Abstract: A computer-implemented method for benchmarking, accounting, analysis, and cost forecasting is provided. In exemplary embodiments, the method may comprise, at a server having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors: harvesting raw data from a plurality of sources; indexing the harvested data according to predetermined data categories relating to municipalities; organizing the data based on the indexed data and the geographic location associated with the data; storing the organized data in a database; and generating and displaying a profile page for a selected region based on the organized data stored in the database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for developing a set of business process definitions sharing the common business intent as a business process family using model-driven techniques. The present invention minimizes on development time and resources thus leading to a cost effective system and method for developing business process families. The invention enables to create a business process family which can be easily configured to behave as a specific business process thus meeting the needs of a set of apriori known situations. The invention supports configuration process at different stages (i.e. design time, and run time) of the business process application and also support extension of the configuration structure at different stages (i.e. design time, and run time). The invention enables to create a business process family which can be easily extended to meet the needs of an as yet unseen situation.

Abstract: A change to a goal specified for an IT environment is to be made. Responsive to the changed goal, the IT environment is changed. This change is performed non-disruptively. Further, during the change, management to the existing goal is continued.

Abstract: A decision management system simulates a smart grid communications network service deployment using business and technology changeable parameters, models describing traffic profiles for smart grid domain devices and smart grid applications, smart grid infrastructure and a cost model. Candidate solutions for deploying the smart grid service are determined for different sets of changeable parameters through the simulations. These solutions are analyzed to identify a solution for deploying the smart grid service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modeling well production. Such methods comprise modeling a production of a well (perhaps an open universe, generative model). Methods also comprise determining probability distributions for physical parameters associated with the well by training the model with historic well production data (perhaps using sparse sampling). Such methods also comprise determining a posterior distribution for the model by sampling probability distributions for the parameters. Some methods further comprise determining a posterior distribution for the well's production using the model's posterior distribution. Non-Gaussian (Laplacian) noise can be added to the model. Methods can comprise financially modeling the well. Some methods comprise using MCMC sampling to converge the parameter posterior distribution for the well's production. An EUR for the well can be determined along with an uncertainty associated with the posterior distribution for the production.

Abstract: An improved automated planning method and system includes the use of an automated planner for validating a workflow plan with respect to device capabilities. As such, the present invention provides for an improved method and system for implementing and managing workflow plans utilized in printing environments such as, for example, print shops. A plurality of device capability descriptions can be converted into a data indicative of facts and operators for utilizing in a knowledge-based reasoning system. Next, a workflow plan can be converted into properties indicative of a goal state. The goal state and the data indicative of facts and operators can then be utilized in association with a domain-independent or domain-dependent planner to determine if said workflow plan is valid and executable in order to thereby validate said workflow plan.

Abstract: A data center system is described which includes multiple data centers powered by multiple power sources, including any combination of renewable power sources and on-grid utility power sources. The data center system also includes a management system for managing execution of computational tasks by moving data components associated with the computational tasks within the data center system, in lieu of, or in addition to, moving power itself. The movement of data components can involve performing pre-computation or delayed computation on data components within any data center, as well as moving data components between data centers. The management system also includes a price determination module for determining prices for performing the computational tasks based on different pricing models. The data center system also includes a “stripped down” architecture to complement its use in the above-summarized data-centric environment.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable storage media, and systems provide both reactive and proactive data to customers about their licensing positions. This is done by (1) automatically scanning data centers for all servers without any agent technology required; (2) creating an inventory of all software on all servers; (3) making detailed measurements of the most complex and expensive software; e.g. databases by Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, and Sybase; (4) normalizing and storing the gathered data in a database; (5) providing simple graphical views of typical problem areas such as (5a) over-allocation or under-allocation of virtual machines, called macro-consolidation, and (5b) inefficient use of Oracle options, called micro-consolidation; and finally (6) providing a simple graphical interface for the customer to play out “what if” scenarios with virtualization and consolidation.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, systems and methods are provided for configuring business development software for a modeled business environment including simulating one or more business related scenarios for managing situational events encountered with the modeled business environment using scenario input data to thereby generate data related to simulation results, and applying the data related to the simulation results to the modeled business environment to refine the modeled business environment by reconfiguring the business development software for the refined modeled business environment based on the data related to the simulation results provided by simulating the one or more business related scenarios with the scenario input data for the modeled business environment.

Abstract: A system for generating and analyzing alternate project management scenarios at a high level, or a “What If Tool” (WIT) System. The WIT System enhances project management tools by providing simple and reversible scenario generation, analysis, and comparison for complex projects and portfolios. The WIT System imports and transforms the project management information from an external project management tool into collections at a user-defined level while retaining relevant constraints and relationships. The WIT System allows the user to generate and compare alternate constraint and timeline scenarios at a high level without involving all detailed elements of the original project management information, which is often time and cost prohibitive. The differences between scenarios may be visualized and reported to enhance the decision making process. The WIT System also allows the original project management information to be updated based on a scenario.

Abstract: A change to a goal specified for an IT environment is to be made. Responsive to the changed goal, the IT environment is changed. This change is performed non-disruptively. Further, during the change, management to the existing goal is continued.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and managing business performance by designing and evaluating the performance of a business process model comprising a flow of business tasks and artifact sources that generate business artifacts. Business processes may be parsed to identify transformation opportunities meeting transformation conditions specified in a transformation knowledge. One or more identified transformation opportunities may be adopted, and parts of the process may be transformed according to transformation rules specified in a transformation knowledge. Analytics and computer simulation may be employed to evaluate business performance metrics of each of said transformed business processes. Iterative changes may be made to said business processes to manage business performance, reiterating transformation and evaluation steps until a satisfactory business process model is obtained.

Abstract: A system uses elasticity modeling to enable cross category optimization of store display space for merchandise for any group of stores and items using point-of-sale data. A space elasticity curve is periodically created for each combination of performance metric, store cluster, planogram, and item segment, and is then scaled by individual store. A user can select any combination of stores and planograms, and the system then reconstructs the elasticity curves as individual “synthetic items,” which are averaged across the selected stores by creating average synthetic SKU records that reflect the estimated average store performance in each performance metric. The synthetic items are then used to either evaluate macro space performance across or within store areas, or to determine the best use of overall store display space available to permit management to optimally allocate display space for merchandise.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to predictive performance analysis of target objects associated with an organization. In one embodiment, a performance predictive analysis method is disclosed, comprising: receiving one or more parameters and an associated intensity level to predict performance of a target object associated with an organization; determining a proportionality relation between the performance of the target object and the one or more parameters, by applying a logical regression technique over the one or more parameters; selecting a threshold value from a pre-defined truth table to convert the one or more parameters into one or more group-level model factors with the associated intensity level; determining an impact of the one or more parameters on the performance in terms of a band wise distribution; and identifying a probabilistic effect, based on the determined impact, of the proportionality relation between the performance of the target object and the one or more parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor in-store media and consumer traffic related to retail environments are disclosed herein. In a disclosed example method to monitor a monitored establishment, a survey is presented to an auditor and a user-provided survey response is received indicative of a condition in a monitored establishment that affects an accuracy of shopper count information provided by the auditor. Instructions are displayed to the auditor to sequentially move to a plurality of predetermined locations in the monitored establishment and collect a shopper count corresponding to each of the predetermined locations. The example method also involves receiving and storing each of the plurality of shopper counts.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that generates an index, providing predictive and actionable intelligence to ensure that a Technology Infrastructure Group (TIG) makes tactical and strategic decisions in support of needs of customers. The invention measures overall health of an infrastructure, specifically with respect to how efficiently various services meet demand placed upon capacity by various Lines of Business. The invention provides an overall assessment of infrastructure capacity management and drills down to various services, components, subcomponents, etc. The invention provides a forecasting tool in which estimates made are not based only upon business forecasts provided by each Line of Business, but also upon forecasts developed by correlating external indicators with historical business volumes. Historical forecasts are compared to actual values to derive a confidence factor used for weighting future Line of Business forecasts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for subsurface secondary and/or tertiary oil recovery optimization based on either a short term, medium term or long term optimization analysis of selected zones, wells, patterns/clusters and/or fields.

Abstract: Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for managing the evolution of a service-oriented architecture service over a service lifecycle. An implemented SOA service is evaluated with respect to each of a plurality of line-of-business business-scope attributes and to each of a plurality of different line-of-business functionality attributes. Sets are determined of each of the business-scope attributes and different functionality attributes, wherein each attribute of each determined set is applicable to the implemented service as a function of the evaluating.

Abstract: A system is described for providing strategies to reduce the carbon output and operating cost of a workplace. The system may include a memory, interface, and processor. The memory may store an initial configuration of a workplace and workplace initiatives. The initial workplace configuration may include equipment and travel data items, and each workplace initiative may be associated with a data item and may provide a strategy for reducing the carbon output of the associated data item. The processor may receive the initial configuration from the user and provide workplace initiatives to the user. The processor may receive a selection of an initiative from the user. The processor may process the initial workplace configuration and selected initiative to determine a recommended configuration capable of reducing the carbon output of the data item associated with the selected initiative. The processor may provide the recommended configuration to the user.

Abstract: A computerised tool for assessing scenarios is arranged to allow a user to select a placement for an icon representing a scenario on a matrix representing, along respective axes thereof, the likelihood of the scenario and the impact of the scenario. The tool is further arranged to display information relating to placements for said scenario selected by previous users. The tool is also further arranged to allow said user to select one or more likelihood influence indications representing actions which have been taken or may be taken to influence the likelihood of the scenario from a plurality of available likelihood influence indications and to display the selection of likelihood influence indications by previous users.

Abstract: A processor aggregates communications data received from one or more data sources via a communications network. The processor associates the aggregated communications data with supplemental data. The associated communications data is correlated based on temporal data, a tag, a query, and/or a command. A graphical user interface (GUI) is formatted based on the correlated communications data. The formatted GUI is provided to a display device.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) simulator system is provided. The RFID simulator system includes a processor effective to receive first data representing a pre-existing system for tracking of objects; simulate an RFID system having at least one RFID reader, at least one RFID antenna, and a plurality of objects connected to RFID tags; simulate a path of the objects; simulate an RFID system environment to produce second data representing simulated RFID tracking of the objects; and compare first data and second data to generate third data; and at least one memory effective to store at least one of the first data, the second data and the third data.

Abstract: An example method for dynamic profitability management for cloud service providers can include utilizing a processing resource to execute instructions stored on a medium to recommend adjustment of prices for a number of cloud services provided by a cloud service provider to manage profitability based upon analyzing input of input profiles. The input profiles can include a market price profile per workload unit, a behavioral profile per customer, a scheduled workload profile per offered cloud service, and a workload capacity profile per cloud service placement option.

Abstract: A data processing system provides a set of service value maps (SVMs) each having a plurality of nodes and linkages between nodes, forms a network model based on the SVMs and analyses the network model to compute aggregate values for the nodes to enable an identification of a node that matches at least one criterion. Analyzing can include using a degree centrality process where a value for each node is defined as a number of outgoing edges from the node, or an eigenvalue centrality process where a value of a node is proportional to a value of those nodes that the node is connected to. Each SVM can be represented as a directed acyclic graph (DAG) where each edge between nodes is an edge in the DAG. The at least one criterion can include a highest valued node identifying a value aggregation point (VAP) of the set of SVMs.

Abstract: A strategizing method for ensuring that the matrix that support and address a business's strategies for growth and profitability are highly correlated with the business's property, the features of the property and the uses of the property is disclosed. The selected property, the set of potential uses of the selected property and the one or more features of the selected property are recommended independent of any interest of the recommended party and the selected property or features thereby ensuring an unbiased correlation factor. The method and process address every aspect of a property project and greatly simplify the business's ability to focus on their day-to-day work.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system in one embodiment estimate the effectiveness of a dispensing plan of emergency supplies during disasters or in like scenarios, by simulating a flow of emergency supplies in a multi-echelon supply chain, dynamics of victims and progression of disaster. The performance metrics estimated in one embodiment include, but not limited to, overall coverage of distribution, inventory of supplies (e.g., shortage and surplus) and utilization of resources (e.g., shortage and surplus).

Abstract: It is possible to provide a specification modification estimation method and a specification modification estimation system which can build-in a specification modification in a development plan in advance when performing software development. The system includes: I/O unit (1) which inputs development information associated with specification modification and outputs a calculation result of a development scale obtained by the specification modification; a database (3) which accumulates a digitalized environment affect in the software development; and specification modification estimation calculation unit (2) which calculates a product amount of the entire development scale in the specification modification according to the aforementioned development information and the information accumulated in the database. Thus, it is possible to estimate a final entire development scale which fluctuates according to the specification modification at a pre-stage of a software development or during the development.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for brand value analysis, including a brand value analysis model; and model data A and for a previous and current year, including a unit price for sold goods per volume unit (PA, PB), a number of sold goods based on volume (VA, VB), a production cost per unit CA, CB), a risk adjusted weighted average cost of capital (RAA, RAB), and a net present value multiplier associated with RAA, RAB (DA, DB). The model calculates a nominal value of future net margin cash-flows CF(A) and CF(B), a net present value of cash-flows NCF(A) and NCF(B), a nominal value of future net margin cash-flows CF(A) and CF(B), a difference NCF (B?A), and determines increase in product attractivity (PA), increase in market leadership (ML), increase in cost efficiency (CE), and increase in customer loyalty (CL), based on NCF (B?A).

Abstract: Process studies are performed to determine improvements to processes, such as manufacturing or service related processes. One or more instances of a process may be captured (e.g., recorded) and annotated. A user is enabled to interact with a recording included in the process instance of a process being performed. The user is enabled to apply a process step tag selected from a plurality of process steps to a section of the recording. The user may be enabled to interact with the recording to apply an attribute value selected from a list of attribute values to the process instance. The user may be enabled to interact with the recording to apply discovery information to the process instance. Annotation information associated with the process instance is generated that includes the process step tag, any applied attribute values, and any applied discovery information.

Abstract: Method and system for determining estimation variance associated with project planning are provided. In one aspect, information associated with a project is obtained and initial estimations for the tasks in the project are determined using available information. The tasks are performed and actual measurements are obtained from the completed tasks. The actual measurements are used to revise the estimates of the remaining tasks. The revised estimates are used to compute a project level estimate and a variance on that estimate, and to enable better project management.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for analyzing recorded telephone calls in order to predict business outcomes. The method involves recording a series of initial telephone calls and analyzing those calls for particular audio features. The audio features are tabulated and annotated to specify whether the telephone call resulted in a pre-determined business outcome. A model is then built whereby the pre-determined business outcome can be predicted based upon the presence of certain audio features. The model can subsequently be used to predict whether future calls are likely to result in the pre-determined business outcome.

Abstract: Determining an inventory target for a node of a supply chain includes calculating a demand stock for satisfying a demand over supply lead time at the node of the supply chain, and calculating a demand variability stock for satisfying a demand variability of the demand over supply lead time at the node. A demand bias of the demand at the node is established. An inventory target for the node is determined based on the demand stock and the demand variability stock in accordance with the demand bias.

Abstract: Analyzing the capabilities of a business enterprise, including: identifying, by a capability advisor module, capabilities required to carry out a business initiative; identifying, by the capability advisor module, capabilities of the business enterprise; and determining, by the capability advisor module, lacking capabilities of the business enterprise that are required to carry out the business initiative in dependence upon the capabilities required to carry out the business initiative and the capabilities of the business enterprise.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for processing e-commerce information are presented. A business entity may transfer e-commerce agreements through an electronic marketplace. The business entity retrieves dependency information about a commercial transaction from an e-commerce agreement. The business entity incorporates the dependency information, e.g., dates, costs, deliveries, etc., as dependency relationships within a project model that represents a project for a product or service for sale by the first business entity. User input is received for manipulating a cost dependency relationship within the project model while constraining the user input to ensure that another type of dependency relationship is not incompatible with modifications to the cost dependency relationship.

Abstract: A telecommunications environment management operating system and method is provided. The system and method helps organizations achieve and sustain optimal financial, operational and technical performance in the field of telecommunications.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating an energy saving based on a simulation, includes: a building condition collection unit configured to collect information about a building condition; and a building energy optimization unit configured to derive an energy saving measure capable of saving the energy of the building using the building condition information. Further, the apparatus includes a simulation preprocessing unit configured to preprocess various energy-related data for executing the energy saving measure to data for a simulation; a building energy simulator configured to perform a building energy simulation using the preprocessed data; and an evaluation result display unit configured to display the amount of energy that is saved in accordance with the energy saving measure.

Abstract: Techniques, an apparatus and computer program product for generating test cases for covering enterprise rules and predicates are disclosed by receiving data associated with at least one of a business requirement and a business scenario as input, wherein the data comprise at least one of a set of predefined rules; based on the data, generating at least one or more test cases as output without any human intervention, wherein the output comprises a test script for the business requirement or the business scenario, and wherein the data associated with the at least one of a business requirement and a business scenario comprise at least one of a business rule, business requirement and predicate, the data associated with the at least one of business requirement and business scenario are stored as a linked graph in a repository, and wherein each node of the linked graph is mapped to previously stored data in the repository, wherein the repository comprises either one of a structured or unstructured data, and the data

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and methods for analyzing business data. The system and methods may present users with a number of platforms that allow users to analyze aggregated business data, to view forecasts provided by the system, and to collaborate with other users. Analyzing business data may involve running queries and customizing visuals based on the business data, which may be aggregated in a comprehensive database or several databases. Forecasting may involve the use of linear regression lines that can be computed according to customized queries, visuals, and other user input. Further, users may collaborate over the system by sharing visuals, sharing queries, discussing hot topics, blogging, joining groups, and the like.

Abstract: A probabilistic carbon credits calculator may be used to calculate carbon credit monetary values for specified geographical areas, time periods, land uses, climate scenarios and other factors. For example, different land use scenarios may be assessed in terms of carbon credit monetary value to aid decisions about whether to return pasture to forest, whether to deforest an area and other such land use decisions. In various embodiments, predictions of terrestrial carbon amounts and certainty of those predictions are obtained from a carbon model and the predictions may be compared with comparison data and combined with carbon credit market data or other financial estimates of carbon value. In various examples the comparison data comprises empirical data and/or carbon model predictions. In various embodiments, certainty of predictions and/or comparison data is used to assess certainty of calculated carbon credit monetary values.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for determining a response to a sales event within a time period with information which spans across hierarchical entity boundaries of a company. The method detects a sales event and determines requirements of the sales event, parties involved and resource area of the sales event. If the resource area is not supported by the company, return to detecting another sales event without responding to the sales event. If the area is supported by the company, initiating a sales resource optimization to determine an optimized resource package to respond to the sales event and determining a likelihood of the company being awarded the sales event based on the optimized resource package. If the likelihood of the company being awarded the sales event based on the optimized resource package is greater than a predetermined probability, responding to the sales event with the optimized resource package.

Abstract: A method and a system for analyzing infrastructure are provided. In one embodiment, a system for analyzing infrastructure is provided. The system includes a grid intelligence quotient as a service (GIQAAS) system. The GIQAAS system includes an infrastructure data gathering system having a first input form configured to collect an economic data related to an infrastructure. The GIQAAS system further includes an economic modeling system configured to import the economic data and to derive an economic analysis based on the economic data. The GIQAAS system is configured to provide the infrastructure data gathering system to a first user for collection of the economic data, and to provide the economic modeling system to a second user for derivation of the economic analysis.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed for acquiring output activity, utilization capacity and/or effluent data from an facility on a facility-by-facility and/or an industry-by-industry basis. The system is designed to generate a plant and/or industry output activity database that is updated on a continuous, near continuous, periodic and/or intermittent basis so that subscribers are apprised of changes in plant or overall industry output. A clearing house is also disclosed for distributing the acquired data to subscribers to aid in analyzing, predicting trends, pricing, maintaining, adjusting, minimizing, and/or maximizing individual plant or overall industry output.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for analyzing the business rules, business metrics, and decision parameters for a firm or organization, processing a subset of such data to form output, and offering access to selective views of such output including evaluation and comparative data regarding execution of such business rules, information on corresponding business metrics or sets of business metrics, information on corresponding decision parameters or sets of decision parameters or scenarios, and other useful analytic information which can help a firm or organization evaluate and modify business policies based on said rules, metrics, and parameters. In addition to said rules, metrics and/or parameters, the data for the business rule analysis can include conventional historical data or hypothetical data based on simulations which the current system and method provide based on prescribed random and non-random algorithms.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing a user interface for specifying details of a development project, receiving, through the user interface, user-input specifying a type for the development project, a location for development project, and a financing structure for the development project, determining one or more projected outcomes for the development project based on data for the specified type, location, and financing structure of the development project, and, providing, through the user interface, an analysis of each of the one or more projected outcomes.

Abstract: To perform a relative trend analysis of a business scenario, a graphical illustration of a trend for a business scenario under analysis is displayed on a user interface. The user interface renders and receives a user selection of one or more parameters associated with the business scenario under analysis. Based on the user selection, a database is queried to determine trend-splits of the business scenario under analysis. The trend-splits of the business scenario under analysis are matched with one or more gradient-splits of other business scenarios residing in a database. Based on the matching, the related business scenarios are determined and the gradient-splits of the related business scenarios are retrieved from the database. A graphical illustration of the trend of business scenario under analysis and gradient of the related business scenarios is rendered on the user interface.

Abstract: There is provided a computer-implemented method of generating a data forecasts for different levels of an entity. The method includes generating an aggregate forecast for an upper level entity comprised of two or more components. The method also includes determining mean values and a coefficient of variation for a probability distribution corresponding to future expected decomposition rates for each of the two or more components. A probability distribution parameter vector is computed based on the mean values and the coefficient of variation. The expected future decomposition rates for each of the two or more components may be computed based on the probability distribution parameter vector and a sample observation corresponding to previously observed decomposition values of each of the two or more components. Component forecasts corresponding to each of the two or more components may be computed based on the aggregate forecast and the expected future decomposition rates.

Abstract: The method proposed is an approach for creating, valuing and securitizing derivative instruments which are linked to a casino's or a basket of casinos' aggregate win rate. The invention has several components, all of which are facilitated by software: (1) a method for developing a risk profile for a given casino or a portfolio of casinos; (2) a method for estimating the optimal hedging strategy for a given casino based on level risk profile, maximum wagers at the table and required liquidity/corporate finance structure; (3) a method for estimating the expected value of variances in actual win rate to the threshold win rate; and (4) a method for developing the features required for securitizing an individual casino's or a portfolio of casino's derivative contracts.

Abstract: A system for determining lack of compliance of a transactional entity with an enterprise policy by maintaining an historical record of the entity as changes are made over time. The system allows establishment, codification, and maintenance of enterprise policies, monitors electronic transactions of the enterprise from various data sources, detects exceptions to established policies, reports exceptions to authorized users such as managers and auditors, and/or provides a case management system for tracking exceptions and their underlying transactions. A master data extractor establishes an initial instance of a transactional entity in a monitoring database. A changed data extractor is responsive to changed data for establishing a subsequent instance of the transactional entity in the monitoring database.

Abstract: Techniques for assessing a resiliency level in an information technology system and architecting the information technology system in accordance with the resiliency level are disclosed. An estimated resiliency level may be estimated from different system characteristics to obtain an estimated resiliency level for the information technology system. The cost and the degree of effort to design for the information technology system may be estimated from the estimated resiliency level. The resiliency level may be further determined from different system factors. Consequently, a specification for a resiliency feature is obtained by accessing a set of resiliency guidelines based on the resiliency level and a technology theme. The resiliency feature may then be applied to the information technology system.

Abstract: A computer program product estimates effects of modifications to a process. The computer program product includes a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes determining first differences between a graphical representation of a first modified process and a base process having been modified by the modified process, comparing the first differences with second differences between a graphical representation of at least one second modified process and the base process, and estimating a first effect of the first differences relative to the base process based on a similarity between the first differences and the second differences and based on at least one second effect of the second differences relative to the base process, the at least one second effect stored, and associated with the second differences in memory.