It is possible to demonstrate by other methods refined structural differences among neuron types; however, proof was lacking that the quality of the impulse or its condition was influenced by these differences, which seemed instead to influence the developmental patterning of the neural circuits.

重点语料

demonstrate(v.)：展示，证明

refined(adj.)：精妙的，细微的

neuron(n.)：神经元

impulse(v./n.)：脉冲，冲动

circuit(v./n.)：回路，循环

第一分句结构分析

形式主语：it

真正主语：to demonstrate by other methods refined structural differences among neuron types

谓语：is possible

第二分句结构分析

主语：proof

同位语：that the quality of the impulse or its condition was influenced by these differences

系词：was

表语：lacking

非限定性定语从句：which seemed instead to influence the developmental patterning of the neural circuits

全句翻译

有可能通过其他方法来证明神经元种类见的细微结构差别;可是，这样的证据是缺乏的，即神经冲动的性质或者状态是受这些差异所影响的，而这些差异看起来却能影响神经网络的发育模式。

经验分享

对于第一个分句来讲。它的整体结构并不难，就是一个不定式做真正主语并后置的句型。第一分句的主要难点在于不定式的拆解。”to demonstrate by other methods refined structural differences among neuron types”，在这个不定式当中，一定要记得只要是及物动词就要跟宾语，这个不定式的动词是”demonstrate”，在这儿是个及物动词，不要被后面的”by other methods”所干扰，它只是一个修饰”demonstrate”的状语，真正的宾语是”refined structural differences”，而”among neuron types”则是宾语的定语。

在第二个分句中，它的主干非常简单--”proof was lacking”，后面的”that...these differences”是主语”proof”的同位语，之所以放到后面，是因为如果用常规位置构造句子的话，它会写成这样--”proof that the quality of the impulse or its condition was influenced by these differences was lacking”，非常不利于理解和阅读。而最后的非限定性定语从句”which seemed instead to influence the developmental patterning of the neural circuits”用来修饰前面的”differences”。在这个定语从句中，”seem”该和”to”连接在一起，而”instead”是一个副词，译作”而是”。