Pollen DNA barcoding 1970-01-01
Pollen DNA barcoding is a molecular technique used to identify and categorize different types of pollen grains based on their genetic material. It leverages the principles of DNA barcoding, which involves sequencing a short, standardized region of DNA that is unique to each species. By analyzing these genetic sequences, researchers can create a "barcode" that distinguishes one species from another.
Position weight matrix 1970-01-01
A Position Weight Matrix (PWM) is a mathematical representation used to describe the binding preferences of a protein (often a transcription factor) for a specific DNA sequence. It is particularly useful in bioinformatics and molecular biology for analyzing DNA motifs.
Synteny 1970-01-01
Synteny refers to the conservation of the same sets of genes in the same order on chromosomes of different species. It is an important concept in comparative genomics and evolutionary biology, as it helps researchers understand evolutionary relationships, gene functions, and the history of chromosomes across different organisms. When two species share a syntenic region, it means that a segment of their genomes has remained largely unchanged over time, which can indicate a common ancestor.
Quasi-median networks 1970-01-01
Quasi-median networks are a type of network analysis used in various fields, including social sciences, computer science, and bioinformatics, to model and analyze relationships and structures between entities. The term "quasi-median" typically refers to a specific statistical concept applied in the context of network modeling.
Robinson–Foulds metric 1970-01-01
The Robinson–Foulds metric, also known as the RF distance, is a measure used in the field of phylogenetics to quantify the dissimilarity between two phylogenetic trees. It is based on the counts of specific partitions within the trees, which are subsets of the taxa represented in those trees.
Manta trawl 1970-01-01
A Manta trawl is a type of net used in marine biology and oceanography for sampling plankton and other small organisms in the water column. It is designed to be towed through the water and typically consists of a large, flat body that resembles a manta ray, hence the name. The trawl features a wide mouth that allows it to capture organisms as it moves through the water, and it often has a mesh netting that retains the organisms while allowing water to flow through.
Marine coastal ecosystem 1970-01-01
Marine coastal ecosystems are dynamic environments where the ocean meets the land. These ecosystems are characterized by a variety of habitats, including: 1. **Estuaries**: Areas where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the sea. Estuaries serve as nurseries for many marine species and are rich in nutrients.
Marine microorganisms 1970-01-01
Marine microorganisms are tiny living organisms found in ocean and sea environments. They are typically microscopic in size and include a wide variety of life forms, such as bacteria, archaea, viruses, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. These microorganisms play crucial roles in marine ecosystems and are vital for the health of our planet. Here are some key aspects of marine microorganisms: 1. **Bacteria and Archaea**: These are prokaryotic microorganisms that thrive in diverse marine environments.
Thin layers (oceanography) 1970-01-01
In oceanography, "thin layers" refer to narrow vertical sections of water in the ocean that exhibit distinct differences in physical or chemical properties compared to the surrounding water. These layers can be only a few centimeters thick and can be found at various depths in the ocean. They are characterized by phenomena such as changes in temperature, salinity, nutrients, or biological activity.
Whale feces 1970-01-01
Whale feces, often referred to as whale dung, is the excrement produced by whales. It plays an important role in marine ecosystems, primarily due to its contribution to nutrient cycling. Whale feces is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus and can stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, which forms the basis of the marine food web.
Kerr frequency comb 1970-01-01
A Kerr frequency comb is a type of optical frequency comb that is generated through the process of the Kerr effect in nonlinear optical media. The Kerr effect refers to a phenomenon where the refractive index of a material changes in response to the intensity of light passing through it. When high-intensity light waves are introduced into such a medium, they can generate multiple new frequency components, resulting in a comb-like spectrum of optical frequencies.
Shewhart Medal 1970-01-01
The Shewhart Medal is an award presented by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) in honor of Walter A. Shewhart, who is considered one of the founding figures in the field of quality control and statistical process control. The medal recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of quality management and improvement, particularly in the application of statistical methods.
Protein fragment library 1970-01-01
A protein fragment library is a collection of short sequences or segments of proteins, known as peptide fragments. These fragments can vary in length and composition and are typically derived from larger proteins. Protein fragment libraries are used in various areas of research and biotechnology, including drug discovery, peptide design, and protein engineering. Here are some key points about protein fragment libraries: 1. **Composition**: The fragments can include naturally occurring peptides or artificially synthesized peptides.
Minimum depth of occurrence 1970-01-01
Minimum depth of occurrence (MDO) typically refers to the shallowest depth at which a particular species or resource is found in a given environment, such as aquatic ecosystems, geological formations, or geographical areas. In ecology and environmental science, understanding the minimum depth of occurrence can provide insights into species distribution, habitat preferences, and ecological relationships.
User Electronic Signature 1970-01-01
A user electronic signature is a digital representation of a person's intent to agree to the contents of a document or transaction. It serves the same purpose as a handwritten signature but is created electronically. Here are some key concepts related to electronic signatures: 1. **Legality**: Electronic signatures are legally recognized in many jurisdictions around the world, including under laws such as the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) in the United States and the eIDAS Regulation in the European Union.
Black hole stability conjecture 1970-01-01
The black hole stability conjecture is a theoretical idea in the field of general relativity and mathematical physics that pertains to the stability of black hole solutions to the equations of general relativity, particularly under small perturbations. In essence, the conjecture suggests that black holes, once they form and settle into equilibrium (typically after dynamic processes like a merger or collapse), are stable objects.
Blandford–Znajek process 1970-01-01
The Blandford–Znajek process is a theoretical mechanism that describes how rotating black holes can extract energy from their environment, particularly from a magnetic field. It was proposed by Robert Blandford and Roman Znajek in a seminal paper published in 1977. The process is significant in astrophysics, especially in explaining how some astrophysical jets are powered from the vicinity of black holes, such as those observed in active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts.
Penrose process 1970-01-01
The Penrose process is a theoretical mechanism in general relativity that describes how energy can be extracted from a rotating black hole. Named after the physicist Roger Penrose, who proposed it in 1969, the process exploits the unique features of a rotating black hole, specifically the phenomenon associated with its event horizon and ergosphere. Here's a simplified explanation of how it works: 1. **Rotating Black Hole**: A black hole that rotates is described by the Kerr solution to Einstein's equations.
Planck star 1970-01-01
A Planck star is a theoretical concept in the realm of quantum gravity, particularly in the context of certain models that attempt to unify quantum mechanics and general relativity. The idea was proposed by physicist Carlo Rovelli and others as part of an effort to understand the behaviors of black holes and the nature of singularities. In simple terms, a Planck star is thought to be a hypothetical state of matter that represents the quantum gravitational state of a black hole.
Ring singularity 1970-01-01
A ring singularity is a type of singularity that arises in certain solutions to the equations of general relativity, particularly in the context of rotating black holes, such as the Kerr black hole. Unlike a point singularity, which is a singularity that is concentrated at a single point (as found in a non-rotating, spherical black hole), a ring singularity is shaped like a ring or a torus.