How do incorrect results change the processing of arithmetic information? Evidence from a divided visual field experiment

Despite several recent important developments in understanding numerical processing of both isolated numbers and numbers in the context of arithmetic equations, the relative impact of congruency on high, compared to low, level processing remains unclear. The current study investigated hemispheric differences in the processing of arithmetic material, as a function of semantic and perceptual congruency, using a delayed answer verification task and divided visual field paradigm. A total of 37 participants (22 females and 15 males, mean age 30.06, SD 9.78) were presented unilaterally or bilaterally with equation results that were either correct or incorrect and had a consistent or inconsistent numerical notation. Statistical analyses showed no visual field differences in a notation consistency task, whereas when judgements had to be made on mathematical accuracy there was a right visual field advantage for incorrect equations that were notation consistent. These results reveal a clear differential processing of arithmetic information by the two cerebral hemispheres with a special emphasis on erroneous calculations. Faced with incorrect results and with a consistent numerical notation, the left hemisphere outperforms its right counterpart in making mathematical accuracy decisions

Acute effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phone on brain function

Due to its attributes, characteristics and technological resources, mobile phone (MP) has become one of the most commonly used communication devices. Historically, ample evidence has ruled out the substantial short-term impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) emitted by MP on human cognitive performance. However, more recent evidence suggests the potential harmful effects associated with MP EMF exposure. The aim of this review is to readdress the question of whether the effect of MP EMF exposure on brain function should be reopened. We strengthen our argument focusing on recent neuroimaging and electroencephalography studies, in order to present a more specific analysis of effects of MP EMF exposure on neurocognitive function. Several studies indicate an increase in cortical excitability and/or efficiency with EMF exposure, which appears to be more prominent in fronto- temporal regions and has been associated with faster reaction time. Cortical excitability might also underpin disruption to sleep. Notably however, several inconsistent findings exist, and conclusions regarding adverse effects of EMF exposure are currently limited. It also should be noted that the crucial scientific question of the effect of longer-term MP EMF exposure on brain function remains unanswered and essentially unaddressed

Composition of phosphates formed by the interaction of liquid glass with orthophosphoric acid solutions

The chemical and phase composition of products formed by interaction of liquid glass with 20– 80% H3PO4is investigated. It is shown that the products of the synthesis include hydrated silicon and phosphorus containing phases. The silicon containing phase is a mixture of amorphous silica gel and nonstoichiometric sodium silicates. The phosphorus containing phase is sodium hydrophosphate Na2HPO4· 12H2O. It is established that the crystalline phase is formed irrespective of a mixing method and acid concentration. It is suggested that the cause of formation of acid salt of phosphoric acid even at a large excess of water glass is replacement of protons H + of silanol ?Si-OH-groups of silicic acid by cations of Na + and formation of sodium silicates which act as a connecting bridge between adjacent globules of the formed hydrogel

Modelling peri-perceptual brain processes in a deep learning spiking neural network architecture

Familiarity of marketing stimuli may affect consumer behaviour at a peri-perceptual processing level. The current study introduces a method for deep learning of electroencephalogram (EEG) data using a spiking neural network (SNN) approach that reveals the complexity of peri-perceptual processes of familiarity. The method is applied to data from 20 participants viewing familiar and unfamiliar logos. The results support the potential of SNN models as novel tools in the exploration of peri-perceptual mechanisms that respond differentially to familiar and unfamiliar stimuli. Specifically, the activation pattern of the time-locked response identified by the proposed SNN model at approximately 200 milliseconds post-stimulus suggests greater connectivity and more widespread dynamic spatio-temporal patterns for familiar than unfamiliar logos. The proposed SNN approach can be applied to study other peri-perceptual or perceptual brain processes in cognitive and computational neuroscience

Reagent precipitation of hardness ions by carbonate-containing builders

Phase composition of carbonate containing builders obtained by neutralization of proton containing reagents with sodium carbonate is investigated. Itis shown that the builders are a mixture consisting mainly of Na[2]CO[3] · NaHCO[3] · 2H[2]O, Na[2]CO[3] · H[2]O and salts of the corresponding acids. The mixture is able to reduce total water hardness with 3.9 to 1.6–1.7 mmol-eq·l{ -1}. It is found that the builders containing Na[2]CO[3] · NaHCO[3] · 2H[2]O, Na[2]CO[3] · H[2]O and CH[3]COONa · 3H[2]O remove hardness as well as Na[2]CO[3], Na[3]PO[4] ·12H[2]O and STPP at the same flow rate

Community awareness of green roofs in Sydney

There are environmental, economic and social benefits of installing green roofs and walls on city buildings. The environmental benefits are lower building related operational carbon emissions, reductions in the urban heat island, increases in bio-diversity and reductions in storm-water run-off. Economically, the benefits are reduced roof maintenance costs, lower running costs, higher capital and rental values for commercial buildings. Finally the social or community gains are the creation of aesthetically pleasing spaces, landmarksand cultural capital as well as provision of recreational spaces. Furthermore social, psychological and therapeutic gains accrue when the roof or wall is visible to people andis used for social interaction and leisure activities. The perceived drawbacks are perceived greater risk of building leaks, high costs of installation and maintenance, and access and security issues. Whilst the technology to design and install green roofs and walls has existed for hundreds of years the uptake and the demand for green roofs and walls has not been high. Overall, the environmental social and economic gains are not perceived sufficient to create significant demand to set up green roofs and walls. In Sydney Australia, the existing number of green roofs and walls are testimony to this observation. With the aim of addressing the barriers to the uptake of green roofs and walls; it is essential to understand the way in which the key stakeholders; here the community, perceive the technology. With this knowledge it is then feasible to develop an agenda to mitigate any erroneous perceptions that exists. This research reports on a survey with the Sydney community to determine their perceptions of green roofs and walls

The relationships between expressed emotion, cortisol, and EEG alpha asymmetry

Families can express high criticism, hostility and emotional over-involvement towards a person with or at risk of mental health problems. Perceiving such high expressed emotion (EE) can be a major psychological stressor for individuals, especially those at risk of mental health problems. To reveal the biological mechanisms underlying the effect of EE on health, this study investigated physiological response (salivary cortisol, frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA)) to verbal criticism and their relationship to anxiety and perceived EE. Using a repeated-measures design, healthy participants attended three testing sessions on non-consecutive days. On each day, participants listened to one of three types of auditory stimuli, namely criticism, neutral or praise, and Electroencephalography (EEG) and salivary cortisol were measured. Results showed a reduction in cortisol following criticism but there was no significant change in FAA. Post-criticism cortisol concentration negatively correlated with perceived EE after controlling for baseline mood. Our findings suggest that salivary cortisol change responds to criticism in non-clinical populations might be largely driven by individual differences in the perception of criticism (e.g., arousal and relevance). Criticisms expressed by audio comments may not be explicitly perceived as an acute emotional stressor, and thus, physiological change responds to criticisms could be minimum

International affect, personality, and embodied brain (APE) network

This special issue comprises a selection of representative studies from the Affect, Personality and Embodied Brain conferences. The included studies span behavioral and brain studies of nonclinical and clinical populations