| Abbe's law of limiting resolution | <physics> For a periodic structure of units separated by distance d and obliquely illuminated by the unrefracted ray and one of the two diffracted rays (extremely oblique illumination). Abbe applied the law of diffraction: d = 0.5 lambda /NA, where: lambda = wavelength of the monochromic light or shortest of mixed wavelengths NA = the limiting numerical aperture (NA) of objective or condenser. (05 Aug 1998) |
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| resolution | Complete return to normal structure and function: used, for example: of an inflammatory lesion or of a disease. (18 Nov 1997) |
| resolution acuity | The detection of a target having two or more parts, often measured by using the Snellen test types; indicated by two numbers: the first represents the distance at which an individual sees the test types (usually 6 meters or 20 feet), and the second, the distance at which the test types subtend an angle of 5 minutes; e.g., vision of 6/9 indicates a test distance of 6 meters and recognition of symbols which subtend an angle of 5 minutes at a distance of 9 meters. Synonym: visual acuity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| high-resolution banding | Banding, especially in prophase, which increases the clarity and number of discernible chromosome bands. (05 Mar 2000) |
| high resolution computed tomography | Computed tomography with narrow collimation to reduce volume-averaging and an edge-enhancing reconstruction algorithm to sharpen the image, sometimes with a restricted field of view to minimise the size of pixels in the region imaged; used particularly for lung imaging. Hypocycloidal tomography, body section radiography using a complex film and tube motion with a pattern resembling a three-leaf clover. (05 Mar 2000) |
| high-resolution imaging | <technique> High Resolution Electron Microscopy is phase contrast microscopy of the atomic structure of materials. In most crystalline inorganic materials and a number of polymeric materials HREM allows the imaging of individual atomic columns. The images can frequently be interpreted in terms of the projected crystal potential, although it is often necessary to match the experimental images with those calculated from multislice algorithms. Allows direct measurement of lattice parameters, inspection of individual defects and grain orientation. (05 Aug 1998) |
| limit of resolution | 1. <optics> The resolution of an optical system defines the closest proximity of two objects that can be seen as two distinct regions of the image. This limit depends upon the Numerical Aperture of the optical system, the contrast step between objects and background and the shape of the objects. The often quoted Airy limit applies only to self luminous discs. 2. <genetics> The smallest map distance measurable by an experiment involving a certain number of classified recombinant progency. (10 Mar 1998) |
| minimal | Smallest or least, the smallest possible. Origin: L. Minimus = least (18 Nov 1997) |
| minimal air | The volume of gas that remains in the lungs and cannot be expelled after they have been removed from the body, or after the chest has been opened. (05 Mar 2000) |
| minimal alveolar concentration | The end-alveolar concentration of an inhalation anaesthetic which prevents somatic response to a painful stimulus in 50% of individuals; an index of relative potency of inhalation anaesthetics. Synonym: minimal anaesthetic concentration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| minimal amplitude nystagmus | Nystagmus of so small an amplitude that it is not detected by the usual clinical tests. Synonym: minimal amplitude nystagmus. Origin: micro-+ G. Nystagmos, a nodding (05 Mar 2000) |
| minimal anaesthetic concentration | The end-alveolar concentration of an inhalation anaesthetic which prevents somatic response to a painful stimulus in 50% of individuals; an index of relative potency of inhalation anaesthetics. Synonym: minimal anaesthetic concentration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| minimal brain dysfunction | An inability to control behaviour due to difficulty in processing neural stimuli. (12 Dec 1998) |
| minimal-change disease | <nephrology> A disorder of the kidneys which largely affects the glomerulus, the blood filtering structure. This disorder is one common cause of nephrotic syndrome, minimal glomerular changes, in children affecting 2 to 3 children per 100,000 population under age 16 in the USA. Minimal change disease is also seen rarely in adults. The cause is unknown but may be related to an autoimmune illness. It is marked by oedema, albuminuria, and an increase in cholesterol in the blood, but otherwise with fairly good renal function. Tubular epithelium is vacuolated by cholesterol droplets, but the glomeruli show only that the foot processes of the glomerular epithelial cells are fused, probably secondary to the proteinuria; the cause of the increased glomerular permeability to plasma protein is unknown. Risk factors include a history for a immune disorder, recent immunisation or a bee sting. Diagnosis is made by renal biopsy. Treatment include systemic corticosteroids which are usually quite effective in curing this disease. Other medications include chlorambucil and cyclophosphamide. In most cases, a moderate protein diet (1 gram protein per Kg body weight per day) will be recommended. Salt (sodium) restriction can be helpful to reduce swelling and vitamin D is usually supplemented. Synonym: lipoid nephrosis (27 Sep 1997) |
| minimal-change nephrotic syndrome | <nephrology> A disorder of the kidneys which largely affects the glomerulus, the blood filtering structure. This disorder is one common cause of nephrotic syndrome, minimal glomerular changes, in children affecting 2 to 3 children per 100,000 population under age 16 in the USA. Minimal change disease is also seen rarely in adults. The cause is unknown but may be related to an autoimmune illness. It is marked by oedema, albuminuria, and an increase in cholesterol in the blood, but otherwise with fairly good renal function. Tubular epithelium is vacuolated by cholesterol droplets, but the glomeruli show only that the foot processes of the glomerular epithelial cells are fused, probably secondary to the proteinuria; the cause of the increased glomerular permeability to plasma protein is unknown. Risk factors include a history for a immune disorder, recent immunisation or a bee sting. Diagnosis is made by renal biopsy. Treatment include systemic corticosteroids which are usually quite effective in curing this disease. Other medications include chlorambucil and cyclophosphamide. In most cases, a moderate protein diet (1 gram protein per Kg body weight per day) will be recommended. Salt (sodium) restriction can be helpful to reduce swelling and vitamin D is usually supplemented. Synonym: lipoid nephrosis (27 Sep 1997) |