Memory Modulation in the Classroom: Selective Enhancement of College Examination Performance by Arousal Induced after Lecture

Laboratory studies examining moderate physiological or emotional arousal induced after learning indicate that it enhances memory consolidation. Yet, no studies have yet examined this effect in an applied context. As such, arousal was induced after a college lecture and its selective effects were examined on later exam performance. Participants were divided into two groups who either watched a neutral video clip (n = 66) or an arousing video clip (n = 70) after lecture in a psychology course. The final examination occurred two weeks after the experimental manipulation. Only performance on the group of final exam items that covered material from the manipulated lecture were significantly different between groups. Other metrics, such as the midterm examination and the total final examination score, did not differ between groups. The results indicate that post-lecture arousal selectively increased the later retrieval of lecture material, despite the availability of the material for study before and after the manipulation. The results reinforce the role of post-learning arousal on memory consolidation processes, expanding the literature to include a real-world learning context

Negotiated environmental governance in the Netherlands:Logic and illustration

The Dutch consensus oriented model of negotiated environmental governance enjoys increasing popularity within the European Union because of its seemingly effective way of dealing with environmental problems. A closer look at the model does not reveal any better performance than European average. The article theoretically explains the strengths and weaknesses of the Dutch model as an iterative policy model in which three different modes of governance-competitive, cooperative, and authoritative-interact and compete to achieve effective efficient and legitimate policy results. The argument is empirically illustrated with findings of energy saving policies in the Netherlands.</p

Muscle Tension Induced after Learning Enhances Long-Term Narrative and Visual Memory in Healthy Older Adults

Arousing events are better remembered than mundane events. Indeed, manipulation of arousal, such as by muscle tension, can influence memory even when it occurs shortly after learning. Indeed, our founding study showed this approach can raise delayed memory performance in older adults to a level comparable to that of unaided young adults. Yet, systematic studies, especially those investigating different modalities or types of memory, have not been done. This study investigated the effects of a brief bout of isometric exercise via handgrip on narrative and visuospatial episodic memory in healthy elders. Forty-seven participants completed the Logical Memory subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scales III (LM) and the Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), followed alternately by no treatment and by moderately squeezing a sand-filled latex ball for 1-min (counterbalanced order and test forms). Isometric exercise significantly increased both positive and negative affect ratings. Retention was tested 2 weeks later. Delayed recall and recognition of LM was enhanced by arousal relative to control, as was recognition of the BVRT. The results extend past findings that muscle tension induced after learning modulates memory consolidation, extending findings in elders to suggest that a simple form of isometric exercise can have practical effects, such as aiding memory for stories and images

Introduction:The governance challenge of radioactive waste management

Long-term radioactive waste management (RWM) is a multidimensional and multi-level governance challenge. This chapter introduces and explains a governance ecosystem framework as tool to comparatively analyze how ten European countries covered by the book, deal with the complexities of the governance challenge of RWM

Indonesian natural gas policy reform

Abstract: This paper investigates the challenge to improve Indonesia’s domestic gas market and the remedy to alleviate the problems. Gifted with abundant natural resources, primary oil, and natural gas, Indonesia became a leading world liquid natural gas (LNG) producer. However, since 2001 there has been a shifting paradigm in gas policy from export – oriented to domestic market development. The implication is that Indonesia needs to find the balance between producer and consumer interests and at the same time has to deal with the geographical challenge of the country’s archipelago. The new paradigm also requires that natural resources should promote economic growth instead of state revenue, therefore Indonesia must reform its gas policy to fulfil the multi objective of gas utilisation. This paper suggests ways to overcome these dilemmas

Economic implications of domestic natural gas allocation in Indonesia

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to provide to a better scientific understanding of Indonesia’s domestic gas allocation policy and its effects on the national economy and to answer the question of what best priorities can be set in allocating the natural gas for the domestic market to maximize the benefits for the national economy. Design/methodology/approach: The authors apply a Computabled General Equilibrium (CGE). The Social Accounting Matrix 2008 is used to calibrate the CGE Model. There are two scenarios proposed, each is simulated with certain percentage of gas supply curtailment (50 MMSCFD, Scenario A), (100 MMSCFD, Scenario B). Findings: It is confirmed that government’s current policy to give priority to oil production is not the optimum way to maximize added value of natural gas to Indonesian economy. While oil production generates state revenue, it is industry and petrochemical sector that induces high economic impacts because of strong backward and forward linkages. Research limitations/implications: Due to the limited data availability, it is assumed that the data on the SAM 2008 are valid for describing the structure of Indonesian economy. Practical implications: The paper provides recommendation to the government to revise gas allocation policy by changing the rank of consumers’ priority. Originality/value: This paper provides instruments to measure the impact of Indonesia’s domestic gas allocation policy. Finding the best hierarchy of consumer priorities is essential for maximizing added value of natural gas for the national economy.</p