Abstract: Methods of assessing the pathological and/or physiological state of a subject, methods of monitoring a subject with heart failure or a subject that has been diagnosed as having or being at risk of having a condition associated with dyspnea and/or fatigue, and methods of diagnosing a subject as having decompensated heart failure are provided. The methods comprise obtaining a voice recording from a word-reading test from the subject, wherein the voice recording is from a word-reading test comprising reading a sequence of words drawn from a set of n words and analysing the voice recording, or a portion thereof.

Abstract: The application relates to devices and methods for assessing cognitive impairment and/or speech motor impairment in a subject. The method comprises analysing a voice recording from a word- reading test obtained from the subject by identifying a plurality of segments of the voice recording that correspond to single words or syllables and determining the number of correctly read words in the voice recording and/or the speech rate associated with the recording.

Abstract: A method for proposing a driving speed for a driver at the steering wheel of a vehicle comprises the following steps: estimating the maximum available grip potential at a given instant between a tyre of the vehicle and the roadway on a predetermined upcoming route; determining, among a set of predetermined driving styles, secure styles for which the grip requirement on the predetermined route remains lower than the grip potential; selecting, among said secure styles, a secure comfortable style according to a driver profile; and determining, according to said secure comfortable style and to a location of the vehicle, a basic proposed driving speed on an upcoming section of route.

Abstract: A method for determining a reference driving class of a driver from among a set of predetermined driving classes, each predetermined driving class being characterized by a speed profile, comprises the following steps: The speed of a driver over a given journey is determined, the observed speed is compared with the speed profiles of each of the predetermined driving classes so as to obtain a deviation between the driver and each of the driving classes, a detected driving class is determined as being that which minimizes this deviation, and the reference driving class is determined as a function of this detected driving class.

Abstract: A method for proposing a driving speed for a driver at the steering wheel of a vehicle comprises the following steps estimating the maximum available grip potential at a given instant between a tyre of the vehicle and the roadway on a predetermined upcoming route; determining, among a set of predetermined driving styles, secure styles for which the grip requirement on the predetermined route remains lower than the grip potential; selecting, among said secure styles, a secure comfortable style according to a driver profile; and determining, according to said secure comfortable style and to a location of the vehicle, a basic proposed driving speed on an upcoming section of route.

Abstract: A method for determining a reference driving class of a driver from among a set of predetermined driving classes, each predetermined driving class being characterized by a speed profile, comprises the following steps: The speed of a driver over a given journey is determined, the observed speed is compared with the speed profiles of each of the predetermined driving classes so as to obtain a deviation between the driver and each of the driving classes, a detected driving class is determined as being that which minimizes this deviation, and the reference driving class is determined as a function of this detected driving class.

Abstract: With a method and a device for coating a continuously delivered, web-like sheet formation (2) a first layer (3) of a paste-like plastic is deposited in sections. A second layer (4) of powder-like thermoplastic plastic is subsequently flatly scattered on. The coated sheet formation (2) is subsequently subjected to thermal treatment. Before the thermal treatment, the powder (7) deposited between the sections of the first layer (3) is swirled up by an air jet (L) directed obliquely against the surface (6) of the sheet formation (2) and is simultaneously sucked off by a suction means (10).

Abstract: For fibrillating a continuously conveyed, textile sheet material (3) a fluid under high pressure is delivered through a wide-slot nozzle (6) as a continuous fluid curtain (14) onto the sheet material (3). With this gentle way of fibrillating all types of fabrics may be fibrillated, in particular also light materials. The wide-slot nozzle (6) can be manufactured simply and inexpensively.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for the continuous fulling of a material web (6) of textile woven fabrics and knitted fabrics with a guiding passage (15) through which the material web (6) can be guided through and accelerated by means of a fluid. At the end of the guiding passage (15), there is provided an impact surface (16, 17), against which the material web (6) can be flung by the fluid. Between the impact surface (16, 17) and the guiding passage (15) there are additionally provided guiding means (26, 26') by means of which the material web (6), which is broadly guided in the guiding passage, can be brought together to a material strand (25) before impinging on the impact surface (16, 17).

Abstract: A method and a device for fibrillating cellulose fibers contained in a fabric web (3) comprise the fabric web (3) being withdrawn from a fabric storage chamber (6), accelerated through a guide slot by means of liquid flowing at high speed and then flung against a rebound surface (13). The fabric web can be transported alternatingly in both directions through the guide slot (7) and flung onto the first rebound surface (13) and a second rebound surface (16).

Abstract: A device (1) for continuous plaiting of web-shaped material with a plaiting table (2) and a plaiting arm (3) possesses auxiliary depositing means (5) insertable between the plaiting arm (3) and the plaiting table (2). The auxiliary depositing means (5) enable continuous plaiting of the material, even when the material stack (4) laid on the plaiting table (2) is being unloaded from the plaiting table (2). Apart from that, in order to attain the most regular possible layering of the web-shaped material, the plaiting table (2) and the auxiliary depositing means (5) are arranged to be height adjustable. Additionally, the auxiliary depositing means (5) possesses recesses (15) that can be penetrated by the supporting elements (16) of the plaiting table.

Abstract: The textile web (1) is guided through a relatively narrow shaft the limits of which are formed at least partially by the surface of rollers (2, 3). Nozzles (7), from which a treatment medium can be applied onto the textile web, are arranged in the curved sections (6, 6') of the shaft. Straight sections (8) between the rollers can be kept very short. The device is especially suitable for the treatment of tension-sensitive textile webs.

Abstract: The material web (1) is acted upon by heated circulating air which permeates with the aid of a fan (7) from a pressure chamber (14) via inlets (6, 6') into the nozzle casings (4, 4'). In order to achieve laminar flow and thus an improved distribution of air, the fan (7) is removed as far as possible from the inlets (6, 6') and preferably suspended beneath the cover-wall (16) of the housing (2). This results in a relatively large and longitudinally extended pressure chamber (14) between the inlets (6, 6') and the pressure side (12) of the fan (7).

Abstract: The fabric (1), which is pre-treated wet and is supplied in strand form, is inflated to form a balloon (15, 15', 15", 15'") by means of a gaseous medium, is then combined again to form a strand and in strand form is guided through an overflow pipe (17, 17', 17", 17'"). Subsequently, these process steps are repeated a plurality of times in analogous sequence.

Abstract: The fabric (1), which is pre-treated wet and is supplied in strand form, is inflated to form a balloon (15, 15', 15", 15"') by means of a gaseous medium, is then combined again to form a strand and in strand form is guided through an overflow pipe (17, 17', 17", 17"'). Subsequently, these process steps are repeated a plurality of times in analogous sequence.

Abstract: The material web (3) to be treated is supplied continuously to a first material web store (1) and stored there in sections, is removed therefrom by being pneumatically conveyed and is hurled compressively against a first impact surface (4). Thereafter, the material (3) compressed in this way is supplied to a second material web store (2) and stored there in sections. Then, the same procedure is carried out in the opposite direction of conveying from the second material web store (3) against a second impact surface (4') and thereafter to the first material web store (1), but with a smaller length advance of the material web, this alternating movement is repeated alternately, and the difference in advance between these length sections of material web moved to and fro is guided away continuously from the second material web store (2).

Abstract: A device for the continuous and tension free treatment of textile sheets is provided. The device comprises an air-permeable endlessly circulating material web bearing surface; an upper stationary and air permeable delimiting wall, the material web bearing surface and the delimiting wall defining a transport channel; at least one upper blower nozzle, the blower nozzle orientated downwardly and running transversely with respect to the direction of the material web bearing surface; at least one lower blower nozzle arranged in a direction in which the material web is moved the lower nozzle offset with respect to said upper blower nozzle; and the upper and lower blower nozzles arranged with respect to each other to very abruptly alternate the movement of the material web, up and down and to contactlessly support the material web above the material web bearing surface while in the transport channel. Additionally, a method of treating the textile sheets is also provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for shrinking and smoothing single layer or tubular textile material where the material is first pre-shrunk by conveyance along a first curved path through a heated curved pull-in gap formed by a guide shoe and a pull-in conveyor roller. The material is then conveyed along a second curved path, curved oppositely to the first curved path, and then to a compaction zone formed by cooperation between a smoothing conveyor and a shrinkage conveyor belt. The size of the pull-in gap and the speed of the pull-in conveyor may be varied in order to achieve a variation in the residual shrinkage of the material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing and shrinking tubular fabric material. The method comprises stretching the material along its width and moistening the stretched material. The material then enters a first smoothing and shrinking unit and is turned around a turning roller. The material engages a shrinkage belt which presses one side of the material against a support roller. The material then exits the first smoothing and shrinking unit and enters a second where the other side of the material is treated. The shrinkage of the material is increased since an elastic layer on each shrinkage belt varies the surface tension engaged to each side of the material.

Abstract: The externally held, adjustable width spreader for tubular material (1) present in a flat state is provided with two spreading and guiding units (2, 3) which are to be arranged next to one another in the interior of the tubular material. The spreading and guide units are each provided with an endless transporting belt (4) which extends along their outer guide faces and is exposed there. The transporting belts (4) and in releasable operating engagement with feed rollers (8, 9, 10, 11) disposed on the exterior of the tubular material (1) passing through.