Digital Commons Network^™

What Happens After A Shark Incident? Behavioral Changes Among Australian Beachgoers, Ingrid Van Putten, Nick Mcclean, Andrew Chin, Sue Pillans, Carla Sbrocchi

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Sharks (Selachimorpha) have an important ecological function and are both valued and feared by people around the world. Shark bite incidents present a high consequence risk in terms of human health and safety. In Australia, shark interactions with humans are most frequently recorded for the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), and tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Human anxiety of encountering sharks may be elevated relative to the actual level of risk due to intensive media coverage, which typically emphasizes a narrative of highly abundant animals actively targeting human water users. This narrative …

European Starling Use Of Nest Boxes Relative To Human Disturbance, Bradley F. Blackwell, Bruce N. Buckingham, Morgan B. Pfeiffer

Human–Wildlife Interactions

European starling (Sturnus vulgaris; starling) nesting poses debris hazards within airport hangars and to engine and flight surfaces of moored aircraft. We questioned whether consistent removal of nest material would negatively affect use of a nest site, measured by a reduction in material accumulation. We conducted our study on a 2,200-ha site in Erie County, Ohio, USA (41° 22’ N, 82° 41’ W), from April 15 through June 2, 2020. We used 120 wooden nest boxes on utility poles, protected by an aluminum predator guard below the box. Our treatments included (1) twice weekly, repeated nest material removal …

Quantifying Wildlife Use Of Escape Ramps Along A Fenced Highway, Alex J. Jensen, John D. Perrine, Andrew A. Schaffner, Robert A. Brewster, Anthony J. Giordano, Morgan Robertson, Nancy R. Siepel

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wildlife exclusion fencing can significantly reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions. However, some animals breach the fence and become trapped in the highway corridor, thereby increasing risk of a wildlife–vehicle collision. An emerging solution to this problem is the installation of earthen escape ramps (i.e., jumpouts), which allow trapped animals to escape the highway corridor. Few studies have quantified wildlife use of jumpouts, and none have investigated intraspecific differences in use. We used camera traps to document wildlife use of 4 2m-high jumpouts associated with wildlife exclusion fencing along Highway 101 near San Luis Obispo, California, USA, from 2012 to 2017. We surveyed …

No Difference In Corticosterone Concentrations Between Missouri Three-Toed Box Turtles Living In An Urban And A Rural Site, Bennett A. Lamczyk, Jamie L. Palmer, Corinne P. Kozlowski, Stephen Blake, Sharon L. Deem

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Baseline health data for species of conservation concern are important for understanding threats to the long-term viability of populations. One indication of health is physiological stress among individuals. Corticosterone (CORT) is frequently used to quantify stress in free-living reptile populations, as high values may be associated with reduced fitness. Herein, we describe and validate methods for quantifying blood CORT levels in three-toed box turtles (Terrapene mexicana triunguis). We subsequently use this information to evaluate stress levels in 2 populations of free-living three-toed box turtles in Missouri, USA. To our knowledge, this is the first quantification of CORT levels …

Is Mitigation Translocation An Effective Strategy For Conserving Common Chuckwallas?, Chad A. Rubke, Daniel J. Leavitt, Woodrow L. Crumbo, Brock Williams, Ashley A. Grimsley-Padron, Kristin J. Gade, Russell Benford, Michael F. Ingraldi, Brian K. Sullivan, Ryan P. O’Donnell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Mitigation translocation remains a popular conservation tool despite ongoing debate regarding its utility for population conservation. To add to the understanding of the effectiveness of mitigation translocation, in 2017 and 2018 we monitored a population of protected common chuckwallas (Sauromalus ater) following translocation away from the area of construction of a new highway near the South Mountains, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. We removed chuckwallas from the construction right-of-way, paint-marked and pit-tagged them, and then released them in a nearby municipal preserve. We deployed very high frequency radio-telemetry transmitters on a sub-sample of 15 translocated adult chuckwallas. We monitored the …

Landscape Characteristics Predict Locations For Potential Human–Wildlife Interactions With Timber Rattlesnakes In Minnesota, Usa, Ben M. Borash, Benjamin P. Pauli

Human–Wildlife Interactions

While management measures cannot eliminate human–wildlife conflicts, they have the potential to minimize the damage done to both parties, especially if areas where the nature of the potential interaction can be predicted before an encounter occurs. The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) represents a wildlife species associated with public misconceptions that may foster unwarranted fears and retribution. This species is native to the eastern and southern regions of the United States, including a small population remnant in the southeastern region of Minnesota. To gain a better understanding of the environmental predictors relevant to human–snake encounters in Minnesota (that require …

New Associate Editors, S. Nicole Frey

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Human-Wildlife Interactions journal announces its new associate editors.

Fertility Control Options For Management Of Free-Roaming Horse Populations, Ursula S. Bechert, John W. Turner Jr., Dan L. Baker, Douglas C. Eckery, Jason E. Bruemmer, Candace C. Lyman, Tulio M. Prado, Sarah R. B. King, Mark A. Fraker

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The management of free-roaming horses (Equus ferus) and burros (E. asinus) in the United States has been referred to as a “wicked problem” because, although there are population control options, societal values will ultimately determine what is acceptable and what is not. In the United States, free-roaming equids are managed by different types of organizations and agencies, and the landscapes that these animals inhabit vary widely in terms of access, size, topography, climate, natural resources, flora, and fauna. This landscape diversity, coupled with contemporary socioeconomic and political environments, means that adaptive management practices are needed to …

Multi-Objective Modeling As A Decision-Support Tool For Free-Roaming Horse Management, Brian Folt, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, L. Stefan Ekernas

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Decisions related to controversial problems in natural resource management receive the greatest support when they account for multiple objectives of stakeholders in a structured and transparent fashion. In the United States, management of free-roaming horses (Equus caballus; horses) is a controversial multiple-objective problem because disparate stakeholder groups have varying objectives and opinions about how to manage fast-growing horse populations in ways that sustain both natural ecosystems and healthy horses. Despite much decision-support research on management alternatives that prevent excessive population size or cost, horse management decisions still receive resistance from a variety of stakeholder groups, potentially because decisions …

Stakeholder Acceptance Of Wild Equid Fertility Control Mirrors Global Shifts In Attitudes To Wildlife Management, Giovanna Massei, Stephanie L. Boyles Griffin

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wild equid (horses [Equus ferus] and burros [E. asinus]) populations have increased on public lands in the United States since the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. As of March 1, 2022, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) estimated that wild equid populations on designated herd management areas (HMAs) may exceed 82,000 animals. In 2020, the total population of wild equids in the United States was estimated to exceed 300,000 animals. The BLM sets an appropriate management level (AML) for wild horse and burro herds on each HMA and removes animals …

Dehydration And Mortality Of Feral Horses And Burros: A Systematic Review Of Reported Deaths, John Derek Scasta, Eric Thacker, Jacob D. Hennig, Karl Hoopes

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Water is a requirement for all organisms, including equids. Dehydration-caused mortality of feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) is often cited as a cause of concern and as justification for management of feral horses, yet a paucity of information exists on the matter. We conducted a systematic review from September 1, 2020 through January 15, 2021 of available news reports of feral horse and burro (E. asinus) dehydration mortalities and public interventions to save horses using a public search engine with a priori defined search term combinations and additional snowball sampling. We found 15 uniquely reported mortality …

Nonnative Ungulate Impacts On Greater Sage-Grouse Late Brood-Rearing Habitat In The Great Basin, Usa, Mikiah R. Mcginn, Steven L. Petersen, Melissa S. Chelak, Randy T. Larsen, Loreen Allphin, Brock R. Mcmillan, Dennis L. Eggett, Terry A. Messmer

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Domestic livestock grazing is the dominant land use on much of the current range inhabited by greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) in the western United States. Nonnative feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) also inhabit important sage-grouse seasonal habitats. Overabundant feral horse populations and improper grazing by domestic cattle (Bos taurus) can impact the health of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) and desert shrub rangeland communities and native wildlife. These impacts to sage-grouse can be exacerbated when they affect late brood-rearing habitat, which provide the forbs and arthropods required to fledge broods. Managers require better information …

Rethinking Behavior - Winter 2022, Midwest Symposium For Leadership In Behavior Disorders

ReThinking Behavior Magazine

A magazine for professionals serving children and youth with behavioral needs.

Winter 2022, Volume 5, Issue 2

Partnerships Create Success For The Devil’S Garden Wild Horses, Laura K. Snell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Many wild horse (Equus ferus caballus) populations that inhabit designated federal land in the United States currently exceed management objectives. Overabundant wild horse populations can adversely impact the ecosystem, native wildlife, and other land uses. Unfortunately, there is not a universal solution, as each impacted area may differ ecologically, economically, socially, and politically. Wild horse management is not just a 1-time project but a long-term program where buy-in is needed from the federal and state agencies, local governments, and private partners. Local county governments and private partners can have important insights and significant influence on the development and …

A Tale Of Five Case Studies: Reflections On Piloting A Case-Based, Problem-Based Learning Curriculum In English Composition, Katie Strand, Rachel Wishkoski, Alex J. Sundt, Deanna Allred

Library Faculty & Staff Publications

Part of a volume about storytelling in academic library contexts, this chapter reflects on the use of case studies in a sequenced information literacy curriculum in ENGL 2010 (Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode). In highly interactive sessions across the semester, students collaboratively researched a case study topic and co-created artifacts that reflected their shared journey as researchers. The chapter is organized into the following sections, consistent with the other chapters in the book: classroom vignette, storytelling goal, audience, delivery, theory, cultural considerations, and practical examples. Readers will learn about things to consider when using case-based problem-based learning …

Online Process-Based Training For Perfectionism: A Randomized Trial, Clarissa W. Ong, Eric B. Lee, Michael E. Levin, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Process-based therapy (PBT) is model of psychotherapy designed to improve people’s ability to use a variety of skills from evidence-based treatments to match environmental needs and personal goals in the moment. This randomized trial tested the effect of an online self-help intervention modeled after PBT principles for participants with perfectionism (N = 77). The intervention comprised two four-session trainings teaching skills from different evidence-based treatments (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy) and targeting cognitive and motivational processes: (1) cognitive training and (2) motivational training respectively. Participants completed 17 assessments throughout the intervention and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. …

Intervention Research To Increase Pediatric Hearing Device Use: A Scoping Review, Karen F. Munoz, Diana Ortiz, Cameron Bolinger, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study is a scoping review examining interventions to increase hearing device use for children.

Method: Online databases were used to identify peer-reviewed journal articles published prior to November 1, 2021, yielding 1,288 after duplications were removed. Four articles met the inclusion criteria after articles were screened by title name and abstract and subsequent full-text screening of six articles. A qualitative analysis was conducted to identify features of the intervention studies related to the participants, design, intervention, key findings, and limitations.

Results: The included studies were published between 1982 and 2021, and in all four studies, the children used …

An Open Trial Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy With Exposure And Response Prevention In An Intensive Outpatient Setting For Adults With Ocd, L. K. Capel, P. Zurita-Ona, C. Muller, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment settings for adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are common, but data on their effectiveness is limited. The effectiveness of IOP treatment for adults with OCD using combined Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) was studied with eight adults. The intervention was 15 hours per week for three weeks. Measures were collected at pre-treatment, one-week, two-weeks, post-treatment, and at one-month follow-up. At the end of treatment, all participants were in the mild range of OCD symptom severity with a mean symptom decrease of 58%. Psychological inflexibility, depression, anxiety and stress significantly decreased …

2022 Finance Calendar, Amanda Christensen, Melanie Jewkes, Andrea Schmutz, Vincenza Vicari-Bentley, Kristilyn Wilkinson

All Current Publications

Check off each small step monthly and see the drastic impact of improved personal finances over the course of the year. These short, actionable tips and related resources will have you in the driver’s seat with your money.

Western Region Health & Wellness Programming Efforts: Qualitative Results From A Three-Part Listening Session, Cris L. Meier, Lily Ward, Anders Van Sandt, Sue Schneider, Riana Gayle

All Current Publications

The purpose of this project was to understand the programming efforts and experiences of Extension professionals in the Western Region of the United States. The Health and Wellness Working Group team held a series of listening sessions with a closed cohort of Extension professionals, hoping to learn from each other while also building the foundation for future collaborations and conversations about health and wellness programing in the western region.

The objectives were to understand: (1) the state of health and wellness work in the western region, including the gaps and challenges, (2) the programs that currently exist and ways that …

The 2022 Utah College Sexual Behavior Survey: Qualitative Report, Monti Douglas, Cris Meier, Julie Gast, Melissa Ferguson

All Current Publications

Purpose: The purpose of the 2022 Utah College Sexual Behavior Survey project was to use retrospective sexual behavior and education measures to gain a better understanding of the sexual behaviors and perceptions of sex education of Utah youth by asking students aged 18-21 years old about their sexual behaviors as youth. This supplement provides additional qualitative research that aids in understanding our quantitative findings.

Measures: The qualitative survey questions represented three topical areas. These areas included questions about consent, sex education satisfaction, and student’s parental preference when discussing topics about sex and health.

Method: A one-time survey …

Values Engagement As A Predictor Of Eating Disorder Severity In Female Adolescents With Eating Disorders, Julie M. Petersen, Jennifer L. Barney, Tyson S. Barrett, Tera S. Lensegrav-Benson, Benita Quakenbush-Roberts, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Values are freely chosen life directions and/or qualities of being that can motivate behavior change. There is nascent support for the utility of values work as a part of the therapeutic process across treatments, particularly in third wave therapy approaches (e.g., acceptance and commitment therapy). However, therapeutic values work is underresearched in clinical samples of youth. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of the two distinct values processes (engagement and obstruction), body image inflexibility, alongside other common comorbid symptoms of eating disorders (anxiety, depression) in a sample of female adolescents with eating disorders attending a …

Intensive Outpatient Acceptance And Commitment Therapy With Exposure And Response Prevention For Adolescents, Julie M. Petersen, Patricia Zurita Ona, Moorea Blythe, Clara M. Möller, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Intensive treatments for youth obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are important and underresearched. This study used three adolescent cases to assess the preliminary efficacy of an intensive treatment combining acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD. Participants received intensive treatment for 15 hours per week for three weeks. Assessments were collected at pre-treatment, weekly during treatment, and at posttreatment. All participants ended treatment in the mild range of OCD severity with 32-60% reductions in symptoms. Participants also reported notable improvements in psychological flexibility and ended treatment in the non-clinical range of depression, anxiety, and stress. These …

Examining A Mediation Model Of Body Image-Related Cognitive Fusion, Intuitive Eating, And Eating Disorder Symptom Severity In A Clinical Sample, Jennifer L. Barney, Tyson S. Barrett, Tera Lensegrav-Benson, Benita Quakenbush, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Purpose: This study sought to explore the associations between Intuitive Eating (IE), eating disorder (ED) symptom severity, and body image-related cognitive fusion within a clinical sample. IE was also examined as a possible mediator in the relationship between body image-related fusion and ED symptoms.

Methods: This study includes cross-sectional analyses with data from 100 adult females and 75 adolescent females seeking residential treatment for an ED. Self-reported demographic information, ED symptoms, IE behaviors, and body image-related cognitive fusion were collected from participants within the first week of treatment following admission to the same residential ED treatment facility.

Results: …

Cutting Expenses Guidebook, Melanie Jewkes, Amanda Christensen, Alicia Nelson-Bell

All Current Publications

This booklet will help you strategize how to make small (or big) adjustments in your spending, freeing funds to put toward your goals. Topics such as boosting savings, and tips for addressing grocery, medical, utility, entertainment, clothing, transportation, home, holiday, and miscellaneous expenses are covered.

The Utah Statesman, December 13, 2021, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes, December 13, 2021, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

No abstract provided.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda, December 13, 2021, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Approval of Minutes – November 15, 2021
• University Business
• Education Policies Committee
• Change Aspire Efforts
• Council on Teacher Education Annual Report | One Pager
• Scholarship Advisory Board Annual Report

Mental Health Literacy And The Impact Of Gender, Nathan Clay

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

Purpose of the study We examined associations between gender and components of Mental Health Literacy (MHL). The baseline assumption, based on prior literature, is that women will have a higher knowledge related to mental health compared to men.

Patients' Perceptions Of Stigma During Emergency Department Visits: Measuring Impacts On Healthcare Satisfaction, Treatment Adherence, And Mental Health, David Suisse

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

Emergency departments (ED) in the United States receive many patients who have mental health or substance use issues. This population often reports experiences of stigma when seeking emergency healthcare. Stigma is a negative biased perception based on a socially undesirable characteristic. Stigmatization in healthcare can lead to apoor quality of life and psychological distress for stigmatized groups along with reduced rates of treatment completion and treatment seeking in the future. The goal of the current study is to examine the relationship between mental illness and substance abuse patients’ experiences of stigmatization in the ED and their patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, …