Abstract: A compact, lightweight free-space optical communication system is mounted to a window, such as to a surface of the window. Mounting can be accomplished using glue, vacuum devices, or other fastener devices or fixtures. The optical communication system has features that compensate for window dynamics and other window characteristics, including fast steering solutions for pointing and tracking, and terminal size and weight factors.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for inhibiting cytokine production by cells, in particular animal or human cells, and their secretion, which consists in applying on said cells at least an azo compound derivatives corresponding to formula (I), in which A represents a carboxyl or a group (a); B represents a carboxyl or a group (b); R1, R2, R3 and R4=H, Hal, OH or a hydrocarbon radical, R1 and R2 as well as R3 and R4 capable of being a heterocyclic ring; X1 and X2=O or NR5, where R5=H, Hal, a hydrocarbon radical or a nitro group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for carbonation of a living diene polymer obtained anionically. The carbonation process according to the invention is of the type consisting in spraying a solution of said polymer through at least one nozzle (5) into a chamber (2), in the form of droplets and in contact with carbon dioxide, into a bath which is substantially at rest filling said chamber (2) and formed of said carbon dioxide, such that said sprayed solution and said bath interact for said carbonation. This process is such that it consists in spraying said solution merely by the difference in hydrostatic pressure between the inlet to said or each nozzle (5) and the interior of said chamber (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing functionalized polymers having at least one double bond and functional groups containing a carbonyl radical along their chains. The process involves (a) subjecting a starting polymer comprising at least one double bond, in an inert hydrocarbon solvent, to a hydroalumination or carboalumination reaction along its chain by adding an agent derived from aluminum to the starting polymer, (b) adding to the product obtained in (a) at least one electrophilic agent that reacts with said agent derived from aluminum and (c) stopping the functionalization reaction of (b) and recovering the functionalized polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vulcanizable rubber composition which can be used for the manufacture of tires. The invention also provides for a tire, the tread of which comprises such a composition. The rubber composition posses improved hysteresis and physical properties in the vulcanized state, while retaining satisfactory processing properties in the non-vulcanized state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vulcanizable rubber composition which can be used for the manufacture of tires, a process for the preparation of this composition and a tire, the tread of which comprises such a composition, the latter having improved hysteresis and physical properties in the vulcanized state, while retaining satisfactory processing properties.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for one of flame treatment or ceramic welding, the apparatus including a single tubular lance having a tip end, a butt end, and a head portion with a central main bore provided at the tip end so that ceramic welding materials comprised of particulate material containing oxidizable particles and combustion-supporting carrier gas are introduced at the butt end, pass through the main bore and emerge at the tip end during ceramic welding; wherein the head portion further comprises at least one conduit to convey a mixture of a fuel gas and a combustion-supporting gas, each of the at least one conduit having an orifice at the tip end of the single tubular lance and being provided with a portion for introduction of fuel gas and a portion for introduction of combustion-supporting gas so that fuel gas and combustion-supporting gas introduced at the butt end combine in the at least one conduit and emerge to form a flame at the tip end of the at least one conduit during flame treatment, and wherein

Abstract: This detector comprises a gas chamber (2) containing plane electrodes (4, 6, 8) delimiting conversion (C) and amplification (A) gaps. One of the electrodes is perforated with holes (18) and forms the detector cathode (6). The distance between the detector cathode and the anode (8) is less than 500 .mu.m. The intensity of the electric field in the amplification gap is ten times higher than the intensity of the electric field in the conversion gap. Application in particle physics, medicine, biology.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transcutaneous measurement of a substance within a body. Transcutaneous measurement of substances within a subjects' tissues or fluids is effected through the use of the present invention. A light source, focused by an optical system, directs light towards a subject. Light returning from the subject as a result of this illumination, is collected, focused and directed to a detection system. The output of this detection system can then be analyzed to determine the concentration of the substance being measured. In a preferred embodiment bilirubin is measured. However, the measurement of substances such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose, albumin, hemoglobin and cholesterol, among others, is also contemplated.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a ceramic article, especially pipes and tubes of ceramic material such as silicon carbide, in which the article is formed by projecting a ceramic powder mixture comprising refractory particles and combustible particles against a smooth-surface metal former which is heated to a temperature of at least 850.degree. C. where in the presence of an oxygen-rich gas the combustible particles react exothermically to produce from the refractory particles and the reaction product of the combustible particles a coherent refractory article in the shape of the former.

Abstract: A supported solid catalyst which can be used for the polymerization and clymerization of conjugated dienes having as its basis the reaction product of:A) a solid MgCl.sub.2 support,B) an ether, preferably THF, as swelling agent for the support,C) a metal salt selected from among metals having an atomic number of between 57 and 71 or 92 in the periodic table of elements and, if the metal salt is not a halide,D) a halogenation agent selected from the group consisting of a halogenated compound of aluminum and a halogenated compound not containing aluminum, the reaction solid being free from the swelling agent, plusE) an organic derivative of aluminum which is obligatory when the halogenation agent is not a halogenated compound of aluminum and optional when the halogenation agent is a derivative of aluminum.Also, a method of preparing this catalyst.

Abstract: A supported solid catalyst which can be used for the polymerization and copolymerization of conjugated dienes having as its basis the reaction product of:A) a solid MgCl.sub.2 support,B) an ether, preferably THF, as swelling agent for the support,C) a metal salt selected from among metals having an atomic number of between 57 and 71 or 92 in the periodic table of elements and, if the metal salt is not a halide,D) a halogenation agent selected from the group consisting of a halogenated compound of aluminum and a halogenated compound not containing aluminum, the reaction solid being free from the swelling agent, plusE) an organic derivative of aluminum which is obligatory when the halogenation agent is not a halogenated compound of aluminum and optional when the halogenation agent is a derivative of aluminum.Also, a method of preparing this catalyst.

Abstract: A device for setting up and routing telephone calls between subscribers of a radio-telephone network and/or a wired telephone network utilizes an automatic telephone exchange which is wired to the wired telephone exchange and connected to the radio-telephone network by a plurality of radio transceivers via a radio connecting unit. The radio connecting unit comprises a plurality of programmed processing units, each coupled respectively to a transceiver interface circuits, and a signal modem, controlled by the interface circuits. Each of the interface circuits have voice activity detectors for transmitting calls in an alternating mode between the subscribers of the radio-telephone network or between the subscribers of both networks. The programmed processing units are programmed with hierarchic restrictions to enable an organization of the radio-telephone subscribers into groups communicating on a same frequency and/or on a same transmission channel.