Multi-classification of action intention understanding brain signals based on thresholding graph metric

BACKGROUND: Classification of action intention understanding is extremely important for human computer interaction. Many studies on the action intention understanding classification mainly focus on binary classification, while the classification accuracy is often unsatisfactory, not to mention multi-classification. METHOD: To complete the multi-classification task of action intention understanding brain signals effectively, we propose a novel feature extraction procedure based on thresholding graph metrics. RESULTS: Both the alpha frequency band and full-band obtained considerable classification accuracies. Compared with other methods, the novel method has better classification accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Brain activity of action intention understanding is closely related to the alpha band. The new feature extraction procedure is an effective method for the multi-classification of action intention understanding brain signals.

Action Intention Understanding EEG Signal Classification Based on Improved Discriminative Spatial Patterns

Objective. Action intention understanding EEG signal classification is indispensable for investigating human-computer interactions and intention understanding mechanisms. Numerous investigations on classification tasks extract classification features by using graph theory metrics; however, the classification results are usually not good. Method. To effectively implement the task of action intention understanding EEG signal classification, we proposed a new feature extraction method by improving discriminative spatial patterns. Results. The whole frequency band and fusion band achieved satisfactory classification accuracies. Compared with other authors’ methods for action intention understanding EEG signal classification, the new method performs more satisfactorily in some aspects. Conclusions. The new feature extraction method not only effectively avoids complex values when solving the generalized eigenvalue problem but also perfectly realizes appreciable classification accuracies. Fusing the classification features of different frequency bands is a useful strategy for the classification task.

The auditory brain in action: Intention determines predictive processing in the auditory system—A review of current paradigms and findings

According to the ideomotor theory, action may serve to produce desired sensory outcomes. Perception has been widely described in terms of sensory predictions arising due to top-down input from higher order cortical areas. Here, we demonstrate that the action intention results in reliable top-down predictions that modulate the auditory brain responses. We bring together several lines of research, including sensory attenuation, active oddball, and action-related omission studies: Together, the results suggest that the intention-based predictions modulate several steps in the sound processing hierarchy, from preattentive to evaluation-related processes, also when controlling for additional prediction sources (i.e., sound regularity). We propose an integrative theoretical framework—the extended auditory event representation system (AERS), a model compatible with the ideomotor theory, theory of event coding, and predictive coding. Initially introduced to describe regularity-based auditory predictions, we argue that the extended AERS explains the effects of action intention on auditory processing while additionally allowing studying the differences and commonalities between intention- and regularity-based predictions—we thus believe that this framework could guide future research on action and perception.

Is Presence Always Complicity? An Analysis of Presence, Its Moral Objects, and Scandal in Proximity to Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Catholic chaplains and clinicians who exercise their vocations in contexts wherein physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia (PAS-E) are legal may need to confront the difficult question of whether or not their presence in proximity to these acts and the processes that govern them is consistent with Catholic ethics. Debate on this question to date has focused on complicit presence and scandal. Drawing on Catholic theological ethics and the vision for end-of-life care espoused in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s recent letter, Samaritanus Bonus, I argue that some forms of presence in proximity to PAS-E are ethically justifiable. Core to this argument are the three elements of moral action: intention, object, and circumstance, alongside efforts to mitigate the risk of scandal informed by the teaching of Aquinas.

Quantitative Assessment Method of Force Tracking Capabilities for Detection of Motor Intentional Disorders

Early detection of motor intentional disorders associated with dysfunction in the action–intention system of the brain is clinically important to provide timely intervention. This study developed a force tracking system that can record forces exerted by the index finger while tracking 5 N, 10 N, 15 N, and 20 N of target forces varying over time. The force tracking system quantified force control measures (initiation time IT; development time, DT, maintenance error, ME; termination time, TT; tracking error, TE) for the individual and overall force control phases. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the force tracking system for a normal control group (n = 12) and two patient groups diagnosed with subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI, n = 11) and subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD, n = 13). Patients with SVaD showed significantly worse force control capabilities in IT (0.84 s) and ME (1.71 N) than those with svMCI (0.64 s in IT, and 1.38 N in ME). Patients with svMCI had significantly worse capabilities in IT, ME, and TE (3.80 N) than the control group (0.49 s in IT, 0.78 N in ME, and 3.07 N in TE). The prevalence rates of force control capabilities lower than the 99% confidence interval of the control group ranged from 17% to 62% for the two patient groups. The force tracking system can sensitively quantify the severity of the force control deficiencies caused by dysfunction in the action–intention system of the brain.