Abstract: Computer program code (program code) identifies peripheral devices connected to a computer having a log file. Program code determines whether the peripheral devices identified are functioning properly or not functioning properly. The program code collects information about the configuration of the computer. The program code sets parameters that create a profile for the computer. The program code stores the profile and the log file in a database along with profiles and log files of other computers having peripheral devices identified by the program code. The program code utilizes the profiles and log files to generate recommendations for peripheral devices that are compatible with at least one processor and operating system of the computer.

Abstract: Machines, systems and methods for compression ratio estimation are provided. The method comprises selecting a plurality of sample points in a data stream to compress sample data selected at said sample points according to a first compression method; and computing an average compression ratio contribution over the selected plurality of sample points, wherein compression ratio contribution of a sample point is determined based on the first compression method and data in locality of the sample point, and wherein the locality for the sample point is defined by locations in the data stream, such that said locations potentially affect the sample point's contribution to the compression ratio.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide security to HTTP applications. Responses sent from a server, such as a web server, are analyzed and a signature is generated for each HTML object in that page. The signature is encrypted and sent to a client along with the contents of the page. When a client later sends a request, the system checks the signature associated with that request with the contents of the request itself. If the values, variables, lengths, and cardinality of the request are validated, then the request is forwarded to the web server. If, on the other hand, the request is invalidated, the request is blocked from reaching the web server, thereby protecting the web server from malicious attacks. The systems and methods offer security without being limited to a session or user.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for autonomously rescheduling a future meeting in response to receiving a meeting cancellation notice of a previously scheduled meeting. A meeting rescheduling logic (MRL) of a server receives a cancellation of a scheduled meeting of an identified contact. The MRL may select a highest priority meeting from a plurality of meetings that has been flagged with an auto-move-up status. The MRL determines if all attendees of the selected meeting are available to attend the meeting at the open time slot of the identified contact's calendar. Upon determining that all attendees of the selected meeting are available at the open time slot, the MRL reschedules the selected meeting at the open time slot, and notifies all attendees. Additionally, the MRL may cancel a lower priority meeting of the attendees to accommodate moving a higher priority meeting into the open time slot.

Abstract: A computer searching technique identifies high quantitative patterns in data. A spatial indexing technique, such as an R-tree is used to represent the data. Then a pattern searching algorithm is used to identify anchor points that define the componentwise minimum patterns. High quantitative patterns are found responsive to the componentwise minimum patterns. The search strategy is demonstrated relevant to the problem of finding suitable locations for a retail business with reference to environments of prior successful retail businesses.

Abstract: Non-corrosive thermal interface materials for use in a test structure and method of use. The test structure includes a heat sink for dissipating heat away from a device under test. The test structure further includes a non-corrosive thermal interface material disposed between the heat sink and the device under test. The non-corrosive thermal interface material is capable of withstanding test conditions for at least 60 minutes for at least 115° C. without staining or leaving residue on the device under test after baking.

Abstract: A method for depositing epitaxial films of silicon carbon (Si:C). In one embodiment, the method includes depositing an n-type doped silicon carbon (Si:C) semiconductor material on a semiconductor deposition surface using a deposition gas precursor composed of a silane containing gas precursor, a carbon containing gas precursor, and an n-type gas dopant source. The deposition gas precursor is introduced to the semiconductor deposition surface with a hydrogen (H2) carrier gas. The method for depositing epitaxial films may include an etch reaction provided by hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas etchant and a hydrogen (H2) carrier gas.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product providing ordered search results within a search engine. Items are retrieved from a network satisfying search criteria provided by a user. Computer-related activities performed by the user, including social networking activities, are determined, and the retrieved items are ranked based on the computer-related activities. The ranking of the retrieved items is dependent upon whether any retrieved item has been referenced by the social networking activities of the user, and the search results are provided including the retrieved items in order of the ranking.

Abstract: Data validation techniques are provided. For example, such techniques complement user entries associated with events of interest through context. In one aspect of the invention, a technique for processing one or more user entries associated with one or more events of interest includes the following steps/operations. Context associated with the one or more events of interest is obtained. At least a portion of the obtained context is associated with one or more user entries representing events of interest. At least a portion of the one or more user entries is evaluated, responsive to at least a portion of the context. An indication of the one or more events of interest is provided, responsive to the evaluation.

Abstract: A data structure of readily accessible units of memory is provided as computer useable media having computer readable program code logic providing information tables and a software emulation program to enable hardware to run new software that uses transactional memory and a bit associated with a transaction for executing transactional memory constructs. The data structure with Guest PTRAN bit is used in emulation of software written for a given computer on a different computer which executes a different set of instructions. The emulating instructions are used to provide transactional memory instructions on a computer which does not support those instructions natively.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape drive system includes a read channel, a write channel, logic adapted for accessing data sets using the read channel and/or the write channel, logic adapted for counting each data set access using the read channel that used error recovery procedure (ERP), logic adapted for counting each data set access using the read channel that did not use ERP, logic adapted for counting each data set access using the write channel that used ERP, logic adapted for counting each data set access using the write channel that did not use ERP, and logic adapted for accessing subsequent data sets using the read channel and/or the write channel, wherein any subsequent data set access that uses ERP is accessed using an initial ERP step characterized by a first tape speed, wherein the first tape speed is selected at least partially based on the counts.

Abstract: A method for protecting the integrity of a set of memory pages to be accessed by an operating system of a data processing system, includes running the operating system in a virtual machine (VM) of the data processing system; verifying the integrity of the set of memory pages on loading of pages in the set to a memory of the data processing system for access by the operating system; in response to verification of the integrity, designating the set of memory pages as trusted pages and, in a page table to be used by the operating system during the access, marking non-trusted pages as paged; and in response to a subsequent page fault interrupt for a non-trusted page, remapping the set of pages to a region of the data processing system memory which is inaccessible to the virtual machine.

Abstract: Forming a polysilicon embedded resistor within the shallow trench isolations separating the active area of two adjacent devices, minimizing the electrical interaction between two devices and reducing the capacitive coupling or leakage therebetween. The precision polysilicon resistor is formed independently from the formation of gate electrodes by creating a recess region within the STI region when the polysilicon resistor is embedded within the STI recess region. The polysilicon resistor is decoupled from the gate electrode, making it immune to gate electrode related processes. The method forms the polysilicon resistor following the formation of STIs but before the formation of the p-well and n-well implants. In another embodiment the resistor is formed following the formation of the STIs but after the formation of the well implants.

Abstract: A network node that forwards traffic of a converged network received from a source end node receives a second message addressed to the network node, but intended for the source end node. The second message includes at least a portion of a first message originated by the source end node and previously forwarded by the network node. The network node extracts from the first message a source identifier of the source end node in a first communication protocol and determines by reference to a data structure a destination address of the second message in a second communication protocol. The network node modifies the second message to include the destination address and forwards the second message toward the source end node in accordance with the destination address.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product for controlling the hardware priority of hardware threads in a data processing system. A Thread Priority Control (TPC) utility assigns a primary level and one or more secondary levels of hardware priority to a hardware thread. When a hardware thread initiates execution in the absence of a system call, the TPC utility enables execution based on the primary level. When the hardware thread initiates execution within a system call, the TPC utility dynamically adjusts execution from the primary level to the secondary level associated with the system call. The TPC utility adjusts hardware priority levels in order to: (a) raise the hardware priority of one hardware thread relative to another; (b) reduce energy consumed by the hardware thread; and (c) fulfill requirements of time critical hardware sections.

Abstract: A system and associated method for providing enhanced site access security by use of multiple authentications from independent sources. A security enhanced user service system has components of a user authentication process, a service application, a multi-authentication module and an authentication database. A user attempting to use the service application accesses through a client system that is coupled to the security enhanced user service system. The user authentication process receives login information from the user, checks for validity, and sends to the multi-authentication module to further verify the login information. The multi-authentication module generates a grant or denial by use of predefined logical condition to satisfy for the grant response, data stored in the authentication database, another security enhanced user service system etc., pursuant to a specific configuration.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing prefetch streams in a virtual machine environment. Compiled application code in a first core, which comprises a Special Purpose Register (SPR) and a plurality of first prefetch engines, initiates a prefetch stream request. If the prefetch stream request cannot be initiated due to unavailability of a first prefetch engine, then an indicator bit indicating a Prefetch Stream Dispatch Fault is set in the SPR, causing a Hypervisor to interrupt the execution of the prefetch stream request. The Hypervisor then calls its associated operating system (OS), which determines prefetch engine availability for a second core comprising a plurality of second prefetch engines. If a second prefetch engine is available, then the OS migrates the prefetch stream request from the first core to the second core, where it is initiated on an available second prefetch engine.

Abstract: A system and method for testing digital to analog converters (DAC) in a serial interface having a comparator to receive an input signal and a local offset signal is disclosed. A first DAC selectably provides one of a global offset to the input signal during a normal mode of operation and a first test signal to the comparator during a test mode of operation. A second DAC selectably provides one of the local offset signals to the comparator during the normal mode of operation and a second test signal to the comparator during the test mode of operation. A test module may cause the first DAC to determine a first test signal to provide to the local offset input of the comparator and may cause the second DAC to incrementally change a test signal provided to the comparator.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request from a user device for a service, initializing the service, initializing a user preference based on a parameter associated with the service and a preference probability value, the preference probability value including a probability that a user would prefer a particular value as a preference based on values selected by other users, and sending data to the user device according to the user preference.

Abstract: A method includes creating an initial test plan including initial estimates of effort and defect distributions, creating an alternative test plan including alternative estimates of effort and defect distributions, and displaying at least one metric of the initial test plan and the alternative test plan side by side for comparison by a user.