Serf description
Serf - Analysis of electrophysiological data for MS-Windows

Serf is a software application to analyse electrophysiological data for MS-Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP.

Serf accepts ASCII data, ISO-2 data and files in AxonInstruments formats for the PC (PClamp, Fetch etc) and the MacIntosh (Axograph type 1 and 2).

It has an interface for use with Media Cybernetics IP+ scripts.
It outputs a vector drawing ready for publication.

Here are some key features of "Serf":

· Simple, intuitive "visual" program layout.
· 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 mouseclicking to do, resulting in a gain of time.
· The program is build around four types of window each having its own menu:
1) Windows showing the raw input records (input windows).
2) Windows showing wav records (sound windows).
3) Windows showing vector drawings (drawing sheets).
4) Windows showing columns of numerical data (spreadsheets).
· 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.
· The concatenated mode of plotting of input data allows a quick overview of an experiment.
· The path from input to graph may involve a single step or multiple steps using a spreadsheet to hold and manipulate temporary data.
· Curve fitting using either build-in or user-defined functions can be carried out in each of the three types of window.
· The math library contains many useful functions such as convolution and deconvolution, Fourier transform, matrix inversion and eigen decomposition of a matrix.
· Statistical tests for data in spreadsheet columns: linear correlation, chi-2, Student's t-test, Fisher's F-test, Tukey's q-test (one-way anova).
· Bitmaps may be imported and manipulated on the drawing sheet.
· Simulation of synaptic currents (minis) and Markov simulation of unitary currents, macroscopic currents and dwell time histograms.
· Estimation of rate constants of a Markov chain from experimental data (macroscopic currents and dwell time histograms).
· Create dwell time distributions from rate constants in a transition matrix.
· Rapid detection of synaptic currents using a user-defined template, stacked minis are recognised with high temporal resolution.
· Determine a system impulse response using your sound card.
· Data other than AxoLab files (PClamp, Axograph) may be imported in (tab- or comma-delimited) ASCII format.
· With the JRTalk extension Serf may be controlled by a program you have written in Visual Basic, Mediacy's IP+ script or C.