Knowledge Base

Analysis in Relation to the Path

Calculate the Initial Heading Angle in a Water Maze Experiment

That is, calculate the deviation from the optimal route, for example in the first 15 cm of the swim path. Specify the track segment from track start until the animal swam 15 cm with a Data profile, then select the dependent variable Heading to Point in an Analysis profile.

1. Smooth the tracks to obtain a swim path less influenced by noise.
2. In the Data profile, in the Components pane, under Nesting, click the button next to Free Interval. Specify the interval "From Track Start to Total Distance Moved >= 15 cm". See Nest Over a Free Interval.
3. In the Analysis profile, specify the dependent variable Heading to Point. Select the center point of the platform. In the Trial Statistics tab, select Mean.
4. Click Statistics and Charts, then Calculate.

Split the Track Into Segments Based on Distance Traveled

Specify the track segments in the Analysis profile.

1. In the Analysis profile, under Custom Variables, click Free Interval. Specify the interval "From Distance Moved - Total >= 0" to "Distance Moved - Total >= 100 cm". Select the option Calculate Statistics Per Interval. In the Trial Statistics tab, select Cumulative Duration.
2. Click Statistics and Charts, then Calculate.

The duration is shown in the columns for each 1-meter segment (Interval Occurrence 1, Interval Occurrence 2, etc.).

Analysis of Regular Time Intervals

Split the track in a number of regular intervals, and then calculate statistics for each interval. Specify the track segments in a Data profile and select the dependent variable Distance Moved in an Analysis profile.

1. In the Data profile, in the Result box, click the Settings button and then select Results per time bin. Specify the length of the single time interval.
2. In the Analysis profile, specify the dependent variable. In the Trial Statistics tab, select the statistic (for example, Total for Distance Moved).
3. Click Statistics and Charts, then Calculate.

Analysis of Event Transitions and Sequences

What do you want to do?

• Calculate transitions between zone visits
• Analyze bouts of behavior

Calculate Transitions Between Zone Visits

For example, how many times did the subject go from zone A to zone B? Or, in a Y-maze experiment, how many times did the subject go from zone A, to B, then C? Or, in a radial maze experiment, how many 8-arm visits were made without any revisits?

1. In the Analysis profile: for zone alternations (like in a Y-maze test), choose the dependent variable Zone Alternation. For transitions in general, choose Zone Transition and define the sequence (for example, in a radial maze test, Arm 1 > Arm 3 > Arm 5). Select the sequence of zone visits. If necessary, select more sequences. In the Trial Statistics tab, select the statistic Total Number.
2. Click Statistics and Charts, then Calculate.

Analyze Bouts of Behavior

If you define a bout of behavior as a group of events where the interval t between them is lower than a specified limit (t < tmax), you can detect those bouts with the Free Intervals function. For example, look for bouts of movement, where single instances of the state Moving are separated by less than five seconds.

In the Analysis profile, choose the dependent variable Free Interval. For an example, see Detect Bouts of Behavior in Examples of Free Intervals in the Analysis profile.

Basics of Data Selection

Aim

To carry out analysis on a selection of data, not all data.

Learn About

• The Data Profiles screen
• Create your data selection
• Work with data selection boxes

Notes

• You can create as many Data profiles as you want, containing different criteria for data selection.
• Data selection is optional. If you do not select data, the default data selection profile is used, which contains all data in your experiment.

The Data Profiles Screen

To Access the Data Profiles Screen

• Choose Analysis > Data Profile > New. Enter a name for the new Data profile and click OK.
• In the Experiment Explorer, in the Analysis folder, right-click Data Profiles, select New, enter a name and press Enter.

You can also open an existing data profile. Choose Analysis > Data Profile > Open.

Default Data Profile

The Data Profile contains two selection boxes:

• The Start box (left) contains all tracks currently stored in the experiment.
• The Result 1 box (right) contains the data used for analysis. The two boxes are connected through an arrow. This means that in the default Data profile all data are used for analysis.

Create Your Data Selection

By default, all tracks in your experiments are selected. To refine your selection:

1. In the Components pane, click the button next to the variable you want to use. If you do not see the Components pane, click the Show/Hide button on the toolbar and select Components.
2. A new box appears in the top-left corner of the Data Profiles window, and a new window appears on top, listing all possible values or characteristics of the chosen variable. For example, which treatment level you want to select for analysis. Choose the values that specify your selection and click OK.
3. Drag the box over the arrow that connects the two preexisting boxes. When the arrow turns white, release the mouse button. If you do not see all buttons as shown above, click the More button.

To Create Complex Selections

You can define complex data selections by inserting two or more selection boxes in the sequence. See Combining Selection Boxes.

To Create Different Selections in the Same Data Profile

By clicking the button next to Result (last button in the Components pane), you get a new Result box. Additional Result boxes allow you to view the results in the same table for different data selections. For example, create groups based on an experimental treatment and compare the results. See Define Groups of Tracks.