LRH è stato sostenuto dal Natural Scienze e ingegneria Research Council (NSERC) del Canada. SD è stato in parte sostenuto dal NSERC CREATE programma.

Tutti gli esperimenti sono stati approvati dal Consiglio York Etica e tutti i partecipanti hanno firmato moduli di consenso informato. Gli esperimenti sono stati eseguiti in conformità con il trattato di Helsinki. 1. stimoli <ol><li> Tattili rilevamento Stimolo <ol><li> Utilizzare un contattore (1.17 &quot;di diametro e 0,30&quot; di spessore) per fornire stimoli tattili di 250 vibrazioni Hz per 100 msec. Utilizzando un contattore appositamente costruito fornisce una relazione lineare tra la quantità di corsa e la tensione applicata. </li><li> Controllare la consegna stimolo tattile con una scheda audio a 64 bit. <ol><li> Per guidare il contattore, trattarlo come un altoparlante. Collegare un amplificatore audio stereo a una scheda audio stereo computer a 64 bit. Collegare il contattore a una delle uscite dell&#39;amplificatore (ad esempio, il &#39;altoparlante sinistro out&#39;). Collegare il secondo canale (per esempio, il &#39;altoparlante destro out&#39;) dell&#39;amplificatore ad un altoparlante regolare per fornire segnali uditivi al parparteci-. </li><li> Nel codice computer che controlla l&#39;esperimento, generare la forma d&#39;onda che verrà utilizzato per vibrare il contattore (ad esempio, una sinusoide 250 Hz di durata 100 msec), e un&#39;altra forma d&#39;onda per il segnale audio (per esempio, una sinusoide 3.000 Hz con durata 100 msec). Vedere l&#39;esempio di codice 1 nel file di codice supplementare. </li><li> Mettere ciascuna di queste due forme d&#39;onda in una matrice bidimensionale. Per la matrice tactor mettere il segnale nella prima dimensione e impostare la seconda dimensione a tutti zeri. Per la matrice suono portare il segnale nella seconda dimensione e impostare il primo a tutti zeri. Gioca la matrice appropriata alla scheda audio nel punto appropriato nel programma. Vedere l&#39;esempio di codice 1 nel file di codice supplementare per una dimostrazione di come questo è fatto. </li></ol></li><li> Fissare il contattore di una cinghia con un prodotto a base di meccanico di fissaggio. </li></ol></li><li> mascheratura Stimolo <ol><li> Fornire lo stimolo mascheramento da un elettrico, ahND-tenuta (diametro di 4 cm, 83 Hz quando è impostato su &quot;basso&quot;) vibratore. </li><li> Sulla base delle zone in cui il mascheramento è da testare, selezionare i siti in cui lo stimolo mascheramento deve essere applicato. </li></ol></li></ol> 2. apparato sperimentale e Design <ol><li> Disporre il computer e apparecchi su una scrivania, con una sedia di fronte ad esso, per lo sperimentatore. </li><li> Impostare un tavolo su cui poggiano i partecipanti loro sinistra (test) del braccio. Inserire una sedia al lato destro della tabella. Mettere uno stand bracciolo accanto alla sedia su cui poggiano i partecipanti il ​​loro diritto (braccio mascheramento) gomito. Aggiungere ammortizzazione al tavolo e bracciolo per il comfort. </li><li> Disporre un altoparlante su una superficie meccanicamente isolato. Disporre pedali (collegato ai pulsanti sinistro e destro di un mouse del computer) in modo che i piedi del partecipante riposare comodamente su di loro (Figura 1). </li><li> Scegliere i parametri dello studio, compreso il numero appropriato di prove richiesteper ottenere una stima affidabile della soglia (tipicamente, tra 40-50 prove) e il numero di blocchi in cui l&#39;esperimento deve essere divisa (ad esempio, due blocchi di 20-25 prove per condizione). </li><li> Fare una lista dell&#39;ordine in cui saranno eseguite le condizioni. Utilizzare questo elenco per determinare dove tenere lo stimolo di mascheramento per ogni blocco. </li><li> Inserire il numero di prove direttamente nel codice del programma del computer (ad esempio, ntrials = 25; Vedere file di codice supplementare). Assicurarsi che ogni blocco non è più di 10 minuti per mantenere l&#39;attenzione. </li><li> Programmare una forzata di due alternative-scelta compito di rilevamento tattile 11 in cui stimolo intensità è controllata con un Bayesiano adattivo scala psicofisico procedura psicometrica 12. <ol><li> Per ogni prova, presenti due intervalli di 1 sec, segnato da tre segnali acustici (5 kHz, 3 kHz e 5 kHz, durata 100 msec), con lo stimolo tattile presentato nel bel mezzo di uno degli intervalli. Avere l&#39;i partecipantindicate in cui intervallo lo stimolo è stato presentato per mezzo di pedali (a sinistra per prima, a destra per il secondo). Vedi Esempio di codice 2, che mostra come gli intervalli vengono eseguiti e ha ottenuto. Nota: I punteggi del computer la risposta come &quot;corretto&quot; o &quot;sbagliato&quot; e la scala di adattamento sceglie il valore successivo da presentare di conseguenza. Nota: Questo metodo determina un valore di soglia per rilevare la vibrazione al sito di prova. </li></ol></li></ol><img alt="Figura 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/53733/53733fig1.jpg" /> Figura 1. Disegno sperimentale. Questa figura mostra il set up della sperimentazione e dei materiali utilizzati. Vedere il testo per i dettagli. 3. Procedura sperimentale <ol><li> Ottenere il consenso informato scritto. Sedile del partecipante sulla sedia con i piedi appoggiata comodamente sulle pedali di risposta e spiegare la procedura sperimentale. &lt;/ Li&gt; <li> Misurare e registrare la lunghezza della superficie dorsale dell&#39;avambraccio sinistro. Applicare la cinghia in modo che il contattore è posizionato al centro della metà del braccio tra l&#39;angolo interno del gomito e piega del polso. </li><li> Avvolgere un bendaggio tensore liberamente intorno al braccio più volte per tenere il contattore in posizione. </li><li> Istruire i partecipanti a mettere il loro braccio sinistro sul tavolo e riposare il gomito destro sul bracciolo. Benda il partecipante per evitare che guardando lo stimolo o la posizione di mascheramento e di istruirli a guardare dritto davanti a sé tutto l&#39;esperimento. </li><li> Inizia con un blocco di 20 prove pratiche (senza lo stimolo di mascheramento), al fine di familiarizzare i partecipanti con il compito di rilevamento tattile e per consentire loro di acquisire familiarità con gli stimoli tattili. </li><li> Dopo le prove di pratica, iniziare l&#39;esperimento, l&#39;esecuzione dei blocchi di condizioni in un caso, l&#39;ordine controbilanciato. Prima di iniziare ogni blocco, in modo che le braccia e la stimu mascheramentolus sono nelle posizioni corrette. <ol><li> Per ciascuna condizione, tenere lo stimolo mascheratura sul sito scelto, facendo riferimento alla lista di condizioni fatte in precedenza. Attraversare fuori di ogni condizione viene eseguito. Tenere lo stimolo di mascheramento nel corso di ogni blocco di prove di raccolta dei dati mantenendo la pressione approssimativamente costante. Lo stimolo mascheramento può essere applicato attraverso i vestiti sottili. </li><li> Eseguire il programma sperimentale che si svolgerà attraverso un certo numero di prove come precedentemente selezionato. Introdurre un periodo di riposo 2 minuti dopo ogni breve blocco di prove. Dopo un determinato blocco di prove è stata completata, selezionare il sito successivo per lo stimolo di mascheratura ed eseguire nuovamente il programma. Ripetere fino a quando tutte le prove sono stati completati. </li></ol></li></ol> Analisi 4. I dati <ol><li> Per visualizzare e confermare la stima del valore di soglia restituito dal programma di scala adattivo 12, inserire i dati dei partecipanti con una gaussiana cumulativa La formula per una gaussiana cumulativa(Sigma) che va dal 50% (livello di probabilità - numero uguale di 0 - sbagliato e 1&#39;s- corretta) al 100% (tutti 1, tutti corretti) è: probabilità di una risposta corretta = 0,5 + 0,5 / (1 + exp (- (x-x0) / std)) dove x è il valore di intensità testato, x0 è il valore di soglia del 75%, e std è la deviazione standard della stima. Questa formula può essere montato ai dati utilizzando qualsiasi software curva-montaggio ed il valore risultante x0 rispetto al valore adattativo scala. <ol><li> Assicurarsi che la curva va tra il 50% (performance probabilità) e il 100%. Condurre analisi statistiche (ad esempio, t-test o ANOVA) sui valori di soglia del 75% ottenuti in ciascuna condizione dell&#39;esperimento (ad esempio, tra i vari siti di mascheratura) per determinare se ci sono delle differenze tra le condizioni testate. </li></ol></li><li> Per identificare valori anomali, calcolare la media e la deviazione standard per una data condizione. Confrontare il punteggio di ogni partecipante con la media ese un punteggio individuale è più di 2 deviazioni standard da dire allora considerare questo segno come un valore erratico e rimuoverlo dall&#39;analisi. criteri alternativi possono essere utilizzati se lo si desidera. </li><li> Per uniformare i valori di intensità dei contattori (che sono in in unità arbitrarie), convertire loro di decibel rispetto alle soglie di controllo (misurati quando lo stimolo mascheramento viene applicato al sito di controllo, ad esempio, la spalla). Utilizzare questa formula: dB = 10 x log 10 (valore di soglia valore di soglia / di controllo). </li></ol>

<ol>
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Gli autori dichiarano di non avere interessi finanziari concorrenti.

Qui, un protocollo dettagliato per mascheratura tattile controlaterale è descritto e sono presenti risultati precedentemente pubblicati, utilizzando la tecnica di testare soglie di rilevamento tattili. Il vantaggio di questo metodo è che le soglie vengono misurati utilizzando una tecnica psicofisica rigoroso. La scelta forzata procedura in due alternative (2AFC) è relativamente insensibile a bias di risposta e quindi da effetti di attenzione. La procedura scala adattativo per focalizzando sul valore di soglia attuale...

mascheramento tattile è dove un stimolo tattile in un punto del corpo altera la percezione di un tocco in un altro luogo. Questa è una tecnica introdotta da von Bekesy 1 per rivelare le interazioni spilli, soprattutto inibizione laterale, tra le aree di pelle che sono adiacenti sulla superficie del corpo. Mentre mascheramento tattile è stata ampiamente studiata negli anni, la ricerca ha indagato principalmente omolaterale mascheramento tattile usando stimolazione elettrica 2, 3, 4 di pressione, e la stimolazione vibrotattile 5, 6. Al contrario, pochi studi hanno esaminato mascheramento tattile controlaterale in cui i siti di mascheramento e sonda possono essere rimossi lontano. Lungo raggio effetti di schermo tattile è stato dimostrato tra i punti specchio simmetrico sulla mano e del braccio 5, 7 - 9 ma questi studi sono stati in gran parte limitato a guardare le mani e le dita 7, 10, con più ampie parti del corpo essendo largamente ignorato. Un obiettivo di tali esperimenti di mascheramento a lungo raggio è quello di indicare come i componenti della rappresentazione del corpo nel cervello possono essere funzionalmente collegati. Qui, il fenomeno di lungo raggio tattili mascheramento viene esplorato studiando come vibrazione applicata ad un avambraccio potrebbe influenzare soglie di sensibilità tattile sull&#39;avambraccio opposta. Threshold riferisce allo stimolo minimo necessario per rilevare uno stimolo. Definiamo questo come l&#39;intensità in cui viene rilevato lo stimolo 75% del tempo. Abbiamo usato una tecnica di mascheramento tattile, in cui la sensibilità tattile (il reciproco della soglia) su un avambraccio è misurato in presenza di uno stimolo vibrante (maschera) su un&#39;altra parte del corpo. Mascheratura efficace è rivelato da un aumento della soglia di rilevamento cioè, una riduzione della sensibilità. La tecnica può essere utilizzata in combinazione con altre manipolazioni come variando la posizione arto omovimento r per esplorare i loro effetti sulla efficacia di mascheramento. Qui abbiamo usato stimoli vibrotattili come stimolo mascheramento. Il vantaggio di questo è che la frequenza, e quindi il tipo di recettore che stimola possono essere controllati. La tecnica potrebbe essere esteso a considerare il dolore usando stimoli elettrici come la sonda o maschera o entrambi. Inoltre, qualsiasi sito può essere utilizzato come sede mascheratura consente la ricerca di siti di agopuntura per esempio.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="673">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">C-2 tactor</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">ATAC Technology; Engineering Acoustics, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;">http://www.atactech.com/PR_tactors.html</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">Magic Wand</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">Hitachi</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;">http://magicwandoriginal.com/magic-wand-original/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="105">
			<td height="105" style="height:105px;width:216px;">FC5 Foot Pedals</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">Yamaha Corporation</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;">http://ca.yamaha.com/en/products/music-production/accessories/footpedals/fc5/?mode=model</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">MATLAB</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">The Mathworks, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;">http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Velcro</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">Velcro Industries B.V.</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td>http://www.velcro.com/</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

testing tactile masking between the forearms

Masking, in which one stimulus affects the detection of another, is a classic technique that has been used in visual, auditory, and tactile research, usually using stimuli that are close together to reveal local interactions. Masking effects have also been demonstrated in which a tactile stimulus alters the perception of a touch at a distant location. Such effects can provide insight into how components of the body's representations in the brain may be linked. Occasional reports have indicated that touches on one hand or forearm can affect tactile sensitivity at corresponding contralateral locations. To explore the matching of corresponding points across the body, we can measure the spatial tuning and effect of posture on contralateral masking. Careful controls are required to rule out direct effects of the remote stimulus, for example by mechanical transmission, and also attention effects in which thresholds may be altered by the participant's attention being drawn away from the stimulus of interest. The use of this technique is beneficial as a behavioural measure for exploring which parts of the body are functionally connected and whether the two sides of the body interact in a somatotopic representation. This manuscript describes a behavioural protocol that can be used for studying contralateral tactile masking.

L&#39;analisi dei dati è stata riportata nel 13. Sensibilità tattile (espressa rispetto alle soglie misurate in condizione di controllo) sull&#39;avambraccio è stata significativamente ridotta (soglie erano significativamente aumentati) quando la stimolazione vibrotattile mascheramento è stato applicato al braccio opposto (Figura 2A), dimostrando un effetto di mascheramento controlaterale tra avambracci. L&#39;effetto dipendeva dalla posizione dello stimol...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Testing Tactile Masking between the Forearms at JoVE.com

Testing Tactile Masking between the Forearms

Test tattile mascheramento tra gli avambracci

Here we explore contralateral tactile masking between the forearms in which tactile detection thresholds are modulated by vibration applied to a remote site. The details of which remote sites have an effect can tell us about how the body is represented in the brain.

Masking, in which one stimulus affects the detection of another, is a classic technique that has been used in visual, auditory, and tactile research, ...

testing-tactile-masking-between-the-forearms

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

6.3K Views.  York University. Here we explore contralateral tactile masking between the forearms in which tactile detection thresholds are modulated by vibration applied to a remote site. The details of which remote sites have an effect can tell us about how the body is represented in the brain. 

Video: Testing Tactile Masking between the Forearms

Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities

Objective and easy measurement of sensory processing is extremely difficult in nonverbal or vulnerable pediatric patients. We developed a new methodology to quantitatively assess children&#39;s cortical processing of light touch, speech sounds and the multisensory processing of the 2 stimuli, without requiring active subject participation or causing children discomfort. To accomplish this we developed a dual channel, time and strength calibrated air puff stimulator that allows both tactile stimulation and sham control. We combined this with the use of event-related potential methodology to allow for high temporal resolution of signals from the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices as well as higher order processing. This methodology also allowed us to measure a multisensory response to auditory-tactile stimulation.

Objective and easy measurement of sensory processing is extremely difficult in nonverbal or vulnerable pediatric patients. We developed a new methodology to quantitatively assess infants and children&#39;s cortical processing of light touch, speech sounds, and the multisensory processing of the 2 stimuli, without requiring active subject participation or causing discomfort in vulnerable patients.

La valutazione quantitativa di elaborazione corticale uditivo-tattile nei bambini con disabilità

Objective and easy measurement of sensory processing is extremely difficult in nonverbal or vulnerable pediatric patients. We developed a new methodology ...

Ricerca

Comportamento

Simple and Computer-assisted Olfactory Testing for Mice

Olfaction is highly conserved among species and is required for reproduction and survival.
In humans, olfaction is also one of the senses that is affected with aging and is a strong predictor of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, olfaction testing is used as a non-invasive diagnostic method to detect neurological deficits early on. In order to understand the mechanisms underlying olfactory network susceptibility, olfactory research in rodents has gained momentum in the past decade.
Here, we present a very simple, time efficient and reproducible olfactory testing method of innate odor perception and sensitivity in mice without the need of any prior food or water restriction. The tests are performed in a familiar environment to the mice, require only the scents and a 2 min session of odorant exposure. The analysis is performed, post-hoc, using computer-assisted commands on ImageJ and can be, therefore, carried out from start to end by one researcher.
This protocol does not require any special hardware or setup and is indicated for any laboratory interested in testing olfactory perception and sensitivity.

We present a simple and unbiased olfactory test in mice. With this protocol olfactory discrimination, preference, avoidance and sensitivity to a novel odor as compared to water can be assessed in single behavioral sessions. This method is indicated for a single experimenter and analysis is based on computer-assisted video processing.

Semplice e assistita da computer Olfattivo Test per Mice

Olfaction is highly conserved among species and is required for reproduction and survival.
In humans, olfaction is also one of the senses that is affected ...

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects

Tests that allow the precise determination of psychophysical thresholds for vibration and grating orientation provide valuable information about mechanosensory function that are relevant for clinical diagnosis as well as for basic research. Here, we describe two psychophysical tests designed to determine the vibration detection threshold (automated system) and tactile spatial acuity (handheld device). Both procedures implement a two-interval forced-choice and a transformed-rule up and down experimental paradigm. These tests have been used to obtain mechanosensory profiles for individuals from distinct human cohorts such as twins or people with sensorineural deafness.

Here, we present protocols to determine vibration detection thresholds and tactile acuity using psychophysical methods in man.

Misura di rilevamento delle vibrazioni Soglia e tattile spaziale Acuity in soggetti umani

Tests that allow the precise determination of psychophysical thresholds for vibration and grating orientation provide valuable information about ...

A Mouse Model of Subchronic and Mild Social Defeat Stress for Understanding Stress-induced Behavioral and Physiological Deficits

Stressful life events often increase the incidence of depression in humans. To study the mechanisms of depression, the development of animal models of depression is essential. Because there are several types of depression, various animal models are needed for a deeper understanding of the disorder. Previously, a mouse model of subchronic and mild social defeat stress (sCSDS) using a modified chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) paradigm was established. In the paradigm, to reduce physical injuries from aggressors, the duration of physical contact between the aggressor and a subordinate was reduced compared to in the original CSDS paradigm. sCSDS mice showed increased body weight gain, food intake, and water intake during the stress period, and their social behaviors were suppressed after the stress period. In terms of the face validity of the stress-induced overeating and overdrinking following the increased body weight gain, the sCSDS mice may show some features related to atypical depression in humans. Thus, a mouse model of sCSDS may be useful for studying the pathogenic mechanisms underlying depression. This protocol will help establish the sCSDS mouse model, especially for studying the mechanisms underlying stress-induced weight gain and polydipsia- and hyperphagia-like symptoms.

Here, methods for developing a mouse model of subchronic and mild social defeat stress are described and used to investigate the pathogenic features of depression including hyperphagia- and polydipsia-like symptoms following increased body weight.

Un modello murino di subcronica e Mild Sconfitta sociale stress per la comprensione deficit comportamentali e fisiologiche allo stress indotto

Stressful life events often increase the incidence of depression in humans. To study the mechanisms of depression, the development of animal models of ...

Comparing the Frequency Effect Between the Lexical Decision and Naming Tasks in Chinese

In psycholinguistic research, the frequency effect can be one of the indicators for eligible experimental tasks that examine the nature of lexical access. Usually, only one of those tasks is chosen to examine lexical access in a study. Using two exemplar experiments, this paper introduces an approach to include both the lexical decision task and the naming task in a study. In the first experiment, the stimuli were Chinese characters with frequency and regularity manipulated. In the second experiment, the stimuli were switched to Chinese two-character words, in which the word frequency and the regularity of the leading character were manipulated. The logic of these two exemplar experiments was to explore some important issues such as the role of phonology on recognition by comparing the frequency effect between both the tasks. The results revealed different patterns of lexical access from those reported in the alphabetic systems. The results of Experiment 1 manifested a larger frequency effect in the naming task as compared to the LDT, when the stimuli were Chinese characters. And it is noteworthy that, in Experiment 1, when the stimuli were regular Chinese characters, the frequency effect observed in the naming task was roughly equivalent to that in the LDT. However, a smaller frequency effect was shown in the naming task as compared to the LDT, when the stimuli were switched to Chinese two-character words in Experiment 2. Taking advantage of the respective demands and characteristics in both tasks, researchers can obtain a more complete and precise picture of character/word recognition.

Researchers adopt both the lexical decision task and the naming task to investigate some important topics such as character/word recognition by comparing the frequency effect between these two tasks. This article introduces this approach through two exemplar experiments and elaborates on the underlying logic.

Confrontando l&#39;effetto di frequenza tra la decisione lessicale e compiti di denominazione in cinese

In psycholinguistic research, the frequency effect can be one of the indicators for eligible experimental tasks that examine the nature of lexical access. ...

Neurodevelopmental Reflex Testing in Neonatal Rat Pups

Neurodevelopmental reflex testing is commonly used in clinical practice to assess the maturation of the nervous system. Neurodevelopmental reflexes are also referred to as primitive reflexes. They are sensitive and consistent with later outcomes. Abnormal reflexes are described as an absence, persistence, reappearance, or latency of reflexes, which are predictive indices of infants that are at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Animal models of neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, often display aberrant developmental reflexes, as would be observed in human infants. The techniques described assess a variety of neurodevelopmental reflexes in neonatal rats. Neurodevelopmental reflex testing offers the investigator a testing method that is not otherwise available in such young animals. The methodology presented here aims to assist investigators in examining developmental milestones in neonatal rats as a method of detecting early-onset brain injury and/or determining the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. The methodology presented here aims to provide a general guideline for investigators.

Behavioral testing is the gold standard for determining outcomes following brain injury, and can identify the presence of developmental disabilities in infants and children. Neurodevelopmental reflexes are an early indicator of these abnormalities. A host of easily accomplished developmental reflex tests in the neonatal rodent were developed and described here.

Neurologico Reflex Test in neonatali Rat Pups

Neurodevelopmental reflex testing is commonly used in clinical practice to assess the maturation of the nervous system. Neurodevelopmental reflexes are ...

Using Wavelet Entropy to Demonstrate how Mindfulness Practice Increases Coordination between Irregular Cerebral and Cardiac Activities

In both the East and West, traditional teachings say that the mind and heart are somehow closely correlated, especially during spiritual practice. One difficulty in proving this objectively is that the natures of brain and heart activities are quite different. In this paper, we propose a methodology that uses wavelet entropy to measure the chaotic levels of both electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) data and show how this may be used to explore the potential coordination between the mind and heart under different experimental conditions. Furthermore, Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) was used to identify the brain regions in which the EEG wavelet entropy was the most affected by the experimental conditions. As an illustration, the EEG and ECG were recorded under two different conditions (normal rest and mindful breathing) at the beginning of an 8-week standard Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training course (pretest) and after the course (posttest). Using the proposed method, the results consistently showed that the wavelet entropy of the brain EEG decreased during the MBSR mindful breathing state as compared to that during the closed-eye resting state. Similarly, a lower wavelet entropy of heartrate was found during MBSR mindful breathing. However, no difference in wavelet entropy during MBSR mindful breathing was found between the pretest and posttest. No correlation was observed between the entropy of brain waves and the entropy of heartrate during normal rest in all participants, whereas a significant correlation was observed during MBSR mindful breathing. Additionally, the most well-correlated brain regions were located in the central areas of the brain. This study provides a methodology for the establishment of evidence that mindfulness practice (i.e., mindful breathing) may increase the coordination between mind and heart activities.

This manuscript describes how to use the wavelet entropy index to analyze high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) data. We show that the irregularity of cerebral and cardiac activities became more coordinated during mindfulness-based stress reduction practice.

Utilizzare l&#39;entropia di Wavelet per dimostrare come la pratica di consapevolezza aumenta il coordinamento tra attività cerebrale irregolare e cardiache

In both the East and West, traditional teachings say that the mind and heart are somehow closely correlated, especially during spiritual practice. One ...

The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

The memory game paradigm is a behavioral procedure to explore the relationship between language, spatial memory, and object knowledge. Using two different versions of the paradigm, spatial language use and memory for object location are tested under different, experimentally manipulated conditions. This allows us to tease apart proposed models explaining the influence of object knowledge on spatial language (e.g., spatial demonstratives), and spatial memory, as well as understanding the parameters that affect demonstrative choice and spatial memory more broadly. Key to the development of the method was the need to collect data on language use (e.g., spatial demonstratives: &#34;this/that&#34;) and spatial memory data under strictly controlled conditions, while retaining a degree of ecological validity. The language version (section 3.1) of the memory game tests how conditions affect language use. Participants refer verbally to objects placed at different locations (e.g., using spatial demonstratives: &#34;this/that red circle&#34;). Different parameters can be experimentally manipulated: the distance from the participant, the position of a conspecific, and for example whether the participant owns, knows, or sees the object while referring to it. The same parameters can be manipulated in the memory version of the memory game (section 3.2). This version tests the effects of the different conditions on object-location memory. Following object placement, participants get 10 seconds to memorize the object&#39;s location. After the object and location cues are removed, participants verbally direct the experimenter to move a stick to indicate where the object was. The difference between the memorized and the actual location shows the direction and strength of the memory error, allowing comparisons between the influences of the respective parameters.

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

We present a protocol to explore the relationship between spatial language production, spatial memory, and object knowledge. The procedure allows experimental manipulation of, and control over, conditions of object knowledge, language at instruction, and physical location, thus teasing apart cognitive and linguistic models describing interactions between these variables.

Il gioco di memoria (spaziale): Prova il rapporto tra linguaggio spaziale, oggetto conoscenza e cognizione spaziale

The memory game paradigm is a behavioral procedure to explore the relationship between language, spatial memory, and object knowledge. Using two different ...

Applying Incongruent Visual-Tactile Stimuli during Object Transfer with Vibro-Tactile Feedback

The application of incongruent sensory signals that involves disrupted tactile feedback is rarely explored, specifically with the presence of vibrotactile feedback (VTF). This protocol aims to test the effect of VTF on the response to incongruent visual-tactile stimuli. The tactile feedback is acquired by grasping a block and moving it across a partition. The visual feedback is a real-time virtual presentation of the moving block, acquired using a motion capture system. The congruent feedback is the reliable presentation of the movement of the block, so that the subject feels that the block is grasped and see it move along with the path of the hand. The incongruent feedback appears as the movement of the block diverts from the actual movement path, so that it seems to drop from the hand when it is actually still held by the subject, thereby contradicting the tactile feedback. Twenty subjects (age 30.2 &#177; 16.3) repeated 16 block transfers, while their hand was hidden. These were repeated with VTF and without VTF (total of 32 block transfers). Incongruent stimuli were presented randomly twice within the 16 repetitions in each condition (with and without VTF). Each subject was asked to rate the difficulty level of performing the task with and without the VTF. There were no statistically significant differences in the length of the hand paths and durations between transfers recorded with congruent and incongruent visual-tactile signals &#8211; with and without the VTF. The perceived difficulty level of performing the task with the VTF significantly correlated with the normalized path length of the block with VTF (r = 0.675, p = 0.002). This setup is used to quantify the additive or reductive value of VTF during motor function that involves incongruent visual-tactile stimuli. Possible applications are prosthetics design, smart sport-wear, or any other garments that incorporate VTF.

We present a protocol to apply incongruent visual-tactile stimuli during an object transfer task. Specifically, during block transfers, performed while the hand is hidden, a virtual presentation of the block shows random occurrences of false block drops. The protocol also describes adding vibrotactile feedback while performing the motor task.

Applicazione di stimoli visivi e tattili incongruenti durante il trasferimento di oggetti con feedback vibro-tattile

The application of incongruent sensory signals that involves disrupted tactile feedback is rarely explored, specifically with the presence of vibrotactile ...

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

In our continuously developing &#39;around the clock&#39; society, there is a need to increase our understanding of how changes in biology, physiology and psychology influence our health and performance. Embedded within this challenge, is the increasing need to account for individual differences in sleep and circadian rhythms, as well as to explore the impact of time of day on performance in the real world. There are a number of ways to measure sleep and circadian rhythms from subjective questionnaire-based methods to objective sleep/wake monitoring, actigraphy and analysis of biological samples. This paper proposes a protocol that combines multiple techniques to categorize individuals into Early, Intermediate or Late circadian phenotype groups (ECPs/ICPs/LCPs) and recommends how to conduct diurnal performance testing in the field. Representative results show large differences in rest-activity patterns derived from actigraphy, circadian phase (dim light melatonin onset and peak time of cortisol awakening response) between circadian phenotypes. In addition, significant differences in diurnal performance rhythms between ECPs and LCPs emphasizes the need to account for circadian phenotype. In summary, despite the difficulties in controlling influencing factors, this protocol allows a real-world assessment of the impact of circadian phenotype on performance. This paper presents a simple method to assess circadian phenotype in the field and supports the need to consider time of day when designing performance studies.

Here, we present a method to investigate diurnal rhythms in performance following accurate categorization of participants into circadian phenotype groups based on the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire, gold standard circadian phase biomarkers and actigraphic measures.

Fenotipizzazione corporea umana e test delle prestazioni diurne nel mondo reale

In our continuously developing &#39;around the clock&#39; society, there is a need to increase our understanding of how changes in biology, physiology and ...