Egg-laying preference for ethanol involving learning has adaptive significance inDrosophila melanogaster

To study the influence of negative or positive experience of the ingestion of ethanol in femaleDrosophila with thefast form of the Adh gene on the acceptance of a medium containing this substance as site for egg laying, flies raised on a medium without alcohol were kept (1) on a regular medium, (2) on a medium supplemented with ethanol, (3) on a medium supplemented with 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP, an inhibitor of the enzyme ADH), and (4) on a medium containing both ethanol and this inhibitor. Whereas theDrosophila exhibited no spontaneous egg-laying preference for ethanol, a preference was induced by the ingestion of this substance, which also led to an increase in the number of eggs laid. By contrast, ingestion of ethanol, associated with the inhibitor, reduced the number of eggs laid and led to an avoidance of ethanol-containing media. Flies treated with ethanol and 4-MP exhibited signs of sickness (reduction in locomotor activity and loss of balance). The egg-laying preference for the ethanol results from learning linked to the metabolic utilization of this alcohol. The adaptative significance of this learning is discussed.     

Argumentation Surrounding Argument-Based Validation: A Systematic Review of Validation Methodology in Peer-Reviewed Articles

Since it was formalized by Kane, the argument-based approach to validation has been promoted as the preferred method for validating interpretations and uses of test scores. Because validation is discussed in terms of arguments, and arguments are both interactive and social, the present review systematically examines the scholarly arguments which appear in 83 papers on argument-based validation methods published in peer-reviewed journals. Findings suggest that scholars generally agree on the nature and importance of argument-based validation but disagree on whether validation should be structured or unstructured, formal or informal. Implications are discussed, including promotion of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, and NCME) as a foundation for consensus in the field.     

Training Methods of Listening-Based Journalistic Questioning

The study introduces the pedagogy of listening-based questioning training (LBJQ) for journalism students and journalists. The approach provides basic training and is somewhat different from the usual interview training as LBJQ focuses on training in basic skills: listening and reflective responding skills, as well as the ability to use different types of questions efficiently. The aim of the exercises is to help the journalist to get the most precise information possible from people with various social skills and styles. The article explains theoretical approaches and provides sample exercises for trainers and journalists.     

Piloting Consumer Health Information Services in Collaboration with a Community Research Engagement Program

At an academic health science center, librarians partnered with a community research engagement program to offer a suite of consumer health information services. The services included training staff in the use of online consumer health resources, purchasing a print collection of monographs, and creating a guide to both the online and print resources for staff use. Focus groups were conducted to assess information needs, and the workshop attendees’ online health information competency was assessed presession and postsession. This article details planning and intervention efforts, and proposes future activities to meet the information needs of HealthStreet and its clients.