Abstract: This invention is directed toward a splint, where there is a layer of material, such as fabric-laminated foam neoprene, that encompasses a part of the body intended to be immobilized, supported, or protected, and permanently secured to this layer of material is a low temperature thermoplastic. This thermoplastic is rigid when cool, and malleable when heated. The temperature at which the thermoplastic is malleable is low enough so that the splint can be molded directly on the body. The thermoplastic can be heated, molded, and cooled together with the layer of material. The combined elements of the low temperature thermoplastic with the layer of material create a removable remoldable splint that can be immersed in water without degrading the integrity of the splint.

Abstract: A method and a system for information extraction from Web pages formatted with markup languages such as HTML [8]. A method and system for interactively and visually describing information patterns of interest based on visualized sample Web pages [5,6,16-29]. A method and data structure for representing and storing these patterns [1]. A method and system for extracting information corresponding to a set of previously defined patterns from Web pages [2], and a method for transforming the extracted data into XML is described. Each pattern is defined via the (interactive) specification of one or more filters. Two or more filters for the same pattern contribute disjunctively to the pattern definition [3], that is, an actual pattern describes the set of all targets specified by any of its filters.

Abstract: A low-profile, simple, orthotic glove with wrist support attachment for treating loss or impairment of extensor and/or flexor muscle function in the upper extremities, particularly in the wrist, hand and fingers, due to a peripheral neuropathy. The glove is attractive, comfortable, easy to use, and can be made with an optional wrist support attachment either built into the glove or added as an optional attachment, and can include thermoplastic to provide rigidity. The glove has channels into which interchangeable resilient digit extensor elements, or stays, of varying resiliency are placed such that stays of greater or lesser resiliency can be inserted if the degree of the patient's extensor muscle control changes, or the medical practitioner in charge decides that there is a need to change the support and exercise treatment regimens. The splint also has several improvements for thumb support, additional digit extension support, and for supination of the forearm.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a splint, where there is a layer of material, such as fabric-laminated foam neoprene, that encompasses a part of the body intended to be immobilized, supported, or protected, and permanently secured to this layer of material is a low temperature thermoplastic. This thermoplastic is rigid when cool, and malleable when heated. The temperature at which the thermoplastic is malleable is low enough so that the splint can be molded directly on the body. The thermoplastic can be heated, molded, and cooled together with the layer of material. The combined elements of the low temperature thermoplastic with the layer of material create a removable remoldable splint that can be immersed in water without degrading the integrity of the splint.

Abstract: In order to ignite fuel/air mixtures in at least one combustion chamber of a spark ignition engine, the following steps arc carried out: an HF gas discharge as the main discharge (6) is ignited in order to produce a plasma channel (11) in the region of the border between an ignition element and the combustion chamber, and an HF gas discharge as an auxiliary discharge (5) is previously or, at the most, simultaneously ignited in order to generate a flow (12) oriented towards that of the plasma channel (11). The auxiliary discharge (5) is positioned, from the combustion chamber, behind the main discharge (6), such that the oriented flow (12) presses the plasma channel (11) of the main discharge into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging batteries in a system of batteries. The method and apparatus involve producing a set of state of charge signals indicative of the states of charge of each battery in the system, successively identifying, from the state of charge signals, a most discharged battery in the system and applying a charging current to the most discharged battery for at least part of a first period of time less than a period of time required to fully charge the most discharged battery before identifying a succeeding most discharged battery in said system. The batteries are charged according to a dynamic charging sequence in which batteries are added into the charging sequence in order of increasing state of charge as batteries already in the charging sequence are charged to exceed the state of charge of a battery having the next higher state of charge relative to the state of charge of the batteries already in the charging sequence.

Abstract: A parallel databus assembly and method includes modules connected to parallel signal lines, each of the modules having a databus driver being in immediate connection with the signal lines and a controller connected to the databus driver. At least some of the parallel signal lines are data lines for transmitting data or control lines for controlling the data transmission of the data via the data lines. A clock generator for generating a bus frequency with which the signals transmitted in the signal lines are clocked is connected to the databus drivers. The databus drivers are fashioned such that the signals to be transmitted from and to the data lines and the control lines are accepted during a clock pulse prescribed by the clock generator and are emitted during a following clock pulse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging batteries in a system of batteries. The method and apparatus involve producing a set of state of charge signals indicative of the states of charge of each battery in the system, successively identifying, from the state of charge signals, a most discharged battery in the system and applying a charging current to the most discharged battery for at least part of a first period of time less than a period of time required to fully charge the most discharged battery before identifying a succeeding most discharged battery in said system. The batteries are charged according to a dynamic charging sequence in which batteries are added into the charging sequence in order of increasing state of charge as batteries already in the charging sequence are charged to exceed the state of charge of a battery having the next higher state of charge relative to the state of charge of the batteries already in the charging sequence.

Abstract: An electronic control device with a parallel databus and a plurality of assemblies connected to the databus. The assemblies each include a processor and a memory device and are connected to the databus with a bus controller. The data are transmitted between a transmitter assembly and a receiver assembly with messages. The data bus essentially corresponds to the MULTIBUS II. The bus controller of the transmitter assembly is fashioned such that, without making use of the processor of the transmitter assembly, it reads data stored in the memory device of the transmitter assembly in response to a request message of the receiver assembly and sends them to the receiver assembly.

Abstract: A method and a system for information extraction from Web pages formatted with markup languages such as HTML [8]. A method and system for interactively and visually describing information patterns of interest based on visualized sample Web pages [5,6,16-29]. A method and data structure for representing and storing these patterns [1]. A method and system for extracting information corresponding to a set of previously defined patterns from Web pages [2], and a method for transforming the extracted data into XML is described. Each pattern is defined via the (interactive) specification of one or more filters. Two or more filters for the same pattern contribute disjunctively to the pattern definition [3], that is, an actual pattern describes the set of all targets specified by any of its filters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing ruptures in gas containing envelopes, includes a first plurality of containers filled with a gas, each of the containers being buoyant in and drifting freely within the envelope, so that when a rupture occurs in the envelope, the containers are drawn toward the rupture and collectively close and plug the rupture. Preferably, the containers are flexible walled envelopes made of gas-impermeable material.

Abstract: A storage device (SP) which is used for the sequential storage and reading out of a given amount of data. To this end it contains a memory (RAM) which can be read and written into in parallel and a storage control unit (CON) which ensures that storage areas whose data have previously been read out at least once is written into sequentially and successively with a default safety clearance. In a special configuration, an input interface (SPU) and an output interface (PSU) are arranged upstream and downstream, respectively, of the memory (RAM). These interfaces accept and transfer the data serially outwards and in parallel to the memory (RAM), respectively.

Abstract: Metal matrix composites are manufactured in a vacuum die casting machine. Solid aggregate material is placed in a die, the die is evacuated, and molten metal is driven by a piston to infiltrate the solid aggregate material where it subsequently solidifies to form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: Metal matrix composites are manufactured in a vacuum die casting machine. Solid aggregate material, at least 65 volume percent, is placed in a die, the die is evacuated and heated, and molten metal is driven by a piston to infiltrate the solid aggregate material where it subsequently solidifies to form a metal matrix composite.