Metabolic analyzer

An apparatus is described for the measurement of metabolic rate and breathing dynamics in which inhaled and exhaled breath are sensed by sealed, piston-displacement type spirometers. These spirometers electrically measure the volume of inhaled and exhaled breath. A mass spectrometer analyzes simultaneously for oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor. Computation circuits are responsive to the outputs of the spirometers, mass spectrometer, temperature, pressure and timing signals and compute oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, minute volume and respiratory exchange ratio. A selective indicator provides for read-out of these data at predetermined cyclic intervals

Molecular Identifications in Experiments with Astronomical Ice Analogues: New Data, Old Strategies, and the N2 + Acetone System

A recent publication on the radiation chemistry and IR spectroscopy of N2 plus acetone ices is used to illustrate some of the difficulties encountered in the study of astronomical ice analogues. Concerns and problems are identified and suggestions for their solution are presented, including new infrared (IR) spectra of amorphous ices. The hazards of using peak positions alone for assignments of the IR spectra of irradiated ices are illustrated, and the importance of considering the underlying reaction chemistry is shown. Several experiments are proposed as a way to investigate the behaviour of acetone in cold, extraterrestrial environments. Electronic versions of IR spectra are provided and several new refractive indices of ices are reported

Thermionic reactor power system: Effects of radiation on integration with Manned Space Station

The application of a thermionic reactor power system to the modular space station is described. The nominal net power is 40 kWe, with the power system designed to be applicable over the power range from 25 to 60 kWe. The power system is designed to be launched by the space shuttle. Radiation protection is provided by LiH neutron shielding and W gamma shielding in a shaped 4 pion configuration, i.e., the reactor is shielded on all sides but not to equal extent. Isodose contours are presented for the region around the modular space station. Levels and spectral distribution of radiation are given for later evaluation of effects on space station experiments. Parametric data on the effects of separation distance on power system mass are presented

Multimodal and ubiquitous computing systems: supporting independent-living older users

We document the rationale and design of a multimodal interface to a pervasive/ubiquitous computing system that supports independent living by older people in their own homes. The Millennium Home system involves fitting a resident’s home with sensors – these sensors can be used to trigger sequences of interaction with the resident to warn them about dangerous events, or to check if they need external help. We draw lessons from the design process and conclude the paper with implications for the design of multimodal interfaces to ubiquitous systems developed for the elderly and in healthcare, as well as for more general ubiquitous computing applications

The factorial validity and reliability of three versions of the Aggression Questionnaire using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling

The Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) measures aggression in four domains: Anger, Hostility, Physical Aggression and Verbal Aggression. Moreover, a number of shorter versions of the AQ have emerged. The present study used a large sample of adolescents to test three versions of the AQ. In each case we examined a unidimensional model, a hierarchical model, and a four-factor model. Results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed limited support for a unidimensional model in any of the AQ forms, with results supporting the widely used four-factor model, and to a lesser extent, the hierarchical model. Fit indices for both short-forms of the AQ using Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling were very good. However, results also revealed only partial gender invariance for both scales

The Macroeconomics of Low Inflation

macroeconomics, low inflation

Near-Rational Wage and Price Setting and the Long-Run Phillips Curve

macroeconomics, Near-Rational Wage, Price Setting, Long-Run Phillips Curve

Koszul-Tate Cohomology For an Sp(2)-Covariant Quantization of Gauge Theories with Linearly Dependent Generators

The anti-BRST transformation, in its Sp(2)-symmetric version, for the general case of any stage-reducible gauge theories is implemented in the usual BV approach. This task is accomplished not by duplicating the gauge symmetries but rather by duplicating all fields and antifields of the theory and by imposing the acyclicity of the Koszul-Tate differential. In this way the Sp(2)-covariant quantization can be realised in the standard BV approach and its equivalence with BLT quantization can be proven by a special gauge fixing procedure.Comment: 13 pages, Latex, To Be Published in International Journal of Modern Physics