Abstract: Voice-activated telephone call connection method and corresponding voice server. According to the invention, the voice server (SV) comprises customised directories (A1, A2, A3, . . . ) associated with voice recognition patterns (M1, M2, M3, . . . ). These directories are continually updated. The request from the user (U1, U2, . . . ) is processed, firstly, by the voice server using the customised directory and, if the request is not successful, secondly, using the public directory (30), with the same dialog.

Abstract: A telephone caller reception system for use by subscribers when they are unavailable. According to the invention said system comprises a data server (11) containing an electronic diary specific to the subscriber, an interface (22,22,23) for providing the subscriber with access to the data server (11) for consulting and updating data, a voice server (12) including a reception service capable, in conjunction with the electronic diary, of composing messages to callers concerning the availability of the subscriber, and means (22,24) for providing a caller with access to the voice server (12). Application to telephone services.

Abstract: The sports bag of the present invention is preferably used for the transport and storage of hockey equipment. The bag comprises a base to which side walls and end walls are hingedly connected. The bag can occupy a planar configuration, when the base, side walls and end walls are co-planar, or in a closed configuration, when the walls are hinged upwardly from the base and connected to each other, preferably by zippers, at adjacent edges to define an interior space. Pockets disposed on the interior surfaces of the bag are made of material, such as nylon mesh, which allows air to circulate through the pockets, expediting evaporation of moisture from an item of sports equipment or clothing inside a respective pocket. In the planar configuration, the bag may be suspended vertically from a hanger to minimize the space required for air-drying of the sports equipment items in the pockets.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for the topical treatment of androgen-related conditions, e.g., acne in humans containing an amount of the compound represented by formula II effective for the topical treatment of the androgen-related conditions, e.g., acne ##STR1## dissolved in an alcohol-water solvent system, such as ethanol-water ?97.6:2.4(w/w)! and having an apparent pH in the range of about 3.5 to 4.5, and containing a gelling agent are disclosed.

Abstract: Arrays of extended crystalline and non-crystalline structures are created using light beams coupled to microscopic polarizable matter. Polarizable matter adopts the pattern of an applied, patterned light intensity distribution. Further, polarizable matter itself scatters applied light, resulting in production of a stable, bound configuration of that matter. Alternatively, polarizable matter can simultaneously adopt the pattern of an applied patterned light intensity while the incident light scattered by the matter itself acts further to organize the matter. Dielectric, semiconductor, metal, molecular, atomic and biological matter can be organized using light to fabricate numerous devices including mechanical and optical filters, self-organizing Bragg lasers, templates for epitaxy, photonic semiconductors, optical components including holograms and diffractive optical elements as well as two dimensional membranes of living biological cells.