Abstract: In response to a map task distributed by a job tracker, a map task tracker executes the map task to generate a map output including version information. The map task tracker stores the generated map outputs. The map task tracker informs the job tracker of related information of the map output. In response to a reduce task distributed by the job tracker, the reduce task tracker acquires the map outputs for key names including given version information from the map task trackers, wherein the acquired map outputs include the map outputs with the given version information and historical map outputs with the version information prior to the given version information. The reduce task tracker executes the reduce task on the acquired map outputs.

Abstract: A method for dynamic optimization of thread assignments for application workloads in an simultaneous multi-threading (SMT) computing environment includes monitoring and periodically recording an operational status of different processor cores each supporting a number of threads of the thread pool of the SMT computing environment and also operational characteristics of different workloads of a computing application executing in the SMT computing environment. The method further can include identifying by way of the recorded operational characteristics a particular one of the workloads demonstrating a threshold level of activity. Finally, the method can include matching a recorded operational characteristic of the particular one of the workloads to a recorded status of a processor core best able amongst the different processor cores to host execution in one or more threads of the particular one of the workloads and directing the matched processor core to host execution of the particular one of the workloads.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer usable program product for flexibly assigning security configurations to applications are provided in the illustrative embodiments. An embodiment determines, forming a first determination, whether a first identifier identifying the application is mapped to the security configuration. The embodiment determines, forming a second determination, whether the application participates in a group by determining whether a second identifier identifying the group is mapped to the security configuration. The embodiment assigns, forming a first assignment, the security configuration to the application if either of the first and the second determinations is true. The embodiment assigns, forming a second assignment, the security configuration to the application using a determination by a first policy if the first and the second determinations are false.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microorganism culture device (100), such as a micro fluidic cell culture device. The device comprises an open chamber (10), wherein microorganisms are likely to be deposited within a liquid for subsequent study. The open chamber simplifies the deposition of the microorganisms. The chamber is further provided with retention features (11), whereby microorganisms can be retained therein. In addition, the device comprises an overflow area (20), wherein capillary structures (22) are configured to retain excess liquid overflowing from the open chamber, e.g. when covering the device with a cover. As such, it allows for confining microorganism in the chamber, while excess fluid is captured externally, e.g. to seal the device with a cover.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing data redistribution in a database. In one embodiment, the method includes moving, during a first scan, outgoing records from a sending partition to one or more receiving partitions, where free space is created in the sending partition due to the outgoing records leaving the sending partition. The method also includes filling, during the first scan, some of the free space with remaining records that do not leave the sending partition.

Abstract: A method of detecting deadlock in a multithreading program is provided. An invocation graph is constructed having a single root and a plurality of nodes corresponding to one or more functions written in code of the multithreading program. A resource graph is computed in accordance with one or more resource sets in effect at each node of the invocation graph. It is determined whether cycles exist between two or more nodes of the resource graph. A cycle is an indication of deadlock in the multithreading program.

Abstract: A method of operating a message handling system comprises maintaining queues, receiving messages, placing each message on a queue, running one or more applications which access the queues, detecting the receipt of a message with a predefined flag, and blocking at least one application from accessing the message with the predefined flag. The blocking of at least one application from accessing the message with the predefined flag can be achieved by discarding the message with the predefined flag prior to the message being placed on a queue. In an alternative embodiment, the blocking is achieved by preventing the blocked applications from removing the message from a queue.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for voice enabling a user preference interface in a multimodal content browser. A method for voice enabling a user preference interface in a multimodal content browser can include matching voice input to a bound command in a speech grammar and invoking logic in the user preference interface consistent with the bound command in the speech grammar. The matching step can include comparing voice input to entries in a markup language specified speech grammar and locating the bound command in the specified speech grammar based upon the comparison. In this regard, the method further can include identifying a variable in the bound command, looking up the variable in a table, retrieving a corresponding parameter for the variable from the table, and replacing the variable with the corresponding parameter in the bound command.