Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a capacity management node having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and comprising computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations including determining, using historical metric data that is used to determine a performance metric projection corresponding to a network computing resource, a performance projection quality factor that indicates a reliability of the performance metric projection based on a plurality of data driven values and a plurality of user specified values that correspond to the plurality of data driven values.

Abstract: A resource management node includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations can include, for each of a plurality of guest virtual machines (VMs), determining operational resources of physical host machines available in a distributed computing system that are needed to provide the guest VM. A placement scenario for placing the guest VMs on the physical host machines and placing the physical host machines in cabinets of a distributed computing system is generated. An amount of infrastructure of the distributed computing system used by the placement scenario is determined. A determination is made whether the placement scenario satisfies a defined rule for how much infrastructure of the distributed computing system can be used.

Abstract: A resource management node includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations can include identifying an unproductive group of guest virtual machines (VMs) that satisfy a defined rule for being unproductive on an first group of physical host machines based on infrastructure of a distributed computing system used by the first group of the physical host machines to host the guest VMs. A relocation scenario is generated for relocating the unproductive group of the guest VMs from the first group of the physical host machines to a second group of the physical host machines. An effect of the relocation scenario on infrastructure usage of the distributed computing system is estimated.

Abstract: A resource management node includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations can include, for each of a plurality of guest virtual machines (VMs), determining operational resources of physical host machines available in a distributed computing system that are needed to provide the guest VM. The operations can further include determining an amount of infrastructure of a distributed computing system used by a defined placement of physical host machines in racks of the distributed computing system.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a resource management node having a processor and memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations include, for each of a plurality of guest virtual machines (VMs) of a VM cluster provided by computer operations of a physical machine among a plurality of physical machines within a distributed computing system, determining a productivity metric for the guest VM based on resources of the physical machine that are used by the guest VM. The operations further include for each of the guest VMs, determining, based on the productivity metric for the guest VM, an infrastructure value that indicates how much infrastructure of the distributed computing system is attributed to providing the guest VM.

Abstract: A resource management node includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations can include, for each of a plurality of guest virtual machines (VMs), determining operational resources of physical host machines available in a distributed computing system that are needed to provide the guest VM. The operations can further include determining an amount of infrastructure of a distributed computing system used by a defined placement of physical host machines in racks of the distributed computing system.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a resource management node having a processor and memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations include, for each of a plurality of guest virtual machines (VMs) of a VM cluster provided by computer operations of a physical machine among a plurality of physical machines within a distributed computing system, determining a productivity metric for the guest VM based on resources of the physical machine that are used by the guest VM. The operations further include for each of the guest VMs, determining, based on the productivity metric for the guest VM, an infrastructure value that indicates how much infrastructure of the distributed computing system is attributed to providing the guest VM.

Abstract: A resource management node includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations can include, for each of a plurality of guest virtual machines (VMs), determining operational resources of physical host machines available in a distributed computing system that are needed to provide the guest VM. A placement scenario for placing the guest VMs on the physical host machines and placing the physical host machines in cabinets of a distributed computing system is generated. An amount of infrastructure of the distributed computing system used by the placement scenario is determined. A determination is made whether the placement scenario satisfies a defined rule for how much infrastructure of the distributed computing system can be used.

Abstract: A resource management node includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations can include identifying an unproductive group of guest virtual machines (VMs) that satisfy a defined rule for being unproductive on an first group of physical host machines based on infrastructure of a distributed computing system used by the first group of the physical host machines to host the guest VMs. A relocation scenario is generated for relocating the unproductive group of the guest VMs from the first group of the physical host machines to a second group of the physical host machines. An effect of the relocation scenario on infrastructure usage of the distributed computing system is estimated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for itemizing pollutants of activities may be provided. The method may include receiving a first quantity of an activity that indicates an amount of the activity that is performed. The method may further include accessing a list of one or more pollutants that are released when the activity is performed. One or more pollutant factors may be selected. Each pollutant factor may be associated with a pollutant of the one or more pollutants and may indicate an amount of the associated pollutant released when the activity is performed. One or more pollutant quantities of the one or more pollutants may be calculated according to the first quantity of the performed activity and the pollutant factor associated with the pollutant. The method may also include facilitating display of the one or more pollutant quantities.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing sustainability for an organization is disclosed. The method may include storing in a computer system a plurality of characteristics of an activity. The activity may contribute to the carbon footprint of an organization. The plurality of characteristics may include a unit of measurement, an activity category, a plurality of hierarchical descriptors, and a respective multiplier for each hierarchical descriptor. The method may further include receiving from the computer system data representing a number of the unit of measurement. Additionally, the method may include receiving from the computer system data representing a first one of the plurality of hierarchical descriptors. The method may further include calculating, using a processor of a computer unit, a carbon emission value based at least in part by multiplying the number of the unit of measurement by the respective multiplier of the first one of the plurality of hierarchical descriptors.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for managing assessments for an organization is disclosed. The method may include storing in a computer system a plurality of instances of an assessment object. Each of the plurality of instances of an assessment object may be configured to track progress of a plurality of assessment attributes. The method may further include receiving an input associated with a plurality of at least a subset of the assessment attributes. Additionally, the method may include generating an assessment plan based at least in part on the received data. In certain embodiments, the method may include establishing a computer-based logical link between the assessment plan and least one sustainability project of the organization, the at least one sustainability project of the organization stored in the computer system. The method may further include receiving from the computer system data for each of the plurality of at least the subset of the assessment attributes.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for evaluating sustainability projects of an organization is disclosed. The method may include retrieving from a computer system a sustainability objective of the organization. In certain embodiments, the method may include retrieving from the computer system a plurality of project submissions of the organization. Each of the plurality of project submissions may be associated with the sustainability objective of the organization. The method may further include retrieving from the computer system a plurality of first scores, each first score being associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions. In particular embodiments, the method may include generating at the computer system a displayable output representing an expected contribution of each one of the plurality of project submissions towards the sustainability of the organization. The displayable output may comprise a plurality of second scores.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing sustainability for an organization is disclosed. The method may include storing on one or more memory modules of a computer system a plurality of instances of an ecoActivity object. Each instance of the ecoActivity object may represent an activity of the organization affecting environmental sustainability. The method may further include storing a plurality of instances of an emission factor object. Each instance of the emission factor object may at least partially quantify one or more green house gas emissions as a function of one or more respective metrics. The method may include establishing a computer-based logical link between each one of the plurality of instances of the ecoActivity object and at least one of the instances of the emission factor object. In certain embodiments, the method may include receiving data representing the metric(s) for the logically linked instance(s) of the emission factor object.

Abstract: A nestable frame for planar air filters or other screen-like planar structures. The nestable frame provides all of the following desirable properties at once: 1. Simple manufacturing and assembly process, 2. Simple design, 3. Enhanced structural rigidity, 4. Significant space-savings during storage and transport, and 5. Simple handling. The filter frame comprises an upper and a lower frame portion with a first leg each, where the peripheral edge of the filter media is clampingly engaged between the first leg of the upper frame portion and the first leg of the lower frame portion. From the first leg, both frame portions extend outwardly with a second leg at an obtuse angle. The frame portions are connected at the outer ends of their second legs with a connecting leg. Alternative embodiments contain straight connection legs at different angles, curved connection legs or a multitude of connection legs, oriented to the outside of the frame or collapsed inwardly into the frame, for various purposes.

Abstract: A nestable frame for planar air filters or other screen-like planar structures. The nestable frame provides all of the following desirable properties at once: 1. Simple manufacturing and assembly process, 2. Simple design, 3. Enhanced structural rigidity, 4. Significant space-savings during storage and transport, and 5. Simple handling. Preferably, the filter frame comprises an upper and a lower frame portion with a first leg each, where the peripheral edge of the filter media is clampingly engaged between the first leg of the upper frame portion and the first leg of the lower frame portion. From the first leg, the upper frame portion extends outwardly with at least two legs folded into a vertically flipped V. The lower frame portion may or may not have one additional second leg extending outwardly from the first leg, in parallel direction and intimately connected to the second leg of the upper frame portion.

Abstract: The administration internally to humans of certain imidazol derivatives, especially N"-cyano-N-methyl-N'-[2[[(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl) methyl]thio]-ethyl]-guanidine (cimetidine) or salts thereof, is an effective therapeutic treatment for multiple sclerosis, both acute and chronic. The imidazole moiety is theorized to directly inhibit spread of the virus theorized to cause multiple sclerosis. Treatment of multiple sclerosis with metronidazole with one bolus dose on a frequency of once a day or less and with cimetidine on a frequency of twice per day has been found to be highly efficatious with minimal suppression of the patient's natural immune system and minimal long term peripheral nerve damage.

Abstract: Casting apparatus for the vacuum-assisted, countergravity casting of a melt comprises a porous, gas permeable casting mold including a mold cavity and a melt inlet communicating the mold cavity to a lower mold portion adapted to engage an underlying source of melt and a vacuum box defining a vacuum chamber confronting the casting mold for evacuating the mold cavity when the lower mold portion and the underlying source of the melt are engaged. A valve member is disposed on the mold in an open position relative to the melt inlet to permit the melt to be drawn upwardly therethrough into the mold cavity when the lower mold portion and the source are engaged with the mold cavity evacuated and is movable to a closed position relative to the melt inlet after the mold cavity is filled with the melt to close off the melt inlet to prevent the melt from flowing out of the mold cavity when the lower mold portion and the source are subsequently disengaged.

Abstract: Casting apparatus comprises a casting mold including first and second elongated pick-up ledges on first and second upstanding mold sides and a mold pick-up mechanism having first and second elongated, pivotal pick-up feet for supportingly engaging the mold ledges to carry the mold through a casting cycle.

Abstract: In vacuum countergravity casting a melt into a mold sealingly engaged to a vacuum container by an elastomeric sealing gasket, the sealing gasket is isolated from the heat of an underlying source of the melt and from contact therewith during casting by substantially binderless refractory particulates, such as loose foundry sand, held in a particulate-receiving space in the container about a lower, melt-engaging portion of the mold by a negative differential pressure established between the inside and outside of the particulate-receiving space.