Abstract: A federated search engine groups search results from information sources using attributes of the search results. In grouping the search results, a first set and a second set of attributes are extracted from content in each set of search results received using information source wrappers. The first set of attributes defines a main clustering strategy, and the second set of attributes defines a sub-clustering strategy. A main grouping of the sets of search results received from the information sources is generated using the first set of attributes. The main grouping of search results includes a plurality of labeled groups with a plurality of search results in each group. A sub-grouping of search results is generated for each labeled group of search results in the main grouping of search results using the second set of attributes.

Abstract: The invention relates to: a method of functionalising solid supports; the functionalised solid supports thus obtained; and the use thereof, in particular for the immobilisation of biological molecules, such as nucleic acids, polypeptides, lipids, carbohydrates and hormones.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating a wrapper for extracting variable data from a Web-site includes providing a result page from the Web-site; detecting repeating sequences of HTML tags in the page, wherein a sequence includes at least two HTML tags enclosing at least one text field for containing variable data; determining the longest and most frequently repeated sequence; generating an expression for extracting variable data using the first determined sequence; and assigning a label to the at least one text field within the first determined sequence. The method is automatic in that no annotated, sample pages are required for the method to work. Labels can be generated by a hypothesizing algorithm or by evaluating the HTML tags for possible information or by some other technique.

Abstract: A federated search engine groups search results from information sources using attributes of the search results. In grouping the search results, a first set and a second set of attributes are extracted from content in each set of search results received using information source wrappers. The first set of attributes defines a main clustering strategy, and the second set of attributes defines a sub-clustering strategy. A main grouping of the sets of search results received from the information sources is generated using the first set of attributes. The main grouping of search results includes a plurality of labeled groups with a plurality of search results in each group. A sub-grouping of search results is generated for each labeled group of search results in the main grouping of search results using the second set of attributes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the selective epitaxial growth of a Si containing layer (8) on a substrate (1), characterised in that the substrate (1) is provided with a layer (4) of silicon oxynitride with an atomic concentration of oxygen between 30 and 45% and an atomic concentration of nitrogen between 19 and 35% before the selective epitaxial growth of the Si containing layer (8).

Abstract: A process for fluidizing an aqueous suspension of mineral particles or hydraulic binder pastes which comprises admixing said aqueous suspension of mineral particles or hydraulic binder pastes with one or more compounds or salts of compounds corresponding to the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is a hydrogen atom or a saturated or unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon group comprising 1 to 18 carbon atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms;R.sub.i is an alkylene or an arylene group optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms;Q is a hydrocarbon group comprising 2 to 18 carbon atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms;A is an alkylidene group comprising 1 to 5 carbon atoms;R.sub.j is selected from the group consisting of an A-PO.sub.3 H.sub.2 group, an alkyl group comprising 1 to 18 carbon atoms and the group ##STR2## wherein R.sub.k is selected from the group consisting of an A-PO.sub.3 H.sub.2 group and an alkyl group and B is an alkylene group;n is 1 to 10,000;r is the sum of ?R-O(R.sub.i -O).sub.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyoxyalkylated compounds comprising at least one primary or secondary amine function is provided comprising reacting at least one amino-alcoholate (B) produced from an amino-alcohol (A) including at least one OH group and at least one primary or secondary amine function, by replacing a fraction or all the OH groups by OM groups, M being selected from sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium, with an oxirane, a mixture of oxiranes or a sequence of oxiranes, in an aprotic and anhydrous solvent, in an anhydrous atmosphere and at a temperature of between about 0.degree. C. and 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing a surface gate comprising a selective membrane for an integrated chemical sensor comprising a field effect transistor, and the integrated chemical sensor thus produced, wherein the surface gate is particularly sensitive to alkaline-earth species, and more particularly, sensitive to the calcium ion. The process comprises forming grafts on the surface gate, and making the grafts operative utilizing phosphonate-based, iono-sensitive molecules.

Abstract: This device for furling a sail of a ship on a boom (1) connected to a mast (2) by means of articulation means (3) and mounted so that it can rotate about itself, comprising means for driving the boom (1) in rotation (7) in order to furl the sail on the latter, is characterized in that the said means for driving in rotation (7) are arranged on the end of the boom (1) away from the articulation means (3). These driving means comprise a drum (8) integrally fastened to the boom (1), around which is arranged a line for driving (10) the said drum, this line being connected, for example, to the steering station of the ship by return means (11, 12).