Abstract: A domain name hi-jack prevention service may be selected by a domain name registrant and enabled by a Registrar. In a first embodiment, the Registrar may send a confirmation request via a preferred contact method to the registrant and only move the domain name from a first account to a second account (both managed by the Registrar) when the registrant confirms the request. In a second embodiment, a third party platform that is independent from and/or not the Registrar confirms the identity of the registrant before the Registrar moves the domain name from the first account to the second account (again, both managed by the Registrar). In a third embodiment, a third party platform communicates an authorization code to a verified registrant so the registrant can enter the authorization code with a Gaining Registrar so the domain name may be transferred from a Losing Registrar to the Gaining Registrar.

Abstract: A water conditioning composition includes water; at least one gluconate compound; at least one carbonate compound; a non-ionic preservative; and a phosphate buffer. For example, the composition can include 87-95 wt. % water; 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % gluconate compound; 3 to 8 wt. % carbonate compound; 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % non-ionic preservative; and 0.5 to 2.5 wt. % phosphate buffer.

Abstract: A water conditioning composition includes water; at least one gluconate compound; at least one carbonate compound; a non-ionic preservative; and a phosphate buffer. For example, the composition can include 87-95 wt. % water; 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % gluconate compound; 3 to 8 wt. % carbonate compound; 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % non-ionic preservative; and 0.5 to 2.5 wt. % phosphate buffer.

Abstract: An online platform for the listing and sale of internet domain names includes a web server for receiving purchase inquiries from buyers and a messaging facility for communicating inquiries to sellers who have listed domain names for sale through the platform. A mobile communication application provides sellers with immediate access to purchase inquiries, valuation tools, consultation facilities and brokerage delegation tools by which sellers may efficiently engage buyers in response to purchase inquiries. The online platform leverages the ability of domain names to identify an online location in order to use the domain name itself as a communication channel, in addition to facilitating other channels of communication between buyer and seller.

Abstract: A drink dispenser includes a housing defining a chamber that contains a cooling fluid therein. A refrigeration unit is disposed within the housing. The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator coil extending into the cooling fluid such that a frozen cooling fluid bank forms about the evaporator coil. An agitator is disposed within the housing. The agitator extends into the cooling fluid for circulating the cooling fluid about the frozen cooling fluid bank. Dispensing valves mounted onto the housing dispense drinks from the drink dispenser. An electronic control system is disposed within the housing. The electronic control system is coupled with the agitator such that the electronic control system cycles the agitator between an agitator on period and an agitator off period. Cycling the agitator between an agitator on period and an agitator off period promotes stable growth of the frozen cooling fluid bank.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques that enable enhanced coordination and management of a plurality of servers cooperatively operating in a cluster of servers. In one implementation, a plurality of enhanced Virtual Desktop Management (VDM) Servers operating in a Federated Virtual Desktop Management (VDM) Cluster are provided. Each of the enhanced VDM Servers active in the Federated VDM Cluster use federated task information pertaining to and derived from various executing federated tasks. However, only a single selected one of the plurality of enhanced VDM Servers is executing a particular one of the federated tasks at a time so that each federated task is continuously running somewhere in the Federated VDM Cluster.

Abstract: A method for managing storage for a desktop pool is described. The desktop pool includes a plurality of virtual machines (VMs), each VM having at least one virtual disk represented as a virtual disk image file on one of a plurality of datastores associated with the desktop pool. To identify a target datastore for a VM, a weight of each datastore is calculated. The weight may be a function of a virtual capacity of the datastore and the sum of maximum sizes of all the virtual disk image files on the datastore. The virtual capacity is a product of the data storage capacity of the datastore and an overcommit factor assigned to the datastore. The target datastore is selected as the datastore having the highest weight. The VM may is moved to or created on the target datastore.

Abstract: A process for obtaining fermentable sugars from barley, involving treating hulled barley with H2SO4 to produce acid treated barley and treating the acid treated barley with enzymes to produce fermentable sugars.

Abstract: A method for managing storage for a desktop pool is described. The desktop pool includes a plurality of virtual machines (VMs), each VM having at least one virtual disk represented as a virtual disk image file on one of a plurality of datastores associated with the desktop pool. To identify a target datastore for a VM, a weight of each datastore is calculated. The weight may be a function of a virtual capacity of the datastore and the sum of maximum sizes of all the virtual disk image files on the datastore. The virtual capacity is a product of the data storage capacity of the datastore and an overcommit factor assigned to the datastore. The target datastore is selected as the datastore having the highest weight. The VM may is moved to or created on the target datastore.

Abstract: A drink dispenser includes a housing defining a chamber that contains a cooling fluid therein. A refrigeration unit is disposed within the housing. The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator coil extending into the cooling fluid such that a frozen cooling fluid bank forms about the evaporator coil. An agitator is disposed within the housing. The agitator extends into the cooling fluid for circulating the cooling fluid about the frozen cooling fluid bank. Dispensing valves mounted onto the housing dispense drinks from the drink dispenser. An electronic control system is disposed within the housing. The electronic control system is coupled with the agitator such that the electronic control system cycles the agitator between an agitator on period and an agitator off period. Cycling the agitator between an agitator on period and an agitator off period promotes stable growth of the frozen cooling fluid bank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lid for a beverage container. The lid has a mounting portion configured to connect the lid to the container and an annular side wall extending upward from the mounting portion. The lid also includes a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall, wherein the top wall has both a circular outer periphery and a circular inner periphery. An upwardly extending protrusion is pivotally connected to the top wall by a hinge. A central portion is positioned radially inward of the top wall, wherein the central portion has a circular outer periphery. The central portion is vertically positioned between the mounting portion and the top wall. The protrusion is pivotable about the hinge between a sealed position and an open position to define a drink opening residing entirely within the top wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lid for a beverage container. The lid has a mounting portion configured to connect the lid to the container and an annular side wall extending upward from the mounting portion. The lid also includes a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall, wherein the top wall has both a circular outer periphery and a circular inner periphery. An upwardly extending protrusion is pivotally connected to the top wall by a hinge. A central portion is positioned radially inward of the top wall, wherein the central portion has a circular outer periphery. The central portion is vertically positioned between the mounting portion and the top wall. The protrusion is pivotable about the hinge between a sealed position and an open position to define a drink opening residing entirely within the top wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lid for a beverage cup. The lid has a generally annular side wall, a rib depending from the side wall, and a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall. The lid further includes a central region positioned radially inward of the top wall. The central region has a well with a notched portion. The lid also includes a projection extending from a portion of the side wall. A living hinge formed by a line of weakness at the base of the projection permits the projection to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The central region has a shoulder portion that engages the tip of the projection to secure the projection in the open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lid 1 for a beverage cup. The lid 1 has a generally annular side wall 6, a rib 7 depending from the side wall 6, and a top wall 5 extending radially inward from the side wall 6. The lid 1 further includes a central region 4 positioned radially inward of the top wall 5. The central region 4 has a well 4b with a notched portion 24. The lid 1 also includes a projection 18 extending from a portion of the side wall 6. A living hinge formed by a line of weakness at the base 23 of the projection 18 permits the projection 18 to pivoted between an open position and a closed position. The central region 4 has a shoulder portion 24 that engages the tip 20 of the projection 18 to secure the projection 18 in the open position.

Abstract: A method of removing the hull from corn kernels wherein the method involves exposing the corn kernels to ammonia (e.g., gas-phase anhydrous) under conditions effective to remove the hull from corn kernels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lid 1 for a beverage cup. The lid 1 has a generally annular side wall 6, a rib 7 depending from the side wall 6, and a top wall 5 extending radially inward from the side wall 6. The lid 1 further includes a central region 4 positioned radially inward of the top wall 5. The central region 4 has a well 4b with a notched portion 24. The lid 1 also includes a projection 18 extending from a portion of the side wall 6. A living hinge formed by a line of weakness at the base 23 of the projection 18 permits the projection 18 to pivoted between an open position and a closed position. The central region 4 has a shoulder portion 24 that engages the tip 20 of the projection 18 to secure the projection 18 in the open position.

Abstract: A method of removing the hull from corn kernels wherein the method involves exposing the corn kernels to ammonia (e.g., gas-phase anhydrous) under conditions effective to remove the hull from corn kernels.

Abstract: A firefighting garment having an outer shell of abrasion, flame and heat resistant material and a reflective trim attached to the outer shell wherein the reflective trim includes a multiplicity of open perforations which facilitate water and water vapor transport through the trim.