Abstract: An apparatus is described and in one embodiment includes a first portion comprising an inner diameter, a first outer diameter, and a first length and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are integrally connected together, the second portion comprising the inner diameter, at least one second outer diameter, and a second length. The embodiment further includes a flange comprising a contact surface, wherein the inner diameter of the first portion and the second portion provides a hollow pathway through the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment and may include a first portion comprising an inner diameter, a first outer diameter, and a first length and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are integrally connected together, the second portion comprising the inner diameter, at least one second outer diameter, and a second length. The apparatus may further include a flange comprising a contact surface, wherein the inner diameter of the first portion and the second portion provides a hollow pathway through the apparatus.

Abstract: A method supports a decision-making process in a time critical scenario managed by a distributed workflow consisting of a plurality of distributed nodes. The method includes assessing a given situation with available information to establish confidence percentages for possible decisions associated with the given situation and the distributed workflow. A distributed workflow architecture is provided that allows the distributed workflow to use the confidence percentages to enable a decision maker to get knowledge of a best possible course of action when executing the distributed workflow. Fuzzy logic is used to compute and maintain the confidence percentages for the possible decisions based on the available information. Furthermore, an appropriate workflow management system is proposed.