q-beta replicaseA viral RNA polymerase secreted by a bacteriophage that infects E. coli. It has the property of being able to copy RNA sequences at a rapid rate.
Q/FY(number) Quarter/Fiscal Year (number), e.g., 4Q/FY98
Q10A substance found in most tissues in the body, and in many foods. It can also be made in the laboratory.
qi (chee)In traditional Chinese medicine, vital energy or life force that keeps a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health in balance.
qigong(chee-gong) A form of traditional Chinese mind/body exercise and meditation that uses slow and precise body movements with controlled breathing and mental…
QOSQuality of Service. The performance level defined for a data communications system.
QoS (Quality of Service)A term used in a Service Level Agreement (SLA) denoting a guaranteed level of performance (e.g., response times less than 1 second).
QPFQuantitative Precipitation Forecast. A spatial and temporal precipitation forecast that will predict the potential amount of future precipitation for a…
QPF DiscussionThis HPC forecast discussion is directed completely to explaining manual forecasts of areas in the contiguous 48 states expected to receive 1/4 inch or…
QS21A substance from plants that is being studied together with vaccine therapy for its ability to improve the way the immune system responds to disease.
QSARAbbreviation for quantitative structure-activity relationship.
Quad-level occurrenceThe recorded occurrence of a species in the area represented by a specific, named U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle map (quad map).
quadded cableA cable formed of multiples of quads, paired and separately insulated, and contained under a common jacket.
Quadramet(KWA-druh-met) A drug used to treat pain caused by bone cancer and other cancers that have spread to the bones. Quadramet is a type of radiopharmaceutical.
QUADRANTThe District of Columbia is divided into four quadrants: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast.
quadrantectomy(KWAD-ran-TEK-toh-mee) Surgical removal of the region of the breast (approximately one quarter) containing cancer.
QuadratSampling area, most commonly one square meter, used for analyzing vegetation. A square or rectangular plot of land marked off for the study of plants and…
QuadratureThe component of the complex signal that is 90 degrees out of phase with the inphase component.
quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)Quadrature modulation in which the two carriers are amplitude modulated. 2. In analog communications, the representation (i.e.
quadrature modulationModulation using two carriers out of phase by 90° and modulated by separate signals.
quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK)Phase-shift keying in which four different phase angles are used. Note: In QPSK, the four angles are usually out of phase by 90°.
quadrivalentA chromosome configuration visible in late prophase and metaphase of the first meiotic division, where four chromosome s are linked by chiasmata.
quadruple diversityIn radio communication, diversity transmission and reception in which four independently fading signals are used.
Quadruple witching dayOnce every quarter - on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December - stock options, stock index options, stock index futures contracts, and…
quadruplexThe inheritance of alleles in autotetraploids. A genotype AAAa will produce gametes AA, Aa in the ratio 3:1.
quadruply clad fiberA single-mode optical fiber that has four claddings. Note 1: Each cladding has a refractive index lower than that of the core.
quadtreeA spatial index which recursively decomposes a data set (e.g., image) into square cells of different sizes until each cell has a homogeneous value.
qualificationAs determined by a lender, the ability of the borrower to repay a mortgage loan based on the borrower's credit history, employment status, assets, debts…
Qualification TestThis test simulates defined environmental conditions with a predetermined safety factor, the results indicating whether a given design can perform its…
qualifiedPossessing a complete name. The symbol $Ent::moot is qualified; $moot is unqualified. A fully qualified filename is specified from the top-level directory.
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)A court order that recognizes or creates a spouse’s or a former spouse’s right to a portion of a member’s retirement annuity.
Qualified domestic trust (QDOT)If your spouse isn't a US citizen and your estate is large enough to risk being vulnerable to estate taxes, you can use a qualified domestic trust (QDOT)…
Qualified Health PlanUnder the Affordable Care Act, starting in 2014, an insurance plan that is certified by the Health Insurance Marketplace, provides essential health…
Qualified PlanThe South Carolina Retirement Systems’ retirement plans are qualified plans under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Qualified retirement planA qualified retirement plan is an employer sponsored plan that meets the requirements established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the US…
Qualified TrustsBlind or diversified trusts authorized by the Ethics in Government Act as a means of avoiding conflicts of interest for employees with extensive financial…
Qualified VoterA person who: (1) is 18 years of age or older; (2) is a United States citizen; (3) has not been determined mentally incompetent by a final judgment of a…
qualifying childTo be a qualifying child, the dependent must meet eight tests: (1) relationship, (2) age, (3) residence, (4) support, (5) citizenship or residency, (6)…
Qualifying dateThe date which the Visa Office of the Department of State uses to determine when to send the Instruction Package to an immigrant visa applicant.
Qualifying FacilityA category of electric power producer established under the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) of 1978, that includes small-power producers…
Qualifying Life EventA change in your life that can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in health coverage.
Qualifying RatiosCalculations that are used in determining the loan amount that a borrower qualifies for, typically a comparison of the borrower's total monthly income to…
qualifying relativeThere are tests that must be met to be a qualifying relative, they are: (1) not a qualifying child, (2) member of household or relationship, (3)…
Qualifying Testmeasures proficiency in both technical skills and knowledge. Also known as Competency Test.
Qualifying Widow(er) filing statusIf your spouse died in 2010, you can use married filing jointly as your filing status for 2010 if you otherwise qualify to use that status.
QualitativeHaving to do with quality or qualities. Descriptive of kind, type or direction, as opposed to size, magnitude or degree.
Qualitative analysisWhen a securities analyst evaluates intangible factors, such as the integrity and experience of a company's management, the positioning of its products…
qualitative traitA trait that shows discontinuous variation - i.e. individuals can be assigned to one of a small number of discrete classes.
QualityThe degree to which a health or social service meets or exceeds established professional standards and user expectations.
Quality Assessmentthe overall system of activities designed to provide assurance that quality control activities are effective.