Training novel phonemic contrasts: a comparison of identification and oddity discrimination training

High Variability Pronunciation Training (HVPT) is a highly successful alternative to ASR-based pronunciation training. It has been demonstrated that HVPT is effective in teaching the perception of non-native phonemic contrasts, and that this skill generalizes to the perception of unfamiliar words and talkers, transfers to pronunciation, and is retained long-term. HVPT is, however, not efficient and hence not motivating for the learner. In this study, we therefore compare HVPT with an alternative, namely oddity discrimination training. This comparison, in which Mandarin-Chinese speakers were trained to pronounce the English /r/-/l/ phonemic contrast, provides preliminary evidence to support the use of discrimination tasks in addition to identification tasks to add variety to HVPT

Engineering Leadership Development: Contribution of Professional Skills to Engineering Undergraduate Students’ Leadership Self-efficacy

Corresponding to industry trends and changes in engineering education accreditation criteria, non-technical professional skills training is now seen as central to baccalaureate engineering education. Beyond simply developing good managers in the engineering fields, engineering educators have adopted a goal to prepare engineering students to be leaders who can provide vision to their organizations with strong ethical standards. This study investigated engineering undergraduate students’ leadership efficacy development associated with such professional skills as self-awareness, global competence, ethical awareness, creativity, and teamwork skills. Responding to an online survey, 247 engineering undergraduates who were enrolled in an engineering leadership course participated in this study. Results of this study indicated that there are positive associations among the five professional skills (e.g., self-awareness, ethical awareness, global competency, creativity, and teamwork skills), and engineering leadership self-efficacy for engineering undergraduate students. The five professional skills (self-awareness, ethical awareness, global competency, creativity, and teamwork skills) predicted 54% of the overall variance of engineering leadership self-efficacy

Examining links between dust deposition and phytoplankton response using ice cores

Dust is a major source of nutrients to remote ocean environments, influencing primary productivity (PP). Enhanced oceanic PP causes drawdown of atmospheric CO2 and is considered likely to be a driver of climate variability on glacial-interglacial timeframes. However, the scale of this relationship and its operation over shorter timescales remains uncertain, while it is unclear whether dust fertilisation, or other mechanisms, e.g. nutrient upwelling, are the primary driver of PP in high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) ocean regions. In this study, we demonstrate, using dust derived Fe and Methanesulfonic acid (a measure of ocean PP) deposition in ice cores from the South Atlantic (South Georgia Island) and North Pacific (Yukon), that PP is significantly correlated with Dust-Fe on both an event and annual scale. However, measuring the relationship between (dust) Fe fertilization and PP in high resolution ice cores is subject to a number of highly complex factors, which are discussed and together used to recommend future research directions. In conclusion, our research suggests that changes in aeolian Fe flux, due to climate change and human activity in dust source regions, could have significant implications for HNLC ocean PP and, therefore potentially, carbon sequestration

A case study using 2019 pre-monsoon snow and stream chemistry in the Khumbu region, Nepal

This case study provides a framework for future monitoring and evidence for human source pollution in the Khumbu region, Nepal. We analyzed the chemical composition (major ions, major/trace elements, black carbon, and stable water isotopes) of pre-monsoon stream water (4300–5250 m) and snow (5200–6665 m) samples collected from Mt. Everest, Mt. Lobuche, and the Imja Valley during the 2019 pre-monsoon season, in addition to a shallow ice core recovered from the Khumbu Glacier (5300 m). In agreement with previous work, pre-monsoon aerosol deposition is dominated by dust originating from western sources and less frequently by transport from southerly air mass sources as demonstrated by evidence of one of the strongest recorded pre-monsoon events emanating from the Bay of Bengal, Cyclone Fani. Elevated concentrations of human-sourced metals (e.g., Pb, Bi, As) are found in surface snow and stream chemistry collected in the Khumbu region. As the most comprehensive case study of environmental chemistry in the Khumbu region, this research offers sufficient evidence for increased monitoring in this watershed and surrounding areas

Adaptive capacity of farming communities to climate change in the Peruvian Andes: past, present and future (preliminary findings of the ACCESS project)

Climate variability has had a marked influence on water availability, traditional farming (agro-pastoral) practices, and therefore the livelihood of human communities in the Peruvian Andes since at least the Middle Horizon cultural period (AD 600-1000). Current global climate warming poses a more significant threat, however, enhancing vulnerability and creating a greater risk to all assets. To better understand the challenges faced by rural communities living with climate variability, as well as the opportunities afforded through appropriate adaptive strategies, a research pilot project (ACCESS) was conducted in the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra, Ancash region. The preliminary findings reveal that variability in precipitation over the past 1500 years was coincident with major cultural changes and advancement in water management practices, although the precise temporal relationships remain uncertain. Nevertheless, the construction of canals and reservoirs, as well as agricultural terraces, clearly indicates that past cultures in the Ancash region recognised the need to enhance resilience and for the sustainable management of natural resources. At the present day, our data indicate that local communities in both Cordilleras are experiencing the effects of climate change, especially water shortages, increasing temperatures and glacier retreat, soil degradation, and greater problems with crop pests. These concerns are worsened by a shortage of agricultural land, conflict between communities and a lack of state intervention. Adaptive strategies proposed by communities include improved water management, economic diversification, greater community collaboration and state investment. The concerns over water availability are in agreement with the preliminary hydrological and crop-water modelling findings of the project, which indicate that with rising temperatures and variable precipitation patterns, improved water management in both cordilleras will be required to maintain effective levels of irrigation for sustainable farming and economic development. Finally, we highlight the importance of restoration of ancient water management and agricultural infrastructure, as well as the significance of indigenous knowledge amongst local communities, as a means of enhancing adaptive capacity in the face of climate change

Evaluating the effectiveness of a large multi-use MPA in protecting Key Biodiversity Areas for marine predators

Marine protected areas can serve to regulate harvesting and conserve biodiversity. Within large multi‐use MPAs, it is often unclear to what degree critical sites of biodiversity are afforded protection against commercial activities. Addressing this issue is a prerequisite if we are to appropriately assess sites against conservation targets. We evaluated whether the management regime of a large MPA conserved sites (Key Biodiversity Areas, KBAs) supporting the global persistence of top marine predators