Abstract: A layered composite boot device, and a corresponding layered composite file system, can be implemented by a boot manager. Requests directed to the layered composite boot device and file system, can be serviced from a primary device and file system that are encapsulated by the layered composite boot device and file system. The primary device and file system can correspond to a virtualized file system within a container environment, thereby enabling changes within the container environment to affect early stages of operating system booting in the container environment. Should such requests not be serviceable from the primary layers, the composite device and file system can comprise secondary layers that can correspond to a container host connection and the host file system, providing fallback to existing data if changes within the container environment were not made, thereby enabling booting to proceed in a traditional manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stock options, and more specifically to a method and system for managing and optimizing stock options via a communications network. In an embodiment of the present invention, a method of optimizing the value of stock option grants using a communications network includes: receiving an option-exercising scenario for a stock option grant; calculating an estimate for the option-exercising scenario for the stock option grant; comparing the estimate for the option-exercising scenario for the stock option grant against an estimate based on a standard strategy option-exercising scenario; and calculating an optimal strategy to maximize the value of the stock option grant based on one of the estimate for the to option-exercising scenario for the stock option grant and the estimate based on the standard strategy option-exercising scenario.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the detection of small amounts of modern, highly-explosive nitrogen-based explosives, such as plastic explosives, hidden in airline baggage. Several techniques are employed either individually or combined in a hybrid system. One technique employed in combination is X-ray imaging. Another technique is interrogation with a pulsed neutron source in a two-phase mode of operation to image both nitrogen and oxygen densities. Another technique employed in combination is neutron interrogation to form a hydrogen density image or three-dimensional map. In addition, deliberately-placed neutron-absorbing materials can be detected.