backgroundData(eset,model=c("rr", "gauss", "ar1"))The most simple model for non-periodic expression is based on randomization of the observed times series. A background distribution can then be constructed by (repeated) random permutation of the sequentially ordered measurements in the experiment. This background model is used here if model="rr" is chosen.
Alternatively, non-periodic expression can be derived using a statistical model. A conventional approach is based on the assumption of data normality and to use the normal distribution. This background model is chosen if model="gauss".
However, these two approaches neglect the fact that time series data exhibit generally a considerable autocorrelation i.e. correlation between successive measurements. Therefore, neither the assumptions of data normality nor for randomizations may hold. As demonstrated for yeast cell cycle data (Bioinformatics 2008), this failure can substantially interfere with the significance testing, and that neglecting autocorrelation can potentially lead to a considerable overestimation of the number of periodically expressed genes.
A more suitable model is based on autoregressive processes of order one (AR(1)),
for which the value of the time-dependent variable X depends on its previous value up to a normally distributed random variable Z. Such model is used here for the setting of
model="ar1". The autocorrelation of X and variance of Z is estimated for each feature of the ExpressionSet object separately. Mathematical details can be found in the given reference.
It is important to note in this context, that AR(1) processes cannot capture periodic patterns except for alternations with period two. Since Z is a random variable, we can readily generate a collection of time series with the same autocorrelation as in the original data set. Therefore, although AR(1) processes constitute random processes, they allow us to construct a background distribution that captures the autocorrelation structure of original gene expression time series without fitting the potentially included periodic pattern.