Quick Start Instructions
labeled diagram Liquid dispenser port, solenoid, real time clock module, screen for user feedback, rechargeable battery, load cell force sensors 1 and 2, bnc programmable outputs 1-4, micro sd card, micro processor, magnetic mount, removable cover, touch sensor ?
Setting the time and date FORCE timestamps every data point based on using its onboard real time clock (RTC). To set the time and date of the RTC, flash a FORCE with the ‘SetClock.ino” script with the Arduino IDE.
The device number, ratio, force requirement, hold time, dispense delay, and timeout can be easily changed on the device startup menu. Using the joystick, users can go up and down to select a variable and left and right to modify the value.
The FORCE’s can be used to run a range of operant and simulation programming. Options include free dispense, timed dispensed, fixed ratio, progressive ratio, extinction, and optogenetic stimulation(is this true?). Two force cells (wheatstone FORCE allows for the frequency, duration, and amplitude of applied force bridges) are monitored and displayed upon an LED screen to be recorded continuously throughout a behavioral experiment. Progressive ratios can be programmed to advance based on any of these three metrics, allowing for operant testing of persistence, vigor, or effort. Force lever readings can be analyzed in tandem with time-locked neural signals including fiber photometry recordings of GCaMP6s fluorescence. The three metrics can be modified easily on the home screen for custom behaviors. The program begins to run when the joystick is pressed in.
See Writing a Custom Behavioral Program for additional information on using the FORCE libraries to program custom behaviors in a simplified way.
Every event the FORCE does is stored to the on-board SD card for later analysis. Remove the card and copy the data files off for analysis. Data cannot be retrieved via the microUSB port, this is only for charging and programming the FORCE. Force saves data in comma-separated value (CSV) format. FORCE will auto generate a unique data file when each new session starts. This data file has the naming format: FRCNNN-MMDDYY-SS.csv
The Force has the capabilities to interface with 4 programmable BNC output jacks. These can be used for synchronizing FORCE with optogenetics, electrophysiology, or fiber photometry systems. There is functionality for sending output signals from 4 bnc connectors. The output can easily be reprogrammed to send different patterns of pulses based on specific behavioral events.
It should be noted that the BNC connections are particularly finicky. To test them, you can program a simple signal loop and connect the BNC to an oscilloscope. IE:
