| ADDU | alcohol and drug dependence unit |
|---|---|
| AL | absolute latency; acinar lumen; acute leukemia; adaptation level; albumin; alcoholism [and other dru... |
| PPD | packs per day; paraphenylenediamine; percussion and postural drainage; permanent partial disability;... |
| PSDA | Patient Self-Determination Act; psychoactive substance abuse and dependence |
| ICD | I-cell disease; immune complex disease; implantable cardioverter defibrillator; impulse-control diso... |
D factor
| device | 1. That which is devised, or formed by design; a contrivance; an invention; a project; a scheme; often, a scheme to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice. "His device in against Babylon, to destroy it." (Jer. Li. 11) "Their recent device of demanding benevolences." (Hallam) "He disappointeth the devices of the crafty." (Job v. 12) 2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance. "I must have instruments of my own device." (Landor) 3. An emblematic design, generally consisting of one or more figures with a motto, used apart from heraldic bearings to denote the historical situation, the ambition, or the desire of the person adopting it. See Cognizance. Improperly, an heraldic bearing. "Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by devices on their shields." (Addison) "A banner with this strange device - Excelsior." (Longfellow) 4. Anything fancifully conceived. 5. A spectacle or show. 6. Opinion; decision. Synonym: Contrivance, invention, design, scheme, project, stratagem, shift. Device, Contrivance. Device implies more of inventive power, and contrivance more of skill and dexterity in execution. A device usually has reference to something worked out for exhibition or show; a contrivance usually respects the arrangement or disposition of things with reference to securing some end. Devices were worn by knights-errant on their shields; contrivances are generally used to promote the practical convenience of life. The word device is often used in a bad sense; as, a crafty device; contrivance is almost always used in a good sense; as, a useful contrivance. Origin: OE. Devis, devise, will, intention, opinion, invention, fr. F. Devis architect's plan and estimates (in OF, division, plan, wish), devise device (in sense 3), in OF. Also, division, wish, last will, fr. Deviser. See Devise, and cf. Devise. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| device approval | Process that is gone through in order for a device to receive approval by a government regulatory agency. This includes any required preclinical or clinical testing, review, submission, and evaluation of the applications and test results, and post-marketing surveillance. It is not restricted to FDA. (12 Dec 1998) |
| device, assistive | Any device that is designed, made, and/or adapted to assist a person to perform a particular task. For examples, canes, crutches, walkers, wheel chairs, and shower chairs are all assistive devices. Device, intrauterine contraceptive (IUD): A device inserted into the uterus (womb) to prevent conception (pregnancy). The IUD can be a coil, loop, triangle, or T in shape made of plastic or metal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| intrauterine contraceptive device | <gynaecology> A contraceptive device that is placed within the uterus for the purpose of inhibiting conception. (27 Sep 1997) |
| intrauterine device expulsion | Spontaneous loss of intrauterine devices from the uterus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| focusing device | <microscopy> A device which effectively increases the angular aperture of the electron beam illuminating the object, rendering the focus more critical. (05 Aug 1998) |
| left-ventricular assist device | Mechanical pump inserted at some point in the circulation to parallel the activity of the left ventricle and thereby reduce its load. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abstracting and indexing | Shortening or summarizing of documents; assigning of descriptors for referencing documents. (12 Dec 1998) |
| academies and institutes | Organizations representing specialised fields which are accepted as authoritative; may be non-governmental, university or an independent research organization, e.g., national academy of sciences, brookings institution, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| accounts payable and receivable | Short-term debt obligations and assets occurring in the regular course of operational transactions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aged, 80 and over | A person 80 years of age and older. (12 Dec 1998) |
| algae and fungi | Algae represent a group of spore-propagating plants, unicellular or undifferentiated into root, stem, and leaf. They include seaweed and many unicellular fresh water plants, most of which contain chlorophyll. They account for about 90% of the earth's photosynthetic activity. Fungi are eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that live as saprobes or parasites and include mushrooms, yeasts, smuts, molds, etc. They lack chlorophyll. (12 Dec 1998) |
| alkyl and aryl transferases | <enzyme> A somewhat heterogeneous class of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of alkyl or related groups (excluding methyl groups). Registry number: EC 2.5 (12 Dec 1998) |
| allergy and immunology | A medical specialty concerned with the hypersensitivity of the individual to foreign substances and protection from the resultant infection or disorder. (12 Dec 1998) |
| alligators and crocodiles | Large, long-tailed reptiles, including caimans, of the order loricata. (12 Dec 1998) |