| contrast transfer function | <microscopy> A mathematical function that expresses the ability of an optical or electronic device to transfer signals faithfully as a function of the spatial or temporal frequency of the signal. The modulation transfer function is the ratio of percentage modulation of a sinusoidal signal leaving to that entering the device over the range of frequencies of interest. The modulation transfer function is usually presented as a graph of modulation transfer function versus log (frequency). For a square wave signal, the function is known as the CTF. Acronym: MTF (26 Mar 1998) |
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| cotranslational transfer | <cell biology, molecular biology> Putting the leading end of a polypeptide into the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum before translation of the rest of the polypeptide has been finished. (10 Nov 1998) |
| heat transfer efficiency | Useful heat output released to the room divided by the actual heat produced in the firebox (17 Dec 1998) |
| nerve transfer | Surgical reinnervation of a denervated peripheral target using a healthy donor nerve and/or its proximal stump. The direct connection is usually made to a healthy postlesional distal portion of a non-functioning nerve or implanted directly into denervated muscle or insensitive skin. Nerve sprouts will grow from the transferred nerve into the denervated elements and establish contact between them and the neurons that formerly controlled another area. (12 Dec 1998) |
| interspecies hydrogen transfer | <biology, ecology> The process in which organic matter is degraded anaerobically by the interaction of several groups of microorganisms in which hydrogen production and hydrogen consumption are closely coupled among species. (09 Oct 1997) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| electron transfer flavin | <biochemistry> Flavoproteins that participate in the electron transport pathway. (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) |