| load factor | Load factor is the ratio of average demand to maximum demand or to capacity. (05 Dec 1998) |
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| genetic load | <genetics> In general terms the decrease in fitness of a population (as a result of selection acting on phenotypes) due to deleterious mutations in the population gene pool. More specifically, the average number of recessive lethal mutations, in the heterozygous state, estimated to be present in the genome of an individual in a population. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| viral load | The number of viral particles (usually HIV) in a sample of blood plasma. HIV viral load is increasingly employed as a surrogate marker for disease progression. It is measured by PCR and bDNA tests and is expressed in number of HIV copies or equivalents per millilitre. (09 Oct 1997) |
| hydraulic load | Amount of liquid going into a system. (05 Dec 1998) |
| interruptible load | Loads that can be curtailed at the supplier's discretion or in accordance with a contractual agreement. (05 Dec 1998) |
| electronic pacemaker load | The impedance to the output, the standard load being 500 ohms resistance ± 1%. (05 Mar 2000) |
| load | 1. To lay a load or burden on or in, as on a horse or in a cart; to charge with a load, as a gun; to furnish with a lading or cargo, as a ship; hence, to add weight to, so as to oppress or embarrass; to heap upon. "I strive all in vain to load the cart." (Gascoigne) "I have loaden me with many spoils." (Shak) "Those honors deep and broad, wherewith Your majesty loads our house." (Shak) 2. To adulterate or drug; as, to load wine. 3. To magnetize. Loaded dice, dice with one side made heavier than the others, so that the number on the opposite side will come up oftenest. Origin: Loaded; Loading. Loaden is obsolete, and laden belongs to lade. 1. A burden; that which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; that which is borne or sustained; a weight; as, a heavy load. "He might such a load To town with his ass carry." (Gower) 2. The quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way; the contents of a cart, barrow, or vessel; that which will constitute a cargo; lading. 3. That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the mind or spirits; as, a load of care. " A . . . Load of guilt." . " Our life's a load." 4. A particular measure for certain articles, being as much as may be carried at one time by the conveyance commonly used for the article measured; as, a load of wood; a load of hay; specifically, five quarters. 5. The charge of a firearm; as, a load of powder. 6. Weight or violence of blows. 7. <machinery> The work done by a steam engine or other prime mover when working. Load line, or Load water line, the line on the outside of a vessel indicating the depth to which it sinks in the water when loaded. Synonym: Burden, lading, weight, cargo. See Burden. Origin: OE. Lode load, way; properly the same word as lode, but confused with lade, load, v. See Lade, Lead, Lode. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| load management | Any method or device that evens out electric power demand by eliminating uses during peak periods or shifting usage from peak time to off-peak time. (05 Dec 1998) |
| accelerator factor | <chemical> Heat- and storage-labile plasma glycoprotein which accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin in blood coagulation. Factor v accomplishes this by forming a complex with factor xa, phospholipid, and calcium (prothrombinase complex). Deficiency of factor v leads to owren's disease. Chemical name: Blood-coagulation factor V (12 Dec 1998) |
| acetate replacement factor | <biochemistry> 1,2 dithiolane 3 valeric acid. Regarded as a coenzyme in the oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex of the citric acid cycle. Involved generally in oxidative decarboxylations of _ keto acids. A growth factor for some organisms. (18 Nov 1997) |
| adrenal weight factor | A postulated substance of adenohypophysial origin responsible for maintenance of the weight of the adrenal cortex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adrenocorticotropic releasing factor | Hormone produced by hypothalamus that causes pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone. (05 Mar 2000) |
| a-factor | <molecular biology> A protein which is found in the bacterial genus Streptomyces that helps start the production of streptomycin and the process of morphological differentiation. It is used in biotechnology to induce these functions in mutant strains of Streptomyces that cannot produce it themselves. (09 Feb 1998) |
| angiogenesis factor | Substance causing proliferation of new blood vessels. It is found in tissues with high metabolic requirements, such as the retina, and in certain cancers. The factor is also released by hypoxic macrophages at the edges or outer surfaces of wounds and initiates revascularization in wound healing. (12 Dec 1998) |
| animal protein factor | <biochemistry> Member of the water soluble B vitamin group, important in the proper function of the nervous system and important in proper carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. (27 Sep 1997) |
| antialopecia factor | A member of the vitamin B complex necessary for growth of yeast and of mice, absence from the diet causes hair loss and dermatitis in mice. (27 Sep 1997) |