| martial arts | Activities in which participants learn self-defense mainly through the use of hand-to-hand combat. Judo involves throwing an opponent to the ground while karate (which includes kung fu and tae kwon do) involves kicking and punching an opponent. T'ai chi is also a form of meditative exercise through methodically slow circular stretching movements and positions of body balance. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| language arts | Skills in the use of language which lead to proficiency in written or spoken communication. (12 Dec 1998) |
| behavioural sciences | Disciplines concerned with the study of human and animal behaviour. (12 Dec 1998) |
| biological sciences | All of the divisions of the natural sciences dealing with the various aspects of the phenomena of life and vital processes. The concept includes anatomy and physiology, biochemistry and biophysics, and the biology of animals, plants, and microorganisms. It should be differentiated from biology, one of its subdivisions, concerned specifically with the origin and life processes of living organisms. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physical sciences | The natural sciences dealing with inanimate matter or with energy, as physics, chemistry, astronomy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| social sciences | Disciplines concerned with the interrelationships of individuals in a social environment including social organizations and institutions. Includes sociology and anthropology. (12 Dec 1998) |
| national academy of sciences | A united states organization of distinguished scientists and engineers established for the purpose of investigating and reporting upon any subject of art or science as requested by any department of government. The national research council organised by nas serves as the principal operating agency to stimulate and support research. (12 Dec 1998) |
| civilian health and medical program of the uniformed services | See: CHAMPUS. (12 Dec 1998) |
| coroners and medical examiners | Physicians appointed to investigate all cases of sudden or violent death. (12 Dec 1998) |
| academic medical centres | Medical complexes consisting of medical school, hospitals, clinics, libraries, administrative facilities, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| advance medical directives | Advance directives preserve the person's right to accept or reject a course of medical treatment even after that person becomes mentally or physically incapacitated to the point of being unable to communicate those wishes. There ared two basic types of advance directives: (1) a living will, in which the person outlines specific treatment guidelines that are to be followed by health care providers; (2) a health care proxy (also called a power of attorney for healthcare decision making) in which the person designates a trusted individual to make medical decisions in the event that he or she becomes too incapacitated to make such decisions. Advance directive requirements vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another and should therefore be drawn up in consultation with an attorney who is familiar with the laws of the particular jurisdiction. (This entry is based upon material from the National MS Society). (12 Mar 2000) |
| american medical association | Professional society representing the field of medicine. (12 Dec 1998) |
| genetics, medical | A field of human genetics which entails the reliable prediction of certain human disorders as a function of the lineage and/or genetic makeup of any two parents or potential parents. (12 Dec 1998) |
| reference books, medical | Books in the field of medicine intended primarily for consultation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| regional medical programs | Coordination of activities and programs among health care institutions within defined geographic areas for the purpose of improving delivery and quality of medical care to the patients. These programs are mandated under u.s. Public law 89-239. (12 Dec 1998) |