| boron neutron capture therapy | A technique for the treatment of neoplasms, especially gliomas and melanomas in which boron-10, an isotope, is introduced into the target cells followed by irradiation with thermal neutrons. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| neutron | <physics> An elementary atomic particle that has no charge and a mass that is approximately the same as that of a proton. Neutrons are found in allatoms except the lightest isotopes of hydrogen. (09 Jan 1998) |
| neutron activation analysis | Activation analysis in which the specimen is bombarded with neutrons. Identification is made by measuring the resulting radioisotopes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| neutron capture therapy | A technique for the treatment of neoplasms in which an isotope is introduced into target cells followed by irradiation with thermal neutrons. (12 Dec 1998) |
| neutron radiation | An emission of neutrons from the nucleus of an atom by decay or fission. (05 Mar 2000) |
| integrated neutron flux | <radiobiology> Sum (integral) of the neutron flux (neutrons per unit time per unit area, see flux) over all time, total number of neutrons which passed through a unit area. Important figure-of-merit in testing effects of neutron radiation on materials, and in assessing how long such materials can survive exposure to neutron sources (such as fission reactor cores and D-T fusion plasmas). (09 Oct 1997) |
| thermal neutron | <radiobiology> A neutron in thermal equilibrium with its surrounding environment. Thermal neutrons are those that have been slowed down by a moderator to speeds characteristic of the local temperature. Compare: fast neutron. (09 Oct 1997) |
| fast neutron | <physics> Neutron with energy greater than roughly 100,000 electron volts (100 keV). Distinguished from slow or thermal neutrons. (09 Oct 1997) |
| aerosol generator | A device for producing airborne suspensions of small particles for inhalation therapy or experimental work; e.g., a La Mer generator, spinning disk, or vibrating reed, each of which produces a monodisperse aerosol. (05 Mar 2000) |
| asynchronous pulse generator | A generator in which the rate of discharge is independent of the natural activity of the heart. Synonym: fixed rate pulse generator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| atrial synchronous pulse generator | A ventricular stimulating pulse whose rate of discharge is directly determined by the atrial rate. Synonym: atrial triggered pulse generator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| atrial triggered pulse generator | A ventricular stimulating pulse whose rate of discharge is directly determined by the atrial rate. Synonym: atrial triggered pulse generator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| radionuclide generator | A column containing a large amount of a particular radionuclide (mother radionuclide) that decays down to a second radionuclide of shorter physical half-life; the daughter radionuclide is separated from the parent by the process of elution and affords a continuing supply of relatively short-lived radionuclides for laboratory use; the elution is loosely termed "milking" with the generator referred to as a "radioactive cow." (05 Mar 2000) |
| generator | 1. One who, or that which, generates, begets, causes, or produces. 2. An apparatus in which vapor or gas is formed from a liquid or solid by means of heat or chemical process, as a steam boiler, gas retort, or vessel for generating carbonic acid gas, etc. 3. The principal sound or sounds by which others are produced; the fundamental note or root of the common chord. Synonym: generating tone. Origin: L. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| generator potential | Local depolarisation of the membrane potential at the end of a sensory neurone in graded response to the strength of a stimulus applied to the associated receptor organ, e.g., a pacinian corpuscle; if the generator potential becomes large enough (because the stimulus is at least of threshold strength), it causes excitation at the nearest node of Ranvier and a propagated action potential. (05 Mar 2000) |