Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a semi-active suspension control system that utilizes controllable dampers for the purpose of improving maneuverability and vehicle hull stabilization. The disclosed semi-active control system can work in conjunction with a height management unit and on vehicles having variable ride heights, and hull stability and maneuverability can be achieved regardless of vehicle payload and ride height.

Abstract: A method for doing an optimization of the performance envelope initially authorized for an existing rotorcraft engine (M) to enable the engine (M), to be used in an optimized performance envelope that is different from the performance envelope initially authorized for the engine, is remarquable in that this optimization is compensated by modifying the total service life of the engine (M).

Abstract: The invention is directed to the induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization via the physical and functional interaction of the HIV-1 Vpr protein with the mitochondrial inner membrane protein ANT (adenine nucleotide translocator, also called adenine nucleotide translocase or ADP/ATP carrier). Reagents and methods for inducing and/or inhibiting the binding of Vpr to ANT, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, and apoptosis are provided.

Abstract: Method for testing optical fibre connection quality of an optical drop fibre between a telecommunications system and a subscriber connection box in a multi-dwelling unit or other subscriber premises before connection to other subscriber equipment comprises placing the end of the optical fibre to be tested in a fibre-holding device, which holds the fibre end in alignment with a suitable reflective body; providing an optical signal from the system direction which is reflected by the said reflective body back towards the system; and detecting the reflected signal by a suitable instrument, preferably an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), to confirm acceptable signalling quality of the optical path between the system and the fibre end.

Abstract: A method for doing an optimization of the performance envelope initially authorized for an existing rotorcraft engine (M) to enable the engine (M), to be used in an optimized performance envelope that is different from the performance envelope initially authorized for the engine, is remarquable in that this optimization is compensated by modifying the total service life of the engine (M).

Abstract: The invention is directed to the induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization via the physical and functional interaction of the HIV-1 Vpr protein with the mitochondrial inner membrane protein ANT (adenine nucleotide translocator, also called adenine nucleotide translocase or ADP/ATP carrier). Reagents and methods for inducing and/or inhibiting the binding of Vpr to ANT, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, and apoptosis are provided.

Abstract: A chimeric polypeptide has the formula: pTox-pTarg, wherein pTox is a viral apoptotic peptide, such as the Vpr peptide of HIV-1 or a fragment of the Vpr peptide of HIV-1 containing the amino acid motif H(F/S)RIG that interacts with mitochondrial inner membrane, adenine nucleotide translocation (ANT) protein of a cell. pTarg is an antibody or an antibody fragment that binds to the outer membrane of the cell. Binding of the chimeric polypeptide to the cell is followed by apoptosis of the cell. A vector encoding a chimeric polypeptide and a recombinant host cell comprising the vector are provided. The chimeric polypeptide us useful for targeting pTox to cells, such as cancer cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization via the physical and functional interaction of the HIV-1 Vpr protein with the mitochondrial inner membrane protein ANT (adenine nucleotide translocator, also called adenine nucleotide translocase or ADP/ATP carrier). Reagents and methods for inducing and/or inhibiting the binding of Vpr to ANT, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, and apoptosis are provided.

Abstract: Method for enabling a telecommunications service provider, in particular in the field of prepaid mobile services, to reward certain service customers on the basis of characteristics, chosen by the service provider, without having to interfere with billing systems. To this end, the chosen characteristics are stored and kept up to date in a database, in the form of a user profile and the data relating to rewards in a rewards database; the rewarding takes place at the moment the customer wishes to recharge his prepaid card.

Abstract: A chimeric polypeptide has the formula: pTox-pTarg, wherein pTox is a viral apoptotic peptide, such as the Vpr peptide of HIV-1 or a fragment of the Vpr peptide of HIV-1 containing the amino acid motif H(F/S)RIG that interacts with mitochondrial inner membrane, adenine nucleotide translocation (ANT) protein of a cell. pTarg is an antibody or an antibody fragment that binds to the outer membrane of the cell. Binding of the chimeric polypeptide to the cell is followed by apoptosis of the cell. A vector encoding a chimeric polypeptide and a recombinant host cell comprising the vector are provided. The chimeric polypeptide is useful for targeting pTox to cells, such as cancer cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization via the physical and functional interaction of the HIV-1 Vpr protein with the mitochondrial inner membrane protein ANT (adenine nucleotide translocator, also called adenine nucleotide translocase or ADP/ATP carrier). Reagents and methods for inducing and/or inhibiting the binding of Vpr to ANT, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, and apoptosis are provided.

Abstract: A splice closure including a frame having a partition wall to define front and rear access areas for the closure. The frame carries one or more splice trays on a first surface portion making the splices accessible from the front or first access area. A slack storage compartment is provided on the second surface portion. The slack storage compartment includes one or more pairs of opposing sidewalls that define an access opening for the slack that is accessible from the rear access area. An extension member for the frame is disclosed for obtaining greater amounts of slack from the cable, such as for a taut sheath cable splice. A tandem longitudinal arrangement of splice trays is also disclosed and may be used for a taut sheath ring splice or for repairing a severed cable. A method is disclosed for making a taut sheath optical fiber splice to the severed cable.

Abstract: A device for protecting the end of a high or very high tension electric cable having synthetic insulation from the effects of insulation breakdown, comprises an insulator and a metal enclosure defining a gastight chamber around said end, which chamber contains dielectric gas under pressure and that is separated from ambient air by a rupture disk provided in the metal enclosure. The device further includes a circularly symmetrical collar protecting said insulator and extending inside the chamber around said cable and terminating in a toroidal rim having a convex face directed towards the cable beyond the breakdown zone inside the chamber and at its end distant from the rupture disk. The device is applicable to protecting the end of a very high tension cable.

Abstract: Vehicle able to lay a specially designed track formed from elements (5, 6, 7) joined end to end. The vehicle (8) advances along the track and carries a track element on the carriage. When it reaches the end of the track, the carriage is lowered so that the element can be fitted into the preceding element. The elements are of different types so as to permit track height and direction changes.

Abstract: Vehicle able to lay a specially designed track formed from elements (5, 6, 7) joined end to end. The vehicle (8) advances along the track and carries a track element on the carriage. When it reaches the end of the track, the carriage is lowered so that the element can be fitted into the preceding element. The elements are of different types so as to permit track height and direction changes.

Abstract: A servicing apparatus for installing a piece of equipment horizontally on a submerged unit and for removing it therefrom, comprises a movable servicing module designed to engage on the upper part of the submerged unit, pivot thereabout and lock against it in a horizontal position, and a cradle supporting the piece of equipment. The cradle is carried, by means of connections allowing transverse adjustment, by sliding supports mounted in the servicing module, and movable longitudinally by means of jacks. Mutual engagement means are provided on the submerged unit and on the piece of equipment to ensure that the latter is positioned accurately on the unit.

Abstract: A device for the disconnectable coupling of a support toggle joint of a gripper to the end of a slave arm of a remote manipulator. The arm and toggle joint each have a case in which are located means for transmitting movements to the gripper. The coupling device comprises at least two latches pivotably mounted on one of the cases and which are able to occupy a coupling position in which they bear against pins fixed to the other case. This couples the toggle joint to the end of the arm and the latches can also occupy a position in which they are disengaged from the pins in order to disconnect the toggle joint. The retractable locking means normally immobilizes the latches with respect to the case supporting them when the latches occupy the coupling position. The invention also provides a disconnection support for the coupling device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator and to its application to the position servocontrol for a master-slave remote manipulator.The actuator comprises a box or case in which are housed an electric motor, a slightly or non-reversible reducing gear and a torsion bar connecting the led part of the gear to an actuating plate outside the box. Potentiometers make it possible to define the position of the led part with respect to the box and the force applied to the torsion bar. Thus, it is possible to artificially provide the gear with good reversibility characteristics.Application to any movement control in robotics and particularly to the production of miniaturized master arms, master-slave remote manipulators with force return and without either a cable or belt, and to the control of heavy arms.

Abstract: A telescopic remote manipulator includes a rotary passage block which passes through a partition, a telescopic master arm having upper and lower segments, and a telescopic slave arm having upper, intermediate and lower segments. The arms are articulated by their upper segments on the passage block by pins. A control handle and gripping member are respectively mounted on the free ends of the master and slave arms. Means are provided for transmitting to the gripping member movements of the handle and include cable means associated with the master arm and cable means associated with the slave arm, both coacting with a rotary shaft in the passage block to transmit the handle movements to the gripping member. The slave arm cable means pass over pulleys carried by a mobile carriage positioned externally of the slave arm and then on pulleys mounted on the slave arm in the vicinity of its shoulder pin.

Abstract: Remote manipulating assembly of the type comprising a movable platform carrying a telescopic supporting or carrying assembly at the end of which a remote manipulation arm can be displaced within an enclosure, wherein the platform is located within a wall of the enclosure, at least one opening being provided in the wall to permit the introduction of the telescopic carrying assembly of axis AA into the enclosure, and wherein the platform is provided with a hood within which the telescopic carrying assembly and the remote manipulation arm can be completely contained, the hood also being provided in its opening part with means for the tight connection to the wall of the enclosure cooperating with sealing means provided in the opening, and having at its other end means for controlling the displacements of the telescopic carrying assembly, while also having connection and supply means for the displacements of the remote manipulation arm, together with its operation and the operation of its tools.