Abstract: Compensatory ratio hedging is a methodology whereby an amount of a bond that is hedged by a swap varies during the life of the swap, per a predetermined schedule, such that the change in the swap's mark-to-market dollar value is equal to the change in the bond's market value caused by an equal change in interest rates. The amount of bond being hedged by the swap will vary over a predetermined period of time to compensate for the differences in swap and bond valuation drivers. This methodology establishes a hedge such that an interest rate change has a similar dollar impact on the swap mark-to-market value and the bond mark-to-market value thus curtailing some reporting implications of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Abstract: Compensatory ratio hedging is a methodology whereby an amount of a bond that is hedged by a swap varies during the life of the swap, per a predetermined schedule, such that the change in the swap's mark-to-market dollar value is equal to the change in the bond's market value caused by an equal change in interest rates. The amount of bond being hedged by the swap will vary over a predetermined period of time to compensate for the differences in swap and bond valuation drivers. This methodology establishes a hedge such that an interest rate change has a similar dollar impact on the swap mark-to-market value and the bond mark-to-market value thus curtailing some reporting implications of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Abstract: Compensatory ratio hedging is a methodology whereby an amount of a bond that is hedged by a swap varies during the life of the swap, per a predetermined schedule, such that the change in the swap's mark-to-market dollar value is equal to the change in the bond's market value caused by an equal change in interest rates. The amount of bond being hedged by the swap will vary over a predetermined period of time to compensate for the differences in swap and bond valuation drivers. This methodology establishes a hedge such that an interest rate change has a similar dollar impact on the swap mark-to-market value and the bond mark-to-market value thus curtailing some reporting implications of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Abstract: Esters of formula: HS—X—COOR in which X denotes a C1-C4 alkylene radical and R a C1-C18 alkyl radical, are prepared by reaction of a hydrosulphide with the corresponding halocarboxylic ester: Y—X—COOR where Y denotes a chlorine or bromine atom. The reaction is performed under a hydrogen sulphide pressure of at least 10 bars absolute, and preferably in an anhydrous or substantially anhydrous alcoholic medium.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a carboxyalkylthiosuccinic acid of formula ##STR1## in which n=1 to 3 and R.dbd.H or CH.sub.3, a mercapto ester of formula HS--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COOR' in which R' is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, is reacted, in aqueous medium and without a catalyst, with maleic acid, citraconic acid or their anhydride. The invention is more particularly directed towards the preparation of carboxyethylthiosuccinic acid (CETSA).

Abstract: Esters of formula:HS--X--COORin which X denotes a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylene radical and R a C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl radical, are prepared by reaction of a hydrosulphide with the corresponding halocarboxylic ester:Y--X--COORwhere Y denotes a chlorine or bromine atom. The reaction is performed under a hydrogen sulphide pressure of at least 10 bars absolute, and preferably in an anhydrous or substantially anhydrous alcoholic medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to production of esters of mercaptocarboxylic acids and alcohols forming an azeotrope with water.The esterification is carried out continuously in the presence of an excess of alcohol and the water formed is removed by entraining azeotropically under vacuum at a temperature such that the residual water concentration in the reaction mixture remains constantly below 0.5% by weight.The process according to the invention applies more particularly to the synthesis of octyl esters of thioglycolic acid.

Abstract: The housing comprises an actuating lever (8) articulated about a transversal spindle (13), and a mechanism (16), controlled by the lever, capable of driving, in opposite direction, two rods (17, 18); each rod is provided, at its end farthest away from the housing, with a bolt, in order to bring about a locking at an upper point and a lower point, respectively. The actuating lever (8) comprises a unilateral thrust organ (19) capable of co-operating with one or two complementary abutments (21, 22) provided for on a driving organ (23) of the mechanism (16), whereby the lever (8) may be tilted from one position into another, to co-operate with the appropriate complementary abutment (21, 22), in order to selectively allow the fitting onto a "right-hand" or "left-hand" door.

Abstract: The antipanic lock comprises at least a bolt and an actuating rod pivotingly connected to a door by a unit formed by at least two housings fixed onto the door and two levers (2) integral, towards their one end, with the actuating rod and pivotingly mounted, at their other end, into an associated housing (4); said lock comprises a torsion spring (10), in a first dihedron corresponding to a first direction of opening of the door, the actuating rod and the levers (2) towards a neutral position, one of the levers being a control lever co-operating with members in order to actuate the bolt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical connector for transmitting electrical signals between the outside and the inside of a well having a well head (20) terminated by a valve assembly (10). The connector comprises at least two inductively coupled electrical coils (1A, 1B; 5A, 5B) whose respective winding axes are aligned with the axis (zz') of the well head. The coils are integrated in the fluid connector interconnecting the valve assembly and the well head, with one of the coils being releasably fixed to the valve assembly (10) while the other coil is releasably fixed to the well head (20).

Abstract: Safety-drum antipanic lock comprising a bolt (3, 103), an actuating rod pivotingly connected to the door, at each of its ends, by means of a unit formed by a housing (1, 101) fixed onto said door and a lever (2, 102) pivotingly mounted, in said housing (1, 101), at least one lever (2, 102) being an actuating lever cooperating with components of its housing (1, 101) to actuate the bolt (3, 103). The housing (1, 101) of the actuating lever (2, 102) is associated with at least a safety-drum (19, 20; 120) driving a bit (21, 23; 151) co-operating with actuating means for said housing to actuate the bolt (3, 103). Said housing (1, 101) of the actuating lever (2, 102) comprises at least two different operating means (14, 15a, 15b; 114) capable of separately co-operating each with a drum (19, 20; 120) to actuate said bolt (3, 103).

Abstract: Whereas in known needle rings the needles are of circular cross-section, the cross-section of the needles (1) the present needle ring (2) is equipped with is either oval or rectangular with flattened ends, or intermediate between these two shapes. The shorter dimension (1a) of the needle cross-section is to be arranged parallel to the axis of the ring. The needles (1) may be positioned perpendicularly in the ring or form an angle .alpha. up to 30.degree. with the radius (2b), while the angle .beta. at the tip should lie between 15.degree. and 45.degree.. The needles sit in round holes (3) the diameter of which is less than the width (1b) of the needles which in turn is approximately 4 to 6 times the thickness of the needles. Hence, the needle does not fully occupy the volume of the hole. Two channels (3b) remain open, which may be used for controlling the air flow effecting the fiber transport.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic method and apparatus for the remote hydraulic control of a device connected to a hydraulic fluid source by means of at least one flexible line filled with hydraulic fluid.Hydraulic energy is accumulated in the flexible line by increasing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the line so that the line increases in volume. The pressure is maintained in the line so that the hydraulic energy thus accumulated by the expansive deformation of the line may be used rapidly to control the device.The invention finds particular application in the control of an underwater valve in the petroleum industry.

Abstract: There are provided compounds of the general formula ##STR1## in which Ar represents a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen atom or a lower alkyl group, or represents a thienyl group, R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or, when the Ar--CO-- grouping is in the meta-position with respect to the nitrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, or a lower alkyl or an acyl group, and R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl or a phenyl group and a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.The compounds of the general formula I and their salts have therapeutic utility, especially as analgesics.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## (in which n is equal to 0 or represents a whole number from 1 to 10 and m represents the number 1 or 2) and their pharmacologically acceptable salts are prepared and have therapeutic, in particular hypolipemic, activity.

Abstract: A method and article for horticultural protection of plant growths during the maturation thereof whereby the volume exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture is controlled in accordance with the demands thereof during maturation.

Abstract: S-substituted cysteines, alkyl esters of S-substituted cysteines and S-substituted glutathiones in which the substituent on the S atom is allyl, geranyl, cinnamyl, benzylidene-3-butyl, 1-(para-chlorophenyl)ethyl and (pyridyl-3)methyl but excluding S-allyl cysteine bring about a reduction in atheromatic deposits in the aorta of test animals as well as a reduction in hypercholesterolemia and are of low toxicity. They may be used by the conventional routes for the treatment of human atheromatic conditions and disorders of the lipid metabolism.

Abstract: Method of spinning threads consisting at least partially of synthetic fibers comprising stretch-breaking continuous filaments to obtain fibers having staple length distribution similar to that of natural fibers, crimping said fibers, and open-end spinning them into thread. The invention includes machinery for carrying out this process and its product.

Abstract: S-carboxymethyl cysteine has been proposed for administration in nasal sprays, nasal drops or aerosols in otolyaryngology and in pneumology. When administered by the digestive route, this compound has the unexpected effect of reducing the viscosity of secretions of the respiratory tract. Administration to patients may be at a level of 1.5 to 3g per day in the form of a syrup, gelatine-coated pills or capsules, tablets or suppositories, in which other active materials, e.g., antibiotics, antihistamine drugs, corticoids or bronchodilators, may also be present.