Tracking perception of pronunciation variation by tracking looks to printed words: The case of word-final /t/

We investigated perception of words with reduced word-final /t/ using an adapted eyetracking paradigm. Dutch listeners followed spoken instructions to click on printed words which were accompanied on a computer screen by simple shapes (e.g., a circle). Targets were either above or next to their shapes, and the shapes uniquely identified the targets when the spoken forms were ambiguous between words with or without final /t/ (e.g., bult, bump, vs. bul, diploma). Analysis of listeners’ eye-movements revealed, in contrast to earlier results, that listeners use the following segmental context when compensating for /t/-reduction. Reflecting that /t/-reduction is more likely to occur before bilabials, listeners were more likely to look at the /t/-final words if the next word’s first segment was bilabial. This result supports models of speech perception in which prelexical phonological processes use segmental context to modulate word recognition

Dosage compensation in birds

AbstractThe Z and W sex chromosomes of birds have evolved independently from the mammalian X and Y chromosomes [1]. Unlike mammals, female birds are heterogametic (ZW), while males are homogametic (ZZ). Therefore male birds, like female mammals, carry a double dose of sex-linked genes relative to the other sex. Other animals with nonhomologous sex chromosomes possess “dosage compensation” systems to equalize the expression of sex-linked genes. Dosage compensation occurs in animals as diverse as mammals, insects, and nematodes, although the mechanisms involved differ profoundly [2]. In birds, however, it is widely accepted that dosage compensation does not occur [3–5], and the differential expression of Z-linked genes has been suggested to underlie the avian sex-determination mechanism [6]. Here we show equivalent expression of at least six of nine Z chromosome genes in male and female chick embryos by using real-time quantitative PCR [7]. Only the Z-linked ScII gene, whose ortholog in Caenorhabditis elegans plays a crucial role in dosage compensation [8], escapes compensation by this assay. Our results imply that the majority of Z-linked genes in the chicken are dosage compensated

INFLUENCE OF SAMPLE SIZE AND SAMPLING FREQUENCY ON THE QUANTITATIVE DIETARY DESCRIPTIONS OF A PREDATORY FISH IN THE BENGUELA ECOSYSTEM

Spatial and temporal variation in the diet and feeding intensity of snoek, Thyrsites atun, a top predator of the southern Benguela, was investigated to provide information on data requirements for accuracy of annual diets as inputs to ecosystem models. Appropriate sample sizes to produce accurate daily or event-scale diet descriptions were investigated by means of a posteori tests. Cumulative prey diversity curves showed that 55 (± 25) stomachs containing food are required to accurately quantify presence and absence data of prey species. Differences in the percentage contribution of dominant prey in consecutive and cumulative 10-stomach classes, indicates that a minimum of 75–80 (± 25) stomachs containing food are necessary to describe the proportion by weight of primary prey. Diets of snoek (proportions by weight) sampled inshore (shallower than 50 m and within 25 km of the coast) off the Cape Peninsula during six consecutive weeks (i.e. one day per week) in autumn 2001 were highly variable. Comparing diet for the six-week period with that of diets from consecutive 10-sample weekly units revealed 95&#37 similarity at 70 samples per week. Seasonal diets between Cape Columbine and Cape Hangklip also varied, but there was no evidence of a predictable seasonal pattern in diet that could be related to prey life history; two-way nested ANOSIM revealed that seasonal prey proportions across years were statistically less similar than those within years. Snoek spawn offshore in winter/spring. Statistical differences between inshore (150m) prey composition were largely influenced by the absence of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and much larger proportions of Cape hake Merluccius spp. and lanternfish Lampanyctodes hectoris in the offshore diet. Feeding intensity (in terms of proportions of fish with prey and mean stomach fullness) was strongly seasonal and highest during the spawning season. Sampling programmes for the southern Benguela should account for spatial and temporal variation in diet and feeding intensity of predators if accurate annual dietary descriptions are to be achieved. The results of this study indicate that a minimum of 70 snoek stomachs (containing food) should be collected at each sampling event.Afr. J. mar. Sci. 26: 205–21

Can the adoption of informal approaches to learning music in school music lessons promote musical progression?

The aim of this research was to explore the impact of the adoption of the Musical Futures approach on the musical progression of students in Musical Futures’ Champion schools. The research took place over three years in three phases with 733 students and 28 music teachers completing questionnaires. Data from the interviews with 39 staff and focus groups of 325 students provided greater insights into the questionnaire responses. Overall, teachers reported that Musical Futures had enhanced the musical progression of their students and increased take up at Key Stage 4. In some cases this had led to changes in the qualifications on offer with an emphasis on those which were vocational rather than academic. This created some tensions in catering for the needs of different groups of students who had a range of different musical skills

The Solar X-ray Imager Vacuum Door Assembly

This paper discusses the design and development of the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) vacuum door assembly (VDA). Rationale for the type of mechanism, seal, and prime mover is covered. An overview of the testing performed is included

The perceptions of non music staff and senior management of the impact of the implementation of the Musical Futures approach on the whole school

This research aimed to provide an account of the impact of the Musical Futures approach on the wider school community in Musical Futures ‘Champion Schools’. Questionnaires were completed by 344 non-music teachers. Interviews were undertaken with members of senior management teams. The majority of staff indicated that Musical Futures had had a positive impact on student motivation, well-being, self-esteem and confidence and had encouraged students to work together. There was less agreement that it had improved student concentration, organisation and students’ attitudes towards learning and academic progression. The interviews provided deeper insights into the issues relating to implementation

What impact does teaching music informally in the classroom have on teachers, and their pedagogy?

The aim of this research was to explore the impact of the adoption of the Musical Futures (MF) approach on secondary school music teachers working in MF Champion schools. The research took place over 3 years in 3 phases with 28 teachers completing questionnaires exploring the impact on their confidence, skills and pedagogy and 30 being interviewed individually. Data from the interviews provided greater insights into the questionnaire responses. Most teachers reported that MF had helped them to become a more effective teacher, more confident in teaching music and had increased their enjoyment. MF changed the nature of teaching and learning with a more student-led approach being adopted. Managing this workshop approach on a daily basis, for some teachers, was exhausting and stressful. Overall, the adoption of the MF approach had a wide range of benefits for teachers but there were issues relating to the logistics of managing small group work