A case study investigating perceptions on process and outcomes in applying the Alexander Technique in vocal production

This case study investigated perceptions on process and outcomes of applying the Alexander Technique in vocal production. The setting was the campus of a state university in the United States of America. The perceptions of three levels of participants were investigated- a master Alexander Technique teacher, a collegiate vocal professor and three undergraduate music students, all experienced in the Alexander Technique in vocal production. Data collection included interviews with the participants; documentation in student practice journals, and field observations. Data were analyzed, determining consistent trends between all the participant\u27s perceptions of the processes involved in applying Alexander Technique in vocal production. These primarily involved improving body awareness through body mapping, identifying physical habits that cause tension, and replacing these with natural freedom in movement. Furthermore, there was parity in perceptions on positive outcomes in vocal production, including ability to sustain notes and increase the range, fullness and quality of the voice. Minor disparities were indicated between perceptions on process, such as specific psychological focus and reference to personality. Links were found between perceptions articulated in interviews, journals and field observations regarding both process and outcomes. The results provide valuable knowledge that, alongside other similar studies, may inform the music education profession --Document

Collateral Damage: How the War on Terror Hurts Charities, Foundations, and the People They Serve

This paper is the result of collaborative research conducted by OMB Watch and Grantmakers Without Borders. We believe charities in the United States and throughout the world play a key role in democratic systems by giving citizens a vehicle for participation, providing tools and information that help people get involved, and delivering assistance to those in need. Since Sept. 11, 2001, we have witnessed counterterrorism programs erode the freedom and ability of charities and their funders to carry out their missions and improve the lives of the world's people. We believe that this is damaging civil society in the United States and negatively impacting the nation's reputation and effectiveness on the global stage. We hope this paper will serve as a resource for charities, foundations, and policymakers as they seek to understand the impacts that counterterrorism measures have on charities and as they look to develop more equitable policies that protect the inherent rights of charities and the people the organizations serve

The effect of the alternative prey, Paramecium caudatum (Peniculida: Parameciidae), on the predation of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) by the copepods Macrocyclops albidus and Megacyclops viridis (Cyclopoida: Cyclopidae)

Biological control can be an effective tool to combat public health risks associated with mosquito-borne disease. However, target impacts of biological control agents may be reduced by biotic contexts such as the presence of alternative prey. In turn, this can impede our ability to realistically assess biocontrol agent efficacy. Here, we examine the effects of alternative ciliate prey on the predation potential of two cyclopoid copepods, Macrocyclops albidus Jurine (Cyclopoida: Cyclopidae) and Megacyclops viridis Jurine (Cyclopoida: Cyclopidae), towards larvae of the West Nile virus vector mosquito Culex pipiens Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae). Using functional responses (FRs; resource use under different resource densities), we demonstrate that both copepods exhibit potentially destabilising Type II FRs towards mosquito prey. However, where the alternative prey was present, we observed species-specific modulations to FR form and magnitude. For M. albidus, FRs remained Type II where ciliate prey were present, however, maximum feeding rates on mosquito larvae were reduced. Conversely, for M. viridis, FRs moved towards more stabilising Type III, whilst maximum feeding rates on mosquito larvae were not significantly reduced. Whilst both species of cyclopoid copepod were able to effectively target and consume larval mosquitoes in the presence of alternative prey, we demonstrate that overall efficacies may be reduced in aquatic habitats which contain multiple prey types. We thus advocate that biotic contexts such as prey selectivity should be integrated into predatory biocontrol agent examinations for mosquitoes which vector pathogens and parasites, to more holistically assess their efficacy