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Pappalettera C, Mansi SA, Arnesano M, Vecchio F. Decoding influences of indoor temperature and light on neural activity: entropy analysis of electroencephalographic signals. Pflugers Arch 2024:10.1007/s00424-024-02988-z. [PMID: 39012352 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02988-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the neural responses to indoor characteristics like temperature and light is crucial for comprehending how the physical environment influences the human brain. Our study introduces an innovative approach using entropy analysis, specifically, approximate entropy (ApEn), applied to electroencephalographic (EEG) signals to investigate neural responses to temperature and light variations in indoor environments. By strategically placing electrodes over specific brain regions linked to temperature and light processing, we show how ApEn can be influenced by indoor factors. We also integrate heart indices from a multi-sensor bracelet to create a machine learning classifier for temperature conditions. Results showed that in anterior frontal and temporoparietal areas, neutral temperature conditions yield higher ApEn values. The anterior frontal area showed a trend of gradually decreasing ApEn values from neutral to warm conditions, with cold being in an intermediate position. There was a significant interaction between light and site factors, only evident in the temporoparietal region. Here, the neutral light condition had higher ApEn values compared to blue and red light conditions. Positive correlations between anterior frontal ApEn and thermal comfort scores suggest a link between entropy and perceived thermal comfort. Our quadratic SVM classifier, incorporating entropy and heart features, demonstrates strong performance (until 90% in terms of AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity) in classifying temperature sensations. This study offers insights into neural responses to indoor factors and presents a novel approach for temperature classification using EEG entropy and heart features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pappalettera
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy
| | - Silvia Angela Mansi
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy
| | - Marco Arnesano
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vecchio
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy.
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2
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Ramsay IS, Pokorny VJ, Lynn PA, Klein SD, Sponheim SR. Limited Consistency and Strength of Neural Oscillations During Sustained Visual Attention in Schizophrenia. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:337-345. [PMID: 36775194 PMCID: PMC10412733 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural oscillations support perception, attention, and higher-order decision making. Aberrations in the strength or consistency of these oscillations in response to stimuli may underlie impaired visual perception and attention in schizophrenia. Here, we examined the phase and power of alpha oscillations (8-12 Hz) as well as aspects of beta and theta frequency oscillations during a demanding visual sustained attention task. METHODS Patients with schizophrenia (n = 74) and healthy control participants (n = 68) completed the degraded stimulus continuous performance task during electroencephalography. We used time-frequency analysis to evaluate the consistency (intertrial phase coherence) of the alpha cycle shortly after stimulus presentation (50-250 ms). For oscillation strength, we examined event-related desynchronization in a later window associated with decision making (360-700 ms). RESULTS Alpha intertrial phase coherence was reduced in schizophrenia, and similar reductions were observed in theta (4-7 Hz) and beta (13-20 Hz), suggesting a lack of responsiveness in slower oscillations to visual stimuli. Alpha and beta event-related desynchronization were also reduced in schizophrenia and associated with worse task performance, increased symptoms, and poorer cognition, suggesting that limited responsiveness of oscillations is related to impairments in the disorder. Individuals with lower intertrial phase coherence had slower resting-state alpha rhythms consistent with dysfunctional oscillations persisting across default and task-related brain states. CONCLUSIONS In schizophrenia, abnormalities in the phase consistency and strength of slower oscillations during visual perception are related to symptoms and cognitive functioning. Altered visual perception and impaired attention in the disorder may be the consequence of aberrant slower oscillations that fail to dynamically reset and modulate in response to stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian S Ramsay
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
| | - Victor J Pokorny
- Department of Psychology University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Peter A Lynn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Samuel D Klein
- Department of Psychology University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Scott R Sponheim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Department of Psychology University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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3
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Di Flumeri G, Giorgi A, Germano D, Ronca V, Vozzi A, Borghini G, Tamborra L, Simonetti I, Capotorto R, Ferrara S, Sciaraffa N, Babiloni F, Aricò P. A Neuroergonomic Approach Fostered by Wearable EEG for the Multimodal Assessment of Drivers Trainees. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:8389. [PMID: 37896483 PMCID: PMC10610858 DOI: 10.3390/s23208389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
When assessing trainees' progresses during a driving training program, instructors can only rely on the evaluation of a trainee's explicit behavior and their performance, without having any insight about the training effects at a cognitive level. However, being able to drive does not imply knowing how to drive safely in a complex scenario such as the road traffic. Indeed, the latter point involves mental aspects, such as the ability to manage and allocate one's mental effort appropriately, which are difficult to assess objectively. In this scenario, this study investigates the validity of deploying an electroencephalographic neurometric of mental effort, obtained through a wearable electroencephalographic device, to improve the assessment of the trainee. The study engaged 22 young people, without or with limited driving experience. They were asked to drive along five different but similar urban routes, while their brain activity was recorded through electroencephalography. Moreover, driving performance, subjective and reaction times measures were collected for a multimodal analysis. In terms of subjective and performance measures, no driving improvement could be detected either through the driver's subjective measures or through their driving performance. On the other side, through the electroencephalographic neurometric of mental effort, it was possible to catch their improvement in terms of mental performance, with a decrease in experienced mental demand after three repetitions of the driving training tasks. These results were confirmed by the analysis of reaction times, that significantly improved from the third repetition as well. Therefore, being able to measure when a task is less mentally demanding, and so more automatic, allows to deduce the degree of users training, becoming capable of handling additional tasks and reacting to unexpected events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Di Flumeri
- Laboratory of Industrial Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns srl, 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Giorgi
- BrainSigns srl, 00198 Rome, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Germano
- Laboratory of Industrial Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering Antonio Ruberti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ronca
- BrainSigns srl, 00198 Rome, Italy
- Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering Antonio Ruberti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Vozzi
- BrainSigns srl, 00198 Rome, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Borghini
- Laboratory of Industrial Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns srl, 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Tamborra
- BrainSigns srl, 00198 Rome, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Simonetti
- BrainSigns srl, 00198 Rome, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Capotorto
- Laboratory of Industrial Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabio Babiloni
- Laboratory of Industrial Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns srl, 00198 Rome, Italy
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Pietro Aricò
- BrainSigns srl, 00198 Rome, Italy
- Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering Antonio Ruberti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Cartocci G, Inguscio BMS, Giorgi A, Vozzi A, Leone CA, Grassia R, Di Nardo W, Di Cesare T, Fetoni AR, Freni F, Ciodaro F, Galletti F, Albera R, Canale A, Piccioni LO, Babiloni F. Music in noise recognition: An EEG study of listening effort in cochlear implant users and normal hearing controls. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288461. [PMID: 37561758 PMCID: PMC10414671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the plethora of studies investigating listening effort and the amount of research concerning music perception by cochlear implant (CI) users, the investigation of the influence of background noise on music processing has never been performed. Given the typical speech in noise recognition task for the listening effort assessment, the aim of the present study was to investigate the listening effort during an emotional categorization task on musical pieces with different levels of background noise. The listening effort was investigated, in addition to participants' ratings and performances, using EEG features known to be involved in such phenomenon, that is alpha activity in parietal areas and in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), that includes the Broca's area. Results showed that CI users performed worse than normal hearing (NH) controls in the recognition of the emotional content of the stimuli. Furthermore, when considering the alpha activity corresponding to the listening to signal to noise ratio (SNR) 5 and SNR10 conditions subtracted of the activity while listening to the Quiet condition-ideally removing the emotional content of the music and isolating the difficulty level due to the SNRs- CI users reported higher levels of activity in the parietal alpha and in the homologous of the left IFG in the right hemisphere (F8 EEG channel), in comparison to NH. Finally, a novel suggestion of a particular sensitivity of F8 for SNR-related listening effort in music was provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cartocci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns ltd, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Giorgi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns ltd, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Antonio Leone
- Department of Otolaringology Head-Neck Surgery, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Grassia
- Department of Otolaringology Head-Neck Surgery, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Walter Di Nardo
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Fondazione Policlinico "A Gemelli," IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Di Cesare
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Fondazione Policlinico "A Gemelli," IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Fetoni
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Fondazione Policlinico "A Gemelli," IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Freni
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciodaro
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Galletti
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberto Albera
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Canale
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lucia Oriella Piccioni
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Babiloni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns ltd, Rome, Italy
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Taptiklis N, Su M, Barnett JH, Skirrow C, Kroll J, Cormack F. Prediction of mental effort derived from an automated vocal biomarker using machine learning in a large-scale remote sample. Front Artif Intell 2023; 6:1171652. [PMID: 37601036 PMCID: PMC10435853 DOI: 10.3389/frai.2023.1171652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Biomarkers of mental effort may help to identify subtle cognitive impairments in the absence of task performance deficits. Here, we aim to detect mental effort on a verbal task, using automated voice analysis and machine learning. Methods Audio data from the digit span backwards task were recorded and scored with automated speech recognition using the online platform NeuroVocalixTM, yielding usable data from 2,764 healthy adults (1,022 male, 1,742 female; mean age 31.4 years). Acoustic features were aggregated across each trial and normalized within each subject. Cognitive load was dichotomized for each trial by categorizing trials at >0.6 of each participants' maximum span as "high load." Data were divided into training (60%), test (20%), and validate (20%) datasets, each containing different participants. Training and test data were used in model building and hyper-parameter tuning. Five classification models (Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting) were trained to predict cognitive load ("high" vs. "low") based on acoustic features. Analyses were limited to correct responses. The model was evaluated using the validation dataset, across all span lengths and within the subset of trials with a four-digit span. Classifier discriminant power was examined with Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analysis. Results Participants reached a mean span of 6.34 out of 8 items (SD = 1.38). The Gradient Boosting classifier provided the best performing model on test data (AUC = 0.98) and showed excellent discriminant power for cognitive load on the validation dataset, across all span lengths (AUC = 0.99), and for four-digit only utterances (AUC = 0.95). Discussion A sensitive biomarker of mental effort can be derived from vocal acoustic features in remotely administered verbal cognitive tests. The use-case of this biomarker for improving sensitivity of cognitive tests to subtle pathology now needs to be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Taptiklis
- Cambridge Cognition, Tunbridge Court, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Merina Su
- Cambridge Cognition, Tunbridge Court, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer H. Barnett
- Cambridge Cognition, Tunbridge Court, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, Herschel Smith Building for Brain & Mind Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Skirrow
- Cambridge Cognition, Tunbridge Court, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmin Kroll
- Cambridge Cognition, Tunbridge Court, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Cormack
- Cambridge Cognition, Tunbridge Court, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, Herschel Smith Building for Brain & Mind Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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6
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Gupta A, Daniel R, Rao A, Roy PP, Chandra S, Kim BG. Raw Electroencephalogram-Based Cognitive Workload Classification Using Directed and Nondirected Functional Connectivity Analysis and Deep Learning. BIG DATA 2023; 11:307-319. [PMID: 36848586 DOI: 10.1089/big.2021.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
With the phenomenal rise in internet-of-things devices, the use of electroencephalogram (EEG) based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can empower individuals to control equipment with thoughts. These allow BCI to be used and pave the way for pro-active health management and the development of internet-of-medical-things architecture. However, EEG-based BCIs have low fidelity, high variance, and EEG signals are very noisy. These challenges compel researchers to design algorithms that can process big data in real-time while being robust to temporal variations and other variations in the data. Another issue in designing a passive BCI is the regular change in user's cognitive state (measured through cognitive workload). Though considerable amount of research has been conducted on this front, methods that could withstand high variability in EEG data and still reflect the neuronal dynamics of cognitive state variations are lacking and much needed in literature. In this research, we evaluate the efficacy of a combination of functional connectivity algorithms and state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms for the classification of three different levels of cognitive workload. We acquire 64-channel EEG data from 23 participants executing the n-back task at three different levels; 1-back (low-workload condition), 2-back (medium-workload condition), and 3-back (high-workload condition). We compared two different functional connectivity algorithms, namely phase transfer entropy (PTE) and mutual information (MI). PTE is a directed functional connectivity algorithm, whereas MI is non-directed. Both methods are suitable for extracting functional connectivity matrices in real-time, which could eventually be used for rapid, robust, and efficient classification. For classification, we use the recently proposed BrainNetCNN deep learning model, designed specifically to classify functional connectivity matrices. Results reveal a classification accuracy of 92.81% with MI and BrainNetCNN and a staggering 99.50% with PTE and BrainNetCNN on test data. PTE can yield a higher classification accuracy due to its robustness to linear mixing of the data and its ability to detect functional connectivity across a range of analysis lags.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmol Gupta
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Ronnie Daniel
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Akash Rao
- School of Computing and Electrical Engineering, Applied Cognitive Science Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - Partha Pratim Roy
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
| | - Sushil Chandra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, INMAS Defence Research and Development Organization, New Delhi, India
| | - Byung-Gyu Kim
- Division of Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
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Yadav H, Maini S. Electroencephalogram based brain-computer interface: Applications, challenges, and opportunities. MULTIMEDIA TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS 2023:1-45. [PMID: 37362726 PMCID: PMC10157593 DOI: 10.1007/s11042-023-15653-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) is an exciting and emerging research area for researchers and scientists. It is a suitable combination of software and hardware to operate any device mentally. This review emphasizes the significant stages in the BCI domain, current problems, and state-of-the-art findings. This article also covers how current results can contribute to new knowledge about BCI, an overview of BCI from its early developments to recent advancements, BCI applications, challenges, and future directions. The authors pointed to unresolved issues and expressed how BCI is valuable for analyzing the human brain. Humans' dependence on machines has led humankind into a new future where BCI can play an essential role in improving this modern world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitesh Yadav
- Department of Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology, Longowal, Punjab India
| | - Surita Maini
- Department of Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology, Longowal, Punjab India
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8
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Deng Y, Wang Y, Xu L, Meng X, Wang L. Do you like it or not? Identifying preference using an electroencephalogram during the viewing of short videos. Psych J 2023. [PMID: 37186458 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Accurately predicting whether a short video will be liked by viewers is a topic of interest to media researchers. This study used an electroencephalogram (EEG) to record neural activity in 109 participants as they watched short videos (16 clips per person) to see which neural signals reflected viewers' preferences. The results showed that, compared with the short videos they disliked, individuals would experience positive emotions [indexed by a higher theta power, lower (beta - theta)/(beta + theta) score], more relaxed states (indexed by a lower beta power), lower levels of mental engagement and alertness [indexed by a lower beta/(alpha + theta) score], and devote more attention (indexed by lower alpha/theta) when watching short videos they liked. We further used artificial neural networks to classify the neural signals of different preferences induced by short videos. The classification accuracy was the highest when using data from bands over the whole brain, which was 75.78%. These results may indicate the potential of EEG measurement to evaluate the subjective preferences of individuals for short videos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication, Communication University of China, Beijing, China
- Neuroscience and Intelligent Media Institute, Communication University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication, Communication University of China, Beijing, China
- Neuroscience and Intelligent Media Institute, Communication University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Liming Xu
- School of Journalism, Communication University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangli Meng
- School of International Studies, Communication University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Lingxiao Wang
- School of Animation and Digital Art, Communication University of China, Beijing, China
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9
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Giorgi A, Menicocci S, Forte M, Ferrara V, Mingione M, Alaimo Di Loro P, Inguscio BMS, Ferrara S, Babiloni F, Vozzi A, Ronca V, Cartocci G. Virtual and Reality: A Neurophysiological Pilot Study of the Sarcophagus of the Spouses. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040635. [PMID: 37190600 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Art experience is not solely the observation of artistic objects, but great relevance is also placed on the environment in which the art experience takes place, often in museums and galleries. Interestingly, in the last few years, the introduction of some forms of virtual reality (VR) in museum contexts has been increasing. This has solicited enormous research interest in investigating any eventual differences between looking at the same artifact either in a real context (e.g. a museum) and in VR. To address such a target, a neuroaesthetic study was performed in which electroencephalography (EEG) and autonomic signals (heart rate and skin conductance) were recorded during the observation of the Etruscan artifact "Sarcophagus of the Spouses", both in the museum and in a VR reproduction. Results from EEG analysis showed a higher level of the Workload Index during observation in the museum compared to VR (p = 0.04), while the Approach-Withdrawal Index highlighted increased levels during the observation in VR compared to the observation in the museum (p = 0.03). Concerning autonomic indices, the museum elicited a higher Emotional Index response than the VR (p = 0.03). Overall, preliminary results suggest a higher engagement potential of the museum compared to VR, although VR could also favour higher embodiment than the museum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Giorgi
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, SAIMLAL Department, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns Ltd., 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Menicocci
- BrainSigns Ltd., 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Forte
- Department of Classical Studies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Vincenza Ferrara
- Art and Medical Humanities Lab, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Mingione
- Department of Political Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00145 Rome, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Alaimo Di Loro
- Department of Law, Economics, Politics and Modern Languages, Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta (LUMSA), 00192 Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Serena Inguscio
- BrainSigns Ltd., 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Babiloni
- BrainSigns Ltd., 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Computer Science, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Alessia Vozzi
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, SAIMLAL Department, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns Ltd., 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ronca
- BrainSigns Ltd., 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering "Antonio Ruberti", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cartocci
- BrainSigns Ltd., 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Karmakar S, Kamilya S, Dey P, Guhathakurta PK, Dalui M, Bera TK, Halder S, Koley C, Pal T, Basu A. Real time detection of cognitive load using fNIRS: A deep learning approach. Biomed Signal Process Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2022.104227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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11
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Recognising situation awareness associated with different workloads using EEG and eye-tracking features in air traffic control tasks. Knowl Based Syst 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.knosys.2022.110179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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12
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Pagnotta M, Jacobs DM, de Frutos PL, Rodríguez R, Ibáñez-Gijón J, Travieso D. Task difficulty and physiological measures of mental workload in air traffic control: a scoping review. ERGONOMICS 2022; 65:1095-1118. [PMID: 34904533 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2021.2016998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study provides a systematic synthesis of empirical research on mental workload (MWL) in air traffic control (ATC). MWL is a key concept in research on innovative technologies, because the assessment of MWL is crucial to the evaluation of such technologies. Our specific focus was on physiological measures of MWL. The used search strategy identified 39 peer-reviewed publications that analysed ATC tasks, examined different levels of difficulty of the ATC task, and considered at least one physiological measure of MWL. Positive relations between measures of MWL and task difficulty were observed most frequently, indicating that the measures indeed allowed the assessment of MWL. The most commonly used physiological measures were brain measures (EEG and fNIR) and heart rate measures. The review revealed a need for more precise descriptions of crucial experimental parameters in order to permit a transition of the field towards more interactive and dynamic types of analysis. Practitioner summary: Research on innovative technology in air traffic control (ATC) depends on assessments of mental workload (MWL). We reviewed empirical research on MWL in ATC. Brain and heart measures often allow assessments of MWL. Better descriptions of experiments are needed to allow comparisons among studies and more dynamic and interactive analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murillo Pagnotta
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David M Jacobs
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ruben Rodríguez
- CRIDA A.I.E, ATM R&D + Innovation Reference Centre, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - David Travieso
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Pongsakornsathien N, Gardi A, Lim Y, Sabatini R, Kistan T. Wearable Cardiorespiratory Sensors for Aerospace Applications. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:4673. [PMID: 35808167 PMCID: PMC9268781 DOI: 10.3390/s22134673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Emerging Air Traffic Management (ATM) and avionics human-machine system concepts require the real-time monitoring of the human operator to support novel task assessment and system adaptation features. To realise these advanced concepts, it is essential to resort to a suite of sensors recording neurophysiological data reliably and accurately. This article presents the experimental verification and performance characterisation of a cardiorespiratory sensor for ATM and avionics applications. In particular, the processed physiological measurements from the designated commercial device are verified against clinical-grade equipment. Compared to other studies which only addressed physical workload, this characterisation was performed also looking at cognitive workload, which poses certain additional challenges to cardiorespiratory monitors. The article also addresses the quantification of uncertainty in the cognitive state estimation process as a function of the uncertainty in the input cardiorespiratory measurements. The results of the sensor verification and of the uncertainty propagation corroborate the basic suitability of the commercial cardiorespiratory sensor for the intended aerospace application but highlight the relatively poor performance in respiratory measurements during a purely mental activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Gardi
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates;
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Yixiang Lim
- Saab-NTU Joint Lab, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore;
| | - Roberto Sabatini
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates;
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Trevor Kistan
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; (N.P.); (T.K.)
- THALES Australia—Airspace Mobility Solutions, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
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14
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Air Force Pilot Expertise Assessment with Regard to Mental Effort Requested during Unusual Attitude Recovery Flight Training Simulations. SAFETY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/safety8020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pilot training and expertise are key aspects in aviation. A traditional way of evaluating pilot expertise is to measure performance output. However, this approach provides a narrow view of the pilot’s capacity, especially with regard to mental and emotional profile. The aim of this study is hence to investigate whether neurophysiological data can be employed as an additional objective measure to assess the expertise of pilots. In this regard, it has been demonstrated that mental effort can be used as an indirect measure of operator expertise and capacity. An increase in mental effort, for instance, can automatically result in a decrease in the remaining capacity of the operator. To better investigate this aspect, we ask two groups of Italian Air Force pilots, experienced (Experts) and unexperienced (Novices), to undergo unusual attitude recovery flight training simulations. Their behavioral (unusual attitude recovery time), subjective (mental effort demand perception) and neurophysiological data (Electroencephalogram, EEG; Electrocardiogram, ECG) are collected during the entire flight simulations. Although the two groups do not exhibit differences in terms of unusual attitude recovery time and mental effort demand perception, the EEG-based mental effort index shows how Novices request significantly higher mental effort during unusual conditions.
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15
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Inguscio BMS, Mancini P, Greco A, Nicastri M, Giallini I, Leone CA, Grassia R, Di Nardo W, Di Cesare T, Rossi F, Canale A, Albera A, Giorgi A, Malerba P, Babiloni F, Cartocci G. ‘Musical effort’ and ‘musical pleasantness’: a pilot study on the neurophysiological correlates of classical music listening in adults normal hearing and unilateral cochlear implant users. HEARING, BALANCE AND COMMUNICATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/21695717.2022.2079325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrizia Mancini
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Nicastri
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Giallini
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Antonio Leone
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Grassia
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Walter Di Nardo
- Otorhinolaryngology and Physiology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Di Cesare
- Otorhinolaryngology and Physiology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Rossi
- Otorhinolaryngology and Physiology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Canale
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Albera
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabio Babiloni
- BrainSigns Srl, Rome, Italy
- Department of Computer Science, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cartocci
- BrainSigns Srl, Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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16
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Shahab MA, Iqbal MU, Srinivasan B, Srinivasan R. HMM-based models of control room operator's cognition during process abnormalities. 1. Formalism and model identification. J Loss Prev Process Ind 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jlp.2022.104748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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17
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Bagheri M, Power SD. Simultaneous Classification of Both Mental Workload and Stress Level Suitable for an Online Passive Brain-Computer Interface. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22020535. [PMID: 35062495 PMCID: PMC8781201 DOI: 10.3390/s22020535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Research studies on EEG-based mental workload detection for a passive BCI generally focus on classifying cognitive states associated with the performance of tasks at different levels of difficulty, with no other aspects of the user's mental state considered. However, in real-life situations, different aspects of the user's state such as their cognitive (e.g., level of mental workload) and affective (e.g., level of stress/anxiety) states will often change simultaneously, and performance of a BCI system designed considering just one state may be unreliable. Moreover, multiple mental states may be relevant to the purposes of the BCI-for example both mental workload and stress level might be related to an aircraft pilot's risk of error-and the simultaneous prediction of states may be critical in maximizing the practical effectiveness of real-life online BCI systems. In this study we investigated the feasibility of performing simultaneous classification of mental workload and stress level in an online passive BCI. We investigated both subject-specific and cross-subject classification approaches, the latter with and without the application of a transfer learning technique to align the distributions of data from the training and test subjects. Using cross-subject classification with transfer learning in a simulated online analysis, we obtained accuracies of 77.5 ± 6.9% and 84.1 ± 5.9%, across 18 participants for mental workload and stress level detection, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Bagheri
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada;
| | - Sarah D. Power
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada;
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
- Correspondence:
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18
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Neurophysiological Verbal Working Memory Patterns in Children: Searching for a Benchmark of Modality Differences in Audio/Video Stimuli Processing. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2021; 2021:4158580. [PMID: 34966418 PMCID: PMC8712130 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4158580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Exploration of specific brain areas involved in verbal working memory (VWM) is a powerful but not widely used tool for the study of different sensory modalities, especially in children. In this study, for the first time, we used electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate neurophysiological similarities and differences in response to the same verbal stimuli, expressed in the auditory and visual modality during the n-back task with varying memory load in children. Since VWM plays an important role in learning ability, we wanted to investigate whether children elaborated the verbal input from auditory and visual stimuli through the same neural patterns and if performance varies depending on the sensory modality. Performance in terms of reaction times was better in visual than auditory modality (p = 0.008) and worse as memory load increased regardless of the modality (p < 0.001). EEG activation was proportionally influenced by task level and was evidenced in theta band over the prefrontal cortex (p = 0.021), along the midline (p = 0.003), and on the left hemisphere (p = 0.003). Differences in the effects of the two modalities were seen only in gamma band in the parietal cortices (p = 0.009). The values of a brainwave-based engagement index, innovatively used here to test children in a dual-modality VWM paradigm, varied depending on n-back task level (p = 0.001) and negatively correlated (p = 0.002) with performance, suggesting its computational effectiveness in detecting changes in mental state during memory tasks involving children. Overall, our findings suggest that auditory and visual VWM involved the same brain cortical areas (frontal, parietal, occipital, and midline) and that the significant differences in cortical activation in theta band were more related to memory load than sensory modality, suggesting that VWM function in the child's brain involves a cross-modal processing pattern.
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19
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Inguscio BMS, Cartocci G, Modica E, Rossi D, Martinez-Levy AC, Cherubino P, Tamborra L, Babiloni F. Smoke signals: A study of the neurophysiological reaction of smokers and non-smokers to smoking cues inserted into antismoking public service announcements. Int J Psychophysiol 2021; 167:22-29. [PMID: 34175349 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco addiction is one of the biggest health emergencies in the world, Antismoking Public Service Announcements (PSAs) represent the main public tool against smoking; however, smoking-related cues (SCs) often included in PSAs can trigger ambiguous cerebral reactions that could impact the persuasiveness and efficacy of the antismoking message. This study aimed to investigate the electroencephalographic (EEG) response in adult smokers and non-smokers during the exposure to SCs presented in antismoking PSAs video, in order to identify eventual neurophysiological features of SCs' 'boomerang effect' elicited in smokers. EEG frontal Alpha asymmetry and frontal Theta were analyzed in 92 adults (30 no smokers, 31 low smokers, 31 high smokers) from EEG recorded during the vision of 3 antismoking PSAs, statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA. Main results showed a significant interaction between smoking cue condition (Pre and Post) and smoking habit (in particular for female heavy smokers) for the frontal Alpha asymmetry. Since the relative higher right frontal Alpha activity is associated with approach towards a stimulus, it is suggested that the relative left frontal Alpha increase in response to SCs might reflect an appetitive approach in response to it. In the light of the Incentive Sensitization Theory, this pattern can be interpreted as a neurophysiological signal in response to SCs that could undermine the message's effectiveness contributing to the maintenance of the addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca M S Inguscio
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università, 31, 00161 Rome, Italy; BrainSigns Srl, Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulia Cartocci
- BrainSigns Srl, Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrica Modica
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Rossi
- BrainSigns Srl, Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Via A. Scarpa, 16, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Business and Management, LUISS Guido Carli, Viale Romania, 32, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Ana C Martinez-Levy
- BrainSigns Srl, Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; Department of Communication and Social Research, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria, 113, 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cherubino
- BrainSigns Srl, Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Tamborra
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Babiloni
- BrainSigns Srl, Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Computer Science, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, 310018 Hangzhou, China
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20
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Abstract
Advances in the trusted autonomy of air-traffic management (ATM) systems are currently being pursued to cope with the predicted growth in air-traffic densities in all classes of airspace. Highly automated ATM systems relying on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for anomaly detection, pattern identification, accurate inference, and optimal conflict resolution are technically feasible and demonstrably able to take on a wide variety of tasks currently accomplished by humans. However, the opaqueness and inexplicability of most intelligent algorithms restrict the usability of such technology. Consequently, AI-based ATM decision-support systems (DSS) are foreseen to integrate eXplainable AI (XAI) in order to increase interpretability and transparency of the system reasoning and, consequently, build the human operators’ trust in these systems. This research presents a viable solution to implement XAI in ATM DSS, providing explanations that can be appraised and analysed by the human air-traffic control operator (ATCO). The maturity of XAI approaches and their application in ATM operational risk prediction is investigated in this paper, which can support both existing ATM advisory services in uncontrolled airspace (Classes E and F) and also drive the inflation of avoidance volumes in emerging performance-driven autonomy concepts. In particular, aviation occurrences and meteorological databases are exploited to train a machine learning (ML)-based risk-prediction tool capable of real-time situation analysis and operational risk monitoring. The proposed approach is based on the XGBoost library, which is a gradient-boost decision tree algorithm for which post-hoc explanations are produced by SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME). Results are presented and discussed, and considerations are made on the most promising strategies for evolving the human–machine interactions (HMI) to strengthen the mutual trust between ATCO and systems. The presented approach is not limited only to conventional applications but also suitable for UAS-traffic management (UTM) and other emerging applications.
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21
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Bagheri M, Power SD. Investigating hierarchical and ensemble classification approaches to mitigate the negative effect of varying stress state on EEG-based detection of mental workload level - and vice versa. BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACES 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/2326263x.2021.1948756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Bagheri
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada
| | - Sarah D. Power
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada
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22
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Wearable Technologies for Mental Workload, Stress, and Emotional State Assessment during Working-Like Tasks: A Comparison with Laboratory Technologies. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21072332. [PMID: 33810613 PMCID: PMC8036989 DOI: 10.3390/s21072332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The capability of monitoring user’s performance represents a crucial aspect to improve safety and efficiency of several human-related activities. Human errors are indeed among the major causes of work-related accidents. Assessing human factors (HFs) could prevent these accidents through specific neurophysiological signals’ evaluation but laboratory sensors require highly-specialized operators and imply a certain grade of invasiveness which could negatively interfere with the worker’s activity. On the contrary, consumer wearables are characterized by their ease of use and their comfortability, other than being cheaper compared to laboratory technologies. Therefore, wearable sensors could represent an ideal substitute for laboratory technologies for a real-time assessment of human performances in ecological settings. The present study aimed at assessing the reliability and capability of consumer wearable devices (i.e., Empatica E4 and Muse 2) in discriminating specific mental states compared to laboratory equipment. The electrooculographic (EOG), electrodermal activity (EDA) and photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals were acquired from a group of 17 volunteers who took part to the experimental protocol in which different working scenarios were simulated to induce different levels of mental workload, stress, and emotional state. The results demonstrated that the parameters computed by the consumer wearable and laboratory sensors were positively and significantly correlated and exhibited the same evidences in terms of mental states discrimination.
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23
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Dalton SGH, Cavanagh JF, Richardson JD. Spectral Resting-State EEG (rsEEG) in Chronic Aphasia Is Reliable, Sensitive, and Correlates With Functional Behavior. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:624660. [PMID: 33815079 PMCID: PMC8010195 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.624660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated spectral resting-state EEG in persons with chronic stroke-induced aphasia to determine its reliability, sensitivity, and relationship to functional behaviors. Resting-state EEG has not yet been characterized in this population and was selected given the demonstrated potential of resting-state investigations using other neuroimaging techniques to guide clinical decision-making. Controls and persons with chronic stroke-induced aphasia completed two EEG recording sessions, separated by approximately 1 month, as well as behavioral assessments of language, sensorimotor, and cognitive domains. Power in the classic frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, and beta) was examined via spectral analysis of resting-state EEG data. Results suggest that power in the theta, alpha, and beta bands is reliable for use as a repeated measure. Significantly greater theta and lower beta power was observed in persons with aphasia (PWAs) than controls. Finally, in PWAs theta power negatively correlated with performance on a discourse informativeness measure, while alpha and beta power positively correlated with performance on the same measure. This indicates that spectral rsEEG slowing observed in PWAs in the chronic stage is pathological and suggests a possible avenue for directly altering brain activation to improve behavioral function. Taken together, these results suggest that spectral resting-state EEG holds promise for sensitive measurement of functioning and change in persons with chronic aphasia. Future studies investigating the utility of these measures as biomarkers of frank or latent aphasic deficits and treatment response in chronic stroke-induced aphasia are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah G. H. Dalton
- Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - James F. Cavanagh
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Jessica D. Richardson
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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24
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Cartocci G, Giorgi A, Inguscio BMS, Scorpecci A, Giannantonio S, De Lucia A, Garofalo S, Grassia R, Leone CA, Longo P, Freni F, Malerba P, Babiloni F. Higher Right Hemisphere Gamma Band Lateralization and Suggestion of a Sensitive Period for Vocal Auditory Emotional Stimuli Recognition in Unilateral Cochlear Implant Children: An EEG Study. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:608156. [PMID: 33767607 PMCID: PMC7985439 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.608156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In deaf children, huge emphasis was given to language; however, emotional cues decoding and production appear of pivotal importance for communication capabilities. Concerning neurophysiological correlates of emotional processing, the gamma band activity appears a useful tool adopted for emotion classification and related to the conscious elaboration of emotions. Starting from these considerations, the following items have been investigated: (i) whether emotional auditory stimuli processing differs between normal-hearing (NH) children and children using a cochlear implant (CI), given the non-physiological development of the auditory system in the latter group; (ii) whether the age at CI surgery influences emotion recognition capabilities; and (iii) in light of the right hemisphere hypothesis for emotional processing, whether the CI side influences the processing of emotional cues in unilateral CI (UCI) children. To answer these matters, 9 UCI (9.47 ± 2.33 years old) and 10 NH (10.95 ± 2.11 years old) children were asked to recognize nonverbal vocalizations belonging to three emotional states: positive (achievement, amusement, contentment, relief), negative (anger, disgust, fear, sadness), and neutral (neutral, surprise). Results showed better performances in NH than UCI children in emotional states recognition. The UCI group showed increased gamma activity lateralization index (LI) (relative higher right hemisphere activity) in comparison to the NH group in response to emotional auditory cues. Moreover, LI gamma values were negatively correlated with the percentage of correct responses in emotion recognition. Such observations could be explained by a deficit in UCI children in engaging the left hemisphere for more demanding emotional task, or alternatively by a higher conscious elaboration in UCI than NH children. Additionally, for the UCI group, there was no difference between the CI side and the contralateral side in gamma activity, but a higher gamma activity in the right in comparison to the left hemisphere was found. Therefore, the CI side did not appear to influence the physiologic hemispheric lateralization of emotional processing. Finally, a negative correlation was shown between the age at the CI surgery and the percentage of correct responses in emotion recognition and then suggesting the occurrence of a sensitive period for CI surgery for best emotion recognition skills development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cartocci
- Laboratory of Industrial Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,BrainSigns Srl, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Giorgi
- Laboratory of Industrial Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,BrainSigns Srl, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca M S Inguscio
- BrainSigns Srl, Rome, Italy.,Cochlear Implant Unit, Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Scorpecci
- Audiology and Otosurgery Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Pediatric Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Giannantonio
- Audiology and Otosurgery Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Pediatric Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta De Lucia
- Otology and Cochlear Implant Unit, Regional Referral Centre Children's Hospital "Santobono-Pausilipon", Naples, Italy
| | - Sabina Garofalo
- Otology and Cochlear Implant Unit, Regional Referral Centre Children's Hospital "Santobono-Pausilipon", Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Grassia
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Antonio Leone
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Patrizia Longo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Freni
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Babiloni
- Laboratory of Industrial Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,BrainSigns Srl, Rome, Italy.,Department of Computer Science and Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, China
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25
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Konopka LM, Glowacki A, Konopka CJ, Wuest R. Objective Assessments in Diagnoses and Treatment: A Proposed Change in Paradigm. Clin EEG Neurosci 2021; 52:90-97. [PMID: 33370217 DOI: 10.1177/1550059420983998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
For patients with psychiatric disorders, current diagnostic and treatment approaches are far from optimal. The clinical interview drives the standard approach-matching symptoms to diagnostic criteria-and results in standardized pharmacological and behavioral treatments, often, with inadequate outcome; but now, recent imaging advances can correlate behavioral assessments with brain function and measure them against normative databases to provide data critical for the reevaluation of patient diagnosis and treatment. This article addresses the data that support a redefinition of our current paradigm. We believe a neurobehavioral approach provides for more personalized treatment approaches unbound from classically defined diagnostic biases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christian J Konopka
- Department of Bioengineering, 14589University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,97472Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Urbana, IL, USA.,43988University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ronald Wuest
- Institute for Personal Development, Romeiville, IL, USA
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26
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NeuroDante: Poetry Mentally Engages More Experts but Moves More Non-Experts, and for Both the Cerebral Approach Tendency Goes Hand in Hand with the Cerebral Effort. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030281. [PMID: 33668815 PMCID: PMC7996310 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroaesthetics, the science studying the biological underpinnings of aesthetic experience, recently extended its area of investigation to literary art; this was the humus where neurocognitive poetics blossomed. Divina Commedia represents one of the most important, famous and studied poems worldwide. Poetry stimuli are characterized by elements (meter and rhyme) promoting the processing fluency, a core aspect of neuroaesthetics theories. In addition, given the evidence of different neurophysiological reactions between experts and non-experts in response to artistic stimuli, the aim of the present study was to investigate, in poetry, a different neurophysiological cognitive and emotional reaction between Literature (L) and Non-Literature (NL) students. A further aim was to investigate whether neurophysiological underpinnings would support explanation of behavioral data. Investigation methods employed: self-report assessments (recognition, appreciation, content recall) and neurophysiological indexes (approach/withdrawal (AW), cerebral effort (CE) and galvanic skin response (GSR)). The main behavioral results, according to fluency theories in aesthetics, suggested in the NL but not in the L group that the appreciation/liking went hand by hand with the self-declared recognition and with the content recall. The main neurophysiological results were: (i) higher galvanic skin response in NL, whilst higher CE values in L; (ii) a positive correlation between AW and CE indexes in both groups. The present results extended previous evidence relative to figurative art also to auditory poetry stimuli, suggesting an emotional attenuation “expertise-specific” showed by experts, but increased cognitive processing in response to the stimuli.
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Mancini M, Cherubino P, Cartocci G, Martinez A, Borghini G, Guastamacchia E, di Flumeri G, Rossi D, Modica E, Menicocci S, Lupo V, Trettel A, Babiloni F. Forefront Users' Experience Evaluation by Employing Together Virtual Reality and Electroencephalography: A Case Study on Cognitive Effects of Scents. Brain Sci 2021; 11:256. [PMID: 33670698 PMCID: PMC7922691 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Scents have the ability to affect peoples' mental states and task performance with to different extents. It has been widely demonstrated that the lemon scent, included in most all-purpose cleaners, elicits stimulation and activation, while the lavender scent elicits relaxation and sedative effects. The present study aimed at investigating and fostering a novel approach to evaluate users' experience with respect to scents' effects through the joint employment of Virtual Reality and users' neurophysiological monitoring, in particular Electroencephalography. In particular, this study, involving 42 participants, aimed to compare the effects of lemon and lavender scents on the deployment of cognitive resources during a daily life experience consisting in a train journey carried out in virtual reality. Our findings showed a significant higher request of cognitive resources during the processing of an informative message for subjects exposed to the lavender scent with respect to the lemon exposure. No differences were found between lemon and lavender conditions on the self-reported items of pleasantness and involvement; as this study demonstrated, the employment of the lavender scent preserves the quality of the customer experience to the same extent as the more widely used lemon scent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mancini
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
- Department of Economics, Management and Business Law, University of Bari Aldo Moro (UniBa), Via Camillo Rosalba, 53, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cherubino
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cartocci
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Ana Martinez
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
- Department of Communication and Social Research, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria, 113, 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Borghini
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Guastamacchia
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
| | - Gianluca di Flumeri
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Rossi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Enrica Modica
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Stefano Menicocci
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
| | - Viviana Lupo
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
| | - Arianna Trettel
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
| | - Fabio Babiloni
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Lungotevere Michelangelo, 9, 00192 Rome, Italy; (P.C.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (G.d.F.); (S.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.); (F.B.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Kenny B, Power SD. Toward a Subject-Independent EEG-Based Neural Indicator of Task Proficiency During Training. FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS 2021; 1:618632. [PMID: 38234308 PMCID: PMC10790941 DOI: 10.3389/fnrgo.2020.618632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
This study explores the feasibility of developing an EEG-based neural indicator of task proficiency based on subject-independent mental state classification. Such a neural indicator could be used in the development of a passive brain-computer interface to potentially enhance training effectiveness and efficiency. A spatial knowledge acquisition training protocol was used in this study. Fifteen participants acquired spatial knowledge in a novel virtual environment via 60 navigation trials (divided into ten blocks). Task performance (time required to complete trials), perceived task certainty, and EEG signal data were collected. For each participant, 1 s epochs of EEG data were classified as either from the "low proficiency, 0" or "high proficiency, 1" state using a support vector machine classifier trained on data from the remaining 14 participants. The average epoch classification per trial was used to calculate a neural indicator (NI) ranging from 0 ("low proficiency") to 1 ("high proficiency"). Trends in the NI throughout the session-from the first to the last trial-were analyzed using a repeated measure mixed model linear regression. There were nine participants for whom the neural indicator was quite effective in tracking the progression from low to high proficiency. These participants demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the neural indicator throughout the training from NI = 0.15 in block 1 to NI = 0.81 (on average) in block 10, with the average NI reaching a plateau after block 7. For the remaining participants, the NI did not effectively track the progression of task proficiency. The results support the potential of a subject-independent EEG-based neural indicator of task proficiency and encourage further research toward this objective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bret Kenny
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Sarah D. Power
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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Abstract
Advances in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have paved the way for progressively higher levels of intelligence and autonomy, supporting new modes of operation, such as the one-to-many (OTM) concept, where a single human operator is responsible for monitoring and coordinating the tasks of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This paper presents the development and evaluation of cognitive human-machine interfaces and interactions (CHMI2) supporting adaptive automation in OTM applications. A CHMI2 system comprises a network of neurophysiological sensors and machine-learning based models for inferring user cognitive states, as well as the adaptation engine containing a set of transition logics for control/display functions and discrete autonomy levels. Models of the user’s cognitive states are trained on past performance and neurophysiological data during an offline calibration phase, and subsequently used in the online adaptation phase for real-time inference of these cognitive states. To investigate adaptive automation in OTM applications, a scenario involving bushfire detection was developed where a single human operator is responsible for tasking multiple UAV platforms to search for and localize bushfires over a wide area. We present the architecture and design of the UAS simulation environment that was developed, together with various human-machine interface (HMI) formats and functions, to evaluate the CHMI2 system’s feasibility through human-in-the-loop (HITL) experiments. The CHMI2 module was subsequently integrated into the simulation environment, providing the sensing, inference, and adaptation capabilities needed to realise adaptive automation. HITL experiments were performed to verify the CHMI2 module’s functionalities in the offline calibration and online adaptation phases. In particular, results from the online adaptation phase showed that the system was able to support real-time inference and human-machine interface and interaction (HMI2) adaptation. However, the accuracy of the inferred workload was variable across the different participants (with a root mean squared error (RMSE) ranging from 0.2 to 0.6), partly due to the reduced number of neurophysiological features available as real-time inputs and also due to limited training stages in the offline calibration phase. To improve the performance of the system, future work will investigate the use of alternative machine learning techniques, additional neurophysiological input features, and a more extensive training stage.
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Zhou Y, Huang S, Xu Z, Wang P, Wu X, Zhang D. Cognitive Workload Recognition Using EEG Signals and Machine Learning: A Review. IEEE Trans Cogn Dev Syst 2021. [DOI: 10.1109/tcds.2021.3090217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Belkhiria C, Peysakhovich V. Electro-Encephalography and Electro-Oculography in Aeronautics: A Review Over the Last Decade (2010-2020). FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS 2020; 1:606719. [PMID: 38234309 PMCID: PMC10790927 DOI: 10.3389/fnrgo.2020.606719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Electro-encephalography (EEG) and electro-oculography (EOG) are methods of electrophysiological monitoring that have potentially fruitful applications in neuroscience, clinical exploration, the aeronautical industry, and other sectors. These methods are often the most straightforward way of evaluating brain oscillations and eye movements, as they use standard laboratory or mobile techniques. This review describes the potential of EEG and EOG systems and the application of these methods in aeronautics. For example, EEG and EOG signals can be used to design brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and to interpret brain activity, such as monitoring the mental state of a pilot in determining their workload. The main objectives of this review are to, (i) offer an in-depth review of literature on the basics of EEG and EOG and their application in aeronautics; (ii) to explore the methodology and trends of research in combined EEG-EOG studies over the last decade; and (iii) to provide methodological guidelines for beginners and experts when applying these methods in environments outside the laboratory, with a particular focus on human factors and aeronautics. The study used databases from scientific, clinical, and neural engineering fields. The review first introduces the characteristics and the application of both EEG and EOG in aeronautics, undertaking a large review of relevant literature, from early to more recent studies. We then built a novel taxonomy model that includes 150 combined EEG-EOG papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and conferences from January 2010 to March 2020. Several data elements were reviewed for each study (e.g., pre-processing, extracted features and performance metrics), which were then examined to uncover trends in aeronautics and summarize interesting methods from this important body of literature. Finally, the review considers the advantages and limitations of these methods as well as future challenges.
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Bagheri M, Power SD. EEG-based detection of mental workload level and stress: the effect of variation in each state on classification of the other. J Neural Eng 2020; 17:056015. [DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/abbc27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Iqbal MU, Srinivasan B, Srinivasan R. Dynamic assessment of control room operator's cognitive workload using Electroencephalography (EEG). Comput Chem Eng 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2020.106726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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A Novel Mutual Information Based Feature Set for Drivers' Mental Workload Evaluation Using Machine Learning. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10080551. [PMID: 32823582 PMCID: PMC7465285 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10080551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of physiological signals, electroencephalography more specifically, is considered a very promising technique to obtain objective measures for mental workload evaluation, however, it requires a complex apparatus to record, and thus, with poor usability in monitoring in-vehicle drivers’ mental workload. This study proposes a methodology of constructing a novel mutual information-based feature set from the fusion of electroencephalography and vehicular signals acquired through a real driving experiment and deployed in evaluating drivers’ mental workload. Mutual information of electroencephalography and vehicular signals were used as the prime factor for the fusion of features. In order to assess the reliability of the developed feature set mental workload score prediction, classification and event classification tasks were performed using different machine learning models. Moreover, features extracted from electroencephalography were used to compare the performance. In the prediction of mental workload score, expert-defined scores were used as the target values. For classification tasks, true labels were set from contextual information of the experiment. An extensive evaluation of every prediction tasks was carried out using different validation methods. In predicting the mental workload score from the proposed feature set lowest mean absolute error was 0.09 and for classifying mental workload highest accuracy was 94%. According to the outcome of the study, it can be stated that the novel mutual information based features developed through the proposed approach can be employed to classify and monitor in-vehicle drivers’ mental workload.
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K M, S P, K A, D R, Chinnadurai V, S V, K R, Jayaraman S. Dynamic cognitive workload assessment for fighter pilots in simulated fighter aircraft environment using EEG. Biomed Signal Process Control 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2020.102018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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P300 Measures and Drive-Related Risks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17155266. [PMID: 32707766 PMCID: PMC7432745 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Detecting signs for an increased level of risk during driving are critical for the effective prevention of road traffic accidents. The current study searched for literature through major databases such as PubMed, EBSCO, IEEE, and ScienceDirect. A total of 14 articles that measured P300 components in relation to driving tasks were included for a systematic review and meta-analysis. The risk factors investigated in the reviewed articles were summarized in five categories, including reduced attention, distraction, alcohol, challenging situations on the road, and negative emotion. A meta-analysis was conducted at both behavioral and neural levels. Behavioral performance was measured by the reaction time and driving performance, while the neural response was measured by P300 amplitude and latency. A significant increase in reaction time was identified when drivers were exposed to the risk factors. In addition, the significant effects of a reduced P300 amplitude and prolonged P300 latency indicated a reduced capacity for cognitive information processing. There was a tendency of driving performance decrement in relation to the risk factors, however, the effect was non-significant due to considerable variations and heterogeneity across the included studies. The results led to the conclusion that the P300 amplitude and latency are reliable indicators and predictors of the increased risk in driving. Future applications of the P300-based brain–computer interface (BCI) system may make considerable contributions toward preventing road traffic accidents.
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Rached TS, Vieira MDFQ, Santos D, Perkusich A, Almeida H. Recognition of human emotions based on user context and brain signals applied to electrical power systems operators evaluation. JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT & FUZZY SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3233/jifs-191923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taciana Saad Rached
- Embedded and Pervasive Computing Laboratory, Electrical Engineering Department, Electrical Engineering and Informatics Center, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Maria de Fátima Queiroz Vieira
- Embedded and Pervasive Computing Laboratory, Electrical Engineering Department, Electrical Engineering and Informatics Center, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Danilo Santos
- Embedded and Pervasive Computing Laboratory, Electrical Engineering Department, Electrical Engineering and Informatics Center, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Angelo Perkusich
- Embedded and Pervasive Computing Laboratory, Electrical Engineering Department, Electrical Engineering and Informatics Center, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Hyggo Almeida
- Embedded and Pervasive Computing Laboratory, Electrical Engineering Department, Electrical Engineering and Informatics Center, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
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A multimodal and signals fusion approach for assessing the impact of stressful events on Air Traffic Controllers. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8600. [PMID: 32451424 PMCID: PMC7248090 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65610-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is a word used to describe human reactions to emotionally, cognitively and physically challenging experiences. A hallmark of the stress response is the activation of the autonomic nervous system, resulting in the "fight-freeze-flight" response to a threat from a dangerous situation. Consequently, the capability to objectively assess and track a controller's stress level while dealing with air traffic control (ATC) activities would make it possible to better tailor the work shift and maintain high safety levels, as well as to preserve the operator's health. In this regard, sixteen controllers were asked to perform a realistic air traffic management (ATM) simulation during which subjective data (i.e. stress perception) and neurophysiological data (i.e. brain activity, heart rate, and galvanic skin response) were collected with the aim of accurately characterising the controller's stress level experienced in the various experimental conditions. In addition, external supervisors regularly evaluated the controllers in terms of manifested stress, safety, and efficiency throughout the ATM scenario. The results demonstrated 1) how the stressful events caused both supervisors and controllers to underestimate the experienced stress level, 2) the advantage of taking into account both cognitive and hormonal processes in order to define a reliable stress index, and 3) the importance of the points in time at which stress is measured owing to the potential transient effect once the stressful events have ceased.
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Radüntz T, Fürstenau N, Mühlhausen T, Meffert B. Indexing Mental Workload During Simulated Air Traffic Control Tasks by Means of Dual Frequency Head Maps. Front Physiol 2020; 11:300. [PMID: 32372970 PMCID: PMC7186426 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In our digitized society, advanced information and communication technology and highly interactive work environments impose high demands on cognitive capacity. Optimal workload conditions are important for assuring employee's health and safety of other persons. This is particularly relevant in safety-critical occupations, such as air traffic control. For measuring mental workload using the EEG, we have developed the method of Dual Frequency Head Maps (DFHM). The method was tested and validated already under laboratory conditions. However, validation of the method regarding reliability and reproducibility of results under realistic settings and real world scenarios was still required. In our study, we examined 21 air traffic controllers during arrival management tasks. Mental workload variations were achieved by simulation scenarios with different number of aircraft and the occurrence of a priority-flight request as an exceptional event. The workload was assessed using the EEG-based DFHM-workload index and instantaneous self-assessment questionnaire. The DFHM-workload index gave stable results with highly significant correlations between scenarios with similar traffic-load conditions (r between 0.671 and 0.809, p ≤ 0.001). For subjects reporting that they experienced workload variation between the different scenarios, the DFHM-workload index yielded significant differences between traffic-load levels and priority-flight request conditions. For subjects who did not report to experience workload variations between the scenarios, the DFHM-workload index did not yield any significant differences for any of the factors. We currently conclude that the DFHM-workload index reveals potential for applications outside the laboratory and yields stable results without retraining of the classifiers neither regarding new subjects nor new tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea Radüntz
- Mental Health and Cognitive Capacity, Work and Health, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Norbert Fürstenau
- Institute of Flight Guidance, German Aerospace Center, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thorsten Mühlhausen
- Institute of Flight Guidance, German Aerospace Center, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Beate Meffert
- Signal Processing and Pattern Recognition, Department of Computer Science, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Neurophysiological Vigilance Characterisation and Assessment: Laboratory and Realistic Validations Involving Professional Air Traffic Controllers. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10010048. [PMID: 31952181 PMCID: PMC7016567 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Vigilance degradation usually causes significant performance decrement. It is also considered the major factor causing the out-of-the-loop phenomenon (OOTL) occurrence. OOTL is strongly related to a high level of automation in operative contexts such as the Air Traffic Management (ATM), and it could lead to a negative impact on the Air Traffic Controllers’ (ATCOs) engagement. As a consequence, being able to monitor the ATCOs’ vigilance would be very important to prevent risky situations. In this context, the present study aimed to characterise and assess the vigilance level by using electroencephalographic (EEG) measures. The first study, involving 13 participants in laboratory settings allowed to find out the neurophysiological features mostly related to vigilance decrements. Those results were also confirmed under realistic ATM settings recruiting 10 professional ATCOs. The results demonstrated that (i) there was a significant performance decrement related to vigilance reduction; (ii) there were no substantial differences between the identified neurophysiological features in controlled and ecological settings, and the EEG-channel configuration defined in laboratory was able to discriminate and classify vigilance changes in ATCOs’ vigilance with high accuracy (up to 84%); (iii) the derived two EEG-channel configuration was able to assess vigilance variations reporting only slight accuracy reduction.
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Parent M, Peysakhovich V, Mandrick K, Tremblay S, Causse M. The diagnosticity of psychophysiological signatures: Can we disentangle mental workload from acute stress with ECG and fNIRS? Int J Psychophysiol 2019; 146:139-147. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Band GPH, Borghini G, Brookhuis K, Mehler B. Editorial: Psychophysiological Contributions to Traffic Safety. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:410. [PMID: 31803039 PMCID: PMC6877593 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guido P. H. Band
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Institute of Psychology, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Gianluca Borghini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Karel Brookhuis
- Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Groningen University, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Bruce Mehler
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Center for Transportation and Logistics, Cambridge, MA, United States
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A Comparison of Mental Workload in Individuals with Transtibial and Transfemoral Lower Limb Loss during Dual-Task Walking under Varying Demand. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2019; 25:985-997. [PMID: 31462338 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617719000602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the influence of lower limb loss (LL) on mental workload by assessing neurocognitive measures in individuals with unilateral transtibial (TT) versus those with transfemoral (TF) LL while dual-task walking under varying cognitive demand. METHODS Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded as participants performed a task of varying cognitive demand while being seated or walking (i.e., varying physical demand). RESULTS The findings revealed both groups of participants (TT LL vs. TF LL) exhibited a similar EEG theta synchrony response as either the cognitive or the physical demand increased. Also, while individuals with TT LL maintained similar performance on the cognitive task during seated and walking conditions, those with TF LL exhibited performance decrements (slower response times) on the cognitive task during the walking in comparison to the seated conditions. Furthermore, those with TF LL neither exhibited regional differences in EEG low-alpha power while walking, nor EEG high-alpha desynchrony as a function of cognitive task difficulty while walking. This lack of alpha modulation coincided with no elevation of theta/alpha ratio power as a function of cognitive task difficulty in the TF LL group. CONCLUSIONS This work suggests that both groups share some common but also different neurocognitive features during dual-task walking. Although all participants were able to recruit neural mechanisms critical for the maintenance of cognitive-motor performance under elevated cognitive or physical demands, the observed differences indicate that walking with a prosthesis, while concurrently performing a cognitive task, imposes additional cognitive demand in individuals with more proximal levels of amputation.
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Cherubino P, Martinez-Levy AC, Caratù M, Cartocci G, Di Flumeri G, Modica E, Rossi D, Mancini M, Trettel A. Consumer Behaviour through the Eyes of Neurophysiological Measures: State-of-the-Art and Future Trends. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2019; 2019:1976847. [PMID: 31641346 PMCID: PMC6766676 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1976847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The new technological advances achieved during the last decade allowed the scientific community to investigate and employ neurophysiological measures not only for research purposes but also for the study of human behaviour in real and daily life situations. The aim of this review is to understand how and whether neuroscientific technologies can be effectively employed to better understand the human behaviour in real decision-making contexts. To do so, firstly, we will describe the historical development of neuromarketing and its main applications in assessing the sensory perceptions of some marketing and advertising stimuli. Then, we will describe the main neuroscientific tools available for such kind of investigations (e.g., measuring the cerebral electrical or hemodynamic activity, the eye movements, and the psychometric responses). Also, this review will present different brain measurement techniques, along with their pros and cons, and the main cerebral indexes linked to the specific mental states of interest (used in most of the neuromarketing research). Such indexes have been supported by adequate validations from the scientific community and are largely employed in neuromarketing research. This review will also discuss a series of papers that present different neuromarketing applications, such us in-store choices and retail, services, pricing, brand perception, web usability, neuropolitics, evaluation of the food and wine taste, and aesthetic perception of artworks. Furthermore, this work will face the ethical issues arisen on the use of these tools for the evaluation of the human behaviour during decision-making tasks. In conclusion, the main challenges that neuromarketing is going to face, as well as future directions and possible scenarios that could be derived by the use of neuroscience in the marketing field, will be identified and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Cherubino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Sesto Celere 7/c, 00152 Rome, Italy
| | - Ana C. Martinez-Levy
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Sesto Celere 7/c, 00152 Rome, Italy
- Department of Communication and Social Research, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria, 113, 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Myriam Caratù
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Sesto Celere 7/c, 00152 Rome, Italy
- Department of Communication and Social Research, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria, 113, 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cartocci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Sesto Celere 7/c, 00152 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Di Flumeri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Sesto Celere 7/c, 00152 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrica Modica
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Rossi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Mancini
- BrainSigns Srl, Via Sesto Celere 7/c, 00152 Rome, Italy
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Di Flumeri G, De Crescenzio F, Berberian B, Ohneiser O, Kramer J, Aricò P, Borghini G, Babiloni F, Bagassi S, Piastra S. Brain-Computer Interface-Based Adaptive Automation to Prevent Out-Of-The-Loop Phenomenon in Air Traffic Controllers Dealing With Highly Automated Systems. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:296. [PMID: 31555113 PMCID: PMC6743225 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing the level of automation in air traffic management is seen as a measure to increase the performance of the service to satisfy the predicted future demand. This is expected to result in new roles for the human operator: he will mainly monitor highly automated systems and seldom intervene. Therefore, air traffic controllers (ATCos) would often work in a supervisory or control mode rather than in a direct operating mode. However, it has been demonstrated how human operators in such a role are affected by human performance issues, known as Out-Of-The-Loop (OOTL) phenomenon, consisting in lack of attention, loss of situational awareness and de-skilling. A countermeasure to this phenomenon has been identified in the adaptive automation (AA), i.e., a system able to allocate the operative tasks to the machine or to the operator depending on their needs. In this context, psychophysiological measures have been highlighted as powerful tool to provide a reliable, unobtrusive and real-time assessment of the ATCo's mental state to be used as control logic for AA-based systems. In this paper, it is presented the so-called "Vigilance and Attention Controller", a system based on electroencephalography (EEG) and eye-tracking (ET) techniques, aimed to assess in real time the vigilance level of an ATCo dealing with a highly automated human-machine interface and to use this measure to adapt the level of automation of the interface itself. The system has been tested on 14 professional ATCos performing two highly realistic scenarios, one with the system disabled and one with the system enabled. The results confirmed that (i) long high automated tasks induce vigilance decreasing and OOTL-related phenomena; (ii) EEG measures are sensitive to these kinds of mental impairments; and (iii) AA was able to counteract this negative effect by keeping the ATCo more involved within the operative task. The results were confirmed by EEG and ET measures as well as by performance and subjective ones, providing a clear example of potential applications and related benefits of AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Di Flumeri
- BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza,”Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Jan Kramer
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Pietro Aricò
- BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza,”Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Borghini
- BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza,”Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Babiloni
- BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza,”Rome, Italy
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sara Bagassi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sergio Piastra
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Aricò P, Reynal M, Di Flumeri G, Borghini G, Sciaraffa N, Imbert JP, Hurter C, Terenzi M, Ferreira A, Pozzi S, Betti V, Marucci M, Telea AC, Babiloni F. How Neurophysiological Measures Can be Used to Enhance the Evaluation of Remote Tower Solutions. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:303. [PMID: 31551735 PMCID: PMC6743038 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
New solutions in operational environments are often, among objective measurements, evaluated by using subjective assessment and judgment from experts. Anyhow, it has been demonstrated that subjective measures suffer from poor resolution due to a high intra and inter-operator variability. Also, performance measures, if available, could provide just partial information, since an operator could achieve the same performance but experiencing a different workload. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate: (i) the higher resolution of neurophysiological measures in comparison to subjective ones; and (ii) how the simultaneous employment of neurophysiological measures and behavioral ones could allow a holistic assessment of operational tools. In this regard, we tested the effectiveness of an electroencephalography (EEG)-based neurophysiological index (WEEG index) in comparing two different solutions (i.e., Normal and Augmented) in terms of experienced workload. In this regard, 16 professional air traffic controllers (ATCOs) have been asked to perform two operational scenarios. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) has also been recorded to evaluate the level of arousal (i.e., operator involvement) during the two scenarios execution. NASA-TLX questionnaire has been used to evaluate the perceived workload, and an expert was asked to assess performance achieved by the ATCOs. Finally, reaction times on specific operational events relevant for the assessment of the two solutions, have also been collected. Results highlighted that the Augmented solution induced a local increase in subjects performance (Reaction times). At the same time, this solution induced an increase in the workload experienced by the participants (WEEG). Anyhow, this increase is still acceptable, since it did not negatively impact the performance and has to be intended only as a consequence of the higher engagement of the ATCOs. This behavioral effect is totally in line with physiological results obtained in terms of arousal (GSR), that increased during the scenario with augmentation. Subjective measures (NASA-TLX) did not highlight any significant variation in perceived workload. These results suggest that neurophysiological measure provide additional information than behavioral and subjective ones, even at a level of few seconds, and its employment during the pre-operational activities (e.g., design process) could allow a more holistic and accurate evaluation of new solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Aricò
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Rome, Italy
| | - Maxime Reynal
- French Civil Aviation University (ENAC), University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Gianluca Di Flumeri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Borghini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicolina Sciaraffa
- BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Rome, Italy.,Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Jean-Paul Imbert
- French Civil Aviation University (ENAC), University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Christophe Hurter
- French Civil Aviation University (ENAC), University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | - Viviana Betti
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Marucci
- Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Braintrends Limited, Applied Neuroscience, Rome, Italy
| | - Alexandru C Telea
- Department of Mathematics and Computing Science, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Fabio Babiloni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Neuroelectrical Imaging and BCI Lab, Rome, Italy.,College Computer Science and Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, China
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47
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Friedman N, Fekete T, Gal K, Shriki O. EEG-Based Prediction of Cognitive Load in Intelligence Tests. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:191. [PMID: 31244629 PMCID: PMC6580143 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Measuring and assessing the cognitive load associated with different tasks is crucial for many applications, from the design of instructional materials to monitoring the mental well-being of aircraft pilots. The goal of this paper is to utilize EEG to infer the cognitive workload of subjects during intelligence tests. We chose the well established advanced progressive matrices test, an ideal framework because it presents problems at increasing levels of difficulty and has been rigorously validated in past experiments. We train classic machine learning models using basic EEG measures as well as measures of network connectivity and signal complexity. Our findings demonstrate that cognitive load can be well predicted using these features, even for a low number of channels. We show that by creating an individually tuned neural network for each subject, we can improve prediction compared to a generic model and that such models are robust to decreasing the number of available channels as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Friedman
- Department of Software and Information Systems Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel.,Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Tomer Fekete
- Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Kobi Gal
- Department of Software and Information Systems Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel.,School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Oren Shriki
- Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel.,Department of Computer Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel.,Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
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EEG rhythms lateralization patterns in children with unilateral hearing loss are different from the patterns of normal hearing controls during speech-in-noise listening. Hear Res 2019; 379:31-42. [PMID: 31042607 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Unilateral hearing loss constitutes a field of growing interest in the scientific community. In fact, this kind of patients represent a unique and physiological way to investigate how neuroplasticity overcame unilateral deafferentation by implementing particular strategies that produce apparently next- to- normal hearing behavioural performances. This explains why such patients have been underinvestigated for a long time. Thanks to the availability of techniques able to study the cerebral activity underlying the mentioned behavioural outcomes, the aim of the present research was to elucidate whether different electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns occurred in unilateral hearing loss (UHL) children in comparison to normal hearing (NH) controls during speech-in-noise listening. Given the intrinsic lateralized nature of such patients, due to the unilateral side of hearing impairment, the experimental question was to assess whether this would reflect a different EEG pattern while performing a word in noise recognition task varying the direction of the noise source. Results showed a correlation between the period of deafness and the cortical activity asymmetry toward the hearing ear side in the frontal, parietal and occipital areas in all the experimental conditions. Concerning alpha and beta activity in the frontal and central areas highlighted that in the NH group, the lateralization was always left-sided during the Quiet condition, while it was right-sided in noise conditions; this evidence was not, however, detected also in the UHL group. In addition, focusing on the theta and alpha activity in the frontal areas (Broca area) during noise conditions, while the activity was always left-lateralized in the NH group, it was ipsilateral to the direction of the background noise in the UHL group, and of a weaker extent than in NH controls. Furthermore, in noise conditions, only the UHL group showed a higher theta activity in the temporal areas ipsilateral to the side where the background noise was directed to. Finally, in the case of bilateral noise (background noise and word signal both coming from the same two sources), the theta and alpha activity in the frontal areas (Broca area) was left-lateralized in the case of the NH group and lateralized towards the side of the better hearing ear in the case of the UHL group. Taken together, this evidence supports the establishment of a particular EEG pattern occurrence in UHL children taking place in the frontal (Broca area), temporal and parietal lobes, probably physiologically established in order to deal with different sound and noise source directions.
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Kenny B, Veitch B, Power S. Assessment of changes in neural activity during acquisition of spatial knowledge using EEG signal classification. J Neural Eng 2019; 16:036027. [PMID: 30995627 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab1a95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explored the classification of electroencephalography (EEG) signals to assess changes in neural activity as individuals performed a training task in a virtual environment simulator. Commonly, task behavior and perception are used to assess a trainee's ability to perform a task, however, changes in cognition are not usually measured and could be important to provide a true indication of an individual's level of knowledge or skill. APPROACH In this study, 15 participants acquired spatial knowledge via 60 navigation trials (divided into ten blocks) in a novel virtual environment. Time performance, perceived certainty, and EEG signal data were collected. MAIN RESULTS A significant increase in alpha power and classification accuracy of EEG data from block 1 against blocks 2-10 was observed and stabilized after block 7, while time performance and perceived certainty measures improved and stabilized after block 5 and 6, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE Results suggest that changes in neural activity, which may reflect an increase in cognitive efficiency, could provide additional insight beyond time performance and perceived certainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bret Kenny
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada
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50
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Antismoking Campaigns' Perception and Gender Differences: A Comparison among EEG Indices. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2019; 2019:7348795. [PMID: 31143204 PMCID: PMC6501276 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7348795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human factors' aim is to understand and evaluate the interactions between people and tasks, technologies, and environment. Among human factors, it is possible then to include the subjective reaction to external stimuli, due to individual's characteristics and states of mind. These processes are also involved in the perception of antismoking public service announcements (PSAs), the main tool for governments to contrast the first cause of preventable deaths in the world: tobacco addiction. In the light of that, in the present article, it has been investigated through the comparison of different electroencephalographic (EEG) indices a typical item known to be able of influencing PSA perception, that is gender. In order to investigate the neurophysiological underpinnings of such different perception, we tested two PSAs: one with a female character and one with a male character. Furthermore, the experimental sample was divided into men and women, as well as smokers and nonsmokers. The employed EEG indices were the mental engagement (ME: the ratio between beta activity and the sum of alpha and theta activity); the approach/withdrawal (AW: the frontal alpha asymmetry in the alpha band); and the frontal theta activity and the spectral asymmetry index (SASI: the ratio between beta minus theta and beta plus theta). Results suggested that the ME and the AW presented an opposite trend, with smokers showing higher ME and lower AW than nonsmokers. The ME and the frontal theta also evidenced a statistically significant interaction between the kind of the PSA and the gender of the observers; specifically, women showed higher ME and frontal theta activity for the male character PSA. This study then supports the usefulness of the ME and frontal theta for purposes of PSAs targeting on the basis of gender issues and of the ME and the AW and for purposes of PSAs targeting on the basis of smoking habits.
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