Gr Geert Langereis

Neurophysiological correlates of dissociative symptoms

Objective Dissociation is a mental process with psychological and somatoform manifestations, which is closely related to hypnotic suggestibility and essentially shows the ability to obtain distance from reality. An increased tendency to dissociate is a frequently reported characteristic of patients with functional neurological symptoms and syndromes (FNSS), which account for a substantial part of all neurological admissions. This review aims to investigate what heart rate variability (HRV), EEG and neuroimaging data (MRI) reveal about the nature of dissociation and related conditions. Methods Studies reporting HRV, EEG and neuroimaging data related to hypnosis, dissociation and FNSS were identified by searching the electronic databases Pubmed and ScienceDirect. Results The majority of the identified studies concerned the physiological characteristics of hypnosis; relatively few investigations on dissociation related FNSS were identified. General findings were increased parasympathetic functioning during hypnosis (as measured by HRV), and lower HRV in patients with FNSS. The large variety of EEG and functional MRI investigations with diverse results challenges definite conclusions, but evidence suggests that subcortical as well as (pre)frontal regions serve emotion regulation in dissociative conditions. Functional connectivity analyses suggest the presence of altered brain networks in patients with FNSS, in which limbic areas have an increased influence on motor preparatory regions. Conclusions HRV, EEG and (functional) MRI are sensitive methods to detect physiological changes related to dissociation and dissociative disorders such as FNSS, and can possibly provide more information about their aetiology. The use of such measures could eventually provide biomarkers for earlier identification of patients at risk and appropriate treatment of dissociative conditions.

Autonomic nervous system functioning associated with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: Analysis of heart rate variability

OBJECTIVEnPsychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNESs) resemble epileptic seizures but originate from psychogenic rather than organic causes. Patients with PNESs are often unable or unwilling to reflect on underlying emotions. To gain more insight into the internal states of patients during PNES episodes, this study explored the time course of heart rate variability (HRV) measures, which provide information about autonomic nervous system functioning and arousal.nnnMETHODSnHeart rate variability measures were extracted from double-lead electrocardiography data collected during 1-7days of video-electroencephalography monitoring of 20 patients with PNESs, in whom a total number of 118 PNESs was recorded. Heart rate (HR) and HRV measures in time and frequency domains (standard deviation of average beat-to-beat intervals (SDANN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), high-frequency (HF) power, low-frequency (LF) power, and very low-frequency (VLF) power) were averaged over consecutive five-minute intervals. Additionally, quantitative analyses of Poincaré plot parameters (SD1, SD2, and SD1/SD2 ratio) were performed.nnnRESULTSnIn the five-minute interval before PNES, HR significantly (p<0.05) increased (d=2.5), whereas SDANN (d=-0.03) and VLF power (d=-0.05) significantly decreased. During PNES, significant increases in HF power (d=0.0006), SD1 (d=0.031), and SD2 (d=0.016) were observed. In the five-minute interval immediately following PNES, SDANN (d=0.046) and VLF power (d=0.073) significantly increased, and HR (d=-5.1) and SD1/SD2 ratio (d=-0.14) decreased, compared to the interval preceding PNES.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe results suggest that PNES episodes are preceded by increased sympathetic functioning, which is followed by an increase in parasympathetic functioning during and after PNES. Future research needs to identify the exact nature of the increased arousal that precedes PNES.

Cultural Computing – How to Investigate a Form of Unconscious User Experiences in Mixed Realities

This paper presents a new direction of research in user experiences and cognitive science. The problem addressed is drawing on results from different disciplines: psychology, brain and cognitive sciences, physics, and interaction design. As main objective we plan the empirical validation of the claim: Cultural computing as enabling technology for social transformations. Cultural computing is based on a form of cultural translation that uses scientific methods to capture and represent essential aspects of a particular culture. Cultural computing will enable particular cognitive and emotional responses from users as reflections on and of their inner, subliminal consciousness. Cultural computing is not only integrating cultural aspects into the interaction but also allowing the user to experience an interaction that is closely related to the core aspects of his/her own culture. As such it is important to understand one’s cultural determinants and how to render them during the interaction. We will address individually and collectively the cultural determinants of the Western culture. Based on the given narrative ‘Alice Adventures in Wonderland’ we have already built the first demo version and plan to build an optimized version of a mixed reality installation to provide and investigate cultural user experiences. To address the research questions we propose three main research lines: (1) designing a mixed reality environment to provide certain unconscious user experiences; (2) inducing and measuring the changes in the individual’s unconscious knowledge structure; and (3) empirical validation of a fundamentally new synchronization mechanism for sharing individual changes collectively. We hypothesize that there eventually exists an interconnecting knowledge field at the foundation of reality that conserves and conveys information collectively. This knowledge field looks like a possible candidate for a required ‘supra-natural’ memory for cultural knowledge to tap into for social transformations.

Perceptual and computational time models in game design for time orientation in learning disabilities

Several empirical studies confirm the importance of time-awareness in learning disabilities. Designed tools and environments to interact with time are essential for the training and diagnosis of an impaired notion of time. Training which improves sense of time may improve learning, daily functioning and quality of life. This paper reviews perceptual and computational time models in literature and present briefly our first attempts in applying the knowledge in the design of playful tools for children to orient their time.

Alice's adventures in an immersive mixed reality environment

Immersive mixed reality environments offer new possibilities to reproduce reality or embodied presence with constructing elaborate fantasy worlds and provide to the user an intense and seemingly real experience. Mixed reality gives possibilities to create deeply dimensional narratives and simulations that put the user in the center of the action. In this work we describe an interactive mixed reality installation named Alice, consisting of six separate stages based on the narrative “Alices Adventures in Wonderland”. To be able to achieve the intended experience we have to build complex and heterogeneous distributed system, composed of sensors, actuators, virtual reality, application components and variety of processing components that manage the flow of context information between the sensors/actuators and applications.

Sensors, actuators and computing systems for smart textiles for protection

Electronic systems with sensors and actuators are enablers for increasing the protection level of textile appliances. Apparel and many other textiles are close to the human body and are part of numerous professional and home routines and tasks. This means that textiles are positioned in our daily life in locations where they can act extremely well for protective purposes by means of monitoring and being responsive. Intelligence created by electronics starts with sensors and actuators integrated into the textile to make it responsive. In addition, a power system, interconnect and processing logic are needed. Some characteristic problems encountered with sensing human parameters can be solved by smart topologies and sensor arrangements.

How to Introduce Mathematical Modelling in Industrial Design Education

With competency based learning in a project driven environment, we are facing a different perspective of how students perceive mathematical modelling. In this chapter, a model is proposed where conventional education is seen as a process from mathematics to design, while competency driven approaches tend to have an inverted sequence. We assume there is a virtual barrier for on-demand learning with regards to the mathematical modelling layer under the layer of technical skills. Several successful attempts were done in the past to remove the technology skill from the chain in order to make the opportunities of modelling visible. After experiencing the modelling competency in such a setting, students can beneficially deploy it for technology. We evaluated this model based on a learning activity which was changed from traditional education into competency centred learning.