| replica plating | <technique> Technique for testing the genetic characteristics of bacterial colonies. A dilute suspension of bacteria is first spread, in a petri dish, on agar containing a medium expected to support the growth of all bacteria, the master plate. Each bacterial cell in the suspension is expected to give rise to a colony. A sterile velvet pad, the same size as the petri dish, is then pressed onto it, picking up a sample of each colony. The bacteria can then be stamped onto new sterile petri dishes, plates, in the identical arrangement. The media in the new plates can be made up to lack specific nutritional requirements or to contain antibiotics. Thus colonies can be identified that cannot grow without specific nutrients or that are antibiotic resistant and cells with mutations in particular genes can be isolated. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| compression plating | A technique for internal fixation of fractures in which plates and screws are applied so as to produce compression of the line of fracture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plating | 1. The art or process of covering anything with a plate or plates, or with metal, particularly of overlaying a base or dull metal with a thin plate of precious or bright metal, as by mechanical means or by electromagnetic deposition. 2. A thin coating of metal laid upon another metal. 3. A coating or defensive armor of metal (usually steel) plates. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| carnot efficiency | <radiobiology> Maximum possible efficiency for conversion of thermal energy to useful work (such as electrical energy), as determined by the laws of thermodynamics. The Carnot efficiency (eta) for conversion of thermal to electric energy (for example, the upper limit on efficiency of a steam turbine) is given by (eta) = [ (T-hot) - (T-cold) ] / (T-hot). That is, one gets the efficiency from the values of the input and output temperatures (measured in Kelvin). (09 Oct 1997) |
| visual efficiency | A rating used in computing compensation for industrial ocular injuries, incorporating measurements of central acuity, visual field, and ocular motility. (05 Mar 2000) |
| combustion efficiency | Actual heat produced by combustion divided by the total heat potential of the fuel consumed (17 Dec 1998) |
| heat transfer efficiency | Useful heat output released to the room divided by the actual heat produced in the firebox (17 Dec 1998) |
| quantum efficiency | The number of photons required for the formation of one oxygen molecule in photosynthesis. Varies from 8-14 depending on the system used to measure it. (18 Nov 1997) |
| thermal efficiency | <radiobiology> Ratio of the electric power produced by a power plant to the original amount of heat produced. This measures the efficiency with which the thermal energy is converted to electricity. (09 Oct 1997) |
| efficiency | 1. The quality of being efficient or producing an effect or effects; efficient power; effectual agency. "The manner of this divine efficiency being far above us." (Hooker) 2. <mechanics> The ratio of useful work to energy expended. Efficiency of a heat engine, the ratio of the work done an engine, to the work due to the heat supplied to it. Origin: L. Efficientia. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| efficiency, organizational | The capacity of an organization, institution, or business to produce desired results with a minimum expenditure of energy, time, money, personnel, materiel, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| transformation efficiency | The number of bacterial cells that uptake and express plasmid DNA divided by the mass of plasmid used (in transformants/microgram). (09 Oct 1997) |
| absolute | 1. Loosed from any limitation or condition; uncontrolled; unrestricted; unconditional; as, absolute authority, monarchy, sovereignty, an absolute promise or command; absolute power; an absolute monarch. 2. Complete in itself; perfect; consummate; faultless; as, absolute perfection; absolute beauty. "So absolute she seems, And in herself complete." (Milton) 3. Viewed apart from modifying influences or without comparison with other objects; actual; real; opposed to relative and comparative; as, absolute motion; absolute time or space. Absolute rights and duties are such as pertain to man in a state of nature as contradistinguished from relative rights and duties, or such as pertain to him in his social relations. 4. Loosed from, or unconnected by, dependence on any other being; self-existent; self-sufficing. In this sense God is called the Absolute by the Theist. The term is also applied by the Pantheist to the universe, or the total of all existence, as only capable of relations in its parts to each other and to the whole, and as dependent for its existence and its phenomena on its mutually depending forces and their laws. 5. Capable of being thought or conceived by itself alone; unconditioned; non-relative. It is in dispute among philosopher whether the term, in this sense, is not applied to a mere logical fiction or abstraction, or whether the absolute, as thus defined, can be known, as a reality, by the human intellect. "To Cusa we can indeed articulately trace, word and thing, the recent philosophy of the absolute." (Sir W. Hamilton) 6. Positive; clear; certain; not doubtful. "I am absolute 't was very Cloten." (Shak) 7. Authoritative; peremptory. "The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head, With absolute forefinger, brown and ringed." (Mrs. Browning) 8. <chemistry> Pure; unmixed; as, absolute alcohol. 9. Not immediately dependent on the other parts of the sentence in government; as, the case absolute. See Ablative absolute, under Ablative. <geometry> Absolute curvature, the sum of the optic and eccentric equations. <physics> Absolute space, space considered without relation to material limits or objects. Absolute terms. <mathematics> The be ginning, or zero point, in the scale of absolute temperature. It is equivalent to -273 deg centigrade or -459.4 deg Fahrenheit. Synonym: Positive, peremptory, certain, unconditional, unlimited, unrestricted, unqualified, arbitrary, despotic, autocratic. Origin: L. Absolutus, p. P. Of absolvere: cf. F. Absolu. See Absolve. <geometry> In a plane, the two imaginary circular points at infinity; in space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle at infinity. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| absolute agraphia | Agraphia in which not even unconnected letters can be written. Synonym: atactic agraphia, literal agraphia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| absolute alcohol | Water having been removed. Synonym: anhydrous alcohol. (05 Mar 2000) |