Abstract: Techniques, systems, and articles of manufacture for processing spatial joins using a MapReduce framework. A method includes partitioning a spatial data domain based on a distribution of spatial data objects across multiple nodes of a cluster of machines, defining at least one operation to be performed on the partitioned spatial data domain based on one or more predicates of a query, and executing the at least one defined operation on the partitioned spatial data domain to determine a response to the query.

Abstract: Controlled release of one or more agricultural chemicals is provided by microcapsules adapted to rupture in a magnetic field. The microcapsules, which may be applied to soil, seeds and/or plants, each have a shell that encapsulates an agricultural chemical, such as a fertilizer, herbicide or insecticide. One or more organosilane-coated magnetic nanoparticles is/are covalently bound into the shell of each microcapsule. For example, (3-aminopropyl) trimethylsilane-coated magnetite nanoparticles may be incorporated into the shell of a urea-formaldehyde (UF) microcapsule during in situ polymerization. In one embodiment, microcapsules encapsulating a fertilizer are applied during seed planting. Controlled release is subsequently triggered after an appropriate period of dormancy by positioning a magnetic field generating device proximate the microcapsules to generate a magnetic field sufficient to rupture the microcapsule shells through magnetic stimulation of the organosilane-coated magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: In one example a method includes: receiving a first input value associated with a first data field; responsive to determining that the first data field is associated with an increment operation, selecting a second input value associated with a corresponding second data field of a previously transmitted message; comparing the first input value and second input value to determine if the first input value includes a sum of the second input value and an increment value; when the first input value includes the sum of the second input value and increment value, generating a message that omits the first input value for the first data field, and providing an operator symbol indicating the increment operation to specify that the first data field of the message is to be associated with the sum of the increment value and second input value of the second data field in the previously transmitted message.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamically recommending configuration changes to an operating system image are provided. Embodiments include monitoring, by an image deployment monitor, configurations of a plurality of deployed copies of a master operating system (OS) image; detecting, by the image deployment monitor, a change in one or more configurations of a first set of deployed copies of the plurality of deployed copies; and in response to detecting the change, generating, by the image deployment monitor, a configuration recommendation to recommend the change to an OS image.

Abstract: A method for forming nanostructures includes bonding a flexible substrate to a crystalline semiconductor layer having a two-dimensional material formed on a side opposite the flexible substrate. The crystalline semiconductor layer is stressed in a first direction to initiate first cracks in the crystalline semiconductor layer. The first cracks are propagated through the crystalline semiconductor layer and through the two-dimensional material. The stress of the crystalline semiconductor layer is released to provide parallel structures including the two-dimensional material on the crystalline semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Virtual switches are established in a host system of a computing environment. Each virtual switch of the virtual switches includes a respective virtual switch port grouped within a shared port group of virtual switch ports. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group are in communication with a common physical network adapter of the host system. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group share a single physical port of the physical network adapter as part of a common physical link aggregation group (LAG).

Abstract: A method includes a computing device receiving at least one sensor reading from at least one sensor on a user's device; the computing device determining at least one setting on the user's device based upon the received at least one sensor reading; the computing device detecting a change from the at least one sensor that could affect an optimal setting for the determined at least one setting; and notifying a user that the detected change has occurred.

Abstract: A Universal/Portable Cable Support and EMI Reduction Bar which to attenuate electromagnetic interference on the input/output cables of the electronics rack passing therethrough before the cables exit the rack. The bar works for cables exiting any part of the rack. The design involves an introduction of a grounding bar that can serve as EMI suppression (detuning frame resonance and reducing cable emissions) as well as cable support/retention functions. The bar provides a stable Ethernet cable support and EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) suppression structure which reduces EMI emission on the cable as well as eliminates the extra connection needed when using a separate RF (Radio Frequency) choke. A device, system and method are provided.

Abstract: A method includes determining that one or more data blocks of a permanently stored data blocks are to be deleted. In response, the method further includes obtaining a group of partial redundancy data for the permanently stored data blocks. The method further includes identifying a temporarily stored plurality of data blocks for which partial redundancy data does not yet exist. The method further includes creating a new plurality of data blocks from data blocks of the permanently stored plurality of data blocks that are to remain permanently stored and data blocks from the temporarily stored plurality of data blocks that are to be permanently stored. The method further includes permanently storing the new plurality of data blocks. The method further includes generating a new group of partial redundancy data. The method further includes sending the new group of partial redundancy data and the group of partial redundancy data.

Abstract: Various embodiments for priority based depopulation of ranks in a computing storage environment are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises prioritizing a plurality of ranks selected for depopulation. Highest priority and lowest priority ranks are marked and selected for depopulation. Lower priority ranks are placed in a queue in order of priority. An extent of one of the lower priority ranks is migrated to a rank not selected for depopulation. One of the lower priority ranks with newer data is selected for executing a read operation in response to a read operation to one of the lower priority ranks. At least one of the highest priority ranks is depopulated to at least one of a plurality of targeted ranks. The highest priority rank is left as unassigned to one of the plurality of targeted ranks until determining if the highest priority rank is to be assigned the targeted ranks.

Abstract: Mechanisms for improving computing system performance by a processor device. System resources are organized into a plurality of groups. Each of the plurality of groups is assigned one of a plurality of predetermined task pools. Each of the predetermined task pools has a plurality of tasks. Each of the plurality of groups corresponds to at least one physical boundary of the system resources such that a speed of an execution of those of the plurality of tasks for a particular one of the plurality of predetermined task pools is optimized by a placement of an association with the at least one physical boundary and the plurality of groups.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to improving functioning of a computer, and associated operating efficiency. An encoded video stream is separated into a plurality of segments, each segment having separate start and end times, and each segment having an original encoding resolution and associated size. At least one of the segments is selected and re-encoded at a resolution different than the original resolution. The re-encoded segment(s) has a data size less than the originally encoded segment. Transmission of the video stream with the re-encoded segment reduced data size of the transmission and reduces network bandwidth.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for preserving conceptual distance within unstructured documents by characterizing conceptual relationships. Natural language processing is applied to content in a plurality of documents to identify topics and subjects. Analytic analysis is then applied to the identified topics and subjects to identify concepts. The content in each of the plurality of documents is partitioned into a first structured hierarchy, preserving at least one structure in each document inherent in the each document. Access is then provided to the content through a first index based upon utilizing the first structured hierarchy and through a second index utilizing a second structured hierarchy. The conceptual relationship criteria are based upon a directed graph with weights based upon a similarity and a distance based upon concepts.

Abstract: Exemplary method, system, and computer program product embodiments for increased cache performance using multi-level queues by a processor device. The method includes distributing to each one of a plurality of central processing units (CPUs) workload operations for creating complete tracks from partial tracks, creating sub-queues of the complete tracks for distributing to each one of the CPUs, and creating demote scan tasks based on workload of the CPUs. Additional system and computer program product embodiments are disclosed and provide related advantages.

Abstract: A technique for caching evidence for answering questions in a cache memory of a data processing system (that is configured to answer questions) includes receiving a first question. The first question is analyzed to identify a first set of characteristics of the first question. A first set of evidence for answering the first question is loaded into the cache memory. A second question is received. The second question is analyzed to identify a second set of characteristics of the second question. A portion of the first set of evidence, whose expected usage in answering the second question is below a determined threshold, is unloaded from the cache memory.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for preserving conceptual distance within unstructured documents by characterizing conceptual relationships. Natural language processing is applied to content in a plurality of documents to identify topics and subjects. Analytic analysis is then applied to the identified topics and subjects to identify concepts. The content in each of the plurality of documents is partitioned into a first structured hierarchy, preserving at least one structure in each document inherent in the each document. Access is then provided to the content through a first index based upon utilizing the first structured hierarchy and through a second index utilizing a second structured hierarchy. The conceptual relationship criteria are based upon a directed graph with weights based upon a similarity and a distance based upon concepts.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for deploying, in a distributed virtual environment, a multi-component software product is disclosed. The method may include requesting and receiving product installation parameters, which may include virtual machine IDs corresponding to subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include copying software product installation files and parameters onto a first virtual machine, halting the first virtual machine, cloning the first virtual machine to a second virtual machine and setting virtual machine IDs on the virtual machines. The method may also include starting the virtual machines and identifying, based on virtual machine IDs, subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include deploying, based on subsets of the product installation parameters, the software product by installing first and second components of the software product on the first and second virtual machines, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for a component rework nozzle includes a nozzle with a proximal end spaced apart from a distal end along an axis. The proximal end is sized to partially enclose a component during a component rework process. The component is disposed on a substrate by way of a plurality of solder joints. The apparatus includes an indentation defined in a side of the nozzle. The side of the nozzle is parallel to the axis. The indentation is shaped to maintain a separation between the nozzle and a neighboring component. The neighboring component is disposed adjacent to the component on the substrate. The apparatus includes a plurality of notches disposed on the proximal end of the nozzle. The plurality of notches are formed to balance heat distribution, during the component rework process, across the component.

Abstract: Systems for memory-based computing include combining multiple operations into a single lookup table and combining multiple memory-based operation requests into a single read request. Operation result values are read from a multi-operation lookup table that includes result values for a first operation above a diagonal of the lookup table and includes result values for a second operation below the diagonal. Numerical inputs are used as column and row addresses in the lookup table and the requested operation determines which input corresponds to the column address and which input corresponds to the row address. Multiple operations are combined into a single request by combining respective members from each operation into respective inputs an reading an operation result value from a lookup table to produce a combined result output. The combined result output is separated into a plurality of individual result outputs corresponding to the plurality of requests.

Abstract: A first sacrificial gate structure of a first width and a second sacrificial gate structure of a second width greater than the first width are provided on a semiconductor material portion. A dielectric spacer and a planarizing dielectric material are provided surrounding each sacrificial gate structure. Each sacrificial gate structure is then removed forming gate cavities. A high k dielectric material, a metal nitride hard mask and a physical vapor deposited (PVD) amorphous-silicon cap are provided. Vertical portions of the metal nitride hard mask and the high k dielectric material are removed from a portion of each gate cavity. Additional PVD amorphous silicon is then deposited and then all amorphous silicon and remaining metal nitride hard mask portions are removed. A work function portion having a stair-like surface, a diffusion barrier portion, a conductive metal structure and a dielectric cap are then formed into to each of the gate cavities.