Biometrics for Emotion Detection (BED): Exploring the combination of Speech and ECG

The paradigm Biometrics for Emotion Detection (BED) is introduced, which enables unobtrusive emotion recognition, taking into account varying environments. It uses the electrocardiogram (ECG) and speech, as a powerful but rarely used combination to unravel people’s emotions. BED was applied in two environments (i.e., office and home-like) in which 40 people watched 6 film scenes. It is shown that both heart rate variability (derived from the ECG) and, when people’s gender is taken into account, the standard deviation of the fundamental frequency of speech indicate people’s experienced emotions. As such, these measures validate each other. Moreover, it is found that people’s environment can indeed of influence experienced emotions. These results indicate that BED might become an important paradigm for unobtrusive emotion detection

Prerequisites for Affective Signal Processing (ASP)

Although emotions are embraced by science, their recognition has not reached a satisfying level. Through a concise overview of affect, its signals, features, and classification methods, we provide understanding for the problems encountered. Next, we identify the prerequisites for successful Affective Signal Processing: validation (e.g., mapping of constructs on signals), triangulation, a physiology-driven approach, and contributions of the signal processing community. Using these directives, a critical analysis of a real-world case is provided. This illustrates that the prerequisites can become a valuable guide for Affective Signal Processing (ASP)

Margarita Denenburg, piano

Johann Sebastian BachWolfgang Amadeus MozartClaude DebussyRobert Schuman

Biosignals as an Advanced Man-Machine Interface

As is known for centuries, humans exhibit an electrical profile. This profile is altered through various physiological processes, which can be measured through biosignals; e.g., electromyography (EMG) and electrodermal activity (EDA). These biosignals can reveal our emotions and, as such, can serve as an advanced man-machine interface (MMI) for empathic consumer products. However, such an MMI requires the correct classification of biosignals to emotion classes. This paper explores the use of EDA and three facial EMG signals to determine neutral, positive, negative, and mixed emotions, using recordings of 24 people. A range of techniques is tested, which resulted in a generic framework for automated emotion classification with up to 61.31% correct classification of the four emotion classes, without the need of personal profiles. Among various other directives for future research, the results emphasize the need for both personalized biosignal-profiles and the recording of multiple biosignals in parallel

Incorporating Driving Range Variability in Network Design for Refueling Facilities

To stimulate and facilitate the use of alternative-fuel vehicles, it is crucial to have a network of refueling or recharging stations in place that guarantees that vehicles can reach (most of) their destinations without running out of fuel. Because initial investments in these stations are restricted, it is important to choose their locations deliberately. A fast growing stream of literature therefore analyzes the problem of locating refueling or recharging stations. The models proposed in these studies assume that the driving range is fixed, although reality shows that the driving range is highly stochastic. These models thereby misrepresent the actual coverage a network of refueling stations provides to drivers. This paper introduces two problems that do take the stochastic nature of the driving range into account. We first introduce the Expected Flow Refueling Location Problem, which is to maximize the expected number of drivers who can complete their trip without running out of fuel. The Chance Constrained Flow Refueling Location Problem is to maximize the number of drivers for which the probability of running out of fuel is below a certain threshold. We prove the problems to be strongly NP-hard, propose novel mixed-integer programming formulations for these problems, and show how these models can be extended to the case that the driving range varies during a trip. Furthermore, we extensively analyze and compare our models using randomly generated problem instances and a real life case study about the Florida state highway network. Our results show that taking the stochastic nature of the driving range into account can substantially improve the network coverage, that optimal solutions are highly robust with respect to data impreciseness, and that the potential gains of stochastic models heavily depend on the driving range distribution. Based on the results, we discuss policy implications

Prerequisites for Affective Signal Processing (ASP) - Part III

This is the third part in a series on prerequisites for affective signal processing (ASP). So far, six prerequisites were identified: validation (e.g., mapping of constructs on signals), triangulation, a physiology-driven approach, and contributions of the signal processing community (van den Broek et al., 2009) and identification of users and theoretical specification (van den Broek et al., 2010). Here, two additional prerequisites are identified: integration of biosignals, and physical characteristics

Профессиональная направленность при обучении английскому языку студентов неязыковых специальностей

Предметом статьи является эффективность использования новой технологии при обучении и изучении английского языка с профессиональной направленностью.Предметом статті є ефективність використання нової технології під час навчання та вивчення англійської мови з професійною направленістю.Subject of the article is the effectiveness of using the new technology when teaching and studying English language for specific purposes

Prerequisites for Affective Signal Processing (ASP) - Part V: A response to comments and suggestions

In four papers, a set of eleven prerequisites for affective signal processing (ASP) were identified (van den Broek et al., 2010): validation, triangulation, a physiology-driven approach, contributions of the signal processing community, identification of users, theoretical specification, integration of biosignals, physical characteristics, historical perspective, temporal construction, and real-world baselines. Additionally, a review (in two parts) of affective computing was provided. Initiated by the reactions on these four papers, we now present: i) an extension of the review, ii) a post-hoc analysis based on the eleven prerequisites of Picard et al.(2001), and iii) a more detailed discussion and illustrations of temporal aspects with ASP

Бизнес-планирование во внешнеэкономической деятельности (ВЭД) предприятия, как инструмент качества корпоративного управления

In vitro models, including the widely used PC12 cell line, can increase insight into cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative processes. An important determinant for the vulnerability of cells for chemical insults may be the endogenous level of oxidative stress. To test this hypothesis, we induced different degrees of cellular stress in PC12 cells by altering their ROS production using dexamethasone, l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) and iron. These different PC12 models were subsequently used to investigate whether the degree of cellular stress could increase their susceptibility to environmental pollutants. The characteristics of these stressed PC12 cell subtypes and their vulnerability to the reference pesticide rotenone were investigated using a combination of biochemical (oxidative stress, cell viability, and α-synuclein expression) and functional (fluorescent calcium imaging) assays. Our combined data demonstrate that chemically-induced stress in PC12 cells increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alters calcium homeostasis and α-synuclein expression. Moreover, l-DOPA and FeSO4 pre-treated PC12 cells show increased vulnerability to rotenone-induced cytotoxicity. These chemically-stressed cell models may therefore prove valuable to investigate how increased cellular stress influences neurotoxic outcome, for example in case of mixture toxicity

Natuurakkers in het Buytenland : bedrijfsconcepten voor het samengaan van natuur en akkerbouw

In de Albrandswaard wordt de komende jaren door de provincie Zuid-Holland een natuur- en recreatiegebied van ongeveer 600 ha in omvang ontwikkeld, getiteld 'Landschapspark Buytenland'. Dit in het kader van de PKB Mainport ontwikkeling Rotterdam. De provincie Zuid-Holland heeft nu aan LEI, Alterra en CLM gevraagd om enkele bedrijfsconcepten te ontwikkelen voor 'natuurakkers'. Het gaat hierbij om de concepten voor het samengaan van akkerbouw en natuur onder regie van de akkerbouwer. Deze studie geeft inzicht in de wijze waarop natuurakkers in het Landschapspark Buytenland kunnen worden vormgegeven als levensvatbaar bedrijf (zowel bedrijfseconomisch, ruimtelijk als organisatorisch). De studie dient ook als bouwsteen voor de discussie met landbouwers en andere omgevingspartijen voor de concrete invulling van de natuurakkers. De volgende concepten staan centraal: Natuurproductiebedrijf De Molenpolder; Boeren voor natuur; Coöperatief natuurbedrijf De Graanschuu