Search

Numerous approaches were used to investigate the reading process. Specifically, weinvestigate phonological access – a crucial component of reading. The present studyadopted a novel and effective strategy to investigate the distinct neural networks ofaddressed and assembled phonologies. Two groups of native English speakingparticipants learned a new artificial language either through addressed phonology orassembled phonology by performing three artificial language learning tasks during fMRIin two hours (short artificial language training paradigm). Based on the whole brainanalysis, we found that addressed phonology relied more on lateral occipital cortex,angular gyrus and supramarginal gyrus, whereas assembled phonology relied more oninferior frontal gyrus, frontal pole, lateral occipital cortex, superior frontal gyrus andparacingulate gyrus. Furthermore, we found that the strategy shift from assembledphonology to addressed phonology occurred in two hours by comparing brain activationselicited by trained words with activations elicited by new words in assembled phonology.Our results showed that the short artificial language training with direct and indirectphonological access differentially activated the different neural networks of addressedand assembled phonologies. Further, our results showed strong evidence of dissociationof addressed and assembled phonology.

In response to the recent intensive needs for civilian security surveillance, both full and compact versions of a Multimedia Security Surveillance (MSS) system have been built up. The new Microsoft DirectShow technology was applied in implementing the multimedia stream-processing module. Through Microsoft Windows Driver Model interface, the chosen IEEE1394 enabled Fire-i cameras as external sensors are integrated with PC based continuous storage unit. The MSS application also allows multimedia broadcasting and remote controls. Cost analysis is included.

Dimethoxynaphthalene (donor) and quinone (acceptor) have been chosen as a suitable redox pair and are bonded to either permethylated silane chains or corresponding permethylated alkyl chains to form Acceptor-(Bridge)-Donor molecules. The idea that the s-delocalization phenomenon of silane chains may greatly facilitate ET reactions will be tested. The starting material for the donor precursor, 4-(1,4-dimethoxynaphthyl)bromocyclohexane, was 1,4-naphthoquinone. After methylation and bromination, the Grignard reagent of the resulting bromide was reacted with cyclohexanedione, mono ethylene ketal. The resulting alcohol was changed to the donor precursor through the following functional group transformation steps: dehydration, hydrogenation, deketalization and bromination. 1,4-Dibenzyloxybromobenzene, the precursor for the acceptor, was synthesized from 1,4-hydroquinone through bromination and benzylation. The connection of the two precursors and either permethylated silane chains or permethylated alkyl chains will give the final target molecules for ET research. Progress on this is included.