EEG analysis by means of the Parcor coefficients

The present study demonstrates the statistical qualities of electrical brain activity by using Parcor coefficients. As a result, the statistical interference of the EEG samples under consideration turns out to be relatively small, implying constraints on the interpretion of the spectra, as well as on the operational calculus of the Wiener criterion. An algorithm based on the linear prediction filter is provided which, moreover, makes use of the Toeplitz structure of the covariance matrix. Although not discussed here, the application of the Parcor coefficients to the general problem of model building is apparent.     

Pharmaco-EEG analysis by means of FFT and FAD

The EEG effects of a single oral dose of diazepam, amitriptyline and pernazine were studied in 26 healthy volunteers. The EEG analysis was performed by means of FFT and a new parametric method FAD. The results indicate that the FAD method reveals drug changes significantly more often than does the FFT analysis and that the medication effects are more clearly defined by the FAD. The method can be useful in the assessment of the subtle effects of the psychotropic drugs.     

Single-event-related potential analysis by means of fragmentary decomposition

 A recently developed fragmentary decomposition method is employed to analyse single-trial event-related potentials (ERPs), thereby extending the traditional method of averaging. Using a conventional auditory oddball paradigm with 40 target stimuli, single-trial ERPs in 40 normal subjects were analysed for midline scalp (Fz, Cz and Pz) recording sites. The normalization effect, reported in our previous study of eye blink EMGs and proposed to be a characteristic property of a wide class of non-stationary physiological processes, was found to apply to these single-trial ERPs. Fragmentary decomposition of single-trial ERPs may be regarded as re-statement of the normalization effect. This allows both pre-stimulus EEGs and post-stimulus ERPs to be regarded as overlapping generic mass potentials (GMPs), with a characteristic Gaussian amplitude spectrum. On theoretical and empirical grounds we uniquely deduce a model GMP using an introduced “bud” function, and physically support it by the resting and transient conditions. The model takes into account the shape of the component, which suggests a simple relationship between the peak latency and the time of the component onset. Given that GMPs may be manipulated and sorted out, we present principles of the fragmentary synthesis, i.e. probabilistic ERP reconstructions on the basis of individual and ensemble properties of its identified components. Summarizing the component quantification in the form of the dynamic model provides for the first time the opportunity to quantify all significant components in single-trial ERPs. This method of single-trial analysis opens up new possibilities of exploring the dynamical ERP changes within a recording trial, particularly in late component “cognitive” paradigms. Received: 29 August 2000 / Accepted in revised form: 5 February 2001     

Cytogenetic analysis of the tomato genome by means of induced deficiencies

Cytological studies of 74 deficiencies of tomato chromosomes induced by radiation and identified by the pseudo-dominant technique reveal the loci of 35 genes on 18 of the 24 arms of the complement. These findings integrated with data obtained from various trisomic types establish centromere positions, orientation of linkage groups, and markers on all but three of the arms. The prospects of obtaining a specific kind of deficiency for a given region were found to depend on : (1) kind of radiation applied, (2) (non-random) breakage frequency in different parts of the chromosome, (3) stability of broken ends, (4) tolerance of deficiency in different parts of the genome, and (5) relative vigor of the mutant homozygote used to detect the deficiency. Aspects of the frequently observed non-homologous pairing phenomenon are presented and discussed. Marker genes whose loci are known appear to be non-randomly distributed between and within chromosomes. Chromosome exchanges as determined by genetic crossing over and cytologically observed chiasmata are likewise non-randomly distributed between and within chromosomes.Research supported in part by a grant (GM 06209) from the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service.     

Chromosome mapping in barley by means of telotrisomic analysis

Summary A total of 37 genetic markers located in chromosomes 2, 3, 4 and 5 were associated with specific arms by means of telotrisomic analysis in five telotrisomics (Triplo 2 L, 2 S, 3 S, 4 S, 5 L) of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The genes v, gp (= gp 2), li, gs 5, tr and msg2 showed a trisomic ratio with Triplo 2 L indicating that these genes were on the long arm of chromosome 2. A disomic ratio was obtained for genes wst 4, gs 5, and v with Triplo 2 S, confirming that these genes were on the long arm of chromosome 2(2 L). A disomic ratio was observed for genes e, f(= lg), sk, and gs6 with Triplo 2 L. Two genes, f(= lg) and gs6 showed a trisomic ratio with Triplo 2S. These results indicated that genes e, f(= lg), sk, and gs 6 are on the short arm of chromosome 2 (2S). Since only one telocentric chromosome was available for chromosome 3, 4 and 5, most of the well-mapped marker genes were tested with those telocentric chromosomes. The genes cu 2, uz, wst, als, gs 2, zb,f2, and cer-zn ³⁴⁸ showed trisomic ratio with the telocentric for chromosome 3. These genes were located on the short arm of chromosome 3 (Robertson 1971). This indicated that the telocentric chromosome is for the short arm of chromosome 3(3 S). A disomic ratio was obtained for genes yst, x _c, al, yst2, a _n, ari-a ⁶ and x _s, indicating that these genes are on the long arm of chromosome 3. Two genes, f9 and K, showed trisomic ratio with the telocentric chromosome for 4, while genes gl(= gl2), br2, yh, lg 3, lg 4 and lk 5 showed disomic ratios. This indicated that the telocentric chromosome is for the short arm of chromosome 4. Two genes, fs 2 and g, were studied with Triplo 5 L. Both showed trisomic ratio, indicating that fs 2 and g are located on Triplo 5 L. The centromere position (C) on chromosome 2, 3 and 4 was thus located as (the left side of C is the short arm and the right is the long arm): chromosome 2: f — sk — gs6 — e — C — gs5 — msg2 — wst4 — v — gp — li — tr; chromosome 3: f2 — cer-zn ³⁴⁸ — uz — gs2 — als — cu2 — wst — zb — C — yst — x _c — al — yst2 — a _n — ari-a ⁶ — x _s; chromosome 4: f9 — K — C — lg4 — lg ³ — gl2 — br2 — lk5 — yh. The centromere position on chromosome 5 was not precisely located.Contribution from the Department of Agronomy, Published with the approval of the director of the Colorado State University Experiment Station as Scientific Series Paper No. 2606. This research was supported in part by by NSF Grant GB 4482X and GB 30 493 to T. Tsuchiya and Colorado State University Experiment Station Hatch Project     

Genetic analysis of the yeastCandida maltosa by means of induced parasexual processes

The usefulness of hybridization by protoplast fusion and mitotic segregation for the genetic analysis of the imperfect fodder yeastCandida maltosa was tested. Mitotically stable fusion hybrids were obtained with frequencies between 10^–6 and 10^–7. Complementation tests were performed by protoplast fusion. Substances that are known to induce frequent mitotic segregation in other yeast species such as benomyl, p-fluorophenylalanine, and acriflavine were ineffective inC. maltosa. UV irradiation induced mitotic segregation in up to 10%. This agent induced mainly mitotic crossing over inC. maltosa. Our data enabled the construction of the linkage group I with the sequenceCEN-ade-26-pro-1.     

A psychophysiological analysis of the cognitive tempo by means of evoked potentials

A new approach to measure the speed of cognitive behaviour is introduced. The decomposition of reaction time allows to identify different stages: perception, comparison steps and motoric organization. For this reason the additive factor method and the analysis of event-related potentials is used. The results show specific decelerations in elderly subjects and alcoholics. The application of the method in clinical psychodiagnostic and psychopharmacology is discussed.     

Inferring the evolutionary history of vibrios by means of multilocus sequence analysis

We performed the first broad study aiming at the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of vibrios by means of multilocus sequence analysis of nine genes. Overall, 14 distinct clades were recognized using the SplitsTree decomposition method. Some of these clades may correspond to families, e.g., the clades Salinivibrio and Photobacteria, while other clades, e.g., Splendidus and Harveyi, correspond to genera. The common ancestor of all vibrios was estimated to have been present 600 million years ago. We can define species of vibrios as groups of strains that share >95% gene sequence similarity and >99.4% amino acid identity based on the eight protein-coding housekeeping genes. The gene sequence data were used to refine the standard online electronic taxonomic scheme for vibrios (http://www.taxvibrio.lncc.br).     

Toxicology of the prostaglandins

Available published material of adverse reactions to prostaglandins (PGs) at various dosages routes and levels is reviewed. Animal studies are of 2 kinds: studies of pharmacological effects and studies of toxicological reactions (i.e., acute dose levels). The pharmacology of PGs show the drugs have 3 areas of action: 1) smooth muscle effects, either contraction or relaxation (cardiovascular effects and reproductive tract; relaxation of vascular smooth muscles by some PGs and contraction by others); 2) nervous system effects; and 3) lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. In humans, PGE1 was administered intravenously and it was found that adverse effects were related to rate of administration rather than to total dose; side effects included flushing, headache, visual disturbances, and restlessness, factors which might suggest a correlation with central nervous system effects (as found in animal studies). PGE1 administered at acute doses orally, by inhalation, and intradermally show effects attributable to gastrointestinal disturbances, respiratory problems, and erythematous responses. In general, studies in humans of other PGs have found similar adverse reactions, all of which are explained by known mechanisms of action of PGs. Dose levels constituting acutity are dependent on route (i.e., oral doses are much higher than intravenous doses), with rapid intravenous infusion causing the most adverse reactions.     

Toxicology of the prostaglandins

The adverse reactions accompanying the acute administration of various prostaglandins to man have been catalogued and appear to result from effects upon vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle and upon the central nervous system.     

Determination of plant species cover by means of image analysis

Abstract. A method is described for the determination of plant species cover in herbaceous plant communities by means of image analysis. It is a computerized extension of the quadrat-charting method. The method was tested with four different computer systems for three different vegetation types, a shady lawn, a pioneer vegetation and a forest floor. We compared the results with vertical point-intercept analyses of the same stands. Image analysis revealed a high accuracy of the method ranging from < ± 1 to about ± 2% cover depending on the dominance of the species being analysed. The method is particularly suitable for the analysis of low herbaceous or unsaturated vegetation, dominance stands of broad-leaved plant species and for the analysis of cover changes in permanent plots.     

Identification of Myosotis seeds by means of digital image analysis

Despite their name, the identification of seeds of Myosotis species (forget-me-not) has hitherto received little attention from archaeobotanists. In an attempt to assemble a collection of reliable identification criteria, digital image analysis was applied to photographs of Myosotis seeds by means of Fovea Pro 4.0. This program computes 23 features that describe the size and shape of the seeds shown in scale-normalized photographs. We computed the features for 1,453 individual seeds, and performed statistical analyses of the resulting data set with Discriminant Analysis, Correspondence Analysis, and t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding (t-SNE). The combination of analyses provides clues as to how most of the seven western European species of Myosotis can successfully be distinguished. Using these clues, an identification key was developed for the identification of waterlogged Myosotis seeds.     

基于半定量分析方法的谷斑皮蠹中国适生性分析

本文对仓储害虫谷斑皮蠹Trogoderma granarium Evens的形态特征、国内外分布情况、生物学和寄主等进行了描述.并根据半定量有害生物风险分析的方法,采用多指标综合评估方法来计算谷斑皮蠹的风险程度,评价出谷斑皮蠹属于高度危险的有害生物,并提出相应的风险管理对策.     

Structural analysis of membranes by means of a nuclear reaction

A narrow nuclear resonance in low-energy proton-induced nuclear reactions in the stable isotope ¹⁸O has been utilized in a new technique for investigating the structure of biological membranes. This technique leads to a direct determination of the density profile of ¹⁸O-labelled molecules.Results with a multilayer of egg lecithin and with erythrocyte ghosts demonstrate the applicability of the method to structural analysis.     

Shape analysis of tumor cell nuclei in ependymomas by means of Fourier analysis

OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic significance of nuclear shape analysis in ependymomas. STUDY DESIGN: Tumor cell nuclei in surgical specimens of primary resected ependymomas from 30 patients were evaluated by means of Fourier analysis of nuclear contours, conventional morphometric features (nuclear area, shape factor) and the Ki-67 proliferation index. Fourier analysis can be used for decomposing an irregular nuclear contour by calculating "Fourier amplitudes." Tumors with different tumor grades according to the World Health Organization were compared, as were patients with and without recurrence of ependymomas. Planimetric data were further correlated with the Ki-67 index. RESULTS: t Test and multivariate analysis showed distinct differences between ependymomas with tumor grade 3 and the other tumor grades. Cross-validated, stepwise discriminant analysis with the event of recurrence as grouping variable revealed correct reclassification in 16/18 cases without recurrence and of 10/12 cases with recurrence. When considering just intracranial ependymomas with total surgical removal, Fourier amplitudes provided 100% correct reclassification concerning recurrence. Proliferation index, in contrast, showed considerable overlap between all tumor grades and between cases with and without recurrence. CONCLUSION: Quantification of the shape of tumor cell nuclei in ependymomas by means of Fourier analysis has prognostic significance and seems to be superior to the Ki-67 index.