Abstract: hSLNAC1 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing hSLNAC1 polypeptides and polynucleotides in the design of protocols for the treatment of certain diseases and diagnostic assays for such conditions.

Abstract: Three unique control DNA sequences of the glial fibrillary acidic (gfa) protein gene have been identified upstream of its basal promoter that are capable of regulating astrocyte-specific transcription of the human gene for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). One or more of those three regions alone or together with the SV40 early promoter and SV40 enhancer control expression of endogenous or heterologous protein in astrocytes. Transgenic animals expressing amyloid protein can be prepared and used as a model for evaluating Alzheimer's disease. Many heterologous proteins can be expressed in the astrocytes so as to take advantage of the growing list of astrocyte functions. Such proteins include hormones, growth factors, and their receptors. Examples include basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic FGF (aFGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1, IGF-2), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factors .beta.-1 and .beta.-2 (TGF.beta.1, TGF.beta.

Abstract: Sphere of application: underwater oil production installations using electrical and hydraulic interconnections between the various assemblies of the underwater station such as well heads, control modules, manifolds and the like.A remote-controlled multiconnector-pod assembly 1a, 1b is located on an underwater base on which is anchored a hollow tube 10 having an upper edge 10a.A disconnectable tool is suspended at the support plate 20 and is provided by a connection jack 30 with a mechanical connector 40 designed to grip on to a mandrel 5 which is integral with the pod.The tool is anchored by jacks 23 and 24 and holes 10b, while the pod is locked into the tube 10 by bolts 6 which extend into the holes 10c of the tube.With this system it is possible to install the pod by remote control and then to raise the tool so as to prevent any danger of it being damaged by sea corrosion.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling for immersed pipelines, of which one has a collar at its end.The device comprises a toothed counter-flange (3) placed against the collar (1a) of the tube to be repaired (1), a tubular body (2) welded by one end to the end of the tube to be assembled with the tube to be repaired (1) provided at its opposite end with an annular abutment (4) and on which tubular body (2) is placed by locking means (5), a mobile assembly comprising a spacer (6) forming the mobile jack body and an internal annular shoulder (6a) of which serves as a piston and defines at least one jack chamber, said spacer (6) cooperating at one of its ends with said locking means (5) and carrying at its other end a toothed flange (7) associated with resilient clamping maintenance means (8), as well as means for moving the locking means (5).

Abstract: A collar forming machine for the repair of submerged pipelines is provided comprising a forming module having the central shaft (10) passing through the body (12) of a main jack, a piston (18) sliding on the shaft and carrying at its end a forming punch (13), the shaft carrying in its part intended to penetrate inside the tube to be repaired internal locking means (14) to be forcefully applied to the inner face of the wall of the tube and capable of transferring the forming force to the tube itself, further comprising external locking means (17) applied to the external face of the wall of the tube to prevent deformation thereof.

Abstract: Seal comprising annular baseplate 5, carried on the surface of shaft 7, and main annular body 2, with annular metal reinforcement 3, comprising a continuous spring cast into the body, said annular body 2 being connected to baseplate 5 via flexible neck 4, and extended by lip 1, the exterior annular surface of which bears on the bore sidewall of tube 6, so that when an axial thrust, exerted by mobile actuator part 9, is applied to said annular body 2, the body is straightened, pivoting with respect to baseplate 5, and lip 1 bears on the sidewall of tube 6.Applications in the petroleum industry, in particular for the repair of pipes, and testing tubes at high pressures.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to measurement of the rate of advance of a drill bit from a floating drilling installation. The process includes joining a point of the drilling system, fixed in translation with the movement of the drill string, at the lower extremity of which is a drill bit, to a fixed point solid with the ground, by a cable of constant length passing through a pulley system fixed to the floating drilling installation, to measure the angular displacements of different pulleys of the pulley system and to derive from them magnitudes representing the rate of advance of the drill bit. This procedure, applied to a floating drilling system, eliminates the effect of vertical movements, that is swells or waves, from the measurements.