scholarly journals Encoding-linked pupil response is modulated by expected and unexpected novelty: Implications for memory formation and neurotransmission

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Kafkas

AbstractWhether a novel stimulus is expected or unexpected may have implications for the kind of ensuing encoding and the type of subsequent memory. Pupil response was used in the present study to explore the way expected and unexpected stimuli are encoded and whether encoding-linked pupil response is modulated by expectation. Participants first established a contingency relationship between a series of symbols and the type of stimulus (man-made or natural) that followed each one. At encoding, some of the target stimuli violated the previously established relationship (i.e., unexpected), while the majority conformed to this relationship (i.e., expected). Expectation at encoding had opposite effects on familiarity and recollection, the two types of memory that support recognition, and modulated differently the way pupil responses predicted subsequent memory. Encoding of unexpected novel stimuli was associated with increased pupil dilation as a predictor of subsequent memory type and strength. In contrast, encoding of expected novel stimuli was associated with decreased pupil response (constriction), which was predictive of subsequent memory type and strength. The findings support the close link between pupil response and memory formation, but critically indicate that this is modulated by the type of novelty as defined by expectation. These novel findings have important implications for the encoding mechanisms involved when different types of novelty are detected and is proposed to indicate the operation of different neurotransmitters in memory formation.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Bergt ◽  
Anne E. Urai ◽  
Tobias H. Donner ◽  
Lars Schwabe

At any time, we are processing thousands of stimuli, but only few of them will be remembered hours or days later. Is there any way to predict which ones? Here, we show that the pupil response to ongoing stimuli, an indicator of physiological arousal, is a reliable predictor of long-term memory for these stimuli, over at least one day. Pupil dilation was tracked while participants performed visual and auditory encoding tasks. Memory was tested immediately after encoding and 24 hours later. Irrespective of the encoding modality, trial-by-trial variations in pupil dilation predicted which stimuli were recalled in the immediate and 24 hours-delayed tests. These results show that our eyes may provide a window into the formation of long-term memories. Furthermore, our findings underline the important role of central arousal systems in the rapid formation of memories in the brain, possibly by gating synaptic plasticity mechanisms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-56
Author(s):  
Abigail Nieves Delgado

The current overproduction of images of faces in digital photographs and videos, and the widespread use of facial recognition technologies have important effects on the way we understand ourselves and others. This is because facial recognition technologies create new circulation pathways of images that transform portraits and photographs into material for potential personal identification. In other words, different types of images of faces become available to the scrutiny of facial recognition technologies. In these new circulation pathways, images are continually shared between many different actors who use (or abuse) them for different purposes. Besides this distribution of images, the categorization practices involved in the development and use of facial recognition systems reinvigorate physiognomic assumptions and judgments (e.g., about beauty, race, dangerousness). They constitute the framework through which faces are interpreted. This paper shows that, because of this procedure, facial recognition technologies introduce new and far-reaching »facialization« processes, which reiterate old discriminatory practices.


Author(s):  
Eva Steiner

This chapter introduces the main constitutional institutions and mechanism governing France, taking into account the major overhaul of the 1958 Constitution in 2008. It also shows that legislation is the primary source of law in France, that there are different types of legislation, and that legislative sources are organised hierarchically. Moreover, the chapter also considers, within the constitutional framework, the legislative process and examines the way in which bills are drafted. It also seeks to familiarise readers with the layout of a French statute. In addition, this chapter shows that much of French law though not all of it is codified. Codification is a particular legislative technique common to most civil law systems.


Author(s):  
Konrad Huber

The chapter first surveys different types of figurative speech in Revelation, including simile, metaphor, symbol, and narrative image. Second, it considers the way images are interrelated in the narrative world of the book. Third, it notes how the images draw associations from various backgrounds, including biblical and later Jewish sources, Greco-Roman myths, and the imperial cult, and how this enriches the understanding of the text. Fourth, the chapter looks at the rhetorical impact of the imagery on readers and stresses in particular its evocative, persuasive, and parenetic function together with its emotional effect. And fifth, it looks briefly at the way reception history shows how the imagery has engaged readers over time. Thus, illustrated by numerous examples, it becomes clear how essentially the imagery of the book of Revelation constitutes and determines its theological message.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yire Jeong ◽  
Hye-Yeon Cho ◽  
Mujun Kim ◽  
Jung-Pyo Oh ◽  
Min Soo Kang ◽  
...  

AbstractMemory is supported by a specific collection of neurons distributed in broad brain areas, an engram. Despite recent advances in identifying an engram, how the engram is created during memory formation remains elusive. To explore the relation between a specific pattern of input activity and memory allocation, here we target a sparse subset of neurons in the auditory cortex and thalamus. The synaptic inputs from these neurons to the lateral amygdala (LA) are not potentiated by fear conditioning. Using an optogenetic priming stimulus, we manipulate these synapses to be potentiated by the learning. In this condition, fear memory is preferentially encoded in the manipulated cell ensembles. This change, however, is abolished with optical long-term depression (LTD) delivered shortly after training. Conversely, delivering optical long-term potentiation (LTP) alone shortly after fear conditioning is sufficient to induce the preferential memory encoding. These results suggest a synaptic plasticity-dependent competition rule underlying memory formation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janaina P. Araújo ◽  
Antonio Souto ◽  
Lena Geise ◽  
Maria Elisabeth Araújo

There is still little knowledge about the behavior of the estuarine dolphins and also the way they react to the presence of different types of vessels. The aim of the present study was twofold: to investigate the behavior of estuarine dolphins in four locations in Pernambuco, Brazil, and also their reaction to the presence of common types of nautical crafts. The data of this study resulted from 48 fieldtrips to each of the four localities studied (ports of Recife and Suape, and beaches of Bairro Novo and Piedade), thus totaling 192 days of observations, with approximately 380 hours of actual sampling. Ten types of behavioral activities were counted for Bairro Novo beach and the port areas, but only four for Piedade beach. The greatest flows of boats were recorded in the port of Recife. Fishing boats were the commonest type in the port area of Recife and Bairro Novo beach, while tourist vessels predominated in the port of Suape and Piedade beach. During the observations of encounters between these boats and the estuarine dolphins, neutral reactions predominated for all the vessel types studied. The same type of reaction predominated when the distances at which the interactions between the animals and vessels occurred were correlated.


Author(s):  
Rikke Gottfredsen

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mindfulness is a phenomenon increasingly attracting interest in Denmark. It is offered by many different types of providers. This research categorizes in a complete sample of mindfulness providers in Aarhus the way in which these providers communicate their affiliation with mindfulness as respectively Buddhism, spirituality or a-religious technique. This is done using the criteria’s authorization, text reference and visual reference. The article's research shows that mindfulness is offered as a-religious technique, but claims simultaneously, based on Hornborg and Durkheim, that even this alleged a-religiosity can be considered religious.DANSK RESUMÉ: Mindfulness er et fænomen i vækst. Den udbydes af mange forskellige typer af udbydere. Denne undersøgelse kategoriserer i et komplet sample af mindfulness-udbydere i Aarhus måden hvorpå disse udbydere kommunikerer deres tilhørsforhold til mindfulness som henholdsvis buddhisme, spiritualitet eller a-religiøs teknik. Dette gøres ved hjælp af kriterier inden for autorisation, tekst- og visuelle referencer. Artiklens undersøgelse viser, at mindfulness udbydes som a-religiøs teknik, men hævder samtidigt med udgangspunkt i Hornborg og Durkheim, at selv denne påståede a-religiøsitet kan kaldes religiøs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 192-203
Author(s):  
Martin Holubčík ◽  
Jakub Soviar

Abstract Modern controlling is an interdisciplinary field that allows management to manage properly, thereby creating the basis for good decision-making. Logistics operations in smart companies need to be not only properly set up, but also properly controlled and improved. The purpose of the article is to analyze the controlling environment in a selected company and point out possible improvements in logistics activities and devices, with a view to preventing different types of problems. For this purpose, observations of the internal logistics processes in a selected company were used and quantified to assess its internal state. On the basis of the data, controlling measures are put forward to improve the management of the company’s logistics activities. The results of the research highlight the opportunities that exist through controlling activities to collect and analyze information about the logistics activities of a company. By doing so, employees can be given greater responsibility for the fulfilment of their tasks and contribute to the streamlining of logistics processes. For managers, the implementation of controlling represents a change in the way of thinking and managing a company.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 4919-4922
Author(s):  
Shilpa Patil ◽  
Ajikya Bahulekar

Acute infections of the nervous system are among the hugest issues in the medicine considering the way that early affirmation, gainful dynamic and speedy association of the treatment can be lifesaving. Standard routine assessment of CSF in meningitis doesn't commonly give speedy definitive information without a doubt. Therefore there was need for additional tests. The present study conducted in Department of Medicine. The study included clinical appraisal and CSF assessment of 65 occurrences of meningitis. Lumbar cut was done in each consistent case and CSF was assembled in sterile containers.In majority cases of meningitis sugar less than two third of blood sugars, and majority of TBM cases had sugar level between 40-60 mg%. Higher cell count was seen in pyogenic meningitis cases. In context to LDH levels among the different types of meningitis, significant increased CSF LDH levels was observed in TBM and PM as compared to VM and CM but no noteworthy distinction between TBM and PM. Overall conclusion of study was that estimation of CSF LDH levels is not only supplementary aid but diagnostic and differentiating aid for meningitis.


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