Excess-3
Excess-3 is a binary-coded decimal (BCD) code used to express decimal numbers. It is a non-weighted code and is primarily used in digital systems to simplify the implementation of arithmetic operations. In Excess-3 encoding, each decimal digit is represented by its corresponding 4-bit binary representation, which is then incremented by 3.
Fibbinary number
A Fibbinary number is defined as a binary number that does not contain any consecutive ones. Essentially, it is a binary representation where the digit "1" can appear, but never two "1s" in adjacent positions. In this context, the term "Fibbinary" is derived from the Fibonacci sequence, as it relates to the concept of Zeckendorf's theorem.
Microsoft Binary Format
The Microsoft Binary Format (MBF) refers to a binary representation of numbers, particularly floating-point numbers, that was used in some of Microsoft's early software applications, particularly for Excel and other spreadsheet programs. MBF was a proprietary format developed by Microsoft and is distinct from other standard formats like IEEE 754, which is commonly used for floating-point arithmetic today.
Octal
Octal is a base-8 numeral system that uses eight distinct symbols to represent values: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. In the octal system, each digit's place value is a power of 8, much like the decimal system (base-10) uses powers of 10, and the binary system (base-2) uses powers of 2.
Civil defense Geiger counters
Civil defense Geiger counters are radiation detection devices specifically designed for use in civil defense and emergency management scenarios. These instruments are utilized to detect and measure ionizing radiation, including alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Their primary purpose is to help identify radioactive contamination following nuclear accidents, radiological dispersal device (RDD) incidents, or during nuclear warfare events. **Key Features of Civil Defense Geiger Counters:** 1.
Radiation portal monitor
A Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM) is a type of security equipment used to detect and identify radioactive materials that may be transported through ports, borders, or other critical locations. These monitors are essential for preventing the illicit transport of nuclear materials and ensuring public safety. **Key Features of Radiation Portal Monitors:** 1. **Detection Capability**: RPMs are designed to detect gamma and neutron radiation emitted by radioactive isotopes.
Oph-IRS 48
Oph-IRS 48 is a young stellar object located in the constellation of Ophiuchus, often identified as a protostar. It is part of a group of stars in the Ophiuchus molecular cloud complex. This region is significant for astronomical research because it provides insights into star formation processes.
Clock position
"Clock position" is a term often used in various fields such as healthcare, sports, and anatomy, to describe a way of indicating locations or directions using a clock face as a reference point. Each position on a clock represents a specific angle or direction. For example: 1. **Healthcare**: In medical contexts, particularly with reference to physical examinations or surgeries, clock positions can refer to the location of pain or abnormalities on a patient's body.
Half-carry flag
The half-carry flag is a specific bit in the status register of a CPU that is used in certain types of arithmetic operations, particularly in binary-coded decimal (BCD) arithmetic or in low-level operations involving binary numbers. It indicates whether there was a carry from the lower nibble (the least significant 4 bits) to the upper nibble (the next 4 bits) during an addition operation.
Half-precision floating-point format, often referred to as "half" or "binary16," is a computer number format that occupies 16 bits (2 bytes) in memory and is typically used for representing floating-point numbers with lower precision and range than single-precision (float) or double-precision (double) formats.
Hexadecimal
Hexadecimal, often abbreviated as "hex," is a base-16 numeral system that uses sixteen distinct symbols to represent values. The symbols used in hexadecimal include: - The digits 0 to 9, which represent values zero through nine. - The letters A to F (or a to f), which represent values ten through fifteen.
Collective dose
Collective dose is a concept used in radiation protection and epidemiology to quantify the total radiation exposure experienced by a population or a group of people over a specific period of time. It is typically expressed in units such as person-sieverts (person-Sv), which combines both the number of individuals exposed and the dose they received. The collective dose is calculated by taking the sum of the individual doses received by all members of the population at risk.
Leading-one detector
A leading-one detector is a digital circuit or algorithm used in various applications, primarily in digital signal processing and computer architecture, to identify the position of the first '1' bit in a given binary number or bit stream. This detection is useful in applications like arithmetic operations, encoding/decoding schemes, and data compression.
Logical shift
A logical shift is a bit manipulation operation that involves shifting the bits of a binary number to the left or right. Unlike arithmetic shifts, which preserve the sign of a number when using signed binary formats, logical shifts don't take into account whether the number is signed or not and simply shift bits in a straightforward manner.
Mask (computing)
In computing, a "mask" generally refers to a bitmask or a mask used in various contexts to manipulate data at the binary level. Here are some common uses of masks in computing: 1. **Bitmasking**: This involves using bitwise operations to manipulate individual bits within a binary number. A mask can help isolate, modify, or clear specific bits in a binary value.
The Dancing Wu Li Masters
"The Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics" is a book written by physicist Gary Zukav, first published in 1979. The book serves as an introduction to various complex concepts in modern physics, particularly quantum physics and relativity, and presents them in a way that is accessible to general readers.
The Evolution of Physics
"The Evolution of Physics" is a book written by Albert Einstein and Leopold Infeld, first published in 1938. The work aims to present the fundamental concepts of physics in a way that is accessible to a general audience, providing a historical overview of the development of physical theories from classical mechanics to modern physics, including the theories of relativity and quantum mechanics.
The Maxwellians
"The Maxwellians" is a term that can refer to a few different concepts or contexts: 1. **Historical Physics Context**: In the context of physics and thermodynamics, "Maxwellians" refers to the followers or proponents of James Clerk Maxwell's theories, particularly regarding kinetic theory and the distribution of molecular speeds in gases—most famously encapsulated in the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. This distribution describes the probability of particles in a gas having a particular speed at a given temperature.
Crispin Wright
Crispin Wright is a prominent British philosopher, primarily known for his work in philosophy of language, philosophy of mathematics, and epistemology. He is associated with the logical positivist tradition and has made significant contributions to discussions on meaning, truth, and the nature of mathematical objects. Wright is recognized for his development of a form of "truth-conditional semantics" and has written extensively on the relationships between language, logic, and our understanding of mathematical and logical truths.
Donald A. Gillies
Donald A. Gillies is a British philosopher known for his work in the philosophy of science and logic. He has made contributions to the understanding of scientific reasoning, particularly in the context of probability and statistical inference. Gillies is also known for discussing the implications of different scientific approaches and models, as well as the philosophical issues surrounding them.