Knowledge Base

Conditions (Continued)

segment of the track, because it refers to the state of a current sample, not a duration. In that case the subject is out of the zone, so the current value of In Zone is "false". However, the condition won't be met in the period of missing samples because EthoVision does not know the current state of the subject.

The next sections contain information on each dependent variable. We assume that the Condition window is open on your screen.

Effect of the Statistics Used

When a condition is evaluated (and therefore may or may not be met) also depends on the statistic chosen.

• For Current, the condition is evaluated at the same sample time as when it is activated.
• For all other statistics (like Frequency, Current duration, etc.), it is evaluated at least one sample after the condition is activated. This depends on when the first value available for comparison occurs after the activation of the condition.
• When using Velocity and Distance, it takes one sample.
• When using Heading and In Zone, it takes two samples.
• When using Turn Angle and Angular Velocity, it takes three samples.

Conditions Based on Behaviors Scored Manually

Use this kind of conditions to let EthoVision XT carry out an action when the subject performed a behavior you scored manually. For example, in a social interaction test, to stop tracking when the subject attacked three times, or when the duration of Intimidation lasted more than 30 seconds.

1. In the Components pane, under Conditions, double-click the name or click the button next to the manually scored behavior you want to base the condition on.

   Tip: If you do not see the variable name, click the More button.

2. The Manual Scoring Condition window opens. Under Name, enter a Condition Name. Under Comment (at the bottom) enter a description (optional).
3. Under Condition is met when, click the Settings button. If the behavior is of the type Start-Stop or Mutually Exclusive, choose the behavior to base the condition on, for example Rear or Not Rear.
4. In the Actors tab, select the Subjects to which the condition applies. If the Actors tab also contains the Body points options, select one or more body points of the subjects selected above. Click OK.
5. Under Condition is met when, select the Statistic you want to use.

Common cases of Statistic for manually scored behaviors:

• Current. For a condition that is met when the behavior at the current sample is true or not true. This statistic is available for Start-Stop and Mutually Exclusive events.
• Frequency. For a condition that is met when the behavior occurred a number of times.
• Cumulative Duration. For a condition that is met when the animal has shown the behavior for a specific time since the activation of the condition. This statistic is available for Start-Stop and Mutually Exclusive events.
• Current Duration. For a condition that is met when the animal has shown the behavior continuously for a specific time. This statistic is available for Start-Stop and Mutually Exclusive events.
• Latency to First. See the EthoVision XT Help for more information.

For more information on manually scored behaviors, see the EthoVision XT Help.

Conditions Based on Hardware Devices

Use this kind of conditions to check the status of hardware devices (pellet dispensers, lickometers, etc.) and have EthoVision take actions when the conditions are met.

1. In the Components pane, under Conditions, click the button next to the hardware device you want to base the condition on.
2. The Hardware Condition window appears. Under Name, enter a Condition Name. Under Comment (at the bottom) enter a description (optional).
3. Under Condition is met when, select the Template device you want to use. A template device represents a group of devices of the same type, one for each arena.
4. Under Signal to check, select the criterion that forms the condition.
5. Under Signal value, select the value of the criterion in order for the condition to be met.
6. Click OK. Insert the Condition box in the appropriate position in the rule.

Hardware devices are not defined for each arena separately. If you have a setup with multiple arenas, it is assumed that each arena has the same type of device. The name in the device list is the generic name valid for all arenas. The condition will be evaluated for each arena separately.

If the device type is not listed under Conditions, it means that it is not yet recognized by EthoVision XT.

Pellet Dispenser

• Number of drops. To base your condition on whether more/less than N food items have been delivered since the activation of the condition. Choose >= or <= and enter the value N in the box.
• In error state. To base your condition on whether the pellet dispenser is in error state, that is, when it can no longer drop any pellet (this happens when there are no pellets anymore in the feeder). Choose between true (error) or false.

Example: Have EthoVision XT give a sound signal when the feeder has run out of pellets.

Lickometer

• Duration of licks. To base your condition on the (total) duration of licks since the activation of the condition. Enter this time in the box.
• Number of licks. To base your condition on the number of licks since the activation of the condition. You can select >= N, <= N or = N.

Top Unit of PhenoTyper

Choose the option under Signal to check to base your condition on whether a sound or light signal is given since the activation of the condition.

For Top Unit (NeuroBsik), use Is Fsel-1/2 on/off or Is Vol-1/2 on/off to base your condition on the value of frequency or volume specified by one input. Since the frequency and volume are specified by two inputs, you must define two conditions, one for input 1 and one for input 2. Combine the two conditions with an operator of type All.

Note: Neuro-Bsik is a consortium of eleven Dutch Neuroscience research groups and two companies including Noldus. The consortium aims to contribute to the battle against brain disorders by developing novel mouse models for brain disorders. For this project, Noldus has developed a special Top Unit of the PhenoTyper cage that can produce ultrasound stimuli. For more information, browse to www.neurobsik.nl.

For more information, see the PhenoTyper - EthoVision XT 18 - Reference Manual.

Source: EthoVision XT 18 - THC - Trial and Hardware Control, Noldus Information Technology