Selective attention for negative information and depression in schizophrenia

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
FLAVIE A. V. WATERS ◽  
JOHANNA C. BADCOCK ◽  
MURRAY T. MAYBERY
Keyword(s):  
Selective Attention ◽  
Attentional Bias ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Task Shifting ◽  
Negative Information ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Exact Nature ◽  
Interference Control ◽  
Number Of False Alarms ◽  
Inhibitory Mechanisms

Objectives. Depression is a frequent feature of schizophrenia but the cognitive processes involved in its development and maintenance are unclear. Recent studies have shown that clinical depression is associated with faulty inhibitory mechanisms of selective attention for negative information. The current study examined whether patients with schizophrenia also have an attentional bias towards negative stimuli. The inhibitory processes of interference control and task-shifting abilities were also examined to assess whether patients would show a selective impairment.Method. Forty-three patients with schizophrenia and 24 healthy controls completed the Affective Shifting Task.Results. As a group, schizophrenia patients did not show an attentional bias for negative material. However, those patients with high levels of depression demonstrated faster latencies when negative words were the targets, and higher depression scores were found to be associated with an increasing number of false alarms for negative words when they were not the targets. The results also showed that patients had impaired interference control but intact task-shifting abilities.Conclusions. Faulty inhibitory mechanisms of selective attention for negative information are not a general feature of schizophrenia but appear to be selective to those with a depressed mood. The results highlight the need for further studies examining the exact nature of the affective dysfunction in schizophrenia and the cognitive processes supporting negative emotions.

A Frontal Account of False Alarms

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Sara B. Festini ◽  
Benjamin Katz
Keyword(s):  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Frontal Lobes ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Interference Control ◽  
Number Of False Alarms ◽  
Frontal Lobe Function

Prior research has demonstrated that the frontal lobes play a critical role in the top–down control of behavior, and damage to the frontal cortex impairs performance on tasks that require executive control (e.g., Burgess & Stuss, 2017; Stuss & Levine, 2002). Across executive functioning tasks, performance deficits are often quantified as the number of false alarms per the total number of nontarget trials. However, most studies of frontal lobe function focus on individual task performance and do not discuss commonalities of errors committed across different tasks. Here, we describe a neurocognitive account that explores the link between deficient frontal lobe function and increased false alarms across an array of experimental tasks from a variety of task domains. We review evidence for heightened false alarms following frontal deficits in episodic long-term memory tests, working memory tasks (e.g., n-back), attentional tasks (e.g., continuous performance tasks), interference control tasks (e.g., recent probes), and inhibitory control tasks (e.g., go/no-go). We examine this relationship via neuroimaging studies, lesion studies, and across age groups and pathologies that impact the pFC, and we propose 11 issues in cognitive processing that can result in false alarms. In our review, some overlapping neural regions were implicated in the regulation of false alarms. Ultimately, however, we find evidence for the fractionation and localization of certain frontal processes related to the commission of specific types of false alarms. We outline avenues for additional research that will enable further delineation of the fractionation of the frontal lobes' regulation of false alarms.

Do Children With Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Have Difficulties With Interference Control, Visuospatial Working Memory, and Selective Attention? Developmental Patterns and the Role of Severity and Persistence of DLD

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 3036-3050
Author(s):  
Elma Blom ◽  
Tessel Boerma
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Selective Attention ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Visuospatial Working Memory ◽  
Interference Control ◽  
Developmental Patterns ◽  
Search Tasks ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Many children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have weaknesses in executive functioning (EF), specifically in tasks testing interference control and working memory. It is unknown how EF develops in children with DLD, if EF abilities are related to DLD severity and persistence, and if EF weaknesses expand to selective attention. This study aimed to address these gaps. Method Data from 78 children with DLD and 39 typically developing (TD) children were collected at three times with 1-year intervals. At Time 1, the children were 5 or 6 years old. Flanker, Dot Matrix, and Sky Search tasks tested interference control, visuospatial working memory, and selective attention, respectively. DLD severity was based on children's language ability. DLD persistence was based on stability of the DLD diagnosis. Results Performance on all tasks improved in both groups. TD children outperformed children with DLD on interference control. No differences were found for visuospatial working memory and selective attention. An interference control gap between the DLD and TD groups emerged between Time 1 and Time 2. Severity and persistence of DLD were related to interference control and working memory; the impact on working memory was stronger. Selective attention was unrelated to DLD severity and persistence. Conclusions Age and DLD severity and persistence determine whether or not children with DLD show EF weaknesses. Interference control is most clearly impaired in children with DLD who are 6 years and older. Visuospatial working memory is impaired in children with severe and persistent DLD. Selective attention is spared.

scholarly journals Preparing to React: A Behavioral Study on the Interplay between Proactive and Reactive Action Inhibition

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 680
Author(s):  
Stefania C. Ficarella ◽  
Andrea Desantis ◽  
Alexandre Zénon ◽  
Boris Burle
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Motor Preparation ◽  
Proactive Inhibition ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Reactive Inhibition ◽  
Inhibitory Mechanisms ◽  
Motor Activities ◽  
Errors Analysis ◽  
Action Inhibition

Motor preparation, based on one’s goals and expectations, allows for prompt reactions to stimulations from the environment. Proactive and reactive inhibitory mechanisms modulate this preparation and interact to allow a flexible control of responses. In this study, we investigate these two control mechanisms with an ad hoc cued Go/NoGo Simon paradigm in a within-subjects design, and by measuring subliminal motor activities through electromyographic recordings. Go cues instructed participants to prepare a response and wait for target onset to execute it (Go target) or inhibit it (NoGo target). Proactive inhibition keeps the prepared response in check, hence preventing false alarms. Preparing the cue-coherent effector in advance speeded up responses, even when it turned out to be the incorrect effector and reactive inhibition was needed to perform the action with the contralateral one. These results suggest that informative cues allow for the investigation of the interaction between proactive and reactive action inhibition. Partial errors’ analysis suggests that their appearance in compatible conflict-free trials depends on cue type and prior preparatory motor activity. Motor preparation plays a key role in determining whether proactive inhibition is needed to flexibly control behavior, and it should be considered when investigating proactive/reactive inhibition.

Algorithms for detecting broadband signals with a constant level of false alarms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.F. Lozovskiy
Keyword(s):  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Signal Amplitude ◽  
Rayleigh Distribution ◽  
Training Sample ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Constant Level ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Interference Power ◽  
Number Of False Alarms ◽  
Distribution Type

The use of broadband souding signals in radars, which has become real in recent years, leads to a significant reduction in the size of resolution elements in range and, accordingly, in the size of the window in which the training sample is formed, which is used to adapt the detection threshold in signal detection algorithms with a constant level of false alarms. In existing radars, such a window would lead to huge losses. The purpose of the work was to study the most rational options for constructing detectors with a constant level of false alarms in radars with broadband sounding signals. The problem was solved for the Rayleigh distribution of the envelope of the noise and a number of non-Rayleigh laws — Weibull and the lognormal, the appearance of which is associated with a decrease in the number of reflecting elements in the resolution volume. For Rayleigh interference, an algorithm is proposed with a multi-channel in range incoherent signal amplitude storage and normalization to the larger of the two estimates of the interference power in the range segments. The detection threshold in it adapts not only to the interference power, but also to the magnitude of the «power jump» in range, which allows reducing the number of false alarms during sudden changes in the interference power – the increase in the probability of false alarms did not exceed one order of magnitude. In this algorithm, there is a certain increase in losses associated with incoherent accumulation of signals reflected from target elements, and losses can be reduced by certain increasing the size of the distance segments that make up the window. Algorithms for detecting broadband signals against interference with non-Rayleigh laws of distribution of the envelope – Weibull and lognormal, based on the addition of the algorithm for detecting signals by non-linear transformation of sample counts into counts with a Rayleigh distribution, are studied. The structure of the detection algorithm remains unchanged in practice. The options for detectors of narrowband and broadband signals are considered. It was found that, in contrast to algorithms designed for the Rayleigh distribution, these algorithms provide a stable level of false alarms regardless of the values of the parameters of non-Rayleigh interference. To reduce losses due to interference with the distribution of amplitudes according to the Rayleigh law, detectors consisting of two channels are used, in which one of the channels is tuned for interference with the Rayleigh distribution, and the other for lognormal or Weibull interference. Channels are switched according to special distribution type recognition algorithms. In such detectors, however, there is a certain increase in the probability of false alarms in a rather narrow range of non-Rayleigh interference parameters, where their distribution approaches the Rayleigh distribution. It is shown that when using broadband signals, there is a noticeable decrease in detection losses in non-Rayleigh noise due to lower detection thresholds for in range signal amplitudes incoherent storage.

An Automated Conflict-alert Function for an Air Traffic Control System

1980 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-481
Author(s):  
P. Bertolazzi ◽  
M. Lucertini
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Control System ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Major Purpose ◽  
Number Of False Alarms ◽  
Traffic Control System

The major purpose of an air traffic control system is to ensure the separation of two or more aircraft flying in the same airspace, with an efficiency that can be expressed in terms of capacity and cost. As air traffic grows in numbers it becomes necessary to reduce the workload of the controllers by relieving them of many monitoring tasks, and eventually some decision-making tasks, through computerized automation. In this context many developments tend to build up an efficient conflict-alert subsystem.The problem of conflict-alert in the air needs strategic tools, to make collision unlikely or even impossible, and tactical tools to detect impending collisions. The latter detect potentially hazardous aircraft encounters and alert the controller in time to warn the pilots (if necessary) and should obviously provide this capability with a minimal number of false alarms and no increase in workload.

scholarly journals Evaluating Earwitness Identification Procedures: The Effect of Pre-Parade Instructions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harriet M J Smith ◽  
JENS ROESER ◽  
Nikolas Pautz ◽  
Josh P Davis ◽  
Jeremy Robson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Wrongful Conviction ◽  
Voice Identification ◽  
Sequential Procedures ◽  
Testing Performance ◽  
Low Performance ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Present Standard ◽  
Identification Procedures

Voice identification parades can be unreliable, as earwitness responses are error-prone. Here we vary pre-parade instructions, testing performance across serial and sequential procedures to examine ways of reducing errors. The participants listened to a target voice and later attempted to identify it from a parade. They were either warned that the target may or may not be present (standard warning), or encouraged to consider responding ‘not present’ because of the associated risk of a wrongful conviction (strong warning). Overall accuracy was low. Performance varied according to instructions and procedure. False alarms were lower on target-absent serial parades following the strong compared to the standard warning. However, the strong warning was associated with higher false alarms on target-absent sequential parades. We discuss the cognitive processes that might drive this effect. Our novel analyses shed light on these results, highlighting the challenges of directly comparing procedures, and revealing position-related effects.

scholarly journals Emotional face recognition and EEG measures

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Mahler ◽  
Sandra Reder
Keyword(s):  
Face Recognition ◽  
Selective Attention ◽  
Frequency Band ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Stimulus Type ◽  
Face Stimulus ◽  
Emotional Stimuli ◽  
Relevant Stimulus ◽  
Band Power ◽  
Emotional Face

Twenty one adults looked at emotional (sad, happy, fearful) or neutral faces. EEG measures showed that emotional significance of face (stimulus type) modulated the amplitude of EEG, especially for theta and delta frequency band power. Also, emotional discrimination by theta was more distributed on the posterior sites of the scalp for the emotional stimuli. Thus, this frequency band variation could represent a complex set of cognitive processes whereby selective attention becomes focused on an emotional-relevant stimulus.

scholarly journals Coupling ensemble weather predictions based on TIGGE database with Grid-Xinanjiang model for flood forecast

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 61-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.-J. Bao ◽  
L.-N. Zhao ◽  
Y. He ◽  
Z.-J. Li ◽  
F. Wetterhall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Grid Cell ◽  
Flood Forecasting ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Flood Forecast ◽  
Distributed Hydrological Model ◽  
Xinanjiang Model ◽  
Numerical Weather ◽  
Number Of False Alarms ◽  
Promising Tool

Abstract. The incorporation of numerical weather predictions (NWP) into a flood forecasting system can increase forecast lead times from a few hours to a few days. A single NWP forecast from a single forecast centre, however, is insufficient as it involves considerable non-predictable uncertainties and lead to a high number of false alarms. The availability of global ensemble numerical weather prediction systems through the THORPEX Interactive Grand Global Ensemble' (TIGGE) offers a new opportunity for flood forecast. The Grid-Xinanjiang distributed hydrological model, which is based on the Xinanjiang model theory and the topographical information of each grid cell extracted from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), is coupled with ensemble weather predictions based on the TIGGE database (CMC, CMA, ECWMF, UKMO, NCEP) for flood forecast. This paper presents a case study using the coupled flood forecasting model on the Xixian catchment (a drainage area of 8826 km2) located in Henan province, China. A probabilistic discharge is provided as the end product of flood forecast. Results show that the association of the Grid-Xinanjiang model and the TIGGE database gives a promising tool for an early warning of flood events several days ahead.

scholarly journals Determination of level and time thresholds for detectors with normalized indicator process

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
С.Б. Егоров ◽  
Р.И. Горбачев
Keyword(s):  
False Alarm ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Probability Model ◽  
False Alarm Probability ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Number Of False Alarms ◽  
Time Threshold ◽  
Selection Threshold

«Выбросовая» вероятностная модель работы обнаружителя в режиме ожидания сигнала, предложенная авторами в [1], использована для оценки влияния селекции выбросов по длительности на вероятность ложной тревоги. Флюктуационные выбросы помехового индикаторного процесса, превысившие пороги селекции по уровню и длительности, трактуются как редкие события на интервале ожидания сигнала, подчиняющиеся вероятностному закону Пуассона. При условии, что средний период следования ложных выбросов превышает интервал корреляции индикаторного процесса, получено соотношение между средним числом выбросов любой длительности и средним числом выбросов, превысивших пороговую длительность. На основании известных числовых и вероятностных характеристик выбросов нормального стационарного случайного процесса получен уравнения, связывающие относительные пороги селекции по уровню и длительности с вероятностью ложной тревоги на интервале ожидания сигнала. Предложена методика определения порога селекции по длительности для снижения порога селекции по уровню до заданной величины. «Emissional» probability model of the detector in stand-by mode proposed by the authors in [1], is intended for estimation of false alarm rate dependence from the value of time-selection threshold. Fluctuation emissions of the noise indicator process are interpreted as rare events correspond to Poisson distribution. Assuming that average rate of false alarms exceeds the correlation interval of indicator process, obtained equation between average number of false alarms of any duration and average number of false alarms exceed the time threshold. Based on known numerical and statistical characteristics of emissions of normal stationary random process obtained equations, relating time and level thresholds with false alarm probability on stand-by mode time interval. Also suggested a method of determining time threshold intended to reduce level threshold.

Method for oil balance control under quasi-stationary modes of operation of an oil pipeline section with free flow

2021 ◽  
pp. 40-45
Author(s):  
Рустам Зайтунович Сунагатуллин ◽  
Антон Михайлович Чионов ◽  
Семен Васильевич Петренко
Keyword(s):  
Balance Control ◽  
Operation Mode ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Free Flow ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Oil Pipeline ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Pipeline Section ◽  
Number Of False Alarms ◽  
Oil Flow

Автоматизированные системы управления используются в нефтепроводном транспорте с целью автоматизации технологических процессов транспортировки нефти и нефтепродуктов, при этом основной задачей является обеспечение надежности и безопасности перекачки, что невозможно без контроля целостности трубопровода. В связи с этим актуальной остается тема обнаружения утечек, требуют продолжения исследования в области повышения надежности автоматизированных систем обнаружения утечек (СОУ). При эксплуатации СОУ особую важность представляет описание процессов заполнения и опорожнения участков трубопровода с безнапорным течением. Скорость установления стационарного режима работы таких участков и участков с полным сечением существенно отличается. Слабые возмущения давления могут приводить к значительному дебалансу расхода нефти и, как следствие, вызывать ложные срабатывания СОУ. Авторами представлен алгоритм вычисления скорости изменения запаса нефти на участке трубопровода при медленном изменении размера самотечной полости, на основании которого предложен способ корректировки уравнения баланса вещества. Показано использование разработанного алгоритма для повышения чувствительности СОУ и уменьшения количества ложных срабатываний. During the operation of leak detection systems (LDS), it is of great importance to describe the processes of filling and emptying pipeline free flow sections. The speed of establishing a stationary operation mode of such sections and full sections is significantly different. Weak pressure perturbations can lead to significant imbalance in the oil flow rate and, as a consequence, cause false LDS positives. The authors present an algorithm for calculating rate of change in oil reserve in the pipeline section with a slow change in the size of gravity cavity, on the basis of which a method for adjusting the substance balance equation is proposed. The use of a developed algorithm is shown to increase the sensitivity of LDS and reduce the number of false alarms.

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