| rate | The number of occurrences in one minute (for example respiratory rate, heart rate) (27 Sep 1997) |
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| rate constants | Proportionality constants equal to the initial rate of a reaction divided by the concentration of the reactant(s); e.g., in the reaction A → B + C, the rate of the reaction equals -d[A]/dt = k1[A]. The rate constant k1 is a unimolecular rate constant since there is only one molecular species reacting and has units of reciprocal time (e.g., sec-1). For the reverse reaction, B + C → A, the rate equals -d[B]/dt = d[A]/dt = k2[B][C]. The rate constant k2 is a bimolecular rate constant and has units of reciprocal concentration-time (e.g., m-1 sec-1). Synonym: velocity constants. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rate equation | A mathematical expression for a chemical, radiochemical, or enzyme-catalyzed reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rate meter | A device that continuously displays the magnitude of events averaged over varying time intervals. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rate schedule | A price list showing how the electric bill of a particular type of customer will be calculated by an electric utility company. (05 Dec 1998) |
| rate setting and review | A method of examining and setting levels of payments. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rate, basal metabolic | A measure of the rate of metabolism. For example, someone with an overly active thyroid will have an elevated basal metabolic rate. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rate, birth | The birth rate is usually given as the number of live births divided by the average population (or the population at midyear). This is termed the crude birth rate. In 1995, for example, the crude birth rate per 1,000 population was 14 in the united states, 16.9 in Australia, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rate, death | The number of deaths in the population divided by the average population (or the population at midyear) is the crude death rate. In 1994, for example, the crude death rate per 1,000 population was 8.8 in the united states, 7.1 in Australia, etc. A death rate can also be tabulated according to age or cause. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rate, erythrocyte sedimentation | A sedimentation rate, or sed rate , is a blood test that detects and is used to monitor inflammation activity. It is measured by recording the rate at which red blood cells (rbcs) sediment in a tube over time. It increases (the rbcs sediment faster) with more inflammation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rate, foetal mortality | The ratio of foetal deaths divided by the sum of the births (the live births + the foetal deaths) in that year. In the united states, the foetal mortality rate plummeted from 19.2 per 1,000 births in 1950 to 9.2 per 1,000 births in 1980. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rate, heart | Number of heart beats per minute. The normal resting adult heart beats regularly at an average rate of 60 times per minute. (young children's hearts beat faster). The speed of the heartbeat (heart rate) is governed by the speed of electrical signals from the pacemaker of the heart, the sa node, located in the right atrium (upper chamber of the heart). The electrical signals from the sa node travel across the atria and cause these two upper heart chambers to contract, delivering blood into the lower heart chambers, the ventricles. The electrical signals then pass through the av node to reach the ventricles. Electrical signals reaching the ventricles cause these chambers to contract, pumping blood to the rest of the body, generating the pulse. During rest, the speed of electrical signals originating from the sa node is slow, so the heart beats slowly. During exercise or excitement, the speed of signals from the sa node increases, and the heartbeat quickens. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rate, infant mortality | The number of children dying under a year of age divided by the number of live births that year. The infant mortality rate in the united states, which was 12.5 per 1,000 live births in 1980, fell to 9.2 per 1,000 live births in 1990. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rate, maternal mortality | The number of maternal deaths related to childbearing divided by the number of live births (or by the number of live births + foetal deaths) in that year. The maternal mortality rate in the united states in 1993 (and 1994) was 0.1 per 1,000 live births, or 1 mother dying per 10,000 live births. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rate, neonatal mortality | The number of children dying under 28 days of age divided by the number of live births that year. The neonatal mortality rate in the united states, which was 8.4 per 1,000 live births in 1980, declined to 5.8 per 1,000 live births in 1990. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abortion rate | The number of abortions per 1000 terminated pregnancies during a given period of time. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| age-specific rate | A rate for a specified age group, in which the numerator and denominator refer to the same age group. (05 Mar 2000) |
| attack rate | A cumulative incidence rate used for particular groups observed for limited periods under special circumstances, such as during an epidemic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| average flow rate | <physiology> The flow rate determined by dividing the total volume passed in a time period divided by the time period, usually quoted in mls per minute. (05 Mar 2000) |
| backup rate | A utility charge for providing occasional electricity service to replace on-site generation. (05 Dec 1998) |
| basal metabolic rate | <biochemistry, biology> The metabolic rate as measured under basal conditions: 12 hours after eating, after a restful sleep, no exercise or activity preceding test, elimination of emotional excitement and occurring in a comfortable temperature. Acronym: BMR (15 Nov 1997) |
| baseline foetal heart rate | <paediatrics> The average heart rate for a particular foetus during the diastolic phase of uterine contractions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| baseline variability of foetal heart rate | The beat-to-beat changes in foetal heart rate as recorded on a graph. (05 Mar 2000) |
| basic reproductive rate, ratio | <epidemiology> See Reproductive Ratio. (05 Dec 1998) |
| birth rate | The birth rate is usually given as the number of live births divided by the average population (or the population at midyear). This is termed the crude birth rate. In 1995, for example, the crude birth rate per 1,000 population was 14 in the United States, 16.9 in Australia, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breathing rate | <chest medicine, clinical sign> Also referred to as the respiratory rate. Measured as the number of breaths taken every minute. Normal resting adult respiratory rates are from 16-20 breaths per minute. The normal 1 year old infant can have a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute. Count the breaths taken in 30 seconds observing the rise and fall of the chest and then multiply this number by 2. (27 Sep 1997) |
| general fertility rate | A refined measure of fertility in a population; the numerator is the number of live births in a year, the denominator is the number of females of child-bearing age, usually defined as ages 15-44 (but increasingly recognised as extending to age 49). (05 Mar 2000) |
| recurrence rate | In genetic counseling, the risk that a future offspring will be affected given some specific set of relatives of whom at least one is already affected. (05 Mar 2000) |
| case fatality rate | The proportion of individuals contracting a disease that die of that disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maternal death rate | The number of maternal deaths that occur as the direct result of the reproductive process per 100,000 live births. See: rate. See: maternal death. (05 Mar 2000) |