Search Results (43)

Background/Objectives: Recent social neuroscience research has increasingly shifted from individual moral decision-making to the study of how people negotiate moral dilemmas in interpersonal contexts. This multimethod hyperscanning study investigated whether initial differences in moral decision-making orientation within a dyad influence neural and autonomic synchronization during a joint moral negotiation. Methods: Fourteen dyads were classified as homologous or heterologous based on the similarity or dissimilarity of their individual decision-making orientations. Each dyad was asked to negotiate and reach a shared decision on a moral dilemma involving a realistic health emergency scenario. Electroencephalography (EEG) and autonomic signals were recorded simultaneously. Dissimilarity indices were computed to assess inter-brain and autonomic synchronization. Results: EEG analyses revealed a significant effect only in the delta frequency band: all dyads, regardless of orientation, showed greater dissimilarity in the left frontal region compared to the left temporo-central and right parieto-occipital regions. In addition, autonomic data indicated greater heart rate variability (HRV) dissimilarity in homologous dyads than in heterologous ones. However, these results did not confirm our initial hypotheses, indicating the opposite pattern. Conclusions: Left frontal delta dissimilarity emerged as an exploratory candidate marker of moral negotiation across dyads. Greater HRV dissimilarity in homologous dyads suggests that, in these dyads, successful negotiation may be supported by complementary rather than synchronized autonomic responses. This multimethod hyperscanning approach highlights the complex and partially dissociable contributions of neural and autonomic processes to the regulation of shared moral decision-making. Full article

This paper presents a multi-participant driving simulation framework designed to support traffic experiments involving the simultaneous collection of vehicle telemetry and cognitive data. The system integrates motion-enabled driving cockpits, high-fidelity steering and pedal systems, immersive visual displays (monitor or virtual reality), and the Assetto Corsa simulation engine. To capture cognitive states, dry-electrode EEG headsets are used alongside a custom-built software tool that synchronizes EEG signals with vehicle telemetry across multiple drivers. The primary contribution of this work is the development of a modular, scalable, and customizable experimental platform with robust data synchronization, enabling the coordinated collection of neural and telemetry data in multi-driver scenarios. The synchronization software developed through this study is freely available to the research community. This architecture supports the study of human–human interactions by linking driver actions with corresponding neural activity across a range of driving contexts. It provides researchers with a powerful tool to investigate perception, decision-making, and coordination in dynamic, multi-participant traffic environments. Full article

Communication about moral decision-making involves complex emotional and cognitive processes, especially in critical situations. This study adopted a hyperscanning paradigm to explore neural convergence during moral negotiation. Twenty-six healthy young adults (mean age = 23.59 years; 16 women, 10 men), with no neurological or psychiatric conditions, were paired into 13 same-gender dyads at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Each dyad discussed a medical moral dilemma while their electrophysiological (EEG) activity was simultaneously recorded. Participants were first categorized according to their Dominant Reasoning Profile (DRP) (cognitive or affective), and subsequently convergence in DRP within the dyads was established. EEG band dissimilarities within each dyad were analyzed across frontal, temporo-central, and parieto-occipital regions. The results revealed significantly greater dissimilarity in frontal delta-band activity compared to parieto-occipital areas, regardless of the dyad’s DRP. Such results might suggest different emotional and motivational reactions between the two individuals, reflecting a broader gap in how the moral decision-making process was interpreted and internalized by each member, despite their DRP. The EEG hyperscanning paradigm proves useful in the study and understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in social interaction about morally sensitive decisions and provides novel insights into dyadic brain dynamics. Full article

Emotional attunement, or emotional co-regulation in a relationship, can manifest as interpersonal neural synchrony, where partners exhibit similar anti-phase or phase-shifted brain activity. In adult romantic relationships, emotional attunement may differ according to relationship satisfaction. No study has examined how relationship satisfaction difference influences interpersonal neural synchrony. This exploratory pilot study on 17 couples (unmarried Chinese undergraduate couples in a Southeast Asian university) investigated whether relationship satisfaction difference influenced interpersonal neural synchrony during a shared emotive experience. Each couple wore an fNIRS cap to measure brain activity in their prefrontal cortex (PFC) while co-viewing seven videos intended to evoke positive, negative or neutral emotions. We found preliminary evidence that relationship satisfaction difference modulated interpersonal neural synchrony in the right ventral PFC regions, including the right ventromedial PFC (involved in the encoding of emotional values to stimuli and emotional regulation), right ventrolateral PFC (involved in voluntary emotional regulation) and the right orbitofrontal cortex (involved in processing of emotional experiences and regulation of emotions). This suggested that couples with mismatched relationship satisfaction displayed greater interpersonal neural synchrony, possibly due to mutual social cognitive processes when viewing emotive videos together. Further studies can replicate the findings with larger, diverse samples. Full article

Background: This study investigates the electrophysiological (EEG) correlates underlying negotiation dynamics in dyads engaged in a shared decision-making process. Methods: Using EEG hyperscanning, we examined single-brain and inter-brain neural activity in 26 participants (13 dyads) during a structured negotiation task. The participants, selected for their group-oriented decision-making preference, discussed a realistic group decisional scenario while their EEG activity was recorded. EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) were analyzed and Euclidean Distances were computed for measuring dissimilarity at the inter-brain neural level. Results: At the single-brain level, the results show increased delta and theta power in frontal regions, reflecting emotional engagement and goal-directed control, alongside heightened beta and gamma activity in parieto-occipital areas, linked to cognitive integration and decision-monitoring during the negotiation process. At the inter-brain neural level, we observed significant dissimilarity in frontal delta activity compared to temporo-central and parieto-occipital one, suggesting that negotiation involves independent cognitive regulation within the members of the dyads rather than complete neural synchrony. Conclusions: These findings highlight the dual role of negotiation as both a cooperative and cognitively demanding process, requiring emotional alignment and strategic adaptation. This study advances our understanding of the neurophysiological bases of negotiation and provides insights into how inter-brain dynamics shape collaborative decision-making. Full article

Background/Objectives: Art-based interventions have been shown to enhance communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet their impact on prefrontal hemodynamics remains unclear. Methods: This study employed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine hemoglobin oxygenation (HbO) changes in the prefrontal cortex of school-age children with ASD, providing empirical support for its therapeutic efficacy. Sixty age-matched children participated in a 9-week art therapy program, including twenty ASD children and forty typically developing peers. Assessments included self-portrait drawing (SPD), the Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS), and the General Quality of Life Inventory (GQOL-74). In addition, we performed fNIRS measurements in the ASD participants and observed changes in prefrontal HbO at rest and while drawing. Results: The drawing intervention significantly enhanced drawing ability, emotional expression, and cognitive skills, with the intervention group outperforming the controls. ASD participants exhibited distinct prefrontal connectivity patterns with visual, motor, and language-related regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, frontal eye field, and Broca’s area. Task-based painting interventions indirectly influenced the frontal lobe’s hemodynamic characteristics, indicating drawing intervention as an effective intervention for ASD. Full article

Introduction: Within a shared decision-making process, persuasion dynamics develop as a communication sub-process that can be characterized by different phases. This study examines hemodynamic functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) coherence measures in dyads of decision-makers. The interaction occurs in two phases: Phase 1, where the persuader (Pr) introduces the decision topic and uses persuasive strategies, and Phase 2, where the Persuaded (Pd) responds and may agree with the Pr’s selected option. Method: Fourteen dyads participated, with fNIRS measuring oxygenated (O₂Hb) and deoxygenated (HHb) hemoglobin concentration changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during both phases. Hemodynamic coherence within dyads was explored through the computation of a dissimilarity index (Euclidean distance). Results: Phase 2 showed increased HHb dissimilarity, indicating greater divergence in brain activity during the Pd’s response phase. Discussion: These findings suggest that, during persuasion, when Pd responds, there is increased dissimilarity in cognitive and neural processes, without implying a loss of synergy. The study highlights the importance of interactional dynamics in shaping decision outcomes and underscores the potential of fNIRS as a non-invasive tool for monitoring brain activity in clinical and collaborative settings. Full article

The act of performing music may induce a specific state of mind, musicians potentially becoming immersed and detached from the rest of the world. May this be measured? Does this state of mind change based on repetition? In collaboration with Stavanger Symphony Orchestra (SSO), we developed protocols to investigate ongoing changes in the brain activation of a first violinist and a second violinist in real time during seven sequential, public concerts using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Using wireless fNIRS systems (Brite MKII) from Artinis, we measured ongoing hemodynamic changes and projected the brain activation to the audience through the software OxySoft 3.5.15.2. We subsequently developed protocols for further analyses through the Matlab toolboxes Brainstorm and Homer2/Homer3. Our developed protocols demonstrate how one may use “functional dissection” to imply how the state of mind of musicians may alter while performing their art. We focused on a subset of cortical regions in the right hemisphere, but the current study demonstrates how fNIRS may be used to shed light on brain dynamics related to producing art in ecological and natural contexts on a general level, neither restricted to the use of musical instrument nor art form. Full article

HyperSCAN (Hyper Spectral Camera ANalyzer) is a hyperspectral imager which monitors the Earth’s environment and also an educational platform to integrate college students’ ideas and skills in optical design and data processing. The advantages of HyperSCAN are that it is designed for modular design, is compact and lightweight, and low-cost using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) optical components. The modular design allows for flexible and rapid development, as well as validation within college lab environments. To optimize space utilization and reduce the optical path, HyperSCAN’s optical system incorporates a folding mirror, making it ideal for the constrained environment of a CubeSat. The use of COTS components significantly lowers pre-development costs and minimizes associated risks. The compact size and cost-effectiveness of CubeSats, combined with the advanced capabilities of hyperspectral imagers, make them a powerful tool for a broad range of applications, such as environmental monitoring of Earth, disaster management, mineral and resource exploration, atmospheric and climate studies, and coastal and marine research. We conducted a spatial-resolution-boost experiment using HyperSCAN data and various hyperspectral datasets including Urban, Pavia University, Pavia Centre, Botswana, and Indian Pines. After testing various data-fusion deep learning models, the best image quality of these methods is a two-branches convolutional neural network (TBCNN), where TBCNN retrieves spatial and spectral features in parallel and reconstructs the higher-spatial-resolution data. With the aid of higher-spatial-resolution multispectral data, we can boost the spatial resolution of HyperSCAN data. Full article

With the increasing attention paid to user-oriented design and services, the term co-design, a form of user-participatory design, is increasingly mentioned. Previous studies have shown that co-design could better satisfy user needs in process and results, but there are few studies that have been empirically validated through neuroscience methods. Therefore, this study used fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) to measure the brain blood oxygen data (HbO₂ & Hb) of both “designer” and “user” participants from design and non-design majors during traditional and co-design tasks. The IBS (inter-brain synchronization) between participants was calculated using a wavelet coherence package in Matlab. Research has found significant consistency of DLPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and BROCA (pars triangularis Broca’s area) was observed in both tasks, with more significance observed in co-design tasks, and IBS activation was significantly positively correlated with need satisfaction rate. The results showed that co-design could better activate DLPFC and BROCA brain regions compared to traditional design, which further supports previous research and expands the possibility of collaborative task paradigms. The increase in co-design IBS compared to traditional design also represents better collaborative performance, and could provide empirical evidence for participatory design based on neuroimaging. Full article

This hyperscanning study explores the central (hemodynamic) and peripheral (autonomic) markers of persuasion within a shared decision-making process. Decision-making was examined through a task where two decision-makers assumed the role of Persuader (P-der) and Persuaded (P-ded), with the P-der aiming to increase group decision orientation in the P-ded. Data were collected from 14 dyads using functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamic activity and collection and recording of autonomic indices including heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV). The analysis focused on two phases: Phase 1, where the P-der presented the scenario and enacted their persuasive strategy, and Phase 2, characterized by the P-ded’s response. The results revealed significant effects on the dissimilarity indices at the dyadic level. Compared with Phase 1, Phase 2 included higher oxygenated hemoglobin dissimilarity in the PFC, indicating greater inter-dyadic divergence during the P-ded’s response. HR dissimilarity increased when the P-ded spoke, suggesting disrupted synergy, while HRV dissimilarity was higher when the P-der spoke, potentially reflecting differences in stress regulation. These findings suggest that neurophysiological coherence varies based on persuasion phases within shared decision-making, with P-ded introducing greater dissonance in dyads synergy. Compared with single-subject approaches, dyadic analyses offer a more accurate understanding of the interpersonal nature of persuasion dynamics during decision-making. Full article

Background/objective: Greater parent–infant synchrony is associated with improved child outcomes. Behavioral measures of synchrony are still developing in young infants; thus, researchers need tools to quantify synchrony between parents and their young infants. We examined parent–infant neural synchrony measured using dual EEG hyperscanning and associations between neural synchrony, infant behavioral measures of synchrony, and maternal bondedness and depression. Methods: Our prospective cohort study included mother–infant dyads at 2–4 months of age. We collected time-locked dual EEG recordings of mother and infant and simultaneous video-recordings during a scaffolded interaction where the mother sequentially layered sensory modalities to the interaction. Neural synchrony measured using EEG hyperscanning was analyzed using the circular correlation coefficient (CCorr), infant behavioral synchrony was measured using the validated Welch Emotional Connection Screen (WECS) scores, and maternal bondedness and depression were measured using standardized questionnaires. Results: Our study included n = 47 dyads. Dyadic CCorr increased across the interaction as the mother added tactile stimulation to visual stimulation. We also found associations between behavioral and neural measures of dyadic synchrony such that infants with higher scores on behavioral measures of emotional connection on the WECS showed greater increases in CCorr indicative of dyadic synchrony with their mother across this interaction. We found no associations between neural synchrony and maternal bondedness or depression. Conclusion: These findings support the construct validity of mother–infant dyadic neural synchrony measured using EEG hyperscanning and analyzed using CCorr. Opportunities for future research on quantification of neural synchrony between parents and young infants abound. Full article

Nonverbal connection is an important aspect of everyday communication. For romantic partners, nonverbal connection is essential for establishing and maintaining feelings of closeness. EEG hyperscanning offers a unique opportunity to examine the link between nonverbal connection and neural synchrony among romantic partners. This current study used an EEG hyperscanning paradigm to collect frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) signatures from 30 participants (15 romantic dyads) engaged in five different types of nonverbal connection that varied based on physical touch and visual contact. The results suggest that there was a lack of FAA while romantic partners were embracing and positive FAA (i.e., indicating approach) while they were holding hands, looking at each other, or doing both. Additionally, partners’ FAA synchrony was greatest at a four second lag while they were holding hands and looking at each other. Finally, there was a significant association between partners’ weekly negative feelings and FAA such that as they felt more negative their FAA became more positive. Taken together, this study further supports the idea that fleeting moments of interpersonal touch and gaze are important for the biological mechanisms that may underlie affiliative pair bonding in romantic relationships. Full article

Advances in connectivity, communication, computation, and algorithms are driving a revolution that will bring economic and social benefits through smart technologies of the Industry 4.0 era. At the same time, attackers are targeting this expanded cyberspace to exploit it. Therefore, many cyberattacks are reported each year at an increasing rate. Traditional security devices such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDSs), intrusion prevention systems (IPSs), anti-viruses, and the like, often cannot detect sophisticated cyberattacks. The security information and event management (SIEM) system has proven to be a very effective security tool for detecting and mitigating such cyberattacks. A SIEM system provides a holistic view of the security status of a corporate network by analyzing log data from various network devices. The correlation engine is the most important module of the SIEM system. In this study, we propose the optimized correlator (OC), a novel correlation engine that replaces the traditional regex matching sub-module with a novel high-performance multiple regex matching library called “Hyperscan” for parallel log data scanning to improve the performance of the SIEM system. Log files of 102 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, and 1024 MB, generated from log data received from various devices in the network, are input into the OC and simple event correlator (SEC) for applying correlation rules. The results indicate that OC is 21 times faster than SEC in real-time response and 2.5 times more efficient in execution time. Furthermore, OC can detect multi-layered attacks successfully. Full article

Investigating the neural mechanisms underlying both cooperative and competitive joint actions may have a wide impact in many social contexts of human daily life. An effective pipeline of analysis for hyperscanning data recorded in a naturalistic context with a cooperative and competitive motor task has been missing. We propose an analytical pipeline for this type of joint action data, which was validated on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals recorded in a proof-of-concept study on two dyads playing cooperative and competitive table tennis. Functional connectivity maps were reconstructed using the corrected imaginary part of the phase locking value (ciPLV), an algorithm suitable in case of EEG signals recorded during turn-based competitive joint actions. Hyperbrain, within-, and between-brain functional connectivity maps were calculated in three frequency bands (i.e., theta, alpha, and beta) relevant during complex motor task execution and were characterized with graph theoretical measures and a clustering approach. The results of the proof-of-concept study are in line with recent findings on the main features of the functional networks sustaining cooperation and competition, hence demonstrating that the proposed pipeline is promising tool for the analysis of joint action EEG data recorded during cooperation and competition using a turn-based motor task. Full article