A visuomotor circuit for evasive flight turns in Drosophila.

Visual systems extract multiple features from a scene using parallel neural circuits. Ultimately, the separate neural signals must come together to coherently influence action. Here, we characterize a circuit in Drosophila that integrates multiple visual features related to imminent threats to drive evasive locomotor turns. We identified, using genetic perturbation methods, a pair of visual projection neurons (LPLC2) and descending neurons (DNp06) that underlie evasive flight turns in response to laterally moving or approaching visual objects. Using two-photon calcium imaging or whole-cell patch clamping, we show that these cells indeed respond to both translating and approaching visual patterns. Furthermore, by measuring visual responses of LPLC2 neurons after genetically silencing presynaptic motion-sensing neurons, we show that their visual properties emerge by integrating multiple visual features across two early visual structures: the lobula and the lobula plate. This study highlights a clear example of how distinct visual signals converge on a single class of visual neurons and then activate premotor neurons to drive action, revealing a concise visuomotor pathway for evasive flight maneuvers in Drosophila.

Arts-led revitalization, overtourism and community responses: Ihwa Mural Village, Seoul.

Arts-led revitalization projects are increasingly being undertaken in South Korean cities to improve residential areas in decline. One of the more common initiatives involves the beautification of residential neighbourhoods through mural art. Seoul's "Ihwa Mural Village" is one of the most representative examples of the murals-based regeneration trend. The residential area's transformation by artists in 2006 has made it one of the most popular murals tourism destinations, albeit to the displeasure of a segment of the local population. In 2016, two of Ihwa Village's most iconic murals were destroyed by several residents. This paper explores the context behind the incident through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. Our research reveals that the Ihwa mural incident was not simply a local reaction to overtourism, but also a response to the perceived unequal economic benefits accruing from the murals tourism. We offer recommendations for policy makers considering similar revitalization projects in residential neighbourhoods.