The visual orientation memory of Drosophila requires Foraging (PKG) upstream of Ignorant (RSK2) in ring neurons of the central complex

Orientation and navigation in a complex environment requires path planning and recall to exert goal-driven behavior. Walking Drosophila flies possess a visual orientation memory for attractive targets which is localized in the central complex of the adult brain. Here we show that this type of working memory requires the cGMP-dependent protein kinase encoded by the foraging gene in just one type of ellipsoid-body ring neurons. Moreover, genetic and epistatic interaction studies provide evidence that Foraging functions upstream of the Ignorant Ribosomal-S6 Kinase 2, thus revealing a novel neuronal signaling pathway necessary for this type of memory in Drosophila.     

A contribution to the study of the metric and Euclidean structures of dissimilarities

This paper is concerned with the geometric properties of dissimilarity coefficients defined on finite sets and especially with their Euclidean nature. We present several particular transformations which preserve Euclideanarity and we complete, through the study of a one-parameter family, the current knowledge of the metric and Euclidean structure of coefficients based on binary data. These results are directly deduced from two theorems which prove the positive semi-definite status of some quadratic forms which play a large role in some definitions of dissimilarity commonly used.The authors wish to thank B. Fichet for his helpful suggestions, the associate Editor and an anonymous reviewer for comments and highly constructive criticisms on earlier drafts of the paper.     

Anisotropic thermal properties of single-wall-carbon- nanotube-reinforced nanoceramics

Dense single-wall-carbon-nanotube-(SWCNT)-reinforced alumina nanocomposites have been fabricated by a novel spark-plasma-sintering technique. Anisotropic thermal properties have been found in carbon nanotube composites. The introduction of ropes of SWCNTs gives rise to a decrease in the transverse thermal diffusivity with increasing carbon nanotube content while it does not change the in-plane thermal diffusivity. This is scientifically interesting and technologically important for the development of materials for novel thermal barrier coatings.     

The Unique and Interactive Contributions of Peer Victimization and Teacher-Child Relationships to Children’s School Adjustment

The present study tested whether a close relationship with the teacher would reduce, or a conflictual relationship would amplify, links between peer victimization and school maladjustment. Data on 352 3rd- and 4th-grade children (166 boys; 186 girls) were collected over a two-year period. Teachers provided data on their relationships with students and students’ academic performance. Children completed measures assessing peer victimization and school liking. Latent growth curve analyses revealed that at high levels of peer victimization declines in school liking were reduced when student shared a close, low conflict, relationship with their teacher. Furthermore, a combination of peer victimization and poor teacher-child relationship quality predicted trajectories of sustained, low academic performance. These findings highlight the benefits of a close relationship with the teacher for victimized children and the cumulative impact stress within peer- and teacher-relationships can have on students.     

Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Academic Cheating Research–Cross-Cultural Comparison

The study is an intercultural comparison of the theory of reasoned action and the theory of planned behavior (original and modified versions) to predict students’ intentions for academic cheating. The sample included university students from 7 countries: Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Turkey, Switzerland, United States, and New Zealand. Across countries, results show that attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and moral obligation predict students’ intentions to engage in academic dishonesty in the form of cheating. The extended modified version of the theory of planned behavior emerged as the best explanatory model predicting intentions to cheat. Significant cross-cultural differences were found and discussed.     

Functional analysis and intervention of perseverative speech in students with high-functioning autism and related neurodevelopmental disabilities

Although perseverative speech is a common characteristic of individuals with high-functioning neurodevelopmental disabilities, little is known about the operant functions of these verbalizations. We conducted analogue functional analyses of perseverative speech for 2 students using reinforcement contingencies that included alone, attention, control, escape, and tangible conditions. Results showed the following patterns: attention only (Charlotte) or multiply determined including an attention function (Paul). We then tested an intervention for perseverative speech maintained by social positive reinforcement that included differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and extinction of perseverative speech for 1 participant. The intervention reduced perseverative speech, but did not increase appropriate speech until we added a prompting component. We then replicated this three-component intervention with Paul. The results showed moderate to high decreases in levels of perseverative speech and increased appropriate verbalizations in both cases. The results systematically replicated the interventions of previous studies by adding a prompting component to the intervention.