Pointing errors in non-metric virtual environments

There have been suggestions that human navigation may depend on representations that have no metric, Euclidean interpretation but that hypothesis remains contentious. An alternative is that observers build a consistent 3D representation of space. Using immersive virtual reality, we measured the ability of observers to point to targets in mazes that had zero, one or three ‘wormholes’ – regions where the maze changed in configuration (invisibly). In one model, we allowed the configuration of the maze to vary to best explain the pointing data; in a second model we also allowed the local reference frame to be rotated through 90, 180 or 270 degrees. The latter model outperformed the former in the wormhole conditions, inconsistent with a Euclidean cognitive map

Removal of cationic pollutants from water by xanthated corn cob: optimization, kinetics, thermodynamics, and prediction of purification process

The removal of Cr(III) ions and methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions by xanthated corn cob (xCC) in batch conditions was investigated. The sorption capacity of xCC strongly depended of the pH, and increase when the pH rises. The kinetics was well fitted by pseudo-second order and Chrastil’s model. Sorption of Cr(III) ions and MB on xCC was rapid during the first 20 min of contact time and, thereafter, the biosorption rate decrease gradually until reaching equilibrium. The maximum sorption capacity of 17.13 and 83.89 mg g-1 for Cr(III) ions and MB, respectively was obtained at 40 °C, pH 5 and sorbent dose 4 g dm-3 for removal of Cr(III) ions and 1 g dm-3 for removal of MB. The prediction of purification process was successfully carried out and the verification of theoretically calculated amounts of sorbent was confirmed by using packed-bed column laboratory system with recirculation of the aqueous phase. The wastewater from chrome plating industry was successfully purified, i.e. after 40 min concentration of Cr(III) ions was decreased lower than 0.1 mg dm-3. Also, removal of MB from the river water was successfully carried out and after 40 min removal efficiency was about 94 %

A network linking scene perception and spatial memory systems in posterior cerebral cortex

The neural systems supporting scene-perception and spatial-memory systems of the human brain are well-described. But how do these neural systems interact? Here, using fine-grained individual-subject fMRI, we report three cortical areas of the human brain, each lying immediately anterior to a region of the scene perception network in posterior cerebral cortex, that selectively activate when recalling familiar real-world locations. Despite their close proximity to the scene-perception areas, network analyses show that these regions constitute a distinct functional network that interfaces with spatial memory systems during naturalistic scene understanding. These “place-memory areas” offer a new framework for understanding how the brain implements memory-guided visual behaviors, including navigation

Solubility of Acetazolamide in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in the Presence of Ethanol as a Cosolvent

Equilibrium solubility of acetazolamide, a carbonic-anhydrase inhibitor, in supercritical carbon dioxide in the presence of a cosolvent was measured by a static analytical method for three mole fractions of ethanol (5, 7.5, and 10) % at 313.0 K from (13.0 to 21.0) MPa and at 323.0 K from (13.0 to 21.0) MPa for a mole fraction of 5% ethanol The presence of a cosolvent (ethanol) was essential for the solubilization of the bioactive compound in supercritical carbon dioxide. The results obtained are useful for the design of supercritical processes with this drug. Experimental solubility data were correlated with two enhanced density-based models (Chrastil, I. Solubility of Solids in Supercritical Gases. J. Phys. Chem. 1982, 86, 3016−3021; Santiago, J. M.; Teja, A. S. The solubility of solids in supercritical fluids. Fluid Phase Equilib. 1999, 158−160, 501−510)

In Situ Observation of Ca2+ Diffusion-Induced Superstructure Formation of a Rigid Polyanion

Diffusion of multivalent metallic ions into aqueous solution of rigid, negatively charged macromolecules of high concentration is an effective approach to prepare macroscopically anisotropic hydrogels. However, the mechanism for superstructure formation is still not clear. By observing the mixing process of a small drop of CaCl2 solution with solution of a rigid polyanion, poly(2,2′- disulfonyl-4,4′-benzidine terephthalamide) (PBDT), under the polarizing optical microscope, the diffusion profile of Ca2+ and detailed anisotropic gelation process of PBDT are revealed. Diffusion of Ca2+ into the surrounding PBDT solution immediately induces the formation of physical liquid crystalline (LC) gel with concentric alignment of PBDT. The thickness d of this region increases with diffusion time t, obeying the diffusion law d ∼ t1/2. A thin ring of constant width (∼100 μm) with radial alignment of PBDT appears at the diffusion/reaction front, ahead of the concentric alignment region. When two drops of CaCl2 fluxes meet, their outside thin rings interact with each other and the PBDT in this contacting region orients ±45° to the midline of the two drops. From these observations, we rationally contend that the internal stress induced by the contraction of gel phase is responsible for the ion diffusion-induced PBDT orientations. This structure formation mechanism gives insight into other diffusion-directed anisotropic gelation systems

Solubility of Flurbiprofen in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Equilibrium solubility of flurbiprofen, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent, in supercritical carbon dioxide was measured by a static analytical method in the pressure range from (8.0 to 25.0) MPa, at temperatures of (303.0, 313.0, and 323.0) K. The cosolvent effect of ethanol in the solubility of the bioactive compound in supercritical carbon dioxide was investigated at 18 MPa and 313 K. The results obtained have a potential application in supercritical processes for this drug. Experimental solubility data were correlated with an empirical density-based Chrastil model