Brain reading using full brain support vector machines for object recognition: there is no "face" identification area

Over the past decade, object recognition work has confounded voxel response detection with potential voxel class identification. Consequently, the claim that there are areas of the brain that are necessary and sufficient for object identification cannot be resolved with existing associative methods (e.g., the general linear model) that are dominant in brain imaging methods. In order to explore this controversy we trained full brain (40,000 voxels) single TR (repetition time) classifiers on data from 10 subjects in two different recognition tasks on the most controversial classes of stimuli (house and face) and show 97.4% median out-of-sample (unseen TRs) generalization. This performance allowed us to reliably and uniquely assay the classifier's voxel diagnosticity in all individual subjects' brains. In this two-class case, there may be specific areas diagnostic for house stimuli (e.g., LO) or for face stimuli (e.g., STS); however, in contrast to the detection results common in this literature, neither the fusiform face area nor parahippocampal place area is shown to be uniquely diagnostic for faces or places, respectively.     

Programmable differential brake for passive haptics

This paper outlines work on a novel programmable braking system, which is widely applicable to most passive haptic applications and benefits from a simple design, theoretically infinite positional resolution and the ability to generate stiff collision forces, without the need for any explicit force measurements. Results are also given of a preliminary concept demonstrator which is based on a simple 2-Degrees-Of-Freedom (DOF) Revolute–Revolute (RR) manipulator incorporating the programmable brakes. Performance measures for the joint, as well as figures describing the ability of the 2-DOF prototype to constrain the end effector motion to a plane and a circle, are also provided.     

Comparing Five and Lower-Dimensional Grain Boundary Character and Energy Distributions in Copper: Experiment and Molecular Statics Simulation

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - The misorientation of 515 grain boundaries has been determined using electron backscatter diffraction data from an 18 μm thick copper foil with...     

Photocatalytic Degradation of 4,4′-Isopropylidenebis(2,6-dibromophenol) on Magnetite Catalysts vs. Ozonolysis Method: Process Efficiency and Toxicity Assessment of Disinfection By-Products

Flame retardants have attracted growing environmental concern. Recently, an increasing number of studies have been conducted worldwide to investigate flame-retardant sources, environmental distribution, living organisms’ exposure, and toxicity. The presented studies include the degradation of 4,4′-isopropylidenebis(2,6-dibromophenol) (TBBPA) by ozonolysis and photocatalysis. In the photocatalytic process, nano- and micro-magnetite (n-Fe₃O₄ and μ-Fe₃O₄) are used as a catalyst. Monitoring of TBBPA decay in the photocatalysis and ozonolysis showed photocatalysis to be more effective. Significant removal of TBBPA was achieved within 10 min in photocatalysis (ca. 90%), while for ozonation, a comparable effect was observed within 70 min. To determine the best method of TBBPA degradation concentration on COD and TOC, the removals were examined. The highest oxidation state was obtained for photocatalysis on μ-Fe₃O₄, whereas for n-Fe₃O₄ and ozonolysis, the COD/TOC ratio was lower. Acute toxicity results show noticeable differences in the toxicity of TBBPA and its degradation products to Artemia franciscana and Thamnocephalus platyurus. The EC₅₀ values indicate that TBBPA degradation products were toxic to harmful, whereas the TBPPA and post-reaction mixtures were toxic to the invertebrate species tested. The best efficiency in the removal and degradation of TBBPA was in the photocatalysis process on μ-Fe₃O₄ (reaction system 1). The examined crustaceans can be used as a sensitive test for acute toxicity evaluation.     

Post-synthetic modification of conjugated microporous polymers

Control over the surface functionality and microporosity in conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) has been achieved by the post-synthetic modification of amines into amides of with different alkyl chains, one of which was chiral. The surface areas, pore volumes, carbon dioxide uptakes and isosteric heat of adsorption for carbon dioxide can be rationally tuned.     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of potassium tetraamidoboranealuminate,K[Al(NH2BH3)4]

A new potassium tetraamidoboranealuminate, K[Al(NH₂BH₃)₄], has been synthesized by a mechanochemical reaction between KAlH₄ and NH₃BH₃. The compound, K[Al(NH₂BH₃)₄], crystallizes in a triclinic unit cell with space group symmetry P?1. The crystal structure consists of [K(NH₂BH₃)₆]^5? octahedra which facilitate the bridging between K⁺ in 1D chains, while also bridging K⁺ to Al³⁺ to connect the 1D chains in a 3D network. Thermal analysis reveals that K[Al(NH₂BH₃)₄] decomposes in two exothermic steps at T ～ 94 and 138 °C and releases primarily hydrogen. The total gas release amounts to ～6.0 wt% H₂. The decomposition products are investigated ex situ by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and ¹¹B and ²⁷Al NMR and identified as KBH₄ and amorphous phases, possibly BN₃, N₂BH, and/or NBH₂ whereas aluminum is found in four-, five-, and six-fold coordination. Unfortunately, the decomposed sample shows no hydrogen absorption at T = 260 °C and p(H₂) = 110 bar.     

Potentiometric sensor for the indomethacin determination

A potentiometric indomethacin-selective sensor based on Rhodamine B indomethacinate ion-pair (IP) as a membrane carrier is reported. Influences of the membrane composition, pH, and possible interfering ions were investigated on the response properties of the electrode. The sensor exhibits significantly enhanced response toward indomethacinate ions over the concentration range 1 × 10^? 4 mol L^? 1 to 5 × 10^? 2 mol L^? 1 with a lower detection limit (LDL) of 3 × 10^? 5 mol L^? 1 and a slope of ? 60 mV decade^? 1. Fast and stable response, good reproducibility, long-term stability, applicability over a pH range of 6–10 is demonstrated. The proposed electrode shows good discrimination of indomethacin from several inorganic and organic ions. The proposed sensor has been applied for the direct potentiometric determination of indomethacin in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Electronic and magnetic properties of deformed and defective single wall carbon nanotubes

The combined effect of radial deformation and defects on the properties of semiconducting single wall carbon nanotubes are studied using density functional theory. A Stone-Thrower-Wales defect, a substitutional nitrogen impurity, and a mono-vacancy at the highest curvature side of a radially strained nanotube are considered. The energies characterizing the deformation and defect formation, the band gap energies, and various bond lengths are calculated. We find that there is magneto-mechanical coupling behavior in the nanotube properties which can be tailored by the degree of radial deformation and the type of defect. The carbon nanotube energetics and magnetism are also explained in terms of electronic structure changes as a function of deformation and types of defects present in the structure.