoint system and related method and computer program product for use in a network to support enhanced end-to-end QoS in the network. The network endpoint system is adapted to receive network data of varying priority on behalf of a data consumer operating at the application layer of a network protocol stack implemented by the network endpoint system. The network endpoint system includes a network interface controller adapted to receive network frames containing the network data, plural network data handling channels each having an associated priority, and priority processing logic adapted to transfer the network data from the network interface controller to the plural data handling channels on a prioritized basis according to the network data priority. Also disclosed are a network interface controller and a network node to support enhanced end-to-end QoS in a network.