Serf 3.03

Serf 3.03 is created as an excellent tool which is like an analysis of electric-physiological data for MS-Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP. It accepts ASCII data, ISO-2 data and files in AxonInstruments formats for the PC (PClamp, Fetch etc) and the acIntosh (Axograph type 1 and 2). It has an interface for use with Media Cybernetics IP+ scripts. It outputs a vector drawing ready for publication.

Major Features:

1. Simple, intuitive "visual" program layout.
2. Fast: No need to switch between multiple programs to obtain your figure at last, no useless options, few dialogue windows, lots of short-cuts and hence a minimum of mouse-clicking to do, resulting in a gain of time.
3. The program is build around four types of window each having its own menu:
   • Windows showing the raw input records (input windows).
   • Windows showing wav records (sound windows).
   • Windows showing vector drawings (drawing sheets).
   • Windows showing columns of numerical data (spreadsheets).
4. Items in the last two types of window may communicate such that a modification in a column in a spreadsheet results in a change in the associated vector graph, allowing easy editing.
5. The concatenated mode of plotting of input data allows a quick overview of an experiment.
6. The path from input to graph may involve a single step or multiple steps using a spreadsheet to hold and manipulate temporary data.
7. Curve fitting using either build-in or user-defined functions can be carried out in each of the three types of window.
8. The math library contains many useful functions such as convolution and deconvolution, Fourier transform, matrix inversion and eigen decomposition of a matrix.
9. Statistical tests for data in spreadsheet columns: linear correlation, chi-2, Students t-test, Fishers F-test, Tukeys q-test (one-way anova).
10. Bitmaps may be imported and manipulated on the drawing sheet.
11. Simulation of synaptic currents (minis) and Markov simulation of unitary currents, macroscopic currents and dwell time histograms.
12. Estimation of rate constants of a Markov chain from experimental data (macroscopic currents and dwell time histograms).
13. Create dwell time distributions from rate constants in a transition matrix.
14. Rapid detection of synaptic currents using a user-defined template, stacked minis are recognised with high temporal resolution.
15. Determine a system impulse response using your sound card.
16. Data other than AxoLab files (PClamp, Axograph) may be imported in (tab- or comma-delimited) ASCII format.
17. With the JRTalk extension Serf may be controlled by a program you have written in Visual Basic, Mediacys IP+ script or C.

Requirements: none