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Find ultradian rhythms

Question

Is there a repeatable rhythm faster than one day?

See every package-generated example · Read the complete analysis pipeline

When to use

Use this when a reproducible component shorter than the circadian cycle is suspected.

Example figure

Find ultradian rhythms output generated by Circadian Workbench

This deterministic example is calculated by the ultradian action and drawn by render_ultradian_svg, the same renderer used for publication export. Empty or withheld elements are therefore visible exactly as they are in a real result.

import circadian_workbench as cw

cw.call("ultradian", recording={"path": "mouse01.awd"})

Required inputs and controls

The public function is the registered action below. settings= is accepted as a friendlier alias for config= by cw.call; the calculation stores the complete normalized config in provenance.

Function reference

cw.call("ultradian", recording, config=None)

Arguments and parameters

Name Type Required Default Units Meaning
recording recording spec yes - The record to analyse: {'path': 'data/m01.awd'} (a bare path string also works), {'demo': true} for the built-in deterministic record, {'inline': {'filename': ..., 'text': ...}} for tabular text, {'trace': {'hours': [...], 'values': [...], 'name': ...}} for one elapsed-time trace, or {'channels': {'hours': [...], 'values': {'reporter_a': [...], 'reporter_b': [...]}}} for several measurements from one subject.
config object no null - Partial analysis config. Missing keys fall back to analysis.DEFAULT_CONFIG and out-of-range values are clamped silently — run describe_config for every key, its default and its allowed values, or normalize_config to see what a given config actually becomes.

Every nested config key, default, allowed value, and purpose is listed in the complete configuration reference.

How it works

The configured circadian cosinor is removed first, then the residual is searched over the ultradian band. Resolution, samples per cycle, relative amplitude, and harmonic guards decide whether the peak is reportable.

$$ \delta P=\frac{P_{\mathrm{fast}}^2}{T},\qquad A_{\mathrm{rel}}=\frac{A_{\mathrm{fast}}}{A_{\mathrm{circadian}}} $$

Implementation: ultradian.py::ultradian_component.

Outputs and interpretation

The result includes the candidate period, power and significance, reconstructed component, relative amplitude, resolution, harmonic relation, samples per cycle, guards, and verdict.

cw.call returns a Result: use .data for calculated values, .warnings for scientific qualifications, .provenance for version and input identity, .script for an equivalent replay script, and .files for saved outputs.

Limitations

Short records and circadian harmonics can mimic ultradian structure. A spectral peak is withheld when resolution, sampling, amplitude, or harmonic guards fail.

Example

The figure above is a real package result from a seeded, redistributable synthetic dataset. Its audited project bundle retains figure_data.csv, a standalone plot.py, source hashes, an editable SVG, and a rendered preview.

Methods text

The circadian component was removed before searching the declared ultradian band; candidates were required to pass resolution, sampling, relative-amplitude, and harmonic guards.

See also

Score immobility sleep · Measure food anticipation · Test temperature compensation · Analysis index · Gallery