Reading the mobile brain: from laboratory to real-world electroencephalography

It is increasingly viable to measure the brain activity of mobile users, as they go about their everyday business in their natural world environment. This is due to: (i) modern signal processing methods, (ii) lightweight and cost-effective measurement devices, and (iii) a better, albeit incomplete, understanding of how measurable brain activity relates to mental processes. Here, we address how brain activity can be measured in mobile users and how this contrasts with measurements obtained under controlled laboratory conditions. In particular, we will focus on electroencephalography (EEG) and will cover: (i) hardware and software implementation, (ii) signal processing techniques, (iii) interpretation of EEG measurements. This will consist of hands-on analyses of real EEG data and a basic theoretical introduction to how and why EEG works

European Works Councils during the financial and economic crisis: Activation, stagnation or disintegration?

The article compares changes in the European Works Councils (EWCs) at Ford and General Motors Europe during the financial and economic crisis. Previously, both were highly active and effective. Although both otherwise displayed quite different characteristics before the crisis, their reactions were quite similar. At both companies, competition and mistrust among representatives increased, resulting in a decline of integration and effectiveness. We explore the importance of personal relations as preconditions for stability and effectiveness in EWCs