Abstract: This application relates to apparatus and methods for traffic monitoring, especially for monitoring of road traffic flow using fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing. The method involves performing distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) using a suitable interrogator unit (103) to provide a measurement signal from each of a plurality of sensing portions of a first length of a sensing optical fiber (102), where the first length of the sensing optical fiber runs alongside a road (101) having a plurality of lanes. The measurement signals from the sensing portions are processed to detect vehicles (104) travelling on the road and to determine at least one detected traffic flow property. The method further involves using a traffic flow model to relate the detected flow property to a modelled flow property, where the traffic flow model is configured to model vehicle detections that will be missed by the distributed acoustic sensing i.e. an indication of vehicles present on the road but not detected by the DAS sensor.

Abstract: This application relates to apparatus and methods for traffic monitoring, especially for monitoring of road traffic flow using fibre optic distributed acoustic sensing. The method involves performing distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) using a suitable interrogator unit (103) to provide a measurement signal from each of a plurality of sensing portions of a first length of a sensing optical fibre (102), where the first length of the sensing optical fibre runs alongside a road (101) having a plurality of lanes. The measurement signals from the sensing portions are processed to detect vehicles (104) travelling on the road and to determine at least one detected traffic flow property. The method further involves using a traffic flow model to relate the detected flow property to a modelled flow property, where the traffic flow model is configured to model vehicle detections that will be missed by the distributed acoustic sensing i.e. an indication of vehicles present on the road but not detected by the DAS sensor.

Abstract: An elbow assembly for use in a respiratory mask, which includes an elbow, an inlet port, an exhaust port, and a baffle separating the inlet port from the exhaust port. A mask assembly includes a cushion comprising at least one gusset and an aperture for connection to the elbow assembly.

Abstract: A system for optimizing storage in an enclosed transport trailer (6), having transverse bearing beams (2) for supporting a load such as loaded pallets (12, 13) at a mid height of the trailer such that two storage levels are available. The beams have a wheel (10) at each end that runs in a horizontal track (11) attached to each side wall of the trailer, the track enclosing the wheels to prevent them from disengaging from the track. Adjacent beams can be attached together at variable spacings using a spacer bar (15) to suit a particular pallet or load size. The track has a junction adjacent the open end (20) of the trailer that leads up to another track (18) immediately below the roof line where the beams can be moved to an out of the way storage position (19) when not required.

Abstract: An elbow assembly for use in a respiratory mask, which includes an elbow, an inlet port, an exhaust port, and a baffle separating the inlet port from the exhaust port. A mask assembly includes a cushion comprising at least one gusset and an aperture for connection to the elbow assembly.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a post-payment gift card system in which the benefactor pays the value of the gift card at the time that the recipient redeems the gift card with the merchant. In some cases, the benefactor may create a gift card campaign using a gift card system. In some cases, the gift card system may include a user account. The user account may include attributes such as user identification information, user contact information, one or more user payment methods, payment method information, a user account good status indicator, and a user account trust indicator.

Abstract: A system for optimising storage in an enclosed transport trailer (6), having transverse bearing beams (2) for supportin a load such as loaded pallets (12, 13) at a mid height of the trailer such that two storage levels are available. The beams have a wheel (10) at each end that runs in a horizontal track (11) attached to each side wall of the trailer, the track enclosing the wheels to prevent them from disengaging from the track. Adjacent beams can be attached togethe at variable spacings using a spacer bar (15) to suit a particular pallet or load size. The track has a junction adjacent th open end (20) of the trailer that leads up to another track (18) immediately below the roof line where the beams can b moved to an out of the way storage position (19) when not required.

Abstract: Pasta filata cheeses, such as mozzarella, are made in the conventional way, except that the conventional step of heating and stretching is replaced by treatment with a proteolytic enzyme, thereby providing for significant economies in manufacture. Brine treatment may also be replaced by dry salting in this method.