1,261 research outputs found
Sleep directly following learning benefits consolidation of spatial associative memory
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128176.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)The last decade has brought forth convincing evidence for a role of sleep in non-declarative memory. A similar function of sleep in episodic memory is supported by various correlational studies, but direct evidence is limited. Here we show that cued recall of face–location associations is significantly higher following a 12-h retention interval containing sleep than following an equally long period of waking. Furthermore, retention is significantly higher over a 24-h sleep–wake interval than over an equally long wake–sleep interval. This difference occurs because retention during sleep was significantly better when sleep followed learning directly, rather than after a day of waking. These data demonstrate a beneficial effect of sleep on memory that cannot be explained solely as a consequence of reduced interference. Rather, our findings suggest a competitive consolidation process, in which the fate of a memory depends, at least in part, on its relative stability at sleep onset: Strong memories tend to be preserved, while weaker memories erode still further. An important aspect of memory consolidation may thus result from the removal of irrelevant memory “debris.
New Algorithm for Parallel Laplacian Growth by Iterated Conformal Maps
We report a new algorithm to generate Laplacian Growth Patterns using
iterated conformal maps. The difficulty of growing a complete layer with local
width proportional to the gradient of the Laplacian field is overcome. The
resulting growth patterns are compared to those obtained by the best algorithms
of direct numerical solutions. The fractal dimension of the patterns is
discussed.Comment: Sumitted to Phys. Rev. Lett. Further details at
http://www.pik-potsdam.de/~ander
Compact phases of polymers with hydrogen bonding
We propose an off-lattice model for a self-avoiding homopolymer chain with
two different competing attractive interactions, mimicking the hydrophobic
effect and the hydrogen bond formation respectively. By means of Monte Carlo
simulations, we are able to trace out the complete phase diagram for different
values of the relative strength of the two competing interactions. For strong
enough hydrogen bonding, the ground state is a helical conformation, whereas
with decreasing hydrogen bonding strength, helices get eventually destabilized
at low temperature in favor of more compact conformations resembling
-sheets appearing in native structures of proteins. For weaker hydrogen
bonding helices are not thermodynamically relevant anymore.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures; revised version published in PR
On two-dimensionalization of three-dimensional turbulence in shell models
Applying a modified version of the Gledzer-Ohkitani-Yamada (GOY) shell model,
the signatures of so-called two-dimensionalization effect of three-dimensional
incompressible, homogeneous, isotropic fully developed unforced turbulence have
been studied and reproduced. Within the framework of shell models we have
obtained the following results: (i) progressive steepening of the energy
spectrum with increased strength of the rotation, and, (ii) depletion in the
energy flux of the forward forward cascade, sometimes leading to an inverse
cascade. The presence of extended self-similarity and self-similar PDFs for
longitudinal velocity differences are also presented for the rotating 3D
turbulence case
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