The SpikerBox: A Low Cost, Open-Source BioAmplifier for Increasing Public Participation in Neuroscience Inquiry

Marzullo, Timothy C.; Gage, Gregory J.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0030837

Cited by 67 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Having a hands-on electrophysiology component to complement neuroscience lectures and laboratories makes the lessons both more compelling and increases learning (20). Moreover, evidence suggests that an active, inquiry-based learning pedagogy for science learning at the high school and university level (12,21,24) improves student comprehension and retention of scientific concepts, causing a sustained level of interest in pursuing science-, technology-, engineering-, and medicinebased careers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Portable conduction velocity experiments using earthworms for the college and high school neuroscience teaching laboratory

Shannon

Gage

Janković

et al. 2014

Advances in Physiology Education

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The earthworm is ideal for studying action potential conduction velocity in a classroom setting, as its simple linear anatomy allows easy axon length measurements and the worm's sparse coding allows single action potentials to be easily identified. The earthworm has two giant fiber systems (lateral and medial) with different conduction velocities that can be easily measured by manipulating electrode placement and the tactile stimulus. Here, we present a portable and robust experimental setup that allows students to perform conduction velocity measurements within a 30-min to 1-h laboratory session. Our improvement over this well-known preparation is the combination of behaviorally relevant tactile stimuli (avoiding electrical stimulation) with the invention of minimal, low-cost, and portable equipment. We tested these experiments during workshops in both a high school and college classroom environment and found positive learning outcomes when we compared pre- and posttests taken by the students.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Portable conduction velocity experiments using earthworms for the college and high school neuroscience teaching laboratory

Shannon

Gage

Janković

et al. 2014

Advances in Physiology Education

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The lab kit includes equipment for activities with people and insects. One component allows for the recording of nerve signaling in insects, generally in earthworms, or in the legs of cockroaches or grasshoppers (Marzullo and Gage, 2012;Dagda et al 2013). Electric activity of these nerves can be observed and measured through a free Backyard Brains application in a laptop, tablet or smartphone.…”

Section: Partnering With Backyard Brainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

NeuroBoricuas: a novel approach for incorporating neuroscience education in schools of Puerto Rico

Bravo-Rivera

Díaz‐Ríos

Aldarondo-Hernández

et al. 2018

Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'18)

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“…25,26 To record the signals and measure the reaction time, we used the open-source audio processing program Audacity (Audacity ® , Version 2.1.2). The recording was carried out during the above-described hand grip test and the assessment used the mean of values found in the 3 tries.…”

Section: Hand Reaction Timementioning

confidence: 99%

Acute static muscle stretching improves manual dexterity in young men

Costa¹,

Dos‐Santos²,

Paula³

et al. 2017

Medical Express

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OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to evaluate the influence of acute muscle stretching on manual function. METHODS:The sample consisted of 10 untrained men in a randomized, four test session cross-over experimental design. Each session was composed of only one of two protocols: a) control, or b) single series of passive static stretching; followed by either Minnesota Hand dexterity test or hand grip strength test with eletromyographical recording of reaction time. For data comparison, the Student T-test with significance level of p ≤ 0.05 was used. RESULTS: Manual dexterity increased after stretching for both placing and turning tests, with no changes in hand grip strength or reaction time. CONCLUSION:The results show that a 30 second static stretch of the hand decreases time to complete the Minnesota Hand Dexterity test without affecting handgrip strength or hand reaction time; thus it improves manual dexterity of young untrained men. KEYWORDS:Muscle stretching, motor skills, reaction time. ■ INTRODUCTIONStretching exercises are often prescribed for persons with reduced motor skills or range of motion. Several reports describe this exercise technique as a necessary activity for better performance in daily life activities.1-4 However, muscle stretching seems to evoke neural and mechanical adaptations that reduce strength, reaction time and body balance; 3,5-7 it also affects the responsiveness of relevant afferent structures, such as muscle spindles 8 and Golgi tendon organs, 9 which are important structures in the regulation of motor commands.Manual dexterity, handgrip strength and reaction time are important components to assess hand function, which relate to better quality of daily life 1,10 and recreational activities; 2,11 they also act as indicators of cognitive and exercise performance 12,13 and are determinant factors in the ability to manipulate objects.14 Additionally, manual dexterity and handgrip strength are closely interdependent, in an interaction known as strength-dexterity trade-off. 15Manual dexterity is also related to the central nervous system, since the cortex receives information from several proprioceptors 8,16 to modulate manual motor tasks increasing movement efficiency.14,17-19 Hence, if muscle stretching does interfere with these factors it could alter the ability to manipulate objects. Because several sports, such as boxing, 20 handball, 21 basketball, 22 and many non-sporting activities such as musical performance 23 require agility and manual dexterity, the assessment of hand function is essential for the development of training techniques and functional rehabilitation of hand movements. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the effect of static stretching on manual dexterity. We hypothesized that muscle stretching would interfere with these factors and consequently alter hand dexterity.The purpose of this study was to understand the effect of static stretching on manual dexterity, providing evidence for health professionals seeking to prescribe stretching exercises safely and effi...

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The SpikerBox: A Low Cost, Open-Source BioAmplifier for Increasing Public Participation in Neuroscience Inquiry

Cited by 67 publications

References 14 publications

Portable conduction velocity experiments using earthworms for the college and high school neuroscience teaching laboratory

Portable conduction velocity experiments using earthworms for the college and high school neuroscience teaching laboratory

NeuroBoricuas: a novel approach for incorporating neuroscience education in schools of Puerto Rico

Acute static muscle stretching improves manual dexterity in young men

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