Experimenters have sometimes found that automated tracking software can respond to imperfections in the arena, with the tracker leaving the subject and fixing on, for example, dark droppings on a light colored arena floor.
The HVS Image system has a built in adjuster to avoid this. The experimenter sets a size threshold to allow the tracker to ignore anything below a certain size, so if droppings appear during the experiment these will be ignored by the tracker, giving accurate path plots and analyses.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio) activity monitoring.
The new HVS Image 2014 also contains the most cost effective Zebrafish larvae activity monitoring system ever. Using a standard camera the system is IR sensitive and by using ANSI and SBS compliant IR-translucent multi-well plates and setting the software to either 96 fields or 48 fields simultaneously you can have an inexpensive, efficient system for high throughput tracking of zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio). Details at HVSImage
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
New data formats allow more flexible analysis for open field.
The Open Field modules of HVS Image 2014.4 [1] (Beryllium build) now offer an additional open file format, BOND (Behavioral OpeN Data files) for storing digital data, which can be used and implemented by anyone. These can can be implemented by both proprietary and free and open source software, using the typical software licenses used by each. In contrast to closed formats, open formats (also called free file formats) are not encumbered by any copyrights, patents, trademarks or other restrictions (for example, if they are in the public domain) so that anyone may use it at no monetary cost for any desired purpose. The basic BOND format is based on the JSON standard outlined here http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/files/ECMA-ST/ECMA-404.pdf
Monday, May 12, 2014
The new Noah - tracking the animals in open field 2 x 2 - and now 3 x 3
It's always been useful to get more data from a single open-field video set up by tracking the animals in open filed 2 x 2 - and now HVS Image 2014 can track 9 or more animals by setting up the cages 3x3 (or even 4x4 or 5x5 if you like) Find out more at hvsimage.com
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Open Field Workshop Announcement
HVS Image are presenting an Open Field Workshop at SFN 2013. Anyone can attend - just visit booth 335. See their announcement below:
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Monday, July 1, 2013
Craft, Above All
Visiting labs I keep on coming across 25 year old HVS Image VP112s still working perfectly and typically now outlasting their original owners and PIs, although now it is nearly impossible to find a personal computer that will link to the old RS232 interface far more run the old MS-DOS 3.1 software.
Thinking about the old VP112s reminds me of Walter Isaacson's comments on Steve Jobs's design philosophy. Under Jobs, Apple became famous for a level of craft that seemed almost gratuitous: For example, on the "Sunflower" Macintosh of a few years ago, there was an exquisitely fine, laser-etched Apple logo. As an owner, you might see that logo only once a year, when moving the computer. But it mattered, because that single time made an impression.
If you remember the old VP110s, VP112s and VP118s you'll remember that HVS Image followed the seminal phrase coined by architect Louis Sullivan's - that "form ever follows function. This is the law." So there are no engraved Sunflowers but if you ever look inside and HVS Image VP - as I looked inside some of the earliest HVS Image trackers in the 1970s and architecture which was not just clean and orderly but was organised to perfection - every wire every, circuit board, every component in its place. PIs may not have see the deep beauty of the VP112 (although they appreciated the elegant simplicity of the interface), but many a technician did and any that where around at that time would not be surprised to see them working now without a glitch.
Just like Steve Jobs this level of craft was one of the first design lessons that I ever got, and like Jobs this was learned at the hands of my father.
My childhood home was lined with robot components (early machine vision system, robot arms as well as autonomous vehicles) and physics texts rather than fences and cabinets, but still - the lesson was learned and the philosophy continues in HVS Products.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Analysis techniques for Dry Mazes, Morris Water Maze and the Open Field Test
Characterization and Quantification of Spatial Learning Strategies.
These really fall into the category of sharing ones own notebook with the online community and I'm afraid without scaffolding - but I still welcome informed feedback. We've been looking at an additional "derivative" class of analysis parameters that might be shared over multiple assays. These include turning latency, decision frequency and decisional entropy. There is a considerable similarity between some of my previous predictive behavior work and OFT/MWM etc in that the concept of choice modeling as a temporal Markov chain occurs in both. Looking at the way things are modelled, measuring the first differential of the data refocuses the assay in the subjects decision making process and search strategies and moves the analysis to an animal centred approach from what is otherwise a meta analytical approach.
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