Multiple differences in calling songs and other traits between solitary and gregarious Mormon crickets from allopatric mtDNA clades

The Linnaean Society, The British Ecological Society, The Russell Trust (St. Andrews), The Orthopterists' Society and an NSERC (Canada) grant to DTG. Gordon S. Brown provided assistance with digital imaging and morphological measurements.Background: In acoustic species, traits such as male calling song are likely to diverge quickly between allopatric populations due to sexual selection, and divergence in parameters such as carrier frequency, chirp structure, and other important song characters can influence sexual isolation. Here we make use of two forms of Mormon crickets to examine differences in a broad suite of traits that have the potential to influence speciation via sexual isolation. Mormon crickets in "gregarious" populations aggregate into dense migratory bands, and females are the sexually competitive Fsex ( sex- role reversal). There is also a non-outbreak "solitary" form. These two forms are largely but not perfectly correlated with a significant mtDNA subdivision within the species that is thought to have arisen in allopatry. Combined information about multiple, independently evolving traits, such as morphology and structural and behavioural differences in calling song, provides greater resolution of the overall differences between these allopatric populations, and allows us to assess their stage of divergence. We test two predictions, first that the forms differ in song and second that gregarious males are more reluctant to sing than solitary males due to sex role reversal. We also tested for a difference in the relationship between the size of the forewing resonator, the mirror, and carrier frequency, as most models of sound production in crickets indicate that mirror size should predict carrier frequency. Results: Multivariate analyses showed that solitary and gregarious individuals from different populations representing the two mtDNA clades had almost non-overlapping distributions based on multiple song and morphological measurements. Carrier frequency differed between the two, and gregarious males were more reluctant to sing overall. Mirror size predicted carrier frequency; however, the relationship between mirror size and surface area varied between solitary and gregarious forms, suggesting that factors above and beyond mirror size contribute to carrier frequency. Conclusion: The two clades of Mormon crickets differ in a broad suite of independent traits that probably justify subspecies status ( the two can successfully mate so may not be reproductively isolated). However, our results emphasize the importance of carefully distinguishing the ultimate causation of differences between traits used to delineate species or subspecies boundaries.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Measuring and comparing the reliability of the structured walkthrough evaluation method with novices and experts

Effective evaluation of websites for accessibility remains problematic. Automated evaluation tools still require a significant manual element. There is also a significant expertise and evaluator effect. The Structured Walkthrough method is the translation of a manual, expert accessibility evaluation process adapted for use by novices. The method is embedded in the Accessibility Evaluation Assistant (AEA), a web accessibility knowledge management tool. Previous trials examined the pedagogical potential of the tool when incorporated into an undergraduate computing curriculum. The results of the evaluations carried out by novices yielded promising, consistent levels of validity and reliability. This paper presents the results of an empirical study that compares the reliability of accessibility evaluations produced by two groups (novices and experts). The main results of this study indicate that overall reliability of expert evaluations was 76% compared to 65% for evaluations produced by novices. The potential of the Structured Walkthrough method as a useful and viable tool for expert evaluators is also examined. Copyright 2014 ACM

Investigating the appropriateness and relevance of mobile web accessibility guidelines

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develop and maintain guidelines for making the web more accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG 2.0 and the MWBP 1.0 are internationally regarded as the industry standard guidelines for web accessibility. Mobile testing sessions conducted by AbilityNet document issues raised by users in a report format, relating issues to guidelines wherever possible. This paper presents the results of a preliminary investigation that examines how effectively and easily these issues can be related by experts to the guidelines provided by WCAG 2.0 and MWBP 1.0. Copyright 2014 ACM

High altitude solar power platform

Solar power is a preeminent alternative to conventional aircraft propulsion. With the continued advances in solar cells, fuel cells, and composite materials technology, the solar powered airplane is no longer a simple curiosity constrained to flights of several feet in altitude or minutes of duration. A high altitude solar powered platform (HASPP) has several potential missions, including communications and agriculture. In remote areas, a HASPP could be used as a communication link. In large farming areas, a HASPP could perform remote sensing of crops. The impact of HASPP in continuous flight for one year on agricultural monitoring mission is presented. This mission provides farmers with near real-time data twice daily from an altitude which allows excellant resolution on water conditions, crop diseases, and insect infestation. Accurate, timely data will enable farmers to increase their yield and efficiency. A design for HASPP for the foregoing mission is presented. In the design power derived from solar cells covering the wings is used for propulsion, avionics, and sensors. Excess power produced midday will be stored in fuel cells for use at night to maintain altitude and course

Mud mess and magic: building student teachers’ confidence for art & the outdoors in early years

This article explores making art outdoors as a resistance to a reduction in messy, outdoor play in our early years settings, schools and increasingly risk averse societies. As part of a small-­‐scale Community of Practice research investigation into improving the confidence of student teachers to make a mess and brave the weather, the article argues for a relation with ‘outerness’, where both being outside and exploring natural materials in art can function as play partners in the creative process

A qualitative study to explore the help seeking views relating to depression among older Black Caribbean adults living in the UK

Numbers of older adults are rising globally. In the UK, rates of mental ill-health are thought to be higher in Black Asian and Minority Ethnic community than in the white population. Older adults from BAME groups are an under researched group. It is important to understand the experiences and beliefs that underlie help seeking behaviour among BAME older adults to deliver effective, culturally appropriate and accessible services. This study aims to explore help seeking views and strategies utilised in relation to depression among older Black Caribbean people in the UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 UK Black Caribbean participants, aged between 65-79 years. Transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three master themes emerged from the analysis: 1. “If you don’t know, you don’t seek help 2. ‘..I knew I was depressed”: 3. “You have to decide”: Attitudes to help seeking and mental health service use. Participants’ past personal experiences of coping with depression, including migratory histories, cultural and religious views and personal relationships influenced their help seeking views and preferred coping methods for depression

A Study of Relationship Between the Symptomatology of Trauma and Chemical Dependency in Two Outpatient Samples of Women

This research tests for independence between the symptomatology of chemical dependency and trauma in two self referred outpatient samples of women. Subjects are 18 years or older, and samples of convenience from the St. Louis metropolitan area. Five symptom clusters common to both groups are identified from the literature: avoidance and intrusion, depression, dissociation , anxiety , and chemical dependency. A series of correlational studies were performed on the results of five corresponding self report inventories to test for independence . Of the five symptom clusters tested, one statistically significant relationship was found for symptomatology consistent with chemical dependency . In conclusion, it appears that the two symptom groups are not independent for symptomatology of chemical dependency, but may share a parallel symptoms rather than being related for other symptomatology