Abstract: The present invention decribes reagents free of detectable contaminating nucleic acids for performing highly sensitive and specific nucleic acids amplification and/or detection. It relates to an improvement in the technology of nucleic acid inactivation prior to nucleic acid testing (NAT) in order to prevent false-positive results. Specifically, this invention describes optimized and standardized reagents and ultra-violet treatment to achieve an effective and highly reproducible nucleic acid inactivation prior to NAT without substantially affecting the performance of the assay. More specifically, this nucleic acid inactivation process resulted in a reduction of up to four logs of the background signal associated with the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification of DNA contaminating PCR reagents. This optimized and standardized method is also adaptable for use with NAT technologies other than PCR.

Abstract: This invention describes a rapid (10 to 15 minutes), simple, flexible and efficient method of nucleic acids extraction for nucleic acid testing assays. This method has the following basic steps: i) mechanical cell lysis using solid particles in the presence of a chelating agent, followed by ii) controlling the presence and/or activity of NAT assays inhibitors. This method is applicable to various biological samples and universal for microorganisms, as one can use it to extract nucleic acids from test samples containing target viruses, bacteria, bacterial spores, fungi, parasites or other eukaryotic cells, including animal and human cells.

Abstract: A process for automatically controlling a hydraulic servovalve with a hydraulic slide valve displaced by a rotary actuator. The process includes a first loop for automatically controlling the delivery as a function of the measurement of the angular position of the rotary actuator and a second automatic control loop with variable control as a function of the pressure measurement. The first automatic control loop is a proportional action loop whose increase is constant for the absolute values of the pressure deviation which are less than at least a threshold value and then varies in an increasing manner for absolute values of the pressure deviation which are greater than the same threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to probes and primers for the detection of periodontal pathogens such as Bacteroides forsythus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens. As well, the invention relates to rapid and sensitive methods for the detection and identification of periodontal pathogens from an oral sample taken from a patient. Diagnostic kits for the detection and identification of periodontal pathogens in an oral sample from a patient, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for the control of a hydraulic slide valve. The hydraulic valve being put into motion by a motor and by a draw-back spring, the device including structure for controlling the rotational direction of the motor as a function of its positional error, the control structure being, in turn, controlled by a signal given by a correction circuit, the transfer function (K(s)) of which corrects a jet effect that is exerted on the slide valve. The device has application to hydraulic systems requiring large passbands.

Abstract: The method of recalibrating an energy management processor of a battery of accumulators consists, at the end of a defined period of time, in initiating a process of recalibration of evaluation of the quantity of electrical energy contained in the battery, in completely recharging the battery, in detecting the end of the complete recharge of the battery, in performing a partial discharge of the battery, in measuring the quantity of electricity extracted during this discharge, in leaving the battery to rest for a defined time, in totally discharging the battery at a low current while measuring the quantity of electricity thus extracted from the battery, in adding the said two quantities of electricity measured in order to obtain the value of the maximum capacity of the battery at the moment of the recalibration.

Abstract: The device according to the invention includes at least one rotational actuator fitted with a return spring and a connecting rod connected to the rotational actuator to transmit a linear movement to a mechanical part. The rotational actuator is moved by a rotational electromagnet whose angular position is controlled by a pulsed, periodic current. The device also includes apparatus for removal of the magnetizing energy stored in the electromagnet.

Abstract: The adherence of a wheel to a braking track is defined by a point of operation that is variable on an adherence curve as a function of the slip of the wheel. In operation, the braking torque servo control parameter utilized is the sign of the variation of the slope of the adherence curve at the above-mentioned point of operation. The braking torque is servo-controlled in such a way that this point of operation is the same as the point of maximum adherence of the adherence curve.

Abstract: A device is provided for regulating a combustion engine whose operation is governed by a set of parameters P.sub.i (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.n), including essentially an assembly of "m" regulation loops for regulating "m" parameters (with m.ltoreq.n), a set of "q" sensors (with q=n-m) for measuring the parameters which are possibly not regulated and a regulator common to the assembly of these "m" loops, for providing, from the different references and the values detected by the different sensors, a signal controlling the different actuators so as to ensure the evolution of each of the regulated parameters, in connection with the evolution of all or part of the other parameters, regulatable or not, regulated or not and for maintaining the engine at all times in a condition of optimum operation.

Abstract: A spark ignition system for a gas turbine electronically controls the cycle of charge and discharge of a spark generator of the capacitive type. There is a function generator (5) which derives a reference voltage as a function of the speed of the turbine and possibly of other parameters. A charge control (6) for the capacitive cell (9) and a spark frequency control (7) are controlled by the reference voltage. Reignition in the case of flame extinction is controlled by an opto-electronic arrangement (11, 12, 13) which drives a reignition circuit (14), when flame extinction is detected. The reignition circuit produces a voltage which is superimposed on and over-rides the speed reference voltage to activate the system to produce ignition at a start condition.The system can be used for ignition of a gas turbine, especially a turbo-compressor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with M cylinders having an electronic ignition system, a pistons position sensor having a set of M+1 identical conductive members, which are synchronous with rotation of the engine's crankshaft. M of the conductive members are regularly spaced. Two fixed detectors adjacent the rotating members sense the members and supply identical electrical signals. The detectors are spaced to provide the signals out of phase by an amount that is substantially higher than the maximum ignition advance of the engine. Electronic circuits process the signals from the two detectors, include a first circuit that supplies a synchronization signal for the cycle igniting the engine, and a second circuit, which supplies two representative synchronization signals of the static advance and of the maximum dynamic advance during ignition.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system for an internal combustion engine allowing precise control of the instant of ignition of the air-fuel mixture, in which the mechanical components, particularly the high voltage distributor, are eliminated. This system comprises a transducer delivering two cyclic sequences of signals synchronous with the position of the stroke of the pistons, means for controlling the instant of emission of the sparks in all the operational states of the engine, distributing means supplying release signals to spark generators connected to the spark plugs. Application to internal combustion engines, particularly to multicylinder engines.

Abstract: An electronic control for an internal combustion engine, and for precisely controlling the instant at which the ignition sparks are emitted. It is fitted with an electronic contact breaker and with sensors for measuring physical parameters characteristic of the conditions under which the engine is operating. This control comprises two channels whose operation is mutually exclusive, namely a first channel which operates when the engine is started and is idling, and a second channel which operates when the engine is running at high speed and under load.The control is applicable to electronic ignition systems for internal combustion engines with controlled emission.