Studying memory

J. Chen, H.N. Eisen, D.M. Kranz, A model T-cell receptor system for studying memory T-cell development. Microbes e[ Infections 2003, 5, 233-240. 

Other models have been described which reproduce learning impairment and memory loss. These models are based on lesioning or pharmacological blockade (scopolamine) of specific neurotransmitter pathways, or as in the Brattleboro strain of rats where vasopressin production is perturbed due to an hereditary disorder. These models will undoubtedly make a contribution, but they are aimed at studying memory and do not necessarily elucidate the characteristic features of Alzheimer s disease. 

Zhu S-B, Lee J, Robinson G Wand Lin S H 1989 Theoretical study of memory kernel and velocity correlation function for condensed phase isomerization. I. Memory kernel J. Chem. Phys. 90 6335-9... 

In electron spin echo relaxation studies, the two-pulse echo amplitude, as a fiinction of tire pulse separation time T, gives a measure of the phase memory relaxation time from which can be extracted if Jj-effects are taken into consideration. Problems may arise from spectral diflfrision due to incomplete excitation of the EPR spectrum. In this case some of the transverse magnetization may leak into adjacent parts of the spectrum that have not been excited by the MW pulses. Spectral diflfrision effects can be suppressed by using the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence, which is also well known in NMR. The experiment involves using a sequence of n-pulses separated by 2r and can be denoted as [7i/2-(x-7i-T-echo) J. A series of echoes separated by lx is generated and the decay in their amplitudes is characterized by Ty. ... 

Vinpocetine (2), another dmg initially categorized as a cerebral vasodilator, is a member of the vinca alkaloid family of agents (7). However, interest in this compound as a potential dmg for learning and memory deficits comes from its abiUty to act as a neuronal protectant. This compound was evaluated in 15 patients with AD over a one-year period and was ineffective in improving cognitive deficits or slowing the rate of decline (8). However, in studies of patients with chronic vascular senile cerebral dysfunction (9) and organic psycho syndrome (10), vinpocetine showed beneficial results. 

Cholinergic mechanisms have long been studied with respect to memory and learning. An interesting study demonstrated that the age-related decline in memory observed in laboratory rodents can be reversed by administration of choline [62-49-7] (13). 

Titanium alloy systems have been extensively studied. A single company evaluated over 3000 compositions in eight years (Rem-Cm sponsored work at BatteUe Memorial Institute). AHoy development has been aimed at elevated-temperature aerospace appHcations, strength for stmctural appHcations, biocompatibiHty, and corrosion resistance. The original effort has been in aerospace appHcations to replace nickel- and cobalt-base alloys in the 250—600°C range. The useful strength and corrosion-resistance temperature limit is ca 550°C. 

Other. Alkali chiorochromate compounds, including cesium chiorochromate, CsCrCl, are ferromagnetic substances being studied for potential apphcation in optically-read computer memory devices. Cesium has also been used in vapor glow lamps (44), vapor rectifiers, and high energy lasers (qv)... 

Environmental exposures to PCBs are significantly lower than those reported in the workplace and are therefore unlikely to cause adverse human health effects in adults. However, it is apparent from the results of several recent studies on children that there was a correlation between in utero exposure to PCBs, eg, cord blood levels, and developmental deficits (65—68) including reduced bkth weight, neonatal behavior anomaUes, and poorer recognition memories. At four years of age, there was stiU a correlation between prenatal PCB exposure levels and short-term memory function (verbal and quantitative). In these studies the children were all exposed to relatively low environmental levels of PCBs. Although these effects may be related to other contaminants, it is clear that this is an area of concern regarding the potential adverse human health impacts of PCBs. 

Hydrolysis using aqueous alkaH has been found to remove ash material including pyrite. A small pilot plant for studying this process was built at the BatteUe Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio (74) and subsequentiy discontinued. Other studies have produced a variety of gases and organic compounds such as phenols, nitrogen bases, Hquid hydrocarbons, and fatty acids totaling as much as 13 wt % of the coal. The products indicate that oxidation and other reactions as weU as hydrolysis take place. 

Numerical simulations offer several potential advantages over experimental methods for studying dynamic material behavior. For example, simulations allow nonintrusive investigation of material response at interior points of the sample. No gauges, wires, or other instrumentation are required to extract the information on the state of the material. The response at any of the discrete points in a numerical simulation can be monitored throughout the calculation simply by recording the material state at each time step of the calculation. Arbitrarily fine resolution in space and time is possible, limited only by the availability of computer memory and time. 

Memory requirements for one-dimensional eontinuum dynamies ealeulations are minimal by the standards of eurrent hardware. Thus, sufTieiently fine zoning ean be used in sueh ealeulations to eapture details of material response and provide a rigorous test of fidelity for the numerieal models employed. The ability to use fine zoning also ensures that any diserepaneies between ealeulation and experiment ean be attributed, with eonsiderable eonfidenee, to Inadequaeies in the material response model. In faet, most desktop workstations have suffieient eomputing horsepower and memory to meet the eom-putating needs in one-dimensional material response studies. 

We have been discussing a class of penetration problems that are accurately modeled by two-dimensional calculations. There are many three-dimensional problems, however, that can be well approximated by two-dimensional analyses, and the greatly reduced computer memory and time requirements for such calculations make them attractive alternatives for scoping studies, or for parameter sensitivity studies. Although good quantitative predictions may not be obtained with such approximations, the calculations can be expected to reveal trends and qualitative results that will carry over to the full three-dimensional problem. 

The practical implications of this experiment are that when evaluating the effects of shift work due to circadian effects, the type of task being carried out by the worker must be taken into account. For example, skill-based tasks would be expected to exhibit the performance changes characteristic of low memory load tasks, whereas performance variations in knowledge-based tasks would be expected to follow the pattern of high memory load tasks. Performance on rule-based tasks may depend on the degree of frequency of use of the rules, which in turn may determine the memory load. If these results were confirmed by further process plant studies, it would have implications for when different types of operation (involving different levels of memory load) should be scheduled to reduce circadian rhythm effects and minimize errors. 

Useful protocols can only be produced for information that is coded in a verbal form in memory. Tasks that rely on visual imagery for their execution, or have become "automated" due to over-practice wiU be very difficult to verbalize. Hence the technique may provide little useful information and may even produce misleading reports for these tasks. To encourage task verbalization some coaching should be given to the task experts and the goals of the study should be explained so that they can make greater efforts to report on aspects of the task which are of particular importance. 

The metal itself, having an appreciable vapour pressure, is also toxic, and produces headaches, tremors, inflammation of the bladder and loss of memory. The best documented case is that of Alfred Stock (p. 151) whose constant use of mercury in the vacuum lines employed in his studies of boron and silicon hydrides, caused him to suffer for many years. The cause was eventually recognized and it is largely due to Stock s publication in 1926 of details of his experiences that the need for care and adequate ventilation is now fully appreciated. 

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