xsg

Overview

This gui provides tools for organizing the filing system for saving data files to directories, and some ancillary functions.

File>Open

n/a

Directory, Browse

Use this to select the directory for saving data files. 

Epoch

An optional convenience tool -- increment this as desired during an experiment as a way to delineate experimental epochs (e.g. pre- vs post-drug application, etc.).

Initials, Experiment #, Set ID, Acquisition #

File names for Ephus data files are made by combining the text strings in these windows, plus the *.xsg extension. The Acquisition # shows the number of the next acquisition, and is automatically incremented after each acuisition. The pushbuttons to the right provide an easy way to zero or increment the current values.

Add To Path, Concat

Checking these will sort the data files into sub-directories. 

New Cell Button ('+' on yellow button for Experiment #)

Zeros the Set ID and Acquisition #'s, increments the Experiment # by 1, and refreshes the Autonotes. 

Autosave

When checked, data will be saved to *.xsg data files. When unchecked, data will not be saved to disk.

Configurable

Checking this prior to loading a configuration file for this program (i.e., by selecting a xsg.settings file via File>Program Manager>Load Configuration) causes the previously configured path information to be used to configure the Directory window. If this is not checked, the currently used path as displayed in the Directory window is retained.

Zip

When selected this option causes the xsg file to be zipped into a *.zip. If the 'Stream to Disk' option is also selected, all the files associated with the acquisition will be stored in a single *.zip file.

Stream to Disk

Enables the data to be stored directly to disk at regular intervals during the acquisition, instead of waiting until after acquisition is completed. In 'Stream to Disk' mode, multiple files are created, including header files captured at the start and end of the acquisition, and data files for each acquisition channel. The frequency with which the data are streamed is set by the 'Update Rate' in the ephys and acquirer guis.

Typically this option would only be used for very long acquisitions (on the scale of many minutes, e.g. in vivo applications), where it is critical that no data are lost due to some problem arising during the acquisition.

Notes

Regarding MAT file formats -- as of Ephus 2.1, xsg files are saved using the v70 format for MAT files (previously, v60).