Abstract: The present invention provides discrete, depleting chips for allocating computational resources for obtaining desired service level characteristics, wherein discrete chips deplete from a maximum allocated amount but may, in an optional implementation, be allowed to be replenished through the purchase of additional chips. A number of chips are assigned to a requestor/party, known as a business unit (BU), which could be a department, or group providing like-functionality services. In one implementation, the chips themselves could represent base monetary units integrated over time.

Abstract: A 3× circuit for partial product generation used in a radix-8 multiplier receiving only a single multiplicand input. Rather than providing 2-inputs to the adder (a 2× of multiplicand and the multiplicand itself), the new 3× circuit uses the multiplicand as the only input. Thus, in terms of connections at the multiplier circuit level, only one bus is required to connect to the input of the new 3× circuit. The 3× generation adder circuit further operates at a reduced number of logic levels and speeds up the critical path by taking advantage of the repetition and fixed spatial separation of the bits for the adder inputs.

Abstract: An allocation instruction is received that includes a target data operand and a storage medium operand indicating a storage medium for storing the target data. A data dependency is identified that specifies peripheral data on which the target data depends. In response to determining that the allocation instruction will cause the target data and the peripheral data to locate to different storage mediums having different data IO rates, the execution of the allocation instruction is prevented. In another embodiment, in response to determining that the allocation instruction allocates the target data from a first storage medium to a second storage medium having a faster data IO rate, the allocation instruction is modified to also allocate the peripheral data specified in the data dependency to the second storage medium.

Abstract: A method for de-identification of visual media data, including: merging a sequence of images from a set of visual media data into an averaged image; bounding portions of the averaged image that are determined to be relatively fixed, wherein each bounded portion is identified by a corresponding position in the averaged image; generating a template comprising the bounded portions and the corresponding position for each bounded portion in the averaged image; and de-identifying the sequence of images by obfuscating content in the bounded portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operation of a memory module for storage of a data word is provided. The apparatus includes a memory module having a set of paired memory devices including a first memory device to store a first section of a data word and a second memory device to store a second section of the data word when used in failure free operation. The apparatus may further include a first logic module to perform a write operation by writing the first and second sections of the data word to both the first memory device and the second memory device upon the determination of certain types of failure. The determination may include that a failure exists in the word section storage of either the first or second memory devices but that no failures exist in equivalent locations of word section storage in the two memory devices.

Abstract: A structure including a circuit board including a plane and a pin-in-hole component; and a heat transfer device, where the heat transfer device is thermally connected to the plane at a leading edge of the circuit board, the heat transfer device transfers heat from a wave of molten solder to the plane.

Abstract: A TCP/IP socket extension may bind a single socket to more than one IP address. The socket API extension may allow a user to bind a socket to a list of IP addresses instead of a single IP address. Additional socket APIs may allow applications to bind an existing socket to one or more additional IP addresses. Bind-specific support may enhance a user's capability to specify one or more IPv4 addresses and/or IPv6 addresses or other addresses to bind to a generic server information handling system (IHS). The method may convert a generic server IHS into a bind-specific server IHS that accepts new connections over both the IPv4 and IPv6 network transports and/or other network transports without requiring changes to the server IHS. A modified TCP/IP stack may provide support for multiple sockets. The method may map multiple address/port/protocol tuples to the same socket.

Abstract: A system provides multidimensional tuple Hilbert ordering within a linear storage structure to enable more consistent and efficient access to stored multidimensional tuples. The database system comprises a tuple storage module that receives multidimensional data elements, where each multidimensional data element is defined by a plurality of different object types, and where each object is associated with a different dimension within a multidimensional data space. The tuple storage module further forms a respective tuple for each of the multidimensional data elements by mapping each object to an associated reference and applies a Hilbert function to the references of each of the tuples to determine a respective Hilbert ordering for each of the tuples. The system further comprises a linear data storage structure that includes a B-tree for storing the Hilbert ordering.

Abstract: A method is provided in an email communication system having at least a processor. The method includes generating an estimate of a receipt time of a reply email from a recipient of an initial email using a recipient behavior model that applies machine learning to the initial email and to training data from other emails. The method further includes indicating the estimate to a user using an indication device.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for resilient routing based on a multi-channel model for emergency management. The system includes a packet delivery anomaly detector for determining an existence of an anomaly in a mandated routing infrastructure for a packet that renders the packet incapable of reaching a destination node designated for the packet through the mandated routing infrastructure. The system further includes a dynamic alternate route identifier for dynamically identifying alternate routes for the packet responsive to a determination of the existence of the anomaly. The alternate routes are outside the mandated routing infrastructure, are provided using one or more mobile devices external to and not part of the mandated routing infrastructure, and are dynamically identified responsive to at least geographic location information. The system also includes a wireless transmitter for wirelessly routing the packet using at least one of the alternate routes.

Abstract: A transactional memory system coalesces two outermost transactions in a transactional memory environment. A processor of the transactional memory system executes a first transaction begin instruction of a first outermost transaction and processes the first transaction. Based on encountering a first transaction end instruction of the first outermost transaction, the processor determines whether the first transaction is to-be coalesced with a second outermost transaction. Based on a determination that the first outermost transaction is to-be coalesced, the processor does not commit store data of the first outermost transaction to memory prior to processing the second outermost transaction. Based on encountering a second transaction begin instruction of the second outermost transaction, the processor processes the second transaction.

Abstract: Data query in a share-nothing database includes obtaining a query request and generating an optimized access plan with respect to the query request. The query request relates to external data stored in an external data source and contains a definition for expected distribution of the external data. The data query also includes obtaining data distribution information related to the expected distribution based on the optimized access plan, transmitting the data distribution information to the external data source so that the external data source splits and returns the external data in accordance with the data distribution information, and executing query-related processing of the split external data in accordance with the optimized access plan.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for collecting information from data sources by receiving a collection request at a collection tool to collect information, where the collection request includes data source information indicating a data source from which to retrieve the information. The data source information in the collection request is associated with one or more electronic data repositories in response to the data source indicated by the data source information being previously unidentified to the collection tool. The information is collected from the one or more associated electronic data repositories.

Abstract: Mechanisms for selecting questions for a cluster of questions to be used with a question and answer (QA) system are provided. An input question is received and analyzed to identify at least one feature of the input question. Clustering of the input question with one or more other questions in a cluster of questions based on the at least one feature of the input question is performed. Based on results of the clustering, a determination is made as to whether to include or reject the input question as part of the cluster of questions. In response to determining to include the input question as part of the cluster of questions, the cluster of questions is updated to include the input question. The updated cluster of questions is stored in a storage device associated with a data processing system.

Abstract: An identification method is provided. The method includes generating dictionaries comprising a product taxonomy and associated base entities comprising sub-sets within a plurality of software products. Data entities are located from unstructured text of the dictionaries. Locating the data entities includes locating long distance word matches within the unstructured text. Ontologies are populated with the entities and relationships between the data entities are determined.

Abstract: A visual media de-identification system is described. The system includes an image merger and a de-identifying engine. The image merger is configured to merge a sequence of images from a set of visual media data into an averaged image. The de-identifying engine is configured to: bound portions of the averaged image that are determined to be relatively fixed, wherein each bounded portion is identified by a corresponding position in the averaged image; generate a template comprising the bounded portions and the corresponding position for each bounded portion in the averaged image; and de-identify the sequence of images by obfuscating content in the bounded portions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for facilitating workflow control for a document. In one embodiment, a portion of computer program source code is associated with a workflow. The computer program is monitored for reference to or by the portion of the computer program source code. In response to a reference to or by the computer program source code, the workflow is fired off.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus is provided for generating and using constraints that are associated with software programs or other software entities intended for use in a specified data processing system or environment. One embodiment is directed to a method that includes the step of extracting metadata pertaining to the one or more software programs from at least one database. The extracted metadata is selectively processed to generate a set of constraints that affect the use of the one or more programs in a specified environment, wherein such processing includes transforming the extracted metadata to provide the set of constraints in a prespecified constraint language. The method further comprises detecting a proposed action of a user that is associated with the one or more software programs, and determining whether the proposed action violates any constraint in the set.

Abstract: A system and method for real world biometric analytics through the use of a multimodal analytic wallet. The system includes a biometric wallet comprising a pervasive repository for storing biometric data, the pervasive repository including at least one of a biometric layer, a genomic layer, a health layer, a privacy layer, and a processing layer. The biometric wallet further comprises a biometric analytic interface configured to communicate the biometric data to one or more devices.

Abstract: Evaluating wireless network access connections via near field communications, including: identifying, by a requesting device, one or more network connections available to the requesting device; requesting, by the requesting device to one or more responding devices using a near field communications connection, information describing the performance of the network connections experienced by the one or more responding devices; receiving, by the requesting device, the information describing the performance of the network connections experienced by the one or more responding devices; and connecting, by the requesting device, to a preferred network connection in dependence upon the information describing the performance of the network connections experienced by the one or more responding devices.

Abstract: In remote power down control of a device configured for externally initiated remote power down, such as over a network, activity of all externally connected sources of valid power down requests for the device is monitored; and the device is powered down in response to a combination of one of a received power down request and an inactivity time out with respect to each of the sources of valid power down requests for the device.

Abstract: Deterministic message processing in a direct memory access (DMA) adapter includes the DMA adapter incrementing from a sub-head pointer, the sub-tail pointer until encountering an out-of-sequence packet. The DMA adapter also consumes packets between the sub-head pointer and the sub-tail pointer including incrementing with the consumption of each packet, the sub-head pointer until determining that the sub-head pointer is equal to the sub-tail pointer. In response to determining that the sub-head pointer is equal to the sub-tail pointer, the DMA adapter determines that the next in-sequence packet is not in the first FIFO message queue. In response to determining that the next in-sequence packet is not in the first FIFO message queue and that the first FIFO message queue exceeds a threshold capacity, the DMA controller copies the contents of the first FIFO message queue into the second FIFO message queue.

Abstract: Techniques are described for assigning and changing communication protocols for a pair of processing elements. The communication protocol determines how the pair of processing elements transmits data in a stream application. The pair may be assigned a communication protocol (e.g., TCP/IP or a protocol that uses a relational database, shared file system, or shared memory) before the operator graph begins to stream data. This assignment may be based on a priority of the processing elements and/or a priority of the communication protocols. After the operator graph begins to stream data, the pair of processing elements may switch to a different communication protocol. The decision to switch the communication protocol may be based on whether the pair of processing elements or assigned communication protocol is meeting established performance standards for the stream application.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a gate structure having a first conductive material above a semiconductor substrate, gate spacers on opposing sides of the first conductive material, and a first interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer surrounding the gate spacers and the first conductive material. An upper portion of the first conductive material is recessed. The gate spacers are recessed until a height of the gate spacers is less than a height of the gate structure. An isolation liner is deposited above the gate spacers and the first conductive material. A portion of the isolation liner is removed so that a top surface of the first conductive material is exposed. A second conductive material is deposited in a contact hole created above the first conductive material and the gate spacers to form a gate contact.

Abstract: The invention prevents robots from browsing a Web site beyond a welcome page. When an initial request from an undefined originator is received, the Web site responds to it with a welcome page including a challenge. Then, on receiving a further request from the undefined originator, the Web site can check whether the challenge is fulfilled or not. If fulfilled, the undefined originator is assumed to be a human being and authorized to go on. If the challenge is not fulfilled, the undefined originator is assumed to be a robot, in which case site access is further denied. The invention prevents Web site contents from being investigated by robots while not requiring users to have to log on.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for managing power management in a data processing system are presented. A core is activated and configured to operate at a frequency in response to a request to increase a processing capacity. A determination whether a use of power resulting from activating the core meets a policy for the use of the power is made. A set of parameters is adjusted to meet the policy for the use of power in response to a determination that the use of power does not meet the policy. A determination whether a number of operations performed by a set of cores is made. An indication that the request to increase the processing capacity is unavailable is made in response to the number of operations having not increased.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method may include assigning an address translation table to a peripheral component interconnect host bridge and determining that an input/output adapter accessible to the peripheral component interconnect host bridge is configured as a virtualized adapter to provide a plurality of virtual functions to a plurality of logical partitions. In response to determining that the input/output adapter is configured as the virtualized adapter, the address translation table may be subdivided to enable the plurality of virtual functions to access the memory of at least one logical partition of the plurality of logical partitions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and program product to provide to a user creating an electronic message one or more informational messages related to the content and addressees of the electronic message. A computer system identifies one or more addressees of the electronic message created by the user. The computer system identifies any informational messages associated with each of the addressees, and displays to the user the identified informational messages. Each step is performed prior to the computer system transmitting the electronic message for delivery to any addressee. The informational messages can be predefined by the addressees of the electronic message and include hyperlinks and other programmable elements for execution by the user. The electronic message can be an e-mail, instant message, or other form of electronic message.

Abstract: Reliability of one or more software modules is projected according to a current state in a development life cycle of the software modules and any of various additional indicators. Preferably, a data processing support provider separate from the service-providing enterprise maintains historical field support data concerning significant field defect events with respect to various resources, and uses this data for projecting reliability of the resources. Preferably, software module reliability projections are used to support an analysis of risk of degradation of a service specified in a service requirements specification when provided by a configuration of data processing resources specified in a configuration specification.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture that allows amateur camera operators to share video and audio with other amateur camera operators at the same event over a cooperative, ad hoc network. One embodiment of the present invention comprises forming an ad hoc network comprising a plurality of recording devices, and communicating audiovisual signals between the plurality of recording devices in the ad hoc network. In some embodiments, this method may further comprise transmitting a replay request to the plurality of recording devices and receiving an audiovisual signal corresponding to the replay request, transmitting a push request to the plurality of recording devices, and/or transmitting a message to at least one of the plurality of recording devices.

Abstract: A device with reduced gate resistance includes a gate structure having a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion formed in electrical contact with the first conductive portion and extending laterally beyond the first conductive portion. The gate structure is embedded in a dielectric material and has a gate dielectric on the first conductive portion. A channel layer is provided over the first conductive portion. Source and drain electrodes are formed on opposite end portions of a channel region of the channel layer. Methods for forming a device with reduced gate resistance are also provided.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a user input to cause movement of a display of a screen of a direct manipulation device, wherein the movement is in a direction away from a target item. The method includes receiving a release input to indicate that the user has released the user input at a release point on the display of the screen. The method also includes determining a location of the release point on the display of the screen relative to selectable items. The method includes determining the target item from among the selectable items, wherein the target item is at a distance from the location of the release point. The method also includes displaying a surrogate selectable item at the release point. The method includes performing an action that is the same as an action that would occur in response to a user selection of the target item.

Abstract: A method, data processing system, and computer program product for managing user identification information. A determination is made whether an instance of security information in use on the first application server and referenced by a token that has expired was generated by an application server compatible with a first application server in response to receiving the token. A determination is made whether the instance of the security information is managed by a set of rules for a group of users of the first application server. A determination is made whether a user identifier from the token is authorized to access the first application server. The token is renewed in response to determining that the user identifier is authorized to access the first application server.

Abstract: A method for phishing attack management through Web site content rotation includes receiving a request for a variation of a component to be incorporated into a Web page from a requesting Web page rendering engine from over a computer communications network. The method also includes comparing the requested variation of the component to a currently configured variation of the component. Finally, the method includes returning both the requested variation of the component and an alert indicating a possible phishing attack in response to the request if the requested variation of the component differs from the currently configured variation of the component.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include conveying first data from local regions of a local volume of a local storage system to a remote storage system having a remote volume with remote regions in a one-to-one correspondence with the local regions. While conveying the first data, a request is received to update a given local region, and the given local region is marked. Subsequent to conveying the first data, a local snapshot referencing the local regions is created, and second data is conveyed from the marked local region to the remote storage system.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for minimizing system power in the data processing system with fast convergence. A current aggregate system power value is determined using a current thermal threshold value. For each potential thermal threshold value in a set of potential thermal threshold values, a determination is made as to whether there is a potential thermal threshold value that results in a potential aggregate system power value that is lower than the current aggregate system power value. Responsive to identifying an optimal potential thermal threshold value from the set of potential thermal threshold values that results in minimum aggregate system power value that is lower than the current aggregate system power value, the optimal potential thermal threshold value is set as a new thermal threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to branch prediction preloading. An aspect includes a system for branch prediction preloading. The system includes an instruction cache and branch target buffer (BTB) coupled to a processing circuit, the processing circuit configured to perform a method. The method includes fetching a plurality of instructions in an instruction stream from the instruction cache, and decoding a branch prediction preload instruction in the instruction stream. An address of a predicted branch instruction is determined based on the branch prediction preload instruction. A predicted target address is determined based on the branch prediction preload instruction. A mask field is identified in the branch prediction preload instruction, and a branch instruction length is determined based on the mask field.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of activating a mobile terminal from mobile network side and a mobile application gateway system. The method comprises: receiving, by a mobile application gateway, a request for activating the mobile terminal, the request including an unique identification number of the mobile terminal; querying, by the mobile application gateway, a HLR for address of a SGSN where the mobile terminal is located; returning, by the HLR, the queried address of SGSN to the mobile application gateway; sending, by the mobile application gateway, the request for activating the mobile terminal to the SGSN; issuing, by the SGSN, a request to the mobile terminal, requiring the mobile terminal to issue a mobile terminal initiated PDP context activation request. The method enables an instant messaging user at a mobile terminal to automatically open an IP connection if there is any message to be received after the IP connection is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method dynamically optimize prepared statements resident in a statement pool to permit subsequent reuses of such statements to utilize the optimized representations of such statements. The optimization of pooled statements may be performed responsive to the tracked usage of the statements in a statement pool, to direct the overhead associated with such optimization to those statements that are more likely to be utilized in the future. Among a multitude of possible optimizations, a pooled statement that requests data in a format other than that utilized by the database being accessed may be modified to request the data in the format used by the database, thereby decreasing the overhead in the database associated with format conversions.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to collecting extended error data from units within a programmable device. A pointer is accessed that points to a region of memory that contains a list of entries that references the extended error data. The list of entries is walked by adjusting a read pointer to obtain the extended error data. The referenced extended error data is moved to an event log.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for prioritizing responses to communications. Various metrics (e.g., the duration of time spent in creating the communication, the number of keystrokes used in creating the communication, the number of words used in creating the communication, the number of mistakes made and corrected in creating the communication, and the number of attachments to the communication) associated with creating a communication are recorded which are used to assess an effort provided by the author in creating the communication. A weighted priority to be associated with responses to the communication is determined based on these recorded metrics. The weighted priority is then assigned to responses to such a communication. In this manner, the responses to the created communication will be able to be prioritized based on the weighted priority thereby enabling the author to determine which responses are more important to read than other responses.

Abstract: Webpage navigation can include a computer device loading a Webpage having at least a first portion and a second portion, arranging the Webpage in order to present the first portion in the display area of the computer device and to place the second portion out of the display area, and presenting a navigation map corresponding to the Webpage in the display area. In response to a control command input with respect to the navigation map, the Webpage can be arranged in order to present the second portion in the display area.

Abstract: A JMX plugin agent that interfaces between an MBean server and a JMX plugin directory. The JMX plugin agent simplifies development and modification of MBeans by automating registration and unregistration of MBeans with the MBean server and enabling organization of multiple versions of an MBean within a common JMX plugin directory. A generic JMX plugin agent scans a JMX bean plugin directory looking for MBeans to create and register with the MBeanServer. Preferably, each MBean has its own subdirectory that indicates the MBean version and includes a plugin.xml file that describes any necessary configuration parameters. The JMX plugin agent makes it easier to deploy JMX beans to multiple WAS instances and even provides for plugin dependency and version control.

Abstract: A primary physical storage device has effectively limitless apparent free space. Responsive to receiving a request to dynamically allocate an amount of desired free space on the primary device to store new data on the primary device, and responsive to determining that an amount of actual free space on the primary device is insufficient to permit such allocation, existing data stored on the primary device is moved to a secondary storage device. The first existing data appears to still be stored on the primary device. Responsive to receiving a request to retrieve existing data from the primary device, and to determining that the existing data has been moved to the secondary device, the existing data is moved back to the primary device. The existing data was originally stored on the primary device, and is currently stored on the primary device or has been moved to the secondary device.

Abstract: A method for installation and configuration of a software product includes installing a software product and determining configuration settings of the software product based upon a social network of peers. A system for installation and configuration of at least one software product includes at least one client install package capable of utilizing a social network for at least one of installing software; transmitting configuration settings; transmitting post-installation configuration settings; or responding to post-installation configuration modifications; and a server that stores and aggregates the configuration settings of a plurality of users, forming at least one social network.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a dummy gate above a semiconductor substrate. The dummy gate defines a source-drain region adjacent to the dummy gate and a channel region below the dummy gate. A silicon-germanium layer is epitaxially grown above the source-drain region with a target concentration of germanium atoms. The semiconductor structure is annealed to diffuse the germanium atoms from the silicon-germanium layer into the channel region to form a silicon-germanium channel region.

Abstract: A first memory buffer has a first high speed memory channel and a second high speed memory channel. A second memory buffer is connected to the first memory buffer through a first connection. The second memory buffer has a third high speed memory channel and a fourth high speed memory channel. The first connection connects the first high speed memory channel and the third high speed memory channel. A first memory controller is connected to the first memory buffer through the second high speed memory channel. A second memory controller is connected to the second memory buffer through a second connection. The second connection is connected to the second memory buffer through the fourth high speed memory channel. A first memory module set is connected to the first memory buffer and a second memory module set is connected to the second memory buffer.

Abstract: A first storage system is configured as a proxy for a logical volume stored on a second storage system in a distributed computing environment. A probe request verifying availability of the logical volume is conveyed to an identified port, and upon receiving a response from a second storage system verifying the availability of the logical volume for an I/O request, the I/O request is conveyed to the identified port, a result of the I/O request is received from the identified port, the result is conveyed to the host computer.

Abstract: Eye tracking for the purpose of detecting attendee disengagement with respect to a presentation including a visual display communicated over a network. The eye tracking method includes: during a play of the presentation, tracking eye positions of a set of control party(ies); during a play of the presentation, tracking eye positions of a set of non-control party(ies); determining a set of divergence value(s) corresponding to divergence between the eye position(s) of the control party(ies) and the non-control party(ies); and determining a disengagement value corresponding to relative disengagement of the non-control party(ies) based, at least in part on the set of divergence value(s).

Abstract: Embodiments relate to enhancing a refresh PCI translation (RPCIT) instruction to refresh a translation lookaside buffer (TLB). A computer processor determines a request to purge a translation for a single frame of the TLB in response to executing an enhanced RPCIT instruction. The enhanced RPCIT instruction is configured to selectively perform one of a single-frame TLB refresh operation or a range-bounded TLB refresh operation. The computer processor determines an absolute storage frame based on a translation of a PCI virtual address in response to the request to purge a translation for a single frame of the TLB. The computer processer further performs the single-frame TLB refresh operation to purge the translation for the single frame.