Collaborative Research: CIBR: The OpenBehavior Project

近年来，神经科学领域受益于开放源码工具，如计算机语言Python，现成的3D打印方法，低成本微控制器，如Arduino，以及计算机代码和硬件设计的公共存储库，如GitHub。许多实验室正在使用这些工具，但大多数实验室并不共享它们的代码和设计。因此，不可能系统地跟踪开源工具的使用及其修订，也没有开源工具或基准材料的中央存储库，例如动物行为的视频记录。该奖项将通过创建神经科学领域使用的开源研究工具的数据库以及使用这些工具的基准和培训材料储存库来解决这些问题。该项目的具体目标是为神经科学研究中使用的开源工具创建一个分类法，使用该分类法创建和管理一个开源工具数据库，包括为数据库中的所有工具创建研究资源标识符(RRID)，并传播有关开源工具的信息和使用这些工具所需的技能。最初的资助期(目标3)的一个特别重点将是动物行为的视频分析方法，这在最近几年非常流行。第三个目标的活动包括创建一个常用行为任务录像数据库，使用一套通用基准录像(通过该项目编制)进行公开数据分析竞赛，以及编写培训材料以及制作和使用神经科学研究中最流行的开源工具的面对面和虚拟讲习班。该项目的更广泛影响将是通过OpenBehavior网站(https://edspace.american.edu/openbehavior)，)和社交媒体提高公众对神经科学研究的认识，并参与神经科学学会赞助的宣传和外联活动。该项目将通过SFN赞助的NeurOnline论坛中专门的和主持的讨论主题来促进对开源工具的讨论，并为SFN年度会议的与会者提供关于开源工具的精心策划的行程。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In recent years, the field of neuroscience has benefited from open source tools such as the computer language Python, off-the-shelf methods for 3D printing, low-cost microcontrollers such as Arduino, and public repositories for computer code and hardware designs such as GitHub. Many labs are using these tools, but most do not share their code and designs. As a result, it is not possible to systematically track the use of open source tools and their revisions and there is no central repository for open source tools or benchmark materials, such as video recordings of animal behavior. This award will allow these issues to be addressed by creating a database for open source research tools used in the field of neuroscience as well as a repository of benchmark and training materials for using the tools. The specific aims of the project are to create a taxonomy for open source tools used in neuroscience research, use the taxonomy to create and curate a database of open source tools, including creating Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs) for all tools in the database, and disseminate information on open source tools and the skills required to use them. A special focus of the initial funding period (Aim 3) will be methods for video analysis of animal behavior, which are extremely popular in recent years. Activities in the third aim include creation of a database of video recordings of commonly used behavioral tasks, an open data analysis competition using a common set of benchmark videos (developed through the project), and the development of training materials and in-person and virtual workshops on making and using the most popular open source tools used for neuroscience research. Broader impacts of this project will be to increase public awareness of neuroscience research through the OpenBehavior website (https://edspace.american.edu/openbehavior), social media, and participation in Society for Neuroscience (SfN) sponsored advocacy and outreach events. The project will facilitate discussions of open source tools through a dedicated and moderated discussion topic in the SfN sponsored Neuronline forums and provide curated itineraries on open source tools for attendees of the annual SfN meeting.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.