Abstract
THE recent proposal1 to analyse shapes of biological objects by means of orthonormal functions opens up some interesting possibilities. In the work cited, a particular set of two-dimensional orthonormal functions synthesized from Walsh2 functions which take only the values +1 and −1 was used. As is well known, however, there is a vast number of other complete sets of orthonormal functions and, in fact, they could be constructed indefinitely. There are also standard linear methods for transforming from one set of orthonormal functions to another; these procedures can be realized as computer programmes.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Meltzer, B., Searle, N. H., and Brown, R., Nature, 216, 32 (1967).
Walsh, J. L., Amer. J. Math., 45, 5 (1923).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MELTZER, B. Speculations on the Use of Orthonormal Functions in the Study of Morphogenesis. Nature 217, 196 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/217196a0
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/217196a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.