Rtivity

Rtivity analyzes activity, sleep, and rhythmic behavior from infrared-based activity monitor data to quantify survival and behavioral parameters across multiple animal species.

Key Features:

• Species-Specific Customization: Allows customization of analysis parameters for different species such as zebrafish, daphnia, and ants.
• Implementation and Integration: Implemented in R and integrates with the Rethomics package.
• Behavioral Metrics and Survival Analysis: Automates assessment of survival rates and computes parameters related to activity, sleep, and biological rhythms.
• Fractal Analysis: Performs fractal analysis on activity fluctuations to characterize temporal patterns.
• Analysis Scope: Analyzes circadian and non-circadian behaviors as well as stimulus responses.
• Data Output: Generates graphs and exports structured datasets compatible with common statistical software.

Scientific Applications:

• Ecology: Enables behavioral studies in ecological contexts to investigate organismal responses and interactions.
• Neurobiology: Supports analysis of sleep and rhythmicity relevant to neural function and dysfunction.
• Toxicology: Facilitates assessment of behavioral effects of toxicants on survival and activity patterns.
• Pharmacology: Supports evaluation of behavioral responses to pharmacological compounds.
• High-throughput small-organism studies: Supports high-throughput experiments using infrared-based activity monitors for small organisms.

Methodology:

Implemented in R with integration of the Rethomics package; processes data from infrared-based activity monitors; automates survival assessment; computes activity, sleep, and rhythmicity parameters; performs fractal analysis on activity fluctuations; and generates graphs and exports structured datasets, with species-specific parameter customization.