Water bath calorimetric study of excess heat generation in 'resonant transfer' plasmas

Water bath calorimetry was used to demonstrate one more peculiar phenomenon associated with a certain class of mixed gas plasmas termed resonant transfer, or RT plasmas. Specifically, He/H2 (10%) (500 mTorr), Ar/H2 (10%) (500 mTorr), and H2O(g) (500 and 200 mTorr) plasmas generated with an Evenson microwave cavity consistently yielded on the order of 50% more heat than non RT plasma (controls) such as He, Kr, Kr/H2 (10%), under identical conditions of gas flow, pressure, and microwave operating conditions. The excess power density of RT plasmas was of the order 10 W / cm-3. In earlier studies with these same RT plasmas it was demonstrated that other unusual features were present including dramatic broadening of the hydrogen Balmer series lines, unique vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lines, and in the case of water plasmas, population inversion of the hydrogen excited states. Both the current results and the earlier results are completely consistent with the existence of a hitherto unknown exothermic chemical reaction, such as that predicted by Mills, occurring in RT plasmas.Comment: 30 pages, 2 tables, 5 figure

A critical analysis of the hydrino model

Recently, spectroscopic and calorimetric observations of hydrogen plasmas and chemical reactions with them have been interpreted as evidence for the existence of electronic states of the hydrogen atom with a binding energy of more than 13.6 eV. The theoretical basis for such states, that have been dubbed hydrinos, is investigated. We discuss both, the novel deterministic model of the hydrogen atom, in which the existence of hydrinos was predicted, and standard quantum mechanics. Severe inconsistencies in the deterministic model are pointed out and the incompatibility of hydrino states with quantum mechanics is reviewed.Comment: 9 page

On crossing fitness valleys with the Baldwin Effect

Escaping local optima and crossing fitness valleys to reach higher-fitness regions of a fitness landscape is a ubiquitous concept in much writing on evolutionary difficulty. The Baldwin effect, an interaction between non-heritable lifetime plasticity (e.g. learning) and evolution, has been shown to be able to guide evolutionary change and ‘smooth out’ abrupt fitness changes in fitness landscapes –thus enabling genetic evolution that would otherwise not occur. However, prior work has not provided a detailed study or analysis on the saddle-crossing ability of the Baldwin effect in a simple multi-peaked landscape. Here we provide analytic and simulation studies to investigate the effectiveness and limitations of the Baldwin effect in enabling genotypic evolution to cross fitness valleys. We also discuss how canalisation, an aspect of many prior models of the Baldwin effect, is unnecessary for the Baldwin effect and a hindrance to its valley-crossing ability

An efficient prebreathing apparatus for humans during decompression

Portable prebreathing system was developed which recirculates and reconditions respiratorily exhaled oxygen. Apparatus reduces fire hazards, simplifies prebreathing procedures, and does not require extensive enclosure venting system usage

Microbiological surface sampling cart

Mobile sampling cart automatically swabs surfaces for the recovery of microorganisms. Unit operates without human involvement and provides for control of swabbing speed, rotation of cotton swab, and the pressure and angle applied to swab. Capability of reverse direction is also available. Sampling cart use is limited to flat surfaces

Automated single-slide staining device

A simple apparatus and method is disclosed for making individual single Gram stains on bacteria inoculated slides to assist in classifying bacteria in the laboratory as Gram-positive or Gram-negative. The apparatus involves positioning a single inoculated slide in a stationary position and thereafter automatically and sequentially flooding the slide with increments of a primary stain, a mordant, a decolorizer, a counterstain and a wash solution in a sequential manner without the individual lab technician touching the slide and with minimum danger of contamination thereof from other slides

Providing More Effective and Efficient Casino RFPs

The proliferation of gaming has required governmental entities to become more efficient in the selection of new gaming operators. The Request for Proposal (RFP) process has become the accepted method for selecting operators in new jurisdictions. However, the development of this process has been, and continues to be, evolving; more recent RFPs have learned from the mistakes made in earlier ones. The authors discuss how to make the RFP process more effective and efficient by analyzing the mistakes made in previous RFPs. They provide recommendations on how to structure the initial RFP and about what information should be contained in all RFPs