Abstract: A method determining heat loss coefficient K of a premises, includes: in unoccupied premises, performing a campaign of measurements of at least one temperature inside the premises Tik at closely-spaced time intervals over at least two successive time periods Dk corresponding to distinct heating powers Ptotk of the premises; determining temperature of outside air Tek at the same closely-spaced times; for each time period Dk, on the basis of evolution Tik(t) of a quantity Tik as a function of time, selecting a time interval ?tk for which the evolution Tik(t) is substantially linear, then determining the slope ?k of the tangent to the evolution Tik(t) over this time interval ?tk, and deducing the value of the heat loss coefficient K of the premises on the basis of the slopes ?k.

Abstract: A basin includes a basin body that can house a device for athletic activities for executing physical exercises in an aquatic environment. The device for athletic activities includes a frame that can be removably housed in the basin body. With the basin body including at least two opposite walls, at least one of the opposite walls defines a wall extension forming a projection into the basin body, with the free end of the wall extension including a device for receiving/holding one end of the frame. The frame includes a cassette that can move in translation along an axis of displacement and a drive system for moving the cassette along the axis of displacement. The cassette includes a body, with the cassette body being provided with at least one hole that laterally passes through the cassette body for accommodating a pedal system making it possible to perform physical exercises.

Abstract: A method determining heat loss coefficient K of a premises, includes: in unoccupied premises, performing a campaign of measurements of at least one temperature inside the premises Ttk at closely-spaced time intervals over at least two successive time periods Dk corresponding to distinct heating powers Ptotk of the premises; determining temperature of outside air Tek at the same closely-spaced times; for each time period Dk, on the basis of evolution Tik(t) of a quantity Tik as a function of time, selecting a time interval ?tk for which the evolution Tik(t) is substantially linear, then determining the slope ?k of the tangent to the evolution Tik(t) over this time interval ?tk, and deducing the value of the heat loss coefficient K of the premises on the basis of the slopes ?k.

Abstract: A screw fastener system includes a plate having formed therein, centered on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the plate: a circularly generally cylindrical orifice of depth h and of cross-section equal to D, an orifice of cross-section equal to d less than D, and a housing, the orifices being situated on either side of the housing, the height of the housing being equal to H and its width having a value L not less than D, and a fastener screw constituted by a shank carrying a thread, the section S of the shank being no greater than the value d, and a head arranged for screwing into the cylindrical orifice, the height E of the head being no greater than the height H of the housing. The system is applicable to fastening implants such as spinal or other osteosynthesis plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structured mixed phase formed by the incorporation of a biological macromolecule into a liquid-crystal phase of amphiphiles, preferably a lamellar phase, wherein said biological macromolecule is present in said structured mixed phase in an amount of at least 5% by weight, based on the amphiphilic compounds constituting said liquid-crystal phase of amphiphiles, and wherein at least one of the two entities consisting of the biological macromolecules, on the one hand, and all the amphiphilic compounds, on the other, is of an uncharged nature. The biological macromolecules incorporated into the structured mixed phases of the invention are preferably selected from polynucleotides, particularly DNA or RNA, proteins and polysaccharides. The invention further relates to vesicles obtained by dispersion of the above structured mixed phases.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel media in the form of complex dispersions, method for preparing same and their uses. Said media consist of a first medium in the form of droplets wherein is dispersed a phase containing organized double layers of surfactants, preferably in the form of multilamellar vesicles, said droplets being in emulsion in a second medium called continuous phase non-miscible with the first medium. Said media can be used as base for cosmetic compositions. They can contain active principles, in particular for controlling their release and/or protecting and/or controlling their pH. They can also be used to make polymer microspheres containing an active principle. They are also useful as antigen vector.

Abstract: A process and device for characterising complex fluids such as emulsions, gels, surfactant solutions and others and appliances resulting therefrom for characterising fluids on the basis of the process used. The process comprises simultaneously managing the device controlling the preparation process and the measuring device. The results of the measurements and the parameters controlling the preparation process are displayed on a common computer screen in real time, thereby enabling to establish a correlation between measurements, observation and control of the process. Two devices are disclosed, a first which is a single-function device for characterising complex fluids being manufactured, and a second, which is a multiple function device for use in laboratory formulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structured mixed phase formed by the incorporation of a biological macromolecule into a liquid-crystal phase of amphiphiles, preferably a lamellar phase, wherein said biological macromolecule is present in said structured mixed phase in an amount of at least 5% by weight, based on the amphiphilic compounds constituting said liquid-crystal phase of amphiphiles, and wherein at least one of the two entities consisting of the biological macromolecules, on the one hand, and all the amphiphilic compounds, on the other, is of an uncharged nature.

Abstract: A composition containing a plurality of multicellular vesicles and at least one nucleic acid, at least one part of which is found included inside the multilamellar vesicles. Each of the vesicles is formed of a succession of lamellar bi-layers extending from each vesicle center to its periphery and including at least one surfactant agent. The bi-layers are concentric and are separated by a liquid medium. Such compositions can be used in pharmaceutics, particularly gene therapy, and in in vitro and in vivo transfection.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composition containing at least one nucleic acid a part of which at least is enclosed in multilamellar vesicles, characterised in that said vesicles consist of two layers comprising at least one surfactant, the said two layers being concentric and giving said vesicles an onion-like structure. The surfactants used are non-cationic surfactants. The invention concerns the use of such compositions in pharmaceutics, particularly in gene therapy and in in vitro and in vivo transfection.

Abstract: Method of making a product adhere to a surface, in which a composition is brought into contact with the surface, the composition containing the product incorporated in substantially spherical, multilamellar vesicles, with a diameter of between 0.1 and 100 &mgr;m, and including concentric membranes based on at least one surfactant and separated by a solvent medium. Each of the vesicles has an onion-like structure formed of a succession of concentric bi-layers extending from each vesicle center to its periphery, and containing therein at least one cationic agent, resulting in the vesicles carrying a positive overall charge.

Abstract: Multilamellar lipid vesicles are prepared by a two-step method. In the first step, a sterol is completely dissolved in a mixture comprising an aqueous solvent and a surfactant. In the second step, a lipid surfactant is added to a solution resulting from the first step, to prepare a homogeneous lamellar liquid crystal phase or a liquid crystal phase suspension in water. The liquid crystal phase or liquid crystal phase suspension can then be converted into multilamellar lipid vesicles.

Abstract: Novel active principle carriers containing non-ionic surfactants are disclosed. The surfactants mainly consist of sucrose and fatty acid esters and form onion-structured microcapsules within which the active material is encapsulated. Compositions suitable for use as food, diet food, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, containing at least one active materiel or additive encapsulated in said microcapsules, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of microcapsules with controlled sizes in which a homogeneous liquid crystal lamellar phase is prepared comprising at least one surfactant and at least one solvent and, if need be, one substance to be encapsulated. The invention is characterized in that the lamellar phase is subjected to constant shearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an odoriferous composition containing a dispersion of microcapsules consisting of at least one surfactant with an odoriferous ingredient encapsulated therein.A method for preparing said compositions and their use for giving off a scent for repelling animals are also disclosed.