Abstract: A disk drive and method are disclosed for using a mailbox file associated with a disk storage medium for performing a function characterized by contents of the mailbox file. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a disk drive comprises a disk storage medium having a first range of disk drive host interface addressable locations accessible by a host computer operating system, at least one of the addressable locations being used to designate a mailbox file. The disk drive comprises a disk controller for responding to a command from the host computer operating system that references the mailbox file to perform a function characterized by contents of the mailbox file.

Abstract: Whether or not a sample of skin or of a skin equivalent contains such amount of a papillary fibroblast population as to be considered a normal skin is determined by labelling said skin or skin equivalent with at least one antibody specific for papillary fibroblasts and evaluating the extent of such labelling as a marker for skin or skin equivalent quality.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for hydrocyanation of ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds comprising at least a nitrile function. The invention provides a method for hydrocyanation of an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon compound by reacting in liquid medium the hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal element selected among transition metals and an organophosphorous ligand, characterised in that the organophosphorous ligand is a furylphosphine. The invention is in particular useful for synthesizing adiponitrile from butadiene.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for hydrocyanation of ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds into compounds comprising at least a nitrile function. More particularly, it concerns a method for hydrocyanation of organic compounds comprising at least a ethylenical bond by reacting hydrogen cyanide, in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a transition metal and an organophosphorus ligand. The organophosphorus ligand is a compound with monophosphanorbornadiene structure. The invention concerns in particular hydrocyanation of butadiene into adiponitrile.

Abstract: A method is described of preparing (poly)isocyanurate polyisocyanates by catalytic cyclotrimerization of isocyanates. A catalytic system is used which includes a cyclotrimerization catalyst based on a quatemary ammonium salt and imidazole as a cocatalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of hydrocyanation of ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds to compounds having at least one nitrile function, particularly the hydrocyanation of diolefins such as butadiene, or of substituted olefins such as alkene nitrites such as pentenenitriles; the subject hydrocyanation is carried out in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a metallic element and mono- and pluri-dentate organophosphorus ligands.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel aminothiol ester compounds having the general formula (I): and to a method for preparing them and to their use in pharmaceutical compositions intended for use in human or veterinary medicine (cancers and precancers, dermatological, rheumatic and ophthalmological complaints in particular) or in cosmetic compositions. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition, characterized in that it comprises, as active agent, a compound of general formula (I) in combination with a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable support.

Abstract: A machine for presenting a tire with the axis horizontal, allowing access to the inside of the tire, which has a frame bearing an upright on which a support for the tire is mounted for vertical translation, the support ensuring on its own the holding and rotation of the tire about its axis by being in contact with the latter solely via a toric section of the tire, this section being arranged substantially vertically when the tire is installed on the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heteropolysaccharide (HP) characterized in that it can be obtained by fermentation of a medium comprising at least one strain of Pseudomonas sp I-2054 (or DSM 12295), one of the recombinants thereof or the mutants thereof and a source of carbon which can be assimilated by said strain, one of the recombinants thereof or one of the mutants thereof. The invention also relates to a method for the production and use of said heteropolysaccharide as a thickening agent and/or gelling agent.

Abstract: Hydraulic binders, such as cements, mortars with enhanced aging properties, are described. More particularly, hydraulic binders based on mineral silicates are described having greater aging strength, a method for making said binders and their uses and articles obtained from same. An organic compound comprising two hydrophilic functions and a hydrophobic chain such as adipic acid are added to the hydraulic binder to slow down the water uptake rate of said binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing stabilized compositions based on polyamide. The stabilizer is a phosphorus stabilizer selected from phosphorous acid and hypophosphorous acid. It is introduced before or during the polymerization of the polyamide. The use of these stabilizers prevents foaming phenomena.

Abstract: Composition for fabric care, in particular for cotton-based fabrics, comprising nanoparticles or a nanolatex of a polymer which is insoluble under the direct and/or indirect working conditions of the said composition in an aqueous or wet medium. The composition may be a solid or liquid detergent formulation, a liquid rinsing and/or softening formulation, a tumble dryer additive placed in contact with the wet fabrics in a tumble dryer, an aqueous ironing formulation or a prespotter placed on the dry fabrics prior to a washing operation.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods of preparing a recombinant viral vector, within a procaryotic cell, by intermolecular homologous recombination, methods of preparing an infectious viral particle containing the recombinant viral vector and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said vector or particle. The invention also encompasses the therapeutic use of said vector or particle, especially in human gene therapy.

Abstract: Hardening fixture for simultaneous hardening of a multitude of sawblades, comprising a bottom plate against which the lower ends of the sawblades are supported, vertical pillars and side plates with lateral openings, where guiding strips and distance elements keep the sawblades parallel close to each other without compressive force, where the structural parts are made from graphite with a surface coating not containing carbon.

Abstract: The invention concerns a polypeptide having a uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (UPRTase) by mutation of one or several residues of the UPRTase. The invention also concerns a nucleotide sequence coding for the UPRTase mutant, a vector for expressing the latter, a viral particle, a host cell, and a composition containing them. The invention further concerns their therapeutic use and a treatment method using them. The invention is particularly useful in the context of therapy by suicide genes, in particular, for treating proliferative and infectious diseases.

Abstract: C-glycoside compounds are suited for stimulating the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans containing a D-glucosamine and/or N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residue, advantageously hyaluronic acid, and/or proteoglycans, advantageously proteoglycans containing hyaluronic acid, by fibroblasts and/or keratinocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA sequence encoding a modified Cry1Ab protein that has insecticidal activity. The invention further relates to a method for producing insect resistant plants by introducing into the genome of the plants a foreign DNA comprising such a modified cry1Ab coding sequence. The invention further relates to plants or parts thereof comprising in their genome the modified cry1Ab coding sequence of the present invention.

Abstract: Photoprotective cosmetic/dermatological compositions well suited for the UV-photoprotection of human skin and/or hair, comprise (a) particulates of at least one insoluble mineral and/or organic UV-screening agent having a particle size ranging from 5 nm to 5 ?m and (b) a stabilizing amount of at least one amphiphilic polymerizate of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer which comprises a sulfonic group, whether in the free acid or in partially or totally neutralized state, and which amphiphilic polymerizate also comprises at least one hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: A process is described for recycling catalysts in the reaction for the oxidation of alcohols and/or ketones to carboxylic acids and more particularly the oxidation of cyclic alcohols and/or cyclic ketones to dicarboxylic acids, such as the oxidation of cyclohexanol and/or cyclohexanone to adipic acid. This process involves treating the solution comprising the oxidation catalyst, before it is recycled, with an ion-exchange resin which makes it possible to selectively separate the iron from the other metal elements, in particular from copper and from vanadium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3, 4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels. In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and the second mechanical connections allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.