| optical transfer function | <microscopy> The relationship between the image produced by an optical instrument and the amplitude and phase of a periodic specimen, measured at various spatial frequencies. The optical transfer function curve, which shows how well contrast is maintained for finer specimen details, is a complex function, of which the real term gives the ratio of amplitudes, and the imaginary term the phase relationships. When the brightness of the periodic specimen varies as a sine wave, the modulus or absolute value of the optical transfer function becomes the modulation transfer function, when the brightness varies as a square wave, the modulation transfer function is known as a contrast transfer function. Acronym: OTF (26 Mar 1998) |
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| technology transfer | The process of converting scientific findings from research laboratoriesinto useful products by the commercial sector. (09 Oct 1997) |
| tendon transfer | Surgical procedure by which a tendon is incised at its insertion and placed at an anatomical site distant from the original insertion. The tendon remains attached at the point of origin and takes over the function of a muscle inactivated by trauma or disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
| through transfer imaging | The production of an ultrasound image by detection and analysis of sound on the opposite side of the body from the emitting transducer. Synonym: through transfer imaging. (05 Mar 2000) |
| embryo transfer | The placement of a laboratory-fertilized egg into the uterus. (09 Oct 1997) |
| transfer | The conveyance of something from one place to another. Origin: L. Ferre = to carry (18 Nov 1997) |
| transfer agreement | A written agreement for the transfer of patients and their medical records from one health care institution to another. (12 Dec 1998) |
| transfer cell | <plant biology> Parenchyma cell specialised for transfer of water soluble material to or from a neighbouring cell, usually a phloem sieve tube or a xylem tracheid. Elaborate wall ingrowths greatly increase the area of plasma membrane at the cell face across which transfer occurs. (17 Mar 1998) |
| transfer DNA | <molecular biology> The transforming region of DNA in the Ti plasmid of agrobacterium tumefaciens. Acronym: t-DNA (04 Jul 1999) |
| transfer factor | A dialysable factor obtained from sensitised T-cells by freezing and thawing, that may possibly immunopotentiate animals.The transfer of specific immunity from one animal to another has been claimed. (18 Nov 1997) |
| transfer genes | Gene's carried by a conjugative plasmid, essential for fertility and establishment of the bacterial donor state. (05 Mar 2000) |
| transfer imaging | The production of an ultrasound image by detection and analysis of sound on the opposite side of the body from the emitting transducer. Synonym: through transfer imaging. (05 Mar 2000) |
| transfer (psychology) | Change in learning in one situation due to prior learning in another situation. The transfer can be positive (with second learning improved by first) or negative (where the reverse holds). (12 Dec 1998) |
| transfer RNA | <molecular biology> A nucleic acid found in all living cells. Plays a role in transferring information from DNA to the protein-forming system of the cell. (16 Dec 1997) |
| energy transfer | The transfer of energy of a given form among different scales of motion. In biochemistry, this concept generally refers to the transfer of groups from compounds that contain energy-rich bonding arrangements to compounds that have relatively energy-poor bonding characteristics via thermodynamically permissible enzymatic reactions. This principle is a major premise of the interaction between energy-producing and energy-utilizing metabolic pathways in living cells. (12 Dec 1998) |