An automatic image analysis system for RLGS films

The RLGS (Restriction Landmark Genome Scanning) method was originally developed as a powerful method for enabling viewing of thousands of restriction landmarks. It offers a tool for obtaining information about genetic loci, with a single RLGS profile displaying approximately 2000 restriction landmarks as spots. One of the most useful applications is RLGS spot mapping, which allows the efficient, low-cost construction of the genetic map of any organism. However, analyses of the profiles depend mainly on human visual observation and are tedious and laborious. Although several commercially available image analyzing systems for profile comparison have been examined, they cannot be used for the RLGS spot mapping system owing to the background characteristics of the RLGS profiles, unsatisfactory rates of correspondence, and inefficient correction of informative genetic data. We therefore developed a novel automatic image analysis system for RLGS spot mapping, using an original algorithm based on the binary image transferred from the original RLGS profile. This system was employed for identifying non-polymorphic and parental strain-specific polymorphic spots of the F₁ mouse profile and yielded efficient initial screening of RLGS profiles. Received: 5 December 1997 / Accepted: 6 April 1998     

An automatic system for chromosomal analysis applied to prenatal diagnosis

Summary Computer-assisted metaphase analysis for prenatal diagnosis can be economically performed by a preexisting hardware-software system. The program can be run by technician-level (i.e., nonspecialist) personnel who can opt for the automatic operational mode for good quality metaphases or for the semimanual mode for problem metaphases (numerous superpositions, artifacts, etc.). The karyotype can be obtained in conversational mode. Hardcopy output is available for all modes.     

An experimental metagenome data management and analysis system

The application of shotgun sequencing to environmental samples has revealed a new universe of microbial community genomes (metagenomes) involving previously uncultured organisms. Metagenome analysis, which is expected to provide a comprehensive picture of the gene functions and metabolic capacity for microbial communities, needs to be conducted in the context of a comprehensive data management and analysis system. We present in this paper IMG/M, an experimental metagenome data management and analysis system that is based on the Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG) system. IMG/M provides tools and viewers for analyzing both metagenomes and isolate genomes individually or in a comparative context. IMG/M is available at http://img.jgi.doe.gov/m.     

Ecology and behaviour of a free-swimming tube-dwelling rotifer Cephalodellaforficula

SUMMARY. 1. Cephalodella for ficula (Ploima, Rotifera) lives in tubes it constructs itself. These tubes are built of mueus in detritus-rich environments. The tubes are often closed at both ends, arc not used as sieves, and are not eaten directly.
2. The rotifer swims back and forth in its tube and apparently lives on bacteria which are shed from the inner walls of the tubes. Because of surface-to-volume considerations, this feeding strategy is probably only possible for animals smaller than roughly 1 mm. Under low food conditions, rotifers inside a tube have a distinctly higher fitness than rotifers removed from their tube.
3. Given high food conditions, rotifers removed from a tube immediately build another. Grazing on particles outside the tube appears to take place when a tube is being lengthened. Rotifers do not leave the tube for routine feeding, but under conditions of starvation or very low oxygen concentration they will leave the tube and swim about.     

Morphometric requirements for image analysis and the IBAS interactive automatic image analysis system

The morphometric demands made on an image analysis system are discussed, as is the IBAS interactive automatic system, which meets those requirements. The modular design of the IBAS image analysis system, with its tailor-made processors for image processing, system control and pattern recognition, gives speed and flexibility. The IMAGE image analysis language guarantees user friendliness, and, last but not least, the enormous amount of software offers accurate, reproducible measurements and dedicated evaluation programs.     

Control of feeding behaviour and selective cannibalism in the rotifer Asplanchna

SUMMARY. Feeding responses in campanulate females of Asplanchna sieboldi were induced with filtrates of homogenized saccate female clonemates, showing that such behaviour can be triggered entirely by chemical stimuli. The failure of campanulates to attack campanulate clonemates, however, probably cannot be explained by the tissue chemistry of these females – filtered and unfiltered homogenates of campanulates were as active as those of saccates—and appears to be a function of some property limited to the campanulate body surface.
The roles of chemical and physical properties of food items in controlling feeding behaviour in Asplanchna and other rotifers are considered.     

An analysis of the nonlinear behaviour of the human thermal vasomotor control system.

Specific aspects of the activity of the human thermoregulatory system are analysed from the point of view of the associated biological rhythms. Fluctuations in digit blood flow were examined and analysis of them showed that they were consistent with a nonlinear model of the control system. Experiments were undertaken in which periodic thermal stimuli were applied which caused the entrainment of digit blood flow. A theoretical study was subsequently undertaken in which the experimental results were compared to the activity of a Van der Pol oscillator.     

谷氨酸发酵过程葡萄糖自动流加系统

补料（流加葡萄糖）操作是谷氨酸发酵过程最重要的操作之一,工业上有各种各样的补料操作方法。控制葡萄糖浓度于一个较为平稳且适中的水平有利于提高谷氨酸发酵的性能指标。通过在线计量谷氨酸发酵中的氨水耗量并据此在线推定发酵液中的葡萄糖浓度,构建了一个谷氨酸发酵自动在线补料系统。使用该控制系统,谷氨酸发酵过程的葡萄糖浓度可以控制在任意水平,平稳、无波动的谷氨酸发酵可以得到实现。     

An entrainment model for semilunar rhythmic swimming behaviour in the marine isopod Eurydice pulchra Leach

Entrainment experiments have been carried out with geographically widely separated populations of the sand beach isopod Eurydice pulchra Leach subjected to periods of simulated tidal agitation imposed concurrently with a 24-h light: dark (L: D) cycle. Circatidal swimming rhythms of greatest amplitude were induced when agitation was applied with the subjective timing, within the L: D cycle, of local spring high tides. This occurred in a normal L: D regime and also when the L: D regime was phase shifted through 90°. Animals previously maintained in constant darkness (D: D) and subsequently exposed to simulated tidal disturbance at various times in constant darkness were unable to modulate the amplitude of circatidal swimming activity. Isopods previously maintained in a normal L: D cycle and subsequently subjected to artificial tidal agitation in constant darkness were, however, able to modulate circatidal activity. This indicates that E. pulchra is capable of detecting tidal agitation and daily light cues and using them in conjunction with its circadian “clock” to modulate its endogenous circatidal rhythmicity. The free-running semilunar rhythm of swimming activity entrained only when the timing of agitation within the day/night cycle mimicked the pattern of local spring high tides. Agitation with the timing of neap high tides entrained no free-running circa-semilunar activity pattern.     

Isozyme analysis of rotifer proteins

An analysis of isozyme variation of five enzymes among 17 strains of the brackish-water rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, using thin-layer polyacrylamide electrophoresis, showed that it was possible to resolve genetic differences. It is suggested that isozyme characters will be useful in distinguishing sub-species of the group.     

单片机控制的颈动脉窦区自动灌流系统的研究

目的：建立一种自动控制颈动脉窦区灌流压的新方法。方法：采用AT89C2051单片计算机构成谦价实用的灌流控制器,钭它与LDB-M型电子蠕动泵、实验动物的颈动脉窦区构成自动灌流系统。结果及结论：该系统能对大鼠颈动脉窦区进行均匀斜坡升压,阶梯升压-降压灌流,并已用于压力感受器反射效应研究中,此系统能保证灌流曲线的准确性和可重复性。进一步提高了实验的技术水平。