| electron cyclotron emission | <physics, radiobiology> As electrons gyrate around in a magnetic field (see also larmor radius or cyclotron radius), they radiate radio-frequency electromagnetic waves. This is known as electron cyclotron emission, and can be measured to help diagnose a plasma. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| emission | 1. The act of sending or throwing out; the act of sending forth or putting into circulation; issue; as, the emission of light from the sun; the emission of heat from a fire; the emission of bank notes. 2. That which is sent out, issued, or put in circulation at one time; issue; as, the emission was mostly blood. 3. <physics> Emission theory, the theory of Newton, regarding light as consisting of emitted particles or corpuscles. See Corpuscular theory. Origin: L. Emissio: cf. F. Emission. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| emission-computed tomography | <radiology> Tomography using emissions from radionuclides and a computer algorithm to reconstruct the image. (20 Jun 2000) |
| emission electron | <physics>? A beta particle resulting from radioactive decay. (05 Mar 2000) |
| emission offset | <chest medicine> A reduction in the air pollution emissions of existing sources to compensate for emissions from new sources. (05 Dec 1998) |
| emission standard | This regulatory value is a quantitative limit on the emission or discharge of a potentially toxic substance from a source. The simplest form for regulatory purposes is a uniform emission standard (UES) where the same limit is placed on all emissions of a particular contaminant. (09 Oct 1997) |
| field-emission microscope | <instrument, microscopy> Either one of two kinds of point-projection microscopes, both invented by E. W. Muller: (1) The older device (1936) is a specialised cathode-ray tube, employing field-emission of electrons from a negatively charged tip of a very sharp needle in a vacuum, by point-projection of the image onto a positively charged, fluorescent screen. (2) A later device (field-ion-mission microscope, 1950) emits absorbed helium ions from an anode. (05 Aug 1998) |
| field emission tube | An X-ray tube that uses a cold cathode, relying on the tube voltage to pull electrons from it to the anode. (05 Mar 2000) |
| flame emission spectrophotometry | Determination of the concentration of an element by measurement of light emitted when the element is excited by energy in the form of heat. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Abbe test plate | <equipment> A long, wedge-shaped coverslip about 0.20 mm thick at one end and 0.10 to 0.12 mm at the other end coated chemically with a silver film on which are ruled horizontal lines. at each variation in thickness of 0.01 mm there are vertical lines. By means of oblique illumination and by focusing on different portions of the plate, it is possible to determine the optimum coverslip thickness for any objective and also, for microscopes with drawtubes, the tube length for best objective performance. The approximate freedom from spherical and chromatic aberrations can also be estimated. Small isolated bits of silver near the edges of the lines form good objects for the star test (05 Aug 1998) |
| acetone test | A test for ketonuria; the suspected urine is shaken up with a few drops of sodium nitroprusside, and strong ammonia water is then gently poured over the mixture; if acetone is present, a magenta ring forms at the line of contact; tablets containing sodium nitroprusside and alkali are now more commonly used. (05 Mar 2000) |
| achievement test | A standardised test used to measure acquired learning, e.g., competence in a specific subject area such as reading or arithmetic, in contrast to an intelligence test which is a useful index of potential ability or learning. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acidified serum test | Lysis of the patient's red cells in acidified fresh serum, specific for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Synonym: Ham's test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acid loading test | <nephrology> This is a test used in the diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis. The patient takes ammonium chloride capsules for 3 days to acidify the blood (lower blood pH). A sample of the urine and the blood is then collected and the results are interpreted. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acid perfusion test | <gastroenterology, investigation> A test used to diagnosis gastrooesophageal reflux disease. This investigation requires that the patient swallow 3 tiny tubes into the stomach. A mixture of hydrochloric acid (like stomach acid) and saline are alternatively injected into the tubes. The patient then reports any symptoms they may have. Some patients may vomit. (13 Nov 1997) |