Abstract: A laser donor element comprising a transparent support having thereon the following layers in the order recited:a) a hydrophilic layer;b) a propellant layer comprising a gas-producing polymer being capable of forming a gas upon heating by the laser and an infrared-absorbing material, the propellant layer having been coated using a polar solvent having an E.sub.t value of between about 0.3 and 1.0; andc) a colorant transfer layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared with a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having ionic moieties and an infrared radiation sensitive dye having multiple sulfo groups. The heat-sensitive polymer and IR dye can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents to provide highly thermal sensitive imaging compositions. In the imaging member, the polymer reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. For example, heat can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered "switchable" in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.

Abstract: A dispersion comprises a solvent having dispersed therein a liquid-crystal forming dye of structural Formula I, II or III: ##STR1## wherein the substituent are as defined in the specification. The dispersion is particularly useful in imaging and photographic elements.

Abstract: An element for cleaning processing solutions contained in a radiographic film processor is disclosed. The element is comprised of a transparent film support and hydrophilic colloid layers coated on opposite sides of the film support. An infrared opacifying dye is contained within the element capable of reducing specular transmission through the element before, during and after processing to less than 50 percent, measured at a wavelength within the spectral region of from 850 to 1100 nm. A processing solution soluble colorant can be contained in one or more of the hydrophilic colloid layers.

Abstract: A photographic element with a silver halide emulsion having a maximum sensitivity in the visible region at less than 480 nm and being sensitized by a dye of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 each independently represent S, Se or O; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are, independently, an alkyl group; Z represents an aromatic group or heteroaromatic group that is directly appended to the benzene ring shown or is attached through a linking group provided that the atoms of the linking group are sp.sup.2 hybridized, or Z can be a fused aromatic ring group; the benzene rings shown can be further substituted or unsubstituted, and; A' is one or more ions as needed to balance the charge on the molecule.

Abstract: This circuit facilitates the synchronization of two copies of digital control units. These digital control units control a number of digital spans. One copy of this circuit is active at any one particular time. This one copy drives all the remaining circuitry of the digital span interface for both copies of the digital control unit. The other copy of this circuit is typically in the ready-standby mode. It is not actively driving the remainder of the circuitry within its own copy. When one copy of the digital control unit is brought on-line, a framing operation must be performed to determine the proper framing bit for both copies. Circuitry in the cross-copy data path monitors an attempt to synchronize the two digital control unit copies. The data which is sent cross-copy is modified so that all data bits are at logic 1, except for a bit which the active copy believes is the proper S-bit or framing bit.