The results of perimetry were quantified using a previously described method to calculate the proportion of area lost for the three isopters (Barton et al., 2005).
The number of functional conditions per matrilineal relative and patrilineal relative were calculated and the maternal ratio and maternal inheritance ratio were calculated using a previously published tool called Quantitative Pedigree Analysis (QPA) which is used to assesses patterns of inheritance [ 12].
Finally, the following parameters were determined from each pellet condition: (i) the bending ratio, calculated as the mean-squared end-to-end distance divided by the mean-squared contour length and (ii) the persistence length, calculated using a previously described model [ 38].
The l-alanine-aminopeptidase activity was calculated using a previously prepared standard curve with a 4-nitroaniline concentration range of 0.16 to 24 mg/L (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany).
The protease activity was calculated using a previously created standard curve with the enzyme papain (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) within a concentration range of 0.16 to 24 mg/L.
The esterase activity was calculated using a previously established standard curve with a fluorescein concentration range of 1 to 32 μmol/L (Fluka, Buchs, Switzerland).
The water velocity distribution through a flow path was determined using discrete fracture network flow simulations, and solute transport was calculated using a previously derived impulse-response function and a particle-tracking scheme.
Z' was calculated using a previously published equation [48].
Automated freezing (% FR) and activity scores (arbitrary units) were calculated using a previously described computer algorithm[17].
The geometric mean of the relative expression of the reference genes was calculated using a previously published formula [39] and used to normalise the expression for the cellular genes of interest.
