A protective refrigerator for storing material that can tolerate a limited temperature range includes a back-up thermostat set to open and close over a range slightly larger than an existing thermostat, yet still within that limited temperature range. The refrigerator has an indicator reporting relevant storage conditions to the exterior. An embedded computer for storing data and reporting data is optional, and may use a local or wider communications network such as the Internet. If present, the computer may be made to print certificates on a local or remote printer that verify proper storage conditions such as for vaccines.

Methods for monitoring and determining the efficacy of, a treatment for prostate cancer in a subject are provided, such methods including detecting the levels of expression of multiple polypeptide biomarkers in biological samples obtained from the subject prior to, and during, a course of treatment. Specific patterns of changes in the expression of the polypeptide biomarkers are indicative of the effectiveness of the treatment in the subject.

A method of identifying outstanding fines incurred within a specified time period by a lessee of a rental vehicle and, where appropriate, collecting the outstanding fines from the lessee, the method including the steps of: providing a main database of outstanding vehicle related fines where searchable fields of the main database include a registration number of the vehicle involved and a date when the fine was incurred, wherein the data contained in the main database is derived from data provided by a first party user; providing a rental vehicle operator with a second party user ID enabling access to the main database; providing the rental vehicle operator with a record of any outstanding fines relating to the registration number of the rental vehicle during the specified time period; and if there are recorded outstanding fines, collecting the outstanding fines from the lessee.

A game board has a playing surface allowing play, using darts, for two players or two teams of players. The game board further has two sides or halves - one half being a defensive half for a first player or team of players and an offensive half for a second player or team of players, and the other half being an offensive half for a first player or team of players and a defensive half for a second player or team of players. The game board has a plurality of targets. These target areas have a plurality of concentric target areas having an inner target area and an outer target area wherein the inner target areas are associated with an offensive half of the game board and the outer areas are associated with a defensive half of the game board.

Methods for diagnosing the presence of prostate cancer in a subject are provided, such methods including detecting the levels of expression of multiple polypeptide biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject and comparing the levels of expression with predetermined threshold levels. Levels of expression of at least two of the polypeptide markers that are above the predetermined threshold levels are indicative of the presence of prostate cancer in the subject. Determination of the expression levels of specific combinations of biomarkers can also be used to determine the type and/or stage of prostate cancer.

An energy transfer apparatus includes a microwave cavity for transfer of energy to substances fed through the cavity. Various reaction or heating methods may be implemented using the cavity, including a method of pyrolysis of organic substances, such as polychlorinated organic substances, as a continuous process.

A method for controlling a converter including a resonant circuit, where the converter is controlled such that control switches are switched into a first state at the occurrence of an event that is related to a dependent variable of the converter and are switched into a second state at the occurrence of an event that is not related to a dependent variable of the converter. The method may be employed in a converter or an inductive power transfer transmitter.

The invention can provide a lens system for removable connection to a portable programmable device which includes a camera. This lens system can be arranged in various embodiments to modify the field of view experienced by this camera, and in specific embodiments can modify the direction of this cameras field of view. The invention can also be used to provide software capable of executing on a portable programmable device, in addition to providing a light pipe to redirects light used as a photographic flash in applications where the invention modifies the direction of view of a camera.

The invention is a rotational sensor to sense an object's angle and methods to analyse the sensor output. The sensor has a first emitting source, to either emit onto, or from the object, a first receiving sensor, to receive emissions from the first emitting source, either directly or indirectly, the emissions received dependent on said angle, first receiving sensor outputting a first signal a course measurement of the angle. Also present is a second emitting source, to emit onto, or from the object and a second receiving sensor, to receive emissions from the second emitting source, either directly or indirectly the emissions received again dependent on said angle, second receiving sensor outputting a second signal, as a fine measurement of the angle. A method of use of the sensor is disclosed together with a method of combining the fine and course measurements to output a signal with zero error.

Disclosed is a fastener to engage and hold a first member to a second member. Fastener has a clip member adapted to install into a first aperture on the first member, the clip member having, a main body and a clipping tongue biased away from the body to engage the aperture. The clip also has a mounting portion extending outwardly. A washer can pass over the mounting portion and the washer has an extension to pass between and wedge the main body and the clipping tongue apart. A fastener then engages the mounting portion to secure the clip member, washer, and second member, to the first member.