Enhanced Post-Learning Memory Consolidation is Influenced by Arousal Predisposition and Emotion Regulation but Not By Stimulus Valence or Arousal

Emotionally arousing stimuli are more memorable than neutral ones and arousal induced after learning enhances later retrieval. However, there is as yet little study of how stimulus qualities might interact with induced arousal and how individual differences might influence the modulation of memory. Thus, the present study examined the effect of arousal induced after learning on memory for words that varied in both arousal and valence quality, as well as the influence of three individual differences factors that are known to influence arousal response: emotional suppression, emotional reappraisal, and arousal predisposition. Seventy-six adults (57 female) viewed and rated 60 words that normatively ranged from high to low in arousal and valence. Ten minutes later, they viewed a 3-min comedic or neutral video clip. Arousal induced after learning enhanced 1-week delayed memory, spanning the lengthy task without preference for word type or serial position, contrasting with reports of arousal effects interacting with stimulus qualities. Importantly, being predisposed to arousal led to greater enhancement of long-term memory modulation, while the use of emotional reappraisal, which reduces arousal responding, inhibited the ability of arousal to induce memory enhancement. Thus, individual differences that influence arousal responding can contribute to or interfere with memory modulation

Effect of interjet spacing on mixing of multiple coaxial jets in supersonic flow

An experimental and analytical investigation of strut-mounted, four-nozzle, downstream facing, gaseous fuel injector assembly was conducted in a Mach 4 air-stream with P = 154 psia and T sub o 520 R. Helium was used as the injectant, and the interjet spacing (S/D) was the main parameter varied. The principal data are in the form of Helium concentration profiles at seven axial stations, Mach number distributions at three axial stations and schlieren photographs of the flow field at different interjet spacings. An approximate analysis was developed based upon a linearization in the Von Mises plane, Crocco integrals for the temperature and concentrations fields and an eddy viscosity model. Good agreement with the data was achieved. It was found that, at these conditions, interjet spacing has an effect on mixing only up to S/D of approximately 2.5, with concentration of injectant becoming smaller as S/D is increased, and the Mach number downstream of the injector tends to decrease with decreasing S/D

Frequency response calibration of recess-mounted pressure transducers

A technique is described for measuring the frequency response of pressure transducers mounted inside a model, where a narrow pipette leads to an orifice at the surface. An acoustic driver is mounted to a small chamber which has an opening at the opposite end with an O-ring seal to place over the orifice. A 3.18 mm (1/8 inch) reference microphone is mounted to one side of the chamber. The acoustic driver receives an input of white noise, and the transducer and reference microphone outputs are compared to obtain the frequency response of the pressure transducer. Selected results are presented in the form of power spectra for both the transducer and the reference, as well as the amplitude variation and phase shift between the two signals as a function of frequency. The effect of pipette length and the use of this technique for identifying both blocked orifices and faulty transducers are described

Turbulent mixing of multiple, co-axial helium jets in a supersonic air stream

An experimental study of a strut-mounted, five-port, coaxial gaseous fuel injector assembly in a Mach 4 air stream with P sub o = 145 psia and T sub o = 546 R was conducted. Helium was used as the injectant, and the interjet spacing was the main parameter varied. The principal data are in the form of helium concentration profiles at six axial stations and pitot pressure profiles at two axial stations. Schlieren photographs are also presented. The slight sensitivity of the mixing rate to decreased interjet spacing was determined in the range 3.5 or = to S/D or = to 5.0

Value the Edge: Permaculture as Counterculture in Australia

This paper reconsiders the story of permaculture, developed in Australia in the mid-1970s by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. This paper considers permaculture as an example of counterculture in Australia. In keeping with permaculture design ecological principles, we argue that today permaculture is best understood as part of an assemblage of design objects, bacteria, economies, humans, plants, technologies, actions, theories, mushrooms, policies, affects, desires, animals, business, material and immaterial labour and politics and that it can be read as contrapuntal rather than as oppositional practice. Contrapuntal insofar as it is not directly oppositional preferring to reframe and reorientate everyday practices. The paper is structured in three parts: in the first one we frame our argument by providing a background to our understanding of counterculture and assemblage; in the second we introduce the beginning of permaculture in its historical context, and in third we propose to consider permaculture as an assemblage

Timed I/O Automata: It is never too late to complete your timed specification theory

A specification theory combines notions of specifications and implementations with a satisfaction relation, a refinement relation and a set of operators supporting stepwise design. We develop a complete specification framework for real-time systems using Timed I/O Automata as the specification formalism, with the semantics expressed in terms of Timed I/O Transition Systems. We provide constructs for refinement, consistency checking, logical and structural composition, and quotient of specifications -- all indispensable ingredients of a compositional design methodology. The theory is backed by rigorous proofs and is being implemented in the open-source tool ECDAR.Comment: Version submitted for revie

Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery With an Interarterial Course Should Family Screening Be Routine?

ObjectivesWe sought to present cases of familial occurrence of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery with an interarterial course (AAOCA) to determine if it would alter our current screening and management recommendations.BackgroundAnomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery with an interarterial course is a rare congenital anomaly that carries an increased risk of sudden death in children and young adults. There are no reports in the literature of familial AAOCA in the pediatric population.MethodsIn preparation for a multi-institutional prospective study evaluating patient management and surgical outcomes in children and young adults with AAOCA, a questionnaire was sent to multiple pediatric institutions in North and South America. Several respondents indicated caring for families with more than 1 member with AAOCA. These patients were identified and charts were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsWe identified 5 families in which a child was diagnosed with AAOCA and another family member was subsequently identified through screening with echocardiography. The odds of this occurring are significantly greater than what would be expected by chance. All identified by screening were asymptomatic and had anomalous right coronary artery despite 2 of the 5 index cases having anomalous left coronary artery.ConclusionsIt is possible that there is a genetic link for AAOCA. Future research into this is warranted. Due to the potential risk of myocardial ischemia and sudden death associated with AAOCA, screening first-degree relatives for AAOCA using transthoracic echocardiography would be the prudent approach to potentially prevent a sudden catastrophic event

Homeobox transcription factor HbxA influences expression of over one thousand genes in the model fungus \u3ci\u3eAspergillus nidulans\u3c/i\u3e

In fungi, conserved homeobox-domain proteins are transcriptional regulators governing development. In Aspergillus species, several homeobox-domain transcription factor genes have been identified, among them, hbxA/hbx1. For instance, in the opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, hbxA is involved in conidial production and germination, as well as virulence and secondary metabolism, including production of fumigaclavines, fumiquinazolines, and chaetominine. In the agriculturally important fungus Aspergillus flavus, disruption of hbx1 results in fluffy aconidial colonies unable to produce sclerotia. hbx1 also regulates production of aflatoxins, cyclopiazonic acid and aflatrem. Furthermore, transcriptome studies revealed that hbx1 has a broad effect on the A. flavus genome, including numerous genes involved in secondary metabolism. These studies underline the importance of the HbxA/Hbx1 regulator, not only in developmental processes but also in the biosynthesis of a broad number of fungal natural products, including potential medical drugs and mycotoxins. To gain further insight into the regulatory scope of HbxA in Aspergilli, we studied its role in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Our present study of the A. nidulans hbxA-dependent transcriptome revealed that more than one thousand genes are differentially expressed when this regulator was not transcribed at wild-type levels, among them numerous transcription factors, including those involved in development as well as in secondary metabolism regulation. Furthermore, our metabolomics analyses revealed that production of several secondary metabolites, some of them associated with A. nidulans hbxA-dependent gene clusters, was also altered in deletion and overexpression hbxA strains compared to the wild type, including synthesis of nidulanins A, B and D, versicolorin A, sterigmatocystin, austinol, dehydroaustinol, and three unknown novel compounds