Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Genetic variability
The range of minor alterations present in a genome, such as the number of diverse alleles of a specific gene that are found as a result of small mutations in the DNA of a species.
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Baseline variability
Fluctations in the fetal heart rate, recorded by the electronic monitor, that reflect the status of the fetal autonomic nervous system. Absence of short-term variability (beat-to-beat changes) is a sign of fetal compromise. Long-term variability (wavelike undulations) occurs normally three to five times per minute. Increased long-term variability is common during fetal sleep but may…
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Vapor-treated
Exposed to steam in order to clean, decontaminate, or sterilize. Clotting factors are steam-treated to remove potentially infectious agents such as pathogenic viruses.
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Laser vaporization
The resection of tissue by converting it to gas with laser energy.
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Vaporization
The conversion of a liquid or solid into vapor.
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Vapocoolant
A volatile liquid that evaporates on contact with the skin, causing a local refrigerant effect and providing local anesthesia for injections, intravenous insertions, and other procedures.
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Vanillism
Irritation of the skin, mucous membranes, and conjunctiva sometimes experienced by workers handling raw vanilla. It is caused by a mite.
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Vanillin
A crystalline compound found in vanilla pods or produced synthetically; used for flavoring foods and in pharmaceuticals.
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Van der Hoeve syndrome
Conductive deafness caused by otosclerosis-like changes in the temporal bone. Blue sclerae and osteogenesis imperfecta are also present.
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Vandellia cirrhosa
A slender parasitic catfish indigenous to the Amazon. It attaches itself to the gills of other spiny fishes and extracts blood for food. It occasionally swims into and inserts itself in the urethra or rectum of human bathers, from whom it must be surgically removed. This nearly transparent vertebrate is also known as the “toothpick…
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