Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating or preventing a disease or condition associated with or characterised by fibrosis, comprising administering an effective amount of a chymase inhibitor simultaneously or sequentially with an effective amount of a tryptase inhibitor, to a subject in need thereof. Also provided are chymase and tryptase inhibitors for use in these methods.

Abstract: In some examples, a device can be used for measuring a length of a wear indicator on a brake assembly. The device includes a moveable component configured to move based on contact with the wear indicator. The device also includes a sensor configured to detect a displacement of the moveable component. The device further includes processing circuitry configured to determine the length of the wear indicator based on the displacement of the moveable component detected by the sensor.

Abstract: In one example, a structure is provided that includes a plastic body having a unitary, single-piece construction. The plastic body further includes a substantially hollow interior, and a parting line that extends around a portion of the perimeter of the structure. The structure also includes a solid compression molded element that is integral with the plastic body. The solid compression molded element is configured and arranged such that the parting line is not connected to the solid compression molded element.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes positioning a tool in a mold, forming a parison of melted plastic, closing the mold around the parison and tool such that part of the tool is positioned between a portion of the mold and the parison, creating a blow molded structure by inflating the parison so that the melted plastic comes into contact with an interior portion of the mold and into contact with the tool, and after the mold is closed, operating the tool to form an integral compression molded element within the mold, and a parting line formed by the mold in the blow molded structure forms no part of the integral compression molded element.

Abstract: In some examples, a device can be used for measuring a length of a wear indicator on a brake assembly. The device includes a moveable component configured to move based on contact with the wear indicator. The device also includes a sensor configured to detect a displacement of the moveable component. The device further includes processing circuitry configured to determine the length of the wear indicator based on the displacement of the moveable component detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A benchmarking tool generates reports for delivery to a merchant illustrating a performance of the merchant as compared to the performance of the merchant's peers. The performance is illustrated through metrics that algorithmically combine data on transactions of consumers with the merchant or its peers, respectively. The metrics may be further subdivided into consumer groups such as new consumers, consumers that have shopped within the merchant in the past, consumers that no longer shop within the merchant, or consumers that use a commercial account to pay for purchases. The reports may be rendered in a graphical display for use by the merchant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified manufacturing method for provision of a sound tube with a pre-formed shape, especially a sound tube for use in a BTE (Behind-The-Ear) hearing aid utilizing a holder with an external surface for imparting the shape of the surface to the sound tube, a first attachment element that is adapted to receive and hold a first connector at a first end of the sound tube, and a second attachment element that is adapted to receive and hold a second connector at a second end of the sound tube thereby keeping the sound tube in abutting contact with at least parts of the external surface whereby the external surface imparts the shape of the surface to the sound tube.

Abstract: A benchmarking tool accesses a database comprising a plurality of transaction records, each of the records comprising transaction data on a purchase transaction. A first subset of the transaction records is determined that occur within a predetermined time period and are associated with a first merchant. A second subset of the transaction records is determined that occur within the predetermined time period and are associated with a merchant peer group. The first subset of transaction records are processed to determine a first metric for the first merchant. The second subset of transaction records are processed to determine a second metric for the merchant peer group. The first metric is compared to the second metric to indicate performance of the first merchant relative to performance of the merchant peer group.

Abstract: A merchant supplies a requested offer for inventory to a consumer when the consumer is within a predetermined distance from the merchant. The merchant transmits a merchant identifier, a description of the inventory of the merchant that the merchant is willing to make an offer on, the offer, and instructions to transmit the offer to the consumer making the request for the inventory when the consumer is within the predetermined distance. The merchant receives notice that the offer has been made to the consumer. The consumer accepts the merchant's offer by entering into a transaction with the merchant for the requested inventory that applies the offer to the transaction. The value of the offer may be based on a parameter such as the transaction history of an account associated with the consumer within a payment processing system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified manufacturing method for provision of a sound tube with a pre-formed shape, especially a sound tube for use in a BTE (Behind-The-Ear) hearing aid utilizing a holder with an external surface for imparting the shape of the surface to the sound tube, a first attachment element that is adapted to receive and hold a first connector at a first end of the sound tube, and a second attachment element that is adapted to receive and hold a second connector at a second end of the sound tube thereby keeping the sound tube in abutting contact with at least parts of the external surface whereby the external surface imparts the shape of the surface to the sound tube.

Abstract: In response to a consumer's request for inventory, an merchant supplies a requested offer for inventory to a consumer when the consumer is within a predetermined distance from the merchant. The merchant transmits a merchant identifier, a description of the inventory of the merchant that the merchant is willing to make an offer on, the offer, and instructions to transmit the offer to the consumer making the request for the inventory when the consumer is within the predetermined distance. The merchant receives notice that the offer has been made to the consumer. The consumer accepts the merchant's offer by entering into a transaction with the merchant for the requested inventory that applies the offer to the transaction. The value of the offer may be based on a parameter such as the consumer's distance from the merchant or the consumer's transaction history for an account associated with the consumer within a payment processing system.

Abstract: An merchant supplies a requested offer for inventory to a consumer when the consumer is within a predetermined distance from the merchant. The merchant transmits a merchant identifier, a description of the inventory of the merchant that the merchant is willing to make an offer on, the offer, and instructions to transmit the offer to the consumer making the request for the inventory when the consumer is within the predetermined distance. The merchant receives notice that the offer has been made to the consumer. The consumer accepts the merchant's offer by entering into a transaction with the merchant for the requested inventory that applies the offer to the transaction. The value of the offer may be based on a parameter such as the transaction history of an account associated with the consumer within a payment processing system.

Abstract: A benchmarking tool generates reports for delivery to a merchant illustrating a performance of the merchant as compared to the performance of the merchant's peers. The performance is illustrated through metrics that algorithmically combine data on transactions of consumers with the merchant or its peers, respectively. The metrics may be further subdivided into consumer groups such as new consumers, consumers that have shopped within the merchant in the past, consumers that no longer shop within the merchant, or consumers that use a commercial account to pay for purchases. The reports may be rendered in a graphical display for use by the merchant.

Abstract: An automated communication system supplies a requested offer for inventory to an offeree based on the distance between an offeror-merchant to the offeree. A consumer can request an in-person offer for inventory using a consumer device that transmits to a Requested Offer Supplier (ROS) the request, the location of the consumer device to a Requested Offer Supplier (ROS), and a return address. The ROS matches the consumer's request for inventory to a set of merchants having the requested inventory, and that are willing to make an in-person offer for the requested inventory. The ROS transmits the in-person offer to the consumer with the consumer device. The customer may then travel to the offering merchant and enter into a transaction with the merchant for the requested inventory that applies the in-person offer to the transaction.

Abstract: An automated communication system supplies a requested offer for inventory to an offeree based on the offeree's transaction history. A consumer can request an offer for inventory using a consumer device that transmits to a Requested Offer Supplier (ROS) the request, information pertaining to an account in a payment processing system, and a return address. The ROS matches the consumer's request for inventory to a set of merchants having that inventory that are willing to make an offer for the requested inventory based on the consumer's transaction history. The ROS transmits the offer to the consumer via the return address. The consumer accept the merchant's offer by entering into a transaction with the merchant for the requested inventory that applies the offer to the transaction.

Abstract: A non friction motor driven telescoping row based seating system having a direct drive motor apparatus for engaging a drum which winds and unwinds interconnected drive carriages on said drum to provide telescoping and retraction movement to the seating system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power system for extending and retracting a telescopic row seating system, comprising a drum operably anchored to a drum frame, wherein a drum has at least two drum shafts rotatably engaged thereto. Further, it includes a plurality of interconnected drive carriages adapted for connection to a telescopic seating system to extend and retract the telescopic seating system, drive carriages being configured to selectively mateably wind onto and off from the drum as the drum is rotated. The power mechanism comprises a motor, a motor frame, at least two motor shafts extending from each side of the motor. The drive shaft is connected by the plurality of coupling means, a drum shaft one side and a motor shaft on the other providing motion to rotate the drum.