Abstract: A computer-implementable method for selection and delivery of a customized consumer offer or engagement dialog by a live customer service representative (CSR) in communication with said consumer comprises upon a first communication from the consumer to the CSR, enabling the CSR to acquire from a first computer system at least one identifying feature of said consumer; using the at least one identifying feature to generate automatically, without CSR involvement, a search of the internet, via a second computer system, to acquire at least one current, real time internet content cue relating to said consumer, said real time internet content cue being collected while the CSR maintains engagement with the consumer; processing, via the second computer system, the at least one identifying feature and the at least one current, real time internet content cue to generate a consumer profile for said consumer; analyzing the consumer profile to create customized consumer offer or engagement dialog; and prompting the CSR to

Abstract: A strap lifter for use with a harness is shown and described. The harness may have two shoulder straps that support a central, front buckle for use at about the lower, central belly of a user. A generally horizontal buckle strap has a fixed, rigid lower loop beneath a movable, flexible upper loop secured to the front of the buckle strap. The lower and upper loops are generally parallel, and close, to each other. Typically, the distance between the two loops is slightly more than the thickness of a lifter strap which is threaded between the two loops. Preferably, a set of two harnesses is used by two persons standing face-to-face with a single lifter strap between them threaded through both of the buckles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for assigning tasks in a distributed system. The method comprises indicating to one or more remote systems in the distributed system that a task is available for processing based on a list identifying the one or more remote systems. The method further comprises receiving at least one response from the one or more remote systems capable of performing the task based on the indication. The method comprises allowing at least one of the remote systems to perform the task based on the at least one received response.

Abstract: One of a plurality of description elements for a scenario is attached to a composite asset. The composite asset comprises one or more data sets. Each data set is associated with a simulation. And, a simulation asset is generated for a scenario based at least in part on the composite asset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for assigning tasks in a distributed system. The method comprises indicating to one or more remote systems in the distributed system that a task is available for processing based on a list identifying the one or more remote systems. The method further comprises receiving at least one response from the one or more remote systems capable of performing the task based on the indication. The method comprises allowing at least one of the remote systems to perform the task based on the at least one received response.

Abstract: A web crawler for downloading and analyzing the contents of a merchant's website. The web crawler may analyze the products advertised and determine whether a service plans is properly associated. The crawler may also analyze the placement of the service plan on the website, and store the information in a database. A dynamic mapper is also provided which can determine what service plan should be associated with a particular product. The dynamic mapper may also suggest what type of control to use for a particular customer. A webserver containing software for updating a webpage is also disclosed. A process for updating a webpage is also disclosed.

Abstract: A web crawler for downloading and analyzing the contents of a merchant's website. The web crawler may analyze the products advertised and determine whether a service plan is properly associated. The crawler may also analyze the placement of the service plans on the website, and store the information in a database. A dynamic mapper is also provided which can determine what service plan should be associated with a particular product. The dynamic mapper may also suggest what type of control to use for a particular customer. A webserver containing software for updating a webpage is also disclosed. A process for updating a webpage is also disclosed.

Abstract: A silicon nanoparticle formation method that can rapidly produce substantial quantities of silicon nanoparticles, which are readily recoverable for subsequent uses. Methods of the invention treat silicon powder in hexachloroplatinic acid.

Abstract: One of a plurality of description elements for a scenario is attached to a composite asset. The composite asset comprises one or more data sets. Each data set is associated with a simulation. And, a simulation asset is generated for a scenario based at least in part on the composite asset.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for managing operating system instances in a computing system. A computing system is configured to enable users to model and manage operating system instances. One or more defined operating system instances may be created and stored for future use. Each of the defined operating system instances may include a description of required resources. In addition, the definition of desired and/or optimal resources may be specified. In response to an attempt to realize an operating system instance, a determination is made as to whether resources allocated for the operating system instance are adequate. If the allocated resources are inadequate, further resources may be allocated. In addition, a determination may be made as to whether a standby mode is indicated for the operating system instance. If a standby mode is indicated, the operating system instance may be realized but not booted.

Abstract: A method, a system, an apparatus, and a computer program product are presented for reducing synchronization waits when unique sequential identifiers are being allocated for transactions committed to a database that are occurring in a multi-threaded server environment. A transactional object containing an identifier data item is created for a transaction in an object-oriented environment. A pre-process object is then generated that contains the transactional object; when subsequently processed, the pre-process object allocates a sequential identifier value for the identifier data item. The pre-process object is added to a list of pre-process objects that are to be processed prior to completing the transaction, such as committing the transaction to a database.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining object associations in an object oriented environment is provided. The apparatus and method make use of value holders to enable a single method to perform the creation and/or update of object associations for all combinations of possible object associations including one to one associations, one to many associations, many to one and many to many associations.

Abstract: A method and system are described in a data processing system including a database for efficiently retrieving copies of data rows from the database. Query criteria is received by a server from a client which specifies search criteria describing data rows and which requests a particular number of the data rows to return. Each of the data rows is associated with a unique primary key which uniquely identifies a particular data object. The primary key for each of the data rows meeting the specified criteria is first retrieved from the database by the server. Thereafter, copies of only the particular number of the data rows are retrieved from the database using the primary keys. Copies of only the particular number of data rows are then returned to the requesting client.

Abstract: A testing device generates electromagnetic noise such as transients, power interruptions and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) for application to an electronic device to test the immunity of the electronic device to electromagnetic noise or to test the performance of the electronic device during exposure to electromagnetic noise. The testing device promotes an economical and efficient evaluation of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of an electronic device during product design or otherwise. The testing device includes a switch having electrical contacts for producing electromagnetic noise during a transition between a closed state and an open state of the electrical contacts and a trigger that is coupled to the switch. The trigger is arranged to change states between the closed state and the open state of the electrical contact. An input terminal is associated with the switch for applying electrical energy to the switch.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively retaining object history using a series of snapshots from a database is claimed. Rules are established for a database file or table to determine snapshot triggers. When a rule is triggered by an event, a snapshot is taken of a predefined set of database data. The snapshot is stored in a separate data area, such as a database table. Snapshots are queried and analyzed to determine historical trends. In addition, snapshot data can be overlaid onto the current database data in order to view changes in the data and also to facilitate record rollback using the snapshot data. When a rollback is requested, the current database record is copied to a new snapshot record and one of the snapshot records is overlaid onto the current database record creating a new database record. A transaction log is also maintained to record details regarding snapshot processing.

Abstract: A method, a system, an apparatus, and a computer program product are presented for reducing synchronization waits when unique sequential identifiers are being allocated for transactions committed to a database that are occurring in a multi-threaded server environment. A transactional object containing an identifier data item is created for a transaction in an object-oriented environment. A pre-process object is then generated that contains the transactional object; when subsequently processed, the pre-process object allocates a sequential identifier value for the identifier data item. The pre-process object is added to a list of pre-process objects that are to be processed prior to completing the transaction, such as committing the transaction to a database.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for accessing a client service in a data processing system. A pool of client services is managed by a server abstraction. A client service instance is assigned from the pool of client services in response to a request from a user application from a plurality of user applications. The user application request on the client service is invoked by the server abstraction. The result from the server service is returned to the user application by client service instance.

Abstract: A method and system are described in a data processing system including a database for efficiently retrieving copies of data rows from the database. Query criteria is received by a server from a client which specifies search criteria describing data rows and which requests a particular number of the data rows to return. Each of the data rows is associated with a unique primary key which uniquely identifies a particular data object. The primary key for each of the data rows meeting the specified criteria is first retrieved from the database by the server. Thereafter, copies of only the particular number of the data rows are retrieved from the database using the primary keys. Copies of only the particular number of data rows are then returned to the requesting client.

Abstract: A testing device generates electromagnetic noise such as transients, power interruptions and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) for application to an electronic device to test the immunity of the electronic device to electromagnetic noise or to test the performance of the electronic device during exposure to electromagnetic noise. The testing device promotes an economical and efficient evaluation of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of an electronic device during product design or otherwise. The testing device includes a switch having electrical contacts for producing electromagnetic noise during a transition between a closed state and an open state of the electrical contacts and a trigger that is coupled to the switch. The trigger is arranged to change states between the closed state and the open state of the electrical contact. An input terminal is associated with the switch for applying electrical energy to the switch.

Abstract: A method of detecting abnormal serotonergic function in an impulsive human subject is disclosed. The method comprises detecting an L allele of a gene encoding tryptophan hydroxylase. The invention also includes an isolated nucleic acid having a sequence specific to an L allele of a gene encoding tryptophan hydroxylase. The nucleic acid may migrate in a denaturing gel at the same rate as a second nucleic acid specific to a corresponding region of a U allele of a gene encoding tryptophan hydroxylase, and migrate in a nondenaturing gel at a rate about 1.02 times the migration rate of the second nucleic acid.