Results
Results
The actogram depicted above displays the one-minute bins of the number of pellets dispensed per set number of revolutions throughout the experiment. The data collected was randomly generated with spaced out time zones to represent mouse rest periods. This actogram represents how the data being exported through the PLX-DAQ program involved in the Open-Source design.
Economics
The estimated cost of the Open-Source design based on the displayed components is roughly $245. This price is approximately 1 percent of the Salk Institute design, roughly $20,000. Due to only being allowed a single thread to run, if needed to experiment with multiple sensors, additional prototypes would need to be applied. If needed to involve the maximal amount of sensors the Salk Institute design is capable of running simultaneously, 8 sensors total, the overall cost would increase to roughly $2000, 10% the price of the MedAssociates design.
Ethics Statement
The application of mouse models for experimentation allows the researcher to gain knowledge on the mammalian system and apply it to the shared physiological phenomena of other species. It is understood that the mice have intrinsic value and are capable of feeling pain when conducting the experiment. Constant monitoring of the mouse behavior would be applied for the duration of the experiment and an appropriate amount of time between trials will be given to ensure the mouse rests and fully recovers to prevent over exhaustion.
Credit: Shyloh Almada