Knowledge Base

Definition

A discrete (state event) variable that is scored when the focal subject is away from the remaining subjects, which form a nest.

Calculation

EthoVision XT finds all the instances of Nest 3, that is, when three subjects are in contact and do not move (see Nest). The state event Out of nest is scored for the remaining subject and lasts as long as the Nest 3 lasts.

How to Specify Out of Nest

1. Open an Analysis profile and in the Dependent Variables panel, under Live Mouse Tracker, click the Add button next to Out of nest.
2. Complete the procedure to add the variable to the Analysis profile. See Calculate statistics: procedure.

Example

In the following figure, subject B is far from the remaining subjects B, C and D, which huddle together forming a nest.

The state event Out of nest has been scored for subject A and lasts until one of the subjects B, C, and D leaves the nest, or when A joins the others to form a nest of size 4.

See Also

• Nest
• Dependent variables for Live Mouse Tracker

Definition

A discrete (state event) variable that is scored when the focal subject stands only on its hindlimbs and raises its head above its body. Two categories are defined:

• Rear alone: the subject is not in contact with any other subject.
• Rear in contact: the subject rears while in contact with another subject.

Calculation

EthoVision XT considers the samples when the focal subject's nose point is at least 40 mm higher than its tail base.

• Rear in contact is scored when rearing overlaps with any event of type Contact scored for the focal subject.
• In all other cases, Rear alone is scored.

How to Specify Rear

1. Open an Analysis profile and in the Dependent Variables panel, under Live Mouse Tracker, click the Add button next to Rear.
2. Under Calculate Statistics for, select Rear alone, Rear in contact, or both.
3. Complete the procedure to add the variable to the Analysis profile. See Calculate statistics: procedure.

Note

Note the differences between Rear in Live Mouse Tracker and Rearing in Behavior Recognition:

• Rear in Live Mouse Tracker is detected using 3D data obtained from the depth camera, while Rearing in Behavior Recognition is detected using features of the pose extracted from a series of 2D images.
• Rear in Live Mouse Tracker does not distinguish between rearing at the wall and rearing unsupported.
• Rear in Live Mouse Tracker works with multiple subjects in the arena, while Rearing in Behavior Recognition only works with one subject at a time.

See Also

• Setting up Behavior Recognition
• Behavior Recognition: Requirements
• Analysis of Behaviors Detected with Behavior Recognition
• Dependent variables for Live Mouse Tracker

Definition

A discrete (state event) variable that is scored when the focal subject approaches another subject. The distance between the center points of the two subjects is within two mean body lengths of the approached subject. Social approach does not necessarily lead to contact.

Calculation

1. EthoVision XT finds all the instances of the events Approach between two subjects in the Live Mouse Tracker database.
2. EthoVision XT calculates the average body length of the approached subject, measured as the distance between the nose-point and the tail-base point, throughout the entire track.
3. If the distance between the center point of the focal subject is within two times the average body length of the approached subject, Social approach is scored for that sample.

How to Specify Social Approach

1. Open an Analysis profile and in the Dependent Variables panel, under Live Mouse Tracker, click the Add button next to Social approach.
2. Click the Receivers tab. Under Select, choose the subjects that the focal subject approached. If you select two or more subjects, select one of the available options from the list:
   • All selected subjects: Social approach is scored when the focal subject approached all the subjects selected above simultaneously. For example, when the focal subject approached a group of three cage mates.
   • Any selected subject: Social approach is scored when the focal subject approached any of the subjects selected above.
   • Each subject: Social approach is scored when the focal subject approached one of the subjects selected above. The results are displayed for each Receiver.
3. Complete the procedure to add the variable to the Analysis profile. See Calculate statistics: procedure.

Notes

In the Trial Statistics results table, with the default layout, the results of Social approach are shown per subject (on the rows). The columns vary depending on what you chose in the Receivers tab.

• If you chose Each subject, the columns contain the statistics of Social approach directed to specific subjects (for example, Social approach A to D).
• If you chose All selected subjects or Any selected subject, a column All of A, B, C, D or Any of A, B, C, D contains cumulative statistics of Social approach when the subject approached all the cage mates simultaneously or approached any of them, respectively, depending on which option you chose.

See Also

• Approach Rearing Subject
• Social Escape
• Social > Relative Movement

Source: EthoVision XT 19 Help, Noldus Information Technology