Abstract: A ground-based haptic interface equipped with at least two decoupled rotary finger actuators adapted to be manipulated with the fingertips of a single hand of a user. For each finger actuator, a means are included for measuring the angular position of the actuator or for measuring the torque applied on the axis of rotation of the actuator. Each rotary finger actuator is associated with a control motor adapted to apply, on the axis of rotation of the actuator, a torque that is a function of the angular position of the actuator, or that controls the rotational position of the axis of rotation of the actuator as a function of the torque applied on this axis. The haptic interface can be used as a peripheral of a computer, for example, for interacting with a virtual environment. It can also be applied to the control or manipulation of real objects by being coupled, for example, with a robot or a manipulating arm. The interface also can be telemanipulated.

Abstract: A ProNGF inhibitor for preparing a drug, said drug being in particular useful for blocking remote dissemination and cell invasion in patients suffering from cancer, in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of a silica monolith according to a process known as a “sol-gel process” that comprises the following steps: hydrolysis of a silicon alkoxide in order to form a hydrolysis precursor followed by a condensation of said hydrolysis precursor in the presence of an organic solvent, in the presence of water and of a basic catalyst in order to form oligomeric clusters containing several silicon atoms; dispersion of said oligomeric clusters in a solution in order to form a sol; polymerization of the sol in order to obtain a gel via a first heat treatment, at a temperature below the boiling point of the constituents of the sol; drying of the gel via a second heat treatment including an exposure of the gel to around 90° C. for at least 24 hours followed by an increase in temperature, under vacuum, between around 90° C. and around 180° C., said temperature increase being between 0.1/min and 5° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a triaxial cell for testing geomaterials on specimens. The triaxial cell has at least one piston for subjecting a specimen to stress directed along the longitudinal axis of the specimen. Hydraulic means are provided for subjecting the lateral wall of the specimen to a stress, under the pressure of a fluid. The cell has at least one sealed test chamber-in which the specimen is placed, and a circuit for the controlled pressurization of said test chamber with a fluid, called the pressurizing fluid, and for the controlled draining of said fluid therefrom. The cell has mechanisms for subjecting the specimen to a tensile force, which are configured for removably fastening it between two attachments intended to move apart or closer together under the action of the piston so as to subject said specimen to longitudinal stress or on the contrary to remove the load therefrom.

Abstract: The invention concerns a coaxial automatic impedance adaptor characterized in that it comprises two slugs and has only a lateral translational movement along an axis Ox. The double slug tuner principle is based on the movement of two line segments of different characteristics of 50 O inside a closed cylinder on either side of standard connectors.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating age-related macular degeneration, the apparatus comprising a light source which, in operation, serves to emit a therapeutic light beam presenting an emission wavelength lying in the range 1.2 ?m to 1.3 ?m, and preferably equal to 1.26 ?m to 1.27 ?m. The laser source is preferably comprises an optical fiber Raman laser.

Abstract: The microstructured optical fibre comprises a core (4) surrounded by a sheath (1) comprising a base material having a refraction index (ni) and a plurality of at least two different types of inclusion: a first type of inclusion (2) having a refraction index n2 (n2>n1), and a second type of inclusion (3) having a refraction index n3 (n3<n1). The inclusions (2, 3) are arranged and dimensioned in such a way as to ensure guidance, by total internal reflection (RTI), of a fundamental mode of the light, centred on a wavelength ?RTI, and of a fundamental mode of the light in the first photonic forbidden band (BG1), centred on a wavelength ?BG1, which is different to that ?RTI of the fundamental mode guided by total internal reflection (RTI).

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated system for microfluidic analysis of a liquid sample comprising a liquid sample preparing means (100) which is provided with a displacement means (101) for introducing the sample and reagents and for transmitting said sample and reagents to a second means (200) for chemically or biochemically treating the liquid sample drops, wherein said treating means comprises also means (201) for displacing sample drops to means (300) for drop analysis. Said invention is particularly suitable for a laser radiation desorption device comprising a system for manipulating the sample and reagents in the form of drops, which is provided with one or several loading posts, one or several transport paths consisting of interdigitated electrodes, one or several chemical or biochemical treatment areas and at least one system for switching to a conductive post on which a laser radiation desorption can be carried out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collar for measuring the lateral deformation of a test piece during uniaxial or triaxial compression tests. According to the invention, the collar includes a metal hoop or a hoop that is made from composite materials, which can clasp the test piece and which is open. The free ends thereof are separated by a distance ?. The inventive collar also includes a mechanism for directly or indirectly measuring the distance ?. Between the free ends of the hoop, the mechanism includes at least one strain gauge.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the in vitro diagnosis of breast cancer which consists in determining the presence of NGF in a biological sample derived from a patient suspected of suffering from breast cancer. Said method may be used both in early diagnosis, screening, therapeutic follow-up and prognosis, and in the diagnosis of relapse in the case of breast cancer. The present invention also concerns the use of an NGF binding partner or of an NGF inhibitor for preparing a medicinal product, said medicinal product being in particular useful for blocking tumor proliferation and remote dissemination in patients suffering from breast cancer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a coaxial automatic impedance adaptor characterized in that it comprises two slugs and has only a lateral translational movement along an axis Ox. The double slug tuner principle is based on the movement of two line segments of different characteristics of 50 O inside a closed cylinder on either side of standard connectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process that makes it possible to improve the mechanical strength of bonds between substrates when these bonds are produced by means of an adhesive that comprises a resin that can be cured by chain polymerization, and in particular a resin that can be cured under the effect of ionizing or light radiation. This process is characterized in that it comprises the grafting of groups capable of acting as chain transfer agents during the polymerization of said resin to the surface of the substrates, before the latter are brought into contact with the adhesive. Applications: assembling of structural, engine, passenger compartment or bodywork parts in the aeronautical, space, railway, ship-building and automotive industries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collar for measuring lateral deformation of a test piece during uniaxial or triaxial compression tests. According to the invention, the collar includes a metal hoop or a hoop that is made from composite materials, which can clasp the test piece. When the hoop is open, the free ends thereof are separated by a distance ?. The inventive collar is also equipped with a measurement device for directly or indirectly measuring the distance ?. Between the free ends of the hoop, the device can be a linear variable differential transformer-type probe. The invention also relates to a protective sleeve for the test piece, which can co-operate with the collar.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for in vitro diagnosis of cancer, in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer, which consists in determining the presence of ProNGF in a biological sample derived from a patient suspected of suffering from cancer, in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer. Said method may be used for early diagnosis, screening, therapeutic follow-up, prognosis and for diagnosing relapses in cancer and in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer. The present invention also concerns the use of a ProNGF inhibitor for preparing a drug, said drug being in particular useful for blocking remote dissemination and cell invasion in patients suffering from cancer, in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer. The invention is applicable in the field of diagnosis and therapeutics.

Abstract: The absolute input device with passive force feedback comprises a mobile end-effector (5) in a work area that is divided into at least two distinct adjacent areas: one isotonic area (I) and one passive elastic area (E).

Abstract: The eye is positioned relative to a detection device in such a manner as to co-operate with the device to form a Fabry-Perot cavity having a main optical axis and comprising two opposite reflecting faces on the main optical axis, one of these two faces being constituted by a stationary reflecting element and the other being formed by the cornea of the eye. An incident laser beam is injected into said cavity so as to be centered on the main optical axis of the Fabry-Perot cavity, the cornea is aligned laterally and longitudinally relative to the main optical axis in such a manner as to obtain longitudinal interference between the go and the return laser beams reflected between the two reflecting faces of the cavity, and an optoelectronic detector is used to detect the intensity I of said interference as a function of time. The invention is applicable to measuring intraocular pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparation of a biomaterial containing at least one bioactive molecule from a base biomaterial, characterized by the following successive operations carried out on the aforesaid base biomaterial: a) application of a solid mixture of: cyclodextrin(s) and/or cyclodextrin derivative(s) and/or cyclodextrin inclusion complex(es) and/or cyclodextrin derivative inclusion complex(es), at least one poly(carboxylic) acid, and optionally a catalyst; b) heating at a temperature between 100° C. and 220° C. for a period of 1 to 60 minutes; c) washing with water; d) drying, and wherein at least one bioactive agent is incorporated in the biomaterial by impregnation of the biomaterial after the drying step in a concentrated solution of bioactive agent.

Abstract: The invention concerns improved methods for studying peptides/proteins expression in a tissue section or for determining at least one compound, in particular a protein, expression map in a tissue section, using ionic MALDI matrices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collar for measuring lateral deformation of a test piece during uniaxial or triaxial compression tests. According to the invention, the collar includes a metal hoop or a hoop that is made from composite materials, which can clasp the test piece. When the hoop is open, the free ends thereof are separated by a distance ?. The inventive collar is also equipped with a measurement device for directly or indirectly measuring the distance ?. Between the free ends of the hoop, the device can be a linear variable differential transformer-type probe. The invention also relates to a protective sleeve for the test piece, which can co-operate with the collar.

Abstract: A method for improving the flowability of a mixture that contains wax and other hydrocarbons, which method comprises adding to the mixture an amount of a dendrimeric hyperbranched polyester amide.