Abstract: A method of allocating units in a monetary fund includes the steps of: determining an initial unit allocation for each policyholder of the fund, and periodically allocating extra units to surviving policyholders of the fund. The number of extra units being allocated is based on a probability of availability of units in the fund arising from deceased policyholders.

Abstract: A healthcare insurance claim that includes variables characterizing aspects of a healthcare service for which reimbursement is sought is analyzed in order to determine whether there are any aspects that are indicative of fraud or error. This analysis includes generating score variables from the variables of the healthcare insurance claim and determining whether a presence of one or more of the pairs of variables is indicative of fraud or error based on levels of co-occurrence of the one or more pairs in historical healthcare insurance claims. If a positive determination occurs, then the healthcare insurance claim can be flagged or elevated for review by a user. Related techniques, apparatus, systems, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly is mounted in a sash window assembly. The sash window assembly has a sash window slidably supported within a master frame and the master frame has tracks. The brake shoe assembly has a slider body adapted to be received in the track of the master frame. The slider body has a central opening and further has an upper opening in communication with the central opening. A cam is positioned in the central opening and is adapted to receive a pivot pin attached to the sash window. A clip is positioned in the upper opening. The clip is accessible from proximate a top of the slider body for connection to and removal from the slider body.

Abstract: A muntin clip has a bar support adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a base member adapted to be connected to a spacer frame. The bar support has a plurality of flexible support members attached thereto, which are adapted to contact the opposed interior walls of the muntin bar end and deform in response to such contact. The base member has latching structure adapted to be connected to the spacer frame. The base member further has an abutment member adapted to be engaged by an ejector pin to facilitate removal of the muntin clip from a mold.

Abstract: A balance assembly for a sash window slidable within a master frame includes first and second springs, each having a coiled portion and a free end adapted to be attached to a shoe, and first and second substantially identical spring holders. The spring holder includes a plate adapted to be attached to the master frame, a first connector, a second connector, a first spring support, and a second spring support. The first connector is cooperatively dimensioned with the second connector such that the first connector of one spring holder connects to the second connector of the other spring holder. The spring holder can support the spring in one of two configurations. In the first configuration, the coiled portion of the spring is supported by the first spring support, and in the second configuration, the coiled portion of the spring is supported by the second spring support.

Abstract: A muntin bar joiner is adapted to be connected to a first muntin bar and a second muntin bar. The muntin bar joiner has a base adapted to be connected to a first muntin bar. The base has a cap sized to extend beyond a first opening in the first muntin bar. The muntin bar joiner also has a bar support extending from the base member and adapted for connection to a second muntin bar.

Abstract: Transition probability sequencing models and metrics are derived from healthcare claims data to identify potentially fraudulent or abusive practices, providers, doctors, clients, or other entities. Healthcare reimbursement claims from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, doctors, etc., are processed to identify sequences of states, and transition probability metrics are determined from frequency information pertaining to the states. The metrics can these be further analyzed in predictive or rule based models, or other tools.

Abstract: A sash lock assembly is used with a sash window assembly having an upper sash window and a lower sash window slidable within tracks of a master frame. The sash lock assembly includes a keeper adapted to be connected to the upper sash window, a housing adapted to be connected to the lower sash window, a rotor positioned within the housing, a handle having a shaft extending through the housing and connected to the rotor, and a selectable stop member. The rotor is moveable between a locked position, wherein the rotor engages the keeper, and an unlocked position, wherein the rotor does not engage the keeper. Movement of the handle moves the rotor between the locked position and the unlocked position. The anti-rotation device includes a stop member and is moveable between a first position, wherein the stop member blocks movement of the rotor from the locked position to the unlocked position, and a second position, wherein the stop member does not block movement of the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for emptying and filling a fluid container. A valve is constructed in part of two concentric tubes. Flow of a fluid through the outer tube of two concentric tubes is regulated by the flow of the same or another fluid through the inner tube. The two flows can be in the same or opposite directions. A cap containing the valve and a vent tube can be installed on a modified bottle used to supply water dispensers, thus enabling a user to continuously replenish the bottle from a remote supply. Alternatively, a cap containing the valve, a vent tube, and two fluid level sensors can be installed on a conventional bottle. A user is thus relieved of the burden of repetitive bottle changing, and is able to treat the water to his own specifications.

Abstract: A computer-implemented approach for processing benefits payment claims for prescription medicine, with these operations. Receiving pending pharmacy benefits payment claims submitted for payment by a pharmacy benefits claims payor, each claim specifying a patient. For each claim and its specified patient, performing operations including the following. Performing computer-driven statistical analysis of predefined aspects of one of the following in relation to a compiled history of past claims paid by one or more pharmacy benefits claims payors: claims history for the patient, the claim, medical history of the patient. Generating an indicator of predicted legitimacy by scoring results of the statistical analysis. Providing an output of at least one of the following: the indicator, payment advice prepared by applying predefined criteria to data including the indicator.

Abstract: A composition for conditioning water in an aquarium in order to both control water pH and reduce and/or eliminate chlorine, chloramine and ammonia build-up is provided. The composition includes monopotassium phosphate in an amount between about 10 and 50 weight percent and sodium hydrosulfite in an amount between 1 and 20 weight percent, with the balance being deionized water.

Abstract: A composition for conditioning water in an aquarium in order to both control water pH and reduce and/or eliminate chlorine, chloramine and ammonia build-up is provided. The composition includes monopotassium phosphate in an amount between about 10 and 50 weight percent and sodium hydrosulfite in an amount between 1 and 20 weight percent, with the balance being deionized water.

Abstract: A grater and method for grating, wherein a grating panel is connected to a handle with a gripping portion aligned behind the grating surface back side below the top end and above the bottom end and in a common plane with the directional vector, the gripping portion further forming an angle with the downward directional vector, the gripping portion vector angle less than 90 degrees. It is preferred that the angle is selected to translate forces normal to and against the grating surface front side into compressive forces against a user's hand gripping the handle gripping portion. In one embodiment, the connecting means is a steel rod disposed along the panel edge portions and projects from the panel top normal to the planar panel. Some embodiments have stand elements to enable the grater to stand upon a work-surface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a tablet for feeding fish, comprising: fish food; and binding means which binds the fish food into a substantially solid, homogeneous structure; wherein the binding means includes a gas producing mechanism; wherein the gas production begins essentially contemporaneously with placement of the tablet into water; and wherein the gas releases and disperses the fish food from the tablet.

Abstract: A grater and method for grating, wherein a grating panel is connected to a handle with a gripping portion aligned behind the grating surface back side below the top end and above the bottom end and in a common plane with the directional vector, the gripping portion further forming an angle with the downward directional vector, the gripping portion vector angle less than 90 degrees. It is preferred that the angle is selected to translate forces normal to and against the grating surface front side into compressive forces against a user's hand gripping the handle gripping portion. In one embodiment, the connecting means is a steel rod disposed along the panel edge portions and projects from the panel top normal to the planar panel. Some embodiments have stand elements to enable the grater to stand upon a work-surface.

Abstract: A flat panel lamp has internal walls forming a serpentine discharge path between two internal electrodes. Two glow mode electrodes in the form of interdigitated combs are laid on the outside of the front panel of the lamp, on top of the walls. The internal electrodes are connected to a first drive circuit; the glow mode electrodes are connected to a second drive circuit, which drives them at a frequency of about 10 MHz. At high brightness, only the internal electrodes are operative; at low brightness, only the glow mode electrodes are operative; and at intermediate brightness the two sets of electrodes are alternately energized.

Abstract: A cold cathode electrode for a discharge lamp has a metal substrate supporting a layer of diamond, so as to increase the electron yield of the electrode. The substrate may be a helical nickel wire with a layer of diamond forming it into a continuous tube.

Abstract: A fluorescent discharge lamp has two glow mode electrodes wound around it in a helical fashion. One circuit drives the main electrodes at opposite ends of the lamp at high levels of brightness. Another circuit drives the glow mode electrodes at low levels of brightness, at about 10MHz. At intermediate levels of brightness, both the main electrodes and the glow mode electrodes are driven, the two sets of electrodes being driven for alternate on and off periods with the glow mode electrodes being on when the main electrodes are off and the glow mode electrodes being off when the main electrodes are on.