Abstract: A method for fixing a first fluid within a second fluid which includes the steps of mixing the first and second fluids together and subjecting the first and second fluids to an electric field and a high voltage corona like electric discharge. The method can be used, for example, to increase the oxygen content of water. It can also be used for the treatment of waste effluent. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a fluid passageway defined between inner and outer elongated conduits with a preferably spirally configurated baffle means in the passageway and a plurality of electrode needles extending into the passageway.

Abstract: A circuit is arranged to provide a thermal shutdown signal in response to an overtemperature condition. The thermal shutdown circuit is typically implemented in the same die as the circuitry that is to be protected. The thermal shutdown circuit provides a first current in response to a change in temperature when a VBE associated with a transistor decreases below a predetermined level. The first current is mirrored to provide a scaled current. A thermal shutdown signal is activated when the scaled current becomes greater than a reference current. The first current is increased in response to the activated thermal shutdown signal such that the thermal shutdown circuit is deactivated at a temperature that is lower than the temperature at which the circuit is activated. The thermal shutdown circuit is deactivated when the temperature of the die decreases.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vector for introducing a molecule (X) having at least an amino-terminal end into a eukaryotic cell, characterised in that it consists of an association of a cell incorporating module enabling membrane translocation, and an uniquitin module or other related peptide capable of conjugation, said vector having a carboxy-terminal end designed to be fused by peptide bond to the amino-terminal end of said molecule (X). The invention is characterised in that said vector is rapidly destroyed after separation from said molecule (X). The invention also concerns any molecule vectorised by such a vector.

Abstract: A method for fixing a first fluid within a second fluid which includes the steps of mixing the first and second fluids together and subjecting the first and second fluids to an electric field and a high voltage corona like electric discharge. The method can be used, for example, to increase the oxygen content of water. It can also be used for the treatment of waste effluent. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a fluid passageway defined between inner and outer elongated conduits with a preferably spirally configurated baffle means in the passageway and a plurality of electrode needles extending into the passageway.

Abstract: A device for applying electrostatic and magnetic fields to a fluid includes an outer conduit 48 and an inner conduit 50 forming a fluid passageway 86 therebetween. The inner conduit is connected to a DC power source and the outer conduit along with electrode needles 84 in electrical communication therewith are connected to ground. A baffle 82 is positioned within the passageway to impart a spiral motion to the fluid flowing therein.

Abstract: A device for controlling the interaction of a tip and a sample includes a deformable element carrying the tip and means for positioning the tip with respect to the sample. The device also includes at lest two electrodes for creating an electrical field that exerts a force. The deformable element is preferably elastically deformable and includes advantageously a cantilever. According to a method for controlling the interaction of a tip and a sample, the tip carried by a deformable element is positioned with respect to the sample and the interaction of the tip and the sample is controlled by creating an electric field using a voltage between at least two electrodes. This electrical field exerts a force on the tip. Applications are to atomic force microscopy (AFM) and to nano-indentation measurements.

Abstract: There is provided a method for recycling steam producing cylinders such as used for humidification purposes. The method comprises opening the old cylinder (10), removing the electrodes (12) from respective electrode support rods (16), cleaning the cylinder (10) to remove all deposits therefrom, forming new electrodes (48) of a non magnetic material to have a thermal exchange similar to the removed electrodes (12), soldering the new electrodes (48) to respective electrode support rods (16), and rescaling the cylinder (10).

Abstract: A microwave antenna element suitable for constituting one of the elements of an array, the antenna element being capable of transmitting or receiving two orthogonally-polarized microwaves. The antenna element is constituted by a cavity containing two orthogonal excitation probes separated by a polarization-selective obstacle forming both a short-circuit plane for the microwave transmitted by the top probe, and also a patch for the microwave transmitted by the bottom probe. Another patch is common to both of the interlaced antennas. A third patch which is polarization-selective in the sense that it is transparent for the microwave transmitted by the bottom probe, may also be provided.