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Introduction: Emotion recognition using electroencephalography (EEG) is a key aspect of brain-computer interface research. Achieving precision requires effectively extracting and integrating both spatial and temporal features. However, many studies focus on a single dimension, neglecting the interplay and complementarity of multi-feature information, and the importance of fully integrating spatial and temporal dynamics to enhance performance. Methods: We propose the Spatiotemporal Adaptive Fusion Network (STAFNet), a novel framework combining adaptive graph convolution and temporal transformers to enhance the accuracy and robustness of EEG-based emotion recognition. The model includes an adaptive graph convolutional module to capture brain connectivity patterns through spatial dynamic evolution and a multi-structured transformer fusion module to integrate latent correlations between spatial and temporal features for emotion classification. Results: Extensive experiments were conducted on the SEED and SEED-IV datasets to evaluate the performance of STAFNet. The model achieved accuracies of 97.89% and 93.64%, respectively, outperforming state-of-the-art methods. Interpretability analyses, including confusion matrices and t-SNE visualizations, were employed to examine the influence of different emotions on the model's recognition performance. Furthermore, an investigation of varying GCN layer depths demonstrated that STAFNet effectively mitigates the over-smoothing issue in deeper GCN architectures. Discussion: In summary, the findings validate the effectiveness of STAFNet in EEG-based emotion recognition. The results emphasize the critical role of spatiotemporal feature extraction and introduce an innovative framework for feature fusion, advancing the state of the art in emotion recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effectively regulating anger driving has become critical in ensuring road safety. The existing research lacks a feasible exploration of anger-driving regulation. This paper delves into the effect and neural mechanisms of emotional olfactory stimuli (EOS) on regulating anger driving based on EEG. First, this study designed an angry driving regulation experiment based on EOS to record EEG signals. Second, brain activation patterns under various EOS conditions are explored by analyzing functional brain networks (FBNs). Additionally, the paper analyzes dynamic alterations in anger-related characteristics to explore the intensity and persistence of regulating anger driving under different EOS. Finally, the paper studies the frequency energy of EEG changes under EOS through time–frequency analysis. The results indicate that EOS can effectively regulate a driver's anger emotions, especially with the banana odor showing superior effects. Under banana odor stimulus, synchronization between the parietal and temporal lobes significantly decreased. Notably, the regulatory effect of banana odor is optimal and exhibits sustained efficacy. The regulatory effect of banana odor on anger emotions is persistent. Furthermore, the impact of banana odor significantly reduces the distribution of high-energy activation states in the parietal lobe region. Our findings provide new insights into the dynamic characterization of functional connectivity during anger-driving regulation and demonstrate the potential of using EOS as a reliable tool for regulating angry driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the research on elderly-oriented experience for mobile applications is relatively scattered, and improvements have not been explored to meet the major psychological needs of the elderly. In this study, 15 principles for the design of mobile applications for the elderly in three aspects, i.e., autonomy, competence and relatedness, have been proposed on the basis of self-determination theory, literature review and results obtained from semi-structured interviews. In order to improve an existing mobile application with respect to these three aspects, data were collected from 45 elderly participants. The results revealed that the improved mobile application effectively catered to the basic psychological needs of older users, as compared to the earlier version. Hence, the design principles identified in the study can effectively guide designers in developing elderly-oriented mobile applications to improve the user experience and the wellbeing of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an intelligent shadow play system (ShadowTouch) based on multi-dimensional interactive perception technologies to let user interact with the shadow play figure naturally. ShadowTouch included a shadow play hardware subsystem and a multi-dimensional interactive software subsystem. In shadow play hardware subsystem, each joint of the shadow play figure was actuated by the connecting rod which was rotated through one steering gear. In multi-dimensional interactive software subsystem, a somatosensory interaction module synchronized motions between shadow play figure and human body based on skeleton point detection, and an automatic choreography module generated the motions automatically for the shadow play figure based on musical emotion recognition. The proposed system improved the immersive interaction experience and let users feel involved during the performance of shadow play, and the motions of shadow play figure (steering gear motion angles) could be saved digitally to further be applied for the reactivation and inheritance of traditional culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractDriving with anger can result in hazardous driving behaviors, often arising from inadequate communication among Traffic Participants (TPs). Currently, external Human-Machine Interface (eHMI) technology provides a novel channel for enhancing communication among TPs, yet its role in regulating driving emotions remains uncertain. This study investigates the impact of eHMI technology on the regulation of driving anger. We simulated a driving scenario in which the preceding vehicle abruptly applied brakes to elicit anger from the following driver. Three eHMI formats (Symbol, Text, and Symbol + Text) positioned at the rear of the preceding vehicle were implemented to explain the sudden braking event and regulate drivers’ emotions. Objective electroencephalogram (EEG) signals and subjective assessment data were analyzed to assess the effects of eHMIs on driving anger regulation. The results indicate that driving with eHMIs exhibited significant regulatory quality of drivers’ anger. Among the three formats, Symbol + Text eHMI exerted a notable regulatory impact, while both Symbol and Text eHMI contributed to emotional regulation. This study illustrates the positive impact of eHMI on emotion regulation in traffic environments, providing valuable backing for traffic management authorities in developing guidelines and policies, and contributing to the standardization of future eHMI technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alteration of bladder morphology and function was the most important consequence of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Using a rat model of partial BOO (pBOO), we found that rats treated with metformin showed lower baseline pressures with a reduced inflammatory reaction in the early phase (2 wk) after pBOO. The NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome pathway was inhibited in pBOO rat bladders with treatment of metformin in the early phase. Metformin reduced the activity of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 in primary urothelial cells. In the chronic phase (9 wk after pBOO), metformin treatment ameliorated bladder fibrosis and improved the reduced compliance. Treatment with metformin suppressed the activation of Smad3 and compensated the diminished autophagy in 9-wk pBOO rat bladders. Autophagy was inhibited with upregulation of profibrotic proteins in primary fibroblasts from chronic pBOO bladders, which could be restored by administration of metformin. The antifibrotic effects of metformin on fibroblasts were diminished after silencing of AMP-activated protein kinase or light chain 3B. In summary, this study elucidates that oral administration of metformin relieves inflammation in the bladder during the early phase of pBOO. Long-term oral administration of metformin can prevent functional and histological changes in the pBOO rat bladder. The current study suggests that metformin might be used to prevent the development of bladder dysfunction secondary to BOO. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study in a rat model showed that oral administration of metformin alleviated inflammation following partial bladder outlet obstruction in the early phase and ameliorated bladder fibrosis as well as bladder dysfunction by long-term treatment. Our study indicated that metformin is a potential drug to inhibit bladder remodeling and alleviate bladder dysfunction. Clinical trials are needed to validate the effect of metformin on the bladder dysfunction and bladder fibrosis in the future.