Song perception in communication networks

Communication is a cornerstone of animal behavior and mediates myriad interactions pertaining to survival and reproduction. For animals that communicate acoustically, signals are carried to multiple receivers in what is described as communication networks. In my dissertation, I explore how songbirds and their songs are perceived and used in networks. First, I examine a dilemma many animals face when communicating in a network – how do animals contend with overlapping, conspecific noise? Using a playback experiment in the field, I document Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) shifting the frequency of their song in the presence of overlapping noise. Next, I examine song function in communication networks, and evidence for social eavesdropping. Using Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina), I first explored what song parameters territorial males find salient. I found residents are attentive to variation in trill rate or how quickly notes are repeated per unit time. In a parallel experiment, I found no evidence that males attended to a related song parameter – the total frequency range covered in a song, although I did find evidence these two parameters trade-off. In further work, I found males are attentive to the song performance of their neighbors, and occasionally cooperate to help expel intruders. My work reveals that males cooperate under specific circumstances; when the resident under attack has a relatively slow song, and the simulated intruder has a comparatively fast song. These field studies suggest neighbor-turned-allies are most likely to help nearby residents when the intruder is relatively threatening, and suggests males may eavesdrop on their neighbors. Finally, I surveyed Chipping Sparrow neighborhoods throughout Western Massachusetts and was unable to detect any effect of social factors on territory choice. Together, my work describes some disadvantages and advantages songbirds face in communicating in networks, and contributes to our understanding of the importance of networks in signal evolution

Values in John Dewey\u27s philosophy of education for evangelical Christian education

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/2395/thumbnail.jp

Locus of Control in L2 English Listening Assessment

In second language (L2) listening assessment, various factors have the potential to impact the validity of listening test items (Brindley & Slatyer, 2002; Buck & Tatsuoka, 1998; Freedle & Kostin, 1999; Nissan, DeVincenzi, & Tang, 1996; Read, 2002; Shohamy & Inbar, 1991). One relatively unexplored area to date is who controls the aural input. In traditional standardized listening tests, an administrator controlled recording is played once or twice. In real world or classroom listening, however, listeners can sometimes request repetition or clarification. Allowing listeners to control the aural input thus has the potential to add test authenticity but requires careful design of the input and expected response as well as an appropriate computer interface. However, if candidates feel less anxious, allowing control of listening input may enhance examinees\u27 experience and still reflect their listening proficiency. Comparing traditional and self paced (i.e., examinees having the opportunity to start, stop, and move the audio position) delivery of multiple choice comprehension items, my research inquiry is whether self paced listening can be a sufficiently reliable and valid measure of examinees\u27 listening ability. Data were gathered from 100 prospective and current university ESL students. They were administered computer based multiple choice listening tests: 10 identical once played items, followed by 33 items in three different conditions: 1) administrator paced input with no audio player visible, 2) self paced with a short time limit, and 3) self paced with a longer time limit. Many facet Rasch (1960/1980) modeling was used to compare the difficulty and discrimination of the items across conditions. Results indicated items on average were similar difficulty overall but discriminated best in self paced conditions. Furthermore, the vast majority of examinees reported they preferred self paced listening. The quantitative results were complemented by follow up stimulated recall interviews with eight participants who took 22 additional test items using screen capture software to explore whether and when they paused and/or repeated the input. Frequency of and reasons for self pacing did not follow any particular pattern by proficiency level. Examinees tended to play more than once but not two full times through, even without limited time. Implications for listening instruction and classroom assessment, as well as standardized testing, are discussed

A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INQUIRY OF THE EXPERIENCE OF CARING FOR A LOVED ONE RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH AMNESTIC MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

ABSTRACT There are currently 500,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Canada. It is estimated that the total costs associated with AD are 15 billion Canadian dollars per year. Informal caregivers across the nation provide an estimated 231 million hours of unpaid care annually. Individuals diagnosed with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) have the highest rate of conversion to AD, with an average 5-year conversion rate from time of aMCI diagnosis. This study aimed to understand how carers of individuals recently diagnosed with aMCI experience the transition into their new role of care provider and what implications their new role has on carer well-being. To explore the meaning of the experience of caring for a loved one with aMCI, a hermeneutic phenomenological investigation was used. Five carers created a narrative through in-depth interviewing which provided detailed and rich descriptions of their experiences. Data were analysed using van Manen’s methodological structure for human science inquiry. The essence of the experience of caring for a loved one recently diagnosed with aMCI is the need for the carer to wear multiple masks in order to cope with the accumulated multiple losses they suffer as they continually adjust to their new and evolving carer identity

Effects of Caffeine on Agility Tests on One Women\u27s Collegiate Volleyball Team

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine on agility tests (3-step approach,2-hand vertical leap,5-10-5 drill) on a women’s collegiate volleyball team at one Division III institution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT Vertical jump measuring device measured 3-step approach and 2-hand vertical leap measurements. A stopwatch measured the 5-10-5 drill

Pilot investigation of a virtual gastric band hypnotherapy intervention

This was a pilot investigation of 30 men and women with a BMI > 27kg/m² over a 24 week period. It aimed to determine whether virtual gastric band (VGB) hypnotherapy has an effect on weight loss in overweight adults, compared to relaxation hypnotherapy and a self-directed diet. Levels of weight loss and gain ranged from -17kg to +4.7kg in the VGB hypnotherapy group and -9.3kg to +7.8kg in the relaxation group. There was no significant difference between VGB hypnotherapy as a main effect on weight loss (Chi²=0.67, p=0.41, df=1) and there was no evidence of differential weight loss over time (Chi²=4.2, p=0.64, df=6). Therefore, this study concludes that there was no significant difference between VGB hypnotherapy and the relaxation hypnotherapy

Body Image and Attitudes Toward Obesity in College Students

The current study was conducted in order to examine the impact of ethnicity on gender differences in body type preferences and perceptions and add to the literature examining racial differences in body type preferences and perceptions. The current study was an expansion of one by Gipson et al conducted at a historically Black university in 2004, in which responses and BMI measurements of 191 college students were examined for associations between BMI and gender, and body image and attitudes toward obesity. For the current study the sample of 176 college students enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, an ethnically diverse institution, completed two body image and attitude inventories and height and weight measurements. The sample consisted of 94 male and 82 female students between the ages of 18 and 25 years (mean=20.3 years, SD=1.9 years). Women rated their current figure as larger than their ideal, whereas men reported no discrepancy. BMI did not vary by sex or grade level. Within race, Black students (mean BMI 27.1 kg/m2) were heavier than Caucasians (23.9 kg/m2). Students generally preferred smaller figures and the students with BMIs 2 preferred the smaller figures more than did students with ≥ 25 kg/m2, however neither BMI, sex nor race favored any specific attitudes towards obesity.The study determined that body image perceptions and attitudes toward obesity vary across racial groups and that the effect of race/ethnicity on body satisfaction depends on gender. The participants may represent a more diverse group than previously tested and provide insight into racial differences