Stay Time Control Experiment

　 In our previous research, we obtain the result that the rat tend to stay in the 4 corner and against the wall. Due to the result, We make a hypothesis that " rats prefer to stay in the place surrounded by walls,and refuse to stay in the open space". Consequently, We tried to change the shape of "Open-field" by using WOC-1 and lead the rat to change the place to stay.

Experimental Produce

　 In this experiment, we use WOC-1 with rectanguler cover. WOC-1 moves to the corner in twice, and controls rat's staying in the target point in twice. We perform this experiment as followings.

1) Step1

 After input the rat into the "Open-field", calculate rat's stay time for two hours. And the experimental system set the two target point based on the area that the rat stay the longest time in the "Open-field".

Fig. 1 step1

Fig. 1 Step1

2) Step2

 　 WOC-1 move to the first target point set at the 1st step. After that, calculate rat's stay time and until rat's stay time is the longest in the target point. When it is finished, next step is started.

Fig. 2 step2

Fig. 2 Step2

3) Step3

 　 WOC-1 move to the first target point set at the 2nd step. After that, calculate rat's stay time and until rat's stay time is the longest in the target point. When the second controlling rat's staying is finished, this experiment is succeeded.

Fig. 3 step3

Fig. 3 Step3

Experimental Result

　 This experiment was conducted four trials using four rats(17-week-old rat×2, 9-week-old rat×2) .The rats were male albino-rats bred in breeding cages. 

Result1（17 weeks old ♂，Success）

result1

Fig. 4 Result1

Result2(17 weeks old ♂，Failure)

result2

Fig. 5 Result2

Conclusion

・3 out of the 4 rats changed the place of staying to the first target point.
・2 out of the 3 rats changed the place of staying to the second target point.
・The rat that didn't move to the target point extreamly cowered, when WOC-1 moves to the target point.
　 Due to this result, we think "rat's staying is depend on the shape of "Open-field"." and "changing the shape of "Open-field" has an effect on controling rat's styaying".