How neurophysiological measures can be used to enhance the evaluation of remote tower solutions

International audienceNew solutions in operational environments are often, among objective measurements, evaluated by using subjective assessment and judgement 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 behavioural ones could allow a holistic assessment of operational tools. In this regard, we tested the effectiveness of an 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 behavioural 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 behavioural 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

COVID-19 atypical Parsonage-Turner syndrome: a case report

Background Neurological manifestations of Sars-CoV-2 infection have been described since March 2020 and include both central and peripheral nervous system manifestations. Neurological symptoms, such as headache or persistent loss of smell and taste, have also been documented in COVID-19 long-haulers. Moreover, long lasting fatigue, mild cognitive impairment and sleep disorders appear to be frequent long term neurological manifestations after hospitalization due to COVID-19. Less is known in relation to peripheral nerve injury related to Sars-CoV-2 infection. Case presentation We report the case of a 47-year-old female presenting with a unilateral chest pain radiating to the left arm lasting for more than two months after recovery from Sars-CoV-2 infection. After referral to our post-acute outpatient service for COVID-19 long haulers, she was diagnosed with a unilateral, atypical, pure sensory brachial plexus neuritis potentially related to COVID-19, which occurred during the acute phase of a mild Sars-CoV-2 infection and persisted for months after resolution of the infection. Conclusions We presented a case of atypical Parsonage-Turner syndrome potentially triggered by Sars-CoV-2 infection, with symptoms and repercussion lasting after viral clearance. A direct involvement of the virus remains uncertain, and the physiopathology is unclear. The treatment of COVID-19 and its long-term consequences represents a relatively new challenge for clinicians and health care providers. A multidisciplinary approach to following-up COVID-19 survivors is strongly advised

Rostering in Air Traffic Control: A Narrative Review

Most Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) must cover uninterrupted work shifts for 24 h a day, seven days a week. The proper planning of a shift schedule requires consideration of at least three elements: the specific characteristics of the controller task, the physiological needs of the operator, and the definition of rest periods within rostering. We reviewed the literature for providing comprehensive guidance on the main requirements for the construction of a shift schedule for ATCOs. Our considerations are organized according to a rationale reflecting the most important criteria for the construction of the schedule: namely, the organization of rest periods conceptualized as intervals between cycles of shifts, intervals between individual shifts, and breaks within the shift. The suggested parameters could be used to construct shift schedules within a variation margin that depends on individual contexts of application

Neuroetica delle risposte deontologiche e utilitaristiche. Analisi del ruolo delle emozioni nella decisione morale indagato mediante ERPs

Introduzione. In neuroetica \ue8 emersa la convinzione che le emozioni giochino un ruolo importante nei processi decisionali che riguardano l\u2019ambito morale. Tuttavia un quesito correlato al precedente e ancora parzialmente irrisolto riguarda i correlati neurali sottesi a tale contesto decisionale. Numerose ricerche suggeriscono un contributo prioritario della corteccia prefrontale per la presa di decisione di natura morale. Obiettivo del presente contributo \ue8 costituito dall\u2019esplorazione della risposta corticale (ERPs) in contesti di decisione morale con valenza emotiva. Metodo. All\u2019esperimento hanno partecipato 25 soggetti a cui \ue8 stata presentata una batteria di dilemmi morali. Tutti i dilemmi possedevano la medesima struttura, includenti la scelta tra due alternative che rappresentano principi morali opposti: non violare le regole morali personali inducendo conseguenze negative sugli altri (scelta deontologica); violare le regole morali personali ma garantendo conseguenze positive sugli altri (scelta utilitaristica). Risultati. Dalle analisi morfologiche del tracciato EEG \ue8 emersa la presenza dell\u2019indice N200. Successivamente a tale dato \ue8 stata applicata una serie di ANOVA a misure ripetute utilizzando le variabili: area corticale (4) e lateralizzazione (2) in relazione ai due ambiti decisionali, deontologico e utilitaristico. Le analisi hanno rilevato un aumento dell\u2019attivit\ue0 elettrofisiologica nella zona frontale-destra (p <.01), sia durante le risposte di tipo deontologico che utilitaristico. Conclusioni. Sulla base di precedenti ricerche che hanno evidenziato il significato emotivo dell\u2019indice N200, \ue8 possibile supporre che entrambe le tipologie di risposte (deontologiche e utilitaristiche) comportino una risposta emotiva da parte del soggetto analoga sia sul piano qualitativo che quantitativo. Inoltre sarebbero maggiormente coinvolte le aree frontali con lateralizzazione destra

Neuroethics in a deontological and utilitarian context. An ERP analysis on the \u201cemotional effect\u201d

Research in neuroethics and neuroscience now accepts the idea that emotions play a significant role in decision-making. A main question to be answered is related to the neural correlates underlying decisions for moral task, they being potentially localized into the prefrontal cortex, as suggested by a vast amount of empirical research. We tried to demonstrate that emotional contribution is present in all our ethical choices, by using a neuropsychological measure, that is ERPs (event-related potential measures). 25 subjects students took part in the study. A battery of moral dilemmas was furnished to the subjects and they were required to express their option. All moral dilemmas have the same structure, in which a person must choose one of two alternatives that oppose two principles: not to violate our moral values (deontological option) with negative consequence for other people; and to ensure that our acts have positive consequences by violating our moral values (utilitarian option). We then proceeded with the first step of morphological analysis on ERPs, and a computerized peak detection, that revealed the presence of a N200 peak deflection. Two groups of subjects were computed based on their more consistent options (more deontological vs. utilitarian option). Different sets of ANOVA were performed for the moral dilemmas to the detected N200 peak. Its modulation was assessed with three-factors (between-subject, group 2; within-group, site 4, and lateralization 2) mixed measure ANOVA. Analysis showed an increased frontal activation in comparison with the other sites (all comparisons p <.01). Moreover, a more right side activation was observable. In previous research it was underlined the emotional significance of this ERP deflection, when subjects were required to judge the emotional value of the stimuli. We may conclude that both the deontological and the utilitarian choices include an emotional response

Neuropsychology of moral judgment and risk seeking: what in common? A new look on emotional contribution to decision-making

Neuropsychology of Moral Judgment and Risk Seeking: What in Common? A New Look on Emotional Contribution to Decision-Makin

Neuroethics in deontological and utilitarian contexts. ERP and \u201cbiofeedback\u201d analysis on emotional effect

Introduction Research in neuroethics and neuroscience now accepts the idea that emotions play a significant role in decision-making (Damasio 1994). We tried to demonstrate that emotional contribution is present in all our ethical choices, by using neuropsychological measures, that is ERPs (event-related potential measures) and autonomic correlates (SCR, PULS and BVP measures) (Balconi & Terenzi, in press). Methods 25 subjects students took part in the study. A battery of moral dilemmas was furnished to them and they were required to express their option: not to violate our moral values (deontological option) with negative consequence for other people; and to ensure that our acts have positive consequences by violating our moral values (utilitarian option). Results The computerized peak detection revealed the presence of a N200 peak deflection in both deontological and utilitarian options. In previous research it was underlined the emotional significance of this ERP deflection. Also the autonomic values did not reveal significant differences between deontological and utilitarian responses, since they both showed an increased SCR, PULS and BVP. Conclusions Thus we may conclude that the deontological and the utilitarian choices include a similar emotional response