Abstract: A water-dispersible and substantially non-combustible liquid vitamin composition comprising one or more of Vitamins A, D3 and E, or a precursor thereof, and an emulsifier, an alkyl lactate and water.

Abstract: A compact, highly flexible and efficient, multi-positionable, multi-dimensional and multi-stage gas-fired heat exchanger system as described. The system is connectable in a forced air duct regardless of the angular position and size of the duct. The heat exchanger comprises one or more heat transfer tubes which are shaped and dimensioned as dictated by the customized use of the heat exchanger. The tubes are secured to a support panel as well as the gas burner associated with each of the inlet openings of the tubes. A position orientable gas valve is secured to a gas distribution manifold. A turbulator may be associated with at least some of the tubes to cause turbulence in the hot combustion flow in each of the tubes to modify the efficiency in heat transfer along one or more sections of the tubes by directing hot combustion gas along an inner circumferential wall of the tubes.

Abstract: To connect a connection element (12) to one end (10A, 10B) of the strip (10) from which the swaging ring is made, the connection element is placed against said end in such a manner that at least one anchor edge (14) of the connection element (12) is in register with said end, and pressure is exerted on the connection element (12) so as to displace the material of said end (10A, 10B) of the strip that lies beneath the connection element (12) while forming a fixing member (15) in said end that is suitable for co-operating with said anchor edge so as to hold together the connection element and said end of the strip.

Abstract: A water-dispersible vitamin composition containing Vitamins A, D3 or E, or a precursor thereof, an alkyl lactate and an emulsifier and is substantially free of water.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel class of heterocyclic compounds. Compounds of the invention contain a substituted, unsaturated five, six or seven membered heterocyclic ring that includes at least one nitrogen atom and at least one carbon atom. The ring additionally includes three, four or five atoms independently selected from carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen atoms. The heterocyclic ring has at least one substituent located at a ring position adjacent to a ring nitrogen atom. This mandatory substituent of the ring includes a moiety (B), linked to the heterocyclic ring via a carbon-carbon double bond, a carbon-carbon triple bond or an azo group. The mandatory substituent is positioned adjacent to the ring nitrogen atom. Invention compounds are capable of a wide variety of uses. For example heterocyclic compounds can act to modulate physiological processes by functioning as agonists and antagonists of receptors in the nervous system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of lactic acid and calcium sulphate, in which (a) an aqueous solution that contains lactate is reacted with sulphuric acid at a temperature that is essentially higher than the transition temperature of calcium sulphate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O), with the formation of a mixture that contains calcium sulphate hemihydrate and lactic acid, (b) the mixture from step (a) is subjected to at least one recrystallisation step at a temperature that is essentially lower than the transition temperature of calcium sulphate dihydrate, with the formation of a precipitate of calcium sulphate dihydrate and an aqueous solution of lactic acid, and (c) the precipitate of calcium sulphate dihydrate is separated off from the aqueous solution of lactic acid.

Abstract: A crimping ring comprises a rolled-up piece of metal strip (10). A first connection means formed at the first end (12) comprises a first setback overlap surface (16) together with at least one female member (18) recessed from said first surface. A second connection means formed at the second end (14) comprises a second setback overlap surface (20) together with a male member (22) formed to project from said second surface. On connection, the male member (22) is engaged in the female member (18) and is fixed thereto, while the overlap surfaces (16, 20) are disposed one against the other so as to define a connection zone of thickness that is substantially equal to the thickness of the main portion of the strip.

Abstract: A system for connecting a tube (10) to a flexible hose (14) having an endpiece (12). One of the two parts constituted by the tube and the endpiece is suitable for fitting in the other of said two parts in a coupling situation, in which first and second locking means (26, 30) belonging respectively to the endpiece and to the tube co-operate for locking the connection. The endpiece has first and second rings (16, 18) disposed one after the other on a first of the inside and outside faces (15A) of the hose (14), and a tubular body (22) which is placed on the second of said faces (15B) . A sealing gap (20) is organized between the rings (16 and 18), and the gasket for sealing the connection is formed by a swelling (24) of hose material occupying said gap.

Abstract: The method shares available bandwidth on a common link in a communication network among a plurality of data flows which are transmitted via the common link. The method is used by a processor and includes sharing reserved bandwidth included in the available bandwidth among the plurality of data flows, and sharing unreserved bandwidth among the plurality of data flows according to a respective unreserved data packet share which is associated to each one of the plurality of data flows. The unreserved bandwidth is included in the available bandwidth in excess of the reserved bandwidth. The sharing of the unreserved bandwidth includes associating to one of the plurality of data flows a respective adaptable administrative weight and determining the respective unreserved data packet share which is associated to the one data flow as a function of its respective adaptable administrative weight.

Abstract: An aqueous low temperature oxidation (ALTO) process wherein a catalyst or catalyst precursor constituted of a solids support, or powder component, and a metal, or metals component, inclusive of cobalt, is oxidized, reduced and rendered catalytically active for conducting carbon monoxide hydrogenation reactions. The cobalt catalyst or cobalt catalyst precursor is thus contacted at low temperature with an oxidant in the presence of water (e.g., water to which an oxidant is added), sufficient to oxidize the cobalt metal, or metals component of the catalyst or catalyst precursor. On reduction, the hydrogenation activity of the cobalt catalyst is increased. All or a portion of the cobalt metal of the catalyst precursor is oxidized to form a Co2+ cationic or oxo-anionic species at least during the initial phase of the reaction.

Abstract: A compact, highly flexible and efficient, multi-positionable, multi-dimensional and multi-stage gas-fired heat exchanger system as described. The system is connectable in a forced air duct regardless of the angular position and size of the duct. The heat exchanger comprises one or more heat transfer tubes which are shaped and dimensioned as dictated by the customized use of the heat exchanger. The tubes are secured to a support panel as well as the gas burner associated with each of the inlet openings of the tubes. A position orientable gas valve is secured to a gas distribution manifold. A turbulator may be associated with at least some of the tubes to cause turbulence in the hot combustion flow in each of the tubes to modify the efficiency in heat transfer along one or more sections of the tubes by directing hot combustion gas along an inner circumferential wall of the tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to purified proteins induced in human cells by interferon &agr; or &bgr;, RNAs, DNAs and hybrid vectors coding for said proteins, hosts transformed with such a hybrid vector, processes for the preparation and purification of these proteins, DNAs, vectors and hosts, monoclonal antibodies specific to these proteins, monoclonal antibody derivatives, hybridoma cell lines secreting these monoclonal antibodies, the use of the monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives in the qualitative and quantitative determination of these proteins, test kits containing the monoclonal antibodies, and pharmaceutical preparations containing said proteins. A protein of the invention shows antiviral properties ascribed to interferons and may be a valuable indicator of the cell response to an interferon therapy.

Abstract: A device for coupling together in leaktight manner two smooth tubes disposed end-to-end, the device comprising a sleeve which diameter can be reduced by a tightening action, and a sealing ring (24) suitable for being disposed inside the sleeve so as to surround the ends of the two tubes. The ring is constituted by a looped flat strip (26) having two longitudinal ends (26a, 26b) suitable for coming into contact with each other when the sleeve is tightened around the tubes (20, 22). The first longitudinal end of the ring is provided with a notch (28), while the second longitudinal end of the ring is in the form of a tongue (30) suitable for being inserted into the notch. Both the width of the tongue and also the width of the notch taper in the direction going along the strip from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end.

Abstract: To facilitate integration of electronic equipment into a system, a functional first connector of the electronic equipment is separated from a grounding second connector. In this way it is possible to test the dielectric capabilities of the electronic equipment in the laboratory and in situ and it is a simple matter to provide an electrical safety connection with conforms to a standard. In one example, the second connector includes a nut and a bolt.

Abstract: A stable liquid vitamin E formulation having at least 60 wt % vitamin E comprises water, potassium sorbate, propylene glycol, 1-propanol, polyethylene glycol 400 monooleate and vitamin E oil. The formulation is free of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and has a viscosity at 20° C. of less than about 1000 cPs.

Abstract: An integrated exhaust nozzle and thrust reverser for a turbojet engine is provided. The exhaust nozzle comprises an exhaust duct situated within a fairing (9), a set of hot flaps (14) at a downstream end of the duct, a set of cold flaps (16) at a downsteam end of the fairing (9), and a thrust reverser (30). The thrust reverser comprises two eyelids (31, 32) which are movable between a thrust reversal position wherein they project into the duct and a forward-thrust position. In a takeoff mode, the eyelids (32, 33) are moved away from each other by one or more actuators (50) acting on arms (33, 34) pivotably connected to the eyelids (31, 32). Movement of the eyelids (31, 32) from the reverse-thrust position to the forward-thrust position, or vice-versa, is implemented by control actuators (35, 36).

Abstract: To facilitate integration of electronic equipment into a system, a functional first connector of the electronic equipment is separated from a grounding second connector. In this way it is possible to test the dielectric capabilities of the electronic equipment in the laboratory and in situ and it is a simple matter to provide an electrical safety connection with conforms to a standard. In one example, the second connector includes a nut and a bolt.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly for a jet powerplant of a supersonic airplane comprising a rear structure fitted with a thrust reverser. The rear structure includes a primary multi-flap nozzle of variable cross-section situated downstream of a primary duct, a secondary multi-flap nozzle of variable cross-section situated downstream of a secondary duct enclosing the primary duct and a fairing enclosing the secondary duct and fitted with a throat downstream of an exhaust orifice of the secondary nozzle, the throat being followed by a diverging portion. The thrust reverser comprises two eyelids affixed in a pivotable manner to the fairing, one on each side to of an axial plane of symmetry. The eyelids are movable between an active, thrust-reversal position wherein the eyelids project transversely into a gas jet downstream of the fairing to deflect the gas jet in a forward direction for thrust-reversal and an inactive, forward-thrust position wherein the eyelids are situated in an extension of the fairing.

Abstract: A carbureted flameholder (30) with optial cooling is provided for a bypass turbojet-engine. The flameholder (30) comprises a body (34) which extends radially into the primary flow. The body (34) is formed by a V-dihedral having two outer plates (35, 36) which intersect at a common ridge apex (37). An air tube (38) is mounted between the two outer plates (35, 36) and at least one fuel conduit (44, 45) is disposed to the rear of the air tube (38). The overall cross-section of the air tube (38) is approximately triangular and the air tube (38) includes a transverse downstream wall that is curved to define a trough (42) in which the fuel conduit (44, 45) is located. The air tube (38) includes orifices (41, 46) directed against the dihedral plates (35, 36) and the fuel conduit (44, 45) to cool them. The fuel conduit includes a nozzle injector (46) directed downstream towards the afterburner chamber (23).

Abstract: An afterburn device for a turbojet engine comprises a flame arrester formed by a plurality of radial arms distributed evenly around the rotational axis of the engine at the upstream end of the afterburn chamber. Each arm consists of a fixed rear part, and a front part which is separable from the rear part in a circumferential direction along a median joint plane, the front parts being carried on a ring which is rotatably mounted on the outer casing of the engine. Drive means is provided for rotating the ring between a first position for dry operation, and a second position for afterburn operation. In the first position the front and rear parts of the arms are aligned and joined to provide the arms with a streamlined, low-drag, zero angle of incidence profile suitable for dry operation.