Effects of Traffic Noise on the Social Behavior of Tufted Titmice (Baeolophus bicolor).

The presence of traffic noise and its potential effects on wildlife is a burgeoning topic of research within the fields of conservation behavior, animal behavior, ecology and wildlife management. Accumulated data from these efforts, mostly correlative and rarely-experimental, suggest that traffic noise induces a myriad of species-specific changes to population dynamics, breeding behavior and acoustic structure of avian song. However, the degree of generalizability of these findings is confounded by the limited variety of behaviors studied within a relatively small sample of species. This original research provides experimental evidence of the effects of simulated and real traffic noise on previously unstudied social and vocal behavior in tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor). First, titmice were exposed to simulated traffic noise for 8 hours per day to determine whether traffic noise caused changes in social and vocal behavior as had been suggested by previous research. This stimulus, background noise mimicking the duration of exposure, amplitude and frequency parameters of traffic noise, significantly affected several aspects of social behavior. Analyses on the vocal behavior of these subjects suggests that noise only affects call use of the most vocally-productive bird, who also happens to be the most dominant group member. A second study broadcasted recordings of traffic noise to titmice for 2.5 hours per day to test for the effects of the temporary rise in background noise levels resulting from \u27rush hour\u27 on the same social behavior found to be effected in study one. Results of Study 2 corroborated those of Study 1 and indicated that characteristics of traffic noise itself influence its effects. Among the first of its kind, this research demonstrates a direct link between traffic noise and survival-relevant social and vocal behavior

Deborah Owens, interviewed by Jessica Mayhan, Part 1

Sergeant First Class Deborah Owens, interviewed by Jessica Mahan, October 30, 2001, in Owens’ home in Newport, Maine. Owens, born in Clemens, Georgia in 1966, talks about joining the army when she was 18; experience driving trucks in the Army; difference between training for men and women in the army in 1985; tasks as an army recruiter; experiences while stationed in Saudi Arabia; family support of her going overseas; equality of genders in military squads; plans to remain in the army until retirement; experiences in all the places she was stationed. Also included Xerox copies of photographs; 2-page journal. Text: 23 pp. transcript, 2 pp. journal. Time: 00:42:18. Photos: p09141 – p09147. Listen: Part 1: mfc_na3244_c2353_01 Part 2: mfc_na3244_c2354_01https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mf144/1064/thumbnail.jp

Deborah Owens, interviewed by Jessica Mayhan, Part 2

Sergeant First Class Deborah Owens, interviewed by Jessica Mahan, October 30, 2001, in Owens’ home in Newport, Maine. Owens, born in Clemens, Georgia in 1966, talks about joining the army when she was 18; experience driving trucks in the Army; difference between training for men and women in the army in 1985; tasks as an army recruiter; experiences while stationed in Saudi Arabia; family support of her going overseas; equality of genders in military squads; plans to remain in the army until retirement; experiences in all the places she was stationed. Also included Xerox copies of photographs; 2-page journal. Text: 23 pp. transcript, 2 pp. journal. Time: 00:42:18. Photos: p09141 – p09147. Listen: Part 1: mfc_na3244_c2353_01Part 2: mfc_na3244_c2354_01https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mf144/1065/thumbnail.jp

Diverse participation and participation in diversity

This Participation Network sponsored working group creates a venue to consider a number of current participatory design and research projects and continues similar sessions held at past edra conferences. In conjunction with other, topic or user group sessions which include a participatory focus this session allows the work of edra members to be critically discussed and debated from many points of view while still in progress

Beyond Conflict in Participatory Community Research & Design

This workshop will explore whether, how, and in what contexts participatory research and design strategies may be employed for positive community change. In particular we will examine the dynamics, strengths and unique dilemmas of citizen participation in a multicultural context

Understanding the Lived Experiences of Traumatic Brain Injury Students in Online Courses

Many combat veterans are returning with what has been labeled the signature injury of nearly 2 decades of wars, traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI injuries can alter cognitive abilities, memory, behavior, and emotions, all of which can vary in intensity and can affect learning. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain additional insight from the perspective of the veteran student on the learning challenges experienced in online classrooms when suffering from TBI. The conceptual framework for this study was (a) Banduraâs theory of self-efficacy, (b) Zimmermanâs theories on the relationship between TBI and learning, and (c) Schlossbergâs transition theory. The research questions explored the lived experiences of TBI veterans who participated in online college or university courses, their perceptions of their learning experiences, and the use of technology in the classrooms. Data gathered from 6 participants during telephone interviews were evaluated for themes and patterns. The 3 themes identified were (a) the physical, emotional, and cognitive changes that these participants experienced as a result of the TBI, (b) the ways that these participants mitigated these changes in order to succeed in their online courses, and (c) the interactions that they described within the classroom. A recommendation resulting from this study was the need for higher education programs to address the unique learning needs of TBI students. Positive social change resulting from the knowledge obtained from the study can help educators and administrators adjust or create policies and programs to better assist TBI students in online classrooms

Drug therapy for alcohol dependence in primary care in the UK:A Clinical Practice Research Datalink study

AIM:To evaluate drug therapy for alcohol dependence in the 12 months after first diagnosis in UK primary care. DESIGN:Open cohort study. SETTING:General practices contributing data to the UK Clinical Practice Research Database. PARTICIPANTS:39,980 people with an incident diagnosis of alcohol dependence aged 16 years or older between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:Use of pharmacotherapy (acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone, baclofen and topiramate) to promote abstinence from alcohol or reduce drinking to safe levels in the first 12 months after a recorded diagnosis of alcohol dependence. FINDINGS:Only 4,677 (11.7%) of the cohort received relevant pharmacotherapy in the 12 months following diagnosis. Of the 35,303 that did not receive pharmacotherapy, 3,255 (9.2%) received psychosocial support. The remaining 32,048 (80.2%) did not receive either mode of treatment in the first 12 months. Factors that independently reduced the likelihood of receiving pharmacotherapy included: being male (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.74; 95% CI 0.69 to 0.78); older (65-74 years: OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.77); being from a practice based in the most deprived quintile (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.64); and being located in Northern Ireland (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.91). The median duration to initiation of pharmacotherapy was 0.80 months (95% CI 0.70 to 1.00) for acamprosate and 0.60 months (95% CI 0.43 to 0.73) for disulfiram. Persistence analysis for those receiving acamprosate and disulfiram revealed that many patients never received a repeat prescription; persistence at 6 months was 27.7% for acomprosate and 33.2% for disulfiram. The median duration of therapy was 2.10 months (95% CI 1.87 to 2.53) for acamprosate and 3.13 months (95% CI 2.77 to 3.36) for disulfiram. CONCLUSION:Drug therapy to promote abstinence in alcohol dependent patients was low, with the majority of patients receiving no therapy, either psychological or pharmacological. When drug therapy was prescribed, persistence was low with most patients receiving only one prescription. Our data show that treatment for alcohol dependence is haphazard, and there is an urgent need to explore strategies for improving clinical management of this patient group