The present invention relates to the use of a cyclic peptide comprising the tripeptide reproducing a binding site of fertilin beta to the oocyte integrin, for improving cellular energy metabolism. More particularly, the invention concerns the use of a cyclic peptide comprising the tripeptide FEEc for stimulating the energy metabolism of gametes or embryonic cells in the context of medically assisted procreation (MAP) protocols, in particular promoting the in vitro maturation of the oocyte, the fertilization rate and the birth rate.

An automatic mooring device for vessels includes a coupling element associable with a mooring point or with a vessel, and a capture element, associable with a vessel or with a mooring point and detachably engageable with the coupling element. The coupling element includes an autonomous floating body; a supporting element fixed to the floating body; a hook element associated with the supporting element and movable with respect to the supporting element from a coupling position to a release position; a safety lever, which can engage the hook element so as to close its bend for the retention of the capture element; and elements for retaining the hook element in the coupling position.

A mooring device for mooring a water craft to a mooring berth. The mooring device includes an engaging element borne by the water craft or the mooring berth, and a lock borne by the mooring berth or the water craft, respectively. The lock includes two catch bars spaced out and extending vertically, at least a part of the engaging element being adapted to engaging between the two bars so as to be held by the lock and enabling the mooring of the water craft to the mooring berth. The catch bars are mobile relative to each other between a locking position in which the catch bars are brought closer to each other and maintain the engaging element and an unlocking position in which the catch bars are moved apart to enable the removal or insertion of the engaging element.

Some embodiments provide release apparatuses comprising: a body having first and second mating sections each connected to separate tethers; locking shoes each movable between a first position configured to lock the first and second mating sections together and a second position configured to allow the first and second mating sections to disconnect; an actuator configured to move the locking shoes between the first and second positions; wherein each of the locking shoes comprises a locking surface configured to contact an engagement surface of the second mating section and maintain a position of the first mating section with the second mating section; wherein portions of the locking surface comprise toric geometries that are not in contact with the engagement surface when the locking shoes are in the first position and do not come into contact with the engagement surface the locking shoes transition to the second position.

The quick connector coupling an offshore floating structure to a pre-laid mooring system comprises a base structure (6) coupled to an upper body (2) of the offshore floating structure, a mooring interface (13) attached to a lower body (3) of the pre-laid mooring system, and a locking mechanism comprising a grooved surface (16) formed in the mooring interface (13), locking claws (10) movably mounted on the base structure (6), and a fluid-dynamic device associated to the base structure (6) and operatively connected to move the locking claws (10) between a release position in which the locking claws (10) are withdrawn from the grooved surface (16) of the mooring interface (13) and a lock position in which the locking claws (10) are meshed with the grooved surface (16) of the mooring interface (13).

System for mooring a large vessel for production of hydrocarbons, such vessel for example being a FPSO vessel, the mooring system comprising at least two floating bodies of the hang-off type, moored by means of differentiated compliance spread anchoring system to the sea bed, allowing partly weathervaning of the large vessel; a riser system extending from the sea bed to each the floating bodies, and means for transfer of fluids from the two floating bodies to the large vessel, the floating bodies and the large vessel being provided with locking means, locking floating bodies to the large vessel at the bow and the stern of the vessel in a mechanically rigid manner, thus providing a integrated, rigidly fixed unit comprising the large vessel and the floating bodies.

A mooring device for mooring a water craft to a mooring berth. The mooring device includes an engaging element borne by the water craft or the mooring berth, and a lock borne by the mooring berth or the water craft, respectively. The lock includes two catch bars spaced out and extending vertically, at least a part of the engaging element being adapted to engaging between the two bars so as to be held by the lock and enabling the mooring of the water craft to the mooring berth. The catch bars are mobile relative to each other between a locking position in which the catch bars are brought closer to each other and maintain the engaging element and an unlocking position in which the catch bars are moved apart to enable the removal or insertion of the engaging element.

A break-away release link that is used as an attachment to at sea fixed gear commercial fishing. The break-away release link is designed to break away at a designated tensile strength when undersea creatures become entangled with this type of commercial fixed fishing gear. The break-away release link attachment can be used in any commercial fishing industry such as lobster, crab, finfish, or other types whereas fixed gear, such as lobster traps or gillnets that are placed upon the ocean floor and are attached by a buoy rope to a surface buoy for retrieval at some later time by the fisherperson. The break-away release link is designed to break away at a tensile strength of between 600 and 3,000 pounds so that sea going creatures who becomes entangled with the buoy rope can easily part the rope and escape serious injury and or death when they are endangered.

A watercraft mooring system comprising a plurality of interchangeable mooring members for the temporary mooring of one watercraft to another watercraft or one watercraft to a stationary object such as a dock. The interchangeable mooring members comprising connecting rod member embodiments with adjustable lengths and connecting rod members without adjustable lengths, vacuum-handle member embodiments that provide an initial vacuum and a continuous vacuum to one or more vacuum cup assemblies, and a cleat connector member embodiment that is interchangeable with a vacuum-handle member. Embodiments of vacuum-handle member providing up to three points of omni-directional pivot functionality between the present invention and a temporarily moored watercraft.

A connector assembly can include a stinger and a sleeve assembly that includes a latching mechanism. An outer surface of the stinger can define first and second grooves located toward first and second ends, respectively, thereof. An inner surface of the sleeve assembly can define first and second shoulders located toward first and second ends, respectively, thereof. The latching mechanism can be in an unlocked position or a locked position. When the latching mechanism is unlocked the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly. When the stinger is within the sleeve assembly and the latching mechanism is locked, the latching mechanism can maintain a first split ring partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder and a second split ring partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder to secure the stinger within the sleeve assembly.