Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, a pneumatic tire is provided, the pneumatic tire comprising two spaced apart beads, a tread portion, a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from axially outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective beads, the axially outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width, a carcass, an innerliner covering the carcass and enclosing a tire cavity when mounted on a rim, and multiple layers of open cell, noise damping foam strip material attached on top of each other to the innerliner within the tire cavity in an area radially below the tread portion, wherein each layer has an axial width from 20% to 80% of the tread width and a radial thickness from 5% to 20% of the tread width and said multiple layers fill together from 8% to 40% of the volume of the tire cavity.

Abstract: A dwelling for accommodating users, the dwelling including at least one dividing module provided with respect to a floor surface for separating the floor surface into at least two separate living spaces, the at least one dividing module being selectively adjustable in position with respect to the floor surface for providing the dwelling with selectively adjustable living spaces. The dwelling also includes a displacement assembly operatively connectable to the at least one dividing module for displacing said at least one dividing module about the floor surface.

Abstract: A dwelling for accommodating users, the dwelling including at least one dividing module provided with respect to a floor surface for separating the floor surface into at least two separate living spaces, the at least one dividing module being selectively adjustable in position with respect to the floor surface for providing the dwelling with selectively adjustable living spaces. The dwelling also includes a displacement assembly operatively connectable to the at least one dividing module for displacing said at least one dividing module about the floor surface.

Abstract: A service block system defining a living space for a user of said service block system, the service block system including: a) a base frame contained in the living space and delimiting a pair of corresponding rooms of the living space, the base frame supporting at least one service unit selected from the group comprising a bathroom unit and a kitchen unit; b) a displacement mechanism operatively connected to the base frame for displacement of the base frame within the living space in order to adjustably vary corresponding sizes of the rooms in accordance with a displacement of the base frame about the living space of the service block system; and c) at least one connection selected from the group comprising plumbing and electrical connections, for connecting the mobile service block system to a corresponding infrastructure of a building associated to the service block system.

Abstract: A dwelling for accommodating users, the dwelling including at least one dividing module provided with respect to a floor surface for separating the floor surface into at least two separate living spaces, the at least one dividing module being selectively adjustable in position with respect to the floor surface for providing the dwelling with selectively adjustable living spaces. The dwelling also includes a displacement assembly operatively connectable to the at least one dividing module for displacing said at least one dividing module about the floor surface.

Abstract: A dwelling for accommodating users, the dwelling including at least one dividing module provided with respect to a floor surface for separating the floor surface into at least two separate living spaces, the at least one dividing module being selectively adjustable in position with respect to the floor surface for providing the dwelling with selectively adjustable living spaces. The dwelling also includes a displacement assembly operatively connectable to the at least one dividing module for displacing said at least one dividing module about the floor surface.

Abstract: A dwelling for accommodating users, the dwelling including at least one dividing module provided with respect to a floor surface for separating the floor surface into at least two separate living spaces, the at least one dividing module being selectively adjustable in position with respect to the floor surface for providing the dwelling with selectively adjustable living spaces. The dwelling also includes a displacement assembly operatively connectable to the at least one dividing module for displacing said at least one dividing module about the floor surface.

Abstract: A method for detecting a malfunction during a drilling operation is carried out by making use of a drill bit, the method including the following: a) the comparison of a first magnitude (E) representative of the mechanical specific energy (MSE), with a first threshold value (Emax); b) when the first magnitude is greater than the first threshold value, the comparison of the ratio (E/S) between the first magnitude and a second magnitude (S) representative of the drilling force with a second threshold value ((E/S)max); c) the detection of a malfunction in the drilling operation when the ratio (E/S) between the first magnitude (E) and the second magnitude (S) is greater than the second threshold value ((E/S)max). The method provides the ability to ensure more precise detection of a malfunction during drilling operations.

Abstract: A mobile service block system including prefabricated bathroom, kitchen and other service room units in a single compact and mobile form for installation and use in buildings. The mobile service block system includes a base frame supporting at least one service unit selected from the group comprising bathroom units, kitchen units, laundry units, and closet units, and a displacement mechanism operatively connected to the base frame for displacement of the base frame and of the mobile service block system from one location to another. A method of installing the mobile service block system in a building and a room unit including the mobile service block system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting a malfunction during a drilling operation is carried out by making use of a drill bit, the method including the following: a) the comparison of a first magnitude (E) representative of the mechanical specific energy (MSE), with a first threshold value (Emax); b) when the first magnitude is greater than the first threshold value, the comparison of the ratio (E/S) between the first magnitude and a second magnitude (S) representative of the drilling force with a second threshold value ((E/S)max); c) the detection of a malfunction in the drilling operation when the ratio (E/S) between the first magnitude (E) and the second magnitude (S) is greater than the second threshold value ((E/S)max). The method provides the ability to ensure more precise detection of a malfunction during drilling operations.

Abstract: A mobile service block system including prefabricated bathroom, kitchen and other service room units in a single compact and mobile form for installation and use in buildings. The mobile service block system includes a base frame supporting at least one service unit selected from the group comprising bathroom units, kitchen units, laundry units, and closet units, and a displacement mechanism operatively connected to the base frame for displacement of the base frame and of the mobile service block system from one location to another. A method of installing the mobile service block system in a building and a room unit including the mobile service block system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods and kits for evaluating the semen quality. The invention also concerns compounds and compositions for preserving a sperm sample, especially during cryopreservation. The invention is based on a correlation between sperm phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity and sperm fertility and on the use of selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors, more particularly PDE10 inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides capable of binding chaperone receptors, composition and methods for protecting, restoring, or improving the physiological properties of sperm cells. More particularly, the invention relates to protection of the motility, survival, fertility capability, resistance to cooling, freezing, and thawing of sperm cells put in contact with chaperone polypeptides.

Abstract: A method of growth according to which a layer of a material having apertures is made on the surface of a substrate. A material is deposited in each aperture. When this material is liquid, it can absorb the material to be grown. Then, the growth is done in vapor phase. The material of the layer is chosen in such a way that there is neither growth nor nucleation on its surface during the growth in vapor phase. The disclosed method can be applied to the making of crystal whiskers positioned with precision, and to the making of tip type microcathodes.

Abstract: An optoelectronic detector using a photodetector (1) and a stress induction device for inducing elastic waves with the stress inducing device being mechanically coupled to the photodetector. The stress inducing device includes an excitation which permits the transmission of the elastic waves.

Abstract: A device to eliminate ice formed on the surface of a wall, notably on the surface of an optical or radio-electric window, comprises a piezoelectric material having a vibrating active surface that mechanically cooperates with the wall to be de-iced, and means for the polarization of this piezoelectric material, comprising an AC voltage source and conducting or semiconducting electrodes placed in contact with this material according to a geometry capable of generating, within this material, an acoustic wave that has a direction of vibration which is oriented longitudinally and/or transversally to said surface to be de-iced, the amplitude of this vibration being sufficient to respectively detach and/or break the deposit of ice formed on said surface. The piezoelectric material is preferably a ferroelectric polymer such as a polymer of the group comprising PVF.sub.2, PVF.sub.2 -TrFE, PVDCN-VAc, PVF.sub.2 -TFE and the mixture of these polymers with one another and/or with PMMA or PEMA.

Abstract: The invention relates to display devices with a mixed thermal and electrical effect. The invention relates to a special addressing mode making it possible to display a writing line, while limiting the control voltages to be applied from the outside to the display screen.

Abstract: An image contained in an incident signal is displayed on a screen forming part of a matrix-access display device. The device is primarily applicable to high-definition or small-area screens designed for operation in the transmission mode, and is controlled by an optical system. Optical addressing of a line array and a column array of electrodes is performed by means of light beams which serve to illuminate photodetectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to planar display screens and more particularly to smectic liquid crystal screens.One of the problems of high definition display screens (approximately 100 to 1000 lines and columns) is caused by the devices for controlling the heating current on the lines. The complexity of the installation and costs limit the increase in the definition. The invention arranges the N lines of a screen into .sqroot.N groups of lines supplied at each of their ends by .sqroot.N control devices functioning sequentially, i.e. 2.sqroot.N devices in all. Moreover, each line has a diode placed between the heating resistor and the common point of the circuit.Application to the display of images transmitted in the form of a video signal for television and display peripheral equipment in teletransmission.

Abstract: A liquid crystal visual display with a liquid crystal layer between two plates and resistive lines between one of the plates and the liquid crystal layer for heating the crystal to produce a display. The thermal diffusivity of the plate supporting the lines is below a value making possible viewing with the naked eye, for example 2.times.10.sup.-2 cm.sup.2 /s.