Abstract: A system that secures an upper door of a UTV or other vehicle to the vehicle and enables the ready removal and storage of the upper door from the vehicle employs magnets. A first set of magnets is carried by the upper door. A second set of magnets, which is attracted to the first set of magnets, is carried directly or indirectly by the vehicle, such as by a filler panel secured to the vehicle. Methods of deploying and securing an upper door in place and at least partially removing the upper door are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method may receive, at a first node, a first message with a first message data structure from a second node. The first message data structure may include a counter for each resource of a plurality of resources that is indicative of a most current age of a master copy of the resource known by the second node. The first node may include a current data structure with a counter for each resource that is indicative of a most current age of the master copy of the resource known by the first node. The method may determine whether at least one counter in the current data structure is older than the corresponding counter in the message data structure. The method may update the counter that is older, e.g., to learn the most current age of the master copy of the resource known by the second node, based on the determination.

Abstract: A method of managing a database may include, at a node, assigning a pre-assimilation value to a hardware instance identifier of a hardware component before the node is assimilated into a multi-node computing system. The method may also include receiving a post-assimilation value after the node has been assimilated into the multi-node computing system. The method may also include updating the pre-assimilation value with the post-assimilation value.

Abstract: An automatic spray mechanism provides a deterrent to keep animals away from flower beds and other restricted areas in a yard. The mechanism comprises a bottle which is filled with a liquid and inserted into a holder having a plurality of anchors which enables it to be secured into the ground. The top of the bottle comprises a powered spraying assembly comprising a pump, a suction tube, and a directionally adjustable spray nozzle. The mechanism is activated by an electronic motion sensor so when an animal such as a cat, dog, or wild animal approaches, it sprays the liquid.

Abstract: A method may receive, at a first node, a first message with a first message data structure from a second node. The first message data structure may include a counter for each resource of a plurality of resources that is indicative of a most current age of a master copy of the resource known by the second node. The first node may include a current data structure with a counter for each resource that is indicative of a most current age of the master copy of the resource known by the first node. The method may determine whether at least one counter in the current data structure is older than the corresponding counter in the message data structure. The method may update the counter that is older, e.g., to learn the most current age of the master copy of the resource known by the second node, based on the determination.

Abstract: A method of managing a database may include, at a node, assigning a pre-assimilation value to a hardware instance identifier of a hardware component before the node is assimilated into a multi-node computing system. The method may also include receiving a post-assimilation value after the node has been assimilated into the multi-node computing system. The method may also include updating the pre-assimilation value with the post-assimilation value.