Airport noise predicts song timing of European birds

Anthropogenic noise is of increasing concern to biologists and medical scientists. Its detrimental effects on human health have been well studied, with the high noise levels from air traffic being of particular concern. However, less is known about the effects of airport noise pollution on signal masking in wild animals. Here, we report a relationship between aircraft noise and two major features of the singing behavior of birds. We found that five of ten songbird species began singing significantly earlier in the morning in the vicinity of a major European airport than their conspecifics at a quieter control site. As birds at both sites started singing before the onset of air traffic in the morning, this suggests that the birds in the vicinity of the airport advanced their activity to gain more time for unimpaired singing before the massive plane noise set in. In addition, we found that during the day, chaffinches avoided singing during airplane takeoffs, but only when the noise exceeded a certain threshold, further suggesting that the massive noise caused by the airport can impair acoustic communication in birds. Overall, our study indicates that birds may be adjusting their mating signals and time budgets in response to aircraft noise

Electronic Performance Support Systems: An Assistive Technology Tool for Secondary Students with Mild Disabilities

Further information may be found at http://kidtools.missouri.edu/AboutKTSSPrograms.phpThis article presents the results of a qualitative study investigating the usability and perceived effectiveness of StrategyTools™, an electronic performance system support designed for secondary students with mild disabilities to use independently in classroom and home situations. The StrategyTools software contains 39 computerized research-based strategy tools to support learning, behavior, and transition in high school and beyond

Factors Affecting Parental Investment Strategies in Male Waterbugs

Male giant waterbugs (Belostoma flumineum Say) brood eggs oviposited on their dorsi by conspecific females. Preliminary observations indicate that viable egg pads are sometimes discarded before hatching. Theory predicts that such behavior should occur only if costs incurred by brooding exceed benefits of hatching the egg pad. The amount of paternal investment per pad should be similar for both large and small pad sizes, but as egg pads become smaller, investment per egg increases. Thus, smaller pads should be more likely to be discarded unhatched than larger ones. Similarly, egg pads containing inviable eggs should also be more frequently discarded than viable egg pads of the same size. Egg pads should be less frequently discarded as the time invested increases. Effects of these factors (egg pad size, time invested, and egg viability) upon the continuation of paternal care in the giant waterbug were investigated. Results of laboratory experiments suggest that smaller egg pads are less likely to hatch than larger ones, and males appear to be less likely to discard egg pads as temporal investment increases. However, inviability of eggs did not appear to affect the probability of an egg pad being discarded

Economic Determinants of University Enrollment: A Comparative Study of U.S. and Illinois Universities

This study analyzes the economic and institutional determinants of full-time equivalent enrollment (FTEE) at 4-year colleges in the United States and public universities in Illinois. This research examines Tuition and Fees (TAF), the average price of in-state and out-of-state costs (AVGprice), the percent of first-time students awarded financial aid (Faper), the student-to-faculty ratio (STF), and the average salary of all instructional staff (avgsalALL). The data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) throughout the years 2009 to 2022. The study examines how enrollment decisions are affected by different institutional characteristics by comparing national trends to enrollment patterns at 12 public universities in Illinois. The examination gives understanding on how higher tuition and fees impact enrollment and how much financial aid helps alleviate the financial strain on students. Furthermore, the study explores how increased prices signal perceived quality and its impact on student demand. The findings indicate that although financial aid is crucial for maintaining enrollment numbers, faculty salary and student-to-faculty ratios also have a significant impact on how appealing an institution is. This study enhances comprehension of enrollment patterns and provides policy suggestions to tackle enrollment obstacles at the national and state levels

Post-Conflict Behavior in Japanese Macaques at the Indianapolis Zoo: Age of Opponents Influences Reconciliation

In many primate species, opponents may affiliate soon after an agonistic encounter. This study examined how the individual characteris- tics of opponents affected post-conflict interactions in a captive group of Japan- ese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Reconciliation and selective attraction of opponents was shown to occur following agonistic encounters. The factor most strongly influencing post-conflict interactions was age. Juveniles were significantly more likely than adults to initiate reconciliation. Sex, kinship, and dominance status were not associated with contact initiation. Because juveniles were the most likely victims of aggression, juvenile reconciliatory contact initiative may reduce the threat of further aggression

Vehicle Assembly Building Fire Mishap Investigation Report. Volume I of V

On January 13, 2005, at approximately 1355, smoke was noticed on the 4th floor of D Tower in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Subsequently, a 911 call was made, a fire alarm pull station was activated, and the VAB was evacuated. The source of the smoke was determined to be a fire on the Low Bay M/N section roof near the Launch Control Center (LCC) Crossover. Due to the high visibility of the mishap, the KSC Center Director appointed a Mishap Investigation Board. Damage to government property was limited to the roof and a small number of ceiling tiles that were damaged by the fire fighters during the response. At the time of the mishap, there were hazardous commodities in the VAB including Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) with open grain due to Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) igniter inspections. The Board agrees with the SGS Fire Services' theory that large amounts of smoke concentrated in the VAB D Tower and moved downward into the cable tunnel. The Board determined the proximate cause of this incident to be torching. HRI was installing a torch applied roof membrane which resulted in the ignition of combustible materials under the membrane near a wooden roof expansion joint. The torch applied roofing method is a universally accepted safe industry practice when applied to non-combustible surfaces. The combination of an open flame torch and combustible materiaLs presents an increased level of risk even with skilled applicators. The addition of high winds to this combination results in a risk the Board thinks can not be adequately mitigated. An appropriate risk assessment and analysis must be performed on the proposed roofing method to be used on high visibility facilities which represent unique national assets even when using common industry practices for repair and modification. The Board identified three root causes which contributed to or created the proximate cause and, if eliminated or modified, would have prevented the mishap: 1. Combustible materials in existing roof system 2. Wind speed and direction 3. Inadequate fire watch technique. Two contributing factors were identified which may have contributed to the occurrence but, if eliminated or modified, would not have prevented the occurrence: 1. HRI rushed to dry in and seal the roof on January 13 because heavy rain was predicted for the next day 2. No guidance on torching in windy conditions A total of 17 significant observations were noted during this investigation, which could lead to another mishap, or increase the severity of a mishap, but were not contributing factors in this mishap