Abstract: The invention relates to vectors for delivering medicinal, nutritional, plant-protection or cosmetic active principles, these delivery particles being of small, controllable and adjustable particle size, which protect the active principle, and being biocompatible, biodegradable, non-immunogenic, stable and free of solvent. The particles do not denature the active principle and allow the active principle to be released. The microparticles of the invention are of a cohesive structure made of a physicochemically stable and integral composite gel which includes an oil such as coconut oil, an aqueous phase and a linear, non-crosslinked copolyamino acid of Leu/Glu type (random or diblock). The microparticles have a controllable and adjustable size of between 0.05 and 500 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a fastening device for a muzzle mirror at one end of an artillery gun barrel, device comprising a mirror support incorporating at least two flanges encircling the gun barrel and connected to one another by a first linking means. In this device the flanges are housed in a groove made in the barrel and are linked in rotation to said barrel by means of an obstacle, such as a pin, such device also comprising a centering collar constituted by at least two jaws connected by a second linking means, such collar having a tapered support co-operating with a matching tapered support arranged on the flanges such that tightening the second linking means ensures both the axial and radial retention of the flanges.

Abstract: An automatic overhead door opening system for a transport container whereby to operate the displacement of a panel door from a closed position to an open position. The system is housed in a restrained size housing which incorporates a motorized drive for driving an endless chain associated with an elongated central guide track on which the door is guidingly attached. The motorized drive is comprised of two small d.c. motors each having a drive gear drivingly coupled to a common driven gear of a gear drive which includes a worm gear in meshing engagement with a driven sprocket connected to a drive sprocket to displace the endless chain. The housing is of reduced thickness and access to the interior of the housing is provided through a non-obstructed removable bottom wall plate and accordingly it is not necessary to disconnect the endless chain and drive sprocket to have access to the components of the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the formula: in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, n and X are as defined in the specification, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. These compounds are excellent progestogens which are devoid of residual androgenic activity.

Abstract: The progress of each player in playing an auxiliary incentive game simultaneously with a primary card game is controlled and displayed at a gaming table. A prize display (34) is attached to the table and the prize display indicates at least one prize available to the player who accumulates a predetermined number of bonus points playing the auxiliary game. A player interface unit (30) is positioned on the table adjacent to each player. The player interface unit displays the number of bonus points received by the associated player. A dealer interface unit (32) is positioned on the table adjacent the dealer. The dealer interface unit includes control elements to allow the dealer to display the bonus points awarded to each player on the associated player interface unit and to activate a prize award control element on the player interface unit. The winning player selects a randomly indexed prize indicated on the prize display by manipulating the prize award control element on their player interface unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the conversion of a series signal received in the form of a low-amplitude, high-frequency differential signal into n parallel signals. The device uses a scheme derived from that of a static memory cell as a sample-and-hold unit and amplifier. The device continues to perform well when the differential signal comprises noise in common mode.

Abstract: The unsharpness of a radiological image is estimated by four independent passes which recursively implement the same exponential function, and the unsharpness (Idk−1) estimated for the previous image (IMk−1) is subtracted from the current image (IMk).

Abstract: A machining method is provided for use with a smart card of the type having at least one conducting winding at some distance from the opposed faces of the card, with the end portions of the winding forming electrical connection pads for an electronic chip. According to the method, an electric potential is generated in the winding. The milling tool is made to orthogonally penetrate the card in a region of at least one of the pads, and the electric potential of the milling tool is concomitantly monitored to detect a variation in electric potential that identifies a reference position of the milling tool with respect to the card and pad. The penetration of the milling tool is continued for a predetermined travel from the reference position so as to reach a machining position. In one preferred method, the milling tool is moved parallel to the card at the depth of the machining position in order to form a cavity in the smart card. A machining apparatus for machining a cavity in a smart card is also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns an antenna with high scanning capacity. The antenna comprises a panel (30) of static radiating elements which are controlled to transmit in variable directions relative to a direction (38) perpendicular to the plane of the panel. Reflectors (34, 44) amplify the scanning effected by the panel (30) of radiating elements. The reflectors (34, 44) are segments of paraboloids with the same axis (38) and the same focus (40), for example.

Abstract: A digital device for controlling the amplitude and the phase of a radio frequency signal includes a variable digital attenuator, a variable digital phase-shifter, and a distributor having one input and two outputs for dividing the radio frequency signal into a first signal part and a second signal part. A digital amplitude control first channel connected to an output of the distributor includes the variable digital attenuator for controlling the amplitude of the first signal part. A digital phase control second channel connected to the other output of the distributor in parallel with the first digital control channel includes the variable digital phase-shifter for controlling the phase of the second signal part. A recombiner has one output and two inputs respectively connected to the outputs of the two digital control channels and recombines the controlled two signal parts. Such devices include predistortion linearizers.