Glossary

Find Definition by Term and/or Language

Browse All Terms

Beginning With:
3 | 5 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z :: All
  • Surface Texture

    The repetitive or random deviations of the nominal metal surface from the three-dimensional topography of the surface. Surface texture includes roughness, waviness, lay, and flaws.
  • Surface Voltage Level

    Positive or negative voltage level or electrostatic charging on work or product surface, as indicated by use of a suitable instrument. ISO 14644-3.
  • Surface Water

    Any water where the source is above ground such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Surface waters are usually higher in suspended matter and organic material and lower in dissolved minerals than well water.
  • Surface Water

    Surface water is any water where the source is above ground. This can be rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface waters are usually higher in suspended matter and organic material and lower in dissolved minerals than well water.
  • Surfactant

    Any substance that changes the nature of a surface, such as lowering the surface tension of water.
  • Surfactants

    The use of these chemicals allows the formation of an emulsion or intimate mixture of otherwise incompatible substances by modifying the surface properties and influencing the wetting and flowing properties of liquids.
  • Surrogate Endpoints and Postmarketing Studies

    It’s often very expensive or time-consuming to measure the effect of a drug on an ultimate goal such as mortality. Drugs to reduce cholesterol, for example, are intended ultimately to reduce the number of heart attacks and thus to lengthen life expectancy. It could take twenty or more years to test this hypothesis adequately, however. A surrogate endpoint, such as a reduction in cholesterol counts, is a more easily measured endpoint. A drug may be approved based on clinical trials showing a positive surrogate endpoint if there is evidence from other studies that the surrogate endpoint accurately predicts an ultimate benefit (we know, for example, that men with high cholesterol are at greater risk of a heart attack, but this is not the same as knowing that a reduction in cholesterol will reduce heart attacks, although it is suggestive). Postmarketing studies can continue to tract the effectiveness of drugs that were approved using surrogate endpoint methodology. The use of surrogate endpoints is controversial because a positive surrogate endpoint does not necessarily predict a positive ultimate endpoint. Encainide and flecainide were widely prescribed because they prevented premature beats of the heart on the theory that such prevention would reduce heart attacks. The Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial later showed that not only was this claim false but that encainide and flecainide could actually increase the number of heart attacks.
  • Surrogate Material

    A chemical substitute (usually inert or of low toxicity) used for evaluating containment devices when use of the actual pharmaceutical ingredient in question is not advisable, e.g., when its potency creates an unacceptable risk for such activity, or when an analytical method is unavailable for the specific pharmaceutical ingredient that is being handled.
  • Survey

    An announced on-site evaluation by an ASME appointed team to review and report evidence of compliance of the applicant with regard to the requirements of the ASME BPE Standard ”before” issuance or renewal of a certificate.
  • Surveys

    Studies designed to obtain information from a large number of respondents through written questionnaires, telephone interviews, door-to-door canvassing, or similar procedures.
  • Susceptible

    The characteristic of a host organism such that it is incapable of suppressing or retarding an injurious pathogen or other factor.
  • Suspended Solids

    Undissolved solids that can be removed by filtration. Determined by a filter paper before and after filtration of a water sample.
  • Suspension

    A specific category of pharmaceutical product that must be in a colloidal dispersion (suspension) for proper action. For example, Kaolin/Pectin works as an adsorbant because its high surface area in suspension.
  • Suspension Culture

    A type of culture in which (single) cells and/or clumps of cells grow and multiply while suspended in a liquid medium.
  • Sustainability

    Use of resources, in an environmentally responsible, socially fair and economically viable manner, so that by meeting current usage needs, the possibility of its use by future generations is not compromised.
  • Sustainability Management System

    Management system (set of interrelated elements) to establish a sustainability policy and sustainability objectives and to achieve those objectives.
  • Sustainable Chemistry

    (also see: Green Chemistry)
  • Sustainable Construction

    Construction that maximizes the use of renewable energy resources, and minimizes noise pollution, erosion of the site and roads, destruction of vegetation by project vehicles, and negative impacts on air, soil, and water.
  • Sustainable Design

    A term now in common use in architecture and refers to design that reduces energy and water consumption, uses environmentally innocuous materials, and is in harmony (aesthetic, environmental, and cultural) with the surroundings.
  • Sustainable Development

    Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.(also see: Sustainability)
  • Sustainable Practice

    Something that can be continued or a practice that maintains a condition without harming the environment. An example of sustainable is the practice of reduce, reuse and recycle.
  • SUVA

    Specific Ultraviolet Absorption
  • SVP

    Small Volume Parenteral
  • SW

    Software
  • Swab

    Sterile collection device, non-toxic and non-inhibitory to the growth of the microorganisms being sampled, consisting of a specific matrix of suitable size, mounted on an applicator.