| fusion | <radiobiology> A nuclear reaction in which light atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, typically accompanied by the release of energy. (See also Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion) (09 Oct 1997) |
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| fusion area | The area in and about the macula retinae in which stimulation of noncorresponding retinal points nevertheless results in stereoscopic vision. Synonym: fusion area. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fusion beat | A beat triggered by more than a single electrical impulse, when the wave fronts coincide to act together on a single final pathway of activity; in the electrocardiogram, the atrial or ventricular complex when either atria or ventricles are activated jointly by two simultaneous or nearly simultaneous invading impulses. Synonym: combination beat, mixed beat, summation beat. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fusion energy | <chemistry, radiobiology> The binding energy of a nucleus is the minimum energy required to dissociate it into its component neutrons and protons. Neutron or proton binding energies are those required to remove a neutron or proton, respectively, from a nucleus. Electron binding energy is that required to remove an electron from an atom or a molecule. (16 Dec 1997) |
| fusion-fission hybrid | <radiobiology> Proposed nuclear reactor relying on both fusion and fission reactions. A central fusion chamber would produce neutrons to induce fission in a surrounding blanket of fissionable material. The neutron source could also be used to convert other materials into additional fissile fuels (breeder hybrid). Safer than a plain fission reactor because the fission fuel relies on the fusion neutrons, and therefore cannot achieve criticality. On the other hand, hybrids are more complex because of the fusion power core, and still generate fission's radioactive byproducts. But a fusion-fission hybrid could be more economical and have less stringent technical requirements than a pure fusion reactor. (05 Jan 1998) |
| fusion gene | <molecular biology> A hybrid gene created by joining portions of two different genes (to produce a new protein) or by joining a gene to a different promoter (to alter or regulate gene transcription). (05 Jan 1998) |
| fusion-inferred threshold test | Employment of the phenomenon of cerebral fusion of binaural sounds to substitute for conventional masking in hearing testing. Synonym: FIT test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fusion protein | <protein> Protein formed by expression of a hybrid gene made by combining two gene sequences. Typically this is accomplished by cloning a cDNA into an expression vector in frame with an existing gene, perhaps encoding for example beta galactosidase. (18 Nov 1997) |
| fusion proteins, bcr-abl | Translation products of a fusion mRNA derived from the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) gene and a cellular abl (c-abl) gene translocated to chromosome 22. The p210(bcr-abl) fusion protein is found in patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia. The p190(bcr-abl) fusion protein is found in patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia. The activation of human c-abl by chromosomal translocation is essentially the same as the activation of murine c-abl by viral translocation in abelson murine leukaemia virus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fusion proteins, gag-onc | General name for the translation products of a fusion mRNA consisting of a gag gene and a viral oncogene (v-onc). These products are thought to have the ability to transform cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fusion proteins, gag-pol | Polyprotein products of a fused portion of retroviral mRNA containing the gag and pol genes. The polyprotein is synthesised only five percent of the time since pol is out of frame with gag, and is generated by ribosomal frameshifting. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fusion reactor | <radiobiology> Device which creates energy in a controlled manner through fusion reactions. (09 Oct 1997) |
| fusion temperature | The recorded temperature at which a 20-gauge metal wire will collapse under a 3-ounce load; the recorded temperature at which porcelain becomes glazed. (05 Mar 2000) |
| light-ion fusion | <radiobiology> Light-Ion-Beam-Driven Inertial Confinement fusion, using beams of light ions driven at implosion targets. Pulsed-power driven accelerators are relatively efficient and cost-effective, but beam-focusing is a technical hurdle for this approach. (09 Oct 1997) |
| lysosome phagosome fusion | <cell biology> A process that occurs after the internalisation of a primary phagosome. Fusion of the membranes leads to the release of lysosomal enzymes into the phagosome. Some species of intracellular parasite evade immune responses by interfering with this process. (18 Nov 1997) |