Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant nutrient reduction system comprising the application to plants of a microbially enhanced inorganic fertilizer composition wherein said application results in plant growth and yield comparable to the application of substantially greater amounts of a non-microbially enhanced fertilizer composition.

Abstract: A computer utility for reducing downtime required for applying patches to a UNIX system, and for allowing changes to the system to be rolled back in the event of problems with a patch.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a sealing assembly that includes a first component and a second component moveable into and out of mating engagement to form a seal therebetween. The first component has a first sealing surface defining a groove and a sealing bead extends upwardly a predetermined height therefrom. The sealing bead is molded within the groove. The second component has a second sealing surface defining a recess for contacting the sealing bead. When the first and the second components are brought into mating engagement, the sealing bead compresses at most 40% of the predetermined height when the second sealing surface contacts the sealing bead.

Abstract: An improved remote control that includes a manual alert mechanism for alerting and providing channel information to television viewer when a regularly viewed television program is about to begin. The improved remote control preferably includes an alerting mechanism having an automatic alert mode whereby, in addition to providing the audible and visual alerting alarms and the channel information of the manual alert mechanism, the automatic alert mode causes the remote control to turn on the television if it is not currently on and to tune the television to the channel of the desired program.

Abstract: An information documenting system that makes use of structured documents and a knowledge tree with links to information and/or to other structured documents such that information from the knowledge tree can be inserted in the structured document as the discretion of the user. Further an information documenting system that makes use of tags in a structured document such that information may be imported from databases or other documents and exported to databases and other structured documents; and makes use of tags such that documents can be formatted to the user's specification(s) and information can be selected for inclusion in or exclusion from a final document.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver bromoiodide photographic element comprising contacting the photographic element with a color developer for less than 120 seconds; wherein the photographic element comprises a support and more than one dye forming unit, and wherein the dye forming unit closest to the support contains an electron transfer agent releasing compound represented by the formula: CAR-(L)n-ETA wherein: CAR is a carrier moiety which is capable of releasing -(L)n-ETA on reaction with oxidized developing agent; L is a divalent linking group, n is 0, 1, or 2; and ETA is a releasable 1-aryl-3-pyrazolidinone electron transfer agent having a calculated log partition coefficient (c log P) greater than or equal to 2.40 bonded to L or CAR through either the nitrogen atom in the 2-position or the oxygen attached to the 3-position of the pyrazolidinone ring.

Abstract: An acrylate ester polymer composition having the desirable optical properties of poly(meth)acrylates and an enhanced Tg comprises a blend of a conventional PMMA polymer or copolymer with a high Tg acrylate ester polymer prepared by pyrolyzing a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and t-butyl methacrylate. The blend exhibits a single Tg, intermediate between the Tg of the conventional PMMA polymer and that of the pyrolyzed methyl methacrylate/t-butyl methacrylate copolymer. The blend can be formed into products that have good clarity, low haze and low color.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting an ejector to a die board including an ejector retaining recess in the die board and a portion of the ejector retained in such base without glue.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver bromoiodide photographic element comprising contacting the photographic element with a color developer for less than 120 seconds; wherein the photographic element comprises a support and more than one dye forming unit, and wherein the dye forming unit closest to the support contains an electron transfer agent releasing compound represented by the formula:

Abstract: An improved remote control that includes a manual alert mechanism for alerting and providing channel information to television viewer when a regularly viewed television program is about to begin. The improved remote control preferably includes an alerting mechanism having an automatic alert mode whereby, in addition to providing the audible and visual alerting alarms and the channel information of the manual alert mechanism, the automatic alert mode causes the remote control to turn on the television if it is not currently on and to tune the television to the channel of the desired program.

Abstract: An acrylate ester polymer composition having the desirable optical properties of poly(meth)acrylates and an enhanced Tg comprises a blend of a conventional PMMA polymer or copolymer with a high Tg acrylate ester polymer prepared by pyrolyzing a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and t-butyl methacrylate. The blend exhibits a single Tg, intermediate between the Tg of the conventional PMMA polymer and that of the pyrolyzed methyl methacrylate/t-butyl methacrylate copolymer. The blend can be formed into products that have good clarity, low haze and low color.

Abstract: An infra-red detector (10) comprises a detector region (38) and a collector region separated by a barrier region. Operation of these regions is controlled by potentials applied to respective gate electrodes (30, 34, 32), insulated from the detector, barrier and collector regions by an insulating oxide layer (36). The detector, barrier, and collector regions may be arranged on a silicon substrate (24). In operation, photo-excited electrons are generated in the detector region and these cross the barrier region for readout from the collector region.

Abstract: A noise reduced photon detector incorporates an array (10) of semiconductor diode detector elements (12). Each element (12) has an extrinsic active layer (20) sandwiched between two layers (18, 22) of wider bandgap and mutually opposite conductivity type. These layers are in turn sandwiched between two further layers (16, 24) of wider bandgap than the active layer (20) and of higher doping than the other layers (18, 22). A mirror (34) extends round much the array (10) and isolates each element (12) from photons emitted by other elements (12). In operation the elements (12) are reverse biased and exhibit negative luminescence which reduces their photon emission. These two effects reduce unwanted photon generation and absorption, and consequently photon noise is also reduced.

Abstract: An active damping method and a self-contained active damping system that can be retrofitted to existing rockets are provided which for reducing the dispersion of rockets by using lateral thrusters to oppose any initial yawing motion. The self-contained system of the present invention can be installed in a cylindrical section of a rocket body by insertion between other flight body parts.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system (10) which is accoupled and by scanning recreates a thermal image by superimposing measured variations in infrared emission from a scene (22) onto a reference level supplied by a light emitting diode (28). The diode (28) is both a positive and negative luminescent emitter. Emitted flux is current controlled to be equivalent to black body radiation at a range of temperatures which may be colder or hotter than ambient. A signal generated with the system (10) switches between scene and diode observation is a measure of the difference between the mean scene temperature and the diode effective temperature. In response to this digital, control means adjust the bias current through the diode (28) in order to reduce the temperature difference. The reference temperature converges towards the mean scene temperature as this process is repeated. Absolute temperature is thus restored and some image defects removed.

Abstract: A fold-out fin has a fin geometry defined by two cross-sectional cuts through the cylindrical projectile body, both cuts being parallel to the boattail surface. This geometry insures that the stowed fin assembly fits within the gun tube. This geometry also exhibits low drag and good aerodynamic behavior. Upon launch, the fins are deployed and then locked in the fully open position with a spring loaded pin.

Abstract: A folding score and a method and apparatus for forming the folding score which includes a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced side scores and a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross scores positioned therebetween. The apparatus for forming the folding score includes a creasing rule or a die board embodying a creasing rule with a pair of laterally spaced score members and a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross score members positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A thermal sensing system (10) including an array of photon detectors (14) produces a detector-dependent response to irradiation. Variations in individual detector characteristics produce a fixed pattern noise which degrades an image or other response. A switchable mirror (M1) may at one position (P.sub.cal) direct infrared radiation from a light emitting diode (20) onto the detector array (14). The diode (20) is both a negative and positive luminescent emitter, the flux emitted is current controlled to be equivalent to black body radiation at a range of temperatures both colder and hotter than ambient. Calibration relationships comprising transfer functions relating incident intensity to signal response are derived for each detector. Alternatively the mirror (M1) may be at an observation position (P.sub.obs) and infrared radiation from a remote scene reaches the detector array (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a long distance telephone communication system which is convenient and cost effective. This system advantageously combines or makes use of existing communication channels or networks. The system and method relies on an intermediate leg of the distribution network being an INTERNET segment. Conventional PSTN telephone communication is typically used for initial and final legs. Real time voice telephone communications are completed by the system. Telephone to telephone long distance communications use INTERNET between two commercial providers, with these commercial providers interacting seamlessly with conventional telephones, thereby making the system widely available to telephone subscribers.