Abstract: The present invention concerns a snow stake for measuring snow depth. This invention also concerns a method of manufacturing a snow stake for measuring snow depth. The snow stake comprises an elongate body and a strip of dual-purpose emitters/detectors mechanically attached to the elongate body. Each dual-purpose emitter/detector is configured to be able to both emit light and detect light. A control unit controls the dual-purpose emitters/detectors to emit light, or detect light and switch the function of the dual-purpose emitters/detectors over the course of a measurement process. Each of the dual-purpose emitters/detectors is an LED.

Abstract: A platform for supporting a toilet bowl, and more preferably a height adjustable platform for supporting a toilet bowl is disclosed. The platform comprises principally of a planar base member for engaging a ground surface, a planar top member for attachment to a toilet bowl, and a plurality of support members extending between the base member and the top member, the support member being configured to support the top member at a distance from the base member and adapted to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the base member and the top member.

Abstract: A platform for supporting a toilet bowl, and more preferably a height adjustable platform for supporting a toilet bowl is disclosed. The platform comprises principally of a planar base member for engaging a ground surface, a planar top member for attachment to a toilet bowl, and a plurality of support members extending between the base member and the top member, the support member being configured to support the top member at a distance from the base member and adapted to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the base member and the top member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-based method of and system for matching a set of transaction instructions received from a submitting entity with a record data set of receiving entity. The record data set includes a plurality of account records and an associated match key data set comprising a plurality of match keys, wherein each match key identifies an associated account record. The method comprises searching the match key data set using a match key derived from a received funds transfer instruction to identify an account record in said record data set thereby automatically matching said instruction to said identified record. The submitting entity selects a particular unmatched record of said data set, thereby manually matching said instruction to said selected record.

Abstract: A data input system, with which a user can input letters of an alphabet comprises: a system (112,108) for enabling the user to select one of four options and, for each selected option, to select one of eight directions; a system (114,110) for detecting the option and direction selected by the user; and a decoder (116) responsive to the detected option and direction and operable to interpret each of a number of combinations of such an option and such a direction, equal to the number of letters in the alphabet, as a respective letter of the alphabet. Directions may be selected by, for example, operating an eight-way joystick, making directional gestures on a touch-sensitive surface, or pressing different combinations of keys in a key array. Options may be selected by for example, operating an four-way joystick, pressing one or more shift keys and/or by providing more than one direction selection system so that the user can select which direction selection system to use for a particular letter.

Abstract: An analytical test device useful for example in pregnancy testing, comprises a hollow casing (500) constructed of moisture-impervious solid material, such as plastics materials, containing a dry porous carrier (510) which communicates indirectly with the exterior of the casing via a bibulous sample receiving member (506) which protrudes from the casing such that a liquid test sample can be applied to the receiving member and permeate therefrom to the porous carrier, the carrier containing in a first zone a labelled specific binding reagent is freely mobile within the porous carrier when in the moist state, and in a second zone spatially distinct from the first zone unlabelled specific binding reagent for the same analyte which unlabelled reagent is permanently immobilised on the carrier material and is therefore not mobile in the moist state, the two zones being arranged such that liquid sample applied to the porous carrier can permeate via the first zone into the second zone, and the device incorporating mea

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-based method of and system for matching a set of transaction instructions received from a submitting entity with a record data set of receiving entity. The record data set includes a plurality of account records and an associated match key data set comprising a plurality of match keys, wherein each match key identifies an associated account record. The method comprises searching the match key data set using a match key derived from a received funds transfer instruction to identify an account record in said record data set thereby automatically matching said instruction to said identified record. The submitting entity selects a particular unmatched record of said data set, thereby manually matching said instruction to said selected record.

Abstract: A fertility determining system employing hormone level measuring apparatus on selected days in a menstrual cycle to determine the levels of analytes, i.e., estrone-3-glucuronide (“E3G”) and luteinizing hormone (“LH”), in early morning urine. The fertility/infertility signalling algorithm relies upon data characterizing the user earlier in that menstrual cycle, and also upon her analyte pattern in past recent cycles. At a point in a menstrual cycle which is user-dependent, the early morning E3G urine level is compared against the lower E3G level earlier in the cycle. The beginning of the fertile period is signalled when a sufficient E3G increase occurs. The end of the fertile period (and, correspondingly, the reestablishment of a period requiring no contraception) is signalled a period after the LH surge. In the absence of an LH surge in any subject, the end of the fertile phase is signalled a period of time following the peak of the E3G urinary metabolite of estradiol.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating particulate or powdery material from an entraining gas includes a housing defining a closed chamber having an inlet for the material and gas, an outlet in the lower region of the housing for separated material, an outlet for filtered gas and a tubular filter disposed between the inlet and gas outlet and mounted such that the gas must pass through the filter to reach the gas outlet. A first washing device is provided for introducing a washing liquid into the chamber and washing the interior of the housing and the filter, and a second washing device is disposed in an upper region of the filter and includes nozzles connected to the end of a liquid supply pipe which extends coaxially or concentrically within a back flow gas supply pipe.