scholarly journals THE FLICKER RESPONSE CURVE FOR FUNDULUS

1940 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 677-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Crozier ◽  
Ernst Wolf

After Fundulus heteroclitus have been for some time in the laboratory, under conditions favorable for growth, and after habituation of the fishes to the simple routine manipulations of the observational procedure required, they are found to give reproducible values of the mean critical flash illumination (Im) resulting in response to visual flicker. The measurements were made with equality of light time and dark time in the flash cycle, at 21.5°C. Log Im as a function of flash frequency F has the same general form as that obtained with other fishes tested, and for vertebrates typically: the curve is a drawn-out S, with a second inflection at the low I end. In details, however, the curve is somewhat extreme. Its composite form is readily resolved into the two usual parts. Each of these expresses a contribution in which log I, as a function of F, is accurately expressed by taking F as the summation (integral) of a probability distribution of d log I, as for the flicker response contour of other animals. As critical intensity I increases, the contribution of rod elements gradually fades out; this decay also adheres to a probability integral. The rod contribution seen in the curve for Fundulus is larger, absolutely and relatively to that from the cones, than that found with a number of other vertebrates. The additive overlapping of the rod and cone effects therefore produces a comparatively extreme distortion of the resulting F-log I curve. The F-log Im curve is shifted to lower intensities as result of previous exposure to supranormal temperatures. This effect is only very slowly reversible. The value of Fmax. for each of the components of the duplex curve remains unaffected. The rod and cone segments are shifted to the same extent. The persisting increase of excitability thus fails to reveal any chemical or other differentiation of the excitability mechanism in the two groups of elements. Certain bearings of the data upon the theory of the flicker response contour are discussed, with reference to the measurements of variation of critical intensity and to the form of the F-log I curve. The quantitative properties of the data accord with the theory derived from earlier observations on other forms.

1940 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 667-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Crozier ◽  
Ernst Wolf

The flicker response curve for the newt Triturus viridescens (water phase) has much the same quantitative structure as that found with various fresh-water teleosts at the same temperature (21.5°). The variability of critical intensity and of critical flash frequency likewise follows the same rules. The cone portion of the F - log I curve is much more widely spread, however. This, and the rather low maximum to which the rod curve rises, produce a considerable overlapping of the two parts additively fused. In addition, and to an extent which differs in various individuals, there is apparent a slight departure from the probability integral form of the cone curve. Reasons are given for considering that this is possibly connected with the role of an additional (small) number of (perhaps temporary, or developmental) retinal elements in addition to the typical rods and cones.


1938 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Crozier ◽  
E. Wolf ◽  
G. Zerrahn-Wolf

Determinations of the flicker response curve (F – log Im) with larvae of Anax junius (dragonfly) for various ratios tL/tD of light time to dark time in a flash cycle provide relations between tL/tD and the parameters of the probability integral fundamentally describing the F – log I function, including the variability of I. These relations are quantitatively of the same form as those found for this function in the sunfish, and are therefore non-specific. Their meaning for the theory of reaction to visual flicker is discussed. The asymmetry of the Anax curve, resulting from mechanical conditions affecting the reception of light by the arthropod eye, is (as predicted) reduced by relative lengthening of the fractional light time in a cycle.


1939 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Crozier ◽  
Ernst Wolf ◽  
Gertrud Zerrahn-Wolf

1. At constant temperature, with a fixed proportion of light time in a flash cycle (namely, tL/tD = 1), the mean critical intensity for motor response to visual flicker by the turtle Pseudemys scripta follows a probability integral (log I) as a function of flash frequency F. The fit is close and satisfactory; certain quite minor but consistent deviations are adequately explained by features of the experiments. 2. The variation (σI) of critical I is directly proportional to the mean critical intensity (Im), over the entire explorable range. 3. These facts are consistent with the fact that the retina of this turtle is devoid of rods. It contains only cones, histologically, which, with their central representations, provide a single population of sensory effects. The properties of this population are compared with those of homologous populations deduced from corresponding measurements with other forms (various fishes; amphibian; man) which exhibit two such groups of sensory effects associated with the possession of retinal rods and cones. 4. Certain other formulations which have previously been applied to homologous data obtained with other organisms do not properly describe the Pseudemys measurements. 5. The use of a probability integral to describe the data of response to visual flicker for the dissection of the compound curves provided by animals possessing both rods and cones, is accordingly Justified. 6. Persisting differences among individuals of Pseudemys as regards the values of the critical flash intensity under various conditions of experimentation are of the same order of magnitude as are the transitory differences found in lots of other kinds of animals. 7. Determinations of mean critical flash frequency (Fm) at fixed levels of I lie slightly above determinations of Im at fixed values of I, as with other forms. The variation of critical flash frequency goes through a maximum as log I is increased; its height is lower than with certain other forms, in correlation with the low general slope of the F - log I curve (more properly, band). 8. These facts are consistent with the view that the dispersions of the individual critical intensities (and flash frequencies) are determined by organic variation rather than by "experimental error." 9. When the temperature is altered the F - log Im curve is shifted, with no change of Fmax. or of shape; the curve moves to lower intensities as the temperature is raised. 10. The reciprocal of the mean critical intensity, at fixed flash frequency, is a measure of excitability. With increase of temperature (12.5° to 36°) 1/Im for given F follows the Arrhenius equation, exhibiting a "break" at 29.5° (µ = 26,700, 12.5° to 29.5°; 12,400, 29.5° to 36°). This is explained by the necessary theory that, the number of elements of sensory effect required for the index response at fixed F being constant, the ease of their excitation is governed by temperature through its control of the velocity of an interrelated system of catalyzed processes common to all of the sensory elements concerned.


1941 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Crozier ◽  
Ernst Wolf

The flicker response contour has been determined, with equality of light-dark time ratio, for the diurnal bird the Australian zebra finch. This bird has only cones in the retina. The curve of log critical intensity as a function of flash frequency is simplex, a normal probability integral. In this respect it is like that for other vertebrates not exhibiting visual duplexity. The parameters of the curve most closely approach those for the turtle Pseudemys (extrapolated to about the same temperature); it is not improbable that the approximation of these two curves would be less close for other values of the light-time fraction. Some points of interpretive visual theory are discussed in relation to the present measurements.


1937 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Crozier ◽  
E. Wolf ◽  
G. Zerrahn-Wolf

Using the rotating striped cylinder device previously employed for determination of the flicker response function with lower animals, corresponding measurements have been made with human observers. The curves based upon the relation between critical flash frequency and critical intensity for the signalling of the recognition of flicker have the properties of human flicker fusion data as obtained by other methods. They also have the quantitative properties of the flicker curves provided by the motor responses of insects and fishes to the seen movement of flashes. This applies to the variation found in repeated measurements as well as to the nature of the analytical function describing the connection between flash frequency and intensity. The data for human visual flicker and those for the responses of lower animals are therefore essentially homologous.


1967 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Jacob Koed ◽  
Christian Hamburger

ABSTRACT Comparison of the dose-response curves for LH of ovine origin (NIH-LH-S8) and of human origin (IRP-HMG-2) using the OAAD test showed a small, though statistically significant difference, the dose-response curve for LH of human origin being a little flatter. Two standard curves for ovine LH obtained with 14 months' interval, were parallel but at different levels of ovarian ascorbic acid. When the mean ascorbic acid depletions were calculated as percentages of the control levels, the two curves for NIH-LH-S8 were identical. The use of standards of human origin in the OAAD test for LH activity of human preparations is recommended.


1941 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Crozier ◽  
Ernst Wolf

The lizard Phrynosoma, with purely cone retina, provides a simplex flicker response contour (log critical flash intensity as a function of flash frequency). It is well described as a normal probability integral (F - log I). The Phrynosoma curve differs markedly, in higher slope and in higher median intensity level, from that obtained under the same conditions for the turtle Pseudemys, also with entirely cone retina. Other comparisons having a bearing on the duplexity doctrine are discussed.


1991 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 935-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
NOEMI CHUAQUI-OFFERMANNS ◽  
TOM MCDOUGALL

The measurement of o-tyrosine levels in poultry meat is a potential method for postirradiation dosimetry of poultry. The validity of using o-tyrosine for this purpose has not yet been established. As part of the validation process, the o-tyrosine content in unirradiated chicken meat, the radiation dose response curve, and the effects of postirradiation storage on o-tyrosine levels are examined. In 18 individual samples, the mean background level of o-tyrosine was 0.18 ± 0.11 ppm (wet weight, 70% moisture), and the most frequent background level (60% of the cases) was between 0.05 and 0.15 ppm (wet weight, 70% moisture). In pooled samples of 10 chickens, the mean background level was 0.12 ± 0.03 ppm (wet weight, 70% moisture). The levels were not significantly affected by storage at 5°C (7 d) or by freezing the sample. The radiation dose response curve was linear within the dose range studied (0 to 10 kGy), with a slope of 0.127 ± 0.003 ppm (wet weight)/kGy. Although there was some variation in the intercept (0.132 ± 0.013), the slope was the same in all samples tested. Postirradiation storage at either 4 or 8°C until spoilage did not affect the levels of o-tyrosine. These data indicate that o-tyrosine level may be useful for determining the absorbed dose in chicken meat gamma-irradiated to doses greater than 0.6 kGy. Further validation studies are continuing.


1993 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 766-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Emancipator ◽  
M H Kroll

Abstract Quantitative measures of the nonlinearity of an analytical method are defined as follows: the "(dimensional) nonlinearity" of a method is the square root of the mean of the square of the deviation of the response curve from a straight line, where the straight line is chosen to minimize the nonlinearity. The "relative nonlinearity" is defined as the dimensional nonlinearity divided by the difference between the maximum and minimum assayed values. These definitions may be used to develop practical criteria for linearity that are still objective. Calculation of the nonlinearity requires a method of curve-fitting. In this article, we use polynomial regression to demonstrate calculations, but the definition of nonlinearity also accommodates alternative nonlinear regression procedures.


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