An algorithm to fit the Gompertz function to growth curves

An algorithm to fit the Gompertz growth Junction is presented.This algorithm is easy to program on a microcomputer. The algorithmis based on employing a searching technique to solve a set ofequations derived from the Gompertz function. Its applicationmay prove valuable when access to a computer mainframe is difficult.Such a method may be useful in construction of a specific growthcurve in biology, or as a managerial tool in livestock enterprise,as well as in the clinical treatment of tumors. Demonstrationof the successful application of this algorithm in experimentallivestock growth data are presented.     

小型多通道动物活动自动记录仪

本文报告一种可以与多种活动传感器相连、同时记录4通道动物活动频率或16通道动物活动时间的微型活动自动记录仪,记录的数据即时用带RS－232C串口的微型打印机打印,或通过口舆到其它微机中存储处理。记录仪由单片微机控制,工作程序用BASIC语言的IBM PC机中编制,在线调试后固化到记录仪中,使用者可以根据自己的的需要固化不同的程序或重新编程。     

A computerized system for scoring primate behavior using standard keyboards

A scoring system has been developed for primate behavior which uses standard keyboards and minicomputers or microcomputers. The mnemonic, alphanumeric code used is easily learned, highly flexible, and can be recorded in longhand for later entry into a computer if a keyboard is not immediately available. The software consists of two programs, both of which can be written in BASIC. SCORE is used for data acquisition and appends the test time to each behavioral sequence. DATSUM decodes and summarizes the test data using table-driven logic. The minimum hardware required is a 16K microcomputer, an alphanumeric keyboard, a display, and cassette storage.     

AN EMPIRICAL COMPARISON OF MICROCOMPUTER PARSIMONY PROGRAMS, II

Abstract— The effectiveness and efficiency of J. S. Farris' new microcomputer parsimony program (Hennig86, version 1.5) are evaluated with reference to 60 data sets, including those used to benchmark earlier mainframe and microcomputer packages. By overcoming the arbitrary resolution and consequent redundancy problems that have plagued previously available microcomputer programs, as well as their limitations on data set size, cladogram storage space, and execution speed, Hennig86 advances enormously the accuracy and ease with which cladistic analyses can be conducted. Hennig86 has such an impressive edge in both effectiveness and efficiency that earlier parsimony programs (including those by Farris) have essentially been rendered obsolete. For exact analyses, both exhaustive and minimal options arc provided; of the options available for approximate analyses, the branch breaker (bb) used in conjunction with the mhennig* and tread commands performed best.     

Microcomputer simulation as an aid in analyzing data and teaching the principles of glomerular dynamics

This report describes a simple program, written in BASIC language, that closely emulates a previously published network thermodynamic model of glomerular dynamics. While the latter requires the SPICE 2 simulation program and a mainframe computer for its execution, the present program operates on any IBM-compatible microcomputer. It has equal utility as an aid in the interpretation of laboratory studies of glomerular dynamics and as a tool for teaching the intricacies of the control of glomerular function. The program is available in 'user friendly' format that obviates the need for any expertise in the use of computers.     

Dimensional measurements on images from a video camera or cassette recorder using a BBC microcomputer

We have developed a system that enables a BBC microcomputer to make dimensional measurements on images from a video camera or cassette recorder without a framestore. The RGB output of the computer is synchronized to the output of the camera or recorder and the two displayed simultaneously on the same monitor. Measurements can be made directly from the displayed image using points indicated by the computer graphics cursor via its keyboard. Distances can be measured with a precision of about 0.4%. The system is very versatile but is especially useful for measuring the freeze-frame output from a Philips standard videotape.     

HYLAS: program for generating H curves (abstract three-dimensional representations of long DNA sequences)

The computer program HYLAS generates from a standard DNA lettersequence a three-dimensional space curve (H curve) which embodiesthe entire information content of the original nucleotide sequence.The program can display H curves either as two-dimensional (frontand side view) projections or as stereo-pair images. The curvescan be marked at specific nucleotide locations, annotated, rotatedfor observation from any viewing angle, and manipulated forconvenient side-by-side comparisons. Unlike the cumbersome lettersequences, H curves can be drastically condensed in size withoutlosing their ability to reflect the global nucleotide-distributionpattern of the entire DNA sequence. Often, biologically importantloci can be visually identified on the H curves. HYLAS is writtenin FORTRAN with separate mainframe (IBM- VM/CMS) and microcomputer(MS-DOS) versions. It uses the Tektronix-TCS library of graphicsubroutines. Received on October 24, 1988; accepted on July 15, 1989     

Stereotypy and variability of social calls among clustering female big-footed myotis(Myotis macrodactylus)

Echolocating bats have developed advanced auditory perception systems, predominantly using acoustic signaling to communicate with each other.They can emit a diverse range of social calls in complex behavioral contexts. This study examined the vocal repertoire of five pregnant big-footed myotis bats(Myotis macrodactylus). In the process of clustering,the last individual to return to the colony(LI) emitted social calls that correlated with behavior, as recorded on a PC-based digital recorder. These last individuals could emit 10 simple monosyllabic and 27 complex multisyllabic types of calls, constituting four types of syllables. The social calls were composed of highly stereotyped syllables, hierarchically organized by a common set of syllables. However, intra-specific variation was also found in the number of syllables,syllable order and patterns of syllable repetition across call renditions. Data were obtained to characterize the significant individual differences that existed in the maximum frequency and duration of calls. Time taken to return to the roost was negatively associated with the diversity of social calls. Our findings indicate that variability in social calls may be an effective strategy taken by individuals during reintegration into clusters of female M. macrodactylus.     

A microcomputer controlled snow ski binding system--I. Instrumentation and field evaluation

This paper presents the design and field evaluation of the first microcomputer controlled ski binding system. This system incorporates an Intel 8086 microcomputer controller and an integral binding/dynamometer. This instrumentation system not only undertakes real time control, but also it records dynamometer data via a miniature digital cassette tape recorder. The integral binding/dynamometer offers the same operational and mounting convenience of commercially available mechanical bindings. The binding may be released either manually or electrically via the controller. Comprised of four octagonal half strain rings, the strain gage dynamometer measures the three moment load components at the boot. To enable the user to conveniently operate the computer, extensive operating software was developed. The operating software is discussed in relation to both the acquisition and storage of data from the dynamometer and the control of the electro-mechanical snow ski binding. The binding system has been used successfully to both record boot moment components and control ski binding release during actual skiing maneuvers. Moment histories typical of three common recreational skiing maneuvers are presented.     

Validation of a computer software program for statistical analysis of accelerated stability studies on biological standards.

Long-term stability is an essential requirement for biological measurement standards and it has been evaluated by applying the Arrhenius model to the data obtained from accelerated thermostability studies. A computer program DEGTEST suited to a mainframe computer has been used for evaluating the stability of biological standards for more than a decade. This paper describes the validation of a computer program executable in a personal computer Microsoft Windows XP environment for the analysis of accelerated thermostability study data.     

AN EMPIRICAL COMPARISON OF MICROCOMPUTER PARSIMONY PROGRAMS

Abstract— The effectiveness and efficiency of two microcomputer parsimony programs (Felsenstein's PHYLIP and Swofford's PAUP), and a prototype version of a third (SHEN, to be incorporated in Farris' HENNIG-86), are evaluated with reference to 35 data sets, including those previously used by Luckow and Pimentel (1985) to benchmark mainframe programs. Both PHYLIP and PAUP can be used effectively; with careful selection of options, their accuracy can equal or surpass that of older mainframe programs. PHYLIP is relatively inefficient (in use of computer time); its usefulness is also limited by the inability of its heuristic algorithms to detect multiple equally parsimonious solutions in a single run. PHYLIP's exact algorithm (branch-and-bound) and PAUP's heuristic and exact algorithms do not share the latter drawback but require users to spend unreasonable amounts of time coping with redundant output. The remarkable effectiveness of these programs offers hope that (particularly with the advent of multitasking microcomputers) exact and cost-effective solutions will be obtainable in many, if not all, cladistic analyses.     

录象机在生物组织连续切片的计算机三维重建系统中的应用

录象机(Video Tape Recorder)作为输入、输出设备,应用于“生物组织连续切片的计算机三维重建系统”中,其效果是令人满意的.由于研制的“同步再生”单元(Sync RecoveryUnit)有效地消除了静放噪声,从而使Cromemco微型计算机的图象输入接口SDD(Super DazzlerDigitizer)能够稳定地逐帧采集录象机输出的静止图象.录制并编辑计算机三维重建后的生物组织显微结构的空间旋转视图,使其在录象机的监视器上显示得更生动、逼真,更有体视感;还可脱离主机在任何场合演示重建结果.本文还就录象机在生物医学序列图象分析中的应用前景进行了讨论.     

Behavior and adrenal physiology of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) serving as ambassador animals

Ambassador animals are part of many zoo programs, but studies assessing their impact on these animals are relatively rare. This study validated an excrement glucocorticoid metabolite (GCM) assay for Magellanic penguins and used GCM measures in conjunction with behavioral observations to evaluate individual responses to participation in an ambassador animal program. Excrement samples and behavioral observations were collected daily from each bird during two phases, 1 week during which it participated in a twice-daily ambassador program and 1 week in which it did not. We found no differences in GCMs between phases or in comparisons between penguins with 5 or 10 years of program experience. GCM also did not show significant individual variation and did not increase over time during the program phase. There were no significant correlations between bird experience and behavior frequencies, nor GCM concentrations and behavior, across birds. We observed significant positive correlations between the penguins' engagement with novel objects during programs and their unguided approach to guests. Our results suggest that there is no adverse physiological effect of program participation on these penguins, that behavioral and physiological responses may be decoupled, and that choice and control can increase desired behaviors behavior during ambassador programs.     

Comparison of whole-cell protein electrophoretic profiles of Haemophilus influenzae: implementation of a microcomputer mainframe linked system and description of a new similarity coefficient

A microcomputer mainframe linked system is described which allows video camera data capture and storage of one-dimensional whole-cell protein electrophoresis gel images, processing of normalized traces to produce a similarity matrix, and analysis of the matrix using the commercial cluster analysis program CLUSTAN. A new similarity coefficient is introduced which takes into account both band position and intensity. Forty-five strains of Haemophilus influenzae, including the eight biotypes and six serotypes, were analyzed using this system. Results demonstrated groupings which are consistent with known genetic relationships.     

The SEQANAL and SEQTALK programs: a new method of access to high-resolution nucleotide sequence comparison and analysis programs from a remote laboratory mini- or microcomputer

A new method of access has been devised for biologists requiringthe use of computer programs offering high-resolution analysisand comparison of nucleotide sequence data. The strategy involvesthe development of a pair of computer programs, called SEQANALand SEQTALK, designed to operate in tandem. SEQANAL is a largeand complex program intended to be used to discover regionsof internal repeats and dyad symmetries within one sequence,or regions of homology, complementarity or optimal alignmentbetween two sequences. Three algorithms are supported: thoseof Staden (1977, 1978); of Korn et al. (1977); Queen and Korn(1980); and the newly-described exhaustive tree-searching algorithmof Burnett et al. (1985, 1986). The SEQTALK program is a small,portable, interactive, frontend program with which the usercan specify the instructions to control the SEQANAL program.Together, the SEQANAL and SEQTALK programs permit analyses tobe performed at a remote facility on a mainframe computer underthe complete control of a distant user equipped with minimalcomputing facilities, and without needing networking facilities. Received on May 23, 1985; accepted on August 13, 1985     

NEW: an interactive data management system for monitoring ambulatory patients

Biobehavioral monitoring is a method of gathering daily biological and behavioral measurements from ambulatory patients so that hospital-based care can be extended to the home. Such data can also serve many other purposes such as peer review and assesing the outcome of treatment. To assist in handling the increased information about patients, NEW, a system of three interactive APL Plus computer program packages, has been developed. The program packages, NEWDATA, EVALUATION, and WARNINGS, form an interactive data management system to provide: a rapid means of entering and verifying each patient's data from either a single day or a group of days; a flexible and simple means of retrieving and analyzing the data for an individual patient or for groups of patients; and a means of reviewing, detecting, and signaling trends in the data that deviate from present clinical criteria.     

Computation of the sedimentation coefficient, S0(20),w, from the analytical ultracentrifuge run by an interactive program on the Apple II microcomputer

We have developed a computer program for the calculation of the sedimentation coefficient of a macromolecule from the raw data collected from an analytical ultracentrifuge run. The program is written for the Apple II microcomputer and is capable of calculating the sedimentation coefficient at an infinite dilution from the data collected at varying concentrations.     

Computation of the sedimentation coefficient,s20,w0, from the analytical ultracentrifuge run by an interactive program on the Apple II microcomputer

We have developed a computer program for the calculation of the sedimentation coefficient of a macromolecule from the raw data collected from an analytical ultracentrifuge run. The program is written for the Apple II microcomputer and is capable of calculating the sedimentation coefficient at an infinite dilution from the data collected at varying concentrations.     

Sequence similarity (‘Homology’) searching for molecular biologists

Major types of sequence similarity searching (often, and incorrectly, called ‘homology’ searching) are reviewed and examples of each are presented. The features and limitations of each type of program, and individual implementations of each type are discussed. Two pairs of sequences are used as examples to show how implementations of each type differ in their results and their presentation. Both local and global alignment programs are examined, and the programs reviewed run on many different types of computer architectures, from laboratory computers such as the IBM PC, minicomputers such as the VAX, to large mainframe computers such as DEC-10/20 series.     

EEG data acquisition and preprocessing by microcomputer satellite system

Recent development in computer technology allows already medium scale EEG data processing to be performed within the clinical neurophysiology department, if a fast minicomputer with adequate mass storage and graphical output facilities is used. Data acquisition, however, should be delegated to a microcomputer which also should take over as much preprocessing as possible. A system is presented, where one or several microcomputer-based satellite units perform analog-digital conversion, Fourier transformation (FFT), calculation of power spectra and crossproducts, as well as event related averaging or other preprocessing procedures. The units are connected to a fast central minicomputer, where a supervisor program loads the microprocessors with their programs, supervises their activity, receives preprocessed data and activates appropriate postprocessing programs to produce the final results.