Abstract: A method performed by a processor in a hybrid cloud environment, the method including: specifying at least one service provider zone associated with a resource or a service of a service provider, the service provider zone including a first management interface node corresponding to the service provider; specifying at least one data center zone associated with a set of services or resources located near one another, the data center zone including a second management interface node corresponding to the set of services or resources; receiving, by the first management interface node, information from the resource or service associated with the at least one service provider zone; translating, by the first management interface node, the information from the resource or service to a format understandable by the second interface node to create first-level translated information; and transmitting the first-level translated information from the first interface node to the second interface node.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a generally annular primary seal member formed of a first, generally compressible polymeric material. The primary seal member has inner and outer radial ends, a first axial end disposeable against a first tubular member end surface and a second axial end disposeable against the second tubular member end surface. The first axial end has a radially-extending, generally annular primary sealing surface sealingly engageable with the first tubular member end surface. A generally annular secondary seal member is formed of a second, generally rigid polymeric material. The secondary seal member has two opposing axial ends and a radially-extending, generally annular secondary sealing surface on a first axial end. The secondary seal member is coupled with the first seal member such that the secondary sealing surface extends generally coaxially about the primary sealing surface, the secondary sealing surface being sealingly engageable with the first tubular member end surface.

Abstract: An appliance includes a control panel with a dielectric substrate. A printed circuit board is spaced from a back surface of the dielectric substrate. A light emitter and a capacitive sensor are positioned on the printed circuit board. The capacitive sensor includes a pair of conductive bodies that extend between the dielectric substrate and the printed circuit board. The dielectric substrate is positioned on a cabinet such that the capacitive sensor is triggered when a user touches a front surface of the dielectric substrate and such that an appliance function indicator is illuminated at the front surface of the dielectric substrate during operation of the light emitter.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator appliance includes operating a dispenser of the refrigerator appliance to initiate a flow of liquid water or ice into a container positioned within a dispensing recess of the dispenser in response to a user input at a user input panel of the refrigerator appliance, receiving one or more signals from a sensor positioned at the dispensing recess after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess, and detecting a presence of the container in the dispensing recess based at least in part on the one or more signals from the sensor only after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for installing fasteners. One exemplary embodiment is a method that includes inserting a fastener into a hole, and gripping ends of the fastener via dies. At least one of the dies includes a permanent coating having a static friction coefficient of less than 0.2 at a surface contacting the fastener. The method further includes plastically deforming the fastener via force from the dies, thereby expanding the fastener into interference with the hole along a length of the fastener such that an amount of interference between the fastener and the hole along the length of the fastener is greater than one and a half thousandths of an inch and less than twenty thousandths of an inch.

Abstract: A loader having a seat assembly mounted in the loader cab for movement along 2 axes. The cab pivots relative to the loader to permit access to loader components. The main operator controls in the loader are pilot valves operated by the loader operator without any electronic interfacing between the operator and the pilot valves. The pilot valves are supported directly by the seat assembly to move with the seat assembly and reduce inadvertent pilot valve motion induced by vehicle movement. Also provided is a hydraulic hose channeling arrangement which permits the support of hydraulic pilot valves relative to a seat assembly which is moveably mounted in a pilotable loader cab.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method utilizing a CAPTCHA to generate a human likeness score including blocks: a) receiving a user solution to the CAPTCHA; b) receiving a user interaction pattern descriptive of an interaction undertaken by the user, through a graphical interface of the CAPTCHA, to achieve the user solution; c) determining the accuracy of the user solution; d) comparing the user interaction pattern against an interaction model generated from interaction patterns of previous users; e) calculating the human likeness score based upon the determination of block c) and the comparison of block d), wherein the human likeness score lies within a continuum of human likeness scores.

Abstract: A device, system and method for embedded video chat is provided. A device renders, at a display device, a text-based application that includes a region for rendering an embeddable video chat application. The device retrieves, using a communication interface, from a server, the embeddable video chat application associated with an identifier. The device embeds the embeddable video chat application in the region of the display device. The device identifies, using the embeddable video chat application as retrieved from the server, a remote instance of the embeddable video chat application also identified using the identifier. The device initiates a video communication session with the remote instance of the embeddable video chat application using the display device and the camera device.

Abstract: A disclosed pipe scuffing device includes a frame and a shaft coupled to the frame and configured to rotate about a central axis. The pipe scuffing device also includes a drive motor configured to drive the rotation of the shaft. The device further includes one or more abrasive wheels disposed about the shaft and having an abrasive outer surface configured to engage an outer surface of a pipe when rotating with the shaft to remove one or more contaminants from the outer surface of the pipe.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a casing coupled with a body and an annular elastomeric seal member having a base portion coupleable with a casing and a cantilever portion radially deflectable with respect to the base portion. The cantilever portion has an end connected with the base portion and a free end with sealing lip. The lip has a sealing surface extending about a centerline and is engageable with a shaft. An annular rigid tracking member is attached to the seal member proximal to the first end of the seal cantilever portion and is spaced axially from the seal lip. The tracking member has a centerline and a tracking surface engageable by the shaft outer surface so that the tracking member centerline and the seal lip centerline each remain coaxial with the shaft axis during rotation of the shaft. Further, a support member prevents axial displacement of the seal member.

Abstract: A launching device comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, a head coupled to the first end of the shaft and a handle coupled to the second end of the shaft. The head comprises a cavity and a launch ramp curved both upwardly and outwardly from the cavity, wherein a distal portion of the launch ramp extends outwardly beyond the cavity in a forward launching direction. An angle is defined by the longitudinal grip axis and the distal portion of the launch ramp to direct a projectile disposed in the cavity in the forward launching direction.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for generating an interactive digital receipt on a user device, where the receipt offers an engagement platform for merchants and customers to interact on a continuous basis. The interactive digital receipt is generated in response to an occurrence of a particular financial transaction. The receipt includes a plurality of time-based interactive components to enable the merchant and the customer to interact with one another. The plurality of time-based interactive components includes a promotion component, a tipping component, a feedback component, and a loyalty rewards component. Each component is associated with a timeframe which defines a time period for which the customer may interact with the component. Content presented via each component changes corresponding to the time period. The time period can range from a limited time period to an unlimited time period.

Abstract: A one-way valve is provided. The one-way valve includes a base having a first ring wall including a first aperture disposed therethrough. The base further includes a second ring wall coaxial with the first ring wall. The second ring wall includes a second aperture disposed therethrough and angularly offset from the first aperture. The base further includes a central arching surface. The one-way valve includes a diaphragm disposed on the central arching surface. The one-way valve further includes a cover secured to the base and defining an annular skirt region. The one-way valve further includes a seal disposed in the annular skirt region.

Abstract: Included are systems and methods for determining diversity spend credit for parties in a supply chain. The systems and methods can include receiving diversity spend data for parties in the supply chain and iteratively determining, for each party in the supply chain, an amount of diversity spend credit that is directly or indirectly attributable, through the supply chain, to the purchase of goods or services from a diverse party in the supply chain, which can include multiple parties that buy or sell a good or service to one another. The diversity spend credit can be determined in real time as each party reports diversity spend data, and alerts or reports can be generated if threshold diversity levels for one or multiple diversity categories are crossed. The systems and methods can include generating alternative suppliers to meet diversity objectives.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaner includes a base that is movable over a surface to be cleaned, a top plate coupled with the base, a collection chamber, at least one dirt inlet in communication with the collection chamber, and at least one sweeping element for sweeping dirt on the surface to be cleaned toward the collection chamber.

Abstract: A method for applying a temporary tattoo ink to an applicator is disclosed, in which the applicator includes a multi-layered pad having a first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer, an ink-containing layer and a cut-away top layer. A tattoo design is cut into each of the first and second adhesive layers and a temporary tattooing ink is absorbed into the ink containing layer. The temporary tattooing ink includes genipin. The method includes embedding the genipin into the non-woven material by either dipping the ink-containing layer into an aqueous solution of genipin prior to assembling the multi-layered pad or pipetting the genipin onto the assembled applicator.

Abstract: An appliance includes a control panel with a dielectric substrate. A printed circuit board is spaced from a back surface of the dielectric substrate. A light emitter and a capacitive sensor are positioned on the printed circuit board. The capacitive sensor includes a pair of conductive bodies that extend between the dielectric substrate and the printed circuit board. The dielectric substrate is positioned on a cabinet such that the capacitive sensor is triggered when a user touches a front surface of the dielectric substrate and such that an appliance function indicator is illuminated at the front surface of the dielectric substrate during operation of the light emitter.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator appliance includes operating a dispenser of the refrigerator appliance to initiate a flow of liquid water or ice into a container positioned within a dispensing recess of the dispenser in response to a user input at a user input panel of the refrigerator appliance, receiving one or more signals from a sensor positioned at the dispensing recess after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess, and detecting a presence of the container in the dispensing recess based at least in part on the one or more signals from the sensor only after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A shuttle valve has a valve body including a first valve seat defining a first fluid inlet, a second valve seat defining a second fluid inlet, and a center portion that is connected to the valve seats, the center portion defining a fluid outlet and a bore. A moveable member is moveable within the bore between a first position against the first valve seat and a second position against the second valve seat to control the flow of fluid from either of the first or second inlet to the outlet. The moveable member may be configured to have a unitary construction formed of a single component, by which a unitary shell defines a substantially hollow interior. The moveable member has a hollow interior and a weep hole for equalizing pressure between the hollow interior and exterior of the moveable member.