Measuring Mental Workload Using ERPs Based on FIR,ICA, and MARA

Mental workload is considered to be strongly linked to human performance, and the ability to measure it accurately is key for balancing human health and work. In this study, brain signals were elicited by mental arithmetic tasks of varying difficulty to stimulate different levels of mental workload. In addition, a finite impulse response (FIR) filter, independent component analysis (ICA), and multiple artifact rejection algorithms (MARAs) were used to filter event-related potentials (ERPs). Then, the data consisting of ERPs, subjective ratings of mental workload, and task performance, were analyzed through the use of variance and Spearman’s correlation during a simulated computer task. We found that participants responded faster and performed better in the easy task condition, followed by the medium and high-difficulty conditions, which verifies the validity of the ERP filtering. Moreover, larger P2 and P3 waveforms were evoked as the task difficulty increased, and a higher task difficulty elicited a more enhanced N300. Correlation analysis revealed a negative relationship between the amplitude of P3 and the subjective ratings, and a positive relationship between the P3 amplitude and accuracy. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that a combination of FIR, ICA, and MARA methods can filter ERPs in the non-invasive real-time measurement of workload. Additionally, frontocentral P2, N3, and parietal P3 components showed differences between genders. The proposed measurement of mental workload can be useful for real-time identification of mental states and can be applied to human–computer interaction in the future.     

分布式存储系统中的日志分析与负载特征提取

对运行在文件系统上的工作负载进行分析有助于优化分布式文件系统的性能,且对构建新型存储系统至关重要。由于工作负载的复杂性和规模多样性的增加,使用基于直觉的分析来显式地捕获工作负载踪迹的特征是不完备的。针对这一问题,提出了一个分布式日志分析与负载特征提取模型。首先,从分布式文件系统日志中根据关键字抽取出与读写相关的信息;其次,从统计与时序两方面对负载特征进行描述;最后,分析基于负载特征进行系统优化的可能。实验结果表明,提出的模型具有一定的可行性与准确性,且可以较为详细地给出负载统计与时序特征,具有低开销、高时效、易于分析等优点,可以用来指导具有相同特征的工作负载的合成、热点数据监测、系统的缓存预取优化。     

基于负载预测的微服务混合自动扩展

由于边缘云没有比中心云更强大的计算处理能力,在应对动态负载时很容易导致无意义的扩展抖动或资源处理能力不足的问题,所以在一个真实的边缘云环境中对微服务应用程序使用两个合成和两个实际工作负载进行实验评估,并提出了一种基于负载预测的混合自动扩展方法（predictively horizontal and vertical pod autoscaling,Pre-HVPA）。该方法首先采用机器学习对负载数据特征进行预测,并获得最终负载预测结果。然后利用预测负载进行水平和垂直的混合自动扩展。仿真结果表明,基于该方法所进行自动扩展可以减少扩展抖动和容器使用数量,所以适用于边缘云环境中的微服务应用。     

Effects of socio-emotional stressors on ventilation rate and subjective workload during simulated CPR by lay rescuers

Several studies have documented the occurrence of high ventilation rates during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but to date, there have been no scientific investigation of the causes of hyperventilation. The objective of the current study was to test the effects of socio-emotional stressors on lay rescuers' ventilation rate in a simulated resuscitation setting using a manikin model. A within-subjects experiment with randomized order of conditions tested lay rescuers' ventilation rate on an intubated manikin during exposure to socio-emotional stressors and during a control condition where no external stressors were present. Ventilation rates and subjective workload were significantly higher during exposure to socio-emotional stressors than during the control condition. All but one of the nine participants ventilated at a higher ventilation rate in the experimental condition. All nine participants rated the subjective workload to be higher during exposure to socio-emotional stressors. Hence, exposure to socio-emotional stressors is associated with increased ventilation rates performed by lay rescuers during simulated cardiac arrest using a manikin model. These findings might have implications for the understanding of the type of situations which hyperventilation may occur. Awareness of these situations may have implications for training of lay rescues.     

Placement of forearm surface EMG electrodes in the assessment of hand loading in manual tasks

Surface electromyography (EMG) is commonly used to study the loading of the forearm. Pro-supination movements cause surface electrodes to move in relation to the underlying muscles. We studied the effects of different electrode locations and forearm postures on the association between the EMG signals and external hand load in a laboratory experiment. Eleven subjects performed simulated work tasks with the forearm in neutral, pronated or supinated postures and with systematic variation of external load. The tasks included isometric gripping, pushing and pulling, and lifting and lowering weights. Surface EMG was recorded by six pairs of electrodes located on the forearm. The associations were studied using multiple regression models. EMG activity varied according to the forearm posture, location of electrodes and type of simulated task. Variation was lowest with a through-forearm setting of electrodes. This setting also showed the highest correlation between external loads and the EMG activity [coefficient of determination (R ²) = 0.25–0.66].

Practitioner Summary: Moving of surface electrodes in relation to the underlying muscles interferes with the assessment of loading in ergonomic settings. This laboratory experiment showed that a through-forearm location of electrodes seems to be an optimal option in the assessment of forearm loading.     

The ability of eye-tracking metrics to classify and predict the perceived driving workload

Traffic safety is directly related to the mental and physical condition of the driver. Performing regular secondary tasks while driving is an additional activity that dissipates attention and adds to the drivers' workload. Identifying driver fatigue and workload based on gaze behavior is one way to ensure a safe driving experience. The purpose of this paper is to classify and predict driving perceived workload using a set of eye-tracking metrics (gaze fixation, duration, pointing, and pupil diameter). The ability of eye-tracking metrics to predict driving workload has been investigated. As a result, frustration, performance, and temporal load showed a correlation with gaze metrics. Gaze point, duration, fixation, and pupil diameter significantly influence driving workload.Relevance to industry: Results will supply the specialists in eye-tracking/sensor technologies and traffic safety with new knowledge to improve the design of the driving performance and safety monitoring systems and efficiency of the driving process.     

The consequences of an increase in heavy goods vehicles for passenger car drivers' mental workload and behaviour: a simulator study

The effects of an increase in Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on merging behaviour and on mental workload of motorists during filtering in and out of traffic were studied. Participants drove in a driving simulator in a total of 12 conditions; twice in each of two weather conditions and in three traffic conditions. The weather conditions were clear weather and foggy weather. The traffic conditions were without HGVs (i.e. only private cars), the current mix of HGVs and private cars, and a condition with a 70% increase of HGVs leading to an HGV column in the slow lane. The focus of the study was on assessing effects on behaviour and mental workload during filtering into traffic, and during exiting from the motorway. During the experiment driving performance was registered, behaviour was observed, self reports were collected, and the participant's heart rate was recorded. The results showed that directly after filtering into traffic the variation in driving speed increased and the minimum time headway decreased with an increase in the proportion of HGVs. Joining motorway traffic was considered to involve greater effort and risk in the condition with a column of HGVs. The effects of the conditions on heart rate are less clear, although the moment when the participants joined the traffic is clearly visible. The effects of weather conditions were limited, drivers adapting their driving behaviour in adverse weather by reducing speed. To exit the motorway is not a difficult manoeuvre. For that reason the lane change from the left hand to the right hand lane that preceded the exit was analysed. Although increased mental effort was reported and the lane change was visible in the heart rate record, no critical changes as a result of increase in proportion of HGVs were found for this manoeuvre. However, in the condition with a column of HGVs, the exit that had to be taken was most frequently missed as HGVs obstructed the view of the exit signs. It is concluded that an increase in HGVs will make merging into traffic more mentally demanding and will decrease safety margins.     

Differences of drivers' reaction times according to age and mental workload

This study was designed to examine differences in reaction times of drivers of various age groups and to assess the influence of mental workload on reaction times. Experiments were performed on a simulated street and under other conditions to identify drivers with long reaction times and drivers whose reaction times are affected strongly by mental workloads while driving on a public road. Reaction times after hearing a buzzer were measured under five conditions: (1) sitting in a stationary vehicle, (2) executing mental calculations in a stationary vehicle, (3) driving on a simulated street, (4) executing mental calculations while driving on a simulated street, and (5) driving on a public road. Subjects were 10 drivers each of three age groups. Each experiment was performed by these subjects under the five conditions. Results showed that mental calculations increased the average reaction time for each age group. Mental calculations increased differences among age groups and individuals, and increased differences in respective drivers' individual performance. Mental calculations influenced elderly drivers' reaction times remarkably. Results also demonstrated that an experiment on a simulated street identified drivers who showed long reaction times on a public road.     

Musculoskeletal complaints among nurses related to patient handling tasks and psychosocial factors--based on logbook registrations

The aims were to evaluate the inter-method reliability of a registration sheet for patient handling tasks, to study the day-to-day variation of musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) and to examine whether patient handling tasks and psychosocial factors were associated with MSC.Nurses (n = 148) fulfilled logbooks for three consecutive working days followed by a day off. Low back pain (LBP), neck/shoulder pain (NSP), knee pain (KP), psychosocial factors (time pressure, stress, conscience of the quality of work) and patient transfers and care tasks were reported.The logbook was reliable for both transfer and care tasks. The numbers of nurses reporting MSC and the level of pain increased significantly during the three working days (15%-30% and 17%-37%, respectively) and decreased on the day off. Stress and transfer task were associated with LPB and transfer tasks were associated with KP.Our results confirm a relationship between work factors and MSC and indicate that logs could be one way to obtain a better understanding of the complex interaction of various nursing working conditions in relation to MSC.     

Effects of three‐dimensional virtual reality and traditional training methods on mental workload and training performance

Industries will implement effective training programs to improve training performance, and an ideal training performance occurs under proper mental workload (MWL). Virtual reality (VR) has recently been widely utilized in training; however, only a few studies have investigated its effects on MWL and training performance simultaneously. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of VR training and traditional training methods, such as technical manuals (TM) and multimedia films (MF), on training performance and MWL. The results of the performance measurement show that VR training is considered the best training method compared to TM and MF, particularly in the case of complex tasks. The results of physiological measurements (GSR [galvanic skin response], LF% [low frequency], and LF/HF [high frequency] ratio) show a significant difference between reading TM and using computer (MF and VR), wherein the latter has a lower MWL. However, no significant difference in subjective MWL assessment (NASA‐TLX [task load index]) and HF% measurement is found.