Multi condition

Definition

A segment of track that corresponds to the combination of the value of one, two or more dependent variables.

Use cases

▪In Trial Control: Stop the trial when exploration time reaches a specified value.

In a Novel object test, stop the trial when the exploration of an object reaches 30 seconds. Exploration is defined as (a) Nose point in the zone “object sniffing zone”, and (b) Head direction pointing to the “object sniffing zone”. When the total time that (a) and (b) are simultaneously true reaches 30 s, stop the trial.

tip Define this condition in the Trial Control Settings.

▪In Analysis: Calculate the time that the animal swims pointing to the platform.

In a probe trial of the Morris water maze test, the subject swims for a number of seconds around the platform. You want to know how long the animal points to the platform while it is swimming. This can be translated to (a) Heading to platform less than a user-define angle (for example 10 degrees) and (b) Velocity higher than a user-define value (for example 10 cm/s). tip Define this in the Analysis profile.

Calculation

The track segments are defined for each condition independently. Then, the track segments are combined according to the logic specified (All conditions true = AND; Any condition true = OR).

Below: The variable Multi condition marks the time when the animal swims towards the platform with a certain speed. Here the multi condition is defined with three conditions: (1) Heading to platform less or equal than +15 degrees; (2) Heading to platform greater than -15 degrees; (3) Velocity greater than 10 cm/s. Conditions are combined with All conditions true. The first plot shows Multi condition; the second Heading to point (center of the platform), with both negative and positive values; the third plot Velocity.

To specify a Multi-condition

1.In the Analysis profile, under Custom Variables, click the button next to Multi condition.

2.Click the Add button at the right of Add conditions.

3.Choose the variable from the Select variable list.

4.To specify further options, click Settings. Next, specify which values (or range of) make the condition true.

5.Click OK. The condition is added to the list.

6.Repeat the steps 2-5 to add more conditions.

7.Combine the conditions with All conditions are true (AND logic) or Any condition is true (OR logic).

8.Complete the procedure to add the variable. See Calculate statistics: procedure.

Notes

▪To define a Multi condition you can use continuous variables, like Distance moved, and state variables, like In zone (excluding Activity state and Acceleration state).

▪Variables that are not available are: variables representing points in time, like Rotation, Zone transition, Zone alternation; behaviors of Behavior Recognition, and behaviors scored as point events are not available.

▪To edit a condition, select that condition in the list and click Edit. To delete a condition, click that condition and click Delete.