Glossary
To find a term, select the first letter of the word you are seeking or browse the complete glossary.
Search Glossary Term:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Need a definition? Please
D
DEET
The active ingredient in commonly used insect repellents that are applied to the skin.
DIA
Defense Intelligence Agency.
Database (or register)
Any of a wide variety of repositories (often computerized) for observations and related information about a group of patients (e.g., adult males living in Göteborg) or a disease or an intervention (e.g., drug therapy) or other events or characteristics. Depending upon criteria for inclusion in the database, the observations may have controls. Although these can be useful, a variety of confounding factors (e.g., no randomization and possible selection bias in the process by which patients or events are recorded) make them relatively weak methods for determining causal relationships between an intervention and an outcome.
Debriefing
Giving subjects previously undisclosed information about the research project following completion of their participation in research.
Depleted uranium (DU)
It is what is left over when most of the highly radioactive type (isotope) of uranium (235U) is removed for use as nuclear fuel or in nuclear weapons. The depleted uranium used in armor-piercing munitions and in enhanced armor protection for some Abrams tanks is also used in civilian industry, primarily for stabilizers in airplanes and boats.
Deployment
A troop movement resulting from a Joint Chiefs of Staff/Unified Command Deployment Order for 30 continuous days or greater to a land-based location outside the United States, e.g. peace keeping, conflict.
Deployment stress
Related to stress that occurs at any point in a deployment, from notification through the process of returning home or permanent assignment.
Depression
A mental state of depressed mood characterized by feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement. Depression ranges from normal feelings of the blues through dysthymia to major depression. It in many ways resembles the grief and mourning that follow bereavement, there are often feelings of low self esteem, guilt and self reproach, withdrawal from interpersonal contact and physical symptoms such as eating and sleep disturbances.
Diarrhea
A frequent and profuse discharge of loose or fluid evacuations from the intestines; a purging or looseness of the bowels.
Diphtheria
An acute infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a bacterium acquired through contact with another person who is sick or is a carrier. The typical case involves upper respiratory tract inflammation with formation of a membrane in the throat and tissue swelling which may cause obstruction of breathing. A toxin produced by the bacterium can cause inflammation of the heart and damage to the nervous system. A highly effective vaccine (containing toxoid) is available.
Disability
State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like.
DoD
Department of Defense.
