Sunday, August 31, 2008

Cruft

Cruft is computing jargon for code, data, or software of poor quality. The term is also used for the fluff that accumulates on computer equipment.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Biofilm

A biofilm is a structured community of microorganisms encapsulated within a self-developed polymeric matrix and adherent to a living or inert surface. Biofilms are also often characterized by surface attachment, structural heterogeneity, genetic diversity, complex community interactions, and an extracellular matrix of polymeric substances.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Epiphenomenon

Epiphenomenon: An epiphenomenon is a secondary phenomenon that occurs alongside a primary phenomenon.

Often, a causal relationship between the phenomena is implied: the epiphenomenon is a consequence of the primary phenomenon. In medicine, this relationship is typically not implied: an epiphenomenon may occur independently, and is merely called an epiphenomenon because it is not the primary phenomenon under study. (A side-effect is a specific kind of epiphenomenon that does occur as a consequence.)

In philosophy of mind, epiphenomenalism is the view that mental phenomena are caused by physical phenomena, and cannot cause anything themselves. It was probably first mentioned by T. H. Huxley in 1874.

Inergen

Inergen is a trademarked Fire suppression product of Ansul Corporation. Inergen is a blend of inert atmospheric gases that contains 52.5% nitrogen, 40% argon, 8% carbon dioxide [ref: Ansul Inergen MSDS Form F-9313-7]. It is considered a clean agent for use in gaseous fire suppression applications. Inergen does not contain halocarbons, and has no ozone depletion potential. It is non-toxic. Inergen is used at design concentrations of 40-50% to lower the concentration of oxygen to a point that cannot support combustion.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Schmutzdecke

Schmutzdecke (German, "grime or filth cover", sometimes spelt schmutzedecke) is a complex biological layer formed on the surface of a slow sand filter. The schmutzdecke is the layer that provides the effective purification in potable water treatment, the underlying sand providing the support medium for this biological treatment layer.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Hypogeal

Hypogeal means "underground".

Bistability


Something that is bistable can be resting in two states. In physics, for an ensemble of particles, the bistability comes from the fact that its free energy has three critical points. Two of them are minima and the last is a maximum. By mathematical arguments, the maximum must lie between the two minima. By default, the system state will be in either of the minima states, because that corresponds to the state of lowest energy. The maximum can be visualised as a barrier.

Azew

Azew: dry.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Japery

To joke or quip.

[Middle English japen, probably from Old French japer, to yap, chatter, nag, of imitative origin.]

source 2

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Escutcheon

Escutcheon: Escutcheon (pronounced [ɪ'skʌtʃən]) (also called scutcheon) is the term used in heraldry for the shield displayed in a coat of arms. An inescutcheon is a smaller escutcheon borne within a larger escutcheon. The term crest is often used incorrectly to designate this part of the coat of arms.

Provenance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Provenance: from the French provenir, 'to come from', means the origin, or the source, of something, or the history of the ownership or location of an object,[1] especially a work of art, or some object of value such as is found in archaeology, or paleontology, or some document, such as a manuscript, or even an item of literature in the broadest sense, including a first edition of a very rare published work. The primary purpose of provenance is to confirm the time, place, and if appropriate the person responsible, for the creation, production or discovery of the object. Comparative techniques, expert opinions, written and verbal records and the results of various kinds of scientific tests are often used to help establish provenance.

Keening

Keening is a form of vocal lament associated with mourning that is traditional in Scotland and Ireland.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Saturday, August 9, 2008

lordosis

  Lordosis is historically defined as an abnormal inward curvature of the lumbar spine.