Sequential and domain-specific processing mechanisms for dual cognitive-emotional conflict.

This study aimed to investigate how the cognitive control system resolves conflicts when cognitive and emotional conflicts occur simultaneously, and how it performs. To achieve this, a factorial task-crossing design was employed, combining the spatial Simon task and the face-word emotional interference task, allowing cognitive and emotional conflicts to occur concurrently within a single trial. The results revealed that the Simon cognitive conflict was only associated with N2 and early SP, while it did not affect the amplitude of N450 and late SP. Conversely, the face-word emotional conflict affected the amplitude of N450 and late SP, but had no impact on N2 and early SP. These findings demonstrate the adaptive sequencing organization and domain specificity in cognitive-emotional dual conflict processing, which reflects the precise and flexible orchestration and strategic adjustments of the cognitive control system. The results contribute to a better understanding of the dynamic and temporal processes involved in the cognitive control of multiple conflicts.

Regulation of the autochthonous microbial community in excess sludge for the bioconversion of carbon dioxide to acetate without exogenic hydrogen.

The autochthonous microbial community from excess sludge was regulated for enhanced conversion of CO2 to acetate without exogenic H2. It was interesting that the acetate-fed system exhibited a surprising performance to regulate the microbial community for a high acetate yield and selectivity. As a result, some hydrogen-producing bacteria (e.g., Proteiniborus) and acetogenic bacteria with the ability of CO2 reduction were enriched by acetate feeding, 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES) addition and CO2 stress. When the selected microbial community was applied to convert CO2, the accumulation of acetate was positively correlated to the concentration of yeast extract. Finally, the acetate yield reached up to 67.24 mM with a high product selectivity of 84 % in the presence of yeast extract (2 g/L) and sufficient CO2 in semi-continuous culture for 10 days. This work should help get new insights into the regulation of microbial community for the efficient acetate production from CO2.