What’s in a Photograph? The Perspectives of Composition Experts on Factors Impacting Visual Scene Display Complexity for Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Strategies for Improving Visual Communication

Purpose: Visual scene displays (VSDs) can support augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) success for children and adults with complex communication needs. Static VSDs incorporate contextual photographs that include meaningful events, places, and people. Although the processing of VSDs has been studied, their power as a medium to effectively convey meaning may benefit from the perspective of individuals who regularly engage in visual storytelling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perspectives of individuals with expertise in photographic and/or artistic composition regarding factors contributing to VSD complexity and how to limit the time and effort required to apply principles of photographic composition. Method: Semistructured interviews were completed with 13 participants with expertise in photographic and/or artistic composition. Results: Four main themes were noted, including (a) factors increasing photographic image complexity and decreasing cohesion, (b) how complexity impacts the viewer, (c) composition strategies to decrease photographic image complexity and increase cohesion, and (d) strategies to support the quick application of composition strategies in a just-in-time setting. Findings both support and extend existing research regarding best practice for VSD design. Conclusions: Findings provide an initial framework for understanding photographic image complexity and how it differs from drawn AAC symbols. Furthermore, findings outline a toolbox of composition principles that may help limit VSD complexity, along with providing recommendations for AAC development to support the quick application of compositional principles to limit burdens associated with capturing photographic images. Includes Supplemental Materials (2

Evidence for a Single-Spin Azimuthal Asymmetry in Semi-inclusive Pion Electroproduction

Single-spin asymmetries for semi-inclusive pion production in deep-inelastic scattering have been measured for the first time. A significant target-spin asymmetry of the distribution in the azimuthal angle φ of the pion relative to the lepton scattering plane was formed for π^+ electroproduction on a longitudinally polarized hydrogen target. The corresponding analyzing power in the sinφ moment of the cross section is 0.022±0.005±0.003. This result can be interpreted as the effect of terms in the cross section involving chiral-odd spin distribution functions in combination with a chiral-odd fragmentation function that is sensitive to the transverse polarization of the fragmenting quark

Shared Leadership: A Unique but Beneficial Arrangement within a University Department

Universities often lose some of their best teachers and researchers to transitions to administration. Conversely, the ability of universities to persuade some faculty to assume administrative duties is undermined due to faculty members’ reluctance to give up teaching or research. In this article, two faculty members who currently serve as co-department heads discuss (a) their motivation for pursuing such an arrangement, (b) the way in which their duties are divided and shared, (c) challenges in pursuing the co-head arrangement, (d) challenges in implementing the co-head arrangement, (e) their perceptions of the success of the arrangement, and (f) significant considerations for those who may be interested in pursuing a similar arrangement

Microearthquakes in and near Long Valley, California

This is the published version. Copyright 1976 American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.Sixteen portable seismograph stations were deployed in the vicinity of the Long Valley geothermal area, California, from April 27 to June 2, 1973. Only minor microearthquake activity was detected in the Long Valley caldera, but a high level of activity was detected to the south and east of the caldera. The abrupt spatial seismicity decrease at the southern boundary of the caldera suggests that the caldera is either structurally less competent than the surrounding crust or is at a junction of different regional tectonic deformation trends. No significant attenuation or delays occurred for either local P or S waves that traversed the caldera

Restoration and Monitoring of the River Otter Population in Iowa

Northern river otters (Lontra canadensis) were widespread in North America at the time of European settlement. However, river otters were extirpated from most of Iowa in the early 1900s due to habitat degradation and unregulated harvest. In 1985, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources began an effort to restore the river otter population throughout the state, including a pilot study of survival to determine if establishment was feasible. Annual survival was estimated to be 86% during the pilot study. River otters dispersed an average of about 11 km from the point of release and exhibited habitat use typical for the species. Based on the successful pilot study, 261 river otters were released in the state of Iowa from 1986-2001. More recently we examined the age structure and reproductive effort of 81 river otters (43 females and 38 males) collected in Iowa from 1999-2001 to document the characteristics of the reestablished population. We found that 41% of the otters sampled were juveniles, 38% were yearlings and 21% were adults. Fifty-five percent of all female otters were pregnant, and 80% of adult females were pregnant. We observed a mean of 2.9 corpora lutea/female and calculated that female’s ≥ 1 year old could potentially produce an average 5.7 female offspring during an average life span. Based on the widespread distribution, healthy reproductive characteristics, and high survival rates it is feasible that a limited harvest of river otter could be implemented in Iowa

An individual-based model of canid populations: modelling territoriality and social structure

The management of canid populations has been at the forefront of wildlife management worldwide for much of the last century. Effective management depends on the ability to integrate species biology, the environmental aspects upon which those populations depend, and the factors controlling species abundance. Further, managing canid populations requires consideration of territoriality and dominance, which may have a significant effect on population dynamics. To better understand the effect of social structure on canid populations, we developed an individual-based computer model using Swarm to mimic natural coyote population dynamics. We selected the Swarm simulation environment because it is ideally suited for creating a system of multiple interacting agents with variable schedules and hierarchies. Swarm was a software platform that allows the user to describe generic individuals and behaviours, link those behaviours in each concurrent time step, and assemble behaviours and objects in a hierarchical framework. This model stands apart from previous modelling efforts because it explicitly incorporates behavioral features, such as dominance and territoriality, as major determinates of species demography into a simple model. Individual variation, such as status within territorial social groups and age-based reproduction are incorporated, but assumptions typically associated with most demographic models are not needed. The simple population model with few parameters not only closely resembled ‘real world’ populations but also helped us understand population dynamics that emerged from model. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the model was largely insensitive to individual parameter estimates and could be used to guide management of territorial animal populations with social structure. The model output variables closely matched the mean and range of values reported in the literature of wild populations for population size, proportion of females breeding, offspring survival and litter size. The variation of model output was similar to the variation recorded in field studies. Further, population dynamics reported from field studies emerged from the model and may help to explain the mechanisms responsible for this variation. This type of model could also provide insights into potential management alternatives for other canid species or other species with similar social structure

Foreword

The effects of invasive vertebrate species on agriculture, human health and safety, and the environment are a growing concern around the world. The number of incidents of invasive species causing harm continues to climb with increased worldwide travel and transportation of goods. The focus for many decades was on invasive pathogens, plants, and invertebrates because they can greatly affect human and animal health and food supplies. In recent years, invasive vertebrate species, such as rats, feral pigs, and feral cats, have garnered more attention because the magnitude of their impacts have been repeatedly highlighted in the media. In response, better methods of prevention, detection, and management of invasive species have been developed. For example, several eradications of invasive vertebrates on islands have been successful, although management on mainland settings is generally much more challenging

A New Approach to Understanding Canid Populations Using an Individual-based Computer Model: Preliminary Results

Ensuring the welfare of wild canid populations depends upon the ability to integrate species biology, the environmental aspects upon which those populations depend, and the factors controlling species abundance. Toward this end, we developed an individual-based computer model using Swarm to mimic natural coyote populations. Swarm is a software platform that allows the user to describe individual behaviors for all individuals, link those behaviors in each concurrent time step, and assemble behaviors and objects in a hierarchical framework. Our model stands apart from previous modeling efforts because it relies on field data and explicitly incorporates behavioral features, such as dominance and territoriality, as major determinates of species demography. Individual variation, such as status within territorial social groups and age-based reproduction are assumed, but assumptions typically associated with most demographic models are not needed. The eventual goal is to incorporate other environmental components such as prey abundance and/or competing carnivores. This type of model could also provide insights into potential management alternatives for when the gray wolf is removed from endangered status in Minnesota