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Computer analysis of electrophysiological signals
matters of co-evolutionary issues of sensory ecology. Surely, given the bioengineering orientation of this book, this is an unfortunate omission. Similarly, the jammingavoidance response of electric fishes, which has been the subject of two highly analytical monographs by Walter Heiligenberg, deserves more than the page allotted to it. However, to dwell on opportunities lost is to miss the main point of this book, which is a rare attempt to bring together a comparative study of sensory biology with a biophysical analysis of the stimulus energies in
the environment that activate the sensory systems and bring about adaptive behavior in the receiver. The final part of this book, and in many ways the most interesting, is an investigation of animal navigation and migration. An analysis of the many natural cues, such as celestial maps, magnetic fields, wind and ocean currents and diurnal rhythms, are discussed in the context of how an animal gets from here to there. To sum up, this is a useful book in which to browse as well as to study systematically. I doubt that it is suitable for use as a textbook
in a standard course in a zoology or biology curriculum. However, it could serve nicely as a focus for an advanced seminar on the topic, particularly at the senior undergraduate or graduate level. It will be a useful reference for the neurobiologist interested in comparative biology, especially neuro-ethologists, and any physicist, chemist or engineer interested in biology. It is written clearly and concisely and I can recommend it because it deals with an important area of integrative biology which has, until now, been neglected.
Computer Analysisof Electrophysiological Signals
population spikes or bursts of spikes. In defence of the book, there is information relevant to some of the above embedded in the text but largely as it relates to either voltage-clamp or singlechannel analysis. There is a difficulty with the title and my (and I anticipate other potential readers') assumption was that there should have been a wider coverage even if only at an introductory level. In fact, this book is an exceedingly good text, covering all aspects of voltage-clamp, single-channel and noise analysis in a concise and well-presented manner. In addition to comprehensive information about data collection, there are accessible sections on modelling and curve fitting, and a useful chapter on statistical analysis including the use of a spreadsheet with a number of macros for use with Borland Quattro. Signal conditioning and filtering are well explained and there is a comprehensive section on digitization. Throughout the text there is an attempt to describe the most common products that are currently available where this is appropriate. However, in the case of selection of an interface and associated software this decision is so crucial that I felt more space could have been devoted to differences between types. This is in no way a programming 'cookbook'. For those interested, examples of code are given in all relevant sections, although this is mostly Fortran with some
assembler. This would be of most use to those working with the suite of programs written by the author and to which much of the text is related; for the reader needing general information and examples I would have preferred some sort of 'pseudo code' that could be more easily followed. No one could write a new application package using this book as their basis but, if they were attempting to select the best package for their use within the subject area covered, they should end up knowing what to look for, and able to ask sensible questions and understand the answers. Selected parts of the book could very well be utilized by students involved in projects involving data acquisition by computer; some basic information about computers and programming for those starting from scratch is also included. Some sections will, I think, become required reading for our own 8Sc and PhD students. I wholeheartedly recommend it as a textbook to those teaching voltage-clamp or channel analysis, particularly given the paucity of such books, and also as an excellent basis for those starting out in this field or indeed many already working within it.
by John Dempster, Biological TechInstituteof niques Series, Academic Press, 1993. Ophthalmology, £29.50 (xiv + 228 pages) ISBN 0 12 BathSt, London, 208940 5 UKECIV9EL.
David C. West
Although this book sports an allembracing title, it could not be comprehensive in its coverage of the subject in little over 200 pages. Nevertheless, it turns out to be an extremely useful text if you are interested in voltageclamp or single-channel analysis. That is not to say that those involved in other branches of electrophysiology would gain nothing from it. Despite the now ubiquitous use of the computer in electrophysiology, there are still very few books on the subject and this one is a valuable addition. There are omissions, howeverfor a start there is nothing about digital-event data handling (i.e. spikes). This aspect was probably considered fairly trivial in comparison with analogue data collection but a short chapter explaining why, with some histogram examples, would have been useful for those using them. No information is given about template matching that would enable spikes to be extracted from analogue recordings. There is no specific chapter devoted to general waveform analysis for continuous waves such as EEG or for evoked events such as intracellular postsynaptic potentials,
536
i,ll
H
Keep on top of the neuroscience literature Subscribe to TINS TINS, Vo/. 16, No. 12, 1993
the environment that activate the sensory systems and bring about adaptive behavior in the receiver. The final part of this book, and in many ways the most interesting, is an investigation of animal navigation and migration. An analysis of the many natural cues, such as celestial maps, magnetic fields, wind and ocean currents and diurnal rhythms, are discussed in the context of how an animal gets from here to there. To sum up, this is a useful book in which to browse as well as to study systematically. I doubt that it is suitable for use as a textbook
in a standard course in a zoology or biology curriculum. However, it could serve nicely as a focus for an advanced seminar on the topic, particularly at the senior undergraduate or graduate level. It will be a useful reference for the neurobiologist interested in comparative biology, especially neuro-ethologists, and any physicist, chemist or engineer interested in biology. It is written clearly and concisely and I can recommend it because it deals with an important area of integrative biology which has, until now, been neglected.
Computer Analysisof Electrophysiological Signals
population spikes or bursts of spikes. In defence of the book, there is information relevant to some of the above embedded in the text but largely as it relates to either voltage-clamp or singlechannel analysis. There is a difficulty with the title and my (and I anticipate other potential readers') assumption was that there should have been a wider coverage even if only at an introductory level. In fact, this book is an exceedingly good text, covering all aspects of voltage-clamp, single-channel and noise analysis in a concise and well-presented manner. In addition to comprehensive information about data collection, there are accessible sections on modelling and curve fitting, and a useful chapter on statistical analysis including the use of a spreadsheet with a number of macros for use with Borland Quattro. Signal conditioning and filtering are well explained and there is a comprehensive section on digitization. Throughout the text there is an attempt to describe the most common products that are currently available where this is appropriate. However, in the case of selection of an interface and associated software this decision is so crucial that I felt more space could have been devoted to differences between types. This is in no way a programming 'cookbook'. For those interested, examples of code are given in all relevant sections, although this is mostly Fortran with some
assembler. This would be of most use to those working with the suite of programs written by the author and to which much of the text is related; for the reader needing general information and examples I would have preferred some sort of 'pseudo code' that could be more easily followed. No one could write a new application package using this book as their basis but, if they were attempting to select the best package for their use within the subject area covered, they should end up knowing what to look for, and able to ask sensible questions and understand the answers. Selected parts of the book could very well be utilized by students involved in projects involving data acquisition by computer; some basic information about computers and programming for those starting from scratch is also included. Some sections will, I think, become required reading for our own 8Sc and PhD students. I wholeheartedly recommend it as a textbook to those teaching voltage-clamp or channel analysis, particularly given the paucity of such books, and also as an excellent basis for those starting out in this field or indeed many already working within it.
by John Dempster, Biological TechInstituteof niques Series, Academic Press, 1993. Ophthalmology, £29.50 (xiv + 228 pages) ISBN 0 12 BathSt, London, 208940 5 UKECIV9EL.
David C. West
Although this book sports an allembracing title, it could not be comprehensive in its coverage of the subject in little over 200 pages. Nevertheless, it turns out to be an extremely useful text if you are interested in voltageclamp or single-channel analysis. That is not to say that those involved in other branches of electrophysiology would gain nothing from it. Despite the now ubiquitous use of the computer in electrophysiology, there are still very few books on the subject and this one is a valuable addition. There are omissions, howeverfor a start there is nothing about digital-event data handling (i.e. spikes). This aspect was probably considered fairly trivial in comparison with analogue data collection but a short chapter explaining why, with some histogram examples, would have been useful for those using them. No information is given about template matching that would enable spikes to be extracted from analogue recordings. There is no specific chapter devoted to general waveform analysis for continuous waves such as EEG or for evoked events such as intracellular postsynaptic potentials,
536
i,ll
H
Keep on top of the neuroscience literature Subscribe to TINS TINS, Vo/. 16, No. 12, 1993