Memory Enhancement by a Semantically Unrelated Emotional Arousal Source Induced After Learning

It has been well established that moderate physiological or emotional arousal modulates memory. However, there is some controversy about whether the source of arousal must be semantically related to the information to be remembered. To test this idea, 35 healthy young adult participants learned a list of common nouns and afterward viewed a semantically unrelated, neutral or emotionally arousing videotape. The tape was shown after learning to prevent arousal effects on encoding or attention, instead influencing memory consolidation. Heart rate increase was significantly greater in the arousal group, and negative affect was significantly less reported in the non-arousal group after the video. The arousal group remembered significantly more words than the non-arousal group at both 30 min and 24 h delays, despite comparable group memory performance prior to the arousal manipulation. These results demonstrate that emotional arousal, even from an unrelated source, is capable of modulating memory consolidation. Potential reasons for contradictory findings in some previous studies, such as the timing of “delayed” memory tests, are discussed

Thermodynamics of aqueous solutions

xiv, 148 leaves ; 29 cm.Relative densities and relative massic heat capacities have been measured for aqueous solutions of triflic acid (CF3SO3H), sodium triflate (NaCF3SO3), gadolinium triflate (Gd(CF3SO3)3), dysprosium triflate (Dy(CF3SO3)3), neodymium triflate (Nd(CF3SO3)3), erbium triflate (Er(CF3SO3)3), ytterbium triflate (Yb(CF3SO3)3), and yttrium triflate (Y(CF3SO3)3) at T = (288.15, 298.15, 313.15, and 328.15) K and p = 0.1 MPa. The resulting densities and massic heat capacities have been used to calculate out apparent molar volume and apparent molar heat capacity data for each of the investigated aqueous systems. The concentration dependencies of the apparent molar volumes and apparent molar heat capacities have been modeled using Pitzer-ion interaction equations. Single ion volumes and heat capacities have been calculated using estimates of the apparent molar properties at infinite dilution obtained from the Pitzer-ion interaction equations. These single ion values have, where possible, been compared with those previously reported in the literature. Also, relative densities have been measured for aqueous solutions of CF3SO3H, Gd(CF3SO3)3, Nd(CF3SO3)3, and Yb(CF3SO3)3 at T = (323.15, 348.15, 373.15, and 423.15) K and p = (5.00, 10.00, and 15.00) MPa. The resulting densities have been used to calculate apparent molar volumes. The concentration dependences of these properties have also been modeled using Pitzer-ion interaction equations. The apparent molar volumes have been used to calculate single ion volumes which, in turn, have been compared with those previously reported in the literature. This thesis also attempts to model the temperature, pressure, and concentration dependencies of the reported apparent molar properties of each system investigated using an equation of state commonly referred to as the density model. Where possible, the results of this model have been compared with those results from models previously reported in the literature

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Thermal Decomposition of Natural Lowaite- Thermogravimetric and evolved gas mass spectrometric study

The thermal decomposition of natural iowaite of formula Mg6Fe2(Cl,(CO3)0.5)(OH)16.4H2O was studied by using a combination of thermogravimetry and evolved gas mass spectrometry. Thermal decomposition occurs over a number of mass loss steps at 60 degrees Celsius attributed to dehydration, 266 degrees Celsius and 308 degrees Celsius assigned to dehydroxylation of ferric ions, at 551 degrees Celsius attributed to decarbonation and dehydroxylation, and 644, 703 and 761 degrees Celsius attributed to further dehydroxylation. The mass spectrum of carbon dioxide exhibits a maximum at 523 degrees Celsius. The use of TG coupled to MS shows the complexity of the thermal decomposition of iowaite

Vibrational Spectroscopy of Stichtite

Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared spectroscopy has been used to study the mineral stitchtite, a hydrotalcite of formula Mg6Cr2(CO3)(OH)16.4H2O. Two bands are observed at 1087 and 1067 cm-1 with an intensity ratio of ~2.5/1 and are attributed to the symmetric stretching vibrations of the carbonate anion. The observation of two bands is attributed to two species of carbonate in the interlayer, namely weakly hydrogen bonded and strongly hydrogen bonded. Two infrared bands are found at 1457 and 1381 cm-1 and are assigned to the antisymmetric stretching modes. These bands were not observed in the Raman spectrum. Two infrared bands are observed at 744 and 685 cm-1 and are assigned to the ν4 bending modes. Two Raman bands were observed at 539 and 531 cm-1 attributed to the ν2 bending modes. Importantly the band positions of the paragenically related hydrotalcites stitchtite, iowaite, pyroaurite and reevesite all of which contain the carbonate anion occur at different wavenumbers. Consequently Raman spectroscopy can be used to distinguish these minerals, particularly in the field where many of these hydrotalcites occur simultaneously in ore zones

Decomposition of the Synthetic Hydrotalcites Mountkeithite and Honessite - a High Resolution Thermograviemetric Analysis and Infrared Emission Spectroscopic Study

A combination of high resolution thermogravimetric analysis coupled to a gas evolution mass spectrometer combined with infrared emission spectroscopy has been used to study the thermal decomposition of synthetic hydrotalcites honessite (Ni6Fe2(SO4)(OH)16.4H2O) and mountkeithite (Mg6Fe2(SO4,CO3)(OH)16.4H2O) and the cationic mixtures of the two minerals. High resolution thermal analysis shows the decomposition takes place in 5 steps. A mass loss step is observed over the 125 to 150 degrees Celsius temperature range and is attributed to the mass loss due to dehydration. A second mass loss step is observed over the 260 to 330 degrees Celsius temperature range and is attributed to dehydroxylation. The third mass loss occurs from 350 to 460 degrees Celsius, and is assigned to a loss of oxygen. The fourth mass loss step is ascribed to the loss of sulphate from the hydrotalcite and occurs over the 676 to 820 degrees Celsius temperature range. A mechanism for the thermal decomposition is proposed based upon the loss of water, hydroxyl units, oxygen and sulphur dioxide

Raman Spectroscopic Study of the Hydrotalcite Desautelsite Mg6Mn2CO3(OH)16.4H2O

The structure of the hydrotalcite desautelsite Mg6Mn2CO3(OH)16.4H2O has been studied by a combination of Raman and infrared spectroscopy. Three intense Raman bands are observed at 1086, 1062 and 1055 cm-1. A model based upon the observation of three CO3 stretching vibrations is presented. The CO3 anion may be (a) non-hydrogen bonded (b) hydrogen bonded to the interlayer water and (c) hydrogen bonded to the brucite-like hydroxyl surface. Two intense bands at 3646 and 3608 cm-1 are attributed to MgOH and MnOH stretching vibrations. Infrared bands at 3476, 3333, 3165 and 2991 cm-1 are assigned to water stretching bands. Raman spectroscopy has proven a powerful tool for the study of hydrotalcite mineral

Raman Spectroscopic Detection of Wyartite in the Presence of Rabejacite

Raman microscopy has been used to affirm the presence of wyartite CaU5+(UO2)2(CO3)O4(OH)(H2O)7 in the presence of rabejacite (Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)5.6H2O) obtained from the Ranger Mine, Northern Territory, Australia. This occurrence is somewhat unusual in that it means that a uranyl carbonate has been formed under acid conditions. Wyartite is a mineral known for the occurrence of pentavalent U5+. 1 A band is observed at 818 cm-1 in the Raman spectrum of wyartite assigned to the ν2 symmetric bending mode of the (CO3)2- units. The presence of carbonate is confirmed by the ν1 stretching vibration at 1071 cm-1 and the ν3 stretching vibrations at 1445 and 1345 cm-1. Two bands are observed at 853 and 837 cm-1 and are assigned to the ν1 stretching modes of the UO2 units. Raman spectroscopy enables the partial band separation of the ν2 (CO3)2- and ν1 modes of UO2. The Raman spectrum of rabejacite is characterised by an intense sharp band at 1010 cm-1 assigned to the ν1 stretching mode of (SO4)2- . Three bands observed at 1086, 1123 and 1175 cm-1 are attributed to the ν3 antisymmetric stretching modes of (SO4)2-. The mineral rabejacite is also characterised by ν2 bending modes at 457 and 394 cm-1 and ν4 bending modes at 666, 605, 537 and 505 cm-1. Raman spectroscopy has proven most useful for the detection of wyartite in the presence of other mineral phases

Hydrogen Bonding in Selected Vanadates: A Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy Study

Water plays an important role in the stability of minerals containing the deca and hexavanadates ions. A selection of minerals including pascoite, huemulite, barnesite, hewettite, metahewettite, hummerite has been analysed. Infrared spectroscopy combined with Raman spectroscopy has enabled the spectra of the water HOH stretching bands to be determined. The use of the Libowitzky type function allows for the estimation of hydrogen bond distances to be determined. The strength of the hydrogen bonds can be assessed by these hydrogen bond distances. An arbitrary value of 2.74 Å was used to separate the hydrogen bonds into two categories such that bond distances less than this value are considered as strong hydrogen bonds whereas hydrogen bond distances greater than this value are considered relatively weaker. Importantly infrared spectroscopy enables the estimation of hydrogen bond distances using an empirical function

Thermal Decomposition of Peisleyite: A Thermogravimetry and Hot Stage Raman Spectroscopic Study

High resolution thermogravimetric analysis coupled with a gas evolution mass spectrometer was used to study the decomposition of peisleyite Na3 Al16(SO4)(PO4)10(OH)17•20H2O. Peisleyite, a hydrated hydroxylated multianion mineral, shows thermal decomposition in 5 stages, indicative of a loss of water, hydroxyl units and sulphate. Thermal analysis shows the loss of water and hydroxyl units occurs in 3 distinct stages; at 36 degrees Celsius, 105 degrees Celsius and 162 degrees Celsius. The high resolution thermogravimetry was complimented with hot stage Raman spectroscopy, which follows the dehydration of peisleyite. This dehydration can be followed by the decrease in intensity of the OH stretching vibrations which occur between 4000 and 2500cm-1 and by the shift in the sulphate and phosphate peaks which occur due to changes in the mineral structure