Mental processing comparison between past and future employing a novel EEG analysis based on radiated EM field estimation

Background: The inverse problem solution in the field of ElectroEncephaloGraphy (EEG) analysis has been addressed in the scientific literature for many decades, utilizing either mathematical techniques for measurement fitting or pure ElectroMagnetic (EM) methods involving complex head models for the prediction of the near field. New method: A novel radiated EM field estimation analysis scheme is proposed for EEG analysis, based on the determination of a grid of equivalent distributed EM sources with equal magnetic moments, in order to compute the extrapolated far field. A Pattern Search approach is adopted to minimize the Mean Absolute Relative Error between the EM near field created by the source grid and the EM field extracted by the measurements. Results: The application of the method on a subject's brain activity recordings in the context of “Protagoras” mental-auditory experiment demonstrates the capability of the proposed scheme to compare the subject's concentration differences between the limit of present and past versus the limit of present and future. Comparison with existing methods: The proposed method combines features from different existing methods, both in terms of mathematical and EM theory techniques, in order to extend their capabilities and transform the conventional analysis of EEG recordings to a far field radiation basis. Conclusions: The treatment of the brain as an equivalent far field radiator can be a useful and promising new perspective to the established analysis of EEG recordings arising from brain activity during mental processing. © 2018 Elsevier B.V

Corruption fights back:Localizing transparency and EITI in the Nigerian “penkelemes”

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.This study explores how the global transparency norm is localized in the Nigerian extractive industry. Transparency is theorised as a process which can be analysed in terms of rules, interactions, power games and context. Nigeria is conceptualized as a ‘penkelemes’ – a concept which denotes how traditions, norms and practices are intertwined with a system of corruption, kinship and patronage networks. Three main insights emerge. First, the complex motives and ability of local actors to balance demands for transparency from the international community with participation in the corrupt local political system determines which international norms they adopt. Second, the struggle for power over the transparency process determines the local understanding of transparency. Third, the link between transparency and corruption is paradoxical. Corruption conditions the enactment of transparency but even this corrupted transparency is useful in fighting corruption. Thus, transparency becomes part of the problem as well as part of the solution