scholarly journals Cardiac-Activity Measures for Assessing Airport Ramp-Tower Controller’s Workload

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-75
Author(s):  
Miwa Hayashi ◽  
Victoria L. Dulchinos
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Measurement Capability ◽  
Human In The Loop ◽  
Activity Measures

Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) potentially offer objective, continuous, and non-intrusive measures of human-operator’s mental workload. Such measurement capability is attractive for workload assessment in complex laboratory simulations or safety-critical field testing. The present study compares mean HR and HRV data with self-reported subjective workload ratings collected during a high-fidelity human-in-the-loop simulation of airport ramp traffic control operations, which involve complex cognitive and coordination tasks. Mean HR was found to be weakly sensitive to the workload ratings, while HRV was not sensitive or even contradictory to the assumptions. Until more knowledge on stress response mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system is obtained, it is recommended that these cardiac-activity measures be used with other workload assessment tools, such as subjective measures.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular Biomarkers’ Inherent Timescales in Mental Workload Assessment During Simulated Air Traffic Control Tasks

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Radüntz ◽  
Thorsten Mühlhausen ◽  
Marion Freyer ◽  
Norbert Fürstenau ◽  
Beate Meffert
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Frequency Domain ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Time Slot ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Band Ratio ◽  
Cardiovascular Biomarkers

Abstract One central topic in ergonomics and human-factors research is the assessment of mental workload. Heart rate and heart rate variability are common for registering mental workload. However, a major problem of workload assessment is the dissociation among different workload measures. One potential reason could be the disregard of their inherent timescales and the interrelation between participants’ individual differences and timescales. The aim of our study was to determine if different cardiovascular biomarkers exhibit different timescales. We focused on air traffic controller and investigated biomarkers’ ability to distinguish between conditions with different load levels connected to prior work experience and different time slots. During an interactive real-time simulation, we varied the load situations with two independent variables: the traffic volume and the occurrence of a priority-flight request. Dependent variables for registering mental workload were the heart rate and heart rate variability from two time slots. Our results show that all cardiovascular biomarkers were sensitive to workload differences with different inherent timescales. The heart rate responded sooner than the heart rate variability features from the frequency domain and it was most indicative during the time slot immediately after the priority-flight request. The heart rate variability parameters from the frequency domain responded with latency and were most indicative during the subsequent time slot. Furthermore, by consideration of biomarkers’ inherent timescales, we were able to assess a significant effect of work experience on heart rate and mid/high frequency-band ratio of the heart rate variability. Results indicated that different cardiovascular biomarkers reveal different inherent timescales.

scholarly journals Power law model for subjective mental workload and validation through air traffic control human-in-the-loop simulation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Fürstenau ◽  
Thea Radüntz
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Flow ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic Control ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Task Load ◽  
Human In The Loop ◽  
Power Law Exponent

AbstractWe provide evidence for a power law relationship between the subjective one-dimensional Instantaneous Self Assessment workload measure (five-level ISA-WL scale) and the radio communication of air traffic controllers (ATCOs) as an objective task load variable. It corresponds to Stevens’ classical psychophysics relationship between physical stimulus and subjective response, with characteristic power law exponent γ of the order of 1. The theoretical model was validated in a human-in-the loop air traffic control simulation experiment with traffic flow as environmental stimulus that correlates positively with ATCOs frequency and duration of radio calls (task load, RC-TL) and their reported ISA-WL. The theoretical predictions together with nonlinear regression-based model parameter estimates expand previously published results that quantified the formal logistic relationship between the subjective ISA measure and simulated air traffic flow (Fürstenau et al. in Theor Issues Ergon Sci 21(6): 684–708, 2020). The present analysis refers to a psychophysics approach to mental workload suggested by (Gopher and Braune in Hum Factors 26(5): 519–532, 1984) that was recently used by (Bachelder and Godfroy-Cooper in Pilot workload esimation: synthesis of spectral requirements analysis and Weber's law, SCL Tech, San Diego, 2019) for pilot workload estimation, with a corresponding power law exponent in the typical range of Stevens’ exponents. Based on the hypothesis of cognitive resource limitation, we derived the power law by combination of the two logistic models for ISA-WL and communication TL characteristics, respectively. Despite large inter-individual variance, the theoretically predicted logistic and power law parameter values exhibit surprisingly close agreement with the regression-based estimates (for averages across participants). Significant differences between logistic ISA-WL and RC-TL scaling parameters and the corresponding Stevens exponents as ratio of these parameters quantify the TL/WL dissociation with regard to traffic flow. The sensitivity with regard to work conditions of the logistic WL-scaling parameter as well as the power law exponent was revealed by traffic scenarios with a non-nominal event: WL sensitivity increased significantly for traffic flow larger than a critical value. Initial analysis of a simultaneously measured new neurophysiological (EEG) load index (dual frequency head maps, DFHM, (Radüntz in Front Physiol 8: 1–15, 2017)) provided evidence for the power law to be applicable to the DFHM load measure as well.

Human-in-the-Loop Simulation Experiment of Integrated Arrival/Departure Control Services For NextGen Operational Improvement

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sehchang Hah ◽  
Ben Willems ◽  
Gary Mueller ◽  
Daniel R. Johnson ◽  
Kenneth Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Simulation Experiment ◽  
Federal Aviation Administration ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
National Airspace System ◽  
Subjective Data ◽  
Control Center ◽  
Human In The Loop ◽  
Operational Improvement

The National Airspace System suffers from a reduction in airport throughput or even closure when weather or traffic volume constrains arrival or departure gates to and from the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities. To alleviate this, the Federal Aviation Administration introduced the Integrated Arrival and Departure Control Services (IADCS) concept that would extend terminal separations and procedures to the adjacent Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) sectors for more flexible traffic. It proposes the use of resectorization, bidirectional gates, bidirectional routes, and Air Traffic Control assigned routes. We evaluated them in the human-in-the-loop high-fidelity experiment and collected objective and subjective data. Our results clearly showed that all IADCS procedures except the vertically separated/bidirectional gate procedure were more effective than the Baseline condition that controllers currently use in the field. We conjecture the vertically separated/bidirectional gate procedure requires more complex perceptual and cognitive processes than the other procedures.

DEVELOPMENT OF A DEVICE FOR CONTROL OF THE STATE OF THE ORGANISM BASED ON PHOTOPLETISMOGRAPHY USING TECHNOLOGIES OF DIGITAL ADAPTIVE FILTRATION

2020 ◽  
pp. 100-107
Author(s):  
Алексей Дмитриевич Акишин ◽  
Иван Павлович Семчук ◽  
Александр Петрович Николаев
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Adaptive Filtering ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Optimal Algorithm ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Motion Artifacts ◽  
The Body ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages

Постоянно растущий интерес к разработке новых неинвазивных и безманжетных методов измерения параметров сердечной деятельности, использование которых давало бы возможность непрерывного и удаленного контроля сердечно-сосудистой системы, обуславливает актуальность данной работы. В многочисленных публикациях продолжаются обсуждения преимуществ и недостатков различных методов ранней диагностики сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний. Однако артефакты движения являются сильной помехой, мешающей точной оценке показателей функционирования сердечно-сосудистой системы. Одним из перспективных методов контроля является метод оценки физиологических параметров с использованием фотоплетизмографии. Данная статья посвящена разработке устройства для фотоплетизмографических исследований и алгоритмических методов обработки регистрируемых сигналов для обеспечения мониторинга сердечного ритма с заданной точностью. В работе используются технологии цифровой адаптивной фильтрации полученных сигналов для мониторинга сердечного ритма в условиях внешних механических и электрических помеховых воздействий, ухудшающих точностные характеристики системы, а также разработана архитектура системы и изготовлен макет устройства, который позволил провести измерения для определения оптимального алгоритма цифровой обработки сигналов. При использовании устройства применялись методы адаптивной фильтрации на основе фильтров Винера, фильтров на основе метода наименьших квадратов и Калмановской фильтрации. Разработанное устройство для фотоплетизмографических исследований обеспечило возможность мониторинга сердечного ритма с заданной точностью, контроля текущего состояния организма и может быть использовано в качестве средства диагностики заболеваний сердца The constantly growing interest in the development of new non-invasive and cuff-free methods for measuring the parameters of cardiac activity, the use of which would give the possibility of continuous and remote monitoring of the cardiovascular system, determines the relevance of this work. Numerous publications continue to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. However, motion artifacts are a strong hindrance to the accurate assessment of the performance of the cardiovascular system. One of the promising control methods is the method for assessing physiological parameters using photoplethysmography. This article is devoted to the development of a device for photoplethysmographic studies and algorithmic methods for processing recorded signals to ensure monitoring of the heart rate with a given accuracy. The work uses technologies of digital adaptive filtering of the received signals to monitor the heart rate in conditions of external mechanical and electrical interference, which worsen the accuracy characteristics of the system, as well as the architecture of the system and a prototype of the device, which made it possible to carry out measurements to determine the optimal algorithm for digital signal processing. When using the device, the methods of adaptive filtering based on Wiener filters, filters based on the least squares method and Kalman filtering were used. The developed device for photoplethysmographic studies provided the ability to monitor the heart rate with a given accuracy, control the current state of the body and can be used as a means of diagnosing heart diseases

scholarly journals Changes of Heart Rate and Lipid Composition in Mytilus Edulis and Modiolus Modiolus Caused by Crude Oil Pollution and Low Salinity Effects

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-60
Author(s):  
Igor Bakhmet ◽  
Natalia Fokina ◽  
Tatiana Ruokolainen
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Mytilus Edulis ◽  
Lipid Composition ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Blue Mussels ◽  
Low Salinity ◽  
Crude Oil Pollution ◽  
Modiolus Modiolus

Blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, inhabiting tidal zones, are naturally exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions (e.g., fluctuations in temperature and salinities), while horse mussels, Modiolus modiolus, live under relatively invariable shelf water conditions. The present investigation tested the hypothesis: blue mussels, in comparison to horse mussels, have an increased ability to tolerate the stress of pollution combined with low salinity. To assess the response of blue mussels and horse mussels to oil pollution at seawater salinities of 25 psu (normal) and 15 psu (low), we used a combination of heart rate and lipid composition as physiological and biochemical indicators, respectively. A sharp decrease in heart rate as well as important fluctuations in cardiac activity was observed under all oil concentrations. Modifications in the concentrations of the main membrane lipid classes (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cholesterol) and storage lipids (primarily triacylglycerols) in response to different crude oil concentrations were time- and dose-dependent. Both chosen indicators showed a high sensitivity to crude oil contamination. Furthermore, both bivalve species showed similar responses to oil pollution, suggesting a universal mechanism for biochemical adaptation to crude oil pollution.

scholarly journals Heart Rate Variability Analyses in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 959
Author(s):  
Konstantin G. Heimrich ◽  
Thomas Lehmann ◽  
Peter Schlattmann ◽  
Tino Prell
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Heart Rate Variability Analysis ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Variability Analysis ◽  
Parasympathetic Regulation

Recent evidence suggests that the vagus nerve and autonomic dysfunction play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Using heart rate variability analysis, the autonomic modulation of cardiac activity can be investigated. This meta-analysis aims to assess if analysis of heart rate variability may indicate decreased parasympathetic tone in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central databases were searched on 31 December 2020. Studies were included if they: (1) were published in English, (2) analyzed idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and healthy adult controls, and (3) reported at least one frequency- or time-domain heart rate variability analysis parameter, which represents parasympathetic regulation. We included 47 studies with 2772 subjects. Random-effects meta-analyses revealed significantly decreased effect sizes in Parkinson patients for the high-frequency spectral component (HFms2) and the short-term measurement of the root mean square of successive normal-to-normal interval differences (RMSSD). However, heterogeneity was high, and there was evidence for publication bias regarding HFms2. There is some evidence that a more advanced disease leads to an impaired parasympathetic regulation. In conclusion, short-term measurement of RMSSD is a reliable parameter to assess parasympathetically impaired cardiac modulation in Parkinson patients. The measurement should be performed with a predefined respiratory rate.

scholarly journals The importance of highly effective lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin in the normalization of the autonomic regulation of heart rate in patients with STEMI

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Barmenkova ◽  
E Dushina ◽  
N Burko ◽  
V Oleinikov
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Autonomic Regulation ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Lipid Lowering Therapy ◽  
Lowering Therapy ◽  
Target Values ◽  
Highly Effective

Abstract Purpose To assess the importance of highly effective lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin in the normalization of the autonomic regulation of cardiac activity in patients with myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation (STEMI). Methods The study included 130 patients with STEMI aged 51.3±8.9 years, the majority of males (91%). Inclusion criteria: age from 35 to 70 years, STEMI confirmed by ECG and the level of biomarkers (troponin I, CK-MB), the presence of hemodynamically significant stenosis of a culprit artery according to coronary angiography provided that other coronary arteries are occluded no more than 50%, left main coronary artery - not more than 30%. Exclusion criteria: a history of myocardial infarction, CHF III-IV NYHA, bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation, artificial pacemaker. All patients took atorvastatin at a dose of 40–80 mg/day for 48 weeks after STEMI. As part of a further study at the 7th-9th day and 48 weeks after STEMI, 24-hour ECG monitoring was performed with the Astrocard system. The spectral parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) were evaluated: TotP (ms2), ULF (ms2), VLF (ms2), LF (ms2), HF (ms2), LF / HF. By the 48th week of treatment, patients were divided into groups depending on the achievement of the target level of low density lipoproteins (LDL) of less than 1.4 mmol / l or less than 50% of the initial values: 64 people who reached target values of LDL and formed the group of high-effective lipid-lowering therapy “H”, the group of low effective treatment “L” included 66 patients whose LDL did not meet the recommended level. The groups were matched by gender, age, and anthropometric data. Results In the “H” group, by the 48th week, a pronounced power amplification of all spectral components was obtained. The TotP parameter increased from 13021 (95% CI 10967; 15076) ms2 to 20988 (95% CI 17617; 24358) ms2 (p=0.0001); HF - from 164 (95% CI 105; 222) ms2 to 249 (95% CI 178; 321) ms2 (p=0.003). An increase in the low-frequency components of HRV was observed: an increase in ULF from 10695 (95% CI 8985; 12406) ms2 to 20401 (95% CI 15099; 25703) ms2 (p=0.0001), VLF - from 1473 (95% CI 1212; 1734) ms2 to 1734 (95% CI 1478; 1990) ms2 (p=0.01), LF - from 761 (95% CI 573; 949) ms2 to 909 (95% CI 736; 1082) ms2 (p=0.02). Against the background of an increase in all parameters of the frequency spectrum, the sympathovagal balance coefficient LF / HF decreased from 6.6 (95% CI 5.7; 7.6) to 5.2 (95% CI 4.3; 6.1) ( p=0.004). An analysis of the HRV indicators dynamics in the L group revealed an increase in only the total spectrum power - TotP from 12740 (95% CI 10947; 14533) ms2 to 20195 (95% CI 16619; 23770) ms2. Conclusions Highly effective therapy with atorvastatin in STEMI patients helps to normalize the parameters of the autonomic regulation of heart rate in the post-infarction period due to the increased effects of parasympathetic activity. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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