Abstract: Prepaid services include associating a plurality of users with a prepaid services account. The account is configured to track a prepaid balance associated with the account as well as to allow at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the account to draw down the prepaid balance at least generally at the same time. Drawing down the prepaid balance includes allocating a portion of the prepaid balance to each respective user, monitoring a provision of service, and repeating, selectively, the allocating and monitoring.

Abstract: A combined snowball forming and launching device is described. The device includes a portion for gathering snow, a mechanism for compacting the snow, and a handle to swing the scoop and launch a snowball. In one embodiment the compacting mechanism is a press at one end of an elongated portion. In another embodiment, the elongated portion is a curved channel that may be used for gathering and launching a snowball. A method for forming and launching snowballs is also described.

Abstract: Methods relating to prepaid services include determining an unlocked status of an account configured to track usage of prepaid services. The methods further include locking the account for a length of time after the determining step. The methods further include providing, for a service period, a service to a user associated with the account subsequent to the locking step, and continuously extending the locking for an additional length of time throughout the service period.

Abstract: This invention provides Pseudomonas exotoxin A-like chimeric immunogens that include a non-native epitope in the Ib domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin. Methods of eliciting an immune response using these immunogens also are provided.

Abstract: Prepaid services include a multi-user prepaid services account as well as a prepaid balance associated with the account. A plurality of user records associated with the account each includes a quota. A service monitoring component may be configured to repeatedly draw down the prepaid balance by providing one or more allocations of the prepaid balance during a service period to a user associated with a respective user record.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for determining contact with a storage medium. As an example, a data storage system is disclosed that includes: a head assembly and a data processing circuit. The head includes a head disk interface sensor operable to provide a contact signal indicating contact between the head and a storage medium disposed in relation to the head. The data processing circuit is operable to process the contact signal to yield an indication of a contact between the storage medium and the head.

Abstract: Prepaid services include associating a plurality of users with a prepaid services account. The account is configured to track a prepaid balance associated with the account as well as to allow at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the account to draw down the prepaid balance at least generally at the same time. Drawing down the prepaid balance includes allocating a portion of the prepaid balance to each respective user, monitoring a provision of service, and repeating, selectively, the allocating and monitoring.

Abstract: Prepaid services include associating a plurality of users with a prepaid services account. The account is configured to track a prepaid balance associated with the account as well as to allow at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the account to draw down the prepaid balance at least generally at the same time. Drawing down the prepaid balance includes allocating a portion of the prepaid balance to each respective user, monitoring a provision of service, and repeating, selectively, the allocating and monitoring.

Abstract: A waterboard with externally adjustable stiffness includes a stringer assembly having a rotatable beam to modulate the stiffness of the beam in a selected direction to impart a desired stiffness to the waterboard.

Abstract: A claim pre-processing system employs trial adjudication to improve claim accuracy prior to claim submission to a healthcare payer institution or other entity. A system processes claim data related to provision of healthcare to a patient The system includes a claim data collator for collating data related to a claim for a particular patient for submission to a payer and a source of rules for use in processing collated claim data. A pre-processor submits the collated claim data for processing using the rules to validate the collated claim data is in condition for processing to initiate generation of payment. A claim processor submits the collated claim data to a payer, in response to successful validation by the pre-processor. A rules processor processes acquired claim data to identify a condition triggering application of a different set of rules for determining validity of an individual claim element.

Abstract: A waterboard with externally adjustable stiffness includes a stringer assembly having a rotatable beam to modulate the stiffness of the beam in a selected direction to impart a desired stiffness to the waterboard.

Abstract: A combined snowball forming and launching device is described. The device includes a portion for gathering snow, a mechanism for compacting the snow, and a handle to swing the scoop and launch a snowball. In one embodiment the compacting mechanism is a press at one end of an elongated portion. In another embodiment, the elongated portion is a curved channel that may be used for gathering and launching a snowball. A method for forming and launching snowballs is also described.

Abstract: A patient claim data processing system responds to and initiates clinical events and attains early accurate claim data during a patient healthcare encounter cycle to support prompt claim data validation and editing both for individual claim elements and for a completed claim to improve claim accuracy prior to claim submission to a payer. The system submits accurate claims to payers and receives remittance advice from payers and applies rules to the advice. A system processes financial data related to provision of healthcare to a patient in response to clinical events. The system includes an interface processor for receiving a message identifying an event and a related change in healthcare data concerning a patient and also includes a source of rules for determining characteristics associated with reimbursement for provision of an individual service to a patient.

Abstract: The invention provides mutated, cytotoxic forms of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) comprising a furin cleavage sequence conjugated or fused directly to residues 395-613 of PE or variants of that sequence. These minimal forms of PE are smaller than previous cytotoxic forms of PE, reduce non-specific toxicity, and reduce immunogenicity due to domain II or domain Ib of PE. The invention further provides nucleic acids encoding said PEs, chimeric molecules containing them, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A collapsible stroller like device is described. The device includes a base portion to permit a child to be pushed or pulled across the snow or other surface.

Abstract: The invention provides mutated Pseudomonas exotoxins (PE) that have reduced immunogenicity compared to PEs containing the native sequence. The PEs of the invention have one or more individual mutations of positions of the native sequence of PE that reduce antibody binding to one or more PE epitopes. Nucleic acids encoding the mutated PEs, chimeric molecules comprising them, compositions comprising the chimeric molecules and methods of using them, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods relating to prepaid services include determining an unlocked status of an account configured to track usage of prepaid services. The methods further include locking the account for a length of time after the determining step. The methods further include providing, for a service period, a service to a user associated with the account subsequent to the locking step, and continuously extending the locking for an additional length of time throughout the service period.

Abstract: Prepaid services include offering a plurality of services. An account is configured to track usages of the plurality of services as well as associating a plurality of recurring balances with the account, wherein each balance is associated with a respective service of the plurality of services. It is possible to deduct an amount associated with providing a particular service for a period of time from the recurring balance associated therewith.

Abstract: Prepaid services include a multi-user prepaid services account as well as a prepaid balance associated with the account. A plurality of user records associated with the account each includes a quota. A service monitoring component may be configured to repeatedly draw down the prepaid balance by providing one or more allocations of the prepaid balance during a service period to a user associated with a respective user record.

Abstract: Prepaid services include associating a plurality of users with a prepaid services account. The account is configured to track a prepaid balance associated with the account as well as to allow at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the account to draw down the prepaid balance at least generally at the same time. Drawing down the prepaid balance includes allocating a portion of the prepaid balance to each respective user, monitoring a provision of service, and repeating, selectively, the allocating and monitoring.