Abstract: A volume of carbon fibrils that includes a multiplicity of fibrils having a morphology consisting of vermicular tubes that are free of a continuous thermal carbon overcoat and have graphite layers that are substantially parallel to the fibril axis and a process for preparing such fibrils.

Abstract: Herbicidal active substances from the sulfonylurea series were hitherto mainly formulated as WPs or WGs. The invention relates to novel, storage-stable aqueous suspensions of these active substances, comprising a polyacrylic acid derivative, to processes for their preparation, and to their use in crop protection.

Abstract: A high temperature water-cooled gas-tight lubricated steel plug valve for handling abrasive particulates (such as iron ore or sponge iron) having a water-cooled hollow double-walled housing with opposing inlet and outlet, a hollow internally-baffled axially water-cooled cylindrical plug with a transverse flow pipe defining a bore therethrough, at least one relatively thin-walled replaceable iron wear liner of generally cylindrical shape having corresponding bore passages and being positioned around said plug member and fixedly keyed within said housing whereby wear is generally limited to the relatively-moving interfacing inner surface of the wear liner and the outer surface of the plug member. The plug being machinable to restore the proper shape and tolerances when combined with replacement of the wear liner by one of compensatingly greater thickness.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of aerogels by subcritical drying of inorganic and organic hydrogels and lyogels to give aerogels, dielectric drying methods being used.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus retrieves data from at least one joystick connected to a video game machine by generating a data locking signal to lock multiple bits of data in at least one joystick in response to a data read signal supplied by the video game machine; generating a data retrieving signal including a plurality of consecutive pulses to retrieve multiple bits of data in the joystick in response to the data read signal; transferring consecutively the multiple bits of data from the joystick to a data register in response to the data retrieving signal wherein the plurality of consecutive pulses is employed to retrieve the multiple bits of data; and reading the multiple bits of data directly from the data register in response to the data read signal by the video game machine.

Abstract: A device for limiting liquid loss in pressurized liquid dispensers having a membrane, which is elastically deformable and capable of occupying two positions, namely: (a) a resting position in which it has three support zones, namely on a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface and on the protruding part of head of knob; and (b) a deformed position in which its end of larger diameter is raised from the first bearing surface by the stress exerted by the pressurized liquid so as to leave a free passage for said liquid, membrane in this position, however, remaining in contact with the second bearing surface and with the protruding part of knob head.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are methods and apparatus for performing a binding assay for an analyte of interest present in a sample based upon measurement of electrochemiluminescence at an electrode. The method uses magnetically responsive particles. The method and apparatus call for a plurality of electromagnets or permanent magnets in north-south orientation for imposing a magnetic field so as to collect the particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to insecticidal compositions which compriseA) inorganic or organic ammonium salts of the formula I ##STR1## in combination with at least one compound from the group consisting of the compounds silafluofen (4-ethoxyphenyl-?3-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)propyl!dimethylsilane), MTI-732, imidacloprid, ethofenprox (Trebon, MTI-500, (2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropyl-3-phenoxybenzyl ether), PP 682 (ICI-A5682), TI304, natural or synthetic pyrethroids and phosphorothioates.

Abstract: Phenanthridine derivatives, and their use in liquid-crystalline mixturesA ferroelectric liquid-crystal mixture containing one or more phenanthridine derivatives of the formula (I) ##STR1## E.sup.1 and E.sup.2 are identical or different and are --N--, --CF-- or --CH--;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and are, for example, a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms;Q is --CH.sub.2 --O--, --CO--O-- or a single bond;M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 are identical or different and are --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH.sub.2 --O--, --O--CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, --C.tbd.C--, or a single bond;A.sup.1 and A.sup.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## where X, n, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined in claim 1 are suitable as antidotes against phytotoxic secondary effects of herbicides in crop plants without adversely affecting the action of the herbicides against harmful plants.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture containing two or more components, at least one of which is a complex ligand for ions, in particular for cations, is particularly suitable for use in ferroelectric liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A voice processing system and method whereby communication can be established between two parties without direct, personal contact between the two. It is a system whereby a caller receives a reply to a question or problem even though the parties are unable to directly contact one another and are not part of the same dedicated telephone system. This is accomplished by receiving the call, recording the inquiry and giving the caller an identification number. The other party will access the recorded call, record a reply to such call and the system will store the response so as to be accessible by the initial caller upon use of the assigned identification number.

Abstract: A Vernier delay line interpolator provides a precision level smaller than a clock period by delaying a periodic pulse signal in a delay line which has equally time-spaced taps and a total delay that is a harmonic H greater than 1 of the pulse period. The taps of the delay line are latched and decoded to derive the fraction of the pulse period that has passed. When the interpolator is combined with a coarse counter, misalignment between their outputs is prevented by having the coarse counter count both edges of the periodic pulse signal so as to provide redundant bits between the counter and the interpolator. If the redundant bits are not equal, the counter output is corrected before it is combined with the output of the interpolator.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-emulsifiable granules of crop protection agents composed of the pesticidal active substance in liquid or dissolved form and an at least partially water-soluble shell-forming structural material, to the use of these granules as novel, advantageous formulations of crop protection agents, and to processes for their preparation. It furthermore relates to the general use of polyvinyl alcohols as shell-forming structural materials in the preparation of water-emulsifiable granules which contain organic compounds dissolved in a high-boiling solvent or solvent mixture.

Abstract: An asphalt-polymer composition containing:a) at least 25 to 97 wt % of an asphalt,b) at least 1 to 25 wt % of a polymer, andc) at least 2 to 50 wt % of aromatic compound(s),whereinthe aromatic compound(s) is present in an amount greater than 2 wt %,the at least one aromatic compound(s) and the polymer are present in amounts such that the ratio of amount present of aromatic compound to amount present of polymer is from 0.5 to 10, andthe composition has a FRAASS point of less than or equal to -13.degree. C. and a storage stability defined by a".DELTA. ring-and-ball" and a ".DELTA. penetrability" of less than or equal to 5. Also a process for preparing such asphalt-polymer composition including mixing the asphalt, the polymer and the aromatic compound at a temperature from 190.degree. to 300.degree. C. for a period of time preferably exceeding 30 minutes. The asphalt-polymer composition can be used as a road asphalt, emulsion or surface coating.

Abstract: To prepare nitrogen-containing aromatic polymers, for example polyamides, polyimides and polybenzimidazoles, polyvalent aromatic carboxylic acids and aromatic diamines and/or aminocarboxylic acids or reactive derivatives thereof are reacted in a high-boiling inert solvent with the addition of a heat-stable dispersing auxiliary, and volatile by-products formed in this reaction are distilled off. When the reaction has ended, the batch is cooled and the polymer formed is filtered off.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## where X, n, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined in claim 1 are suitable as antidotes against phytotoxic secondary effects of herbicides in crop plants without adversely affecting the action of the herbicides against harmful plants.