Abstract: A strategic framework enables improvements in IT system maintenance by taking IT system information as input and outputting useful metrics and/or proposed modifications to achieve efficiency improvements. The strategic framework also can be described as an IT maintenance system assessment and modification tool. The described framework encompasses strategies for effective IT maintenance and improvement. The framework addresses the effectiveness of IT maintenance by focusing on, for example, technology, operations, human and/or non-human resources, and governance solutions. One or more of these dimensions can be assessed and evaluated, for example, to discover and process useful metric information. From the results of a described IT maintenance system assessment, which provides metrics for evaluating efficiency and improvability of IT maintenance systems, an overall roadmap of solutions can be developed.

Abstract: A one-dimensional structural description of a ligand molecule can be annotated to include, for one or more atoms, information from a force field database. The information can be provided by an Assisted Model Building and Energy Refinement parameter list or a similar source. The annotation can be carried out using one or more intermediate structural description formats and can include identifying one or more fragment types that make up the ligand molecule.

Abstract: Using annotated structural descriptions and binding data for two, four or more input ligand molecules known to bind to a given protein target, a profile of the ligand molecules can be created by identifying patches of ligand molecules which have similar chemical and/or stereochemical descriptions, scored with the use of a weight dataset (e.g., substitution matrix). A database containing annotated molecular descriptions can be searched according to the profile to identify, for example, additional ligands that can bind to the protein target. Information such as the input ligands, the additional ligands, and literature related to these molecules, and modeling tools can be displayed in a user interface.

Abstract: A decision tree can be constructed via frequent predictive itemsets and best item splits. A hierarchical frequent predictive itemsets tree data structure can be used to construct the decision tree. A bottom-up traversal of the data structure can be used during determination of best item splits. The described technologies can construct decision trees with superior accuracy as compared to conventional greedy decision tree construction approaches.

Abstract: A dynamic and extensible architecture allows the selection and delivery of content in light of current context, including shopper in-store location information. Both static and real-time operation are supported. Business events can be generated based on information derived from sensors, from other business events, or both. A rich context supporting a wide variety of conditions can be supported, including shopper in-store location, shopper history, shopper in-store shopping path, and the like. Content can be delivered in a personalized, shopper-specific manner, according to any condition indicated in the current context. Content directed to store operational staff, such as out-of-stock notifications, can also be supported. New devices or applications can easily be added to the system. Context relevant content can be delivered via a variety of mechanisms, including the shopper's own cell phone to enable a cost effective delivery channel.

Abstract: Product availability can be determined using radio frequency identification (RFID) by determining whether a RFID tag is detectable by a RFID reader and setting a product availability condition, where the RFID tag is not attached to the product, and where distance between the RFID tag and the RFID reader changes as quantity of the product changes. A system for determining availability of products using RFID can comprise a product display unit, a RFID reader, a RFID tag associated with the product display unit, and a computing device configured to set product availability conditions. In the system, distance between the RFID tag and the RFID reader changes as quantity of the product changes.

Abstract: Quality of modularization of source code is tested using different perspectives such as a structural modularity perspective, an architectural modularity perspective, a size perspective, and a similarity of purpose perspective. A history of changes in modularization may be kept such that the degree to which given source code is well-modularized can be determined over time. The changes made to the code by individual programmers may be kept, such that the degree to which their coding enhanced or harmed modularization may be tracked.

Abstract: Quality of modularization of source code is tested using different perspectives such as a structural modularity perspective, an architectural modularity perspective, a size perspective, and a similarity of purpose perspective. A history of changes in modularization may be kept such that the degree to which given source code is well-modularized can be determined over time. The changes made to the code by individual programmers may be kept, such that the degree to which their coding enhanced or harmed modularization may be tracked.

Abstract: Simulation techniques for measuring the performance of J2EE applications are described. Simulation models for J2EE systems are generated which utilize one or more simulation components comprising queuing centers. The queuing centers employ logic to emulate J2EE thread models by locking on threads when messages are received by simulation components and waiting to unlock until a response is received from every subsequent component in the system. Additionally, simulation components which correspond to J2EE system components running on java virtual machines employ logic which emulates overhead introduced during memory allocation and garbage collection. The simulation models are also utilized during software development in a continuous performance evaluation process which gives feedback at each software development stage based on simulations run using the models described.

Abstract: Dynamic sections of a web page having dynamic content can be processed and received in parallel. Display of the dynamic sections can proceed in parallel. A script mechanism can be transmitted to a client, which executes the script to create a connection and receive dynamic content from a server independently for separate sections. An identifier can be used to differentiate between different sections on the web page.

Abstract: A data masking tool can support a wide variety of data sources and execution mechanisms. For example, any of a wide variety of data masking techniques can be achieved via a web interface, API, command line, SOA, or the like. Connectivity to mainframe environments can be achieved. Multiple data source types and data to and from different technology platform types can be supported. The tool can support interfacing with a metadata management tool. High quality randomness can be provided by a Mersenne Twister random number generator. The tool can be useful for performing data masking during software testing without having to write data masking code.

Abstract: The SPD according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may interface with different buses and computer system architectures to enable deployment in a wide variety of devices. Heterogeneous network (300) using SPDs in various computing devices. Desktop computers (302), mobile systems (such as cell phones) (304), mainframes (306), workstations (308), PDA systems (310) and other devices may be operatively connected to a network (such as the Internet or an Intranet). These devices may include SPDs (312) to enable web services to be provided among these devices. They may also communicate with some devices that do not include SPDs (such as the PC Desktop System (302) and Mobile System (304) in FIG. 3). These devices would require the use of a SOAP software toolkit for the particular platform, because they do not include an SPD. The SPDs could have different designs in different systems, while they share a common SOAP engine to provide a consistent and efficient SOAP processing capability.

Abstract: Size of a software application testing project is determined, and person/hours required for the testing project is estimated. The software application is sized by counting the number of different parameter types that occur within testing activities associated with the application. The parameter type numbers are then divided by a scaling weight to arrive at a Testing Unit number, which is then divided by a Testing Unit rate, e.g., person hours associated with each testing unit, to arrive at an estimated testing project effort. Some embodiments include an uncertainty calculation that potentially increases testing time based on clarity of the project requirements, the tester familiarity with the application area and the tester familiarity with the domain. Some embodiments calculate separate testing project times for different phases of the testing project.

Abstract: Performance tracking of computing systems can be provided by monitoring, determining performance states, and displaying health information. Capacity planning recommendations can be provided by monitoring performance of a software application, determining a plurality of performance state transitions of the software application, and, based on the transitions, making capacity planning recommendations. Performance state transitions can be selected from a set of transitions between four possible quadrant states. Performance of a software application can be categorized into one of the four possible quadrant states from. Capacity planning recommendations can be provided by a capacity planning framework. The framework can comprise a performance monitoring module for monitoring performance of software applications, a quadrant tracking module for determining performance state transitions, and a capacity planning module for making capacity planning recommendations based on the transitions.

Abstract: A predictive data mining model can be selected based on how well the model meets an objective function. In certain implementations genetic algorithms can be used to search a space of predictive data mining model building parameters to determine an optimal predictive data mining model based on a score function corresponding to, for example, the accuracy of the selected predictive data mining model.

Abstract: The present invention provides a configurable domain specific abstract core (DSAC) for implementing applications within any domain. The DSAC comprises at least one function specific abstract module (FSAM) configurable at a plurality of stages for implementing a predetermined function belonging to one or more applications in the domain. The FSAM comprises a function specific abstract logic (FSAL) for implementing functional logic and a micro state engine (MSE) for generating and monitoring one or more control signals, at least one of the control signals being generated by execution of a dynamic script for controlling the FSAL.

Abstract: Real-time execution of transactions can be managed between network devices. A method for managing real-time execution of transactions can comprise receiving one or more transactions, storing details associated with the one or more transactions, and synchronizing the details from a first network device to a second network device. Synchronizing details can comprise checking network connectivity between devices. Synchronization middleware can comprise a command engine, a synchronization engine, and a request-response engine. Synchronization middleware can be configured to process transactions, comprising checking network connectivity and determining whether transactions have expired.

Abstract: Middleware interposed between a mobile client device and a server can limit rendered online services to those appropriate to a context for the mobile client device. For example, characteristics of the mobile client device, the type of connection, and the like can be taken into account when deciding which online services to render at the mobile client device. Useful for avoiding presentation of online services that are inappropriate, incompatible, or the like.

Abstract: Messages can be delivered to end-user communication devices for playback to users of the end-user communication devices during call progress events by selecting messages to deliver and delivering the selected messages to the end-user communication device, where the end-user communication device stores the messages and plays back the stored messages during call progress events of subsequent calls. A system for delivering messages to end-user communication devices can comprise a message delivery module configured to deliver messages prior to calls where the messages are played and a reception module configured to receive indications of interest in the messages. An end-user communication device for playing back messages during call progress events can comprise a communication module configured to receive messages when not engaged in a call, a storage module configured to store messages, and a playback module configured to play back stored messages during later calls.

Abstract: Reliable messaging can be incorporated into a framework for occasionally connected computing (OCC). For example, various delivery assurance profiles can be supported for an application accessing Web Services to accomplish online business processing. Processing can be accomplished transparently with respect to whether the Web Services are available to a mobile computing device.