Stim2
is the next evolutionary step in stimulus presentation and experimental
design. Running within the the Windows XP (only) enviroment, Stim2
retains the functionality and timing of the original DOS-based STIM, but
with a contemporary user interface and numerous expanded features.
Stim2 is a complete software environment for custom
stimulus and task design as well as presentation. The Stim2
system can be integrated in fMRI, MEG, and other functional
neuro-imaging applications, and is therefore a powerful part of your
functional imaging system. The software provides a familiar menu-driven
interface in which to design and present visual and auditory stimulation
paradigms.
Stim2's powerful and intuitive design translates into
a short learning curve and quick implementation. The modules make it
easy to design and execute your stimuli with the greatest precision, and
the wide array of pre-packaged stimuli ensures fast integration into
your research.
Changes from STIM:
" Runs completely in Windows (XP).
" Support for all common graphics file types, and SND or WAV sound
files.
" A reorganized interface allows easier task configuration and
eliminates redundant settings.
" Mouse and keyboard responses - as well as STIM Response Pad responses
- are sent to SCAN.
" Behavioral results files are more easily accessed and color coded.
" HTML description regions are presented in many modules, explaining in
the software the function of the various parameters or settings.
" A new Gentask Editor that facilitates creating, modifying and
debugging sequence files.
Gentask (Generalized Task Editor): An interface for creating and
presenting almost any type of visual, auditory, or combined task and
recording behavioral responses. Here are just a few of the features
GENTASK provides that make designing complex tasks simple: calibration
to ensure precise timing of stimulus presentation and EP/ERP acquisition
system triggering; all common graphics file types supported; 16 bit
sound support (Neuroscan SND and WAV file types); present pictures and
sounds in the same task, even simultaneously; display pictures for as
little as two screen refreshes; flip between pictures with virtually no
delay; plus many more too numerous to name. Gentask has been used for a
variety of experiments including auditory N400, MMN, CNV, picture
memory, and many more. A new Gentask Editor makes creating, modifying
and debugging sequences files much easier. Many sequence files created
in STIM will play correctly in Stim2. In some cases, you may
need to make minor modifications to allow for some programming changes.
Motor Tasks
Tap: A motor performance task modeled after the finger tapping
test commonly employed in neuropsychological assessment.
Track: A visual tracking task useful in measuring visual-motor
tracking ability. Precise triggering is provided for neurophysiological
recording systems such as SCAN.
Perceptual Tasks
Contrast: A unique interface for performing contrast reversal
stimulation with evoked potential recording systems such as SCAN.
CONTRAST features a simultaneous fixation task to ensure foveation,
repositioning of pattern relative to fixation, vertical/horizontal bars,
radial patterns and gradients, selective masking, and task suspension
during inattentive periods.
Naming: A flexible interface for presenting visual stimuli and
recording verbal responses. NAME allows you to configure tasks with
almost any visual stimuli (including text and pictures), digitally
record verbal responses, and score responses for both accuracy and
latency. Precise triggering is also provided for neurophysiological
recording systems such as SCAN.
Stroop: A version of the Stroop neuropsychological test modified
for evoked potential recordings.
Attentional Tasks
Cued: A visual cued attention switching task. CUED provides
central "arrow" and peripheral "highlighted box" cues and is commonly
used as an index of ability to release and reorient visual attention.
Triggering is provided for external devices such as SCAN ER/ERP system.
CONCPT: A "go/no-go" visual continuous performance task in which
the subject's response to the target should be contingent upon the
appearance of a cue stimulus. CONCPT also provides triggering for evoked
potential recording systems.
VISCPT: A visual continuous performance task widely used in the
assessment of sustained attention. VISCPT provides precise triggering
for evoked potential recording systems such as SCAN and is an
appropriate interface for visual P300 and related experiments.
AUDCPT: an auditory continuous performance task. AUDCPT provides
an interface similar to VISCPT, wherein you assign probabilities to up
to 10 different auditory events. Provides precise triggering for evoked
potential recordings and is perfect for P300 and MMN experiments.
Memory Tasks
Spatial Memory: A battery designed to assess static and
sequential visual spatial memory.
VLT (Verbal Learning Task): A flexible interface for presenting a
variety of verbal learning, verbal memory, and other language paradigms.
VLT provides precise triggering for ERP systems and is well suited to
N400 and other language-related ERPs.
SPR (Serial Probe Recognition): A visual memory task that can be
used in a variety of experiments in which serial position effects are of
interest. SPR can be used with provided "normed" pictures or your own.
SPR provides precise triggering for ERP systems and is well suited to
Sternberg memory scanning experiments.
Cognitive Tasks
Card Sorting: Similar to the card sorting test used in
neuropsychological batteries, CARDSORT is widely used in behavioral and
imaging research studies on concept formation.
Categories: CATEGORY is similar to the widely used
neuropsychological test, and is useful as an activation task in imaging
studies or as a behavioral measure of problem solving ability.
Utilities
Sound Editor: A program for recording, editing, and presenting
digital sound segments. The Sound Editor has programmable attenuation in
.75 dB steps, a dynamic range from 0 to 130 dB, 16 bit CD quality
digital sampling, customizable digital filtering, mono or stereo
processing, and a variety of windowing options. Sounds can be
synthesized (i.e. pure tone, noise, click) or digitally sampled from a
microphone or line input. Precise triggering is also provided for
external devices such as SCAN EP/ERP system. The module is commonly used
to present click stimuli for ABR or BAER recording, and to create sound
files used in other Stim2 modules.
Image Converter: Stim2 will present the
commonly encountered types of graphics files (BMP, JPG, PNG, TIF, etc.).
However, should you have files that cannot be displayed, the Image
Converter may be used to convert them to a form that can be presented.
The Stim2 Audio System and Response Interface
Each Stim2 Complete system is provided with precision
hardware for recording sounds from a microphone or line input with 16
bit A/D conversion, playing back mono or stereo sounds at SPL calibrated
levels (HL also possible), recording manual responses with push buttons
or optional finger-lift LED photocells, recording verbal responses with
millisecond accuracy, and measuring reaction time with an independent
clock in case stimulus and response occur simultaneously. Other features
of the STIM Audio System include anti-aliasing filters, audiometric
quality insert earphones, independent left and right channel gain
levels, and more.
- TIMING & ACCURACY
SPECIFICATIONS
- AUDIO
- Stimulus onset to
trigger pulse below 220�s* allowing acquisition of Auditory Brainstem
Response (ABR)
- VIDEO TIMING
- Stimulus onset
duration limited to two refresh cycles. For example, a 100Hz refresh
rate will generate minimum stimulus duration = 20ms
- Trigger to video
onset reliability � 100�s
There are two
versions of Stim2: Stim2 Complete,
which uses the existing STIM hardware, and a Software Only
version that uses the hardware in the computer. The Complete system
includes the 4-button STIM Response Pad, software/hardware control of
the decibel levels (precise dB levels), and the STIM microphone.
Keyboard and mouse responses are available with both systems; the STIM
Response Pad provides the most accurately timed responses. The Software
Only version may be adequate for some situations; however, the Complete
system is generally preferred. It has additional flexibility and
control, and it is likely that long range development will favor the
Complete system.
Stim2 interfaces seamlessly with SCAN and any of our
amplifiers: SynAmps, SynAmps2, or NuAmps.
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+ 54 11 4583-2988
15 4071-4006
