Abstract: A system and method for facilitating succession management in an organization, such as an enterprise. The example method includes displaying, at a first level of a hierarchy, a first representation of a position and any incumbent assigned to the position, and illustrating, at a second level of a hierarchy, one or more second representations of one or more candidate successors to the position. The one or more candidate successors are grouped according to an indication of readiness associated with each of the one or more candidate successors. In a specific embodiment, a user option enables changing an indication of readiness assigned to a candidate successor by repositioning the candidate successor into a different readiness group within the hierarchy. Displayed data supporting candidate-readiness determinations includes data pertaining to performance history, experience, qualifications, or talent rating associated with each candidate successor.

Abstract: A piston for a pressurized container (i.e., “aerosol can”), the piston including a body having circumferential fins, with the fins being of uniform thickness, decreasing thickness radially away from the body, or varying thickness circumferentially. Further disclosed are container precursors and containers incorporating such a piston, and methods of filling and dispensing from such containers.

Abstract: A system and the method for transport of microscopic objects/particles involving the use of laser source operatively connected to a microscope objective which is adapted to generate optical focal spots on said particle(s) with asymmetric intensity profile in transverse plane followed by varying the said asymmetry of the gradient optical forces on the micron sized object/particles to thereby transport the microscopic object(s). The system and the method can be used to transport microscopic objects including i) transportation of cells and intra-cellular organelles, ii) acceleration of microscopic objects along any direction in a plane transverse to the direction of propagation of laser beam, iii) optical channeling of objects through a micro-capillary from one micro-well to another and transfer to another channel after desired processing, iv) sorting of microscopic objects, v) optical control of micro-machines, micro-fluidic devices etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides collaborative filtering systems and methods employing default scores of decision graphs/trees to quickly create a top-n prediction list that can efficiently determine a user's interest in items. In one instance of the present invention, the list is refined by utilizing a variable maximum score algorithm and/or an invalidation list algorithm to insert items that score above an inclusion threshold set by a last item in the top-n prediction list. In another instance of the present invention, an invalidation list for a decision graph and/or decision tree is utilized to create a top-n prediction list. An algorithm employing default scores is then utilized to refine the top-n prediction list to insert items with default scores above an inclusion threshold set by a last item in the top-n prediction list.

Abstract: System and method for facilitating exchange of information on a computer network, such as the Internet. The system provides one or more context trees, with each tree including two or more connected nodes, each node being associated with one or more selected node objects. Associated with each node is a blackboard for receiving and making available for reading, messages concerning the node object, a knowledge base containing information, facts, constraints and-or rules (Rules) concerning the node object, and an inference engine providing at least one logical rule that can be used to infer a logical conclusion based on at least one Rule in the knowledge base. A tree has a collection of at least two mobile intelligent agents that are configured to facilitate exchange of information on a node object, between two agents or between a node and an agent. An agent may migrate from a first node to a second node connected to the first node.

Abstract: A computer network includes a local management information server (MIS) and a common management information protocol (CMIP) management protocol adapter (MPA) for communication between the local MIS and remote agents characterized by an unknown information model. The network relies upon a computer program product which identifies remote agent communication events representing a remote agent association requests received by the CMIP MPA. The CMIP MPA includes a device for translating messages transmitted between a remote agent and said local MIS.