Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating noise-induced hearing loss, the method including the step of administering an A1 adenosine receptor agonist to a patient in need thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment the A1 adenosine receptor agonist is a selective A1 adenosine receptor agonist.

Abstract: Blade assemblies are provided in a number of forms. These blade assemblies may have blades secured to disks (blisk), rings (bling) and drums (blum). The blades and/or the rotor elements formed by these rings, drums or disks can fragment and it is necessary to contain such fragments within a casing. Impact energy has a significant effect upon the necessary thickness of the casing to ensure containment. By providing blades as well as rotor elements which incorporate discontinuities which provide flexing under impact, energy is absorbed prior to further fragmentation upon impact engagement with a casing surface; flexing is about the discontinuity. In such circumstances casings may be thinner and therefore significant weight savings achieved with regard to aircraft incorporating gas turbine engines having blade assemblies with discontinuities.

Abstract: International regulations for aerofoils within gas turbine engines require the safe containment of a released aerofoil. The blade fragments must be contained within an engine casing. Smaller fragments will generally be easier to contain within the casing and therefore reduce the weight of that casing. However introducing lines of weakness may result in cavities and holes which are subject to moisture ingress and problems associated therewith. By providing a root section which incorporates a core having shear surfaces, blades can be designed which in normal use are subject to compressive loads and remain operational, but when subject to impact loads or bending forces create tension forces which cause fragmentation along the shear surfaces after initial energy losses by slippage. By providing the shear surfaces in cores their location is encapsulated avoiding problems with moisture ingress.

Abstract: A fan blade for a gas turbine engine has an aerofoil part and a root part. The root part includes a root former; the root former 18 includes a zone of weakness, which reduces the ability of the root part to withstand an impact force. Thus, in an impact situation in which the fan blade has separated from the fan rotor and the fan blade has itself separated into fragments, the root part will fracture or buckle more easily than would be the case with conventional arrangements. This will lower the impact force of the root part upon the fan casing, thus permitting the fan casing to be designed to withstand lower impact forces. The fan casing can therefore be made lighter, and cheaper, than in conventional arrangements.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a rotary component comprises an aerofoil member and a displacement apparatus on the aerofoil member for displacing a detached first portion of the aerofoil member in a rearward direction relative to a second portion of the aerofoil member. On failure of the aerofoil member, the displacement apparatus displaces the first portion from the second portion in the rearward direction.

Abstract: Software publishers generally want to produce on demand software CDs or DVDs as required for purchases to avoid maintenance of the stock of product. All of the CDs or DVD contents and graphics have to be uploaded and maintained. Physical on demand allows one to sell physical copies of software created to order. No extra inventory remains and there is no need to dispose of obsolete products. Furthermore, clients generally want to produce on demand software CDs as required for purchases and avoid maintenance of the stock of product. With physical on demand fulfillment process, there will be no concerns surrounding backorder or cancellation of orders.

Abstract: A visual feedback aid, for a computer system performing speech recognition functions, provides indications on a display monitor of the system representing the current state of operation of a system microphone, the current mode of operation of the system in respect to speech, and a string of text representing the system's recognition (correct or incorrect) of commands instantly spoken into the microphone. The indications preferably are located in a reserved area of a display window associated with a currently active application involving speech recognition. The reserved area preferably would be a prominent one, such as the application title bar.

Abstract: In a personal communications device having a touch sensitive display screen, text may be marked by a user to be used with different applications. In particular, to begin marking, a user has to maintain his touch at a location on the screen for a short predetermined period of time until the system detects that the position is held over the same character for a delayed period, at which time the system beeps to provide an indication that there has been a change of operation mode. The marking mode continues in operation until the user removes his contact from the touch screen. Thus, text over which the contact point passes after the initiation of the marking mode is marked, until the user removes his contact point from the touch screen. A second beep is sounded to alert the user of the termination of the marking mode, and the appearance of a menu of operations on the screen. The menu of operations echoes the marked text for user confirmation.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle is provided with at least one stabilizing device comprising first and second members formed from endless bands of flexible impermeable material attached at first edges to the underside of the vehicle so as to extend downwardly therefrom and terminate at second edges. The first member surrounds the second member and is spaced therefrom so that in operation pressurized air from a source on the vehicle passes downwardly between the members to flow from between the second edges in the form of an air curtain which builds up and maintains a localized cushion of pressurized air within the stabilizing device.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle has a flexible skirt assembly including an inflatable bag member. When inflated, the bag member is supported by a reticulated member, so that loads acting on the bag member are transferred to the reticulated member. Preferably a buffer material is interposed between the bag member and the reticulated member to prevent chafing of the bag member by the reticulated member.