Abstract: Systems and methods for providing alternate deal structures are disclosed. A method may include: receiving an application for a loan having a loan structure comprising loan parameters from a dealer or an individual; retrieving data for the individual from a third party data source; decisioning the initial loan structure using the parameters and the cached data; returning an approval for the initial loan structure and an interest rate for the initial loan structure to the dealer or the individual; generating additional loan structures, each having a plurality of different parameters; decisioning the additional loan structures using the different parameters and the cached data; ranking the additional loan structures with the interest rate for each additional loan structure; returning approval and the interest rate for the ranked loan structures to the dealer or the individual; and receiving acceptance of the initial loan structure or one of the additional loan structures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a consumable cartridge removably attachable to an animal marking apparatus. The consumable cartridge comprises a movably mounted needle and a biasing element operatively coupled to the movably mounted needle to withdraw the needle to a withdrawn position. Also disclosed herein is a method for marking an animal.

Abstract: A cannula protector for protection of a cannulation site on a body is described. The protector includes a shield for inhibiting access to the cannulation site; and a body mount operatively connected to the shield, the body mount configured to provide one or more relief zones so as to relieve the mounting force of the protector when mounted on the body. A protector for protection of a cannulation site on a body is also described, the protector including: a shield for inhibiting access to the cannulation site; wherein the shield is configured to conform to a contour of the body to inhibit access to the cannulation site.

Abstract: A snowboard support device for use with a snowboard boot having a front surface and a back boot interface surface wherein the front surface has a groove, wherein the groove has a support surface, wherein above the groove is an upper lip and wherein below the groove is a lower lip, wherein the front surface has a flat perimeter, and wherein in the flat perimeter are at least two lace conduits suitable to connect the device to the laces of a snowboard boot. The support surface of the device engages with the edge of a snowboard to support the board while on a chairlift and to protect the dorsal side of the boot and its laces from damage by the metal edge of the snowboard.

Abstract: In an elliptical step exercise apparatus a dynamic link mechanism can be used to vary the stride length of the machine. A control system can also be used to vary stride length as a function of various exercise and operating parameters such as speed and direction as well as varying stride length as a part of a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill or interval training program. In addition the control system can use measurements of stride length to optimize operation of the apparatus.