12B-Alert Web Version 2.0 (February 2021)This software tool predicts the alertness of an “average” individual as a function of sleep/wake schedule, caffeineconsumption, and time of day. Optionally, it also provides optimal caffeine schedules for user-provided periods ofdesired peak alertness. Specifically, it allows users to manually enter a sleep/wake/peak alertness schedule, as well ascaffeine dosing and … Continue reading “function of sleep/wake schedule | My Assignment Tutor”
12B-Alert Web Version 2.0 (February 2021)This software tool predicts the alertness of an “average” individual as a function of sleep/wake schedule, caffeineconsumption, and time of day. Optionally, it also provides optimal caffeine schedules for user-provided periods ofdesired peak alertness. Specifically, it allows users to manually enter a sleep/wake/peak alertness schedule, as well ascaffeine dosing and timing, and displays the corresponding predictions for three different statistics of alertness on thepsychomotor vigilance test (PVT). If the user provides the desired period of peak alertness, the system will output theestimated optimal caffeine schedule.This tool can be used to:1. Assess the effects of different sleep/wake schedules and caffeine consumption2. Design sleep/wake and caffeine schedules to optimize alertness3. Generate hypotheses that can be experimentally tested4. Optimize the benefits of caffeine useDisclaimer: The 2B-Alert Web tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used or reliedupon to predict the performance of any specific individual or the likelihood of errors or accidents by any specificindividual or group of individuals.For Questions: 2b-alert-web@bhsai.orgPrivacyNeither user-entered schedules nor prediction outputs are saved online; both are erased when the user logs out,thereby maintaining privacy and data confidentiality.Model AssumptionsThe tool uses a mathematical model to predict the effects of sleep and caffeine on alertness. This model is formulatedso that alertness at the current and future times is a function of the extant sleep debt that accumulates over days inaccordance to the past sleep/wake schedule. To this end, the tool assumes the following: A habitual sleep schedule (comprising 8 h of sleep a day) adds no sleep debt. Sleep periods of less than 8 h aday add positive sleep debt. Sleep episodes in the recent past have greater influence on the extant sleep debt than do sleep episodes fromthe remote past, with episodes more than 7 days old having negligible influence. There is zero sleep debt prior to day 0. All sleep and caffeine times are assumed to be for the same time zone.Note: To predict the effects of a schedule, enter at least 7 days of sleep history prior to the start of the schedule,unless the individual carries negligible sleep debt at the start of the schedule.Alertness StatisticsIn this tool, alertness is quantified using three different statistics based on the PVT, which is a reaction-time test thatmeasures response times (RTs) to a series of visual stimuli presented over a period of 3–10 min. The three statisticscomputed using these RTs are: 1) mean speed (= average of reciprocals of RTs), 2) mean RT (= average of RTs), and 3)lapses (= number of RTs > 500 ms). Higher mean speeds indicate better alertness. In contrast, greater mean RTs andmore lapses indicate worse alertness. All statistics provided by this tool are based on a 10-min PVT.2User GuideFigure 1 shows a screenshot of the default sleep/caffeine schedules and their predicted alertness plots. The schedulesdrop-down list on the right contains names of all saved schedules. The schedule timelines and predicted alertnessplots are shown on the left.Tables 1 and 2 describe all user interface controls in detail. Table 1 describes the controls to create and edit sleep,caffeine, and peak alertness schedules, as well as to make predictions and to obtain optimal caffeine schedules. Table2 describes the controls for the prediction plots.Figure 1 – Sleep/caffeine schedules and their alertness predictions.Click the “Clear All” button (top right) to clear all schedules/plots and create a brand new schedule. Click the “ImportData” button to import schedules from an Excel file. All schedules start on day 0. A fixed sleep period (from 23:00 onday –1 to 07:00 on day 0) is added by default and is used by the alertness prediction model as a baseline sleep night.Follow the steps below to create/edit schedules, predict alertness, and obtain optimal caffeine schedules:Create/edit schedules1. Create a new schedule by clicking on the plus ( ) button or select a schedule from the drop-down list.2. The newly created or selected schedule is highlighted with a yellow background.3. Drag and drop the “Sleep” icon ( ) onto the schedule timeline and click “Save” to add a new sleep episode.4. Drag and drop the “Caffeine” icon ( ) onto the schedule timeline and click “Save” to add a new caffeineconsumption episode. Table 3 lists caffeine contents in popular products.5. To edit an existing sleep or caffeine episode, first click on it to select it, and then make changes.Predict alertness1. Create a new sleep/caffeine schedule or edit an existing one. If the background is not yellow, click on theschedule timeline to select the schedule.2. Click the “Predict” button to predict alertness.3Obtain optimal caffeine schedule1. Select an existing sleep/caffeine schedule (e.g., the “5 h per night Sleep” schedule is selected in Figure 1).2. Click on the “Obtain Optimal Caffeine Schedule” checkbox (right panel), and the Optimal Caffeine Schedulepanel will appear, showing the steps the user should follow to obtain an optimal caffeine schedule (Figure 2).3. Drag and drop the “Peak Alertness” icon ( ) onto the schedule timeline and click “Save” to define one ormore peak alertness periods.4. Click the “Optimize” button to obtain an optimal caffeine schedule for the defined periods. The systemdisregards any existing caffeine doses in the original schedule and always attempts to meet the maximumalertness impairment level with the least amount of caffeine.Note: If the predicted alertness is already at the desired level (see “Advanced Options”), the solution will notsuggest any caffeine.Figure 2 – Optimal caffeine schedule for the selected sleep/caffeine schedule and associated alertness prediction.Obtain optimal caffeine schedule with advanced options1. Select an existing sleep/caffeine schedule (e.g., the “5 h per night Sleep” schedule is selected in Figure 1).2. Click on the “Obtain Optimal Caffeine Schedule” checkbox (right panel), and the Optimal Caffeine Schedulepanel will appear, showing the steps the user should follow to obtain an optimal caffeine schedule (Figure 2).3. Drag and drop the “Peak Alertness” icon ( ) onto the schedule timeline and click “Save” to define one ormore peak alertness periods.4. Click on the “Advanced Options” checkbox (Figure 3, right panel). When the box is checked, you can select“Maximum Caffeine Dose in 24 h” and “Maximum Alertness-Impairment Threshold” to adjust the caffeineoptimization solutions. Reducing the alertness threshold may lead to solutions involving larger caffeine doses.Drag the sliders to select desired values for these options.5. Click the “Optimize” button to obtain an optimal caffeine schedule for the defined periods. The systemdisregards any existing caffeine doses in the original schedule and always attempts to meet the maximumalertness impairment level with the least amount of caffeine.Note: If the predicted alertness is already at the desired level (see “Advanced Options”), the solution will notsuggest any caffeine.4Figure 3 – Optimal caffeine schedule with advanced options.Table 1 – Sleep, caffeine, and peak alertness schedules controls. SchedulesThe drop-down list contains all saved (predicted) schedules. Click on aschedule name to select it. You can also click on a plot line or scheduletimeline to select the corresponding schedule. Please note that if you edit theselected schedule, you must click the “Predict” button to predict the newlyedited schedule.Note: The maximum number of allowed schedules is 5, and the maximumnumber of days in a schedule is 30.Predict alertnessClick the “Predict” button to predict the selected sleep/caffeine schedule.Export schedule as PDFClick on the PDF ( ) button to export a schedule as a PDF file.Change schedule/plot nameClick on the pencil ( ) button to change a schedule/plot name.Save a copy of the scheduleClick on the copy ( ) button to save a copy of the selected schedule as a newschedule.Delete schedule/plotClick on the trashcan ( ) button to delete a schedule/plot.Create a new scheduleClick on the plus ( ) button to create a new schedule.Clear all schedules/plotsClick the “Clear All” button.Clear all optimal caffeineschedules/plotsClick the “Clear All” button when “Obtain Optimal Caffeine Schedule”checkbox is checked.Import schedules dataClick the “Import Data” button and then “Browse” to import schedules froman Excel file.Note: To create an Excel (schedule) file, click on the “Import Data” buttonand then download the provided template file. Edit the schedule in thattemplate file and save as a new Excel file. Then import the newly created file.You can also edit and import a previously exported file.Export schedules and predictions dataClick the “Export Data” button to export sleep/caffeine schedules andpredicted alertness data as an Excel file. The Inputs columns in the exportedExcel file contain the input schedules and the Outputs columns contain thepredicted alertness data, one schedule per sheet, with the schedule name as 5 the sheet name. The first sheet is a table of contents with links to all othersheets.Export predictions graphClick the “Export Graph” button to export the predictions in the plots as animage file.SleepDrag the “Sleep” icon ( ) onto the selected schedule timeline. Click anexisting “Sleep” episode to select it for editing. Once selected, either drag italong the timeline or enter values in the pop-up form and click “Save.”CaffeineDrag the “Caffeine” icon ( ) onto the selected schedule timeline. Click anexisting “Caffeine” episode to select it for editing. Once selected, either dragit along the timeline or enter values in the pop-up form and click “Save.”Peak AlertnessDrag the “Peak Alertness” icon ( ) onto the selected schedule timeline. Clickan existing “Peak Alertness” episode to select it for editing. Once selected,either drag it along the timeline or enter values in the pop-up form and click“Save.”Day (for Sleep/Caffeine/PeakAlertness)After clicking on a “Sleep,” “Caffeine,” or “Peak Alertness” episode, click inthe cell under the “Day” (or “Start day” or “End day”) column and enter anumber ≥ 0 and ≤ 30.Time (for Sleep/Caffeine/PeakAlertness)After clicking on a “Sleep,” “Caffeine,” or “Peak Alertness” episode, click inthe cell under the “Time” (or “Start time” or “End time”) column. Enter timein HH:MM format (from 00:00 to 23:59). Alternatively, use the “Hour” and“Minute” sliders to select time, and click the “Close” button.Dose (for Caffeine)After clicking on a “Caffeine” episode, click in the cell under the “Dose”column and enter a number ≥ 0. Alternatively, select a preset caffeine typefrom the drop-down list (see Caffeine content in popular products in Table 3below).Obtain Optimal Caffeine ScheduleCheck the “Obtain Optimal Caffeine Schedule” box, add “Peak Alertness” ( )periods to the selected schedule, and click the “Optimize” button to obtainthe computed solutions for optimal caffeine schedules. This box also allowsyou to toggle between prediction only and caffeine optimization.Note: The system disregards any existing caffeine dose in the originalschedule and always attempts to satisfy the maximum alertness impairmentlevel with the least amount of caffeine. The maximum number of optimalcaffeine schedules is 4.Advanced OptionsCheck the “Advanced Options” box and select “Maximum Caffeine Dose in24 h” and “Maximum Alertness-Impairment Threshold” values.Maximum Caffeine in 24 hMaximum amount of caffeine (mg) in a 24-h running period used forcomputing optimal caffeine schedulesMaximum Alertness Impairment LevelMaximum desired alertness impairment during periods of peak alertness. Table 2 – Prediction plots controls Select alertness statistics (y-axis)Click the “Alertness Statistic” drop-down list and choose the desired 10-minPVT statistic.Change y-axis rangeSelect range from the “Y-Min” and “Y-Max” drop-down lists.Zoom on x-axis (Days)Click one of the preset “Zoom” buttons. Alternatively, use the slider controlsimmediately above the x-axis scroll bar to customize the zoom level.Show/hide plot linesClick on the corresponding legend below the x-axis to toggle visibility of aplot.Show/hide data values for plot linesCheck/uncheck the “Show Values” checkbox to show/hide data values whenthe computer mouse is over the plots. 6Table 3 – Caffeine content in popular products. ProductFlavorServing sizeDose (mg)Weak Coffee (Folgers, Instant Roast)a8 oz.10012 oz.14816 oz.200Strong Coffee (Starbucks, Brewed)b8 oz.17512 oz.26016 oz.330Espresso (Starbucks, Doppio)b2 oz.150Tea (Brewed)c8 oz.5312 oz.8016 oz.106Soft Drinkc8 oz.3712 oz.5516 oz.74Red Bullb8.4 oz.7512 oz.10716 oz.1435-hour EnergybRegular Strength2 oz.200Extra Strength2 oz.230Monster EnergydOriginal16 oz.160Hydro16 oz.125Muscle16 oz.152Java16 oz.188Extra Strength12 oz.160Military Energy Gumb1 piece1002 pieces2003 pieces300RockstarbOriginal8 oz.80Original12 oz.120Original16 oz.160Original24 oz.240Flavored12 oz.180Flavored16 oz.240Flavored24 oz.360Energy Shot2.5 oz.229Amp EnergybOriginal8 oz.71Original16 oz.142Flavored8 oz.80Flavored16 oz.160Energy Gummi Bearsb1 pack32Awake Granola Barb1 bar50Coffee Ice Cream (Starbucks)a4 oz.45 aNutrition Action Healthletter, Dec 2012.bRefer to Company Web site.cJ Food Sci 75:R77-87, 2010.dJ Am Med Assoc 309:297, 2013.7Key References1. Rajdev, P., D. Thorsley, S. Rajaraman, T. L. Rupp, N. J. Wesensten, T. J. Balkin, and J. Reifman. A unifiedmathematical model to quantify performance impairment for both chronic sleep restriction and total sleepdeprivation. Journal of Theoretical Biology. 2013 April 24; 331:66-77.2. Ramakrishnan, S., S. Laxminarayan, N. J. Wesensten, G. H. Kamimori, T. J. Balkin, and J. Reifman. Dosedependent model of caffeine effects on human vigilance during total sleep deprivation. Journal of TheoreticalBiology. 2014 October 7; 358:11-24.3. Ramakrishnan, S., N. J. Wesensten, T. J. Balkin, and J. Reifman. A unified model of performance: validation ofits predictions across different sleep/wake schedules. Sleep. 2016 January 1; 39(1):249-262.4. Ramakrishnan, S., N. J. Wesensten, G. H. Kamimori, J. E. Moon, T. J. Balkin, and J. Reifman. A unified model ofperformance for predicting the effects of sleep and caffeine. Sleep. 2016 October 1; 39(10):1827-1841.5. Reifman, J., K. Kumar, N. J. Wesensten, N. A. Tountas, T. J. Balkin, and S. Ramakrishnan. 2B-Alert Web: Anopen-access tool for predicting the effects of sleep/wake schedules and caffeine consumption onneurobehavioral performance. Sleep. 2016 December 1; 39(12):2157-2159.6. Vital-Lopez, F. G., S. Ramakrishnan, T. J. Doty, T. J. Balkin, and J. Reifman. Caffeine dosing strategies to optimizealertness during sleep loss. Journal of Sleep Research. 2018 October; 27(5):e12711.7. Reifman, J., S. Ramakrishnan, J. Liu, A. Kapela, T. J. Doty, T. J. Balkin, K. Kumar, and M. Y. Khitrov. 2B-Alert App:A mobile application for real-time individualized prediction of alertness. Journal of Sleep Research. 2019 April;28(2):e12725.