INVESTIGATION OF AN OPERATOR METHOD IN THE ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL TRACER DATA.

Some factors affecting the usefulness of a linear operator in the analysis of tracer data were evaluated. Application of the operator to a sum of two exponential components resulted in the separation of the rate constants with an accuracy of 10 to 15 per cent if they differed by a factor of at least 2 and the error in the data was about 2 per cent. A factor of 4 was necessary if the error in the data was 6 per cent, and of 6 if the error was 10 per cent. The ratio of amplitudes varied from near unity to equality with the ratio of rate constants. However, if the ratio of amplitudes was greater than the ratio of rate constants the method would not resolve the rate constants. Application of the operator to a sum of three exponential components was also considered.