Flavor avoidance learning based on missing calories but not on palatability reduction

Avoidance of a target flavor can be produced by providing rats with a highly nutritious solution of 20?% maltodextrin (20?%Malto) in some sessions and a 3?% maltodextrin (3?%Malto) solution containing the target flavor in intermixed sessions. Since 20?%Malto is both more nutritious and more palatable than 3?%Malto, flavor avoidance could arise because the flavor signals either a reduction in calories or reduced palatability, or both. Pilot testing established that rats strongly preferred 3?%Malto plus 0.1?% saccharin to both unflavored 3?%Malto and unflavored 20?%Malto. The two main experiments tested whether the palatability difference, which the pilot data had suggested was larger than the difference between 20?%Malto and 3?%Malto, could produce flavor avoidance. In both experiments, one group of rats were given 3?%Malto plus 0.1?% saccharin on some days, intermixed with other days on which this group was given 3?%Malto plus the target flavor, almond. Neither when trained and tested under conditions of food deprivation (Experiment 1) nor when trained and tested sated (Experiment 2) did palatability reduction produce almond avoidance. In contrast, calorie reduction produced almond avoidance under both conditions. These results suggest that flavor avoidance can be produced by intermixed training involving solutions that differ in nutritious value and palatability, but not when they differ only in palatability.     

ARE GRADUATES OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS IN GERONTOLOGY EMPLOYED? A REPORT OF A NATIONAL SURVEY

Educators and potential students have questioned the employability of gerontology graduates from the increasing number of educational programs in this field in the United States. This study sought to determine the employment of bachelor's degree gerontology graduates, as well as their reaction to their curricula. A national sample of 303 graduates from 17 of the 20 colleges and universities offering bachelor's degrees in gerontology responded to a questionnaire on employment and curriculum needs. Results indicated the majority are employed. Graduates believe they acquired their jobs because they had a degree in gerontology and that a bachelor's degree in gerontology, in contrast to some other degrees, was valuable to their career. There is evidence of needed curriculum additions, especially in the area of business management and related skills. Salary levels representing different areas of employment are summarized. It was concluded that these graduates evidenced a wide variety of career opportunities and if choosing again would repeat their degree choice in gerontology.     

The Enduring Predictive Significance of Early Maternal Sensitivity: Social and Academic Competence Through Age 32 Years

This study leveraged data from the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation (N = 243) to investigate the predictive significance of maternal sensitivity during the first 3 years of life for social and academic competence through age 32 years. Structural model comparisons replicated previous findings that early maternal sensitivity predicts social skills and academic achievement through midadolescence in a manner consistent with an enduring effects model of development and extended these findings using heterotypic indicators of social competence (effectiveness of romantic engagement) and academic competence (educational attainment) during adulthood. Although early socioeconomic factors and child gender accounted for the predictive significance of maternal sensitivity for social competence, covariates did not fully account for associations between early sensitivity and academic outcomes.     

Student Teachers Speak

The school itself should serve as a laboratory for the study of social science concepts and generalizations, maintains Dr. Schlechty.     

Evidence-Based Methods for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Stakeholder Issues and Perspectives

Despite variable interpretations of the meaning and nature of specific effective practice methods and research-supported strategies, such approaches are generally considered essential for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Indeed, there is general consensus that only by qualified professionals using effective methods in an approved fashion will optimal student outcomes be achieved. Related to this need, this article presents perspectives of stakeholders connected to use of effective practices with children and youth diagnosed with ASD. A parent, educational practitioner, and program administrator each share their unique perspectives on the subject of effective practice methods for learners with ASD.     

Writing dance: Tensions in researching movement or aesthetic experiences

Dotti researched how students in her tertiary dance class ascribed personal meaning to her use of different dance pedagogies. Jane was involved in the supervision of her thesis within the research process. However, what they discovered was a tension between researching and writing about artistic experiences within the confines and limitations of traditional academic scholarship. In this article each tells her story and shares how these tensions were or were not addressed. They then look at what a thesis is and what different forms of thesis presentation have been used. Finally, some suggestions are offered as to how both academic scholarship and artistic integrity might be maintained in a formal research process. The authors suggest that as an academic community there is a need to seek new ways of researching creative fields, such as dance, so that the academic process does not strangle the artistic endeavor.     

Girls’ and Boys’ Academic Self-Concept in Science in Single-Sex and Coeducational Classes

Recently, single-sex classes within public coeducational schools have proliferated across the USA; yet, we still know little about whether and how single-sex science classes influence adolescents’ attitude and affect toward science. This exploratory study expands upon our current understanding by investigating the extent in which female and male students’ enrollment in either single-sex or coeducational science classrooms may influence their academic self-concept in science. Utilizing a quasi-experimental research design, findings suggest that being enrolled in single-sex science classrooms influence how students in this study perceive their abilities to perform and learn in science, particularly for females in single-sex science classrooms.     

Investing in people: The support of farmer learning,creativity and local social networks in the Project Pisciculture Familiale,Zaïre

Abstract

For over fifteen years the U.S. Peace Corps provided technical and administrative support for a widely successful aquaculture development initiative in the (former) Republic of Zaïre. Until internal political tensions led to the dissolution of the effort in the early 1990s, the programme helped thousands of farmers across the country add a new, highly profitable enterprise to their portfolio of productive activities. The successes generated by this effort highlight the powerful role that extension programmes can play when their design and implementation liberates both farmers and field agents from the confines of their traditional roles as the simple ‘receivers’ and ‘purveyors’ of information. By building upon the reinforcing features of sound production principles, human capacity development and supportive local social organization, this programme created ‘windows of opportunity’ for farmers to become increasingly involved in developing innovations, spreading the programme's messages and independently powering a farmer-led promotion of aquaculture development. This example demonstrates that given the tools and opportunity, extension practice that builds farmers' knowledge, engages farmers' creativity and allows for their active involvement in outreach activities is capable of producing results that far exceed and outlast those possible through more traditional approaches.