Attentional Load Effects on Emotional Content in Face Working Memory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lívia Valenti ◽  
Isabella Wada Pucci ◽  
Ricardo Basso Garcia ◽  
Margaret Jackson ◽  
Cesar Alexis Galera
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
High Load ◽  
Emotional Faces ◽  
Attentional Resources ◽  
Attentional Load ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Test Face ◽  
Load Effects ◽  
Face Working Memory

This study investigated the role of attentional resources in processing emotional faces on working memory (WM). Participants memorised two face arrays with the same emotion but different identities and were required to judge whether the test face had the same identity as one of the previous faces. Concurrently during encoding and maintenance, a sequence of high-or-low pitched tones (high load) or white noise bursts (low load) was presented, and participants were required to count how many low-tones were heard. Experiment 1 and 2 used an emotional and neutral test face, respectively. The results revealed a significant WM impairment for sad and angry faces in the high load vs low load condition but not for happy faces. Happy faces were better recognised than other emotional faces in a high load. In Experiment 1, participants remembered better happy faces than other emotional faces. In contrast, Experiment 2 showed that performance was poorer for happy than sad faces but not for angry faces. This evidence suggests that depleting of attentional resources affects less WM for happy faces than other emotional faces, but also differential effects on WM for emotional faces depend on the presence or absence of emotion face at retrieval.

scholarly journals Interactions of explicit and implicit learning mechanisms in cross-situational word learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Roembke ◽  
Bob McMurray
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Implicit Learning ◽  
Word Learning ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
High Load ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Memory Resources

Both explicit and implicit learning processes contribute to cross-situational word learning (e.g., Roembke & McMurray, 2016; Warren et al., 2019). However, it is unclear how these learning processes interact, and if any specific aspect of cross-situational word learning is purely explicit. To investigate this, participants completed cross-situational word learning trials as well as a memory task that required remembering five (high-load) or only one (low-load) number in a between-subject, dual-task paradigm. This allowed us to manipulate whether working memory resources were available for explicit processing or not. Further, we used trial-by-trial analyses to estimate how different learning effects that are thought to map onto either explicit or implicit learning processes are affected by condition. Word learning accuracy was lower in the high-load than in the low-load condition; this was likely driven by performance late in the experiment. Moreover, both the more explicit and implicit effects were reduced when limiting working memory resources, suggesting that neither is purely the result of or independent of explicit learning processes. Consistent with a hybrid account, these findings indicate that explicit and implicit learning processes do not compete, but rather support each other, during cross-situational word learning.

scholarly journals Monitoring Pilot’s Mental Workload Using ERPs and Spectral Power with a Six-Dry-Electrode EEG System in Real Flight Conditions

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Dehais ◽  
Alban Duprès ◽  
Sarah Blum ◽  
Nicolas Drougard ◽  
Sébastien Scannella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Classification Accuracy ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
High Load ◽  
Auditory Target ◽  
P300 Amplitude ◽  
Band Power ◽  
Dry Electrode ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
Frequency Features

Recent technological progress has allowed the development of low-cost and highly portable brain sensors such as pre-amplified dry-electrodes to measure cognitive activity out of the laboratory. This technology opens promising perspectives to monitor the “brain at work” in complex real-life situations such as while operating aircraft. However, there is a need to benchmark these sensors in real operational conditions. We therefore designed a scenario in which twenty-two pilots equipped with a six-dry-electrode EEG system had to perform one low load and one high load traffic pattern along with a passive auditory oddball. In the low load condition, the participants were monitoring the flight handled by a flight instructor, whereas they were flying the aircraft in the high load condition. At the group level, statistical analyses disclosed higher P300 amplitude for the auditory target (Pz, P4 and Oz electrodes) along with higher alpha band power (Pz electrode), and higher theta band power (Oz electrode) in the low load condition as compared to the high load one. Single trial classification accuracy using both event-related potentials and event-related frequency features at the same time did not exceed chance level to discriminate the two load conditions. However, when considering only the frequency features computed over the continuous signal, classification accuracy reached around 70% on average. This study demonstrates the potential of dry-EEG to monitor cognition in a highly ecological and noisy environment, but also reveals that hardware improvement is still needed before it can be used for everyday flight operations.

Experimental Study of EGR on Performance and Emissions of a Turbocharged DME Engine

2014 ◽  
Vol 886 ◽  
pp. 257-261
Author(s):  
Jun Hua Wu ◽  
Fu Shan Zuo ◽  
Yong Hui Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
High Load ◽  
Reduction Of No ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Emission Behavior ◽  
High Load Condition

This paper presents anexperimental study on reduction of NOx emission of a turbochargedengine fuelled with DME by means of EGR. Effects of EGR rate on engineefficiency and emission behavior was evaluated. The results show that the EGRcould be used as an effective way to reduce NOx emission. NOx isreduced almost linearly with increase of EGR rate. At low load condition, theNOx emission is reduced by 80% with 40% EGR rate without any economypenalty. At high load condition, the same substantial reduction of NOx couldbe achieved with only 20% EGR rate. While the HC and CO emissions are increasedwith increase of EGR rate. However, it is worth noting that EGR had a negativeeffect on fuel consumption at high load. Low EGR ratio should be taken at highengine load condition.

scholarly journals Interhemispheric Connectivity Supports Load-Dependent Working Memory Maintenance for Complex Visual Stimuli

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea Reichert Plaska ◽  
Jefferson Ortega ◽  
Bernard A. Gomes ◽  
Timothy M. Ellmore
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Phase Locking ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Delay Period ◽  
Temporal Region ◽  
Verbal Rehearsal ◽  
Complex Stimuli ◽  
Low Load

AbstractAn open question in the working memory (WM) field is how information is kept online during the WM delay period. Maintenance of simple stimuli in WM is supported by connectivity between frontal and parietal brain regions. How does delay period activity and connectivity support WM of complex stimuli? Twenty-two participants completed a modified Sternberg WM task with complex stimuli and were told to remember either 2 (low-load) or 5 (high-load) scenes while 32- channel scalp EEG was recorded. During the 6-sec delay period 6 phase-scrambled scenes were presented, which served as interference. While increasing the WM load, particularly with complex stimuli, places a greater demand on attentional resources, interfering stimuli may hijack the available resources. This was confirmed in the examination of theta and alpha amplitude, as amplitude was reduced for the high WM load as compared with the low WM load across frontal, central, and parietal regions. Delay period connectivity was assessed with phase-locking value (PLV). We identified 3 supporting networks that facilitated performance for the low-load condition: 1) increased PLV between left frontal and right posterior temporal in the theta and alpha bands; 2) increased PLV between right anterior temporal and left central in the alpha and lower beta bands; and 3) increased PLV between left anterior temporal and left posterior temporal in theta, alpha, and lower beta bands for the low-load condition. These results suggest that these brain networks facilitated the low-load WM by filtering of interference and the use of verbal rehearsal during the delay period.Impact StatementAlthough, studies of working memory maintenance with simple stimuli have suggested a role of frontal-parietal networks in supporting maintenance, the current study suggests that maintenance of complex visual stimuli with interference present is supported by interhemispheric frontal-posterior temporal and intrahemispheric left temporal region connectivity. These networks support maintenance by filtering of the interfering stimuli, which facilitates the use of verbal rehearsal strategies during the delay period.

scholarly journals Post-Stroke Working Memory Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selma Lugtmeijer ◽  
Nikki A. Lammers ◽  
Edward H. F. de Haan ◽  
Frank-Erik de Leeuw ◽  
Roy P. C. Kessels
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
High Load ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Separate Analysis ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Chronic Stage ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Low Load

AbstractThis review investigates the severity and nature of post-stroke working memory deficits with reference to the multi-component model of working memory. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed up to March 2019 with search terms for stroke and memory. Studies on adult stroke patients, that included a control group, and assessed working memory function, were selected. Effect sizes (Hedges’ g) were extracted from 50 studies (in total 3,084 stroke patients) based on the sample size, mean and standard deviation of patients and controls. Performance of stroke patients was compared to healthy controls on low-load (i.e. capacity) and high-load (executively demanding) working memory tasks, grouped by modality (verbal, non-verbal). A separate analysis compared patients in the sub-acute and the chronic stage. Longitudinal studies and effects of lesion location were systematically reviewed. Stroke patients demonstrated significant deficits in working memory with a moderate effect size for both low-load (Hedges’ g = -.58 [-.82 to -.43]) and high-load (Hedges’ g = -.59 [-.73 to -.45]) tasks. The effect sizes were comparable for verbal and non-verbal material. Systematically reviewing the literature showed that working memory deficits remain prominent in the chronic stage of stroke. Lesions in a widespread fronto-parietal network are associated with working memory deficits. Stroke patients show decrements of moderate magnitude in all subsystems of working memory. This review clearly demonstrates the global nature of the impairment in working memory post-stroke.

scholarly journals Influence of Language Load on Speech Motor Skill in Children With Specific Language Impairment

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 675-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith Saletta ◽  
Lisa Goffman ◽  
Caitlin Ward ◽  
Jacob Oleson
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
Procedural Memory ◽  
High Load ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Typical Development ◽  
Specific Language ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Speech Motor

Purpose Children with specific language impairment (SLI) show particular deficits in the generation of sequenced action: the quintessential procedural task. Practiced imitation of a sequence may become rote and require reduced procedural memory. This study explored whether speech motor deficits in children with SLI occur generally or only in conditions of high linguistic load, whether speech motor deficits diminish with practice, and whether it is beneficial to incorporate conditions of high load to understand speech production. Method Children with SLI and typical development participated in a syntactic priming task during which they generated sentences (high linguistic load) and, then, practiced repeating a sentence (low load) across 3 sessions. We assessed phonetic accuracy, speech movement variability, and duration. Results Children with SLI produced more variable articulatory movements than peers with typical development in the high load condition. The groups converged in the low load condition. Children with SLI continued to show increased articulatory stability over 3 practice sessions. Both groups produced generated sentences with increased duration and variability compared with repeated sentences. Conclusions Linguistic demands influence speech motor production. Children with SLI show reduced speech motor performance in tasks that require language generation but not when task demands are reduced in rote practice.

scholarly journals Differences in Working Memory Capacity Affect Online Spoken Word Recognition: Evidence From Eye Movements

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 233121651983962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gal Nitsan ◽  
Arthur Wingfield ◽  
Limor Lavie ◽  
Boaz M Ben-David
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Word Recognition ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Memory Span ◽  
Spoken Word Recognition ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Spoken Word ◽  
High Load ◽  
Low Load

Individual differences in working memory capacity have been gaining recognition as playing an important role in speech comprehension, especially in noisy environments. Using the visual world eye-tracking paradigm, a recent study by Hadar and coworkers found that online spoken word recognition was slowed when listeners were required to retain in memory a list of four spoken digits (high load) compared with only one (low load). In the current study, we recognized that the influence of a digit preload might be greater for individuals who have a more limited memory span. We compared participants with higher and lower memory spans on the time course for spoken word recognition by testing eye-fixations on a named object, relative to fixations on an object whose name shared phonology with the named object. Results show that when a low load was imposed, differences in memory span had no effect on the time course of preferential fixations. However, with a high load, listeners with lower span were delayed by ∼550 ms in discriminating target from sound-sharing competitors, relative to higher span listeners. This follows an assumption that the interference effect of a memory preload is not a fixed value, but rather, its effect is greater for individuals with a smaller memory span. Interestingly, span differences affected the timeline for spoken word recognition in noise, but not offline accuracy. This highlights the significance of using eye-tracking as a measure for online speech processing. Results further emphasize the importance of considering differences in cognitive capacity, even when testing normal hearing young adults.

Experimental investigation of diesel/gasoline dual-fuel premixed compression ignition strategies for high thermal efficiency and high load extension

2017 ◽  
Vol 232 (10) ◽  
pp. 1374-1384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeongwoo Lee ◽  
Sanghyun Chu ◽  
Kyoungdoug Min ◽  
Hyunsung Jung ◽  
Hyounghyoun Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Ignition Delay ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
High Load ◽  
Premixed Combustion ◽  
Dual Fuel ◽  
Compression Ignition ◽  
Lean Premixed Combustion ◽  
Diesel Injection ◽  
Low Load

In this study, two different operating strategies of gasoline and diesel dual-fuel premixed compression ignition (PCI) were investigated by using a single cylinder compression ignition engine. Verification of high thermal efficiency potential under the low load condition and the suppression of the maximum in-cylinder pressure rise rate (PRRmax) under the relatively high load condition were considered in this study. Two approaches to implement dual-fuel PCI were considered. The first approach (A-mode PCI) was an early diesel injection with very leaner overall equivalence ratio condition. In this case, a high exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate was not needed because lean premixed combustion promised to provide low nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. The second method (B-mode PCI) involved the use of a high EGR rate to moderate dual-fuel combustion with adjusting diesel injection timing. The first operating strategy prolonged the ignition delay via early diesel injection and lean mixture condition; in this manner, a high EGR helped to increase ignition delay. The experimental result showed that the A-mode PCI strategy promised higher gross indicated thermal efficiency (GIE) than that of the B-mode PCI. However, the B-mode PCI strategy provided a lower PRRmax than that of the first case. By applying the A-mode PCI, which was implemented by the early diesel injection with overall lean premixed combustion, a high GIE of 47.8 % could be obtained under low speed and low load condition. In addition, the dual-fuel PCI operating range could be increased using a gross indicated mean effective pressure (gIMEP) of 14 bar at 2000 r/min with a low PRRmax of 7 bar/deg (constraint 10 bar/deg) by applying the B-mode PCI strategy, which split the heat release rate (HRR) peaks to enable smooth combustion.

scholarly journals A cognitively demanding working-memory intervention enhances extinction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lycia de Voogd ◽  
Elizabeth A. Phelps
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Conditioned Response ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
High Load ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Extinction Learning ◽  
Lower Accuracy ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Memory Intervention

Improving extinction learning has the potential to optimize psychotherapy for persistent anxiety-related disorders. Recent findings show that extinction learning can be improved with a cognitively demanding eye-movement intervention. It is, however, unclear whether [1] any cognitively-demanding task can enhance extinction, or whether it is limited to eye movements, and [2] the effectiveness of such an intervention can be enhanced by increasing cognitive load. Participants (n=102) completed a Pavlovian threat conditioning paradigm across two days. One group underwent standard extinction (Control), a second group underwent extinction paired with a 1-back working memory task (Low-Load), and a third group underwent extinction paired with a 2-back working memory task (High-Load). We found that the conditioned response during extinction was reduced for both the Low-Load and the High-Load groups compared to the Control group. This reduction persisted during recovery the following day when no working memory task was executed. Finally, we found that within the High-Load group, participants with lower accuracy scores on the 2-back task (i.e., for who the task was more difficult) had a stronger reduction in the conditioned response. This suggests that cognitive load induced by a working memory intervention embedded during extinction reduces persistent threat responses.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SPATIAL WORKING MEMORY LOADS ON VISUAL SEARCH

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margit Höfler ◽  
◽  
Sebastian A. Bauch ◽  
Elisabeth Englmair ◽  
Julia Friedmann-Eibler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Search Time ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
High Load ◽  
Search Performance ◽  
Search Efficiency ◽  
Spatial Locations

"Working memory (WM) has been shown to be an important factor in visual search. For instance, there is evidence that both spatial and visual WM load lead to a decrease in search performance, resulting in a longer time to complete a search. However, the findings regarding search efficiency, i.e., search time as a function of display size, are less clear. This measure has been reported to be affected by spatial but not visual WM load. In three experiments, with approximately 20 participants each, we tested how two different types of spatial WM load affect visual search in terms of search performance and efficiency. In all experiments, participants were asked to memorize the spatial locations of two (low load) or four items (high load) presented either serially (Experiment 1) or simultaneously (Experiments 2 and 3). After that, they had to search for a target letter in a display of 5, 10 or 15 letters. In Experiment 3, participants additionally performed a verbal WM task. A control condition with no memory load (search only) was also included in each experiment. The results showed that, compared to the search-only condition, search times increased when spatial load was added. This was regardless of the type of spatial WM load. No search-time differences were found between the low and high-load condition. The additional verbal WM task had no effect on search performance. Furthermore, and in contrast to previous findings, search efficiency was not affected by either type of spatial WM load. These results suggest that visual search performance, but not search efficiency, is affected by spatial WM load."

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