Reconsolidating: The Effect of Spatial Context and Expectations

Consolidation is the process by which memories become stable over time. Accessing a previously consolidated memory trace brings it back into a labile state where it must then undergo a re-stabilization process known as reconsolidation. During this process memories are again susceptible to interference and may be updated with new information. Reconsolidation has been demonstrated in animals as well as in the procedural and episodic human memory systems. The exact boundary conditions for reconsolidation are not yet known. Some studies suggest that reconsolidation is only necessary when new information is presented in a spatial context that is indistinguishable from the spatial context of the original memory, indicating that spatial context alone has the properties required to reinstate the context of the original learning. Other recent results indicate that regardless of space, reconsolidation is used as an updating mechanism that is only required when there is a mismatch between original and new learning. Here, I provide further evidence that spatial context plays an important role in triggering reconsolidation, and that a single salient cue is unable to do so (Experiment 1). However, if spatial context is not varied, it may be the case that prediction error can be used to create a need for memory updating via a reconsolidation process (Experiment 2)

Fight or Flight

Content Warning: Trauma Birds are beautiful, fragile, yet strong species that defy the laws of gravity. Birds have been used as symbols throughout history, and have been a huge influence within my work. To me, birds are the most relatable and enviable animals to humans. We long to adopt their risk taking behaviors, their romantic way of mating with one another for life, or even just their ability to fly and go wherever they wish. To be a bird and not care about anything in the world would be liberating. People as a whole are a lot like birds; we are both strong and fragile. For young adults, it is this liberation and freedom that we crave so much and strive for in life. So when it is taken away from us, it is painful. As a woman, to be put in situations that take away our power over our own bodies, which has been done since the beginning of time, is nauseatingly painful. “Fight or Flight” is a representation of that power and control being taken away by creating this malicious interaction between birds and human hands. Using charcoal, I am able to capture beautiful and soft textures of the birds while also emphasizing the harsh shadows and tense angles of the hands which are harming the birds. The content of the work in this exhibition is very heavy and personal for me, as well as anyone else who has experienced the feeling of helplessness and feeling trapped in a situation or relationship that is destructive, unhealthy, manipulative, or even violent to be in. While particulars of transgressions against our physical, mental and spiritual autonomy differ, trauma does not exist in a hierarchy. I offer these images to survivors to validate their experiences and mourn for their own loss of self-worth and power, and to other viewers as a means to communicate the intensity and impact that traumatic experiences have on people. I hope that viewers empathize with these birds being mistreated and relate to them in ways that might help them to not only recognize their own self worth, but also to underscore the importance of acknowledging, preventing, and stopping this kind of treatment.https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art498/1097/thumbnail.jp

Literate Vocabulary in the Written Language Samples of Seventh-Graders

Purpose - To analyze written persuasive language samples of seventh-graders to add to the local normative database by examining the use of literate vocabulary. Literate vocabulary refers to words that have a low frequency of natural occurrence in language, however, tend to appear in formal writing. Specifically, we will be examining the use of adverbial conjuncts (e.g., in conclusion, personally, technically), abstract nouns (e.g., freedom, enjoyment, opinion), and metacognitive/metalinguistic verbs (e.g., persuade, decide, imagine). Through examination of written persuasive essays we will gain further insight into literate vocabulary norms of seventh-graders. Methods - Written language samples were collected from seventh-grade students from a middle school in Missoula, Montana. All students were prompted to write a persuasive essay on a common topic. Each student’s essay was keyboarded into the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts computer program. Each vocabulary variable was coded as either [AC] (adverbial conjuncts), [MTVL] (metalinguistic/metacognitive verbs), [ABN] (abstract nouns). Each writing sample was coded by two separate investigators. Reliability for coding each vocabulary variable reached at least 95%. A correlation analysis will be used to determine whether there is a relationship between literate language usage and standardized reading scores. Originality - Language sample analysis is under-utilized when assessing older students, since few language norms for this age group have been established. Significance - Language sample analysis is a widely known preferred clinical practice for speech-language pathologists according to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, but is seldom used with school-aged clients in the upper elementary grades and beyond. It is important to regularly collect and analyze language samples because language development is continual throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Few studies have used language sample analysis to determine developmental milestones in adolescent language, so this study will contribute to the gap in the literature regarding adolescent language norms. With this information we hope to obtain an understanding of the average productivity and usage of literate vocabulary for adolescents in 7th grade. These writing samples can be used to create a normative database in regards to these measures. Additionally, if literate vocabulary usage is significantly correlated with reading scores, this will further strengthen the argument for language sample analysis in the upper grades

Open access : A funder's perspective

published_or_final_versionJULAC, eIFL.net, SpringerLink, HUCOM, Hong Kong Library Associatio

Cuyahoga Greenways: A Community-Driven, Data-Enriched Initiative to Implement a Regional Greenway Vision

Cleveland and surrounding Cuyahoga County is undergoing a gradual transformation. A highly urbanized region in America’s rust belt, it has experienced decades of declining population and sprawling development. Presently however, the region has shown signs of economic and social improvement as it recovers from years of stagnation and disinvestment. Accompanying this rebound is an increased awareness to the region’s fluctuating socioeconomic conditions and residual challenges to improving mobility. Moreover, there is a desire to ensure that change is sustainable and leads to equitable outcomes for all segments of the community. Greenways, most notably the county-wide Emerald Necklace, have long been a staple and signature asset of Cuyahoga County. However, the needs of the population are diversifying, particularly regarding mobility and how people access jobs, parks, cultural resources, public services, and commercial centers. Being such, non-motorized travel -- a rising trend for a broad spectrum of the populace -- has become a key component in the region’s renewal as it grapples with constricted transit, geographic inequality, and an existing Greenway network whose benefits do not fully reach all sectors of the population. Cuyahoga Greenways is a county-wide initiative to envision, plan, and implement over 800-miles of greenways and urban trails throughout the region. Unlike conventional approaches to building nonmotorized facilities, like bike lanes, that may only serve a segment of the population, Cuyahoga Greenways seeks to build an interconnected, non-motorized transportation network that is safe and welcoming for people of all ages and all abilities. This initiative, which featured input from 29 regional agencies and 43 participating communities, developed a vision, framework plan, and implementation tools for making the new greenway framework a reality. The planning process was community-driven and data-enriched, empowering local leaders and stakeholders with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions and craft a plan that benefits the community both economically and socially. A cornerstone of the process was a robust public engagement program with over 20 community-wide events. Leveraging both traditional and digital tools, a rigorous spatial analysis of over 300 corridor opportunities was completed. The resulting analysis, coupled with the community’s involvement, allowed stakeholders to identify and prioritize actionable greenway proposals that provide the biggest return to the community while dispensing more equitable outcomes. With the greenway framework plan in place, community leadership has shown a willingness to more effectively collaborate across jurisdictions, leveraging resources to implement projects. The Cuyahoga Greenways initiative exemplifies a regionally coordinated and evidence-based process to improve equity, mobility, and expand the benefits of greenways to all neighborhoods in Northeast Ohio

Chemical and physical properties of bulk aerosols within four sectors observed during TRACE-P

Chemical and physical aerosol data collected on the DC-8 during TRACE-P were grouped into four sectors based on back trajectories. The four sectors represent long-range transport from the west (WSW), regional circulation over the western Pacific and Southeast Asia (SE Asia), polluted transport from northern Asia with substantial sea salt at low altitudes (NNW) and a substantial amount of dust (Channel). WSW has generally low mixing ratios at both middle and high altitudes, with the bulk of the aerosol mass due to non-sea-salt water-soluble inorganic species. Low altitude SE Asia also has low mean mixing ratios in general, with the majority of the aerosol mass comprised of non-sea-salts, however, soot is also relatively important in this region. NNW had the highest mean sea salt mixing ratios, with the aerosol mass at low altitudes (\u3c2 km) evenly divided between sea salts, non-sea-salts, and dust. The highest mean mixing ratios of water-soluble ions and soot were observed at the lowest altitudes (\u3c2 km) in the Channel sector. The bulk of the aerosol mass exported from Asia emanates from Channel at both low and midaltitudes, due to the prevalence of dust compared to other sectors. Number densities show enhanced fine particles for Channel and NNW, while their volume distributions are enhanced due to sea salt and dust. Low-altitude Channel exhibits the highest condensation nuclei (CN) number densities along with enhanced scattering coefficients, compared to the other sectors. At midaltitudes (2–7 km), low mean CN number densities coupled with a high proportion of nonvolatile particles (≥65%) observed in polluted sectors (Channel and NNW) are attributed to wet scavenging which removes hygroscopic CN particles. Low single scatter albedo in SE Asia reflects enhanced soot

Influence of association state and DNA binding on the O2-reactivity of [4Fe-4S] fumarate and nitrate reduction (FNR) regulator

The fumarate and nitrate reduction (FNR) regulator is the master switch for the transition between anaerobic and aerobic respiration in Escherichia coli. Reaction of dimeric [4Fe-4S] FNR with O2 results in conversion of the cluster into a [2Fe-2S] form, via a [3Fe-4S] intermediate, leading to the loss of DNA binding through dissociation of the dimer into monomers. In the present paper, we report studies of two previously identified variants of FNR, D154A and I151A, in which the form of the cluster is decoupled from the association state. In vivo studies of permanently dimeric D154A FNR show that DNA binding does not affect the rate of cluster incorporation into the apoprotein or the rate of O2-mediated cluster loss. In vitro studies show that O2-mediated cluster conversion for D154A and the permanent monomer I151A FNR is the same as in wild-type FNR, but with altered kinetics. Decoupling leads to an increase in the rate of the [3Fe-4S]1+ into [2Fe-2S]2+ conversion step, consistent with the suggestion that this step drives association state changes in the wild-type protein. We have also shown that DNA-bound FNR reacts more rapidly with O2 than FNR free in solution, implying that transcriptionally active FNR is the preferred target for reaction with O2

In situ measurements of HCN and CH3CN over the Pacific Ocean: Sources, sinks, and budgets

We report the first in situ measurements of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and methyl cyanide (CH3CN, acetonitrile) from the Pacific troposphere (0-12 km) obtained during the NASA Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific (TRACE-P) airborne mission (February-April 2001). Mean HCN and CH3CN mixing ratios of 243 ± 118 (median 218) ppt and 149 ± 56 (median 138) ppt, respectively, were measured. These in situ observations correspond to a mean tropospheric HCN column of 4.2 × 1015 molecules cm-2 and a CH3CN column of 2.5 × 1015 molecules cm-2. This is in good agreement with the 0-12 km HCN column of 4.4 (±0.6) × 1015 molecules cm-2 derived from infrared solar spectroscopic observations over Japan. Mixing ratios of HCN and CH3CN were greatly enhanced in pollution outflow from Asia and were well correlated with each other as well as with known tracers of biomass combustion (e.g., CH3Cl, CO). Volumetric enhancement (or emission) ratios (ERs) relative to CO in free tropospheric plumes, likely originating from fires, were 0.34% for HCN and 0.17% for CH3CN. ERs with respect to CH3Cl and CO in selected biomass burning (BB) plumes in the free troposphere and in boundary layer pollution episodes are used to estimate a global BB source of 0.8 ± 0.4 Tg (N) yr-1 for HCN and 0.4 ± 0.1 Tg (N) yr-1 for CH3CN. In comparison, emissions from industry and fossil fuel combustion are quite small (<0.05 Tg (N) yr-1). The vertical structure of HCN and CH3CN indicated reduced mixing ratios in the marine boundary layer (MBL). Using a simple box model, the observed gradients across the top of the MBL are used to derive an oceanic loss rate of 8.8 × 10-15 g (N) cm-2 s-1 for HCN and 3.4 × 10-15 g (N) cm-2 s-1 for CH3CN. An air-sea exchange model is used to conclude that this flux can be maintained if the oceans are undersaturated in HCN and CH3CN by 27% and 6%, respectively. These observations also correspond to an open ocean mean deposition velocity (vd) of 0.12 cm s-1 for HCN and 0.06 cm s-1 for CH3CN. It is inferred that oceanic loss is a dominant sink for these cyanides and that they deposit some 1.4 Tg (N) of nitrogen annually to the oceans. Assuming loss to the oceans and reaction with OH radicals as the major removal processes, a mean atmospheric residence time of 5.0 months for HCN and 6.6 months for CH3CN is calculated. A global budget analysis shows that the sources and sinks of HCN and CH3CN are roughly in balance but large uncertainties remain in part due to a lack of observational data from the atmosphere and the oceans. Pathways leading to the oceanic (and soil) degradation of these cyanides are poorly known but are expected to be biological in nature

Growth factor-mediated phosphorylation of proapoptotic BAD reduces tubule cell death in vitro and in vivo

Growth factor-mediated phosphorylation of proapoptotic BAD reduces tubule cell death in vitro and in vivo.BackgroundExogenous growth factors administered during unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in neonatal rats significantly reduce apoptosis and tubular atrophy. Because the mechanism underlying these salutary effects is largely unknown, we investigated signaling pathways potentially activated by growth factors to determine their roles in therapeutic action.MethodsMechanical strain was applied to confluent cultures of immortalized rat proximal tubule cells to simulate obstruction-induced stretch injury in vivo. Growth factors, inhibitory antibodies or pharmacological inhibitors were added to cultures that were subsequently processed for TUNEL analysis or immunoblots to identify signaling pathways that could be modulating cell survival. For in vivo studies, kidneys harvested from rats ± UUO ± epidermal growth factor (EGF) were fixed or frozen for immunohistochemistry or immunoblot analysis.ResultsTreatment with EGF or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) during stretch decreased apoptosis by 50% (P < 0.001). Neutralizing antibodies (Abs) directed against either growth factor or its receptor blocked the reduction in apoptosis. Stretch decreased BAD phosphorylation by ∼50% (P < 0.001) relative to unstretched cells and each growth factor restored phosphorylation to basal levels. Kinase-specific inhibitors that blocked growth factor-mediated BAD phosphorylation promoted apoptosis in vitro. BAD phosphorylation decreased by ∼50% (P < 0.001) in the tubules of obstructed hydronephrotic rat kidneys and administration of EGF restored BAD phosphorylation to basal levels.ConclusionsSignaling pathways converging at BAD phosphorylation are key to growth factor-mediated attenuation of stretch-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo