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: At least one example embodiment discloses a conditioning system including a first roller, a second roller, a first drive system configured to rotate the first roller in a first rotational direction and rotate the second roller in a second rotational direction and a second drive system configured to move the first roller and the second roller in opposing linear directions, the first drive system and the second drive system being configured to cooperatively control the first roller and the second roller to process a substance.

Abstract: A compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics including an infeed roller and an outfeed roller that are fixed positioned parallel to one another as to define a compaction zone, a pressure roller that is movable and positioned above the compaction zone as to be self-centering between the infeed roller and the outfeed roller and as to define an infeed nip-point between the infeed roller and the pressure roller and an outfeed nip-point between the outfeed roller and the pressure roller, and a saddle assembly positioned within the compaction zone, the saddle assembly including a bed liner having an upper surface facing the pressure roller and a lower surface opposite the upper surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing payment transfers are disclosed. The system may allow senders to remit payments to receivers. The system may receive a payment request. The system may execute a payment risk analysis on the payment request to determine a risk assessment. Based on the risk assessment, the system may invoke a payment processor to complete the payment request. The payment processor may transmit a debit pull to a sender bank. In response to receiving the debit pull the sender bank may debit the payment amount from a sender account from the sender data. The payment processor may transmit a credit push to a receiver bank. In response to receiving the credit push the receiver bank may credit the payment amount to a receiver account from the receiver data.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a conditioning system including a first roller, a second roller, a first drive system configured to rotate the first roller in a first rotational direction and rotate the second roller in a second rotational direction and a second drive system configured to move the first roller and the second roller in opposing linear directions, the first drive system and the second drive system being configured to cooperatively control the first roller and the second roller to process a substance.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting laser pulses is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present system detects an extrasolar laser pulse, ideally repeated pulses, by observing the pulse, characterizing the pulse, and confirming the data related to the pulse.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting laser pulses is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present system detects an extrasolar laser pulse, ideally repeated pulses, by observing the pulse, characterizing the pulse, and confirming the data related to the pulse.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting laser pulses is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present system detects an extrasolar laser pulse, ideally repeated pulses, by observing the pulse, characterizing the pulse, and confirming the data related to the pulse.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting laser pulses is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present system detects an extrasolar laser pulse, ideally repeated pulses, by observing the pulse, characterizing the pulse, and confirming the data related to the pulse.

Abstract: A tracking device for use when performing astrophotography comprises a guider camera and at least one tilt stage, with the topmost of the tilt stages arranged to support an astrophotography camera and the guider camera. Actuators are coupled to the tilt stages such that the astrophotography and guider cameras can be tilted about three axes. The guider camera and actuators are connected to electronics which include a computer programmed to operate in a calibration mode and a tracking mode. In calibration mode, a calibration procedure determines the effect of each actuator on the positions of at least two objects within the field-of-view (FOV) of the guider camera. In tracking mode, the actuators are operated as needed to maintain the positions of the at least two objects constant within the said FOV.

Abstract: A system for monitoring sleep quality, as well as sensing movement in the proximity of the sensor, uses sensitive electronics to sense electric field fluctuations in its vicinity. Such fluctuations can be caused by, for example, cloth rubbing on skin or against bedsheets, or feet shuffling across a floor, all of which produce static charge. The static charge is not stable, since either the source is moving, or cloth is touching and pulling away from skin and altering the charge distribution. Even movement through the air of an object leads to charging of the object. A static charge sensor is connected to a microprocessor which detects and logs such charge fluctuations, and preferably transmits the data to a handheld computing device either using Bluetooth or wireless means. The hand-held device preferably analyzes the data to score the quality of a user's sleep, or to capture nearby movement of any entity.

Abstract: A tracking device for use when performing astrophotography comprises a guider camera and at least one tilt stage, with the topmost of the tilt stages arranged to support an astrophotography camera and the guider camera. Actuators are coupled to the tilt stages such that the astrophotography and guider cameras can be tilted about three axes. The guider camera and actuators are connected to electronics which include a computer programmed to operate in a calibration mode and a tracking mode. In calibration mode, a calibration procedure determines the effect of each actuator on the positions of at least two objects within the field-of-view (FOV) of the guider camera. In tracking mode, the actuators are operated as needed to maintain the positions of the at least two objects constant within the said FOV.

Abstract: A SIM card adaptor for allowing use of a smaller format SIM card in an electronic device using a larger format SIM card is provided. The SIM card adaptor may include, an adaptor body having a cutout region defined by walls in the adaptor, the cutout region preferably shaped to receive the smaller format SIM card therein; and the adaptor body may be sized and shaped for use in the electronic device using the larger format SIM card, and wherein the adaptor body includes plastic and/or nylon, carbon fiber, aluminum, or similar material capable of withstanding heat levels up to at least about 200° Fahrenheit without degradation.

Abstract: An adaptor is shaped for allowing use of a micro SIM card in a mini SIM card implemented device. An adaptor body is shaped like a micro SIM card and may include a cutout region for receiving a micro SIM card therein.

Abstract: An adaptor is shaped for allowing use of a micro SIM card in a mini SIM card implemented device. An adaptor body is shaped like a micro SIM card and may include a cutout region for receiving a micro SIM card therein.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an off-line manner to a continuous paper sheet web that is later used for cigarette manufacture. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an on-line manner to continuous paper web moving through an operating cigarette making machine. The coating formulation is applied to the paper web using roll applicator techniques, ink jet printing techniques or electrostatic precipitation techniques. Liquid coating formulation are curable, and are virtually absent of solvent or liquid carrier. Radiation, such as ultraviolet or electron beam radiation, is used to solidify and fix polymerizable liquid components of the coating formulation that have been applied to the paper web.

Abstract: An additive material is applied to a substrate, such as a paper web used as a wrapping material for cigarette manufacture. A predetermined pattern of additive material is applied to the outer surface of the wrapping material of a formed cigarette, and most preferably of a formed filtered cigarette. In particular, an application system for applying additive material of a controlled type, in a controlled manner and in a controlled location on the wrapping material of a formed two-up filtered cigarette rod is located within a tipping machine. During controlled rotation of each such formed rod (e.g., due to cooperation of a transfer drum and a laser cam), additive material is applied to the outer surface of a desired location of the wrapping material of each such rod.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a stator for an electric motor. The apparatus includes a plurality of stator components assembled together to form a generally annular stator core. A wire is wrapped around at least a portion of the stator core to form a stator winding. A first generally annular end plate and a second generally annular end plate are mounted to axially opposite sides of the stator core such that the stator core is axially trapped and retained therebetween. A fastener applies a clamping load to the first and second end plates such that the stator core is compressed therebetween. The clamping load from the fastener is applied directly to the first and second end plates which distribute the clamping load to the stator core such that the plurality of components are held together without the fastener directly applying the clamping load to the stator core. A corresponding method for providing a stator is similarly provided.

Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second, third and optional fourth differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, up to four selectable torque-transfer devices. The selectable torque transmitting devices are engaged to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and up to three mechanically fixed speed ratios. The torque transmitting devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a control unit that regulates electric power interchange an energy storage device and a motor/generator for causing selective torque generation by the motor/generator and for controlling engagement of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The control unit is configured to place the torque-transmitting mechanism in slipping engagement to launch the vehicle and thereby decouple a fixed relationship between engine torque and motor/generator torque or between engine torque and torque at the output member. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle powertrain is also provided.