Description_of_Requirements.pdf

Description of Requirements

Noldus Information Technology offers a video-based system for automated tracking of animals in a three-dimensional space. It allows researchers to record the movement of an animal in a test tank or room, visualize the resulting trajectory in a three-dimensional image and calculate a number of movement parameters. The system is suitable for any test arena. Trace3D is an add-on module to EthoVision®XT software. The flexibility of EthoVision X and Track3D together allows for their use in a variety of tests.

The components included in the video-based system are:

EthoVision XT 11.5 software Track3D software module EthoVision Workstation Two synced cameras with zoom lens and IR filter, including cables & connectors 4 IR illuminators Manfrotto arms and clamps for mounting cameras and IR illuminators 2 Track3D calibration frames 2 days of on-site installation and training

Video tracking technology is versatile and is very useful in many different behavioral tests. Video tracking means that EthoVision XT is able to detect an animal in a video file or from a live video feed, distinguish it from its background, and track its whereabouts and movements.

There are two other similar tracking systems commercially available: Anymaze by Stoelting and TopScan by Cleversys. In comparison to these two systems, only Noldus & Ethovision®XT can offer the following:

a. A greater variety of tracking options: AnyMaze cannot track multiple animals within the same arena.

b. Tracking based on an algorithm that has proven to work with a variety of models, including rodents, fish, and insects. Ethovision XT’s 3-point algorithm tracks based on extrapolation from the center body point, not from a pre-defined body shape.

c. Module-based, not test-based, systems. With Ethovision XT, the end user purchases the modules he needs, and can then track in any type of maze or arena desired; no new license is needed for purchase.

With CleverSys systems, you need to purchase an entirely new license if you decide to change the task or arena used.

Ethovision XT fits the bill for all of these, from straight-forward protocols such as open field or Morris water maze testing, to high-throughput testing, such as zebrafish larvae activity monitoring in 96-well plates. Operant conditioning and optogenetics are also an important part of current research, so EthoVision XT is designed to automate sophisticated protocols, including the control of instruments, so the end user can perform tests such as a five choice serial reaction time task.

In addition to tracking, activity detection is available in Ethovision XT to perceive activity as changes at pixel-level from one frame to the next. This is ideal for studying behaviors such as freezing. The resulting coordinates and time stamps allow for many different kinds of analyses. EthoVision XT extracts a number of parameters, and there are several ways to visualize your results, such as in the form of plots, graphs, tracks, and heatmaps.

http://www.noldus.com/animal-behavior-research/solutions/research-small-lab-animals/water-maze-set http://www.noldus.com/animal-behavior-research/solutions/research-small-lab-animals/water-maze-set http://www.noldus.com/animal-behavior-research/solutions/research-small-lab-animals/zebrafish-larvae-activity-monitoring-http://www.noldus.com/content/trial-hardware-controle-operant-conditioning http://www.noldus.com/content/trial-hardware-control-optogenetics-stimulation http://www.noldus.com/EthoVision-XT/Data-analysis#visualizingyourdata http://www.noldus.com/EthoVision-XT/Data-analysis#groupstatisticsandcharts http://www.noldus.com/EthoVision-XT/publish#trackvisualization http://www.noldus.com/EthoVision-XT/publish#heatmaps

Other characteristics and capabilities of Ethovision XT are:

1. A great track record: 20 years of experiences and evolution, used at more than 2,000 sites worldwide, and validated in thousands of publications in renowned journals.

2. It is a versatile and scalable solution: at the core of your lab, EthoVision XT can be used for basically any behavioral test, with any animal.

3. The program is set up in a clear and intuitive manner: easy to use for both first time and experienced users.

4. EthoVision XT helps user along the way, with templates, built-in video tutorials, and a searchable user manual.

5. Superior detection methods and automatic detection settings get the best tracking results, fast. It works well under both normal and IR lighting conditions.

6. User can track live or from video. EthoVision XT can handle large video files. Can also record files, while tracking live.

7. Diverse video input options: EthoVision XT works with a large range of cameras, including analog and GigE. User can track one or more animals from multiple camera inputs simultaneously.

8. High-throughput and high-content: up to a hundred arenas and up to 16 animals per arena can be tracked simultaneously.

9. Detailed arena definition: user can define up to 10,000 zones in an arena, combine them into cumulative zones, indicate hidden zones, etc.

10. The amount of parameters available for analysis is substantial. Some examples: trial duration, in zone, distance to zone, distance, to zone border, distance moved, velocity, heading, turn angle, angular velocity, mobility, proximity, rotation, elongation, and more.

11. In addition to video tracking the animal, EthoVision XT also detects activity: changes at pixel-level from one frame to the next.

12. Batch acquisition and analysis make things move along smoothly when user is running a large battery of tests.

13. Free analysis on an unlimited number of computers: the license key is only necessary for data acquisition.

14. Free technical support 24/7