Duration Of Calls Research Articles

Laboratory evaluation of 4‐aminopyridine against house sparrow(Passer domesticus)

Abstract Laboratory studies were conducted, using a millet grain bait, to estimate the minimum concentration of 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP) needed to produce abnormal behaviour and distress calls in house sparrows (Passer domesticus L.). Three concentrations (0.50, 0.75 and 1.0%) were tested and three doses (6, 18 and 30 mg) were administered by forcing birds to eat one, three or five treated grains. There were differences among the three concentrations in time from dosing to first distress call and in abnormal behaviour, but not in the duration and number of distress calls. At each concentration different doses had different effects. Males emitted more and higher pitched distress calls than did females. It is concluded that concentrations of 0.75 and 1.0% could be effective in reducing damage to cereal crops by house sparrows in Pakistan. The calculated LD50 was 5.9 mg/kg (4.5–7.7 mg/kg, 95% confidence limits).

Effects of fly parasitoids on nightly calling duration in field crickets

The song of male field crickets, Gryllus integer (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), attracts flies, Euphasiopteryx ochracea (Diptera; Tachinidae). Flies deposit larvae on male crickets and the larvae burrow in and consume the host. Effects of fly parasitism on duration of calling in G. integer were studied. Male crickets were collected at street lights and placed in jars and were electrically monitored for calling song. Calling duration was measured for 7 nights. Fly larvae were then placed on males and calling duration was measured for an additional 7 nights. In two replicates, males called significantly less following parasitism, and average calling duration declined gradually before death. Other males which remained free of fly larvae showed no reduction in calling. Field-collected males which subsequently died from fly parasitism called significantly less than non-parasitized males. Acoustically orienting flies reduce the ability of parasitized males to attract females acoustically.

Factors Affecting Calling Behaviour in Field Crickets, Teleogryllus and Gryllus (Age, Weight, Density, and Parasites)

The duration of calling by male acoustical insects should reflect the selective forces of mating success and longevity. Nightly calling durations were studied in the field crickets Gryllus integer, G. pennsylvanicus, G. veletis, and Teleogryllus africanus. Immediately after the final molt, males were placed in individual jars in the laboratory. Jars were monitored electronically for the production of calling song. Males started calling at 4 to 7 days on average in each species, and there were no significant changes in duration of calling with increasing age. G. integer was also studied in a large outdoor arena. Arena males first called at approximately the same age as males in the laboratory, and the duration of calling did not change with age. Onset of first calling followed initial production of the spermatophore by a few days in separate samples of each species. Absence of ontogenetic changes in the amount of calling demonstrates that calling and satellite males in field populations of G. integer do not result from age differences. Mean calling duration per night was determined for each male, and there was no difference in mean calling duration with male weight in any species in the laboratory, or G. integer in the arena. G. integer called significantly less on average than the other species. Individual calling durations in G. integer were highly skewed, whereas distributions of the other species were normal in shape. Reduced calling in G. integer may result from the attraction of acoustically orienting parasitic flies, Euphasiopteryx ochraces, to the calling song of this cricket species. Coefficients of variation demonstrated that G. integer is more variable in acoustical behaviour than the remaining species, an observation confirmed by previous field studies.

Significance of Size, Temperature and Call Attributes to Sexual Selection in Bufo woodhousei australis

Advertisement calls of a population of Bufo woodhousei australis were recorded in the field to determine possible effects of size and temperature on call attributes. Analysis of dom- inant frequency, pulse rate and duration of advertisement calls revealed that only frequency was correlated (negatively) with size. Observations of the same individuals on successive nights showed there was substantial variation in call attributes independent of temperature. Only pulse rate was correlated (positively) with body temperature; frequency and call duration were independent of body temperature over a 5?C range. It is concluded that females might distinguish males of different sizes on the basis of frequency, but temperature has no effect on this possible size indicator. These results are discussed in relation to the work of Fairchild (1981) on Bufo woodhousei fowleri.

Development of vocalizations in the American Coot

Vocal development was followed in laboratory-reared American Coots (Fulica americana). Four call types were observed in young chicks: twitter, wit-ou, squawk, and yeow. During the first month all calls showed changes in pitch. Call duration showed no change in the twitter and yeow calls, but showed an increase in both the wit-ou and squawk calls. Twitters were dropped from the repertoire after 30 days of age, whereas yeow calls were dropped after about 2 months of age. When approximately 2 months old, juveniles used three calls, one derived from the squawk, and two derived from the wit-ou. Sexual dimorphism also developed when birds were about 2 months old. By 3 months of age, juvenile calls resembled those of adult coots.

The call of the Aldabra tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) (Reptilia, Testudinidae)

AbstractMating male Aldabra tortoises (Geochelone gigantea) emit loud, deep-pitched calls or "groans" while mounted. A bout of 34 groans was recorded and analyzed oscillographically and spectrographically. The sound energy occurs in periodic waves and there is no evidence of regularly pulsed energy. Calls are relatively stereotyped, with at least seven partial tones that range from 0.26 to 0.80 kHz. Only three tones occur throughout each call and in all calls, and these three have a harmonic relationship. More than half of the duration of the call, averaging 64 %, consists of a steady decrease in frequency, which occurs at the end. The beginnings of calls have the most energy, especially in the deepest tone, but there is considerable variation in the pattern of amplitude modulation. Call length and duration of the pauses between calls are relatively stereotyped, averaging 0.47 and 3.86 seconds, respectively. Movements made during "groan-thrusting" may be related to sound production, but the structures involved in the production, modulation, and resonance of the call are unknown. As the majority of the groan is apparently within the frequency range of highest auditory sensitivity for tortoises, there is an excellent chance that the sounds are perceived by the female, possibly intimidating her and facilitating mounting. Sounds are made by mating tortoises of a variety of species, and it would be interesting to know how these behaviors evolved.

Effects of age on calling behaviour of the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis) (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

AbstractThe effects of age on calling behaviour of virgin females of Chilo suppressalis (Wlk.) were investigated. The results show clearly that patterns of calling varied with age. The frequency of calling was high in females up to 4 or 5 days after emergence and thereafter decreased rapidly. The number of calling bouts increased slightly in older moths. Bout length became longer with increasing age. The total duration of calling, therefore, increased gradually with age. On average, calling began 3 h 49 min after light-off on day 1, but thereafter, the time of start became earlier each day by 10 to 40 min per day. It seems that the change of calling patterns with age is correlated with increased reproductive maturity of females.

Seasonal and geographical variation of the mating call of the oyster toadfish Opsanus tau L.

The boatwhistle, the mating call of the oyster toadfish Opsanus tau L. undergoes a pronounced seasonal cycle. The fundamental frequency increases to a peak early in the summer and then decreases markedly in the middle of July. The call duration decreases coincident with the fundamental frequency. It is hypothesized that these fluctuations are controlled by hormonal factors although temperature exerts a direct effect on the fundamental frequency.The fundamental frequency of the boatwhistle in early season is higher in southern populations than in northern ones. Part of this increase is attributed to increased temperature of southern waters. Call duration, which is independent of temperature, varies irregularly up and down the coast.

Age-Related Calling Behavior of the Black Cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon1

Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) calling behavior changed with age. The percentage of calling females 1–4 days old was 20, 33, 91, and 95% respectively. Duration and spacing of calling bouts varied considerably within the same age group. Fourday-old females had the longest total duration of calling (X= 117 min.). The number of calling bouts also changed significantly with age. Four-day-old females called most often with 21 bouts/night. Regardless of age, bout length was mostly 1 min or less, but the oldest females had the longest bouts. As moths aged, calling commenced earlier in the scotophase, with 4-dayold females calling earliest. Thus, sexually mature moths are more competitive than their younger counterparts by calling and attracting males first.

Sehreckrufe von Rana r. ridibunda Pallas (Amphibia, Anura) / Distress Calls of Rana r. ridibunda Pallas (Amphibia, Anura)

The duration of the pulsed distress calls of Rana r. ridibunda ranges from 200 to 600 msec. Calls with regularily built pulses exhibit a mixed spectrum (up to 8 kHz) consisting of unharmonious and harmonious frequencies. The latter ones are frequency-modulated.

Spot-lights for eye surgery.

<h3>Objective</h3> Interpretation of epidemiological studies on health effects from mobile phone use is hindered by uncertainties in the exposure assessment. We used a newly developed smartphone application (app) to validate self-reported mobile phone use and behaviour among adults. <h3>Methods</h3> 107 participants (mean age 41.4 years) in the Netherlands either downloaded the software app on their smartphone or were provided with a study smartphone for 4 weeks. The app recorded the number and duration of calls, text messages, data transfer, laterality and hands-free use. Self-reported mobile phone use was collected before using the app and after 6 months through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. <h3>Results</h3> The geometric mean ratios (GMR, 95% CI) and Spearman correlations (r) of self-reported (after 6 months) versus recorded number and duration of calls were: GMR=0.65 (0.53 to 0.80), r=0.53; and GMR=1.11 (0.86 to 1.42), r=0.57 respectively. Participants held the phone on average for 86% of the total call time near the head. Self-reported right side users held the phone for 70.7% of the total call time on the right side of the head, and left side users for 66.2% on the left side of the head. The percentage of total call time that the use of hands-free devices (headset, speaker mode, Bluetooth) was recorded increased with increasing frequency of reported hands-free device usage. <h3>Discussion</h3> The observed recall errors and precision of reported laterality and hands-free use can be used to quantify and improve radiofrequency exposure models based on self-reported mobile phone use.

Vocalization in rhesus monkeys: Conditionability

Three rhesus monkeys were individually trained to emit relatively prolonged calls in an experimental arrangement which required that intensity of each call be maintained within prescribed limits. Each animal learned to produce the calls when a stimulus signaled the appropriate occasion. Stimulus control over the calls was demonstrated by increased number of calls and increased average duration of calls when the signal was present, together with diminished number of calls when the signal was not present.

Ontogeny of Squirrel Monkey Calls Under Normal Conditions and Under Acoustic Isolation

Abstract Five mothers of squirrel monkey infants isolated from other species members were muted by severence of their vocal cords during pregnancy. After delivery, mother infant pairs were brought up in an environment free of any species-specific auditory input. One of these infants underwent a deafening operation five days after birth. In addition, two infants grew up under normal conditions, i.e., exposed to species-specific vocalization. Supplemental data were acquired from six other infants, four of them normally raised and two handraised. Soundspectrograms were taken over a period up to six months in the case of the isolates and up to 17 months for the normal animals. Samples of this spectrographical material were analyzed with respect to the form of calls and to quantitative criteria, such as duration, starting frequency, mid-frequency, and end frequency of peep and cackle calls. Clear evidence is presented that the vocal repertoire of squirrel monkey infants raised under normal conditions and those raised in the absence of species-specific auditory input are virtually identical. Furthermore, comparison of the infants' vocalization with those of adult animals shows no significant differences.

Repetitive vocalizations evoked by local electrical stimulation of avian brains I. Awake chickens ( Gallus gallus)

Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB) through 1178 chronically-implanted electrodes in 128 chickens consistently yielded repetitive vocalizations from 414 sites. Active points were concentrated in two areas, one ventro-medial to the inferior colliculus, and one apparently in tractus occipitomesencephalicus just ventral to nucleus ovoidalis. Call duration, interval between calls, and frequency structure of individual notes all varied continuously both within and between sites. Simultaneous stimulation of two sites yielded facilitation, summation, and occlusion with increasing stimulus intensity. Results are interpreted to suggest a single set of neural mechanisms controlling repetitive vocalizations. Correlation between sites active in awake and anaesthetized birds was 0·996.

Optimal planning of an emergency ambulance service

Queuing theory models are developed for computing the size of emergency ambulance fleet required to meet specified standards of service. As a function of the demand for ambulance service and the distribution of duration of service calls, tables are given for the number of ambulances required to respond immediately to 95 (or 99) percent of service requests. By analyzing a queuing system with unlimited server (ambulance) availability we provide approximate results to overcome the difficulties of computing steady-state results for a multi-server (ambulance) queuing system. Our results provide guidelines for determining the size of an ambulance fleet based at a single garage. We discuss the extension of our results to more complex situations. This paper provides a mathematical basis for a proper balance between the inordinate expense of a large fleet of ambulances and the possibly inadequate service provided by a small fleet. In the first section, we develop the required queuing theory techniques. These methods are then applied in the following section to the problem of determining optimal fleet size for a city whose ambulances are dispatched from a single base. In the final sections, the applicability of our results to other systems of ambulance operation is discussed.

Bio-acoustic investigations in the green frog, rana esculenta (L.)

1. At a pond near Tübingen, West-Germany, the calling period of the green frog, Rana esculenta, lasts for a period ranging from the middle to the end of April, to the beginning to the end of July. The calling period is parted because of two changes in the behavior of calling and the changing number of the calling groups in: pre spawning period, spawning period and post spawning period. 2. Male frogs form calling groups. The males of each group cry in a rhythmic chorus. 3. The calling activity is influenced by 3 external factors, weather, water temperature and temperature of the air. The dependance of calling activity by these factors is not linear. During a period of good weather the calling activity increases daily. During a period of bad weather there is a daily decrease. The highest calling activity is on sunny days with a water temperature of between 17.5 and 22°C plus or minus 1 degree. From this level the activity falls with decreasing or increasing water temperature asymptotic to zero. The lower limit of calling activity ranges from 10 to 12°C, the upper one by 36.5 plus or minus 0.5°C. With the growing increase of air temperature the number of calls per time period falls asymptotic to zero. 4. The male green frog emits 6 calls; one mating call, two territorial calls, two release calls and one distress call. The calls consist of impulses, which, in the case of the mating call, are arranged to characteristic impulse-groups. The female green frog also emits calls, but no mating calls. 5. The parameters of mating and territorial calls are influenced by the water temperature. With increasing water temperature the duration of calls decreases linear, on the other hand the sequence of impulses and the repetition rate of impulse-groups show a positive linear regression. Also the size of the frog influences the calling parameters. With the increase of body length the duration of mating calls and territorial calls decreases and the sequence of impulses increases; and with mating calls also the repetition-rate of the impulse-groups decreases. 6. The larynx of the green frog consists of 3 elements of cartilage, only one of Cartilago crico-trachealis and the two Cartilagines arytaenoideae, and also 4 pairs of muscles. The muscles are innervated by two branches of the Nervus vagus, named Nervus laryngeus brevis and Nervus laryngeus longus. The larynx of male and female are built the same, but the male larynx is larger. The larynx of Rana ridibunda ridibunda Pallas is little different from that of the green frog. Also in the case of this species the male larynx is larger than the female larynx. 7. The differentiation of the larynx structure in the green frog ends after the completion of the metamorphose. The young frogs emit calls which sound similar to that of the territorial calls of adult frogs.

The Communicative Function of Pelvic Fin-Flickering in Etroplus Maculatus (Pisces, Cichlidae)

1. Fin-flickering (calling) is exhibited only by adult fish when they are caring for the young. This behavior is especially frequent when the parents are alarmed. The calling frequency of the parents was as much as 17 times greater during disturbed conditions than during undisturbed conditions. 2. During disturbed conditions the duration and frequency of calling were significantly greater on the third day that the fry were free-swimming than on any of the other test days. This increase in calling is discussed in connection with other behavioral and histological changes that have been deported to occur on day 3. 3. The parents alternate in the care of the school. The times spent with the school by each parent are not significantly different whether observed during disturbed or undisturbed conditions. 4. On each test day the vertical and horizontal dispersion of the school decreased as calling increased, causing the school to become more compact. The distance from the center of the school to the parent changed significantly only on day 6 of free-swimming, decreasing as calling increased. 5. During the free-swimming stage of development the fry make continual physical contact with the body of the parents, a behavior termed glancing. Glancing rates were unaffected by changes in calling frequency on days 1 and 3 of free-swimming. However, on day 6 and on subsequent days glancing decreased as the calling frequency increased. 6. The changes in school activity as a function of increased calling, which were seen on day 6 but not on day 3, are discussed in light of their adaptive significance.

Design of Serviceability Features for the IBM System/360

This paper discusses the design of features that are intended to provide the IBM System/360 with u significant improvement in serviceability over that of previous systems. It was decided from the beginning to develop the System/360 as an integrated package of hardware, operational programs, and maintenance procedures. The major problems to be solved in gaining this improvement and integration were (a) reducing the maximum duration of service calls; (b) reducing the median duration and mean duration of service calls; and (c) matching a single package of maintenance programs and procedures to a large variety of operational monitor programs and machine models. These problems have been attacked by supplementing standard servicing facilities (both hardware and program) with (a) the ability to record automatically the complete, detailed, system environment at the instant of error discovery; (b) the ability to initialize the CPU to any arbitrarily specified state (either legal or illegal), to advance from this state by a specified number of machine cycles, and to compare the new state with a precomputed result state, much of this using circuits that are independent of those required for program sequencing; (c) a system of programs that can be integrated with the System/360 Design Automation to produce automatically the inputs, results, and location analyses that are required to exploit the capabilities described in (b); (d) a family of diagnostic monitor programs that attack directly the problem of matching maintenance procedures to machine models and operational monitor programs; and (e) a facility to retry failing CPU operations at the instruction level in the larger models, in addition to the usual retry at the program-segment level.

The Reliability of Holding Time Measurements

ONE of the fundamental quantities in traffic engineering is the average duration of subscribers' calls. This figure in seconds multiplied by the average number of calls expected over a given route in an hour, and divided by 3600, gives the traffic load submitted in average simultaneous calls — or “the average” as it is commonly called. Tables and curves are widely available which may then be consulted to find the number of paths to be provided so that no more than a desired small percentage of the calls presented will find all paths busy.