Abstract: Automatic annotation of recorded lectures includes the annotation of recorded presentations as presented on a computer screen during a presentation. Such annotation is accomplished with metadata that indicates the original slide and the time in the presentation that the slide was presented. Registration of the presentation tags the presentation with this metadata, which uniquely identifies the presentation and each slide. The metadata enables future searching of the recorded presentation for the annotation, such that segments of recorded presentations in which the slide was presented can be recalled. The searching function can also be used in an integrated system with other applications to enable recall of segments of relevant recorded presentations.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering content in real-time using advanced messaging technology that reduces the risk of content being lost or dropped in transmission. The system and method utilize a custom, simplified XML format to deliver real-time textual, numeric, and metadata content directly to subscribers. The XML tag set specifies all of the information needed to package, process, and distribute real-time content messages and includes an advanced tagging structure that allows granular content customization. Messages are built on the fly using multi-channel data processing techniques. The XML delivery system and method offers an array of real-time market-specific page-based “Alert” services and aggregated newswires with accompanying real-time numeric data feeds. These feeds contain proprietary assessments and other price data across a broad spectrum of global and regional commodity markets, including oil, petrochemicals, metals, electric power, natural gas, coal, and risk.

Abstract: The current invention is designed to improve the certainty of test-taker classifications in testing programs utilizing open-ended items. The current invention discloses methods to improve certainty in estimates of test-taker performance for all test-takers while using a minimum of scoring resources. The invention selectively allocates resources to scoring by ceasing to allocate scoring resources to test-takers whose performance has been determined with sufficient certainty, and by having an additional reader or readers score responses from test-takers whose scores are close to cutoff levels. The invention further increases precision of scores for test-takers near a cutoff by selectively allocating more reliable and accurate readers to score responses most likely to influence a test-taker's performance classification. Other scoring resources are also shown.

Abstract: A system and method for reading into memory a plurality of scanned image files, obtaining a set of parameters describing the extent to which each scanned image file deviates from a theoretical image file, wherein the set of parameters includes at least one of a horizontal offset, a vertical offset, a horizontal stretch, a vertical stretch, or skew, manipulating a first scanned image file from the plurality according to the set of parameters for the scanned image file, reading into memory a manipulation control, conditionally manipulating a second scanned image file from the plurality based on a value of the manipulation control, and saving at least one manipulated image.

Abstract: A method for selecting investment assets for a portfolio is based upon a score derived for each asset which is indicative of its style, for example, whether a stock is predominantly a growth or a value stock. Different sets of score factors are designated for assessing an asset's score with respect to a first characteristic, or style, indicated by one set of score factors and with respect to a second characteristic, or style, indicated by the second set of factors. Based on the asset's score from one set of score factors relative to its score from a second set of score factors, the asset's predominant character can be determined. Also, an index for a number of assets can be computed in which each constituent asset's weight is determined by the asset's score with respect to one style or another.

Abstract: A method for estimating future cash flows of an investment instrument (or portfolio of investment instruments) is performed by simulating past performance (i.e., cash flows similar instruments based on actual data of past performance, using the simulated past performance to generate a distribution of possible future performance outcomes of the investment instrument, and using the distribution of possible future performance outcomes to make estimates of the expected cash flow from the investment instrument. In one embodiment, cash flow time series of private equity funds (J-curves) are simulated for fully-liquidated vintage years by scaling an aggregate net cash flow time series from a plurality of fully liquidated funds for that vintage year. The time series is scaled by scalar coefficients calculated based on statistics of the four parameters, internal rate of return, money multiple, depth of curve, and speed to depth, of the aggregated vintage fund J-curves.

Abstract: In a method and computer-implemented system of modular instruction a body of knowledge is divided into cognitive constructs, with instructional materials and post-instruction assessments being associated with each of the cognitive constructs and comprising a learning packet. The instructional material associated with each learning packet is presented to a student, followed by the post-instruction assessment associated with each learning packet. A result of the post-instruction assessment is compared to a pre-defined standard for that learning packet to determine whether the instructional material associated with another learning packet should be presented to the student, or if the instructional material associated with the current learning packet should be presented again to the student. The learning packets can be presented in default sequence or they can be reordered and presented in a user-selected sequence, and all or only a portion of the learning packets can be presented to the student.

Abstract: The current invention is designed to improve the certainty of test-taker classifications in testing programs utilizing open-ended items. The current invention discloses methods to improve certainty in estimates of test-taker performance for all test-takers while using a minimum of scoring resources. The invention selectively allocates resources to scoring by ceasing to allocate scoring resources to test-takers whose performance has been determined with sufficient certainty, and by having an additional reader or readers score responses from test-takers whose scores are close to cutoff levels. The invention further increases precision of scores for test-takers near a cutoff by selectively allocating more reliable and accurate readers to score responses most likely to influence a test-taker's performance classification. Other scoring resources are also shown.

Abstract: The current invention is designed to improve the certainty of test-taker classifications in testing programs utilizing open-ended items. The current invention discloses methods to improve certainty in estimates of test-taker performance for all test-takers while using a minimum of scoring resources. The invention selectively allocates resources to scoring by ceasing to allocate scoring resources to test-takers whose performance has been determined with sufficient certainty, and by having an additional reader or readers score responses from test-takers whose scores are close to cutoff levels. The invention further increases precision of scores for test-takers near a cutoff by selectively allocating more reliable and accurate readers to score responses most likely to influence a test-taker's performance classification. Other scoring resources are also shown.

Abstract: In a method and computer-implemented system of modular instruction a body of knowledge is divided into cognitive constructs, with instructional materials and post-instruction assessments being associated with each of the cognitive constructs and comprising a learning packet. The instructional material associated with each learning packet is presented to a student, followed by the post-instruction assessment associated with each learning packet. A result of the post-instruction assessment is compared to a pre-defined standard for that learning packet to determine whether the instructional material associated with another learning packet should be presented to the student, or if the instructional material associated with the current learning packet should be presented again to the student. The learning packets can be presented in default sequence or they can be reordered and presented in a user-selected sequence, and all or only a portion of the learning packets can be presented to the student.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring or quantifying the probability of default of a borrower. Credit factors from companies that banks have extended loans to are inputted and collected into a processor. The method employs a process utilizing an optimization function and a standard multivariate nonlinear regression to process client information and to provide an output value whose value is indicative of the likelihood or risk of default by a particular borrower.

Abstract: In a method and computer-implemented system of modular instruction a body of knowledge is divided into cognitive constructs, with instructional materials and post-instruction assessments being associated with each of the cognitive constructs and comprising a learning packet. The instructional material associated with each learning packet is presented to a student, followed by the post-instruction assessment associated with each learning packet. A result of the post-instruction assessment is compared to a pre-defined standard for that learning packet to determine whether the instructional material associated with another learning packet should be presented to the student, or if the instructional material associated with the current learning packet should be presented again to the student. The learning packets can be presented in default sequence or they can be reordered and presented in a user-selected sequence, and all or only a portion of the learning packets can be presented to the student.

Abstract: A method of instruction and assessment includes providing in an ordered item booklet containing a set of ordered assessment items arranged by degree of difficulty and one or more cutoffs corresponding to one or more respective performance levels. Achievement of a specified performance level requires the ability to provide a correct response to substantially all of the assessment items having a degree of difficulty below a cut-off corresponding to the specified performance level. A diagnostic pretest, including at least a portion of the items from the ordered item booklet rearranged so that they are not presented in ascending order of difficulty, is administered to a student, and the pretest is scored and the student's score is correlated to a performance level. Using the ordered item booklet the student's skill set associated with the performance level is assessed and the additional skills necessary to achieve a higher performance level are identified.

Abstract: A method and system of modular instruction is provided in which a body of knowledge is divided into N cognitive constructs, with instructional materials and post-instruction assessments associated with each of the N cognitive constructs and comprising a learning packet, and in which the N learning packets may be re-ordered by an administrator.