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Kursawe M, Kaifie A, Krabbe J, Kimpeler S, Kühn R, Kraus T, Jankowiak K. The role of the DC component in human perception of AC-DC hybrid electric fields and a comparison with the AC component. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16320. [PMID: 37770510 PMCID: PMC10539523 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43556-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As part of the energy transition in Germany, high-voltage overhead power lines will be operated using hybrid systems that combine alternating and direct current (AC and DC). The degree to which humans perceive hybrid electric fields (EFs) is dependent on the proportion of both EF types. To investigate the impact of the DC component, a study assessed 49 participants with above-average EF detection ability under conditions with a low DC component of 1-4 kilovolts per meter (kV/m) and varying AC EFs between 1 and 14 kV/m. The detection thresholds of combined AC/DC EFs decreased with an increase in the DC component and ranged from 9.6 to 6.83 kV/m on average for the group. The results suggest that even minor variations in the DC component significantly affect human perception of hybrid EFs. These findings complement the results of an earlier study that investigated the AC component in hybrid EFs. Correlational analyses of both studies demonstrated the reliability of participants' performance. This study contributes to our understanding of EF-related effects on human perception and can aid in the planning of energy transmission near areas where humans work or live.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kursawe
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julia Krabbe
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Simon Kimpeler
- Institute for High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Power Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralph Kühn
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Jankowiak
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Jankowiak K, Kaifie A, Krampert T, Kraus T, Kursawe M. The role of the AC component in human perception of AC-DC hybrid electric fields. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3391. [PMID: 35233049 PMCID: PMC8888694 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07388-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Electric energy is essential to today’s society. To cope with global higher demand while minimizing land use, efficient high voltage direct current (HVDC) power lines are planned to be mounted on existing alternating current (AC) structures leading to electric fields (EFs) from both AC and DC transmission lines in hybrid configurations. Due to the close proximity to residential areas, the investigation of human hybrid EF perception and underlying mechanisms will be useful to project permitting. To specify the influence of the AC component on the whole-body detection thresholds of hybrid EFs and to explore the lower bound of human hybrid EF perception, 51 participants with an EF detection ability above average were exposed in a double-blind laboratory study. A psychophysical method based on the signal detection theory was used. Very low EF strength combinations, e.g. 1 kV/m AC combined with 1 kV/m DC, were reliably perceived by at least one participant. Detection thresholds were significantly lower with increased AC EF strengths, underlining the key role of the AC component in the human perception of hybrid EFs. Findings will contribute to the assessment of public reaction to the perception of EFs around hybrid overhead power lines and to their optimal designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Jankowiak
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Krampert
- Institute for High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Power Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Kursawe
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Kursawe M, Stunder D, Krampert T, Kaifie A, Drießen S, Kraus T, Jankowiak K. Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study. Environ Health 2021; 20:92. [PMID: 34419058 PMCID: PMC8380375 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00781-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the course of the ongoing transition of electric energy systems, transmission corridors are often upgraded to higher voltages and other technologies leading to another quality of human exposure. The study aims to determine human detection thresholds for direct current (DC), alternating current (AC), and hybrid electric fields (various DC; constant AC). METHODS A total of 203 participants were exposed to DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields (EFs) in a highly specialized whole-body exposure laboratory using a double-blind experimental setting. Additionally, the participants were exposed to ion currents in part of the DC and hybrid sessions. To investigate environmental influences, relative humidity was changed in two subgroups during EF perception. Methods derived from the signal detection theory and the adaptive staircase procedure based on the single interval adjustment matrix were used to assess individual sensitivity and detection thresholds, respectively. RESULTS The results indicated that detection thresholds of hybrid EF were lower compared to single EF presentation of DC or AC. Ion current exposure enhanced EF perception. High relative humidity facilitated DC EF perception, whereas low relative humidity reinforced the perception of AC EFs. CONCLUSIONS With this systematic investigation of human perception of DC, AC, and hybrid EFs, detection thresholds were provided, which can help improve the construction processes of energy transmission systems and the prevention of unwanted sensory perception by contributing to the determination of limit values.
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Grants
- Amprion GmbH, Dortmund, Germany
- TenneT TSO GmbH, Bayreuth, Germany
- TransnetBW GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany
- 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Forschungsstelle für Elektropathologie (FfE), Nagold, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University (3131)
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kursawe
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dominik Stunder
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Krampert
- Institute for High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Power Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah Drießen
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Jankowiak
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Jankowiak K, Driessen S, Kaifie A, Kimpeler S, Krampert T, Kraus T, Stunder D, Kursawe M. Identification of Environmental and Experimental Factors Influencing Human Perception of DC and AC Electric Fields. Bioelectromagnetics 2021; 42:341-356. [PMID: 33973657 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
As part of the energy transition in Germany, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines producing DC electric fields (EF) are in planning. Since the human perception of DC EF was rarely investigated in the past, we aimed to identify environmental and experimental factors influencing the human perception of direct current (DC) EF, alternating current (AC) EF, and the co-exposure of DC EF and AC EF (hybrid EF) under whole-body exposure. Additionally, first estimates of DC EF and AC EF perception thresholds as well as differences in human perception of DC EF and AC EF concerning the type of sensation experienced and the affected body part were evaluated. A highly sophisticated exposure lab was built to expose participants to various EF strengths and ask for their assessment concerning the presence of an EF. To estimate the individual perception thresholds of 11 participants, the signal detection theory as well as the single-interval-adjustment matrix procedure were applied. Relative humidity could be identified as an environmental factor influencing the perception of AC EF and DC EF in different ways. An appropriate ramp slope and an exposure duration for future studies could be elaborated. Additionally, perception thresholds were lower under hybrid EF exposure than under DC EF or AC EF exposure alone. Cutaneous sensations evoked under DC EF and AC EF exposure were individually different and attributed to various parts of the body. Several environmental and experimental factors influencing the human perception of EF could be identified and provide an essential basis for a large-scale study. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Jankowiak
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)-Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah Driessen
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)-Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Simon Kimpeler
- Institute for High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Power Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Krampert
- Institute for High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Power Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)-Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dominik Stunder
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)-Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Kursawe
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)-Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Radke S, Jankowiak K, Tops S, Abel T, Habel U, Derntl B. Neurobiobehavioral responses to virtual social rejection in females-exploring the influence of oxytocin. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2021; 16:326-333. [PMID: 33326562 PMCID: PMC7943366 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsaa168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, especially adolescents and young adults interact frequently via social media and digital communication. Mimicking an online communication platform where participants could initiate short conversations with two computerized interlocutors, the Verbal Interaction Social Threat Task (VISTTA) was used to induce feelings of social rejection. Motivational and physiological reactions were investigated in 43 healthy young women undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), of which 22 received 24 international units (IU) intranasal oxytocin and 21 received placebo. Replicating previous findings, social rejection entailed a lower willingness to cooperate with the two peers. Increased activation in the anterior cingulate cortex and bilateral insula/inferior frontal gyrus was observed when receiving negative feedback from others, and in the precuneus when subsequently rating one's willingness to cooperate with them in the future. Oxytocin did not seem to alter responses to social rejection. The current findings provide validation of the VISTTA for examining consequences of rejection in a virtual social interaction that bears a strong resemblance to online communication platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Radke
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA) – BRAIN Institute I: Brain Structure-Function Relationships: Decoding the Human Brain at Systemic Levels, Research Center Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Kathrin Jankowiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu) – Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital RWTH, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Sanne Tops
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Ted Abel
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA) – BRAIN Institute I: Brain Structure-Function Relationships: Decoding the Human Brain at Systemic Levels, Research Center Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
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