| discrete random variable | A random variable that may assume a countable number of values, each with a probability strictly greater than zero. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| discrete variable | A variable that may assume only a countable (usually finite) number of values. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immunoglobulin variable region | That region of the immunoglobulin (antibody) molecule that varies in its amino acid sequence and composition, confers the antigenic specificity, and is thought to comprise the binding site for the antigen. It is located at the n-terminus of the fab fragment of the immunoglobulin. It includes hypervariable and framework regions, vh family subgroups, and the complementarity-determining region. (12 Dec 1998) |
| independent variable | A characteristic being measured or observed that is hypothesised to influence another event or manifestation (the dependent variable) within a defined area of relationships under study; that is, the independent variable is not influenced by the event or manifestation, but may cause it or contribute to its variation. See: dependent variable. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intermediate variable | A variable in a causal pathway that causes variation in the dependent variable and is itself caused to vary by the independent variable. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intervening variable | An event, such as an attitude or emotion, inferred to occur within an organism between the stimulation and response in such a way as to influence or determine the response. (05 Mar 2000) |
| airbrasive technique | A method of grinding, cutting tooth structure, or roughening the natural tooth surface or the surface of a restoration, by means of a device utilizing a gas-impelled jet of fine Al203 particles which, after striking the tooth, are removed by an aspirator. See: microetching technique. (05 Mar 2000) |
| air-gap technique | Chest radiography performed using a space between the subject and film instead of a grid to absorb scattered radiation; usually requires a target-film distance of 10 feet. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aseptic technique | <procedure> A method used by microbiologists and clinicians to keep cultures, sterile instruments and media, and people free of microbial contamination. (09 Oct 1997) |
| atrial-well technique | An obsolete semi-closed surgical technique for repairing atrial septal defects and other cardiac abnormalities. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Barcroft-Warburg technique | An apparatus for measuring the oxygen consumption of incubated tissue slices by manometric measurement of changes in gas pressure produced by oxygen absorption in an enclosed flask. Synonym: Barcroft-Warburg apparatus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Begg light wire differential force technique | An orthodontic appliance utilizing small gauge labial wires with expansion and contraction loops formed into it and attached to bands fitted to individual teeth; sometimes called Begg light wire differential force technique. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Berk Sharp technique | <molecular biology, procedure> A technique of genetic mapping in which mRNA is hybridised with single stranded DNA and the nonhybridised DNA then digested with S1 nuclease, the residual DNA that hybridised with the messenger is then characterised by restriction mapping. (18 Nov 1997) |
| bone demineralization technique | Removal of mineral constituents or salts from bone or bone tissue. Demineralization is used as a method of studying bone strength and bone chemistry. (12 Dec 1998) |
| radioisotope dilution technique | Method for assessing flow through a system by injection of a known quantity of radionuclide into the system and monitoring its concentration over time at a specific point in the system. (12 Dec 1998) |