Measuring Neural Responses to Apparel Product Attractiveness

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Touchette ◽  
Seung-Eun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Neural Mechanism ◽  
Neural Responses ◽  
Frontal Asymmetry ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Product Attractiveness ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Apparel Product ◽  
Different Levels

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to investigate a neural mechanism of apparel product attractiveness and (b) to compare consumers’ brain responses to apparel product attractiveness with their self-reported responses. Based on Davidson’s frontal asymmetry theory, the researchers explored whether hemispheric asymmetry actually exists when consumers view apparel products with different levels of attractiveness. A total of 34 right-handed college students participated in the electroencephalography experiment. Measurements were obtained by recording the electrical activity of the left and right frontal areas of the brain while subjects were viewing apparel products. Supporting Davidson’s theory, the researchers found that a statistically significant difference of frontal asymmetry exists between attractive and unattractive apparel products. The findings of this study suggest that the frontal asymmetry score can be an alternative way to measure consumers’ unconscious responses to apparel product attractiveness.

scholarly journals The butterfly effect: amplification of local changes along the temporal processing hierarchy

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Yeshurun ◽  
M Nguyen ◽  
U. Hasson
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Processing ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Situation Model ◽  
Neural Mechanism ◽  
Neural Responses ◽  
Word Use ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
High Level ◽  
Substantial Change ◽  
The Brain

AbstractChanging just a few words in a story can induce a substantial change in the overall narrative. How does the brain accumulate and process local and sparse changes, creating a unique situation model of the story, over the course of a real-life narrative? Recently, we mapped a hierarchy of processing timescales in the brain: from early sensory areas that integrate information over 10s-100s ms, to high-order areas that integrate information over many seconds to minutes. Based on this hierarchy, we hypothesize that early sensory areas would be sensitive to local changes in word use, but that there will be increasingly divergent neural responses along the processing hierarchy as higher-order areas accumulate and amplify these local changes. To test this hypothesis, we created two structurally related but interpretively distinct narratives by changing some individual words. We found that the neural response distance between the stories was amplified as story information is transferred from low-level regions (e.g. early auditory cortex) to high-level regions (e.g precuneus and prefrontal cortex) and that the neural difference between stories is highly correlated with an area’s ability to integrate information over time. Our results suggest a neural mechanism by which two similar situations become easy to distinguish.

scholarly journals Investigating the Role of Brain Lateralization and Gender in Paranormal Beliefs

2019 ◽  
pp. 589-596
Author(s):  
Abdolvahed Narmashiri ◽  
Ahmad Sohrabi ◽  
Javad Hatami ◽  
Azita Amirfakhraei ◽  
Shaniya Haghighat
Keyword(s):  
Brain Lateralization ◽  
Left Brain ◽  
Paranormal Belief ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Paranormal Beliefs ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Brain

Introduction: Brain lateralization is associated with human behavior. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the effects of brain lateralization on the scores of paranormal beliefs. Methods: The study population included 180 students of Sanandaj universities, Sanandaj City, Iran who were selected with convenience sampling method (100 left-brained males, 6 left-brained females, 56 both left- and right-brained males and 22 both left- and right-brained females). The research tools were the paranormal belief scale developed by Blackmore (1994), as well as the brain lateralization questionnaire (1985). Results: The obtained findings suggested a significant difference between the left-brain and right-brained people in terms of paranormal beliefs. A significant difference was also found between the left-brained males and both left- and right-brained females in terms of paranormal beliefs. Conclusion: The paranormal beliefs of the left-brained cases were different from both left- and right-brained subjects, which can be seen between the left-brained males and both left- and right-brained females.

Localizing the Primary Motor Cortex of the Hand by the 10-5 and 10-20 Systems for Neurostimulation: An MRI Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 155005942093459
Author(s):  
Leandro Moura Silva ◽  
Karl Marx S. Silva ◽  
Wigínio Gabriel Lira-Bandeira ◽  
Adriana Clementino Costa-Ribeiro ◽  
Severino Aires Araújo-Neto
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cm Points ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Mri Study ◽  
The Brain

Background. The primary motor cortex of the hand (M1-Hand) is a target used in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the treatment and evaluation of motor neurological diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging–guided neuronavigation locates the M1-Hand with high precision, but at a high cost. Although less accurate, the C3/C4 points of the international 10-20 system (IS 10-20) are routinely used to locate the M1-Hand. The international 10-5 system (IS 10-5) was developed with additional points (C3h/C4h), which could make it more accurate, but has not yet been tested on the location of the M1-Hand. Objective. To analyze and compare the accuracy of C1/C2, C3h/C4h and C3/C4 points in locating the M1-Hand correspondence on the scalp. Methods. The authors comparatively analyzed the distances from points C1/C2, C3h/C4h, and C3/C4 to the correspondence of the M1-Hand on the scalp in 30 MRI head exams. Results. In most cases, the M1-Hand was located between C1-C3h and C2-C4h in the left and right hemispheres of the brain, respectively. The C3h (0.98 ± 0.49 cm) and C4h (0.98 ± 0.51 cm) points presented the shortest distances from the M1-Hand, with a significant difference when compared with C3/C4. The accuracy between C1/C2 and C3h/C4h was not statistically significant. Conclusion. The C3h/C4h and C1/C2 points were more accurate when compared with the C3 and C4 points in locating the M1-Hand correspondence on the scalp.

scholarly journals Neural timing signal for precise tactile timing judgments

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 1620-1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scinob Kuroki ◽  
Junji Watanabe ◽  
Shin'ya Nishida
Keyword(s):  
Information Source ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Neural Mechanism ◽  
Sine Wave ◽  
Judgment Task ◽  
The Other ◽  
Neural Responses ◽  
Synchrony Judgment ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Temporal Judgments

The brain can precisely encode the temporal relationship between tactile inputs. While behavioural studies have demonstrated precise interfinger temporal judgments, the underlying neural mechanism remains unknown. Computationally, two kinds of neural responses can act as the information source. One is the phase-locked response to the phase of relatively slow inputs, and the other is the response to the amplitude change of relatively fast inputs. To isolate the contributions of these components, we measured performance of a synchrony judgment task for sine wave and amplitude-modulation (AM) wave stimuli. The sine wave stimulus was a low-frequency sinusoid, with the phase shifted in the asynchronous stimulus. The AM wave stimulus was a low-frequency sinusoidal AM of a 250-Hz carrier, with only the envelope shifted in the asynchronous stimulus. In the experiment, three stimulus pairs, two synchronous ones and one asynchronous one, were sequentially presented to neighboring fingers, and participants were asked to report which one was the asynchronous pair. We found that the asynchrony of AM waves could be detected as precisely as single impulse pair, with the threshold asynchrony being ∼20 ms. On the other hand, the asynchrony of sine waves could not be detected at all in the range from 5 to 30 Hz. Our results suggest that the timing signal for tactile judgments is provided not by the stimulus phase information but by the envelope of the response of the high-frequency-sensitive Pacini channel (PC), although they do not exclude a possible contribution of the envelope of non-PCs.

scholarly journals Bilateral asymmetry of pedaling force at different levels of exercise intensity in cycle ergometer

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 264-270
Author(s):  
Lachezar G. Stefanov ◽  
Ivan Ivanov ◽  
Daniela Aleksieva
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Intensity ◽  
Asymmetry Index ◽  
T Test ◽  
Bilateral Asymmetry ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Student’S T Test

Background and Study Aim. To investigate how bilateral pedaling asymmetries change at exercises with different levels of intensity. Material and Methods. Eight students of cycling, average age 25.4 years, were investigated. In the experiment, we recorded the pedal force of the right and left legs during three consecutive exercises of different intensity 35%, 55% and 85% respectively.  To quantify the difference in physical parameters of pedaling between the left and right legs, we used two approaches that complement each other in the analysis of bilateral asymmetry. One approach involved determining an asymmetry index, and other was statistical analysis. Results. The Student's t-test indicated that the difference between the power samples for the left and right pedals decreased at 85% exercise intensity vs. 55% with a statistical significance of α = 0.05. The bilateral asymmetry in most cases decreased or in two cases remained unchanged. The cases where there was no statistically significant difference between the power samples for both legs at 85% and 55% intensity levels had the lowest asymmetry index. Conclusions. The bilateral pedaling asymmetry is reduced at 85% exercise intensity compared to the 55% one. The reduction in asymmetry index ranges from 1% to 14.1%, Combining the asymmetry index and the Student's t-test can increase the informativeness of pedaling power data when analyzing bilateral asymmetry.

scholarly journals Temporal neural mechanisms underlying conscious access to different levels of facial stimulus contents

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 1356-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shen-Mou Hsu ◽  
Yu-Fang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Face Detection ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Neural Mechanism ◽  
Stimulus Presentation ◽  
Perceptual Awareness ◽  
Facial Stimulus ◽  
Facial Identity ◽  
Stimulus Content ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Different Levels

An important issue facing the empirical study of consciousness concerns how the contents of incoming stimuli gain access to conscious processing. According to classic theories, facial stimuli are processed in a hierarchical manner. However, it remains unclear how the brain determines which level of stimulus content is consciously accessible when facing an incoming facial stimulus. Accordingly, with a magnetoencephalography technique, this study aims to investigate the temporal dynamics of the neural mechanism mediating which level of stimulus content is consciously accessible. Participants were instructed to view masked target faces at threshold so that, according to behavioral responses, their perceptual awareness alternated from consciously accessing facial identity in some trials to being able to consciously access facial configuration features but not facial identity in other trials. Conscious access at these two levels of facial contents were associated with a series of differential neural events. Before target presentation, different patterns of phase angle adjustment were observed between the two types of conscious access. This effect was followed by stronger phase clustering for awareness of facial identity immediately during stimulus presentation. After target onset, conscious access to facial identity, as opposed to facial configural features, was able to elicit more robust late positivity. In conclusion, we suggest that the stages of neural events, ranging from prestimulus to stimulus-related activities, may operate in combination to determine which level of stimulus contents is consciously accessed. Conscious access may thus be better construed as comprising various forms that depend on the level of stimulus contents accessed. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study investigates how the brain determines which level of stimulus contents is consciously accessible when facing an incoming facial stimulus. Using magnetoencephalography, we show that prestimulus activities together with stimulus-related activities may operate in combination to determine conscious face detection or identification. This finding is distinct from the previous notion that conscious face detection precedes identification and provides novel insights into the temporal dynamics of different levels of conscious face perception.

Advantages of Complementary Stereo Images as Viewed with the Low-Temperature Field-Emission SEM

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1314-1315
Author(s):  
William P. Wergin ◽  
Eric F. Erbe
Keyword(s):  
Fold Increase ◽  
Horizontal Displacement ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Stereo Image ◽  
Stereo Pair ◽  
Sem Micrograph ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Pair Analysis

The eye-brain complex allows those of us with normal vision to perceive and evaluate our surroundings in three-dimensions (3-D). The principle factor that makes this possible is parallax - the horizontal displacement of objects that results from the independent views that the left and right eyes detect and simultaneously transmit to the brain for superimposition. The common SEM micrograph is a 2-D representation of a 3-D specimen. Depriving the brain of the 3-D view can lead to erroneous conclusions about the relative sizes, positions and convergence of structures within a specimen. In addition, Walter has suggested that the stereo image contains information equivalent to a two-fold increase in magnification over that found in a 2-D image. Because of these factors, stereo pair analysis should be routinely employed when studying specimens.Imaging complementary faces of a fractured specimen is a second method by which the topography of a specimen can be more accurately evaluated.

Attitudes toward the use of TELL tools in English language learning among Vietnamese Tertiary English majors

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-596
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Guided Learning ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
English Majors ◽  
Very High ◽  
Different Levels

Technology plays a crucial role in the self-guided learning of a second language in general and English in particular. Nevertheless, many students in different contexts still ignore the application of technology-enhanced language learning (TELL) tools in enhancing their foreign language proficiency. Therefore, this study is conducted to investigate the attitudes towards the use of TELL tools in English-language learning (ELL) among English majors at one university in Vietnam. To collect data, 197 English majors participated in finishing the questionnaire, and 20 students were invited to join the interviews. The findings are that the majority of students have positive attitudes towards the use of TELL tools and the frequency of using these tools is very high. In addition, the results also reveal that there is no significant difference in attitudes towards and frequency of using TELL tools in learning English in terms of the year of study. However, students of different levels of academic achievements have different attitudes towards using TELL tools and use TELL tools to learn English differently. Received 2nd May 2019; Revised 16th July 2019, Accepted 20th October 2019

OVARIAN ASCORBIC ACID DEPLETION TEST FOR LUTEINIZING HORMONE

1967 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Jacob Koed ◽  
Christian Hamburger
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Response Curve ◽  
Dose Response Curve ◽  
Human Origin ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Different Levels

ABSTRACT Comparison of the dose-response curves for LH of ovine origin (NIH-LH-S8) and of human origin (IRP-HMG-2) using the OAAD test showed a small, though statistically significant difference, the dose-response curve for LH of human origin being a little flatter. Two standard curves for ovine LH obtained with 14 months' interval, were parallel but at different levels of ovarian ascorbic acid. When the mean ascorbic acid depletions were calculated as percentages of the control levels, the two curves for NIH-LH-S8 were identical. The use of standards of human origin in the OAAD test for LH activity of human preparations is recommended.

Consciousness

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil K. Seth
Keyword(s):  
Conscious Experience ◽  
Real Problem ◽  
Active Inference ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Biomimetic Approach ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
In Virtue Of ◽  
The Brain

Consciousness is perhaps the most familiar aspect of our existence, yet we still do not know its biological basis. This chapter outlines a biomimetic approach to consciousness science, identifying three principles linking properties of conscious experience to potential biological mechanisms. First, conscious experiences generate large quantities of information in virtue of being simultaneously integrated and differentiated. Second, the brain continuously generates predictions about the world and self, which account for the specific content of conscious scenes. Third, the conscious self depends on active inference of self-related signals at multiple levels. Research following these principles helps move from establishing correlations between brain responses and consciousness towards explanations which account for phenomenological properties—addressing what can be called the “real problem” of consciousness. The picture that emerges is one in which consciousness, mind, and life, are tightly bound together—with implications for any possible future “conscious machines.”

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