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The relationship framework between electroencephalogram (EEG) signals and subjective perception during pilots' missions was established to improve pilots' training efficiency and flight safety. Primarily, this study constructs a real flight scene through virtual reality (VR) and then obtains EEG data in simulated scenes. Researchers use VR technology to build a mission simulation room and then acquire EEG data from participants wearing EEG acquisition devices in the simulated room. The experimental process is divided into flight simulation and a questionnaire survey. Based on the participants' EEG analysis, the researchers verified the changes of β rhythm under a high-difficulty operation mission. In addition, this study infers the mechanism of affecting pilots' mental workload under high-difficulty operation by analyzing the correlation between subjective questionnaire results and β rhythms. The results showed that in the context of pilots performing flight missions in the aircraft space environment, the pilots' mental load had the most excellent rhythmic relationship with the regions representing β rhythm. Therefore, a comprehensive experimental framework constructed in this study based on virtual simulation space to analyze the relationship between EEG and NASA-TLX subjective questionnaire provides a set of more accurate reference information for the design of a pilot training system based on pilot training efficiency and flight safety.

BACKGROUND: Construction work involves significant physical, mental, and temporal task demands. Excessive task demands can have negative consequences for safety, errors and production. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study investigates the magnitude and sources of task demands on a concrete operation, and examines the effect of the production practices on the workers' task demands. METHODS: The NASA Task Load Index was used to measure the perceived task demands of two work crews. The operation involved the construction of a cast-in-place concrete building under high schedule pressures. Interviews with each crew member were used to identify the main sources of the perceived demands. Extensive field observations and interviews with the supervisors and crews identified the production practices. RESULTS: The workers perceived different level of task demands depending on their role. The production practices influenced the task demands in two ways: (1) practices related to work organization, task design, resource management, and crew management mitigated the task demands; and (2) other practices related to work planning and crew management increased the crew's ability to cope with and adapt to high task demands. CONCLUSIONS: The findings identify production practices that regulate the workers' task demands. The effect of task demands on performance is mitigated by the ability to cope with high demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: There have been conflicting reports of the effects of modest sleep deprivation on surgical skills. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 24-hour call shift on technical and cognitive function, as well as the ability to learning a new skill. Methods: Thirty-one students trained to expert proficiency on a virtual reality part-task trainer. They then were randomized to either a control or sleep-deprived group. On the second testing day they were given a novel task. Fatigue was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration–Task Load Index was used to assess cognitive capabilities. Results: There was no difference between the control and sleep-deprived groups for performance or learning of surgical tasks. Subjectively, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale showed an increase in sleepiness. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration–Task Load Index showed an increase in total subjective mental workload for the sleep-deprived group. Conclusions: Sleep-deprived subjects were able to complete the tasks despite the increased workload, and were able to learn a new task proficiently, despite an increase in sleepiness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The relationship between task difficulty and learning benefit was examined, as was the measurability of task difficulty. Participants were required to learn a postural control task on an unstable surface at one of four different task difficulty levels. Results from the retention test showed an inverted-U relationship between task difficulty during acquisition and motor learning. The second-highest level of task difficulty was the most effective for motor learning, while learning was delayed at the most and least difficult levels. Additionally, the results indicate that salivary α-amylase and the performance dimension of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) are useful indices of task difficulty. Our findings suggested that instructors may be able to adjust task difficulty based on salivary α-amylase and the performance dimension of the NASA-TLX to enhance learning., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)