DAVIS RIG BRIEF ACCESS LICKOMETER 16 BOTTLE LEGACY … · 2019-08-22 · Prior to The Davis Rig gustometer, the most common taste response setup was the two bottle preference test,

Instrumentation and software for research

DAVIS RIG BRIEF ACCESS LICKOMETER 16 BOTTLE LEGACY VERSION MED-DAV-160 (RAT) MED-DAV-160M (MOUSE) USER’S MANUAL

DOC-316 Rev. 1.4 Copyright ©2019 All Rights Reserved Med Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 319 St. Albans, Vermont 05478 Phone: 802.527.2343 Fax: 802.527.5095 www.med-associates.com

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MED A S SOCI ATES, I NC. MED- DAV -16 0

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 | Introduction ................................................................................................ 1

Chapter 2 | Hardware ..................................................................................................... 2

Mouse/Rat Conversion .................................................................................................................. 5

Cleaning and Maintenance ........................................................................................................... 6

Chapter 3 | Connections ................................................................................................ 7

Chapter 4 | Software ...................................................................................................... 9

InstaCal Application ....................................................................................................................... 9

Davis Collect Data Application ..................................................................................................... 9

Trial Protocol Panel...................................................................................................................... 10

Animal ID Panel ........................................................................................................................... 11

Output File Panel ......................................................................................................................... 11

Main Window Control Buttons ................................................................................................... 11

Chapter 5 | Creating and Editing a Protocol ............................................................ 14

Trials Parameters ......................................................................................................................... 14

Save / Cancel Protocol ................................................................................................................ 14

Tube Presentation Sequence Panel .......................................................................................... 14

Pre-Presentation Interval Panel ................................................................................................. 16

Lick-Time Limit Panel .................................................................................................................. 17

Max Lick Limit Panel .................................................................................................................... 17

Tube Concentration\Solution Panel .......................................................................................... 18

TTL Output Panel ......................................................................................................................... 18

Chapter 6 | Run Presentations ................................................................................... 19

Chapter 7 | Davis Rig Randomize .............................................................................. 21

Tube Presentation Sequence Maker ......................................................................................... 21

Appendix A | Davis Collect Data with DiLog Hardware ......................................... 25

Appendix B | Optional TTL Output ............................................................................. 27

Hardware ...................................................................................................................................... 27

Installation .................................................................................................................................... 27

Appendix C | Contact Information ............................................................................. 28

- iii - DOC-316 Rev. 1.4 Copyright © 2019 Med Associates, Inc.

http://www.razelscientific.com/


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Diagrams

- iv - DOC-316 Rev. 1.4 Copyright © 2019 Med Associates, Inc.



CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION The Davis Rig gustometer has been used in many studies by researchers all over the world. Med Associates is very excited to carry on the legacy of The Davis Rig, and we look forward to serving your needs in the field of taste research.

Prior to The Davis Rig gustometer, the most common taste response setup was the two bottle preference test, where two bottles of fluid are placed in an animal’s cage with one of taste solution (or water) and the other a different taste solution. This test is simple, doesn’t require much in the way of additional equipment, and is relatively straightforward to administer. However, such simplicity comes at the price of interpretive ability. Although taste plays a sizable role in influencing the amount and type of foods/fluids ingested (as in a 2-bottle test), other factors (such as post-ingestive events) can influence behavior.

The Med Associates Davis Rig Brief Access Lickometer 16 Bottle Legacy Version or gustometer is designed to deliver taste samples and measure responses, increasing likelihood that the behavior of the animal is under orosensory control. It can also be used to assess taste preference, ingestive behavior, and chemotransduction pathways in a rapid, efficient manner as there is no dead space in stimulus delivery lines so fluid volumes are consistent across trials, as well as lick tracking without passing electrical current through the animal. It also enables measurement of both unconditioned and conditioned licking behavior to stimuli and/or can be used to train the animal with various stimuli to obtain a reward and/or avoid punishment.

The Med Associates Davis Rig packages contain everything needed for running brief access lickometery studies on a single subject.

Figure 1-1 – The Davis Rig Brief Access Lickometer

- 1 - DOC-316 Rev. 1.4 Copyright © 2019 Med Associates, Inc.



CHAPTER 2 | HARDWARE Attach the chamber to the Davis Rig platform by aligning the chamber’s front feet with the chamber mounting guide holes on the platform as shown below.

Figure 2-1 – Chamber Installation

Install up to 16 bottles into their desired lick block locations.

Figure 2-2 – Bottle Installation




Chamber Alignment

To align the chamber to the lick block faceplate, loosen the 2 thumbscrews on the chamber mounting guide. Slide the mounting guide and chamber until the lick block hole is directly in the center of the chamber access hole and retighten the thumbscrews to secure placement.

Figure 2-3 – Chamber Access Alignment

To adjust the spacing between the chamber and lick block, loosen the 4 thumbscrews shown below and move the carriage towards the chamber to reduce the space or away from the chamber to increase the space. Retighten the thumbscrews to secure.

Figure 2-4 – Chamber Spacing




Access Door Position

Some find it desirable to adjust the access door so that it doesn’t completely close, leaving room for the subject’s snout and preventing pinching by the door. To adjust the stop position of the door, turn the thumbscrew clockwise to raise and counter clockwise to lower the door as shown below.

Figure 2-5 – Access Door Adjustment

Access Door Removal

The door assembly can be removed so the whole chamber can be placed in a cage washer. To remove the door assembly, remove the thumbscrew and lift assembly and pull off the mounting stud as shown below.

Figure 2-6 – Access Door Removal




Mouse/Rat Conversion

Remove the lick block from the carriage (optional). Lift the lick block up until it releases from the banana plug connector. This is also useful for ease of cleaning.

Figure 2-7 – Lick Block Removal

The lick block faceplate is attached via a banana plug and a magnet; pull the faceplate off as seen below. Reinstall with the desired mouse or rat faceplate.

Figure 2-8 – Lick Block Faceplate Installation/Removal




Gently pull on chamber top release knob and remove chamber top and pull grid floor out of chamber. Reinstall desired floor and replace chamber top.

Figure 2-9 – Grid Floor Installation/Removal

Cleaning and Maintenance

For optimal performance and to reduce any experimental issues, it is imperative that the Davis Rig is wiped off from any spills or drips, especially when using sticky solutions such as sucrose. The table, lick block, faceplate, and rods that the table rides on should be wiped down clean on a regular basis or schedule.




CHAPTER 3 | CONNECTIONS After the chamber is installed, connect the shutter door to the Davis Rig control box via the Molex connector as seen in the figure below.

Figure 3-1 – Chamber Connection

Connect the Davis Rig table, shutter door, and lick circuit connectors to the DAV-770 controller. The connectors and controller are clearly labeled for ease of use as seen below.

Figure 3-2 – Davis Rig to Controller Connections




Connect the controller to an available AC outlet (power) using the included power supply and to the computer using the included 25 to 37 pin cable.

Figure 3-3 – Controller Connections to Computer and Power




CHAPTER 4 | SOFTWARE

InstaCal Application

After installing the DIG-770 PCI card and the Davis Collect Data software and before you run the Davis Collect Data software, open the Windows Start menu, find Measurement Computing and run the InstaCal application. That’s it, you can now close the InstaCal program; this does not need to be run again. This completes the PCI card installation.

Davis Collect Data Application

The first time you open the Davis Collect Data software the Info Log will appear as well as the Initial Setup of Table Movement Direction window shown below. Clicking the Right and Left buttons should move the table in the orientation of your choice, if not, click the Reverse Direction button. Click the Save Setting button to confirm your selection. Once saved, you will not see this dialog box again upon starting the Davis Collect Data software. To access this dialog again , click on the desktop icon and run it.

NOTE: By default Left and Right are based on the point of view of the animal.

Figure 4-1 – Info Log and Initial Setup of Table Movement Direction

After the initial table setup, subsequent starting of the Davis Collect Data Software will open the Davis Rig main window shown below. Notice MED Davis Rig is checked by default. If using this software with DiLog Instruments hardware, see Appendix A | Davis Collect Data with DiLog Hardware.

Figure 4-2 – Davis Rig Main Screen




Trial Protocol Panel

Drop Down List

This list contains all available protocol files. Protocol files have .pro file extension. A protocol file defines the sequence of tube presentation for a particular experiment.

Show Button

Clicking the Show button will bring up a Presentation List window containing a table that indicates the tube presentation sequence for the currently-selected protocol on the drop down list.

Figure 4-3 – Presentation List

IPI = Inter-Presentation Interval (units are time in seconds). Pres (Presentation)= Trial number. Tube = Tube Identification Number (e.g. integer 1 to 16) to be presented. Concentration = Concentration of solution in a particular tube in this presentation. Solution = Solution name in a particular tube. LTL (Lick Time Limit) = Time from first lick that licking is allowed before shutter is closed (units are time in seconds).

Max Licks = Maximum number of licks for this trial presentation before the shutter is closed, default is 999. The trial will end when either the LTL or Max licks limit is reached, whichever comes first.

Edit Button

Clicking on the Edit button allows you to edit the currently-selected protocol on the drop down list or create a new protocol if New… is selected in the drop down list. See Chapter 5 | Creating and Editing a Protocol.

Bottle Filling Guide Button

Clicking on the Bottle Filling Guide button opens the Tube Filling Guide window for the currently-selected protocol on the drop down list.

Figure 4-4 – Tube Filling Guide

Each tube (from 1 to 16) has a row entry on the Tube Filling Guide table. The left column shows the concentration of the solution in each tube, and the right column shows the name of the solution in each tube. The concentration and solution names are user-defined character strings.

Clicking close, in the Tube Filling Guide window will close this window.




Animal ID Panel

This is a character string field where the user can input identification for the animal being studied. The first four characters of the Animal ID will appear in the filename of the output data file. For example, here the animal id is “AnID” and “AnID” appears in the output data file name.

Figure 4-5 – Animal ID

Output Fi le Panel

Directory Path

This is the directory in which the output file will be saved. The default path is C:\ DavisData.

Data Filename

The data filename has the format: MMDDAnID.MS8, where MM is the current month (e.g. 01-January to 12-December; DD is the day of the month (e.g. 01 to 31), and “AnID” are the first four characters of the animal id (refer to Figure 4-5 – Animal ID). The data file will have a .MS8 extension.

Include Retry Count in Data File Checkbox

Checking this check box will show any retries that were needed for a presentation in the data file.

See Retries at Same Tube discussion in chapter 5

Main Window Control Buttons

Test Hardware Button

This button opens the Test Hardware window as seen in Figure 4-6 – Test Hardware and allows you to test the Davis Rig Table and change the Table Movement Direction. The Table is the name given to the carriage that holds all the drinking tubes and slides back and forth allowing for positioning of a specific tube in front of the access port on the cage. A stepper motor system moves the table back and forth.

Figure 4-6 – Test Hardware




Show Table Movement Direction Window Button

Click this button to test and change the table direction settings. See Figure 4-1 – Info Log and Initial Setup of Table Movement Direction.

Initialize Button

Click this button to move the table to its “Home” position (always Tube 1 position).

Open/Close Door Button

Click the Open Door button to open the shutter door. The button text will now change to Close Door. Click Close Door to close the shutter door.

Select Tube Panel Buttons

Click any of the 16 numbered buttons in the Select Tube panel to move the table to the corresponding tube position.

Exit Button

Click this button to close the Test Hardware Window.

Input Status Panel

The Input Status Panel provides you with status indicators for various parameters related to the Hardware.

Figure 4-7 – Input Status

• Table Status - Home indicates that the Table has been initialized and has found its homing switch at Tube 1. Off indicates the table is not at “Home” position.

• Shutter Status - Open = Shutter is open. Closed = Shutter is closed

• Detector Status - No Lick indicates that no lick is currently being detected by the lick block lickometer circuit. The Detector status will indicate Lick momentarily when a lick is being detected.

• Signal Status - Bad indicates a problem with the Lick Block connector. This may indicate that the lick block is not currently connected, or is otherwise not functioning properly. Check for proper connections and make sure the lick block is clean; Poor (N/A with Med Davis Rig) indicates that the lick block is operational, but may need to be cleaned; Good indicates that there is a good strong signal at the lick block, which is the optimal condition.




The LED indicators on the Interface Connection Module also provide status about the Lick Block. Here is a table that summarizes the LED indicators:

Lick Block Status Signal LED Interpretation Suggested Action Red No signal from lick block Check Wiring / Clean Lick Block

Green Strong lick block signal Fully Operational Lick Indicator Interpretation Amber Flash Contact with lick tube; During contact time, the signal

indicator may also flash red.

Show Info Log Button

Clicking the Show Info Log button brings up the Info Log window.

Figure 4-8 – Info Log

The first entry in the Info Log is the version number of the software (e.g. 7.27), and a warning indicating a delay during table initialization.

The Info Log lists some general initialization and file parameters.

Each time the shutter or table is moved, it gets recorded in the Info Log.

The Info Log can aid in troubleshooting issues.

Run Presentations Button

Clicking the Run Presentations button will start the experiment. The Presentation List window and the Run Presentations window will open, see Chapter 6 | Run Presentations.

Save Data File Button

The Save Data File button appears on the Davis Rig main window after a session is complete. Click this button to save the data file with the specified name in the specified path. Click Abandon Data to not save the trial data. WARNING-Abandoned Data cannot be retrieved, the deletion is permanent.

Figure 4-9 – Save Data File




CHAPTER 5 | CREATING AND EDITING A PROTOCOL

Trials Parameters

Figure 5-1 – Trial Parameters

From the Davis Rig main window (refer to Figure 4-2 – Davis Rig Main Screen), select “New…” or any other protocol from the Trial Protocol dropdown list, and then click the Edit button. This will bring up the New Trial Parameters window or Trial Parameters for “Trial Selected.pro”.

Save / Cancel Protocol

When you are finished defining your protocol, click the Save button at the bottom of the Trial Parameters screen to save the protocol with a specified name. If you do not want to save the protocol, click the Cancel button at the bottom of the Trial Parameters screen.

Tube Presentation Sequence Panel

First, select the desired Tube Presentation Sequence file (.TPS) from the dropdown list. TPS files define the order in which tubes will be presented in a session. There are some standard TPS files, such as Ascending and Descending. Custom TPS files can be made manually using a text editor, such as Notepad, or the Tube Presentation Sequence Maker utility via the Davis Rig Randomize software, see Chapter 7 | Davis Rig Randomize.

Figure 5-2 – Tube Presentation Sequence

E.g. select “Ascending.tps”, and then click the Sequence in .TPS File button. This will bring up the Tube Presentation Sequence window, which displays the order in which tubes will be presented. In this example, tubes 1 through 16 (indicated on the left side) are presented in sequential order, from 1 to 16 (indicated on the right side). If this TPS file defined a protocol containing 20 presentations/trials, then tubes 1 through 16 would be presented in sequential order (trials 1 through 16), and then trials 17-20 would loop back to present tubes 1 through 4, in sequential order.

NOTE: The contents of the TPS file will impact the parameters that can be defined in the New Trial Parameters.




Number of items from TPS file / Number of Trials

Now edit the Number of items from TPS file, and the Number of Trials. For example, using the Ascending.tps file, select to use 4 items from TPS file, and 4 trials. Click the “Show TPS” button to see the order in which tubes will be presented in the present configuration.

Changing the Number of Trials to 8 would result in tubes 1-4 presented in order during trials 1 through 4, and then for trials 5-8; it loops back to present tubes 1-4 in order again.

Figure 5-3 – Changing Trial Parameters / Show TPS

As another example, select the TPS file named “RinseAt8.tps”. This shows the complexity of what can be achieved using TPS files.

Figure 5-4 – RinseAt8.tps Example

A sequence like this can be used to define a procedure in which a rinse is allowed after each taste presentation. In this case, the rinse solution (e.g. water) would be positioned in Tube 8. Tube 8 is the first tube presented, and then you have the remaining tubes presented in sequence, with Tube 8 following every other tube presentation. (Tube 8, Tube 1, Tube 8, Tube 2, Tube 8, Tube 3, etc.…)

Max Wait 1st Lick

The Max Wait 1st Lick field lets you define the Latency value (in seconds) that will be used to define the amount of time the system will wait from the time when the Shutter Door opens at the start of a trial before the trial will end if no lick occurs first.

NOTE: This value is “Latency” in the Run Presentations window (see Chapter 6 | Run Presentations).




Retries at same Tube

The Retries at same Tube field is where you determine if Retries will be allowed. The Run Presentation window (see Chapter 6 | Run Presentations) shows this value as “Retries”. If you set this value to something other than 0, and no lick is detected after the Max Wait 1st Lick (“Latency”) time elapses, then the lick block table will be moved ahead, and then moved back to whatever tube had not been licked on during the prior presentation.

If you want to be certain that a lick occurs on a particular tube, or there will not be advancement to the next tube, then place a very high number in the Retries at same Tube field (e.g. 9999).

If you don’t want to allow any retries, but you do not want to skip to another tube if there are no licks, then you would place 0 for Retries at same Tube, but then use a very high number for Max Wait to 1st (e.g. 3600 seconds, assuming your total session time limit is 60 minutes; this way the total session time would lapse before a trial ends in which there was no lick).

Session Time Limit

This time (in minutes) represents the maximum session time that will be allowed. If this time is reached, the session will end regardless of where you are at in the presentation sequence.

Pre-Presentation Interval Panel

The Pre-Presentation Interval (PPI) is also known as the Inter Presentation Interval (IPI) in the Run Presentation window (see Chapter 6 | Run Presentations), and also known as Inter Trial Interval in a behavioral experiment context. There are six different options for PPI.

Figure 5-5 – Pre-Presentation Interval

Equal at Min PPI - Use this setting if you want to use a consistent intertrial interval for all presentations. The value (in seconds) entered in the Minimum field will be applied to all PPIs in the sequence.

Alternate Min then Max PPI - Use this setting if you want to use a brief PPI for the first presentation, followed by a longer PPI for the subsequent presentation throughout a sequence. For example, this setting could be used if you have a rinse trial followed by a tastant presentation trial, and you want to have a brief PPI before the rinse, and a longer PPI before the tastant presentation. Alternate Max then Min PPI - Use this setting if you want to use a long PPI for the first presentation, followed by a brief PPI for the subsequent presentation throughout a sequence. Pseudorandom Sequence 1, 2, and 3 - Use any of these settings if you want to use a randomized sequence for the PPIs for all trials in a sequence. The randomization will be performed using the Minimum and Maximum PPI values you have entered as the bounds for PPI ranges. Click the Show PPI button to view the randomized PPI sequence. For example, a randomized sequence using a 10 sec Minimum PPI and a

30 sec Maximum PPI may look like Figure 5-5.




Lick-Time Limit Panel

Typically, Lick-Time Limits (LTL) are all one value for all presentations/trials. However, in some cases, you may want to have varying LTL based on the tube being presented. For example, the LTL is very useful in cases where you have a rinse tube presentation interspersed with tastant tube presentations. There are four choices for LTL: Equal at Min LTL, Equal at Max LTL, Alternate Min then Max LTL, Alternate Max then Min LTL.

Figure 5-6 – Lick-Time Limit

Equal at Min LTL - Select Equal at Min LTL to use the minimum lick time limit for all trials. In this example, all trials will use a LTL of 2 seconds.

Equal at Max LTL - Select Equal at Max LTL to use the maximum lick time limit for all trials. In this example, all trials will use a LTL of 30 seconds.

Alternate Min then Max LTL - In the case where you have a rinse at one tube that is presented before each tastant tube, you may want to have a very short LTL for the rinse tube, followed by a standard LTL for the tastant tubes. If your rinse tube is presented before the tastant tube, then choosing Alternate Min then Max LTL will accomplish this. Say you want a 2 sec rinse LTL, and then 30 sec LTL for tastant tubes. Clicking on the Show LTL button will display the Lick Time Limit for the defined trial sequence shown in Figure 5-6.

Alternate Max then Min LTL - Use this setting if you want to have the max LTL used for the first presentation, followed by the min LTL for the subsequent presentation.

Max Lick Limit Panel

The Lick Limit panel is similar to the LTL Panel; however the max number of licks can now be adjusted by the operator.

Figure 5-7 – Max Number of Licks

Equal at Min Licks - Select Equal at Min to use the minimum Lick limit for all trials. In this example, all trials will use a Min 5 licks.

Equal at Max Licks - Select Equal at Max Licks to use the maximum lick limit for all trials. In this example, all trials will use a Max limit of 999.

Alternate Min then Max Licks - In the case where you have a rinse at one tube that is presented before each tastant tube, you may want to have a very short lick limit for the rinse tube, followed by a standard lick limit for the tastant tubes. If your rinse tube is presented before the tastant tube, then choosing Alternate Min then Max limit will accomplish this. Say you want a 5 lick limit, and then 999 for tastant tubes. Clicking on the Show Licks button will display the Lick Limit for the defined trial sequence shown in Figure 5-7.




Alternate Max then Min licks - Use this setting if you want to have the max licks used for the first presentation, followed by the min licks for the subsequent presentation.

Tube Concentration\Solution Panel

Use the Tube Concentration\Solution panel to define what solutions will be placed in each tube.

Figure 5-7 - Tube Concentration\Solution

Use the up and down arrows to toggle between tubes, or simply type in a tube number in the Tube field. Then type in a concentration (e.g. 10%, or 0.3M) and a solution name (e.g. Sucrose) and hit Enter. The panel will automatically advance to the next Tube in sequence. Continue entering concentrations and solutions for each tube being used until all tubes are complete.

Clicking on the Show button will display a Presentation List that indicates the IPI (same as PPI), Presentation number (Pres), Tube, Concentration, Solution, and Time (LTL) for all trials in the programmed sequence.

TTL Output Panel

If the optional TLL hardware is installed, the program gives the user the option to turn on a TTL output after a certain number of licks during the trial. This option is unavailable if the hardware is not installed.

Ignore Rinse Trials

Enabling this option will activate the Rinse Tube selector and enable the user to choose their specific Rinse Tube.

Turn on TTL Output After # Licks

Input the number of licks required to turn on a TTL Output. When the required # of licks is met, the TTL Output will be turned on for 10ms and then turned off. The TTL Output will not activate when the # of licks are met during the rinse presentation.

Figure 5-8- TTL Output Controls




CHAPTER 6 | RUN PRESENTATIONS When Run Presentations is clicked on the Davis Rig main window, the Run Presentations Window will display the status of the running protocol as well as the Presentation List.

Figure 6-1 – Run Presentations

Time Remaining Field

The top of the Run Presentations screen shows the time remaining (in minutes) of the currently running protocol. This timer will count down from the Maximum Session Time as the experiment progresses. The Maximum Session Time is defined by the user as part of the protocol file.

Presentation Field

The Presentation field shows you what trial, or presentation, is currently active. In the example shown, the current Presentation is 1.

Latency Field

The Latency field shows a time, in seconds. This timer starts counting during a Presentation when the shutter door first opens. The Latency

timer counts up from 0 sec to the maximum Latency time programmed by the user in the current protocol file. The Latency timer stops counting when the first lick during a Presentation occurs, or when the max Latency time is reached, whichever event occurs first.

Status Field

• IPI ##.# - IPI followed by a time (seconds), is displayed when the current Presentation/Trial is in the Inter-presentation Interval. The time counts down from the IPI time programmed by the user in the Protocol file to 0.

• Opening - is displayed when the shutter door is opening to allow access to a particular tube. • Open - is displayed when the shutter door is open during a Presentation/Trial. • Closing - is displayed when the shutter door closes at the end of a Presentation/Trial.

Lick Count Field

The Lick Count field shows the amount of licks in the current Presentation/Trial (Status = Open). The lick count resets to 0 after every Presentation/Trial.

Retries Field

The Retries field shows how many retries have been allowed for the current presentation. A Retry can occur in the event that the animal fails to make a lick during the current Presentation before the Latency time elapses. The number of retries that are allowed, if any, is setup by the user as part of the Protocol file. If Retries is set to 0, and no lick occurs before the max Latency to first lick time is reached, the session will move on to the next Presentation. If Retries are set to any number other than zero, the




session will hold at the current Presentation the number of times the Retry is set to, before moving to the next Presentation.

Move Status Ahead Button

Clicking the Move Status Ahead button will manually advance the session to the next Status, despite the current Status. For example, if the Presentation is currently in an IPI, and the Move Status Ahead button is pressed, the Status will change to open the shutter door, thus presenting the current tube. Similarly, a Trial/Presentation can be ended early by pressing the Move Status Ahead button when the current

status is Open.

Figure 6-2 – Move Status Ahead

Here is an example where Presentation 3 was ended before the Latency was reached, and the session manually advanced to Presentation 4.

Abort Button

Clicking Abort will end the entire protocol immediately and will enable the Save Data File button on the Davis Rig main window. Clicking this button saves the data file with the specified name in the specified path.

Show Presentation List

The presentation List is opened by default as soon as the Run Presentations is selected from the Davis Rig main window.

Figure 6-3 – Show Presentation List

The Presentation List window contains a table that indicates the tube presentation sequence for the currently-running protocol and highlights the current presentation during the protocol. The example to the left shows that this protocol is in the second presentation sequence.

If this window is closed for any reason, clicking Show Presentation List in the Run Presentations window will reopen this window.




CHAPTER 7 | DAVIS RIG RANDOMIZE

Tube Presentation Sequence Maker

The Tube Presentation Sequence Maker is a convenient utility for making random or blocked presentation sequences.

Figure 7-1 – Tube Presentation Sequence Maker

Setting up the Total Number of Presentations

Define the number of tubes that will be used in each block in the “Number of Tubes to use in each Block” field. You can select any number from 1 to 16, from the drop-down list.

Indicate the number of blocks to use in the total sequence, using the “Number of Blocks in a Sequence” field.

Indicate how many times you want to run through the entire sequence using the “Times to Repeat the Sequence” field.

Figure 7-2 – Total Presentations

For example, the settings shown to the left would result in 20 blocks of 6 tubes. This will result in 120 Presentations (6 tubes per block, multiplied by 20 blocks). Once that sequence runs, it will run through again a second time (Times to Repeat the Sequence = 2). Thus, the total number of presentations for the entire sequence

will be 240. Note that the Total Presentations is computed for you based on the settings you enter for number of tubes per block, number of blocks, and times to run sequence.

NOTE: The limit for Total Presentations is 255. Therefore, if you have entered settings that would result in over 255 presentations, the system will drop the Times to Run Sequence so that the total Presentations does not exceed 255.




Make TPS Button

The Tube Presentation Sequence (TPS) can be viewed as you define the sequence settings. To view the TPS, click the “Make TPS” button, as shown below.

Figure 7-3 - Tube Sequence

Tube Sequence - Indicates the sequence order for the specified TPS. “P” indicates “Presentation”, the middle column represents the presentation number, and the right column represents the tube number. In this example, Presentation 1 will be Tube 6, Presentation 2 will be Tube 1, and Presentation 3 will be Tube 5, and so on. We also see that Tube 2 is repeated at the boundary between the first and second blocks. The TPS was setup to have 6 Tubes per block, so Presentation 6 is the last presentation for the first block, and Presentation 7 is the first presentation in the second block. In this case, Tube 2 happened to be presented in Presentation 6 and

Presentation 7.

What Follows What - The middle panel of the TPS, titled “What Follows What” shows you how many times particular sequences are repeated in the given TPS. In this particular TPS, Tube 1 follows Tube 1 never, Tube 2 follows Tube 1 four times, and Tube 3 follows Tube 1 four times, and so on.

Most / Least Repeated - The two panels on the right of the TPS show you the most repeated and least repeated sequences in the current TPS. In this example, the most common sequences are Tube 6 following Tube 1 occurring 15 times and Tube 3 following Tube 2 fourteen times. The least common sequences are Tube 6 following Tube 6, Tube 3 following Tube 3, and Tube 1 following Tube 1, as these do not occur at all in this TPS.




Pre Rinse

The Pre Rinse check box allows you to place a rinse trial before each tastant presentation.

Figure 7-4 – Pre Rinse

If you check the Pre Rinse box, the “at Tube Number” text and drop down list will become available. Use this drop down list to select which tube (1 to 16) you will use for your rinse solution. Clicking the “Make TPS” button will display the new Tube Sequence. In this example, each tastant presentation is preceded by a Rinse presentation at Tube 8.

NOTE: When Pre Rinse is used, the Rinse Tube is left out of the “What Follows What”, “Most Repeated”, and “Least Repeated” sequence summaries. Using Pre Rinse will also double the Total Presentations.

No Tube Presented Twice In a Row

If you enable the “No Tube Presented Twice in a Row” checkbox, the software will prevent a tube from following itself in consecutive presentations.

Bias toward Equal Repeats

If you enable the “Bias toward Equal Repeats” checkbox, you can affect an overall bias in the TPS construction such that each tube sequence is equally likely. If you enable this check box, a bias sensitivity drop down box becomes available, which allows you to define the bias in terms of Lo, Med, or Hi.

Random Mix (Not in Blocks)

Use the Random Mix (Not in Blocks) checkbox if you would like to completely randomize the tube presentations. If this option is selected, the system will take the Total Presentations (resulting from the Number of Tubes per Block times the Number of Blocks in Sequence multiplied by the Times to Run Sequence) and randomize all presentations throughout the entire sequence. If this option is unchecked, the sequence randomization is done block by block within the overall sequence.

Don’t Reuse a Block in a Sequence

Enabling this checkbox will ensure that a block sequence is not duplicate in the TPS.




Type of Sequence

Use the “Type of Sequence” selector to define what type of random number algorithm you want to use to define the TPS. There are five choices: Random, Pseudo Random 1, Pseudo Random 2, Pseudo Random 3, and Pseudo Random 4.

Random – Selecting Random will initiate a Random Number generator algorithm after pushing the Make TPS button. The seed of the random number generator is a high speed timer. Choosing the “Random” sequence type will result in a different (random) Tube Presentation Sequence every time you press the Make TPS button.

Pseudo Random 1-4 – Selecting one of the four Pseudo Random sequences uses a seed for the random number generator that is always the same (four different seed values are used, giving rise to Pseudo Random 1 through 4 sequence types). If you define your TPS using all other settings the same, and you choose a Pseudo Random Sequence type, you will always get the same TPS. This can be useful if you want to get back to the same sequence at a later time. But remember you can always save a TPS file to use over again for future protocols.

Save .TPS File

Once you have constructed a TPS that you are satisfied with, you can save it as a .TPS file for use in running experiments. Enter a filename and click the Save .TPS button. We suggest that you develop a standard naming scheme for .TPS files in your lab.

Figure 7-5 – Save .TPS File Name

For example a filename like “6T 20B R8 norep biashi.TPS” could be used to indicate a TPS containing 6 Tubes, 20 Blocks, Rinse at Tube 8, No Repeats (no tube presented twice in a row), and a Hi Bias setting.




APPENDIX A | DAVIS COLLECT DATA WITH DILOG HARDWARE If using this software with DiLog hardware, uncheck the MED Davis Rig checkbox. You will see that the Adjust Shutter button appears and the Test Hardware button label reverts to Test Table. This is due to Med Associates using an improved motor control door.

Figure A-1 – Non-MED Davis Rig

Adjust Shutter

Clicking the Adjust Shutter button will bring up the Adjust Shutter window. The Shutter is the moveable panel/door that provides or restricts access to the sipper tube/lick block. The Shutter is moved using a stepper motor that has a homing feature to locate itself to a fixed starting position.

When the Adjust Shutter screen is opened, the system will automatically initialize the shutter. The shutter moves to find the initial starting position. You can manually initialize the shutter by pressing the “Init then Open” or “Init then Close” buttons. Note that the initialized position is considered the closed position for the shutter.

Figure A-2 – Adjust Shutter

Clicking on the Open Shutter button will open the shutter, and the Close Shutter button will become active while the Open Shutter button becomes inactive. Clicking the Close Shutter button in this case will close the shutter, and the Open Shutter button will become active while the Close Shutter button becomes inactive.

When the shutter is open, you can adjust the open position location by clicking the “Move Open Position Up” and “Move Open Position Down” buttons. Each time you press either buttons respectively, the shutter position advances up or down slightly. There is some slight hysteresis in the shutter door mechanism, such that if you are nudging the door up slightly, and then reverse direction to move the door down, it may take a few clicks of the Move Down button before the door begins to reverse its direction.

You can fine tune the Open position of the shutter door in this way. The open position should be chosen so as not to interfere with normal licking behavior. Keep in mind that the higher the Open position is located, the shorter the time it will take for the shutter to be closed, and vice versa; the lower the open position is located the longer time it will take for the shutter to close.




You can adjust the Closed Position in a similar fashion by pushing the “Move Closed Position Up” and “Move Closed Position Down” button. You may want to leave the shutter slightly open when it is in the closed position. This may be desirable to allow olfactory cues from the tube solutions to pass into the cage. Leaving the shutter door slightly open when it’s in the closed position, serves to minimize the risk of the animal’s nose being caught in the door as it closes.

However, you may want to have the shutter fully closed when it is in the closed position in order to minimize olfactory cues from tube solutions from entering into the cage, depending on your experimental model.

The Open and Close Speed can also be adjusted from values 1-32. This will allow you to adjust the speed of how fast the shutter door opens and closes.

Once you have achieved the desired Open and Closed settings for the Shutter, click the Save Settings or Save and Exit button at the bottom of the Adjust Shutter Screen. Doing so will present a confirmation dialog telling you that the shutter configuration settings are being saved.

If you do not want to save the new Shutter settings, click the Exit (no save to File) button at the bottom of the Adjust Shutter screen.

Show Shutter Movement Direction Window

Due to the various revisions of doors on the DiLog hardware, it may be necessary to test the door movement and make sure the Davis Collect Data Software is controlling the door correctly. This is specific to which door is installed, so if ever installing a different door, this procedure should be repeated as needed.

Steps per Tube (Number of steps from one tube to the next by the motor)

Some DiLog hardware customers have wheels of different sizes and need to change this value.

NOTE: By default, ProgramData is a hidden folder in Windows file explorer. The Show Hidden Files option will need to be turned on in Windows folder options.

1. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\MedAssociates\DavisRig\Config. 2. Open the Table.cfg file using notepad or another text editor application. 3. Adjust the Table Move value, EX: Table Move = 258. If the table is moving too far, then you want

to make this number smaller; make it larger if the table is not moving far enough. You will need to close and restart the Davis Rig software every time you change the number so that it can read the new value. It will take some trial and error to find the number that works correctly with your hardware.




APPENDIX B | OPTIONAL TTL OUTPUT

Hardware

Figure B-1 – DAV-771-RC TTL Output Adapter

The Jumper inside the DAV-771-RC (indicated by arrow), allows the user to change the output signal to match their TTL input setting on the downstream device. Unscrew the two screws on the bottom and separating the device to access the jumper. The default setting is normal, which will generate a 10 ms active high (5v) signal on the TTL output line at the 1st lick detected in each presentation. The inverted setting yields a 5v signal until the 1st lick in the presentation when it changes to 0v for 10 ms before returning to 5v.

Figure B-2 – Connection Cables

SG-218-10 – 10’ DB25 Pin Male to Male SG-219TS – 10’ DB37 Male to Female

Instal lation

When using the optional TTL hardware, the TTL output adapter and the 2 associated cables replace the SG-219TS cable interfacing the Davis Rig and Computer.

1. Remove the 25 to 37 pin interface cable if needed.

2. Connect the SG-218-10 cable to the DAV-770 port of the TTL Output Adapter and to the DAV-770 Davis Rig Control Box.




3. Connect the SG-219TS cable to the DIG-770 port of the TTL Output Adapter and to the computer (DIG-770PCI card).

4. Reboot the computer and launch the Davis Collect Data software. The TTL Output panel will now be unlocked. Refer to the TTL Output Panel section in Chapter 5.

APPENDIX C | CONTACT INFORMATION Please contact Med Associates, Inc. for information regarding any of our products.

For Technical questions, email [email protected].

For Sales questions, email [email protected].

Visit our website at www.med-associates.com.



mailto:[email protected]

http://www.med-associates.com/

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