Sebastiano Massaro

Measurement of Molecular Orientation in a Subcellular Compartment by Synchrotron Infrared Spectromicroscopy

Subcellular dichroism at the diffraction limit: Synchrotron infrared spectromicroscopy provides a snapshot of the axial molecular architecture in the outer segment of an intact retinal rod cell (see picture), which reinforces the role of this technique as a tool for in vivo studies of biomolecular structure–function relationships.

Neurofeedback in the workplace: from neurorehabilitation hope to neuroleadership hype?

Brain–computer interface neurofeedback has rapidly become an engaging topic for occupational research at large. Notwithstanding some criticism, research and practice have begun converging on the efficacy of brain–computer interface neurofeedback as a part of holistic interventions in rehabilitation. Yet, its use in vocational contexts has recently blossomed into wider attributes, beyond rehabilitation practice per se, additionally targeting performance enhancements and leadership interventions in healthy individuals. By exploring this emerging scenario, this paper aims to provide an interdisciplinary forum of analysis on the deriving implications for rehabilitation professionals, signaling how these may invite both possible threats for the field and opportunities to engage in novel translational partnerships.

To What Extent Can We Shorten HRV Analysis in Wearable Sensing? A Case Study on Mental Stress Detection.

Mental stress is one of the first causes of cognitive dysfunctions, cardiovascular disorders and depression. In addition, it reduces performances, on the work place and in daily life. The diffusion of wearablesensors (embedded in smart-watches, phones, etc.) has opened up the potential to assess mental stress detection through ultra-shortterm Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis (i.e., less than 5 min).Although informative analyses of features coming from short HRV (i.e., 5 min) have already been performed, the reliability of ultra-short HRVremains unclear. This study aims to tackle this gap by departing from a systematic review of the existing literature and investigating, in healthy subjects, the associations between acute mental stress and short/ultra-short term HRV features in time, frequency, and non-linear domains. Building on these findings, three experiments were carried outto empirically assess the usefulness of HRV for mental stress detection using ultra-short term analysis and wearable devices. Experiment 1 detected mental stress in a real life situation by exploring to which extent HRV excerpts can be shortened without losing their ability to detect mental stress. This allowed us to advance a method to explore to what extentultra-short HRV features can be consideredas good surrogates of 5 min HRV features. Experiment 2 and 3 sought todevelop automatic classifiers to detect mental stress through 2 min HRV excerpts, by usinga Stroop Color Word Test(CWT) and a highly pacedvideo game, which are two common laboratory-based stressors.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Analysis A Methodology for Organizational Neuroscience

Recently, the application of neuroscience methods and findings to the study of organizational phenomena has gained significant interest and converged in the emerging field of organizational neuroscience. Yet, this body of research has principally focused on the brain, often overlooking fuller analysis of the activities of the human nervous system and associated methods available to assess them. In this article, we aim to narrow this gap by reviewing heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, which is that set of methods assessing beat-to-beat changes in the heart rhythm over time, used to draw inference on the outflow of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In addition to anatomo-physiological and detailed methodological considerations, we discuss related theoretical, ethical, and practical implications. Overall, we argue that this methodology offers the opportunity not only to inform on a wealth of constructs relevant for management inquiries but also to advance the overarching organizational neuroscience research agenda and its ecological validity.

Heart Rate Variability Analysis and Performance during a Repeated Mental Workload Task

We designed and conducted an experiment using a repetitive task to investigate associations between mental workload, performance, and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) features across repetitions. According to the literature, we define mental workload as the interaction between a person and a task that causes task demands to exceed the person’s capacity to deliver. Mental workload was triggered by the use of a highly-paced video game repeated over time. Before engaging with the task, each subject was assessed in controlled condition (i.e., relaxing period) for a short time. Short term HRV features variations between the baseline (i.e., control situation) and each repetitive gaming session (i.e., mental task) were explored. The results show that HRV dynamics diminish with repetitions, while performance increases. Importantly, this suggests that HRV features can be well correlated with performance. Overall, this study advances the use of HRV analysis in the behavioral sciences at large, allowing the design of flexible neurophysiological lab-based experiments. Thus, it also opens the way to future autonomic behavioral neuroscience research.

Organizational Justice through the Window of Neuroscience

Abstract This chapter advocates the use of neuroscience theoretical insights and methodological tools to advance existing organizational justice theory, research, and practice. To illustrate the value of neuroscience, two general topics are reviewed. In regard to individual justice, neuroscience makes it clear that organizational justice theory and research needs to integrate both emotion and cognition. Neuroscience also suggests promising avenues for practical individual justice interventions. For other-focused justice, neuroscience clarifies how empathy provides a mechanism for deontic justice while again highlighting the need to consider both emotion and cognition. Neuroscience research into group characterizations also suggests promising explanations for deontic justice failures. We also show how other-focused justice interventions are possible, but more complex, than for self-focused justice. We conclude that interdisciplinary research has great potential to advance both organizational justice and neuroscience research.

Managing knowledge-intensive workers.

A managers ability to provide knowledge workers with the personalized goals, motivation and tools they need to perform at their best will bring outstanding results.