Facial Temperature Research Articles

Prediction Model of Alcohol Intoxication from Facial Temperature Dynamics Based on K-Means Clustering Driven by Evolutionary Computing

Alcohol intoxication is a significant phenomenon, affecting many social areas, including work procedures or car driving. Alcohol causes certain side effects including changing the facial thermal distribution, which may enable the contactless identification and classification of alcohol-intoxicated people. We adopted a multiregional segmentation procedure to identify and classify symmetrical facial features, which reliably reflects the facial-temperature variations while subjects are drinking alcohol. Such a model can objectively track alcohol intoxication in the form of a facial temperature map. In our paper, we propose the segmentation model based on the clustering algorithm, which is driven by the modified version of the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) evolutionary optimization with the goal of facial temperature features extraction from the IR (infrared radiation) images. This model allows for a definition of symmetric clusters, identifying facial temperature structures corresponding with intoxication. The ABC algorithm serves as an optimization process for an optimal cluster’s distribution to the clustering method the best approximate individual areas linked with gradual alcohol intoxication. In our analysis, we analyzed a set of twenty volunteers, who had IR images taken to reflect the process of alcohol intoxication. The proposed method was represented by multiregional segmentation, allowing for classification of the individual spatial temperature areas into segmentation classes. The proposed method, besides single IR image modelling, allows for dynamical tracking of the alcohol-temperature features within a process of intoxication, from the sober state up to the maximum observed intoxication level.

Discriminating drivers’ emotions through the dimension of power: Evidence from facial infrared thermography and peripheral physiological measurements

The goal of this study was to investigate changes in body temperature as indicators for the emotional dimension of power during driving. Therefore, a driving simulator experiment with 18 participants was conducted, in which two emotions (Fear and noFear) with different characteristics in the dimension of power (low power and high power), which is described as power or weakness feelings of control, were induced using threat and challenge events in the driving scenarios. Infrared thermography video and automatic facial feature recognition were implemented to assess participants’ facial temperature. It was revealed that forehead temperature, which is supposed to represent emotional dimension of power, decreased significantly more after threat than after challenge events (t(17) = −1.83, p = 0.04, Cohen’s d = 0.54). These results suggest that forehead temperature as an indicator for the emotional dimension of power can help to measure drivers’ fear and thus aid reliable in-vehicle emotion recognition.

Changes in facial temperature measured by digital infrared thermal imaging in patients after transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block: Retrospective observational study.

Sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) is a technique developed in the 1990s for the management of head and neck pain patients. Recently, transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block (TN-SPGB) has been widely used for these patients; however, no objective methods exist for validating the success of TN-SPGB. In this study, we measured the changes in facial temperature before and 30 minutes after TN-SPGB by using digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) to validate its success.The medical records of patients, who underwent TN-SPGB and facial DITI between January 2016 and December 2017, were reviewed. TN-SPGB and facial DITI were performed 36 times in 32 patients. The changes in facial temperatures measured at the forehead (V1), maxillary area (V2), and mandibular area (V3) by using DITI before and 30 minutes after TN-SPGB were recorded and compared. The temperatures on the ipsilateral and contralateral sides of these areas were also compared. The comparison between pain relief group and pain maintenance group was analyzed.After TN-SPGB, the temperature decreased significantly on both sides of V1 (P = .0208, 0.0181). No significant differences were observed between the ipsilateral and contralateral sides (P > .05). There was no correlation between changes in temperature and changes in pain score in the pain regions after the procedure (P > .05).The temperature decreased significantly in V1 area at 30 minutes after TN-SPGB compared with the temperature before TN-SPGB. Based on these results, we propose using DITI to measure temperature changes as an objective method for verifying the success of TN-SPGB.

Detecting changes in facial temperature induced by a sudden auditory stimulus based on deep learning-assisted face tracking

Thermal Imaging (Infrared-Imaging-IRI) is a promising new technique for psychophysiological research and application. Unlike traditional physiological measures (like skin conductance and heart rate), it is uniquely contact-free, substantially enhancing its ecological validity. Investigating facial regions and subsequent reliable signal extraction from IRI data is challenging due to head motion artefacts. Exploiting its potential thus depends on advances in analytical methods. Here, we developed a novel semi-automated thermal signal extraction method employing deep learning algorithms for facial landmark identification. We applied this method to physiological responses elicited by a sudden auditory stimulus, to determine if facial temperature changes induced by a stimulus of a loud sound can be detected. We compared thermal responses with psycho-physiological sensor-based tools of galvanic skin response (GSR) and electrocardiography (ECG). We found that the temperatures of selected facial regions, particularly the nose tip, significantly decreased after the auditory stimulus. Additionally, this response was quite rapid at around 4–5 seconds, starting less than 2 seconds following the GSR changes. These results demonstrate that our methodology offers a sensitive and robust tool to capture facial physiological changes with minimal manual intervention and manual pre-processing of signals. Newer methodological developments for reliable temperature extraction promise to boost IRI use as an ecologically-valid technique in social and affective neuroscience.

Affective analytics of demonstration sites

Multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) typically assumes that crowds make completely rational decisions. In MCDM, a crowd as a whole, or its individual members, generally make decisions free from any influence of valence, arousal, emotional state or environment. In contrast, various theories dealing with crowd psychology (Gustave Le Bon, Freudian, Deindividuation, Convergence, Emergent norm, Social identity) analyze, in one form or another, the emotions of the crowd. According to above theories, crowd is influenced by a range of behavioral factors, such as physical, social, psychological, culture, norms, and emotions. It can be argued that the emotional state, valence and arousal of crowds affect their decision making to a considerable degree and multiple criteria crowd behavior modeling must, therefore, consider this impact as well. In this light, the integration of crowd simulation and biometric methods, behavioral operations research and emotions in decision making has taken a prominent place as it leads to a better understanding of crowd emotions and crowd decision making. In this context, the authors developed the Affective Analytics of Demonstration Sites (ANDES) that added to this body of research in four ways. The crowd analysis and simulations conducted with ANDES used a neuro decision matrix. The matrix contains a detailed description of demonstration sites (public spaces) in question and the emotions, valence, arousal and physiological parameters of people present there. With ANDES’s Remote Sensor Network, emotional (emotions, valence, arousal) and physiological (average crowd facial temperature, crowd composition by gender and age group, etc.) parameters of people present at demonstration sites can be mapped. ANDES can assist experts in more effective implementations of public spaces planning and a participation process by attendees by collecting and examining various layers of data on the emotional and physiological parameters of visitors based on a visitors-centric public spaces planning approach. ANDES can determine the public space and real estate values.

Dressings cut to shape alleviate facial tissue loads while using an oxygen mask.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) masks are commonly used for respiratory support where intubation or a surgical procedure can be avoided. However, prolonged use of NIV masks involves risk to facial tissues, which are subjected to sustained deformations caused by tightening of the mask and microclimate conditions. The risk of developing such medical device-related pressure ulcers can be reduced by providing additional cushioning at the mask-face interface. In this work, we determined differences in facial tissue stresses while using an NIV mask with versus without using dressing cuts (Mepilex Lite; Mölnlycke Health Care, Gothenburg, Sweden). First, we developed a force measurement system that was used to experimentally determine local forces applied to skin at the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin in a healthy sample group while using a NIV mask. We further demonstrated facial temperature distributions after use of the mask using infrared thermography. Next, using the finite element method, we delivered the measured compressive forces per site of the face in the model and compared maximal effective stresses in facial tissues with versus without the dressing cuts. The dressings have shown substantial biomechanical effectiveness in alleviating facial tissues deformations and stresses by providing localised cushioning to the tissues at risk.

Cognitive Performance and Physiological Response Analysis

For more socially natural interactions between robots and humans there is a need for the robots to detect and understand the current internal state of the individuals they interact with. In this paper, we investigate the impact of personality, user sensory profile, and morningness–eveningness type of an individual on the variation of different physiological parameters (i.e., blinking, galvanic skin response, facial temperature variation), as well as the performance in a non-verbal word-color Stroop task. The TIAGo humanoid robot displayed two interaction styles that are based on visual and auditory stimuli. The visual and auditory stimuli used by the robot are in accordance with the user sensory profile. We report the results of a within participants study carried out with 24 participants. Our results show that personality, user sensory profile, and morningness–eveningness type have an impact on the variation of the chosen physiological parameters. Furthermore, the interaction style of the robot has an influence on the variation of the physiological parameters.

Thermal infrared image processing profiles for speech anxiety monitoring

This study relates to a method for analyzing speech anxiety by processing biosignals in real time. In the previous study, the effect of galvanic skin response feedback on performance in speech anxiety was determined. The present study is a method to process the speech anxiety state in real time, and this is done by processing the facial thermal image of the presenter in real time. The root mean square waveform that tracks facial temperature changes in real time can be used as a useful indicator for diagnosing speech anxiety. The visualization of the speech anxiety profile feedback with a facial thermal image can be a better cognitive therapeutic strategy in speech anxiety education.

Thermographic assessment of facial temperature in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery

This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of thermography for quantifying facial temperature before and after orthognathic surgery and intermaxillary fixation, and the effects of these orthognathic procedures on facial temperature. Facial thermograms of 10 patients who underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO, one-jaw group) and another 10 patients who underwent Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral SSRO (two-jaw group) were taken 1 day before orthognathic surgery (T1) and at release of intermaxillary fixation 7 days later (T2). Two thermograms taken 30 s (TG1) and 3 min (TG2) after the start of recording at T1 and T2 were used. A square (26 × 26 pixels) was marked on each thermogram and the mean facial temperature for each square was measured. Three-way analysis of variance was used for statistical comparisons. Facial temperatures were significantly higher at T2 than at T1 on TG1 and TG2, and were significantly higher on TG2 than on TG1 at T1 and T2. The two-jaw group had a significantly higher facial temperature than the one-jaw group. Thermography was useful for quantitative assessment of facial temperature in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. Changes in facial temperature were due predominantly to inflammation after surgery, rather than to sarcopenia.

Intersegmental differences in facial warmth sensitivity during rest, passive heat and exercise

Background: Increased facial warmth sensations could lead to thermal discomfort, and different facial regions may demonstrate concurrent temperature differences. The study aim was examining facial warmth sensitivity differences by facial region under differing environmental conditions.Methods: Twelve men had heat flux measurements of six facial regions during 30 min each of rest in thermoneutral conditions (25 °C, 30% relative humidity (RH)), rest in warm conditions (40 °C, 30% RH), and cycling at 400 W of metabolic heat production (40 °C, 30% RH).Results: The forehead demonstrated highest temperatures at termination of all study conditions; lowest temperatures were noted for the nose under thermoneutral conditions and chin during warmth and exercise conditions. Five of six facial regions demonstrated significant differences in warmth sensitivity, decreasing to two of six regions during warm conditions and one of six regions during exercise, with the upper lip most sensitive in all conditions. Body thermal comfort (TC) perceptions, regressed individually on mean facial temperature (Tface) vs. core temperature (Tco), indicated that Tface was significantly more related than Tco to perceived TC (p = .001). Perceived TC, regressed individually on perceived overall body thermal sensation (TS) vs. facial TS, demonstrated that Tface was significantly more related to perceived TC (p = .004).Conclusion: There were regional differences in facial warmth sensitivity together with different facial temperatures moving toward equilibration when the body is subjected to heat-producing activities. Perceptions of TC were more strongly related to Tface than to Tco or overall body TS.

Emotion-Specific Facial Activation Maps Based on Infrared Thermal Image Sequences

Research on emotion recognition has recently started to gain increased attention. Inner emotions or thought activity can be determined by analyzing facial expression, behavioral responses, audio, and physiological signals. Facial expression is now recognized as an important form of non-verbal interaction. In this paper, emotion-specific activation maps were constructed to establish infrared thermal facial image sequences as an alternative approach to the determination of the correlation between emotional triggers and changes in facial temperature. During the testing process, data stored in the International Affective Picture System were used to create emotional clips that triggered three different types of emotion in the subjects, and their infrared thermal facial image sequences were simultaneously recorded. For processing, an image calibration protocol was first employed to reduce the variance produced by irregular micro-shifts in the faces of the subjects, followed by independent component analysis and statistical analysis protocols to create the facial emotional activation maps. The test results showed that the problem of selecting local regions when analyzing frame temperature had been resolved. The emotion-specific facial activation maps provide visualized results that facilitate the observation and understanding of information.

Emotions detection scheme using facial skin temperature and heart rate variability

Technology nowadays is aiming to provide a better life quality for people, schools and universities are working for the convenient of the students as well as ensuring a high quality of education is attained. Emotions detections system can be a solution for better education results and may also be used as a part of human-computer interaction applications such as robotics, games, and intelligent tutoring system, This study shows potentials method of detecting emotions using mobile computing to recognize and identify emotions (Relax, Fear, Sadness, and Joy) based on facial skin temperature, more specifically 5 spots on the face, Nose, Glabellar line (between the eyes and eyebrows) right\lift cheeks and the chin, in addition to the Heart Rate Variability (HRV). An experiment was conducted with 20 healthy subjects (10 females and 10 males, 20 to 31 years old), Both visual and auditory media were used to induce these emotions in the experiment. By the end of this paper, the output data will be anglicized by an Artificial neural network (ANN) The Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) was selected as a classifier with a result of 88.75 % accuracy. This mechanism proves that human`s emotions can easily identify without physical interaction with the subject and with high reliability with only 0.11 misprediction rate

354 Measurement of core body temperature via implanted data loggers and development of an equation to predict core body temperature from facial surface temperature in market-weight broiler chickens.

354 Measurement of core body temperature via implanted data loggers and development of an equation to predict core body temperature from facial surface temperature in market-weight broiler chickens.

Simulation for dynamics of transient ischemic attacks with thermal infrared imaging

Stroke is characterized by the sudden loss of blood circulation to an area of the brain, resulting in a corresponding loss of neurologic function in a patient. According to current methodological recommendations, it is possible to perform surgical and drug treatment to minimize the damage from acute stroke in the first 3-6 hours after the onset of transient ischemic attacks, which is often difficult to identity for emergency physician or clinician. Thermal infrared imaging could serve as a fast non-invasive test to detect asymmetrical pattern in facial temperature of patient as a predictor for vessel occlusion during acute stroke. We develop a software-driven model to simulate for dynamics of facial surface temperature distribution with transient ischemic attacks. The implemented model is designed to develop and debug algorithms for automated analysis of the temperature dysregulation at the processing of patient thermal infrared recording.

Physiological and behavioral reactivity to social exclusion: a functional infrared thermal imaging study in patients with psoriasis

Recent studies have shown that sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity can be heavily impacted not only by basic threats to survival but also by threats to social bonds. In this study we explored the behavioral and physiological consequences of social exclusion/inclusion in patients with psoriasis, a disease frequently associated with the experience of being ostracized and with deficient emotion regulation skills. We employed a virtual ball-tossing game (Cyberball) to induce the experience of social exclusion/inclusion. We then used a Trust Game to measure the effects of this social modulation on trust. During Cyberball, infrared thermal imaging was used to record participants' facial temperature and thus obtain an online measure of SNS activation. Behavioral data showed that social exclusion shifted participants' trust toward unfamiliar players who had not previously excluded them. Physiological data indicated that in control participants, social exclusion triggered higher SNS activation than inclusion. No such effect was found in patients with psoriasis, whose SNS activity was the same during inclusion as it was during exclusion, suggesting that they benefit less from inclusive experiences than control participants. In addition, in patients but not in controls, higher SNS activation during social exclusion was linked to higher monetary investment toward unfamiliar players, a result in keeping with the social reconnection hypothesis, according to which emotions triggered by social rejection can be regulated by investing in new social interactions. We also found that an increase in periorbital temperature is accompanied by a decrease in happiness ratings after social exclusion was experienced during the Cyberball game. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Previous research on emotional processes in psoriasis has mainly employed self-report measures. In this study we used thermal imaging to obtain an online measure of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity during social exclusion and tested how this experience influenced subsequent trust. We found that being included was a less positive experience for patients compared with controls and that SNS activity during exclusion had a stronger influence on subsequent trust in patients than in controls.

Cognitive load and emotional processing in psoriasis: a thermal imaging study.

Psoriasis is a chronic dermatologic disease which is frequently associated with psychological distress. Although studies suggest a relationship between this condition and difficulties in emotion regulation, behavioral and physiological evidence about this link is scarce. We measured implicit emotion regulation abilities of psoriasis patients and a healthy control group by examining the impact of distracting emotional (positive, negative or neutral) images on a working memory task ("Emotional N-Back") which could present high (2-back) or low (1-back) cognitive workload. Moreover, we used Functional Infrared Thermal Imaging to record participants' facial temperature and obtain a measure of the activation of the autonomic system. Rising of temperature over the peri-orbital areas and the nose tip are believed to reflect the activation and the de-activation of the sympathetic system, respectively. Patients scored higher than controls on the "Lack of emotional clarity" sub-scale of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Compared to controls, who performed much better in the low vs. high cognitive load condition, patients showed a smaller accuracy difference between the two conditions. Moreover, patients showed less sympathetic (lower peri-orbital and higher nasal tip temperature) activity (especially in the negative and neutral blocks) during the high vs. low cognitive load condition, suggesting that the former condition might be less emotionally demanding for them. Patients benefit more than controls from the load-dependent interference effect when dealing with emotional information; thus, therapeutic techniques aiming at teaching how to use cognitive strategies to downregulate emotions might be particularly appropriated for them.

Uncoupling psychological from physiological markers of heat acclimatization in a military context

Heat acclimatization may help personnel who travel to areas with a hot climate (WBGT > 27 °C), making them operationally more efficient and performant through improvements in physiological and psychological parameters. Their work-related physical activities may aid active heat acclimatization. However, it is unknown whether adding physical training to improve adaptation is effective, particularly if there is sufficient time for full acclimatization, classically reached after 15 days. Thirty French soldiers (Training group, T) performed a progressive and moderate (from three to five 8-min running sets at 50–60% of their speed at VO2max with 4-min periods of active recovery in between) aerobic training program upon arriving at their base in United Arab Emirates (~40 °C and 20% RH). A control group (30 soldiers; No Training, NT) continued to perform only their usual outdoor military activities (~5 h d−1). A field heat stress test (HST: three 8-min running sets at 50% of the speed at VO2max) was performed before (D0), during (D10), and after (D15) the heat acclimatization period to assess physiological and psychological changes. An 8-km trial in battledress was then performed at D17. Although physiological modifications were mostly similar (p < 0.001 for all) for both groups (rectal temperature at the end of the HST: −0.58 ± 0.51 vs −0.53 ± 0.40 °C, HR at the end of the HST: −21 ± 12 vs −19 ± 9 bpm, and sweat osmolality: −47 ± 30 vs −26 ± 32 mOsmol.l−1 between D15 and D0 for T and NT groups, respectively), thermal discomfort (−31 ± 4 vs −11 ± 5 mm between D15 and D0, p = 0.001) and rates of perceived exertion (−3.0 ± 0.4 vs –1.4 ± 0.3 D15 and D0, p = 0.001) were much lower in the T than NT group during the HST. HST-induced modifications in facial temperature only decreased in the T group (−1.08 ± 0.28 between D15 and D0, p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a difference in perceived thermal discomfort during the 8-km trial (40 ± 20 vs 55 ± 22 mm for the T and NT groups, respectively, p = 0.010). Thus, a 15-day, low-volume training regimen during a mission in a hot and dry environment has a modest impact on physiological adaptation but strongly decreases the perceived strain of exertion and climate potentially via greater reductions in facial temperature, even during a classical operational physical task in a military context.

Assessment of the Autonomic Response in Alzheimer's Patients During the Execution of Memory Tasks: A Functional Thermal Imaging Study.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a form of dementia characterized by failure of memory that becomes more severe with the progression of the disease. The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) is a clinical test used to evaluate such a deficit. However, since the cognitive performances could depend also on the psychophysiological state of the individual, it is important to monitor that state through the peripheral autonomic activity during the execution of the test. Thermal infrared imaging has been used for this kind of assessment in order to preserve the free and unbiased interaction between doctor and patient, thanks to the contactless features of the technique. To investigate whether the variation of facial temperature parameters during the FCSRT is indicative of different autonomic states in the early AD with respect to healthy controls (HC). At a group level, a greater sympathetic activity for the HC with respect to AD during the execution of the test was found, indicative of a suppression of anxiety associated with the performances of the FCSRT in AD patients. These results indicate that AD and HC may present different autonomic activity associated with the execution of a cognitive task, thus suggesting a different modulation of high-cognition and emotion network.

Dengue Fever Detecting System Using Peak-detection of Data from Contactless Doppler Radar.

Infectious diseases, such as dengue fever and Middle East respiratory syndrome, have become prevalent worldwide in recent times. To conduct highly accurate and effective infection screening, we are working on the development of a contactless infection screening system using Doppler radar and thermography. In our previous work, three parameters (face temperature, heartbeat rate, and respiration rate) were used to judge whether a subject was infected. However, facial temperature measurements may be vastly different from temperatures measured at the axilla owing to influence from the immediate environment. In this study, heartbeat rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), and standard deviation of heartbeat interval (SDHI) were used to quantify the infection screening system without using facial temperature as a parameter. We found that respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) diminished in patients who had dengue fever. We gathered data from 47 patients with dengue fever using a 10-GHz Doppler radar system at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases (NHTD) in Hanoi, Vietnam. To evaluate the accuracy, the data of these patients were compared to that of 23 unaffected subjects. We observed that a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was effective at detecting the dengue fever conditions, and the detection accuracy was approximately 97.6%.

Clinical Application of Multiple Vital Signs-Based Infection Screening System in a Mongolian Hospital: Optimization of Facial Temperature Measurement by Thermography at Various Ambient Temperature Conditions Using Linear Regression Analysis.

Fever is one significant sign of infection. Hence, infrared thermography systems are important for detecting infected suspects in public places. Reliable temperature measurements by thermography are influenced by several factors, including environmental conditions. This paper proposes a linear regression analysis-based facial temperature optimization method to improve the accuracy of multiple vital signs-based infection screening at various ambient temperatures. To obtain the relationship between ambient temperature and thermography measurements, 20 instances of axillary temperature, thermography measurements of facial temperature, and five different ambient temperature values at the time of measurement were used as a training set for a linear regression model. Temperatures from a total of 30 subjects were recalculated by the model. The screening system was evaluated using the temperature both before and after optimization to demonstrate the accuracy of the optimization method. A k-nearest neighbor algorithm was used to classify potentially infected patients from healthy subjects. Although the system has already been evaluated in restricted environmental conditions, this is the first time it was tested in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The results show that the Pearson's correlation coefficient between optimum and axillary temperatures increased to r = 0.82. Paired t-tests revealed that the optimized temperature became statistically highly significant (p<0.001) for differentiating potentially infected patients from healthy subjects. Finally, the system achieved a sensitivity score of 91% and a negative predictive value of 92%. These values are higher than those obtained without temperature optimization. The proposed optimization method is feasible and can notably improve screening performance.