The problem of this study is to determine what degree of relationship exists between a group of fifth-grade children's play interests, their mental ability, and their social behavior.

Master of Science / Department of Entomology / Srinivas Kambhampati / Termites (Isoptera) are eusocial insects and exhibit highly complex eusocial behavior. Eusociality is characterized by the presence of castes (workers, soldiers, reproductives), polyphenisms (same genotype exhibiting multiple phenotypes), flexible developmental pathways, complex communication, cooperative brood care, construction and maintenance of complex nests, and division of labor. Previous studies on honey bees implicated several genes in caste-specific behavior; here, we investigate if orthologs of such genes are present in termites and if so, whether they are expressed differentially among the castes. A candidate gene approach using degenerate primers was used to amplify three candidate genes in the termite Reticulitermes flavipes. Quantitative real time PCR analysis revealed differential expression among termite workers, soldiers, and alates, with a general pattern of higher expression in alates. These results provide information on three novel genes in the termite R. flavipes.

The Canary Archipelago is considered one of the planet's biodiversity hotspots and the short-finned pilot whale is a key species in need of conservation measures. To address a lack of knowledge, almost 2,000 day-surveys were conducted (1999-2012) resulting in 1,094 short-finned pilot whale sightings. The species was recorded year-round and distributed non-uniformly around the archipelago, with greater densities concentrated in patchy areas mainly on the leeward side of the main islands. A total of 1,320 well-marked individuals were identified, which exhibited a large degree of variability in site fidelity (from core residents to transients). Evidence of an island-associated sub-population and a transient one was found. Longitudinal data were used to infer population structure and estimate abundance, while a spatial modelling approach was used to study spatio-temporal patterns in habitat use, distribution and abundance. Spatial modelling revealed habitat preferences in areas between depths of 1000m and 1500m, and higher densities in the south-west of Tenerife and La Gomera (117 short-finned pilot whales recaptured within the two islands). Abundance of 1,980 individuals (CV = 0.33, 95% CI=1,442 – 2,324) was estimated for the entire archipelago, with higher density predicted during the summer months. Mark-recapture analysis estimated 636 resident individuals (CV = 0.028, 95% CI=602 - 671) in the southwest waters of Tenerife between 2007 and 2009. The social and temporal analyses of the behavioural relationships between pairs of individuals revealed a well-differentiated society with long-lasting and non-random social structure built of constant companions. A hierarchical social system is proposed composed of a population encompassing several clans of pilot whales, each one containing several pods. Nine long-term units were identified with a high degree of association (0.62 - 0.83). This study, the first to provide combined results on distribution, habitat use, and social structure of the species, provides essential information towards the development of recommendations for much needed conservation measures.

This study explores the effect of changing ecological conditions on female social organization among free-ranging vervet monkeys (Cholorocebus aethiops pygerythrus) in the Klein Karoo, South Africa. Comparison was made between a previous study conducted during a period of drought in 2009, and my own study conducted when conditions were much wetter and hence, less ecologically stressful. In addition, animals in the present study also experienced conditions of low demographic stress. Compared to 2009, females displayed lower rates of competition and aggression, did not compete for access to grooming partners, and did not preferentially groom those of high rank, nor did they do so more frequently. Females did, however, preferentially associate spatially with those they groomed most; a finding in contrast to the previous study. Females did not groom those of adjacent ranks more frequently, nor was there any relationship between rank difference and spatial association. In addition, there were rank differences in vigilance were found between females, and vigilance costs overall were affected by total group size. Overall, these findings support some aspects of the socioecological model used to predict group structure in primates, but other aspects of social organization remain puzzling, and may reflect larger overall group sizes in the Samara population, which changes patterns of engagement between females in ways not fully captured by current models. / xi, 122 leaves ; 29 cm

Values and their role in preschool education are the main topic of this diploma thesis. The mail aim is to find the answer to the question what kind of educational values nursery teachers consider to be the most important ones from their point of view concerning the curricula. In the theoretical part of my diploma thesis I describe values from different perspectives: from philosophical, psychological, sociological and pedagogical perspective which is the most important ones. It is examined how values are connected with and grounded in the binding document "Framework educational programme for preschool education", I also focus on ethical principles of preschool teachers which should be followed and I describe the influence of values on shaping of children's behaviour. In the empirical part I introduce research information, data collections and data analysis and main results. The most important values from preschool teacher's point of view can be divided into three groups: moral values, values connected with relationships and values connected with skills. Keywords values, moral values, social relationships, social skills

Two sympatric species of dolphins (Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus) have been long-term residents to Little Bahama Bank. This study assessed whether there was a change in residence patterns or diurnal foraging depths of bottlenose dolphins following a large emigration event in the resident spotted dolphin community on this sandbank. Photo-identification was used to identify individual bottlenose dolphins and compare pooled years before (2010-2012) and after (2013-2015) the spotted dolphin emigration. The identified community size and overall residency of the bottlenose dolphins remained similar, although two bottlenose dolphins emigrated over deep water to the site spotted dolphins emigrated. Bottlenose dolphins diurnally fed in shallower water but remained in the same geographic foraging locations. Reasons remain unknown for this depth change, but potential changes in the productivity of primary bottlenose dolphin foraging habitats or reduction of spotted dolphins from shallower depths remain possibilities. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Demographic changes, through immigration/emigration (or death) can affect the social and community structure of a population. This study reports on the effects of demographic changes following 2 intense hurricanes on two sympatric delphinid species: Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, and Atlantic spotted dolphins Stenella frontalis. Thirty percent of the bottlenose population was lost after the hurricanes, with an influx of roughly the same number of immigrants. The stable community split into two cohesive units. Preferences in association in relation to reproductive status and sex remained. Immigrants assimilated well into the population, especially males. There is a conflict of interest between resident males and females in accepting immigrants and often females find more resistance than males. Long-term analysis of spotted dolphins revealed a community structure defined by long-term site fidelity, natal philopatry of both sexes and three social clusters. / Female associations were influenced by reproductive status and social familiarity within clusters. Males formed long-term alliances and shorter-term coalitions. Some movement between clusters occurred. Alliance formation crystallized in adulthood. Mating strategies and sex were the primary factors shaping social structure. Thirty-six percent of the spotted dolphin population was lost after the hurricanes with no influx of immigrants. The spotted dolphin community differed little from long-term analysis, including definitive social clusters and sex preferences. Social cohesion increased within units and across age classes. Some juveniles had associations of alliance level. Loss of individuals resulted in subtle changes in social structure. Interspecies associations reveal striking differences in association patterns between species. Group sizes and re-sightings of spotted dolphins were larger than for bottlenose dolphins, particularly for aggressive encounters. / Male alliances and coalitions were prevalent for spotted dolphins, but not for bottlenose dolphins. After the hurricanes lower re-sighting and group sizes for spotted dolphin males and less aggressive behavior documented, indicates a re-structuring period of relationships between the species. This study shows that environmental variations may alter the structure of mammal societies through demographic upheaval and survival of populations may depend on their social structure and the social adaptability of the species. / by Cindy Rogers Elliser. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Discipline was implemented by mothers and alloparent spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) mothers and alloparents on Little Bahama Bank, Bahamas. Disciplinarians were significantly more likely to be adults than juveniles. Although most disciplinarians were female, males were also observed to perform discipline. The recipients of discipline were male and female, and significantly more likely to be calves than juveniles. Pursuit, contact, and display behaviors were used in discipline, however pursuit behaviors were most often observed. Variables such as age class, sex, and parity were not found to influence how discipline was implemented. The durations of all disciplinary pursuits were under thirty seconds, and successful pursuits had slightly shorter duration than unsuccessful pursuits. Disciplinarian success was not significantly influenced by age class, sex, parity, or behavior used. / by Meghan Weinpress. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

As anomalias craniofaciais ocasionam comprometimentos estéticos e funcionais com grande impacto na saúde e na integração social da criança, com interferência no desenvolvimento global e social. Das anomalias craniofaciais este estudo abordou as Fissuras Labiopalatinas (FLP) e o Espectro Óculo Aurículo Vertebral (EOAV). As FLP constituem malformações resultantes de falta do fechamento completo dos tecidos que compõe o lábio e o palato. O EOAV, também conhecido como Síndrome de Goldenhar, é uma anomalia congênita de etiologia desconhecida, com manifestação genética variável e de causa bastante heterogênea. Conhecer as habilidades funcionais e o impacto destas no desenvolvimento global de crianças com EOAV e FLP pode otimizar o desenvolvimento de programas de prevenção e intervenção para promover a saúde e a integração social destes indivíduos. Este estudo foi delineado com objetivo de verificar e comparar o desempenho em habilidades funcionais quanto ao desempenho nas áreas de autocuidado, mobilidade, função social e nível de independência entre crianças com EOAV, crianças com FLP e um grupo comparativo, de crianças sem anomalias. O modelo de pesquisa foi observacional descritivo transversal com uma casuística de 39 pais/responsáveis de crianças na faixa etária entre três anos e sete anos e seis meses, de ambos os gêneros. Foram convidados para participar pais/responsáveis de crianças em tratamento no Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais da Universidade e São Paulo (HRAC-USP) os quais foram divididos em três grupos: dois experimentais e um grupo comparativo. O instrumento para coleta dos dados das habilidades funcionais foi o Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), em sua versão adaptada para o português. A avaliação é realizada por meio de entrevista com o cuidador, o qual deve saber informar sobre o desempenho da criança em atividades e tarefas típicas da rotina diária. Os dados foram apresentados por análise descritiva com medidas de tendência central (média aritmética), dispersão (desvio-padrão) e distribuição de frequência, nas variáveis: idades, gênero e nível socioeconômico da família e caracterização da casuística. Para as análises das pontuações bruta e normativa do questionário PEDI no que se refere às habilidades funcionais e a assistência do cuidador nas três áreas de função autocuidado, mobilidade e função social, foi utilizado o teste de variância One Way, e para o teste de normalidade foi utilizado Shapiro Wilk para variável dependente. A análise comparativa foi realizada pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis, adotando-se o valor de significância de p< 0,05. Os resultados deste estudo na análise comparativa nas habilidades funcionais na mobilidade, houve diferença estatisticamente significante na comparação entre os grupos GC vs GEEOAV, no escore bruto, e entre os grupos GC vs GEEOAV e GC vs GEFLP, no escore normativo.Na assistência do cuidador no autocuidado, houve diferença estatisticamente significante na comparação entre os grupos GC vs GEEOAV, no escore normativo. Na assistência do cuidador na mobilidade, houve diferença estatisticamente significante na comparação entre os grupos GC vs GEEOAV nos escores bruto e normativo.Na assistência do cuidador na função social houve diferença estatisticamente significante na comparação entre os grupos GC vs GEFLP. / Craniofacial anomalies cause aesthetic and functional impairments with major impact on health and social integration of children with interference in global and social development. Craniofacial anomalies of this study addressed the cleft lip and palate (CLP) and the Spectrum goggles Atrium Vertebral (OAVS). The FLP constitute defects resulting from lack of complete closure of the tissues that make up the lip and the palate. The OAVS, also known as Goldenhar syndrome is a congenital anomaly of unknown etiology, with genetic variable manifestation and cause very heterogeneous. Knowing the functional abilities and their impact on the overall development of children with OAVS and FLP can optimize the development of prevention and intervention programs to promote health and social integration of individuals. This study was designed in order to verify and compare the performance of functional skills in performance in the areas of self-care, mobility, social function and level of independence among children OAVS, children with CLP and a comparison group of children without defects. The research model was crosssectional observational with a sample of 39 parents / guardians of children aged between three and seven years and six months, of both genders. Were invited to attend parent / guardians of children undergoing treatment at the Craniofacial Anomalies Rehabilitation Hospital of the University and São Paulo (HRAC-USP) were divided into three groups: two experimental and comparison group. The instrument for data collection of functional abilities was the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), in its version adapted to Portuguese. The evaluation is carried out through interviews with the caregiver, which should know to report on the performance of the child in typical activities and tasks of daily routine. The data were presented by descriptive analysis with measures of central tendency (arithmetic mean), dispersion (standard deviation) and frequency distribution, the variables: age, gender and socioeconomic status of the family and characterization of the series. For the analysis of raw scores and rules of ask questionnaire with regard to the functional skills and caregiver assistance in three areas of self-care function, mobility and social function, One Way variance test was used, and the normality test Shapiro Wilk was used for dependent variable. The comparative analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, adopting the significance p value <0.05. The results of this study in comparative analysis on functional mobility skills, there was a statistically significant difference when comparing the GC vs GEEOAV groups in the raw score, and between the GC and GC vs vs GEEOAV GEFLP groups in normativo.Na score caregiver assistance self-care, there was a statistically significant difference when comparing the GC vs GEEOAV groups, the score normativo.Na caregiver assistance in mobility, there was a statistically significant difference when comparing the GC vs GEEOAV groups in the raw scores and normativo.Na caregiver assistance social function was no statistically significant difference when comparing the GC vs GEFLP groups.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a aplicação do Inventário de Habilidades Sociais de Del Prette (IHS) na mensuração das Habilidades Sociais e suas correlações com variáveis psicopatológicas e neuropsicológicas em pacientes com esquizofrenia, em comparação com controles normais. MÉTODOS: Este estudo é parte de um ensaio clinico que avaliou a eficácia do Treino de Habilidades Sociais em pacientes com esquizofrenia e onde foram utilizados vários instrumentos e, entre eles, o IHS para avaliação de Habilidades Sociais, a Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) para avaliação da Psicopatologia e a Wechsler Abbrevited Scale of Intelligence (WASI) como medida geral de avaliação da inteligência. O estudo foi realizado no ambulatório de dois centros especializados (Projesq do Instituto de Psiquiatria do HC FMUSP e Proesq da Universidade Federal de São Paulo) nos quais 91 pacientes com diagnostico de esquizofrenia pelo DSM IV TR, com diferentes níveis de gravidade ( 62 refratários e 29 não refratários), foram comparados com controles 108 controles normais. Para comparação entre variáveis foram utilizados teste t de Student, Análise de Variância e Covariância e para o estudo das correlações um modelo de Regressão Linear. .Resultados: Pacientes com esquizofrenia apresentaram comprometimento significativamente maior de suas habilidades sociais, avaliadas pelos cinco fatores do IHS, quando comparados com controles normais, exceto para o Fator F5 (auto-controle da agressividade). Não foram encontradas diferenças de habilidades sociais entre os subgrupos de pacientes divididos de acordo com sua gravidade. Os fatores do IHS não se correlacionaram significativamente com as subescalas da PANSS, com exceção do fator F3 (conversação e desenvoltura social), que se correlacionou inversamente com a gravidade da subescala de Psicopatologia Geral da PANSS. Não foram observadas correlações entre os fatores do IHS e as três dimensões do WASI (Verbal, Execução e Total). CONCLUSÕES: O Inventário de Habilidades Sociais mostrou ser um instrumento capaz de detectar o comprometimento das habilidades sociais em pacientes com esquizofrenia, quando comparados com controles normais. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os subgrupos de pacientes quanto à gravidade do quadro, bem como em relação à maioria das variáveis psicopatológicas ou neuropsicológicas mensuradas, fazendo supor que as habilidades sociais representem uma dimensão independente do funcionamento social na esquizofrenia / AIM: To evaluate the use of Del Prettes Social Skills Inventory ( IHS) in the measurement of Social Skills e their correlations with psychopathological and neuropsychological variables in patients with schizophrenia comparing with normal controls. METHODS: This study is part of a clinical trial which evaluated the efficacy of Social Skills Training in patients with schizophrenia and which utilized several instruments such as the IHS for the evaluations of Social Skills, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for the evaluation of Psychopathology and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) as a measure of general intelligence. The study was developed in two specialized centers (Projesq of the Institute of Psychiatry of University of São Paulo General Hospital and Proesq of the Federal University of São Paulo) where 91 patients with a DSM IV_TR diagnostic of schizophrenia, with different levels of severity (62 refractory and 29 non refractory) were compared with 108 normal controls. Comparisons between variables were performed using t tests, Analysis of Variance and Covariance, and for correlations a Linear Regression Model. RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia, when compared with normal controls, showed a significant impairment in their social skills, as measured by the 5 factors of the IHS, except for factor F5 (self control of aggression). Patients showed no differences in terms of social skills regarding severity. No significant correlations where found between the IHS factors the PANSS subscales, except the F3 factor (conversation and social performance) which inversely correlated with the General Psychopathology subscale. Additionally we found no correlations between IHS factors and the 3 WASI dimensions (Verbal, Executive and Total).CONCLUSIONS: The Social Skills Inventory was able to detect socials skills impairment in patients with schizophrenia, as compared to normal controls. No relationship were found between IHS and severity, psychopathology or cognitive measures and, therefore, we may hypothesize that Social Skills may represent and independent dimension of the social functioning in schizophrenia