Impulse data processing system using personal computer

I developed an online impulse data processing system using a personal computer. This system may be useful for studies on any kind of unit activity.     

pathmatrix: a geographical information system tool to compute effective distances among samples

pathmatrix is a tool used to compute matrices of effective geographical distances among samples using a least‐cost path algorithm. This program is dedicated to the study of the role of the environment on the spatial genetic structure of populations. Punctual locations (e.g. individuals) or zones encompassing sample data points (e.g. demes) are used in conjunction with a species‐specific friction map representing the cost of movement through the landscape. Matrices of effective distances can then be exported to population genetic software to test, for example, for isolation by distance. pathmatrix is an extension to the geographical information system (GIS) software arcview 3.x.     

A flexible system for microscope fluorometry served by a personal computer

Summary An automated microscope fluorometer based on a modified Leitz MPV I system is described. Automation is mainly attained by the use of a cheap, commercially available personal computer system programmed in extended BASIC supplemented by a few assembly-level subroutines. The automation has resulted in simplified measuring procedures and increased measuring speed. The statistical precision is enhanced because greater cell populations can be analysed within reasonable time. Programs for several biological applications are described. Routines for cell population analysis, including storage of data on disk files, has proved especially useful. Programs for recording of corrected fluorescence emission spectra and of time-dependent fluorescence variables have also been developed. A high flexibility is achieved, as the BASIC programs can readily be modified for specific purposes. Some data on the sensitivity and reproducibility of the instrument alone, and in combination with a staining method, are also presented.Supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (Project No. 2235) and from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Linköping     

Interfacing a flow cytometer computer with a PC-based patient information system

We have established an interface between our flow cytometer's computer and the personal computer (PC) which supports our patient database system. The PC has been equipped with a commercially available IEEE-488 bus interface board which is connected to the interface bus of the cytometer's Hewlett-Packard 9000/300 computer (HP). The PC is set as a bus device with the same address as that of the HP's printer. It is programmed to examine the stream of data sent to the printer and extract from it and store in an MS-DOS text file selected information which subsequently may be transferred to the database system.     

An computer information system for genetic engineering

The article describes the vectors data base and the software for its use (the VECTOR-PC system). At present the prototype versions of data base and VECTOR-PC exist and are in test exploitation. The original data base entry format contains 17 main fields for specific genetic engineering information. The VECTOR-PC system includes programs for data base search and support, and also the "genetic engineering designer", which allows the user to design his own hypothetic structures from the objects of data base and to receive detailed information about them. The system is destined for IBM PC or compatible computers.     

A simple coding method for computer storage and handling of drug information

An ever-growing body of knowledge in pharmacology has created a need for devising improved methods for handling drug information. We have developed an eleven digit comprehensive cardiovascular number to represent vital information on the effects of a drug on the cardiovascular system. Each digit of the number signifies an important cardiovascular phenomenon, and can vary from 0 to 9. This coding method provides a simmple technique for computer handling of vital information on the effects of pharmacoactive agents in a semi-quantitative manner. Using this procedure, similar numbers for neuromuscular and immune systems can be easily developed.     

A semiautomatic image analyzing system based on an APPLE II or IIe personal computer

A new semiautomatic image analyzing system based on an APPLE II or IIe personal computer is described. The configurations of the hardware and software are extensively explained. The possibilities of applying the system are demonstrated by different examples taken from various projects in biological research and clinical pathology. The system is designed to fulfil the following requirements: (1) stepwise realization as a unit-by-unit system according to individual needs and interests, (2) acquisition and calculation of morphometric parameters, (3) provision of solutions for the greatest possible number of given problems in clinical and experimental pathology, (4) direct connection of the system to host computers for on-line data transfer and evaluation, and (5) optimum cost-benefit ratio by manifold application possibilities for the individual hardware and software elements. The advantages of the unit-by-unit system with personal computers outweigh in many respects the disadvantages (for example, increased file handling and limited capacity) in comparison with the closed automatized image evaluation system, particularly with regard to costs, flexibility and compatibility. The system is being further developed in collaboration with Kontron Bildanalyse GmbH, Eching/Munich, FRG.     

Prediction of Prosopis species invasion in Kenya using geographical information system techniques

Tree species from Prosopis genus were widely planted for rehabilitation of degraded drylands of Kenya. However, they have invaded riverine ecosystems where they cause negative socio‐economic and ecological impacts. GIS was used to estimate the reverine area threatened by Prosopis invasion in Kenya. Landsat satellite images, field surveys and past studies were also used to assess the resulting potential ecological impacts in the Turkwel ecosystem in Kenya. The study revealed that 3.0 to 27.7 million hectares are threatened by invasion, based on documented riverine forests width of 0.5–3 km. Image analysis showed that 34% of the sites under positive change were invaded, with most invasions occurring in natural forests and abandoned farms. Prosopis had overall occurrence of 39% in all the sampled sites in 2007, in contrast to 0% in 1990 that was reported in an earlier study. In these areas, Acacia tortilis occurrence dropped from 81% in 1990 to 43% in 2007, suggesting that Prosopis could be displacing it. Utilization of Prosopis for fodder, fuel wood and pods for animal feeds is recommended as a management tool to reverse the trend. The methods used in this study are also recommended for invasion prediction and management in other similar ecosystems.     

Multivariate analysis of a fine-scale breeding bird atlas using a geographical information system and partial canonical correspondence analysis: environmental and spatial effects

Aim To assess the relative roles of environment and space in driving bird species distribution and to identify relevant drivers of bird assemblage composition, in the case of a fine‐scale bird atlas data set. Location The study was carried out in southern Belgium using grid cells of 1 × 1 km, based on the distribution maps of the Oiseaux nicheurs de Famenne: Atlas de Lesse et Lomme which contains abundance for 103 bird species. Methods Species found in < 10% or > 90% of the atlas cells were omitted from the bird data set for the analysis. Each cell was characterized by 59 landscape metrics, quantifying its composition and spatial patterns, using a Geographical Information System. Partial canonical correspondence analysis was used to partition the variance of bird species matrix into independent components: (a) ‘pure’ environmental variation, (b) spatially‐structured environmental variation, (c) ‘pure’ spatial variation and (d) unexplained, non‐spatial variation. Results The variance partitioning method shows that the selected landscape metrics explain 27.5% of the variation, whilst ‘pure’ spatial and spatially‐structured environmental variables explain only a weak percentage of the variation in the bird species matrix (2.5% and 4%, respectively). Avian community composition is primarily related to the degree of urbanization and the amount and composition of forested and open areas. These variables explain more than half of the variation for three species and over one‐third of the variation for 12 species. Main conclusions The results seem to indicate that the majority of explained variation in species assemblages is attributable to local environmental factors. At such a fine spatial resolution, however, the method does not seem to be appropriated for detecting and extracting the spatial variation of assemblages. Consequently, the large amount of unexplained variation is probably because of missing spatial structures and ‘noise’ in species abundance data. Furthermore, it is possible that other relevant environmental factors, that were not taken into account in this study and which may operate at different spatial scales, can drive bird assemblage structure. As a large proportion of ecological variation can be shared by environment and space, the applied partitioning method was found to be useful when analysing multispecific atlas data, but it needs improvement to factor out all‐scale spatial components of this variation (the source of ‘false correlation’) and to bring out the ‘pure’ environmental variation for ecological interpretation.     

A personal computer system for observation and analysis of copulatory behavior in small rodents

A personal computer system was developed for measuring values of copulatory behavior of small laboratory rodents. This system enabled us to get the analysis data of copulatory behavior of male rats as soon as possible after observation. This present system could be useful to measure other reproductive behavior of small rodents.     

An actograph for small laboratory animals controlled by a personal computer

This system for measuring behavioral activity and for its analysis by personal computer as the recording device of the actograph was developed in order to measure the drinking activity and the feeding activity of small laboratory animals. According to the results of the measurement on male DBA/2J mice with this actograph, 84.0% of the drinking activity occurred in the dark period while 16.0% in the light period, and the amount of water drunk by the mouse was about 5.7 ml/day under the conditions of a 12 hour light period and 12 hour dark period. Under the same conditions, 79.6% of the feeding activity took place in the dark period and 20.4% in the light period. Also there was a positive correlation between both activities.     

A simple polymerase chain reaction apparatus based on a computer printer.

We describe a very simple laboratory-made polymerase chain reaction (PCR) apparatus. The reaction tubes are placed in a holder fixed through a mechanical arm to the tape cartridge of a computer printer. A computer controls the horizontal movement of the tube carrier by sending the proper printing commands. The holder is raised or lowered by a frame fixed to the paper-advancing roller of the printer. The system allows the programmed movement of the test tubes within the holder, successively through three thermal baths placed in front of the printer. DNA from single lambda gtll lysis plaques was successfully amplified with this system in our laboratory.