Early Stages Of Process Research Articles

Diagenesis processes of the Gulneri Shale, Kometan, Mushorah formations within the upper Turonian - lower Campanian Supersequence from Bai Hassan area, North of Iraq

The upper Turonian - lower Campanian Supersequence is characterized with fine-grained, mixed siliciclastic-carbonate middle shelf to sub-basinal depositional system. The present study included the study of vertical and lateral changes of the diagenesis processes of the Gulneri shale, Kometan and Mushorah Formations within the sequences of the (upper Turonian-lower Campanian) cycle in two subsurface sections within the Dome of Daoud in the Bai Hassan field - northern Iraq. The first is represented by a section (BH-16) with a thickness of (213) m. In contrast, the second is represented by a section (BH-86) and a thickness of (233) m. The lithostratigraphy of the rock units of this study are consisting (206) slides were studied, (80) for well (BH-16) and (126) for well (BH-86).The study showed that the sequences of this cycle are unconformity with the lower Dokan Formation and upper contact with Hartha. The petrographic study showed that the rocks of the study were exposed to many diagenesis processes, like cementation, dolomitization, neomorphism, dissolution and compaction according to the degree of their prevalence with a large spread of locally authigenic minerals represented by the widespread pyrite mineral during the two sections of the study, in addition to a few presence of glauconite mineral. Depending on the petrographic description of the diagenesis processes, the vertical and lateral changes of the diagenesis processes were studied, and the diagenesis environments of the formations under study were deduced, where it was found that all the rocks of the two sections of the study were formed in the early stages of the diagenesis processes within the vadose environments as a result of exposure to tectonic processes that helped uplift their rocks to the surface and be affected by meteoric water.

Bioactive nanomaterials kickstart early repair processes and potentiate temporally modulated healing of healthy and diabetic wounds

Slow-healing and chronic wounds represent a major global economic and medical burden, and there is significant unmet need for novel therapies which act to both accelerate wound closure and enhance biomechanical recovery of the skin. Here, we report a new approach in which bioactives that augment early stages of wound healing can kickstart and engender effective wound closure in healthy and diabetic, obese animals, and set the stage for subsequent tissue repair processes. We demonstrate that a nanomaterial dressing made of silk fibroin and gold nanorods (GNR) stimulates a pro-neutrophilic, innate immune, and controlled inflammatory wound transcriptomic response. Further, Silk-GNR, lasered into the wound bed, in combination with exogeneous histamine, accelerates early-stage processes in tissue repair leading to effective wound closure. Silk-GNR and histamine enhanced biomechanical recovery of skin, increased transient neoangiogenesis, myofibroblast activation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of keratinocytes and a pro-resolving neutrophilic immune response, which are hitherto unknown activities for these bioactives. Predictive and temporally coordinated delivery of growth factor nanoparticles that modulate later stages of tissue repair further accelerated wound closure in healthy and diabetic, obese animals. Our approach of kickstarting healing by delivering the “right bioactive at the right time” stimulates a multifactorial, pro-reparative response by augmenting endogenous healing and immunoregulatory mechanisms and highlights new targets to promote tissue repair.

Development of robust normative data for the neuropsychological assessment of Greek older adults.

Normative data for older adults may be tainted by inadvertent inclusion of undiagnosed individuals at the very early stage of a neurodegenerative process. To avoid this pitfall, we developed norms for a cohort of older adults without MCI/dementia at 3-year follow-up. A randomly selected sample of 1041 community-dwelling individuals (age ≥ 65) received a full neurological and neuropsychological examination on two occasions [mean interval = 3.1 (SD = 0.9) years]. Of these, 492 participants (Group 1; 65-87 years old) were without dementia on both evaluations (CDR=0 and MMSE ≥ 26); their baseline data were used for norms development. Group 2 (n = 202) met the aforementioned criteria only at baseline, but not at follow-up. Multiple linear regressions included demographic predictors for regression-based normative formulae and raw test scores as dependent variables for each test variable separately. Standardized scaled scores and stratified discrete norms were also calculated. Group 2 performed worse than Group 1 on most tests (p-values < .001-.021). Education was associated with all test scores, age with most, and sex effects were consistent with the literature. We provide a model for developing sound normative data for widely used neuropsychological tests among older adults, untainted by potential early, undiagnosed cognitive impairment, reporting regression-based, scaled, and discrete norms for use in clinical settings to identify cognitive decline in older adults. Additionally, our co-norming of a variety of tests may enable intra-individual comparisons for diagnostic purposes. The present work addresses the challenge of developing robust normative data for neuropsychological tests in older adults.

The Impact of Drying and Storage on the Characteristics of Two-Phase Olive Pomace

Two-phase olive pomace is a byproduct of the olive-oil extraction process that is sometimes processed further to recover more oil. During pomace oil production, especially in the early stages of olive processing, odours can be produced. These odours are a serious nuisance, especially in and around the processing facilities, as well as for nearby communities. These odours can be strong and unpleasant, and they may result in various issues, including environmental concerns. Thus, in this paper, the effect of storage and drying on the composition of two-phase olive pomace was investigated. Several physicochemical and instrumental analyses were performed, and it was concluded that the structural elements of pomace are not the ones that are affected during storage and drying. Storage and drying mainly impact the oil content of pomace, leading to an acidity increase and to the production of odorous oxidation compounds. Volatile acids, methyl, and ethyl esters are released into the atmosphere, thus causing serious environmental nuisance.

Reactivity of Monoethanolamine at the Air-Water Interface and Implications for CO2 Capture.

The development of CO2-capture technologies is key to mitigating climate change due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. These cover a number of technologies designed to reduce the level of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere or to eliminate CO2 from ambient air. In this context, amine-based sorbents in aqueous solutions are broadly used in most advanced separation techniques currently implemented in industrial applications. It has been reported that the gas/liquid interface plays an important role in the early stages of the capture process, but how the interface influences the chemistry is still a matter of debate. With the help of first-principles molecular dynamics simulations, we show that monoethanolamine (MEA), a prototypical sorbent molecule, has a weak affinity for the air-water interface, where in addition it exhibits a lower nucleophilicity compared to bulk solution. The change in reactivity is due to the combination of structural and electronic factors, namely, the shift of the conformational equilibrium and the stabilization of the N-atom lone pair. Based on these results, strategies for improving the efficiency of alkanolamine sorbents are proposed.

Regionally specific cortical lateralization of abstract and concrete verb processing: Magnetic mismatch negativity study

The neural underpinnings of processing concrete and abstract semantics remain poorly understood. Previous fMRI studies have shown that multimodal and amodal neural networks respond differentially to different semantic types; importantly, abstract semantics activates more left-lateralized networks, as opposed to more bilateral activity for concrete words. Due to the lack of temporal resolution, these fMRI results do not allow to easily separate language- and task-specific brain responses and to disentangle early processing stages from later post-comprehension phenomena. To tackle this, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG), a time-resolved neuroimaging technique, in combination with a task-free oddball mismatch negativity (MMN) paradigm, an established approach to tracking early automatic activation of word-specific memory traces in the brain. We recorded the magnetic MMN responses in 30 healthy adults to auditorily presented abstract and concrete action verbs to assess lateralization of word-specific lexico-semantic processing in a set of neocortical areas. We found that MMN responses to these stimuli showed different lateralization patterns of activity in the upper limb motor area (BA4) and parts of Broca's area (BA45/BA47) within ∼100–350 ms after the word disambiguation point. Importantly, the greater leftward response lateralization for abstract semantics was due to the lesser involvement of the right-hemispheric homologues, not increased left-hemispheric activity. These findings suggest differential region-specific involvement of bilateral sensorimotor systems already in the early automatic stages of processing abstract and concrete action semantics.

Early involvement of peripherally derived monocytes in inflammation in an NMO-like mouse model

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that primarily affects the optic nerve and spinal cord within the central nervous system (CNS). Acute astrocyte injury caused by autoantibodies against aquaporin 4 (NMO-IgG) is a well-established key factor in the pathogenesis, ultimately leading to neuronal damage and patient disability. In addition to these humoral immune processes, numerous innate immune cells were found in the acute lesions of NMO patients. However, the origin and function of these innate immune cells remain unclear in NMO pathogenesis. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the origin and functions of these innate immune cells in an NMO-like mouse model and evaluate their role in the pathophysiology of NMO. The expression of Tmem119 on Iba1 + cells in brain tissue disappeared immediately after the injection of NMO-IgG + human complement mixture, while the expression of P2ry12 remained well-maintained at 1 day after injection. Based on these observations, it was demonstrated that monocytes infiltrate the brain during the early stages of the pathological process and are closely associated with the inflammatory response through the expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Understanding the variations in the expression patterns of P2ry12, Tmem119, and other markers could be helpful in distinguishing between these cell types and further analyzing their functions. Therefore, this research may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms and potential treatments for NMO.

Nitrite self-degradation process in radish paocai under the synergistic regulation of prokaryotic microorganisms

Nitrite, as the main hazard in pickle production, can be completely self-degraded through microbial biological enzymatic degradation (BED) and chemical acid degradation (CAD), providing a valuable strategy for the in-situ control of nitrite in pickle production. However, the microbial mechanism of the self-degradation of nitrite in radish paocai, a popular pickle in Asia, remains unclear. Herein, this study aimed to reveal the microbial metabolic pathways and processes regulating the self-degradation of nitrite during the pickling of radish paocai. In the early stage of the pickling process, Enterobacter with nitrate reductase (NarG) might reduce nitrate to form a nitrite peak of 27.61 mg/kg through “truncated denitrification”, which is in excess of the Chinese national standard (20 mg/kg). As nir genes encoding nitrite reductase increased to peak values of 9.8 × 104 copies/μL, BED dominates the self-degradation of nitrite during this early stage, which is performed by prokaryotic microorganisms such as Chryseobacterium and Halobacterium with nitrite reductase (NirK) through “complete denitrification”. Meanwhile, Weissella without nitrite reductase may dominate the pH decrease from 6.7 to 4.3 through diverse organic acids generated by metabolizing dominant reducing sugars, such as glucose and fructose of radish, thereby initiating CAD. Subsequently, the acid-tolerant Limosilactobacillus continued to reduce pH by metabolizing glucose, causing CAD to replace BED to dominate the self-degradation of nitrite until the end of pickling. Thus, the nitrite self-degradation process in radish paocai is under the synergistic regulation of diverse prokaryotic microorganisms.

Design a Web-Based Library Information System Using the Waterfall Method (Case Study of Sma Muhammadiyah 2)

Information technology is a technology that is developing rapidly at this time. Computers as student learning media have many functions such as audio, animation, visual, and interactive capabilities. The main problem in the field of education is the low interest in reading students and reading habits. The library is expected to help increase students' interest in reading and reading habits. SMA Muhammadiyah has a new library and is still manual in recording borrowing and returning books. This makes it difficult for librarians to search for data and is at risk of losing books. It is difficult for students to find book information and the irregular placement of books makes the process of borrowing books ineffective and inefficient. Therefore, a web-based library information system is needed to make it easier for students to borrow books. The Waterfall method will be used to help design the library system at SMA Muhammadiyah 2 Cipondoh. The Waterfall method is a method that is very commonly used in the early stages of the manufacturing process. Application features developed by researchers at the Muhammadiyah 2 Cipondoh High School library include logins, book master data, book loan transaction data, book return transaction data, and book borrowing reports. Library information system development uses the PHP CodeIgniter 3 framework. The front ends used are HTML 5, CSS 3, and Bootstrap version 4.

The dynamics of statistical learning in visual search and its interaction with salience processing: An EEG study

Visual attention can be guided by statistical regularities in the environment, that people implicitly learn from past experiences (statistical learning, SL). Moreover, a perceptually salient element can automatically capture attention, gaining processing priority through a bottom-up attentional control mechanism. The aim of our study was to investigate the dynamics of SL and if it shapes attentional target selection additively with salience processing, or whether these mechanisms interact, e.g. one gates the other. In a visual search task, we therefore manipulated target frequency (high vs. low) across locations while, in some trials, the target was salient in terms of colour. Additionally, halfway through the experiment, the high-frequency location changed to the opposite hemifield. EEG activity was simultaneously recorded, with a specific interest in two markers related to target selection and post-selection processing, respectively: N2pc and SPCN. Our results revealed that both SL and saliency significantly enhanced behavioural performance, but also interacted with each other, with an attenuated saliency effect at the high-frequency target location, and a smaller SL effect for salient targets. Concerning processing dynamics, the benefit of salience processing was more evident during the early stage of target selection and processing, as indexed by a larger N2pc and early-SPCN, whereas SL modulated the underlying neural activity particularly later on, as revealed by larger late-SPCN. Furthermore, we showed that SL was rapidly acquired and adjusted when the spatial imbalance changed. Overall, our findings suggest that SL is flexible to changes and, combined with salience processing, jointly contributes to establishing attentional priority.

The enhanced emotional negativity bias in parents of atypically developing children: Evidence from an event-related potentials study.

Parents of atypically developing children such as parents of children with ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and intellectual disability experience higher levels of parenting stress than parents of typically developing children. However, whether they possess enhanced emotional negativity bias was unclear. In the present study, 28 parents of typically developing children and 29 parents of atypically developing children were recruited. The emotional Stroop task and event-related potentials were adopted to measure their emotional negativity bias, in which participants were required to respond to the borders' color of face pictures. Behaviorally, the impact of parenting stress on emotional negativity bias was not found. At the electrophysiological level, the P2 differential amplitude (negative minus positive) was greater in parents of atypically developing children than in parents of typically developing children, reflecting an enhanced early attentional bias toward negative faces. N2 amplitude for the emotionally negative face was smaller than the positive face in parents of atypically developing children, indicating a too weak attentional control to inhibit distractors. Furthermore, sustained attention to negative faces was observed in parents of atypically developing children, that is, the emotionally negative face elicited greater frontal P3 (300 ~ 500 ms) than the positive faces. These findings revealed that compared to parents of typically developing children, parents of atypically developing children owned an enhanced emotional negativity bias at the early and late stages of information processing.

Framework for metamodel-based design optimization considering product performance and assembly process complexity

This paper proposes a method for simultaneous evaluation of the assembly process complexity together with the performance of the future product. It allows for product design optimization, considering different aspects of the future design at the early stage of the development process. The proposed method, embodied in a fully automated framework, substitutes the traditional sequential development process with a more efficient and rapid combined procedure, which addresses multiple design aspects simultaneously. Design for assembly (DFA) rules, used as quantitative metrics of the ease-of-assembly of the whole product and individual assembly operations, are automatically evaluated together with performance metrics, estimated based on finite element (FE) simulations. The direct solution to this optimization problem might be inefficient or impossible since it requires the recurrent evaluation of computationally expensive discrete and continuous functions with unknown behavior that represent the optimization objectives and constraints. For that reason, the proposed framework employs regression models based on the Gaussian process and artificial neural networks, thus achieving the optimal design of a product as a result of metamodel-based design optimization (MBDO). The suggested approach is demonstrated in the optimization of a gearbox assembly, considering its mechanical performance and assembly process. Comparing the results of the metamodel-based and direct design optimization shows that MBDO allows finding a better solution using a three times smaller computational budget. In addition, analysis of the results obtained using stationary sampling data sets of different sizes highlighted the limitations of the employed sampling procedure.

Eye movements in the investigation of different properties of multi-word expressions: A systematic review

The last ten years have seen an increased use of the eye-tracking methodology in the investigation of vocabulary processing in both L1 and L2. In particular, some of the advantages afforded by this method – such as, the ability to analyse multiple areas of interest (AOIs) and to distinguish between early and late stages of processing – have contributed to our deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind the online processing of sequences above the word level, known as multi-word expressions (MWEs). One key finding widely reported in the eye-tracking literature is that MWEs are processed faster than novel sequences. Different properties of MWEs – frequency, figurativeness, literality, familiarity, transparency, predictability, collocation strength, contextual predictability, adjacency, flexibility, modifiability, and congruency – have been shown to contribute to this processing advantage and to affect different types of MWEs differently. In this review, we first focus on the specific methodological aspects that need to be considered in the application of eye-tracking in the investigation of MWEs. We then discuss how these aspects have been treated in the literature to examine the different properties of MWEs.

An analytical transient coal permeability model: Sorption non-equilibrium index-based swelling switch

Long-term permeability experiments have indicated that sorption-induced swelling can switch from internal to bulk depending on the evolutive sorption status. However, this sorption swelling switch mechanism has not been considered in current analytical permeability models. This study introduces a normalized sorption non-equilibrium index (SNEI) to characterize the sorption status, quantify the dynamical variations of matrix swelling accumulation and internal swelling partition, and formulate the sorption swelling switch model. The incorporation of this index into the extended total effective stress concept leads to an analytical transient coal permeability model. Model results show that the sorption swelling switch itself results in the permeability switch under stress-constrained conditions, while the confined bulk swelling suppresses the permeability recovery to the continuous reduction under displacement-constrained conditions. Model verifications show that current experimental observations correspond to the early stages of the transient process, and they could be extended to the whole process with these models. This study demonstrates the importance of the sorption swelling switch in determining permeability evolution using simple boundary conditions. It provides new insights into experimentally revealing the sorption swelling switch in the future, and underscores the requirement of a rigorous model for complex coupled processes in large-scale coal seams.

Exploring Doctoral Writing Self-Efficacy and Apprehension in a Dissertation Writing Course

Aim/Purpose: This study explored changes in writing self-efficacy and writing apprehension among online doctoral students throughout their first dissertation writing course. By examining the facilitators and obstacles to online doctoral student writing success, we concluded that receiving specific, concrete, and iterative feedback is instrumental for the growth of doctoral students’ confidence during the early stages of the dissertation process. Background: Previous scholarship has recognized that the dissertation writing process is a key contributor to attrition rates in doctoral programs. However, there is limited research on how online doctoral students experience writing apprehension and self-efficacy during this crucial stage. Drawing upon self-efficacy theory as a framework, our study sought to fill this gap by investigating changes in these constructs among 53 participants as they composed their first two chapters. Methodology: This convergent mixed methods study employed both quantitative surveys and qualitative reflections collected before and after the completion of a one-term dissertation writing course intervention. We examined participants’ self-perceptions of their mechanics skills, essentials efficacy (overcoming difficulties), relational-reflective efficacy (connecting with others), and relationship building. Contribution: This study contributes to existing research on online doctoral student dissertation writing experiences by revealing the importance of specific, concrete, and iterative feedback in fostering students’ writing confidence. Findings: Our findings revealed small effect sizes in participants’ overall confidence levels related to their academic writing self-efficacy but no statistically significant changes. Nonetheless, qualitative data indicated positive experiences of growth in terms of scholarly proficiency development, which contributes to existing literature gaps. Recommendations for Practitioners: Faculty working with online doctoral students who are writing their dissertations should provide specific, concrete, and iterative feedback to support the growth of students’ writing confidence during the early stages of the dissertation process. Recommendation for Researchers: Future researchers on this topic should expand the scope of their focus beyond just the first term or course and conduct longitudinal studies that encompass different phases of dissertation work in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of changes in writing self-efficacy and apprehension among online doctoral students. Impact on Society: By providing specific, concrete, and iterative feedback to doctoral students during the dissertation writing process, faculty can empower them towards disciplinary mastery and expertise, enabling successful completion of the program and equipping them with expert knowledge to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields and industries. Future Research: Future research should expand the scope of the focus on doctoral student writing apprehension, anxiety, and self-efficacy to include other stages of the dissertation research and writing process, perhaps also examining these writing constructs and how they vary given student characteristics.

Устойчивость к противомикробным препаратам и роль пробиотиков в ее преодолении

The concept of risk management and the ideology of microbiocenosis-oriented therapy can be one of the simple and understandable approaches to the formation of modern ideas about the possibilities of integrated use of antibiotics and probiotics as components of effective antimicrobial therapy. In addition to traditional bacterial probiotics, Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745, which has a number of advantages for the realization of such a therapy strategy, are widely used in real practice. The affiliation of S. boulardii CNCM I-745 to fungi makes it possible to use them in any regimen of complex therapy, including antibacterial drugs. This approach improves treatment compliance, ultimate efficacy of therapy and reduces the likelihood of adverse drug reactions. S. boulardii CNCM I-745 are able to reduce the number of genes encoding antimicrobial resistance (ARG) by modulating the intestinal microbiota and controlling the number of bacteria actively forming the pool of ARG, activation of the immune system, which allows to implement antimicrobial effects against pathogens at early stages of the infectious process, production of saturated fatty acids that have antimicrobial properties and have synergistic effects with other antimicrobial drugs. Key words: antibiotic, antimicrobial resistance, resistome, Saccharomyces boulardii, mycobiome

Internet-delivered emotional self-management program for the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: Usability testing.

Internet-based self-help interventions have the potential to help people address their emotional needs at relatively low costs. However, if the system does not offer optimal functions, it could reduce end-user adherence and satisfaction with treatment and compromise the effectiveness of the program. This study evaluated the usability of an Internet-based self-help intervention for emotional self-management among the general population of Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic. A balanced sex-age sample of 10 individuals who met the inclusion criteria were consecutively recruited online. The think-aloud testing method, the system usability scale and an ad hoc semi-structured interview were used to determine the overall system usability.Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The participants were mostly satisfied with the usability of the program. However, older users (<45 years) encountered some problems, which took longer, made more mistakes, and needed more help in performing the tasks than their younger counterparts. The analysis of the interviews revealed three central themes: general thoughts about the platform, weaknesses of the platform and difficulties encountered while navigating and completing tasks, and strengths of the platform. Based on the results of this study, important improvements will be made before the RinasciMENTE program is tested under real-world conditions. Conducting usability testing is a crucial step at an early stage of the development process of an Internet-based self-help intervention to identify potential usability problems with the system.

Hybrid NVH modeling approach: How numerical and experimental methods complement each other

The ever-increasing demand for shorter development times and cost savings means that important design decisions must be made at an early stage of the development process. This goal of saving time and reducing costs leads to an increased use of virtual prototypes. However, by combining the methods of simulation and testing, the idea of saving time and reducing costs can be extended even further. In addition, in some cases the accuracy of the results can be increased compared to the approach based solely on numerical models or experimental results. Depending on the task and the availability of data (to build virtual prototypes), methods (to model certain physical phenomena) and physical prototypes, the optimal approach must be chosen. In a connected world, where development processes are distributed across different companies, the availability of data and physical prototypes becomes even more critical: companies need to share product features to create system models, but may not want to share development knowledge or product design details. In the proposed talk, a combined method of measurement and numerical simulation to predict and analyze the NVH properties of an e-bike is demonstrated. In this specific case, the electric drive unit of an e-bike that is already in series production is installed virtually in a numerical model of a new e-bike prototype. The excitation and structural dynamics of the electric drive unit are derived from experiment using the method of in-situ blocked forces. This kind of source description is known from the experimental transfer path analysis. In parallel, the numerical model of the e-bike prototype is built using a bottom-up method. The vibrations of the carbon frame induced by the virtually mounted electric drive unit are analyzed. The validity of the approach is shown using experimental data. The model presented can be used for further investigation of the airborne noise excited by the electric drive unit and radiated by the frame, which will be shown in following publications.

A sensitivity analysis approach to reduce economic risks in the design of edge-cloud automation systems in industry

The migration of field-level automation systems to an edge-cloud hosted on premises can reduce the operation costs of a manufacturing line and increase its flexibility thanks to computation scalability and use of cloud-native operation concepts. Nonetheless, due to the novelty of the concept, a transparent life-cycle costs (LCC) assessment for edge-cloud automation systems (ECASs) is complex to achieve. In particular, uncertainties concerning costs related to the engineering and operation of an ECAS, such as commissioning delays or unexpected failures, increase the risks of investments towards its adoption. In this paper we propose a sensitivity analysis approach based on Monte Carlo (MC) life-cycle simulations. Through the approach, design parameters of an edge-cloud are investigated concerning their impact on the magnitude and distribution of LCC. The use of the approach is tested on a real-world case study to optimize the choice of the edge-cloud components and reduce the economic risks for its adoption. The proposed approach is expected to be integrated in early stages of the design process of a production line to identify cost-viable designs of ECASs, thus fostering the transition towards smart manufacturing systems.

Crossmodal Associations and Working Memory in the Brain.

Crossmodal associations between stimuli from different sensory modalities could emerge in non-synesthetic people and be stored in working memory to guide goal-directed behaviors. This chapter reviews a plethora of studies in this field to summarize where, when, and how crossmodal associations and working memory are processed. It has been found that in those brain regions that are traditionally considered as unimodal primary sensory areas, neural activity could be influenced by crossmodal sensory signals at temporally very early stage of information processing. This phenomenon could not be due to feedback projections from higher level associative areas. Sequentially, neural processes would then occur in associative cortical areas including the posterior parietal cortex and prefrontal cortex. Neural oscillations in multiple frequency bands may reflect brain activity in crossmodal associations, and it is likely that neural synchrony is related to potential neural mechanisms underlying these processes. Primary sensory areas and associative areas coordinate together through neural synchrony to fulfil crossmodal associations and to guide working memory performance.