Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking antimicrobial resistance based on geography. An application server receives a query from a client application to provide antimicrobial resistance data for a geographic location. The application server determines a geographic region based, at least in part, on the geographic location included in the query, and antimicrobial data for samples collected from patients residing in the geographic region are retrieved from at least one health information datastore of a health information system. The retrieved antimicrobial data comprises information describing antimicrobial resistance of an infectious organism detected in the biological samples to at least one antimicrobial agent, and is transmitted to a client device on which the client application that issued the query is executing.

Abstract: A payment processing system to provide merchant-specific accounts to consumers that are accessed by payment instruments. In one embodiment, the payment processing system can create and provide a variety of payment methodologies for purchases, such as pay-as-you-go, virtual prepaid, virtual subscription, and post-paid purchases. The merchant may, in some embodiments provide consumers with merchant rewards accounts and an opportunity to earn reward points or other loyalty-based currencies through qualifying purchase transactions. The consumer may access their merchant-specific accounts for purchase payment using a preferred payment instrument, such as a credit or debit card.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking antimicrobial resistance based on geography. An application server receives a query from a client application to provide antimicrobial resistance data for a geographic location. The application server determines a geographic region based, at least in part, on the geographic location included in the query, and antimicrobial data for samples collected from patients residing in the geographic region are retrieved from at least one health information datastore of a health information system. The retrieved antimicrobial data comprises information describing antimicrobial resistance of an infectious organism detected in the biological samples to at least one antimicrobial agent, and is transmitted to a client device on which the client application that issued the query is executing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying and analyzing clusters of medical billing claims in a queue to identify a shared root cause issue for the medical billing claims in the cluster. Exemplary methods and apparatus involve grouping each of the plurality of medical billing claims into clusters based on predetermined cluster patterns that include at least one attribute, validating the clusters using predetermined criteria to determine if the clusters should be analyzed, discarded, and/or marked for further analysis, collecting information about each of the medical billing claims in clusters, and determining a root cause issue for the medical billing claims in the clusters based on the collected information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating a payment collection process by enabling a patient to pre-authorize payment for future medical services not covered by the patient's healthcare payer. Rather than sending a statement to a patient instructing the payment to remit an outstanding balance, a practice management system automatically applies electronic funds for the patient's outstanding balance in accordance with terms of a contract executed between the patient and the medical practice at the time of service. By including contract terms such as a predefined maximum charge amount and limited contract duration, patients may feel that their electronic account information is safe and that they will be billed only for what they owe. Additionally, medical practices may have better assurance that remittance for medical services will be paid promptly by patients under the terms of the contract.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating a payment collection process by enabling a patient to pre-authorize payment for future medical services not covered by the patient's healthcare payer. Rather than sending a statement to a patient instructing the payment to remit an outstanding balance, a practice management system automatically applies electronic funds for the patient's outstanding balance in accordance with terms of a contract executed between the patient and the medical practice at the time of service. By including contract terms such as a predefined maximum charge amount and limited contract duration, patients may feel that their electronic account information is safe and that they will be billed only for what they owe. Additionally, medical practices may have better assurance that remittance for medical services will be paid promptly by patients under the terms of the contract.

Abstract: A payment processing system to provide merchant-specific accounts to consumers that are accessed by payment instruments. In one embodiment, the payment processing system can create and provide a variety of payment methodologies for purchases, such as pay-as-you-go, virtual prepaid, virtual subscription, and post-paid purchases. The merchant may, in some embodiments provide consumers with merchant rewards accounts and an opportunity to earn reward points or other loyalty-based currencies through qualifying purchase transactions. The consumer may access their merchant-specific accounts for purchase payment using a preferred payment instrument, such as a credit or debit card.

Abstract: A payment processing system to provide merchant-specific accounts to consumers that are accessed by payment instruments. In one embodiment, the payment processing system can create and provide a variety of payment methodologies for purchases, such as pay-as-you-go, virtual prepaid, virtual subscription, and post-paid purchases. The merchant may, in some embodiments provide consumers with merchant rewards accounts and an opportunity to earn reward points or other loyalty-based currencies through qualifying purchase transactions. The consumer may access their merchant-specific accounts for purchase payment using a preferred payment instrument, such as a credit or debit card.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying and analyzing clusters of medical billing claims in a queue to identify a shared root cause issue for the medical billing claims in the cluster. Exemplary methods and apparatus involve grouping each of the plurality of medical billing claims into clusters based on predetermined cluster patterns that include at least one attribute, validating the clusters using predetermined criteria to determine if the clusters should be analyzed, discarded, and/or marked for further analysis, collecting information about each of the medical billing claims in clusters, and determining a root cause issue for the medical billing claims in the clusters based on the collected information.

Abstract: A method of producing an offer package includes defining, within the offer package, a description of an offered product. The cost of the offered product and the merchant making the offer are also defined within the offer package, which includes an encrypted version of the offered product.

Abstract: A payment processing system to provide merchant-specific accounts to consumers that are accessed by payment instruments. In one embodiment, the payment processing system can create and provide a variety of payment methodologies for purchases, such as pay-as-you-go, virtual prepaid, virtual subscription, and post-paid purchases. The merchant may, in some embodiments provide consumers with merchant rewards accounts and an opportunity to earn reward points or other loyalty-based currencies through qualifying purchase transactions. The consumer may access their merchant-specific accounts for purchase payment using a preferred payment instrument, such as a credit or debit card.

Abstract: A multilayered ferromagnetic laminate includes a first magnetic film having a cobalt alloy and a second magnetic film having an iron-nitrogen alloy. The films are deposited upon one another and laminated to provide a multilayered film structure having an alternating plurality of the first and second magnetic films. The cobalt alloy may be a cobalt-zirconium-tantalum alloy. The nitrogen is incorporated interstitially in the crystalline structure of the iron of the second magnetic film. The laminate forms the magnetic shields and the write poles of magnetic disk and tape heads. The lamination of the first magnetic film which has high electrically resistive, high mechanical hardness, and high magnetic moment characteristics with the second magnetic film which has lower electrically resistive and very high magnetic moment characteristics yields the laminate which has very high magnetic moment and very hard pole material characteristics and has the ability to write at high frequencies.

Abstract: A payment processing system configured to provide merchant-specific accounts to consumers, such as virtual prepaid parking accounts, that are accessed by payment instruments. In one embodiment, the payment processing system can create and provide a variety of payment methodologies for purchases, such as pay-as-you-go, virtual prepaid, virtual subscription, and post-paid purchases. In some embodiments, the merchant can provide consumers with rewards accounts and opportunities to earn reward points or other loyalty-based currencies through qualifying purchase transactions. The system can also refund merchant-specific accounts for returns or unused portions of prepaid resources. The consumer can access their merchant-specific accounts for purchase payment or refund using a preferred payment instrument, such as a credit or debit card.

Abstract: A brake assembly is configured for a strapping tool tensioning motor having a housing and an output shaft operably connected to a tensioning wheel. The brake assembly includes a one-way bearing operably connected to the motor output shaft to permit the shaft to rotate relative to the bearing in the first direction and to stop rotation of the shaft relative to the bearing in the reverse direction. The bearing has at least two stop members thereon. A brake element is operably mounted to the motor movable toward and away from the bearing for movement into and out of engagement with one of the bearing stop members. The brake element stops reverse rotation of the motor shaft and bearing. A brake release is operably connected to the brake element for moving the brake element into and out of engagement with the one of the bearing stop members. A biasing element biases the brake element into engagement with the one of the bearing stop members.

Abstract: A payment processing system includes one transaction processor that aggregates cost data associated with low-priced sales transactions between a consumer and a merchant. The transaction processor sends data that represents the aggregated cost data to an acquiring banking entity associated with the merchant. The system also includes another transaction processor that stores data that represents each individual low-priced sales transaction. The stored data is accessible by one or more banking entities associated with the merchant.