EEG-based mental workload neurometric to evaluate the impact of different traffic and road conditions in real driving settings

Car driving is considered a very complex activity, consisting of different concomitant tasks and subtasks, thus it is crucial to understand the impact of different factors, such as road complexity, traffic, dashboard devices, and external events on the driver’s behavior and performance. For this reason, in particular situations the cognitive demand experienced by the driver could be very high, inducing an excessive experienced mental workload and consequently an increasing of error commission probability. In this regard, it has been demonstrated that human error is the main cause of the 57% of road accidents and a contributing factor in most of them. In this study, 20 young subjects have been involved in a real driving experiment, performed under different traffic conditions (rush hour and not) and along different road types (main and secondary streets). Moreover, during the driving tasks different specific events, in particular a pedestrian crossing the road and a car entering the traffic flow just ahead of the experimental subject, have been acted. A Workload Index based on the Electroencephalographic (EEG), i.e., brain activity, of the drivers has been employed to investigate the impact of the different factors on the driver’s workload. Eye-Tracking (ET) technology and subjective measures have also been employed in order to have a comprehensive overview of the driver’s perceived workload and to investigate the different insights obtainable from the employed methodologies. The employment of such EEG-based Workload index confirmed the significant impact of both traffic and road types on the drivers’ behavior (increasing their workload), with the advantage of being under real settings. Also, it allowed to highlight the increased workload related to external events while driving, in particular with a significant effect during those situations when the traffic was low. Finally, the comparison between methodologies revealed the higher sensitivity of neurophysiological measures with respect to ET and subjective ones. In conclusion, such an EEG-based Workload index would allow to assess objectively the mental workload experienced by the driver, standing out as a powerful tool for research aimed to investigate drivers’ behavior and providing additional and complementary insights with respect to traditional methodologies employed within road safety research

Integrating multimodal Raman and photoluminescence microscopy with enhanced insights through multivariate analysis

This paper introduces a novel multimodal optical microscope, integrating Raman and laser-induced photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy for the analysis of micro-samples relevant in Heritage Science. Micro-samples extracted from artworks, such as paintings, exhibit intricate material compositions characterized by high complexity and spatial heterogeneity, featuring multiple layers of paint that may be also affected by degradation phenomena. Employing a multimodal strategy becomes imperative for a comprehensive understanding of their material composition and condition. The effectiveness of the proposed setup derives from synergistically harnessing the distinct strengths of Raman and laser-induced PL spectroscopy. The capacity to identify various chemical species through the latter technique is enhanced by using multiple excitation wavelengths and two distinct excitation fluence regimes. The combination of the two complementary techniques allows the setup to effectively achieve comprehensive chemical mapping of sample through a raster scanning approach. To attain a competitive overall measurement time, we employ a short integration time for each measurement point. We further propose an analysis protocol rooted in a multivariate approach. Specifically, we employ non-negative matrix factorization as the spectral decomposition method. This enables the identification of spectral endmembers, effectively correlated with specific chemical compounds present in samples. To demonstrate its efficacy in Heritage Science, we present examples involving pigment powder dispersions and stratigraphic micro-samples from paintings. Through these examples, we show how the multimodal approach reinforces material identification and, more importantly, facilitates the extraction of complementary information. This is pivotal as the two optical techniques exhibit sensitivity to different materials. Looking ahead, our method holds potential applications in diverse research fields, including material science and biology

EEG-based cognitive control behaviour assessment: an ecological study with professional air traffic controllers

Several models defining different types of cognitive human behaviour are available. For this work, we have selected the Skill, Rule and Knowledge (SRK) model proposed by Rasmussen in 1983. This model is currently broadly used in safety critical domains, such as the aviation. Nowadays, there are no tools able to assess at which level of cognitive control the operator is dealing with the considered task, that is if he/she is performing the task as an automated routine (skill level), as procedures-based activity (rule level), or as a problem-solving process (knowledge level). Several studies tried to model the SRK behaviours from a Human Factor perspective. Despite such studies, there are no evidences in which such behaviours have been evaluated from a neurophysiological point of view, for example, by considering brain activity variations across the different SRK levels. Therefore, the proposed study aimed to investigate the use of neurophysiological signals to assess the cognitive control behaviours accordingly to the SRK taxonomy. The results of the study, performed on 37 professional Air Traffic Controllers, demonstrated that specific brain features could characterize and discriminate the different SRK levels, therefore enabling an objective assessment of the degree of cognitive control behaviours in realistic setting

Full-aperture extended-depth oblique plane microscopy through dynamic remote focusing

Oblique plane microscopy is a method enabling light-sheet fluorescence imaging through a single microscope objective lens by focusing on a tilted plane within the sample. To focus the fluorescence emitted by the oblique plane on a camera, the light is imaged through a pair of remote objective lenses, facing each other at an angle. The aperture mismatch resulting from this configuration limits the effective numerical aperture of the system, reducing image resolution and signal intensity. This manuscript introduces an alternative method to capture the oblique plane on the camera. Instead of relying on angled objective lenses, an electrically tunable lens is employed. This lens adjusts the focal plane of the microscope synchronously with the rolling shutter of a scientific CMOS camera. In this configuration the entire aperture of the objective is effectively employed, increasing the resolution of the system. Moreover, a variety of objective lenses can be employed, enabling the acquisition of wider axial fields of view compared to conventional oblique plane microscopy

Full-aperture extended-depth oblique plane microscopy through dynamic remote focusing

Significance: The reprojection setup typical of oblique plane microscopy (OPM) limits the effective aperture of the imaging system, and therefore its efficiency and resolution. Large aperture system is only possible through the use of custom specialized optics. A full-aperture OPM made with off the shelf components would both improve the performance of the method and encourage its widespread adoption. Aim: To prove the feasibility of an OPM without a conventional reprojection setup, retaining the full aperture of the primary objective employed. Approach: A deformable lens based remote focusing setup synchronized with the rolling shutter of a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor detector is used instead of a traditional reprojection system. Results: The system was tested on microbeads, prepared slides, and zebrafish embryos. Resolution and pixel throughput were superior to conventional OPM with cropped apertures, and comparable with OPM implementations with custom made optical components. Conclusions: An easily reproducible approach to OPM imaging is presented, eliminating the conventional reprojection setup and exploiting the full aperture of the employed objective

Human Factors and Neurophysiological Metrics in Air Traffic Control: a Critical Review

International audienceThis article provides the reader a focused and organised review of the research progresses on neurophysiological indicators, also called “neurometrics”, to show how neurometrics could effectively address some of the most important Human Factors (HFs) needs in the Air Traffic Management (ATM) field. The state of the art on the most involved HFs and related cognitive processes (e.g. mental workload, cognitive training) is presented together with examples of possible applications in the current and future ATM scenarios, in order to better understand and highlight the available opportunities of such neuroscientific applications. Furthermore, the paper will discuss the potential enhancement that further research and development activities could bring to the efficiency and safety of the ATM service

Il progetto rigenerativo per edifici evolutivi ibridi. Resilienza attiva Convertibilità Valorizzazione

This paper deals with the enhancement of the project for the intervention on existing disused buildings with three sequential objectives: converting tertiary buildings to the hybrid housing function; regenerating buildings, providing them with continuous transformative capacity and making them functionally convertible; providing a housing model of temporary uage duration, according to the principle of House as a Service. Considering the temporal variable, the proposal defines criteria that guide the reconversion of buildings in relation to the dynamic needs of the different categories of users and stakeholders who are involved in the decision-making process and, through the hedonic price method, investigates the influence that the qualities attributed to the performance of the building have on the formation of their value, highlighting the perception of value and the acceptance of green performances

Fenntartható fluoros kémia = Sustainable fluorous chemistry

(1) A „zöldebb” fluoros kémia kialakítása érdekében számos trifluormetil-csoportban gazdag reagens hatékony szintézisét dolgoztuk ki, melyek könnyen hozzáférhető szerves fluorvegyületek hasznosítására és várhatóan nagyobb környezeti lebomlási készségére hívják fel a figyelmet. (2) Eljárásokat dolgoztunk ki 3-perfluoralkil-propanol és 3-perfluoralkil-propén típusú intermedierek előállítására, illetve a köztitermékként megjelenő ún. jódhidrinek sokoldalú preparatív átalakítására. (3) Új típusú fluoros ionos folyadékokat, imidazólium-sókat és más intermediereket állítottunk elő. (4) Orosz fejlesztésű kompozit anyagokat (FUKM, FUKM-M és FUKM-MT) kémiai reagensként, illetve átmenetifém katalizátor (Pd/FUKM) hordozóként alkalmaztunk. (5) Tanulmányoztuk a Hiyama- és a Heck-kapcsolási reakciók mechanizmusát és szintetikus alkalmazhatóságát. (6) CF3I reagnest S-alkilezőszerként alkalmaztuk (7) Prof. Bühlmann al együttműködve fluoros ionofórokat és elektrokémiai szenzorokat készítettünk. (8) Azonosítottuk egy új potenciális fluorátvivő reagens molekulaszerkezeti feltételeit, melynek segítségével lehetőségünk nyílik a fluoros kémiából (fluortartalmú modulok) a fluorkémiába (szén-fluor kötesek kialakítása) átlépnünk. Ez lehetőséget ad a gyógyszerkémia számára fontos egy, kettő, vagy három fluoratomot tartalmazó vegyületek hatékony előállításához. Több közlemény csak a kövtekező évben fog megjelenni, kérem az értékelésnél ezt vegyék figyelembe. | (1) For Greener Fluorous Chemistry we developed the synthesis of several reagents from easily accessible precursor, reach in CF3-goups, which expected to have less impact and shorter environmental half-lives. (2) Novel methods for the synthesis of 3-perfluoroalkyl-propanols and –propenes were disclosed along with the uses of their synthetic intermediates. (3) New types of fluorous ionic liquids were synthesised based on imidazolium-salts. (4) Carbon-fluorinated carbon composite materials of Russian origin were applied as chemical reagents and transition metal catalyst support material (e.g. Pd/FUKM) . (5) Hiyama- and Heck-reactions with fluorous substrates were studied for a synthetic and mechanistic point of view. (6) Trifluoroiodomethane was used for improved S-alkylating processes. (7) Fluorous ionophores and electrochemical sensors were designed for the first time in co-operation with Prof. Bühlmann. (8) The structural requirements for a potential new fluorine-transfer reagent were identified and a Patentable process designed. This will allow the introduction of one, two or three fluorine atoms into target pharmaceutical molecules, and allow a shift from the fluorous to the fluorine chemistry (i.e. from F-building blocks to create C-F bonds). Please consider that some more publications are expected to appear only in the next year